Oh the weather outside is frightful....

Kade was so thrilled when he saw snow outside this morning. I promised him after we ran some errands we would bundle up and go play. He asked me every 15 min if it was time to go outside. He loved sledding down the hill with some of his buddy's. He also thought it was fun to throw snow balls at me, and tumble down the hill together.

He loves eating snow!!!

Making snow angels.

Letting the snow fall on his face.

Being silly.

And once again, eating more snow.

Temple Square...

We decided to take the kids to Temple square last night for FHE. Are plan was to take them while it was still relatively warm outside. What we didn't take in to account was that it's warm during the day, but at night it's FREEZING!!!! We started the night by going to The Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square mall. The kids loved it! Then we bundled up and headed outside. We were seriously rushing through everything because we were so DANG cold.

Kaylee posing (go figure.)

The kids before we went out into the cold.

Salt Lake Temple

The kids sitting on the steps of the temple. Brayden wanted to pose here because it reminded him of a picture we have in that same spot when we were all sealed together. And of course Kade can't be serious...about anything.

In front of the fountain at the conference center.

It was great remembering why we celebrate this time of year. Kade is still trying to figure out the story about baby Jesus being born. He was mesmerized by the nativity and the story they told. When the kids heard President Monson on the speakers they were looking all around because they thought he was really there. It was a great start to the season.

Ugly Sweater Party...

For our friends Christmas party this year, they had an ugly sweater party. I struggled trying to find something to wear. My mom kindly donated this not so ugly sweatshirt. Mike and I decided we were going to go all out. I had Christmas earrings, an 80's hair bow, and 80's looking scrunch socks. Mike sported his turtleneck with his awesome vest. Too bad for us that we were the only ones that went all out. My girlfriends still looked beautiful...even with their ugly sweaters. But good news...Mike won!!! He received a gift card to Target, to go buy himself a new sweater (Thanks Katie!)

Kaylee told Mike that he looked "female" before we walked out the door.

Betsy

Brooks and Lindsay.

Brooks and Lindsay are avid Utes fan so he thought he would sport the "ugly" BYU sweatshirt.

Mark and Lindsey.

Mark on the other hand is an avid BYU fan. He had the same idea to wear an "ugly" Utes sweatshirt.

Katie and Ryan.

Katie just makes me laugh all the time. This picture totally shows her personality. Thanks for hosting this fun party.

Diana

I loved the extra touches she had, such as: Christmas button covers, and Christmas pins attached to her shirt.

We had such a good time, complete with friends and yummy food.

We had to leave early to go get Brayden from a birthday party at Classic Skating. Mike and I went in to get him with our ugly sweaters still on. The group thought it was hilarious. It was funny watching people walk past. One girl went and whispered to her friend and started pointing at Mike. It was hilarious.

Brayden receives his Wolf....

This past month Brayden received is Wolf award in Scouts. He has been working so hard to receive this. He loves scout and loves working on his achievements.

He was able to participate in the flag ceremony.

Members of his Wolf den

Brayden received his Wolf advancement, 1 gold arrow, 4 silver arrows, and 2 beads. Congratulations buddy!

Thanksgiving 2009

Every year as a child I remember going to my Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately the family has grown bigger, my grandma and grandpa live down south, and everybody has a lot of family they have to visit. Because of this my grandma has stopped hosting Thanksgiving. Every year I wish I could have her stuffing, celery with cheese whiz, rolls with strawberry jam, cornucopias, and pumpkin pie. It's never the same as when Grandma did it. Well....luckily this year we were able to have Thanksgiving with my Grandparents again. My uncle and aunt live in Scipio, which isn't too far from Filmore, where my Grandparents live. They rented out their church and the whole family was invited to come down.

We were hesitant to go down, we worried about snow, the drive down (Mike HATES driving,) and missing out on seeing other family members. It was SO worth the drive. It was Thanksgiving dinner as I remember it as a child. Almost the entire family was there, and I haven't seen some of them for a REALLY long time. It was fun to reminisce about our childhood days, and see how much everybody had changed. I don't know if we will have another Thanksgiving all together, so it meant a lot to me to be able to go down.

Cousin Braxton and Aunt Lauri

(Although my kids have only met Braxton a few times, they idolize him because he fought in Afghanistan.)

My brother Ryan, Braxton, and cousin Adam.

(Adam and my brothers were so mean to me when I was younger. They thought it was funny to bring up past stories of what they had done to me. They still thought it was as funny now as it was back then.)

My Dad's siblings. Aunt Kim, Uncle Todd, and Aunt Lori

After we ate my Uncle harnessed up his horses and took us on a sleigh ride.

(This was just like those carriage rides in downtown Salt Lake...only free!)

Kids getting ready for their ride. As we were driving around, Kaylee informed me she would NEVER live in Scipio. She said it smelt like poo and their was no shopping. That's my girl!

It was such a great day with so many memories that were made.

Thankful

I am looking forward to the upcoming holiday. Kids will have some time off of school, Mike has a couple days off work, and we will get to see most of our family throughout the week. And last but not least we get to start decorating for Christmas!!! Here are a few things on my thankful list...

1. I am grateful for an awesome and amazing husband. He took care of everything today so I could get some much needed rest. I slept 18 out of 24 hours. Hopefully I can go back to sleep tonight.

2. I am grateful for my kiddos. They are always making me smile and laugh. They get along and play so well together. I love that they are are at a pretty independent stage right now, yet still innocent.

3. I am grateful for our home and neighborhood. We are very lucky to have a home in a great neighborhood. As I look outside right now and see the snow everywhere, I am reminded how grateful I am for the heater I have blowing on me right now.

4.I am grateful that our kids have the opportunity to have a good education. I love how much they are growing and improving everyday. They are constantly coming home and telling me things they have learned. I don't even remember learning some of the stuff they tell me about. Yesterday they came up with an experiment (while Mike and I were still in bed.) They wanted to see what would float and what would sink. They filled a few bowls with water poured different objects into it and then froze it to see where stuff ended up. It was pretty clever I thought. Kade also informed me of a bunch of shapes he has learned, one being an "oca-gon." Who knew he knew the shape of a stop sign?

5. I am grateful for modern medicine and insurance. We are constantly dealing with little health problems. I am so happy to have good insurance and good doctors to help us through it. Today I have been dealing with a huge swollen eye (I'm thinking it's pink eye.) I am so grateful for the medicine I have so I'm not scratching my eyes out.

6. I am grateful for friends. I am so lucky to have such great influences around me. I am constantly reminded of qualities that I should work harder to have. Lately I have been thinking a lot about friends, and what a positive or negative effect they can have on you. I have been a little down lately but a simple phone call from somebody reminds me that life is good.

7. This one is barely scraping by on my thankful this. I am grateful for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Mike will laugh that this is on my list because I complain about the car every single day! Maybe next year I will be able to put that I'm thankful for a new car.

8. I am grateful for food!!! This is including cookies, donuts, pumpkin pie, and candy. Although, my bum is not as grateful for these items, as my belly is.

9. I am grateful for the ladies that give of their time to help me work off all the items listed above.

10. I am grateful for my blog. I have been able to capture so memories and thoughts over the past few years. I find so much comfort going back through previous posts. It's also great to be able to get feedback from others. Sometimes it's nice knowing your not the only crazy one around.

11. I am grateful for the gospel in my life. It helps me stay grounded.

12. I am grateful for an inspired fellow blogger, who put out the challenge to do a service every day for the month of November. This came at a time when I really needed it. I was caught in a slump. By taking on this challenge it has immensely changed my outlook on things. I have not been perfect by doing it everyday but I think I have done pretty well. I didn't realize at the time how much it would change me. I hope to continue doing this throughout the holiday season.

13. I am so grateful for the simple pleasures we get to enjoy everyday. Some things would be a good book, a washing machine, a microwave, fast food (can't wait to try the new In-n-out,) blow dryers, snow plows, sunsets, electricity....this could go on and on.

I have listed a few things I am grateful for. I don't think it would be possible to list everything though. This topic will be on my mind throughout the next week, and I may need to continue the list after more thought. Happy Thanksgiving!

Team Edward vs Team Jacob....

LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THE MOVIE! I'm not sure why I didn't go see the midnight showing when Twilight came out. I was definitely missing out! This time around I went with some friends from my ward to see the midnight showing. It is totally worth going just to see the FREAKS that come out at night. It was better then people watching at Disneyland. Going into the show I was totally an Edward fan. In fact I hated reading New Moon because of Jacob. Needless to say, after watching the show, I'm not sure who's "team" I'm on now. I LOVED Jacob in the show. I thought he really made Edward look bad, especially when Edward had his shirt off (gross!)

We went to Olive Garden before hand and had some yummy food. Their was a huge table of people "celebrating" Bella's birthday. It was quite comical to see how into they were. They all had party hat's, a cake with candles, they sang to her, and they were all decked out in fancy clothes. They were insistent that NOBODY touch their cardboard cut outs.

I had an awesome night and can't wait to see it again. But for the record it will NOT be another midnight showing. I was less then an adequate mother the next day.

Limber...

After seeing Kaylee in dance class, Mike asked her if anybody has ever called her "limber?"

She thought about it real hard then responded, "Um, Well....Most people just call me Kaylee."

Saturday's in November...

What's better then a Saturday in November when it's warm enough to strip your clothes down. Kade and his buddy "tiny" were a little bit of a distraction during Brayden's last soccer game. They were getting a lot of attention with their huge muscles.

For thy good....

"One of the realities of the kingdom is that we work with each other in the midst of our imperfections. We see those imperfections as well as the traits and talents that God has blessed us with. And during this process of life together in the community of Saints, we watch each other grow. It is not surprising when we see each other grow as a result of opportunities in the kingdom. And it isn't usually just one muscle that is developed." Neal A Maxwell Ensign Aug. 2000 Insights from My Life

"All things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." D&C 122:7

I haven't had too many callings in the church, but with the ones I have had I have been extremely blessed. Every time I have been called in, and been given the opportunity to serve in various areas, I have thought to myself, why on earth are you calling me to THAT? I have had various reactions like: terror, confusion, being overwhelmed, full on bawling (enough that the Bishop has had to call me in to receive a blessing,) excitement, and apprehension. But with every calling it has enriched my life and I have grown IMMENSELY! I know that I have served in specific callings for specific reasons.

When I was called to Primary I was not prepared for the things expected of me or the experiences I was about to have. The entire 3 years has been a growing experience for me. I truly thought I was going to be missing so much by not being in Relief Society. I was worried I was never going to have a spiritual experience in church again. But I have learned so much from the different leaders in the organization. I have been blown away by the spirit of the children. I don't think there was a Sunday that went by that I didn't cry. Every time the children open their mouths to sing, I would get goosebumps all over my body. I am SOOOO sad that I will not be able to experience these things any more. As of today I have been officially released from my calling. This has been such a hard transition for me. Because I was switched from 2nd counselor to 1st counselor about a year ago I have been able to experience all the areas of Primary. My very favorite thing has been to meet with the baptism candidates and see the joy in their eyes. It truly is an amazing experience.

We had such an awesome president. She was so organized and on top of things. She made me (well, not physically but because she called me as a counselor) stretch my comfort zone, and do things I didn't know I was capable of. I'm not sure what my next calling "adventure" will be. But I do know that it will be an opportunity for me to grow, and learn in a different area, by different people. So even though I'm not ready to let this calling go, I guess I need to move on now. Good luck to the new presidency, you will be amazing. You are going to have such an awesome experience.