Anne Frank and I

This year Avery and I had the opportunity to see the play "Anne Frank and I". I was a little hesitant taking Avery at age 8 but she had recently read the book "Number the Stars" and knew a lot about the Holocaust. I didn't know when the play would return to Orlando so I decided to go for it. The play was amazing but the part that hit me most was meeting a Holocaust survivor after the play. She told us her story and I will NEVER forget it. She was an amazing person and what she lived through I can only imagine. Avery wanted to get a picture with her. There aren't too many Holocaust survivors anymore and this was a rare opportunity. The little boy clinging to her is her grandson. She pulled me close and said "This is why I wanted to live" and looked down at him. I think we all live and breathe for our families. I am so thankful to live in a place and time where I have the freedom to be with my family and live in the moment. She definitely made me want to cherish every waking moment I have with my family. She was such an amazing lady, so full of life. This was a day I will never forget and I am so thankful that I had this experience with Avery.

Mt Dora Art Festival

Who doesn't love a little art festival in their lives? We decided to go to the Mount Dora Art Festival this year. It's one of the biggest art festivals in Florida and we wanted to be pART (get it, yes I'm a dork) of it. What a treat! The kids enjoyed free face painting and ice cream at the local ice cream shop. We had our first fried Oreo- it was actually quite tasty. Kevin and I got free back massages (I was a little hesitant, but so glad I decided to do it!) The art was incredible to look at and the local musician we listened to was fantastic. We bought a c.d. and I still haven't stopped listening to it. He had 3 albums and I wish I bought all 3 but only ended up with one.The kids loved painting on a huge mural they set up in the park. They cried and whined when we made them stop. It was such a treat! We'll be back next year :)

Utah...Actually Wyoming

So I guess, come to think of it, we were actually in Wyoming for Christmas day. We were Lucky enough to stay with Kevin's Uncle Bob and Aunt Jill with the whole Morris family. They own a beautiful cabin and we were so lucky to spend some time with them up there. they are such great people and I really enjoyed there company. I was a little afraid that because they don't have children of their own, they would be a little stressed with all of our crazy kids there, but they were so easy going and we all had such a great time. We played all kinds of games, thanks to Pat, watched movies, went sledding and just talked. It was great.

I think sledding down the big hill/driveway was the big hit with the kids. Boy was it a huge hill! It was awesome! We had to have someone come and drive everyone up it each time we went down. And believe me, if it was walkable I would have made my kids walk it!

Wyatt wanted nothing to do with pictures, he was all about the sledding and didn't want to take the time to look, let alone smile for the camera. Boys will be boys... and Moms will be moms.
Aren't moms known for trying to squeeze in any picture she can get, promising that it will be the last one even though there are fifty waiting ahead in the near future, am I right!?

just a little girl talk

Bob and Jill have the best dog ever, Rudy. I don't know how much longer he'll be around, but he melts my heart. Van fell in love. I love the way he is hugging him in this picture.
He was there for about 10 minutes just hugging him and Rudy didn't mind. So sweet!

Luckily for us, this habit was short lived. Gotta live digging in your diaper. Luckily this one was a clean one. I'm just grateful it wasn't an ongoing thing, just a thirty minute thing...boys!

I'm dreaming of a White Chirstmas

So we were luck enough to go to Utah for Christmas this year.
We had such a great time with family and friends.
I love Utah in the winter!

Sundance, Utah

Sundance is where I feel at home. Now that I don't live in Utah anymore, along with most of my family, the place I feel most at home is at Sundance. I get giddy driving up the and taking in the beauty that surrounds Provo Canyon. I think I took it for granted as a kid but now I so appreciate it and long for it each winter. Sundance is the place I learned to ski and spent so many Saturdays with friends. No matter how cold it was, we wanted to be on the mountain. Even if the resort closed because of weather we found ourselves spending all day up there building ice caves. It's the place I loved to hike and occasionally mountain bike. Sundance is the place my family and I would have celebrations. It's the place we had our Thanksgiving dinner almost every year as well as Christmas Eve. It's the place I went on my first date, it's the place I was engaged to my amazing husband. It's the place that even when I was there alone, I was happy.
It may be a small resort but to me it's perfect.

Kevin and I slipped away for breakfast one morning and went for breakfast. Amazing scenery and warmth every time I'm there. It really is such a wonderful place.


Best breakfast on earth! Sundance Grill Room's oatmeal...
my mouth is watering


Fun at the Morris house with sister-in-laws! I love them!

London and Van, hanging out on the floor. It was so fun to watch them play this time around. Last time they were together, they were too little to have some fun. I love this age.

Unfortunately we went to "This is the Place! Heritage park" on the only day it was closed.
That didn't stop me from taking some pictures,
but I was really looking forward to going to the park.
Next time when we are in Utah, it will be a must.

Sledding with Jen Jen

Jen will always be known for being the fun sister, fun aunt and fun friend. She just is. Everyone that knows her well, knows she can't sit still and just do nothing for very long. I don't know if she knows how to do that? She is always coming up with fun and creative things to do. She finds joy in the small things and I love that about her. She makes the people around her smile. My kids love to play with Aunt Jen. We had a great time sledding with her. though we didn't have much time together, we did have a great time. I wish she lived closer.
She is such a fun person to be around.

Family Pictures Fall 2010

Yes, I almos gave up on blogging. But I will say I have missed it, so hopefully I can be better and be more up to date! These are pictures taken by one of my favorite people, the talented Stephanie Womack!