BURRIED!!!!

This is what I remember! Winter is like it was when I was growing up. Lots and LOTS of snow. It hasn't snowed like this for about 10 years...so this winter has seemed a little crazy....even though this is how it's always been...and how it's supposed to be. We used to sled off of our garage, build tunnels, forts and snowmen, and play until we were absolutely frozen and completely soaked. I love the snow. It is a lot of work, but I am grateful for the moisture because nothing makes me happier than a green summer with full lakes and streams. It is SO beautiful after the clouds clear and everything sparkles. I love living in a place where there are 4 distinct seasons, there is something beautiful all year round (although I have to say that winter takes more than it's fair share of the time) About 2 weeks ago we got three feet of snow, and this week we've gotten another two feet. This time we still have electricity! There is so much snow we literally have a 10-12 foot mound right in front of our house (I need to get a picture of that!). When we drive on our road it's like driving through a tunnel...quite the adventure!


Is this for real?

BBRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Our Beloved Prophet

President Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints passed away this evening at 97 years of age. This is a quite saddening event for members of this church worldwide. He is dearly loved and cherished by millions. He has spent his entire life in service and showing complete Christ-like love to everyone. Although he will be greatly missed and his passing brings sadness, it is a joyful thing. He is able to be reunited with his dear wife, and others he has loved. He is happy and I know that his reunion with loved ones is sweet. Words cannot express my love, appreciation, and admiration for this wonderful man. He is the epitome of goodness, charity, and service. He is the most optimistic, kind, faithful person I have ever been priviledged to have known. His testimony of our savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father's eternal plan will always be remembered and treasured. He will forever be an example and enormous influence for good in my life.

(please visit http://www.lds.org/ , and http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/beloved-church-president-gordon-b-hinckley-dies-at-97 for more information on this wonderful man his many influential teachings.)

These are a few......

of my favorite things.....

Traci sent me some of the pictures from her wedding in October. I thought they were SO GOOD, so I decided to post a few of my favorites.


This is definitely one of my very favorite pictures EVER taken of us. I LOVE IT!


I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this candid shot. LOVE IT!


Doesn't Traci look so BEAUTIFUL?!?!??!



It turns out that Matt really IS so so TALL!!!! I love it...


Carson wasn't too keen on having his nose pinched....but this picture is precious.

The wedding was beautiful, the temple beautiful, everything perfect. I LOVE this shot too. I am pretty much a picture freak. My whole house is decorated in my favorite pictures, and I never go anywhere without my camera. I love preserving the memories.

Something new to climb on!

Kaden loves this new chair. It was his cousin's chair and we thought it would be too big for him, but he LOVES it! He just climbs on and off, rocks it back and forth, and stands on it. So far, he hasn't hurt himself...we'll see how long that lasts. He is such a curious, adventurous little guy. He is also walking all over the place, which is SO CUTE...but I am sure that I will miss the crawling days when he figures out how to run away from me and get into even more mischief.


He's already learned to climb on it and make the ride a little more fun. That scary eye in the background is Baby Einstein....which he isn't really that interested in obviously. Those big boxes are all of his clothes 0-9 mnths....I was SO SAD to get them all washed up and stored. I can't believe he used to drown in those newborn clothes. It is crazy how fast time flies, and how fast he grows, but he truly gets more fun by the day.

Completely Heartwarming.....

This is definitely one of my most favorite things about being a mom. If I could, and knew it wouldn't spoil him, I would take a nap with Kaden every day. I love to snuggle up with him, get my face as close to him as possible and enjoy his warmth and wonderful smell. I am in Heaven when my baby is snuggled up next to me.


Today Nana treated Kaden to his first "ride" in the mall. He rode the "Bob the Builder" truck and it played music. Kaden LOVES to dance, so he was steering the wheel and dancing. I think that he almost got whip-lash, but loved it. He was so happy! He was also treated to chocolate ice cream.....hence the brown mustache...


I know that I have posted pictures like this before...but honestly, this is one of the most heartwarming things I get to witness. I am so in love with my husband and son....and watching them play, interact, read, and be together brings indescribable joy.

We're dorks and we know it

And we LOVE it!


My sister and I went shopping and I put this shirt on. I put on the hood for fun, and it looked like a swim cap. We thought it was the funniest thing on earth for some reason and laughed (and acted like we were 12) for quite while in the dressing room. It was just one of those times when you can't stop laughing. A much needed remedy for me.


Yes....I look like a fish....


I am not sure I could look any more dorky!

Little Fishy

"Catch me if you can Dad...." Kaden was crawling at full speed through the water. There were fountains and slides everywhere...he was in Heaven. I am not sure he got the correlation that when he splashes as much and as hard as he can, he gets water in his eyes, nose, and mouth and can't breath or see. But.....he didn't care about those minor necessities. It was time to PLAY!


"AHHHHHH!!!!!! It's gonna get us!!!!"


"Don't worry Dad...this stuff is FUN!" Matt was so much fun for Kaden. He would swim under and around him and come up really fast and Kaden laughed harder than ever. He sang the Jaws theme and attacked Kaden and that was hilarious. Kaden knew what was coming and went nuts splashing, laughing, and screaming. It definitely was the highlight of our week.

Light in the Dark

All of these pictures are of Kaden...but he has been the sunshine lately. We haven't blogged in so long because last weekend we hade a HUGE snowstorm, and it was crazy! We got over 3 FEET of snow in a couple of days and it was really wet, HEAVY snow. It took me forever to shovel our driveway. We didn't have electricity for 4 days! So....it was a little dark in our house. We got out a lot though (once we un-burried ourselves). We went to the pool, to movies, etc. So....while it was dark in our house, we just took lots of funny pictures of our little Mr.




He makes this weird face a lot.....not sure why. Sometimes he sucks both lips in and looks like a little fish. It's so funny. His little personality is really starting to show and he cracks me up at the things he will do. SO FUN.




Look at those little teeth! They are still the ONLY teeth in his mouth. He is bound to get some sometime soon! I am thinking they will all just come in at once. He's cute with his little gummy smile though.....and, despite only having two teeth, he bites HARD!

Christmas, Baby!

Here are just a few cute shots from Christmas in California. We had a great time and were constantly on the go. It's nice to be back home and relaxing into our normal schedules.


Matt and I working on our ginger bread house. We had a little bit of crisis with the roof, it weighed 900 lbs....but all turned out great in the end. I would have lived in it.


It's Chistmas..."I'm so happy!"

"Yeah, the bear is cute....but can I keep the box?"

After having our schedules and lives sort of flip-flopped we were all tuckered out.