Pie Crust Promise

I've always said "I'll never go private"...
Well, I am.
Don't judge me.
As I've contemplated more on keeping this as a journal, I feel the need to close my thoughts off to just my dear friends and family.
Please send me along your email... It too, will stay private.
Thanks and Love Ya

One of Those Days

One of my sweet neighbors stopped by to say hi and bring me some tomatoes today. As he started back home he turned and said "It sure is quiet around here, I miss seeing those boys".


I really miss seeing my boys too. And just when I feel like I'm doing ok.... well, I don't have to explain. Even though I know you are teenage boys who can conquer anything, I still love you more than words can describe and worry about you everyday.

Genetics

Poor Caleb... I guess we knew this day would come. I had hoped later than sooner, but here we are.

I found it fitting that he wore his vintage Star Wars shirt to his eye appointment.
He reminds me of a young "Anakin Skywalker" in the above shot.


The above pair was his pick...
The below pair mine.

We bought them both. (if you know Caleb at all, you'll understand our need for a backup pair)

We finally got to pick them up this evening and I think he is pleasantly surprised with this new bright and colorful world he is now able to see.

I don't think he minds.... so far.

I Love to See the Temple

This past Sat. July 31st was the ground breaking ceremony for the new Brigham City temple. I didn't attend the actual ground breaking but Devin and I drove by later that evening and took a couple of pictures.


I feel grateful and very blessed to see the promises made by early latter-day prophets being fulfilled. What a great church I belong to.



I am excited to have this beautiful temple just minutes away from my home...
It reminds me of a miniature Salt Lake Temple, where I was sealed to my sweetheart.

It will be fun to take pictures of this site as it evolves into a beautiful place of worship.

A Secret Confession

I have a secret confession... Well I don't know if it's really a secret, but I'm afraid of COWS! Yes, don't make me repeat myself, COWS.


Really I blame the many childhood memories of feeding the cows on Grandpa J.'s farm and even the many cookouts we would have which almost every time, consisted of a cow getting loose and having to run for our lives so we wouldn't get trampled.

It's been a hectic, but pretty fun summer filled with lots of blog worthy moments and in my mind pretty cute photos of the kids, (in reality I'm really about 6 months behind on this thing) but I just have to share this momentous day.


In June we attended the Mouritsen Family Reunion which consisted of our visit to a relatives Dairy Farm. Dairy Farm = Many COWS.

It was actually quite interesting and I tried to act brave... After all, the others didn't seem to be afraid.



I actually tried to make friends with the COWS but they just STARED, and of course MOOED. They were probably secretly mocking me due to the aroma of fear in their presence, but I didn't care...


And though I enjoyed my time with family, ask me if I've been cured of this fear...
Absolutely...NOT.

Busy...

The Title explains EVERYTHING.

Friends

Friends...

come in all Shapes,

Sizes,

and Species.

Happy Birthday Rach

-Rachel-

You are a daughter,

Sister,

Wife,

Niece,

Grandaughter,

Mother,

Aunt,

and Friend.

You are a gift to our hearts, and friend to our spirits.
We love you more than words can express!

Happy 28th!

A Holly Jolly Christmas, It's my favorite time of year!

With our little Princess about to turn ONE

and Santa on the way...

There was much to prepare!
We had such a busy, yet fun month.
I wasn't able to get pictures of all
our festivities but feel I got enough for the memory books :)
We attended Grandma's (Motab) Christmas Concert
I guess I should say the boys and I attended, Rich was back at the hotel with Lila Rachie.
We took zero pictures but had such a fun time. Another highlight... The Little America Brunch Buffet. I think all the boys were in food heaven!
Our next venture was of course Grandma's Christmas party and Celebrating the December birthdays... Abbie and Lila
This being Lila's big First Birthday I had anticipated how thrilled she would be to dig into her own birthday cake.


We sang, she blew out her candle (with the help of her pops)
and as we tried to help her get a little excited and maybe just a little messy... Well, the tears came and she wanted nothing to do with it.
So here is the finished product...I mean, Come On!

(Thank You mom for the birthday cake and for always making the kids feel special on their big day)
After all the Hullabaloo with the cake our special visitor arrived...
Yes, the real SANTA!

I think this is the first year we had tearless kids! Yeah us!
We love you real santa.

Lila's big Day!

She has been such a joy to all of us!

Again... with the cake.
(yes, I thought she would have a change of heart and dig into it)

Once again I tried to help...

Once again she was in hysterics.
I guess you are a girly girl!
So we bathed her and just let her do what girls do best...
Talk on the phone...

and act annoyed.

WE do Love you little peanut!
Christmas Eve...
Celebrated with the Mouritsen family.
Again... no pictures but we traveled to Centerville, ate yummy food and participated in the
traditional nativity reading.
Later that evening the kids opened their PJ'S and books.

This years book... How the Grinch Stole Christmas.


-Christmas Morning-
Well, it was Christmas Morning.
Filled with excited kids, sleepy parents and presents under the tree.





Most of our Christmas morning was captured on Video :)
Later that day we were able to spent time with both families.

As stressful as it sometimes seems, I love this time of year.

Hope you all had a Merry Holiday!