He did it . . .

Mr. Aysen has been on the verge of walking for the last few days.  He has been taking 3 - 5 steps at a time but has a tremendous amount of fear and promptly sets himself down.  

Tonight with the help of a peanut bar he took 20+ steps multiple times.  He didn't seem to understand he was walking.  His attention was focused on opening his prize.

Walking hasn't taken over as his main mode of transportation but he has made it past a great hurdle.

Congratulations Aysen . . .

Happy Valentine's Day

Picture me singing gleefully, "I did it, I did it, I did it."

My valentines were placed in the mail today, February 2.

Notice I am writing the 2nd not the 11th, 12th or even 13th.  

Me the queen of procrastination actually accomplished something in a timely manner.  Maybe my lack of accomplishing the task last year added additional inspiration for this year.  

Thanks to the staff at Kimo's for the helping with the finishing touches.  On my list of things I hope to accomplish, a goal if you must,  is a photoshop class.  I want to learn to edit, adjust and design in this powerful program.  It is overwhelming.  Period.  Another dream for another day.  Maybe when the littlest man in the family doesn't control so many of my hours.

Speaking of Aysen, I was laying in bed with him the other night and was actually still awake when he gave in to the depths of slumber.  I couldn't bring myself to get back up.  I spent a few moments staring at him.  Life is amazing.  Eyes that see.  A heart that pumps.  Muscles that allow movement.  How anybody can doubt the divinity of life as a gift from our Heavenly Father hasn't taken the time to watch a baby sleep.  I do complain but soon he is going to be grown and not need me.  I'll enjoy it while I can.

From years gone by . . .

I made myself a little mess over the last few days.  All of the photos from my past were pulled from a box, sorted, tossed, and a handful were sent to be scanned.  The piles have been all over the floor and not once have my children relocated, messed with or used them for their art projects.

Another reason to believe miracles still exist.

 While I have been sorting, many of the photos have made their way into the round file.  I've learned that  scenery pictures have little meaning 15 years later. 

I.E.:  The pictures of the backlots at Universal Studios have all been discarded.

During the purge I found a few classic photos . . .

Why Andy's drivers license has made it into my box of treasures is a mystery.  But since it has been located I will use it to prove my professions.

Taylei is small.  I wish she would grow a little.  I tell people she gets her size from her father.  I'm sure they think I'm crazy when I use him as the reason . . . he is 6'0" and 190 pounds. 

This license is my proof.  At age 16, if you look closely he measures in at 5'3" and a whopping 110.

Taylei will grow . . . it is just a matter of when.

For the record . . . my mom did used to dye her hair.  She was a blond beauty when she married.

I once was quite small myself.  

I could also add an entry in a gratitude journal.  It would allude to the fact that I'm grateful upholstery fabric of this fashion is no longer available for purchase.

Once upon a time my father had pepper hair.  Quite different than the salt variety he has aged into.  He is holding Mike and I.  Notice Mike's cute little bottom.  This proves my father to be quite brave in my book.  He was holding a loaded weapon with no protection and I know first hand the risk he was taking.

And one last picture in honor of Mona Days.  My mom always made us AMAZING floats.  Mona style, we were at the top.  My Grandpa Ewell was always kind enough to let her use his garden cart as the base.  Kami and I would be the horse power to pull the cart through the entire four block parade route.  I believe it was this year our mothers decided to pull the cart home and were amazed by how heavy it was.    This mystery could easily be solved.  Mike and Clint were sitting on cinderblocks.  

I'm once again inspired to work on documenting my past for the members of the future.

Too bad it seems I would have to give up the present to get it done.

The solution: sleep less a whole, whole lot less.

Firsts . . .

This little boy fell asleep on his very own today.  So amazing.  He is growing up.
I did cover him with a blanket after the picture was taken.  Too bad I didn't have one under him. . .

Sleeping in Peace

Exhaustion must have overcome Aysen.  He likes to be held constantly and so when the rare moment occurs that he is sleeping peacefully without being in my arms one stops to take note.

He is a blessing in our home.  I'm so glad we have him.

Our Favorite Spot on Planet Earth

We went to Lake Powell.  The place is amazing.  I'll try and sum up the trip with a top 11 of sorts . . .
1. The first and maybe biggest highlight was "The Bat."  A friendly, neighborhood variety must have taken up residency on our boat.  With all of the hustle and bustle of our group moving in it awoke from its slumber.  In search of a new area to rest it took flight right. up. Andy's. (yes, my husband) shorts.  This happened while we were trying to anchor the houseboat to shore.  He seems to have spent a lifetime in scouting, but nothing in his past helped him to "be prepared" for this.  I would have died from a heart attack right then and there.  Luckily, the bat flew out without biting my dear husband in the unmentionable place it found itself.
2. Lizard chasing was in high demand.  The one Braden is holding was knocked unconscious or might even be deceased.  Braden didn't realize their was a problem.  It just sat nicely wherever he placed it or threw it for that matter.  

This lizard was caught on one of our "hike-abouts."  It was transported back to the houseboat via noodle.  It seemed quite hesitant about escaping until it decided to crawl onto and over Mary Dawn.  Her reaction involved sporadic movements and high pitched squeals.  

Last time we were at Lake Powell we were teaching Kyler to chase and like the lizards.  (Grandma Lou is an awesome lizard chaser, not sure how that didn't get passed on to her daughters).  Kyler was finally convinced to hold the lizard and it turned and bit him.  Not nice. 
3. After September 11, 2001 when the world was still quite cautious about terrorists, we spent the 4th of July weekend at Lake Powell.  I found myself quite safe and comfortable.  Who would launch any kind of attack on such an unpopulated desert attraction?  Someone decided to burst my bubble and told me Lake Powell was a huge target.  I guess if the dam was blown the water released would flood Vegas.  Not sure there is any truth to the tale but it doesn't take much for me to believe.  We found ourselves at Lake Powell over the 4th of July holiday again (the stake 4th of July calling has expired).  I was sitting on the boat working on lunch when a noise you don't want to hear flew overhead.  I'm told I said a few unkind words and looked out the window to see a fighter jet fly down the canyon.  Five seconds later jet number two flew past.  I thought of death, destruction and the boys on board kept cheering praises of awesomeness.  Seems Powell is a hot spot for training fighter pilots.  Who would have guessed?

4. This is Chance.  Chance was great to have on the trip.  He was good with Kyler and Braden.  He seemed to be the first to jump off the boat, go on exploration hikes and is very athletic being pulled behind his dad's boat.  He did have one flaw.  He had numerous conversations that went something like this.  Chance talking to Kyler or Braden, "What's Up?"
They would respond, "What?"
"Chicken But."
There were a few more varieties, "Guess who? -- Chicken Poo" or "Guess why? -- Chicken Pie."  Kids mimic and learn after only hearing things once.  I won't say more, someday though, Chance will have children and I may return the favor.

5. This is Rick, Rick Carlton to be exact.  Nice guy.  He happens to be a member of the high council.  One week, Andy shared a speaking assignment with him.  Rick likes to boat and he mentioned an experience as part of his address.  My parents were there to support Andy and during the visiting after, Rick's family was invited to join us on our trip.  Rick and Chance came down with us and three of his girls came later.  On the afternoon Rick went to pick them up his boat would NOT start.  The men spent about an hour checking every cable they could find, prayers were said and we were about to call for boat repair when Rick found the problem.  The key wasn't in.  Funny, kind of like the bat, you can laugh afterwards.
6.  Movies are always a highlight.  Andy brings his giant screen and assembles it on top of the houseboat.  Each night we watch a movie under the stars while the children are put to bed and the waves lap against the boat.  This year everyone was so exhausted not one person stayed awake for an entire movie.

7. If you've never been to Lake Powell you are missing out.  Every year is different.  The water level varies which eliminates beaches and creates new ones.  We try and scout ahead to find a place to park the house boat with the wave runners.  The goal is to find a spot at the end of a canyon away from the other boats, but you also need a beach for the kids to play on and maybe a little shade from the afternoon sun.  It was pretty crowded this year and we ended up parking in a little cove off of the main channel.  It ended up being one of my favorite places yet.  We had islands to swim to where we could cliff jump.  You could hike quite a distance on the rocks.  There was enough sand for Paul to make an attempt at a hot tub.  Andy found a narrow channel for Taylei to keep up on her pitching practice along with a shore that gradually sloped into the water before the 30 foot drop off.  Almost perfect!  You couldn't have asked for a better spot for hike-swim-and jump abouts.
8. I'm sure one day Braden will share his mother's love of the water but he isn't there yet.  He would NOT get in.  

Mary Dawn is never good at being too forceful so I took over.  I captured him on several occasions and helped him in the water with me.  He would be unhappy, his mom would come and save him and everyone won except me.  I'm was sure Braden was going to start calling me Aunt Bully afterwards. 
9.  The wave runners are always a highlight.  We were even smart this trip and took the mirrors off right at the beginning in hopes history wouldn't repeat itself.

I didn't get a picture but this year the wave runners doubled as a fishing boat.  Lake Powell has "boils" where the stripers are jumping out of the water to feed.  This is quite spectacular to watch and all you have to do is cast your lure into the middle and walaaaa you have caught a fish.  One morning the fish were boiling and Andy, Kyler and I decided to chase them on the wave runners.  We were skunked.  I would drive, Andy would cast with his lure landing perfectly at times but he didn't even get a hit.  We tried a dozen different lures to no avail.  I loved it though!  It would have been awesome for Kyler if we had landed one.  Maybe next time . . . and just a little bit red neck.
10.  My dad was captain of the house boat for the first time and did a mighty fine job.

He had help from two highly inexperienced first and second mates.  It is a really good thing he didn't get into any tight binds and have to call on their services.

11. Rick has a great boat, tubes, ski's, wakeboard etc. and everyone loved being pulled behind him.  Taylei and Andy showed quite a bit of skill in the wakeboarding department.  Keanna pulled herself up a few times and did fine but lost interest before she had much practice.

Grandma Lou is still young enough to take a turn on the slide.

Aysen wasn't convinced the water was a good idea or a bad idea.

Coalie definitely had her opinion and HATED the water.  She was terrified to run down the gang plank at first but soon fell in love with Lake Powell as well.

Keanna was always having a good time.

The life jacket was not a big hit with this guy and I can't blame him.  A straight jacket would have been more comfortable.

Braden was awesome at wearing his life jacket.  He was warned by his dad in advance to always have it on and he did a great job following this council.

Being in the sun without any obligations wears you right out.

Paul with Abby Tryon.

Nanna was the biggest fish of the group.

Taylei kept herself very busy.

This is hunting Kyler style.

Aysen didn't even get a sunburn.  Shade is a blessing.  He has a good little tan even with spending all of his time in the shade.

The trip was awesome.

Such an amazing vacation!

Mystery Animal

Can anyone guess what this dear animal happens to be?

A baby buffalo has joined the farm of Jakerman Woodland. 

I'm so glad my children can live out their animal fantasies with the help of our dear friends and neighbors.  I guess the mama buffalo wanted nothing to do with this baby and so the Woodlands' adopted it.  Lisa is currently having quite the battle with said buffalo - who will win?  She wants to keep it alive, it keeps trying to end its life short.