The Sting of Winter

Summer is long gone, a blanket of snow now covers the ground where my garden grew. The sting of winter slaps my face and takes my breath away when I step outside. Life is crazy busy with the kids and all the driving..driving...driving! I feel like I spend all winter counting down the days until summer returns. I am a California girl and proud of it, I love the sun and the heat. I sometimes wonder how Bill and I ended up living in the snow when we both dread it. We have been married 17 years now and have spent every one of those years living where it snows. I went to lunch with friends on Saturday and confessed that I HATE The Snow! They were all so shocked by my words, I laughed! I am not afraid to say it! It just isn't all that it's cracked up to be. So I decided this morning I would wake up and have a new outlook on the snow, make friends with it than maybe I would enjoy winter! Well lets just say I tried..I still HATE it and want to move to the beach! :)

Cougar Fans!!!!

Bill and the kids went to the BYU vs TCU game. Before the game ESPN was broadcasting College Game Day at the stadium so Bill,Jake, Brent and the boys went down to check it out. They had a blast! Unfortunately BYU got beat...bad!

Moments

Do you ever have that moment in your life when you experience something that you hope you will never forget? Lately I have been trying to cherish the "good" in my life. I have so much of it and I know I take it for granted. I often hope that I will never forget sweet moments that I am so blessed to experience. I try and capture these experiences in my heart and hold onto them forever.

Summer Vacation on the Oregon Coast

We took a trip to the Oregon Coast with Bill's family. We had such a wonderful time and did so many fun things. It was so hard to leave and come back to the real world. The beach was incredible and we spent most of our time just walking it and collecting sand dollars and shells. I wish it never had to end!

We celebrated our anniversary!

We had a bon fire on the beach. Rob told us funny stories we ate smores and laughed.

Grandpa, Jake and Mason built our fire!

Grandma and sweet baby Sadee

An old ship wreck on the beach. We climbed all over it!

Hay Stack Rock

Star fish and tide pools.

All the cousins

Watch Out World Here She Comes!

Well it's official... Jordyn got her drivers permit today! She was so excited. We are proud and terrified at the same time. Watch out world Jordyn is on the road. Please pray for us. :)

Family

Jacob and I did a quick trip down to see my family. We had a great time seeing everyone. We swam with all the cousins and ate my parent's Italian food.... and let me tell you it's the best in the world! We did a day of Disneyland with my sister Anna and her boys, and my brother Gino his wife Julie and their boys. Bill had to go to Florida on business and the girls were at camp, so it was just me and Jake. We had a blast!

My crazy sister Anna at the ice cream store sporting a mustache.

Dennis throwing Jake in the pool.

Jake, Emma and Abby!

The three amigos! Caden, Jake and Vinny

On our way the Disney!

Caden, Lou, Vinny and Jake getting on the haunted mansion!

On the plane.

Blood and Softball

Bill played on a softball league this year and of course we all know he is a stud. Well this stud of mine decided to be a hero and slide into 3rd base. Lets go back to the last time Bill decided to slide. It was 14 years ago he was in law school and he broke his ankle sliding into 2nd base. He vowed that he would never slide again. Well never say never! It was painful to watch and I'm sure much more painful for him, he said it felt like hitting concrete. Well it resulted in a bloody leg, elbow and a pulled muscle. He said it was all worth it...he was safe.

This picture doesn't even do it justice...it was nasty! It turned green and red and grossed us all out. I had to change our sheets every night for weeks.

Family Friends and the Fourth of July!

It has been a Pope/Fox tradition to spend the 4th of July together. Our families love spending time together and even though we have a big age difference between kids we all seem to blend well. My children have such a love for the Fox children and it is tender seeing them all together. This makes our lives as parents even easier as the kids love and help one another out and the grown ups get to hang out. We always pack in as much fun as we can..this time we went to the open house of the new temple in West Jordan...baseball game..swimming..parade..hot air balloon launching..fireworks and we had a special chance to see our friend Kyle and his sweet wife and family. We came home so tired but had so much fun! Thanks Fox family for putting up with us! We love you guys!

Happy Birthday Jordyn!

Our Jordyn is 15! I have a hard time believing it! What can I say about this kid...she is amazing! From the moment she came into this world she has brought us so much joy and happiness. Jordyn is such a happy funny smart talented girl...and now she is driving! Happy Birthday We love you!