BOOMER

This is our adopted dog Boomer. We found him in the field next to our apartment. He was hurt and very scared. We started feeding him and then took him to the Vet. to find out that his leg was broken. He has been camping out on our porch ever since. We love him! He is full of spunk.

The men in my life! (minus my dad and a few nephews)

This is just before Thanksgiving. My parents bought a time share with the Bass Pro Lodge in Branson, MO. It is so beautiful there. Jason (my brother) was driving to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving and met us in Branson. It was a short trip and we missed Amanda and her family but we are planning on spending some time there this summer.

Time flies!!!

Grandma Lena and Eliza

This month has gone by so fast. I'm pretty sure that I just put out the Halloween decorations and now they are packed up and put in storage until next year... where does the time go. I spent my whole life waiting to turn 16, then 18, then 21 and now I just want everything to slow down. There are plenty of times that I would like to hit the pause or rewind button just so I can relive a moment or make it last a little longer ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAYS! Some of the moments that I would relive would take me back to the lazy summers where I would spend a week or so at my grandma's house in Newton, UT. I love going there. It truly is Heaven on earth. She always has coke and chocolate on hand....aaahhh the necessities of life. Grandma always had Popsicles and ice cream to keep us cool when we younger and as I got older I became perfectly content to sit in the chair and read a book while my grandma would do the same in the other chair with the coke and fudge at arms reach. I always feel heavy when I have to leave her house, not just in my heart but in my hips and thighs as well. You will never go hungry when you visit Grandmas. I have so many fond memories of my Grandma and Newton I can't wait to get back. I miss and love you Grandma. I hope I get to see you soon! Maybe I'll pop in for an unexpected visit like I used too... don't worry I know where the key is. As for now I will drink a coke and have some chocolate and think of you.

I would like to mention my aunt Joy, who passed away this last week. My cousin Heather and I would always make a trip to visit aunt Joy whenever I came to Newton. She always had treats for us too, and we were not dumb kids. We new that we could get a popsicle from grandma then ride our bikes down to aunt Joy's and get another one. Aunt Joy didn't just get visits from us, but as I came to find out much later, all the kids in town knew Aunt Joy kept her freezer full of cold treats and they too called her Aunt Joy. I always loved going to her house , looking at all her plants and flowers, and visiting with her and learning about my family. She will be dearly missed... until we meet again.

Joy Larsen Jones

1917-2008

Excitement, Adventure???

I know, I know it's been a while since I have blogged. I have been reading all your blogs, but when it comes to writing my own.... I just feel I lack the adventure, the excitement, the comedy. Don't get me wrong I do have those moments of comic excitement or the thrilling adventure...I'm a Hancock for Pete's sake I live for adventure! It's just that lately the adventure has had to take a back seat to reality. I was called to be 2nd councilor in the Relief Society for our Branch... that's right F.H.P.E. Needless to say I NEED HELP!!!!! I need ideas! I need a vacation! Phillip was called to be 1st councilor in the Elders Quorum along with being the branch Clerk. He is also a full time student so WE and I emphasize WE are always doing homework. I guess it pays off to do your homework since he is on the Presidents list!!! Way to go Phillip!!!!! I wonder what it is like to get all A's in college? He may be on the Presidents list but I guarantee that I had more fun. Well this has been fun but I need to save some blogging for the next time. Below are some pictures of some of the adventure I've had in the past year or so.

This may be one of the most exciting moments in my dad's life... next to the day that I was born! Some back ground to this picture.... My parents live on 65 acres with 4 ponds on their land 2 of which are stocked with fish. Their back fence is shared by an exotic animal farm that breeds and raises lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! along with some other flesh eating animals like the crocodile that was in our pond that we fish, and boat (the rowing kind) in. Now alligators are native to the south east part of Oklahoma so it's not common but they (meaning alligators) have been know to swim up the river to the more central part of Oklahoma.... but we are not talking about an alligator we are talking about a man eating crocodile... okay so this one didn't dine on any human but it is still a crocodile native to Africa..I think! So naturally it is safe to assume that it came from the animal farm, who denied the escape of the ancient reptile. Well after a few days of watching and feeding the big lizard my parents wanted it out of their pond. so with the help of a few people the croc wrestling began. It took them all day to catch it but in the end there were a few exciting moments. I think you can now visits boots (my dad's nick name) at the Oklahoma City Zoo alive and happy.
This is us at Delicate Arch. Can I just say the elevation makes a HUGE difference!!! I made it to the top, I only passed out once, just kidding.

This is at Eureka Springs.....reminds me, a little, of Park City. We had so much fun I can't wait to go on our next vacation.

The Family trip to Powell

Even though I didn't get to be on this trip I wanted to share a few pictures. I love Lake Powell so I'm living vicariously through these photos.

Hold on for dear life, Lauryn, your mom is a crazy driver. This is Amanda (my older sister) and Lauryn (Amanda and John's oldest) Having a great time on the Sea-Doo.

This is Ethan one of Amanda and John's sons. Future knee board Champ!

This is Isaac Cool, Amanda and John's oldest son. He is so cool!

Check out this sunbathing beauty. Eliza is Amanda and John's youngest. She's so sweet I just want to kiss her cheeks!

Crazy faces! Their moms taught them well! Isaac in back, Ethan on the left, and Taylor (Misty and Ryan's oldest) on the right.

Grandpa and the boys! Isaac, Koen (Misty and Ryan's youngest), Taylor, Ethan, and Grandpa.

Isaac has a BIG FISH story...here's the proof!

Lauryn Lou catching breakfast.....yum!!!! Sometime during this trip Lauryn tried water skiing and she got up! Way to go Laurs! I wish I could have seen it!

Bad News :(

Phillip is taking 18 credit hours this semester so we won't be going to Lake Powell :(!!! This will be my first time missing out on the trip. I told Phillip that I must really love him to give up Lake Powell. Maybe we will get the chance next year. As for coming to Utah so all my friends can meet my sweet husband, I don't know when it will happen but I know it will happen. I miss all you girls and hope I get to see you soon.

Amanda, make sure you take lots of pictures... I really wish I was going. Keep all those kidlets safe. When you get back you can send me the pictures and I'll post them here since you are a slacker and won't start your own. Love you lots!

Trip to Houston

I know it's been awhile since I last posted anything. I just don't take many pictures so this is just going to be a journal entry.


Phillip and I went to Houston, TX last weekend to visit Melody, she is a great friend that I met while working on a fire rebuild here at the refinery. We had so much fun. Phillip went on his first commercial fight and we both went to our first NFL football game, thanks Steve and Lynn Parks, also great Friends that worked on the fire rebuild. We had a blast. Thanks again Mel. for the great time and for the picture.


We ate great food, I love Masala Wok, and had a great time just hanging out. I love Mel's pool it's so pretty and relaxing. Phillip loved Melody's pinball machine. He's been trying to figure out when he can get one. He has come the the realization that we have to buy a house first so I'm safe for now.

My parents bought Sea-Doo's a few weeks ago. They are a lot of fun! We are planning on going to the lake tonight so I will try to remember the camera. I also need to mention my dear sister Amanda, and tell you all how wonderful she is. She is a mother of 4 beautiful children: Lauryn almost 9, Isaac 6, Ethan 3, and Eliza 7 months. I'm suppose to write about how great and sweet she is and all that other stuff she told me to say... did I leave anything out??? I really do love and miss you lots. Wish I was there to help you out. Have fun with the sick kids. I have another sister too. Her name is Misty and she is younger than me and has 2 handsome boys Taylor almost 4, and Koen almost 2. I get to see them every week and they are a lot of fun. Misty is a hard worker and a lot of fun to be with. Love you lots Mist. My older brother, Jason , lives in Virgina and works in D.C. he travels all over the work with his job and has been to many interesting places. I love you Jake take care of yourself and stay safe. My family is spread all over the U.S. so it's not very often that we all get together but when we do it's a blast. In a couple weeks we are going to Lake Powell for a week. We do this every year and I haven't missed one yet. I hope we make it for this trip. It's kind of hard with Phillip's school. Oh well we'll see what happens.

LAKE POWELL ROCKS!!!

More Pictures

Here we go I'm getting started... watch out.

So I'm finally doing this. I've been talking about getting this blog up and going for a few weeks. So here are some pictures of our wedding. It was so cold! It actually snowed (doesn't snow much here).

I guess I should tell you about what I have been doing the last 4 years. I can't believe that it has been that long since I left Utah. I miss Utah!!! I do love Oklahoma. It's real pretty here. Anyway I divorced my 1st husband after 7 years of marriage. That was tough. but I moved out to Oklahoma and started dating again that was even harder. Then Phillip finally asked me out. He has been in our little branch since he was 7 years old so He was here when my parents moved out here. So we've known about each other for the last 12, 13 years but got better acquainted when I was called to teach and do the music in the primary for our church. It took him a while to ask me out, but when he did I about passed out. I thought he was so shy. I think I had only heard him say a few words in the whole 12 years that I've known him. Well we went out on a date and I talked nervously the whole time I don't think he got 2 words in. He must have like what he heard because he asked me out again. I made it very clear that I only wanted to be friends. Well after a few more months and many more dates I decided that I really liked him. If you ask Phillip he'll tell you it took me forever to figure out what I wanted, and I didn't make it very easy for him. I just wanted to make sure he was the one!!! We were married on December 15th, 2007 in the Oklahoma City Temple. He is my ONE!!! My twin flame, my soul mate, my lobster!

My first blog

I have no clue what I am doing. I have been wanting to try this for a while now. Just not sure how to get started. Bare with me as I fumble through this.