I need fresh workout music!

There's nothing worse than trying to run on tired music. Will ya'll please make a comment with song titles that you enjoy working out to? Fast paced, motivating, you know the kind. Thanks so much. My old school 90s stuff is killing me! :)

Brothers - Post Church

I cracked up at the boys Sunday - running around the house five minutes after walking in the door from church in underpants and black socks. They are so funny.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Who ordered Salad?!

Ty did - when he was putting away a costco vegetable tray and Luke jumped on him from behind. Who knew veggies and ranch dip could fly in so many directons?! Notice dip on top of the ovens, on the cupboards over the stove and all the way over to the sink! We both just stood their stunned and took it all in... And after we cleaned it all up, we came across a loan tomoato who had rolled down the hall towards the kids' rooms. Funny - kind-of.

A grey, wet and windy week

This week has been unusual weather-wise. It has been cloudy and rainy almost all day everyday. I am having flashbacks to living in Seattle - and honestly I don't know how I did it. When I wake up to cold and grey I want to stay inside in my warm, comfortable clothes and frankly, eat good, warm food (like hot cocoa or the chocolate chip cookies I made today!). It is fun to have this weather because I know it won't last and we get it so rarely - but I took pictures of how dark the house has been mid-day and of the yard. Our pool is really full! And all of the grassy areas in the neighborhood have become lakes.







Maybe tonight Ty and I should take the kids out for a memorable night of playing in the swamplands.

Two in glasses

It's been a long time coming for Luke to wear these glasses. We've been working at it for a few months and finally found some that he likes and that work properly. Ashley has been in her glasses for years and wears them without any problems. I think both of them look darling.

And by the way, I've learned a lot over the last few years about kids and glasses, so if you're ever in a position where one of your kids need them, call me - I can share a lot of thoughts!!

Jakey sets the table

Jakey set the table last week and did such a great job! We were so impressed with the way he gave each child matching placemats and cups. He also remembered napkins and silverware and put water in the glasses for us! What a great helper. Thanks Jakey!

MLK Jr. day

I realized Saturday that the kids didn't have school Monday. We woke up to rain and wind and so I decided to make it a really chill day. We stayed in our pjs until noon and I pulled out some painting projects for them. All of us need days like this once in a while. I took them for lunch at Barros pizza - and we missed Tyler a lot when we saw some of the daddies that were lucky enough to be home too that day. Tyler is such a hard worker! I talked to the kids a little bit about who Martin Luther King Jr. was and what our country has been through in regards to civil rights. Luke added to the conversation by stating that "whenever I see a black man with a tatoo that means he is strong."





I love all the treasures that the kids painted for me. Especially the flower pot that Ashley said I could put in the window and the big red heart that I found tucked under my pillow that night. An early Valentine from Luke. They are so sweet.

Saturday at the park

We went to Tumbleweed park on Saturday - got lunch at Wendy's and Del Taco (Luke now LOVES "crunchy beef tacos", thanks mom) and spent a couple hours riding bikes, climbing rocks and throwing the aerobie. The weather was cool but nice. We came home to watch the Cardinals get whopped in the playoffs. It was great to have a leisurely day together as a family.

Maddie, I need you!

January is a re-group month for me. After being away from the house for two weeks for Christmas, I come home and notice things that I beforehand couldn't see. I can even smell the smell of our home after being away that long, when normally I can't smell that... you know what I'm saying. Anyway, in putting away new Christmas gifts, suitcases full of clothes, etc I get really motivated to organize and clean out. So that's what I've been up to. I completely gutted and organized our master closet the first full day back. Then I did our bathroom. I've moved room by room through the house, to the laundryroom, on toward the kitchen. This morning while Jake's playgroup was here playing I went through all the toys and pulled out everything the kids don't play with anymore. I'll store that stuff for future little ones. Anyway, it is fun work, but it does make me miss my sister who is the queen of cleaning out, the master of organization... Maddie, this activities closet is on my list for tomorrow. Wish you were here!

The Church's Humanitarian Center

Steve took us to tour the Humanitarian Center one day. Wow! That is the best thing to do if you need a pick me up one day! They showed us all around; where all the thousands of pounds of DI donated clothing go, how they sort the clothes and make some into really warm blankets; how they make hygiene, newborn, cleaning, and school kits to send to the masses in needy areas around the world; where they have volunteers tie quilts to send to families in need of warmth; and they showed us a video of all the good that the church has done to serve people in so many nations over the years! Before we left we asked what we could do to help and they let the kids put together as many hygeine kits as we wanted. I kept asking them if they were done yet and they'd say "not yet!" They felt the spirit of service. I was thankful for that opportunity.

Precious Moments

Before our trip the kids all had coughs so we put them in Ashley's room to sleep together with the Humidifier. When we got home everyone wanted to sleep together again for a few nights, it was cute.

Filling a mug with a gallon worth of fun

Sweet baby Abby was blessied on the Sunday after Christmas. The whole family was there and it was a special event. Also special was that we were able to hold still and capture a good looking group picture! "It's a miracle!"

On Sunday night we got together with the Robbins family (Katie's) and went to Salt Lake to see the lights at Temple Square. It was a chilly 17 degrees that night so we made the walk brisk but it was beautiful. Always neat to be near the temple that Tyler and I were married in.




My aunt Kristin and her kids usually come to Utah for New Year's. It is a treat to see them. My kids consider Mikey one of their best cousins, it is so good with them. So it was fun to do lunch, go to the Planetarium and play in the snow with him.




New Years Eve was the usual fun - games and food at my mom's house. One of the highlights ended up being the Michael Jackson video's countdown that we watched throughout the night.



And then it was good-bye. A last snuggle with Paige and a final shot with Ash before shutting the door and heading back to Arizona. "To AZ OR BUST" I wrote in the dirt on the back of the van.... I'm so classy.