The Longest Day of My Life

Today had to be the longest day of my life! It was filled with laughter, tears, joy and pure frustration!!! It was our last day with Meagan and Cubby and a special evening with Taylor at his Court of Honor. After a late night with our Dance Marathon, we finally went to bed in the early hours and only experienced a few hours of sleep. I woke up early to finish some last minute items for Taylor's Court of Honor and be the first to take a hot shower. Once everyone was up, we quickly traveled to Park City to visit with Meagan's great aunt. We enjoyed our time walking through the Park City Resort and meeting Aunt Jeanie. It was around noon time when it all started to unravel. As we were driving to eat lunch at Main Street, the "Mothership" made some awful noises, loud disturbing noises...it sounded like a 747 was going to land in the front seat. Then we noticed it was difficult to brake and noise became louder and louder. As we stayed calm and evaluated our negative situation we decided it was NOT safe to travel back home in the Mothership. We called to find a van to take all 8 of us home but it was $185.00. I don't think so! So we tried a taxi to take a few of us home and then drive our other car to pick us up. That was $125.00. Nope, not going to work for me. So fortunately, Aunt Jeanie offered to take Meagan, Jason, Taylor and Jordan back home to SLC. Jason would take the other car and pick Cubby, Tanner, Missy and I up in Park City. TERRIFIC SOLUTION! We had a blast walking down Main Street, visiting all the shops until it became a BLIZZARD. It was miserable. No one wore ski clothes and along with the snow it started to thunder!!! Cubby's snow finally arrived and he loved every minute. He didn't want to go inside the stores. He just wanted to walk in this snow storm. Yes, it was beautiful until Jason called and said the freeway was horrible and it would take him longer to get us. We were still good with time and didn't worry. Jason called again and said the roads had many accidents and slide offs. It took Jason over 1.5 hours to go through Parley's...Now we were wet, tired and getting very cold. Jason finally arrived safely and we had no time to use the restrooms, we just wanted to get home to prepare for the Court of Honor. The weather was still awful and it took some time to get on the freeway. Once on the freeway our day suddenly became even worse, the freeway was closed due to two semi's that lost control. We were stuck!!! It's now 3:30 and Taylor's Court of Honor starts at 6:00. 100 yards later and it was 4:30. I started to make arrangements for Taylor and fortunately Meagan turned into MaMa Meagan as she filled in to help Taylor and Jordan. 5:30 and maybe another 100 yards, we realized we were not going to make Taylor's Court of Honor. Between the complete sadness that was becoming an overwhelming feeling and my full bladder, I just started to cry. How could I miss Taylor's Court of Honor! Remember the day he had the Board of Review, Grandpa died and now the day we celebrate for his accomplishment I am stuck in Park City. It was one of the worst feelings I have ever felt, not being able to be with my children. Thanks to Meagan, terrific ward members and his Scoutmaster, we made a few changes and they delayed the Court of Honor as long as they could. We finally arrived around 6:30 pm, rushed into the building and couldn't wait to be with Taylor. We missed most of the Eagle presentation but was there to listen to his leaders speak such incredible, thoughtful words of Taylor. After the Court of Honor, others drove us home. As I got out of our friends car, I slipped, butt first into the largest puddle in our driveway. It's not even a puddle, more like a lake. It was a very, very long day.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

She is such a "hotty"! Happy Birthday Mom...

The Dance Marathon

I can't believe I am posting our silly but extremely fun evening dancing in the livingroom! This takes great confidence for me to post such high quality of skill and talent. I feel quilty having so much laughter without mom. Today is her birthday and all of her children are in Utah spending time together...so Mom this video clip is dedicated to you! We miss you and love you very much! Happy Birthday

P.S. Keep an eye on Meagan in the video clips, I have never seen her laugh so hard!

Day Three with Cubby and Meagan

Day Two with Cubby and Meagan

It was great! We went to Gardner Village, finished up some loose ends for Taylor's Court of Honor, made a snowman, watched Tanner's school play and had a terrific late dinner at San Pan.

We also found out Kristi had her baby girl...Congratulations!!!

Video Clips of Ice Skating

First Day in Utah with Cubby and Meagan

We all had a terrific day! Meagan and Cubby woke up to a light layer of fresh snow. They played outside for a little bit. We learned Meagan has great aim when throwing snowballs, just ask Cubby. We spent some time at the Scout Store picking up Taylor's Eagle Scout papers then off to Temple Square. We spent three hours just exploring and having lunch at The Garden in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Jordan couldn't wait to have Cubby watch her skate, so after lunch we met her at the rink. We decided we all wanted to skate so we spent an hour skating with Jordan. (I have skating videos to post later on!) We had a blast and Missy later joined us...since our feet were screaming in pain and no one wanted to touch Cubby's boots or socks, we decided he needed a pedicure! We didn't even stop at home, we went straight to the nail salon for pedicures and manicures. Cubby needed some special treatment for his feet and I knew it was serious when the poor lady was putting on surgical gloves! Over an hour later, Cubby's feet and hands were soft and smelling like a bed of roses...They even gave him flip flops instead of putting his socks back on. By then Missy and Jason were done with work and we were off to the Mayan, which was a pleasant evening watching divers splash water on our table. It was a great day!

Cubby and Meagan are HERE!!!

Meagan and Cubby arrived late last night! Missy and I were late picking them up for various boring reasons but they were both eagerly awaiting for us! Cubby was busy making snowballs and Meagan stayed warm. Since Jason and Missy are working a full day and the kids are in school, Cubby, Meagan and I will be running errands and exploring downtown. It's quite beautiful with the new layer of fresh snow! We may go ice skating later on and prepare for Taylor's Court of Honor!

A Letter from Grandpa

As I was putting away the amazing report cards from the kids, I found this letter to Jordan from my Dad. This week hasn't been easy for Jordan and I. Or I should say it's never easy for any of us but Jordan and I just showed our emotions on the outside. I am so grateful I have saved a few of his cards, letters and even some of the junk he would mail to me! He always gave me quarters, taped to his cards...treasure everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day

What a hunk! I might get in trouble for posting these photos but I couldn't resist. This is Cubby dressing up as a "Cowboy". I remember when he was little and would always wear a towel around his neck pretending it was his super hero cape. He improved over the years! Just call this payback Cubby for pretending my feminine products were puffy stickers and sticking them all over your body then walking out to greet my boyfriend! I can't wait to spend next week with Cubby and Meagan, minus the Cowboy suit...it's a little too cold in Utah to be wearing such an outfit.

6 MORE DAYS!!!

Here Comes the Sun!!!

What a beautiful day! We spent the day, tucked in the mountians enjoying the sun. Jordan stayed in the valley skating, spending some time with Missy then babysitting a sweet family. The boys along with Veronica (Taylor's girlfriend) headed up to Brighton. Jason and I still volunteer at the races and the boys skied and snowboarded. It was just an amazing day. I could not get over how much snow we have. It was wonderful to watch Tanner back on his ski's. He has grown up so much. He spent over 4 years competing on the Ski Team at Brighton. What a life, skiing 3-4 days a week skiing. As he got older, his interest changed and his dedication wasn't quite the same but how much he loves the mountains. We rented high performance ski's and he was in heaven! He even ran into his old instructor, Trixie. Tan Man loved this awesome lady and she took him all over the mountain when he was little. She was always so good to Tanner. It was great to watch them reunite and she took Tanner to help out a few of her skiers. After the race was over, Tanner and Trixie hit the slopes. Tanner was truely happy to be back in the mountains. It's my goal this year to get him new gear and for him to spend more time skiing. Meanwhile, Jason and I are feeling older! Our bodies are tired...We didn't ski and of course, Jason can't ski or snowboard again but we spent the day working at the BBQ and reuniting with old friends. It was just a great day!

Found It!

I finally found it! This is one of my favorite photos of my mom and Taylor. It was Taylor's first birthday, February 6, 1992. He broke his leg two days before his party. You can't see his cast but he figured how to crawl with it on. What a kid!

February 6, 2008

Happy Birthday Taylor!!!

Taylor is now 17 years old. I just love this kid! He is a gentle, thoughtful person who is becoming a great young man. His report card was awesome considering all the time he missed with my Dad's funeral. He continues his interest in film and photography. Taylor has endured so much as a little boy and his brittle bones. We only have one more year with Shriner's Hospital. I remember spending 3-4 visits a month and now it's 3-4 visits a year. I am proud of you Taylor! He has earned his Eagle and should be driving soon. He has a car ready for him to drive. Taylor is a junior at East High and his days are busy with work, homework and baseball, along with a girlfriend.

Taylor was born with a few stress fractures in his hips. The photo is of my Dad and Taylor with his first casted break. The other photo is my mom and Taylor. He was such a cuddley baby. Honestly, we have lost count of how many casts this little man has gone through and all the variety of colors and designs. Once the breaks hit around 70 fractures, we stopped counting. Taylor never complained and he would never let O.I. slow him down. Today, he pitches and plays firstbase for East High baseball. He still has a pin in his foot. I can't imagine life without Shriners. They have been so good to us!!!

May 1992......................................................December 2007

15 More Days and Counting!!!

We can't wait!!! 15 more days and Meagan and Cubby will be with us in Utah...We have a busy weekend planned with Taylor's Court of Honor, Tanner's school play, sledding in Park City, eating at the Mayan and much, much more!!!

What a Prophet!

I am so blessed to have the past decade with President Hinckley. I ALWAYS looked forward to General Conference and listening to him speak. I remember attending the first General Conference held in the Conference Center and President Hinckley spoke so fondly of the oak tree used to make the pulpit. I also recall how touched I was listening to Sister Hinckley speak of her husband. Such two wonderful people! He was definitely the "People's Prophet". As much as I will miss his humor and more importantly his counsel, I have no fear for the future of our church. I am just grateful...so grateful for the church, my knowledge, and having a prophet.

January 24th-Happy Birthday Dad!

I found some very special photos of my Dad as a little boy. The first photo is my Dad with his mom, taken December 25, 1950. He is almost three years old.
The family photo didn't have a date but I know my dad is sitting in his mother's arms on the right. I think my Grandpa was a very handsome man!!! I also don't think people liked to smile in Mexico...
Not one day has gone by when I don't think of him or my eyes water up just visualizing him. I still stumble across little reminders of him and his voice is very clear in my mind. I know where my Dad is and who he is with. I know he is busy, very busy telling stories and making so many laugh. I know when he reunited with his parents and siblings, it was glorious and a feeling we can not comprehend. I know my Dad is often close to me or any of us, especially when the empty feeling is just too much to handle. I know it's bugging him when we hurt inside but yet it reminds him how important he was to us. The photo was taken at his 50th Surprise Birthday Party, January 24, 1998. I was holding the cake while my Dad was counting all the candles!

Dad was suppose to be in Utah with us this week, celebrating his 60th birthday. We were planning Taylor's Court of Honor the same weekend. My Dad would have LOVED watching Taylor receive his Eagle and being in the same room with a real Eagle! Even though the plans have changed, Dad will always remain in our hearts where ever our adventures take us! We can't wait to have Cubby and Meagan spend a weekend with us next month for Taylor's Court of Honor.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Just a Little Snowfall!

While the boys were sleeping (no school today), Jordan and I were SHOVELING the enormous amount of snow. No worries, there is much more to shovel for them later!!! It is probably the largest snowfall I have seen since living in Utah!

First Photo: Jordan sweeping the snow off the van. This is after Jason already did it earlier this morning!

Second Photo: Our front house

Third Photo: Jordan quit helping and decided to play in the snow!

First Photo: Our backyard. It's a beautiful, winter wonderland!

Second Photo: Jordan jumping and diving into the snow piles.

We shoveled for over an hour and grateful for the assistance of our neighbors and their snowplower. I doubt the plowers will reach our road anytime soon!!! The snow is so light and fluffy. More to shovel. It hasn't stopped snowing for hours.

Peanut Butter does NOT take away FRECKLES!

It's been a few weeks of craziness!!! Broken washer, kids getting sick, vertigo for Tiff, broken wrist for Tan Man, shoveling snow, baseball schedule, and much, much more. Some highlights...washer is fixed for a hefty price, Tiff feels much better, Missy and I took a weekend off and spent it in St. George with Kathy Olson, Tanner had a great time at a snow camp out and Nationals Figure Skating starts this week!!! Jason has held up the fort and I even made dinners for 4 nights in a row. My mom bought me a terrific Crock Pot cookbook. Missy and I had a wonderful weekend spending it with Kathy in sunny St. George (even though she was sick). While we were gone, Jordan was trying to get rid of her freckles. Jason told her peanut butter takes them away. She fell for it!!!

Happy Birthday Tan Man!!!

Tanner turned 15 today! Wow, has time gone by fast. My little grumpy terror has turned into a funny, lovable young man. Tan Man is a great kid, full of personality. When he started school his teachers described him as a grumpy old man inside this youthful body. That statement is still true!!! He is busy with a new play called "Take Five" produced and directed by High School students. He also plans to play baseball this season for East. Happy Birthday Tan Man! I love you...

My mom bought us new chairs for our dining room table and for Christmas I received new "square" dishes and silverware. The family, even the kids love to eat dinner together and it's not the same if Aunt Missy isn't with us. The table is always set up with all the silverware and plates ready for us to eat together. Tonight we had a great dinner then we sang "Happy Birthday" to Tanner.

Happy New Year!!!

We had a great time bringing in the New Year with our friends. We spent the evening with Colleen and her family. It was great to catch up and have the kids spend some time together. Now we start the new year, back to school and skating but best of all...BASEBALL is almost here!!! The boys will start training this week. I worked on the 2008 Calendar with all the competitions, shows, baseball games, camps, etc. We have another busy year ahead that will be filled with memories and experiences!!!

First Photo: Jordan and McKaylie

Second Photo: Tanner and Brooke

Third Photo: Tanner (playing Cranium-making a high heel)

Tanner and Austin celebrating the New Year!!!