Christmas at Temple Square

The Diederich's and the Henrie's all went to Temple Square the Sunday before Christmas and it was so much fun. I really love having everyone together. It was bitter cold, but was well worth the freezing. I love being at the temple, especially when it is lit with lights!

 

I love this picture. I like to imagine this is what my dad will look like when he meets the Savior.

 

Reagan's Christmas Dance Show

Reagan is becoming quite the little dancer. She loves dancing with her best friend Makella and going to the same studio as her cousin Summer. Another great show!

 

Happy SIX years, Baba!

Today marks 6 years since the day my best friend and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple. Our time together has been filled with so many things. Happy, sad, funny, embarrassing, joyous, heartbreaking, shocking and exciting. Things I never could have dreamed we would go through together and things I always dreamed we would.

I have said this a lot of times before, but today I am reminded again of how lucky I am to have found such a great guy, find out that he loves me and wants to spend his life and more with me, and then actually get to live this life with him. We have 3 beautiful children, a wonderful home and more than we could ever need. Together we have built this life. It's not always perfect, actually it rarely is, but somehow through all the craziness, the lack of time, the busy schedules and many commitments, we find a way to come together. To support each other. To lift and listen and care.

So thank you, Baba. Thank you for hearing me when I don't say anything at all. Thank you for knowing just what I need and helping me get it. Thank you for making me better than I ever could be alone. Thank you for showing me the best way to be happy. I love you more today than ever before. For the person you were when you took me to the Temple, and for the person you have become as we have been together. I admire and love you. Happy #6.

As I looked for a picture of Steve and I alone, I couldn't find one. Then I realized that Steve and I aren't ever Steve and I. We are a family of 5. Attached to our limbs are 3 little ones who cling to our livelihood and need every ounce of time and attention we have. We have been given a gift that we talked and dreamed of having together. I felt it only appropriate to have a picture of all of us on this special day. This is Steve and I on our Sixth Anniversary. How very lucky we are!

Helping Jenny

I am participating in an auction to benefit a wonderful woman who has had it hard for too long. You can learn more about Jenny here. Her lovely daughter wanted to do something great for her so she is holding an online auction to raise money to help pay the mounting medical bills. Here is my small contribution...

The auction will be held from December 11th through the 13th. To see all the other things that have been donated check out her website here. I hope you all reach out and help someone in need this holiday season!

Cache ~ 9 months

My most happy little boy...

I can't get enough of this face!

Elf on the Shelf

I highly recommend reading this cute book Elf on the Shelf. My kids are completely sold on the idea of Santa's little helper hanging out at our house taking notes of their daily activities and then reporting back to him. If they start to act up I remind them that Zip is watching and they turn back into their sweet little selves. I am so glad that Zip has come to live at our house! He is welcome all year round! I am so happy to have established this fun new tradition at our house.

Call Upon the Shelf to schedule your session with the Elf on the Shelf!

50 Years and counting...

My wonderful in-laws, Hugo and Anina, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a couple of months ago. Can you believe that? 50 years. That is a long time. They have shared a wonderful life together and are still so good to each other and for each other.

We, and by we I mean Heidi, planned a special night to celebrate this big accomplishment. All the children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters of these two great people came together at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, enjoyed a fabulous dinner and had excellent entertainment. It was such a fun night.

Hugo and Anina, congratulations! I am so lucky to have such amazing people for my in-laws. Thank you for loving me and accepting me as one of your own. Thank you for teaching me how to include and love with an open heart. You are wonderful and I love you.

We took some pictures while we were up at the beautiful grounds. Enjoy!



(hey photogs... this picture was taken at night in a dim lit room with no flash! My ISO is at 4000! I love my new camera!)

All the grandkids did the song/dance from The Sound of Music, "So Long, Farewell" and it was a HUGE hit! Seriously love these kids!

And this is how my kids felt when it was all over...

But I could have stayed and looked at this all night...

Halloween 2010

This Halloween Reagan was a witch, Crew was Lightning McQueen, and Cache was the Chicken. It was kind of a weird night... It rained as most of you know... and Cache wasn't feeling the best. Crew decided that trick or treating wasn't really his thing. Cache wasn't feeling well enough to go out in the rain. That left Reagan and Steve to brave the bad weather. Reagan loved it! She didn't even mind the rain! I think she might take after her mamma. Here are my cute kiddies...

Swap Party

Think back... way back... to February. I had just had a little baby and was spending every minute at home caring for this little one and getting used to the life of a mother of 3. One highlight of my day was watching Studio 5. Some of you may be rolling your eyes, and some of you  may be relieved your not the only one, but I will admit that Studio 5 was a much anticipated quiet time during the day.

The reason I tell you this is because one of these days way back in February Studio 5 did a segment on something I had never heard of before, a Swap Party. I had no idea what this was but was really interested. A bunch of women got together had a fabulous party and didn't spend any money! I wanted in. I kept thinking about this party as time went by and I was staying in with my baby bundle and wondering what people in the outside world were doing. I thought how fun that would be for ladies that I know to get together and swap our hearts out.

I knew this wasn't something I could do on my own. I had three little ones and although I enjoy throwing a party, the last time I had to do one myself I was completely stressed out and didn't want to feel that kind of pressure again in my life. So I mentioned the idea to my fabulously creative neighbor Ashlee, hoping she would think it was a fun idea too, and she agreed to throw one with me! Wahoo!

Months went by and nothing ever came of our Party. I remember switching my calendar to September and realizing that if we were really going to do this we had to set a date. I called Ashlee and she agreed. The soonest we were able to agree on was November. We wanted to make the party fun, one that the girls would want to be a part of so we set off to make the invitations one of a kind. I think we succeeded...

Since we were pretty sure that no one had heard of this party before, we had to include a lot of information in the invitations. Ashlee did such a great job getting the information looking fabulous and I tried to package it to match.

After a lot of anticipation and worries that it may not go as well as we had hoped, the day finally came and so did the ladies. Only 3 of 20 weren't able to come so we were so happy with the turnout. We served yummy cupcakes and delicious juice. Mmmmm...

A party is only as good as the people who come. At least that is my opinion. And this party was awesome! The girls brought some fabulous gifts and I think everyone had a really great time! Thank you all for coming and making this night so much fun!

I think we'll do this again next year. Start looking for something to swap now...

November ~ A Season of Gratitude

(I wrote this post for my journal blog but thought you might enjoy it or relate so I thought I would share...)

My life feels like this picture.

Everything in it is beautiful and in its perfect place. I just want to sit and stare at all of the little things that come together to make it as beautiful as it is. I find myself stopping and staring at it all in complete wonder. How can something be so amazing? How did it all come to be? And how did I get so lucky to be a part of it?

But at the same time it is very crowded. There are a lot of things blocking the view to what lies beyond. There are small little things that together create big walls hiding what is past them. There are big things that stand tall and in the way. But they are all pretty and are there because God put them there and that is where he wants them. Every once in awhile I can find a little window that allows me to glimpse what lies beyond all of the clutter that is directly in front of me. I see more beauty. But I also see more small and tall things all around. It seems to go on forever.

My life feels like this picture.

I have a beautifully wonderful life. It is full of people whom I love and who love me. It is busy with lots of distractions and then there are moments that make me stop and stare and remember that I am one of the luckiest people in the world because I have this amazing life. Everything is in my life for a reason. God has led me down this path and is constantly placing opportunities around me to help me grow and succeed. He is opening doors to help and lift those around me all the while he is leading others to help and lift me.

It is easy to get lost in the endless tree's, leaves and branches that surround my everyday life. And sometimes when I get a glimpse of what lies ahead for me I realized that the trees, leaves and branches are endless, and will always be there to distract and steal my attention. But they are also the things that make my life so beautiful. They mark where I've been and how I have become who I am. They are waiting for me to get to them, to challenge me and show me something new. I am so grateful that I am me! That I know Heavenly Father has held my hand throughout my life and guided me where he knows I need to be. I am thankful for the big tree's and the small leaves that have glittered my path. I am thankful for a Savior who has picked me up when I have tripped.

November is a season of gratitude and I hope I can remember all the things that I have to be thankful for.