Happy Sweet Week!

I've been meaning to put this on here for a couple of weeks...it's just good I got it in before February was entirely gone!

I love Valentine's season. It's more than just a day for me. I love the reds and the whites and the idea of love being everywhere all the time. I don't know why I get so excited to decorate my house for Valentines, I really have to hold myself back from putting out the hearts in January. Maybe its because it feels like a nice little break between winter and spring. Or maybe its because no one looks at you as if you're crazy when you doodle hearts and such on everything. Or maybe because its just a really fun time to do some extra special things for a lot of different people. I love helping Chandler pick out his Valentine cards for his class and putting them together. I think it's great fun to plan little surprises for my cute husband and boy. Sometimes I'm even put together enough to create a little something for friends. (That didn't happen this year, but it will be on the list for next year!) Chandler was home almost the whole week of Valentines so I planned little treats each night:

Monday

Tuesday

My mom hosted her annual Valentine's making party. We went and Chandler made a great little Valentine for his teacher, Mrs. Wariner. (I think he has a little crush on her, she's fantastic!) We decorated sugar cookies and ate candy hearts and cinnamon lips. It was great! Thanks Mom!

I wish I'd taken pictures but didn't think of it until later.

Wednesday

Thursday

A quiet little dinner for three, complete with a heart shaped Papa Murphy's pizza and mini chocolate lava cakes. (I have to admit I had a pregnant moment with the lava cakes, I added 2x as much butter so they didn't turn out great. Chandler assured me they were good and didn't miss a crumb eating it.)

It was really fun to plan little surprises for my little family. Scott had a few surprises of his own for the weekend. Sometimes its really just a nice thing to do something a little out of the ordinary.

Preoccupied...

IFly, Ufly?

This Christmas was all about adventure for our family. Along with getting Geary Snowbikes, Chandler and Scott got a trip to IFly. It's an indoor skydiving spot for thrill seekers. Since I jumped out of a plane for my 30th birthday I skipped this activity. It was great fun to see the nervousness and excitement of my guys and be the picture taker. The simulation is really accurate from the real thing, as far as I could tell. Chandler did a few little tricks with the instructor on his second round. Scott grinned from ear to ear the whole time. It was definitely worth it!

Fun, Fun, Fun

Over Christmas break the Carr family went on a little adventure--in our own backyard. Snowshoeing in Millcreek Canyon is really a great activity, especially for eight year old boys. It's also a great adventure for bigger boys too. Scott is such a great sport with Chandler. It was fun to watch them avoid falling in the river together and climbing hills.


Chandler was so excited to cross snow bridges, climb steep mountains and jump off fallen trees. It was a perfect day, a lot of other people thought so too. We saw lots of cross country skiers and hikers with their kids and their dogs. The trail was a great one for hiking or skiing on because once you got to the top you could sled your way down.

I wish I was better about taking advantage of our great outdoors. Scott gave me snowshoes two years ago for Christmas and I've only been half a dozen times! Once we purchase some for Scott and Chandler after the season's over, maybe I'll go more often. In the meantime, if you're ever up for a snow shoe adventure, give me a call!

3rd Year's the Charm

I can't believe Scott and I got married three years ago today! The weather was so different, temperatures in the mid 40's and 50's, no snow, beautiful sunset. All I can say is being married to Scott is a constant adventure. I love him very much. He is strong, and funny, and loving, and passionate about so many things. Sometimes it's hard for me to keep up with his dreams and let go of the seriousness of life. I'm so grateful he is my husband. Heavenly Father really knew what I needed to have greater balance for my life! I look forward to the endless years ahead of laughing and working together to make life better for one another.

Christmas Traditions

Some of my favorite things about Christmas are the traditions. I've started a couple for our family that have been fun. I don't remember decorating ginger bread houses while I was growing up, but I love to do that with Chandler now. This is the first year, though, he's wanted to eat the candy off once the icing hardened. Scott got to help us this year so it was even more fun!

Wednesday night we bought and decorated the tree. It was kind of fun to have snow around us while we shopped at the tree lot. Scott jokes around with me every year about my wanting a Charlie Brown tree. I think it's kind of funny because that's the kind of tree my mom insisted to get every year. I understand the whole concept now...there needs to be room between branches for all of the fantastic ornaments! Besides, have you seen "A Charlie Brown's Christmas?" His tree is full and beautiful once its decorated by his friends! Our tree looks great every time, once the bare spots are filled in with twig stars and a collection of ornaments from all over the country and years of love. Chandler loves to put the star at the top, who needs a ladder when strong and handsome dad are around?

Sing Alongs and Christmas Lights

Our family decided to take part in the Larry H. Miller tradition this year, we attended the annual sing along at The Energy Solutions Arena. Despite the craziness for Scott with snowbike deadlines and real work stress, we made it downtown Monday night to enjoy a few of the "extras" of this holiday season. First of all, I have to thank Larry Miller and his family for their generosity. What a big event to offer the public! It really was fun to sit with a crowd of thousands and sing Christmas songs, salute the troops in Iraq and be entertained by the Jazz Bear. Chandler wasn't quite as thrilled about the experience as Scott and I, but he survived it. Luckily, the free hot dog and soda helped contribute to a fun evening.

After the sing along we headed east to the temple and Deseret Book. It was a chilly walk but we warmed up with hot chocolate and oohed and aahed the lights on Temple Square. I'm so amazed at the effort to string all of those lights so meticulously! I love the light pink ones. You wonder how the Salt Lake Temple can be more beautiful, but the lights make that happen at Christmas time. We had a great time.

The Best Birthday Boy!

Scott is officially 34, as of yesterday, December 7th. I am so blessed to have him in my life. He is the most loving and attentive father I've ever known. It's rare to see a dad who will spend hours at a time playing whatever his son wants to do, Scott does with Chandler all the time--Legos, cars, video games, biking. He also does well to teach Chandler the difference of right and wrong and the importance of doing what you say you'll do. Scott takes great care of me also and really works on finding ways to make my life easier and more enjoyable. He works hard everyday and is always looking for more ways to provide for our family. I laugh every day because of him and am so grateful we are married and "fighting the good fight" together.

Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude

The holidays seem to be coming and going much quicker than I really expected this year. Thanksgiving break was fantastic! We had so much fun with dinner at Grandma's, a cousins party and spending time with Chandler. My mom really outdid herself this year for dinner. She makes the best stuffing and cranberry sauce. I'm grateful for her willingness to share so much of her time and talent with me and my family. Tori was her assistant chef and helped to make things super fun for her younger cousins. She helped Stratton draw pictures on the place cards and arranged the play area for the little ones. Tori and my mom also did a bit of prize shopping in preparation for our BINGO game. We had a great time, I can say this because I won twice, Scott or Chandler may have a different recollection of the experience. All in all, it was really a great time together. I love being able to relax and eat good food and play fun games until it's time to call it a night.

I've had a few things really weighing on my spirit the last few weeks. I'm happy to say that Heavenly Father has really been helping me to understand how I can have joy and peace in the midst of difficulty. I really am grateful for Him and my Savior and the knowledge I have They know and love me. I'm grateful for my husband who makes my life so happy and fun. Chandler is a blessing and I'm grateful I have the opportunity to be a part of his life. I'm grateful for my fantastic family who help me when I ask and keep my perspective clear. I'm also very grateful for my ward and the willingness so many have to serve so wholeheartedly. I have great girlfriends and I'm grateful for their support and patience with me. I'm grateful for my health and the ability I have to work and play and take care of my family. Gratitude is really something that makes life better when it is acknowledged. I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving holiday and are making this Christmas best of all others!

Moving Up in the Ranks

I'm so proud of Chandler for working so diligently, and happily, toward his Wolf badge. He has really been so positive when I've been a little over the top about scouting activities. It seems Wednesday afternoons are the best time to complete a little requirement or two before den meeting. I love that he is excited to set this goal and is willing to work to achieve it. He even figured out how many arrows he can earn until he is old enough to work on his Bear badge. Great job Kiddo!