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!

Halloween 2015

Byron's class put on the Halloween program they have been working on for the last few months. 

Lots of silly songs and jokes, black lit dancing skeletons, and startling "BOO's!" shouted. 

Thursday was the day of class halloween parties! This was bitter sweet for the boys because their new school doesn't do a Halloween Parade. Since this is Miriam's last year for the parade, I let Byron go to his school late to come see old friends, teachers and his big sister prance around.

As always the principal and staff went all out. They went with a rock star theme this year.

This was my first year ever not helping with class Halloween parties.  Since I am helping with two productions at M's school, and volunteering weekly at the boys school to help get them adjusted, I decided not to do parties.  It was nice not to stress about them, but when the kids came home and told me all the fun activities and games I kind of missed it all!

It rained all afternoon. Luckily a mom gave Miriam a ride home, but she had to wait on the porch for the boys and I to get home.  I just couldn't resist snapping a photo of the converse wearing-reading-princess...kind of sums Miriam up in one picture.

We got those pumpkins carved that afternoon. Darin said he would take the kids to the city pumpkin walk while I attended yoga.  With the promise of yoga in my future, I was able to help the kids get their pumpkins washed, cleaned, and carved before Darin got home from work. 

Darin and the kids walked down to the park in the rain, I stopped by after yoga to have a quick stroll through the pumpkins and give everyone a ride back home.

One of our favorites....

 Friday was a LAZY morning day for all of us.  Miriam made mini-doughnuts for her and the boys breakfast while Darin and I slept in.  I left for Crossfit while the kids were playing games on the computer and came back to them still playing games. We had no plans until 1:00 when I had to get the kids to piano lessons.  Afterwards, we kept heading down south for some cousin time.

Spencer had his 8 year old birthday party.

The whole house was decked out with these Lego cut outs.  The boys had a blast making Lego creations, and playing games. But, the best part was getting to stay while all the other guest had to leave to keep playing with cousins during Anna's "Witch Hat Soiree".   Miriam got to go with Anna to her cooking class during the Lego madness so all the kids got a full day of cousin fun in.

Miriam borrowed Madi's hat for the event since I wasn't on the ball. It happened to match her outfit perfectly! The party was non-stop giggles and crafts with pizza and cake for dessert.

Lots to Celebrate!!

First of all Lisa is staying with us for a few days!

PARTY!

We had a zen thinking putty session the other night till about 11 pm. Best therapy ever.

Saturday was Ray girls witch trip!

Always so fun, and this year especially fun to have Lisa with us.

We had bead charms made, but Grandpa also added to our Halloween jewelry collection with "Grandpa made" bracelets.

Miriam and I snuck away for a caramel apple + one for the boys at home.

That evening was a HUGE celebration!

A milestone birthday for Dad/Grandpa.

Good food, cute decorations, funny moments, tender moments, harp songs, guitar, and singing, some whipping and nae naeing happened. Happy birthday was sung in English, French, Chinese, and Tuvan Throat sining. Pretty much the perfect birthday party. 

Love this family of ours.

Sunday was Miriam's very. last. ever. Primary Program.

Miriam went out with a bang singing 2 solos beautifully this year.

The boys were so cute singing their little hearts out as well.

The boys and M said their parts clearly and looked at the audience. Cute kiddos.

It was so fun to have both sets of Grandparents AND Aunt Lisa come.  Talk about a stroke of good luck/timing! We had a fun combined family dinner, even Alicia stopped by for a second.