Our Fishing Trip

I don't get to make too many posts here, so this is a real treat for all you lucky readers. ;)

Seriously, this was a treat for me and my three sons. Our Elders quorum had a fishing trip for Dads and sons and it was great fun. Brian caught three fish, and we all had fun trying to figure out what his secret was. It was a beautiful drive. The mountains were very green because of all this rain wonderful rain. I snapped this picture driving down the canyon (why the grass is all blurry in the foreground.)

Updated pictures of Ellie

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BABY!!!

Escape

Today we escaped.Do you ever do that? This morning Ammon's child advocate came for a visit from Kids On the Move. The conversation was a little too heavy. So like any mature adult would do...I took the kids and we escaped to the mountains. I left the dishes and laundry and we were off. We put on fun uplifting music, rolled down the windows and went to Tibble Fork. It rained today so it was a feast for the eyes up there. Green, green everywhere.We stopped and just listened to the birds sing. Now that's therapy. Nature.

Our Sunshine Boy Sam

Friday was Sam's 5th birthday! The list could go on and on and on about the things we ALL love about Sam. One of our family traditions is to go around and tell the things we love most about our birthday person. Some of the things said about Sam were "he's a peace maker, he always shares, he is our Sunshine Boy, EVERYTHING!!, his hugs, his imagination, he wakes up happy every morning." The other day I asked him "Sam, why are you so sweet? Are you made of sugar?" he simply said..."No, I am just trying to be like Joseph Smith..and Jesus (giggle giggle)." Julie's family gave him a slinky for his birthday(and a kite). He had never seen one, so when he opened it I said"OH, LOOK! a slinky!!!" and he said..Yea!!YOok!! a Fwinky!! I love the way he percieves the world and then how he states what is on his mind. He absolutely adores Elizabeth. The day she was born he perked right out of bed and said " E-yiz-abef is coming today!!!!" Even before she was born I would catch him having a conversation with himself (which he does often) saying "I yuv her. I yuv her name. E-yiz-abef" Now when he sees her he always says ..."OOOOHhhhh E-yizzzzz-a- beff" really drawn out...and then says
"I yuv she's eyes." He is sunshine.



Sam is a creative artist! He must have the artist gene running through from both sides of the family. This is some of his work being displayed at his school. He had an amazing teacher, Mrs. Norman at The Canyon School For The Arts.

These are the owners of the school (our neighbors) Rich Kramer and MaryAnn O'Brien.

Ellie's blessing day

This day goes down as one of the most memorable days of my life. It was almost in slow motion as it was happening. Does that ever happen? I think we want time to slow down so much that it may feel like it. Ellie is perfect. I couldn't seem to take it all in. Each moment was so significant and wonderful. Her big brothers ooo-ing and awing over her...Grammie making the final touches on her dress and head band...bathing her and dressing her...gathering in the chapel with friends and family ...watching Andy walk with her up to the front and listening to her beautiful name...thinking of my Grammie and ancestors who may have been there with us...listening to each word of the priesthood blessing just for her...looking at all of my other children and standing in awe of each one and loving them more than I ever have at any other moment in time...watching Ellie stare up at Andy after he sat down and blessed her and feeling an overwhelming love for him ...listening to my beautiful daughter's testimony of the Savior then my Father's. How could I not want to hold on to this moment in time. It was a gift.