No One Mourns the WICKED!

I had such a fun night with these lovely ladies last week. We gave Pam Wicked tickets for Christmas and the time finally came! Melissa (next to me on the left) sat on the phone for hours during pre-sale and got us six tickets together! What a babe! Pam treated us to a yummy dinner at Macaroni Grill beforehand (thanks again Pam) and we had a great time at the show. I am spoiled and this was my third time seeing the show...it's so great! I think every Broadway show is great though! I just wish my husband shared that same love :)

I've been a bit behind on what we've been up to lately...which hasn't been a whole lot besides playing outside (well, me chasing Peyton around the park) and waiting for baby brother to come (although we still have a good month probably).

My cute sister in law met a nice boy named Kurt so we had a family party this week to meet him before he went to sell pest control for the summer...hope that all works out Ange...we like him!

Peyt and I had fun playing at Steph's house today and at the park...love my friends so much!

Lastly, I need some advice from people who have gone on trips...I REALLY want to plan to go somewhere fun with McKay this fall...Cruise? All inclusive? Just take a trip somewhere? Anywhere? I want to hear from all of my traveling friends on places/cruises they've been on...where you stayed is really the biggest info for me...I'm picky and need to stay somewhere nice (and very clean!) We've done Hawaii so anything besides that (not that I would complain to go there again though!) I would love to hear from you!

One Year Older Videos

I'm starting a new little business from home...introducing One Year Older Videos!

For all the info, you can visit www.oneyearoldervideos.blogspot.com, but in a nutshell, it's a fun way to show off your pictures! I make a video each year for Peyton's birthday and the first two have turned out great! I would love to make one for you too!

If you or anyone you know is interested, let me know by emailing me at lindsayercanbrack@gmail.com. I'm charging $25 instead of $40 for the first 25 people who have a video made.

Late Night Joy Ride

I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning to banging sounds in my family room...looked over and McKay was fast asleep in bed. I got that panicked feeling you get when you think someone is raiding your house...

...until I heard little wheels rolling along the table.

That's right. Peyton somehow got himself out of his room (which has a door stopper thing on it so he shouldn't be able to open his door from the inside), came down the stairs in the pitch dark and was playing with his cars in our family room.

I came stumbling out and didn't even see where he was but knew he was there. He was sitting by the fireplace just content to play in the dark. I can't believe he didn't try and come get one of us.

I picked him up and climbed back upstairs as he was crying "Play cars...play cars." My response: "Child...it's four in the morning...not a time to play cars." We laid down in bed where he wanted me to sing more songs...I have no voice with a cold anyway and definitely no voice at 4 a.m. We made it through a half a song and he had to just deal with me laying there with him. I gave him about 15 minutes and left him wide awake laying in bed. I'm assuming he fell asleep at some point.

When I woke up this morning and could actually see, he had a ton of cars lined up along the table. What talent...he can line them perfectly straight in the pitch black of night.

From Shorts to Snowpants

Monday...shorts...Thursday...snowpants. Couldn't believe I saw this when I woke up!

















Dad made the best of it and took Peyt out to play!






















Peyt wasn't quite the fan...we need better gloves for him next winter.


























I need to have a better attitude about the moisture. It really is a blessing for us. I'm just ready for spring like everyone else out there!

We had a fun day today at Grammy Pammy's playing with Tykie and hanging out with Wendi. We love you guys! Peyt didn't get a nap so he was in bed at 7:30 tonight! Hope I'm not up at 5 with him!

Easter Weekend

I can't believe Peyton has been here for three Easters now! I loved his little suit this year...

Two little buddies...they were twinners and looked so cute...too bad I couldn't get them both to smile at the same time!


















Davy took a family photo earlier in the day but I didn't look so cute so I thought I'd post this one instead...it was later at my Mom's house

















My Mom had a fun hunt for Peyton and a darling truck basket...he loved it!


















A number of years ago my Mom and Dad started a hunt for us...to find money! There are jackpot eggs included (McKay found the gold egg this year!) It's a fun tradition for us too!






















My Mom has a bunch of moving figures for each holiday and this was Peyton's Easter friend. He did a little hopping dance that Peyton joined in on...






















We had two other egg hunts...this was Peyton at Grandpa and Grandma Shoell's

















And his hunt with Grammy Pammy! Look at all that loot!

















Thank you to all of our family who spoiled him (and us!) We love you all and love spending time with you on the holidays.

I am so thankful for my knowledge of the Savior and his atonement for us. Easter is a fun holiday, but it's most importantly a respectful and peaceful holiday where we can reflect and remember about His sacrifice for us. I was very inspired by Elder Holland's talk in Conference last week about the Atonement...how the Savior was left completely alone in a world he would save in order to feel each and every pain we would. I will do my best to use my time wisely here and be a good disciple so when I pass on and can meet him, I will know he knows me and loves me for the person I tried to be...

Dear Winter Weather...

...PLEASE GO AWAY.

Love,
Lindsay

PS - Happy Easter and I'll post pictures soon...

Four Wheelin Time

Grandma Pam started a tradition to buy each of her grandkids a four wheeler for their 2nd birthday. Peyt might be a little young still to fully appreciate how fun this is, but he'll love it eventually. Aside from being a little startled when everyone freaked out when he opened it, he enjoyed it!

His looks alot like Papa's Sportsman

Dad had just as much fun riding on it with him!

Let's be honest though...when it comes down to it, he's still mostly enthralled by the inexpensive dump truck...wish his simple pleasures would last his whole life :)

We had a wonderful Conference weekend and hope you did too!

Happy 80th BDay Grandpa Johnson

My Grandpa Johnson celebrated his 80th birthday with us this past week. He lives in Washington and made the trip here. He, my Grandma and Aunt Melinda stayed up in Midway for the week (they are timeshare owners). My Mom, Peyton and I went and stayed with them Wednesday night. They treated us to a yummy dinner and we made it up to Park City on Thursday for shopping (I bought the boys their first matching item...so fun!) Earlier in the week he and my Grandma also treated the whole family to a great dinner at Magleby's.

Grandpa and I

Everyone at the restaurant

We had a big celebration for him at BYU last Friday night. He had lots of family and friends show up for the party. It was a busy but fun night.

Delicious cake from Dipidee in AF

Great food!

This is pretty much my Mom's whole side of the family...minus Jack and my cousin Ryan who is serving a mission in Portugal

Peyt was a good boy during the party...I had a bit of running around to do and he handled it well!

Our little family!

Again...Happy Bday Grandpa. Thanks for all that you do for us as a family. You are a wonderful man!

Conference Notes

Elder Hales
Be a Provident Provider
Learn to understand the phrase "we can't afford it"
When you think about buying something for a family member, ask yourself..."am I buying it for them, or for myself?"
Pay tithing, generous fast offering and establish a family budget
When you are going to buy something, ask if it is for temporary benefit or will it provide eternal happiness?

Elder Christopherson
There is need for strong christians today
Obedience allows us to act and not be acted upon...it gives us greater control of our lives
In due time God will turn every affliction into our gain!
Divine covenants make strong christians

President Eyring
Adversity will come to all of us
We must be transformed by making righteous choices when it is hard to do
The Lord will rescue his faithful disciples...we will find peace in adversity when we take it as an opportunity to learn
The Lords suits the relief to the person who will be strengthened and edified by it.
We must prepare our hearts in good times for adversity
Always be looking to help someone with less than you
Make full proof of thy ministry (Paul)

Elder Ballard
Take time to learn the lessons of the past so we don't repeat poor choices and suffer the consequences

Elder Cook
We need to be loving and kind to people in the church no matter their level of activity
We should not be the ones to judge

Elder Pearson
We get what we focus on consistently
These six destructive D's erode and destroy our faith...
Doubt, Discouragement, Distraction, Lake of Dilligence, Disbelief and Disobedience
Choose to live by faith, not fear

Elder Scott
Set specific goals to attend the temple
Consider your relationship with Jesus Christ as you participate in temple ordinances
Remove your watch when you go to the temple!
Be mindful of those you are doing work for

President Uchtdorf
Discipleship is not a spectator sport
We can't sit on the sidelines in the gospel
The gospel refines us and helps us learn from our mistakes
It is always the right time to start walking in the Savior's way. It is never too late

Elder Holland
Never has such little money (30 pieces of silver) purchased such great infamy (speaking of Judas)
The women in Jesus' life stayed closest to him at the end
The Lord had to feel what it would be like to not have the spirit...to be completely alone
The Lord knows how to give divine compassion
We've never and will never be left unaided
We must be disciples even when the path is lonely and the cross is heavy to bear

President Monson
The moral footings of the world are beginning to slip
Focus on our blessings rather than the troubles around us
The Savior will always be our light no matter how dark our pathway

The Lord wil shape the back to fit the burden placed upon it (in Priesthood session)

Study the conference Ensign and apply its teachings
Satan is doing everything he can to take us down...the internet is a huge one
Remember him and the apostles in my prayers!

Elder Oaks
Our willingness to sacrifice comes from our faith in the gospel, not the way the church is organized
We establish the Lord's standards not follow the world's
"We cannot do great things, only small things with great love" -Mother Teresa

Elder Bednar
Our temple covenants provide us with protection
Seek after things of eternal consequence

Elder Stevenson
We can make our homes a house of the Lord
Take a tour of our home with spiritual eyes

Peyton's Room

I've had a few people ask how Peyton's room turned out so here's a peek...it's hard to get a good angle in a small room, but here are a few shots...












































There's the airplane picture! I still need to get a lamp shade, a book shelf (for under the picture) and one more red valance (that's why the window treatment looks a little funky) but that's it! It's all done other than that. And the best news of all...

He's sleeping in his BIG BOY BED!

We started on Monday night and he's done great! The first day he didn't want to nap, but he's had two naps since then (including right now) so I'm SO excited. I really was nervous about this transition and he's done great. For all you Moms who need encouragement to make the switch...it really isn't as bad as I thought it would be. AND...Lisa gave the tip to buy a bed rail (they sell one at Babies R Us that's long and tall and hides inside the mattress for $40) so you don't worry about them falling out. It's great!

One more milestone down with plenty to come!

PS - Did you hear it's suppose to be mid to upper 60's in Utah Monday and Tuesday? Hallelujiah!