The Two of Us...

I love this picture from our Thanksgiving week in Midway!

Thanksgiving in Midway

Tuesday afternoon the kids and I took off for Midway. Garrett took off Tuesday for a night at Falcon's Ledge with some friends and then met up with us in Midway. He took Chopper on his first pheasant hunting expedition up to Falcon's Ledge. When the first shots went off Garrett said Chopper was a little leery, but instincts took over and he quickly followed the other dogs and knew just what to do. They met up with us on Wednesday and we spent the entire Thanksgiving week playing lots of games, walking the river, fly fishing, swimming, watching movies and eating way too much!
The kids helped out with Thanksgiving dinner...McKenna couldn't wait to make grandpa's yummy clam dip, Ashlyn helped prepare the stuffing and Colter peeled all of the sweet potatoes. It was a perfect Thanksgiving week.One of our favorite things to do while in Midway is to walk the river. There is the coolest path with wooden bridges and walkways along one stretch of the river that goes right up to the dam...this time we had Chopper with us. We loved watching him run along the banks of the river and occasionally jump in and cross to wherever Garrett was fishing...he loves to be right with Garrett. He's a great dog!

Garrett is always saying how important it is that the kids get outside and get dirty, that they have the opportunity to play in the water, to throw rocks into the river, to gather sticks and just run and explore. It's beautiful here anytime of the year.

This trip my mom taught the kids how to break the cattails...apparently something the pioneer children would do along the trail. It looked like it was snowing and the kids loved it!

We are so blessed to have this beautiful place to stay and play together!

Surprise 60th Celebration

My sister, Whitney and sister-in-law, Mandy and I wanted to make mom's 60th birthday a memorable one...so we planned a surprise celebration at her school and Mandy and the kids flew in to join the celebration. Mom had no idea anything was going on...it was just a regular work day for her until she was called into the teachers lounge. That's when she saw all of us and the spread of desserts and the cutest little 'gift shoes' Whitney made for mom to give to all of her friends and that's when the tears came.
It was a great moment! Happy Birthday, Mom...we love you!

Photo Shoot in Midway...

Saturday night we met my family up in Midway for an extended family picture. This last week as I've gotten outfits ready and talked with friends about family pictures, it's clear to me that every ones families are all the same when it comes to having family pictures taken...grin and bear it and hopefully everyone still likes each other in the end, oh, and to get a decent picture of everyone!
I can now say it was really fun. I look at these pictures today and feel so blessed to be married to this guy and to be my kids' mom...even though I had to walk out of sacrement meeting today carrying a half laughing/half crying three-year-old who was clinging to his older sister, saying "McKenna, I love you" because he knew what was coming once we left that chapel. All the while Garrett was up on the stand just smiling. I too smiled as I took this monkey into a room and sat him on a chair for some much needed 'reverence time.' I know that these days won't last forever and even realize they will be gone before I'm really ready for them to be gone. Yesterday morning Garrett was able to attend a training meeting for Stake Presidents and Bishops and be taught by President Boyd K. Packer and Elder Neil L. Anderson. He was grinning from ear to ear as he left the house...I think he had an idea of how blessed he is to be able to be taught at the feet of Apostles of the Lord. On our way to Midway, he shared with the family some of the things he was taught and some sacred things that strengthened his testimony.
The other day I had a great experience in the Ogden temple. I recently began reading the Book of Mormon again and was particularly touched by what I read that morning in 1st Nephi. It was when Nephi and his brothers' first attempted to get the brass plates from Laban and are unsuccessful, but Nephi continues in seeking after the plates and is led by the Spirit as to what he should do. This scripture in 1 Nephi 4:6 reads...'And I was led by the spirit not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.'
Just the day before a friend of mine asked how I was doing and then asked how Garrett was and if I've noticed much of a change in him since his call to be Bishop. I don't know if the changes are that apparent to most people - but his diligence and the time he puts into studying the scirptures and his dedication to prayer is evident to me and our family. It's always been natural for Garrett to bear testimony to the children and me in all that he says and does, he's always been quick to seek out teaching moments with the kids, he's always been valiant in leading our family in FHE, scripture study, family prayer and for many, many years has held regular personal interviews with each of the kids, but what is so apparent to me is that he is led by the Spirit in all he does. Sometimes he has no idea what is needed, yet, he goes forth and miracles happen. He is constantly aware of making sure the Holy Ghost is his constant companion. Today I'm truly thankful for tender mercies that are extended to me in small and simple ways. This scripture is how Garrett lives his life and it's how I want to live my life...ever faithful to be led by the Spirit and then diligent and humble enough to follow. I am one lucky lady!

My Wish...

May you discover in yourselves
what we have Always known...I love these kids!

Ashlyn's Very First Swim Meet

This morning, Ashlyn participated in her very first swim meet and she rocked it! She is such a competitive and determined little thing and it's so fun to watch her swim. Grandma and grandpa Nichol and grandpa Sill came to cheer her on...they were troopers. My dad got a kick out of watching Ashlyn swim...he was a competitive swimmer and diver for most of his youth, so he was right in his element and knowing my dad, I'm sure everyone around him heard some of his glory-day stories.
After a little warm-up, the competition began...

Diving off the blocks for the first race...100m individual medley (she is in the middle)

Breaststroke...

Freestyle...

We had no idea what to expect or even how the morning would go. For the past 4 years Ashlyn has danced competitively so swimming is pretty new to us...dance competition season is about 3 months and during that time almost every Saturday from sun-up to sun-down is spent at some high school gym. After costume fees, comp fees and $5 bucks for each person to get into every competition it can add up! I was kind of expecting some of the same, but this morning as we check in at the Clearfield Aquatic Center I was pleasantly surprised...only a $4 entry fee for Ashlyn to be a part of this meet, plus 2 bucks for every event she was entered in and no fee to come and watch - I am loving this! She swam in 5 events: 100m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle. Her first event was the 100m IM. She came in first in her heat. Ashlyn's coach, Kit, told her she was totally impressed with the outcome of her very first race! Ashlyn was all smiles after that race.

On her breaststroke event she forgot to pull down her goggles before diving into the water...she was in a zone and didn't even hear her coach yelling at her from the side to pull them down. She dove into the water and that's when she remembered. Uh-oh, a bit was too late, but she did her best to put them on as well as she could and then when she got to the wall she stopped to let out the water and pull them on a little better. Even with that little error she only came in a few seconds behind the first place time in her heat.

After the meet I thought she would come home and crash, but she was off to Breanne's for another late-night. I'm sure she'll sleep well tonight!

Understanding Value

Tonight Garrett is in Dallas at a CPE convention. The kids and I made a quick trip to the mall to look at boots for McKenna, pick up some birthday gifts for the girls' friends and get dinner at Chik-fil-a.

While shopping the mall the three younger kids were drawn to the game store in the middle of the mall with all of it's cool and unique games. Ashlyn, Colter and Wyatt fell in love with these little hexbugs that move, wiggle and even make sounds...they each wanted their own. I quickly reminded them that Christmas was coming and maybe Santa could bring them one. Later, McKenna pulled me aside and said 'mom, they are only going to play with those things for a few minutes then they will forget all about them...they are like junk, don't waste your money on those toys'.
She is seriously the sweetest thing, but then I had to remind her that before she become so smart and so understanding and so logical, she was the exact same way and had to have whatever the new toy was...but now looking back, maybe it was me that had to get it for her. I think she would have been just fine without whatever "it" was, that's just her personality. That became more apparent to me tonight as we looked at boots for her. There were darling boots all over the store and most were around $40 bucks. She takes good care of her things, so I was willing to pay that amount...she wasn't! She was so worried about the money she wouldn't get any. I was almost begging her to choose something, but then she said something that would make her daddy proud...she said "Mom, I really don't need them!" And ya know what...she's right, again! I seriously love this girl!

Goals...

Whenever Greg and Garrett can manage, they take off to fly fish the Provo river. Today was another one of those days...Amy and I are always telling them how good they have it! Just today Amy and I headed up to Smith and Edwards for an aebleskeiver cast iron pan for Danny and Kallie's wedding shower...Amy mentioned that the other night at the Young Womens in Excellence, the speaker talked of setting goals and then asked everyone to write down one goal and share it with three other people in the room. After everyone shared their goals, he then asked if there were any unique goals. Amy said that Bishop (Garrett) rose his hand and said that Greg's was pretty unique (it's still different to me when Amy calls Garrett 'Bishop'). Greg's goal was to catch a few more fish before the end of the year, but then Greg said Garrett's was even better...he had written his with such specific details it made everyone laugh. Garrett's goal is to catch a 22 inch brown trout on the Provo river the day after Thanksgiving... too funny. But we are spending the Thanksgiving weekend in Midway so there's a great chance he will reach his goal.
Amy's goal was to read the Book of Mormon again by the end of the year...she just stared all over a few weeks ago. I am joining her in that goal. Having just started also again in Nephi a few weeks ago we have quite a lot to read, but I'm going to do it! I'm also reading the '5,ooo Year Leap' but it might have to be put on hold for a few months.

Two Sisters...

Sunday night at Ethan's birthday party, Whitney and I took a few pictures together...after each one we would look at ourselves and try once more. After trying quite a few times to get a good picture we quit and both looked at each other and started laughing at how old we are looking. Our brother Dave was watching us wondering what in the heck we thought was so funny...I love that Whitney and I often are thinking the same things and we can laugh out loud. We are growing old gracefully!! I am so blessed to have a sister!
That night she gave me a necklace...not just any necklace. It's one that I will wear and then pass onto someone I truly admire...she gave it to me and then we cried as she expressed her feelings for me, then she asked me to wear it and blog about that day and then pass it onto someone I admire...I put it on that night and decided this is what I want to write about. An evening with family. As I get older I'm realizing more the times I'm able to be with Whitney and her family are some of the best times in my life.
Sunday night we celebrated Ethan's 6th birthday...when he was born at 27 weeks he was just a little over a pound and wasn't breathing, things were grim, but he was quickly resuscitated and continues to defy the odds. He is a true miracle...just like his older brother. He is the cutest kid with his little glasses and the most beautiful head of strawberry blond hair. He is stubborn, (wonder who he gets that from :]) goofy, tough and tender.
My night with the necklace was spent with Whitney...we talked of William and we cried a little...he would be turning one in about a month. She said that she and the boys talked of what William would be for Halloween - a puppy! It breaks my heart to see her so sad. I cried more on the way home realizing how strong my sister is, how faithful she is, how resiliant she is, and how truly hard this is for her and her family. I also realized that I've rarely ask her about William these last few months...sometimes I feel torn between asking how she's doing and making her cry or just not asking. I don't know which is better...but sitting here thinking about this, I really think I should just always ask and give her the opportunity whether we talk or not. Whitney, Thanks for the necklace...you have no idea how much that means coming from you. I've got some thinking to do of who I will pass it to - McKenna thinks it should be her!!
Hopefully these two sisters will love each other just as much...

Quick Fall Photo Shoot...

Sunday, as I was curling Ashlyn's hair I mentioned how long it was getting and that maybe she should get it cut short again...I love her hair short, but I also love the easiness of her long hair. She loves short hair and jumped at the chance to have a change! I set up the appointment and had lots of second thoughts, but she never did. Even when my friend cut off 5 inches from the back she was all smiles...I love it and she loves it even more. She is beautiful! Just this morning I took the kids out on a little photo shoot. Not the best idea because Colter was running a fever and not feeling so good...but he was a trooper. Here are a few new shots of the kiddos...

Strawberry Reservoir

Around 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning Garrett and Colter packed up the car for a much anticipated fishing trip to Strawberry Reservoir with Garrett's cousin, Brett. Brett, recently bought a fishing boat and for the past few weeks Garrett and Brett have enjoyed plenty of fishing...Garrett was anxious to bring Colter this time and show him the ropes. Colt loved driving the boat, catching huge fish and especially loved being with his dad...he did not like the cold. Garrett mentioned that at one point it was 17 degrees out on the lake...Colter's feet were frozen, so he took off his shoes and kept them warm up against his dad's chest - no way could I have handled that!! I couldn't believe the monster fish they caught and Wyatt couldn't wait to cut the fish open. Monday night we cooked up the fish and enjoyed a huge fish fry. It was delicious! Colter can't wait to go out again...he checks the weather forcast everyday to see if the weekend will be good for fishing - funny boy!