The Miller Memoirs

2011-10-19T12:44:00.000-06:00

EVENT #7 ~ DECORATING HALLOWEEN COOKIES

2011-10-16T11:50:00.000-06:00

Event #6 ~ Witch's Halloween Dinner and Pumpkin Hunt

Every year we have a hunt for pumpkins around our house. This year I coupled it with a special Halloween Dinner.

2011-10-13T11:48:00.000-06:00

Event 5 ~ DONUTS on a STRING

2011-10-13T09:34:00.000-06:00

Event #4 ~ Bobbing For Apples

2011-10-12T11:57:00.000-06:00

Event #3 ~ MUMMY DOG NIGHT

2011-10-11T09:09:00.000-06:00

EVENT #2 ~ CANDY CORN PICTURES

2011-10-11T08:46:00.000-06:00

OCTOBER; 2011
October is a month full of activity in our home. There are so many fun things to do in the Fall. In order to accomplish all the "FUN" activities, we have a countdown to Halloween with each event given a date to be accomplished. Some nights are extremely simple while other nights are more elaborate. This is the third year counting down to Halloween. I love this tradition because it creates an atmosphere where family bonding is essential. The effort of planning, and preparing is absolutely worth it as I watch my kids laugh and play together. They are not only siblings, but best friends too!

EVENT #1 ~ APPLE CARVING

2011-09-06T12:38:00.000-06:00

JAKE STARTS PRESCHOOL

2011-08-31T12:30:00.000-06:00

BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT ZOO BOISE
We went to the butterfly exhibit at the zoo. The butterflies landed on all of us! We absolutely loved the experience!

2011-08-23T12:34:00.000-06:00

BACK TO SCHOOL
August 23, 2011

2011-08-11T15:27:00.000-06:00

FEATHERVILLE with the DAHLBERG's

I love traditions! For the past three years my family has met my sister's family at Featherville for a few days of fun and relaxation. We look forward to our special weekend every year.

~POPSICLE POND~

There is a reason this part of the river is called Popsicle Pond... As soon as the kids had crossed the river, they climbed onto this rock, and they didn't want to move.

This is Hailey jumping, for the first time, from a big rock in Popsicle Pond. She did it three times! Huge accomplishment.

Getting back across the river--COLD!

~WATER SKIING~

I am so good at crashing that I have learned to plug my nose as I begin my descent!

2011-07-31T20:15:00.000-06:00

~TEMPLE SQUARE~

On our way home from the family reunion, we stopped at Temple Square. It was a perfect end to a perfect week!

Conference Center

2011-07-30T17:29:00.000-06:00

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK~TAKE 2
As we were leaving Blanding, we decided to stop in Arches again to see a few more sights...

Landscape Arch

Darkness was starting to envelope us, but we really wanted to finish the hike. This section of the hike had a cliff off to one side. It didn't look too difficult until we were committed an unable to turn back. I was so scared that I made my children scoot on their bums, and hold tight to both me and Bryan.

2011-07-28T15:28:00.000-06:00

ELKINGTON FAMILY REUNION
We arrived in Blanding on Thursday, July 28. Patty had planned an amazing weekend. Our theme for the reunion was: What are you doing with your time? Every night there was a devotional on the importance of time. Every day we focused on spending T I M E together. We filled our days with four-wheeler riding, swimming, eating, and exercising--simply having fun together. My favorite activity; however, was when I was able to go to the Monticello temple with my husband and sisters. I felt a bond grow between us as we served the Lord. I loved watching my sisters interact with the temple workers. I loved seeing their kindness and love--their example taught me and enriched my life.

In general conference, Elder Uchtdorf said, "We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship" (Of Things that Matter Most, General Conference 2010).

The last day we played a game with a parachute. Here are our adventures:

2011-07-27T12:39:00.000-06:00

ARCHES National Park
Our second day of "vacationing" was spent in Arches National Park. Our timing was perfect--both my parents, brother, and sister (along with her family) also stopped at the park on their way to the reunion so our circle of family grew as we visited the park.

I absolutely love God's creations. Every time I have the opportunity of beholding my Heavenly Father's amazing creations something stirs within me that brings me closer to my maker and to the people I love. The Arches National Park was no different--I was amazed as my eyes scanned each horizon within the park, and my soul felt a closeness to my family, and my God. I am grateful we were able to visit such an amazing place.

We were able to hike through many different terrains. Here are a few pictures depicting our adventures:

HIKE 1

My family is always goofing around. Here is a picture that illustrates just how "goofy" they can be.

Waterhole Amidst Desert

HIKE 2; Double Arches

HIKE 3; SAND DUNE ARCH

HIKE 4; Delicate Arch

2011-07-26T10:59:00.000-06:00

LAGOON; July 26

This year the Elkington family reunion was held in Blanding, UT. To break up the long drive, we decided to "vacation" along the way. Our first day of "vacationing" was spent at Lagoon.

I love family bonding. I love anything that promotes family bonding. Right now in our lives, I feel particularly blessed that (for the most part) my kids enjoy eachother, and our time spent together truly is a bonding experience. Lagoon was no exception.

2011-07-19T11:10:00.000-06:00

Girl's Camp; July 10-22

Girl's camp. Just saying this simple phrase brings a memory to every girl or woman who has ever had the opportunity of attending girl's camp. Memories of camping, hiking, swimming, and all out laughing. Girl's camp is a time of bonding. It is a time for growing both spiritually and physically. Girl's Camp. With these two words each and every girl and woman has to take a moment and smile.

This year girl's camp held many memories for me. Memories that were precious at the time, but much more precious afterward. It was two weeks after girl's camp that I was informed of my release. I remember sitting in the bishop's office feeling a bit surreal that my time as YW's President had come to a close. If it wasn't a calling from the Lord, I would have argued, and insisted that I was still capable and able of fulfilling my duties and responsibilities; however, because of my faith and my knowledge of the plan, I understood that the Lord is overall, and if the bishop felt it was time for my release--well then, it was time for my release. It was a difficult time for me. A time of sadness, but also a time for growth. Slowly I started receiving the inspiration I needed to sustain me. I began to understand the Lord's timing and I began to embrace the idea of the new presidency. The Lord granted me an understanding that the new presidency was exactly what these beautiful young women needed, and although I would miss them terribly--I wanted what was best for them because I loved them. I loved them with all of my heart. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the time I spent as YW's President. I have never cried or laughed so much in my life--I grew so much from my experiences, and I will cherish it always. And so...here is another year at girl's camp, and a close of a chapter for me...a chapter full of memories, full of love, and full of growth.

Sister Olsen and Hailee prior to Hiking

Sister VanderLinden started a game of pine cone soccer. It was a riot!

Eating Lunch by the lake after hiking for 3 miles.

I love Stacia Bates, and I absolutely love this picture of her!

Alexa Phillips. Alexa was using a knife her father had given her, and slipped creating a deep cut in her wrist. I almost died. Gratefully, she was okay. She was brave and an example of persevering.

Scripture study. We set a time aside every day in which we could study our scriptures. The girls were fantastic at this challenge!

Kennedy and Ashley preparing for SKITS

Katie Canning, Kennedy Haskell, Ashley Olsen, Ashley Perez, Cheyenne Hall, Brooke Tarbet, and Ashley with our SERVICE PROJECT. We painted pictures for a women's shelter.

Free Fall. We had so much fun playing games. One of the games we played was called free fall. In order to play we had to fall backwards into the outstretched arms that were waiting to catch us from certain death. The trick--trusting those were doing the catching. I absolutely loved this game! It not only taught us about trust, but it also brought unity to our group! So FUN!

Alexa Phillips ready to fall. Most of the YW and Leaders participated in the Trust Fall.

Obstacle Course

FREE FALL ROUND 2
When the bishop arrived, we convinced him to allow us to catch him.

We were confident...the bishop wasn't quite so sure...

Polar Bear Plunge. The girls were awarded a prize if they were able to run into the frigid water during the early morning hours.

2011-07-04T14:51:00.000-06:00

FOURTH OF JULY; Idaho Falls 2011
I love driving home. There is just something about my childhood experiences that brings a sense of nostalgia. I like to be left to my own thoughts as my eyes scan the horizon and behold miles and miles of open farm land, cows grazing in pastures, and the rolling hills. As I drink in the landscape, years of childhood experiences brings a calm to my soul. Something about fishing with my dad, hiking the nearest hill, horseback riding on a cattle drive, and feeding the cows that simply brings a sense of peace. As I drive, I often find myself missing the farm...missing my childhood experiences. With that being said, after years of being away from the farm--I have definitely developed into a true blue city girl (as my dad calls me). No matter how much I love the farm, I do not miss the dust blowing in my face on a windy day, or the manure in the house from the men's shoes. No..., I do not miss the dirt and the grime that go hand in hand with farming, but I do miss the memories shared, the character developed, and the sense of belonging to something greater than myself. Farm life was not easy--nor was it clean, but somehow through the dirt and the grime children grew into hard working adults who knew what it meant to have fun simply by being together! If only I could give my children the same experiences I enjoyed as a youth...., which leaves me to conclude: I will always be a farm girl at heart!

Fourth of July is a difficult holiday for my family. Fifteen years ago my older brother passed away on the third of July. Ever since--there is somewhat of a struggle each and every Fourth of July. An internal struggle. A struggle only noticed by those of us in the family.... We still have fun, we still laugh, we still enjoy fireworks, fishing, and eating...but, somehow Eric's presence is missed more during the celebration of the Fourth of July than any other holiday. Perhaps it is because he died so close to the Fourth that a memory is sparked of so many years ago. The holiday is somehow a reminder of who we are missing, and he is missed all the more. With that being said, missing him also reminds us of our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness, and it serves as a reminder that we truly believe that we will see him again. And although we wish he were still with us, we are grateful to know that this life is not the end, which knowledge provides us with peace, and happiness. And so, with a memory of Eric intertwined with the knowledge of our Heavenly Father's plan, we celebrate!

OUR CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY:

FIREWORKS

HORSEBACK RIDING

FISHING

2011-06-28T17:13:00.000-06:00

ROARING SPRINGS; June 28
I absolutely love the Lowry Family. Our friendship started a few years ago when our families were both involved in a summer craft camp. Our children met then, and became fast friends; however, what solidified their friendship was that we were both dealing with similar situations in life. We both had a kindergartner whose home school was Deseret Sage, and we both had older children who were attending Amity. Because of the lack of space at Amity, our younger children were unable to attend Amity. So, in an effort to help one another with the same goal, we began carpooling to the other school, and through it all our children became good friends. It was our hope that someday both of our children would be accepted to Amity, and now two years later...they are attending Amity, and they are the best of friends. We have been so fortunate to have built such an amazing friendship connection.

Jacob, Garren, Brooklyn, Kortlyn, Hailey, & Amber

2011-06-24T16:23:00.000-06:00

MILLER FAMILY REUNION; June 2011

I absolutely love our family! Every summer we get the opportunity to gather together for a weekend and simply enjoy each others company. I absolutely love the memories shared, the relationships strengthened, and the amazing family traditions.

TRADITION #1~Capture the Flag

Bryan told Jake that if he would bring back the flag from the other team, (even though Jake happened to belong to that team) then he would give him a bucket of ice cream. In this picture, Jake is trying to convince Amber that he is in dire need of that flag. He was actually angry at Amber for not allowing him to give Daddy the flag. He was thoroughly convinced of Daddy's sincerity and of his need in the situation--he had absolutely no understanding of the game. CRUEL trick by daddy. (It was actually quite funny.)

The Winning Team

TRADITION #2~Boat Races

Every boat is the best, and every boat is important...or so it is to the person it belongs to...
Imagine. Adults and Children, old and young--yelling at wood, pine cones, twigs, cow poop, and anything else that can be fashioned into a boat. FUN TIMES!

The RACE is ON! (Hailey's square is in the lead.)

The WINNERS!

FAMILY TRADITION #3~Family Pictures

Tradition #4~Four-Wheelers

We love to ride four-wheelers while at the cabin. This year, Chewy, brought up is miniature four-wheeler, and Jake got to experience what it was like to maneuver the machine all by himself. I was a bit nervous, but he had a great time!

Chewy and Jake riding together!

TRADITION #5~CULVERT

Coming out of the Tube

Jumping off the Tube

Waiting in the Tube for the RUSH OF WATER

2011-06-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday with Grandma JO

Grandma Jo gave Hailey an American Girl doll for her birthday. Hailey was absolutely thrilled! Both Hailey and Amber love the American Girl dolls. They love the stories, the outfits, and the whole nine yards...and perhaps...mom likes them just as much! It appears we have convinced Grandma of their awesomeness!

2011-06-11T20:52:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hailey!!!

June 11, 2001

Hailey

I absolutely adore my 10 year-old little girl. Yes, "little"--she will always be my little girl no matter how big she grows. I have to keep telling myself this, because as the days turn into years, time is passing too fast. Hailey is my constant in any storm. From day 1 she calmed my spirit when grandma passed away with the news of her arrival, and she continues to calm my heart in every action she takes. When faith is described as a rock--it is describing the kind of faith Hailey demonstrates. She believes all things, and she backs up her beliefs with her actions. Just recently Hailey made the choice to forgo playing in a soccer game because it would be held during General Conference. Prior to this decision she turned down a spot on a competitive league because the teams in that league played on Sunday. She knows what is right, and to her--that is the most important.

I love spending time with Hailey. She is not only my daughter, but a friend. When Hailey was two I struggled with my communication with her. Not just the normal 2 year-old struggles, but I knew I needed to fix some things. I took my struggle to the Lord, and my answer was simple--Hailey was my twin. She was my personality. My good. My bad. I'm not sure why it was difficult to cooperate with someone that was my little replica, but it was hard, and once I understood--doors opened. Now, many years later, we are a pair. I absolutely love my sweet Hailey. Our time shared is genuine fun! And I know that each day I have with Hailey is a blessing! Happy Birthday, Hailey! We love you! We are better because of you!

IN CELEBRATION OF HAILEY's BIG DAY, we planned a day in Jackson Hole, WY. We bought a package, which allowed us several rides on the Alpine slide, miniature golfing, and a ride up the mountain on the ski lift.

JACKSON HOLE, WY.

The boys riding the chairlift to the Alpine Slide.

We had so much fun playing miniature golf. It was the first time for our kids, but they seemed to catch on fast.

We met some friends in downtown Jackson. The antler arch is a must-see picture spot.

Jake doesn't know how to smile, so he helps himself by pushing his cheeks up in the shape of a smile.

Our family at the top of the mountain.

Michelle's Cabin

We met my family at my sister's cabin, and celebrated with my nephew, Easton (it was his birthday too).

Hailey got "Just Dance" for her birthday! We had a lot of fun rocking out to all different types of music!

2011-06-09T11:35:00.000-06:00

YELLOWSTONE PARK; June 9-10

For our family vacation this year we decided to go to Yellowstone Park. We visited Yellowstone last year; however, we felt like we needed to see more of the beautiful sights. We were not disappointed. The majesty of God's creation is astounding. There is something about being close to nature that brings my heart closer to God, and my family. Our trip will never be forgotten by myself or the rest of my family. We had so much fun exploring, laughing, and simply enjoying God's creations.

Buffalo Sighting

GEYSERS AT OLD FAITHFUL:

Yellowstone Waterfalls:

Jake absolutely loved the waterfalls. Everytime we saw a waterfall, he danced and yelled with pure delight. We tried to capture his reaction on camera, but we were always a bit too late.

Yellowstone PLAYMILL:

At the end of our first day, we enjoyed HIGH SCHOOL Musical at the West Yellowstone Playmill. It was absolutely fantastic! All three of my children were captivated by the performance! Hailey was even more thrilled by the entire night, because the singers/actors sang her "Happy Birthday" (...or at least she enjoyed embarrassment...)!

DAY 2; YELLOWSTONE

A dear friend told me that if we drove through Lamar Valley we would see more exotic wildlife (i.e. bears, wolves, etc...). Although the drive was longer, we decided to heed the advice. We were not disappointed! By the end of the day we saw: 7 bears (two of the seven were cubs), 1 wolf, and many, many buffalo. I have never seen bears before in Yellowstone (I grew up coming to Yellowstone every summer), so it was a neat experience to see so many.

2011-05-30T19:15:00.000-06:00

~~FEATHERVILLE; MAY 2011~~

We were able to go to the cabin with some dear friends. We absolutely love the Forsberg family! They are the kind of people who know how to make others feel good. They truly emulate Christ-like qualities in all of their actions. I learn so much about how to be a better person simply by being in association with them.
I am so blessed to have so many good friends who teach me to be more like my Savior. As I ponder on my life, and the associations I have been blessed with in my life, I am amazed. Heavenly Father truly knows what we need, and he sends us friends to deliver us that message! To all of my friends--I am grateful.

A FEW PICTURES FROM A WEEKEND OF FUN:

Jake's favorite activity is to throw rocks into the river. This time he recruited some friends!

Iron Rod. The summer prior I put together a night hike which was centered around Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon--the tree of life. Justin was our bishop, and had mentioned that he would love to have his kids experience the night hike. So, in an effort to do just that--we created the same experience for our children. This is a picture of Hailey holding to the "iron rod".

Here Amber is by the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life represents Eternal Life. It is through holding to the rod (reading scriptures and listening to the prophets) that we are able to traverse through this life and make it to eternal life with our Father in Heaven.
My children loved this experience. They learned that there may be temptations along the way (mommy trying to make them let go), but if they hold to the rod--they will be safe and they will make it home again!

2011-05-21T10:22:00.000-06:00

LIFE IS A DANCE

Amber loves to dance. Ever since she was able to walk, she has been walking around on her tippy toes. She would walk for hours with her toes being her only support. I remember cringing as I watched her pretend she was a ballerina. I also remember her "showing off" her uncanny abilities to my in-laws--she loved the reactions she received. This ability revolved into a determined dancer at heart. She began being extremely opinionated as to her attire. She wouldn't wear any shoe that didn't "tap", or wear a skirt that wouldn't twirl. Each and every item purchased had to be examined prior to purchasing as to its tap or twirl worthiness/capabilities. Most of the time I thought this was completely endearing...all except for the times when she would all of a sudden decide that something was no long tap or twirl worthy, which meant that she could no longer wear that item. And she wouldn't. It was quickly disregarded, and no matter how I bribed, pleaded, or begged--I would always find myself giving it away. And then all of my frustrations would melt away as I watched my twinkle toe daughter dance through the house.

I hope she keeps dancing--not just literally, but symbolically. Life is a dance.

Here is Amber on May 21, 2011, at her dance recital:

Best Friends

I love that Bryan plays with my girls. It is one of the reasons he is so endearing. He cares more about what my children think then what anyone else thinks. It doesn't bother him to act a little crazy while onlookers watch in a bit of amazement. I absolutely love it!

We celebrated Amber's accomplishments at White Water Pizza!

2011-05-20T14:45:00.000-06:00

SPRING SOCCER 2011
All three kiddos enjoyed soccer this season. Both Jake and Amber wanted to play for the first time this year, which made our Saturday's busy. Jake played through the Tots program with a neighbor and friend; and, Amber played on a rec. league team. Hailey continued with her same rec. team that she has been playing with for years. There were a few more girls this year, which really added to the team. At the end of Hailey's season, she was invited to play on the competitive team for FC Nova. It would require a lot of travel, and it would cost a lot. In addition to time, and travel, we were concerned about "Sunday" play. The coaches promised that she wouldn't be required to play on Sunday; however, we still felt some hesitations. In the end, Hailey decided she wasn't ready for the competitive team. She didn't want soccer to become her whole life--she liked being involved in all kinds of activities. Bryan and I are proud of her and her decisions. She definitely made a grown-up decision.

Hailey's Soccer Team

Amber Miller First Season-14 Goals!

Amber's Team

My friend, Jen Tobler, took all of Jake's pictures, so we have a lot more pictures of him than any of the other children.

2011-05-14T11:46:00.000-06:00

PIANO RECITAL; MAY 2011

2011-05-12T11:29:00.000-06:00

WICKED

On May 12, 2011, Bryan and I took Hailey to see the Broadway play WICKED. It was a fantastic evening. Hailey absolutely loved watching a Broadway play, holding hands with mom and dad, and enjoying our undivided attention. Prior to the play, we went to dinner at PF Chang's complete with dessert--their GREAT WALL OF CHOCOLATE is so GOOD!

It was such a fun night! Hailey talks about this night all of the time. I am grateful for moments shared together. This moment will be a definite treasure in my memories.

2011-05-01T11:20:00.000-06:00

~A WALK WITH THE SAVIOR~

I absolutely love Easter! I love focusing on the most important thing in my life, and hopefully the lives of my children--Jesus Christ. We spend a whole week reenacting Christ's last week of life. Using the Gospel are Pictures from the LDS Resources we have a mini-devotional, and activity every night. Here is a list of our week's activities:

Day 1-Christ's Triumphal Entry (Dye Easter Eggs)

Day 2-Cleansing of the Temple (Serve someone in the family by helping them clean somewhere in the house.)

Day 3-Last Supper (We have an authentic Jerusalem Dinner. I absolutely love this night! I love sitting on the floor, eating the foods Jesus would have eaten, and talking about His life and ministry. There is something about reenacting His life that brings the spirit of love and peace into our home.)

Day 4-Gethsemane (We read a story called, "You Are Priceless" and we talk about what it means.)

Day 5-Betrayal of Jesus (On this night, we serve a friend by playing "bunny" for the night, and leaving Easter eggs and candy all over their lawn. My children love the excitement of ringing the doorbell and running, and then checking back to see if the family received our gift.)

Day 6-Crucifixion (On this night, we turn off all of the lights, and talk about the Nephites and the three days of darkness. We leave the lights off for the night.)

Day 7-Jesus Burial and The Empty Tomb (This usually lands on Easter Sunday. We enjoy a day centered on Christ. We eat cookies, which represent the empty tomb [they are empty on the inside], and we have a devotional complete with testimonies.

In the midst of all of this activity, our family also celebrates the traditional Easter Egg Hunts, Easter Bunny, and everything fun life offers! It is a fantastic week!

Dying Easter Eggs is a favorite tradition in our home.

Amber at the ward party on winning in the sack races. Hailey a close second.

After the ward Easter Egg Hunt!

THE TOMB IS EMPTY

New Easter Dresses

2011-04-30T15:43:00.000-06:00

April 2011

Jake started preschool in April... He only got to enjoy the "blessings" of being a "big kid" for one month, because school let out for the summer. He loved every minute of it, and couldn't wait for school to start again! Here are some pictures from his first day of school:

2011-04-29T21:23:00.000-06:00

SPRING BREAK
Day 3
SALT LAKE CITY DISCOVERY GATEWAY
On day 3, we were able to meet up with some more of our dear friends in Utah. We met the Larson's when we lived in Seattle, and we have been friends ever since. They are a blessing in our lives, and we love them to pieces!

~Devyn and Amber~

~Amber, Jackson, Devyn, and Hailey~

~While in the discovery center, we ran into some more friends from Boise--the Giles, and the Fuhrimans! We were so excited to see both of these families! I was especially excited to see the Giles Family, because they had just recently moved to California. It was definitely fun to see good friends.

2011-04-29T17:45:00.000-06:00

Spring Break
Day 2
~HOGLE ZOO~

The Hogle Zoo was fantastic! We had a great time frolicking through the zoo! The best part; however, was spending time with good friends! We absolute love the Simmons family! We have missed them since they moved away from Boise. It is always fun to reconnect.

After the zoo, we went to the monument, This Is The Place. It is a historical monument representing Brigham Young's announcement of the Salt Lake valley being the place to settle for the Latter-day Saints.

2011-04-29T11:08:00.000-06:00

~SPRING BREAK; March 28-April 1~
DAY 1
My sister-in-law was blessing her baby in Logan, Utah on the Sunday prior to spring break. After the baby blessing, we ventured further into Utah to spend our spring break site seeing in Salt Lake City. On Monday morning our first stop was Temple Square. We spent most of the day enjoying the museums, videos, and monuments. To my surprise and absolute enjoyment, my children were captivated by Temple Square. They had no desire to leave, and when the time came that we had to leave, we were all disappointed.

Church History Museum:
~Quilt Wall~

~Fiesta Dancing~

Meeting the Forsbergs:

As we were leaving the Church History Museum on Temple Square, we ran into the Forsbergs! We were thrilled and excited to have seen dear friends from our home town. It is such a SMALL world!
DINOSAUR MUSEUM:
After we spent most of the day at Temple Square, we met up with some friends from Utah, and continued playing at the Dinosaur Museum.

2011-04-29T10:09:00.000-06:00

Spring Break
Day 4
On our last day in Utah, we got together with good friends who were once in Boise, but have now moved on... (except the Fuhriman's...whom we are so glad still live in Boise). It was nice to chat, and allow our children to reconnect. It was funny that we all happened to be in Utah at the same time. Jill and Monica have moved to Utah, but Angela and Carrol were both visiting like us. Once we saw Angela and Carrol at the Discovery Center, we thought we should get together again before everyone left.
~Jill Simmons, Monica Walters, Angela Giles, Me, Carrol Fuhriman~

2011-03-20T14:21:00.000-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day
For St. Patrick's day, we did a Shamrock Hunt. In the hunt, the children looked for hidden shamrocks. Once all the shamrocks were found, they traded for a specific number, and then they got prizes depending on the numbers on their Shamrocks. Each bag had different prizes coordinating with the numbers on the shamrocks. It was a game of chance..., and pure fun!

2011-03-19T15:22:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess!
~March 2, 2011~
Dr. Suess' birthday is on March 2, and we love to celebrate each year by reading "Green Eggs and Ham", and eating green eggs and ham!

Favorite quotes by Dr. Suess:
"Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."
~Dr. Suess

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."
~Dr. Suess

"A person's a person, no matter how small."
~Dr. Suess

2011-03-19T14:12:00.000-06:00

JAKE's BIRTHDAY
Before Jake's birthday, I asked him what he wanted to do... he replied, "play with my friends"! So, on Jake's "Big Day" we spent the day playing with his buddy, Spencer Tobler. They had a blast! When the girl's got home from school, we headed to BOUNCE with Spencer in tow. The kids played hard--they ran from one bounce house to the next! They played their little hearts out. On the way home, Hailey and Amber had to keep Jake awake, so we could open presents and eat cake with dad--he was exhausted.Four Things I love about Jake:~Every morning when he wakes up, he comes looking for mom (no one else)...when I am finally located, he opens his arms, gives me a big grin, and comes running for an amazing hug!
~He loves to play. We run through the house giggling over each and every new adventure.
~He loves his family. Every night in his prayers, he thanks his Heavenly Father for his family. Every prayer he utters is a prayer of gratitude for his family.
~He is getting "big enough" to be reasoned with...what a relief! What a great stage!
...okay, five things:
~He love his one on one time with mom. Although he loves his sisters dearly, he is sometimes sad to pick them up from school, because he still wants to spend the time with me. I also enjoy our time together. I am sad that he is getting bigger and will soon be venturing into the world of school... One thing is for sure...he's going to have to get use to sharing me!
I LOVE MY BOY! Oh, I am so grateful he is mine, and I am his! He is my buddy! Love you, dude!!!

BOUNCE:

CAKE AND PRESENTS:

2011-03-16T00:33:00.006-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN; February 9, 2011

For Bryan's birthday, we did the "12 DAYS of BRYAN"! We copied this idea from a good friend--we thought it was a fabulous way to say "We Love You"! We typed a song, and attached a note to each day. In the beginning, we tried to be conspicuous...we sneaked the packages to a coworker, we asked the coworker to be "secretive", and then we pretended innocence. However, as day 4 rolled around, our secret was known. We spent the last 8 days talking and laughing at each new surprise. We had a great time showering our husband and daddy with love!

This is what we did for the "12 Days of Bryan":

On the first day of Bryan, your true "loves" gave to you
One bag of Jerky...
ba dum dum dum
(I typed a tune that I thought went with the song "ba dum dum dum", and then later realized that it really didn't go with the tune. At the time, when I was writing the clues--it seemed to fit. The mistake was worth it; however, because it allowed for many days of laughter.)

On the second day of Bryan, your true "loves" gave to you
Two TEXAS items
ba dum dum dum

Third Day: 3 cans of pringles

Fourth Day: 4 Chocolate Kisses (Because Bryan's birthday is so close to Valentine's day, we were able to buy 4 Giant Kisses. We then made a tag for each kiss. Each tag had a sentiment of love from us...an obvious giveaway as to who was delivering the goodies. We curled each tag, and attached them to the top of the individual KISSES to make it look like the original tag that comes with a Hershey kiss.)

Fifth Day: 5 Green Apples (with caramel dip)

Sixth Day: 6 Root beer

Seventh Day: 7 "texts" of LOVE

Eight Day: 8 favorite candy bars

Ninth Day: 9 Fortunes (We placed "fortunes" in nine fortune cookies, which were in a Chinese take-out box.)

Tenth Day: 10 Treasure Hearts

Eleventh Day: 11 Cookies

Twelfth Day: 12 Balloons with 12 Nutter Butters (We attached a note to the package of Nutter Butters that read: There is "nuttin better" than you! We then tied the bouquet of balloons to the Nutter Butters. Each balloon had a message inside.)

On Bryan's birthday, we enjoyed family time while eating cake and ice cream!

Bryan is the love of my life! He is my best friend! I thank my Heavenly Father for such an amazing husband and friend. I am so blessed to have him in my life. We are a team! He keeps me "sane" in moments of insanity, and keeps me laughing through every day life. He is my other half.

2011-03-13T15:22:00.000-06:00

~NEW BEGINNINGS~
For the last few years, I have been the Young Women's President in my ward. I feel so blessed to be able to learn from our Heavenly Father's precious daughters. Part of that blessing is being able to share in memories like "New Beginnings".
This year for New Beginnings we centered our thoughts around Elder Utchdorf's talk, "Your Happily Ever After". We opened the evening by showing a video clip with the girl's pictures in conjunction with pieces of Elder Utchdorf's talk. It was a Mormon Message made specially for our YW. We then had each YW introduce each value of the Personal Progress program. We had different ways of introducing each value. Some were introduced through music, and some were introduced by the YW sharing personal experience-each value was demonstrated as a point on a map directing the YW to Eternal Life. (In Elder Utchdorf's talk, he refers often to the "map" Heavenly Father has given us to follow.) As the YW would introduce a value, a map was projected, and each value was highlighted. The spirit was strong as the YW bore testimony, and explained the YW program to the new YW. All the while, the underlining theme was Elder Utchdorf's talk, "Your Happily Ever After".
The evening was truly inspiring. The spirit was present. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn and grow along with these precious YW. I know that Heavenly Father loves them, and wants what is best for them--He love us all, and because He does--he gives us direction through His apostles. Elder Utchdorf's words reached to the very core of these young girls. He explained that our "once upon a time" is now, and it is our privilege to write the stories of our lives--we choose our own path! He said, "'happily ever after' is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father's map."
Heavenly Father has given the youth tools that will help them follow His plan or His "map". He has given the young women the Personal Progress program, and the young men the Duty to God program. He has given the young men and the young women a booklet of standards called, "For the Strength of Youth". I know that if the youth of the church, and even the adults of the church will follow these guidelines, we will be blessed, and we will someday see our Father in Heaven, and it will be the ending of a great chapter and the beginning of our "HAPPILY EVER AFTER"!

Each young woman received a journal to remind them that right now is their "once upon a time", and they are writing their own stories to reach their "happily ever after".

Leader's and YW singing, "Live Like You Believe" by Jenny Phillips.

2011-03-12T09:52:00.005-07:00

FEBRUARY 7, 2011; Happy Birthday, AMBER!!

After having a surprise party on Saturday, Amber couldn't wait for her "actual" birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Miller were coming from Rupert, and she was anxiously awaiting their visit...

For Amber's birthday, Jake and I met Amber at her school, and ate lunch with her. She was surprised and excited, and begged us to play at recess for a bit. Also during school, Grandma and Grandpa Elkington sent a bouquet of flowers with a large stuffed elephant. It was such a nice way of saying "I love you". Amber felt so special!
After school, Grandma and Grandpa Miller journeyed with us to the Ronald McDonald House to deliver Amber's birthday presents. (For Amber's party, we asked guests to not worry about gifts; however, if they wanted to brings gifts, to bring them for the Ronald McDonald House. I think sometimes when kids have a "friend" party, they receive too many gifts, and the focus becomes all about receiving. By having a charity party, we avoid the monster of greed, and we learn about service and love.) When Amber had a party a few years ago, she chose to have a Ronald McDonald House party. It was completely her idea, and it ended up being an amazing experience for her and for our family. With these thoughts in mind, I felt confident in having her surprise party follow the same idea. The spirit of giving is such an amazing feeling...I am so grateful for these experiences in our lives that teach us to give.
After the RMH, we ventured to Game World for a few games of miniature bowling, and air hockey (while we waited for daddy to get off work). As soon as daddy called, we were off to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. (Amber had been asking to go to The Cheesecake Factory for a while, so we thought it would be a fun family birthday activity with Grandma and Grandpa.) The girls were so excited about the whole scenery, the lights--the whole atmosphere thrilled them! They kept pointing and gasping, and giggling excitedly. They were thrilled to be at a "nice" restaurant.
To cap off the evening, Grandma and Grandpa came home with us, so we could open birthday presents. Grandma and Grandpa gave Amber an American Girl doll, and she was thrilled!

~RMH~

~GAME WORLD~

Amber was so excited that it was her birthday that she told everyone! She told the worker at Game World, and they gave her $10 in bonus money, and a goody bag.

~CHEESECAKE FACTORY~

~Opening her American Girl Doll~

2011-03-11T16:38:00.003-07:00

FEBRUARY 5
I was so grateful when I threw a party for Amber to have the help of so many amazing people. My two good friends, Ruthanne and Salena, came over, and helped with final preparations, and these two young women, Kennedy and Katie, came over to help run the party! I was truly grateful to everyone! I really do not think I would have been able to do it without their help. It reminds me to think of others more often...even in seemingly unimportant things like a little girl's birthday party...

2011-03-11T12:50:00.003-07:00

~American Girl Surprise Party~
For the past year, Amber has been informing me of her "golden birthday". A "golden birthday" is when you turn the same age as the "date" of your birthday, so this year Amber was turning 7, and her birthday is February 7, which means--it was her "golden birthday". She was thrilled! And because it was her "golden birthday", she really wanted it to be "extra" special. She started asking for a birthday party a full year in advance (we usually keep to family parties around here). And that is when my scheming began...

For Amber's seventh birthday, we threw her an American Girl surprise party. This may have been the trickiest thing I have ever pulled off. Planning the little details, and handing out invitations all the while keeping it a secret from Amber. Even while the planning was in the works, we had several situations that caused me to hold my breath. One time Amber asked if she could have a party...my response was tricky--I didn't want her to know about her party, but I also wanted to be honest. Another time, Amber saw Hailey and I discussing things, and we simply dismissed it as something for her birthday. Again, I was worried that her big "surprise" was completely obvious. Another time, Bryan had asked me about the pinata while I was talking to him on the phone, and I answered him while Amber was standing right next to me. I died as she started jumping up and down chanting, "I'm getting a pinata. I'm getting a pinata. I'm getting a pinata." After that--I was positive she knew something was going on, and I was even more sure when the big day arrived, and oddities kept happening. Oddities like: why she had to go to dad's work for four hours when mom was home?, or why I didn't want her to bring her American Girl doll to work with her?...all of these things just capitalized on the fact that I was sure she was just playing along, and she knew that she was getting a party!

So, as the moment of truth arrived, I held my breath--sure of the "lack" of surprise...; however, I was wrong! As she walked into the house, her expression was pure shock, joy, and excitement! She turned in a couple of circles surveying her friends, and the decorations. Shock was evident on her face, and my heart beamed! We had done it! We pulled it off! (The day of the party two of my dear friends, Ruthanne Horton and Salena Langston, came over to finish with preparations...I never would have been prepared without their help--I was so grateful to them! It was because of them that we were able to "truly" pull it off.)

Amber and Hailey love the American Girl series! They love the stories, the dolls, and the movies. It seemed like an obvious theme for Amber's birthday party; however, it proved difficult to plan. There were not many ideas on-line, so I had to start from scratch. I can't believe how much time I spent in preparing for this party. Finally, as ideas evolved into concrete plans, this is how it happened:

For the party, we first played games focusing on the different era's of the American girl dolls, and then we had a "Samantha" themed dinner.

Here is a list of games I found (I researched forever...but, I think it was well worth the time...the girls had a blast!):

1900 Games: SAMANTHA

Arch Tag-The children are in a circle. Two children form an arch with their arms as the other children rotate through the arch in a circle. On signal (I used music), the circle stops and the arch traps someone. The person trapped goes in the center of the circle and waits for another person to be caught. They then form a second arch. The last person caught is the winner.

Hot and Cold-One person is it and leaves the group. The rest choose an object in the room and when "it" returns they help him find the object by singing and increasing the volume as he nears the object and decreasing when he moves away from the object. (We did this to find their goody bags.)

Musical Chairs-We played the opposite of musical chairs where nobody got "out" of the game, but rather they had to all pile on less and less chairs until there was only one chair left, and all the girls had to get on it in someway or another.

Musical Present-(I used this for party favors.)We passed a present, and each time the music stopped--the children would take off a layer of wrapping. When the last layer was pulled away, there was an American Girl Short Story book for each girl. I found a set of six books on-line for only $1.99 on both Amazon, and Barnes & Nobles. I ordered a couple of sets for a perfect party favor. The children were thrilled with their party favors. (We had five different layers of wrapping.)

Other games during Samantha's era that we didn't play, but looked fun:
Hot Potato

Kick the Can

Jail Break-The children will choose someone to be "it". The person who is it counts one o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock rock, four o'clock, six o'clock, eight o'clock, nine o'clock rock, ten o'clock, eleven o'clock twelve o'clock rock, midnight! He then tries to find the others who have hidden. When someone is tagged, the go to jail (usually the porch). The children who are not tagged, try to step on jail and this will cause a jailbreak. the others are free. When all the children have been sent to jail, the first one in is now the person who is it.

Musical Hoops-Place Hula Hoops on the ground, one less than there are children. When the music stops, the children must stand in a hoop. Remove one hoop, but not a child for each round. Continue until there is only one hoop and all of the children are it it.

Here are the games we played in Samantha's Era:

~Arch Tag~

~ARCH TAG~

~Musical Chairs~

1940's Games: Molly

Blind man's Bluff-One person is blind folded, and the other children hide. After the child with the blindfold has been spun several times, he/she searches for the other children (the other children may not move once the search has begun) by yelling "Blind man's", and the other children respond by saying "Bluff".

Other games during Molly's era, that looked fun:
Blind man's Wand-A variation of Blind man's Bluff,this version utilizes a stick in which the other children take turns grasping one end while the "blind" player holds the other end. The "blind" player then asks 3 questions to the player holding the opposite end of the stick, and the aim of the game is to recognize the voice of the player who replies. Therefore, the players try to disguise their voices.

Musical Chairs

Battle of the Oranges-Divide the kids into pairs. They will battle one pair at at time. Each warrior is armed with a tablespoon on which an orange is placed. On "go", they will try to knock the opponent's orange off the spoon, using only the one hand which hold the spoon and the orange. The winner is the one left with the orange.

Here are the games we played for Molly's era:
~Blind man's Bluff~

~Blind man's Bluff~

Kit Kittredge/Josephina

Kit's story is centered around the great depression, and a key aspect to her story is Kit finding the money that was stolen from their home before her family loses their home. With this in mind, we had a "Treasure Hunt" to find Kit's treasure, which was a goat pinata, which was also Josephina's pet.

~Treasure Hunt~

1800's Games: Kirsten

Drop the Handkerchief-(This is the version we played) The main idea of this game is to drop the handkerchief without the other players knowing. The players in the ring must look toward the center at all times, and they can't turn their heads to watch the runner behind them. If the runner is creative, they can try to trick the other players. For instance, they may speed up the pace after they drop, or not vary in pace at all to leave no clue. The runner can also make a lot of noise to distract the other players. As soon as the player in the circle discovers that the handkerchief has been dropped behind them, he must pick it up and chase the runner who dropped it. The runner may run around the outside of the circle, or at any point through or across the circle. The goal is to reach the vacant space left by the person chasing. Whichever player reaches the vacant space first stays there, and the other player takes the handkerchief and begins the next round.

Drop the Handkerchief #2- (I found this version later, and it seemed fun.) The children chant:
A tiskit, a tasket,
A green and yellow basket,
I wrote a letter to my love, But on the way, I dropped it;
A little child picked it up and put it in his pocket.
The child that is "it" drops the handkerchief on someones head, and that person must try to be the "it" person back to their spot by chasing them around the outer edge of the circle (much like duck, duck, goose).

Other games that looked fun:
Button Button

Clothespin Drop-hold the clothespin to your nose, and without bending over, try to drop it into a mason jar that is sitting on the floor.

I also found on-line an idea to make jam and bread for Kirsten's time period.
~Drop the Handkerchief~

~Drop the Handkerchief~

JULIE

Julie is from the 1970's, and wore crocheted hats. For Julie's activity we made flower clips to go on a crocheted hats. I found the crocheted hats and flowers for a great price at haloheaven.com.

DINNER:

For dinner I decorated for Samantha's era. Everything was suppose to look fancy just as it would have looked if we were really in the early 1900's. I even researched food items from that time period, and pizza came to America in the early 1900's, which seemed perfect and simple. Before we ate dinner, we opened "star boxes", which I had prepared beforehand with notes from each girl's mom about each girl's inner star. The American Girl theme is "FINDING YOUR INNER STAR", so I wanted each girl to know how truly special they really are, and to remember their inner star! It was so fun! The girls were so excited to hear what their mom's wrote about them! The table had star confetti, and over the table there was star cutouts hanging from the ceiling.

~ STAR FRUIT PIZZA in the American Girl Colors~

For Goody Bags the girls left with a book, a crocheted Julie hat, and a flower hair clip. They also had the starburst candy (from the pinata). I chose "starburst" candy, because I wanted to focus on the "inner star". I spent less than $3 per bag, which I felt was great considering they got a book, a hat, and a hair clip.

When the party was over, Amber pulled me aside, and told me that during the party she excused herself. She said that while she was away, she started to cry because she was so happy, and grateful for the amazing party...she wanted to make sure that I knew that she was grateful--that makes it all worth it!

2011-03-10T22:24:00.009-07:00

~BOOK of MORMON Celebration Party~
January 10, 2011

After Hailey, Bryan and I completed reading The Book of Mormon, & Jacob and Amber completed reading The Book of Mormon Reader, we celebrated our accomplishments with a party! We had five different Events throughout the evening:

Event 1: Lamanite Headbands (so we could pretend we belonged in the Book of Mormon story)
Event 2: Lamanite Pie complete with candlelight (I wander if they had candles back then???)
Event 3: The Miller Family Title of Liberty/Creed
Event 4: Book of Mormon Charades
Event 5: Nephite Banana Boats

Along with all the fun activities, we had a spiritual side to the evening as well. Bryan and I were able to bear testimony of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon. We testified of the power it had in our lives, and how we knew that through reading The Book of Mormon, we have gained a stronger testimony of Christ, and we have become better people by living by its teachings. We also watched a video that testified of Christ. My kids were so excited about their accomplishment. They had a fun evening in both gaming and spirituality. It was definitely a family bonding experience, which we can't wait to repeat!

Event 1: Lamanite Headbands

Event 2: Lamanite Pie

Event 3: Miller Family Creed/Miller Family Title of Liberty

Event 4: Book of Mormon Charades

Liahona

2011-03-08T23:54:00.003-07:00

~Christmas Break~
Christmas evening found us drinking hot chocolate while watching the snow fall, in the mountains! We absolutely love going to Featherville! The great outdoors + family = a formula for family bonding!

YUMMY SNOW!

TUBING!

RIDING BEHIND THE SNOWMOBILE!

2011-03-08T23:13:00.004-07:00

~CHRISTMAS EVE~

We have a few traditions on Christmas Eve that always make us laugh. One of those traditions is to act out the story of Christ's birth. This year we decided to record our acting, and then watch our rendition of Christ's birth--we laughed until our sides hurt. It was our best rendition yet!

This year Christmas held special moments. We decided to focus more on the Savior. We used a book called, "A Christ-Centered Christmas", and day by day we learned about different figures in the nativity. With each figure, we had a small activity to go along with it. On one of the evenings we had a testimony meeting with candlelight. The spirit was so strong. I will never forget the testimony of my children on that sacred night. I knew that they knew that the Gospel was true. I was grateful for taking the time to create the experiences we were sharing ,because I knew that each experience was adding to their testimonies. I can't wait to do it again next year!

2011-03-08T22:50:00.003-07:00

~HUGS FOR HOPE~
My dear friend, Jason Fisher, passed away in October from a brain tumor. In his memory, his beautiful wife set up a foundation called "Hugs for Hope". Jason had always wanted to do something for the children who were suffering from cancer, and so this was Heather's way of helping his dream be realized.
As a young women's and young men's group, we coordinated with Heather, and made 50 "hugs for hope". A "hug" is a scarf with gloves on the end, which make the scarf resemble a "hug". Not only were the young women and young men involved, but my family as well. Both Hailey, and Amber wanted to make a "hug" for the children with cancer.
On December 21, 2010, we delivered our "hugs". We were only able to meet with one cancer patient. She was 8-years-old, and absolutely beautiful. She smiled with a brightness of hope, and courage. Our hearts were touched as she graciously accepted a hug. As I walked away, I wiped a tear from my eye...it just didn't seem fair.
I am grateful to have been a part of something so amazing. I wish there was something more I could do for cancer patients. For now...I will continue praying!

~My children with the 50 "hugs"~

~Kirsten, Ashley, Katie, & Kennedy~

~Our Young Women's Group~

2011-03-08T22:41:00.004-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I absolutely love birthday's! It is my excuse to play hard, and that is exactly what I did! I went out to lunch with fabulous friends, went to a movie with a "hottie" hubby, and went miniature bowling with my kids. If getting older means having a celebration every year...well then--bring it on!

P.S. This awesome cake was made by my beautiful YW! All of my YW made me feel special on my birthday! I am so blessed!

2011-03-08T22:37:00.002-07:00

December 2, 2010; Building a Snowman

There's something about the first "real" snow...something that screams SNOWMAN!

2011-01-12T14:08:00.010-07:00

~FAMILY PICTURES~
I have an amazingly talented friend whom I love dearly. Heavenly Father blessed me when He made her my college roommate. She's the type that will be a friend for life--I am truly blessed to have her as a friend! On top of being an amazing friend--she takes amazing photos, and she has spoiled me once again!

2011-01-12T12:57:00.009-07:00

~SOCCER~
Bryan volunteered to be Hailey's soccer coach! We had a fantastic season making it a whole family affair. We cheered until our throats were dry, and then we played some more soccer until our sides hurt from laughing.

Teaching Hailey some Smooth Soccer Skills...

Dad and Coach

Grass Cheer (Look close...they are throwing grass)

Hailey and Breanna

Tunnel Tradition

2011-01-12T12:17:00.005-07:00

Pumpkin Painting, Pumpkin Bowling, Pumpkin Hunting...

& HALLOWEEN

We went trick-or-treating before Halloween, because Halloween landed on a Sunday. A group of friends organized a trick-or-treating route for those of us who didn't want to trick-or-treat on the Sabbath. At first, my kids were a bit disappointed to not be trick-or-treating on the actual holiday; however, after they understood that the celebration was going to last twice as long--they were thrilled!

For Halloween, we had a SPOOKY DINNER, and afterwards we created a Halloween House! The kids had so much fun answering the door for the trick-or-treaters! They thought this was the best year ever!

2011-01-12T10:52:00.010-07:00

~PUMPKIN PATCH~
October 16, 2010

We went to the pumpkin patch, and we had so much fun! We spent all day playing in the corn, on the slides, on the cow train, in the corn maze, and participating in the pig races. I am so grateful for family moments. I love watching my kids and the excitement in their eyes as they run from one activity to another. I love holding their hands as we walk through the corn. I love feeling the corn run through my fingers as I play with my little girl. I love laughing at each and every reaction from my beautiful children. I love the pumpkin patch!

2011-01-11T22:48:00.026-07:00

~OCTOBER FESTIVITIES~
The month of October is a crazy fun month for our family! We build memories galore, and we laugh alot along the way...I love the traditions we have started! Sometimes it feels a bit crazy, (on the planning end) but I wouldn't change it for the world!

ACTIVITY #1: Mummy Wrap
The Horton's joined us for our mummy wrap night! We had a great time wrapping and throwing toilet paper. Who knew fun could be so inexpensive?

Activity #2: Bobbing for Apples and Donuts on a String

2010-12-21T09:18:00.002-07:00

October 9, 2010
I have an elder brother who until just recently has not been interested in many of the lasting joys that accompany membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, slowly his disinterest turned to interest, and a few weeks ago my dear brother and his beautiful wife were sealed in the temple with their two children. I can't begin to express the feelings that accompanied this marvelous event. It truly was a sacred moment in our family. After the sealing, I asked my sister-in-law what it was that made the difference for her and her family. She said that it started with a simple goal--a baby step. As a family, they made a goal to read The Book of Mormon in a year. She said that at times it was difficult. She remembers many mornings when no one wanted to rise for early morning scripture study, but through perseverance day by day this baby step turned into something more than a simple goal. The seed planted by the word of God, began to enlarge their souls, and by the end of the year my brother received the priesthood, and he and his wife were sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. My sister-in-law said that without scripture study, they would not have made their covenants in the temple.

I am so grateful for the doctorine of eternal families. I am grateful to know that I can--and will be with my family forever!

2010-10-11T16:48:00.001-06:00

~Each Life that Touches Ours For Good~

Jason Fisher is a pillar of strength. In his fight against cancer, he displayed the strength of character that we all strive to exhibit. He was not angry. He was determined. He fought cancer with faith, determination, and with courage. When others would cry, he would build them, and encourage them. He was a rock. When Jason's tumor resurfaced after a year of being cancer free, I faltered--I cried. I lost some hope, and I lost a bit of faith. Jason did not. He once again demonstrated Christ-like attributes as he calmed and reassured his loving family and friends. As the months passed, and the cancer started taking the upper hand, Jason remained determined. And through his example, more heroes stepped in to take the lead. His dear wife, Heather, was strong and courageous. Day in and day out she cared for him. She loved him. Slowly Jason began needing help in almost every area of his life, and Heather was there to offer it. I watched her as she spoke to him--knowing that he was unable to respond. I watched her as she kissed his eyebrow--knowing that he could not return her affection. I watched her as she patiently brushed his teeth, fed him, and spoke sincere words of comfort and love, and through hit all--he could not respond.

Jason and Heather are two people who I consider to be heroes. When they were dealt a difficult hand, they faced it with courage and grace. They showed love and patience during a time when it would have been easy to give up. Our character is molded by the everyday little decisions we make--we become who we are by how we choose to respond during life's difficulties. Each choice either builds our character, or diminishes our character. Heather and Jason have chosen the better part. And for that example, they have become heroes in my eyes. I too, want to emulate their strength in character. I too, want to stand strong in the face of trials. I too, want to be all that my Lord and Savior need me to be.

Jason passed away on Sunday. He fought a good fight. I will miss him. And yet, somehow I know he is happier. I know that he has finally found peace, and his battle with cancer is over--he endured to the end.

On Jason's birthday, Heather asked friends and family to share with Jason our favorite memory...I would like to share those thoughts once again...

Jason,
It has been difficult choosing just one memory. I feel I have a thousand little memories that encompass who you are. I have memories of seeing you at the book store while Heather and I went on a bike ride. I have memories of you checking on Heather while she was at my house. Then I have memories of you helping me when Heather wasn't home--whether it was the car, or the computer, I knew I could come to your house for help. And as I think of each of these little memories, I remember your smile, and a twinkle in your eye. All of these memories are simple neighborly memories that encompass who you are; however, my fondest memory exemplifies just that, and much, much more. My fondest memory was in the midst of trial, and although it was not a "fond" time, my memory is sweet because of the love I felt from you. It was the night I came to your house seeking to offer comfort, and in reality you offered comfort to me. I had thought my emotions were under control, and yet as I walked into your living room--I couldn't help my tears. Without hesitation you wrapped your arms around my shoulders, and offered words of encouragement. You were a rock. You never faltered. You were steadfast. And through everything you have endured--you have shown this amazing strength of character. You have found laughter in difficulty. You have found positives in the face of trials. You have found the silver lining! Your strength is an amazing example to me, which I am striving to emulate. I look at both you and Heather, and I feel amazingly blessed to have such amazing neighbors, friends, and much, much more--family! I have found family in the two of you, and I am so blessed because of it! There is a church song that states, "each life that touches ours for good, reflects thine own great mercy, Lord; Thou sendest blessings from above, thru words and deeds of those who love...what greater gift dost though bestow, what greater goodness can we know, than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways, strengthen our faith, enrich our days." I will forever be grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me you! We are not neighbors by accident.
Happy Birthday!

Love, Carrie

...I am so grateful to the plan of salvation. I know I will see Jason again! Without a doubt--I know it! And so, this is not good-bye--but a small detour on life's trail...until we meet again, Jason Fisher!

2010-10-06T16:39:00.007-06:00

~Field Trip to CELEBRATION PARK~
September 23, 2010
We had a great day learning about Early Civilization. We learned about the railroad, hunting techniques, and hieroglyphs. We even got to experience some of the old ways. Even with all the amazing learning, my favorite part of the day was still being with Hailey all day long!

~HAUNTED BRIDGE/ONCE A RAILROAD~

2010-10-06T16:38:00.018-06:00

~FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL~

I remember when I was little loving the first day of school. I loved to dress-up in new clothes, do my hair pretty, and see my friends. I loved using new school supplies...my crayons, pencils, and markers all for the first time! I simply loved the first day of school!

Now, as a mother, I dread the first day of school. If I could keep my children home with me--I would. I have considered home schooling on more than one occasion; however, each time I consider the possibility--I simply know it isn't the right choice for our family. There are lessons at school that I know that my children need to learn. The tough lessons. The ones that make a mother's heart ache. And maybe that is why I hate watching their little backs as they walk away... Maybe it is because I know that they will struggle... With that being said, I also know that with each struggle, they are becoming refined. Sometimes I wander as I send my kids off to school, if it is somewhat similar to how Heavenly Father feels as He sends us here. And just as I am sure our Father in Heaven hopes we are prepared for our life here on Earth, I too--pray that my children are ready for the lessons they will learn at school.

FOURTH GRADE

FIRST GRADE

2010-10-06T16:38:00.012-06:00

~Girls Camp~

After weeks of preparation, girls camp arrived! With excitement and anticipation we headed to our campsite. And so it began...a week full of laughter and tears. Laughter for all of the good times, and tears for the spirit which was felt. Between hiking and swimming in the day, and basking in the spirit at night--girls camp was definitely a success! I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be able to associate with these young women on a weekly basis--they truly are divine!

(Sara, Bre, Sister Dodds, Cheyenne, Hailee, Sydnee, Sister Miller, Carly, Sister Forsberg, & Brooke)
And so the week begins...

~Hike~

~Jumping Off the Rock at Popsicle Pond~

(From Back to Front--Sister Dodds, Sister Hilton, Carly, Sister Forsberg, Alili, Tiffany, Bishop Forsberg, Bre, Sarah, Cheyenne, Sister Nestler, Hailee, Brooke, & Sydney)
~Boat Races~

2010-10-06T16:37:00.005-06:00

FOURTH OF JULY
This year the Fourth of July landed on a Sunday, so we decided rather than celebrate elsewhere, we would have a celebration right at home. To prepare for our celebration, I bought Fourth of July streamers, hats, and crepe paper. When the "big" day finally arrived, we decorated our bikes and created our very own "bike parade"--complete with music. We rode through the neighborhood playing patriotic songs on our IPOD. (I think I was the only one that could hear the music...from my perspective, it added a nice touch.) Our kids wanted to invite the entire neighborhood, and so we began inviting... After a few stops, we agreed that we needed to continue on with our parade; however, the plans for next year have already begun... We agreed that next year we would invite the ENTIRE neighborhood, and we also agreed that next year we would play music that EVERYONE could hear! This year our neighborhood had the best bike parade ever! ...next year it will be even better!

Miller Family Reunion

2010-10-06T16:36:00.017-06:00

MILLER FAMILY REUNION
Every summer we cherish memories with the Miller Family! Words cannot describe the moments shared. Simply saying "boat races, game playing, swimming, and eating"...cannot provide justice for the amazing FUN had by all, nor can it describe the memories that will last a lifetime! We love our Family! We are so grateful for the time we share together! We are so blessed!

Somehow I have the reputation of loving "naps". As a joke, my mother-in-law bought me a special gift...to help me with my favorite past time.

2010-10-06T16:36:00.016-06:00

~PONDEROSA STATE PARK~
What is it about camping that brings you closer to God, and closer to those you are camping with...-the mountain air, the smell of pine trees,the beautiful landscape...? Whatever the answer--I love how camping touches my spirit! This year we went camping with some good friends to Ponderosa State Park. We had a fabulous time chatting around the campfire, making crafts with the kids, and swimming by the lake!

~KID CRAFT~

~BRIDGES, AMBER, and MAKAYLA played for hours in the sand and water! They had so much fun!~

~The girls had so much fun creating pictures with nature!~

2010-09-28T17:19:00.003-06:00

~ELKINGTON FAMILY REUNION & Birthday's!!!~

The last few days of our vacation were spent at my sister's cabin in Alpine, Wyoming for the first annual Elkington Family Reunion. We had so much fun playing games, eating cake (it was Easton's & Hailey's birthdays), and hiking through the wilderness! Every day families within the family took assignments of either cooking a fantastic meal, planning an outstanding activity, or preparing for a nightly devotional. We ate like kings and queens, and we played harder than ever! At the close of each day the devotionals added a perfect ending to a perfect day. From Silly Olympics to Outdoor Scavenger Hunts to Family Devotionals...memories were made that will last a lifetime! I am grateful to family traditions, and I am grateful to this new tradition on the Elkington side!

~Happy Birthday Hailey~

~Happy Birthday Easton and Hailey (same day)~

~Outdoor Scavengar Hunt~

~Pop Explosion~

2010-09-28T16:03:00.004-06:00

~JACKSON HOLE, TARGHEE, & BAR-T 5 Wagon Ride~

We spent our second day of vacation with some long time friends (Liz and Steven Dalley). We were able to visit Targhee National Forest. The mountains were majestic. It was raining, so we did not spend much time out of the cars, but the drive was worth the view!

After visiting Targhee, we spent the remainder of our time inside candy stores, or other various shops in Jackson. In the evening were able to go to the Bar-T 5 show. It was fantastic! We were able to ride in a wagon, eat good food, and listen to music! Better than that--my cousin, Chase Elkington, played a lead role in the program. My children thought they were related to a "star".

2010-09-28T15:13:00.004-06:00

~JUNE 9; YELLOWSTONE PARK~
We had a family reunion in Alpine, and decided to go to Yellowstone Park on the way. We had a fantastic time! The kids loved seeing the geysers, the animals, and the mud pots. Along with seeing amazingly breathtaking sights, we enjoyed holding hands as we walked along the boardwalks, talking and laughing at silly jokes, shaking with fright as a buffalo walked within feet of where we were standing, and laughing (...well, most of us were laughing) as we ran to seek shelter from a sudden down pour. Family bonding was had by all, and we were extremely sad to leave the park at the close of the day. We had no idea that we would need more time in the park... And so the plans are beginning... YELLOWSTONE NEXT YEAR!

~OLD FAITHFUL~

~Buffalo on OUR Boardwalk~

~Castle Geyser~

~TWO cute BOYS~

~Grotto Geyser~

~Morning Glory~
Morning Glory was a looooonnnnnngggggggg walk. However, it was one of my favorite sites.

~Seeking Shelter from a Sudden Down Pour~
The trees did not offer much as far as "protection" from the summer thunderstorm. The ranger was running through the park telling all the tourists to seek shelter back at the lodge (they were afraid of someone getting struck by lightening). As much as we wanted to seek shelter from the rain--the lodge was still quite a distance, and running with three kids all struggling to "want" to walk/run another step...takes longer than wanted.

~Yellowstone Lower Falls~

2010-09-27T15:07:00.001-06:00

~KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION~

Congratulations, AMBER!

2010-09-27T14:58:00.003-06:00

~OUR SOLAR SYSTEM~

Hailey performed two major roles in a school play. The play was all about our solar system. She played the roles of "Earth" and "Saturn's Rings". She did a fantastic job! It was so fun watching her perform with ease and confidence.

I loved watching her perform Earth! Throughout the entire performance she smiled from ear to ear, and presented herself with such amazing confidence! She was breathtaking!

2010-09-27T14:46:00.002-06:00

BALLET
Amber loves ballet! I don't think she loves ballet, because of ballet itself... I think the reason she loves ballet so much is because she loves the process of a ballet performance. She loves to dress-up, wear a "little" make-up, and perform in front of a big audience. She thinks the whole experience is thrilling! OH! ...and she loves that mom buys her flowers every year--it makes her feel special!

~Amber and Londyn~

2010-09-27T14:28:00.003-06:00

~FEATHERVILLE~
Last May we went to the cabin with the Forsberg's and the Pruett's. We had a great time riding four-wheelers, playing in the stream, and simply relaxing in the great outdoors. We are so grateful to be able to "getaway" once in a while.

~Amber, Cybil, Nick~

~Jake~

~Jake, Wesley, Jackson, & Nick~

2010-05-11T22:17:00.006-06:00

ELEVEN YEARS and counting...
On April 30, Bryan and I celebrated 11 years together! Words cannot describe how I feel about my husband. I love him more and more each and every day. I love the way he smiles at me. I love the sparkle in his captivating blue eyes. I love his constant patience, his ability to calm me in any storm, his loving guidance...I love everything about him...

I remember eleven years ago when Bryan and I were moments from being sealed for time and for all eternity, the sealer asked me if I was prepared for imperfections in my future husband. I remember feeling very mature as I answered in the affirmative. He then turned to Bryan and asked a similar question, which Bryan promptly answered in an overly exaggerated, shocked at even being asked such a question, sort of way...which, immediately brought laughter from all present, and definitely made me look bad:). Now eleven years later if I were to be asked that same question, my answer would reflect a tone closer to the answer Bryan gave (even though his answer was in jest). When I married him eleven years ago, I never dreamed I could love him as much as I do now, and I am positive that I will be even more surprised at my feelings ten years from now. I have never been so blessed as I am being married to my Bryan. Eleven years ago I was naive, and I think a bit clueless...now when I think I have somewhat of a clue (at least I hope), I am astounded at how blessed I am to have snagged such an amazing guy! WHEW.

IN CELEBRATION OF ELEVEN YEARS...WE WENT TO SUN VALLEY, IDAHO!!!

Bryan and I had so much fun goofing around on the ice. Sometimes we balanced rather well, but most of the time...

my fanny was becoming acquainted with the ice.

We also went roller blading...

...again, my fanny making introductions. (I totally deserved this fall, because I had just finished laughing at Bryan for "almost" falling.)

I almost ran over a snake while roller blading. It still makes my insides cringe if I imagine what would have happened, if it would have happened. Thank goodness squished a 'la snake was not on the menu!

We started roller blading just before mile marker #4, and Bryan turned to me and said, "if we make it to mile marker #7, we will have gone too far." We quickly promised each other to keep an eye out for the mile markers. Several good laughs latter, we remembered our promise, and we diligently began looking for the next mile marker. As the next mile marker came into view, we realized our folly (or our forgetfulness). We turned back at mile marker #8. All in all we roller bladed nearly nine miles. By the time we arrived at the car, we were exhausted, yet content. We had so much fun simply enjoying each other's company!

I am so grateful to my mother-in-law for her willingness to watch our kiddos, so that Bryan and I could enjoy a weekend celebrating the beginning of our family!

2010-05-11T16:22:00.002-06:00

~LIFE'S CLIMB~
Once upon a time, a family went on a hike. They hiked up a mountain with great determination. The parents encouraged the three children promising them great rewards if only they persevered to the top. Along the way they took breaks to reflect upon their progress...and there was much progress. After each break, the family set off again with renewed strength and encouragement. However, there were still times on this hike, when discouragement set in...and with each new wave of discouragement, the parents were sure to encourage. "Keep going", they would say, "keep it up--you are doing great! Don't give up. You are almost there! Believe in yourself. If you believe you can make it, you surely will!" And with each new word of encouragement the parents would lend a hand. One child held on the entire time, while another child only needed a hand during the tougher moments. The oldest child of the three only needed to hear that someone was there, and that someone believed she could do it! And when at last they had met their goal this family sat and reflected on their journey, and they knew that they had accomplished much, and the reward was sweet!
And thus it is with life. We are all on a hike. Sometimes our hike is difficult. Sometimes we feel we cannot continue. And in those moments of defeat our heavenly parents send another to lend a hand, or to shout words of encouragement. They do not and will not leave us stranded. And though the journey be hard, the effort is well worth it. For in the end, when we have climbed the climb, our Father in Heaven will say, "welcome home, thou good and faithful servant", and our joy will be complete, because we endured to the end, and we climbed that mountain!

We went to Featherville, and we went on a hike. One of my favorite country songs is about the effort of the climb. It relates life to the process of "the climb". All of us have our own mountains to climb, and if we endure...the reward is sweet!! Our climb was well worth the effort. The view from the top was exquisite, and we accomplished much!

2010-05-11T14:40:00.005-06:00

~I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE~
Eight Years ago I had the blessed opportunity to serve as 1st Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. One night while serving in my calling, two young women asked me if I would attend their weddings? I told these two sweet young girls that I would do anything I could to make it to their wedding..."if" they were to get married in the temple... On April 17, 2010, I fulfilled my promise to one of those two girls.

As I exited enterprise rental cars, I was a bit nervous to traverse LA alone. Thankfully, my friend, Beth Harrison, accompanied me most of the time. I was only alone on my return voyage...

My friend, Beth Harrison, and I at the LA Temple. Beth was the Young Women's President while I was serving as the 1st Counselor. She flew in from Seattle, Washington, while I flew in from Boise, Idaho. It was so fun to see her!

~LA Temple~
The wedding was absolutely beautiful. The spirit felt in the temple was amazing! My heart was full as I watched Jill being sealed to her husband for time and for all eternity. I have never been so touched at a sealing as I was at Jill's sealing. I have a testimony of temples! I know that if we are married in God's house, we will be sealed together as husband and wife forever! I am so grateful for this knowledge, and I feel so blessed to be sealed to my eternal companion, my best friend, the love of my life, my knight and shining armor...Bryan!

We went to Malibu Beach after the wedding, and before the reception. It was breathtakingly beautiful!

~Andrew, Me, & Jill at the Reception~
My recollection of my promise was a bit different from Jill's recollection. I remember feeling like I would try to make it to her wedding (if I could afford it, if it was at the temple, etc...); however, she remembered me saying I would be there...without a doubt! I was so glad I was able to go! Both Jill's mom and dad talked to me about my "promise", and how much it meant to Jill. I am so glad that I was able to fulfill what I hadn't realized to be a full-fledged promise. It was an amazing experience, and I loved being there!
...now that I am serving in the Young Women's once again as the Young Women's President, my husband has admonished me to be careful in what I say...I hope that all my young women know how much I love them, and how much I would love to attend their weddings...

2010-05-09T18:10:00.015-06:00

A Walk with the Savior continued...

Day 6~Crucifixion; 3 Days in Darkness

For our sixth day, we had another Jerusalem dinner, and spent the evening by candlelight reminiscing on what it meant to be in "darkness" for three days. There was a sense of awe and reverence in our home as we talked in whispers, and thought about our Savior.

Day 7~Jesus Burial and The Tomb (Easter Cookies...and some world traditions)

Day 8~Resurrection

We had an amazing week all centered on Christ! My kids wanted it to be Easter all over again! I have never had such an amazing experience as a family--our Holiday was truly centered on Christ. I (along with my kids) was sad to see it end. This whole week was made possible, because of ideas gleaned from good friends. I am so grateful to them. What a fun week!!

2010-05-09T16:52:00.008-06:00

SPRING BREAK Continues....Day 5~Betrayal of Jesus

(For the fifth day of our walk with the Savior, we talked about the importance of good friends, and what it must have felt like for Jesus to be betrayed by someone who was a trusted friend. We were able to spend the entire day in the company of good friends, and then that night we played Easter Bunny to a few unsuspecting friends...)

I am so blessed to have good friends in my life! One of my favorite country songs of all time is called "Angels Among Us" it depicts how each of us are sent "angels" to watch over us in our times of need. There was a time in my life when I felt immensely alone, and God sent an angel my way.
About eight years ago, Bryan received a job offer in Seattle, Washington as a tax accountant in a big firm. After much prayer, we knew that this was the path the Lord wanted us to take. We were both excited for his new job, and our new start in a big city. As the days became months, it became apparent that neither of us were prepared for what it meant to work at a "big" firm. One night just shortly after the birth of our second child, my feelings of loneliness seemed unbearable. I remember being awake at 2 am, rocking our daughter, and wondering when Bryan would be home from work. I remember turning to the Lord in prayer...asking for help, pleading for his loving hand to help still my loneliness.
It wasn't until years later that I realized that God had sent me an angel. She always said that I was her answer to prayer, but truly she was my answer on more than one occasion. I remember days when all I had to do was call her, and she would know I needed a friend. Several times she would come to my home, and nurture my family. I look back on this experience with gratitude. Gratitude for an amazing example, and gratitude for an angel in my life.
Looking back on my life...I had more than one "angel" during this particularly hard time, and I have had an "angel" in every stage of my life. God really does look out for us! He loves us immensely. He sends us friends to be angels--to answer our prayers in times of need! I am truly grateful for all the angels in my life (and I have many)!

During Spring Break, my "angel" friend, Amy, came to visit, so I rushed home from Idaho Falls, and it was well worth the effort, because we had the time of our lives...

~Jackson (Amy's second oldest), Devyn (Amy's oldest), Jake, Amber, Hailey, and Lexi (Amy's youngest) at the Zoo~

~Lexi, Jackson, Devyn, Amber, Jake, & Hailey~

~Living it Up at the Wing Center~

2010-05-07T11:18:00.011-06:00

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Elkington...Spring Break...Easter
During Spring Break we were able to drive to Idaho Falls, and visit Grandma and Grandpa Elkington. Spring Break also happened to be the week before Easter, so we were able to include grandma and grandpa in our Easter festivities. In our house, the week prior to Easter, is a week focused on the Savior. Each night serves a different focus of the Savior's life. While we were in Idaho Falls, we talked about the The Cleansing of the Temple, and The Last Supper. On Monday night after talking about The Cleansing of the Temple, we made grandma extra happy by helping her clean her house. Following our cleaning frenzy, we had a special activity of coloring Easter Eggs.

A WALK WITH THE SAVIOR:

DAY 1~Triumphal Entry
Day 2~Cleansing of the Temple (special activity...cleaning house...coloring Easter Eggs)

Day~3 The Last Supper

On Tuesday night, we talked about the Last Supper, and then reenacted a Jerusalem Dinner. The night prior to the dinner, my dad prepared smoked salmon, and my mom bought all the essential foods needed for an authentic Jerusalem dinner. The spirit was felt by all as we sat on the floor eating foods that the Savior would have eaten in His time. The whole experience made the Savior's life a bit more "real" for everyone involved.

Day~4 Gethsemane (Read "You are Priceless")
Just before we left grandma and grandpa's house, we talked about Gethsemane, and read a story that illustrated Christ's sacrifice on our behalf.

2010-03-19T10:59:00.003-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day; 2010

The excitement in the morning was tangible. My girls anxiously waited for Jacob to wake up, so they could go see the mischief of our crazy little Leprechaun. Did he come? Did he cause a raucous?

There was definitely no disappointment in our home! Their shoes were filled with treasures, and the house was turned upside down. In addition, their cereal was greeted with green milk. They absolutely loved it! The day started out absolutely blissful as all three children, dressed in green, ran out the door for the beginning of a perfect day.

...and they day continued in the same fashion with green macaroni and cheese

and a leprechaun hunt.

For the leprechaun hunt, my kids searched the house for clovers with numbers. When they found all of the clovers, they traded for different numbers. Some numbers were "lucky" and other numbers were "not so lucky". The funniest part of the game was when Amber got a two dollar bill, and she traded with Hailey, who got a quarter, because she wanted her money for the candy machines at the mall. Even after I explained to her that there were eight quarters in her two dollar bill...she wanted a tangible quarter--so funny!
~Thanks, Ange, for such a fun idea!~

Our day was full of fun; however, it was the ending of a sweet era in our home. At school, Hailey was told by a parent, that leprechaun's are not real. She didn't want to believe him, and although she was a bit heart sick, she held onto some hope. That night she opened her little heart of disappointment, and we confirmed her worries. As realization set in, she wrapped her sweet arms around her daddy and cried. She then started to ask about other traditions... (The tooth fairy is no longer mystical in our home either.) We stopped her at that, and told her to recall on how it felt to "believe". We reminded her of how fun it was, and we encouraged her not to ask about anything else until she was really ready. Although it was late, Hailey and I sat on the couch and talked into the night. We laughed at how much fun "mom leprechaun" had created. I was able to express to her how much love I have for her, and how I express it in the small and simple things that she never even realized--our talk was truly a bonding moment in our lives. And yet, I still can't help the lump in my throat. I want childhood to last forever. I love the simple faith of children. I love the surety in which they live their lives, and I don't want to see it leave. And although I am not angry with the parent who helped my little girl grow up, I feel renewed in my efforts to respect others and their traditions!

2010-03-19T10:19:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess

On March 2, it was Dr. Suess's 106th birthday, so we celebrated! We read "Green Eggs and Ham", and finished it off with a fabulous dinner inspired by the book! We all conferred with Sam-I-Am--we liked green eggs and ham!

Dr. Suess was amazing at articulating thoughts! Some of my favorite quotes by Dr. Suess are:

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

...and my favorite quote of all

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

2010-03-19T09:49:00.003-06:00

YMCA BASKETBALL
~SLICK BLACK~

Hailey participated in YMCA basketball again this year. It was so fun to see her grow and develop as a player. She was able to dribble with more control, shoot with more consistency, and defend her opponent. Her understanding of the game definitely increased as she was more aware of the whole court. Most importantly--she had a fabulous time!

~Taylor, Anna, Coach Hill, Kylee, Hailey H., Shae, Mattie, Hailey M., Emma, Madeline, & Brooks~

2010-03-18T23:21:00.005-06:00

Happy Third Birthday, Jacob!!!
Amber and Hailey are constantly asking me how Jacob got to be so cute! Day in and day out we find ourselves laughing at this little guy...his mannerisms, his expressions, his sweet personality brings us joy! One thing is definitely for sure--he has his mama wrapped around his finger!
Three Things WE LOVE ABOUT JACOB (this is hard...I need room for a bigger list):
~Your SMILE is CONTAGIOUS & you BRING LAUGHTER to our home DAILY!
~You are always trying so hard to do what is right! (I love that you always say that you are a "good boy", and I love that you believe that, because you are!)
~You have such an amazing spirit at such a young age. Wherever we go, you bring a smile to our faces as we listen to a constant stream of primary songs emanating from your sweet lips!

Jacob's birthday was on a Sunday, and we normally "go out" so our celebrations began on Saturday....lucky kid! Primo's was a perfect fit for Jacob!

~When I asked Jacob what he wanted to do for his birthday, he said he wanted to watch CARS, so after going to Primo's, we invited his buddy, Spencer, over to enjoy the movie...neither of them "watched" the movie, but his birthday wish was fulfilled.~

Sunday Celebrations:

After blowing out the candles, Jacob insisted on holding the "three candle" from his cake. I handed him the "three", and walked away. As I was serving cake and ice cream, Jake was definitely upset! At first I couldn't figure out what was wrong, and then I realized what he was saying...."yucky three". His mouth was full of wax--he had taken a bite of the candle thinking it was candy, and he was telling me that it was "yucky". I quickly cleaned out his mouth, and had a good laugh. I then handed him the candle for a second time for picture purposes, and he took another big bite from his "three candle". The poor kid had another mouth full of wax! After that, the experience was permanently affixed in his brain. For days after his birthday, he told everyone he saw about his "yucky three". Poor kid.

~Classic Eating by Jake~
My goal for his third year of life is to teach him a few manners.

2010-03-18T23:04:00.003-06:00

Precious Moments...

If you ever find yourself in our neighborhood, and just happen to stop by...nine times out of ten, you will see Amber dressed as a ballerina.

2010-03-18T22:32:00.004-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day

We have had so much FUN celebrating Valentine's Day! We started at the beginning of the month with a scripture/activity countdown. The month's activity focused on kindness and love. This is the second year we have done this activity, and I have absolutely loved it! It seems to cause all of us to reflect on what truly matters, and how we are behaving in our social relationships. Throughout the month we had several discussions on different situations pertaining to how we should be treating others. Along with getting in touch with our spiritual side, we played like crazy! We heart-attacked, door-bell ditched, left cookies with friends, and simply played! On Valentine's Day, we continued our "playing" with a few more activities, and not all of us wanted to participate...

This was the beginning of our Valentine's Hershey Kiss Treasure Hunt... Jake had just been awakened from a nap, and he was definitely not excited to be participating!

The end result seemed to cheer him a bit!

2010-02-08T23:34:00.019-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER!!!

When I think of Amber so many things run through my head, as those things filter in and out...I find that I am smiling. She is my ray of sunshine--she brings me great joy! I am so blessed to have this princess grace me as her mother.
In accordance with tradition, here are the SIX reasons we love you, AMBER BAMBER, so very much:
~Your smile brightens any room!
~You are always thinking of ways to make others happy! (...she comes home from school and reports on a daily basis how she has tried to make another feel special. She is very good at recognizing when someone needs a friend, and being that friend.)
~You are always trying to do what is right!
~You have an uncanny ability of making others laugh! (Where did that wit come from?)
~Just having you around brings great joy to our hearts!
(Amber and I have a tradition. I am not sure that either of us really realized we were creating a tradition, but somehow amidst the chaos of school, we created a tradition between the two of us. It's a tradition that doesn't happen every day. It is something that is not planned. It is actually a spontaneous tradition; however, it remains a tradition simply by how often it seems to occur, and when it does occur it makes my heart sing! So..., you may ask what this tradition could possibly be? Well, one day as Amber was running towards me, I spread my arms wide, and unknowingly signaled to Amber my deepest desire for a big hug, which she then telepathically knew that my open armed stance meant she should run and jump into my arms (which, she of course did), and then I spun her around and around with her cute little arms wrapped tightly around my neck, and her cute little legs squeezing me in the middle. Ever since that day of way back when...we have continued to do it! We both know each other's signals, and I am sure that we both look forward to our shared moments of delights! Moments that are signaled because of happiness, sadness, or simply by the need of a hug. For whatever reason that spurs on this tradition, I hope it keeps coming, because I know I will miss my little-armed-bear hug if or when it stops! And while it continues...my heart sings at the mother and daughter love we share!)
~You notice when you can make a difference, and you do it! When Jacob needs a friend, you step in. When Hailey needs a hug, you give her that! ...and because you do, you and Hailey share a special relationship! (I may profess that I do not want the two of you talking, and those professions are somewhat true, but I do have to say that it makes my heart happy to see the two of you talking, listening, and laughing together at night...it's the amount of time that you do it, that gets you into trouble:)

Our celebration for Amber's birthday started on Saturday, because her birthday was on a Sunday, and we had some items of "fun" on our list that involved miniature bowling and dinner!
Here we are bowling as a family:

...and dancing

...enjoying air hockey

...eating dinner at Applebee's

On Sunday, the celebration continued...

~Pictures Through the Years~

~Dressed in her New Ballet Clothes Ready to Blow~

~Six Candles on a Unfrosted Cake~
(Amber hates frosting!)

~Enjoying a game of Heart Hunt~

2010-02-08T23:34:00.008-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN!!!!
Bryan, I want you to know how much I love you, and appreciate you! You are truly my world! Everyday I am grateful that you are a part of my life. Sometimes I feel my happiness is too good to be true, but honestly you encompass that--thank you!!! I love you, sweetheart! Happy Birthday! And in accordance with tradition, here are 33 favorite memories/reasons I am totally head over heals for you:
1. Reason #1-Your Faith in Heavenly Father...your faith strengthens mine! You are a rock!
2. Memory #1-Library Dating...I am not sure how much studying was done in the library. :)
3. Reason#2-Your presence calms me...your touch when I am anxious, sad, frustrated...changes any mood to one of peace and tranquility. You are my calm in any storm.
4. Memory #2-I have to say that one of my favorite memories with you was the time you almost made me pee my pants. Not because I enjoyed the experience, but because it was the beginning of many good laughs with you by my side.
5. Reason #3-You are so patient! I love that you are patient! You are patient with everything and everyone. You are such an example to me of what I need to be.
6. Memory #3-I will never forget the many flirtatious grass fights in front of my apartment building before we were married. Who knew that grass could be romantic?
7. Reason #4-Your undying loyalty to Heavenly Father and family.
8. Memory #4-I will never cease to be grateful to your persistence while we were dating. You are my one and only. I am just grateful you allowed me the time to figure it out. I love you!!
9. Reason #5-Your smile, and your crystal clear blue eyes....whoooo! :) Let's admit it, I think you are hot, and you are all mine!!! I am so lucky!!!
10. Memory #5-Our first slow dance at Ricks College... :)
11. Reason #6-Your love! You love me! I know it! You treat me like a queen! I am so blessed to have you as my husband! Words cannot express my love and devotion.
12. Memory #6-Roller blading, skiing, playing....with you.
13. Reason #7-You are my best friend.
14. Memory #7-Getting Engaged!!!...even though I invited all of my long lost friends to what you were trying to make a "romantic getaway" :)...
15. Reason #8-I can talk to you about everything and anything.
16. Memory #8-Our Wedding Day. It was perfect. The temple. The family. The pictures. My heart was full, and it has remained that way for 11 years!
17. Reason #9-I am more in love with you now, than the day I married you.
18. Memory #9-Summer of the Prophets...almost stalking President Hinckley, meeting Elder Holland, and President Monson, eating outside President Hinckley's office window...we were so funny!!!
19. Reason #10-You are patient, and loving to me and the children.
20. Memory #10-Zion's National Park...camping, hiking, spending time together...
21. Reason #11-You are a kind, loving daddy. You are always trying to improve your relationship with our children. You truly care about them, and how they are doing. You inspire me to be a better mom.
22. Memory #11-Hailey's birth!
23. Reason #12-You were and are my best decision!
24. Memory #12-Texas...really poor and really happy.
25. Reason #13-You have always been worthy to hold the priesthood, and you have always used it in our home. Thank you for giving me blessings whenever I request them (which we both know it is often)!
26. Memory #13-Seattle & Amber's Birth!
27. Reason #14-I love listening to you pray. Your faith is unshakable.
28. Memory #14-Boise & Jacob's Birth!
29. Reason #15-You sacrifice so much for our family. You work so hard to provide for us, so that I can stay at home with the kiddos. Busy seasons are hard for me, because I see how tired you are, and I miss you....and yet, you do everything in your power to come home to me whenever possible. I love that work is a means to provide, but not your whole life.
30. Memory #15-Celebrating our 10th Anniversary in Sun Valley. I had the time of my life ice skating, riding bikes, and shopping in the quaint little shops. Sometimes it is hard to find some one on one time with so many cute little munchkins running around...Sun Valley was an amazing getaway with my best friend!
31. Reason #16-Your testimony. From the very first moment I saw you bearing your testimony of the Gospel, I have been smitten. You have such strength in your love of the Lord, and it makes me love you all the more. I feel peace and tranquility in knowing that you seek after the Lord and the Gospel principles. I feel a strength in knowing that you can offer us a priesthood blessing at any moment. I know I am blessed because you are a worthy priesthood holder. So much of my happiness hinges on this reality. I love you for being true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
32. Memory #16-You sending me to France, taking a week off of work to watch the kids, and waiting up late to skype me while I was gallivanting in Europe! What an experience! I will never cease to be grateful to you for your thoughtfulness on my behalf. Here is another example of you thinking of other's first. My mind cannot comprehend the joy I feel at your sacrifice for me. I am utterly amazed at your thoughtfulness and generosity. You treat me like a queen, and because you do, I feel like one. Thank you! I love you!
33. Reason #17-I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL!!!

2010-02-08T23:33:00.004-07:00

Primary Valentine's Dance
The night of the Primary Valentine's Dance arrived, and our sweet children dressed and primped for the occasion. Hailey and Amber glittered their faces, and donned their princess crowns. All three children were thrilled at the prospects of a "Ball", and they were not disappointed! We had so much fun dancing the night away--there wasn't a dull moment. From swinging with daddy, to dancing the Hokey Pokey with mom, a magical memory was created!

~Jake Demonstrating Dancing Skills~