A Perfect Saturday

Yesterday we got had the wonderful opportunity to go snow shoeing in Grand Teton National Park. It takes us about 2 hours (in good conditions to get there). As we started to get into the high country the sites got prettier and prettier. The mountains ahead looked to pretty with their dusting of new snow, I just had to take a photo through the windshield as my Greg was driving.

It didn't take long for the roads to get pretty bad but the scenery kept getting better and better.

Looking through the side window at the trees was a treat.

A friendly moose welcomed us as the visitor's center.

Starting up the Taggart Lake trail you pass over a bridge. You can hear the stream under the snow, but can't see much water. The "Grand" encourages you to keep trudging on.

Once you get over the ridge, the view is amazing. I doubt if there could be another snowshoe trail any more amazing than this one is. Sorry about the deep blue sky. I had my polarizer dialed in a bit strong.

You have to stop often to admire the scenery.

Taking a little break at the destination is always nice.... Hard to believe there is a lake under there.

Once we were finished we got to enjoy a beautiful sunset. I've never seen such golden highlights on the mountains.

I guess it's time to get back to my blog. I have been so negligent. It's such a cold, windy, and nasty day, it seems like a good time to post something. Now that the holiday rush is over, I am going to start doing Special Days again. It's easiest for me to remember if I go from youngest to oldest, so today was Jaycie's turn. We just ran errands and went out to lunch, but she was such a trooper. Her strong will and determination crack me up. She reminds me so much of Melissa at that age. You can't talk her into anything. It has to be her idea. We went to TJ Max. I was looking for a few different items and Jaycie was very patient. Then we went to the children's section. We found a little princess game for a few dollars and she wanted that for her special day treat. Then I saw some coats that were on sale for $10. I tried to get her to try on a coat. I thought that for that inexpensive price, if we could find one that was cute and would fit her, I would pick it up. She would not hear of it. I tried to tell her that even if we found a coat to buy, she could still have the princess game, but no all she could say was, "Maybe next year." Oh well, they probably weren't that cute anyway!! Then it was off to Chick Fil A for lunch.

I didn't realize that they have a little playground in there. It is only for children 3 and under so I definitely won't be taking the older kids there. But Jaycie loved it!!

She went up into the little car in the ceiling and wouldn't come down!! I was afraid I was going to have to climb up there and make her come down. But when I told her I was leaving, she finally came down and even gave me what she called a "smooch".

The rest of the toys were a big hit!!

The funhouse type mirror was something she really got a kick out of....

The following photo reminded me of my potty training disaster experience with Jaden several years ago. Jaycie is currently in that stage and it made me a little nervous.

Get ready Jade!! You are next!!!

I am so blessed

Wonderful Easter Weekend

We had such a good weekend. On Saturday we needed to pick up something at the Hall’s house and we got there just in time to see the girls finishing up their Easter eggs.

Jaycie was having fun throwing the eggs after they were finished!!

That night we got to see Harlee perform in her dance recital. She was so focused on watching her teacher and doing everything just right!!

After Easter Dinner on Sunday, all the kids played baseball. It was so heavenly sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful weather and the family!!

What a great weekend.

Feeling Very Grateful....

It's a gloomy, drizzly day. It's one of those depressing kind of days. But, as I was driving to work today I kept thinking how grateful I am for a normal, quiet kind of day. I bet that there are millions of people in Japan who would love to have a normal day. I don't think I will be complaining about the weather anytime soon.

I went to the grocery store and felt so grateful to be able to buy whatever I wanted, after seeing the video clips of stores in Japan with emply shelves. I feel very grateful for all the little things today.

26 great years!!

Twenty six years ago was a red letter day in my life!! Our precious Heather was born. She has always brought us so much joy. Now it is fun watching her as a mother. Hope she feels how much everyone loves her today.

Maybe we had a little TOO much fun!!

Today Amber spoke in Sacrament Meeting in her ward. She did a fabulous job!! I was hoping to stay and hear Jenny give her Relief Society lesson. But, Brighton was sick and it didn't seem too wise to send him to Primary to expose the other kids. Amber needs a chance to get out of the house more than I do, so I volunteered to take Brighton home with me so Amber could stay for Relief Society and Sunday School.

Now I have always had the theory that if a child gets to miss church, it shouldn't be too much fun for him/her at home. But, it is Valentine's Day tomorrow so Brighton and I just HAD to make some Valentine's cookies.

He had fun making the cookies. I let him help me smooth out the flour on the cutting board, which was a pretty big mess. He loved that. Then when I let him help me do the dishes and play in the water it was getting even more fun.

You can see by the droopy eyes that he wasn't feeling too well.





Then I had a memory of a LONG time ago. I remembered a day when I was helping Grandma Dorothy do the dishes and she let me blow bubbles in the sink using a drinking straw. I always vowed that I would do that as a Grandma someday. I don't think I ever let my own kids do it......mom's are like that I guess.

That may have been a bit over the top for too much fun while missing church!!