Temple

Last night Marcus and I had the chance to attend the temple last night. We were able to go with our friends the Rosas's and get dinner with them. (the Bennett's were running a little behind so they didn't make it to our sealing session). I want to express how grateful I am for the temple and for the chance I had to go with my husband. At one point in the past few months I wasn't sure when I would be able to attend with my husband. But as we were driving to the temple and turned the corner and I saw the temple I was filled with the spirit. I had so much emotions it was hard to hold it back. I told Marcus how grateful I was for us to be able to be there together. I love my husband and am so blessed to have him in my life and for the blessings the Lord has given us especially in the past few months.

WOW

I can't believe I hadn't done a post since the beginning of November. Well actually if I really thought about it, I should just know that I would have to stay up really late in December to really have the time to do my blog in December. Ahhh.. these past few months have been quite busy and a little rough. I am glad I have made it through all of it. As for December and all the birthdays we survived. It felt extra crazy this year, not sure why but it just means I will have to make sure I am more organized for this year birthday season. I have a friend who also has three kids birthdays all with in a week of each other at the end of November and beginning of December. At first I thought I could never handle 3 bithdays all within one week, but Marcus and I were talking about how that would be great because we could be all done in one week instead of a whole month of birthdays and Christmas. It's almost like a week in between the kids is too much cause I get caught up in thinking they all need parties and special stuff, so that means every weekend there is something going on for each kid. I just don't want the kids to feel like they got shafted. Marcus says I do a lot so he doesn't think they could ever feel that way. That means he thinks I do too much for them. Lol. He just wants me not to get so stressed out. We already started to come up with a plan of no extra stuff outside of family stuff that we can plan for. We are just too busy. If something comes up and we feel like we can do it, then we will decide on it then but for now, we will take December one step at a time. So as we went through birthdays and xmas and getting over the holidays blogging sure wasn't something I was really wanting to do. I am glad that I am now able to say I have got caught up. So as you read this just know there is about 5 or so more post that I did before this one. I decided to wrote a little more than I was going to but we have been doing family home evening with the Purcell side every other Monday. And Ginette just did one on keeping a journal. She talked about those of us who blog use it as a journal too. So I figured with this one, I would write about how crazy life got these past few months and how December was crazy so that way I could look back and hopefully do things a little different. I have yet to pick up a pen and really write in my journal so this is as good as it gets right now. I don't know now why it is so hard to pick up a pen and start writing? I used to keep a journal when I was younger but I always wrote about bad things instead of good things. So you would think that I would want to start writing about the good things in my life now. Who knows. I guess it should make it my goal to start writing in a hand writin journal with in the next few weeks. We shall see how that goes. I hope you all enjoy getting caught up on whats been going on in my life the last few months.

Couples Retreat

About 8 years ago we became friends with the Bennett's. We have had such a close friendship with them for so many years. We have done so many family activities together. But it wasn't until a few years ago we had come up with an idea of going away together with no kids. Mindi's family has the most beautiful cabin in Grandby. So her parents have been so kind to have let us use this cabin to get away. So we got to plan this with also another couple. the Law's, who had moved into the ward that we have become such good friends with. We get to go up from Friday thru Sunday. The first year we did night sledding. A little scary because you couldn't see where you were going and someone had to be at the bottom of the hill telling you to "bail" off the sled before you hit the road. So trying to get off your sled when you are at top speeds is not easy and sure doesn't feel good when you hit the snow. But definitely funny. During the day the other couples went skiing together (which Marcus and I have no desire to do, we are not into snow or the cold weather for that long. We will stick to the water sports in the summer time). So Marcus and I went into Grand Lake to spend the day together. It was so great. So the time came for another couples retreat. We went up this past weekend. My mom was able to stay with the kids and dogs and held down the fort. We got to leave at 2pm on Friday afternoon, we got up there just after 4. This year the Bennett's brought up another couple along with ourselves and the Laws. Oh and I can't forget that Ruby who is a baby got to come to because she is to little to leave. She had it made, there were 8 adults to give her attention and to hold her all the time. We loved having her there. On Saturday a few of the others went skiing and the rest of us just hung out at the cabin doing nothing. It was wonderful. After they were all done skiing we all meet up for lunch at the famous Mad Munchies in town. We got there for lunch every time we go to Grandby. Then we got to go back to the cabin and play. Adam brought up his 2 4 wheelers. So we went sledding and pulled each other behind them in tubes. We played for a couple of hours. It was a blast. It was like being a kid again. I haven't had that much fun in the snow in a long time. After we were all beaten up and worn out we went back to the cabin and got ready for traditional fondue dinner.( we always do fondue together as couples/family). Our bishop and his wife do ski patrol on the slope right by the cabin every weekend, so they came over for dinner before they headed down back to Denver. I have never eaten so much. I was so full I was sick. And that was before we attempted to eat this cake Mindi made for Liesl and Adams birthdays, which Liesl's was on Sat and Adam's is on Mon. Overall it was a relaxing and some well needed time with Marcus. It is such a good reminder to stop and take time away with your husband. You need it. I know we sure did. We had a blast and can't wait until next year.

Second Season

This was Lafai's second season of wrestling. He did so good this year. Considering that last year he cried for the first half of the season. This year he was ready to go. He practiced every Tuesday and Thursday night and had tournaments every Saturday. Marcus helps coach the team. So it was good because he can be down on the mat with Fai. Fai only lost a few times and was only pinned once. One of those loses was in the District Tournament which knocked him out of Regionals. So he went on to the JV Tournament the next week where he took first pinning the kid in the Championship round in 17 seconds. He was so happy. He won a trophey for taking first. He carried that thing around to show everyone for 2 weeks. We were such proud parents.

Christmas 2009

Our Christmas celebrations started on the 20th. We got to go to Granndma and Grandpa Mortensen's house for dinner and gifts. We always enjoy going over there for the holidays. I have said it for the last few years and that is how grateful I am that I still have my grandparents around and for my own children to have their great greatparents around. We are blessed to have the time with them that we get to have. So then Marcus and I hosted xmas eve. We made London Broil, baked potatos, cowboy chili and so much more. It was so good. Then it was time to do presents and just enjoy being with family and celebrating the true meaning of xmas. Grandpa won the adult candy guessing game Leilani won the kids candy guessing game Davis's first Christmas Tristan and Lafai. Hanging out on xmas eve

Leilani's baptism

Early this year when I realized I had another child who would be getting baptized I almost cried. I couldn't imagine Leilani being baptized. I couldn't believe she was that old. When we were trying to figure out when to have her baptized we realized Marcus's sister Yannick would be in town for Christmas and also Michael would be home from college. So as crazy as it sounds we had her baptism the day after Christmas. It was a little crazy to make it all work. We had provided food for everyone to eat dinner before or after which ever worked best for each family. The baptism itself was beautiful. Marcus of course baptized her. Her aunti Yannick and uncle Michael gave the talks for her. Her aunti Mara played the piano for us which was so nice. I am truely grateful for everyone who was able to come. Leilani is so blessed to have so many people who love her and care for her.

The Big 5

The "baby" has turned 5. Well I know he isin't a baby anymore but he is my baby. This year Lafai got to have his own friend/family party for the first time. We decorated in Pirate stuff. He kept saying how cool everything was. It ended up being a longer party than we thought because Marcus's little brother Michael who plays for the Wyoming Cowboys were in the New Mexico bowl that evening and so the party went on hold when a guy on the team was hurt and Michael went in. Lafai was opening his gifts and everyone started screaming and yelling because he went in and they focused in on him talking about being a true freshman and playing in such a great game. Poor Lafai couldn't open his gifts until the game was over. (and the game went into overtime and Wyoming won!!!) But in the end Lafai had a great birthday.

Lilliana turns 10!

Yikes, I can't believe Lilli is 10 years old. How time is just flying by. It's amazing to look back and see where I was 10 years ago. I had just graduated from High School and was getting ready to be a mom. I never knew how I was going to do it but I did and here I am to write about it 10 years later. I have grown and changed so much. Lilli has such a beautiful spirit about her. She loves the gospels so deeply. She loves going to church and is always reminding her dad and I about family prayer. This year for her birthday we let John take her on her actual birthday, so we celebrated it on the Sunday before with family.