A Blustery Sort of Day

This is what is happening in our world today. Glenn came home for lunch today and this is what he had to drive in. I am not looking forward to driving to the school this afternoon.

I hope everyone else is safe and warm today!

Christmas Parties

Our Blackburn family party was on December 6th. We had lots of fun catching up with family members we haven't seen for a while. And of course the white elephant gift exchange was lively and somewhat embarrassing for some. Uncle James was the evenings big winner with the toilet seat and coconut shells he won. GO JAMES!

Maggie, Rylee and Rheagan had a great evening chatting and playing with each other. They never skipped a beat. They sat and talked like the best of friends. They have not spent much time with each other in the past because we were in Texas and they lived in Southern Utah so the times we would get to Provo they weren't very close. It was a very fun evening and we were all sad to see it end.


Cooper had fun playing in the circle of flags...

We had fun with Sadie and Kinley...


Dad with a few of his granddaughters...

I love Kinley...

Maggie and Zoe with their loot...

lots of hair accessories!
Cooper loves Kinley too...

Dad enjoying the company and conversations...

Are they related?...

I think Camille's frappe was spiked...

We lost Sadie for a while and after a short hunt Mandi found her behind the trash can eating her dinner on a cart. Starr and Zoe joined her and had a fabulous dinner!...

Always the star of the show. Miss Kinley Grace...


Our ward in Evanston had their Christmas party on December 10th. Maggie was reluctant to visit with Santa, but eventually decided she wanted to tell him what she wanted. When she was done she asked me if I could hear what she told him. I told her no and she said good. I think this was her test to see if he would follow through. I have no idea what she asked for, but she never said anything about it again.

Of course Zoe was scared to death. She was willing to tell Santa goodbye though.

Tonight Maggie's teacher hosted a party for the class at her house. We ate pizza, the kids played the keyboard, did puzzles and had lots of fun making lots of noise. Thank you Mrs. Lambert for the fun evening.

When Mrs. Lambert's kids asked her what she wanted for Christmas she told them that one of the girls in her class had a really cute pink hoodie cardigan that she loved and she wanted one. The sweater she wanted is Maggie's. Sorry Mrs. Lambert, they didn't make in Mom sizes...I looked!

The Cold Day Battle

At least twice a day I have the pleasure of fighting Zoe to get her winter gear on so we can take Maggie to school and then pick her up. The real battle however, is with the car seat. With my gloves and big coat on it is a struggle to get the straps around Zoe's large coat and get the buckle and clip done. Just one of the challenges that comes with our modern day conveniences and safety devices. At least we haven't been late yet. The car seat shall not win!!

The aftermath!

Where is Winter?

Is winter in the cold water in the river...

Can it be found in the clouds capping the mountains...

Maybe it's tiny footprints in the freshly fallen snow...

Or the blanket of shimmering white that covers the frozen lake...

Is it ice forming over streams that run through rocks and boulders...

Is it possibly the magic of warm and cold air colliding...

The smell of wood burning in the fireplace on a bitter cold day...

Kids bundled up in layers of clothes to go out and play in the snow...

I believe it's all of these things and more. Which means it's finally here and it's beautiful!

Another Year Down

Yesterday I turned 35. Thanks to my family and friends I have had an amazing 35 years. Just like everyone else I have had many ups and downs, but choose to focus on the positive and hopefully improve the future.

We were down at Mom and Dad's last weekend and before we left they gave me some birthday money. I haven't figured out yet what to use it for. Maybe some earmuffs and a scarf. Shortly after receiving the money, Camille gave me this...

I suppose it's no secret that I love chocolate and apparently Starr is aware of my addiction. Thank you Starr, Landon & Camille. Money and chocolate. Does it get any better?

Yep, it does. Saturday Glenn took Maggie to play in the snow, but came back a few minutes later and said they were going to Wal-Mart to get a sled. When they came back they had also gotten me a birthday cheesecake. Oooh Yeah!

Then on Sunday we had to go to Salt Lake to take care of our cell phone problem and while we were there we stopped at Temple square which is one of my favorite places. Unfortunately we couldn't stay until they turned all the lights on because we didn't want to drive through the windy mountains in the dark and on snowy roads.

It was so cold that we took a minute to go into the assembly Hall.

I love how the snow piles up on the bare branches of the trees. I love snow. I don't like playing in it or driving in it, but I love how it makes everything look. I like watching the snow fall from the comfort of my house wrapped up in a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate. That's my idea of nice winters day.

We went from the Assembly Hall to the North Visitors Center where we got to see the statue of Christ.

When I see the nail prints in the hands and feet it reminds me that my sins put those marks there. Each one of my sins helped pound the nails in his hands and feet. I am so grateful for Christ's sacrifice for me. I can be forgiven for all the wrong choices I make. I can be whole again because of his love for me.

Zoe and I got the chance to chaperon Maggie's field trip today. The first graders got to go see the movie Bolt. We all had a great time. On the way home from the movie I decided to go have lunch with Maggie at her school. When we were done with dinner we finally had the cheesecake and I got to blow out my candles. It's been a good birthday week. Thanks for the gifts, calls and facebook posts with happy birthday wishes.

Maggie, Kitty & Hakayla

"How old are you Mom?"

"35"

"Whoa, that's a lot. That's bigger than 100!"

Thanks Maggie! That makes a Mom feel good!

Good Morning!

Yeah right! We were all woken up this morning to the sound of Maggie throwing up in our bed. Apparently she and I got whatever it was Zoe had the other day. Luckily for us it is Glenn's Friday off. Unfortunately for Glenn it is his Friday off. He has been doing a great job and keeping our puke buckets cleaned up and taking care of Zoe so Maggie and I can lay around and groan. He makes a fantastic nurse and maid!

Stories

This is a little conversation Zoe and I had the other day...

Zoe - Weh ishee
Me - Where's Maggie?
Zoe - I oh shee er! (I don't see her)

Before Thanksgiving we went to check out the park by our apartment. It was a pretty cold day so I stayed in the truck while Glenn played with the girls. Maggie went across the monkey bars (with a little help) and was so excited to have accomplished such a big trick. Zoe would go down the slide, run over to the truck saying "Mom, mom, mom. I did it!" She was so proud of her self she just couldn't help but tell me about her newly acquired skill.

On November 22 we all piled into the van and took a ride to Salt Lake to meet Glenn's Dad. He was on his way from Las Vegas to Burley so we arranged to meet in Salt Lake and give him some items they had put on our moving truck, but were unable to get to before they had to leave.

There are railroad tracks close to the freeway for most of our drive and we saw a couple of trains that day. One in particular caught our attention. I first noticed that it was very long. Lots and lots of the same cars. Red cars. So I point it out to the girl's. Zoe was fascinated because she loves trains and she just kept saying "choo choo, choo choo". I commented on the red cars, "Maybe it's a Christmas train on its way to Santa!" Maggie replies, "Oh, maybe he has to go a little farther to get to Santa". Then Glenn said, "It's the 'K'-line train. You know because Kris Kringle starts with a K". Maggie didn't hear Glenn's comment and she asked, "Was that really the Christmas train?". I replied, "It was the 'K'-line train. Do you know what Santa's real name is?" "No", Maggie said. Then I tell her, "It's Kris Kringle. With a K". With total awe Maggie says, "Ah, It really was the Christmas train!"

Too cute! How did I get blessed with such cute girls?