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.

Good enough for a statue?

Have you ever thought about what great things you might accomplish in your life?
Have you ever thought if those things would make your ancestors want to make a statue of you for your greatness? Well, I have just recently asked myself those two questions because my Great, Great, Great Grandfather Israel Barlow had a statue made and dedicated in his honor at This is the Place State Park. There were hundreds of the extended Barlow family who attended this celebration back in September. It was so fun to see so many distant relatives paying tribute to someone we could all call 'grandpa'. Israel was an amazing man with an amazing testimony and I feel blessed to be one of his 100,000 descendants. And just in case you were wondering, here are just a few of the things that made him 'Statue worthy"......

Bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith
Temple Builder
Missionary
Willey Handcart Company Rescuer
Member of Zion's camp
Helped the church purchase land in Nauvoo

Family picnic after the dedication

"The Statue"

Israel is bronzed with one of his wives

The crowd surrounding the dedication.
(You can see 'This is the Place' monument in the background. )

So...the next time you go to This is the Place State Park, make sure you visit Grandpa Israel and tell him "hello" for me.

Double Digits!

Today Connor turns the big 1-0! Double digits. That sounds old. What a blessing Connor is in our lives. From birth he has been happy, happy, happy!

His smile is contagious. His great grandpa Barlow even called him 'grinner' because he is always smiling.

Connor is fun and friendly. Wherever we go he easily makes friends.

He is sensitive and thoughtful.

He is a great example to his younger brother and sister.

He always tries to do what is right.

Of all of my kids he is the lover and the hugger. He will often come to me and say,"I haven't given you a hug today"....followed by a big, long, lingering hug. I love it!

He is the night owl at our house who has trouble going to bed before 10:00. Yet, without fail, he is always the first up in the morning too.

He loves a good joke and loves even more to tell you one. Connor loves to laugh, laugh, laugh, and laugh and laugh some more.

He is without fail, absolutely, positively SPECIAL!