Lake Powell Trip September 2008

Megan posing for the camera, oh to be 10 again

I had to take this picture of the girls holding hands in the front of the boat. They had just finished bickering and fighting over towels when we started to go and I looked up and saw this. Jim was driving over bumps, going fast, swerving, and they were holding hands for comfort. I know that they will forever be friends and this just melted my heart. They are so good to each other and such sweet hearts.

We went to Lake Powell again for a quick weekend trip and it was a blast. We knew we would not be back again this year so we headed up for the weekend. As you can see, we did a lot of tubing. We had to yell and the kids over and over again to come in because it was time to go back to the house boat. They would not get in the boat. We had to threaten to leave them!

We did have a rope mishap when Megan and I were about to tube and I learned real quick, that I would never last on Survivor. Now, let me just say that I knew before that I couldn't last due to the dirtiness that I would have to endure and the lack of food, but now I know that I would for sure not make it through any water challenges.

The ski rope got wrapped around the propeller and we had to get it undone. We were not sure what to do, and Jim was ready to get pulled in, when I suggested we find a razor blade (in a tool box) and we could cut it. Well, Jim went under the boat one time and I knew he was not going to get it done. He is claustrophobic anyway and under the water, not so good. So, I, who never put my head under the water or swim unless I am teaching, jumped in, grabbed the razor blade, took a deep breath and swam under the boat to start cutting. I learned that I could hold by breath for a long time, but it was very difficult to stay under and I would float to the top. The scariest part was being out of breath and trying to get out from under the boat quick enough to catch some air. It took a lot of attempts under the water, a lost razor blade (on a break it was washed off the back step of the boat), some slices of my fingers and hands but we did it! It was a great accomplishment for me and I hope to never have to do it again. Jim commented that I was a wimp and never go out of my box, but when things need to get done, I step up and get them done. It has to be a desperate situation though. He was pretty impressed with me I must say.

The best part was that when I lost the razor blade, we weren't sure what to do...but, Valerie had put in my stocking a little device with knives, pliers, a flashlight, etc. that is all decorated in pink rhinestones. I haven't had to use it, ever, in 2 years and I remembered it was in my purse. I pulled it out and used the jagged knife feature and it saved the day. It was a great stocking stuffer. I knew someday it would come in handy.

Luke's New Portraits

Rachie just put these up on her blog for me you use in a Gap entry for new models. I just love this little guy with all my heart. He is my little buddy. Luke always has a kiss and hug for me and is such a bundle of energy and joy. He makes my days so full of laughter and love. He is the only child of mine that never argues or tries to negotiate. What ever I say, he agrees to. I know this will change soon, but for now I cherish more than anything. He is so full of it. Last week he had 2 black eyes, yes 2! One from falling off the church organ bench as I was trying to lead the choir after church with 4 kids running around, and the other from falling on the rocks in the pool while swimming. I must say, he is so tough. He whimpered for both and the goose eggs were gigantic. I can't believe he did not cry longer. That's my boy though, ready to move onto the next thing.

Rhino Weekend Away!

Heather, Sarah, Cindi, Melissa, Kim

Jim and Sarah at the top of the mountain pass

Jim was so happy to be doing something other than working. He loves this stuff!

Sarah and Heather

Beautiful Landscape

The whole group of riders

Jeff, Brad, Jim, Richard, Jeff

Our group from Arizona...

Top row: Heather, Sarah, Trina, Cindi, Melissa, Marcy

Bottom row:Jeff, Jim, Kenny, Brad, Richard, John

Jim and I decided to put together an adult trip to Colorado over Labor Day weekend. We invited 6 couples to go with us to take the Rhinos over the jeep passes above Silverton, Colorado. It was great because the Rhinos go so much faster than jeeps do. We went for the weekend and it was very fast and short, but worth the drive. We spent one whole day riding hard in the cooler weather, colder weather and even through rain storms. It was hilarious and quite the adventure. Thank goodness we were all prepared with snow gear and rain gear. We stayed relatively dry considering the down pour we went through. It was comical for Jim and me in our Rhino. Me trying to tie his hood on with frozen hands while being pelted with rain, in the face, fogged up goggles and all. It's a trip none of us will ever forget.

After our long day of riding, we did nothing. The next day, we wives watched 2 movies and ate snacks. The boys went out for a ride up Middle Mountain by the cabin and were poured and hailed on the whole time. They were freezing when they returned and were so wet they had to strip down in the front side porch area and wrap in towels to get to the showers. They were muddy but had so much fun.

We drove home the next day and it was a pleasant trip, aside from our driver letting his car run out of fuel between the cabin and town. It added an extra hour and a half on the trip home, but we didn't have kids so we did not care one bit. We also had a let down as the donut shop I love was closed for the Labor Day holiday. We even special ordered a dozen pine-cone donuts and they said they would be ready for us Monday morning. The girl must not have realized they would be closed for the holiday. I had to settle for McDonald's breakfast instead. Not near as good!

We are so blessed to have a beautiful place to stay at while we visit another one of our favorite places on earth. It is absolutely breathtaking in the mountains and so relaxing. The country market store is our favorite place to eat and we so enjoy Colorado every time we are there! It is such a beautiful house and very comforting. We are so lucky!

First Day of School 2008

Megan 5th Grade

Gracey 3rd Grade

School started in August and I sent two off to school this year again. Megan is now in 5th grade and loving it! She gets to rotate classes and her teacher is her student teacher from her 2nd grade year, Miss Priser. She was so excited to start school since she didn't want it to even be summer last year. She is an avid reader and crazy for learning. I keep catching her up at night reading by the light of her closet. I told her the other day that I was going to take all the light bulbs out of her room if she didn't quit it. She giggled. She also was excited about 5th grade because she got to start stings. She is learning the violin in school and every 5 days gets to go to the strings class. She also signed up for choir and is enjoying singing and learning. I am helping her with the violin as I can play it. She gets frustrated very easily. I played plucked on the string her assignment today and she said, "but Mom, you're a professional!" I told her that I was not that good but I started out just like her and couldn't get upset with it or it would be harder. She is very hard on herself if she can't get things done efficiently.

Another example of this was her contact appointment. We decided to get her contacts for when she fights and practices Karate so she can see better. They would not let her leave the eye store without putting them in herself and taking them out. She was crying in frustration but would not stop. Even when I told her over and over again we would come back another day. I finally had to take her hands away from her face, get the contact out she did get in and make her leave. Needless to say, Jim took her 2 days later to try again. I was not doing that again. I did not have that much patience. She is super diligent. She is so sweet. She was worried we'd never get them in and I would have spent all that money on the exam and the contacts (since I had to buy them upfront to order the kind we wanted for her) and I would have wasted money. What a sweet and thoughtful joy she is to us.

Gracey started 3rd grade and was not as excited about school! She could be on summer vacation year round if it was up to her. It would give her more time to play school and be the teacher. Her Papa asked her today if she would rather come to his office and work for him instead of going to school and her eyes lit up and she yelled YES! She is doing well in class though and studies hard after school to get things done so she can play.

She discovered soccer this year at recess and wears tennis shoes every day to play. She is now signed up for the city soccer league and it will start soon. I can't wait to see how she will do. She is on a team with her best friend so she should have so much fun.

Gracey continues to be such a joy in our household. She is so helpful and such a care giver to all. She is so compassionate and loving if someone is hurt. She always looks for a solution to a problem and figures other things out. We are blessed to have her care free spirit in our lives. Everyone who meets her, knows how special she is.

Idaho Portraits

Gracey- 8 years

Jameson- 4 years

Megan- 10 years

Luke and Jameson

All the kids

This apple tree I grew up eating from. There was nothing better than a green sour apple, a salt shaker and my grandma's front porch steps. If you look closely, you can see my grandpa's silo's in the background.

This willow tree is so old and provides so much shade and beauty down by the rivers edge.

Cousins- Caden 12 years, Luke 2.5 years

Cousins again

Running through the clothesline...GiGi (great grandma) would have had a heart attack if she say this happening on her property, with her towels and sheets...PRICELESS!

Rachie took these gorgeous pictures of my kids in Idaho. She is so talented. If anyone is interested, she is coming to Arizona in October to visit and would love to take your pictures for you. She is making a trip to Utah too in September, so get a hold of me if you want a session with her there.

We love Idaho so much and always have a great time with my family. We swam in the river, played at the sand bar, ate Big J's, had many shakes, ate all of Aunt Malee's cinnamon rolls up and had fresh raspberries every day. What a treat it is to be able to visit and stay at a place we love so much!

Family Portraits

My sister Rachael has a side job/hobbie of taking photographs. She is amazing at what she does. Here are a few that I have gotten my hands on lately of me and the girls, our family in April and my whole family in April as well. We were all able to get together and surprise my parents for their birthdays. It was a great weekend.

Swimming in the Summer

How cute is he?

Luke swimming to safety

Daddy catching Luke

Jameson swimming freestyle

I had to share these adorable pictures of two of my swimmers. Luke was always so cute with his goggles and Jameson loves to swim. As many of you know, I teach swim lessons during the summer and my littlest two got lessons this year. Luke was quite the swimmer and fearless. Once he figured out how to use his arms and look at the bottom of the pool, he was amazing. I could throw him in and he would turn and swim to the wall or step to save himself. Jameson also got lessons and at the first lesson was swimming the length of the pool, perfect freestyle. She also learned the butterfly, breast stroke and back stroke. She can do front flips and back flips as well. She told me one day that she wanted to learn how to dive. I was busy reading in the shade watching them so she said, "oh, never mind, I remember how you taught Jackson in his lesson" and I watched her do a beautiful, perfect dive. You can imagine my excitement! She continued to dive all day and eventually moved to the diving board and performed it flawlessly there as well. Maybe some day she'll be the girl version of Michael Phelps. Who knows. For only 4 years old, she's talented, and naturally so.

Colorado with the Kids- July 2008

In July I headed up to Durango, Colorado with Jamers and Luke to pick up Megan and Gracey who had been visiting their Grammy for a week. Not only was I thankful that they were gone for the week to give me a break, but Gracey got the chicken pox while up there and Megan had pink eye (or a stye). I was so grateful to Valerie for being a trooper and taking such good care of my girls. They went to the melodrama and did many other activities each day such as hiking, playing spoons, playing PR (progressive rummy) and watching movies.

When we all got there we relaxed, read books and went to the cemetery one day to visit Gma Ethel and Gpa Earl's graves. My older two girls knew Earl and loved him dearly. They never got the chance to meet Ethel as she passed away while Jim was on his mission. The head stones have pictures of Ethel and Earl on them and the most amazing thing happened while we were visiting the graves. Luke walked right up to Gma Ethels picture, waved and said, "oh, there's Grandma". Valerie and I looked at each other and I asked him who that was as he said back that it was grandma. I asked him where grandpa was and he said he didn't know, but there was grandma, pointing to the picture. It made up both tear up and it was another testament of heaven and the veil to us. When we were leaving he walked up to her picture and said, "bye Grandma" and waved goodbye to her face. It was so sweet.

It made Valerie and I remember when Megan was 2 and hanging out with Grammy, looking through a photo book. She pointed to Ethel's picture and said, "oh, she was always so nice to me." Again another example of heaven and who is waiting for us up there.

The last picture is of Megan dressing and I had to take a snap shot of it. Does she remind you of anyone? My dad used to do a skit imitating Johnnie Carson when he would read the cards touching them to his head. I had to laugh and catch the image.

4th of July Weekend and Lake Powell

For the Fourth of July weekend we headed to Lake Powell with just our family. We have always gone with large groups and taken the house boat out and anchored down. Well, this trip it was just us and a short trip at that so we stayed in the marina on the house boat. It was so relaxing and low maintenance! We took food but ended up eating out at the restaurant at the marina. It was fabulous! There is a ski boat that is left up there in storage for our use so we drove up in the suburban fast and came home fast. We boated and tubed with the kids close by the marina and as you can see from Gracey's expression, they were not too happy when Jim made them fall off the tube. They would not get off though when it was time to stop! We had to get mad at them to get out of the water. Needless to say, it was my best Lake trip to date since it was so relaxing! I did miss the crowd though too.