Our Family--"To Infinity & Beyond"

Autumn 2010

2010-11-12T22:40:00.000-08:00

I have yet to get in here and update anything. Not that there is any thing exciting in our lives, but sometimes the kids do cute or funny things and we do have some good times together. I had a brief scare as I thought I should log in and check on this blog and it told me there was no such account but the name was available--luckily I had just typed it in wrong.
The kids are happy and hyper and driving me crazy :) Talmage loves third grade and likes his teacher Mr Winn; Bethany loves (I think) kindergarten and really likes being in Mrs Elmers class. Mark and I help out in the classes and at the school as much as we kind--we like to be hands on in the kids education and we also want to help the school. We've enjoyed this beautiful fall weather and all the hiking we've been able to do, but Mark is glad that it has cooled down. I love to see the Snow on the mountains and the trees and enjoy snuggling inside to keep warm--but as soon as we can (and there is enough snow) the snuggling will stop and we will be snow shoeing.

We're not dead yet....

2010-06-28T21:58:00.001-07:00

Since its been more than a year I thought I'd better post something. I am working on a year in review to cover some of whats been happening since last June; like all our hikes, our snow shoeing, our holidays and our nothing days. Until then, in the words of George Michael "...You gotta to have faith..."

Wass' happenin'

2009-06-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Lets see, my last post was May 12 and I am sure things have happened since then that I have been meaning to post, but at the moment I can't think just what.

However, school got out on May 29--Talmage is happy and sad (and so is the rest of the family).

We went to Salt Lake before that to attend a Temple Sealing of Marks best friend Jason Davis and his wife Erin and their two girls--this was great fun and we need to do it more often, for more days and to be better organized. We did manage to stop by the old neighborhood and see the Bytheways (I can't believe how big Natalie is, but since she is the same age as Talmage then it would just make sense that she would be growing up), not to mention the 3 more bambinos that have been added to the mix. Talmage and Bethany LOVED it and want to go back (Bethany kept saying she wanted to go back to the"playhouse").

One of Talmage's friends moved to Vernal lately but came to Monroe for his little sisters birthday party (lots of friends and family still here) so we went to that--it was so much fun and so good to see everyone again.

Yesterday we went to my sister's house (Jody), as her daughter Katie had put in papers for a Mission and she is going to Arcadia, CA (the same place her brother Andy went, except for the language), Spanish speaking.

Today, my mom tripped and tumbled down the front steps--a bit of trauma for the kids who were there and saw it (mine were in the house), and she doesn't look to good. I took some pictures at the urging of my father, but as a courtesy to my mother I won't post them; however, I did tell her she would look at place in a haunted house. She said its too bad its not Halloween 'cause she could answer the door "Trick or Treat" -- scare the kids to death. Bethany didn't like what she saw when my mom got home and was very worried about her for a while and the "gross" blood--she also wanted to wash the blood off of my dads shoes..."that bad blood shouldn't be there"

I guess thats it for now. Maybe someday I will actually post something on time--probably not!

Bethany's teeth

2009-05-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Bethany had quite a few cavaties--Talmage did too, but he was so good and sat so still that the Dentist just did his in his office, but Bethany had to go to the hospital to be put out and have hers fixed.

So, today was the day. She told me last night she didn't want to go see the Doctor today and she didn't want to go see the Dentist. When we go to Richfield she wasn't happy that we had passed the Doctor's office--that's where she wanted to go.

She didn't want to do a lot of the stuff they kept asking her to do--she didn't want to sit on the bed, she didn't want to change her clothes--she would just say "No, I don't want to" very calmly and that was it.

We were able to get her to change her clothes, then gave her the verced and then took her to the bathroom and on the way back she started getting silly (the meds), then we got her on the bed and got her to lay down so that she didn't fall--we turned the tv on for her and let her watch that as she got sillier and the nurse said that she might start seeing things on the walls. She did get silly and had a hard time talking, but she definitely wanted "Handy Manny" back on after the nurse turned off the tv. She was also looking at the light and doing funny things and got upset any time her dads hands got in the way. After is was over, before she woke up; the anesthesiologist stopped in to tell us she was really cute and singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" before she went under the gas (she always tells me that is her favorite song).

She was a little sad and miserable for the first little while after waking up, but she never did throw up. The minute Talmage got home--everything was all better. She sure loves her brother and he made everything better for her. She was also up and going 100 miles an hour, except she would stop everyonce in a while to cuddle. She also resisted going to sleep until she couldn't handle it any longer--I think she was a little nervous.

The Great Outdoors

2009-05-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

On Saturday May 9 we went out and about in the hills. We usually go up in Monroe Canyon but decided to do something a little different this time so we just headed south out towards Live Oak, but just kept going a little beyond it and then pulled off. The kids wanted to do another Easter Egg Hunt so I had bought some goodies to hide and let them look for. I should have brought what was left of their eggs and let them roll then and throw them as they are no longer any good for anything.

We had parked near a small wash and so Mark started up it and then went on up over the hill while the kids and I stayed and played in the wash. We had discovered a caterpillar on this pine tree, then when the kids were showing Mark we started finding them all over the tree--it was pretty neat!

While Mark was hiking, the kids were making a slide down into the wash and loving it.

All in all, a good day,

"Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" May 03, 2009

2009-05-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

Oh what a terrible mommy I am.

I saw on another friends blog (Katie) where she told all about the day her "baby" was born and I thought what a good idea, I will do that for Bethany. Well, the day came and went and I never even got on the computer--maybe next year for her 5th birthday (fingers crossed).

We actually celebrated her birthday on the 2nd since the 3rd was a Sunday. We had planned to go up the Canyon for a hike and a picnic but it looked ugly outside; so we went to Home Depot to do their Kid Projects, but there were so many people there that we took it with us and went to the park to play before it got too bad. We then cam home and the kids put their projects together and then painted them. We then went to Bullies to eat. A few days early I had asked her what her favorite food was and she said "um, French Fries!" What else? "Hangaber". Needless to say she was very disapointed when we went to Bullies--she thought I had meant we were going 'bowling'. We had gone to a couple of birthday parties for Talmage's friends at the bowling alley and now she has been asking about that for days.

We also opened her presents and did her cake before Bullies--Mark and Talmage were outside getting things done and she was on the computer so I was just fiddling around frosting the cake, wrapping the presents and putting them on Talmage's desk--then I was trying to watch the Kentucky Derby while waiting for the boys to come back and she looked up and saw the presents "ah--my birthday is on!" We then had to find the boys and we got stuck trying to stay out of the rain before we could get back (on a selfish side note, I did still get to see the Derby run).

All in all she had a good birthday and it lasted for days as on Sunday she got to stand up in front of the Primary as they sang to her and gave her a candy bar; Grandma and Grandpa gave her a card with money in it n Sunday; on Monday or Tuesday Katie (her cousin) gave her a bag of barbies (that she loves); and then yesterday she got a bear and extra from Jody. She has also had me set up candles a few more days this week just so she can blow them out and then yesterday she also had me sing to her and tell her to make a wish.

Up the Creek

2009-04-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

There used to be a restaurant up Monroe Canyon called "Up the Creek" and that is where we went today--not to the restaurant but up the canyon.

It was a little overcast and gloomy to begin with, but all in all not bad. We hiked for a bit, then let the kids play in a spot in the creek. Talmage trying to decide if he wanted to build a bridge or make a dam; Bethany alternating between helping Talmage and just throwing rocks in the water. We then continued on further up the trail. After we had gotten up there a ways we happened upon an ugly mess--the trail had been made wider and it was just yucky, sticky mud and I was so afraid that they were making it wider for 4-wheelers. Now 4-wheelers are fine and all and have their place, but I don't think they need to be everywhere (they are very noisey, etc) and its nice to be able to walk and not have to worry about looking out for them (its bad enough looking out for the dog poop every where!!! Mark says I'm obsessed about dog poop--I'm just obsessed about not stepping in it as it seems to be EVERYWHERE these days!!). Ok, back to hiking. It appears that all the mess and the tearing up of some of the trail was to get some equipment up and do some work on the water equipment, so thats ok. Today our hike took us farther than we have ever gone and now our next hike is to fix a way to cross the creek and go even farther.

Today we walked 2 1/2 miles total (me carrying a 3 year old for at least a 1/2 a mile of that--more I'd bet). Bethany loves to hike, but then she starts getting whiney and wants to go home (NOW) and wants to be carried, so I carry her a bit, then we have a break and let them have a snack and play around, then she walks for a bit before demaning that I carry her again. Lots of butterlies today and also got to see a squirrel digging in the ground under a small bush and eating something--kids loved it. I'm worn out--but thats what I get for being fat and old :)

"Hoppy Easter"

2009-04-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

(No, its not a typo)...Well, we have just about eastered out (the commercialization side of it anyway); although the kids don't think so.

We did an Easter Egg Hunt in Joseph, one in Monroe, one at Walmart and one at home. Mark thinks we should cut it down to just 2 next year--Joseph (they did fun craft things too like bingo, egg races, coloring eggs) and the home one. I still want to keep Walmart because they also did face painting, coloring pages, cake walks and handed out cupcakes as the kids left. Of course their is the family one that they do with the family picnic if we go next year which all depends on the weather.

We opted out of the "big" family picnic and just chose to do just the immediate family this year. The weather was iffy and icky and kind of muddy. They said it wasn't muddy or too muddy where they went, but Mark likes to hike and once you get off the beaten path (or road) then its not as nice, and with the occasional wind and the dark clouds circling along with the 90% chance of rain forecast we just did some bunny stuff at home and then went to Richfield and did some window shopping and a little lunch and 20 minutes at the park before the weather turned.

We've decided we kind of like the splitting of easter on the weekend because it lets you do some of the fun stuff on Saturday and then concentrate on Sunday for what this weekend really is about (although we did keep reminding the kids of the true meaning even on Saturday when they would tend to start sounding a little gimmee). Good program in church today with two great talks on Jesus and his gift(s) to us and us "coming unto Christ" as well as some beautiful music. I tell you, its not just the kids who need a reminder, its good for us all and I do believe I am at the top of that list.

Crunch and Blow

2009-04-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today Bethany called to me and said she couldn't get the candy out. I walked over to her and she was holding a box of "nerds" and I took the box to help her; the box was wide open so I thought maybe they were all stuck together--nope, loose as could be.
She had stuck a blue nerd up her nose!!! I took her into the bathroom and had her blow her nose--other than a little blue residue all was well.
It reminded me of the "Everybody Loves Raymond" epsiode where they were trying to find someone to "will" the kids to should they both die--they were talking about what do you do if the child puts a cocoa puff up his nose? Crunch and blow.

The floods, they are a coming......

2009-04-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

Bethany is starting to sprout up a little (a little too much!!!!!)

I put on some of Bethany's older pants and its so cute (and sad)--the hems are above her ankles.

So, its time to go thru her clothes once more and pack up the smaller clothes, bring out the boxes of bigger clothes and see what else we need to buy.

Silly kids--I wish they would quite growing. Not only is Bethany growing up too much ("Whatever!" is what she would say), but Talmage is getting to be such a big boy (or bigger boy, I should say)--needs new Church clothes, not to mention I think I'd better start picking up clothes for next years school a little at a time as he is outgrowing his clothes faster than Bethany.

The End of the Fairytale

2009-04-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Well, Talmage has been asking a lot of questions lately (actually started sometime be Christmas)...and now hes been asking me all sorts of questions about the Tooth Fairy and parents lieing to their kids and parents giving money for their teeth.
I kept trying to get around it without lieing to him, and I wanted to talk to Mark; but Talmage kept asking me if parents give the kids money "Some parents do." did I? "I bought your first tooth remember?". He just wouldn't give up and then finally told me that he had talked to his dad but he couldn't tell me (Mark said he never told him that he couldn't tell me, but that he did tell Talmage the truth because he didn't want to lie to him). Finally Talmage told me that Mark had told him we did give him the money, so I said yes that was true. Then I told him, "of course you know that now you know there is no Tooth Fairy there won't be any more money."
I'm afraid that come Christmas he won't believe in Santa Clause anymore. Of course I still believe!!!
I have advised him not to tell other kids that there is no Tooth Fairy--that is for them to discover themselves.

Twilight

2009-03-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

Its been "Twilight" or the vampire movie all week at our house.

We rented the movie on Saturday and everyone watched it and even though I thought it was a little sappy at times (like the book) everyone actually liked it. Even mark likes it (although he does think the running up hill part looks cheesy). Talmage's favorite vampire is Edward and Bethany's favorites is the good one who doesn't want to be a monster (Edward). And now, while I am slaving away at work (ha, ha), they are in watching it again.Talmage wants to buy it and said he will save money to help us buy it--I still want to wait for the Amazon special prices.

Spring it is approaching.....

2009-03-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Now that I've started, maybe I should add a little bit more to this blog.

Things are slow but good--there hasn't been a lot of work at Marriott for a while but the hours are now starting to pick up.

Talmage is loving school still and does so well in it--can't beleive its almost over. May 29th and then he'll be home for the summer.

Bethany still wakes up asking about him every morning and is always telling us we need to go get Talmage from school.

I love those two kids together (when they are not fighting or teasing each other). For the most part they are so good together and we take them out on their bikes and to the park as much as possible and they are always playing tag, hide-and-go-seek or trains on the slides; and they are pretty good to work on the computer together (Bethany practically sits on his lap to watch the shows and Talmage helps her with the games).

I sure hate to see them grow up--I wish they could both be 2 1/2 or 3 forever.

Talmage has now lost 4 teeth and is still trying to decide if its the Tooth Fairy or the parents who bring the money (he asked me if parents ever lie).

Pennies From Heaven

2009-03-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

This evening while I was working, Bethany was rolling around on the floor in my "work" room and she found a penny. "I found a penny! I'm going to buy something!" I started to tell her "Oh honey, you can't buy anything with a penny these days." "I'm going to buy Tinkerbelle!" I thought it was so cute and so funny that I told her to go tell her dad. She was so excited and went running in to tell him she was going to buy Tinkerbelle with the penny she found.

New Boots

2009-01-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

Bethany really needed some new snow boots--she had some multi-colored ones that a friend had given us for Talmage, but when ever we got home her socks would be wet. We have also been talking about going into the hills for a snow hike but can't do that with these boots.
Yesterday I ran into a pair that are very nice, black on the bottom and pink canvas on top so I thought we would try them. Well, whenever we get in the house from anywhere she wants her shoes and socks OFF!. The boots--we can't get off; in fact I was wondering if we were going to be able to get them off for her to go to bed.
They passed the first test--she loves them and is till stomping around in them today--now as long as they keep her feet dry and aren't slippery (traction looks good on them), then we are in luck.

12 O'Clock and all is well...but are all awake?

2009-01-09T09:16:00.001-08:00

Well, we rang in the New Years in out typical style--asleep (sort of).

I had some hats and blowers but only let the kids blow on them for about 5 minutes around 10 pm then I put them away. I had thought earlier about buying the paper strips and confetti for them to throw around but am glad I didn't as I decided I didn't really want to clean up that on top of everything else.

I think Mark was to sleep first, and I can't remember who next out of the kids (probably Talmage although he did want to stay awake).

I was debating whether I should turn on the tv and watch the ball drop--I didn't. Mark got up to get a drink about 10 minutes before midnight and went back to bed and then the cannon started going off about 4 minutes early. I told Mark it was early (they have a portable cannon thing --so technical :) --)that they drive around town setting it off for New Years and July 24th. The early one was really loud and near us, the others not so.

God Bless Us Everyone

2009-01-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

Christmas was very nice and good and small this year. We keep talking about simplifying our life and getting back to what you need not what you want (although a few wants now and again are ok and nice). I do have a hard time with it when it comes to actually getting the Christmas gifts together and I have to be very careful not to go over board.
I also got the annual picture of the kids in nice clothes in front of the Christmas tree; however, I don't think I have one picture where both kids are smiling nicely and looking normal--one or the other is making a face or something.
This year the kids didn't most of the decorating of the tree (I did the lights and Mark tweaked an ornament here or there).
All in all it was wonderful and we loved it and the kids wanted the lights on all the time. Bethany loved when we would drive around at night and see all the houses lit up with lights; she would get so excited.
Just before New Years Talmage was asking me when I was going to get it put up (I guess I'm too slow for him). Bethany didn't want the tree to come down at all--although it had been down for about 12-14 hours before she noticed it was gone.

All I want for Christmas are my Two Front Teeth

2009-01-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Christmas and Talmage is missing his top two front teeth (he is also missing one bottom one as well).
I sang that song (or just the first part of it) to him a couple of times and he thought I was crazy and Mark told him I'm the only one that knows it (something like that). And it didn't help that not one other person made any such comment to him.
Hes just growing up too fast--losing all his teeth; whats next?

Its Called Christmas

2008-12-18T12:57:00.000-08:00

Click below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Happy Halloween

2008-12-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

I could have swore I had already posted this, but its not here so I will try again.....

It was very nice weather for Halloween this year for which I am so glad--no more bundling up so you can't see the costume and then freezing.

Talmage wanted to be a ghost and so we bought a sheet and then everyone had there own idea on how to proceed, but since it was Talmage's costume we went with his way--cut a hole in the middle of the sheet, drape it over him and paint his face white with black circles for his mouth and eyes. Next year he says he wants something that doesn't require so much makeup.

Bethany went as a Princess (which I was kind of pushing for since she already has a "princess" dress that she likes to wear all the time).

The schools parade was Friday morning at 9 am so Bethany slept thru that; then she napped thru the "Trick-or-Treating". I had Talmage take two bags and then when we came home for RaDawn's annual Halloween party and Bethany was awake so we took her "Trick-or-Treating" to three houses.

All in all it was a good Halloween.

The rites of Fall

2008-10-28T08:49:00.001-07:00

On Saturday the 25 of October the kids and I did some or our usual start fall off fun.
We baked cookies (and I didn't get pictures of them rolling the dough or cutting out the cookies) and then later we frosted them (or painted them as Bethany says)--this I did get some pictures of.
We then went outside and raked up a huge pile of leaves and then jumped in them, buried people (little people) in them and threw them all over the place. The kids loved it and I got some awesom pictures so now I just need to download them so I can add them to this later.
Then of course we had to have a bath so we could get all the little leaf particles off of everyone.
It was loads of fun and the day was beautiful--just perfect.
I hope that it stays this nice and warm/cool for Halloween--no freezing fest this year

Meet The Robinsons

2008-10-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is a Disney movie that has been out for a few years (my top two songs on my playlist are from this movie). We just love it and Bethany calls it "Lewis". It is such a cute movie and has such a good message and I love what it says at the end

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”–Walt Disney

One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Lewis ask Wilbur what his dad looks like and he says Tom Selleck and they show a Magnum PI photo--its funny, but if you haven't seen the movie you wouldn't get it.

Kids say the darndest things

2008-10-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Lets see, I need to start recording all the cute things the kids say before they quit saying them.

When Talmage as little he used to say Root-beard for Root beer; oleo for oreo; wallermelon for watermelon; "you want a piece of meat?" for "you want a piece of me?" And he still says que-ge for huge.

Bethany says lellow for yellow; me-ra for maria;

Shes a bossy little thing and if we say something she doesn't like she will say "You say one more thing and you're going to time-out."

Bethany says a lot of things but I can't think of anything right now so I'm going to have to do alot of editing on this post as I keep adding things to it.

update

2008-10-16T10:50:00.001-07:00

Lets see--my last post saying anything was in July......

The family did one more camping trip--we went to Fishlake for the ward campout and had a good time; we were one of only two families that actually used a tent, the others had motorhomes or stayed in a cabin. We were hoping to use our free campsite coupon for the Fremont Indian park before it expired, but life got in the way (usually its mom--me--who ends up ruining it for everyone).

We missed the County Fair this year and I got in trouble becasue I'm the one that opted out and everyone else just wanted to go look (which doesn't cost anything), once again I made the choice on my own instead of asking the family what they wanted to do.

School started August 19. Talmage was so excited for it and wanted it to start sooner. As much as he loved it, there were some adjustments to make, but things are great and he is in Mrs (Lori Dastrup) Mitchells class.

We decided not to put Bethany in preschool or dancing this year--shes just not ready to settle down and take orders from anyone yet--she is the one giving the orders:)

Talmage lost his first tooth on October 02, 2008 (I think it was the 2nd--it was a Thursday and if it wasn't then then it was September 25); he chose to forego the ToothFairy and give it to mom and dad for some Yugioh cards--I told him the rest can go to the ToothFairy (the cards are more expensive).

Halloween is fast approaching and unfortunately the kids are opting for costumes (My favorite was the year in Ogden where Talmage didn't want to wear a costume--no problem says me). They'll be easy this year though. Bethany wants to be a princess (I think I brainwashed her with this idea), which will be very easy with a hand-me-down princess dress from Rianne that she wears all the time; and Talmage wants to be a ghost--cheap white sheet and all my problems are solved.

I guess thats it for now--I'm sure I've missed loads of things but that will do

And the winner is.....

2008-10-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Gosh , so I really suck at this blogging thing. I was using the excuse that it was such a hassle to download pictures since all I have right now is my work computer; but now I shouldn't have any problems adding pictures and I still don't put anything in.
The whole point of this was really just kind of journaling for me to keep tracking of what was going on with my family; but I think I might just have to go back to the old fashioned way of writing everything down in an actual journal because that way I can carry it with me everywhere and not have to worry about actually taking time to get on the computer. Thats probably the way I will go--I kind did this blogging thing so that my old friends we no longer live near anymore could keep up with what was going on and what the kids look like, but I don't think any of them even check out the blog--not to mention the lack of phots :). So, I might add a thing or two here, but if I can get started back to journals I'm quiting this.

All Girl

2008-07-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

Bethany is all girl (and some days her being "a girl" drives me crazy!!!!).
I went to the store the other day and she came with me and wanted to wear her "sandals"--actually her little black church shoes. She put on a necklace, her shoes and her purse and then was telling me how her shoes and purse matched.
Where did she come fron ? :) ?
She also has the moods of a girl.
However, she is not a priss (thank goodness) although she is a girl and loves her dresses and pink she wants to be outside up in the hills/mountains and climbing trees (even in her dress) and give her a mud puddle anyday.

4th of July 2008

2008-07-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

Once again--no photos!!!

It was a pretty good 4th--Parade in Richfield (maybe its time we skip that?), then to the Richfield park where Talmage got to climb a rock wall--he loves those and we are just waiting until Bethany is big enough to fit into the smallest harness as she is our climber. Bethany then went through one of those bouncy mazes by herself (she is so good and brave--although it was a struggle getting all bounced around; mom had to get in for a moment to help and I didn't think I was going to make it out). Talmage also got this cool bow-n-arrow set that he shares with Bethany until dad gets her one made. We then went to Joseph for lunch and a few fun things then home to rest and cool down (that was desperately needed) and back to Joseph for Fireworks. I'm so glad that Joseph does fireworks--I love them and would hate to have to go to Richfield for that--too many people over there these days.
My only regret on the 4th was I didn't get a picture of the kids in front of the flag--every single year since Talmage was born I have got a picture of him on the 4th of July in front of the flag on the front lawn (which ever lawn we had)--but they skipped my moms lawn this year so no flag here and we were going to use the neighbors flag/lawn but didn't make it (sleeping kids, bad planning by mom). I did get a picture of them while waiting for the parade s not a total loss.

Rockin' Utah

2008-06-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

Rockin' Utah (Reaching Out Connecting Kids In Nature) is a fun way to get outside to play, discover and explore Utah's state parks.
Rockin' Utah is part of a nationwide Children in Nature effort, based on Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by author Richard Louv. His book describes how children would rather be playing a video game, hanging out in a mall, or texting on a cell phone, than playing outdoors and how the concept of camping and hiking is becoming more foreign to young people.
That's what we did this weekend.
We signed up for a free weekend at the Fremont State Indian Park for Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28.
Friday we arrived early a the Museum and watched a video and toured the museum and picked up some maps of interest. We then went to the campsite (Stowe Farm)and set up. Mark and Talmage then went for a hike. Bethany and I started also, but she kept wanting to be held so I took her back for a nap. They also had mountain bikes and helmets for anyone who wanted to use them during the weekend.
At 6:30 pm when almost all the other families had arrived (there was a limit of 10) then they started the dutch oven demonstration as well as giving away goodies (we got state pins, postcard books, caps, and water bottles). We also got a free night parking certificate for the regular campground. The grub was delicious (ham steak & potatoes, chicken & potatoes, and hamburger & potatoes; along with cobbler). After they did a campfire and did Cowboy poetry and stories.
In the morning another delicious dutch oven meal, a few more goodies (we got a couple of nice duffel bags) and an exercise on survival. Also, each family that participated got a dutch oven.
Kari (Car-ee), who was at the visitors center when we arrived Friday night, was there Saturday morning and she invited Talmage back to the museum for a backdoor tour. We went and played in a new area where kids can climb a ladder and be in a pretend kiva (?) all equipped with hides and baskets and pottery; and they got to wear some leather Indian clothing made for this as well. We also got to see where they keep the items not on display and a big pottery piece they are putting together that no one else has seen. The kids then each got a rock animal. We then hiked on # 5.
We came home, hot, happy and tired!
What a great weekend!!! In August we go back for another day experience.
(pictures later)

2008-04-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Photo for post below.

April 17, 2008

2008-04-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

I was going to say that there is nothing new going on, but thats not true--Lots going on; I'm just lazy.
The kindergarten recently put on a play and I have pictures, but not loaded on my computer. Talmage was a narrator (actually two narrators as one of the boys moved a day before the play).
Beffy (Bethany), likes you to "scoop" over so she can sit by you, and I wish I could type how she says "...La luna del cacciatore." She also says "lellow" for yellow. I need to take some notes on what the kids are doing and then put it in the blog instead of trying to do it cold turkey--my mind doesn't work that way.
Here is a photo of the kids on the computer together--talmage plays games and likes to watch cartoons and if he is watching "Kim Possible" or "Ben10" then Beffy likes to watch also.
Ok--its not letting me add a photo at this time, so I will try to add a couple of pictures after I post this note

Very Short Update

2008-03-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

Just a quick and very short update. The home computer bit the dust right at the first of December and I am unable to load pictures on the work computer (I have to email them and since I don't have the home computer to load them on I have no current pictures).
We had a good Christmas and a good new year.
Talmage LOVES school and Bethany would love the opportunity to love school--we've got to make sure she is in preschool next fall.
I had tons more to say, but my mind is blank (thats what happens when I sit on the phone waiting for a call to come thru).
Hopefully by May we'll have our computer back and running so then I can add pictures and not worry about what I say.

Christmas Dreams

2007-11-26T09:27:00.000-08:00

I wanted to get my Halloween and Canyon Trip posted first--but I am so slow (and the pictures from the Canyon haven't even been downloaded yet) so I thought I had better just post this now.

We put up are Christmas Tree and all of our Christmas decorations last night (shame on me, no pictures) and this morning Bethany was just sitting at the table in front of the tree eatting her funyons and watching the tree; no tv, no nothing else--just so content for at least 30 minutes. I wanted a picture, but knew that as soon as I walked in to get the camera then she would be done.

She is such a busy body and is actually spending more time undecorating (or should I say re-arranging) then anything else. This whole season will be about following her around constantly and making sure the decorations stay on the tree, the stockings stay hung, and that no presents are unwrapped before Christmas morning.....

The leaf pile

2007-11-03T22:14:00.001-07:00

We have sure enjoyed a lot of leaf piles this fall. This particular one was on 10/17/07 and Bethany, Talmage and I raked the leaves and sure had fun with them. The kids kept running and jumping in them and throwing them up in the air. What they loved the most was burying themselves in the leaves while I would pretend to look for them and then they would "get" me and then I would help bury them again.

Leaf piles sure bring back old memories of so many falls--especially my early ones when my "Grandma Smith" was still alive and I would go to her house and jump in the piles before she burned them, and then the smell of the burning leaves. Love it!

Don't Look

2007-11-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

I can't remember what movie or tv show that Bethany was watching, but she kept covering her dolls eyes and telling her not to look. She was saying something about a monster (Bethany LOVES monsters) and that it was alright.

Captured by the Vacuum

2007-11-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Bethany (and Talmage) love to help around the house and are always looking for chores to do. They especially like to vacuum, but for some reason on this day Bethany couldn't help me because the vacuum "....it's getting me." I kept asking her if she wanted her turne and she kept telling me that she couldn't because it kept getting her.

Playing Together

2007-11-03T22:02:00.000-07:00

I love it when my kids play together. I love to hear them as they play (Bethany and her "I'm sorry" and "Are you ok?") and to be able to look down the hall from my "office" and see them in the "front room" playing together.

October 04, 2007 Playing with Tucker

2007-10-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

Shallon and Tucker were up from Cedar City and Bethany was playing with Tucker--I guess you could call it playing, Tucker would kick the soccor ball to Bethany and then she would take it and run and either throw it into the bushes or take it clear to the end of the yard and try to send it to the other side of the fence. But, as soon as Tucker saw the 4-wheeler he took off to get on and Bethany decided Tucker wasn't so bad after all and joined him.

August 2007 Hide n' Seek

2007-10-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

Bethany loves to hide--anywhere, anytime; shes good at it too, and can be very quiet. One time I was upstairs doing something and couldn't find her when it was time to go back down. I looked in the front room, the bathroom (to make sure she wasn't holding grandma's deco bear), the bedroom (she likes to hide in grandma's closet). I had been calling for her as I looked and she hadn't made a peep and was nowhere to be found; I couldn't figure out where she could be. I went back in to the front room and walked to the middle of the room and so I could see past the recliners, there she was quiet as a mouse hiding from me in plain sight--she sqealed and laughed when I saw her.

We got a chest-of-drawers and took it apart to clean and repair and she thought the drawers were perfect for her.

September 30, 2007 Primary Program

2007-10-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Talmage loves listening to his (my) cd player and he really loves it when he gets to listen to the Primary music in preperation for the Primar programs (He said his favorite song on the disc was "I know that my Redeemer lives"). Well, of course Bethany has to do everything her brother does so she "practises with him and here they are singing the songs for the program.

Now if only mom and dad would let her then she would go sing with the Primary on the stage and take over the microphone (she certainly tried during the practices)

Homework

2007-10-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

We fixed up a desk for Talmage to do his homework on. He loves, but so does Bethany--we need to get her one as well I guess. Of course we all know that it won't matter too much because she will just want to be at the desk Talmage is at and doing "his" homework.

August 27, 2007 First Day of School

2007-10-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

Here is Talmage on his first day of school. He doesn't look all that thrilled, but he was. He loves school.

Bethany was still asleep when he went so when she woke up the first thing she said was "Where's Talmage?".

I wish I had taken a camera with me when we picked him up because Bethany hollered, "There he is!" and ran to him an hugged him.