April 2011 Top Ten...Remember, there is no meaning to the order...

1.A. Guess who is the new seventh grade vice president at the Junior High? Yep our very own Giada!  Have to say her portfolio she had to put together rocked (it might even get its very own post) and she walked out of her interview with the current SBO officers and told her momma, "I think I nailed it!" And guess what?  She did.  Way to go Giada!

1B.  Easter...It was a special time to reflect on the Resurrection of our Savior  and we also enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa's traditional egg hunt.

1.C.  Yep, we really did wake up at 1:55 AM watched whole thing!  Nana and Auntie  Natalie joined us at Nana's house for the festivities.  Senior and Junior enjoyed having the house to themselves!

1.D.  Chocho and Bernina enjoyed a Bobbi Brown makeover at Nordies with Auntie Natalie, courtesy of Auntie Missa!

2.  Ninth Grade is almost over...Bernina was honored at the Eagle Evening of Excellence!  Also a chance to grab some photos of some of her cute friends.  

3.  Matching Easter outfits!  Some years it happens, some years it doesn't...Some years I get a photo of it, some years I don't.  This year they both happened!

4. Traditional Egg Roll with the Hansen's...we seem to make just about everything competitive...even Easter!  

5. Celebrated Queen Bubs 5th birthday in style with a Barbie cake!  Her birthday date was with Mom and Dad at good ole Chuck-A-Rama!

6.  Celebrated Bernina's 15th birthday! For her birthday date she headed to see The King's Speech and then dinner at Ruth's Diner (which happens to be the restaurant that Chocho's parents and Senior's parents first met soon after the "proposal" way back when).

7.  Queen Bubs was a mouse in her preschool play...what a cute mouse!

8. Sunday morning pretend primary with Sister Slick.  They made the shield representing the Armor of God. 

9. Lec/Dem CDT at an elementary school in Daybreak. Again, they danced their hearts out!

10. Spring.Break.St.George.We.Love.It.Seriously!

March 2011 Top Ten...Again In No Particular Order

1.  Wished we were in the Carribean (Jamaica, 2003)

2.  Climbed a few trees in the sun (which was almost nonexistent in March)!

3. Wished we were in Newport Beach with some cousins (Balboa Island Ferry, Jun 2005)!

4.  Practiced our earthquake preparedness and prayed for the people of Japan

5.  Wished we were in SacTown with some cousins ( Jun 2004 at Lake Folsom in Sacramento, CA)

6.  Queen Bubs and Junior took swimming lessons at the bubble...I mean the rec center.

7.  Wished we were in Hawaii (Maui, Feb 2010)!

8.  Once again, the leprechaun stole through our kitchen and turned the milk green!

9.  Wished we were at Lake Powell (Senior and Queen Bubs July 2010)

10. CDT's Concert Week at Capitol Theater..."Through the Looking Glass".  They danced their hearts out!

February 2011 Top Ten...In No Particular Order

1.  Chocho's work on Young Women' s Camp 2011 begins to take shape...Believe me after watching this video you will all wish you could JOIN THE REBELLUTION!

2.  Slick's photo shoots continue to pop up on my camera!

3.  Giada's science fair project won at the district level and headed on to state.  Smarty pants!

4.  Papa announced extended family cruise plans for 2012.  Kiddos can not wait!

5. Senior finally nixed our family tradition of pizza on the china by candlelight for Valentine's Day.  He has been threatening it for years.  Trouble is I can't remember what we did instead...By the way, old picture...Valentines Day 2004 at a church dance.

6.  Puppet Show at Queen Bubs Preschool.  Her hippo was a hit!

7.  Junior changed the lyrics to "Take Me Out To the Ball Game".  Instead of singing, "And it is root, root, root for the home team (ChoCho's version) or Cubbies (Senior's version)" Junior inserts "Yankees" instead.  He says he is a fan (like most of the rest of us).

8.  Built a snowman with our cousins.  Brrrrr!

9.  Celebrated Great-Grandma Howe's 90th Birthday!  Wow!

10. Grandma Elyse was in town and treated us all to yummies at McDonalds!

They Really Must Have Been Listening...

Down South...St. George with Grandma and Grandpa Hansen
April 2003
We headed to sunny St. George for Spring Break this year.  Nearly a whole week spent at Nana's and Papa's condo playing tennis and golf, enjoying the sunny pool, marveling at the beautiful scenery and hiking it too, hanging out cousins and grandparents, shopping and just plain old relaxing! It is one our family's favorite places to go.  The first weekend we were there was conference weekend.  That meant we did not have to head to the church but instead we watched on the television, both Saturday and Sunday, talks from our church leaders...it was fantastic.  The kiddos did pretty good and it was a very inspiring and enjoyable part of our trip.  We came home the following week and as Sunday morning rolled around, I planned to gather the kids around and review on of the great talks from the previous week The Sabbath and the Sacrament by Elder L. Tom Perry, one of our apostles.  But before I could I noticed something magical...the kids were all going about their day in a very-sabbath minded way and in a way that was an improvement over previous Sabbath mornings. They had remembered the talk and were each trying to improve their own personal Sabbath attitudes.  The ripple effect definitely was happening as everyone was inspired by the actions of others.  Mom and Dad didn't have to preach...they had already listened to the an apostle of the Lord and the result was wonderful!  

Not Just Your Ordinary Wall Decor

Was it somewhat angular letters done cross-stitch style with colorful embroidery floss?  Or some sort of florally script in an ornate gold frame?  The mental picture of a little wall hanging varies within my mind but the profound message it conveys something steady and strong within my heart:  "Choose Your Love, Love Your Choice." Read about that little message in President Thomas S. Monson's, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and a living prophet of the Lord--a seer and revelator just as the prophets of old, recent conference address.  

Sixteen years ago, I was lucky enough to have my true love choose me (he would say he was lucky I chose him...in reality it probably goes both ways...haha) and I have to admit I love my choice every single day!  Doesn't mean everything is always peachy-keen but it does mean I have power to use perspective and unselfishness when times get a little bumpy and if I choose not to, well, then, I am not choosing happiness. Feeling like you have control of yourself is important to me.  Recognizing my choices are within my control is pretty empowering!  

November 29, 1994
ChoCho and Senior
You can't tell that Senior is wearing blue socks (hey, they matched the dark blue suit he wore to the temple) and his tux is a little short (that is the reason you should try on your tux before the big day).  We also got left at the temple and had to call from a pay phone (no cell phones back then)  and have someone come and pick us up.  Yep, I rode to the temple with my parents that day and he rode with his parents (you know it is bad luck to see one another before the temple on the day of your wedding...at least that is what he told me when I asked him the night before what time he was going to pick me up).  After the ceremony and family pictures, our photographer continued to shoot photos of the two of us and everyone else headed home (without telling us or realizing we had come with them) to prepare for the rest of the festivities leaving the newly-married downtown with no car...once we figured it out we called Senior's little sis and little bro and they drove back down and picked us up.  We treated them to lunch at Training Table.  Kinda crazy but lots of fun!

Grammar Lesson

Cutie friend giving us our grammar lesson...

Be and Do.  Every thought about the relationship between two little words we use all the time?  Those two little words that are connected in ways that when understood can be life-altering.  Check out this talk given just ten days ago by one of the church leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  You can read it, watch it, download it or print it.  What attribute or way of being are you gonna focus on this week?  Following Elder Robbins advice, I thought back on the scriptures I studied this AM and decided that humility should be the "Way of Being" for the week...guess what we will be talking about as we drive a crazy carpool tonight (based on the evening calendar eating dinner all together tonight might not be in the cards)? Any suggestions for teaching kids and grownups about being humble?

A Little Slice

An hour later Slick, Giada and friend

This week we've been registering kiddos for school next year...helped us feel like summer is right around the corner!  Thought a good little slice for the week and for posterity's sake might be a glance at what classes they have signed up for...three youngest don't have as many options as the two oldest!

First day of school 2010  Bernina and a friend off to 9th grade

Junior:  Preschool at our favorite place...they've all gone to the same preschool.  We love you Miss Jennifer! Plus he will continue "Talking Time" through Headstart and the school district.  Still working on that speech thing.  He is coming along well.  Talking a lot more when he wants to but just sounds pretty sloppy (that's what they call it...a sloppy talker)...been stuttering a lot lately.  The speech therapist says that we don't need to worry about that now.  Not unusual to hear a 3 year old with a stuttering issue but if it is still happening next year we will have to work on that.   

Queen Bubs:  Kindergarten here she comes!  Might opt for afternoon though.  Never done that before.  Still haven't quite decided...pros and cons.  Heard that sometimes afternoon class is a little more mild-mannered and they seem to get more done in the same amount of time...But if she does afternoon on preschool days she and Junior won't have much time together (nor will I have a kid-free couple of hours).  Still leaning towards the afternoon thing.  She could walk home with Slick which would be fun.  Crazy part is that Junior's preschool is longer than Queen Bubs' kindergarten class...go figure.  Kindergarten around these parts is only about 2 hours and 35 minutes 4 days a week and only 2 hours on Fridays...

Slick:  Moving on to fourth grade.  Seriously...I can't believe she is already that old! She'll be in the wing of the school with the fifth and sixth graders...whoa! When I hear her in the computer room practicing her typing skills it kinda freaks me out!  Especially 'cause it just seems like yesterday Bernina was doing the exact same typing assignments and I thought she was SO old! Slick is gonna be headed to college before I know it!  Stop girl...don't grow up so fast.

Giada:  Junior High!  She is gonna try out the following:  English, Honors Science (which means another year of science fair...yuck!...but she is got the science fair down pat...this year she won at the school, at the district and was invited to the regional fair but we decided not to go to that...), Pre-Alegbra, Keyboarding Applications, General Music/Choir, Art I, Utah Studies, Honors Reading, Career/Tech Exploration, P.E. and something else I can't remember!  Giada has mixed feelings about Junior High.  A little nervous but pretty excited.  She sure got dolled up cute last night when we headed over for registration.  Looked pretty grown up.  I know she is gonna do great!  

Bernina:  High School Finally!  Signed up for Honors English, Honors Pre-Calculus, Intro to Health Sciences, Spanish I, Honors Chemistry, Release Time (LDS Seminary), AP European History, Debate I, Beginning Girls Choir, an online Fit for Life class  and summer Drivers Ed (yep, kinda crazy...she will have her permit in less than a month).  Bernina is kinda a nerd when it comes to school.  She likes homework...crazy girl.  In fact, as I type she is attending the State Math Competition!  Taking a two and a half hour math test...plus an hour each way on the bus...does that sound like your kind of fun?

Flashback Friday: Buried Alive?!?

Date: Late Springtime sometime in the mid-1980s.  

Place: Edgehill Drive

 I wish I had a picture...but no scanner currently available so we will have do without.  

The grass was green and the dark earth of the flowerbeds were beckoning to be dug under in preparation for the flowers waiting to bloom.  After a day at school, we all headed out into the back yard to enjoy the warm sun that had been missing for so long.  My mother worked in the yard while the rest of us played on the grass.  There were probably four or five of us (my youngest sister probably missed out on our fun) and we decided to get our pet rabbit, Mr. McGregor, out of his cage after a long winter in the garage and let him enjoy the fun in the sun.  Failing to realize that after a long winter spent in a small cage, Mr. McGregor had put on a few pounds, we laughed and hollered as he bounded around the backyard with several children playful (or so we thought) chasing him.  Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and the most awful, blood-curdling screams...sounds that no one would ever guess could come from a cute, white bunny...filled the air.  After a few seconds that seemed like minutes, the piercing screams gave way to a soft moaning and then he drew in his last breath and died.  We could not believe it:  Mr. McGregor, our bunny, dead of a heart attack caused by overexertion  after a long winter spent getting fat in the garage.  A cousin and uncle living across the street came over to pronounce him dead, gather his remains and help us bury him in the pet cemetery in the orchard behind their home.  We dug a grave and all stood round as we paid Mr. McGregor our final respects.  Imagine our surprise and shock when his little body was placed in the grave and he let out a little squeal.  "He is alive!" we exclaimed. Explaining, that it was merely the leftover air leaving his little lungs, our uncle finished the burial.  We nodded our heads in understanding, but still our hearts wondered as we trudged back home, "Bunny buried alive?!?" I guess we will never know...

A Little Slice Plus Apology

One month hiatus...shouldn't have done that...sorry...dealing with some issues preventing my desire to write...not big issues just stuff...some resolved, some not but decided that writing can still happen and creativity can still happen if I choose...so here it goes.

Top Ten In No Particular Order for Today's Afternoon and Evening At Our House (some of it is typical, some of it is not typical)

1.  Sunny and somewhat warm weather...not so typical lately

2.  Crazy dance carpool driving and dance for Bernina and Giada (Thursday carpool logistics are crazy not the actual driving) ...typical

3.  Junior High Wrestling Meet (Bernina must attend as part of her SBO responsibilities)...too typical lately

4.  No church meetings (yet) for Senior...not so typical

5.  Homework for all...typical

6.  Early dinner...typical for Thursday so that Bernina can eat before dance if she gets home in time from the too typical lately wrestling meet

7.  Early bedtime for littles due to number 8 (see below)...not so typical with usual Thursday carpool ('cause they fall asleep while completing the late afternoon leg and then want to stay up all night...I'll be playing music as loud as possible and driving with the windows down to keep them awake today)

8.  Chocho hosting Book Group 8 PM tonight...not typical, just a once a year kinda thing (Book:  Animal Farm by Orwell, Menu: Apple Brown Betty and Animal Crackers by Chocho...I know not too spring-like but if you've read the book you know that apples are a necessary part of a smart animals' diet plus it is easy and I need easy tonight due to number 9 (see below))

9. Nine children (five of our own, four cousins) staying at our house for the next three nights and four days...definitely not typical but definitely fun

10.  Super quick fast forward through American Idol...too typical for one or two of us...Hint hint (it isn't me and it isn't necessarily just the kids)

A Little Slice

Check out previous post...
tadadadadadadadda.....
Themes for our blank canvas project!
Junior: Cars and Sports, it isn't just nuture...it really seems his nature.
Senior and Chocho:  Throwback to young and in love days...which are still around.
Giada:  Her name spelled from veggies on a cutting board...she loves to cook.
Queen Bubs:  Adores yummy things...any kind of yummy things.
Slick:  Her name surrounded by lots of blond ringlets...she has been going a little curly,occasionally, lately.
Bernina: Pianos and notes...whenever she has got a little free time, you will find her at the piano (if she isn't at the sewing machine).

Blank Canvas

Typically, one of our Christmas traditions is our homemade gift exchange.  Usually in October the kiddos draw names and then set out to make a "homemade" gift.  We aren't talking just paper and sticks glued together.  Each kid makes their plan and their list of needed supplies and I take them shopping and then they get it put all together.  We have had everything from flannel board stories to bath salts to jumping roping song book to car ramps made out of wood scrap and lots in between.  It is pretty cool to see what they come up with and it is usually the present they all want to save to the very last to open.  This year instead of presents under the tree we opted to furnish our empty basement family room with a couch and T.V (the beanbag and ping-pong table were definitely feeling lonely).  I persistently checked out the Craig's list and the local classifieds daily and it paid off when we tracked down a cool red sectional that was the right size and fit the budget so we could get a new TV instead of used.  So, I suggested to the kids, it might be cool to keep our basement theme with Christmas going and we should figure out wall art as our sibling gifts.  They were all on board and since we had already drawn names they decided that we should each get a blank canvas and paint it in honor of their person.  The only criteria is that it had to have the person's name who it was representing on it (sorry, on my photo I blurred the names so I didn't give anything away).  To give balance to the arrangement, I did one for Senior.  They loved doing it and they turned out pretty fantastic.  Now, when ever anyone is bored they ask me if they can paint a canvas (I had a few left over).  I haven't given in yet but one of these days maybe we will break out the paints again!

Wall Art Christmas 2011 Can you guess each theme? Check "A Little Slice" tomorrow for the answers!
From Top Left Counterclockwise: Junior by Giada, Senior and Chocho by Chocho, Giada by Bernina, Queen Bubs by Slick, Slick by Junior with help from Bernina (Junior did paint the yellow and the dots), Bernina by Queen Bubs

Blustery Tuesday

Since when did Wind=Tuesdays?  I don't remember seeing that on anyone's math homework lately.  But apparently around these parts it has become an accurate equation or should I say, "It's a problem!"  Why? 'Cause is it Garbage Day around here.  Last week, made two frantic calls to Senior and the kids (it was an unusual morning...I left earlier than them) begging them NOT to put out the garbage after dodging cans and flying garbage as I drove up the hill.  They listened and we survived with barely enough room to take one more bag out yesterday (the recycle can was completely full as of last Tuesday...did not do good on our footprint this week).  All night last night, I kept dreaming that the garbage truck was coming down the street and we didn't have our cans out (guess it was probably the snow plows I was hearing)....woke this morning to more wind that last week!  I am talking major gusts coming off that mountain. Guess my morning will be spent upstairs listening for the truck and hopefully catching him as he comes down the street...can't skip another week else we might end up looking like a Shel Silverstein poem... but definitely not willing to risk cleaning up the street if my cans get blown over...they are over-the-top full!

Queen Bubs Always Has A Good Line...

Good Line #1:  Trying to take their minds off their hungry bellies on the morn of February's Fast Sunday, Slick and Giada started a round of SkipBo while Junior and Queen Bubs ate their breakfast of Cheerios and peaches.  Noticing the game and not one to miss out on any fun, Queen Bubs deserted her breakfast and planted herself in the middle of the game.  Noticing this I told her that she needed to go finish her breakfast.  Always one with a good line she replied (with a mouthful of crunchy Cheerios), "I need to let my cereal sog down a little.  It is still a little chompy."  Must note:  The day before she told me that her cereal was too soggy to eat and she needed a new bowl full.  Hmmmmmmmm...so which is it sis?

Good Line #2:  Driving home from Superbowl Party #2 (yep, we do two superbowl parties every year...it is pretty great) the older kids were discussing what they all had going on this week as far as schedules, homework, etc...(you know that informal Sunday night planning session that is a pretty important part of keeping a large family sane) and Queen Bubs pipes up in a very serious and grown-up voice, "I don't have a whole lot going on this week except for preschool."  Oh to be four again!

Post that was supposed to happen February First!

January 2011's Top Ten

(as usual with my lists...there is no relevance to the order of the items in the list...that would require too much thinking and decision-making...must save that energy for other things)

10.  Visit to Hardware Ranch...500 elk and a horse-drawn sleigh...can you beat that?  Miles and Siena don't answer...you can beat that!

9.    Giada winning a top spot at the school Science Fair...she is off to District...and did you know that drinking lukewarm water before singing is much better than drinking cold water before singing?

8.    Bernina singing for nearly 48 hours straight (a little exaggeration I guess) with the State Junior High Honors Choir...glad she didn't pass out (at least 5 or 6 did)...maybe its 'cause Giada reminded her to drink lukewarm water!

7.    Slick's trip down south with her cousins (and without her family, what a big girl...Slick how about a post on your trip?) to warm and toasty St. George.

6.    Queen Bubs and Junior finally deciding that they can sleep in their own beds ALL night long...if they get a piece of gum in the AM...my kids will do just about anything for gum!

5.    Senior's parents celebrating 45 years of marriage...Wahoo!

4.    Slick's and Giada's costume fittings for CDT's Spring Concert "Alice in the Looking Glass"...that costume shop is amazing! We've been had LOTS of fabulous CDT costumes over the last 8 years and at least two more fabulous ones this year...We haven't seen Bernina's yet...

3.     Daddy/Mommy/Junior date to Chuck-A-Rama while the rest of the yahoos were partying it up on a Friday night...that little guy can pack it away plus he is free...I think Chuck-A-Rama lost money on that night!

2.     Celebrating Grandma Hansen and Grandma Elyse's 83rd birthday days!  My kiddos are so lucky that they have been able to get to know some of their great-grandparents so well.

1.  We survived one half of the school year with good grades, happy teachers and happy children!  Less than half to go...let the count down begin!  We love summer around here...Chocho's new year's resolution...more time on the lake...although Senior's church calling does get in the way of that just a little, I am still determined to make it happen... ( Just ask Bernina if you need help with the countdown...she can give you the number of actual calendar days and the number of actual school days...I think her count down is actually a" no more junior high" count down...she claims is ready for the big leagues...or so she thinks..haha)

Possessed Snowmobile--Flashback Friday

All this cold weather...and I mean really cold weather has got me thinking about growing up in Cache Valley were it always seemed really cold in the winter.  But with the cold came some pretty fun times.  One time after a day of snowmobiling up at the Sinks in Logan Canyon we were finally home and unloading the machines from the trailer.  The elevation of our home was down from the street a little so we had so our driveway sloped down towards the house and then flattened up by the garage.  Directly east of our home on the other side of the street was a large lot that was covered with grass (and snow that time of year).  Towards the back of the lot (that was quite deep) was a big swing set and behind that was a "retaining wall" of sorts built from railroad ties stacked 3 high.  Beyond that was a giant orchard that stretched for acres and acres between our neighborhood and the subdivision beyond.  We were down by the garage unloading the sleds.  It was still light but nearly dusk.  I remember my Dad taking the first machine down and suddenly it took off by itself up our driveway, across the street, over the curb, over the very large lot, through the swing set and bam! right into the railroad ties.  Luckily, it had begun to slow before it hit the railroad ties...I don't remember a lot of damage but I do remember a lot of yelling and laughing!  I still can see that lone snowmobile cruising a long in the late afternoon sun all alone, swings flying through the air as it pushed them out of the way and my dad chasing after it! Thank goodness for the railroad ties...there was a lot of open road beyond!  Back then, I was certain it was a possessed snowmobile...but now I am pretty sure now it was a frozen throttle!

A Little Slice

Disclaimer:  In the interest of actually completing a post as well as everything else on my list there will be no links today...not that any of you would be disappointed just my own sense of doing it the right way...

On everybody's nightstand (or in other words what they are currently reading in addition to the Book of Mormon):

Senior:  New Testament, Conference Talks, Getting Things Done by David Allen 

ChoCho: Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriett Beecher Stowe, Delivered from Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey, Getting Things Done by David Allen 

Bernina: And Then There Were None (formerly known as Ten Little Indians) by Agatha Christie

Giada: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Slick: Rebecca and the Movies (an American Girl book) by Jacqueline Dembar Greene 

Queen Bubs:  Tea for Ruby by Sarah Ferguson

Junior: Max Cleans Up by Rosemary Wells

Blueberry Turkey Sandwiches--Flashback Friday

Friday's New Feature...Flashback Friday!


Date: Spring Break 1994
Place: Moab, Utah
Subject: Blueberry Turkey Sandwiches

College Spring Breaks...Those were the days--or were they?  Hmmmmm....Anyways, a fun-filled week at the Lazy Lizard crammed with at least 30 college students sleeping everywhere (when sleep finally took over...not a lot of sleep during spring break).  Imagine my surprise when a late eighties Suburban pulled up one night with a couple of occupants, including Senior, who decided spur of the moment to join in the Moab festivities but were too cheap to pay for the luxury the Lazy Lizard provided (more like roof overhead and plumbing).  

So they slept in their Suburban. 

A couple of my friends who had ridden down in my car needed to head back a day or two early, so being the gentleman he was, Senior suggested I let them take my car and he would be so kind to give me a ride home when the party-week ended.  

Sounded like a good idea to me. What girl doesn't want to hitch a four-hour ride with a couple of good-looking guys? 

 After a sacrament meeting in Moab, we packed up the car and realized we were all almost out of moolah...and realized we were all definitely hungry.  

Details get really blurry at this point.  

I do remember a stop at the City Market but most of all I remember eating turkey sandwiches on blueberry bagels on the way out of town...(surprisingly yummy) and I remember Senior's arm slowly drape itself across the front bench seat of the Suburban and touch my shoulder as we passed Green River and headed northwest towards Price...(surprisingly yummy, too). 

A Little Slice

New Thursday Feature--A Little Slice

Sometimes there are those tiny things that if captured give us a picture of what is going on with someone we know.  I'm gonna call those "A Little Slice." Thinking "A Little Slice" might become a regular Thursday post for me.  

Today's "A Little Slice" is a glimpse into the Recently Added file on our family's ITunes library.  

Disclaimer...I am not usually the one adding music to our ITunes and it isn't usually Junior or Queen Bubs.  Slick isn't allowed to go to Itunes without Bernina's or her mom's or dad's supervision.  (Note to self: might need to remind her about that rule...sometimes children momentarily forget certain rules at our house unless they are reminded frequently...) 

Should also add that I have a household of music lovers...all types...Pandora is favorite during homework time...Kids claim they do their best work with the music going...I don't do my best work with the tunes cranked...I used too...does that mean I am getting old?...Luckily adults and kids all seem to appreciate one another's favorites...that is a good thing!

Recently Added:

Mo Tab

Entire album

Lady Danville

Anthem, Love to Love, Tired Magician, and Cast Away

Mandy Moore

I See The Light

Plain White T's

Rhythm of Love

Justin Bieber

That Should Be Me

Thought I might add that Justin Bieber has 22 plays, second is Mandy Moore with 16 plays and rounding out the top three is the Mo Tab's "You Raise Me Up".  Hmmmmmmm.....and that is today's "A Little Slice".

I'll Take The Junk Emails

Little confused.  Same picture as previous post.  You are right.  Instead of feeling a little confused, I am feeling a little guilty.  After finishing my last post, I went to close out the open windows.  This picture was taken from a blog that posts a different historical picture daily and then tells the story behind it.  When I copied the picture to use in Monday's post, I didn't pay attention to the story behind it.  When I went to close the window, I glanced at the story.  Turns out this picture is from 1936 and it is the site of a recently homeless family's make shift home.  They are just off the road and the mother is working to make sure their clothes are clean.  I think I'll take my junk emails...

I Could Be Scrubbing Clothes on a Wash Board

Bet she doesn't have to worry about email while she scrubs those clothes!

Just spent 41 minutes unsubscribing from 28 different companies email lists.  Not too exciting, nor does it seem very productive but when I open my email inbox tomorrow hopefully it will be a little less full!  Found myself a little irritated at technology while I was mindlessly clicking away but then I realized I could be scrubbing clothes on a wash board.  But, then again, at least I would be burning a few calories at the same time! Tradeoffs...life is all about tradeoffs.  And I will admit, I do enjoy a lot of the tradeoffs technology brings to me...just not necessarily junk mail!

FILLMORE REVISITED

Picture Missa took on the sly on the way back from St. George this summer.  To complete the series we probably need a shot of the Alpine exit on I-15 North too!

This photo is hanging on the wall on in the basement.  One of Bernina's friends asked her why.  Later that evening, he told me "he heard the whole story."  After her friends left, I was curious as to how accurate "the whole story" was...here is what she said (and for the record it was fairly close to true life with a few little exceptions here and there...which I won't correct at this time).

"Well, my mom and dad were just really good friends in college for a couple of years.  In fact, people would say to my mom, 'why don't you and Senior get together' and she would tell them 'oh he is just like my brother.'  Then my mom got a speeding ticket coming back from Lake Powell.  My dad told her the payment had to be to a certain office in Fillmore by a certain time so he drove with her to Fillmore late one night.  On the way back he pulled off the side of the road and started kissing her.  They got engaged soon after that and then got married." 

Hmmmmm....it sort of did happen like that (with a few more juicy details). 

The funniest part of the story is that when we got back (like at 5:30 AM...before anyone gets concerned we didn't leave until 12:30 and there was over 4and 1/2 hours driving time which doesn't leave a lot of time for the other part of the trip) I had to be at work at 6:30 AM so since we were driving my car we went straight to my house so I could get ready for work and then I was going to drop Senior off at home on my way to work.  I figured everyone would still be asleep (just my siblings were there...mom and dad were out of town I think) so I got Senior a bowl of cereal and went downstairs to get cleaned up not realizing that Matt would be getting up early for football.  Apparently, while I was in the shower, Matt (who was probably about fourteen at the time) headed into the kitchen to see some guy that looked a little familiar eating breakfast.  Apparently, they told each other "Hey", Matt got his breakfast out, they ate in silence, Matt left for football and then I came up ready to leave knowing nothing of the awkward breakfast meeting of Matt and Senior!  Would have liked to been a fly on the wall for that one!  Wonder what was going through both their minds!  HaHa!

Practice

Saturday AM and I heard a sound in the basement.  It wasn't an unfamiliar sound, just a sound that I don't usually associate with Saturday mornings.  It was the ping of the ping-pong table getting some use.  Hmmmmm....I smiled. Must have something to do with the Friday night before. 

Little background for you.  For as long as I can remember, my Dad (AKA Papa these days) could beat pretty much any ping-pong player that came his way.  Until Senior came his way.  Senior had a reputation as being a ping-pong king.  Since then, it has always been stiff competition and no matter who came around, Senior or Papa would take them down. 

A couple of weeks ago, Papa showed up and some of Bernina's friends were in the basement playing ping-pong.  Of course, Papa, couldn't resist a little friendly competition and headed down to show those boys a few things.  Within a few minutes, he was back upstairs and commented to Senior, "There is a kid down there with a pretty good hit."  Well, apparently Senior should have listen up and freshened up his ping-pong skills because Friday night out our house Senior got schooled.  Big time.  At least three times.  By a fifteen-year-old boy. 

But you know Senior...he is practicing...hoping for a rematch soon.

(Ping-pong isn't the only thing that gets competitive around our place.  Here is a pix of Papa after an early AM thanksgiving day basketball game at the condo went south when Senior's head caused a trip to the ER and several stitches for Papa.  Good thing Senior has a forgiving father-in-law.  They made it back in time for turkey in case you were wondering)



Not Again!

Last week, I extolled the virtures of 1 PM church and explained my change of heart regarding later church time. 

I must make my self clear...the same does not apply to late Stake Conference (which we have today). 

I swear, we have had 2 PM stake conference way to many times in the last couple of years! 

Come on!  Give us a break!

Lesson From The Lucky Floor And The Poor Pan

So, I dropped my favorite pan (big, deep, saute-type, stove to oven, lid, non-stick, use it for everything pan) on the floor yesterday.  It is big, it is heavy and so immediately I was certain I would have a big dent in my floor.  I was alarmed and while I didn't necessarily cuss I probably said something I don't want the kiddos repeating.  I dropped to the ground to inspect and was relieved to find no dent, scratch or wound.  Phew, I thought.  Then I picked up the pan to return it to its drawer and I saw it...the pan itself was dented.  The whole side! 

Here is the part to chew on...How many times to we "freak out" (sorry about the lame term, I am in a hurry and don't have time to engage my mind in a better word choice) about something, only to miss out on the real problem?  I've been thinking this all through and I do think there might be a lesson or two learned from the poor pan and the lucky floor. 

Oh and by the way, Senior fixed my pan.  It is just like new again.  Wahoo!

Quotes from Queen Bubs

Queen Bubs after her friend headed home yesterday after a playdate and while Junior was still at his friend's doing their thing: 

"Wait, where is Junior?...no fair, he should not be playing with a friend longer than me! I need to call another friend."

Chosen

(photo taken Sunday AM as Queen Bubs was preparing to leave the hospital...just a few months before Senior's call to be our Bishop...note: no gray hairs yet)

Well, Senior might be a little embarrassed if he stumbles upon today's post but I figure it is my perogative to share things that make each member of my family special...

Today, he is conducting a funeral.  Cute Jeneal Jorgensen down the street passed away of Dec 28, 2010 at the age of 83. We will miss her but she is now with her sweetheart and that is a good place to be.   I don't have an exact count but I think he might be nearing 40 funerals.   We tease him about being the funeral speaker instead of the wedding singer.  The thought of conducting a funeral and all the things that come along with helping a family deal with the ramifications of death might make some of us a little nervous but Senior seems to handle it all very well.  To be completely honest, he will tell you that he feels much more at ease conducting a funeral than he does when performing a marriage ceremony (which he is nearing double digits on, I think).

With that little intro out of the way, let me get on with the purpose of this post: 

Words shared with me this morning from Allen, a son of Jeneal:  "Mom used to say that when it came to bishops many were picked but few were chosen.  After visiting with Bishop she would always remark, 'That one was definately chosen!'"

Senior works hard to make sure he is doing what the Lord would have him do.  He isn't perfect, none of us are, but his devotion to the Lord and to his fellow men and women is an inspiration to me.

Embracing Her Curly Side?

Recently admitted over Christmas break by Slick through a quiet whisper in my ear, "I think I kinda like my hair curly..."

But alas, it was apparently short-lived, as she hollered as she was headed downstairs to hit the sack this evening, "Mom, will you straighten my hair in the morning."

Maybe one day she will finally get it!  Till then, she is grateful for flat iron technology!

Nine O'Clock Versus One O'Clock (Eleven Is Out...The Singles Have A Monopoly On That One)

So, I've changed my tune.  Perhaps, it is an attempt to focus on the positive but I think it might be for real.  My love affair with 9AM church is over.  I know, call me crazy, but really you might want to call me undisciplined (more on that in a moment).  But whatever you call me I think I am going to enjoy this 1 PM church schedule for the next year.  Those individuals who have perfected the art of a perfect sabbath observance might not get where I am coming from but I figured something out this first Sunday of the year.  For some of us (meaning me), 1 PM church time means a definate uptick in the level of Sabbath holiness around our place.

 Let me explain (please note, Senior's Sunday looks much different than ours and he shouldn't be judged by any of the following confessions...he hasn't been home before church (or probably after church for that matter) for at least a decade and when he finally gets to experience an entire Sabbath day with his family I am sure his first order of business will be to get the rest of our priorities in order)...Anyways, 9 AM church begins in the hours prior with waking and getting kids presentable (kudos to the three older girls who definately help me with the younger crowd) and usually culminates in a mad dash complete with yelling, hollering, speeding, breaking the law (kids don't ever seem to get buckled in their carseats on the drive to church), and various other unbecoming behaviors.  Noon rolls around and we head home. Worn out by the 1. late night of the previous Saturday fun 2. the mere sight of a disaster zone left behind in the wake of the abovementioned mad dash to get to church and 3. the realization that a nice "Sunday" dinner might cheer a lonely bishop after a ten hour day, the rest of the afternoon is spent letting the kids entertain themselves (which often means a free-for-all)  while I (and the kids that are feeling helpful) get things put back together and get dinner put together. Hmmmmmmm...

I've often said I love 9 AM church so I can have the rest of the day to enjoy.  But maybe that is not a good thing when when it comes to keeping me on the straight and narrow as far as my Sabbath worship is concerned.  The first Sunday of 2011 worked like this:  Sleep in a little.  Arise.  Enjoy the peace and quiet as the kids still slept a little.  Spend an hour studying the gospel doctrine lesson (as a participant, not a teacher), casually visit with kids as they wake, explain to Junior and Queen Bubs that we are going to enjoy some Church music instead of watching "shows" before Church,  spend sometime with Slick problem-solving how she can make fasting a more positive experience, update some Personal Progress with Bernina and Giada, start getting clothes on and curling Giada's, Queen Bubs' and Slick's hair (that was actually Bernina who handled hair needs), got crockpot cooking, rolls rising, and jello setting, finished getting kids and self ready, supervised Junior and Bubs packing the church bag, hopped in the car and pulled up to the church with 5 minutes to spare and all looking at least 10 times more put together than any Sunday in the previous 50 weeks (disclaimer:  even with 1 PM church Junior might end up with sport socks on and Queen Bubs might be wearing purple sandals instead of her appropriate patent leather shoes)  Enjoyed a three hour block with kids that seemed alert and happy to be there (remember, I didn't have to drag them out of bed and feed them toast on the way to church).  Came home to the scent of a yummy crockpot full of dinner.  Set the table, finished up a few projects with the kids and enjoyed a nice meal when Senior finally walked in the door.  Think I'll tire of 1 PM before the year is out...Only time will tell but for now I am loving it!  (But if anyone is listening...I would really, really love that coveted 11 AM slot)!

January 1, 2011

On the docket today in no particular order:
1. A few miles at the gym (started that one last week...figured if I couldn't make it to the gym with all the kids at home--which for me means babysitters--then when could I?)
2. Visit to Office Max to purchase my annual desk calendar that I cannot live without (used to love it 'cause the big spaces made life seem not so busy...love it now 'cause the big spaces are completely necessary to contain all that is happening around here)
3.  A football game or two (go TCU)
4.  Pack up the Christmas decor (seems like the house is empty, but in a good way, once it is all put away)
5.  Hope Giada gets her science project finished up (wouldn't it be lovely to head back to school knowing that project science is complete even though the fair is not until the end of January)
6.  Enjoy one last late night with the kids (bed time is gonna be a major shock to some of their systems come Sunday night...we've been pretty loosey-goosey around here during the holidays)
7.  Finish A Tale of Two Cities so when the DVD comes from Netflix I can watch it with Bernina (she needs to watch it for extra credit in English...she finished reading it a month ago...I am nearing the half way point)
AND
8.  Sort socks (not that I really need to do that today...it is just that any list I make would not be complete without adding that to it...that is a never-ending project at our house)!