Our California Adventure!

We had an amazing Christmas Vacation this year! Although, by the time it came around for us to go, I wasn't sure if I wanted to anymore....right before Christmas! But it turned out to be some of the funnest times we've had together! Be it:
* driving all night to get to Grandmother's,
* finding Redboxes along the way to check out movies,
* quizzing each other on '4th grade facts',
* arriving in California in the middle of the wettest week they've ever had (1 1/2 inches per hour!),
* discovering Crystal Cove and the Pacific Coast Highway's charm---and basically having it to ourselves (who else would have been out in this storm!),
* finding tide pools, newly formed rivers and waterfalls, starfish, mussels, amazingly beautiful beaches,
* warming up in the car after we'd been soaked on the beach,
* finding laundromats to dry our drenched clothes and shoes,
* finding more Redboxes to get more movies,
* wondering if the Marriott we stayed in near Fullerton College housed the entire football team during an intense workout----because it certainly smelled like they'd been there!,
* walking on to all the rides at Disneyland---wondering if there was more water in the log on Splash Mountain then through the entire ride,
* taking Jonathan on Buzz Lightyear----how many times?!?,
* taking Jonathan on all the 'thriller' rides....poor child didn't get to hang out on the little kid rides---when he exclaimed that the 'monster' on the Matterhorn was really pretty scary---we just said---oh, you'll be fine!,
* smelling wet, smelly shoes in the hotel room----ummm, nice combination now----
* finding another laundromat to get those shoes dried and smelling better!,
* LOOSING our tickets to Disneyland in a Dollar store while buying more rain ponchos and flip flops (ditching those stinky shoes!),
* FINDING our tickets---soaked and thrashed under some cars in the parking lot----wow, our own personal miracle--THANK YOU JOSEPH!,
* watching the amazing Disneyland fireworks----and laughing at my kids as they scoffed at the manufactured 'snow'---yeah, not really the same thing!,
* Space Mountain----how many times?---how many different poses?----it's all about the pose!,
* riding the train,
* eating chocolate,
* falling into bed at 2:00 a.m.,
* one perfectly beautiful day at the picturesque Crystal Cove,
* so fun to watch Jonathan and his 'stick',
* David in heaven finding one sea creature after another,
* Ben taking it all in and saying 'this is the most perfect trip ever!',
* Samuel trying to outdo Joseph in the water,
* Joseph trying to make sure Samuel doesn't out do him in the water,
* watching my boys run hand and hand laughing into the ocean---does it get any better then that?!, it was worth every minute for that spellbound moment of brothers hand in hand---silhouetted against the setting sun---one timeless, perfect picture to remember.

Yes, it was a 'perfect' Christmas! Thank you, Santa!

Spring Vacation---Hole in the Rock Trip

Here are some photos of our fantastic (and a little cold!) trip to Hole in the Rock--but not one mosquito.



We started out on Monday stopping in Cedar City and enjoying a night of pampering from Grandmother and Papa Joe--and being 'blown away' by the wind! Then we headed out the next morning to head across Cedar Mountain to Red Rock Canyon (Butch Cassidy country) and through Bryce Canyon (where we stopped to admire the various ATV vehicles that looked SOOOO comfortable compared to our 'stuffed to the brim' suburban!) to Escalante---and did we mention the wind?!

We were a little panicked to get to a camping spot on the Hole in the Rock Trail before it was dark. We took the first one we could find at Sooner Wash (about 2 hours into the trail). It was a very fun campsite----lots of fun climbing rocks. That night was beautiful---the moon was full it was warm (about 71) and calm....and then we woke up to....yeah....wind and some menacing clouds! But it wasn't too bad so we decided to get on our way. We headed down the trail and were determined to make it as far as we could in our '4 wheelin'vehicle'...yeah, the Suburban! We did pretty well over slickrock surfaces, gulches, rock slides, but finally had to admit defeat when we came to a 'staircase' of rock steps up a steep rock cliff. We were sure we were pretty close to the end of the trail, so we hopped out of the car, took no supplies and started walking (what smart hikers we are).

About a mile and a half into the hike, Jonathan and Jacob were not doing so well, and not sure how much further we had to go, I took them and headed back and fortunately, someone picked us up and drove us down to our car---I was very grateful! But the rest of the boys kept on going with Jeff and had a great time exploring the Hole in the Rock and being amazed at those pioneers that made such an amazing ride down a steep cliff. (Joseph had been saying the whole time, "I don't see what the big deal is, the trail isn't that bad." But when he came back, he said, "Okay, now I'm amazed!")



On the way back we enjoyed exploring the arches and caves we had seen driving along the trail. Then we headed back to camp, ate and dropped in bed....and listened to the wind and rain all night! The next morning was....well.....windy! But we headed to Dance Hall Rock and had fun exploring more rock formations and climbing everywhere possible. The storm finally chased us out and we made it back to camp just in time to get hailed on while we tried to break camp! True to form, as soon as we were packed up and soaked through, the sun came out! We wished we could have stayed longer, but dropping temperatures and sick kids helped us decide to head home via a 'new' route---through the Calf Creek area and over Boulder Mountain.....wow such amazing places....we were stunned by the awesome vastness of this area....we need a month to explore it! We finally made it home about 3:00 a.m.

It was a fast and furious trip, but one that we will always remember and be grateful for the opportunity we had to share a bit of amazing history of our forefathers! We are the better for it!

Resolutions.....hmmm....

Well, it's almost the end of January, and I still have procrastinated writing down my New Year's resolutions....yes, I am a little frustrated with myself and my ability to procrastinate! So, I will get right on that.....tomorrow! Until then, I keep thinking of the words to a song we are singing in "Mountain Aire" choir from "Counting my blessings." It goes like this...."When my bankroll is gettin' small, I think of when I had none at all, and I fall asleep, counting my blessings." Now, I'm not sure why I keep thinking of this line.....because I don't really have a bankroll big or small---probably, like most, a little non-existent! But, lately I've seen that my greatest blessings have little to do with the non-existent bankroll----and they are many! So I thought I would share a few of them, 'lest I forget!'



The first of many blessings would be our lovely and sweet Jacob and his ability to bring out the best in all of us. And for the person Jacob prefers above all.....his Dad. Love him so much!



The second would be sweet moments like this with my 16 year old teaching my 8 year old. A wrestler with 2 black eyes teaching the delicate technique of playing the violin to his little brother. Sweet!!



The third would be hilarious moments like this when my 4 year old is so excited to get the mail that he runs out into the snow, dinosaur mask on--shoes off, too excited to put the mail down so he can pull his pants up-- as they slowly fall to a heap at his feet. I think I laughed until I cried, he was so excited and oblivious to his falling pants! Unexpected humor in the day!

There are so many other wonderful 'mommy' moments that I've experienced these past weeks that have brought me to the startling reality that my babies are growing up.

* Ballroom dance performances by Sam and Ben with grace and poise I didn't know they posessed

* Ben and Sam playing basketball---and looking huge out there on their teams!

* David taking care of his 'little brothers'---so big brotherish and protective!

* Jonathan getting on the bus with his brothers to go to preschool in the morning.....seeing all 5 of the brothers lined up in a heighth line to get on the bus....."when did they grow to be so tall?"

* Listening to my oldest son bear his testimony to his brothers about 'honoring your parents' and being grateful for your family.....yes, I think you could have tipped us all over with a feather...total silence in FHE! What an amazing experience!

* Leaving for the evening and knowing that, with a little help from Grandma (okay, a lot!), the boys will take care of each other and be in bed when we get home...totally amazing that they all survived!

Okay, and for some other wonderful moments.....

........going to the SLC temple during Christmas time with Jeff, realizing that I've been married to him almost as long as I lived in my parents home---hopefully, we're melding together a bit better these days!

........frustrated with the never-ending battle against the gray in my hair, yet amazed at how each new gray hair and wrinkle on my husband just makes him that much more handsome.

.......friendship with good women who meet each week, despite the snow and cold, to sing and chat and 'bear each other up'....so lucky to have that in my life!

.......good food, warm house, kind words, caring people, unexpected friendships, the scriptures, family, teaching, work to do to help us get by, cold star-filled skies, beautiful white snow...

Life is good, we are blessed......so, so much!

Jacob wants to feel the beat!

Jacob is so funny. Anytime he hears music, he gets his little bum bouncing and then gets his whole body into it. When Joseph was practicing the other day, Jacob kept crawling over to him and planting himself between his feet and bouncing to the beat. It was so funny. When Joseph quit playing, Jacob would protest loudly until Joseph played something that he could move his little bottom to. Here's a little video clip....Joseph's just fooling around, but Jacob's loving it!

From Jacob and Joseph

Christmas 2009 Memories

Christmas 2009

My top 20 Christmas memories:

1. Santa snuggling Jacob (with his Dad close by for protection!)

2. Cousins playing together and having fun! Jonathan anticipating Christmas Eve when "My friend, Camille, eats with me downstairs!"

3. David and Ben getting out of bed so many times to check for Santa that they finally went to sleep at 3:00 a.m. and let us sleep until 6:30am (well from 5:00 to 6:30, at least!) Wow, what luxury!

4. Joseph, Samuel and Benjamin sitting engrossed in Samuel's 'Science' book Christmas morning--no one hitting or jabbing or punching....amazing!

5. David being Jacob's "reindeer" and pulling him on his new sled....tirelessly through the upstairs rooms.

6. Jacob dancing to Dad's "santa mobile" present----that baby can bounce!

7. Acting out the Nativity with Jeff's family and my family and Dad holding the 'star' over Camille, the angel's head--I thought he was holding his finger's behind her head, just like my boys would do in a picture!

8. Janele's pies, Cathy's candy, Cathy's enchiladas and rolls----umm, all the yummy Christmas Eve food!

9. My little "Buzz Lightyear" (Jonathan) 'talking' to Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger! Especially when Jonathan puts him back in his "rocket" (package he came in) and Buzz says "It's time for hypersleep." Can you sleep and be hyper at the same time?

10. Joseph in awe that his mom actually picked out 'good' soccer shoes----but also watching coveting Sam and Ben's basketball shoes----trying them on----hmm, guess I'll have to hide those!

11. Joseph's comment to Ben after watching him try on his new clothes---"when I was in 5th grade, Ben, Mom took me shopping at the D.I.!" Wanting to make sure that Ben fully appreciated 'new' clothes that he didn't have to buy himself!

12. David filming everybody with his 'camcorder'-----after he calmed down, because he thought Santa FORGOT him----his Santa present was too small, he couldn't find it. Quick mood recovery for David upon finding it and figuring out what it did!

13. Joseph's excitement in giving me a beautiful necklace and earrings----very chic, and him saying, "hopefully, you won't lose it." I did lose one earring...argh---but I'll find it!

14. Christmas lights---all my trees lit up and Christmas Eve with everthing lit up outside and inside-----you can never have too many lights!

15. Samuel and Ben's and David's excitement over gifts they were giving to their parents and family---it IS funner to give! David could hardly wait for us to open his "Big Mouth Frog" game that he'd made especially for us----complete with homemade bean bags sewn at Scouts!

16. Family time-----hanging out and playing games and laughing together (well, some of the time, at least)!

17. Can't forget the special "Christmas program" at church, the sunday before Christmas. Everyone singing the Christmas carols together.....it was beautiful! Also the "Mountain Aire" Christmas program---amazing and beautiful women!, my voice students singing at the Heritage Home (assisted living)---such cute girls and listening to Joseph play "Ave Maria" and "Jesu, joy of man's desiring." And Joseph attemting to sing "Baby, it's cold outside" with Ami Higley....so cute, even though he was so shy! Singing in the Messiah, listening to my boys play christmas songs on the piano, bass, viola, violin....amazing what they will do to learn a Christmas song.

18. Making pumpkin rolls and having Jonathan help me roll them up in their 'blankies' so they could 'sleep' while they were cooling off. Then delivering the rolls to neighbors and singing (well, the first half hour was good!).

19. My boys wrapping themselves up in Grandmother's blankets---Jonathan claiming Jacob's and unwilling to negotiate a trade---oh, well, Jacob doesn't mind!

20. Listening to the Tabernacle Choir sing "O Holy Night" at the Christmas Devotional and at the Christmas concert....I don't think I've ever heard anything so beautiful in all my life! It was as if the angels came down from heaven and swept me up in a manificent force of beauty. I truly felt like one of the Shepherds listening to the amazing proclamation of Christ's birth---an unearthly experience!

It was a great Christmas.....we are so blessed!

Tribute to Grandmother and Grandfather

To my wonderful Grandparents who well understand the meaning of 'enduring to the end,'---you continue to be a wonderful example of faith and love! Thanks for setting such a beautiful example for all of us to follow! You are as beautiful and kind today as you were when I was a child. Thanks for all the wonderful memories....especially of Christmas! We love you!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

CLICK ON THE TITLE TO VIEW THE VIDEO CLIP!

I am grateful to be reminded to be grateful! And I am truly grateful that Heavenly Father doesn't give up on me and keeps giving me chances to improve, no matter how poor the progress I am making. I am grateful for my family that gives me a reason to be here---even sometimes if it's merely to do the wash, cook the food and the never-ending cleaning. I'm grateful that I can do it and that I'm needed. And I'm especially grateful that I get a new chance every day to do better and to learn more of why I'm here and what I'm supposed to accomplish. And I'm grateful to all of those along the way that make my path brighter, lift me up and carry me through. Love you all!

A perfect day for apples...

Our friends, the Iversons, came over today with their apple press to help us press our apples. Since they had already pressed 138 quarts of their own, we were especially grateful that they gave us one of their saturdays to press our apples. They had invited one of the athletic trainers from the High School to come with his family and press some of their apples, too. So we had quite the crew! It was a beautiful day!

Firsts for Samuel/Joseph

I've been in mourning that my camera isn't working----wow, I feel like part of me is missing! But I didn't want to let by some firsts that our family is experiencing!

Samuel has become a great Cross Country runner and came in 10th at the Malad meet. He also ran great today and was the 3rd Preston runner to come in. Yey, Samuel, you are amazing! I really need to post a picture of Samuel---noone would believe that the tall, lanky, hollow cheeked young man was the same Samuel that went to 5th grade last year. He's wry sense of humor really is funny. For example, I asked him if he had any friends at Junior High and he said, "Well, the girls think I'm hot!" Such confidence!

Joseph has turned 16 and was asked to his first dance (girl's choice) within the week. Wow, they don't waste time around here even if the dance isn't until the end of November! I guess the girl that asked him heard that there were other plans being laid for him. All he has to say is that he doesn't know why she wants to go with him, he never knows what to say around her. She just moved here from Germany about 3 months ago. He said his conversation opener with her yesterday was, "So do you know any Nazi's? Wow, I think he needs a little help with this....Shelby, we need you! Anyway, very strange to see my first one enter the world of dating, girls, uncomfortable conversations, etc. How could it have happened so fast?

Another testament video