Travis...26 years ago!

My mother-in-law posted this journal entry from 26 years ago on her blog the other day. I thought I would also post it because it is something I think we all can relate to a little bit-BUT raising Travis is probably more than I could have handled. Needless to say, he is still full of energy, enthusiasm, and mischief (all in good fun of course). Many of the reasons I still love him today.

Travis: "Let's start with Travis. Five days ago he went to the bathroom in the heating vents...do you KNOW what that smells like every time the heater goes on? The next day, while jumping off my sewing machine cabinet, he broke it all to smithereens! The next day, I had invited all the neighbors (12 of them) to my house (with all 17 of their pre-schoolers) to meet a new girl that just moved in on the block...and for the finale, Travis fell in the window well, cracked his head open and I had to leave to rush him to the hospital to get stitches. He was soooo brave... he didn't even flinch as they gave him those shots in his cut to deaden it...got 7 stitches. The next day he cut most of Benjamin's socks in two with the scissors, the next day he painted a whole bunch of things in his room with fingernail polish....and so far today, nothing spectacular has happened! Needless to say, he's in a stage. A couple of weeks ago, I took him to kindergarten orientation. He has promised me he will run home from school EVERY day next year so I won't miss him too much!

A day on the farm!

We had a great day with our cousins, Grandma Williams, and Great Grandma Williams at the Thanksgiving Point farm. We got to see the adorable newborn baby animals-which I never knew came so small. On the way out to the farm Rylee informed me that she learned at school that a baby whale is born at the same weight as a grown elephant. Ouch! Glad not all mammals are alike :)

A pile of pigs!!! This is seriously how I feel at night. My kids seem to creep into our bed at some time during the night. It can make for an uncomfortable and sleepless night. But usually they don't sneak in until the early hours of the morning so it makes for a tender and wonderful time to cuddle with my cute little ones. We do need a bigger bed-we seem to wake up looking like these pigs (that sounded funny).

Up and Running Again

So, I have had my head in a fog the last couple of weeks, first computer issues, then real life issues. You could say it has been a bit of a whirl wind around here. I have come to appreciate the sweet things of life a bit more and realize there is goodness all around. Here are a few pictures for a quick up-date.

Grandpa Williams surprised all the grand-girls with tickets to Disney on Ice. It was a real treat! Thank you Grandpa-We loved it!

St. Patrick's Day came and so did the leperchaun. He left gold coins out on the grass for the kids to find after lunch. It was a good thing he didn't skip our house. The kids were worried. (Boston still looks nervous).

Travis and Marcus with the kids riding the bikes while waiting for bowling.

We had went bowling for FHE and for some St. Patrick's day fun. Rylee has been in bowling camp while off track. So she was ready to show off her skills. This is Grandma Jo, who has been on many of bowling leagues. So together they think they are pretty hot stuff!

Travis is back on the triathlon kick. He had his first one just last month. He did great. Way to go Dad!!!!!

The Easter bunny found his way to our house. The kids had a great time finding their baskets this year.We also have been spending many of our cold days at the Discovery Museum. There is something there for every child-which is a great break for me! Love it!
To be continued...

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!!!