The Chair Lift and Emma

Emma fell of the chair lift.. Yes I know unbelievable. Ryder and myself were on the chair behind her, which was a miracle, we did not go skiing together and found each other moments before getting on the chair. I watched as Emma floated arms and legs out and fell 23.5 feet to 9 inches of powder at Alta. Bode was on the chair behind me with Cliff and has been traumatized from the incident. We were near the top of the lift, Heidi and Dave lifted the bar, and Emma slipped off the chair. I screamed in terror, and Emma fell what I thought was to her death. Cliff recalls looking down at Emma and thinking, I should jump.. If I do I will die, 23.5 feet is far, and she should have died. Heidi had time to look at Emma, make eye contact with me, turn around count to 10 and get off the chair. By the time we reached Emma maybe 45 seconds after it happened she was crying and up on all 4's. Heidi picked her up and started racing down the mountain for help. I was next to her, Ryder in my arms racing down. Heidi was talking to Emma and trying to keep her wake, her coloring was not good almost green. I got ahead of Heidi found patrol on the snowmobile and told them to stop. Heidi pulls up with Emma in her arms, the patrolmen looks at Emma and says lets go decide if we are calling Life Flight. Heidi, Emma, and now the Doc who was on the lift are all loaded on the snowmobile and headed to the clinic. I stop call dad and say " Emma just fell of the ski lift. Pray now." and I hung up racing toward the car with skis and children and gear to get to the clinic to see if she is okay. As I am loading the skis I say to Bode- Look straight down that canyon and you tell me if you see a helicopter.

Emma was at the clinic, her dad gave her a blessing, she was held at primary children s over night, but was fine. Bode who watched the incident was more traumatized then she was.

Many miracles surrounded her and took place in her behave that day. Miracle 1- I was on the chair behind her. Miracle 2- She landed almost on her chest with arms and legs out, and slowly as if floating on angels wings. Miracle 3- The Doctor was on the chair behind cliff. Miracle 4- When I called Dad he was at Marta's home, he walked in the house, yelled I need everyone now. His hand were a mess, he had been cleaning the barbequer, he dropped to his knees and with his hands above his head called down the angels of heaven to heal his grand baby. Weeping he blessed every part of Emmas body.. and she was healed. Miracle 5- Dave giving Emma a blessing

I have witnessed God in my life today. Amazing, I am so glad we are on the same team. Thank you GOD!

Ryder Birthday Questions

Ryder felt left out so we tried to ask him some birthday questions He is 2 years old and 3 months- besides the I don't know these are the answers we got.

Name-Ahh Superman

Whole Name- Bode

Favorite Color-Blue

Do you like boys- Yip, I like boys

What want to be when you grow up- A choo, choo

Favorite Snack- I don't know

Favorite Animal-Lion, no nice, roar

Favorite Costume- Superman

Favorite Book-Read

Bode 4th Birthday Questions

We asked Bode these questions on his 4th Birthday-

Name-Bode

Whole Name-I don't know

Favorite Color- Green

2nd Favorite Color- Brown and Green

How old are you- 3

How old are you tomorrow-Five- Holding up 4 fingers

Do you like Boys or Girls- I like Boys

Do you have a girlfriend- NO, Boys don't have girls friends. I have a girlfiend-Emma, shes a girlfriend

What want to be when grow up- A fireman

2nd thing want to be- I think I am going to be Captian Hook, Captian Hook has a sword.. Does he have a sword? Can I see it mom.

Favorite Singer- I don't know, I got to think about it

Favorite Outfit-I got to think about it,

Favorite Pajamas-Superman

Favorite Costume-Spiderman, cause I like spiderman he is my favoirte guy

Favorite Game- Snow flakes falling in the house, and in there rooms, and they are playing a game, snow flakes fall and see who has the penny on his plate.

Favorite Snack- I think Chocolate

I thought your favorite snack was crackers- Yea but we got to buy some cheese crackers

Favorite Animal- Lion & Tiger, a lion is mean ah

Favorite Song-Scripture Power

Favorite Book-Christmas Book-Polar Express

Best Friend-Jak, Chase, Payton and Sether

What about Ryder- Ryder is my best friend

Who's Boy are you-I am my mom's Boy and Cliffs Boy

Favorite Cereal-I don't know, I got to think about it

Favorite thing to do outside- Ride bikes with mommy and Daddy, and ryder and Bode

Favorite thing to do-Play with my family

How do you like to play with family- It is fun

Favorite Drink- I don't know, water

Christmas Season

Today we went and saw Santa Clause. All week Bode has been earning money so he could buy a present for Jesus and give it to Santa today. What a great experience for my little guy. He has worked hard, racking leaves, scrubbing toilets, vacuuming. Last night we went and bought the presents and wrapped them. Bode loves Jesus so much. His sweet spirit is so tender.

This year we caught our own Christmas Elf. We put cereal on the front porch to see if we could catch an Elf. I sent Bode to the front porch to see if we had caught one after all day. I hear the front door close, and a few minutes later I hear him enter the house again. "Bode, did we catch one." No he says. Oh really, I say? Know I had placed one out front. "Mom, we just got a little eater guys." He was expecting a full size Elf, we got just a little eater guy. Every night the elf goes back and tells Santa how the boys were each day and then in the morning is hiding somewhere to be found and watch for the next day. -Very fun, each morning the boys run around trying to find him.

Horses

We went to Wyoming for Thanksgiving. It was super cold. This horse ride the temp was 7 degrees.. Nothing lasts long outside at these temperatures. We did the annual Christmas Tree cutting, but the temp was -2 Degrees. Imagine a tree with 2 kids under the age of 3 in -2 Degrees, we call it our 8 min tree.

All Day Long, Cold, Warm.. it doesn't matter.

All Day Long, Cold, Warm.. it doesn't matter. This is the favorite thing to do.

Thanksgiving Thankful List

I asked everybody what they were Thankful for-

Bode- Skiing, Riding Bikes, Jesus, Bishop, Boating and Books.

Cliff-Keri- I am sure he was butt kissing

Ryder- Cheese, and Angry Birds

Cliff added to Ryders list- Bode, Mommy, Daddy, Skiing, Wiggle Cars, Cho Cho Trains, Race Cars.

Ryder has such limited words he is at the stage you have to say show me what you mean, and he takes you to what he wants.

I am thankful for my boys. I am thankful that when Ryder is happy is has a spring to his step and does a little gallop. I see it a couple times a day, and every time it makes me smile for such a sweet spirit in my home.

YW Release

For the past 2 years I have been the Young Women President in our ward. I was put in shortly after Ryder was born. I feel like I gave everything I had for this calling. It was very hard on my family. I spent approximately 20 hours a week, preparing, in meetings, mutual night, visiting, or praying. I struggled. Being released was very hard on me. I asked the Bishop to release me, my time was over. It was very hard. It was hard being president, it was hard being released, it was hard serving, it was hard being away from my family, it was hard doing my best while others looking on with critical words. Boys you can do hard things. Set your mind to it. ALWAYS stand up for what you believe, and do not back down. I know God lives, he loves me and he loves each of you. If you serve him, he will bless you, and he did our family. I know this to be true. I know that I am lead by God, he is my light, and I try to follow his light daily. God sends tender mercies our way through other people. The morning I was to be released, I got out of bed after a sleepless night and went running. I run up the La Caille trial, when I run with Marta or Mom, we leave a snowman on the sign at the top of the trail to let whoever comes by to know that we love them. That morning in the early hours of the morning I found a snowman on the top of the sign at the top of the trail. God knew I needed a hug, he knew I felt alone, he knew I was sad. He knew that for me to make it through that day I was going to need a hug. And I got one. As I looked at the snowman, I knew God was proud of the work I had done. The song on my Ipod, playing into my head was "It's the Climb."- This is true, the joy comes in how you handle the Climb, in the trials, when it is rough if you stay true to yourself and God. Be strong in the Climb, the Climb is always up hill, but God will carry if you need him to. I love you my boys. Know, you are my most precious possession, I am so blessed to have you forever. XOXOX Love you! Mom

Snowman to a whole new Level

Cliff thought we should take snow man to a whole new level. So we put heads on the snowman, then they cut them off with swords, and then the boys become the heads....

Move Beds Together

Both of the boys have been in beds for some times, but Bode asked us to move them together so they could comfort each other in the night. Often we find this site. Thank you God for letting them be Best of Friends!

Pipeline at Age 3

We decided to take Bode to the mountains to ride. He did awesome. We road Pipeline in Millcreek two days in a row it was so fun. Ryder road on the back of Cliff, unable to touch the pedals holding on for dear life, never complaining, but loving it. Bode pedaling and loving the mud! His legs go around so fast trying to get that little bike to go fast. I cannot get me legs to move as fast as he pedals.

The Wiggle Car

This would be the best money spent for a single toy-the wiggle car. Years of fun. Ryder rides it around chasing Bode on the bike. When Ryder was small, I would put Ryder in a pack on my back, and me and Bode would sit on the seat and we would come down the big hill all day long as a family. Many hours of smiles from the Wiggle Car. Although beware, shoes only last a few weeks, but the smiles are endless.

October Dress Ups

The whole month of October we spent dressing up. Everyday we were something different. Usually you know what your kid is going to be for Halloween. Not at our house, moments before trick or treating he was still dressing up and changing his mind. Cow, Super Hero, Tiger, Space Man, Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Light Year, Dragon, we ended on Buzz Light Year and Woody.

We need a Truck

Granpa Val made us our own fire pit, so we cooked Hot Dogs in the backyard a couple of times. Bode asked if we could have Hot Dogs one day and Cliff said no we didn't have any wood. The next day I find Bode driving around the circle finding and collecting wood so he could roast hot dogs. The mind of a 3 year old. They got themselves a project, in the end I had to ask them to stop, we got a huge pile.

Water Fun..

Summer Fun

This is how are summer days are spent.

LOTOJA

I rode LOTOJA this year. Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 206 miles, 4 mountain passes in 1 day. This was on the bucket list for me, and I did awesome. I rode it on a team, and we did awesome. Sam, Liesl, Myself, Dad & Mom, and Marta. In order for us to finish before dark I was to ride 17 miles per hour. My 50 miles was 2 mountain passes, and I was sure I could not do it at 17 miles per hour. I trained hard. I got up every morning for months and rode with in the dark for hours. Trying faster, pedaling harder. It was one of the funnest things I have ever done. I rode 19 miles per hour. I kicked some trash!! See me pulling that line, that is how it looked almost all day. Try and keep up boys. Thanks team for such an awesome experience.

Ryder Turns 2

We spent Ryder's Birthday in Heber. We rode the 4 wheelers from Heber to the Cabin. Heidi, Whit, Emma, Granny and Grandpa Paulsen came to celebrate. Ryder I love you. I adore you. I love the way you care and cheer up others. I love how you share and give hugs to all in need. I think you are darling. I love your blond hair. You are the peace maker in our home. Bode is your best friend, and that makes me so happy. You follow him everywhere. In your room your beds are side by side so when sleeping you can comfort on another, and I have seen that you do. When you wake in the morning you stay in bed until Bode is awake and you come down the hall together. You always wear a smile, and never want to be left behind. Thanks for coming to our family. Cherish the relationship you have with your brother. Happy Birthday Son. XOXOXO

Bear Lake-Sister Party

We had a Bear Lake sisters trip, Marta, Heidi, Katie, Keri & Whit. We all took our kids and left our husbands home. It was awesome. We camped, we biked, we played in the sand, we ate ice cream, and we stayed up late after the kids were in bed and chatted. The boys had endless hours of playing with the cousins. I love my sisters what a blessing to rub shoulders with such awesome women.

Summer Fun

This is why we had two kids so close together. Best Buddies, when Ryder is taking a nap. Bode says "But MOM, I have nothing to do without my Ryder-Boy."

Bode loves to match his Dad on Sunday. He was so excited the week he came home from Church and Cliff had taught his primary class, and they noticed and asked them to stand in sharing time. Cliff wears a tie more often to church due to Bode begging so they can match. Thanks for the ties Marta!

Bodes skills on the bike for a 3 year old are amazing. We took off his training wheels at the beginning of the summer, riding his bike is one of his favorites things to do. Tricks and jumps. The day we took of the training wheels Cliff took them up the street to the school to play at the park, Bode couldn't believe the speed and balance he could have without the training wheels. He was coming down the hill he jumped off the curb, gaining speed across the parking lot, intending to bump up the curb on the other side, when the bike stopped on the curb the Bode flew 4 feet. Cliff said the ladies gasped... Bode he picked up and rode home.. Not to try up another curb yet. But he does love to ride to the church so we can ride down the stairs. Loves riding down big hills and going over jumps. Crazy little boy with no fear. Meantime, Ryder rides on the ally cat. Holding on for dear life and loving it the entire time. His feet do not reach the pedals, but he never complains. Happy, and begging for more.

Summer Fun in Star Valley

Cousin Fun, Playing, wrestling. Priceless Memories.

Colter Bay-1st Camping with the Boys...

This year for the 1st time for me we went to Colter Bay, in Yellowstone Park. I have never seen a prettier lake in my life. Incredible.. Gorgeous. It was the 1st time we took the boys camping and we had a great time. We took a tent for the boys, and Cliff and I thought we would sleep on the air mattress under the stars. We laid down for bed after an incredible day on the lake it started to rain. The boys were tucked into the tent, so Cliff ran to the Marina to see if he could buy a tarp. When Cliff came back he found me in our bed with the table cloth over me. I have never slept so good under a tarp in the rain before. We hiked and boated, and enjoyed every minute of it. We will be back.