Late Night Sledding

We've been a little bummed with such a mild winter this year since some of our coolest gifts for Christmas this year were new sleds. So when our first real snowfall that actually stuck to the ground came at 10:00 at night we had to get out there no matter the hour.

Bret and I got back late from our Saturday night date and told the kids to get their gear on . . . we were heading out to play in the snow while it lasted. Within minutes we were in the car and heading over to the school to try out the new sleds. We could tell they were going to be awesome but were ready for bigger hills. We loaded everything back up and headed to Rock Canyon Park to take on the big ones. We all had a blast. Nothing like sledding at midnight with all the college kids. It was a night to remember.

Shawn even took on the big hill by himself. He was in heaven . . . absolutely no fear.

I even took a spin on one of the sleds . . . screamed all the way down!

Riding Horses in January

Our good friends, the Jorgensens, invited us to go down and ride horses one Saturday in January. Katy was so excited she could hardly stand it. Unfortunately, Jenny and Tyler take a little more after their mom with a fear of horses. Jenny wasn't so sure about the whole idea and Tyler was absolutely against it. Shawn was just ready to come along for the ride.

Bret got Jenny to brush Jake as he and Paden got the saddles ready.Katy and Hannah got their helmets on and were so excited they couldn't stand it.

After a little encouragement (and maybe a little insisting), Jenny jumped on and rode all by herself. I was so proud of her. That's something I've never been brave enough to do. There's something about horses. They seem so big to me.

Paden climbed on and helped Shawn lead the horse by himself. Shawn was in heaven.

Tyler started out riding in the back but got enough courage to lead by himself later.

Katy and Hannah switched off back and forth leading. They had so much fun together.

By the end I was brave enough to climb on, but not without my sweetheart so I could hold on really tight. I knew he would take good care of me.

I was proud of all the kids for being so brave. Especially Jenny and Tyler for riding and leading by themselves. It was a little bit of a milestone for our family (especially for me).

Basketball Season

The girls are playing basketball and they are both in heaven! They couldn't be more excited for practices and games. It's so fun!

They both work so hard and are great teammates. I'm proud of them for doing such a great job and look forward to more busy Saturdays.

Jenny's Braces

The day finally came for Jenny to get her braces off . . . It took 2 years and 3 months but she's finally done. Here are some fun pictures to remember the before and after . . . a little crazy! Where did my little girl go?The day she went in to get her braces on.

October 22, 2009

BEFORE

AFTER
The day she got them taken off (standing in front of the same bush)
January 18, 2012
BEFORE

AFTER

They look awesome! You are beautiful Jen!

We're so happy for you . . . We love you!

Top off the Night with a Jazz Game

After a basketball game, swim meet, sewing class, birthday party,

and last minute yard work before the snow . . .

. . . we left this little lady to make dinner

and we headed out with our tickets to the Jazz game

It feels good to be back in our seats . . .

one game down . . . 9 more to go!

Paintball Target Practice

Santa brought a box of 2000 paintballs and each of the kids a wrist rocket

this year for Christmas. So the day before the kids went back to school

we went out back for a little target practice.

. . . aiming at Osama Bin Laden, Zombies, huge elk

and our own family picture.

Bret was a good sport and added his backside to the targets for each of us to take one shot. Tyler hit him in the back, and then took off running for the frontyard yelling, "Sorry, Dad. Sorry, Dad". It was funny.

Shawn needed a little help shooting but ended up having a pretty good aim.

Jenny thought standing on a chair would help her in some way.

And everyone shot a couple over the top of the shed to Brother Blake's house.

It was a beautiful day to be outside and really fun to all be together.

Just a regular January day in Utah?

January 4th + 50 degrees + no snow = perfect day to take the dogs for a run

Family Pictures

It's one of those things you dread . . .

and it's a fight getting it done . . .

but it's always worth it in the end . . .

I love them, Mom! I'm glad we took the time!

I love you all!

New Year's Eve

The day started out with a movie. We've been watching the first 3 Mission Impossible shows with Jenny and Tyler the last 3 nights late . . . we couldn't help but see the new one on day 4 . . . and it was awesome! We all loved it!We left early so we could get good seats and it paid off. We were the only ones in the theater when we arrived. It gave us time to practice our "IMF" skills and crazy faces . . .

After the show we headed to Texas Roadhouse for dinner at 4pm. It was a little early but we were all starving. We thought we would walk in and eat but it was packed and absolutely crazy.

After waiting 40 minutes for our 15 minute wait Bret finally called it and we headed to Carrabba's. You can never go wrong with that choice . . . It was heavenly!

After a few bites of his spaghetti . . . Shawn had a taste of Bret's Sirloin Marsala and he was in heaven. He gave it a thumbs up . . .

But a thumbs down on the broccoli.

Jenny headed to a party later with some friends and we hung out and had Wii competitions. We're excited and ready for the new year to come.

Shawn and Soccer

We finally got Shawn signed up for his first Soccer team. We didn't know if he would like it but he's in heaven! He asks everyday when his next game is. He runs fast and throws in a few hops/skips and gallops as he goes. He is loving it!

The first two games he w0re white and they lost both times. He couldn't wait to be blue because "the blue team is SO good." The next time he was blue and they lost again :( That night he wasn't sure what color he wanted to be . . . he was so confused.