Changing Trees

Saved for Our Time

2011-10-23T15:18:00.003-06:00

I know that when I was growing up in the Church, I was often told that we, the youth, were saved for this time and place (which I firmly believe). Have you ever taken a step back, as one of those people, and looked at others who have been saved for this time and place? I just can't help but be grateful that we have leaders whose talents are specifically designed to guide us through this unsteady, dark world. My family and I enjoyed going to Stake Conference today and were blessed to hear spiritually enlightening words by many leaders.

Most of all, Elder Bednar's words explained the characteristics of Christ like I have never heard it explained before and how we can obtain those characteristics for ourselves. WoW! This man is definitely called of God to guide those who will listen to the truth. One other important topic he mentioned was adversity. He explained that some of Christ's characteristics are only obtainable through our trials. That's one way of being grateful for our hardships (!), we just need to remember that we are gaining a Christlike perspective and actually becoming more like him. I look at many of my trials and see clearly that those trials were only for me to gain those characteristics of Christ.
This man has a way of guiding us through our ongoing conversion as we try to maintain our testimonies. I am so grateful he was preserved for our time.

Our "Not So Bummer Summer"

2011-08-29T16:06:00.006-06:00

While I was still enrolled in school this summer, we've managed to have a lot of fun. We went down to Cedar for Summer Games again and we were just as successful as last year. The family ran a 5K in West Jordan and Murray for the 4th and Abbi, Mike and I ran the 10K on Pioneer Day. We loaded up in June for a big family camping trip and enjoyed our annual trip to Park City as Abbi and Ty played in the tourni up there. Karli had two soccer tournis with a new team. All the kids ran track and improved greatly from their best last year. We found the sun as much as possible squeezing in Seven Peaks as often as we could. And Abbi and Karli have started baby-sitting--seriously!
With all of this, my garden has totally suffered! It's pretty much non-existent--oh well. Thank goodness for U-picks, we are out of salsa!

Camping with family and friends. The kids couldn't get enough of the zip line.

Camp-out movie

Here we are at Hoover Dam. We also went to Zions Park this summer.

We had to visit our favorite History Channel T.V. show location--Pawn Stars.

Abbi just finishing her mile run in the all county track meet. She took first with a time 6:14. Her all time high, killing any followers! Pretty amazing for a ten (now eleven) year old.

Karli finishing her race. She improved a great deal this year finishing in the middle of the pack in all her events. She uses track to stay in shape for soccer :)

Tyler finishing his race and hating every minute of it. His strength is shot put--he has the best grunt in all county! (And his toss isn't too shabby :))

End of summer marks the beginning of school . . .

Second Grader

Fifth Grader

Fourth Grader

Ty started his soccer career as goalie. The kid had some amazing saves!!

The Verdict is In . . .

2011-05-11T15:07:00.003-06:00

She's done! That's it --- it's over. Abbi is done dancing. She has never come home crying from dance, it comes naturally to her, (if you ask me) she's better than any of her peers and she chooses soccer! I'm okay with it, I did play my whole life. Maybe she's chosen this path because soccer does make her cry, it frustrates her, it force her to better her game. Maybe because she is challenged in it and she sees a future. Whatever the reason, I'm by her side through the good and the bad.

So Long, Farewell

2011-04-30T19:57:00.002-06:00

As I get ready to ship my books back, I can't help but feel I'm saying goodbye to a few friends that I have had a hate/love relationship with. Why would a mom take on 17 credit hours, two semesters in a row? I thought that waiting until the kids were in school full time would be easier. . . not so. At least the kids hardly have an idea that I am a student also.

In my research class I took on a research project by myself that studied mothers who went back to school. I learned A LOT about the subject. If you are wondering if school is right for you as a mother, just do it!
17 hours worth??-that's up to you :)

Get ready summer semester,
Here I come . . .

The Trees are Changing

2011-04-25T15:54:00.003-06:00

It finally feels like spring might stay around!! We had a great Easter celebration this year. I'm thinking of writing a letter to the Easter Bunny requesting no candy in the eggs next year. We have so many jelly beans that I decided to FoodSaver all the Easter candy and save it for a rainy day. Sorry, kidlets. (I don't think they'll ever know ;))

Another Christmas Come and Gone

2011-01-04T11:26:00.003-07:00

Tyler played "Fritz" in his school's rendition of The Nutcracker. He did a fantastic job memorizing his lines and adding drama to the role. He took this opportunity very seriously, but had fun doing it. He thought it was hilarious that his 'girlfriend' played his mother.

Good job Ty Guy!!

The girls had a busy Christmas season as well. They both performed in the annual piano recital. Funny, Karli played "The Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairies" (perfect background for Ty as we practiced at home) and Abbi played a fun arrangement of Deck the Halls. I can't believe how well these two can play now. They have progressed so much.

Abbi and Karli also danced again. This year they are in different classes. Karli decided not to accept the invitation move up with Abbi because the girls would be so much older than her. She is very wise to make that decision. So really, she is 'polishing' what she already knows before the she makes the big jump.

Abbi has decided that this will be her last year dancing. I'm so very sad. I won't miss the long Mondays or the cost, in fact I really won't miss a lot about it. The only thing that I will miss is seeing her up on stage. She has a natural talent and performs so well. I cried realizing that it's almost done. She says all she wants to think about is soccer, so that's what she'll do.

Proof

2010-10-18T16:31:00.003-06:00

This is proof that my little boy still needs me. He tries so hard to be independent and he usually succeeds. But trying to button a shirt from top to bottom can be pretty challenging, not to mention having to deal with collars and belts. I've never been so happy to see my child look so bad! I'm not insisting that he practices these skills. I think I'll just have to be his stand-by for the time being. Besides, he doesn't really need to know how to do it until he leaves on a mission, right?

Summer Dayz Summer Games. . .

2010-07-09T14:34:00.007-06:00

The Best and the Worst
from our excursion down to Cedar City for the
Utah Summer Games.

The team on the podium after receiving the Gold Medal in the
highest division for their age group!

This was right after they won the gold medal match.
Oh! What a feeling!

And the Worst: Tyler's tongue repeatedly got stuck to his popsicle. Laughter now, tears then.
Love it when "Christmas Story" plays out in real life!

Abbi and Karli with a few of their teammates during the
athletes kick-off party.

I you ever get the opportunity to participate in Summer Games, do it!
We made many great memories as a family and a team.

2010-05-05T16:01:00.003-06:00

What an awesome day! Our Karli was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints this past month. What an honor it is to be a mother to such a wonderful child of God. She studied the gospel principles and decided on her own to join the church.

After she was baptized we went to change and dry off. She was so excited to receive the Holy Ghost that she wouldn't let me dry her hair, not even squeeze the water out. We walked back into the room with water dripping down her neck and face. Later, I heard her ask her cousin (who just got baptized too) if she felt different when she received the Holy Ghost. She said yes and Karli said "I feel different too". I couldn't help but remember the indescribable feeling I had when I received the Holy Ghost. I still feel that companionship strongly.

Truly, what a great gift from our Father in Heaven!

Look like Yoda I do!

2010-01-06T09:32:00.006-07:00

Kill me he would, if he knew I was posting this. {ha ha} Tyler has the most elasticity in his ears. Yes, we have a lot of good laughs on his behalf. It's hard being the youngest and hard it is being a boy. I am worried, though, that if we don't stop we might have to pin his ears back or they might have to ban "Do your ears hang low, do they wobble to and fro?" from being

sung at school! We wouldn't want his feelings hurt. It's a good thing that they just POP back into place {smile}.

I COULD HAVE BLOGGED. . .

2010-01-04T10:48:00.012-07:00

. . .but we were too busy packing for our trip to DisneyLand.

. . .but we were too busy having so much fun with our Dear Friends {the Girdlers}.

. . .but we were too busy unpacking.

. . .but we took time out to give thanks.

. . .but we had so much planning to do.

. . .but we had so many presents to wrap.

. . .but we had so much decorating to do.

. . .but we love celebrating our Savior's Birth.

. . .but we had parties to attend.

. . .but we had service to do.

. . .but I was still MOM and had to clean, launder, and feed my beautiful family.

What a great ending to a blessed year {smile}.

New Year's Eve

Disney Fun

Darcy and I enjoying Vegas

One Sunday

2009-11-09T10:22:00.003-07:00

What a fun Sunday we just had! It was the primary program today, and I need to say I think the Presidency did and amazing job with it this year. One of the most enjoyable ones I have ever seen. The kids, of course, did a great job with their parts--so proud of them. The highlight of the meeting was watching the kids sing. I couldn't see Abbi too well, but we sure could hear her. Karli was cute as ever with her mature attitude and singing as loud and beautiful as ever. Tyler was, well lets just say he was quite entertaining. He apparently was in a mood and over dramatized every word he sang with hand gestures (much like an opera singer), facial expressions, and a deep singing voice which obviously didn't match his age. We really tried to keep our composure but it was it quite difficult. We all lost it, my mom and dad, Blaine and I and the rest of my family. The kid loves attention--we may be in trouble in the future!

A "Thriller" Night

2009-11-06T12:20:00.007-07:00

If I had it my way I would pick a theme for our family for Halloween and we would all dress together and be "Oh, so cute!" As you can imagine not many people called the girls cute this year :) I just need to realize that we have now moved into the next phase of Halloweening. At least I let them choose what they want to be, that's good, right? The girls did have a blast being zombies from Thriller. It was especially fun walking next to the cemetery on Halloween night. . .

I Need Some Chapstick. . .

2009-11-06T12:04:00.004-07:00

My lips hurt real bad-GOSH!

As you can see, Ty couldn't keep a straight face :)

Let me tell you about Ty and Halloween. Ty originally wanted to go the Micheal Jackson route and be (as he calls it) "Fat" from Weird Al's version of "Bad". He told everyone and he was very excited about the idea, even though I warned him that not many people would understand who he was. He didn't care. Then about a week or so before Halloween he decided out of the blue to be Napoleon Dynamite. I informed him that he would be much more recognizable as that character. He practiced all week talking like him, walking like him and most importantly dancing like him. He would even practice at the store--ya, I know, this kid has no fear. We sure received lots of chuckles :) We went up to the Utah game on Halloween night and he was treated like a celebrity. I love this kid!

We had a really fun idea and I can't believe I didn't get any pictures (GOSH!) but I had Blaine dress up as Uncle Rico. He totally played the part of the yucky door-to-door salesman with our Halloween treats that we delivered to our family. He was so believable with his Tupperware that it took a few minutes for my family to catch on that it was Blaine. I think when Uncle Rico yelled out to Napoleon to stay in the car it gave it away. It was one of the highlights of our time as a family...good laughs.

The GREAT Harvest

2009-09-09T14:22:00.002-06:00

I have been so blessed. Our garden turned out beautifully. We've had a daily practice of making sure the watering is plenty, the weeding and thinning is done and watching our garden. Now we have a daily practice of picking our harvest. There is so much joy in that. I remember talking with Blaine at dusk almost every night thinking that it may not turn out as well as other years. But together we worked daily and are enjoying a great harvest.

I can't help but think of our family like our garden. We work so hard daily to read the scriptures, practice the piano, read good books, speak kindly, and practice other skills. But it seems as though there is constant weeding that needs to be done. Is the watering just right?-or is it too much? Are we planting enough? I look forward to the great harvest when all is said and done.

My grandfather "Bo" just recently passed away and I look at the "garden" he grew with his beautiful wife. He has had a great harvest for many years now and will for eternity as his family has turned out great with a love for the gospel. What a great example they are to me and my family who strive to be like them.

As Seen by Me:

2009-09-01T14:56:00.007-06:00

The First Day of School

If you've been following my blog it isn't hard to notice that I wasn't totally excited to send my kids off to school. I've mostly blogged about Ty, but he only symbolizes the tail end of my family. Really, I'm always hesitant to give my loved children to unfamiliar people for a third of their day. Why would I want to send them off to an outdated (not earthquake proof), germ filled, cold building? Why would I intentionally send them to be taught by kids who don't have the best values and end up teaching my kids as if they are experts and all knowing about subjects that really should be taught and spoken of only within the walls of a loving home? Why would I 'let them go'? My answer is in the question: I let them go because I need to 'let them go'.

Oh the tears I imagine our loving Heavenly Father crying as he intentionally lets us go to this cold world full of people who "know better" than us, unsafe as it is, knowing some may not return. Why? Because he loves us. He wants us to experience, grow and learn. That, I have determined, is why I 'let them go'. They need to learn to recognize the good and bad. They need to learn to tolerate others (and maybe realize that others are tolerating them :) ). They need to see how little steps lead to progression. And with all of that, I guess they need to learn a little ABC and 123.

Some may think I'm clinging onto them. I will take that compliment and say that to cling to something would imply that that object has something of value and worth. I will proudly admit that my children are of worth and have much value and I will cling to them with all my heart.

What a great example we find in our Heavenly Father (who I can feel clinging onto me) that lets us leave him knowing that we will change; some for good, some for bad. I guess that is my fear. How will they change? I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my arms folded that they will change for good. . .

?Where is the PAUSE button?

2009-08-04T17:34:00.010-06:00

These last couple of weeks has been a blast but a whirlwind at the same time. First, Blaine and I started off the fun the Kenny Chesney concert. If you haven't done one yet-what are you waiting for?? So much fun. There Blaine dropped my pocket camera and shattered the screen from the inside-um, ya, that's a whole other post. Next, we had a great low key 24th of July day with the parade and fireworks with the cousins-great times :) At the same time we had a timeshare up in Park City so we spent the next day and hours, here and there, up there. Then my grandfather "Bo" had his birthday-more great family fun (love those days! Everyone seems to make time when it's for him, awesome!) The next day was Abbi's 9th birthday. What a blast! She wanted to switch rooms-ya, she's been talking about it for a year and a half. Blaine and I finally painted it for her. We were just dumb because we put it off until this crazy week. Anyway, it turned out great. It produced the best happy birthday surprise smile yet. (Keep in mind that we are still going back and forth through all this to the timeshare) Then the MLS soccer match was in town so we did that. Awesome date night! Love cheering on teams with Blaine, he's usually coaching, so that was nice. Next was another trip up to Park City for that weekend's main event: The Park City Extreme Cup. It was so much fun. Karli and Abbi participated with their teams and did great. Blaine and Abbi's team went to the finals vs. Sparta and took second place. Way to go Abbi!

Family fun on the 24th

Abbi and Bo's exciting birthdays. Oh, while up in Park City on Ab's birthday we decided to go on the Alpine Slide. . .so much fun!

Yay Murray Max Soccer!!

HAPPY 10

2009-07-18T18:41:00.005-06:00

We highly recommend renting a Jeep, too much fun!

Here we are at a Luau on the beach. Blaine is here at Mama's Fish House-a 'must try'.

Here are some of many pictures Blaine and I took on our recent trip to Hawaii. We stayed the first three nights on Maui, which is a beautiful island. We did a little driving, ate a little sushi (I do have to say that the sushi is better at home just around the corner and up the street), and got a little sun.
The next five nights we stayed on Oahu. I have to say that I've experienced Oahu twice now and I still like it best. Once you get out of Waikiki you really can't beat it. North Shore is so beautiful. Love the beaches, love the atmosphere, love the snorkeling. I can't wait until we go back someday--maybe we'll take the kids!

Here Blaine is at Hanama Bay (not worth the cost anymore, it's changed too much :( ) Another 'Must try' = Matsumoto's shaved ice

Pic from the plane.

FIVE and ALIVE!

2009-07-05T18:41:00.007-06:00

Tyler, Tyler, Tyler. Where do I begin? Like Karli he had a birthday a few months ago and he turned the magical age of five. Apparently at the age of five one isn't in so much need of their mother any longer. They magically become independent and resourceful. Learning new things and accomplishing great things all on their own. "Don't worry, Mom" Ty says, " I'll still let you help me with some things!" So when he calls for Mom and I come running just to see him standing there with one button left undone on his shirt, one button left just for me, I smile. In this moment he is letting me feel needed. How in the world can I willingly let my baby go off to school this fall. There will be no time to run "erins" together, no Mr. Incredible to help me lift those incredibly heavy items into the cart and then again into the car and once again into the house. Who's going to remind me to put on my seat belt? Or give me those 'just becuz hugz'? Who would be willing to take over dog time when the ball is as slobbery as anyone could imagine and I just can't stomach throwing it anymore? All of these things Tyler does for me and will now do the equivalent for his lucky new teacher. I'm not sad that they are over, I'm happy they happened!

Slipping Through My Fingers

2009-05-27T16:39:00.009-06:00

She's seven now! Well, she's actually been seven for a while, but I think I've been in shock for the last couple months. Anyway, here's Karli in a nutshell. . .

K- Kind hearted. Let me just say that she was born with a built-in ability to sense when someone needs a hug, a kind word, or (in my case) some chocolate.

A- Athletic. Karli is good at everything she tries. The best thing about her is that she sticks to things and doesn't give up and is thus becoming a beautiful dancer and an outstanding soccer player.

R- Rich. She thinks she's rich with $$ ($50 saved is a lot to a 7 year old), but she doesn't realize that she is so rich with knowledge, love, and family/heritage. Do we ever actually realize all that we have?

L- Little. Yes, she is growing up but she has always had such a dainty petite frame. I will always look at her as "little Kar". It's so fun to see her get among the "big" girls on the soccer field and come out with the ball!

I- Inspiring. I am greatly influenced by Karli to be better, not only for her but for myself.

I love the fact that Karli is apart of this family. Being the middle child can be rough sometimes but I think she's figuring out how to manage it well. I just can't believe how grown up she is --she's just SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS.

Tis the Season

2009-04-15T18:50:00.003-06:00

Yes, it is soccer season again. For our family this means lots of fun. We try to go to a few ReAL games a year and last month half of the extended family was there with us. It was a good time, perfect weather and ReAL won!

Abbi with her cousin Evan

Karli with cute little Evan

Jacob, Abbi, Janae, Tyler and Karli.

Jacob and Janae are such good family friends we love them like family.

So many great memories made with them:)

Twinkle On!

2009-03-29T17:39:00.006-06:00

Practice: 390 days

Memorized pages: 31

Lessons: $$$$ (I really don't want to see the total :))

Feeling like she can accomplish anything with a little hard work: PRICELESS!!!

Karli "finally" (as she would say) finished book one of her Suzuki training. She actually finished it at a pretty standard pace. I, of course, am so proud of her. She has moved straight into book two and is moving right along. She is amazing because she actually loves to practice! She is definitely blessed with a love and talent for music. We can't wait to see what she grows into :)

(I apologize for the poor sound quality.)

"Peaches come from a can, they were put there by a man in a factory downtown. . ."

2009-03-22T18:05:00.004-06:00

READY. . .

SET. . .

WAIT!

So, Blaine and I have pretty much planted a garden every year since we've been home owners=9 yrs. I've also canned many things (including peaches :)) and Tyler still says that food just appears at Albertson's!? I must not be doing a very good job at including the kids in the whole garden experience. So I decided to start everything in our garden this year by seed. We've been successful before with starting a few plants from seed, but have never tried the whole garden. We usually go up to Day Farms every year and pick what we didn't plant for our salsa, spaghetti sauce and peaches--Ty used to think that Albertson's would put the food out there in the fields for us--you know, to make it fun! Anyway, we decided to go all out and plant peppers, chilli's, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, corn, zucchini, and beets. So here we are at Family Night starting our garden. They had so much fun---gee I can't wait until we all weed together!!

Contemplating Us

2009-02-18T10:18:00.004-07:00

Blaine and I are in our tenth year. Our tenth year of:

Meeting
Dating
Falling in Love

Beginning Trials Together (his dad died 10 yrs ago)
Committing
Getting Engaged
Saying "Yes" to Each Other
Starting our Family

Neither of us can believe it's been ten years since this all started! ( Our actual wedding anniversary is in June) We are so looking forward to the next ten years. We will be having a child graduate high school. We will be have all of our children baptized. We will be supporting many, many sporting and academic events. Many more dates together, trips, trials and wins! I hate sounding corny but I hope everyone can be as happy we are.

News Flash

2009-02-18T09:26:00.004-07:00

This just in. Tyler Graham has come out confirming that he is THE Mr. Incredible.

The other day I let Tyler spend the day in his Mr. Incredible costume. I was being nice because he would spend everyday in it if he could. Little do we know that at many times during any given day he does actually get in his costume to save the world, stop a car crash, or help a kitty in a tree. On this particular day, we were going to good old Costco and this was our conversation:

Mom: Ty, maybe you better change into you everyday clothes.

Ty: No Mom. I'm okay.

Mom: Are you sure? You don't have your mask. Everyone will find out your identity.

Ty: Ya Mom. I know. I want them to know that I'm the REAL Mr. Incredible.

Mom: Well, what if they ask you for your autograph?

Ty: Ya, that's why I have a pen with me!

Ty is the funnest little guy to be around. Our family is so blessed to have such a fun loving little gentleman in our presence. Those of you who know him well know we all would have a void in our lives without him. If any of you know how to freeze our little ones to just stay how they are, please let me know!

"Yay! We have cousins our age!"

2009-02-11T13:37:00.005-07:00

We are so excited to have these new members of our family. My brother was married to his beautiful wife a few weeks ago now and all the kids can talk about is how they finally have cousins that they can see on a regular basis that are their age. We couldn't ask for better kids to join the family. We all get along so well and are looking forward to many good memories with them!

Confessions of a mom living in a recession

2009-02-11T13:07:00.007-07:00

Many have asked where I went to get Karli's hair cut. They may be asking because it looks good or they may be asking so they can avoid the place-who knows! I need to confess that I cut it myself. Now before you all start feeling sorry for me (or for her) I need to say it was by choice. Blaine's job has never been better. But the prior year and a half has really made me start looking into what I can do for my family as opposed to what I can pay someone else to do for my family. I can really say that it all adds up. So until Karli can tell me that her hair looks bad, I think we can keep playing salon in the kitchen. Now, Blaine's personal job hasn't been in trouble with this economy yet, but his industry is in shambles. So who knows, maybe in the future we won't have $$ for those cute hair cuts-but at least my kids won't realize it!

Here's to all you mom's out there who have less to work with but still make it work!!

Another Congrats to Abbi

2009-01-21T13:00:00.001-07:00

Abbi won her division on the district level for the Reflections contest. She entered the photography category and did an amazing job. Funny story: We went up to Donut falls and there was construction on the way up so we got tight on time. Pretty much the whole way up I was telling the kids to hurry up we don't have time etc.. On the way down we were practically running (we needed to get to a soccer game- of course!) and I told the girls "No more pictures unless it is absolutely amazing- I mean it" To little kids everything is absolutely amazing. Abbi actually found the tree stump on our way out. I guess it is amazing because the judges keep putting it through. This is my testimony that I didn't help her at all. If I had had my way, her pictures never would have been shot and we would have been early to the game!

The BIG Easy

2009-01-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

Yeah- I finally have time to post some pics of out much anticipated (Merry Christmas Blaine) trip to New Orleans.

Well, they did it. Utah went out 13 and 0, and we were lucky enough to be there! It was awesome. The atmosphere there was awesome. At least seventy thousand people (which literally looked like a sea of red) lined the streets of New Orleans for the big game days before it started. That meant we didn't get to use the car we rented s0 we had to park it for $30 a day-ouch! The food was incredible as expected and the people were very nice. We did a little sight seeing and had fun at the Ute's luncheon. It felt so much like home because we saw so many people that we knew there :)

I'm not going to lie. I did miss the kids, but it was very nice and enjoyable to have a little get-a-way with just Blaine and I! I feel that every parent should schedule a little time off. What a refreshing way to start the year. I am so excited for 2009. It is going to be the best year for our Fam. I have learned (finally) that life is what you make it. It's a lot of work, but we are going to "make it" and create the fun enjoyable life that we want. You should too! We wish you all a very happy new year!

Returned with Honor

2008-12-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have Uncle Ron home from serving in Atlanta. What a refreshing smile he has! We really missed him. He has adjusted very well. Ron and two of my other brothers have already planned their trip to Hawaii in two weeks from now. Oh, to be single again and just get up a leave!! Hey, boys enjoy it while you can.

Anyway, Ron served a faithful mission and all who came in contact with this guy was truly blessed. We hear leaders talk about missionary work and just being kind and serving those who we come in contact with because we don't know what lasting effect it will have on their future conversion. Well, Ron makes a lasting impression on any who he comes in contact with so the faithful Bible Belt region of our country, that is very difficult to convert, was the perfect place to send this Elder. It'll be amazing to someday see all the people that were eventually brought to the truth because of this Elder.

'Tis the Season. . .

2008-12-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to tell you all about our Christmas Season we had this year! It was busy, crazy, cold, and busy. . .

My family has a great tradition to play Sub-for-Santa each year in lieu of gifts. We had a very deserving family and I know we were blessed much more than they. I'm so thankful to my family for giving every year. I know this hasn't been the best year financially for a lot of people. But the blessings we receive far out way the cost.

The kids (Blaine included-those who know us well know I have four kids) decided that with all this snow they would build an igloo. We live in a circle so we need to give our thanks to the snow removal person for plowing beautiful mounds of snow (perfect for digging out igloos) in front of our house. This is an on going project as they are actually "icing" the igloo for safety! Our poor neighbors are going to see a mound of ice/snow out their window when everyone else will be looking at daffodils this spring, LOL!

Karli performed in the Annual First Grade performance of the Nutcracker. She was a "Snowflake" dancer and "Glow stick" dancer (just like her older sister last year!). I gotta tell ya, not much beats seeing your daughter up on stage, enjoying every moment.

Abbi and Karli are privileged to be in the same dance class yet another year. I don't think they like being in the same class as much as their busy mom likes it! Hey, one less drop-off and pick-up a week does wonders! They did so awesome. They are both naturals. Too bad they both pick soccer as their on going extra curricular activity. But for now they enjoy doing both and as long as everyone stays sane I'm up for it too!
I've got to give Ty-Man credit. He sits through two recitals back to back every year just to see his sisters dance for a minute and a half. Ya, I'll admit he doesn't have much choice right now but I know if he could choose he would support his sisters. That's my Ty-Guy

This is becoming one of my favorite moments of the season each year. The Christmas studio recital has been great both years we've been apart of it. This year Abbi played "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and didn't miss a note. Her teacher has them focus so much on tone and it really showed in Abbi's performance. Karli played "Away in a Manger" she didn't miss a note either. It's so fun to watch her because she adds so much of her own emotion to the songs she plays. She's our little Drama Queen. . . in this case it worked for her!

How many little kids can say they get to play for a full studio audience a few times a year on a beautifully perfect grand piano? What an awesome start to the season.

TWILIGHT

2008-11-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy this awesome piano arrangement River Flows in you by Yiruma, AKA Edward's Lullaby; I know I can't get enough. It is now just after ten o'clock p.m. on Thursday night and the first showing of Twilight will be starting shortly. All I can think about right now is poor Marie (one of my YW) and hoping she can stay up through the whole showing, she's really been worried about that. I know she's been prepping for this for awhile now :). I can't see it until Abbi has finished the book. I'm kinda wishing I didn't make that promise now, I may have to wait another week :( Hopefully Hollywood hasn't embellished the romantic scenes too much so she can see it. Marie, you better stay awake so I can find out! LOL.

Congrats Abbi!

2008-11-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Abbi completed level one in her Suzuki training. It took her just over a year, which is pretty good. We held a concert for her in our home so she could show off what she has learned to her family. She played thirty pages of memorized songs! She did great!

We want to thank the whole Fam for supporting her.

It really means a lot.

I apologize, the sound is a little scratchy :(

BACK IN BLACK

2008-11-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

view of the "blackout" crowd

This was taken before the game started. Ty was in his usual "game home"
underneath the bleachers.

Karli and Abbi down on the field after the game.

Game Highlights:

The kids looked forward to this one.
We wore black.

It was an exciting game.

The girls rushed the field (safely) with Dad and got some Utah garb.

UTAH WON!

"Grease is the Word"

2008-11-01T14:10:00.000-06:00

Blaine and I had a blast dressing up this year as "Danny and Sandy" from Grease. Let me tell you, Halloween is so much better when the whole family dresses up. I only wish we could have found a better wig for Blaine. I've got to hand it to him for being such a good sport. I'm sure he's always secretly wanted a "T-Bird" jacket ;)

Halloween was great. We had the day off from school so we enjoyed parties with friends, baking cookies, the annual tri-ward dinner and trunk-or-treat, and of course good old door to door trick-or-treating. We finished off the night with carmel apples, hot chocolate and a cozy backyard fire.

Abbi won most exceptional costume as the Bride of Frankenstein.

Karli won most marvelous as a "Good" witch.

Ty won most fascinating as a Power Ranger. Fun, fun.

Must See T-ylerV-ision. . . Ty's Fire Safety Demo

2008-10-26T19:18:00.000-06:00

Ty came home the other day after preschool and taught me how to be safe in a fire. When he got to the "drop" part of the demonstration I laughed so hard. I had him do it over and over again. (I know, it may be considered child abuse to tell your kid to repeatedly throw himself on the floor, but it was too funny.) It may be hard to hear him on the video so here is the play by play:

TY: "Stop............Drop..............Roll................Touch.......the Doooor..."

Thanks Des for teaching him the importance of fire safety and giving me a good laugh :) Ty wants you all to watch this so you too will know what to do in a fire!! (He really does)

"STAYCATION"

2008-10-20T12:36:00.000-06:00

This year for UEA we decided to have a "staycation". You know, when you are on vacation in your own city (or close enough). We stayed in Park City at the Canyons resort. JUST BEAUTIFUL! Then we had our trip packed with activities close by. The first night we went to a pumpkin patch but it was closed. So we went for a drive and found an even better one. We have always picked our pumpkins from the vine so that was important to us. This place was like Thanksgiving Point's Cornbelly's. We went on a hayride, then we cheered on the red pig in a pig race, and slid down an enormous slide. Great fun! What a fun way to start our endeavor.

SO EXCITED!!

On our way to the pumpkin patch.

(We had an awesome

tractor driver.)

We found the perfect pumpkins

Mine was the smallest one. I seem to be the only

one that remembers that I end up carving all of them!

Wait. . . maybe they do realize that!?

It looks like Ty is standing up. That's because he

practically is. The slide was incredibly steep!

SATURDAY. . .GAME DAY

We first went to the Utah game on Saturday that weekend. It was perfect weather. I was so worried we were going to have to pack the kids with all their winter garb. It was awesome, Utah won, the kids had a good time, our game neighbors were awesome as always, and again the weather was great.

Because we were on vacation we had to eat out. So we went to Red Lobster.

Note the fishy faces :)

Finally, that night we went to the Real soccer game in their new stadium. If you haven't been it's a "must try". There's not a bad seat in the house.

I'm thinking that we will try this "Staycation" thing again.

VERY FUN!!

Konnichiwa!

2008-10-13T18:47:00.000-06:00

Uncle Blake just came into town for a short visit from his current home in Japan. Blake and his wife, Naibi, are expecting their first baby in December. We are so excited! We've all been waiting along time for a child to come to this part of the family. They are so deserving of such a blessing. We just wish they were living a little closer.

The kids just love Blake and Naibi.

We Miss you Guys!

"I'M IN CHARGE OF MY DONUT!"

2008-10-12T18:56:00.000-06:00

This was taken during our little adventure to Gardner Village. The girls wanted to taste his chocolate donut and he didn't want to share, which I was totally okay with. Blaine decided to snatch a piece off and give it to the girls. Once he had done that Ty yells:

"Hey, I'm in charge of my donut!"

He was saying this as his own mouth was full of the chocolate mess. I've got to say that I felt like a proud Mommy to hear my son have so much conviction about something he cared about so much. I just hope this continues in areas of his life when it actually matters! We all had a good laugh and he realized this was a good opportunity to be the "class clown" and proceeded to entertain us some more. We love our little TY GUY!

LET'S PLAY CATCH UP. . .

2008-10-12T18:22:00.000-06:00

Abbi just after scoring.

President's Cup Tournament

Blaine is the coach of Murray Max U9 Competitive soccer team. It is very time demanding but very rewarding at the same time. The team has been doing very well. They are leading their bracket being undefeated with no new teams to play. They just recently finished the President's Cup Tournament and lost one game in the freezing cold rain and West Jordan wind. What an awesome experience to be a part of something so big.

Abbi had two goals in the tournament and played extremely well. She is working very hard right now as she is playing for the U10 team as well. That means double the practices and double the games (in the rain and cold right now :( ) She scored in the U10 game this last Saturday vs. Sparta. She currently has upwards of fifteen goals and many assist for the season!

CONGRATS ABBI!!!

Some say being a Mom is the hardest job in the world. I would agree with that 100%! But I would also have to say that we as moms receive the greatest reward when we see the fruits of our labor. Right now my fruit tastes very sweet. :)

2008-10-12T17:57:00.000-06:00

SLUMBER or PARTY!!?

Abbi had a few friends, Hailey and Jayde, over for a "Slumber Party". We've done this before so we had a plan. . . We would tire them to death so they would have no other choice but to fall asleep by 10:00 p.m.. So that is what we did. We set up a canopy (thanks U9 Murray Max soccer team) that they used as a stage and turned on the High School Musical Soundtrack. They danced and sang 'til there was nothing left! We went for a yummy brownie treat at Kneaders and got ready for bed. Blaine and I went down to check on the girls at 9:45. They were out cold!!! Our plan worked. We will be keeping this one on file for future use!

M.I.T.

2008-10-12T17:46:00.000-06:00

Mommy in Training.

Our Karli loves to mother. I really could have used her starting eight years ago when we started our family. My stress levels would have lowered dramatically. Well, I'd rather have her as a daughter than a nanny, but she does do an awesome job. Thanks Aunt and Uncles that trust their little ones under our care! This is cute little Will. We love having him around. Want more cute pix of Will? Visit Spencer and Aly's blog in my "Blog Town". Get ready world for another awesome babysitter and mother!

Which Witch is Which???

2008-09-26T20:50:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again. Autumn is my favorite season of the year. There are so many activities and colors. There begins to get a chill in the air ( I love sweatshirt weather :)), it's time to can all of the great harvest, and of course soccer game after soccer game. Okay and some football; we love the Utah games with you Blaine! The only downfall is that the season doesn't last long enough where we live. Winter comes too fast!!! So we try to get as much Fall as we can in the short amount of time we get it.

We went to Gardner Village. I love the quaint little shops and yummy bakery. Today though, was devoted to the witches; okay and the bakery. We started out counting each of them. That didn't last long. I guess it doesn't matter. They have enough to see a new one everytime you turn around. Our favorite was the airport they had set up. They had a witch on her broom coming in for a landing, one giving direction with those light sticks, and another getting ready to take off. All were set up high on a building and in the air. Very fun!!

Donut Falls

2008-09-24T16:29:00.000-06:00

This is our annual hike to Donut Falls. It was so much fun. We didn't make it to the falls this time because we went with the purpose to take pictures for the school reflection contest. You know how kids are, they want to take a picture or two of every tree, rock, bug, cloud, and the list goes on. I wanted them to be creative and take their own so needless to say we doddled along our way and time was cut short. Our family really enjoys the outdoors. In fact I usually have to drag the kids indoors once in a while. This adventure will go down as one of my favorite so far!