Christmas Morning 2009
You gotta love the "sleepy-eyed" stairway pic! It's a classic every year.

Tradition: Each Christmas Eve our kids give each other a gift they picked out and bought with their own money. (This is what they are holding.) It is always fun to witness them thinking about one another. Even if it's rare. :)

Tradition: Every year, Tom's mom makes all of us a new pair of matching flannel pajamas. I must admit, I get a little gitty Christmas Eve morning in anticipation of what I will be wearing for the next three straight days! :) We love our jammies! ....especially knowing that they are filled with a Grandma's love and hard work. This year, Mia (Aspen's doll) even made the cut. I happened upon this divine little scene the night after Christmas with Penny reading to her in their "matchy-matchies." Kinda adorable.

Tradition: Well...it is now. Probably the hit of the season would be the new addition to the basement....BAND HERO. Not the best angle for a pic, but the emotion is all you needed to witness.

Happy New Year One and All.

Tom took the kids skiing/snowboarding this week and look who happened to hitch a ride on the "quad" with them.

To say they were thrilled would be an understatement!!!

They chatted the whole way up about how in the world he had time to ski at such a busy time of year to which our favorite man from the North replied, "well the elves are taking care of business and Mrs. Claus is home making dinner."

Figures. ;)

My mother-in-law and I took Aspen to see The Nutcracker for her first time.

It was truly magical.

Like many of you, I'm sure, I have seen this festive holiday ballet nearly a hundred times....but this was like seeing it for the first time.

SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

She sat still (mostly.) She asked a million questions in her very best whisper. And I can't lie....I honestly cried through the entire First Act watching her. She was so mesmerized. The Nutcracker was such a part of my own childhood I couldn't believe how touched I was by her reaction. Then, at the end of Act I (just before my favorite part .... the snow scene) as Clara's Godfather Drosselmeier is creating her dream, Aspen leans over and says, "Mom, that guy looks like Michael Jackson."

Oh forget it.

I balled. I couldn't have been more proud.

So, this is what we look like..................NOW.

I figured I might have to refresh your memory since I haven't posted in SO long!

No excuses, just livin'!

Monday night we took the kids downtown to see the lights . We had a great time, which was, truthfully, unexpected considering how blasted cold it was! We ended up having a private tour with some sister missionaries that absolutely MADE the night!

I LOVE THIS SEASON!!!

I am a true believer that there is magic and GOODNESS in the air.

(You may want to read down a post or two to catch up......I found the sweetest feature ever that allows me to change the "post date." Couldn't love it more! I am sure that I am THEE last person in the blogsphere to be aware of this. What do ya do?) :)

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Oh and by the way....We are having a baby! A baby BOY actually.

Just thought I might want to post that because it is pretty much the BIGGEST news in our house for 5 years! WE ARE THRILLED!!!

POLAR EXPRESS DAY 2009

Top 5

• wearing your pj's to school.
• the frosting. (so very much frosting)
• fun games & crafts
• movie & hot chocolate
• seeing Moms in their pj's (covered in frosting)

Thanksgiving 2009

One of my very favorite holiday traditions is that my whole extended family (mom's side) gets together every Thanksgiving morning to go bowling. My Grandpa started the tradition with his own family to "get the kids out of Grandma's hair" while she made feast preparations and BOY did it stick!! Aside from a few out-of-town years, I have bowled every Thanksgiving morning I can remember. My sweet Grandma has a treat for everyone and Grandpa has a bucket of coins for each "kid" from age 1-92 to buy themselves a pop. It truly is the best to sit, reminisce and catch up (& oh yeah, BOWL) with loved ones that I don't see often enough! We took up 10 lanes and number somewhere close to 130! I love having these pictures with my Grandparents, they have ALWAYS been such great examples in my life!

Trick or Treating

is twice as fun when you get to show your younger cousins the ropes!
Sidney (Elmo) and Dylan (the edible pumpkin) joined us this year for
the festivities! (along with some other unphoto-ed favorites in our life.)

It's kind of hard to see, but Jack is a very scarry
Anakin Skywalker &
Aspen is playing the ever glamourous
Hannah Montana.
They had a ball.

When all was said and done, Aspen was checking out Sidney's loot and says to me, "that's pretty good for a little kid, don't cha think, Mom?"

Remember when you were 5 and you thought 2 was ever so little? Love it.

The Grown-up Loot

Witch Finger Breadsticks & Pumpkin Breadbowls with Taco Soup

Homemade Rootbeer

Don't let the veggies fool you.... it was just a way to get that unbelievable dip in without licking your fingers to the point of embarrasment. (Thanks Em!)

The only pic I regret not getting, was of the delicious sugar cookies my sister brought. I'm pretty sure Tom could describe each and every one of them in detail if you asked him.

....O.K so could I. (Thanks, Birdie!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

So......it's been a while.

My computer has been at the "shop" for a few weeks now and boy have I missed it. (I won't lie to you...I haven't missed the small, dark rain cloud following me...reminding me I haven't posted for 6 weeks!) Alas, here is a little recap of our best day in September.

Jackson was baptized on
September 26th, 2009
What a special day it was. He was positively gitty about the whole experience. His entire countenance changed that day and I swear I watched him mature (just a bit) right before my eyes. We were so grateful to have so many of the people we love all in one place.

Jack started Cub Scouts.
Last night was our first Pack Meeting. ever.
I feel like we are experiencing a lot of "firsts" right now.....and I seem to be tearing up over every last one of them. I ask you, "have you ever found yourself misty-eyed at pack meeting?" What the.... embarrassing! Watching Jack, watch the older "cubs" "post the flag" and say the pledge of allegiance with his little two finger salute for the first time...it was KILLIN' me! (The best part was, due to his left-handedness, he automatically raised his left hand trying to mimic the other cubs and realized mid-pledge. :)

The scout I send out the door...
(untucked & un"patched" as of yet)
isn't he sweet?

The scout that the den leaders receive. guaranteed.

Bless you both.

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." Elizabeth Stone

This quote has been on my mind ALL day.
Today, our baby started Kindergarten.
It is the exact same amount of time her preschool was all last year (plus 2 days) so it should be no big deal -right?
Then why won't this huge lump in my throat go away?

I mean...YEAH Penny!!! I am so excited for you!

School Year 2009-2010

The 1st official day for Kindergartners isn't for another week, but we did have orientation... so we had to bring out the new school duds....which this year includes a t-shirt with a vest sewn on. Yep. right on!

Aspen and Eliza with their twinner shirts. I can't lie, the vest is growing on me....especially when I see these two in it.

The newest Husky.

Already working hard.

Super too cool for school. Jackson at his new desk. Love this boy!

Happy learning!

Jackson's 8!

Unbelievable. How did this happen so fast?
He is such a great kid, despite all of our first time parenting blunders.
(like those overalls in the middle pic, for example)

His Greatest 8:

Being in 2nd grade
Getting Baptized
Skateboarding with friends/cousins
Playing the violin (did that really make the list? I'm misty :)
Heading to Cub Scouts
LEGOS.LEGOS.LEGOS
Camping with Dad
Transformers

Our Greatest 8 about him being 8:

That you are no longer anywhere in your first 2 years.
Your sensitivity. (a blessing and a curse perhaps.)
Your enthusiasm for all things electronic.
Your big brothering skills. Penny adores you.
Your "trying on clothes" stance (you'd have to see it...priceless.)
Your internal alarm clock telling you it's 7 am and time to stand 1 inch from mom's face and ask,"Can I go watch a kids show?"
Your absolute LOVE of being with your Dad.
Your awareness of how the world works. It's profound.

We love you, JACK-E-CHAN!

Happy Birthday!

I am pretty much rockin' the collages lately.

They are just so handy!

Here is one last "hoo-raw" for summer fun!
Lots of swimming with my little fishies.
1 very full Lagoon Day.

Some good quality cousin time.
Jack & Tom on their backpack trip with buddies Jared & Sam.
treats. treats. treats. 2 of my favorite. the churro & shaved ice (tigers blood, please.)

Now, for reals...goodbye summer.

We'll sure miss you!

STAYCATION 2009
Brought to you by the letters T & L

I guess we can't really call it a "stay"-cation if we camped in my inlaws RV. : )
However, only 2 county lines were crossed. Here are the highlights...

one Winnebago.
two ecstatic kids.
three nights.
four "To Do's".

Mom's pick: alpine slide
We stretched this a bit and went to Snowbird for the day.
climbing wall. bungee tramp. tram ride. hiking. alpine slide. zipline. mechanical bull. lots of smiles.
CHECK.

Dad's pick: camping
We camped up American Fork canyon and hiked to Timpanogos Cave
stalactites. tinfoil dinners. roasted mellows. river sitting. outhouses... & oh yeah, a mattress & clean sheets. more smiles.
CHECK.

Jack's pick: Water Park & the Dinosaur Museum...still not sure how he got 2.
We were in the parking lot of Seven Peaks 1 hour before it opened....in the Minnie Winnie 300. sun. most crazy half-pipe slide. laziest river ever...literally stagnant. all smiles.
tyranosaurus rex. fossils. questions for the universe. IMAX about Africa. intellectual dizziness.
CHECK.

Aspen's pick: bowling
We stopped at Bountiful Bowl....again, in the Minnie Winnie.
stinky shoes. smelly joint. just the right ball. plenty o' gutters. nothin' but smiles.

CHECK.

good times. farewell summer.

Aspen's 5!

(O.K. she's been five for a month but I refuse to let our blog sound like my journal where every entry begins with an apology... oops! :)

Her favorite things about being 5:

Riding a two-wheeler
Going to friends by myself
Starting Kindergarten
Helping my aunts with their new babies
Sidewalk chalk / making powder

Our favorite things about her being 5:

1) Your last standing mispronounced word:"Wook"
As in, "Mom, Wook at this!" I can't correct it. I simply can't.

2) The broken -legged deer you sleep with. No name. Just a skinny, ratty, white-spotted deer. It makes me giggle every night.

3) Your imagination! The things you come up with amaze me daily.

4) Your love of ALL living things smaller than you...especially babies.

5) The way you treat Jack like your younger brother. Latest example: "Jack, pleeease play TROUBLE with me.....I'll let you cheat one time!"


We LOVE you, PENNY! Happy Birthday!!

Recap of a few things that need documentin'...

This post is long over due, but it's hard to document it, when you're busy livin' it!

That's what I tell myself when I feel SO far behind!

First:

The Face of PURE CONFIDENCE

Let me assure you that was not how we began "RECITAL WEEK 2009"

Thanks to a masterfully designed plan by Emily and I...

Our little squaws took to the stage like moths to the flame...

I was SHOCKED!

SO PROUD!

And....well... a little teary.

Second:

10 of my favorite teenagers in the WORLD!

Youth Conference June 2009

We had a great time....stayed up WAY too late, enjoyed some great speakers, "pioneer courting" and a whole lotta DANCIN'! Great weekend!

Last, but absolutely, not LEAST:

Jackson's first year of "Machine Pitch"

I can't believe this is the only picture I got of him this season. Actually, I can. I just thought I'd sound shocked to make myself feel better. He had a blast playing on a team with his good friends, Nic and K.O. They had a great season and he had a great experience.....isn't that what it's all about! At least that's what we told ourselves after losing 12-4 in the playoff game. :)

I had no idea baseball would get so INTENSE in the FIRST GRADE!!!

ROOKIE MISTAKE. Mine, not his.

I ask you, have you ever seen anything cuter than a skinny kid in baseball pants?

LOVE IT.

OOPS!!! One more....
Preschool Graduation May 2009

Aspen actually got up with the rest of her class and sang her heart out!

(You will never know what it took to make that happen. I'm not sayin' I'm proud, .......but IT WORKED!!!)

Thanks, EM for the "spot" and all! What a fun year!

Day I

Does anyone else feel like their walls are actually singing ?

summer... summer ... summer... Summer... Summer... SUMMER!

(Queue the kids screaming - HSM II style)

We had our

2nd Annual School's Out Ice Cream Party

on Friday and I didn't take a single picture. : (

Suffice it to say....a good time was had by all.

We served melting ice cream, in the rain (o.k. mostly overcast), with the sprinklers on.

Pretty sure the kids thought they found some sort of

Nirvana.

Here's to saying, "yes" at least one time this summer.

Love it.

In honor of the man I love....

Happy Birthday Tommy T!!!

I am pretty sure this trip, or rather, "collage" down memory lane speaks for itself. Each picture holds a piece of your story & every year, a new chapter. I love this story. I truly couldn't be happier that you were born. You are the best part of my daily.

I love you.

I quietly entered our home tonight at 9:30 pm.....

positive that I would hear nothing more than my "littles" deep breathing. (as you may know, bedtime at the Telfords is near unto a religious holiday)

I crept up the stairs and listened as my A-Dorable mother asked Aspen what it meant to find something "Exhilarating." (She's an English teacher, she can't help it.)

Seriously. So Cute.

Sometimes, we just need our Grandma to help us see which rules are.....bendable.

Thanks, MOM

and P.S. She's four. ;)

This is a picture of Penny and me at the BEST Mother's Tea Party I've ever attended.

Her most adorable preschool teacher put on an incredibly well thought out luncheon last week in honor of Mother's Day.

It was so fun!

They served us lunch. Yum!

They cleared our plates using their very best manners.

They sang! SHE SANG!!!!!

It was the best.

They made a book that brought me to tears.

Miss Heather, YOU are a Wonder!!

I can't take much more of this growing up stuff.
Penny learned to ride a "two wheeler" this weekend.

Somebody make it stop.

I love that this picture is blurry......

it is how I feel when I think about her going to Kindergarten.
Blurry eyed.

Dear Spring,

Thank you. Thank you.



Love,

The Telfords

I'm over it

Last month on this day, I was here.

Now I'm here.....

for cryin' out loud....I'M OVER THE COLD!!!

(I'm over a lot of things right now, but the cold is right up there.)

All I'm sayin' is give 'em a chance.

Ten & Counting.......................

March 12, 1999

I'll save my most sincere of sentiments for you alone, but to the world I say,

"I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to see what the next 10 brings!"

Happy Anniversary Babe!