Family Outing

A much needed, good ol' family fun outing was had tonight. We don't see much of Ryan these days so we thought it would be fun to go miniature golfing. Jake was super excited. Sam loved it and set up every shot for himself. Mia was all about hitting the ball crazily. The sun was setting, the light was beautiful, the air was getting crisp. There was laughing and good times for all.

A Surprise Package!!

We got a wonderful surprise package from my lovely and talented sister Sharmyn this week. It was so much fun to get! Inside, she put lots of treasures that she had been collecting for us for awhile. She packaged everything up so cute and thoughtfully. It was so exciting!!

Inside, we found for the kids, a darling little boy and his puppy gift box with a card and a present in it for Jake, a little pouch with sparkly lip gloss for Mia, some fun activity sheets, a package of Pop Rocks, a tattoo, a Star Wars water bottle, a silver frame with a picture of Sammy as a baby and the year that he was born engraved on it and a small homemade bag made out of vintage orange fabric. She also included Mom's birthday present which she wrapped up so cute with matching ribbons.

For me, there were two sets of vintage pillow cases. So darling!! The one set is white with cross stitched red tulips and red trim. I needs to be a twirly skirt for Mia! The other set is a turquoise and orange print. So fun! There was a bit of vintage binding that is brown and white polka dots with orange mushrooms, a embroidered bird bag, vintage baking cups, and a brand new pair of cute yellow earrings. She also cleaned out her collection of jewelry and sent several pretty pairs of earrings and an awesome bracelet that looks like she might of picked up from India.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Sharmyn!! It was fabulously fun to get this and we love it! It sure does make me feel pretty guilty as I remember that I still haven't sent your package. So sorry. It will get mailed eventually.

Aubri's blessing

To continue the busy weekend, Brianne and Jake blessed their baby Aubri the Sunday after Jake's baptism. Their church starts at 9am and it's over an hour drive to get there. We were hustling out their as fast as we could! Just once, I would love to not have to hustle out the door. :) We made it there by the skin of our teeth at 9:05am. We thought the blessing was already started but turned out that it was just the opening prayer. PHEW! We got a seat and Ryan walked up to the blessing circle before he was able to sit down. I am so glad that we didn't miss it.

Afterwards, we got to enjoy a nice long visit at Brianne and Jake's home. It was delightful! Brianne asked me to be the photographer and had a list of people that she needed pictures taken with. She made the sweetest book for her oldest son that has the words of his blessing and pictures of the family holding him. I wish that I could do that for my kids but I don't know where the words are for their blessings. Anyway, moving along. I had a great time taking pictures of Grandma's and Grampa's, Great-Grandma's and Great-Papa's and the sweet little baby Aubri. It's very apparent that I was enjoying myself because I took around 300 photos. Hee, hee. Don't put me behind the camera if you don't want a gazillion photos!

Aubri's blessing dress was so beautiful! VaLynn made it for her and it's just so sweet! VaLynn is a superstar. Not only did she make her a blessing dress, she also crocheted a sweet little pink blanket (and a few burp clothes), made homemade banana bread that was fabulous and she is going to college to finish her degree. This is all in addition to the major stuff that she does on a daily basis. She is amazing and all I can do is aspire to be more like her.

After I took the 300-ish photos, I was worried that Ryan would be itching to go. I found Ryan happy as a clam watching the Indiana game in their nice, new basement on their snugly sofas with a humongous plasma TV. I told him that we could go and he said "Why? There's only an hour and a half left of the game. I'll miss it if we go now." I ran out of the room as fast as I could before he changed his mind! It was too much fun to have free time at Brianne's.

A Christmas present

My sister Teryn makes us a CD of all of the family pictures that she has taken throughout the year and gives it to everyone for Christmas. It's a fabulous idea and I really enjoy them. As I was going through the 2007 CD today for the first time and found quite a few pictures on there that I loved. Here are a few:

More on Flickr.

I wanna play!

Jessica was playing this game last night. Do you think that mine are right? I don't. I think that they all look more like Ryan!

Happy Birthday Papa!

Tonight, we celebrated my Dad's 74th birthday. My Dad is the best Dad. He has always been loving, kind and gentle. When I am stressed, he can always calm me. He is willing to help with anything and never complains. He's often there to help without even having to ask. He is strong and steadfast, a hard worker, a tickle hugger, genealogy guru, Papa dancer, silly singer, "papa peeler", avid reader, warm and welcoming, bird loving, graham cracker eater, licorice hiding, faithful and genuine father. I could go on and on. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

We had a good time laughing and talking while we ate Papa's favorite dinner, ham, red potatoes, creamed peas, red jello with bananas and rolls. Good comfort food. Mmmm....just writing about it makes me want seconds. We quickly cleared out the dishes and tables and sat around to watch Dad open his presents. Mostly books sprinkled with packages of licorice and of course VaLynn's homemade carrot pudding. He will take those books and read them all at once. He never has just one book going at a time. The licorice will be hidden in his sock drawer to be his secret treat while getting ready. The carrot pudding will be eaten warm with milk poured on top. That is my Dad.


Almost the whole family was there to celebrate. We missed Aaron since he had to work, Colin because he's not big on parties and Jon and Sharmyn since they live in North Carolina. We aren't a quiet family when we are all together. Everyone laughing and having a good time. After the presents, my Dad expressed his surprise at the how big the family is getting and how grateful he is for us. He said that he usually takes each one of us aside just to whisper in our ear that he loves us but now the group is getting so big, it's hard to remember who he whispered to so he said consider this your whisper. He's the kind of Dad that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I know that he loves us.

Mom asked us to go around the room and say something that we loved about him. Everyone said something about a personal experience they had with him. We were laughing, smiling and loving being there with him. I quickly wrote down what each person said:


Kaylin - He always helped me with my art when I was younger in school.

Jason - his sincerity

Davin - Papa would always sing his songs silly. He has a very special rendition of "Home on the Range".

Jared - He radiates love.

Chantel - Papa would often give her rides to work and she enjoyed talking with him. And then she sang the "Papa peeler - such a squeeler!" song. When they lived in Wisconsin, Papa came to visit and they were driving alongside of him. When the stoplight turned green, Papa peeled out and left them in the dust. They couldn't stop laughing about it and Papa made up the song about it.

Davis - He gave him a cute little wave. Cute little guy! He's only two.

Angie - Always felt loved and welcomed into the family. Enjoyed that he made an effort to give her a hug and talk to her.

James - His sincerity and always steadfast to the gospel.

Chris - Chris enjoyed when Papa would comb his hair to help with the scalp problems he had. Chris knows it's not the most pleasant thing to say but that it just felt so good to him.

Bradey - Always open to people and accepting of who they are.

Cort - Remembers camping with him and seeing his feet sticking out the tent with the tent zipped up around them. In the morning, he asked Papa why his feet were out all night to which Papa replied that Sharmyn wouldn't let him bring them in the tent. We all laughed. Papa's feet aren't the sweetest smelling things after hiking and camping. He continued to say that his testimony always stood committed.

Teryn - I love how Papa always makes us feel loved.

Ryan - Willing to do whatever is asked of him without hesitation.

Megan - Remember sitting on the back porch with the box of baby quail. How they were soft and tiny and watching Papa prepare a home for them. How he loves them and took care of them. I will always think of him when I see quail or hear a chickadee.

Mia - enjoys when he gives her "horsey" rides.

Sam - Sam has Papa's eyes.

Jacob - Jacob said that he was glad that he was his grandpa and he is nice to people and that he loved him.

Landon - Awed by all that he does

Dan - Admired his ability to always show up at meal time.

VaLynn - Remember feeling very special when Dad took her camping. They drove up to the mountains, walked into the woods and camped without a tent or bring food. Dad fished for their dinner and how she felt vulnerable without the tent but safe because she was with Dad.

Brianne - She really does like the tickle hugs. And she remembers riding up to Idaho with him and he would sing the Idaho state song never quite remembering all the words. Then, while crossing back into Utah, singing the Channel 2 news theme song since they didn't know the Utah state song.

Jake K. - Welcomed to the family and enjoyed talking with him.

Lauren - All of his help with her homework assignments and genealogy.

Chelsea - While watering up on the farm, Papa and Chelsea were walking together and he named a small tree after her. She often went to see her tree.

Aaron - He texted about his loving kindness and strong testimony.

Andrew - Remembering when Papa let him drive through the fields while watering when he was only 13. He thought it was great even though he thought Papa might be a bit nervous.

Preston - Remembering trying to catch a chicken on the farm. Dan, Preston and Papa were chasing after it and Papa took three big leaps and dove and caught it. He remember thinking "Wow! Papa is so cool!".

Elyse - Remembering him going on a field trip with her when her parents were unable to attend.

Debbie - The guilt that he give her over her genealogy got her working on it.

Fayth - Just really likes his tickle hugs.

Mom- How he always takes care of her, anticipating her needs sometimes before her. That he never criticizes. He is loving, kind, trustworthy and loyal. She never worried about him. He is a wonderful friend, father and husband.

I realize that this is a long post but at the same time it doesn't feel that it does him justice. I know that my Dad loves me and each and everyone of us. We are so blessed to have him as our father, Papa, husband and example. We love him dearly and happy to be so close to him.

We love you Dad! Happy Birthday!!

Love,

Megan

Babies!

We are going to see

a lot pink around here!

Angie and Brianne are both having girls and are due within three weeks of each other! I am very excited!! I have lots of girly projects planned. I don't know when I am going to get to them though. Hey! A girl can dream! Ribbons and bows and pink oh my! I am in love with the thought of your little girls growing up together and being little friends running around at the family parties.

Chris sounds like a proud papa. He said that he changed the colors of his family blog to pink while sitting in the waiting room. How cute is he? I can't wait to rub those cute baby bumps. Yes, that's right Angie and Brianne. I am going to rub your tummies and tell those sweet girls who their favorite great aunt is so just be prepared! Yikes! Great Aunt? That makes me sound ancient.

Congratulations Jared and Chantel!!

It was a beautiful day for a wedding. I really enjoy attending the wedding ceremony. Mia could not wait to see Chantel in her "marry dress".
I let Jake take pictures and I like this one. Chantel was beautiful of course!

At the perfect garden reception. It was so beautiful!

And Chantel's pround parents. Doesn't Debra look beautiful?

Everything looked perfect and ran smoothly. There was good food, friends and family around all day.
Thanks for the lovely day!

Swimmin' and bakin' and all that good stuff

Last night, we decided to take the kids to Cherry Hills at the last possible moment. We had so much fun splashing around! Jake loved all of the water slides and did them over and over and over. Mia took a mellower approach. She loved floating in the Lazy River with Sammy and I and playing in the Pirate's Cove. She was pretty cute bouncing along side of Sammy in his baby float. He loved it! He would kick his feet and splash the water and cheeser grin at us. Oh how I wish that I could capture that cheesy grin. It's hilarious! He does it over and over until I get the camera out, then it's all serious business. The time passed quickly and before we knew it, they were closing.
When we got home, of course we were starving. Good thing that we had some leftovers to eat immediately. Thank goodness that I have started to cook dinners again. Then we whipped up a quick batch of Brianne's Favorite Chocolate Chip cookies from the family cookbook. They are delicious!! Warm, gooey, chocolaty deliciousness.
Mia loves to help me in the kitchen. She is actually a pretty good little helper. She is so happy to be with. She really enjoys herself. I let her knead the pizza dough the other night and she was in head to toe floured covered heaven! It's been over a year since I have really cooked dinners. When we sold our house last year, I didn't really take the time and energy to really make meals. It was mostly shortcut meals at best. It feels so good to cook and bake.
Tonight, Jason is going to take Mia's pictures. I am soooo excited about this! He is such a talented photographer!! I love his work. Check out his portfolio and his blog. He's posts pictures from his latest shoots. I am crossing my fingers that Mia will cooperate. Now, to find something cute for her to wear.

Baseball and Baseboards

Last night, we headed out to the baseball game. We didn't realize that there wasn't a game last night, but fortunately for us, there was a high school game going on. We stayed and watched half of the game enjoying really good free seats.



Enjoying the view. It's so pretty looking over the field at the mountains. You can see the temple steeple from the field. We spent many happy summer nights at this field watching the games. We went to quite a few, even if it was for just the last few innings.

And cute little baby faces. Afterwards, we went to Farr's Ice Cream for a treat. Yummy! Then we took a drive down memory lane and drove past our old house and got some good fresh water from the "water tree". The neighborhood has had a few minor changes. Someone finally bought the really cool old house that we called the beach house. They stuccoed it and put new windows and took down the shabby chain link fence. It was looking nice. Our neighbor, Charlotte, finally had her house painted white and hot pink like she has always wanted. It's interesting.

Our house looked unattended. The horrible yard was growing tons of weeds. We are so thankful for our new home. Just driving past the old house and neighborhood reminded us just how much better our new place is. The old house served us well. We have lots of good memories there. We grew out of it before we moved in. Funny how we still don't look at it as a mistake living there. I guess things are meant to be.

********************************************

Finally after taking the baseboards out of Mia's room on March 1st, we have new crisp white baseboards in her room. It's so nice to have a definition between the warm wood floors and the oh so pink walls. I am starting to wonder if I will ever get her room done. I still need to trim out the windows, paint the window sill tiles, make curtains, make a bedskirt, find a rug, paint the desk (ahem, yeah, it's not done yet), hang pictures and decorate.

Not much.

(Excuse me while I pass out for a minute. List is a lot longer than I thought it was. Okay, all better.)

Hey! Did you notice that I took my camera?

It's the end of day 5 of Ryan's week long vacation and so far we have:

• celebrated the 4th with him ALL day long!
• celebrated Sharon's 60th
• been swimming at VaLynn's
• Ryan taught Mia how to write her name (so cute)
• went to Lagoon
• Sammy cut his first two teeth
• went to a family reunion in Cedar City
• watched Jacob square dance up a storm at the reunion (he loved it!)
• took Sammy swimming for the first time (he liked it!)
• made it past the wild fires, twice
• played baseball
• put a desk together (finally!)
• slept in

And guess what? I have forgotten my camera at each and every fun family event!!!

I rock.

Lazy days of summer

Our lazy days of summer are in full swing. We have been enjoying the kids in the neighborhood. A couple mom's and I have decided that Tuesday is going to be "Adventure Tuesday". Last week, we had school lunch and then went on a hike up Adam's. It was hot and dusty, but the waterfall at the end was well worth it! The kids had a glorious time splashing in the water and throwing rocks. It was fun! We are looking forward to this weeks adventure. Next time, I will bring my camera. This one was taken with my phone so it's hard to see.

Friday has become movie day. We live within walking distance of Kaysville's finest movie theater. On Fridays before 1pm, you can see a movie for $1. We get two $1 bags of popcorn and fill our Kaysville Theater mug up and we are all set to have a great time. The theater is a bit low on kids movies right now but we were able to see "Firehouse Dog" last and it was really cute. I enjoyed it and the kids really loved it. Sammy is a good little movie goer right now. I hesitate to think about how busy he will be sooner rather than later.

Last Friday, Ryan was working the whole iphone release at work so he wasn't' going to be home all day. We decided that we would head down to Draper and go to IKEA, Rod Works and Teryn's house. We were really lucky because Jason, Kaylin and Easton were coming back that night! They have been in Massachusetts for the past 10 months while Jason studied photography. We got to stay and have dinner with them (Porcupine meatballs, yum!) and then we went and visited Lauren at Cold Stone where she works. The McGrew's are fun and super cute and Easton is HUGE! That kid is a tank and he doesn't walk, he runs everywhere he is going. It's always so fun to go to Teryn's house. She has the most beautiful home. It's fun to go and look at her home for ideas for ours! Thanks for having us Teryn! We are coming back soon!

Saturdays have been Garage Sale mornings. We aren't die-hard about it at all . We roll out of bed after 9am and the kids get one dollar and we head out to see what we can find. We don't even go out of Kaysville/Fruit Heights. The kids have had a great time finding "treasures". Money burns a hole in Jake's pocket. I have to talk him out of junk that he just wants to buy for the thrill of buying. Last Saturday, we scored! We got so many good deals and crossed some of the items off of our wish list. We didn't even go more than 3 miles from our house. It was garage-sale-o-mania! We got a exersaucer and red swing for the tree for Sam; Jake got Hotwheels, books, and movies; Mia got books, a gumball machine, nail polish and Little Mermaid sheets (all with her money!) and a whole Fisher Price grocery store that scans and is loads of fun; I got a new drapery rod, a big white shelf for Mia's room, a little side table and the best - a brand new rod iron garden arch that I have been wanting! I have been looking at arches for a while, but they are really to expensive. I was really excited. We scored!

Lazy days of summer. They are kindof nice.

Happy Birthday Sharmyn!

Today is my fabulous sister Sharmyns' birthday. Sharmyn is the best person that you will ever meet and she is my sister! She is humble, sweet, loving, beautiful, kind, generous, smart, funny, great sense of style, clever, an amazing cook, an great hostess, and loyal just to name a few. Every good personality trait that you could ever want is found in Sharmyn. It's hard to live so far away from her. If I could, I would be her neighbor. Preferably, in her really cool guest room.

I have always wanted to be like Sharmyn. She has done so many neat things in her life.

She is well traveled. The picture above is when she and her husband Jon, came back to visit while they had been living in India. See the pretty clothing she has on. INDIA! She lived in India for over a year!

She is outgoing and friendly. Sharmyn and her husband have people over for dinner several times a week!

She has her college degree English Lit, something that she loves. She is so smart!

She is fluent in Japanese. Hello! Hardest language out there! I am sure she still knows some French and then there is Sharmynisms. She is very fluent in Sharmynisms.

She has a unique name and 'y' in her name. (All my sisters beautifully unique names and all got 'y's' in the spelling of their names. I got the common name. I am slightly jealous.)

She makes homemade cards for everyone's birthdays. Beautiful, unique cards that mean more than anything that you could buy.

She has the most beautiful sense of style. Her home, all though I have yet to visit her there, is warm and inviting and looks like it stepped right off the pages of a magazine. This is her home where she hosted Thanksgiving this year.

She is an amazing chef. I always wished that I had half the talent she does. This is something that she serves often. Beautiful and delicious! Check out the other yummy pictures that she has posted on her friends food blog.

Sharmyn is also extremely entertaining! She has the best sense of humor. She can make you up a song over anything. Right on the spot. She has the most beautiful singing voice! This morning, she called me on the way to visit her husband and sang herself a birthday song. She is too funny!

Sharmyn has taken care of me, been there when I have been sad and lonely, and happy for me when I am blessed. She has entertained me, fed me delicious food, talks to me about my hair. She lovesme and my little family. She gives her all to everyone. We all love her and I am so happy that she is my sister! Happy Birthday Sharmyn!

Love, Meg