Christmas Morning

Christmas morning Eden woke the boys up at 4:30 am. The boys "talked" some sense in to her and held off on waking us up closer to 4:45 am. It was definitely early. They kids were so excited and I believe their Christmas wishes came true. Tyson, still doesn't care about opening presents but this year, he played with the actual toy instead of the wrapping. Brady and Ben were just as excited giving presents. It is hard to believe how fast kids grow. Christmas came and went. I spent Christmas day cooking. I made Prime Rib Roast Beef with homemade horse radish sauce, scalloped potatoes, and a nice salad. For dessert I cheated. I bought a Cheese Cake Factory cheese cake and put dark chocolate syrup on it. The meat cooked perfectly with my new meat thermometer. If I could buy all of you one I would, because it is the kind that you leave in the meat while it cooks. We ate and ate.

Neighbor gifts

We are so grateful for our friends and neighbors up here. We felt we were showered with treats. Thank you. This year for our Christmas gifts for friends and neighbors, I started off baking Cinnamon rolls and giving them with a towel. After my second round of baking I realized I was never going to finish in time so I turned to candy filled mitts with a little note. "For a 'warm' hand of friendship just as you've given us..." From the bottom of my heart I would like to send one to everyone but that isn't good for the budget. So if you are far away here is my wish list to give to you.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Family and Friends,

We hope you are all enjoying the holidays. You may be surprised at my saying this, but we are sure looking forward to a White Christmas. Brady, Ben, Eden and Tyson love playing in the snow and I love it when they go out in play. This Christmas Season crept up on us.

As I reflect upon the year, I am constantly humbled by the Saviors Love and constant blessings.

This year marks Nathan and I's 13th wedding anniversary. I am even more in love with him than ever.

The kids have been on track break all of December. I am undecided about having them home all December. I am finding I don't get much done. I suppose the giggling and laughing make up for it.

We just wanted to wish everyone a very Magical Wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Thanksgiving 2010

We are so grateful that the Whipples, the Hahns, and Grandma Janet made the trek to visit and spend Thanksgiving with us. Their visit has launched the holiday season on the best note. Kaid and Leah fried our turkey's Yum Yum. We ate and ate. On Friday we headed down to Temple Square. We watched the lighting ceremony and then headed for home.

I am grateful for many things, too many to list. Today's top ten are....

10. Work

9. Visits from Family and Friends

8. Friends old and New

7. A running car

6. The opportunity to see Abby and Travis be married for Time and All Eternity. Thank you Harry and Janet and my mom for taking a week off work to take care of my kids.

5. Laughing with my kids

4. My warm hubby to whom I can cuddle with in this snowy weather

3. Being able to attend Sacrament meeting awake with out bobbing my head.

2. Learning that no matter how far I feel from family and friends that I can keep in touch through FB, Blogger, and emails. Even though I am not the biggest FB Fan.

1. Love (From my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, my kids, Nathan and family)

New York City Day Five

The New York City Marathon was on Sunday. The race path was just down the street from where we stayed.

We headed to the Library. It was another amazing building in this amazing town. Next, we headed back to time square and went to see a show on Broadway. The show displayed wonderful talent but "Promises Promises" but I think Nathan and I enjoyed it better after Molly Shannon came on set and made us all laugh.

Day Two continued.... The group decided that with the rainy weather it was a perfect museum day. When we got there, I believe everyone in New York agreed with us. It is an amazing museum. One could spend the whole day there and still not see everything. That evening we ate at Carnegie Deli. We ended the evening at Rockefellar Plaza and finally the St. Patrick's Cathedral.

New York City Day Two

Melody Choir 2010

Elvis in the house.

Brady and Eden were in the Melody Choir Christmas Program. Brady got a solo part as Elvis and sang "Jingle Jangle". It was a fun evening. As soon as I can download the video I'll post it on my FB. Ben was oringinally in Choir too, but had his tonsil taken out earlier.

New York City Day One

Day1 We landed on Wednesday afternoon with anadventures attitude. We decided to take the Subway to our hotel instead of taking a taxi. Mind you, it was from the JFK airport to Long Island City. We arrived with all luggage intact and without getting lost. I didn't take any pictures, fearing to look to much like a tourist. Not that our huge luggage didn't give us away. At the hotel we found Abby, Harry, Janet, Craig and Jenniene in the lobby. We decided to go to get dinner and Abby introduced us to Patsy's Pizza. It was the best pizza I have ever had. Thanks for taking us there Abby.

New York City Day Four

On Saturday we all headed for some New York City sites. First stop was World Trade Center Ground Zero. There is a little chapel and cemetary across the street where people have gather have gathered to pay their respects. It was an emotional experience putting faces to the "people" who ended their earthly journeys there.

Next we strolled to Battery park and then a fairy ride to Staten Island. We saw the statue of Liberty and ended the day at the Empire State building. Oh I almost forgot. We went to Canal Street to see what the buzz was all about.

Wedding Day. Day Three NYC

The reason for our trip. Abby and Travis. The cutest couple in all New York.

Is this really October?

They told me that the first snow fell in October. I didn't believe it. This morning the kids insisted on walking to school. The kids struggle some mornings getting ready for school. The snow today however motivated them to be ready early. I guess I shouldn't have made the deal that they could walk if they were 10 min early. Please note that just a week ago my sweet husband cleared out the garage so I wouldn't have to wake up with my car covered in snow. Don't tell him I said this but he was right. :)

HaPpy bIrtHday eDeN

Eden turned 7. We had a party here at the house. The girls had fun being silly. Its always a party when you mix girls, sugar, and music.

Pumpkin Patch

We are enjoy every minute of fall. The crisp cool air in the morning with warm sunny afternoons. I love it. We took the kids to a pumpkin patch very late in the day. Nathan and I had spent the whole day cleaning and clearing out the garage. He was determined to get it done before we went anywhere. I was annoyed. My priority was going to the pumpkin patch early for better pictures . Finally after a long days hard work we made a dent in the garage. I was reminded just how wonderful he is. His priority was clearing the garage out so that I can park my car in it this winter.

Tyson is TWO cute

Tyson turns two. I can't believe it has been two years since we welcomed him into our family.

Abby and Travis

Abby, Nathan's youngest sister is getting married in the fall. We just got the official announcement this last week. The announcement pictures are amazing. This picture wasn't the one on the announcement but I'm posting it anyway. We're so excited for her and Travis. Yes, she always looks beautiful.

These are the wedding colors. ROMANTIC. We are counting down the days.

Trips to the Hospital

Monday, Ben had his tonsils and adenoids removed. We... OK...I had procrastinated having the procedure done. Doesn't every mom worry and seek the confirmation that you are making the best choice? He had a wonderful ENT surgeon and all went well. I didn't take any after pictures because he was so weak and sad. I just wanted to hold him. I'm glad he is feeling better. I was feeling better about things too.... until Eden passed out twice on Thursday afternoon. I was cleaning her infected earing out and she complained of pain and the next thing I know she goes limp. She had fainted. 10 minutes later she faints again, as I' taking the earing out. Of course this happened before I had to go to work. I made Nathan bring her to the hospital and have her looked at by an MD. They found nothing wrong other than a crazy mom who should have let her lay down for at least 30 minutes before attempting to take the earing out. (The ER doctor didn't say that but I can't help but feel awful about the whole situation.) Thank you honey (Nathan) for being such a good husband and dad.

September came and went. October is almost over. Where did my time go? Here are a few pics. The first Pack meeting I had to plan was Brady's Arrow of Light Ceremony. Nathan presented him with his arrow. He did such a great job and we are so proud of Brady. I love how Ben is in the background. My kids make me smile.

Utah State Fair

Familiar Road

Nathan and I got callings. I was called as the Committee Chair in Cub Scouts. I couldn't be happier. My heart is in scouting. I love my boys and I love how scouting helps them grow. Nathan hasn't been sustained yet so here is our cliffhanger. Ha ha.

Last Sunday, I spoke in sacrament meeting and I really enjoyed studying and preparing for it. The delivery part is kind of a blur. There were a couple of articles that really made an impression on me. One of them was "Do This In Rememberene of Me" by Jeffery R. Holland. The whole article was inspiring. The point that has stuck with me for almost two weeks now and keeps me focussed on the Savior at all times, is that the Savior kept his scars of the crucifiction. The scars on his perfected resurrected body, are a sign of his love. They are "lesions of love, humility, and forgiveness". Those words resound in my heart as I work on being a good mother, wife, nurse, friend, and witness of him. There is so much power in the sacrament even unto forgiveness...

Happy 11th Birthday Brady

Brady as a Cub Scout.

Brady planned out the day. It started with getting his present first which was a motorized scooter. For lunch we went to Pirate Island Pizza for his favorite pizza, ham and pineapple. Although up here, their pinnaple pizza has parmasean instead on cinnamon :(. Next, was a trip to the Dinosaur mesuem at Thanksgiving Point. The kids lovvvved it. For Dinner everyone made Brady's favorite dinner Pizza and ate dinner backwards. We started off with cake and icecream then ate the main course.