Girls trip to Whidbey Island

Zions/Horseshoebend/GrandCanyon 2016

Visiting the Provo Temple Open House

At the end of February we were able to attend the Provo Temple Open House.  It was a very nice morning with Grandma and Grandpa Toolson and the girls.  I used to attend Stake Conference in the old Provo Tabernacle when we were newly weds living in Provo.  I also graduated from BYU at the old building before it was mostly destroyed by fire.  They have done a beautiful job making this into a temple for all the enjoy now.  

The girls with Grandma and Grandpa

Celebrating a little Christmas

We have tried to do a few activities to bring in the Christmas joy over the past week.  Last weekend, we had Windsor for the night, and I took the girls to the Riverwoods in Provo.  It was lit up beautiful, and we enjoyed a ride around in a horse drawn wagon.  I made the girls stop and see Santa. . . who thinks they are too old to see Santa??

Visting Santa!

We also stopped at some of the fire pits and roasted some marshmallows for S'mores 

Roasting S'mores

It was a nice little evening with the girls all together.  

Last night, we decided to take the Frontrunner train up to Salt Lake to check out the lights at Temple Square.  It was our first time on the train, and I  really enjoyed the ride!  We were able to get on the train in Provo and just enjoy the ride.  Jeff and Eliza and Windsor hopped on at the Orem station and joined us for the evening.  The train rides up to almost 80 MPH and is a very nice way to travel.  

Lizzy and Kennedy with friends, Lily and Kailina, on the Frontrunner 

Temple Square was bustling with crowds.  It was still beautiful. . . even though extremely crowded!!  It felt like everyone in Utah was visiting the lights last night in Salt Lake!!   We got a bite to eat and enjoyed walking around and seeing some of the lights.  

We took the Trax from Temple Square back to the Front Runner and enjoyed the crowded ride back to Provo. .. the girls enjoyed making some friends on the train and singing Christmas Carols most of the way!  It was nice to not have to worry about driving or parking or traffic. Overall, the evening was a success !

Thanksgiving weekend

We had a very different and nontraditional Thanksgiving break this year.  We drove down to Southern California to support Lizzy and her team play in a tournament in San Diego... The Surf Cup.  This is a very big tournament with teams from all over that travel to compete.  The competition is very good to say the least.  Her team managed to win their pool which is a very big deal, and move on to the quarter finals.  They ended up losing to a powerhouse team from southern California, but were happy with the experience.  Lizzy played hard, and narrowly escaped what looked to be a possible concussion at the time of the hard hit and fall she took on the field.  One of the teams she played was overly physical. . . .it was a pretty brutal game.

Lizzy's Celtic team at Surf Cup

One nice thing about the weekend was we were able to stop in St George on the way coming and going. . . so we still spent a little time with Grandma and Grandpa Toolson, as well as Mike and Shareen.  Wednesday morning, Kennedy wanted to get up early and go to the St George temple before we drove on to California. .. So how do you say no to that??  We got up at 6am and she was able to go.  We hope to go again with both Lizzy and Luke at Christmas time when we are there again.  

Kennedy at the St George Temple

Our Thanksgiving meal was definitely not the highlight of the weekend.  We have never eaten out for Thanksgiving before, so this was new to us.  I just made a reservation at a restaurant with a few families from Lizzy's team.  We were a bit dissapointed. .. but tried not to let it ruin our day or weekend by dwelling on it.  First, we weren't even seated with the other members of her team. . . we were in the opposite side of the restaurant in a booth. . .the whole point of eating there was so she could be with some of her teammates?  But luckily, we were able to switch to a booth that was at least in the same room a little later.  The meal was just ok. . . we had Pasta for our Thanksgiving dinner!  But the kids loved the huge icecream sundae we shared for dessert.  Would I go there again??  Probably not. . . live and learn.  

Our Thanksgiving of Pasta

Lizzy with Elle, Rien, and Peyton at "Thanksgiving"

Luke couldn't wait to try out the dessert!

Mia was smiling when they brought this out to try :)

Luke and Mia

We weren't able to get too much Beach time while we were there, but we did stop for a short walk and took a few pictures on Thanksgiving.  I was hoping to get back, but the timing never quite worked out. .. it was a pretty quick trip!  

Kennedy walking on the beach

All my kids together!

Lizzy playing with the soccer ball

It was a bit of driving, but we had a nice time and it was fun watching Lizzy and her team play so well together!  Luke got safely back to Logan to finish up his first semester. . . And we are back to school and work etc. . . .

Vegas Weekend

This last weekend we skipped the Halloween festivities and headed to Las Vegas to cheer on Lizzy's team playing soccer in the DPL (Desert Premier League). . . This is a league where they play the top teams their age from Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada.  We stopped in St. George on the way down and brought Grandma and Grandpa  Toolson with us :)

Lizzy's team won their first two games, and ended up losing the last one to a very physical and heated game against one of the Arizona teams.   So heated, that Grandpa left early. . . didn't like the contention. . . it was a little crazy, which happens in sports far too often!

Kennedy opted to stay home with a friend for the weekend, so we let Mia invite a friend.  They spent a lot of time at the soccer fields, but also enjoy time swimming at the condo on Friday night.

Celtic Premier team

Mia and Emma enjoying the hot tub

Lizzy playing hard

getting a bite to eat after a hard fought game!

Fall Break

Last weekend we enjoyed Fall Break with a little getaway to Yellowstone National Park with our friend the Parkers and the Sorensons.  We took our time driving up there on Thursday, and took a slight detour to stop for a visit with Luke up at Utah State in Logan.

My kids :)

Luke seems to be doing well at school and is figuring things out.  He passed a couple of big tests this last week including his first PFT for the Air Force ROTC.  He really is enjoying the ROTC and I look forward to seeing what opportunities the next few years bring for him.

We stayed in a Hotel at West Yellowstone, MT, and spent a couple days exploring the beauties of the park.

David giving Mia a warming hug (mornings were cold!) 

Kennedy, Lizzy, and Mia 

We encountered quite a few buffalo 

taking a quick break on a stop along the way

You have to pose for a picture at the park entrance!

Mia

Lizzy and Kennedy

David and I

Maybe these buffalo are a little close for comfort!

Stopping for lunch at Yellowstone Lake

Kennedy reflecting

Old Faithful

working on balance along the boardwalk

Our cool shadow pic

David and Kennedy 

It was a great weekend with fun company and we loved exploring the park and sights.  The weather was warm and pleasant.   A perfect fall break getaway!

BYU spectacular

Another week has gone by, full of school, work, soccer, and busy schedules.

The highlight of the week for me was taking the girls to the Homecoming Spectacular at the BYU Marriott Center featuring David Archuleta.  It was so good and we enjoying hearing him sing, as well as seeing and hearing some of the other groups from BYU, like Vocal Point,

BYU Spectacular

The girls and I

We have found ourselves singing the song "Glorious" all week.  That has been one of my favorites for quite a while.  I love the message of the song.  

Just finished watching General Conference.  Inspired for a few things.  Greatful for Shannon for taking it a step further and starting our family Facebook page devoted to our weekly pondering of the scriptures.
"Per Devin G. Durrant's challenge during General Conference, select a scripture each week and post it somewhere that you can ponder it. Share it here with the family. We can use this group to share insight and support with each other! " 

Mine for this week is:
Ether 12:27
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Should there be anyone who feels he is too weak to change the onward and downward course of his life, or should there be those who fail to resolve to do better because of that greatest of fears-the fear of failure-there is no more comforting assurance to be had than these words of the Lord: 'My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.'" (Conference Report, Nov. 1999 Ensign, "Priesthood Power")

It's been several years. . . 

I haven't even looked at this blog for about the same amount of time, but a couple days ago something inspired me to look it up and read it.  I have realized what a priceless way this is to journal, and I think someday this will be special for my family and my children.  

I am not sure why I stopped blogging.. . . but I think so much of it has to do with the fact that shortly after my last post in 2013, David's mom, Mary became sick and passed the first week of March.  How do you write about that, and how do you not write about that event and keep blogging? . . . . So I guess I just avoided it and never wrote about it at all.    

So here I am two and a half years later.  Where do I start?  I'll just dive in.  Today will be a post in memory of Davids mom, Mary.  Although nothing I say is good enough. . . I need to say something to move on.  

This is one of my favorite pictures of Mary with my kids.  This was taken in 2009.  And now it becomes a priceless picture.  After her death, I put a slide show together for her funeral, and realized how few pictures we had of her with the kids.  I think she was a little camera shy and didn't like being in front of the camera.  

Mary was a constant in our lives and our kids lives.  She was faithful and really strived to live the gospel.  She attended the temple regularly, read her scriptures, and served her family.  When the kids were younger, and we lived in Springville, she would come down each Saturday night for a visit.  Usually David and I would go get a bite to eat, and we would return to a clean kitchen, bathed kids, the kids read to, and maybe they would be sitting watching a Disney show with their grandma.  Usually she would bring some type of a treat, most common would be powdered donuts, and maybe twizzlers,  oreos, or a Little Caesars pizza to share.  She would say "Don't worry, it was on sale".   She loved her family, her grand children and her sons with all her heart.  

The week before she died she told me "I just want to be there to watch my Grandchildren grow up, but maybe I will need to do it from the other side".  

Losing her was losing someone that loved my kids unconditionally.  Words can't describe the loss to our family.   

I hope she is still watching over us and guiding my children each day.  We love you, Grandma Mary!!

Soccer Champs!

We were able to head to St. George over President's Day weekend to spend some time in the sun and watch a little soccer.  Elizabeth's team ended up being the champions of their age division!  It was quite exciting.  Elizabeth took quite a beating in the final game.  There were several girls that were very aggressive on the other team (that's putting it mildly).  She was fouled several times, flipped over, tripped, etc.  It was rediculous.  She showed them when she kicked a rocket into the goal for the win!  It was kicked so hard it knocked their goalie over as she tried to attempt to stop it.  

 This is what Elizabeth's coach had to say about the last game. . .
"The team we played in the final (HC Storm) were 100% positive that they were going to win the tournament, we even had a few shooters supporters that did not think that we could pull off the win.  What they didn't count on was how much heart our girls have; they are the best."

And these girls do have heart!  To watch Elizabeth take the beating she did out there on the field, but to still hold on, not back down, and show them that they can't intimidate us!  They were awesome.  And Elizabeth was a trooper!  She had 4 goals over the weekend, 4 assists, and drew several fouls as well.  It was a great kickoff to the Spring Soccer Season!

We loved getting away from the snow for a few days (unfortunately the snow was still here when we got home at 11pm Monday night), The weather was gorgeous!  I enjoyed a run outside, a little hike in Mom and Dad's "back yard" with some friends, and a nice walk with Mom one morning as well.  We had a great weekend, and are so appreciative to Mom and Dad for not only having us, but another family stay over the weekend for the tournament at well.  It boosted my spirits to see the sun for a few days!  Spring is coming!

November. . .

Jumbled up post. .. here we go!  

In a lot of ways, November was one of the hardest months I've faced in a long time. . .but either way, here are a few mixed up pictures from the month. . . 

Definitely had fun seeing Brian over Thanksgiving weekend.  

Spent every lunch hour at the high school with my friend, "the iv pole", giving Luke his antibiotics!

Elizabeth at Costco.  We have enjoyed having Costco right here in town!

Decorated for Christmas

Fun seeing more family over Thanksgiving.  Definitely fun meeting Kyle's cute girl, Chantell :)

More exploring over Thanksgiving.  Notice how Luke is holding a football? Well, in spite of everything that has happened with his shoulder, he is looking forward to playing next year!

More St. George Exploring

Mike and Shareen were so generous to cater Cafe Rio for Mom and Dad's anniversary dinner!  Everything was so nice and yummy!  Thanks Mike and Shareen for everything!

Just a reminder that despite the rainstorms. . . rainbows will come!

Loved this awesome soda machine that you can pick your flavor of soda!  Every restaurant should have one!

We froze our tails off at a BYU football game

Mia has been having nightmares a lot at night, and I find her in Lizzy's bed a lot at night.  She has just started sleeping in there all the time lately.. . . 

Celebrating our Awesome parents! 50 years!

Highlight of the month is definitely Thanksgiving weekend.  Being able to celebrate mom and dad's 50 happy years together!  What a great example they are to me.  Had a great weekend with every one!  Wish we all could be together more often!

Got to wait in this CRAZY line to shop on black friday.  Seriously, so many people!  

Well.  A lot more than that happened in November.  But that gives you a little taste.  As I said, the highlight was definitely our weekend in St George over Thanksgiving.  Wish I had more pictures to share.  Thanks to everyone for your love and support.  It's been a rough couple months.