Zane turns 1!

Our sweet, little Zane turned 1 this January! We can't believe it has been a year since he was born. What happiness and joy he has brought into our family. Poor kid, unfortunately had a birthday on a very big Bronco playoff game day - so his birthday was cut a bit short. Anyone who knows NIles would appreciate the swiftness in which he conducted Zane's birthday festivities. I was seriously still eating my dinner while Niles started to load the kids in the car! Niles sped home (and Niles never speeds) for cupcakes, pictures and birthday wishes! the entire time NIles is rushing, rushing because the game is going to start any minute and his nacho cheese dip is not ready yet!!! At the very least, it was entertaining to see Niles in such a hurry;) and Zane won't remember anything anyway. Happy Birthday baby Zane!

Christmas 2011

This year our holiday weeks of fun turned out to be our holiday weeks of fiasco and ruin! And through it all we still were able to enjoy the season with our family and had many opportunities to choose to laugh at the situations - life my friends is not perfect.
A few memorable examples.

1) Our family tree cut excursion. this misadventure began when Niles thought I was watching for the turn off in the mountains, but was actually sleeping....oops! 4 hours later, in the dark, we just decided to go to Qdoba and pull our fake tree up from the basement.

2) Our annual Denver parade of lights got the axe when considering to take 3 children downtown in subzero temperatures didn't seem so fun and festive. First year in 4 that we haven't gone. There is always next year!

3) I did get everyone to go ice skating downtown even though it was freezing and windy! Poor Zane was miserable....and we ended up leaving early due to our freezing wind chapped children. OH well - you win some, you lose some.

At the very least, these misadventures will provide lots of laughs for us in the future. The season provided us with many great opportunities to remember our blessings and what we are truly grateful for in our lives. How fortunate we are to know that we have a loving Savior that came into this world for our benefit.

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!