A New Bike

Cam (his dad) has been wanting a dirt bike. We have looked around, couldn't find anything quite right. Uncle Matt and Aunt Nanny suggested this one - one their kids used to ride. It came with complete riding gear.

What an awesome gift!

I think he likes it . . .

In full riding gear.

Thank you, Aunt Nanny and Uncle Matt!

Ute Birthday

Cameron wanted a Utah cake for his birthday party. My dear sister is awesome with cakes. This is what she came up with . . .Beautiful, I know.
Aunt Laura and birthday boy with the cake.

What happens when you ask a BYU fan to make a Utah cake? That's right - it turns blue! The blue cake was the HIT of the party. As Cam says, "she is such a prankster".

Berline Update

Just in case you were about to pee your pants in anticipation over which one is the statue...

I didn't get it until this last picture, either. I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did!

Berlin

Have you ever been to Berlin? I haven't, either. But my sister went there today. She spends a couple weeks in Germany every few months or so for her job. Since it will probably be a very long time before I make it there, I asked her to send me photos. I will live vicariously through her -

See the green guys? One is a statue, one is a mime. Can you tell? I couldn't.
Snowfall on the river

Remnants of the Berlin Wall

Checkpoint Charlie

Fascinating - thanks for sharing, Kathy!

Crazy

Nothing says elementary school like Crazy hair Day!

I Must Be Getting Old

I went to lunch with a dear friend of mine today. As we talked, we were discussing our trials, our children (like I said, our trials) and the way our perspectives have changed. I realized there are quite a few things I am okay with now that I was not okay with a few years back.

Here are just a few:

Not keeping my house perfect (I'm good to clean once a week!)

Letting my child/children go to school without looking model perfect (somedays we are lucky to get out the door on time)

Leaving the house without makeup (I don't have the energy anymore)

Saying what I think, even if it makes me unpopular with someone (Okay, maybe I have always done this. But now it doesn't bother me so much)

Things that used to seem so important don't seem so important any more.

I must be getting old. Or, even worse, I must be getting mature! (Yeah, right)

Thank you, my dear friend, for helping me remember I am not alone in this crazy fight called MOTHERHOOD!

Smiling

I am smiling because I can.

If I don't laugh, I cry.

I choose to laugh.

I am thinking about running.

I spent a lot of time running last year.

I went through 6 pairs of running shoes.

That is a lot of running.

I am smiling because I remember my last race.

I am smiling because I remember how proud I felt when my husband finished the St. George Marathon.

I am smiling because I am still so, so proud of him.

I am smiling because some day, somewhere, somehow, I, too, will finish the St. George Marathon.

I am smiling because I don't have to do it today.

I am smiling because my uncle ran my favorite half marathon on Saturday and thought of me.

If I had been able to run, it would have been my fourth year in a row.

I sitll miss running.

I miss exercise. Period.

I am still smiling because I can.

I'm Dreaming

Of a warmer place!!!

Seven

This little man is 7 today. Hard to believe.

Cameron was born at 2:09 in the morning. He was almost born in the car. Mom had to be wheeled into labor and delivery by the night security guard. Dad was PARKING THE CAR!!

Cameron loves all things boy. He loves dirt, bugs, trucks, cars, fishing, boating, everything outdoors.

Cameron loves orange chicken.

Cameron has a birthmark just like his mom's - a special joke between Cameron and mom, the only two people in the family that have birthmarks. We claim it is because we share the same birthday.

Happy birthday little man!

A Sad Day

I went to the store yesterday to find a birthday gift for my soon to be 7-year-old son. I could not find one thing that he didn't all ready have. What a sad day for me, as a parent, to realize what a spoiled little boy I have. He has so much, there's nothing left to buy!! What have I done???

Time to cut back. WAY back.

An Ode to Running

Lacing up my familiar, comfortable, worn just right shoes

Adjusting the Ipod to my newest, funkiest running play list

Feeling the familiar cadence of the pounding rhythm of the pavement under my feet

Rhythmic breathing, in and out, in and out

Feeling the peace that accompanies sunrise

Greeting the world as it wakes and comes alive

The physical rush that comes with the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment

I miss you, running

Smile and Be Happy!

"Smile, ninos, for the Lord has blessed us today."
-from Nacho Libre, the funniest movie EVER! Also, the last thing I say to my teenager when she gets out of the car in the morning to head into school.

In an effort to focus on the GOOD in my life, here is what I am SMILING about today:

My children, all three of them, each have at least two good friends. I am grateful for good friends. Good friends help keep them out of trouble. Or help them get into trouble - it depends on the kid. Good friends are vital to a happy childhood. I have had several good friends in my life. So many I can't name them all. One good friend in particular I will name. Sharon. We have been friends since the 6th grade. Long time, I know. She lives in Erda, so we see each other possibly once a month. When I see her it feels like we haven't ever been apart. My other two friends that I call pretty much daily, I am smiling because you are in my life. My other good friend, the one that sends me pictures, I am smiling because you are in my life.

I hope each and every one of you reading this is smiling because you, too, have a good friend.

To all my good friends out there - I love you - all of you! (And hopefully you all know who you are!!)

Have To

Thank my friend CHAR for helping my kids make cookies for Santa. I was flat in bed and she not only invited the kids over for cookie decorating, but sent them home with a full plate of cookies just for Santa AND pictures that captured the chaos!

Thanks, Char. You rock!

(Santa LOVED the cookies!)

Crazy

My daughter is crazy! My friend CHAR

sent me these pictures of our daughters - hanging out at Char's house -

I have no idea what they are doing.

Obviously they are sitting above the fire place - but why?

Thought they were funny, so here you go!

Resolving - Update

Today is the second day (week?) of No TV Sunday. Happy to report it went pretty well. Kids did not kill each other. I did not kill any kids. We actually sat and talked - as a family! We read some stories - as a family! The kids played a game - together! The home actually felt peaceful AND quiet! Wow - this just might work . . .

Not a Fan of January

I'm sure I've posted these before - but I am LONGING for summer. I am not a fan of winter, smog, cold, snow - all things winter. Usually my dear husband takes me somewhere warm in the winter months. However, my school schedule prohibits that this year. Sigh. I guess I will just keep looking at my "summer" photos and keep dreaming of warmer days!

Ash - we finally were able to get her on the knee board last summer.

Taylor and Morg - the girls were afraid of the tube until last summer.

The boy always asks his dad if we can put the "boat on" (meaning hook the boat up to the car and pull it to the lake)

These are all photos from a day at Utah Lake last August. Boating - one of my favorite summer activities! I'm sure it will be here before I know it. Sigh.

For Me

Two favorite pics from Christmas

Resolving

THIS is the year I will:

NOT feed my kids delicious sugary treats every SINGLE day

NOT watch TV on Sundays - I need one day of peace

RUN the St. George marathon WITHOUT my insides falling out

NOT visit restaurants 5 times a week

NOT take up smoking - (I have to have one I will keep)

What is yours?

Welcome, 2010

Nothing rings in the New Year like a Nerf Gun fight!

Celebrating New Year's Eve with our dear friends, the Birch Family

New Year's Day at Mom's House

After lying in bed for two weeks straight, amazing lengths were taken for entertainment. My dear sister did everything she could to make me laugh. She totally succeeded!

The darling BYU neice and nephew. Yes, Miss T is going to be a BYU cheerleader and Mr. Brak will be the star quarterback. I have promised my nephew if he indeed plays for BYU, I WILL become a BYU fan! (And Max Hall will be long gone by then - not a fan!)

Cousins, food, fun, entertainment, games - nothing says welcome 2010 quite like this!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!