Family Footsteps

Family Footsteps

Sunday, May 27, 2012

May

 Ryan's first Pinewood Derby a couple weeks before his Birthday.
 Shawn and Nate on a Scout Backpacking trip.  Yep they slept in that tent together, or at least Shawn slept:)

 Ryan, the stuffed Dragon has provided many a laugh lately!
 Cara's Ballet recital. 
They brought us some filtered water straight from this waterfall.  Yummy and cold!
 Beautiful

Monday, May 07, 2012

Nate is out of town.  Usually when Mom goes on a girl's weekend or out for a treat, it helps to reset life.  Everyone appreciates me more and I am ready to be home and happy with our family.  Interestingly enough, Nate going out of town has done this for me.  Not because it has been a break by any means, but I have realized a lot of good things this week that I already knew but wasn't focused on. 
1. I love Nate! I like having him around and having our family time.  He is around a lot.  He is really busy, but loves being with our family playing, working, and living.
2. I love our children! I love being a Mom to them.  They really are so amazing.  They have each overcome struggles in their life.  They are talented in many areas and they enjoy being together.  Sure, they argue, fight, drive each other and me crazy, but I feel like I enjoy life more when they are around.  I focus more on what I need to teach them, what they need from me, so therefore what I need to be.  It's funny, The more inwardly focused I become, the less I actually change or feel good about myself.
3. Everything else is less important. House, work, callings, service, yard work, sports, music, etc.  No matter how important, it just doesn't compare to these 4 people in my life!  If they add to it, great! If not, this week they are out! 

hahahaha
As I type this post Shawn is following Cara with a Nerf gun while she comes screaming to Mom.  I love them!  Now let's give them some timeout or rather my love and  attention, which they obviously need:)

 Ryan was the CEO for this month from his class.
That means he is a Chief Example to Others for
Responsibility
Grandma Allen was here to be proud with us!

Cara got dressed up for a Tea party at Activty Day Girls.
Her leader is a pro at having tea parties and making all the little treats that come with it!


MS Walk SLC

These are all my cheerleaders that came and walked with me and 4500 other people!!! It was packed and we were one of the last to start.  We could not walk very fast if we tried.
The day was beautiful.My mom flew up to be there with us.  Curtis joined us as well as Steve, Bethany, Tanner and Cortney with her new fiance, Adam.  Thanks, guys for coming!
We also raised more than $900 from friends and family who want to donate to find a cure to this disease!  Wow, I am amazed at the love people show in a number of ways!!!

Book of Mormon Read a Thon

 What a success! So many people came and helped, the kids thought they had too much food.  WOW!
REading the Book of Mormon in a day and a half led to some fun times.  Here the girls are listening while they keep their hands busy.  Love the Youth.  They are way more patient than I am!!!!!

Happy Easter 2012

 Cara, David, Tanner, Ryan, Bethany(minus her lovely face) and Anna
We played pop-the-balloon for our easter game.  After people got several balloons when theirs had popped, we had a winner.
 Ryan loves to attack Uncle Steve, along with all the cousins.  I'm telling you, that man can take a beating.  As the oldest, he knows how to dish it, but he can take it too!
We all love him!
 Our dyed eggs.
 Cara helped me decorate the table.  We had a yummy, yet simple dinner and then....
Found Easter eggs.  What is better than that?
Our kids were quite dissapointed, I think Sunday Morning when they didn't have Easter baskets to find filled with some sort of gift for them.  Oooops Sometimes we simplify a little too much:)


Ladder ball. 
We don't know what to do in our back yard for the kids. So I bought this ladderball set to get them out there. As you can see they are having a good time with it in the nice, sunny weather.