I Just Know

This last Sunday Jonathan and I gave talks in church. Our topic was "How I know Jesus Christ loves me?" At first, I was concerned about it because during the previous week the speakers had the same topic. I wasn't sure that there was anything more I could share that would be meaningful. As I thought more about the topic, I remembered a funny story about my nephew Garrett.

On a math worksheet, Garrett was asked to write down what strategy he used and why it was right. Garrett simply wrote "I just know." I felt like that perfectly applied to my feelings about the topic I was given. I just know.

Instead of being satisfied with that as an answer, I though about why I know He loves me. It comes down to the fact that I have gone through and continue to go through difficult trials that were made more difficult as I tried to get through them on my own. It wasn't until I trusted Jesus Christ and the power of His atonement that I was able to make real progress. It isn't something that comes naturally for me, but He lightens my load whenever I do. He doesn't take away the trial because that would prevent me from growing. He is right along side me.

2016 Birthdays

We had a great time doing our pictures for our nieces' and nephews' birthdays. By far my favorite from this year is the Harry Potter picture for Tyler, but that's because I'm so excited that one of the kids loves Harry Potter too!

Next year we will be adding in Theodore and Spencer to the mix. I'm already coming up with more ideas!

A Ty Weekend

A few weeks ago, we were able to spend the weekend with Tyler. It was a lot of fun! We started out at BYU, but apparently all of the cool things don't open until 10am. As we were waiting, we wandered around the library. We went to the map room and looked at a few different globes and maps. Then we stumbled on the 3-D printer and got to watch it print a simple piece. I can't wait to have a 3-D printer! I already have some ideas of what to print!

After the library, we headed to the Erying Science building to look at the crystals they have on display. Ty loved reading the names of them and telling us about which ones he has at home. We also went to the Bean Life Science Museum. He had to look at all of the animals and didn't believe us when we told him they have a liger. The in face do have a liger and it is not a mystical creature that Napoleon Dynamite would have you believe. It is an animal that's father is a lion and mother is a tiger.

Tyler liked knowing what all of the animals names are and he read every single plaque to us.

For being 8 years old, Ty doesn't always act like it. Even when he was a toddler, he preferred eating off of the adult menu rather than the kids menu when we would go out. As an eight year old, one of his favorite things to eat is ribs. He licks the bones clean! 

On Sunday, Tyler came with me to nursery. At first he was pretty bored because I was focused on getting out toys for the kids. After awhile, we started playing catch and some of the kids got really excited and wanted to join in. I had the kids take turns throwing the ball to Tyler. Ty was so patient with them and made sure that anyone who wanted a turn got one. After church, we went to the park so he could really throw the ball.

The thing that I was most excited about was seeing Tyler get interested in our family history. He was so excited to learn about all the famous people we are related to. That is a great place to start! Unfortunately, the weekend went by quickly, but I am so glad that we were able to spend some time with him.

Our True Identity

I can't hide it any longer, Jonathan and I are super heroes. We are having so much fun planning and adding special effects to our pictures for our nieces and nephews! For at least the past year, Jonathan has been doing all sorts of 3D graphics and has started getting more into the animating side of things. This is his creative outlet when homework gets tedious and he just keeps getting better!

In case you haven't seen the latest creation here it is.

Jonathan got really into this photo shoot because he could visualize how he could make them come to life with the special effects. He's the one who makes these pictures amazing. I just tell him what it is that I want and he runs with it.

Celebrating Birthdays!

Last year, I was pretty lame when it came to making our nieces and nephews birthdays special especially for the California kids. This year I vowed to do better. The idea started simple with just holding a sign that said happy birthday. As I was sitting at work, I started thinking more about what Garrett was interested in. (Garrett has the first birthday of the year.) I knew he is crazy about the Ninja Turtles. Then it hit me. Jonathan and I needed to dress up as Ninja Turtles! I told Jonathan my idea and he was on board!

This picture turned out even better than how I imagined it! I am having so much fun figuring out what we are going to do for each of the kids. For Clara, we went with a Frozen theme since she loves the movie and Utah Lake is currently frozen. Jonathan added in the special effect so I could be a more convincing Elsa.

Here's a very small hint of what we're doing for Kyle. It's going to be amazing thanks to Jonathan!

Surprise Weekend

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Jonathan and I surprised my parent's by showing up at my brother's house. They were in town for Thanksgiving and baby Ruby's blessing and were not expecting us at all!

The roads were only slippery in a couple of places which I was very grateful for!

The real highlight of the trip was meeting sweet baby Ruby! She is such a mellow and calm baby. We were able to take a couple of naps together.

Clara took a break from playing to snuggle with Grandpa.

Though to be honest, Clara's favorite part of the weekend was opening up their Christmas present from Aunt Amy and Uncle Andy. It's a cross between a waffle and a cookie maker. As you can tell by Clara's sweet face, they are delicious with a little Nutella!

On Sunday, sweet baby Ruby was blessed. This little girl is named after 2 of her great-grandmas.

Before we left, Chris had Jonathan and I try on a couple of his Giants baseball caps that don't fit him. The one that was just a little too small for him was too big for me. The one that was too big for him was given to him by our Uncle Jerry. Every time Uncle Jerry sees Chris, he gives him his Giants baseball cap. Even now that Chris is an adult, they are still too big for him. We figured that it should definitely fit Jonathan because he has a very large head. It didn't fit. Jonathan needs a BIGGER hat! Seriously, though. Jonathan's head looks normal, but in reality it is huge!

My dad had a bunch of mission buddies that were getting together in Utah, so my parents came back down to Utah with us. We stopped off in Salt Lake and found where my great-great-great grandpa James Davis was buried. It took awhile, but we were able to find him! He served in the Mormon Battalion after his father died in Winter Quarters. 

Eleven Years

11 years and a day ago, my very pregnant sister and brother went to the hospital. It was three weeks before her due date, so we all went on with our normal Monday schedule. My mom warned me though, that if the baby was coming she would switch pickup days with our carpool. (This is before I had a cellphone. So embarrassing!) Naturally, I had a hard time focusing on school that day. Finally, the final bell of the day rang. I dashed out of the band room to see whose car was there. It was Kim's and not my mom's. I ran with my saxophone in tow. Wondering how I was going to get the hospital. We pulled up in front of my house just in time for my dad to take me down to the hospital. I could not believe it. I was officially an aunt and only 13 years old. Ryan was so little and looked so fragile. He was under a heat lamp, so I didn't get to hold him that day.

3 years later, after my mom finished sewing my homecoming dress late in the night, we got a phone call from the same brother and sister on their way to the hospital. It was just after midnight when we got into the car. With only a few minutes to spare, my mom was there for the newest addition to our family. I was in the waiting room for less than a half hour, while another family had been there for over a day still waiting for their new baby. My sister's brother couldn't wait to see his hair because we were all hoping for another redhead. Ty did not disappoint us! He was the loudest baby when he slept. He constantly growled and squeaked the nights away.

It's crazy to think that they have been part of our lives for such a long time already. It still feels like they should be little kids. Since we weren't able to celebrate with them this year, we had our own little party last night.

We hope each of you have another wonderful year ahead!

It Finally Happened

I am now apparently old enough to have a nephew with his own social media account.

For now, it's just Google+ but who knows how long it will be until he's on Facebook and Instagram!

My Nephew is Cooler than Yours

A few months ago, I saw on my brother's google+ account that he started posting videos about Minecraft. (It's some video game I still don't understand...)

Every so often he would post new ones, but I never watched any of them. I was talking to Jonathan about it and he said Ryan actually made the videos. My nephew is so cool that he makes his own YouTube videos now. Be jealous!

Just a warning, the video is almost 13 minutes long.

I Don't Know Idaho!

This weekend, we made our first of many trips up to Idaho. Jonathan had a crazy week with tons of stuff due and late nights of getting everything done that we decided a weekend away was in order! Thankfully, my brother's family was prepared to indulge us.

The last time we spent time with them was back at Thanksgiving, so I wasn't sure how well the kids would remember us. Before we even got all of our things out of the car Seth came out and gave us big hugs. Clara and Annie were out running errands and when they got home, Clara ran right up to me and gave me a cuddly hug.

Both Seth and Clara have grown up so much since Thanksgiving. Seth absolutely loves everything Star Wars, with the exception of the Emperor who he calls the boss. Clara is just a little chatterbox! She repeats just about anything that she hears.

Clara in her Sunday best!

It was also a lot of fun spending time with Chris and Annie. We haven't lived close to them for over a year and so it was nice being able to talk with them. They taught us a card game they learned from their sister-in-law and we ended up playing it for about 3 hours.

We also had a tea party with the kids. I love having nieces! In the 10 years I've been an aunt, this was my very first tea party.

This trip, though quick, was so much fun. I can't wait to go back for another visit!

Auntie

I am grateful that I have been an aunt for over 10 years now. It seems absolutely crazy that these kids are getting so big.

Ry is awesome with the little boys.

Ty is a fish.

Kyle is part super hero.

Mercedes is a princess!

Garrett is a ham!

Charlotte won't stop growing.

Lyla is a busy little girl.

Seth is a goof!

Clara is so sweet.

Apple Hill

I am grateful that we were able to have a family picnic at Apple Hill. The weather was perfect, there were no crowds (because it was Thursday and not Saturday), and we had lots of entertainment from the boys. Some of my favorite highlights were Tyler eating all of the raspberries, Ryan herding the little boys, and Garrett bossing everyone.

I am grateful for the fun memories we made that day.