the kingdom is still magic.

yes she can!

I know this has been all over the internet but I feel the need to chime in--every vote counts.

Nothing fills my soul with patriotism more than a fabulous accessory.  Thanks Aretha for bringing a little hope of your own.

And, I can't help but mention how well paired the Queen of Soul's freedom hat and my democracy shoes are... 

Also, very pleased to hear the first lady, first kids and I have a shared love interest.

Personalities are Pushing Through!

Haley Mae is into dressing herself and shows a unique style!
She is also a good mama as she is shushing and rocking baby Ally to sleep.

We're making little zipper pulls for her scriptures and they match for earrings!

Cash is showing artistic tendencies - maybe a culinary artist!

He always has something in his hands - this time my pliers and workin the computer mouse. Such a boy!

Tanner is a little stud with his new haircut, spikey hair and preppy shirt!
He loves the popcorn bucket and is learning how to govern his own food intake and chew between fistfulls.
He is very articulate in his words - mama, daddy, papa, ball, Bobby! So fun to watch their little brains work!

It's a Nilla day!

Andy called to go flying and it didn't take long to cancel the days plans and live in the moment!
There were strong low ground winds that wanted to play with little Nilla on take off and landing, but Andy handled it well with all the confidence in the world! So fun and never felt compromised in safety!
We are landing here at Ennis Airport and was such a pretty spot (can't run out of runway tho!).
Andy had to refile flight plans so I just snooped around a bit. This little airport has quite a story as they had strong ties to some of the crew members of the Challenger. They had newspaper clips, signed posters and interesting stories about their buddies. Even tho it wasn't public knowledge, they believe the crew knew they weren't going to make it upon re-entry and were happy to take it down over Texas because that's home (they lived in Houston).

Thanks for the thrill Andy - next time,

you fly, I'll buy! xo

F*R*E*E*D*O*M

The 60 baby fish have done well and are 3 months old (sorry to report the mama died a few days after birth - another reason to be happy we don't bare 60 babies!). They are still tiny but seems cruel to keep them in this small isolet so we are letting them loose today and come what may! They have plants floating on the top to help shelter them but it will still be survival of the fittest (even tho I don't want to witness the food chain).

Haley is my fish buddy and is helping monitor the release and showing off Ally, the new house baby.

Party's over ...

We all turned a bit grey to send family back to their respective corners. The clouds even came out and left us a little ice storm in protest the family sleep-in was over and big kids have to work.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy ONE YEAR Ashley and Bobby!

Time flies ... unless you're going to eat a year old cake topper ... but it's said to be good luck! Happy days! xo

Zoo Friends

It was a great way to kick off the new year and visit our zoo friends. Unbelievable weather day ... shorts and flip flops! Special treat knowing it was 9 degrees and snowing in Utah! All the animals were out doing the zoo dance in celebration of a new year and sunshine! Haley Mae got Alex to roar for us, the lion and tiger cubs were out, baby giraffes, monkeys and elephants - fun day!

This rhino sauntered over to the zoo keeper for a little back scratch and leaned so far into her for more lovin - quite funny! I couldn't get my camera out fast enough and barely caught this, but thought he was going to start kicking his leg like a dog! Who knew they had personality?!

With a full house comes consumption of mass food quantities!





Whenever Cash was a little fickle on letting the girls hold him, the food bribe worked EVERY time! He follows the spoon!



Now Christmas is tucked away and back to reality...

Grandma Gloria broke her ankle over Thanksgiving and was laid up over the holidays but still managed to send her love. Happy you are feeling better and home now, Grandma! Thanks for the gifts! xo


Haley Mae certified the food passes her kitchen center quality control department
Cash and Tanner loved the giraffes and stayed in grip until bath time!

All Hearts Come Home!

So, so grateful to have big and little people with us over the holidays to see the magic of Christmas through their eyes!





We had everybody home at some point through the holidays and the kids got sibling time to catch up on each others lives. You take for granted the days everyone lives in the same house and time together seems like too much.
Now, its rare and precious to group gather.

In fact, we all had a sleepover and our traditional fondue party on New Years and was so fun to wake up with little people feet scurring about in the early hours!


Many of us made gifts this year which was fun to share in the labor of love. Since most projects don't go off as planned, we each had unexpected disasters to murmur about ... confirming they are 'priceless'.
This is mine - the Be Still family books. This was a two year in concept project and full time the last few months to complete 6 of them. Happy to reclaim my life back but great peace knowing all families have one and it won't be another unfinished symphony in my closet.
Ash made little snuggly lambs for the babies each complete with its own unique identity.
Instant friends ... Cash and Haley are cuddlin up

Todd and Abby made these block puzzles with pictures on all sides - amazing! and adult challenging! This is one of six pics and we all have different pics in our set.

Lindsay made Heather's scarf and several cute cross stitch pics

Heather framed some of her amazing pictures from Italy and Peru

Ash made pillows for the big kids and scarves for Heather and I
and Emma made the yearly calendars.

It's fun to see the fruits of our labors and leave a part of your heart. That's Christmas! xo