In a matter of seconds

To pass some time while I started dinner the other night I got out the finger paints for Kenedy to color. I took her shirt off so she wouldn't get her sleeves dirty. This isn't the first time that Kenedy has painted, and she knows the drill as far as "paper stays on the paper".

I turned around to put some pasta into the pan and as I turned back there was sweet little peanut painting herself. "It feels cold and funny mom!!!" I could not help but laugh when she said that. Its incerdible to see what little things make a child so happy. This being one of those moments where she didn't have to stay clean and she knew that it would come right off.

Snow day with dad

For all of you who know Garrett he has been as giddy as a school boy this last couple weeks due to the "oodles" of snow we have received. Well "like father like daughter". Kenedy looks out the window each morning and if she sees any snow falling or even a little covering the ground she tells me "now that it is snowing we can go sledding". She loves to help dad shovel, stomp on the snow and most important of all she LOVES to eat it. (Even off the bottom of her boots). Garrett bought her a pair of snow shoes last year (kenedy was 18 mo. old at the time), but he knew that she would eventually grow into them and that he would soon be able to take her out.
So last week he had some time off, and decided it was time to pull out Kenedy's snow shoes. They were still huge but she was thrilled to go out with dad for a little daddy daughter date. I thought she would get a little frusterated and want to quit but she quickly figured out how to manage and she went crazy!!!! She is truly my little thrill seeker and she idolizes her dad! They had a great time and she told me when she got back that she loved her new "skates". This is partially why dad is Kenedy's best friend. Garrett loves to spend time with her, he reads books and more books, takes her to the childrens Museum, plays dress up and tea party, has sneaky ways of getting her to eat her food and have fun at the same time. The list goes on and on. I do think that there is a special bond dads have with their little girls. I am lucky to have such a wonderful husband who can't get enough of his two children.

Treasued moments

Looking back at 2007

This past year has truly come and gone faster than I would have liked, but I can truly say that the reason it flew by so quickly was due to wonderful family, friends and a new additions to our little family. I want to recap some highlights of 2007:

1. Garrett and I started the year off with a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, and upon our arrival home we found out we were expecting our 2nd baby (Gavin).

2. Our little peanut decides she is obsessed with Thomas the Tank engine and when potty training occurs she embraces the boys "Thomas" briefs.

3. My brother gets accepted to Dental school in Ohio.

4. Nash is born and brings the biggest smile to the everyone who surrounds him.

5. Garrett and I celebrate our 4Th wedding anniversary. A lot has happened in only 4 yrs. Love you Babe.

6. This summer we vacation locally with Garrett's family, while his sister and her family join us from Michigan. Cherry Hill when your pregnant is a blast. hehehe!!!

7. Easton was born in August to my sister in law and I immediatley know Easton and Gavin are going to be the best of pals.

8. Kenedy turns 2, going on 7. She dosen't know what is about to hit her. There is soon going to be some competition of attention when Gavin is born. She continues to run the roost.

9. Gavin is born and quickly packs on the pounds to hold his own with big sister. He is our little Chunky Monkey.

10.the Holidays began and we had the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time with my family eating lots of food and laughing til we were shedding tears. Trent and Laura came into town for about a month and I must say that truly was a gift. We had missed them so much even though they had only been gone for a couple of months. For a short moment it felt as if they had never left. (We miss you guys)!!! At this time and numerous time throughout the year I am reminded of how lucky I am to have such a strong and loving family. We can't get enough of each other, and I am so grateful for the bond we have with each other.

10. Heidi meets Marcus and they plan a wedding. They just got married in January and we are so excited for them.

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do.

No Crocodiles or Rhinoceroses, I only like hippopotamuses.

And hippopotamuses like me too.

The simple moments that don't last all that long. (so we take advantage whenever the opportunity arises).

As some might have thought from my previous post about our humble Christmas tree that there was no hope of righting this wrong, WE DID IT!!! After a lot of love and major surgery our tree became our own LARGE masterpiece. No longer lopsided because after all the trimming we just decided to stack an extra three blocks of wood under one side of the tree making it almost even. We immediately stacked presents around that edge so nobody would notice. As soon as the presents were opened the secret was out.

Grandma and Grandpa love our kids as much as we do, and our kids love them more than mom and dad. I always know my kids are having a blast when they are spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. They always seem to know exactly what Kenedy is thinking and they allow her to do everything she wants.

Thank Heaven for Disney. They have come out with everything imaginable for a little girl. The moment Kenedy wakes up she has to be "fancied up" with her gown ,crown, jewels and teeny tiny glass slippers.

Heidi and Marcus were married on January 12, and had a beautiful reception at Memory Grove.

Lights out for Gavin, he was pooped after a full day of partying at the wedding.

Kenedy is all girl, minus her Thomas the Tank bungees.

As a mother I couldn't ask for two better children, they are the best of buddies. Gavin often puts up with many princess books, and girly music but in return there is no one who can make Gavin laugh more than Kenedy can. All she has to do is look in his direction and he just grins from ear to ear. I love you Kiddos.

Busy...Busy...Busy

We are finding ourselves busier and busier this holiday season and we are loving every minute of it. But I must admit when we have the opportunity to catch our breathe, we enjoy the simple moments and quiet down time.

We had the opportunity to attend the Utah's Symphony Messiah Sing In, compliments of my dad and with the help from Grandma and Grandpa Maudsley who stepped in at the last minute to help with the kiddos. (Thank you so much). This event was such a wonderful way to begin the Holiday season. The music was so beautiful and the soloists sang with such power and grace. Did I mention that this was one of our first outings since Gavin had been born and I must admit it felt nice to actually be able to enjoy an evening with my hubby!!






Dad is truly the kids favorite person in the whole wide world. He is always up for a classic movie of Cinderella, and snuggle time.

Our play group attempted to attend the Festival of Trees with our kids Little did we know we would spend more time in the Kids Korner that actually looking at the trees. One tree that caught Kenedy's attention was bright blue with Cinderella apparell draped throughout.










A day of shopping at Southe Towne Mall turned into Kenedy's day of fun.

Tis' the season

After a long night of fighting the crowds and standing in lines I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a train. The day after Thanksgiving has always been the day we go and cut down our Christmas tree up near Farmington. Since I was not feeling so swell and Gavin was so young we decided to stay home and leave the tree cutting to Dad and Kenedy.

This is kind of a huge responsibility, ever since our first Christmas where I picked out the BIGGEST, FATTEST tree ever we have yet to find one as great as "Fluffy". Garrett knew the pressure was on, and after much time combing the mountain for the perfect tree Kenedy and Grandma Sydney found the perfect tree. I must say it is a monster of a tree and needed a little work but all said and done, and I would have to say it was a success.

As you can see it still needs a little work and a lot of decorating but when we are finished this baby will glow with pride.

Time flies when you're having Fun

I can't believe that we are already well into December, I am still recovering from Halloween (which I thought just ended last week). I am realizing that once summer ends and fall begins the months just blend together with never ending parties, good food, and wonderful friends and family.

So we will start with Thanksgiving: Garrett and I had been preparing ourselves for a full day of feasting, starting at Grandma Sydney's and shortly there after heading straight to Grandma Jo's for round 2. We were so excited but as we approached the first meal we realized that our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we were full with at least a half plate of food left to finish. No worries give me 5 minutes and I will be ready to continue. As we sat around the table and spoke of all the things we were thankful for I couldn't narrow it down to just thing that I am grateful for I thought I would elaborate a litle bit more:

1. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to live in this wonderful country and have the freedoms that comes with living in America.

2. I am grateful for my parents who taught me by example how to live the gospel to the fullest and the blessing that come from being obedient.

3. I am so blessed to have good health and youth currently on my side ( though my age continues to creep up on me faster that I would like it to).

4. I am grateful for my two little peanuts who make my life full of joy and laughter each and every day. I truly can't get enough of them.

5. I am grateful for a kind, wonderful, loving, patient, youthful-hearted husband who always makes me feel like I am the best at everything. I love his quiet wit, which I know he gets from Grandma Paitience. He is my best friend who I expect to also play the role of my best girl friend from time to time when I just need to vent.

6. I am grateful for the numerous temples so close and for the continued growth of temples that have become even closer for us. (Therefore, no excuses.)

I am grateful for so many things I could go on forever, but these are just to name a few.

Round 2 at Grandma Jo's started with a fashion show from Cinderella and Snow White, and was followed by another wonderful feast with great conversation and wonderful family. As things were winding down, I thought our little clan would head home and get ready for a good night sleep. I was wrong. Leave it to Andy to round everyone up for a shopping excursion starting at Midnight. He just couldn't wait to get out there and shop for his cute wife Jessica and I have a problem of not being able to say "NO" so of course I was in. What was I thinking? I avoid crowds at all costs. I don't even love to shop and here I was standing in the cold, sleep-deprived waiting for the doors to open.

At midnight the Christmas season became official and we went to town. I was mostly in charge of holding everyones bags or helping them find a certain size but we had a blast and partied all night long. Thank you Andy.