Let it snow!

The day after Christmas we headed to snowy Utah. We were hoping for snow and were not disappointed. We stayed with Dan and Jena in Highland and they're huge yard full of snow with the beautiful mountains as a backdrop provided the perfect snowy playground. The kids LOVED IT!

Ella, Brooke and Jessie

Scary Monster!!

Carson and Cole spent the most time outside building snowforts and throwing snowballs. They also spent alot of time playing wii and playstation.

Go Kado!

These girls were inseparable. Shayla and Claire

We went and saw the beautiful Christmas lights on temple square. It was FREEZING!

Sledding at Aspen Grove near Sundance with Aunt Nan and Uncle Richard and Hunter Cousins

Check out these Icicles!!

We had such a fun trip. Some other things we did that I didn't get on film were:

We had a really fun New Years party at Dave and Amy's and spent the night.

My Dad and Karie were also in Bountiful visiting Karie's sisters. We went to see Princess and the frog and had dinner after. Kade loved the popcorn and socializing with other movie patrons. It was fun to get to know Karie's family better. Kade loves hanging out with "Gampa Karie"

We also saw the Chipmonks movie. Matt and I saw Avatar and Invictus. Both were really good.

We had such a great time! Thanks to our family for entertaining us and spending time with us.

I also saw my friend Chelsea and her cute little baby Moses. We went the the cutest boutiques called Dear Lizzie in Highland. Such cute stuff.

Happy Birthday Matt

I like this picture even though I have a goofy look on my face.

Today was Matt's Birthday. It was a great day! He took the day off and we went mountain biking then we had lunch at Cafe Firenze with Kade in tow. (He went to Summer's for the mountain biking part of the day) Kade was kind of a stinker at the restaurant--he's not really fancy restaurant trained. In fact he's not restaurant trained at all. Then the kids came home and made homemade presents for Matt including pictures and letters and coupons for services such as foot rubs, carwashes, taking out the trash etc. Then we went to Islands for dinner where Kade once again demonstrated his lack of restaurant manners--and then home for Cake and presents. I think Matt had fun. The bike ride was awesome. So beautiful. I love you Matt!

December...is over

Carson, Caden and Noah

Okay so I'm a little behind and December was fun-filled so today I will catch up. I love December it is for sure my favorite month. I love Christmas and most that goes with it.

Here are some pictures of our primary activity at the Los Angeles temple. The primary kids did a little performance and we had hot chocolate and donuts. After that it was chaos as the kids ran all around the temple grounds. It was a little out of control but fun. The kids were a little hard to keep track of so these are the only pics i got.

Ella Bella

We also had a really fun weekend at the Beach House with my cousins Ivory & Brodie and Melissa and Dan--and all their kids. We also had Ellie and Miriam Mcgregor for the first night.
It rained off and on all weekend but we managed to get a little beach fun in.

Silly!


This is the kids after a huge wave crashed over the rocks and soaked them all. Ironically, while Dan was lecturing Seth about getting wet--a huge wave crashed and got HIM soaking wet. (or as Ella would say "soak and wet")
Sage
Kado and Dado






Seriously! What does it take to get these kids to pose nice for a picture!


We had so much fun. We stayed up too late, ate too much, played games, went to the parade of lights in the harbor, watched the rain pound the sand, the kids swam in their clothes, we washed their clothes, and they swam in their clothes again. Nothing like Christmas at the beach.

And...the fun continues!

We also had fun making treats for some friends and neighbors, having class parties, ward party, cookie decorating, Christmas shopping,watching some of our favorite Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music, and enjoying all the building of anticipation for the big day...


Christmas morning was super fun. We made the kids open their presents one at a time to drag it out as long as possible. Then they spent the morning playing with their new stuff. (I spent the morning going to a 24 hour pharmacy in Oxnard getting antibiotic for another one of Carsons ailments. He always gets the most random skin things!)
We also had a delicious breakfast of monkey bread--and other yummy things.

We also had Scott and Kristy's family over along with Louine and Bob. (Side note--Today Carson asked me why all the Hunters don't change their last name to Hankey--in light of Louine now being remarried to Bob--who's last name is actually Skankey)
Anyway, we had a really nice time with all of them and as you can see the kids did some crazy dressing up--not your traditional Mary and wisemen stuff.

Thanksgiving with the Hunters

We just had a really fun Thanksgiving weekend in Ojai. A lot of cousins were there. Steve and Tracy and their kids, Scott and Kristy and their family, Jim and Kathy and kids, Billy and Melanie and their kids, Louine and Bob and my sister Brett and her husband Shawn. The kids had a fun time jumping on the tramp hiking in the orchards, playing tennis and having a great time with their cousins. Of course they made a few trips down to the Johnson's for lollypops.

Lest we forget

Since tomorrow is Veteran's Day or in Canada we call it Remembrance day, I wanted to honor two of my heroes. My Grampa Baldry who passed away a little over a year ago and my Grampa Hicken who is 90 years old. They both fought in WWII.

This is my Grampa Baldry who fought mostly in Italy and Holland. He was something of an engineer, I believe and he was special trained to build and dismantle special bridges that allowed the troops to continue their paths after bridges had been bombed out. My Grampa was very much a homebody and I can't imaging how hard it was for him. One thing he said in his history was, "I wondered if I would ever again see the prairies of Alberta, the beautiful rocky Mountains, the little town of Coaldale, my parents and family and friends but it was too late as I had voluntarily made a commitment to serve my country. I was needed, there was a job to be done." 

In my Grampa Baldry's history he shares what it was like liberating the country of Holland. He said, "Oh how we were welcomed as we moved north! It is difficult to put into words the feelings we shared with the dutch people. they were thankful to see us. In many instances we were literally mobbed by young and old. It was a mayhem of huggings and kisses, tears and laughter, dancing and then many prayers of thanks. I often shed tears when I think of what a terrible 5 years the people of Holland had experienced under the occupation of the German forces. I shall never forget the drawn faces and emaciated bodies of the starving people, especially the very old and the very young. The look of, "can this really be happening," soon changed from wonderment and caution to happiness and thankfulness as tears rolled down their cheeks. This was the most rewarding and emotional time of WWII for me and something I will never forget. " 

I thought of this when I recently read the Diary of Anne Frank. It felt a little more personal knowing that my Grampa was involved in the liberation of those people--even thought for Anne it was too late.  I'm so proud of my Grampa Baldry. 

This is a poem we recite a lot around Remembrance day in Canada. As a side note I was chosen one year to recite it as part of a Remembrance day program. I remember my mom sending me to have some voice coaching so I could recite it with expression and the right intonation. Funny. We also wear the poppy for remembrance day. It is a red flower that grows over many soldiers graves in Europe.

This is my Grampa Hicken. He was in the Airforce. This was the airplane that he flew in the war. 

Here he is with my Grama. 

That's him again in the middle.

I don't have as much information about his war experiences but I am resolved to find out more. I do know that he was very brave and recieved many medals of honor. As I find out  more I will edit this post. I love my Grampa's so much and will always be grateful for their bravery. 

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I just finished this book today and it's left me pained. I don't know how else to describe it. I think the holocaust was a horrific and tragic event in our history. I can't understand that kind of hate. I recently read The Diary of Anne Frank and what leaves me the most saddened is the loss of potential. All the lives of these people just like me my family and friends -- taken for no reason except being Jewish. Doctors, poets, mothers, children, teachers, etc. People with great futures and dreams. Normal people living normal lives ripped from their homes and lives and families. What a tragedy. I can't stop thinking about it. Heavy, I know but right now I'm so sad about it. Why do people hate? I've decided not to hate--I don't think I hate anyone but if reading about things like this has taught me anything it is that we must not hate. It leads to sadness and persecution and revenge and destroying peoples lives. Hate is evil.