Finding Joy in the Journey

11 March 2009

Sunday Afternoon

The moon coming up, the fire simmering down.

Little (and Big) Pyros

A cold dinner works for us.

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Brad came up with the idea of going on a picnic dinner. We packed up some sandwhiches and ate under the moon. The boys lit their fire with a flint and all. It sure is easy to please our family.

20 February 2009

Take a little time for LoVe

I love you, not only for who you are,

but for who I am when I am with you.

Playin' in the snow!

Ahhhh! So beautiful. Thumb Butte, Prescott, Arizona

Little love notes.

"D-lish" (Poor Bryce, he doesn't like strawberries. You know what that meant: more for me!)

Our beautiful bedroom for three nights!

Wow! What a wonderful getaway! Bryce and I took off to Arizona for a little "mini-moon" and loved every minute. Of course I cried as we got on the freeway leaving the boys, but I knew they were in good hands. Bryce's mom and sister came out to stay since our kids were in school. They are so awesome. It's always hard to make the time, save the money, and iron out the details, but it only takes one night away to figure out IT"S WORTH IT! We had so much fun being together. We stayed at One Suite Bed and Breakfast in Prescott, AZ where we were pampered with delicious food, delightful company, and a dreamy bedroom. We even booked a couple's massage at a gorgeous spa with a fireplace in our room! It's always important to get away for a bit and remember what it's like to just BE together. Here's to many more "mini-moons" babe!

Alwyas Magical!

Waiting for California Adventure to "open, open, open!"

Just thought it was a cute photo op!

My favorite place in Disneyland!

Yeah! Brev was finally tall enough for Indiana Jones! (okay, maybe he was wearing his heely's) He was hanging on for dear life. I was too with Brad at the wheel.

A perfect day for a ride on the Mark Twain.

With Bryce having so many days off lately we decided to play hooky and go to the Magic Kindom! The boys haven't missed a day of school yet, so we didn't feel as guilty. It was a rainy Monday and Tuesday so we had no lines, no crowds, and all the churros we could eat! We love it here!

Fishing at Grandpa Cody's house.

Laying some brick for Grandpa Cody's walkway.

Grandpa liked their work ethic.

We visited with our sweet Grandpa Cody. The boys tried their luck with fishing El Casco Lake. No bites for the day, but a visit with Grandpa and Family made it well worth the trip. Better luck next time.

Sunset

"friendship needs no words"

Is this priceless or what? Breven, Sarah, Alyssa, Christian, and Brad: Friends Forever.

11 February 2009

Musical Plants, rockin' out!

The Scientists!

Keeping their "scientific journal"

Their favorite part of the experiment: Emptying the soda bottles! (don't worry they really didn't drink that much!)

Planting the sugar snap peas.

This year Brad had to do a science project. He and his buddy Andy paired up and went to work. They're project was called, "Musical Plants" and they tested how plants were affected by music. They experimented with Church Hymns, AC/DC and none. The "none" plant grew the tallest. Peace and quiet isn't overrated even in the plant kingdom. The "Hymns" plant came in second, and you guessed it, AC/DC in dead last. Good job boys! Now onto the District Science Fair. Good Luck!

13 January 2009

Where else but Quartzite?

LOVE THAT SIGN!

Guith's Quarters- That's how they roll.

Really, can the hat get any bigger?

I'll have a heart attack, please hold the ketchup.

The wheels on the bus go round and round.

Is this really necessary?

Girls in the back! Hang on!

Quartzite, Arizona If you've never been it's a MUST SEE. Where else can you buy a 3 foot long wrench? Where else can you order deep fried, artery clogging food and buy expired vitamins right next door? Any one need any "As Seen on TV" items like the Sham Wow? How about rocks? Everyone loves rocks right? The Guith's escorted us in their shiny red rhino from vendor to vendor for a day trip to Quartzite. We had a ton o' fun! Thanks so much Guith Fam, you're a blast!

FHE

Loaded down

I see the red moon risin' oh wait, isn't it bad moon? Rock on CCR!

Mesmerized by the fire.

Family home evening was a blast this week. Bryce gave a lesson about Lehi's family going into the wilderness and off we went to a bit of wilderness ourselves. We had done some serious tree trimming and had a back yard full of branches, so we asked our friends for a hand, and a truck (or two) and planned a bonfire FHE. Is that called a Fireside? Anyway, we ate our Popeye's chicken, lit a bonfire, watched the incredible moon rise, and were spiritually uplifted all in one night! We love FHE!

Boys Rule!

Bryce took the boys to his old tree fort. They were in heaven! They climbed to their heart's content. The two little cuties are cousins Cooper and Colton, who were learning the ropes from the big boys. Don't you love their sign? "BOYS RULE and girls drool."

The VanHorne Posse has been iniciated!

What a view!

Goin' on a duck hunt.

Clara and her cute hat doing what we do best.....snacking!

Chris, Brad, Bryce, Clara and Julia....keeping warm by the fire.

It's official! The VanHorne Posse joined us for an overnighter at the river. We had too much fun. It's always funny to shove 4 adults and 3 kids into a 20 foot Minnie Winnie! Thanks VanHorne's for still being our friends after that! And thanks to the Guith Fam for keeping us warm with lots of firewood. Let's do it again soon.

11 January 2009

They will be missed.

Grandma Cody, always happy in the arms of her companion.

Uncle Mikey, hard working and fun-loving.

Our Family is acircle of strength and love.

With every birth and every union,the circle grows.

Every joy shared adds more love.

Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.

Two of our family members were called home this Christmas. We love them and miss them already.

Our Christmas Story

A knife and a Survival Book. That kept him busy all day.

Oh no, now he'll never sleep!

Rip it up!

Trying to pose in front of the tree was a bad idea. We covered it up and Bryce must have had a terrible headache with that star sticking out like that.

"Twas the night before Christmas and on the I-10,

Our family drove home in the car, stuffed to the brim.

All the stockings were hung by the front door with care,

In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

The boys were snuggled up in the back seat,

All we could smell were their little boy feet.

Mom dozing off, dad wide awake,

Are we there yet? It's about all we can take.

The week had been great, the family so fun,

Tomorrow is Christmas, and all will be done.

So into the driveway we flew like a flash,

Tore open the garage and in with a dash.