December, 2016
Merry Christmas from the
Vernon family!
Ellaina is a senior in High
School and just turned 18. We got a
refund on our car insurance because of her advanced age, but unfortunately she
can no longer order off of the children’s menu at restaurants. Ellaina is enjoying her last year of High School
and is in the Key Club and the National Honor Society. She is planning for college next year. She has applied at BYU, BYU-Idaho and
Colorado State University. We are
anxious to see where she ends up going.
Ellaina had her wisdom teeth out in the summer and did well until about
2 weeks out and then she got an infection.
She was planning on doing a Fourteener, but couldn’t because she had to
heal. She attended the Mormon Prom last
April. She had a real hard time finding
the name of the boy that asked her as it was hidden very well in a cake. She eventually found out who asked her and
had a fun time on the date.
Cory is finishing up his
second semester at BYU. He studies and
works hard. He has two jobs, one as a
tutor and the other doing math research for a space project. He is hoping to get an internship during the
summer. Last summer he kept busy working
at Walmart and doing yard work for several Church members, and serving as a
Ward Missionary in the Singles Ward.
Chad had an eventful
year. He graduated from BYU-Idaho. In August he married Amber Young in the
Portland, Oregon Temple. Chad and Amber
make a cute couple and they are enjoying being newlyweds. They are living in Billings Montana where
Chad is going to Occupational Therapy school at the University of Mary, and
Amber is pursuing a nursing degree and working at Taco Johns.
Aaron and Emily have been
busy this year. We got to have some
special times with them as they lived with us for 4 months while waiting to
find out about Grad school. Their son Gabe is now
1 ½ and is an energetic,
curious, happy, and handsome boy. Emily
earned her Associates Degree from BYU-Idaho.
Aaron started Physical Therapy School at Rocky Mountain University in
Provo, Utah.
Arlee and Tuawana are doing
great. Tuawana is finishing up her
Associates Degree. Arlee is in his
fourth year teaching high school in Las Vegas.
Chad wanted to do the Rexburg
Teton Dam marathon in June. He invited
the rest of the family to run it with him.
Brent, Tina, and Cory took him up on his offer and trained appropriately. Unfortunately Brent and Tina have become
quite slow runners, but they did finish the race after 6 grueling hours. Cory didn’t have any slowness issues. He had a lot of energy and finished first in
his age group. Chad sprained his ankle
before the race playing basketball and switched to the half marathon. When he crossed the finish line they
announced that he had won the marathon.
They were confused because he signed up for the marathon, but switched
to the half. Chad straightened them
out. He still did well in his race and
finished third in his age group.
While in Oregon for Chad and
Amber’s wedding we did some sightseeing.
We hiked the Trail of Ten Falls.
The trail weaved through dense forest, and passed through a series of
breathtaking waterfalls. We also saw the
famous Multnomah Falls and other falls on our last day in Oregon.
One of our biggest highlights
this year was that the Fort Collins Temple was dedicated! We now have a temple 15 minutes away. It is wonderful. Ellaina got to perform in the Youth Cultural
Celebration and Tina got to help teach the music- “Fortress of Faith”. Here are words to the song: “Once in this place there was a fortress of
strength where the weary traveler found rest, I will build for myself a mighty
fortress of faith for myself and for my family.
I will pray and I will read and God will make a change in me. Though the battle may rage outside this
place, we will stand, strong and safe in this fortress of faith. Now in this place there stands a house of the
Lord where the pure in heart can find his peace. I’ll keep the covenants I make in His House
for myself and for my family. Armed with
power and filled with light we defend what’s true and right. Though the battle may rage outside this place
we will stand strong and safe in His Fortress of Faith. From His House to every land we’ll go in
faith to teach His plan. Though the
battle may rage outside this place we will stand, we will stand, strong and
safe in His Fortress of Faith.” This
song helps one realize the blessing of the temple. We
feel very blessed to have a temple in our midst.
Tina’s 96 year old Grandma
Ellen Pulley passed away in October. We
are so grateful that we have had her for many years and the light she was to us
all. She was always happy and positive
and showed her love by caring. She is
now having a reunion with Tina’s parents and grandpa in the spirit world
awaiting the resurrection.
We are grateful for our
Savior Jesus Christ who atoned for us so that we have hope of seeing our loved
ones again. He is why we have Christmas. May you feel the light of Christ in your life
and feel of his love always. Love the Brent & Tina Vernon Family
We got to have our grandson Gabe and his family live with us for 4 months.
Cory Started school at BYU Provo
Hike with the kids-Cory & Ellaina.
Look how pretty she can do her hair!
My dear friend Belinda Crews suffered lots and finally was able to return to Heavenly Father in February.
Temple Square when we took Cory out to BYU
Family fun times with Gabe!
Ellaina loves being an aunt and putting Gabe to bed.
Swimming with Gabe and his family!
Zoo with Gabe and his family!
Snowshoing at RMNP
Twin Sisters Hike- Brent, Ellaina and Aaron
Grandma Tina got to help Gabriel make his first snowman!
Chad met Amber Young and started dating her
This is April Conference weekend, it was a beautiful day and Gabe needed to get out so we all went and played in the sandbox. Aaron was like a little boy again, he had lots of fun, of course we ALL did.
YMCA of the Rockies and Gem Lake hike with Aaron and Emily and their family
Emily did Ellaina's hair so beautiful for the Mormon Prom!
Hike to Devil's Backbone
Grandma playing with Gabe
Fun times with Gabriel
A visit to my Grandma Pulley's, she is 96 years old and such a delight, I try to call her every week. We always have wonderful visits.
Ellaina's Youth Conference at Pingree Park
Gabe and Grandpa have a great time together.
Ellaina is teaching Piano!
Youth Service/Fund Raiser Kim Van Ry the YW President and Ellaina.
Chad and Amber are getting married in August!
Cory is having a Fugitive party to celebrate his 21st birthday AND he went hiking (backpacking) with Mom and Dad, Ellaina and the Woodburys. We got rained on and hailed on but that was part of the experience.
Chad did it, he Graduated from BYU IDAHO
George and Connie Scott got to be sealed in the temple and have their two deceased children sealed to them.
Gabe came back to visit for the 4th of July and his parents and he helped us make a new area to park.
We hiked to Sky Pond at RMNP, it is one of the most beautiful hikes we have done at Rocky Mountain.
I guess these pictures are a little out of order! Chad only graduated once so far.
Ellen Pulley is a Great, Great Grandma and loving her time with Gabe, Emily takes Gabe to visit her weekly and she totally enjoys them.
Chad and Amber were sealed in the Portland Oregon Temple.
This is their new home in Billings, Montana.
I got to take some friends to the Fort Collins Temple Open House.
This is a hike we did with Ellaina for her Adventure PE make up. I forget where it was but it was scary up there on those rocks!
I am thankful Emily, Aaron and Gabe were able to visit Grandma regularly when they moved to Utah.
Kiffanie and I are Soul Sisters, even though we live a long ways away we have a special bond.
It was warm enough that we were able to play in the waterfall, it was a BLAST! I am and always will be a kid at heart when it comes to things like this.
My family who came to grandmas funeral. Grandma would have been 97 on her Birthday in January.
Anna and her family and grandma's beautiful wood casket, it reminded me of my grandpa who loved wood working.
My parents Lee and Sharon Wrights posterity.
My brothers Joe and Greg and my sister Anna- all four kids are together and it is the first day of hunting season. I was proud of my brothers for being there.
My brother Gregory, his wife Rachel and son Oakley
Halloween pumpkin carving with my girl, it was another beautiful sunny day so we carved our pumpkins outside.
The fall weather was so nice that we were able to go camping in NOVEMBER! There was a HUGE full moon and the stars were so beautiful, it was cold at night though!
We found the bomber, I thought we were getting lost and wanted to turn around, Brent persisted and we found it. It was a HARD hike!
Ellaina is a good piano teacher, she does group lessons with me, it is lots of fun to do together.
Thanksgiving break! The kids got to do Baptisms at the FORT COLLINS TEMPLE!
This is a quilt that my sweet Grandma Pulley was going to give Ellaina on her 18th birthday, she gave it to her even though she passed because my aunts made sure she got it. My mom and my grandma spent hours and hours appliqueing and quilting. It is beautiful.
Gabe loves BALLS, he tires to hold two of them at once and can actually do it if I'm not trying to get a picture.
Fun times at Thanksgiving!
