Thanksgiving Point Farm

I have these pictures from my dad of Hans with his Aunt Tracy, Aunt Shannon and cousin Hugh, Grandma and Grandpa Howard at the Thanksgiving Point Farm.  It was a beautiful September day.  Hans loved being with his cousin.  As confident and crazy as Hans is, he was hesitant looking at the animals.  What a great memory for him.

Finn's Preschool Field Trip to the Orem Firestation

Finn had a parent escorted preschool field trip the the Orem Fire Station.  The Fire fighters were doing it as a community "get to know us" as well as an emergency awareness day.  The boys enjoyed it so much!

I find it especially fitting that Finn is standing next to the Gotta Go waterless toilet they had on display.  No further explanation necessary.

In the ambulance

AirMed helicopter

Watching it land was so fun!!!

The fire demonstration.  When this fire started it scared the boys to death.  The fire was started about 25 feet below where we were standing.  It was very loud and very hot!!

Checking out the hose

Popcorn, cotton candy, helicopter, firetrucks, fire, water, free fire hats.  What more could a little boy ask for??  Pure Heaven!  Mom had a great time too.  It always feels nice when I can be patient and just have fun instead of being stressed all the time.  I know it made it more fun for Finn and Hans as well!!

A Teenager-Finally

Well its official, we have another teenager among us.  It feels like she's been a teenager for several years already.  She is so beautiful.  She is so responsible.  She is so capable.  What a blessing she is a part of our family.

She made her own cake

Her new beach bike

Anna is holding my nephew Hugh.  Shani and Hugh were visiting from Georgia.  They all loved having him over.  Hans stills says, "did Hugh go back to that place on an airplane?"  He also still calls him "baby Hugh" which he is not.  I can't believe he's done all that growing without us together to experience it firsthand.  We miss them.

Eagle Board of Review

At the end of September, Anders went for his Eagle Board of Review.  Those reviewing his application sat and reviewed his paper work, pictures and info on his Eagle project and his recommendation letters.  Anders was waiting in a room with other boys.  It was a bit nerve wracking!  Those making the decisions did not hesitate to make them a little more nervous.  One man upon leaving the room dropped a small piece of rope.  He picked it up and turned toward the boy he would be meeting with and said, "I hope you remember your knots."  All the boys in the room turned white and looked at their parents thinking, "are you kidding me?"  It turned out to be a wonderful night.  Anders was in his room the longest of all the boys there. This made Bret and I a little anxious.  The committee deliberated and then we were all called in for the decision.  It was unanimous.  It was obvious they were impressed by Anders.  They said his project was outstanding and his recommendation letters were as well.  I'm so impressed with my son as well.  What a proud mother I am.  I'm grateful for all the things he learned throughout this process.  Bret was told by a mother recently, "we all know it is the mother who is the driving force behind a scout getting his Eagle."  I thought how sad that was.  Anders absolutely was the FORCE behind his Eagle project.  Bret often asked Anders, especially on Sundays, "how's your project going" or "shouldn't you be working on your project" or even, "don't forget you can't get your learner's permit until you finish".  The changes in Anders from the beginning of his project to the end were immense.  From his organizational skills, to his ability to communicate with adults, to his desire to make high quality puzzles.  We've seen a huge improvement in his study skills, responsibility and self motivation in High School this year.  Anders admits he feels it is because of what he learned throughout his project.  Too bad many mothers have the same attitude as this woman and don't think their sons can get their Eagle without their "help".  We are so proud of Anders.  Great job!!

Look how short I look, or how tall Anders looks!!

A very, very proud father!!!!

Washington DC

I got a phone call at the beginning of August from Bret's mom asking if I wanted to go to Washington DC for the Glenn Beck "Return to Honor" rally with her, and Bret's sisters.  A girl's weekend in Washinton DC?-How can you say no to that?  Bret and I are not ones to travel or get away.  The mom guilt is hard to overcome, especially when Bret is the one who really needed the break.  He insisted I go.  I'm so glad I did!!!  Just being on the airplane and reading for a few hours was MAGNIFICENT!!  What a treat.  But it only got better from there!! 

This is our beautiful hotel on Embassy row.  Our hotel room wasn't ready when we got there so we were given the Presidential suite.  It was huge and beautiful.  What fun.

The rally was a non-political event that honored soldiers, honored those who exhibited faith, hope and charity and called for each of us to return to a life of honor, integrity, honesty and a return to a life that honors God.  It was incredibly uplifting and I felt a great hope knowing there were so many there cheering and clapping for a return to those things.  I was amazed by the stories of love, sacrifice and service that were told.

This is Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King.  Her father was also murdered during the fight for civil rights.  She was fantastic.  There were many on stage that day that had very different views politically from Glenn Beck but felt it was important to make a statement about a return to devotion to God and the destructiveness of concerning ourselves with answering to man instead of God.

After the rally, thousands stayed to listen to Jo Dee Messina, John Rich and Keni Thomas, all performing patriotic songs.

I was amazed the entire event (for hours before and after) by the kindness, civility, friendliness and most especially by the respect of those attending this event.  This photo of the grass is indicative of what the event looked like just minutes after the rally.  I could have taken pictures of every square inch from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument (by the way it was packed with people the whole way!)  and I never saw one scrap of paper the entire way.  As a matter of fact, one of the men sitting next to us stood up and helped the volunteer that came to take the trash from the trash can near us.  He came several times throughout the day to do this.  It was a very uplifting day!

In front of the White House.  I was disappointed in the lack of care that was taken there.  Notice the brown grass.

The view of Embassy row from our "Presidential Suite"

The next day at the Lincoln Memorial-POWERFUL!

Haunting!!!-The Korean War Memorial

The Vietnam Memorial

Brunch at the Tabard Inn

Thank you Tam and Neil for an unforgettable weekend!! It was truly a priceless experience!!

This digital collage personalized with Smilebox

PRESCHOOL BOUND

Finn's on his way to preschool. He's so excited! I think Hans is excited for him to go too!

Has it Been 3 Years Already?

Create a photo album

Pause it so all the pictures load before you start! It might take a minute or two.

Anders 15th Birthday!!

We were at the ranch for Anders' 15th birthday.  We celebrated out on our porch with his favorite lemon cake and chocolate cookies.  This same weekend was the Lincoln County Fair.  We have been to different events at the fair before but never to the demolition derby.  What a FUN night we had!!!  Only in small town American can you do this kind of thing.  It was a ball.  My boys have never sat so still for so long.  What boy doesn't love to see cars crashing for fun?