Caution: Lots of cute pictures of cute kids having fun in the snow...

Shhhh....

I made a bed for Emily's American Girl Doll. I'm not known for my sewing or woodworking skills, but dang! these turned out pretty cute! I had extra materials so I made one for her friend Bailey, too. I hope they like them!

Cute Christmas poem...

Em wrote the cutest poem in class a couple of weeks ago. The translation is below. Apparently she's sad about it no longer being pheasant season. I thought it was pretty clever!

It is almost Christmas
it is coming soon
right now it is December 5
in the afternoon.
I rilly love Christmas
because I get lost of presents,
but now sense it's colder
we wont be shooting pheasants.
Soon Santa will be coming
down our big fat chimney
he'll bring me lots of presents
then say hello to see me.
Now its geting closer
and colder
we won't be going out just
to ride roller costers.
Now it is Christmas
we got a lot of toys,
and now sense it's Christmas
it broght us lots of JOY.

The marching man...my favorite Amazing Race Moment this season

The Big 4-0

I normally try to avoid getting philosophical on my blog, but just indulge me for a moment. I turned 40 today. I know I'm not the first to accomplish such a tremendous feat, but I get a little sentimental and reflective on birthdays.

I've never been one to get depressed about getting older. I am honestly and deeply grateful that I am getting older - I always think about those who are denied the opportunity. I'm healthy, happy, safe and comfortable - what more could I want? I get to spend my days with the three people I love and adore more than anything in this world. I am the luckiest human on the planet.

A couple of months ago I thought it would be fun to make a list of some of my greatest memories and experiences. I learned a few things about myself: 1) I don't care much for possessions. I'm more about relationships and experiences; and 2) WOW! What a fun ride it has been. I haven't done even close to what I would like to do before I expire, but I have been very blessed with opportunities and experiences that I think have molded the person I am today.

Here is the list, it's very random and not in any particular order.

In 40 years

I’ve...
gotten married
held a human brain
sunbathed on both the Waikiki and Copacabana Beaches
adopted a child
given birth to a child
visited the Caribbean Islands
broken a finger twice in the exact same place
had surgery, twice, on said finger in the exact same place
ice blocked down Old Main Hill
had many friends whom I’ve loved and adored
seen the Tetons on a cloudless day
had a c-section
swam in canals, rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans
read and loved many books
collected bugs
toured a rain forest
ridden in a taxi and thought I might die
played on a championship team
fished on the Homer Spit
graduated from college, twice
swam with sea turtles
gotten straight As
built a house, twice


I’ve been...
to Brazil
fishing on the Ninilchik River in Alaska
atop the Pao de Azucar in Brazil
to Puerto Rico, twice
to Disneyland, many times
skinnydipping
through the catacombs under USU, more than once, shhh...
pregnant
on a cruise
lost in the Alaskan wilderness
a spelling bee champion


I’ve learned to...
crochet
sew
play the piano
knit
tie my shoes
read
ride a bike
drive
water ski
snow ski
love unconditionally
overcome some fears and insecurities


I’ve seen...
miracles
Beluga Whales swim in the ocean
The Grand Geyser erupt at Yellowstone
Phil Collins
Bon Jovi
Chicago
Kenny Loggins, twice!
the Christus statue in Brazil
the Ipanema Beach
absolute and pure joy on the faces of my children
a semi-truck tip over on the highway

I have really loved my life. I have amazing parents, wonderful in-laws, fun and supportive friends, and siblings and other family members that I adore. Most importantly I have a wonderful husband and the greatest kids a mom could want.

Here's to at least 40 more years and a new list of adventures!

Miscellaneous Christmas stuff...

We went to Temple Square Saturday night after the Aggie vs. Bougar game. The game stunk but Temple Square was a lot of fun. Our kids are at perfect ages right now where they are really in to Christmas and still love everything about it.

We put up our Christmas decorations last night and that was a lot of fun, too. I can't believe how excited kids get about decorating the tree! One of my favorite things about Christmas is our ornaments. Steve's mom gave her kids an ornament each year and then when we got married we inherited Steve's collection. She still gives the kids an ornament each year and it has become one of our favorite traditions. The star above is my favorite one of Steve's - from 1972ish. There's just something about it that I love. Not sure what.

Funny side story: Ryan made banana bread last night and when we took it out of the oven he confessed that he might have put in a little too much vanilla - on purpose. He loves the smell of vanilla and assumed that because it smells so good, TONS of it must taste really good. He learned a valuable lesson that too much of a good thing is not so good.