Glitter Wreaths, Snowmen, Sleds, Snow Angels, Snowballs, Santa, and Christmas Music

Wow, alot has been going on this month and I haven't been able to keep up with it all. Keplar had a Christmas concert for school last week. Me and Kyly got to go to it. I recorded it for Adam to watch. Its so fun to watch him while he is singing.

Last Saterday we went to the Military Christmas party down here in Logan. Every military branch was invited to attend at the Logan Armory. They did a raffel and Adam won a wall climb at the Rock Hous (I didn't spell that wrong), and I won $20 certificate to Olive Garden. The kids ran around the gym for 2 hrs straight. Keplar's face was bright red. haha He has so much energy it was good to get it out! Then to our delight Santa and Mrs. Clause came to visit!! Keplar asked for a remote controll car and Kyly asked for a penguin :) Then he gave us a huge stocking full of lots of candy!! Opperation Give and the local commuinty donated everything for it. It was amazing.

Then today we made Christmas wreaths. Kyly was not thrilled that the glitter was getting all over her. Who would have thought? A kid who doesn't like to get dirty. Keplar and Kyly did a good job with them. They turned out pretty cute. I traced them on paper for Keplar to cut out. Then We decorated them.

After the project was over we bundled up and went sledding out side in the field next to our place. It was alot of fun! Kyly absolutly had a blast sledding down the hill. Keplar was being a wild man and trying all the different ways to go. Then we started to build snowmen. We named him Frosty. Sadly though, he didn't last to long. Sense the snow is kind of melting he feel over. He only lived for a very short 30 mins.

Keplar decided it was time for a snowball fight. I was gained up on by those two. hahha They really enjoyed it. Kyly started making snow angels and Keplar soon joined in. They turned out great but my phone died and my camera battery was dead so I didn't get to take a picture.

All in all it turned out to be a pretty fun day. It completely wore Kyly out and she sonked out after we ate some lunch. I loved that I could make it such a fun day with my kids. They kept saying "This is the Best Christmas ever!" And YES it is! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!


Kyly's
(she did the dots by herself and then poured the glitter on and I helped with the rest)

Keplar's Wreath

Side by Side

Down goes Kep!

"Laughing all the way!"

Kyly's snowman Frosty

Mine and Keplar's snowman Frosty :)

Kyly w/Mrs. Clause

Keplar with the big Man!

I did it again :)

In October when I was doing all of my Super Saterday craft projects I got the opprotunity to meet an amazing person, Mandy. Mandy Shiess has her own business doing crafts from home. She is great at what she does. I loved getting to know her and talking with her. It feels like we have been life long friends. Every week she does a drawing on her blog at On the Avenue. I have entered myself twice now and have won both times :) One for some cute trees in November and then just on the 16th of December for cute block letters "SNOW". I love all her drawnings and her crafts. This last one for the snow drawing she wanted us to nominate someone else to win these. I nominated Mildred Gilstrap. Mildred has always been a friend to my family growing up in St. Anthony. She works at East Idaho Credit Union as a Loan Manager. In November I was working with her on a loan and she told me that she now has breast cancer. I was so touched by her that she was so wiling to help me and everyone else. Even though I know she must be physically weak, tired, and emotionaly drained she was still there just as happy and helpful as ever. I couldn't think of anyone more who deserved this. She has always been such a great mentor and friend to me. I'm just so glad that I got to share this wonderful person with everyone and have the opprotunity to give a little something back to her.
We are going up for New Years to St. Anthony and I to get to take these to her and tell her how much her story and life journey has helped others.

You never know what trials you are going to go through, but it is how you handle them is how you are remembered.

Keplar...What a Boy!

Yesterday I got to spend sometime helping in Keplar's class at school. I just love his teacher Mrs. Broadbent. She is so sweet with those kids. From what I'm hearing from other parents with older kids I'm realizing we are spoiled as far as Kindergarten teachers go. It was really fun watching Keplar in class with his peers. This was not the first time I have been there, but this time I noticed how easily distracted he is. He is such a social kid its hard for him to concentrate on his work to get it done. He is fortunate to have such a caring teacher who understands that his busy body has alot of great potential and trys hard to keep him focus. I have always known this about him and I just chuckle to myself when I see him doing this. When reminded to do his work he always says "oh right". hahaha I know he doesn't do it on purpose it is just Keplar.

Real Meaning of Christmas

As part of my calling as Relief Socitey Committe Leader I worked with my committee in bringing about a Christmas Program for the sisters in our ward. I have been so excited for this, its on Dec 8th. The program is called "The Meaning of Christmas". When I saw this video it made me even more excited because it goes so perfectly with my program.

I have been reflecting alot on the Savior and his birth. Last night for family night we also watched President Monson's talk from the First Presidency Message. I thinking of a loving Heavenly Father who sent his Son, Jesus Christ to us that through him he could return to live with him. I think of my own father and know how much he loves me and can't even comprehend the love Heavenly Father has for me, but can feel it. I love Christmas and thanks to my Mom it has always been a very special time of year. She always made it special for us. But not because of the presents and everything else commercialized, but because of the Spirit of Christmas she brought into our home growing up. Without Jesus Christ there would have never been Christmas. We should continue to live and feel this spirit all year long and not just one month out of the year.

Merry Chirstmas Everyone! May the Spirit of Chirstmas bless your homes.

Adam is 27..my old fart

I missed posting for Adam's birthaday. He turned 27 on Nov. 8th. We had a little party for him at home. I even suprised him by having his cousin Bob and his wife Haley come over for some cake. My mom sent him some Boise State shoes and shirt for his birthday... He totaly loves them....
I'm so grateful that I get to grow old with this man! He is the best. Happy Birthday Adam!

don't let the teaching opprotunities pass you by.....

Every Tuesday is libary day for Keplar. Some how his book he checked out last week was no where to be found. Last night after family home evening we all searched frantically trying to find it. That didn't happen. So we went to bed and I resolved to find it in the morning. Before school this morning I told Keplar that he was going to have to clean his room so we could find his book. So we did that and the book was still no where to be found. I really was getting quiet upset at this point. I hate having late fees. Fortunatly I wasn't past the point of not being able to feel the spirit direct me into what needed to be done. I stopped and listened and felt his impression to have Keplar pray for help in finding his book. Simple right, who would have thought? I still need reminders. I then told Keplar that we need some extra help in finding this book and we needed to pray and ask for help. He knelt down and did just that. "Please heavenly father" he pleaded "help me find my book." It was very sweet and simple, but full of faith. After he got done he got up and started to play alittle. I was nudged again by the spirit. "Teach him how to listen to the promptings that are givin to him." I said "Keplar after we pray and ask for help we need to listen to hear the Holy Ghost telling us where to look." Keplar: "Oh yeah!" Me: "What are feeling?" Keplar: "I need to go downstairs." When we all arrived down stairs Keplar started to look around. At first he went to the book case. It wasn't there. Then he ckecked in the laundry room. It wasn't there. Then Keplar said "I know where it is, its in the closet, but we have to look harder this time." And sure enough he looked harder and there it was! He was so excited and told me "Amazing mom Heavenly father helped me find it!" I felt 'that nudge again.. Me: "Keplar, after he helps us we need to pray again and thank him for it." Keplar: "Your right!" He knelt down again a second time and thanked Heavenly father for having the holy ghost help him find his book.

This was something that was so simple and happens just about everyday. It renewed my testimony in a loving Heavenly father who has sent us the Holy Ghost to help us on this earth. And it ignited the fire of Keplar's testimony of faith and power of the Holy Ghost in Keplar. As Kyly was participating in this too I'm sure that her own little testimony is starting to burn stronger also. I'm grateful that I was able to feel those impressions and be lead by the spirit to teach my children the power the Holy Ghost and prayer has in our lives.

My little Brother :)

Let me tell you about Todd aka (my little Toad)!! Toad was my little big brother. He was huge and towered over me :) He and I were born 2 years apart. Therefor Amy, me and Todd were the three little ones that were inseaperable when we were growing up. Sense Bobbi and Shawn were older they didn't pow wow around with us much... Todd loved everyone. No one was ever judged or mistreated by Todd. He was such a big teddy bear. He had the most tender heart anyone could ever have. hahaha He always would say" I'm a lover not a fighter." But he fought hard for everything he did. Shawn did well teaching him how to play, basketball, baseball, and football. Todd was an amazing catcher in baseball. He loved to taunght and sing songs to the hitters behind the plate. And in football the kid was scary, and motivated his teammates to play their hardest. There was an 8 year age difference between Shawn and Todd. But that didn't matter Shawn still played the big brother role and Todd looked up to him more then anything. Todd was the only one Shawn was actually still talking to before he died.... Todd loved to dress up and play. He changed more then 8 times a day. His outfits were very creative a cowboy, basketball player, football player, baseball player, army guy, knight, and so forth. He didn't only pretend to play he had to dress the part! haha There was even times when he would dress up as a girl. When we lived in Sweet, ID we dressed him up in red furrly dress, tights, shoes and purse to be our land lady!! hehehe Todd always played the part well. He should have gone into acting!! What we remember most about Todd is the way he loved his neice and nephews. They made him so happy and he made them happy. On a snowy January day he called up Bobbi and asked if he could come play in the snow with Kaiden... At christmas we rotate family names. No matter who Todd had he would always make sure everyone of his little buddies had a present from him. We still have the toys that he gave Keplar and Kyly that last christmas we had with him. He had a heart of gold and love to share it with everyone. He was so likeable and it was hard not to like him. He loved everyone and saw the best in people. It was amazing to see all Todd's friends at his funeral and see the many different walks of life they were on. He reminds me so much of the Savior that way. He sought out those who needed a friend and were having a hard time. Todd's life was not always an easy road for him to take. Like the rest of us Stoddard's we are stuborn and don't like to take the road easily laid. He tended to wandered down other paths to search for the meaning of his life as we all do. I hope that now in heaven he has found the peace and forgiveness he was seeking.

It was hard for me to make this video for Todd because there were so many happy memories to reflect upon. It made me cry every time I started on it. I taught Todd how to drive my car my senior year when he was a sophmore. Those mornings we spent together are priceless. We sang in the Freelancers chior together in High School... We shared alot of the same intrest. We got eachother in trouble alot of times too. No matter what though we were in it together. He had a hard time when I started to date Adam and I was no longer there as much as I once was. I look back on alot of things and wish it could have been different, but nothing will change that. We made our choices and it is something we all have to live with.

I love my brothers and sisters. I am so glad that we chose to be apart of the same family. There was never a family that belonged together as much as our does. Mom and Dad were blessed to have some very stuborn children and have loved us endlessly. I know that when we were in Heaven in our pre-mortal life that we chose each other and knew of the trials we would have to face, but knew we would do it together. My heart is full of love, pain,graditude and longing right now. Trials can be hard to face, but I know that they can be over come with the help of our Savior Jesus Christ. My family has felt the many prayers that have been said for the behalf of our family.. We gain strenght each day from them. It has been 3 years and 2 years sense they have died and it still feels like yesterday. We are an eternal family and know that with everyday that passes it brings that much closer to our happy reunion with Todd and Shawn.

Special Military Fireside

It was a great privilage for me and Adam to attend a special fireside held here in Utah on the 31st for all Military members in Utah. Click here to see. President Uchtdorf, 2nd counselor in the first presidency in the LDS church, spoke to us for almost an hour. He said so many amazing things that we were able take into our lives and build stong testimonies on. One topic he talked on that Adam and I already had a strong expeirence with was working together toward our goal of an eternal family even though oft times we are far apart. When Adam leaves we do this. We pray, read scriptures, and continue to keep the covenants we made in the temple. By doing this it is really true that distance becomes shorter and hearts are made stronger and united as one. We have lived this principle and have seen the blessing from it.

Being in the presence of that many faithful members of the church and the military was so powerful. I can't even describe my feelings of graditude and love that I was feeling. These people have sacrificed so much to serve God and country, and are still faithful to the covenants they have made. Adam is one of these peoples. He is so loyal, honest, and self sacrificing. I have personally witnessed his sacrifices and his acheivements in serving God and Country.

When I read the scripture in Alma 48:17 about Moroni. "If all men had been, and were, and ever would be,like unto him, behold, the very powers of hell would be shaken forever; yea the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children."..... I think of Adam....... He is like unto Moroni. He is a Soldier who is loyal and faithfull to God in all that he does. He has the strenght and courage of Moroni to fight for others freedoms and stand up for truth. He serves our country as faithfully as he serves the Lord. I am proud and honored to be his wife.
"No greater love hath a man, then this to lay down his life for another." John 15:13 The Savior showed us the true meaning of love and service. This is what those who serve in the military are willing to do and have done to protect Americans and our Freedoms. I'm gratefull to have been at the feet of an Apostle of Jesus Christ for an hour and feel of his love and support he has for these great men and women.

Date Night @ Aggie Stadium

I just love date night with Adam! Last night we were able to go to the Aggies Basketball game. Its a real treat to see them play. They are good and dominate on the court... Well besides that for our dates we try and see how inexpensive we can make them. The cheaper the better. This calls for some fun creativeness :) We were fortunate to get tickets for free last night that weren't in the student section. An Anesthesiologist that Adam works with called and asked Adam if he wanted to go, and could have his tickets. So we did. The total amount that we spent for Jimmy Johns was $11.86 and $8 for a Jamba Juice. Whole total $19.86. Not to bad, but still to much. :)

HaLLoWeEn 2010

I love Halloween and this year it was a spectacular event. It was such a busy week that I still haven't recovered from it. On Thursday I got to help in Keplar's class in the morning. Then that night was the craft night for my ward that I was putting on. The craft projects turned out great and the night was so fun having everyone there. The following day Keplar had his school carnival that I helped out with and was incharge of a game. It was so much fun to go to his class and see the kids so excited and playing games. That night was his schools Literacy night/carnival. It was based off of the book 'Were Off to Find the Witch's House'. I was asked to help with decorating and running the bean bag toss. With some help I put up the outside entrance decorations and they looked great....

As if that is not enough fun in two days, the fun was only beging as Saturday rolled around. I finally got to have my first Halloween party. Adam's mom and sister Chantelle came down to Logan and spent two nights and a Day with us. Traci and her boys and Uncle Tom and Aunt Ina came all came over and we had great food and company!!! I wish I could have spent time with everyone that day but thats how things are. =)

So then after Adam carved 4 pumkins and lighted them it was time to get ready for trunk-or-treating and trick-or-treating. Of course the rain wasn't going to hold off and we ended up doing trunk or treat in the gym at our church. After that we braved the weather and went treat or treating in our neighborhood. Kyly didn't last very long and barley made it back to the car. It was the perfect length for two kids to go. Keplar kept saying "this is my best Halloween EVER!" hahaha I'm so glad.

After all that we made it home about 730pm had dinner ( It was a casserole baked in a pumpkin), and got ready for bed. Needless to say we were all in bed and sound asleep at a quarter to 9pm. It was a great way to end the day and week!!!



This was the entrance way that I decorated at the school


Adam having a delightful time carving pumpkins!!


Sue's Witches Brew




Delicious Mummy Pizza :)



Batty Cupcakes!

Smile =)

Halloween Table

Witches Fingers

Keplar and Kyly at Trunk~or~Treating

Fairy Princess Kyly

Me and Sir Keplar the Knight of Bagley Manor :)

Adam (Mohawk Man), Sue(Witch), Chantelle (lydia from Beetle Juice)

Passing candy out and laughing at the costumes!

Me and Adam (sad it turned out blurry)

Cheese!

The princesses three: Kyly, Brooklyn, and Reggan

My friend Chelseys' girls :)

Here we all ARE! :)

Father like son :)

Sue's pumpkin and Adam's puking!

Keplar's pumpkin Adam carved for him :)

Sweet eyes!

Kyly's Jack~o~latern by Adam

Here it is all lit up

The grand display!! Its kind of nice to walk in now and not get screamed or howled at :)



The Knight and his Princess!


Happy Halloween!!

~Boise State Game Day~

Very first time ever that ESPN hosted a College Game Day at Boise State and we were there!!!! So if you don't know we are die hard Boise State fans. Love, love, love them!!! Friday night Oct. 1st Adam and his brothers Aaron, Skyler, Joe and me camped out side of Bronco Stadium being the first 30 in line at 10:30 pm until 5am the morning of the 2nd. It was freaking awesome!!! The fans were wild all night long pumped with excitement. When we finally made it on to the field and we were right in the front by the fence. We even were on tv and in the Idaho Statesman. It was so much fun and had a blast. It was a day we would never forget!!!


Can you see how much Adam loves that blue turff?


Adam, Skyler, and Aaron standing in line



Me and Adam

Aaron, Adam, and Joe on the Blue

Adam and Me

Erin Andrews from ESPN

College Game Day set

~~BRONCO NATION~~