HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER!

Today is Tyler's birthday. He's has been so excited about turning six and that's all he's talked about for months!

I have to do the mushy, proud, mommy thing for a minute! I can't pass up the chance, on this special day to say a thing or two about my darling, sweet little boy! He is adorable, snuggly, funny, sweet, smart, fiesty, serious, and he's very passionate about what he likes and dislikes! He LOVES sharks! He LOVES the solar system! He LOVES legos! He LOVES his brothers and sister! He doesn't like meat! He doesn't like veggies (except raw carrots)! He doesn't like collared shirts!

Tyler has an incredible memory. He knew and read the alphabet before age two. He memorized the solar system at age three. He's continued to amaze us with the things he can memorize! He loves soccer and he just started taking piano and he claims he can do the fastest finger drills, EVER!

His current obession is sharks....and yes, he's memorized every kind of shark you can imagine....even creatures that I didn't know were in the shark family.
I love you Ty and you're such a special little boy and a blessing to our family! I've haven't met a person yet that doesn't melt when you look at them with those big, greenish-blue eyes. I'm so happy I get to be your mommy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER!

William Hayes Shoff's Baptism

This was one of the most memorable events of my life. Out of all the people I taught and saw baptized on my mission...I don't think that there were any as prepared as Hayes. Chris and I prepared our FHE lessons specifically to help Hayes prepare for his baptism and to make sure he knew and understood the commitment he was making by becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ. It was almost too easy! He has had such devoted Primary teachers, friends, family and other amazing examples that have influenced and taught him so well, that it made our job easy.

We read from the Book Of Mormon every night as a family and we accomplished our goal to read the entire book together. Hayes, also read many nights on his own and memorized scriptures, which amazes me, not simply because he's memorized verses, but because how accurately he did it. His favorite scripture that he has memorized is 1 Nephi 3:7.

Chris and I couldn't be more proud of our son and his decision to be baptized. Hayes, we love you and we're so grateful for the example you are to us, your siblings, your cousins, teachers and friends. You are the best Christmas present we could ever receive. Your dad and I planned to get married in June, but after much thought and prayer, WE KNEW we needed to get married in January....you were born the following December. I believe with all of my heart that we felt the urgency to move our wedding date up so you could join our little family precisely when you did.

We asked Hayes where he wanted to be baptized and he adamantly replied, "in Utah". Thanks Mama and Papa Shoff for all of your preparation and help! Thanks everyone who participated in the program and drove through snow and canyons to attend. We love you!

Midway 5th Ward Baptismal Service

January 3, 2009

Presiding and Conduction: Chuck Wolf

Opening Song: Families Can Be Together Forever

Chorister: Sonia Robertson

Pianists: Rebecca Shoff and David Criddle

Invocation: Roger Bailey

Introduction of Baptismal Candidate: Mary Ann Shoff

Talk on Baptism: James Shoff

Baptism of Hayes Shoff: Christopher Shoff

Musical Number: Rachel and Katelyn Schmuhl

Talk on Holy Ghost: Rick Shoff

Confirmation: Christopher Shoff

Closing Song: I Love to See the Temple

Benediction: Dianne Shoff

Holidays in Utah

Driving out to Utah by myself, for the second time in six months...with four kids was an adventure, to say the least. I felt so empowered and such a sense of accomplishment after I arrived, but NOT during the drive itself. As I'm in the moment, all I can do for ten hours is think "WHAT WAS I THINKING"! When I have finally arrived at our destination with all five of us still breathing (driving isn't the only risk when travelling with four small children...more like mommy on the brink of insanity is the much bigger risk!) I think wow...we did it! I felt like I had just conquered the world. I really hope to never do it again, though!

We had such a great time seeing friends and family! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Ben, Emily and I spent part of our New Years Eve in the kitchen creating our own, customized to our liking, hor'dourves. It turned out delicious and the best part was...WE DIDN'T SHARE! hehehehe :)

Rick had a little too much to drink....Red Bull!

RED BULL! RED BULL! RED BULL! RED BULL! RED BULL! RED BULL! RED BULL!

We celebrated Christmas and birthdays with the Shoffs in Midway.

Hayes is so lucky he was born right on Christmas day (we keep reminding him of that!).

I had so much fun going to lunch with my girlfriends! We missed Trista...she had a miscarriage that day, but our thoughts and prayers have been with her.

We celebrated my mom and my sister's birthdays. Best bread sticks ever! GOOD TIMES!
Last but not least, my brother Brent (coolest brother and uncle EVER) helped us get our snowmobile started and we tore it up! So much fun!!!! Shawn and Scott are on the sled, Hayes, Brent, Ty are on the snowmobile.
Shawn and Scott

Ty

We had such a great time seeing everyone and playing in the snow!

25 Random Things

This was a facebook thing. Since I took the time to do this instead of blog, I decide to post it on my blog...so my blog won't be jealous of facebook (good point Lindsey!).

25 Random Things

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. Marriage: I was 27 when I got married. I had so much fun in my twenties it was hard for me to settle down. I was one of those weird people that LOVED dating. I didn’t fall in love with my husband the first time we dated…the timing wasn’t right! I saw him a year later and I KNEW instantly he was the one. CRAZY! He’s the love of my life! He is so hot! He’s thirty-four and still looks amazing with his shirt off (he’d smile if he read that)! He loves to work out, which inspires me!
2. Religion: I love my Savior! I realized in my early twenties that I couldn’t do it all on my own anymore and I finally invited Him into my life…I’ve NEVER looked back! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is my life!
3. Children: Where do I begin….they are the loves of my life! My gorgeous babies bring me more joy than I can put into words. I pray every night that they will not be taken from me! My body struggles with delivering them into this world, but I’d do it again and again…just to experience holding them in my arms for the first time. The time goes too fast!!! I cry every time I go through their closets and put away their little clothes they’ve outgrown.
4. Exercise: I love running! I didn’t until my mission…thank goodness for a companion (THANKS KRISTEN)that made me run up and down the landing strip of a small airport we lived by. I was instantly converted!
5. Mission: I served in the Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Mission. My mission was for me! That’s sounds selfish, but when President and Sister Hinckley visited our mission, Sister Hinckley spoke to us and said that the way we served our missions would determine the rest of our lives. After hearing that…I wanted to serve to the best of my ability so that everything else would fall into place!
6. Sickness: My dad, mom, brother-in-law and beloved aunt all had cancer at the same time. My mom is in remission….all of the others passed away. Tremendous humility; Spiritual experiences; and unbelievable blessings; briefly describe what it was like!
7. Education: I haven’t graduated…YET, but I’ve attended four different colleges—Harvard being the most noteworthy. It was night-school, but it was still really cool going to school in Harvard Yard! My husband was at Harvard Law and I was pregnant and bored…so I applied. My son is brilliant so maybe he passed some of his genius to me while he was in utero. I’ve always assumed that’s how I passed the entrance exam.
8. Travel: I LOVE it! Can’t wait to do it more! My favs so far are London and Disneyland!
9. Friendships: I’m fiercely loyal! If we were friends in the second grade we are still friends and nothing has changed (in my mind). The sad thing is, I’m really the worst person ever at keeping in touch—until Facebook! Friends…I LOVE YOU AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING…I’m really so blessed to have you!!!
10. Goals: I’ve NEVER been goal oriented! That’s why I married Chris! I swear he’s accomplished every goal he’s ever set (and then some) and I stand by and cheer him on!
11. Politics: I believe what I believe and NOBODY can change my mind! Before each election, I study it out for myself and then I decide who to vote for. I’ve never really supported one party…yet. We’ll see what the future holds!
12. War: Hate it, but sometimes it’s necessary! Dang Satan anyway! Can’t wait until he’s bound!!!
13. Reading: I love it! I go into panic mode if I don’t have a new book picked out before I’m finished with the one I’m reading!
14. Gardening: I enjoy it. Just when I thought I’d figured it out in Utah…we moved to a whole new climate with all new plants and trees. I can’t wait to dig in!
15. Career: I had one…I hope to have one again when my kids are grown.
16. Television: I’m loyal to my shows and I get very angry when they cancel them for no apparent reason! I think the DVR is the best invention EVER! It’s what I do when I can’t sleep!17. Sleep: I struggle with this one! I wish I knew how to relax and enjoy sleeping. I go to bed every night thinking of all that I didn’t accomplish that day and I know how much laundry is waiting for me when I wake up!
18. Laundry: The noxious weed that was sent here to torment me until I die!
19. Addictions: Books about Scotland (THANKS JULIE!) Diet Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper—depends on what I’m in the mood for.
20. Lullabies: NOBODY knows this (not even my hubby)! I made up a lullaby for my oldest son Hayes and I’ve sung it to all of my babies before bed—only when I know that no one is listening!21. Children’s Books: I’ve written one. I’ve only let my husband read it. It’s near and dear to my heart!
22. Children’s Names: My kids are all named after someone special. Except at the last minute we had to come up with new name for Tyler because the one we’d originally chosen for him (my grandpas), clashed terribly with our last name. WHEW! Glad we caught that one! Funny story—if you want to know email me. BTW, his middle name is Christopher after his daddy.
23. Recreation: I LOVE SNOWMOBILING! I get all giddy every time I even see a snowmobile, even if it’s not mine! I also like going to the beach, four-wheelers, camping, hiking and shopping!24. Hobbies: Reading, reading, reading, facebooking, blogging, and watching the weather channel.
25. Death: There’s a reason I saved this for last! My list will continue on and I’ll keep discovering new things about myself, growing, experiencing, changing and mostly just living….just like what we’ll do after we die! Thankfully, it never ends!

Thanksgiving

We had the most incredible Thanksgiving ever! Here's a list of my favorite 2008 Thanksgiving events:

1. Going to Disneyland with my children. It was my first time and being able to experience that with my kids and husband was priceless. Undeniably, one of my most favorite memories ever!

2.Having the Shoff clan in our home! It was so amazing to share our home with our family when we live so far away.

3. I loved being in the kitchen with all of the Shoff ladies! I"m always in awe when I see what an amazing cook my mother-in-law is. She was up at the crack of dawn getting ready for the dinner at 3:00--truly selfless. I LOVED cooking along side Amanda and Emily too! Both of which are amazing cooks (YOU ARE AMANDA!).

4. All of the grand kids played together so well! We didn't have any incidents! A true miracle because we had seven kids under the age of seven. My kids STILL talk about how much fun they had with their cousins.

5. Playing Mafia. I know some of you don't like it so much, but we always have so much fun playing. Carl is always the Mafia (according to Mary Ann), Jake is the worst Mafia player ever (according to Jake) WHATEVER! Emily and Amanda don't think they're good...but that's their strategy because they're very good...sneaky! Ben can't lie to Amanda, Rick and James always blame each other, Chris throws money down to prove his innocence and finally....thank goodness Becca, sweet Becca, can't lie to her daddy!!! I just think everyone is a bunch of liars and I CAN'T STAND THE DECEIT! BTW, James needs an honorable mention...he fooled us all! One of the greatest victories of all time!

6. We had so much fun at the beach. I love watching the wuffle ball game and the kids playing in the sand.

7. Finally, being thankful for all of our blessings that the Lord has given us. We felt so much gratitude being surrounded by our loved ones (we missed Ben and Rachel's family dearly!)and we enjoyed a most delicious Thanksgiving feast!!!

Dear Blog, I'm so SORRY!

My Dearest Blog,

I'm so sorry I've neglected you! You are here to help me record the most precious events of my little families' lives and I'm so busy living that life that I forget to record it! I have scheduled some time in this week to pick up blogging from where I left off...Thanksgiving, I believe. I wouldn't know off of the top of my head, I've felt so guilty that I can't go beyond the dashboard to see the last entry.

It is a NEW YEAR and here's to the goals I've set for myself, one of which, is to be more faithful to you!!! CHEERS!

At last, I will see you again, not just this page, but I will actually click on "VIEW BLOG" and see where we left off and I will fill you in on all of the happenings of the Shoffs in San Diego.

Sincerely,

Dianne Shoff ( your administrator--in case you forgot!)