This has been a crazy couple of months, especially December. I know everyone is busy in December, and I'm not completely sure why I've felt so busy, but I have. Maybe it's because I've had to take Taylor to work every day and then pick him up, so he sort of messed up my schedule. Maybe it's because Jake has been off-track since Thanksgiving. It always skews things when there is someone else in the mix. That's good, blame someone else. I know--lame.

Generally by the week before Christmas I've made several batches of caramels, licorice, suckers and fudge. I usually even throw in one or two batches of peanut brittle. Well at Thanksgiving, Arlene wanted some candy, so she made fudge and I made the rest--even tried my hand at divinity. Arlene didn't think anyone would want the divinity or the peanut brittle, but they were the first to disappear. I haven't made a lot of divinity, but I think it turned out okay. You whip it until "it loses it's gloss." Holy cow, what great instructions those are. So specific. I whipped, looked, checked the gloss, whipped some more and finally thought, okay, just another minute. I should have stopped then. The first couple of pieces were beautiful and then the rest were a tad bit "imperfect." But they still tasted good. After Thanksgiving, I kept thinking, okay this week I'll make candy. My first batch was the Sunday before Christmas. So very lame.

Hmm, that "lame" word seems to be my theme. What's up with that? But that Sunday I did made a batch of caramels and licorice for Corky to take to work. They turned out okay. It always drives me crazy that at least one or two batches of something simply doesn't work. Same this year. My friend Emily came over on Tuesday and we made candy. She stirred, I added, I stirred, we checked temperatures, tasted, stirred, guessed it was done, and a couple of times, it was! I made more candy after she left and made more the next day. I had to throw out one whole batch of caramels--never set up--and one batch of licorice--it was too sticky. I guess that means it didn't really set up, either. Tasted good, was just way too sticky to wrap. I still have raw spanish peanuts for another batch of brittle. I think I'll try that this weekend--it is New Year's you know. Quite often I'll make another batch of something for New Year's. It seems that even when I make a ton of candy, we only get a taste here and there because it all goes to neighbors. I think tomorrow is supposed to be a good weather day, so I could try the divinity again. Did you know it doesn't work well when it's a snowy day? And, don't set suckers outside to cool if there's too much moisture in the air--they remain sticky. That's my hint for the day.

Tomorrow is a special day. I am really excited because Taylor is going to the temple. This part has come really fast for me. I loved helping him fill out the paperwork, get his shots, look for some clothes and the little things for the mission--like a little clock, shoe polish kit, stuff like that. But today we went to the Distribution Center to purchase new undies. It just kind of hit me that this is really, really real. I know in my heart and in my head that my son is going on a mission, and part of that is going to temple. This just seems so "grown up." He turned 19 last week, and he's really doing this.

I talked to a friend the other day who has a missionary, also in Brazil, who commented how cool it is to have a son worthy to go on a mission. I feel the same. I have expressed that feeling to Taylor; I hope he understands how wonderful that is. There are so many young men who are unable to go because of worthiness issues, I am truly grateful that my son is in the "ready to go" category.

I love all of this getting ready business. I know I'll have many blubbering moments, and have already had some, but this is truly what he needs to be doing, and I'm so happy that it's happening!

So, did you all have a wonderful Christmas? We did. When I was a little girl, Arlene and I shared what Mom calls "the middle bedroom." For those of you who know, it was Grandpa's bedroom. Actually, we all shuffled around quite a bit and at one time or another, I was able to call each bedroom in the house my own. But when we were, as Luan called us, "the two little girls," we lived in that bedroom. Luan was in the lower room, Ron and Lynn downstairs, and Mom and Dad in the other room, the one where Mom is now. On Christmas morning, Ron and Lynn would creep up the stairs at about 4 a.m., quietly get Luan, and then come and wake up Arlene and me. We would all crawl down the long hallway to get Mom and Dad. We'd surround their bed and wake them up. I don't remember being sent back to bed, but we got up in the dark of the night to see what Santa left. Grandma always made us pajamas and invariably there was a pin left in at least one pair. We'd open presents, ooh and ahh and then put on our new jammies and go back to bed. I think Mom stayed up to get the turkey ready. I remember that thing having to cook for the whole day.

One year I do remember Lynn and Ron set the clocks back and it was really only about 2 or 3 in the morning. I kind of remember an unhappy Dad and being sent back to bed that night. Poor Mom and Dad--they had probably just gotten into bed! I know this year it was 2:30 when I finally was ready for my bed. Way too late. There have been prepared years when I didn't have to do any wrapping on Christmas Eve after the kids when to bed, but probably more years when I was not so prepared. Once again, I blame it on having two boys at home! I do have to say it was kind of difficult to do much shopping with Jake by my side every minute. I do enjoy him, though and wouldn't trade him for anything.

The strangest request from my house to Santa was, of course, from Jake. He wanted a turtleneck. What's up with that? We all looked at each other and wondered what planet he came from. But good old Santa found a turtleneck, green, just for Jake. Matches his eyes.

You know, it's kind of strange because when you have big kids and little kids, you forget sometimes what things are important to the little guys. Jake is 9 and is still quite a believer. In his letter to Santa, his final line was, "I love you, Santa." When we went to visit Santa, he was practically shaking he was so excited. I have to remind myself how magical this is to him still. Even Dante wrote a letter to Santa. It was kind of funny because I heard him talking to Jake from the next room. Dante asked, "Jake, can you read cursive?" "Yes." "Can you read all of the letters in cursive?" "Oh yeah, I can read them all. We're up to "f" at school." Made me chuckle. Dante wrote a letter to Santa in his very best cursive. He's 12, but just like Ralphie from "The Christmas Story" he wasn't about to take any chances. And we never come out and say much about Santa. When the kids have asked, we just tell them, when you stop believing in Santa, he stops bringing you presents. We will get you some, but he won't. They've never said much else about the subject.

I am so excited because I got a Blendtec blender. Of this I need to take pictures and show what this baby can do! We were in the market for a wheat grinder, since I have been buying wheat and have no way to grind it, and Corky did some research and decided it would be more fun to have a heavy-duty blender that also grinds. Saves space and does more than grind wheat. I've made some killer smoothies and banana liquados (I don't really know how to spell that--it's what Corky calls them, but I can drink them!). I'm excited to try it out and see what veggies I can hide in a smoothie for Jake. He loves fruit and smoothies, but not veggies. I'm going to stick a carrot in the next one to see if he notices.

Moni got her wisdom teeth out yesterday. Poverina. She's actually doing very well--she barfed up the Lortab so she's afraid to take any more. She's just had ice packs and today we gave her some ibuprofen and Excedrin. She was crying and moaning yesterday and just like the goofy kid you've all seen coming home from the dentist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs The nurse asked her why she was crying, but she didn't know. In the car on the way home, Moni was trying to talk to my through sign language. I didn't have that class. I was worried for Corky when I left for work, but when I got home, she was awake and not fussing or anything, even with no pain killers. What a trooper. Totally unexpected from her parents, who are very happy with her good sportsmanlike attitude! Way to go Mo! (Corky was stuck with cleaning up the barf, though. Thanks doll.)

A missionary!

This has got to be the coolest, yet the strangest feeling ever. My son is going to be a missionary! I've known this day would come, but now it's here. Last Wednesday Taylor got his mission call. I know this isn't news, since you all know, but he is going to the Brazil Ribierao Preto mission on February 24, 2010.

We knew the call would come on Wednesday (the 21st). I checked the mailbox, no mail. Then I saw the mailman driving down the street, so I followed him. It wasn't our regular delivery man, and he had turned down a different street than I expected, so I asked if he would be going to our mailbox. He said yes, so I told him I'd go wait for him. He kind of chuckled and said if I had some ID he could give me our mail. So he handed me a couple of wimpy letters. My heart sank. I was probably whining when I said, is that all? I was expecting a big envelope. He looked in the "big envelope" pile, and there it was! He wanted to see if we had any other mail, but I didn't care at all about anything else.

I jumped in the car, looked at the letter, and started to cry. I knew that Taylor's life would be different now. He was going someplace to be a missionary, to teach the gospel, to find people who wanted to share in the glorious truths of what he could bring to them. It didn't even matter where he was going, but this was real.

The night before on my way home from work I kept thinking about all the places he could end up--Australia, Alabama. New Zealand, Nevada. Ireland, Illinois. Argentina, Arizona. The possibilities were truly endless (well, I guess there is a limit, but you get what I mean).

As I looked at that envelope, I just knew Heavenly Father had been thinking about my son and had great things in mind for him. I was gearing up for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Two nights before I dreamed Taylor got the call to Florida, and I just shrugged and said, "Nah. That's not it. I just don't see him there." So I was trying really hard to be ready for Ft. Lauderdale and not sound disappointed when that was the place.

I drove downtown to pick up Corky so we could all be there together and find out where Taylor would be for the next two years. Brazil never entered my mind. But wow--this is so great. I know Taylor will be a wonderful missionary and be enthusiastic about serving the people of Brazil. Now if he can just figure out how Ribierao sounds like "Heberon." There are a couple of people in our ward who served in Brazil, and one right in Riberao Preto. He was pretty excited to share info with Taylor.

Today we received flight information and Visa information. I can't believe all the paperwork that's involved and the questions they want answered. I do have to say I'm pretty impressed by how organized the Church is--I guess they've got this down now. A good deal of the paperwork we received is already filled in with names and addresses and stuff like that. The instructions are very clear on what to do when. Of course, I'll still be able to mess it up. I'm good at that.

I am very proud of Taylor. He wants to go on his mission. He wants to be in Brazil. He is ready to go. He is the first of the group of boys in our ward to go, although there are four who should all be turning in their papers. I hope this will be a good example to the other boys. But I am proud of him and happy that he wants to be a missionary.

And yes, Uncle Lynn was the closest to guessing. He guessed another mission, but still in Brazil. So he's half right. I'm thinking of giving him half a cake for the prize. Hmmm.

The Annual Cub Scout Cake Auction

Every year our ward has a cake auction that funds our group for the next year. People try to get really creative, so this year I found a book (I'm not taking the credit for the creativity) that had some great ideas. So, we tried them! Check these out. . .

Old Swampy

You can even see part of the book behind Swampy--see, I'm not so creative as all this. . . but it does give me some ideas of where to go from here.

T.V. dinner turned out great! I did the chicken legs and Taylor did the rest. At first he wasn't very interested, but before I knew what he was doing, he had this part finished. It was a lot of fun. This isn't the best angle to see the chicken legs, but they did look like legs.

The pigs weren't as fun as the rest, but they were cute. Next year I'll make pigs, sheep and chicks, along with a barn. Yes, I saw that in a picture.

I love the corn on the cob! It was so fun to make. I was just laughing the whole time. As soon as I had three jelly beans in a row, it started to look like real corn. And of course I bought new corn holders--I promise I didn't use the rusty ones from my drawer. I love the pepper, too.

Simona made a beautiful butterfly and Jake made a dirt/worm cake. Naturally he had to bid on his worm cake--so I ended up paying $17 for his cake (that I already paid for) that we could have re-created for probably $3. Oh well. I can't even begin to say how much I spent on the "fixings" for these cakes, but I have quite a few leftovers. It was my first try and next time I'll know what to look for, but this was a lot of fun. People at the auction loved them, too, so that was cool. We all had fun making them.

I even made a batch of fudge, but it wasn't my best effort so I only took two small tins for the $5 table. I couldn't ask people to bid on imperfect fudge--or "wudge" as we call it at our house. Corky said he was going to call Grandma and tell her that I walked away from the stove while making candy. I know--that's the first rule--you never try to do too many things while making candy and you never leave the stove. How many cakes did I make? I didn't even mention the one that fell on the floor. Poor Jake. I have an old table where I was storing the cakes so they'd be out of the kitchen and out of the way. I warned the kids not to put any pressure on the leaf that was out, but he forgot. It was Corky's Favorite Lemon Bundt Cake. Oh well, we got pieces of it. And, I can make another one! And, not like we hadn't had our fill of cake. . .

I hope Emily took pictures of the butterfly and the worm cakes. Hey, I guess they kind of go together!

Wudge you ask? Well, Dante loves wudge. When he was little and I'd make fudge, he called it wudge. An "f" came out as a "w" for certain words. Wudge was one of them, and it stuck. He'd ask me all the time if I'd make him some wudge. He even got to help stir it. I pour the wudge out into tins--which by the way, keep the wudge nice and fresh if you remember to put the lid on--but a tin of wudge doesn't last long at my house. I like it when it's still hot, so I lick the spoon and rarely eat any more wudge, but everyone else likes it. Dante has even crossed out the word "fudge" on my recipe card and now it says: Grandma's Wudge.

Our Mission Guesses

Kyle is Sent to. . . By . . .

Argentina Salta--Dwynne
Norway Oslo--Taylor
Bulgaria Sofia--Stan
Italy Milan--Natalie
Japan Tokyo--Mike
Russia Saint Petersburg--Hayden
Singapore--Simona
Mexico Mexico City West--Lynn
Spain Madrid--Luan
Tahiti Papeete--Arlene
England Leeds--Margene
Fiji Suva--Dante
Uganda Kampala--Sally
British Columbia--Sharalee
Kentucky--Ron
Romania--Anna
Utah (West Valley City)--Jake
Brazil Sao Paolo South--Chad

Taylor is Sent to . . . By . . .
Alaska Anchorage--Mike
Argentina Resistencia, Rosario or Salta--Corky
Arizona Tempe--Dante
Greece Athens--Arlene
Philippines Quezon City--Hayden, Natalie
Brazil Salvador--Lynn
Ireland Dublin--Simona
Spain Madrid--Luan
Mozambique Maputo--Stan
Tonga Nukualofa--Dwynne
Texas Lubbock--Corky
New Zealand Auckland--Margene
Canada Winnepeg--Sally
Minnesota--Sharalee
Arizona--Ron
Michigan--Anna
Ireland--Jake
Czech Prauge--Chad

At our family reunion, we all made guesses on where Kyle and Taylor would end up on their missions. They were about the same as far as paperwork, so it will be fun to see where they go. I thought perhaps I'd pass this information along to the Missionary Committee and let them know these were our choices, so they could choose from this list. But I decided that might not go over very well. So we'll just have to rely on the spirit this time!

http://www.mission.net/cgi-bin/mission_index.cgi?action=show_all

If anyone else has a guess, check out this list for all the missions. It's pretty amazing to think that they could end up anywhere in the world, including places we've never even heard of, or they'll be next door as companions in Nevada.

Georgie Porgie

Thanks for the nice picture, Dwynne.

What a cute sailor.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Daddy. I love you and miss you so much.

Summer zips by. . .

Wow, summer really has gone and I don't have much to show for it; so how come I've been so busy? At least I've been tired. What's up with that?

Last month Jake turned 9. My baby is 9 years old. He still makes us laugh all the time and he's kind of a crazy kid, but he's still 9. He's not little any more. In fact, he's really big. He's only a inch or two shorter than Dante and wears one size smaller in clothes. His new Sunday shoes are a 7 in men's. That's a killer. He had a party with a bunch of kids at our house. They swam in the pool (put a couple holes in it) and at alien cupcakes and had tons of snow cones. I think they loved the snow cones the most. Jake was thrilled with all the presents. He had 9 or 10 kids come--I figured I didn't need to give him anything after that, but he thought differently.

Jake with one of those light-up things in his mouth. Check out his teeth. You can tell how old he is by the lack of teeth. The other front tooth is finally starting to poke through--he had his supernumerary pulled 1-1/2 years ago, and this one has just wanted to take its time. The tooth next to the large gap is about to come out, so he really won't be able to eat corn on the cob.

G.I.R. cake. Have you ever watched Invader Zim? Dante and Jake quote Zim and his pet dog G.I.R. constantly, at least until I have to put a stop to it, which lasts, hmmm, about 20 minutes, tops. This is G.I.R.

Taylor and Moni gave Jake this great Pirate hat--it even speaks to you in Pirate speak. He was thrilled with the Lego set. He's just getting where he wants to build them, and he's getting pretty good at it, too. My third boy, so how many Lego pieces do we have in our house? How many Lego pieces have I vacuumed up? At the fair this year we visited a Lego exhibit--they said there are 7 Lego set sold every minute, or was it every second? Anyway, I think we have purchased and put together our fair share. They are as prolific in our house as Barbies were a few years ago.



By turning 9, Jake has moved up in the Cub Scout world. He is now in the Bear den, and no longer in my den. I will move up to Bears in January, but I think it's probably a good thing for him to have a break from Mom for a couple of months. I do have to say it's strange to go to Scouts and not have him there. I hope he'll let me continue throughout his "Cub Scout career." I love Bears and Webelos. But after two years, Dante had had enough of his mother being his leader, so maybe with a couple of month-long breaks, Jake will be able to put up with for longer. That would be nice.

Well, at the end of August, Dante and Simona started school. Taylor was feeling a little lost the night before when everyone was rushing around getting things ready to go. He was happy not to be going to school, but I think there was some longing there. Here are a couple of pictures of Dante on his first day. I didn't get any of Moni since she left much earlier, but just picture her with her Batman backpack.

I just noticed that the book facing out is "Attack of the Mutant Killer Underwear." I haven't had the chance to read it yet, but it sounds promising.

Like the faux-hawk? He's looking pretty spiffy.

Family Reunion~~

Wow. Can I just say I love getting together with the whole family? We set up camp again at Grandma's house (not literally--we stayed in a hotel, which was very posh--I'd go there again in a heartbeat). It was a great base for all our "doings." We arrived Friday, had dinner with Arlene, Duff, Kyle and Grandma. Pizza--always a hit. We didn't stay late because we had to shop for and prepare breakfast the next morning. By the way, it was a good breakfast for those of you don't remember or who weren't there. Breakfast burritos--eggs, ham, sausage, hash browns, sauteed veggies (various peppers and onions), cheese, fruit (plums, nectarines, fresh pineapple, cantaloupe). Oh yes, juice and milk. Did I leave out anything (besides the tortillas, which are a given). I think everyone liked it--they ate it anyway! I didn't hear any complaints.

After breakfast everyone joined in and helped clean up Grandma's yard--got it ready for winter and did a few things she's not able to do any more. I stayed inside and dusted. My old job. Hayden came in and helped me--that was nice. She dusted things I don't like to do. The best part about dusting at Grandma's house is the teacups. I always loved dusting them because I got to rearrange them any way I wanted to. Did that again. The next best thing about dusting is carefully picking up a crocheted doily--it leaves the print of the doily in the dust. That was just cool. There isn't really anything else great about dusting, especially when you live next to a field and ten minutes later it's dusty again. Mom used to always say, Sally, I thought you were going to dust. I did! Strange, now I live next to a field and it's always dusty at my house. Actually, I stopped dusting several years ago. Every time I dusted I broke something I loved, so I stopped. Now I dust really well a couple times a year--before I put out Halloween and Christmas decorations, and after I put them away. And now and then during the rest of the year. I love that Dante likes to dust--don't ask questions about that. Just accept it.

Saturday afternoon Ron presented us with shrimp kabobs--how great is that? We snarfed 'em up. Zuki ate her share, that's for sure. She loved 'em. That evening we gathered at the church almost next door to Grandma's house. We played games, ate chicken, pink salad, pink punch, all hosted by Stan, Luan and family. It was great! We presented our various talents, which are always so fun to see. Our family sang our favorite drinking song--The Scotsman. Corky had nearly lost his voice, and since he was our "anchor" I think some of the words were not totally recognizable by the listeners. I, myself, don't know all the words, so I just chimed in here and there. I think Dante knows it the best of the kids.

http://www.allerdice.net/scotsman-song.htm

Check out the words if you'd like. We figured we'd be okay because Grandma wouldn't be able to understand most of it, so it wouldn't be offensive, right? Just have your sense of humor turned on. Okay, I'll stop, it's really not bad.

Dwynne showed the DVD she made of all our family photos. It was marvelous! You're hired girl! Sunday was nice--a little later start for breakfast (and I didn't have to make it)--aebliskivers by Grandma and Lynn. I even got to help cook them (the aebliskivers). Our guests--Hayden and Jessica seemed to love them--okay, they can join the family. They were such good sports and helpers--they even joined in our silly games and of course, the Maori haka. We can't meet without performing our traditional hakas. I am still trying to find the official words for one of them--the Ka Mate is easy to find, but Potene has been elusive. Alissa asked for the words so she can keep up with her boys--they loved it last reunion--but I hate to write them and be totally wrong. Oh well, may have to go that route. . .

Arlene and Duff had stroganoff for our dinner. We were all starving and it was wonderful. She gathered (well I did the actual gathering, but she did the main work) all of the old reels of family movies and had them put on a DVD. How fun is that? Naturally I was the highlight when you got to see my bare behind--I was about 2. It was so fun to see my family as little kids and Mom and Dad so young and full of life, full of promise and hope. I think they provided such a wonderful home environment for us. I always knew I was loved and "part" of the family. Thanks Mom and Dad.

School and more school. Dante started 7th grade and Simona started 10th. So both were in new schools and new situations. I think both longed for what was in the past but familiar. Both have more homework and papers due than what they want. Strange how life is calm and easy because you know what to expect, and then it all falls apart when new things are thrown in your path. Why does that have to be how we learn and grow? I know they have both shed a few tears and had worries that they'd rather not admit to. (Jake is off-track for another week, so he has no complaints at the moment.)

Moni ran for student office--No baloney, vote Moni. Like balogna? Vote Mogna. Stuff like that. But she didn't win, so she gets to do Granite Youth Symphony again. I told her she didn't have time in life for both. She felt a tiny bit guilty because several of her friends tried out--she went at the last minute, hadn't prepared anything, but she was the only one who was accepted. So, where's the lesson in this?

And she's 16! Her birthday was this last Wednesday (pictures to come). My daughter is 16. I know she was hoping for a date that weekend, but it didn't happen. She was going to throw a big party at the park, but then we found out it was Homecoming. Can't compete with that. And this weekend is the General Women's Conference so they won't let us use the church facilities. We can still use the little neighborhood park, but it wasn't what she wanted. So far, nothing is what she wanted. When does that get better? She was having a disappointing birthday--didn't win the election, some YW issues, too much homework and then she couldn't have her party when or where she wanted. And now, I've pretty much given up. She didn't like any of my suggestions--on invitations, food, games, etc. So I'm done. Is that terrible? I just said, you come to me when you want my help, but I'm not making any more suggestions. I'm not so sure it's going to happen. We'll see what she does this week.

Friday is our Cub Scout Cake Auction--our big fundraiser for the year. She thought I could do her party on the same day, somewhere in between making a pot of soup for the potluck, setting up the church, making several cakes to auction and making auction paddles for the bidders. I know you have big ideas when you're 16 and don't really understand the logistics of everything, but I'm really not SuperWoman. I don't even fit in the suit. Wow, do I sound complainy or what? I guess I just don't know what to do! I feel bad that things aren't working out the way she wanted. We had a good chat last night--she's planning to ask a boy to the next dance, next month. I hope that works out!

Oh, another highlight of the summer--I got a new bed! My old bed was 20 years old and you know how they make jokes about you and the other person sharing your bed rolling into the middle on top of each other? Well, that wasn't our bed. There was a ridge in the middle where we didn't sleep and big dents where we did. You had to get in just right with your hip down in the cavern; couldn't adjust because you'd throw your back out. I've had backaches for a few years now, but we finally got a new bed. Funny, because we didn't notice how high the top mattress was until we set it up and stood next to it. I feel like a little girl getting into my parents' bed. My feet don't even touch the floor when I'm sitting on the edge. I'm just glad my sheets fit!

Summer exploits

Well, here I am again. I am kind of embarrassed because I haven't written anything for so long, but every time I think about it, I don't really know what to say, and I don't have any great pictures to post. What can trump dressing up like a cow (yes, and sacrificing your dignity)?

Hmm. Summer. It's actually the end of summer and I can't even believe it. Taylor and Simona have been at Bear Lake Scout Camp working all summer--and loving it. They went in the middle of June and now they are almost finished--Saturday they'll be coming home. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with their last check since they've only been paid once so far. Money is good, right? Moni was very excited since this is her first job (other than babysitting) and had her money spent a hundred different ways before she even started. I think the thing she wants most is a saxophone--we saw a beautiful sax called the "Raven" that she fell in love with. Too bad she'll have to work next summer as well to have enough money for it.

We got to go to Bear Lake after the kids' first week there for family night. It was wonderful. I always love driving into the camp--every year I have had this great feeling of "this is where my son needs to be." And this year, we added our daughter as well. Corky and I were a tad bit worried if she would want to come home with us (to stay), but we were totally wrong about that. She loved it! How great is that?

Oh hey, I do have a picture or two I can put in here! Check this out.

Beautiful Bear Lake

Taylor getting ready for the flag ceremony

Dante and Jake on Taylor's bunk, pining for the day when they can work at scout camp

Simona in her tent (this was Grandpa George's scout shirt--cool, huh?)

This last weekend they decided to stay at camp. That was really weird at home. We've been used to them being gone all week, but they usually come home on Saturday, wash clothes and shop for snacks for the upcoming week, then go back on Sunday. There is a bus that takes them--gratefully. The first year Taylor was there, we had a carpool to pick up and take the kids to Bear Lake. So all last week and this week, there have only been four of us at home. We've had fun, though. We definitely took advantage of fewer children at home--we've seen a couple of movies and gone out to dinner more than we would have. Don't tell the big kids!!!

One week in July, Dante and his scout troop actually went to Bear Lake for scout camp. That was a strange week, with only Jake at home. I was worried all week about how the kids were acting toward one another at camp. You know how siblings are--it was either going to be wonderful or totally horrible. I could just hear the voice on the phone: Please come and pick up all three of your children at the hospital in Logan. One has a broken arm, one has a broken nose, and the other has a bloody fist. Or something like that. I confided in my friend these concerns--her husband was at camp. She left me a message, laughing, saying she had been able to phone her husband who said, not to worry, the kids are being very kind to one another--too kind in his opinion. He thought it was almost sickening the way they were acting with each other; all sweet and lovey. Hallelujah! I was so happy. I had been praying for good things for all three of them all week long. I just didn't want any one of them to come home that week upset with a sister or brother. Wow--all of them were happy. So, what's the deal at home?

Dante had a good week at camp--he earned five merit badges, and almost another one. He was very proud of the fact that he was the only scout from our ward who earned his Archery merit badge. He got all his shots (or points or something) on the first day. The other boys went back and practiced subsequent days and still didn't get enough points. And, he got Rifle Shooting, also with just his initial shots--no extra. Pretty cool. They told him that shooting must run in the family. (Evidently not from his mother. . .) He also earned Canoeing and Rowing and Environmental Science, which he said was boring, but required. I think his favorite was Canoeing. He would have received Pioneering, if only he had finished that darn monkey bridge. What, you ask, is a monkey bridge? No clue. I just know it had a lot of knots and lashings. We'll get that thing figured out, and when we do--you'll get a picture!

When Dante got home, he finished Family Life, Gardening and Swimming. We found this cute lifeguard who agreed to sign up to be a merit badge counselor and teach Swimming to Dante and his friend Isaac. That was great--so with those required merit badges and his other work, last Sunday he was advanced to Star Scout. Well then, you might be wondering, when does he earn Eagle? I'll tell you. If he stays totally on track (which is unlikely), he can have his Eagle in exactly a year. Six months to Life and then another six months to Eagle. He has several more required merit badges partially done, and he really could do this. He can definitely have it before he turns 14, which is a total relief for a mother! He has been good to get a lot of merit badge work done this summer. I'm proud of him.

Smyle Yer Eatin Chikin

Corky wanted to know if my free meal at Chick-Fil-A was worth compromising my dignity. Yup! It was free meal day at Chick-Fil-A if you dressed up like a cow. We did. And it was wonderful!

Maori Jake Takes His Turn

Jake decided he needed a turn in doing a haka. He's pretty funny. He got a bone necklace on Sunday--finally. All the other kids had one and he's been waiting. So he wanted to entertain us all. What a cutie.

The end of another school year

Dante had to give a report on New Zealand. Could he have chosen better?! How great was it to be able to tell about something he has grown up with. We even have Maori things to show. He borrowed Uncle Lynn's piupiu (grass skirt) and came running in hollering Kia Ora! He went right to the front and did the Potene, Potene haka. Then he told about New Zealand and finished with Ka Mate. I was really proud of him--he was confident and bold. The teacher from across the hall wanted him to come and do a haka for his class, and then he told his class that he wanted them to knock his socks off, just like Dante did. I had a proud boy.

We even made trifle for the class. I took a picture (with the whipped cream on top since you wouldn't be able to see anything. It was yummy.

Jake's class went to the Natural History Museum at the University of Utah--Taylor and Simona and I got to be helpers. The kids were all sad who didn't get to be in Taylor's group. I think they got over it.

They had this "toadally" cool exhibit--it was all a bunch of toads. Some of them looked like they were recently painted.

I went to the planetarium with Dante's class. It's been newly redone and is pretty cool. 6th graders are just not the same as the 2nd graders. They are all wonderful, just very different from each other. I'm so glad I got to go to both field trips. Both my boys have had wonderful teachers this year, and I'm actually sad to see the year end. I don't think I've ever felt that way before. I love having them home, but I just wonder what next year will bring.

Graduation

Here's some personality!

Taylor announced--he really graduated!

There's my boy. I am really proud of Taylor--he had good grades and really was a good kid. I was always amazed at how much his teachers praised him and how happy they always were to have him in their classes. That's quite a compliment.

These are girls that Taylor met in the second grade. They all live in our neighborhood--fun to see them all grown up.

My serious family. Jake was sick that day so he and Dante stayed home.

The after-party. Taylor invited four of his best friends to our house to play Rock Band and eat, and play and eat. Food! The cake at the back of the table has the Hunter High school colors.

These are the buddies--Colin, Nathan, Taylor, Travis, Brandon.

It is really a strange feeling to know that I have a child who has "moved on." I'm not really feeling any older, but maybe like I should be more responsible or grown up or something. I'm not really sure when the maturity comes since I'm still waiting for it to happen. I think maybe one day I'll wake up and be the person I'm supposed to be.

I am happy for Taylor--he working at scout camp again this summer, but as a director this time. When he gets home, he wants to find a job and save until he turns 19 in December. Then, who knows where he'll be? That will be an exciting adventure.

The Falls

The Falls

Goofy Jake

The Whole Fam



More Falls



And again, more Falls

I love the Falls. Obviously Twin Falls was named for two falls, and I loved growing up near them. We spent a lot of time at the Falls. There are two parks with falls--Shoshone Falls and Twin Falls. They were the same, but different. I remember many family picnics at the Falls, ward picnics at the Falls, and mutual activities water skiing at the Falls. I had a boyfriend in high school whose best friend had a boat, so we spent a lot of time water skiing. I loved being on the water, gliding along. I haven't been on the water for oh so many years.

I remember one time getting stopped by a policeman while driving down the long winding road to the Falls. I was looking for a group of kids who were there for a Young Adult activity--we always had a hard time deciding which Falls everyone else decided to go to. They didn't show up where we were, so I volunteered to drive to the "other Falls" and see if they were there. I guess I drove too fast, and I got stopped. The policeman kind of chuckled and he made me go back up to the top and drive down again, this time counting how many speed limit signs there were. I was not happy, and now I was really late for the activity.

I remember climbing the rickety stairs (that are no longer there) and counting, and climbing, and counting some more. It was a big deal to say you had climbed those stairs. I know there were over 100, but I haven't been able to find out exactly how many, and of course, I don't remember.

I can look at many of the picnic spots and remember different reunions or parties that took place at those exact sites. I can see my aunts and uncles there, under a humongous pine tree, having family pictures. I remember one time we were planning a birthday party for Dad, and his sisters showed up. Of course we all went to the Falls. I can see Aunt Myrtle and Aunt Marion there, sitting at the table. I can picture playing catch and, naturally, doing a haka. I can see my parents young and vibrant at the ward breakfast, cooking on the big grills and keeping kids out of the stream. I can see my dad aged and feeble while his sons helped him across the lawn. I can see our last family reunion with all the kids wearing their Maori faces and sticking out their tongues. I can see family gathered, laughing and vying for a new pillow case.

I look forward to new memories; some will be similar, some people will be missing, but I can't wait to once again be at the Falls.

Here are a couple of books I've been reading. Again. I read these several years ago and decided to start over. They are murder mysteries, involving a caterer--so she gives great recipes--a little romance with a green-eyed cop, a rich friend and a rotten ex-husband.

I read the last of the Twilight books for Moni, Hook for Dante, several books for Jake, and now I decided to read these again, for me. They are fun, easy reading and I like the cooking info.

I finished the Book of Mormon at the first of the year, as well as finished the Illustrated BoM with Dante and Jake, but haven't picked it up again. I know that's terrible, but at least I'm honest. Why do I have such a hard time reading scriptures regularly? Sometimes I get going on one of the books (I almost finished the New Testament and then basically quit), but then I take a huge break. It's not like I can't read scriptures as well as a novel. I've read these books before and am reading them again. I love it when I do read scriptures, but when I get started on a novel, that's all I want to read until I finish. In fact it drives me crazy when I get to the half-way mark--I don't want to do anything until I'm done. But I'm just not that diligent with the books I should be reading.

I've never read the Old Testament all the way through. I know President Kimball did when he was just a kid. I guess that's why he ended up being prophet. I have read the other sets, more than once, but right now I'm just not. I should be a better example to my kids. My big kids read for Seminary, and that's wonderful. I'm glad Seminary motivates them--it's so much better than it was when I went to Seminary. I hated it. We had early morning, old, unenthusiastic teachers and met at the church. I admit I did like it my last year--and yes I am a Seminary graduate, but I didn't want to go when 9th grade started. I wasn't given the choice. Now I'm glad that my parents made me go--I'll never forget the shock on their faces when I informed them that I wasn't planning to attend Seminary. That's what I thought. My dad was up at 6:00 every day, made sure I was, too. He drove me to Seminary. Arlene was diligent--she was up even earlier because she had to be at school at 6:00 for drill team. She was always so good. Another thing for which I admire my big sis. Good thing I didn't have a little sister--she'd have been in trouble, I'm sure. I don't think Arlene ever did anything wrong. But, I digress.

So, I've rambled on. Hmm, where to go from here?

Read a book!

Names, Names, Names

Amy, Ashley or Ashleigh, Abby, Autumn, Amanda, Alexa.
Bailey, Brittany, Bridgette, Brianna, Bree.
Candice or Candy, Carmen, Chloe.
Daisy, Daphne.
Erin, Emily, Ellie, Emma, Elle, Eden.
Fawn, Francie, Fabiana (one of my favorite Italian names).
Gloria.
Hanna, Hillary (I liked this name until you-know-who showed up on the scene), Holly, Heather, Hailey.
Isabelle or Isabella, Ivy.
Josie, Joni, Julie, Janet, Jaynie, Jolie, Jacqueline or Jacquie, Janessa.
Kella, Kelli.
Linda (means pretty in Spanish), Lucy, Lilly, Laura, Lauren.
Millie, Mandy, Michelle, Minnie (saw this recently on a headstone and love it!).
Nancy, Nellie.
Olivia.
Pansy, Paisley, Patty, Pearl (this is my grandmother's name--Moni looked it up and said that Margene also means Pearl--kind of cool).
Quincy?
Randi, Rosie, Rochelle.
Suzanna or Suzie, Shelley, Sadie, Shawnie.
Trisha, Tawynie, Tayna, Tabitha, Teresa, Tami, Tori.
Ursula!
Venice, Veronica, Vanessa, Victoria.
Wilma (I had to put that in here), Wanda, Wendy.
Xanadu, Xena.
Yolanda, Yvonne, Yvette.
Zora, Zoe, Zuki (of course).

Ode to a Name

Okay, this is really in response to Niki's request for baby girl names. But, really, in response to what some of her friends said--I guess I'm still thinking about it! I know, kind of crazy, but I just have to respond.

I have a cousin with my same name, first and last. She was a few years older (3 or 4?) and lived in another town, but I always thought it was cool to have a cousin with the same name. I met up with her at Grandpa's funeral, and she commented to me--I always loved having a cousin with the same name! And this last weekend, I was in Idaho visiting Grandma, and saw her again. She said the same thing, again.

So, to all of you who think you can't use a name because somebody else already has--poo-poo on that silly notion. Use it! If you like a name, use it. There are millions of people out there with your same name (okay, maybe not you sweet Dwynne, but there has to be somebody else with that same name!).

Names mean something to the person giving the name, and then as time goes on, to the person so named. (Way too many "names" in that sentence, sorry.) I always hated my middle name, mainly because I'd never heard it before (Afton), and I had a friend who always called me Sally Afghan. And then there were the people who always came up with, isn't that a town in Wyoming? Did your parents live there or something? Whatever.

Like I said, I never liked that name until I finally came to a reckoning--I knew that my mother had a friend named Afton Nisson and I was named after her. But it never meant much to me until just a few years ago. I was typing my Dad's autobiography and he told the story of Afton. He said that they were living in Bountiful and their neighbors were the Nissons. My mom made a great friend of Afton and evidently they spent a lot of time together. I know Afton was quite a bit older than my mom and she worked alongside my mother doing many things, like canning. Dad mentioned eating ice cream, too (but then ice cream was always a big part of what made my dad happy). I don't remember the whole story, but it finally hit me that Afton was a very important person in my mother's life. I was born a few years later, but she still loved that neighbor enough to want to honor her by giving her new baby a dear friend's name. Wow. I finally got it. I may not even like the name, but that isn't what is important at all. It is special to me because it came from a very special person, so of course I like it.

Sally came from my big brother Ron. He was in the first grade and had a girlfriend named Sally. He was very insistent. Mom thought that maybe someday I wouldn't want to go by Sally, but that I'd want to change to Afton. Well, that's not going to happen, but I am thankful to my mother that she thought enough of me to name be after her sweet friend.

Okay, now for names. I was thinking of the little girls in Primary (as well as others)--Lilly, Kailey, Jessica, Rachel, Emily, Katrina, Cassidy, Cambria, Cierra, Jaelene, Kiana, Shanna, Julia, McKenna, Kelli, Autumn (she's a mom), Paige, Peyton, Sara, Sharolyn, Moira, Kella, Brooklyn, Brianna, Jeni, Erin, Daphne, Amy, Eve.

Hmm, I had more, but now, well, you know how it is. When it comes down to the minute, you just forget!

Music soothes the soul

Simona has been playing in the Granite Youth Symphony, which is a group chosen from all of Granite School District. The kids in this clip are all in Jr. High--7th, 8th and 9th graders.

Mojo has played her clarinet with them for two summers and two school years. During the summer the kids practice very early in the morning for one month, put on a couple of concerts and then go to Lagoon. All that practice makes a huge difference in their playing. She jumped leaps and bounds, or as Grandpa would say, "tooted her horn." During the school year, the kids play one afternoon a week and have a few concerts. Sometimes they get to go places, although that didn't really happen for her. Maybe only the senior group tours. I guess we'll find out next year.

This summer she'll be working at scout camp so she won't be around for those early mornings. Hmmm. Darn.

You can't really see Moni in this shot because the clarinets are buried, but they sound pretty good!

I love hearing my kids play--Taylor plays trombone, valve and slide. Because of the valves, he can also play the baritone and a tuba, and I think something else, but I don't remember. He just had his last concert this week. I got some good pictures of him--perhaps I'll remember to post them!

Dante has been playing a cornet. Next year in Jr. High he'll be so much better--I love when they move from elementary to Jr. High where they have band every day. And the teacher there is really good--she actually teaches music! And--hello--the kids have to practice. Makes such a difference.

Moni also plays the saxophone--tenor. She loves that and wants her own. One of these days perhaps she'll earn enough money! We saw one a week ago that she fell in love with. That didn't help.

Jake keeps changing his mind on what he wants to play. It was drums for a long time, but I think I've talked him into something he can actually carry. So, now he wants a bassoon. Can you carry that??

It's a race!

Oh yea oh yea, it's the great Pinewood Derby! Our boys worked hard and had a blast. Jake came in third place and was very happy with his car. He has a good dad who helped him out. Jake's car was the Punisher--painted sleek black with a a "Punisher" skull. If you don't know who the Punisher is, ask a comic book fan. (Not me--I only know a little bit about him. Corky's the guy.)

If you're wondering why everyone is always looking up in these pictures, it's because the information was projected on the wall. It's a great deal--we have the boys' pictures with their cars, and then we can see who is next in line to race. Below is my comrade-in-arms, Emily. She was the "wrangler" for the upcoming race.

I love being a Cub Scout leader. This is my fourth go-round. I was over the Bears and then the Webelos when Taylor was just 3, so when he turned 8, I knew what was going on. That was nice. I volunteered to be his leader (I told the bishop I had my own shirt and an 8-year old--took them 9 months to get the hint). I was leader for his Bear and Webelos years. And then for the next year I was the Cub Committee Chairman. That was interesting because our ward hadn't had one, and nobody could tell me what I was supposed to do. I did a lot of digging, asking, reading and finally doing. It can be a big job! I liked that calling, but took a break for a year before it was Dante's turn.

Then with Dante, I was Den Leader for his Wolf and Bear dens. He had had enough of me and had a good leader for Webelos, so I stepped out. But here I am again with my baby. Jake turned 8 in August, but there were only about 3 things marked off in his book from August to December, so when I took over in January, we really started working to get things done. We've had a great time. We've been to the fire station, pounded nails in wood, and just this month we have made pine cone bird feeders, pop bottle terrariums, had the pinewood derby and tomorrow we're going on a picnic and will pick up garbage in the park. Part of that will count toward their Outdoor Activity Patch--a great one that they actually get to wear on their uniforms. I love that. Saturday is Scout-o-rama--we are having a booth where the kids will get to paint bug neckerchief slides. I'll take a picture! I'm actually getting good at remembering to take my camera, and then actually take a picture. How about that.

Oh, and next week, well you'll love this--we get to go to the dump. We are learning about recycling and they give tours and will tell us all about it. Being at the dump--could you possibly have a better day?