Love Day!

Grandma Jo came to drop some goodies and run

Bo loved his "love" book!

Rylee is bundled up to go delivering!

Oh-the sweetness! How can you not just love the excitement of Valentine's Day. We have a few traditions here at our house. First of all-since I was a young girl, my mom always made such cute heart shaped cakes and sugar cookies. We made them for our friends and loved ones-and then delivered them. Then we always had a little valentine waiting for us on our bed when we got home from school. Well-the tradition lives on. Rylee has been over-the-top excited to give out her valentines. You would have thought it was Christmas. We spent the day before making our heart shaped sugar cookies and getting ready. The day was filled with excitement-with little "cupids" leaving goodies on the door step and running. We started giving the kids each a Valentine's book and writing a little love note inside. They love to read them throughout the year. Travis and I actually got to go out last night. It was fun to spend time with my husband. Got to love "love day"!

Bragging...

(Photos taken in Chile)

I post this in hopes that Jake, my brother, will read this and know we are thinking of him. Some may know that my little brother Jake is an avid snowboarder, he has been since he was little. We use to go to the Utah Winter Games and he and Travis, along with my other brothers, would enter the boarder cross event in each of their age groups. Us girls would climg the hill and cheer each of them on as they would compete. It brought good memories and good times. Jake would easily take first in his age group-and we soon discovered that snowboarding was his thing. He is now 21 and is sponsered by many companies-from snow gear, snowboards, boots, bindings, watches and sunglasses. I can't acuately name them all. He has a home with a detatched garage that he has turned into his personal snowboard shop. He is generous to his friends and family. When he lived at home he would leave a note on the front door daily for the UPS guy to just leave his boxes on the front steps. Yes, it is Christmas at Jake's house everyday. The last couple of years he has traveled the world. He has been places that we have never heard of. He has opportunities that we dream of. He has been in a number of snowboarding movies-which he spends most of his time year round working on. Last year's film by Forum was titled "North, South, East, West"-which the team literally traveled in each direction to get the best shots. He was featured on the cover of Transworld Snowboarding Photo Issue 2008. But the best part about it is that Jake is so humble. We trully have to beg him to let us see his films, his photo shots, or magazines. He doesn't care to talk about his life in fear of sounding too proud. He is talented and courageous. He stands up for what is right. He has the ability to make others happy and connect with them. We are proud of you Jake and love you tons. We wish you the best on your latest travels.

He'll be missed!

I love this picture of President Hinkley-he always talked with his hands. He loved our youth. He had a way of boosting them up and encouraging them. I loved his attitude of gratitude. I love the following quote:

"Be grateful. There are two little words in the English language that perhaps mean more than all others. They are “thank you.” Comparable words are found in every other language, such as gracias, merci, danke, obrigado, domo.
The habit of saying thank you is the mark of an educated man or woman. With whom is the Lord displeased? He names “those who confess not his hand in all things” (D&C 59:21). That is, those who walk without grateful expression. Walk with gratitude in your hearts, my dear friends. Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities that you have. Be thankful to your parents, who care so very much about you and who have worked so very hard to provide for you. Let them know that you are grateful. Say thank you to your mother and your father. Say thank you to your friends. Say thank you to your teachers. Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way.
Thank the Lord for His goodness to you. Thank the Almighty for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who has done for you what none other in all this world could do. Thank Him for His great example, for His tremendous teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help. Think about the meaning of His Atonement. Read about Him and read His words in the New Testament and in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Read them quietly to yourself and then ponder them. Pour out your heart to your Father in Heaven in gratitude for the gift of His Beloved Son.
Thank the Lord for His marvelous Church restored in this great season of history. Thank Him for all that it offers you. Thank Him for friends and loved ones, for parents and brothers and sisters, for family. Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights. Work at it. You will find it will yield wonderful results."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I might stay sick forever...

"to mom love rylee I hop you wil gib fieg begr"

TRANSLATION:

"to mom love Rylee, I hope you will get feeling better!"

I love this cute picture that Rylee colored me this last week. It is something that cheered me up as I laid around for days. Yes, we have had the flu (Travis and I). I felt like the kid as Rylee and others have taken such good care of me. Such good care that I might just stay sick forever, and this is why...

1. Rylee brought me breakfast in bed.

2. Rylee said, "I don't like doing my chores but I know that it makes mom happy when she is sick so I will do them today".

3. My cute friend Staci brought me hot soup and rolls.

4. I was told that I was a "nice mommy" so many times. (I had no voice to tell them no, or to pick up toys, etc.)

5. I got a bit more time with the hubby-he worked from home a lot.

Thanks to everyone, we are getting back to normal around here. I don't think I will take my health for granted so much!!!

Long time no blog!

So it has been forever since I have sat for a minute to blog. We had a wonderful holiday season and also a wonderful wedding (Heidi). So now it seems like life is getting back to normal a bit. Today was a great day to stay home and enjoy the huge snow storm. I had never shoveled snow until today. In fact I spent a good majority of the day doing it with the kids-which was a ball. It was a total play day. I love days like today.

Girls just want to have fun!!

Last night Rylee had her two cousins, Gracie and Hallee, over for a sleepover. They absolutely love spending time together. Grandma Williams so graciously watched the cousins last night so that the parents could get some Christmas shopping done. Afterwards the girls came to our house for more cousin fun. We watched Pollar Express and ate popcorn.

Had a midnight snack (It was really only 10pm)

Went to bed with all the stuffed animals that would fit.

And after a good night of sleep the girls dressed up as my little "elves", and we headed out for some neighborhood gift giving. It was fun to watch from the car. We only had a few catastrophes. We love you Hallee and Gracie!

Go Jazz

Our holiday weekend flew by so quickly. We wanted to cram in as much stuff as possible (so much for relaxing over the weekend!). The kids sported their Jazz jerseys and we were off to the game. We made it through the entire game. The kids love "the Bear" and Rylee loves the dancers. Boston got into the game and was cheering for our winning team. Even Nash was captivated by all the action-he sat totally still and even fell asleep towards the end. Fun family time!