Ashley Webb-Photographer Extrodinaire

Kudos go out to Ashley Webb for taking such great pictures of Brooke. Between Brookes raw beauty and Ashley's natural talent, the photo shoot was a definate success.
We found some really cool spots around Kaysville. Thanks Ashley for sharing your talents with us.

Here is another link to more pics.http://s710.photobucket.com/albums/ww110/CLUBFERGUSON/

Brooke's long awaited senior pics are in!

http://s710.photobucket.com/albums/ww110/CLUBFERGUSON/

We are lucky enough to have spent another wonderful weekend up at Grandpa Jay's farm, Aspen Hollow. Only this time we had the luxury of one more full day to spend in the snow. We arrived late Saturday afternoon just in time to snowmobile in from the gate and get situated before dark. We jumped right into a big game of the Farming Game. Shawn Spanked us all. Dang him. I really wanted a victory.

Greg, Tyler, Janice, Abbey, David and Michael were our snow buddies. This time we had grandpa's cool snowcat-ranger as well as the 3 snowmobiles, 4 snowboards and 1 four wheeler. When we were done, it looked as if an army invaded the farm and left their tracks everywhere. There wasn't much snow left untouched.

The highlight of the trip was watching Brooke, Madi and Stevie take flight on the snow boards.

We headed home late Monday afternoon. Everytime had such a great time. Who knows when we will make it back to the farm again, so we will just enoy the great memories.

MY TRIP TO THE FARM
(Stevie’s version he wrote for a 3rd grade
Trip report.)

It was the end of December when I went in in my grandpas truck and we were off to my grandpas farm. It took 3 hours to get there. Finly we got there and it so hard to see because of the snow it was at least 8 to 10 inches tall. So we had to get snowmo bills and take our lugege in the little red box. And it was a dirt rock rode so it was realy bumpy and curvie.

When we were sedled in we explerde the house. I slep in the queen size bed, with my mom and dad. My sister brooke who is 18 slep in a twin bed and same with our cousin Janice. We call her Jan. My uncle greg slep in the king siced bed and same with my cousin Abby who is 11. My brother Tj he slep on the couch in the livig room same with my cousin Tiler he slep on a couch to. My uncle dave slep on the floor in the living room with my cousin Micle. But my aunt Jill didn’t go. She does not like snow and there was lots of snow.

The next day we got dressed and went out side. We got a blue and red sled….

And the frozen creek. The big swing, but I mean big at least 10 feet hight at least after that we went back to the house, when we got watch a monk. It’s a movie about a detective who hates germs and every time he shakes a person’s hand he said wipe wipe. His asistint Natiley Teger and soles cases. We went to be in the same spots as last time. In the morning my mom and dad were up making breakfast witch was pankacese, susge and ornge Juice. After we eat it was game time witch means we play board games. So the first one was the farming game and my dad won. After that we played solarquest and my sister Brooke won. It was 11 am when we ate lunch after.

So after we found stuff like black toobs and those sleds, so we got that red box and put everything in it that we needed to go sledding. I went on the old snomo bill to get up the hill. The old snowmo bill is vrown and does not turn very well so it is very scary because there are a lot of curves. It took about 5 minutes to get there. I got the red sled from the red box and I got on there and said pick me up down there dad and my dad said ok. So down I went down the first hill second hill and the big hill third. I fell off the big third hill and my head was all covered with snow. After about a half hour we got back on the snowmo bills . We rode around we went to the house and we were done there.

So back to the story, we went on a winter safari but all we say are deer, but if we are lucky we might find a moose. So we were off and we saw 6 deer but no moose. We went back to the house and my mom was packing up.

I said where are you going. My mom said home of course. I said ok. I went in to the living room and had a nap. It was about an hour later when we wer all ready and in the car, I was still asleep. It took 3 hours it was 11 pm when we got back home. I went to bed in my bedroom.

The End.

Winter Blues=Gratitude?

How does that work out? Every year at about this time I start to get a little melancholy, nostalgic and even a little blue. It is not all completely winter’s fault, but the grey, dreary weather doesn’t help.
Today is Grandpa Beesley’s 106 birthday. Actually that is really a cause for celebration. He died July 11, 1996, (I think that is the right year- it may be 1997.) But, what an amazing life. He was such a great example of kindness, humility and long suffering. How I miss him today.
This coming weekend is also tough because it is the anniversary of Mom’s “graduation” from this life. I will always remember the day (Feb. 13,) Julie came home from her mission to say goodbye. On the 16th (Aunt Carol’s birthday) that I went to the hospital to say my goodbyes. But I was young and I didn’t realize deep down that it was the end. It was just something I couldn’t accept until I actually had to. Then of course, the fateful day of February 17th, which will never be the same again. It’s definitely easier now than in the years past. She has been gone 26 years now (exactly twice as long as she was with me here on earth.) I still miss her terribly, but the hole in my heart has been filled with a wonderful family of my own to love. That is the hardest part for me though, that she is not here to share in the joys, successes and trials of my family’s lives with me. Well, I actually believe she is sharing it with me, just from another place. I know she is looking out for all of us.
Also, to add to the emotions of this weekend, Sharmayne’s birthday is on Feb. 16th also. While I never knew Sharmanye in this life, I feel like I am watching her miniature twin grow up in front of my very eyes. From pictures and from what other have said, Madi is just like her aunt Sharmanye. She is spunky, sassy, dramatic and full of life--just a red-headed version of her Aunt. Madi is almost the same age as Sharmayne was when she “graduated.” I can’t even begin to imagine the hole that leaves in your heart. No one should have to outlive their child, yet many people who I know and love are a part of that illustrious club. My heart goes out to those who have lived through that pain.
I always think of Carol Moon on her birthday as well. She was like a second mom to me. She was one of the best examples of someone who embraced motherhood and wifehood to the fullest. She was truly talented at everything she did. She was patient and sincere and a great friend to me. I will always be one of her biggest fans. What an honor to be named after someone as great as Carol Moon. I have a lot to live up to.
But…. like I said, even though this is an emotionally hard time of year, I have decided to turn it around and think of all of the wonderful things I have to be grateful for. My blessings definitely outweigh my trials. Here they are:
1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ—it gives me a foundation and an eternal perspective that makes it possible to not only get through this life but to enjoy this life.

2. My Family—They are wonderful. I am so blessed to have a husband who is not only my eternal companion, but he is my best friend. There is no one in the whole world that I would rather be with. That will make eternity much nicer, don’t you think?
And if those first two weren’t blessings enough for a whole lifetime, I have been give four more!
Brooke, is too amazing for words. She is truly my example in life… who I want to be like when I grow up. She is an example of hard work, perseverance, dedication, kindness, humility and true goodness—all rolled into one. She is a great leader by example in our family. She is such a good friend to all those around her and I am lucky to be counted as one.
Taylor is a fantastic son. Every day I see kids that remind me how wonderful Taylor is. He brings humor, joy and life to our family. He continually comes up with things to make me laugh, and heaven knows a mom needs that. But deep in Taylor’s soul is someone who has empathy and love for those around him. On many times, Shawn and I have been humbled and moved to tears at his kindness and generosity and intuit. He knows when others are hurting and he wants to help them. Taylor you are incredible.
Madi is like a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air. She lights up any room with her wit and humor and love. She is mature beyond her years—I think of her as a mini Grandma Gloria stuffed into a little body. She is spunky and delightful in every way. She wants to do everything right and everything that is right. She follows rules to the letter of the law, but when the spirit of the law is more important, she always follows the Spirit. Madi you are inspirational.
Stevie is wonderful—Thus, his nick name-- StevieWonderful. His personality warms my heart. He still likes to be with his Mom and Dad. He likes to be with me before and after school. He likes to tell me the details of his day and he still likes to give his mom a kiss. Yeah! He has a quiet kindness about him and he wants to obey and be good. I love that he has two great sisters and an amazing big brother to look up to. Lucky him. Stevie you rock!
3. I feel more blessed and more grateful everyday that Shawn has a good job. We see what is happening around the world and especially in our own county and say, “there but for the grace of God go I.” Thank you God for the wonderful blessing of Shawn’s job. I also feel blessed to have 2 good jobs that I can fit around my most important jobs of being a wife and a mother.
4. Extended family and Friends definitely have to come next on my “Grateful List.” We are so blessed and fortunate to live by most of our family and have great friends and neighbors nearby. Aunt Marilyn often said, “the best give she could give her children was a brother or sister.” Wow her kids have a lot of gifts! But , so do we. We love our siblings and their children. They are such a positive part of our lives. We are also so blessed to have such great parents. Shawn's mom and dad are so involved in our lives. They are such a blessing to us. While we don't see Grandpa Jay and Grandma Liz too often, we love them dearly and are so grateful for them. I can’t imagine life without all of our dear family. Similarly, God place great friends nearby. I have the best business partner who happens to still be a friend after almost 6 years of working together. Jenny is such a great partner and hang-out buddy. What would I do without her?
5. This time of year, I am always a little more grateful for our warm home. I also seem to notice all the things that are wearing out or breaking down or overflowing too. But all that upkeep and cleaning just reminds me just how blessed I am to have a home to clean.
6. Now as I look outside and see the snow falling, I have to admit it is beautiful. Last weekend we spent a perfect few days at Grandpa Jay’s farm. We had so much fun we can’t wait to go back. We planned on just going up Saturday afternoon and coming home Sunday afternoon, because although, Monday is President’s Day, Shawn still had to work. But one day was better than none we decided. But then yesterday, out of the blue, Crystal Call—Flying J’s new CEO (she took over after the company declared bankruptcy the week before Christmas) said that because it was a little crazy and stressful over the holidays because of the bankruptcy, all corporate employees could have this President’s Day off . Wow- a silver lining to the bankruptcy—Presidents Day Off. Hey we will take whatever we can get and enjoy every minute of it.

So when it is all put into the right perspective and the right light, February is great.

Life is great!

Aspen Hollow--A Winter Paradise-February 2009

We just got home from a practically perfect weekend get away at Grandpa Jay's farm-Aspen Hollow. We had so much fun. The weather was perfect, the snow was perfect and the company was perfect. The only thing that could have been better would have been to have 2 or 3 more days to enjoy it. We left early Saturday morning and met Grandpa at his house in Downey and followed him up to the farm. He pulled the 2 snowmobiles and dropped us all off at the gate. We ferried our gear up and immediatly launched into a fabulous afternoon of sledding and snowmobiling. The sun was out and the snow was crisp. We found a great multi-level sledding course. We would ferry Madi and Stevie up to the top of the hill with their sleds and drop them off and then we would take Taylor up a few more levels and drop him off with his snowboard.

Then we would snowmobile back down, pick them up and do it all over again. Taylor would even "wake-board" up the hill behind the snowmobile. Like I said "PERFECT!"

This is one of the drop offs that the kids were going over --they tried to climb it. It looks like Madi made it up.


Madi took some driving lessons. Daddy was only thrown off the snowmobile one time. Oh how I wish we had that on camera. We are still laughing about that one.
Courageous Brooke even strapped on TJ's snowboard and took it down the hill. We were all so impressed (and amazed) that she tried it.

Brooke snowbarding attempt.
Shawn snowboarding attempt.

TJ Snowboarding

Back at the cabin we played Pit, Apples to Apples, Solar Quest and a marathon 3 1/2 hour Farmer's Game. We watched Monk and Kung Fu Panda and mom even took a 5 hour nap Saturday night (and still slept through the night--having this much fun is really taxing.) We couldn't have asked for a better weekend. The best part was just being together.

Ahh... the power of a great book.

I have a new secret pleasure in life right now. It is watching my two darling grade schoolers engrossed, enthralled and even enraptured in a good book. Just about a week ago they discovered how much fun it is to read together. They started with just a small chapter book but they enjoyed it so much they asked to stay after school to go to the library to check out another book to read together. The new adventure this week is Peter and The Star Catchers. It's the beginning to the Peter Pan story. Stevie read it in his class and he can't wait for Madi to read about each new development and mystery. I am lucky enough to get the secrets of the plot whispered into my ear by Stevie. He is very careful not to let Madi hear the details and spoil it for her. I love 8 year old boy secrets. I know they won't last too much longer.

They love this book so much that they have been reading together for almost 2 hours a day. They even turned their bed into a "dorrie adrift in the ocean." Just like Peter and his boys.

Good work Peter and all of the Star Catchers.

Stevie has got something on his mind.

Last Tuesday, Stevie took Mom and Dad and Madi on a date to the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet. Interestingly enough, both Brooke and Taylor were busy that night. Hmmm? We couldn't help but notice how grown up our baby boy is now days. But look how dang handsome he looks in his uniform.

Stevie and his buddy Chase Scovel who will be a new cub scout this month.