The Grand Canyon

Jim had a birthday on March 5th. Our kids were gone for the weekend so we took advantage of the time alone and ran away for a couple days. Our plans changed last minute due to weather so we decided to head a little further south than Zions. I was very excited about our change of plans as I had never been to the Grand Canyon. Jim went as a "little pup" but didn't remember much. We had a very relaxing drive and enjoyed the time away from the craziness of life. Enjoying God's creations always seems to bring a sense of peace and calm for me. Enjoy the beautiful pictures and claim a second of peace for yourself!

Bobcat Award

Trevor recieved his bobcat in February. (For those of you who know as much as I do about scouting, this is the first award a scouter can earn.) He was presented his award by his dad and got to pin the mother's pin on me. He was very excited to get his first award, but a little nervous about poking me with the pin. Way to go Trevor!

Grandparents Day

Ellie had Grandparent's Day in her 2nd grade classroom last month. They performed a 30 minute program-singing, dancing, and reciting poems. Ellie did a great job. Here is a picture of her with her teacher, Mrs. Whetman.

So......I guess it has been a while since I have written anything. Life has been "normal" and mellow for the last little while and I guess I am just enjoying it too much. I have been spending my free time planning-- menus, food storage, garden plans, and emergency information and enjoying reading some books that my sister-in-law recommended. I will try to find something exciting to blog about soon.... but for the moment I am going to enjoy my relatively "quiet" life (as quiet as it can be with 5 kids running amuck) and finish getting organized (is that possible???).

Pinewood Derby

Alex and Trevor raced in the Pinewood Derby last Thursday with their scout troop. They worked really hard to design and paint their cars and did a fantastic job. Trevor's "cheese car" took 2nd place overall. Alex's car did not fare so well but he was a great sport and had a good time. Way to go boys!

In memory of Tipo

Our pet tortoise, Tipo died last Sunday. It is amazing how quickly pets become a part of the family. When Jim and I first got married, I teased him about his turtles and wondered how he could be so attached to little creatures that just sit and do nothing all day. Then, I started taking care of them and watching them as I worked on the computer and quickly grew to love them. I was amazed how much personality turtles can have. Tipo was very active and was always hungry. He would eat his food and then bully Logo out of his. He loved when we talked to him or pet his head and would get very active when I had music on in the room. Logo is a little antisocial and prefers hiding under his log and almost has to be forced to eat. We were worried about him and thought he may not be well. Tipo had grown to almost twice Logos size over the past several months, so we were shocked when we found Tipo dead on Sunday.

Let them be little.....

There is a country song by Billy Dean that says "Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up way too soon...Let them be little....cause they're only that way for a while".... Last weekend I went to visit my family in Tooele and was reminded again how true that is. My baby sister, Carisa went to her first dance on Saturday. In the picture on the right, taken about 16 years ago, she is the baby on my lap. Now she is a beautiful, amazing 16 year old....driving, going to dances, and dating!!! My other two sisters are all grown up now too. Sara is pursuing her dreams of becoming a photographer and is a beautiful, talented, amazing woman. Alisha will graduate this year and bought her first car last month. I look around at my own children and hope that time will slow down a little so I can enjoy every moment with them. So, I guess I will do my best to remember to...."Let them be little....'cause they're only that way for a while...give them hope, give them praise, give them love everyday...let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle, oh, but let them be little. So innocent, precious souls....then you turn around and it is time to let them go....so let them be little, cause they're only that way for a while."

The "man house"

Jim is lamenting the loss of his last claim to his man house as I painted the kitchen over New Years. It has been a joke between us about his man house. He really did a great job being a single dad and managing a home and all his duties but the house definatley lacked a womans touch. Lots and lots of blue, turtles in the front room, and some dust bunnies all have slowly disappeared. He has been a great sport about it all and even though he struggles to admit it, I think he approves of our new home.

Snow,Snow, Snow!!!

Cedar City has become a winter wonderland. The kids have loved sledding in the front yard and plowing with dad on the four-wheeler.

Christmas 2008

Our first Christmas together was a marvelous one. We were able to have all the kids together and Jim had two and a half days off! Christmas Eve was spent at Jim's parents in Hurricane. We made Vietnamese food for dinner, decorated cookies for Santa, acted out the nativity, and opened a present from grandma and grandpa. The kids had been so excited for Santa to come that they had been getting up early every morning for two weeks. We were worried we would be getting up very early Christmas morning but I guess the kids were worn out from so many early mornings and we were able to sleep in until 6:30. The kids were so excited with their presents but dissapointed that Santa forgot to bring them a dog. The rest of the day was spent playing the wii, hungry hippos, transformers, and learning how to train Ellie's interactive dog. Jim even made us hootenannies (yum!). My family traveled down to celebrate with us, braving snowy roads and windy conditions. We were so glad to have some time with them. Holidays are always better when shared with those we love.