{Little Man}

Kayson and his attitude.......... ..... The toddler days are upon us. He's been making us laugh ALOT lately, but along with the laughter comes the Independence, stubbornness, determination, occasional meltdowns over absolutely nothing, and his ability to constantly amaze me with how smart he is and how quickly he picks up on things. All this aside, I love him and he makes me so happy.

I wanted to also touch a little bit on Valentine's Day- I know it's after-the-fact, but I think the WHOLE month of February is associated with Valentine's. We had a great weekend, and we are still laughing about the pic below........ we got each other the same exact card!!! Great minds think alike I guess...... we got them at different stores, at different times- I had gone to town to a matinee with my good friend Kensy on Saturday, and when I got home this card along with a heart shaped cake, and some BEAUTIFUL pink flowers, were waiting for me on the counter. When I opened the card I just started laughing. I got Bry a really yummy cake from Sam's Club and the EXACT same card!!!!!!!!! What are the odds? Needless to say we had lots of chocolate cake.......

{Celebrating 9 Years and Still Going Strong}

Today is a special day for my family! We are celebrating the 9th Anniversary of my Dad's Transplant. When I look back on this incredible journey- I am humbled and amazed at the strength and determination that my Dad has each day. He has been through so much yet he remains so strong.
I was able to go to Burley last week and be there for Dad's 50th Birthday (WHOO HOO) and Kayson and I, also had the opportunity to go with him to CSI (College of Southern Idaho) in Twin Falls ,where he speaks in one of the classes each semester on Organ Donation. He has a whole presentation that he has put together. It gives him the opportunity to tell his story and show people first hand just how amazing being an organ donor can really be. Many people are not familiar with Organ Donation and it can be something that people are scared of or uncomfortable talking about. My Dad does a fabulous job and his sense of humor, and personal experience combined with his incredible ability to speak in public makes for an amazing presentation and I am so glad that I was able to go and listen in.

The lady in the pic below is Deb Annest, Dad has been speaking in her class for seven years now and they have become good friends! She is a neat lady and was very accommodating. She was so concerned about his health and made sure that he didn't overdo it. This particular time was a bit different because one of the Twin Falls news stations was there and before he began they interviewed him and then stayed and taped much of the class. It aired that night as the feature story on the 6 and 10 o'clock news.

Kayson was soooooo good and sat still through the entire thing! I was so proud of him and I was so grateful that I was able to sit and listen as well. We had an amazing experience this past summer when we were able to meet the donor family. The Clutters. There were so many emotions that were there that day but it was an incredible experience and such an important day for my parents and my family. The pic below is all of us girls with Shannon and her son Hunter. She was so much fun and we had a great time. We enjoy staying in touch and talk to her regularly.This was my whole family the night before the meeting. It's very rare that we are ALL TOGETHER!!! This is Sandy and Jerry Clutter. They are the parents of Jerryd Clutter who is the boy that my Dad got his organs from. What neat people they are and we will forever be grateful for their gift.
Happy 9 years Dad. You are the greatest Dad in the world. We look forward to many many more years to come. Thanks for all you are and all that you stand for, you are the rock of our family and we love you so much.......

(Dad at Jason and Emily's wedding in September.)

A Weekend of Fun and Family!!

Its back again, the Cache Valley smog.......Several weeks of cold valley temps combined with the worst air in the country has started to wear on me, so Friday I skipped out on work and headed to higher ground in search of cleaner air and warmer days.... I loaded my ipod with some motivating tunes, grabbed some snowshoes and my snowboard and went in search of untouched powder. I rode the snowmobile into Worm Creek Basin, and started hiking. I took this picture (above) looking out over the Cache Valley and the gloomy fog.

At the top of South Canyon Pass I found clear blue skies and warm sun. It was a lot of work for one run of good snow, but it was worth it just to get out for the day.Friday night Grandma and Grandpa took Kayson for the night while Jess and I went night skiing at Beaver Mountain. It was a clear moon lit night and we had a good time........We forgot the camera so no pictures, but this experience leads us into our Saturday family time. Saturday morning Jess and I went to pick up Kayson at the farm in Station Creek, we spent the day sledding on Grandpa's tubing hill. Kayson didn't get to excited about the sledding, but he is into riding the snowmobiles.

Mom and Kayson getting warmed up to head out on a ride...............

Here is a classic picture of Kayson in his long john's after his big day of winter fun........

Fun was had by all and you can bet that we will be trying out Grandpa's hill again soon!

{Rambo Meets Mr. Clean}

Kayson has a real thing lately about putting shoes on all by himself. It doesn't matter if they are his or not he just likes to put them on and walk around the house. He also loves hats and has decided that HE has to be the one to put them on his head! As I was doing some things around the house tonight THIS is what my little man was up to............ He was sweeping the floor (with a window scraper brush that Bry brought in from one of the cars) one minute........

And then running at me saying, "HIYYYAH" the next! (sorry about my hand in the way- my goal was to snap the pic and then make him hand over the "weapon" but the two tasks seem to have collided)

All the while....... talking on the phone to someone very important by the sound of the conversation that was taking place.

Step aside Mr. Clean and Rambo, there's a new man in town.........................

{SNOW DAYS}

I am about sick of the snow and the cold BUT when I look out my kitchen windows and see this everyday, I am blown away! We thought the creek was beautiful in the summer.......... and the fall....... but this.... SIGH!

I don't know about anyone else but the "winter blues and bordums" are definitely upon us, so Kayser and I decided to go out and play in the snow- it was great for snowman building not to mention is was nice to get some fresh air.

Isn't our snowman cute?! Kayson did the eyes and the nose!

Does this face look familiar to anyone? Like father like son...... (classic "Westerberg")

There's a smile!!!

Once again Kayson and I really needed to get out of the house and I was itching to get some sort of exercise so- the other day- we went out and shoveled the driveway! Kayson was a BIG helper and when we were done we played in the snow for a bit.... It was actually not that cold- I know the pics look cold but it really wasn't.

Monkey figured out that he enjoyed eating the snow rather than playing in it..... silly goober!

Eat snow- CHECK
Build snowman- CHECK
Shovel driveway (a million times- thanks Bry)- CHECK
Drink hot chocolate with cinnamon in it- CHECK
Snuggle in warm blankets- CHECK
Sit by fireplace with a warm fire going- CHECK
Eat homemade soups and stews with homemade rolls- CHECK
Wear hoodies- CHECK

Winter I have enjoyed you but you are quickly wearing out your welcome.........

We Miss You!!!!

Bry, we miss you!! See you soon...........

P.S. Kayson slept all night in his own bed last night and we are crossing our fingers for the same tonight!

LOVE YOU

Ice Climbing!

My amazing husband has so many awesome talents and interests, and he loves to be outdoors and be active, so naturally when Paul McKay invited him to go Ice Climbing, his adventuresome side took over and he went with them! Bryan has been rock climbing but not ice climbing so this was a new adventure and he loved it.... he had a great time! The pic below is Paul almost to the top!

....and this is my hubby in all his extremeness......

Bry had a good time and he can't wait to go again!