Heaven!

So we are in heaven here in Alaska! The kids have been off school for two days now because it has been 45 degrees! Do you wonder why the kids have school off? Well, we had tons of snow last month, then last week we were in the -20's, this week our degrees climbed up to 45 which makes it a 65 degree difference! Awesome, huh? The only thing not awesome about it is now the roads are ice, I can't even get into my garage because it's so slick. I did venture out today and picked up some friends for the boys. It's kinda funny, most kids get off school for too much snow. Not in Alaska! You get off school if the snow melts too fast! Gotta love it!


This is how the kids celebrate no school. Austin, Carter Russell, Hunter, Hunter Russell. Thank goodness for X-box...even the babies think they can play. We let them have a remote with no battery.


This picture was taken about two weeks ago. It's on my deck and we had tons of snow.


This is the same table on my deck today. The snow is melting fast.


This is my beautiful picture of Jesus that Greg got me for Christmas.

Happy 60th Birthday, Mom!

My mom turned 60 yesturday. My sister put together this slideshow of my mom in her prime. She has the brown, flipp-out hair. She also has the black swimsuit on. I forget that my mom was young once, not always mom. It's funny that our kids are going to think of us as only "mom" and not someone who had another life before them. My mom won a beauty contest in Spartenburg, South Carolina. She danced the Charleston for her talent. It was fun to see these pictures of my mom. Happy Birthday, mom, love you!

Christmas Break

I finally got my camera to down load some pictures to share of Christmas Break. I finally took a ski lesson with Robyn. That was fun, but then my bubble burst when we (Greg & two older boys) went to Aleyeska ski resort and I about killed myself. I will go back to the bunny hills at Hilltop from now on. Sadly we have no pictures of that. We spent Christmas Eve & New Years Eve at the Newell's. We had a lot of fun and love having them in Alaska. Although, everyone needs to tell Greg we need a bigger house so we can entertain at our house, we are running out of room!

Christmas post

I was going to post a few pictures of the kids on Christmas morning, but Greg has the camera at work, I'll do it later. But I will say Christmas was very simple and probably one of the funnest so far. Austin is 6 and at that age where Christmas is still very magical to him. He swore he saw Santa and his sleigh on the ride home from our friends on Christmas Eve. We got home and he went to bed and then as soon as santa had left he was in our room at 11:30 pm to inform us that Santa had been to our house! I think that santa had JUST left. He ended up sleeping in our bed for the rest of the night, and if you know anything about Greg you know that kids in our bed is a huge NO-NO. I guess Christmas is the exception. Christmas Day is the only day of the year that I feel justified in taking a really long, and well worth it nap. That's the best gift of all! We had a great Christmas and I did end up getting a beautiful picture of Jesus. Now when my kids are asked to think of a picture of Jesus in their house, they have one to think of!

My "helpers"

I always wonder why I can't keep up with my housework...well the babies seem to want to help all the time! Unfortunately, none of these pictures I staged, it's what happens EVERY single day. Someone's got to keep me on my toes!

Christmas Tag

Anyone can play--just copy and paste!

1.CANDY CANES--PEPPERMINT OR CHERRY?
Cherry

2.GINGERBREAD HOUSES--KIT OR HOMEMADE?
We always did homemade growing up. I usually get a kit. It's not the same. I think I will try homemade this year. By homemade I mean already made grahm crackers with lot's of icing and candy. Then you can actually eat it...if you want.

3.MOST ANNOYING CHRISTMAS SONG
Feliz Navidad. I agree with Holly!

4.FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG
Anything by Nat King Cole or any of those oldy singers...they make Christmas seem so much simpler than it is today.

5.MOST MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS PRESENT YOU RECEIVED AS A CHILD
How funny is this...I got twin cabbage patch dolls when I was about 7 or 8, but they were girls.

6. MOST MATERIALISTIC THING YOU'RE ASKING SANTA FOR THIS YEAR
A kitchen table (not likely), a nice, big framed picture of Jesus (already here, Greg picked it out and so I don't know what picture it is)

7. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE
Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life.

8. CHRISTMAS MUSIC--DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN OR DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING?
Day after Thanksgiving

9. DO YOU BELIEVE?
Of Course!

10. GET DRESSED BEFORE OPENING YOUR PRESENTS, OR STAY IN PJ'S?
PJ's--who gets dressed? Agreed!

11. BLACK FRIDAY?
I've only gone twice and I hated it both times. I like to shop on-line, where there is peach and quiet, most of the time.

12. WHITE LIGHTS OR COLORED?
White

13. EVER BEEN TO THE NUTCRACKER?
No

14. DOES SANTA LEAVE AN ORANGE IN THE TOE OF YOUR STOCKING?
Yes, he always has. Just the smell of them reminds me of Christmas when I was younger.

Late Post

This post is so late, but I had to say how much fun I had at Twilight. We were in UT for a short time and so I got to go see it with my sisters & Mom :)! My sister put together shirts and we went to dinner and then hit the midnight show the first night out. Alot of people haven't really loved the movie, but I think I enjoyed it so much because I was having so much fun with my sisters & mom (we missed you Tami, Michele, Susan and Tiff).

What I am thankful for...

I thought since it is Thanksgiving that I would post a few things that I am thankful for. I feel like the most luckiest person in the world to have four healthy boys. I am so thankful that I am able to stay home and take care of them. How lucky is that? Sometimes I take it for granted that Greg is working so hard for us so that our boys can have a mother at home at all times. I am also thankful for Greg. He is my best friend and I couldn't make it with out him. He is so loving and sweet to me. He also loves his boys so much that I can see it in his eyes when he is around them. We choose to spend a lot of time together as a family, since we believe that is what is going to make our boys feel loved and confident.

I am so thankful for my family. We live so far away from them, but I think of them all constantly. They are always in my prayers. If any of them want to move to Alaska, we would be so happy! I have six sisters & three sis-in-laws on my side and five sis-in-laws on Greg's side, plus my mother and mother-in-law and I feel so lucky to have them all in my life. They have all made such an impact in my life and I know that if I need anything they are always there for me!

I also am so thankful for my friends. Friends that I haven't talked to in years and friends that live just up the street. Friends that I stay in contact with through blogging. Friends come into my life just when I need them. There are times that I needed just that right person at that specific moment. You all share a huge spot in my heart.

Last, but not least, I am so thankful that in America we can choose to worship as we please. I am thankful for the gospel. I am thankful that as parents, Greg and I are able to teach our boys freely of the Atonement and the Plan of Salvation. How great is that? The gospel makes being a family so important and we always have a goal in mind!

PS..I am still thankful that Target opened, and that Kohl's opens in March!!

More Pictures

Our cruise to Virgin Islands

Every other year the practice that Greg has ownership in takes their employees on a cruise. It was so nice and relaxing and a perfect time to leave AK...we just got so cold, so fast. We cruised to the Virgin Islands (Grand Turk, Tortola, St. Thomas/John, & Holland America's private island Half Moon Key). I must say that of all the beaches I've ever been on these sands and water were unbelieveable!! So white and clear. We snorkled with stingrays, kayaked and some shopping and just laid low on the beach. Here are some pictures.