color

David and I recently listened to "The Giver," by Lois Lowry.  Among other thoughts provoked by the book was this: "What would the world be like without color?"  After several months of seeing mostly white, brown, and gray outside, I am craving some color.  I sometimes get my color fix during the winter by looking through pictures I've taken of flowers and other living things.  Here are some of my favorites for the benefit of others who might need some color:

This is where David grew up in north Idaho.  When you walk through these grasses on a warm day, you can literally feel the energy of the living things surrounding you.  How could anyone be satisfied with anywhere else after living here?

 This vinca was the only thing I could get to grow in the damp, shady front flower bed of our Orem house.  I love this shade of violet.

We found this spider web near Battlecreek Falls, above Pleasant Grove.  

Not only is the web amazing, but I love how the leaves look with the sunlight shining through them. 

These flowers were all along the trail heading to Grouse Creek Falls in Idaho.

Simple and beautiful. 

You don't see many ferns where we live.  These were in the back forest at David's parents' house in north Idaho.  The next two pictures are from the flower gardens there.

This was near Bridal Veil Falls, up Provo Canyon.

Looking out our back window.  I've always thought of a beautiful sunrise as God's way of saying, "Good morning."

St. George

David had a conference in St. George last week.  His parents were kind enough to take care of the kids so we could spend a couple days there.  Neither of us had been to St. George before.  In the short time we were there, we enjoyed what we saw.  I loved the old red brick buildings against the backdrop of red cliffs. 

It's nearly spring there.  I've always loved seeing crocuses and knowing that winter will soon be over. While David was at his conference, I caught up on our family photo album and did some shopping. 
We also discovered at a chinese buffet that we love coconut shrimp.

The church must have known we were coming, because they were kind enough to make sure the temple was closed for maintenance while we were in St. George.  Just our luck!



David and his good friend, Brother Brigham.

 

We spent an afternoon at Snow Canyon State Park, 20 minutes from St. George.  There were some nice little hikes, including petrified sand dunes and a trail leading up to pioneer names written on canyon walls with wagon axle grease.  David saw this formation and knew he just had to climb it.  Someone had to stay below to take pictures so I volunteered.

 

This was a fun little slot canyon we found. 
Nothing like a couple days away from the kids to remind us how much we like them.



No winter blahs allowed

We have been cooped up a lot lately because it has been really cold.  When it gets above freezing, we look for things to do outside.  We spent a fun day on Temple Square in Salt Lake.  If you haven't been there lately, you should go check it out!  They've added several new things that are pretty cool.  In the south visitor's center (which I used to think was rather dull) there's an intricate model of the Salt Lake Temple that shows some of the interior.  The north visitor's center has a sweet presentation on the family that I hadn't seen before. (it's in a room to the left of the Christus statue).

We visited the new children's section in the Church History Museum.  Wow!  The kids could have spent half the day there.  Clara's favorite part was dressing up and learning a Mexican dance.  Nathan built a tower with huge padded blocks.  They got to fish from Nephi's ship and gather eggs and vegetables in the farm section.  There was tons of other stuff to do as well.  We will definitely be back!

David likes to take the kids hiking up in the hills by our house.  This is Battlecreek Falls, frozen solid.

Christian has been learning to feed himself with a fork and spoon.  He is a much better eater than the other kids.  Yesterday he devoured about 8 asparagus spears as if they were chocolate-covered pretzels.

Whenever David makes his mischeivous face, I can totally picture what he was like as a little boy.  Nathan often makes that same face.  They are both WAY too good at it.

We found a backyard playset online for a really good price.  If the kids have as much fun playing on the actual playset as they did playing on the boxes it came in, it will be worth the effort of building it.

Who knew a slide could be so much fun on the ground?  No one can fall off.  Maybe we should just leave it this way.

Little People

WHY, when there is ample floor space in our house, do my kids prefer being on the table and counter?  Is it because they enjoy feeling taller and seeing the world from a "grown-up" perspective?  On the other hand, how often do I get down on their level and look at things through their eyes? 

How quickly we forget what it is like to be little. 

winter fun

 We spent last week in Sandpoint, visiting David's family.  Nathan loved helping Uncle Michael plow the driveway.  He and his cousin Joshua were buccaneers for most of the week.  Their duties consisted of ridding the seven seas of sisters and girl cousins.

 Clara and Katie were hunted all week by the buccaneers.  The kids had a great time sledding.

 

Back at home:

Christian knows where to find the good stuff! 

 Christian has not yet figured out what is so fun about snow.

 Clara plays the part of a smug princess rather well.  She has informed me that she wants us to buy a mansion.  She also dreams of someday being a teenager and having a boyfriend. 

Sigh...The next 14 years ought to be very interesting.

 Just another picture of Christian being cute.

And another.  Sorry, I can't help myself.
For those who are really interested, the is another post below about Christmas.

Our perfect family

When I was a girl, my family was sometimes called "the perfect family."  (Usually by people who didn't know us that well.)  Two parents, two girls, two boys, a dog, and a cat.  People figured we quoted scripture all day, and that we always got along perfectly.  Hmmm...our parents probably wished that were all true.  But really, I couldn't have been more blessed in the family I was given.  We loved each other and (usually) enjoyed being together.  Anyway, here's what happens when "the perfect family" spends Christmas together.

Acting out the Nativity:

No one wanted to be Joseph, so the privilege fell upon Christian.  Cousin Sarah was Mary, and 3-year-old Peter had his heart set on being Jesus and sitting in the manger.  It worked out pretty well.



 When my mom pulled out this costume, Clara knew she was meant to be the angel.  She may be the first angel ever to throw a kicking, screaming fit.  We didn't realize that she intended to say all of the angel's lines herself.  It's quite upsetting when you're surrounded by foolish mortals who are keeping you from delivering the glad tidings of great joy. 

 Nathan came up with this wiseman costume.  He was an extremely wise wiseman, as evidenced by the large brain he has under that turban.

Grandpa Manwill enjoyed Nathan's new dart gun. 

My brother, Dan, who just finished a master's in mechanical engineering.  He really does have a large brain, although you can't tell from this picture.

I wish I knew what Nathan and Rachel were thinking in this picture.

O Christmas Tree

David's brother, Michael, was kind (and patient) enough to take a family picture AND babysit for us on the same night.  He is definitely on Santa's nice list now.  Clara didn't want to smile and Christian insisted on looking stoic, but at least no one was crying.

 A cute boy who melts my heart!

 Clara turned four a couple weeks ago.  She wanted a princess cake and David's sister Jessica gave me this idea.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a cheap doll that was the right size, so it didn't end up the way I imagined.  David laughed when he saw the cake.  Prince Charming would not be able to reach Cinderella if she wore this dress to the ball.  Clara requested a green dress and a pink dance floor.  She was delighted with this cake, so it doesn't matter if it turned out looking goofy.

After 7 years of marriage, we finally have a Christmas tree. (and room to set it up!)  

Of course, within a few days, there were no ornaments left on the bottom half.   

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved sitting in the dark and gazing at a lighted Christmas tree.  There is something so peaceful about it.  It's nice to be able to do that again.