Choir, Snow, and Of Course, Trippster

So I have realized that I always mean to blog, but hardly ever do. For this I apologize. It takes a certain "mood" to sit down at the computer for any length of time because I'm not a big fan of sitting at my desk. But I have decided that it's about time to catch up...and I am pleased to say that I am currently excited to blog! Yea!

I would first like to write a little tribute to "Women of Note." I sang with this wonderful group of ladies for the last 2 seasons and had a great time. It is all LDS women (though I don't think that is a requirement), and is led by Lisa Miller who is actually the mom of a couple of my friends. My best friend Stacy and I joined the group together. We met once a week and performed at various nursing homes and enrichment nights, etc. It was really great doing service and seeing the smiles on people's faces when we would perform. I was able to sing first soprano which is new to me and it really helped me gain some of my voice back...considering I haven't been in a singing group since high school. I had to drop out of the group this season because I have been so busy, but I will always treasure the memories and I am so grateful to the Women of Note for allowing me to sing with them.

As most of you know, I am the laurel advisor in my ward and love it more than I ever thought possible. This calling has truly changed my life and I love every minute of it...except maybe all the lesson prep! :) This last weekend we took a trip to Sister Elton's cabin in McCall and had a blast! We got there and discovered the roads hadn't been plowed, so we hiked in. Then we discovered that the water pipes were frozen and we had no water. Lucky for us there was an outhouse nearby. So we were able to boil snow to drink and to cook with and make the best of it. It was funny because here we were in this great cabin, but we still felt like we were "roughing it." The girls are a lot of fun. We went sledding, played games, watched movies, and ate a lot of starbursts! I am so glad I was able to get to know them better because they are amazing and are such great examples to me! I can't wait for girls' camp this summer!

Sister Jones, Kody, and Amy looking as lovely as ever...

Here is our little group right before the sledding adventure:

The breathtaking view from the back of the cabin:

For the most part our lives have been uneventful. I am still working part time at Mercy Medical Center in the ICU, and though we have had quite a few layoffs, I have been blessed to keep my job so far. Bryant has been busy helping his dad with his dad's business and is enjoying working with family. We are so grateful that our families are close and that we have the opportunity to see them as often as we can. Tripp is the joy of our lives. He is turning into quite the little boy. He has six teeth, and hasn't quite hit the 20 pound mark so the poor guy is still in his rear-facing carseat. He is almost always happy and has quite the sense of humor. He has become obsessed with his feet and is always wanting us to either put on or take off his shoes and socks. He still loves music and starts dancing any time it is played. Any type of ball is a favorite in our house-he loves his soccer ball and his bouncy ball. Here is an example:

We have been taking walks lately when the weather isn't too horribly cold and Tripp has his homemade hat from grandma and his little brown gloves. He doesn't quite understand how to wear the gloves so his hands are usually balled up inside them. If I grab the hat, gloves, or stroller, he starts shouting for joy and wants to take that walk right away. I think he's becoming a little guy who loves the outdoors! Here he is before one of our first walks of the season:

Tripp's new favorite facial expression:

Well, that's a wrap for now!