Going Home for Christmas

My mom is moving back into her home in Idaho and we are all so excited. After my parents divorce, she moved to Arizona to be closer to her only grandkids, at the time. Well after many amazing experiences with the passing of my father, she is moving home to Idaho. (I know it sounds odd to say amazing and death in the same sentence, but those of you who have lost a loved one close to you, know that death can be an amazing experience.) My dad had a goal this year to "put his family back together" and he has passed away doing just that. He left his life insurance for my mom, providing a way for her to be able to purchase their home, our home where we grew up. It is the home and land that was given to my mom from her parents when my parents were first married. There are so many neat experiences through it all, and I know that this is exactly what my dad wanted her to do. I feel so much peace knowing that through the Savior's atonement, our families can be healed. I am happy to say that I believe families are forever. We are excited to be going "home" for Christmas, yet saddened that we can't "see" dad's presence there. I know it will be felt.

One Year Old Cuties

I have heard so many people say, that Josie looks just like me when I was a little baby girl. So, I found some old pictures and I decided to do a post showing Josie and I at our first birthday. :) Who's Who?

I also asked Carter and Chloe to tell me some of their favorite memories about Josie since she has been in our lives 1 year now.

Carter said, "Well, she's the cutest thing ever!  She's learning how to walk good.  She can say 'hi' by waving."

Chloe said, "She's learning how to say things like 'mamma-dadda'." 

Josie is so sweet!  She calls Matt and I at the same time because she does say "mamma-dadda" and she is really a sweet blessing in our lives!  We just love her adorable smile and beautiful blonde curls.  What a sweet-pea!

To Be Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving Day and I have much to be thankful for. Here are a few things on my list...

• Family ~ Where would I be without my family? I am thankful for my parents, my grandparents, my in-laws, my siblings, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews...but most of all I am thankful for my husband and 4 beautiful children who keep my world running.
• Friends ~ I have been blessed with many good friends throughout my life. You know who you are and you know all the fun we have shared. Thank you for helping me become who I am today.
• Freedom ~ This year I seem to feel more gratitude for the freedom I have of living in this country. Many freedoms that I take for granted most of the time.
• Home ~ The discovery that home is the place where my heart truly is and where I can find peace and refuge from the world.
• Trials ~ I didn't think I would ever say I was thankful for my trials...but this year my trials have really helped me understand "what is" and "what is not" important. This lesson, I am truly grateful for.

Little Skunk Dancers

So, I found a picture of me when I was 4 wearing my little skunk costume. It is the same costume that Chloe wore for Halloween this year. See if you can figure out which cute little girl is me in the group picture! :)

Happy Birthday Kipp

Kipp had a birthday a couple days ago also, and we wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday! I thought I would ask each of the family what their favorite thing about Uncle Kipp was and make a post special for him on his special day. (Even though we are several days late!)

I will start...My favorite thing about my dear brother Kipp is the way he brings a smile to my face and a laugh to my belly every time I think of him. Every message he leaves on the phone, he says something silly that makes me laugh. I really love him and am grateful he is my brother.

Matt said, "Kipp has an ability to bring a simple pleasure of happiness to our lives."

Carter said, "My favorite thing about Uncle Kipp is that he is really, really, really, really, really, funny!"

Chloe said, "My favorite thing about Uncle Kipp is smiling and he makes me laugh because he is kinda funny!"

Mason said, "uh, uh, uh, uh, uh," with a few pointing gestures. :)

Josie just smiled. :)

Hope you had a really great birthday Kipp! Love you!

Carter Turned 7

Well, Carter has finally made it to 7. He has been waiting all year, since his last birthday, to have another birthday. It is such a highlight in life for him! He has complained all year that his birthday is the last one in our immediate family, and has questioned numerous times about why his is last. Well, it's finally here!

We had a hard time getting him to commit to what he wanted to do for his birthday. As the week went by and his big day got closer, he kept giving me little glimpses of what he wanted. One day he came home from school and said something about who he was inviting to his party. I questioned him about what party and what we were going to do at his party...because I didn't have a party planned for his friends. I finally discussed with him that we would have a "friend" party for every even birthday...and since this was an odd birthday, we would just have a family party. (That seemed like a good idea considering our budget is pretty slim.)

Carter wanted a Clone Wars Party. So, Matt made him a light-saber cake out of twinkies, ding-dongs and oreos. It was pretty neat and Carter was excited. Matt was gone on a campout that morning, so when he got home, we went to a sandwich shop for lunch, let Carter pick out a game boy game from the video game store, and gave him his new bike. He thought it ended up being a pretty good day. I was glad, because all morning he was disappointed that he hadn't woke up to all kinds of presents. (Apparently he must think birthdays should be like Christmas!) Everyone who called and asked him what he was doing for his birthday, received a disappointing response that he wasn't going to do anything for his birthday.

Anyway, it all turned out ok, and he is another year wiser. The cake thing turned out pretty fun because after Carter blew out his candles, he just stuck his face right into the cake and then all the kids joined in for the fun. It was quite heathenish...but cute and fun. :) A good memory!

To Dance

Well, for those of you who don't know this about me...I LOVE TO DANCE! I danced 11 years of my youth. I even danced at Ricks College both years while I was there and received a very small dance scholarship. Matt and I have never gone dancing together, just to be chaperones at youth stake dances. The other night we went with a few friends to learn some groovy ballroom dance moves. It was a great time! I can't believe I didn't get any pictures. I guess I was too caught up in the moment of dancing with my true love and thinking about my perma-smile causing aching in my cheeks. :) Matt started out with 2 left feet, but soon became quite good. I think with some serious practice, we might be able to compete on Dancing with the Stars. :) JUST KIDDING! No, it was fun to spend the evening with Matt dancing and remembering how much happiness it gives me. It is good therapy to a depressing economy and hard times during life. I think Matt and I are going to find more times to dance, even if it is just with the kids in the privacy of our own home. :) We love to dance around as a family! I am smiling just thinking about it!

Josie's 1st Birthday

Josie turned 1 on Nov. 5th and we had a fun day celebrating her birthday. We will tell her story with pictures.

A very hungry girl, waiting patiently for her birthday dinner. Not sure why she had a grumpy face...she is still adorable grumpy!

Eating with her spoon.

Eating chinese food for her birthday. :)

Josie eating her birthday cake. :) Or licking the frosting.

She was so cute eating her cake and playing with her presents. She is such a sweet little part of our family. I can't believe how grown up she has become. What happened to our little baby?

Josie was so proud of her presents. She got a little doll and a stroller. She kept hugging the doll and was so cute pushing around her baby in the stroller. So amazing how early the motherly instincts kick in. :) Mason took the wind right out of her sail as he kept stealing the stroller to take "his turn" pushing it around. Poor little Josie had to fight so hard to keep it in her possession.

Oh, the look of frustration when she couldn't run fast enough to get it back! Mason you watch out, one of these days she will get you! :) It is fun to have such a sweet little baby girl. Well, she isn't such a baby anymore, she thinks she is as big as the other kids. She likes to fight with Mason and steal the binki back when he steals it from her. She is so much fun to have in our home. We love you Josie!

Reflections on Christ

This is a great video.

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Halloween Adventures

This year we had many fun Halloween Adventures. It seemed there were many parties, carnivals and opportunities to dress up. The kids had a great time dressing up for the many occassions. The first event was the Ward Trunk or Treat activity. We all dressed up in our western attire. Chloe and Josie wore their cute pioneer girl dresses, while the rest of us wore cowboy hats and the 3 boys wore their chaps. It was fun. Chloe and her friend Juliet
Mason "Billie the Kid"

Josie...cute girl.

Our friends the Johnson family.

Carter as Jesse James

And last, but not least, Wyatt Earp "It all ends now!"

The kids dressed up for the Cielo Azul Elementary School Carnival.

Carter was Captain Hook and Chloe was the girl on Pirates of the Caribean.

We had a couple other friends parties to attend that we forgot to take pictures of...oops.

Then it was Halloween evening...Trick or Treating!

Josie was a cute little ballerina (wearing one of my old dance costumes with a tutu).

Chloe a skunk (another old costume of mine)

Carter was Jack Sparrow

Mason was a duck (he did not like dressing up this year for any of the activities!)

Matt was a vampire.

Alice was a "clogging" hill billy girl...something.

Mason's big cheezy grin.

Jack Sparrow

One cute stinky skunk! She kept pretending to spray everyone. :)

Ooooo, the treasures!

I love the Jack Sparrow Wig! I wish the costume fit me!

Cute trick-or-treating kids!

And one good little observer of the event!

My Dear Dad

Life sometimes throws us into a whirlwind and we wonder how we will ever get out. As I have found myself sorting through my emotions and am beginning to see my life around me, I am forever changed. On Monday October 13, 2008 I received a phone call that my dad had passed away due to a massive heart attack, while walking along the canal near his home in Twin Falls, Idaho. After spending over a week in Idaho planning and carrying out his funeral, I have gained a peace and comfort stronger than I have ever felt.

I have spent many hours creating a blog to remember him and to help others get to know him. My family and I want to remember the legacy that he has left with us. We will continue to post stories, thoughts, pictures and whatever else we feel inclined to, to help pass his legacy to his posterity. He left behind 9 grandchildren all under the age of 6, who we have a responsiblity to acquaint with him.

I have neglected my blog in order to start his and if you want to find me, look here...

http://www.rememberpapabob.blogspot.com/

I love my dad and I am so grateful for the love he has shown me throughout my life. He is a good hard working man that never gives up. I have felt his presence and I know that he is happy and at peace in his life. His story has a happy ending...I am sure of it. One thing I feel even stronger is that the Savior lives and loves each of us. He is there to bring us home.

This is how I know my dad best...his happiest times in God's green country.

This was part of the beautiful floral arrangement at my dad's funeral.

The canal behind our home in Twin Falls, Idaho, near the place where he graduated.

Miss you Dad!