Our Yurt Adventure

Ski slopes weren't open yet, so we pulled out the sleds.

We had such a blast!!!

As we were slowly driving home down the mountain, the roads were extremely slick. Drew lost control of our suburban around a bend in the road. We came a few feet from hitting an oncoming car and spun around 180 degrees stopping 1 foot from the edge of a steep slope. You could have heard a pin drop, we were all so frightened.

We are very grateful for the protection that was sent down from Heaven for us that day, and every day.

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY, BRADEN!

What would our family do without you Braden? You have brought so much joy and happiness into our home. Your smiles and laughs are contagious! You are the spice that makes our lives so much more flavorful and exciting. Your generous heart is bursting with so much love! When you share your testimony of our Savior, it is so sincere and beautiful.

I wonder what you are going to do when you grow up...the sky is the limit with your keen mind. Oh, the places that you will go! How am I so blessed to be able to guide you into adulthood?

Or, are you guiding me?

Mine, All Mine!!

Mommy's kisses are for ME!

Now That is Talent!

I don't care how they practice, just as long as they practice!

Thanksgiving 2008

What could be better?

Awesome Family, Delicious Food, Great Friends, Lots of Laughs, Treasured Memories.

Nothing.

The End.

In the mountains, cutting our Christmas Trees with Cousins. This will be our greatest tree EVER!

Just a NON-competetive FRIENDLY game of football. ; )

Love/Hate

The relationship Gabe (and Mom) has with our new puppy, Sunny.

Drew's caption: "It's a dog-eat-dog world and I am wearing Milk-Bone underwear!"

I Wear My Sunglasses at Night...

...and during the day, and watching a movie, and in the tub.

Gabe, our Shades Dude.

Pay Day

I don't want you to take this wrong. I know that Heavenly Father sent 6 amazing little spirits into our home. They had their talents and gifts before they ever became part of our family. They were created and existed long before I ever knew them or had any influence over them.

However, I just might be doing something right.

I went to parent teacher conferences last night and received wonderful reports. Of course I was thrilled to see all of the A's and E's for excellent. What made my heart sing, however, were the reports I received of their character: Respectful, kind, helpful, well-mannered, delightful, a joy to teach.

I don't receive paychecks or promotions as defined by worldly standards. Sometimes in the frustrations that come from raising 6 children I wonder if I am doing any good at all. More times than I care to admit. No accolades are received for the Blood, Sweat and Tears that go into piano practicing and homework supervision, very limited screen time, chore delegation with follow up...the list goes on and on. Family Home Evening lessons seem, at times, as part of a circus act.

Yet, I must be doing something right.

Ready, Set, BLAST OFF!!!

Finished product. BEAUTIFUL!

Summer's getting her FIRST tooth pulled out. Dad is pulling on one side of the floss, Braden on the other.

Great teamwork, I would say!

Family Night Fun!

We earned enough quarters to pay for a fabulous night of bowling. Way to go kids! We had a fun family night and celebrated Danielle's birthday to boot.

No sibling rivalry here! Dawson and Danielle didn't mind at all that their younger brother cleaned their plows.

OK, so my 3 yr. old beat me bowling...

Drew impressing his woman.

Danielle and Gabe knocking 'em down.

HAPPY 11th DANIELLE!

Love the presents!!
Talking to Aunt Shalee


Grandma Dayton and Birthday Girl


We love you Danielle!

Danielle, happy birthday sweetheart. How could we be so blessed to have you in our family? How could so much talent and so many smarts be in one 11 year old body? Oh, the places that you can go, kiddo. The sky is the limit! More than brains and talent is your kindness and compassion and your strong testimony. What more could a Mother want for her child than for him or her to have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, to reach their potential, to be happy, to be kind, to be honest, and to serve others?

Attack of the Killer Toothbrush

BUSTED!!!

Hmm...There appears to be a half-eaten Tootsie Roll
smack dab in the middle of your chest, Braden...

SUMMER-time Year Round

Even when the days turn cold you brighten up my day, Summertime. Running up to your room as soon as you are home from school to change into your skirt (or your sister's skirt...)

Oh, the color! Oh, the fashion! I love you my little Summer girl.

Pocket Patrol

This is from 7 days of emptying pockets before I did the laundry. Not too bad; at least no foreign currency (from two different countries) that is unexplainable. (Yes, that has happened).

Bye, Bye Gabe

See you after pre-school. Love you and Miss you already.

Little Pieces of Heaven

A beautiful Autumn day, warm sun filtering through the windows, listening to Bach and doing our puzzles with my lap the favorite seat in the house...

The only thing better than reading to my kids is them reading to each other.

The Leaning Tower of Laundry

Why am I surprised when I open the laundry chute to see a tower of laundry looming overhead? Not to mention the 3 baskets below that are usually overflowing. It really is simple math: 8 people x 4 or so items of daily clothing=32 x 7 days=224 items of weekly dirty laundry. Gabe is a great laundry assistant--as he helps me put each piece of clothing into the washing machine, he says: "Daddy's!, Danielley's, Gracie's!, Brad-o's!..."

I am so grateful for the bodies that fill these clothes and that they are

mine to love.

Behold the Sweet Potato

Don't get me wrong. My first and forever love is and will always be Summerco's Russets. My kids eat them like candy! It's the beta carotene boost they need every now and again. Introduce my love affair with the Sweet Potato (a.k.a Yam). I steam or zap 'em and put them in fruit smoothies, mac 'n cheese, spaghetti sauce, lasagna, pancake batter...ne'er a complaint. Now that is something to love.

Go, Hannah, Go!

Is this the Best Family in the World, or what?! Hannah, thanks for working hard to get to the State Cross Country meet; giving us another reason to get together. We love you!