Forever Young

Converse shoes

2011-12-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas break 2011

Emma having fun with one of her gifts :)

Christmas December 19th?

2011-12-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

This year we did Christmas early. Jackie is heading to Tennessee for Christmas to surprise Tyler, and every night of the week we had something happening so for FHE we had Christmas :) It was interesting playing Santa, a little silly but once it was all set up Christmas felt like Christmas. As a matter of fact I liked it, we weren't all sleepy. We all had fun. George surprised me with a new camera so now I need to learn how to use it. Lots of warm blankets and movies and of course candy. Merry Christmas!!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-01T14:20:00.001-08:00

For Thanksgiving we went to Utah! It is always so much fun. Dinner was wonderful, lots of good food and company. After we ate my sister had bought 4 gingerbread house kits, she separated us into groups and gave us 1/2 hour to finish. This is our group, and we lost :( Oh well we had fun! The whole day we played and danced and then after we cleaned up, some of us went to the Olympic skating rink and skated, kind of cool.

Friday we got up super early and did Baptisms for the dead, it made for an incredibly early morning but it was really nice to be in the temple with 16 members of my family. We later went to the Gateway mall to look around and bug my one nephew that works at Old Navy there. Then we ate at Crown Burger because George had seen it on Man vs. Food and wanted to eat there really bad, so we did. We walked to Temple Square to see the lights after, it wasn't as lit up as I remember it being but pretty none the less.
The big news of the weekend was Tyler asked us if he could ask Jackie to marry him!! We of course said yes, Jackie and Tyler will be getting married soon. More about that later. Tyler won my approval for putting up with us AND my whole family for 3 days, he is very polite and easy going and best of all he makes Jackie very happy. They looked very natural together, we are excited for them.

Chenille Baby Blanket

2011-10-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this baby blanket. I've had the material for over a year and so I decided I needed to get it done. It turned out really really cute.

I also used my rotary cutting machine and my bias tape maker machine for the first time. I give them both two thumbs up! That is the way to make bias tape, it was super fast and super easy!

Stones

2011-10-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

Friday night and Saturday George and I had a chance to go to the coast. We had a good time until George started having this weird pain. He started feeling better after an hour or so with only weird twinges here and there. Sunday we were watching conference and George started complaining about pain in his stomach and groin area, we thought it might go away like on Saturday. No such luck, the last of conference we were at the emergency room. George has a kidney stone :( As of right now it still hasn't passed, hopefully we don't have to go back to the hospital tonight. They say passing a kidney stone is like labor pains, if so I hope I never have one. Labor four times for me was enough :) Hopefully George only has to "labor" one time and hopefully it's over with soon!

Camping with the Young's

2011-09-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

The first weekend in August we went camping with Sid and Chan Hei and Sydney. First time in a long time that we only had one child with us. Tayler was on High Adventure so Emma got to be an only child with both parents this time.
We went to Nehalem Falls camp ground, it is on the Nehalem river. It is very beautiful and since the camp ground is small there aren't very many people.
George thinks it is fun to catch crawfish, So he spent is time hunting (we released them after he caught them).

Lots of newts, they look cool.

Sid,Sydney and Emma floated down the river.
Chan Hei dubbed George the great white hunter :)

It was a nice time. I did find out for the first time that I am too old to sleep on the ground. We are now the proud owners of an air mattress :)

Heidi's visit

2011-09-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Heidi came to visit after the family reunion. She drove up with Emma and I. It was long but fun. On the way through the gorge area we stopped at the Bonneville fish hatchery, we fed the fish and looked at some huge sturgeon they have on display. It was a nice break and I think a pretty little location, who knew fish hatcheries could have something interesting to see and do?

While Heidi was here the number one thing on our agenda was to go to the ocean. So Jackie had the day off so we went. It was supposed to be cool so we didn't really plan on swimming hence the shorts and clothes instead of swimwear :) We played and had a good time anyway. I told the kids we would come back on another day since the forecast was better for later in the week.

While we were at Seaside we went to the Aquarium that is right on the beach. It's small but has some interesting stuff. We fed the sea lions and looked around then did some hands on pools.

Rode the carousel at the Seaside mall. Well the kids did :)

I wish I could remember the name of this store, it is full of hats and we always have a good time trying on crazy hats.
The forecast said it was going to be sunny and nice at the beach, so off we went. It was sunny for sure but I thought we were all going to freeze to death. Brrrrrr we didn't stay long, just long enough to get super cold and want to leave :)
My Parents drove up to visit while Heidi was here, we went and picked blueberries and then on Saturday we decided to go to the Saturday market in Portland. I've been told to go for years but we also heard there are a lot of freaky people there and since I'm really not a fan of freaky people I just haven't bothered......well I mentioned it to Heidi and she must be a fan because she said let's do it :)

Saw tons of crafty stuff, lots of people but really on the whole I give it two thumbs up. Not to freaky :)

I loved this art, it was very interesting to me, as you can tell it was made with numbers. Ha ha paint by numbers :)

Of course we had to eat, there was food everywhere. We actually got separated for a while because we all wanted different food, then the musicians were so loud non of us could hear our phones ringing or chiming and so it made things a little interesting getting us all back together but we made it. Oh one funny thing about the market day, I thought it might be smart to ride the max into Portland so we wouldn't have to find parking. Well it would have cost way way to much for all of us for one day so we drove. Josie had her heart set on riding the "train" so at the market we were in an area that is called fare less square, since it is free we hopped on rode the train two blocks and got off, I thought it was funny but it made her happy.

We all had a good time, it was a busy week but lots of fun!

North Carolina

2011-09-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

We flew to North Carolina last week to spend some quality time with our sweetheart Hope. We wanted to be there with her when she got home, and help her get some things done that needed to be done, and let her show us around Jacksonville and Camp Lejune. After spending some time with Chief Robinson, the rest of the time was ours. One of the first things we did was to go see some of Camp Lejune, sorry no pics. While on base we went to the beach to get our feet wet. Wow the east coast sure is different than the west coast. The water is warm and nice, and the sand is mostly made of crushed sea shells.
Hope and her dad at Onslow beach on base.

The sand is kind of rocky and full of shells. If you scooped some up in your hands it was mostly shells with about an inch or less of sand on the top.

Helicopters flew over quite regularly doing some training maneuvers or something.

Driving around on base there were lots of these signs. Didn't see any tanks though.

Hope told us about this place that serves the best bbq so we had to try it. It was pretty dang good. Thig's stands for This Hog is Good Son.

Yum Yum North Carolina BBQ.

We also decided to go on a tour of the USS North Carolina. It was amazing. The tour is self guided so you can spend as much time as you want. I could spend all day there. And we almost did.

The big guns are enormous. They have a 16" bore and are 60' long, and there are nine of them!

Hope looking for something to shoot at.

The artillery shells are almost as tall as Hope.

Another thing we wanted to do is see the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. We have seen it set in the Pacific Ocean several times. Pretty much the same only backwards, and just as beautiful. This is Onslow beach again.

Chief Robinson told us that you could find shark teeth on the beach if you were there early. So we started our search.

We found several, but none of them were very big. We talked to some older ladies that were looking also. They told us that they don't pick up the small ones any more, they only want the big ones.

We also went to TopSail Island to swim. It was a lot of fun. The water was perfect.

We had a wonderful visit with Hope, and it ended way to soon. It broke our hearts to leave, but we had to because the day after we got home Lora loaded up the girls and headed to BYU Idaho to drop Jacqueline off at school.

Tribute

2011-08-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

I wish I was a writer and could say the things that are in my heart.
August 11th 2011, Ryley gave his life serving our country. The funeral was beautiful and touching. Support from family, friends and the community was and is outstanding. I feel humbled. Thank you to all doesn't seem adequate. We are so blessed, and look forward to getting the opportunity to meet and know Ryley when we see him again.

Cabin Fever

2011-08-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

For me Cabin Fever has a different meaning than most. I love to go to our family cabin and when I know I am going to get a chance to go I start getting stir crazy. I love the smells the peace the quiet. I will be sad if at some time in my life I won't be able to go here. I have very fond memories at the cabin, and I think all my children do also.

This is Emma going off the big swing :) My Dad climbed a tree that is probably 60 feet tall to fix this swing so we could all play and have a great time. It was a long horrible day for him, he is always going the extra mile for all of us and for so many others. I love you Dad!
My sisters kids wanted to go off the top on the big swing. Heidi said that the year before was her last time on the swing, she is done with it. I'm a sucker for a cute little face asking me if I will take them off, so here I am taking Josie off the top. My goodness I think it just gets scarier and scarier every year. Maybe this will be my last time going off. I actually have a video, I'll see if I can find it.
I was in charge of the family reunion this year. Water is always a hit so we all packed up and went to Gooseberry Reservoir, it is a pretty little place. Lots of fish, but we went swimming instead. I enjoyed being out on the water and I think all the kids had a fun time.

Ooops this one is out of place, we always go for a hike or two at the cabin. Who's king of the mountain?

The little swing can be fun too, it probably helps to be just the right age for it though :)
I have always wanted to Geocache, so since I was in charge I wrangled my Brother-in-law into helping me.
Ooops out of place again, Emma had a good time. She was my only child that went with me this year. Wow one child is so much easier than four, especially when they can take care of themselves.
We or Brian created a Geocache for our family reunion. I thought it was very cool.
We had an evening of Minute to win it games, I thought it was super fun. Melinda and Julie stacking dice and Jeri and Jenni separating m&m into the right color cups. The m&m game was the hardest I think.

Saturday the 24th of July we went down to Fairview for the parade and to visit with extended family. Here is our whole gang in front of my Aunt Hazels house. I think we make a pretty good looking bunch!
Kate my Nephews sweet daughter. Too cute!
After the parade and before we headed out, some of us traveled out west to the old homestead. I hadn't been there since I was a really little girl, so it was good. My Mom's family has fixed it up and made it nice. This is where my Grandparents spent the first few years of their married life together. Makes me thankful for what I have.
Chance and Cody, protecting the girls from any rattlers!!
Emma loving the heat in her jeans :)
Mom, Doug, Lora, Jeri, and Russ in front of the homestead.

Baby Blanket

2011-07-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

I made a goal this year to learn how to crochet around a burp cloth. While I was in Utah for Women's conference, my Mom and I worked on this and finally after many times of unpicking and even sticking a crochet hook in my finger, we figured it out. I gave this to a lady in my ward who is expecting. I think it turned out really cute and now I need to get busy making some more to have on hand.

I sewed my material right sides together, trimmed really close to seam, turned then zig zag stitch with wing needle. I crocheted with a #10 hook.

The Pattern:
Round 1: Single crochet around. Make sure your single crochets are fairly close together to prevent the fabric from puckering.

Round 2: Chain 1, sc in first stitch; *skip next stitch, sc in next stitch, (3 dc, ch2, 3 dc) in next stitch, sc in next stitch; repeat from * around.

I didn't count any of the stitches, it just seems to work out all the way around. I am not a perfectionist but if you are, you can start adjusting your stitches before you get to the end.

Wood shop

2011-06-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

This is the wood box that Tayler made for me, it was going to be a Mother's day gift but it wasn't done in time so it is an end of the school year gift :) He did a very good job, I think he really enjoyed working with wood, must be in his blood.

Jackie's graduation day!!!!

2011-06-04T17:52:00.001-07:00

Our darling Jacqueline graduated from Forest Grove High School today. It only took her 6,800,000 steps to accomplish this feat.

Jacqueline Kimberly Young: Forest Grove High School Honors Diploma (3.5 gpa and above, 4 AP classes, College Entrance Requirements) , National Honor Society Blue & Gold Cord, Oregon Honors Diploma (top 10% of class of 400+), attending Brigham Young University Idaho.

We are proud of her for making the goal of graduating with honors, and accomplishing her goal.
Way to go Jacqueline!

Rocky the Pocket Gopher killer

2011-06-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

Today we found a pocket gopher hill in the back yard lawn, so we decided to see if Rocky's instincts would kick in and he would try to dig it out. We thought is was a mole, but it is definitely a pocket gopher.

His badger like claws are good for something!

He was very intense. The cowardly rat terrier found some courage!

Now that he has discovered that he likes to dig, he will probably dig up the whole back yard.

Nails by El Spazo (aka George)

2011-05-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hope and Emma were painting their nails and wanted to have fun designs on them. They were having a tough time so who do they ask for help? Their Dad ;) There is a reason he has 3 girls I guess :) It was so much fun I decided I wanted mine done, Emma is blue, Hope is purple and I'm red. Disclaimer: George only decorated the girls nails, he doesn't want credit for the painting the skin ;) We like to say nails by George (said with a french accent), he likes El Spazo.

Slug

2011-05-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday I was very unorganized so for dinner we had a salad and garlic bread, but George didn't think that was enough so he sauteed some udon noodles with some cabbage. I was quite happy with this arrangement and all the lettuce and spinach came from our garden, I gobbled up my salad and was eating some udon noodles (they look like fat worms), and this one noodle looked very different and was funny colored and small. I look closer and realize it's a slug!! GROSS!! Needless to say I was done eating and trying to keep down everything I had already eaten! I guess I will be inspecting the produce my children pick from now on and make sure it is all washed thoroughly :)

Born to run

2011-04-25T08:35:00.001-07:00

I just read the book Born to run (the picture isn't working so you will have to look it up on your own). I will say it was interesting, way way to much swearing in it though, so consider yourself warned. What did I learn from this book.

A: I run wrong obviously or I could do it injury free
B: I eat the wrong things
C: You have to love to run to really enjoy it
D: I don't love running
E: I will never be an ultra runner, and after reading this book I really don't want to, but it sounds good to think about running and loving it.

Seriously it brought up some good points, if we all ran like our ancestors, on dirt paths and barefoot, and had to run or die, we would be better at it ;) I think I'm going to walk around barefoot more, see if I can strengthen my feet. According to this book shoes weaken our feet. Kind of like those belts that people used to use all the time to help with lower back pain until they found out it actually weakens back muscles. The same goes for shoes. So running barefoot is good, just have to do it on dirt not asphalt, after you have strengthened your poor little feet that is.

Jackie's Prom

2011-04-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

Jackie went to Prom last night. She was so lucky the weather was gorgeous!

Saisha, Julia, Jackie, Arianna

Happenings

2011-04-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

The Young's are still alive and still kicking. What's been going on?

Emma: Started track, everyday and every week a track meet. Fun fun, only one more year of her being in middle school (it is the furthest away so I hate driving there, I'm lazy) and then she will be a freshman! I think I'm ready for her to be in high school? I guess time will tell.

Tayler: Got a job this summer working at a boy scout day camp. It is mostly through the month of July but there are some training days and clean up days, and I'm sure he won't make a lot of money but at least he won't be sitting in front of his x-box all summer long :)

Jackie: Finishing her senior year. Has prom tomorrow night! Her date is a really sweet young man, she had a sore throat yesterday and stayed home from school and her date brought her a rose and some Halls to soothe her sore throat, isn't that sweet? Looking for job, and looking forward to leaving here and going to BYU-I in September.

Hope: Back at home for now. Was working a temporary job, but this last week she has spent the time getting her name changed on everything and waiting, waiting, waiting. She should be moving to Jacksonville, North Carolina soon we hope. I will say since I think the military is lame she will probably be here for a long long time, that way I won't be too surprised if she doesn't leave soon :) That's how I cope people, don't judge :)

Lora: I ran three and a half miles "training" for a 5k. Hurt my foot so I won't actually be running at the official 5k but I am counting my "training" as my goal to be able to run a 5k, check that off my list of things to do.
I sewed some super cute bags for my girls for their birthdays and hope to get one done for myself today.
Trying to like making bread. I will have to keep you posted on that. I am going to try an interesting wheat bread recipe that has lemon juice in it today or tomorrow, whenever I get the chance. Hopefully it is soooo yummy I will want to do it again.
Running around like a chicken with my head cut off most of the time, feels like my head is missing a lot :)

George: Planted lettuce, peas, and brussel sprouts in some pots on the deck. Hoping to get a bigger garden in if it stops raining long enough to make a spot. Lots of yard work, and has lots he wants to still do. Work has been going well, Yay.
Helping his wife who has lost her head :)

Jackie's senior project

2011-03-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Spring Break

2011-03-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

I am not sure why I think spring break should be relaxing and nice, it usually isn't :) This spring break was no exception. What did we do, lets see
I decided to run a 5k so I have been running, or slowly jogging this week :)
Jackie had a senior project due, so we spent hours cutting, pasting, scrap booking and making a portfolio, she did most of it but I had to help lots.
Donated blood
Jackie was asked to prom, so we went shopping and shopping. I know none of this is really stressful, but it just kept us running all week long. I am very ready for my kids to be back in school, I'm one of those Moms.

Marriage

2011-03-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

(Wyatt, Hope, Ryley)

I wanted to show this picture because, I am not sure if anyone knows Ryley is a twin. Don't want anyone getting confused.

Hope and Ryley got married in Chicago, March 12, 2011. Yes that is her birthday so Ryley better not ever mess up on either one of those dates.

The happy couple. Ryley and Hope Gallinger-Long. Congratulations!

Tag

2011-03-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by Cecilia. This is a 4x4 blog meme that reveals some little facts about me! It will be great fun getting to know my blogging buddies better. So check at the bottom and if you're tagged, copy and paste this into your blog and insert your four favs in each of the four subject.

1st - Four places I go:

-Store
-Church
-Bootcamp
-Sid and Chan Hei's house

2nd - Four favorite smells:

-Lilacs
-Anything fresh baked
-Fall smells (wood burning stoves, apples, outdoorsy smells)
-The smell of rain

3rd - Four favorite TV shows and/or movies

-Amazing Race
-The Middle
-Court Jester
-What the deaf man heard

4th - Four recommendations

-Smile otherwise you will cry
-Exercise
-uuummmmm be good
-uuummmmmmmm don't complain!

Everyone that I would tag has already done this so if you are reading this and you haven't been tagged.....I tag you!

I'm so loved

2011-02-14T19:02:00.000-08:00

These are the flowers George got me for Valentine's day. This is the second bouquet this month. They are so pretty.
I was over at at friends helping with a service project, I came home to a box of flowers from someone who thinks they know me pretty well :) Kind of interesting, I feel bad for the guy and his girl, but I will enjoy the flowers :)

I'm thinking someone must have meant to send me flowers because it was definitely addressed to me and had George's phone number....so if you want credit, let me know, otherwise Thank you!

So you take a Jedi and a Ninja.......

2011-02-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

and what do you get? Two awesome teams going to state!!!
It took two days and lots of stress but they did it. The Jedi's (Tayler's team,3525) made it to state the first day and the Ninja's (Emma's team,4239) made it the second day. As you can see on the above board the Ninja's actually did better than the Jedi's the first day but it's all in the alliance. Anywho it was a rough battle to watch I wanted both teams and their alliance to win because Tayler is a Jedi and Emma is a Ninja so we were yaying for both teams, people probably thought we were crazy.
I really want to give my kids tons of credit. They work very very hard. They were out at Uncle Sid's at least two times every week for two to three ours each night, some nights much longer and a lot of their Christmas holiday and they only missed a couple of times due to sickness and school work. I'm very proud of them and all the hard work they put into this every year, that goes for Jackie too she made sure they were there and back every time. They get to work with some great kids, it has been fun to watch them all grow and change through the years. They are also lucky to work with a great coach their very own Uncle. This is such a great program.

Awards won: First day: Ninja Conspiracy won the Connect award and the finalist award. The Jedi's won the winning award and the PTC award.
Second Day: Ninja Conspiracy won the Finalist award and the Inspire award (This is the very top award given so kudo's to those Ninja's). The Jedi's won the winning award and the PTC award.

Thoughts

2011-01-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

I can always tell how much something has affected me by how long I think or stew about it.

Tuesday I went to the temple with a group of ladies from my ward, it is really helpful to make it to the temple when I know my friends are going to be going. Kind of like exercise, I need a buddy. Every time I go lately I see things I have never seen before, like a lady in a session in white high heels, I don't get it, but it was interesting. Well Tuesday there was a young man probably around 24 or so who stayed standing until every lady in the room had sat down, it made me think about how there is so little respect out there that when I see it I almost find it weird, I did, I kept wondering what the man was doing and then when it dawned on me that he was standing out of respect well needless to say I was incredibly impressed.

Last night

2010-12-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before school, and all through the house.
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
The dishes were washed, the chores were all done.
In hopes that tomorrow there would be sun.

The children were snuggled all warm in their beds.
While visions of snow flakes danced in their heads.
And me in my jammies and George with no cap
had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out in our yard there arose such a clatter
George sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew in a flash
tore open the blind and threw open the sash

The streetlights shone on the new fallen rain
and the wind blew and blew again and again.
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear!
A whole freakin' TREE leaning to near.

Guess what!

2010-12-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

Hope and Ryley are getting married!

Time out

2010-11-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

I went to Time out for Women this weekend. This lady was sooooo funny, she did a great job! I also got this way cute tote she is holding! Awesome, the tote alone was worth the price of the ticket :)

The theme this year was Infinite Hope, "We hope all things....." Articles of Faith 1:13

The lady up above (never caught her name) asked us to write down a list of things we Hope for: I have to say other than true Happiness I couldn't really think of anything at that time, so I guess I will work on that list.

All the speakers and the music was geared towards HOPE. Friday night Michael McLean sang for us, and talked about his mission to be happy, I guess he suffers from depression and sadly I kind of found him to be depressing, so friday night was not the highlight of the weekend. I did like Mark Mabry's pictures that he has out, they are called "Reflections" of Christ, I really enjoyed his presentation.

Saturday bright and early we were back at the convention center. The music was by Hilary Weeks, that woman can sing! She made me laugh, she makes me cry, but it was all great!

I am going to write about who talked and the one thing they said that struck a cord for me:

Ardeth Kap: Do you look at the scriptures as a letter from home?

Emily Watts: Talked about Mother Hopes (things mothers can hope for) 1) Hope children can improve 2) Faith that our work is important 3) Hope that because of importance of motherhood, we will be helped

Hilary Weeks: Look for good in others and self: Be kind, everyone you meet is going through something.

Michael Wilcox:Look forward! Barriers and comfort zones are no excuse for not going forward.

Mariama Kallon: Her talk was the most amazing! After listening to her speak I was so thankful that Tayler did Hygiene kits for his Eagle. This woman went through so much and still has Hope, it was amazing to hear her. She told about running for her life, literally every day! EVERY DAY! In all of that running one time she had a hygiene kit that she shared with 25 women, they made one tube of toothpaste and all the stuff last for as long as they could, even cut the tube open to get every last drop. Count your blessings!

She did make it to America, served a mission on Temple Square and is going to LDS business College. Just amazing!

She uses the Scriptures as her therapist.

Merrilee Boyack: Only thing you can control is your head, stay postitive and have hope.

Kris Belcher:Christ is her light (she is blind) LIGHT: Love, Intelligence, Grace, Hope, Truth!

It was truly amazing, I do have to say that I felt weird clapping after a song where the spirit had touched me though. Not sure if I like that part, I might just stick with Womens conference, but for this weekend it was a much needed uplift.

Halloween Carnival

2010-11-01T11:06:00.001-07:00

I signed up to bring two dozen cupcakes to our ward Halloween Carnival and since I enjoy torturing my kids (it's true just ask them), I decided we were going to make cute cupcakes.

I think we succeeded!

Pumpkins

2010-10-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

We finally did it! I wasn't sure it was going to happen. I had fun, not so sure about everyone else but I really enjoy pumpkin carving every year.
Jackie and Tayler, serious and probably racing to see who could get done first! Emma working away and of course George coming up with a new pattern, not in our books and Me just having fun.

George's pumpkin lit up inside, then I was off to boot camp and George and Tayler went and got candles so we could enjoy our hard work ;)
Jackie did the smiley face at the top, George did the scary face, I did the spider, Emma did the trees and owl, and Tayler did the electric face at the bottom.

Jackie's Senior Pictures (taken by moi)

2010-10-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

These are my favorite. Which one is your favorite?

Witchey witchey

2010-10-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the craft I have been working on while watching way to many episodes of Bones :) Kinda cute don't ya think!

Rocky doing some tricks

2010-10-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

We decided to make a short video of Rocky doing some of the many tricks he can do. He gets so excited for a treat, he would do tricks forever. He is probably the best dog we have had, and the smartest.

Sore

2010-09-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Some of you are aware that I have been walking for years. I have added other things here and there because I need to but I can't seem to keep doing them. A friend of mine told me about a boot camp that some ladies go to in my area so I went and wow, what a work out.

Lunges, skipping, grape vine, jumping jacks, sprints, jogging, walking, running the bleachers, weights, planks, crunches......the list goes on and on. Every day something different, three times a week. I am sore!

Bones

2010-09-21T08:06:00.001-07:00

In a previous post I mentioned that we watch a lot of TV. We also love Netflix instant play. I like to watch past episodes of different series and watch all the way to the present if I can. One of the many series I am at the moment hooked on is Bones.

I am now on season three and so far I really like it. Why you ask, well Temperance Brennen makes me laugh. I like it for her honesty, She just tells it like it is. I think the world would be a better place if people could just be honest. I will say that I don't agree with everything she says or does and I like other characters but she definitely makes the show more interesting to me.

Now before you start worrying that I am wasting too much time, let me reassure you that I am not just watching TV, I am crafting at the same time and of course eating ;-)

Highlights summer 2010/ Parents 50th and Family Reunion

2010-09-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

On June 29th, around 4 in the morning, Me, Jackie, Tayler and Emma headed to Angels Camp, California. It was a long day and a little scary especially when we were in Eugene, Oregon and our GPS started doing weird stuff and telling us to exit in places there weren't any exits and then kept "recalculating" for miles and miles, luckily I had a map and it was a pretty straight run for us.

The moaning cavern was close to the resort so we went to check it out. I had a good time. It was fun to be there with family. I forgot how scary a dark cave can be to little kids. Heidi's kids handled it very well and we all had a good time.

Cute picture of Emma and Kara!
We all took a day and drove to Yosemite National Park. There was this rock that had to be conquered.
Yosemite falls was awesome! I wish I could remember numbers to wow you all but I can't just believe me it was gorgeous.
Chance and Jaxon had to conquer this rock. It was a day full of conquering :)
Emma, Jackie and Marc up close to the fall. I couldn't believe how wet we got just standing at the base of the falls.
Emma and Jackie close to the Yosemite falls.
This is us walking to a lake, I think mirror lake. It was hot and muggy but we all had a good time. Below my Dad and Judy enjoying the freezing water.
At Yosemite there were so many huge mountains with big bare rock faces and the one called El Capitan was on Jackie's picture taking list so every mountain I saw I would say "Look El Capitan" Jackie didn't think it was funny and I am sure nobody else will find it funny but I was amused so I am sharing. (Pictured below not El capitan)

In the picture below is a brown bear out in the meadow, hard to see but it was a highlight of Yosemite.
Kellie, Tayler, Chance, Cody, Jaxon, Emma, and Kara. The 7 musketeers.....they ran around all over the place together.
Alyssa, Jackie, Katie and Ashlee.....Don't know where Cortnee or Krissie are but they had a fun time together.
We were in the famous Calavares county (The jumping frog of Calaveres county by Mark Twain). There were frogs everywhere. On the sidewalks there were squares with a year and the world record length the frog had jumped. One of the world records was 0 feet 0 inches, I thought that was funny.
Josie, Emma, Amanda, Kara at the parade on the 4th of July.
Lora and Emma at the resort.
On our last Monday in California, we all got together and had a Family Home Evening. We had so much fun in California, I always have such a good time with my family and the kids just love their cousins. It was so much fun and the fact that we were there to celebrate my parents being married for 50 years made it even better.

Highlights summer 2010/ Wilson River and Saddle Mountain

2010-09-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

On the way to the coast you can see a river. People are playing in the water and look like they are having so much fun. So I had added floating down the Wilson river to my things I want to do list. Sid called and asked if we would like to go so off we went. The water was so cold but it was hot that day so it made it very enjoyable. It was a nice break from the massive amounts of TV watching and facebooking that had consumed most of my children's summer.

Another thing that has been on my to do list was to hike Saddle Mountain. I didn't want to go alone and sometimes it is hard to get my family to leave the comforts of home (i.e the computer and TV) and go venturing in the great outdoors with me......so I used my Birthday to make them all feel like they needed to say yes when I know deep deep down they all wanted to say no. So the day after my birthday Me, Emma, her friend Hannah, and Tayler went hiking :)
This is us on top of the mountain, we should have been able to see the ocean but alas we didn't. I think we saw the Columbia river and Astoria but there weren't any signs telling us what we were seeing so I am just guessing. It was a beautiful hike, I hear it is spectacular in the spring, so I guess I will have to go back and do this hike again. Next time I will drag the rest of the family along.

Highlights summer 2010/ Ape caves and Lava Canyon

2010-09-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

We were invited to go to the Ape caves and Lava Canyon on Labor day. Tayler had hiked the ape caves years ago and has told us repeatedly that we needed to go so when we were invited we jumped at the chance. The picture above is us coming out of the cave and the one below is us before we went into the cave. It was interesting no tour guide and lots of climbing over sharp rocks but cool. We went with the Steele family and the Cutright family.

A good friend of mine told me to go to Lava Canyon while we were there. The force behind a volcanic eruption is amazing! We were very close to Mt. St. Helens.
There were signs like this all over the place.......Look below and you will see two crazy men that did not stay on the trails.....I think I won't say anymore about that.

The suspension bridge at Lava canyon was fun, kinda scary but made the trip exciting. Need to go back when it isn't so cold.

Eagle Scout

2010-08-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

Tayler is an Eagle Scout!
It won't be 100% official until we get the paperwork back but it is official enough for me
Congratulations Tayler on this huge accomplishment!

Container Garden

2010-07-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Since we don't have enough room in our back yard to have a garden we decided to plant some squash and tomatoes in containers and see how they would do. I think I like container gardening, and will do it on a larger scale next year. We are supporting the tomatoes with 6' bamboo sticks, it is hard to see in the photo but the 2nd one from the right an early goliath tomato is now taller than the stick. The one on the right a sugar plum tomato is almost as tall. The one on the left is a beefmaster and is starting to take off with the warmer weather we had. The second from the left is a bush early girl. Then we have 2 yellow squash and 2 zucchini plants. I am surprised that they are doing so well with all of the cold weather we have been having. We have only had a couple of days in the 80's.

This is a close up of the tomatoes on the early goliath. The biggest is almost tennis ball size. Now if they would only turn red!

Black Powder and Carbide Cannon Fun!!

2010-06-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

This is a 8" Black powder cannon I found at work. I thought it would be fun to buy some powder and try it out. So we bought some pyrodex powder (black powder substitute) and headed out to Sid's house.
This is our fourth attempt, the first couple were pretty sad. We started with 10 grains of powder and worked our way up to this shot with 30 grains. Please forgive the poor quality videos, they were taken with our cell phones because we left our cameras home.

This is our fifth shot with a 40 grain charge. It is really loud, and lots of fun. We decided to stop at 40 grains before we overcharged and had an accident.

This is Sid's Carbide cannon. After shooting a bunch of times he started putting a potato slug in the barrel and shooting it. It was pretty cool, and a lot safer than the Black powder cannon.

National Guard

2010-04-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to go to a parade to welcome home our National Guard. Some of the troops are still in Kuwait because of the recent eruption of the volcano in Iceland so hopefully they will feel the love from our area.

I know so many people who think we shouldn't be at war, I agree lets just pack up all the bad guys in the world and put them somewhere where they can't hurt any of the non warring people and let them blow each other away........in a perfect world huh. War is bad and I hate it, I hate that it seems to be a necessity.

On the other hand I am so thankful for the men and women that are willing to put there LIVES on the line for thousands and thousand of people who think we Americans are just sticking our noses where they don't belong......I am thankful that they are willing to do this day in and day out and that their FAMILIES are willing to live without them for long stretches of time so that they can HELP others. I feel justified in my feelings because my Nephew put his LIFE on the line, my Brother put his LIFE on the line and my Brother-in-law put his LIFE on the line for others.

I like this quote.....and someday in a perfect world maybe this could happen :)

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.

John E. Southard

Dirty word

2010-03-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Over my lifetime I have found one word that strikes fear in me to my very core. CANCER! I hate that word. I hate what it means and what it does to people and families.

Today my Dad is going to have his prostate removed. I just want to cry. I know he will be ok and that it is a very curable cancer but I hate it just the same. Today will be filled with praying and distractions.

Silver lining: I have seen amazing miracles where cancer is involved. My amazing sister who is one of the strongest people I know has beaten cancer and I am so thankful she did, life wouldn't be the same without her or any of my family. I am so very thankful for family.

It was an honor

2010-03-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

I have heard these word from Movie stars and pop artists and have thought they didn't really mean it. Well the Nerd Herd was nominated for the think award yesterday at state, and I think it was an honor just being nominated. Getting third before the finals was an amazing accomplishment.

It was also an honor to watch our team get out there and battle and work hard and not get discouraged and just keep trying. It got a little brutal in the finals, we were smashed and bashed quite a bit and me as a Mom was a little perturbed but if the tide had changed I would have been all for our bot doing more pushing so that being said I am very glad we got this opportunity.

Things we need to remember. Human nature is to win no matter what.....even if we think it isn't nice. So be tough. Don't give up and give it your all. Be gracious in the winning and the losing, something the Nerd Herd does very well. The number one thing though would be to Have Fun!

Thank you Sid and Chan Hei, Dan and all the parents for all the hours and hours of service to our kids. Thank you for teaching them that learning is fun and that they can do it. Can't wait to see what next year brings!

OSU

2010-02-14T10:00:00.001-08:00

(Mars rover running over part of the Nerd Herd)
The university has inspired my son....Love it!! Hopefully if that is where he wants to go he will work hard and make it there.

FTC was yesterday, with a few changes our bot didn't seem to have as many problems as last week. So we went we battled, we were in 6th place and ended up getting alliances with some teams that we weren't sure about. In elimination round we won one and lost two so we had to wait to see if we were going to get a trophy. We were nominated for four different trophies: Innovate award (think outside the box), PTC Design award (Robot design), Think award (excellent journaling), Inspire award (Truly embodied the challenge). We received the PTC Design award so we will be headed to State later this month! All their hard work paid off.

Highlights of the day:

1)When our bot shot 6 balls into the net on autonomous mode

2)Watching our team work with an alliance to stop the clapper(it had hands and would clap when it got points), a robot with a very simple design but always got mega points because no one thought to dump all the balls out of the tubes so it couldn't get any balls. Way to go Tayler and Aaron, Sydney, Kiley,Kyrie, Annika.

3)Watching Tayler and most of the team get ran over by a big robot that the university had. Prototype mars rover, that the university is working on.

4) Looking at Sid when our team was nominated for many awards, and seeing his thumbs up and smile when they got an award :)

5) Seeing the smile on the kids faces when they won!

Way to go Nerd Herd!

(this is us teamed up with the Clapper. Both robots were malfunctioning; we couldn't shoot....the clapper couldn't dump balls from the tubes, so we worked together to get it done.)

Nerd Herd formerly known as Banks Bots

2010-02-08T14:08:00.001-08:00

We are no longer the banks bots..... just call us the Nerd Herd! The team has graduated from FLL (first lego league) to FTC (first tech challenge). What a great group of kids. In the first few pictures here, our robot was on autonomous mode....all programed no help from the kids. For 30 seconds all the bots could do as much as they could before the time was up. Our bot was programmed to shoot the balls in the net. I think it got in 5 one time and if the Kracken hadn't stuck it was supposed to do 8.

After the 30 seconds of hands free then the kids got to manually control the bot for two minutes, using xbox controllers. Tayler and Aaron were the driver and the shooter and ball loader (one control for moving, one for the other functions). They work really well together. For the last 30 seconds there were some bins outside of the ring that they could shoot the balls into.

The point system goes like this. Balls in base below net- 1 point. Balls in net- 5 points. Balls in bins- 10 points. During autonomous mode all points made double, and if you release the balls from the towers (four of them at corners of ring) that is worth 5 points. For every round you win you get two points, tie one point, lose 0 points. Each team got 5 runs, them and their team (four bots per run, two to a team) shared points and then if they got more points than the opposing team and won they got the other teams points also. Whew are you still with me.

So all the points added up put you in a place at the end. We were 5th out of 24. We were one of twelve that went to elimination rounds. THEN after all that, the teams got to pick alliances for the elimination rounds, it ended up being 4 teams total with three teams making the alliance. On elimination round, they run 3 times. Sadly we didn't win either one of ours so we will be going to Corvallis next weekend to try again for the chance to go to state.

After the autonomous mode our bot had a glitch and couldn't pick up anymore balls or shoot them soooo it got to play defense, get in the other bots way so they can't score. Below we are trying to stop the one with the red flag from scoring in the bins.

Short video showing our bot making one shot into the net before it had a glitch.

Out of the mouth of my babe ;)

2010-01-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

Not quite babes anymore but one of my children has recently made me laugh, so I am going to share and you get to guess which one said it:

We were watching Julie and Julia and one of my babes said: "I think it looks wrong when the woman is taller than the man"

Second funny thing said this week:

"I don't feel well, but it's all in my head"

______________________________________________________________

My Babe says not to tell you.......so don't let Jackie know I said anything OK ;) ;)

Sewing #2

2010-01-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure why I have fallen in love with aprons lately, but when I saw this one I had to make it! Called the Josephine, I rename it Emma. This time I really didn't swear, I swear ;)

Done

2009-12-29T17:08:00.000-08:00

Notice I am smiling.....and I didn't swear......just wanted to ;)

Not to bad.....lots of boo boos but I don't care, no one can tell unless they are really close and frankly only one person will be close enough to notice and he doesn't care.

Sewing

2009-12-29T08:46:00.000-08:00

Notes to self:

When sewing for the first time in seven or eight years.....Don't try to make own bias tape.....especially if it has to be 1/4 inch bias tape.......it might make you swear.

Music

2009-12-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

Today in church I was sitting between George and Tayler. We started singing a song and it just hit me, the spirit and motherly love combined with music touched my soul today.

Midas Touch

2009-12-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Now before anyone gets excited and starts thinking of things you can bring to me so I can turn it to gold for you......keep reading.

Enter Christmas morning:

We woke, we unwrapped, we smiled had fun, ate breakfast (usually german pancakes....yum), we played games, we ate junk....... you get it. Normal Christmas morning. I Love Christmas and I love Christmas morning. I love the feeling of love we all have.

Anywho George bought me a sewing machine for Christmas (I got it before Christmas and it is a story all on it's own). I have never had a sewing machine all my own so I am way excited! Christmas day after all the morning excitement I decided to look online for some fun ideas (I found some really fun things by the way). It was getting late, we were going to head to Sid and Connie's so I clicked off all my links, when all of a sudden the computer let me know that we had a virus......blah blah blah......long story short, I can find a virus anywhere any time, so if you want gold you will have to go to someone else but if you would like a virus I'm your gal.

As a matter of fact I dare you to go check out some fun craft sites and see, just see if you can get a virus....... I bet you can't :) Maybe be kind and tell me where you go for all your ideas and I will go there too and hopefully(fingers crossed) not get a virus.

Christmas Break

2009-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

When I was little my Mom would have us do spring cleaning. We would clean everywhere. The fridge was the most hated for me, and that is why it is a rare day when I WANT to clean my fridge. I caught a bug and off we all went.

It really didn't take long and we had it done. It wasn't even as bad as I thought it would be. Kind of like getting a shot.

The finished fridge looks so nice. No more "Science experiments"...... Yay for the cleaning bug, it felt good and now my fridge looks good.

OUCH!

2009-12-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you kick a couch! Not very pleasant looking, is it? What's your vote,is his pinkie toe broken or not? (this is George's foot, not mine)

2 Thousand 4 Hundred Miles

2009-12-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving we decided that we would go to Nevada to be with Hope and my family.

We headed out Monday night and got home Sunday night. We drove and drove. Believe it or not the driving was not the hightlight of the week. I had so much fun being with my family. I love my Brothers and Sisters and all of the in-laws. I wish we could have spent more time with Hope, she had to work so we had two late evenings with her and Thanksgiving day. We were also able to see Grandma Blake also, it was a nice visit.

I love being around family. We laugh we watch our kids get together and just have fun.

We ended the trip with a visit with my good friend. We get along just like sisters.....counting friends I am very blessed with a great family.

Thanks for the great week!!!

Driving

2009-10-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Woke up to a wet and windy morning. It's ok though, do you want to know why? I didn't have to drive with my daughter to early morning seminary!

Jackie got her license Friday. Such a great thing. I have missed having a teenage driver in the house. Hope was always willing to drive anywhere for me, and when she wasn't willing she got over it. So to have Jackie able to drive is great. She will really appreciate it when she doesn't have to walk home in the rain all winter long.

Now all we have to do is get her used to driving all by herself, I think it won't take her long. Yay to another driver on the road ;)

Give away

2009-09-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Ok I am following the rules, my sister had a link to this lady on her site, I checked it out and this site has a way cute purse they are giving people a chance to win so I am giving it a try, if you want to try it go to http://bluecricketdesign.blogspot.com !! Good luck!!

Love my crafty sister!

2009-09-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is the craft my sister made for me! I love the necklace!

Thanks Heidi!

Hope update

2009-08-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find a good picture so this will have to do. For those of you who may not know, I left Hope in Utah. It was her idea ;) As I am typing this I hope she got a job and is having fun.

P.S. I posted three time today so keep looking down on my blog ;)

Camping at Cape Look Out

2009-08-13T16:06:00.001-07:00

The week before we moved and I taveled to Utah we went camping with my Brother and his family and my sister. We had so much fun!! It was cold but fun. We spent lots of time on the beach looking for shells and just enjoying each other. I am so glad that family comes to visit so I can drag them on long hikes to see gorgeous views! Love you guys!

Two weeks in Utah

2009-08-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

We drove to Utah on the 29th of July. Me, my sister Judy, and Jackie and Hope. It was very nice to get away from the 105 degree weather we had just suffered through. Thursday Krissie and Katie drove Tayler and Emma to Utah. They had spent the week in Elko with my Brother and his family. On Friday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house. What a beautiful temple. Maybe someday I will be able to go to this temple. Jaxon went to the temple open house with us. It was fun to watch Tayler explaining the baptismal font to him.

We saw the Hulets there. It was fun to see the few people that we recognized. It was a great experience, I am glad I was able to take my kids to another temple open house, they don't remember the Timpanogas temple open house so it was a great opportunity.

On Tuesday we went to Lagoon. We were trying to remember the last time we were there. I am thinking around 9 years. That 's a long time. We spent the whole day there, it was great. We split up into groups and just had fun. Noreen tried to talk me into going on Wicked first. We got in line and I looked at the ride and started questioning my sanity when we noticed the line wasn't moving and it looked like the ride was shut down for a while, so I got a break and rode some other rides first. We had soooo much fun. I love amusement parks.

Wednesday we headed to Fairview to go to the family cabin. It has been three years since my kids had been there and not counting the Anderson family reunion on the previous saturday it had been many years since I had been to the cabin also. So many great memories were made for the few days we were there.The swing is a happenin' place, tons of time is spent swinging like a monkey. The loft is another loved place. Boy the memories from the hours spent there and the fights over whether or not the boys got to sleep their or the girls.

Cache spending some time waiting to pass out candy to those strong enough to make it to the top of the rope.

George showing us that he is strong enough :)

Karaoke with the girls (we were the only ones brave enough to get up there and do it)

Boy scout skits (they were the only ones brave enough to do those)

Trevor and his broken ankle, he went rock wall climbing the second day at the cabin and this is what happened. Hopefully it heals and heals quickly.

Saturday we headed to Tooele.

Sunday and Monday we went to Sutherland. It was very sad to find out that Wednesday our good good friends and cousins lost there 18 year old boy. We went to Delta to be there for them. I was glad we could be there to show our support. Our prayers will be with them.

Tuesday we headed for home. My good friend Stacey is so kind that she let us come to her house and stay. It was soooo good to see her and her family. She is such an awesome friend that she made a birthday cake for Tayler. Not just any old cake but one with jello and good stuff on it. We ate, sang happy birthday, ate some more and played games and watched movies all night. If that isn't a good 14th birthday then I don't know what is.

Happy Birthday Tayler!!!
One of the movies we watched was 17 again, makes you think, would I change anything about my life if I had a chance to do it over again? Check it out, tell me what ya think.

Wednesday we finally truely headed for home. On our anniversary I was driving all day and George was home sick. He went to Utah at a different time and drove home before us. Twenty years and counting! Happy anniversary!

He came back

2009-07-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

First before I say anything else, let me say I am so thankful for the men that are willing and able to take time off of work for a week to take my son to scout camp.Now that I have said that, let me tell you how much anxiety I feel for that week. I worry that my son is warm, well fed and not lost somewhere out in timbuktu. Every horror story we hear as mother's comes to haunt us while our sons are out in the wilderness. I was so happy to see Tayler, walking and smiling. It is such a relief. Not that I don't trust Men or anything. I am almost certain though that had a woman been at camp my son's back wouldn't look like this.

This picture doesn't do it justice, he will be in pain for some time. After all our talks on NOT burning since he wanted to do the canoeing and the rowing merit badges (which he earned, so the pain is not in vain). I am glad he is home, safe and sound.

Blueberries!

2009-07-17T09:35:00.001-07:00

Look at those berries! Emma wins the award for picking the biggest berries. We went with our good friends, Julie and Emilee. We went berry picking in the humid, sticky heat. But the berries were soooo worth it. YUM!

I love that we have all these great U-pick farms around. Hope and Jackie picked some raspberries on Monday and now we have blueberries and marionberries, we are looking forward to lots of yummy smoothies and shakes!

Summer #1

2009-06-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Schools out and we are off and running! Doing what?

Well let's see, friends, more friends and still more friends. Tayler took a Jr. Lifeguard course and has been working hard on more merit badges. Hope is looking for a nanny job, hopefully she can get one soon. Jackie is going to get that license now that she isn't swamped with school work, she also needs it so she can do some driving to Utah with me this summer. What have I been up to, well I got talked into going to Girls camp this year, it was fun but exhausting. Girls and girl drama, so much fun ;) Then got home and forgot we had booked a cabin for the weekend so off we went again and I just got back. Summer is up and running!! Hopefully I can keep up ;)

Graduation June 9, 2009

2009-06-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

She is done!

No more School
No more books
No more teachers dirty looks ;)

Look out world here she comes!!

Tayler's Concert

2009-06-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

We were sitting down to dinner on Wednesday when Tayler remembered he had a band concert that night. It was at 7 and I had to be at YW so Hope taped it for me. No Tayler is not a cancer patient, his father thought that since the do looked good on him it should look good on his son ;) Hope says sorry it's shaky she was tired by song three. I also asked her to zero in on Tayler because after all he is the only kid in the band that I want to see. Enjoy

I Love Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T16:31:00.001-07:00

It's nice to feel loved and appreciated. Here are my surprises... flowers and perfume from George and the kids.

And this last one Hope earned in a Service Auction from seminary. This is part of it. Thanks Hope!

Whirlwind week in Utah

2009-05-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have never experienced a real tornado but whenever I visit family I feel like I am caught up in something so big. We rush around because we don't have enough time, we laugh til we cry, then we cry til we laugh. Then it all ends and everyone goes home, back to work..... family...... life.

I flew to Utah on Tuesday, it was a great flight. Definitely the way to travel, but I did miss going to the Gooch's Bed and Breakfast ;) One of my favorite destinations (maybe this summer). My Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport and we were off. Went to my awesome sister's (N) salon and got my hair done (I am blessed with the greatest family) my other awesome sister (J) came to visit and we had a good time laughing and visiting. Drove to Tooele and visited with my other awesome sister (H) (I know you are wondering how can they all be awesome, just believe me they are) played with her cutie pie kids and then we were off again. Went to my wonderful brothers (D) house, they are a house full of boys and lots and lots of friends. I don't know how they keep up with it all but they do and they are raising great kids. My nephew was doing his last minute things before he left for the MTC, so exciting and it was fun to visit with everyone. We went to my parents house and I fell asleep.

Wednesday: I woke up and realized I didn't have to do anything that day :) Always a nice feeling. Got ready and headed to my sisters (H) house. She got her kids ready and we headed into Salt Lake. Three of us were heading to Womens Conference and my Mom and other sisters (N) and sister-in-law (J) were meeting us at the hotel. With kids and many schedules and things that needed to be done we didn't make it to the hotel until 5 ish. Met up with my other, yes you guessed it, awesome sister (R). We went to eat and then to the hotel to spend some time in the hot tub (my stupid back). It was great, everyone kept coming and then I went and spent the night with my sister-in-law at her parents house to save some moolah (Thank you!). We had a great time catching up on everything. It was nice to have some one on one time.

Thursday & Friday: The sun is shining! Yay. Most WC we have rain or snow or something. We got to WC later than everyone else so we had to meet up with them after the opening. At WC every year we sometimes go to the same classes and sometimes we don't. I went to a great class on depression. For the first time in my life I have suffered with this and I have to say Depression is Depressing (I think I might have that printed on a shirt) It was a great class and gave me a lot to think about. The man who talked is a doctor and he said as a doctor there is rarely anything he can guarantee, but he guarantees that if you are suffering from depression, Exercise, Reading your scriptures, Prayer and of course following the Word of Wisdom you will see improvement. We went to other great classes, tons of choices and lots of topics. If you ever get a chance to go to WC, GO!! It is an amazing experience.

Friday night My Mom and my sister (R) and I went back to Tooele.

Saturday: Tried to sleep in (WC we always get a little behind on our sleep ;)) woke up with a raging headache, YUCK. Luckily it went away fast. Spent the day, helping each other. It was great, I am thankful for my sister (R) and all her wisdom. She is such a blessing to me and others. She headed to Salt Lake later in the day, and my Mom and I went to my sisters (H) to play with the kids again. Later we had a sibling dinner, I have missed out on all of them so far and so has my older sister so it was fun to get together and eat and have fun. Stayed up way late and then headed back to Tooele.

Sunday: So excited that I got to go to the baby blessing! Kate is such a doll, and it was great to see Mike use his priesthood to bless her. Later at their house, Mike actually went and got the baby from someone and brought her to me, almost made me cry. I got to hold and cuddle her and remember how precious we all are. Babies........ they are a true miracle.
Then I went to one of my Mom and Dads resorts with them. It is called Wolf Creek, up Ogden canyon. By the town of Eden (beautiful valley). While we were there we saw Geese and their babies, the house that David O Mckay(Huntsville) was born in and got to play lots of games and of course sit in a hot tub.

Monday: Woke up to birds chirping, I think it was a meadow lark. It was very quiet and then I heard a little whisper "everybody it's time to get up" isn't that cute! Got up went and sat in the hot tub again, played games and just enjoyed being together. My sister (H) went home and my other sister (J) and her husband came up for dinner. We had a good time.

Tuesday: Got up sat in the hot tub one last time. Went to the Ogden Temple, it was nice. Went back to my parents home, my sister (J) came out to visit. Mom and Dad went to see Kolten get set apart for his mission. Then we went out to eat with my Brother (D) and his family at a Thai restaurant. LOVE Thai. Had a good time getting reacquainted with everyone and getting to know those that I have never met. It was fun to see everyone and just be there for all the happenings.

Wednesday: Woke up missing my family, I have only talked to them a couple of times. I know they miss me too. Looking forward to going home.
Went to my Sisters (H) again, to say goodbye to everyone. Said Goodbye to my Dad, he had some work he needed to do and me my Mom and sister went into Salt Lake. While we were there we went over to visit my Aunt Norma, I haven't seen her in ages or Karen, it was nice to visit with them. Then we went out to eat and went to IKEA, my first time ever! Shocking I know! So I have that out of my system now. Check that off my bucket list, HA HA. Said Goodbye to some of my sisters (N)(J) and headed to the airport. Said Goodbye to my other sister (H) and my Mom.

It was a great week, so much fun to see everyone and just be together. I love my family!

Oh No! Not again!

2009-04-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I woke up a little stiff and sore, from what? I have no idea. I don't think I had a rough night or anything.

I ate breakfast went through my normal morning, got the kids off to school, got ready for my walk. Debated on whether or not I should walk......... walked anyway.

Came home, sat down for a couple of minutes and TWANG! My back decided to have a spasm. YUCK! I spent yesterday, alternating between heat and cold on my back but it still hurt. Had a back rub or two and took some 800mg Ibuprofen and went to bed.

Woke up this morning still sore, not as bad as yesterday though. I have a trip to Utah coming up on Tuesday, I don't have time to be sick. I started picturing my sisters pushing me around in a wheelchair at Women's conference, not a cool picture.

Looked up some different Chiropractors and a friend called, said she had heard that my back was hurting me and told me about her doctor, so I gave him a call. Went and was adjusted, going back tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed that maybe I will feel OK and not be in pain the whole week I am in Utah. Come on back, lets work together here :)

Spring time

2009-04-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

Every day of my life, this little guy gives me this look. Who can resist that face, it just begs for attention.We get his leash and head out. The monkey tree is always entertaining. Jackie got an awesome shot of it.

This picture is to remind me why I need to walk, and to keep me motivated ;)

The flowers are all blooming it is so pretty, I am looking forward to the Rhododendrons and Azalea's, they always look really pretty. I just love springtime! Looking forward to more days in the 70's and 80's.

Craftiness

2009-04-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have decided to give this a go. The first three people to leave a comment on my blog will win a special something from me. The rules are:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to make something extremely strange.
6. You must post a picture of what you win when you get it.
LET THE CRAFTING BEGIN!

Who am I

2009-04-17T10:23:00.001-07:00

I am a little girl. Bare foot, hair flowing, running through the trees.

Care free.

Fascinated by the little things in the world like the color of a robins egg.

I am the awkward teenage girl.

Never sure about anything but doing the best I can.

I am the woman.

Mother of my children.

My husbands wife.

Wanting to be the little girl.

Not wanting to be the teenage girl.

Realizing that those girls made me who I am.

I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father.

Always praying.

I am..........

Emma

2009-04-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Today Emma is officially 12.
It has been so much fun watching her grow. I look forward to seeing great things from her.
It was a little weird to have my youngest graduate from Primary, but she is ready and I guess I will just have to get used to the idea.
I love you Emma and I am glad I am your Mom.

Jacqueline

2009-04-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone. Jacqueline is 16 today. I feel honored that I was chosen to be her mother. She is beautiful, intelligent, has a great sense of humor and puts up with me, what more could a mother want. Happy Birthday Jacqueline! I love you!

?

2009-03-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

What to blog about, that seems to be what I think about a lot. Especially after reading every ones blogs.

I have ran dry. I haven't even wanted to do flashback Fridays or anything.

Emma told me yesterday that I need to blog, so here it goes.

As of this week I have I have been trying to play Guitar Hero. For some reason my mind and my hands are not coordinated. I may have to play "easy" forever. I wonder if this will up my brain age.

I am learning how to knit. My girls have really taken off with this and made some amazing things. I am making a dish cloth and am afraid that is taking me too long. I might have to knit on "easy" forever also, not so sure if this will help my brain age.

Some ladies in my ward are playing volleyball a couple of times a month. I figure the more I move maybe the more I'll lose, ha ha. It is fun though and I have enjoyed it and look forward to more.

I talked my walking buddy into training for a half marathon. Not sure if we will get it done this year or not but we will keep at it. We walk four miles every weekday. I am also trying to jog every so often just to see how far I can go before I feel like one of my lungs will burst or my heart will fall out of my chest, I can go about a mile and a half. For someone who hasn't ran for years that isn't bad, I hope.

Those are a few of the things I have been up to. My kids are on spring break right now. I love spring break, I get to sleep in! 7:30 or later is a fabulous time to wake up. We are going swimming today and rollerskating on Thursday and in between I am going to force my son to do his scouting (yes I know I shouldn't force him, and that he should do all that scout stuff on his own, I say show me a boy that does scouting all on his own and I will..............probably not believe you). Make Hope get her senior project done before company comes and try hard to get Jackie to hurry and finish some of her Personal Progress and hopefully get her homework done before Saturday :) Doesn't that sound restful and fun :)

Hope

2009-03-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

Eighteen years ago today, I became a mother.

I had no idea what that would mean in my life at the time.

Looking back, it has been the hardest and the greatest thing I have ever done.

I was able to help make a person, a great, wonderful, beautiful person and I am blessed to say I am her Mother.

Happy Birthday Hope! I love you!

Dancing

2009-03-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

Last night the youth, from the three wards that meet in our building, had a combined activity. A couple came from another ward and taught them how to dance.
When I first heard what they were going to do, I was a little concerned because most of the YW in our ward have told me they do NOT want to do anything with dancing.

The man taught them and then he would show them what the dance was supposed to look like with his wife.

He had the YW stand against one wall the YM against another and then he made them tap out the beat of the music and then walk to the beat and then he told the YM how to ask a girl to dance and then he had them do it. It was interesting to see the looks on the YM faces and the YW faces. Looks of shock, surprise, Horror ;). It was great. A bunch of boys and girls ran from the gym. This didn't stop the guy he just went to it and taught them a few things and then had them do it and then he would add music and then after a song he would teach them some more and have them do it. He would have the YM change partners, he told them to never leave a date standing alone, the YM and YW had to walk to another couple and the YM would ask the other YW if they would like to dance. It all went very smoothly I thought. It was great and he really took the time to explain things to the youth. The only thing that was bad was that there were about 10 YM without a girl to dance with, my son included.

He didn't mind ;)

Heroes

2009-03-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

I like giving blood.

Some people don't, and I used to be one of them.

My first time "trying" to donate was a disaster (to me). It was at Women's conference and there were thousands of women donating. We walked in they gave us a name tag with little boxes to be checked off as we moved through the process. I did fine until they took my blood pressure, it was a little high, they asked me if I was nervous. Ummmm nervous is a nice way of putting how I feel about needles and most things medical. My blood pressure didn't go down so they wouldn't take my blood.

Giving Blood became my shame. I was so embarrassed because I couldn't do it. It took me some time but then I set out on a mission to overcome my fear and embarrassment.

Second time donating blood, I dragged my friend along. We didn't have a lot of time because she had a Kindergarten student and we drove together (that way I couldn't get out of it). We go, I passed the blood pressure test and they took my blood. It didn't end so easily. I got light headed and this little tiny nurse (probably 4 foot something and only weighed 90 lbs.) wheeled my lounge chair over to the side and made me sit there for a long time. My poor friend had to wait for me. So that is two embarrassing stories.

Third time donating. I passed everything again :) I decided to let them know that my last time donating I got light headed. The embarrassing part is that the person taking my blood says in a loud voice "Could I get some help, laying her down?" Then they put my lounge chair down so that I am out flat. I have never seen any one else do this but it works for me. I don't get light headed and I can leave.

Why am I telling you all about this. Because I think donating blood is a very good thing, you save lives! Isn't that amazing! I can't be a doctor,nurse or EMT because I faint at the sight of blood but I can give blood and not watch :) Give blood, it makes you feel good! Kinda like a Hero!

What!

2009-02-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

I am not even sure what to say or how to say it.

I am very concerned about our country and our new President.

Does he seriously think that 90% of new jobs generated in his presidency or what ever (I actually stop listening after a while, I start feeling physically ill) need to have something to do with building bridges and roads?

I sure hope that isn't what we have to offer to future generations.

SCARY!

Sixty Two!

2009-02-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

This guy!

Laughs at me and then tells me to keep trying.

I don't know if I should keep trying or curl up in a ball and cry.

I feel like an "old dog" learning a new trick.

My mind and my body are not in sync any more.

New goal:

Learn new things

Do new things

Keep playing Brain Age.......

Sandwiches

2009-02-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

Today my Visiting Teachers came. While we were visiting one of the ladies said that she hated sandwiches on homemade bread and then explained why. I have always felt that way.

What is it that we don't like:

For one we never seemed to cut the bread uniformly

So as she put it, "Part of the sandwich has thick bread and part of it is really thin"

Sometimes the bread had big holes in it where it wasn't kneaded well enough or something.

So as you are eating the sandwich it is a mess.

I just thought it was funny.

I love homemade bread, just not in sandwich form.

When I was a little girl I thought it was a HUGE treat to get store bought bread, we would pull off the crust and crush it into a ball, mmmmm we thought that was soooo good. My kids think homemade bread is a HUGE treat. Boy how times have changed.

Flashback Friday

2009-02-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

(Hope 1992)

(Jackie and Katie 1996)

(Cody and Tayler June 1998)

(Emma and baby doll that Mom made 2000)

Why

2009-02-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

Last week my parents surprised me with another visit. It was wonderful, the weather was gorgeous and it was just nice to have company.

Well the company is gone and they took the gorgeous weather with them ;) We woke up to more of this kind of weather this morning. I drove Tayler down to his bus stop, more like I tried to drive. The roads were icy and our van is just not a bad weather vehicle. Needles to say, I couldn't make it back up the hill. George (who is not feeling well) had to traipse down the hill with chains and save me. One inch of snow and we need chains! Hopefully it will all be gone by this afternoon.

FOOD for THOUGHT

2009-01-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

Sean Hannity interviewed Rush Limbaugh last night about President Obama, and I found what he says to be very thought provoking. The thing I want to touch on was that Rush said that we are past the Historical President stuff and the fact that he is the first Black President, He is now just The President of the United States.

I agree I am tired of all the Hollywood hype, he is not a movie star, he is not "The One" which I find almost blasphemous. He is the President, and he needs to prove himself.

Along the lines of our new President, what is up with him putting Timothy Geithner in charge of the Treasury and the IRS. I am not sure if I want a man that can't even do his own taxes in that position. Also if it is OK to say I didn't pay taxes because I didn't realize I needed to, or it was an "honest" mistake, why shouldn't we all be able to use that mistake or blame it on Turbo Tax.......... GET REAL! We would all be in a lot of trouble, so if the President was in touch with "the people" this would not be happening.

Think about it.

The Robot that the Banks Bots built

2009-01-19T11:47:00.000-08:00

Here is the Robot, that the Banks Bots built.

Here is the Banks Bots member that helped run the Robot.

Here are the challenges that the Robot had to meet.

Here is the table where the team showed part of what they learned this year.Here is the gym floor all full of teams and parents.

Here are our scores, we are team 914.

These are what the team was working so hard for.

Here is our team, they took third place! They did an excellent job.
Here is my Banks Bot happy that they did so well.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am not sure how many of you remember that when they compete they are judged on how well the robot performs, how well they work together as a team, they have to give a presentation on what they studied (this year it was global warming), they have to describe their robot and it's parts while being questioned......... it makes for a long, gruelling day, these kids are under pressure all day. If you look closely at their scores you will see that the first run wasn't so great(they run it three times, the best score is used), the light sensor wasn't working. My point is that under all that pressure and with the few things that happen, some good some bad, they as a team worked through everything and had a great time. I'm proud of them as a team and I am glad that Tayler has had this opportunity, it has been amazing to watch these kids the last three years. Thanks Sid and Dan for all the hard work and thank you Chan Hei for letting them take over your house every Friday and Saturday evening.

Remembering

2009-01-13T19:51:00.001-08:00

I spent today remembering:That even though little girls wear little shoes, they have big energy. That marble works is a wonderful way to spend hours of fun.

That coloring is soothing.

That little toys are magical.That keeping up with little girls wears us all out.

Snow Routes

2009-01-05T08:42:00.001-08:00

Guess what! We got more snow! Our school district is having school today anyway, Yahoo!! They have the buses on snow routes. That means that we are responsible for getting our children down the hill to the flatter terrain. Hope and Jackie drove themselves to early morning seminary and George took Tayler to the bottom of the hill. George said they were waiting for awhile and then he said the bus came from up the hill?! Does this seem a little funny to anyone besides me? Crazy, but I am so happy the kids went back to school I won't say anymore about that.

Young Women's Birthday's

2009-01-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

I am sure most of you know that I am YW President. Well we give the YW something for their Birthday's every year. This year due to a bunch of things I was not expecting, I am unprepared. This Sunday I need to have something, so I went shopping. This is what I found at Deseret Book, cute but a little out of my budget, so I decided to get a little crafty.

Lucky for me, I have beaded before, and I have all the crafty fru fru needed to make these cute bracelets.

This is the finished product. What do you think. This cute bracelet, with some beautiful pictures of YW and women from the scriptures. Happy Birthday Girls!

2009

2009-01-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went ice skating for the first time! It was fun, today I'm paying for it, I think it might just happen again sometime. Last night George, myself, Tayler and Emma went to Sid's and played games, watched movies and of course ate lots of junk ;) We had a blast, of course. Hope and Jackie were with their friends, having a blast, of course ;)

So now we come to New Years resolutions.

My plans for 2009 are pretty simple:

Simplify

Be kinder to everyone

Read the church magazine's from cover to cover

Study my scriptures more

Go to the Temple more

Pretty much the same as every year :) How about you all, do you make resolutions? Wanna share?

Church

2008-12-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

We went to church for the first time in THREE weeks. It felt so good to be around our ward family and of course since it is Christmas there were lots of visitors and more cheer than normal. I am so thankful for melting snow and warmer tempatures.

One of our speakers touched on something I had never thought of before. He was talking about his father and how his father always said that being out in nature is as close to God as he needed. The speaker said he never knew what to say to him but over the years he has compiled some talks from the General Authorities, and one of the talks that he quoted from said that if we come to church and we partake of the sacrament without the right spirit that we are basicly offering up to our Heavenly Father the wrong offering (talking about Cain). We need to be in church on sunday and we need to partake of the sacrament in the right way, we shouldn't just eat a piece of bread and drink a little cup of water. We all of course know that but I had never thought of it as offering up the wrong sacrafice.

I am not good at getting the point across, I am writing this so that I will remember it and since I speak "Lora" I will know what I am talking about ;)

Merry stinking Christmas

2008-12-22T14:35:00.000-08:00

THIS

AND THIS

PUT ME IN A BAD MOOD!!

BAH HUM BUG

Thankful Thursday crashes with Flashback Friday :)

2008-12-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

(Jacki, Hope, Tayler and Emma in 2000)

I am so Thankful for my CHILDREN and LAUGHTER!

Funny things our kids have said:

On October 14th 1994

We went to Lehman's Cave for a family reunion. In the cave I mentioned to Hope that Heavenly Father made the cave. She wanted to know if he hung up the stalactites with a hammer and nails :) On our way home from this trip we passed by the McCollaums house, they had a witch and a ghost hanging in the window and Hope said "Bonnie has a witch and the Holy ghost hanging in her window" :)

December 2008

We were getting ready for prayer and we were talking and things and Jackie had been ripping a thread off of her shirt for about 10 minutes and decided to scare Hope with it. She rolled it into a ball and flicked it at Hope and yelled "SPIDER!", as it landed on Hopes leg. Hope yelled, jumped back, rolled on the floor kicking and screaming. Hope has arachnophobia, but we didn't realize how much. It was so shocking and surprising to us all we couldn't help but laugh.

Thanksgiving 1997

Jackie kept asking me if she could have cookies and desserts before we had eaten the Thanksgiving meal. I told her she had to eat something good first, she looked at me and said "Mom, cookies are good". :)

Another funny thing Jackie did around this time, she was playing go fish with my Mom. I was helping for a while and she asked for a certain card and Grandma didn't have it so Jackie had to go fish, well she got what she had asked for so I told her she got to go again because she got what she wanted. I had to leave for a second but I could hear the game and I noticed that Jackie kept saying "I got what I wanted" so I came and watched for a while and on Jackie's next turn she asked for a card and had to go fish, she drew a different card than she had asked for but she said she got what she wanted. I said no you didn't and she said "yes I want this card, it's what I wanted".

I had to be on my toes with Jackie :)

Year 1999

Tayler has always made me laugh. One time I spanked him and he looked up at me and said "You hurt Jackie's brother". :)

July 5th 1999

I was upstairs working on the computer, Tayler came upstairs picking his nose I said "Gross were did you come from" and he said "downstairs". :)

December 1999

Our Primary went caroling and we rode on a flat bed trailer of a Semi. When we got home later that evening Tayler ran in the house and said, "Guess what Dad we got to ride on a Sam I am". :)

One more from Tayler since it is Christmas.

December 24th 1999

Santa came to visit (Christmas tradition in Sutherland). Tayler and Emma were scared and didn't want Santa to come back that evening. I told them not to worry they would be asleep and wouldn't even hear Santa. Tayler looked at me and said,"I still have ears when I'm asleep". :)

September 5th, 1999

Heidi and Brian came to visit and we went to desert mountain to hike around and have fun. Brian sat in a hollowed out area on this rock and said he was King. Emma started calling him "Brian King" (Lion King) :)

I asked Emma how much food she wanted on her plate, she would say "too much". It took me some time but I finally figured out she wanted "Two much". :)

May 2002

I was eating breakfast with the kids and we were talking about the night before. They had all been in bed when I got home from taking Jackie to a skating party. I said that everyone was asleep when I got home and Emma said "I was asleep like this," and then she showed us how she was asleep and then said "and it was cute too". :)

December 2008

We went Christmas shopping and George and Emma were in the hat area. George put a hat on Emma and said "Emma, look it's you" (as in it looks nice on you, total sarcasm, it was an ugly hat) and Emma said "Of course it's me, under this ugly hat!"

We were eating dinner and Jackie was being gross (eating like pig) and Emma said, " That's disgusting Jackie" and instantly burped like a.................Man. Totally had us ROFL!!

Snowed In

2008-12-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

Apparently we are going to be snowed in this whole week before Christmas. It snowed on Sunday, church was canceled and the kids have been out of school for two days and it is supposed to snow tomorrow, Thursday and on the weekend.

What better to do on a cold winter day than make soup! Here are some of our favorites.

West African Chicken Peanut Soup.

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1 1/3 cup diced onion

3 tsp. minced garlic

4 T. dark sesame oil

3 tsp. curry powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried red pepper flakes

6 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup tomato paste

2 cups diced stewed tomatoes

6 T chunky peanut butter

In a large pot, saute the chicken, onion, and garlic in sesame oil for about 10 minutes until the onion is tender. Add the curry powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and saute 1 minute more.

Add the chicken broth, tomato past, stewed tomatoes, and peanut butter, stirring until well-combined. Heat until very hot but not boiling.

Cumin Flatbread (Morocco) (Eat with chicken peanut soup)

1 1/3 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)

1 T dry yeast

3 T extra-virgin olive oil

2 1/4 t. course salt

2 t ground cumin

3 cups bread flour

Place warm water in bowl of mixer. Sprinkle yeast over and stir to combine. Let stand 10 minutes.

Add oil, salt, and ground cumin.

Using the dough hook, gradually beat in flour. Continue beating 5 minutes

Turn dough onto lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth-about 2 minutes. Dough will be very soft.

Place in plastic bag and let rise in the refrigerator overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Brush 12X18 baking sheet with olive oil.

Place dough in pan. Using fingertips, press out dough. covering pan completely (dough will be very thin). Lightly oil the top of the bread.

Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Remove from pan and serve warm or at room temperature.

(Very yummy together, the soup is spicey. Sorry this is double spacing?)

Another Favorite is Minestrone soup (Serves 16-20)

1/2 cup olive oil .................2 cups canned tomatoes...................2 lg. onions, chopped

2 T basil .................... 2 carrots,sliced ....................2 cloves garlic

2 stalks celery, sliced................1/2 head cabbage, chopped.....................2 lg potatoes, diced

1 can red beans (14 oz)..............1 can green beans.................... 1 cup shell macaroni

1 can garbanzo beans (14 oz)...........salt to taste .................12 cups vegetable broth (or chicken)

Heat oil in a stock pot, add onion and fry until soft but not brown. Add everything except cabbage and pasta. Simmer several hours until thick. Just before serving, add cabbage and past. Cook for additional 20 minutes or until cabbage and pasta are tender.

If you make this Minestrone you will never want to eat at Olive Garden again. Really it is that good! Enjoy and stay warm.

Lego Robotics III

2008-12-13T17:53:00.000-08:00

(Our team is 914, they ran the program three times. The picture below is the team cheering because they were able to complete one of the harder tasks.)

WE ARE GOING TO STATE!!!!

The Banks Bots have struck again.

They got First place!

January 17th they will be going to state.

What a year, these kids and their coaches work very hard to get to this point. Hours and hours are put into this competition, they meet every Friday and Saturday evening for about two hours every time and then the closer we get to competition the more hours they put into it. They have to build a Robot, program it to complete tasks. They have to put together a presentation, present it to the community. They have to be drilled on how they built the robot, how they programmed it, what they learned, how they work as team and sooooo many more areas.

A Big Thank you to Uncle Sid, and Dan for all the hard work they put into this every year!!

Flashback Friday

2008-12-12T07:51:00.001-08:00

(Hope and cousin Trevor)

I have been reading people's blogs about their children and the cute things they say (most have little kids). I really like these posts but since my kids aren't little anymore and the things they say are not quite so darling I thought I would share some of the things I wrote down when they were little.

I will share a story about Hope first. She is about 2 in this picture and at this stage in her life she liked to sing and dance. She would sing "Rock a baby" and another song I remember was the ABC song she would sing along with me, the cute part was when she would get to "LMNOP" she would sing "LMNgoPEE" :) Too cute!

Thankful Thursday

2008-12-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

Today I am Thankful for a Father's love.

My Husband, Father of my children

My Heavenly Father

My Father

Christmas Party

2008-12-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

Last night was our ward Christmas Party, it was very nice. Emma got the chance to be Mary, she was so pretty. I had fun dressing her up. The pictures are from the practice earlier in the day.

Joseph (Trevor) was so bored we had to put the picture up so you could all enjoy it and Mary looks a little bored herself. I thought it was funny how Emma got herself ready for the part, she kind of resembled a ghost :) She was trying to hide the dress, she didn't like it and it didn't help that an older sibling (Jackie) laughed at it either.

Flashback Friday

2008-12-05T07:45:00.001-08:00

Long ago our ward in Utah had a Christmas tradition, Santa would come to our homes on Christmas Eve. Here is one of our girls unhappy and if you look close Santa isn't very happy either :) Can any of you tell me which one of my girls this is?
........................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................
For those who chose Emma you are correct!

Sick

2008-12-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

The last little while I have been sick with bronchitis, first time ever hhhhmmmm does that mean I am getting old? Jackie has also been sick, poor girl. So what should a couple of sick girls do?

How about watch hours and hours and hours of......... The Office. Thank you Netflix and Roku.

Jackie is definitely hooked, it's like her own personal heroine :) (Twilight)

I am trying hard to not be bugged by some of the people but I am intrigued by a couple of characters.

Pam and Jim

Why are these two not married? I mean come on, it is starting to bug me a little bit, but I like them the most.

Next is Dwight aka the weird guy

I am not sure what it is about him but his stuff usually makes me laugh. Him and the girl that likes him :)

Not sure why but Kevin is the next person that makes me laugh maybe it is because he laughs all the time, my favorite episode with him was when a new lady in the office thought that Kevin was mentally handicapped

Anybody else like these guys? Definitely not my favorite show but when you are sick and drugged up it is entertaining.