A big day for Gracie!!!

This is cute little Gracie's back today -- She went in for an allergy test. When she was only a couple months old, she had awful eczema on her skin-- Two of our other kiddos had allergy problems and so they told us that she had a milk allergy and put her right on SOY -- She's been on it ever since and also has never had any dairy -- cheese, yogurt, ice cream etc. Today we took her in now that she is 18 mo. (almost) and wanted to see what exactly she is allergic to since her eczema is still really bad-- Well...turns out...she is NOT allergic to anything!!! HooraY! Just has sensitive skin that we need to continue to treat with prescription creams! We can handle that! I was so extatic! No more restrictions..no more soy!

When we got home she got up in her chair for a little snack! Can you say CHEEEEESE! She loved it!

Then for FHE we took her to 31 Flavors for her first official ICE CREAM CONE!

She had it gripped so tight it was almost impossible to get her cleaned up == She wouldn't even let us try and take the wrapper off the cone!

Sunday Jam!

Bountiful Baskets had this lovely case of strawberries that I picked up on Saturday -- Perfect for JAM! A Sunday afternoon is a perfect time to make Jam with the girls!

Aubs loved cutting the tops off

Kels did too and of course we ate a few too!

A few licks are always in order when the jam is done!

Now it's done and ready to freeze! We officially have a happy freezer again!

Snowy Saturday!

On Saturday morning I did a shoot for a family that wanted a "snowy scene" It could not have been a more perfect morning for it! I got to a favorite location of mine and had a few minutes to myself to just enjoy the beauty of the morning and the things around me! I love the quiet beauty of freshly fallen snow!

SCRIPTURE ACTIVITY

I owe this great guy so much! Last weekend he agreed to sing in Church with me -- Love at home-- And this weekend -- He played Joseph Smith in our Primary activity! Doesn't he look great!?

Yesterday we had a Primary activity -- SCRIPTURE POWER! WE asked our hubbies to help us out and bless their hearts-- they were so willing and wonderful -- And our old Bishop got in on the fun too! We wanted the scriptures to "come to life" and they did! They all rotated through in groups to Nephi, Alma, and Samuel the Lamanite and then ended with Joseph Smith and Mornoni

At the end the kids sang scripture power and all the prophets sang too!

This is the little "take home" we sent with the kids-- Made out of Hershey's miniatures and a little glue, paper, and cardstock!

Karate Karaoke

I was setting up for a shoot the other day and Carter had just walked in from karate and had grabbed his little guitar and jumped in -- How could I resist!

Dinner with my high school crew!

It is so fun to have friends that you've know for forever! (My friend Michelle (lower left) and I have grown up together since age 5--and across the table- Erin and I were in Kindergarten together, and Stace-top left-- We've been friends since Jr. high and share the same maiden name so we always sat together) and we were all friends in high school-- missing 2 (one couldn't make it and the other in CO) but it was like old times -- We went to Robintinos in Bountiful and had a great night! Love them!

Valentine's Fun

The Friday before Valentines we went out to spend an evening with our friends the Petersons! We had French dips and frosted Valentine cookies! Always a great time with them!

Sunday night we had our Valentine dinner -- Ry had to go out of town early on V-Day so we had it the night before and G&G came too! We had our traditional steak and crab dinner-- The crab is not a hit with Aubs and I but we do it for the ones we love!

My Mom started a V-Day tradition that we have carried on and love it every year! I create a little treasure hunt with clues that take the kids all over the house to find their little Valentine from Mon and Dad.

Monday the kids got home from school with a LOAD of candy and valentines! Brings back the memories! They had fun looking through their loot!

Monday night was a little wierd without Daddy but I asked the kids what they would love for dinner -- Of course-- their FAV--Tomato soup and cheese sandwiches! Couldn't complain! pretty easy! So I made the sandwiches heart sandwiches and we had valentine punch with heart ice and of course -- not complete without chocolate and strawberries!

More EAGLES!!!!

I went back now that I have my zoom lens and found more Eagles out! They were everywhere and so amazing to watch and listen to!

They were feeding on Carp and you can hear them actually hear them crunching! Gross but so cool!

Caught some in flight!

a few on a log

A carp breakfast

the lone Eagle

The old Creekside crew

Had a great time with my old group of friends on Creekside Way in Kaysville!

Went to KNEADERS and had such a fun time catching up!

Sunday night fun!

We went to Ry's parents for a B-day dinner for Grandma O. We thought it might be fun to bring the Chinese lanterns Ry got for Chinese New Year! We lit off a couple to celebrate Grandma's day! It was so much fun!

Ry is in heaven with this stuff!

They went so high!

Up, up and away!

A pic with Grandma and her great grandkids!

and of course a few Super Bowl commercials too!

The Eagles are back!!!

The Eagles are back out in Farmington Bay! You have to go! It is the most amazing thing you will ever see! We went out Saturday and there were about 40-50 of them! The only bad part was the fact that I didn't have my zoom lens with me! I have to pick it back up from getting fixed -- But here are a few shots that are still amazing from afar!

5 of them on a log--

A bald eagle in the middle of a flock of seagulls!

Cute little bird with something that it's captured to eat!

Grandma got to come too and had a cute little co-pilot for a minute!

We'll miss Grandma Gwen!

Rosie (my step Mom) and her Mom Gwen-- This was taken a few years ago when we visited her in Tucson. She is one of the most dear ladies I have ever met and even though she is our Grandma by marriage -- We love her just the same! She was 95 years old and just passed away this week. Her funeral is in Escalante this Friday.

Our kids just adored her!

This is a picture I snapped of Carter going on a walk with her-- "Stay Sweet" is something she would always say to little children and this is the picture they put on the back of her program-- I love those words of wisdom!