Wow, I can't believe that it will be Christmas in one week from today! Holy Cow! Where has the time gone. Recently, I sat thinking over the past Christmases and thinking about how the boys have grown. I wish there was a stop button, so that we could stop them from growing, just for a few minutes, days, weeks. Anyway, here are some highlights of the last little while. (By the way, I think my cell phone's camera is really awful, I'm wondering if it shouldn't be taking better pics than this. My digital camera won't hold a charge, so this is all I have, guess it's time to work on that one.)

Kai is taking Guitar 1 this year in school and is doing pretty good. The class as well as the choir classes had a performance the other night and Kai and 3 of his friends performed. They were the HIT of the show! It was so much fun. The evening was D-R-A-G-G-I-N-G and we could hardly stand it and about the middle of the program was their performance. The boys chose to sing Adam Sandler's "Hanukkah Song" (and changed the words in a questionable part) and it was GREAT! (I've put the words below.) Everyone cheered and whistled and it was hoot! Leave it to Kai to provide the comic relief of the night. My boy, the ham! (He's on the far left end, the one helping Miss Backenstoss with the mic.) Here is the best we could get with my phone - thanks Abby for filming for me! ...

"Put on your yamulke, here comes Hanukkah. It's so much fun-akkah to celebrate Hanukkah,

Hanukkah is the festival of lights, instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.

When you feel like the only kid in town without a christmas tree, here's a list of people who are Jewish, just like you and me:

David Lee Roth lights the menorah, so do James Cann, Kirk Douglas and the late Dinah Shore-ah

Guess who eats together at the Carnegie Deli, Bowzer from Sha-na-na and Arthur Fonzarelli.

Paul Newman's half Jewish; Goldie Hawn's half, too, put them together -- what a fine lookin' Jew!

You don't need "Deck The Halls" or "Jingle Bell Rock",
'cause you can spin the dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock--both Jewish!

Put on your yamulke, it's time for Hanukkah.
The owner of the Seattle Supersonic-ahs celebrates Hanukkah.

O.J. Simpson -- not a Jew! But guess who is...Hall of Famer Rod Carew -- (he converted!)

We got Ann Landers and her sister, Dear Abby,
Harrison Ford's a quarter Jewish -- not too shabby!

Some people think that Ebenezer Scrooge is, well, he's not, but guess who is -- all Three Stooges

So many Jews are in show biz, Tom Cruise isn't, but I heard his Agent is.

Tell your friend Veronica, it's time you celebrate Hanukkah
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely, lovely Hanukkah

*Don't tick of Miss Backenstoss --ickah, or she'll make you play on stage --ickah (*changed)
If you really, really wanna --kah, have a happy, happy, happy, happy Hanukkah! Happy Hanukkah!"

The boys were excited, they got everyone enthused and awake and some singing along. (It's a little hard to hear at first, but gets louder.)



Last night, Kai had to make dinner for an assignment in Spanish class. It was yummy, (especially with Tapatio on it!) and he was glad it was over. I think he has the makings to be a pretty good cook! Ü

We are still waiting for the video we had at Cole's Eagle Scout Court of Honor that was made for him, as soon as we get that, I will post it.

I LOVE being a Mom...who would have thought it would have been THIS great?!

What a week!...

It's been a crazy, yet memorable week! Some milestones, bittersweet. Here are some highlights:

Cole's Eagle project was to collect up items for the children in the cancer ward for Primary Children's Medical Center. This photos was taken when he was presenting the collected items to the lady in charge of the donations at the hospital. It was such a neat experience and he was so excited to do it. Check out his smile! Ü

One of the Moms brought these cute, Eagle Scout cookies to the Court of Honor. They were yummy!

My nephew and his cute family, The Oliversons. I remember when we went to Jody's Court of Honor.

Our family and Thomas Melanson. Cole chose Bro. Melanson as his Mentor. He was encouraging and supportive and most importantly, enthusiastic about Boy Scouts and really helped Cole. Cole has had MANY Scout leaders who have helped him along the way, thanks to you all!

Our family with our Eagle Scout! (Even Mom came!)

The gang!

Cole with his Uncle Ralph and Aunt Tammy.

Hahaha! Brian, you are CRAZY! LOL!

Cole with the Carliles, our good friends.

Former mission companions and great friends.

Pre-op, just as he's getting his IV.

After the IV. (Glad that's over with! Not so bad, huh?)

Post-op, day 2. Feeling pain but doing ok (well enough to be TEXTING! LOL!)



Post-op Day 5. Right before removing the bandages. What will we find underneath, the suspense is killing us all!...

First look at the incisions, stitches and Surgeon's marks. (Feels worse than it looks, huh Cole?!)

Side view.

Scott and I at Lagoon.

When Cole and I got home from the hospital, the cats were on the window sill, it was so cute!

Louie and Chappy, aren't they cute?!

My cute Kai guy, at his Sophomore game against Kearns. He's so grown up!

Our Regional Conference at the Conference Center. It was so great to hear a living Prophet speak to us, we were only about rows back! It was so edifying and the Spirit was so strong! ( I didn't think to take a picture until he was walking out and unfortunately, what I did get, wasn't a very good one. )

Kai. Sophomore football program photo. (He's one of 4 Freshmen on the Soph. team!)

Cole. JV/Varsity football program photo.

The two of us.

Our dear friends, Brian & Shelly Carlile. Great photo guys!

Our family at the Conference Center with the Salt Lake Temple in the background.

"WHATEVER"!

Our first family vacation in 2 years and guess what?...I didn't take ANY pictures! UGH! I thought about it a few times and was going to go to the car to get my camera and never did. Before I knew it, it was time to go home. Well, so you'll have to envision the trip as I share it.

We've been talking about taking a vacation somewhere near by, where we could spend some time away and not spend alot of money. My idea of a vacation is relaxing where there is water and sun. The beach would be perfect, but it was too far and more than we could spend, so a pool would be perfect. We've been debating where to go since April, some of the suggestions (obvious ones) were camping in the mountains (UGH!) and such. Scott and I talked about Lava Hot Springs in Idaho many times, but honestly, my vision of that was a hole in the ground with bubbling water and trees and wildlife, no civilization for miles...you get the picture. The many times he would mention Lava, I would shutter... LOL! We decided we were going to go over the 4th of July, kind of a post-birthday for Scott/vacation. So, with the suggestion of friend, she told me to check the internet and see what it was all about. The INTERNET??! Who'd a thunk?! It looked GREAT! The hot springs were very nice, clean, not only holes in the ground, but more like hot pools. And they had an outdoor pool with slides on the other side of town (about 8 blocks away) and a river that you can ride with tubes/rafts AND they were having fireworks for the 4th of July. I thought, what the heck, let's give it a try. I spent hours on the internet looking up reservations and called a few places (many being super expensive, but wishing for a vacancy) and finally found one little motel who had just had a cancellation 5 minutes before. (Which by the way, the lady at the motel said we were SO lucky...they are completely booked by January!) As we came closer to the day to leave, I found myself getting more and more excited. We were only going 2 1/2 hours north to Idaho, but it felt like we were going across the country! I couldn't wait. The boys were getting so excited and I could tell they were anxious to get away as much as Scott and I! We check into the motel about 10:30 pm and it was so quiet. We decided to put our bags in the room and walk the town (which consists of mostly main street and a few side streets and the main area is about 8 blocks long). We walked and commented on how "cute" the town was and how great it was that you could walk everywhere. We really were lucky to get the room we did, as we found out later, it was diagonally across the street from the hot springs, it was right in front of part of the river and the center of everything. Friday, we got up when we felt like it (which is always the best part about vacation, isn't it?) and had breakfast. This was one of the highlights for my guys and they are breakfast guys and LOVE to go out to breakfast. Me, not so much, but I humored them anyway. We spent time at the pool, and after dinner that evening we went into the Hot Springs pools. I didn't really know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. They are very HOT and relaxing - ranging from 102 - 112 degrees. We stayed for quite a while and enjoyed a nice lightening/thunder rain storm while in the pools. It was really neat. Saturday we saved to run the river, the Portneuf river to be exact. It was so COLD getting in. We all left about the same time from the start and before I knew it we were all getting bumped and spun...it was CRAZY and wet! When we all met up at the bottom, we all had stories of getting scratched, bumped, banged up, etc. (we got separated not long after the start) but it was so fun! When we met up with Scott (the last one out) he had lost his flip-flops, t-shirt, glasses and wedding ring. Oh no. Luckily someone found his flip-flops, but his Copper Hills Grizzlies t-shirt was gone, but we can get another one. The wedding ring, well he lost "our" wedding ring years ago, this was his dad's and that can't be replaced, but my thought was how is he going to see for the rest of the trip. It was not even noon on Saturday with so much left to do. I started praying...really hard. We searched the end point and along the banks for as long as possible and decided that they were gone. What do we do now? See, Scott has a REALLY bad astigmatism. His glasses have to be ordered and they take 6 weeks to make them, so it's not like anything will do. We discussed our options and thought with it being a holiday that we would stay there and make the best of it. We told the boys to ride the river and meet us back at the motel. Our motel had a cute sitting area out front, right on Main Street, so we got a deck of cards and played while we watched people walk through the town. It was really fun and relaxing. (I love playing rummy, thanks to Ralph and Orin, it always brings back a sense of my childhood. The boys are getting to be good rummy players, too.) Later we went to the Hot Springs again and this time waited for the fireworks. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fireworks! I love the smell, sounds, lights, excitement, everything! The fireworks show was great! They lit them off of the top of a "lava mountain" across the street. At the end, they lit a line of fireworks that looks as if the mountain is on fire and the lava is running down. I think they call it the "wall of fire". It was really cool!

Before we left for our vacation, the boys and I decided to say "whatever" to anything that would "spoil" our fun. So that became our motto: "Whatever"...and it worked! There were a few times when things could have gotten a little heated or especially when Scott lost his glasses, we decided that what happened, happened and "whatever"...we will do what we need to to continue to have fun. And we did.

I learned alot about myself and my family over this vacation. One of the most important things I learned (and wished I would have learned this sooner) is that it doesn't matter WHAT you are doing or WHERE you are doing it, the most important thing is that you are doing it as a family. We had more fun on this vacation than we have ever had...just the 4 of us doing "whatever". I love my boys, they are such great boys and fun to be around. They are smart, funny, thoughtful, polite, generous, strong, spiritually mature and aware individuals and *I* am lucky to be their mom. I have grown to love my husband so much more each day and am so pleased at his attitude after losing his glasses (how frustrated and irritable would I be if I couldn't "see"?) and being a good sport. (The saga continues...our eye doctor was out of town the monday after our vacation, so he had to wait until that Friday to see him. His old sports goggles were cut down to lenses we could put in old frames and he won't have his correct contacts or glasses for about 6 weeks.) It was a super fun vacation and we would all do it again in a heartbeat. Maybe next 4th of July?

Blog-stalker?!

A few weeks ago I had a friend call me a "Blog-stalker"! At first I was surprised, telling her all of the reasons why I don't respond to blogs. (See, when we talk she'll tell me something and, of course, my response is "oh yeah, I saw that on your blog." Hence the name "Blog-stalker".) I thought it was normal to just just read the blogs and then go on to the next one. Apparently not. So, now I am going to try NOT be a "Blog-stalker"! I'm going to read the blogs and try to say something meaningful. Try... Ü

On another note, I'm not spending one more minute on this thing...Scott's getting off work early today! It will be so nice to see him for a few hours...before we both have to head off to meetings and not see each other until tomorrow! LOL!

Bye Bye Bugs...We'll miss you...

On Friday, Bugsy bit Grandma Jo (Mom) again and this time we had to take her to the shelter and have her put to sleep. I should say, I did. The boys were gone (good thing) and Scott was at work, so I had to do it. It's the second time I've had to do something like this and it is heart-wrenching. (I had to take our Boxer, Auggie, when we lived in San Diego.) I sobbed like a baby when I brought her back to the holding area and into her cage. She wasn't herself. She hasn't been herself for a few days, so it was a little easier I guess. I tried to get her to give me kisses and say goodbye but she was figit-y and disinterested. I told Scott after leaving that I can't have another pet, I hurts too much. We still have Louie and Chappy, who think life is grand now that the have the house to themselves. I think they know that something is different. We will remember Bugsy for the fun, sweet and loveable dog that she was and all the good times we had. Bye, Bugs.

I'm back!...

It has been a long time since I've blogged. I'm not sure exactly why, although I do know that I have been spending alot of time on Facebook, which I thoroughly enjoy and was considering no longer maintaining my blog. But until then (if at all),...

I am so excited for General Conference! I love to watch and listen and I always feel so sad when it is over! I love being able to "hunker down" as a friend mentioned and just hang with my family. I love seeing the guys all get dressed and go to Priesthood Session together and come home discussing the talks they've heard and "yeah, he's awesome" or "it was such a good talk"! (Although when they are gone, the house feels really empty!) I love listening to the hymns that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings, two of my favorites being "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing"and "Consider The Lillies" (which they usually sing in spring, so maybe they'll sing it?!) I have it blaring from every TV, Computer and radio (that I can sync) in all corners of the house. I love it! I am looking forward to being spiritually fed this weekend and am always sad, even tearful, when it is over. With that being said, sometimes there are things that come up on a Saturday that are out of our control and we have to rely on reading it in the paper or Ensign, which at least is an option, but not near the experience. So, tomorrow we will catch what we can, when we can, until the guys go to Priesthood and then full on Sunday. Oh, if only the big screen were working!...Yeah, bad timing to need a part that won't be in until Tuesday! UGH!

The boys have been participating in a great once-in-a-lifetime experience. A youth temple celebration called "Come Up To The Temple Of The Lord". Because we are living in a region where 2 new temples are being built (Draper and Oquirrh Mountain temples), a youth celebration has been planned for the end of May which includes all the youth in this region (approx. 20,000!). The youth are either singing or dancing and will perform in the Conference Center for the Prophet and church leaders in a Celebration of the opening of the these temples. (The first time it has occured since the opening of the Salt Lake Temple, amazing!) Since I'm in the Stake Young Women's Presidency, I have been able to be a part of the process of getting this HUGE undertaking in action. And it's amazing. We have groups of our Stake that are singing and dancing and meet at different building each week for practice. There will be a time closer to mid-May when we will then combine with a nearby Stake and get all the kids together for practice. Then, the dress rehearsals before the performance. I can't wait! It's going to be phenominal. And surprise, the boys (Cole and Kai) picked DANCING! Wow! (Those are my boys!) I really thought they'd go for singing (both were in school choir) but they wanted to be active, so they chose dancing. I have been able to attend each practice (as Stake YW Presidency member) and Scott (he's in the Bishopric) and it's fun to watch them. They are doing well, too. All of the kids are doing SUCH a great job, the dance is fantastic (ours is a pioneer one, although my boys wanted the HAKA!) and it's cute seeing them dancing with the girls. Ü I'll keep up on this one as it progresses.

Some things I'm looking forward to (some in the distant future and not necessarily in this order:

Seeing the Fuzzins!

Warm and dry weather

The boys outdoor sports activities (Track and Football)

A VACATION!

Being out of debt

Being shapely again...

The big screen TV working again

Trying sushi (can you believe it? I've decided to give it a shot! And am looking forward to it.)

Riding a rollercoaster (either Lagoon, Magic Mountain or Disneyland, preferably the latter two!)

Taking Scott and the boys to Philly

Attending an NFL game

Finishing the Book of Mormon by Easter

Getting our basement finished

.........

I was talking with a friend the other night and discussing our favorite movies. I LOVE movies, I just can't remember alot of details unless I've seen it a million times! We decided to break it up into decades. So, here are my faves:

1980's - "The Breakfast Club"

1990's - "Cool Runnings" (I know, I'm not really cerebral, I just enjoy good entertainment!)

2000's - I can't think of my favorite...so help me out!

What are your favorites?

"Young @ Heart" - a MUST see!

Happy New Year everyone! Yes, the **CRAB FEST** was awesome as always although we missed having several family member "regulars" there this year, it was still so fun! We played a new game this year called "Things...in a box" and it was hilarious. I highly recommend it. I think the first round was the trial run, and you have to set some group "rules" as we did, but after the first round, we got going and laughed until we were red in the face! So, if you like games, give it a try!

Last night, I started watching a movie called "Young @ Heart" that was recommended to me by my brother, Ralph. I have had it (Netflix) for about 2 weeks and had wanted the rest of the family to watch it with me, but got tired of waiting for them (Scott and Kai playing NCAA '09 and Cole checking his Facebook page) so I went ahead. Within 30 minutes, all three were watching with me. Needless to say, it was captivating, touching, sweet, sad, hilarious and will have you cheering! I couldn't help but see my mom, dad and grandparents in many of these sweet seniors and I think you will too.

The premise of the movie is this (from the jacket): "Coldplay, the Clash and Jimi Hendrix will never sound the same once you've heard the Young @ Heart chorus, a group of Massachusetts senior citizens who thrill audiences worldwide with thier unusual - - and unusually poignant - - covers of rock songs. Steven Walker's humane and heartwarming documentary, which premiered at Sundance in 2008, follows the elderly ensemble as they prepare for their new show. "

Don't let Coldplay, the Clash and Jimi Hendrix throw you off, this is a wonderful, WONDERFUL family movie and a MUST see for everyone! I'd love to hear what you think after you have seen it, so let me know!