Arthur

Many know that I served an LDS mission in Germany from 2004-2005. While I was there, I had the chance to teach a young man by the name of Arthur. He was doing an internship in Germany but was originally from Russia. After teaching him for less than 2 months, he was baptized on August 31, 2005. I looked forward to reuniting with him with the hope that he had remained strong in his new faith. That happened on Thursday and it was glorious. I met him, along with the Kochs who served as a senior couple in Frankfurt during the same time, down in Zions. My former mission companion, Heidi, works with her husband at a resort nearby and we were able to stay in a cabin with a nice discount. It was wonderful to see them all. We were able to ride horses and the ATVs as well. (I watched it all.) Of course, Max loved the horses. That night we looked at mission pictures and Arthur retold his conversion. I couldn't believe how much he remembered, even down to what color the couch was where we taught him at the Outreach Center at church and what it was made from. I asked him how he remembered so many little details, and he told me because it was the best time in his life because it changed him forever. I felt so blessed to be a small part of his conversion. He is an amazing person and continues to build the kingdom in his hometown, Novgorod, where only about 10 people attend the branch each week.

Below: Heidi, H. Koch, Arthur, Max, B. Koch, and Shayla

Brig knows the ropes around Zions so we will have to go
back with him to get the real tour.

The beauty of the earth

More beauty...

Max was caged here while I enjoyed a nice hike in Zions.

I am sure more pictures will follow.

Thanks Da-da!

I have to go bed but I wanted to write a note. I got my package today. I looked inside and started saying "Neigh Neigh" before I could even pull the horse out of the box. I love it! Mama picked the name for it, and for some reason she calls it "Camel." I decided it worked and said "Amel" all day long. (Not to be confused with ELMO.) I took him on my walk today and showed him off to everybody. Thanks so much, Da-da. I have something to kiss since I don't have you. You are my favorite. I see a phone and say "Da-da." I see the webcam and wait for you to appear on the computer. I kiss your picture and talk about you while I eat. I love you. Max

P.S. You should have told me that I shouldn't pick BYU even in the first round. I wanted the Cougs to win it all. I hang out with Grandpa Byron a bit too much I guess. Even after that silly decision, I am still tied with you!

March Madness... the competition is ON!

As many of you know, my husband loves March. Mostly because of March Madness. Bonuses include spring training baseball games and great weather. We have a little family bracket going and I just wanted to post the scores as of 8:49 this eveing.

Shayla - 32 correct picks of 40

Brig - 25 correct picks of 40

Max - 25 correct picks of 40

I love competitions with my husband, and I love to WIN! Go UConn - do it for me and Calhoun!

Dear Mr. Udall,

On our travels back from Boise to visit Aunt/Sister-in-law Kate and Uncle/Brother-in-law Brady, we stopped for a short stay in Almo, ID. (Thanks to my dear friend Emily for introducing us to it.) It wasn't complete without your presence. The thought of you didn't leave us until we were hours away from this little western town. The one way out of this quaint town was a dirt road. It didn't help matters being that it was Sunday because that is the day we miss you most. We must return when you come home. The pictures must come to you with mixed joy. We think of you with a spirit of great happiness more now than we ever have. Maxwell looks forward to riding the open ranges with you with much anticipation. He can imitate a horse to perfection. Not everything in the world has become fenced. You will enjoy his sweet company, for I see you in him more and more as the days roll on. I am happy that our son has such a stalwart father. It is my greatest blessing in life to have you, Cowboy. May you never forget that. I can't wait until we can travel miles across the ranges together. I wish you were here. Let us hope the days go by quickly so we may reunite before we both grow too old. We miss you dearly,

Mama and Mad Max

The fun doesn't stop at the library...

this crazy little guy spends the first hour of his day taking out all of his books from his basket and reading the ones he chooses for the day. It gives me some time to wake up... His favorite books right now are the ones that have Elmo in them. He repeats "Elmo" over and over until he finds him. The other day, he grabbed one of his Pamper diapers and said, "Elmo." I was quite impressed. He has quite the vocabulary, my new favorite is "Oatmeal." A smart kid, doing all the talking and no walking. (Good thing I am the boss of this blog and can write what I want to.)

Our Friday Date

My physiology professor asks the class every week what Friday night is, and we all respond without thought or care, "Date Night." I guess he is trying to train some of the boys. My date doesn't stay out late at night so we make it a date afternoon. Every Friday for the past few months, Max and I go to the library for "Mother Goose." Two crazy goons put a little show for the kids. They sing silly songs, read a book, and perform a puppet show. Max absolutely loves it. Afterward, we go to Wendy's for a treat. This past Friday, we took little Megan along. I think Max preferred her over me as his date. I prefer Brig over Max because Max:

• Eats all of my ice cream, instead of buying me my own and then giving me the rest of his to finish.
• Is cheap! He makes me pay.
• Never appreciates the fact that I put on something besides a t-shirt.
• Insists that I drive.

On the other hand, I don't mind taking Max out because:

• He laughs with me when I dance and sing the silly songs - never making fun of me.
• He wears whatever I want him to (even though he does put up a fuss - I still always win!)
• He gives the best kisses when our date is over and doesn't even mind the lip gloss or lipstick all over his face.
• He doesn't drag it out - after about 1.5 hours we have to get home for nap time.
• He is so darn cute! I make all the girls jealous.

Maxwell's Real 1st Birthday...

Just like every other mom, I can't believe that my baby is one...

Because of him, I experience joy every day and am hardly able to get lonely.

We love this buster beyond words. Max is thinking that he needs one more

REAL birthday with Daddy, now that he is officially ONE.

He got to feed himself rice and beans. He is becoming a true Skinner

in his love for Mexican food. Uncle Bryan, aren't you sad you missed out? Cousin Bridger gave him his first monster truck. Grandpa and him

played with it for a good 30 minutes after the cake.

He got books from Mommy and Daddy. He wasn't real
sure about this one. Besides those two presents, he opened Shaq shoes
and church pants from Grandpa and Lil Grandma... for a total of
three presents costing for under 25 bucks. First birthdays are awesome!



Lil Grandma and Grandpa at the Mexican restaurant...

and the rest of the Gillette Skinner clan.

Bridger kept trying to sneak the Jelly Beans from Max's cake even

after he got a hold of the cake before it was frosted and had

his handful before Max got to it.

Max didn't know what was beyond the balloons at that point.

Since we got to the cake around 10 that night, I decided that

his 10 month pre-cake was still plenty for the little pig. He got a little

piece that I cut for him. I figured the Jelly Beans could have been dangerous.

(I know, call me lame!) It just makes Max miss Daddy that much more.

We got to watch Bridger that day so I blew up balloons

and made a little fort. The boys played in it all morning.

Entertainment that I remember loving as a child.

Max didn't only know where the door was - Bridger said

he couldn't come in because he couldn't say the password.

Bridger, if you still know the password type it in the comments -

I want to see how good your memory is....

We did bath time backwards. This was at the beginning of the day.