Kolob Canyon-Zions National Park

Spring Break was so much fun, it was sad to have to send my kids back to school. On Monday we drove up the the North end of Zion called Kolob. I packed a picnic lunch and thought we would have a picnic up there (as it was plenty warm in St. George) when we got up there it was snowing. I got out of the truck with our lunches and put the back of the truck down so we could sit there and eat lunch. About 3 seconds later we were all scrambling to get back inside the truck, it was so cold! We had a wonderful picinic inside the truck. It was so breathtakingly beautiful up there though.

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I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it! I know, I know I think I like it!

Ok, so whoever thought grocery shopping could make you ecstatic? That was me today as I left the store with over $400 worth of groceries for $150! I just had to set it all up and take a picture of my fine work today!

It was so fun to put it all away and have a nice full pantry. This is a great start on my food storage too!

All in a day's work! Thanks to my sweet little Sophia who had to bear it as her mom made 8 trips to the car.

Simplify for more fun!!

My new favorite website is simplifysupper.com. You can plan a month or week menu and print out your weekly shopping list. This has seriously taken so much stress of everyday wondering what to make for dinner. I actually enjoy making dinner now!! Anyway, I found this on their site and it think it is so good:

Simplify your life

*De-clutter your life! Start by cleaning out one section of your home and then move to the next. If you haven’t used something for a while or don’t need it, get rid of it! It is not worth filling up space with things that don’t matter. A clutter free home, car and office will lead to a clutter free mind. Remember to tackle de-cluttering a little at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed.

*Think about your values and goals and write them down. Putting pen to paper will reinforce these ideas in your mind and keep you accountable. Decide what is most important to you whether it be family, work, friends, whatever and put those priorities first. Cut out activities that are not consistent with your values and goals. Life is too short to spend it doing things that are not really important.

*Realize that you have a right to say no. Don’t say yes to every request that comes along just to be a people pleaser or to prove you can do it all because really, no one can. You are not doing yourself or anyone else a favor by trying to do too many things. You will end up doing them in a mediocre way. It is better for you and those you care about if you simplify and focus on doing fewer things in a fabulous way!

*Stop spending time to save money. Instead, spend money to save time. Don't drive across town to save a few cents on a grocery item. It's not worth your time.

*Downsize your purse- or at least what is inside. Start by cleaning out the one you are currently using. Get rid of unnecessary credit cards and other clutter that you don't use regularly. Stock it with essentials so you know you’ve got them and try to keep it clutter free.

*Cut back on debt. Consolidate your different debts into one and pay it off. Put your credit cards in a spot where you won't be able to use them until you're debt-free. Track your expenses for a month, then cut back your spending on items you don't need. Include your automatic savings plan as part of your monthly spending. It will add up faster than you think!

*Take time each day to be grateful!

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas 2008 was really fun!! We had major Christmas tree problems with the top splitting in half, but with a little redecorating you could hardly tell! The girls got a Wii from Santa!! Thank you Santa!! On my birthday 4 days later I got the Wii Fit. It is so much fun!! Here are a few pictures. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!! Now, for the New Years Resolutions!

Olivia's Christmas Violin Recital

Happy 1st Birthday Sophia!!!

I really can't believe how fast a year can go. Sophia is one!! What a little blessing she has been in our family! I was worried about having 3 children, but she has made it wonderful! She is always so happy and smiles all the time. Out of all my girls as baby's, she really loves books the most. She will sit in her room by herself and just go thru book after book. That is after pulling them all off the bookshelf first. She is such a little doll and I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for choosing me to be her mother. I love that we named her after my Grandma. She is an amazing woman with so many qualities that I hope Sophia will have! I love the picture of them together.

Road Trip!

Melissa and I spent half of October traveling the west. We started out taking our kids to Disneyland, then decided to join Chris on part of his three week business trip in Oregon. We spent lots of time at the ocean, which was AMAZING!! The kids loved it so much. There were tons of tide pools with crabs, starfish, sea urchins, ect.
Then we traveled to Boise where we stayed with Aunt Sandy. Then to Salt Lake where we celebrated Melissa's birthday at Gardner Village with all the Halloween witches. I love that place! Then home! It was a long drive, but the kids were amazing and we had soooo many cool experiences!