Rolls Anyone?

Today we decided to stay home instead of going to Bluffdale, so I decided to make some of my Moms butter horn rolls. (For any of you that don't know about these rolls it usually takes about five hours to go through the whole process.) I was so proud of myself, they turned out perfect! As I was cooking one of the batches I laid the other on a chair in the sun to keep raising while I cleaned the kitchen. While I was cleaning I looked up to find Gracie sweetly molding my batch of rolls in to a wonderful clump of dough! Luckily as I gasp...I remember...don't be mad, take a picture and blog the story. So Gracie would like to thank you all who read this blog because it saved her little butt tonight.

The Signs of a Perfect Saturday

Fianlly we had a perfect Saturday, the weather was perfect, and we had only a few church obligations which made it possible for us to work the in the yard-well at least that was the plan-and to enjoy a little bit of time together. After a little while of pulling weeds Rori decided to make a bed outside and Nate decided to join her. As you can see our little Gracezilla was not in any of these pictures, she was simply to busy to sleep. It was a wonderful Saturday, it really made me ready for spring and so happy to see Nate enjoying his family and yard.

Gracie Can Blow Bubbles

It looks like spit, but that is what it really looks like when you drink bubbles. Our little adventure in blowing bubble ended pretty quickly when I turn around and found Gracie using the wand as a spoon and slurping the bubbles. She does not quite understand the principle of blowing. She must think we are crazy for standing outside and drink that awful stuff from a silly spoon.

James...James is That You?

Well it only a week away-Nate's acting debut. Nate will be performing as the hero (James) in old fashion melodrama called Loves Labor Found. He has been practicing since January and is ready to roll. It should be lots of fun for everyone. There will be lots of booing and hissing and of course cheering for our hero. Come join us for some old fashion fun. We will also be having water and popcorn for a quarter and penny candy.

Date: May 2 and May 3
Time: 6:45 pm
Location: 8400 west 3100 south (large red church)

P.S. Admission is free

Beautiful Dandelions

Yesterday while we were outside Rori and Gracie collected me a bunch of "beautiful flowers" they were so proud of themselves. They came in a got a cup and arranged the flowers just perfectly. Then Rori cleared the entire kitchen table and washed it so that it could be as beautiful as the flowers. Then she placed the cup in the center of the table and came over to get me so that I could see how beautiful the flowers made our house.

As I looked at these flowers I realized how as adults we hate dandelions, yet to a child they are just as beautiful as a rose. How different the world would be if we as adults looked at things we dislike through a child's eyes. This world is so beautiful and we are so blessed to be apart of it. Slow down and look at the "beautiful dandelions".

Baby Animal Day

Last Saturday Loni invited us to Logan to enjoy "Baby Animal Day" at The American West Heritage Center. I must say we are defiantly fans and will be returning next year. Loni and my Mom can along with me and the girls making it even better.

There was so much to see and do and the weather was so perfect. I hope the pictures give the day justice.

Rori was so excited to see the reptiles that we had to cut our visit with the fuzzy animals short. On the way over to the reptiles a man was holding a little water snake that the girls wanted to see. (Despite the fears of their father.) While Rori was touching the snake Gracie started grunting and pointing at the snake so my mom took her over to touch it, but Gracie wanted to kill it not touch it. She reached out and tried to squeeze it. Luckily I got to her before she got to the snake, but not without Gracie striking a little fear into all involved including the snake and the man holding him.

The visit would not be complete without seeing if that Frog would turn in to a Prince...Thanks for trying Lon's...I am sure he will come some day soon.

After the reptiles we went over to watch the candy cannon, while waiting for the cannon to go off I got some pretty cute pictures of the girls, you got to love Gracie's smile (she is still learning).

We must have some affinity for ducks...I had one a stuffed one as a teenager... and Rori is still trying to convince me that the duck can live in the house on the tile. She promises that she will let it play in the tub everyday an always make sure that it never leaves the tile. I am still not convince but boy that little duck was cute.

Rori loved the ride home. My mom has a sun roof and we opened it to help cool down the car and it created a whirl-wind in the back seat, the giggles would not stop. Unless you were Gracie who was scared to death in the beginning, but with a little coxing, Rori convinced her it was pretty fun.

Thanks Mom and Loni for the day of fun and tons of memories we love you!

Life is so Tender

Tuesday morning a dear friend of ours Jenny Pemberton passed away due to complications with her pregnancy. Monday morning she suffered from an Amniotic Embolism causing her to go into cardiac arrest. She was 7 months along. They took her to American Fork Hospital and delivered the baby by c-section, but both of them were without oxygen for an extended period of time. Jenny was bleeding and in a coma and the baby had acid in his blood that they tried to clear up.

Doctors did 2 brain scans, both showing no signs of activity. They give him a name and a blessing Tuesday night before taking him off of Life Support. Jenny left behind her husband Nate, and three kids, Dakota, Sequoia and their youngest, Theran who is 2 1/2.

Because Nate is a contractor and self employed they have no health insurance. There is a donation account set up in her name at Zions Bank. The account name is Jennifer M Pemberton.

Nate and Jenny had a great effect on our lives. When we were first married and living in Bluffdale I love watching the interaction between Jenny and her two daughters. I could not wait to have children in hopes that I would have the same joy that Jenny got from her children. Nate always made sure that Jenny could stay home with their children working two jobs to make end meet.

I am so grateful a loving Savior who made it possible for us to have our families again and a loving Heavenly Father who seems to be some of the only comfort that comes during these moments of sadness.

Life is tender. Treasure the little things, the hugs, the laughter, and friendships.

Thanks to Katie Mortensen for all the information regarding Nate and Jenny