Miss you already...

Showing off the braids that Auntie Trish put in their hair!

See all these cuties?  They are my adorable nieces!  They came down and stayed for a few days at my house and we LOVED having them here!  The kids played and we ate yummy food and just enjoyed time together.  

They live in Ohio and had to go back (dangit!)...we miss them already..and can't wait to see them again!

Snow! Feb 2011

Good Morning Brody...there's snow!

 We really miss playing in the snow.  So, I decided to book a cabin near Big Bear (Running Springs) & invited the fam, for a fun Presidents Day Weekend!  We headed up on Thursday night, w/ Gammy, Papa & Christian,  and after taking a 2+ hour detour, we made it to the cabin.  It was very late and very cold.  So cold, that we couldn't get the key to the cabin out of the lock box.  Luckily, Gavin checked the back door and it was unlocked!  After unloading the vehicles, we nestled ourselves into our warm beds for the night.

 The kids were all up bright and early and couldn't wait to get out in the snow.  They put their coats and boots on w/ their pj's and headed out around 7:30 AM!  They just played in the snow on the deck that surrounded the cabin.  After a little morning fun in the snow, they came in for breakfast and then got all dressed and ready for the day and headed out to the yard for some sledding!

 We were lucky to have a little slope in the backyard.

Brody's first solo sled ride!

 Gav, Shawna, Shane & Joel showed up right before lunch and then after a little more sled time, we headed in for some food and warmth.  The cabin had this cool little loft that the kids hung out in and slept in. 

Dance Break!

 Then, all of a sudden, we look outside and Shaney yells "It's snowing!!!!!"  

It did start to snow and rain off and on and at the same time.

So, of course, the kids ran out again to play some more.

Jeremy getting "slushed" on!

 It looked like it was raining slushies!

 Friday night, WE MADE FIRE!!!  (kind of...it took many tries...but finally, Shawna got it burning good!)

 We all nestled up and settled in to watch some movies and then the storm knocked out the power!

We grabbed flashlights, lit candles and the kids took turns telling silly little ghost stories.

Our Cute Cabin

 After raining and snowing all night, this is what we woke up to Saturday morning.  Everything was blanketed with snow.  It was so pretty.  The rain and snow had iced over all our cars and we almost didn't get out of the driveway when it was time to leave.  But, thanks to Papa's 4X4 and teamwork, we made it out.  We ventured up towards Big Bear to find our own private paradise to go sledding.  Papa asked a nice CalTrans worker where a good spot would be, and he directed us to a beautiful little spot.  We had to hike in a bit, but it was so worth it!

Our Secret Spot

We played in our little secret spot for about 2 hours.  It was so much fun.  Lukey had a leg cramp the whole time, Brody was not feeling well and pretty much cried the whole time, I almost died on a tube run, Gavin got smacked in the face with a tree branch, and Cali bit her tongue and it was bleeding.  BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!  I had an amazing crash, but have nothing to show for it.  But, my dad had an awesome crash as well, when his tube popped on a rock!  I got it on video and as soon as I can figure out how to load videos off my new camera, I will share it with all of you!

All in all, it was a very special and successful weekend and I'm so glad it all worked out!  I totally want to do this every year!  Did you hear that Jer?

To check out all the pix from our weekend:

Snow! Feb 2011

Movie Review...

COOL.

Yeah...I LOVE Sci-Fi and this one was quite entertaining.  It did lack some holes in the story (why are they here anyway?).  But it was very well done and kept my attention.  The characters were pretty and the bad guys were scary.  #6 was my favorite and I do hope there will be a sequel.

Valentines Day

This year I was not as on top of things as I usually am.  Jeremy had the day off and I had to work.  We had a "mis-communication" on that one.  So, I worked, while he relaxed all day.  I usually get everyone cute little gifts and then Jeremy and I have a romantic dinner date.  This year, we decided to go out and have a FHE Valentines Night!  We wanted to go to Souplantation, but Gavin and Cali had too much homework.  So, we opted for McDonalds (yuck)-and snuck our food into the movie theater and saw THIS adorable movie!  It was really cute, fun and perfect for our Valentines Day!  I actually LOVED that we had this night together!  I LOVE my family so much!

Grandma the White

 Remerse Banks Wilson

1922-2011

 On Saturday (2/12), we said goodbye to the White Grandma.  She died a week prior from complications while suffering from pneumonia.  She lived an adventurous and wonderful life and passed with her children at her side. We were so lucky to have her in our lives!  Gavin lovingly named her the "White Grandma", because of her white hair when he was little.  She lived with Nana & Papa for 6-7 years and we got to spend so much time with her.  I'm so grateful for that.  Now she is in heaven with her sweetheart and all of her loved ones who have gone on before.  I know she is having a wonderful party and loving all the attention!
I will miss sharing Pepsi with her!

The funeral service took place in Bakersfield and most of her grandsons served as pallbearers.

Her casket was all pretty and pink.  I'll bet she liked that!  It was a gorgeous day and we had the service outside under a gazebo.  She loved being outside and sitting in the sunshine!

The kids sang "Families Can Be Together Forever".  Gavin had a really hard time and Cali was so cute, she reached over and held his hand until the song was over.  It was really sweet.

I thought this was cute....Cali, Cordy and Ady each took a white rose and laid it on top of the casket.  When the workers lowered the casket to place it in the wall, they took off all the flowers except those 3.  It was a very special goodbye.
We LOVE you Grandma and miss you and will be so happy when we see you again.

38 - Part II

 Thursday Feb. 10th - Jeremy's Actual Birthday!  We made sure to put on our happy faces again and make it a special night for Daddy.  When he came home from work, we showered him with gifts.  He got a surf dvd from Brody & Luke; a book from Gavin; a cool Kelly Slater shirt from Cali; and a new GPS from me.  He really liked all his presents and then we headed to our favorite family restaurant-Islands!

Happy Birthday to the best Daddy & Husband in the whole Universe!  We Love You!

38 - Part I

Jeremy is officially 38 years old!  When these pictures were taken though, he was not!  The last week and a half for us has been very...what's the word?...Challenging.  On Saturday February 5th, we found out that our sweet "Grandma the White" had passed away.  This was a total shock.  The next day was Superbowl Sunday, and we had planned a little birthday party for Jeremy, because I was supposed to leave on his birthday for Utah (to see Colby home from his mission).

So, we put on our happy faces and absorbed all the family and friend love we could get and had a party!

It was a great night w/ football, martial arts movies, homemade cards and cake and ice cream!