Great Day!

I haven't had much to blog about lately, so I owe my brother, Ryan a big thank-you for finally giving me something to blog about. On Saturday, they were able to have their son, Cooper, sealed to them. We were lucky enough to be there in the Bountiful Temple with them and it was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Cooper was an angel during the sealing and so darn cute! We just love that kid so much! Thanks again, Ryan and Hayley for letting us share in your special day!

Environmental Center Fun

I was able to spend the day yesterday with Hannah's class at the Environmental Center. For those of you that grew up in Weber County, you'd understand the sheer joy I experienced when I heard Hannah's class was going on a field trip there. That place holds so many great memories for me, I just had to go back. It was an absolute blast! The place hasn't changed at all (except the snowshoes were quite a bit nicer than I remember and they've added a climbing wall inside). Other than that, it's the same place where countless hours of fun were had in elementary school.
My friends Jen and Kim (not pictured) braved the cold and snow with me on the field trip.
Hannah was quite the snowshoer. She had no problems navigating the hills and crossing the stream. She kept herself in the front of the pack most of the time. I forgot what good exercise snowshoeing is. My legs are really feeling it today.
Hannah is my little snow-bunny. She loves being in the snow and will stay out as long as anyone will let her. The snow at the Center was as tall as she was.
Hannah and her pals making the trek back to the bus after a fun-filled and exhausting day at the Environmental Center.

I Love Christmas!

I can't believe Christmas is really over. My tree is still up, Christmas candy still covers the counters, and I haven't put away all of the presents yet. I guess I must be in denial. This is my favorite time of the year and I hate it when it's over. We had such a great Christmas this year. They're always great, but as the years go by, the just seem to get better and more magical. We spent time together as a family, and also spent time with extended family as well. We missed Allen's parents so much this year, but are still so grateful for their example to us as they serve the Lord in Oakland. We're grateful to be near my parents and for the support they often lend to us. We hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Porter and Hannah testing out the Wii from Santa, Christmas morning.
Hannah tested out her new sled on the day after Christmas in the fresh snow we received Christmas day.
Tate got a train set and some Legos from Santa. He played with them for about a minute before he lost interest and wanted to bother Porter and take all of his new things.
Hannah got a Hannah Montana doll and some clothes from Santa. Porter got Anakin Skywalker's starship and some Star Wars figures from Santa. Oh, and we wouldn't want to forget the ever-popular Wii we received. We know we're about a year behind on this wonderful gadget, but it's better late than never.
Tate also received a new bedspread and loves laying on his bed now.
Tate participated in the annual Christmas program as a jingle bell ringer at my parent's home on Christmas night. He wasn't much of a jingler, but he did love being in front of a crowd. The kids decked out in their new Christmas clothes for church on Sunday.

The famous tradition of jammies on Christmas Eve. I did this as a kid. I guess some things never change.
Allen set up our camera with the timer because I don't have any pictures of just the two of us. I'm impressed that it actually worked and that I like the picture.

Wii!

I'm a little busy these days playing our new Christmas present, the Wii. I may post pictures of Christmas someday, but I just can't seem to break away from the Wii long enough to download my pictures. For those of you that have one already, when does the initial excitement wear off and you don't feel the need to play it 24 hours a day?

Move over Andrei Kirilenko

Porter just finished up his first Junior Jazz season and it was one interesting season, to say the least. I would classify Porter as a defensive specialist, much the same as Andrei Kirilenko. Not too much of an offensive threat, but you'd better watch out on defense. He was tenacious in his defending of the other team. When they are this young, they put wristbands on each player that match up with someone on the other team. This let's them know who to defend. I always felt sorry for whoever was matched up with Porter, because he wouldn't let them out of his sight. He took defense to a whole new level.
Although Porter didn't make a basket the entire season (actually, didn't even take a shot), he had a ball! He loved running the court and cheering for his teammates when they made a basket. It was really quite fun (and painful at times) to watch him play.
All in all, I would call the season a success and if awards were given, Porter would definitely win "Top Defender."

Kind of Fun

If you want to play, just copy and paste this list on your blog, and highlight which ones you've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Held a praying mantis
9. Climbed a mountain
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill.
24. Been to Vienna
25. Was on Television
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Learned a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Winter Fun?

I'll be the first to admit that I REALLY hate winter, but there is something very fun about bundling your kids up for their first snow adventure of the year. It's all so exciting to them. They can find a million things to do outside and the cold doesn't seem to bother them at all. After the big storm on Saturday, they were begging to go outside, so I put my winter hatred aside and went out with them. They climbed the tree, went down the slide, and pulled each other on the sled. The slide is so much funner when it's covered in ice than in the summer when it's hot and your sweaty legs stick to it. You just fly off the end in the winter and land in a big pile of snow. It was a lot of fun and I'm determined to have fun this winter, whether I like it or not!