Witches at Gardner Village

One other impromptu Halloween activity we participated in this year was going to see

The Witches at Gardner Village.

I had never been.

It is an outdoor shopping area, and witches were decorated throughout.

We had a paper with clues about each witch and we had to try to locate them.

The kids had a great time and it was fun to have all the Nunes cousins together.

Thanks for inviting us and taking the pictures, Krista!

Busy Boys

Pictures taken November 2, 2011

I didn't take many  pictures in October, so I just decided to get my camera out on a random Wednesday afternoon.  Ammon was doing homework and Peter was building things.  I'm so thankful to have these boys being part of my life!

Halloween Fun

Pictures taken October 29, 2011

Last year I felt like Halloween was a month long event.

It was fun, but I was relieved when it was over.

This year was just the opposite of that.

I never even really caught up to Halloween before it had come and gone.

Still, we did some fun things.

We had a Halloween party with friends I went to High School with.

We had a ward party/trunk or treat.

We went trick or treating at the district.

And finally, on Halloween,

Ammon marched in the school parade

(and even though I didn't have my camera, both Andrew and I were able to go see him)

we ate delicious red beans and rice for dinner,

trick or treated in South Jordan,

and visited grandparents on both sides.

We never did carve pumpkins this year.

Sad.

I guess we'll have to look forward to that one in 2012.

Fall Finale

Pictures taken October 8, 2011

Andrew enjoyed racing in the Fall Finale at the Kearns Olympic Oval.

His friend Spencer and his dad also participated in that race.

Andrew had registered to do a race at the beginning of tri season on the same course.

He was hoping to compare times and have a concrete identifier of how much he had improved.

Sadly, the Spring Sprint was snowed out and they didn't get to bike for that event.

We were worried that something similar would happen for the Fall Finale.

Fortunately, despite the cold, wet weather,

the race went on!

The boys were great and had a fun time cheering on the athletes.

It's a great tradition to support Dad in his races.

Go Andrew!

Giving Thanks - Day 4

Today I am grateful for seasons, icecream , good friends and dates with my husband.

I spent the afternoon outside LOVING the beautiful autumn atmosphere with golden leaves covering the ground.  The boys played and had a good night.  And yet this evening was spent driving through the first big snow storm of the season.  Thanks to some great friends/neighbors who kept an eye (or ear) on our boys, Andrew and I were able to get out and go to Leatherby's for some ice cream.  That's right - I drove through a snow storm to eat ice cream!  I LOVE ice cream!  It's been a good day.

Giving Thanks - Day 3

I'll admit it - today I'm a little stumped as to what to write about.  It isn't that I don't have a LOT to be grateful for, because I do.  It's just that I'm tired, and somehow that always makes it more challenging to recognize the blessings in our lives.  So instead of expounding on anything I will just share the list of things I could choose from today.

I am grateful for:

• my husband, who got the boys ready and off to school today
• visiting teachers past and present (one of my past visiting teachers called me today and I enjoyed talking with her)
• my friend Keri (she stopped by and spent some time with me today and also drove me to pick up Peter from school which took a 45-60 minute job and transferred it into a 10 minute job!  Thanks Keri!)
• nice weather that wasn't too cold  (Peter enjoyed some nice outdoor time today and even though it was a little chilly, when the sun wasn't blocked by clouds, it was pretty nice.)
• school (this semester has been so hard for me because it started off on the wrong foot, but I still enjoy my classes even though I am slightly burned out and my grades are about as bad as they've ever been.)
• my friend Shae who is also my 1st counselor and right hand man (today I am grateful to her because she babysat my boys while I went to class, but I have a long list of other reasons I am so grateful to her too.
• And finally, my husband again, who has been gone for about 12 hours now, but is still willing to stop at the store on his way home to pick us up a couple of things for our 10:00 PM dinner.

It's been a long day after a night of little sleep, but as you can see from this list, it's also been a good day.  And I'm grateful for that.

Giving Thanks - Day 2

Today I am grateful for little hands.  I was walking, hand in hand, with Peter this morning as we went to drop him off at preschool.  The feeling of his cold little hand in mine was so perfect!  I realized that his hands won't always be that small.  In fact, there will come a day when his hands will be larger than mine.  And I will be grateful for those hands too.  

My children are growing much faster than I sometimes want them to.  And there are fewer of them than I ever would have dreamed.  My mom had twelve years from her oldest to youngest child - she was mothering children in ALL phases of childhood for a LONG time.  I never would have thought that I would have such a tiny 3 1/2 year window from start to finish with each and every childhood phase.  I was so disappointed when my kids were spread so "far apart" from each other, but now I am just so glad that it isn't going even more quickly!  I'm so grateful for that gap that once seemed so huge, and now seems so small.  This morning, I kissed Ammon at the bus stop to wish him a happy day.  A part of me wondered if he was getting too old for that.  Imagine my delight when he hugged me back.  I guess he's not too old for that yet!  

My boys are so very precious to me.  I love them because they are them, and I love them because they are mine.  It is such a joy to see how they grow and develop.  I'm proud of who they are becoming.  But for today, I'm grateful that they are small.

Giving Thanks - Day 1

The month of Thanksgiving is here, so I am going to *attempt* writing about things I am grateful for throughout the month.  

The first thing that came to mind today is that I am grateful for revelation.  Knowing that God can and does speak directly to me brings a great amount of peace and joy to my life.  It is among my most treasured blessings in life to have His guidance through this world.  In addition to personal revelation, I am so grateful for the revelation given to those who lead.  From parents who lead their families, bishops who lead their wards, and most blessedly to the prophets and apostles who stand as a guiding light to the world.

Here are some of my favorite talks on the topic of revelation.

First, we have Elder Oaks in October of last year expounding on the Two Lines of Communication.  He breaks down and helps clearly understand the methods and roles of individual revelation and revelation that comes through the priesthood authority.  It is a beautiful discourse.

Next, there is Elder Bednar, who gave a great description of how one might expect to receive personal revelation.  My husband likes to listen to books on tape, and one afternoon, while borrowing his car, I sat in a parking lot unwilling to turn the key and go into shop.  One of his CD's was playing and Sheri Dew was teaching about personal revelation.  She spoke of the concept that learning how to receive revelation from the Holy Ghost is like learning another language.  (Duh!  Of course it is - it is the language Heavenly Father uses to speak to us!)  She gave the example of the years it takes in coming to master a language and then, even once that language is mastered that we still need to use it to retain that knowledge.  I think Elder Bednar's talk from last April really helps teach some of the basics of the "language" as he gives a great message on The Spirit of Revelation.

Another of my absolute favorite talks is from Elder Scott in October of 2009.  The first thing I did when I received my calling as Relief Society President, was reference back to this talk.  He poses these questions: "What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life?  What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends?  What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?"  and then answers them by teaching each of us how  To Acquire Spiritual Guidance.  I love the personal experiences he shares in his own quest to receive revelation and then the analogy of the grape in which he explains, "The inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear, or pride.  When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeno pepper.  Both flavors are present, but one completely overpowers the other.  In like manner, strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit." 

Finally, I think back to a talk by Elder Anderson where he teaches a beautiful message about our prophets and apostles.  He helps us understand that they really are our watchmen on the tower in his wonderful talk Prophets and Spiritual Mole Crickets.

I feel extremely blessed to have been so well instructed on revelation over the years, and in having felt the love of my Heavenly Father as I have worked to try to understand His communication with me through the Holy Ghost and through His prophets.  I am so thankful for revelation in my life!

Another Miracle

A little more than six years ago, I remember sitting with my sister-in-law, holding my sweet  Ammon, and talking about how anxious I was - even disappointed in my impatience as it was taking longer than desired for me to have another baby.  She was somewhat offended by my comments, making it clear to me that I should be grateful for what I had, and that even just one baby was SUCH a blessing.  Her reaction was an emotional one as she had struggled for years with infertility and unsuccessful adoption attempts.  She was growing discouraged, wondering if this deepest desire of her heart would ever come to pass.

A few weeks/months later, she was a mother herself.  Through adoption, she had finally received the miracle of motherhood and was thrilled beyond belief.  


But her story didn't end there.

16 short months later, she and her husband were contacted with the opportunity to adopt a baby girl who was to be born to the same birth mother of their son.  Of course they jumped on that opportunity and were happy to be blessed with two beautiful children.

Three and a half years passed.  Everyone, including them wondered whether or not more children would come to them.  And then it happened - the miracle of Quincy.  It was a sudden but heart-wrenching journey that resulted in another child finding his way into the arms of his parents.

Soon after Quincy was born, Tim and Jen felt driven to pursue another adoption.  They were certain there was another child that they needed to find.  With some bumps, heartbreaks and difficult choices along the way, they were eventually blessed with their son Sam - now just three and a half months old.  (He is 14 months younger than Quincy.)

Yesterday, Jen learned that, for the first time in her life, she is pregnant!!!  The news is thrilling beyond belief and I just keep thinking back to that conversation, less than seven years ago, when she truly wondered if she would ever get to be a mother in this life.  And yet she is suddenly on the road to becoming the mother of her fifth child!  


It is a testimony to me that Heavenly Father is over all, and that no situation or circumstance is permanent.  Whatever sorrows we are asked to travel through, they will eventually come to a close and Heavenly Father will bless us more abundantly than we would have ever expected or imagined.  The Savior truly is "An High Priest of Good Things to Come".

I just wanted to share with you all the excitement of Jennifer's news.  It is absolutely amazing!

Family Anniversary Celebration

Many many  months ago I purchased some discount tickets to Hollywood Connection.  It took us so long to use them, that they were actually within days of expiring.  And that is how it came to be that we had a wonderful family celebration of the anniversary of our family being started.  Andrew and I had taken our get-a-way a few days before, so on the actual date of our ten year anniversary, the four of us went out and partied as a group.  It was SO much fun.  Ammon seemed a little hesitant at first, but by the end he couldn't get enough.  The boys absolutely LOVED the bumper cars.  I think it was their favorite.  Andrew and I felt like we were getting old because we both got a bit sick on the spinning rides.  That is SO totally NOT us.  It's weird to discover those little unexpected changes that come with time and age.  These last ten years haven't been at all what I would have imagined, but they've brought the experiences that make life rich and meaningful.  I can't wait to see what unexpected adventures the next ten years have in store for us.

Anniversary Trip

Around our first anniversary (nine years ago) I got this notion that I wanted to go horseback riding.  I had been as a child, and wanted to go again.  Andrew considered that option as an anniversary gift, then wisely opted to get me something else: my first digital camera.   Every so often the idea of horseback riding comes up and I wonder why we still haven't done it.  After all - I've been asking to go (maybe once every year or two) since our first anniversary!   

In looking at the calendar, I didn't know how we would possibly squeeze out the time to celebrate our anniversary.  When my back went out, requiring me to miss school, Andrew to miss work, and our boys to get farmed out to family, I thought for sure whatever slim chance we had of a special anniversary had flown out the window.  But as the day approached I decided that ten years is a BIG DEAL and even if it was simple, we needed to do something memorable.

I asked my sister to arrange for us to use her condo so that Andrew and I could get away for a night.  Then I told Andrew that we needed to plan something to do on our getaway.  And that is how it came to be that we went horseback riding!  It was the PERFECT time of year for it and a beautiful area.  We had a wonderful time!

Horseback riding kicked off our two days together.  After that we enjoyed a great BBQ lunch, drove out to Strawberry, and checked into our "home away from home".  We enjoyed Chinese food for dinner, played air hockey, swam and enjoyed the hot tub.

After sleeping in and lounging around the condo all morning, we drove up to cascade springs.  My mom used to take me there when I was young.  Even though it was a place I once visited regularly, I realized that I probably hadn't been there in more than 20 years!  (When did I get old enough to have multiple memories of a place I haven't been to in that long!)  I LOVED the fall colors.  I kept telling Andrew it was a perfect anniversary trip because everything was SO fall!  I wanted a fall wedding and have always been a little bitter that September 29 of 2001 was such a warm, summery day.

The entire trip was wonderful.  Andrew and I have never been away together for more than a night at a time.  I am always AMAZED at what a difference just one night can make.  By the time we were heading home, I was glad to be getting back to my boys.  But they are growing up and didn't seem to miss us at all.  Maybe next time we'll stay away for a second night!

The Silly Man

We had another great party with the village.

Peter especially loved the clown.

He called him the silly man.

Ammon spent a lot of his time at the Home Depot booth.

He built a really great helicopter.

I dropped my phone somewhere in the grass.

Unfortunately it ended up locked in the main office for the weekend.

But I got it back first thing Monday morning, so that was great.

The boys had tons of fun with lots of  treats and loot.

It was a good way to spend an afternoon while Andrew was at work.

Better than the SuperBowl

For this year's rivalry game we were invited to a party.

So we decided to cook.

Andrew saw these cool U of U cupcakes in the store.

He decided to make them himself.

He spent weeks planning it.

He had me teach him how to make the frosting and everything.

We also made sweet and sour meatballs, potato skins, seven layer dip and magic cookie bars.

In the end, our party was cancelled.

But we had too much food.

So we had some friends over for dinner

(which consisted of chili dogs and all our foot ball food).

We still had too much food.

So we hosted the party at our house.

Our team won

(that's putting it mildly - it was a blowout!)

It was a fun night!

My Soccer Player

Picture taken September 15, 2011

A couple of years ago, Ammon played soccer.

He liked it, but we immediately saw that Peter would be the one to LOVE it.

We finally signed Peter up to play and he is THRILLED.

On his first game his team made a total of three goals.

Peter also made three goals that night: two for his team and one for the other team.

It is definitely a league of four year olds - which is perfect.

It's all about having fun.

And boy is he ever enjoying it!

Peter's First Day of School

Pictures taken September 12, 2011

Peter didn't get to start school until about three weeks after Ammon and I.

He was REALLY anxious to get to go to his new class.

FINALLY the big day came and he was excited as can be.

We took Ammon to his bus stop then Peter and I hopped on the shuttle.

He has all sorts of fun things to do when he gets to class.

He gets to find his name tag.

Then he gets to write his name on the whiteboard in answer to a question.

(The question usually has two answers and he gets to write his name on the side that represents his response.)

Then he gets to find a Popsicle stick with his name on it and put it in a feeling chart.

The first day he put it in "happy".

Every day since then he put it in "loved". 

Whether I am dropping him off at school or Andrew is, he always turns to us and says,

"I am loved by you!"

He truly is and I'm glad he knows it!

Basket Ball Practice

Picture taken August 27, 2011

Ammon came home one day and announced that he needed to practice basket ball.

He explained, 

"I need to learn how to shoot the basket so I don't just have to pass the ball when I play with my friends."

Unfortunately, he was only able to find a soccer ball to play with.

Still, he was determined and spent some time working on his shot.

Ammon is not my child who usually expresses an interest in athletics,

so I was impressed with his drive to improve his skills.

And he even made a basket!

Go Ammon!

Ward Campout

Andrew had to work the morning after the ward campout - so we didn't camp.

But we did go up to hang out and eat dinner.

There was a great turn out and we had lots of fun.

It was a great way to spend a Friday night.

Ammon Starts 2nd Grade

My boys are growing up way too fast.

This year Ammon started 2nd grade.

We had a fun summer, but he was happy to be back in school

He had new clothes.

And a new backpack.

And lots and lots of friends to go to school with.

After school Gramma Peggy made a surprise visit and offered to take us out to lunch.

Ammon surprised us by NOT getting off the bus.

The next 40 minutes was a bit nerve-wracking as we tried to figure out where he was.

Andrew rushed to the school to see if he was there.

Peggy and I stayed home in case he magically show up.

Once Andrew discovered that Ammon was NOT at school, the office people contacted the bus depot.

From there, the bus drivers were contacted.

The bus drivers had realized Ammon was on the wrong bus and had met up with each other.

He was transferred back to the correct bus and then brought home.

Andrew got this information just in time to call me and have me run out to meet the bus.

Ammon was seemed a little uneasy but ultimately was no worse for wear.

We headed off to Red Robin and had a great meal.

All Ammon wanted to do was READ the books he had gotten from the school library.

Being back in school suits him - he loves to read and is great at math.

And he has never had another problem with the bus.

Ammon's Talk

Today Ammon gave a talk in primary.  It was about missionary work.  He did a wonderful job - he is very good at reading.  Here is what he said:

I was named after Ammon in the Book of Mormon. Ammon was a great missionary. After he was converted to the gospel, he taught many people about Jesus Christ. He taught King Lamoni and all of his people. Many of them were baptized and became members of the church.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are responsible to teach the gospel. We can teach by example. We can always choose the right, even when it's hard. We can also do acts of service for others and treat them the way Jesus would. When we do these things, others will want to know more about the gospel.

When I grow up, I will be a full-time missionary and teach people about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Full time missionaries teach five lessons. I can learn about them by reading Preach My Gospel. The five lessons are:

• Lesson 1: The Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
  
  
  When Jesus was on the earth, He taught the gospel to the people. But after He died, the gospel was lost and people didn't know the truth anymore. Joseph Smith prayed to know about which church to join and found out that none of the churches were true. He was obedient to Heavenly Father and helped the true gospel be on the earth again.

• Lesson 2: The Plan of Salvation
  
  
  We lived before we were born. Heavenly Father wanted us to come to earth to get a body and to learn to be like Him. He knew that we would make mistakes called sins. He also knew that we would die. Those two things would prevent us from returning to heaven. Heavenly Father made a plan for Jesus to be our Savior. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome sin and death and return to Heavenly Father. This is called the Plan of Salvation.

• Lesson 3: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
  
  
  In the 4^th Article of Faith we learn that the first four principles and ordinances of the gospel are, “First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Second respentance. Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  
  
• Lesson 4: The Commandments
  
  
  Missionaries also teach the commandments from Heavenly Father so people can know what is right. Some of the commandments are to be obedient and to study the scriptures. It is also important to keep the Sabbath day holy and to follow the prophet.

• Lesson 5: Laws and Ordinances
  
  
  The missionaries teach people about temples and eternal families. I am glad that my family can be together forever. I want everyone to know how to be with their family for all eternity.

I know it is important to help everyone we know learn about Jesus and His atonement for us. I know Jesus Christ lives. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that President Monson is a true prophet.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Cow-A-Bunga Bay

Pictures taken August 18, 2011

This past winter, Andrew's parents moved near a fun water park.  Gramma promised the kids that they would get to go play there.  We waited and waited until it got warm enough.  Then, suddenly summer was over and we still hadn't gone.  Just before school started I realize that I'd better get them there before we faced another winter of unfulfilled promises.

Ammon was the perfect age for this activity.  He LOVED it and could have spent many more hours there than we did.  Peter also had fun, but was just as excited to go back to Gramma's house afterwards for some icecream.  Overall, it was a fun way to spend an afternoon and with it being in sight every time we visit Grandparents, I'm sure we'll end up playing there many times more over the years.

Lunch Date

Pictures taken August 13, 2011

For Andrew's birthday we had another "eat free" coupon for Tucanos.  Since Peter eats free we decided to take the kids with us again.  We probably won't do that next time as they got a little rambunctious.    But it was still a fun afternoon.  Like last time, Ammon loved the chicken hearts.  He hate at least ten of them.  And as always, everyone loved the pineapple.

Hanging Out With the Goats

Pictures taken August 12, 2011

We've gone to Heritage Park over and over again in the past several months.  We've been as a family, I've just taken the boys, we've been with several different cousins, we went with some friends, and this time we went with our neighbors.

Peter and I spent the morning there and headed home at lunch time.  Ammon stayed longer with his friend.  As usual - it was a good time.

I love how friendly this goat got with the baby.

But as you can see, the baby did NOT love the goat.

Trax and a Movie

Pictures taken August 11, 2011

Andrew was in a small little car accident which shockingly totaled our car.  We decided to attempt life as a one-car family, but the transition came at the end of summer and was a little rough.  After a week of being stuck at home while Andy had the car at work, the boys and I decided to take Trax down to meet my sister where she could then drive us to the dollar theater for a movie.  The whole trip was full of mishaps and adventures and took us over two hours to get to our location, which caused us to miss the showing we were trying to get to.  Fortunately, there was a later showing of the movie, so we still were able to enjoy Kung Fu Panda 2.  The boys had seen it before, but it was the first time I had viewed it.  We finished the movie just in time to meet Andrew at he finished his job for the day and we rode home together, discussing the merits of aborting our one-car decision.

Andrew's Birthday

Pictures taken August 06, 2011

This is the second year we celebrated Andrew's birthday at Silver Lake with his family.

It is a fun tradition and one we hope to continue.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch.

Then walked around the trail.

We finished the party with cake.

Gotta love that frosting!

Mosquitoes and Mud

Pictures taken July 31, 2011

My mom introduced us to Silver Lake several years ago, and it has become a tradition that we go there at least a couple of times every year.  This particular trip was fun because Jeremiah brought dinner (and he is amazing when it comes to pulling together a meal) and because it was the first time Grandma Laurel and Grandpa Fred (my grandparents) had ever been.  It was NOT fun because of the rain, mud and worst of all - mosquitoes.  Quite honestly, it is the worst trip I have ever had to Silver Lake.  But the great thing about Silver Lake is that even the worst trip ever was still a good one.

This was also the day that I found out I was going to be the Relief Society President of my ward.  It was nice to get up into the mountain and spend time with my family after that exciting but overwhelming calling was extended to me.