Happy Birthday B! We love you and are proud of the beautiful young woman you are becoming!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Happy "11" Birthday to this little lady...
Happy Birthday B! We love you and are proud of the beautiful young woman you are becoming!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Funny Things They Say & Do...
My two little boys are funny. Funny when I least expect them to ever be. Here's a few highlights of the last few weeks:
Last Sunday in Sacrament:
Kevin was at work, so I took the kids on my own. We were all clean, dressed, matching, and looking pretty good; considering the 9:00 am time! The kids are being reverent and listening. Much to my delight, I look over during the hymn to see both boys not only holding Hymn books, but their mouths were even moving! I was pretty pleased. So, I leaned over to hear what they were actually singing. I do believe, I hear with my own ears...both boys singing..."The Eye of the Tiger". So, I leaned over and asked Luke if that's what they were singing. He said, "Yep, then we are going to follow it up with "She's My Cherry Pie". So me, trying hard not to laugh, nodded and said...carry on boys! (At least they were at least looking like they were singing church songs!)
Luke was sitting in the bathtub today:
Again, I hear him singing, "The Eye of the Tiger". (Man, who knew Guitar Hero was such a big influence in our house!) He was singing to the animals he had all lined up on bathtub. He even changed it up a little and added MORNING in there sometimes!
Why I LOVE my boys:
Alex got up the other morning and made Luke's bed for him, just so they could get to playing Lego's faster.
I LOVE hearing the sound of my boys playing in their room and the sound of their laughter as they are building Lego's and playing Star Wars.
I love they way Alex protects not only Luke but B too.
I love their smiles
I love their personalities
I love their individuality
I love their ability
I love their manners
I love the love they have for all of us!
I love that even when I look and feel miserable, they still tell me I'm pretty.
Last Sunday in Sacrament:
Kevin was at work, so I took the kids on my own. We were all clean, dressed, matching, and looking pretty good; considering the 9:00 am time! The kids are being reverent and listening. Much to my delight, I look over during the hymn to see both boys not only holding Hymn books, but their mouths were even moving! I was pretty pleased. So, I leaned over to hear what they were actually singing. I do believe, I hear with my own ears...both boys singing..."The Eye of the Tiger". So, I leaned over and asked Luke if that's what they were singing. He said, "Yep, then we are going to follow it up with "She's My Cherry Pie". So me, trying hard not to laugh, nodded and said...carry on boys! (At least they were at least looking like they were singing church songs!)
Luke was sitting in the bathtub today:
Again, I hear him singing, "The Eye of the Tiger". (Man, who knew Guitar Hero was such a big influence in our house!) He was singing to the animals he had all lined up on bathtub. He even changed it up a little and added MORNING in there sometimes!
Why I LOVE my boys:
Alex got up the other morning and made Luke's bed for him, just so they could get to playing Lego's faster.
I LOVE hearing the sound of my boys playing in their room and the sound of their laughter as they are building Lego's and playing Star Wars.
I love they way Alex protects not only Luke but B too.
I love their smiles
I love their personalities
I love their individuality
I love their ability
I love their manners
I love the love they have for all of us!
I love that even when I look and feel miserable, they still tell me I'm pretty.
I H-E-A-R-T my boys!
B's Basketball Greatness
B has started Jr. Jazz again. I gotta say, we L-O-V-E watching our oldest child with her mad basketball skills. She loves playing. She played before Christmas in the Saratoga League with all girls. Now, she is playing in the co-ed league with boys and girls ages 10 and 11. She is doing so good! We are so proud of her and her efforts. Each game she plays, she gets a little bit better. I can tell she really enjoys it as well because she is practicing and trying to improve. She did a basketball camp over the summer and I'm hoping Westlake HS will do it again this year. She played with 2 other girls in our area and enjoyed improving with both of them. B seems to have a natural talent when it comes to basketball. As her parents, it makes us proud to see her improving on her talent and doing something she really enjoys!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Christmas 2009
Christmas pictures...finally! Here's an over-view of our photos from the day. We had a great day spending the day with family. We are spoiled every year with Kevin's parents usually spending the night on Christmas Eve. Then we get up, open presents, and eat a huge breakfast. Then we clean up just in time to start on dinner. We spend the day munching, playing with our gifts, and spending time together. Sandra brings over Christmas Crackers. They pop when you pull them apart and inside they have a joke, a toy, and a crown. We spend the rest of the night with the crowns on our head. Makes me laugh every year. Of course, I didn't get a picture of us with our crowns! Maybe next year. It was a fun Christmas this year and I love the traditions we have been creating as a family!
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Road Home
On December 23, 2009, we did something that was big for our family. We celebrated Aaron's life by putting together a donation and taking it to the homeless shelter The Road Home.
I started with a flier and word of mouth. From there, everyone's little bit turned into a lot. I had people donate to us that have never met me, but heard our story. I just wanted to thank everyone who donated items. We all helped to do a really good thing and help so many people.
Just over a month ago, I received an email. It was one that I wasn't expecting at all. It was from one of our friends that we grew up with. In fact, it was a girl that Aaron dated. She asked if her sister and their families could not only donate, but come with us when we took the donation. Of course we wanted them to be apart of this special occasion. So, we have been emailing over the last month and getting all the details in place.
We met before heading up to Salt Lake and shed a few tears. It's been about 15 years since I had seen Dani and Nicki. I can't even explain the rush of emotion I felt seeing them. It was like having a piece of Aaron there. Both of them, to me, represented the time when Aaron was happy, healthy, and around us. It was very comforting to have them there. (Thanks girls and your sweet families for coming and doing this with us.)
Then we arrived at the shelter. We went during the day that they were doing a big radio-thon. A bunch of radio stations were there raising money for the shelter. We dropped off our donation (so much, that we were directed to the loading dock to unload 23 bags of clothing, coats, hats, gloves, blankets, baby needs, toiletries and some food). Since all the radio stations were there, the shelter opened it's doors for a reception, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, and goodies. When we went in, I located one of the radio stations I listened to. We took our picture of Aaron, so at least they could put a name to a face. We gave them some monetary donations that we had collected as well, and we told the DJ a little bit about Aaron. (Of course I am totally sobbing, being over taken with the emotion of the moment!) He asked me if I wanted to come on air and tell Aaron's story. I asked him for a few minutes to compose myself and I agreed. So, we went over, took some pictures with Santa, and did a little bit of catching up with Dani, Nicki and their families. (On a side note...and I was really touched by this. We got a lot of snow a few days before we went to the shelter. Dani's boys went around to their neighbors and asked if they could shovel their walks to earn some money. They then took their money and bought more gloves, hat, and other things to take with us. I was so proud of them, and I hadn't even met them yet!) And then I did the interview. It went well. I didn't cry. I got to say what I wanted to say. The reason we were there.
We went outside and took a few pictures. Although it was a difficult thing for me to do, I am so glad that I followed it through and we were able to do as much as we did. I usually have some good ides. Sometimes I follow them through. Sometimes I don't. I had wanted to do this before, but just never got it together to do. So, a month ago, the idea was there. I wasn't sure if I'd have it in me to finish it. But, I know that Aaron was with me along the way and pushing me forward. I am so grateful for the opportunity to feel his presence so strongly over the last month. I feel that he was proud that we did this on his behalf.
I hope that this is a tradition we can carry on each year. (Maybe not as big, but being able to do something). I am grateful for friends from long ago that came to support and remember with us. I am grateful for the healing and comfort I was able to gain through this experience. I know me and my family will always remember this day.
(Thanks Dani for the pictures!)
I started with a flier and word of mouth. From there, everyone's little bit turned into a lot. I had people donate to us that have never met me, but heard our story. I just wanted to thank everyone who donated items. We all helped to do a really good thing and help so many people.
Just over a month ago, I received an email. It was one that I wasn't expecting at all. It was from one of our friends that we grew up with. In fact, it was a girl that Aaron dated. She asked if her sister and their families could not only donate, but come with us when we took the donation. Of course we wanted them to be apart of this special occasion. So, we have been emailing over the last month and getting all the details in place.
We met before heading up to Salt Lake and shed a few tears. It's been about 15 years since I had seen Dani and Nicki. I can't even explain the rush of emotion I felt seeing them. It was like having a piece of Aaron there. Both of them, to me, represented the time when Aaron was happy, healthy, and around us. It was very comforting to have them there. (Thanks girls and your sweet families for coming and doing this with us.)
Then we arrived at the shelter. We went during the day that they were doing a big radio-thon. A bunch of radio stations were there raising money for the shelter. We dropped off our donation (so much, that we were directed to the loading dock to unload 23 bags of clothing, coats, hats, gloves, blankets, baby needs, toiletries and some food). Since all the radio stations were there, the shelter opened it's doors for a reception, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, and goodies. When we went in, I located one of the radio stations I listened to. We took our picture of Aaron, so at least they could put a name to a face. We gave them some monetary donations that we had collected as well, and we told the DJ a little bit about Aaron. (Of course I am totally sobbing, being over taken with the emotion of the moment!) He asked me if I wanted to come on air and tell Aaron's story. I asked him for a few minutes to compose myself and I agreed. So, we went over, took some pictures with Santa, and did a little bit of catching up with Dani, Nicki and their families. (On a side note...and I was really touched by this. We got a lot of snow a few days before we went to the shelter. Dani's boys went around to their neighbors and asked if they could shovel their walks to earn some money. They then took their money and bought more gloves, hat, and other things to take with us. I was so proud of them, and I hadn't even met them yet!) And then I did the interview. It went well. I didn't cry. I got to say what I wanted to say. The reason we were there.
We went outside and took a few pictures. Although it was a difficult thing for me to do, I am so glad that I followed it through and we were able to do as much as we did. I usually have some good ides. Sometimes I follow them through. Sometimes I don't. I had wanted to do this before, but just never got it together to do. So, a month ago, the idea was there. I wasn't sure if I'd have it in me to finish it. But, I know that Aaron was with me along the way and pushing me forward. I am so grateful for the opportunity to feel his presence so strongly over the last month. I feel that he was proud that we did this on his behalf.
I hope that this is a tradition we can carry on each year. (Maybe not as big, but being able to do something). I am grateful for friends from long ago that came to support and remember with us. I am grateful for the healing and comfort I was able to gain through this experience. I know me and my family will always remember this day.
(Thanks Dani for the pictures!)
ZOO LIGHTS - DECEMBER 2009
The kids were excited to get inside the Zoo and see the lights. B and Alex were being soldiers, just like the lighted statue!
Us standing by the train. It just started to snow.
Luke on the Lion at the merry-go-round.
B picked the penguin.
Alex picked the wolf.
This was the first year that we have done the Zoo Lights. I'm not sure why, because they were AWESOME!! We all had a lot of fun. Although it was SOOO cold and had just started snowing, we had some great family time. We will for sure be back next year!!
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