The Bachelor: Hooray for Ben and Courtney!!

Okay, so I have to admit, I was not a Courtney fan to begin with but she really grew on me. She is definitely different but hat is what I LIKE about her. So, she didn't fit in with all the other girls?  Drama anyone?  I probably wouldn't have either.

I came to really like and cross my fingers for her. She is quirky, odd, real and probably misunderstood by many. Ben is also a little quirky. They're perfect for each other in my opinion. I found myself yawning with Lindzi.

I am so glad Ben picked Courtney!! Now on with the next  . . .

President's Day Weekend in Midway, Utah

We decided at the last minute to go to one of our favorite getaways - The Homestead in Midway. We didn't know, however, that it was under renovations when we made the reservations but it was actually a blessing in disguise as the Zermatt  Resort  just across the street (where they transferred us to) was much more family friendly with a beautiful indoor pool and other great amenities. Even though we weren't far, it felt like a world away as Midway had snow!  This was as much needed vacation. I'm so glad we decided to do it as I am not one for "last" minute plans but I'm trying.

We spent the afternoon tubing at Soldier's Hollow. How great not to have to lug your tube up the hill!! 

So, there were 6 lanes and we tried them all. I was pleasantly surprised at how fun and fast these runs were!  It was a like riding a speedy, smooth roller coaster without the twist and turns, just up and downs.  Fabulous!

Ella and Aidan had a blast to say the least.

We rode down each time as a group so we all held on together.

Poor Aidan. His skinny little bum had no choice but to fall into the hole. Here he is riding the rope tow.

Lining up for another fun run!

Later that night we swam in the pool for 3 hours!! Of course, this was all after too much food and how can you visit Heber and not stop at Granny's for a shake! Ugh, too much food but sooo yummy. 

I couldn't get my text under the photo of Matt and Aidan above but this is them at the hotel pool under the waterfall. Yes, waterfall. These other photos are of the Crater we got to swim in. It's a natural hot spring(?) 500 feet deep. It is so warm. The kids did great at snorkeling and viewing all the scuba divers.

Normally, it's only for 20 minutes but somehow, we got a very nice attendant who let us swim "as long as you want."  Ha, ha, ha!  So, we did. 

Such a fabulous weekend and hard to come home but after all, there is no place like home . . . .

It's Great to Be 8! - My Beautiful Ella turns 8

My little girl is 8.  It is bittersweet for me as each birthday passes for each of my children. I so enjoy this magical, innocent time but I know each stage in my childrens' life brings great treasure.

We started Ella's day with her favorite - pumpkin raisin muffins.

Welcome to our Fairy Garden Tea Party!  This was so sweet. How lovely little girls are. I loved planning this party - the decorating, food preparation, invitations, favors and games. Each fairy received a scroll rolled up and wrapped with some twine and flowers.

It looked like this:

Each sweet fairy arrived to greet me, the fairy god mother. Yes, I was dressed up in this 80s Jessica McClintock dress and the girls knew no different. They loved it and asked me where I got it!! Ha, ha, ha!  I had my little wand and sprinkle them with fairy dust - actually put some shimmer powder on their faces.

Then each fairy had to earn their wings and wands by playing a a couple getting to know you games while testing their fairy memories.

Aidan always wants be included so I had him dress to be the fairy dragonfly complete with wings!  He helped serve our fairy fruit (chocolate dipped strawberries), fairy tea sandwiches (turkey and chicken salad sandwiches cut up in the shapes of flowers and butterflies and of course, our fairy juice (cherry 7-Up)

I got some tulle and hung it from the chandelier to  make it extra pretty.

 Cheers to fairies!

 What are little girls made of made of? What are little girls made of?  Sugar and spice and everything nice.

I was up all night making these hanging flowers out of streamers but it was so worth it. Our living room was transformed into a flower garden for a day. The girls loved it.

 A great activity that took up some time was letting the girls decorate their own cupcake. I love this idea as it was fun for them and low maintenance for me!

I love you, Ella bella!

An Intimate Brimley Christmas

Because Matt and I virtually have no family in Utah, and because Nicholas is on his mission, our Christmas this year was very quiet and intimate.  I actually really enjoyed it this way.  Of course, having Christmas fall on a Sunday is even more special as we start the day with church and really helpsset the tone for the rest of the day.

I don't have much to say. The photos show it all. I love this age!  I hardly sleep the night before as I am just as excited as my kids to see them open their presents.

We started Christmas vacation with letting the kids stay up longer than usual which means we let them sleep in the same room. They share a room but Aidan, my little talker keeps Ella up so we usually separate them until they fall asleep then put Aidan back in his bed. This is just one of many nights where they fall asleep with each other. Notice they're holding hands. Priceless.

 Ward Christmas party. Aidan is so into Santa but he realized this one was one of his"helpers."

 Same with Ella. She had a whole list, though.

 We got ski lessons at Park City for the kids. There are about 3 to 4 to an instructor. It is so great. Matt and I get to drop the kids off then go have lunch and shop!

 Our tradition with just our family Christmas Eve is to read and act out the Christmas story then Ella and Aidan get to open two presents. The two presents are always a new Christmas book with an inscription and date from me and the other is always a new pair of PJs.  Then we drink cocoa and eat more treats.

 I think Matt was a happy camper this year. I made him tell me exactly what he needed.  :)

 I love these adorable panda blankets from Costco. I mean from Santa.

 I love this age!

 I love Aidan.

 This was Ella's highlight. A Moxie Doll and horse stable set. She played this for hours all Christmas vacation. I love listening to her imagination as well as Aidans.

 Aidan's big wish this year was a remote control helicopter.   He got two!  One from his Uncle Anthony and of course, one from Santa.

 I'm pretty happy myself. I have had my heart set on this painting for a long time.  Thank you, Matt!

And this is how they fell asleep, new jammies and new blankets, old traditions.

Happy New Year!

"All Aboard!" The North Pole Express

The last time I took this train ride was when Nicholas was 5and I was a single mom. Yep, that's 14 years ago.  I have been wanting to take Ella and Aidan on it but it is pricey. This year I saved for it and we did it. I have to admit I had lots of fun. What is not to like with a train ride overlooking beautiful Heber Valley, drinking hot cocoa, eating chocolate chip cookies, singing lots of Christmas carols and of course, the best, seeing the big smiles on your kids' faces the whole time.  I'm glad we did it. 

Photos were taken with my IPhone, hence the blurriness and quality.

 Cheese, anyone?

And yes, Santa!  He wasn't the greatest looking Santa. We just tell the kids Santa has lots of "helpers."

A Missionary Moms Christmas

Dedicated to my missionary son. I feel so honored to know him, be his mother and share this life with him:  Elder Nicholas Shelton, I love you!!

A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.
The thrill just wasn't there.

No pictures taken with Santa Claus,

My decorating has no flair.

His presents are shoes, shirts, and
ties, two suits and socks...no fun.

I've bought him all white clothes
because...

This year I'm
giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony
stirred.

Our family prays more frequently.

My tears are quick to run.

Abraham seems closer because

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers
gave their sons to war.

Or how the pioneers chose Zion,

their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence,

I'll miss his smile a ton

For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not
looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.

He's always hungered for the part
of Him, that makes his soul divine.

The stories and lessons he always heard,
His choice and mine are one.

I'll put my faith in God's hand,

This year, I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter;

I think I finally understand

Christ's birth should be celebrated by
giving Him a hand.

It's because I know Christ lives and
reigns that all his packing's done.

My gift has taken years to make,

This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands,

The sacrifice I'm making.

Who knows the gift I willingly give,

The toll it will be taking.

For He has done it all before

Greater love - there could be none.

For years ago God gave to me,
His only Begotten Son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held,
The hands I taught to pray;

Now knock on doors to find the ones 

who will listen to what he'll say.

Because I know Christ needs him until all the gathering's done.
My gift has taken years to make.

This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

 Since we have no family around, and because our biggest Thanksgiving feaster is on a mission, we usually travel to California or Arizona. This year we decided to take a trip to Disneyland as I have never been there during Christmastime. IN addition, my dad, brother, sister-in-law and niece met us there (they live in CA) - Double treat!  My dad loves Disneyland just as much as me.

My brother, Anthony, kept referring to me as the "Target" woman. I guess there is this Black Friday commercial that comes on every year showing this mom prepping for the sales. She's on a treadmill and pumping weights to get conditioned to beat everybody. Well, I am a serious Disneyland fan. I choose my routes ahead of time knowing which ride we will ride in order and when to get fast passes for which. You have a two hour wait from your first pass before you can get the next. I had fun directing Matt and Anthony to different attractions to get those for us.  I mean, I am serious!! Waste no time - get it all in.

We thought we would take advantage of the short lines and no crowds - ha, ha, ha!  Not a chance. It was just a busy. When is it not?  Anyway, I thought I would simply post some photos for those of you who have never been during Christmas time - DO IT!  It is truly beautiful.  Disneyland, I must admit is one of my most favorite places. I feel like I could live there and enjoy the magic, escape the world and just be a kid again with my kids.

Here we are at Sleeping Beauty's castle. It is truly the most beautiful at Christmas time. At night during the Christmas fireworks show, it lights up with different colors synchonized with the music and fireworks. Breathtaking

It's a Small World is probably my favorite ride, I must admit. What can I say, I 'm just a big kid. During Christmas, they sing Jingle Bells and It's a Small World and every doll and country is decorated for the holidays - pretty amazing. 

The Princess Walk is always at least a 50 minute wait.  Matt didn't want to wait to save a spot for the parade and I was determined to be front row and center and at the beginning so I waited. It was great traveling with other adults also so that they could watch the kids that were to small to ride a ride or too scared.  :)

At 7:30 am I wasn't about to ride the tea cups but the kids were dying to and neither Matt nor I did. Can you tell who won?

I love this photo for some reason. 

And now, the Christmas Parade!  Yay!  It was so wonderful. It's obvious the people in it have to have a certain look to make Disney's cast. They are all so wholesome looking.  I love it.

This, of course, was the best. Aidan's jaw dropped and he said he hoped Santa knew he tried hard to be good this year. Ella is beginning to be more quiet about it. I'm so sad.

Yes, that's me with the big smile. I have to laugh at myself sometimes

My wonderful family. What a great Thanksgiving!

The next day, the type A in me got all the Christmas decorations up and made gingerbread cookies and candy cane cocoa. It's great to be home.