Hey everyone. It's been a great February so far, so I had to share the kids! With two birthdays, it's been a month full of LOVE! Quickly, for Andrew's birthday, I asked him what he wanted, and he said, "Harvey Unga's autograph." I laughed! (for those of you who may not know, he is a half-back for the BYU football team.) Well, John made a call or two, and before I knew it, I was standing in the BYU athletic building receiving a coach's hat, a little elastic wristband, a poster, and a little mini football helmet from the Athletic director with about 10 autographs from the BYU football team on it. It said "Happy Birthday Andrew from your friends at BYU." Max Hall, quarterback, and many other players also signed it. It was a fun surprise for him! of course we had to supplement with the jacket, garbage can, backpack and checkers game. He's one big FAN!!!

Thank You!

This is our Super-Shout-Out Thank You for the darling birthday gifts from our cute cute cute family! We just got the package today and Ava was way excited about everything - you all really spoiled her!

She wanted to open all of her presents and kept saying matter-of-factly,
"Mama, I need a knife" to which I replied
"Oh, really?"
"Yes."
"Mhmm."

(Thank you Kim for sending them, along with all of the other stuff we left in Utah! You're awesome to do that!)

Thank you again! We love you all!!!

"Fraidy"

I got this email from Kim this morning, and had a good laugh! Ashley has a good memory, huh!? I guess she can always tease me for being afraid of anything that moves! (Furthermore, Adam, I'm still trying to think how I am going to get you back for chasing me with that snake in Rochester!)Maybe instead of competing for the "Favorite Aunt" spot, I should just take my "Fraidy Cat Aunt" award and run! It's good to know we are missed!

"Hey Aimers,
I think the kids are really excited to see you this summer! I found this picture in my room this morning and got a good chuckle. Hopefully you will, too! See you soon! Love your "fraidy" guts! --Kim"

A little off-season banter...

Bronco Mendenhall, after living a full life, died. When he got to heaven, God was showing him around when they came to a modest little house with a faded Cougars flag in the window."This house is yours for eternity," said God. "This is very special, not everyone gets a house up here."The coach felt special, indeed, and walked up to his house. On his way up the porch, he noticed another house just around the corner. It was a 3-story mansion that had a 50 foot tall flagpole with an enormous UTES flag, and in every window was the UTE logo.The coach looked at God and said, "God, I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but I have a question. I was a good coach. I went to bowl games, sent a bunch of my players on to the pros, and I turned around the entire BYU football program."God said, "So, what's your question?""Well," said the coach, "Why does Kyle Whittingham get a better house than me?"God responded, "Oh that's not Whittingham's house, that's mine".

Ava's 2nd Birthday

We just celebrated Ava's 2nd birthday on Jan 23rd! She is such a fun and energetic girl and keeps us on our toes! Here is a picture with her enjoying her birthday cake... Note the teary eyes - I told her that she needed to stop picking the hearts off the cake until after I was done taking pics - she had a major melt down but miraculously recovered once I was done with pics and gave in!

For more of her birthday festivities, click HERE.

Saying Goodbye

I've had a few days to let things sink in, and although the news of President Hinckley's death was a surprise, at first it didn't make me sad. I remember John told me that at the moment his dad passed away, his sister Sally simply looked toward heaven with tears in her eyes and said, "Good Job, Dad." It was a simple statement of triumph for a life well-lived.

When I think of the amazing impact President Hinckley has had on the world, I am amazed. I'm grateful to the many people who have compiled tributes for him that highlight things of his life that have reminded me, and in some cases, taught me, about the unmatched contributions he made to the world on behalf of the Church.

Over the last few days, as I've celebrated his life through watching these memoirs on tv and internet, I've been so grateful for his life. Only now, however, has the sadness hit me. I love this man, and will greatly miss him at General Conference, cracking jokes, talking so optimistically about the future, and laughing at himself. I'll miss his smile, watching him wave his cane, and I'll miss just seeing him on the stand.

John and I were fortunate enough to be in his presence a few times...perhaps a half-dozen or so for different intimate occasions, and yet, never had the chance to shake his hand. (once, however, I came through a back doorway, and practically ran into him, literally, as he was coming out the other side!) But, for anyone who has been in his presence, whether in the Marriott Center, Conference Center, or a few feet away, you know that you don't have to shake his hand to feel the power and spirit that he radiates. What a mantle! He truly is a prophet of God.

He will be greatly missed. --Kim

Here's a post from my blog. Enjoy!

First, I just have to say Google is amazing. I’ve been very happy with their email application for over two years now and it seems as though they really make internet use easy. You wouldn’t know it from my lengthy and frequent blog posts, but I really am quite a busy person. Whenever I get a chance, I spend a lot of time, going from blog to blog, trying to see what’s new in the worlds of my friends and family. Well, Google has come through for me again. I recently read a magazine article about Google Reader – a free application which allows you to go to one site which compiles all of the most recent additions to your favorite blogs and websites.

Let’s be honest, when one of our favorite blogs doesn’t post for a while, we stop going. It isn’t to be mean or anything. There just isn’t enough time to keep going. However, with Google Reader, all you have to do is add the site to your list and Google will let you know when there’s a new post. Not only will it let you know, but you can actually read the whole post on Google Reader and see any pictures they have as well. For me the benefit is not only the time I save, but also the simplicity. It’s amazing! (We’re actually naming out next born “Reader,” because it’s so wonderful!)


Click here to check it out!

bethany's big day

belly watching

I love this picture of her

favorite aunt. . .where should I turn in my application?

FHE Kitchen Demolition

So, following are many pics of the kitchen work...and a few gems...Jeff found an old pirate toy he hadn't seen in 20+ years, and a red cup (remember those?) Christian was carrying the old green sewing machine when the latch broke and dropped the 50 lb. thing on Mom's leg, resulting in stitches and a swollen ankle...but a quick trip to InstaCare and she's on the couch with orders to stay put for 3-4 days (oh SURE...make US do all the work... :)

Anyway, wish you were here (to help of course.) Just kidding. Enjoy the pics! --Kim

lots of pics from Kim

Here in a little Preemie outfit Auntie Amy gave her...I forgot hot TINY they are when they are born!

a few more pictures of my baby!

My GIRLS!!!

And below...everyone's going the extra mile to help out around the house...




Of course we are so blessed to have so many others to help us out with the birth! Tiff, Amy, and Mom came and cleaned my house the day before I was induced, Jenn brought us some pizza the night before, Amy, Dad and Tiff brought KUDOS (a box of 50 that only lasted 24 hours!) to the hospital, Marshall stayed home and tended ALL the grandkids (almost) at one point, Mom brought PIZZA HUT to the hospital after the birth, Jenn went and picked up the kids from school, both at Carden AND in Sandy!,....it was just a cooperative effort on the part of so many to make things run smoothly. We are so grateful to have such supportive family!!! Thanks to EVERYONE who visited, who still visits, for the meals but especially the LOVE! We are so blessed!