Favorite Sounds

I was laying in bed last night not sleeping listening to the dishwasher. Strange as it may seem, I find that sound comforting. I think it's a combination of things. I definitely like that the dishes are cleaning themselves! The sound of water is naturally soothing. Also, my mom generally runs the dishwasher at night. With so many eaters at their house she runs it every day. It brings to mind thoughts of another good day, reflecting on all that was done.
The garage door opening is another one of my favorites. It means Brian is home from work and our family is back together again.
Laughter-between friends, Matthew, my family playing Apples to Apples and laughing until we cry.
And of course music. The songs that make me feel peace and love, ones that prompt me to action, others cause me to ponder, and some I just like to sing out loud to no matter how bad I sound!

Valentines Day

We don't do much on Valentines Day, but I wanted to post these pictures. We made cupcakes with Matthew and then the Paulsons invited us over for dinner.



I'm not a very crafty person, but a woman in my mom's ward showed them how to make these paper topiaries. I want to make some more of them for more holidays.

Utah trip (lots and lots of pictures)

We had a great trip to Utah. The timing worked out really well for us. We took Rob and Mary to the MTC. Matthew really wanted to go on a mission with Nana and Papa. He asked me a number times if he could go with them. I told him he had to wait until he was older. It was a lot different to drop off a senior couple than an elder. We dropped them off into their room and they were off to get lunch. They arrived in Italy Saturday and have their apartment and cell phone. They should be getting their car soon.

While we were there the twins came out of the hospital. They are gaining weight wonderfully, and are both doing really well.

Also my Aunt Rosie was baptized by my dad and confirmed. It was great to be able to be there on her special day.

I got to visit with a lot of my friends. I saw my good friend Christina and her cute boy Jake; Shelley, my internet tidy friend; Sam (who says hi to all the Colorado folks), she is doing really well; my high school friend and college roommate, Julie; and my marching friend Ashley and her two kids, Logan and Lyla.

I went to IKEA for the first time and hope to go back again sometime. We played Harry Potter Clue and watched the movies. We spent as much time with the babies as we could and had a birthday party for my brother, Jed, the new daddy.

Now here come the pictures-

Grandpa playing with Matthew.

Christina and Jake

My brother Brent and Matthew playing with the always popular marbles.

Playing cars and stickers with Grandma.

Dad with Aunt Rosie before her baptism.

Holding baby Jared. Matthew was so excited to hold the babies and he did an awesome job. He was actually sad when we had to leave.

Brent with Daniel and me with Jared.

We went to the Draper Temple open house. Matthew did great! He was so excited to go to the temple since Mom and Dad go there. We didn't get pictures because we were bussed to the temple and then walked through this temporary tunnel. Matthew of course loved the bus ride, here he is with Grandpa.

Craft time with Grandma.

The birthday boy with his boys.

Four generation photo.

We drove down to the hospital to see the twins. Matthew fell asleep on the way there with a doll and I couldn't not take a picture :)

Saying goodnight to Daddy in new "Go Utes" jammies that Nana made.

Brian practicing swaddling skills on Jared.

Cuddle time.

Matthew and Logan playing.

At one point Matthew and Logan decided to roll across the floor together.

They're home!

The boys came home on Saturday afternoon and everyone is doing well. We went to see them on Sunday and Matthew wanted to hold them the whole time. He did such a good job being gentle with them, so cute!! I got pictures, but forgot to bring a card reader or cable so I'll get them up when I get back to Colorado.