This past week…

April is the new December.  I swear every spring (if you can call it that based on the rain and snow) I want to crawl in a hole and take a long nap.  In the past week we had Taylor’s birthday party, 2 soccer games, 2 soccer practices one orchestra party, Jordan’s spring class party, the biography fair and Easter.   On top of that I got a wild hair (a stupid one at that) and decided since strawberries were on sale it was time to make jam.  But you will never hear me complain!  This is the life I choose and the life I love.  I am blessed to have so many opportunities. 

We had Taylor’s family birthday party last Monday.  My mom (Kim and Jill) are making quilts for all of the kids.  Taylor’s turned out so cute.

As usual we had great food and laughed a lot!

Taylor got a pair of jeans from her cousins.  I suppose I deserve a child that LOVES expensive clothes.  They are really cute!  Check out baby Kyson.. What a chunk of love!  He totally melts my heart!

Taylor also had the biography fair.  All of the fifth graders dressed up like historical characters and made a display with facts about the person.  The parents/guests then went around and asked questions to guess who each student was.

Taylor was Susan B. Anthony.  Her display was darling.  She did every bit of it herself at school. 

All of the kids did such a great job.  It is so great to live in such a great community!  A community were hundreds of people (literally) come out to see 5th graders participate in a school activity!

We had a great Easter.  We missed Mitchell SO much.  The girls had an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday morning then we went to Layton to Taylor’s favorite restaurant Tepanyaki.  Jeff did a final four pole for the family and each of the girls won some money that they had to spend on clothes so we also went shopping.  We had so much fun! 

What a great week!  I am so bummed because I didn’t get a picture of us in our Easter Sunday clothes!  What a great day.  We had an incredible Sacrament meeting that truly touched me.  I am grateful to be part of the only true church.  I love the spirit of Easter and the celebration if affords all of us.

Happy 11th Birthday Taylor

Happy Birthday to my sweet Taylor.

In the past year Taylor has grown up to a young woman.  Taylor has had so many accomplishments in the past year.  Here are a few:

She made Ambassadors which is an honors orchestra made up of 5th graders in the valley who tried out.  Not only did the make the Ambassador orchestra but she played the first chair violin part. 

As usual she had endless support.  Grandma and Grandpa made it to 4 concerts.  At her final concert she had 13 people there.. just to hear her play.  When her Ambassador group played together for the last song I teared up..  The ending of an era. 

Taylor went on her first cruise this year.  She also went to Moab, St. George, Yellowstone and Island Park.  As well as many trips to Idaho Falls, Bear Lake, Salt Lake and Beaver Mountain.

Taylor also played soccer and was in SO many different recitals/concerts it was hard to keep track of. She got to play with the Principal players of the Orchestra of Temple Square.  Indeed on of the highlights of my year.

However, given all of that incredible stuff, Tay did even more magnificent things!

She finished her requirements for her Faith in God through up until her 11th year.  Which each girl is supposed to do during their 11th year or she would have bugged me until we got it done.  She reminded me every night to read scriptures.  She was on the Youth 2000 which is a student body group who represents values and honesty at school.  She gained a testimony of her own and is learning to recognize the Spirit.  Last Sunday was fast Sunday and she bore her testimony.  Later she said this:  “It is so weird that sometimes I just can’t get out of my heart that I need to bear my testimony.  That is the Holy Ghost. 

Taylor had a love affair with her friends:

She continues to choose great friends with incredible families.

She also had a love affair with “MaeSue”

When Taylor is around Mae is hers!  When Jill is busy quite often Taylor is the only person Mae will go to!

I hope that is several years when Taylor reads this she will remember the strength and solidity of her character.  She will remember that the Gospel is key in her life.  That prayers are answered and our Heavenly Father recognizes her as an individual and unique Daughter of God.  I am blessed and humbled that my Heavenly Father choose me to raise Taylor.  I am sure He knew I needed her.

Happy Birthday.  I love you!

Spring Break 2011

What we planned…  4 days in sunny St. George, hiking Snow Canyon and spending time at the pool.

What we got… 4 days of rain and snow in St. George.  Coming home a day early to beat the big storm, broken blinds and lost keys.

What we also got..  4 days laughing with each other, making fabulous memories, shopping, eating out and a great time!!

We ended up going shopping, going to the Fiesta Family Fun Center, Bounce House and yes..  even some swimming.

We stayed up late every night, watched tv and talked. 

We decided to head home a day early to beat the storm that was going to hit central Utah.  So.. we ended up at the Residence Inn in Salt Lake.  We ate at the Mayan and went to the movie.

We ended out weekend by meeting Jeff, Mitchell, Adam and my Dad at Maddox.  What a perfect ending!!

Conference at the Ranch

Every fall and spring we head to the Ranch for general conference.  It is usually relaxing and quiet.  This spring was SO fun..  but quiet it was not!  The older the kids get the louder they get!  Mitchell brought his Nerf guns and the boys LOVED it!  For 3 days she chased and shot each other.  They also went sledding, snowmobiling and spent plenty of time on the WII.  I didn’t get many photos but the kids all slept in the bonus room.  Even Andrew, who had to sleep between Hunter and Mitchell!

This year my Mom has been tying quilts for all of the Grandkids for their birthdays.  Jill and Kim have done the lions share of the work.  Jill had 3 quilts ready to tie and brought to the ranch.  I have great memories of tying quilts with my grandma and aunts for weddings and babies.  It was really special to now do this with my mom, sisters, sister in laws and my daughter!

Jill is the quilt engineer.  She organizes everything and tells us what to do.  She won’t even let us cut our own thread..  PERFECTIONIST!  On Saturday we tied Mitchell, Chase and Hayden’s quilts. 

While we were tying Chase’s quilt we left to make our traditional “run to town”.  The quilt was less than 1/2 done when we left.  When we came back..  Jeff, Dad, Adam and Shea had finished it!  Not only were we grateful it was done but I thought it was very cool for Chase that they all helped.  Not many kids can say their grandpa, dad and uncles tied them a quilt!

As usual the men went to the Priesthood session.  This was Hunter’s first year to attend.  I love the power of the Priesthood and the example these men are.  Love all the white shirts!!!

As usual we ate a lot, laughed a lot and had a great time.  I love spending time with my family and feel truly blessed for the opportunities we have. 

BUT… The most incredible thing that happened at the ranch is something that will make my life just a little bit brighter every day.  Makes me smile inside and out, makes me grateful to be part of an eternal family and feel such joy and excitement I can hardly contain myself.  As for what that is….  Call Kim!!!