Santa is REAL

Many years ago my family had just moved into our first home in Tucson. My cousin was living with us at the time. Shortly there after dad lost his job. This all happen right before the Holidays. We were all young, but I think we realize that it would be a very small Christmas. My parents had asked us what we wanted for Christmas that year. It was a very simple list:
Dad- electric drill
Mom-a dress that fit
Katie-doll
Sarah-doll
Patrick- the biggest gift

One night we decorating a our little tree when we heard sleigh bells. We opened the front door and there was Santa coming out of his bright red Dodge truck. He had boxes of food and gifts for all. We talk to Santa for a moment and then he said that he had to go. Mom and Dad walked Santa out and ask who he was. All he said was " Merry Christmas" and then left in his red dodge truck. And what did we get from Santa? Everything on our list. A power drill for dad, a dress that fit for mom, Katie and Sarah both got dolls and Patrick a fisher price basketball hoop, the biggest gift of them all. To this day we as a family do not know who Santa was. In eyes of the Corning household, Santa lives! He just comes in bright red dodge trucks!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT

Thanksgiving

Every family has traditions around the holidays. Like others I am very grateful for this time of year. For the many blessing that I have and for the time of reflection that it brings. This year, was a little different for the Corning household. We were able to spend the holidays with some of Trent's sibling. Here are some pictures of some of the things that happened over this Thanksgiving holiday.

We deep fried a turkey this year. Thanks to Alton Brown we learned to the safe way to do one:)

Trent's sister Melissa made these awesome cookie turkeys for everyone they were a hit!

We took a drive in the Packard at sunset. Thanks dad for working so hard to get the old cars out. I know that it is not an easy task. But always well worth it.

For all you old cars lovers, here is a better pictures of the 1929 Packard.

My personal favorite, 1956 T-bird. I can count on one hand the numbers of times that I have driven it THREE!

Three generations, grandma Lyman, my mom and me.

Amy, Bryce and I. We missed you Sarah and Patrick.

Last but not least, I put my Christmas Tree up at my home in Phoenix.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Come back soon, as there will be story about how Santa really does live!!!

Winter Quarters, Nauvoo and more....

I have been home from my trip two week now, so I figure it is about time that I blog about it. It was one of the best trips ever!!!!! I had a wonderful time! I visited family and friends, went to some of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. Even had some pioneer moments along with getting pulled over and only getting a warning! That will be a post in its self. It all started off by flying into Omaha and visiting Winter Quarters visitor center. We even go to pull a hand cart!

We also visited some family at the cemetery. One being my sister May, she will always have a special place in my heart.
We then travel to Nauvoo, along the way we stop a Mt Pisgah, it was a place where the saints stopped for a period of time.

We had a great time in Nauvoo, it a beautiful place to see. Even though the weather was a little cold the scenery was amazing with all the leaves changing color. It gave you a sense of what it may have been like while the saints lived there.

I loved everything about Nauvoo, but one of the best parts was going into the different prophets homes, you could feel of their love and their spirit.

We were able to do a session at the Nauvoo Temple. It was beautiful. I could see why the temple was so important to those Saints at that time.
We then traveled to Carthage Jail.From the moment that you step foot of the the grounds, there is a very peaceful and humbling feeling there. I will never for get that feeling. After the tour we found out that our guide was the great great granddaughter of John Taylor. It was wonderful to hear of her feelings for that special place.

Then travel to Independence Missouri. Also the way Olivia felt that we needed to have pioneer moments. Let me explain what pioneer moments were. Us driving down the freeway at 70 miles per hour, with all 4 windows down and it being 35 degrees outside. Need I say more?! I was so cold and yet she was warm because she had her bonnet on, I personally think it was because she was wearing thermals!!!!

We then went to Liberty Jail. Liberty Jail has been reconstructed, but is a place where the Prophet Joseph Smith faced a great hardship. To give you a since of how cold it was they told us that after the jail was closed they used it as a place to store ice, because it would remain frozen until July.

We then went to Adam-Ondi-Ahman, what an amazing place. It is a humbling experience to think of what told place in this area as well as what will take place.


We ended the trip by going to the Winter Quarter temple. I will always have a special place in my heart for Winter Quarters and Nebraska, for they will always be home to me. We also spent some time with my grandma Corning. She is a beautiful and amazing women. I feel very blessed to be her granddaughter.



Until next time friends and family
Cheerio!

Less then 24 hours and counting

We are at less then 24 hours before I leave on vacation!!! Can you tell that I'm pretty excited! The last vacation that I went on was three years ago on a Hawaiian Cruise. Since then its been short weekend trips and family vacations.( Don't get me wrong I do love them.) For the next seven days I get to doing the following things:

Visit the Navuoo Temple

Visit Winter Quarters Temple
You cant go to Lincoln, NE and not have ice cream from the UNL dairy store!

Next post, the adventures from my trip. Cross your fingers that I don't freeze!!!

Cheerio

Reflection of Grandparents

This post is mostly for me I have to admit. I feel the need to get my feeling out before I do something crazy. I have been blessed my whole life with amazing family. We have always been very close. For the first eight years of my life we lived across the street from my grandpa and grandma Corning. I have felt close to them my whole life. Charles and Lois Corning

Grandpa Corning pass away in 1998 from lung cancer. My grandma Corning is still alive but her health has been declining lately.

My Grandpa and Grandma Lyman lived in Escalante Ut, where we spent many summer visiting them.

Randell and Gwen Lyman

My grandpa Lyman passed away in 1996 due to Alzheimer's. My grandma Lyman is still alive and lives my parents. She deals with pain all the time due to old age, ie she is 94.

As much as I love them it is difficult to see them both suffer. I just pray that they know how much I love them and care for them. They all have lived full lives and I know that they will be rewarded eternity for their many accomplishments here on this earth. In that aspect I am very grateful for the gospel and the clarity and comfort that it can bring at difficult times. I cherish every moment that I get to spend with them.

I love you Grandma Corning and Grandma Lyman

Walks in Oro Valley

Typically my family and I go for walks in the neighborhood. Its quiet and beautiful after a rain storm and any day for that matter. However sometimes when walking you have to watch out for the wildlife. Over Labor Day Weekend we ran into one of these

Which by the way is the one creature on this planet that I can not handle! SNAKES! Just looking at this pictures wigs me out. We also ran into on of these
Which is not as bad as the snake. The Crazy part is that the dog didn't notice either one of these animals. Who knows what Belle would have done. However in the long run since this is the scenery of the walks Ill deal with the wild life.
A view from my parents backyard

Tell next time friends, Cheerio!

Labor Day Weekend

I have felt the need to post about this weekend for a while now. There are no pictures, but a story to be told. Labor Day weekend has a great significances to my family and I. This year it marks 24 years that we have lived in Arizona. It was on this day that we waited for the truck to arrive with all our things. We as a family made the long drive from Lincoln, Nebraska and my uncle Chuck drove the truck however the truck broke down. So, my dad dropped us off at our new home and went to fix the truck. We on the other hand went swimming and roamed our new home. It was a very long day, but one that we will never forget. This day also marks 14 years since we sold the house on Calle Casquilla. We had many open houses to try and sell the house and each time, mom and dad would give me 4 dollars to take the kids to McDonalds to get ice cream and give me dad's pager so we would know when we could come home. On this day I didn't want to go to McDonalds AGAIN, so we stayed home. No wonder I do not like that place to this day. We sat around the house all day and no one came. Then in the afternoon this family came to look at the house. They walked around that house so many times, I don't think they missed a square inch of it. After a couple of hours they kept saying "we are going to buy this house" over and over again. They finally left and a couple of hours they called with an offer and moved in a month later. They still live on Calle Casquilla. I have to admit there are days that I miss that house, it was filled with great memories. It was the house Santa came to, literally, it was the house that I had my first own bedroom, it also had a great backyard.
This year I came home to spend time with the family. It was been a great weekend. On Sunday night we went for our normal walk around the block. First we ran into a tarantula, then further down the street dad had the dog, minding his own business when we heard a very loud rattle!! Right next to him was a rattlesnake who wanted us to stay out of his way. Today we went bowling as a family. I told Patrick that he had to bowl one game left handed so I could have a chance at least that is what I thought. I lost by one point! That's right 1 point. It was a very good game so I have to give him credit for that. Tomorrow I get to visit my favorite dentist (my dad)and then its back to work. Here is to Labor Day Weekend. One that will always mean something to the Corning family. I hope that everyone has had a great weekend as well.

Show Low

A couple weeks ago I was able to get out of this 110 degree heat and go north to Show Low with some friends. It was a great weekend. I meet new people and was able to do some hiking and bask in the pine trees for a change. Of course there were some adventures along the way. So, here are some pictures to tell the story!

Pre leaving for our trip, Brian and the girls, Kelly, Mimi, Brooke and I

Brooke trying to open the bag of chips

Brian opening the bag of chips, finally success!!!
Amy looking hot!


Brooke and I looking looking awesome!

I need to work on my balancing
Of course there was some off roading going on!!! I think we drove thru this water at least 4 or 5 times!! We had to get a good pictures:)


The girls at dinner. Great way to end a great weekend. Lets do again soon!

24th of July

When I was a kid we would always go to Escalante, Utah for the 24th of July. I have many great memories from these times. This year my parents decided to take my Grandma home to Escalante for the 24th. From Tucson it is a 10 hour drive and for someone who is 94 it is quite the accomplishment if you ask me. I drove up later then the rest of the family because of work. Don't kill me mom but growing up I thought Escalante was to small of a town for me, there just was not that much to do. But now I totally appreciate the area and loving going back. If you ever need a place to relax enjoy nature and some peace and quiet this is the place to go. Here are some pictures from a great weekend. I was wonderful to send time with family and enjoy the simple life for a change.

Sarah and Belle enjoying the cool breeze

Bryce fishing at Posey Lake

Belle begging food from me, did I give in but of course, she always wins!

Not the best picture of me, but one of my favorite people Grandma Lyman, she is so beautiful!

If you don't mind switchbacks, this is one of the most beautiful drives

The is was the best float of the parade!!!! We were laughing so hard.

Happy Birthday America and to ME!

July is one of my favorite time of the year! There is just something about the summer and feeling of adventures and good times. First, we get to experiences these

This is in Tucson from my parents backyard! (And I live in Phoenix not Tucson why? I ask myself that question quite often)

Second we get to celebrate our countries birthday. I love this country, the many freedoms that we have and the beautiful land that we live in. Like this:

This is Bryce Canyon if you have never been, I highly recommend that you go, it is a beautiful place and there is nothing else like it

I don't think I fully appreciated the United States until I was on my mission. We are so blessed as a county, and we can never forget that! Yes there will always be room for improvement however we to have it good.

Third, the Fourth of July is my birthday. I normally look like this after the festivities:

I am just as red as the K key chain!

However, we always have a wonderful time. We do everything from watch the annual hot dog eating contest, to swimming, having a feast, opening gifts, watching fire works and finally this:

I even blew them all out in one blow!

It was a great weekend! Many thanks, hugs and kisses to my family for making it such a special day as always!! I hope that everyone had a great 4th of July as well!

Utah

This past weekend I was able to go to Utah with my mom and sister. The purpose of the trip was two fold. One for my mom to go to a book signing event in Uintah and two, to have a girls weekend and meet up with my other sister Amy. We had a wonderful time.!

For those who do not know my mom is officially a Hollywood star ( at least in our eyes). She has written a book and premiered in a movie. She wrote Hillside Letters A to Z as a promise to be brother Patrick. The story of the Uintah U was made into a movie last year and was named Best Documentary in the state of Utah this year called Uintah United. If you would like a signed copy let me know, I have connections:)

We also spent time with my sister Amy and her husband Trent. We had a lots of laughs and the never ending game of phase 10. They are perfect of each other and are a dynamic couple. I do not know how but somehow I ended up in a great family! And I love each and everyone of them. I am so grateful that I get to be with them forever!