Meeka joins our family.....

 The boys have been begging for a dog since we had to say goodbye to Lulu two years ago. Dylan requested a dog for Christmas and once again we told him no. And then, Mike and I discussed all the benefits of having a dog and soon Mike was begging for a dog. The requirements were that the dog must be well behaved with children, potty-trained, and at least two years old. We also wanted a yorkie mix breed. After going to the Humane Society and checking KSL for a few weeks we thought we might not be able to find what we were looking for.  Then on a Saturday late in January, I saw an ad on KSL classifieds for a Shorkie. A Shorkie is a mix between a yorkie terrier and a shitzu. I responded to the owner, named Jade, and she stated that she was heart-broken to have to find a home for the dog, but she was residing in an apartment and the dog was not allowed in the apartment. She told me she was interviewing multiple people who were interested in the dog, but she preferred the dog to be with a great family who would give him a good home. We were going skiing that day and I told her we would call as soon as we were home so that we could see the dog. As soon as we arrived back from skiing the boys were begging to go and meet the dog. I called Jade and she told me she had another family that really would like the dog, but she wanted to meet us first before giving the dog away. As soon as we walked into Jade's apartment, Meeka and Dylan were interacting with each other and Meeka began playing fetch with a tennis ball with Dylan. Mike immediately connected with Meeka as well and I knew we had found the perfect dog. We stayed at Jade's for over an hour and she told us she felt good about us taking Meeka. We were all on cloud nine and we made arrangements to bring the dog home on Sunday. Jade had potty-trained Meeka and had taught him some amazing tricks. I have told her that she has done all the hard work and we get the benefit of that. She was just going to give the dog away, but we insisted on paying her. She has watched Meeka when we go out of town and she checks in often on him. It has been a perfect situation. We love Meeka and he quickly became our family member. He was almost three when we got him and the name Meeka means Mike in Finnish, which was very fitting. Jade had given Meeka his name.

 The boys love to play fetch with him and Meeka loves tennis balls.

Meeka connected with both boys quickly, but Dylan and him were inseparable. Dylan had a constant smile on his face the first week Meeka was here and he still comes home from school and talks with Meeka. The boys have been great at feeding Meeka, bathing him, taking him on walks, and even cleaning up his messes. 

 Meeka is the "book dog" in our home. He loves to cuddle with the boys when they read....

And, Dylan even sits on Meeka's lounge chair and reads. It has been a joy to have him in our home.

Dylan's Special Day on the Slopes...

 In February, Dylan and I went on a skiing date during the week. I excused Dylan from school (I have no regrets) and we headed to the lifts. The weather was beautiful and no one was on the slopes. After 6 hours on the slopes, we headed to Chunga's and enjoyed a late lunch together. It is one of my favorite memories with Dylan. And, of course, we took a few selfies.

 

Enjoying the delicious chips at Chunga's. Dylan told me "thank you," that day at least five times. I think he had a great time as well.

Tate's special day on the slopes....

 One Saturday in March, Dylan was with a friend and we took Tate on a date skiing. He wanted to take a bunch of selfies while we were riding the lift. It was a fun day.

 Tate scraping up the snow in the triangle. I think this was his third time skiing. Both boys learned quickly and were in parallel position by the end of the season.

Tate and his selfies. It does show his funny personality....

Skiing at Brighton.....

 Tate skiing for the first time.

 Dylan skiing for the first time....

Tate with his cool ski instructor Davis at the Brighton Ski School. He was the Boy's favorite instructor.

Learning how to ride the chairlift.

If you look closely you can see Tate in the orange helmet near the tree with his instructor.
We were on the slopes almost every weekend in January and February. Mike and I decided that would be our big family gift for Christmas and we are so glad we did it. It is such a great family activity and each family member enjoyed it.

Tate adores this hat that was given to him by Grandpa and Grandma Green. I adore this sweet face. He would not take this hat off when he was home in January.  He even wore it to bed in his PJ's. I want to stop time and keep him this age. He is so inquisitive, curious, tender, and a character. Love you Tatey Bear...

Happy New Year 2015.....

 We had a fabulous New Year's. We welcomed in the New Year at Fat Cat's with Tiff, Rex ,and their family. We bowled and ate a ton of pizza. They also had a fun ball drop at Midnight and then Owen came to our home and stayed the night. Dylan was so excited to see Owen again and Tate was tired and a little ornery as the celebrating continued past midnight. His face in this picture says it all.

                                               
 Waiting for the ball to drop with the toy gadgets.

Tate our little artist.....

Tate has a knack for drawing. I am having him save his drawings in a little book and it is fun to look at his growth as his abilities increase. Here is a great drawing of a robot. He drew the robot model and then built it with Legos. This was in January while being off track.

The Rowley Christmas Party......

 Dylan and baby Max.... he loves holding him...

 Handsome cousins....

This year for the Rowley Christmas Party we met as a family at Nick and Bridgette's place. We had a great dinner and then walked to Temple Square and enjoyed the festivities there. I was really bad this year at snapping photos at the party, but we made some great memories on a cold winter's night.

Student of the Month Award.....

Dylan was awarded the Student of the Month Award in December. His award was for being a great reader. Ms. Fisher, the School Principle gave Dylan the award.

Christmas 2014........

 Christmas Day has arrived! The boys are patiently waiting for Dad to confirm that Santa did come. Short moments seem to take so long as the excitement builds.

 Best Buddies.....

 Dylan couldn't wait to assemble the Lego Temple that Grandpa and Grandma Green gave him.

 Tate's wish list was met. He was all smiles as he opened a package with three large camouflage nerf guns and camouflage clothing including many hats.

 Dylan's wish list was granted too. He was enjoying every minute and shouted when he opened his packages.

 This kid and books....he was reading for two hours on Christmas Night!

 This kid and Nerf guns. Can't wait to find all the darts everywhere.

 Tate had also asked Santa for a ukulele.  He really wants to learn how to play it. It is one of the most difficult instruments to play. I told him to save it in a safe place and after he masters the piano he should move on to the ukulele. He has put it away in his closet.

 And of course, Santa remembered the video games this year.

 Christmas breakfast has always been added into the Christmas day celebration. I remember as a child my Grandpa Reed always scrambling his delicious eggs and I have carried on this tradition with the boys. I saw this cute idea for the Rudolph pancakes on pinterest and the boys thought it was the best. They love Swedish Pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

This picture was from last Christmas. It is amazing how much they have grown in a year.

Christmas Eve....

Christmas Eve at our home is just as fun as Christmas Day. The boys were so excited and wanted to clean out their old toys to give to other children who may not be able to afford new toys from Santa. I love how caring and giving they are. We also have a Christmas Eve dinner celebrating La Befana. Once again the boys wrote the sweetest notes to us. Mike and I teared up as Mike read the notes.  Uncle Nick and Aunt Bridgette came over and celebrated the evening with us. Sparky and Ernie delivered pajamas and this cool tent that Aunt Liz helped to make (she is amazing and is always thinking of others). We then went to the Nativity Scene and Mike read about the birth of our Savior. It was a great Christmas Eve.

The Green Christmas Party.....

 Tate informing Santa of his wish list which included, a camouflage nerf gun, camouflage gear, and a nintendo DS.

 

 Love this handsome smile. This picture is going to be a favorite.

 Dylan telling Santa what was on his wish list which included, Pokemon video games, books, and maybe a dog.

This is the Santa that my boys treasure. Uncle John and Aunt Liz always host a great party and it is one of our families favorite traditions. We are grateful that we have such a great extended family.