Happy Valentine's Day

What a hunk! I might get in trouble for posting these photos but I couldn't resist. This is Cubby dressing up as a "Cowboy". I remember when he was little and would always wear a towel around his neck pretending it was his super hero cape. He improved over the years! Just call this payback Cubby for pretending my feminine products were puffy stickers and sticking them all over your body then walking out to greet my boyfriend! I can't wait to spend next week with Cubby and Meagan, minus the Cowboy suit...it's a little too cold in Utah to be wearing such an outfit.

6 MORE DAYS!!!

Here Comes the Sun!!!

What a beautiful day! We spent the day, tucked in the mountians enjoying the sun. Jordan stayed in the valley skating, spending some time with Missy then babysitting a sweet family. The boys along with Veronica (Taylor's girlfriend) headed up to Brighton. Jason and I still volunteer at the races and the boys skied and snowboarded. It was just an amazing day. I could not get over how much snow we have. It was wonderful to watch Tanner back on his ski's. He has grown up so much. He spent over 4 years competing on the Ski Team at Brighton. What a life, skiing 3-4 days a week skiing. As he got older, his interest changed and his dedication wasn't quite the same but how much he loves the mountains. We rented high performance ski's and he was in heaven! He even ran into his old instructor, Trixie. Tan Man loved this awesome lady and she took him all over the mountain when he was little. She was always so good to Tanner. It was great to watch them reunite and she took Tanner to help out a few of her skiers. After the race was over, Tanner and Trixie hit the slopes. Tanner was truely happy to be back in the mountains. It's my goal this year to get him new gear and for him to spend more time skiing. Meanwhile, Jason and I are feeling older! Our bodies are tired...We didn't ski and of course, Jason can't ski or snowboard again but we spent the day working at the BBQ and reuniting with old friends. It was just a great day!

Found It!

I finally found it! This is one of my favorite photos of my mom and Taylor. It was Taylor's first birthday, February 6, 1992. He broke his leg two days before his party. You can't see his cast but he figured how to crawl with it on. What a kid!

February 6, 2008

Happy Birthday Taylor!!!

Taylor is now 17 years old. I just love this kid! He is a gentle, thoughtful person who is becoming a great young man. His report card was awesome considering all the time he missed with my Dad's funeral. He continues his interest in film and photography. Taylor has endured so much as a little boy and his brittle bones. We only have one more year with Shriner's Hospital. I remember spending 3-4 visits a month and now it's 3-4 visits a year. I am proud of you Taylor! He has earned his Eagle and should be driving soon. He has a car ready for him to drive. Taylor is a junior at East High and his days are busy with work, homework and baseball, along with a girlfriend.

Taylor was born with a few stress fractures in his hips. The photo is of my Dad and Taylor with his first casted break. The other photo is my mom and Taylor. He was such a cuddley baby. Honestly, we have lost count of how many casts this little man has gone through and all the variety of colors and designs. Once the breaks hit around 70 fractures, we stopped counting. Taylor never complained and he would never let O.I. slow him down. Today, he pitches and plays firstbase for East High baseball. He still has a pin in his foot. I can't imagine life without Shriners. They have been so good to us!!!

May 1992......................................................December 2007

15 More Days and Counting!!!

We can't wait!!! 15 more days and Meagan and Cubby will be with us in Utah...We have a busy weekend planned with Taylor's Court of Honor, Tanner's school play, sledding in Park City, eating at the Mayan and much, much more!!!

What a Prophet!

I am so blessed to have the past decade with President Hinckley. I ALWAYS looked forward to General Conference and listening to him speak. I remember attending the first General Conference held in the Conference Center and President Hinckley spoke so fondly of the oak tree used to make the pulpit. I also recall how touched I was listening to Sister Hinckley speak of her husband. Such two wonderful people! He was definitely the "People's Prophet". As much as I will miss his humor and more importantly his counsel, I have no fear for the future of our church. I am just grateful...so grateful for the church, my knowledge, and having a prophet.

January 24th-Happy Birthday Dad!

I found some very special photos of my Dad as a little boy. The first photo is my Dad with his mom, taken December 25, 1950. He is almost three years old.
The family photo didn't have a date but I know my dad is sitting in his mother's arms on the right. I think my Grandpa was a very handsome man!!! I also don't think people liked to smile in Mexico...
Not one day has gone by when I don't think of him or my eyes water up just visualizing him. I still stumble across little reminders of him and his voice is very clear in my mind. I know where my Dad is and who he is with. I know he is busy, very busy telling stories and making so many laugh. I know when he reunited with his parents and siblings, it was glorious and a feeling we can not comprehend. I know my Dad is often close to me or any of us, especially when the empty feeling is just too much to handle. I know it's bugging him when we hurt inside but yet it reminds him how important he was to us. The photo was taken at his 50th Surprise Birthday Party, January 24, 1998. I was holding the cake while my Dad was counting all the candles!

Dad was suppose to be in Utah with us this week, celebrating his 60th birthday. We were planning Taylor's Court of Honor the same weekend. My Dad would have LOVED watching Taylor receive his Eagle and being in the same room with a real Eagle! Even though the plans have changed, Dad will always remain in our hearts where ever our adventures take us! We can't wait to have Cubby and Meagan spend a weekend with us next month for Taylor's Court of Honor.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Just a Little Snowfall!

While the boys were sleeping (no school today), Jordan and I were SHOVELING the enormous amount of snow. No worries, there is much more to shovel for them later!!! It is probably the largest snowfall I have seen since living in Utah!

First Photo: Jordan sweeping the snow off the van. This is after Jason already did it earlier this morning!

Second Photo: Our front house

Third Photo: Jordan quit helping and decided to play in the snow!

First Photo: Our backyard. It's a beautiful, winter wonderland!

Second Photo: Jordan jumping and diving into the snow piles.

We shoveled for over an hour and grateful for the assistance of our neighbors and their snowplower. I doubt the plowers will reach our road anytime soon!!! The snow is so light and fluffy. More to shovel. It hasn't stopped snowing for hours.

Peanut Butter does NOT take away FRECKLES!

It's been a few weeks of craziness!!! Broken washer, kids getting sick, vertigo for Tiff, broken wrist for Tan Man, shoveling snow, baseball schedule, and much, much more. Some highlights...washer is fixed for a hefty price, Tiff feels much better, Missy and I took a weekend off and spent it in St. George with Kathy Olson, Tanner had a great time at a snow camp out and Nationals Figure Skating starts this week!!! Jason has held up the fort and I even made dinners for 4 nights in a row. My mom bought me a terrific Crock Pot cookbook. Missy and I had a wonderful weekend spending it with Kathy in sunny St. George (even though she was sick). While we were gone, Jordan was trying to get rid of her freckles. Jason told her peanut butter takes them away. She fell for it!!!

Happy Birthday Tan Man!!!

Tanner turned 15 today! Wow, has time gone by fast. My little grumpy terror has turned into a funny, lovable young man. Tan Man is a great kid, full of personality. When he started school his teachers described him as a grumpy old man inside this youthful body. That statement is still true!!! He is busy with a new play called "Take Five" produced and directed by High School students. He also plans to play baseball this season for East. Happy Birthday Tan Man! I love you...

My mom bought us new chairs for our dining room table and for Christmas I received new "square" dishes and silverware. The family, even the kids love to eat dinner together and it's not the same if Aunt Missy isn't with us. The table is always set up with all the silverware and plates ready for us to eat together. Tonight we had a great dinner then we sang "Happy Birthday" to Tanner.

Happy New Year!!!

We had a great time bringing in the New Year with our friends. We spent the evening with Colleen and her family. It was great to catch up and have the kids spend some time together. Now we start the new year, back to school and skating but best of all...BASEBALL is almost here!!! The boys will start training this week. I worked on the 2008 Calendar with all the competitions, shows, baseball games, camps, etc. We have another busy year ahead that will be filled with memories and experiences!!!

First Photo: Jordan and McKaylie

Second Photo: Tanner and Brooke

Third Photo: Tanner (playing Cranium-making a high heel)

Tanner and Austin celebrating the New Year!!!

Four years ago...

I can't believe it's been four years. Most of us can look back and recall a day that has changed your life. Our family has faced a few. Four years ago today, Tanner was racing for the Brighton Ski Team and he was training that evening. Taylor also had a season pass and went snowboarding that evening. Jason had just switched employment to Protel and was picking up the boys from the mountain. Usually the boys ride the bus home but that even Jason offered to pick them up at the lodge. When he arrived the boys weren't ready so he decided to take a run down the slopes. It was a clear, crispy cold night. As he snowboard down the mountain, he hit a few ruts and felt his leg break (multiple times). The boys got the message from ski patrol and met Jason at Brighton's medical office. Jason called me in a very calm voice that he couldn't drive home and needed help getting home. I wasn't worried until I saw the ambulance ready to transport Jason. Well, long story short, he broke his leg in over 8 places, had 9 surgeries and a nasty infection that would not leave him alone. Even though our family faced such difficult challenges with his leg, it also brought us incredible opportunities and blessings. Since he spent so many days in the hospital with various surgeries, I would have Jordan skate in SLC. This is where she met her coach. In September the following year with a leg refusing to mend, it forced us to sell our house and move to SLC. We live in a wonderful neighborhood and a kind,loving ward. None of this would have happened if he didn't break his leg. Moving to SLC was the best change for our family. So here is to four years...what an adventure and I look forward to many more. The photos were taken of his last attempt to save his leg. A fixator was placed on his lower leg for 5 months. I have other graphic photos but Jason would not be happy with me if I posted those. THANK YOU to all those who made a difference and got us through a very difficult time in our lives...and Jason thank you for being an amazing person. I can never comprehend the level of pain your experienced.

Christmas Video...

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Christmas Photos

First Photo: Missy trying to keep me quiet!

Second Photo: Lady Coach, Foxy Lady and Sister Coach! Missy, Meagan and I have named our purses over the past few months!

Oh Mom...always planning, cleaning, organizing and making sure we are all having fun. I like the photo of her cooking and the kitchen that Dad painted in the background. The second photo is mom telling us, "Just one more thing to do...."

Missing Dad

My dad had MANY hats. We each took one to wear.

Last night we spent the evening going through Dad's "treasures". My mom did an AMAZING job organizing his "treasures" the past 6 weeks. She put so much time figuring out what would be important to us and helping us go through his things. We all gathered around his room and went through bins and bins of his "treasures"...I couldn't believe how much work my mom and Cubby have done. My dad collected everything and anything he could find. We had a fun evening. I even made dinner and it wasn't bad!!! That is what I have missed the most, the smell of his cooking.