Day 3

My favorite television program:

My absolute favorite show is The Biggest Loser. In a close 2nd - is The Office. I started to watch The Biggest Loser 2 seasons ago and I'm a little obsessed. I know they draw out the drama and obviously, these people are in an unrealistic setting, but it's still fun. I love seeing the change in the people - sizes, confidence, and habits. When I watch them, I feel inspired to go beyond my comfort zone. If they can do it, why can't I? When I decided to do the 100 mile bike ride, I kept reminding myself several of those contestants ran a MARATHON. That blows my mind. I know the contestants are counting calories and watching every morsel of food that enters their mouths... I'm not there yet. I admire that about them. I love food too much to quit eating the junk and the yummy stuff. But, I want to be more like them--eating better and healthier. For now, it's inspiration to change little habits. It's my "feel good" show.

Day 2

My Favorite Movie:

I have lots of favorites and it's hard to decide on one. Just to name a couple that I wouldn't mind watching again and again...

Anne of Green Gables
I wish I was more like Anne (with an e). I love her personality and the romanticism of this picturesque movie. Sappy, I know.

The Incredibles
I love how it's about a family that is obviously incredible - but still dealing with normal family issues.... I guess I just relate well to this. Except the "super power" part, that's wishful thinking.

PS I do like action movies, I just couldn't decide on ONE... the only movies I AVOID are scary ones. I'm not a fan of being freaked out.

Welcome Home Grandma and Grandpa!

Just a little over a week ago we welcomed Grandma and Grandpa back to our neck of the woods! They served an 18 month LDS mission in Charlotte, NC - as Employment Service Specialists. (I'm not positive I got that title right!) They were AWESOME missionaries and I know they are sorely missed in NC now - but WE'RE SO GLAD THEY ARE BACK!! We were waiting at their house when they got home and it was lots of hugs and tears. The very next day, we went with them and Shayne's two sisters, to Park City to enjoy a week of family time. We swam, we played games, we ate OH SO GOOD, and we just enjoyed being together again. Here are a few pictures to capture the moments in time:

All the local grandkids made posters. I'll just show the ones my kids made.

By Hunter - with popcicle sticks

by Danny

by Cole (he told me what to write and he colored it. I wish you could see how he signed his name - I love the E with lots and lots of lines, super cute)

Grandpa and Danny (he is SOOO grandpa's boy - and grandma is a bit jealous)

Mom and son

Grandma with Hunter

After all of our hugs, Cherae's family pulled up. I think this picture epitomizes (sp?) Cheryl's afternoon --hugs and tears. It was very joyous.

Grandma and Danny

After they got home, we all went to eat and then back to the house. I love that Grandma was on the floor and playing with those grandkids before she even looked at her house. All the kids had something "to do" and it was a fun afternoon together!

Playing Kings Corner - Hunter's favorite.

Cole and Clayton made "balloon creations" - grandpa helped too.

I don't have very many pictures of our Park City vacation. Like I mentioned, we just hung out and did whatever! We did go to a fun park and I love this picture of Cherae. It was awesome timing on my part.

"MORE pictures?" We did a little hike... well, it was a walk. A very slow walk. And slow because of my kids.

Shayne captured this shot of Danny.

We attended almost all of Connor's soccer tournament games. His team won 1st place in the tournament (U10) and it was really awesome to see him and Uncle Chris (the coach!) in action. They have a HUGE influence on Hunter and his love for soccer.

It was a fabulous week and I can't believe it has come and gone. The amazing part of Grandma and Grandpa being home is that it's almost like they never left.... then again, it was SUCH A LONG TIME! We know it was the right thing to do and we're grateful for their example to serve our Heavenly Father. They truly radiate the spirit in all they do and say. Love you guys!

Day 1

My favorite song:

I think this journal thing is going to fade out really quick. It's forcing me to think when it's late at night and I should be in bed!

Honestly, one of my most favorite songs is "Watermark" from Enya. When I hear it - I can immediately transcend my current chaos and feel transported to a different place. It's calming and reassuring to me. My college roommate, Sabrina, introduced me to Enya. I would beg her to put it on EVERY SINGLE NIGHT to fall asleep (she always had music on at night and she kindly accepted my request). I can still envision the snow on my dorm room window and I'm snuggled into my bed, warm and truly happy. When I keep singing songs over and over in my head and I just can't seem to make the "internal radio" turn off, I sing this song to myself. It is my ultimate calming song.

Can I do this?

My sweet sis-in-law and now my sister are doing a 30 day blog journal. I'm enjoying reading their posts and I thought, could I do it? Here's the plan and I'm sorry if I bore you to tears - I'm not nearly as interesting as I aspire to be!

Day 1-your favorite song
Day 2-your favorite movie
Day 3-your favorite television program
Day 4- your favorite book
Day 5-your favorite quote
Day 6- 20 of my favorite things
Day 7-a photo that makes you happy
Day 8-a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9-a photo you took
Day 10-a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11-a photo of you recently
Day 12-something you are OCD about
Day 13-a fictional book
Day 14-a non-fictional book
Day 15-your dream house
Day 16-a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17-an art piece (drawing,sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18-my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19-a talent of yours
Day 20-a hobby of yours
Day 21-a recipe
Day 22-a website
Day 23-a youtube video
Day 24-where I live
Day 25-your day, in great detail
Day 26-your week, in great detail
Day 27-my worst habit
Day 28-what’s in my handbag/purse
Day 29-hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30- a dream for the future

The birthday bash

Danny got 2 teddy bears and a plush electronic talking dog... you can connect it to the internet and download your child's name and favorite things (food, color, etc). You can also choose which songs to have the dog play - I love that feature. There are too many annoying musical animals out there... at least I get to pick my insanity! Everytime the dog says "hi Danny," Danny's face just lights up and he says it right back. So stinkin' cute. I tried to get a video up to show you, but it must be too big - cause it isn't working.

PS: I wanted to mention another thing about Danny. Whenever someone says a prayer, he says it right along with us. He copies every word in his cute baby talk. I LOVE IT!

He's TWO!

Danny today Danny's 1st b-day

Danny 9 months

Danny 1 month

Danny's first day home

All about Danny:

He loves balls and stuffed animals - especially teddy bears.

He loves his big brothers and copies every move they make.

He's loves the trampoline. He'll just go out there and jump by himself.

He says the CUTEST "Mah-meee" that makes me giggle. (it took a long time to get that magical word out!)

He answers "yeah" to most questions.

He says "nyah, nyah" for banana... also super cute.
He has an attitude about what clothes I put on him!

He can run very, VERY fast.

He loves books. I love finding him in the boys' room with a pile of books around him!
He loves to chill in our bed and watch his "show" (Baby Einstein) It buys us an extra 15 minutes of half-snoozing.

He might be small, but he tends to bully his big brother, Cole.

And of course, Danny is just the most pleasant, happy kid. When things are going his way - you just can't get enough of that big grin and chubby cheeks.

And check out Danny's new found talent.

Wolf Creek

We spent a week at Wolf Creek with Shayne's siblings. Unfortunately, we never had all of the families together at once - there were rotations throughout the week - but, we had a great time spending time with cousins! Here are some pics - and I narrowed this huge post down from 200+ photos!!

Boating and tubing. Hunter got more courageos each day. Cole would get his 1 or 2 times, and he was back in the boat. Danny loved snacks on the boat.
Here's Hunter with two cousins, Julie and Chylee, being brave to let go of the handles! I think Steve (the driver) was being pretty nice to them.

My boys just chillin' at the pool.

Hunter lost a front tooth while there. He wrote the sweetest letter to the toothfairy and made her a cumfy little resting spot... in hopes she'd stop to rest and leave a little extra money.

"Dear tooth farye. I hope you like your bed I shind my tooth twise so it shood be shiny. I'm sorry I coodint make sheltr. PS can you tell me wut you do with the teeth? from Hunter

this is olso a pichr for you"

We did a "hike" one afternoon around Powder Mountain Ski Resort. I use that term very loosely - it was a walk in the nature... not very fast and not very far. The view was SPECTACULAR at the top of the mountain and we managed to get a group shot! (shown at the end of post)

Cole is so sweet - always finding flowers for mommy.

More time at the lake. The kids found "MUD" - rather than sand in abundance. So, here are the full body mud masks.

And Cole made a "pile of poop" (with mud, of course).

The evenings were my favorite time of the day. Danny was quite the center of attention with all these girls around! We wish these girls lived closer to us (1 lives relatively close) - but gosh - think of all the babysitters I could have!

Hunter and Carson playing on the beach.

Hunter playing soccer with his cousins. We're so lucky to have these boys living close to us.

Shayne came prepared with games and more games for everyone to play. We'd invite everyone over to our unit after dinner and we hosted games such as Pictionary, Settlers of Catan, and Crainium. Here are pics from Crainium night... boys versus the girls. And, yes, the girls RULED the night.

Here is the group shot from the hike earlier in the week. It seemed like a good photo to close my LOOOOONG post. We love being with our extended family. How lucky are we to have family who not only comes to vacation close to us - but we LOVE BEING WITH THEM. We are looking forward to seeing everyone this Christmas!