Life on the Edge

In Case of Emergency

2012-01-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

Since being called as the Primary President several months ago, Sundays can be anything but relaxing. The first couple months I would come home from church and just hide in my room for a while until I could put the chaos of Primary behind me and face being the mom again. It was crazy. It never seemed to run smoothly and I was always wiped out by the end.
People kept telling me it would get better and I would find a routine of sorts. I have to admit, I didn't believe them. Then, all of the sudden it seemed, it happened. I came home and wasn't totally wiped out. I was still smiling after Primary and it wasn't the "smile so you don't cry" type of smile. The day went really well. The next week went really well too. I thought I must be getting the hang of it. That's when I should have known the Lord would have some more lessons for me to learn.

Yesterday the teachers all went to the combined meeting the last hour so my counselor and I divided the younger kids into two classes and each taught one while the other counselor and secretary took over sharing time. The stake was oh so kind and came to do our music. I wrestled the entire first hour with a little 3 year-old who needs some one on one support most weeks and then went on to teach about a dozen five and six year olds. Wow! Can I just say our teachers are amazing? I have even more respect and awe for them than I did before. It isn't an easy task keeping a dozen kids engaged in a lesson that gets over all too quickly. Thank goodness for memorizing Articles of Faith and crayons. By the time it was over, I was once again wiped out and smiling but not the, "It went so smoothly and it was an amazing day" kind of smile.

We came home and I hid myself in my room with a half a can of Coke and a frozen Twix I had been saving for an emergency. It was definitely an emergency. I sat on my bed savoring the Twix and playing scrabble online when I reached over for the second half of my treasure only to find it already gone. Dang it! I ate the whole thing and didn't even realize it was gone. I am thinking I should start putting a king size Twix in the freezer in case of a emergency. Some days may require a four pack.

Summer in January

2012-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

We took advantage of the beautiful spring like weather for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and took off for Devil's Kitchen. Three of the boys and I played here last summer during our Adventure Week but Gary and Logan hadn't been here yet. We loved it!

The boys hiked around the rocks. I say hiked, Gary says climbed. Either way, we were outside enjoying the 50 degree weather and getting a bit of exercise. They found caves and holes and all sorts of things to do. They didn't want to leave for quite a while. In fact, they still weren't too happy about leaving even when we told them we would be going shooting next. That is the sign of a good family activity. Everyone is happy and no one wants to move on to the next activity. I am truly blessed that we have boys that enjoy being outside and don't have to be "plugged in" every minute!

Tom Turns Twelve!

2012-01-19T13:01:00.000-08:00

Thomas turned twelve the end of December. How can my baby boy be so big? I don't think I was really prepared for the milestone twelve is in a young man's life. I was ready for five and getting ready for Kindergarten. I was ready for eight and being baptized. I think I am ready for the magical age of 16 and dating and driving. Even 19 and a mission is something I see on the horizon as being a big deal. For some reason, 12 didn't enter in as one of those big birthdays.

It is a big birthday though. We don't usually celebrate Tom's birthday in December. We do a half birthday in June. He was born so close to Christmas that I wanted his birthday to be about him and not about what energy and financial resources we have left over after Christmas. This year was going to be a bit different.

We had been talking about taking Tom to the temple on his twelfth birthday for quite some time. I didn't think of all that would have to go into making that happen. I thought we would just get an interview set up and get him a recommend and then go to the temple. Easy peasy. Thank goodness I have very patient and loving priesthood holders around me to guide me through the process.

In order to go to the temple, Tom had to have the priesthood. In order to get the priesthood, he needed an interview with the Bishop and then be presented to the ward. After all that was done, he could be ordained on his birthday. Our Bishopric is amazing. They did his interview early and presented him on Christmas Sunday. Then, they came over bright and early on Tom's birthday to be present for his ordination.

Gary ordained him to the office of a Deacon. Wow. What an amazing thing to have my husband confer that awesome power on my son. He gave him a great blessing and the spirit was so strong. Afterward, Gary said he knew his Dad was there with us. I don't doubt it. His first grandson was entering a new and important phase of his life.

Shortly after we headed to the Mount Timpanogos Temple to do baptisms. There were a ton of kids waiting. The line was so long that, even though we had our own names, we could only do five a piece. We waited almost an hour at the font before it was our turn and I got to see Gary lead Tom into the font and be baptized for those who have gone on before. AMAZING!

Tom loved every minute of it. He has asked several times since when we can go back. He wants to do baptisms in all the temples he can he said. We are going up again in a couple of weeks and taking Tom's cousin, Connor, with us.

I hope the experience will be one that helps to strengthen Tom in the trying times ahead. The teenage years are never easy and it seems as if they are getting even more difficult. He is such an amazing young man that has so much compassion, a great sense of humor, and a work ethic that I don't see very often these days. I am so proud to call him my son!

Adventure Week Day Three

2011-08-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Any idea what we did for Adventure Week day three?

There is a petting zoo at a gas station in Scipio. We've been to the gas station several times because there is also a Dairy Queen there that has an amazing BLT. It's not every day you can get your car gassed up, eat a quick snack and play with an eclectic mix of animals.

I was a bit worried that this would be the most boring day ever for Tommy Boy but he really enjoyed it I think. I told him on the way that this adventure may be geared more toward Ethan and Dylan since he was heading out with the scouts tonight on an overnighter. At first I thought he was just being a good sport but he really didn't want to leave when it was time. The kid never ceases to amaze me.

Dylan on the other hand was not as thrilled as I had anticipated. I had a hard time getting a picture of him even close to any animals much less touching them. It may have been that they were about the same size and could look him in the eye. After about 20 minutes, he turned to me and said, "Mom, this place is freaking me out." He was ready to go and after announcing it in such a cute four-year-old way, I couldn't refuse.

Ethan loved, loved, loved it. If only he was a bit taller so he could reach over the fences to pet the ostriches and horses though. He followed Tom around and pet all the animals and had a huge beaming smile the whole time.

The donkey was loving Tom. He loved him so much in fact that he wanted to take a bite right out of him. Didn't phase Tom one bit. I think he's going to love growing up in the country setting. I'm just hoping the neighbor's donkeys, mules, and horses are enough for him. I just don't see any of them in our future backyard plans.

He named the goat on his lap Buddy. It would follow him around and if he sat down, it would climb right on. I didn't know goats could be lap dogs!

I was always taught that you don't put your hand in a dark tunnel in some rocks but here they are, all elbow deep. The rocks, and netting shade canopy, were home to lots of bunnies. If anyone found one in a hole, they all had to run over and try to pet them. Poor bunnies. Even Dylan got in on the act for a while.

I think I've learned my lesson about guessing who will enjoy what activity. Here I thought Dyl would love it and he was scared to even get close to most of the animals. I thought Tom would be a bit bored and he enjoyed every minute. Ethan was the only one that responded like I thought.

This has turned into a fun tradition for us and I'm excited for the next few days of adventures before school starts. I'm really excited for Logan to come home on Sunday and start joining us for some of them too! I miss that little man!

Adventure Week Day Two

2011-08-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

After yesterday's excursion, I thought I'd better plan a bit better for today's adventure. I knew where we were going to go. I knew how to get there. I bought lunch supplies yesterday. I even remembered the camp chair for me to sit in and do some work while the boys were playing.
We headed out right before lunch with a cooler, blanket, and my trusty camp chair and headed south. When we got to the park in Kanosh, we pulled over and the boys asked, "We are going to the park?" They didn't sound terribly excited which had me a bit worried. It's a risk you take when you plan a week of surprise adventures. We piled out of the car anyway.

A new playground is always an adventure. This one had the old school metal slide that was tall enough that Dylan climbed up it and then back down the ladder because it was too tall for him.

It had the new big toy with slides and ladders and bridges to climb on and explore and chase each other through.

There were three horses that the boys were riding the range on. Here they are trying not to get bucked off during their eight second ride.

It had the swing set and the spider web to round out the toy selection. There were huge trees sharing their shade with our picnic blanket, my chair, and most of the toys. It was awesome.

That is until it wasn't. At first I was just a bit annoyed by the flies. I even moved us to another spot hoping that the fly problem was just a localized issue. Nope. They were down right awful!

The boys played and fought and played and fought and played and fought. Finally, between the flies and the fighting, I had had enough and called it a day. It was still a pretty good adventure day. We went somewhere we had never been before and did something we don't do every day. They had a great time playing on all the toys when they weren't fighting and I had a great time outside with my kids. They even took some photos of each other up in one of the trees.

Tomorrow's adventure is still a mystery. I can't seem to decide on the perfect place or activity. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Adventure Week Day 1

2011-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here it is already; the week before school. Where did summer go? We started our Adventure Week yesterday with a true adventure. Logan is staying with Grandma Bishop this week and Gary is in Salt Lake at training so it was just Tom, Ethan, Dylan and me for our first day. I thought it would be fun to wander over to Delta and go bowling. We hopped in the car and made the obligatory Maverik run. Maverik has become one of my top reasons I love living here. Can you say fountain Coke? Oh how I've missed you.
Since I remembered we needed to start Adventure Week a bit late and we needed to get home in time for Tom's football practice, I decided to do the gas station lunch - hot dogs, chips, Slurpees for the kids. They were in heaven. We were a side show trying to get it all to the register after loading up our dogs, picking our chips, and balancing the Slurpee but we made it.

Once in the car and headed through Fillmore, I realized I had never actually driven to Delta. We took a Sunday drive a month ago but Gary took some back roads and I knew I would never be able to find it that way. I called my trusty husband who gave me some great directions. Just get on the freeway and get off in Holden and.......I trail off because the rest isn't really relevant anymore.

Driving through Fillmore to get to the freeway, I spot a sign. Flowell and Delta this way. Well, that may not be Holden but it surely will get me to Delta. The sign says so. Boy will Gary be proud of me that I found it all on my own. I turn off the main road and, smiling pleased with myself, head toward the tiny town of Flowell.

I'm sure there was a sign saying "TURN HERE FOR DELTA AIRONN!" but I missed it. I must have been distracted looking at the farm land or the homes or the big church or the animals or who knows what. I realized things weren't right when the road came to a T-intersection and there was no directions to Delta at all. North or south? That was the only question.

Since Holden was north, Delta must also be north so north I turned. Again, I was quite proud of myself. Finding it all on my own like this. The GPS was broken. I couldn't call Gary again and tell him I didn't listen to him or know where I was going. Turning around would just take more of our precious time and it was ticking away. I headed north.

That is until the road came to yet another T. This time, like last, there was no indication that Delta was even in the same county. No directions to the bowling alley. The only thing that lay before me was a BLM sign pointing to Devil's Kitchen and Clear Lake. The lake was only about 15 miles away and the road was paved and nice and, who knows, Devil's Kitchen may be okay too. The adventure just changed. Now the boys and I were on a real adventure where nobody in the car knew where we were going or what would happen.

About half a mile up the road, the pavement ended. We carried on for quite some time until we saw a sign for Devil's Kitchen two miles up an off shoot to the road we were on. Off we went. I wasn't sure we'd ever be able to find our way back to the main road with all the forks in the road we were on but we kept going. Finally we found what I think must be Devil's Kitchen. A fenced off area that had an opening for hikers bur no cars and huge black boulders. Tom had been itching to climb on some and E and Dyl were game so we parked the car and began hiking and climbing. It was a blast!

It may not be the easiest to see but the boys are at the top of the rocks. Tom was so great to make sure Dylan was safe the whole time. I couldn't have done it without my young man!

Right after we took this shot, we found all this rock art next to them. It was cool to see what was all over the rocks. I'm excited to learn the history behind it.

Dylan was bit nervous being on top of these huge rocks but he just kept going. His little legs couldn't make some of the bigger steps but Tom was right there ready to grab him as I lowered him down and, since he adores and trusts his big brother completely, Dylan was ready to jump to Tom whenever he needed to.

Ethan was quite the trooper. He is addicted to flip flops this summer and I forgot to check his footwear before we left so he did all the hiking and climbing in his favorite pair. His easy going spirit really helped him scale those boulders. I'm still not sure how he kept his flip flops on!

I really started to realize how much Tom is turning into a young man. He has his first scout camp out this week and I have been nervous about him going without Gary but watching him climb and help his brothers and me out on this adventure showed me just how ready he is. I am so proud of the man he is becoming and I hope he always keeps that compassionate spirit about him. He loved climbing around and would have stayed all day but didn't complain at all when it was time to go.

From there we headed home after a quick phone call to Gary's office to find out where we were and if we should continue on the road or turn around. We made sure to stop in at both the BLM and Forest Service for maps of the area. Next time we want to enjoy our adventure AND know where we are. What a great start to our Adventure Week though!

Almost Settled

2011-07-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

The last month and a half have been more than a little bit crazy. We finally closed on our house, spent a few nights on an air mattress until our stuff could be delivered, and have been living in a city of boxes ever since. Most of the boxes have been unpacked and our list of things we need to make things organized is continuing to grow. We are loving, loving, loving all the room we have. Sure, the basement doesn't have any furniture really unless you count the gun safe and treadmill and the rest of the boxes, but the boys can spread out and be in more than two rooms.

The town is great. Everyone is so incredibly friendly and welcoming. I don't know if it's like that for anyone or just because we've spent countless hours weeding, mowing, watering, and cleaning. It's finally starting to look like we live here.

The boys have already made great friends and seem to be genuinely happy we are here. Tom's already participated in a two-day football camp that helped him get a bit more out of his shell and meet other sixth graders before he starts school. He gets to play tackle football this year and practices start next week. It was a bit crazy for me to take him to sign ups and leave with pads and helmet and practice uniform. How can he be old enough for this?

The first week at church we were walking home and Dylan asked when we got to go back. He didn't think 3 hours was quite long enough. All three boys have really loved their Primary classes and Tom and Logan have great scout leaders and they each meet with about four or five boys which seems about perfect.

If I could only have someone come and hang all the pictures in the house so they look good or better yet bring new artwork with them, I think it would be about perfect here in Meadow!

Our new home

2011-06-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to start the next chapter in Meadow, Utah! We fell in love with this home as soon as we saw it. It needs some love but it is love we are more than ready to give. I am so ready to walk barefoot in the grass, even if it is only planted in the front and side of the house. The back will go in later this summer or next we hope. A two car garage was on the boys list which Gary and I thought was funny. They want somewhere to ride their bikes inside but I'm not sure they realize they are too big to ride in the garage - even if it is a bit over sized.

The back yard is ready for whatever we want to do with it. The door comes off the dining/living room area and Gary and I are planning on putting a deck across the back in the next few years.

Here is the living room. It's a big open room with the kitchen and dining room and we can't wait to have all that space. Anyone know a good place to get a gas fireplace insert? That needs to go in this fall. It will be sad not having a wood burning stove but I am not going to miss the ash mess that comes with it!

The basement is mostly finished. There is a large family room ready for our entertainment center and furniture that still lives at the furniture store. It's good to have dreams! For now the boys are already calling it the perfect place to shoot their nerf guns. We'll have to see about that. When we have overnight guests, they'll get to sleep on our first class air mattress in this room.

Here is the other end of the room The staircase is really pretty with the wood finish they used and the wall color is great too. We don't have to do anything in this room and that is soooo very nice.

There is a full bathroom downstairs that is really big. One day it will be the boys bathroom to share but for now they can share the full bath upstairs.

The previous owners used this room as an exercise room. We'll call it the toy room. It will be so nice to have all the toys downstairs and out of the bedrooms again. One day we may add a closet and make it a very large bedroom but that is a long way down the road.

There is room in the basement for two more bedrooms. We hope to start on those this winter and move the boys downstairs. We'll see how the fire season pans out though.

The backyard is HUGE! The lot is almost an acre. One day it will have grass and a garden area. The boys also want a swing set and sand box again. I'm glad there is tons of room and we can make it our own.

Is This Age Appropriate?

2011-04-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

The other night we were doing family scripture reading before bed. We are reading in the Book of Mormon and we've made it all the way to 2 Nephi chapter 9. I was reading a few verses and they were talking about physical and spiritual death. After about five verses, Logan says to the family, "Whoa, that's a lot of death!"

A minute or so later the reading turned to death and hell or, as an 11, 9, and 5 year-old would say, H - E - double hockey sticks. At this point Tom says, "Do you think this is age appropriate?" I'm not sure if he was serious or kidding or maybe a bit of both but Gary and I realized that the scripture study was going downhill fast as this point.

Another verse or so goes by when the word "naked" comes up. At this point Tom is asking if it is rated E for Everyone or A for Adult and we knew our reading had come to an end. At least they were listening to the words if not the meaning!

Celery & Chicken

2011-03-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back to blogging after a way to long absence. I just couldn't resist posting two stories from Ethan and Dylan. It seems like the boys are always up to something or just plain saying some of the craziest things. Yesterday for dinner, Gary put some chicken drumsticks on the grill. Ethan was really enjoying his as evidenced by the BBQ all over his mouth, chin, cheeks, hands, and even nose. He turns to Gary and asks, "Dad, is this a chicken leg?" Gary told him yes and then Ethan asked his follow-up question. "Is it the front or the back leg?" Really? Guess it's time to show him some chickens. Maybe all the elk viewing has left him with the impression that all animals have four legs. And all this time we've been saying that Ethan is one of the smart ones.

At lunch today Dylan was trying to put more on his plate than he weighs. He had hot dogs with ketchup, cantaloupe, and celery sticks and ranch and started asking for some chips. We told him he needed to eat some of his lunch first so there would be room for chips. The plate was completely full. Gary and I obviously weren't paying attention because a few minutes later he had all his celery sticks balancing on each other in a celery stick tower and said, "I have some room right here. Now can I have some chips?" It's painful to be outsmarted by your three-year-old over and over.

Halloween Cupcakes

2010-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

When I saw the recipe for these spiky monster cupcakes, I knew I had to make them. Logan's 3rd grade Halloween party needed treats so, two dozen cupcakes later, I had a blast. I am thinking I need to make another batch to give to neighbors. I hope the kids like them as much as I liked making them!

General Conference

2010-10-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

We were sitting down for the first session of General Conference when Dylan, looking at the t.v. during the opening hymn says, "That man has a lot of arms." A lot of what? He was a bit concerned until Gary told him that there were two men sitting there, playing the hymn together. I just had to laugh. During that and the next session today, every time a hymn played, I smiled watching the organists play. The innocence of youth.

I especially loved the talk today by President Monson about an attitude of gratitude. How often are we depressed because we don't have such and such or we don't live somewhere or this or that or the other. We are so blessed to live in this time, even with the economic hardships that are happening right now. We live in a world filled with modern technology. We have comfortable homes and food to eat. We have loving families that just want our time. Like we also heard in conference, "You spell love t - i - m - e." We can be grateful that we have time to show those around us how much we do love them.

I am grateful I am in a place I can watch all the sessions of conference. I can listen to the messages, tape them on my DVR fore later, make a disk to share with branch members who had to work, and, most importantly, have my children see and hear the words of the prophet while their testimonies are developing and growing. I'm very grateful we are blessed with this opportunity every six months and I'm already looking forward to it in April!

A Sign from Above

2010-10-02T15:55:00.001-07:00

Today was General Conference. We all sat down to watch the morning session together. The boys had their conference booklets and Gary and I settled in to watch and listen to the messages. The boys made it almost to the end before we released them to go outside and play. A huge improvement over years gone by. Maybe it was because this is the first time in recent memory that Gary was able to watch the Saturday afternoon session with us. It was great having him home.

During the break between sessions, we had lunch and started playing a fun domino type game called triominoes. After lunch and after Dylan was sleeping, we thought we'd play one more round before starting conference. I love having our DVR so we can watch and rewind and pause when the phone rings and start a few minutes late if we need to.

Well, we sat down to play and the thunder started to roll into the neighborhood. We continued playing and the hail began to fall. Another turn and the hail became bigger. Someone else played a piece and the thunder became louder. Next player and the lightening was no longer something that was hitting in the forest somewhere. It hit in our backyard. Gary saw it and is pretty sure it hit our laundry line. Wow was the thunder loud. Luckily it didn't hit one of the dozen trees or the house. The electronics are all fine. There was no fire. No tree toppled over onto our house. No worse for the wear.

I'm thinking it was a sign from above that it was time to put away the games and get to conference. Maybe next time we won't delay the start of the session to meet the recreational desires of our little family.

Dad, Can I Go to Sex Ed?

2010-09-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

The other day Tom brought a permission slip home from school. He has reached the ripe old age of the school puberty talk and needed our signature to attend. For some reason, Tom always wants me to sign things like this while Dylan is crying, Logan is asking me to help him spell something and Ethan is reading me his after school book. I told him I would look at it right after dinner and make sure everything was taken care of for school the next day. Apparently, he didn't think I would get it done.

As he was getting things out of the fridge for dinner while Gary was stirring what ever we were having in the pot on the stove, Tom asked completely nonchalantly, "Dad, can I go to sex ed?"

There are times in life that you REALLY, REALLY wish you had a camera. This was one of them. Gary's face was priceless. A mix between shock, confusion, and a bit of, "If I ignore this, will it just go away?" mixed in for good measure. I reassured him that he did indeed hear Tom correctly.

Needless to say, we signed the paper.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and the big maturation discussion has arrived. Tom came home from school busting at the seams with all his new found information. Being a girl and never attending a boy class on the subject, I was a bit taken aback by the amount of information. Tom wanted to debrief. I wanted Gary to be there. We agreed that when Gary got home from work, the three of us would sit down and talk all about it.

Tom was very excited to show us all the fun things in his kit. Mostly facial cleanser and deodorant because boys break out and stink. This was one of the main topics I gathered. He also learned quite a bit about his anatomy. From growing taller and getting muscles to what may happen while he's sleeping (I think you know what I'm saying here), it was all covered.

I think I made it through most of the conversation without blushing and giggling like a little girl. I'm still wondering where my baby went. How can it be possible that he is learning about puberty when it seemed like yesterday we were worrying about teething and potty training.

Underwear and Toothbrushes

2010-09-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure I will ever get Dylan potty trained. He is by far my most challenging. Yesterday he pooped in his underwear and then, ever so quietly, he went in the bathroom and took them off and put his shorts back on commando. Today we found the underwear, which apparently is more than a one-day process, wet on the sink next to his brother's toothbrush. He had scrubbed his underwear to get them clean. Where does he learn these things? He's never seen me scrubbing his underwear with toothbrushes. This morning, the boys were all sitting at the table ready for breakfast when I had to tell them that I threw all their toothbrushes away and they could pick a new one from the closet this morning. They asked why and I said something I never thought I would need to. "Because your brother was cleaning poop out of his underwear with them." Honestly, where do these ideas come from and can you buy pull-ups for kids going to college because I think Dylan may need it. Ugh.

Rough Couple Months

2010-09-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

The months since we have been home from Utah have been some of the roughest months since we've been in Arizona, or anywhere in the distant memory for that matter.

Soon after we were home, we found out my dear friend, Amy Tacey, was in the hospital. Amy had been battling cancer for three years and things had taken a turn for the worse. She fought hard and was as stubborn and determined as anyone I've ever met but that evil disease finally took her three weeks ago. She left behind a sweet husband and four adorable kids, three of which are around my boys ages.

I know they say that grieving comes in stages and right now I'm not even sure what those stages are but I know I've been going through some of my own. It's still crazy to me that she is gone. I seem to sway between the guilt and the anger parts of grief right now. I feel guilty that I feel so sad about her leaving. I mean, I only knew her for a year. Do I really have that right to feel this depressed? What about all those amazing people she touched for many, many years? Don't they get to have these feelings more than I do?

And then the anger sets in. I'm not angry with Amy. Far from it. She is my hero. So positive. So determined. So full of life and love and all that is good in this world. I'm angry that even though I knew she was sick even before I met her and that the outcome didn't look great, I still let her take up residence in my heart. She instantly became my friend, my ally, my confidant. I couldn't help it. She was fabulous in a down to earth, sometimes life gives you lemons, when will the dirty diapers ever end, excuse me while I lock myself in my room so I can hear you over my children sort of way. It was like she was the only one who understood me at times here at the Canyon. She also stayed home with her little ones and I never felt like I had to explain that while, yes, I loved doing it and wouldn't change it for the world, I still wanted to pull my hair out most days. She gave me an insight into this new world we had moved into and helped me navigate the acronyms and the expectations. So, if I knew she was really only going to be here for a little while, why did I let her move into one of the biggest rooms in my heart? Why?

The answer is so simple and it does help the grieving. I let her become a part of my life because she made it better. Just because she is now gone, does not mean she has stopped making it better. I look at things differently now. I enjoy the little things a bit more. I hug my kids a bit tighter and kiss my husband with a bit more feeling all because of Amy. She taught me that life is what you make it and you better make it great.

I miss you Amy!

What Happened?

2010-08-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

The boys went with Gary to get two loads of firewood on Saturday. This is what they came home looking like. I can only imagine what three loads would have done to them! The funny thing is Logan didn't wash his hair when he showered and I didn't realize it until we were sitting in Sacrament meeting. He told me he was too busy getting the black off to remember to wash his hair. YUCK! They were two happy boys though.

Yellow and Blue

2010-08-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

The first week of school was a smashing success. I have to admit, the first day Ethan was there I had to stop myself from calling the office to check on him during the day. It's a long day from 7:30 to 3:30! Maybe it's just a long day for me to be away from someone I've spent almost every day, all day, with the last year since moving to the canyon. He did great though. Here are some brief recaps.

Ethan almost missed the bus his first morning. The bus came five minutes early and he went running out of the house with his backpack as big as he was - it was filled with his lactaid pills and a giant box of granola bars for class snack - and he was yelling as loud as he could, "I'm coming bus! Don't leave me!" He was running toward the bus at this point. The bus driver could see him run the length of the neighboring house to get to the bus. My guess is he wouldn't drive past the running kindergartner.

After school he got off the bus and with eyes HUGE and smile even bigger said to me, "Mom! Yellow and blue make GREEN!" and then showed me his scribbles on a paper from art class to prove it. He was thrilled with his new knowledge. He was also thrilled to find out he didn't have to carry his medicine and granola bars every day back and forth to school and could, in fact, give them to his teacher the next day. At least I know I can keep things securely in his backpack for the entire day without him ever thinking about it.

Logan is a bit more cool about his day. He was very excited about the picture he drew for his homework folder. He was also way excited to write in cursive. He sat down in the first night of school with a clean sheet of paper and said, "I'm going to write the entire alphabet in cursive for extra credit." Extra credit? On the first day? That is one excited kid! Today when I asked him how his day was, he replied, "Awesome!" but that was the end of the description. I think he is loving third grade.

Tom is still acting as cool as ever. He loves being the oldest in the Elementary school. With it comes a lot of responsibility and prestige. I think I've heard a million times that he is in charge of the school flag so he may not be able to pick Ethan up from the Kindergarten room to get on the bus. He will be sure to send Logan who doesn't have such enormous responsibilities though. He's also told me he will probably be able to see Ethan at recess occasionally because he will be in charge of the "ball box" and Ethan will have to request playground equipment from him or some of his 5th grade colleagues. He also gets to be in 5th grade band and gets to pick his instrument he will learn to play. So far the list is narrowed down to the bass guitar or the saxophone but, since 5th grade is the youngest, they get to pick their instruments last after high school and middle school students are done. I'm excited that he is really pumped about learning an instrument again. I hope it takes better than piano did!

Dylan has been adjusting pretty well to being the only child during the day. The only time it came up was nap time when he looked over and realized he was being unfairly punished alone. He asked where Ethan was and wasn't thrilled when I told him school. Today we went to Flagstaff on a "date" together. It was nice to spend that time with just Dylan and I was surprised how much faster the shopping went with just one monster instead of two or three or four. I think I could get use to this!

First Day of School 2010

2010-08-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

This year we have three very excited boys starting school. It's so much more reassuring sending off a kindergartner if he has two older brothers watching out for him. I still get a bit nervous sending Tom because each year it is new territory. We've never sent a son to 5th, yes I said 5th, grade before. I know he can handle it just fine. It's not him I'm worried about, it's his parents. Can we pass 5th grade again?

He has grown so much since moving to the Grand Canyon. He's taller, a bit more muscular, and those feet. Don't get me started on those feet. Is it possible that his feet really fit in that size shoe? Is it possible that those skis on the ends of his legs will ever stop growing? Is it possible that I will be able to wear his shoes this school year? He has also grown emotionally in the last year. He is so compassionate and loving and responsible and yet totally a kid that is excited to go out bunny hunting with a homemade spear. He is at one of those major crossroads in life where he is still a little boy but a pre-teen all the same. Too cool for his parents and most everything else one minute and wanting to sit and snuggle in the next. How can my baby boy be turning into a young man so quickly? I'm am excited and a bit sad and also nervous about him this year. Fifth grade will bring more responsibility and more fun. I know he'll excel and grow even more this coming year.

Logan, Logan, Logan. It seems like yesterday we were putting him on the bus to Lincoln preschool to help with his speech and here he is in "upper elementary" this year. He's climbed the stairs from 2nd to 3rd grade and is more than ready for what this year is going to throw his way. He was so excited to start school this year and at the same time a bit anxious. He'd never admit being nervous but his outburst and tormenting of little brothers gives him away. He was so excited to pick out school shoes that came with green laces and then to find a shirt that was the same color to wear on the first day. Such a fashionista sometimes. He knows his teacher from Odyssey of the Mind last year when she coached his team so that helps a little bit with the new territory. I love his strong will and his independent nature. I love that he doesn't worry what people think and can ride around the neighborhood in full costume of his choosing. I love that he is constantly wanting to learn and explore the world around him. I can't wait to see him develop even more talents and gain even more knowledge this coming year.

My baby is not a baby anymore. He's off to Kindergarten. Even though today was just a drop in open house day for him, he was up at dawn getting ready for school. He proudly stood by the "first day of school picture tree" and couldn't contain his excitement. I asked if he would miss me just a little bit and he assured me that wouldn't be a problem. We talked about how sometimes some kids - not you of course I reassured - would be sad on the first day of school and a bit nervous. We talked about the possibility of some kids even crying because they missed home. Ethan, my little caretaker, told me he would be their friend and try to make them feel better about being at school. Tomorrow my little man will board the bus with all the other kids from Kindergarten to Seniors and he will no longer be just mine, all mine. I now have to share him with the world out there. I hope they will love his beaming smile, inquisitive nature, kind heart, and energetic bounce just as much as I do. I am sending off my little man and I will be getting back a boy that can handle things all on his own in a few short months. Where did his first five years disappear to? How will Dylan handle being home without his buddy? What will I do without my little snuggler? I now have to let his teacher have the majority of his time and I get to cherish the few waking hours that are left.

At least I know that they will be there for each other. They are silly together, serious together, crazy together, Bishop boys together forever. As different as each of them are, I know they will look out for each other and enjoy seeing each other on playground, and most importantly acting like little boys together this year at school.

In just two short years, I will have one more little man at the bus stop waiting for the bus to come the first day of school. Will he look as little as Ethan? Will Logan be ginormous like Tom seems to be today? How much bigger can Tom get before he can't really sit on that little bench by his brothers and wait for that big yellow bus to come? Thank goodness I still have two years before I have to find out! Good luck this year boys! Your Dad and I are rooting for you!

Wacky Arizona Weather

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

When we moved to Arizona, I knew we weren't in the Phoenix, Arizona climate but I wasn't prepared for the weather we've experienced. We were greeted to winter in November with amazing amounts of snow that continued through the spring. It seemed like it would never melt.

Spring came and with it came no wild fires. An unheard of event here in Arizona. April and May are typically wild fire season as things begin to dry out and tourists and campers are beginning to come in droves. Not one single reportable incident.

June is usually the hottest month of the year here we've heard. I built a fire in mid June because it was 40 degrees at two in the afternoon. The fire wood pile was still being used through the middle of the month. Strange.

July usually brings monsoons. We've heard that monsoons mean the clouds build up with the afternoon heat and then the thunderstorm comes for a quick downpour cooling things off in the afternoon.

Sure, there's been some thunder but the quick downpour is the understatement of 2010. It's been raining almost daily since we came home from Utah the end of July. There are flash flood warnings. There are new flowers blooming. There are green grasses growing. The humidity has been so high that we haven't needed lotion or lip balm. The clothes come out of the dryer dry but by the time you are done folding one batch, it is damp. Forget hanging them on the line. It takes all day for them to dry out. This is not the Arizona weather we were expecting but it is nice to hear the rain and feel the cool breezes in August, just don't tell my fire fighting husband.

Adventure Week

2010-08-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Since this is the last week before school starts for the three oldest boys, we decided to have a week full of adventure days. Every day has been something a bit different and every day a surprise to the boys. It has really been a lot of fun and I think it is something we will continue each year.

Monday we kicked off the week with Gary taking half a day off and the six of us heading in to Flagstaff. The boys kept guessing what we were doing right up until we pulled into the movie theater parking lot. We saw Despicable Me and loved it. It had a great message and was pretty funny. All the boys loved the movie and loved their popcorn and drink just as much I think. Since we live so far away from a theater, this is a special treat for them.

After the movie, Gary and I stopped by the hospital to see a dear friend who is battling cancer and the boys didn't even complain once about hanging out in the car to watch a movie for a few minutes while we went in.

From there it was off to dinner. We really wanted to have a family favorite, Chinese, but still hadn't found a great place so we just started driving down Route 66 in hopes of seeing one we had missed before. Sure enough, the Golden Dragon had cars in the parking lot - a sure sign - and we enjoyed one of the best Chinese dinners we'd had in a long, long time. We'll go back for sure.

Tuesday it was just the boys and me and we headed off for the Tusayan Museum and Ruins and the Desert View Tower on the East side of the Grand Canyon National Park. Even though we drive by it every time we go to Utah or come home, we've never stopped. It was very interesting. The ruins were the homes of people living in this area in the 1100s and told about how they survived in this harsh climate using everything around them. Dylan wasn't thrilled but the older boys and I loved it. The tower was a bit more nerve racking for me. We climbed the stairs and the boys insisted on looking over the edge in the middle of the tower to see how far they had climbed. The tower was filled with drawings on the walls and ended with an awesome view of the canyon. A stop at the Desert View market for some rootbeer and lemonade capped off a great morning.

Wednesday I decided to visit another place we often drive by but have yet to stop and see. Yabba Dabba Doo is a Flintstone village in Valle, 30 minutes south of our house. It has all the homes you would see on the Flintstone cartoon and all are made of rock. It was.....interesting. If it hadn't been so hot and if there had been more than my kids there, we may have stayed more than the hour we did. It was a great place to use their imagination and they pretended to be all the characters in the cartoons. Not sure if the season pass we bought earlier in the spring was worth it though.

Thursday we decided to do an adventure evening instead of day so Gary could join us again. We headed to the Best Western where the local bowling alley is located. It was a blast! Gary helped Dylan push the ball down the lane and they were the only ones to break 100. The rest of us just did our best and almost broke 80. Yeah, we aren't entering the professional bowling circuit any time soon but it was a lot of fun. Gary and I asked each other why we hadn't taken advantage of that place sooner. I think we'll be back for sure, if only for date night.

Today we are off to Williams to the swimming pool. Tom's fourth grade teacher hosts a farewell party to all her outgoing fourth graders each year the week before school starts. We'll swim, eat pizza, swim some more, and just have a fun afternoon. Gary is even going to take half a day and join us. I'm not sure if it's because he wants to or he's afraid I won't be able to keep all four boys alive at a pool but either way we are excited he's coming.

Now that I see how much fun it is to have a week long adventure right before school, I'm already looking forward to adventure week next year. Now the challenge will be to find five more fun events that we haven't done yet or don't get a chance to do very often. Half the fun is discovering something together and listening to the boys try to guess what it is we are going to do!

A Day in the Life

2010-05-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

In April, we had visits from several of Gary's family members when he was put in as the Branch President. Kevin and Amy and their two adorable boys came a day earlier and stayed a day late to play and we had a blast! This is a day in the life of a Grand Canyon tourist at our house.

The day starts with a long drive. Waiting for your turn is the hardest part. Ethan makes a pretty good driver's education teacher.

After all those hard miles, a boy needs some refreshment. There is nothing better than sitting on the front porch with your cousins while eating fruit snacks. They are there own food group, right?

More eating. What? Do they think they are growing boys? We had been looking at several overlooks and they worked up an appetite.

Next on the agenda was a hike down the South Kaibab trail. We were quite the sight to other tourists. Six kids (at least one in a backpack and one on shoulders the majority of the time), one pregnant lady, camelbaks everywhere. You can imagine the looks we got. We were stopped once on the trail by a well-meaning lady making sure we all had sun screen. When we said we were fine, she proceeded to apply it to the kids. No joke.

The reward for our hike was an awesome view. This is the Oooh and Aaah point. Beautiful! I can just hear the boys planning their adventures as they look into the canyon.

There were several more stops on the way back up the trail. This looked like a perfect place to take a break.

Cohen and Truman really didn't want to go to bed but we thought they may be a bit tired after their adventures. I think we succeeded at wearing them out!

Hermit's Rest Trail

2010-05-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

Over Easter weekend, we hiked the Hermit's Rest Trail. Rest isn't a word I'd associate with this trail. It was gnarly to say the least. Even though the hiking was a bit rough, we all had a fabulous time.

Here we are just getting started. What a beautiful place to play in each weekend.

A couple things happened shortly after we started hiking. Dylan started snoring - loudly and...

Ethan started peeing at every corner. I guess it's hard work hiking in the backpack for Dylan because he didn't make it very far awake. The backpack on Ethan's back is a Camelbak and he definitely knows how to drink from it. He had to pee every corner it seemed like even though we took him to the bathroom right before we got started at the trail head. He was amazed how far it would travel when he would pee over the side of the mountain and Gary and I were amazed how often he could go - and we mean really go! I think he had his water gone by the time we got back to the car and it should have been enough to last for a hike three times as long!

The return trip was pretty strenuous. Some of the steps were larger than Ethan's legs could step. He would climb to the next step until he was almost exhausted - I know I already was. Eventually, Ethan just held on to the bottom of the kid carrier and Gary basically pulled him up the worst of it. I don't know how Gary does it. I have a hard time getting just me up the hill and he is carrying Dylan and Ethan.

My men almost to the top. They just needed a quick refuel.

Help Me Bishop!

2010-05-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today at church we became a member of the "Help me Bishop!" family only a slightly different version. Gary was conducting and asked me to give the opening prayer. He told me he would love to hold Dylan on his lap while I prayed. Great idea. Too bad no one consulted Dylan.

I go up to say the prayer and put Dylan down steps in front of Gary so he could go sit with his dad. He didn't want to apparently and when Gary grabbed him and put him on his lap the screaming began.

It was a short prayer. No one could hear it anyway since Dylan was wailing. I ended and turned to grab Dylan who then, loud enough for the entire 30 person congregation to hear, said, "I don't like Dad!"

Gary got up to continue conducting and, with his little smirk, said, "At least he didn't yell save me Bishop."

I think one of the reasons we are here at the Grand Canyon Branch is to entertain the members. Some weeks are more entertaining than others. This is probably in their top ten.

Softball Practice in the Grand Canyon

2010-05-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

Gary started on a softball team a few weeks ago. They practice on the only baseball/softball field in town which happens to be at the Rec Center next to the school. This also happens to be one of the only places in town with grass. Lush, cool, tasty grass. They shooed the elk off so they could start practice and then, after about 45 minutes, they came back. There were almost 20 elk vying for position. I'm not sure if they wanted to be the center fielder or just the cheer squad but they weren't leaving. At one point, when Gary was up to bat, he hit one right into the middle of the herd. The fielders decided to leave it where it landed and come back for it later. Can't blame them!

Scooby Doo

2010-04-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

This morning Dylan asked to watch Scooby Doo. The problem is Dylan is incredibly scared every time he watches it. This is how our conversation went:

Dylan: Can I watch Scooby Doo?
Me: You get too scared when you watch it.
Dylan: No I don't. Can I? Can I? Can I?
Me: Okay, fine.

As soon as the intro was over and the movie started, it showed a ship on the ocean being swallowed by a sea monster in the Bermuda Triangle.

Dylan - eyes wide and hands animating his words: I just saw a BIG monster! A BIG monster!
Me: It's just pretend.
Dylan - as he's making his exit: No it wasn't! It was a BIG monster!

I think he watched the movie less time than it took me to set it up. On the up side, Ethan likes Scooby Doo!

Life Changes

2010-04-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, our Branch President announced he had signed his retirement papers. This may not mean much in most places in the church but, at least in the Grand Canyon Branch, it has major impact. You can only live in this amazing place if you are employed here. All housing is company owned. Retirement in this community means you will be moving soon and moving more than a couple houses away.

As soon as the announcement came, the Holy Ghost began preparing our family. I'm not saying we were hoping for the call. Just the opposite in fact. Gary was happy to be a counselor and I was happy in the Relief Society but, the Lord knew we would need to be prepared. A couple of weeks ago we got the call to meet with the Stake President and it needed to happen in the next couple of days. Thank goodness we have amazing sisters in our branch that would take time off work to tend our children while we went to Flagstaff for a long, long night.

Even though we knew what was coming, it was still so overwhelming and humbling when the call was actually extended. How can our little family be the examples we need to for this branch? I have no doubt Gary can do and amazing job as the Branch President but how can the rest of us hold up our end?

Sunday he was sustained and set apart. He was also made a High Priest. It was an emotional and amazing day. To see that mantle descend on his shoulders and to know that I am married to a man worthy of that calling made it such a spiritual day. The blessings were given and the work began.

Now I'm here wondering how do I support him and not ask questions and not talk to my husband about normal frustrations with church because he isn't just my husband anymore, he's now the ecclesiastical leader of our small band of mighty members. There are so many things that will stay the same and so many things that are going to be different.

Before the calling came, Satan also knew what was happening. He tried his best to get to us and, I almost hate to admit it, he did get to me more than once. Looking back it is easy to see where he tempted and tried us. Where our patience was worn thin, where we were easily annoyed, where we couldn't see the good and where things looked hopeless - all marks of our cunning advesary.

We have been so blessed since accepting the calling. Our relationship is so much stronger. Our kids are behaving so much better - I know it may be a temporary blessing! The support from our other members and family has been amazing. The new counselor and his wife seem like the perfect fit for our branch. Our prayers are more meaningful and our scripture study more reliable. Opportunities to attend the temple have just fallen into place. Every where we turn, we are being blessed.

As we start this new chapter in our lives, I pray that the members continue to love and support us as a family and Gary as their Branch President. I hope they remember that we aren't perfect and we will have our moments but we are trying to live the gospel the best we can. I hope we can be an example to those around us and that our children can continue to grow and mature in the gospel. I also pray that there will be enough time in the day for everything that needs to happen. We always need the Lord's help but boy do I feel like we could use a bit extra right now!

2nd Place Parents

2010-03-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

I think every parent wants their child to succeed. In all their extra-curricular activities and even the not so extra ones, you want them to do their best and feel that all their effort paid off with the promised end result of first place. First place comes with many benefits; trophies, ribbons, bragging rights, and sometimes continued competition.

The continued competition is why Gary and I are terrific second place parents. We love to support our kids in whatever they choose to do. We run them back and forth from school. We buy the miscellaneous supplies they need to be successful. We take long lunches volunteering with their activities. We attend performances, competitions, exhibits, you name it. We cheer. We take pictures. We tell our friends and family and neighbors.

And then we secretly hope for second place. Second place has amazing benefits. Second place says you did a fabulous job. Second place says you can keep trying next year to get even better. Second place says, most importantly, you have more free time because the competition has come to an end. That is why we are second place parents.

Our boys are not doing so well with the second place theory lately. It started with the science fair. Tom and Logan both entered. Their projects had to be completed at school. There would be one night that they would be displayed and you could see how you fared. I loaded up the boys, crossed my fingers, and headed for the school. There is always that knot in my stomach when they both are competing for something. What if one wins and the other doesn't even place? What if they both win? What if they both lose? I always have some sort of parenting lecture running around in my head, ready to give at any moment depending on the outcome.

We walked into the science fair and saw Logan's display first. Honorable Mention. Not bad and, more importantly, it was an award that didn't mean more competition. We had to explain to him that it didn't mean last place but more like third place since they only awarded first and second place.

We continued looking until we found Tom's project with a big fat first place award. There it was, larger than life, staring at me, taunting, telling me there would now be a regional competition to look forward to. I tracked down the teacher in charge and learned that it would be in Prescott, Arizona the night we had already booked a hotel room in Flagstaff, Arizona. Opposite directions from our house. The awards ceremony would be that night at 5:00 and they wouldn't let us know before hand if we needed to be there. If we were going to Flagstaff just for the fun of it, we would have easily changed our hotel to Prescott and played there instead. We weren't going for the fun of it.

We had booked our hotel room in Flagstaff because the boys needed to be at their Odyssey of the Mind competition by 8:00 the next morning. There would be no science fair the night before for us. We would just have to ask how it turned out.

Odyssey of the Mind is an amazing program. The team of kids are given a problem that they need to solve through a sort of play. Logan's team would be presenting their problem but they didn't actually compete because they were the Primary - or young - team. The seven kids from first and second grade had to come up with a surprise party that wasn't a normal party and it had to have gifts and unique noisemakers. The kids do it all. They write the script, sew the costumes, and make the props. It was awesome! They all did such a good job and it was incredible to see what the kids could do on their own.

Tom's problem was a food court where one food was accusing another food of being unhealthy. They had to create their set, costumes, script, and a jury that wasn't one of the team members. Tom had spent countless hours after school working on everything with his team. His science fair project was about using batteries to light up bulbs so he incorporated it into the jury box. The time came for their performance -they are only about eight minutes long - and they brought all their props into the room in time. They are only given a short amount of time for everything to be in before they are penalized. They then can set up their props and begin their performance. Everything was in - everything except the jury box. Tom was devastated but they acted like nothing happened and the performance was great.

The awards ceremony began and finally Tom's group was announced. The top two teams go on to State in Tucson and, if a team took first place in one of the judging categories but didn't place first or second, they would also go on to State competition. Sixth, fifth, and fourth place were announced. We still had a shot that this would end here with great memories and plans for next year. Nope. Their team took first place in style and took third overall so they would also be going on in April. The long hours would continue. The Friday practices would continue. The hotel rewards points would continue to add up. Off to State we go in April.

Next came the Pinewood Derby. Once again Tom and Logan would be competing. It was Logan's first time and he had a design all ready for his car. They raced by dens first. Tom took second in his Webelos den. Logan didn't lose a race. First in the Wolf den. Next came the overall races between the four dens. Logan didn't lose a race. First place overall. The regional competition was in Flagstaff at 9:00 the next morning. Gary loaded the racers and Dylan in the car and left at the crack of dawn. Tom didn't place in his class but did win a couple heats. Logan didn't lose a race in the Wolf classification. First place among all the Wolf scouts. Overall races began and Logan finally tasted a bit of defeat but still placed fifth overall with over 120 cars competing. Not bad! State competition is in Phoenix the week before we head to Tucson. We've finally had to call it quits. No state competition for us. It's actually open to everyone so it will be more like a pack Pinewood Derby with fast and not so fast cars competing.

Gary and I are ready for some free time. We are ready to not be running all over the state for competitions. But......if Tom wins at State......Worlds are in May in Minnesota I think and what a memory that would make. We love seeing their success and we love they are enjoying competing. Maybe we should start being better first place parents?

Yummy Dinner

2010-03-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

I sign up for a fruit and vegetable co-op every two weeks called Bountiful Baskets. It's amazing. you never know what you are going to get and it often leads me to new recipes in order to use some of the ingredients. This past week I ordered an Asian pack in addition to the regular things. It came with Napa cabbage, bok choy, ginger, mushrooms, cilantro, and garlic and maybe some other stuff that I can't remember right now. Anyway, it led me to a new recipe tonight that was yummy! Even the boys ate it and ate more than most nights. I was a bit worried just making salad for dinner but it seemed to satisfy everyone's appetites and it was very healthy. Try it, your family may love it as much as mine did!

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe from Simply Recipes
Ingredients
1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips

Salt and pepper
1/2 head of Napa cabbage, thinly sliced

1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

3-4 scallions, sliced (I used green onions and only used about half what they called for even though we like onions)

1 carrot, julienned

1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, chopped

2 Tbsp sesame seeds, toasted (These are usually pretty inexpensive in the Asian - NOT SPICE - aisle of the grocery store and you can buy them already toasted or toast them in a dry pan on the stove for a few minutes stirring often.)

Dressing:

2 Tbsp tamari (a wheat-free concentrated soy sauce, can also use 3 Tbsp regular soy sauce)

2 Tbsp dark sesame oil (I only had regular sesame oil and it worked for us.)

2 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar (or plain rice vinegar with a teaspoon of sugar)

1 Tbsp grapeseed or canola oil (I used canola and it worked just fine. Grapeseed was pretty expensive here.)

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon chili pepper flakes

Method
1 Sprinkle chicken strips with a little salt and pepper and cook them in a small skillet with a little bit of water (just enough so the chicken doesn't stick). Cover and cook until cooked through (3-5 minutes), turning the pieces over half way through cooking. Drain and set aside.
2 In a large salad bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Adjust to taste. Add the chicken and salad ingredients and toss well. (If you don't have toasted sesame seeds for the salad, add a tablespoon of tahini or peanut butter to the dressing before tossing.)
Serves 4.

Cabin Fever.....Still

2010-02-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

Dylan has a serious case of cabin fever. Whenever we are pulling back into the neighborhood from the market or Flagstaff or anywhere really, he starts to cry and say, "I don't want to go home!"

Winter has been long this year and there aren't many places here to take little ones to break up the monotony of being in the same house with the same toys and the same people day after day. He and Ethan play really well together which has definitely helped the last few weeks but he is ready for a change.

Until the last couple of days, the snow has been so deep that even putting on their snow clothes does not do any good. The snow is too deep to walk or even play in for a two-year-old! The last couple of days, though, the temps have been rising and the snow has been melting. Now it is the heavy, full of water type of spring snow. His little feet can stay on top if it and he can go out an explore on his own in our back yard again.

I have been finding him out front "shovelling" quite frequently lately. Now that he is big enough and strong enough to open both the back and front doors, he goes out when he wants. Now if I can only convince him that a coat is still necessary and that his hands will get freezing cold without gloves if he puts them in the snow, I think we'll be in business.

I'm not sure I'm ready for the mud that will come with Spring but I know I am ready for the snow to be gone for another year! Bring it on Spring! We're ready and waiting for you!

Is He Really That Big?

2010-02-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Gary dropped a bombshell. On February 7, 2010, Dylan said his first prayer in Primary. Like a bitter-sweet dagger to the heart. I am so proud of him for even going to Primary and staying the whole hour - we are on a two-hour instead of three-hour church block here. I am so proud of him that he would actually agree to even say the prayer. I am so proud of him that he had the courage to repeat a portion of the words that his amazing Primary leader was saying before him.

But.......first prayer already? Really? If we were in a big ward or even a bigger branch where there were more children than just the Bishop boys coming to Primary, he would still be in nursery playing with blocks and singing Itsy, Bitsy Spider. They do bring toys in for him each week and he is learning so much by being in Primary but it's like my baby is growing up so much faster than I was ready for him to do!

As he told me this morning, "I not baby Dylan. I just Dylan!" Yep, the little boy is emerging more and more each day.

What's Your Hypothesis?

2010-02-25T12:35:00.000-08:00

The annual Grand Canyon Elementary Science Fair was last night at the school. Before you start thinking of exploding volcanoes and parents hurrying to finish "their child's project," let me tell you about a wonderful rule with this science fair. If you want your project judged, you have to complete it at school with mostly school supplies. A parent's dream announcement I think.

Logan worked on his project once a week after school and decided to do it on the weight of liquids. He wanted to see if water or oil was heavier and dropped balloons filled with the same amount of each liquid into a cardboard box full of nails punched through the bottom so he could see which one would pop first. The only thing he could do at home was the filling and popping of the balloons. All the charts and presentation was done at school and his display turned out really nicely. He won the 2nd Grade Honorable Mention which was the equivalent of third place. I am so proud of him! We keep trying to tell him that Honorable Mention does not mean last place but right now, he is convinced that it does. Oh the drama.

Tom worked on his project in class with his partner, Travis Moreno. Being the non-scientist of this family, I'll try to describe what his project was about. They had two batteries hooked up to some wires and then they would touch different objects to see if the electricity would flow through the object and light up a tiny light at other end of the wires. They wanted to see if other things than metal would also conduct electricity. I thought the project was amazing and looked very professional and apparently the judges agreed with me. Tom and Travis won first place for the fourth grade!

Because they won first place, their project will continue on to the regional science fair in Prescott, Arizona. I was so excited and had already begun to plan the trip to Prescott when I saw the date. It is the night before his Odyssey of the Mind competition in Flagstaff and we have already booked our hotel. If they announce the results early enough, we may have to spend some extra car time to hit both events.

I am so proud of both of my boys for getting involved in the things the school offers and excelling at them!

Shiny, New, Red

2010-02-24T12:11:00.000-08:00

Our washer and dryer began to go downhill quickly about the time we were thinking of filing our taxes. Gary and I had great aspirations for where the money should be spent. Should we take a cruise? Should we buy a rifle for elk hunting? Should we save it all in our down payment account for the day we move again? Those decisions vanished just as quickly when the sporadic leak from the washer became a constant, every load leak and the dyer began taking twice as long to dry and we figured we bought that set over a decade ago. Thank goodness for the blessing of tax refunds!

I researched and read reviews, shopped prices and watched for upcoming sales and then still worried about making the right choice for such a large purchase. It's amazing how much stress a washer and dryer can cause! In the end, I chose the LG front loaders and have loved, loved, loved them.

Because we live remotely, we are not on natural gas. Instead, we have a large propane tank in the back. Gary and I both knew we wanted a gas dryer because they are so much more efficient and end up saving you money in the long run. When you buy a gas dryer, they are set for natural gas instead of propane and you have to buy a part to convert it over. The new dryer hadn't been in the house five minutes when Gary began taking it apart so he could change the natural gas part for the propane one. I was a bit nervous. There sat my brand new, shiny red dryer - in several pieces. In the end, he got to the place he needed and switched the teeny, tiny part over so it would work with propane.

I never thought after spending such a chunk of change on such a nice appliance, that it would be sitting in so many pieces in my living room right after we brought it home. Gary did great, though. Not a scratch on it!

Here he is trying to put the small adapter into a small part on the dryer. You would think they would make access a bit easier, not requiring the removal of the top and front of the dryer!

Finally, all installed and ready for many, many loads of laundry.

What Will His Little Fingers Do All Day?

2010-02-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

Ethan had some bad news. If you are four and a half, it is terrible, life altering news. His Nintendo DS is broken. Won't charge, won't power up, won't let his little fingers push the buttons moving Mario around the imaginary Mario world. Broken.

The DS became part of Ethan at Christmas and isn't often far from his side. He is the only Bishop boy so far that needs playing limits. If we didn't set them, he'd sit on his bed with his little thumbs moving all day. He loves the thing and loves Mario almost as much. Knowing how much time he spends playing it, I was a bit apprehensive when my research led me where it did. I have to send the DS in for repairs to Nintendo. It could be two, maybe even three, weeks before he gets it back. OH THE HORROR!

He actually took the news very well. Acted like it was no big deal at all in fact. Luckily the warranty doesn't take me filling in the card and mailing it back to activate. It activates as soon as it was scanned the day after Thanksgiving and is good for a year. A ray of sunshine in the gloom.

Now to find a Fed Ex drop off in the middle of no where..........

Winter Storm Warning - Again

2010-02-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

The groundhog wasn't far off with his predictions this year. There is no sign of Spring here at the Grand Canyon. It started snowing again on Saturday and has drizzled snow since. School was again on a one hour delay, church was cancelled yesterday, and the snow continues.

We have a serious case of cabin fever. The big two go to school and come home but the little two know the inside of the car and the house lately. We are more than ready for spring to come!

Gary gets to drive through the winter storm to Tucson today for a meeting. Three days in the sun and warm temps should be worth the stressful drive off the rim. He is hoping to have time to stop in and see Grandpa and Dianna while he's in town.

The good news is that because the snow keeps falling, we aren't in danger of having that ugly dirty snow and I don't have to worry about the mud yet! Seriously, though, I'm more than ready for Spring to come!

Cedar Ridge

2010-02-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

Since Monday was a holiday and the boys didn't have school and Gary didn't have work, we planned to go into the Canyon and finally take the boys on one of the trails. I've been nervous about taking them. Drop offs, icy trails, plunging to their death. You know, basic paranoia. We talked to several people and decided on our day hike. We took the South Kaibab Trail which is one of the most popular trails that take people to the bottom when they are hiking rim to rim. It had the perfect distance for our first attempt; a three mile round trip journey to the Cedar Ridge overlook.

Gary loaded up the car with the camelbacks we all got for Christmas, snacks a plenty, extra clothes and jackets for all, and the backpack to carry Dylan and off we went. We didn't get started until about 3:00 because Tom had practice for Odysey of the Mind but it actually gave us the perfect time of day.

The first mile and a half is, as you can imagine starting at the top of the Grand Canyon, a continuous downhill trail. Easy on the lungs, not so much on the knees. Ethan held on to my hand and Dylan rode up top in the pack constantly begging to either get down and walk or have another drink from Gary's pack. I can't believe Gary could carry that the whole way in and out. I have to remember who I married though!

Here are Gary, Dylan, Logan and Tom about half way down the trail. The top have was a bit snowy and icy and then we got out into the sun and it was either muddy from snow run-off or dry.

After about an hour, we made it to the look out! Ethan did awesome. He never complained or wanted to stop and take a break. His camelback was leaking and by the time we reached the overlook, his pants were soaked from his waist to his ankles. What a trooper!

Tom and Logan were also amazing hikers. They listened to our rules about no running, jumping and climbing and we didn't get too nervous with them hiking the narrow trail. Dylan was the warmest dressed and the coldest because he didn't hike but he also did great. The first half of the hike he had to have his sunglasses on. It really added to his nickname of Your Highness as he was being carried into the Canyon.

The view was definitely worth the hike! I still can't believe we call this our backyard!

Time for a much needed snack break before we start the journey back up.

We took our binoculars and saw some Condors flying right over us on the way down. Dylan loves looking through them. When we'd ask if he could see anything, he would answer with, "I see rocks!" He was thrilled as could be to see some rocks.

Here's Ethan hanging out at one of our rest stops on the way back up.

Logan had some added inspiration to keep going. His teacher and her first grade daughter hiked to Phantom Ranch in the bottom the past weekend. We've been talking about doing that and told him we need to build up to it with some day hikes first. He was an awesome hiker and is already asking about our next adventure.

Tommy Boy never complains. He just hikes along and loves being outside. He's always been the one to just keep going and not ask to be carried or to rest. What an amazing kid!

Back up the trail we go. It was about this incline the whole way. Sometimes there were steps to climb as well. All I could think about was climbing Old Main hill in Logan when I was going to school.

Dylan was a pretty thirsty kid once he figured out he could drink from Gary's camelback! He drank half of it I bet and his diaper really showed it.

"Yeah! We conquered the Grand Canyon!" At least that is what they were saying. We'll see how they feel after a longer hike.

If you look closely, you can see some zig-zags in the snowy hillside. Those are the switchbacks the trail starts with. They were a bit slick but much easier going up than down.

Here's a shot from the top of the switchbacks. You can see the trail snake around into the sun.

We made it back to the car! It only took us 2 1/2 hours which is much faster than Gary or I thought it would. We made it back up in about the same amount of time as going down which was really surprising. We passed two different couples on the way up. One was from Canada and let us pass them and then they would pass us the whole time telling the boys how inspiring they were that they could do this at such a young age. It was fun to hike along side them. The other couple was starting down the switchbacks just as we were about to the top. Just after passing all of us, I heard her say, "That is all the prevention I need!" Gary and I have been laughing at that ever since. The boys weren't even whining or crying or anything! They were just happy hikers.

Now that we've conquered, or so the boys think, this trail, I am excited to go on our next hike as well. It is amazing to live here and awesome to think there are numerous trails to hike still!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

2010-02-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

Living where we do, we often have visitors at church. Since the Branch members only total around 15 each week, the visitors are easy to spot and made to feel very welcome with all the members introducing themselves and shaking their hands. Usually, I am too tied up with the four boys so I don't get to talk to many of the visitors. I figure that keeping the kids in line an some sort of reverence in the room we use as our chapel is more important.

Today, however, was a bit different. Tom decided he was too sick to go to church today. I wasn't convinced he was actually really sick but Dylan did have an awful runny nose this morning and he was exhausted from our Flagstaff trip yesterday, so I didn't fight Tom on the extent of his sickness. I let him make the choice if he was too sick to attend church or not and let him know he would be staying in his room reading the Friend or his scriptures and NOT just chilling eating all the treats in the house and watching cartoons. He decided he was in fact too sick so I left him home and put Dylan down for a nap.

I learned one thing very quickly. After having four kids at church, two is a cake walk! (For all you with just two kids, I know it isn't really a cake walk. I was blessed with Logan and Ethan today.)

So, back to the visitors. Since I just had the two, I felt I could shake hands and introduce myself. I went over just in time to hear my lovely husband invite the young couple to dinner. Yep, dinner. Yep, on Valentine's Day. It was actually a great day to invite someone. I had planned one of Gary's favorite meals and knew we would have tons. The menu would include shrimp, tomato and mushroom Alfredo with crunchy onion loaf, a Caesar salad and asparagus. It was going to be great. Right up to the point that we learn Kenny is lactose intolerant and vegetarian followed closely by finding no croutons for the salad (a pivotal ingredient) and no burner to saute the asparagus.

No problem. I'll just open up a jar of pasta sauce and have that as well. It was actually a huge hit with the boys and that way Ethan and Dylan wouldn't have to eat the cream and butter laden Alfredo sauce.

So, at six o'clock on the dot, Kenny and Danielle came to dinner. They were great dinner guests. The conversation flowed easily. They were gracious. They appeared to like both the boys and the dog. They were a great pair to invite over.

I never in a million years would have thought that one of the benefits of living in the Grand Canyon and attending a teeny, tiny little branch, would be meeting people from all over the world and getting to have dinner with the few that dare take complete strangers up on the offer. I'm very grateful today that Kenny and Danielle did take Gary up on the offer and I hope we will stay in contact. I wonder who's coming to dinner next week? I'll put on extra potatoes just in case.

But it comes with FLUFFY socks!

2010-02-12T15:32:00.000-08:00

My boys end up with money each Christmas and birthday that instantly begins burning a hole in their pockets. When we were in Pocatello, we would hurry right down to the game store and pick out a new DS game that they would later lose. Since living so far out, trips to town are not as easy and we don't always have the older ones with us because they are in school. Because of this, at least that's what I'm telling myself, my boys have become quite versed in the infomercial. They can recite them word for word some times and don't seem to realize that most, if not all, of the things on those infomercials are overpriced and not going to live up to what they claim.

They couldn't take any more of my dismissals when they asked for random items when it came to the snuggie commercials though. As soon as they heard that the famous snuggie now came in kid sizes, there was not talking them out of it.

I told them they would have to pay for it out of their own money. Money magically appeared.

I told them since it came in a, are you ready for this, buy one get the second free with additional shipping and handling that they would have to find a brother to also want one and be willing to pay for it, a brother magically appeared.

When I told them that if they bought the snuggie, there wouldn't be enough money for a new DS game and were they sure, all heads nodded vigorously in agreement.

The final push over the edge on the infomercial for them, it seemed anyway, was the promise of "free" fluffy socks with order. Free socks? How could anyone say no to free socks?

I waited a week before placing the order thinking they would change their minds. Every day one of them, and it varied which one by the day, would come to me with the innocent and full of hope eyes only kids seem to have asking if I had ordered their beloved snuggies. After a week, I could take it no longer and placed the order.

From the moment I hit send, they began asking me if they were here yet. Could I track them? Where were they? Oh, they were made in China so it would take a while for them to get here. It was almost comical.

When we were riding home one day from the park and passed the UPS man, Tom said, "Ooooh, that's a good sign."

I responded, "What is a good sign?"

"The UPS man was coming from where our house is. We probably got our snuggies today."

It was amazing how excited they were. They day I picked them up, from the post office no less, they immediately put them on and wondered why the back was open. Did the company make a mistake? In the commercial it looked like they were sewn up in the back. Maybe we could glue it?

The socks were even more amazing than they had dreamed. They even had little bumps on the bottom so they wouldn't slip and they were, in fact, quite fluffy.

Yesterday, Tom was on the couch all snuggified and said, "Snuggies are just MADE for the weekend." Really? Really? Did he just say that? I guess it was worth it! Have you ever caved to an infomercial and been so pleased?

Logan's Baptism

2010-02-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 6, Logan was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was an amazing day full of the spirit, our own little miracles, and plenty of fun.

We were pretty nervous about the weather the night before the baptism. The church was an hour away and visibility from here to there isn't the greatest in bad weather. We all prayed that we would be able to have the baptism and we were blessed with just enough good weather!

I was so proud of Logan! He invited several of his friends that didn't know much if anything about our church and two of his classmates made the long trip south to Williams to be there for his big day! What a little missionary!

Logan, Thomas, Gary and I got to the church about an hour early and found a member of the Williams ward bishopric already there getting things set up and ready for us. It is so humbling to know that someone we had never met and who didn't know anything about us was willing to sacrifice his entire Saturday morning to make sure we had everything we needed for Logan's baptism! After we got the chairs set up and the cultural hall ready for the luncheon, Gary and Logan changed into their whites and got ready for the program to begin.

I am so grateful that I am married to a man who takes his priesthood seriously. He sets such a great example for our future priesthood holders and I never question if he is ready to use his priesthood! He is worthy to administer to us when we are sick. He is worthy to bless our children. He is worthy to help Logan become a member of the church by baptizing and confirming him. It is an awesome blessing in my life to be married to such an amazing man!

Doesn't Logan look handsome all ready to be baptized? During the program, Gary leaned over to him and told him his stomach was doing flips and Logan, smiling, said his was doing the same thing.

The program was special because Logan was the only one getting baptized in Williams that day. The rest of the Stake was in Flagstaff but, due to the distance, the Stake President gave us special permission to hold our service in Williams. Thanks President Frost! So, since it was only Logan, he got to plan his entire program.

We started with our Branch President, Don Keil, conducting and then sang, "When I am Baptized" followed by Irene Davis, Logan's grandma, giving the opening prayer. Logan's other grandma, Leslie Bishop, led the music and a member of our branch, Sharyl Allen, played the piano for us. After the prayer, I got to speak on baptism. Boy did I try to talk Logan out of it! He wouldn't be swayed though, and, honestly, I was honored to be asked to speak. Brandon Streadbeck, Logan's uncle, followed my talk and gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost. Then it was time for the baptism!

While Gary baptized Logan, Brandon Streadbeck and Clyn Bishop, Logan's grandpa, were the witnesses. We went back in to wait for Gary and Logan to get dressed. They came back pretty quickly! Too quickly in fact for Ethan, Dylan, and the men of the Moss family! They were all in the kitchen sneaking cookies that Coleen had made. When I found them to tell them we were ready to get started again, all five of them had a mouth full of peanut butter cookies. They were tasty so I can't really blame them.

Gary gave Logan a great blessing when he confirmed him a member of the church. He was joined in the circle by: President Don Keil, Brandon Moss, Brandon Streadbeck, Scott Bishop, and Clyn Bishop. He blessed Logan that he would serve an honorable mission, marry in the temple and be spiritually, physically, and emotionally strong. Logan has a strong personality and he blessed him to use that on his mission to let people know about the gospel.

We closed by singing, "I Love to See the Temple" and then Sunnie Streadbeck, Logan's aunt, gave the closing prayer.

From here, we went to the "after-party" as Logan had been calling it for weeks. We ate sloppy joes, had yummy cake and cookies and a delicious vegetable platter. The kids played and the adults talked. It was a great time!
We were so thankful for the family that traveled such long distances to be at Logan's baptism. I know that he feels the love and support of all of our family and can look to them for help when he is making some of life's hard choices. Thank you all for your love and support!

2010-01-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

Logan's birthday was yesterday. I still need to write to Logan and Tom for their birthdays but here are some pictures of last night's festivities. It's kind of nice to have just us around for birthdays sometimes.

Ethan gave him a Lego Indiana Jones 2 game for his DS. This morning, Tom and Logan woke themselves up around 6 just so they could download onto each other's DS and then play it together. If we would have known weeks ago this was what would work to make mornings a bit easier, we would have walked through the snow to get it!

For years now, Tom and Logan have been way into Star Wars. They can't seem to get enough. Tom picked out a Star Wars transformer and more of the little figures to collect. Despite not looking like it in the picture, Logan was thrilled with the choices.

A couple of weeks ago, Logan's bike helmet became a two piece. The inner section separated from the outer shell. Dylan, always safety conscious, bought him a new one complete with a flame decal for his birthday. Even though the other one was shot, when I mentioned that Logan could throw it out when he finds it again, Logan asked to keep it. The kid could keep everything!

For our boys eighth birthdays, Gary and I give them a bb gun. When we decided, Tom and Logan were quite small. Now that we own three bb guns (Gary, Tom and Logan all have them securely locked away in Gary's gun safe), I am wondering why eight sounded so old! At least they only shoot them when Gary is out with them and they are learning the finer points of gun safety at a young age.

Logan wanted a skull cake. When he found out that it would be one dimensional, he was slightly disappointed but when he saw the final product, he decided that it would be okay.

When he saw what I wrote on the side, he thought it said, "Logan B." because he is used to being called that in school I guess. I didn't have room for the whole happy birthday sentiment so I thought the age would be sufficient. I guess next time I'll have to find the room to write! He did like the black and white candles though.

He is a champ at blowing out the candles! Happy birthday buddy!

2010-01-22T13:07:00.001-08:00

It's been snowing for days. The Forest Service guys have done a great job keeping the roads and driveways clear but I'm sure they are also ready for the storm to pass! There are piles on top of piles everywhere in our little compound.

This limb came crashing down yesterday evening in our front yard. Even though several came down throughout the compound, no homes were hit, thankfully.

The trees do look beautiful with all the snow! As it starts to warm up, they will start dropping the snow out of their branches. You never know when you'll be hit when you are walking around outside.

All summer, the boys use a little tykes table to get on the trampoline. As you can see, it is almost totally buried under the mountains of snow. The rocking chairs are also buried, again.

There isn't much clearance for the swings right now, either. They will be covered before the night is over I'm guessing. We are suppose to get more snow on and off through the next 24 hours. I can't remember ever having so much snow!

During the last storm, the boys put a piece of plywood on top of the little tykes fort so they could have a snow fort. I'm surprised it didn't snap under the weight. Today there is so much snow out there that they don't even want to try and walk through it. I'm afraid if they went outside, we may never find them again! Maybe we'll all go out tubing later today or tomorrow and really enjoy all the fresh snow as a family.

Potty Training - Take Four

2010-01-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

Since Dylan is the youngest of our four boys, I have been less than pushy when it comes to potty training. Sure, there are a lot of positives of having your baby potty trained but it is also a process that seems to take FOREVER if they aren't ready or, sometimes more importantly, if you aren't ready to dive in.

Before the holidays, he would ask to go potty on the potty whenever both bathrooms were full or we were in the car or we were at a gas station that did NOT look like a great place to take a two-year-old with, what seems like at times like this, extra fingers, arms, and hands to touch everything. I decided with all the long road trips through the holidays, we would just wait a month or so and then he would be really, really ready and the process would fly by leaving me with four potty trained boys by summer.

Fast forward a few weeks and Dylan has decided everything to do with potty training is an evil concept. He no longer asks to go potty. Now, whenever I mention pull-ups or underwear or going potty, he begs to wear his diaper. The nagging voice in my head saying potty train now that I heard a month ago, now says, "I told you so!"

Last night, I thought I'd give it a whirl. He tried to pee in his bathroom, to no avail. We rounded the corner to our bathroom to try again and found it occupied. While he waited by the door, for about 30 seconds, he made a puddle on my carpet. His response?

"Oh no!" coupled with the facial expression of, "How did that come out of there!" I think he was genuinely concerned that he had sprung a leak.

Today is a new day and I pulled out the pull-ups when I got him dressed this morning. Before putting it on, we went back into the bathroom to give it a go. He has to stand up - like his brothers of course - so we have a little step stool for him and then he leans over and grabs the back of the toilet. He would arch his little back and then, look down where he sprung a leak yesterday and, looking at me with concern, would say over and over, "No pee from my pee hole! No pee from my pee hole!"

Pee hole? No one has ever referred to that part of his anatomy as such. It was all I could do not to laugh. The phrases they come up with. Logical, yes. Politically correct? Not always.

Knock Knock

2010-01-14T06:19:00.000-08:00

Last night, at dinner, the boys were telling Gary and I knock-knock jokes. You know the kind. We told them in elementary school. Our parents probably told them in elementary school. We politely laugh and make them think they are the most original joke teller in history. Here's how it went last night:

Logan: Knock, knock
Gary: Who's there?
L: Banana
G: Banana who?
L: Knock, knock
G: Who's there?
L: Banana
G: Banana who?
L: This is going to go on for while Dad (followed by a round of giggling.) Knock, knock
G: Who's there?
L: Banana
G: Banana who?
L: Knock, knock
G: Who's there?
L: Orange
G: Orange who?
L: "Orange" you glad I didn't say banana?

Ethan's turn was next. He knows one knock-knock joke so we've heard it regularly but he acts like it's new each time which is kind of funny.

Ethan: Knock, knock
Aironn: Who's there?
E: Boo
A: Boo Who?
E: It's just a joke. You don't have to cry about it!

Tom rounded out the joke session and took the cake for the funniest round.

Tom: Knock, knock
Gary: Who's there?
T: Interrupting cow.
G: Interrupting cow who?
T: Dang it!

He totally forgot to interrupt Gary when he was asking who! We all, including Tom, laughed pretty hard at that one!

Trying to Trick Ethan

2010-01-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

For a few years now, Gary makes white chocolate covered pretzels around Christmas time. Not being a white chocolate fan, I haven't really tried them but the boys seem to love them. Tonight he pulled out a bag from the freezer as a pre-dinner snack. We had scouts this afternoon and that always makes dinner late and the boys grumpy.

All the boys had eaten several pretzels and Ethan was enjoying a few more at the table when, all of the sudden, he says, "Hey! You tried to trick me!"

Being completely unaware of what he was talking about I asked him what he meant. His response was priceless:

"There are pretzels inside these!"

Yep. Hence the name chocolate covered PRETZELS!

Amen

2010-01-07T07:29:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, I just have to copy something Gary has written on his family website. He has such a talent with storytelling. Here is a recent entry:

"For Christmas, Irene bought the boys a hunting game for the Wii. We have been shooting deer, elk, ducks, geese, bears, buffalo, you know, whatever moves. So last night Aironn started a little contest after dinner. There is a shooting gallery option and you can compete against other shooters for the high score. We had played a couple of rounds and different folks were winning. Finally, Aironn announced the final round. So we were going to say prayers, and after your turn, you had to go to bed. Nothing like prayer and shooting to get you ready for bed. But the boys all thought it was a swell idea. So I asked Logan to say the prayer.

We all knelt in a circle on the floor and held hands, like a Norman Rockwell painting. The prayer was simple:Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today, please bless we won't fall out of bed. Please bless I'll win the next round. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Aironn almost broke my little finger she was squeezing so hard. I don't remember who won that round, but I never said Amen. God bless the innocent children."

Church on the Edge

2009-12-27T14:42:00.000-08:00

Today is Sunday which, since moving to a small branch, is always full of surprises. Today Gary and I didn't play the attendance game. Instead, we should have played the "How Long Will Church Be?" game. Here, you never know.

We attend a non-traditional two-hour block consisting of one hour for Sacrament Meeting and the remainder split between Sunday School and Relief Society/Priesthood. That is the norm for most Sundays but, occasionally, the block schedule is adjusted. Today was one of those days.

Our speakers were scheduled to come from Flagstaff. No one called our Branch President to confirm they were coming which was our first hint. We don't generally know who is coming from Flagstaff unless it is High Council Sunday. When the time came for the speakers, they still had not come so, our Branch President called on a visitor who was recently baptized to bear her testimony and that would be the entire meeting. Thirty minutes give or take a couple and we were on to Sunday School - our two-hour block shortened to 90 minutes. Some Sundays the weather has us just attend the first hour. Other Sundays we make it the entire two. You just never know living on the edge like we do.

It's All Fun and Games Until.......

2009-12-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve plus a foot of new snow in the past few days equals one thing: tubing! We have a great tubing hill right in our neighborhood and, since we are the only little kids in the neighborhood, the lines are pretty short.

Getting the little ones ready is half the battle. Dylan thinks he looks GOOOOOD in his over the knee socks and onesie though.

It was a good thing he also added more layers. The snow is pretty deep. He is standing up in this shot. I know he isn't really tall but the snow this winter is almost unbelievable.

Dylan loved going down the hill. Who could blame him? He rode down and was hauled back up on the sled he rode down on. It was fun both directions!

This is Logan and Ethan at the bottom of the hill. They decided to go snow swimming and see how far they could get. Their energy for swimming ran out long before the undisturbed snow.

Ethan loves tubing. He climbs his little legs back up the hill after each run and can almost carry his tube too.

Toward the end, Dylan's patience began to wear out. He wanted to go down the hill now! and wasn't waiting for Gary or the sled. Ethan was at the bottom of the hill calling him and Dylan would yell back, "I coming Eth, I coming!"

Logan and Thomas started jumping off the sled at the bottom into the fresh powder. That was the beginning of .....

snow throws. Dylan kept asking for his turn so Gary threw him into the snow. He loved the throwing part.

Not so much the snow in the face landing part.

Ethan couldn't get enough of it. He laughed the whole time and loved landing in the deep, soft snow.

Getting out of the hole was a different story. It's hard when you have short legs.

Logan could do it over and over. Gary could throw them pretty far.

It started to look like they fell from the sky. Not close enough to any foot prints to look like they'd jumped and little other explanation of how they got there.

It was a pretty fun two hours. It all came to a screeching halt on the almost last run down the mountain. Ethan and Dylan were at the bottom and Gary, Thomas, Logan and myself were taking the big black sled on a fast run to see how far we could go with all the weight we had piled in. It's a goose decoy sled and does have quite a bit of room but we discovered the space limit. We piled in, biggest to smallest, and off we went. About a third of the way down the hill was a slight bump, not launch you into the air bump but enough you knew it was there each time. That was our demise.

We hit the bump and Logan, at the front of the sled, fell out. Not overboard, out of the way. Not out but with a leg or arm still in front of the fast moving sled. Not even half out dragging behind. Out, face first into the snow with the sled immediately behind him with no where to go but over him. We ran right over the top of him and, there he was, face first in the snow with sled tracks up his back.

"I had my eyes open, Dad, and I could see everything and then it all just went black."

The good news is that he is okay. The bad news is that he now tells people he was "road kill" and we aren't totally sure if he ended up with a concussion from the ordeal. A Christmas story to remember.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

2009-12-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

The snow fall this winter has been amazing. Being new to the Canyon, I'm not sure if it is an abnormal year - like Gary keeps assuring this non-lover of snow - or if it is how each winter will be but, man oh man have we gotten snow!

It started snowing again yesterday and continued last night. The trees are again covered. They had begun to drop the snow from their branches after the last "dusting" of snow. This time we have well over a foot of fresh white snow to cover the foot we had left from the last storm. I thought I'd post some pictures of our back and front yards this morning.

Off of our front porch. The accumulation on railing post happened after the boys were done playing outside yesterday evening.

This is pointing toward our neighbor's houses out our front door.

This is the back yard. The tree branch was already bent so I don't think it's going to drop anytime soon but it does look ominous with all the snow on it doesn't it?

If you look closely, you can see the frame of our trampoline and the rocking chair I had on our front porch in Chubbuck.

Snow Shoeing to Grandview

2009-12-21T16:31:00.000-08:00

We started the day optimistic. Believing that our children would LOVE the family bonding moment we had planned. Believing they would be energetic. Believing they would WANT to make it to our destination. Believing they would enjoy every last moment without whine or complaint. Believing because, after all, isn't that what the season is all about?

The preparations were in full swing when the first chink in our optimistic armour happened. Dylan did not want to wear his boots. He did not want to wear his fleece lined coveralls. He did not want to wear his snow pants. He absolutely, positively did NOT want to ride in the sled. He wanted the backpack. The backpack that wasn't going. The backpack that the kid has outgrown especially in full snow gear. The backpack that hangs in the shed and will probably be looking for a new home next summer.

We set off for the Grandview turn off and hadn't left the driveway before Ethan was wailing. Not whimpering. Not crying. Not sobbing. Wailing. Something about leaving his Leapster home and not being able to play the DS - why won't Christmas get here so this won't be an issue anymore - and Tom and Logan playing Mario when he wanted to more. The wailing continued for quite some time. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the turn off and he was still pretty upset by the time we got there. The tune had changed slightly though. He no longer wailed about the injustices of no Leapster and DS and began to wail about wanting to be there NOW. Oh to be four.

Not to be deterred, Gary and I laughed about the two little ones and knew, no, believed that this was going to be a memory of joyful Christmas break adventures in the Grand Canyon. One the boys would look back on for years to come and, one day, when they had kids of their own, tell the story of snow shoeing in the National Park.

We unloaded the car and loaded up the sled. Gary strapped five pair of snow shoes on five pair of warm boots. He put Dylan in the sled on top of the foam pad and sleeping bag to keep him warm. We put on gloves and hats and zipped coats. We loaded hot chocolate and water, sandwiches and cookies into the sled and off we went down the road to Grandview.

Grandview lookout tower is about two miles down the road. This was to be our destination. The destination with a little house waiting to warm our toes and invite us in to drink hot cocoa. The destination with perfect family picture spots to chronicle our amazing journey into the wilderness in the winter in our snow shoes. This was a perfect destination. Two miles? No problem.

Slight problem. About twenty feet down the trail, Ethan was tired. His legs "couldn't go any more" and all he wanted was to ride in the sled. The sled that Gary was pulling behind him loaded with hot chocolate and water and extra clothing and snacks and lunch and, most importantly, Dylan. He really, really, really wanted to be in the sled. He wanted it so much, in fact, that he reminded us every three steps. After a very long, snow packed, no incline what so ever, half mile, Gary gave in and loaded Ethan into the sled. The optimism began to wane about reaching our destination.

Dylan, not pleased about sharing his now coveted sled, wanted out. He wanted to walk. He wanted to be carried. He wanted to just sit on the trail. Anything but riding next to Ethan. He eventually ended up on Gary's shoulders. I don't know how Gary did it, carrying Dylan on his shoulders while pulling the sled with Ethan and all the gear.

We made it about a mile and a quarter before the optimism ceased to exist. We weren't going to reach the destination. We would be having hot cocoa on the side of the trail. We had been going for about an hour and the boys were done. To be honest, my legs were a bit done as well and McKay, who early on in the journey had been leaping and bounding through the untouched snow, was now staying firmly on the packed trail and staying close to Gary - the owner of the keys.

We stopped and had our treat and began heading back to the car. Gary put the two little ones back in the sled together and Tom and Logan started running down the trail. The running continued for about twenty minutes before they found a coveted hiding spot and tried to ambush us with snow balls.

After Gary passed the hide-out, Tom and Logan began to fall behind. Far enough behind that Gary had Ethan in the car before we got to the parking lot. Ethan and Dylan had both fallen soundly asleep on the way back to the car. Less whining and complaining. Less movement in the sled. Less room for McKay to ride and boy did she want to at this point! More dead weight for Gary to pull. We ate our sandwiches on the way home in the car. Memories? Maybe. Idyllic? Maybe not. Will we attempt it again? Absolutely!

Thomas loves being outside. He never complains about being cold or tired. He loves to do it all!

Logan was the first one off through the untouched snow as soon as he got his snow shoes on.

Once Ethan saw his shoes, he was so excited to get out running. He kept it up too, for about two minutes.

Dylan, "His Highness," didn't really mind riding around on his sled as soon as he got in it. Who could blame him with the padding and the lack of exertion?

McKay did awesome. The first half of the hike, you wouldn't even know she was ten year's old. I don't think she'll be moving much tonight and tomorrow though.

Logan and his dramatic falls. Most of his falls were just for effect, like this one.

After riding in the sled for a mile or so, Ethan and Dylan really needed a rest.

Logan was pretending to be asleep in the snow. Brrrr......

Hot cocoa break never sounded so sweet as it did at this point in our hike. The boys could sit down and get right back up. I needed Gary to pull me out of the snowbank!

My little Tommy Boy is growing up!

The family at the end of our hike in. Now for the hike out.

Ethan and Dylan intertwined in the sled. It must have been comfortable because they both fell asleep in this position! Dylan stayed asleep while Gary got Ethan out and then took off Dylan's boots and coat. The poor kid was all sorts of tuckered out from riding in the sled and on Gary's shoulders.

A sight I never thought I'd see. Five pair of snowshoes drying out after a day in the snow and all belonging to my little family.

A Fun Pre-Church Game

2009-12-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

Moving to a small branch brings a lot of changes. One that we've found kind of fun has to do with attendance. While living in a ward, we'd often say things like, "So and so isn't going to be there today." It didn't really upset the entire functionality of the meeting though. Our branch is slightly different.

We now play the "How Many People do You Think" game before church. We are usually within a couple people of guessing the entire meeting attendance. Today we guessed 15 and 16 came. Six of those came from our house. The snow was pretty bad when we were getting ready for church and our Primary President called to say she wouldn't be there and neither would her assistant because of the road conditions. She was calling us because we were the only Primary kids that would be there today. She also happens to be the branch organist so I knew I would be playing prelude music while praying for the only other person in our branch who knows how to play the piano to come. The boys just don't sit still all alone very well and Gary now sits on the stand as part of the Branch Presidency.

The weather was bad enough today that our High Council speaker from Flagstaff couldn't make it up either so the Branch President's wife - also the Relief Society President, and the clerk filled in with last minute talks. After Sacrament meeting we were all (our family and two other sisters who hadn't already done their tithing settlement) asked to stay long enough to do our tithing settlement and go home. Our two hour block shortened to one. It's definitely a change from a big ward!

Christmas Tree 2009

2009-12-12T14:31:00.001-08:00

This year the boys did all the ornaments on our Christmas tree. It made up for not going to cut it this year. This is the first year I think Gary and I have purchased our Christmas tree but next year we'll be back out there chopping it down! Things were just too hectic to find a spot and get into town to get our permit this year. I think the boys did a great job with the tree though and they all helped each other too. The Christmas spirit is here at last!

The Holly, Jolly Hiker and other Christmas Tunes

2009-12-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night, the boys had the elementary school Christmas concert at the main visitor center. They sang some great Grand Canyon style Christmas carols like the Holly Jolly Hiker, The Twelve Days of Christmas - Grand Canyon style, and Bridie the Burro to the tune of Frosty the Snowman.
After singing for about 30 minutes, the big man came. It was so fun watching the younger kids light up and the older ones scrambling to get their mental Christmas lists together.

Ethan was saying something to Santa about being old and losing all his hair so Santa had to show him that it was real.

Dylan didn't want anything to do with Santa until I told him they were giving out candy canes to the kids that sat on his lap. All Dylan said was, "I like candy!" and then he wanted to stand in line. You can't tell from this picture, but he walked up all by himself and let Santa pick him up and put him on his lap. That's when he realized he wanted to be ANYWHERE but there.

Logan was all about being cool. He had a pretty sore knee from landing on a nail in the snow a few days before but somehow managed to push through the pain and give Santa his list.

Tom's face says it all. He really wants to be on Santa's lap but is at that sad crossroads of being too big at the same time. I can't believe he is as old as he is already!

Signs of the Season

2009-12-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

On Monday, the snow began falling. It wasn't the big, heavy flakes that I usually think of when I think a lot of snow is coming, but it kept snowing all day. By noon, the school sent out the notification that school would release the kids two hours early and they would plan on at least a two-hour delay for Tuesday's start. And, the snow kept falling.

By five, Gary had the boys on a sled tied to the four-wheeler and began pulling them around the Forest Service Compound. They LOVED every minute of it. Once I got outside, all four boys were in the sled together and Gary and I were on the four wheeler. And, the snow kept falling.

By 6:00, it was getting dark and colder and we really needed to feed the kids, so we came in and began the process of undressing four soaking wet and cold boys. This is what the fireplace will look like all winter I'm guessing. And, the snow kept falling.

By Tuesday morning, school was cancelled and Tom's prayers were answered. He had been praying for snow for days and not just a little bit of snow - lots and lots of snow. It finally quit snowing and we were left with about 18 inches of beautiful snow. Before it started on Monday, we had NOTHING, zip, zilch, nada. Now, we look like a winter wonderland.

Can You Say Oops?

2009-11-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

We've been working on painting again. It isn't easy to paint around four little people and keep the paint where it is suppose to be. We had done a pretty good job all day. Painted the hall two coats, touched up a couple high traffic areas in the kitchen, and started painting the one wall we had planned to paint in the living room. I am in charge of all the cut in and Gary does the roller after I'm done. I was up on my trusty step ladder with the bucket of paint on the ever-so-trusty shelf when........

It all happened it slow motion but I was unable to move. The shelf gave way, my bucket dropped, and paint was everywhere. Gary did his best to get it off our front door but our door may now get a fresh coat of white paint. At least none of it got on the couch!

Polar Express

2009-11-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

Every year, the Grand Canyon Railway transforms into the Polar Express, complete with hot cocoa and cookies served by chef's on the train, Santa's village, and a visit from the special man himself. Gary and I had talked about wanting to go but figured it would be next year at the earliest. The tickets can be quite pricey. That's when being the entire Primary in the branch paid off in a big way. A member of our branch works for the company that runs the Polar Express and they were offering tickets to their employees and their families for their last training run before it opened to the public. She immediately called her boss to see if she could extend the offer to her "church family" and, once she had the stamp of approval, we were set.

It was such an adventure! We met at our house and drove to Williams together. Star Broward and Cheryl Jacob joined us for the trip and we couldn't have asked for better company. About ten minutes outside of Williams - it's about an hour drive - Ethan said he didn't feel well. I blew it off to being tired. First mistake. Two seconds later, he said he felt like he was going to throw up. Gary couldn't stop for a minute or so. Second mistake. Poor Star was in the backseat right next to him. Third mistake. He threw up all over himself and we pulled over as soon as there was a spot. Poor guy drank his whole juice box in about ten seconds and it make him sick we think.

Luckily, we had a spare pare of pj's for him in case he had an accident on the train. In about five minutes we had him changed, the car cleaned up, everyone buckled back in and were on the road. It was record time. Thank goodness he didn't share the joy with Star and she, being a grandma herself, was very gracious and understanding. I think Cheryl was more than grateful she had the other door and didn't sit next to Ethan!

Once we got to Williams, we hurried to the train and got on with only about ten minutes to spare. Whew! It was so fun. The train was built in 1923 so it was a real treat to be on such a treasure. Okay, so I love trains.

Here are the boys right before the train started going. Logan kept that look most of the night and Tom was pretty much along for the ride. The little two though, got more and more excited every minute.

We started moving and the chefs passed out hot cocoa and cookies. The train passed through a "tunnel" and we were then going warp Santa speed to the North Pole. Once we passed the tunnel, they read the book and showed the boys the pictures to get them ready. In about 20 minutes, we were at the North Pole complete with Santa and his reindeer and a couple of his elves. It was great. Ethan and Dylan are the perfect age for this kind of adventure and their eyes were as big as saucers. Tom and Logan were trying to be cool and enjoyed it but didn't want anyone to know they liked being there. I think they are on the edge of believing. Sniff, sniff.

This picture has Star on the left and Cheryl on the right. They were such great sports all night. It's also one of the last pictures before Ethan had his trademark chocolate ring around his entire mouth.
Once we were at the North Pole, the boys all got to wave at Santa sitting on his sleigh outside the train window. After stopping for a minute just past the North Pole, the train started heading back past Santa's village and this time he wasn't standing in his sled. The boys couldn't figure out where he went until they announced that he was on the train. Boy did Ethan and Dylan's eyes light up!

I was worried about how Dylan would handle Santa. He is my most reserved child and I knew he would start screaming but when Santa came up to him and handed him his own bell - like in the story - he said thank you and smiled. Ethan was beaming of course. Once Santa left, we all sang Christmas carols.

One trip on the Polar Express and your Christmas Spirit will definitely be in high gear. It was awesome. Thanks Star!

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

Halloween started Friday night with pumpkin carving. This was Dylan's first experience with carving a pumpkin. Okay, so he did it last year and we carved one for him the year before but this time he was really involved. He gutted the pumpkin and must enjoy the flavor because he kept licking his hands after each time inside the pumpkin grabbing slimy pumpkin guts. YUCK! He had it in his hair, on his clothes and all over his face. At least he enjoyed himself!
Here is Thomas and his pumpkin creation. He carved it all by himself this year I think - I was busy making dinner and Gary was in charge.

Yet again this year Thomas and Logan chose to be Star Wars characters. He is Bobba Fett this year I think. I get them confused. I don't know the whole Star Wars lineage like my men folk do.

Logan, always the poser for pictures and his pumpkin.

He was so funny when we were taking his picture with his costume. He is Jango Fett I think. I may have Tom and Logan's names confused though. He had to have the attached shoulder cape in the picture. The kid makes me laugh!

The younger two aren't as thrilled with Star Wars yet. Ethan wanted to be Spiderman this year and was so impressed with his muscles. He kept saying things like, "If I run into something while we are trick-or-treating, it won't hurt because I have these spongy things for muscles to protect me."

Ethan isn't one to follow the crowd. He chose a fish shape for his pumpkin this year and Gary made it happen complete with fin. Loved the design!

Dylan literally loved his pumpkin. He picked one of the smallest ones to chose from and loved every inch of it. I think he liked being able to pick it up all by himself. It was hard to keep his hands off of it!

This is the only picture I have of Dylan with his whole outfit on. He loves Batman and calls him "Meman" for some reason. He would let the cape/mask be on just because I told him I needed a picture. Once the picture was done, the cape was off and I couldn't get it back on. Loved his muscles.

Frozen Peas

2009-10-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

This morning as Dylan and Ethan were chasing each other around the house and wrestling during rest intervals, a corner from the wall JUMPED out and ran right into Ethan's head. Go figure. Ethan didn't run into the corner, the corner ran into him. That corner packs a mean punch we discovered when we surveyed the damage. Ethan was left with a nasty indent, yes, indent, on the side of his forehead. As the tears were welling up, I grabbed the best thing since sliced bread for such occasions: frozen peas.

Living in a house with four very active boys, I've discovered how great frozen peas are for these type of events. They don't have as many sharp edges as ice cubes. They aren't big and bulky like ice cubes. They are more moldable than ice packs that were once used for keeping bottles cold when they were babies. And, apparently, they are quite tasty.

Ethan held the peas firmly on his head for almost 20 minutes. When he was done, Dylan suddenly had a "horrible owie" on his head too. It's amazing how that can happen while sitting on the padded sofa and not moving. I rewrapped the peas and had Dylan lay down with them on his head.

No sooner had I turned my back than Dylan was sitting up, eating his ice pack. Within five minutes, Ethan and Dylan were both eating the ice pack and arguing over who got more peas. Peas. Really? You are arguing over frozen peas. What's next? Broccoli?

Family Photos

2009-10-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

Thomas 9 1/2 years old.

Logan, 7 1/2 years old

Ethan, 4 years old.

Dylan, 2 years old.

The whole gang goofing off. We had a great time getting pictures this time. My Aunt Karen took them when they came to visit last weekend and it was great having someone that the boys felt comfortable with. These are just the sneak peak. Can't wait for the real reveal of all of them!

Family Home Evening Lesson by Ethan Jax

2009-10-22T10:12:00.001-07:00

Every six weeks, our family is in for a treat. It's Ethan's turn to give the Family Home Evening lesson. One of these times I'm going to remember to video tape it. It's amazing. Actually, amazing doesn't do it justice.

This week, when I told him it was his turn for the lesson, he yelled, "Yippeeee!" in excitement. There may have been a joyous hand pump to go along with it. It's all a bit foggy now.

Since his reading ability is still a bit limited, I think he has about 30 sight words down now, I asked him if he would like some help preparing. His answer is always the same. "No, I can do it all by myself."

I always respond with some probing questions like, "What do you think you are going to talk about?"

He always has an immediate answer and it's never one you can predict. This week's answer was, "Ummm, probably ticks."

Ticks? Did I hear him right? I must be mistaken. Nope, he really wanted to give his lesson on ticks. Blood sucking, disease causing ticks. Yum.

I asked him if he wanted to practice his lesson before Family Home Evening. I told him I would love to listen to him practice if he wanted. Nope. His response? "I already know what I'm going to say so I don't need to practice. Besides, if I practice to you, you'll already know what I'm going to say in my lesson." Duh.

Last night was the big reveal for the lesson. That little four-year-old is turning into quite the dynamic public speaker. He stands up in front of the family and delivers his lesson in a very authoritative voice. His eyes become even more animated as he goes into the perils of ticks and the evils they carry. He answers questions during the question and answer portion with firm c conviction that he is right. It was all I could do not to giggle.

Did you know ticks have little claws that dig their way to your "blood places" and suck out all your blood? Did you know they can be brown or lots of other colors all together? Did you know that doctors have to take them out? Did you know that they don't like fire or smoke? Did you know he learned all this very valuable information from Gary? Gary was astounded. He doesn't remember giving such a detail briefing on ticks to his four-year-old. Once again, Family Home Evening proved unforgettable.

Amazingly Fun Weekend

2009-10-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky to have fun family visiting this month. Last weekend Mom and Don made it and this past weekend, Aunt Karen and Uncle Wayne came down. We loved every second. It was so much fun - even when the two little ones were out of control because they hadn't had naps for days. We saw the canyon. We saw the forest. We took family pictures. We ate good food. We slept late today completely exhausted!

It was great having them here. Ethan bonded immediately with Uncle Wayne. Last night, when he knew he was going to bed, he came running back into the living room saying he forgot something. He literally threw his arms around Wayne and said, "Good night!" After we reminded him that Wayne didn't come down here alone, he saw Karen sitting next to him and gave her a big hug too. As he was walking back down the hall to bed, he yelled, "See ya Pal!" It was too cute.

This morning there was genuine disappointment on his face when he found out they went home today and he wouldn't see them again for a while. We didn't tell him on purpose last night so he would go to bed and get some sleep.

I also discovered something this weekend. I think I actually like watching baseball! We watched both Yankee's games of the weekend and it was really fun. The fact that they won both games also helped I'm sure but can you believe the game last night that went into so many extra innings? It was an amazing finish! I'm even looking forward to watching it again on Monday and Tuesday. After years of trying, Gary may finally have a wife to cheer on the Yankees with.

The only downside to this weekend was I forgot to take ANY pictures of our fun! Karen had her camera going all the time and she promised to send some other photos with our family ones so we are excited to see them. We are doing our best talking them into just moving down permanently. Fingers crossed.....

4 Year-Olds

2009-10-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

I once thought Ethan was an exceptional listener. I could ask him to do something and he would hop right to it. It was amazing how well he would respond. That was then.

It all came to a SCREECHING halt the day he turned four and since that perilous day, he's been on a downward spiral that makes those diagnosed with ADHD look focused. The kid gets distracted at the drop of a hat, or the feather on the ground, or the block he tripped over, or the t.v., or the thought of going outside, or the thought of staying inside, or, or, or.

Will we survive this disease of being four? Does the focus ever come back? Will there ever come a day when he is going to get his shoes from his room and he comes back with them again? Are your 4-year-olds like this too?

Random Pictures from the Weekend

2009-10-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

This is the view from the top of the fire lookout tower at Grandview. We climbed the stairs and got to see what the look-outs see. It was a bit high for me and having the kids up there scared me to death but we made it! We all signed our names on the outside of the building at the top. I'll post some of those pictures when I get them at home.

The beautiful canyon we call home.

We took this at Hermit's Rest. It was a beautiful spot to enjoy the canyon. We took Don and Mom there this weekend when they came to visit. We loved having them here and enjoyed every minute we could spend with them!

Logan posing at Hermit's Rest.

Tom posing at Hermit's Rest.

Dylan in the tree at Hermit's Rest.

Ethan posing at Hermit's Rest. Can you tell we loved the tree and loved seeing a bit of the canyon in the background?

Shoshone Point

2009-10-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

Last week, Gary took the boys and I on a hike to Shoshone Point. It is a very gradual climb from the parking lot to the point. Since it's only about a mile long, it only takes us - with the little ones hiking too - about thirty minutes. It was beautiful and we had the place to ourselves. Here are some of the pictures.

Tom's Play

2009-10-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Tom's fourth grade class performed three plays yesterday that they had been working on since almost the start of school. They worked really hard and they did a great job. This first six weeks of school, they focused on fairy tales from around the world. Their plays depicted different fairy tales from different cultures and the kids learned that, although each culture may have Cinderella, it may not have the same happy ending or it may be told differently than they are use to. It is amazing how multi-cultural this school is. I love that my boys are seeing that it doesn't matter where you may have grown up or what language your family speaks at home. What matters is who you are inside. Kids don't seem to stereo-type like adults do. I really do love this part about living here. They are being exposed to a whole new form of teaching and a different ciricullum than we were use to in a traditional public school. Here I go getting off subject......

In the first play, Turkey Girl, Tom was the Native American priest of sorts. It is the basic story of Cinderella but from the Native American telling. He was awesome!

The next play was completely in spanish. Tom helped with props. Let's just say my boys are not the strongest spanish speakers in their classes. He worked really hard building the fruit stand used in the spanish version of Red Riding Hood. I guess it was pretty funny because half the audience - who are native spanish speakers I think - were laughing pretty hard at the dialouge.

The third play was called "Spiderella" and was an insect version of Cinderella. Tom was one of the three narators in this play and he was great. He isn't nervous speaking into the microphone and spoke clearly and slow enough we could understand him. I loved watching him get out in front and perform. He doesn't do that very often. He is really coming into his own since we've moved down here and I can literally watch him grow into a young man each day. Man I love that kid!

To Drug or Not To Drug

2009-09-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have come to the conclusion that I am allergic to Arizona. Maybe not the entire state but at least the northern section. Maybe it's the cooler temperatures. Maybe it's the towering, majestic, beautiful trees. Maybe it's the lack of emissions in our neighborhood. Maybe it's the lack of fast food in my system. Whatever it is, I am allergic to something.

For the past week Dylan and I have been fighting allergies like I've never known. We have all the classic symptoms: sneezing, running nose, congestion, red and itchy eyes. I give him Benadryl hoping he will sleep it off and it does the opposite for him. He refuses to nap - ugh. I skip the Benadryl because it does make me sleep - sleep like the dead. I take Zyrtek which has been my wonder drug until now. Now my allergies laugh at my attempt. Last night I reached my limit. I called the clinic and they gave me the go ahead for some Benadryl on top of my Zyrtek. It did help me get through the night without being bothered by allergies. It may have been that I was sleeping like the dead by nine o'clock! Great night time option but the day is going to be long. I just don't feel right about making Ethan babysit his brother and mom all day while I'm drooling on the pillow!

On a some-what unrelated topic, the school sent home a permission slip for the flu shot for my kids. All the kids can go in and get it for free. For some reason, the flu shot always freaks me out. My Grandpa Larson said Grandma had some sort of reaction to it when she got it about thirty years ago and he warned me against taking it. Do I dare? Do I not dare? I've never had my kids get the flu shot and they've been okay so far but this year and this location is a bit more scary to me. We have tourists from all over the world carrying who knows what here year round. Our medical care isn't the most comprehensive, although I've been impressed with the clinic so far. I was on the fence and then I saw that if you haven't had it before, you need a booster shot a month later and I thought that was a bit of a hassle not to mention the boys will remember in a month how it felt getting the shot in the first place and I'm not sure I can lift Tom and Logan in the car and strap them down fast enough to get to the clinic. Do we do it or not?

The news had stories of healthy kids dying of the H1N1 virus and that is really frightening to me. I know the flu shot I'm talking about doesn't protect from the H1N1 virus but for me it's the first step to overcoming my fear of the flu vaccine. I'm sure the school will be offering the H1N1 shot in the future and I guess I need to make my decision. Who knew that being the mom would be so hard some days? To drug or not to drug? What's your answer?

Two Hours of Joy

2009-09-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this so one day, when I have grandkids and my boys and daughter-in-laws tell me about the escapades their children pull in church, I can show them proof that I have lived through it.

We only have a two-hour block here. It is lovely to only try to keep Dylan reverent for two hours, don't get me wrong. The up-side is the short amount of time because our branch is so small that it can't really staff the positions needed for a three-hour block and one hour of Young Men's or Young Women's would be pretty hard each week with just one of each in attendance. It's nice that Sacrament Meeting is only one hour. Not one hour and fifteen minutes. The extra fifteen minutes make all the difference. Really. It does.

Now, the flip side. We are the only kids in our branch. We are the "nice young couple" that brings their kids to church each Sunday, the kids that make it so the not so young couples can't hear a thing the speakers say - especially since there isn't a microphone. We are the "family with all those boys" that try to keep the noise to a dull roar each week. We are the parents of the kid that says, not in his whisper voice and while doing THE dance, "I have to go potty!" during the middle of the talk. We are the family that spreads the Fruit Loops across the whole row. We are THAT family.

Each week someone from the branch comes up to us and tells us how great it is that there are kids in the branch. They tell us they have all been there. They tell us our boys are soooooo good. They tell us kid noise is what makes a branch feel right. They tell us that one day, all too soon, they won't be making all that noise and we should enjoy it while they are young. I'm still not totally convinced that it isn't an assignment from the Branch or Relief Society President to pat us on the back in order to keep us active. What would they call that calling anyway? Bishop's cheerleader?

Danger Zone

2009-09-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

This week we got to babysit a couple of cute kids while their mom was out of town and their dad was at work. They are three and two years-old, so they fit in perfectly with my boys. The youngest is an adorable little girl that is about the same size as Dylan, in other words, petite. The first day passed without incident. They played pretty well together and it made me realize just how energetic and noisy and full of it my boys are because our new friends were so quiet and nice. When their dad came to pick them up, they were still happy and healthy and wanting to come back. That was then.

Today is a different story. After a week of their mom being out of town, they are a bit more tired and cranky. Still adorable though and by far the easiest kids I've ever seen. I sent them out in the back yard this morning to play because Dylan was having a day and needed some space. The sun was out and the temperature had started to climb so it was perfect.

We have a trampoline and an old fashioned swing set and slide in the back yard to play with and they had a great time earlier in the week. Today, they hadn't been out there more than an hour before the sweet little girl started screaming/crying. Ut oh.

She had fallen off the slide ladder and when I say she scraped her face, that is an understatement. It is red from eye socket to jaw bone and from nose to half way to the ear on one side. Just scratched but the kind of scratch that looks awful. Why is it that kids only do this at other people's houses? How will the parents - that I barely know - handle it? What would you do if it were your kid? Only time will tell here.

Organized Chaos

2009-09-23T14:37:00.001-07:00

Since moving here, we've been constantly downsizing, organizing, trying to find a place for everything, and rejoicing every time something gets used up or worn out so we can get rid of it. It's a constant battle. I'm what you would call a "type A" personality and have been struggling with the continual mess. It's not that I have spotless house ever, far from it, but usually things have a home and we get them there regularly. That hasn't been the case here.

It seems like every time I start the organization process, I quickly become frustrated with the lack of space and throw in the towel. It makes me crazy! We still have boxes in places but no where for the contents to go so they just sit in the corner waiting for me to sort through the precious belongings and decide what isn't precious any more. I've become much less attached in the past few weeks. It's amazing to me how much stuff six people can accumulate and not really ever use or need!

Today I had to find a place for my jars of peach jam in the pantry. This has been one of the worst spots for me. I love food storage and, even though we had been eating out of our storage and not adding to it for some time, there was still too much to organize on the shelf space we have here. We basically cut our food storage space in half. Gary bought a couple shelves and that seemed to help. He put one together and started stacking random items on it. Even though things weren't as crowded as they had been, there still wasn't room for two dozen pint jars if I wanted them in one place. I had to tackle the pantry.

An hour later, the new shelf was organized and space was made for the jam. I even got rid of the four more boxes that were packed with random food items. You can now walk across the floor of the pantry without stepping over boxes and coolers and jugs of water. You can easily find the boys lunch items. I know how many cans of tuna we have - way, way too many. I can replace the virtually empty shampoo bottle in the bathroom without running to the store because the ones in the storage room are lost. It's a lovely, lovely feeling. Maybe I should start working on some of the other boxes. Nah. Baby steps.

The Smell of Fall

2009-09-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

It's felt like fall here for quite some time. The nights are cold, mornings chilly, and afternoons perfect. Since the majority of the trees where we live are pine, we don't really see leaves change. The drop in tourists has also been a great indicator that fall is here.

Today, my kitchen smells like fall too. I had a box of peaches from the co-op that needed to be canned in one form or another for a few days. Today I had a few hours of peaceful afternoon that I figured would be perfect to turn that box of ripening peaches into some delicious jam. Little did I know that today would also be the day that Dylan and Ethan decided to forgo their naps. So much for the peace and quiet!

After hours of sticky, sugary, bubbling goodness, I can now look at two dozen pints of yummy jam ready to go in the pantry for the winter. Until I had to buy a jar of jam at the store recently, I didn't realize how good the homemade variety is! It takes me a while to get over the mountain of sugar that goes into each batch though. Honestly, I think it is twelve parts sugar, one part fruit. Maybe that explains why it tastes so good.

Spicy

2009-09-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend we made an all too quick trip to Phoenix to visit with the Moss family (thanks a ton Brandon and Coleen!) and learned just how much warmer it is in Phoenix. We've been here freezing in the mornings, wanting to clean out the chimney so we can start a fire in to warm up the house in the mornings, wearing long sleeves and long pants, and smelling that familiar scent of fall for a couple weeks now. Phoenix isn't anywhere near cool. Wow it was warm! In fact, it was warm enough that when the boys were jumping on the trampoline, Ethan said he couldn't jump anymore. Why not? The tramp is "spicy." Yep, spicy.

Sunday Afternoon Hikes

2009-09-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

One of the benefits of living where we do, is the opportunity for hiking right out our back door - or front door for that matter. Sunday afternoons and evenings are a great time for our family to enjoy the area by taking a family walk. Here are some pictures from one of our recent hikes through the park.

Tom and Ethan playing tag on a "rest" during the hike. Tom would let Ethan get pretty close and then jump out of the way before Ethan could tag him. For some reason, this didn't seem to bother Ethan. Just the opposite, in fact. He started laughing so hard he couldn't even try to tag Tom!

Logan during the game of tag. He loves this fire shirt Gary brought him back from Florida even though it is three sizes too big. Every weekend he seems to wear it.

Gary decided to have the boys build a rock tower along the side of the trail. He told them that each time we came along this trail we could add to it and watch it grow. Ethan was all excited to build the tower and started finding the biggest rocks he could carry.

Not to be out done, Dylan also started picking up rocks and throwing them at the pile. By some miracle, he didn't hit anyone. All he wants to do is be big!

The completed first stage of the tower with the mighty builders and the ferocious watch dog.

We found a tree that a woodpecker bored a hole into. Each of the boys had to have a look inside the tree. I'm glad Gary was with us. I can't lift Tom and Logan anymore and it was just high enough that they needed a boost.

The journey home. Dylan "hiked" most of the way on Gary's shoulders. The boys each carried their back packs with water and snacks and jackets in case it rained. Ethan's looks HUGE on him but he insisted on carrying it the whole time.

Giddy Up!

2009-09-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Church doesn't start until 1:00 here in our little branch. That gives us some time to kill in the mornings before getting ready. Last Sunday, this is how Dylan came out of Tom and Logan's room. Logan is really into costumes and, for some reason, Dylan was in the right mood for Logan to dress him up. I may be the mom, but I think he is adorable!

Fundraising Nightmares

2009-09-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Let me just start by saying I understand why the boys have PTA fundraisers. I know the PTA is important and does great things for the school. I know they need money to do that. I know they search for the best fundraisers they can. I know. I know. I know.

BUT,

The boys are in the middle of a fundraiser for the school right now. The pool of potential candidates is very limited in our neighborhood. Almost half of the people living in our neighborhood right now are seasonal employees that won't be here when the fundraiser comes. They've had two orders from our neighbors and I count that as a success.

This fundraiser has an Internet option for out-of-town family and friends. Gary registered online and I sent out the mass email. My great Aunt Karen placed an order and sent me an email letting me know how many "prize credits" the boys receive. Who can't live without another downloadable game and book of puzzles? I checked their website to see how many orders they've received and it shows zero. I called and the nice lady on the other end of the phone says that she can't find the order. I have to send Karen an email back saying she has to do it all over or send me her confirmation number and I'll call the company again. How many other orders are out there in the black hole of the company's website? Grrrrrrr.....

Oh, and the deadline is tomorrow and Gary is out of town for the day. Won't get back until too late to deal with any of it. Of course.

Four-Year-Old and a Family Home Evening Lesson

2009-09-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

Last night was the night we try to have our weekly Family Home Evening. I say try because we don't always succeed at having it, and sometimes we only get through half of it before someone makes someone else cry and then they have to go to their room, or something else happens that is totally unforeseeable.

Last night, was a bit more successful. A bit. Ethan was in charge of the lesson last night and I kept asking him if he would like some help preparing - you know, since he's four and can't read words with more than four letters. He repeated the same answer over and over. "No. I can do it. I'm going to give my lesson about clocks."

Clocks. Hmmmm. Okay. Who am I to judge. In the back of my mind, I had the whole tie-in. Clocks tell time. Heavenly Father has given us time. We need to use it wisely to do good things. Gold star on my forehead for a wonderful lesson from one word. The self confidence I felt should have been my first clue.

After a rendition of "I am a Child of God" that made me laugh because we were all singing at different paces and were more off-key than usual, we ventured into the lesson. Ethan, sitting next to Gary, started off, "I am going to talk about clocks."

He then turned and gave the rest of the lesson while STARING at Gary. His expression-filled eyes were even bigger than usual. He was serious. He had given this a lot of thought and knew exactly what he was going to say. He went on to tell us why clocks are important. You know, you need them to know what time it is so you won't be late for school and work. If you didn't have them, oh the horror, you might be late for work or school because you would get up late and then just hang around and play and not leave on time.

At this point, I am crying from laughing, on the inside of course, and Gary, bless his heart, still had most of a straight face. It's here that the humor became more than I could take. Tom raised his hand and Ethan diligently called on him. Tom went on about the different types of clocks, digital and non-digital. They talked for a minute while Gary and I just sat there trying to keep our laughter stifled. Next, Logan's hand shot up. He too had some comments on the importance of clocks and the different noises they make from the alarm clocks that are useful for waking him up in the morning to the tick-tocking that the annoying clock buried in his top drawer makes. It makes it hard for him to sleep you know.

Well then. What a lesson. It had some of the best audience participation we've had for some time. Spiritual message? Not sure.

One Omlet, with Lettuce Please

2009-09-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

We have a list of things we want to do and see while living here but we've been so busy with fires and gathering firewood that we haven't had much time to tackle our list, until Monday. Every weekend (and I guess holiday) there is a Native American art and craft show in the square in town. They have booths full of beautiful jewelry and trinkets made by the Navajo tribe as well as dancers. Monday, as Gary was heading out for his two loads of wood, he noticed that they were also selling Navajo tacos. We thought, in order to reward the boys for all their hard work during the weekend, we would head over about four o'clock and see the art and dancing and then wrap it up with dinner.

We got there about 4:30 and found many booths full of jewelry and a live country band playing. No dancers. As we moved our way around the circle of booths, we got closer and closer to the end without spotting a Navajo taco. Apparently, they just sell them for lunch, not dinner.

Not easily dissuaded from a dinner out, we reassessed our choices. McDonalds, Wendy's, the pizza place, a steak house that promised high prices, or the Tusayan Cafe. We opted for the Tusayan Cafe. Off we went and boy, were we in for a treat.

Tom and Logan weren't interested in any of the choices on the children's menu (except for maybe the Prime Rib- yeah right!) so we let them order off the adult menu. They are really on the edge of the child's menu anyway, at least this time they would be assured adequate food to fuel those growing bodies. They decided on an omelet. The waiter then asked if they would like a baked potato, rice pilaf, or french fries with that. I thought that was a bit odd but what kid wouldn't like french fries with every meal? Then he asked if they would like soup or salad. Their answer? Nope! We ordered them salad, with Ranch dressing.

After the waiter left, Logan started in about how he didn't want lettuce on his omelet. They had never had so many choices with their dinners out before. Ordering from the adult side of the menu was a whole new experience and Gary and I hadn't properly taught them about the complexities of sides and starters.

Logan didn't even want the cheese on his omelet at first that we talked him in to having so it wouldn't just be scrambled eggs. How could they put lettuce on an omelet!? He was sure it would be all put together until his meal came. Salad first - with blue cheese all the way around, yuck! - and then the omelet. It was then that he was asking where his ham was and why Tom got ham and he didn't. Seriously!

The food was, well, awful. The company was, well, amazing. The experience was, well, one we won't soon forget. I guess we're down to choosing from the pizza place, steak house, or the two fast food entries!

The Late Bus

2009-09-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

Kids at the Grand Canyon School have a few different options for riding the bus home from school if they are in elementary school. Since the junior high and high school kids also attend the same campus, there is the early bus, the late bus, the late late bus if there is a practice for one of the teams, and the night bus for times there is a sporting event at night.

The early bus leaves after elementary school dismisses at 3:00. The late bus leaves after the older grades are done at 4:00 and the late late bus and night bus leave sometime after that - I haven't had to deal with those yet. My boys ride the regular 3:00 bus that gets them home by 3:30 most days.

Today, however, there is an after school activity for the 2nd graders. We have a school/community garden and they have been invited to participate today by spending time helping in the garden, and eating the fresh produce the garden has ready. Just like a field trip, we sign a permission slip and let them know that they will be walking home from school or riding the bus or we will be picking them up. I also need to get Tom from scouts tonight, so the timing made it right for Logan to ride the bus home. I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous for my little second grader to be riding the bus home with all those "evil" older kids! Even though he rides to school with them, coming home will be a bit different. He won't have Tom with him this time.

Luckily, there is one other kid from our branch that rides the bus in our neighborhood. I use the term "kid" loosely because he's in high school. I asked him if he would look out for Logan and he agreed. Keeping my fingers crossed here that it goes smoothly. I never thought that I would be sending my boys to school at 7:30 in the morning and not see them again until 4:30 or 5:00 when they were in 2nd and 4th grade. Crazy!

Scouts

2009-09-01T07:51:00.001-07:00

In Idaho, Gary and I served as the Cub Masters for our little, but growing, pack of scouts. I thought it was a great job. One meeting a month to plan and one to put on and in between I could schedule my time around the boys. There wasn't a weekly obligation that I needed to plan and carry out. That was my problem. I think I said that out loud.

Here, there isn't a church sponsored pack. Since it is community run, they rely on volunteers without the calling from the Bishop. They needed someone to help with the Wolf and Bear dens (2nd and 3rd grade here) which contain six total boys. The mom that volunteered in the past is mid-chemo and, although she wants to do it again, can't get it started for a few weeks. I told her I'd help her.

That's when the guilt started to set in. Here I am, healthy, sitting at home, wishing I could meet more people, hoping the boys actually advance and have regular meetings so Logan's first experience with scouting is a good one. What excuse could I possibly come up with that is more worthy of not doing it than chemo? Really?

So, long story not quite so long, the boys are all coming over to my house today and we will be having our first scout meeting. I should be scouring the web for information and planning helps. I should be creating my advancement tracking spreadsheet to be filled in when the boys bring their books today and I can see what they already have passed off. I should be doing anything other than blogging but, in blogging defense, writing down this commitment helps me to get my head around it and figure out just exactly it will work. Wish me luck!

Talks in Church

2009-08-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, our little family got to speak in church. Our branch meets in an historic building in the park called the Shrine of the Ages. It's small enough that there isn't a microphone or steps for the kids to use at the removable podium so Ethan, Logan, and Thomas just stood at the front of the room to give their talks. There were four visitors and about twenty members of the branch there yesterday. It's amazing how easy it is to talk in front of such a small group! Since this blog is a family journal of sorts, I thought I'd post the talks everyone gave so we can remember our experience.

Ethan's talk:
Since the days of Joseph Smith
Until this very day
We've had a living prophet
We can do what they say

They tell us to be careful
To always choose the right
To try and live like Jesus
And be His shining light

Heavenly Father chose the Prophet
To lead us here today
So we should always listen
And follow and obey

Logan's talk:
My name is Logan and I am seven years old.

I want to talk about baptism. Jesus was baptized when he lived on earth. He was baptized in the River Jordan to be an example to everyone.

When I am baptized, I will follow the example of Jesus. I know that baptism is important. It is something that we should all do to wash away our sins. I will follow Jesus Christ, and on my next birthday I will be baptized and confirmed. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thomas' talk:
My name is Thomas. I would like to talk about John Taylor.

Since the time of Adam, Heavenly Father has given instructions and teachings to the people on Earth through his chosen prophets. John Taylor was a friend of Joseph Smith, an Apostle, and the third Prophet of the Church. At the funeral of Brigham Young, President Taylor taught us that “We are not alone! God is with us.”

Brother Taylor was with the Prophet Joseph in Carthage jail when the Prophet and his brother were shot. Brother Taylor was shot also but survived. After he was shot, he went on to serve a second mission to France and Germany. He relied on our Heavenly Father to help him when he was in Carthage Jail, on his missions and when he was President of the Church. He was required to spend the last year of his life in hiding because of government persecution. Through all his trials, he was happy because he knew that his Heavenly Father loved him.

I am thankful for all the prophets and the things they have taught me. I know that Heavenly Father loves me. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Gary's talk:Our little family has been collecting firewood over the past few weeks. This has been a challenge to us on many fronts. As I am new in my position with the Forest Service, I have been spending more than the typical forty hours a week at work. The two oldest boys just started school and Aironn and the little two are trying to figure out nap schedules and make our new house a home. We are also challenged with our workforce. All five of my helpers are willing and desirous to help. Aironn has packed picnic dinners for after work outings, Tom and Logan have lifted and stacked while I have cut. Even Ethan and Dylan have wanted to be in the middle of it all. But as the hot afternoons and heavy logs begin to wear down my eager family, I find myself taking turns with my helpers, cutting smaller pieces and offering more encouragement and trying to carry a larger share of the load. We have only collected half of what I think we will need to keep us warm through the winter, but I find myself pleased with the individual and collective efforts my family has put into the welfare of us all.

I have found myself reflecting that this must be somewhat akin to the pleasure our Heavenly Father finds when we overcome challenges in our own life and as we work together to accomplish the goals he has established to bring us back to him.

In the hymn by Will L. Thompson Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel, we are told of a struggle and the effort it will take to overcome it. “Then don’t stand idly looking on; the fight with sin is real. It will be long but must go on; Put your shoulder to the wheel. Then work and watch and fight and pray. With all your might and zeal. Push every worthy work along; Put your shoulder to the wheel.”

Those are not passive words. Work, watch, fight, and pray. Those take effort. We will only find happiness and rest if we work to obtain it. We must work for ourselves, and we must work for those we love.

In narrating his family’s exodus from Jerusalem, Nephi discusses the challenges as his family prepares to leave the city and venture to lands unknown. After Lehi has his family safely outside the city, he called Nephi and relayed a dream in which the Lord has instructed Nephi and his brothers to return to Jerusalem to get the plates of brass from Laban. Apparently Lehi relayed the news to Lamen and Lemuel because it is recorded that “they murmured, saying it was a hard thing which was required of them”. But Lehi puts it in perspective saying that it is a commandment of the Lord. To Nephi, he teaches us: “Therefore go my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured.”

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”

This is an oft quoted story, because it demonstrates so well the obedience of a loving son to his father on Earth and his Father in Heaven. But I want to point out that not only did Nephi accept the challenge and complete the task—and those are two separate things. How often have you accepted an assignment or calling and then not completed the task? How often has someone you trusted given their word to you that such and such would be done, only to leave you high and dry at the wrong time?

Integrity, honor and duty all require us to complete that which we have agreed to do; Both in a temporal sense and an eternal sense. But it is important to note that Nephi hadn’t murmured at all. Some times I find myself complaining about a task that needs to be done. I complain when I know its coming, I complain when I get the assignment and sometimes I complain while I am completing it. Unfortunately, most of us are guilty of murmuring. But Nephi hadn’t complained. He was in tune with his role in the plan of his Heavenly Father and he was willing to endure hardships, inconveniences and periods of uncomfortableness. Nephi was a great leader and prophet, and a great example to us. Not just in accepting and completing the task, but the humble nature in which he accepted his assignment.

In the November, 1984 Ensign, Elder Bruce McConkie penned this poem: “The church is like a great caravan—Organized, prepared, following an appointed course. With its captains of tens and captains of hundreds all in place.

What does it matter that a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? Or that predators claim the few who fall by the way? The caravan moves on.

Is there a ravine to cross, a miry mud hole to pull through, a steep grade to climb? So be it. The oxen are strong and the teamsters wise. The caravan moves on.

Are there storms that rage along the way, floods that wash away the bridges, deserts to cross, rivers to ford? Such is life on this fallen sphere. The caravan moves on.

Ahead is the celestial city, the eternal Zion of our God, Where all who maintain their position in the caravan shall find food and drink and rest. Thank God that the Caravan moves on!”

This is one of my favorite poems. It describes the challenges that we all face. Sometimes we feel like the weary traveler. We know loved ones that have been claimed by predators when they have fallen by the way. It is a hard path we have chosen. There is no easy route back to our Heavenly Father. We are challenged in our homes, at school and work. We are challenged when we are with friends and family.

Aironn and I fasted and prayed about the opportunity to move here to the Grand Canyon. We felt like we had received a positive answer to our prayers, so we followed the promptings. This move has not been without its challenges. But it had also had its rewards. And we look forward to the continued blessing as we follow the promptings of the spirit. The comfort that Aironn and I find is that we are not alone.

During his conference address in October 1972, President Lee said, “There has come to me in these last few days a deepening and reassuring faith. I can’t leave this conference without saying to you that I have a conviction that the master hasn’t been absent from us on these occasions. This is His church. Where else would he rather be that right here at the headquarters of His church? He isn’t an absentee master; he is concerned about us. He wants us to follow where he leads.” These are reassuring words from a prophet of God!

As we put our shoulder to the wheel, and as we work and watch and fight and pray to push along, we will become stronger. We will find our reliance on the Lord becoming greater. We will find our faith in Him growing and we will find it becomes easier to push along.

President Eyring gave a talk in the last General Conference in April entitled “Man Down”. President Eyring taught the principle that those around us have challenges and we can be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to aid and assist them. He said, “You will need bravery and you will need boldness because you are enlisted in the Lords army. This is not a time of peace. That has been so since Satan arrayed his forces against our Heavenly Father in the premortal existence. We have seen it intensify. The scriptures suggest that the war will become more violent and the spiritual casualties on the Lords side will mount.

“Almost all of us have seen a battlefield portrayed in a film or read the description in a story. Over the din of explosions and the shouts of soldiers there comes a cry, “Man Down!”

When that cry sounds, faithful fellow soldiers will move toward the sound. Another soldier or medic will ignore danger and move to the injured comrade. And the man down will know that help will come. Whatever the risk, someone will run low or crawl to get there in time to give aid. That is true of every band of men joined in a difficult and dangerous mission which they are determined to fulfill at any sacrifice. The histories of such groups are full of stories of those loyal men who were determined that no man would be left behind.

“Such a feeling of responsibility for others is at the heart of faithful priesthood service. Our comrades are being wounded in the spiritual conflict around us. So are the people we are called to serve and protect from harm. Spiritual wounds are not easily visible, except with inspired eyes.”

I think this is where President Eyring’s message is directed specifically at us in the Grand Canyon Branch. We are a small band of brothers and sisters. We are fighting a battle. At times we feel we are isolated or alone. We have spiritual wounds. We have social and emotional wounds that need the love and care of inspired and called Disciples of Christ. Collectively, we are those disciples!

President Eyring continues: “There are countless examples of priesthood holders who shouldered that grave responsibility as you and I must. This is how Jacob in the Book of Mormon described his sacred trust when he moved in difficult circumstances to give aid: “Now my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up to the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of God.”

“Now, you might object that Jacob was a prophet and you are not. But your calling, what ever it is, brings with it an obligation to “Lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” of those around you. You are the Lords servant, covenanted to do for others, as best you can what He would do.

“You’re great opportunity and your responsibility are described in Ecclesiastes: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to lift him up.

“From that, you will understand the true and sobering words of Joseph Smith: “None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.” As Jacob believed, the woe of any fallen man or woman he could have helped and did not would become his own sorrow. Your happiness and that of those you are called to serve are bound together.

In discussing the young mans role in home teaching, president Eyring teaches us all a lesson in actions and blessings. He says: “Your contribution during a visit may seem small to you, but it can be more powerful than you think possible. You will show by your face and manner that you care for the people. They will see that your love for them and the Lords makes you unafraid. And you will be bold enough to bear testimony of the truth. Your humble, simple and perhaps brief testimony may touch the heart of a person more easily that that of a more experienced companion.

“Whatever part you play in that visit, your desire to go to the people for the Lord to help them will bring at least two blessings. First, you will feel the love of God for the people you visit. And, second, you will feel the Saviors gratitude for your desire to give the help the Savior knew they needed.

“He sent you to them because He trusted that you would go feeling responsible to urge them toward Him and toward happiness.”

And like my little family gathering firewood. We will find success. We will keep cutting and splitting and stacking until we have what we need. I think our Heavenly Father finds himself cutting smaller pieces and shouldering more of our load. He knows us. He knows our abilities and gives us tasks to help us learn and grow. He has organized us with captains of tens and captains of hundreds. Is there a ravine to cross, a miry mud hole to pull through, a steep grade to climb? So be it. The oxen are strong and the teamsters wise. For us, our branch is the oxen. We can and must pull together to ensure that our little caravan moves on.

Are there storms that rage along the way, floods that wash away the bridges, deserts to cross, rivers to ford? As Elder McConkie reminded us, Such is life on this fallen sphere. The caravan moves on.”

Let us accept his challenges with an open heart and without murmuring. He will bless us in ways we have not even imagined. Is my testimony, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Aironn's talk:
I thought I’d start today first by telling my boys how proud I am of them for giving their talks and also, by introducing our family. Gary and I met almost twenty years ago in high school but had some living to do before we got together. He went to Utah State University before serving a mission in Edinburgh, Scotland and then returned to finish his schooling in Forestry at USU. I also attended Utah State before serving a mission in Copenhagen, Denmark. After finishing my mission, I returned to Utah State where Gary and I began dating and later married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. After finishing my degree in Technical Writing and Gary’s degree in Forestry, Gary and I moved to Layton, Utah where we lived and worked for several years. Tom and Logan joined our family while we were living in Layton. A great job opportunity with the Forest Service in fire management presented itself in Pocatello, Idaho and we moved north. While in Pocatello, Ethan and Dylan were born. We were in Pocatello for about seven years before moving South and joining the Grand Canyon Branch.

Gary is currently the Fire Management Officer for the Forest Service on the Tusayan Ranger District and I get to stay home with our great kids. Thomas is nine years old, Logan, is seven, Ethan is four, and Dylan is two. They are all loving life here and are constantly bruised, scraped, or covered in band-aids. This is the perfect place for four boys to grow up and is one of the reasons we were attracted to this job.

As I was reading the Conference Ensign in preparation for this talk, I was struggling to find the topic that I needed to talk about until I read in Michael A. Neider’s talk, Revealed Quorum Principles, a quote by President Thomas S. Monson. He said, “teaching fundamentals is urgent.” I would like to base my talk today on this quote and focus on some of the basics we have been commanded to do.

President Faust, in an address in the Priesthood session of the October, 2001 General Conference said, “The work of the Church depends upon basics such as paying tithes; taking care of family and priesthood duties; caring for the poor and needy; having daily prayer, scripture study, and family home evening; home teaching; participation in quorum activity; and attending the temple. If called upon by the President of the Church, we would be ready, able, and willing to do “some great thing,” such as working on the Nauvoo temple, but many are not quite so anxious to do some of these basics.”

We all get busy in our daily lives and sometimes, our family included, some of these basics slide through the cracks. President Faust hit the nail on the head when he said we would jump if the Prophet asked us to do something great. The Prophet has and each Prophet before him has. They have all emphasized the need to focus on the basics.

I have chosen four of the fundamentals listed by President Faust to address today, namely: Family Home Evening, scripture study, prayer, and temple and church attendance.

I would like to start with Family Home Evening. Family Home Evening has been around since Adam and Eve began having children. They brought their children around them and taught them the gospel. Nephi, in the Book of Mormon, begins his account by saying he was born of goodly parents who taught him. Enos begins his book in the Book of Mormon by telling us he was also taught by his father.

In 1975, President Benson outlined what a Family Home Evening should contain when he said, “Prayer is offered, hymns and other songs are sung, scriptures are read, family topics are discussed, talent is displayed, principles of the gospel are taught, and often games are played and homemade refreshments served.”

He continues by telling us the blessings that are promised when we hold regular Family Home Evening. “Now, here are the blessings promised by a prophet of God for those who will hold weekly [family] home evenings: ‘If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them.”

L. Tom Perry has said, “Family home evenings are for everyone, whether it be in a two-parent home, a single-parent home, or in a single-member family unit.”

In our family, we seem to go in spurts. For a while, we are terrific at holding weekly Family Home Evening and then we allow something to get in the way and we get out of the habit. We have started to hold them once again in our home and in the last month, I have noticed a difference in our children. There is more obedience, more love, more playing happily with each other, and less overall contention. I have to admit, we are not the most on-key, musically gifted family so I am usually hopeful that we don’t have neighbors walking by when we are doing the singing portion of the meeting. I’m not sure how well that would help our missionary work!
Elder Perry continues with a promise that helps me to be more committed to holding weekly Family Home Evening. “We encourage each of you to follow the counsel of our prophet. In all the family units throughout the Church, evaluate again the progress you are making in holding regular family home evenings. The application of this program will be a shield and a protection to you against the evils of our time and will bring you, individually and collectively, greater and abundant joy now and in the eternities hereafter.”
Next, I would like to talk about scripture study. This is also something we have been terrific at for a while and then, for some reason, we stop for a while. When Tom and Logan were quite small, we began reading the Book of Mormon to them each night. They were young enough that they couldn’t read yet and we often wondered if we would make it through that verse for the night or that page or that chapter. The “love” in our home wasn’t always as present as we wished because we were constantly telling them to sit down and listen! We were doing this for them and they weren’t even getting anything out of it. Gary had the inspiration to involve them more in the reading process. Even though they couldn’t read, every time the phrase, “and it came to pass” would come up, he would point to either Tom or Logan and they would say it. They were involved and began to pay more attention because they never knew when their next turn would come up.

I still wondered if they were actually understanding or retaining anything though. There were two experiences that put those doubts to rest. The first was at the playground when Tom or Logan had climbed to the top of the slide and, holding both sides while standing tall, shouted, “For behold! And it came to pass!” At least he was getting that much out of reading! He was getting familiar with the language of the scriptures and that would help him to understand more and be able to read more easily when he began opening the scriptures for himself.

The second experience happened while on a drive from Idaho through Utah. As we passed Lehi, Utah, they started asking why the city had the same name as the prophet in the Book of Mormon which led to a discussion about other cities with names from the Book of Mormon and why Utah had so many. Gospel discussions coming from reading the Book of Mormon with our small children shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was.

We have been taught by every prophet the importance of scripture study. President Monson, during the last General Conference said of scripture study, “Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives. Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach. Learn the back-ground and setting of the Master’s parables and the prophets’ admonitions. Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth.”

The ability to study the scriptures is the reason Nephi, Sam, Laman and Lemuel risked their lives to go back to Jerusalem, twice. That instance alone should reinforce the importance of studying the scriptures for us. Saints across the globe hunger for the scriptures. Even with the translation department working feverishly, there are some versions of the Book of Mormon that only contain a portion of the entire book. When I served my mission in Denmark, the saints there still spoke with gratitude of the completed translation of the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. It wasn’t too many years earlier that they had to rely on their knowledge of the English language to learn from those books of scripture. Are we grateful that we have at our fingertips the complete standard works? Do we take advantage of having these sacred pages in our homes daily or do they sit on a shelf and collect dust until Sunday rolls around again? I personally want to teach my children to love the standard works, not just tolerate them. I also need to do a better job of personally reading from the pages and learning the lessons the Lord has in store for me within each of the books.

Third, I’d like to talk briefly about prayer. We all know that prayer is our communication with our Father in Heaven. I’d like to talk to you about my own father. Some, my husband included, would say that my Dad and I are cut from a similar mold. The good and the bad. When I was younger, we didn’t always agree and would often butt heads. These days, we have a different relationship. I know I can call my Dad and get advice on anything I need and he will give me the advice I need, not necessarily the advice I want. When we decided to move here and I called to let him know, he was incredibly supportive. I don’t often get to see my Dad because, when we lived in Pocatello, he was four hours away but it was only three hours to my Mom’s house and almost all of Gary’s family in the other direction. Family events took us the other direction more often than not and there wasn’t much time left over to travel to my Dad’s farm. Although I know that he would love to have us come and visit more often, I have never had my Dad complain. Now that we are even further away, I know that we will probably see each other even less. We talk on the phone every few weeks and catch right back up where we left off, though. Even though he is incredibly busy and often traveling, he always answers or calls me right back. I know I can reach him whenever and where ever I am.

To me, this is similar to our Heavenly Father. He would love to have us closer to him but he knows that we need this experience. We have a direct line to Him any time we want to talk and he will pick up on the first ring. It is up to us to make the phone call and ask our Heavenly Father for advice. He, like my own Dad, will give us the advice we need, not necessarily the advice we want. We just need to listen. It is easy to be the hard-headed teenager that doesn’t want to listen. It is then that we need His guidance the most. When we feel the least like praying, we need to be praying more. He is just waiting to bless us if we will only come to him in prayer.

When Jesus visited the Nephites after his resurrection, he commanded them to pray. In 3 Nephi 18:21 it says: “Pray in your families unto the Father; always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.”

Finally, I’d like to address church and temple attendance. Why do we come to church each Sunday and why do we strive to attend the temple regularly? As Gary said, “Because it’s a commandment!”

In Alma chapter six, the Church in Zarahemla was cleansed of the wickedness that had entered into it. Alma then told the church in verse six, “Nevertheless, the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.”

In our day, the Lord gave us instructions in Doctrine and Covenants 101:27 when he said, “Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places.”

Not only do we strengthen each other when we meet together through our sharing of testimonies, but we come to church for a sacred purpose, to partake of the sacrament and renew our covenants with our Heavenly Father. It’s easier for me to live according to the commandments during the week, if I have been to church the previous Sunday. If I miss a week, it gets a bit harder. Two weeks, and it’s even harder to keep the Sabbath day holy. We need to meet weekly to help us hold tight to the Iron Rod.

Temple worship is just as important. We enter the temple, first to make our own sacred covenants and then, to help those who have gone on before us. When I lived in Sweden, we would take youth temple trips to Stockholm to the temple. It was about eight hours on the bus but no one complained. The trips were carefully scheduled with the temple because several weeks during the year were set aside for the Russian Saints. Church members from Russia didn’t have a temple closer than Sweden at that time. They would travel great distances, at great cost, to attend the temple. The temple workers would tell stories of these Saints packing their temple garments in a separate suitcase because they were so sacred to them. Do we take temple attendance as seriously? We live three hours from the temple but do we make the time to attend regularly? Regularly may mean different things at different stages of life. For me, when I was attending Utah State University after my mission, it was realistic to attend weekly. When I began having children, it would vary from monthly to several times in a year depending on the ages of our children and the child care that was available. What regularly means in your life is between you and the Lord. We have been promised blessings with our regular temple attendance and I have seen these blessings in my own life.

In closing, I would like to challenge each of us to recommit to the basics of the gospel. Read, pray, attend our meetings and the temple, and have a meaningful Family Home Evening. I know we will each see the blessings the Lord has promised as we do what He has asked.

Is It Bendy?

2009-08-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Gary is very good growing plants. In Idaho, we had quite the collection on our plant shelves that I didn't touch - for their own good. We loaded them all into the back of the car and made the long journey to Arizona babying them along. During the last month, they've started to come out of their shock of the move and started to grow again, thanks to Gary's love. He waters them, checks them daily, and I think, wakes up at night to talk to them so they will grow again!

One of our favorites has been living in the kitchen and had finally greened up and stopped dropping leaves. It was coming around. Then this:

We questioned each of the boys who were all in denial until we threatened bed without dinner. That's when Ethan said, "It was probably me." Probably? Is he taking the fall for his brother, just hungry, or trying to be cute?

When we asked why he would do such a thing, he told us, "I wanted to see if they were bendy." Apparently seeing if one of the three were bendy wasn't enough. I laugh every time I see the sad plant. Do you think it will recover? Gary has the tops in water hoping they will grow roots to replant. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Firewood 101

2009-08-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

Firewood is more than just something you get so you can have the ambiance of a real fire when you live in the Grand Canyon. It is the main source of heat for your home for the entire, long, cold winter we've heard. Sure, houses have a regular gas heater that runs on propane but we've heard countless stories about the evils of the price of propane. Most people just use their wood burning stove and don't even turn on their furnace. So, we've been scared into stocking as much wood as we can gather during the next few months. We are half way through our free four cords that they offer and then we'll have to start buying permits for additional wood if we think the four cords aren't going to cover us. This top picture is the pile of wood that Gary has been splitting at night. The front pile has been split and the back still needs to be split.

Here is Tom, the main labor force. He's in the backyard at the wood pile we've been stacking. Notice how it's leaning forward? I'm guessing we'll be restacking it soon. Tom is tireless in his efforts to bring the split pile around back every day before Gary starts splitting again that night.

Here's Logan with one of many wheelbarrow loads for the day. I can't believe how big these boys are and how much they can lift! Load after load they still race the empty wheelbarrow up to the front of the house after they've dumped it.

Ethan and Dylan can't quite carry as much wood so we've finally found the charger for the tractor and then we've taught E to drive. YIKES! Dylan rides shotgun most loads. It can carry four or five pieces a load so they do actually help and he hasn't run anyone over yet. Dylan isn't required to wear a helmet to ride, he had just jumped off his bike.

So, there you have it. Firewood 101 courtesy of the Bishop family!

Nap Time at O-Eight Hundred

2009-08-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's nap time and it's only eight o'clock in the morning. Since we've been here, Dylan and Ethan have had a hard time sleeping past six in the morning. Most mornings they are up before that, especially Dylan. We've tried sending them back to bed. We've tried putting them in our bed to hopefully finish sleeping - which never, never works. We've tried running them like crazy all day so they will be exhausted and sleep a bit more. We've tried black-out curtains so the light won't wake them up. We've tried keeping them up late at night. We've tried and tried. Honestly, I'm not sure what else to try.

So, this morning at 7:15 they were already whining and tired and fighting with each other. I put them in bed. I am fully ready to have them nap right now. I'm not saying that either of them is asleep yet but, hey, I'm trying! I think a lot of Dylan's behavioral issues are because he is running on empty. The poor kid is exhausted so he is cranky and needy. If anyone has any ideas, please, please, please share! Gary and I are at our wits end here!

Shopping with Mom is Hard Work

2009-08-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

My two companions didn't make it out of Flagstaff after a hard day shopping. The chocolate around Dylan's mouth was from the package of Rolo's he started eating in the checkout at the grocery store. He ate through the tin foil wrapper and was into the chocolate before I saw what was happening. Ethan was great the entire day so I let him pick a new movie at Target. He was way excited to watch the Berenstain Bears and if it has this great of an effect, we may watch it every day! Thank goodness the seat belt holds his head up now so it doesn't do the bob the entire way home.

Chopping Wood

2009-08-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

We have been on a couple runs for firewood in the last week. Apparently winters here are not the sunny, mild ones you think of when you think Arizona. Everyone says we need to stock WAY up on firewood. I think we are about 1/3 of the way there now but it still needs to be split and stacked.

Gary is really breaking in the new chain saw he bought right before we moved.

This is Dylan showing us all his muscles. The kid was lifting logs just like his brothers.

Tom is the hardest worker! He was lifting stuff that was probably half his weight but he was loving it.

We found this swing at the place we were getting our firewood. Logan's face says it all. After a hard day loading wood into the truck, everyone needs a break!

Ethan, always the cheeser, was quite the hard worker. He and Dylan went alone with Gary for a couple of loads and he said they were actually a bit help.

Land Lines

2009-08-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

We've been in Arizona about a month now trying to survive without a land line and relying solely on our cell phone. Coverage varies depending on if it's dark, cloudy, you aren't holding your tongue just right, you get the picture. I've ended about 99% of my conversations by hanging up on whomever I've been talking to and seeing the fatal words, "Call was lost" on my screen. I finally have had enough of the isolation and called Qwest to hook up a land line.

I've hooked up service before and it's been a fairly uncomplicated process. Lengthy at times but uncomplicated. Why I thought this would be the same, I'll never know. After about 20 minutes on the phone - all the while not moving on my end so I wouldn't lose the call - the nice young man told me he couldn't find me and wouldn't be able to continue. Then he asked me if he had given me exceptional service and answered all my questions. Oh the irony. If you mean answered the question that we have truly moved into the abyss of the Grand Canyon where no man has gone before, then yes. If you mean that telling me my home and address that has been here since the 70s doesn't really show up on any civilized address book companies use to find you, then yes. If you mean, we have moved somewhere that people don't use things like home telephones or UPS or home mail delivery, then yes. Honestly.

So, I can call them back and ask their address finding staff to actually find us and then maybe, just maybe, they will hook up a land line to our home. The funny thing is, many, many people have lived in this house in the past - all with home phone service. Maybe they used smoke signals instead and the phone jacks in the house are purely decoration.

Finally, A Day Off!

2009-08-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Today, Gary is taking his first complete {knock on wood, knock on wood, knock on wood} day off since he started on July 20th. He's had a couple near misses already but always seemed to get called in or needed to just go to the morning briefing or the nightly planning meeting or, or, or. Today, he's home. Wooo hoooo!

We have about six days worth of stuff to do in the six hours until the boys get home from school. There are closet organizers to customize and install. There's the frog toy holder in the bathtub to glue firmly into place. There's laundry and recycling and four cords of wood to find, cut, and bring home {that's several truck loads for those of you who haven't hauled firewood!}. Right now he's off with Dylan and Ethan to the recycling dumpster to get rid of all our boxes that the movers "are on the way to pick up." We've been hearing that story for almost three weeks now. It's time to just get rid of the rain soaked cardboard filling the back of his truck!

The biggest part of this day off is that he will have all the boys by himself this afternoon! The District Ranger, i.e. his boss, wants to have a big end of summer BBQ. Since I have a Costco card and we will be needing Costco quantities, the two of us are headed to Prescott for a Costco run this afternoon. I have to admit, I'm excited to go sans kids but still a bit nervous for a four hour car ride and shopping trip with someone I barely know. I feel like I've lost my ability to communicate and relate to educated adults. She is great though. A beam of light with this move. She's really gone out of her way to help us feel at home and welcome here and I really appreciate all she's done. I'm sure I'll be able to get out of four-year-old and two-year-old mode soon enough. Hopefully Gary can also get a lot done today. And hopefully I can get all the laundry done or at least on the line before I leave!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

2009-08-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, at night after the sun is down, Gary and I take a stroll around the loop. Our loop is about 1/3 of a mile and lined with the homes of people who work with Gary or the FAA, or a local sheriff. It is so peaceful. There are no street lights and no traffic. Every once in a while we will see some of the seasonal Forest Service employees sitting on their front porch with a guitar but for the most part, it seems like it is our own private little world. We talk about the day and about our plans and about our kids. It's just a nice way to end the day.

Last night the stars were phenomenal. They were brighter than I can remember seeing them in a long time. You could easily pick out the Milky Way and several constellations. I wish I could take a picture that would do it justice. There aren't any city lights for miles and miles so it's like you are camping in the wilderness when they all come alive. As the days get shorter, we're planning on taking the boys outside to point out constellations and show them just how beautiful Heavenly Father made this world for us to enjoy. It's just one of the benefits of this slower paced life. We can walk together at night and enjoy nature at it's finest.

President's Visit

2009-08-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I need to preface this post with a confession. I am not the best photographer. I thought I had the entire motorcade procession as it passed our house on video. Apparently I missed the whole thing because my camera wasn't on video yet. Go figure. Maybe the camera isn't a Democrat. There were tons of police cars, with sirens, and then just two or three black SUV's, one of which was carrying the President and his family. I guess I was anticipating a much larger procession or something. I don't know. Maybe I'll walk out to the road again this afternoon when he is leaving and try to get more video. His plane flew right over our house. Boy is it HUGE!
Flying right over our house. It is a big plane for our neck of the woods.

Thomas pointing at the motorcade coming. Actually it was one of two last checks the secret service and local law enforcement did before the motorcade came. Even our driveway had a dedicated policeman blocking access to or from our little neighborhood.

The motorcade is in the background behind the boys. Even though we may not be Democrats, it's still a historical event for these four boys! When would a President of the United States drive through Chubbuck?
The beginning of the motorcade. This is where I thought I was filming and had the entire procession on film. Whoops.

Our Nightly Routine

2009-08-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

Every night after dinner and baths, we've started reading the Book of Mormon again. OK, so it's only been about a week but hey, habits have to start somewhere. In the past, we would read through a chapter and then say prayers and go to bed. Gary and I would do the reading because, at that time, Tom and Logan weren't very strong readers yet. It's been a while I guess since we've been doing this. This go around, we are trying something different.

It all started because the boys have been having a hard time listening to us lately and I figured we needed to get back to basics. I was also a nervous wreck about school starting and sending my boys to school where they would most likely be the only kids in their grade with the same beliefs. I knew that one thing that could help was getting back to reading the scriptures as a family again.

Now, we read a chapter but I stop every few verses and explain what we've been reading. The first few chapters, Gary was working late and wasn't home for the reading. When he came home for the fourth night, I started as I had been by asking the boys if they remembered where we left off and what they thought was going to happen. We've also been asking who they want to be like, Nephi and Sam, and who they don't want to be like, Laman and Lemuel. Since we have four boys, it's been pretty easy so far to relate the actions of these four to our family. Gary was amazed at how well they could answer the questions.

It's fun to see them get excited about scripture study and not have it be one more thing that they have to sit still and be reverent. It sometimes takes all I have not to tell them to just be quiet after I've explained something and they are asking what seems like the ten thousandth question about it. It helps when I hear things like what Tom said the other night at the end of the chapter. "Can't we read one more chapter? It's just getting to the good part!" Hopefully we can instill a love of the scriptures in our boys and help these wonderful books come alive for them. I am also relying on the promises of the prophets that, by reading regularly from the Book of Mormon, we can have an added measure of the Spirit in our home. Heaven knows we can all use an added measure!

Jiffy Pop

2009-08-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

When we first moved to Arizona, I was in the grocery store and saw the always fun Jiffy Pop so, knowing our gas stove would be a perfect compliment, I picked up a couple. I've been hiding them until we would all be home for Family Home Evening or some other great event. With all the fires going on right now, it's taken a few weeks for us to all be home and awake at the same time. Sunday night was the night.

I remember Jiffy Pop on our outings to the cabin up American Fork canyon. I loved it. As a kid, it is so fun watching the tin foil grow and grow while the popping sound mixes with one of the best smells in the world - popcorn. I always wondered why it didn't just explode!

It was fun giving my kids the same memories. They have never watched the process of Jiffy Pop on a stove. Tom and Logan got to pop it with Gary standing behind them and Ethan and Dylan sitting on the other counter watching and waiting almost patiently. I wish I would have had the camera on video as Logan's eyes grew along with the tinfoil. Then his laugh. We all love his laugh. It is totally uninhibited and from the depths of his soul. True delight. Tom's started about the time Logan's finished and his smile said it all. He was in heaven. He's at that stage where he wants to be grown up but still enjoys some of the fun kid stuff and every once in a while, if we are really lucky, that kid smile comes out. I love watching him try to hold it in and finally just giving in to the joy of being young.

Of Course You Want to See the House

2009-08-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

Our realtor, Kim, told us that our house would sell, "when you leave you underwear out and there are dishes in the sink." Our house sold when not only the underwear was out but everything was out and being put in boxes. I think this tid-bit of wisdom applies to more than just selling your house.

We have been in Arizona for about a month now and there are several things that needed attention in our new home. Living in Forest Service housing is a bit different than owning your home. Not only is it not yours, they are suppose to take care of the things that are falling apart or in need or some love. A lot of the time, they will pay for the supplies and you do the labor. When we moved in, the first thing we wanted to take care of was the paint colors. They are incredibly dark and not our style either. Well, a month later, and we are still dark. Gary found out the other day he can use his purchase card and buy the paint once his purchase card gets approved in the Washington office. There are also holes in the screens so the bugs have free range in the house. The windows and screen doors have to be open because there is no A/C here. It gets cool enough at night, if you leave your windows open, to keep the house comfortable as long as air is moving around.

Anyway, there are lots of these little things that need to be looked at and fixed. All repairs go through a facilities man who is also new here. In fact, he started the same day Gary did. Gary talked to him today and then said he would stop by later. Later was this morning.

This is the morning that I decided to do Ethan's homework, take the boys for a little hike, write down the receipts in the checkbook, anything and everything but housework. Living in these slightly smaller quarters means that the housework has to happen each and every day. There are dishes piled high on the counter tops. The living room floor was cluttered with cling-stickers the boys had taken out of a book. My computer desk had papers on top of papers. The school lunch stuff was still out on the other counter and the garbage was completely full. UGH.

George and his wife, Mary, seem really nice but I'm just totally embarrassed that our first meeting was when the house was a W - R - E - C - K! I guess houses sell and get repaired all when your underwear is hanging out!

First Day of School

2009-08-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

I love this picture from this morning. Tom and Logan are the only kids that get on the bus in our neighborhood so they have this little bus stop all to themselves. It's pretty nice to have a bench to wait and a roof to keep the rain out as long as it isn't blowing in! They were horsing around as usual while we were waiting for the bus to come. I was surprised that the bus was not only full-sized, but pretty full!

Tom by the tree in our back yard. He is such a great kid and I think he is really excited about another year of school starting.

Logan by the same tree. I think he is a bit more apprehensive about the first day of school. He asked me to make sure they made it to class so I drove in this morning right after the bus left and checked. As soon as he saw me looking in his classroom, he looked away and gave me the shake-off. Too funny that he is so cool already after fifteen minutes.

It seems like I take a picture in these chairs every year. I'll have to dig out years past and see how they've grown. I know Tom is growing. We can almost wear the same shoes and shirts!

Logan is also growing. At least Logan's hair is growing. It is still a process each day making sure it is just right for him but he does it himself and I think he really likes it different from his brothers. He is the kid that doesn't act like he cares what everyone else thinks is cool!

School Eve

2009-08-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Today is the eve of the first day of school and I can honestly say that I am more nervous than the boys are. A new school, new routine, new friends, teachers I know nothing about; it's like the first day of kindergarten all over again but this time I'm sending two kids to different classes and I don't really know any of the neighborhood moms to console me. Today we are going to Costco to stock up on lunch supplies because I learned Saturday night at the Branch BBQ how horrible lunches here are and that the portions are so small even the little kids are still hungry. Great. Packing lunches every day. I know some moms do this but honestly, it was not on my agenda. I guess I'll get into the habit soon enough. Phoenix here we come today!

For All the Hunters Out There

2009-08-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a Grand Canyon Branch picnic/BBQ at the rec center in the park. I was amazed at the turn out. We had about 50 people there which is about double the amount at church any given week. It was so much fun and the kids got to play with all the other kids that are moving soon. They had a riot. Just as it was getting over, a herd of elk came through on their way to the grassy fields of the school right next door. I am always surprised at the elk here. They are huge and plentiful. Almost every ride into the park or Williams or Flagstaff is full of elk or deer sightings. The bull elk and buck deer are HUGE! Big enough that they scared the living daylights out of me on a ride home from Flagstaff the other night. Gary has been trying for years to get me to go hunting - or at least get a tag and walk with him while he shoots. As soon as I got home from Flagstaff that night, I became a hunter. I will put in for the draw in February for sure and, believe it or not, I'm pretty excited to do it. Scare me like that once in the dark on the road and I will forever be hunting you I guess. I did tell Gary that I couldn't shoot a cow elk but a bull, well that's a different story.

What the Heck?

2009-08-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

Driving to the market the other day, this is what I ran into in the parking lot. What the heck? Someone had a bit too much time on their hands with the old Christmas greenery and a glue gun. Yikes! The elk don't even run here it seems like when tourists stop or cars are driving by so I'm not sure why anyone would need this much camo.

On an unrelated note, I just heard on the news last night that we are getting a very special visitor to welcome us to our new home. President Obama and his family are coming next Sunday to Grand Canyon National Park. Yipeee. Can you sense the sarcasm? As if one million tourists thinking they are the only ones on the road on the way to church aren't enough. Now we get to deal with the Secret Service. Do you think they will cancel our church? Really, doesn't he want to visit somewhere like Disneyland on his vacation?

We woke up this morning to the cold of the mountains. I think it was suppose to get to 34 degrees last night and it is still cold in my house! If I didn't think we'd be hot this afternoon, I'd be looking for some wood for a fire or cranking up the heater. Seriously, freezing. The boys are all in sweatshirts or jackets and I haven't changed Dylan out of his warm jammies yet even though it's almost noon. I may be baking bread or cookies or something to start heating the house up a bit!

What's That Smell?

2009-08-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

I tried and tried to figure out what the horrible stench was that emanated from my oldest two boys. They shower every night. They wear clean clothes every morning. I bought deodorant that they are way to excited to use. I cleaned their rooms. Still, with the stench. It was bad enough that I had a hard time being by them.

And then I figured it out. While Logan was trying on new school clothes I had bought him, he took off his shoes. I almost passed out. Ewwwww. Didn't seem to bother him at all.

Family Photos at the Rim

2009-08-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

We finally made it as a family to the rim of the Grand Canyon for a picture. It was quite an ordeal fighting for a spot in prime tourist season to take one and then the lighting isn't the best but hey, we made it at least!

I love, love, love this picture of Tom. It shows his playful smile that doesn't come out often for pictures. He has been such an amazing help since the move. I couldn't have survived without his help with Dylan especially. Tom is Dylan's best friend and at times he would rather be with Tom than either Gary or myself!

Logan is going through a fun stage of life with missing teeth. He isn't sure about his smile lately but when he smiles, you can't help but smile with him. He is loving the exploring he does every day in the neighborhood. He's constantly hopping on his bike and riding off to some new place to explore.

Ethan's face says it all. There was no prompting to smile. The kid never needs a prompt. He is excited about life and everything it hands him. From having oatmeal in the morning - "This is the best breakfast ever!" - to looking over the rim of the Canyon, he loves life. I think we could all follow that example a bit more.

We put Dylan on the trail right here and Gary was about 12 inches to the side while we took this picture. Of course, the way the night was going, he took one step back and started to slide and from the gasps from the other people around, you'd think he was right on the edge! He is really in a mischievous stage right now and has to do everything by himself from pouring milk to hiking the trail. Will we survive another two-year-old stage? Tom, Logan, and Ethan's two-year-old experience was cake compared to what this sweetheart is giving us! We love him for everything he is though.

And, last but not least, my favorite men. I love these guys and can't wait to explore the area more with them!

Smoke

2009-08-05T08:16:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning thinking the boys had been playing with matches or the microwave or the oven. The smoke was THICK in our neighborhood. These pictures don't do it justice.

This one is the view out the back door. Usually the sun is shining and it's blue sky but today it is just smoke.

It's coming from the South. This shot is looking South to the neighbors house.

Another look out the backyard way. I called Gary a bit worried that I should be trying to find the things we didn't want lost in the fire. He started laughing and told me that in the morning when it is as cold as it is here at night (in the 40s) that the smoke will settle in the lowest area. I guess we are a bit lower in elevation than the fire itself. If the sun can burn through, we will lose the smoke, until tomorrow morning at least. Later this week, it's suppose to be windy so we won't have the same problem. The fire isn't too close to our house though so don't be too alarmed. It was really a wake-up call for me though!

Training Wheels? I Don't Need No Stinkin' Training Wheels!

2009-08-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

Ethan, like his two older brothers, has been riding around our loop since the day the bikes came off the trailer. They spend countless hours out on their bikes riding around and around. He's been riding with his training wheels since we got here and, I've recently noticed, the training wheels are getting higher and higher and bent at weird angles. I don't know if this is because of the wrecks or his brothers but, after we got home from Flagstaff today, I realized that he was barely using them.

Gary and I have been putting off removing them because our road isn't pavement. It's chip-seal or sealed and then chipped. Rough landing that gives a bad case of road rash. We were chicken. After watching him this afternoon though, I had to take them off. I prepared myself for an hour of crying, ending in band-aids across every part of visible skin. Silly me.

I needed to remind myself it was Ethan we were talking about. I held the back of his seat and off he went. I didn't move. I didn't run behind him. I didn't push him. I did nothing but hold his seat so he could get his little feet on the pedals. After one loop, he was starting himself and around and around he went. The loop is about 1/3 of a mile so it's pretty far for a four year-old to ride over and over. I guess when the excitement of riding like his older brothers, he could care less how far it was. I'm so proud of my latest bike rider! Way to go Ethan! I'm just sad I didn't have my camera. It was with Gary at work today. Boo hoo.

School is Right Around the Corner - Yipee!

2009-08-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

This morning, I took the boys to their school for a tour. The secretary I had been working with told me it was impossible for her to show them their classrooms or even the elementary school building but we have an inside connection. The secretary for the school superintendent, Barb Shields, is also our neighbor and the boys Primary President/teacher. When she heard what I was told about the first day, she said to come on over and she would show them around. I just didn't feel comfortable sending my 9 and 7 year-old on the bus the first day with high school, middle school, and elementary school kids and not have any idea where their classes were. I was told by their secretary that usually if there is a new kid on the bus, the other kids will ask what grade they are in and show them the way. Yeah, right. Like I'm going to send the boys off on their own and hope that someone asks them where they want to go.

The tour today was great. I had been told earlier that there were about 25 kids to a class here but she let me know that they usually cap a class at 15 to 17 students. That in and of itself is amazing to me. My kids will have so much one-on-one attention that there will be no excuse not to thrive. Logan has a teacher that is new to Grand Canyon School this year, Ms. Marshall, and Tom has Mrs. Kelso who has been teaching here for years. Barb showed them their rooms, the lunch room, library, and we ended by playing on the playground for 30 minutes. It was a unique experience dodging elk poop on the playground! It is the only place I have seen real, true, actual lawn and the elk love it apparently.

School starts in one week and I can't wait. The boys are to that stage of the summer where they are constantly bugging each other and the fighting and yelling are getting to be too much to deal with every day. I think they are ready to make some new friends and be away from me for a few hours a day at least. With our house being so much smaller than our old home, we are on top of each other at times and it will be good for them to get out and experience a new side of living here. Waking up early for the bus won't be easy though. They've started to sleep in every day and Tom, for one, enjoys his sleep!

Closing on the House

2009-08-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our realtor called to tell us the paperwork was filed and the house in Idaho was no longer ours. I wasn't expecting the emotions I experienced. Sure, I was happy it was done and there was no more waiting to make sure everything worked out. I was happy a check would be deposited into our account. I was happy a nice family would be moving into our home and making it theirs. At the same time, I was really sad to see it go. I miss living there already! We made so many great memories there and that is where we brought Ethan and Dylan home from the hospital. Tom was baptized there and Logan worked through his speech issues, all under that roof. It is amazing how an inanimate object can evoke such feelings. I'm sure as we continue on this big project of making our new house into our home that I will feel less.......hmmm.....what exactly is it? sad? homesick? a sense of loss? Who knows! I hope everyone will welcome the new family in and make them feel right at home.