Guess what? I was asked a couple months ago to be a guest blogger on Shade's blog. For those of you unfamiliar with Shade, let me explain. They started as an undershirt company about 5 years ago. The concept was to design shirts that would provide modesty in the ever growing trends of an immodest world. My friends started the business out of their homes and I have been amazed at how big they have grown. Congrats SHADE!

Now for the blog. I really don't know why they have a blog, but they do. And as of yesterday, they have "re-vamped" their site. Quoting..."We want this blog to encompass all parts of your life, from your 2.5 kids, to cooking quick dinners, to decorating your living room, to breaking down your favorite TV show. And we think we've cooked up a great way to accomplish that goal (seriously, how many resolutions have you kept so far this year?). For the rest of 2010 (and beyond) this blog will host 9 fascinating people with expertise in all sorts of interesting stuff, including advice and tips to make all our lives a little easier. We'd love for your life to be based around your Shade wardrobe, but we realize you have other things going on too, so hopefully this blog will be a new resource for helping you with all those other little things your working on. Check this blog from here on out for fresh ideas and pretty pictures, all of which will give you a boost in some part of your life."

Well, I'm the "cooking" gal they selected. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month I will feature a recipe. Today is the first post. Check it out. http://yourlifeinshade.shadeclothing.com/2010/01/cooking-dixie-williams.html

Sledding at Tibble Fork

During the holidays we went to Utah to get together with my family. As I am sure it is with any family with several members young and old, planning events that everyone will enjoy is a challenge. On this particularly cold day, we went sledding, with 3 prego's, 2 six- month olds, 4 two-years olds, and 8 other kids, eight-years and under. Gratefully the sun was shining to ease the bitter 12 degrees outside, but for the young ones, even that was not enough.

Here's my mom with Drew, Corbin, and my nephew Conner (Daren's son). This picture was at the onset of the sledding fun. Everyone is still smiling. :)

I'm pretty sure Drew didn't know what he was getting into with his dad. That extra weight really carries you down the hill! I think it was after this run Drew called it quits and sat in the car, watching a movie while eating caramel popcorn, completely content!!!

Corbin had a good time. He's finally old enough to put on all his snow gear by himself and carry his own sled up the hill. Happy day for me AND him!

Here's one of the prego's. She did manage to get herself up and pull Cohen around a bit. :) This is my sister Raelene, her husband Josh, and their little boy, Cohen.

This is my brother, Ryan, and two of his kids. Cai lasted a little longer than his sister, Kooper.

Ryan is considered the reckless one out of my siblings and he is apparently training his children to be the same. I was impressed with Cai's ability to hang on and even appear to be having fun. :)

Ryan's wife Natalie camped out in the car with her 6 1/2 month old baby girl, Ryalie.

Here's Audrey with some of her friends, Grace and Anika. Now Grace's mom had good foresight to put a helmet on Grace. However, the helmet became a bit of a liability during crashes! Audrey ended up with a bloody nose while Anika got a good knock on the head.


This was my one and only ride. The run was so ice packed that it felt like I was falling on my tailbone, over, and over, and over again. I literally could not stand up when it was over. My back is still recovering. This picture was taken BEFORE the ride.

I think my dad won for the most runs. As long as there was one grandchild braving the chill, so was he. Up the hill, down again. Up the hill, hold on for dear life. Up the hill...are you still alive?


Finally, here is my other brother, Daren, with one of his daughters, Kayla.

And his other little girl, Hailey.

Amanda (Daren's wife) was the other prego. I can't believe she braved the trip. And I'm amazed she got her pants to fit at 38 weeks pregnant!!! I probably would have played the "disability" card and stayed home. She's a trooper. Of course she doesn't know I'm taking this picture, and that's the beauty of my new zoom lense. No one knows I am even shooting. I love it! Pure candidness.