Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning came late this year! My bedroom at my parents house is in the basement. There are no windows so if the door is closed you don't know if it is night or day. Tyler and Katie didn't get up until 9 o'clock. It was nice to be able to sleep in. We didn't buy them a lot of toys this year because they have everything already and really don't need more. I think they really liked what they got considering they are still playing with them.

Making their way up stairs.

Katie and her baby doll and stroller.
She loves that stroller. She wants to sit in it herself and be pushed around.

The cowboy and the princess

Yeah! Panties for potty training.....wish us luck.

We had a great Christmas! It was nice to be able to spend it with family and in nice warm weather.

Cowboys

For Christmas Tyler became a cowboy! He wanted to be just like his Grandpa Clonts. Santa was really nice to Tyler this year. He got a cowboy hat, shirt, wranglers and of course cowboy boots. He looks so dang cute in them. He wants to wear them all the time, unfortunately in the snow, that isn't going to happen.

My two favorite cowboys.

Cowboy Tyler

The infamous barn and tractor where everyone takes pictures in Safford. Luckily for us, we own it and don't have to TRESPASS!

Winter Time

Oh what do you do in the winter time
When all the world is white
Do you build a snowman
or throw some snowballs
or FREEZE your hiney off......
is that what you do
so do I.

It started snowing today. This is the 3rd storm we have had this season and probably the most snow we have received as well. The kids really wanted to go outside. I knew it wouldn't last long but they had fun for the 5 minutes they were out there.

Trip to Ohio

I know I am way behind on blogging so tonight I thought I would attempt to catch up. I know it isn't going to happen, but I thought I would try.

In October Brad had a business trip in Cleveland so I tagged along. Perfect vacation. All I had to pay for was the plane ticket, some food, and the car rental. My parents were gracious enough to watch Tyler and Katie for us so no worries there.

While Brad worked all day, I toured Ohio. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see much of it but what I did was beautiful, not to mention it was fall and in the East, it is amazing. I have never seen such colors before. I absolutely loved it.

I was able to visit Kirtland Ohio, where the pioneers settled for awhile before moving on to Nauvoo. I went to Nelson Township where my great great grandfather lived for a short time. I went to Columbus and did a session in the Columbus Temple and I visited Amish Country. Most of the time I just drove to look at whatever I could see. When Brad got off work, we toured downtown Cleveland. We visited a couple of museums which happened to be free, I was able to take him to Kirtland as well. It was a great trip. It was nice to relax and see a different part of the country.

Brace yourself for mass pictures.

Aren't the fall colors beautiful. The wonderful gifts we have been given from Heavenly Father.

Cleveland Skyline

Flower at the Kirtland Temple

A path outside Nelson Township

Nelson Township Road

Sun flare in Kirtland

creek by Amish country

Lighthouse

Town Square in Nelson Township

School of Prophets in Kirtland Ohio. This is where Joseph Smith Jr taught the brethren.

This is in Martin Harris' home where Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Newel K Whitney Store in Kirtland. This was the center of Kirtland when the pioneers lived there.

The Ashery in Kirtland. An amazing place. Would love to share everything I learned but there it too much information.

Squire Castle

Amish Country

Amish Buggy. I was so fascinated by their buggies. I felt like I was stalking them. Nicest people you will ever meet. I can't imagine living without electricity, vehicles, telephones, washers, dryers....all the things we take for granted everyday.

I have pictures of the Kirtland Temple and Columbus Temple. I will post those tomorrow on the photography blog. Check them out.

Families are Forever

A friend of mine from high school recently lost her little boy to an accident. He was a happy little boy. Although I didn't know him, I could see how he enjoyed life to the fullest by the smile on his face, especially in his eyes. Dylan was 6 years old, just a year older than Tyler. Tonight as I was lying with Tyler it occurred to me Dylan's mom will not have the opportunity to tuck in her little boy again in this life. That idea pulls at my heart. I ache for her and her family. I mourn with them. But, at the same time, I am SOOO thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which helps us to know we can be Families FOREVER! Through the sealing power we can be an eternal family, not just here in this life, but in the next life. The bond we share continues even beyond the grave. I can't imagine losing a child, it would be a one of if not the toughest trial to go through.
I am so thankful for my little family. I am thankful Brad and I have been sealed for eternity. I love him with all my heart. I am thankful for Tyler and Katie and for the sweet spirit they bring to our home.

I know, without a doubt the Gospel of Jesus Christ is TRUE! I know God lives. I know we have a Savior Jesus Christ who loves each of us and gave his life so that we will have the opportunity to be resurrected and live again. Our Savior loves us and he has a plan for us.

To Darylin, David and the rest of the Farar family. We love you! We pray you will have the strength and comfort needed to lift you every day.

Family Home Evening

With this week being Thanksgiving, I wanted to make sure we talked about it so our lesson for Family Home Evening was on Thanksgiving. We talked about what it meant to be thankful. Not quite sure Tyler and Katie understand yet, but I know they will soon. I had them tell me something they were thankful for. I then read a story from the Friend called "A Second Thanksgiving". It really brought home the point of how we should be thankful. At the end of the story it said Elder Bednar encouraged us to have a "thankful prayer", where we only thank Heavenly Father for what we have been given and ask for nothing in return. I think this is something I am going to try and do. I think it will help me to remember to be more grateful.

I read this quote from another blog (beinglds) quoting President Hinckley,

“When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives."

I hope I can remember to be more thankful.
For our activity, we made a turkey hat and on each feather we wrote something we were thankful for. Tyler wrote: zoo animals, grand parents, home etc
Katie wrote: grandparents, toys & books, home, Jesus etc

I am thankful for so many things but just to name a few:
My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
Brad, Tyler and Katie
Brad's job
Our home
Family

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

#70

Floss every day for one month.

I am so excited to say I have completed this goal.
My teeth and gums definitely feel better and I love having clean teeth all the time. I have continued to floss even after the 30 days so I think this was a great goal for me.