Top Ten Thurs.

1. Having our Friends the Brown's over for a Fiesta. Key Lime Pie Included!
2. My ring tone set to "Girls Just wanna have Fun". I miss the 80's.
3. Buying a nice pair of FOG FREE goggles for skiing.
4. Buying Flowers and balloons for the Birthday girl turning Six.
5. Talking to my mother. Even at 38 I love hearing her voice.
6. Diet Coke with Real Cherries....did I say I love it....if not I meant to.
7. Getting back to the tanning Salon for some sun. I have missed the 10 minute mini nap!
8. A husband who had dinner all removed and washed when I returned from tucking in a few girls. Did I say I love him.
9. Having some great laughs with Sierra. She has a great laugh.
10. Taking time to read. Even if it was just a page or two.

A Blanket kind of a Day!

            There has always been something special about this girl and her "Blanket History".
It all began when she was a precious new baby. Her first was handmade with love from Grandma Southam. She started sucking her thumb and twisting the frays of yarn against her top lip. At almost three years old I came up with an amazing plan to wrap it up and give it to the "Blanket Fairy" who would replace it with a gift. So we did just that and it disappeared. We even read a book night after night about it!

I can't remember who was more heart broken over saying good bye to it. Her or I? We were finishing our storage room with sheet rock at the time and Ben took it and put it under one of the sheets in the ceiling. It has been there ever since. Shortly after I thought that was that. Ben had his brain tumor. By the way, those always change your life. She had to spend a month without either of her parents. This is when she found a replacement at Grandma Southams. It even had "Fuggies" to twist on her upper lip. It gave her great comfort at that time which I prayed for daily. When we were back together as a family I just let it go. Help my husband recover from a brain tumor or help Sydney get over her blanket addiction?  Hmmm. Not a hard  decision. But of course there were boundaries! It had to stay in her room. If she needed a "fix" she had to go to her room. She spent awhile in her room somedays and I would find her other places asleep with it. There were moments I wished I had a big security blanket like that. I put that one away one day while she was at school. She would ask for it and I would say it was lost. She found another to adopt. It was fleece. I had made it for her for when we traveled. It had knots all around it. She would twist the knots on her upper lip. She even showed me her favorites to twist. She has stopped sucking her thumb. It has been hard for her to do. But a few days ago she discovered my hope chest. Full of delightful things. She found this hot pink blanket right away. This is special to me because my mother crocheted it for me. This is the most recent picture of her wrapped in this three generational blanket. When I saw her it brought me pure delight. I think that is how my mother felt as she saw me wrapped in it years ago. To the comfort of a blanket, thank you!

Funny Boy!

On the way to church yesterday Easton, Dillon and Ian were talking to Ben about going on a "Mission".

Easton piped up right away. He was so excited to "go on a Mission". He would take his swords and knifes. He could "fight all the bad guys save the city and return a hero"! Then he asked..."when can I go"? He was a little disappointed with our  definition of a mission. He was also disappointed he couldn't take his swords and knifes. But, for now little missions to fight bad guys can be a daily adventure! Some day you will fight bigger battles and hopefully God will be your companion on those "Missions".

My Very Own Van Gogh

Sydney Kate

Continues

to amaze us with her work

 Sydney Kate Age 6

 One of her favorite girls

 Her new "I Spy" book

 Christmas Wonderland

Flowers in the Kitchen

She says "she has pictures in her head that she just has to get out on paper"

on christmas day she said "all I want to do today is draw, draw draw".

Wilson Hi-Lights of 2010

Ben and Michelle Traveled to Maui and Kaui

We visited Friends in Gilbert AZ at Spring Break

Kids enjoyed Gymnastics Summer Camp

Ben fulfilled a dream of becoming a proud Boat Owner

Sierra tried Waterskiing

Sydney is a great chef in the kitchen and our best Artist

Easton had a big rock removed from his ear

We had a skateboard ramp...for two days

what were we thinking.

Anna went to kindergarten and is very smart.

Ian became a great swimmer and loves to show off

on the diving board.

Sierra Completed her first Triathlon

Dillon, Ian and Sierra had a great Soccer Season

Dillon, Sierra and Sydney learned how to Downhill Ski 

We took our Annual Beach Camping Trip

to Carpinteria California

Planted a great big garden and made homemade salsa

Michelle Hiked Mt. Handees  

her first 14er (14,000 ft.elevation)

Ben and Michelle took a Motorcycle trip to

Pagosa Springs, Co.

Ben's Parents moved to Provo, Ut

Michelle's Parents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary

January=Birthday Candles

My Birthday... was a cold freezing day. I was born twelve years after my next sibling. This was a great surprise for my mother. Thanks for extending your selflessness for one more girl! I love you for loving me.

Sydney Kate's Birthday... It was a cold day in Montrose. You hardly made a sound. But now we know you like to make noise. You love to entertain us all. Someday I suspect you might get paid to entertain millions. You are beautiful on the inside and out. Love you mostest!

Anastasia Jane's Birthday...I don't know anything about that day. This bothers me sometimes. I amagine it was also cold. I think you had a strong will to survive. I also think you had to use it more than you liked. I met you right before your fourth birthday and now you are turning six. Your smile melts my heart. You are smart and the best helper. Nose kisses and hugs. You have truly completed me as a mother. I am so lucky to watch you grow.

Nice to Meet You 2011

There can be no Happiness

if the things

We believe in

are different from the things

We do

This year I resolve to be content with who I am

where I am going

what I am doing and who I am doing it with.

Wishing you all many exciting

new

adventures

in 2011.