Festival of Trees!

Close up of the sea turtles.

Close up of one of the other turtles.

Vie, her friend and her cousin at the Festival.

Decorating Day.

Vie putting on the topper, myself, and mom. Decorating day.

So, last year I was inspired to put together a tree for an event here in Utah called The Festival Of Trees. Its a charity event where people donate trees that are then auctioned off and all the proceeds go to the Primary Children's Medical Center. It is amazing event and every year my family enjoys seeing the amazing trees and being a part of the whole event. I was inspired to do a tree because of a situation that a family in my neighborhood and ward was in. This amazing family took on an 8 week old baby who was shaken and abused by his father at only 6 weeks old. He was shaken so badly that both of his optic nerves were severed and he had such severe brain damage that there was little hope for recovery. He was thrown and both femurs were broken, his rib cage was smashed and he wasn't expected to live very long. This foster family took him in and gave this tiny little baby so much love and cared for his every need. He was the same age as my little Cache and it was absolutely heartbreaking to compare the difference. Here my little guy was growing big, hitting milestones while this sweet little baby was just strugging to stay alive, and all because of a man who's lapse of control changed this little boys life forever. This little baby was never going to see, interact with others, or function at all by himself for the rest of his life, but through the love and care of my friends, he made unbelievable strides in his recovery. Sorry to say he passed away at 8 months old from a seziure he suffered in the night. My friend told me sadly, why would God make him stay and suffer for so long. (He had grueling rehabilitation visits) I told her that I knew exactly why he had to stay. He for the last 5 months, got a chance to feel love here on this earth. He wasn't lucky to be born into a loving home, but he found himself among a family who cared about him very much, and gave him a live of love, regardless how short it was. This little boy touched my life and he touched many other lives. I feel greatful to have been born to loving parents, and to have children of my own that I can love and care for. His little spirit had a purpose here and I felt compelled to remember him. The tree was called Turtle's Tree. He was known as Turtle by his foster family for the adorable little mannerisms he had. It was an absolute joy to put the tree together and to let my children have a hand in it too. It was a very special experience, one that I will never forget. So here I present to you Turtle's Tree.

Halloween!

I'm on a blogging roll I guess you could say! Haven't had internet for awhile because of a downed modum, so I'm getting all caught up now! Halloween was so much fun this year! I absolutely love this holiday! I love anything creepy, scary, and most of all, I LOVE scaring my kids! What a mean parent I am. I know. So this year we decorated the yard and my awesome nephew sat outside in a mask and scared kids coming to trick or treat all night! What a blast it was! Kids have to earn their treats when they come to our house. My kids went candy collecting with all of their cousins and got all the candy their little hearts desired. Saxon was Nacho Libre, Kael was a Zombie Army Guy, Vie was a football player, and Cache was a Skunk (my little stinker!). It was a great Halloween! Grandma Higbee put on a fantastic Halloween party the night before too. Complete with games, food, pumpkin carving, and a spook alley. Kids had a blast (parents did too!).

I LOVE FALL!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love this time of year! The colors, the weather, the coziness of it all! Thought I'd share a few pics of fall!

Family Vacation!

We are a big trip family! LOVE to go on trips together. This year has been a rough year for trips though. B has been really busy with work and we haven't had a lot of time to travel like we would like to. So, for the first time this year, we did our "big" family vacation to one of our favorite places, the Oregon Coast. We love how beautiful it is up there and we love getting a chance to see Grandma-Great and Grandpa-Great! We had such a great time. Seeing the beautiful coastline, going to lighthouses, the aquarium, whale watching, shopping, relaxing in the condo, and just being together. It's always hard to come home from a good trip. I think I could be on a perpetual vacation for the rest of my life and be completely happy. So, here are a few pics of the trip!

Depoe Bay.

Bryce and Grandpa-GREAT!

Exploring Tide Pools in Newport!

Yaquina Lighthouse, Newport

Outside our Condo in Depoe Bay

Awwwwww. Now shut-up. I like this pic!

Old Town Newport

Outside our back porch.

Squishin pennies on the tracks at Grandma's house.

More squishin!

Vie and Grandma-GREAT!

Yard Clean-up, and a little tractor ride too!

Scaredy Cat!

One funny little thing. If any of you know my kids, you know that they aren't scared of much. They have a pretty good understanding of what is real and what is "Hollywood" as I like to put it. They don't get scared of movies, haunted houses, stories, etc. Well, my baby might be the exception. I was loading some new pics on my computer with baby on my lap when the following pic popped up. He burst into tears, screamed like crazy, and we couldn't calm him down for quite some time. I guess we finally got a Scaredy Cat!! Then again, this would probably give anyone nightmares!

Happy Birthday Vie!

We celebrated Vie's 9th birthday this weekend and it was a total BLAST! This year, she planned her own party and I have to admit, she did an amazing job. It was a fall/Halloween themed party and with a handful of her closest friends it was a complete success. We had a Halloween Runway Fashion Show, told scary stories around the fire, painted nails, did facials, ate junk food, talked, laughed, and watched a scary movie. It was a crazy night with 10 crazy girls! I love having a girl, especially a girl who is so much fun! Vie never lets things get boring and I love her for that. She is definately the life of a party!

Her ACTUAL birthday was Sunday and she was a little bothered about having a Sunday Birthday, but we made it great! Some people may think that when you live in Utah that it's so easy to go to General Conference, but I'm here to say, it's not that easy. Getting tickets ahead of time is nearly impossible and getting there 2 hours early to try to score a ticket is not much fun, needless to say, I have never been to conference in the conference center. So, when a friend told me she could get two amazing tickets to conference I was stoked, and on Vie's birthday no less! We got up really early Sunday morning and headed downtown. It was an incredible morning. Lightning storms surrounded the valley and we had a great show the whole drive up there. When we got to the conference center we realized just how amazing our seats really were! We were only 20 yards from the pulpit and it was incredible, not to mention that the Sunday am session was so good. Vie and I had such an amazing time. What a memorable birthday. Being able to see President Monson so close. Watching his little mannerisms. I love how he gently gathered his wife to leave the session and have us a big smile and a wave on his way out. Truly a chosen man he is.

When we got home we did the usual conference Sunday stuff. Lounged around the house, did art projects, and listened. We finished off her birthday with her birthday dinner and a carmel cheese cake (at her request). Her gift from us was her own desk filled with art supplies and it was a big hit! She's been drawing every second since she got it!

To top off our amazing weekend, B took the day off work and we took all the kids up the canyon Monday. That was truly amazing. I know most everyone has a love of where the live and I am no exception. This place is a truly inspired place. We drove up Alpine loop to see the leaves and earlier that morning brought snow to the mountaintops. The mix of the snow and leaves were extraordinary. This little drive made me realize how blessed I am to live in such an amazing place. When I am up there, all the stresses of life just disappear. It makes me realize that there is so much more. That life has a natural rhythm and with or without me, it just keeps going. It's good to have those humbling moments. When you get so busy with home, school...LIFE, I love taking a step back and realizing that it's a big world and what I'm doing is so small in comparison. I guess you could say that it was not just a drive in the mountains.

After we got home, Bryce played card games with the kids, took them to the park to play kickball, and we all relaxed the rest of the night away. Makes me realize that I married a pretty awesome guy! So, this was a big weekend. Lots to report. Lots to be thankful for.

A Perfect 12th!

This weekend Bryce and I celebrated our 12th anniversary. We went up to Logan, the college town where we met, and had the best time. We golfed, ate at all of our favorite places, walked around campus, reminisced about how we met and great moments we've had in our marriage. We slept in, saw a football game, and had the most relaxing, but fun, weekend. When we got to our hotel, sitting on the table in our room was a bouquet of flowers from my sweetie. Words cannot describe how happy I am that I married this man. I remember before I married that my criteria for my future husband was someone I could laugh through life with, and someone who saw things the way I did. I couldn't have married a more perfect man. He's been making me laugh for 12 years and I seriously can't imagine life without him. He is my very best friend, and I love him with all of my heart. Happy Anniversary Babe!

Our sushi feast!!

At the football game! The Aggies won, WOW!

Did I mention that I love fall?? This is hands-down the best time of year! Driving through Sardine Canyon when the leaves are changing is probably one of my favorite things to do. I love the cool nights, the crisp mornings, and all the color that goes along with this season. These pictures make me so happy! Just a little side-note. Happy Fall!