A Sweet Reunion

Audra has been a special person in our lives for the past 12 years. Not only was she one of my Young Women in our ward in Salt Lake but her family lived around the corner from us. Every Sunday Audra and her brother Andrew would spy on us because David and I led some fascinating, interesting lives. Okay, so I really have no idea why they spied on us but eventually they got up the nerve to knock on our door thus starting a wonderful Sunday afternoon tradition of hanging out with these two fabulous young people. Since Audra was in the Young Womens program when I was in a leadership position we got to spend a ton of time together that included weekly activities, service projects, holiday celebrations, youth conferences, sports games, boating trips, and the list goes on. As I went through some of our pictures trying to find some that I wanted to include on this blog I definitely teared up with all the wonderful memories I have with this special friend.

Andrew and Audra with our new puppy Barkley. Audra was actually with us when we went to pick out Barkley from the breeder. The lady selling Barkley to us was amazed that David and I were old enough to have a teenage daughter! We had a good laugh about that one.

A youth overnighter at Audra's family's cabin. Audra and the other youth tried to teach us how to play this sticks game but we weren't that good.

Cheering on the Ute football team.

The night before I had Savannah I was extremely nervous about what the next day would bring. Audra and her brother and sister, Andrew and Cosette, spent the evening with us, playing video games, eating snacks, laughing, and basically keeping my mind off my C-section the next morning.

Doing a little ice skating.

Cinco de Mayo.

Boating and yes, that is my huge pregnant belly!

We were always doing something fun!

When David and I announced to our friends that we would be moving to Maryland in a few months Audra decided to finish her Young Women in Excellence award in time for me to be there when she received it. This accomplishment of hers and the fact that she wanted me to be there with her touched me immensely. I loved my Young Women!

Audra's family had a going away party for us before we left. One of the hardest things about leaving Utah was the special people that we had to say goodbye to and we have definitely missed Audra!

Two years after we moved to Maryland I was able to fly back to Salt Lake to attend the temple wedding of our little Audra. What a special event, one I was so happy I could attend. David wanted to be there as well but someone had to stay home and watch Savannah, Xander, and 3 week old Noah. What a beautiful bride she was!



In the past few years since Audra got married, she and her husband have moved out to North Carolina and have two beautiful children. I was so excited when Audra let me know that her little family was coming up to DC for a few days to tour the sites. Despite the crazy schedule we had we managed to meet up with them at the DC temple for an hour to soak up some time together. It was beyond wonderful to see her, talk to her, and spend time with her two cute kids. What a fabulous reunion!!!


I am so grateful that I have been able to have such a special friendship in my life and hope that one day we can live a little closer so we can build even more memories together. Love ya, Audra!

Winter Sports

With Xander's final indoor soccer game last Saturday we are now officially done with winter sports. Both Savannah and Xander had great indoor soccer seasons, improving on their skills and scoring lots of goals. Xander's team had a few losses but went pretty far in the playoffs. Although they lost their final playoff game on Saturday Xander was pretty happy to head out to pizza with his team afterwards to celebrate the season. He had a great coach who tried to make it fun for all the boys as well as teach them a few things along the way.
Xander's team.

This is a picture of the coach recognizing Xander for what he brought to the team and all his teammates clapping for him.

He's pretty proud - another medal to add to his collection.

Savannah's team had an outstanding season, only losing their final game. Unfortunately, though, they were knocked out in the very first round of playoff games. Oh, well, you win some, you lose some. Savannah thoroughly enjoyed playing for this team, the Pink Pumas, and had some really great coaches that we hope to have again.

Xander's basketball team also did well this year but the best thing about the season was watching how much Xander improved as a player. We couldn't have asked for a better coach and a better team for Xander to play with in his very first year. They won their first game in the playoffs, cheered on by us as well as his Grandma and Grandpa Schaeffer, but then they lost their second game.
Xander receiving his trophy from his coach.

Way to go, Xanderman!

Now we have a few weeks of rest and relaxation before T-ball, futsol, and flag football begin.

St. Patty's Day

The leprechauns hit our house pretty hard this past Saturday. The kids and I woke up to massive mayhem on our main level - chairs on the kitchen table, clothes scattered about, couches and chairs overturned, books stacked several feet high, piano books flung all over the living room, and shoes hanging from door knobs. The kids loved it!!! I, on the other hand, was not too pleased. I think a certain leprechaun went a tad overboard!



I did think one leprechaun got quite creative putting a juice box in Noah's favorite monkey's mouth. However, for some reason this really ticked off Noah and he flung that juice box far away from his precious little monkey.

And of course what leprechaun mischief would be complete without underwear finding its way onto stuffed animals' heads, all down the stairs, and hanging from the ceiling fan.

Both Noah and Xander set traps in an optimistic attempt to catch a leprechaun but all they found the next morning were some yummy chocolate candies.


The kids also received some really cute St. Patrick's Day socks from the little people.

Can't to see what the leprechauns do next year!

The Gecko Field Trip

This week Noah's preschool class took a field trip to watch some guy perform comedy and dancing dressed as a Gecko. Yeah, a little strange but the kids seemed to enjoy it.

The Gecko pouring water on one of Noah's friends. The kids LOVED this and all of them were hoping to get picked to go up on stage and have water poured on them. Unfortunately for Noah he was not one of the lucky ones.

The Gecko taught the kids the salsa, the tango, the cha cha, and several other fun dances. All of their dance moves were too cute!


About half way through the program the Gecko announced that he was going to get his big brother...a few minutes later out came this guy!

A bunch of kids started screaming and the little girl I watch came running over to me. I had to assure her that it was just a guy in there. Everyone loved the big brother because of all the funny tricks he did.

Overall the field trip was a lot of fun, especially since I hadn't done it with Savannah or Xander previously.

San Antonio

Delayed flights. Food poisoning. Stranded in Dallas overnight with no luggage. Lost luggage. Okay, I just had to get those bummer moments from our trip to San Antonio out of the way so I could focus on the positive. And it definitely was a fun, relaxing trip...at least for me. Last week David had meetings in San Antonio and I tagged along. My week was fabulous - I slept in, read a lot, wandered around downtown San Antonio, checked out the Alamo, crocheted, watched movies, and basically relaxed. Poor David was stuck in meetings ALL day, starting at 7 and ending between 7:30 and 8 at night. Despite his grueling schedule we were able to go down to the Riverwalk one night and have a delicious Mexican dinner. So, although there were a few hiccups in getting there and then getting home, I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in San Antonio.




While I was visiting the Alamo the Miss America contestants were hanging out across the street, signing autographs. I was hopeful that Sandra Bullock would come flying out of nowhere but no such luck; I had to be content with just a picture of the lovely ladies.

More Basketball

This time it's David's turn to be in the spotlight! I so rarely post things about David or myself that I think it's about time to show that David and I do have somewhat of a life other than tagging along after the kids. For the first three months of the year the kids and I look forward to Thursday nights when we get to watch David play in his church basketball games. So far this year David's team has been playing really well and are undefeated.


Of course I think David is fabulous and always does such a great job. David, however, is not too thrilled about me taking pictures of him while shooting...I guess the flash was a bit of a distraction. Oh, well.
Go, David!

The Honor Roll

For earning all A's and B's on her report card, Savannah made the Honor Roll. We're obviously very proud of her for this great accomplishment and hope that she will continue to work towards such good grades throughout her school years.