Christmas is Finally Here!

We were a little worried about Christmas eve because Ryan and Molly were going to her Dad's house. We talked it over with the Bakers and the kids were worried it was going to be boring. Then my brother Scott, his wife Denise and their family decided to come down for the day. My Dad also came over for awhile. Then Ryan and Molly surprised us by showing up that night.  All in all it was Christmas eve.

Ammon and Denise opened presents from Grandpa and Carolyn while Scott took pictures and Evan watched.

Heath, Jenna and Alec check out their gifts.

Scott models one of the girl's scarfs.

Grandpa was especially excited for Heath to open this Robot Raptor.

Everyone had to watch the raptor.

Scott with another great scarf.

Later we went to LaJolla Cove to see the tide pools.

Christmas eve at the beach was wonderful!

2014 Family Photos

Our good friend Trevor Davies took our family photos up at the lake this year. It is a nice spot and we have lots of great memories there from when the kids were younger: feeding the ducks, paddle boating, hiking, Cub Scout camp and birthday parties.

All eleven of the Happy Hartz

John and I. The ones who got this party started.

Our kids. First up, Ryan

Then Molly, our daughter by marriage with baby Cary. Ryan picked a good one.

Next up, Aaron

Then comes our sweet Marianne

And our youngest son Evan

and our baby girl Lavender

Then we've got our wonderful grandchildren, Brianne, Leighton and Cary

My favorite picture of all is of my two girls. Marianne was posing, but Lavender had to join in!

Finally here is one more of the whole family. We used this one on our Christmas card.

 I love how the little girls are holding hands.

Hidden Camera

I want to get back to blogging regularly!  As a trial run, here is a short video of Lavender singing the "clean up" song while she puts away her Duplos.  I have to be really sneaky because whenever I pull out the phone or camera, she immediately stops whatever she is doing!  We sure are loving this cute girl, even if she is a bonafide two year old!

Three Years

Today marks three years since my mom passed away. I am especially thankful that John and I have been blessed with:

• Our beautiful Lavender Jane and her four fantastic older siblings
• A thoughtful, caring daughter-in-law 
• The two most perfect granddaughters in the world 

I truly am grateful, but my heart aches because my mom isn't here to laugh with Lavender. She isn't here to hug Aaron and ask him about his mission. She can't talk to Marianne all about her college classes or take a drive with Evan and tell him stories of her car crash as a 16 year old. She won't be here to assure Ryan and Molly that they are great parents or explain that Brianne looks so much like her own Grandma Zobrist.  She won't be able to give her little namesake, Leighton Anne, a big hug and kiss.  

Today we will watch General Conference together and feel the Spirit as God's prophets speak to us. But it will be a bittersweet day as we remember all the conference weekends spent at Grandma's house and wish we could be together again. We will remember the last conference we watched together, and the sadness of watching Mom prepare to leave this earth and return to her heavenly home.  

My mom delighted in her family and she loved being a mother and grandmother. I know she would love to be with us this weekend and I hope that she knows how much joy we feel just being together. I am grateful she taught us all the importance of family and of the gospel. I know she rejoices in her posterity. I know we will be together again one day. But I wish we could feel her hugs. I wish we could hear her ringing laughter. I want to see her smile and hear her reassuring words. I want my children and grandchildren to feel the strength of her testimony and the power of her love. It is still there. It is still real. I long for a way to make it more tangible.

Today I will hug them just a moment longer. I will smile just a little wider. I will laugh just a little longer. I will speak just a bit more gently. And maybe, just maybe, a glimmer of my mom will shine through.

A Slip Shop 25% Off!

I've told you before about my brother David and his beautiful bride Annie.  They have been working on a new project with Annie's sister. She has figured out how to solve a problem that many women face.

Q:  What do you do with a skirt or dress you love that is just a little too short?
A:  Get a beautiful slip extender!

The slips come in with lace, tulle, organza and silk trim.  They are great for lengthening dresses or changing the look of a favorite skirt. Here is Annie modeling an ivory tulle slip.

Take a look at A Slip Shop HERE and be sure to enter LAUNCHPARTY for a 25% discount!  The coupon code is good for the next few days.

Best Daughter Ever!

When I pick up my phone, I never know what I will find as my wallpaper.  It changes every day, sometimes more than once a day and it almost always makes me laugh.  My wonderful daughter loves to surprise me. Marianne is the queen of selfies and she has the greatest expressions. Where did she learn to make such fabulous faces?  I'm not sure, but I do know that several years ago she got the complete "I Love Lucy" series for Christmas.  I suspect that Lucy's funny faces and great acting skills have rubbed off on Marianne. And just so you know, she is an equal opportunity photo poster.  She often includes funny pictures of other family members, but her selfies are my favorites.  Here are a few of her recent (very successful) attempts to put a smile on her mom's face.

The Flight From Beauty

It is no secret that I love children's literature.  Long after my children were past picture book age, I kept shelves full of outstanding books.  I even have a few books saved from my own childhood.  Now I get to read them to my granddaughters and Lavender!

I also really enjoy young adult literature and when my children were little, I had a shelf full of books that I hoped they would enjoy reading some day.  Unfortunately, over the past fifteen years I have noticed a disturbing trend in YA literature.  It has become darker and more violent in the name of "reality."  Even books for young children have been impacted.  I have read a couple of articles about this trend, but I finally read a compelling article on this subject that I have to share with you.  Read "The Case For Good Taste in Children's Books" by Meghan Cox Gurdon HERE. She is a wise woman and she's got the experience and credentials to prove it.  More importantly, she is the mother of five children!  She also includes incredible quotes such as this:

For beauty makes a claim on us; it is a call to renounce our narcissism and look with reverence on the world. 

Lavender's One Year Photos

Photos and slide show by Judy Cook.

Pink Polka Dot Cupcakes

For some reason I have had a hard time blogging about Lavender's birthday celebration.  I think it is hard for me to admit that my baby is really a year old!  We had a fun party for her.  It was just what I wanted:  special birthday outfit for her, a theme to pull it all together, cute decorations, time with family, fun for her, memorable for all of us.

Evan filled up the balloons with helium 

and led Carolyn and I in making the tissue papers flowers

I made a giant cupcake and Evan made the paper wrapper

Marianne frosted the regular size cupcakes

Grandpa and Carolyn gave Lavender this cute monkey that makes a kissing noise.

Lavender loved looking up at the decorations and kept saying, "Ohhhh!"

She looked adorable in her birthday cupcake outfit, but refused to keep the hat on for more than a second.

This was the first time she really got into opening presents.

I used play silks instead of tissue paper in the gift bags.

She was excited about the ladybug maracas

and she loved the birthday cards,

but her favorite gift was the toothpaste and toothbrush.

In fact, all the little girls wanted the toothbrush.

Leighton had a fun time partying

and Brianne got in on the action too.

Finally it was time for cake and ice cream!

Lavender loved her cake,

but she hated the polka dot sprinkles 

once we picked them off her side of the cake she was ready for a taste.

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She thoroughly enjoyed her cake and ice cream!

Birthday girl with her Daddy!

Happy Birthday Lavender Jane!

Birthday Girl!

It is hard for me to say this out loud, but my baby girl turned one today. She has been an absolute joy and we have savored every moment of her first year.  I am sad that her babyhood is drawing to a close, but we are excited for the craziness of having a toddler girl!  Thanks to Marianne for taking some pictures of our sweetheart.

Happy Birthday Janey Girl!

Happy Valentine's Day!