What Winter Hat Are You???

Saw this and thought it looked fun!

You Are a Ski Cap You are a comfortable, low maintenance, and even practical person. You use fashion to look good, and you don't stray too far from the mainstream. You are friendly and accepting. You don't really judge other people for their fashion choices. You enjoy clothes and accessories as much as the next person, but you're not superficial about it!

What Winter Hat Are You?

Happy Anniversary to us!!!

Warning: Picture overload...and a lot of mushy stuff to go along w/it so beware!!!!
I wanted to get this up today since it's our 3 year Anniversary! Many of you know we've been together much longer than that so 3 year's seems like such a small number but it's just as special as if it were 10 years or more! We met and started dating just shy of 6 years ago so that's why it seems like it has been so much longer...But I am so blessed to have such a great husband in my life and want him to know how much he is loved and appreciated! No matter what trials or obstacles we face I love you through them and I think it makes us stronger as a couple and only makes me love you more in so many different ways! You work so hard for our family and put so much energy and time into everything you do and it doesn't go unnoticed, trust me! I am so grateful for your determination, dedication, passion and loyalty in everything you do whether it's me as your wife, our children, our families, friends, neighbors and most of all our business! You have kept it going w/out fail and I know even through these tough times right now we will prevail and it will be because of all the hard work and passion you have for it! We are so blessed as a family to have what we have and it is never taken for granted and love you so much for providing us with it! Your such a great provider for us and everyone we know, always wanting everyone taken care of and happy and that is the greatest quality I love about you. Thanks for being my husband, friend and companion and I hope we continue to strengthen our marriage in many more years to come! I love and appreciate you even if you may not hear it all the time please never forget it! Happy Anniversary babe :)

These are pictures of us from the very beginning in 2003 all the way up to now the present! We've done so many different things and had so many adventure's from meeting on the freeway, to many weekends spent driving to see each other, swimming w/dolphins, going on many trips, getting sealed to each other as a family, annual Lake Powell trips, building new homes, building our family, getting in a 4-wheeler accident & breaking some bones while doing it, snowmobiling and having fun on the lake, going to concerts, seeing Park City from up in a hot air balloon, running marathon's together (well you out of my eye of sight) but accomplishing them together, hunting, dance recitals and so many more I could of put up but well I think this is plenty! We've come so far and have so many memories and I love making them with you!!!

Love,
your wife and the mother of your children :) (I just love how that sounds)

ALL WRAPPED UP IN ONE!!!

This past weekend we had a house full which is my absolute favorite thing especially when it's my family staying! My sister came up w/her beautiful kiddos and my parents made it as well! We played games, went sledding, had tons of leftover's from the Baptism and the kids loved the hot tub!! They all came for one very special event--you might think Valentine's, or President's weekend, well nope it was our Brooklynn's Baptism on Saturday and happened to be Valentine's day and I made it on President's weekend so my family could make it and stay a little longer than normal since it's so far away! It all worked out perfectly! Well we had some delays and didn't start the Baptism at it's normal time but it happened and it was very special and the spirit was there! There was a big snow storm that morning so some family coming from the Salt Lake area got there later than usual b/c of weather delays but everyone there was so great and patient and it reaffirmed how much I love those people! Family, friends, neighbors, ward members however we know them they were all so loving and patient and we really appreciated you being there and understanding the circumstances! All the children that were there did so much better than expected as well I couldn't believe it, that's how I knew the spirit was there and it was so special!

We're so proud of our little girl who took this next BIG step in her life and hope she knows how much we all love her and are so proud of her! Thanks to all that came up from far away or even close by we love you all! And thanks to my family for making sacrifices they didn't "have" to make to be there to support their grandchild/niece!! Especially my great sister who didn't get to be w/her hubby on V-day I know how much of a sacrifice that is and we are so grateful for you and your support! Notice my V-day gift in the pic's--love flowers and love getting them so thank you hunny for getting them for me I love you and appreciate all you do and "put up with" ;) Your amazing!!!

And here are the fun memories captured while playing outside in the snow storm!! We didn't let a stupid snow storm stop our fun plans--no way! The kids LOVED it and I actually had TONS of fun as well! I sometimes wimp out when it comes to sledding/being in the snow...But I went out and did it and LOVED it! I love living right down the street from a perfect sledding hill--way nice! Our friends that came up for the Baptism from SLC joined us so we had to makeshift out of the snow gear we had left for their kids and that was pretty funny since we had to duct tape both the toddler's gloves to them around there coat but hey it worked perfectly and you do what you gotta do to have fun, right!!?? I think I am ready for the snow to stop though but as I look out the window and it's stormy again I'll have to say I don't think it's going to anytime soon :(


So I promised better pics of the house we're building so here are some more! Still not the best one's b/c the siding was being put up when we were there so of course I'll get one w/it all done next time but you get the idea w/these pics! The first inside picture is of the kitchen, then the dining area, living area and master bedroom. It's hard to really see or tell w/out anything in there but at least you can see walls up which make it look tons different than just the framing! As of today they are putting the texture up on all the walls and the finish work will be started this week so it's running along pretty smoothly and is still on schedule!!

Brian wanted to practice making homemade rootbeer for Brooklynn's Baptism so he tried it out one night and it was a lot of fun for the kids! Brooklynn and Spencer couldn't get enough of the cool steam and bubbles coming out of the thermos! It was really good and now knew how to make it for the Baptism which made him and everyone else very happy!! He got many compliments on it and of course all the sugar he had in it didn't help at all I'm sure ;) Thanks to dad for helping him make it the morning of the Baptism since he made 2 huge thermos's of it but it made for plenty of leftover's which we of course drank almost ALL of it!

Our new nightly routine has really helped nightime to be much easier than it was!! Brooklynn and Spencer now get to brush their teeth at the same time and Spencer mimmicks his sissy while doing so and it's soooo cute! He really looks up to her and I think it's so special. Then sissy reads him a book in his room which in the beginning went very well but now he still loves it just get's too ansy and has to have his own book in his hands while she reads another one! So picky... Then we all say our prayer's together and we tried getting Spencer saying his prayer on camera and video but of course doesn't do it so I'm gonna have to hide it and have it ready to go so I can capture the cutest prayer I've ever heard! He makes us laugh everytime! Then daddy puts Spencer to bed and I put Brooklynn down. It works out so well to have daddy involved in all aspects and it has really helped me out tremendously and I'm so thankful for it Brian!! I also know Spencer and Brooklynn are benefiting from it as well!!

So I know this was over 2 weeks ago but I had to post it since "my team" won!!! We had a super bowl party at our house and it was an awesome game! Brian smoked brisket and prime rib for dinner which were both amazing!! Our friend Kris thinks he needs to open up shop w/all his great smoking and homemade rootbeer technique's!! I love when he does it everything turns out so yummy, I say bring it on!!! The night ended w/me and Brian very happy cause my Steeler's pulled it out but the rest of the clan was routing for of course Arizona and all left not so happy! I can't help that my Steelers rock--all except for one mean steroid maniac player!! My father in law even brought his china that has a cardinal on it to try and have his good luck...great effort though--sorry! Well not really but I am in the way that I know losing sucks and I hate it so I did feel bad in that sense! Anyway it was a fantastic game and got us all up out of our seats... Way to go Steelers :)

Not this again...

So I realized I havn't documented any of our process of the new house going up in Bear Lake. So here it is:

This isn't the most current photo, we went over yesterday and they had the windows and doors in but of course forgot to take pictures! So Brian will be taking some tomorrow and I will post the most recent soon. So what's with the title of this post you might ask?? Well pretty much all of you know we've already been through this building thing before only 3 short years ago... So why in the world are we doing it again...stress, frustration, time, problems you name it...it comes w/house building. But we are outgrowing the place we have over there so it is just that time to go through all this again. But the best part about it is that it's not all new and we have some experience already so that works in our favor.

Also the property is right next to our family's, Brian's brother and sister in law, Brent and Randi have a few lots next to us so we'll be neighbors in the summer and it's in a really quiet neighborhood so it will be a really good move overall for our summer's over there. Also Brian's cousin Chuck and his family live in that neighborhood too so we'll all be close. Right now the place we stay at in the summer's is right on the main blvd. so it's limited on where the kids play and ride their bikes so this will be really nice! We'll also get a nice big yard out of it too!

So right now it's all framed and it's being wired for electricity, plumbers are doing there thing and the heating & air people are doing there stuff. It seems to be moving right along which is good since we are moving into it for the summer. It's a small place but still almost twice the size of what we use over there now. It has 5 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, we'll use one of the bedrooms for our office but that still gives us more room and privacy for guests and family that come over to visit! So we're excited to be doing this and can't wait for it to be done! I'll try to keep updates on it but we all know how that goes ;)

Catch up...

Sorry I've been a little slow on blogging this month. Lots going on and not enough time in the day! We had an awesome time celebrating the New Year! Thanks Brent & Randi for hosting a great party! Brooklynn had her first experience staying up till midnight and she loved it! We played games, rock band & ate tons of junk food but it was so worth it! Also had a fabulous dinner thanks for everything you guys! We also decided the girls will wear the hats and the boys will wear the tiaras...I was surprised the guys actually did it-thanks for being such good sports boys! Then on New Years day we all went sledding and snowmobiling in Bear Lake where we were staying at one of our cabins. It was a great day and we were all worn out by the end of it!

Then soon after - we celebrated Christmas with Brooklynn once we got back home from Bear Lake. She was with her dad this year so we did it later and her grandma and grandpa Hirschi came over to celebrate it with us! We then had Brooklynn's birthday on January 6th! She turned the big 8! She is having a lot of fun being 8 and doing such a good job on preparing for her baptism coming up in February! We've decided on her baptism date which is Feb 14th the time is still to be determined for anyone who is interested, we'll let you all know when we know! We threw a big party for her and she got a lot of fun gifts. Thanks to everyone that came on such short notice we all appreciated you coming especially Brooklynn! I also threw in some pics of random stuff we've been doing this January. Brian took the kids out and some of their friends sledding up the top of our hill again which they LOVE doing! Also Brooklynn has been playing with her little brother more lately and it's really cute to see so there's a few random pics of that, it had to be documented of course! Brooklynn also plays a lot w/her neighbor friends and they were over the other night and I caught a cute moment they shared after getting out of the hot tub, apparently they were scheming a plan so they could also get a movie night in but no dice...it was too late but I thought it was cute how they were in a football huddle-what it would be like to be 8 again?!?!?! I think I'm ok where I'm at though!!!

(Pic isn't the best quality sorry,also this is a pic of me w/my dear friend Jenylyn...Her daughter Katrina & Brooklynn are best friends but they moved to Florida and so we don't see them much anymore. Also she's not the one that got married I couldn't get Tomi alone she was so busy w/the wedding and such! Jenylyn was her Matron of Honor)
Then we also went to Provo the following weekend for one of my friends' wedding. Thanks to Brant for putting us up and being a great host! We played a Sequence Tournament and that was a BLAST! My good friend Deanna was able to come over and play w/us, I hadn't seen her in a long time and it was so nice! Thanks for the beautiful gift D...I love it! I of course forgot my camera that weekend but rememberd we can take some w/my phone. So we got a couple but thats it. Tomi my friend that got married had a beautiful reception and was a gorgious bride! I was able to see some really good friends there too that I havn't seen forever! Such a great weekend! We didn't want to come back home-thanks again for the fun Brant!

Then we also were able to make it to the twins' grave at the Orem Cemetary! I don't ever get there b/c they are buried so far away from me but it was so nice to go since Spencer hadn't ever been there yet. It was sad not having Brooklynn with us but she was w/her dad that weekend. We did get some good pics w/my phone there so here they are...just for you mom I knew you'd want to see some! I found the cutest stuffed animal to leave on the grave w/their flowers. It was a bear w/wings. So we left them an angel to protect and watch over them it was so special and I cherished that visit so much! We love you boys! Also it was Brian's first time being there since we sealed them to us so it was very special for Brian as well! I love having the gospel b/c when I'm there I always feel at peace w/where they are and know that I'll have that chance to raise them again and it is so comforting.

A LIST

Instructions: Take the following list and bold the items you have completed or experienced.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (I’ve gone halfway. That counts!)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (I think holding a fawn counts!)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (1/2 Marathon is just as amazing!)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (tried to)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (the replica in Vegas totally counts here!)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been on television
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (my husband did-that counts right!)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (I don't want to talk about it! jk)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (seeing it from the gates counts!!)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (my husband has)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

55 / 100

I tag everybody.

WHITE CHRISTMAS...

What a glorious Christmas with Brian's family! So many fun memories made and remembered this Christmas and I'm sad it's over! But every good party must come to an end!!

It all started with Christmas Eve as we all gathered for some dinner and then listened to the story or Jesus' birth and of course the traditional all famous zipper boot story from Grandma Rhea! Can't ever hear that story too many times! Then Brian and I traditionally always open one gift on Christmas Eve and it's always our Christmas PJ's! So we got into those and never wanted to get out of them! We got the kids to bed and of course doing the traditional up all night finishing the wrapping of presents and while we did that, Brian got out a train and tracks of his dad's from when he was just a little boy! So the set is like 50 years old or so!! It was really neat to see the gleaming faces on all the boys that night as they were playing like little kids again with this amazing train set! It was really cute to see--and the kids LOVED it in the morning too...

Christmas morning was great! Marcile made the best waffles for breakfast and then we were off to the tree to open up presents... Brent and Randi stayed over night too with Gavin which meant Spencer had a buddy to share his Christmas with! They were both so cute with their gifts but of course you get 2 two year old's together with new toys there's obviously going to be fighting over them! It didn't even matter if there were two of the same toy no matter what they had to have whatever each other had...it's just inevitable and I've just accepted that it will be that way for a while! What can you do but laugh at them...

The snow came falling late Christmas eve and continued all day on Christmas day - my favorite Christmas' is when you wake up to snow falling it was beautiful! But I've never had a Christmas with that much snow falling it was crazy! So much that we ended up staying two more nights at the Hirschi's! Partly b/c of the weather but also just b/c even though we live 5 minutes down the road it still felt like we were on vacation and it was so fun feeling like that but knowing you are close to home still! Also the Isom's (Brian's sister's family) stayed the next two nights as well for both of the same reasons! It was a big party and no one wanted it to end--well maybe the owner's of the house (sorry Loran and Marcile) if you got sick of us but I know you enjoyed it! We have a name for our party--it's the Local's!! Since whenever family comes from out of town of course they stay at the parents house right! Well the in-towner's (Locals) never stay over night b/c we have our house 5 - 20 minutes away so there's no reason! But we decided it's just too much fun to not do it so we'll have to make it happen more often--are the locals in with me??!!! Anyway we had so much fun and there were lots of old movies seen to remember the old days, remote airplanes to be put together and flown and wrecked of course, turkey sandwiches and leftovers galore, playing in the snow and sledding to be done and so many more fun memories made and I cherish everyone of them! Thanks so much to Loran and Marcile for everything the hospitality, living in chaos, a mess and of course the GREAT food! I definitely missed my family this Christmas like I do every other year but this was the best way to get my mind off of that, and missing our precious Brooklynn too! We are blessed with such wonderful family and friends in our lives, we love you all!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Thought I'd share some fun activities we've had this Christmas season! Started with going to see Santa! That was GREAT...no screaming or frightened children--what a relief! This was the first year Brooklynn wasn't afraid of Santa...my baby's growing up! Spencer was great as well with him! I think the Disney Cruise helped prepare him...it was no big thing for him--when our turn was over and the people behind us got to him Spencer kept going for Santa he didn't want his time to end!!! He is definetely not a shy boy...Also Ryan and Katie (Brian's cousin and his wife) met up with us there! They had their kids and were only able to get 1 of them to sit on Santa's lap--I'm sorry Katie, I've so been there!!!

Then it was time for Brooklynn's Christmas dance recital! She did so good and was beautiful out there! She got very shy and nervous before it was to begin but as soon as she needed she put her shoes on and did what she's been practicing to do for a long time now and we're very proud of her for being so courageous! Grandma and Grandpa Hirschi were able to come and her daddy Taber made the drive too! She is so blessed to have so many people in her life that love her so much!

Lastly I put up some cute pics of Spencer playing with his daddy's new snowboarding boots and snowboard! His daddy likes to think that he's going to go with him this year but mama put her foot down on that one maybe next year daddy! Spencer has some really funny expressions and stances when in these boots maybe he is a natural boarder!! Anyway that is it until Christmas day--tomorrow!!! Can't wait! We are going to stay the night at Brian's parents house tonight which was a surprise for Brian that I cooked up this last week! He's very excited and happy I thought of it...who doesn't want to wake up Christmas morning in the home you grew up in having MANY Christmas morning memories as a child! It just makes Christmas that much more special I think being with your family and sharing those memories with them as much as possible! So needless to say I scored some brownie points for that one with the hubby!! Oh yah! Well we wish all of you a very merry Christmas tomorrow and hope you are all safe and happy this holiday season. We also hope that everyone can remember the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it--keep our savior in your hearts and thoughts this Christmas...We love you all!

Fun Pics with the help of a GREAT Photographer!!

Thanks to Katie Minnick (Brian's cousin's wife!) we have some adorable pictures of our little munchkins! I decided that it would be fun to get some professional pictures of Brooklynn and Spencer since I havn't done so since Spencer was 9 mths old! So she came to our house and did a fun photo shoot of them in their Christmas outfits! I am so grateful she came at such short notice and in a snow storm to say the least! Your so amazing Katie and we really appreciate you and your fantastic photos! Also Brooklynn was leaving that day for her dad's house until after Christmas so I wanted to do it before she left us for over a week :( We miss that little girl dearly and she's only been gone for 2 1/2 days!! It's always harder to not have her on the holiday's! Weekends I can handle it's not long at all but when it's a week or longer and the holiday's it becomes such an emotional time for us! We miss you Brooky and can't wait to get you back for New Year's!!!

I tried putting these into the Mosaic Maker but there were so many great shots I couldn't bare to have any part of the picture cut off which the Mosaic does so I did only the one's that wouldn't get cut off so that's why there's so many to scroll through! And they were all so cute I had to post most of them b/c I couldn't choose I love them all!

Also Katie has been needing to do pictures for her portfolio so she can start up her photography business full time - well as much as being a mother of 3 will allow ;) So she asked Randi and I to model for her and do some Bridal shots! Of course we jumped at the opportunity since hello what woman wouldn't want to get back into a wedding dress and do your hair and have the feeling all brides have!!! Ya I know it was a BLAST! Randi and I soaked in every moment of it and I couldn't stop laughing throughout the shoot b/c of how much fun I was having! So like some Bride's would love the opportunity to have a second chance at their bridal shots since they don't always turn out the way you want we got that second chance! Of course I personally didn't want or need one since mine were amazing b/c my sister took them and they were on the beach in Hawaii so I did it just for fun and to get into my old wedding dress again! Randi was VERY excited to get a second chance and loved every minute of it! So here are some of the fun and crazy pics we took that snowy day with Katie!

Oh yes and let's not forget our stalker!!! If you look closely at the top right picture in the above photos you'll see our Alley Stalker!!! It's pretty scary looking and kind of freaked us out until Brian zoomed in and showed us that it's actually a girl so no worries! But hey it still looks pretty freaky to us!

2 Weeks and counting--

So I'm looking at the calander and realizing whoa Christmas is less than 2 weeks away...Already? Really?? Where has the time gone? So much to be done-still.. But so glad I got most my shopping done in November or else I'd be in BIG trouble! Well I finished up my shopping today--WAHOO what a great feeling! Now it's trying to get everything wrapped and under the tree that's a whole other story! Have to think of sneeky way's I guess especially with an older daughter that is starting to get a lot smarter when it comes to certain things that have to do with reindeer and a workshop!! But I think I have a plan! We're off to see the big man tomorrow so I'll be posting some great pics on that hopefully soon! So check back in for that! Also I thought I'd share my Christmas tree with the ONE wrapped present under it so you have an idea of how many more I have to go ;-) Yeah better get busy I guess!!! Hope your all well and having a GREAT holiday season so far!!! I love this time of year!!

Here's Spencer helping out daddy put the tree up! He already wants to be a BIG boy!

Also here are just some fun pics of the kids playing together! Brooklynn has been such a GREAT big sister lately! She loves to play with Spencer MOST the time but even if she doesn't want to she will to help mommy or daddy out! We are so proud of her lately! I think she is just growing up--I can't believe my baby is going to be 8 next month...Ahhhh!