Magic Snow.

Snow has this magical aura about it--especially when it comes down in the first snowfall.

It was a wonderful day--crazy and beautiful (you can read about it here)...

There were snow angels and snow balls and licking snow off white mittens...

But the best part of all was being out there in the middle of the magic with my three little best friends.

I felt so alive in that frigid snowfall and so full of a childlike wonder that I too often misplace.

Maybe that's why (after calendaring all of our Christmas traditions, advents, trips, and parties), I wrote at the top of my calendar: *Lots of SNOW PLAY!!

It's time this little mother made room for the spontaneous and delightful magic of her own backyard winter wonderland...with her very own enchanting elves.

Not the End. Many more days like this will follow...

Weekends.

We've been busy the last few weekends doing amazing things.

But before I get to that, I forgot to post these pictures a while back. It was on the day the boys went to Patrick's clinic so they could watch the BYU football game. All three of these boys have my whole heart.

Oh, and on the day Maylie had such a high fever, her little "Baby Whisper" laid with her all day. It was very sweet.

This kitten cracks me up every day. He chases Flashlight around the house and she hisses at him and paws at him then takes off running since she's so scared. But it doesn't faze him...he's off again, chasing after her tail the second she starts running. And one day I even found him here:

Easton's been my handsome boy all grown-up lately:

A few Saturdays ago Patrick had an all-day conference to attend, so the littles and I made a list of all the fun things we were going to do. We had a dance party, played outside, played monsters just like Nana and Papa did with them, played a few rounds of Spot It Jr. and Fairy Tales Tell Tales, and finished the evening watching a movie. I absolutely LOVE being a mother. It is the best job in the whole entire universe!!!

Last weekend we made applesauce all by ourselves for the first time ever. We bottled 2 bushels.

The next morning we traveled down to Grandpa and Grandma's house for a little girl's tea party. Grandma put on such a cute little party for the girls. We had lunch with Colbie's tea set and then we made hair bows and ribbons. After the party Mom helped me make stockings--or should I say she practically made them? Sewing is not my favorite thing to do nor is it my forte. But I love how they turned out! I will post pictures when I finish them.

Then yesterday we had a super spectacular family day.

We went out to lunch at Winger's and our waiter was being so sweet to our kids. When we were leaving all the kids said goodbye and Maylie told him she loved him. I think it made his whole day.

After that we went to "Meet the Mormons." I've already been once with the Young Women's so I really wanted to take my family to see it too. Maylie was a little wiggly, but all in all she was very good. During the missionary mom story, I was crying. I looked over at Easton who was sitting beside me and saw little tears in his eyes. I leaned over and whispered in his ear how much I loved him and how much I will miss him someday when he leaves on his mission. He told me he loves me too and gave me such a sincere smile. In my eyes he is the best 7 year old there ever was. I can't really think about what I will do when he leaves on his mission. These years are just so precious....

After the movie we went to a local corn maze and weaved around and around until we finally found our way. We dropped sunflower seeds just like my family did when we were little--so we could leave a trail of where we'd been.

We finished just before dark. It was a fully and satisfyingly wondrous day. 

I can't even express how much I love my family and how much I cherish the memories we make together. Life couldn't be any sweeter...

June Things.

A monthly recap is in order because we've been so busily filled with summer things that I haven't had a single free minute to record our memories.

The summer started with a Super Hero Training Meeting so we could start a new summer chore system. The boys have both been doing so well on their chores--Tate especially loves wearing his super hero gloves!

I mustered up my courage, and chopped off all my hair (or at least 11 inches!!) I felt quite a bit like Rapunzel, but was easily able to part with it knowing it was being donated, instead of being thrown away!!

On the first day of summer we made homemade popsicles and had a picnic lunch outside on our new lawn surrounded by our new fence. It was heaven. Perfectly serene.

On my second day of summer, girls camp began. I had a blast with some of my favorite people in the whole world!!! I love all my girls!!!!

(And this is what they labeled the Leader's Tent as....thank heavens I didn't have to sleep there!!)

The hike was one of my favorite parts. Hiking is probably on my top 10 list of most wonderful things to do....

This boy. This sand. They are inseparable.

Eating at our favorite local restaurant (actually only one of two restaurants in our town...) [But it really does have amazing food and is decorated so cute!!]

Baseball games...

The first prize Maylie chose from Mommy's Store as a reward for doing her chores, was a crown. Of course. This little princess is my favorite girl to be around in the whole wide world!!!

Last weekend, I had a wedding to photograph in Lehi (my very last one--yay!). Inbetween the events of the day, my parents and I went to the Outlets at Traverse Mountain! I am definitely returning! They were amazing!!! And even though it was a completely stressful day, I absolutely LOVED spending time with my parents. We drove down together and spent most of the whole day together. I can't remember the last time I have been alone with my parents. We laughed until we nearly cried and made so many fabulous memories. My parents have always been and will always be my dearest friends and I treasured this time more than I can express. I hope we can have another day together in the future!

And this is Easton. :)

This week Maylie chose sidewalk chalk for her prize. I am in love with this box of endless possibilities!

And lastly, Easton lost his tooth a few days ago. That makes #6!

Summer is in full swing. I have checked off so many things from my summer to-do list. All that's left is to relax, enjoy each moment, and go on at least 5 fun summer trips!!!! I hope this summer never ends.