3 years ago today... and never a lost memory.

It has been three years since Dad passed away due to cancer. A day never goes by that I can't hear his voice or ponder on a memory of him or a lesson that he taught me or the sacrafices he made for me, or how much he blessed my life. More importantly is the love and friendship that we have is something that I cherish. The greatest blessing was seeing the atonement of Christ in his life and how it changed him.
The other day I read this quote and it gives me hope, but also made me think of Dad.
A Glorious Future
"The things we hope for are often future events. If only we could look beyond the horizon of mortality into what awaits us beyond this life. Is it possible to imagine a more glorious future than the one prepared for us by our Heavenly Father? Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever, never to taste of death again. Because of His infinite Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar. The Savior is the Author of our Salvation."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22
I look forward to that Glorious Future!

Dad went back to the temple before he died.

Picture Day!

So today we went and got family pictures. Since we only ever get them in sunday clothes we were in need of a change. Kick off the shoes and bring on the shorts. Most of the pictures turned out good, I forget that picture day can be so tricky with babies. By the end of the shoot she was aunry and tired, but gees look at this face she's a dang doll!

Can I just tell you how much drool we wiped off her face throughout this experience.

I love pictures of feet, not my feet mind you but kids feet are adorable.

I have to say after seeing this picture all I can think about is how badly I need a haircut and new highlights, I didn't realize my hair had grown out so much. Still, I'm glad to have a much needed family picture.

If you think Cali is cute check out my handsome hubby!

I know some pictures are sideways, it won't let me change them. My little flower pot Cali. I can't believe she is 5 months today, she really is growing up to fast.

For Arguments Sake...

So, Todd has been giving me a hard time for the previous post. Each night he checks for comments, and lets me know that nobody has said anything about my gripe about picking up after him. He has voiced his opinion in that nobody has responded because they don't agree with making him do it. So for arguments sake please respond if my plea is justified or not! I'm open to suggestions. I would love to see what peoples opinons are in their own lives.

On a lighter note, we had family home evening tonight and Carter was conducting.
When asked what song he wanted for the opening he responded "Shot through the heart," Bon Jovi.

Then we were talking about repentance, I asked the kids

"There is a special day that you are the most pure and clean, who knows which day that is?"

Tanner responds:
"Ummmm, Mondays."

Mom: "Why Mondays." I was looking for the answer baptism day.

Todd says,"he probably is thinking that on Sundays he has a bath so that must be his cleanest day."

Things that make you go hmmm...

So four count them four ties sitting on my front room ottoman, it must be Thursday! Todd has been experiencing husband boot camp in putting away his OWN stuff. Since we have had number 3 I have been asking him to put away his OWN stuff, ie: suit coats, ties and shoes. Needless to say he has been less than thrilled about the new situation, and is constantly wondering when his old pick everything up after him wife is coming back. She's gone baby!! We can blame Cali, 3 kids and a husband to pick up after has had me hitting the wall. But, today Carter was nice enough to bring up Todds stuff. Todd is trying harder and I really appreciate it, thanks hon.

I am not much of a get out the playdough and go to town kind of mom. I'm getting much better though and I think that's just how life has to be when you kids are little. I used to say only one color at a time and it has to go back into the original container. My dad used to get out 2 colors and threaten to mix them, seeing the look on my face made him think otherwise. So he would laugh now to see me saying to the kids, mix em' up and put them into whatever container you want.

So now we are the proud owners of like 15 containers of playdough and even if it says brown you will probably open it up and see the whole rainbow! Life was not meant to be that orgainized, at least that's what I keep telling myself. Sometimes the house just doesn't have to be perfectly clean to go outside and spend the day at the park, or get out a game.

I feel like my kids are growing up so fast and I will miss little moments like these!

Heeding the Call!

Well we asked and they came, can I get a whoop whoop!! They made the long 14 hour drive, and we are so glad they did! I am so lucky to have such great parents!! We had a ton of fun. I think I did more shopping in this week than my 9 months here. They really spoiled us while they were here, they took us to Texas Roadhouse for dinner one night, brought the kids the fishing game they love, and my mom bought me two cute skirts. Its so hot here that I think I'm going to wear them during the week.

We hit Old Tucson and Tanner had the day off from school so it was perfect, and perfect weather also, absolutely gorgeous.

This makes me want my dad to get out his old car and give the kids a ride when we come down in July.

The train was so much fun, we rode it twice.

Go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. I love that Tanner thinks this is the actual key, and my dad made him think they were really locked in. I really thought they were locked in too.

I told Tanner to smile and he pointed the gun right at me. So much for teaching him you don't point guns at people, it sent shivers up my spine.

We stayed at Old Tucson for 6 hours. We went in all the shops, watched the John Wayne biography, seen all the John Wayne museum infomation and back again. Grandma was a sport to stay so long. It really is a fun place to visit though.

We watched a gun fight that was pretty loud. I had to get a picture of Carter shaking, he would get so nervous when they shot the guns and then he would say "mom that man isn't really dead right, right." Poor guy didn't like the thought of someone getting hurt, even if it was just for pretend.

Cali was an absolute little angel. Honestly she gets the best baby ever award.

Panning for gold. I for one did not know that this could take soooo long. Grandpa had the patience to slowly pan all the dirt out, and you would have gold dust and pieces at the end. I for one was like, there's a piece pull it out of the bottom of the pan, dump it and start again. Tanner could have spent the entire day here.

My mom bought the boys cowboy hats, which even now they wear everyday. Thanks mom! Much to my utter embarrassment they tried conning toy handguns, rifles and all kinds of rocks out of grandma. Spoiled kiddos, we had to have a talk about this.

Grandpa found his favorite place on the couch and each morning I would hand Cali over to him. He enjoyed some movies and cable while here, its his favorite way to vacation!

Before I even knew it, it was time to say goodbye. Carter and I have our meltdowns when people leave. Carter shows his with tears and hugs, mine are less noticeable on the outside but inwardly its an feeling of loneliness for a few days. I just have to look forward of who is coming next and when we are heading back to Utah again. With life as busy as it is, it seems to come quickly.

Grandpa teases the boys that he is taking Cali home with him. The boys are ready for a fight to the death.

We have to take advantage of these gorgeous days. We spend a lot of time outside right now.

We had our ward rodeo party on Saturday, the boys got to sport their cowboy hats and wranglers, ok no wranglers but they had a rootin' tootin' good time.