Sister's GNO

This is my sister in law Rebecca, and she is so great. She put together a way fun GNO for all the sisters to hang out, chat, eat some yummy treats, and exchange ideas for holiday gifts. And that is exactly what we did. It was such a blast to just be with everyone (but we did miss my sister Heather and my mom Becky . . . . they were both in Ohio having their own way fun Girl Time), and stay late and just laugh and talk. It is amazing how many subjects we girls can go through! One to the next in just one breath, I love it.

Thanks for the great time Rebecca, we need to do it more often. Love you!!!

I'm Thankful For . . . .

This is a quick thankful thought, but I am thankful for REST!!!!!
Today I am way tired, have a little stomach ache, and just finishing up all my daily things before going to bed. But it is the nicest thing to get in bed, snuggle up in my covers and go to sleep. I'm thankful I have that luxury of sleeping a good amount during the night. I love it, it helps me be a nicer mommy and person, and I'm thankful for it.

I'm Thankful For . . . .

I'm thankful to be a mom!!! and everything that comes along with it. It sure is alot of work, alot of raising my voice, quite a bit of screaming these days, alot of laundry, lots of snacks and snacks to clean up after, mediating fights, teaching Samantha and Mason to be "soft" and nice, teaching Samantha over and over about manners like always saying "please" and "thank you", and the list could go on and on. But is is also alot of snuggling in the night when the kids cry (more for Ben, but he lets me go every once in a while), giving out bandaids when Samantha gets owies, kisses and hugs all day long, coloring with Samantha while Mason takes a nap, watching the kids play nice with eachother in their fort, teaching Mason to say lots of new words like "please" "thank you" and all the other important ones like "grandma" "papa" "honey" and "poppy", and hearing my kids say "i love you mommy" through out the day, and the list goes on and on. I love being a mom, and I'm thankful my Heavenly Father has entrusted these sweet little kids to me, to be their mom for a while. I love watching them discover and learn and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I'm Thankful For . . . .

I'm thankful for modern medicine and technology. My sister Rebekah had a little surgery today, and it is just great to know that she was in good hands, and that the doctors know exactly what they are doing. I'm thankful everything went well, and that she is o.k. Rebekah, we love you and are thinking about you. Now all you have to do is relax, watch movies, and sip your smoothies!!!

I'm Thankful For . . . .

I'm thankful that my mom taught me to cook. I'm not the best, but I learned from the best. My mom always had great warm snacks ready for us when we came home from school, and a yummy dinner on the table for all of us to enjoy. I remember baking and cooking with my mom when I was younger. She let me experiment, and I remember it was fun to be in the kitchen with her. Samantha loves to cook. As soon as she sees me get ingredients out, she pulls a chair or her little stool over and asks how she can help. (she also does the same thing at Grandma B.'s and Honey's, it is very cute) Today we made cookies to take to a neighbor and she pulled the chair over and helped me right away. We were getting so much done that I decided to make dinner at the same time. It is so nice to pass on little things to my little girl that were passed on from my mom. Those are the kind of things that I hope Samantha remembers . . . . . .

I'm Thankful For . . . .

Well, I won't put pictures on this post because I have a lot to catch up on, so . . . . . . .
LET THE THANKFULNESS BEGIN!!!
Mondy Nov. 10th
I am thankful that gas prices are at a great low. We were on our way heading down to St. George and California to Disneyland. That made the trip all that much better. I'm thankful not all my monies go into gas for my car.
Tuesday Nov. 11th
Today I am thankful for my cute neice Martha Ann Chrisman. She turns 2 today and lives in Ohio. She is such a sweet little thing. I called to wish her a Happy Birthday and she got on the phone and said "Hi Whitney" and told me it was her birthday. I love her, and am thankful she is part of our family.
Wednesday Nov. 12th
I'm thankful for Disneyland. We went and took Samantha and it was such a magical place, for all of us. She went on most of the big rides with us, and was just so excited to see everything. I hadn't been since I was about 9 yrs old, and it is just great to go somewhere where you can let go and act like a child. It was the greatest thing to experience with Samantha and Ben.
Thursday Nov. 13th
I am so thankful for my brothers and sisters and parents! I love them all so much and am thankful every time they help me out with my kids. Jessica and Spencer and Hilary have Mason this week while we are gone, and it is the nicest thing to know that he is in such great hands. I just love that they love my kids to take them for a bit.
Friday Nov. 14th
Today I am missing my baby Mason. He has been with my sisters for the week. I am so thankful for him. I was sad when I found out I was having a boy and not a girl, but after I had Mason, I instantly fell in love. He is my little bugs, and I love him. I missed him while we were gone and it was great when he got down to St. George with us.
I am also thankful for Bobby and Sara for bringing him down with them. They are so great and Mason kept saying "bobby" on the way down and when they tried to get him to say Sara he would say "bobby" again. Thanks so much for bringing me my "precious cargo"!!!
Saturday Nov. 15th
I'm thankful for my health!
Today Tif and I took a great run while we were in George and it was awesome. It is nice to go and work out and have someone to work out with. (Tif I am totally thankful for you!!! I love you so much and had such a blast this week. I'm thankful you are in my life.) When I take my kids to the gym Samantha asks what I am doing and and I tell her I am going to exercise so my body can be healthy and so I can take care of my family. Well, I am thankful that I have such a healthy body. I love taking exceptional care of myself because it really does pay off. The better care I take of myself then the better care I can take of my kids and Ben. I just love how I feel when I am being healthy, in every aspect!!!
Sunday Nov. 16th
First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCE!!!
I am thankful for my Ben every single day and every minute of every day. But especially today, after a long trip, I am thankful for him and his help. Ben makes all of everything possible for Samantha, Mason and Me. I don't let him know enough, but Benji I am so thankful for you. You are an incredible husband and dad.
We wives every where need to let our husbands know how thankful we are for what they do for us. Every wife who reads this blog . . . . . let's make a better conscious effort to give our husbands a little more credit, a little more slack, a little more love, a little more time for themselves, let them know how much we love and appreciate them . . . . . because truth betold . . . . . the 2 things that I cherish and love the most ( my Sam and Mason) I wouldn't have without Ben. He has helped me become the mother, wife and person that I am, and I am thankful for that. Husbands have such a hard job of being the providers, the priesthood holders, the protector and everything else, that I am so grateful I don't have the responsibilities that they have. Husbands do so much that they deserve probably alot more than they get.
Sorry for the bla, bla bla, but I just think that we all need to let our husbands know how thankful we really are. I am so thankful for all that Ben does. He does all of his jobs and even some of mine that I don't want to do or don't make it to. Ben you are the best, I love you.

I'm Thankful For . . . .

I am very thankful for my electric skillet. It sounds funny, but I love it. We got it when we got married and didn't use it forever. Then Ben claims he brought it out, and since then we use it for everything, multiple times a day. You can make so many things on it. Quesadillas are huge at our house and that's where we cook them. It also fries up the best egg ever. I just love it, cause it makes cooking so easy. Thank goodness for my electric skillet!!!

I'm Thankful For . . . .

I'm thankful for 2 things today, partly because I skipped yesterday.

I'm thankful for date nights! Ben and I are with our kids ALL THE TIME!!!!! So when we have the chance to leave them with a sitter (which is usually once a weekend, you can imagine that Ben's poor wallet is always empty at the end of the week), we take the opportunity. It is so nice to go out to eat and not have to worry about Mason throwing french fries across the room, and Samantha eating all of the sugar packets. To be able to just sit and talk or not talk is such a nice break. Ben and I went out tonight and it was a great break. Thanks babe for forking out the money every weekend so that we can have a little Ben and Whitney time, I love you!!!!!

I'm so thankful for Hair Salons!!!!! Even though I admit it has been a while since I've been ( I just do it myself, cause it is that much easier with two kids). But today I got a little adventurous and don't know what I was thinking. I colored my sister in law Tiffany's hair today and I had a bunch of extra color, so of course I thought, let's put it to good use. I started foiling my very own hair. The second I started with that first foil, I thought I shouldn't have started. Then, after I rinsed it out, I immediately thought how great it is to go to a salon and get your hair done, and not do it yourself. My hair didn't turn out bad, even though I might just cover it up with some brown, but I just love going and getting my hair done by someone other than me!

I'm Thankful For . . . .

Well, today is a random thankful thought. But I am thankful for FORGIVENESS, in its simplest form. I am so thankful for the kind hearts of children (my kids to be exact), that will forgive easily and forget quickly. I am not perfect and can't always keep my cool like I should, and unfortunately my kids are always in the line of fire. Samantha and I had a bit of a rough first half of the day, and we weren't our best to eachother. But I am so thankful that she is so willing to forgive me of my faults, and lets me know that she still loves me. It is a humbling experience to ask forgiveness of your 3 year old daughter, but well worth it. I am constantly learning so much from my sweet little ones, and I love it. We should all become more childlike in that sense. Quick to forgive and forget. I am grateful for the atonement and the chance I have to always work and improve on my faults.

I'm Thankful For . . . .

You guessed it! I am thankful for snow. . . . and let me explain why. Even though I hate driving in it and I don't love being cold. I woke up this morning and saw it snowed. I went into my kids rooms and opened thier blinds and both of them were mesmerized. They loved it so much. Samantha couldn't stop talking about it all through breakfast and Mason just wanted to stand at his window and point and mumble or more like grunt. So, for that reason I am thankful for snow. Anything that makes my kids that happy, and shows them a bit of nature (and makes them stare in amazement) I am thankful for. I love to see their faces when they see something amazing, I really makes me happy.

( I also love to snuggle up in my warm house when it is cold outside, it is one of my favorite things to do.)

I'm Thankful For . . . . .

Well, if you can guess . . . . I'm thankful for my family!

I read my cousin Amber's blog and she is doing a month of things she is greatful for, and she chalggenged others to do the same. To tell you the truth I think it is great. I really should think more about the things I am thankful for.

I love my little family so much. Ben is such a great dad and husband, and Sam and Mason really do love him. Mason and Samantha are so different and unique. Samantha tells me she loves me all the time, and Mason is a little snuggler (for the most part).

Samantha and I were sitting having some quiet time while Mason is napping and I just sat holding her and hugging her. I love to sit and hug and hold my kids, they are so precious. It reminds me to keep trying to be the best mommy I can be to them!

Happy Birthday Ben

Happy Birthday babe!

I just have to give a huge shout out to my amazing husband and best friend.

Today is his birthday and the day is almost over, but I wanted to wish him a huge public

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I hope he had a great day. He took the day off and I took the kids with me so he could have some rest and relaxation. (since that is so hard to do with two kids always climbing on him) Then I got a sitter and Ben and I headed out. Did a little birthday shopping and just hung out. It was so nice just to be with him and not have to hurry.

His mom had us over last night and tonight for dinner. And he didn't want cake tonight. just cake batter ice cream( his very favorite with grahm crackers and rasberries) so off we went with Joanne, Jim, Marse and Lance. It was way fun

Ben is such a great hubby and dad. He does so much for me and our family and we love him for it. His kids adore him more than anything else. He is so great and I just hope you had an awesome day babe, you deserve it.

I love you!!! and Happy Birthday!!!

Halloween Catch Up

Pumpkin Carving

My sister Jessica and her husband Spencer had us all over to carve pumpkins at their house, and it was so fun.

As you can see that is quite the task with all of us. It was a blast, always so much fun to get together. Thanks Spencer and J!!!

Gardner Village

We went to Gardner Village to see the Witches, and Samantha and Mason loved it.

They love seeing their "Honey".

It was such a great day. Thanks to Camille for setting it up.

Happy Halloween!!!

We had such a fun Halloween. My sister Jessica was over and helped me get my kids all dressed up and then we went and saw Ben at work, then went and saw Grandma B. and Grandpa and Aunt Rebekah, then we headed home for some trick or treating around our neighborhood, and around Joanne's neighborhood. Let me tell you those little kids got so much candy, we ended up giving some of it away. What they don't know won't hurt them. But it was so much fun.
It was a busy day, but tons of fun. It was so cute to see Sammi and Mason trick or treating. Samantha was so excited to get more candy after every house we went to. And Mason was just holding our hand, walking along and holding his bucket of candy. It was so cute!

Tif was Tinker Bell and I was a pirate This was just way too cute, I took it from Tif's blog. Sam was a witch and Corbin was Peter Pan. Although, Sam kept saying she was Wendy dressed up as a witch.
They do this every time they see eachother.

And here was our little family. One witch and the rest pirates. Ben and Mason were even wearing the earings. Oh, Mason looked so dang cute.

Sammi loved wearing her dress, but not the hat. (I was lucky she wore it for the picture) But I kept asking her what makes a witch? And she would say "a hat makes a witch!"

It was such a great Halloween, and Samantha is already talking about next year, she wants to be a little witch and wants me to be Mary Poppins. That is ok with me because Mary Poppins is a step up from her wanting me to be a LARGE BANANA.
I hope everyone had a great weekend and a Happy Halloween!

Nothing Like Cousins!

My kids are so lucky that they have so many little friends to play with, and even luckier that they are their cousins. I am sad that my little Mason probably won't ever remember his little pal Jack, but we will keep pictures around to remind him of how much fun they had together.

Like when they ate chalk in Honey and Poppy's backyard.

They were always sharing whatever they had . . . chalk, cheetos, mason's binki that Jack loved to grab and see what Mason would do. It was so fun to see them together.

My sister Heather lives in Ohio, so Samantha and Mason don't get to see her kids Martha and brand new baby Alice very much. But Samantha asks for Martha every so often.
Samantha's two cousins Stillman and Bridger are adorable. They are such good sports, when they come play with Samantha, she usually wants to do something girly, and they play along.
(I hope their parents don't kill me for putting this picture of their matcho sons in dresses)
I have met some great girls since marrying into the Rich/Patterson family. And it definately helps that we have babies around the same time. It is so fun to get together with them and let Samantha play with some more of her "cousins" (sort of).

And then there is Corbin. Samantha and Corbin are so cute together. Whenever they see eachother they run and give eachother a big hug. (one of these times I'll have to get it on camera) They fight, but like most great friends, quickly make up and play some more!!!
I am just so greatful for such great families on both my side and ben's side. I love that my kids have cousins to grow up with. I'm excited for the friendships that they will form, and the fun experiences that they will have. Hopefully all of them together!!!
Girls, thanks for being such great mom's and great examples to me and my kids!!!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch a week ago with Joanne, Marianne, Tiffany and Corbin. The kids had lots of fun. What's a pumpkin patch without an oversized pumkin. It worked out perfect for a great picture.

There were some animals. Goats, rabbits, chickens, I even think there were fish. Samantha and Mason weren't too keen on feeding the goat. So mom showed them that it wasn't so bad.

It was a fun day out with cousins. Samantha always loves to see Corbin, and I love to see Tif and Marianne, so it was great. Thanks Joanne for planning and taking us all there.

Samantha at 3

Samantha is really a spit fire. She is girl through and through. She loves me to do her hair like Cinderella or Gisell (from Enchanted). So we curl it and pin it up, and oh she loves it. She like Mason can fall asleep in the car, and stay alseep for a while. It doesn't look that comfortable, but she does it. Sam is pretty tough. She recently had a fall down some cement stairs and scraped up her face and hand. It was dramatic at the time, but afterwards, she'd tell you all about it. And she kept telling me that when she fell, her dad came and picked her up in his arms. I think her dad is her hero!!! Sam and Mason have alot of fun together (for the most part). They figured out this fun game where mason lays on a blanket and holds on for dear life and sam pulls him across the wood floor. They did this over and over and loved it. We had a great breakthrough. I found this fun candy machine and sam wanted some all the time, so I told her if she went potty she could have a quarter. And it worked, so now when she goes potty she says funny things like "that was a long one mom," when she pees and "goodbye mr. poop, see you tomorrow!" Kids really do say the funniest things. But it is so fun to have Sam. I can just tell that we are going to be good buddies. I love you so much sam, you are my little bugs!

Mason at 1 1/2

Mason is such a fun kid. He is quite adventurous and not so much like his sister. He does so many funny things like when I get him dressed in the morning, he hates to get his clothes changed but when I say "let's put on your shoes and socks" he comes and sits right down. He loves wearing shoes. It is so fun to take his picture 'cause you can catch him doing so many funny things. I was vacuuming one day and found him on top of the table sitting in the middle eating some chereeos, he just looked at me and smiled. He loves to try and climb onto or into everything. He loves our dog Molly so much. He goes and just snuggles right up to her. When he is sad, he runs right to her bed and lays down, and just waits for Molly to come and lay by him. He is so good, especially when he sleeps. Ben says that he sleeps like his mom, the verdict is still out, but he sure looks cute. I love my little boy so much. It is fun having a girl, but oh those little boys just melt your heart.
Your mom and dad sure do love you dude!!!

Bobcat Jack

Bobcat

I have wanted to post a blog about my favorite animal for quite a while. The bobcat and no I don't really like the animal but miss the throaty happy growl of my my nephew who I lovingly called Bobcat. Recently Jack 16 months young has been borrowed by his heavenly father. Jack who was most certainly an animal in this life has left tracks that we can only hope to follow. My heart breaks for my brother Coby and his wife Tiffany but our family takes comfort in knowing that Jack has permanent residence in our hearts and that his life although short was one of joy and happiness. He no doubt has been called back to serve a greater purpose and to watch over his mom dad and brother in this mortal life as an angel who had fulfilled his earthly mission. We love you Jack and know we will see you soon. On another note I would like to thank Wayne Burton Tiffany's dad for his poem entitled "Faith" I have read it many times in the last weeks and it has helped me understand the understandable. Thanks, and Jack we will always treasure your bobcat tracks...

Faith

It was black as coal on a moonless night, with no light in the sky at all. I led my horse past dangerous cliffs, and hoped that we didn't fall. We stumbled north, about 20 feet, in the direction I thought was right. Then my horse just stopped & refused to go, or follow me into the night. You stupid horse, you stubborn beast you better follow me? I know the way; I think I'm sure, if only I could see. But the horse just stood, and held his ground like a rock of solid stone. I was tired and cold, so I mounted up, and told him to take me home. And I was scared at first, ‘cuz' I couldn't see, and blind as a bat at night. Then he slowly turned and headed south like he could see without a light. So I dropped the reins and let him go, ‘cuz we were out on a dangerous limb. And though I was blind, my horse could see, and I put my faith in him. Time has past and I never returned to that spot on the mountainside, Where all alone, in the black of night I stumbled and almost died. Then one clear day when the sun was out, and I could see my way, I think I found where I was that night, and it scares me still today. Because every direction we could have gone, was a cliff with a jagged edge. And my horse could see, what I could not, as we walked toward the ledge. And I cursed that horse that saved my life, ‘cuz he wouldn't follow me When he saw the trail I was about to take, and dangers I couldn't see. But I still recall, the way I felt, and it's locked inside my brain. When many times on the trails of life, I've been lost and felt the same. So I dropped the reins and let it go, when I'm out on a dangerous limb. And though I am blind, Someone can see, and I'll put my faith in Him. Wayne W. Burton

So for those of you who have been waiting for me to figure out how to blog . . . . .here it is! (coby rich) I just thought I would do a recap of our summer since it is coming to an end and it was so busy. We did lots of traveling and had lots of fun. We took Samantha and Mason to Lagoon with Aunt Hilary, Aunt Jessica and Uncle Spencer. I was more nervous than Samantha, but she loved all the rides. Mason was such a trooper, he just sat in the stoller and we splashed water on him all day.


Samantha's birthday has come and gone, but she still thinks it is coming in July. As she says "I'll be 3 in July" well, she had a way fun party with her cousins Stillman and Bridger and her new friend in the neighborhood Gracie Cutler. Uncle Taylor came and we went to Thanksgiving Point to see the animals, but more importantly to go on some pony rides!!!! That is all she really wanted for her birthday, except a barbie. What a girl. It was tons of fun to celebrate. Samantha loves getting together with her family, and especially her cousins.


Well, we had a great summer and this cute picture of Sammi and Mason sums it up. We just hung out and enjoyed ourselves.

The boys entered a "sexy" legs contest and surprisingly, they won.

We got dressed up most of the nights for dinner. It was all so yummy!

We stopped at a way fun waterfall. Everyone tried out their tricks on the rope swing


It was so much fun to get away, and just hang out with Ben. Thanks to the Rich's for taking us and thanks to Jessica and Spencer for watching our kids!!!!!

Self Tagged

I saw this on a friends blog and I thought I would try er out.

Nickname:

or

or

Favorite Vacation: iberostar resort Mexico

Place I would like to visit: Valdez Alaska (heli skiing)

Favorite Snack:

How old I am:

What I graduated in:

Favorite animal: Golden Retriever

Worst Habit: Video Games