Valentine's Day

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not one for Valentine's Day.  The overpriced flowers, yucky chocolates, lame stuffed animals--it all seems a little too manufactured for me.  Should't we just love each other every day?  But when you get Valentine's like these....well it changes your mind pretty fast.  I really do love my family more than I could ever say.  Happy Valentine's to all my loved ones!!

Sierra's Baptism

What an amazing day!  Sierra was so excited and she looked so beautiful!  She just shined.  The best part was when Sierra and Mekinley sang "As a Child of God."  I was overwhelmed by how much I love them and how proud I am of the sweet girls they are.  What a privilege it is to have them in my life.  And Sierra is such a special spirit that I know she has a very special purpose here on Earth.  And I'm so lucky to have a front row seat!  Sierra, I love you and am so proud of you!!

One more thing...Just this morning Sierra got in trouble for something and when I went to talk to her in time-out she said, "I already prayed to Jesus and he forgives me."  So cute!

Happy 10th Birthday Mekinley!

Wow!  It's amazing how time flies.  My baby is really 10 years old!  And what a 10 year old she is.  Here's a brief update on Mekinley.

Mekinley LOVES school.  She is very smart.  She loves the Seekers books and is very good at math.  For fun she makes us give her really hard math problems so she can solve them.  We haven't been able to stump her yet.  We've stumped Dad though.  

Mekinley is quite the writer and artist.  Her favorite thing to do is to write and illustrate books.  We've got an amazing collection.  

She is unbelievably talented at snowboarding...and Rob says she has great "style".  Last time we were up we ended up on some terrain that I was really nervous about.  Mekinley didn't even flinch and tore it up.  It's so fun to go with her!

Mekinley is extremely responsible.  We've started leaving her to babysit for small stretches, and she is better than any babysitter we've ever paid.  

She is an awesome swimmer!  Her technique is beautiful if I do say so myself and she's beaten her time in every meet.  She just keeps getting faster and faster.  

She is a sweetheart.  She really is.  Whenever anyone is sad, she is right there to cheer them up.  This is making a spoiled boy out of Parx but he sure loves her.  Whenever she sees that I'm not feeling well or just simply feeling overwhlemed she steps right in and takes over.  She'll even say, "Mom, I've got it.  You go take a break."  What a sweetheart!    

Mekinley always tries to do the right thing.  Whenever I question her on anything, she says, "Mom, have I ever, ever told a lie?"  And the answer is an honest no.  I don't think she ever has.  I hear her often telling Sierra, "Sierra, is that what Jesus would do?  Really?"  It's funny.  She also keeps us on our toes when it comes to Family Home Evening.  

She hates to be teased, which of course makes teasing her all the more fun for Rob and Sierra.  Poor thing!

He favorite foods are poppyseed chicken, Navajo tacos, and baked potatoes with cheese and bacon.  The only sweets she really likes is ice cream and snow cones.  One of her goals she wrote down for this next year is to eat healthier (yes my 10 year old came up with that one all on her own), but really she's the healthiest eater I know.      

Her one weakness is patience when it comes to Sierra.  Those two go at it over everything!  Even then I know she's working on it.  She'll say, "Mom, I know.  I am trying!  But I just can't help it!"  At least they still love each other.  Just about every night Rob has to move one of them back to her bed because they've fallen asleep snuggling.  Mekinley likes to blame it on Sierra, but I know how much she loves to snuggle.  So cute.     

Oh Mekinley.  I don't know how we got so lucky to have you in our family, but I'm sure glad you are.  We love you so much and are so proud of you!

Tubing High Above the Inversion

Yesterday we went tubing in Park City.  The best part was escaping the inversion!  The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the snow was sparkling.  By the time we left we had all stripped off our coats and were just in our sweatshirts.  It was 40+ degrees!  I learned that I really don't hate winter--I just hate the inversion.  It made me even more excited for our move!  

Snow Day

I remember my favorite days as a kid were snow days.  I'm glad to see things haven't changed for my kids.  And to top off the playing we had hot chocolate and snow cones.  The perfect day!    

Christmas 2012

The yearly voyage to see the lights at Temple Square.  

As the kids get older, this actually get easier and more enjoyable.

It just isn't Christmas without sitting on Santa's lap.  Parx was too scared.  Maybe next year.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!  Myles took his role as Joseph very seriously.  It was so cute!

The big present of the year was Nooks for the kids.  

It was a present for me and Rob as well because we got our iPad back.  

On Christmas Day we went up to Snow Basin with my dad.  It was such a great day and definitely the best way to spend Christmas!  I think we've started a new tradition.  

The Best Christmas Present...Ever!

Sierra gave me my Christmas present early.  When she initially asked me if I wanted it early I told her I didn't, that I wanted to wait for Christmas.  But she persisted.  "But Mom, you're going to rrrrrrrrealllllly LOVE it!"  After a few more minutes of persuasion, she talked me into getting it early.  It actually came down to the fact that she wasn't going to quit bugging me until I consented and I could tell that she really wanted to give it me.  And she was right....I LOVE it!  It was a piece of paper that said, "Choos har.  Choos evrything."  I didn't get it at first and looked at her in confusion.  She was looking at me with the biggest grin.  "Mom, you get to choose my clothes, my hair, everything!  For a whole week!"  Wow!


I think what I love most about this present is how much thought went into it.  I could tell that she really wanted to give me something that would mean a lot to me.  And for Sierra, it's HUGE!  It's the most selfless thing she could have given.  And even more surprising, she's stuck to it.  It's been three days and so far so good.  She threw a small fit over her hair the first day, but she took the biggest breath and I even heard her tell herself very quietly and with strong conviction, "You can do this."  This morning we had to compromise over her pants, the ones I picked out had a button (heaven forbid), but we still managed to find pants that we both were good with.  And she's looked so cute!  It's been the most pleasant three mornings I've had in a really long time, and I still have four more days to go.  Thanks Sierra!    

You know, just when you think you've got someone pegged, they surprise you in the most wonderful way.  I love my Sees!