Spring Breakin'

Just a warning-this post is somewhat of a marathon. But we were gone for a week and had a ton of fun. So here it is. Spring Break 2010!!

We were invited to go to spring break with two families-and since we decided that the weather would be better in St. George than here in Idaho Falls, it was really a no brainer.

We left Friday morning and headed down. A short stop in Salt Lake (and In -N- Out) and we were off again.

We were sharing a two bedroom, two bathroom condo with our friends who have 6 kids. So, their 6 plus our 4 would equal 10 kids and 4 adults. It was a blast. (And I mean it. It was really fun.)

The first morning was spent at the pool and then the grocery store. You know-we had to buy food for the week for 14 people. And we did it with one shopping cart-and full arms. But we did it.

Our roommates took off on Saturday afternoon for Vegas and we were invited by our other friends to go to the St. George temple and do initiatory. It was so beautiful there and we had a wonderful experience. We had a BBQ with them later that night, watched a little basketball, and called it a day.

Sunday morning, we headed to Vegas as well for a much anticipated visit with Mitch and Sarah, Ari and Jack. Danny and Rachel were also there and we were all able to go to church together. Sunday is when things with my grandpa really went downhill. The family met to decide what they wanted to do and they decided to take him off of the ventilator. We all knew that it would probably be his last day. What a blessing it was to have strength in numbers that day as we were able to be together. We ate dinner after church and then Danny and Rach left for St. George. The rest of us decided to go to the Las Vegas temple and walk around the grounds. It was a beautiful night. We ended the day with brownies and ice cream. And the news that our sweet grandpa had indeed passed away.

The kids always have so much fun together. My kids absolutely adore Ari and Jack and just can't get enough of them when we get to be together.

Monday morning took us back to St. George and back with our friends. The kids were all swimming when we got to where our friends were staying and Pacie "accidentally fell" into the pool. Well, that started all of them jumping into the pool in their clothes. I didn't have my camera-but that would've been a picture worthy moment.

After the pool and lunch, we decided to go on a trail ride. Now, with the other family with us, (there was 8 of them as well) our grand total became 22. We all piled onto dirtbikes and 4-wheelers and took off into the red rock wilderness of St. George. I had Presley and Parker with me to start with and we all kind of played musical machines after that. We rode for quite a while and ended up on top of a mountain. It was really fun and bumpy. But all of the kids did great. By the time we got back, ate dinner and had everyone cleaned up-it was bedtime again.

On Tuesday, everyone decided to go on a hike to see petroglyphs. I felt that after my previous day of bouncing around on the 4-wheeler, I should probably take it easy. So I stayed behind with Rachel and her girls while Scott took our four kids along with the other families on the hike. The weather was absolutely perfect. They had a great time. And the picture with all of the kids on the fence makes me laugh. All of those kids from three mommies.

Rachel and I went to the Visitors Center and then down to the pool for a couple of hours for some much needed sun soaking.

When everyone got back, they decided it was still early enough for them to go swimming again-so in they jumped. Presley was the funniest. She was floating around on a noodle all by herself and was just kicking around the whole pool. Not a care in the world. Scott was trailing her, but she did great!!

On Wednesday, the weather took a turn for the blustery and rainy. In the morning, the three couples went to an early session at the temple. It was a wonderful experience to be there and to think about my Grandpa and where he was at-a much better place.

"The guys" all went riding after that while the girls hung out with the kids, made cinnamon rolls (not me, my friend and they were GOOD) and basically just relaxed. When the guys got home, it was the girls turn to go shopping for about an hour and then home we came.

We left Thursday morning at 7am to make it home in time for my Grandpa's viewing. The following pictures may be my favorite of the trip. We obviously had a wonderful time!! And here is Scott's "going home" face too. Because after a vacation like that-you really do feel a little like this!!

(And yes, that is snow outside the windows. We had been in 70+ degrees and drove home through a blizzard all the way to Idaho Falls.)

Thanks to the Yecks and the Murdochs for such a fun week. It really was a great time.

Grandpa Landon

(This is the most recent picture I have of my grandpa. It was at Parker's baptism on

February 6th, 2010. He passed away on March 28th, 2010.)

This past week, my Grandpa Landon passed away at the age of 82. He was a wonderful man, who I love dearly and who will be greatly missed by all.

I grew up just down the road from my grandpa. One walk through a pasture and I was at their house, watching him garden, helping him pick berries, or watching him help my grandma make their latest quilt. He was a pro at cutting fabric squares for their many many quilts.

I remember as a young girl getting piggy back rides from my grandpa and always loved the way he teased us. He was always rough...in play and hugs.

He carried on the tradition with my kids-being such a good great-grandpa to them. They call him grandpapa. (And my grandma Landon "White Grandmama" thanks to her white hair.)

Except for a few years of my life, my grandpa has been not only my neighbor and friend, but a huge supporter of me and my family. He never missed a birthday party, a dance recital, or any blessing or other event that was special to me.

I love him and though he will be greatly missed, I am thankful that he is no longer suffering. He was ill for many years, fighting different battles with his health. Yet, he never complained. I think that none of us really knew just how ill he really was. And my grandma has tirelessly taken care of him and nursed him throughout these last really hard years where things got a little worse month by month.

The last memory I have of him is when Scott and I went to visit him in the hospital. It was a Wednesday and he passed away on a Sunday. On Wednesday, we went up to see him. He was very sick and was on oxygen, but was still very lucid and knew who we were and that we were there to see him. As I left and hugged him good-bye and told him I loved him, through his mask, he said he loved me too. And I know he did.

His funeral was yesterday. It was beautiful.

I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation. I know that he is happy now, and healthy. And that is in a much better place.

I am blessed to have built our home in that pasture that I walked through daily as a little girl. Our kids have the pleasure of growing up between two sets of grandparents. I know that grandmama will need a few more visits and I will probably need some sewing lessons, pie crust making lessons, and bread making lessons.

I love you, Grandpa. Thank you for your legacy.

Here are a few pictures that I found as I was browsing through.

At Presley's blessing, October 2007

Parker's 6th Birthday- January 2008

4th of July, 2006

Halloween, 2008

Christmas Eve, 2009

Halloween, 2009

Parker's 7th Birthday, January 2009

Landon's Birthday, December 18th, 2008

At Matt's foobtall game, Summer 2008

Even when....

Presley may be the death of me.

She refuses to be fully potty trained, yet she also refuses to keep a diaper on. Somedays she wears pull-ups, but mostly not.

She hates to have me dress her. Everything I pick out she hates and fully lets me know how much she does not want to wear whatever I've picked out. If she doesn't like her shirt, she will not take her coat off. If I do manage to get her dressed and out the door in what I want, she changes her clothes the second we get back. Not only does she change but she pulls every single item of clothing out of her drawers to find just the right thing.

Mostly she wants to wear some sort of skirt or dress every single day. And if it is a skirt-it is usually a tutu.

She has to have her blankets put on her at night in the correct order. And every night is different so we never know what to expect.

I have stopped fighting her. Lately she wears whatever she wants. And I just smile and think how grateful I am to have a little girl as strong willed as she is. Now, if I can just learn to harness her stubbornness in the right direction.

And EVEN WHEN, she does things like this:

I still love her more than anything in the world. Because let's face it. With a face like that...who wouldn't be in love?

I've been thinking...

I don't know if it's just getting older or if it is my pregnancy, but lately I've been thinking so much about my little family. About Scott and my kids. And about adding another little girl to this already crazy bunch.

I have been thinking about Landon's twin that we lost and how much different our lives would be right now, had that not been a part of "the plan". (Which I totally believe in, by the way.) I know there was a reason we went through what we did at that time-and that I am still learning lessons from it.

I've been thinking about how Scott and I met (now almost ten years ago) and what a blessing he is to me. (For those of you who don't know "Our Story", the short version is...we met on July 7th and were married on October 6th of the same year. We met while I was working at The Outback Steakhouse and he came in for dinner one fateful Friday night. This is after he was all ready to order at another restaurant-but he was prompted to come to the Outback. Oh, and I wasn't even his server. We literally saw each other from across a crowded room....if you want the whole story, send me an e-mail.) I couldn't be happier! He is such a good husband and dad to our kids and is SO supportive of me and my many obligations: Preschool, dance, volunteering at the school, church calling, housework...the list goes on and on.

I've been thinking why I am so blessed to be able to conceive and carry children with little to no trouble. So many women struggle with issues related to pregnancy. And I am thankful that I have it fairly easy in that area.

I've been thinking about whether or not I am doing enough. Am I teaching my kids enough? Am I giving them enough fun memories? Am I strict enough? Patient enough? Spiritual enough? (Most of my answers to those questions are no-simply because I know I can always do more...)

But most of all, I've been thinking about how truly blessed I am. That is the bottom line. I am blessed. And grateful.

And just because, here are a few random pictures from the last few months that didn't make the first cut onto the blog. Just because I've also been thinking that my kids are pretty dang cute. Not to mention my husband. I think he is definitely getting better with age....

1st Ever Piano Recital

I had a friend accuse me of not blogging as much as I have in the past. This is true. I have found that I don't take as many pictures as I have in the past and therefore, my blog posts are fewer. Maybe I should start my ten for Tuesdays again....

(However, I should ALSO say that said friend's blog has had the same post since NOVEMBER 2009) I'm waiting to see an update....

The preamble was totally off the subject really, so getting down to the real business of this post, here is the girls first ever piano recital. They both did a super job. They both memorized two pieces and played them almost without flaw.

As much as piano practice pains me, and it does, I know that the payoff with be worthwhile when someday they play in church and accompany others. Something that I only wish I could do. It's one of my "I really wish I would've listened to my mother" moments in life. I wish I wouldn't have quit piano to do jumprope....because let's face it. I don't get asked to jumprope very often in Sacrament Meeting...in fact NEVER.

Good job on a great recital girls! We are very proud of you for developing your many many talents.