Simply Snelgrove

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2010-02-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

Chris' birthday falls just 4 days after Braydens, so it is probably fair to say that he often gets the shaft. After throwing a bash for Brayden, I do not seem to have a lot of enthusiasm for Chris on his special day. Sorry babe! We certainly do not love Chris any less, he is just a lot less demanding. This year the kids and I decided to make Sugar cookies instead of cake, because Chris doesn't really like cake. He enjoyed those, and then we put the boys to bed and headed out for a late dinner just the two of us (thanks for staying with them Collin). It may not have been a very exciting day, but I think Daddy knows just how much we really love him. You truly are my sanity and my happiness babe. I can not imagine life without you. I love you!

The Big 5!

2010-02-05T08:25:00.001-08:00

My "middle man" turned five on Sunday. Friday night was party central, as we invited the fam over for a spider man themed celebration. Mom and Dad had "fun" spinning a yarn web on the ceiling, and daddy made an awesome spider man cake. Brayden was thrilled to have his cousins, aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas and mom dad and brothers in attendance. Thanks to Grammy we had a huge balloon fight and a good time was had by all. Thanks everyone for a fantastic evening. Happy birthday Bray, we love you!

Christmas Morning

2010-01-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning is usually spent with Grammy and Grampy, but this year they were out of town, so for the first time ever this bunch of Snellies had Christmas morning in our own little home. What a morning it was! The boys started out sitting on the stairs for the tradition pictures, as they not so patiently waited for Daddy to get up. Each of my boys enjoyed looking through their stockings from Santa, and opening presents from each other. After a new football, skateboard, blocks, and lots of candy the boys figured Christmas morning was through. One final hidden present from Santa brought a reaction that I will always cherish and never forget. The smiles on their faces were priceless! If they didn't before that day, all of my children truly believe in Santa now. Thank you "santa" for making Christmas morning unforgettable!

The Magic of Christmas

2010-01-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about Christmas is seeing the smiles on my children's faces. Sometimes it is because they are getting presents, but often it is because they are giving a gift that they have worked hard on, or because they are spending time with family and friends. To me the magic of Christmas can be seen in their faces. We had a wonderful, magical Christmas!

Christmas Eve

2010-01-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve is our time to celebrate the Holidays with the Whitmill side of the family. Part of our tradition includes a Christmas Eve devotional. Some years this means a church devotional with one of our wards. Many years we have been invited to participate through spoken word or song. Even when there is no organized devotional the Whitmill family puts on their church clothes and heads to the church to sing and celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful tradition that I cherish. I appreciate my parents lead in helping all of us to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2009

2010-01-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Aunt Lisa, Uncle Dustin, and Cousin Cohen were in town. We had so much fun watching little Cohen play with the boys. He is sweet as can be, and he did a great job enduring the endless loving/torment that his 3 cousins had for him. We even took family pictures, and most of us are smiling!

What's in a name

2009-12-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

Each of my three beautiful little boys has a name that we love. Their middle names are family names, and their first names seem to fit them to a tee. Well, as you may or may not be able to tell from the pictures, baby boy #4 is on his way. My biggest worry? A name! I am fresh out of ideas! I want his name to be just as beautiful and special as the others, but I haven't a clue! I am hoping that over the next 4 months we will be inspired to find the perfect name for our precious baby boy. Any suggestions?

2009-11-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

Halloween!

2009-11-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

It was August when I started lobbying my sweet husband for the chance to be something "pretty" for Halloween. Being the mother of three boys I usually end up being something scary or gross in order to fit the family theme. Chris told me I could choose what he and I would be this year, and we decided that the boys could be whatever they wanted. After a bit of looking around for a costume that would fit my ever growing belly, I decided I wanted to be a 1920's flapper, and Chris could be my gangster. When the boys heard our idea they decided that they all wanted to be gangsters. We had a great time as a gangster family, guns and all. Brayden insisted that I was not a flapper, but rather a "gangster girlfriend" with 4 boy friends! So much fun. I do love Halloween!

An October Snow Storm

2009-11-01T18:52:00.000-08:00

Three days before Halloween in Colorado means it could be 70 degrees, or you could have 18 inches of snow on the ground. This year we had the latter. Jake enjoyed a day off of school, Daddy spent a lot of time shoveling, mommy got the car stuck, and we drank a lot of hot cocoa! It wouldn't have been my first choice, but we did enjoy some time hangin' out as a family!

Pumpkins!

2009-11-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

Chris and I used to spend hours carving intricate pumpkins each October. Now we try to make it through one hour of carving pumpkins with three little ones who all want something different, and want to do it all themselves! Daddy was a trooper this year, and patiently helped each child design and carve a very simple jack-0-lantern. Everyone was happy, and very proud when we lit them on Halloween night. You are the best Daddy!

Our Football Star!

2009-10-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

Jake has played soccer, and T-ball, and liked them both ok. This year he decided that he wanted to try football. I was a bit nervous, but consented to a season of flag football. He loved it! We loved watching him play. For once Jake's height was an advantage, and he thoroughly enjoyed showing us all how strong he is. Some of the games were really cold, but #2 didn't complain, he just played his heart out. Great season Jake, we are proud of you!

Inspirational!

2009-10-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

Today was a truly inspirational day! For the first time I took part in the Race for the Cure. I'm not sure why it has taken me this long to take part in such an incredible experience. This year my mom and my three sisters, as well as a good friend and I walked with my Grandma as "team Audrey". My grandma Audrey is a 34 year survivor of breast cancer. What a fitting tribute it was to walk with "team Audrey", and watch as so many were overcome with emotion as they contemplated the magnitude of that number. 34 years! I can not describe what it felt like to be surrounded by a sea of pink all united in one common cause. It was amazing to watch the survivors as we payed them tribute, and humbling to watch the loved ones of those who had lost their battle in this life. I was greatly touched by the spirit of hope that pervaded this event despite the many who must battle sadness over the loss of loved ones. I feel renewed and inspired to have hope in my life, no matter what circumstances I may encounter.

I love October!

2009-10-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

What is it about October? Maybe it is the fact that I love Halloween, or that my mom and mom in laws birthdays are both in October. Maybe it is the cool crisp days, or the beautiful changing leaves. Maybe it is that October signals the start of the holiday season. I'm not sure what makes October so grand, I just know that I love it. My house is now decked out in pumpkins and candy corn, and my spirits are high! Happy October!

H1N1?!

2009-09-21T12:20:00.001-07:00

I found out on Saturday morning that my little niece Lily was diagnosed with the H1N1 flu virus. Poor little thing was miserable! Lily was feeling fine on Friday, and attended a birthday party for Marlee. Unfortunately that means all of the cousins were exposed. We were crossing our fingers, and everyone seemed fine the rest of the weekend. Early this morning Brayden came and found me to tell me that Jake thought he had "the same flu as Lily", I was skeptical and yelled at Jake to come upstairs. He told me he couldn't, and when I got to him I could see why. Silent tears were rolling down his extremely hot cheeks, and his poor eyes made me want to cry. We took him to the doctor as soon as it opened, and sure enough he tested positive for H1N1. Poor miserable little baby! I feel so sad for him! We will hope the tamaflu can keep it under control so that he can endure it well and not have complications with his asthma. As for the rest of us, we are hoping for the impossible, that we all stay healthy!

Yummy Summer!

2009-09-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite activities of the summer is planting a garden. It is so much fun to watch our vegetables grow, and finally become ready to eat. Somehow vegetables from the garden always taste 100 times better than the ones you buy at the store. My favorite thing to grow is tomatoes. This year we grew 7 varieties, among which was a new favorite, black cherry tomatoes. Yummy! We loved our yellow pear tomatoes, and our orange tomatoes, we even loved our good old romas, but nothing seemed to compare to the sweetness of those yummy black cherries! I love a yummy summer!

So Proud!

2009-09-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

I am sitting home alone tonight. I have to admit that really stinks. My Hubby is in Atlanta until Tuesday. The reason he is there doesn't stink, in fact it is really cool! My totally awesome husband is in Atlanta because he and Collin (my brother in law) have been nomintaed for a PARSEC award, and the awards dinner is in Atlanta. What is a PARSEC award you ask? Wikipedia says "The Parsec Awards are a set of annual awards created to recognize excellence in science fiction podcasts". Many of you know that Chris has been producing Collins novel "The House of Grey", and they are being recognized for their hard work. They may not win the award, but I am so proud of what they have accomplished with this great project. Congratulations to both of you for chasing your dreams, and bringing enjoyment to the rest of us while you do it!

LIFE

2009-08-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

I have just learned that an Elder I served with on my mission passed away this morning. I don't know any of the details yet, but what I do know is that I could not endure life's tragedies without my knowledge of the plan of happiness. Patrick was always so full of life. You couldn't spend even a few moments around him without laughing. He was upbeat, energetic, and wonderful. Even his facebook status updates kept me in stitches. To lose someone at such a young age is tragic. I am truly grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which teaches us that our Father in Heaven has an eternal plan-a true plan of happiness. I pray Patrick's family and friends will be comforted by this knowledge at this time of great loss. May God be with each of us until we meet Patrick again.

First day of second grade

2009-07-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Some days it seems like Jake is so young. Other days he has the attitude of a teenager. Yesterday was one of those days. Jake was "too cool" to take first day of school pictures, and I was mad! Oh well, I suppose these pics capture his true feelings on the momentous day. I hope the school year get's better!

A little more graduation

2009-07-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been 3 months since graduation, and sometimes it still seems totally unreal. I am so thankful to the people who were there that day, and to all of the others who supported me all along the way. I Finally got the pictures I was looking for, so please excuse the overload!

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2009-07-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

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