Snowshoeing and the Cabin

After dropping Taylor off at the MTC on Wednesday, I knew that I needed to get away that weekend and stay busy. Since I haven't been out to the cabin this winter we decided to snowshoe in and spend the night.

We parked the truck and walked up the road to the cabin. It is always a relief to me when I see it standing and all the windows intact. Inside it was a balmy 40 degree's, but everything looked great. It amazes me that there is no dust. You would think after sitting for a few months there would be a layer of dust, but it's perfectly clean.

We decided to go out walking and was able to cross a spot on the river that was still crusted over with ice. We headed up the road and Steve had the bright idea that we would again cross the river and walk down the ditch bank along the hill. He knew his snow boots were water-proof, but I didn't know if mine were. Luckily they were and we made it across the river okay. On the other side the snow was really deep and very soft. Even with snow shoes we still were sinking in up to the tops of our legs. At one point I could not pull my snow shoes out and had to unhook them and pull them out with my hand. Luckily by the time we hit the ditch bank the snow was firmer and we were able to walk without sinking.
That night a storm came in and it was so beautiful watching the snow fall. We pulled the table in front of the fireplace and passed the time eating and playing cards. Steve won every hand and I'm still waiting for a rematch. We turned on the electric blanket and slept really warm all night. The next day you couldn't even see our tracks where we had walked in. Unfortunately the wind blew all morning and I had no desire to explore, so around noon we packed up and headed home. It was a fun to be with Steve and to be back up at the cabin. Can't wait to open it up General Conference weekend.

Elder Taylor

It's official we have another missionary. It's something I always wanted my boys to do and I'm proud that they have lived worthy to serve the Lord. Taylor has had a long wait to serve. He got his call the end of November and would have packed up and left then. I'm glad that we got some time with all the kids together before he left.

Personally after hearing stories from other parents about dropping their sons off at the MTC and watching the sad video and then seeing the missionairies go out one door and the families leave through another, I was grateful that we now just drop them off at the curb. I cry at the drop of a hat and am not a pretty when I cry. It was much easier to say a quick goodbye.

We had a number of people tell us at Taylor's farewell that he gave the talk of a returned missionary, his testimony was so strong. So I'm excited to see him grow even stronger in his testimony and to receive his e-mails. I'm glad to live in this time and to be able to receive those weekly e-mails from my missionaires. I don't know how mom's made it waiting for the snail mail.
I can't count down the days until his return because the number is too high right now, but I only have two more Christmas's without him and then he will be home. Two isn't a high number.

Braelyn and Berkley come to visit!

We were lucky enough to have Heather and the girls come to visit for three weeks. They arrived on Sunday and we picked Greg up on Tuesday. At the airport they saw us and called out our names and came running with big hugs. It's so nice to have little one's to hug and squeeze again.

There isn't much to do in the wintertime with little ones so we took them to Cabela's. They really loved feeding the fish and seeing the stuffed animals. Berkley loves Lion King so the African animals were a hit with her. Braelyn loves to try on everything and this hat looked great.
One night we decided to build a fire out on the deck and roast hot-dogs for dinner. After we cooked the hot-dogs and were eating them Braelyn turned to me and said "I have a good idea lets count this food as our dinner". That was the original plan but it was cute that she thought she had came up with the idea.
Berkley is stubborn and we could not convince her to put a coat on. She also just wanted a cold hot dog and after each bite she would have us put more ketchup on it and then she would take another bite. Maybe she has enough layers on her that she really doesn't get cold.

She also has this low voice and calls Steve Papa-pop and I'm just Mung, Taylor is tay-tay. After about a week she warmed up to Greg and whenever she would see him would say Hi Greg. She is a cuddler and there is nothing better then to have her snuggle down into your lap.
It was a great having them here and hard to send them back to Georgia. It was a busy three weeks with Greg coming home and getting Taylor ready for his mission. Time went by too fast. I can't wait until this summer when they come out and we can just relax and enjoy them. Nothing is better then being a Grandma. (In my case a Munga)

Greg's Homecoming and Taylor's Farewell

With Greg coming home on January 26th and Taylor leaving March 3rd we asked if we could do a combined homecoming/farewell for them. We knew it would be impossible for family members to attend two seperate events within weeks. So they let us have them both speak and combine the events. It was a beautiful day and the spirit was so strong in the meeting as each of them bore testimony of the power of prayer and the knowledge that their Heavenly Father and Jesus knows and loves each one of us. I was so proud of the way they have grown up and the men they are. Taylor can hardly wait to get on his mission.

I just had to throw in a picture of my beautiful granddaughters. We have had fun having them in the house and getting plenty of hugs and kisses.

All of our family but two sisters were able to make it out. I'm so thankful for their love and support. I counted over 110 people who made the effort to com and hear the boys speak. After the meeting we had everyone over for lunch. It was crazy and people were sitting anywhere they could find a spot.
It's been fun having Greg home and his friends back in our house.
I'm not sure how this started, I was probably taking a well deserved Sunday nap, but Sunday afternoon will often find the older three trying to hold Taylor down.

This started years ago when they were young and it still continues.
I guess we will see what happens when Taylor returns from his mission. It was a wonderful day and our friends and family made it even more special.

Elder Greg is home!

Tuesday morning I woke up feeling like I did when I was younger and it was Christmas morning, but it was even better. After two long years (at least for me, it went by much faster for everyone else) Greg was coming home from Brazil.

We flew Heather and the girls in from Georgia on Sunday. We didn't tell Greg that they would be there. Taryn had booked a cruise for the end of January thinking Greg would be coming home the first week of February. Because of the strict visa laws in Brazil they send the missionaries home a week early. She will get back in Utah on Monday morning. Braelyn remembered Greg and went right to him. It is taking Berkley alot longer to get used to him.

When I have gone to the airport I've loved watching the families as their missionaries come home. Last month I talked to a few Elders in Atlanta who were flying home from their mission in Las Vegas. It got me so exciting knowing that our turn was coming.
Greg was a little surprised that his younger brother has grown taller then him. I was expecting Greg to have gained some weight. When he had been out a couple of months he sent home some pictures and he had gained weight, but with all the walking they do in Brazil and the fact that it was summer there and they had no air conditioning in their apartment he came back with no extra weight. Maybe I need to go on a mission.
I've loved having him back home, he has only struggled with his english when he is saying a prayer. What a great experience for him and his testimony of his Savior is priceless. It was worth the two years to have him learn the things he learned and to become the young man that he is. I will need to remember this next month when I send Taylor out. It will be fun to see the next chapter of his life unfold. I'm sure he has great things in store.

Braelyn is four!

Four years ago was one of the happiest days of my life when a fat little dark haired beauty came into my life. I've always loved babies and I'm never happier then when one is in my arms. We were lucky when Braelyn was born that they only lived 10 minutes away so we got to see her alot.

She has been a busy baby from day one and always has to be going or doing something. She was blessed with fat cheeks just perfect for kissing and she got plenty of those. When she was about six months old Heather returned to work so I got to babysit a few days a week. I even had her for a week while they went to Mexico. I know why you have your children when you are young and have energy. She can wear you out.

When she was younger instead of calling me grandma she called me Munga. We don't know where this came from, but I've never been grandma. I'm just Munga and that is fine with me. One day during a rain storm we went out and played in the rain. She thought that was great and laughed and laughed.

This summer I took her out to the cabin alone with me. We got these big bean bags that when you take them out of the cover they turn into a queen size mattress. Up at the cabin that is Braelyn's bed. That night she fell asleep with me in my bed and I just let her stay but that morning she woke up and realized she wasn't on her bed. She is a early riser so I thought our day was going to start, but she climbed off my bed and unto hers and went back asleep. I had to take a picture of her sleeping. It is a rare thing. She has been my shadow since she was born and when I found out they were moving to Georgia I thought my heart would break. But luckily I have been able to see them twice since they moved and the camera phone on the computer is a blessing.

Next week they fly in to stay for three weeks, and I can't wait for a messy haired little girl to come down in the morning and climb up on the bar stool and ask me how I slept. Being the first she will always hold a special place in my heart. I love her energy and her ability to make friends wherever we go. She is so friendly and outgoing. Love you Braelyn and Happy Birthday.

A great day!

This Saturday we had the opportunity to take Taylor through the temple. It was made even more special because he got to go through with his friend Zach. Both of these young men will be leaving for their missions in March. As goofy as they were I always knew they were good boys and would be worthy to serve a mission and attend the temple.

Grandma Roberts was able to join us for the session. Grandma Moon had to work in the Vernal temple so she wasn't able to make it. But we know both Grandpa's were there and I'm sure they are so proud of the young man Taylor has turned into.

We have been lucky that Taylor has had such good friends growing up. The Breurs have been great second parents to Taylor and I appreciate the influence they have had on his life. It was a great day and I'm looking forward to the time when I can have all four of my children in the temple again. Last time was when we were in the Nauvoo Temple and they were able to do baptisms for the dead. It was such a neat experience having my family all in the temple that I went through a whole box of tissue while they performed the baptisms. But I guess that is our goal in life to have our children worthy and able to attend the temple.