Advent Calendar

Thanks to everyone who helped put together Cody's advent calendar.....

Cody will arrive on December 2nd, so the calendar starts then.

This is Bishop Anderson, the father of our ward, and somebody that Cody looks up to and loves.

Christine loves and misses Cody and is certain that Buddy constantly has tears in his eyes since Cody left.

Cassidy is taking over Cody's car and his spot at Murray High.  It's a good thing he left a good reputation behind :).

Maddie is one of Cody's good friends who went with him to the temple often and then took a Mission Prep class with him at BYU.  

Alex is another good friend who Cody went to Junior Prom with.  She now cheers at Utah State and included the mascot in her picture.

This is Josilyn who just happened to be in Sydney, Australia, so she took her picture in front of the opera house.

Emma has been a great support to Cody for many years and chose to embrace the Texas spirit!

James is the student body president this year and went on many double dates with Cody and Justine.

This is Cody's 'little brother' and friend Andrew.  Andrew knows Cody well enough to know what would make him laugh....  

Kelton knows Cody's favorite player is Alex Smith, so Kelton photoshopped his face over Alex's face.  Cody will love this!

The Seattle fans had such an impact on the success of the team in the 1980's that Seahawks President Mike McCormack retired the number 12 jersey on December 15, 1984 forever.  A tribute to the best fans in the NFL.  Thanks Tyler, Camille and Ashley!!

Angie in Olympia for Thanksgiving and watching channel 13 KCPQ.

Digger and Steve at what looks like Home Depot (or something like it).  

Randy is at the Forward Operating Base Gambari in Afghanistan, covering the future of US troops in the country.  I asked him to have Richard Engel take his picture :).

The Labits and Buddah #2!!

This is Cody's good friend Justine.  When she asked him to Spartionian Ball, Cody answered by painting on this door, "Justine, you are a-door-able! I would love to go to Spartonian Ball with you".  Justine took the same door and painted the number 17 on the other side.  I can't say enough good things about this girl.  

Kathleen, Bob, Mallory and Bethany.  Cassidy thinks she needs to spend a year at the Woolf's as well...

Cody's brothers from another mother, minus Brady :).

 Cindy and her new friend.  We will be seeing Cindy and this little guy over the holidays :).

Grandma and Grandpa Backus have kept Cody stocked up on treats while in Mexico City!

Grandma and Grandpa Brown now have 3 grandchildren out on missions!

Buddy and Cody are close....I don't know what goes on in the mind of a dog when suddenly someone you love doesn't come home anymore :(.  

I spent 1 Christmas in the mission field, and I can honestly say it was one of the most meaningful Christmas's of my life.  The distractions of the world were left behind and I was able to daily share my belief in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.  Steve and I miss Cody as well, but there is no place we would rather him be at this time in his life :).

Love for Him is what makes it possible for young men and women to leave their homes for 2 years and for their families to let them go.