Family Fun

We apologize for the delay... We had difficulty uploading the video! We're grateful for all of the memories we've been able to make as a family. This is from August at the Gateway in Salt Lake City. We hope to have many for 'family fun' moments to record in the future!

"My Heavenly Father Loves Me"

"Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky.

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree,

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear

The magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart;

I thank him reverently

For all his creations, of which I'm a part.

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me."

Good Books

I haven't been a very avid reader, but I do know the value of good books for both young and old. I LOVED "The Boxcar Children" series, and even re-read several of them in college (they're about a second grade reading level)! Gratefully, Cade has already found a love for books and has several favorites. Among them are Dr. Seuss' "Mr. Brown Can Moo," "ABC," and a book Brett and I bought for him in Hawaii, "There's a Monster in my Opu!" Brett's favorite was "Go Dog, Go!" and it's climbing Cade's list as well.
"Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all."
~Abraham Lincoln

Freshly Fallen Snow

We had our first big snowstorm of the year and Cade didn't mind one bit! We got at least 1 foot of snow and Brett has already shoveled 4 times in a 24 hour period! There's something magical about a glistening white blanket that covers the world outside your door. It brings back childhood memories of playing for hours in the snow, and hoping that Christmas morning would be slightly dusted in white. It was delightful capturing Cade's first taste of snow!

Assessing the powdery white stuff

Trying to be like Daddy

Realizing it's harder than it looks

Taking a break in a mound of snow

Daddy's little helper

Our Garage

Ever since we started driving at age 16, neither of us had a garage to park our cars in... until last year! How wonderful it is when you can have some shade from the hot summer sun, escape the rain and wind, and pull out without having to scrape snow and ice off the whole perimeter of the car! Oh, how we love having a garage!

Laughter

The sound of a child laughing at themselves in the mirror or being tickled mercilessly... your best friend finding something so funny that they snort...your dad turning red in the face and shedding tears over something so funny, he can hardly stand it! There's just nothing better than laughter!

Clean Blinds

"Cleanliness is Next to Godliness" and today we finished the task of cleaning our blinds! It was not a fun chore (especially for Brett), but it was worth it! Why wait for spring to do a little cleaning! Now we won't have to do it again until next fall!

Childhood

Childhood is priceless, and we're grateful for those who made ours full of good memories and for the children that continue to keep it alive! I still remember an art project from 1st grade that I loved - finger painting with chocolate pudding! I thought I'd let the boys (Cade and cousin Kent) give it a try!

Checking things out

"So tasty too!"

Possibly the next Bob Ross

Final project #1

Final project #2

Clean up time!

"America the Beautiful"

"Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed his grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea.

Oh, beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress

A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness!

America! America! God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self control, Thy liberty in law.

Oh, beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness, And every gain divine.

Oh, beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam, Undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed his grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea."

Flowers and Plants

Something so simple, yet without them, how dull our world would be. We wouldn't have the the wonder of a small green leaf, peaking from the soil, then turning into a vibrance of color. Or the fragrance of a rose on Valentine's Day. We wouldn't enjoy raspberries on ice cream or dill with our pickle!

'Roses are red, violets are blues,

we're glad to have them in our world,

and hope you are too!'

Modern Convenience

When's the last time you went to bed, guided by candlelight? Cooked over an open fire? Took a cold shower? Or walked...well...everywhere? We're very spoiled to have so many modern conveniences that allow us comfort and ease. How grateful we are for dishwashers, computers, sprinkling systems, flushing toilets, microwaves, furnaces, lawn mowers, calculators, automobiles, elevators, and the list goes on! How blessed and grateful we are!

...the Dawn's Early Light

I'm not much of a morning person (although I love to stay up late), but I do love the sounds of birds chirping in the morning as the sun is coming up. It's not something we've been able to enjoy lately with winter coming, but I love the few months that we get to wake up to beautiful music!

Vacations

We were very fortunate to have been able to travel to some very fun places while Brett worked for the airlines. We're grateful for the many beautiful places we've been able to see and experience together!

Switzerland - March 2008

Mexico - August 2007

St. George - July 2007

Disneyland - October 2007

Hawaii - October 2008

New York - June 2010

Cinnamon Rolls

There's nothing like something warm and sweet coming from the oven! Whether it's freshly baked bread, chocolate chip cookies, or homemade cinnamon rolls, not even the best candle company can duplicate it and we're always up for something to satisfy our sweet tooth. Thanks to our mothers and grandmothers who have shared these delectable treats with us for so many years!

Sunny Days...

..and rainy days! Yes, we're grateful for both! You can't appreciate the one without the other, and if you think about it, you also wouldn't have the wonder of a rainbow it they didn't occur at the same time! How beautiful.

This is a shot of only one side of a rainbow, just outside our door - you could see the whole thing at once, but it was so close, the camera couldn't capture it all!

A view from our house in the other direction. Also beautiful.

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes!

We're grateful for our bodies! They are a miracle in and of themselves, to move, think, feel and so much more! We're grateful for our eyes to see, ears to hear, mouths to taste, noses to smell, and our hands and hearts to feel. We're grateful that each of our bodies are different and beautiful in their own way, yet so much the same.

Employment

Even before we were married, we've been blessed to have had work. Not all of our jobs were glamorous, but they paid the bills and our way through school. We're grateful for all the jobs we've had in the past, and the job Brett currently has that supports our family.

Salt Lake International Airport

We got to "go to work with Brett" for the day!

Food and Water

With so many people who go hungry every day and have no clean water source, food and water is something we take for granted. Not only is our food delicious and fresh, and our water clean, but they are both plentiful. We truly are blessed to have been given "this day our daily bread."

Days of Celebration

We love having days to celebrate! Birthdays, holidays, and milestones - all are something we look forward to and hope to have many more of!

Halloween

Such a little grown up!

Capturing memories with his best buddy, cousin Kent!

Fourth of July parade with all the cousins!

(Yes uncle Gary, you still have to go next year, no matter how old we all are!)

Our 1 year anniversary!

Brett's graduation day!

Evidence that we were having Cade!

Birthdays!

Homecomings!

And of course, Christmas!

...House and Home

Since buying our first house, it has gradually become our home. We're so grateful that Cade is able to grow up in a safe place and that we all have a roof over our heads that is warm and comfortable. We hope our home will always be a place that others will feel welcome to!

...Friends

"I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me, I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be; I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day, as you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way."
~Edgar Albert Guest
Thank you to all of our friends!

... Our Health

Our family has been very fortunate to have had very little health problems. So far, no broken bones or stitches for Cade (although we don't expect that to last forever!), and neither of us have had emergency room visits for anything either! With so many diseases out there, we count ourselves blessed to have been free from any, thus far. We hope that no matter what may come our way, that we will remember the times we enjoyed good health.

...Our Families

We're so grateful that we'll be together with our families forever! We can't thank you all enough for raising us, supporting us, and helping us become the people we are! We love every minute we get to spend with one another, and look forward to watching our families grow!

The Udy's

The Poll's

(Sorry fam- I don't have one with all the other spouses. I guess we'll need to get one at Christmas!)

This may not appear funny to anyone but us. You'll notice the bouncy ball smack dab in the middle of the picture - it was our attempt to get the boys to look up and smile. Apparently, only the adults are trained that way!

One of my favorites! Just look close - it always makes me laugh!

...Our Darling Son

He brings so much joy and laughter into our home, and can make you smile even when he's in trouble! We love learning more from him than he learns from us, and are truly grateful to have the privilege of raising him! We love you Cade!

...A Wonderful Spouse

What would we do without each other? We're so grateful for the 5 + years we've been married, and wouldn't exchange them for anything! Love you!

(This is us on one of our first dates - bowling!)

What We're Thankful For...

We often forget all that we have been given, all that we have been blessed with, and all for which we are thankful. Although we have much more than 30 things to be grateful for, we'd like to at least name that many over the course of the month!

Gratitude #1:

We're grateful for the knowledge of Jesus Christ