Specs On A Mountain...

Brett has had so much fun teaching Hunter to ski the past two months!I should say we, since I'm usually there as well, but that would be a lie, since I've had more frustration than fun...

We all know that Brett has more patience and athletic ability than I do for this sort of endeavor.

And that is probably why Hunter seems to do the above for his dad, and this...

...for me!

Can you spot anyone you know?! Hunter is the one on the ground, while Kye and dad watch helplessly as grandma tries to coax him up. (I'm the one at the bottom of the hill, in a self-imposed time-out, taking pictures.)

I guess I should feel happy that atleast Kye seemed to have fun with his mom...

Maybe because being carried up the rope-tow and down the hill seemed like a roller coaster ride, and he didn't have to do any work!

I dare say, Kye had A LOT of fun skiing!

I'm really okay with the fact that Hunter and his dad are just meant to have their own bond in this area. Next year, instead of being frustrated on a cold mountain, I'll be the one waiting at home in the warm house, drinking hot chocolate!

His Love

There's nothing like a too-close-to-home,

heart-wrenching tragedy to bring things into perspective...

Why is it that so often, something tragic has to happen in to force us to take a step back and

reflect on how important it is to

make the most of each precious minute?

My heart has been full this past week.
Full of sadness for a friend’s aching and loss.
Full of honor, for the privilege that I have had to know such an amazing, bright, happy spirit.
Full of gratitude for my own family's health

and our lives that truly are gifts to be treasured.
Full of appreciation for this wake-up call,

that has come at a crucial time in my children’s lives.
Full of yearning,

as I so desperately wish I could somehow help…

But I realize that there is only One

who can truly alleviate the pain and sorrow

we all will feel throughout this life.
And because of this, my heart is full of hope.
I am so grateful to my Savior,

Jesus Christ, for making that hope possible.

“His love will heal. His love will lead me… Though I am weak, He makes me whole again. He will heal the heart and soul with His love…”
Although my understanding is small, I cannot express how grateful I am for His Atonement, for His making it possible for families to reunite after this existence, and most of all, for His love.

Procrastinator!

Straggler. Dawdler. Slacker. Foot-Dragger. LAZYBONES. Any way it's said, I've put off this post for far too long... Here's the update:


January usually ends up being a very busy month in our little world. This is probably due to the fact that I go crazy with the Post-Christmas Bargain Shopping, the New Year's Re-Organize/Re-Decorate/Restorative Home Makeover-ing, and the month-long Birthday Celebrating! What can I say, we're always looking for ways to make January a little less "Crap-u-ary"


Or, it may be due to the fact that we don't get in much snow-play during December, so we panic over what little time we have left and try to cram it all in...

This month we've been teaching Hunter to snow-ski & let me just say, the kid has no fear! The first time we went up to the resort, he got going so fast I literally had to trip him with my pole! (Brett was appalled, but I say only a true Mother will trip her own kid out of worry (or love) as he speeds out of control down the mountain). ;) He caused much less worry on our local sled-hill, which had decidedly less snow... He's already looking forward to snowboarding.
He practises his "moves" on a little cardboard cutout we made. Maybe in the future I should just let Brett take him and adopt the "don't ask, don't tell" motto, in order to save myself from a heart attack!

What?!?

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you! We did, in fact, spend two full days this month in the pool!
We were lucky enough to go down to St. George and stay in Terry & Vicki's condo over Civil Rights Weekend for some much-needed R&R! The more I go down there, the more I want to permanently move there...Kye was ecstatic to be able to run off some of the energy he's been storing all winter. The sun was shining, pool was heated, and the weather was a good twenty degrees warmer, which was a highlight for the whole family!
Another highlight was spending a night of karaoke-fun with some of my favorite ladies! Thanks girls for being such good sports! I can't wait to take Brett down there for the karaoke contest coming up!!
As for more Hunter facts, he loves to pretend he's "Musketeer Mickey." I think he probably put on his Musketeer costume at least once every single day this month. He "holds hands" with his imaginary "Princess Minnie," and even asks me to give her food when we're eating, make room for her on the couch when we're reading, and buckle her in when we're driving.
I'm hoping this is normal behavior...
All in all, January has been another great month for us. Now, if only February can go by just as quickly so we can get even closer to Summer!