A Dream come True

For Kaci's Birthday she wanted the princesses to have a sleepover.   That was not in the cards this year so we did the next best thing.   Millard High Chorus had a fund raiser that was the best day ever for 2 little girls.   It was $6.00 dollars for a tea party with the princesses.   They served sandwiches and cookies and princess juice.   Then they did a program that told the princess story and each girl sang or danced to their theme song.   Kaci and Vanessa Durbin had the best day ever.  Thanks girls for making it a fun mother daughter day we will always cherish.

Can you tell who Kaci's favorite Princesses is?

Happy # 6 Jake

We like winter birthdays at our house.   Jake had a fun day the night before he had a complete melt down and wanted no presents, no party, he wasn't going to school, and he didn't want cake.

From the pictures you can see that a good nights sleep helped him have a change of heart.   School was fun for him we took the baby kittens to school.  (which caused his teacher grief  because she is allergic to them.)  Then we went back to read the class his favorite book.  We had a hard time deciding which book to take because he loves to read and learn.  Then we passed out treats.   The fun was just getting started at this point.
Uncle Dusty and Grandma Barnhurst made the cake which was a barn with farm animals and soccer ball cupcakes.

We had a huge party with family and friends and a special visitor.   Dan and I had no idea we were having a special guest.   You can see from his face that it was a fun surprise.   We sang songs and all of the kids got to sit on his lap.  He gave Jake a present that had two ornaments for his tree and a special note that said that kids who have a birthday in December hold a special place in his heart.   Thanks Santa for coming and making Jakes evening special.  

Jake is very special to our family and we are glad he gave us one more reason to enjoy the Christmas season!

Awesome Day

So today was an awesome day.   I have been able to walk or hobble without crutches.   My kids started clapping and cheering.   Zeak was amazed when he came home from school and Dan was amazed that I was walking.   So we are on our way to recovering.   

The best news of all just came a few minuets ago.   Many of you know that my brother-in-law Jeff (Kathryn's Husband)  had a bone marrow transplant 22 days ago.   Susan just called to let us know that he has started producing white blood cells.  This is an awesome sign that he is on his way to a full recovery.   We are so excited and know that through the power of prayers and priesthood  all things are possible. Congratulations Jeff and Kathryn  We Love You.

Your a Mean one Mr. Grinch

In my opinion there is nothing better than Christmas lights than Christmas lights with snow.  And I love my new nativity that my mom and dad painted for my lawn.   
Thanks Dan I love it Your the best.  


Even through all the grumbling and complaining the results were more than satisfactory.  My tree is gorgeous and has more lights than I expected and the outside will do for this year.   Thanks Dan I know it isn't your favorite thing to do but it is my favorite part of Christmas.   If I could figure out how to make a texture and paint to resemble the design the lights put on the wall I would be a happy women!   So if anyone has any ideas let me know.  



Dan sang the theme song.  Mr. Grinch the whole day.  He wanted us to let him decorate the trees but wow what a grinch.   The trees were not the worst part for him it was the lights outside that gave him the most heartburn.   I even went to itunes and downloaded the song so he could sing it all the way through.   

It's officially Christmas at the Woodlands

When the NFR and the LDS Church Christmas Devotional have been watched Christmas is officially started at the Woodland House.   The National Finals Rodeo started on Thursday night we missed it because our Dish wasn't in then Friday night we watched it.   Saturday night we decided it pays to know people.  It is tradition every year to watch the NFR with our good friends the Berezay's, and Durbin's and lucky for us the Berezay's had Direct TV installed Friday as well.   So we were able to watch last night with them.  Tonight on Sunday we are watching again.  I guess it is kinda like the super bowl for us.   Hopefully the Lord understands.   We did watch the LDS Christmas Devotional before the finals.  It was amazing it is always good to hear the Brethren speak.   They had awesome messages of hope and love.   They challenged us to remember the simpleness of that first Christmas and that the Savior was born in humble and simple circumstances.   We should enjoy the celebrations and festivities of the year but make are gifts simple and meaningful.     I love to hear President Monson speak he is an amazing man.   I feel lucky to have a prophet to lead and guide us.  I love this Holiday season I love the story that started many years ago the birth of our Savior in a manger and I hope that I can live my life to be there for the ending of that story.  Hope that you are all having a Happy Holidays and that the real magic of Christmas falls on you and your family.  

Forbush/Woodland Family Christmas Party

Fri Dec 5th we went to Farmington for a Family Christmas Party.   It was a lot of fun.   Dan and I haven't ever gone so we didn't know what to expect.  Aunt Lee is Byron's sister.   She decided it would be fun to invite Byron and his family to their Christmas party.   They had dinner and then a special guest Santa came.   He was a lot of fun.   He had us all sing Christmas stories and told the kids a story about Rudolph.   Lee and Art had Christmas ornaments for all of us.  Then Santa (Art and Lee) gave everyone a gift.   

Dan got to be Santa's special helper.   Dan said he had a lot of fun and learned a lot.  Santa has called Dan to fill in for him the last couple of years.  In fact Thursday night there were so many ward parties that Santa asked Dan to help him in the Nephi 3rd ward.   Dan said it was fun to help Santa and learn some stories that he could use next time he needs to help Santa out.
The little girls were enthralled with Santa.  When he got ready to leave Kaci and Kaitlyn ran to give him a hug.   Kaitlyn wanted to go home with him.   It was a fun night and neat to get to know some of Lee's kids.  Thanks for having us come and join you.

Santa's Little Elves

The Woodlands have been very blessed the last three weeks.   I'm sure some of you are tired of hearing about it but I just can't even begin to say Thank You and tell everyone how blessed we are.   I really hope my children understand how blessed we have been.   I hope they are learning how important serving others is.   Thursday I had some little elves come and decorate my house for Christmas.   My mom is so amazing and would do anything for her kids.   She came up and I think she really had fun decorating.  I never realized that my love for colors and decorating came from her.  I have always loved doing crafts and projects with her and looking back that was just always apart of our growing up.   Our house was never immaculate  but is was always decorated for the holidays and warm and cozy.   Welcome to any guest that might come.   As I watched my mom's face light up when she was decorating I just had to reflect on life and then I realized that is where my love for having a decorated home came from.   The awesome thing is I am watching her teach Kaci the same.  She is much better at it and  more patient than me even though I try Kaci has more fun with Grandma.  I have the most amazing friends,  Ange showed up with lunch and all of her stuff to do a pedicure.   I don't think she planned on doing the whole family but she got me and the kids.   She helped my mom decorate and the biggest help was getting Jake's tree put up.  Aunt Brenda did our running for a tree stand and band aids and Ange put the tree up so Jake would not feel neglected.   My house looks wonderful.   My Friend Tracy started the whole mess early that morning by taking the Autumn vinyl off the window and the Fall wreath off the door.   I missed those two things.   She stayed and helped for a while as well.   We did leave the trees for Mr. Grinch (Dan) he wanted to decorate them.   So thanks to Santa's little Elves that helped Christmas get set up at our house.