Saturday, December 31, 2011

Families

I wanted to share some pictures of our family Christmas parties.  Our families are both incredible and unique.  I thank my lucky stars to have been born into my family and to have been married into Chad's.  I am so happy for my kids to be surrounded by such amazing people!!!  Merry Christmas !!




Santa just showed up!!!  Close your mouth Cade :}!!!







Typical family picture with Zach!!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Nativity~



The Sunday before Christmas, the kids and I made nativities out of play-dough!  This was so much fun and the kids loved it.  We made salt dough and put kool-aid in it.   The colors were interesting, the dough warm, and the kids happy.  We read some scriptures about the birth of our Savior. We made four nativities and they all turned out completely different! Then we carefully bundled up our nativites and delivered them to primary teachers and special friends.  It was a great activity and we loved delivering these gifts of love. 

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder~

Could she be more sweet and innocent and yet so mature.  She squishes when I hug her.  Her hair is deliciously curly and have you seen her smile.  She lights up the room and when I look at her I am overwhelmed with beauty!


This is Alex's tree.  He literally threw the lights on and a couple of "his" decorations and "walaaa" all done!  He is independent and smart, yet very tender and sensitive.  He is creative and wants to know how the whole world works!   He has deep blue eyes and this little precious mouth.  When I look at him, especially with chocolate in the corners of his mouth, I am stunned by his beauty!

He has all these extra little teeth.  He was a little clumsy as he tried to hang ornaments with his chubby fingers.  His eyebrows furrow and he is so intense when he talks.  He laughs out loud and has splash of little freckles across his nose.  There aren't even words to describe the beauty I see in him. 

 I loved decorating our Christmas tree!  I loved Alex's tree.  I loved Sami's maturity and creativity.  I loved Zach's passion and determination to not give up.  I love and find a lot of humility in being surrounded by these true little beauties!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

~THANKSGIVING~

Chad carving the Turkey! 

All he wanted for Thanksgiving was a Turkey bone!  Not kidding






It was our turn to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving.  My whole family was there.  It was fun to eat in Reed's shop.  The shop was full of snowmobiles, boats and motorcycles that Reed stores for people during the winter months.  There were all kinds of dead animals and critters hanging around on the walls and stuff!  The shop was clean, warm and cozy!  It was great to be there with my whole family!  Chad carved the turkey and I made dressing and pies.  The kids ran around and played with cousins.  Later that day, Reed took all the kids sledding behind the 4-wheeler.  It was so refreshing to go home.  It was fun to take Chad and my kids.  It was great to have my kids feel the wind in their faces as they got pulled on a sled.  It is moments like that, with family, that make me realize how richly blessed we are

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I Have Fought a Good Fight~

Today in Sunday School our teacher said something that will stick with me for a long time.  I feel like the last year or two have taken a toll on my body!  I see more small fine wrinkles appearing.  I am starting to sag in places I really shouldn't sag.  I am tired and usually want to go to bed by about 10 pm.  I color my hair, but when my roots show, there is a little gray!  My back hurts  after I run, or after I pick up Zach. 
     So what I am saying, is that I am not 19 anymore.  I think I am finally coming to terms with that.  I am not old by any means.  I still have a lot of spunk and energy and am so thankful I have great health.  The reason I am getting fine lines by my eyes is because I smile a lot.  The reason my back hurts is because I lift my kids up and kiss and hug them.  The reason I didn't go to the gym was either carpool for pre-school or I am sitting with the cute first graders helping them with their "word walls."  The reason you can see  my roots is because I am going to get my hair done next week or maybe the next.  I try to be a good wife and mother a good neighbor and friend.  I try to serve and pray for others.  I mow my lawn.  I mop my floor.  I try to work hard. 
     My Sunday School teacher talked about getting our priorities straight.  I have thought a lot about this today.  When my time comes and I meet  God.  I want to have wrinkles from laughing and smiling with my kids and friends.  I want to hurt and ache all over from hard work and from serving others.  I don't want to be so caught up in looking good that I missed living.  I will embrace my wrinkles and rolls.   I will embrace my gray hairs and aching body, and I hope that I can say that I fought the good fight and that I have returned with faith!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Family Pictures~

Is it fair to say that they are painful?  Do we all wear the same colors or not?  Should we go to a studio or have a friend take them?  Should we try to control Sami's hair?   Does Alex know how cute his "real" smile is, because his fake one isn't working out!  Can we get Zach to quit being so dang cheesy, he really can be charming.  Did you want to talk about Chad, and how much he LOVES family pictures?  Me either!  So this year we had one of my dearest friends take our family pictures!  She is super talented.  She has a creative eye.  She is clever and quick.  She is pretty much magic.  It is amazing to me how she can capture my life.  When I look at these pictures of my kids and husband, my own little family, I cry!  This is what I do and what I feel like I was meant to do.  I was meant to dress them and feed them and love them.  I was meant to hold them and help them and guide them.  I was meant to be their mom and his wife.  It is my place in this crazy world.  It is my legacy!  It is my life.  So thank you Sarah for showing me again, how amazing my little family is!!!  (I can give you a referral if you want..she is awesome!)




If there was volume on this, it would be LOUD!!!!  just sayin~


He is relaxed and looking straight at the camera.. He and I, we fit like a puzzle!


~My cup runneth over~


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

October Highlights~

Halloween...we have a little green dragon... Goldilocks and or course Shaggy from Scooby Doo!  (bless our hearts)



Grandma Sans and the kids on Alex's birthday!

The ladies on the beach at Cancun!

Chad took the kids to Moab while I was in Cancun... 


Chad and Alex in Moab!


Sarah and I, after we ran the Halloween Half~

Alex's 7th birthday

Some of my besties and me at the Halloween party!  I know we are attractive!!!

October is one of my favorite months!  We had a great October.  We celebrated Alex's 7th birthday.  I went to Cancun with my mother in law and sister in laws.  Chad took the kids to Moab.  Sarah and I ran the Halloween Half Marathon in Provo.  We dressed up for Halloween and lots of Halloween parties.  We ate lots and lots of candy.  We went hiking and spent some time raking leaves.  Overall, it has been a great month!  I have so much to be thankful for.  I feel so blessed and alive.  Everyday is a new adventure and challenge.  Sometimes, it is exciting and fun, and sometimes it is not!  I feel uplifted by my great friend.  I couldn't ask for a better husband, who always keeps me laughing.  But most of all, I am surrounded by three little people who make my world go round, and I love them more than life itself! 

Friday, October 28, 2011

Random Pictures and Thoughts

My sisters came to stay overnight.  It is amazing how alike and different we all are!!  I sure love them!


Crazy hair day at school!!! 


Chad took the kids to Moab while I was in Cancun.  They did some hiking and 4-wheeling!


The kids didn't have school so me and some of my friends took them on a hike!

Some of the greatest and most talented ladies I know!

The kids and I at Willow Lake up Big Cottonwood Canyon!  We live in such an incredible place!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Cancun 2011

Dear Cancun,

There is so much to say.  5 days, 80 degrees, mother and sister in laws, guacamole, ocean, blue skies, poolside, 3 or 4 books, guacamole, boys hair club, "Blue" the mascot for the Indianapolis Colts, guacamole, i-pad, spa, gym, guacamole, Gilberto, birthday, beet salad, aloe vera, pina coladas, etc...etc...etc...  The list could go on and on.  I appreciated the delicious food.  I loved the people watching.  I liked the sun, minus the sunburn in my armpits.  I loved the blue water and the sand in between my toes.    I was embarrassed for the couple who kept taking inappropriate pictures, poolside. (don't need to ever see that again) I loved the 3 Australian boys who asked Sandi, if they looked gay, because, they weren't.  We loved meeting the sponsors for the Indianapolis Colts football team and their mascot, "Blue."  We met finance guys from Cleveland and a cute couple on their one year anniversary.  Their was a drunk group poolside.  One of the guys in the group wore a wig in the shape of a "mullet", awesome!  Did I mention they were drunk.  I loved the gym and the spa and the tasty buffet and restaurants.  Most of all, I loved that the four of us laid in the bed and laughed until we cried.  I love that my sister in laws are thoughtful and each brought me a cute momento.  I love that my mother in law loves us and is willing to spend precious time with us.  It was a trip I will never forget. 
Love,
Rachel