Sammi

Here is Sammi's second grade picture Some random Sammi . . . :-)

Slow Down!

Daniel's Kindergarten Picture

and Daniel over the years . . .

I cannot believe how quickly my young ones are growing up! I want them to stop growing, stay eternally young, sweet, and with me! I know I am wrong in my wish, but sometimes I am just overwhelmed by my love for them right now -- I don't want them to change! But change is good, and I must help them grow, and eventually they will leave my mother nest and fly on their own. It is all happening too quickly for my liking. I love this time of life, I know it will never return to us again. I can look back over all of the years, and though some were harder than others, they were all sweet, and a true gift. I am in awe of life. I am in awe of family. I am amazed what sweet joy can be found in family life. It is where true happiness is found. I told my Young Women on Sunday, "Marriage and family is not like the fairy tales, and the "happily ever afters". It is better, much better! I cannot explain how, or why -- but one day, I pray you will find out!" I sure love my family. It makes me burst with joy when I think about them! I am so grateful that they are mine -- Forever!

A Feeling in the Air

I can feel the holidays in the air! I baked chocolate chip pumpkin bread, and the scent swept me away -- into the most glorious season of the year. :-) The leaves are slowly changing color, and the air is crisp in the morning. I LOVE this time of the year! I am going to savor each day of Fall!

Pictures of Fall in Spokane

New Calling

The entire Young Women's Presidency was released on Sunday, and a new one was called. I am no longer the secretary (which I actually LOVED!) Now, I get to teach the Laurels! AWESOME! I am SO excited! I LOVE to teach, and the Laurels are the perfect age! We only have 3 girls in the class, much like when I was in YW -- but they are such great girls! Anyhow, I am totally thrilled with the new calling, and I actually love change, so it will be fun to get to know the newly called women! :-)

Wives and Lovers :-)

So, the reason I am playing this song in the background (Wives and Lovers) is because I was just talking about it with a friend, and how silly it is! I listen to a radio station on-line all day -- it plays music like Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. I LOVE it! It can actually change my mood! It is really, really great! Anyhow, I had heard this song before and Charles and I both crack-up about it. :-)

I am all about making a happy home for our family and Charles, and I really do make a great effort to be "ready" for him to come home (clean home, food ready, etc.) However, he is usually greeted with a pony-tail, and jeans (if he is lucky!) :-) I try to brush through my hair (maybe) and mascara is a bonus. :-) I know, what a lucky guy! :-) Then, when he gets home, he rushes to the room and throws off his suit, and finds his pajamas! :-) It is time to relax and be home! YES!

It is a different time now . . . thank goodness! I am all about happy-homemaking -- I really am!! In heels and a dress?? Not going to happen!

Super-Bun!

We totally love our little Bun-Bun! (William picked the name.) :-) She has grown a little bit, but she will not grow very much -- she is a little dwarf bunny. :-) I love the smallness of her! She is so fun to watch! She has been discovering her hop lately. She loves to hop on the kids lap and hang out with them. Anyhow, last night, as we were watching a movie, Bun-Bun started coming for the couch and standing on her hind legs to see what was up there. She saw Charles and guess what she did? She took a flying leap all the way up on the couch! It was amazing! I mean, she is a very tiny bunny, and it was a HUGE hop! She loves Charles and has claimed him as her own (she peed on him when we first brought her home). :-) She loves to snuggle with him. It was really so fun to see her find her hop! We have a Super-Bunny! I am surprised at how much I love her! :-)

Music

If you do not want to listen to the music, scroll down to the very bottom and press pause. :-)

A Little Disney Magic

This video is of the fireworks show at Disneyland. The video is a little long ... just so you know. :-) Each time that I have seen the show, I always end up crying (happily) in amazement. I am always astonished at what inspired men and women are capable of creating. I remember seeing this show right before we started Law school. We had just moved from Alaska and had sold everything we owned. We were at the beginning of a very strange, unknown journey. The phrase "dreams do come true" meant a lot to me at the time, and it still does. :-) I love Disneyland. I love to see what great dreams, and great imagination can create! AWESOME!!

If you have never seen the show, it should not ruin it for you. If you do go -- it is AMAZING when you are actually there! The show highlights many of the famous Disneyland rides and takes you on a little journey of Disneyland through the ages. I think it is so neat how they used the Castle as a prop! :-) I think my favorite part of the show is the Indiana Jones ride part :-) I love the fire!

Make sure and let it load fully, so it does not stall while trying to watch. :-)

A Pirate's Life . . . Yo Ho!

I thought this video was pretty fun. :-)

The Holidays are Coming!

I can't wait! :-) I love seeing pumpkins and Halloween decorations everywhere! They are already in the stores! :-) Just a few more weeks and I will get into it too. I lit a yummy candle the other day (apple pie) and it started feeling like my favorite time of the year! Woo-Hoo!

Bunny Love :-)

When we were at the pet store, I had Charles hold our bunny (I knew if he held a bunny, he could not leave without it) and she warmed right up to him -- and he to her. It was love at first sight. ;-) (I am not too jealous.) I actually love to see Charles with small cuddly things; babies, bunnies, etc. He is so sweet with them. He grew up with animals, he has a special love for them.
This is where the bunny (still no name, yet) hangs out during movie time. :-)


Will was cracking me up. He tries to be "soft" but it is more of a whack than a love. I will be letting bunny free when Willy is sleeping. :-) He was obviously jealous too -- it was really funny. He was dancing in circles, and doing the silliest things for a bit of attention -- it was like bringing a new baby into the home. He is warming up to the bunny, and as the bunny-thrill wears off a bit, and the bunny becomes a normal part of life, I am sure Willy will be happy and make peace with the new moving toy. :-)

Hoppy Day!

About 2 weeks ago we went to a local store that sells lawn products, pets, etc. We went in to find some things for our yard. While we were there we saw the cutest little bunnies. First let me say, I am not an animal person!! -- never have been. But when I saw these tiny bunnies -- I was actually tempted! Anyhow, we were able to walk away that day, without a bunny. We try not to make impulse-buying decisions. Especially for something that is living, and will live for over 7 years! I came home and did some research on-line about little dwarf bunnies, and I let some time pass. Well, today we decided to go take another "look" at the bunnies. Well, we looked, and after Charles held this particular little bunny, we were hooked! (Charles LOVES animals!) So, our little bunny friend has a new home! It is so funny! She has a little cage set up in the kids room, and we will let her out during the day for some bunnersize! It is so funny to watch her hop! She had a hard time at first on our hardwood floor, but she got the hang of it! The cool thing about these small bunnies is they can be litter-box trained (yes!) and they are hypo-allergenic. I NEVER would have thought I would ever bend to becoming an animal owner, but, well, these bunnies really got me! I am in awe of the bunny cuteness! They are very easy to take care of, which I am grateful for! (I know it will be me doing the real taking care-of.) Now for a name . . . Hmmmm . . . . .

Mom - I guess I will have to get one of the Young Women in my ward to be a bunny-sitter after all! Ha!