Easter Excitement

Just one little story that made my whole easter...a proud mom moment. We were doing an easter egg hunt at my parents and I put a dollar bill (I know I am a big spender!) in 3 of the eggs so each kid would get one. At the end of the easter egg hunt, Tyler and Brooke had found 2 of the 3 eggs with the money but Sydney did not have one yet and they had searched high and low. Needless to say Sydney was very sad that she did not get an egg with a dollar bill in it. Next thing I knew, I heard Tyler say, "Sydney, look what I found,"and he points to an egg on the ground. She was so excited to get this egg, it made her whole day. I couldn't believe that Tyler had taken his money and egg and pretended to hide it and give it to her. It was very sweet moment and it made me think that just maybe he gets what's really important in life more that I sometimes give him credit for. I have to celebrates these moments because I feel they are rare.

This One's for you MOM!!

Last Saturday my brother Brady and I ran in the Rex E Lee 5K run ( yes, he beat me by 2 or 3 minutes...dang him:)) and I was finally able to get some pictures of it. It was so much fun and really meant a lot to us. We ran this race for my mom who had a really rare form of neuro endocrine lung cancer this past fall. She was able to have a very painful surgery where they removed the spots of cancer in all 3 lobes of the lung. It was a very long procedure but we are so grateful that she is doing well and has had an amazing recovery!! My mom is an amazing woman and we were so honored to run on her behalf. Next year my dad and her promised they would meet us at the starting line and run/walk this race with us. We are going to hold them to their promise!!:)

We were also able to run this for our 8 year old neighbor boy, Drew, who is such a courageous cancer survivor!!

Mom and Dad, thanks for coming and supporting us in this race. I don't think my dad has ever missed one of my races. You guys are the best!

I have been HUSBAND tagged

Ok, so I have been husband tagged by Diana and I am so proud that I am actually responding. I am usually pathetic at these tag things. So here it goes:



What is his name? Brent David Adams
How long did you date? 3 years (way too long, I don't recommend it, but I will say we both knew what we were in for after that long.)
How long have you been married? 12 years on August 16th.
Who eats more sweets? That's a tough one. I think it depends on the day, I probably eat more sweets and he eats more desserts.
Who said I love you first? I honestly don't remember, I know that is so sad. I am sure it was him:)
Who is taller? Brent
Who is the better singer? I would have to say Brent, although he prefers nobody knows that.
Who is smarter? Brent knows very weird random facts and is known for knowing the answer to almost any question, but I 'd like to think I am smarter in some aspects of life.
Who does the laundry? Me. I think most of the laundry comes from him, but I usually do it.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me.
Who mows the lawn? I have a little obsession with mowing the lawn, it is one of my favorite things to do. Brent does it on occasion, but I think my lines in the lawn always look better:)
Who cooks dinner? Me. Brent is not very picky and really could care less if I cook dinner which is a good thing, but if I put forth the effort and he has gone out for lunch and is not hungry... this drives me crazy!!
Who drives? It depends if he is tired. We both do.
Who is more stubborn? I would have to say I am more stubborn. He is silently stubborn and I am more vocal. It is so annoying, I wish sometimes he would just get mad!
Who kissed who first? Brent kissed me on like our second date, a little forward don't you think?
Who asked who out? Brent asked me out.
Who proposed? Brent finally!!
Who is more sensitive? I am much more emotional and up and down than he is but he is very sensitive and very aware of people's feelings.
Who has more siblings? I have 5 siblings and Brent has 3
Who wears the pants? I think we are a pretty good balance, he might beg to differ :)

He is such a good guy!!!

I now tag Kristen, Jordan, Heather J. and Kim

Friday Night Fun Issue

I have this issue with feeling like we should always be doing something fun and exciting on Friday and/or Saturday nights. I think it goes way back. According to my mom, I was never home on weekends. Ever since the fifth grade my friends always had something planned. We started out going to high school basketball games with the Gardner's and as the years passed it seemed we always had something planned for the weekend. I remember on one of my birthdays in junior high a bunch of kids were going snow skiing and my parents wouldn't let me go, I thought I was going to die! Yes, I said junior high:) Anyway, I still sometimes have issues with just being home on a weekend night and yet lately at times it is just easier:) So these are some pictures from our fun relaxing Friday night.

Tyler had a little fun with the camera. Lately I have been checking out some girls on facebook for my cute single brother and I think every girl on there does this lip picture pose thing. I think it is kind of funny. I don't quite do the pose justice:) ME, once again in the kitchen, I am sure cleaning up number ? mess of the day.


I have no idea how Brent is actually sleeping.


The kids decided to make a secret hide out under the bathroom sink. They took a flash light and told stories in the dark. Oh, to be a kid again!



Tyler and Mckay then thought it would be fun to spike their hair. They both need haircuts so they thought it was pretty cool.

A good southern cooked meal

Last night we had the chance to feed some of the youth in our ward for missionary month. We had lots of fun and I have to say I broadened my southern cooking skills. Actually I don't think that I had any southern cooking skills so it was a learning experience. Brent went on his mission to South Carolina and has always told me he liked chicken and dumplings and biscuits and gravy and all this Southern food and the great wife that I am always thought these foods didn't sound that appetizing so I never bothered trying to cook them. I now admit I was somewhat wrong. I now realized I just had to put forth a little effort and try something outside of my little box. So I had this great idea that I would make a sample of all these things including fried chicken. So here is where my experience started. The chicken and dumplings turned out pretty good and I really actually liked the biscuits and gravy but I have to be honest about the chicken. So here it goes, when I told Tyler we were going to have fried chicken this was his response, "Mom are you cooking it or are you buying it at KFC, because I really like KFC's better." (you gotta love kids honesty). So yup you guessed it, I wimped out and went for the easy way out, KFC all the way. In the end I was really glad Tyler made the suggestion because boy it saved lots of time and stress:) Well now that I have confessed that I somewhat cheated I feel much better but personally I think I made the right decision:) The dinner turned out great and my kids and I had fun trying foods that Brent ate all the time on his mission. I don't think we will be eating biscuits and gravy or grittz every morning for breakfast or anything but it's always fun to try something different.

This did make me realize how sometimes I get into cooking ruts and tend to cook the same things over and over so if any of you have any good recipes (easy and good) feel free to send them my way!!

What Princess are you??

Okay so I rarely take these, I am not sure why? Maybe it is due to pure laziness or maybe I don't really want to know the answer or perhaps just lack of time?? Who knows why, but my sis-in-law Kristen had this on her blog and I kind of wondered which princess I would be so here are the results.

I have to say I was somewhat surprised because I think some of this was right on?
So Kristen, this is for you, are you proud of me?

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

The Big Pine Wood Derby

I can't believe I almost forgot to write about Tyler's first scouting experience. I think he looks so cute in his scout uniform. That's such a cheesy mom comment:)

Tyler had his first pine wood derby a couple of weeks ago. I had 4 brothers so I guess I should have known what to expect but I was still quite surprised by the amount of effort that goes into this event. It was quite entertaining!! Tyler and Brent worked pretty good together on this little car until the last day when Tyler accidentely dropped it. I then sensed a little stress involved, but for the most part they had fun and his car usually took first or second place. Way to go Tyler!

It's a close call

Tyler was pretty excited to carry in the flag.

McKay and Sydney's way of getting involved.

What a team!

Sunshine makes me HAPPY!!

Since this month is meant to celebrate things we love, I am writing to say that I love the sun!! I am not sure if it is the vitamin D or what but the sunshine makes me happy. These last few days I have had lots more energy and I am actually kind of nice to my family. Yes, I do believe that this is all due because of the beautiful sunshine that we have been able to enjoy recently. So here is to celebrating the sunshine, which has decided to come back into my life and I am really loving it:)

Below are some pics of our family enjoying the snow this winter. I have always loved the snow and winter but I am officially ready to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring any day!!




Tyler and Sydney making a very dirty snowman, since we do not have grass yet!



Sydney and McKay enjoying a night snowfall.



Why do kids love to eat snow??



Sledding up in Midway.




Sydney making a snow angel, she was obviously very serious about this.

I just noticed that I didn't post any pictures of Brent in the snow, but honestly Brent is not much for getting cold (it's that warm California blood of his).

A Little Trip to Remember

On Friday we decided (actually Tyler really was the one who wanted to go)on going up to Salt Lake and attending President Hinkley's viewing. Many thought we were crazy because it was snowing and we had heard the lines were very long but for some reason I just kept feeling like we should still go. I don't think Brent thought it sounded like much fun taking 3 little kids to stand outside and freeze and I have to admit the thought didn't sound that entertaining to me either. Needless to say we left around 3:30 and decided to ride trax, which the kids loved, and arrived around 4:30. When we arrived at the Conference Center I was amazed to see how many people were there. You would have thought at that point we would have said forget it, but once again for some reason we decided to get in line. We ended up waiting outside for almost 2 hours and Brent and I kept looking at each other and saying, "well should we go, this is crazy?" The weird part was my kids were as happy as could be playing with other kids in line and taking turns going to the visitor's center at Temple Square. We also really enjoyed talking to so many people from all over the place and sharing each other's memories of the Prophet. So we finally approached the doors and when we stepped in they informed us that we would probably have another 1 1/2 - 2 hour wait. By now I thought I don't think these kids will make it but when we mentioned that we might leave, my children were very determined that we stay and see the Conference Center and our Prophet, President Hinkley. So once again we looked at each other and said well I guess we have made it this far and at least we would now be warm. My kids loved being in the beautiful Conference Center and we were able to watch a tribute on President Hinkley. There was such an amazing spirit that filled the room. There were all ages of people very young and very old and so many sweet people that helped entertain my children. It was such a beautiful and emotional sight to walk down the hall of the prophets and see our beloved Prophet lying there so peacefully. We finally left the Conference Center around 10pm and Sydney said to me, "Prophet Hinkley looked like he was smiling in his coffin." I told her he probably was. I love the faith of these little children. They are such great examples to me. Had it been up to Brent and I we might have missed this amazing experience. I hope at least Tyler and Sydney will always remember a little bit of the feeling they felt on this day. I am so grateful to have these sweet little spirits in our home who are great examples to us of what it means to have faith.

I was sad that we didn't get many pictures, in fact we only have a couple of pictures in trax so here they are. I think we were too cold outside to get the camera out or too busy chasing McKay and then once we were inside they didn't allow pictures. Bummer:) If you have never taken your kids for a ride on trax, I recommend it. McKay especially loved it because I think he thought it was so cool not to have to ride in his car seat!

Tyler's Baptism Pictures....Finally

Tyler was suppose to be baptized on my birthday with the rest of the kids in the Stake, but because we had so many family members here over the holidays,we were able to have our own little baptism so many of them could attend. It was such a great day.



Brent and Tyler before the baptism. I think Brent really enjoyed the one-piece jump suit:)
Isn't Tyler so cute? It's kind of hard as a mom seeing your kids grow up but this day I couldn't have been more proud to be his mom!!



Grandpa and Grandma Duncan and Grandpa and Grandma Adams





The Duncan Fam (the whole Clan)


What a big day!! Clint and Jordan and Emmi surprised us at the church, we didn't expect them, it was such a fun surprise. It had been awhile and Clint and grown out his hair and it was pretty funny because some there didn't even recognize him. My cute mom kept saying, "what is up with your hair?" She obviously doesn't do change well seeing as she has hade the same "hair do" since we all can remember:) We love you mom and Clint I actually like the hair!!




The Whole Gang!!!!


The Adams Family (all but Aunt Heidi)

Thanks to everyone who came and shared this special day with Tyler. I know he really appreciated your love and support.

January....Never been my favorite!!

OK, so January has never been my favorite month. It's always been kind of a let down. Nothing exciting to look forward to, so sick of the snow and cold. I have always been an outdoors, sunshine kind of a girl and I gotta be honest by January I really kind of start to get a little stir crazy, as do the kids. Sydney keeps asking, "When is the sun going to shine, so I can go swimming?" I kind of feel the same way. If it were up to me I might just skip Jan and Feb altogether but that would mean skipping by birthday and this birthday was a good one:)!

Brent and I went out to dinner and a movie (that may not sound that exciting to some, but it is always so nice to get out and go have fun together and act like we are still young!!) My cute niece, Britney, volunteered to babysit, which is big seeing as she is a junior and that is probably the last thing she wants to do on a Sat. night. She is such a cute girl. She decided it would be fun to make a cake with the kids and surprise me when I got home from our date. They made me the cake and my sweet Sydney was so excited to show it to me she just couldn't get to sleep. So when I came home she snuck out of her room and told me all about how they were so excited to surprise me. It is amazing the older I get, I realize it is the sweet little things that mean so much to me. So thanks goes out to Brit and my kids for the great surprise and for making my 32nd bday one to remember!!

The December Madness

Mckay loved having Tyler and Syd home during Christmas break!!

Uncle Mark, Ty and Syd

We had quite the gang over Christmas morning

Sydney, doll baby Jesus, Tyler, baby Jesus (Ellie), Dallin 

Grandpa D., Syd and Ty at Grandma's Christmas Eve sing-a-long

Tyler and Syd loving Christmas morning. I think McKay liked the pink  barbie jeep the most.

The WIGGLE -ATOR, this was the favorite toy from Grandpa and Grandma A. This really is such a fun toy for all ages. Sometimes I sneak a ride on it:)

Grandma A. sledding with Tyler. It was freezing!

Our attempt to make a ginger bread house!!

Tyler's party watching the Utah Flash, sitting on the front row.

I think McKay thought it was his birthday, he was just

excited to be part of the party!!

Tyler and some of his old buddies from Provo.



I know I am once again way behind on blogging, but I had to blog about our crazy month of December because we had so many fun events:

-Tyler turning 8!! (That made me feel very old)

-The Hawkins twins baby blessing, an amazing event considering it took 9 years for these sweet babies to get here.

-Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - lots of fun at the Duncan Christmas Eve Party, and we were lucky enough to have most of the Adams and some of the Duncan's over to share Christmas morning with us.

-Our little trip to Zermatt in Midway. Lots of eating, swimming, sledding, riding Ty's mini-racer down the long halls and freezing on the way home when our car heater broke:)

-Tyler's baptism. What an amazing day. Almost all of our family (both sides) were able to be there, some to our surprise (Clint and Jordan and Emmi) and some that traveled so far. Thanks to all the family and good friends that were there, it was so neat to have so much wonderful support, I know it meant a lot to Tyler.  Todd took all the pictures that day so as soon as I get them I will post some pics of the baptism.

-Little Ellie's blessing. (We had lots of spiritual blessings this month that we felt so lucky to be a part of.)

-The annual Jones Breakfast on New Year's Day. We always love this little tradition and have lots of fun, but I have to admit I think by this point we were all a little exhausted:)

All these fun events and memories really topped off the great year we had. 

So here is to a new year with a million new things I want to achieve, starting out with trying to stay on top of things, even though we are already 2 weeks into January!!! Oh well one day at a time right?!?