Hiking, Running, Basketball and Football

The rest of January was spent participating in or cheering for sporting events!

On "The Good Doctor's Birthday" as Brian calls Martin Luther King Jr. Day we went to Hole in the Rock to take the boys on a little hike. There is something magical about the combination of dirt, rocks and little boys...they had a blast!

My hot hubby actually had a day off and we loved spending time as a family. The Anselmo's joined us and we had a great picnic lunch afterwards.

Matt is always such a great help with our boys when we go on these outings. He helps Brian keep them safe and Kim and I take pictures...stellar combo.

Ben loved the dirt and climbing everywhere.

Jeffey was also in his element.

It was such a beautiful day, I can't believe this is January.

Brian and Ben showing their muscles.

Me and my boys.

The whole blurry family...oh well!

My nephew Noah ran in his first little cross country race, here we are waiting for him to cross the finish line.

Last Saturday we helped celebrate cousin Tyler's eighteenth birthday and went to the ASU basketball to cheer on Daddy's team. It was a bit of a busy time having all three of the boys there, but we managed just about the whole game. I felt like Aunt Gayle buying all the treats and passing them down the row.

The blue cotton candy was a crowd favorite. Go Devils!

I made these cupcakes to take to Ben and Jeff's school. I had some issues making the red, look red and still taste good so we ended up with Steeler's colors...oops. ( I still thought they were cute and so did the boys) Maybe this is why the Cards lost! I had some friends from Canada in town and they were so excited to go to an American Super Bowl Party (I still think it is really cool!) We had so much fun hanging out with friends and eating way to much. Thanks again to the Anselmo's for a great party. This girl is my all-time hero. I fell in love with this cake. I can't wait to take some classes from her this summer. Way to go April. You can check out her stuff at http://www.designercakesbyapril.blogspot.com/ ...truely amazing!

I made the boys cute Cardinals shirts and will post some more pics later. What a great beginning to the year.

We also made another milestone, Brian finished his LAST elective, that means no more Saturday classes...yeah!!!!! Lots more family fun posts to come.

Reasons Why...

I recently read a quote that said something to the effect that "Love is the reason why you mop the floor after your husband walks through them with muddy work boots". Most of the time I feel like my house will never be clean, or organized, or I will never be on time for anything again. Good thing the reasons why I keep trying are so dang cute! Before the chop... (someone told me how nice it was that my girl had red hair too!)

My handsome "Oakey"

My sweet Jeffey One grown up litte man.

More Virginia Fun

Blogging about this trip makes me want to go back! Garrett and Benjamin at the Space Museum. These shuttles and planes were huge! The boys loved every minute.

Aunt Tamee got the boys new jammies when we got there, so we were ready for the cold nights, we slept great. The best part of the trip was having the cousins get to know eachother better. My boys are so unskilled in the ways of girls. Kendall quickly taught Jeffey that after you get married (which she has announced they had done) you dance. She then promptly kissed him to seal the deal! Jeffey was a little clueless, but they became fast friends because she would play doggies with him. In our box waiting for the musical Legally Blonde to start at the Kennedy Center. I had enough fun to justify the cost of both our tickets! The cousin crew, dutifully posing for one of many pictures on the trip. They had such a great time just being together. It really didn't matter if we were at a historical site or McDonalds.

We couldn't get over how much Jeffey has grown since our last trip. He loved wearing his hoodie. Thanks again to Tamee for the great pictures. Thanks also for feeding us so well. Jeff went from the 10th to the 26th percentile over the Christmas break!! What holiday is complete without a little church ball. Here is the boys making shots while the daddy's played in a little tournament. Playing at the Museum of Natural History. This was probably the coldest day we were there, so it was great to hang out inside. Grandma would be proud of our picnic lunch we packed and ate inside.

The boys loved this bear because Papa saw them in theYukon and Grandpa sings us the Bear Hunt song on Sunday nights.

We loved the T-Rex the most and it has started a little dinosaur phase for the boys. The combo of the scary teeth and that it is made of bones is fantasic to little boys, the "gruesomer", the better.

Keith and Tammee watched the kids one day and let us go sight seeing in the capital. We spent most of the day in the National Archives and in the Library of Congress. The Library had to be the best part for me. It was so amazing inside and a truely sacred place.

Our day away ended when Keith and Tammee met us at the Kennedy Center to see the musical of Legally Blonde. We had incredible seats, and although a little chic-flicish, it was fun to double. We reminissed about the early years before kiddos and enjoyed the great company. I'm so glad I have such great inlaws.

On our last day we went into Baltimore to the Aquarium. These double stollers got some serious millege this week. (so did the daddy's)

The boys found a "real" pirate ship on the warf.

Posing in the prehistoric shark's mouth.

Watching the dolphin show. After the show Jeffey said he liked dolphins better than doggies. (He since informed me that he has changed his mind back)

What a wonderful trip. Thanks again to our Virginia cousins for the "best trip ever". We miss you.

Winter Wonderland

The day after Christmas we took off and headed to DC for some very fun family time. We stayed with Brian's brother and his family, who we amazing hosts. I honestly can't say enough wonderful things about their hospitality. From taking care of our kids so we could see the sights together one day, making everything extra fun for the boys and planning for babysitters so we could enjoy some fun double dates. We had an incredible time cramming as much in a day as we could! The boys keeping busy watching "Clone Wars" on the 5hr plane ride. It was a joy to travel with our little men this time, they have grown up so much since the last time we took the trek.

Playing on the balls outside the Air and Space Museum in Balitmore. This was someplace I never would have ventured before I had boys, and I couldn't have imagined how fun it was for them to see the spaceships and airplanes. However, their favorite part was the Star Wars toy collection, which was nothing compared to Uncle Marshalls!

Recognize this house? Look on the front of a nickel. We had such great weather and aside from poor Kendall's fall and a little drama finding Monticello, it was probably my favorite sight of the trip. I enjoyed getting a little culture learning about Thomas Jefferson and all the things he did for our country. I got a little emotional thinking about the great men that paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy and sacrificed so much so that I can practice my religon the way I choose.

The effect of seeing being at "his" house was a little less profound. (Someone quickly pointed out that Jefferson was a red head also) Here he is thowing a rock in the fish pond and saying "I wish I was weal dog". You can see the intensity on his face. Garrett wished he could be eight so he could have a real dog. Its all about priorities. And yes, those are Lukey's bare little toes. Even in a cooler climate the kid refused to keep his shoes on...my eternal battle.I had my heart set on skating outdoors and that is what we did. Even Lukey got teeny skates and was so excited. I spent much of my winters when I was young on skates and it was a dream to take my boys.

To my amazement (I had anticipated just taking a few pictures between tears!), they loved it! By the time we left Lukey was pushing this bucket and skating to it all on his own. I couldn't get over how adorable his tiny skates were. Jeffey also took right to it and will be playing hockey soon. I was so proud of my boys. In true Tamee style, she graciously stayed on the side to take pictures. I love this one. Poor Ben took a hard spill at the beginning, but was gliding away by the time we left. (Okay, gliding might be a stretch, but Tamee sure got a great shot!)

This night was a little nippy. We went to the DC temple and saw the live nativity, which the boys loved. Luke helped us all by having a great nap the entire time.

I wish I had this picture for our Christmas cards. This will be logged as one of my all time favorite family memories.

Thanks again Keith and Tamee for making this such a great trip. The boys still wear their new jammies every other night!

The Spot

There is a brown sectional that sits in my living room with a chaise lounge attached at one end. It is there that I spent everyday for two plus months on bedrest with my Luke. Today someone else sat in that spot. A friend of mine from our new ward is in the same situation I was in two years ago and I got to help take care of her and her son for the day. I started to reflect on all the women who took care of me those long nine weeks. At how fast the calendar filled up when I made the call. How do you ever repay that? You don't, you can't. You just take your turn helping when you can.
In the midst of our current global turmoil, I can't help but marvel at this power of women. Not the loud voices of protest or anger, despair or fear, but the quiet strength of just doing what you need to do to make it through the day and helping out others along the way. It is a strength that isn't dampened by unfavourable economic conditions, ironically, it grows stronger. It is a strengh that brings to pass great miracles. I have two of them sleeping in the other room. Thank you to all the amazing examples I have in my life.
I will forever cherish all I've learned from that spot on my couch.

Holiday Fish Wrap

In no particular order, here is the lowdown on our little family's holiday season. From the time we moved, it feels like we haven't stopped. We continue to look for our new family home, but have truely enjoyed these two months in our cozy little apartment. It started with Thanksgiving at my sister's home and these little turkeys for the kids. We played white elephant bingo with my sister's inlaws and my parents, the kids loved it! We also had appetizers with Brian's brothers inlaws and played a great day of Settlers. We are thankful for family.

Christmas morning at Denia's house. The kids had a blast opening presents from Grandma and Papa and their cousins. Among the favorites were walkies and Lukey's new skateboard.Santa came through with Legos and Leapsters and everyone was happy. It was so fun to wake up with just our boys.

Santa had quite a time finding, I mean "making" this doggy lego set! The boys got me a dress, pants and lotions, it is fun to be the mom. Brian and I opted out of stuff and instead bought some great memories with a last minute trip to Virginia the day after Christmas. (MANY photos to follow) The boys loved their new pjs and Lukes got some great puzzles. Brian got me scuba lessons and I can't wait to go! He is always so thoughtful when it comes to gifts.

Some other fun memories this season were made when we went to the Polar Express with the Anselmos. It was truely magic. We got a bell from Santa and loved wearing jammies on the train. We can't wait till next year.

With no school we got to play with cousins. On the tramp at Grandma Jones' house. Grandma got the boys a big bounce house at her home on Christmas day and despite the rain the kids had a great time playing with their cousins. It has become a very anticipated tradition.

Playing at McDonalds with Aunt Cletty. Everyone needs an Aunt Cletty! (Avery has claimed her now) I love Christmas parties. We had so much fun at the annual friends party at the Anselmos.

Thanks for the great times Matt and Kim.

At Brian's work Chistmas party in Scottsdale. Even though it is always a chore finding a dress for the occasion, we had a great time and won a trip to Vegas in the raffle.

We had a such a great end to 2008. I feel like I just finished a marathon, I am looking forward to a very non-eventful start to the new year. A very belated Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night sleep!

Cousins or Siblings?

Living in an apartment certainly has it drawbacks, no yard, minimal light etc, but benefits of moving have far outweighed any inconviences. One of the best parts is being so close to family and friends. My sister now lives three miles from us and my kids think it is odd if we go more than one day without seeing their cousins. I don't know if we will always be this fortunate, but I take it while it lasts! Riding the REALLY FAST roller coaster at Amazing Jakes. Way to be brave Ben!

Making the most of our incredible weather, selling lemonade at Noah's. Thanks to my sister's great neighbors they made $2.50. They were so excited. (Poor Jeff is still recovering from a mild case of pnemonia and was napping at home with Daddy)

Making Christmas treats for neighbor gifts. Denia graciously let us trash her kitchen for the marathon baking session. My mother in law says that having your children grow up to be friends is one of the best blessings a parent can have. Mine must have done something right, I hope my boys are just as lucky!