Utah

Celebrating Christmas with family was just what we needed!  Thomas was able to make a snowman, even if it was only 11 inches tall...check.  And he has faith that Santa can find him anywhere.  Taylor and Amanda saw (according to them) countless swarms of good looking potential dates.  And Michael and I enjoyed watching our kids enjoy their aunts, uncles and cousins...we felt blessed.  Utah's weather was unseasonably warm with little snow.  Thank goodness for the man made kind, which allowed us to go tubing at Soldiers Hollow in Midway.  Between seeing the lights at Temple Square and eating all kinds of delicious treats in both Salt Lake and Utah county we felt like our trip was memorable.  The highlight for us was escorting Taylor through the Mt Timpanogos Temple, so he could take out his endowments surrounded by family from both sides.  Christmas 2011 was a high water mark for this family.

 We're trying to get back into the swing of things here.  Of course it would be going so much better if my kids weren't trying to convince us to move back to Utah...every second of the day!  Hopefully your Christmas was just as memorable!

Christmas Present

I have had the nicest hiatus from blogging.  I'd like to say that it's because I've been busy, or that I needed a brake.  But truth be told it's because I'm addicted to pintrest.  Sad but true.  Blogs are an awesome source of inspiration...but pintrest...oh pintrest I'm in love!  Christmas of course is my favorite time of year, so I thought I would share a little of the trimmings around the house with you.

 

Now I'm off to pack for our trip to Utah for Christmas.  We haven't seen or felt a real Winter for 9 years.  This will be Thomas's first time playing in the snow and seeing the lights on Temple Square.  It will be our families last adventure together.  Taylor will be leaving for his mission to Birmingham England in March.  And we won't see him for two years.  So this little family of ours is really trying to make some special memories together!  Merry Christmas and peace be unto you!!!!

Office Remix...

Mike and Amanda are off with a group of youth recreating the pioneer trek that settled Utah.  As they are experiencing the hardship and sacrifices of daily life on the trail, I'm here at home trying to be creative.  Mike usually occupies most of the time spent in the office, but since he's gone I've been in here a lot.   Of course I can't spend time in ANY room for very long with out wanting to tweak it.  And with Mike away...I don't even have to ask permission...not that I ever do!

 

I'm sure this won't be the last time things get remixed.  I will enjoy it for a few weeks until I "need" to do it again.  I hope Mike likes his office corner with a moodier industrial edge to it.  Now to get back to the laundry...something that I wish I felt the "need" to do as well.

Thomas is 10

So my baby turned 10 on Friday.  I don't know how these things happen, but a part of me is happy about the change.  As bitter sweet as it is to see Thomas grow up, it's also exciting.  He has had more of a challenge reaching the same milestones as his peers (Autism Spectrum Disorder) but nothing seems to permanently hold him back.  He is an amazing boy!

This year for his Birthday, he invited his best friends to celebrate with him at Sun and Fun Lagoon Water Park.

This year Thomas was excited to actually read his cards!

His cousin Alli is back from Utah...he was so excited to see her!

I'm pretty sure these boys had fun...Thomas said it was his best birthday ever and I believe him!

Birthday Girl

My only daughter Amanda is turning seventeen!  Boy does time fly by or what.  I'm feeling a little guilty because I won't be able to share the big day with her...I'll be in Utah...with my sisters.  But I promise you Amanda I'll find something special to surprise you with!

This picture captures the essence of Amanda...so full of life and the possibilities!!!

She is already a great daughter and friend and is on her way to becoming a great wife and mother.  With each day she blesses our lives with her talents and love.  Happy Birthday!

Mini Vacation

We haven't been away on vacation for a really long time.  Everyone in our family together in the same place at the same time.  So this Easter weekend we left for Orlando.  Our first stop was the Temple, where we joined members of our branch and spent a few hours feeling the love and peace that comes from serving there.   And since we are Harry Potter fans/geeks in this family (the kids say speak for yourself mom) and we haven't been to the Harry Potter World at Universal, that was our final destination.  I'm not a huge fan of theme parks, because of the long lines, the humidity and crappy food.  Not to mention It's usually super crowded on a holiday weekend.  But to our surprise it was  practically deserted....YES!  The longest we waited in line was 25 minuets.  And it was overcast most of the day so it wasn't hot....can I get another YES!!!  Harry Potter World was amazing, I ogled over all the authentic details and the frozen butter beer was to die for.   Taylor and I are feeling really brave and maybe a little macho because we road The Dragon Challenge Ride (formerly known as the Dueling Dragons.)  Yes Gabby you read that right we went on a scary roller coaster!  So now you will want to "theme park vacation" with us and we'll be fun this time.  Thomas was a trooper and went on every ride that he was tall enough to go on.  Can I just say that it's so much funner to go when your kids are older.  No Whining!  I'll be leaving for Utah in 3 weeks and then it's summer.  With all the summer camps, to many to list, this was our only opportunity to get away, and man did we need it!

All I can say is  "Mischief Managed!"

Dancing Feet

Amanda is sixteen...almost seventeen and loves to dance.  This year she went to the JROTC Ball with a big group of her friends (boys and girls) and they were all stag.   She just left to go to a 5 stake LDS Prom with a big group of her friends...stag again.  On one hand I want her to get some dating experience...but on the other hand I'm glad she's just enjoying herself and is in no real hurry to jump into the dating scene.  She has a good head on her shoulders and I keep teasing her to hold out until collage where she will have a wide selection to choose from.  I've got my fingers crossed which is good, because Mike tells me not to hold my breath on this one.

She is beautiful inside and out.  Hopefully I can keep her away from the boys until she's thirty!!!