Time Out For Women

This past weekend was the Time-Out For Women event in St. George, and... I LOVED it! I'm so glad I went, and thanks again to Sisalee for encouraging me, as well as helping make the opportunity possible.

For those of you who have never heard of the event (I hadn't until two months ago), it's put on by Deseret Book. It's a two-day event where women have the opportunity to gather together, listen to incredible speakers and fantastic music. The program tours around the west and next weekend is the last presentation for this year in Salt Lake City.

When I think of the experience one word comes to mind, "edified". I was SO edified! During and after the event I felt like I wanted to be a better person, mom, wife, and especially, daughter of God. My testimony of Jesus Christ was strengthened.

I admire the presenters that make the program what it is. Hilary Weeks is so amazing, and talented, and pretty, and funny, and as much as I want to be jealous of her, I love her way too much and so instead, I'm her new biggest fan.

I loved Sister Cheiko Okasaki's talk. It was some much needed parenting advice on my end and pertained so much to the challenge I've had with a very stronge-willed two-year old. I love the idea of teaching correct principles to our children and then letting your children govern themselves, and now that I think of it, that's exactly how I was raised. I have great parents!

I've been a fan of Kenneth Cope ever since I met Ryan 5 years ago when he introduced all his music to me because he's been a fan since he started out. The song "My poor Jesus" makes me bawl histarically every single time, without fail. I can't help but identify with it when Jesus Christ did "fly to me" when I was in my car accident at the age of 14.

I was also deeply touched by the speaker Emily Freeman, who shared her own personal trials she has faced and how she was able find the blessings of abundance from them.

All the speakers were excellent, fun, and uplifting. If you ever have the opportunity to attend, I want to encourage you to go! Even if you have to go by yourself like I did on Friday night, I promise you'll be glad you went. I ended finding my friend Megan who lives next door to me, and joined her and her family. Then Shelly was able to join up with us on Saturday. We had a great time together! Thanks girls :)

I LOVE Halloween!

What could be better than dressing up like a complete idiot, being made feel cool about it, and then rewarded with candy for it! Few things make me as happy as Halloween does :D

We took on the Spongebob Squarepants theme this year, and not just because it's Lincoln's favorite show, but also because it ranks amongst Ryan and My favorites as well. (and I admit that proudly)

Ryan and I were the totally awesome duo: Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy

Lincoln was the star, as Spongebob.

And because he really is 1 % Evil and 99 % Hot Gas, Gabriel played the part of Plankton



This version of Gabe's costume lasted about 5 minutes before he was put right into the tub. I actually put green face paint all over his head and then expected him to wear the antenna's. Not my brightest moment. Paint was EVERYWHERE within seconds.



I'm very proud of my very first attempt at cake decorating. My very talented mother-in-law shed a little of her decorating wisdom on Tomi and I, when she gave us a little Halloween decorating lesson. It was SO much fun. I have new hobby.



This is Tomi's cake, I love her eyes :D






Here we all are in all our ridiculousness! I love being ridiculous!

Pumpkin Carving

Last night we did our annual pumpkin carving tradition and it was a blast! I am SO proud of my pumpkin. And if you don't recognize Edward Cullen on my pumpkin, well then, I'm ashamed of you!

I didn't get pics of everyone else's pumpkins because I didn't have my camera with me at Chad and Ashley's house, but they were all awesome! I think I enjoy this a little too much ;)

Happy 30th Old Man!

Sorry to all you 30 and older's out there, but it just seems OLD. I'm sure when I get there I'll take on the "30, flirty, and thriving" attitude, but as for now it's fun to make fun of my hubby.

But in seriousness I thought even though my blogging efforts seem to get worse and worse in my own aging, I need to honor the most wonderful man in my life, on his birthday!

I LOVE YOU RYAN!

Despite the obvious reasons I love him, (smart, funny, hard-working, good looking, and charming) I am so grateful for the wonderfully loving husband, father, and provider he truly is. He treats me like a princess (which is very important to me) and his kids know that his world revolves around them, and I feel so lucky to be his wife. Happy Birthday Love.

PICTURES ;)

Just got pictures done of the boys. My friend Teresa did a great job. If you are looking for a hip photographer check-out her blog: mypocket-fullofposies.blogspot.com

Father's Day Vacation

This Father's Day we went to the beautiful Carmen, Idaho to visit Grandma and Grandpa Grape! Although, that's really not their name. But it is to Lincoln. Others know them better by Grandma and Grandpa Dana. Lincoln simply confused the word "great", as in Great-Grandma, for "grape". Needless to say, it won the hearts of Grandma and Grandpa.

I had never been to Idaho before (I know, I know. Pathetic), and was surprised how BEAUTIFUL it is. I did a run while I was up there and I couldn't help feeling at peace because of the horses, farmland and rolling hills.


While we were there, we decided to take a little day trip into Montana land. We went and saw a historic spot called "Big Hole". This was the site of a historic battle between the Native Americans and US military.

Lincoln loved going on the four-wheelwa with Daddy.

While I was up there I got some really cute shots of the boys. Here are some...

Summer Time!

For those of you who may have forgotten how CUTE my boys are, here I am to do my bi-monthly post. These are the latest pics I've snapped...






My dad and "Beady" at the petting zoo (P.S. Gabriel's nickname is sometimes "Beady", thanks to Lincoln, and the only thing Grandpa Wood knows him by)


Swimming in the backyard. Those cheap pools are SO worth it!


Still falling asleep while eating, why is that?




Visiting Lincoln's cousin Joey after his 3rd open-heart surgery.










I found him actually reading "green eggs and ham" as he was saying "Sam I am, Sam I am" and turning each page

Happy Birthday Lincoln and Hoppy Easter!

We had a great Easter/Lincoln's B-day the past week. We went up to Grantsville with the Dana family for the weekend and had a little egg hunt with the Wood family on Monday. Lincoln just turned the all-knowing age of 2 and it made for a much more exciting time hunting for eggs. Although the excitement did seem to be short lived since after the first egg was found his only concern following was, "eat candy". We had to spend about a minute after each egg trying to convince him to wait on eating the candy inside because there were more eggs to be found. But I guess the words "long-term goals" don't have much meaning to a 2-year old.

Besides the excitement of the Easter fun, we always have a lot of fun visiting Grantsville with the family all around. I've come to really appreciate lil' ol' Grantsville. It's peaceful and when we go up I always find that I realize again what really matters, the people we love. For Lincoln I would bet he agrees with me, especially because Grantsville has two very special people, Grammy Debbie and...... Elk! (sorry Steve) For those of you who don't know him, Elk is the large Elk head that hangs in Debbie and Steve's garage. Lincoln loves to pet Elk and we make sure Elk always gets wished goodnight when we go to visit. In fact, since we left Grantsville, Lincoln has mentioned wanting to see Elk SEVERAL times.

As for Gabriel's Easter I would have to say he quite enjoyed it, as he does all aspects of life. He may not know what the heck is going on when all the kids run off to find Easter eggs, but he could fool anyone who watches his eyes light up in the excitement that surrounds him. His positive personality shows through even at 7 months old. He crawls around with the belief that he is playing right along with all of his older cousins and half the time he's so content I forget he's even there.

Thanks to all our family for making our Easter this year a great one!

The Latest

What a cutie Huh!? My Gabriel is already 6 months old and it has flown by! Wise words, "treasure every moment".


Red Pajamas! Ryan puts his big-boy jammies on every once in a while, and Lincoln loves to be like Daddy :) He thought he was pretty cool to have the same jammies as Daddy.


We had to document this one. Lincoln's temper tantrum actually led to self-inflicted wounds! I freaked out at first, thought my child had... well, issues. Then my mom assured me it was normal for toddler temper tantrums to sometimes involve head-banging. We had a long talk with Lincoln and took the opportunity to make a big deal out of his owies. We taught him that he can't hurt our Lincoln, and it must have stuck because in the past few months that have since, he hasn't ever done it again.


Best Buds. Lincoln and Gabriel are so close already. I love watching them play and laugh together. It's so sweet for a mother to see :)


No, this is not Lincoln, nor a secret child of mine. This is Lincoln's cousin Ezra. But no one can deny how much he and Lincoln look like eachother. Even just now, when Lincoln saw this photo on my computer, he said, "Lincoln's sad". I looked at him surprised and said, "Who's that?" pointing at the photo. He assured me, "Lincoln". Ha ha, not even Lincoln can tell Lincoln and Ezzy apart.

Brothers

A little while ago Ryan made a comment about Gabriel being a cuter baby than Lincoln was (Don't worry we all know how adorable he is now). When he said it, I remembered one of my favorite pics of Lincoln at about Gabe's age. I took a picture of Gabriel wearing the same pajama's and made this side by side comparison to show Ryan. He agreed they were both equally cute and DANG cute at that! And, we were both surprised to see how much they actually look like each other. I didn't think they did before. It's been a lot of fun to see all the differences and similarities in not only their looks but personalities. They are so different in some ways and the same in others. Sometimes Gabriel's facial expressions, sounds, and even behaviors take me back to little Baby Lincoln and that connection just makes me love both of them even more. On the other hand, both boys are one of a kind and I love everything that makes them so different from eachother. I think our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother feel this same joy in knowing all their children individually. They love everyone one of us for our differences, because that's what makes us unique. At the same time I'm sure they take joy when we share wonderful similarities that bond us together and remind them of their love for each of us.

A new post...A Christmas Miracle!

I might as well admit it, blogging can be quite a chore for me these days, hence the lack there of. But I figure Christmas is definitely a blogging necassary.

This has been a great Holiday Season! We spent Thanksgiving in Grantsville with the Dana family. The food was awesome and the being with family is always tons of fun.

The Dana Christmas party is always a blast. Santa came and because Lincoln was scared of red suit and beard (understandable, really), I accompanied him on Santa's lap.


This was the first Christmas morning where Lincoln could actually open presents. It was so much fun! I look forward to Christmas in a new way as a parent now. It's just as much fun, if not more, to help bring the excitement of Christmas to your precious little ones. I can't wait till next year!


Bringing cheer to the whole world is a big job, and exhausting! Thanks Santa :)

THANK YOU ANITA!!!

I just got these Pictures done and I am so happy! My friend Anita did an AMAZING job! We went out to the industrial yard and then to an old building in Santa Clara. There were so many great photos I could hardly narrow them down to post (as you can see) and I still left out so many great shots!

SO, if anyone is looking for a talented photographer that is great to work with, let me know and I'll get you her contact info.

Photo Shoot Continued

Photo Shoot Continued

Photo Shoot Continued