December in Ephraim

We love to visit my sister any time of the year. It is also a great in-between spot to meet my dad and his family. This winter was a great time to go because there has been a lot of snow in the valley and the kids are able to bundle up and play outside.
These are some pictures that I thought were fun. Rod's dad let us barrow his nice camera so we were experimenting

Porter was ripping it up on the little "kitty-kat" that my brother-in-law has kept running for as many years as he is old. I'ts so awesome to see our kids doing the things that we loved to do when we were kids. I'ts a little different for me as a mother though, some times I get so nervous I just laugh and hide my face so I can't see what is actually happening. Who knew that Porter would love fast machines. That is one I never expected.
My 3 snow bunnies!

Olivia Catching a ride with uncle Brad.

Conner liked to sit on the snowmobile but he didn't like the sound much. It was really loud!

It was soo cold ,that the kids had to cover every part of their body to ride on the tube. This is Olivia's version of a fashion statement in the snow. She was very concerned about the look of the snow pants. I assured her that we all looked the same way and that she would be happy that she looked like a multi -colored polar bear.

Breana, Nick and Porter chillin in the tube.

Conner was sure that he was going to be able to walk through the snow, but the poor kid was soo bundled up that he could hardley stand in the snow. He reminded me of the kid off of "A Christmas Story" when he couldn't get his arma to stay down.

Conner just kept saying"ooh, ooh, ooh!" I think that is how he expresses his excitement.

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2007 in Review

I always have good intentions, and most of the time that is what they remain, intentions. I am determined to get out of that rutt someday so here is my attempt at making that time today!

Procrastination is definately one of my better skills.

I let the haldermerall (sp?)of my daily tasks overtake the things that truly make me grateful I did. Thus, this late post for my blog. January of 2008 is almost over so I decided it was time or I shouldn't do it at all. How sad that I let it get to this point( in comes the procrastination problem mentioned earlier).

2007 In Review:

1. Conner. What hasn't he done this year. He went from only being able to lay on his back to climbing onto the table. He hasn't missed a beat. His mouth was full of teeth before he was 5 months. We walked by the time he was 10 1/2 months old and is the busiest of my kids yet. All kitchen doors are child locked and I can honestly say that I would not be sad if I ever have to put my batheroom drawers back together again EVER! At least putting on moms make-up gives me some time to do my own make-up. The only thing that took him a while to master was sleeeping through the night. I thought that it would never happen. And then the blessed day came after 11 long months. He is my best sleeper now! He also has quite a personality. We love having him be a part of our family!
2.Porter. Where did this kid come from. He has changes so much this year. I think he has grown a foot, stayed the same weight , and now will talk your head off. His sports skills have also improved tremendously. He went from flying like a "silver bat" while on the soccer field to having the temper of a "wild cat" if he doesn't make 4 goals in a game. He is best known by the other "soccer moms" for the out-pouring of angry words(just "I am so angry!!") at the top of his lungs in the middle of the game. I am so glad he doesn't' know more angry words than that. Porter has also found his first crush at pre-school this year and apparntly Annie has a crush on him. According the Annie's mom they both get a "sparkle in their eye" when they talk about each other. Their teacher says that they love to play together at recess and get a long really well. This is the first girl that Porter has ever talked about so much. He sincerely likes to hand out and play with her. It's fun.
3. Olivia. She has also grown like a weed. She has learned how to read, do math and she is a great artist. She loves her friends and they love her. All the kids in the neighborhood gravitate to our house to play with . She has a sweet spirit and accepts everyone. She has also become a great swimmer, bike rider, scooter rider, and 4-wheeler rider.oh, she also learned how to ski this summer while we were at bear lake. In May she decided that she wanted to cut her hair in may. We cut about 7 inches. It was sad for me but she really loves it. Secretly I am having her grow it back only because I miss it. It makes her look to grown up and I don't want her to grow up yet.
Rod. Has had a very successful year. He has improved his motorcycle riding skills, has taken a few fly-fishing trips with the guys and has managed to stay extremely busy at work. He and my brother-in-law restored an old '85 4-wheeler for the kids to ride and has learned some basic mechanic skills for his own bike thanks to many neighbors and Brad. At the end of the year he became president of the Home Builders Association. That will keep him busy with meetings.
Mary. I feel like I have done nothing but keep my head a float but it it probably isn't all true. Conner had definately kept my baby skills sharpened and I have added some new ones with him. He does things my others didn't. I feel like my year has been devoted to dieting and exercising thanks to all my post baby weight. My mom was a great running partner for me this year. She is very reliable and we never slacked. Thanks mom. In november I was able to run a 10K in around 58 minutes which is amazingly fast for me. I am super duper slow. I always tell myself that running is for the calorie burn , not the record time. It seems to work thought. I have continued to work 2 shifts a week. I love the time with my co-wokers. They are great friends to me and keep me "updated"in most things.
Well the year in review is over. Hopefully I will keep my blog updated enought throughout the next year that I wont have to do this for 2008.