School Days, School Days, all the Golden Rule Days

While attending Back to School night with Keanna and Kyler we had a conflict.  Aysen searched all over Kyler's classroom for his desk.  Explanation and reason couldn't convince him he wasn't old enough to attend school like his brother and sisters.

He was unhappy.

This posed a serious problem.  His 3rd birthday is quickly approaching and he will no longer be invited to attend playgroup through the Early Intervention program.  He has been going for over a year and this is "his school."

Keanna auditioned for Nutcracker a few days after back to school night.   While I was watching her I was visiting with Kyler's old preschool teacher, Ms. Shauna.  She was wondering how Kyler liked his new teacher.  My response included the fact that the teacher was great but Aysen couldn't figure out why she didn't have a desk set-up for him.  I finished by asking her if she didn't want to start a class for 2 year olds and before the conversation was over, Aysen was enrolled to be the eighth student in her 3 year old class.

Today was his first day of school.  He dressed himself.

Aysen, Age 2, First day of School

The shirt is on backwards, his legs only use one hole, and except for the incessant choking caused by the shirt facing the wrong direction he was dressed to perfection in his "baseball outfit."

Grandma Linda dropped him off for me (I was attending a funeral) and reported he went with no hesitation.  I picked him up and he had a gigantic smile, carrying the treat bucket that was almost his same size.  If he was potty-trained all complications would be resolved.

My older children also had their first day of school and I did pause my anti-photography strike.  The traditional pictures were taken and each child even added in their own pose or two.

I love to see what outfits are chosen for this most important occasion.

Taylei, 8th Grade, 13

I took each of the children shopping SEPARATELY this year.  Brilliant, every once in a while I surprise myself that I can be so smart.  Except for the fact that I spent most of two days in dressing rooms, everything else went so much smoother than normal.

The mother-daughter date included lunch, haircuts and treats.  The shopping trips even concluded before their money ran out, though it is still burning holes in their pockets.  Taylei finished with 7 pairs of new shoes and is online seeking out the eighth.  She also purchased her first four pairs of colored skinny jeans.  How long do you think this trend will last?

Keanna, 5th Grade, 10

Keanna informed me she didn't want any shirts with pictures or words.  It must either be a sign of growing up or maybe she has discovered she doesn't want to advertise for a company without being paid. 

As we were driving to the stores Keanna pulled out a list of what she hoped to buy.  Hilarious.  She had itemized her needs and budgeted the funds she anticipated spending in each category.  A shawl was her greatest priority but we didn't find one.  Taylei was mindful of this.  She kept an eye out and found a white one to do the trick.  When we brought it home to give it to her Taylei thought Keanna would be so excited she wanted to video her reaction which did not disappoint.  If awards could have been offered I would have held the title of "Best Mom Ever."

Kyler, 1st Grade, 7

Boys are much easier to shop for.  I have been purchasing t-shirts for Kyler as I found them throughout the summer and he didn't need much more.  Finding some shoes though were a giant problem, nothing he liked was available in his size.  Our search area kept expanding and we were finally successful just when I was on the verge of giving up all hope.

I did strip Kyler of his agency as he chose what to wear for the day.  He only likes basketball shorts.  I instructed him he had to wear denim for the first day (since the camera was coming out of the closet I wanted to document he does have more options than he chooses).  Maybe not nice, but I am the mother and I do need to ruin their lives on occasion, isn't that part of the job description?

The Woodland's met at our house for our annual back to school group shot.  (I'm pretty sure Keanna is still taller than Jake.  He was always standing on the high side of the ground.  I may need to investigate further).

Back to School pictures taken August 22, 2012

Wicked

For our tenth anniversary my sweet, dear, kind, amazing, smarter-than-me husband took me to The Big Apple, also known as New York, New York.   I loved almost every minute but at the same time had a deep feeling of gratitude that this was just a short visit.  Relishing in the knowledge we would be returning shortly to our quiet, country town living.

While there we went and watched Wicked.  A broadway musical I knew nothing about and was slightly nervous of the title (not scary I learned).

I dreamed from the moment I watched this magnificent production of attending with my daughters.  I loved the message of the show and wanted to share it with them.  When it began touring and came to Salt Lake  I was extremely disappointed; the ticket price was outrageous.  It would almost be worth flying the girls to New York.

This year with Mary Dawn's assistance we had tickets in her cart.  I was ecstatic.  Short lived mind you.  She was delayed checking out and the tickets were dumped.  Never to be found again.  I was comforted that it wasn't meant to be and I would try again the next time it toured.

But blessings abound.

My mother purchased tickets and then found she would be out of state for the performance.  Through her great kindness I had the opportunity to take my girls to my favorite musical of all time.

We made it into a mini-vacation and used one of our free Marriott nights.  Andy swam with the boys at the pool and the girls and I went on a date.  They wanted to know what it was about.  I explained it was the prequel to the Wizard of Oz and that maybe Elphaba, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West, may not be the evil person they have been lead to believe.

Magical -- the best word to describe it.  Both girls sat on the edge of their seats absorbing the fictional world being created.  Their eyes glistened, smiles beamed and there were giggles, giggles and giggles.  It was a night I will always remember and I hope they do as well.
  

T-shirts were purchased as souvenirs.  I really wanted to get them a "Defy Gravity" shirt (a message I hoped they learned) but their size was sold out.  

If dinner had been better the event would have been perfect -- perfection is over-rated though, really.  

Sunday morning we toured Temple Square as a family.  It was beautiful.  The grounds were serene, the temple had windows which were cracked open, something I would have never thought possible.  We spent a great deal of time in the basement of the North Visitor's Center viewing the interactive exhibits.  The spirit was strong and I felt an overwhelming peace.  

The whole deal was sweetened when I found I had captured this awesome photograph of my children.  They are my greatest blessing along with their father who happens to be my favorite, just saying.

Event occurred August 25-26, 2012

Look Up

This is Taylei today.

This was Taylei yesterday.

Softball was a play all day kind of deal.  Eleven straight hours.  She pitched her little guts out.  The stands were cheering her on. "Dig deep" seemed to be the constant cheer.  We ended in second place after battling back from deep in the losers bracket.  She was amazing and so were her ten other teammates but that is another story, for another day.  I seem to get lost and delayed when I post about tournaments.

When you play that much ball, in that much heat, with no breaks for meals, bad things happen.  It is hard to keep going when your little 80 pound frame has 0 energy reserves and has been giving 113 percent all day long in 90 degree plus temperatures.  I believe every member of her team were taking ibuprofen to try and relieve the pains of the day.

We arrived home at midnight on Saturday and to Taylei's horror she realized it was fast Sunday.  I, being the mom and all, quickly assured her she did not need to fast.  I knew she had nothing in her.  I knew her body was past exhaustion and rightfully so.  I knew she needed food.

I underestimated my little girl and her will to follow the commandments of our Heavenly Father.

The last Relief Society lesson I gave was based on a talk given by Carl B. Cook entitled, "Look Up."

Elder Cook shares an experience with his daughter: He served as a mission president in New Zealand during his daughters high school years.  When she turned 21, she said, “Dad, Mom, I think I need to serve a mission.” He was pleased with this righteous decision, but knowing it had been a sacrifice for her to move away from friends and family during her teenage years, he told her, “You’ve already served a mission.”

She smiled and said, “No, Dad, you have. Now I want to go serve the Lord.”

She served her Heavenly Father and His children in Spain, following the impression she felt. She didn’t let a well-meaning parent—convince her to do anything other than what she felt was right for her life and Heavenly Father’s plan for her.

Sign me up for making the same mistake.  A good friend told me we sometimes 'rationalize' why it is o.k. to not follow our Heavenly Father's commandments.  I was doing this with my daughter.  She is greater than me.  She has more faith.  She is an awesome example to me each and every day.  She is one of my greatest blessings and I love her, and each of my children, dearly.

Tender Mercies

Today I must share my testimony:  I know my Heavenly Father loves me and my family.  

Yesterday afternoon I went to Juab Title.  I needed to work on monthly reports and reconciliations.  Aysen loves to be there with me, or loves the ice cream and has even realized the fridge is usually stocked with soda.  Soda.  I don't drink soda.  I don't like the taste.  The carbonation is terrible and I would rather spend the calories on so many better options.

He found a root beer and left it on my desk.  While he was sleeping for hours on my lap, I became thirsty and decided a sip would help satisfy my needs.  Wrong!

One swallow was all it took.  The headache began.  My migraines usually start with a dull pain and develop into something nasty over a few hours.  I ignored the ache, went home, toured the improvements at the house next door, and headed to the park to watch Keanna and Kyler play softball and baseball. By the time I arrived back at home my head was on fire.  The nausea had set in.  Death seemed easy.

Not good.

When this happens I go to bed.  Force myself to sleep and ignore all responsibilities.  I wake up the next morning with a hangover but usually cured.

Tonight I had a daughter who was relying on me.  This was not an option, she needed help her with campaign posters.  The posters were due today.

Not good at all.

After two hours in bed, I gathered myself together and prayed for a miracle.

When I made it upright I found the headache was functionable.

Let the work begin.

Taylei and I had only found one poster idea online.  The other inspiration was coming from the cute owls on my blog header.

I finished Poster Number 1 at 11 pm.  I asked Taylei if one might be enough.  Negative.  Even though she loved the final result she wanted two -- I would have wanted the same.

Taylei needed to go to bed, it was way past her bed time.  She approved my paper choice, left me a note of what she wanted the poster to say and she fell asleep with great hopes that when she woke up in the morning two posters would be ready for display.

I crawled into bed at 2 am.  My head not awesome but not terrible.  I finished Poster Number 2.  I hadn't let Taylei down.  This was important to me.  I want her to know she is loved by her mom and I'm willing to help her with any righteous desire.

I know she was praying for me.  I know Andy was praying for me.  I was praying for me.  Heavenly Father answers prayers.

This morning I'm left with the famous migraine hangover.  I'm planning to take a nap with Aysen and sleep the rest of it off.  I'm truly blessed.

About the election:  I don't know if Taylei will win, but I do know she will do an awesome job if she is given the opportunity to be a student body officer.  She is amazing, astounding, awesome, adorable and these are just a few of the "A" adjectives that describe her.

VIP at BYU

Warning:  Terrible post, it has sat on my computer screen for over a week now, staring me in the face.  I should have known to have skipped this event.  Softball posts are my downfall.  Too much information with too many pictures with no sense of fluency from one paragraph to the next.  It is what it is, and to avoid my blog re-entering hibernation I am publishing it, flaws and all.

Andy loves softball.  In case there is doubt, I hereby solemnly confirm and attest to his addiction.  For one of his birthday gifts he requested to attend a softball round table training hosted by the coaching staff of the BYU Cougars.  He enjoyed the evening and learned a few new things to teach his team.

The coaches in attendance were invited to bring their team to an upcoming college game.  Andy was quick to get it arranged.

The promise offered: BYU gives the girls and their families free tickets to the game,  a tour of the facility along with being introduced at the beginning of the game.  It was all this and so much more . . .

The event:

One never knows what to expect with the weather when you attend a March softball game but we couldn't have been blessed with a more perfect night.

All of the team was in attendance with two extra girls, Keanna and Stormy, coming along for the ride.

My mother presented the girls with ear warmers.  (While we were shopping she found them on clearance and paid to have them embroidered).  They look awesome.  I'm just hoping they never have to use them, never again playing in freezing cold temperatures.  If this could change fate I would mourn the fact they weren't purchased four years earlier.

The Steelers have decided it is cool to wear coordinating attire and hair styles on game days.  On the menu today: upside-down french braids finished off with a messy bun (Taylei requested I braid straight this time).  I went up her head higher than normal, and the bun landed right on top.  This added three or four inches to her height.  Maybe I should try it during a game, a little height might help her seem at least a little intimidating.

Andy -- I love him.  This is a fact.  I both love and hate (see below) his love of softball, fact.  He looks good carrying my purse, (he should just be grateful it isn't hot pink with extensive bling) fact.

Often times I become frustrated with the amount of time softball takes from other activities our family could be involved in.  In the summer when each weekend is dedicated to the ball field and most nights are spent practicing I reflect on the why.  Why?  In the good, better, best, scheme of things where does softball rank?  What benefit will pitching lessons, batting practice and hundreds of hours of game recaps be to my family's eternal salvation?  Then the money aspect floats through my brain: tournament fees, gasoline, food.  I'm spending thousands of dollars a year when the money could be spent increasing our food storage or decreasing our home mortgage.  Why?

Many reasons I guess.  He spends 10-20 hours a week with my daughters, teaching and coaching them.  How many other girls have a dad so involved in their lives?  My girls are both good at it, they are developing a talent.  There are many other reasons, both pros and cons involved with the obsession but a major reason for this madness . . . .

Our parents.

They love watching their granddaughters play.  Both sets of grandparents have watched my girls compete in four different states.  My mom even went to Tennessee.  Our dads will review situations with Andy for hours.

Today was a perfect example:

I was on the phone early this morning with Terry.  I reminded him of the invitation to come to the BYU game tonight and watch the girls play at an umpire training in the morning.  He wasn't feeling well and declined.  Then the phone rang at approximately noon.  Terry had changed his mind, he was just leaving and wanted to make sure he was still invited.

My father is the same.  Lately he has been assisting Andy with his practices.  He is watching videos and reading articles on softball philosophy.  My mom claims that games are the only thing he worries about being on time to.

Our dads are crazy.  A fantastic crazy.  And, our moms are much the same.

Back to the evening's events . . .

The girls were taken through the training rooms.  I was jealous of the laundry chute.  The players dump their dirty attire into a bin and when they come back for the next game it is laundered and ready to wear. Washing uniforms isn't on the top of my list, especially when St. George dirt is involved.

The team was on the field warming up so the coach allowed our tour guide to take us through the locker room.  Most of the lockers had three extra pairs of cleats and at least that many bats.  These are in addition to what the players had taken onto the field with them.  Impressive or excessive?

My brain began churning once again.  Is this something I hope for my girls, to play ball on the collegiate level?  What would they be giving up to achieve this?  The good, better, best question auto-populates again.

Then reality sets in, it isn't what I want, but what they want.  I need to support them.  Period.

The Steeler girls were sporting a new look -- uniform tops with bling-bling denim.  Not the usual attire you find these girls wearing at a ball field.

While the girls were out showing off during the warm-ups waiting for their introductions they began to notice their phones were becoming a liability.  The worm, back hand-springs, and sprinkler were in the plans and damage to their phones was inevitable.  My pockets were soon full (which does nothing but accentuate the size of my hips).

The game ended in the most perfect fashion -- BYU winning with a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh.  BYU handed out team posters and allowed the fans onto the field for player autographs.

While everyone else was in line garnishing signatures, Aysen had much better ideas.  After watching hundreds and hundreds of softball games he has picked up on some finer points of the game.  One of which, when the game is over he is allowed onto the field.  He snuck away to first base without anyone noticing -- when I noticed his location my thoughts went quickly to wondering if this was permitted.  He ran between the bases and was on top of the world, loving every minute of his base running action.

Before we left for ice cream, Keanna found her 'buddy' -- the girl she got introduced with and asked for a picture.  24 was more than happy to oblige, she was on cloud nine, it was her hit that won the game.

Miscellaneous Highlights:

• The tickets we were given to attend were not just for the game but the entire season.  It also included a ticket for a hot dog, we had dinner and entertainment all wrapped up in one, free of charge.
• My father, in his dedicated position behind home plate, never argued with a call BUT my mom was mortified when she realized they were on television the entire game.  Being filmed eating a hot dog was not on her bucket list.
• Cris and Ty Durbin competed in the hot dog eating contest -- they both barely ate one in a minutes time, they better stick to sports, shoveling food is not one of their talents.
• Keanna was hugged by Cosmo on live television -- adorable.
• Although you couldn't see Taylei on the television her voice was easily recognized, cheering the Cougars on to victory.
• The head coach's wife loved watching Kyler dance and recorded his moves on her cell phone.
• My dad conducted the wave, Steeler fans have become pros at following his lead.
• BYU couldn't have treated us better.  The girls were highlighted numerous times and everyone left with gigantic smiles on their faces!

Thanks BYU and thanks Andy!

A day . . .

The 2011-2012 school year has almost come to a close, 75% of the year is completed.  Today was the end of third quarter break.

Last night, Diane called and invited us to go to the zoo.  The weather was looking good.  After cheers of excitement from my children we decided to join them.

But, reality had other ideas.  When I finally started moving this morning I realized I had many obligations to complete before we could go anywhere.  The top of the list: posters for Relief Society.  My terrible procrastination habit once again revealing itself.  Kimo's isn't open on Saturday, posters needed for Sunday, time expired.

As the morning progressed, the zoo became less and less of an option.  The wind was beginning to blow, Mary Dawn and family were heading our direction, and the almost unaffordable cost of fueling my Tahoe kept circling through my mind.  But, on the other hand, the kids had the day out of school.  We needed to do something to celebrate.

I decided miniature golfing at Trafalga was the solution.  Half the gas, we could golf inside if the wind was too much, Ryan could drop Mary Dawn and children off to join us, and with our Pass of All Passes the price, free. Can you say, win, win, win and win.

We tried to keep score for the first couple of holes.  Not a good idea.  Everyone had so much more fun when they went at their own pace.  Kyler and Braden broke off first, I think they did some holes 2 or 3 times all in a fast-forward motion.  Keanna and Taylei played together and actually followed the rules.  Aysen had his own style of golf swing.  I tried to correct it once but decided to let him be, he was happy, therefore I was happy.  Maci was just delighted to have her own club.

After one of the quickest games of miniature golf known to man, we went to ride the go-karts.   The line was longer than any of us wanted to wait in except for Kyler.  He was determined to go for a ride.  After 20 minutes passed and the line hadn't moved Kyler gave up and granted us permission to leave.

To finish off our date we headed to Cold Stone and treated the kids to an ice cream.  Delicious.

After a quick stop at Costco we travelled home.  As a side note, three car seats will fit on one row in my Tahoe. The older kids can enter and exit the vehicle from the back window.  And, 18 holes of golf are exhausting, even when it is the miniature variety.

Ten Things Good About Today

1.  Piano Festival.  Taylei and Keanna performed their pieces today.  The best thing about this?  Superior Ratings.  The second best thing?  The four songs they have played, played, played, memorized and played some more can be forgotten.  (Maybe not forgotten, I truly hope they will play them on occasion but anything more than this may be considered illegal).

On a side note, I believe both daughters may quit playing if the consequences weren't so great.
They are allowed, by me, to quit at anytime, but if they do quit, they also quit all other activities they are involved in.  This list includes: dance, basketball, soccer, volleyball, leather craft, tennis, ipods, nooks and even the mighty, most important, not to be messed with softball.

I heard hints that others may consider be to be a 'mean' mom last night.  Keanna loves spending time with her second-cousin Bailey.  Bailey and Keanna get along beautifully.  Bailey brings out Keanna's personality in its purest form.  I learned that Bailey likes to limit the time Sulena and I visit.  She is afraid her mom may impose some of my same rules.  Examples: bedroom doors are to be shut NEVER or if you don't practice the piano the required amount, I am repaid for the lesson.  Maybe my daughter's journals compare me to Cruella deVil or the Wicked Step-Mother, maybe even both?

2.  Survival in Judging.  I was asked to fill in and be a judge at the previous mentioned festival.  Really?  It is a good thing they didn't ask for a resume, my qualifications would have been seriously lacking.  At one point, I was reading the music and comparing it to the notes the student was playing and felt like I was in way over my head.  Had I missed a sign that called for the music to be played an octave lower?  I was reassured when one of the other judges asked the student to play again with hands in the proper location.  I was nervous but the poor students were terrified.

When it was over, I realized I had enjoyed the experience.  Piano is a talent you have forever.  Until I hear someone tell me the hours their mom forced them to practice in their youth were a waste of time, my girls are going to play.

Next question, when should I have Kyler start?  A man is never sexier than when he is tickling the ivories, commanding them to send forth a melody that moves your very soul.

3.  Keanna and her passion for the keyboard.  Keanna seems to be at a desperate state in her development trying to decide what HER interests are.  Piano?  Nope, her mothers desire.  Softball?  Nope, something her father, grandfathers (yes, both) and even grandmothers want her to participate in.  Dancing?  Enjoys tremendously but.  Duct Tape?  Fad.  Sewing?  Fad.  Ice Skating?  For almost a week this is the only thing she talked about but once again, the desire seems to have past.

This week she began her adventure in her newest passion.  The fourth grade has began a unit where they are learning to type.  Home row keys and all.  Every spare minute she is sitting at the keyboard.  Today we found some typing games.  Now she can increase her skills while saving the space ship from alien invaders one word at a time.

4.  A patient husband.  Tennis lessons 101 commenced at the tennis courts today.  Andy helped Taylei and Keanna.  I arrived and he devoted his attention to me.  How I hold my racket, how I should spin the head, how I need to hit and get back to ready position and how I hit more home runs in 10 minutes than in my entire softball career (too bad that only took one).  We volleyed a little but he only had to get into his ready stance for me to have a chill of terror run down my spine.

We have been married 14 years and in that time I can count on both hands the amount of tennis games he has gotten to play.  This was his sport.  He played doubles and they were slated to win state.  He choked.

We keep saying we are going to start playing, then, he takes our family to the court and although he never shows his frustration, exasperation and desperation I know we drive him crazy.  Too bad I don't find a private coach and gain enough skills to volley against him, then invite him on a surprise date to the tennis court, complete with a candlelight dinner, cute tennis skirt and a tennis game he could actually enjoy.

5. Beds that are unmade.  Why?  This bed, in its state of chaos, represents something good.  Unmade beds usually don't make me smile but today I was lucky enough to be reminded of my bounteous blessings.  I have a daughter (daughters and sons for that matter) who are healthy, active and my joy in this world.  I realized there are parents of children who have passed to the other side of the veil who will never get to make a child's bed again.  I will pull up the covers and be grateful the bed was slept in the night before.

6.  A girl who loves the game as much as her dad.  Taylei was invited to a friend's home for games and was in the process of getting ready when Andy informed her she needed to pitch before she could go.  Outside she went to make her dad happy, wet just-got-out-of-the-shower hair and all.  (Some of her pitching pictures make her arm look quite deformed.  I really should turn them into a collage for her posterity's enjoyment).  Since Tom and Jerian moved to California, Andy has stepped in as pitching coach until a replacement is found.  I only ventured out and watched for a minute and it was obvious this is a problem in desperate need of a quick action.

7.  The power of the sun.  I love the shape of Andy's legs but after seeing them today, basked in the glory of winter white, I can't wait for the power of the sun to transform them into a glorious bronze.

8.  The trampoline.  Our yard no longer has a 5 feet deep by 14 feet wide hole.  Andy must have given up on winter and has returned the mat to its proper location.

9.  My right hand man.  Grandma Lou bought shovels for my boys.  A shovel of their very own.  Kyler wanted to make sure his would not be mistaken for his brothers and in his finest Kindergarten handwriting, he labeled each one.  He has been begging to dig weeds since the shovel was placed in his possession.  I keep telling him it still isn't time.  Today we found pits under the plum tree.  He gathered them as quickly as possible and ran after his shovel, determined to plant them deep in the earth.  I had to deny his location choices, right in the middle of my flower beds or the lawn wasn't quite what I had in mind.  We finally agreed on a place or two and he commenced Operation Plant A Tree.

10.  Spring is here.  I believe Heavenly Father is the God of this earth.  This earth was created under his direction and power.  Miracles occur each and every day.  One of which, tulips.  Tulips.  The bulbs sit in the earth through the summer, fall and winter and each spring, the plant pushes its way up through the rocks and frozen earth.  Each spring we witness the love Heavenly Father has for us.  The cold, dark days of winter are replaced with the vibrant colors and glorious new birth spring offers.

I love spring.  I love knowing I'm loved on this earth and in heaven.  My blessings are bounteous, especially if I take a break from my own agenda to look around and see what Heavenly Father has done for me.

The Tradition Continues

This is my dear husband, Andy.  This is him on the bunny slopes of Brian Head.  His feet are strapped to his snowboard.  He happens to be quite good at this sport, not Olympic material, but can handle his own and makes it look easy.

Andy may, or may have not, fallen in love with me on this very slope.  In December, 1997 he planned to take his brothers on a night skiing trip to Brian Head.  He invited me along so they could have somewhere to spend the night -- Extremely long story and my story differs significantly from Andy's but I've written my version down and so in 50 years mine will be fact and his will be lost into the great abyss of the unknown.

Then a few weeks later, my family was headed to Brian Head to stay in Dave Wilkey's condo for the New Year's weekend.  At this time, Andy and I were interested in dating and I invited him to join us.  We had the shortest distance to drive and arrived first.  He was sick with the flu, broke the glass on the fireplace while trying to start a fire and almost killed my sister, Mary Dawn, when he took her down her first black diamond.  True love.

Fourteen years later the Brian Head tradition continues.  We try and make it to the condo and on the slopes yearly.  Andy has given up boarding (black diamonds anyways) and devoted his attention to helping our children.  Taylei began as a skier (the biggest crush of her life so far has been her ski instructor), but now has her own snowboard and does really well.  Keanna gave up her skis during this trip to become a snowboarder too.  Kyler liked skiing and started to have success but hanging out in the condo was equally alluring.  Aysen only got to play in the snow, Andy can only handle helping so many children at a time.

I made it out onto the slopes during the afternoons.  Skiing is something I enjoy but I hate the cold which complicates things tremendously.

Taylei was lucky enough to share a bed with Aysen.  To say she had a miserable night would be an understatement.  She made sure they didn't share the same bed again.  Notice how he has pushed her off the pillow?  And how she has been forced down to the bottom of the bed?  And his fingers are wrapped up in her hair.  Evidence to the world as to why I sleep so much better when he doesn't sleep with me.

Special thanks to my mom and dad for making this trip possible, they are wonderful parents.  I couldn't have been blessed with better.  They still spend some time on the slopes with their skis on.  They set an amazing example for my children.  Thanks also to Dave Wilkey for still having an interest in the condo that he hasn't visited in over five years.

Event occurred January 26 - 29, 2012

All Things Seuss

In honor of Theo LeSieg a.k.a Theodore Geisel a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, a birthday celebration was held at Mona Elementary School.

This is one of my children's favorite days.

They are allowed to dress up as characters from his books.  

Taylei coordinated with her friend, Darian to go to school as Thing 1 and Thing 2.

I was told how much they looked alike except Taylei is a brunette and Darian is Blonde.

I'm glad they are friends.

Keanna dressed as a Who.  A Who who was celebrating the arrival of spring. 

Lisa drove the kids to school today.  Zeak and Jake came in for a quick picture.  They all looked awesome.  Lisa used acrylic paint to color Zeak's hair and face a Grinchy shade of green.  I would have never thought to use acrylic paint in a million years.

I'm so glad our school has these extra-curricular activities.  100 years ago when I was in school, we also got to dress up and I still remember how much I loved it.

Proof to Posterity . . .

The birthday party was delayed but we did celebrate.  After a quick dinner of barbecue beef sandwiches with all the fixings the guests changed party locations and we went to my parents home to watch the BYU basketball game.  Our family seems to have caught on to Jimmermania and no one wants to miss a game.

Andy and Taylei always request Pink Cloud Cake for their birthday.  We have to get creative with how we arrange the candles, 38 plus 12 on one cake would be a definite fire hazard.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Children Dear

Does 12 still count as children?  Do I need to go with 'adults dear' instead?  Taylei is 12.  Andy is a year older as well but he is already over the age of 25, old enough to drive a rental car but not old enough for a senior citizen discount.  His age has a little less meaning.  He is aging though, the wrinkles are deeper and his hair is greying but all at a snail's pace.  Then, there is Taylei.

Taylei turned 12.  No more primary.  She is on to the Young Women's program.  It was just yesterday she came to our home.  4,383 yesterdays to be exact but they have all seemed to meld into one.  How did this happen?   Next year she goes to junior high.  She is wearing braces and spending more time hanging out listening to the grown up conversation instead of running off with the kids.  Child no more.

On a more optimistic outlook, she is beautiful.  Both inside and out.  She has talents she is developing and talents she has not yet discovered.  She is a blessing to me and to our family.  I love her!

To celebrate her birthday she played in a basketball tourney.  Basketball has not been our sport.  The girls do well but it isn't softball.  I'm a softball mom.  We're a softball family.

Kyler thinks basketball is fine.  He has learned to play 'Angry Bird.'  I tried this once, enough said.  His friends play with him, each on their own electronic gadget.  All are happy.  He is easy to keep track of.  Mom is happy.

Grandma and Grandpa are awesome to support and help with Aysen.  Aysen started off the season and I would walk the gym with him holding on to my fingers.  He now goes on his own.  This mobility is a blessing and a curse . . .

We anticipated being in Salt Lake for just a few hours.  But then we won both our games and played for the championship.  We rescheduled the birthday dinner and the birthday girl chose to eat at Tempanyaki.  The food was good but the hour was late and when the game came around, Keanna succumbed to sleeping on the bench.  Not quite comfortable but still effective.

Happy Birthday to two of my favorite people in all the world.  

As a side note, on the way to the game we talked about how awesome Taylei could do --  her muscles performing perfectly helping her shots to fall and being able to make all kinds of defensive miracles.  It would be the present her body gave to her.  

This did not happen.  She had an average day.  Then she made a basket FOR THE OTHER TEAM.  She expects perfection from herself and was so disappointed.  Years from now I know she will look back and giggle.

And the second side note, I do also love Andy so very, very much.