Isn't it Great, Spencer is 8

Turning 8 is special and we are all very excited to celebrate Spencer's day. Faith made this picture for him. The fishes under the boat are little number 8's. The others drew pictures on paper, which at first I thought was more sensible because they would last longer. I am not sure he has any of those now, but we have this picture of her picture and so it can last forever.

I was busy making his cake while he read in the living room. Last year he helped me, but this year he wanted it to be a surprise. Suddenly the kids start trailing in and making comments. They had NO IDEA what it was, but a frog, owl, snake, leprochaun and other guesses came out of their mouths. Spencer was really sad because he didn't want to know and now he knew it was green. But somehow the kids still didn't know what it was. I was floored because I thought it was turning out so nice. I hurried and invited him in before someone would make the right guess. This was his first reaction

and here is his second. He REALLY liked it and knew what it was immediately.

Can you tell it is a fire breathing dragon???

Spencer we love you! I am glad that you had a Happy Birthday! I will do another post about you and your special day. We are thankful to have you in our family.

Faith is 10 yrs old

I have to tell you how much I love this girl. She makes you feel like you have exceeded all expectations when you have fallen short. She gives you a gift of love that shows that all you have done is more than enough.

Houston, we have a problem. My skirt doesn't go all the way to my waist. I want to cry. It has never been in fashion to have your bum hanging out (And I do include all of those boys who can't figure out how to buy the right size of pants) I quickly get to work to make the repairs. It isn't really that big of a deal, I will just add more fabric, aka frosting. That is until the frosting is the wrong consistency and it just droops back down. Ok, now I really feel like crying. I wanted to make something special for Faith. And do you know what she did? SHE LAUGHED and SHE COMFORTED ME! She said how much she loved it! Then as I rushed to frost and quickly take a once in a lifetime photo, we proceeded to laugh and laugh.

Here she is blowing out the candles on the girl with no covering for her backside. Hurry, the frosting is almost in a puddle at the bottom. But she can't really blow because she is still laughing WITH me and not at me.

I love you Faith! Thank you for being my daughter. You are a Comfort to me. I pray we may always laugh our way through life instead of crying. Laugh lines are so much more attractive. ;)

Daddy Daughter Dance 2010

The relationship between a girl and her Daddy is irreplaceable. She looks to him for security & strength. She learns about love from the way he treats her mother. People often say how much a girl needs her mother, but she really does still need her Daddy.

We look forward to the Daddy Daughter Dance with much anticipation. Faith plans what she will wear, but mostly wears the look of adoration for her Dad who made the time to be with her. If you can't tell from the pictures, she loves her Dad. Aaron knows this is something you can't really replace, especially as we see her growing up. She will always be his little girl.


My Little Girl by Tim McGraw

Sometimes when you're asleep I whisper "I Love You" in the moonlight at your door
As I walk away, I hear you say, "Daddy Love You More"

Your beautiful baby from the outside in
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

Spring Break and Easter under a blanket of snow

Spring Break & Easter may have been a little strange with the snowstorm, but it didn't stop us from having some fun. Pull back out all of the snow gear and get out there and play.

They even made a new friend they wouldn't have found if the snow hadn't come.

Luke thought swinging was just as fun bundled up in all of his snow gear glory.

This fort will stop all onslaughts of attack, or will it??? They had a great time and were ready for Hot Cocoa. Are you sure it is Easter?

Well if it doesn't seem like Easter because it is cold, wet and white. Let's add some color to the world. Welcome the Window to Easter.

How old are you Luke?

I am 1. Nope, not anymore. Now you are 2.

And you will love it! You love to have adventures and to really go after life.

With a great big smile

and laughter

Nothing will stop you. Go, go, go baby!

You have a tender heart and love to read.

I often find you looking at these Corduroy books.

This was the inspiration for your cake.

This time you knew what a cake was for..... Eating. "Thank you I will help myself to those chocolate eyes." Mmmmm

We love you Babe! You are a real joy! You may cry more often than I wish, but you also bring more joy than any of us can hold. May you have many adventures as you see the world open up for you. We are already learning you are one tough hiker and want to do it yourself. This determination will be a great strength in your life. And the smiles and laughter will bless you on the journey.

A visit of loved ones from far away

Our family from Nebraska & Missouri came for a visit. This is our nephew Jake with Luke. We had a such a nice visit, that I forgot to pick up the camera and use it. I feel bad because I do this almost every time they come.

Here is a picture of our family with Jake. His sister Gabi & friend Whitney were shopping while we had some adventures in the outdoors.

Grandma's need to have at least two hands. They are loved on all sides. This is Faith & Dallin walking with my mother in law. They love to be near her.

On my way down for an emergency bathroom break I found this fun formation. Even though we ended up on a different path and people, who aren't used to the elevation, were tired; they followed me back up the path a little ways to see it for themselves.

They were not disappointed. That must be Goliath's foot!


Our boys love spending time with Jake, besides being Awesome, he is also the only boy cousin they ever see. They are surrounded by girls out here.

But Hey, even Faith likes Jake. He is just a great kid! Grandma likes being with all of these silly kids.

Gabi & Whitney LOVED the Gateway Mall. They were so great with the kids, but who can blame them? They are teenagers and this was more their style. It sounds like they had a Blast!

Talk about style! They loved getting air on the trampoline.

Jake got some serious air too, but man, look at that stretch. Awesome!

We all loved having Dave around. We can play games, joke around and just enjoy life together without any worries. He makes you feel happy to be near him.

And Jean too. She is always so positive & low stress, that she makes it easy to have house guests. She is holding the reason for the visit. This is our niece, Baby Carssen. She is so tiny! They came for some work for Dave & to see the baby get blessed. Sweet little Carssen was a little tired right then, but she was really so good!

The end of the trip was not a dream come true, but this picture expresses the reason we are so happy to still have this guy around. We sure love ya Dave!

Thanks Jake, Jean, Dave, Gabi, Whitney, Grandma & Grandpa Bennett for coming to spend some time with your Utah clan. Sorry I didn't get more pictures, especially of Grandparents. We really do love you!

Finding The Joy in Christmas

We Love our family tradition of sledding on Christmas Eve.
Spencer is Hot Dogging it.

Christian loves to fly.

Dallin & Luke think it is best to get a ride

The horsepower behind all of that fun is DADDY the Superdad.

Faith thinks a cute snowman at the bottom of the hill is a perfect addition to the fun.

In the morning, we are so excited, but we must capture that joy in a picture first. Even Molly posed perfectly.

And Before we check out this....

We take a moment to remember the real reason for the season. His was the greatest gift of all.

There were many smiles

and hugs.

There was no fighting, well unless there was supposed to be.

Moments of sheer joy

or surprise

or times when you just had to scream with excitement.

But the best part was taking it slow and enjoying the moments together. For that is where the joy is found.