Fun in the snow.

We were so excited to get a pretty good snowstorm yesterday. My family was so excited that they could not stay in the house any longer. Eric was dying to go for a ride in his Jeep and the girls have been dying to go sledding. So in the middle of this awesome storm we decided to head up to Simplot. (Sorry for the spelling. I have no idea how it is actually spelled) I was able to stay in the Jeep and keep warm and watch them all have so much fun sledding. The girls absolutely loved it, and were very sad when we had to leave. It was so much fun to be able to enjoy the snow. I LOVE WINTER!

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Christmas, Hooray!

Oh, I always feel a little sad the day after Christmas. Partly because I am so sad that it is over, and also because I am ready to have EVERYTHING cleaned up right away! LOL!

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year and I wish that it would have lasted a little longer! I loved every minute of it. It was so much fun to get up early and watch my little ladies open all their gifts in their cute Christmas jammies. This year was so much fun because we had asked the girls not to ask for anything and to just let us surprise them. I think that they actually liked it better that way as well. We did our traditional dinner on Christmas Eve, and a big breakfast on Christmas morning. So the rest of the day was watching Star Wars movies, and playing with the girls. We loved it!

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Winter Wonderland

We have been so blessed to get so much snow the past couple of days. Well, a lot of snow for Idaho! LOL! It has been so wonderful and so exciting! My little family has had so much fun. They built a super cool snow fort in our front yard yesterday. Both girls have been praying for a White Christmas, and I think that we might actually get it! Hooray! Check out the cute pictures!

Christmas Traditions

We are a little behind on doing some of our Christmas traditions this year, but we are slowly catching up. Hooray:) This weekend we took the girls out for our annual Christmas Lights drive. We bundled them up in their jammies, got the Hot Chocolate and treats and spent about 3 hours looking at all the cool lights around here. The girls LOVED it and had so much fun!



We also put our Gingerbread House together. Usually, every year Emee can hardly wait and ends up attacking it and devouring it the day after we build it, and Hannah usually ends up crying. This year my sweet little Emee decided that for Hannah's Christmas gift she was not going to touch it until Christmas Day! LOL! Ahhhhhhh, the Christmas Spirit. LOL!

Christmas Shopping with Annie

Last night one of my best buddies, Annie, came and picked up my little ladies to take them on a special date. They were in heaven! She took them Christmas shopping and out to dinner, then they went to her house to wrap everything and make Christmas cards. They had a BLAST and have not stopped talking about much fun they had. It was such a sweet gift from my friend to my little ladies, so thank you Annie, we adore you! While my girls were out my sweet husband took me to the mall (in a wheelchair) and just pushed me around for about an hour. It was so wonderful to get out, and to feel a little bit normal. Well as normal as you can feel in a wheelchair, lol! I still feel pretty weak, but it was so wonderful. I have been going a little crazy being in the house, so it was so much fun!!!! Thanks for the giving us the time to have a little date my friend, we loved it! Check out some of the cute pictures of Annie with the girls!

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Our Nativity

One of my buddies, Nicole, encouraged everyone to take a picture of their Nativity to share with everyone. I thought that it was a wonderful idea, so I thought that I would follow suit. We actually just got our Nativity last year. We have always had one for our little ladies to play with, but we could never really afford one that I liked until last year. Eric bought it for me for Christmas, and I just feel in love with it. We added the animals this year, and I love the whole feel of this Nativity. I think that my favorite part is how Joseph is looking at Mary.

I thought that I would post one of my favorite quotes about Christmas from one of our prophets, Gordon B. Hinckley. He said,

"And so at this Christmas season, we sing His praises and speak our words of faith and gratitude and love. It is His influence in our lives that stirs within us more kindness, more respect, more love, more concern. It is because of Him and His teachings that we reach out to those in trouble, distress, and need wherever they may be.What a glorious season is this time of Christmas. Hearts are softened. Voices are raised in worship. Kindness and mercy are reenthroned as elements in our lives. There is an accelerated reaching out to those in distress. There is an aura of peace that comes into our homes. There is a measure of love that is not felt to the same extent at any other time of the year".



(This is why I love Christmas so much!)

It snowed! Hip Hip Hooray!

Yesterday IT FINALLY SNOWED!!!!! I am so excited I can hardly stand it! This is what I saw when I looked outside this morning, it was so darn beautiful! It officially feels like Christmas time! Wahoo!

Week #6- I am just GRATEFUL for everything!

Well hello to my sweet friends and family! I AM HOME! Hooray! LOL! I love it! I don't think that I can get nearly enough snuggles from my little ladies, and I don't know if I have ever appreciated my bed as much as I do now! LOL!!!

My heart is so full, and I wish that I could adequately thank you all individually for your amazing out pouring of love and compassion. Our little family has been so very blessed by your kindness, sweet thoughts and prayers. I have felt very unworthy of all of your kind words but have been so touched by your amazing amount of support. Thank you to you all! We are a better family for having been blessed to know each of you!


Thank you to those of you who so lovingly have been the MAMA to my little ladies when I could not. It makes me cry every time I think of you. It brought me so much peace to know that they were so loved and so totally and completely snuggled and cared for. My heart was so broken being away from them and I was so worried that they would feel scared and unsure. But every time I spoke to them they told me of some kind thing that one of you have done for them and they were truly happy and content. Thank you, for that was the greatest gift that you could have given me!

To my Marmee. I am not sure what to say. Thank you just does not sound good enough. Your kindness, love, sacrifice and patience helped my girls and strengthened their faith. You gave them so much hope this week and I am eternally grateful to you! We love you!


To my sweet husband.My feelings are a little to tender to share on the blog, but I wanted my children to know how amazing their Daddy is. You have been my greatest comfort and a pillar of strength. Your ability to find the humor in even the most scariest of times has brought me so much joy, and has given me the chance to laugh even when I was so scared. You never left my side even for a moment. You are the greatest joy in my life and my one true love. I am honored to be your wife!


To Rick and Annie. We love you. You have been an amazing support and strength to us, and have done more for us than we really deserve. You are truly the BLOG extraordinaries~~~ Your friendship has been a wonderful blessing, and I just wanted you to know how much we all love you!!!! The girls are STILL talking about Yogees! LOL!


These past few weeks have been been a great blessing to us in a weird way. My testimony of the Savior and the knowledge of his love for each of us has been greatly strengthened. Our family feels so truly blessed that our prayers have been answered. I am grateful for experiences like these that remind us of what the purpose of this life is about. I have felt very humbled this past week, and am so grateful for the time that I have to spend with my little family. I love you all more than I can adequately explain in a blog and want you all to know what a blessing you are to me.

GREAT NEWS!!

Breaking News!!!!

APRIL IS COMING HOME TOMORROW (Fri)!!!!!!

The doctors have stabilized her and are content with a concoction of medicines so they have cleared April to return home on Friday. This is great news, however the doctors gave her some ground rules:

1) She cannot be inundated by visitors (and therefore germs)
2) She cannot be over stimulated (talk to too much and over exert herself)
3) She needs to rest!!!

Eric & April also want to express their most heartfelt thanks for all of the prayers, well-wishes, thoughts, faith and compassions shown them by all of their friends around the world. As Eric said “(Your) faith and support have been our anchor through all of this.” They are so excited to return home to be closer to that source of strength and can’t wait to share their gratefulness with all of their loved ones.

News from Utah

April has been moved from the ICU to the CCU (Critical Care Unit). The Doctors still don't know exactly what is causing the problems to the heart, but they do know how to treat the symptoms with medications. Apes has been able to get up and walk around a little and seems to have gotten a little bit of her strength back. Yippee!!

Eric's makeshift bed.

Eric this might just get you nominated for Father/Husband of the Year award.

This pic is of Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley is a character from a book that Emee is reading at school. Stanley can travel by mail because he is "Flat". Stanley was mailed to Utah to stay and visit Eric's Sister Casey, but when April decided to take a visit to Utah Stanley came to visit her. Emee, Stanley is in good hands with your Mama.

Hannah and Emee didn't want their Mama going without a Christmas tree for the Holidays so they made and mailed a Christmas Tree. Eric and April have this tree hanging in their hospital room.

Annie's Commentary...
The other day my 5 year old son Kade and I were talking about how much he misses April and then he says to me, "Mom, April reminds me of the word Joy." This got me thinking and I decided that in honor of April (because I know she has so many fans) we all write in our comments a word that reminds us of April and why.

We love you Apes keep getting better!! :)

Update on April

This post is not by April, but she asked me to take over for a short while. This is Annie Sager, friend of April the Great!!! I spoke with April on the phone today for over an hour. She asked that I relay parts of our conversation to each of you via this blog, so here we go! ( BTW - per April's request, if you have any questions please direct them to me at funlittleboys@live.com )

Here is the timeline of events:

Wednesday: Diagnosed at Boise St Lukes as having "Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure". The doctors sent her home and with instructions to come back in the morning for more testing.

Thursday: More testing was done and she was sent home again.

Friday: April was not able to breathe normally and Eric took her to the hospital. That morning she was admitted to the Critical Care Unit of St Lukes.

Friday afternoon: Doctors began discussion of transfering April to University of Utah Hospital to be under the care of cardiology specialists.

Saturday 1:00 a.m.: April was "Life-Flighted" to Utah Univ Hospital, Eric of course accompanied her on the trip.
Saturday afternoon: Eric's mother arrives in town to stay with the girls at their home. Life is proceeding as normal as can be for the girls.

Sunday: April and Eric are in the best care possible. When April labors to breathe, the doctors are able to relieve the symptom quickly and ease her pain. Eric has fresh clothes and toiletries thanks to his sister who drove to SLC from Provo. Eric has also fashioned a bed out of two chairs, an ottoman and a dinner tray (watch out MacGuyver!)

Monday: The team of cardiologists at Utah Univ Hospital will meet to catheterize April's heart and continue extensive testing.

April asked that I write the following so she can remember the sweet things her daughters told her in the hospital on Friday:

Hannah: "Mom, can we make a time machine so we can slow down time and you'll make it home for Christmas?" she also said "Mom, I'll give you my heart so you can make it home for Christmas!"

Sunday, both girls bore their testimonies in Fast and Testimony meeting. Hannah shared that her reason for fasting was on behalf of her Mom, and (Hannah) knows Jesus died for each of us. Emmee said that she knew that "... her redeemer lives and that he came here so that each and every one of us could be together as a family forever."

Annie's opinion: I think that the courage these girls showed to not only go in front of a congregation to share their belief, but to do so in such an eloquent and reverent manner is a testament to the fantastic job of parenting by April and Eric.

We love you Eric and April and will continue to keep you in our prayers.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT FOR APRIL AND ERIC AT THE COMMENTS SECTION OF THIS BLOG. ( even if you don't have an account you can post under the 'annonymous' title, just be sure to leave your name) APRIL AND ERIC WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU OUT THERE!!!! SO PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS ON THIS SITE.

Week #5- I am so THANKFUL for wonderful women!

This week I have had a small setback with my health, and I am feeling so very blessed for the love and kindness that all of our friends have shown to not only me but to my family as well. Everyone has gone above and beyond to help our little family and to show so much concern. I have been so touched by their examples and for the love and charity that they always show to me and to those around them. I am grateful to know such good women who always stand for what is right and always encourage me to be better. So to all of you amazing ladies and also to those who are not pictured here, THANKYOU! You are a wonderful and great gift in my life. I love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving my friends! We had a great Thanksgiving this year. Eric's parents were kind enough to come up and be with us for the holiday and it was wonderful to see them and to have a fun and quiet day. We all feel that we have a great deal to be thankful for this year, and are grateful for the chance that we had to focus on our many blessings! The food was yummy, and we still have tons of it!

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The Plymouth Rock Cafe

We have been blessed to have AMAZING teachers for my girls every year. This year has been no exception. Emee's teacher has done some amazing things for my little lady. She LOVES school and can't wait to go everyday. She is reading amazingly, and is ahead in all of her studies. Which has been a huge improvement over last year. I think that having her health improve has made a huge difference for her. Anyways, for Thanksgiving this year, her class hosted the "Plymouth Rock Cafe". We had to make reservations, and then were able to eat lunch with Emee in her classroom. Each student had a certain job. Some took reservations, some were on the clean-up crew, and my Emee was on the decoration committee. (She is a little like her mama in that way, LOL) The whole thing was so darling. The tables were set with tablecloths and little candles, and the whole room was decorated like Plymouth Rock. I loved how he gave every child a specific job. Emee was so proud, and we had a lot of fun.

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TWILGHT!!!

Last night was so much fun! I was so excited about our Twilight Party that I could hardly wait or sit still all day! LOL! We started off the night by a few of us heading to visit our good buddy Kelli who just had the most beautiful baby girl! She is stunning, and it was so sweet to see both her and Mike and how excited they were for their new little sweetheart. I think that I could have held her all night:) She was so perfect! When we left Annie and I were devising a way to keep that little lady for ourselves! LOL!



After that we headed to Louie's for a fun dinner. We had the banquet room reserved, and it thankfully held ALL of us! The food was yummy and it was so much fun to sit and talk with everyone! I just love all of these good ladies! Next..... YEAHHHHH we were off to the movie. IT WAS CRAZY! I think that we were there over an hour before the movie was supposed to start, and the line was crazy insane!But it gave us a chance to hang out a little more with the girls. When the line started to move it was complete pandemonium. You would have thought that we were off to meet Edward himself! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the movie!!!!! It was awesome! Is it bad to have a crush on a VAMPIRE? LOL! Edward is beyond beautiful! It was so much fun to hear all the giggles and gasps from everyone in the theatre. If you love the books, YOU have to see this movie! So anyways, it was a perfect night! Thanks to everyone who came, and for the fun memories! See you next year, same place, same time for the second movie! LOL!

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Week #4-Thank Heavens for Mr. Anderson!

My family is a HUGE Webkinz family! We love it, and I am a little embarrassed to say that I have as many as my little girls. LOL! Eric has only 1 Webkinz, a monkey named Mr. Anderson and he has become a very special thing between Emee and her Dad. Because of Eric's job he unfortunately has to travel quite a bit, and my little ladies miss him so much! When he leaves, Emee takes Mr. Anderson with her everywhere she goes. She sleeps with him, plays with him, and when she is missing her Dad, she snuggles Mr. Anderson. So this week I am very grateful for Mr. Anderson and a sweet Dad who works so hard to connect with his little ladies, even when he is far away!

No more braces! Yipeee!

Today was a BIG day! Hannah was able to get her braces off! Hooray! Look at that cute smile:)Amazingly, she was a little sad about it. She loved her braces!