Polar Express

What a fun idea! Up in Williams, Arizona there is an old train that runs year round up to the grand canyon. During the holiday season it changes into a magical train that goes to the north pole. Williams is a quaint mountain town. The perfect setting. We stayed in the cozy lodge next to this vintage train station. At 6pm with pajamas on and blankets around us we boarded the train being welcomed by the conductor and our own cook and elf. We had hot chocolate and cookies and read the story of the polar express. Dave really enjoyed the reading as you can see below. ha ha. Hundreds of people and excited kids and there is Dave. Mr Grinch. ha ha. I love the picture of the kids above. Gazing out the window at all the christmas lights getting closer to Santa's village.
We finally arrived at the North Pole. It really was magical. Then Santa came on the train. THE REAL SANTA! and gave each child a large bell.

Look at Lizzie's excited face waiting for her turn to talk to "THE REAL" Santa face to face. I love her shirt. It reads "I'm on the nice list...trust me."
Dave then perked up for the carols on the way back from the North Pole. While singing the 12 days of Christmas all the men had to stand up and do this action while singing "five golden rings." Dave was doing his funny deep falsetto voice. Look at the elf doing it behind him, and down below is our chef laying in the isle doing it! You should have seen his "lords a leaping" I tried to get a picture of it, I was laughing so hard.
We pulled back into the station and out we went into the cold snowy night. Like I said Magical. Doesn't it sound so cool and like the neatest thing to do at Christmas ever? Yes it does. Except I left out little details like. We were squished, the "hot" chocolate was cold and gross. The chocolate chip cookies were super hard. I had lost my voice and couldn't really sing. Rebecca was feeling motion sick and I kept having to go to the bathroom with her. The train broke down and we had to sit for an extra 1/2 hour and a part of that time all the electricity was out. The girls were fighting and crying about who gets to sit by the window. and I am pretty sure that our elf was an ex-convict. I know his ears are fake, and he smelled like beef and cheese. ha ha ha ha ha. But even with the details, it was still fun! It made it all the more memorable. Especially since who we were squished with were our wonderful friends the Lowrys and the Gardners. We were still Merry, and I won't ever forget the experience. I kept thinking that my Dad would love this, and think it is so cozy. After we got back to the Lodge we got some hot (really hot and yummy) cocoa and sat by the big fire in the Lodge's great room and just gazed and enjoyed! Thanks Lowrys for inviting us!

more tahoe fun!

Of course the fun only lasted about half an hour. Then the blue lips, numb toes& fingers, and sore bum from too many bumpy rides down the hill set in. Dave finally had to announce that if one more person cried we were going home. So two minutes later to the car we went. But not before Leah took out one more kid. Poor Leah. These things always happen to her. I really hope she grows out of it. If not, you can gaurantee that she will be the girl that trips as she walks up to get her highschool diploma. She is so funny. So the wimpy Arizonians had to pack it up pretty quick. What a sad bunch we are. If it drops below 65 degrees we can't set foot out of doors. OK, so I should speak for myself. I am the biggest wimp of all. Snow is so beautiful. Why does it have to be so cold? How am I supposed to take pictures with frozen fingers I ask you. ha ha.

Home Again, home again, jiggidy jig.

this is where we have been. Cozy at my Dad's house in Tahoe.
This picture was taken Christmas day after opening presents and our belly's were full. My Dad with his dog Bettis. What a pair. Crack me up. We were always bugging my dad for snoring anytime we were watching t.v. that combined with Bettis passing gas was almost too much. ha ha. I have spent the majority of Christmas vacation in my pajamas and eating sugary foods. Time to get back to real life. Back to a schedule, the gym, and regular meals. I mean when school gets back in next monday. ha. I still have some partying left in me. I am thinking up some really great goals for the new year and trying to hurry and finish some of my projects that I wanted to get done in 2007. Like put all of my recipes on the computer on my cook'n program. I have lots more to share. I am not ready for the holidays to be over and in protest, I refuse to take down my Christmas tree! It just makes me too happy. Here Jacob is playing his new harry potter game for the Wii system that we got this Christmas. Very fun. There have been alot of sore arms around here from playing bowling, tennis, and boxing.
ps. Nice buns Leah. She is getting quite meaty. She is making us laugh every day with her obsession with meals. She insisted that when she ate at 4:30 last night it was lunch and at 6:30 she needed dinner. After breakfast one day she wanted to eat again because she felt that she had missed dinner the night before. Too funny. Jacob has taken to calling her porkchop. Why do brothers insist on teasing? I let her know that her figure is absolutely darling and perfect, but no more thirds at meals. ha ha. I need to show some restraint as well. But again, I am not quite done with my holidays. I still had to try all of these cupcakes today that Jenn who I visit teach gave me. She has been down in Beverly Hills the past two months training at "Sprinkles" which is a cupcake store. She is the manager for the one opening up at the end of this month in Scottsdale. THey are sinfully delicious. The red velvet was my favorite of this batch. The frosting was extraordinary. Aren't they pretty? I can't wait until the store opens. I definitely will be visiting teaching often! ha ha! Jenn also is a chef. Can you tell that I do the visiting teaching assignments. smile. Thank you Jenny!!!!!

New photo shoot up

Could this be any sweeter. Go here for the rest!

Christmas joys

bizy bizy bizy. I don't even know where to begin. Every second of every day is filled with wonderful things. My life is full of so much goodness. I couldn't be more blessed. Starting with my family. Look at them. 6 people that love me unconditionally. That make me laugh so hard, and are what fill so much of my life with joy (and pain, ha). I am so thankful for the family I grew up in too. My siblings are my best friends. In fact my sister Kelly took this picture in Utah over Thanksgiving weekend. I am surrounded by people who love and support me. Yes, there are negative things in life. There are negative, difficult and even evil people who bring alot of pain. But the good is still there to be had. It makes me realize that as the famous Christmas song goes, "the wrong shall fail, and the right will prevail, with peace on earth good will toward men." I just think of my friends here and all that they do that is uplifting and good, and it fills my heart with joy. It takes work you know to be a good person. It doesn't just happen naturally. In fact as the scripture says...

"the natural man is an enemy to God, and will be forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all the things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

you know our society sadly doesn't really teach this. I have yet to see a TV show that describes a lifestyle like this. In fact Jacob just told me today that at school the teacher had them all write down what they thought was success. He said that everyone but him pretty much said making alot of money. Because his answer was so different from everyone else's, his teacher had him read it to the class. His said that success was happiness in your family. THat's my boy!!!!! I know why all the teachers are drawn to my kids. Because they are trying to keep God's commandments. Are they perfect? uh, that would be a big no! and neither is their mama. My go "all natural" side comes out way to often. But I am trying, and I am so much happier when I am trying to overcome my natural tendencies towards selfishness, laziness etc. etc. Why is it so easy to be those things? ha ha. Anyway I have learned for myself that happiness in life is most likely achieved when you are living the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the truth, plain and simple.

Tonight was so wonderful. A daughter of a woman in my ward is getting married this wed. night. at the church. Her fiance is taking the missionary lessons, and was told that he needs to be married to live with someone in order to be baptized. Hence, we have 3 days to plan a wedding. So I have a wedding dress in the back of my car (that another sister in the ward is loaning her that got married last January) to take to get steamed tomorrow at the dry cleaner. I get to go shopping and pick up the needed items for the reception etc. A sister in our ward offered her beautiful home for the reception, another catering items, another decorations and the list goes on. To say the least her mother was so overwhelmed with joy, and she kept saying over and over as she looked at her daughter trying on this incredibly beautiful dress tonight, "There is a fairy godmother, it is called the Relief Society." I am so thankful to be associated with an organization that are filled with women who on a moments notice are there for you to willingly help with a smile on their face. Jacob also said today that his teacher was reading to them out of the newspaper an article that named (when speaking of disaster relief) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the "Mormon church" as two of the most selfless organizations and people. Jacob raised his hand and let him know that they are one and the same. Isn't that funny, but so awesome. Anyway, all this to just say that I am happy and this is why.

JOhnstons

I L-O-V-E love this picture. I could stare at it all day. I just love eyes. They really are the window to the soul. These girls are so pretty with their handsome green eyed Dad and a hawaiian mama. What a beautiful combination. Anyway, their photo shoot is up on my business website here. I think I will put on the black and white of this. which do you like better?

I love this guy

I miss dave this morning. Yesterday he took off a day to get some things around the house done. So we played backgammon in bed in the morning (he won 2 out of 3). Than we cleaned up the house a bit, read scriptures and prayed together, than went on a walk/run. We even held hands. Dave indulged me. smile. I was talking to him all morning like Will Ferrell in "Elf". "We can eat sugar plums, go ice-skating, and then snuggle." Dave is like Buddy's dad in Elf. It takes some doing to get the Christmas spirit out of him, but it's in there. I admit, I love Buddy the Elf. I would love to hang out with him all day. I love his cheerfulness, and that movie makes me laugh out loud no matter how often I watch it. So anyway, I miss Dave. Who am I going to excitedly do everything on my list of "to dos" today? Who is going to snuggle me? I hope he comes home for lunch. He is wondering how I got his cell phone number too. ha ha.

Christmas came early this year.

JACOB JUST MENTIONED IN PASSING IN THE KITCHEN THAT HE WANTED TO START TAKING PIANO LESSONS AGAIN. WHHHAAAAATTTTTTT? WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? I HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN PRAYING FOR THAT. IS IT A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE? i JUST REALIZED NOW AT 11:53 PM THAT HE SAID THAT AND i GOT DISTRACTED (AS i SO OFTEN DO) AND DIDN'T GET DETAILS. SO MORE ON THAT LATER. OTHER COOL THINGS ABOUT TODAY INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO.)

1) I just decided to play the violin with the choir in church today. No time to stress about it. Ran through the song a couple of times. Wrote an obligato for the second verse real quick (and I was only 5 minutes late to church. now you know why. ha ha) I decided to just think I am playing in front of family relaxed at home. Not a performance. And you know it worked. THe coolest part being that I knew every single person in that whole chapel and alot about them and loved them all like family. How cool is that!!! I really felt that I was with my family. A very large one. and I loved it. The down side was I hadn't practiced with the choir, so it didn't go smooth that way. I asked Tasha (the great) to play an intro for me but than she stopped and I was all by my lonesome. Threw me off a bit, but what the heck. I was with family. It wasn't perfect, but I did it, and it was fun actually. Next week is more serious. I am playing just with a piano accompianment, "What child is this." It is so beautiful. I hope I can do it justice. I will need to practice this one. Prayers please. At the stake music christmas program I got so nervous that I just sat down and didn't even play after the intro. I had even invited my neighbor. I totally blanked. So crazy!!!

2) I snuggled with dave on the couch by the christmas tree and we both fell asleep while watching a christmas special from "Little House on the Prairie." You know the one when Laura gives up her beloved pony "bunny" to the evil Nellie Olsen to buy a stove for her mama. So cozy. I slobbered on Dave's shirt. ha ha

3)Got a late night call from my dear friend and former mission companion Nancy. We hadn't talked in so long!! Nancy we are so living by each other in Heaven. That way I will be sure to laugh every day!

4) Joanna was beaming at choir practice today because so many people were there. It sounded so beautiful. I was so happy for her!!! I got to hold her sweet baby. That makes me so happy.

4) Jamie Varley's talk today made me cry and love her all the more. The spirit was so strong as she told her conversion story that started as a 16 year old in Huntington beach. Her excitement to find the gospel was contagious. Plus, I just love southern californians!!! So there all you Arizonians that don't. So there. I said it! ha ha.

5) I played three games of backgammon with Jacob and won all three. He has much to learn my young padawon. My getting constant doubles helped though. ha

Hope your sunday was just as happy and restful!

MAY I BOAST?

of course I can, it is a mother's perrogative. Jacob just wrapped up his flag football season at school. It will be a season he will never forget. It was made up of the stuff that little boys (and big boys) dream of. In fact he has been dreaming it for 13 years now. When he could only speak a few words as a little guy Jacob in his sleep would say, "ball." Total crack-up. I have caught him a few times since that too. I will wake him up in the morning and he will tell me of his great play he just made, the amazing catch etc. Well, to actually live out some of those dreams. Let me just say... it has been jacob's favorite year in school. Captain, and star of the football team, teacher's favorite student, getting all A's, and girls like him. I don't think I will tell him quite yet that life isn't always that way. ha ha. I think I will just let him live the dream for now. So here are a few pictures from one of his games. As I walked up this was happening above. He was running across the touchdown line after he intercepted it. I love how his teammate is celebrating with his arms up and his coach is doing the touchdown sign and celebrating as well. Ps. the coach is also his homeroom teacher. running it to the touchdown again.
interception!!!!
giving his team the play as the coach looks on.knocking the ball so the opponents receiver can't catch it

Mr. make everyone feel good, and always pumping everyone up to do their best.
Coach congratualating Jake on another excellent game. Look at Jacob's happy face.

Jacob we will always be your biggest fans!!! We love you so much! Love, your sisters and your mama taking the pictures.
ps don't you love what lizzie wore to the game. Notice her shoes as well. He will definitely always have the cutest cheering section. OH, am I bragging again? smile

Pope family pictures are up!

Don't you love her socks and shoes. I want some!

Favorites from today

*Dave and I were both just laying on our bed after getting the kids tucked in. I turn and see that he is just laying there staring up. I did the typical woman question. What are you thinking about? Dave's answer...."Labeling Lidocaine syringes." That is oh so typical of him, but still makes me laugh. That's my emotional radiologist husband.

*I always love to grab my kids, nuzzle in their neck and just drink in all their yumminess. Especially right after they take a bath. They know to come down and let me eat them up. So it was so cute that Lizzie came up to me today while I am sitting on the computer editing pictures, gives me a hug, and says...."You smell delightful." Yep, she's mine. P.S. the picture above is of the family shoot I am working on right now. Such a cute family. Can't wait to share more when I am done.

*Rebecca taking care of me all day. She made me breakfast, and gave me multiple foot, hand, and head massages all day. I train my kids well.

*taking a walk with Jacob. Did you see me speed walk by your house in my pajamas?

*made the kids favorite dinner tonight and it turned out so good. I pressure cooked brown basmati rice, and poured over top chicken that has been cooked in the crock pot all day with the yummiest sauce. Heather Swainston was over for dinner and wanted the recipe. What 12 year old asks for a recipe? So cute. I also loved that Heather said, "I love being at your house, I feel so loved." She is mauled actually, by all the girls. They can't stop talking to her or giving her hugs. But anyway, she couldn't have given a better compliment! WE do LOve you Heather!!! and here is the recipe. Or how I cooked it today, it does vary.

4 chicken breasts with a 1/2 cup butter and a zesty italian seasoning pkg. cooked on high in the crockpot for four hours. A half hour before serving heat together on the stove 1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese (I use the light kind) and 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (You can use cream of chicken too) . Tonight I added some milk to thin it a bit. Pour into crockpot with chicken and let it mix together awhile. Serve over rice. Brown rice of course is so much better for you, and you know I am into the grains thing right now. It was fabulous! Oh yah, and I made white wheat mixed with buckwheat pancakes and I have eaten them almost for every meal since. They turned out so good. Will share that recipe next time.

Back to editing.

Tis the season!

I finally got Dave to start putting up the lights today after work. He wasn't very excited about it after a long day of work. So he went and put on his BAhHumbug shirt and went to work grumpily. The kids are loving every minute of it though. It was the most beautiful day I have seen in a long time today. The lighting was so beautiful and the perfect temperature. The days you are so thankful that you live in Arizona. So here we are out on a December night in summer apparel playing and enjoying this beautiful holiday season. You can see neighbor Joe's Christmas handiwork in the background. His wife calls him Clark at this time of year.


Jacob being Mr. Cool with Joe's daughter. smile
Hope you are having fun decorating too. My house is looking particularly scrumptious. love it!

Black Family

The Black Family photo shoot is up for your viewing pleasure. Love em!

Wellman photo shoot is up

I didn't have time to put them on before we left on vacation. Check them out!

YEP! I am full of the Christmas Spirit!

I absolutely love the talk given by Elder Joseph Wirthlin in the last conference entitled "The Great Commandment". I can't read it enough. I have to share one quote at least.

"The most cherished and sacred moments of our lives are those filled with the spirit of love. The greater the measure of our love, the greater is our joy. In the end, the development of such love is the true measure of success in life.

Do you love the Lord?

Spend time with Him. Meditate on His words. Take His yoke upon you. Seek to understand and obey, because "this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." When we love the Lord, obedience ceases to be a burden. Obedience becomes a delight. When we love the Lord, we seek less for things that benefit us and turn our hearts toward things that will bless and uplift others.

As our love for the Lord deepens, our minds and hearts become purified. We experience a "mighty change in... our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

The whole talk is amazing. So I am going to be busy this month following his counsel to spend more time with the Lord. I feel so much happier when I do. Because I am filled with love for others. For some reason it is so easy to feel love at Christmas time. I am going to try to keep the Christmas spirit all year! My goal for 2008! Want to join me? It is a way better goal than losing weight. Yuk, who wants to do that? ok, so I want to do that too, but it won't matter how thin I am if I don't have Charity.

I can't post without a picture. So here is one of Lizzie in Utah. It's not one bit hard for me to love this one. More thanksgiving pics later. We had a great time in Utah, but I sure am happy to be home.
p.s. Today was Rachel's real birthday. I gave her razors, shaving gel, mascara, and lip gloss. She has really been looking forward to twelve for those exact reasons. She was loving her smooth legs tonight. We all had to feel them. Jacob didn't understand the excitement of it all. Rachel explained it is becoming more like a woman. I told Jacob it is the same excitement you get when your muscles get bigger (he is becoming more concerned about such things). He understood then. I love this time in life. Alot don't, but I love teenagers. Jacob reminded me tonight of that as he recalled a funny story from the past. He came home from school one day a few years ago and said to me, "Mom, we have to have a talk about the "P" word." Apparently I was much too excited when I replied, "Puberty?!" He meant piano. He had a whole list of reasons why he wanted to stop taking lessons, but he still laughs to this day about how excited I get to talk about such things as puberty. I definitely am not the mom nervous or embarassed to talk about the facts of life. What can I say, it is all just so exciting. ha. (that was a long p.s.)

Mall madness!!

Here's the whole gang! They are so cute and all the nicest girls! They all got along great, and were kind to each other. Can you believe that for 11 and 12 year olds. A unique group for sure. First stop check out where the two must go to stores are Claire's and Hollister.

For some reason they felt buying something at Hollister meant they were finally teenagers. Rachel got the Blonde with Benefits shirt for $9. Deal.

This is in Buckle. They were so fun to just sit back and watch. Feeling so cute, and so old. They laughed and had such a great time. In the picture above they are all checking themselves out in the mirror!
Rachel feeling oh so cute!

WE were the last to leave the mall. Not a car in the parking lot but mine and April's. She came along to help drive and supervise. I don't think she realized what she had gotten herself into. Ha Ha. Thanks April. ps. Did you know that JCPenny is open until 11pm. ha ha.

What a weekend!

Didn't get much sleep at the sleepover, so my new bed is all the more inviting. Doesn't it look delish? Dave thinks it is too soft. But mama bear thinks it is just right. I don't even need to use a pillow. Anyway, I finally put up some more pictures from the Stone photo shoot. I finally got someone to do it at their house and let me follow them around doing what they do. It was really fun! Click here