Fox 8 Friday Morning

Watch Fox 8 Friday morning from 7-9 if you have a minute. Our high school band will be performing. Kyle plays the alto sax! I'm not sure if you'll get a glimpse of me and my awesome band mom friends or not. ;)

Scout Camp

Brandon and I left around noon yesterday to spend the evening with the other three boys and Richard at scout camp. I really look forward to "family night" each year. It is a three hour drive to get there, which I really don't look forward to at all. One of the families always stays overnight in a local motel, so we did that this year. What a great idea! We got there around check-in time and he had time to swim with another family for a while.

We went to dinner with the scouts, visited their camp for a bit, then watched their skits. This is always my favorite part. They did a great job! It was one I had seen before, but you never get tired of them, and each troop does them a little differently. I'm so impressed with how this particular camp handles everything. The volunteers that are there each year are just wonderful.

Afterwards we went back to their campsite for a while and OOPS! - - no "s'mores" supplies! That could be my fault. It's a tradition, and I think maybe I've brought them every year. ??? Well, I forgot them this year. I did make cookies though. Not a good substitute when all the little kids (and little and big scouts) just want to roast marshmallows. Mental note for next year!

We had a good night's sleep (sort of....a baby screamed for much of the night close to our room) and got up and swam for a couple of hours again. I got some reading time in. I *finally* started reading The Work and The Glory books. I know I'm the only person that hasn't read them. It took me forever to get into the first one, but now I'm half way through the second. My grandma gave them all to me as they came out.....well, up until she passed away. I think I ended up not having the last three, which I've already purchased because Richard read them all one summer. Her inscription in the first one says something like "Thanks for giving us those two cute little boys!" It was in 1992, I think! You have NO CLUE how happy she probably is that I'm finally reading them! :)

Proud Moment...

Check out this great article on my brother. Congratulations Shane! I'm so proud of you!

Merry Christmas from Us to You!

Merry Christmas! From it's beginnings as this, our card turned into what you see here. Too much coloring, but I love how it turned out!

It is soooo cold here. Right now it is 14 degrees (I'm typing this on Monday, though it won't post until Wednesday). Yesterday it was 1. Tomorrow it is supposed to be around 30, so it will be thirty times as warm as it was yesterday. WOW! The wind chill is what is bad. I have no idea how cold that is making it, but I am sitting here shivering.

I hope you all have a nice and peaceful evening and wonderful day tomorrow. We are having the missionaries from our church over for Christmas Eve, so that will be fun. The boys always love having them over! When my brothers served their missions, I was always grateful to the families that took them in for dinners, especially around the different holidays. We want to do something special. Any fun ideas?

Richard's Projects

The reason Richard built this last winter......

was so he could have a place to work on disasterous things such as this.......

and turn them into lovely --- um, I mean rugged, tough things like this!
It took him several months, but he had a great time working on this and now has a nice truck when he needs it. He even sold his other one a couple of days ago, so he must have some confidence in it. ;)

Updates

Shoulder update: two days after the cortisone shot, it truly did kick in....just like the doctor said it would. I got out of bed without having to "help" my arm out of bed. After 9 weeks, I couldn't believe it! I haven't had much pain since. I find myself cringing every time I reach for something, even though I don't need too. I just get ready for the pain because I'm so used to it. I'm going to Physical Therapy three times a week and I HATE it. It isn't painful or anything, I just hate setting time aside for it.

Mom update: my mom arrived on Thursday. It is always great to have her here. She usually comes every other year for Thanksgiving because that is how my sister and brothers are set up to go to their in-laws. It works out well. When she arrived, she started asking something about Twilight. I can't remember exactly what, but it turned into "You have those books, don't you?" She isn't any more of a reader than I am....before I started reading the Twilight Series that is! I decided to buy the first one in June, thinking that one of the kids might want to read it on our drive home. None of them did, so I decided I would give reading a try. I read a ton when I was a nanny, but haven't at all since. Just like Harry Potter got my kids to love reading, Twilight has gotten me to love reading again! I haven't stopped since.....except the last couple of weeks, when I really don't know when I would've found time. Most of the time I can only fit in a couple of pages at night, but it is fun and I look forward to it. I was telling my mom about Shelli, the founder of Stampin' Up!. On her blog recently, she wrote about her daughters urging her to read Twilight before the movie came out. She and her husband went on a vacation and all they ended up doing was reading. She had pictures of her reading everywhere. I laughed because it really does hook you. Well, my mom started reading Twilight on Thursday night and finished it Saturday. Too funny! She has been bitten, as they say. I keep hearing people who are skeptical say "isn't that about vampires??" Well, technically yes, but that definitely wouldn't be the first thing that came to my mind. I think of it as a very sweet love story. I want to go see the movie, but I know it can't possibly live up to the book!

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

You familiar with this children's song? Usually a real fun song, right? Well, not for me when I think of those particular body parts lately! I've had issues with each recently.

Since my nasty fall a couple of months+ ago, my shoulder has been giving me major problems. I finally got in to the orthopaedic specialist today. I think it won't be as bad as some people have warned me about. He gave me a cortisone shot (HATE those) that will hopefully start helping in a couple of days, some anti-inflammatory medication and I have to start physical therapy, which was the part I was dreading most, but at this point if it helps, I'm all for it! If those things don't work over the next month or so, then it is on to more yucky stuff, but right now, I'm hoping for the best.

Rally Pix

Here are a few of the many pictures Nevarae (band member/photographer extraordinaire) took at the rally on Thursday. It was a lot of fun! There was a lot of "hurry up" and "wait" but all it all, a great day. The kids were awesome and definitely entertained the crowd.


Kyle is on the left, along with some of the rest of the band.

Jordan! along with more of the band.

Some of the great girls that we never have a problem with. Bridie, Mary, Sonya, Emily and Jessica.

Band moms! Kathy, Lisa and me.

John McCain shaking hands with students who were anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Megan and Cindy McCain, along with Joe the Plumber!

Rally ~ Band ~ Exciting!

WOW! Our band was just invited to perform at John McCain's rally tomorrow. When I say "just" I mean about 3 hours ago! I was asked to go along as a chaperone. I'm probably more excited than most of the band kids will be, but I hope they see it as a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing and appreciate the moment, regardless of their political beliefs. I just wish Sarah Palin was going to be there! I kinda like her.

A Few Pix

Cody is attending a school this year that helps focus on the police work he'd like to go in to, besides his regular high school curriculum. On Friday, they had a "Muffins for Moms & Dads" morning. We were invited to come and learn more about what goes on in their school and what they do in their lab.

The first thing he wanted to do to me was put on the "beer goggles" and have me "walk the line". WELL, if you know me, I struggle with balance anyway. I've never had a drink in my life, so I begged for the goggles with the least alcohol content (or whatever the terminology is) although he wanted me to try the highest ones! So I put them on and start out. He says "MOM - you're not even on the line!" I take them off, look down and my foot is 8" to the left of the line, but with them on, it really looked like I was right on the money. Another boy in his class told me to start on the line, then put the goggles on. I did that, took a couple of steps, and I felt completely sick. I didn't really feel right all day! No wonder our church teaches against drinking!

Anyway, Cody's instructor said "I just can't say enough good things about this young man!" That is always what a parent wants to hear!

Zach (middle of the picture) has his last soccer game on Saturday. The last few games has been amazing for him! He has played like he has been playing for all his life. It has been so fun to listen to all of the parents talking about him. (I get teary!) Most of the kids on his team have played for years and he is just starting his third year, so he has had a lot of catching up to do. He called me Saturday while I was at a meeting to tell me how his coach praised him as being the most improved for the season in front of the whole team. I cried again. So exciting for him!

Friday night was our last Band Festival. It was soooo good. Our band was awesome! Kyle met up with Ashley, a friend that lives within our stake. She is such a cutie and always so friendly. Their band is huge and did some really interesting things.

This is a shot of our entire band. Do you see Kyle over there towards the left???

I've had a fun year as a band mom. I've made some great new "band mom" friends and we have laughed WAY too much. I'll be driving down the road and just start laughing at things that have gone on. We've had a little too much fun this year!

Woollybear Festival

Today was the Woollybear Festival in our town. I guess it draws the biggest crowd in the state. It definitely isn't my favorite event of the year, but we always end up going, since the kids have to march with the band. I always have to wonder why they have to do it on a Sunday. That drives me crazy! We had great weather today. Last year was H-O-T!

This is Kyle waiting for the M.C. to show up so they can do the Star Spangled Banner. He is usually late each year, however this year he was right on the dot. He is a local weatherman. I'm not a fan, but apparently a lot of people are!

This is a shot of the band marching in. They do such a great job. I love hearing and seeing them!

Kyle is the one to the right of the tuba.

This is Zach's first year marching. Here you see the middle school kids. They are kind of squished together!

Zach is a little blurry. Oops! This is his first year doing percussion. He started on saxophone last year, but is liking this much better. His shoulders really hurt by the time he was done though! EDIT: 10-6-08 This morning Zach has bruises on this thighs from the snare!

Cody was on "official police business" with his police explorer group for the day. However, each time we saw him, there seemed to be nothing official or police-like about it. Hmmm.
- - - - - - - - - -

As Brandon and I were walking around trying to be everywhere we needed to be this afternoon, we were talking about last year's festival. It was very different because nearly my whole family was here visiting for Brandon's baptism the day before. I can't believe it has been a year since they were here! That was such a fun time. I hope they'll be able to come out again, but I know how hard that is with soooo many little ones. We'll be here when you're ready......or any other family that would like to visit for that matter! ;)

Fox News

If you're up early, turn on Fox News and you may see Kyle playing his saxophone with the marching band!

Another Busy Day

I think I could title just about every post in the same way! This morning Brandon and I made Peanut Butter Bars before he left for school in preparation for tonight's activity (more later).

Today it was our ward's turn to do the luncheon for the missionary's zone conference over in Westlake. I always enjoy getting to help out with that. One of the ladies in our ward always plans the meal and does all or the majority of the cooking. She does such a good job at it. I hope I never lose her! She had several of us make cookies for their dessert, but she made yummy beef stew and rolls, then had applesauce for them. The missionaries are always so appreciative. It is such a fun afternoon.

After that, I fought to stay awake driving home, took a quick nap and started getting ready for Richard to have the Young Men and Young Women (ages 12-18) from church over tonight for a BBQ and bonfire. I ran Brandon to soccer practice, ran home, got a few more things ready, ran back to get him, ran home, got everything else set up, just in time for everyone to arrive. We had a fun evening with around 25 people here. The rain stopped long enough for us to enjoy the entire activity. It was just great! We can't believe our big huge pile of branches would even light with all of the rain we've been getting, but it went up just fine. It was kind of a cool evening, so the fire felt awesome. Yes - I should've taken some pictures, but of course they'd still be sitting in the camera!

We've had lots of changes in our ward presidencies lately and even our bishopric a couple of weeks ago. It is exciting to have so many new things going on at once. I've served as the Relief Society President (for the women in our ward) for a little over 2 1/2 years now. I'm so excited about my new counselors and my secretary who has stayed on. They have been just wonderful and I'm so grateful for them.

"Controversial" Dream

When I get up in the morning, I brush my teeth, wash my face, get the kids up and then Richard's alarm is usually going off. He puts it far away from him so he has to go and get it. Usually he gets it and then takes it back to bed until it goes off again though. This morning, after it had gone off the second time, he said "I have been having the weirdest dreams. One was just now.......it was about a new controversial paper towel." We just burst out laughing and every time I think about it this morning I start laughing. He is such a goofball!

Catching Up on Summer Photos

Brandon was in the intermediate swimming class in July and had a friend of the family for one of his swimming teachers, which he loved. He liked jumping off of the diving board and did a great job swimming to the ladder on his own.

Zach was in the advanced swimming class this year and did a great job. By his last class, he was treading water for 45 minutes straight with no problem at all. Diving isn't his strong suit, but as he says "when do you really NEED that?" True!
Brandon's birthday was next. He just invited a couple of friends. He isn't big on crowds. He definitely wanted to wear his "Grandpa's Cheese Barn" shirt. He loves that place!

Brandon & Jack
We headed over to the bowling alley and had a good time bowling and eating pizza. Notice that the teenagers are all on the phone, or have their phones nearby!

Alex & Cody

We grabbed some kid to take a group picture before we left!
Alex, Cody, Richard, Zach, Kyle, Kari, Michael, Jack & Brandon

A couple of days later it was Zach's birthday. He chose not to have a party, saying he was too old for that. He just wanted to go fishing.
He immediately put on a new birthday shirt (rare for him to take off that white soccer one!) and blew out his candles on his chocolate cake with NO frosting. A great picture of Zach! He usually gives me some goofy smile.~ Cody ~
These pictures are the first day of school. We have a tradition to take a picture by this fence post. We can see how much they've grown each year. We also mark their height on the wall in the garage. Let's try and guess who likes getting their picture taken and who doesn't!

~ Kyle ~

~ Zach ~

~ Brandon ~

Canoeing

On Saturday, July 19, our ward (church) had an picnic to celebrate Pioneer Day. We held it at a park that has canoes, so I reluctantly agreed to go out with the kids. Zachary, one of the Hauke twins (I can never get them right!) and Cody are in the top picture; Kyle, Brandon and I are in the bottom picture. Richard put canoes in and out of the water. It was a super hot, muggy day and those life jackets were miserable to have on. Although with Brandon wanting to turn around to see everything that was going on, it was definitely necessary. I was sure we were going to tip! It turned out to be a really nice day visiting with friends. I am grateful for our ward......our home away from home!

Fishin'

Richard, Zach & Brandon have taken up fishing the last couple of months. I've gone along a few times. I can only go if I have something to do myself. I can never just sit and do nothing. I have to have something to do. On this particular trip (7-11-08), I finished mounting a couple of stamp sets that I had been dreading mounting......those ones with waaayy to many pieces! We just go to the Fish & Game Club here in town. They have a really neat pond that is just huge. It is a catch and release place.....other than just a few things that you can keep if you want to. It's fun because they always get bites, so it isn't like they get bored with it. There have been a couple of older gentlemen that have given them some good tips and seem pleased to get others hooked on the sport. It has been a fun thing for all three of them and they look forward to the nights that aren't too busy and they can spend some time doing their new hobby.

Color Inspiration Challenge

I needed to get stamping after returning from vacation a few days ago, but things have been a little crazy to say the least. I decided to just take some time tonight no matter what and do nothing but stamp! KWernerDesign is having another fun color challenge (as seen in the above picture) that I thought would get me jump started. I didn't think I could pull the colors she chose together, but I like the result!

I love cowboys.....always have! I swore I'd marry one. It was on my mental list of "musts"! But then the right one came along.......ya know how it is......and that all went down the tube! I got him to listen to country music, he even wears boots once in a while and enjoys going to my family's ranch and doing that sort of thing, but I wouldn't say he is at the cowboy stage or ever will be. He is pretty much perfect for me though, and I sure am lucky!!!

We had a fun trip to Utah and it was great for the kids to see all of their cousins for all of us to get to socialize with family again. We really miss getting to spend time with them. My mom planned a big family dinner for both of our families the night before we left.......YES we all get along that well! It was really nice. I think Brandon had the hardest time leaving this time around. He really had fun taking care of the younger cousins and getting to play with so many that were close to his age. Until next year.......

Mom Tag

I was looking at my friend Tiffany's blog and I panicked when I saw my name being tagged! You know when your heart kind of jumps? YIKES! I had read through her cute answers and then saw my name at the bottom. Here I am with two 16 year olds that don't even speak to me half of the time! My 11 and 8 year olds aren't at that point, thank goodness, but this was not an easy quiz for me!

1.Typically, what time do you wake up? 6:00 a.m.

2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? 9:00 during school, 10:00 during the summer

3. How long have you been a mommy? Almost 17 years

4. How old were you when you became a mom? three weeks shy of 23

5. What is your favorite kids T.V show? Hannah Montana

6. What is your least favorite kids T.V. show? Rugrats

7. What is your favorite chore? I hate cleaning bathrooms, but I love it when they are clean.

8. What is your favorite meal to cook? Spaghetti & Breadsticks

9. What meal do you cook most often? Tacos / Quesidillas

10. What is your kids favorite meal? Spaghetti & Breadsticks

11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids? I like it when he takes them to the flea market because it is something they all enjoy.

12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you’re being a mom? C telling me he is trying to be like Jesus, K calling me on his cell from across the room, Z getting excited about naming all the countries in Africa in 57 seconds, B coming to find me for a hug and kiss every few minutes, and when all my kids are getting along at the *same* time!

13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? Alaskan Cruise

14. When was the last time you went out without your kids? This morning to buy a new van! :)

15. What is your favorite pastime/activity to do with your kids? I like to go to movies or out to eat with them.

16. Name one thing you said you would never say as a mother? I didn't think I would say "grow up!" as much as I do.

17. Name something you do, that your own mom did? Love my kids, no matter what.

18. What is your favorite quality your mom has? Patience

19. What is your favorite kids book? The Giant Jam Sandwich & Seven Silly Eaters

20. What is your favorite advice for new moms? Sleep when they sleep....really! Try to let them go to sleep on their own sooner than we did (you'll be glad you did). Enjoy them!

21. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? We don't want to go into that....

22. What is your most joyful moment being a mom? Anytime my kids are truly happy, I'm happy.

23. When was the last time you told one of your kids you loved them? Tonight.

24. When was the last time you were told? Tonight.

I tag Tanya H. and Jodi R. if you'd like to participate. ;)

One of those days...

Today is one of those days. I kind of dread it every year, yet look forward to it in some ways. Four years ago today my dad passed away suddenly. I dread it because I worry about my mom and how she is handling the day. I worry that I can't be there on days like this. But I also take days like today to remember how awesome my dad is/was.....I never know quite how to put that! Of course I think about him every single day, but a little extra on days like this. My youngest was home with strep (again) today. He was being my helper, as usual, and I reminded him what today was. He said that he remembered exactly when it happened. Keep in mind he was four at the time, and just barely a year old when we moved away from where my parents live. He remembers what he was watching on t.v., where he was sitting, how the rest of us were reacting (we were a wreck!) and so on. He said "mom, I can take pictures with my brain you know!" He is such a cutie. He really got us through that rough time and was our comic relief. He was too young to really realize exactly what was going on, but he'll never realize how much he helped us. My sister, brothers and their families all live close to my mom, so I assume they all got together tonight. They usually go up to the cemetery and the grandkids all release balloons. They love doing that! We sure miss our family at times like this!