"This time of year"

The human brain is designed to see patterns, patterns in numbers, letters, faces, behavior, art, music...There must be multiple occurrences for a pattern to develop. But, it starts with two instances.

I don't know that this is a patten, and a coincidence would be two unrelated occurrences that seem to fit the patten.

All this to say, Grandma Hilda Frost passed away April 10, 2016. The funeral is today, April 16 in Show Low, Arizona.

Last week I was planning this weekend with the kids. Before Grandma died. "How will we recognize Dad's passing on the 16th?" Turns out, we are recognizing Rob's passing by attending my paternal Grandma's funeral 800 miles away. We went to the cemetery Thursday to take Rob a balloon and a Reese's peanut buttercup.

If this is the start of a pattern, I don't know. I still believe in God's Plan and I'm doing my best to be obedient to His law and live up to His standard of righteous living. My strength to ensure comes through the Holy Spirit's witness of Truth and the hope provided by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

As we drove yesterday, Sarah asks,  "Mom, is Jesus in the sun? Jesus is so bright like the sun. "

I am so blessed. The stewardship I have been given to guide these four eternal spirits through mortality, as their only living parent, is a huge responsibility. But I know, I am not alone. Angels are constantly around supporting and cheerleading.

April will always be a month of reflection for me, but it is also Spring which brings new life and hope for a glorious Summer of harvest.

Busy Busy

We've been having a good time...and another ski trip. Sarah did great on her own.

 Emma had a business trip to Boise. This is the Capital Building through the morning fog.

 Sunshine loves to write and draw...

 Reese is always up for a good cuddle.

Did I mention any blank space is quickly filled with novels and illustrations?

Grand Targhee Ski Trip

Our dear friend Teresa left Pocatello mid-November. She will always have a very special place in the Wood family's heart and home. When we found out she would be a mere 2 hours away (instead of 8 hours), we jumped at the opportunity to spend a day together.

The day was amazing. It snowed nearly the entire time. We figure there were at least 4 inches of new snow when we went to leave. Some friendly snowboarders helped push us halfway to the top of the hill coming out of the resort...and then we got towed the rest of the way. Headed home, it took us twice as long going 45 mph, but we made it. Only slid off the road once. Actually, we were quite blessed. When we left the road, we traveled a good 100 feet or so and missed snow marker by less than 6 inches. Rob was looking out for us.  Come to find out, two days later, over two feet of new snow was on the ground. That would have been REALLY hard to navigate.

Isaac is determined to be a snowboarder. He learned that it's hard to maneuver in powder!

Sarah lasted 3.5 hours on the mountain. That was amazing. She finally gave up about 4pm...when the ski lifts closed.

Welcome 2016

The saddest part of 2016 is we can't say "last year, before Dad died..." However, we are looking forward to the adventures in store for us.

She is amazing.

Ethan is tall enough to hit his head on the cupboard doors...

So we bandaged him up with ice for dinner...arrrrgh

Isaac...meet stationary metal bar, stationary metal bar, meet Isaac.

A rare selfie, with the selfie stick at the DollarTree, that wasn't purchased. It was enough to be there with a caring, compassionate, mature daughter.

2015 ends with Elephant Seals

Took a drive to see the elephant seals on the beach just below Hearst Castle. There were a few newborns with their mothers.

Here's proof Emma was on the trip too.

Isaac had to try out his new fishing pole. He caught two fish from the pier!

Playing on the beach with jackets and no shoes.

A Fisherman's tale...

Four year olds will do anything.

Here's another one!

We spent two days and three nights with the Frosts in Atascadero. It was great to visit and see their new house. New Year's Day we took a hike, helped a neighbor, and loaded the van. Jan 2 started the 16 hour drive back to Idaho. So grateful the roads were dry.

A little more before we ended 2015

Did we mention the live penguin? This one was found wandering the trampoline park...

Had a chance to catch up with Fontana friends...some friendships never grow old.

Spent the night with the cousins, and found a penguin there too...

Headed to Atascadero. Along the way, made a stop in Northridge. So much has changed in the 9 years since we left. The Townhouse Apartments are still standing. Rob and I managed these 63 units for three years. The windows here on the ground floor were our windows. Cozy was 2 and Isaac was 3 months old when we left.

The College of Education...we also drove by the Institute building. I probably should have taken a picture of that building...it's where the Wood family started. Coming back was nostalgic and healing. Just a week or two before Rob died, we had talked about Northridge being the place we would return if ever California was to be our home again.

When it's cold outside, kids can dance to get their exercise!

End of 2015 in California

Eight years ago we began our Idaho adventure by packing a moving truck Dec 26th and heading out Dec 27th. Almost every year since then we have packed up the 26th and driven to California to spend some time in the sun.

A story to make you smile: We pulled into the gas station after a long day of driving. Isaac looks up and says "I know where we are! Amazon Prime!" Perhaps a little too much online shopping happened this Christmas...

 Cosette shared her talents with Grandma at the family party.

Alan and Larry decided they like to swim...

 ...and lay eggs...

Sarah took up skateboarding.

All the kids together and almost looking at the camera after our picnic in the park.

Santa paid a visit with a stocking for each of the kids.

Ethan has a love/obsession with penguins. He's been asking for a live penguin for his birthday and Christmas. Gma and Gpa did the best they could on delivering that request. You're very own, live penguin.

Christmas in Idaho

Time flies and flies. I'm pretty sure the hour is getting shorter, maybe 58 minutes instead of 60? I decided to take a minute and post some memories we have been making as 2015 ends and 2016 begins.

The three oldest kids went skiing with friends, the Clayson's. Emma kept the non-skiiers home. It may become a new tradition.

 Christmas morning at the Wood's starts with a run through wrapping paper left by Santa. It's devised to keep the kids out of gifts until the old people get up. Isaac was awake around 5am. Cosette was awake not too long after that. Emma made them wait until 6:45am to wake up Ethan and Sarah.

 Thank you to all the family and friends who thought of us this season. Sarah's favorite gift was a doll and doll backpack.

Isaac was pretty happy with the coal he asked for. The skateboard got some good use too.

Ethan was all around excited. He has Chewbacca pajamas on under the minion garb.

Cosette is so sweet. She started right in with her modeling clay, but perhaps the gift that tickles her the most is the canvas art made for a picture she drew.

This picture was drawn on the iPad while we read a Christmas story together. The vibrant colors yelled "put me on the wall". She is proud.