Winter Fun!

You knew this would happen.  When life gets crazy what is the first thing to fall by the wayside?  Journals.  I should put that quote on pinterest, "Never get so busy that you can't journal."  Ha! Hope you are happy.  Time marches on in our neck of the woods.  T is busy with a challenging job, not to mention the thousands of other things he juggles, A-hizzle is all things rubik's cube right now.  Yes, you read that correctly.  The cube is back with a vengeance.  He memorizes algorithms so that be can solve them in a matter of minutes.  He doesn't get that from me.  I get tired playing "Connect Four". Izzy is busy with school work.  Fourth grade has not been easy, but she is determined to do her best.  Avi cakes loves to dance and tumble.  She truly looks like a cute monkey when you take her to the park.  She doesn't let her size deter her from conquering the high bars. We also read a ton of books together. They all seem happy, which makes me happy.

I spend my time trying to find a balance.  I think balance may be a life long journey.  I dabble in this and that always hoping I am spending my time wisely.  I am teaching about three or four fitness classes a week.  I certified as a group fitness instructor in January, so now I am able to teach at a fitness facility as well as my volunteer classes.  I don't think it is my life's work, but it seems to be making a difference in the lives of my students.  I adore them.  We don't step on scales or eat organically, we are just committed to getting stronger so that we can lift grand kids out of cars or accomplish yard work. Besides the fact that I have certain foods (chocolate, cheese, bread, pasta) that I am required to have for mentally stability so there will be no dieting around here. I am serving in the Relief Society presidency in my ward.  These women are amazing.  It is a privilege to work among them.  They are truly Colorado's finest. I have been taking some floral arranging classes at the local college.  I enjoy the arranging, I just find if hard to practice my skills.  Flowers are expensive, so it feels like we might need a second mortgage to afford my floral habits.  Man, I sound like an addict.  

First of all, I have pictures like this all over my phone.  These phone apps are making me a little crazy.  This guy scares the pants off me.

This was Halloween night.  I spent the day helping at the school, and then we hit the streets for a little trick or treating.  We finished the evening with friends and so many peanut butter cups.  Like so many.

On our way to Salt Lake for Thanksgiving.  The ride through the Colorado mountains is absolutely beautiful.  Thanksgiving was held at Mom's house this year, and we spent some quality time with T's family as well.  The food was amazing, and the company was even better. I love turkey.  I feel sorry for them, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying their tender meat. Not to mention the fact that I like them stuffed.  It is all rude really, but I have no desire to stop participating in the whole delicious tradition. 

I told you Avi cakes is not afraid of heights.  She climbs the kitchen counters while I am making dinner.  She literally scales the kitchen island.  I have a hard time telling her to stop because it is like having a small zoo in your kitchen, kind of fun, kind of dysfunctional.

Izzy seems to have a red light, green light personality.  There are no yellow lights in her world.  She is either 100% all in or 100% out.  She plays hard, but she crashes hard too.  She looks like she has had one to many juice boxes here.

Our Colorado winter did not disappoint.  We had heard they were mild, but we had not idea.  Golfing in November?  Que Bueno!

Izzy's Native American Day at school.  She's ready to paint with all the colors of the wind.

Crazy hair day of course! Did you know that keeping your hair like that for a long time kind of hurts?  I get makeovers like this all the time from my girls.  If you forget about your hair, you are going to feel it later. Not to mention the fact that you are going to forget you have a ton of makeup on and you're going to go grocery shopping.  Awesome.

Averi's first grade program.  She is on the bottom row, first girl on the left.

December began with a visit from Sinter Klaus.  Our Dutch Santa leaves treats in the shoes we set out by the fireplace.  He always remembers to bring us chocolate sprinkles for our toast, but he forgets to bring a shop vac to help clean them up from all over the kitchen floor.

We found a house close by that had their Christmas lights synchronized to a radio station playing Christmas music.  We went to see it two or three times.  We would open the tail gate and watch them like we were at the movies.  Now that is what I call good, old fashioned, Mormon fun.

We knew we were going to be in Salt Lake for the Holiday, but we had a great time decorating out place for the weeks before.  I start listening to Christmas music just before Halloween.  Did you really think I wouldn't decorate in Denver?

We made our way back to be with our family, and this handsome chihuahua took me on a date to see the lights.  I really like him. I love temple square.  I have loved it for as long as I can remember.  T + Temple Square = Merry Christmas.

Grandma and Opa held a wonderful Christmas party the weekend before the big day.  They spoiled us as usual.  We feel so lucky to be a part of their crew. Opa looks like a handsome Santa huh? 

The Ludlow Party. We talked about sharing the gift of Christ in the coming year.  Each person wrote down what they were going to work towards.  Love this wacky bunch, attractive but wacky.

A night in Bethlehem at the cousins house.  We cried, sang songs, and ate delicious food.  Love you to the moon and back, thanks for wonderful memories.  I cherish them.

Christmas morning in Grandma and Grandpa's basement. I loved watching the kids hug each other, laugh, show kindness, show gratitude.  This my friends is why I love Christmas so very much.  Christmas teaches us how to be Christ like.  How grateful I am for a Saviour who had done so much for me.  Everyday is truly Christmas morning when I have him with me.

Two of my favorites. My sweet cousin Sissy and her family came to party before we left.  We were able to see my handsome cousin Clint, his pretty wife Natalie, and their cute boy that night as well.  I am proud they are mine.

Sending love and best wishes.  Keep your family close, and your chocolate closer.  Remember, never fear the beaver.

October: no tricks...just treats.

Hello my sweet friends and family.  Do you want to build a snowman?  Holy nutmeg, this place has been cold.  We didn't rise above 20 degrees there for a few days and I thought I was going to sneak out in the night and drive to Phoenix.  Colorado has a lot to live up to.  Many people sold us on the weather when we were making the move.  Here is a letter:

Dear Colorado Weather Loving People,

Are your pants on fire?

Love, Jill

We had a wonderful October though.  May I tell you about it.  Please don't let me give you the impression that our life is glamorous.  You are receiving the exciting highlights, but most days are filled with hotdogs and Disney channel reruns.  Whateves.  We started the month out with a trip to La Jolla, San Diego.  You see, I am married to a very smart man.  He knows that if he takes me to my favorite place in the world (the beach), then I will keep making him brownies.  Win, win.  We didn't have much planned except for sea lion watching and cupcake eating.  Our sweet E and Jay joined us for a day as well.  My best 36th birthday ever.  We ate tacos at a random restaurant, walked the shore line, ate Sprinkles treats, and laughed our heads off.  Love you E and Jay.  I made my family see the movie, "Meet the Mormons" at some random theatre on the day of my birthday.  Averi and I cried our stinking eyes out.  It is amazing to me that you can be so far from home, and instantly the Spirit testifies to you that you are never alone and that Heavenly Father knows you personally.  

That's hot chocolate guys.  Although her sweet face makes it look like there is something much stronger in there.

Troy was such a sweet heart (he still is currently sweet, I am just trying to make a point).  Each morning he would take the kiddos to breakfast while I enjoyed a morning run.  Those few moments running along the beach are nothing but magic, first because the scenery is breathtaking and the weather is lovely, and second because the altitude is much easier of the lungs than the 6,000 feet I am usually in.

Fast forward a few weeks and we are headed to Breckenridge, Colorado to be with my family.  Breckenridge is an amazing ski town.  My sis had rented a fabulous condo which fit us perfectly.  We played games, swam in the pool, ate delicious food, hiked, shopped, and giggled until our faces were going to fall off.  Some of my favorite moments included trying to eat like a T-Rex, and watching the youngest girls attempt to navigate the city with a map.

A-hizzle with his new ski hat.  

Skipping rocks yo!

My handsome nephie.

This is the profile picture I would use if I was ever on LDS Singles.  Totally kidding.  Troy had to work that morning.

I made my gorgeous Sissy pose like they do for school pictures, all awkward and stuff.

Uh...is that not the cutest thing you have ever seen?  I'll have those girls with a side of chips please.

Our sweet family came down the mountain to stay with us for a few days.  We had a birthday party for Addie, miniature golfing, pumpkin painting, house decor shopping, "The Voice" screening party, and once again more laughter.  Love these guys so very much.  Eternal Families Forever!  Woot, Woot.  I am going to make that into a bumper sticker, even the woot, woot part.  Thank you for coming...truly, thank you.

Love these beautiful girls.

Ash had the opportunity to join his young men's group for a trip to the LDS temple.  He said the experience was great.  He took a selfie with his friends which is totally hilarious, but pretty adorable. I hope he keeps that image forever as a reminder of his incredible decision to be in the temple that day.

One night I was laying in bed feeling sorry for myself.  I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with things.  I felt like I was trying to make a difference in the world, but no matter how hard I tried I would always come up short.  There was always a task that was left undone or a child that needed more than I could give that day.  Troy must have sensed my frustration and simply asked, "Do you feel like you're drowning?"  To which I replied, "I know I am drowning."  He listened while I confessed all of my imperfections and didn't judge me for them.  That's just how he rolls.  The next day I was reading something online and came across this image.  

I have no idea who made this image, and I certainly don't want to go to prison for using it here, but isn't it breathtaking? This image captures my whole world right now.  Leaving our home several months ago has been a difficult, seemingly impossible task, but just when I think I'm going to sink to the bottom He lifts me up so that I can breath again.  He'll do the same for you.  I know he will.  Just reach out your hand and look up.  Love you so much.  Stay warm until I can give you a snuggle myself.  Not you Mr. Beaver, there will be no snuggles for you.