...a getaway with {SISTERS}

 

Machelle, Nicole, Dad, Jodie, Paige, Brigette & Kristy

Park City~2013

 

We had the best time on our annual Park City getaway!  Paige flew out from New York and it felt so great to all be together.  Dad, in true fashion, came up to treat us to dinner at Ruby's Tuesday.  He requested our usual corner booth and we got the royal treatment.  The manager had remembered us from previous years and thought it was awesome that we kept the tradition of going there and joked that my dad was super lucky to have six beautiful dates!  They gave us free dessert and promised to see us next year! 

 

I adore my sisters!  I truly feel so blessed to have been raised by parents who taught us to cherish our relationships with one another.   We love to laugh about the days when we would fight over clothes, bathrooms space, or other trivial things.  We spend a lot of time reminiscing about the fun we had growing up and how the older three took care of us three babies!  I think that is why we are so close.  Our lives were intertwined and we supported each other in everything each other did.  We still do....

 

While in Park City, we always hit the outlets to do some Christmas shopping.  We enjoy that part of the trip because it is fun to do it together and find great deals, but our favorite time in Park City is our time talking, sharing, laughing, singing, and goofing around!  We shed tears as we remember Mom and her legacy.  It is a blast and I look forward to it every year!  Thanks mom for starting this tradition long ago and for looking down on us as we continue to cherish one another! 

{DISCOVERING} new things....

The kids and I just recently headed downtown with our dear friends to the children's museum.  It was so fun to play with Heather, Parker, Mitzi, Carter, and Kaylee.  Ethan and Nyah were a little devastated to leave our first day there, but we returned the next week and stayed for 4 hours!  It was a treasure to watch them have so much fun and spend time with amazing friends! 

 

 Ethan pumping gas into his cool red car!  Everything here is so life-like and the kids were amazed!

 Nyah and Kaylee loved playing in the grocery store!  I think Nyah could have lived there sorting and helping customers!

 Ethan enjoyed playing at the HUGE water table.  Levers, ramps, and all sorts of gadgets were at his fingertips!

 Ethan and his good friend Carter played construction crew!  They were hilarious as they shouted out orders while "at work!"

 Kaylee and Nyah checking out the life-flight rescue helicopter!  They took turns taking care of patients....

 Little Parker was so sweet and fun to watch!  He was ready to go checking in patients to the emergency room!

 The "hospital staff" bringing a patient to the rescue helicopter!

 Pilot Carter and Co-Pilot Ethan touching down on the helicopter pad!

 We returned the next week for more fun!  Nyah wanted to go straight to the grocery store!

 Ethan and Nyah building together....

 Parker was so cute playing the mailman! 

 Nyah came out to check the mail....

 Ethan had fun taking care of his customers!

Nyah hosted a lovely meal for another little one she met while playing.  She loves to take care of others.

 Ethan back working in the emergency room.  This was definitely his favorite part of the museum!

Nyah took a moment to play the piano.  Oh,...how I hope she loves piano as much as her mommy!

...these fine {WOMEN}

I feel very lucky to have these wonderful women in my life....MY SISTERS!  They each carry qualities that remind me of my sweet mom and I'm so grateful for each of them.  I couldn't ask for better sisters, aunts to my children, and best friends!  I am so looking forward to our Park City getaway this month!  Paige is flying out from New York and I am so excited to see her! 

I miss mom everyday,...but thankfully each one of these fine women keep her legacy shining.....

I see MOM in....
Machelle because she is a woman of FAITH!  Machelle is a rock and never waivers from the most important things to her in this life;  her family, her faith, her relationship with her Savior, and her role as a mother!  For Machelle, family is EVERYTHING and so was it for our Mom.

 

I see MOM in.....

Paige because she is utterly SELF-LESS like mom was.  Paige gives so much to her family and finds JOY in serving and loving her husband and children without complaint.  Such profound quiet strength!  Mom was the same way!

 

I see MOM in.....
Kristy because she is COMPASSIONATE and ever forgiving!  Kristy would give those around her anything she possessed if she saw a need.  She LOVES to LOVE her family and dedicates so much of her daily life to all of us.  She is also the only one we would trust to make Mom's special Christmas stockings and take care of our Dad!

 

I see MOM in....

Nicole because she makes everything BEAUTIFUL around her.  Nicole is the master planner, decorator, and hostess.  Her hospitality and attention to detail mirrors what Mom did so effortlessly!  Nicole takes care of everyone and is a huge TIE among us which brings me comfort!

 

I see Mom in....

Jodie because she is STRONG and gracefully handles everyday life with an attitude of gratitude and playfulness.  She never complains but instead makes each day important and doesn't waste moments planning for that rainy day,...but instead puts into action the desires of her heart! 

we love.....General {CONFERENCE}

It has become one of our most favorite traditions as a family,...to be together all of general conference weekend and listen to the leaders of our church.  Truthfully, it is a time for Marty and I to get much needed answers and guidance for ourselves and especially in parenting!   For Ethan and Nyah, it is a time for them to grow their testimony of our Savior, listen to the prophet, and feel the spirit.  It is awesome!

Ethan and Nyah love it and I think that comes from the fact that from the time they were born we would dedicate our whole weekend and watch every session together as a family.  That is a lot to ask of little ones but we've been AMAZED at their ability to do it with a little planning. 

I spent some time going online finding games, activities, and attention getters for them so they would look forward to it and ultimately enjoy the time.  It has worked out really well for us and we feel grateful for this tradition we have in place.  

 Our general conference board!  Nyah and our neighbor decided to make a giant nest on our old one (my silly mess-maker!)  so we had to make a new one this year!  I'm actually kind of glad because I think it looked much better and I laminated the pieces this time which will help it last longer!

 Getting ready!  We "unveil" the conference board and the kids get to see what treats, snacks, and games/activities they will get to do when the different speakers give their talk.  So fun!  I can't take credit for this wonderful idea.  It was one I found online and it has made all the difference.

 Daddy takes lots of notes!  So Ethan decided he needed to as well.  Love these boys!

 Nyah loves the packets and coloring pages!  She is in love with coloring these days so that helps!  Ethan,...not so much! 

This was a cute moment I had to capture.  Ethan is all boy and loves his dress-up armor.  So when the very first talk was about the ARMOR OF GOD,...he squealed with excitement and had to find his gear.  He then decided to "write" about it in his notes.  Takes my breath away when this little boy shows his conviction in the gospel.

 

Our children are still little and we have the luxury of being able to carve out the entire weekend without having to juggle other commitments like sports or other things.  Who knows how that will work out in the years to come.  I sincerely hope that our children will always be excited to hear the prophets voice and be willing to make it a priority... always. 

{JUST} because.....

Marty is very generous with his affection and oftentimes he will find ways to show his appreciation and love for me.  He made a run to Sam's Club with the kids the other day and they brought me home these beautiful flowers.  These kind of moments are a treasure to me because it means he was thinking about me and that I matter to him.  Heaven knows that we live a busy schedule and sometimes feel like we rarely get to spend more than ten uninterrupted minutes with each other.  Even if that is the case, Marty always finds a way to reconnect and make our little family his top priority.

Recently, I was thinking about everything that Marty has been taking on in order to bless our family and it really opened my eyes to the real sacrifices he makes JUST BECAUSE he loves us so much.  He needs to know that we notice and admire all that he does for us! So I asked the kids to tell me what they see Daddy doing for them and then I pondered the question as well.  Here is what we came up with......

• He wakes up @ 4:30 a.m. to work out because he wants to be healthy and continue to lose weight.  He has lost 21 lbs in the last month!
• He kisses each one of us before he leaves for work (while we are still asleep) and tells us he loves us.
• He works very hard in his profession to support our family and provide for everything we need.
• He lovingly sends back replies when Ethan texts him through the day wanting to check in with his daddy.
• He praises our children and finds creative ways to teach them, discipline them, and mold them into good, responsible little ones!
• He supports his students and will attend events that they are participating in when he can.  We often go with him and the kids love it!
• He continues to work on his professional development at work so that he can continue to grow and touch the lives of the youth.  He is currently working on two major projects.
• He leads us in family prayer and scripture study everyday and helps us make it a priority.
• He sings to the Ethan and Nyah all the time and they love cuddling up with him.
• He expands his talents and is currently cast in the production of Scrooge: a Christmas Carol set to be performed after Thanksgiving up until Christmas.  Ethan and Nyah LOVE watching him practice and know all of his lines and songs!
• He volunteer coaches for Ethan's wrestling team because he has a passion for it but more so because he wants to spend quality time with Ethan. 
• He tells Nyah she is beautiful everyday because it is so important to him that she knows she if valued, important, and will never have to seek esteem from the world if she knows that he AND her Father in Heaven love her!
• He plans fun activities and outings for us as a family.
• He takes Ethan & Nyah on daddy-daughter and father-son dates,...even if it is to the store. 
• He writes in our family journal often and records fun and important things that we would all like to remember.
• He helps the twins learn the importance of work and is good to reward them after the task is done!
• He loves to serve friends and neighbors whenever he can. If he knows there is a need,  he loves to help anyone out!
• He worked an extra job this summer so we could be better prepared financially for adoptions costs.
• He plays and plays with the kids, with the cousins, and with the neighbor kids.  He isn't afraid to be goofy and get down on their level!
• .....and probably one of the most important,....He forsakes much of what the world offers so he can remain worthy of the priesthood thus blessing our family and those he serves.   

Marty playing with all the kids at Ethan & Nyah's 6th birthday party!  Forget the piñata,...they wanted to play with him!

...all {GROWN} up!

These two cutie pies never cease to amaze me.  Recently their vocabulary is blowing me away and I have been shocked at some of the phrases they use.  Do most 6 year olds say these things?

Ethan: 

 "...speaking of which..."

"That was not appropriate!"

"Jesus loves me because he was crucified and resurrected."

"mom,..you can trust me!"

"I'm just curious."

"I'm just so frustrated!"

"Man your stations,..."

"Ah,..coconuts!"
"Of course!"

 

Nyah:

"...apparently...."

"mom I want to make a sculpture!"

"I will clean my room but I have to go potty beforehand!"

"Is that in our budget?"

"Suppose we....."

"Not to mention...."

"I think I need to ponder that.."

"I am grateful for..."
"..I'm contagious!"

 



 

An {ANNIVERSARY} to remember...

 

It was my turn this year to plan our anniversary.  Marty and I never tell each other what we are planning.  It makes it super fun and each year we try to come up with something unique.  This year we were going to be on vacation with my family up at Snowbird when our anniversary hit so I used our beautiful surroundings to kick it off and then finished it later that weekend in our hometown. 

I presented Marty with a "playbill" (like the kind you get when you go to musical theatre) that outlined what we were doing.   I planned our celebration around a mystery theme so much of what we did had to do with clues and mystery destinations.  Our last destination was to a local movie theatre and the movie itself  had a mystery plot.  

  Here was the clue Marty had to solve!  He had to figure out where we were exactly going and what we were doing before we could leave dinner.  It was fun to watch him figure it out!

Clue: 

You've been HERE before, You've SEEN  many thrills

A FUN time you'll have, now SHOW me your skills

Don't let your mind REEL, there is no need to worry

And yet solve this fast,..you may need to hurry

Your MAIN destination is just part the design

When you arrive you will see,... and fall into LINE

DRAMATiC  is your love, SUSPENSE is your fate

after solving this clue for me,...another mystery awaits  

(the movie was...Now You See Me and luckily he figured it out)