The Ewell Gang

Can you believe it? I am updating my blog!!

2011-11-15T18:46:00.000-08:00

Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein

It has been a long time! The last time I posted was after one of Robbie's first football games. His team lost only three games, two during regular play and then their final playoff game. They came in second in his age group. This fall has been a busy one. James and I, with the help of my sisters, hosted a big Halloween party. James and I went to West Yellowstone to celebrate 22 years of marriage. We had a great time and Yellowstone is one of our favorite places. This last weekend we took Robbie to New Mexico. James was consulting a friend on some marketing ideas for his business and Robbie and I went along for the ride. We stayed in a beautiful place but it was off season and there wasn't much to do. We did stop at Mesa Verde National Park and Four Corners on the way home. Here are some picture updates as well.

I could of reached out of the window and touched this bison if I wanted to. I didn't!

We saw a ton of swans and geese!

The view from our deck in Red River, New Mexico

The Rio Grande

Mesa Verde

Robbie's favorite part of the whole trip. We definitely will go back!

Robbie in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado at the same time!

Football! A little blurry but he is number 56!

Are You Ready For Some Football?

2011-08-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Even though the weather is hot and summer still lingers, football season in our small town has begun. Robbie is playing tackle football this year. It will be a new experience for him. He has enjoyed it so far. He really loves his equipment. The day we got it he wore it around the house all evening. I know there are some of you who may be disappointed by the Payson green but he is proud as can be. Can't wait to see his first game!

Happy 18th Birthday!

2011-07-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday it was McKenzie's 18th birthday! We celebrated with my parents, Anna, Nate, and Claire in Park City! I didn't bring my camera but here are a few pictures of McKenzie through the years.

Thunderstorms

2011-07-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Our weather has been funny this summer! We started out in June, cold and wet, with some February-like temperatures. Now July has been hot and humid with many thunder and lightning storms. Friday night James and I went for a walk shortly after one of the storms. Here is what we saw!

Happy 20th Birthday Austin!

2011-06-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Austin and his companion Elder Olmstead 2011

Recieving his Order of the Arrow 2005

Moab 2005

The Scarlet Pimpernal

His first baptism (March 1, 2008)

New York City 2009

Graduation 2009

I haven't posted in a while but my camera battery won't charge so I don't have many pictures. I thought I would post a picture Austin since he will turn 20 on Wednesday! Twenty!

Prom

2011-05-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

Spring Break 2011

2011-04-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

Robbie, Kenzie, Kati and I went with my friend Ilauna and her kids, Spencer and Mekinzey to Oceanside, CA. We stayed near the beach and enjoyed the ocean. Robbie went nonstop and was exhausted each night. We went to the San Luis Rey Mission, Old Town San Diego, The Farmer's Market, Belmont Park, and La Jolla Cove to see the tide pools. We saw seals, pelicans, dolphins and surfers. We walked a half marathon a day at least back and forth to the beach, the pier and other places. The weather was on the cool side but still perfect. We had a great time! Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip.

Morp 2011-McKenzie

2011-04-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

April Fools on April 3rd

2011-04-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

So as many of you know, Sunday morning we woke up to eight inches of snow! For two days before it was sevenity degrees and then Mother Nature played a cruel trick. We decided that instead of complaining we would embrace it and took a ride up Skyline Drive in Fairview Canyon. Here are some pictures of that!

A Litte Update

2011-03-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

It has been a little while since I have posted. So here are some things that have been happening here at the Ewell house. Robbie earned his Arrow of Light and moved from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He also began playing accelerated basketball but I don't have any pictures of that because I never remember my camera, James is entering the land of the employed, Kenzie with some help from awesome people passed Chemistry in the third term, Kenzie entered the first chapter of one of her stories to a contest, and Robbie, Kenzie, and Faith went to the Color Festival.

President's Day

2011-02-22T15:45:00.000-08:00

We spent the afternoon in Salt Lake. We went to the State Capital, Temple Square, The Conference Center, and then we met Jamie and Dave at The Pie. It was a fun day! Here are some pictures.

More Pictures

2011-02-17T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here are McKenzie's amazing Sweetheart's pictures that my amazing friend Mary took. The rest of McKenzie's group was late and didn't make the pictures.

Kati's Pictures From Sweethearts

2011-02-15T06:08:00.001-08:00

Sweethearts

2011-02-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

Mckenzie and Kati went to Sweetheart's last night. I only have pictures of Kenzie and her date, Tim. Both girls had a great time! When they get their pictures, I will post more.

The Snow Sculpture

2011-01-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

There is a guy who lives near my parents that makes some amazing snow creations when it snows. Here is his latest!

Christmas

2010-12-26T07:21:00.001-08:00

Angel?

What kind of angel is this?

Austin's gift from Santa

Joseph

On Christmas Eve, we went to my mom's and did our annual nativity. Luckily James had his phone because I forgot my camera. Then the highlight of Christmas was talking on skype to Austin. He looks great, 26 lbs. thinner, and sound great. We are extremely happy that he is doing so well and loving his mission.

Snow Day

2010-12-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

I can remember only one snow day when I was in Jr. High. It was for bus students only and my mom made us walk to Bill Wimmer's for ride in the snowplow to school. Today was the first snow day I remember that everyone got to stay home. We woke up to an additional 16 inches of snow piled onto the 12 or so inches from yesterday! Sad because of the Christmas parties and presents and singing planned for today but happy to start Christmas vacation a day early!

Christmas Tree

2010-12-12T07:12:00.000-08:00

We finally got our tree on Thursday! Robbie and I decorated it and set up his train!

Thanksgiving in Portland

2010-11-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

After a very long but adventureous 20 hour drive, we arrived at Gina's for a delightful Thanksgiving break. Gina and Max are wonderful hosts and we enjoyed Max's family too. Lots of football, good food, and great conversation! What more could you ask for?

General Patton aka Robbie

2010-11-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

State Capital and Wax Museum

2010-11-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, my class went on a field trip to the State Capital. Our representative took us on a tour. It was pretty cool for the students. I learned a lot as well about the process of presenting a bill and getting it passed. The students got to sit in the House seats and hear about the history of the building and the room. Representative Painter also bought them pizza and cookies and sadly that was the highlight for most of them.

Robbie's wax museum was on Thursday. He did awesome!

The One and Only Halloween Picture From Halloween

2010-11-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

Halloween 2010

2010-10-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

Recognize this guy, Austin. We put him up in remembrance of you! It just isn't as creepy but we love him!

The box is full of the first walnuts. Robbie thinks he is going to sell them!

These pictures are for you, Austin!

Fall

2010-10-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hurry and take the picture--we're cold!

This one is through the car window!

This one too.

I love the mountains in the fall. Today we took a little ride up the canyon and it always amazes me! We live in such a breathtaking place.

Moab 2010

2010-10-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

A little rest on the way!

Just around the bend!

We decided to take a day trip to Moab. I know, crazy right! We did try to get a motel but because of the half marathon and fall break, there was nothing available. So we left in the morning and came back late in the evening. We knew that Kati would be tired after the hike to Delicate Arch, so we planned to see Dead Horse Point afterwards. She did great on the hike and it was a great day!

Amazing!!

Look at these bums! Love this picture because of Robbie's face!

EW!!

2010-10-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

No worries! McKenzie went to YW and they learned how to do Halloween make-up. Pretty gross but washed right off!

Bryce's

2010-10-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we took a day trip to Bryce's. It was beautiful. We hiked, had a picnic, and drove Highway 12 and 24, two of the most scenic highways in the U.S. We thought it was amazing. Kati loved it at first but hated climbing up out of Bryce's. It does have a lot of switchbacks and is steep for about .7 miles. Unfortunately, she slept on most of the drive and woke just in time to see the highway between Price and here.

Homecoming

2010-09-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

McKenzie went to Payson's Homecoming last night with a friend of hers from her drama class. She looked amazing!

Bear Lake

2010-09-08T15:46:00.001-07:00

What an awesome way to celebrate Labor Day! Great company and fabulous food!

Belts

2010-09-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

So a few days ago, James' belt broke but not the at the hole he has to use. So exercising some frugality, he decided it would work for a while. On the way to Bear Lake for the weekend the belt met some further tragedy. In the bathroom at a pit stop it broke all the way. No biggie, we are just going camping. My sisters noticed that James had rolled his a little bit too big pants so as to keep them up. Anna, the smart sister, decided to make him a belt!

Horseback Riding

2010-09-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

Monday night we went to Salem to a riding club so that Kati could ride horses. She has horses back home in Germany and really misses riding. McKenzie and Robbie got to ride too. Our friend Trish has the horses and they ride every Monday and Wednesday there. She was nice enough to let us come. It was fun but a different style of riding for Kati.

Swim, swim, swim

2010-08-29T15:33:00.001-07:00

Robbie loves to swim, in fact it is his number one on his list of top ten things he likes to do. I thought I would share some pictures of him doing what he loves best!

Bridal Veil Falls

2010-08-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

Austin's Mission Blog

2010-08-15T07:29:00.001-07:00

Check out Austin's Mission Blog at twoyearsinbulgaria.blogspot.com.

And He Is Off--Bittersweet!

2010-07-28T16:01:00.001-07:00

Pool Time

2010-07-27T14:16:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, Austin, Robbie, Isabel and I went to Payson Pool. We played with Kenzie's new camera. I am posting a few of the pictures. Robbie will miss Austin!

A First for Me

2010-07-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

For family night on Monday, we hiked to the Y. In all of the years I have lived in Utah, I have never done that. We hiked with three of my sisters, their families and my dad. It was harder than I thought it would be because it is steep and there are lots of switchbacks. But, the trail is well groomed and the view is amazing. We had a fun time especially enjoying the ice cream afterwards.

Red Lake

2010-06-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

So it turns out that Robbie was able to have the splint on his left arm off and no cast. Happy, happy day. In celebration we went on a little hike to Red Lake. It is a hike we have done many times before but it proved to be a little difficult for Chris, her kids, and Robbie. Chris and her kids haven't hiked very much and struggled. Robbie struggled because of the weight of his cast and his lack of physical activity for the last few weeks. Anyway it was a beautiful hike, very green and lots of water. McKenzie was the best hiker and stayed in the lead. Kirsten tried to stay with her but couldn't. In fact James ended up carrying her some of the way. It was amazing because he never would have carried one of our kids when they were her age, she is almost eight. Maggie loved it but was tired at the end. All in all a great adventure!

Baseball days are finished!

2010-05-30T14:56:00.001-07:00

At least for a few weeks! Robbie fell from his tree house and caught himself with his arms. He broke his wrist on one arm and his elbow on the other.
Here is the break!
Here is after the doctor set it!

Baseball

2010-05-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Robbie wanted to play baseball this year. It is his first time. So we bought him a mit and started to practice. He loves it! He has played a few games. Unfortunately all the games have been freezing!

James never played baseball when he was little. I spent some years playing softball or sitting on the bench! Here is James coaching first! Ha Ha

ZZZip

2010-05-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

Although there hasn't been much progress on the tree house, thanks to David the zip line has been added. It has been a great source of entertainment for Robbie and everyone else.
The wisteria is in bloom. It is very pretty. James is in the process of thinning it and replacing the roof of our porch. I hope it survives!

More Pictures

2010-05-02T17:35:00.001-07:00

My friend, Beth and I. Beth teaches at my school with me!
Fort Patrick in Saint George!
The Petrogylphs
A Bloomin' Cactus in Arizona right outside of Saint George
Robbie wanted to swim in the pool at James' Uncles so bad. So here he is in the 62 degree pool in the 70 degree weather. It lasted about 30 seconds!

Graduation Day

2010-05-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I graduated with my Masters in Education at SUU, sort of! SUU only walks once a year, so my cohort walked even though we still have three weeks of class and my master's project isn't finished. James, the kids, Joni, Janelle, Mom, Dad, Jamie, and David all came to see me walk and be hooded. We had a little surprise because also earning his bachelor's from SUU in the same department was my cousin Trent Steele. So my Aunt Michelle and Uncle Jeff got to see me walk as well. Here are a few pictures. They are not great because the ten year old in charge was also in charge of taking pictures most of the time. My eyes are closed in some!

Called To Serve

2010-04-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

Austin has been called to serve in the Bulgaria, Sophia Mission. He will speak Bulgarian. He reports to the MTC on July 28th. He said he was most excited to eat the traditional Lamb Liver and Lung with Rice! Congrats!

The Golden Spike

2010-04-08T18:30:00.001-07:00

One of the places that Robbie wanted to go during Spring Break was The Golden Spike or Promontory Summit. That is the place where the railroad from the East and the railroad from the West met on May 10, 1869. It was a very long drive for a little museum. We did learn a lot about the building of the railroad and the steam engines and Robbie loved it. We took Spencer Parks with us and Spencer and McKenzie were disappointed that nothing was real, just replicas. About two miles away from the Golden Spike there is this rocket display. It was an entertaining day and we enjoyed the little bit of history we learned. Preparation for my fourth grade adventure next year.

A Kick Off to Spring Break!

2010-04-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

This Spring Break there will be no fantastic vacations or exotic destinations. We decided that because of an impending mission and the cost of getting ready for that, we would stay home and get some projects done. Here is a synopsis of day one-James and Austin clearing the mighty big stumps out of the yard. Austin really did help and James did spend the customary yelling time!
McKenzie attempting to fill in the really big hole left by the really big tree stump. Of course, James had to offer a lot of help.

And of course Robbie's contribution to the work effort. Notice the progress on the tree house. Where am I? Someone had to operate the camera and supervise!

Spring??

2010-04-04T06:37:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken on Saturday, April 3rd. It looks as if Spring is in the air. It was about 50 degrees and a pretty nice day!

Sunday, April 4th-Happy Easter and goodbye Spring! This is what weather in Utah in the Spring is like!! Tomorrow it will be warm again!

The Papers Are In!

2010-03-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

Austin's papers are in and now we await the call. Any guesses or wishes about where that could be? Here are ours-comment with your guesses or wishes.

James-London, England is his wish

Me-Sweden or Austria

McKenzie-Germany

Robbie-Australia

Austin-Germany or Sweden but he is willing to serve in Boise if he is called there!

Quick Picture Update

2010-03-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

I realized that it has been a few weeks since my last post, so here is a quick update!

I went to Vegas with my sisters and mom. We ate, ran-a vacation wouldn't be a vacation if Merrilee didn't encourage us to run, shopped, and walked a lot. We had a great time together. It was our first sister's trip and I hope it isn't the last!
Robbie participated in the Pinewood Derby. He won an award for most original design which is a little funny because we purchased a precut kit from Michaels. Thanks Anna for the great suggestion.

This week James and his friend from OK spent three days building this fabulous tree house ten feet up in our walnut tree. As you can see it is still a work in progress.

Happy Birthday Robbie!

2010-03-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

Wow! Can you believe this handsome, young dude is ten!! Happy, happy birthday!

Summer Field Trips

2010-02-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

Robbie and I want to continue the tradition of a summer field trip. We think Tuesdays will work but if you want to join us and Tuesday isn't good, just let me know. Here is a tenative schedule of events. These are somethings that Robbie wanted to do. If you have anything you want to add, again let me know!

SUMMER FIELD TRIP LIST
Robbie and I want to go to these places this summer and hope you will join us. We will go on the scheduled Tuesday, hopefully!
Tuesday, June 1st-The Zoo-all day trip with a lunch! Children 3-12 are $7 and adults are $9
Tuesday, June 8th-Ride bikes on the Provo River Trail-pack a picnic or after lunch.
Tuesday, June 15th-Payson Pool! Cost is about $4, I think.
Tuesday, June 22- Hike to the Grotto
Tuesday, June 29th- Seven Peaks-Have your school age kids participate in the Peaks Reading Pass. If not the cost-under 48” $16.95, over 48” $21.95. We could go after 4 for $11.95.
I can’t do any in July because I will be in school. Sorry
Tuesday, July 27th- Kennecot Mine and lunch at Cooperton Park. Cost-picnic lunch and $5 per vehicle to the mine.
Tuesday, August 3-Swim at Payson Lakes. Take bikes and pack a picnic or fishing poles.
Tuesday, August 10-Thanksgiving Point-Children’s Garden. On Tuesdays in August $2 per person per venue.
Tuesday, August 17-Timponogus Caves-Adults (age 16 and older) - $7 Junior (age 6-15) - $5 Child (age 3-5) - $3 Infant (age 0-2) - Free! You do have to pay $6 per car to drive in American Fork Canyon unless you have a National Parks Card.

Isn't it great that I am thinking of Summer on this lovely, snowy day?

Javiar the Waiter in the Too small tux!

2010-02-13T18:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of her amazing hair and of course Javiar the waiter!

Sweethearts

2010-02-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

Kenzie went to Sweethearts tonight! We had dinner here and fed them a seven or several course meal, including shrimp, french onion soup, salad, tri-tip, potatoes, beans, and ice cream. I even pulled out my crystal for the occasion. I have had my crystal since before I was married, but I still had to take the stickers off. She looked beautiful! She bought her dress and grandma hemmed it for her. A friend did her make-up and one of my friends did her hair. Austin played the waiter, Javiar. He wore his tux and did an awesome job waiting on them, even though his tux is a bit too small!

Flours Anyone Again?

2010-01-26T17:27:00.000-08:00

Jamie and Dave stayed with us over Martin Luther King Jr, Day and we played the famous flour game again. It turned out to be flour wars with some of the players!

Funny!

2010-01-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

This little black puppy is funny. This is his preferred sleeping position.

Saturdays

2010-01-10T12:57:00.001-08:00

Most times our Saturdays are filled with house cleaning and grocery shopping but for the next seven weeks we will add basketball to our schedule. Robbie started playing and James is his coach. There was definitely a difference in the tone of the coach's yelling! McKenzie and I also got to see Jamie dance this Saturday! It was awesome and such a delight. We did manage to clean the house and grocery shop too!

Look How We've Grown!

2010-01-07T16:43:00.001-08:00

Puppies at one week!

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T08:21:00.000-08:00

The Ewell's rang in the New Year delivering puppies. It started with dragging Maggie out from under the trailer and bringing her into the laundry room. She delivered the first little puppy at 11:00. The second didn't come until about 2:00 and it didn't make it. The third came at about 2:45. She did great and the puppies are pretty cute. The little brown one is noisy! Here is a shot of the first puppy and then the two of them this morning!

Twenty Years of Marital Bliss

2009-12-28T08:03:00.001-08:00

Christmas

2009-12-26T11:49:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a delightful Christmas. We enjoyed hanging out and playing games. On Christmas Eve we spent some time at my mom's. The kids insisted that we watch Home Alone 2 because it is tradition. We also decorated cookies. Austin got way into it and is considering changing his major to cookie art!!

Because I am tired of the Thanksgiving Pictures!!

2009-12-22T16:29:00.000-08:00

I needed to post something so I took a picture of our tree, my fabulous Christmas gift from my parents (my dad is superman--and James loves the gift too!!), and what the next twelve days may look like!

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

We had 21 people at our house for dinner. James' sisters and their families, Faith from Oklahoma, Justen and Sherry Sink (James' cousin) and their family, James' parents, and my parents. James made a fantastic turkey and mashed potatoes! It was fun to have everyone here. This is a shot of the kids pretending about the first Thanksgiving or playing some game. And a shot of James making orange rolls earlier in the day. James is a fantastic but messy cook! I am grateful for him and for my awesome family!

Family Pictures 2009

2009-11-25T15:43:00.000-08:00

This are just a few of the fun pictures taken by Mary Hansen today!

Hmm!

2009-11-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

I was trying to think of something I could blog about because I haven't posted anything since Halloween! Nothing too exciting has been going on that is blog worthy. I would post some pictures of James and my little Vegas getaway but I didn't take any. I could post pictures of Kenzie's fabulous, long play but I didn't take any! I guess I am just a slacker about taking pictures of late. I guess I will need to repent and take some pictures this week or next!

2009-10-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween

2009-10-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

If yer scared, don't come to Payson!

Sadies

2009-10-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Kenzie's first date! Aren't they cute? She had a great time!

Halloween

2009-10-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Robbie and I had to dress up for school today. He was the Grim Reaper and well, I was a trailer park mama but I couldn't tell my students that! All my coworkers thought it was hilarious but my second graders didn't get it! My nylons kept getting lower and lower and it was awesome.

Leaves

2009-10-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

I love our yard with all the trees until the leaves fall. Today we spent a few hours raking some off. We only did our front yard and we filled the truck with leaves. While we were finishing a nice little storm blew in. We will be raking leaves until the snow flies and then we will have to rake them in the spring too. Oh well I still love my yard!

Yes!

2009-10-20T11:48:00.001-07:00

McKenzie asked a cute boy in our ward to Sadie Hawkins. This is how he answered her. She was very excited.

Hair

2009-10-20T11:47:00.001-07:00

Many of you know that Robbie won't let me cut his hair. He wants it long. So we made a deal that as long as it is combed everyday, he can keep it long. Today was crazy hair day at school. I guess the long hair is worth it for crazy hair day! Check him out!

The Last Lecture

2009-10-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

My sister's recommended an awesome book, The Last Lecture and I read it recently. I loved it and recommend it as well. I checked it out at the library and read it and then bought a copy for us. McKenzie has been begging me to let her paint a wall in her room. I wasn't going to let her because we just painted and remodeled down there. After I read The Last Lecture I decided to let her do it. It is only paint and a wall and she is far more important then that! Her idea was crazy but it turned out to be very fun and I love to go in and just look at it.

Grateful to Live In Such A Spectacular Place!

2009-09-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

We spent this weekend enjoying the beauty of Payson Canyon. We live so close to so many spectacular places. I am glad we get to take advantage of that. Jamie and David joined us on Sunday for a little hike to the Grotto. I loved the scenery, the smells of fall and the company!

Sweaters

2009-09-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Nicole teased me one day about my cedar wardrobe full of sweaters, some that dated back to high school! I told her I was keeping them for a reason. Well today they were used for bad sweater and hat day at Payson High. McKenzie and her friends sure had fun choosing from my selection of sweaters. I was a little amazed that I actually wore some of them! Anyway maybe now I could get rid of them. Maybe not!

Labor Day Fun!

2009-09-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

We spent a few glorious days at Bear Lake with a whole group of people. The Penrod's, Kirby's, Manwarings, Whitney's, Warren's, Cluff's, Jamie, David, and many more. We have a ton of fun! We played games, ate, sat at the beach, ate, played in the water, ate, told ghost stories, ate, rode in the boat, had marshmallow wars and ate! It was a nearly perfect weekend!

Soccer

2009-09-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

Robbie decided to play soccer this season and so far he likes it. He is getting to play a lot. He played goalie for a while tonight and made a fantastic save! Too bad I wasn't camera ready for it but here are a few shots I did get!

Can you guess??

2009-08-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

What is different about our front yard? Can you guess?

My Superhero Mom!

2009-08-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

Just ask anyone and they will tell you that my mom is the best! She is Superwoman! She can do anything and everything she does is nearly perfect! I wanted a superhero cape for my classroom and I wanted it to be very generic. She came and looked at my trimmers for my bulletin boards and came up with this wonderfully fantastic cape. It makes me excited for school tomorrow because I am the Hero of the Week and I will get to wear it! I love my mom!!

Provo Falls

2009-08-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

We spent the last few days of freedom in Midway. We shopped, swam and hiked to the Provo Falls. We were sad we hadn't taken Erik there when he was here. We were also sad Austin could only join us for part of the trip because he was busy debating already at school.

Busy Saturdays

2009-08-08T16:07:00.001-07:00

Planning for the first few days of school!
Father and son bonding-er changing oil!
Cherry Juice

Glasses

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

Robbie got glasses today. He sadly said, "Now I don't look like I am from California!" I asked him what he meant and he said, "I have the hair and the tan but now I have glasses!" I guess that can be interpreted in many ways!

Dead Tired!

2009-08-04T16:21:00.001-07:00

This is what happens to someone who works from 6 A.M. until Midnight six days a week. When I saw him, I thought he might be dead. I almost went to see if I could feel him breathing but then he moved! Thank goodness there are only a few more days of cherries!

Our Sunday Adventure

2009-07-26T19:04:00.001-07:00

Today Robbie wanted to make brownies all by himself. Well he is nine and so I said sure thinking I would check on him in a minute and see how it was going. Well when I went to check on him I saw the brownie mix, the mixing bowl, the measuring cups but no Robbie. I found him in the bathroom with a big wad of toilet paper on his finger. He had tried to cut open the package with one of my brand new, sharp steak knives and instead he cut his finger. A nice little filet. So we went to Anna's to get stitches. We are so lucky to have medical people in our family. We went to the clinic and Anna stitched his finger up. She kept telling him not to watch and he finally said, "Why not?" She said it makes some people sick to watch. He said it was making him sick not to. He loved getting stitches and said it was worth cutting his finger just to get the stitches. He wanted to wait until he was at least ten to get stitches but it was so COOL! Crazy! I doubt he will still think it is worth it later this week because the two times a day swimmer boy can't swim for at least a week! :( So much for my nice relaxing Sunday!!

Sweet Sixteen and Never Been Kissed!!

2009-07-13T15:51:00.003-07:00

McKenzie turned 16 today! She has her driver's license and is ready to date! I wonder where "the boy with the three owies" is? Happy birthday girlie, I love you!!

Payson Lakes

2009-07-06T19:52:00.001-07:00

Sisters

2009-07-06T19:48:00.003-07:00

In June my sisters were altogether for my niece's blessing and her sealing to Anna and Todd. There was a party at the pool afterwards. Robbie enjoyed a little Basketball and I enjoyed being with my sisters!

Guess Which Toes Belong To Me?

2009-07-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

Progress

2009-06-26T16:45:00.001-07:00

Progress because we now have a sidewalk in front of our house. However we still cannot get in our driveway. Next Friday they will pour the driveway! :D Oh can you tell that it is raining again!

When??

2009-06-17T19:54:00.001-07:00

When will we be able to use our driveway? When will we have our new sidewalk? The answer to these questions still cannot be answered. Although we are excited about the new driveway and we are happy that we haven't had to use our air conditioner yet . . .When the skies stop looking like this our driveway and sidewalk can be poured. Then we won't have to have our cars parked everywhere but in our driveway! One thing I love, love, love about the rain is that the flowers are so beautiful even if there is a lot of weeds!

Empty House

2009-06-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

Our house is empty and lonely this week! McKenzie is at Girl's Camp, Austin is working, and sadly, very sadly Erik has returned home to Sweden. We will miss him a lot! I am sure he is happy to be home but we wish he could have stayed or that he lived closer. Robbie told him to tell his dad to move here! Hopefully we will visit Sweden soon and he will have the opportunity to visit here again!

Forty, flirty, flakey??, fabulous!

2009-06-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

So I turned forty today! Whew I made it. My friend saw this picture this week and he commented about how much James has changed but that I look exactly the same! Minus the big hair, I think he is right! I sure look twenty, right? Maybe but I am grateful for all the things I have learned and been blessed with in the twenty years since this picture!

Just The Beginning of The Path

2009-05-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

The theme of graduation this year was the following quote-"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Yesterday and today as I was considering this, I was thinking some of the trails Austin has left in our lives. Not just trails of laundry and dishes but trails and trails of memories, lessons, and fun. I remember what a curious and active toddler he was. In the same visit to Utah he burned his arm and locked himself in the bathroom at grandma's. I remember him telling his grandma to use her listening ears. I remember trying to find a suit like the prophet for a seven year old who insisted he should look like the prophet when he spoke in Stake Conference. I remember watching him play and care for his little sister and brother. I remember all the firsts-smiles, laughs, walking before he crawled, his first date, catching his first fish, his first time passing and blessing the sacrament. I remember playing in the sand and building sand castles, teaching him to ride his bike, watching him swim so far out in the ocean that I thought I might die. Last Sunday he leaned over to me and said, "Mom, I'm scared-I wish I were Robbie's age again!" I am not scared, I am amazed and blessed that I have been able to walk some of those trails with him. I am looking forward to the trails he will leave behind him in the years to come!

Art Ball 2009

2009-05-23T12:14:00.001-07:00

Austin and Erik took dates to the Art Ball! Here are their pics!

One Act Play

2009-05-13T17:45:00.001-07:00

So this isn"t the best picture but we watched Austin's last performance in a play at Payson High School tonight. It was a one act play about dating. It was pretty funny and the best part about ten minutes long! He is pretty talented and we love watching him! I hope that I will get to see him perform again sometime!

Pinewood Derby

2009-05-13T17:43:00.001-07:00

The Pinewood derby was last night. James and Robbie finished the car before school that morning and glued on the wieghts three minutes before. It was fun times! Pretty fancy car!

Graduation

2009-05-03T11:29:00.001-07:00

Austin will graduate from Payson High School on May 28th, 10:00 A.M. Seminary Graduation is on May 17th at 6:00 at our church.

Back To Reality

2009-04-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

Back to reality I guess for us. We came back on Sunday to beautiful weather and look at my flowers that bloomed! I love all the color in the yard. What about the picture of cranberry juice and sprite? Well, James has Strep Throat which is amazing because I am the one who usually comes down with that! The counter is just another casualty of coming home from vacation and immediately going back to work! I am going to clean it today though!

More Spring Break Pics

2009-04-20T19:03:00.001-07:00

Spring Break 2009

2009-04-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

We just spent a fabulous eight days in New York City and Washington D.C. We saw so many things that I loved. The streets of New York, the smells, Chinatown, Times Square, the Temple, The elevator at the Marriot Marque in Times Square, Central Park, Guys and Dolls, Arlington Cemetery, the Museum of Natural and American History, Aaron Space Museum, The Monuments and more. The highlights were finding Ilauna's brother's name on the wall, watching the changing of the guard in the pouring rain, the taxi ride to Jefferson Memorial from Lincoln Memorial, Robbie's excitement, buying a purse in a secret room in Chinatown and most of all seeing Joni and spending time with her! It was a great vacation!

Simple Machine??

2009-03-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not so simple. The third grade Simple Machine Fair was yesterday! On Saturday James and Robbie spent most of the day building this beautiful catapult that included four simple machines. James moaned and groaned about the parent project and came very close, VERY to going over the $5 limit. We played with it all weekend and it worked great! Then the afternoon of the fair, Robbie got it all set up in the gym and a little friend from his class decided to try it out and . . . you guessed it! broke it. First of all no one is suppose to touch anyone else's machine. It is a grand thing to have your mom at the school and it just so happens that mom has a student teacher and had a little bit of free time to try to fix the machine before the entire school came to the fair. However seeing how mom didn't build it in the first place, she didn't do such a great job fixing it. By the end of the fair it was all mangled and twisted and had to have major repairs before the parent night. James trudged off to the hardware store again and sorry to say now we went OVER the $5 limit so that the machine would function for the evening shindig! Well Robbie's "Flinger" was better than ever! Robbie stated that the purpose for his "Flinger" was to shoot things at your annoying brother and sister! Because it now has a second life, we will see how well it fulfulls it's purpose!!