16 years

We served cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate at our wedding reception 16 years ago. Since we didn't eat any that night, I made cranberry orange anniversary cinnamon rolls for breakfast. 

They are so good I really need to keep this to an anniversary tradition...otherwise we will be eating this every other morning!!

Saturday the plan was: Christmas Choir practice for me and the kids, Snowshoeing for Darin and I, take the kids sledding in the later afternoon.  BUT then I got an emergency company party job offer for Saturday night.  Because it was so last minute they were willing to pay way too much for admitting people into a party and handing out name tags! I just couldn't pass it up, but it made our plans for the day too much.  We decided to snowshoe somewhere the kids could sled...BUT THEN it turned out the sledding and snowball fights, and snowman building looked like more fun than snowshoeing.  I gave up the idea of a romantic solitary walk in the snow for some rollicking family play.

I think it was a good choice.

We agree 16 years later, we would do it all over again.

It's been an amazing 16 years.

Nutcracker Weekend

Friday night we met cousins for Ballet West's Nutcracker.  I am always wowed by Ballet West, but this year was extra fun because our friend Lindsey was a soldier in it! 

After much deliberation, Miriam decided to splurge and buy herself a Nutcracker at the performance.

I think it was a good choice. Although we have seen performances of this ballet nearly every Christmas, Miriam now has a Nutcracker specifically from the times we have gone to see Ballet West's performances. Cute tradition I think.

While we were watching the Sugar Plum fairy, Darin took the boys to Zoo Lights.

The boys loved it...had much more fun that sitting with us at Capital Theatre!

The next day we drove to Price to see Castle Valley Civic Ballet perform the Nutcracker.

So proud of my hard working dancing family! Julia is not in charge of this event but both her and Jared put in plenty of time to support it, and then my mom is there helping with costumes, decorating the entrance, and helping at every performance.  

This is the type of service and commitment that makes a difference in peoples lives.  The whole community is better because of this event. I am related to really cool people (who drive me nuts...but their worth it).

Madison was the snowflake princess, Claire was an angel, Tatum a Bafoon and angel, and Erik was a party dad and then hilarious as Mother Ginger...beard at all!

 

We ran to Erik and Kelly's afterwards for more hilarious Mother Ginger inspired dessert.

along with cute angel treats....

This is our "off" year for Christmas so we had a family Christmas brunch while everyone was in town together.  The kids sang or played Christmas songs they have been working on for the season.  Then my mom and dad gave their Christmas devotional and gift, which was so touching.  This year the kids each received a beautiful ornament, I hope when they see it each year they remember my mom's expressions of love.  

The cousins drew names and then ran around playing until we drug them apart. 

I hope they remember that too...

7 Days In!

Weeks are so long for Soren.  Christmas seems SO FAR AWAY, and each Monday morning is difficult for him, for all the kids actually, but especially him.  5 whole long days until the next weekend, and 3 more whole long weeks until Christmas. We don't do that much partying really, but, I kind of wonder if our weekends are too fun and relaxing...like we need to make the kiddos work REALLY hard and then get TOTALLY BORED so going to school is the fun?  The kids come home from school happy, having loved most of their day...but getting there Monday morning is hard stuff for a yellow personality 5 year old!

 Darin sat down with the kids on Saturday and looked over their Christmas $.  He helped them make a list of who they wanted to buy for and created a workable budget.  We went shopping for our Caring Cousin books, friends, and sibling gifts last weekend. This was actually really fun and empowering for the kids...I mean Soren doesn't really get it but the other two love having 100% control.  Of course, I want to take over and "help" them make decisions, but they are having too much fun for me to interfere.  I am still wracking my brain to figure out what to get a few people in my life...that is the hard part about Christmas!!

Christmas music is playing 24/7, the Christmas tree is almost always on, chewy gingerbread cookies have been made once, and will (I am sure) be made again, we have already watched Elf (lots of Christmas favorites on deck) started re-reading our favorite Christmas books as well as Harry Potter under the tree each night.  AND we have already made it to temple square to see the lights! 

Grandpa Byron's choir had a concert last Sunday in the Assembly Hall.  

We took in the candy windows...temple square lights and then listened to beautiful music!

Dad and Grandma watched from the ground level but the boys couldn't resist the balcony.  As Byron pointed out "you can listen AND spy on people!" well yeah...why not!

Got to get through this Monday; the laundry, emails, re-making beds, scouts, ballet, dinner, dishes, homework...so we can get back to the celebrating.....showing Soren how the waiting gets done, hour by hour, day by day.

Thanksgiving 2015

We were in Price with Grandparents, J & J + Tater-bug & Wy-guy and Tate, Great Grandpa Young, Uncle Damon, Aunt Gwen, Adrienne, Hailey and a friend of Hailey's. 

I am grateful that these 5 ran around entertaining themselves all day.

I am grateful for the wonderful food! 

I am grateful for the conversations where we encouraged each other...made each other laugh...and shared memories. It was fun to talk to Grandpa, Mom, Dad and Damon about Thanksgivings they remember growing up.

We served things up Buffet style which I prefer with this many people (so does Ina Garten so I can feel posh about it). We got the kiddos dished up first and while the grown ups were getting food I played the gratitude M&M game with them.  They would pick a candy and depending on the color would tell me something specific they are grateful for. 

I am grateful for the hilarious rounds of Telestrations after dinner and the delicious pie (Sweet Potato is my new favorite).
Super grateful we all had comfy beds to sleep in that night and didn't have to drive home.

Also grateful for the 90 min. zumba session the next morning with my sisters!
We've done it twice now...so it is officially a tradition!

On the Radio

I can't believe how much these girls have grown in 3 years!

Spectrum 2012 performance of On the Radio 

2015 performance (all the 6th girls)

I got to choreograph 2 numbers this time around - Hey Soul Sister which is all the girls in every grade of the Spectrum program and then Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy which was a smaller number of 7 girls.  

When I picked up Miriam the second night of performance (we had attended the first night) she was glowing and bubbling over with joy and excitement.  As we ran down to In N Out for a celebration shake she talked about how much fun she had with her classmates, how close to them (boys and girls) she felt, and how grateful she was that she had the opportunity to be with them for so many years.  She started to tear up a bit thinking about Jr. High but I stopped her and said "Not yet! No tears till at least February about graduating!".  2 things are clear about our Mir-cat...she loves to perform, and she is super duper sentimental.  

Byron

We adore this kid.  

He is funny, and thoughtful, and curious about our world, and non-assuming, and so super grateful for everything he is given.  Byron is not at all perfect but man we love him and is imperfections! He doesn't enjoy standing in front of people and speaking but here is a part of the talk he was brave enough to give yesterday (I wrote it, but it is 100% true...and so very Byron):

When my little brother Soren started Kindergarten he felt sad and missed our mom.  We came up with a spot to meet during lunch recess so I could spend time with him and help him enjoy being at school.  Even though Soren feels better at school now, we keep meeting up to play.  I try to include Soren whenever I have friends come over to play.  I know that by trying to help Soren I am following the example of Jesus.

Byron is highly tolerant of others, and never looks for reasons to exclude people. He was born with a sensitive and loving heart.

Things like answering questions in class, speaking in front of others, and singing are really scary for him, but he faces those opportunities with such courage.  He is even taking part in the school play this year!

My friend Tashina took B's baptism photos...contact me if you want her info.

Saturday Bub and Spencer were baptized together.

Cristin was so kind to host a brunch afterwards. 

Beautiful day to celebrate two darling 8 year olds.

I am so blessed to have been born into and married into such wonderful families.

Also so grateful for friends who feel like family.

My Weekend

I did it.

I finally crossed "Run a half marathon" off my bucket list.

So fun to do it with these amazing women in such a beautiful location.

The ride down to St. George seemed to fly by.  I was with 3 compassionate, hilarious, articulate women so there was never a lull in the conversation.  Lots of laughter....and some tears were shed along the way.  We ate at the Painted Pony for dinner. I had the best and the tiniest salmon tacos I have ever seen!  My food was fantastic, but pricey and tiny. 

Then Kelly and Erin gave us matching black jackets with our maiden AND married names on the sleeve....because they all knew each other before husbands....and I knew Erin before we were married.  

So incredibly kind of them, I have worn mine almost daily since.

 So......I didn't know about the photography sessions that would be happening during the race.
I would have at least combed my hair and bought new running pants!

But at least the scenery was beautiful.
I remember hearing someone say that life is made up of a series of beautiful and tragic moments.  As I ran through this part of the canyon I had the thought...this is one of those beautiful moments right now!

So I stopped briefly to snap a picture.

After running down the canyon we had to run through some neighborhoods.  That was the hard part.  I could tell my piriformis muscle was not doing well, and my left hip joint was hurting.  Just when I felt like the race would never end "Jump" by Van Halen came on...thought about my big brother snow boarding, my little sister doing her drill routine with flags.  Then Whip and Nae Nae came on...though about Soren doing his groove thing.  Band of Horses came on....thought about Darin taking care of the kids at home so I could be here, doing this.  Basically tried to focus my thoughts on anything other than my body. 

We all met up at the finish line.  You would think it would be great to snarf on all that food at the finish line but I was not at all...not even a little bit hungry.  I tried to eat a granola bar but couldn't choke it down.

After resting/showering at the house for an hour or two we went to Outback Steak House. 

There was nothing small about those tacos and thank goodness because my appetite had returned with a vengeance.

Then I experienced my first ever massage. A weekend of firsts for me. So amazing, but talk about putting me out of my comfort zone!!

We were concerned about being too tired to drive home, and talked about going back to the house to nap for a bit, but there was nothing to worry about.  We had much more to hash out on the way home so the 4 hours flew by.  

Halloween 2015

It's 2:30 am unfortunately,  little B woke me up to tell me he had thrown up.  Poor guy threw up last week, and of course there was the heart breaking Halloween of 2014 where he threw up all evening. 

My guess is it's some sort of fall allergy he has mixed with a sensitive tummy because he doesn't actually get sick or anything just throws up and is fine (well, last Halloween I think he was sick AND had allergies).

Silver Lining: He made it through tick or treating without any problems this year AND he is a fantastic little puker...always makes the bowl.

I ran my 10 miles today...down to Farmington and back to Bub's soccer game in Bountiful.

The kids and I love this bicycle gang that always shows up in October. I ran past and had to snap a photo. 1/2 marathon is next Saturday so thats it for my long runs! Not sure long distance running is my thing, but I am willing to hold off judgement until after the race.

Couldn't ask for better soccer weather.

I attempted to get the healthy food in early...before the candy fest started.  Relatively healthy lunch...I mean a hot dog (no matter what fancy brand) is still a hot dog. We learned the secret to great pumpkin seeds...boil them in salt water before roasting!!

A few hours later we were getting all ready for the big night!

The Kratt Brothers Chris and Martin in creature power suits

You can't tell from the photo but they have kangaroo and Tasmanian Tiger Creature Power discs in.

Should of had ears and tails but I whipped the face paint idea today so I wasn't prepared.

Miriam and some friends had coordinated costumes this year. 

This was their ride for the evening, driven by a Yeti....

We saw her at 6:00 and then in a neon orange blur a few times during the evening.

Darin and I took these cool cats + a non-pictured ninja around the neighborhood.

The littles dropped out after a bit and I took the older two further into the hood. 

After Soren had rested a bit, he re-joined Bub for a trip out to our old neighborhood.

So fun to see both our new and old neighbors this year!