Mandi turns 12!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mandi!!

This birthday "shout out" is a little late..... Dec. 27th is Mandi's birthday. However, it took me that long to learn the art of scanning pictures!

( considering a few months ago I barely knew how to turn on a computer.....not soooo bad.) :)

12 things to love about my 12 year old:

(it was very hard keeping it to only 12)

~her dry sense of humor.

~her adaptability

~her sense of calmness

~her creativity

~her love of a good read

~her dependability

~her desire to do the right thing.

~her "I can try" attitude.

~her ability to enjoy the moment.

~her positive outlook

~her ability to "quickly turn that frown away, and smile all the day."-(personal favorite of mom's)

~her love of family

Mandi had us wrapped around her finger from the moment she was born.

from her scrunched up nose when she smiled, to her spunky personality-

our lives would never be the same.
Mandi has always loved the "girly" things....
however, she could-and CAN always hold her own with the boys!
She would usually be found with Mckay in a ballerina outfit, holding a gun.
Have I already mentioned the word"spunky"to describe her as a toddler?!!!! (and as a 12 year old!)
A great insight to Mandi's personality, and the way she looks at life, is the story of one of her very first skiing trips. Mandi was around 5 and had only been skiing a few times. She decided to go with mom to the top....( my kids have since learned better.) Soon after we started down the hill, we found ourselves lost-( i know , i don't even want to hear it-big surprise!) and looking down the mountain at a very steep black diamond run.

I tried not to show my panic as Mandi said, "Mom, this is the scariest thing in my whole life." " I know hon, don't worry I will find us a way down!??" I looked each direction wondering how in the world I was going to get us down. I turned to comfort Mandi.....just in time to see her heading straight down the mountain. She didn't wait for my lead!! She had decided to face head on "the scariest thing in her whole life." ........(and mom had to follow! )

I have since come to know that this would just be one of many times Mandi would show me the way. Her personal strength and loving heart bless all that know her.

Happy Birthday Mands, we celebrate you!

Fun packed weekend!!!

This past weekend Mac's high school wrestling team

gave us a great excuse for the whole family to head for Utah!

We really never need an "excuse"

to go see some of our very favorite people!!

It was so much fun for us to spend time with family,

and for them- to see Mac wrestle.

It was an amazing tournament!

64 High school teams all came to compete at UVU.

The place was packed-and yet, Mac's aunt Jill

could still be heard cheering for him!

(no matter where you were in the building.)

How we LOVE these people!!

Hopefully, these pictures weren't taken while Lou was giving his family night lesson?!?

We miss you already!! Are you sure no one needs a root canal?!?!

Pleeeeeease!!!!!

Mitch......Our Photographer!!!!

"Where is our camera?......hmmmm...........where is MITCH!!"
We think there may be a future for Mitch in photography!!
" Every picture in this post,

(but the one he is in,) was taken by Mitch.
When we asked how he got such good pictures-
He replied, " I told them to be dramatic!"

......and dramatic they were!!

Thanks Mitch for capturing memories
of our great weekend.

The sight I came home to......

This is what I came home to Thursday night!!

Okay-so Mandi didn't really take it to Mac.

She did however, attend her first Beehive activity!

They had an eighty's exercise night!

Can you believe they actually sell leg warmers!!!!!!

This is what Mac looked like after wrestling practice.

Gotta love this sport.

"We'll see you when we get back!"

"They have been playing

for a really long time,........

I really should go check on them."

This is something I say to myself daily.

They play so well together, why interrupt a good thing,......right?!

However, I always know a long time playing=a long time creating a mess.

Sometimes it's worth the price, sometimes not!!:)

Their daily play consists of countless adventures that always seem to involve moving everything from one room into another!

They are either "moving" into a new house, or going on trips.

This particular day, I was getting a lot done as they were getting ready for a "trip." I was somewhat worried with the just how many times they were passing me with bags of ..??... behind their backs-all while saying,

"You don't see us!

You don't see us!"

I just kept one eye closed.

(in denial)

Just as I got up to check on them,

the doorbell rang.

It was Justin- asking for a towel! A towel??? "Yes, my dog fell and got dirty-and Gracie's baby is cold !" "Justin, I didn't even know you were outside!"

"Mom, were going on a trip, we got all ready, but I need a towel and baby clothes-we'll see you when we get back."

How far would they have gotten if there hadn't been a dirty dog and a cold baby?

I shutter to think of it.

I can only imagine, (and smile) at what my neighbors would think seeing this pair traveling through the neighborhood with their suitcases.

Notice the Target bag.... this was one of 2 bags, plus 2 suitcases, packed with EVERYTHING they would need for their trip.

Apparently, going somewhere warm......Gracie packed every swimsuit.

The last of the holiday.......

Mom and Dad Buhrley spent 4 1/2 super fun days with us. Before they left on Sunday, I downloaded all of Dads photo's. This post may be a little picture overload........but considering he took over 1500 pictures-it could be MORE!! Mom and Dad are always up for anything! Our kids are so lucky to have two sets of fun, active, and "young" grandparents! I want to grow up just like them! It's always play ,play,and more play

when grandma and pa are here.

The park is always a favorite........

even in January!!

Mom and Dad gave us Wii Fit for Christmas! We are addicted! It's such a kick to see them having so much fun while going on a 10 minute jog! Wii fit turns running, into a game! They also love the hula hoop, and snowboarding. It is great exercise. Mandi said this is something the members of the Whiting family have to try! "Grandma Whiting and Aunt Jill will go crazy! "

Who needs P90x! GO Wii FIT!!!

Always up for a game of pool or air hockey,

Even when the competition gets tough!

Grandma and Grandpa are SO "hip"!! Mac had them listening to his music all week,(notice dad with the head phones)! Above, he and grandma are dancing to one of Mac's all time favorites, "Bob Marley."

They are so cool.

(they are such good sports!)They even made time for listening to piano, a 6:40 a.m soccer game,(yes A.M.) and they stayed an extra day to see 2 of Mac's matches. What great memories!

(oh, and I had to add the pictures of Gracie posing against the wall......

she came and asked me to take her picture, told me where and how! This little girl makes life so much fun around here.)

She was very excited to be wearing some of the clothes Mandi wore at her age!)

New Year's Eve!

We started our New Year's Eve celebration skiing and snowboarding!

It was a special treat because Grandma Buhrley came with us!

(thank you dad Buhrley for playing with Justin and Grace so I could go!)

This was our beautiful view the entire way down the mountain.

"Twist and Shout!'

Let the party begin!!
We loved bringing in the New Year with mom and dad Buhrley!

We had a fun, WiLd and CrAzY
celebration at home.:)
Justin and Gracie
didn't quite make it until midnight....
The picture above with the blanket and hat.....
that is Justin giving into sleep!

Mac went to a church dance,
and so he gave his "best girl" a New Year's kiss before he left. :)
The picture of me kissing my best guy, is actually staged, .........because I had to wake him up for a kiss at midnight!!
( I know, wild and crazy party. ...ok, not wild and crazy, but it was fun!)
Mom and Dad Buhrley's kiss........well, let's just say this is the "edited" version.

This is where it did get a liTtLe CrAzY!
Silly String War!!

I have to say...........silly string is FUN!

(and the clean-up wasn't to bad)

However, next time we will do it outside ,

AND I will have 2 jumbo can's of my own!

( i will no longer remain a defenseless photographer.)

Happy New Year!

We send you all our love and wishes for a happy and healthy 2009.