Gordon Bitner Hinkley

After the passing of the Prophet I've seen a lot of pictures of him. Which has been a cool way to think back on him. To think of who he was and to remember and reflect on the great things he stood for.

One of my favorite pictures of him can found at Jim & Angie's blog (see the links on the side to get there). But I chose to share this picture above because it really made an impact on me when I first saw it. I can't say exactly why it did...except for the expression on his face as he waves. It is so kind and happy, as if to say "hey, I'm a normal nice guy...just saying hello" and its even better because he is with his wife.

One of my favorite memories of President Hinkley was reading his words in his book "Standing for Something" I read it on my mission and it was an easy read because it was so inspiring. And most recently it would be the talk he gave in priesthood session about anger, which Jill would tell you was specifically inspired by her prayers for me. In the talk He explained "he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty" and counseled us that we shouldn't be so easily offended in order to be happier. He said that we should leave our grudges behind and, simply stated, that we get into trouble when we get angry.

I remember when in an interview he said that he couldn't remember ever raising his voice to his wife or yelling at her. Maybe it was even Sister Hinkley who said that about him, I don't remember exactly, but it was true I'm sure. I wouldn't have believed it had it not been the Prophet. If there were a very small room reserved in heaven for those who never raised their voices to their spouses it would probably still be a pretty roomy room. I can think of many times I was ashamed for having lost my temper. That is one of those things that he made me realize that I can do a little better at. The "stuff I can do a little better at" list is kind of a long one though. Not as long as the "stuff I could do a lot better at" list, but I won't go into the details of either.

I really starting typing here not really thinking what I would say. Honestly I thought this would be a quick short post, but I'm glad that I've taken a second to write down a few things here. Its fun to think and write about President Hinkley. He has been the Prophet for most of my life and even though I have never met him I certainly feel like I know him pretty well and when I reminisce about memories of him or listen to other people share their thoughts and feelings about him it really is like talking about a good friend. One that I will miss very much. I loved him. He was really a great guy and an inspiration to us who want to stand a little taller and do a little more. He was a servant of God and what a blessing it has been to live in this time that he has been the Prophet. So here is a thanks to him for his great life and his contagious smile. Till we meet again.

Dave's Homecoming...

DAVE HAS RETURNED!!! His first task after coming home was getting his hands on a delicious jamba juice, which he hadn't had for a long long time. That is where I came in. I was hiding behind the fridge waiting at the Allphin's to greet David on his arrival home. My perfectly timed hello to Dave as I jumped around the corner surprised him so much and filled him with so much joy that he threw his jamba to the ground to hug his favorite brother-in-law. After realizing what had just happened, he was very upset and my ranking as favorite brother in law dropped to dead last. Trent, if you want to stay at number one don't mess with Dave's Jamba!

First Snow of Winter Season

Nothing could prepare me for the surprise that awaiting me when I woke up the first of December. I had to literally pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. For when I looked outside and saw Jill, dressed up fashionbly in her scarf and gloves, SHOVELING!! the driveway I thought to myself, "I am the luckiest man on earth" and I went back to bed.

Honestly the surprise actually was that the snow came so late in the season this year, but it hasn't seem to let up yet.

In the end we finished shoveling the driveway together.

Thanksgiving - Manti 2007 - Days 2 & 3

We spent three days in Manti during the Thanksgiving Holiday. I would personally rank it in the top 3 thanksgivings in my life. Food was excellent..really good sweet potatoes--my favorite, lots of cool stuff to do, and BYU beat the Utes. What more could one ask for?

The kids competed in one legged races and other things for prizes...see the picture of Isaac with the bow and arrow. Later the little kids made sugar cookies. They could make two each. One to eat for themselves and another to give away. Corbin had made one for him and one for his mom. After giving the cookie to his mom he asked his uncle Brian if he had gotten a cookie. Uncle Brian told him that he didn't have a cookie yet and said, "why don't you go get me one..." So a few seconds later Corby brought his uncle his own half eaten cookie to enjoy. What a good kid...hard to imagine that he is Jordan's boy.

Jenny also celebrated her 16th birthday. The aunts all pitched in and got her a nice new outfit for her new adventure in dating. I mostly enjoyed the cake and ice cream.

Jill and I also experienced our very first horse ride together. The tension grew after we mounted the wild beasts, knowing that at any second they could turn on us and buck us off. But, we were safe. The horses at times were deciding where and how fast we were going to go. With Jenny's help we were able to keep them under control, except for the few times Jill couldn't stop her horse from turning around to go home and there was nothing she said she could do about it. So, eventually we all gave in and trotted back to the Cluff's. Crisis averted.

The guys did some sweet clay pigeon shooting and a serious session of Turkey Style football. I'm pretty sure the team I was on won.

The accident of this family get together was yet another 4-Wheelin misadventure. One of the wheels to the four wheeler hit a rut while Kevin was riding and it flipped over. Kevin flew off hitting his face on the handle bars as he went. Something like that anyways the details are a little hazzy at this point... I try and block out anything to do with four wheeling since my own accident.

Well thanks to the Cluff's for letting us all rampage and enjoy Thanksgiving at their home in Manti this year. Also a very special thanks to Angie for making the best sweet potatoes known to man. And thus making it one of the best Thanksgivings to date.

Thanksgiving 2007 - Manti Utah - Day 1

This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Allphin clan down in Manti Utah! The happiest place on earth...

This is a demonstration of one of the most popular activities at an Allphin get together, holding the babies! And of late it is being privileged enough to hold one of the cute little Garn twins. If you want to hold one of these hot commodities you better be on your "A" game ready to fend off all the Allphin grandkids, cousins, brothers, sisters, and grandparents. If you look real close you'll see where I took Grandma Allphin to the floor. Who is holding the baby now grandma?



In an effort to nerdify the Allphin girls I always bring a little technology to share. Technology is a ladies magnet...just ask Jill.

Halloween 2007

There was plenty-o-fun a brewing at the Pickett Household for our Halloween Party. It was a combination of awesome food, sweet costumes, cool friends, and fun stuff..like games and stuff.

Most notably a night to see some friends I hadn't hung out with since just after I got home from my mission...bout 5 years. Wow, time flies.

Anyways, we had dry ice filled pumpkins to cool our drinks, dinner in a pumpkin, best costume contests, prizes, guitar hero!!!! YEAH!!!, board games, card games, and even...yes even a dry ice filled toilet--see pictures for proof. We can thank Tyler for that one.

All and all a very fun filled night. We hope to make a habit of getting friends together.

Until next Halloween, this is the banana..OUT!!! HAHAAHAHAHHAAHHAH!!!! Boo!

Grandma Jan - 1927 to 2007

It's been a few months since Grandma passed away. Here are a few pictures of her funeral. It reminds me of the spirit of that day. We miss you Grandma.