Sledding

It's been a winter wonderland here since Christmas. Icicles line every roof in sight and the ground and trees are covered in sparkly snow, so much that some days it feels like we live in a snow globe. :) But because we were sick over the holiday, we weren't able to get out and enjoy it. New Years came around and we were all feeling better just in time to get out and do some sledding with my parents and sister who were in town. It was so fun! Even though she was all snow-suited-up, Ava was a peach and slept in her carseat the whole time. And Brooks, he loved the snow but not the sledding, after one run he was done. But he did love watching us sled, and every time we reached the bottom he'd tell us to, "Go, go! Agaaain!" So we did. :) The hill was tiny, but I still couldn't help but scream all the way down.  Thank you Kira for letting us borrow a couple sleds! Our freezing buns were thanking us for that soft pad on the long one. ;) And to warm us up, we all enjoyed some hot chocolate we picked up from Maverick (my favorite).

As the sun began to set Adam and "Gram-mom" taught Brooks to blow the powdery snow from his gloves and he thought it was pretty awesome, love that boy. :) 

It was a good day.

"Gram-mom" and "Gram-pa"

My parents and sister Celeste came for a quick visit before taking her back up to BYU-Idaho. Brooks was beyond giddy to spend some time with "Gram-mom", "Gram-pa", and "Se-yest".  It was a couple wonderful days filled with card games, trains, snuggles and hugs, delicious breakfasts at home and at our favorite Sill's Cafe, a dinner and sweet visit at my darling Grandma Smith's home, sledding, and we opened our Christmas present from my parents' (a tent and Jetboil, we can't wait to go camping this spring!)...and with all of that in two days they even helped around the house with fixing doors and doing dishes. They're the best. We miss them so much!  And it boggles my mind to think the next time we see them Ava could be walking. Thank goodness for Skype and Facetime to make the distance between Utah and Washington a little shorter. We love you Mom & Dad!

May all your Christmases be whi-i-i-ite...

I shared this video two years ago...it was taken three years ago, when our little Brooks was in my belly and my family was at our home for Christmas. SUCH good memories! And seeing as my sister Corrie (she and I made up this little duet) is in Chile serving her mission and I miss her like crazy, I have watched it, and laughed at us, three times already today. Enjoy some festive lip-syncing by two of the goofiest sisters on the planet. Next time Natalie and Celeste will join to make it a quartet!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Justin's family & a little Dutch oven cooking

This weekend my brother Justin, his sweet wife Kristen, and their 5 kidlets stayed at our house for a night on their way home from a family get together with Kristen's family. It was a short visit, but we soaked up every bit while they were here! My brother has recently got into Dutch oven cooking so he offered to make dinner and dessert...and oh was it delicious! While the kids played inside and out in the backyard (Brooks was in cousin heaven...especially with Tyler! That boy can get him to laugh so hard:) Justin kept an eye on the chicken & potato main dish and the cherry chocolate cheesecake as they baked in the dutch ovens. When it was ready, we all gathered together to enjoy the fantastic meal. By the end of the night we were full and happy!  It definitely has me thinking of purchasing a couple Dutch ovens...awesome for camping and for emergency/food storage. :) 

They left Sunday morning and stopped by Temple Square in Salt Lake on their way home to St. George...it was an extra special stop because their 14-year wedding anniversary is coming up at the end of this month, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. :) Justin and Kristen are such a power couple, we love them and their kids! Can't wait 'til next time...

Memorial Day Weekend

We celebrated the beautiful marriage of my cousin Shaun to his perfect match (welcome to the family Emma!) // The girls and I had a little too much fun in the photo booth at their reception // Family came to visit from out of town // Bowl after bowl of Marshmallow Mateys were poured for my awesome nieces and nephews // We played soccer at the park until it rained // We got full on homemade pizza, waffles, and cheesecake // Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to my sweet sister in-law Kristen // We spent time visiting Mom Diane's and some of my Grandparents' graves // Adam surprised us and got off work early to meet us at City Creek // After a long weekend of fun, Brooks got caught some zzzz's on Grandpa's chest :)