President's Cup

For the second year we headed down to Mesquite for the President's Cup soccer tournament.  We stayed in our place in St. George and had such a great time!  Yeah for 65 degree weather!  Over the last year Taylor's "soccer friends" have become some of our dearest friends.  We have spent countless hours with these girls and their families and I love everyone of them.  In the past year we have seen each other through happiness and trials.  We have celebrated birth and grieved regarding loss, supported each other through serious illness and great success.  Some of  these "Tsunami Mommies" are my very best friends. We are truly grateful for our association with these wonderful people!  

 Taylor has become a very good soccer player.  She has worked SO hard and it is so fun to see her improvement!  

Here are just a few of our favorite people!  We had so much fun.  

 This is Taylor and one of her BFF's Maya.  They play on separate teams but still love each other.  We played Maya's team.  They beat us 2-0.  We actually felt good about that because they are what is referred to as a "Premier" team.  

 Harry, Telly, KC, Tay and Wilk at a Mesquite buffet after a game.  

 Tay and her team after the last game.  We were sad it was over!  The girls played great and we had a great time!  Thank you to Taylor's coaches, Ray Larsen, Missy Best and Chris Hollingsworth.  They put in SO much time and effort and are all people who I love!

Tay and her team wearing their "Team Kenton" sleeves!  I LOVE these girls!

One of my favorite things about Tsunami soccer is this girl!  Lucy!  Over the past year Taylor and Lucy have become great friends and Lucy's family is so good to Taylor.  Jeff and I consider the Christensen's great friends!  I love this picture!  Don't you wonder what they are saying???

 After the last game we met at the pool at the Casa Blanca.  It was freezing.  Taylor, Voni (hiding) and Brooklyn braved the water for a minute!  

 We got into quite the Volleyball match.  Girls against boys.. basically, Dads against everyone else!  We played nearly two hours and had a blast.  

 My brother Lance and Tonia and her extended family stayed with us in St. George.  Andrew (below right) had a Rugby camp so they were all on town.  It was really fun handing out with the Day crew!  At some point Taylor and her friends put make up on Andrew and Ryker.  Check out Ryker above... OH DEAR!!

 Below is Tay and Voni and Wilk's leg!  Also sweet MaeLee (that is NOT how you spell it but I can't remember the correct way!).  That little girl was DARLING!  She loved these girls as she lives with two older brothers!!

All in All we had a great time.  Lance rode home with us.  We had to drop Jeff off in Salt Lake because he had meetings there.  Somewhere between Salt Lake and home Lance and I got into a sing off with Taylor and Voni.  Oh dear!   We were all singing at the top of our lungs.  SO FUN!!  Taylor did video this with her iPod.  I secretly hope the loses that iPod!!

We don't "do" sports at our house to get a college scholarship or because we "have to be the best."  Of course everyone loves winning, but at our house sports are more valued for the life lessons learned than for the skill set learned.  We try to find balance and remember that competitive sports are only one part of our lives.  Competitive sports are FUN and we love them!  But what I love about soccer more is the time I spend with Taylor.  HOURS spent in the car, I mean HOURS!  I have also got to know her  friends on a new level which I cherish!  What I love about soccer is Taylor learning how to win and lose with class. I love Taylor learning to work together and trust her team mates.  I love that these people are far more than our "team mates" they are our friends!!  Thank you Tsunami Soccer!  We are proud and blessed to be a part of this club. 

Happy Valentine's Day

On Valentine's day Jeff, Taylor and I were headed out to Mesquite.  Jordan opted out of watching soccer for 3 days straight and wanted to stay with Aunt Kim and Uncle Shea... Shocker!  She would live with them if she could!  But before we left I got Jord all dressed up for her Valentine's Tea.  I went and did my volunteer time in her classroom and had a delightful time seeing all of these cute 3rd graders!

 Jord loves oversized stuffed animals (thank you Reagan!).  She had been eyeing this giant (somewhat annoying) teddy bear for a month!  She was delighted to finally own him.  Look how beautiful our Jordan is!  I can't believe my sweet little girl is growing up!

 This is Jordan and Dallon. Jordan has the cutest class this year.  It is full of nice, sweet kids.. My favorite!!

 Here are some of Jordie's classmates handing out Valentines to one another.  I loved those days.  When I called Jord later in the day she was thrilled with her partner for the Valentine's tea and said she had a great day.  She also had a great night at Kim's.  They had a party and decorated heart cakes and then Uncle Shea gave her a flower!  SO SWEET!!  Thank you Watrins for loving her like she is your own!  Jord is truly blessed to have the relationship with Kim and Shea that she does!  

Superbowl Party

Believe it not not...  We flew home early on Sunday so we could catch the Super Bowl with the family in the afternoon.  We all love this day.  Not because of the game, but because its another excuse (not that we need one) to bring the family together.  This year we partied at Kim's house as my Mom is remodeling her kitchen and her house is torn apart.   

 Of course Jill made cupcakes that represented both teams.  She also made these football shaped truffle things that were delightful!!  She is so creative!  

 Every year for Christmas Jill, Kim and I give Lance a gag gift.  As you probably know he is super into exercise so we gave him this sauna suit.  He showed up in it!! But that is not the funniest part.. He wore it ALL night.  It just had to be hot!

 Ryker has a girlfriend!  Seriously?  I swear he was born yesterday!!  

 My sweet Kinnick.  I just love this baby!  Love his puppy dog eyes!

Tay and Kenny!  These two girls really love each other.  

The other highlight of the super bowl is a little game we play.  My dad does a contest where you guess scores for each quarter and then win prizes.  Jeff and I came away empty handed this year.  Oh well, we had to give somebody else a chance right?  HAHAHA

Thanks Mom and Dad for making it so fun!

Let Us Not Waste Time

Every once in a while an event happens that is so signifiant that it leaves a permanent imprint on your heart and changes your life forever.  When Taylor was in 6th grade (2011) she had just started Willow Valley Middle School and was meeting a lot of new friends from Hyrum who she hadn't previously gone to school with.  She had a young man named Kenton in several of her classes all year.  She talked about him ALOT.  She talked about how funny and friendly he was.  She would come home from school and tell me stories about he and his friend Diego and what silly things they had done that day.  Shortly after Tay finished 6th grade we learned that Kenton had been diagnosed with a form of Leukemia.  Taylor and I had the opportunity to go visit Kenton, his mom and sister at their home in July. We had a fabulous visit!  Kenton was home from Primary Children's Hospital as he was between rounds of treatment.  We laughed and laughed on that visit and both of us count it as a huge blessing!  As the summer went on and the kids went back to school Kenton was at the point in his treatment where he could receive a bond marrow transplant.  He received that and was recovering well.  The community and school rallied around this sweet boy and his family.  Kenton's mom and I became friends through various opportunities I had to serve Kenton and his family.  On January 11th Kenton and his sweet family found out that his cancer had returned and rather aggressively.  On January 12th Kenton and his family decided to discontinue treatment.  Kenton's chances of remission were slim.  Kenton wanted to go home and "eat his mom's food."  Through this journey Kenton's family had been so positive.  They have put complete faith in our Heavenly Father.  Their testimonies were powerful and their bravery unexplainable.  On January 20th Kenton was well enough to come home!  He received a police escort through the canyon and was welcomed to Hyrum by the streets being lined with friends and well wishers. 

On Tuesday, January 22nd I was taking Tay to Young Women's.  She had really been struggling with Kenton's condition.  She was very confused about WHY he had to endure 7 months of cancer only to die anyway.  Time in the car can be a magical thing.  Tay and I had a powerful discussion about our Heavenly Father's plan.  I dropped my sweet 12 year old off that night at the church with a full and broken heart.  By the time Taylor got home from Young Women's Kenton had passed away.  Taylor nor I had any idea Kenton would pass away that night.  I believe our discussion was a tender mercy granted to us by our Heavenly Father.  

Tay, of course struggled significantly with Kenton's death.  During the next few days we attended his viewing and his sweet funeral.  Now..  Why do I write all of this.  One, this if my families history and Taylor was touched by the Spirit in a profound way and I don't want her to every forget.  Two, my entire family learned such precious lessons that have changed us forever.  Three,  Kenton's mom Deb has become a dear friend of mine and I want to always remember her resilience and faith during this trial.  Fourth, its therapeutic!!!

When Taylor and I went to Kenton's viewing the line was quit long.  Once we entered the room where his casket was placed we could see his sweet family.  Kenton's mother is a first grade teacher and in front of us was the cute family of one of Deb's students.  As this sweet little girl walked through the line this is what Deb said, "I am sorry I have been gone so long, I will be back at school soon."  The heart of a teacher! Wow!  This sweet little student of Deb's was really struggling.  As they made their way through the line this little girl took a seat in a chair in the room.  She was crying very hard.  As she sat down by her mother, Kenton's sister left her place in the line of the viewing and took this little girl a tissue.  In her own grief she was helping to help someone else.  As Tay and I approached the family there were no words, there are none that fit.  Just lots of hugs and tears.  

The next day we went to the funeral and it was one of the best meetings I have ever attended.  What a powerful Spirit we felt there.  Incredible!!  Teri White gave an incredible talk that had people laughing and crying!  Now, if you don't know Teri White you  need too!  She taught my sweet Jordan in first grade.  I consider Jordan's year with Teri a MAJOR blessing.  Every day in Teri White's classroom is like being in a little corner of Heaven.  Kids not only to read, write and add they also learn how to listen to the Spirit, be kind and "trust their feelings."  Jordan is in 3rd grade and we still talk about Teri daily!

Kenton's Bishop also spoke.  He was such a kind person that seemed to have a tender heart.  Kenton's Bishop was so powerful and the main point of his message was Let Us Not Waste Time!  I will never forget it.  Use you life for the better, serve each other and serve our Heavenly Father!  He also shared that one of Kenton's regrets was that he would not be able to serve an earthly mission.  Kenton touched thousands of hearts in Cache Valley and in the state of Utah.  He and his families incredible spirit allowed individuals to feel a part of the peace that only the Gospel brings us.  Kenton served an earthly  mission alright, a very successful one at that.  One can only guess the powerful work he is doing now!!

Throughout the past several months I have learned several life lessons.  Here are a few:

The enabling power of the Atonement is real.  It is a gift that our Heavenly Father has given us to allow us to "Climb the mountains in our life."

Be Kind!  Just be nice!!

Make the everyday things with your kids meaningful.  The majority of our time is spent in carpools, homework, bath time and bed time.  Find joy in these things.  Treasure them, this is the way we spend our time, make it meaningful!

Serve our Heavenly Father and serve each other.  In the past month since Kenton passed away his dad has gone home teaching, his family has attended church and his parents have attended the temple.  What a testimony of faithfulness this family is!  In serving each other and our Father in Heaven we heal ourselves!  

Really get to know your kids.  Look into their soul and really understand them.  Understand and know the sweet Spirit that our Heavenly Father loaned to us for this earthly life.  

Families are Forever.  Eternal families is a gift that in my mind compares only to the gift of the Atonement.  Nurture that gift, care for it and make it special!

Decide what is important, work for that and protect it.  

There is an incredible comfort and power in the Gospel.  Keep the Spirit as a constant companion.

Make life better for others, in doing so you make your own life better.  

Thank you for the Reynolds family for changing my family.  Thank you for helping us to try a little harder, be a little kinder and take care of each other.  Thank you for teaching us the power of laughter and the importance of time spent together.  I know Kenton's family has a long journey ahead. One that will be filled with ups and down but one that they will not walk alone.  They have the comfort of all their many friends and family members, our Heavenly Father and one incredible Angel guiding them along the way.

Taylor's sweet soccer team wearing their Team Kenton sleeves.  They LOVED these!!

Mall of America!

At the end of January we decided to take a break from the cold and go somewhere even colder!  Despite the balming temperature of -20 we had a great time spending 4 days at the Mall of America!  We weren't even aware of the weather!  One day is snowed about 5 inches and we had no idea!  Our hotel was 2 blocks from the Mall and the only time we were outside was for the shuttle to drive us to and from the mall.   We arrived at our hotel at 12:55 and the shuttle from our hotel to the mall left on the hour.  So we literally ran up to our room dumped everything in the middle of the floor and ran back down to catch the shuttle.  By 1:03 we were at the mall.  We are not intense at all!!  Because of that rush I didn't have my camera the first day.  We went to the aquarium in the mall.  Now, this sort of activity usually isn't my cup of tea but I loved this place.  We stayed several hours and went back again later in the day!  We also made a trip to the Americal Girl store on day one.  This would be one of MANY!  Jord quickly bough Saige, the doll of the year.  

 The American Girl doll store!!  This store was huge and actually so magical.  I even wanted a doll after spending so much time there!

 Here are Jordan and Samantha on day 2  We were headed to the Amusement park and lunch at the American Girl cafe.  Take note that Josephina and Sophia had to make the trip!

 Jord in her own piece of heaven.  The girls did a scavenger hunt there that was fun!

 Here we are at lunch.   Jordan and Samantha had little "high chairs" for their dolls.  The waitress even brings the doll their own "food." 

 This cafe was so darling!  Everything was pink!  Which of course I LOVED!  

 Jordan and Samantha!  These girls are so sweet!  They were so excited they could use this meal to pass of an Faith in God requirement... Manners!

 Kim and Taylor!  You all know that Kim lives across the street from us.  Several people in our ward say that Taylor should have been Kim's daughter.  They have a ton of the same characteristics!  They really do look like each other!  

 Even the food was CUTE!

 Here are a few more photos!  I guess Tay decided NOT to practice her manners!  Love this girl!

We also did the Amusement park that is inside the mall.  It was delightful!  Best idea ever to have an indoor amusement park.  No heat, no cold and because it was inside it was super clean.  There were NO lines and the girls rode ride for a good 9 hours...  No lie! The probably rode this log chute 20 times!  Often they didn't even have to get out of their log flume!  

 

We did take a late afternoon break at tried cupcakes at a store in the mall who won Cupcake wars two times!  We love that show so it was fun to go there!  Here are Tay and Jord enjoying an "oreo" cupcake!  

The third day at the mall we went to a "mirror" maze which quite frankly made me sick after!  It was fun and the kids love it!  Jord had a little internal compass and lead us right through the maze.  Good thing because I would probably still be in there banging into mirrors!  We also saw a store with full size One Direction cut outs!  Taylor later ended up buying a sweatshirt at that store that said "This girls loves One Direction."  Oh, to have a tween!

We also did some shopping that day.  Really the only day we shopped.  We shopped for about 3 hours and ended up at the Rain Forest Cafe.  The girls were pooped by night 3.  We figured that in 3 days we spent about 30 hours at the Mall of America.  

 We also made ANOTHER trip to the American Girl store.  Jordan bough a horse... Yes a HORSE!

 Here we are waiting for our table at Rain Forest Cafe.  I was sitting on the floor of the mall... Yes, right on the floor!

 What a great way to end a great trip!!  

On top of all the fun you see the girls ate at Panda Express and A&W for every  meal.  We tried to lure them away but that is what they wanted.  I can't say much because I think I probably ate 4 Cinnabons in 3 days!  Samantha fell in love with Krispy Kreme donuts and even had one when we got off the plane in Salt Lake City.  The kids swam and we watched a lot of Food Network.  We slept in and were so lazy we didn't even get up by 10 to have breakfast at the hotel!  Delightful!!!   I only have one complaint...  In the entire mall there are only 2, yes 2 restaurants that have Diet Coke!  Seriously??  Don't you worry!  We planned our activities accordingly so we stayed fueled with Diet Coke!  Thanks to Kim and Samantha for letting us crash your one-on-one.  I felt so lucky to spend that sort of time with my two beautiful girls!  We laughed, shopped, ate and created lifelong memories!  Thanks to our "jeffey" for making it all happen!  

The traditional "mall" photo!

Gayle Moves On...

Having grown up with  my dad running a family business the individuals who work there become a part of your family.  My Dad's secretary Gayle had her last day at the shop!  She is a fabulous person who we will miss terribly!  Tears were cried when we said goodbye!  She has LOVED my girls!  When I told Jordan Gayle was leaving she got a little teary and said "who will give me my Halloween candy now?"  In fact when Kinnick was born one of the first people the kids wanted to call from the hospital was Gayle!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HER!!

Gayle had one of those staples "that was easy " red buttons on her desk.  As we walked out of the shop after saying goodbye Samantha hit that button and said "that WASN'T easy!"  Thank you Gayle for putting up with my dad and brothers, for loving all of us and for being the incredible person that you are!  We love you and will miss you terribly!