To the BIRTHDAY GIRL~

Today is my sister Ashleigh's birthday! Happy birthday sis! I am a little sad because usually I am with her on her special day, and we usually go out to eat or shop, but, since she has been living in Kanab we are not able to be together. As I have been thinking about her these last couple of days I thought of the many things I love about her. We have been really close since college and I turn to her for everything. I love her to death and here's why!

28-She is always up for fun

27-Her laugh is contagious!

26-She is a fabulous cook!

25-She can make me laugh harder then anyone!

24-She is ubber talented in the Athletic department, (BYU/UVU Baller)

23-Right or wrong, she'll always give you the facts, (even if it is made up, study show...)

22-She teaches me how to be a good parent

21-She is Artistic-from doodling on paper to painting on a canvas

20-She is very creative-She takes after my mom!

19-She is an excellent crank caller, just ask Karly

18-She has this other personality, Maggie Tombstone, that can make anyone smile!

17-Did I mention she is gorgeous?

16-She gives comfort to anyone, especially when I'm worked up

15-She is thoughtful

14-I love to watch her dance, can you say DDR master?

13-She is always willing to try New Things

12-She can talk to anyone (as long as it's not on the phone)

11-But, she will talk on the phone with me all throughout the day, which makes me feel special!

10-She is considerate

9-She is always Happy

8-She loves her son Chamberlain so much

7-Her height is amazing, and she's proud of it

6-She is Faithful

5-As much as she likes to have fun she is very Responsible

4-She can find the best in everyone

3-She is a great driver, I never get car sick with her

2-She is beautiful inside and out

1-She is my very BEST FRIEND in the world!

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. Happy Birthday Ash, I hope it is full of fun. I love you so much and can't imagine what life would be like without you. Have a fabulous day!!

FlashBacks of High School

On Thursday of last week I drove down to Millard, with Hudson and a few of Sage's friends form PG, to watch her play some basketball, or baa ball as Hudson calls it. We met my Mom, Ash, and Chamberlain there. When I walked into the gym it brought back many memories of playing on the court. Sage even wears my number 20 jersey, actually it was my dads number back in the day. It was so fun to watch her play. Sage really has enjoyed playing ball and even says she likes the road trips! We loved watching her play and can't wait to see her again.

Here she is with a few team mates sporting #20!

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the the Cowboy gear! Can't go to a game without em!She's open! Way to post up Sage....... Ashleigh taught her well!Time out~ A few action shots~These next 2 pictures of Chamberlain crack me up. He is such a silly, intense, smart, loving, happy, and energetic little boy. He kissed me about 50 times and asked me over and over if I could go to his house with him. He also loves to play with Huddy buddy! We miss living near him.Now this picture really takes me back to high school when I had to be taped before every game. Tim is in a Sport Medicine class that teaches him how to tape up shoulders, wrists, and in this case ankles. He wanted to take a picture of his work and post it! Great job honey!!

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish~

On Presidents' Day, Tim wanted to go check out the Living Aquarium in Sandy. We both enjoy aquariums, and a few years ago went to the awesome one in Denver with Cami and Brandon. So we knew this one wasn't going to be as extravagant, so our expectations were not that high. When we pulled up to the building, all our preconceived thoughts were confirmed, it was in an old grocery store. "YIKES ,"I thought to myself, but it couldn't be as bad as the cave when my grandpa Garth owned it and had everything behind chicken wire! We went in and much to our surprised it looked well put together. It was divided up into two sections: Utah's own and tropical fish. We really liked the set up and displays, and we would recommend it to anyone with children. Hudson loved looking at all the fish and got a kick out of the touching pool with some kind of fish and sting rays! In my pictures you can see how cute the aquarium is with a sunken ship, a coral reef area for kids to play in, and a boat that they can pretend drive!

Utah Trout! I liked these displays the best because as you can see, they had cool pieces of drift wood above the tank (Growing up in a museum my whole life I appreciate cleaver displays).Hudson would not take his eyes off the fish to smile for us.
Jelly Fish! They had different colored lights that would change the way the fish looked. A really big star fish! This tank also had a nasty octopus in it.
Tim got stung by a sting ray a few years ago so he wouldn't touch the thing but Hudson sure tried! Don't worry moms, they have a hand washing station right near the touch pool.
This is the big fish tank which had about 6 sharks and other really big ugly fish. I thought the sunken ship was so cool. Inside was a table with puzzles and games for kids and, of course, a fish tank.These last 3 pictures are taken by the coral reef area. It was so cute with tunnels that had little fish tanks with Nemo fish inside.

The Things We Do For Love!!

So Tim had the bright idea a few weeks ago, when we were pounded with snow, to take Hudson sledding! Mind you we both hate the snow so why would we want to torture ourselves by taking Hudson out into the freezing cold just to make some memories. Well, being the good parents that we try to be, we got him all dressed and headed down to Grandma Juju's to get sledding stuff. By the time we arrived at Juju's, the weather was so bad that we didn't want to drive anywhere else. Good thing Juju has a little hill on the side of her house because it was perfect for our little sledder.
This picture of Hudson and Tim has to be one of my very favorites because I love Hudsons smile and how he looks with his cute little boots on!
Getting ready for take off!

DECEMBER IN REVIEW

We had quite the busy, fun, family and friend filled month! From weddings, to parties, to Christmas, and to Arizona and back here is a quick review of our fun.

This was going to be the picture on our Christmas card but it was never made so it was never sent! I was a slacker but still wish everyone had a Merry Christmas! (and by looking at everyone's blogs I can tell you did!)

To kick off our Christmas Cheer we went on a double with Tim's bestfriend Doug and his date Emily, who went to school with these 2 crazy boys. We made Gingerbread houses and had a lot of fun making light of our construction jobs!We had Jason and his date Julie judge to see who's house was the best and, of course, we did!

I had to put this picture in of my Young Women and our Ugly Sweater party! I love these girls so much and have so much fun with them.

Tim's best friend since he was born, Nate, fianlly got married, in the snow and all, in the beautiful Salt Lake temple to the very beautiful Katy. We couldn't be more happy for them. Nate and Katy started dating about a month before he left happy valley for medical school in Virginia near his home town. It was such a special day and we are so glad we were able to be a part of it. We love them and miss them much.

I'm still waiting to receive pictures of Christmas morning from my family, so here are a few that Tim took on his camera phone. This year we were with my family in Kanab, we had such a good time hanging out with everyone and eating lots. I will post later about the events of Christmas eve and Christmas when I get more pictures. Grandma and Grandpa Laycook gave Chamberlain and Husdon these cute animal rugs that the boys use to watch their movies on! They love them!Grandma and grandpa Chamberlain gave Hudson a cute Radio Flyer tricycle! He hasn't quiet figured out how to ride it yet but sure loves to sit on it and have us push him around. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Ahh, now onto my favorite part of our Christmas Vacation... Arizona! We left the day after Christmas and returned the following Tuesday. We enjoyed visiting with family and friends but mostly the weather. It was a chilling 72 degrees the whole time! We got a kick out of all the people dressed up as if they were in the middle of a blizzard! Seriously boots, scarfs, and big puffy coats! Not only do I love to visit AZ because my mom's whole side of the family lives there, but I also served a mission in Mesa. Part of my mission call was to the Visitors Center so we just had to go see the Temple lights. As soon as I stepped in the front doors, the smell of the center brought back a flood of wonderful memories. We forgot to bring our camera so these pictures were also taken with Tim's phone. I think Tim took some great pictures of the Temple. It's so beautiful to me!Another highlight of our trip was visiting with poeple I taught and served on the mission. On Sunday, Sage, Tim, and I went to church at my favorite ward and area, the Lehi 2nd ward. We also visited with my favorite family, Monica and Seth Hall. Monica and Seth have the cutest boys ever, Billie, Dominic, Jared, and little baby Aiden who is the size of Hudson! Ok not really but close. I have loved this family since the first day I met them. I wish I lived closer so we could see each other more!

Hudson's First *Snow*

Wednesday morning we woke up to about 2 inches of SNOW! Which that, much to my dislike, means winter is officially here. Before I went to bed on Tuesday, I had decided to just enjoy the winter and not get so bothered by the cold. So, in my attempt, I got Hudson all bundled up and headed outside to watch him experience snow for the First time!Maybe I will enjoy this winter. Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!

More Halloween Fun

My good friend Lacey threw a Halloween bash at her house on Saturday. I was so excited because last year we went to one at my cousins house and had a blast and I really wanted to do something like it again! Nothin beats dressing up and hangin out with some good ol' friends, and do I mean OL'. Lacey and I have been friends since she moved to Kanab in 8th grade. She has been one of those friends that no matter where I live or how long it has been since we last talked she is consistent in her friendship. Lacey is amazing and truely has been an example of a Christlike friend and mother. She is the craftiest, talented, funniest, and sweetest person you will ever meet. I thank you Lacey for all the good times we've had and for the times to come! Love you girl and thanks for the "groovy"night!
Sorry, sometimes you just have to let people know how much you care! Anyway back to the bash. We borrowed some costumes from Tim's sister Cami, and were all set to go and party! Tim got really into it this year and even said his costume was comfortable! We had delicious finger foods that Lacey gave creepy names to and of course for the dessert carmeled apples! In all it was such a fun night! Thank you Lairds for the invite. Jennie and Cody were Cowboy and Indian! Jennie is another Ol' friend of mine only we go way back to the 2nd grade when I first moved to Kanab. She is also amazing along with her Husband. Never a dull moment with these two!

Nate was Joe Dirt, Lacey Cleopatra, and little Maddison was a scary witch!

We were Hippies. Tim's handle bars are real! So sick, how can anybody like kissing that, yuck! I think Tim looks like my Uncle Mike back in the 80s when he would perm his hair!