Funny Moment

If you were a bug on our wall, and just spent your day watching Taylor, you would be one happy bug. His little mind is constantly creating and thinking of funny things to say and do. Here is a small sample of a typical funny moment.

"Mom, I'm making a scary witch, it's going to totally

FREAK Connor out!

Can you draw the mouth to look like this...?"

"Now I'm going to go hang it up."

He reports back. I ask, "Did it work?"

"Yup, it totally freaked him out!!"

Oh good.

"Mom, maybe I should write my name on it, someone might see it and say, 'maybe that's mine...'"

Sounds reasonable.

He then writes his famous "T" on the back of the witch.

"I think I'll save this for Halloween....that would be good, huh mom!"

"Absolutely, you brilliant boy."

"Well, now I'm going to go make a train."

"Sounds like a plan, have fun!"

Too Cute!

I Need a SNOW day!

Here are some of the fun snow days we've had this winter. We love to snow shoe, go sledding, and mom and I even got in some cross country skiing. Way fun!

Dad and Ash...

We saw this by Rock Canyon park at someone's house, had to take a pic. Dum Dum, you give me GUM GUM!!

Maille and Ashlyn, hangin' out.

Mom and me, we have such a blast together!
Taylor would go down the hill by himself, then wait for the boys to pull him up. Apparently they decided to make him work for it a little, by carrying their snowboard.

Parker calls this the RAMP OF PAIN!

Dad, you ROCK!

So how many 60+ year olds do you know who get out there and go off big jumps with their 6 yr. old grand daughters?? You are too cool dad. Too bad it wasn't the landing you had hoped for....Love you!!!
Ashlyn commented, "I looked back and thought,

where'd grandpa go??"

My Light and Flame

"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"

Henry David Thoreau

Here's to my light and my flame:

I used to love you for taking me out to plays and ballets, now I love you for watching simple "chick flicks" with a bowl of cereal in bed.

I used to admire the way you meticulously cleaned your car, now I admire the silent way you take care of the dishes (with the kids) to give me a break each day.

I used to admire your courage to "backpack" through Europe, now I admire your courage to get up at 6:00am each morning to catch the bus and work day in and day out for our family.

I used to admire how smart you were at the game of Chess, now I admire your patience to sit for hours and play Risk with the boys, or Old Maid with Ash and Tay.

I used to love to watch you make amazing pieces of furniture, now I admire your ability to put your own interests aside to tackle my "honey-do list".

I used to love it when you told me I was beautiful as we headed out to an amazing symphony, (well, I still like that...) but more importantly, I love that you think I'm beautiful first thing in the morning, and never hesitate to tell me how much you appreciate all I do.

You spend EVERY Saturday morning, 5:30 am attending the temple, sacrificing the one day you can sleep in.

You spend your free time fixing flat bicycle tires (teaching the boys and their friends at your side..), playing games with our kids in place of a Sunday afternoon nap, helping our kids with their math, building a "fort" in the backyard, holding interviews with our kids, overseeing the spirituality of our family and a million other amazing things. Most of all you bring lots of love and laughter to our home.

You truly are my light and my flame. Love You!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Pre-dinner conversations

Taylor was up on the counter watching me make dinner yesterday. I was just kind of wingin' it and throwing things in to make an enchilada casserole. Apparently it wasn't looking very appetizing and Taylor got a concerned look on his face.

First question: "What are you making?"
Oh, it's just a casserole.
"Have we had this before?"
Sort of.
"Well, what is it called?" (concern growing...)
Oh, I'm just sort of making it up.
He takes a deep breath, be patient, she's just a mom.
"Well, what do you THINK it's called?"
I'm catchin' on now...Oh, it's called...uh...
"wonderfully, delicious, chicken enchiladas with fresh ground corn tortillas, cheese, and refried beans".
He's unimpressed.
Note to self, just call it Thomas the Train enchiladas next time...

I Love To See The (Draper) Temple!

Today our family had the privilege of touring the Draper Temple open house. It was absolutely beautiful! The day was kind of a drizzly, cloudy day, but to us it was perfect! Not too cold and just a hint of Spring peeking out with the green lawns that we passed (just bits and pieces of snow here and there).

It is so thrilling to have kids old enough to come out of the temple saying, "Boy I sure felt the spirit", or "I want to be married in THAT temple some day!!" They were so reverent and respectful, I was really proud of all of them.

Now, just in case you're getting a case of "Ug, another perfect family" syndrome, not to worry, the bickering started up in the van leaving. Karl said, "can't we wait at least 15 mins. for Satan to get us?"

Ashlyn was beside herself with joy at the thought of taking the BUS! They shuttled us from a church parking lot to the temple and she could hardly stand it! Upon boarding she told the volunteer, "I've never been on a bus!" then, "I've never sat in the back of the bus before, now I want to try the front..." Maybe on the way home. "I've never looked out a window in a bus!"

"We get to take the bus back? Yes!!"

Hail to the bus.

FREEZE!

Ok, so I was walking around the house with a million things on my mind and didn't even notice my little shadow was energetically trying to get my attention. (it's all "white noise" sometimes...:) Finally I hear this loud,
"MOM, FREEZE!" I froze. Turned, and Taylor then proceeded to tell me what he wanted.

Hmmm, wonder where he learned that???

P.S. Maybe we should get that boy a toothbrush?!!

February, my new leaf...

When the rest of the world is busy making new years resolutions in January, I typically find myself trying to re-coup from the holidays, packing stuff away, de-junking, getting kids back on track with school and activities etc. It's simply too much for me to re-vamp my life as well, so February is my month to start fresh! In my attempts to comb through my time and priorities, I ran across a quote from Elder Richard G. Scott, when I gave the visiting teaching message. This is my platform for any goal or change I want to make this year. (if it's in writing it sticks...:)

"You cannot today remotely imagine what that decision to be unwaveringly obedient to the Lord will allow you to accomplish in life. Your quiet, uncompromising determination to live a righteous life will couple you to inspiration and power beyond your capacity now to understand" ("Making the Right Decisions," Ensign, May 1991, 34).

My goal for this year is simple. Unwavering obedience.

Love those 2 powerful words.

Building Character!

I've always thought the "ideal" of living on a farm sounded great! You know, teach your kids hard work, responsibilty keep 'em busy and outta trouble, learn all of the lessons found on a farm and build a lot of character along the way. Well, truthfully I don't think I'd make a very good farm wife, however we do have a chicken coop and that seems to be doing the trick. Parker braved the awful smell, cleaned out the coop, and put fresh straw in last weekend. Parker sure is a good egg...it's GREAT to have kids!!