LET IT SNOW!!! :)

This has been the BEST winter snow experience of ALL TIME. At least for me. And I've had a lot of really GREAT winter experience. Come on, I love in UTAH of all places. Greatest Snow On Earth. We have had 17 inches of snow fall in the last two days. It's a total Winter Wonderland. INSPIRING! I think the reason that I have loved this storm is the fact that I don't have to go ANYWHERE. I'm a Stay At Home Mom and loving it. Loving it because I can stay home and not go anywhere if I want. In the past driving in the snow was my biggest fear. Now, I love when it snows. I love how quiet it gets and how bright the nights are when it snows. 

It defiantly helps that we have the right equipment and lots of helpers in the neighborhood. Brett's family lives across the street. So, we have Grandpa on his four wheeler, cousin Ashley on his big tractor  and Brett on his four wheeler. Between the three of them, they have created the best snow mound. Perfect for snow forts. 

Ethan had a blast on the tractor with Ashley.

 (Brett's family has a few old fashioned names for their men. Cousin Ashley and Grandpa Clair)

He even almost fell asleep.  He finally came in the house because he was too cold. 

We have been having a BLAST making snow forts and playing in the snow. 

 

As I have thought back on ALL the winters that i have had here in Utah. There is one that I always wonder about. I remember walking outside to go to church when I was LITTLE and the snow being taller than me. It was like walking through a maze to get to the car. 

Ringing in the New Year

For New Years we headed up Hebar Canyon and rang in the New Year with Brett's family. About five years ago we started this family tradition. It is SO cold but SO much fun. We stay in one of the cabins at the Hebar Valley Camp. We eat great food, stay up playing games, watch movies, and the best part of all is Sleigh Riding in the snow. My Father In Law Clair has a huge collection of old Runner Sleds. 

We started out walking up the hill with our sleds

riding down the mile long road and by the end of the day we 

tied our selds together and hitched them to the back of Craig's truck and he pulled us up the hill. It was fun going Up and Down. Craig is Brett's oldest brother and he loves a thrill. We were cruising up the hill faster than many of us went down. Don't get me wrong, I have never been with a more carful group of people in  my life. Someone always checked each sled before Craig hit the gas. 

We went up and down the hill a thousand times. 

Todd's favorite was being pulled in a sled by his Grandpa. They made a great pair.

There is nothing better than knowing that you and your kids have such great loving family.

A lot of people are choosing one word to focus on throughout the year. I spent a little time searching for  that right word for me, and came up with... 

I chose inspire because I want to be inspired in so many ways. Health, beauty, joy, creativity and find a way to inspire others. 

I was just called to serve as the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society. Ahhh :[ I just hope that I can do a good job. I have loved serving in the Young Women. I'm going to miss working with them.

Mr. Todd Rod

This little guy has loads of nick names. To name a few, he goes by Todders, Toddable and my most favorite is Todd Rod. One day it just kind of jumped out and is a favorite by many. Mostly, the one who loves it the most is my Dad. His name is Rod. 

Anyway, back to the little guy. He has grown up SO fast. He can walk now and keeps up with his brother pretty good. On the other hand, he has never had so many bumps in his life. The poor little guy. He's had a few really hard falls. He's not so good at stairs yet, so the gate is still up. 

He loves a lot of things. He LOVES to empty drawers. He can empty my lid drawer in minutes. He's a dare devil. We've had to install a lot more safety locks with him. He is loving this winter season.

Playing in the Snow with Grandpa

 He's constantly waiting out the door for Daddy to come home.

His favorite place to play is in the Shower. He runs back and forth and back and forth. I bet one day he will know exactly how many tiles are in the floor.

He is FINALY sleeping through the night. KNOCK ON WOOD. 

He's the biggest flirt, loves to get down and play - which makes the three hours of church seem like FOREVER. Nobody's counting the days until Nursery, right? 

I call him my Little Chipmunk. I often find him with a mouthful of treats. His older brother helps him out with that and he keeps them in his mouth for a long time. 

I am constantly amazed at how much Joy each my boys have brought to my life. I am so grateful for each of them. Grateful for the way they came into my life and grateful the I get to be their Mom.