Here, here, or here

If you need me and can't find me, I will be here......

 Here.......

 Or here.

Christmas lights

I love Christmas lights.  I could go every night leading up to Christmas and walk through displays with a hot chocolate.  For years, the kids and I have had a light night every week for just that, walking through all the displays.  As the kids get older, some traditions have to change a little, and as much as I hate this, I'm grateful for these kids and that they will still humor me even if it is just for 30 minutes, because that is all the time they have right now with school and sports.  At least I get their  only free 30 minutes. 

It's been a year

Tonight we went to my mom's grave.  One year. The cliche saying, "where does the time go" never has meant so much more to me then it does right now. I can't believe my mom has been gone for one whole year. One year ago, I held my mom as she passed from this life to the next, I kissed her and told her I loved her. I asked her to stay, and I felt her spirit tell me it was her time to go and she was okay. We've gotten through all the "firsts" without my mom, but I still can't believe it's really been one year.

Busy time of year

Weekends aren't too relaxing around here, but I would take the crazy family life over the work week any second.  I look forward to weekends, because I may be busy running around, but I'm busy because of my kids and that is just the way I want to be.  Davis has been dying to start ski season, so Gator and I drove him up to Basin this morning so he could do just that.  He was so excited and it was fun sharing that excitement as we drove.  After we dropped him off, Gator and I got back in the car to drive to Logan where Owen was for a basketball tournament.  I enjoyed watching him play and my little sidekick is happy as long as I bring change for the concessions.  After the games, we got back in the car to get everyone home to get ready for dinner with my dad and Dianne who are in town for Eli's blessing tomorrow.  We had dinner at Golden Corral, then went back to Mat and Andrea's for a bit to visit a little longer.  As I just put my kids all to bed, I'm now going to bed myself.  I'm exhausted, but happy.  It was a fun day. 

 My dad has a pecan orchard in Toquerville.  He makes things with his pecan wood, he's made the boys yo-yos and a tie slide for when they were in cub scouts.  He made these nativities for us this year, and I love it. 

First Snow

Today was the first of hopefully many snowstorms this winter!! 

His dream

Owen had tickets to the BYU/Utah State football last night and invited me along.  He loves going on these visits and he can't wait until the day he is the one playing college football.  The game was a late one, not starting until 8:30pm, we got home at 1:45 am, but he had a smile on his face the whole time, and crashed when we got home. 

Christmas is coming

We did our Northpole breakfast yesterday.  This almost didn't happen this year, I had to talk myself into it.  It is a Christmas tradidion I love, but last year we had our Nothpole breakfast up at the condo, and it was while we were having breakfast that my mom passed away.  I tried to plan it this year, and I always had a knot in my stomach and quit thinking about it, I just couldn't do it this year.  But last minute, I knew I still wanted to do this for my kids and for Christmas.  I'm glad I did, we had fun, and I felt my mom near. 

After breakfast we went and picked out our tree for this year, and we didn't even  fight, that is a big step for us when we are tree shopping. 

 

 

Instead of shopping

Instead of shopping on Black Friday, we went shooting.  And I remember this being somewhat of a tradition for us, shooting guns either the day before or the day after Thanksgiving, but I must be wrong, unless I just haven't written about it or (and this is impossible) not taken any pictures, because the most recent picture I found of our "turkey shoot" was from 2012. 

Maybe we'll make it a tradition now, because shooting guns beats shopping in mobs of people any day. 

Thankful Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving!  I didn't even hardly take pictures this year, I just was enjoying the day, and the food, and my family.

Jace was the man of the hour all day.  He is so much fun to play with, Davis even got some cuddles. 

Last night we made cute Rice Krispy turkeys.  I wondered why if I hate cooking so badly, why do all my holidays/treats put me in the kitchen making fun things.  That is just why I suppose, they are fun, and I get to spend time with my three pretty gosh darn cool kids. 

 I am so NOT a black Friday shopper, no way am I going to go out in the crowds shopping.  That is just two things I hate.... crowds and shopping.  But, every year, PJ takes whoever wants to go Black Friday shopping.  Owen is usually one of the first to call a spot in the car.  They are all crazy in my opinion. 

 

 

Sad boy

Snowbasin was supposed to open for ski season today, and Davis has been counting down the days until he could be back on the slopes.  Well, it hasn't snowed and it has been too warm so far for the resorts to even make snow.  Opening day has been bumped to hopefully next week, and I have one sad disappointed boy.  Come on snow, come in abundance for Davis, he wants to go skiing so badly!!

One heck of a season

Fremont made it semi finals, and got to play down at Rice Eccles stadium in Salt Lake.  This team had an amazing season, and I love the experience that Owen had playing with the team.  Football has tought my boys so many lessons like determination, commitment, hard work, working as a team, and to repect and listen to coaches and other team mates.  As they've grown up playing rec and some indoor football, I was never prepared for the high school football season.  It is an insane commitment.  Sadly, Fremont lost, but they have so much to be proud of.  They are ranked as the #3 team in the State of Utah.  It was so exciting to support Owen as a member of The Fremont Silverwolves, and I felt kinda strange last night not being at a football game.

The awesome game, and an awesome email.  I got the boys report cards for first quarter emailed to me the other day......check out those GPA's!