SNOW?!

I had to post this cute picture I stole from my sister's site. My kids are in Utah visiting their dad and it snowed!! We've had some pretty cool temps here...68-75 degrees. But they've already got snow! Here they are with their cousins playing in the fluffy, cold white stuff!

Tagged....Again

I actually planned on doing this tag about a week ago when I saw it on Katie's blog. I took the pictures and when I went to post it saw James tag, which he made me promise not to remove. Well it's had it's run and now it's time to move on. I actually had fun with this one.

Favorite Pair of Shoes:
Pair? I don't have a favorite "pair" but I tried to narrow it down to just a few. Shoes are a love of mine and to choose just one, well I couldn't hurt the other's feelings...but I did try to choose some of my absolute favorites. Right now.



Dream Vacation:

There are so many places that I would love to visit. But, I think, I would like most to visit Ireland.


Favorite Room:
Right now I'd have to say my living room. Because it's the only one I feel is complete. Plus I love the library in that room. It's the room we all seem to migrate to. I put a couple pictures because it's an odd shaped room and hard to get all of it in one shot.




What your kids are doing right now:

The girls were happily playing with Kalysta's doll house.

Walker had locked himself in the boys room. Levi was laying on the floor by the door talking underneath it as an attempt to get him to open the door.

Once I got the door open, I found Walker on his bed. He said he was angry because the girls wouldn't let him in Kalysta's room. I did happen to catch him peeking out from his blanket, which he was hiding under.

Self Portrait:
One of the few times I curled my hair. It just takes much too long.


Kitchen Sink:
Not really sure why anyone would want to see my kitchen sink. But uh, here it is. At least there wasn't much in it. This is usually not the case.


Refrigerator:
Again, not all that exciting. BUT, there is a pumpkin pie in there. AND plenty of diet cherry coke!


Laundry Room:
My laundry room is used every day. I always say to my mom that I will die in my laundry room. It is never empty...never.



Toilet??:
Ok. This is James bathroom, downstairs off his gym. That's why it's decorated the way it is. The boy loves to golf...obviously. On a side note, this is also the bathroom that is closest to my garage so it's also the one the boys use as soon as they run in from school. So, the lid is closed.


Now I'm not one to really tag individuals. So, I too will extend a "tag" to anyone who wants to take the time to take the pictures. Enjoy!!

tagged. top 5 things that make me cool

ok, joe... i read your blog. now that i've been tagged i get to post the top 5 things that make me cool. you can check out JD-N-Lianna's link on the lower left hand side of the page to see what makes him cool and see his tag. of course i'm always happy to talk about how cool i am!!!

the NUMBER 1 all time thing that makes me absolutely cool........ (drum roll please) .....

IS MY WIFE!!!!! that's right, check out this video of her making me cool. just make sure you turn off the music player at the bottom of the page first.





the number 2 thing that makes me cool is.. well, i guess that video makes up all 5 of the things that make me cool. :) thanks aimzister radio!

now if you've read this blog, you have been tagged and now you have to make your own top 5 list. just remember, it won't be cooler than mine.

Time For Halloween

This last Sunday after watching General Conference the kids made "Haunted Gingerbread Houses". Yeah, so if there is an easy way to do anything...I'm there. The pre-made kits are the best. No baking, cutting, or frosting to make....Awesome! There was even a slight chill in the air (it only hit 85). So it gave the impression that fall might actually grace us with it's presence. (It's supposed to get back up into the mid-90's this week however).

Getting started.

Brooklyn making a "textured garden". She went into great detail to explain this process to me.

Kalysta went all out on the back of her house. It was as creepy as the front!

Levi loved using the "fiery mints" to guard his castle.

Walker loved making his skull garden...where all the dead people lived...with just their skulls. Naturally.

They had such a good time. While most of the candy ended up just being eaten...my favorite part of the whole process...they managed to use enough to make some pretty cute castles. Which will proudly be displayed until Halloween. It was a great Sunday. Conference was wonderful and inspiring as it always is. Our kids did so well sitting and listening. I was very impressed. They had things to color and mom made some snacks to lure them in but all in all they did well. Here are their finished creations.

The Front....

And Back!














































To end the night we had our first dinner on our new dining room table. I LOVE my orange room AND my new table. But most of all I love those little critters seated at our table. It seemed to me that one of the overwhelming messages of conference was to have hope, and find joy in the journey. This is what life is about. To enjoy the small, simple moments that have a lasting effect on our lives. I will always be grateful for the joy they have brought us. We are blessed to have the spirit of happiness in our home. While the journey is never easy we have tried to always find the good that seems to be underlying every trial. But on days like these it's easy to find the joy....

A Special Visit

We had the opportunity to have James' grandpa come for a visit. What a wonderful time we had with him! He came so that he could have James' do some work on his teeth and to spend some time with his grand and great grand kids. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have been able to spend time with him. He was very patient as I drug him all over the place as he spent the days with me while James was working. ;-) It was nice to hear how proud he was of all that James has been able to accomplish. And we couldn't agree more. It was also a treat to have good conversation. I got to hear all about "little Jim". (And rest assured I have had many hours of fun with the nickname alone!) I will forever be grateful to his grandma and grandpa for the love and support they have always been willing to give. His grandpa told me of the special relationship James had with his sweet grandmother, she will truly be missed. I have had the chance to talk to this wonderful lady on the phone, and wish that I could have had the chance to meet her and look forward to the time when I do.


On Saturday morning we went on a hike up White Tank Mountains. A few members of James staff had planned to go and asked if we'd like to come along. It was an easy and relaxing hike...then Juan suggested we take it up a notch and schedule a trip to hike down and up the Grand Canyon. After which he was appropriately beaten by the rest of us. No worries he only suffered minor injuries...

















































After the hike we all came back to our place for a very yummy breakfast!!

















Grandpa, we thoroughly enjoyed your visit and look forward to the next time we get to see you. We love you grandpa!