Easter Message

I loved all the talks during conference, but this one stood out to me the most, being the week of Easter. I love to listen to Elder Holland. As he spoke I just had the confirming feeling that he knows the Savior. I am so thankful for his inspired and personal insights into the Savior's final and terribly lonely hours on Earth as He sacrificed His life for mine.
Here is the link to the edited version of that talk on YouTube, titled " An Apostle's Easter Thoughts on Christ".
http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages

3 years old!

In keeping with the tractor theme at our house, Carson got the tractor cake. He loved it, but was sad for a moment as we watched it fall apart when I tried to put the tractor on its pretzel rod "axels". Carson shouts, "my tractor broke!" But with some improvisation and a lot more frosting, we fixed it. Carson loves everything that has wheels and an engine. When we drive around town, he is in the back seat naming every machine and car we pass. This is what I hear: "That's a bulldozer, backhoe, blue truck, red car, cement truck" etc, etc. The other day I had to tell him what an auger does - he his making me keep up on my heavy equipment facts - it's important stuff!

I really can't believe Carson is already three, but fully embrace it - hoping we are leaving the two's far, far behind! He is growing up in so many ways, yet wants to be the baby still. He is OBSESSED with our keys and he thinks he can drive our car. The other day he was furious because I wouldn't let him drive the car home from church. One day he told me: "I'm going to get your keys and drive the Tahoe far away from you!" Yes, I do a key check every hour to make sure they are still in their place.

We love our little intense, loving, and dramatic Carson!!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

San Diego!

At the end of February, Scott had a dental conference in San Diego, so Reed and I tagged along. It was FABULOUS!! The best part was being able to spend a couple days with some of our favorite peeps - Laura, Derek, Travis, Makenna, and Thomas! We also had lunch and a great visit with my Grandma and Aunt Janeen. We saw a few San Diego highlights, but the best part was just being in the sun! Reed thought the best part was having Mom and Dad all to himself for the first time ever! He was the best little traveler!


A new Sea World recruit in training.

A happy boater! (after sleeping through the whole ride)

Happy Valentines Day!

Some girls get diamonds...

Some girls get flowers and chocolate...

but me?

Oh, I got a...and a...





and the 3 happiest kids for 4 solid hours!


When in Kentucky, do as the Kentuckians...
and head to the Farm Machinery Show!

Farm machinery Show on Valentine's Day...

Free. (maybe a little weird)

Parking, T-shirt, Giant Ice Cream Cones

$28

The look on this face?

Price-less!!

Can I get this one Dad?

Carson's not happy having to stop "driving" to pose for the photo.

This was way better than Disneyland!! All the kids had a ride. We so got our money's worth! It was actually so fun because they let the kids just climb on everything. Yes, our two year old went on every $500,000 combine and "drove" it.

I wouldn't have Valentine's Day any other way!


Oh, yes... we did make some Valentine's crafts...

Our Valentine Mailbox. We "sent" each other Valentines throughout the week, then opened the box and read them V-day morning. Audrie actually sent the most - she could not wait for Valentines day!

My new Valentine treat - Red Velvet sandwich cookies -found them at this site.

Cute little helping hands!

Were the cookies yummy?

The lips say it all!

"Truckered" Out!

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweet little and big Valentine's!

You are the joy of my life!

I'm a Big Boy!

Just as we had hoped, Carson has taken responsibility for potty training himself! Hallelujah! He woke up Tuesday and decided to wear Big Boy Underwear. Unfortunately it was not one of those stay at home weeks, so he still gets a diaper some days, but in spite of it he has done a great job! Today in nursery I had my back to the little bathroom in our nursery room, and the other nursery leader says, "Your son is standing in the door flashing everyone!" There is Carson with his pants around his ankles yelling for me to come wipe him! I died laughing! I didn't even know he had gone in there, but he went in took care of his business all on his own. He's a Big Boy now! My friends in Tennessee are probably laughing, remembering my attempt to potty train him a year ago before the baby came, to no avail. But, we are learning - you don't push Carson against his will - everything has to be his idea! Oh, we love you Carson!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I couldn't forget about Scott's Birthday! Yes, it was back in January, but the kids and I just want you to know how much we love you and think you are the best dad in the world! You teach them so much that I don't and have patience beyond reason (all for me of course!) You even let them do things I would never think of doing, which is allowing for such a creative and adventurous childhood! Thank you for being you, babe!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

It's one of the most bizarre and beautiful weather phenomenons we've ever experienced - we just don't get the ice like this out west. In terms of natural disasters I'd take this - it's not a tornado or hurricane or earthquake. Lexington had it's worst ice storm in 2003, our first winter here. So it is fitting that we have another one in our last winter in Lexington! We took a million pictures, but here are just a few. I kept reminding Scott, who kept saying "this is so cool!" that it was only cool because we still had our power. It was not cool for others living on generator power or in a hotel (which would be my option!). The power was out for some for days and the remnants of the trees are still scattered throughout the neighborhoods. We did not lose any trees or plants, only had some great ice skating on our back patio!

Our poor mangled willow tree!

If only icicles had nutrients!

This was a huge, huge tree in our neighborhood that split four ways - it is just a sad little stump now.

Hello? Arizona is calling!