Welcome City Creek

If you are ever in town you must go down and visit City Creek. We did end up going on the opening day, but I didn't have my camera then. We went back on a Sunday after we had walked around Temple Square. Things were much calmer. All the stores are closed on Sunday but the mall is open to walk through. I can't believe I didn;t get a picture of the creek, duh! It is very charming and the atmosphere is cool. There are even big trout flouting the the creek as it meanders through the mall. This is my editorial picture.One for all of you that question the church's involvment in the ownership of such an upscale mall. This one

They have a common area to sit a spell and take in the view. There is a gas fireplace to warm up by. Very cozy

The beginning of where the water comes into the mall at the north end.

Spring Break 2012

HOLY COW***It has been too long between posts when Blogger has changed its completed website lay out since the last time I have blogged*** We decided to go down to Blanding for Spring Break. Mike was able to get away early on Friday and we wanted to get a jump on our trip to miss most of the traffic. We kicked off Spring Break with listening to General Conference. It was a wonderful to l isten to what the prophet and apostles had to teach us. The music and choirs were awesome and we even got to see that ending shot with David Archuleta in the MTC choir. We laid around and watched conference while the kids mostly played outside and then Gma fed us all yummy food during the breaks. Mike and I... and Christian also got to squeeze in an early round of golf at the Hideout. On Monday we hiked around a bit at Natural bridges. A storm had blown in and it was really cold and windy thus the hoodies cinched up reallll tight.

Butler Wash Indian Ruins

Of course, he had to get back to Gma and Gpa's so the kids could get back on the 4 wheelers.

Jessie loved climbing up and down Gpa Black's little rocking chair. Quite the Dare Devil!!

On Tuesday on our way home we stopped at Arches. It had been over 10 years since Mike and I had been and the first time for the kids. We hiked Delicate Arch first.

We did it!!

Okay kids Stand BY the sign so we can see where we hiked... BY the sign... BY the sign not in front of it!!

Jessie had enough of riding in the front carrier. On the way back from Landscape Arch she wanted to walk ... the whole way.To speed things up we would count to three and swing her. During mid swing we would run as far as we could. She loved it!

It was a beautiful day and we couldn't have asked for better weather.

We headed to Denny's in Moab for the dinner that would never come and then had a sfe trip home.

Amy is a Fantastic Reader

The boys were giddy with anticipation! The kid's school always has a read-a-thon and this year the theme was the Wild West. During the week they have to read like crazy and they get little awards for all their hard work- i.e. mustaches, bandanas, sheriff badges. Amy read for the most minutes in her class so she was rewarded with a couple rides on the bull. She rode for a long time. Way to go Amy!!!

The guy in charge of the bull had the same white spot as Brigham. That was neat to see an old guy with hair just like Brigham. he got a kick out of it too and asked if he could text his mom a pic. His friend told us the "chics dig it". Uh oh! We had better watch out!

What in the world do we do all day?

Eat chocolate bon bons while soaking our toesies... of course!
In the next life right??!

I think Spring has arrived and it will stay. We sure have loved being outdoors. Mike was just commenting on all the new buds around our yard. Or yard is turning green. The ducks are laying eggs again. Life is in full swing.
I don't get much time to blog any more because of this little one...




Usually I see her like this...begging to be picked up.



We have been trying to get Jessie to walk. She is getting better. It is just so hard to watch her crawl across the garage floor and all around the yard. Grosses me out! Too hard for her to stay inside when everyone is having a grand old time outside. Walking is just cleaner!




We have been going to Rocket Park a lot and Briggy has almost conquered the Monkey Bars.




We collect guns all day and then try to see how many we can carry in our britches at the same time.

JNB: 1st Birthday Party

She is now a big ONE year old!


We had a little party for Jessie on Sunday. We had a jello poke cake and some ice cream. Jessie was real clingy- kind of going through seperation anxiety with learning to walk and all.
She didn't really want any cake, but finally dumped it off her plate and played around with it for a bit. She got some fun skidders which she has loved so far and a pretty Easter Dress and some others toys.
It was great little party!




Thanks to dad and Dave for serving it up!

Katie and Matt


Papa D just had spinal surgery so that is his Star Wars looking neck brace.

Amanda and Robbie are expecting a baby girl in May.

JNB: 1Year Old

Our Kitty Kitty is already one year old...

Jessie really is a good baby. She has her "naughty" things, but really they aren't much. It seems like she will have a disposition similar to Amy's- we will have to see! She is very easy going and is good to play on her own unless she wants to just be held. Mike was telling me last night during story time she was being a bit of a tease.
Amy was our only child to not walk before a year and now Jessie will join her on that side. Seems these two girls do things when they want in their own time. I think Jessie will be walking within the next month. She is real close and will even take some steps, but isn't too confidident yet.

So glad Jessie bessie brings up the rear in our family. She is an absolute blessing!














It as been a bit nostalgic to look through Jessie's last year of pictures and I am surprised to say that I am not too sad.
The last time I will have that huge belly...see dry wrinkly newborn feet, long slender fingers with long fingernails, newborn smell and warmth...nursing one on one time...
I am happy and feel excited to move on to what life has to offer our family next.

We are always in new territory and that presents it challenges and fun times.

So true...

"photography remembers the little things, long after you have forgotten everything."
aaron siskind

Happy St. Patrick's Day