Little things make me happy...

The past 4 months have been difficult, to say the least. But I have learned to find joy in the smallest things because somedays its all I have.

Today after church the boys and I were walking home in the snow and Cameron stayed at the church to help shovel the walks. Brigham ran ahead of me and a few seconds later comes running back with 2 sand shovels in his hands. He gives one to Max and then yells to me while passing by, "I'm going to help Dad shovel the snow at the Church!" I wasn't sure whether I should be proud that he wanted to help his Dad or laugh at the fact that he thought he could be a lot of help with his sand toy. Ha ha. It made me smile so I took a couple of quick pics to capture it.

We miss you and love you! We were blessed to have you!

Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love! Here is my beautiful mother...

Ardene Ressler Bullard

On August 18, 2009 the light of our lives and heart of our family was suddenly and unexpectedly taken. Despite her valiant efforts, she was overcome by an aggressive and sudden infection.

Ardene was born on March 18, 1955 to Peter J. and Reah O. Ressler in Roy, Utah. She was the youngest of 10 children along with her twin sister and best friend, Arlene. She was raised in Roy and attended Ricks College and Weber State College. She was married to her high school sweetheart Lonnie M. Bullard on May 5, 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple. She dedicated her life to her husband and to raising nine wonderful children. She excelled in and deeply loved being a mother. She loved the out-of-doors and was passionate about sports and fitness, especially tennis, playing on many teams and in many tournaments. She never shied away from competitive games, even with women half her age. She had a passion for life and was involved in all the activities of her children. She stood side-by-side with her husband in community, business, and recreational events. Ardene and Lonnie were inseparable in life, one name rarely mentioned without the other. They know their relationship is eternal.

Ardene was blessed with an unwavering testimony of the gospel and a great love for her Savior. While raising her nine children, she served in many ward and stake callings, among her favorites were: missionary at Hill Cumorah Pageant, camp director, Young Women’s President and Relief Society President.

She is survived by her husband Lonnie and children Melissa (Samuela) Ita’aehau, Michael (Andrea), Shannon (Cameron) Garber, Kendrick (serving in the Tuxla Gutierrez, Mexico Mission), Anna, Denis (serving in the Johannesburg, South Africa Mission), Valek, Madison, and Dema. Also survived by soon to be eight grandchildren, father, Peter J. Ressler, and siblings Boyd Ressler, Susan Howes, Judy Daugherty, Holly Everton, Chris Ressler, Pam Woodall, Coral Taggart, and Arlene Racker. She was preceded in death by her mother Reah, and brother Laurie.

A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah, on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A viewing will also be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the Farmington North Stake Center at 729 W. Shepard Lane, Farmington, Utah. Funeral services to be held at 11:00 AM in the Farmington North Stake Center. Internment at the Farmington City Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff of the Intermountain Medical Center for their heroic efforts, compassion and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Perpetual Education Fund or the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Ardene will be forever remembered as selfless, loving, and without guile towards anyone, always showing unconditional love. Oh, how we will miss her.

Way too long...

I know it's been way too long since i've posted, and it will probably be a few weeks until i'm ready to catch up. But yes we still exist. Here is one picture for proof!

A few from our Vacation...

We wanted to get a few family pictures when we were at the beach and I volunteered my awesome sister in law to snap a few...little did I know that the dress I picked out would make my arms look like the size of elephant trunks, and the lighting was not great...but we did manage to get a couple.

This is my favorite, they are best buds.

These next 2 are telling of what the kids did all vacation.


Brigham ran in and out of the waves for hours on end. He loved being in the ocean.

Max just chilled on the beach and smoked cigarretes, jk. Really he was too excited that he had a massive sandbox that the ocean wasn't that appealing to him. He found some disgusting stuff in that sand, but he loved every second of it. I'm still cleaing sand out of his ears.

Happy Mothers Day!

I love you Mom, for so many reasons. But especially because you are the best grandma these kids could ever ask for!

Marley and Me Trauma...

We watched "Marley and Me" as a Family tonight. We thought it would be fun for the boys to see it since they love my Dad's dog, Sioux. I had seen it before and bawled the last 20 minutes. Anyone that has loved a dog before has to cry at the end of that show, it's just sad. And it doesn't help that the dog I grew up with was a yellow lab as well. So yes I knew the ending, but every time Brigham saw a commercial for the show he would just laugh. Well let's just stop justifying and get to the point, my 3 yr. old bawled the last 20 minutes of the show. Seriously, it was the sweetest and hardest thing I have ever had to watch. Who does that to their 3 year old? And I really shouldn't be surprised. I know my child, I know how high strung and super thoughtful and sensitive he is. I guess I just didn't realize how old he really is. I didn't think he would really grasp the concept of death. When my Grandma died a couple of months ago we had several talks with Brigham about death and the resurrection. Sure he could repeat what we had just told him but didn't feel like he could grasp that whole thing yet. Well apparently he can and he did. Maybe it hit too close to home because of his love for Sioux. The worst part is, is that its not like we turned off the movie and all was forgotten, like we as adults tend to do. He continued to cry several different times as the night wore on. And his bedtime prayers were practically dedicated to Marley, and yes he cried as he prayed. But it really isn't all sad. He reminded us that Marley went to heaven and will come back alive when Jesus comes again. And even though we will miss Marley we will see him again.

# 1 on my to-do list -teach my children the importance of Easter Sunday before Easter.....check.

Cameron caught these with his cell phone. The boys and their Marley (Sioux).

3 Shout Outs!

1. To my beautiful Mom whose birthday was last week. It was her first birthday without her mother here and I know it was hard for her but she is amazingly strong. She is always positive no matter what life throws at her (which seems to be a whole lot lately). I love you mom, you are the BEST! We are all so blessed to have you in our lives!

2. To my brother Denis (on the right) who got his mission call a few months ago and I haven't mentioned it on here yet. I'm not a great sister. He is going to South Africa and leaves in the middle of May. He doesn't even have to go to the MTC in Provo, he gets to head straight to South African MTC. Denis is hilarious and sweet. He's been so helpful lately and we will miss him so much, especially my kids. We know he will do great though! Love you Denis!

3. Last but not least my brother Kenny who also received a mission call last week to Mexico. At age 23 that can be an even harder decision to make, especially because it's his second time around but we are so proud of him and know he will do great too! Kenny leaves the middle of July. He has the biggest heart I have ever seen and can ONLY see the good in people. We love you Kenny!

How exciting to have two brothers out at the same time....there is just no greater gift they could give to my boys either than to set an example like that! Actually I should say 3 brothers, Quinn (Cameron's brother) is out already serving in Taiwan. We are so blessed!

Oh and I better throw in this last shout out to my brother and my sister in-law and their two sweet kids in Iowa. They just found out they get to move back home to Utah for a year! WAHOO! My kids are so excited to have their cousins around for a little while, even if they do have to move to Michigan after. Mike graduates from Medical School this May and starts his residency this summer. Congratulations you guys!

Happy St. Patty's Day Contest

Check out my photography blog for a chance at 15$ or FREE ice cream from Cold Stone!

www.shanzphotoblog.blogspot.com

A new sight at our house!

(Didn't feel good about potential perves looking at my boys in their underwear so I took to this picture down)


Notice something new? Two boys in underwear! Wahoo....I'm so excited that I am no longer in the diaper stage. And I could watch Max run around in his underwear all day, there is something about a toddler's little body that is just so cute. (no this doesn't mean i'm out of cleaning the accidents off my floor stage, unfortunately that is still a work in progress)

And other news....wait there is no other news but I do promise to be better at updating my blogs more often. And I have noticed that I am not the only slacker lately, so to all my friends and family, here is my personal invitation to update your blogs more regularly as well. You know who you are! How else am I supposed to waste my day away :)

We love you and miss you Grandma!

Reah Oliver Ressler
Reah Oliver Ressler 5/10/1923 ~ 2/11/2009 ROY - Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Reah Oliver Ressler, passed away on February 11, 2009 in Ogden, Utah surrounded by her loving family. If Reah met someone once, he was a friend; if she met someone twice he was family and most likely received a homemade quilt. She is a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reah was born on May 10, 1924 in South Jordan, Utah to Gilbert Josiah Oliver and Iline June Rindlisbacher. In 1930 the family moved to Anaconda, Montana where she attended school. In Anaconda, she met her husband of nearly 68 years, Peter J Ressler. They were married on May 27, 1941 in Boulder, Montana. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Ogden LDS Temple on May 27, 1995. Four children were born in Montana, after which the family moved to Roy, Utah where they have resided for 60 years. Six more children followed in Roy as well as 46 grandchildren, 96 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Including spouses, her posterity currently numbers over 200. She knew and loved each one, and they knew she loved them through kind words, kisses, hugs and acts of service. Reah was a faithful member of several Roy Wards. She served in numerous callings, but will especially be remembered for over 30 years as Stake Girls Camp Director. She worked as an office assistant to Dr. Leon H. White, pediatrician, for nearly 25 years. She loved her calling in the Ogden Temple and her service in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Reah is survived by a faithful and loving husband, Peter J Ressler and by nine children, Boyd (Jan) Ressler, Susan (Nick) Howes, Holly (Larry) Everton, Chris Ressler, Judy (Emmett) Daugherty, Pam (Randy) Woodall, Coral Taggart, Ardene (Lonnie) Bullard, and Arlene (Rob) Racker. Also survived by brothers, Max, Robert, and Norman Oliver, sisters, Shirla Montgomery and Bonnie Openshaw. Preceded in death by siblings Don Oliver, Beth Spraycar and Lillie Zito, a son Laurie, a son-in-law Gary Taggart, grandchildren Daren Ressler and Shay Taggart and two great-grandchildren Kilee Huffaker and McKenzie Schultz. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 16, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Roy 23rd Ward, 5930 South 2200 West, Roy. Friends and family may call on Sunday at Myers Roy Mortuary, 5865 South 1900 West, Roy from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Monday at the church from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Roy City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Reah would appreciate hugs and kisses and donations to the LDS Missionary Fund. Send condolences to family at www.myers-mortuary.com

Help Please!

Update: Thanks for all who voted....#4 is the winner!

Ok so my awesome friend Jamie designed these logos for me (I decided it was about time that I get one) and I am having the hardest time deciding because I love them all. Please help me decide!

What's my new Logo?

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PS. I'm so excited to soon be offering cards (baby announcement, holiday cards, etc) all designed by Jamie!

Happy First Miss!

This is my(cameron) first post, I thought I never would but I just couldn't help it. I heard this song on the radio and had to look it up and share it with you Shannon.

On Saturday Jan 24, 2009 it will have been 8 years since our first kiss, or 'first miss,' as I lovingly call it. It took close to 5 hours of talking before I finally worked up the courage to lean over do what "should've done ... a long time ago." I'm not sure why, but taking that leap from being "just friends" was scary. I was so excited, so nervous but so happy just to be sitting next to her in my crappy little VW Golf. I couldn't help it any longer. I loved her and wanted to know that so bad. She was my best friend. She changed my life and perspective on everything. She made me happy and I wanted to be happy with her. It was the best decision I've ever made to share that 'first miss' with her.

We've been married for close to 5 years now and I'm still in love with her. I still get excited and nervous and feel so in love every time I sit next to her. I think I've gotten better at the kissing thing, but I still get that feeling of excitement of puppy love that caused me to close my eyes and miss the mark.

So, Shannon although I wish they had this song 9 years ago to help me break the ice a lot sooner, I wanna dedicate it to you now. I love YOU!

Plain White T's - 1, 2, 3, 4 - Official Music Video (HQ)


Spread the love and send the email with this song from the link at the end of the song to the person you love.

National Champions!!!

I know you are all wondering why I haven't mentioned anything about my Utes being the bomb diggity this year?....Just trying to find the words to express how I feel about the whole thing. I found them....ESPN's Rick Reilly says it better than I ever could.

"Some gifts people give are pointless: Styling mousse to Dick Vitale. An all-you-can-eat card to Kate Moss. The BCS Championship given to Oklahoma or Florida.
It means nothing because the BCS has no credibility. Florida? Oklahoma? Who cares? Utah is the national champion.
The End. Roll credits"

"FIND ME ANYBODY ELSE THAT WENT UNDEFEATED. THIRTEEN-AND-ZERO. BEAT FOUR RANKED TEAMS. WENT TO THE DEEP SOUTH AND SEAL-CLUBBED ALABAMA IN THE SUGAR BOWL."

Read the whole thing here...it is well worth it. I promise!

GO UTES!!!!

NOW GO VOTE FOR THE UTES HERE!!!!