February

Last month was to me, the final chapters in a book. Grandma's book.
Being so closely immersed in her final year it was a difficult yet relieving end to watch. She reached the 50's in pounds and couldn't even remember how to fold a simple dishrag. I ached for her.
We all sat with her the day she died. As I took a turn talking to her, I told her how much I loved her and how I'm sorry I couldn't do more for her...I hope she understands.
Fortunately we were able to have her in our home for 6 months last year. It was hard at times, but I'm grateful to have had those memories with her.
I'm so incredibly filled with joy that she is home. Death is hard...however it is also a gift. It has a way of refocusing those that are left behind on what is really important. March will be a month of spending a little more time with my family and friends and not worrying about things that hold no value.
Although Grandma's book of life has ended, a much better one has begun for her. And for that...I am sooo incredibly happy.

Tag.

4 Shows i watch...
*NCIS - Jeff's parents got me hooked to this show. Love it.
*NCIS - L.A.
*I Love Lucy
*Gilmore Girls. Yes I still watch reruns. I'm hooked.

4 Things i am Passionate About...
*my husband's shaved head. :)
*going on walks with my boys
*prayer
*Keeping the Spirit in my home.

4 Phrases i say a lot...
*"Oh my laws." Still don't know where I picked that up.
*"For the love!"
*"Oh blast"
*"Bless their heart"-tonya

4 Things i have learned from the past...
*You can be happy no matter where you are, or no matter what you're going through.
*Take time for yourself. If you don't, your bucket might go missing.
*"If you look for the bad in mankind hoping to see it, you surely will" Abe Lincoln
*Always take throw up bags in the car for Will on long trips

4 Things i did yesterday...
*Scrubbed the bathrooms. Where is the maid when you need her??!
*Groceries
*Running
*FHE (AKA...Grant's tantrum time)

4 Places i would love to visit...
*Italy
*Ireland
*Suz in Virginia
*Prince Edward Island

4 Things i am looking Forward to...
*Settling down somewhere. Who knows where yet. Anywhere would be fabulous.
*To sit in the Temple with ALL my boys around me. "I ditto that Annie..."
*A vacation! Again, I'm not picky. Death Valley is even sounding nice at this point.
*Clipping coupons simply because I want to.

4 Things i love about Winter...
*Sledding. I go with the boys every week.
*Christmas
*Making hot cocoa
*A warm blanket, a couch, and a book.

4 Peeps to TaG...
*Tonya
*Sherri
*Suz
*Shala

Time Out

Apparently Pooh Bear did something to deserve the naughty corner. I'm not sure what offense he committed, but Granters was all too happy to sit with him and enforce his 3 minutes.

It's so funny what you'll walk around the corner to when you have kids...

To a New Year...

It's been quite a year. And my blogging has suffered because of it. But that is the refreshing thing about a new year: A new start.
It's time to shake off the past year. It wasn't a fun one...but it was full of those trials that we know deep down make us better people.
Jeff has FINALLY graduated. And now we are on the job hunt. We've been applying everywhere. (From Washington to Vermont) We have no idea what's in store for us, but we know we're excited for it. This year will be good....(power of words, right??)

Here are a few pictures from our Holiday Seasons. I can't believe how old my guys are getting! They are so much fun. I remember talking to my adorable cousin Annie when Will was born. I remember her telling me that her son was her best friend. During the terrible two's...I thought there was a good chance she may have been off her rocker. I'm finally getting what she meant though. I can't imagine my life without their unique personality's in it. They fill each day with sunshine.



The boys seeing Santa. They were both a bit apprehensive.


Will was Joseph this year in his school Nativity program. Did a GREAT job!


When you ask Will to pose for a picture...this is what you get! :)


He was also a reindeer...he wanted to show off his little white tail.


Our snowstorm. This is just during the first part of it. I don't think we've ever shoveled that much snow!! Jeff & I built the boys a sledding hill over to the side where you see them playing. They LOVED it.


Logan, Will & Grant at the Christmas Pageant in Holden.


Will & Grant begged for Pillow Pets this year.


This Christmas Tree has quite a story. If you've ever seen Christmas Vacation...you might understand. I loved it though!

Family Pictures

Here are the pictures we had taken earlier this summer down in Holden. We were lucky to get down there for them. Grant had a fever that day of 105 and ended up going to the ER that night. It was a crazy day!

Summer Fun

It's been a while, so I thought I'd post a few pictures of our summer fun.
We went camping for the first time as a little family. We usually go with people, so this was a new experience. Thankfully, we found a spot up Mapleton Canyon and had a blast. The boys beg to go every week now.
Will begged to take cousin Elle down to the Fillmore 4th of July Parade this year. They had so much fun on the 4wheeler (as usual) and then at the parade the next morning. Uncle Mark & Aunt Hillary were in it this year. That night, we came back up to SF and my Uncle and Aunt from Vegas cooked authentic Mexican food. Jeff asked them if we were celebrating the Independence of Mexico...:)
It was absolutely delicious though and we followed it by some fun fireworks.

We got our family pictures back, so I'll get those up next!

Hot...Hot...Hot!

Last week we took a super quick drive down to Arizona. Cousin Sherri was tying the knot to an awesome guy named Scot. The trip was really quick (we were only there for a little over 48 hours) so we missed seeing a lot of our favorite faces...but hopefully we'll be back again soon. The weather was soooo hot! Every day was in the 100's. Perfect swimming weather. Here are a few of the pictures.

We could not get Will out of the pool. He and Chase went swimming every day. I went to Shopko to buy him a pool after we got home and he said he would like a big one like the one in Arizona please. He said it so seriously I wasn't sure how to respond...



We were able to go have breakfast with Grandma & Grandpa Porter while we were there. Grandma had such a beautiful spread out with her famous whole wheat pancakes, freshly picked blackberries and much more. I adore my grandparents and any time spent with them is simply delightful. **I swear I didn't pinch Grant in this picture!**



Here is Sherri just about ready to walk down the aisle... She looks stunning!



I usually stay with my cousin DeAnn when I go down. I adore her sweet family sooo much. Richard & Jessi (my Aunt & Uncle from Vegas) also stayed with DeAnn this time and we had such a great time with them. We went to get pedicures, swam, bbq'd...and went for some long walks in Queen Creek where DeAnn lives. It was such a relaxing and fun time.



Kids & weddings don't mix too much. Our boys were doing anything they could to entertain themselves.



Can't wait to go back again.