Finding Snow

Yesterday, we went out in search of snow!  It has been snowing in the mountains finally!  We drove up to Daniels and pulled off at Whiskey Creek Picnic Site.  There was at least a foot of snow in the parking lot and more in the field.   

We got all bundled and set out to make a mammoth snowman!  Thankfully, Davy was there to help us make him super big!  We had the BEST day! 

Khloe had to make her own little snowman.

I had an ear to ear grin the whole time. I love winter and have been so bummed with our lack of snow.  This made up for it!

We wrestled, had snowball fights, pulled the kids on the sleds, and just had a great day being together.

Love my two men!

Thanks to Davy for driving us through winter weather to find the perfect spot to play!



What a PERFECT day!

Starting off the New Year with a Bang

New Years Day was such a blast.  Grandma watched all the kids so we could go clay pigeon shooting.  I shot pretty well with my 20 gauge.  It feels so good to hit the clay pigeons.  It was relaxing and fun to be with Davy enjoying the fresh air and time away from the kiddos. Welcome 2012!

Saying Goodbye to 2011

This year has been one full of great adventures, milestones, and adversity.  We will never forget our trip to Europe.  It was a once in a lifetime experience and such a great time to reconnect and leave our cares behind. 

This year, Porter started Kindergarten and is growing in leaps and bounds.  He is such a great reader and loves school. He is so kind to his sister and such a great helper for his mommy.  He is his daddy's little shadow and loves playing anything with him.

 Khloe started preschool and loves dance.  She is more hesitant than Porter to be dropped off.  Who am I kidding?  She has to be shoved through the door.  But once inside, she is just fine.  She loves her little friends and is quite the social girl.  She is a little mommy and is 100% girl.

  Davy keeps working so hard for our family and does it with a smile on his face.  We are excited for 2012 to bring more fruits for all of his labor!  So proud that he did another triathalon this year and won it all in PG rec basketball.  Good times. 

As for me, I started working for UVU evaluating student teaching and appreciate the chance to share my expertise and experience with others.  It is nice to feel like I am contributing and stretching myself.  It has also made me appreciate my little ones a bit more and cherish our time together.  I love being their mom. I got released from Stake YW and now teach CTR 5.  I'll be Porter's teacher in 2012 and couldn't be more excited.

As always, I am thankful for one more year of enjoying this journey with my best friend.  Davy makes me a better person every day and shows me more love than I ever imagined.  I feel so fortunate that we were sealed in the temple ten years ago and that through honoring our covenants, we'll be together forever.  We have been side by side through so much these past 10 years.  And because of one another we have come through it all with a smile on our face, more resolute, closer to each other, more determined to live our lives righetously, and with a stronger testimony of what we know is true.  What a blessing it is to have one another.  Everyone should be so lucky!  "I wouldn't want it any other way!" Love you!

Turning 32

My 32nd birthday was wonderful.  All thanks to my fabulous husband!  I love you so much Mr. McArthur.

He and the kids spoiled me with money and gift certificates for shopping and massages.  Can't wait to use them.



Porter helped Davy do all of the shopping and kept it all a secret.  What a great boy.

Mom made my day by watching the kids so we could go to lunch at PF Changs and do some shopping.  It was so relaxing and great to be together.  Then she made my yummy chocolate shadow cake.



Porter helped me blow out the candles.



So grateful for Grandmother Kelley and the love she has for all of us.  She is such a treasure.

Love my sister Mandy.  Taryn was sick with the flu and couldn't make it.

Love my mom so much!  She is such an amazing woman and one I adore.  If I can be just like her, I'll be happy!





Not only do I have an amazing mother, but I have a great mother-in-law.  She is such a terrific person and loves me and my kids.  She raised the most amazing son whom I am blessed to be married to forever.  I am so grateful for the past 32 years and am excited for what the future holds.

Christmas Day 2011

Apparently, I failed to take any pictures of the kids opening presents.  I recorded it all with our dvd camera.  Here we are at the McArthur's posing for our annual pic in front of the tree.

It was a wonderful morning. The kids woke at 7 and couldn't wait to open presents. Khloe loved her blender, toaster, and mixer for her play kitchen. Porter loved his Star Wars legos and lightsaber. Davy loved the sweater and shirt that he's wearing.

 I loved my lemon macaroons from France.  Yes, Davy surprised me with real French macaroons.  I was blown away and so delighted.  It was such a thoughtful gift.  He also got me new leopard shoes, face lotion, and money for shopping.  We all got spoiled by Santa.  The best part of the day was being able to go to church and sing about our Savior's birth.  Christmas Day is always more special on a Sunday when we are able to remember the reason we are celebrating.  We ended the night by having my family over for a relaxing dinner at our house.  It truly was a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Excitement

Christmas Eve is always my favorite part of the holiday.  I love the anticipation of what will come the next day and the fun traditions we have as a family.  Our ornament tradition is one that I love.  This year, I gave Davy an ornament commemorating our trip to Europe.



This was the year of the princess for Khloe, so she got Cinderella (her favorite one).



For Porter, it was the year of the pirate, so he had to have Captain Jack.

 Porter is quite the great photographer.

I love the santa Davy chose this year.  Thanks babe!

We had dinner at Aunt Terry's followed by a ruckus game of "Christmas Tree!"  I was the last one to get it this year.

Yet, another try at getting a great picture of all of us.



Khole got floor puzzles from Grammy and Papa.

Porter got a word game.  He is such a great reader!

I love these two so much!  They were so excited to open presents and give presents to everyone else.

I just have to say that I love my sisters!  I am so lucky to have them in my life and count them as one of my greatest blessings.

 We adore Grammy and Papa.  They are so good to us and show us so much love.  They love spending time with Porter and Khloe and are the best grandparents.

At last, it is time to head home to bed so that Santa can come!  Can't wait for morning!

Christmas Eve Bowling

Grandma Shaun wanted to start a new tradition this year of Christmas Eve bowling.  We relented and met them at Jack and Jill's at noon for some fun.  Porter and Khloe were super excited.

They loved picking out their balls and rolling them down the guide.

We can never get a picture of the four of us where we are all looking ahead at the same time.  Here's our best effort!



Porter loved wearing the hats Grandma brought.  He got a little upset because he couldn't get a strike.  We about had to leave, but it ended up well.

 

Here are the girls.  Khloe is such a crazy girl.