February misc

It was so much fun watching the Super bowl this year since Jake's 2 favorite teams were playing each other. It was such a great game. We had an enjoyable afternoon at the Skeens watching it with the Searles, Alsups, Bundys and Jess & Brad. The banner I'm holding was a prize that Jaken won, but he was swayed very easily to give it to me by me offering him $20 for it! That had Jake's name written all over it, and it's hanging in his room right now just waiting for him to come home and love on it.

This is what the snow situation looked the first part of February! Not a drop of snow. It was an incredibly warm and dry winter and I could not have been happier about it!

I planned a fun Valentines themed daddy/daughter dinner party for my 3 activity days girls and their dads. They all had a great time.

I finished my second blog book and was so happy when it came in the mail. It's a lot of work, but the finished product just can't be beat! This is the front...

and this is the back.

Mike has the easiest hair in the world to cut. Every hairdresser always says how easy and quick his hair is to cut. So he got tired of trying to fit haircuts into his schedule and having to pay $10-15 every 5 or 6 weeks for a 5 minute haircut. Since Jake has perfected the art of cutting his own hair since he's been on his mission, and since Brad cuts his own hair, Mike thought he'd give it a try. So, with Brad's help (and clippers) he did.There was more to it than he thought, and it took longer than if he would have had it done professionally, but he's willing to keep trying it. One important lesson he learned is to ditch the towel and shirt and cut it w/ no shirt on.

It was a thrilling day when Jake's official release date arrived in the mail. But I still can't think about it too much yet...

After almost 2 months of no snow, it was very fun to get this beautiful snow storm. Just knowing it won't stick around for too long makes it so much more bearable.

Yevon's 60th birthday celebration

Von turned 60 on March 5, so planned a fun weekend to celebrate. Our cousin Janis volunteered her awesome new home in Springville in Hobble Creek Canyon for the occasion. So what had previously been a weekend with just the sisters and mom, turned into a weekend with nieces as well. Those who came were: mom, me, Jess, Janet, Syd, Tina, Linny, Jamie, Rachel, Madi and Chelsea. Some of us arrived on Thursday night and the rest came at different times Friday.  It was so much fun to stay in the biggest house I've ever been in and have so much space for everyone.

This is the master bedroom where Jess and I stayed. It was so beautiful. The view out the windows of the mountain was just gorgeous. However, if I lived there, I would have to put curtains up immediately!

The 7 acres surrounding the house are so cool. It was fun to walk around and check everything out.

After taking a lovely walk in the canyon Friday morning, we went to lunch at an awesome restaurant in downtown Springville, then checked out the Springville museum which was really cool.

The rest of the day was spent being outside enjoying the awesome weather, going for another walk (just me and Janet), making a craft, visiting, eating dinner and playing a trivia game about Yevon.

The next day most of us went for another walk in the canyon, which was so wonderfully refreshing and fun.

We got ready for the day and straightened the house, then had a make up demonstration by the beautiful and talented Chelsea. I need to step up my makeup routine...

We then all met at an amazing Thai restaurant in Orem joined by Rick, Janis, some of Rick's family and a few of Von's friends. We had a lovely lunch (Rick's treat-that was so sweet of him) and all shared a memory with Von or something we admire or appreciate about her. It was so neat to hear everyone's tribute to an amazing person. I loved it.



This group then went to the awesome outlet stores across from Thanksgiving point.(It looks like I'm the only one who bought anything... but I wasn't!)

It was such a fun weekend and I'm so happy I was able to spend it with so many people I love. Thanks Von for being such a wonderful, caring, concerned and supportive sister.

The 3 boys I miss the most

I haven't done an update on the boys for awhile. They are both doing well. Cam's biggest challenge after trying to learn Spanish has been trying to stay warm. He's been shocked at how cold it is there- especially when it's windy. But he's LOVING Chicago and being able to explore it a little on Pdays. Here are some pictures from the past 2 months...

This is his buddy Elder Forbush who was in his district in the MTC. They're serving near each other, so share the same church and get to see each other at least once a week.

 He got asked to baptize Manuel (on his right) because he had been taught by the Hermana's, so asked Cam if he would baptize him. He was so happy to do so!
 

 
This is Jake w/ one of his favorite companions Elder Silva who came back to visit and attend a baptism after he had completed his mission.

Jake loved his 3 months spent in Mountlake Terrace.
Jake and one his companions Elder Anderson
 
With another of his favorite companions- Elder Boyd at a mission Christmas devotional.
 
Getting fed Cafe Rio sweet pork burritos with his comp Elder Thompson at the Hendricks- an awesome member family.

Hahaha- this sign was posted at one of the churches during the week before the Super Bowl.

These are the packages I sent the boys for Valentines day.

Who could ever see too many pictures of this adorable baby. Look at that face! Isn't he the cutest? The first few are from his 6 month photo shoot that Kylee did. I think they turned out so good!


 



 


 
He's always so smiley.

This is what he looked like one day when Ky went to get him after a nap. Still smiley even with spit up all over his face!

What a cool dude.



This may be the cutest picture of all time. It makes my heart melt.

He's doing the army crawl and he often manages to get himself stuck..

He loves his giraffe binky for naps and bedtime. 
He does this funny snorting with his nose scrunched up just like Kylee did at that same age! I think it's adorable.



Those teeth!

His parents must be starving him...



Is there a more perfect face anywhere in the world?