Monday's Memory--The Camping Suitcase

Well, it's really just an old, metal suitcase.  I can't even remember where it came from.  But it went on all of our camping trips with us. And it did double duty.  As all suitcases, it transported our clothes.  But it also served as a table at bed time.  After dark, and the campfire was out, we would all go into the tent to play games.  We would put the lantern on top of the closed suitcase so we could have light.  When we were ready for bed, we would turn off the lantern and watch it go out.  It would get dark except for a little "bubble" that would expand and contract, glowing all the while.  Finally it would "pop" out, and the tent would be dark.  We then would go through our good nights...(like the Waltons)...good night Todd, good night Amy, good night mom, good night grandma.  Those were some fantastic times.  And this old friend was a part of them.

It's Back

Todd figured out a way to get the hammock back up and the kids loved it.

Happy Birthday, Amy

Today Amy turned 34!  I can't figure out where the time has gone.  Anyway, she started her day with her birthday pancakes.  Happy birthday, sweetheart.  I love you bunches.

Getting Wet!

 During our most recent visit to Disneyland, Carson and Wyatt talked Todd into going on Grizzly Rapids.  It was pretty late and not very warm, so I wasn't about to join them.  It looks like Todd got the worst of it!

Monday's Memory--Amy's birth

With Amy's birthday this week, I thought I'd share some thoughts and memories about her entry into this world.  My pregnancy with Amy was great...no morning sickness, no complications, felt good, and gained only 20-22 pounds.  The day before she was due, I woke up at 4 something in the morning with contractions, only they didn't hurt.  This couldn't be it!  I timed them and they were regular and pretty close together.  I woke up Dave to see if I was timing them right.  I was, so we called the doctor and he said to come right in.  We picked up mom (she was going to stay with Todd) and told her we'd probably be right back.  This can't be it, it didn't hurt!  At the hospital, they said I was in labor.  The doctor came in to check on me, broke my water, and went to change his clothes.  Then it hit!  I had a 20 minute (at least it seems like 20 minutes to me) contraction that DID HURT.  But, in a few minutes, the doctor came back in and said that I was dilated to 10!  (I tell you, that was some 20 minutes!) The baby was pretty high up, so I was probably going to have to do some pushing.  With Todd, I had to push for an hour!  Anyway, the delivery room was empty, so they wheeled me into it.  As the doctor was putting his gloves on, he told me to push just to see how it was going...Yikes, there was the baby's head!  20 minutes of real labor, one push, and Amy was born at 6:12AM .  She was a pretty big girl, 9 pounds, 3 ounces, and 21 inches long.

Whassup?

The other day, as we were walking to the park, I looked down at Owen in the stroller.  He had taken his hat and changed it to be sidewise.  He looked so cute, I couldn't resist a photo shoot.

Monday's Memory--Greeley football

One of my funniest memories from Greeley was our football games on the hospital lawn.  We would gather on Monday afternoons, so the missionaries could join us, and would play a rousing game of tag football.  We didn't play very well, but we had a lot of fun, and usually ended up laughing more than playing.  I'm the girl with the large rollers in my hair.  I had long hair that frizzed up, hence, the large rollers to straighten it out (for a while, anyway).

...Starring Carson

Thursday was Carson's choir performance and all I can say is...a star is born!  Of course, I'm prejudice, and I probably didn't look at anyone else, but in my opinion, he stole the show.  And a lot of other, non-prejudiced people said the same thing.  It was so fun watching him enjoying himself.  He sang his heart out, especially during his solo in the beginning of "Man in the Mirror".  But, I think the part I loved the most was watching him move.  He was right there with every step and movement, right on the beat, and with such enthusiasm.  I hope this is the first of many concerts for him...he's a natural.

Like Father...Like Son

As I was scrapbooking this page yesterday, I found myself smiling at all of the wonderful pictures.  Only the one with Todd and Luke was staged, all of the rest just happened.  I love both Tayson and Carson "helping" their dads with the yard work.  I love Wyatt having the same bathing suit as his dad.  I love Todd and Carson kicking the leaves while we were trying to get family pictures taken.  And I love that these two men are such wonderful examples for their sons.

Monday's Memory--Heads

Heads, you say?  Yep, heads.  When Todd was in Mrs. Koto's  4th grade class, they made bigger-than-life paper-mache heads and dressed then in clothes smuggled from home as a surprise for the parents.

  







Two years later, Amy was in that very same class.

If your know me at all, you know that I have a hard time throwing anything away that my kids made.  So for years, those heads have been proudly displayed on the top of my bookcase.  Finally, when I was ready to re-do my room, I needed to to something with them...so a picture was taken and the heads were trashed!

Easter

This Easter caused my testimony of the "plan of happiness" and the resurrection to grow.  I miss Ann.  And as I was thinking about her, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I know we live on after we die.  I know that our life here has a purpose.  I know that Jesus Christ made it possible for us to live forever.  I know that I will see Ann again.  I am so very thankful for a loving Heavenly Father that was willing to let His son suffer and die that I might live.  And I am so grateful to Jesus Christ for His sacrifice.  He didn't have to.  In the end, I think he didn't even want to.  But NEVERTHELESS...He did...for me.  Thank you.

Meatloaf Anyone?

Wyatt and Emma love to help in the kitchen.  In  fact, their classroom published a book about what they wanted to be when they grew up, and Emma said a chef! Anyway, the other day, I was fixing meatloaf for dinner, and they wanted to help.  Owen woke up from his nap before we got it finished, so he joined in the fun. What could be better than getting your hands all gooey, diving right in to mix it all up?!

Monday's Memory--5 Generations

My dad's side of the family is long-lived.  My grandma died at the age of 91 and my grandpa made it to one month short of 98.  I realize that grandpa doesn't count because he's not dad's biological dad, but I don't care.  He lived a long time!  They both were living in their own home with just a little help until the very end.  Anyway...When we were up in Utah for Tayson's blessing, we made the trip to Twin to get a 5 generation picture with grandpa.  It was pretty funny, because we had to keep pulling the pacifier out of Tayson's mouth for the picture and then put it back in to stop the crying.  Luckily for us, grandpa was still around that next summer, when Tayson was almost a year old, to get some better pictures.  I love this one.
On a sad note, two years later, a few weeks before Carson was born, grandpa passed away.  As I said goodby to grandpa, I told him he had a great-great-grandson just waiting to come down to our family...to be sure to say hi. 

I Love to See the Temple

I love the temple.  I love the feeling I get when I'm inside it's walls.  I love the peace I feel while I'm there.  And I love the lighter step I have as I'm walking to my car when my work is completed.  This past week, I went to the temple just to take some pictures.  What amazed me was the happiness, calm, and peace I felt just being on the temple grounds.  The older I get, the greater love I have for that magnificent building and the ordinances performed within.