Super Duper Saturday...

Dance competitions have begun...YAY!I love watching Ashlyn dance...I always say this, but I can't help but smile when I see her perform. I love the whole competition atmosphere...I love doing Ashlyn's hair and putting on her make-up...I love that dancing builds character and gives her confidence...I love that can be so soft and tender, yet just the right amount of toughness can still show through...I love that she is such a little dare-devil and can do awesome back-hand springs...I love it all!!Ashlyn is such a cutie...just this afternoon two cute boys kept doorbell ditching us. We know who the little culprits are and Ashlyn loves it - Jaxon and Beau are best friends and have been in love with Ashlyn since kindergarten...maybe Jaxon a little longer because we have known his family forever. Secretly, I know she likes them, too...whenever these boys get together they try to get Ashlyn's attention and she is sometimes so coy with them. It's so funny to me...she is such a girly-girl, but can also be rough and tough with the best of 'em.Oh, I just love that beautiful face! How I love you, Ashy-lu!!
Dance competitions are a fun day out with my girls and this particular competition was extra special...aunt Whitney, aunt Sonya, Natalie and grandma and grandpa Sill came to watch Ashlyn dance her little heart out! I don't know where she gets her rhythm (definitely not me), but she can really groove...she is awesome!McKenna, Natalie and Aunt Sonya...
Colter stayed with his good friend, Sam and then headed to Tavey's birthday party. Wyatt tagged along with us girls because dad is away at a Venturing Leadership Training. After Ashlyn's last dance we all went to lunch at Apollo Burger where Wyatt showed his true colors...thanks grandma and grandpa!!
Kim, Tami and I were team moms at this competition and made these cute flip flops for each girl on the Petites Team. The girls loved them...they better have! They were made with lots of love, sweat and tears :) .Later that night, we froze as we watched McKenna's soccer team win another game...then over to grandma and grandpa Sill's for yummy dessert and time with family. We were able to spend some more time with aunt Sonya and Natalie before they fly home tomorrow. What lucky girls they are...flying in just to shop for Natalie's baptism dress!!

Daddy's "Flone"...

When dad comes home, the first thing Wyatt asks is "can I play your 'flone?' It's funny to me that Wyatt knows how to work Garrett's iphone better than I do. I even asked him one day how to find a picture for me and he did it, no problem...smartie-pants!

Happy Birthday Wyatt...

May you discover in yourself what we have always known...
(This is one of my favorite pictures of Wyatt as a little one...Garrett's sister, Amberly, snapped this when he was just a little over a month old...love that face!!)Happy Birthday 'newbie'...you are getting to be so big! Wyatt, you have brought such complete joy to our family...I cannot believe three years have gone by since you were born. When you were about one, I remember grandpa Sill saying that you were the happiest little baby...it's so true! You smile and we can't help but smile. When I ask you "What does mommy love about you?" You always say..."everything!" We do love everything about you! Lately you have become so animated with his expressions and the way you talk...I often wish you wouldn't lose your cute way of speaking. You have also begun to imagination play by yourself with Colt's little Star Wars figures or the girls' little mini-mals...the girls and I love spying on you and just listening, then running into the other room to laugh out loud. Just yesterday, while McKenna played soccer, we went to a nearby park to play. As we sat eating dinner I watched as Colter tenderly touched your head a few times and kept saying "I love my brother!" You are my little buddy all day long...I love to still carry you and squeeze your little 'chubby' legs whenever you let me. Often during the day I'll call daddy just to tell him the funny things you say - daddy adores you more than words can say. You are so blessed...and so are we!
Wyatt has always loved trains, but lately he has found another love...Monster Trucks. He loves the movie Cars and loves Lightning McQueen, so for his birthday cake this year he wanted a monster truck cake. Some of his best buddies, Owen, Caden, Stryder and Sam came over for a little birthday party.
We went on a little scavenger hunt, then my cute neighbor, JaQuoy, brought over squirt guns for all the boys and they were a hit!! We've got some pretty good shooters in this group...they sure kept me running!
The boys looked for bugs and even squished a few...jumped on the tramp...shot silly string...watched a mini Cars movie and ate popcorn...love this picture and the 'little conversations' that were happening at that moment...opened presents, sang Happy Birthday (which was so cute to hear), ate messy cupcakes and walked everyone home...a perfect party!
Wyatt's little friends are all such crack-ups!! McKenna was pretty sad I scheduled his party while they were in school...when 3:40 hits and the big kids get home life gets sooo busy with their 'big-kid' stuff...but I wouldn't want it any other way!! I love it when life is full. Wyatt,Chopper and I walked to school to meet the kids...after a full day of fun this is where he fell asleep - right in the train! What a funny kid...Grandma and grandpa Sill and great-grandma Sill came over for dinner and more birthday celebrations! Wyatt could not wait to open his gifts from grandma and grandpa...he knew what was coming - his own back remote control race car...yay!
Rather than the traditional breakfast in bed...Wyatt opted for a little early morning loving and breakfast with dad. When Wyatt wakes in the morning, he just sits in the hall and waits for us to notice him and come get him...daddy always get him his chocolate milk and a blanket so he can watch Mickey's Clubhouse...we love you baby boy...you are one of our greatest treasures!

An Afternoon at the Temple...

The theme this year in primary is 'My Eternal Family.' So, for the quarterly activity, the whole primary visited the Ogden Temple. Our Stake Presidency has counseled us to 'keep our eye on the Temple'...I love that!! McKenna is already looking forward to turning twelve so she perform baptisms for the dead...we are so blessed to have so many Temples so close.

A Night with Beethoven and Listz...

This is the third year the girls have been playing the piano...the other night as I listened to Ashlyn play through her recital piece I was so excited for her! She has the cutest little hands and fingers...so much like mine. She's a great little pianist! About a year ago I stopped sitting with the girls to practice every day and have let their teacher, Mindi, do more of the training and instructing. That was a good decision for us. They're probably not as far along as they could be if I were to practice with them every day...but there is no more contention and the girls actually like sitting down to play and that's huge! A little give and take.
McKenna played Beethoven's Boogie and did awesome! She had a busy day with a field trip to the Symphony, lunch at the food court in the mall with all of her friends from school, a soccer game at North Layton...which they won 2-0 and quickly changing in the car on the way to get to the recital on time...2 minutes to spare! Once we got home, I thought she would fall right asleep, but since beginning the new Fablehaven book, any spare minute she has is spent reading. McKenna's good friend, Malorie, also takes from Mindi, so it was fun for the girls to be able to share this night together...Malorie is one accomplished (soon-to-be) young women...it's unbelievable to think that by the end of the year some of McKenna's closest friends will be in young womens!!
Ashlyn played Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 perfectly! She sometimes has a quietness about her, but when she lets loose she becomes quite the entertainer...her laugh is so contageous!
The girls were so excited to have their grandmas and grandpas and even one great-grandma there - even with one nights notice, they all made it work! Thank you, Thank you!
Grandma and Grandpa Sill with the girls...
Great-Grandma Berk with the girls...
Grandma and Grandpa Nichol with the girls...
The pink roses were beautiful. Whenever Ashlyn competes in dance or the girls have something special in life, my mom always brings flowers...thanks for making the night even more memorable!!

A Walk to the Park...

Days like this are perfect...lots of sunshine and smiles, great friends, a little walk to the pond, feeding the ducks and then chasing the ducks. The bonus...no one fell in! Priceless! Thanks, Di, for a great little adventure with the boys.Wyatt...Trey...Owen

Fishing...A Needful Thing

Wednesday, Garrett and Greg broke away for a couple of hours to fish the infamous Provo River...according to these guys - even when the fishing isn't great it's still a great day fishing!

Sumo Wrestlers in the Making...

Little did I know that after spending a few days with my sister last month, my boys would turn into sumo wrestlers. The other day they both ran down the hall with pillows stuffed in the front and backs of their shirts, then they began to wrestle and roll around on the ground. The boys love to wrestle, but we have never thought to stuff their shirts with pillows, stuffed animals or anything else to pad their little bodies...
I showed these pictures to Whitney and she laughed because that's something Russ, her husband, always did with his brothers when he was a kid...so he started doing it with their boys, Tanner and Ethan, when they were little - now my boys are part of the club, too. I love it!

From Midway to St. George...

No 'Grils' Allowed...while the girls played, the boys did too! Friday night Garrett took the boys up to Midway for some 'guy time.' They hung out with grandpa Nichol, shot guns in the fields of Midway and in the unfinished theatre room at the house, wrestled, ate out, played dodge ball and watched a movie...
I love this eye patch Garrett rigged up to help with Colter's aim when he shoots - pretty ingenious, McGyver!Wyatt even had hot dogs for breakfast. That's a real treat! The only request I had while we were away and he was with the boys was that he take pictures...and he did. Thanks babe!
No Boys Allowed...In May, my grandma Berk will turn 91 years-old. All she has been wanting for her birthday is a shopping trip with 'her girls', so my mom booked two hotel rooms in St. George and all of us girls tried to make it work.
Between dance competitions, soccer games, shipping out Wyatt for the days, Colt for the afternoons and all that comes up in life, we were able to make it work (thanks to a great husband and so many great friends!) My sis-in-law, Mandy, and her girls, tried every way possible to get to Utah or Las Vegas so they could join us...but flights were overbooked so they couldn't make it...and because our getaway was planned over my youngest brother's 29th birthday, his girlfriend, Bailey, decided to stay home with him - we missed you girls...but looking forward to next year with everyone plus a bigger car to bring back all of our incredible loot.The road trip and fun begins...
About an hour away from St. George, the tire sensor light came on...we stopped at the next gas station to check it out. I opened the glove box and found this long red tube with a gage on the end...since my dad always has the newest gadget and I didn't see a regular tire gage, I thought it was some kind of newfangled tire gage...oh, I was so wrong and Whitney will never let me live it down!! But not before I completely made a fool of myself...so I get out, kneel down to the front tire, unscrew the cap and stick the end onto the nozzle - nothing! I tried again, still nothing and then I looked up to see about 5 guys just hanging out in front of our car. I heard one of them say "hey, who's got a tire gage on 'em"...a guy named Justin came over and as he checked our tires I noticed he was wearing a mechanics shirt. He mentioned he worked at a tire store...how often does that happen? We were in the right place at the right time...he knew exactly what the problem was and we were on our way. An undeniable tender mercy.
After driving through rain and snowstorms we made it to sunny St. George. It's always an unforgettable adventure with grandma B. along...she made us laugh the whole time. At one point during the drive, we were talking about Chopper being outside in his run - she got a little confused and asked if we let Colter sleep inside with us at night...that's just a little of what we enjoyed all weekend. We wished we would have brought along a journal just to keep track of all the funny little things she would say. On the trip, she bought two new purses, as we were driving home she said "I really didn't spend much money...just this one purse is all I got" my girls and I smiled as we reminded her of the other purse she purchased. She laughed and said "Well, when I unpack my bag and see it it will be like Christmas morning for me"...we all laughed!A lot of shopping and a little modeling...
lounging back at the hotel after a full day of shopping...tired but happy girls. McKenna loved these glasses and had to have them, thanks to grandma Nichol! They remind me of ones my dad used to wear many, many years ago. They are too cute on her! Ashlyn also found a darling green hat and pink sunglasses...thanks to grandma, too! What would we do without grandmas??
Whitney and I reminisced about one of grandma B's habits...one memory we will always have is watching her put on her red lipstick. Always, without fail, after eating a meal or if a few hours have passed, she will invariably pull out her little gold-leafed compact, along with her tube of bright red lipstick and slowly and methodically paint her lips. I snapped this picture while we were driving...she always says "a girl can't live without her lipstick!"
The highlight of the trip was definitely jumping on the beds in the hotel room. We were giggling and jumping like out-of-control kids...even grandma joined in! Aunt Whitney can be such a bad influence on us :)!!! But she always makes everything sooo much more fun. We bounced until we got 'the call' from the front desk. Who knew that people like to sleep in hotel rooms?? Now that's some big air!
Looking at these pictures it's funny to me that in the morning we can look so respectful and put together. Not having to cook and being able to shop without 4 kiddos begging to go home always makes for a great day! We spent some time touring Brigham Young's Winter home...
and had a little impromptu photo shoot on the premises...absolutely love this one of my mom and my girls! Of course Aunt Whitney was doing something behind my back to make them all laugh...that's what I love about this picture!
We visited The Jacob Hamblin home...and walked the St. George Temple grounds...
One night we stopped at Arby's to eat. I mentioned to Whitney that in Utah the 5 for $4 deal was going on and I wondered if they would give us that deal...Whitney just looked at me with a look of 'you've got to be kidding me', then quickly picked up her phone and texted to Garrett what I had just said - she laughed when she read his reply..."Yup, and she's all mine!"All good things must come to an end...coming home
When our road trip began the girls had 4 mini-mals between them...Raspberry, Apricot, Oswald and Sunny. Here they are posing on the ledge...at a stop in Fillmore the girls found a vending machine full of these little mini-mals. They tried their luck at getting every animal and almost succeeded...still missing the bunny and elephant. Aunt Whitney was lucky enough to get the elephant! The rest of the trip was spent naming their thirteen new additions...
Oh, we cannot forget mom's favorite snack...fried pork skins. Seriously, is there anything more awful??! Yes...her next favorite snack - black licorice. I definitely didn't inherit her taste buds...ugghh. It was a great trip that holds lots of great memories...looking forward to next year!

A Great Moment...

This morning I went down to wake up the girls. As I turned to leave, I noticed both of them, pretty much in unison, slide out of bed right onto their knees for their personal prayers. What a great thing to witness. It's as if this morning, things came full circle for me and I again was able to recognized the absolute importance of prayer. I've always had a testimony of prayer and know if its profound power, yet, this morning I realized my girls are understanding that also. They are choosing the 'best' part, not just because we remind them, but because they know. It made my heart swell. As we read scriptures as a family this morning, I was struck by one verse in particular...Alma 31:10. We read how the Zoramites had stopped praying daily...that led to their disobedience and their denying Christ. What power prayer holds. How thankful I am for my girls' willingness and desire to pray daily to their Heavenly Father. I know they will be blessed for their obedience.

Spring Soccer???

"Hey, dad...the game is still on..."
Indoor season ended a few weeks ago with McKenna's team taking 2nd. Outdoor season began right after and as you can see...play continues rain or snow - hopefully the sun will come out soon!
Wyatt and McKenna...pre game
McKahll and Wyatt...
By the end of the game, we were all drenched...but had a great time and the girls loved it! It took me back to a game I remember playing when I was about McKenna's age...it was a total downpour and probably one of the funnest games I played in...I can still picture my team in our bright yellow and green uniforms. By the time the game was over, we were covered in mud and laughing so hard...it's funny to me that I can still remember that day. Luckily McKenna's team tried to keep away from the mud as much as possible...such great memories!
Colter and three cute sisters...Brinley, Lauren and Anistan. Secretly, Colter loves to come to McKenna's soccer games just to hang with these cuties...who wouldn't blame him??
They won 3-1...yay! No pictures of the actual game...maybe next time I'll get some action shots!

Egg Dippin'...

Don't touch my eggs...or those ones either...they're all mine!
Coloring Easter eggs is defintely a recipe for disaster at our house. Wyatt absolutely loved dipping eggs...he had a hoot this year dipping his hands right along with all the eggs. He is one animated little boy and his expressions are always 'over the top'. He is so much fun to watch and, as always, had everyones full attention...
The girls were so good to let the boys dip most of the eggs...they are such great sisters! Ashlyn started out the evening in one shirt and a few spills later, ended the night in a different t-shirt...thanks to Wyatt and his excitement to dip and dunk!
Friday we met my mom, grandma and Whitney and the boys for lunch at Chili's and a little Easter fun. The Easter bunny always comes to our house Friday night, so we can celebrate the 'fun' Easter traditions on Saturday, leaving Sunday to be more focused on the Savior. I like it so much better that way. Saturday we also worked hard in the yard, Garrett finished Chopper's dog run, we attended Jacob and Ammon's baptisms, enjoyed dinner and an Easter Egg Hunt at grandma & grandpa Sill's...and had fun hanging out with cousins.

Worms Everywhere...

With all the rain we've been getting, Wyatt and McKenna kept pretty busy collecting worms... McKenna has always been fascinated with bugs and worms...but will freak out if she sees even the tiniest spider.
Later that day, she and Ashlyn put together a 'Carnival' in their room...such great imaginations! We had fun bowling, knocking over water bottles, watching a magic show and hearing stories.

We've Got a Sleepwalker Among Us...

As Garrett and I were heading to bed the other night, Garrett looked down the stairs and noticed a light coming from the girls' room. It was after midnight, so we wondered what was going on. He went to check on them and came upstairs carrying Ashlyn... she had been sleepwalking and talking. She looked totally awake, but was not really with it. Garrett found her in her closet putting on her shoes, saying she needed to go outside. We were trying really hard not to laugh...but it was so hard not to. I had to snap this picture of her shoes. One is her heely (on the wrong foot) and the other is one of McKenna's shoes...too funny.

It's Nice to Get Away...

Friday afternoon Garrett and I stole away for a couple of hours to hit the shooting range. Garrett is so comfortable around guns...I am still learning all the ins and outs of the sport. Shooting clay pigeons at Falcon's Ledge is one of my favorite things ever. I love it...not to brag, but I am a pretty great shot! At the range, shooting Garrett's 22 came pretty easily, so after a few rounds, he had me try it one-handed. I was up for it, so I let go with my left hand and just naturally rested it on my hip. He immediately pulled my hand down off from my hip and we both laughed out loud...I love being with him. I love that he knows me so well and loves me just the same.
General Conference weekend is always something we look forward to...time with the family and the opportunity to hear counsel, guidance and direction from our Prophet and other men and women of God. This last week, with our Relief Society Presidency, I had the chance to attend the Leadership Training meetings in downtown Salt Lake. We sat in the Tabernacle and heard from the Relief Society General Board. I came away with a renewed sense of compassion and the desire to seek for the Spirit more abundantly in my life. Later that same night was our Home, Family & Personal Enrichment night...Judy Brummer, an amazing lady who grew up in Africa talked of her conversion, her mission and her calling to translate the Book of Mormon into the pure African 'clik' language. She began by testifying to us that there was a reason she was born into the family she was born into...there is a reason all of us are born into our families. We may not understand it now, but it fits into the Lord's plan. As a child, growing up in Africa, she learned this unique language in her home (along with English) from her 3 black mama's, who were servants that lived and worked in her family home and on their 30 acre farm. Not until she met the missionaries did she come to understand her call in life. She was inspiring. She was motivating. She was fascinating. She spoke of the opposition that occured while she was preparing to translate the Book of Mormon, that the power of Satan is real. She shared many experiences given to her while translating. One in particular has already made me want to know and feel more. She shared that while translating in the book of Nephi...she knew Nephi, she knew his personality and felt his presence, she actually came to know him! That same thing happened with Alma, King Benjamin, Moroni and so many others from the Book of Mormon. I want to know these men, I want to understand their personalities. I know for that to happen, I need to read their words. That's my goal this year as I again read the Book of Mormon.On Sunday, it was nice to get away to Midway and listen to Conference. We haven't been in months, partly because of our new puppy, but also because life can get busy. Saturday, as we listened to conference, we all worked on humanitarian projects and took them with us to Midway so grandma and grandpa and my sister and her family could help. These little blocks are addicting, and so fun to make. Even Garrett gets in on the action...
The Church will send these to orphanages all around the world...inside the blocks are little bells. We also continued the celebration of Colter's 7th birthday with cake and ice cream.
When I saw the cake my mom had made it made me smile...it was divided down the center with vanilla frosting on one half and chocolate on the other. Anyone who knows my mom, knows she is always thinking of others and loves to make everyone happy...so having half chocolate and half vanilla satisfies everyone. Garrett saw the same cake, but had a different reaction. When I asked him what he thought of the cake he said it looked like my mom couldn't make up her mind (again), so she went with both...that was actually the most perfect answer. My dad, my mom (who is such a great sport), Whitney, Garret and I all laughed at his answer, because that is SO her! I have learned a lot from my mom...she's mainly the reason I am the kind of woman I've become. One thing my dad loves to do is light and then relight the candles, so every kid can have a chance to blow them out. He even had his mini blow torch out to relight all the candles quickly, however many times was needed...which turned out to be about seven. I love the grin on his face!Loved this shot of the boys...Tanner, Colter and Ethan
Grandpa Nichol, Ethan, Tanner, Colter and Wyatt Not sure what we have going on here...but, maybe one day it will be used against him :). Those are the cutest little cheeks ever!
Colter got a remote control yellow jeep from Tanner and Ethan, which will be so fun to drive around the cul-de-sac. He also got a similar remote control red mustang from grandma and grandpa Sill last week and has loved it. When Colter opened his car from grandma and grandpa Sill Wyatt looked at it and said "ah, man, that cool!" Colter's a great big brother...he's good to share everything with Wyatt, even a new toy.Colter with his great-grandma Sill
Wyatt went into a frenzy just wanting to control the car himself...good thing his birthday is only three weeks away so he can have his own! When the girls were little I remember always buying two of everything, just to avoid meltdowns...looks like we are reaching that point with the boys.Wyatt's cute buddy, Owen, came over the other day to play...if I turn my back for just a minute these boys are either getting into the tub and turning the water on, jumping on my bed and throwing off all the pillows or getting into the candy and tasting every sucker in the jar. Finding this made my day. There's nothing better than a good sucker with a good friend...or a few good suckers with a good friend!
They are the cutest little buddies!