Easter and Women's Conference

I love Easter, I think it's one of my favorite holidays. This year was neat because Livvy was old enough for us to teach the reason for the season. We did the egg hunt and coloring Saturday so that Sunday we could focus on Easter's true meaning. Sunday morning she searched for and found a little egg basket with a picture of Christ and Mary at the tomb, a note with our testimonies of the resurrection and eternal families, lots of chocolate, and an Easter dress. She loved it and was so excited about it all. She would unwrap a chocolate (or three) and carry her little basket with her note, picture, and candy all in place. It was so cute. After church, we had Mom and Dad, Marc, Paka and their family come over and we watched a couple of videos about the resurrection and the kids found Easter eggs with little pictures that had to do with Easter and of course, more chocolate! They had a great time.
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that because of Jesus Christ we will all live again after this life, and especially that we will be with our loved ones again. Families are eternal, what an incredible blessing that understanding is to me.


Rob got really into egg coloring this year. We went all out and purchased the cool coloring kits with the little dissolving tablets. Beautiful colors, Rob's did turn out pretty groovy (it's the purple and white one). Livvy was excited about the colors, and even more excited about dropping the eggs into the dye several inches above the cup, unintentionally sending a rainbow of colored water everywhere. Good times. Not quite sure about Rob's expression. Nervous? Excited? Traumatized?

Getting down to business.

So proud!

Gorgeous colors eh? What would the world be like without color?

Brooky was content to just sit and watch and smile randomly.

This past Friday, Rob and Steve were sweet enough to take the kiddies so Brittany and I could go to Women's Conference. As always, it was wonderful and uplifting, and the roasted cinnamon almonds were, yet again, exquisite. This year's theme was, "By small and simple things great things are brought to pass." Here are some little nuggets I gleaned from the occasion.

Favorite quote: "Your future is as bright as your faith!" (Pres. Monson)

*Sister Beck's opening remarks: The identity of a daughter of God is rich and full and precious beyond compare. We are essential in building the kingdom. Relief Society isn't just a feel good, get together. It has a specific purpose, it needs a specific outcome. It provides a system of watchcare and discipleship. Jesus Christ is our advocate. The Lord needs His daughters looked after and cared for.
*Elder Bednar's closing remarks: The Lord brings about great things by small and simple means. Like drip irrigation. The valve is placed close to the plant and the water drips little by little, and consistently, onto the root. This method is most effective. If we are consistent in receiving spiritual drops, our spiritual roots will produce extraordinary and delicious fruit. Spiritual drops include daily prayer, daily scripture study, temple attendance, kindness, etc. Steadiness in small things are much more effective than spurts of spirituality, then slacking. "Be not weary in well doing...for out of small things cometh to pass that which is great."
Other classes:
*We are magnificent by design, even in our fallen state. Remember your divine origin. Having that truth woven into the fabric of our thinking will give us faith enough to rid our hearts of fear and anxiety.
*How do we build our children's foundation of faith? Start with the basics and build on them. God lives. He created all things, including us. We are His children and we are divine. Do they know we know? Love your children as He loves them. See them as He sees them. At dinner time have meaningful conversations. Listen to them. Pray individually for them at family prayer. Text them sweet messages. When you want to wring their necks, wring their bodies in a hug.
*"Enfold me in thy quiet hour." Do I invite the Lord into my busy life? We could accomplish much more, and more successfully if we could find a time to search the scriptures and pray. "Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) The more often we approach our Father in Heaven in sacred settings, the more acquainted we will be with Him on earth.


We were rushing to our next class and I turned to ask the lady beside me if we were going to the right building, and lo and behold, it was one of my mission companions!! Sister Verlene Fonua, who I served with in Omaha, Nebraska, and we made quite a scene, yelling each others names and hugging and gushing. She was one of my favorite companions because she was so bold and firm in her testimony of the Savior. Truly great woman! I also ran into Jayne West, an old friend from BYU, though we couldn't quite figure out which ward and exactly where we knew each other. It was great to see her too.

A Farewell to My Beloved Canada

Considering that all 5 kids and all of the grand kids are down in Utah (except Kev, who will most likely also end up there), and that it was the will of Heavenly Father, my parents have sold their beautiful home overlooking the majestic Rockies and the rolling prairies of southern Alberta. My siblings and I went up to help them pack and to say goodbye to the home we grew up in, the home and the people that will always have a tender place in our hearts. This is not to say that I will never be back, because I definitely will, along with my family. We have a great deal of family we'll be able to stay with when we visit. Even so, it will be different, and that is okay with me. As much as it saddens me to lose our little spot on the hill, it thrills me to think my parents will be close enough to be a large part of my children's lives, like Mom's parents were to us. So goodbye southern Alberta as the way I have known it, and hello to a new way of experiencing your endless possibilities!


The photo above is the view from Aunt Marilee and Uncle Mark's (across the highway), so it's pretty close to our view but without a wind fence:) The pic below is where the prairies meet the mountains (both borrowed from Aunt Marilee - thanks!) Hands down, one of the most gorgeous places on the earth.


This is where Rob and I were married for time and all eternity. It is also where I overcame a very difficult period of my life. I spent hours and hours with my grandparents during a summer going through session after session, trying to receive answers to my prayers. And I did. What incredible power we are given when we go to the temple. It truly is where our Heavenly Father and the Savior dwell.


Waterton National Park is about 30 minutes from our home and where we spent many summers, camping in our trailer, playing tennis and catch (500), riding bikes, eating Big Scoop ice cream - Mmmm maple walnut, so good, hiking, pedaling a surry, as shown below:) Oh, so many memories of this great place.


This is a view of the town from Bear's Hump, a short steep hike when you first come into town.


Waterton Lake, where we have thrown many a skipper, and will throw many more:) We had a favorite camp kitchen where we would always go when we brought up a picnic like hot dogs, Mom's potato salad, all kinds of Old Dutch chips, and Big Scoop for dessert. In front of the kitchen was an open field where we'd play 500 or toss the frisbee around. Then off to the lake on the opposite side to find flat rocks and see who could skip them the farthest. (Dad almost always won, though Steve or Kev will likely fight me on that). And as we walked about, several deer hung around like they owned the place, (and they do), as well as chipmunks, mountain sheep, and if driving up to Red Rock Canyon, nearly always a bear or two, often with cubs.


So there's my walk down memory lane and now here is my last trip to our home in Canada. Kev, Jaime, and the kids dug a snow cave in our enormous drift in front of the wind fence. They hollowed out a nice long tunnel, wide enough for them all to drag sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows and sleep in it. It's too bad I have to get up with Brooky or I would have so been there:) It was brought up that that was something everyone in Canada does at least once. Sorry, haven't had that opportunity. Actually, it looked really cool and everyone said it was warm, but pretty uncomfortable. That's the cave - looks pretty ominous eh?


Don't know how we missed Kevin and Jaime, the true builders of the cave. Oh yeah, they were actually working, packing and cleaning in the house. What would Mom and Dad have done without them? Jode and I were there to take care of kids and the food and for moral support:)


Cute sisters. I love this woman. Well, of course I love Mom too, but I'm so grateful to Aunt Karen for just having such unconditional love for our family. So supportive and interested in our lives, so enthusiastic about life, just a great person all around. I look forward to staying at their house sometimes when we come and visit:)


Livvy and I in front of our home.


Uncle Mark and Aunt Marilee had a party for Mom and Dad at their house for the Cahoons that were close by. Mom is holding Brooky and Aunt Karen has Jonah (KJ's baby). I think they're just a few days apart? I could be wrong.


All the kids except Ty, he came a couple days later. Steve, me, Kev, Jodi, and Mom.


This is the sole picture I had of my wonderful Dad, as he was always scurrying about, trying to get as much done while he had all of his helpers as he could. Dad is from Idaho and has had a hankering to move back down to the States for quite some time now. He was the one scouring through the realty magazines and happened upon their beautiful new home in Birdseye, Utah for super duper cheap. It is a really pretty place and I've noticed it each year on the way to Young Women camp. It's out in the country, big clear sky like Alberta. Tyson says he's going to build an observatory out there. Boy, it'll be so nice to have them down here.


This was the day Jodi and I left to go back home. Our last drive down the hill. We both stopped our cars and just had a last look and saw that we were both crying. I know, sentimental, but it's quite a strange feeling, knowing you'll never return to the home you grew up in. I'm sure many people have experienced this, but it's sad just the same. Ty joined us the last few days. We walked to the top of the hill like we used to but it was so cold, it didn't last long. Like always, Ty lightened things up by saying, "It's a good thing we left now when it's frigid and brown and windy."


The only time Brooky was outside, although I did start to take her up the hill, wrapped in about 4 layers, but a couple of times the wind would catch her and it would take her breath away, a bit scary. Decided against that idea.


We stopped to see Grandma Cahoon before we left. This remarkable woman has been a tremendous influence on me and my siblings. Joyce Broadbent Cahoon is one of those angels that Elder Holland has spoken of on a few occasions. She and my grandpa Lervae had 11 children, my mom being the 3rd. My mom cannot remember a time she heard them raise their voice at each other. They taught their children love, service, hard work, and so many other things by their example, and in turn, they taught the same to their grandchildren. They served several missions, two being in Africa. All of their kids, my aunts and uncles, are just cream of the crop, kind, genuine people. I can't say enough good about them.
Music has always been a huge part of Cahoon life and my testimony was strengthened each time we got together and sang hymns and other uplifting music with Grandma and Grandpa, my own family, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My grandma was rarely seen without her tape recorder, taping anyone who was singing or playing an instrument. Grandpa was the high school band director and so all of the children played an instrument or two. A lot of great memories of music and the Cahoons. Thanks for being our angel Grandma!

Fatty Fat and ABC's

So, everyone has to have a bathtub shot - Rob is great helping get the kids to bed. I love this picture with Daddy and our naked little chubber. Rob calls her "Fatty Fat," so guess who called her that the other day? Yep, Olivia. Hopefully it won't stick, wouldn't that be sad!


Olivia really likes to "help" give Brooky a bath.


Had to include this pic. She is such a sweet girl, really good natured and quick to smile. Livvy has a great time making her laugh by saying, "Boo, Brooky. Boo! Boo!" and jumping up in her face.


The other day Rob went downstairs and heard Livvy say, "e..f..g..h..i" So he asked her if she could sing the alphabet. She proceeded to sing the whole alphabet complete with "won't you come and sing with me!" Rob got it on camera. Then we made some letters with play dough. She's a smarty pants. Tonight out of the blue she said, "Nocturnal!" Too much fun our kiddies are.

Bowling and Basketball

I love living close to BYU campus - never thought I would, but I do. There's so much to do, including bowling (though this is the first time we've been). Check out Rob's moves. Brooky's pretty into it eh? It's a whole different experience with kids isn't it? I don't think either of us broke 100:) Next time.


Great form Rob, I'm sure that one was a strike!


Ya know, bowling was never my thing. For some reason I've never really enjoyed it. Maybe it was one too many awkward bowling dates during my single years. So I haven't been for a long time. I found out that it's much more fun going with my family:)


Olivia got a kick out of pushing the big heavy green ball down the ramp.


That fun soon gave way to much greater fun climbing up the ramp and sliding down.



Okay seriously Rob, put the phone away, it's family time:)


We went to the final game between BYU and San Diego. It was broadcast in the Marriott Center. Rob even got interviewed and was on TV. I didn't know how to include the link, so I'll figure it out and put it on. Check back:) Such an intense game. I had to leave with about 10 minutes left to go to a Relief Society activity. I'm not one for texting during things like that, but I had to find out who won!! Go Jimmer!


Kev came up from Texas to recruit for his pest control company. He looks so enthused here doesn't he.



Mom hanging out at the back with Livs.

Dashing Through the Snow

We finally made it up Provo Canyon this winter! I went to Savers and got Olivia and Brooklyn winter clothes ( and I got boots) for under $30!! And the snow coat and pants actually match! We have decided to do two things as of late. First, we are going "Gazelle Intense," as Dave Ramsey says, to get out of debt by August of 2012, excluding our mortgage. We 're pretty excited because we can see the end goal - it doesn't seem so far away! We also are going to take turns planning family outings and dates. One of us plans the dates and finds a babysitter for the whole month. The other plans a family outing once a week for the month. This is our first planned outing, we went sledding and it was so fun!


Almost the whole time, Livvy had this quiet high pitched squeal as we pulled her across the ice and snow.


So we were going to go snowshoeing with our new shoes from Christmas, but we did this through a BYU wellness program, which supplied the shoes. We got here and found out we had to register online to get the snowshoes...oops. Oh well, we just walked along the well worn trails. Next time:)


Brooky had a fabulous time, she was so into it.

Our Little Butterball!!

We make 'em big eh? Look at that little butterball!! So I think I'm a binge blogger. I don't blog all the time, so when I do I have like 4 different events to post. Oh well, there's no right way right? Here's a few pics of Brooky - now almost 4 months!! Time flies, although let me tell you, this has seemed like the longest winter of my life. We've had to stay inside now for 3 months with the odd going to the grocery store etc. (The cursed RSV fear). So spring can't get here fast enough. Our next baby will be born in March!!


Grandpa Monson and Brooky bonding time:) We're so glad that my mom and dad have been able to stay here for so long. It has been such a treat for Livvy and Brooky to have Grandma and Grandpa here. Mom and Dad left to stay with Jodi, and Livvy was helping me set the table tonight and she set places for Grandma and Grandpa (even though they've been gone for a few days)! It was cute.


I love this picture of Grandma Monson and Brooklyn. Oh how this little girl loves her food. Come to think of it, so does Livvy. I wonder if it's because their mother loves it so much. My brothers used to call me Miss Piggy because I loved to eat, and things haven't really changed:)


These pictures were taken today. So we think we have a blue eyed red head on our hands! What a sweetie pie!