One Sunday

What a fun Sunday we just had! It was the primary program today, and I need to say I think the Presidency did and amazing job with it this year. One of the most enjoyable ones I have ever seen. The kids, of course, did a great job with their parts--so proud of them. The highlight of the meeting was watching the kids sing. I couldn't see Abbi too well, but we sure could hear her. Karli was cute as ever with her mature attitude and singing as loud and beautiful as ever. Tyler was, well lets just say he was quite entertaining. He apparently was in a mood and over dramatized every word he sang with hand gestures (much like an opera singer), facial expressions, and a deep singing voice which obviously didn't match his age. We really tried to keep our composure but it was it quite difficult. We all lost it, my mom and dad, Blaine and I and the rest of my family. The kid loves attention--we may be in trouble in the future!

A "Thriller" Night

If I had it my way I would pick a theme for our family for Halloween and we would all dress together and be "Oh, so cute!" As you can imagine not many people called the girls cute this year :) I just need to realize that we have now moved into the next phase of Halloweening. At least I let them choose what they want to be, that's good, right? The girls did have a blast being zombies from Thriller. It was especially fun walking next to the cemetery on Halloween night. . .

I Need Some Chapstick. . .

My lips hurt real bad-GOSH!


As you can see, Ty couldn't keep a straight face :)

Let me tell you about Ty and Halloween. Ty originally wanted to go the Micheal Jackson route and be (as he calls it) "Fat" from Weird Al's version of "Bad". He told everyone and he was very excited about the idea, even though I warned him that not many people would understand who he was. He didn't care. Then about a week or so before Halloween he decided out of the blue to be Napoleon Dynamite. I informed him that he would be much more recognizable as that character. He practiced all week talking like him, walking like him and most importantly dancing like him. He would even practice at the store--ya, I know, this kid has no fear. We sure received lots of chuckles :) We went up to the Utah game on Halloween night and he was treated like a celebrity. I love this kid!

We had a really fun idea and I can't believe I didn't get any pictures (GOSH!) but I had Blaine dress up as Uncle Rico. He totally played the part of the yucky door-to-door salesman with our Halloween treats that we delivered to our family. He was so believable with his Tupperware that it took a few minutes for my family to catch on that it was Blaine. I think when Uncle Rico yelled out to Napoleon to stay in the car it gave it away. It was one of the highlights of our time as a family...good laughs.

The GREAT Harvest

I have been so blessed. Our garden turned out beautifully. We've had a daily practice of making sure the watering is plenty, the weeding and thinning is done and watching our garden. Now we have a daily practice of picking our harvest. There is so much joy in that. I remember talking with Blaine at dusk almost every night thinking that it may not turn out as well as other years. But together we worked daily and are enjoying a great harvest.

I can't help but think of our family like our garden. We work so hard daily to read the scriptures, practice the piano, read good books, speak kindly, and practice other skills. But it seems as though there is constant weeding that needs to be done. Is the watering just right?-or is it too much? Are we planting enough? I look forward to the great harvest when all is said and done.

My grandfather "Bo" just recently passed away and I look at the "garden" he grew with his beautiful wife. He has had a great harvest for many years now and will for eternity as his family has turned out great with a love for the gospel. What a great example they are to me and my family who strive to be like them.

As Seen by Me:

The First Day of School

If you've been following my blog it isn't hard to notice that I wasn't totally excited to send my kids off to school. I've mostly blogged about Ty, but he only symbolizes the tail end of my family. Really, I'm always hesitant to give my loved children to unfamiliar people for a third of their day. Why would I want to send them off to an outdated (not earthquake proof), germ filled, cold building? Why would I intentionally send them to be taught by kids who don't have the best values and end up teaching my kids as if they are experts and all knowing about subjects that really should be taught and spoken of only within the walls of a loving home? Why would I 'let them go'? My answer is in the question: I let them go because I need to 'let them go'.

Oh the tears I imagine our loving Heavenly Father crying as he intentionally lets us go to this cold world full of people who "know better" than us, unsafe as it is, knowing some may not return. Why? Because he loves us. He wants us to experience, grow and learn. That, I have determined, is why I 'let them go'. They need to learn to recognize the good and bad. They need to learn to tolerate others (and maybe realize that others are tolerating them :) ). They need to see how little steps lead to progression. And with all of that, I guess they need to learn a little ABC and 123.

Some may think I'm clinging onto them. I will take that compliment and say that to cling to something would imply that that object has something of value and worth. I will proudly admit that my children are of worth and have much value and I will cling to them with all my heart.

What a great example we find in our Heavenly Father (who I can feel clinging onto me) that lets us leave him knowing that we will change; some for good, some for bad. I guess that is my fear. How will they change? I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my arms folded that they will change for good. . .

?Where is the PAUSE button?

These last couple of weeks has been a blast but a whirlwind at the same time. First, Blaine and I started off the fun the Kenny Chesney concert. If you haven't done one yet-what are you waiting for?? So much fun. There Blaine dropped my pocket camera and shattered the screen from the inside-um, ya, that's a whole other post. Next, we had a great low key 24th of July day with the parade and fireworks with the cousins-great times :) At the same time we had a timeshare up in Park City so we spent the next day and hours, here and there, up there. Then my grandfather "Bo" had his birthday-more great family fun (love those days! Everyone seems to make time when it's for him, awesome!) The next day was Abbi's 9th birthday. What a blast! She wanted to switch rooms-ya, she's been talking about it for a year and a half. Blaine and I finally painted it for her. We were just dumb because we put it off until this crazy week. Anyway, it turned out great. It produced the best happy birthday surprise smile yet. (Keep in mind that we are still going back and forth through all this to the timeshare) Then the MLS soccer match was in town so we did that. Awesome date night! Love cheering on teams with Blaine, he's usually coaching, so that was nice. Next was another trip up to Park City for that weekend's main event: The Park City Extreme Cup. It was so much fun. Karli and Abbi participated with their teams and did great. Blaine and Abbi's team went to the finals vs. Sparta and took second place. Way to go Abbi!

Family fun on the 24th

Abbi and Bo's exciting birthdays. Oh, while up in Park City on Ab's birthday we decided to go on the Alpine Slide. . .so much fun!

Yay Murray Max Soccer!!

HAPPY 10

We highly recommend renting a Jeep, too much fun!

Here we are at a Luau on the beach. Blaine is here at Mama's Fish House-a 'must try'.

Here are some of many pictures Blaine and I took on our recent trip to Hawaii. We stayed the first three nights on Maui, which is a beautiful island. We did a little driving, ate a little sushi (I do have to say that the sushi is better at home just around the corner and up the street), and got a little sun.
The next five nights we stayed on Oahu. I have to say that I've experienced Oahu twice now and I still like it best. Once you get out of Waikiki you really can't beat it. North Shore is so beautiful. Love the beaches, love the atmosphere, love the snorkeling. I can't wait until we go back someday--maybe we'll take the kids!

Here Blaine is at Hanama Bay (not worth the cost anymore, it's changed too much :( ) Another 'Must try' = Matsumoto's shaved ice

Pic from the plane.

FIVE and ALIVE!

Tyler, Tyler, Tyler. Where do I begin? Like Karli he had a birthday a few months ago and he turned the magical age of five. Apparently at the age of five one isn't in so much need of their mother any longer. They magically become independent and resourceful. Learning new things and accomplishing great things all on their own. "Don't worry, Mom" Ty says, " I'll still let you help me with some things!" So when he calls for Mom and I come running just to see him standing there with one button left undone on his shirt, one button left just for me, I smile. In this moment he is letting me feel needed. How in the world can I willingly let my baby go off to school this fall. There will be no time to run "erins" together, no Mr. Incredible to help me lift those incredibly heavy items into the cart and then again into the car and once again into the house. Who's going to remind me to put on my seat belt? Or give me those 'just becuz hugz'? Who would be willing to take over dog time when the ball is as slobbery as anyone could imagine and I just can't stomach throwing it anymore? All of these things Tyler does for me and will now do the equivalent for his lucky new teacher. I'm not sad that they are over, I'm happy they happened!

Slipping Through My Fingers

She's seven now! Well, she's actually been seven for a while, but I think I've been in shock for the last couple months. Anyway, here's Karli in a nutshell. . .


K- Kind hearted. Let me just say that she was born with a built-in ability to sense when someone needs a hug, a kind word, or (in my case) some chocolate.

A- Athletic. Karli is good at everything she tries. The best thing about her is that she sticks to things and doesn't give up and is thus becoming a beautiful dancer and an outstanding soccer player.

R- Rich. She thinks she's rich with $$ ($50 saved is a lot to a 7 year old), but she doesn't realize that she is so rich with knowledge, love, and family/heritage. Do we ever actually realize all that we have?

L- Little. Yes, she is growing up but she has always had such a dainty petite frame. I will always look at her as "little Kar". It's so fun to see her get among the "big" girls on the soccer field and come out with the ball!

I- Inspiring. I am greatly influenced by Karli to be better, not only for her but for myself.

I love the fact that Karli is apart of this family. Being the middle child can be rough sometimes but I think she's figuring out how to manage it well. I just can't believe how grown up she is --she's just SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS.

Tis the Season

Yes, it is soccer season again. For our family this means lots of fun. We try to go to a few ReAL games a year and last month half of the extended family was there with us. It was a good time, perfect weather and ReAL won!

Abbi with her cousin Evan

Karli with cute little Evan

Jacob, Abbi, Janae, Tyler and Karli.

Jacob and Janae are such good family friends we love them like family.

So many great memories made with them:)

Twinkle On!

Practice: 390 days

Memorized pages: 31

Lessons: $$$$ (I really don't want to see the total :))

Feeling like she can accomplish anything with a little hard work: PRICELESS!!!



Karli "finally" (as she would say) finished book one of her Suzuki training. She actually finished it at a pretty standard pace. I, of course, am so proud of her. She has moved straight into book two and is moving right along. She is amazing because she actually loves to practice! She is definitely blessed with a love and talent for music. We can't wait to see what she grows into :)

(I apologize for the poor sound quality.)

"Peaches come from a can, they were put there by a man in a factory downtown. . ."

READY. . .

SET. . .

WAIT!

So, Blaine and I have pretty much planted a garden every year since we've been home owners=9 yrs. I've also canned many things (including peaches :)) and Tyler still says that food just appears at Albertson's!? I must not be doing a very good job at including the kids in the whole garden experience. So I decided to start everything in our garden this year by seed. We've been successful before with starting a few plants from seed, but have never tried the whole garden. We usually go up to Day Farms every year and pick what we didn't plant for our salsa, spaghetti sauce and peaches--Ty used to think that Albertson's would put the food out there in the fields for us--you know, to make it fun! Anyway, we decided to go all out and plant peppers, chilli's, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, corn, zucchini, and beets. So here we are at Family Night starting our garden. They had so much fun---gee I can't wait until we all weed together!!

Contemplating Us

Blaine and I are in our tenth year. Our tenth year of:

Meeting
Dating
Falling in Love

Beginning Trials Together (his dad died 10 yrs ago)
Committing
Getting Engaged
Saying "Yes" to Each Other
Starting our Family

Neither of us can believe it's been ten years since this all started! ( Our actual wedding anniversary is in June) We are so looking forward to the next ten years. We will be having a child graduate high school. We will be have all of our children baptized. We will be supporting many, many sporting and academic events. Many more dates together, trips, trials and wins! I hate sounding corny but I hope everyone can be as happy we are.

News Flash

This just in. Tyler Graham has come out confirming that he is THE Mr. Incredible.

The other day I let Tyler spend the day in his Mr. Incredible costume. I was being nice because he would spend everyday in it if he could. Little do we know that at many times during any given day he does actually get in his costume to save the world, stop a car crash, or help a kitty in a tree. On this particular day, we were going to good old Costco and this was our conversation:

Mom: Ty, maybe you better change into you everyday clothes.

Ty: No Mom. I'm okay.

Mom: Are you sure? You don't have your mask. Everyone will find out your identity.

Ty: Ya Mom. I know. I want them to know that I'm the REAL Mr. Incredible.

Mom: Well, what if they ask you for your autograph?

Ty: Ya, that's why I have a pen with me!

Ty is the funnest little guy to be around. Our family is so blessed to have such a fun loving little gentleman in our presence. Those of you who know him well know we all would have a void in our lives without him. If any of you know how to freeze our little ones to just stay how they are, please let me know!

"Yay! We have cousins our age!"

We are so excited to have these new members of our family. My brother was married to his beautiful wife a few weeks ago now and all the kids can talk about is how they finally have cousins that they can see on a regular basis that are their age. We couldn't ask for better kids to join the family. We all get along so well and are looking forward to many good memories with them!

Confessions of a mom living in a recession

Many have asked where I went to get Karli's hair cut. They may be asking because it looks good or they may be asking so they can avoid the place-who knows! I need to confess that I cut it myself. Now before you all start feeling sorry for me (or for her) I need to say it was by choice. Blaine's job has never been better. But the prior year and a half has really made me start looking into what I can do for my family as opposed to what I can pay someone else to do for my family. I can really say that it all adds up. So until Karli can tell me that her hair looks bad, I think we can keep playing salon in the kitchen. Now, Blaine's personal job hasn't been in trouble with this economy yet, but his industry is in shambles. So who knows, maybe in the future we won't have $$ for those cute hair cuts-but at least my kids won't realize it!

Here's to all you mom's out there who have less to work with but still make it work!!