"it's not winter till Warren Miller comes to town"

This weekend was jammed pack. Brett and I have a tradition of attending Warren Miller ski movies every year in anticipation for the ski season. This is something I use to do when I was younger with my Dad and my second dad, John Payne. I have lot's of fun memories skiing in Alaska. I started skiing in Junior high and haven't stopped since. We use to go skiing on Christmas day. Why not? After all the presents are opened before 7am what else is there to do the rest of the day? I love skiing and I love that Brett loves to ski. This, I think, is the only sport we share in common and enjoy doing together. A fun memory I have was one of the years we didn't have the extra money to purchase warren miller tickets so I rented an older movie and bought treats to throw out to my only member in the audience and he even won a door prize, ski hat, at intermission (there has always been a raffel for give aways during intermission for ski's, trips, etc.). I love all the ski shots but I can tell I am getting old because the loud music didn't help the headache I already had from attending a viewing that evening.

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great
importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be
sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and
appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Exactly! My sister took this quiz and she is an Esme too!

Brett and I decided we would vote early to avoid long lines. It was great! We walked right into the Farmington court house got our voting card and we were out in less then 10 minutes.

pillow fight or sleepy time?

Thanks Grandma Swings for the cute halloween pillows. We love them!

Fun night at Mueller Park

The Larson family invited us to have FHE with them at Mueller park last night. It is so amazing up there with the leaves changing. We had so much fun. We made s'mores and sat around the fire talking and laughing. Issac even gave us a lesson sort of. He told two great stories to my girls and Teagan loved her story. We missed you Wolfe family and we hope Mike is better. I also hope Rebecca isn't sick of me yet. We spent most of Friday together and then Monday morning we ground wheat and I had fun making a mess. Thank you Rebecca and Dan for a fun night.

"My little Wee Witches"

Today my friend, Rebecca and I ventured over to Gardner Village to brave the crowds and the witches. Everyone else had the same idea. It was fun to see so many cute costumes. This really is a fun place to visit during the Fall and to check out the festive decorations. The weather was perfect and my little "ghouls" were very good. We found all the witches for the scavenger hunt. Thanks to Rebecca and Shannon. The girls also danced in the little costume parade. Mom even got herself a yummy treat! I couldn't resist.

Birthday wishes to Nicci

It's Brett's sister's birthday today. We hope you have a fun filled day. We think you are great and love you. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Art!

In all those posts yesterday I forgot to make a special birthday post to Grandpa Marshall. Brett was born on the same day as his grandpa's birthday. Not only do they share the same birthday but the share the name Arthur (Brett Arthur)and a love and passion for golf. We love you Grandpa and hope you had a very nice birthday.

What! Snow! Really?

Brett - saving our tree from the heavy snow

Remember doing this when you were a kid? I admit I still do it. Except for the yellow stained snow.

First the snowman of the year which by the way is a princess. Do you like how Teagan has outgrown her snow outfit from last year. Time to go shopping for winter gear.

Two days earlier before the snow storm.

HB2U Superman!

"Daddy is Superman! He can fix anything"

The girls wanted to open presents and eat cake first thing this morning. Some parents we are to feed our kids cake for breakfast. It is fast sunday for us this morning so we resisted the temptation.

Brett's big birthday gift was purchasing new tires for the truck. Not sure that is what he really wanted but now that it snowed this morning we can rest assure he won't be slidding all over the roads going to work.

Guess whose Birthday it is today?

Thirty two years ago this young boy came into the world ready to conquer anything and everything. There was no stopping this kid. He thoroughly enjoys life and is such a happy person. He has a great love for his family and the gospel. He likes playing sports especially baseketball, soccer and golf. He is also my faithful waterboy and best friend. He is an awesome father and husband.

Brett we want to wish you a very Happy Birthday!! Kelty and Teagan are so excited for you to eat the cake they picked out for their SUPER DAD!


We love you! Steph, Kelty and Teagan

"Love Me" song i like by Collin Raye

Brett and I were invited by my parents to a Gala event Saturday night for Operation Kids honoring John Walsh for the work he has done to find missing children. He received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. What a sad story about John's son being kidnapped and found two weeks later killed. He has helped save so many children. It was a special event held at the Grand America hotel to raise money for this great cause. Dennis Haysbert (Black president on the TV show 24 and in the Allstate commericals) was the host. Very cool since we are fans of 24 and then Collin Raye and Jim Brickman sang and played for us. We got all dressed up for the event. I felt like we were going to Prom. Every once in awhile I like to get all glammed up and my honey looked very handsome in his tux. It was a very fancy night full of lots of celebrities and beautiful people. I felt a little out of place. David Archuletta was there as well but didn't sing. Collin Raye had pointed him out and said if David was singing tonight there is no way he would sing since David has an amazing voice. Fun night. Thanks mom and dad!

Steph's running series....

I usually limit myself to one marathon a year and often question how people could run more then that in a year? Are they crazy? They are more insane then I am! So I challenged myself to run three marathons this year. I have to admit I am a little burned out now. I think the running shoes are going to be tossed into the trash. I ran the Ogden, Logan and St. George Marathon. My favorite is always the St. George run. However, this year it will be a very memorable race and one I shall never forget because it was so miserable. I trained running in the evening at the hottest temperatures during the summer so that I could handle the southern heat and well this year I don't think it got over 60 degrees and it rained the whole time and was very windy. The paper said the weather tested how people could handle adversity. I wouldn't call it adversity it was torture. So now the Ogden marathon is #1 on my list of recommended marathons. After I finished the St. George race I told Brett, NEVER AGAIN! He asked me to write that on paper and sign it. He knows I am not serious but for awhile I shall take a break and run for just the pure enjoyment of running.

See Steph Run!

See Steph having fun!

See Steph is done!!

Good luck Sarah Palin!

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air"

One Fairy Godmother and ten little princesses!

Once upon a party-time, in the kingdom of kaysville, there lived ten beautiful princesses who came to celebrate Kelty's birthday. They played some games and ate a slice of cake. They were even so lucky to have the fairy godmother attend the party to dance and read stories to them. She also granted them each a wish, that they would all be very beautiful, happy princesses when they returned home.

The girls were so cute with each other. I love the last picture with the princesses walking down the sidewalk. Watch out Prince Charmings!!!

It's another September birthday!

Kelty keeps telling us, "I can't believe I am turning 5". You can't believe it but your parents sure can and we have loved almost every minute of it. Exactly five years ago on the eve before Kelty was born, Brett and I drove up to Snowbasin to enjoy the autumn colors and had a picnic discussing our fears and excitement for our first child to be born. What was it going to be like? Are we ready for this? Do we even know what to expect besides all the things we had been told and seen. We knew there would be big changes and a great deal of learning but how could we really even comprehend and know for ourselves the love or joy our parents and our Heavenly parents have for each of us unless you experience it yourself as a parent. Those fears and anxiety of becoming a parent felt through out my pregnancy seemed to disappear as I held my daughter Kelty in my arms for the first time and kissed her cute button nose. Oh, how we adore our Princess Kelty and how we have treasured these 5 precious years her sweet little spirit has brought into our lives and in to our home. Happy Birthday Kelty-Lyn!