Our eyes met across a crowded bench and it was love at first sight. He was the blonde on the end of the bench. See our eyes meeting! Our families were old friends (well we had known each other for about 5 years!). We all lived in Memphis Tennessee and the year was about 1974. His name was Kenny although I hear he goes by Ken now, go figure. Kenny was very handsome as you can tell by this photo. We were the best of friends and spent a lot of time together. When my family was getting ready to move to Houston I can remember crying so hard at the thought of leaving Kenny. I climbed a tree and hid from my parents so that I wouldn't have to leave. Of course being only 6 I didn't have a lot of options. I remember that as we were leaving Kenny and I went around the side of the house and kissed me! So sweet.
His family would come out to Utah every year of so for vacation and I would always be giddy and giggly and we would always share a goodbye kiss! This romance would continue right up until we were about 11 and it would actually start to count as a real kiss! We lost contact for a few years. In high school we became pen pals and I learned that he loved gymnastics and he eventually got a scholarship to the Y in gymnastics. We actually went on 1 real date in college when I asked him to come to a sorority party. The next memory I have of him was going to his wedding reception and when he caught my eye as I was waiting in line he got that familiar grin on his face as he loudly announced to his bride and all around us "This is Kelli! The first girl I ever kissed!" I still look forward to his family Christmas card every year to hear how he is doing and see his latest cute picture!
Aahh. Kenny.
I have been thinking a lot about personal histories and how grateful that I am that my relatives took the time to sit down and remember and then put pen to paper or fingertips to old typewriters! They wrote stuff down! A few years ago my dad started writing his and I remember thinking that he was getting a great head start on getting his history done. He would send it to me and ask me for suggestions and I would send it back with questions I wanted answered. I can not tell you how much that history means to my family. I only wish I had written 1000 or so more questions for him to answer.
Alex turned 6 this month and I have failed to tell the world why he is so adorable and easy to love. 
I love Alex! I can't help myself. I am lucky to be your mom! Happy Birthday big boy! 
Many people suffer from SAD or Seasonal Affection Disorder. SAD is basically winter depression. Tricia suffers from it. I think it is mainly because her legs have to remain covered for so long! We were actually trying to determine if it was the cold, the inversion or maybe the lack of sunshine or even outdoor time, or if it could be the fact there is nothing to look forward too. No holidays, no big family get togethers... Nothing. Lonliness as far as the eye can see... on the calender hanging in my kitchen. 
So to conquer this hard time of year we are going to do a big WinterMuck celebration. Tricia is in charge so I expect we will have some shoe modeling with lots of leg! 
Just teasing. I think we are going to go snowmobiling and have a bonfire and more sledding. It will break up the long winter months! 
So plan on seeing the WinterMuck merchandise on shelves soon!
Today is actually a very wonderful day! Today is my Mom's birthday! She is the only one who I didn't highlight last year! Last the best of all the gang I guess! So let me tell you why I love my mom!
I love how Mom can find the gospel in regular life. Watch a movie, read a book or talk with mom and it will come around to the gospel. She lives it, she quotes it, she loves it. Many of my "Mom Memories" include finding her in her room on her knees or sitting at the kitchen table studying her scriptures. I love the example of goodness that she is. If it is good for her she tries to incorporate it into her life. This includes mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. 
I love how Mom loves her family. She loves her parents, her siblings (and in-laws and all their children) and her children and grandchildren (and that includes all the in-laws) with all her heart! They are her treasure here on earth. My mom shows love by doing things for others. I love how she serves those around her. I love mom because she will defend her children at all costs. She will also laugh at all their jokes. Which of course is very important! 
Then we played all the traditional games.... Thumper, 
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, 
and some new favorites.... Dippity, Dippity Dip, and the Hand Game!
Then came the big moment! We got out the chimes and ran to wake all the neighbors with our yelling and banging! 
Aaron especially enjoyed the screaming! Did I mention how much the neighbors love us!
Sara laughing! Glad she is feeling better! 
Joe and his amazing eye brow trick!
Jenn and her lovely curly hair! 
My beautiful sister Alli! Thanks for all the great pictures Alli! 
Here is B. Rad! He was a bit upset by my outing him in his dodge ball outfit so he kept posing so that the next pictures I posted of him would be very GQ! 
Andrew and Claire 
Sam and Alex after a great wipe out! 
Jonathan trying his hand at snowboarding 
Lauren hates B. Rad. She was not happy about him taking her down the hill!
Aaron and Joe on a run! 
Jonathan and Adam getting ready to race. Adam won. Every time.
It was fun to golf the Pebble Beach course with the 
Here is the view from the green looking back on the spectators! 
The hecklers in the crowd! 
The hecklers on the green! 
The boys watching how it is done!
Mom! 
Alli addressing the ball "hello Mr. Ball!"
