Schwinn Certified

A few weeks ago I decided to try something new and get certified to teach spin classes.  It was 10 hours long but so much fun.  My mom came up to help with the kids since it was on a week day!  I learned so much and had an incredible work out.  Now I need to get over my fear and get out there and teach. I talked to the group fitness director at Lifetime and they want me to co teach first and then when I'm ready take over a class. I can't wait!!! Woo hoo!!!

This is the midwest I DID NOT miss!

This is two different views of our driveway. A LONG driveway huh?  Last year we were spoiled and it was super mild.  It looked like this year might be that way again...then February hit.....SO cold.  It is now March and it is still SO cold...like in the negative cold. On Friday it was above freezing so I made all the kids go outside and play in the warm sun..hahaha it really did feel warm to them. Oh how we can't wait for spring to get here!!  The only saving grace this winter has been our snow blower. It has been amazing to have.  A lot of the snow storms have hit during the day so who is home to shovel it...yup ME!!! Thankfully this awesome machine makes it so it isn't hard at all. I actually really like it...except when my hands freeze that part I don't like. Well winter you've been fun for many adventures of sledding, snowman making, fort building, snowball fights and hot chocolate but we are done with you now!!

New Beginnings

The decorations at New Beginnings last night were so adorable.  They served a delicious dinner of soups, salad's, rolls and cheesecake's! 

The theme for both the young women and young men is: Stand ye in Holy Places and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come: for behold it cometh quickly saith the Lord.  D & C. 87:8

 They did an adorable program of the Young Women in a pageant. Each of them representing a value and from a place in Church History!

 At the end they asked Jolie and Anna the two girls that will be joining Young Women this year to come up on the stage.  They had a paper with some information and stories about each of them. This is what Jolie's said:Name__Jolie Lauren Fox___

Born _April 11, 2001____ in (City/state) ___Orem,UT.

Favorite Color____pink and aquamarine

Favorite Ice cream flavor__bubble gum

Favorite Book______hunger games

Favorite movie ____Life of Pi_____

Favorite Hymn__I love to see the Temple_

Favorite Scripture __Nephi building the ship and getting the instructions from Heavenly Father.  

Favorite activities__Read, play temple run and other games on the kindle. Bowling, and anything fashion....and of course texting on her phone!

Special Talents __Jolie is really good at cooking.  She has been an amazing babysitter to her younger siblings.  She has a gift of compassion. She will always go out of her way to make sure who ever is sad knows they have a friend. _

Parents favorite childhood memory____When Giselle was born it was in the middle of winter and hospitals were very afraid of germs.  So they wouldn't let any kids into the hospital where Giselle and I were.  Of course this was very hard for Jolie because she was SO excited for her new baby sister to be born.  Daddy brought her and her siblings up to the window outside to see her.  It was freezing but all I could see was Jolie's smiling face so happy to see her little sister.  When I came out to the waiting room by myself.  because I wasn't allowed to bring Giselle out with me. Jolie cried.  It brought tears to my eyes because she was so sad and also brought tears to my eyes because I knew how much she loved her little sister already and that they were meant to be the best of friends.  To this day those two have a special bond that I know was formed in heaven.

 At the end each of the girls received a crown and their own bouquet of roses.   It was fun to see all the young women and see who Jolie is going to be spending so much time with these next few years.  The leaders are so wonderful and amazing and I am so excited for her to be with them.

 I still have a hard time thinking she is old enough to be with the young women but there she is and she doesn't look too little does she?

 Jolie was sweet enough to let her Mother join in on the photo booth fun and be silly!

 These are all the Young Women leaders!!  They really are the best!!!

Brett and I are transitioning into a new beginning as well.  Thankfully we have children that are truly blessings from Heaven.  We have loved watching her grow from this adorable little red headed baby to this beautiful young lady!!! We love you so much Jolie!!

Once there was a Snowman...snowman...small...small..small!

I'm not going to say Oh, I LOVE snow..but I have to say it is fun to play in the snow once in a while. If it's going to be cold and windy there might as well be snow.  We have had snow a little bit but not the snowman making kind....until now!!! It was the perfect snow...you just had to barely grab it and it turned right into a snowball.  So, yes I got on my knees and rolled a ball. I might have been the only one doing it and I might have not minded. It was fun and I knew the kids would like it once it was up.  I made the bottom to layers and Jillian made the head.  The bottom two were pretty close in size and REALLY heavy. I could not lift that middle one by myself. I tried and tried and finally asked my neighbor to help me. With her and two kids we finally got that sucker up there. Giselle was VERY excited to put the carrot in..and Jacob REALLY wanted Celery for his arms. So that is what we did. Jillian picked cherry tomatoes for his eyes and buttons.

 We had a lot of fun playing outside and probably lasted a good 2 hours out there. Jacob not quite as long. I think he got some snow in his gloves and boots and he had enough. Giselle lasted the whole time and was in heaven.  Jillian isn't in these pictures because she was a few houses down making over a 100 snowballs to throw at people.

 They loved this pile of snow in front of our house that the plow made. It's a perfect little hill for laying around or small sledding... so fun!

Sadly, it started to warm up and when we came home from church our snowman had fallen over...and couldn't get up. Giselle was the most upset about it.  She kept bringing me to the window to tell me the snowman fell. We agreed that he was taking a nap..so she is O.K. with that.
Luckily, we are supposed to get a bunch more snow today so maybe we can build a snowman family next!

Grandma Fox visits!

Grandma Fox came this past weekend for a visit.  She had heard about the train restaurant but had never been. So Jacob and Giselle thought it was time for her to go.  Luckily it wasn't crowded at all and we got to sit at the counter right away.  All aboard diner is just the cutest place.  She came to watch the girls basketball games and to see Brett coach them.  The girls played hard and it is fun to watch because they are really still learning the basics.  While she was here it also snowed quite a bit..I will post about that next.  It was a quick visit but we were able to get to two bakeries and have some delicious sweets.  Go swimming, eat pizza. Breakfast at the hotel. Go to church, play Monopoly and have fun.  Can't wait for you to come back again...it's always fun when Grandma comes!!

It's like no time has passed!

Amber and I used to see each other EVERY day...sometimes all day.  Our kids were the same age and we just clicked together.  Sadly, life goes on and Brett graduated Law School and we moved.  Then shortly after that Amber and her family moved too....to Illinois.  I really didn't think I would ever see her again.  When we moved to Illinois I was so excited to see this lady...BUT I didn't realize she was still far away...all the way at the bottom and I am at the top...seems like an ocean apart. So when she called and said she was going to be only 40 minutes from me. I HAD to see her.  The last time we saw each other Jillian was only 1 years old.  So yes quite a bit has changed since then.  I picked her up and we headed to grab a bite to eat. We sat down and my kids LOVED Amber..they talked her ear off and sat in her lap and acted like they see her all the time.  Amber and I laughed that it's been almost 7 years but we fall right back in like it was yesterday.  I love knowing that good friends stay good friends even when you are far apart.  We love you Amber and your kiddos and can't wait to see you again......SOONER this time!!!

Activity Days: Scripture basketball

Last week we had ALL 15 girls come to activity days. It was so fun to have them all there and luckily we had an active activity planned.  We used half of the gym and divided the girls into two teams.  We did a scripture chase.  I would read out a clue and than they would have to search for the scripture and then help there team to find it. Once EVERYONE on the team had the scripture the girl in the first chair closest to the basket would shoot the ball until they made it.  It was a lot of fun and fun to watch the younger girls beat the older girls at times.  I got the idea on line. I can't find the original link but here is one that has a lot of the questions we used : scripture questions!  It was  a lot of fun and it was fun for the girls to see and learn how to use the tools in the scriptures to find things.  We finished up with a game of knock out and brownies. I just love these girls and the amazing leaders I get to serve with.