Christmas 2008 Part 2

After spending a couple of days with my family we headed out to Joe's mom's house where total chaos ensued. But that is ok cause it is what we love about going to Mother D's house. We made several trips to the park and several trips down the slides.

Imagine 24 people all opening their gifts at once...can you see the wrapping paper and tissue paper flying thru the air? It was a sight to behold!

Zachary (notice the much loved hat) loving that fact that he got another dump truck.

I love this picture! Here is Gage, Zachary, and Peter ready to partake of some Sean's famously styled Mickey Mouse pancakes.

We managed to get all 14 grandkids to gather together (oh wait! Baby Dillon isn't in the picture). The only way to get them to sit together was to get them to make silly faces.

And here is Mother D with all of her children.

Amidst all of the loud crying, laughing, and occasional toy stealing...we had the best time. It has been about 2 years since we have all been together. There have been 3 or 4 babies born since then and it was great to see everyone all at once. Hopefully it won't take another couple of years for this to happen again. Love to you all!

Christmas 2008 Part 1

What's a Christmas blogger post without the token Christmas tree picture? We spent a couple of days at my parents house for Christmas. Despite the many "It's going to be a small Christmas" from my mom we were pretty spoiled this year. And I'm sure that it had everything to do with us coming out to California.

Here is Zachary sporting his new Cars jammies and playing with his favorite gifts from Poppy.

Oh Montana! What a ham she is for the camera. We took several shots outside by the pond. Yup, she's pretty dang cute.

Kameron and Montana trying to figure out the DS system.

My child spent most of the time climbing up and down the stairs terrorizing my sister's poor cat. But the cat did provide some excellent entertainment for Zachary.

My cute parentals. I'm so happy that we could spend so long overdue time with them.

Here is Zachary giving Nana one last hug before we leave. He was very generous with the hugs and kisses this time around. And we are proud to announce that his kisses are no longer open mouthed....thank goodness for that!

Sportin' the Hat

Joe came home a few months ago with this Monster hat from a promotional party the restaurant was hosting. Zachary has taken quite the liking to it. So much so that he rarely leaves the house without it. We did most of our Christmas shopping with him wearing it. I can only imagine what people are thinking (Monster Energy drink? Nice hat kid.) He has also started to smile every time I bring the camera out. My little smarty-pants....

Reflections

As I was working on a talk that I gave in Church this past Sunday I came across this quote by Gordon B. Hinckley:

"We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith."

I think that this is my new favorite quote. It has definitely lifted me admist some of the things that we have going on in our lives right now. The Son of God is the rock of MY salvation, MY strength, MY comfort, and the very focus of MY faith. I have spent more time on my knees these last few weeks than I can ever remember. I feel HIS power in my life and I KNOW that He does answer prayers. I grateful for this Christmas season and the gentle reminders that we have to reflect on his birth.

I often think about Mary during this Christmas season as well. I read a website called Segullah. When I went to read the posted essay today it was as if the writer had entered my thoughts. She definitely worded it much better than I ever could. Click here to read the essay and ponder.

I hope that we all take the time to take a step back from the holiday hussle and bussle to really think about the true meaning of Christmas.

P.S. Not to take away from the spiritual-ness of this post but....We are going home to California for the holidays! I CANNOT WAIT!

All Bundled Up

Doesn't he look like that kid from The Christams Story? Zachary kept trying to pick up some cars that he had on the ground and kept falling over...poor kid. It was way past nap time when we made it outside. He

fought me the whole time trying to get

him dressed to go outside. He lasted long enough for me to get the driveway shoveled. And he even helped he a little bit. I love his hat! He kept it on most of the afternoon and we were just laying around the house.

We got quite a bit of snow this weekend and more is expected today and through out the week. Maybe I'll finally get to build a snowman!

To Decorate Or Not....

Me: Zachary....what are you doing?

Zachary: Balloooooon mama ballooooon

Utah Jazz Game

Thanks to a gentleman from Church we were able to go to the Jazz game on Friday night. Zachary had a BLAST! Everytime the Jazz would score he would yell and clap right along with everyone else. And as you can tell from the expression on his face he loved all of the lights on the trees outside of the area.

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful for all of our growing collection of Christmas items. I do have to admit that I wasn't feeling very Christmasy until those got put up.



2. I'm thankful that Zachary will eat anything that I make for him. Thankfully (no pun intended) he can't really tell the difference between Dad's cooking and Mommy's cooking...yet.

Thanksgiving '08

So the last few Thanksgivings we have ended up in St. George with Jared and Andi (and kids of course). This year was no different. But mark my words we WILL make it to California one of these times! We decided to try something new and deep fry a turkey this year. I don't think that I want to eat a turkey any other way. It was SO GOOD!

Look at my man....so handsome!

So while Zachary was doing this...

The boys were trying to put together the fryer. And while the boys were doing this....

We were doing this!

And here is the end result...a yummy dinner with family!

We hope that your Thanksgiving was just as enjoyable as ours!

Some Things I'm Thankful For

I'm thankful for.....

...this little guy...

...and this big guy...

...and when they play how much fun they have.

My Thoughts...

I have thought long and hard about this post....only because I let what I think the judgements of others will be get to me. But I need to learn not to worry about what others will think of me. So here goes...I am not a stay at home mother. I work. I wish I was able to stay home but that just isn't possible for us right now. I read on other people's blogs about how grateful they are that they are stay at home moms. They should be. Right at this moment in time I am grateful that I have a job. With Joe looking for something else I consider it a blessing that I am gainfully employed. When I am asked if I work or stay home I say that I work. But then I feel like I need to go into an explanation of how I only work 4 days a week and why I have to work.

Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a talk in April's 2008 General Conference. In it he said, "There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." Click here for the talk in its entirety.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of those that got to stay home. In fact I often wonder how much of a struggle it is or just how some are able to stay home in these economic times. I struggle everyday with not being home with my son. But I know that he is in good hands while I am away as a very dear friend of ours watches him. But I take comfort in knowing that I am a good mother and wife. I do what I can to be the best that I can. And I know that my husband and child don't love me any less when I'm not at home. I only ask that you not judge those of us that don't have the privilege of being home.

Thankful Thursday

1. We all know that Joe is the culinary genius of our family....but I do love to bake! I'm thankful that Joe really does like my baking. I love it when he tells me, "These are so good! When are you going to make more?" Right now he and Zachary are both loving my scrumptious pumpkin cookies.

2. I'm thankful for our food storage. In making said cookies I had all of the ingrediants at home. I love it when I don't have to go to the store. I seriously have issues with grocery shopping...I HATE IT! I dread going. But I do pride myself in our little bit of food storage and am thankful for our good sized pantry and under the stairs storage to keep it all. Here are two awesome websites discussing food storage....Everyday Food Storage and Safely Gathered In.

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for a husband that makes the bed every morning (that's right I said EVERY morning) and that he emptied the dishwasher this morning.

2. I'm thankful for Zachary's hugs and kisses. I get hugs all of the time but kisses I have to beg for. When he runs up to me to give me a hug it is so forceful that he almost knocks me over. I'm glad that he loves me so much.

3. I'm thankful for Thursdays. Two words....Grey's Anatomy...need I say more?!

Children's Museum

We went to the Children's Museum downtown last week...aka Discovery Gateway. I had taken Zachary a few months back when his cousins were in town and he liked it then but it seemed to be a whole new experience this time around. We got a six month pass. I think that it was a bit pricey. BUT...when you weigh in the fact that the snow is coming and I don't want to be cooped up in the house with an almost 2 year old...I'm sure the it will pay for itself real quick. Joe hadn't been before so needless to say we weren't there for nearly three hours because of my son. How do you like the tongues and look of concentration on both of their faces? Priceless.

Sadly...

...we received word this week that the restaurant will be closing its doors today.

I'm sad for Joe. He put so much hard work into it and now he has to see it close. It had nothing to do with the food...as they have been quite busy this week. But there were other factors involved, including that of the economy. I know that he will find something soon. He is just that talented. And although I am his wife and can say that...I know that I'm not the only one who feels that way.

I ask for your prayers as I have been praying so hard myself this week. I did find some comfort and spiritual enlightenment that you can find here.

I know that the Lord knows and loves us. He will help us thru this bump in the road of life. And just as Elder Wirthlin said, "Come what may, and love it."

What Is This Stuff?

SNOW!!!! We got some snow on Tuesday. Usually I freak out when the postman walks across our yard making footprints in the snow (drives me crazy...I know I have issues)...but you should have seen our yard after Zachary was done. He was so curious about the snow and wanted to stay outside as long as possible. I still need to get him some boots and was concerned that his feet were going to be soaked by the time we went in the house. But thankfully they were dry. I'm totally enjoying this age of curiosity and discovery.

Little Bit More Hawaii...

I love this shirt! We bought it in Kauai just before we left to come home.

What I Loved About My Vacation

Here are a few things that I loved about my Kauai Vacation:

-Zachary's mellowness (is that a word?)
-Eating fresh fish nearly every meal
-Saving up the money to actually go on this trip
-Relaxing on the beach
-Watching Joe and Chris reminise about "old times"
-My camera
-Listening to Joe try to pronouce every street or city we came across
-Joe wanting to immerse himself in the culture
-Listening to island music every time we were in the car
-Eating at all of the "local places" we could find
-And to go along with that...not caring about the scale as we were eating
-Never eating the same thing twice
-The sunsets
-Footprints in the sand
-Dreaming up our next family vacation
-Zachary eating EVERYTHING
-Rain only occuring at night
-The beauty of the island

And most importantly...

SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH MY FAMILY!

Kauai Vacation: Day 5

This day we drove up the West side of the island to specifically get to Waimea Canyon. Otherwise known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific"
It was breathtaking! I've never been to the Grand Canyon (I know hard to believe) but this was amazing. Joe said that this doesn't even scratch the surface of the Grand Canyon.

Yes, even Monkey himself made it on this trip with us.

On our way back we stopped in Hanapepe at the Swinging Bridge.

This thing scared the crap out of me. Try walking across it with a toddler running and a big guy trying to keep up with him. The bridge was bouncing like crazy!

Zachary liked it so much that he cried when we walked back to the car.

We then drove to Po'pui to eat lunch and some shaved ice. I didn't really care for the shaved ice...too sweet...but when in Rome do as the Romans. So we had to a least let Zachary try it.

Our next stop was the Spouting Horn. We had seen it from the water when we were on our dinner cruise a few night before but wanted to get a closer look. The water rushes in from the left side of the picture and then comes out like you see. But the noise as the water is rushing thru really does sound like a loud horn.

Zachary could have cared less about the Spouting Horn...there were chickens to chase!

It had been a long day and he was tuckered out.

Thank you Kauai! You were good to us!

Mahalo!