Happy!

It's been a while since I've experienced a day and then felt like, "hey I should post about this on my blog!" So since today was one of such days I decided I better follow through with it!

Happy Valentines! Usually at our house, we don't make a big deal out of valentines, not much hooplah or pizzaz. Today on the other hand was extraordinary! 

I dont know, as I describe it, if you all will feel the same way, but really its not about how you feel about it. It made me happy!

Let me start  with a bit more background. So a few weeks ago, my Mom and sisters and I decided to make valentines dinner for our hubbies.  We'd been getting together, discussing and decorating for Valentines since the end of January. We got the menu all agreed upon and found great deals on yummy goodness to share with our beloveds. We planned to meet the morning of Valentines to do prep work and gather ingredients, so that the evening of Valentines all we'd need to do was cook it up and enjoy. Really, Mom got it all together and then sent us home to make it; thank you- you truly are the most wonderful mother!

Then this past Monday, Chad told me that (though he'd planned it to be a surprise) he had taken the day off for Valentines! The surprise part kinda fell through when all the things he wanted to schedule with me didn't pan out, and then I was making plans of my own not knowing he'd be home to spend time with. So with this new knowledge we adjusted plans with my Mom, I would get all our dinner fixings the night before and then I could spend the day with Chad. 

Also on Monday, as Chad was looking at the weeks weather, and seeing the large amounts of snow forcasted, he voiced a wish to go skiing. Now, I'm not much of a skier. It's probably been 10 years, judging by the dust on my  skis, since I've touched a slope, but I thought, "hey what a good idea, I'd much rather go do something fun together- 

that I  know he'll enjoy, then try and think up a romantic something." 

So we planned out our Valentines Day. And it was fabulous!

Last night the prep work got all done, including some cleaning around the house, so we didn't have much to hassle us today. We got the kids in order and packed all our ski gear up. Chad's parents were so wonderful and willing to watch the kids for the afternoon, while we hit the slopes. We spent a few hours at their home before skiing. It's always so nice to visit them and Chad and I just enjoyed hanging out and relaxing a bit. Then off to the resort!

We had a beautiful drive up the canyon, just a bit of rain near the top. Then we parked and got all our gear on. We went and got our tickets and then as we tried to put on our skis, I found that my bindings had been moved like 3 inches back too far! Nothing like having a man who's quick to fix-it, Chad found a screw driver and what, for a second seemed to me a deal breaker, became a good joke from our skiing experience. 

Now I have to admit that I was fairly comfortable in my skis... it was my boots that were an issue. I probably complained a time or two about how tight they were, but I survived. I took a few tumbles but Chad gave me good advice and after fixing my form I could manage a lot easier. We took 3 runs down the slopes and they were so fun! I loved the exhilaration of the speed, the biting wind and snow, the chance to regroup and relax on the chair lifts, being somewhere having fun with my love!

We didn't ski side by side or have a constant conversation going on, but we knew the whole time that we were each having a great time! I felt such a joy in knowing that Chad was doing something he enjoyed and I got to be there watching him and participating with him! I had so much fun, I did have my issues but overall it was such a positive, marriage strengthening time that I cant begrudge the troubles.

Dinner was so fun too! Chad helped me cook it up and though we made messes and... some smoke : ) 

it was so yummy and so enjoyable! The desserts my Mom made, are still making my mouth water! 

Goodness, I just feel so contented and happy with this day! With our life! 

and you know what I think made the difference for me this year, more than ever before? I wanted today to be about Chad and our marriage. Not about me, or how he shows his love for me, I wanted him to feel the love! And you know what, I felt it too!

 Just as our leaders and prophets tell us, love is selfless, 

and when it is sefless, its true! I'm learning a bit about that truth. I have a lot more to learn but today was a fabulous example for me of how I can change my perspective and attitude about love, and how doing so blesses me.

I hope you all felt loved today!

i made these chocolate strawberry hearts for Chad

us on the slopes!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Merry Christmas 

The Snow Family 2013

Chad Emily Camilla and Patrick

 I decided to update my blog rather than send out Christmas cards! So here's a years worth of update for you!
Chad's year has been good. He rode with a 10 man team in the Saints to Sinners bike race again this past July. In their category they placed first! So he has more trophy's for our future wall of fame! He's starting to get a bit more serious about biking and wants to get a new bike with all the bells and whistles! He got a promotion at 3-form, and he still enjoys the people he works with there! He's also been studying up on real estate, so if you're ever on the hunt look him up!
Emily's year was full of laughs with Camilla and Patrick! I stay home and get to be with my two little ones through all our ups and downs. I attempted to do some serious singing this summer and was successful in helping my kids memorize some hymns and vocalizes, but other than that just got to enjoy some fun singing! This holiday season I was asked to play my cello in church, so after about 10 years I dusted off my skills and after a week of soreness, I'm still pretty rusty, but enjoying it all the same! Other than those few things, I have tried to be more creative, not read too much for myself but more with my kids, and continue to love making and eating too many desserts!

Camilla turned 3 this year! Her little mind amazes us with what it comes up with and we constantly find ourselves speechless by her memory! She still loves to greet everyone and know everyone's name. She's a singer, in nursery she asks to sing the same two songs every week- I Am A Child of God and I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus. She loves nursery, but this month has been transitioning into primary and this last week she got to say the closing prayer, and she expressed how grateful she was to soon be a sunbeam! She's a great swimmer and loves to play in the pool! She found a love of 4-wheeling this autumn, her Snow Grandparents have a kid size low speed one that she zips around their yard in! She is a persistent little bugger and knows how to wrap us around her finger! She still gives the sweetest kisses and is a great big sister to Patrick.

Patrick's almost 2 (on December 31st)! He's learning to talk and his little voice and sayings crack me up! His version of yes is "Da," so he's our little Russian boy. He pretty much follows Camilla's every step, but is also a very independent player. We love seeing him break out and do his own thing! He loves being read to and that's about the only time he'll sit still! He's a great helper and is always willing to put things away. Like his Mom and sister, he loves to sing and dance, but he'd rather not play prince and ballroom dance, he's more of a freestyle soul. Also like Mom and  Camilla, he loves to swim and would play all day in the tub if we let him! He is a snuggler and we hope that never changes!

Disneyland in March

New house in March

New Year

Bear with me I have a lot to catch up on....

So Patrick is 1!!!! His New Years Eve birthday was filled with fun and family and fabulous weather! I'd love to share photos but my pc is not hip enough to get photos off my ipad.
He thoroughly enjoyed his first cake ball! And all the attention, the new toys weren't half bad either!

Spur of the moment we decided to be house hunters and happened to find an amazing house that is perfect for us. So we got with our favorite realtor and put an offer in the end of February. Got accepted and put our house on the market the first of March. 3 days later we were under contract for our old house and we're moving a bit closer to my parents in a little less than half an hour(j/k, couldnt resist finishing the quote once I got started)...two weeks. I am SO excited! I am basking in the idea of so much more space and a more permanent settled situation! We've been told by inside sources that the area is the best, or at least pretty wonderful. We might need to invest in some 4 wheel drive vehicles to reach home in the winter, and Mobi will need a fence, but otherwise this whole package is the perfect fit!
So we're moving from 3 bed 1 bath, to 6 bed 3 bath and several other rooms that I have yet to encounter in married life. I tell ya, its an amazing feeling to move from the village to a starter home, and then buy a starter home then a family home. The change in perspective is liberating! I cant wait to live there and raise our family there. I keep thinking what a wonderful thing it is that I have a hubby who feels like a realtor in his spare time, otherwise we might've missed out on this amazing experience!

We decided to do one huge celebration this March instead of 3, for birthdays and anniversary. It just happened to coincide with a discount rate to Disneyland, so that's where we celebrated! My Mom joined us in Chad's parents "perfect for travel" vehicle and off we went. We stayed a few days in St George at the
Snow family condo. Camilla loved going to the "condo."  We went to the crack and enjoyed the clubhouse.
Then off to Anaheim. We stayed with family friends (Thanks again!) and spent our days thrilling it up in the happiest place on earth. Camilla's favorites were Ariels Underwater Adventure, which was a new ride to all but my Mom, and getting pictures with all the characters. My favorites were World of Color and of course Soarin over California (will always be a favorite!), and the child care centers- what a perfect retreat they are! Chad's favorites were getting a kiss from Minnie ; ), and World of Color. Patrick enjoyed the Heimlich ride, or so I'm told- my Mom took him on it while Chad and I did all the Cars land fun. Just for information, the Radiator Springs Racers are super cute and a fun ride but not worth the wait, if you're planning to go this year or next I recommend the single rider line or at least fast pass.
I wore my vibrams through Disneyland which my hips thanked me for but my feet sure took a beating. I thought that I'd take a chance and wear regular shoes for a couple hours and within that time I got several blisters and tired hips! I started doubting my vibrams toward the end of the days but they truly are lifesavers!
Before we headed home we spent a morning at the beach. Patrick took all of 2 minutes to warm up to the idea, but Camilla was a lot more sceptical. The sand, sound of the waves, and temperature of the water all received her disapproval for a good 20 minutes. Then she dipped a toe and started burying everyones feet in the sand. We had a fabulous trip and I wish we could go again soon, but realize these memories will probably have to do me for several years!
So to update- Chad is 30!
Camilla is 3! and we've been married 6 years!

beach day!

the crack!

Fairy Godmother

Tigger!

Goofy

Tiana

Mulan

Snow White

Merida

Playin in the sand

Family on the beach!

readin with Daddy back at home!

2013-03-17

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