BYU FAN-ATICS

I am an BYU alumn and Aaron is an Aggie (USU) alumn. So, last year, when the two teams met in Provo, we decided to take the kids to the game. Along for the ride were good friends the Johnson and Gonzalez families. We had to stop at the famed salt flats for a photo op! Not to mention our family has a tradition of carving our names in the salt! Here's the whole kidd-o gang:

Brooke Johnson & Mason

And then, onto the game!! Oh how I love a good BYU football game! Anyone who knows me, knows that not only do I LOVE football, but pair that with BYU and I'm in heaven! I have successfully won my children over, who also cheered for the Cougs. Poor Aaron was the lone Aggie fan. And - so sorry Aaron - the COUGS WON! :)

Two of my bestest friends: Cindy Johnson & Paula Gonzalez

Celia Gonzalez and Madi & Kylie Johnson

Olivia and Arie
We went to visit my nephew, Paul Krey, who is a freshman at BYU - yep! He is a super smart dude!

BYU WINS! Aaron was not super happy (and clearly neither was Arie) but the rest of us were all smiles! GO COUGS!

My Legacy

Every once in a while, probably far less than I should, I sit back and look around and marvel at how blessed I am. Yesterday I was doing this while looking at my three, beautiful children. When Aaron and I began on this journey to parenthood, we had a rocky go at the beginning. After almost three long years, when we found out we were pregnant with Mason we were thrilled. On that day, I remember kneeling down to thank my Father in Heaven for blessing us, and promised that I would thank Him everyday for the opportunity to be a mom. I have never broken that promise! All of my children are so unique and different, and each bring such a fullness of joy into my life! I really cannot imagine my life with them not in it. I can't truthfully say that I've loved being a mom everyday. But I can say that when I take stock of my life, all of my blessings and gratitude boil down to one essential element - family! My children will be the biggest and hopefully best job I do in this life. They quite literally define who I am and my journey in this life. And I am grateful, profoundly, to be their mom!

Soccer!

For those of you who may not know - Zach is our sports buff! He loves playing all things sport! He currently plays baseball, but we've never really signed him up for any other sport. He's been begging to play soccer for quite sometime. He's also been begging to play football. Most people who know me know that I LIVE for football - but there is something about having to sit back and watch your son play that makes me a bit hesitant. As for soccer - I'm NOT European, and the sport truly bores me. However, Zach has been working super hard in school, so I've relented and he's now playing indoor soccer for the Killer Bees! He had his first game on Saturday night. Here he is in his uniform.

And that little yellow speck? Yep - that's Zach playing goalie. He was stoked because that's the position he says he's best at. He played the first quarter as goalie. He stopped 5 attempts, but let 2 past. Not too bad for his first game! He was quite pooped at the end, but smiling and happy. And what was the first question out of his mouth on the ride home? Can I sign up for football too? Ahhh, no rest for the weary!

GO BEES!

Ice Skating

Last week our Young Men & Young Women from our church took a trip to Brentwood to do some ice skating. Most of the time the girls and boys do separate activities, but on occasion, they combine for activities. This was one such occasion. So, I got to spend the evening with Mason. How grateful I am that he has yet to be embarrassed to be seen with his Mom! We had so much fun together! I do love this boy!

Mason invited his best buddy, Evan to skate with us. Evan doesn't belong to our faith, but he sure had fun zooming around the rink with Mason and some of Mason's friends. Evan is a good kid, and as a mom, I am grateful for good friends who come from good families with values similar to ours.

Mason was nervous about ice skating. As a family, we went ice skating in Tahoe during the Thanksgiving break. Needless to say, he didn't have much fun. However, because his buddy came, he put on a brave face. He mostly clung to the wall the first few times around, but by evenings end, he was skating free of the wall, and playing with all the boys! It was such a great night!

A sweet ride

I knew at some point in life, I would lose my status in my husbands eyes - I always thought it would be a daughter who would trump me. And while it's true that Arie has turned Aaron's world upside down, SHE was not the reason I have lost my "Queen" status. It's all because of Bonne....

For the last few years, Aaron's had his eye on getting a Bonneville (Bonne) Triumph. So, for Christmas, he found one! We traveled down to Pacifica on New Years Eve where he purchased the love of his life...a new bike which he lovingly named "Selene" - yep, I've been trumped! In fact, that's where he is right now - out riding his beloved bike! I like to give him a hard time, but it really is a pretty sweet ride! Plus, if I do say so myself, he looks pretty hot riding around :)

Sunny California

I love California! Today was about 72 - not a bad number for January! Of course, we need the rain and some snow in the mountains would be nice so we could do some snowboarding - but since that's not happening, we'll take the warm weather. With the boys back in school, we took advantage of the day by taking Arie to the park.

Aaron introduced her to the rock wall - and once she started she didn't want to stop! Even in her "pretty shoes" and a skirt! She scaled the wall at least four times!

What a fun day! I don't get to do the park very often, so it was fun to take a day and just relax and enjoy with two of my favorite people!