It's His Birthday!!

I've been absent, but now I'm back.  And I will start off the string of updates with a very important celebration.  Happy Birthday to my BR.  Brad is a pretty amazing guy.  He is loving and kind, funny, smart, adventureous, and more. He's got a laugh and a smile that will make you happy.   34 years ago today he came into this world, and that makes me very happy.  Happy Birthday to my best friend!  I love you!

Reenie Rose

(Watch this video!)

I love art.  I love to admire artists, feel the energy that emanates from the beauty they create.  I love to see the world through their eyes.  Art gets me all revved up and makes me feel alive. . . cheesy I know, but true.  One of my good friends from High School is one of the most talented women I know.  Her paintings are amazing and her niche excites me.  Not so much because I feel strongly about it as because I'm proud of her for coming up with it and proud of her for making a name in it.  She is based out of Chicago and paints gorgeous images of bridal bouquets.  You could reach right in and pick them up. . . Take a look

Reenie Rose

One of my favorites!

One of my favorite yearly traditions includes snowmobiling with these guys. 

This year we hoped and hoped for enough snow.  We had to drive 2 hours away to find it.

I made everyone pose for the camera, and then we left it at home while we went on a 200 mile, one day ride!!!  Yes we are crazy =0).

These kids played for hours. . . . and then played some more.

And Chris spoiled us with amazing food.

Ninjas in the House

They asked me to pull out the Balaclava's because they had plans.  They played ninjas for the rest of the morning.

|Seeing this kind of Creativity in my kids is definitely one of my favorite things ever.|

Winter at the Lake

Last weekend we went down to camp to spend time with Brad's family.  We ice-skated on the lake.  Even Beckaroo got to skate.  Olivia has really taken to skating.  As soon as we got down to the lake, she put her skates right on and went at it without ever holding onto anything.  She was the first one on the ice and the last one off.  Gary had a great idea to bring down some little chairs for the middle girls to hold onto while they skated around.  Gwen started out a little cautious, quickly became a champ while holding onto the chair and quickly transitioned to skating/shuffling around without anything at all.  Beckaroo participated in all of the ice activities.  His little face was really cold, but he was having too much fun to care.  To add to the fun, Brad's parents pulled out the ATVs and pulled everyone around in sleds.  We drove home, happy and satisfied, and all all talking about what a great day it was.

I am really lucky to have married into such a wonderful family.  Brad's parents are fun and supportive.  They are so good to me and so good to the kids.  His sisters and husbands are just as great, and of course the little cousins are perfect.  This day at the lake reminded me how grateful I am to have them.

A minute alone

I was cutting Brad's hair.  Olivia was reading, Gwen was sleeping and Beckham was getting his own cereal.  Milk included.

This boy. . . let me tell you.  He generates a lot of work. . . . A lot of cleaning.  Good thing we adore him =0).

10 Years

Ten Years ago, on the Saturday before the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, I married BR. We were married in the St. George Temple and made good use of our week long Olympic break on a honeymoon in Tahiti.  That feels like yesterday.  10 years feels like such a landmark.  Such a wonderful landmark.  There's no one I'd rather go on this adventure with.  I love BR.  I love US.  

Retreat

Thursday morning, we left bright and early.  I believe it was 4:45.  Got on an airplane and left for Florida.

Just the two of us.
Brad had a course to go to, and I got to tag along. 

We played together just the two of us {insert big smile} Thursday, and Friday nights, and I spent Friday and Saturday alone.

I wondered what I would think about all of that time to myself, and I found out that I loved it.  I took my camera around and soaked in all of the details of Clearwater.  That along with eating fresh {as in caught that day} Mahi Mahi fish tacos oceanside made for a great day.

BR reported that his course was excellent and we called it a success.

Saturday afternoon we found the weather report was drastically changing.  The wind came in and so did the cold temps.  We decided to change our reservations from the ocean to Mickey Mouse.  We left the course as it was winding down and headed to Orlando.  

-Magic Kingdom from 4:30p.m. till 12:30a.m.  -Pirates of the Carribean and Space Mountain 3 times each - Jackets zipped up as high as they would go.  -Fireworks and Tinkerbell flying from the castle for our first time. -Church at a Spanish Speaking Ward (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints) -GPS taking us through a trailer burial ground/construction sight -getting airborne over hidden speed bumps -Hollywood Studios - 45 degrees {felt like 25} -Fast passing Tower of Terror 4 times -Rockin Roller coaster -People watching -Benny Hanna's -Celebrating almost 10yrs.

Happy Valentines Day

WE {HEART} YOU

Gorgeous girlies and this and that.

• Our world has been turned a little sideways lately.  I hurt my back again this past week and have not reached the wonderful status of "functional" yet.  These girls have stepped up to the responsibility of helping out more.  With only some foot stomping, eye rolling, and sighing =0).  Olivia has been lifting Beckham whenever we are by ourselves, and Gwen has been telling everyone at school that she's saying lots of prayers that I will feel better =0).  We've had tons of help from willing friends (so grateful for that!) Brad has been the official Beckham tender.  They've been stuck together like glue and that is exactly what I need (since Beckham's 40 lbs are largely my problem.)
• Olivia is really taking off with the piano.  She seems to really "get it" now.  It's finally fun. . .with minimal complaining. Yeah.
• We had some new friends over last week.  They are from the bus.  One adorable little girl from Olivia's class and her adorable sister who is in Kindergarten with Gwen.  When their mom came over we figured out that their little brother is exactly the same age as Beckaroo.  That never happens.
• A couple of weeks ago I started making bran muffins.  Everyone loved them and I was converted to having them around.  A great, healthy, ready to eat snack.  You can even freeze them for later.  I also made homemade bread. . . yum.  I guess something clicked and I started cooking.   I even enjoyed it.  Who would have ever thought =0).  I do aspire to be a good cook and give my children memories of good food at our house.  We'll see.  I'd love good recipes if you have any!  Pinterest has been helpful in the recipe department.
• Other good healthy snacks that I learned about from our Women's activity at church: Frozen fruit and veggies ( my kids love them right out of the freezer. . . I never would have thought of that), smoothies with spinach!  You can't even taste it. . . really!,  I feel like there were more than that. . . that I just can't come up with.
• The girls and I made adorable valentines, which included beautiful pictures of each of them. . . I haven't photographed them and actually tried in a long time. . . I was reminded that pictures make me happy.  
• Brad is helping me make this shelf for the girls bedroom.  We are going to change out their artwork on it.  I'm excited about it.
• Liv has been making duct tape creations.  Purses, bows, etc.  Any good duct tape projects you can think of?  We're having fun with it around here. 
• I plan on doing this soon. I LOVE traditions and this one seems like a GREAT valentines tradition we are definitely going to adopt =0).
• We were watching Veggie Tales this morning.  Bob the Tomato said, "Billy is having a hard time choosing to be nice to the boy who hit him.  Should he do it Gods way or his way?"  Beckham Yelled, "God's Way!"
• Beckham calls himself, "Gek-am"
• I ate the most amazing sandwich at Big G's this week.  It's in Waterville.  I've been seriously considering driving the full hour there just for another one.
• One blessing from my back was that I REALLY felt the spirit during our church service today.  And it kind of knocked me out of the winter blues I was starting to feel.
• We have other fun plans in store that I'm excited about.  more to come later.