Well Hello, Mr. Sun

The glorious sun made an excellent appearance this past weekend and we just had to get outside. So we took the crew mini golfing. It was...interesting BUT lots of fun. Not only did the kids golf but also used their golf balls to bowl to the holes. Does it really matter how the ball gets there? Jason and Jamie both secured themselves Rock Star status by each getting a hole in one. I learned my incredible bowling talent does not extend to putt-putt golf. Hmmm, oh well. I still had a blast running everywhere after my ball in the sunshine.

After a pleasant 18-holes we headed over to the serious stuff. Go Carts! Now there is a real woman's sport. Jason and Brays were speed demons, Jamie and Jayden were maniac's behind the wheel and Ansen and I were absolutely on fire.

We were thrilled to be in the sun and soaking in the rays with our fun kids and Jamie!

Going Private?

UNFORTUNATELY people I think I may need to do this. I really, really, really don't want to but...it just might have to happen. So to everyone: what do you think? Please, if you think that I don't have your e-mail would you please leave it with me so I can "invite you" to see our blog.

To my "blog stockers" please leave your e-mails to so I can make sure I get you in on the fun. You can find me at: dana_widing@yahoo.com

LOVE Is...

1. A night away without the kids with your busy husband. A nice dinner (sans children's menus and crayons), a big king sized bed that doesn't ask you to make it when you get up at 9 a.m.! the next morning, and time to just be the two of us. Bliss.

2. A wonderful little sister. Not only does she take the kids for the night but she takes them to Hula, out for dinner, and takes Ansen to get a haircut (my least favorite thing to do with him). THEN she picks up the house, makes Valentines cupcakes with the keiki and decorates the kitchen. Gratitude.

3. A new book you know the kids will love. The Skippyjon Jones books are our new favorite books. They are about a little Siamese kitten who wants to be a Chihuahua! His little Mexican accent is to die for. Fun.

4. Love notes from Grandma and Grandpa. A card and money. NOTHING is better than that. Excitement.
5. Storm Trooper Helmets. A daddy who has decided that it is time for his children to learn that it isn't "Dark Vador" and "Root Skywalker" who star in Star Wars. It was essential that they each get their own. Oh Boy.
6. Peter Pan Diorama. Nothing says love like working on a second grade project with Miss Jayden while Brays and Ansen plead to help....and she lets them. What a nice big sister. When they work together they are so fun to be around. Ahhhh.

We had a really nice Valentines Weekend and hope you did too.

*Just a little something more. Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a funeral for a great man from my Tualatin ward. He was too young to pass away (49) and it was heartbreaking to watch his parents, wife and three of his four children (ages 23, 17 and 14) have to sit there and mourn. Their 4th child, a son, is serving a mission in Mexico. It was a beautiful service. He had an amazing life and wicked sense of humor. He truly enjoyed life and it was obvious by the number of people there that everyone truly enjoyed him. During the service the family sat in the front two rows. A few rows back a woman was crying loudly. I assume she was a co-worker. Poor woman was heart broken and you could hear it. All of the sudden the wife stands up and walks back to her, sits down beside her and wraps her arms around her. Here is this woman in her greatest hour of grief and need and she is comforting someone else. I was amazed and humbled. What an example. While I have been thinking of love this past week I was reminded of the simplicity of it all. The grand gestures are nice and much appreciated but it is the simple acts of love that are truly important.*

Jason

Have I told everyone how much I love my husband lately? Well, I do. A lot. This guy has gone from incredibly busy to insanely busy in the past two months and has made the transition so well that it just amazes me.

Remember a year and a half ago when we told everyone about Jason's promotion at work and how excited we were for the opportunity and how grateful we were for the next 3-5 years to be in that new position and to get ready for the next promotion?

Well, 3-5 years turned into 16 months and now a new position, promotion and title.

Jason stared a new position as a Regional Director with LHFP on January 1st and has been moving at full speed sprint ever since. His traveling is constant now (Southern Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Montana, Colorado...). He leaves every Monday and is home by midnight on Thursdays. He really, really enjoys his new role with LFHP and I am grateful.
You would think that a guy who is gone all week would want to just come home and sit and relax but even if that is what he wants to do -it doesn't happen. The kiddos live for Friday mornings so they can attack daddy with hugs, kisses and stories about their week. Tired as I know he is, he sits and listens, wrestles, tickles, snuggles and kisses them and just loves on them til they are ready to go to school. Then he works (more), takes care of his calling (Elders Quorum Pres.), spends time with me (yay) and his parents (they love it). I love this about him.
(Occasionally we even brake out a Halloween mask and scare the piddle out of our three little monsters. Just for the fun of it.)

Jason is a hard worker and the progress he has made within LHFP these past four years is a HUGE testament to that. He is also creating quite a buzz in the industry and I couldn't be more exited for him. Not only do his clients love him but they all have become his friends. It's never all business with him. He knows the names of all spouses, children, pets and hobbies and he is truly interested. He's a great guy and I am so excited (again) for his opportunity and the next few years (3 or so...maybe) in this position. I love you babe!

Jinxed Myself

All those pictures of our great weather on Saturday? Yea. Shoulda never posted them. Why? Because it is now SNOWING! What the crap?

This Weekend

The weather was perfect. So we spent the day at the park,
Swinging on swings, sliding on slides, climbing on ropes, taking a long walk...

Could it just be spring already?

Year Of The Ox

Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone! We went to Chinese New Year in Portland a few weekends ago and loved it. We celebrated the Year of the Ox by: 1. Seeing a bunch of dancing Lions. 15 to be exact.

2. Taking in a game of China's National past time. These two dudes were in it to win it.

3. Experiencing a little Chinese theater.

4. Telling our kids NOT to imitate this martial artist making salad on his stomach with a machete.

5. Watching these grandma's do a traditional ribbon/fan dance.

6. Enjoyed little Chinese girls dancing and singing Chinese children's songs.

During all the excitement we didn't get around to all the vendors to eat. So naturally we went out and celebrated Chinese New Year by having all you can eat...salad bar.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

I'm A Little Worried...

First this, then this,
NOW this,
(six more weeks.....ugh!) I am pretty sure all three are signs of the times. I am going to check my food storage, read the BoM cover to cover, do my visiting teaching and memorize the Relief Society motto. 2009 is off to a rocky start. Get prepared people! The Apocalypse is on the way.

**Disclaimer: Although Obama and I do not see eye to eye, I do support him 100% and look forward to seeing what happens these next 4 years.**

Playhouse Disney LIVE

We took a fun family trip into Portland on Friday to see Playhouse Disney LIVE. It was so fun. I can't tell you how much I love watching my kids see Disney characters. Silly, yes. But I do love seeing their little eyes light up with all that little kid excitement. I thought that the ladies may feel a little too old for Playhouse Disney but no way! They were singing and dancing and having a great time along with everyone else. Little man couldn't stop smiling a huge cheesy smile. He wanted so badly to go on stage to dance with everyone. What we wouldn't have paid to see that. All of our favorite characters were there and the show completely kept the kiddos attention (something we have trouble with sometimes). Overall, totally worth the dough spent and memories made. We'd do it again in a heartbeat.Before the show started when we were still allowed to use flash photography.
Minnie, M-I-C-K-E-Y! and Goofy

Rocket. Need I say more?

The Little Einstein Crew

June, Quincy, Annie and Leo

Pooh, Darby and Tigger

Handy Manny and his helpful friends: The Sheetrock Hills Tools

Most of the gang

Thanks Jason for the great surprise. We all had so much fun! I love that I don't have to drag you to these things kicking and screaming and that this is your idea. You are the best daddy/hubby ever.

We Love You!