Things to remember....

This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and speak it again.”

President Howard W. Hunter

Thanks to my great friend Erin for posting this on her blog a while back. A great reminder - love this quote.

Annual Family Pictures

My sister is a great photographer. She graciously takes our pics every year and is always very inventive. This year was no different - thanks again Twink! I would like to add that Niles is very gracious as well to show up every year for these family pictures that he does not enjoy for one minute - ever:).

Halloween 2011

We once again had a fun and eventful Halloween. Halloween is no longer a one night-er. It is a week long sugar - party'fest'. Between the school party, ward party and our friends fire pit Halloween fiesta prior to trick or treating - we had plenty of fun festivities to fill our time and our candy bags. Fortunately, we found out about The Switch Witch this year. She's a lovely witch that comes and takes your candy from your front porch and leaves a little gift in its place. One word - fabulous! Love, love all the fun things I get to do with my kids!

numero tres

Niles has completed 3 marathons as of this past weekend - he is a stud! We love him and are so proud! Way to go!


The waiting....

and more dreaded waiting!

The final .2 miles.

family photo after the finish line.

"he may never move again" look.

A St. George weekend

I love, love, love St George and look forward to our annual trip down there each year. It is beautiful, warm and filled with sore people shuffling around after 26.2 miles of pure agony and elation of the ST George marathon. We spent another great weekend there with friends and our kids. Friday we spent a majority of the day at Zion's National Park. It was so great to finally take them there and enjoy it with them. They were great little troopers and I was surprised at how adventurous they were. Next year we are planning to go back and do more exploring!

Niles ran the marathon for the third time on Saturday! The twins loved waiting on the sidelines, watching for him to come around the corner....for about 10 minutes. Then they became impatient and wondered why dad couldn't run 26.2 miles faster? come on, right! :) When he finally made his appearance they ran the last .2 miles in with him. What fun for them. We love St George and can't wait to get back. Maybe it will be my turn to run next year!


Bus ride up the canyon.

Zane in is his mini man hat:)

Cute Soren

Love went a bit deeper and got alot wetter then she intended.

This is about as deep as we really got. Next year maybe we will man up and really get wet!






Poor Zane unsuccessfully attempted a nap on our excursion - he was so frustrated by the end!

The big decision

The only thing Love asked for her birthday this year was to get her ears pierced. I didn't get my ears pierced until I was something outrageous like - 12! So, when is the right time?! Well, from the pictures below you can see we gave into the peer pressure and let her get her ears pierced. She has proven to be very responsible about taking care of them and it was not nearly as big of a deal as I thought it was - go figure:). She did great - and told me that it hurt less the "practice" chinese pinches she had been requesting from me in preparation for the "BIG" event.

The whole family went to show moral support - it was a fun little family outing.

Love and Soren turn 7!

Somedays it seems like just yesterday that I had these two munchkins - time has flown by! Birthday #7 was fun and very low key! With the "everyother year birthday party" finally put into practice (wahoo for me!) they opted to take one friend each to their school's outdoor movie night. So much fun! The twins ran around playing on bounce houses, eating happy meals and popcorn for dinner and then crashed for the movie once it got dark. After the movie, we went back to our house for cake, ice cream and presents. I think they had a great and memorable birthday!