Vienna's Playgroup

These are Vienna's play group ladies. They have tons of fun together and are definitely learning about sharing and being nice to each other at the same time. It's nice for us mother's of 2 to get the chance to run around with just one child and then have the pleaseure having them all 1 time every 3 weeks. Vienna absolutely LOVES playing with her friends Sloan and Evie

They all had to wear dress up dresses

Our little art project.

Sunday Morning Snow Fort

With church starting later we were able to play in the snow for a bit on Sunday morning. It was so fun and our fort rocked, but it's all melted away with this warm rainy weather yesterday and today.

Muscle women with her icicle

Mike's Bronco hat cracks me up and I have my snowboard goggles on...why???

These exer-saucers are so multi purpose

No pics of the fort, just videos, bummer!

My thoughtful Hubby!

Not only was he the instigator of throwing me a surprise 80's B-day party with the ladies, but he took me out for dinner and then...a night out of Spanish dancing that included lessons. This is HUGE for both of us. He has never really danced before and I use to do it all the time and LOVE it so this was super impressive that he was willing to put himself out there and take me. I wish we could afford a babysitter so we could go every weekend. It's every Friday night with lessons at 8 and then dancing from 9 until the wee hours. If only....It was so FUN!

Spur of the Moment!

Spur of the moment last Saturday we decided to take Vienna to Disney on Ice. Spur of the moment like, 2:00pm we looked at ticket prices and at 5:30 we were dropping Lincoln off for the 7:00 show.
It was great! We rode the train down, which she seemed to enjoy!

On the train

Pretty good for seats too!

She was mesmerized! It was amazing to see her so still for so long!

Mike trying to capture the moment

We saw Ariel, Rapunzel, Merida and Belle.

Daddy with his little princess. She was so tired on the way home, luckily we took her Giraffe.

These photos come from miss Jenny Fitzner...we were able to drop Lincoln off there and Lincoln and Abbott got to do some bonding. This reminds me of the good 'ol days with Milo and Vienna.

We plan to go next year for sure!

2013...a New Year!

 Despite the fact that its the 22nd of January I have had my resolve for 2013 near the beginning the month, but I had to catch up on so many other blogs that now was the time. 


A few weeks ago I made a FB post that said something along the lines of deserving to be fired as a mother. Of course I got several comments and responses but a long lost friend in one of my single adult wards who now lives in Australia wrote something that really touched me. She wrote...

Motherhood is about self imporvement. You've got to be tried to your patience limit to recgnize you need to develope more patience. Motherhood brings out the worst in us so we have t an opportunity to master ourselves in areas we didnt even know we had weaknesses in.

Thankfully under all the frustration, motherhood also continually increase our capacity to love more that we knew possible. The love motivates us to improve for those amazing little people that deserve the best. 

Have confidence in your ability to change, improve and gain patience. Don't let guilt discourage you, use it to motivate  and then move on. You can do it!

In thinking more about this comment and my actions and in reading some church articles I have kept for years that have meant something special to me at various times one particular phrase has stuck with me from an article called "The Daily Cross." It is from a few verses in Ether. It's Ether 12: 27 & 37. To sum it up it is, "MY WEAKNESS CAN BECOME MY STRENGTH" and so my motto and resolve for 2013 isn't just 'CAN' become it is "MY WEAKNESS WILL BECOME MY STRENGTH"

I know that with the Lord's help I can overcome any weakness I have, but I also know that it will take my constant effort, and that is the toughest part. 

I want to take a minute to bear my testimony about being a mother and raising my precious children. I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father that has allowed me the blessing of having 2 of His amazing spirits come into our home and lives. I know that being apart of a family and having my own family is all apart of God's plan of happiness, meant for all of His children. I know that my role as a mother is divine and because of this I need to seek divine direction and guidance in order to fulfill my role properly. How grateful I am to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father that is there waiting to hear my pleas for direction but also my moments of love and laughter too. Knowing all these things makes me happy and confident to raise children in this day and age with the world the way it is. How grateful I am for this knowledge and to have His gospel here on the earth today with a Prophet to be His spokesperson. Thank you Vienna and Lincoln for all that you have taught me, will teach me and for your unconditional love towards me despite my weaknesses. I love you both so much and hope to have the opportunity to love more sweet Spirits and learn from them also. 

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I'm 30??? How did that Happen???

My wonderful husband was the master mind behind the 80's themed party along with some brainstorming and follow through with my great lady friend Jenny! She loves to through party's and took lots of time to make this a blast! We not only did karaoke and a wii dance competition game but we also did helium karaoke and played different games. It was a blast! And sure brought out the wild side of us.

Kyla, Megan, Liesl, Ralae and Jenny

Me

Meghan and Abby

From this group shot we are missing 1 lady, Laurel who left before we took the picture.

Meghan is quite a party animal and has the best poses for pictures. She also throws some of the best parties as well.

Yep, we really are crazy!

Jenny - she is such a crack up and my fellow Canadian friend!

Charlie's Angel's...heck ya!

BUNKO!!!

It's a monthly thing, there are 12 of us, we each host a month out of the year. it is $10 a Month and it is so great! I want to have a bunko group where ever I move that is how much I enjoy and need it.

Back: Liesl, Nichole, Angela, Kailee and Ellie
Middle: Jenny, Emily, Kyla, me, Wendy
Front: Kolt and Ralae

Family photos

Of course while we were up there we had to take family photos and take advantage of my amazingly talented sister...and considering we were in Calgary in December the weather was endurable.We had lots of fun being goof balls and making sure we got some "real" photos.

This is the main one on our picture wall

Keeping him warm while waiting.

Lincoln just not quite tall enough, but just a few blinks and he will be.

Love this one as well.

Oh and this one too. Thanks so much Lanae...you seiuosly rock my world. Tell you what...I'll pay you with a Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving!!?? and of course Black Friday shopping!! (Not that great of a deal as you have to get here but it sounds good to me.)

This is the whole clan and I'm sure the next time we are all together it will be at least 2-3 kiddos bigger.

All the boys...they really are so handsome aren't they

Absolute goofs...

The ladies...we all look so proper.

what are we doing?

This one is my favorite goofy one, but they are all good.

Of course the photographer's (and starters - Sarah) wanted to take this shot and I really love it. Vienna says, "you are all tangled Mommy. why?"

It really is a shame I live so far away from my siblings and that my kiddos are so far from their auntie's and uncle's and Grandparents, but it won't be forever...I promise!

Christmas Day!

Oh it was a nice morning and day all together!We didn't have tons of gifts but there was still much giving.

One gift I have been wanting for a few years now was a story with all the additions that my Mom would read to us on Christmas Eve. It's called "Teach the Children" and it's Santa telling the story. It is so good in reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas. This year my Mom did indeed get them all together for each one of her kids and I can't wait to do it with my family starting next Christmas. We convinced Mom to read it on Christmas morning and Vienna was very intrigued.

She was given this cute toque that looks like braids when she wears it and she got the cute denim dress too

I think this is my favorite picture. She got this shirt from her Auntie Nae and uncle Trevor and of course I had just put on the Denim dress and then she wanted me to put this on her and these shoes she got for Christmas from Grandma Peggy. She went like this for quite a wile. Quite the style eh!

This handsome boy loved his ball and is wearing a merry Christmas shirt. H-A-N-D-S-O-M-E!!!

Christmas day games!

It looks like...WIZARD

Michael being his silly self.

I think it was Trevor that lost this one and he had to go out side and jump on the tramp with no jacket or shoes (I think?) Either way it was fun and Lincoln woke up but played very well in his Jolly Jumper so I could actually play the whole game.

The last couple of days went by too quickly as usual but at the same time we were ready to get to our own home and our own beds, even though it is so far away. We had a wonderful holiday and hope that we will all be able to be together again sooner than later. 

WE LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!

Christmas Eve

 The festivities officially began on the 22nd when Lanae and Trevor arrived, because that is when everyone was finally together. Unfortunately we had to share Dane and Sarah with her family too, but that's just how it goes and we completely understood, just missed them.On the 22nd most of the Ryan's were able to come over for an afternoon of FUN! We sure love that crew and have great times together. Then it was games and other things until Christmas Eve.

Luckily Grandma Betty was able to make it up from Cardston on Christmas Eve Day with Sarah and as soon as they arrived it was Turkey dinner time!!!

Hanging out with Grams waiting for Dinner

Our little family!

This is all day every day, its so fun to watch!

Trevor and Lanae made us a yummy Mexican dinner of tostadas and they brought Bezzer wizzer (or something like that) which was also very fun and they brought quelf which is an absolutely ridiculous game, I can't even get over it, but it was a riot. Exhausting but a riot. We are so happy to have Trevor apart of our family.

Dad about to carve the turkey and Mom about to make gravy

Lincoln with his Auntie Chubbs

Vienna with Uncle Dane and Auntie Sarah (who she fell in love with after Sarah let her brush her hair. You are too nice Sarah dear)

Vienna got to sit beside one of her favorite people for dinner...Nan. I'm so glad she was able to join us.

I love this photo of Lincoln trying to Jam with his Uncle Ben

Lincoln in his Christmas Eve PJ's that I absolutely LOVE.

Lincoln went to bed while Vienna got loads of attention from all her Uncles who swung her around in blankets and she laughed and laughed and just kept going and going...

So it's been a tradition to open new PJ's on Christmas Eve and as we've gotten older it's gotten tougher to do, but Chubbs had a good idea to do 1 pair per couple and so here we all are, girls in the tops, boys in the bottoms...and Vienna and Grandma of course.

What a bunch of complete goof balls we are, but we had fun!

Being married to Mike is amazing, he is the BEST husband and father EVER! I love you hun!

4 Generation photos are always so special and so neat...I can't believe I didn't get any with Nan & Grandad but at least I have this one.

Ok so this Christmas Eve was different, we decided not to go to the pageant as it was freezing. We had planned a variety show, where each couple would perform something...no real rules or anything, but it was great! We had such a blast. Mema and papa played a Christmas song and then my Mom put this on and each one of us had to try and get rings around the goal posts. It was a riot. Only Trevor and Mike got a ring on but Mike's was worth more points so he won...

This crazy Monkey hat! Good job Mikey!