We were wrong again...

Well... We were wrong again!!! Last year I thought that Lily would for sure freak out when sitting on santa's lap... she loved it. This year I thought, ok THIS YEAR FOR SURE she is going to flip out.... she couldn't wait to get on his lap, and we saw Santa again for our neighborhood party and was just screaming to go sit on Santa's lap! She is too funny.



The past 3 years we have gone to Deer Valley with Jons family for Thanksgiving, we have stayed in the same place every year. It is so much fun! We are so grateful to Diane for providing such a fun year.

We are excited and loving the holiday season. Especially since Jon is finally finished with his first semester of graduate school! We never thought it would end.... Grades should come out in the next little bit. Hopefully all that studying paid off :)

Our favorite cougar

We are so proud of Scotty. It has been a long road for him, but he was finally able to suit up for the game! He won't be playing this year because he wants to keep his red shirt status, but when he comes home from his mission to Madagascar! GAME ON. Congrats Scottie!

Sugar and Spice...

Sugar and Spice...

and everything nice
that's what little girls are made of

Sunshine and rainbows
and ribbons for hair bows
that's what little girls are made of

Tea parties, laces
and baby doll faces
that's what little girls are made of.

Announcing Baby GIRL Lefrandt

Due March 19, 2009

Ivory Ridge Spooktacular!

This is an event I am in charge of at work. I would love for all of you to come and bring your friends and family!

Remembering the Big H, Papa, Uncle Harry... our Dad.

Today is a bittersweet day for sure. There is a lot of reflection, a little bit of sadness, but mostly happiness as we reflect on Dad and the incredible man that he is and the life that he lived. We miss him often and I am sure that the more time that goes by the more we will miss him. Having him not be here physically when Matt came home from his mission was tough. It was one of the first big family events where Dad was not present. There will clearly be many more of these instances throughout life. But we feel his presence and know that he is watching over us and is very much still a part of our life.

My only fear is that my kids won't know him. There is a pretty big responsibility I have to convey to them how amazing their Papa is, and that he would have loved to wrestle with them, and take them on fun adventures. They would have loved him. I am sure the stories will be some of their favorites. We miss you Dad and will remember you forever.

June 4, 1962- September 14, 2008

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red.
When the summer’s ceased its gleaming,
When the corn is past its prime,
When adventure’s lost its meaning,
I’ll be homeward bound in time.

Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.

If you find it’s me you're missing, if you’re hoping I’ll return.
To your thoughts I’ll soon be list’ning, and in the road I’ll stop and turn.
Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end.
And the path I’ll be retracing when I’m homeward bound again.

Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing,
I’ll be homeward bound again.

-Music and Lyrics by Marta Keen

The Size of a medium Shrimp

I have seen a lot of blog posts where people update their blog and say that their baby is the size of a lime, a lemon, a tomato etc... No one ever posts about the fact that their baby is the size of a medium shrimp!!!! Well according to our update that we just recieved, that is the size. Kind of a sick image, but we are excited for another week down and only 187 days to go! (our counter on the left side is wrong, our doctor moved us up a week!)

Ivory Living

For those of you that don't know, Jon is going back to school to get his masters in real estate development at the University of Utah. We are very excited about this opportunity! It is only one year... and so far Jon is loving it!

Because of this, Jon isn't able to sell homes full time anymore. Ivory was kind enough to create a job for him to do marketing in Utah County and part time sales on the side. So for those of you that are looking for a home/townhome! Jon is still the guy you want to talk to!

At his meeting yesterday that talked about Ivory's new blog... www.ivoryliving.com This blog is totally focused on lifestyle, and gives you great tips for your home. Decorating ideas, maitenance, etc. I figure that since many of our friends are new homeowners, or will become homeowners in the future this would be a great tool for you as well! For example, did you know you can use RAIN X to clean your glass shower doors! NO MORE SQUEEGY! It keeps it clean for a long time.

Anyways, you should totally check it out. So far... we love it! www.ivoryliving.com

Scentsy- September 1st!

The New fall Scents are going to be available September 1st! This is my favorite time of year, and best time for Scentsy! If you are interested in ordering some new scents let me know, I will be putting in an order the first week in September!

Also, if you are interested in hosting a Scentsy party to earn free product let me know. The fall/winter time is the best time to host!

Sleeping in...

Lily slept in until 12:30 today... she NEVER does this, we thought for sure something was wrong. Turns out she was just tired. What a wonderful gift sleeping in is.

This is definitely a story for the blog.

March 25th

Please pay note to the new addition of the ticker on the left side of our blog.

Thank you.

Only 27 days...

Until this Elder comes home!

We are so excited for him to finally meet Lily... 2 years later!

Attention:

Due to recent budget cuts, layoffs and the rising cost of electricity, gas and oil, "The Light at the End of the Tunnel" has been turned off. We apologize for any inconvenience.

It has been one of those weeks.

Jackson Hole!

Jackson Hole has always been a tradition in the Lefrandt Family... for as long as I can remember we have gone to Jackson Hole for the fourth of July or sometime around there. The trip usually includes Bubba's BBQ... I only go for the buttermilk pie, fly fishing (didn't catch anything this year... water levels too high in the rivers), White Water rafting, Running, eating lots of food, game nights, TEE PEES for breakfast, the parade, fire work shows... it is the most amazing little Norman Rockwell town. We love it and hope the tradition lives on! Here are some pictures of this year. Happy Fourth of July.

Bad bloggers...

Sorry you guys. We are horrible bloggers lately. We will try to be better. PROMISE. Here are some pictures to make up for it.

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is Dad's 47th Birthday. I guess it is true, only the good die young. We miss him everyday, but today is one of those days where you wish he could come if even for just one night. We miss you PaPa. Happy Birthday.

I heart Mothers

I got an email from my mom yesterday for Mothers day. She always knows just the right thing to say to uplift and inspire me. I am posting a couple little excerpts from her letter, and hopefully they will inspire you too. But more than anything she knows just how to love and cherish her children as a mother should. And I am so grateful for her example. I love you Mama!!

"To My Beautiful Daughters for Mother’s Day

With tears streaming down my face, I am writing to tell you that I feel I couldn’t be a more blessed Mother. I have 7 of the most beautiful daughters in all of the world. Many people have always commented on your outward beauty and that is a nice thing, and oh so true, but the beauty that melts my heart is the inward beauty that I see in each one of you. I could not be more proud as I watch and hear about the service and support you are all giving to each other.

I want you to know that I know how challenging and discouraging your job as wife, and mother can be. I have been there and remember so many times when I cried to my mother, “ I have no idea how you raised 8 children, I have had it and wonder if I can deal with some of these challenges even one more day.” She would smile and say, “ I know just how you feel, because I had those same thoughts and feelings along the way.” As I have said many times, “ I have come to realize that ANYTHING WORTHWHILE IN THIS LIFE TAKES WORK AND SACRIFICE.” Believe me when I tell you that you are engaged in the most worthwhile, significant, life altering , magnanimous work on this Earth. There is nothing you could be doing that would make more of a difference in this world than being a righteous Mother.


I feel that President Spencer Kimball’s statement pertains to each one of you.

To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help enrich, to protect, and to guard the home – which is society’s basic and most noble institution. Other institutions may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife.”

Our Little Mini Vaca

Last weekend we were able to go to my brother-in-law Riley's parents house in St. George. It was so much fun!! It was the perfect little vacation for us. Riley's mom was so adorable and made us feel so welcome. We just hung out by the pool the whole time, and on Saturday we left the kids and went to Vegas with Mykelle and Ry. As I look at the pictures I'm thinking "Did I have to come home?"

Uncle Ry playing with Lily

Sweet little baby Adelaid

Lily LOVED swimming with her Daddy!


Riley and Bella Jumping off the rocks. They tried to get Lily to do it. I said "NO WAY". Maybe next year.


The most fun slide ever. Lily even started to go down by herself. We were so proud.

Isn't Jon so hot?!?! We love our night together in Vegas.

MARCH MADNESS!!!

March was a crazy and fun month for us. I love March because we kick it off with Jon's birthday on the first...that's always a great start! And then there is always the 1- 1 1/2 weeks of really great weather in March to give us a break from all this bitter cold. The down side of that however is going back to the cold once Spring has decided to tease us. Seems like the depression gets twice as bad, because I realize I now have to go back to the hideousness of winter clothes just when I got all excited getting out my spring clothes. The good news is, I know I can suffer through because I've done it for 25 years previous to this one. Meanwhile, here are all of our fun photos from March :)


We kicked off the birthday weekend with the Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer concert...I realized how old I've become by just sitting in the seats and having no desire to join all partiers down below.




Our theme song for the day was "Lucky to be in love with my best friend"


Lily had so much fun at Kangaroo Zoo for Amy's birthday!


Except for when she tipped the stool upside down and then got stuck.



Making Caramel apples at Gigi's.


I took away the apple the Gigi had dipped in white chocolate for her...oops.


Then she got it back.


We babysat baby Adelaide overnight and Lily was the best helper. She LOVED to hold her and of course, give her her bink (or occasionally steel it).


We figured out how to work the ipod


And finally, this picture was taken just a couple days ago when she got the flu. We got our TV in our room just in time...it was a lifesaver!