I HEART working.

Every Tuesday and Thursday mornings I drop Jack off at school and Parker and I take the drive into SLC to go work for an hour and then drive back to get Jack from school. It seems sort of up surd to drive all that way to only work an hour, but the payoffs are so much more than that hour of paid work.

As I was driving in this morning I was overcome with gratitude for my life. The half-hour drive with just Parker and I is total silence. I have time to ponder my thoughts and I use that time to thank my Heavenly Father for the richness of the life He's given to me. It's MY TIME to use however I want. I don't even have to go to work if I don't want, but the thing is I really do enjoy it. There is one part of the drive I especially enjoy...it's turning the corner from I-15 to I-80, you go under the underpass and follow the turning road that opens up and you have the most majestic view of the Wasatch Front mountains. You can see Big and Little Cottonwood canyons as well as many others. One particularly clear and sunny day I rounded that corner to see snow blowing off those mountain peaks...breathtaking. That drive makes me LOVE the beautiful valley we live in even more. Like I said it's my time and this morning was FANTASTIC - I had an ice cold Diet Coke with a "fat" straw and I started off the drive listening to a little Coldplay, just the way to start off a morning in my book. Now I just have to wait until Tuesday morning for another blissful drive!

Dear Parker,

Dear Parker,

You have been in your crib for the past half hour rolling around, bouncing up and down and singing all sorts of na na na's and ma ma ma's. You really do need a nap... I know you aren't fond of taking long naps during the day, but please just a little one would be nice.

I just gave in and went into your room and picked you up. You little stinker just put your head on my chest and were out in a second. You just wanted me to rock you and cuddle you and tell you that things are going to be all right. As much as I'd like you to just doze off by yourself I'm happy to still snuggle you and give you kisses and rock you to a sweet lullaby. Happy nap little one, can't wait until your awake!

Love,
Mom
XOXO

Valentine Delight's

This Valentines Rob and I celebrated with Parker and Jackson with a "fancy" dinner in the formal dining room. I broke out the china and goblets and we enjoyed a very delicious meal. The big treats were, homemade bread and "love juice" and a fruit tart for dessert. We had a happy heart day and hope you did too!

St. George 2011

Jack and I at the condo

Clara and baby Michaela

Taylor, Emma and Jack

Parker is happy to be here!

One late night Clara and I were having a Girls Night Out- throw back to High School and we were complaing about the weather here and thinking of warmer climates. Just in passing we thought it would be fun to go somewhere...just pick up and go. I didn't think much of it, but the next day Clara called me and she had a hook-up with some SWEET condos in St. George. Her gracious parents let us use a couple and we took all five kiddos down and had a FANTASTIC trip. We spent our time throwing rocks, swimming, taking walks and riding bikes. We all had a great time even Parker who had double ear infections.

My favorite quotes from the trip-

Emma in getting out of the car after arriving in St. George: "This is the best trip ever!"

Jackson- "My favorite part of the trip was throwing rocks in the water"

Thank you Clara for a fun trip...I felt a little bit like I was back in High School on one of our many trips to Southern Utah.

Day out with daddy!

Rob really is happy to be there...
I mentioned that Rob had been gone a LOT this last little while traveling. His work/travel schedule has been intense and we've missed him. In between a couple LONG trips he had a weekend home and he took a day off to spend it with us. We spent the morning eating breakfast at our favorite little "hole in the wall" diner in North Salt Lake- the Sunshine Cafe...the most DELICIOUS whole wheat granola pancakes (yum-O). Then we made our way South to the Dinosaur museum. The kids were happy to just be with dad and I was happy because I had some help hauling kids in and out of the car :). It was a great day and we are hoping that this crazy travel schedule will let up a little because we LOVE having Rob around.

Happy Birthday Rob!

Happy Birthday, Rob! Today is your Birthday and you are traveling once again...we miss you! You have been farther from us this year than any in the past, but we are thinking about you today. We love all the fun things you do with us when you are home- and we are thrilled you get to travel to exciting places like France and Germany. We hope you get to beat the storm tonight and come home to us. Happy Birthday sweetheart...we hope next year is just as fun and exciting as this one has been!