54 years

my mom and dad were married in 1959. 

all my life i knew that they were committed to God first of all. 

and to each other next. 

their choices have made a family culture. 

they've spent the last 53 years showing my family how to love one another. 

and i will make sure that legacy is not wasted. i will show my children what i have learned about Christlike love. i will tell my children and my children's children what it takes to build a strong family. 

and i will thank God every day that i was blessed to be part of this family 

and privileged to belong to these parents. I will thank Him every day for temple blessings and knowing that this beauty can last forever. 

valentine

the litigator brought tulips

the kids decorated

a sample from our traditional fhe

boys & mom lunch

(girls were at class and ballet all day)

heart pizzas and mix-your-own-sparkling-juice

my valentines

(that's a nancy drew game & lego star wars for wii on L's lap)

we made this on the side of the house for dad

my little cadet and his golden gun

(far left)

my snowflake

(far right)

my flower

(second from left)

these aren't the best pictures i've ever taken. and i have more. over 800 of them. but these are some of my favorites and will always bring me back to the wonder and admiration and pride i felt watching my little ones under the lights, with no fear and such great ability.

giving thanks

it begins with pie

then stuffing turkeys

some baby love

setting the table

i meant stuffing and accessorizing

backyard hoops (how i wish we had one of these)

in-out-in-out

they came to take a look.  they look like little old men.

denied by dad

it's a...smoked duck

i don't think she tried it.

he can hardly stand the wait...

horrible squinty looks (name that children's book!)

 the kids table

shooting the turkeys

turkey take down

a keen robin hood bow!

the champion!

still a kid at heart

thank you hromikos and wilburgs for being our family too

25

my book club (i think it's been 11 years...)
we've been meeting 10 times a year and many faces have changed. there are many books i would have never picked up or even heard of that i tried and enjoyed. and also, many i disliked.

today i checked good reads and saw this:

Darla is your friend 

what a relief! and i'm so glad she's my friend and i can see what she's been reading. there's no more luxurious feeling than having a new book that i think will be a good one and having time to read it. unless it's having a nice big brownie at the same time.  

26

my brothers and sister

we survived the 70's

27

so thankful for our amazon.com prime membership

diapers 
wipes
christmas gifts
mascara
school supplies
baby wash
new tennis shoes for boys
used books

they all come right to my house. and i don't have to put anyone in the car seat or figure out how i'm going to squeeze in a trip to target between chemistry, ballet and soccer practice. 

29

 thankful 

for early morning crazy hair and legos that keep them a little quieter

30

thankful for

beautiful chickens and the fresh eggs they give us