Brothers CAN be friends

My kids are off track right now. For the most part, that means constant bickering and boredom by these two boys. It usually is a very LONG 3 weeks and we are all happy when they go back to school.
I think they both have similar personalities in that they both like to be the "boss". For instance, every time they try to play the Wii together, they usually end up fighting about who gets to be player 1, what game to play, if they are going to be on the same team, etc..... It is so annoying. Anyways, today I was wasting time on the computer and suddenly noticed that they were amazingly getting along, working together, and playing with Legos. I was so stunned and impressed, I decided to capture it on video so that I would have my own reminder that they can have peaceful moments. I also will use it to remind them what it means to get along! The video will be pretty boring for most, but to me it was a sweet blessing!

The finished product!

Bittersweet!

For the last three years I have served as the Relief Society President in my ward. Last week, I got released and it comes with bittersweet feelings. I wanted to remember some of my thoughts and feelings so I could reflect back on this amazing and yet so difficult experience. As the RS pres. there are obviously things that you don't and can't always share so I don't talk about it much...but now that I'm not I thought I would divulge all....haha..just kidding! No, I just wanted to remember how scared I was at the beginning and never thought that I could possibly handle such a huge calling...and let me just clarify for those that have never experienced it or remind those that have...it is a big calling. It definitely had it's ups and down, and I will not ever claim that I was perfect or did everything that I always needed to, but somehow I made it through. That is how I mostly feel now...RELIEF! There were always challenges, demands, and sacrifices, but with all that came many blessings.
In fact...I still have a daily reminder of one the sacrifices. This is kind of a gross picture of my toe, but one time when we had a funeral, I was taking funeral potatoes that people had dropped off at my house to the church. When I opened the van door, a pan came flying out and landed right on my toe. I kind of half caught it with my hand and toe....but all I could think was "NOOOOO...not the potatoes!" Luckily the potatoes were saved, but this was like 4 months ago and my toe still looks like this:


Anyways, despite the sacrifices, there are many blessings received when serving the Lord. I feel I've grown so much and learned so much about myself. I know that when going through trials you don't always see the blessings, but looking back I am so thankful for such a chance to serve and all the experiences I had...good and bad. I will miss visiting ward members, knowing who everybody is, having opportunites to help others, knowing what's going on in the ward, feeling needed, and planning activities. On the other hand.....those are probably all of the same things that I won't miss!! It really is an eye opening experience I wish everyone could have.

Anyways, life goes on, new callings come (like activities committee chair), and daily life will still be busy keeping up with 3 kids. I already am am making lists of all the projects in my house that have been put on the back burner the last 3 years! Thanks to all of my family, friends, and ward members who have supported me. I am grateful to know such love!

Big Grandma

On Dec. 30, we found out that my grandma (the great grandkids called her Big Grandma) had passed away. Although she was 94 years old, it still came as a suprise. She had been a little sick over the week of Christmas, but she thought it was the flu. Just the last day, my mom started thinking there was more going on and needed to see a doctor, but she never made it to that appointment. I feel it a blessing that she passed so quickly. She did not like doctors, hospitals or being sick. She lived a long life and we loved having her with us, but as her husband, and only son and daughter had already passed away....I think she was ready to be with them. It's always hard to say good-bye, but what a blessing it is to know of the gospel and know what a joyous reunion they are having. I bet she is so happy! I'm a little envious that she gets to be with my dad.

The last time I got to see her was this past summer. Here she is holding Rachel. She was so excited to get to meet her and I'm glad she got that chance. We were planning on visiting her over Christmas, but as she lived 1 1/2 hr away from my mom and was a little sick, so I never got the chance.

My whole family, minus my dad (I like to believe he was somewhere close by)

Lucas and his Uncle D. Max

My mom gave all the girl grandchildren these sweaters for Christmas. We all planned to have them wear them for the funeral so we could get a picture. It was way too chaotic for any of them to focus....hopefully someone got a good shot.

Because of the funeral we ended up staying 2 weeks. It was a great trip. We always love visiting our familiy. We wish sometimes that we could live there, but there is always a good feeling of coming back home. Who knows...maybe someday!

Outback Steakhouse

One night my mom was nice enough to take us all out to eat. We are quite a gang when we all get together.. (and it's not even all of us!)...so we had to eat on the patio. Luckily they had heaters and we brought blankets!

Lucas is ALWAYS being silly!

Ben and Paige

Rachel being way too cute!

Aunt Ally and Lucas
D. Max, Max and Lucas sneeking into the picture
Grandma Mary with Kate and Lauren. This is probably the only picture I've ever taken of them where they are both smiling!

Sea World

Santa Claus was nice enough to get us from free tickets to Sea World. We've been there a few times now but always have a great time when we go. It was a gorgeous sunny day and I was so happy to be there instead of cold snowy Utah! We left Rachel home with my mom and had a great day with Zac's parents and my brother Donnie.

Chargers vs. Colts

Everyone in San Diego is a Chargers fan. There is no exception in my family. I have 6 brothers and they all love the Chargers. Zac, on the other hand is a big Colts fan. He feels a strong connection to Peyton Manning because he played for Tennesee in college while Zac was serving his mission there. He's also converted Ben to be a die hard fan as well. Zac and Ben like the Chargers as well....except if they are playing the Colts.

The 1st Sunday we were there the Chargers played in a play off game (I have no idea who it was against.) Everyone rooted for the Chargers....they won...and all were happy. They were going on to the next round of playoffs to meet up with the Colts. Zac at the time was silently happy that we would be home in time for the game so he could happily cheer for his Colts....however because of the funeral we ended up being around for the big game. My brothers gave Ben a hard time for wearing his Colts shirt (they even made him wear a sweatshirt over it when we went out to dinner). Zac was pretty much out numbered and luckily for the majority...the Chargers were victorious. Too bad they lost the next week and didn't make it to the Super Bowl.

I really don't care about any of this but I wanted to show this picture of the two Chargers fans!

Lucas was loyal to the Chargers and his Uncle Donnie!

Happy Birthday Uncle CJ!

We celebrated my brother CJ's birthday at his new house in Vista. They just moved in the end of November and it was fun to see their new house. He got a new barbecue and Lacey let him break it in as he cooked us all hamburgers!

The birthday boy..turned 28 ...I think?

Max trying to give Rachel some loves

Sisters: Paige and Cami

My SIL Erika with a dressed up Kate (or Lauren?)

The I-Phone fascination. All of my brothers have them...it was tempting to have one but I'd already opted out of getting it.

Christmas in California

After a long December of shopping, parties, taking care of many RS president responsibilities, packing up our Christmas gifts and driving to California, celebrating Christmas and New Year's, going to Sea World, learning of my grandmother's passing, extending our stay in CA for 2 weeks to be able to attend her funeral, and driving home....I finally have found some time to catch up on all of our activities. I've got a lot to catch up on so I'm sure I'll be doing it in many posts.

We had a great Christmas. It is our tradition to go to California. We asked our kids if they'd like to stay in Utah this year, but both of them were adamant that we spend Christmas there... they love visiting Uncle Bob on Christmas Eve, and having Christmas morning at Grandma Mary's house. This year we were lucky to have Zac's parents drive down as well to spend Christmas with our family. It was great to have them there.

Christmas Eve wouldn't be complete without being able to open a present...they are finally catching on that mom get's to choose which present to open and it always has new PJ's.

This next picture is a long time Christmas morning tradition. Everyone has to wait until everyone is ready and sits on the stairs to take a picture before going to see what Santa brought. I love this tradition as it reminds me of the great anticipation I felt just wondering what great surprise was awaiting me.

From bottom to top: Rachel, Lucas, Ben, Uncle Donnie, Zac, me, Aunt Ally, Grandma Bonnie, and Grandpa Steve. We always sit youngest to oldest...note: yes, I am sitting above Zac because I am older (& wiser!) than him!

I've included a video of this classic reaction to Santa's gift. I think they were a little excited.

Santa was nice enough to bring a Wii. It's been a hit in our home. Even I like to stop my house hold chores and join in once in a while!

The kids had a great Christmas morning. We were joined by Todd, Erika, and the twins bright and early to open presents with us. The rest of the gang came throughout the day...some for breakfast and all for dinner. 6 out of the 8 kids in my family were there with their families. We are grateful for Grandma in hosting great Christmas celebrations that make us want to come back year after year.