Clint's Birthday

How many Trickett's does it take to solve a mystery???

Now THAT is a loaded question!!! 

:)

To celebrate Clint's birthday, I reserved a Mystery Escape Room experience called 

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Clint, me, Ginger, Kierra, Laura, Kevin, Cherie, Blake, Curt, Sarah, Cody, and Laura 

all spent 1 hour...a full 60 minutes... 

locked in a room together trying to solve the mystery...

We played the "Easy" version and stilled walked away defeated by the intense puzzles and riddles of the game! It was very entertaining though...we had an awesome time with our actress Lola, who was gracious enough to give us clues all along the way, AND put up with Kevin and his never ending jokes and wise cracks! She did say that we were by far one of her most entertaining groups that she had ever been with , so THAT must count for some kind of victory! ;)

(And by the way...we were only 15 seconds behind the clock from solving the mystery! We are pretty certain that if our group was a little more musically inclined, or if Clint was a little better at his 

wand "flicking and swishing," we may have just walked away winners...

But, either way, we DID win because we had such a fun time

 with some of the most amazing people in the world! :)

Clint with his brother "Frank" :)

After the Escape Room we took the Birthday boy out for his favorite treat! 

ICE~CREAM!!!

We ate at Leatherby's...and they did not disappoint!

We all sat around the table catching up on life and laughing over all of the silly things that go on in a day...you know, this life is NEVER dull or boring in the Trickett household!!!

We are so blessed to be a part of this amazing family, and to be surrounded by so many wonderful people that would literally give you the shirt off their back or do anything that they could to help you...

THAT is what family is for, and THAT is why I'm so glad to have Clint by my side.

HE is my everything, HE is hilarious, and HE makes life soooo enjoyable!

Happy happy birthday to my favorite person in the entire universe!

I love you!!!

Reflections, a Puppy, and a Massage Chair

Little Miss Kambriella entered the Reflections contest at school and wrote the most tender little story about her heart surgery when she was just a little baby...

She was so pleased to win an Award of Merit for all her efforts :)

It's kind of silly but I always get a little teary eyed whenever I attend ANYTHING at the school!!! 

I think part of it is that I'm so grateful for all of the teachers who help in raising these precious children,

and part of it is knowing that they won't stay little forever!!!

Also, Clint, Kesslyn, and I went to RC Willey's on his lunch break yesterday 

to buy some things for his new office.

Kesslyn fell in love with a statue of a puppy that I KNOW she thought was real!!!

She hugged it, and loved it, and talked to it like it was really sitting there listening to her!

Soooo sweet! :)

And Mr. Trickett found an AWESOME massage chair that was just calling his name!

It's going to look lovely sitting in the corner of his office, but mostly when he is busy occupying it!!! 

;)

I'm so grateful once again for these little treasured experiences everyday! 

Life is moving quickly, and I'm loving every minute...

but especially the "little things! "

Necklaces, a Forklift, and PUMPKINS!

I can't help but smile every morning as I'm getting ready for the day when I see cute little Kesslyn helping herself to the necklaces in my jewelry armoir.

I love how instinctively little girls and boys are just drawn to what they love...how all of my boys were drawn to trains, balls, and dirt...and my little girls have been drawn to baby dolls, anything pink, and sparkles!!!

And necklaces!!! :)

After picking Kesslyn up and complementing her on her pick of necklace for the day, I couldn't help but notice how perfectly the saying on her shirt went with what I was thinking...

"So true baby girl!!!...All you need is love, and a crown...

and maybe a cookie!

OK, and maybe a necklace too!"  :)

Those chubby little hands though!!!

Then, later on in the day we followed this handsome fella around work for a bit...He bought this new forklift to help make the delivery process a little easier on everyone's backs...but really he reminds me of a little kid driving it!!! Having WAY too much fun! ;)

I am working on a project for him in his new office and can't WAIT until it's done! It's going to be SO cool and I just KNOW he's going to LOVE it!!!

Then later on in the day, I was driving Kambriella and her friend Elsa to dance.

We stopped at a red light and I turned to look at them as I was talking to them ans saw THIS!!!

I had forgotten that the floor was covered with pumpkins

 that we were going to be using for our young women's activity at night...

I think Kambriella loves fall and pumpkins almost as much as I do!!! I just thought that it was so cute that they weren't content just dangling their short little legs over the tops of the pumpkins,

 but that they had to lift them up on their laps and actually hold the pumpkins!

But who could resist a big, orange, round ball of joy??!!

:)

And here are a few of my beautiful young women...

Kaitlyn, Shelbie, Annie, Katelyn, Timber, and Morgan.

(Missing: Julie, Grace, Autumn, and Anna)

We carved pumpkins and made butterbeer and had fun just talking and listening to Halloween music...and our favorite of course, Michael Jackson's THRILLER!!! :)

I shared with the girls the "Parable of the Pumpkin."

I told them the story all about a gardener who went out into the pumpkin patch and picked them up off the cold and dirty ground, took them in and cleaned them up, scooped out all of the garbage inside, carved a smiling face in them, and put His Light inside!

I try to teach my girls that the gospel really does apply to EVERYTHING and to look for God's hand and try to feel His love all around them.

That gardener is Jesus Christ.

He is the source of ALL good and Light in this world and I want to try to follow Him!

Beautiful Tina

As I was driving down the road, an old pickup truck full of pumpkins pulled onto the road in front of me.

I found myself all giddy and excited like a little kid at Christmas!!!

Something about this simple sight brought a feeling of fall magic into the air and I felt happy...

 I had also been thinking a lot about my friend Tina, and that I hadn't seen her in a while.

I decided then that it was a perfect day to invite her on a walk and catch up a bit!

(And so I could mug on her chubby little baby :)

Kesslyn LOVED it!!!

:)

A few years ago my dear friend Tina experienced a horrible tragedy...

Her sweet baby Cedar passed away at the age of 2 months old.

I learned a lot from her about faith and enduring well...even on some of her deepest, darkest days she stayed close to the Savior and kept looking toward the light.

Since then she has had 2 more sweet little babies (6 children total) and she is a beautiful and loving mother.

I am so grateful for her friendship, love, and example, 

and that we can help each other through the good and the bad.
I'm sure she will never know just how much she has taught me, and how much I love her for it.

Sitting at the park and taking our little ones for a walk in the crisp autumn air was so good for my heart!

Like I've said many times, I'm so blessed and so grateful for sweet angels in my life!
And for autumn time! ;)

Learning Every Day

Being with family and friends can teach us a lot about life's lessons...

Like how the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

All I needed to do was to stay up till 3 o'clock in the morning with this sweet friend of mine and share testimonies and experiences that have taught us so much as mothers about this...

We are all important to Heavenly Father, 

and when we learn how to see that, and to believe that truth, the more our lives will be blessed.

I really believe that!

My friend Lisa is one of those blessings in my life!

And so are these cute kids!!!

:)

Remember those friend/cousins? 

The frousins  :)

A friendly game of bowling can teach some of those same life's lessons too you know?

Like how to share, take turns, be a good sport, and to cheer each other on!!!

(And that you should NOT put a bowling ball on a table top because it WILL roll off!!! :)

I just love the little lessons we can learn from each other.

I am continually learning from these cuties EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

And I love it!

:)

They Have Me Under a Spell

 They have me under a spell...this sweet family of mine!

Seriously, I just can't get enough of them!!!

We went to the Trickett family Halloween party this weekend and had a fun time being with some of our very favorite people.

That's what makes this life so enjoyable...

being with the people that we love and the time that we have together.

I'm so grateful  that the Spirit prompted me to marry this husband of mine...I had no idea just how much he was going to love me and bless my life, and how much we would love these children that we have created together...it's simply amazing to me....And I had no idea what an amazing father he was going to be!!!

Spoiling these kids with love and laughter every single day....

Well, and of course with CHOCOLATE  :)

Kambriella wanted chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and when Clint went to the storage room to see if we had any, we did not.

BUT...we had HERSHEY bars!!! EVEN BETTER, he thought!!! :)

He made Hershey bar pancakes instead. :)

And they LOVED it!!!

Kesslyn is now officially RUINED from ever wanting anything that does not contain CHOCOLATE!

Anyways...they all think they have the BEST DAD EVER!!! :)

And they do!!!

:)

I love you Clint!

Fall Break

Fall Break started yesterday with a trip to Lagoon where we met up with some of our very best cousin/friends...

You know, friends that are so close that they might as well be your cousins? ;)

This is  Jessica Penrod and Kambriella riding on the carousel. They smiled and laughed the whole day away!

(What a good way to spend a day, don't you think? ;)

We also took our real cousin Xaxton, who is more like a brother/cousin...

You know, a cousin that is so close that he might as well be your brother? :)

All I can say is that I'm grateful for family and friends because this is a crazy world that we live in and we can't go it alone...we need to always remember to love, laugh with, and help each other all along the way!

And that's what we are doing! 

Every single day!

:)

Love Your Life

My sweet friend Natalie gave me this awesome CD for my birthday this year and I love it!

I glanced at the cover of it this morning and the gold letters jumped out at me...

"LOVE YOUR LIFE!!!"

(Or as Clint would say...Love Your Wife! ;)

I truly do...I LOVE my life!

Not that's it's perfect, or easy, or free from trials...but it is good...

Oh so good.

I wake up every morning so grateful for each new day that I get to spend with this amazing man, all of the angels in my life, and with the companionship of the Spirit, which reminds me CONSTANTLY of my Heavenly Father's love for me too.

I love the cuddle bug that this little baby is every morning too!

I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

:)

The Christmas Tree Farm

My beautiful friend Emily is one of the few people I know that loves Christmas as much as I do!!!

Last year we started a tradition together of going to the tree farm in October, tagging our "perfect" Christmas tree, and then going back after Thanksgiving to chop it down and bring it home.

The fun of walking through all of the beautiful trees is more than just that...it's exciting, and magical, and breathtaking, and even spiritual...I think because I feel so happy and loved.

Emily is more than just a friend to me though. She is my sister too. :)

We have experienced so much of life together. Serving in church callings, raising children, losing loved ones both siblings and parents...loving and supporting each other through the good and the bad...

and loving the joys that accompany us through this awesome mortal journey.

Everyone needs a sister friend like Emily. :)

I'm a lucky girl to have her in my life.

The kids all have a blast too playing hide and go seek in all of the trees! There are so many fun things that I love about this tradition, but most of all, I just love making memories that last forever. :)

Kesslyn liked seeing the trees and holding the pine cones, but did NOT like that I carried her through the farm the whole time! With her unstable steps in just learning how to walk, 

I kept her safe in my arms although she just wanted to run and be free! 

Next year baby girl!!! ;)

It's another day to give thanks to a kind and loving Heavenly Father

 for His many tender gifts!

A Little Lesson

This morning as I was getting my little ones off to school, Kesslyn accidentally knocked Kambriella's hot chocolate off the kitchen counter and onto the floor.

Saying that it made a BIG mess would be an understatement!

Her and I were on our knees wiping down walls, baseboards, the fridge, the floor, the bar stools, the island, her baby chair, the counter...

I distinctly remember thinking to myself, 

"I'm so thankful for what I have learned in getting to be a mom..."

This type of situation could have made me really annoyed or frustrated, but instead I told Kesslyn, 

"Thank you for making sure mommy got the floor mopped today!!"

I know that as she put her little chubby hand on my back while I scrubbed the floor, she was trying to tell me that she was sorry, and didn't know, and that I was doing a great job cleaning!"  :)

Later in the day as I held Kesslyn on my lap ( lucky to be with my mom again) and she ate a chocolate covered strawberry for the 1st time, I watched her and learned...

She was experiencing life for herself...both the messy and the good!

She was "tasting the fruit" and knew it was sweet!

I know that's one of my most important jobs as a mother, to help build up my children, guide them as they learn and grow, love them with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength (even when they make BIG messes!), and help them to "taste of the fruit" and to desire to know and follow Jesus Christ and to become true disciples...

President Uchtdorf said in a recent conference talk that

"...those who want to improve and progress, those who learn of the Savior and desire to be like Him, those who humble themselves as a LITTLE CHILD and seek to bring their thoughts and actions into harmony with our Father in Heaven ~ they will experience the miracle of the Savior's Atonement. They will surely feel God's resplendent Spirit. They will taste the indescribable joy that is the fruit of a meek and humble heart. They will be blessed with the desire and discipline to become true disciples of Jesus Christ."

I know this is true and am so grateful that being a mother is teaching me more and more everyday how to become a true disciple of Christ.

 Through little lessons that are both sweet AND messy, this life is a journey and I'm loving it!

At the temple

This weekend Clint and I visited the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

Any time I get with my sweetie is my favorite...but especially at the temple. :)

Knowing that I am with him for eternity is one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I am so grateful for this and other priceless gifts from our loving Heavenly Father.

I love that he loves me, and keeps me laughing all the time!

 Life can sometimes feel hectic and overwhelming...but NEVER when he is by my side.

I LOVE that his perspective is so sure...be happy, serve others, love God and family, and eat good food. :)

We also helped out at our friend's wedding luncheon. I helped with decorations and food, and my beautiful daughters helped serve...and of course do some taste testing. ;)

You girls are so beautiful and I love you soooo much!

What a wonderful life with so much to be grateful for!

Happy Monday! 

XOXO

And I KNOW the picture doesn't do it justice, but the moon was BEAUTIFUL today!!! :)

Heart Full of Love

My little sister Tiffany had a major surgery on her foot on Tuesday 

and has been in so much pain...:(

She is such a sweetie and I love her so much,

 so I have been grateful to be able to help her in any way that I can...

Painting her toe nails and blow drying her hair after a shower...

A little head massage and some TLC can bring great comfort where there is pain :)

My heart is full of love for this sweet sister of mine...

Then, Kambriella  came home from school with a letter

 from the principal Mrs. Wheeler, her teacher Ms. Warnock,

AND a super glad heart and a GIANT smile!!! :)

"Dear Kambriella," it says...

"You have been recognized as a student leader!"

"I am proud of your example to the students and adults at Rosamond Elementary..."

She gets to receive an award and have breakfast at the school with the principal, 

which to a 2nd grader is a pretty big deal! 

 It makes me so happy to see the positive reinforcement to all that is good that we try to teach our children.

My heart is full of love for this sweet little girl!

Then, Clint and I went to a wedding reception for a young man in our ward who is also one of Clint's employees. They had the funnest photo booth set up there for everyone to leave their picture and advice for the new couple. (We also got a copy to take home for ourselves.)

My advice was...

"Being married to your best friend can be the happiest you will EVER be when you are selfless, serving, and keep Heavenly Father the foundation of your eternal marriage."

It's the truth.

I promise! 

After the reception we went to the Olive Garden for dinner where we

 talked and laughed and did everything the same...just like we always do!

...thinking of ordering the same item off the menu (without even knowing it!), finishing each others thoughts and simultaneously switching seating positions to see each other more clearly...

We even folded our empty mint wrappers the exact same way after eating the yummy chocolate mints that they give you with your bill...

Clint placed them all into the shape of an arrow on the table and pointed it toward me and said, 

"This arrow is pointing to the most beautiful girl in the restaurant."

( ....Aaaaahhhhhh.... :) ...XoxOxoXo

My heart is so full of love for this sweet, sweet husband and best friend of mine!!!

My heart is just bursting cause it's so full of love!!!

:)

Happy Weekend!!!

My Mom :)

My mom... BEAUTIFUL Grandma to her 37 grandkids.

(Kesslyn is #37 :)

She is loving and sweet and makes each one of them feel like they are her FAVORITE! 

...interested in EVERYTHING about them...

...and treasures EVERY minute she gets with them, even if it's just lunch at  McDonald's.  :)

...and baby cuddles are the BEST!!!

(Even if Kesslyn likes to feel around your whole face while she gives them!!!)

I LOVE my angel mom!!!

(And of course, Kesslyn too :)