'One Fine Day' - The Chiffons

What a fine day! Gary and I stayed overnight at the Welch cabin with the rest of the stake presidency, for a belated Christmas party. We enjoyed a great dinner and played some fun games together and laughed a lot. Tim and Michele are so dear to us and are wonderful hosts. We feel very blessed to rub shoulders with so many amazing folks that have become dear friends. After a yummy breakfast this morning, we came down the mountain and met Grandpa Judd and the kids at Sundance. What a beautiful day on the slopes! And the kids were quite surprised, then impressed, that they couldn't keep up with Grandpa!

'All You Need is Love' - The Beatles

Valentine's Day was kind of a family affair this year. We had a busy day. We started things off with our traditional 'valentine breakfast' - it used to be a dinner, but with busy teenagers, we found this to work better, and we still had chocolate fondue! My kind of breakfast. Then we all went to cheer for Benji when they won the bantam league championship bball game. Thanks to everyone who came to watch him! That afternoon we were anxious to see our friend, Elder Jeff Toone, who got home just in time for his twin sister's wedding open house. Seeing him really made us miss our boys. Afterwards the kids were starving, but where do you take a family on the busiest dining date night of the year?! So we went to 'Marley's Diner' at the new Harley Davidson site. Parker was a little nervous to go in because we were all wearing 'mormon clothes' as he put it, but his stomach prevailed. The burgers and fries were great! Luckily, I'd gotten my alone time with my Valentine on Friday night, so all in all, it was a very festive week-end!

'I Love to See the Temple' - #95 Children's Songbook

Today we braved the snowstorm and trekked with our golden tickets to the Draper Temple Open House. I'm attaching an artist's rendering because it was so stormy, it was impossible to get a good picture of the temple from outside. There was such a wonderful spirit there. The kids asked a lot of questions, and the baptistry and celestial room were their favorite parts. I loved the artwork and the warmth of the colors they chose for this temple. We gathered the kids around us in the celestial room, missing our 2 missionaries. I just wanted to hug them close to me, and relish the moment. #1 on my 'bucket list' is to be in the celestial room with my husband and all 5 of our children some day. I know I shouldn't set a goal based on someone else's agency, but I'm a mom...I can't help it. It really was a beautiful afternoon.

'Close to You' - The Carpenters

A few weeks ago Gary introduced me to Pandora radio on my computer. I can listen to whatever kind of music I want to. Today the Carpenter's song 'Close to You' came on. I know there are lots of new love songs written that may be more beautiful, but today this old classic reminded me of a simpler time and I was filled with love for my valentine. The song's a little corny and old-fashioned, but then again, so are we. This picture was snapped this past summer at our friend's wedding. Hurry home babe...can't wait to be 'Close to You!'

'I'll Walk with You' - #140 Children's Songbook

I had to blog today about a film our family just watched. It's about one of my old young ambassador friends, Tim Sutton, and his family's experiences raising a severely handicapped child. It documents their experiences through old home movies, and more touching to me, their feelings about their brother. It was moving to see, even through the camera lens, the power of love and sacrifice and the impact it had on every member of the family. I don't want to spoil the end for you, but just when you didn't think the mother could handle anything else, the Lord provides another opportunity for growth. It's definitely not a light 'escape' movie to view. But it's real, and real life is messy and hard...and worth it. Please feel free to borrow mine if you'd like to watch it, or better yet, support this family by ordering one online for $20 at www.oliveasuttonproductions.com.

'Good Morning Baltimore' - Hairspray

Sarah had her very first voice recital on Saturday. The song she sang is from the 'Hairspray' soundtrack and I think it fits her perfectly. As I was watching her, I couldn't believe how much she's grown up. She's only 14, but she handled herself like a seasoned performer. She's never had an interest in musical theater, but I think she could definitely handle it!

'Rocky Mountain High' - John Denver

OK, so I'm slowly figuring out my new mac computer. In my last post I called it an apple, and my kids corrected me. I've been going through all of my old pictures, trying to get them organized and since I don't have any new pictures to share, I thought I'd post this one from Valentine's Day two years ago. Gary took the day off work and surprised me with a day on the slopes, just the two of us. He told me he had something special planned, so I was all dressed up and ready to go. Needless to say, the ski hat and powder took care of that, but he still told me I was a cute Valentine. That reminds me, maybe I'd better be in charge of the surprise this year!