Family

This week has been both a really good and a very emotional week for me. I am compiling a special book and have been receiving the writings from different family members for it. It has brought back so many memories of my brother who died several years ago. As I've been preparing pages with pictures of his children it has brought him to mind so much this week. Not bad, just close to my heart. It seems there is a part of him in each of his three boys. I look at them and it makes me cry. I see him, I'm so happy that it has helped me not to forget him, especially his smile and quirky laugh. I miss him. I miss his wife and fine boys. He would be so proud of them, what a beautiful family they are not just on the outside, but especially on the inside. I've never seen stronger spirits than theirs (though I'm sure they wouldn't think they are.) I just wanted to share those things. Life can change so quickly, we have to make the most of everyday. I love you all -Mels

Creative Thinkers...

We'll Luke has reached a new stage. This four year old comes up with all kinds of unique stories but his one was very clever.

Jason had taken Whitney to the Build A Bear workshop in another town. I missed all the fun cause I was getting my haircut (something I don't get to do very often). Anyhow, whit had saved her money and decided to buy another bear. Luke decided he had a way to get a bear for himself. He began to tell his dad how his stuffed zebra "Thomas" needed a friend and since they were at the bear place he could get his zebra another friend to play with. Jason pried more into the need of "Thomas" for a new friend. Luke repsonded that the other animals on his bed are not nice to Thomas and that is why he needs another friend to play with. I didn't know that all this time the other stuffed animals were bullying the biggest animal on Luke's bed. He had such a voice of desparation for poor Thomas. Jason said it was really hard not to laugh.

You have to know this is the same little boy that believes his animals can do creative things. During Christmas time we had drawn names in the family to see who would do surprise acts of kindness for each other. Jason had Luke and each day he would sneak in his room and make is bed and place all his animals in funny ways, like an animal pyramid and such; he'd add sunglasses or little treats on them. Luke to this day still believes the animals did it themselves. Even after we told him it was his dad he still didn't believe us. A few weeks ago he was upset and when I asked why he explained that his animals hadn't fixed up his bed in a long time. He really believes they come to life or something when he's not around. Maybe he has seen too much Toy Story.

March came in like a LION!

Our happy family! No I'm not in the picture, though the snowman is about my height.

January brought he ice storm but March brought a large dumping of snow! The kids loved it. This is one of the few times we have had snow this winter. It was great snow at that. Soft and moist. Usually it is tooo icy and dry with bitter winds. This turned out beautiful.

Luke built himself a mountain, well it started as a hill but then he had dad add some snow and walla - a mountain:)

This is one of those crazy Sundays. The storm dumped quite a bit in a short time so church was cancelled. Now I know all you Utah folks are thinking - WIMPS! but you do have to realize we don't have the luxuries of snow plows and such to clear roads and many of us travel 40 min. to church, it wouldn't be good to have our members out on unploughed farm roads. It does seem funny to cancel anything because I grew up in the "unbeatable Rocky mountains." I never had a snow day in my life:( Though there were some times they should have cancelled. My kids get them all the time out here. This area just doesn't know how to function with bad weather. Stay warm and dry, love to all - Melanie