Winter Wonderland?

Sometimes I feel torn by the gratitude I have for my Utah home and my slow growing distain for the snow, Snow SNow, SNOw, SNOW. At first I love it. White, fluffy, clean. I even teach yoga classes using the imagery of each flake to help convey a peaceful calm feeling. Then January comes and the peaceful feeling reminds us of our childhood and somehow that nostalgia brings us back to California. We visit every January. As we drive away from the palm trees, Disneyland, the beach, and my mother, somehow the white fluffy stuff seems a little less peaceful. Today as you can see from the picture, we are once again enjoying our Winter Wonderland? Maybe I need more yoga? Or maybe Hawaii? Hmmm?

The reality is we are happy to be here Ryan participated in the after school ski program at Snowbird this year. He loved it. Going down Chickadee is the coolest experience he has ever had. Or maybe it was the pinewood Derby? Needless to say Ryan loves his life.

Jacob had a blast in California. He is our beach bum. While at my mom's we walked on the beach. It was not warm. In fact we may have been the only family there. Well maybe there was another family with Michigan shirts on. Jacob could not help himself. We told him not to but his urge just took over and he went right into the ocean. The kid just ran for it. The best thing about Jacob is he didn't complain about the cold once. I guess all our snow helps.

I often wonder what life is really like for Luke, being the youngest of three boys. He seems to love it. Keeping right up with all the big boy happenings. Disneyland may be his favorite place on earth. Now he is finally tall enough to go on all but two rides. He loved Tower of Terror, and Matterhorn, but just like mommy his favorite ride is Space Mountain. He is still wearing his Mickey ears and last night he slept in them. Luke also got his Challenger School Alphabet Crown this month. Exciting achievement in the life of a four year old.

One last thing happened in our family. Daddy turned 40. We celebrated the whole month long. Mid January we headed to California where we spent two and a half days at the Magic Kingdom. Going to Disneyland every year for Johnathan's birthday has been a great family tradition. We have so much fun just getting away and being together. Not to mention enjoying the sunshine! My Mom and Steve had us at their home in Oceanside for a couple of days before we started the drive back home. We finished the celebration with a family and friends parties. We are so blessed to have so many special people in our lives. HAPPY 40th Johnathan! You are so amazing. We love you so much.