Bushman Family

2012-02-17T21:29:00.000-08:00

Beach at resort

2012-02-17T20:20:00.000-08:00

couldn't help but stray up to the local part of the beach. fun to watch the kids playing in this inlet of water...they would play in the part that would pull them toward the ocean. nice sunset walk after a day at the beach. got this $5.00 Walmarto boogie board (not very good) but used it to death and then gave it away before we left to two cute kids.

Happy Birthday Valentine Boy

2012-02-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

Steve said that he had the "best birthday ever"....we heard a little girl on the beach saying that day was the best ever...and he copied it. We had fun going to ruins in Coba, going to a cenote and having it to ourselves for quite a bit and then going to an awesome beach!

I brought rose petals to put on the bed for his bday and also I put up some Valentine decorations. I made him pose on the bed with rose petals. lol. cute huh?

UW-dental school.

2011-12-17T21:29:00.000-08:00

Nate was accepted to dental school at University of WA! {yeah} (only 4 to 4-1/2 hours away) He is able to do his first year in Spokane, WA (only 3 hours away). We are all so excited!

Nate and Kamie (Olsen) Bushman

2011-12-11T21:05:00.000-08:00

The best couple ever! Kamie and Nate are the funnest to do things with. They are so cute together. They are both so considerate and kind and helpful.
Nate is trying to prolong graduating (in December....shooting for April) in order to keep his jobs as a T.A. in the Chemistry lab and doing research for a professor, which he really enjoys. We are still waiting to see where they will go for graduate school.

Kamie will graduate in April-Nutrition major. She works for BYU catering. We love having Kamie around...she is such a cutie and has such a cute sense of fashion. We couldn't ask for a better 1st addition to our family. We sure love her! Nate and Kamie are cuddly & funny. They are always up for doing something fun. We get a kick out of their interactions. Nate says Kamie is like a kitty, so soft, cute, playful and cuddly.

Nate and Kamie's wedding in Utah.

As a belated (extra) honeymoon, Nate and Kamie went to the new El Salvador temple dedication and mission reunion. It was an eye opener for Kamie...how other countries are. They had fun together and got to see sites, visit people and go to the dedication.

Shanie and Kyle Rowley

2011-12-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

Shanie would have graduated from BYU this April along with Nate and Kamie but she will graduate next year with her Masters in Accounting with a tax emphasis. Her Cougar rugby team wiped everyone they played out (she never comes out of the game) and they are going to Nationals in the spring.

Kyle is majoring in Business Management with an emphasis in finance. He returned from his mission last year...December. He went to Denver, CO mission. He wants to enter the medical field later...not sure what yet. He has a few more years at BYU. He is such an amazing boy! He loves Shanie so much (we couldn't be more thrilled). Being around Shanie and Kyle makes you feel like you are intruding on their own private world!

Wedding Night. Shanie and Kyle had a beautiful sunset and huge moon at their reception (that's what i call decorating!) Happy happy happy is the best way to describe these two. I thought they would bust when they got married.
Honeymoon cruise! They didn't meet a single soul on their cruise! (talk about love birds)
Having fun on their honeymoon.

Nick

2011-12-11T20:39:00.000-08:00

Nick is at BYU, living at Hertitage Halls...freshman. Mission call to Houston, TX south and Spanish speaking. Entering the MTC on Feb. 1st! We get one month of Nick home. He is coming home from his first semester at BYU before he leaves. He seems to be having a ton of fun at BYU. Maybe too much homework...as usual. We plan on going to the temple with him with ALL the family over Christmas break. (One of my biggest dreams come true...all my family in the temple together...I used to visualize it in the Celestial room...before they were married...with spouses and grandchildren too). TOGETHER FOREVER! I'm gonna be so glad to have the Nicko home for a bit...though this small town is extremely boring for those who have experienced living away.

Shanie (Bushman) Rowley's 22nd birthday.

2011-11-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

2011-11-26T22:09:00.000-08:00

Nick's mission call.

2011-11-26T21:43:00.000-08:00

Nick got his mission call to serve in Houston, Texas (south), Spanish speaking mission. His mission is all along the coast of Texas (Gulf of Mexico). He will enter the MTC on February 1st. He opened his call at Nate's (and Kamie's) apartment with some friends, Shanie and Kyle and his roommates. We watched it all on skype...felt like we were there. It was a very emotional and sort of funny, Nick kept quoting 'Singles Ward', if you never seen the movie you wouldn't have got his jokes. We love quoting movies and realize that a lot of people just don't 'get it'. He is pretty excited.

New Shanie rugby picture.

2011-11-15T17:44:00.000-08:00

Shanie in the "Daily Universe" [BYU paper].

2011-10-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

We were able to catch this very game while in Utah. Our first experience watching live rugby. Very interesting! Shanie's position is such that she isn't in the big huddle/fights {which i'm super glad about}. She made two touchdowns (?) and one field goal at this game. She is equivalent to a quarterback in football. It is funny that the papers are catching Shanie again. I think she was in the Walla Walla paper so much. She's a really good action shot.

Steve's Cochlear Implant

2011-10-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Pre-surgery. I made them give him 'happy serum' before they whisked him away...he was saying he didn't need it!
Just in time for Halloween [Frankenstein-sp?] When he took his 'cup' off...his ear looked like it was put on crooked. I think it was swollen and it poked out. When I saw it poking out and hanging low I couldn't help laughing...and Steve joined me. I just know I would have had a fit if my ear was put on wrong! It looks fine now...must have been the swelling. His jaw and gum got scraped up after surgery and got infected. That was his biggest pain. Going to Portland on Friday (Oct.14th) to activate it.
He slept like a baby the whole drive home from Portland (4 hour drive). In fact, he didn't want to wake up after surgery!

Wedding (niece) Charlsie. Rainy, cold, but wonderful day.

2011-10-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Growing Family
Sisters

shanie and kyle wedding party (and i mean party)

2011-09-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

sister trip 8-2011

2011-09-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

Bryce and Zions Canyon 8-2011

2011-09-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

Bushman Summary summer 2011

2011-09-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Steve: turned 50! lost all hearing in right ear 10 yrs ago Meiners (sp?) syndrom. started losing hearing in his good ear. completely deaf! me in the shower listening to his alarm going off for a good 10 min.s and me yelling to wake him up...i got out of the shower and he hadn't even stirred! awful horrible time for him. lonely. can you imagine? he withdrew from everything {of course}...we thought he wouldn't be able to hear Shanie's wedding (the officiator calling her Janie). his hearing would come and go. big fast and prayers for him and special blessing. he qualified for Cochlear Implant (that is how deaf he is). he will have that implanted on NIck's bday (sept. 15). also his good ear is showing improvement...if both work that would be an awesome miracle!

Sylvia: spent all summer and spring organizing and stressing out about nate and kamie's open house in our backyard and shanie's wedding in august. several of our kid's friends got married this summer too. dropping off the nicko to college was hard but a sister trip right after helped. don't know what to do now....not teaching seminary this year, my college classes don't start for a few weeks and my YMCA classes start for me next week. i felt like driving down to the airport and applying for anything (anything with travel benefits). but i'm chicken! also thought of finishing the ol' bachelors. hohumm...dum dim dum.....

Nate and Kamie: got married April 22 in SLC. living in Wymount (married housing at BYU). kamie graduates in spring....nate could have graduated by now but is taking more classes and will either graduate in december or april...he said something about taking extra classes. they want to 'walk' together (graduation walk). they are so fun to be with and cute. they went to El Salvador for a mission reunion and the dedication of the El Salvador temple. kamie said it was an eye opener...a family was excited to show them their upgraded cement floor (was dirt). nate has an interview at UNLV for dental school. and waiting for more responses. nate is a TA for Chemistry and doing research for a professor and he works at the MTC. kamie is going into Nutrition and she works for BYU catering. these two are so thoughtful and really think of others.

Shanie and Kyle: newlyweds to the extreme. forget about interacting with either of them when they are together they have eyes only for each other! shanie worked the summer as an intern for Banner Bank (beautiful old downtown building...marble floors beautiful old wood). she ended her accounting internship (paid internship) and helped her inlaws with cherry harvest...all day and night work! you have never seen anything like it! kyle worked at their home garden/nursery/orchards all summer. those rowley kids have to work sooo hard! shanie went to seattle a few times for all expense paid trips from some big firms. they are living in Wymount near nate and kamie. they went on a short cruise for their honeymoon to Florida Keys and Cozumel and then stayed in Florida a few more days. word is that a cruise is perfect for honeymooners! they came back with sparkles in their eyes and shared smiley secrets (like skinny dipping in Florida at night). shanie is not doing track this year but is doing rugby. much to my distress....i'm sure she will get hurt. kyle is going into medicene. shanie will graduate in Accounting this spring and next year she will have her Masters. she did a study abroad in Europe during spring quarter with her Accounting.

Nick: nick graduated in june. he worked at the Foundry in the molding department. not sure what he did. something to do with fiber glass that hurt. he had to be to work at 5 am and worked 10 hour days and a few times he worked 12 hour days. the foundry makes statues/molds for artists. not sure, but nick seemed to like it other than the long hours and more importantly the early mornings. he missed working strawberries....just being outside all summer. he earned a good amount for college and his mission. he is working on his mission papers, we got a little distracted with the wedding. he has always talked about going into medicene but he hates school work...so we will see. he is staying at Heritage Halls at BYU...freshman, he has 5 roommates and they all seem really cool. he hasn't called much so i think this is a good sign. i miss him. i plopped down on his bed when i got home from utah (dropping him off) and sniffed his pillow case (he took his pillow) and cried. we went to Bryce and Zions Canyons before we dropped him off to college. (that is my dad, nick and me.) it was a great last adventure. he has always been my companion in little adventures.

i'm trying to talk steve into trips to VA/DC to visit his sisters and cousin...trips to HI, to the coast, to Mexico, to.....everywhere...anywhere! we are adjusting to empty nest and think we are not too much different than our two newly married couples. hmmmm....what do you do without kids? i think we will be okay! not so bad so far! i greet steve when he comes home with much more enthusiasm. i felt like jumping into his arms today...so glad someone was home.

Losing all hearing.

2011-08-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

Steve is losing his hearing. It is his own private terrible nightmare. Have you ever had your ears clogged? It is like you are seperated from everything and very lonely. Not being able to communicate or work is a pure misery. For a boy who prides himself on independence, this is a double nightmare! I feel so sorry for him and sometimes he will say sorry to me when he can't hear/understand me....but mostly I feel so terrible and pretty helpless too. And this is the last summer with Nick going away to college and mission, and Shanie getting married. Oh my! I think we will all be learning sign language. Here is a picture of Steve at OHSU in Portland...the hearing center. He will probably get a cochlear implant, that is something, but when he doesn't wear it he will be stone deaf [can't wear it in water or to sleep]. I've heard also that you have to be in the right position for them to hear with it. Can you imagine this? Ugh! I feel like crying for him! Can you imagine not hearing music or just the rushing of wind the same ever again? One good thing, he can't hear my always regreted grumbles any more....those ones you can't ever take back...that you wish you never said. But I sure miss hollering from one location (but Steve always hated this 'bellowing'). Now I have to run up the stairs or down and hunt him out or text him. All I can say is...if you read this...pray for him.

Kyle and Shanie...to be married August 13, 2011

2011-07-31T16:59:00.000-07:00

Can you tell how much they really love each other? They are the best of friends. We have been super lucky to have two amazing new members [Kamie Olsen Bushman] to our family! Even though letting go to add to our family is pretty hard!

Oregon coast...to CA

2011-06-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

Great trip...driving along the Columbia River across WA and OR all the way to the ocean...Astoria, and then a long drive on scenic highway 101 all the way down the Oregon coast into Northern CA. We took 12 hours to drive a 5 1/2 hour drive because we took all the old scenic byways and turnouts and lighthouse stops....incredible! Nick graduated...and his speech was by far the best...but i'm a little biased, had nate and kamie's open house in our yard and it worked out great and was fun, then i went with my mom and dad and sister cammy and her two kids on this great little mini trip. In Crescant City, CA i found a hotel on the beach near a lighthouse and beautiful rocks (which we climbed by jumping and scaling to get to the ones further in the water and up higher and watched the sunset over the water up there) the owners of the hotel said it was the only hotel in all of CA that close to the ocean. of course, i slept on the balcony that night....but it was pretty cold and the lighthouse light would swing around and shine right in my eyes and the fog horn would go on and off and the ocean was crashing and of course i was much too happy to sleep....i just smiled and enjoyed! that coastal drive is just amazing and breathtaking! we saw so many things that others might miss by driving quickly through and not taking the extra roads...we even found a gift shop at this house on the cliffs above the ocean....literally if you could jump out the windows, you would go over the edge. i don't know how they stay in business...it was a small road and we just happened upon it. had so much fun watching my niece and nephew enjoy the ocean and everything as only kids can do...fun to watch my niece dance in the ocean every time she got in and roll in the sand...and both kids scramble up rocks and dig in the sand. {i miss my kids being younger}

Nick's graduation!

2011-06-03T22:25:00.001-07:00

Nick

2011-06-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

Prom Night 2011 Nick

2011-05-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

nate and kamie's wedding-April 22nd, 2011

2011-04-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

nate and kamie engagement pictures

2011-04-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

less than a week

2011-04-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

.....less than a week! such a lifetime of great memories of that Nato-Tato! "think of it as gaining another daughter....ja ja ja...not losing...gaining!" nate is getting married next Friday! remember when he was first born? rememeber how hard it was to get him out? lol. remember that cone head? remember how jaundice? remember how i didn't want anyone to hold him? remember sucking on everyone's toothbrushes, getting into the trash cans, emptying the plants, getting caught under the coffee table, walking so early? remember when shanie was a born (21 now) and he was so gentle with her and would curl around her and sleep....he loved her so much! remember how he studied his own cub scout book to pass ofF himself? remember his first wrestling match? noisy gym...me ready to pull him out of there or go running out crying...he was so little still! remember how he thought the Golden Nugget in Reno was the tallest building ever? and he would say that he loved me up to The Golden Nugget? (when we lived in Reno) remember diving off the high dive and he was so little but fearless....always willing to do something dangerous? remember climbing to the top of anything? a roof? remember hiding the yellow book in each other's stuff? remember learning to ride a bike on a waaay too big bike...on a hill? remember how he always wanted the video camera's attention? remember his broken front tooth? remember how he played Ninetendo with his whole body...that is until Mom packed it away for good. remember when the bus driver left him...even though he saw him.....middle school....and he called me sobbing, mostly hurt that the bus driver could do that? remember asking him how his day was on a scale from one to ten? almost always a seven. and i always wanted him to say 8, 9, or 10! remember all the bruises on his big Bushman head? remember how he always landed on his head? remember his first crush? remember him doing extra pull-ups after the most grueling wrestling workout? remember how he only weighed 90 lbs. as a freshman and wrestled guys 10 lbs more than him? remember what a scrapper he was? remember how hard he tried to be good...to do good...to be his best? remember how unafraid he was to stand up for right with a group of rough wrestlers? and they respected him and treated him like gold? remember his first real girlfriend? remember him going away to college for the first time? remember talking to him every night? remember him getting his mission call? remember how he called from the airport on the way to El Salvador? remember how i cried like a baby? remember that hole in my heart when he was gone? remember what a peacemaker he was/is? remember his Mexican accent when he got home? remember how powerful his testimony was and still is? remember how he wanted to be a seminary teacher when he came home? remember how lost he seemed when he came home? remember when he met Kamie? remember when he was getting serious? remember how i fought against it? remember that ache that he wasn't my little companero any more? remember how happy i was to have him....to take him every where with me? remember rocking in the rocking chair for so long....then turning it back to rock back the other way? remember looking down at his tiny body as i rocked and wondering what he would look like when he grew up....wondering how he would turn out? REMEMBER?

i should be working....

2011-03-15T14:44:00.000-07:00

i've got a ton to do before nate's wedding and nick's graduation! i want to gut the house of junk and get it ready. want....wish....want....wish.... i wish i had more umph to do it! i fear i must have a closer deadline to get myself going...but then i don't want to be scrambling!
i'm pestering nick every day to get working on scholarships so he CAN go to one semester of college before his mission....but it is like pushing a wet noodle! why can't my boys be like shanie? i never had to tell her anything....in fact, i'm sure she was telling me what was coming up, and she was on top of it all! well, i love those boys...of course! i finally had to write a fake essay for nate when i was trying to get him to apply for scholarships....i couldn't get him to do it...so, i wrote this fake one....pretending to be him....saying how great he was, how he was perfect and beautiful and his mother never had to pester him....and bragged-bragged a ton....making it a very sickening but funny essay of why that organization should choose to give nate that scholarship. i'm trying to get nick to apply for several diabetic scholarships...they look pretty good.
we had today off seminary...and none tomorrow either! i have great plans of huge accomplishments....that bonus room! finally organizing it! but then...i see a book i need to finish...a brownie mix that needs to be made...a blog that is bursting out of me....a facebook stalking urge comes upon me and i waste the blasted day away!! not always! today i've organized nate's addresses for his wedding...wrote sticky notes all over the computer to nick about getting transcripts from the school, letters of recommendations from his diabetic doctor and teachers, made the *#@~ brownies and picked in them, vacuumed and dusted, shampooed carpet and couch spots, talked to friends, taught a class, called some of my college students because they never showed up for the Final, thought about how this morning i put on my running clothes and went back to bed....so thinking of going running, and SOON! refixed my hair several times....cuz i tried to style it different and it just turned out dorky...and i 'redid' it even when i knew i'd probably go running, put it in a pony tail and slap a hat on top of it! oh well! but there are just some things....those things! i just want to put them off for one more day! hmmmm....i wonder why my boys are so like me????

Santo Domingo

2011-02-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

lighthouse where Christopher Columbus remains are....supposedly...Spain thinks they have them too.
Santo Domingo capital building...it is a pale pink...you can't really tell in the picture.

First cathedral in the Americas.

Cathedral.

Christopher Columbus and his son Diego
Diego Columbus home

Columbus Palace

Mormon Church...note barbed wire.
Higuey Cathedral. supposed to look like praying hands.

Dominican Culture

2011-02-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

Nate and Kamie are getting married!

2011-02-23T16:45:00.000-08:00

the date is April 22nd in Utah! we will have an open house here on June 4th, Nick is graduating on June 3rd. what festivities!

50th Birthday Celebration...or lack of it.

2011-02-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

Steve turned 50 in Seattle on our way home from the DR. I was so blasted sick the whole air flights home. I had to force myself to decorate/tp our hotel room in Seattle. I used a whole roll for him to see it for only two seconds before we had to head out to the airport. I did manage to make a cake when we got home...but that was sheer pushing myself and then he decided he didn't want any until the next day! lol. Poor boy had a very small birthday celebration....tho we did decorate at home and I did my traditional hearts all over.

Dominican Republic

2011-02-22T17:27:00.000-08:00

Saona Island

2011-02-22T16:01:00.000-08:00

A fun filled day on an island in the Caribbean! Bought coconut from man selling it there....tried to sit on a lounge chair...but didn't manage....finally talked Steve into walking as far around the island as we could...as we went around corners, it was like we were the only ones there! Walked out into the ocean...shallow...i found a baby starfish....it is very shallow far from land....and the water was so clear! Ended up being a long bus ride home....problems on the road...a chance to see people's houses...you could look right in...they left their doors open....tiny two room homes....everyone sits out on their front porch...very interesting to be a passing peeping tom.

Paridisus Punta Cana-DR

2011-02-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

i really like this kid...he thought i looked so young...so, of course he was my best friend!
our resort. when we first got here i thought the people weren't nearly as nice as Costa Rica. but we were being bratty spoiled Americans...i realized once we got away from the resorts and saw the people's living conditions. we were complaining about our pillows being too big and giving us a neck ache...that the ice wasn't even cold....etc. i felt ashamed of myself and started trying to say Hola to all the workers, Steve suggested this. what we even thought of complaining about was so stupid! i carried heavy plates for a pregnant worker...waved to the yard guys...asked our tour guides about their families...ok ok...Steve did that. we have so much in the US! who would think to be grateful for water you can drink out of a faucet? most of the places we went had plugged toilets...they would have to carry big buckets of water to unplug them....many didn't have toilet seats and we had to search for toilet paper. our tour guides talked about how they worked over 8 hours days and then they went to college in the evening. i don't know how they do it! such tiny houses most of the people live in...they had all their doors open and sat on the front porch and you could look into their houses...not a lot...but clean...which was weird cuz they threw their garbage in allies and in the streams and rivers. it made me want to puke to see so much garbage in their water! no wonder i got so sick! they have these huge plastic barrels on top of their houses to catch rain water to use for washing...they looked like our water storage barrels. i was ashamed of a lot of the Americans...so drunk that they were idiots...and complaining....i made sure not to do that after the first day! there were all sorts of new friends at our resort. a big group from Argentina, Chile, all over Europe, Brazil. i like meeting new people.

view from our room.

our room.

finding joy in january (possible?)

2011-01-10T19:05:00.000-08:00

January...January...January! So unloved. The only good thing in January is Martin Luther King holiday....no school! The most stressful and saddest weeks of the year are in January...and I have to agree. Taking down our Christmas tree...thinking when we put it up we danced and listened to Christmas music...made hot chocolate with whip cream....ate cookies and chocolate...but when we took it down...a mess! trying to 'be good' so we can fit into our pants...no cookies, no hot chocolate, no music, no whip cream, just a pile of needles and a stack of decorations to put away. So, I was thinking (again)...and I'm good at that ;)...I can pretty much find joy in really dumb things...which helps with the January blues...like:

our old tv in our bedroom....not hooked up to cable...but still can get reception (sort of)...lying on my back on the floor...toes on the button that keeps it from turning into static...and just at the 'good parts' of the show...the screen fades out! fits of sorts...why does it go out during 'the kissing parts'? I mean, this is pretty fun....seriously...a grand adventure! I feel bad for others who have nice flat screens, cable connected....they are really missing out! they don't know that tv watching can be so very entertaining!
football season...ending soon. right? how long does that season last?
the adventure of getting on jeans after a great holiday...steve watched me one morning...his response: "Oh, that is how girls do it...I was wondering." {where has he been?}
blogging instead of doing the million things i should but don't want to
icy roads...big huge trucks hugging my slow bumper...very fun
dipping dots falling from the sky
enhanced ability to remember dreams...cuz it is pitch black, time-to-get-up...middle-of-my-dreams...if i concentrate....i can stay in the 'dream stage' for about a half hour into rising.
shouldn't shorter days mean shorter school hours? (just wondering)
ice cold water out of the tap...cold down the throat...nice
anticipation of tropical February trips...which really helps curb the habit of holiday eating developed and determined to stay over that delicious break
hot hot bathroom...space heater....out of the shower into hot room...
cold water on head to end hot shower...you've got to try this...so refreshing...summer or winter
half way through the school year....hmmm..is that good or bad? {half full or half empty?}
Valentines candy in the store...it is so pretty
parent's 50th anniversary...trip to Utah to celebrate
what else? what am i missing? there is just soooo many things to be excited about in January!

My mentor and friend from Vancouver, WA days

2011-01-09T17:01:00.001-08:00

JANICE WALL! What more can I say? I followed her all around and did all her crazy adventures when we lived in Vancouver. That was 21 yrs. ago! We got lost in wooded areas running, she taught me to teach fitness and make chocolates. She had so much energy and was okay with dragging me along. I liked her brashness and boldness and wanted to be more like that...as I timidly followed her everywhere and listened to her crazy schemes and ideas that she was always brewing. Funny we lost contact until last year...though I have sought her out, looked for her often...for several years. She never knew the influence she had on me! Her daughter, a baby when I knew her...a few months older than Shanie...playing here in Walla Walla against Whitman girl's basketball team. Janice came for the game and we had a great....long lunch...talking and talking...and she still is full of ideas...after we went to the game. I had to cheer for both teams...two of the Whitman girls Shanie played basketball with for years...good to see them again too! (Jennifer Keyes and Anna Forge)

skiing over Cmas break

2011-01-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

Nick....Eagle

2010-12-28T10:06:00.001-08:00

How could I forget to post about Nick's Eagle? Just short of his 18th birthday, Nick finally finished his Eagle project. He repainted many fire hydrants in town for his project. We had a great Eagle Court of Honor along with Ty Hafen getting his Eagle too.

the Christmas running group...and my great skills

2010-12-27T22:44:00.000-08:00

I wanted to have a sprinting jump picture with Nick after our race...so i talked Nate into hours of photo taking (not really....minutes actually...but to Nate too long). See my skills in jumping? Well, I have to confess I came down on this jump and landed flat on the ground! I'm sure that it was a piece of black ice...not my strong...and young leg that gave out....surely not! Anyway...cool picture...too bad it wasn't a video...we could have had a great laugh.
Nick's running group...and some extras....like nate and shanie

Christmas

2010-12-27T22:21:00.000-08:00

We ran at 8:00 am Christmas morning! You don't have to tell me that this is crazy....I know....I know! We ran with Nick's track training group. It was something very new for us to do on Cmas morning. I think it was fun to do...still trying to decide that one.
Waiting to run down the stairs Christmas morning.
As tradition requires...the kids all sleep in one of their rooms Cmas Eve night. When they were young, they used to stay up all night and play games and wake up early and play some more....now they conk out and struggle to wake up....but at least they maintain a portion of the tradition.Christmas Eve....we act out the Nativity. It gets funnier and funnier every year. The kids really 'ham it up'....hopefully not sacrilegiously. Our baby Jesus is usually whatever cat we can catch...our Samuel the Lamanite (nate) is always shirtless...every year! I usually narrate and the kids act out and we always hope to have Steve participation....but he fell asleep...tho, this was no hinderance to his participation....he was an innkeeper who had no room and wicked King Herrod...we just plunked a crown on his sleepy head and Tada! (how do you spell that?)

2010-12-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

.....hmmmm hohoho?

2010-12-20T21:25:00.000-08:00

It is so great! The kids are home! Safe and sound.....and gone! lol! It is FHE night and I'm looking around....no kids....Steve crashed on the couch! hahaha! hmmmm...... The kids went to the young adult branch FHE and are now playing volleyball or basketball at the church. I'm supposed to be cleaning....but I'm hoping some magic will happen....maybe Santa's elves? By-the-way...is it elves? or elfs? Not the great vision I had of our first FHE together!

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night...walked down the hall and checked all the rooms...and they were full! ahhhh....that did my heart good and I kissed them all on the cheeks...each did something funny in their sleep...Shanie-she basically looks like she totally wakes up "what? what?" but she never is awake...Nick-like a log...he rolls over...grunts and grumbles...Nate-he pats me in his sleep! Oh, got to love those kiddies! I still can't believe they don't want to watch a Christmas movie with me....make hot chocolate....have a snowball fight...make chocolates....and cuddle! I remember them getting so excited for Christmas...when they were little!

Today Shanie and I went shopping...you should see us! we are quite a pair! I want to wait to see if that will go on sale later....in the fear we might buy it today and it go on sale the next...we both hate trying on stuff and sneak in the same changing room. My job is to get the stuff off the hangers for Shanie to try on and then to put them back on the hangers...but we both start melting....not too long into this process...we look like we are dragging around! Is there anything more miserable than shopping? Maybe it would be fun with a lot of money...something we may never find out! We both finally got home....exhausted! and the boys were just vegging out...I can't believe they didn't clean the house....lol....they couldn't even find their own food!

I must say....I enjoy all of this....even the misery of shopping...missing dentist appointments made 6 months ago for the college kids! {sheez...how could we forget?}...trying to figure out what to make for dinner...without really making it! I am looking around...tv on...snoring in the couch regions....kids stuff all over...and I feel happy! I love Christmas!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

We had our friend Matt Perkins take our family picture in Hawaii....I like to get one for our Christmas card. We found this great spot and took all these different pictures in one location! It looks like we went a bunch of places.....doesn't it? It was raining and getting dark fast. It was our quickest photo shoot ever! We had to hurry....the sun went down on us pretty fast! This place was tucked away in a neighborhood in Kahana....we found a little beach access...you could tell it was pretty much only a local hangout....rocky and beautiful!

I wanted to update my blog...but went through a serious block in thought...just cuz I needed to get it done.

What Christmas means to me? Memories:
visiting my dad's very old teachers...bringing gifts...not being able to breathe... houses so musty....but seeing the great joy our visits brought
Christmas carols to lonely widows when a teenager...watching them cry (i think from happiness....not from our poor singing)
wanting to pass on the tradition of making the most of Christmas
visiting with my kids, our neighbor dying in the hospital...taking a little tree and singing (badly...very badly....but you could feel the spirit)
doing the 12 days of Christmas for another eldery neighbor...he could not figure out who....the kids were little, and it was such a joy to door bell ditch!
straw in the manager....marking our good deeds
secret santas
kids up all night....playing games with each other Cmas Eve
running down the stairs(my kids)...running up the stairs (my childhood) on Cmas morning
kids crying on Santa's lap
Nate asking for a bell from Santa's sleigh on Cmas Eve night...to have proof that he was real....us finding the biggest bell our neighbor had!
watching Elf....loving it!
the Santa Clause movie...proof that Santa is real!
if you don't believe in Santa...he won't bring you anything
Cmas advent, Santa's pockets full of goodies
making chocolates
cleaning....getting ready for Santa to come
talking of Christ...the true meaning of Christmas
snow, fog, rain, warm weather, ice....you name it
ski trips
hot chocolate and music...getting the tree at Bachtolds....hunting longer than necessary
Miles (our special friend) coming over Cmas morning
taking neighbors treats
school out!
lights that don't work
trying to get Steve to put up lights with us...lol
cinnamon rolls....i only make them for Cmas day!
sometimes crab for dinner
presents from family and the awaited Bodhaine package
Nick's anniversary of Diabetes
calling family
omelets Cmas morning....dad makes them
me singing to little kids and older "You better watch, you better not shout...."
me....telling the kids they better be good....cuz...Oh, I see a green and red thing streaking by outside....must be one of Santa's elfs!...checking for Santa
me, more excited than anyone for Christmas
wanting to be with my family....having time together

Nate (23)

2010-12-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

Nate, Nato, Nato-tato, Grey-boy, Nater-tater,
Nate's got a girlfriend...Kamie Olsen. I think he is getting ready to 'pop the question'! He is applying to dental schools....and trying to finish BYU by summer. He is really growing up....so mature.....so his own man....not our little boy any more. He is making good decisions and has lived away from home almost 5 years now!

Shanie (21)

2010-12-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

Shanie, Shanie Lu, Lu-la-flu, LuLu, Shanie-poo (she really likes this one!)
Shanie had her first indoor track meet last week....off to a new track season! She still loves to pole vault...and is busy with track pratice....several hours every day. Shanie really loves to be busy...I think! She entered the Accounting Program at BYU and she admits it is very hard....she has 8 hours of homework a day....her roommates pester her about how much homework she does. Shanie has been on several intramural championship teams....utlimate frisbee, tag football, kick ball, basketball....ummm....what am I missing? lol!
Shanie's missionary comes home in a few weeks....all the sudden Shanie has been asked out a ton....more than ever before! We'll see what happens!

Nick (18)

2010-12-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

Nick, Nicko, Nickle-Pickle-Potumus, Nickobro, Nicholas
Nick turned 18 in September.
Sleeping in he wants to....Mom doesn't want.
Mom gets to see him at seminary every day....tho, he is in the other class (Nick..."Whew!")
Nick is going to be trained with a handful(5...I think) of track kids from WaHi....the man in charge met with Steve and Nick for over an hour last night. Sounds like he will be strict....they even have to make their beds every day(a form of discipline)...get 9 hours of sleep...take vitamins....eat right....run a race on Christmas morning (I want to protest....but I'm being quiet)...they will do some intense training two hours a day.....hills, endurance, speed and other stuff. He trained a boy last year that really went far as a hurdler....and he hadn't done much before that. I think Nick is excited....he needs the push to work harder.

2010-10-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

At Shanie's apartment. I must admit I was a little shocked at both Nate and Shanie's run down apartments....but both assure me that they are super fun places. Shanie's apartment complex had a live band and they were all gathered around the pool with pizzas....made me wish I was in college again!

Girls night out while boys at Priesthood session.

Shanie and fellow pole vaulters....they have dress up days for practice....so they all wore these gymnastic outfits....too funny!

My picture on the YMCA website.

sisters!

2010-10-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

While in Utah, as my twin sister and younger sister Cammy and I went shopping, a lady at the store asked if we were triplets. Oh my gosh! Cammy had the biggest fit....almost yelling at the lady that she was...9 YEARS YOUNGER! Oh my, that was fun!

Mas things I'm learning every day.

2010-09-25T22:45:00.001-07:00

...at the beach...if you have time to notice 'those hairs' on your knees (seriously, how do you get those? I've slashed my knees apart....every direction with my razor, in pursuit of 'those'.....to no avail.)....you are sitting on the beach too long. that is when i pop up and explore or get back in the ocean.

watermelon disappears from stores after Labor Day
gummy pumpkins from a seminary student's mom can make my day
my sister not being available to talk to...is torture
first thing we say to each other "I'm so old....I'm so fat!"
i'll do a lot for my kids!
i ache for their aches....worry about their worries
i really don't know church history at all....thus, twice as much study for seminary!
Italy
my new 80's....guy-rocker-haircut bugs me!....oh please....can't i ever communicate my haircut wishes correctly?
my new friends?....bobby pins
why don't they make bobby pins that actually hold your hair?
why does my hair have a perfect part in the back of my head?
i gain weight if i exercise too much
i can't stop talking about vacations....steve can't stop talking about roofs and saving money
kids....teenage kids....just don't think sometimes
dinner is getting harder and harder to make
brownies? easy!
new hat? take out cardboard and tag before wearing to teach class
i love having days off
i can ask your name and forget it two seconds later....or fail altogether to absorb it in the first place
i miss buying some clothes
i hate clothes shopping
i like shopping for presents for others
i'm getting very outdated
my clothes look thrashed
i'd rather save for a vacation than buy clothes
freshman boys have ants in their pants
i'm interested in super glue....chairs....
my class of mostly boys....freshmen/sophmore is tricky
i'm finally figuring out football
football doesn't have any respect for time
football doesn't have bases or baskets

My baby is 18!

2010-09-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it! My baby is 18 as of September 15th, 2010! Arrrghh! NOOOOOO!! Nick has been my little companion for far longer than he would have wished. The kindest boy you'll ever meet! He always makes sure how I am feeling and tries to be the best he can. He is real sensitive and kind to everyone....one of his greatest gifts!

memories del nicko:
trips to Portland for diabetes
Portland zoo...ripped toe, peeing lions on the viewing window, rain
Nike Oulet
Lloyd Center Mall....chinese food...chocolate
Multinomah Falls...each trip a new picture....watching you grow
Multinomah Falls hike to the top in the rain
the scenic highway...so pretty!
Seattle trips
Puget Sound tour
Space Needle....firemen scaling outside top and repelling down
Pacific Science Center....big bubbles...bike on rail
my little adventure companion!
checking blood in the middle of the night
flu when young...long acting insulin lows and throwing up...waking you up every 10 minutes to try and get tablespoon of soda down you....so much worry!
Cmas day....hospital...diagnosed that day...2 yrs old.so sick!
pretending that checking your blood and shots were fun
rocking and listening/watching Disney-Sing-Along....before I knew you had diabetes and you were so miserable
squished kitty
"chicken....scary chicken"...in reply to Dad to what we were having for dinner....nick used to call all meat chicken...he was asking me what we were eating and i grabbed the crab, turned quickly around and "raaaaawwrrrred" as i rattled it up to his face....he got so scared (great memory)
you and Katy at two....so cute...
kicking your legs furiously when we held you up as a baby
standing on a chair at the sink to play in the water
mischevious
loving water but being scared of it
cuddling around you while you slept...kissing you too much
going to the library....lots of books
playing pretend in the car...our ship...with secret gadgets
pretending the factory was an Alien station
secret powers....end of the world
you playing with all the kids at Shanie and Nate's athletic practices
me feeling sad when you grew up and didn't play as much
awkward years
so many doctor visits!
so many changes in taking care of your diabetes
helping at your elementary
making parties fun....you seemed to like me to come best of all
traveling with AAU basketball team....just you and me
fun middle school
stressful high school
snuggly
sleepy....tired....want to sleep in...mom won't let you
too much homework
stressed about AP History....but doing well on AP test
cute smile
helpful....love serving others
you and me....both too stir-crazy....like two wild animals caged together!
growing up.....leaving soon
waaaaaaaaaa!!!!
....but....my baby forever...my baby for always!
i love you.

mom

Hawaii in a nutshell....sort of

2010-09-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

sleeping out on the balconey....good night sleep...lulled by the ocean!

view from our condo! i like it!

Oh man....I meant to write all about Hawaii but I've been too busy with seminary starting and trying to figure out the glitches we had this year...also preparing 'new stuff' for my fitness classes, I'm always looking for the latest trends.

I'll give you Hawaii in a nutshell....it was the best family vacation....and we did everything but rest! lol! I was so worried we would waste our first day there....arriving at 1 pm....getting up in Portland at about 4 am...riding the MAXX to the airport and then flying...what with the time change we went for almost 24 hours that day! Needless to say....I was very very happy! We hopped off the plane and headed to Big Beach...stayed there for a while and explored the very end where it had rocks and no one but some older weed sucking adults were....and the scenery around the corner was great....not a soul! We did get a little high on the air as we walked by our little 'weed friends'....just kidding! We later hit Wailea Beach just as everyone was leaving it! That was one of my favorite beaches....good waves but not shore breakers like Big Beach. We were one of just a few there...dinner time is a great time to go to the beach! But 'our time' it was about 9 pm....and the family became distressed over the lack of food...what a bother! We finally left Wailea but had to head back to the airport area to Walmarto and Costco to get food for our stay (you should have seen us in our midsize car..all our luggage we had hauled around all day, three big teenagers...make that adults! yikes!, and us, and all our groceries...we had to put the groceries on our laps for the 45 minute drive to our condo...a case of water on your lap is so fun)....so it was midnight by the time we got to our condo....I knew that they closed at 8 pm so I had called ahead and they told me how to get our keys. We were so surprised to find they gave us a two bedroom/two bath instead of the one bed/bath we paid for! Good surprise! Ohhh.....I don't care about anything but the view and it was so great! Huge balconey and sliding glass doors out right almost over the ocean! How could we tell? in the dark? Lights were shining on the water! Older condos....the very cheapest....okay....maybe the second cheapest in the book! We were north of Ka'anapali....almost in Kahana....if not in. No airconditioning....Oh dang! we had to keep all the windows open and the first night I couldn't sleep for the roaring of the ocean....I just tossed and turned with great joy! Sooooo loud! Our pool was a joke and pretty much no beach....rocky but so incredibly beautiful! and I didn't plan on staying in our room. We were so close to the ocean! As Shanie and I ran all the way up to Black Rock the next morning and looked at the nicer hotels, we felt super glad to be where we were! Who cares about air-conditioning, maid service, or pools? All I care about is the beauty of where we were! All the more expensive hotels were far from the ocean and I know we would never had been able to have such a great ocean view any where else. It almost seemed like we were one of only a few at our condo....seemed private and fun and a secret!

I could go into every day but you would get bored and you probably have already stopped reading....but we swam in underwater caves with our flashlight wrapped in a sandwich bag...jumped off cliffs, hiked to waterfalls, hiked through a bamboo forest, I even danced on a chair for my birthday at Bubba Gumps and they raved that I was the best dancer they had in forever! lol!...I was really just trying to be silly, visited and swam at a black sand beach and we got there so early, we were the only ones there!, swam in sacred pools, swam with turtles.....we saw a lot (I later heard it was turtle season....something like that) I sort of got scared when the hugest turtle ever turned around and about knocked nose to nose with me!....Hamoa Beach (Hana) one of my favorite beaches....we swam while it rained...how I loved that! I love HI rain!...we drove the road to Hana...such windy roads (thank goodness I wasn't driving)...we went to Oahu for two full days and one night...went to the PCC and BYU-HI...where my love for Hawaii started....went to the North Shore and my favorite-Pipeline....little did my friend from there know...but I absorbed everything I was told about the waves and surfing and I loved it...I love those waves!...but they weren't that way when we went this trip :) ....went to Hanama Bay....Sandys Beach (too rough for me, and even big....but I HATE shoreline breaking waves!!! Of course, after going over and over about not 'going over' the wave and crashing on your head and breaking your neck....I did it! right over the hugest wave crashed right on the top of my head.....swirled around dazed in the churning ocean....trying to figure where the heck my swim suit was...and exactly just what was it still covering....I had enough sense even after that head banging to know that if I wasn't paralyzed that I wanted to wash ashore with all my unmentionable parts covered, and I'll tell you what....I was so ground into the sand that I shouldn't have worried about it....I was caked with sand! when I could get out of the water, I walked....ummmm...ran!...to miss the next wave....I came out with a cup of sand in my bottoms....it looked cute!.....literally a cup!....and my scalp!!! that was at Big Beach)...Nate is the only one who went in with our little disposable Walmart boogie board....he even crashed into a local boy catching the same wave...but went and apologized to him....seriously, no one could ever be mad at Nate...he is too nice!....tried to hike Diamond Head this same day we did Waikiki, International Marketplace, Sandys Beach, that blow hole (name?),Hanama Bay....but dang, Diamond Head closed....we thought we would be able to do a sunset hike and we were soooo disappointed and we ended up wandering around Waikiki that night until we had to turn in our rental car and fly back to Maui....which we got super lost...same as on the night we came to check into our Waikiki hotel after a full day of North Shore/PCC/BYU/temple/Pipeline (never made it to Waimea Bay or to get shave ice....not enough time)....we were driving in the dark....I had a map...free from AAA...but we soon realized how they could give away these maps....the writing was so small none of us could read the street names!....I was trying to switch from my regular glasses to Steve's reading glasses....trying to say the names of the streets and it was close to midnight and we were so tired....we had started the day at 4 am to fly to Oahu....and we were laughing so hysterically trying to find our way around! I swear I thought I was going to choke to death when Steve kept asking me what street and they all sound so much alike and too hard to pronounce and he kept saying he thought we were going to Waikiki, thinking that was the street and I couldn't tell him any different cause I couldn't talk....he told me that later he might laugh too but he was pretty much the only one not dying of laughter....poor driver!

We found our own private place to snorkel in Maui....we were just exploring and stopped and hiked down some rocks and found the coolest place...the place Nate whipped off his suit and jumped in! we went further to Honoloa Bay (sp?) to snorkel more...this is where we saw our first turtles but had to snorkel to almost out of the bay....I saw a wall of fish swimming in a huge massive circle! I had never seen anything like it before! we explored more that day....we went to so many different beaches to snorkel and swim and found some all to ourselves. Steve kept saying how much better he liked HI than Mexico....I know that I wouldn't have dared explore as much in Mexico...too scary! I told the kids the last night there that we were going to sleep on the balconey for the adventure and also go pool hopping through those nice hotels...that is the only time I want to swim in a pool....is at night! ....but....it took so long for me to pack up our stuff that I actually got worn out and pooped out on the pool hopping but I did sleep on the balconey...with just a towel on the ground and a towel to cover me...with Nate and NIck....Shanie had fallen asleep on the couch...I have to tell you....it was the best rest I had all trip! hahaha! we should have just slept on the beach....which was really a strip of grass....and very little sand...that would probably be water in the middle of the night.

So, would you ever guess that I was deathly sick this whole trip? I started out with a cold and with all the lack of sleep and food and so much adventure, I got sicker....I pretty much survived on Ibuprofen and coughing medicine....I knew I had a fever in Oahu but didn't share that....they could hear me coughing and coughing but I WAS NOT going to let it stop me!!! I continued to have that cough for about two weeks after the trip until I got so sick of it that I went to the doctor!

Oh my, so many memories and I think this was supposed to be a nutshell version! Well, it is! If I told you all that we did, you would be stinkin' tired!

One of my favorite things was going to church...loving the Hawaiian people...so humble...nice and welcoming....sitting in church and finally having my 'family vacation...in my favorite place' but recognizing that my family was going to be stronger because of the gospel and not from memories of a family trip....I felt it so forcefully as I listened to the testimonies of several of the Hawaiian members....and felt so grateful and so blessed!

2010-09-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

2010-08-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Big Beach Rap....final take

2010-08-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

2010-08-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

WE LOVE HAWAII!

2010-08-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

(road to Hana)
(Hamoa Beach...one of our favorites!)
(Black sand beach)

What a great family vacation we had! I was so happy to see that I have such adventurous kids and family. We put in several 20 hour days....seeing everything....snorkeling, swimming, hiking, exploring! My legs got whiter in HI cause we never got out of the water unless we were moving to the next place or hiking. My kids are studs! They play so hard and have so much fun together. They took to everything Hawaii so well....loved the ocean, snorkeling and the beauty...hiking and finding our own private places....Nate even shed everything at one place and jumped in. We all felt so happy free.....but now very tired!

The Seven Sacred Pools

2010-08-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

Ugh....I can't stop thinking about Hawaii! I close my eyes and I'm there...I dream about it during the day and at night. I must have a piece of HI in me....or I left of piece of me there! When Steve and I were first married, I would talk talk and talk about Hawaii and how I needed to get back.....I did this for years and years and years....maybe our whole 25 years together! He got so sick of me talking about Hawaii! I was so pleased when we went and he loved it too! Is there any way to get it out of your system? Going there makes my fever worse... I cried when we left!

Day at the North Shore

2010-08-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

Only 27 short years ago I went to school here. Something I'll never forget! Hawaii...it was love at first sight for me. Island fever? NO WAY! I would love to be completely surrounded by water! I have stronger memories of school in Hawaii than at BYU or the U of U....not sure why....maybe because I had pictures to remind me? maybe because I loved it so much?

I still love Oahu best....for the North Shore. I love the North Shore!!! Pipeline is probably one of my favorite places in the world! I used to be mesmerized by the waves there....I thought they were incredible! When we came home from HI, I made the kids watch Blue Crush....they only saw Pipeline when it was flat! I was still scared to swim in it...no waves(hardly)....saw some surfers come out of there pretty banged up before when the waves were big....made me chicken...but I swam!....nervously. If you haven't seen Blue Crush...it is so good! I love how they show the waves underwater....beautiful!

PCC for the rest of the day!

nicko's work...klicker strawberries

2010-07-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

this is nick's 5th or 6th year working at Klicker strawberries. he started when he was 12....picking strawberries. since he has been field boss, picker, belt worker, stacker, weeder, planter.....fence builder...trucker, dumper....sorter....sugarererer.....etc. just about everything. he seems to really love it....even though he has to be to work before 7am and usually leaves here at 6:30 am every morning....they work saturdays too.....he works over 9 hour days too and six days a week. i hate the kids working this much!! (shanie worked strawberries for about this many years too.) i guess better than him sleeping in all summer....i have an aversion to sleeping in....drives me crazy....i have no respect for the 'sleeper-in-er'. nick would love to sleep forever....he would be one to sleep until noon....but i start pestering him at 8...then 9....then i pretty much have a fit if he is still in bed by 9:30.....surely this is the ultimate in laziness!!! nick pops out of bed though for summer strawberry work.....better than he does for school. he likes the crowd of teens that work there too. klickers hires a ton of kids to pick. the season is over for most kids....they keep the older kids for klicker mountain picking....that will last a few more weeks and then he is done for the summer

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in the morning...kids arrive to pick and nick and some of the older kids load them on the buses to organize them or drive them (nick doesn't drive the buses) to the location they will be picking

shanie's summer work

2010-07-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

shanie worked 55 hours this week! yuck! mostly for me...cuz i don't get to see her much. she is working for a plant nursery and orchard....rowley's. it is cherry harvest this week and last week. that means she is off to work at 4:45 am! and pretty much 9 and half to 10 hour day! she seems to really like working there. she is the only spanish/english speaking worker during cherry harvest and she is sorting, stacking and weighing the cherries as the workers bring them in...speaking her spanish. she normally weeds, transfers plants, loads trucks with plants and trees to sell to stores or nurserys, prunes...a lot of things. they have i think four greenhouses, and acres and acres of plants and trees.

speaking of spanish...shanie went with me to the spanish relief society and gave the prayer and read....i just sit there and laugh and pretend to understand. but all those spanish ladies love me and i love them....they always hug and kiss and that is so me....well....had to get used to the kissing....on the cheek.

here are some pictures of shanie's work.

'tommie likie....tommie no likie'

2010-07-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

if you haven't seen Tommy Boy yet....you've really missed out. it's probably our favorite movie to quote. tommy boy....says "tommie likie" for something in the movie and we have said it ever since. "do you like that icecream?"..."Siiii...tommie-likie!"

tommie-likie:
swimming at night
showers
running horses pictures....preferably in some water
chocolate....duh!
pretzel m&ms and coconut m&ms
sleeping during church
storms
ocean
kids doing clean up
kids cleaning bathrooms
kids dusting blinds
kids with work charts in hand...uncrumpled or torn
christmas candy and supplies coming out the day after halloween...ya!
happy kids
kids that want to play with mama! ;)
making cookies
eating brownie dough
kids laughing together
a good hearing day
walks with the hubby
two piece bathing suits
pestering....a way to love
movies....good ones
talking to my twin sister every day....about pretty much nothing
walking and talking to my sister....like she was walking with me

tommie-no-likie:
clean up
picking up after everyone
smell of sunless tanning lotion
tight pants...that were once loose-urrrggghhh!
kids working 9+ hours a day all summer....me never seeing them :(
the one white sock....found in the darks....after washing
too many one socks!
school supplies out in stores in july!!!!
removal of summer supplies in stores in july!!!!
scales that weigh wrong
neighbors passing away....(our elderly neighbors next door both passed away this year....6 months apart....he died last week. we miss them!) he couldn't live without her.
empty house next door
donkey's braying all day and night
raspberry starts growing all over into the lawn
weeds!
mean people
cranky people.... and when i'm cranky (which is rare...oh so rare)summer ending
panicked feeling from procrastination

photo moments....attempt....at least. summer night swim

2010-07-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

summer fun

2010-07-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

summer swim....at night....bennington lake

Nick...scout encampment and shaved head.

2010-07-01T18:30:00.001-07:00

Nick just got back from a big scout encampment. His leader talked the boys into shaving their heads for this....I was like....NO WAY!....his hair is so cute...but then I knew he would never forget doing this....that it would be a great part of his memories....so I let him! He looks older....like a Marine! A member of the General YM's presidency asked Nick to speak one night on a topic along with a few hand picked boys. I heard that Nick gave a great talk on service....serving our elderly neighbors. Often, I will send Nick over to help them....sometimes I deliberately don't go with him....knowing that he will grow more without me. He helped the daughter of our neighbor clean out their gutters....they were full of little trees...actually growing! Nick had such a wonderful time talking with the daughter....she is a retired teacher....I went over later to check on him and found them talking and Nick so happy and the neighbor's daughter so happy too. Anyway...Nick talked in front of 1500 other boys and I had so many people come up and tell me what a great job he did....how great the things he talked about were....I mean sooooo many men and boys! I swear Nick was born to do great things!

more...things i'm learning

2010-07-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

if you fill the washer too full....it will vibrate violently across the floor and nothing really gets clean.
i never want to be sophisticated...sophisticated=cold.
you really can't text and drive.
subbing for primary is like playing with little kids....they will want you to keep doing it....and doing it and won't leave you alone.
dreams can come true.
family is number one.
i was born the wrong color...in the wrong culture.
tanning makes you wrinkled and freckled.
if you are generous...you are blessed with more....if you are stingy...you get less.
some things are out of your control.
you have to have faith and hope.
summer and christmas don't last forever.
i have to read scriptures every day....or i'm doomed.
i love the way i grew up.
i grew up soooo free....too free.
Taylor...whats his name....from Eclipse...does have very nice abs.
i like picking up and driving my kids....trapped with mom.
picking fresh raspberries every morning for my cereal is yummy.
pictures...really do tell a story....i love pictures.
i may appreciate art and good decor...but mostly that is it....i'm an appreciater....not an artist.
i like plain things...not too busy....probably because i feel too busy...inside.
missionaries look younger and younger.
i can't paint my toe nails for the life of me...not well.
i want my whites really white....and my teeth....but neither are ever white enough.

Hike June 17th....Utah

2010-06-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Cave/mining tunnel we found.....it was pitch black without the camera flash....used our phones to see but didn't dare go in too far without light.....next time we will bring a flashlight. Shanie and Cade (sister Cammy's boy)

Shanie is a little billy goat.....my kids just scamper up any mountain. We found this cave.....mining tunnel.

See the ancient hieroglyphics?

My dad!

2010-06-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

Our hike and adventures this past weekend. Playing with my dad still!

Memories of my dad:

tickle fest......running around dad and him catching us and tickling us
Jim Reeves and Johnny Cash
dancing with dad
dad and his tape recorder.....ready for our dates.... and screams of fits over ugly Cmas tree
dad reading Les Miserables.....became my favorite book (i've read it several times)....loved hearing about Cossette (sp?) and Jean Val Jean (sp?....name? hahaha....can't remember)
dad reading Edgar Alan Poe.....scary stories.....we knew he loved them!
dad and his "Buried alive story"
dad and his "Das Buch"
dad and tv!....adjusting the antenna and the color....ALOT
dad and cookies and bread and milk....only in cool whip bowls
dad and frozen carrot cake....in milk....in a bowl
dad and 'buttoned up wrong' sweaters
dad carrying us....on his shoulders.....knocking our heads off as he went downstairs!
dad carrying us on his feet, legs, arms, and back! several kids at a time
scarying dad and seeing him get scared....the only time he would...."I don't like being scared!"
dad and flips....on the hand ....hard discipline!

dad and 8 track tapes....with spoons inserted to keep them working....i think spoons
dad driving the van "beeeaannn".....and us sitting up on the engine cover (inside camper)looking out the window and at dad driving....loving the view of the road and the warm engine....and adventure!
dad making all our bed in the "beeeannn"....spending endless hours making our beds
dad and naps.....with some cloth over his head....face?
dad coming home at the same time every day.....us waiting "Okay keeyyy kaads....any okee kads?"
dad going on business trips "we might never see him again.....what if his plane crashes?.....better say goodbye"
dad's trip prizes! especially turqoise ring! (still have it....a treasure)
dad "the worry wart".....but now i think not.....we did dangerous hikes!
dad and hiking
dad and parades....we had to see every one!
dad and Cmas!!!! dad not liking my lunch box Cmas present.....me crushed!
"Dees hamburgers!"....swear word
dad 'cracking his head open' on open cupboard doors
holey and mismatched socks
dad reading us bible stories with great feeling
dad always cleaning the garage.....endlessly cleaning the garage!
dad telling us he would give us extra work.....if we complained or didn't do this or that
dad and his car pool
dad and that one guy in his car pool (forgot his name) that dad didn't get along with....maybe the only person i knew dad didn't get along with! (other than mom ;)
dad's Hercules badge and steel toe shoes
going to Hercules Lagoon day and to Hercules....only the very entrance....never ever seeing his office....top security! building rockets and missles
dad and his pockets full of saved candies, jams, cookies and gum
"say a prayer, pass it down".....during the sacrament
slivers of gum....in church
rummaging through all his pockets during church....trying to find a treat
dad in the choir

dad saving....hiding cookies and cakes until they rotted but still eating them....with milk
dad and combing his hair.....all the time!
dad talking to everyone everywhere!
dad spitting as he talked
dad on his 40th Bday.....singing "Unhappy birthday to me"
dad asking us if we would remember what he looked like now.....before he got older
or would we remember him when he had hair?
dad and covers!......covering us at night!.....him with a hundred covers for himself
dad helping us with leg aches.....pounding and hot pads
dad and 'talk fests'.....giving good advice.....i loved 'talk fests'

sorry.....i could go on for all day but i have to clean the house!

tiver

Sunset wheatfield walks

2010-06-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

Steve and I have been driving up the hills.....into the wheatfields....at sunset....and walking. It is so beautiful! The wheat will soon be turning brown....which makes me sad.....I like it green. Nick went with us last night and it was fun walking down the middle of the road and pretty much only one truck went by.....it is almost like being alone on a country road......your own world! There are fields of peas too.....green and pretty. I can't believe how the green can go on forever and ever. I love nature's color green!
See the hills?....how the wheat goes up to the top? That is where we are driving to to take our walks....close to the top. Wow, I can't believe we've lived here so long and never done this.....there is some cool places and homes.....looks like such an adventure to live there....with awesome sunset and valley views! We are planning a new family wheatfield picture next year....before Nick goes on his mission.....this picture was taken just before Nate went on his mission.....four years ago. We would have taken a wheatfield picture sooner but Nate and Shanie are always at college until the wheat starts turning brown....and I want a green picture.

Stuff

2010-06-10T21:05:00.000-07:00

Stuff and isms....

Nate and his girlfriend.....Kamie Olson. Cute couple!

Picking up 'the Lu' (Shanie) at the Fieldhouse.....BYU. Memorial weekend.

"Want some?"

Today (June 10th) and yesterday we had incredible thunder storms.....I've never heard thunder last that long! Steve said that 4 cows were killed....hit by lightening....and two struck cows landed on their calves....but not to worry the calves were rescued! But what will they do without their mommas? I don't like to hear stories like this!

After the thunder we had a huge downpour of rain.....Nick's last day of school today.....and already bored......yep!.......we ran out in the rain.....got soaked in seconds, and I jumped in all the puddles......I went jumping down the curb through the water! Too fun! (We are retarded)

isms...well sort of

Steve-ism has to have his sheets tucked in tight and perfect.

Syl-ism has to have her sheets completely untucked and free.....so feet can poke out.

.....we both sleep in the middle! :)

Steve-ism......only white soft bread.

Syl-ism.....only heavy whole grain bread! (Ugh....I've been trying to wean that boy from his white bread!)

Steve-ism.....three items in each of his bathroom drawers (ohhh....how i want to stray into his drawers with my stuff.....but i don't dare!)

Syl-ism.....i counted 7 open bottles of lotion.....all different......5 brushes....3 combs.....3 different hairsprays.....one for straight hair day....one for poofy hair day.....and one that I got on sale but don't like....but can't throw away....so i use it every now and then. and many many more things......ummmm....3 toothbrushes and 2 different toothpaste (usually i have 3 but Nick stole one).....hmmmm....i could go on forever.....but you get the picture!

Steve-ism.....Steve's alarm goes off for several seconds before he slowly gets up to turn it off and then he climbs back in bed and groans and cough and sighs for a few more minutes before getting up.

Syl-ism....i usually jump out of bed long before my alarm goes off.

BYU girls pole vault team and coach

2010-06-09T17:47:00.001-07:00

Renee Bushman.....honoring Steve's mom.

2010-06-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

I caught the kids walking through the cemetary like this. We were getting ready to head back to Walla Walla and Nate and Shanie came up and put their arms around Nick as we walked away! Nick misses them so much! It was so great to be together! I'm glad the kids love each other so much! Fun to watch them play together. Steve at his mom's grave.

We sat around Steve's mom's grave and told memories of her.....like how she used to sneak money and chocolate to me and the kids when the boys weren't looking.....how she laughed at all of Steve's (lame) jokes......how she sang "Bill Groggins Goat".......how she made us fudge and molasses cookies for Cmas and our fun Christmas' with her.....and her little gifts for them. Very great time together reminiscing.....felt so close as a family! Later we went to lunch and I asked the kids all sorts of questions.....I like to......and I asked them what they feared most.....both Shanie and Nate said that they feared that one of our family would go astray....that we wouldn't be together forever. I love that! That my kids would fear straying more than anything.....like the Stripling Warriors and their fathers......fear to sin. Or fear that their loved ones would. Ohhh....I love my family!

Hike above the "U"

2010-06-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

My dad wanted us all to go on his "Elizabeth Smart" hike above the U in Salt Lake. It was pretty cool up there....he said he even saw Elizabeth Smart and her parents walking up there....soon after she was found....he seems to think he found them looking over the kidnapping spots. He said hi to her and she was very friendly and smiley! (I'm soooo glad!) She is on a mission in Paris now.....yeah for her and her awesome family! Here up on top of the mountain.....pretty views of Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City! It was a fun hike!

My kids are used to hikes.....it was one cheap thing we could do when they were little and I loved to explore.....but I must say I have no sense of direction in the wilds!

Pretty view of Great Salt Lake.

This part was sooo steep and slippery.....especially if you are dumb enough not to bring the hiking shoes you put out but couldn't stand to wear until the hike.....because my feet hate to be enclosed!

My dad and niece....at the top! My dad took us on tons of hikes when I was little....now as I go over them, I think.....maybe they were too dangerous for 10 kids of all ages! My dad is still a great hiker!

My sandals......very slippery.....but cool.....but a pain......but so what-I made it!

You should have seen us trying to find the 'less steep' return......a little lost....but 'having an adventure'.....unfortunately in the backyard of several really rich people! lol! Wow! You should have seen this new house being built....he made these great waterfalls in his backyard coming down the mountain.....beautiful! We all decided it would be no fun to be soooo rich....to have everything.....funner to dream!

Sumo family

2010-06-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

Tumbling gym in Provo. Nate and Shanie go all the time here and jump, run, tumble....whatever! I'm glad my kids like to be so active! Must have been all those years without tv reception! Didn't seem to hurt them much.
Shanie Lu
Nicko-poo
.....and Nato too!

hmmmmph........

On the day that Nato was born!

2010-05-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Nate's birthday, May 30th, 1987! Nate is going into denistry....officially....ummm....well....sort of officially.....we will see! He has one more year at BYU though credit-wise he is a senior.....but for his pre-dentistry....he has that much longer. (Nate in Costa Rica)

On the day that Nato was born the angels sang and they 'tooted' their horns and they danced and they danced!!!!!! And I danced and danced.....with him....to get him to sleep and to love him! Nate is turning 23! He has been home from his mission (to El Salvador) for two years now. I remember the day he was born.....Steve almost fainted and everyone stopped attending me and ran to his side to keep him from passing out on the floor and I just laid there....in a very awkward position ....thinking "What the heck???.....ummmm......over here!......please...aaaa.....hello?" Nate was born with a perfect cone head! Never have you seen such a perfectly formed cone! A very tough delivery! I was so pleased with him!!!! How could a cone head baby be so cute....and jaundiced! My tan little cone head!

"Ta-Prise!" (surprise!)

Nate was born serious...sort of....but silly too. He didn't smile forever and when he finally laughed it sounded like a forced cough with a grimace! I was so happy to have this new little companion and toted him everywhere with me....and he was so good natured. I would always reach back to hold his hand in the car and couldn't find it one time.....only to look back and find his carseat turned over on its side with Nate calmly sitting in it sideways! I wonder just how long he rode like this???

Nate was the most loving brother and so pleased when Shanie was born....he was so soft and careful with her....he would curl around her and fall asleep. He loved her so much! What a good boy....an unusually good boy! As they both got older and Shanie's iron will got to him one day and he exclaimed in frustration that he wouldn't have so many sins if it wasn't for Shanie! He always wanted to please and help. He was the most decorated scout ever and the toughest wrestler even though he was small. He used to want me to measure how tall he was.....every day....twice a day....and pretty much he didn't grow! He would come to our room at night and tell us goodnight at least four times before going to bed.....or until Steve got frustrated and scooted him out. He always did his best! So spiritually strong....and concerned about everyone....wanting us to have meaningful prayers and family time. He was such a peacemaker and we sorely missed him when he left on his mission....his presence in our home was so great! Often people were amazed at him and we would have teachers, leaders, and others rave and rave over Nate. His greatness was/is undeniable!

But....just so you know he isn't perfect! A little disorganized.....slow at getting ready.....and he hated my work charts!....he lived in great fear of them and happily grew up to work other places than home. He still speaks of those charts with dread and loathing in his voice! I loved working with the kids! Nate always wanted an assignment and for me to leave him alone to do it....but I liked to monitor. hahaha! He is so so so loved! A great blessing! Can't wait to see what his future holds!

nick...high jump....from high school website

2010-05-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

wow....shanie wearing makeup!

2010-05-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

Shanie and the girl's BYU track team....some kind of awards dinner or night. Shanie in the middle...in black. Shanie in the very middle here too...just her head poking out.

things i've learned

2010-05-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

things i've learned:

babies have a healing touch
i don't know how to use a can opener
sleeping in only makes me tired
cats have a lot of hair
i'll spend an hour vacuuming...cuz i love those cats
people are crazy interesting
only open your m&ms bag enough to get out one
if you only pick in a goodie...then you never have a piece...so no calories
piles accumulate so fast
laundry is never done
jumping is healthy and fun
i hate a messy kitchen
i can't throw away favorite toys of the kids....even if they don't care
it takes a lot more time to look passable as i age
i'm only going to get older....so better enjoy now
mean people are usually sad and lonely
i like unusual people....who dare to be themselves
studying is fun
i like to copy people i admire
the Book of Mormon is my favorite book
i'll eat expensive chocolate much slower
kids grow up
....and move away
enjoy the rain....do something crazy in it
look up
water is my favorite element
banana every day is a must
i'm usually attracted and repelled at the same time
paint needs to be eventually redone
gardens need water
any time i brag....i get humbled
a mopped floor makes me feel like a new woman
eating late makes me sick
movement is calming
.....i still like to rock
details drive me crazy....unless on vacation
vacation is the key to survival
i need to get away
i hate routine
life can be more interesting with treats
you can give too much
mature (older....but not to me) people are extremely interesting
age doesn't mean anything to me
having kids.....my greatest-favoriteistististist thing
i like making up words
i'm a little autistic...and ADD
i like to repeat words over and over
i love attention
i love presents
dust accumulates
you can have too much stuff on your fridge
clean windows give you a new outlook
teenagers are interesting and fun....i like to watch them
i'm too sensitive
teaching is the greatest
the earth is incredibly beautiful
the ocean is amazing
christmas makes me feel young and happy
i want to quit just before i get to the end....but somehow make it and finish
money is useful
i can have fun without money
....can't go to Hawaii without money
swearing is sort of fun....but not the bad bad words
anything can be an adventure....especially the mishaps
i'm restless
i'm not a homebody
i like someone to help me all the time
i hate being alone
walking is calming
talking to my family is the best
romance makes the world sparkle
sci-fi movies are the best
procrastination....is my enemy....and too good friend
kids have their own opinions
you can't make me
i can't make them
criticism makes me crumble and praise makes me stronger
i want my family to be together
i like blunt women but not blunt men
summer is my favorite season but fall and spring are the prettiest
i hate anything left in the kitchen sink
i want my house to be sooo clean....but livable
early morning hours are some of the greatest
catch as many sunsets and sunrises as you can
stop and listen....ummmm to nature....not people.....but you should.........that is listen to people too.....if they don't talk too much or too long with out any verbal interaction
i'll have to do a part two of this some day
i don't like reading anything that is too long
hahaha!
i love to massacre the English language and any other language i can get my hands on
chow!

Seminary! ......how many days until school is out?

2010-05-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the Jaredite barge race! They built their barges in four teams.

Only two would jump.....I guess in high school you have to be 'cool'......some of my boys wouldn't even be in the picture....camera shy?.....think that it is dumb?.....too cool? who knows what goes on in a teenage boy's head! I give up figuring it out! Trying to get them together for a picture in front of the seminary building with their barges....some said "No thanks" to getting their picture taken. Maybe it is embarrassing because we are across the street from the school? hahaha! I like to embarrass teenagers!

Racing our Jaredite Barges

2010-05-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

In seminary the kids built Jaredite barges and some were pretty interesting, the next day we took our boats across the street to race them down the river.....to see if they would really float or even go down the river! ;) One of the barges even had 16 stones in them (balls of tin foil)...even though we know that each barge only had two. I actually think they liked making the barges more than racing them.

When I was little my dad would always have us kids choose a stick and we would start at a bridge or something, throw our stick in the river and see which would get to a certain point the fastest. This was incredibly fun....or we just didn't know any better. I am continually thankful I learned how to have a blast doing simple things.....I still have that gift from my dad! I just don't understand when someone doesn't think the dorkiest things are so fun. I hope I never get 'too sophisticated'......I want to enjoy the box that my present came in more than the present....you know what I mean.....like when you were a kid. I think I will always have a kid outlook on life! I wonder if the problem with kids today is the curse of having too much.....they don't know how to have fun with a stick or a box any more.

Balloon Stampede Fun Run

2010-05-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

I ran early this morning....my regular 3 miles (I don't like running far) but saw the signs up for the fun run, so I decided to run that too. Boy, I felt better than ever running the fun run.....not so anxious but still not the fastest runner ever! lol! I keep thinking how it is so much more important to be consistent than fast.....and I've been exercising consistently for over 30 years now! I had to excercise a little more today.....we went back for dinner at the fairgrounds where they are holding the balloon stampede.....lots of venders.....just like the fair! Steve was so fun and came with me on the run (to watch) and later back for greasy grossy sugary food! We got a funnel cake, carmel apple, drink, Hawaiian food, and Nick got a huge corn dog. We don't normally buy so much 'fair food' but it was fun today!

I can't believe tomorrow is Mother's Day. How did my mom raise 10 kids? No wonder she was so exhausted! ;) I hope I can honor her in some way.

I love being a mom.....more than anything else! I feel so lucky to have had the best times with my kids.....I missed them at the Balloon Stampede.....Nick came with us but I could tell he felt dumb with his mom and dad.....I miss the days when we used to go together to see the balloons off in the early morning hours (until they got too old....and wanted to sleep in) and for the night show. I loved walking around with them....and they probably did that longer than was 'teenager comfortable'!

Every day I thank God for letting me be a mom!

Nick's Prom

2010-05-08T21:23:00.000-07:00

Sydney and Nick

J.T., Austin, Matt, Nick, Blake
Julia, Kirsten, Kara, Sydney, Ashley

He's a joyful boy!

Beautiful sunset.....Walla Walla

2010-04-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

I think we have the most

amazing sunsets and sunrises! This is one of a million! So beautiful! View looking out to our backyard....the neighbor's pasture

.

Proof we are getting so old! And sleepy!

2010-04-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Lots of sleeping pictures of Steve....he is older than me!

Precious (cat) loves to sleep with Steve on the couch.....after she gives him a little cat massage.

Any place is a good place to sleep!

Poor Nicko.....and his aging parents!

2010-04-27T19:38:00.000-07:00

I feel so bad for poor Nicko! We had Family Home Evening last night and Steve fell asleep almost as soon as he sat down and I started falling asleep too.....and I was giving the lesson! Finally Nick grabs my lesson out of my hands and says with a cute smile of mild disgust that I might as well give it up.....I was passing out as I was reading....taking a long time on one word....it would become focused and then completely blank! lol! I kept thinking "poor poor Nicko" .....we just don't have any 'juice' left! I try to be interesting and fun.....like trying to have an opening song.....some Christmas tune.....or a random Primary song that I don't really know the words to. Both Steve and Nick look at me with such {precious} faces.....I wish I could take a picture of that expression and frame it! Last Monday we decided to really spice up our FHE night and we went to Dairy Queen.....after all they were having buy one blizzard and get the second one for 25 cents! Wooohooo! We sat at our table at 'the DQ'.....Nick with his parents eating blizzards while a crowd of teenagers from high school surrounded us....wondering why Nick would be there with his parents! Ahhhhh......life just gets better and better.....and more interesting! (For us.....parents)

2010-04-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

The Kids

2010-04-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Nick, Whitney (other daughter), Shanie, Catherine, Nate, and Kelli.....right after Shanie's basketball game.
Nick, Whitney, me, and Nate.....at the basketball game.

Two peas in a pod....Nick and I are too much alike!

Nieces and Nephews

2010-04-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

Ohhhh.....my fun nieces and nephews.....but you don't really want to be around this many kids on April Fools Day! The kids were playing so many tricks......they saran wrapped the toilet and so to please them I went in and splashed water all over me and ran out screaming, "Who did that? Look at me!" The kids about died of great happiness but followed me around the rest of the day with toothpaste oreos and cayenne pepper suckers and all sorts of things! lol! I never told them I was pretending about the saran wrap trick....hopefully their moms won't say anything.

McKensie (youngest sister's daughter...Rosalee's)

Daisie's baby Brooklyn.....Daisie painted all her kids faces while they slept, for April Fools Day and then she left their markings on all day!

Daisie's daughter Sierra Dakota.
Brooklyn and Tyler (Rosalee's baby and Daisie's)

Connely.....Cyn's (twin sister's) grandson.....JaCee's son.

Shanie BYU track

2010-04-07T21:43:00.000-07:00

Shanie got 3rd place at her track meet! She has such good friends in her fellow pole vaulters.....here they are having some fun together. I slept over at Shanie's apartment and Nick slept at Nate's. Shanie also had a intramural basketball game that we went to....it was at 9pm! They are in the championships. That girl sure loves sports!

Locker room.

Shake/Malt shop near BYU.

Shanie, Catherine, and Kelli

Glorious Chaos!

2010-03-31T09:21:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here on the couch at my parents listening and watching all my sister's little kids playing....right now they are calling my dad 'Grandma Dave' so he will chase them around the house and tickle them. Now they are asking him to put up the mattress on the stairs so the kids can slide down. I sure grew up in a fun house! We could make huts....slide down stairs and have so many adventures! The kids are being so funny! I let Daisie's baby suck on my face for a second and she must have had boogers because I got slimed! I found a list of April Fools pranks to play on her cousins......Rosalee/Buddy's daughter Lexi made it up. It is hilarious with each person's name on it with the trick she is going to play on them! Ahhhh.....youth is soooo great! It is snowing a ton....and yuck for that.....I wanted to play outside....but we are going to watch R-rated shows with my sister's Clear (or Clean) Play.....edit dvd machine. We laughed so hard at the video store trying to find R-rated shows but having a hard time....usually it seems like all the movies are R but now that we could legally find one we had trouble! We found some pretty funny movies....like "Zombie Strippers"! I love my family!!!!!

I'm watching the babies (two) while my sisters are at the (yuck) material store. The kids woke up one of the sleeping babies....kissing and attacking her. Dang....hope those sisters aren't gone too long....I don't have the right feeding equipment!

Nick and Chicks

2010-03-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Nick!

2010-03-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

Nick is off to Sadie Hawkins Dance tonight....his date, Kara Goodwin.

Comments from Nick's teachers at Parent/Teacher Conference:

Computer Aps teacher: "Nick is the most polite kid in all my classes."

Spanish teacher: "Nick's nickname in Spanish class-Chancho. Joy to have in class, the highest grade in the class. Nick has a talent for languages."

Math teacher: "Nick is awesome! I love his dedication. He is a bright young man."

English teacher: "Nick is a gentleman, he helps me put up chairs and everything. I love having him in class!"

Chemistry teacher: "Nick is not just content with a 100%, he is always trying to be better. He has A's across the board. Nick is a pleasure to have in class. He gets along with his peers and helps others in class. He shares the wealth....learns for himself and then helps others. Nick could be successful in everything!"

History teacher: Was MIA. But I know he loves Nick too.

Our neighbor is a substitute teacher and she raved and raved at what great kids we have! Can you tell I soak it in? I take notes what the teachers say at P/TConferences. lol!

My heaven!

2010-03-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

Our family reunited in Boise this weekend, Shanie and Nate made the trek from BYU and met us at my sister Daisie's. We went to the Cheesecake Factory.....the kids were being cute and silly....pretending the sauce container was a magic lamp. The boys also found a sign (along the road to my sister's) that said "Chicks for sale" and had to get their picture by it....too funny! Nate acted like he was putting the phone number into his phone and Nick stood behind the sign with two thumbs up.

What was heaven? Our last night together we were all in the same room....divided by a curtain.....Steve and I had long since gone to bed....the kids were up studying until 1:00 am! I'm not sure how this happened....all my kids being such great students? Not one of them has ever had a B in high school! (Brag, brag, brag!) More bragging.....probably all those books I read to them!! I mean, I read tons! Well, on that last night after studying the kids came upstairs (still at my sister's in Boise) and I heard them laughing and talking.....so I said "What is so funny?".....I was groggy and I'm famous for talking in my sleep....so the kids started laughing harder.....I hollered out, "Tell the truth!" and they roared (I probably wouldn't have remembered all this but they woke me up fully with all their cute laughing and great joy.....and what mother wouldn't wake up to the sounds of her children loving each other and having so much fun together....even if it is at her own expense?). I pretended to be asleep with the hugest smile on my face and smile in my soul....I heard them talking about all the times I talked to them in my sleep and they wanted to pester me again (in my sleep ;) so Nate came over to my bed trying to get me to talk....so I blurted out a few incoherent things....much to their great pleasure and then I turned and yelled and grabbed Nate to tickle him.....he started laughing so hard and still thought I was asleep!!!! He went back to the other kids and they were laughing so hard that I thought Nick would die.....maybe, or explode! Shanie decided to test me out too and came over but when she talked to me I pretended total sleep....after several tries she was getting ready to give up and I jumped at her and tickled her and she flew across the room in fright and fits of laughter!!! The kids were almost in need of emergency care! It was 2:00 am by then and I think they were a little 'punchy'. Ohhhhh.....I thought 'this' is HEAVEN!!!!! I slept with a smile on my face the rest of the night! Sooooo....pleased with how my kids are turning out and so happy they love each other and that they have so much fun together! Surely I fell asleep and went to heaven!!!

Three generations!

2010-03-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

My mom.....baby Brooklyn (her blessing day).....me....Daisie (sister) and her other daughter Sierra Dakota.

Pure Joy!

2010-03-08T16:45:00.000-08:00

Grandpa and granddaughter! Talk about pure joy! This is happiness... family! So cute!

Noisy birds at resort in Costa Rica

2010-02-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

Of course....there is a plane flying by.....it had all day to fly by....but you can still hear the birds! (I didn't even notice the plane.....so intent was I in listening to the birds).

This is what you could hear in the morning....if you got up early enough....seemed like everyone was sleeping. I love morning....when everyone else is missing out on the beauty of the early hours.....I want to share it with others but they never want to get up! It looks like mid-day in this video but it was only like 6:30-7 am (?).

Pura Vida - Costa Rica

2010-02-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

Pura Vida....the Costa Rican slogan....live the pure life! I love it! I loved the people of Costa Rica....they had sparkles in their eyes and a ready smile! They love their country and are so proud of it. Very laid back there....but I love to rush around....it is so relaxing to me! Nice to feel like they really loved having us visit their country.

I love the idea of living the pure life! That struck a chord with me....made me think.....wouldn't it be so great to live a life that was pure? But none of us will.....no, not one! I guess we have to go through a purifying process. .

I hated the milk there though!!! Yuck! And the meat! and and and and....but who cares about eating on vacation??? (I shouldn't keep saying this....I love to eat!.....it is to prove a point....that I am having so much fun that eating isn't a priority....which it normally is....proof of the level of fun-ness going on. )

It was so hot and humid there! Seemed like the air encircled you.....wrapped itself around your arms and body....I would walk and hold my arms out to feel it's caress. I ran on the beach in the mornings and wore my suit under one day to jump in the ocean after my run. How could I love the ocean so much???? Every day....even the first day....when we got there at 10:30 pm....I had to walk down to see the ocean....though it was so dark I couldn't see anything....but I could smell and taste the ocean....yes, taste!....and I walked in the cool sand (delicious!)....and the stars were so intense!.....I had a little Costa Rican security guard following me out to the beach with a flashlight....lol!). We did some all day tours away/inland, but I made sure I took a swim in the ocean after on those days....even if it was by myself.....Steve thought I was loco! I'm loco about salt water!! Anyway......PURA VIDA me amigos!!!

Rincon Adventure tour - Costa Rica

2010-02-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

Tamarindo.....little surfing town....Costa Rica

2010-02-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

Costa Rica catamaran ride.

2010-02-16T15:50:00.000-08:00

Catamaran sunset/snorkeling tour! Can you think of anything better than being on a sail boat out in the ocean....with music playing....snorkeling....sunset watching and dancing.....ohhhh....and eating (but who cares about that!)? This was my favorite day! I love the ocean soooo much! Good snorkeling around the reefs....lots of fish and shells....and not as exploited as Mexico.....but also not so clear.

Al and Stacee....our partners in fun!