I Looked Out the Window and What Did I See...

SNOW, Snow and more snow!!! They say that we have not had this much snow in Utah since 1996. Last week we had 3-4 storms and they are saying we will get more this week. Sunday was the most snow I have ever seen fallen. It was so beautiful! Sometimes I feel like I am living in a black and white movie when the weather is like this. I find it interesting that last winter was the coldest winter Utah had had for awhile, and this winter is one of the most snowiest (is that a word?). I wonder what next winter will bring. It's exciting that although I didn't grow up with winters, I am able to really get to experience it while living in Utah.

Winter wonderland view in front of my home"Max" the Dayton's dog... enjoying the opportunity to be in her own element.Riley and Molly shoveling the driveway to be able to get the van out and go to church.

Riley taking a break and creating a "snow chair" to relax in.

Holly looking "cute" before helping to de-snow the car. Unfortunately she was not able to look like this during church. The hair had to go back in a ponytail.

Molly volunteering to take the snow off of my car because she was already wet.
Feeling like we had to literally "hike" up the driveway to get home.

Results of Groundhog Day

Here are the latest reports one which groundhog saw what during Groundhog Day. I guess by the looks of this report, we really don't know how much longer winter will be. Sounds like Trevor and Lindsay were right on the probability of this fun tradition. I'd be curious regarding what Rattlesnake Day in Arizona is like. If the rattlesnake sees their shadow does this mean 6 more weeks until 100 degrees begins :)

Reports from Groundhog Central:

Chuck Wood - Stickney, Illnois.......NO SHADOW
Punxsutawney Phil - Punxsutawny, Pennsylvania .......SHADOW
Wiarton Willie - South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario........NO SHADOW
General Beauregard Lee - Liburn, Georgia..........NO SHADOW
Pee Wee - Mile Square Farm, Vermont.........SHADOW
Chily Charlie - Woodstock, Ontario.........NO SHADOW
Octoraro Orphie - Quarryville, Pennysylvania..........SHADOW
Metompkin Max - Delmarva Peninsula, Virgina..........SHADOW

Happy Groundhog's Day!!!

Will he or won't he see his shadow?!?
Shadow means 6 more weeks of winter... No shadow means an early Spring

Reports from Groundhog Central:

Chuck Wood - Stickney, Illnois.......SHADOW

Breakfast for Dinner

Our family has a tradition where the family on my mom's side get together for a dinner every 3rd Sunday of the month. We have titled this the "3rd Sunday Dinner." We rotate responsibilities on hosting the dinner, and planning it. My cousin, Holly and I were in charge of it this month. Since we were both out of town this 3rd Sunday, we changed the date for the 4th Sunday this month. The theme for the night was "Breakfast for Dinner." We had scrambled eggs, waffles, sausage, fruit, juice and of course many desserts. This has been a fun tradition I look forward to each month because I know that one night a month I will be able to enjoy good food, fun conversation and get to know my family a bit better. During this dinner we also celebrate all of those who are celebrating a birthday that month. Sometimes it feels like it is just one big party!

Luke, Trevor and Andy celebrated a birthday in January!

After dinner we tend to just sit and talk or play with toys available. At times we are able to be entertained with many of the cool tricks and tumbling gymnastics that the kids have been able to master so far.

At times we find that we need to prepare ourselves for fun with the kids.

Sisters catching up from the past month.

Hello friend...

It has been almost two months since I have been able to work out!!! At the beginning of December I came down with a cold, than I had ear surgery with limitations that included 'no strenuous exercise' for about a month, and I am just now recovering from another cold.

Last night I began to think how much I REALLY missed exercising, and feeling so fabulous after getting a good work out. There's something having sweat all over you, and you can hardly move or breath that makes you realize that all will be alright in the world. Working out for me in the past had become a coping mechanism for dealing with the stresses in life, and defeating the winter blues.

When I came home from work tonight, my cousin, Holly invited me to go along with her to work out. I was so excited to FINALLY feel well enough to go to the gym!!! We worked out on one of my favorite machines...Satan's Machine (aka... Stair Master). My cousin, Molly, gave it this nickname, as you tend to get the best workout... it shows no mercy. This nickname has just stuck for us.

It feels good knowing that I have been able to overcome some life's hurdles over the past couple of months, and to be able to get back into my 'somewhat' familiar routine... hopefully I'll remember this when I am dealing with the soreness of todays workout tomorrow.

The Power of Color

Here is a picture of my sister, Jen and I at my sister, Lindsay's wedding two years ago. Back then, other people couldn't see that we were sisters right away....
Here is a picture that was taken of my sister, Jen and I this past Christmas. In case you haven't noticed, I dyed my hair brown... I'm going more towards my natural hair color. It was interesting for me last Sunday as I had the opportunity to go to her church. People were able to tell that we were sisters right away. It's amazing how by just changing the color of your hair allows you to look like your other family members. I love to hear this as my sisters are really cute!

You know you live in Utah....

My friend, Ale, just sent this to me. I know that several of you who read this live, or have lived in Utah before. You may just be able to relate to a few of them.

FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT UTAHNS!

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September to May, you live in Utah.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Utah.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Utah

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Utah.

If 'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Utah.

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Utah.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Utah.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Utah.

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Utah.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Utah.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Utah

If the speed limit on the highway is 75 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Utah.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Utah.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Utah.

If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly' you live in Utah.

If you actually understand these jokes and tell your friends about them, you live in Utah