Puppy Love

Our kids love their dog, Jessie. We got Jessie when she was 8 weeks old and after losing our beloved Sadie, another Golden Retriever, she was a welcome new addition. After about six months of puppyhood and lots of holes in our backyard, Jessie went to hunting and obedience school and came back a well mannered dog...that still dug holes. After about another year of working with Jessie and after an especially big mess in the backyard it was clear that something had to change. Jessie spent the next approximately two years at Nana's and Poppa's house where she loved the horses, chickens and other dogs. The kids enjoyed seeing often and the backyard recovered. In March, Nana and Poppa went on a trip and asked us to dogsit Jessie. She did great and the backyard seemed to survive her visit so with Nana and Poppa's blessing we welcomed Jessie back into the fold.

Dylan especialy love Jessie. She endures his constant requests to come with him wherever he goes.

Madi likes to put blankets on Jessie and drag her around by her collar. Jessie is such a good sport.

Jessie likes to hang out near the kitchen to see if she can steal some scraps. It definitely reduces the sweeping I have to do!

The happy gang!

A Good Morning for this Mommy

Madi loves this soccer ball. Not because she loves soccer but because it has Mickey Mouse on it! The girl is obsessed with Mickey and Minnie Mouse!


We may not have got showers before noon but today by noon I had been running (6am), made breakfast (7am), got Dylan off to school (8am), cleaned out the garage (9am), created a "rainbow of hearts" at Kate's request (10am) and even blogged about it (11am). It's been a good mommy day! Yea, me! (I've decided I have to celebrate the "good" mommy days because invariably the "not-so-good" mommy days will come around and I need to something to hold onto in those moments.) ;-)

Kate loves this basketball because it is Pink and because Troy and Chad play basketball (High School Musical for you HSM-challenged few out there).


I love this face!!!

Random thoughts of envy and blessings

I was reading my world-traveling, single friend's Facebook page today. (It is her birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMY!). And then I started feeling quite envious. Envy is not a pretty emotion, but it is what it is, right? But I gave pause for contemplation and here's what I came up with.

Growing up I didn't expect to be a "stay at home mommy" but my personal convictions led me to this moment in my life where I am home with three busy, sweet, darling children.

I realize could have chosen other paths that would have been exciting and rewarding in their own way, but this is the life I chose and although there are days I think of what I could have done with these years of young family life, I ultimately am grateful for the blessings I have been given.

I applaud my friends who are living out my alter ego's dreams and trust that "to every time there is a season and a purpose" and that this season is short and that "I will not pass this way again."

So in 2009, it is my goal to be better about making time for my beloved friends but while I work on that goal I take solace in the fact that other moms share the challenge of time/family/friends/self. I found this article on another high school friend's Facebook page. I enjoyed it and thought others might also. (Click the article to see a bigger version that is a bit easier to read.)

Bubble Fun!

Valentine's Day at the Valantine's

On a recent trip through St. George we stopped to visit Ben's mission president and his wife, President and Sister Valantine. It was so nice to see them again. Last time we saw them we had them over for dinner at our house in Provo. That was back when we were newly married and no kids. How time flies! It was great see them and fun to hear the "old mission stories."

Little Sweethearts

Just for fun, check out these brand new pictures of our girls, Kate and Madi at www.tiltphotography.com/blog/ (Madi is in the big black hat under "Vogue Baby" and Kate is a little further down under "Valentine's Sweetheart." Kimberly Nelson is an amazing children's photograher and I love what she captured.

These little girls melt my heart. Just thought you might think they are fun too!

Sundance Ski Lessons 2009

Logan was Dylan and Cole's first ski teacher when the boys were 4 years old. After their first ski season he left on his mission to Chicago for two years. The boys were so glad that he returned to teach at Sundance this year and were excited to show off the new "skills." Zack has joined the "I love Logan Fan Club" too!
(By the way, Logan is the son of our dear friends, Maria and Dean, and we adore him, especially for being so awesome to our kids!)

Dylan loves to ski. When asked what his favorite thing to do is he says, "its a tie between skiing as karate."This year Kate really has come to enjoy skiing. No more edgy-wedgy for her and now she even gets to use poles! She loves being able to ski with Mom and Dylan. Even Nana joined us this week!
Dylan's friend, Zack loves to tear up the slope!

Kate's friend, Jackson, on his first day of ski lessons. He was a bit nervous but has caught on quickly.
Dylan's friend, Cole, is quite a hot-dogger! He is starting on the Kids' racing team at Sundance. Watch out for him in the Olympics in 2020.

Serving With Smiles

We've been given 50 of these hygiene kits to take with us to Peru this summer. We will distribute them to the needy families Huilloq, Peru, where we will do humanitarian work for three days in June.

We are so proud of our children for wanting to volunteer monthly to put together hygiene kits for needy kids throughout the world. Serving With Smiles is charity started by a few friends of mine. They have created something so wonderful and our family is grateful to be a part of it.
It is great to see the kids, as young as Kate, getting the spirit of service and learning that "Small hands can make a BIG difference."

All of these supplies are donated by children through a few local schools. Our kids' school collected school supplies for Serving With Smiles.

Check out their website at www.servingwithsmiles.com and bring your kids to the next project!

The kids who come to Serving With Smiles made these hats. Dylan worked on a hat loom too!

Birthday Girls!

Ben made both the cakes this year! It is so sweet how much he enjoys doing this for his daughters!

Madi is obsessed with Mickey and Minnie! She loves her cake. And of course, the Hannah Montana cake was a hit with Kate!

These girls sure have a blast celebrating their birthdays on the same day! Can you say, PINK, PINK and more PINK!

Birthday Fun

Yippee, Presents!