Biking With A Friend

Rian still has piano up in Cedar Hills once a week and Ammon and I miss riding the "adventure trails".  So, I decided to pack up our bikes, invite Ammon's friend, Canyon, and took advantage of the 45 min. wait for Rian.  It's rare you will find a picture that Ammon shows a normal smile, so this is a sign that he is having fun.

Heritage Park 

This is a fun stretch.  We attempted a little off road on a side trail.  It was pretty cool.

The sunsets on the mountains are so radiant!  Since we were driving home in the opposite direction, I had to capture this through my mirror.

Hiking The "G"

Dad and the kids had this day off because it was Presidents Day.  So we went and hiked the 'G' in Pleasant Grove.  We have never done it, so we decided to change that.  It was a great day to be together as a family.  Weather was a little off and on.  It was windy, then warm, then even had snow flurries.  When at the G we saw a major storm coming, so we headed down.  

The valley so vast!  It's amazing to think we live on the other side of Utah Lake. 

Ate a snack/lunch at the G and looked around.  

Afterward, we hit Swig.  Kind of a mixed drink and goodies store.  As we pulled in it was snowing pretty hard with big white flakes.  Didn't last too long, but glad we got down when we did.

Happy Valentine's Day

 The kids had woken up to these lovely treats I had gotten at a cupcake shop in Pleasant Grove.  They are a-mazing!  

That night we built a fort for them to have pizza and watch a movie in, while mom and dad went out on a date.  I think they had a perfect day! :)

inside the fort, zoned on the movie...

Words Make A Difference

For Family Home Evening, I felt the need to do this.  I think it has helped, but I need to keep the principle alive...

We talked about 'Sad Words' and 'Good Words'.  We listed some and put them up.  We talked about the consequences of both and how they can make others feel and how they can even make you feel.  They, over the course of the next week, were asked to quietly add 'Good Words' to each others pictures.  It was a great practice.  (Probably need to do this every couple of months as a reminder of how much to do actually love each other.)  The next FHE we let each other read the comments.  You could just see the smiles and beaming faces.  That's the love God intends for all of us.

(mom and dad's pictures were up too, so the kids could also see us as "human" with feelings.  Guess I didn't get a picture of those)

Moments of Greatness

 Yes, this kid keeps life real!  I love his love to keep us laughing, crying and even the frustrating moments.  I wouldn't change it for the world.  I love him and all the moments our kids bring us.

One afternoon, our awesome neighbors the Vincents; Allie brought something over to me.  A few of us from the neighborhood had gone to lunch at Kneaders.  Afterwards, Allie and I stuck around to browse their fun selection of trinkets and crafts.  I was admiring this saying and loved it.  She knows what I've been going through and decided to buy it after I had left.  She's been a neighbor that doesn't smother or crave gossip, only interested in my and our families well being.  Best neighbors you could ask for.  I hope to be that for her.  But this is something I have the hardest time with.  I have so many fears of the unknown or what will be, and how things were, that it has consumed me at times.  I'm not perfect, but I do recognize this and continue to learn about the atonement and trusting God.  I need to trust God in all things.

Always trying to be a better mom, I need to spend more individual time with each of my kids.  Today, it was Jarom's turn.  I took him to Cafe' Rio for dinner.  He's a deep thinker like me and even over thinks things like me...  Blessing and a curse, me and him, but it's who we are and I love it in me and in him.  He's an excellent young man, and I'm excited to see who he becomes over the next many years.  Love his ability to love and love his deep spirit and intellect.  He teaches me a lot.

Speaking of growing up...  Jarom had his first shaving lesson!  Luckily his hairs are blonde, but it's crazy to me that it's that time...to have a shaving lesson.  Life is moving fast!  Too fast, and I'm sad to see my babies grow up.  But it's exciting to see them reach these milestones and move on.  So much for these young minds to learn.

Out Of Debt

Over the years, we'd jump out of debt, but would soon enough be right back in it.  I love listening to Dave Ramsey, and really wanted to try his class together as a couple.  We signed up in January for the 9 week course.  Its AWESOME!  I just hope we can stay strong and keep going.  We aren't in massive debt, but just haven't been able to keep consistent, so this has been great.

Today, we were doing the "cut up the credit card" event.  We literally cut up all the plastic, because we were officially out of credit card debt.  House is all we stand for with debt.  It's nice.  But we are strapped down tight in not letting ourselves spend out of our limit.  We've stopped the "bleeding" and it's hard to stick to cash only.  Each time I go to the bank to withdrawal cash, it's kind of embarrassing, but it's kind of invigorating to know we are taking charge of our money.  I just long to have a hefty saving and no worries for retirement.  One day... One day...

Part of the program also is about teaching your kids about money.  I just had to show this little guys enthusiasm to do extra chores to earn money.  I get clean showers (when I least expect it) and they all  get to learn how to earn money.  Win win in my book.

Basket Ball Injury

Jarom is playing basketball again this fall.  Trent is his coach again, and as always, does a great job with the boys and teaching, and getting them all involved.  Part of playing also comes with injuries.  Jarom had jammed his finger pretty good during one particular game.  He stuck it out the entire game, but came home with a swelled up finger with some lovely shades of purple.   Had to wrap the fingers to help it heal.  He found this was hard to do it playing a brass instrument, but it worked out.

100 Days of School

For the 100th day of school, Ammon decided to do pennies.  This kid is obsessed with money, so perfect selection.  He loved counting over and over to make sure he had enough.

Skate Party

 Perk to having kids with braces, the orthodontist puts on parties now and then.  Last year was great, so we went again this year.  

Ammon loves using his roller blades!

Waiting in line for the next round to hit the bouncy section of the facility.  They loved it all.

Ready, Set, Go!

HorseBack Lessons

 Raegan's Christmas present was to try horseback riding lessons.  She's always talked about how much she dreams about doing it and how she loves horses.  We found a great place nearby and gave it a try.

She is in HEAVEN!!

Her first few lessons were basic learning how to take care of the horse and how to feel the motions of the horse.  She learned how to guide the horse with shifting her weight.  It was fun watching her.  She was eating it all up!

Lisa Parks is a great instructor

Raegan's best buddy, Sabre Wall, also takes lessons there.  So they love having a class together.

Love these two!

Activity Days

Gotta love when girls get crazy and fun!

Welcome Kyson

Baby Kyson  

Congrats to Kiley and James Sommers

Oh So Cold!

Love when it does snow!!

Last Day of Christmas Break

That time of year of course!!  Trent took Rian and Tarin up to Sundance to practice the bunny hill.  Rentals were decent price and practice on the bunny hill is free.  They had a great day together.

    Tarin on the rope tow                                                                             Rian keeping it cool

They did a great job.  Trent said they both picked it up well and learned their balance nicely.  I think it was a successful day.

That night, we used our Inn and Out Burger gift cards from their stockings.  Oh so yummy!  Then we headed out to see a movie, that was a gift from my sister, Shanda for our Secret Santa gift from Christmas.  We saw Big Hero 6.  It was better then I thought it would be and funny.  We all loved it and had a great evening together.

Swimming in January

Ammon has been dying to go swimming at Lehi indoor pool.  So we took a neighbor friend, Canyon, and Averie with Tarin.

Happy New Year!

For New Years Eve/Day, we were invited over to Erin and Jason Strong's house.  We made spring rolls and brought Martinelles and games and a bunch of other snacks.

Waiting for count down, we played games, watched the neighbors shoot of fireworks and let the kids just play around.  Dinner was amazing and so delicious.  Thanks Erin!

Happy New Year!

confettie, poppers and so much more.  Here's to a great new year!