The citizens of Draper are in good hands.

Christmas 2010

Being Merry

Being Bright

Noah's Preschool Program.

First carriage ride for everyone and (yes, we waved and sang carols).

Christmas night...he didn't want it to end.

Special gift to Clara from Grammy Pat

I was really trying to make these pictures a collage in Picasa but I couldn't figure it out and wanted to post something before Easter. It was a very nice season...not over scheduled, but we did enough to not feel as if it had passed us over. Here are a few highlights sprinkled with a little of the decor. (We were in the thick of finishing the basement the whole month of December so I went simple on decorations...less to dust!)  Definitely the family gathering on both sides were highlights, trip to see the lights, parties, music, baking, trimming the tree, programs, the joy and excitement of the kids all filled the season with delight.

Forgotten Photos of 2010

Enjoying Daddy Time

Enjoying the new front yard on a Sunday Evening

Enjoying a "stay"cation in Park City (Heber Creeper, Pool time, Olympic Park) back in August.

Enjoying Rowan's first snow of the season.

Testing out Daddy's "Bunny" Scout gear before one of his many campouts.  Maybe next year we will manage to take it outside.

One little, two little, three little...

...the yogurt incident. Love a girl that doesn't mind sticky.

Enjoying memories, looking forward to the many more that await us. Happy New Year!

Its a marshmallow world in the winter...

...when the snow comes to cover the ground.

Last week many businesses and schools closed early in preparation for a big blizzard.  It was very stormy and windy but not nearly as dramatic as the "baton down the hatches" ,  history making one predicted.  Then Saturday it began to snow and didn't stop until Monday midday.  We got well over a foot in the storm.  Noah has come to believe that anytime you come in from playing in the snow you automatically get hot cocoa (probably fostered from us trying to get him to come in).  It has started quite the cycle...snow clothes on, play a little while, snow clothes off, hot cocoa, beg to go outside again...
Noah really has been a big help shoveling,  he loves to do it,  I'm sure we are breaking some child labor law, but he is happy.  Clara likes making paths in the snow for about 5 minutes and then wants to come right in and snuggle in mom and dads bed and watch Dora. They are very concerned with how long the snow will last, usually Noah will ask if it will be there when he wakes up.  I think he should have no worries, it's here for a while. This time of year it just adds to the wonder and beauty of the season.

glass half empty, glass half full

Lately, I've been a bit of a downer.  At the close of this Thanksgiving weekend I've gained some real perspective reflecting on my life, my blessings right now.  To start is my candid realization.

Motherhood is tough.  I am in a constant battle to get even the most basic things done...bathing, dressing, seat belts on, healthy food eaten, toys picked up. Let's just say most days I am losing the battle.  I have to mentally gear myself up to attempt a grocery store run, or brushing out someone hair, or church.  The constant power struggles, tantrums, night wakings have me exhausted before I even start the day.   Josh and I have taken to reading Love and Logic (a parenting book) before we go to bed...romantic eh? I try to give choices, consistent expectation, and follow through with consequences with limited success.

What has me I think the most disheartened is kids are what I do best.  It is what has defined me, what I'm good at.  It is what I studied in college, from a little girl with my dollies, to babysitting, my career, my dreams...caring for, loving, and teaching children. As a child I sang "when I grow up I want to be a mommy, and have a family, one little, two little, three little babies of my own." Now I am living my dream.  So why is it so difficult to handle my own who are so loved, adored, cared for?   Maybe it is to help me recognize some of these blessings and keep me growing.

My gratitude list...

• a Heavenly Father that I can go to in fervent prayer to give me strength, calm me, send peace, perspective.
• a loving companion to enjoy the ups and endure the downs with
• the mothers room at church
• kind, in tune strangers, who stop to see how they can help (Costco parking lot dead battery, no cell phone, 14 degree temperature, just me with my two year old and baby crying the night before Thanksgiving)
• music that soothes, and uplifts the soul
• HGTV...mindless, clean entertainment
• my own mother, for the example I have, now if I could just follow it :)!
• sleep  (Going on 5 years without it...I will never take you for granted again)
• blogs...give me ideas, keep me connected, (since I haven't seemed to figure out how to be a mom and keep up with friends).
• Carol (Keeps my cleaning in check)
• when the littles play together, laugh, sing themselves to sleep, spontaeously hug me or tell me they love me, dance together, choose the right, listen first time, giggle, help one another, tell jokes,  say sincere prayers, cook with me, sleep through the night, get pumped for holidays, enjoy life, feel success
• sisters that I can talk to without fear of judgement
• having a little land with a view that I can feel tucked away in...a refuge from a storm
• financial security
• faith, hope, truth

On family night we pulled out the gratitude chain we have been building over the last few years.  Josh read the previous entries before we added on for this year.  It was quite humbling to remember where we were last year at this time (giving twice daily shots after the complications with my pregnancy) gratitude for my own life, hopes for the unborn Rowan to be healthy.  It really made me step back and see the bigger picture.  I am here, I am blessed to raise these beautiful/smart/funny/strong-willed children. The Lord has trusted me with them.  Be happy.  I don't need to beat myself up about the car that needs cleaning out, laundry to be folded, workout that didn't get done.  My kids are loved, fed, sometimes clean, and still learning.

a fall wrap up

Noah's first soccer season was a HUGE success.  Not only did I make my goal of becoming a legit soccer mom, Noah was awesome!  His first game he had a smile on his face the entire time, running up and down the field, that warmed me to my toes.  A few games in, he was a bit more aggressive than we'd like luckily that problem was solved by him carrying his teddy bear while playing (kept his hands off the ball and other players...and looked so cute).  He scored 3 of the 6 goals of the team for the season and only a couple for the other teams.  I hope he is hooked because I sure am.

apple picking...a little late...slim pickings for sure

I love our city, Draper had a fall carnival complete with a pumpkin drop!

Sanders cousins...cold weather but happy kids

Scholder Baby Boom 2010

Part of the visit at Aunt Donna's (in Southern California) was a photo shoot for some ridiculously cute babies.  Kris managed the impossible to get a shot of all babies sitting and content (it took some time).  They are grandchildren of Grammy Pat's and two of her 12 siblings (Donna, and Daniel).  It will be fun to see get them together in some years for another shot.

(Isabel, Rowan, Kai, Vivian, and Dawn--you have brought so much joy to 2010!)