C Life

Writing Santa letters has been a Christmas tradition for as long as I can remember. Over time I've watched what used to be five little believers dwindle down to only two and I question rather the two remaining are true believers. I've been asked a few times this year "Is Santa Claus real?" I avoid this question at all costs! Why, you might ask? You could even be thinking....hello lady, get with it. If your child is old enough to come to you and ask if Santa is real, he/she is probably old enough to hear the honest truth. RIGHT? uhhh WRONG! Let me explain: When I was six years old I remember being told by the "OLDER" kids at school that Santa wasn't real. I marched home and demanded an explanation. I vividly remember exactly how my parents told me... "The TRUTH." And I also remember how betrayed I felt that my parents had lied to me for years! I decided right then and there that if and when I ever had children of my own, I would NEVER lie to t

Our Thanksgiving experience started with packing up the car and traveling to Utah to visit family. Somehow in the back of my mind I knew that while traveling such a distance with several little bodies packed in the car we were bound to experience a little unpleasantness along the way. I was right. Out of no where one child felt the need to barf. I was grateful for the zip lock bag I keep tucked away in the glove box "just in case". We also encountered the typical bickering that occurs among siblings. We nipped that one right in the bud. I wasn't about to listen to 11 hrs of petty quarreling. If anyone in the car was caught being negative they had to sing a song ALL alone, out loud , to a radio song which was selected by me. I took my job seriously and selected only the most fitting songs for my punishees . It was NOT a desirable experience especially when our teenage son had to sing along with Miley Cyrus . It did however make for some pretty good laughs since our fa

I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for my sweet little family as I listened to President Eyring ’s talk OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE . He said, “ Just as Jesus used a child in His mortal ministry as an example for the people of the pure love they must and could have to be like Him, He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves.” As I study the scriptures and learn Christlike attributes and try to incorporate them into my life, especially CHARITY and LOVE , I've recognized that I have wonderful examples around me daily... my very own children. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by the LITTLE people in our home. They are so quick to forgive. They have a natural ability to love ALL God’s children. They have a sincere desire to serve and are so full of love. I appreciate their example and agree that in this “ideal setting” I can learn how to love as the Savior loves. I just wanted to pass along this video

Hi ALL! I haven't updated in a while. It seems that everyone around us has been getting sick and it finally hit me. I'm glad to be back to good health and up and running again. This ol ' chalk board has been a pleasant addition to my kitchen. It has served as a menu board, showcased artwork and most recently has displayed my quote of the week. During family scripture study our family talked about how every member is a missionary. We talked about some ways we could share the gospel in our daily lives. We read President Gordon B. Hinckley's quote : "If we will go forward, never losing sight of our goal, speaking ill of no one, living the great principles we know to be true, this cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth." It was suggested by one of the kids that we could be a good example to others through our actions and our words. We decided to be more present when we speak and try our best to use words that would add to someone else and not

I photographed two birthday boys last week. I love this age. They're so sweet and absolutely adorable!

proved successful! The moon looked so brilliant last night. I couldn't resist grabbing my camera and zooming in to get a closer look. There's something so magnificent and mysterious about it. I love it!

Did you have a great Halloween? We sure did! While the kids were getting all dressed up in their costumes I ran to get the ol' camera hoping to catch a few photos with what little light was left outside. The kids were alot of fun as they jumped right into character while I snapped away. We grabbed our BIG bowl of candy and headed off to a nearby neighborhood party. The girls had so much fun trick-or-treating and had even more fun trading candy with their friends. Dawson's fun included joining forces with the other neighbor kids who also had swords. Need I say more? The two older boys decided to dress alike this year. Can you tell who's who? They went trick-or-treating without their bags and handed off what candy was given to them... to friends. Have I taught them well or what? Such good little nerds ! This one cracks me up. Is this really my sweet little Bree? She couldn't have lost her front tooth at a better time. It's PERFECT!

Every year the kids look forward to carving pumpkins with Grandma Kelly. She always plans something special for each Holiday. Here are a few photos of their Annual P U M P K I N C A R V I N G Extravaganza.

Do you ever get tired of the same old curls and french braids ? I do! I came across this blog: ADOPT A 'DO CUTE GIRLS HAIRSTYLES and thought I could learn how to spice up my little girl's hairstyles. Just thought I'd pass it along. My favorites so far... the fall through french braid and the twist back side ponytail .

Yesterday the school nurse called to say that my daughter was complaining of a belly ache but had no fever or other signs of sickness. After speaking to Bree I felt that she could make the last hour of school. I assured her that I would be there early, waiting in the parking lot just in case she got any worse. I didn't receive another call and she didn't come out early. But as soon as I saw her I knew she wasn't her normal self. This youngster gets super cranky when she's not feeling well. And I made myself available to listen to everyone of her complaints. Later that evening when I expressed that I wasn't feeling so good and might be coming down with something myself, this same little girl threw her arms around me and said, "I'm so sorry that I was whining to you about everything. If I knew you were sick I wouldn't have. If you need someone to complain to, I'll listen!" I felt honored that she was so willing to be there for her mother. And wa

WOW! You guys were so kind when commenting on the previous post. I suppose it's because you are friends and family. This story was covered on the news last night and also posted on abc 15.com http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story/Burglars-pose-as-home-buyers-steal-30-000-worth/0t7Am63x50yGPhY8uk3-pA.cspx The comments made here by complete strangers were quite the opposite!

We lost thousands of dollars within minutes. No not in Vegas last weekend but in our own home Thursday late afternoon. We were headed to the lake for one last wake board run this season. As we were launching the boat, B.T.C. received a call on his cell phone from a female agent asking if she could show the house. It seemed routine enough so we agreed. We returned home to find that the front door had been left unlocked. UNUSUAL so B.T.C. called the realtor back to inquire. NO RESPONSE! We woke up Friday morning and realized that an envelope full of cash was missing. B.T.C. once again called the number back. NO RESPONSE! Reality struck as I went to put on my wedding rings (My original and my new one that B.T.C. bought me this year for our 15 th anniversary). They were missing. We had been burglarized! I began to search the house and look for valuables and wasn't surprised to find that they were all missing. My cash box that I keep my tithing, spending$ etc. had been emptied. All

We enjoyed our stay at the BELLAGIO with lots of good food, shopping and entertainment. The view from our room You know you got a good man when he's willing to lug around the camera equipment (on his back) without one complaint. The dancing fountains were pretty spectacular! We met up with my (starting from the left) sister, mom, sister-n-law, and niece My brother Matt and hubby B.T.C. Meeting up with the family before going to see the Cirque du Soleil show The views at night are amazing. I tried to hold it steady while capturing these shots without a tripod.