Snow What!

Can you tell this is just out of our front door!

4 snow days and 4 feet of snow! We are so grateful for wonderful neighbors who helped clear our driveway and get the heat back on! (Thanks Marty) Brant was gone with work and I was snowed in! Our weekend plans to Phoenix were ruined and I felt stuck. If you know me at all I absolutely hate feeling stuck. Brant returned on Saturday, to a very clean house, I might add. I didn’t know how he would get his car out, so after I dug myself out, 

We headed in town to dig Brant's car out.  We almost couldn't tell which car was his!

Rianne was a big help.  Heath just played on the hill on the side of the car.   

I was hoping it would be a surprise but after an hour and a half, he got home and finished (he didn't have that much left). We were glad to have him home!

This week when the fog came in, I felt that stuck feeling again and Brant was again out of town. So I headed down to Phoenix the beauty of Flagstaff is after 2 hours down the road, the snow disappeared and cactus started showing up! We went to the temple on Friday, enjoyed the beautiful weather; walking along the temple grounds. Ria took the picture

Back at the hotel we took the kids swimming. Saturday it was off to the Zoo with friends!

The animals were so active, we enjoyed watching the monkeys. The kids loved feeding the giraffe.

What a wonderful well deserved weekend (Thanks Larsen’s)!

She shoots She Scores

Rianne has been playing in a junior basketball league, 2^nd to 4^th grade. She is one of the youngest. Today at practice there was a jump ball between two girls and the coach said "who wants it, pull". Ria ran over to the jump ball and proceeded to pull it from the two girls. She is pretty aggressive. Most people ask if I have a hard time not coaching her, the answer is YES. I am so grateful for patient coaches, so these little kids can have these experiences I couldn't do it! I am also grateful for Brant and how he keeps me in check when I ask "can I tell her this?" and he says "well how are you going to say it?"

Saturday her team was the "Couch Potatoes" at the NAU Girls basketball game. They were also the half time entertainment, with a little Scrimmage. It was a little therapeutic for me to watch her playing with her friends! I never thought it would be a good idea for me to have a girl but He does know what is best and I am so glad He sent her to me!

She loved running through the tunnel and playing the game. Her favorite part: dribbling the court shooting and making a basket on the big 10 ft hoop in the dome!

She had a great night drinking pop, eating wings and playing with her teammates. Dancing to see herself on the big screen was a bonus! She was sure they would put it on TV. She was moving too much so we didn't get great pictures.

Check her out playing defense


She has no idea where the ball is but her girl was not getting it. She almost got hit in the head on the rebound.

Heath wishes he could play. They were giving away old jersey's he found this one and was so excited to wear uncle Chad's numbers when I told him that was Uncle Chad's number he corrected me and said "uh mom there are two" After Ria's practice she was telling me about a drill and Heath said "Did you get to play defense" (I guess he is defensively minded like his dad).

He has been so funny lately. Heath and I were driving home from town; he says "Mom are DEERS nocturnal?" (I don't know how to spell that). I said "I don't know usually we… He interrupts me and says "I know Santa's are but are all deers nocturnal? (He is SO Funny). Right now he is really into asking how to spell things and writing it down it is pretty funny to listen to him play mad libs with Brant "Dad give me an adjecdiv (sounds like a medical procedure). Brant answers "Red" Heath asks "how do you spell that?" "R-E-D" Heath writes it out completely illegible then tells Dad "read that sentence I wrote".

Kids are the BEST! We've had 2 snow days and they have played so good together. They have also cleaned the stove & microwave, made dinner and they have fought over setting the table (every meal). Tomorrow is a snow day too, what will I give them for entertainment? Perhaps the bathrooms although Ria has been requesting making bread! I wish they could do my homework!

Christmas Magic

Heath was so happy to have a Christmas tie like Daddy.

We enjoyed Christmas Eve with are friends doing the nativity, (only this group can make finger food so delicious)! I was so impressed Heath's friend Dillan read 'Twas the night before Christmas to us, he had the whole thing memorized!


We had a fabulous Christmas, @ home with our little family it really was just a perfect day!

I love that both my kids are believers! I didn't love it at 1:30 (Rianne), 4:30 (Heath) or 6:00 (together) but the day was fun taking our time opening presents playing with them and then moving on it stretched out the morning. They were so excited with giving and that made it even better. Heath was set on giving dad a big stapler with blue and silver stripes; I finally talked him into a big one that was blue. Rianne was very happy with a gift from Santa that she didn't even ask for, He is so good. (Fashion art studio) Rianne was very happy about new cowgirl boots.

Heath was very excited about a Batman house from Santa.

Brant gave Heath a Phineas and Ferb shirt with a guitar, Heath is convinced it makes him look older ("I look like a teenager in this")

It was a simple Christmas. I have loved the extra time we've had together. I felt more rushed this year, I was nervous that it wouldn't be as good. I love that we really felt the spirit of Christmas and I feel so blessed for the Reason for this Season. His life is the greatest gift ever given!

Its just beginning

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This weekend we went to the tree lighting ceremony and the kids sat on Santa’s lap. Rianne asked Santa what his favorite kind of cookie was, (thoughtful) & Heath informed him that he wouldn’t eat ALL of his cookies, (thoughtful). I’m glad there will be some for Santa.

For all of you, who thought we moved to Arizona for warmer weather, should enjoy this. On Monday morning we had our first snow fall it looked so pretty, I cleaned out the car (I think we have been living in it for a month, but I did find the windshield scraper) Heath played in the snow.

Brant called about 11 am and said they were closing NAU campus at noon, he would be coming home! The snow kept coming Brant got home cleared the porch, Rianne came home from school, Brant cleared the porch again. The kids made a snowman. Then we received word that NAU would be closed on Tuesday! No work for Brant and I had a final scheduled for Tuesday! The option for finals was to take your current grade or wait until Jan 11th to take the final, I took the grade. I made it through my first semester of Grad school! Rianne’s school announced a snow day Tuesday! It snowed all night we woke up to our porch looking like this:

And check out the Car!

We had to play in it so we buried Dad!

We did some somersaults in the snow.

We enjoyed Heath trying to walk in deep snow, although he kept saying “the snow is so steep” I am a big fan of being warm and I love snow pants! Although I move like I’m very fat it was so fun to enjoy the snow as a family!

We did eventually have to clear the driveway, we almost got to the end but we got stuck! Eventually we made our way out and Brant went back to work today, Wednesday but the kids still got another snow day! 24" in 24 hours!

Grateful & 8 is Great!

I am feeling abundantly blessed, after a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving with nearly 60 people and all of whom I absolutely love! (Seriously I have the best in-laws). It never seems like there is enough time to visit with everyone and I thought I did pretty well this weekend! I contributed to the dinner with stuffing, salad and my favorite Pie!

After dinner the girls got together to do crafts, which I actually enjoyed and they turned out quite cute, good job Kanani & Tye. I felt especially blessed that night, when Brant and all of his brother's gave their parents priesthood blessings! It was so powerful, and it is always nice to be reminded how blessed we really are.

On Friday McKay organized a hike that Brant and the kids went on and found the fountain of youth. Brant said Heath was tough, he wasn't going to let anyone carry him and he was determined to pack his own water bottle all the way! He was mad to stop for a picture and dad held his water for the picture.  Heath really enjoyed playing with his Cousin Joe, although he only calls him Noel's brother. Brant asked him if he knew they were twin's Heath replied "yeah I know, they have the same shadow". Where does this kid come up with this stuff?

Next event was Rianne's Baptism on Saturday. I felt so loved to have so many come and everyone was super helpful I don't know what I would do without these wonderful people in my life. My mom came and gave the baptism talk, she did a good job. We really do get a lot of do over's, CTR. When I watched my daughter step into the font, I was completely overwhelmed for 8 years I have been able to do everything for her, whatever she needed; there she was doing for herself something I couldn't do for her. I was proud and excited at the same time it was a crossroad of growing up I guess. I must add how grateful I am for Priestood and that my husband is a worthy holder. 

Then my sweet little girl came out of the water and I wrapped that towel around her (Provided by Nate) and she said "thanks mom, I'm so glad you get to be the one to wrap the towel around me". I love that beautiful, daughter of mine. She could hear the singing and was in such a rush to get dressed, she was so fast. She said "mom I know I can repent and I won't be perfect forever but I'm going to see how long I can stay this perfect". Then Grandma Brown gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, with a solar flashlight. Grandma Brown and Ria have such a cute connection, maybe it was all the time grandma watched her. Then Ria was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. She and dad had tears in their eyes!

Then we had a little luncheon with a soup spread and 8 shaped cookies, thanks girls. Brant also put a slide show together. If I can figure out how to add it I will.

Grandma Brown also presented Ria with her comforter blanket, (Grandma Brown's tradition to do for the grandkids' baptism).

I want to individually thank everyone but I know I'd forget somebody. Thank you all, for the effort you made for a very special event! We headed back Sunday morning so Ria could be introduced as the newest member of our ward.  When we took the sacrament Ria gave me a thumbs up and said "fresh start".   

This is Rianne and Grandpa Jeff after her baptism.  (the only picture we have of the two of them)

I did try another 8 cake too! 

Last Y 1st NM

We went to our last BYU game of the season, with our first trip to New Mexico!

Our Nephews Terrence and Rhen play for the cougars. We got to see them play in Vegas and we were so excited for our trip to New Mexico. This is us with the Boys after the UNLV game.

We got to visit with T at the hotel on Friday. Heath was being his crazy self, jumping on T, Max Hall (the QB) was sitting behind us T had to protect him from kicks to the head! It was a little walk through practice for T who plays on the O line J.

Ria and T @ the hotel, Thanks for the Tickets T we loved visiting with you and watching you play, we are proud of you!

Albuquerque was beautiful with all the fall colors. I was also able to make it to the temple, which felt so good, it had been too long! It was a little cold but you know me I thought Brandon's game was perfect weather!

The kids had so much fun looking for "Big T" and would say I see "6-0, mom".

It was fun for us to see Ria understand a little more of the game. She was asking questions and by the end of the game She was cheering for the Lobos to throw a pick six.

 Heath liked doing the signs for touchdown and the kick is no good; luckily the Lobos Kicker gave us plenty of chances to say "no good". T doesn't look so happy giving 5's at the end of the game.

We would have preferred a blow out too, but we'll take the win!

BFF

Happy Birthday to my BFF! ! That's Right today is MY Natalie's Birthday, I was corrected by Heath, "she's Our Natalie too!" She totally is!

If you don't know her, you are missing out, (I missed a year too, and I still regret it!) In fact she makes me buy things I'll return and then regret! ;). She is the best. Really the best: host, photographer, gift giver, shopper, traveler, crafty stuff, cards, dresser, etc. etc. Not to mention all the long talks, this girl has helped me through the toughest times, and celebrated the best moments! Natalie is who I call on to cry, laugh, vent, or at random. (I have a package & Card I didn't get sent, L I'll see you in Kanab in a few weeks I'll bring it then)! She has been through so many things I never hope to face. She has more faith and integrity than anyone I have ever known! She gives me insight and the best advice to any situation. I don't know what I'd do without her. They say a real friend knows everything about you and likes you anyway! A true friend can see you in any mood or situation and see the best in you, I'm still not sure what she is getting out of this but I know I get way more!!! Natalie, you mean more to me than I could ever put into words. I miss you so much Natalie, I wish I could be locked in the temple (again) with you. I hope you have a wonderful Birthday, I only wish I was there to share it with you!