Road Trip to Holden!

The first full weekend in February we were able to get away and spend a little time with family in Holden. It was a much needed break from all that we have had going on and all that we will be doing in the next 6 weeks getting ready for our 4th annual bull sale.

Clay especially enjoyed it when Brooks came over to visit. He says they are Best Friends!

While there, Dirk and I were able to go to the Manti Temple with my dad, and Judd and Kellie, it was such a special evening completed with a delicious Mexican dinner and fried ice cream. Just thinking about it now makes me hungry!

The girls were even able to stay the entire weekend! A first in a long time.

 

Saturday night we had a Birthday Party for Dakota! We were so happy to see Great Grandma Turner and Aunt JoAnn! We love it when they come over.

 

My mom always out does herself. She made a huge pan of lasagna, homemade bread sticks and her salad is to die for. It was all so good.

This lucky girl got to have an old favorite of mine, something that was tradition when we were growing up...Record Cake! It was divine.

 

Dakota was such a ham that evening. She must have known she was the spotlight!

 

Everyone was so kind and brought gifts. 

 

Dakota wanted to sit on them and Clay, well, he wanted to open them. He was so funny. He kept telling me that he was a good present opener and asking if he could help her.

 

I was so glad that we were able to celebrate our sweet little baby turning 1! I can say that Grandma Jill and Papa have both been to all four of the 1 year celebrations! 

Thanks Mom, for making party for Dakota happen!

Of course we made the rounds and Clay couldn't resist sitting in Papas tractor.

 

  

And last but not least...We are excited to welcome Kristi into our family! Everyone adores her, especially all the kids.

The trip to Holden was a success and we all look forward to doing it again sometime soon!

Goodbye to 2013 and Welcome 2014…Expecting Good Things!

Wow! It is already mid-February, which means January is O.V.E.R, and it can only get warmer from here on out!  I have to admit that I am a little late with this blog post but being 45 days in, I kind of have a feel of what may come or I am hoping already has and good things are in store. January has been full of trials, but they are slowly turning into good things. 

With that, I am going to say goodbye to one year, with all its up and downs and look forward to a new and refreshing one. Goodbye 2013 and welcome 2014! As human beings we are unable to predict the future and all that we can do is enjoy the present by learning from our mistakes in the past to make sure they won’t happen in the future. In doing so, I like to take the time to reflect more deeply on what I have done in the last 12 months to assess, evaluate, and judge whether I am where I need to be and if I have accomplished all I set out to. I recall very happy moments with my husband, family, and friends as well as stressful ones at different points throughout the year. I think everyone has their fair share of ups and downs. Regardless of what has been done, I always try to acknowledge one important thing: we are all here for different but meaningful purposes. While at many points in my life this seems fuzzy, I need to remember to always be positive and enjoy all the ups and downs, because we will never have the chance to relive any of the moments. Life does not always go according to our plans on our time. Instead, our plans are microscopic compared to God’s and he has good things waiting for everyone. And yes, good things will come out of hard things!

This year I am going to expect the unexpected, work harder, play harder, spend more time doing things together as a family, and focus more on the positive things in life and leave any negativity at the door.

And…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Follow him in all your ways. He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)