Snow Day

This winter has been a little sparse on snow- which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I don't know how people could complain about that but believe me they do in this state- boo hoo! Any hoo- it finally did a big snow and my kids were in heaven.

I on the other hand hid in my closet and cried. But I did find a moment to paste on a smile and grab my camera for a few cute pictures of them making their first snowman of the season.

They loved it so much that they actually made one for our next door neighbors too!




And- it was Cannon's first REAL experience out in the snow. He was finally big enough to go out and really play and get in it. AND- he loved it.

He was sliding and falling and rolling. He also age quite a bit. He had red cheeks and the coldest nose when he came in but he was all smiles.

When Grammy comes to town....

So my mom and Becca came the first week of January to visit. It was so great and much needed. We had a wonderful time and as always the days flew by so quickly. It is amazing how that happens- the times you want time to go slowly march by too fast- you know. Anyway, we packed in lots of fun, but different fun than usual. First of all, the kids were in school so that made it low key. Julie had to work in the evenings so she came every morning and we would make a wonderful lunch and play trains or card games and eat treats. We would laugh, say things unfit for ladies (ha ha) and laugh some more. We also got in a few tears which was much needed. It was a really sacred time for me and my mom and sisters. I really needed it!

On Thursday we let the kids ditch school when Julie was off of work and we went to the children's museum. It was fun and terrible all at the same time. Chasing kids, telling them to stop doing this and start doing that. Smiling at my mom being the best grandma, cussing under my breath at my boys and their ability to be mean no matter what and to whom ever. Seriously, Cannon had on a fireman's outfit- he saw a little car that he wanted to drive in it. A boy was already driving it. I found another one for him, but oh no. He wanted the other one that was being used already. He ran up to the one I brought and kicked it so hard. I was dying. We laughed and laughed. That little man definitely knows what he wants! Oh the challenges...... We had to go home and gorge on more sugar just to relax that we made it through another "memory" making day:)

Friday was especially fun. My mom, sisters and I drove up to Logan to go to lunch with some of my cousins and aunts on my dads side of the family. They don't get to see my mom as much since my parents divorced but had urged me lately to get everyone together the next time my mom was in town. This time I felt an extra push due to the fact that one of my aunts is struggling with cancer and her and my mom were close friends. It was the best lunch. It is during these kinds of get togethers that my soul is touched in a heavenly way- like no other and I am reminded of my tender heritage. Of what is most important in life and how truly amazing the women in my family are.

They are strong, they have all been challenged and overcome amazing trials. I watched my aunt who is fighting stage 4 cancer, she was in wheel chair and had recently undergone brain surgery and she had a SMILE on her face the whole time. She was so full of energy and life. You could almost feel it radiating off of her. It was a gift to be in her presence. She is just like my grandma. I knew my grandma was watching us, smiling and so happy to see us all together.

I also love seeing my kids with my mom. She reads them stories. Plays games with them and tucks them into bed every night. She always does their nails too- they love it. And Luka especially loves to hear her talk in Donald Duck right now. His eyes get so big and sparkle!

I am so blessed to have the special times like this week with my mom and sisters. We also booked a trip to Hawaii in March for the 4 of us girls. It is going to be so fun! We can't wait.

This article it amazing- seriously exactly how I feel. I am so glad I am not alone. A must read:

DON'T Carpe Deim

change

This new year started out with many new changes for me. The biggest is our ward was finally split. It was about 700 people which is huge! Our family was put in the "new " ward which means all people are automatically released from their callings which means I am no longer in the Relief Society Presidency.

I must say I have felt a huge range of emotion over this. First- relief. Serious relief. Almost like a huge load has been lifted from my shoulders. Just of time and stress and work which is selfish but it took a lot with a HUGE ward to be in that calling. But, I also feel a little bit of loss. Loss for the women that I will miss who are in the other ward now. Loss at the mantel I was blessed with while having the calling and being more sensitive to needs of others. Not being able to visit the women in the ward- I really enjoyed that part of getting to know them each better. I also feel a little misplaced- As I was saying my prayers the other night I started going through a list of women I always pray for and then wondered if I still should. And then decided that I should. I love them and care for them so it is OK to pray for friends and people you love, right? I feel extremely grateful- grateful that Tina had enough faith in me to call me as one of her counselors and give me the opportunity to let my testimony grow more than it ever has during the last two years. Grateful to have met so many amazing women and experience so many spiritual things. And- I feel excited. Excited to get my life back in order. To have a little more time to try and get organized and spend with my family. Excited for the future and what it holds. Excited for my new ward. Excited for the new year.

Just Dance

(Cooper, Cannon and aunt Becca getting their Groove on!)

Savannah got Just dance 3 for the Wii for Christmas from Grammy. So- my mom and Becca were in town this week from Phoenix and we had a just dance party one night.
(Grammy, Savannah and Ava, the dancing queens!)

It was so fun. We had three rounds and then the winners from each round had a dance off.
(Grammy, Cooper and Ryan for the Championship- Ryan won!)


Much to my surprise the dance off was between Cooper, Grammy and RYAN! It was hilarious and so much fun.
(Look how serious Cannon is! He really gets into it!)

Cannon is a huge fan of Just Dance. I loves it and freaks out if he can't dance to each song. So- we give him a fake wii remote so he thinks he is participating:)

Luka loves to do his break dancing moves during the songs he isn't dancing too. It is awesome.
(This is me with my dancing face!)


It is a really fun family game. We had a blast!

New Year's Eve 2011

This year I decided to throw a New Year's Eve Party. It is a little out of my comfort zone but I wanted to have some fun. It has been a tough year- and I needed to do something different.
(Michelle, Brooke and Stephanie looking hot!)

I decided to have an 80's theme. People had to come dressed in their 80's gear. When I was getting ready and doing my hair I couldn't believe I used to curl my hair like that every day and use so much hair spray. When my kids saw it they were NOT impressed. Cooper asked me to never fix my hair like that again! Cannon looked at me with the biggest eyes and then rubbed his head. It was so funny!

(Damon and Catherine)

We had 80's music playing. People brought some awesome appetizers and desserts. We ended up with 11 couples which was perfect! It ended up being a blast and I was so glad I did it.

I did a hot chocolate bar, sodas and then had champagne flutes and martinellis for the midnight toast. I also had a bowl of mints and gum so we would have fresh breath for that midnight kiss with our sweetie!

I had a few games on the agenda- a fun mixer game that involved professions and funny descriptions of them. Then the best one I think was the white elephant. I secretly told all the wives to bring something that their husbands loved but they hated all wrapped up!
(Finn with Brian's treasured sunglasses on)

It was so funny to watch the men start opening the gifts and see the other guys face when it was his favorite sunglasses or shoes or old T-shirt.

We laughed so hard.

Some of them got a little ticked but all in fun and by rule they got to take their original gift home. It was fun!
(Jenny and Dan)

We also did a few minute to win it games. Cookie on the face was awesome- you have put the cookie on your forehead and try to get it in your mouth (without using your hands) in one minute.
(Damon did a good job!)

I loved watching the face movements. We did all the guys first and then all the girls.

We also did a golf ball one where you try to stack three golf balls on each other and they have to stand for 3 seconds within one minute. That was HARD. They guys did it 2 against each other- I think 2 ended up doing it!
(Dave and Jen)

Everyone one looked so awesome dressed up in their 80's gear. There were mullets, leg warmers, a lot of bright colors, pegged pants, BIG HAIR, bright make up and jean jackets!
(Catherine and Marcus were smokin!)

We are so lucky to have great friends in this neighborhood.
(Amber, Me and E'Shell)

I had a great time and hope they did too. It was just what I needed to start a New Year off right:)

Christmas 2011

Christmas morning was wonderful! This kids slept in until 7:30. At this point they were all awake except Cannon so- we woke Cannon up. He was so funny. He still didn't really know what was going to happen but he could tell it was something exciting by they way his siblings were acting. And- when we all ran out to the family room and he saw the presents from Santa he was so excited too.

Everyone was very happy with their gifts!


Cannon got a Benny the Bull to ride and a cape and mask.

He is really into dressing up and being some kind of hero/villain depending on his mood. He also got a really cool art easel that everyone has enjoyed.

Luka wanted all star wars things this year and he got it- along with a cool yellow bike thing. He was very happy and in star wars heaven!

Cooper got an IPOD shuffle. Santa was sneaky and hid it in the bottom of his stocking so it was the last thing he found. He also got a cool skate board ramp- which his mom has told him over and over to wear his helmet with!

Savannah got an awesome Nikon camera that she is learning to use. She is willing to take any one's photo or video. She also got lots of headbands and earrings. She is ready to accessorize any outfit!

Santa was also very kind to mom and dad- we got tickets to go see the Broadway play Wicked in August. We can't wait!

We had an amazing brunch with grandma's awesome biscuits and gravy! Then we went to church where they announced they will be splitting our GIGANTIC ward next week. It will be a welcome and interesting change. Our 4th ward split in 4 years of living here.

After church we opened presents from Grammy, Becca and Julie. These presents were a big hit too!


Cannon and Luka loved the guns aunt Julie got them.

Cannon was hilarious trying to put his gun in his pants like Luka.

He couldn't quite fit them and unzipped his pants to try and fit it but it still didn't work.

Savannah loved getting Just Dance 3 for the Wii from Grammy! We will have a sing off for Family home evening next week:)

Cooper loves his magic kit from Grammy. He has been practicing daily and is getting really good. I love watching Luka's face when Cooper does the tricks. He is so amazed!

Later in the afternoon we played fun games and laughed so hard. This is what I LOVE doing with my mom and sisters. I made an awesome Mexican food dinner if I do say so myself. It was the perfect Christmas (aside from my terrible sinus infection:(.

The most important thing is our gratitude for the birth of our Saviour. We are so blessed to have the knowledge of the gospel and so grateful for Jesus Christ and his life and then sacrifice for us.