Loveable Loran

We found this cute little note taped to Loran's door. It seems every couple of weeks she comes up with something new. You just can't help, but be amazed by her creativity. Simply Adorable!

Be afraid!

We couldn't help, but notice the similarities in the pictures.

Loran's Hair

Eirik loves Loran's hair short. I think it's because it makes her look younger and he's afraid of her growing up. After constant bothering I finally cut her hair last night. So cute, if I do say so myself!

Baby Jacob!

Congratulations Jason and Vanessa! Baby Jacob was born on February 1, 2008. Eirik has already been to see him and I am so jealous. I can't wait to go to Texas to see my new handsome nephew.

Happy Birthday Allie!

We had a quite night at home for Allie's Birthday this year. After dinner with Papa at Chili's and visiting with Bama we decided to take it easy. We also went to see Spiderwick the movie yesterday with Allie's friend Lexi. All in all Allie seemed to have a great birthday!

Celebrity Look-A-Likes

So Fun! I'll take that I look like Heather Locklear, even if I don't agree with it. Eirik has a nice array. I like to think of him as my Cary Grant. Hee Hee!

Sledding!

We took the kids sledding on Saturday. It was a beautiful warm winter day and with the impending snow we thought we'd take advantage of it. We were babysitting Carly's little girl Alex so we took her with us. The kids had a lot of fun. Rhian and Alex were so excited they fell asleep on the way there. Rhian was so bundled up she couldn't walk, but it was adorable!

Beloved Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, Dies at 97

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/testimony-of-president-gordon-b-hinckley

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president

It's ironic that I was thinking to myself, a few days ago, how sad it would be when President Hinckley passed away. Then to have it happen so soon is very upsetting. I love President Hinckley! I know without a doubt that he was a great man who did so much good. He has been our President for 13 years. He is the Prophet I have developed a personal bond with because of his presence in my early adult years. He is the Prophet I have looked to for guidance in raising my small children. I do know he is a brilliant man of God and is fondly looked upon by those of my religion as well as those not. I am truly thankful for this great man! I am grateful for the dignified and loving way he led Christ's church here on earth. President Hinckley.... Thank You!

Home Warranties

Part of me is happy that our builder gave us a home warranty. Part of me is not thrilled by lack of professionalism. Our porch can light was off center. For most... not a big deal. For me it drove me crazy! I just don't get what kind of company hires blind people to build houses. I mean that's what you'd have to be to have left some of these wonderful building faus pa's. Anyway, back from the tirade... the Electrician finally came to fix the can. (He said he'd be back in a week and it took him a year and a week!) This is how he left my front porch just in time for the kids to come home from school.

I don't think his mother ever taught him to clean up after himself. This is something I am certain to do!

We've been hit!

So this winter has been wild! I can't believe the amount of snow we have gotten. The novelty of the snow is wearing off for the kids and Eirik. He's getting a little tired of breaking his back to shovel the driveway in 12 degree weather. What he really hates, though, is when I shovel the snow. He thinks the neighbors will think he's a weakling.... they just don't know I love the snow. Yes, even now with it threatening to bury us alive.

Yesterday we got at least 6-8 inches. It snowed all night and all day. These pictures are what Eirik took of it today after he was done shoveling. The great news (for me) is we will be hit again on Friday and Saturday and a chance for Monday as well. We need the moisture so I say bring it on!

See the little gray box to the left of the picture? It's the mailbox, which is halfway covered in snow. The poor mailman had to dig it out just to open it. Thankfully our box is in the top half.

Science Fair

Allie decided to do her science project on rusty nails. So we had 4 cups of liquid sitting around the kitchen making rust. Eirik (who helped find the idea) was supposed to help her do the project, but unfortunately (for me) was out of town for most of it. So Allie and mom got to put the whole thing together. I think it turned out great! And I thought I was done with school... what was I thinking?!

It's cold out there....

It has been absolutely freezing out the last couple of days. Today it was a breezy 12 degrees. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 15 degrees. With the cold we have a lot of wind and what moisture we have in the air sticks to everything like ice. It makes it hard to want to leave the house, but it sure makes everything beautiful... Enjoy the pics from our new camera... Yea!

We had a very nice Christmas this year and the kids were once again extremely spoiled. So thank you to all who were apart of it. We unfortunately lost our camera :( so we did not get any pictures. Sorry! As soon as I get some from family members I will post them. Happy New Year, everyone!

Christmas Pressie's

I mentioned that I would post what the kids wanted for Christmas to make it easier on everyone. If you decide to get something for them off the list, please post a comment so we know not to duplicate it. These lists came back pretty funny this year.... all of them think they are so grown up.

Allie

Cat, Coloring Books, Art Stuff, Quick Gems, Girl Crush-Streak and Style, Hamster, Snake(One that won't bite), Spiderwick Fieldguide, Camera Video, Camera, Dream Life Superstar, Floor Pad Paper, Hannah Montana Poster Book, Harry Potter Poster Book, Disney Ipod, Binoculars, Beyond Spiderwick Books, Cell Phone, Limited Too Gift Card

Loran

Quick Gems, Sea Shells, Nail Polish Set, Hannah Montana Poster Book, Reba CD, Camera, Tinker Bell Book Set, Santa Claus 3 movie, Tiara with real diamonds, Monkey, Hair Stuff, Stationary Kit, Lamb, Make-up Kit, Hamster, Cell Phone,Girl Crush- Streak and Style, Painting of Flowers, Limited Too Gift Card

Jackson

GI Joe's, Ice Cream Maker, Art Stuff, Spiderman Toys, Lots of Paper, Transformers, Video Camera, Binoculars, Shoes (Size 11), Video Games (PS2), Space Ship for GI Joe's, Toy House for GI Joe's

Rhian

Little People Airplane, Zebra bounce and ride, Clothes (18 Mos.), Shoes (Size 5)

As you can see some of these are just funny and cute! But this is the list they gave me. Good Luck!

Christmas Lights

I love Christmas lights! My favorite are those at temple square. I do not believe in lights before Thanksgiving, however. I feel bad for Thanksgiving. Everyone is in such a rush to get Christmas decorations out that we blow through Thanksgiving without thinking about it. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to start thinking about Christ. (If you don't regularly already) All that He has given us, we should pause and give thanks. Then we start the Christmas Season off with a bang. So I say, turn the Christmas lights off and put the decorations away until black Friday. Remember what you are doing it all for in the first place and stop and give thanks! Then bring on the twinkly icicles and stockings.

Ducks!

Rhian's new word is duck. She has a ducky book that she loves reading. So we decided today we would go to Barnes park and feed the ducks. She was petrified of the ducks. In her defense, there were a ton and they were noisy. She liked them better from afar.

Tag Your It!

Thanks Angie~

This is hard... here goes:


Rules: Write 7 facts about yourself...silly, serious, random - you decide. List who tagged you and then who you will tag at the bottom. Leave a comment on their blogs and let them know you tagged them.


1. I love the Mountains! I love going for rides on the bumpy dirt roads. I love having the fresh mountain air in my face. I love the trees and streams you find in them. I love the feeling of being on something so majestic. I love that they make you feel so insignificant and so powerful all at the same time.

2. I love the stars! I used to spend hours staring at them. I even knew most of the constellations. Growing up I had glow in the dark star stickers on my ceiling. When Eirik and I lived close to downtown Dallas, I would make him drive me to the burbs just to stare at the stars. These gorgeous stars are what sold me on living in West Point. Nothing is out here so they have no competition and they shine so bright!

3. I am an unofficial massage therapist. From the moment Allie was 5 days old to the time Loran turned 3, I had a full time massage job. I know every curve of the foot. I know the way to tape a foot to make it turn the way it's supposed to. And I know the heartache when it doesn't. The ironic thing... I hate feet! I always have. I won't even touch my own feet.

4. Shopping is my passion! I can be let loose in a store and come out with the best bargains, when it comes to everything but food. I can not master the art of using coupons for groceries. It's a huge pet peeve. Especially when everyone around me seems so capable of it.

5. I love old music... Chicago, Stix, REO Speedwagon, Air Supply, Fleetwood Mac. I also like the old Blackhawk, Garth Brooks, Reba, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Smashing Pumpkins, U2, etc. Nothing against the newer stuff from the same artists. This music just ties me back to my younger years!

6. I love to exercise! It doesn't look like it at the moment, but I'm trying. If I am having a hard day chances are I missed the gym that day. I need to go to have me time. It's my chance to be selfish and at the same time it benefits everyone around me.

7. I love the rain! When I was in Jr. High and High School, I used to go outside and walk in the rain. It would be pouring and I would sit in it for hours. Whenever it rained my friends would always know where to find me. I love the way it smells. I love the clean feeling in the air it leaves. I love the peacefulness you are left with! It's always a good day when it rains!

Alright~ I am tagging Melissa and Teisha. Have fun!

Reminiscing

I don't know why, but I've been in the mood to reminisce. I'm guessing because I'm back in Utah and this was who I was last time I lived in here.

, Dancing with the Rockettes,

Working at McDonald's ,

Skiing at Snowbasin with friends

and living off Pepsi .

At times I think life was easier then. Sometimes, it seems I still am that person and I'm living someone else's life now. At other times I look back and can't believe that was ever me!

It's healthy to have a past... It's amazing if we get through the present... It will be a blessing to have a future!

Trunk or Treat

We had Trunk or Treat at the church on Tuesday night. We went and ate sloppy joe's and then handed out candy from our trunks, obviously. The kids had a blast. They are old enough now we let them go around the church parking lot with their friends on their own.


Rhian was our "Lion in Captivity". It was pretty cold and she hadn't been feeling well. So we kept her in the car. To keep her happy we gave her a red sucker... which didn't end up looking very good on a lion. :)