Time

Many good things in life just take time.

How cute - Steve working with Hank on the new birthday bike.  This is actually going to be quite a process, with many trips down the driveway already.  I think Hank would have learned to ride by now if every time they go out, Hank didn't keep turning around every other second to simply make sure Steve isn't letting go.  Hank said, "It is so scary, I just don't want to fall down and get hurt."  True and sweet words.

When Sunny had to write a report on the noble pachyderm, she insisted on making this darling little Ellie.  As with many wonderful things, this was a labor of love that took the better part of a Saturday, but it sure was worth it when I saw the smile on her face.

Sunny took this picture and when I saw it I couldn't believe that Steve and I have been married for 20 years.  Again, a marinating relationship simply takes time, but is flavored all the more richly because of all those days and years spent together.

We Heart Valentine's Day

Nothing says Valentine's Day at our house like homemade heart-shaped pizza and a colossal, creative mess due to Valentine's box imagineering. I will miss this when all of my kids are too old to want to make Valentine's boxes. Luckily we have a few more years in our box-making bank account.

Hooray for messes!!!!

Sunny's darling "Love Bug"

In the thick of it all! Beware Sunny is armed and dangerous with the glue gun.

Panda-rifically Perfect - Great job Beata.

Hank's Man Cave

Eight blankets, six pillows, four pillow pets, and 29 stuffed animals later, Hank declared that his "Man Cave" was ready for him to go to bed. Apparently, Hank feels this elaborate collection of warm and fuzzy items will serve as a protective talisman against all sorts of real and imagined dangers. Sorry Boogie Man you are out of luck - there is no way to penetrate the protective magic of the Man Cave.

Creative Wonder!

Cute little Sunny made these Duct tape shoes yesterday. After she made them she said, "I just love being creative. It makes me feel good about myself." I couldn't agree more. I might have her make me a pair.

So Proud of my Beautiful Daughter!

Once again Rin has achieved a 4.0, while taking harder classes as a sophomore than I did when I was a senior. Great work Poppy!!! While maintaining her amazing grades Rin has also been on the Red Cross Youth Leadership Council, the Utah Youth Philharmonic, the Bountiful High Swim Team, the Bountiful High Debate Team, the Viewmont girls lacrosse team, the unofficial Bountiful High Alta ski team :), and most importantly, acting as the "lead dog" on a dog sled team with four younger, excited smaller dogs watching her every move as our family moves along the "Iditarod" of life. Thanks for being so helpful and such a great example to everyone in our family. Love you. xoxoxoxoxoxo

Go Shahtie!

W dmr H02 | 2012 UW Invitational | Flotrack | Flotrack

www.flotrack.org

This is my niece, Sarah Edwards. She is pretty much awesome at everything she does!!! She led the lady cougars to a stunning and decisive DMR victory this weekend. I love this girl and would love all three of my daughters to grow up to be exactly like her - happy, kind, creative, smart, beautiful (I sound a little bit like Aibee right here). xoxoxo

Gingerbread memories :)

This year we didn't get around to making our gingerbread houses until Christmas Eve. I actually don't feel like Christmas is complete until I smell the tell tale aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger filling every nook and cranny of my house. I must say that the results were more darling than ever this year, with each of the kids having their own house to let their creativity fly. To me, gingerbread houses represent everything I love most about Christmas - something homemade, something yummy, time spent together and a celebration of creativity and individuality. I know that it is January, but I just simply had to post a couple of photos of the 2011 creations. Enjoy!

I Love Surprises

Sometimes people surprise you in ways that you think they never will. For instance, my nephew, Matthew Edwards, recently married a darling girl who I just adore, Mary Beth Small. While I am still getting to know Mary Beth, one thing I know is that she is very athletic, way into sports and a bit of a "Tom Boy" - if that is still a term that people really use. However, on the morning of their wedding, Mary Beth emerged from the temple doors in an absolutely divine soft pink wedding dress - a color that evoked the just emerging pale, blush petals of the most tender early June peony. Frankly, this was unexpected, but applauded and admired by me. Mary Beth you have spunk and you could not have looked more beautiful on your wedding day. xo

So grateful to be alive in 2012!

Every now and then I hear people say how they wish they lived in a different time period, i.e. back when things were more simple, etc. - think of the Victorian Era, the 1950s, the Renaissance, or heck, why not the neolithic period!?! I could not disagree more. I love living in 2012. I love electricity, toothpaste, TIVO, micro fleece, child labor laws, shopping on the internet, deodorant, electric blankets, turning a handle and being able to drink clean pure water, Pinterest, not having to "work the land" to put food on my table, wearing contacts, epidurals, Google and that women can vote, own land and wear pants! But most of all, I love that I live in a time during which medical advances will allow me to WALK, hopefully pain free, clear into my 80s (that age alone is another modern marvel) without becoming a cripple. Although I am only 43, I look at this beautiful 6 inch long scar on my knee and it brings me to tears filled with gratitude and joy. Oh, PT will be a beast, but you really know you are alive when you are feeling a little bit of pain. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible for me.

We Need a Little Springtime NOW!

With the snow FINALLY falling here in B-town, the beautiful expression of springtime yet to come is just what we all need to lift our spirits. Nicely done Camille - your wreath turned out so sweet! xo