"Are you Santa?"

I'm not gonna lie, last night my heart was broken ;,( Right as the girls were going to bed they wrote a note and asked Bryson and me to come up to their room. They would not discuss it in the family room (strange!) Of course we ran up. Taylor then proceeded to tell us that she knew we werre Santa and that she had known for years! Well Skyler was not in the room she was hiding in Myles room trying to avoid the conversation.

I knew the girls knew. But they were so stinkin sweet I loved they way they played along and droped small suttle hints here and there. I loved it. I though we had a pact. And that we were going to somehow just stroll right over the "Are you Santa?" question all together!!!

Sky finally came in after Bryson forced her in, she looked like a cowering little mouse, scared to death! Kinda funny/sad. Taylor began to list off all the reasons Santa isn't real.

#1- A substitute teacher in a different class told everyone that Santa & the Easter Bunny are not reat
l! Seriouly if I could get my hands on him... She all ready suspected this but that was concrete evidence!
#2- Last year all of the other realitives kept thanking their spouse for thier belongings in their stocking??? (stockings are frome Santa at our house!!!)
#3- She saw Bernard our elf get moved... oops
#4- one year mom forgot to return Bernard after Christmas (oops)

Ok so she has some good points and she is 11! And she has doubted for years hence the #1-4 reasons above. But it was so sad that Sky still wants to believe and her older sister is ruining it for her. Oh bother!

So I Wrote them both this letter to some up how I feel about Santa. I found 2 different ones on pintrest and liked the direction they took then wrote my own (thank you pintrest!)

Dear Skyler & Taylor,

Last night you asked a very good question, “Are you Santa?”  

I know you have wanted the answer for a long time, and we have given it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. We are not Santa. There is no one Santa.

We are the people who fill your stocking with presents, though. We also choose to wrap the presents under the tree, the same way our parents did for us, and the same way their parents did for them.

We imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them dump out their stockings. You will love seeing them look at all the presents under the tree, their faces lit up with joy and excitement.  You will probably even make them wait to open the presents until you are there watching, just like your mom and dad do!

This won’t make you Santa, though.

Santa is bigger than any one person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches us how to have belief in something we can’t see or touch.

It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your family, in your talents and in the Savior Jesus Christ. You will also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand; faith, hope , charity, happiness, and love believe in all these gifts. Santa and more importantly Christmas about our Savior we  give love to others like the Savior did, it can be a gift or an act of service.

Santa like the Savior is a teacher, and we are his students. Now you have the secret of how Santa gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve. He has help from all the people who truly believe in the gift of the Savior and whose hearts he’s filled with joy. The magic and love and spirit of giving to others is what Christmas is all about. Santa  lives  in our hearts just like the Savior.

With full hearts, people like daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible. The mission is to bring all souls unto Christ.

So, no.  We are not Santa. Santa is faith, hope, charity, love and happiness. We are on his team,  and  you are too.

We love you

Mom & Dad

 

 

 

Animal encounters...

We went to our friends amazing birthday party. We all held crazy creatures. Bearded dragons, scorpions, tarantulas, snakes, lizards, turtles...it was  awesome. Even mom held them! Super cool.

Alta soccer camp

Bald Mountain,Mirror Lake

State Champion Road Race Winner

Bryson raced in honor of our friend Matt Bradley. Last night Bryson was training on his bike and passed Matt's house. He teared up a little about the loss of Matt this Spring. Matt had his leg removed due to cancer and was a FAST cyclist after.

This morning we woke up early 5 am for the Utah State Championship Road Race. Bryson said we didn't need to come. But I was not going to miss it. First off he wanted to win, thus he needed my support. Second when Bryson puts his mind to something (with proper preparation) then it happens often. Bryson blew apart the race with 3 other FAST guys. Seriously the elite field was in shambles on the first lap. And some killer guys hung with me in the feed zone as we talked about who was going to win. Bryson took it in the sprint with enough time to salute Matt. I'm so stinkin proud!!!

Conquering cub award's

Random cave hike we have always wanted to check out...

Just south of Kanab, Utah are 3 awesome caves on top of a mountain right off the main highway. Bryson and I have ALWAYS wanted to stop and try and get to them. Hooray for us!!! This trip we decided to do it. It was a short very manageable hike, with some slanting sections that made me a little nervous. But I followed my strong leader and the caves were amazing. 3 openings on top of a cliff, so gorgeous. Breathtaking views. Ahhh loved it! Life is beautiful.

Barn Burner

Bryson raced 104 miles in Flagstaff Arizona on Saturday. He raced strong and took the overall win, crushed the course record, and accomplished his goal of winning! I'm so stinkin proud of his guts!

Lil miss piggy

Myles hangin with the big boys

We had another great Saturday full of racing. Bryson took first place in the pro division by 4  minutes over second. The course was at Soldier Hollow in Heber. It was full of lots of climbing. So thrilling to see his training and dedication finally pay off.

Myles loves hanging out with the pro men after the race and chatting it up.

Skyler's teacup

My four mtn bike racers

Tuesday night was the first race of a new race series. Bryson took first in the pro field. Taylor and Skyler both raced in the 12-10 age group. Skyler (8) came in 3rd place and Taylor (10) finished right behind her in 4th. They did great. Myles raced in the 9 and under category, he was by far the youngest. Just check out the starting lineup!!! I love it! He had to run while pushing his bike for most of the race. Serious  single track. But he did pass a handful of kids and he gave it his all. He was so exhausted he didn't even stay awake to eat dinner, he woke up at 3am starving saying he was sick. Mommy is so proud of all of her bikers!

Super Saturday

Most Saturdays are chalk full of life for our family. We are not the type to be at home watching cartoons and cleaning the house top to bottom. Our typical Saturday begins with the girls soccer at 8:30 am, followed by a mountain or road bike race, then hopefully I can squeeze in a workout before the sun goes down. I know that may not sound that full but believe me it is.

Today Bryson raced a mountain bike race called 5 mile pass. It was exciting to see him get the win! This has been a tough racing season for him since he was not able to put in the long winter training hours during my brain tumor and recovery. Most people have no clue that pros are on their bikes training 30+ hours a week all winter long. Im so happy he got the win-he deserves it!

Taylor had her annual spring piano recital. She played two pieces. First We thank thee O God for a Prophet, and Mr McGill. She did great. I am so proud of the little pianist she is. She loves it so much. I can't wait to see how much she improves by her next recital. I never even have to beg her to practice her lessons, she loves piano so much.

Shirley Temple

Skyler worked so hard on her 3rd grade famous person report. She choose Shirley Temple. We learned all sorts of facts about her and Sky put many hours of research and preparation into her report. We are so proud of you Sky! It was a wax museum...doesn't she look just like her?

Johnson's trail St George

Nothing beats a lil sun and mountain biking...

31 years old

Today is my birthday first off I'm 31. What's the big deal? Why is it that women lie about their age? I'm proud of the years I have made it and feel that age also encompasses wisdom and knowledge. Today as I was in yoga I had an ah ha moment. Seriously tears were streaming from my soul with understanding. This year has been, to say the least a battle. One thing after another. And the cherry on top was my tumor removal surgery. I've recently been really stuck on why have I had to try so hard and dig so deep? Why has this been so painful? And why have I had to become so strong? But today in restorative yoga I learned something... Instead of focusing on the  hardships. I learned that I'm stronger then I ever knew. I know that there was a reason why I'm here. To raise my family in strength and in the gospel. So today not only am I grateful for another year of growth and learning. But I have a new strenght that I never ever had. Now to focus on the continued healing and recovery. I am so blessed. I have the greatest family and friends in the world.

Here is to a fantastic 11 years!

Today is our official anniversary but thanks to Bryson having a great job and the fact that we still need cold hard cash, he is on business at the corporate headquarters in Minnesota. We had a great celebration on Monday at Christopher's Steak House in SLC. It was delicious and luxurious. Most importantly we talked about our wild year, the endless blessings we have received, and truly enjoyed every moment together!

It does not get much better then this! Ahhhh :)

Here is my lil face book post: Today is our 11th anniversary! I am so grateful to be married to my very best friend Bryson Perry! This year has been a true gift and I know now more then ever I could not make it without him. Thanks babe for being my nurse and taking on the load at home. You are the greatest husband and daddy in the world. Here is to forever and ever! Tonight I will snuggle with your hoodie and I'll be dreaming of you :)

Here is Bryson's post: My official 11th anniversary is Thursday the 15th but due to the fact that I am heading out of town later this week, I am celebrating it today. This year was shaping up to be one of the scariest in my life with Taylor having her second heart surgery. Summer was so amazing through it all and was a rock for our family even when I was a whimpering, broken, heap, wincing on the recliner, just adding to the mess. We made it through it all with her being the hot nurse every household needs, taking care of everything! I couldn't have imagined a more amazing, supportive, loving, wife and mother in all the world. It quickly became the scariest year by a long shot when on September 12th she was diagnosed with her brain tumor. I was up all night worrying about her and it continued for months as I imagined what would I do without her. Summer is doing amazing and is recovering quickly and I am so grateful that we were so blessed to have had the outcome we did. Summer, you are an amazing mother to our wonderful children, you are my best friend in the world and you are still as hot as can be. I love you and am so grateful you chose me. I am yours forever!

To me I have always thought that I was grateful for the gifts, but it is amazing at how much of a blessing every single moment is! The moment the drs discovered my brain tumor I knew life would never ever be the same. I knew I had a new out look on life and that I would deeply savor every single moment, gift and blessing. I always knew that I was supposed to find Bryson and that we were MFEO (made for each other!) But I had no idea how much closer we could grow. I know that we have sailed through hard times and that no matter the challenge we will make it through together. thank you for being my rock and best friend. You are my world!

Gratitude is everything!

This year I wish I could simplify my emotion, but I am so eternally grateful for this year, I can hardly express myself. Looking back my family has been blessed and protected immensely, and I am sure that I will never ever forget this. Starting with Taylor having an extremely successful open heart surgery in June, she was a trooper and taught me so much about strength and positivity. Then exactly 2 weeks later watching Bryson crash in one of the worst bike race crashes I have ever seen (and I have watch many.) Myself, Myles, and Skyler were only 20 feet away and when I got to him I was just thrilled that he could talk, move and generally was going to be ok. A couple of broken ribs, a broken scapula, and a possible break in his pelvis (they were not sure if it was from a previous crash or not.) Bryson has always been amazing but having to take care of him helped me think about how important he is to me and how blessed I am to have him. Then the big shock, my seizure (which I know we were all protected as I was not able to get the car started.) Which led to finding a tumor in my speech center. This was a tough trial which I am still of course dealing with. But I am so grateful for all of it. GRATEFUL that myself and family were protected through the struggles. Grateful that they found the problem. Grateful that I was able to have an amazing medical team who gave me confidence and were able to fully remove my 2 tumors without damaging my speech. Grateful that I has zero worries about an awake tumor removal surgery (if that's not a blessing then I do not know what is) Grateful for the staff at Huntsman who didn't quite know what to do with me. I felt like crap and they just kept saying you are doing amazing. They would try to move me in bed and I would just stand up so they could adjust stuff, they were always shocked. Grateful for Bryson who stood by me side and took care of everything. I always knew I had the perfect man for me, but this trial truly put a deeper love in my heart. I love you Bryson so much and all i can say is THANK YOU! Grateful for friends and family who are there every step of the way. I knew my kids were safe and protected. I knew that if the bus was late a neighbor would pick them up. I am thankful for the greatest friends and family in the world and I know I will never take them for granted. I am grateful for the gift of health and healing. It has been a battle to stay at home and feel stagnant, but I will recover fully and that is a HUGE BLESSING!  Grateful for my strength and faith. This had been a humbling year in the best way possible. I have learned that we are in God's hands and he is here, he knows us, and is aware of us. Lastly I am grateful for everything, and grateful that I have a new view of life. Life is a gift. Happy Thanksgiving!