as of late

(one year ago! I can't believe it. Look at Eli's cheeks! Trip to Chicago, and the boys before bed)

I've had a few things keeping me going lately.....

-shamelessly, my daily beverage from the nearby Chevron.... a diet Dr. Pepper with two shots of vanilla. Tasty. And I'm totally hooked.

-my desire and goal to eat more veggies. I think it is helping me in so many ways! Maybe it is balancing out my soda addiction. Just let me think so, okay?

-QUIET time. For all of us. Will hasn't ever been the kid that "needed" quiet time, but lately, we've started having it. All of us, including myself, take about an hour and just relax, sit, and do something quiet. Will has been so great about it. We eat lunch, then Eli goes down for a nap, and then Will gets to play quietly, read books, or color in the bedroom. I use the time to put my legs up, catch up on email (so I'm not distracted by the computer while my kids are awake), and do some of my calendaring and list making. You know I'm good at those lists! This time has become a life saver. It gives me the energy and patience I need to get through those "witching hours" in the afternoon.

-my sister. She is such a great example to me. No matter what, she is always doing what's right! Her house is always in ship shape order, her kids are always well fed and dressed, her calling is taken care of first thing, she always takes time to read her scriptures (no matter what time a day it happens to be), and she's always trying to do her best. Plus, she's letting me live at her house for who knows how long!

-looking forward to lots of fun summer plans! It keeps me motivated and reminds me that the weather will once again be warm and sunny, and that we can be foot loose and fancy free for one more summer before Will starts SCHOOL! We've got big plans, trips to Gma Mortensen's cabin, days at Bear Lake, hikes, picnics, visit to both sister's (Idaho - ride horses and CO - to go swimming in her pool! Yippeee!), and lots of other summertime things.

What's keeping you going? What are your fun summer plans?

sunshine

This past weekend, my sister in-laws (minus Kari - we missed you!!!) and mother in-law headed south, to the land of the sun! It was such great weather, it felt nice to be warm outside, to enjoy some sunshine and to come home with pink cheeks. I loved the blossoming trees everywhere, they were gorgeous and they smelled so nice.
We were lucky to get to stay in Lorinda's parent's condo. It was perfect. Cozy and well equipped. We stayed up way too late, watched Downton Abbey, had lots of funny conversations, and laughed so hard I got a stomach ache. We also showed off our awesome dance moves..... but I don't think I'll be posting that video. EVER.
We were so glad that Liz was able to come. She had to drive 6 hours from Arizona, all by herself and I'm so glad she did. Things just wouldn't be the same without our Lizzy.
We went on a fun "hike." Or at least we tried to. I led us down the wrong path and we never really found the right trail. So instead, we just took off up the cliff. It was awesome weather, and I was really loving all the sun!

Liz and I couldn't resist a good pose on the mountainside. Check us out, we are so weird. I love it.
At the top! Ashlie had phone reception at the top so she called the DNR and tried to figure out where we were and where we had lost the trail. We found out that we were supposed to go left at one point instead of right. Well, the trail was not very well marked and we missed the signs telling us which way to go. Oh well, it was still fun!
Our view from the top. I loved the white rocks we hikes looking out over the red cliffs and the green sage down in the valley. It was a perfect time to be in St. George!
We had a great fiesta of food! We had yummy TACOS, with Brazilian Lemonade. It was quite the feast. Plus we had tons of snacks and munchies!
Before we headed home, we stopped by the temple to take some pictures. I love these ladies, and we really, really, missed Kari and hope she can come next year!! I've learned so much from each one of them and I feel really lucky to have them as family.

Here's to next years trip, I can't wait!! Until then, I'll be dreaming of these beautiful blossom trees and that blue sky. Loved it!

fun at grandma's

watching morning cartoons together in the big chair, what could be better?

Me and the boys just got home from spending a great week in Logan. We are lucky enough to have BOTH sets of Grandparents live in Cache Valley, plus lots of other family members that we love. We had a very relaxing and fun week. My boys loved being at both grandparents houses. They love having "new" toys to play with, a Grandpa who plays "No bears are out tonight", and Grandma's who are at their beck and call.

Eli has to sit on the very edge of the chair, of course.

Dad in his "workshop"

While we were at my parents, I put my dad to work on a project for me! Poor Dad, he's always taking orders for projects, but he does such an awesome job, I just can't pass up the opportunity! Pics coming of the finished product..... they are SUPER cute. I can't wait to use them.

These pictures are a little bit over-due. I took them at my parents house, but the boys got these fun matching shirts for Valentines day. I hadn't had a chance to get their picture together, wearing their matching T's. Will chose the location.... doesn't it blend nicely with the red of their shirts? Oh well, they are cute kiddos and that's all that matters.

Eli, tackling Will. This happens about 100 times per day, and both boys LOVE it.
Eli is so physical it cracks us up.

If you can't tell, Eli is biting Will's shoulder. This is also pretty common, he likes to "attack" Will.

......and now.... he's spitting. He keeps us on our toes.
Hahaha, and look at Will! He just sits there and takes it and smiles.

Will also had lots of time to himself to work on his drawings and build with his legos. It was nice to not have to go anywhere or do anything we didn't want to do. I really enjoyed the time doing whatever Will wanted to do.

At Grandma Martha's, watching a movie and eating snacks together. Eli just loves to follow Will around and do whatever he is doing. The only problem is that he is a little pesterer.... yes it's a word. He'll climb up on the couch by Will, sit there for a minute and then he just starts poking or wiggling all over Will. Will is so patient, but every once in awhile, when he's just had enough, he gives Eli a good elbow in the ribs and tells him to "STOP IT ELI!!!" Eli usually just laughs and keeps doing it until Will starts crying and I have to intervene. I usually find myself reminding Will that he's the bigger kid and he can just push him away. Is that bad? Will is just too nice, he doesn't always remember that he can defend himself or at least move away from Eli when he's torturing him.

We had a great time in Cache Valley, thanks to our wonderful families. Our trips to Logan never disappoint. There is no doubt, family are our best friends and I wouldn't want it any other way!

If you haven't seen it yet, you should. It is totally worth the 8 hours it will take to watch it! I can't wait for season 2! You can watch most episodes online, or through Netflix. I'm also thinking it is worth my 24.99$ to own it! LOVED IT!!!

I love the characters, the story line, and everything about it. The scenery is awesome, and I love the clothes. I think I should have been born in a different time period, because if it were socially acceptable, I'd love to walk around in a ruffly dress and hat all the time. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!