SPRING BREAK!!!

VEGAS!!

This year Mandi and I had a pre-break adventure!

Mandi had a soccer tournament in Vegas

and it was a great excuse for a girls trip.

I must say we were quite proud of the way we got around the city.

I was completely confident with Mandi as navigator!!

It was a really fun way to start our

spring break.

TRADITIONS!!!

I LOVE FAMILY TRADITIONS!

One day we may go somewhere warm for

spring break...

but our Targhee spring break has been a tradition for 7 years,

and one we would really miss.

We look forward to this trip all year.

It is such quality family time and makes for wonderful memories.

One favorite tradition of the trip is having

mom and dad Buhrley there with us!

I had to put in the pictures below of my amazing

mom and dad...(in-law).

They kick my fanny on the slopes,

and mom,

looks beautiful while she does it!

Sledding!

Always one of the first things we do.

Our darling 'little deers' in ski class!
Their instructors fought over them!

Fresh Powder
has always been a
Targhee tradition.
This year was no exception.
HOLY POWDER!!!!!

This particular run in knee deep powder

(or waist deep for Mitch) will be a memory forever!!

The powder was like quick sand,Mitch and I

were sinking fast.

Emotions were high and I was beginning to think

it would take the rest of the day to get down.

This is when I heard Mitch quietly saying to himself...

"I am calm, I can do this.

I am calm, I can do this."

He repeated this all the way down the mountain!

It was amazing to see the difference

these words made as they were repeated over and over.

He did stay calm

and he did do it...

ending with a huge smile on his face.

I was so proud of him!

Can you say

POWDER?!?!!!!

Snow dares

are as much of our Targhee tradition,

as skiing is!!

Somehow Lou and I have been able to avoid participating.

It is enough entertainment to watch!!!

On the slopes all day and relaxing in the hot tub each night.

It's a great life.

This trip does provide a lot of family

togetherness!

:)

I think Lou may have started a new tradition!

Our balcony became an ice cream store!

Mom and dad really help make this trip wonderful.

This picture was taken just minutes

after the last run of the week.

AND just minutes after Gracie was begging to go

"just one more time"

to the very top!!

She loved squeezing in

the last run of the day.
It's always hard to see it end.

Spring Break 2010!

Until next time... We came home and enjoyed a relaxing Easter weekend.

I loved spending Easter Sunday as a family watching Conference.

In between sessions the kids tried out their 'Easter' basketballs.

Notice Gracie in her new shin guards...

(like Mandi's!)

Also with her pink basketball

and in her favorite outfit of the week.

This girl is such a girlie girl...

but with some definite spunk!!!

Happy Spring everyone!

sleepy tears...

6:15 pm...Gracie has a complete

meltdown in the car.

6:25 pm...Gracie is falling asleep!

6:26 pm...Mom tries getting Gracie to,

"wake up!"

(it's way to late in the day for a 'nap'!)

6:27 pm...Justin's very calm plea with mom,

" Mom, maybe let her rest...sometimes when your parents get

VERY stern

and it makes you so,so sad

and you cry

really big tears...

it just makes you sleepy."

I want to remember the sweet,calm delivery of this information.

Especially, on the rare occasion I find myself being,

very stern.

:)

It's my LUCKY day!!!

Justin Michael Buhrley Lucky!

describes perfectly the way you feel

when Justin's around!

So it is only fitting to begin his birthday post

with some St. Patty day pictures!

Hat and photo session designed by the b-day boy himself. :)

We adore this 6 year old boy.

He brings so much love, energy,
and laughter to our home.
As you can see from the Chucky Cheese birthday pictures above,
you can't help but smile, when he is around!

Somehow, I missed getting many pictures of our celebration.
However, these few definitely show his
personality!
I love the sweet expressions of excitement and gratitude
shown while opening presents.
He doesn't know what it is before he is saying,
"Thank you! Thank you!"

I was happy Lou got some pictures,
of what must of been, a very fun ride!
I just love the way Gracie
is looking at Justin!

Here are just a few things I heard Justin say this week...

"You look beautiful! WOW. you. look. beautiful!"
Justin tells his mom and sisters daily they are beautiful.
He says it with such sincerity,
you just have to believe him!!
He is also the first to notice when I have something new on, or I've changed my hair!

"Mom, you and dad are perfect together..
but sometimes
I wish I would have met you before dad."

"Mom, you are the best mom in the whole,whole world.
I am so glad I have you."

I just asked Mac what's something sweet Justin has said to him lately.
"That's easy... he tells me I'm the best brother in the whole world,
he tells that to me every single day."
Mac then adds,
"Oh, I love that kid."

Tonight,
as Justin was kissing my entire face goodnight,
he said, " I love you mom,
tomorrow I am going to be so,so nice."

With his big brown eyes
and eyelashes that touch his eyebrows,
this little guy can melt your heart in a second.
Add that with his genuine sweet,thoughtful,
(although very mischievous,)
nature... and you have the
most adorable 6 year old in the world!

Happy Birthday Justin.
We feel so LUCKY to be loved by you.
XOXOXOXOX

Snow Days!!

Anyone for some Football!?! Snow Football!!

Our first snow was welcomed

with a football game!!

For a kiss and a hug,

Justin and Gracie can talk Mac into ANYTHING!
Including, braving the cold snow...
in the dark!!
I felt brave going out to take the pictures!

The kids love when we have snow,
that actually stays, so they can build snowmen!
Mitch and Justin built theirs on the trampoline. :)

These girls make me laugh

everyday.

Can you tell Gracie loves to be like her big sis!?:)

13 going on 30!!

hApPy BIrThdAy

Our Mandi Girl!!

turns 13!!!!

How we love this girl.
Just thinking about what I could say about this sweet teen
puts a big smile on my face and my heart.

I love this girl.

She is such a light in our home,
and such a huge part of what makes our family,
our family.

This girl has had her dad
wrapped around her finger
since the day she was born-
when she slept the entire first night of her life
in his arms.
She slept peacefully, as soon as she heard his voice.
I will never forget the sweet instant love between these two.

And for me...
she is one of my favorite people
in all the world to spend time with.

She is fun, witty,insightful,
responsible,
thoughtful,beautiful-
(inside and out)
and one of the smartest people I know.

She is my right arm (and the right side of my brain!)
She helps keep perspective in times of chaos and can bring order to my scattered brain, (in my ADD moments!:))
I can't imagine life without her,
and so grateful I don't have to!

Mandi felt so lucky to have so many family members celebrate her day! She was surrounded with people who love her.
Grandma and Grandpa Whiting,Uncle Justin, Uncle Jeremy,
Uncle Randy and Aunt Leah were all there to make her day special.
We spent the afternoon at Randy and Leah's,
who hosted a great birthday party!

Scrabble, bingo, ice cream cake, and the movie "UP"
were some of the party highlights!

Goofy picture taking...
also took up much of the afternoon!
:)

Mandi has always had the ability to see and understand things beyond her years. She has a strong sense of who she is and is quick to learn from her mistakes...

(the 2 mistakes she has had in her life.:))

Mandi has a calmness about her that has brought a lot of peace to our home

Although, don't let her fool you...

she also has quite a spunky teasing streak in her!

Amanda Noel Buhrley

We love and adore you,

everything about you.

We can't wait to see you take on the world!

Thanksgiving Fun....

Thanksgiving with the Heaps !

I may not have time to get our Christmas cards out this year,

or put up decorations,but...I had to take some time for this post!

I couldn't wait to record our

fun weekend with the Heaps.

I also know from experience- if I wait too long before posting,it may not get done!

It may seem odd to start our

Thanksgiving post

with Leo as the focal point-

but Leo, was the focal point!

"At least I can live out my dream

for one weekend"

comments like this one said by Mitch, were commonly heard.

OK, I must admit- I even enjoyed

seeing Leo run around the house

and sleep with the kids.

I have always said,

If we could just find a dog,

that didn't poop

and didn't smell like a dog... ??

The Heaps tell me Leo's poops are sooo small-

they practically don't count...

Hmmmmm.

The Turkey Trot!

The traditional Thanksgiving morning run!

My injury is still not allowing me to run very much,

so it was definitely a "trot!"

I felt bad holding them back-

but Jacqueline sweetly said,

"Birds of a feather, flock together!"

By my side they stayed-

I'm sure Jac felt like she was walking!

Dinner is served!

We had quite the feast which included,

Matt and Lou having a

Sweet Potato showdown!!

(I think it was a tie vote, both delicious!!)

Jill made her famous homemade rolls.

All of us working in the kitchen together

made for some good memories.

With a broken dishwasher,

we opted for paper plates

and had the easiest

Thanksgiving clean up, EVER!

I know-

they really had to twist my arm on that one.

The only time we had to "parent"

the kids at all...was

getting them to stop playing long enough to eat,

and getting them to bed!

Oh... and when we had to occasionally

step in while Justin was practicing

his new found favorite hobby,

teasing 2 cute little girls.

:)

We also found some time to relax.

Mac got a soothing foot rub

after he bribed Gracie with a new lip gloss,

and Justin lost his FIRST tooth!

This made me a little sad.

First they loose a tooth, and before you know it-their in High School.

Justin really only had 1 piece of advice

for Gracie on loosing a tooth.

"Just don't let Aunt Jill touch it,

and it won't hurt at all!"

Classic.

Black Friday!!

I have never attempted the

Black Friday experience.

We decided- this was the year.

These are pictures

we took before heading out at Midnight.
We flunked the Black Friday test.
We really needed Monica or Wendy with us.
We saw the line at Toys-R-Us

wrapping around the store,
lines for Target and Old Navy starting-
5 hours before they were even opening...
and went home!

Jill captured some great "game faces" during Bowling!
As you can see, we all took it very seriously.

I LOVE this picture of Emily and Gracie!

They just couldn't watch!

Many times after my turn, I felt the same way!

Random craziness!.

See what happens when sisters get together?!

(and this was only 2 of the sisters!)

The kids wanted me to take pictures of them-

"sleeping".

Can you pick out the 1 picture

where they are actually "sleeping?"

Thank you Heaps Family

for spending Thanksgiving with us

and starting out the

Holiday Season

in full swing!

We love you!!

Come back soon,

and don't forget to bring Leo!

Garage at Midnight

Black Friday

in the Buhrley garage! I forgot to add these pictures

to the original Thanksgiving post.

It just didn't seem right leaving these out-

This was our

"Black Friday" experience!

Black Friday...

the most fun I've had

at midnight in my garage!