a way to help...

Looking for a great way to give this holiday season...?
Click HERE to donate to a tragic Utah cause.
She is holding an auction and all proceeds will be donated to his wife and daughter...
It is a heart breaking story....click HERE to read about it...

what a game...

We have been season ticket holders for 3 years now. It has been such a fun new tradition to add to our family! We usually get 2 tickets so Travis rotates who he takes with him. Each of the kids get a turn, he takes a friend or 2 and I usually stake my claim on the "holy war!" The duel of all duels. The BYU vs. U of U game! Being AT this game is an amazing experience! People are so pumped up, excited, and emotionally charged! I LOVE going! This year was no exception! The game went into OT and we won on the last play of the game! Wahooo! It was a great night!

There was a sprinkling of red up in the stands!!

This is how Travis felt right after our amazing win!!

As usual the fans rushed the stands. The last time the fans were able to get to the goal posts and they knocked them down....this year they had like 20 security guards at each end guarding them!

It was pretty chilly, but the adrenalin was enough to keep us warm!

give thanks...

We had a great Thanksgiving! My sister Rachel and her family were able to come to Utah for the holiday and we have had so much fun being together! The Thanksgiving meal was so yummy and we have enjoyed playing games and eating snacks in between. My sister Jenn had a super idea to keep the kids occupied before dinner. They each made a fingerprint turkey. I think they turned out stinkin cute!



Today us 3 sisters were able to go and see New Moon. Yes people...this is my 2nd time.... and then we went to lunch with our hubbies while my parents took the kids to the pool! Holidays are awesome!!!

think about it Thursday...

Okay...I know that it is seriously soooo lame that it is Thursday again with no posts this week....I promise to post more soon. For now hop over to Poppies to see my latest project!

hop on over...

funny video & my 300th post...

Max is a pretty relaxed kid...most of the time...
We have noticed, however, that every once in a while he grows attached for a time to particular objects. He does not shy away from letting all within ear shot know that he disapproves of anyone taking his object away!

Also, it is my 300th post...yea me!!

a mama bear heart...

When I was growing up my life with friends was not always fun...I was frequently the subject matter of jokes, I was often left out, and I was made fun of a lot! It hurt...a lot! Through those years I learned how to be my own best friend. I learned how to be independent.

Now looking back I realize how important my supportive family was to those feelings of self worth. I knew that at home I was a rock star! I could make my family laugh, I was the "older" sister and totally abused that power...I had a family that loved me! I also knew that I wasn't alone. I had a Heavenly Father that knew my pain and hurt.

So....I sit here remembering ALL of those feelings of hurt and pain as I try to think of what to do for my sweet tender hearted Noah. I can almost see my little 8 year old self in his eyes. The timidness he feels at not wanting to give friends any reason to tease him...which was the battle this morning...as he is rushing out the door I notice that he is only wearing his sweatshirt. I tell him to put on his coat because it is only 30 degrees outside. Today I finally discovered the reason behind his "I don't want to wear my new coat!" feelings. He told me, through tears, that he gets teased by a couple of friends because his coat is too poofy! {heart breaking} So I did what I could...I tried to empower him...tried to tell him that he can stand up for himself. I told Zach that he can stand up for his brother, that Zach can tell them that they are being bullies...I told them that they can choose to stick together and walk alone. {sigh} Even as the words were coming out of my mouth I knew that it wouldn't change much... I remember hearing those kinds of words...and knowing that the moment I left I would still feel hurt, and timid, and alone.

The mama bear heart in me wants to run to his defense...to fight the battle for him...and yet I know that these kinds of experiences are part of growing up. I know that stepping in would only be more embarrassing for him.

My only hope is that I can provide a soft place to land at the end of those rough, alone, hurtful days. That he can know that he is a rock star in our home. That he can feel our love and know that he is never alone. That he has a Heavenly Father that loves him too. I guess that is all a mama bear can truly do...{tears}

hop on over...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

a legacy of Faith...

What a wonderful day it has been! I am so proud of Noah for making the choice to be baptized! Here are some of Noah's thoughts of the baptism:

"The only part that made me really really nervous was when they made me go to the front on the stage and they talked about me."

"When me and Dad went into the bathroom to get to the water my legs felt all jiggly and jelloy."

"I don't feel really different, but I do just a little bit."

I am so grateful for loving parents who taught me the gospel. Grateful for Travis' parents and the example of Faith that they were to him growing up. I am thankful and humbled with the responsibility that Travis and I have of raising our sweet children and teaching the gospel to them. I am so blessed to have a sweet, thoughtful, and tenderhearted son who is beginning his journey back to his Heavenly Fathers presence. I am thankful for a honest, faithful, and worthy husband who was able to baptize and confirm Noah. Grateful for the priesthood that he holds and honors. I KNOW that what happened today was exactly what Heavenly Father wanted Noah to do. I KNOW that Noah's life will be blessed as he keeps himself worthy of the Holy Ghost in his life. I KNOW that because of the blessings of the temple our family will be together forever. Not just on this earth, but for eternity.

What a legacy of faith our family has...

What a wonderful day!!

think about it Thursday...

i love being a mommy...

Have you ever read the blog called A Daily Scoop? Well...you must! The woman who writes this blog is amazing, strong, and expresses herself so well. Her last post totally puts to words how I feel about being a mommy!

more halloween fun...

(this is my first attempt at posting a scrap page spread side by side....hmmmm...I don't know if I like it all that much but I wanted to show the fun little banner that I made...still needs a little work, but I loved the idea of it! )

happy halloween...

We had a great Halloween day! We started off the day at Krispy Kreme to enjoy some pumpkin spice donuts. Then we got a babysitter for Max and took the kids to see Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. It was an adorable movie! Then it was home again for a little quiet time and then pumpkin carving. Before I knew it it was time to get the kids dressed and ready for trick or treating!

Our Vampire

Captian Zach the Pirate

Fancy Nancy

And the cutest Lion ever!