Color Me Mine

We had quite the artsy weekend! On Friday night we went to color me mine and made some AWESOME cereal bowls! Can you tell which one is Cody's?!

It is a pretty fun experience. They have tons of different items to choose from. We chose bowls, our friends Tanner and Brittany chose a santa clause and a jewelry box. 

From there, you choose your colors. 

Obviously, from Cody's bowl, you can tell that the choices are endless! Some are solid, some are speckled, lights and darks, bright and dull. 

We spent like 2 1/2 hours there just painting up a storm! 

Then, they fire the pottery for you and you pick them up 3 days later. We had a blast, but it is quite pricey so it will probably be a while before we return! (Not to mention the fact that we are the most artistic people ever!)

The Wednesday Letters

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

My review

Yes, I finished this book in 1 day. About 4 hours, actually. Was it AMAZING? Somewhat. Am I going to try to talk Cody into writing me a love letter every Wednesday? YES. (However...I am pretty dang sure that is a real long shot!) Will I read this book again? Yes. I really enjoyed it, obviously. There seemed to always be another surprise in this sweet story. Some surprises were extremely shocking, others were expected.

I am learning that almost all books you can learn life lessons from. Why is it that those that are closest to us we sometimes treat the worst? What a horrible way to live life. I am so thankful for everyone who loves me, and I pray that I treat them how I should be...every moment of every day. Now, we all make mistakes, but I hope that I can remember this book and realize that those mistakes don't need to happen quite so often. How grateful I am for a forgiving husband, siblings, parents, friends, and most of all, our Savior.

View all my reviews.

Book Review

I had heard alot about this book, These is my Words by Nancy Turner. Okay, so maybe not a ton about the details of the book, but just amazing reviews overall. You know, just people telling you, "You have to read this!"
I agree with every one of them. This is unlike any book that I have ever read before. It is a journal of a woman in the late 1800's and the trials that she goes through from day to day. This book made me feel sorrow every time that I picked it up, but also showed me how we can overcome pains in our lives. I learned so much reading about her and her family and the way that they handled the hardships that they were faced with. I also learned what a weakling I am! It is amazing the physical and emotional mountains that the pioneers of that day overcame.
Many of her words strengthened me. Many of her words made me cry. Many of her words made me want to be a better person and stand up for who I am and what I believe.
I recommend this book to everyone! It was a very enjoyable read...if you don't mind a tear hear or there.

Hogle Zoo

Since Nate, Alexsis, Carson and Madi made a trip to Utah, we all went and visited Hogle Zoo. We had so much fun! My dad and I were the only ones who have been there before, so we were the pros! Okay, so it doesn't take much to show people around a zoo that you have a big map to...but we helped out here and there. The kids were great at posing for pictures...which we all know that I am obsessed with, so that made me happy! Everyone had their animals that they just HAD to see. I love that part about a zoo, everyone can be excited about totally different aspects of the same activity. 

My personal favorite is the elephants...whose bum you can see in the background...nice picture pops! hehe! (He got the most important thing in the pic, US!)

I think that Cody's favorite was the tortoise. He was HUMONGOUS! Right when we came up to him, he started to VERY...SLOWLY...work his way towards his food. It was hilarious watching his fat, HEAVY legs walk! His shell has to weigh like 50 lbs! We were all highly entertained to say the least.

It was such a blast to hang out with Nate and Alexsis. We miss them so much! It is great to get to be around them, we always have a fun time.  So, thanks for the fun time and we can't wait to see you guys again soon!

David Stanley Smith

Family and friends,

We know how much you all care and love us. We are so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel at this time in our lives. I wanted to give you a little information that I know you are all needing to hear at this time.

Amanda and Kevin Smith had David Stanley Smith on September 19th. He had complications with the umbilical cord in the womb and was stillborn. Amanda's delivery went wonderful and she is home and feeling well.

We are having a graveside funeral for him on Saturday, September 20th.

Once more, we are so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that we can see David Stanley again after this life. 

We ask for your prayers of love and comfort.

Wordless Wednesday

Crazy, Exciting, Expensive!

Do we have a future Creighton Alum on our hands? Well...

Cody went to interview at Creighton last weekend and everything went great! He loved everything that he experienced. He met a ton of Doctors, professors, and saw the entire campus. He said that he felt so good the entire time that he was there! I am sure that it helped that his big bro Will, a Creighton Alum, went with him and showed him his old stomping grounds. Cody even checked out some townhomes that we could possibly buy if we move there...AHHH! It is where Will and Wendy lived and Aaron and Erika live there now. Erika is being our  little realtor, so we know we will end up with something great! Life is getting crazy, exciting, and expensive all at the same time! Wherever we end up we will love every minute...except maybe the first two years! Hehe!

Cody also helped me cook this week...okay, well chop up some cantelope, anyway! He even let me take some action shots!

That is one crazy man! He makes life extremely exciting, as you can see!

As for the rest of our life, everything is great! Cody is definitely getting his share of school work this semester, which is keeping him busy. He is in BioChem, Genetics, Ecology, History, Physics all this semester! (O, and bowling...that one helps relieve some stress!) 

I am keeping busy with my nanny job, and love it! This week we went to the library, to the park multiple times, and my favorite...the DINOSAUR museum at Thanksgiving Point! If you live in UT and you haven't been there, I highly recommend it! It is pretty pricey, but honestly, it is worth it. I thought that the museum was never going to end! Not only was I entertained, bust so was little 4 year old Dylan! It was great!

I also just finished the 4th Twilight book, and I am beginning to read "The Host" which is also by Stephanie Meyer. It seems a little strange, but I have heard good things, so I will let you know.

O yeah, only 10 more days until we have a new nephew! Woo-hoo! My mom is flying down, too, which I am totally excited about. It was hard to leave her after being with her so much during the summer. She is going to teach me how to crochet, I can't wait! One of my friends in high school, Emily, taught me how at one point, but I have forgotten!

Wordless Wednesday

Seasons of life

I can't believe it, it is officially September. This brings two things into the Winterholler family...

1) Joy for the upcoming fall weather. I love to wake up in the morning and make our beautiful drive to the laundry mat in the brisk weather. (Okay, maybe the 'beautiful drive to the laundry mat' was a little much!) I do love the chill in the mornings, however. Seeing and feeling the fall makes me feel peaceful and calm, which is rare for me! I also love the leaves changing colors constantly. I hope that I someday get to see this tree above in real life. Isn't it gorgeous? I know that this is a picture that will make my mom gasp! Cody took it on his mission is Ohio-can you even imagine being surrounded by these for months?!

2) Dental School interviews! Cody officially flew out to Nebraska tonight for his very first interview. I am so nervous for him, and he doesn't have a scared bone in his body! I am so proud of him for all that he is accomplishing. He is one of the most driven men that I have ever met, and I absolutely love that about him. He has such a confidence, but not a cockiness, about him. He knows that whatever happens in our future is for the best. Then there is me-constantly stressing about where we will live, what the weather will be like there, who will be there, will the school be the best, etc. Cody has this perfect calm about him. Whenever I get anxious, sad, or worried, he is always able to help me take all facets of our lives into consideration. He makes me forget what I am worried about and just love the season of life that we are in.