A cute photo

When we were working on our room, our bed spent the weekend in the living room. I love this picture because it has all the kids in it, and it shows a typical Sunday afternoon activity. I just love this picture. I'm so glad I didn't let parenthood pass me by!!!

80's Day

So like I found this like totally radical outfit and it was like perfect for 80's day. We just like totally put Natalie's hair in this like totally cute side ponytail and like oh my gosh she looked totally rad!!! Oh but there was this like totally gross outfit that I was like going to have her wear and she was like "Gag me with a spoon!" So we like compromised on this one and she looked like totally cute!!! She also wore like the most darling big red bead necklace and earrings that my mom like STILL had in her jewelry box!!!

What we've been up to...

It's been busy as usual around here but we're always having a good time so I thought I'd just share a few fun things...

Friday night we went and say HSM3 at the dollar movies. Okay, I'll admit it. It was a pretty darn cute movie, very cheesey, but fun nonetheless. Most of all our kids really liked it and would have danced in the aisles had we allowed it.

Saturday we got up and Der and Nat went for a two mile run. Then we loaded up and went to the Ophir Tintic Model Railraod Show at Thanksgiving POint. It was SOOOOO much fun. If you want to see any of the layouts visit otwtrainclub.com and look at the 2009 gallery one photos.

There were amazing HO scale layouts, as well as "S" scale, and we even saw a small "Z" scale layout a man had built in a small leather briefcase. Ingenious!!! We had a great time.

We hurried home after and had chilidogs for lunch YUM!!! Then we watched a nail-biter Jr. Jazz game. They played their hearts out and even lead for a quarter (something they havd never done before!!) They ended up losing 15-19. But they played so well and it was a lot of fun!!

Earlier this week the boys and I had a great time building marshmallow towers. It doesn't get much better than toothpicks and marshmallows!!

Today Natalie had crazy hair day at school to kick off spirit week. Tomorrow is "Oldies Day" and everyone is supposed to dress up from the 80's. WHAT?!? This picture doesn;t do it justice, but it is a mowhawk made out of little french braid buns. There are stray hairs that are crimped too.

We are just about done with our room redo. We painted the walls and refinished the furniture. We took down the old levalor's(sp?) and hung new curtains. The shelf and the bed were built by Derek and he gave them to me for a wedding present nearly 15 years ago! We found the end table at DI and painted it to match. We also have a darling antique chest of drawers that Brandon and Andrea handed down to us several years ago. Um.. oh yeah the wing back chair is a DI find from a few years ago too. Have I ever mentioned that I love DI? I wanted to share a little information on the decor in this room because it is all so meaningful to me personally. We have a beautiful cross-stitch on the wall from Derek's folks (his mom's handiwork) and a really cool family tree on another wall that Brandon and Andrea gave us (Andrea's handiwork.) On the shelf is a Hansen's figurine that was my Grandma Joyce's and an old quad that was Derek's Dad's. There is also a vase from our Mexican Riviera Cruise (my all-time favorite vacation.) The bedding set was a steal thanks to my friend Alyssa and her good eye for a deal (and a coupon she parted with!) And finally the lamp that is on the end table is a beautiful Tiffany-style piece that Brandon and Andrea gave us severlal years ago with a lighthouse scene on the glass shade. We love this room and all the reminders it has of our family that loves us!! So all we have is some minor touch-up paint and to hang the Vinyl saying above the closet. This has been a rewarding project.

Nat made the basketball team!!!

Nat made the basketball team!!!! I am so happy for her. Derek leaves for work EARLY so he and Nat have been getting up before 5am and going over to the church for training to help her improve her skills (when I was 13 NOTHING was worth getting up that early!!) Well, their hard work paid off!! She made the Junior Varsity team. I think that is a perfect spot for her as she continues to learn the game and improve her ability. Way to go kiddo!

Come what may, and love it! Three lessons

After spending the better part of the last two days in bed I find I cannot stand the thought of being horizontal, let alone sleep! So here I am... Three recent lessons I've (re)learned: #1- Heavenly Father loves me. Many of you know that music plays a huge role in my life. I grew up singing and playing the piano, and guitar. Due to sinus-related struggles I can no longer sing, at all. Don't get me wrong I can carry a tune but I really shouldn't try. I guess maybe if you want Mamma to sing base I could give it a shot! I bet I could do a great "Giddyup a oom boppa oom boppa mow mow." Truthfully, this has been a real downer for me at home. I've never loved performing publicly, but at home I love to sing to the kids, or in the shower, or while I clean, or while I play the piano. We sing to our boys every night at bedtime and Danny has reminded me more than once that "You lost your high huh mom!" Well, have you ever heard anyone talk about losing one of their senses (sight or hearing for example) and how the other senses become stronger? I have noticed that blessing in my life with music. This past week a family member called and asked me to write a song for her stake youth conference. She informed me that she felt prompted to call me. I accepted but after the call the doubt set in. How could I thinl I could actually do this. Especially when I can't even sing it to her if I can even come up with something. A few days later I was thinking of calling her to refuse but I decided to wait. I hate how quickly confidence can leave and doubt can take over. A few days later I was driving in the van and this song came in to my mind. Over the last few days it has come completely and now I just need to get it on paper. And, once again, I am reminded just how much Heavenly Father loves me. He didn't take away my singing voice, mortality does that. But he did give me other talents that I can develope with his help. #2- Judge Not... Derek and I attended Stake Temple Night last Friday. On the ride into town we discussed Boeing's announcement of 4500 lay-offs. I was feeling so anxious about our future and our family. I was feeling pretty worked up and then Ahh...I love the temple. As we sat in the chapel I think it is so fun to watch as people enter. You're always happy to see them and give a small wave or smile and they are happy to see you too. I always think that this is what Heaven will be like. Family and friends delighted to see you enter. As the 2nd Counselor in the SP addressed us I was edified. I looked around the room and was consumed by the feelings of hope and encouragement for the future. I recognized how many good people are around us. Really basically good people every where around us. I felt lovingly chastened for being overly judgemental at times. As this week has progressed I have felt more patience towards others. Have I mentioned I love the temple. #3- Reduce and Simplify. Over the last several months I have been doing some personal "Housekeeping." I have been able to let go of book club, PTA, and PTSA. Boy does that feel good. These were hard things to say goodbye too. BUt I can't tell you the peace and comfort to not have the pressures that they bring (particularly the PTA and PTSA.) Over the next several months I plan to do some "Spiritual Housekeeping." I'll let you know how that goes. At Angie B.'s blog she shared that her motto for 2009 is "Come what may, and love it." I was so touched by this statement that I am piggy backing on her motto. Derek and I just finished remodeling our bedroom. I am putting that statement, which is Elder Wirthlin's mother's words, in vinyl lettering on our bedroom wall so I can be reminded everyday. Event's in our life are very seldom in our control, but our reactions to these events is completely in our control. So how appropriate for me are the words "Come what may, and love it." Thanks Angie! Time for bed.

A Glance at 2008

Well, we didn't get any Christmas cards out this year so here is a blog instead!!

We're all doing great. Here is a glimpse of what each of us have been up to in a few words:

Family: New van, CA trip, Bear Lake, picnics, Lava Hot Springs, Huge Yard Sale, Wheeler Farm, Thanksgiving Point, Hogle Zoo, Utah Museum Of Fine Arts, tubing, Willard Bay, long bike rides

Derek: Boeing 13 years, Stake Exec. Sec., jogging MWF, great Hubby, great dad...

Becky: New job, PTSA, PTA, primary teacher, activity day's leader, reading, babysitting...

Natalie: Volleyball, musical, choir, basketball, hanging out with friends, turning 13, straight A's, unicycle, seeing Body Worlds, braces off, making baby hats...

Laurel: age 11, rollerblades, piano, sewing, best friend Kylie, cross-country skiing, cooking, big help to family...

Brady: baptism, scouts, best friend Zack, basketball, Junior Jazz, elephant collection, pogo stick, tubing...

Danny: pre-school, Lainee, very first birthday party, kissing mom, riding bikes and scooters, playing the computer, big helper...

It's been a great year. We look forward to a wonderful 2009! We love you all and hope you all have a happy and healthy 2009!