Precious Paige

Paige is another year older. I am thrilled for her that she is getting older and that she is healthy and happy. What more could a mother ask for right? I will tell you. I wish that I could slow down time, I wish that I could somehow make my time with her last as long as possible before she goes off to conquer the world. I have enjoyed every minute since they placed that squishy little fuzzy-headed baby in my arms. Paige has brought so much joy to our family and,thankfully, it never seems to end, it just gets better and better.

Here are some of my favorite things about Paigie-

She has brown hair…the only one of my kiddos to take after me. When I ask her why she is so stinkin’ cute she says “cause I look like you” and she actually thinks that’s a good thing.

She is creative. She loves to make things and loves to think of interesting things to do.

She is funny. She likes to make up her own jokes, and honestly , they are usually pretty funny.

She is friendly. Everywhere we ever go Paigie makes a friend.

She is quick to laugh and brings everyone a lot of joy.

She collects little things and has a little bucket on her dresser that holds all her special treasures.

She is amazingly good at the computer. In this way she takes after her dad(which she also thinks is a wonderful thing) and she is not slow to remind me of that fact when necessary i.e. Boy, I am glad I take after dad and was able to fix that computer problem for you...

She has tons of faith.

She is very clever and does really well in her school work.

She is still very cuddly and is always willing to give a hug when needed.

She loves gum!

She wants to be a baker and own her own bakery (she has even promised to have Bavarian cream donuts just for me)

Someday she wants to be a mother (Due to the possibility of pain, up until just recently, she was only willing to consider adoption as a reasonable option for aquiring children).

She loves to swim.

She adores her family—
And we love her too.

Happy Birthday Paigie! I hope you had a great day and that you know how much we love you.

A Birthday Hug


Two sisters ready to party!


Whitney was making a sign to put outside welcoming party-goers...
A gift from Aunt Niki- Paige was thrilled and said "Apparently, money does grown on trees!"

Ice Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!

This is a sure sign spring is here(and summer is just around the corner), despite the fact it snowed a couple days ago. As an added bonus, this ice cream man is AFFORDABLE the kids were able to buy it with their own money (they are so proud). Hooray for the ice cream man--he just made our day!

There Is Beauty All Around

This is the view from our stake center and essentially what I see out my bedroom windows. Can you believe it? The world is so incredibly diverse in its beauty. I am grateful to be here and have also loved the many different places I have lived, each for its own reason. Amazing.

Family Ties

Here is yet another perk of my geographical location. I live near (7.6 miles to be exact) my super most wonderful NIECE! She and I are three years apart and have been very close our entire lives.

Since being here I have enjoyed being able to call Z and say "hey, can you come over" and then, if we want, we can visit into the late hours of the night. We have not been close geographically for most of our married lives so it's fun to finally be close and see her in mommy-action-mode.

We used to play dolls together and now we share recipes and ideas for chore charts.

We used to play in the back yard together and now we put on impromptu baseball games with our kids at the park.

We used to laugh and do silly things together and now we chuckle at the darling things our children do.

We used to talk and dream about the kinds of mommies we would be, and now I get to tell her boys about the sweet and wonderful little girl their mommy was.

Heavenly Father really had a marvelous plan when he designed families. It brings me more comfort than anything else in the world to know that these special people, who I am connected to on such an intricate level, are mine forever.

Last night she had her monthly scrapbook night at her house. It is a fun night with a consultant from Close To My Heart that comes and has some fun projects ready for us to put together.

Here we are together, I remembered to take a picture as I was heading out the door. We are tired and crafted out ( I did manage to stay and visit another hour after I made it up the stairs where my sister was sitting on the couch...must not have been that tired huh?)



Here are my cards all finished and packaged up. I was to lazy to get them out again for a photo shoot.



Sooo, I took a picture of the demos...


Thanks Zaneel for the fun night, but mostly, thanks for being mine.

Gum Drops and Cherry Pits

I was not officially tagged but it was more of an open invitation to all the readers of my friends blog...since I read it I did it...

What color are your socks right now? blue mary-jane socks with slip proof treds and a diamond button...nothing like feeling like a two year old.

What are you listening to right now? The kiddos falling asleep and the whirrrr of the smoothie maker prepareing me a delicious treat.

What was the last thing you ate? Chicken and baked potato and then a handful of Spice gumdrops...strange things those spice gumdrops.

Can you drive a stick shift? yes, but you wouldn't want me to do it with one of your special cars.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? azure--although I love the entire 96 pack.

Last person you spoke to on the phone? Zaneel, love that girl.

Do you like the person who tagged you? I wasn't officially tagged, but yes, love her. By the way, does anyone really ever say no to that question?

How old are you today? Same as yesterday...36

Favorite drink? Water

What is your favorite sport to watch? Curling and synchronized swimming??? I always love this question cause anyone who knows me knows I do not watch sports.

Have you ever dyed your hair? Yep, and i'm going to do it 'till I get too old to care.

Pets? none, I really miss Nellie though.

Favorite food? I love Mexican food. I have re-discovered Cafe Rio since being here and I have to say that is some yummy grub.

Last movie you watched? Must have been Mr. Magoriums Emporium...Yes, Tori, I know it is WONDER emporium. That is entirely too long though.

Favorite day of the year? Christmas Eve or Thanksgiving. Its a tie.

What do you do to vent you anger? Pray and talk...a lot!

What was your favorite toy as a child? dolls I think.

What is your favorite fall or spring? Fall, ahhh yes, just the word conjures a spectacular image. Nope, not the one of me falling face first off the back porch...I meant a beautiful (and less painful) image.

Hugs or kisses? Depends on who's givin' them out.

Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry, not a real blueberry fan, except for the cool star on the bottom. Plus, cherries have that cool pit you can spit at things. Makes me feel rebelious.

Living arrangements? well, that is an interesting question.

Last time you cried? Today, I dont feel good and I want my mom.

Okay, now I tag anyone that would like to do it...its a fun way to get to know people better so 'cmon, give it a try.

Hello

This lady has absolutely nothing to do with my post...but a post without a picture just seems kinda...boring. Plus I love her nose and squished out lips.

There has been nothing new or news worthy to report. I have not been walking so I dont have any really deep thoughts to share. We are so new here that there are no real demands on us so nothing of much interest in that area either.

I am frustrated with the lack of news and since it is wrong to make something up in order to sound more exciting, I decided to just post something,boring or not, anyway.

I might go to the grocery store today. That will be exciting. I am planning on making my monthly menu and hoping to get my list all worked out before I go. I find I am way more effecient when I have a list.

Rich has been leaving here at about 5:30 AM so he is able to be home by about 4:30. I love that. Gives us lots of time with him in the evenings.

The girls are making friends in the neighborhood and so it has been a non-stop kid filled house the past few days. Pretty fun, the tricky part is that it is still pretty cold out so they cant get out there and run around like they like. Soon though I hope. So does my Whitty.

Our bishopric dropped by the other night, we didnt know they were coming but they could not have come at a more perfect time. They are incredibly wonderful men and we were grateful for their presence in our home.

So that about sums it up, grocery trip, Rich's work schedule, new friends, and a special timely visit...doesn't get any more exciting than that!

Survivor:Utah County

I am home safe and sound and none the worse for the wear. I even LIKED it. We had a lot of fun and I was mostly taking it all in (life with teenagers is new and a little frightening to me, remember?). I learned a few new things and I loved it most when someone would start to grumble about roughing it and one of a few girls would gently remind them (with a "get real" look on their face) "we are in someone’s backyard" not really too rough. There was one darling girl I will forever be indebted to for saving my life, she stayed up most of the night stoking the fire so we wouldn't freeze to death. After all it was below freezing last night. It was terribly cold and I have never been happier so see the sun rise.


Home Sweet Home


My new thing #1-roasted Starbursts...DELICIOUS!!!


My view from my sleeping spot...glorious sunshine. I dont know how many times I looked up hoping it was daylight so I could get warm! Then finally...hooray! Thanks Michelle (and her loyal assistants) for your dedicated fire building and maintaining service!


This darling red lump is Tori...told you we were cold.


The Tomahawk girl


The view is to die for.