Tuesday, December 31, 2013

So long 2013

What a year. What a crazy hard year it's been. If I had known it would be this challenging, I might've opted for hibernation and tried to avoid life's painful ups and downs all together. 

So... As I lay in bed reflecting back, what can I possibly take away from 2013? Hmmm.... I may need to squeeze and release my brain a few times in order to come up with something remotely positive. 

One thing that always keeps me pressing forward are these four precious kiddos. I'm grateful every day for their sweet spirits and wise souls. They keep me busy and hopping, but I wouldn't want it any other way. They are so unique and special to me. They are good kids, full of life and full of beans. I can't imagine life without them and I'm very thankful to be their mama. 
So long 2013. 
Don't let the door hit you on your way out!

Monday, September 23, 2013

2013 Highlights

Happy New Year's! 
Best way to get rid of the dead Christmas tree.




Dinner date with my bud after his basketball game
Happy Birthday to Mason. 11 years old


The girls had a great dance season this year


Berkley's dance friends call her Barbie Berkley. Can't imagine why???

Crazy dance moms!!!!

Go Brighton Fury



Trip to St. Barth's

Mother/Daughter photo shoot for Good Things Utah. 

Welcome to the family
This is Moki. She's a pain in the butt, but we love her!!!

Cub Scout camp out in our backyard

Turned unused guest room into craft room

Time for a change... Cut off 12" of my hair. 


Bryn turned 8 and got baptized

Berkley's 14th Birthday Party


Chan and Taylor headed to PROM

Happy Father's Day at Snowbird

Mason received his Arrow of Light

We truly miss our dear friend, Rob! 


Mother's Day with the kiddos

Poor Brynerz fell out of our tree and had to have 6 stitches in her chinny chin chin


Trip to Bear Lake with the Spence crew


Saying good-bye to my good friend Tracy

Trip to Seaside, Oregon

Cute CC is Cancer Free. Yay!!!!

Happy 19th Birthday Chan Chan

Happy Graduation Day!


Summer hiking

Trip to Costa Rica with 52 Pias

Cousins everywhere

....And the braces are OFF!!!

Joe's 20th Highschool Reunion

Girl's trip to Bear Lake with Grandma and Grandpa Spence


Back to School

Mas 6th Grade - Butler Middle School

Berks 9th Grade - Brighton Highschool 


Brynerz 3rd Grade - Butler Elementary School


Chan Chan Freshman - University of Utah


Dance season is underway for Berkley. She dances for Brighton and she's loving every minute of it.





Time is racing by faster than I have time to keep up, but luckily, the kids seem to be happy and healthy and loving school, friends, social lives and sports. 

Letting Chan go to college has been extremely difficult for me. He's still and always will be my baby. 
Love this quote by Emmanuel Teney:

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit."


I love this. Things will flow as they will. Hard for a mom to wrap her head around, but I guess I can't complain. 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Another trip to paradise


St. Barthelemy, France

Bounjour. J'adore St. Barth!!!


ahhh..... 

Such a fun trip. Wish we could stay forever. 


This is Nuage Blanc La Villa in Columbier. The views are breathtaking. It's our home-away-from-home for the next 10 days. 



Another great view from our Villa


Saline Beach 


 Dinner at La Plage

The beet salad was a favorite of the trip

St. Jean beach

Happy and relaxed at Nikki Beach Restaurant


Joe surprised me with dessert


Cute French photographer



Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, out came the dancers


 stuck in the sand at Gouverneur Beach

 who is this guy?

 Gustavia


 St. Jean Beach

 Happy Valentine's Day dinner at Santa Fe


Glad I got to celebrate V-Day with this awesome girl

Dessert menu. Isn't it lovely?

 Hiking around at Columbier Beach

We hiked through wild goat territory


hmm...



 Collecting treasures






buckled up and ready to go
 

Shell beach


 so peaceful

The sunsets are breathtaking
 

Beautiful shells everywhere

 Love this boy

 Love this girl



 Gustavia


 Gustavia boat harbor

 Hey there!

Grand Fond

Mr. Pia at Saline Beach

Enjoying the view

 It's harder than it looks

Swan dive

Getting ready for a fish pedicure
 Yikes... they're nibbling!

 Oh gosh... it tickles!

Taking a quick snoozer

 So relaxed...

Boating French Indie style. Happy Birthday Bri Bri!




 St. Barth airport

Time to board this lil' guy... eek!

 Back to St. Maarten.  Time to go home. So sad...



Pias . together . forever . Hooray

Pias  .  together  .  forever  .  Hooray