Fieldtrip to Butts Mill Farm

I guess the fieldtrip is a success when your child is sprawled out across the rocks at the end begging to go home and take a nap!

We started off on the pony rides. Chase ran to be first in line and Nolan didn't quite know if he wanted to do it. Once he was on the pony, he kept saying "This good, this good." If you don't know Nolan, this expressionless face means that he is really liking what he is doing!

Chase's favorite part was the cow milking contest. Although you really cannot tell by looking at his face!

There were lots of animals to feed and luckily no fingers were lost and there was plenty of hand sanitizer to go around!

Backyard Zipline

So Hank decided it was time to spice up the backyard. With the help of Steve and a few trips to Home Depot, the zipline was created. In this video, Chase demonstrates the 168' ride from tree to tree across the backyard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bd8f2iSBWU

Chase's 4th Birthday

Chase had a great time during his 4th birthday party at "Happy Hoppers" His Diego themed birthday party was a hit with all his friends. Suprisingly the 6 pizzas didnt last long with the 4 & 5 year olds.

The Gentle Healer

In the small foyer at the enterance to our home hangs this picture of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I gave this, as a gift, to Hank one year for Christmas. It is titled, so appropriately, "Gentle Healer." We have had this picture for 3 years. I love this picture. I have walked by it numerous times in this home as well as in homes we have lived in previously. I always have the same simple smile on my face as I feel the warmth of His glow.

Since moving to Georgia in August of last year our family has been blessed tremendously. We have felt the love of the Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in our lives. I have been amazed by the people of the South and the incredible Christlike lives that they lead. They are the most unselfish, kind, and gracious people I have ever met. They would give you the shirt off their own back at any moment. I have also been amazed by their quest for religious knowledge. Their desire to know the Savior Jesus Christ and to adopt His Christlike behavior. This has given me the desire to further educate myself on the doctrines of my faith.

Growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and being the oldest of six children was often crazy. I can remember one evening as a high school student, feeling particularly overwhlemed by the demands of school work, church activities, and athletics. When I returned home on this specific evening I remember my dad asking each of us to bring our scriptures to the living room as we would be having family scripture study and a brief Family Home Evening. I do not remember the words that were spoken, but I do remember the feelings that I had. I knew that what I had been taught was true. It has been said that religion is more than a belief it is something that is felt within us. I knew that the Holy Ghost had taught me one of the greatest lessons I could learn and that is the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Gentle Healer" reminds me of that evening. It rememinds me of the love that my Savior has for me and the love that He has for each of us. I have felt His healing touch and know that He lives!

Snow in Georgia???

Nobody tell Al Gore, but it's snowing in LaGrange! Thank goodness for the bubble that blocks out global warming here in LaGrange.



Today was very exciting. The boys loved being in the snow and playing until they couldn't feel their fingers any longer. In some ways it makes us miss AZ and San Diego. However, it doesn't make us miss Utah. Chase and Nolan loved pushing the tractors through the snow and making all kinds of "Tracks." Nolan of course loved eating the snow more than anything. I was shocked when Chase started picking up the snow and started throwing it at Nolan and the house. They ran after each other for about 10 minutes throwing snow at each other. It was pretty classic!



This picture is of Chase throwing a mini-snowball at me when I was taking his picture. Thankfully Aunt Amy just sent us some cold weather Nissan and Infinity gear to keep us warm. This picture was taken at about 11am when it first started snowing hard. The picture above was taken about 12:30, so you can see the difference an hour and a half makes.

It's only typical that LaGrange hasn't recieved any snow since 2001. Of course the year we move here it snows(we swore we would never live where it snowed!). The best part of this picture is that the camera took the picture right before Hank slipped in the snow. Don't worry nothing happened...until he came inside the house with his wet shoes and slipped on the tile. It's nice to know we don't have to deal with snow for more than a day or two.

Although, it doesn't look like much, I think there might be as much as two inches of snow on the ground. Jessica was thrilled when Amanda called to let her know that church was cancelled. Only in the South would a little snowfall deter people from getting in their cars and driving the dangerous roads of Georgia.

Thank you Aunt Amy and Uncle J for seeing a need for beanies... they were put to great use today with all the snow!

My New Running Partner

So my dreams as a mom and runner have finally come true. Chase got a bike for Christmas and he is pretty fast. The other day I was getting ready to go for a run and Hank mentioned that I should take Chase. I didn't really want to. Hank decided to mention it to Chase and there was no way I would say no at that point. We both got bundled up (it was 45 degrees outside) and we were off. Hank (& Nolan) drove the car next to us just in case Chase got tired. He made it 2.5 miles before he said he was ready for a break and hopped in the car. I was so excited I would no longer have to push him in the jogger (it lightened my load by 40 pounds)!

A Magical Christmas!

For Christmas this year my parents took us and my sisters' family to DisneyWorld. It was an amazing trip. I felt like I was young again while experiencing the magic that happens when you walk through the gates to the Magic Kingdom.

There were two highlights on the Disney trip...the first, the one-on-one meeting with Mickey Mouse. My boys were in awe, it was great. They did not stop hugging Mickey. The second, Chase's ride on Splash Mountain. We were all shocked that he loved it so much. For those of you who know Chase, I know you are surprised that he did not cry!

Thanks Mom and Dad for your generosity and for the most magical Christmas gift yet!