President Hinckley

I know this image of President Hinckley has been on several other blogs, and I tried to use a different one not wanting to follow the crowd but it didn't feel right. I think that it is because it has amazingly captured what so many love about him and that is his spirit of love, compassion, the gospel, and a little bit of light hearted fun as well.

The kids and I hopped onto the train after preschool today to head downtown to the conference center for the viewing of President Hinckley. They both loved the train ride even though I don't seem to have captured James' happiness very well.

I tried to time our visit when I thought the fewest number of people would be there and I lucked out. It wasn't crowded in the least. It was extremely peaceful. The kids were both reverent and well behaved. As we entered the room of the prophets the most amazing peace filled the room. It was the most amazing thing to be in the presence of a prophet of the Lord after he has gone home to the Father. There were very few dry eyes in the room including those of the ushers. The tears were not of sadness but of love. The love we as people had for him, the love he had for us, and love of our Savior.
I will forever remember those feelings as I held both my children at the side of President Hinckley's casket.

I hope that Kaylie might have some recollection of the experience as she grows older. She has had a great grasp of understanding when it comes to death, the second coming and the resurrection. This was not her first funeral viewing and knew what to expect. As we left the viewing area said to me Mom, "I feel sad that President Hinckley died." Sad is a feeling that we have when we lose the companionship that we love and respect.

We walked through temple square to transition back into the real world. Kaylie had been wondering if girls go on missions and so we took the chance to visit with the sister missionaries. It was 2 hours that I will always remember.

My Little Hummels

Kaylie's Preschool has Small World Day's this week. They have learned about many other countries and cultures and will end the month with a party. Perfect opportunity to wear all the t-shirts Oma brings back from all over the world as well as dress up in their traditional German costumes. 

 

Check it out

If you haven't yet checked out my little brother Logan's blog, do it! He's 12 years old and innocent as heck. His blog is truly like reading a 12 year old's journal. He rambles and miss spells things but the purity of his message makes me smile. I know he's my baby brother so I have a soft spot for him but he's still sweet.

Boy in Boots

I don't know if it's a boy thing or if it just runs in the family but Uncle Cameron and James seem to think that boots are for all occasions... with shorts in the summer... and feety pajamas?

James has decided to add his own accessory to the ensemble as well (the toothbrush) look out ladies here he comes, but once again if he takes after his Uncle Cameron he will think every girl in school has eyes for him. I love you brother!

   

Another Snow Day

We got another several inches of snow and it sounds like there is more on the way throughout the week. We love the snow, but we don't love being stuck inside all the time. We made the best of it though with some books, TV, movies, playing in the hall, and of course a bit of outside play as well. 

Things on the Wall

We moved into our apartment the end of September and we have had one or two things on the wall... a mirror... a clock that didn't work any more... things like that. My Mom will tell anyone that I have a neurosis when it comes to having my house in the best order that I can (with 2 kids, a limited budget, and a somewhat resourceful imagination). I have been waiting to put up my pictures and such until I got some vinyl lettering sayings. An awesome friend of mine, Abbey, has her own business Designs of Loveland and is responsible for their awesome turn out. If you know what you want she can do it and if you kind of know what you want but aren't sure, give her what you've got and she will make something awesome! Her website is not completely finished but you can see some of the stuff she can do. My pictures are really lame because I have NO natural light in my front room so the lighting was horrible, and I tried to lighten it up a bit, but I am not a photoshop genius:

God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when

founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Sunbeam... A Sunbeam

Kaylie we are so proud of You! Just like they all do Kaylie made it through her first day of Sunbeam class. It wasn't without a few tears but that's ok. I'm glad her first day was after everyone else's first day, because everyone else crying would have freaked her out. She really doesn't have it that rough either, with me being in the primary presidency I see her all but the 40 minutes that she is actually in class. I am excited that she got such awesome teachers! They are the sweetest people. Their last name is Sargent, but for now she calls them Brother and Sister Margent? ... I think it's cute. I can't believe how fast time goes. I am loving that my kids are small.  

Runnin' Utes vs. The Kittens

Ok, I know we lost but it was a GReAt game. Ryan and I had a fun time taking the kids down to the big game. The biggest adventure for the kids was walking to and from the game. One of the fun perks to living on campus, by the time most people get to their cars we are getting home! James rode in the pack on my back, because it doesn't fit Ryan he's too tall. James loves riding in the back pack and love listing to him sing. He loves to sing right now and his head was right behind mine so he sang his sweet songs right in my ear. Kaylie rode on Ryan's shoulders and loved being 7ft. in the air especially crossing Legacy bridge which is already high. The game was fun, even if we do go the cheap route and sit in the MUSS with all the students. That has it's perks too since we are a lively bunch. The fun was rounded out with popcorn and liccorice, Swoop the mascot, and cheerleaders from both sides the U with the bigger team but the Y with the more elite squad.

 

Sweet Scripture Tote

Kaylie is now a subeam! Since we haven't yet been in town to attend our ward, tommorrow will be her first day of sunbeams...(although Maja did take her once in Colorado). Going to primary means you get to have your own Book of Mormon! I wanted Kaylie to have a tote to put her scriptures in to help teach her that we take care of them, and thought a way to carry them neatly (and cutely) would be a start! I got the idea from my friend Leslie, so I can't take all the credit. After I finished the other day I decided that it needs some embelishments, so I think I am going to go get some ribbons to tie onto the handle straps. 

Notes for any one wanting to make their own:

Roberts crafts is the only store I found that carries the perfect size for a blue Book of Mormon. 

The pocket: (I am not good with pockets) I made a pocket using my sewing machine and then hand stitched it onto the bag.

If you have any other questions let me know!

Mission Call

For anyone who may have checked some of the blogs in our family section you will see that Ryan's brother, Eric, received his mission call. He is going to Athens Greece. Sadly we know very little since we were not made aware of the activities that the family planned for the day. We are excited for him and his choice to go and wish Eric the best of experiences as he serves. p.s. I know the picture I have included is not Athens but rather Santorini. Having been there myself I wanted to put my favorite spot and this island is so incredibly beautiful!

Jump Shot James

James has found his one true meaning in life. "Ball Ball" For the past month this boy wakes up and from that moment almost exclusively is doing something related to Basketball. If he is fussy turn on the tv (there is almost always a game being broadcast during the season) and he is instantly happy! He's 16 months old shouldn't that be Elmo's job? If he is having a hard time going down for his nap hand him his favorite basketball and with about an 80% track record he is quiet and within minutes asleep. 

So... for Christmas Kaylie got him a hoop that could suction to the window in the front room and came with a perfect rubber ball that he can palm (this is the afore mentioned "favorite basketball". He was very happy with it but unfortunately the hoop is detachable from the backboard, which it goes without saying means it cannot be dunked on.  I have quickly tired of fixing the hoop and the bad mother that I am went out to Toys'R'Us and bought a "real" hoop. (I really need to buy stock in Little Tikes) I am so glad that Ryan was with us when we went. The elation that was on this little boy's face was something beyond words. He couldn't hardly wait to get it home. We attempted to put the large box in the back of the car and were quickly made aware that this simply wouldn't do. we squeezed it in front of his seat so that he could look at it all the way home. Needless to say the hoop was put up immediately and played with for the remainder of the evening. 

One happy baller!

Home!

Our Holiday break is finally over. We, all 4 of us, are home again. I am so excited to catch up on things and be in my own bed. The kids are just as happy to see all of their old stuff again. The trip was soo great and its always hard to leave my family. There is never a dull moment which means I'm always missing something. It's now two weeks into the new year but I'm officially kicking off 2008 tomorrow! 

Our little Cheerleader

The Cross-town rival game was a big night for Kaylie as well! The cheerleaders put on a little day camp for young kids in town and the girls got to perform at half time of the JV game. Kaylie like usual was really nervous but ended up loving it... although she got a little distracted with Cameron's girlfriend and all the rest of Cameron and Hillary's friends who were cheering for her. Her teeny weeny self couldn't have been cuter!

Kaylie cheering with Auntie Hilla

Kaylie and her sassy exit from the court

ThompSOn ValLeY WinS!

I had an amazing few weeks watching my brother play ball. Capping it off with a classic cross-town rival game! It was kicked off with my sister Hillary singing the national anthem, which rocked. GO Hilla! Hillary also happens to be on the cheerleading team and so once she finished singing she took her spot on the sideline. The game was intense and without incident... it's usually good when no one gets T'd up, kicked out, or the local PD isn't involved... but it happens. The amazing crowd, both schools showed up in full force and decked out in full spirit wear. And in the end our school pulled out the 1 point win! Everyone celebrated at local restaurants. What can I say I am from a small town in Colorado. There were mullets, people with several missing teeth, and more than a dozen people with cowboy boots. For the fun write-up in the paper go here. The pictures below aren't the greatest... props to sports photographers because its hard!

Cameron Shooting from the outside

SaNta Came!

Santa Clause did finally come to visit us, while we were sleeping of course. Christmas morning is just so much fun with little kids! Kaylie and James had a blast and all of us big kids had a blast watching them. 

Kaylie understands all about Santa and that makes it even more fun:

"Mom, I must have been good! Because I got too much stuff!"

James was cute as the only thing he understood was:

...if i get this paper off there is something inside...

SiCk BabY

During the entire Holiday season James has had an ear infection.... another bacterial infection that I cannot pronounce where his eyes, ears, and everything is infected. He has had three rounds of oral antibiotic, eye drops, ear drops, and nystatin to combat the yeast infection from all of the medications. Then we all got the flu on top of it all. Finally a cough has settled in his chest. This poor boy has been through the ringer that past several weeks.

Back in '82

Ok so it wasn't '82 and it wasn't even '92 but still in some ways it feels like another life when the one I live now is in another state and with two small children and one big one! On with the point which is while I have been Colorado I have been enjoying my little brother Cameron's senior year of Varsity Basketball and one night my mother convinced us all to wear our Varsity Letterman's Jackets. It was cheesy but its fun to have the picture!

Back Blogged

So just like everyone else I have a month of blogging to catch up on. I thought I would start off with one of my favorite things that we did over the break! We went to the lights on Temple Square which we do every year but we had a great time with Ike Vivi and Van. Jeni couldn't make it because she wasn't feeling well, but the rest of us a freezing good time!