Brad's last basketball game.

Saturday morning Lance and Kendra drove up to join Matt, Tori, Randy and I. Brad had his last basketball game so we all went to that in the morning to cheer him on.



They brought their new dog Rudy along. She is so little and cute. Claire could not keep her hands off the new puppy.

After dinner Brad recruited his uncles to help him finish the snowman he started. Of course they had to make it about 100 times bigger, and taller.



It took all three of them and a little innovation to get them stacked. Look at Brad he makes a good project manager.



They went all out with the accessories.








He needs a name. Any thoughts???

Aggie Hockey

Matt and Tori called on Friday night and said they wanted to go to the Aggie Hockey game then spend the night with us. We tagged along. Our friends Morgan and Tiko were going too. I have really enjoyed being in a College Town. The games are so fun to go to.

Landon and Brad




Brad loved chanting with the crazy Aggie students and Claire just could not get enough of Uncle Matts lips. Poor Matt.
Claire told us the boys had to go to time out when they would fight.
We got a good laugh out of it.


It was an awesome game. They won in the first 20 seconds of overtime.

We will definitely be going again soon.

Snow Day

Our friends the Millers have an awesome sledding hill in their backyard. They are always nice enough to extend an invite to play on their hill.


Brad loved running and jumping on his sled.






Our across the street neighbors Bentley and Jaiden. Bentley was so cute. He went down the hill more times than the big boys. He would also hitch a ride with anyone going down the hill. He was a serious sledder.

After a while the kids ditched the sleds and just went down like penguins. (Claire)

Caleb Miller

Brad
When they got bored the tried snowboarding. Poor Brad... I made him go home and get his helmet. He has a nurse for a mom. He is a good sport.

Girls girls girls!!

Allee came over to play with Claire last week. These girls are peas in a pod. They are good at bossing each other around, being princesses, dancing, and having quite the imaginations.

When it was time to eat lunch the girls wanted pizza. I told them no to play dough (I know, I know I am a lazy mom. I can't stand play dough messes) I figured the least I could do was accommodate the lunch request.






They were so proud of themselves for making the pizza all by themselves. I think they ate more cheese and peperoni while making the pizza than they actually put on their pizza.

While they were waiting for the pizza to cook they begged me to take their picture while they made faces at the camera. I did not give them any guidance. They came up with these poses on their own. They were being so silly.


Every girl needs a good friend. I had some great girlfriends growing up. I am just glad she is not sleepover age yet. I don't think I am ready for a slumber party.

Groundhog's Day????

Now there is a silly Holiday!!




I thought about getting my capri pants out until this happened last night.

Month of Love

I have heard from several people, blogs, and random conversations that Valentines is a silly holiday. Who needs a set apart day to let someone know that you love them.

My attitude on the holiday... what is wrong with showing a little EXTRA love without having to justify it. What is wrong with being silly, sappy, and mushy for a change?? Sometimes I need a good reminder to show and tell MORE love and appreciation to my family. I am not saying I don’t love them all year round but it would be next to impossible to keep up a "Valentines" pace all year long.

Claire and I made Valentine cupcakes to take to Randy's work. Then when Brad got home we made rice crispy treats to pass out to their friends in the neighborhood. It was fun to watch them ring the doorbell and shout out "Happy ValentiMes Day!!"

Kamie and Tim to visit for the weekend. Kamie and I made dinner for the boys. It was nice to put the kids to bed and enjoy a nice dinner with NO plastic IKEA cups or plates. And no whining. Brad could sense that we were having a party after bedtime and he was not very happy about the situation. I have memories of my parents cooking nice dinners after bedtime. Doesn't every child go through that?? I shouldn't feel bad right???

Yup we ate ALL that cow. Every last bite!!!

Randy had to have the side dishes after he ate his monster steak. It filled his whole plate.

Tim and Kam

I LOVE this man.

For desert we had chocolate fondue. There is something about dipping stuff in chocolate that makes anything edible. I could eat anything as long as it is dipped in chocolate.


I saved the best part for last. On Valentines Day Randy gave me a letter that meant the world to me. It was so sincere and seriously the best gift he could ever give. He also gave me a gift card to Old Navy so I could get some new clothes. The gift card was a great bonus but nothing compared to the letter. The reason I share this here in this blog is I hope one day my little Bradly will stumble across my writing and realize how powerful a letter can be. I know the saying is Actions speak louder than words. Believe me Randy's actions speak really loud. I have not doubt that he loves me just by how hard he works and how much he does for me and the family. However sometimes it is nice to hear the words. I think I am safe in saying that most women like be acknowledged and appreciated. It brought me to tears to hear Randy's voice pouring out of the letter. It gave me new energy to be a better mother and wife. Sometimes I go along thinking all my efforts go unnoticed. I feel energized, appreciated and loved. Thank you Randy!! Best gift EVER.

There is too much...Let me sum up

My poor blog needed a good dusting. It has been a while since I posted.

January came and went so fast. I can't believe it! Good riddance, I dislike January. It is such a let down after the holidays.

We did do a few fun things that I will SUM UP.

I seem to do a lot more baking when I am stuck in the house. I am LOVEN' my little helper. It is so fun to let her help me. She can even crack eggs for me. It's great.


We attempted a fire....kind of a bust. It was really cold and the wood was really wet. But fun anyway.

Randy is back in school. So I am back to being alone on the weekends. If the kids are good during the week they get to stay up late and watch movies and eat popcorn while they wait for daddy to get home.

Claire has been having friends over to play. She is a lot more social than Brad was. She asks me almost every day if she can have friends over. I am in trouble.


Life has been good for us. We feel really blessed to have good kids, a warm house and jobs that pay the bills.

Annual Girls Trip

Every year in January the girls from the ward I grew up in have a girls trip. It started with my mom and her good friends. Now that all of their daughters are grown up we have joined them for the last several years. I really look forward to this trip every year. I grew up with these girls and they are among my very best friends!!!!

This year the trip was actually in Logan so Claire got to have a little taste of the girls trip while I waited for Randy to get off work. She is going to love this trip when she grows up.

We go out to eat.....A LOT!!!!
And we shop....A LOT
Act silly....A LOT
And danced....a LOT
This year we started a new white elephant gift game. We could only spend $1 on a gift. Who wouldn't want single slice spam...


...or sardines in tomato juice....

...how about hot dog earrings?

We played games until we could barely keep our eyes open. Then talked in our hotel beds even longer.

I LOVE THESE WOMEN!!!!

Good times!!!!