A Few Days at the Farm

We weren't going to travel down to Missouri over Christmas break since we've been gone so much, but with the weather being so warm, we just couldn't pass it up! Of course, we couldn't breathe a word of it to our kids until we were absolutely positive we were going because they get SO excited! Ashton had a basketball tournament on Tuesday, but on Wednesday morning we headed out for a few days of fun. The drive was a cinch...5 hours for this family is nothing! And the weather was spectacular...We spend the next few days almost entirely outside which is almost unheard of for December in the Midwest!

A couple of things that made this trip special:

We were able to see the Porter family...they used to live next door and moved away last summer to Missouri. We were glad they were willing to make the drive to the farm (on long winding country roads!). It was so fun to just be together and have time to visit and catch up. After living next door to Sherry for 3 years, I feel like she knows me pretty well...and has seen me through lots of different things...and still likes me!! The girls were so happy to be with their buddies again. They have missed them a ton. We had a great afternoon...remembering the good old days and looking forward to future plans together.

On Friday, we got to go ice skating with the Morse family (Tod's sister). We love spending time with them...we all get a long so well and they are just easy going and fun. The kids absolutely adore cousins Kayla and Leah. Regan has been wanting to go ice skating for almost a year, so it was good to finally do it! And she surprised me by catching on really well. Even Cole got in on the action...although trying to help a 2 year old ice skate was somewhat of a challenge. After ice skating it was on to Baskin Robbins- I love that place and grew up on their Peanut Butter and Chocolate ice cream!



The weather was perfect this time for horse-riding. Getting a private horse riding lesson from Grandpa Steve is such a special privilege. Since Grandpa doesn't love to have his picture taken, I try to take advantage of snapping pics while he is busy with the horses. He is such a natural and so patient when it comes to teaching the grandkids. It is amazing to see the older girls- they are getting to be so much more comfortable around horses and have learned so much about proper riding techniques. I wish I could say the same for myself, but I am still quite fearful of the beasts! Ashton and Jordan are working towards being able to ride alone (with out the lead rope). Regan is still mastering some of the basics. Cole is along for the ride!





I had to include some of these pictures of Cole. This boy is a cowboy through and through. He loves being at the farm. All of his prayers include, "Bless Grandpa and Bless the trucks." He kept begging to go from rides in Uncle Marc's new truck. He is certainly in his element on the farm!




Of course, Ashton loves spending time with her dog Oreo. She misses him so much when they are apart. As soon as she arrived, Oreo became her constant companion and kept laying on his back for his belly rubs. She LOVES dogs.


This is a picture of Ashton and Jordan after returning from a hike with Grandpa and yes, that is mud on their faces. When they told me about their adventure, they mentioned that Grandpa had named a couple of creeks after them...they also tell me little treasures of knowledge he shares with them. So priceless. These girls are blessed with amazing grandparents.


All and in all we had a great time. We took a little detour on the ride back (I may have taken a wrong turn when Tod dozed off), but we eventually made it home just in time to bid 2011 good-bye. We were so tired from our adventures that we didn't even stay up until midnight! Here's to a great 2012!!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was wonderful this year...just being home together as a family. It was relaxing and fun...I love the ages our kids are at for celebrating. I also loved having Christmas on Sunday...it seemed easier to remember the true meaning amidst all the excitement. We did stockings and Santa gifts before church and then finished up afterwards. It was nice to be able to spread it out a little bit! We had friends over for dinner and just enjoyed the day. The feeling of Christmas is like nothing else.





As a parent, my favorite moments and pictures from the day are the delight and happiness at the surprises received. Each year, the kids draw names for sibling gifts and this year, they were SO excited to give their gift. Cole gave Ashton a mouse animal hat, Regan gave Cole a remote control Mater, Jordan gave Regan a Webkinz and book and Ashton gave Jordan a CD and puzzle.



I remember once asking my mom what her favorite holiday was and she said Halloween. (she really loved that holiday!) I kept asking her why she didn't say Christmas to which she replied that one day as a mom I would understand. And now I do. It is an exhausting holiday with lots of work...but it is also a time to focus on the blessings of life and the joy of family and of the Savior. This year, I was thankful to be able to do that!

Christmas Eve

How we spent our day:

Baking Christmas Sugar Cookies



Constructing a Gingerbread Barn from Grandma

Destroying the barn when it started to fall apart!


Frosting the Christmas cookies



Admiring the presents!


Of course, we had to use the self timer to snap a picture before we headed out to spend the evening with wonderful friends- great company, yummy food, lots of laughter and Guitar Hero!

Opening Christmas jammies

Trying to contain our excitement for the morning!

Christmas Piano Recital

Time once again for our annual Christmas piano recital...this year, I could not have be prouder...as a mom (for my 2 girls) and as a piano teacher (for the 14 others!). These kids were so well prepared this year and are making so much progress...I was just beaming the whole time. Although, piano makes my life crazy, I am so happy to share something I am passionate about with my students. These events make it all worthwhile. Some of these kids have been with me for several years now. I missed my special few who have moved away. Of course, Tod was a great help to me, along with his parents who made a special trip to town just for the recital. So much good comes of "tickling the ivories."

Preschool Program and Gingerbread Houses

Regan had her preschool Christmas program last week. She was so cute in her Santa hat with her jingle bell. I loved hearing her sing "Feliz Navidad." She was pleased as punch to have Mom and Dad as well as Grandma and Grandpa come to watch her!


After Regan's program, Tod and I headed over to Jordan's classroom for gingerbread houses. It is so fun (and rare!) to be able to spend some one on one time together with our children. Jordan's teacher this year is absolutely fabulous. She just gives off such energy and love for teaching and learning. Before the activity, she reminded all the parents to not "take over" but instead to let the child lead on making the house....a good reminder for me! Jordan was so creative with her house, even borrowing some decorating tips from her talented Aunt Melissa. We had a great afternoon together!

Eleven Years

Where has the time gone? Eleven years ago today we were married in the Bountiful Temple. Today while we were shopping, Jordan turned to me and said, "So it was a day just like this?" When I asked what she meant, she said, "The day you were married?" Yes, it was a day just like this...but on this day, I made one of the best choices of my life. I love this man with all of my heart...more now than I ever thought possible. Looking forward to many more anniversaries to celebrate together.