Congratulations, David Mills. David graduated today from UNLV's College of Fine Arts with a degree in film production, cum laude. What an accomplishment, we are so proud of you.

Jenn drove up from Mesa to be at the graduation. Here's our group at the Thomas & Mack. We were an hour early and had seats on the upper level. This was the largest December graduating class for UNLV with over 1600 students. Every seat available was full by the time the ceremony started and people were lining the tunnels standing up to watch. Quite a crowd. Scott is talking on the phone to Tim Miller who just opened his mission call to Veracruz, Mexico. After the ceremony we had a luncheon at the house. Thanks, David, to a great day with family.

Note to self: We need more pictures of Drew with the great-grandparents. Lucky little guy to have such a great family caring about him.

I loved watching what was going on during this picture. Ashley: "here Drew, let me button your jacket. Drew, just hold still. Drew, I just want to fix your jacket for the picture."

Get used to it, Drew. Finally, all buttoned up, Drew was ready for the picture.

Goodbye, Brian, We'll Miss You

Today was Brian's farewell.
He will be serving in the Columbus, Ohio Mission. These are the four cousins next in line for mission service, Brian, Scott, Tim Miller, Ryan. We'll miss you, Brian, I know you'll do a terrific job with the people in Ohio.

This seemed to be a busy weekend with a lot going on. Late Thursday afternoon Ron and I left to take Jennifer her new furniture plus an old family computer. We didn't get there until 10:30 at night, unloaded everything and by the time the computer was up and running it was after midnight -- just in time for the girls to sign on to the internet and start doing finals. The furniture looked terrific in the condo. I'm sure it's one of the nicest looking "student" places around!

Friday morning we drove down to Tucson to spend the day with Brad and Kara. They gave us a tour of theUniversity of Arizona where Brad has spent so much of his time the last two years. Then a terrific dinner at Guadalajara mexican restaurant. A movie sounded like a great evening activity, but Kara didn't find one she was interested in seeing. I think she was just being kind to me, though, because we came back to their apartment and between the combination of getting up for seminary and driving down to Mesa and getting to bed so late - I fell asleep and slept through the beginning movie times. So Friday evening was just visiting and a few tv shows. We left Saturday after lunch. Kara was off to buy supplies for their evening activity which was going to be building gingerbread houses. I can't wait to see the pictures of that on her blog, I'm sure they were pretty cute. 12 more days and you'll be here for a visit - yippeee.

Duh, finally figured out why the dimples weren't showing up - too much info in the previous blog for it to fit. So I'll throw in a few more pictures on this continuation and hopefully it will flow and make sense!

Here's The Three Little Ones, I know next month they'll be 18 & 20, but they'll always be the Three Little Ones to me.

And for a final picture. I know you've been keeping up with the adventures of The Reorganized Breakfast Club (not headquartered in Ohio) The origianl four had to form a splinter group because so many were interested in calling themselves members and even getting involved in the leadership decisions when they had first period classes - so technically they weren't even members - hence the need for the Reoganized version. Any how- yesterday Ashley brought a guest with her to breakfast. Her crab named Suzie. I only include this because as I took the picture Scott said, "You know you guys are going to end up on the internet now..."

December will bring many more activities. Stay tuned for a report of the snowboarding trip to Salt Lake, another cousin's mission farewell, and Christmas!

November Marx Update

For Thanksgiving dinner we had the grandparents over, David & Rebekah, Jenn came here from Arizona. Why can't we ever take a normal picture? I think our meal was just about what everybody else has. We missed Brad and Kara who stayed in Tucson and ate with friends. Check our their blog - Kara has some great pictures on it of their day. Matt and Ashley headed off for Goodyear so that Drew could entertain the Hunt family.

Since I haven't really updated on family happenings the last month or so here goes a list of the few events:

The middle of October, the countdown on Scott's myspace page that he has for when he can turn in his mission papers went below 365 days - so less than a year left to prepare, Scotty.

I'll just attach the smaller size pictures - but you can always click on them to see a big version. Drew has spent the night a few times. Matt swears Drew pictures occupy the most space on my computer - they just might! How can I resist - he looked so cute in his jammies:

And playing with his dinosaurs.

And don't forget about those dimples!!! Drew pretty much gets whatever he wants around here, including convincing grandpa to turn off the tv show he was watching so Drew can watch Cars - again. His vocabulary is pretty sparse, but he managed to say Grandpa, Cars, PLEASE in all of his jabbering. You could definately tell what he wanted.

Well - I keep trying to upload a picture of the dimples, but it isn't showing up on the page. If when I publish this blog there are random pictures of drew's dimples, you'll know why.

Jennifer bought her first furniture purchase while she was here for the weekend. Couches for the condo. Matt and Ashley took a mattress down there for her, which ended her two months on the air mattress! Our family sat around watching a season of NCIS, and a few other movies. And now - winter weather has arrived. If I can just survive till March/April it will warm up again. I should explain that our winter isn't anything like winter in most states since I don't even own a real coat, but the fact that I had to put socks and shoes on and grab a sweatshirt to wear out is more cold than I would like to deal with.

This was the spiritual thought given this morning in the prayer meeting before seminary. It's out of one of those scripture and thought for a day kind of books, but it hit me so strongly with what they were saying - so here it is repeated for all of cyber space to ponder over as well:

"As I stated...that I would write to you from time to time and give you information in relation to many subjects, I now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead, as that subject seems to occupy my mind, and press itself up0n my feelings." D&C 128:1

"The Lord uses a myriad of ways to reveal himself to his children. He who is omnipotent and omniscient is hardly limited in how he speaks or makes known his mind and will. As recorded in D&C 8:2-3, the Spirit can reveal things to our mind (in the form of thoughts) and to our heart (in the form of feelings), and these two can serve as a kind of balance for one another. The revelations of God are almost always what we would call rational. It is impressive to note that someone as seasoned and experienced in the things of the Spirit as the Prophet of the Restoration should identify as revelation that which God had caused to occupy his mind and press upon his feelings. It is a great lesson to those who aspire to perfect communion with the heavens: We will never outgrow the simple and straightforward manifestations of the Holy Ghost."

I can never explain things this well and sucinctly. I would have made an hour lesson out of it, and here it is in one small paragraphed summed up so nicely. I would like to develop that talent....

Why I LOVE Fabulous Freddies

• they greet me Fabulously
• they pump my gas
• for 30 minutes and $30 they make my car look more Fabulous than I could have with 4 hours and $60 worth of products
• when they are done with my car, they ask for Fabulous Kim
• as I leave they tell me to have a Fabulous day
• and last but not least....while detailing my car, they found my Fabulously Favorite Hurley sunglasses that I lost 4 months ago.

Grey's Anatomy - How To Save a Life-The Fray

Music video of 'How to Save a Life' - by The Fray - Includes scenes from season 3! Let's try again.....

The Fray - How to save a life

Wow - I learned a new trick! Hey sometimes it's just fun to take a break and listen! Here are a few life's lessons that Grey's Anatomy illustrates so well: Spend 95% of your life in comfortable clothes, just put on a tie and fancy dress when you have to. Friend are good. Long-term friends. And a true friend understands when to just lie down on the bathroom floor with you because there's nothing they can say to make it any better. When someone dies - food. You need food. Those long term friends and food. Sometimes you do incredibly stupid things and you feel like your underwear is on the board for all to see. The reality is there's only a few people who really know who they belong to so not as many people are watching you as you think. A good drum beat makes the song and life fun. Dance.

Drew Spends the Night

The Drewsters spent a quiet night at Grandma's house. He dumped all his toys out of the baskets and then sat inside and read books. At one point from the corner of the room I heard, "Help, I'm stuck!" So what would any grandma do? I said, "Wait right there a minute, I have to go get the camera..." This was pretty much the highlight of the night. Well - I spared him the embarrassment of another bathtub photo. He did enjoy splashing around with all the rubber ducks left over from Scott's homecoming ask and answer. I think Drew considers them 'his toys' now. He even went in the bathroom to say good morning to them. We sure are enjoying his personality. Ashley has done a fantastic job teaching him sign language, and now that he says a few words to explain to me what he's signing, we can communicate just fine.

Travels in Tucson, Mariah in the Valley of the Sun, Scott Skiding

I should have learned by now that whenever you point a camera in the direction of Brad and Kara, something goofy is going to happen. "Oh, look, let's take a picture of you two in front of that boganvillea." Click:

I had a fun day with these two. We sure are proud of them.

While in Arizona Jenn and her roommate and I checked out the Mariah Carey concert. Wow, all those high notes really come out of her!!! It was a good concert. Jenn has a great group of girls she's living with, more that come roaming through every night on their way to various activities. She seems to have a variety of single wards and institute activites to choose from every night.

This is Jenn, Manda, and Brye:

And finally - Scott's vertical challange. Ron and Scott have been riding dirt bikes every week to train for the Mexican ride this February. Unfortunately - this last practice run found Scott skiding on the ground...

All together now, OUCHHH! He's starting to be able to move around now after 4 days! February and 1,000 miles through Baja will be here before you know it!!!

October 9th

Happy Birthday, David. We'll have cheesecake and presents when you get back in town.

HOMECOMING 2006


Scott and the senior class (well a few of the senior class) spent a week planning and a week of late nights building/painting/repainting to get the homecoming float built. The football game was fun. The couples looked stunning for the dance.

The group was picked up at our house in a limo, dinner at PF Changs, a stop at the dance for pictures, Blue Man Group show at 10:00, and then dessert at Bryce's after that. It was a late night but he says he had a lot of fun. Enjoy the pictures.

I've learned over time that the little things your kids do that annoy you is what you will miss the most when they leave. From the top banister this morning I saw Jenn's purse hanging on the dining room chair. A sure sign that Jenn is home. But Jenn is moving tomorrow. I will probably never see her purse hanging on the chair again, only for brief visits.

Jenn's always been a walk-in-the-front-door-and-drop whatever it is she's toting around. The Redwood house had her backpack in the entryway. At the Phoenix house you would find her backpack at the bottom of the stairs. When she started driving, the backpack stayed in the car more, but her purse found its place on the banister near the kitchen table in the Roxford house. Depending on the sports season - many other bags would join in. Gymnastics, cheer, softball. Always her flip-flops would come off her feet next to her bag. The next morning, she would pick up her bag and go, leaving the previous day's flip-flops behind. By the end of the week, there would be quite a pile of Jenn's shoes and extra things accumulated. Hence the annoyance at this habit of hers.

At this house - the place of honor from the first night has been the chair in the dining room. Monday will be a sad morning when I don't see her purse hanging there.

Happy Birthday Drew

Andrew celebrated his 2nd Birthday on Thursday. He is having the real BBQ party on Friday with his "playmates", but we visited with him on Thursday night while Ashley was at school.

Drew is terrific at blowing out candles. And opinionated about his presents as well. The legos were fun, but when he opened the package of clothes he just pushed them aside and said, "no."
















Then Aunt Jenny had to show up with a present that stole the show, I guess that's what aunts are for. Matt & Ashley will get tired of the annoying noises this truck makes, but Andrew loves it!


Happy Birthday Drew - we love having you in our family.

David & Rebekah

It's been awhile since we've had a new David and Rebekah picture. They came over for dinner last Sunday, 9/17/06. Rebekah is working at the Venetian as a life guard, which turns into part-time hours in a couple of weeks. She's also working part-time in the evenings with the Blue Man Group show.

She was so dissappointed that Drew wouldn't come jump in her arms and give kisses. Then Scott showed up after a Sunday night missionary good-bye thing and Drew went RUNNING to Scott and his friends. What can I say, Drew thinks he's just one of the big kids. Drew then entertained everyone with his 'lick it and stick it' trick. Gross, I know - but you want to know what goes on around here. Lick it and stick it works with 17 year old boys better than aunts. Who wants a wet slobbery finger in their ear???? I guess Devon was game...

Scott's TBC (The Breakfast Club) came over this morning for breakfast - they must be running low on money, they're usually at IHop or Robertos Taco Shop. TBCis a group of seniors (Scott, Devon Graf, Bryce Pittsenbarger, Ashley Kelly) that don't have a 1st period, and since they're school is on the block schedule, it means that every other day they go to seminary from 6-6:45, and then they don't have school until 8:30, hence time for breakfast out or at somebody's house. Today, it was our house. The controversy lately has been the appointment of a president of TBC. Ashley self-appointed herself. Ashley eats breakfast before seminary with her fam and never orders when they go out, just has water. The boys felt this put her in the category of "groupie" and groupies can't be president. So in a nonviolent coup, Scott ousted Ashley and self-appointed himself as president. Ashley had two bites of eggs today to get out of the groupie category, but the guys still think since she's a girl, she's a groupie. This was the talk of breakfast. If this is the biggest concern going on in these 4's lives, wow, they're doing great. They also were scheming a way for Ashley to get the money together to go on the church history tour with them after graduation. Scott has a great group of friends that he hangs out with. It will be fun to watch them this year.

Early Morning Fun

This is the great group of kids I spend every morning with. This was the first day of school, a few more have started coming or were moved into my class, so now we're at at least 30 everyday. This year will be awesome, Joseph Smith, Church History, how can it not be!

Other news in the fam...Ron and Matt went to Brianhead on kind of a spur-of-the-moment idea this afternoon. So Ashley, Drew & I went to the Eagle Court of Honor for Ryan and Jacob. Dinner at Mimi's Cafe. For a two year-old, Drew can eat!!! 4 pieces of zuchini bread, quesidilla, fries -- all dipped in ketchup. We came back to the house and Drew started crying when I kissed him goodbye, he wanted to go inside Grandma's house, so a quick visit with Scott and friends who were playing Play Station football, pingpong, and foosball all at the same time. These kids are multitalented - they can do all this while text messaging friends too.

Jenn went to Mesa to check out the condo she will be living in and the roommates. She also had two interviews on Thursday. On Friday she was called back to a second interview at one of the companies and offered a job!!! Way to go Jenn. She sounds so excited for her new adventure in life. Time to move out on her own and ready for new scenery. After a long tough summer, she deserves a fun time. She moves the end of the month and starts her new job on Oct 2nd.

Rebekah has been super busy with two jobs right now. The pool will become part time in October, hope she can hang in there in the meantime! Dinner Sunday night, be there or be square!

Since I'm Ron-less tonight, I had time to surf around a little bit tonight and got caught up with so much going on in the Durham family, they're moving all over the place! Which left me wondering, does anybody else ever click on the links on Kara's page and check this out? Hmmmm. When I grow up I want to be like kara's grandmother - leaving notes to everybody on their blog. That is so cool. Do you know how many grandmother's are technology challenged, way to go grandma Irene.

Scott asked a girl to homecoming, "I'd be a lucky duck if you would go to homecoming with me." She responded yes - so those plans are underway. I was asked tonight if I could put the limo rental on my credit card. Ughhhhh. Any other time I've said, "don't waste your money doing that, wait till you're a senior." Now what do I say? At least I'm not shopping every store in town looking for a modest dress -- reserving the limo is way less stressful!


Good Luck, Brad. Don't worry about your test too much, I'm possitive you'll do fine.

Goodbye Travis

It's been a busy weekend. We went to a BBQ for Travis who goes the the MTC on Wednesday. He's headed to Lima, Peru. Today was his farewell and it was a great meeting.

At the BBQ, Drew enjoyed swinging.







And finally - Ashley is starting to look pregnant. We're excited for March to be here and bring the next Marx family member. THINK PINK

Scotty & The Dragon

Scott has started his senior year of high school. He worked all summer to get tires and wheels for his truck (The Dragon). Only two semesters and 12 approved absenses until graduation!!!

Happy 50th Anniversary Herschel & Joan Mitchell!!!

ALASKA CRUISE UPDATE
JULY 22-29, 2006

We are home and thawed out from our great Alaskan adventure. Stop one found us in Ketchikan. A pretty cool little town and I think my favorite port. Ron and Scott took off early for a fishing charter and each caught a salmon. I hear it's being processed and fed-ex'd to the house so all can come over and taste it soon! The boys had a great time fishing. Jennifer and I headed out for a horse-drawn tour of the city, and a little shopping.

Stop two we were in the city of Juneau. The capitol of AK--I know because I was corrected by a stranger when I told Jennifer that Ankorage was the capitol--it was a beautiful little town, but we just didn't feel like any of the excursions that were offered. So - that only left SHOPPING. Ron and Scott were the bag holders and after a few hours were very crumpy. They don't like being bag holders.



Stop three was the tiny town of Skagway (pop 500). Ron and I took the famous White Pass Mountain Railway ride on a previous visit. Scott and Jenn didn't feel the need to see the backcountry by steam train - so we opted for a 4x4 adventure into the mountain. We had to start by boarding a ferry boat to take us 30 miles away to the town of Haines. Then we took a bus ride up the mountain. Then the 4x4 adventure began. This was probably the most memorable event of the week, in a different way depending on who is reviewing the trip for you. From myself and Jenn's point of view - we were the only people able to almost die driving a kawasaki mule that only goes 3 miles an hour. It was extremely nerve wrecking. Straight up for 4 miles, but then straight down for four miles. If you talk to Ron or Scott, this was the best time of their lives and they loved it. I'm always saying "it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt." Well, on the way down the mountain, there was a dip in the road, Ron and Scott are totally goofing off and being the 'class clowns' of the group that day. They decide going into this little valley that it would be fun to hold their hands up in the air like they were on a roller coaster saying "Weeeeeeee". All while we're crawling along in this glorified golf cart. That would have been funny -- except the wheel hit a rather large rock, and Ron's hands weren't on the steering wheel because he was busy holding them up -- so the rock whips the wheels around TIPPING the cart onto two wheels, I'm screaming, Jenn's crying. It was not fun and games any more. The girls in the backseat really thought we were going to tip over, roll, head down the side of the mountain. Ron brought the craft back into control and they were laughing and thinking it was the best thing ever. I finally just had to close my eyes... In the middle of the trip we did get a wonderful lunch at a lodge. Scott thinks if he had to endure the pain of shopping the day before, Visa and Mastercard sitting in the back seat should suck it up for the 4x4 ride.

The fourth port was Prince Rupert, Canada. Its nickname was cow town - hence the photo op at this place. We got off the ship and walked uphill for at least a mile or two when we decided we'd seen enough of this lovely place. At least the walk back was downhill. When we reached Cow Alley, Ron and Scott spotted a skooter rental booth. Jenn and I decided not to repeat the 4x4 experience, and stayed put while the boys managed to put 41 miles on these things in two hours. Again, they had a blast.

We had plenty of time to watch icebergs, great scenery, get in some card playing, and plenty of food.

We also enjoyed visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell, which was the whole reason we went, to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary!!!

After a week of rain and fog everyday with the temperature not reaching over 60, we arrived in Las Vegas to the familiar sounds and loud flashy ads, There's No Place Like Home. Jenn took off in a run to meet her own private ride home, leaving us to lug her baggage home for her. Ashley was kind enough to pick us up. We're now ready to begin another work week.

If you've made it to the end of this travel recap blog - you now get to see the newest cool family picture (we're getting fewer and fewer in number!). As with any of the other photos on this site, click on them and you can see a larger view. Thanks for making it to the end of the report!!!