Picture Tag

This is an easy tag that I think I can handle. Joe and Celeste sent it to me.

Rules:
1. Go to the Document/My Pictures site on your computer.
2. Go to your sixth file.
3. Go to your sixth picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag six people.

This is my swimmer, Derek, with his buddies at a swim meet last summer in Springville. I loved watching him swim. It's always great when your kids find something they really love to participate in.

I tag Tammy, Catherine, Amy Kent, Amy Petersen, Deanna, and Kathy Johnson.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetheart

This post is for Troy. I love him so much and I want to tell him how much he means to me for Valentine's Day! He rarely looks at our blog so I have no idea if/when he will see it. I do, however, want everyone to know what a wonderful man I was lucky enough to marry.

Troy is a wonderful husband: he loves me unconditionally, he helps me with anything I need, he works very hard to provide for our family, he helps out at home whenever he can, he puts up with me, he compliments me all the time, he's fun to be around, he's always positive, did I mention how much he loves me?

Troy is a wonderful father: he loves to play with his kids, he spends all of his free time playing with or watching his kids in their activities, he teaches them to work hard, he teaches his boys to respect women and especially to love their mother, he teaches his kids the importance of serving, he encourages them in their activities and he encourages them to do well in school and church.

Troy is a wonderful man: he is a hard worker, he honors his priesthood, he loves to serve others, he loves his parents and treats them with respect, he has a strong testimony, his family (including mine) is very important to him (extended and immediate), he is honest, he is dependable, he is reliable, he is trustworthy, he is smart, he really is everything a girl could want.

I love you, Troy! Thanks for loving me, too!

Monkey Face

Emilee loves her monkey jammies.











Sometimes we can even get her to make a monkey face when she wears them.

Ashlee and Jordan wanted in on the "Monkey Face" fun.

Adam's Kenyan Samosas

On a very busy day (I think they are all like that at my house), Adam came home and said he was over the food section of a group report due the next day on Kenya. He had it all typed up and ready, but asked, "Do you think you could help me make something from Kenya tonight, Mom?" Food was not a requirement, but he thought it would be fun and he could get extra credit (that he didn't need). I had never made anything from Kenya! So we got on the internet and found a recipe. Between all the normal running around, I stopped to get a few things we would need at the store and while I was gone I had Adam make the dough. It required lots of kneading and he wasn't so sure he liked that. It was crazy hectic, but a fun bonding experience for us as we cooked up a new recipe together. Adam and Troy ate a bunch that night. I fried some up the next morning to take into his class and it was a hit! Even though I thought my night was already over scheduled, I fit it in and enjoyed it. It was a great learning experience for me. I learned that when we take the time to do something that's not necessary, but important to a child anyway, we can make time and have a great experience. Adam and I both had a lot of fun..

Derek's Science Fair Project

Derek, of course, chose to use duct tape as part of his science fair project. He tested how sticky it was after soaking a piece in water, milk, vinegar, and lemon juice. The best part about it was that he got 225/225 and all he asked me to do was develop his pictures. It was the easiest science fair project I've ever been asked to help with, I loved it!

Temple Square

The last Sunday in December, we went to Temple Square with the Lovell family to see the lights. We had lots of fun and loved the beautiful lights. We did, however, miss the big red tree. I heard it may be back next year and I hope so because it is always so pretty. It was so much fun spending time with family, especially because Joe, Celeste, and Brindi were still here and we don't get to see them very much. After seeing the lights we enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies together.

Five, Knuckles, Noggin

Emilee is always doing high five, knuckles, noggin, and "dude" with her big brothers. On Christmas Eve, she got Santa in on the action:

Christmas Eve Party

We always spend Christmas Eve with the Petersens. It is so much fun! We have lots of fun games, basketball, volleyball, fabulous dinner, Santa, and a Nativity. Grandpa and Grandma Petersen make it extra special and have Santa bring a little something for the younger children. (I wish I'd taken a picture of them.) We love them so much and are so grateful we get to spend time with them on the holidays.

Wardle Family Christmas Party

The Utah Wardle Cousins
Troy & Jackee fighting for gifts in the newspaper game.
The kids all loved playing in the newspaper. Jacob & Madison
Jacob & Emilee
Jaxon, Kaitlynn, & Jordan








Emilee loved it lots.










The Nativity was our finale for the night. The kids did a great job.

At the end, Derek accompanied us by playing Silent Night on his guitar. He also accompanied our ward in Sacrament Meeting earlier that day.

Christmas Dresses

Ashlee & Emilee looked so pretty in their Christmas dresses this year. Especially with their pretty matching flowers.

Festival of Lights

Derek, Emilee, Ashlee, Jaxon, & Jordan
Emilee, Ashlee, & Jaxon
Emilee & Mom
Jaxon, Jordan, Ashlee, & Emilee
Jordan & Derek

We decided to go see the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork this year instead of Thanksgiving Point, and we really enjoyed it. The kids had great fun hanging out windows to check out all the pretty lights. We drove through twice because we liked it so much. Emilee kept saying "Ho Ho" whenever we passed a Santa. We especially liked the Nativity.

Christmas Cookie Party