To my Mom & Gramps... we love you

The past month and a half has been one of deep contemplation, great spiritual comfort and a whirl wind of emotions. In the last few weeks we have had two very dear people in our lives graduate from this life to the next. I use the term graduate because I think it's very fitting and it allows us to celebrate the lives that they have each lead and it reminds us that they are in a better place. They are home.

We held life celebrations for these two incredible people and I was reminded again and again at just how important it is to develop a Christlike love and to share it with everyone. Never have I known anyone filled with such a deep love and compassion for their family and friends. Their dignity and strength is inspiring. Their smiles and laughter brought instant joy to anyone and everyone who was with them. Each of them lived everyday of their lives with such passion it was contagious. They were both such great examples of what I am striving to be and become every single day. It is easy to say that because of these two individuals whom I have had the opportunity to spend my life with, I am a far better person and I will forever be grateful for all that they have taught me. 

I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the peace that it has brought me these last few weeks. I would be an absolutely wreck right now if I didn't have the comfort and knowledge that I know they are home and happy... that someday we will be reunited again. Never in my life have I experienced something this difficult and heart wrenching. But never in my life have I been at and felt such peace. I am so grateful for the peace I feel each day as I strive to put the pieces of my heart back together. 

Mom... Gramps.. I love you. Thank you... from the bottom of my heart. I miss you dearly.

                         
                            

                             Paul Dailey Morton

                         September 2, 1930 - January 10, 2012

Lori Lynn Doerr Richards

July 16, 1956 - February 4, 2012

Peachy Sweets

It's the little things in my days that I want to remember... like today when we rolled around in our jammies until Noon... just because. Or when she is so anxious and excited to help me pick up her room and sweep the wood floors. I love the giggles... oh so many giggles from this little girl of ours. My heart melts every time. I cherish how much she loves to wrestle and jump on our bed... because it was the same for us growing up. Mom and Dad's bed was always so big and soft... a real treat. When she is by herself she talks the most.. mostly gibberish but that's when it really comes out. She has quite the imagination for someone so small.. I can't wait to see what it develops into and play all her magical games. She has become quite determined as of late to figure out some of her more difficult block sets... this makes me happy because it means that she is learning patience and how to problem solve. I think she is going to be a very good big sister.. she is very aware of and gentle with those younger than herself. She loves to sing and dance... the instant head bob or clapping when she hears music is classic. She is becoming quite independent at times as she is learning to find her own voice among everyone else. She has recently discovered how fun it is to jump on the bed.. she holds the side of her crib and jumps like crazy with great delight. She is very adamant when she means "NO"... complete with the facial expression and a fervent head nod. Our little peach loves her daddy more than anyone.. it's the sweetest thing in the world to watch the two of them play and spend time together. She loves reading and going through big picture books.. whether it's pictures of family, friends or cartoon characters it doesn't matter... she absolutely loves it. I'm not sure I've every met or seen such a little girl with so many expressive faces... people comment on this more than anything.. it cracks me up. She is a good hugger and loves to give out kisses. I love how she will fold her arms and then choose who she wants to give the prayer... once it ends and we open our eyes there she is waiting for us with a big grin. There are times when she gets shy or quietly happy and she will tilt her head to one of her shoulders.. it's a bit flirty.. and the cutest thing I've ever seen. When I lay her down lately she comes and stands by the side of the crib and as I kneel to her level she grins from ear to ear.. running her little hands across my face and kissing my cheeks.. she will grab both of my ears and when I grab hers at the same time she gets the biggest kick out of it. This melts my heart every time.. I hope it never ends. 

So many wonderful little things that make up our days and yet it's so easy to look past them as we rush around and do our best to accomplish this thing called life. I need to make a better effort to stop and recognize them. I need to write them down. I know there are so many that I have probably already forgotten.. things that I made "mental notes" of are now gone. How blessed we truly are... every single day. This is something that I need to remember and will strive to do for the rest of my life. I am grateful for the little bursts of sunshine that make up my days and the tender mercies from above.

**XOXO***                 

Our {very belated} Family Christmas Card

Why is this such a hard thing for me to get done ontime? It's not like it's crazy time consuming or very difficult at all. At least not with all the fantastic sites that are so readily available and easy to use. Every year I have the best intentions to mail these out before Christmas. I just feel like it's so much more personal than seeing it on a blog or in an email... yes, it is more expensive and it does take time to hand write all the addresses and personal notes yourself. But that's what makes it special.. and personal. So here's hoping that this next holiday season I will be more on top of things and be able to actually put my ducks in a row and get this to you in the mail. Please forgive me this time.

Thank you.                  

and for those of you who didn't know that I was pregnant.....  with a boy.....  now you know ;)

love you!

and we're back...

Hello blogging world. My apologies for being MIA for the last 2 months. There's honestly no good reason other than I just plain didn't feel like blogging about anything. It wasn't because we didn't have exciting things going on or fun little trips taking place... I just plain haven't felt like it. So for that I'm sorry. But I'm back! I'll do my best to update you but don't expect much... ;)

We've had a busy and exciting couple of months here in the Evans home. We've spent lots of time back in Utah with the families since Taylor basically had from the week of Thanksgiving off to the New Year - it was lovely :)

getting ready for the holidays!

pigtails!!! {these lasted for about 5 minutes}                     setting up christmas lights on a crisp night

loving uncle Taylor's collection of hats

ice cream dates with Nana... she ate my entire cone!

skype date with Baja!

Taylorman and I got to spend some much needed time up on the mountain on a BEAUTIFUL day

 My mom and I at Music & The Spoken Word

                             I can't remember the last time these two did dishes...                                 my family got a puppy!!!

loving the long hallway at Mimi & Paps house! We figured that this hallway is as long to her as 2 football fields would be to us!

{please disregard the hair... it was hopeless at this point. just look at that grin!}

here she is pointing out a picture of Taylor from when he was in grade school.

Christmas morning... lets just say she was slightly overwhelmed ;)

all she wanted to do was play with her princess wipes all morning.

Here is Elder Paps (who is currently serving in Washington) skyping with all his brothers on Christmas day.

{picture courtesy of Mel}

HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN JIGGITY JIG

6 hours into the drive back to Denver...

thank goodness for stickers ;)

it's good to be home.

It was so nice to be able to spend good quality time with both our families. We love every single one of you and are so grateful for all that you do for us. Thank you for a wonderful couple of weeks! We miss you already.

xoxo                              

surprise kidnapping

Baja and Tyler had a layover in Denver yesterday so Peach and I were lucky enough that the roads cleared up and we took a drive to go say hi before they were off to the Utah cities. Once our hour was up and it was time to say goodbye it was too hard so we decided that they should "accidentally" miss their flight and come kick it with us for the night. It was SO great having them over. Peach not only loved having Baja around, but she came to love Tyler as well... :) So. cute. Our night was full of good eats, lots of laughing and great conversation... those are the best nights if you ask me :) So it was a quick trip but totally worth every minute of it. Love you guys!! Thanks again for letting us kidnap you ;)

dear baja...

We miss you, a lot. Our little peach fell in love with you while you were here and she continues to smile with great delight anytime she sees a picture of you. In fact, most times she smiles so big it becomes an entire body smile :) Thank you for loving her with all your heart. I can promise you that she loves you right back.

For these last couple of years, you have been following your dream and are finally playing the sport that you love so much in one of the most beautiful countries in all the world. I know how hard it's been to get there and I can't tell you how proud of you I am. Thank you for being such a great example of what it means to have a dream and set goals along the way only to work and accomplish them. You have always been so good at that and it's something that I have always admired about you.

This weekend you are home for a short time and I wish with all my heart that we could come see you. I know how hard this is not having us there.. believe me it's not any easier for us. Please know that we think about you often and love you more than you will ever know. Merit looks at pictures of you everyday and I know how much she loves you. I hope you enjoy your time home and soak it all in. We love you Kristin Lynn. Thank you for all that you do. 

***ciao bella!***            

the denver zoo

A couple of weeks back when the sun was still shining and before it started snowing we had a surprise visit from Baja that was more fun than we could have imagined. We mainly just hung around the house in our jammies and played, but one sunny afternoon we decided to hit up Denver Zoo. Not only did we get a beautiful day, but it was filled with laughter and giggles from a little peach who loves animals. She was in awe the entire time. I think her favorites were the monkies, penguins, seals and elephants. 

 

Thanks for taking camera duty Baja.

we love and miss you!