Happy Birthday, Jaden

It's hard to believe that our little Jaden is three years old already. He has been so excited for his birthday to come. It was so much fun to have his other grandparents come and visit. We love Larry and Charlene and always enjoy our visits with them.

Amber told me that Jaden wanted a bicycle helmet for his birthday. I was worried about the size since large heads seem to run in our family. Before we took the helmet out of it's packaging, I wanted him to try it on. This photo of him says it all.....

Amber said that he even wanted to wear it during his nap today.

He has been practicing the birthday song and sang nearly every word. He also has been so excited about blowing out his candles.

He loved all his presents.

Being Grandma

Saturday night I spent the evening at Amber's house, watching the boys while Amber and Jason went skiing with Greg. We had a good time. I don't know how Amber does it!! Was I that busy when my kids were little.......????

Brigham was the first one ready to go to bed. Boy did he get tired fast. I got him ready for bed and he wanted his bottle, right now!!! He let me know he was frustrated with my slowness at getting it for him.

Brigham was asleep probably about 5 minutes after this photo was taken.

Brighton was another story..... He didn't want to go to bed and wanted to play with his brother. Jaden was watching tv so I let Brighton join him. They had lots of loves and kisses while they were together. Jaden has really settled into the joy of being a big brother now. He is so cute. He calls the babies "brothers".

Jaden wanted me to take some photos of him in his room. Amber and Jason have fixed up both of the boys' bedrooms. They are just adorable rooms.

I had my flash off the camera. He wanted to get close to it and see if "go off".

A special time together

Greg and I love traveling out in nature and spending time together. It's a lucky thing we both enjoy this because there are so many glorious places close to home. Probably our favorite area is Grand Teton National Park. We got some snowshoes for Christmas this year and today we decided to try them out in Teton Park. I was hoping for some winter photos of the mountains, but they were all socked in with fog. But the sun came out in the valley for a while and we had a nice hike.

It is fairly warm, so we left Zoey in her kennel in the car. She was happy to see us when we got back, and we were happy to see her.

Visiting Teaching Convention

I am so happy this morning. The Visiting Teaching Convention went great. We had around 40 people there. The food was fantastic and the program was very nice. All the sisters seemed to have a great time visiting and bonding with each other. Reuel Smith came over to set up the tables for us. He was so inspired. He put 8 tables in a square with two on each side. Then he put the chairs around the outside. It seemed like we were sitting in a big circle. You could see every person there as we ate. It seemed like the ladies of the ward were really becoming a unified group. Forming a new ward is an interesting experience. It's great when there is a feeling among the group that they want to make it a great ward and learn to love and help each other. My calling is hard for me because of my shyness, but is so rewarding. I'm grateful for this opportunity to learn to love so many of my neighbors.

Busy Week

It's been a very busy week for me with lots of Relief Society activities going on. Tonight is our Visiting Teaching Convention. It's the first time we've had a social like this, so I have no idea what our turnout will be like. We have some serious illnesses in our ward so I have been sad and worried.

I've got things ready for tonight and thought I would take a few moments to post here as a little stress reliever. I've been working on learning a new skill this week. I have seen some photos that have the grunge look to them, so I set out on a quest to learn how. Here are my first results. There are lots of possibilities, so I am excited to play around more.

Visiting Ronda

It has been a lot of years since I went to Utah and stayed with my sister, Ronda. We used to stay with her a lot, but then Amber married and lived in Utah, so we always stayed with her. It was fun to be able to visit Ronda and stay at her beautiful home again. Ronda's home is like a little bit of heaven. Everything is beautiful and always so clean and orderly. But it is the Spirit that I feel there that makes it most special. The other night when we were there, I wasn't feeling well, so I rested while everyone went to the movie. You know it is a welcoming place when you can feel totally comfortable in a situation like that. Of course, I had Sophie and Cinder to keep me company.
Ronda's newly remodeled kitchen is glorious. I think her travertine floor is the most beautiful floor I have ever seen.

Everyone should have a sister as wonderful as I do!! Ronda is so wonderful that she has a daughter who adoped her as a mom!! :)

How blessed I am!!

I just had the opportunity to spend two wonderful days with my four beautiful daughters. What joy they have brought into my life. It's so fun watching them as they are all adults now. Their accomplishments, kindness, and character make me feel like I am the most blessed woman in the world. How grateful I am to have them in my life. They teach me so much, and share so much love with me. I adore each and every one of them. Being a mother is the greatest job in the world.

30 Valentine's Days Together

Hard to believe that our first Valentine's Day together was 30 years ago. He is more handsome now and I love him more than ever. He has sent me flowers on Valentine's Day every year that I can remember. Here are the ones I got today.

Oldies But Goodies

The other day Jaden came to play for a while. I went to the toy storage area and pulled out the Party Kitchen. This was a toy that Heather and Melissa loved when they were little. Jaden liked it, too. He also likes playing Melissa's old recorder.

It's fun to recycle and reuse these old toys.

Happy Birthday, Harlee

Turning one is a pretty big milestone. We'll always remember what day the Rexburg Temple was dedicated because it was on Harlee's first birthday. After the dedication broadcast we went to Beau's parents house for Harlee's party. Thank you Margaret and Jerry for letting us enjoy the evening with you!

Opening the presents was fun for Harlee and her cousins.

Greg dutifully takes care of Harlee's new baby!!

Why is everyone looking at me and singing?

Harlee still isn't sure what is going on.....

Maybe a little cake and ice cream will help....

How we love you little Miss Harlee.

Snow Day

I woke up at 5:30 and Greg was still home. He told me that he got ready for work, then called and found out that all roads to the INL were closed and work was cancelled for the day. I still went to work for a while. But when I got home we decided to have a "Special Day" with Jaden.

We took him to Leo's place for lunch and he had a great time on the little rides they have there.

After lunch we came home and Jaden tried to "rest" without much luck. His grandpa was on the roof shoveling off the snow. So Jaden had to go out and have a little snow fight with Grandpa. It was a great afternoon for us.

We didn't bring Jaden's snow clothes with us, so he was stuck wearing some of my pink gloves.

Being grandparents sure is fun!!

Wild Winter Days

We've been getting snow like crazy. On Tuesday night we got 9 inches and there are a couple more inches of new snow this morning. I know we are in the middle of a drought, so I guess I better not complain. But, it does make life more difficult. Greg loves it. I think he loves to use his snowblower almost more than anything. I think he is crazy, but it is nice for me because I don't have to do the snow very often. I did have to clear out the 9 inches yesterday morning.

Amber sent me a link to http://www.hinckleychallenge.com/. It's a website where you can sign up to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days in honor of President Hinckley's 97 years of life. I decided to join in. Hope you will consider it, too!! It's a nice reminder of the blessings that came to us as we accepted his challenge a few years ago to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.

I've also been taking some birthday photos for Harlee and Jaden. Harlee's birthday is this Sunday, so I will post a few of her birthday portraits today. I'll save Jaden's until his birthday comes in a couple of weeks. I've got more of Harlee to work on...... What fun for me!! She is such a joy to us.

Hooray!!! Baby Barbo

What a great day!!! We just found out that Jenny and Mike are going to have a baby. The due date is September 12.

First photo

A Time of Gratitude

Last Sunday we heard that our beloved prophet, President Hinckley, had died. I have spent a lot of time this week thinking about how grateful I am for his life of service. I can't think of anyone in recent times who has given more for the church. He isn't the only one who inspires me. As I get to serve as Relief Society President in my ward I am so inspired by all the service I see people in the ward doing. It's a real testimony builder to me to see how wonderful and unselfish some people are as they really live the gospel. I have this calling so that I can learn from these wonderful people.

I can't have a new post without a photo of one of the grandkids. We watched Harlee again last night for a while. Her sweet little personality reminds me so much of Heather at that age.

Winter is getting very old. I find myself dreaming of spring nearly every day. Yesterday we made reservations for a couple of trips which helps the cabin fever. We got our reservations for our annual Redfish Lake trip.

Then we got reservations to take a trip with Brenda and Steve to Arches. We will take the motorcycles there (we'll tow them there, not ride them from Idaho Falls) and camp in Arches. It should be a great trip. I love Arches and Canyonlands. The beauty there is beyond description. Here is a photo from our 2005 trip there.