Boys Will Be Boys......Girls Will Be Girls

Todd and Carter went on an overnight snowmobile trip with Kent, Kaden and Koy, and their ward this weekend. They rode around Friday in lots of fresh powder. Carter thought it was pretty cool when Kent cooked Little Smokies in a pot on the engine of his snowmobile. They slept in cabins, played games, had a good breakfast, and rode around some more on Saturday. They had a great time and said it was beautiful.

Kaden giving everyone a thumbs-up.

Tired Koy, worn out and ready for bed.

Well, us girls decided to get together for a great time as well. Jaci, Kelsi and Brooke, and Hali, Paige and I all got together for pizza, bowling and a sleepover. We stayed up late watching a movie and eating popcorn (Hali's request) and candy. We had a yummy breakfast, painted fingernails and toenails and ate dirt cake. Hali and Paige, like usual, were not ready to go when it was time. They love playing with cousins! I think if we were to live next door, they still would not get enough of eachother.

Paige loved the shoes! She told me she wanted to wear them home. We all had a great time!

Snow Fun

Living in Kansas, we really missed the snow. We have all looked forward to being back in the west to play in the snow again. We spent New Year's at Grandma & Grandpa Sanderson's house in Utah. We had a great time spending it with family. Dave, Tatum & Kreed, and Kari were also there. We played games until way too late at night, ate more yummy food than we should have (actually I should only speak for myself), and probably wore out the nintendo. Carter played outside until he was cold, wet, and wrinkled. We are loving being around family! These pictures were taken on New Year's Eve. Hali and Kreed had a great time riding together and Paige enjoyed rides with Grandpa. Todd enjoyed pulling Carter on the sled, I think because Carter would yell, "faster! faster!" And of course, Todd would go faster and dump Carter off. Carter and Hali enjoyed throwing snow on everyone. In this picture, it happened to be Uncle Dave. It was a great time!

A Beautiful Snowy Morning

We awoke Friday morning (Jan. 2) to 5" of new snow. One thing I love about the snow is that it falls so peacefully. It is really enjoyable to wake up in the morning and have it look different than the night before. We have also really missed the mountains. This view is from my parents front yard. The trees were covered in snow and it stayed that way all day. So once again, we took advantage of the snow!

Todd & Paige pulling Carter and Hali once again. This time, they were dusted with quite a bit more snow and got dumped off a lot more. It was fun for everyone!
I know, this is a silly picture of quail on my parent's driveway, but it's the simple things I've missed while in Kansas. I have always enjoyed watching them waddle down the road. I love the country!

After a little while of watching the kids go around and around, I mentioned the word "jump" to Dad and he was quickly back with a shovel. He and Todd took turns on course maintenance and before long, they had a pretty good jump going. Carter and Hali thought it was great! We all had some great laughs. Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun time!

Todd's Graduation

The day we have been waiting for finally arrived!!! Todd's graduation was one of the most exciting events I have been a part of in quite sometime. He graduated from Law school on December 12, 2008. It has been a rollercoaster of a ride, but many wonderful blessings have also come our way. Todd started and finished his undergrad in 2 years, taking up to 24 credits in one semester, just to get finished quickly. As soon as he finished, we moved to Kansas and 6 weeks later he started law school, completing that in 2 1/2 years. Talk about determination! He has amazed me through the whole process. He could have easily buried himself in the books, but he always found time each day to spend with me and the kids. Family has always been his top priority. My church calling took me away from home quite a bit and he always supported me. He never once complained about having to take care of the kids. They enjoyed eating popcorn and watching movies together. The kids were sad when I didn't have to leave because then there usually wasn't popcorn with Dad. It was just another night. Todd has made a lot of sacrifices over the past 4 1/2 years and continues to do so. I appreciate all that he does for us. I am so grateful to be married to him. Way to go, Todd!


We were very blessed to have our parents and some friends come out for graduation. They made a lot of sacrifices to attend and we really appreciate them coming. It made the night that much more special. Thanks!!
Our family with Mom Pingel and Mom & Dad Sanderson

Church Sites.....one last time

Our journey today took us to Liberty, Missouri to see the Liberty Jail where Joseph Smith was imprisioned for 4 months. The prison has been recreated to show what the conditions were like inside. The walls are 4 feet thick. The floor under the straw is the original rock floor. The sister missionary that took us on our tour today told us that The Community of Christ musuem in Independence, Mo. has the original door to the prison, an interesting bit of information that we didn't know. Todd and I have been to Liberty 5 times now since moving to Kansas and we learn something new every time. There is such a Spirit at these church sites.From Liberty, we drove to Independence. We have always talked about The Community of Christ's interesting building, but didn't know anything about what was inside, until today. The outside has a tall silver spire that twists up like an ice cream cone. The museum inside was very interesting. They had a lot of information on Joseph & Emma Smith and the early church as we know it. It was very fascinating. From here, we walked across the street to the LDS visitor center. We always enjoy the tour here. In December, there is a display of about 300 Nativity scenes set up from all around the world. Each one is so different and unique. During the tour, I started comparing our experience over at The Community of Christ to our church's visitor center. Both had a lot of great information, but one was lacking the warm, peaceful feeling you get when learning these things. I am so grateful for the early saints who sacrificed everything they had, even their lives, to give us the church organization we have today. I gain a deeper appreciation for them with each visit to these wonderful church sites that we have been blessed to be close to over the past 2 1/2 years. We are going to miss visiting all these places! At the end of the tour, there is a pioneer playroom for kids. Paige loved sitting on the wagon. Carter and Hali were in school today, so that's why they are not in the pictures.

Hali's Gymnastics

Hali had her last night of gymnastics tonight, which meant we could go inside the gym to observe and take pictures. It made the night more special to have Grandma Pingel and Grandma & Grandpa Sanderson there to watch Hali. She loved performing for them! It's been fun to watch her become more confident, especially in the balance beam.

Kansas BBQ

We are moving from Kansas one week from today and trying to squeeze in all of our favorite things. Tonight it was BBQ for dinner. Kansas has some of the yummiest BBQ restaurants, Arthur Bryant's and Vermont Street are a few of our favorites. We have been so excited for grandparents to come this week. We picked Grandma Pingel up from the airport yesterday and Paige talked her leg off the whole way home! I was getting Paige ready for bed and she asked me if she could go look at Grandma again. I told her she needed to go to bed, and she said, "I just want to look at her again." It's been a while since we have seen family and we appreciate them coming to celebrate graduation with us. Grandma & Grandpa Sanderson flew in today and Paige was once again excited to go to the airport.

Gingerbread Houses

Our family was invited to make gingerbread houses on Saturday with another family that we go to church with. This has been a family tradition of their's for 30 years. We had to bring our houses and icing and they supplied all the candy to decorate with. We had such a fun time and the kids loved being creative. I was surprised at how their houses really resemble their personalities. Carter likes to build things that are very neat, organized and symmetrical. Hali likes things colorful, fun and not very organized. Paige was just trying to stick candy on as fast as she could get it in her little hand. Hali was so sweet to share her house with Paige. If anyone is looking for a gingerbread house recipe and pattern, here is the link to one that is tried & true. It is very easy and kid friendly. http://www.mormonchic.com/recipe/recipebox/pages/gingerbread.asp

It was truly a candy wonderland! The hardest part was deciding what to put on the house! I think the kids walked around in circles several times, taking it all in, before gathering candy.

The finished houses! Carter had a tree in the yard with lights on it, Santa in the doorway, and a woodpile on the side of his house.

Hali and Paige had a tree, snowman and gingerbread man in their yard. They also added a pond and a flower garden.

I am thinking this is a great family tradition to start!

Lollipop Reflector

I always have good intentions to journal the funny things our kids say and do, but for some reason, I rarely get it done. I am finding that I actually do it now that I am blogging. Being able to have a picture with the saying is so much more fun. Paige and I saw this reflector when we were on a walk and she quickly said, "A lollipop!" I explained to her that it was a reflector and told her what it was for. She thought for a few seconds and said, "Yea. A lollipop!" I don't think I will see reflectors, just as reflectors anymore. Too Cute!