Who turned 2? Jane turned 2 that's who!

Although Jane you've only been a part of my life for two years now I feel like I've known you forever. I just can't get enough of you! I love the way you run around like you own the world and are as big as everybody else. Grandpa Dick told me he thinks you have the most self esteem of any two year old he has ever seen. Your a person who is straight to the point. You are not much for jabber. You talk when you need something or have something direct to say but most of the time your happy to simply be part of the action. You're an easy going sort of gal but believe me you know what you want in life and hate I mean HATE it when you are told no. At these times you can go from the happiest kid to nearly unapproachable in a blink of an eye. There really is no in between with you but that stubbornness with carry you through in life! If I could freeze time I'd do it during those moments when you ask to sit on my lap and then rest your head against my shoulder and we rock while I rub your back.

Since your birthday was on a Sunday I brought in some cupcakes to share with your nursery class. As the nursery leader had everyone sit up a the table for snack she announced that today is a very special day because it's someone's birthday. She then asked who's birthday do you think it is today and in unison the nursery class responded Baby Jesus'! I guess I'll apologize again for giving birth to you a day after Christmas.

After church we had a party with your family members that live close by. JB, Mary, Max, Ben, your new cousin Andrew, Nona, Papa and Scott and Emily came. I thought you'd be more excited when you opened a tickle me Elmo, you love that guy, but I think it frightened you a little. Oh well at least you got a couple more dollies, one for each hand, to make your day! Here's a few pictures of the day.

Merry Christmas!

Jane's turn for her first play

A few weeks ago I saw an advertisement for the upcoming play "If you give a Mouse a Cookie". It caught my attention because both of my girls love those books. I knew Emily would love the play but I was a little leary to take Jane because she can barely sit through 10 minutes of a cartoon on TV. Carolyn, a co-worker of mine, who is very much an expert on child development, assured me that 2 year olds love these plays and she went to one last year and loved it. So I booked my whole family tickets still unsure how Jane would handle it.
Well my Carolyn was right. Jane was mesmerized for the whole show as she watched a beloved book come alive. Emily told me the best part was when the Mouse climbed up the fridge and got stuck hanging there. I loved all the over sized props to make you feel like your a 10 year old boy. Bart well he just likes being with his girls!

"I could never go to too many concerts.."

That was a direct quote from my mom when I asked her what we should plan on doing when she and my sister Sarah came up to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert.
So we extended our time together and included a few more things. First we (My Mom, Sarah, Pauline and I) trekked our way through the crowd to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. Amazing as ever! I did not want it to end. I loved the Spanish song David Archuleta sang. I just wished it was on his Holiday album. On Friday we did some shopping downtown and ate at the Blue Lemon. We considered going to the Madeline Choir Concert but we figured it would be to hard with 3 small kids. So instead my mom and I went to a Winter Program Emily's preschool class put together. Finally we ended with the Pioneer Play "White Christmas" It brought back such good memories of having season tickets last year. Why Suzanne did you have to move away?

I'm lucky I got this picture of the three of us. Pauline took it and then I wanted her to get in one but the crowds started pushing and the moment was over.

Also a big Thanks to Bart for graciously watching all three girls not just one late night but two late nights while we moms played. It really meant a lot to me!

My Perfect Christmas tree

When I got word that my dad was coming up to Salt Lake I mentioned (OK I begged) him to cut down and bring me a Christmas tree. I love this tree! Mostly because it reminds me of being a child and watching my dad so proudly bring in the Christmas tree and then my mom would go on and on about how perfect it is.
Another reason I think this tree is perfect is because it's not perfect. It's not grown in a Christmas Tree farm where I'm sure they've got tricks to make trees look perfect. Nature made my tree just the way it is barren spots, crooked trunk and all. To me it signifies the way life is. None of us are perfect but the key it to not focus on the barren spots in ourselves or others but to enjoy they way God made us imperfect and all!

Thanksgiving in St. George

We spent Thanksgiving in St. George with my entire family. I loved all the time I was able to spend with my family including making stuffing with my Grandma Morrell, endless hours of talking to my sisters and even the 3 AM Kohls black friday trip with Brooke (nothing like spending 15 minutes shopping and 2 1/2 hours waiting in line).

On Friday we were privileged to spend the day in the St. George temple watching my youngest sister Raquel, Joe and their baby Dayson be sealed. It was so touching to watch as they brought Dayson into the sealing room. As always he was all smiles and so handsome in his white tuxedo. It tugged my heart when they placed him on the alter and he grabbed his moms thumb and let out the cutest coo as if he knew his family is sealed together forever.




Here is a cross stitch of the St. George Temple I made for Raquel to remember this special day.

Come Rain or Shine or even snow

7 years ago Bart asked me to marry him. As a tradition on November 20th we go back to Baskin Robbins each year for an ice cream date. Now our girls are included. This year I had to stick to my guns to keep the tradition alive. All day Saturday I was running around first working then taking Emily to a birthday party and then coming home around dinner time. I had a little break before I needed to head off to a bridal shower. I'd been working all week and the laundry was piled up high in my kitchen, I needed to make dinner, and the first big snow storm of the season was barreling down. What I really wanted to do was stay home and catch up on life. Bart also had no desire to go get ice cream in a snow storm but I stuck to my guns to carry on the tradition and I forced us into the car. As a side note my girls needed no coercion. They were giddy as can be to go get some ice cream despite not having any dinner or the freezing weather.
As we all ate our kiddie size ice cream cones, it was much to cold for bigger ones, I realized that even though in life we can feel overwhelmed in a snow storm the most important thing is to take some time to step back remember how and why it all started!

FYI (the proposal story)
We had been talking about marriage for a while and we were finally ready to move forward and tie the knot. On November 19th, 2003 we were talking and Bart brought up his desire to get married right away. Christmas time was just fine for him. I told him that was too soon and besides I didn't even have a ring yet and I refuse to be engaged without a ring. Bart in such a cool manner replied I guess I should look into that huh? I over reacted to his reply (I wish I could say I've never done that since) and I got so upset and I started to cry. Well the night didn't end so well and the next day I spent some time convincing myself that I should just relax and try not to control everything. The next night (November 20th) Bart picks me up for a date carrying the prettiest purple roses. I loved them and thought it was Bart's way of apologizing for our argument that we had the night before. Looking back I should have clued in because Bart is not a flower type of guy. So we proceed with the night and attended a UofU gymnastics meet. Again I should have clued in because that was the first thing we did together, but it didn't even register. I remember Bart seeming like he was in a hurry that night but I didn't question it too much. After the game Bart casually states we should go get some ice cream. We head to Baskin Robbins which was the same place we went the first time we hung out after the gymnastics meet. I being so predictable couldn't make up my mind and sampled a few flavors and then turned and asked Bart what I should get. As I turned around, Bart was on one knee with a ring in his hand and said "How about this one?" Very seldom in my life am I truly surprised. I've never had a surprise party that I didn't figure out was coming but that night I was blown away with surprise. My only reply was "Where did you get a ring?" Bart, who's sole goal was to completely surprise me just smiled and put the ring on my finger.