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??)

Right Now...

Out of my window:  There's a bit of fog, a bit of snow on the ground and a lot of packed ice on the sidewalk near the garage (got to get some ice-melt on that today!).
I am wearing:  A pair of my favorite 501 jeans, a pink fleece sweatshirt and no socks (my feet are freezing...I always put on socks.).
I am hearing:  The TV upstairs...Brent and Bailey are chatting while they are finishing up breakfast and getting ready to head out to work on the addition.
I am thinking:  How much I'm going to miss Bailey when he heads back to school in a week AND especially how much I'll miss him when he leaves on his mission this spring.
I am thankful for:  My family, the opportunity to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and I'm so thankful for good health.
I am creating:  Jessica's wedding quilt!  YEP...Jess and Jordan have been married for 1 1/2 years...I am finally binding it...I'm about 1/4th of the way around the quilt.  I hope to give it to her this weekend.  (Good thing they have wonderful aunts/grandmas/mother-in-law who were much better prepared than I was!)
I am going:  To Logan to do our "monthly" shopping...all of the cleaning supplies, household items, etc. are much cheaper to purchase at Sam's or Walmart than at our local grocery store (but Kent's, our grocery store, has the BEST PRODUCE around!!), look at a new couch set for the front room and buy some blinds for our master bathroom (That's what I'm using some of my Christmas money on.)
I am hoping:  For LOTS and LOTS of snow.  I have two guys here who are chomping at the bit to head up to the hills to snowmobile and there's not enough snow.  Even the skiing at Beaver's horrible! So, I'm hoping for more snow!  (Plus, I can't wait to have a sledding party at the sledding hill!)
I am reading:  Pirate Latitude...it's a book Bailey gave me for Christmas.  It takes place in Jamaica and the Bahamas during the 1600s.  I'm really liking it.
Around the house:  We still have up our Christmas decorations, there are lots of yummy treats to eat and it's time to start thinking about putting Christmas decorations away. :(
One of my favorite things:  I LOVE being home!  I love having my family here...probably my favorite thing!
A few plans for the week:  Write thank you notes for Christmas gifts, get caught up on filing at school, make the school's January calendar and newsletter, family dentist appointments, New Year's celebrations, clean up the video/game closet, etc.

Loving Sunday!

We left bright and early on Sunday morning to head down to Matt and Gail's church for Claire's baby blessing.  It was pretty bad weather and not too many road plows had been out.  We barely made it on time...right at 9:00!  It was a wonderful meeting.  Not only was it a very special blessing for a beautiful miracle, but I especially loved it because all three of "the guys" in our little family were able to participate in the blessing.  Now that Bailey is an Elder, he was able to join Brent and Jordan (plus all the other guys) in the priesthood circle.

We spent the rest of day at Matt and Gail's playing games, eating and visiting.  We don't get to see them often enough.  Later in the day, we headed down to Salt Lake to meet the Hess Family and attend the First Presidency Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center.  The meeting was inspirational, the lights beautiful and Temple Square...CROWDED!