Angela

The first 4th of July I spent with the Stonehocker family was two years ago in 2012. Lance and I were newly engaged at that time. We got together with everyone and had some delicious BBQ food at the Stonehockers. A few of us got sent to buy some corn on the cob for the BBQ. As we were driving someone said "I wonder if any place will be open today to buy corn." At the time I didn't realize it would be an insult to suggest Allens, Joe and Lance then taught me of the Stonehocker's deep and unwavering love of Harward Farms corn haha! Later that night we headed to Provo to see the firework show from the Stadium of Fire. I can remember riding with Cynthia, Eldon, Lance, and Haley to the fireworks. Brittany and Marshall stopped and picked up some popsicles on their way for everyone to enjoy while we waited for the show to start. Lance experienced bad vertigo that summer and this was the first time I remember him talking about it. Lance felt dizzy during the show but we both still enjoyed the fireworks. Luckily his vertigo went away right before we got married! It was a very fun day with the family and they made me feel very welcome and at home.

Conversation

On our way to canada, we visited a memory lane hotel called the Sacajewa motel where we stayed one cold winter night. You guys were no older than 5 or 6. You guys were Animals then, as a result now they have turned the place into a thrift store and animal shelter. 

It was probably Britt... I remner her being out of control back then.

Haha joe!  

Joe, has Alzheimer's set in early for you? Haha

Isn't it nice to have selective memory?

That motel was the last one with available rooms. And I can tell you why!

I took so many blows to the head from Britt when we were younger that it all seems a little hazy...

Lance was referee!

I was going to say lance was always the ref! And boy I think our kids got a remanent of us ;-)

My kids are angels

Lol

Yeah and so is mine ;-)

Are not is

Lol

The nuts don't fall too far from the tree

What does that say about mom and dad?

Mom and dad are probably laughing because I was just complaining to them about how hard Libby has been.

I think you kids turned out just fine look how sweet you all turned out!

Your mother and I are well into the stages of adult onset Alzheimer's we only remember all the good things you guys did not any of the gray hair giving experiences 

as part of our inheritance to you we gift to you the same privileges

You guys might as well take that because you're not getting any money!!

I was I would rather money even if it is just a penny ;-)

Lance

Lance:

Child-7 brides for 7 brothers & goonies 

Teen-lord of the rings & strange brew & Star Wars 

Adult-batman & les miserables 

Angela

My favorite movies:

Child-My Girl & Beauty and the beast 

Teen-13 going on 30 & lord of the rings

Adult-Steel magnolias & Big fish

Brittany

My favorite movies

Child-   the Book of Mormon videos 

Teen-    surf ninja

             Musicals- meet me in St. Louis, 7 brides for 7 bothers

Adult- Harry potter, Doris day collection, but I am really an action junkie I love the James bonds, the Bourne series les miserable, the pirate of the carribean, twilight saga, and way too many chick flicks to put them down.

Cynthia

I have tidbits of experiences throughout the years. I recall one Christmas when Joe was 2 and Britt was 4 that I got pretty sick. Dad caught my illness just the last few days leading to Christmas. We had completed our shopping but Dad had to get his last gifts for me. He couldn't get out of bed so a good Sister in our ward offered to pick up those last items for him.

 

I love the traditions that we had through the years too. When the kids were young we read a story to them all of December. I sat on the floor outside their bedroom and read to them as they were tucked in bed. We continued to read our favorites that bring tears and laughter when we read from: "That Thy Alms may be in Secret", "Closing Time", "She Thought of Needs, Not Wants", "The Last Straw" and the funny poem, "See Mom".

One year we heard of a family that got their favorite box of cereal for breakfast, under the tree. So we began that tradition and boy did it save Mom!

Before Ian was born Dad and I went on a Cruise. It was so wonderful. However the kids were pretty disappointed that they didn't get to go too. When we got a Value Coupon Packet there was an advertisement for the Provo River Cruise. I wondered what that would be like since we had lived across the street from the river years before and the depth of it was about a foot or two. Anyway we thought we would surprise the kids on the day we planned to go that we were going on a cruise and they were so excited. They wanted to know where we were going and what they should pack and we told them they only needed to dress warm. Boy were they surprised when we arrived in Provo for the small river cruise. It wasn't a warm tropical excursion. I think they had fun...and it has always been a big joke in the family about our big Winter Christmas Cruise. Now we cant go a year without still planning a night in December to go back. 

We joke about the year that we decided to not put names on our gifts so the kids wouldn't compare package number and sizes. But our great idea flubbed because we forgot where we put the master list that reminded us parents who the numbered packages were for.

I love on Christmas eve when we write down on a paper a gift that we will present to the Christ child for the upcoming year. Some list going to the temple more often, be nicer to my sibling, talk kindly to others, read the Book of Mormon...I think its so easy to get caught up in gifts and forget that Christ is truly the reason for the season and how we give of our self, our hearts, how we transform and become more like the Savior.

Cynthia

Another Christmas memory is that for the past seems like 17 years we have been doing the Provo River Christmas cruise. This was initiated when Cynthia and I went on a cruise to the western Caribbean, and her kids were bummed that they didn't get to go. So in the Val Pak coupons there was a coupon for a Provo river cruise. We thought that was kind of strange because the Provo river isn't very deep maybe two or 3 feet at the point where we used to live beside. So I called the people and they said that they were further down the road on Center Street closer to the Utah Lake and that they had dredged out the rivers away it was a little deeper. So we told the kids get packed don't worry about bringing a lot of clothes we're going to Christmas cruise they were all excited but I said to them I have to stop by and Provo before we get to the airport to drop off something but dress warm tonightjust in case because we're driving a ways tonight. So we Pulled down Ctr., Street in Provo and got the spot and I said we're here, they all said we're here where, I said we're here at our Christmas cruise  they were not very happy. But ever since then, that this has been a family tradition every year at Christmas


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