Like a Little Fish

We went to Brain Head for a weekend and took Jayson and Carrie and cute little Olivia. The wives got massages and the guys hung out and rested. They were supposed to go skiing but we got in so late the night before they had no energy. Yes, we drove through the really bad storm the day before Valentines Day and somehow made it all the way without any trouble. Thank you Heavenly Father! It took us 11 hours. Crazy! The kids did really well. We rented a suburban so we had plenty of room and we watched dvd's on the way down. Well, we took Tavis swimming for the first time and it was so fun! He loves water. . he kept looking around like he couldn't believe there was that much water. It was so cool to watch him get comfortable in the water. We put him on the very top 2 inch step in the hot tub and he was mesmerized by all the bubbles, he couldn't take his eyes off them. He also loved Olivia. He watched he like a hawk, he wanted to touch her (as you see in the picture) he kept putting his hand on her shoulder and legs and face. . definitely cute! Olivia on the other like most girls just wanted her space. He is so interested in everything and I love it! Enjoy!

A Long Awaited Homecoming

LANCE IS HOME!!! On Feb 5th Lance returned from El Salvador skinny and happy! We all met him at the Salt Lake Airport. We arrived a little early and waited for what seemed like forever and then there he came with four other missionaries from the east mission. Mason and Logan had signs for him and the rest of us just had our open arms. It was wonderful! A lot has happened over the last 2 years and I am sure it was tough to be gone while it was all going on but I'll tell ya, Lance is one strong spirit! Nathan and I just loved to hear him talk, he's so grown up and he speaks 2 languages and it awesome to hear his experiences. It truly opens your eyes to how blessed we are to live in America and have the freedoms we have. Lance has since bought himself a car, started working for Nathan, went on a date (or two) , and he just keeps going. I have thought about way it's so hard to take off the name badge and get into the routine of life and I just didn't understand it. I asked Nathan way it's just so special? He and Lance both said that, "it's because you know that's the only time in your life when your going to be able to set aside everything of the world and serve you Savior. There will never be a time when life doesn't get in the way. It's unfortunate and it's just hard to let it go." I really believe that. Everyday we have to life and make ends meat and worry about all the other things in life to survive and it's difficult to find the right balance and often times we are more heavy on the life side rather than the spiritual side. What a testament to the atonement and working everyday to be better than you were the day before!

True Friends are Hard to Come by. . . and I got Really Lucky!

We had a girls day out in Salt Lake and we had a blast!! We met up in Logan and and continued our journey to Salt Lake. The Gate Way mall was calling our name and there jewelry was bought and Old Navy was basically bought out from all these moms! I myself went a little crazy but everything was 40% off and Tavis needed summer clothes. . so what is a mom supposed to do. . .SHOP! We did some other light when Ashlee decided to shop lift. . .no just kidding! It was so funny! We were walking to our next store after looking at hair extensions and Ashlee all the sudden realized she had walked out with one. She ran back and returned it and the store lady gave her some hair samples for being honest. The reason I found this so cute a funny is Ashlee is one of the nicest, purest, kindest, sweetest, bestest people I know so to see her face was a once in a life time experience. In fact I'm not really sure if she has any flaws so her shop lifting experience was one for the books!

Dinner: Time was running short so we hit the Joesph Smith memorial building and tried to eat at The Garden but it was 45 minutes so we put our name at The Roof and we were called to both at the same time. The Roof was so scrumsish! From there we went to The Riverdance play/musical and I swear it was much longer and more exciting the first time I went to see it but it was still neat to watch such talented dancers. I thought I had these amazing seat and yeah. .they weren't that great. When you order on the internet it shows you a layout of the place and let me just tell you, it wasn't anything like it looked so next time balcony is the best option all the way!! We had a great time and will hopefully do it again!

Umm A Mixture of News . . .

Well, I have been kind of sick and there has been a lot that has happened of the last few weeks so I am just going to go to town on the updates! First, Nathan's snow mobile he has been able to ride every weekend and is loving it so much! Obviously, It's like his dream come true!


Second, Tavis has got his upper left tooth finally. He has been miserable for weeks now and I thought it would be over when it came through but I was searching around in there yesterday (wondering why he was still a grump) and found at least 3 more teeth coming. . .AHHHHH! The poor little guy is so whinny and you can just tell he is so uncomfortable. I didn't want to put sad pictures so I am putting on an older one that I just love! Ah! He is so Cute!! You can see his cute little bottom teeth, I tear up just thinking about how happy we are.


Also, I had the ladies over for lunch yesterday. I made a butt kicking lasagna and some better than ever rolls and we had a great time. The quote of the day was by a totally cute boy named max. He was looking over the railing from upstairs while I was feeding Tavis and said, "Look a robot." Everyone laughed and it was cute. Kids say the funniest things. So we decided Tavis ' helmet does look like a robot helmet so now he's our little robot! I love having friends and I love having tons of kids playing at my house! Sorry the picture isn't the best but I tried.

Well thats all for now I have much more to write tomorrow. C-ya later!

To My Parents With Love

February 4th 2008
. . .Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation. Marriage has been divinely designated as an eternal and everlasting covenant. Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God. “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other.” Children born of that marital union are “an heritage of the Lord.”Marriage is but the beginning bud of family life; parenthood is its flower. And that bouquet becomes even more beautiful when graced with grandchildren. Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself. . . .
Russell M. Nelson May 2006

Today my parents have been married for 19 years! Wow! So today I have a small tribute. . .

Mom and Dad,
I want you to know that I know how much you both love each other and I thank you for showing me the love that you share. I have learned so much from you both and I am so grateful you guys. It because of you that your kids are great and have married in the temple. It because of you that we knew the kind of spouse we wanted to spend eternity with. It's because of you that we know to have patience and charity for one another. Thank you. I love you both so much and congrats on another year of true long.

Things You Have Taught Me.
1. Be Kind to Your Spouse
2. Laugh with Your Spouse
3. Create Memories with Your Family No Matter What the Cost
4. Marriage is Something You Work at Everyday
5. Fight Kindly
6. Be Selfless
7. Know What Battles to Win and to Loose
8. Temple Work
9. Work Hard Play Hard
10. Set Aside Dedicated Time with Your Loved One