Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Win-Win Situation

Just a quick, funny story about Regan. Every once in a while Jeff and I talk casually about missions with the girls, hoping they get excited about one day going on one themselves. The other day in the car I said, "Where do you guys want to go on your missions?" Usually Regan says Hawaii, because she likes pineapple and leis. This day, she said Texas because "they talk like us" I didn't correct her :). We talked about it for a few minutes while she asked where some of her aunts went for their missions. Then, she asks, "Mom, when I get home from my mission, can I get a cell phone?" I immediately replied, "Absolutely!"

This was win-win-win situation. First, she, for all intents and purposes, agreed to go on a mission. Second, she is now VERY excited to go on that mission. And third, I don't have to get her a cell phone until she turns 22. Awesome.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Farewell to a Much Loved Prophet


President Gordon B. Hinckley
June 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008
We are so sad to have to say goodbye, for now, to our dear prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. He is the only prophet my girls have known, and has been our prophet throughout Jeff's and my entire marriage. He was always so happy and energetic. He always made us want to try harder and be better. It is at times like these when we are so thankful for the Gospel that teaches us that life with those we love continues even beyond death. How happy for him that he can be with his wife once again. He will be greatly missed, both in our home and around the world.
More information about President Hinckley's life and church service can be found on the official press release: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/beloved-church-president-gordon-b-hinckley-dies-at-97

Saturday, January 26, 2008

When I Grow Up

Today was Regan's ballet recital for which she has been preparing since August. It was so fun to see her up on the stage under the lights. She was really nervous during the day and even last night, but once she found out she could wear a little of mom's make-up she quickly got over her stage fright. The theme of the recital was "When I Grow Up", and it had 25 or so groups dance as different things that they had wanted to be. Regan's class danced as moms. They had beautiful mom outfits complete with starched tutu and pink tights. Something, I am sure, all of us moms can relate to wearing.... :) They also got to dance with ,and keep, a little doll dressed in the same outfit. Here is a picture from this morning's dress rehearsal. I'll post pictures from the actual recital later. I'm way too tired to deal with downloading them right now. For now, trust my unbiased opinion that she was the most beautiful, brave and graceful ballerina in the show.


Here is a picture we took as we were about to walk out the door. Ignore the boots, it's Idaho, it's freezing, and the girl's in tights. We did change into actual ballet slippers for the show, but, watching this video, we didn't need to. That's some serious talent to be able to do that in pink pack boots!


Monday, January 21, 2008

Whirlwind Weekend

Regan was out of school last Friday and today, and Jeff was off today, so we went on a whirlwind roadtrip. It was fun, and everyone is exhausted. As usual, we need a vacation to recover from our vacation.

Friday we drove to my parent's home in Tremonton to spend the night. After destroying my mom in Phase10 (not unusual:)), a little sleep, and the best pancake breakfast ever, we were off to the thriving metropolis of Ririe, Idaho, where I grew up. We visited with my Aunt Patty and Uncle Norm for a while, then drove up the road to the even larger metropolis of Sunnydell to visit Rebecca Taylor, my college roommate and, even still, good friend. Then, FINALLY, to quote Regan and Hadyn, we drove to Rexburg. Home of Ricks College (sorry BYU-Idaho, it'll always be Ricks to us). We got there just in time for dinner. It was sooooo good. Aunt Linda, who we were staying with that night, obviously did not want us leaving hungry. There was a huge get-together of all the Luke cousins, aunts, uncles, children, etc., and there are a lot of them. It was so fun to visit, watch the kids play dress up (see below) ...did I mention eat?




The next day, Sunday, we finally arrived at the actual reason for our trip. Rexburg is in the last weeks of the open house for their brand-new temple. Jeff's Uncle Brent is in the new temple presidency, and he and Aunt Jean offered to take a group of us through on a private tour Sunday afternoon. We brought Regan with us, but Hadyn got to stay and play with Aunt Linda. If you haven't been, and you are close enough to get there, GO! It was so beautiful. I was emotional from the beginning. Everything was so peaceful and calming. I can't wait to go back. Of course, being January and Rexburg, it was freezing and snowing, so our pictures of the outside didn't turn out too well. It brought back some memories of college and trudging up Viking Drive to get to class each morning. For every step you took, the wind pushed you back two. Ah, memories...


This really doesn't show how cold it was. All former Ricks attendees, I know, are shudddering right now...

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

My Work is Done . . .by Regan - Finally!

This is a day I have dreamt of for so long - 5 years, 4 months and fifteen days to be exact. Our family has rotating jobs that have to be done each evening after dinner. Dishes/counter, dining room, front room and floors. Each of us has one job, which means Jeff and I each have one, then we each help one of the girls do their jobs. Up until now it has mostly been the two adults doing the work. So, last night, Regan announced that she was going to do her job herself. This is awesome in and of itself, but her job this week happens to be loading the dishwasher, washing the big stuff, and wiping down the counters. A huge job for a 5 year old. She rolled her sleeves up and actually did it. She even found the step stool in the garage on her own so she could reach the sink. She is so excited. Tonight we had very few dishes that actually had to be hand-washed and she was so disappointed. Now if I can just get her excited about cleaning toilets I can officially retire. :)



She's also a bit of a ham. She was washing dishes like a normal person until I got the camera...

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Good Friends


I took this picture from the kitchen, which looks down on the family room. The girls were watching something on TV and I happened to glance up. How cute is this. I love that they are close enough in age to really be good friends. Anyway, I know the photo is a little grainy, but I love it.


In other news, our winter wonderland was short lived, and we are down to a few piles of snow that were shoveled from the driveway. We actually had rain yesterday. We are still hoping for more of the white stuff. The girls are signed up for ski lessons next month up at Bogus Basin. Jeff and I will be taking snowboarding lessons at the same time. It should be interesting. I'm sure Regan and Hadyn will love it, as they love all things snow, but I'm worried about Jeff and I. It is definitely a new trick, and, I'm not saying were old dogs, but...

Thursday, January 10, 2008

10-Year Anniversary Trip

Jeff and I just celebrated our 10-Year Anniversary! My in-laws went above and beyond their call of duty and watched Regan and Hadyn so Jeff and I could head into the snowy mountains of Cascade, Idaho. We stayed at The Ashley Inn, which was amazing. The hotel was beautiful and the rooms made you want to permanently move in. Here is a couple pics from our room (you can check out pictures of the hotel at their website, http://www.theashleyinn.com/):

The hotel had snowshoes you could borrow, which we did. We walked (snowshoed?) all around Cascade Lake, which was frozen over. It was one of the most beautiful place I had ever been. I almost thought I was in some fairytale when the deer crossed our trail in front of us and the two bald eagles circled overhead. It was such a great anniversary!



Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Jumping on the Bandwagon




Everybody's doing it, right? Here is my attempt at a blog. We'll see how it goes. I love keeping up/spying on my friends and family through their blogs, so I figured I'd give them the chance to do the same. We are soooo loving Idaho, and, being a first time Boise resident, I love it. We were so excited to see a real winter, but there hasn't been much of one yet this year. We got our first real snow a few days before Christmas, but it doesn't stick around long. However, the last couple days have been a true winter wonderland. Complete with icey roads and sidewalks, snow blowing down the neck of your coat and breathing heavy just to see your breath. Jeff is like a kid when it comes to playing in or just being in the snow. Last night, trying to hide the glee from his voice and a grin from his face, he offered to go shovel the walk and driveway.