Snowmobiling!

Finally, the snow has arrived and there's enough (and to spare!) for the boys to go snowmobiling.  Bailey and Brent spent the day Tuesday up Logan Canyon.  They went to Franklin Basin, feeling it was a much safer bet than Tony's because of avalanche danger.  They had a great time...infact, they had such a wonderful time. that they decided to leave early Thursday morning and head up to Island Park to ride.  They've been there several times in years past, but said that this is the most beautiful it's ever been...warm, nice snow, and no wind.  They enjoyed a couple of days riding and came home today.  The pictures were taken at Mesa Falls and Two Tops.  They call the snow creations behind them "snow ghosts."  They are really the tops of the trees!  They hope to get in as much snowmobiling as they can the next month or so...it'll be Bailey's last riding for a couple of years.  (Unless he's called to Alaska or Siberia on his mission!)  They just LOVE IT!

Happy Birthday, Boys!

Bailey and Jordan all have birthdays within a couple of days of each other.  To make sure we could get everyone all together, we took time Sunday afternoon to celebrate.  We invited Mom and Curtis up for dinner.  We had sweet pork burritoes, chips and salsa, and black beans.  For dessert, Whitney made an amazingly yummy oreo cake and Jessica brought cookies-n-cream ice cream to serve with it.  Not our typical Sunday Dinner, but it was good. 

We were really excited to give the boys their birthday gifts.  We picked up a smartpen for each of them.  These little gadgets are unbelievable...and something we think they'll all use in school.  (Of course, we think that we'd like to pick one up for ourselves one of these days.)  In the picture you can see the three of them trying to figure out their pens.  We then spent some time playing "Word on the Street" before everyone had to leave. 

We're blessed to have such a wonderful guys!  They are very hard workers and are trying to do what's right. They are good examples to us and are always so willing to step in and lend a hand.  We hope the year ahead is a great one for each of them.

Prayer

Prayer

I love this short video about prayer and the miracles that can come about in our everyday lives when we take the time to communicate with our Father in Heaven.  Brent and I see little miracles everyday...probably nothing that anyone would call spectacular or amazing...but miracles to us nonetheless.  I know that our prayers are heard and answered.   (Click on the prayer link to watch the video.)

Mission Prep

Isn't strange how you can hope and pray for something your whole life, and then, as that prayed for event begins to come about, you wish time would slow down?  Last Sunday, Bailey met with the bishop for his initial missionary interview.  They met again last night to get things set up on the computer to begin completing his mission papers. 

Mission?  When did Bailey get old enough to go on a mission?  It's always been something we were looking forward to, something in the distant future.  Now, here it is...where has the time gone? 

It isn't that I don't want Bailey to go on a mission, I do. It's just that he's our "baby" and is such a bright, happy joy in our home.  He's helpful, obedient, friendly, outgoing and funny.  He's willing to "hang out" with his dad and mom.  He's always been such a good boy...and I guess that's what I'll miss...is always having that good boy around. 

We've got great times to look forward to, yet...there are days when I miss the old times.  I miss the times when we could read a bedtime story together, tuck the little ones into bed and know that they were safe and sound for the night.

And, maybe the question I'm really asking myself is, "When did I get to be THIS OLD?"

Jessica's Quilt

I guess it's just the mom thing that when your daughters get married you think you need to make them a special quilt...at least that's how it was in my family.  Both of my grandmothers were always making quilts for granddaughters and grandsons.  My mom's continued that tradition.  We received quilts at Christmas, for birthdays, for showers and for wedding gifts.  Although I LOVE to piece quilts and I enjoy tying quilts; unlike my grandmas and mom, I don't particularly like to quilt.

Jessica got married on 8/8/8.  Her wedding was in our yard and we spent lots of time working outside in the yard, building a gazebo, etc. and I just was never able to get her quilt finished  before the big day.  Then it was time for school to start, and just when I thought I was going to be able to get it finished, my dad passed away.  This brought about a whole new schedule for us.  Our daily schedule now involved checking up on and helping my mom out, figuring things out for my dad's farm and trying to make sure all the little details were taken care of.  It's taken a lot more time than I ever dreamed it could.  But, gradually, I've been able to work on Jessica's quilt and just finished binding it yesterday.  (I was able to check off at least one of my 2009 goals!)

I just love how it turned out!  I had Matt's sister machine quilt it and she chose to do a paisley pattern in the stitching and I think it just ties the whole quilt all together.  Maybe this year I'll make something for Brent and me!  (Or maybe I should start one for Bailey and his future wife??)