The Pick

Now that Kate is finally 16, she can go on to the school dances with a date...She decided to ask her good friend, Hunter Hoffman, to the "Chick Pick" and he said...

Their group made t-shirts, went to Salt Lake to go ice skating, which was closed, so they went to lunch, and to the movies, then came back, made pizzas at one of their other friend's houses, then went to the dance.

They had a fun time, and it was cute to see how Hunter was acting, it was his first date, too.

They had a big group, and Kate was sweet to invite anyone who needed a group to join, to join hers. There was a lot of planning, and debating on the activities.

The theme was "Out of this world."

Determination...

I was so proud of Afton, she decided she wanted to run Cross Country this year for Stansbury High. We're not really a running family, and so when she said she wanted to do it, and run 500 miles during the summer...we said "Go for it!". She wasn't able to make it to her 500 mile goal, because she kept getting injured...knee pain...foot pain...shin splints...but she kept at it!

These pictures are at one of her races. She did a great job!

It was nice of both Daniel and Nana to come watch her race!

I'm so proud of her and her determination!

Back to School

August 2012. Time for another school year.

Kate's a junior this year...

Afton is a Freshman...first year of high school!

Oops! I made them late for the bus!

Dylan is off to Junior High!

And my baby, Jocelynn, is a 5th grader!

More fun pics...

Dan's New Ride!!

I don't even know where to begin... I don't know if I should tell this whole story, but I feel like I would be very ungrateful, if I didn't... so here goes. I have a wonderful husband, who works very hard, no because he likes his job, because, he just plain doesn't, but he does it because he loves me, and he loves Kate, and he loves Afton, and he loves Dylan, and he loves Jocelynn. He isn't one to complain, at least very much. He gets up every morning, and he goes to work, in a beater-pick-up truck. A truck, whose seat belt doesn't work in the winter, for the first 10-15 minutes, until it warms up, a truck, whose Air Conditioning doesn't work, and boy does is get hot! And to top it off, the radio even stopped working, but he drives it 30+ miles in to work, and the 30+miles back home, with ne'er a complaint.

That Heavenly Father, well, He know's all! He hears our prayers, and he answers them in such surprising and mysterious ways. Daniel's boss, told him that they were going to give him a car... they let him choose. They paid for it. Outright. No kidding.

Amazing!

Daniel and Dylan, off to the Priesthood Session.

Arise! And Shine Forth!

When the Young Women's president of our ward, sent out an e-mail, telling us that our stake had tickets, and asked how many tickets we would like, I quickly replied...3! And was so excited! Then, later I realized that it was the same weekend as Dylan's Karate review, and Dylan's play, and Jocelynn's birthday, and that Nana was coming, so I asked for 4 tickets, and was excited that we could attend the General Young Women's Broadcast!

After the karate review, we all got dressed, and drove into Salt Lake, I don't know how I got lucky, but when I got the tickets, I also got a parking pass. We got great parking, and pretty good seats, even though the towers were in the way.

I loved the things that were shared. How we should let our light shine, that we should "Rise Up!", and if we make a mistake, we can be forgiven. I am so greatful for my beautiful girls! They are such a great example to me, and they are continually shining, and rising forth!

After the broadcast, we went to see the new City Creek Center, that place was absolutely packed! It was kind of ridiculous, so after wandering in the craziness, we went back over to Temple Square, and peace was found again! It was amazing, the different feeling we all felt.

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how it teaches me to be a better person, how it teaches me where I can find peace, and that I can share this knowledge with my family, so that they can feel joy, peace, and happiness, as they continue to shine.

You better not mess with this guy!

March 24,2012

You better watch out for this guy... that's all I have to say!

I'm going to try and get the video up, because then you would believe it! He took his Sensei down, and jumped on him! It was awesome! Super proud of my Dylan! He has worked really hard in karate! And I know if anyone ever jumps him, he is prepared! I love how he is being taught to use it, only in self defense, and that he doesn't show off. In his review, he was awesome! He was ready for anything, and laughing, the whole time! It's funny, that he laughs when he is nervous, most people don't know that about him. Now on to...blue belt!

Feliz Cumpleano's...or Something Like that...Little Joce!

My baby girl is 10 years old! I can hardly believe it, seems like just the other day, she was crying when I was doing her hair, and getting into trouble, because she was playing with her toys in her room, instead of cleaning it...Oh, wait! It WAS just the other day! I am glad that she still plays with toys, and isn't in a huge hurry to grow up!

For her birthday, which she was beyond excited for, she received more Japanese erasers, the fun hat she is wearing, (and wouldn't take off), from Grandma and Grandpa Bryant, a candy bouquet, some clothes, duct tape, a little drawer organizer, to help her keep her things organized, a dress, a swimsuit, and many other things. She was so happy that Nana was able to stay for her birthday morning! Especially, to be spoiled by her!

This year, for her birthday party, she wanted to roast marshmallows and starbursts, in the back yard, so she was hoping and hoping, that the weather would be nice enoough, and I am glad to report that it was! So for her party, they drew with side walk chalk, they jumped on the trampoline, they decorated their own cupcakes (using a frosting tip, and everything), We promised the girls, we would finish their flower pens, and loaded up to say good bye! Sure was fun, too bad birthdays only come once a year! (But then again, maybe not, I'm not ready for my baby to grow up!)

roasted marshmallows and starbursts, told some silly stories around the fire, started making duct-tape pens, and barely had time to open presents, before one of the dads came to pick up one of the girls, and we knew our time was done.

Time for a change!

So...I guess I needed a change. I don't know if it's the weather...nice one day...snowy the next...or what but I decided to do a makeover on the kitchen. Here's the before...


Before

During
Deciding to re-vamp your kitchen... kind of makes a big mess... and makes it so you have to have picnics in your family room...
during
After
I started Monday afternoon, and finished nearly all of it by Thursday night. I used the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformation in Kona, that I bought at the Home Depot. It wasn't very hard, just time consuming, you have to wait hours between steps so it time.


On Saturday I decided the Kitchenaide needed a little makeover as well. So I cut out a few swirls on my cricut.
kitchenaide
Next up...the kids' bathroom... that's really where I started...but we're not talking about that :)