Looking for Rainbows

Our sweet Lauren was baptized on March 27th.  What a special day it was for her, and for our family.  For months we have been talking about baptism, reading about baptism, learning about baptism and preparing for this day.  When talking about her upcoming baptism Lauren would giggle.  She really understood the importance of this decision and knew that it was the right thing to do.  In her words, she wanted to "follow Jesus".  She counted down to her special day.  Each night when I would lay by her in bed she would whisper to me how many days until her baptism.  Then we would both giggle.

Her baptism day could not have been more perfect.  She was the cutest little girl in a white jumpsuit that I have ever seen.  Her hair in two long braids with white bows.  My favorite part of the day was being in the dressing room with Lauren after she was baptized.  She was wet, freshly baptized, and wrapped in a towel.  I got down to her level, looked in her eyes, and asked her how she felt.  She replied with a beaming smile, "Awesome!"  At that moment I felt her spirit.  That she truly was clean and pure and perfect at that moment.  She glowed.

Somehow, we managed to get her hair done, bow in place, dress on, tights on (yes, just tights.Of all the things I forgot dry underwear), necklace on, and shoes on in record time.  We got to wait behind the door together waiting for her video to finish.  We held hands and giggled some more.
I hope Lauren will always remember this day.  I know that I will.  And hopefully, as the years go by and when we talk about her special baptism day, we will giggle.

Lauren and her dad

The fam

Grandma and Grandpa Barlow

Grandma and Grandpa Allred

Great Grandma Florence and Great Granny Morton

Daddy's girl

Win some, Lose some

Connor had a great Jr.Jazz season this year!  This was his first year playing on a 'drafted' team.  He was lucky enough to get an awesome coach (thanks Barry!) and ended up with several friends on his team.  If there were individual awards to be given, Connor would get the 'most improved' player award.  Throughout the season his skills improved tremendously.  Connor attributes that to all of his practice sessions during recess at school.  There were many close games this year which helped us all to realize that the fun does not come from winning, but playing the game.    

The price of success is hard work,
dedication to the job at hand, and the 
determination that whether we win or lose, 
we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
-Vince Lombardi  

Vocabulary

Cody has added a new word to his expanding vocabulary.

I have no idea how he picked up on this word.
The word is..............

buttocks 

Although that is the word, Cody thinks the word is...............
        

butt talks

Needless to say, we have been laughing quite a bit at our house this week.

It's great to be 8!

Happy Birthday to our little princess!  Lauren turns 8 today and we love her more than ever!  She is sweet, kind, thoughtful, smart, adorable, loving, patient, funny, cute, talented, neat, and most of all, beautiful inside and out!  Being sandwiched between two brothers she holds her own.  She is also loved and adored by her brothers who always watch out for her.  We are looking forward to her baptism next Saturday.  Love you, Babe!

New Talent

I want to develop a new talent.  The talent of being a mother.  My friend Keli spoke at our Relief Society birthday party last night and she gave me that inspiration.  So many times we focus on developing outward talents like singing, piano, cooking, painting, sports, scrapbooking and so forth.  I never thought that being a mother could qualify as a talent.  Being a piano teacher, I have learned something from my students over the years.  Talents are gifts.  Gifts that if nurtured will grow and develop into something great.  As my students commit themselves, focus, practice and put time and effort into the piano, their gift (or talent) grows.  Lately I have felt that so much of my commitment, focus, time and energy has been on other things.  I want to refocus that effort into my family and work on the talent of being a mother.  Having been given the gift of Motherhood, I want to develop that into one of my greatest talents.  I know it will take time, effort, patience and long suffering, but, I know the reward will be great.  This is my calling, my gift, and I want to give it my best. 

Kath in the Hat

Oh, the things you do when you're in the PTA!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Love is in the Air

With my camera this week I have captured pictures of things I love. Small things, big things, silly and weird things. I found that love is shown and given in the smallest and simplest ways. As I started to look for love I found it everywhere. Life became more sweet and I was reminded of all of my blessings. Here are a few of my favorite 'love moments' from this past week.....................

I love secret notes found on my bed


Attached to the note were these two bags. Pretty sure it's from Lauren (can you tell they have been counting and sorting at school recently?). I have no idea where she got that money :)

I love that Cody still takes a nap.

I love to make cookies and decorate them with the kids. I love to eat them even more!

I love that Lauren painted my toenails.

I love my lunch date each week with my awesome sister(and mom when she's in town). It is great therapy.

I love getting flowers.


I love that Connor and Caleb wear their bike helmets to play football.


I love that the kids huddle over the heat vent in the mornings.


I love that Cody has to put on "wet dog 'odorant" after he gets out of the shower. (If you don't know what this is......watch Monsters Inc.)


I love this guy. My man. My best friend. My love.

The most special

"As we strive to remember our Savior, our desire to live like Him will grow. It is no coincidence that Christmas is the time of the year when people are the most loving, the most giving, the most kind, and the most grateful."

- President Monson

Of any Christmas that I can remember, this year was the most special. Our focus was not on the shopping, the gifts, the hustle and bustle. Our focus was on family, friends, neighbors, time together and most of all, our Savior. Our hearts seemed changed and our gratitude was overflowing. We truly felt the love of our Savior and the hand of the Lord in our lives. We genuinely felt the spirit of what Christmas is all about.

All I want for Christmas...

Here Comes Santa

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Gleneagles Drive

We have the most awesome neighbors, who, instead of doing 'neighbor gifts' have Santa visit their backyard playhouse. They invite the whole neighborhood and serve cookies and hot chocolate. This is one of the highlights of our Christmas season. I am afraid, however, that Connor might be getting a little too old for this. Lauren still loves it. And for the first time in his life, Cody finally sat on Santa's lap (and didn't cry or kick or scream or run away).

New Home Remedy

As I stumbled upon this "situation" in the kitchen, before I could say anything, I was informed by Cody that..........
"Mom, sugar cures my hiccups."

Hmmmmmm.....Really?

blogathon

So, when your friend calls to check on you to make sure you're okay because it's been so long since you've updated your blog.........it's time to update your blog! The last few months have been crazy,and yes I'll admit, the blog has been neglected. But neglect no more! I'm trying to catch up and stay current. Let the blogathon begin.

Blue Blood

It's official. Connor has blue blood. Here is the picture to prove it.

Connor went to the BYU vs. Air Force football game with his Grandpa Rick. He looks forward to his annual football day with Grandpa all year long. Connor has turned into quite the 'super fan'. He now knows the BYU fight song, has learned all the plays, knows all the players names and even has his own jersey. He is already looking forward to next year.

Giving Thanks

With the tough year we have had, Thanksgiving this year was a great time for us to focus on our blessings. We started a 'Thankful Tree' to help us remember our blessings throughout the month. It was nice to focus and remember all that we have been blessed with. Thanksgiving day was with my parents this year. My mom outdid herself with a wonderful thanksgiving feast. Of all of our blessings, it was unanimous that our greatest blessing is family.

Derby Time!

What is every cub scouts favorite time of year?? Pinewood Derby Night!! We enjoy doing this night every year. This was Connor's 3rd derby which just happened to be on his birthday. Connor's car won the 'Best Craftsmanship' award. He won 4th place overall.

Getaway

In November, Tony and I celebrated a dozen years of marriage. As is our tradition, instead of gifts we go and do something together. We decided to head south to St.George for a weekend getaway. We had three days to ourselves. No kids. No laundry. No work. No stress. It was WONDERFUL!!! A much needed getaway for both of us. The highlight of our trip was the day we spent in Zions National Park. We hiked the whole day and had such a great time. The leaves were all changing which made for some gorgeous scenery and great photos.

Our favorite new hike, Hidden Canyon, was quite an adventure with......

...steep rock stairways

....cliff climbing with chains to help guide your way

....chiseled stairs up rock faces

...and a hidden arch surprise!!

Here's to a dozen more wonderful years!

Tricks and Treats

Halloween this year brought lots of tricks and treats. Which trick or treat is your favorite?

TRICK: Getting the black cat that had to be part of the costume to balance on the end of the witch broom
TREAT: Seeing Lauren ride around on her broomstick.

TRICK: Getting Cody to fit into Connor's old Buzz Lightyear costume
TREAT: Watching Cody run around crazy exclaiming,"To infinity and Beyond!"

TRICK: Connor being able to move at all in this costume with all the armor (aka. padding)
TREAT: Watching Connor do his own make-up so that it was done 'just right'

TRICK: Getting this picture of all 3 kids
TREAT: Getting this picture of all 3 kids

TRICK: Talking Tony into being my prisoner for the night
TREAT: Tony ended up being glad he was my prisoner for the night

TRICK: Getting through Grandma Maureen's haunted garage without getting scared.
TREAT: Seeing all the kids SOOO scared that they wanted to do it again and again and again.

TRICK: Getting Buzz Lightyear to come back down to earth and take this picture
TREAT: That Grandma Maureen did her famous party again this year

TRICK: Lauren riding her broomstick while trick or treating
TREAT: Seeing the kids come back home with all their goodies.

TRICK: Who knows what tricks these boys have up their sleeves.
TREAT: Having your best bud be your cousin who lives across the street.