Hiking to the Waterfall

Yesterday, our family hiked to the Rick's Creek Waterfall.  It's a nice easy hike and it was so good to smell the great outdoors and be surrounded by nature for awhile.  The kids loved exploring and jumping over rocks across little portions of the creek.  They all found some neat rocks.  Jake liked throwing them in the water to create a big "splash".  It was so nice to experience the great beauty we've been given to enjoy!

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's day my sweet Brian took me out to dinner to Ruby River.  We were able to get a nice prime rib dinner for 2 for $34.99.  It was so nice.  Then we went to see the movie "The Vow" which was good but I wish the ending would've been extended for another 15 min. to allow a better "AHHHH" effect and explored the ending further.  I'm so thankful I'm married to my Valentine!

January Birthdays

We celebrated the birthdays of Kaelie & Jeade'en in January.  I'm posting this a little late because of work.
Here are our girls:

Happy Birthday Kaelie!

Kaelie turned 6 yrs. old Jan. 29, 2012!

 She picked out a beautiful "Little Mermaid" cake.

(I think this is her 3rd Ariel birthday cake.)

 She 'almost' blew all the candles out the first time.

 She couldn't wait to lick the frosting off all the cake "accessories".

 

 

 This picture is so sweet of our princess Kaelie.  I just wish it wasn't blurry.
(Oh annoying camera.)

 She had so much fun opening her presents!

 

 

 She got some really nice gifts.  Dad & Mom got her a Veggie Tales Girl Power DVD, a dress-up (pictured above), lip gloss, and color-changing nail polish.  She got tights and Sunday shoes from Grandpa & Grandma Knox.  Aunt Sarah & girls gave her a "Tangled" playset.  Aunt Carolee & girls gave her a cute little porcelain doll that plays music.  Grandma Carol gave her a coloring book.  Ashlen gave her a gray kitty webkinz.

Happy Birthday Jeade'en!

 Jeade'en turned 14 yrs. old Jan. 30, 2012!

 She picked out a decadent chocolate cake!

 Jeade'en blew out all her candles except one the first time.

I still think she'll get her wish.  She's an amazing teenager...so far.

 Every time I try to take her picture, Jeade'en has to pull a face.

I should be used to it by now because it's her trademark.

 She got some great gifts.  Grandpa & Grandma Knox gave her $15 and some chocolate!  (She takes after her mom with the whole chocolate addiction thing.)  Daddy & Mommy got her some jewelry and a shopping trip for a new church coat.  Aunt Carolee and girls gave her a sterling silver charm bracelet.  Aunt Sarah and girls got her a make up bag and some nail polish.  Grandma Carol gave her a cute dog 2012 calendar.

 Happy Birthday to our youngest and oldest daughters!

You both are amazing girls!

Ashlen's Baptism

Our sweet Ashlen decided to be baptized on January 14, 2012.

We were so proud of her decision and she was so excited!

It was so special and there was such an incredible sweet spirit present.

Congratulations Ashlen!

 

 

 

These were the announcements we sent out to our family.

 This was the Baptismal Program.

 

 We had a dinner afterwards for all those family and friends who came to celebrate and share her special day.  After dinner, she opened her gifts.

These were all the wonderful gifts she received from family and friends.
Thank you so much everyone!
We love you Ashlen!

My New Job!

Well, I am now a working mom from 8-5 Mon. through Fri. for 8 weeks.  I took a job at the capitol in Salt Lake City on the senate staff.  I started Jan. 17th and I am only working full time during the session.  I must say it is amazing.  I've always loved politics and now I get to be in the thick of the Utah political season.  I'm loving learning all the new things and meeting the Senators and being in the "working" world.  Talking to adults all day and performing adult business tasks is fun.  But, I'm glad it's only for a little time because I'm seeing how much my husband and kiddos miss me and how much I miss them.  I look at it as a growing opportunity for me.  I haven't been a full-time working mother ever and I haven't been out in the workplace for 15 years.  Can you believe that?  Not that I haven't been working and working hard.  But, this is quite different.  I have a new appreciation for working mothers that do it all the time.  I'm having to juggle around many things and practice good time management.  So, today was the opening session at the legislature and we were all introduced.  Here I am in the purple shirt.  My co-worker Lori is waving to her friend who took our picture.

     

Senator Osmond convinced his nephews The Osmond Brothers (the second generation) to sing.  It was gorgeous and in true Osmond fashion and harmony.  They sang three numbers, including “The National Anthem” by David Osmond, as well as a number written by Senator Orrin Hatch.  

  

I love being able to hear some of the sessions and form my own unbiased opinion.  It's great to be able to hear both sides of an issue before the media attacks.  I feel like I'm being refreshed as a woman, wife, and mother.  Seven more weeks to go.