song of the week

Walking Alone-

Come together like a foot in a shoe
Only this time I think I stuck my foot in my mouth.
Thinking out loud and acting in vain.
Knocking over anyone that stands in my way.

Sometimes I need to apologize.
Sometimes I need to admit that I ain't right.
Sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut, or only say hello.
Sometimes I still feel I'm walking alone.

Walk on eggshells on my old stomping ground,
Yet there's really no one left, that's hanging around.
Isn't that another familiar face?
Too drunk to figure out they're fading away.

--Green Day

Plans have been postponed. The future is uncertain. More is changing than just the weather.

update and ramblings without pics

It seems longer than just a few weeks since I've posted. I hate the month of August; so hot I could kill someone, and of course, this month has just dragged on! Tomorrow it's over--yay! Heat and morning sickness don't mix well...come to think of it, nothing mixes well with morning sickness.

It's been more than a couple months since Gene pulled the plug on our internet, (we tried, in vain, to get wireless going, really we did) and now that he's back in school it turns out that all his required reading is ONLINE. So hallalujah -we'll be getting internet again this weekend! I can't wait to post some pics about our downstairs rooms that are done, and most recently our new oak kitchen floor! I need to do a "before & after" to do it complete justice. The only sad news in the midst of our renovations is that the new carpet smell makes me sick, so I don't really spend a lot of time down there...yet. We're going to have to shampoo our brand new carpet. Stupid-ultra-sensitive-smell-preggy-wacko-nose!

We heard the heartbeat today. It was a good, strong & loud heartbeat. It is always reassuring to finally hear it, especially given that there are a few days that I don't even "feel" pregnant.

After my doctor appointment we drove out to the airport to watch President Bush arrive with his entorage & then watch Air Force One take off. More striking than the sight of the plane was the absolute silence coming from the airport, for at least an hour before hand, as they clear all air space around Air Force One. He stayed at the Grand America hotel last night, which just happens to be the same hotel Gene & I are staying in for our Anniversary (11 years on Sept. 7). He won (at work) a night stay in an executive suite w/ dinner AND spa treatment! Maybe we'll get to see the Presidential suite?!

One last thought. As soup has been a staple for me lately I have to praise one of my favorite kitchen utensils: a small standing wisk from Pampered Chef. Seriously I love this thing. It blends anything to the creamiest of textures. Gravy, soup, white sauce --no lumps! I'm just sayin'.

news

Notice anything different? :)

(a lilypie baby banner was installed under the blog title announcing our pregnancy with Morgan)

m.i.a.

Two fairly good reasons why I haven't posted in a few weeks are: 1) we finished the basement & are currently entertaining family from New Jersey, and 2) my dear husband decided to go wireless-yay! However we still need to buy the adapter, so we are presently OFFline. (I'm at Lorraine's house for this entry.)

I've been dying to post pictures of our remodeling, the cousin-kiddies playing together & even Emma's dental surgery from back in May, but for some reason my PDA isn't sync-ing with our computer (gotta get on that, I know).

The girls are having a fun summer with lots of jumping on the tramp, swimming at the pool & popsicles and LOTS of playing time with the cousins. Emma is absolutely addicted to popsicles, and is starting to enunciate her words a little better lately. Sarah cut in 2 adult teeth on the bottom, but the baby ones haven't fallen out yet--just very loose.

Our vegetable garden is out. of. control! We have 17 tomato plants that are HUGE & the squash is crazy. We plan on canning some, dehydrating some & then leaving bags full on our neighbors doorsteps & running away. Yes, soon, doorbell ditching will be in full swing!

The rest of July promises to be full of summer time fun with camping trips and water park excursions and barbecues... I hope to be ONline before then, but just in case we're not, and in the likely event that I'm gone to that "island in my mind" for the rest of the month, I wish y'all a wonderful & sunburn-free summer!

~Carla

swedish meatballs

My folks are off gallivanting in Sweden for the next 2 weeks! A good part of our family history comes from Sweden. My Mom has been dreaming about going for decades, and has been planning this trip for at least the last year. They plan on visiting some relatives and touring about 4 different cities. I hope they have the time of their lives!

"Zee de moofin? Ond ik will mit de boome shooten!"

One of the images that comes to mind when I think about Sweden is the Muppets Swedish Chef. I loved the way he talked, like: "Yorn desh born, der ritt de gitt der gue, Orn desh, Smorrgeborgen...Bork, Bork, Bork"!

Sometimes I would laugh myself to tears.

I have some lesson printouts about Sweden (maps, culture, basic child language) for Sarah, so that we can experience "where Grandma is" simultaneously. And, like in our homeschool Culture Club, we can make Swedish cuisine and play native games to enhance the learning. Maybe I'll post her work here.

Another image that comes to mind is IKEA, and (Yay!) they have finally broken ground for the new store only 15 minutes from my house!!! I'm giddy with anticipation!

congratulations dean

We have been very busy. I've been wanting to post pictures about some of our experiences lately, but our computer isn't reading the digital camera connections (?ugh?), so until Gene fixes it, I can use the scanner.

Today we attended the high school graduation of my nephew, Dean. I can hardly believe that he's 18 and now done with school! I remember when he came to my high school graduation--at only 6 months old. I remember being his "Auntie Lala". Oh heck, let's embarrass him reeeal good...I remember changing his diaper! (hehehe *evil laugh*)

He can't decide if he wants to join the Army, go to the Oregon Culinary Institute (he's a very good cook), or jump straight into college. Whatever you decide, Dean, we wish you the very best!

Love you!
~Auntie Lala

Dean, 18 years old--

One heck of a cute guy!

baby Dean, 6 months old--

One heck of a cute baby!

procrastinating

We are sooo close to getting the basement done. We've been caulking, sanding, cutting, sanding, building, yada yada yada. When construction starts to infiltrate my dreams I take it as a sign that I need a break. I should be painting right now, and I will...I WILL...I just can't do it right now. I. just. can't!

I know in a month from now I will be sooo loving it. But when one's remodeling an older home one has to un-do all the stupid freakin' crappy mistakes that the previous owners did--and THEN build it right. It's a lot of work! So instead, here I am surfing the excruciating minutiae of the internet.....

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is an incubator for good ideas, it just takes a while for them to develop. But when you think of something, watch out! Your thoughts tend to be huge, and they come on quickly - like an explosion. You tend to be quiet around others, unless you're inspired by your next big idea.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

You Are Marge Simpson

You're a devoted family member who loves unconditionally. Sometimes, though, you dream about living a wild secret life! You will be remembered for: your good cooking and evading the police Your life philosophy: "You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head."

The Simpsons Personality Test

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Fine! I'm off to paint now...I'm going...going...........

dedicated to my mom & mom-in-law

Because I feel that in the heavens above

The angels, whispering one to another,

Can find among their burning terms of love,

None so devotional as that of "Mother,"...

~Edgar Allan Poe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is a Mother

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,

To love us, whatever we do,

With a warm understanding and infinite patience,

And wonderful gentleness, too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance

In soothing our small, childish fears,

How tenderly mothers watch over their children

And treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness

For any mistake, big or small,

And generous always in helping her family

Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion

And make all our cares fall away,

She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter

And make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom

And wonderful insight and skill -

In each human heart is that one special corner

Which only a mother can fill!

~Katherine Nelson Davis

my mother

In honor of my Mom on Mother's Day- a photo & memory montage:

This is one of my all-time favorite photos! On the right is my Grandma holding my Aunt's hand, and on the left is my Mom. I love the era & especially the movie marquee w/ Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner.

My mom taught me to appreciate old movies! She'd always say "They don't make 'em like that anymore." or "Actors just can't act these days." My favorite *old* movie is Singing in the Rain with Gene Kelly! Of course my mom would also say, in regards to a scenic movie, "Kids, come! Watch...it's just like being there." And, I can say with some assurety, after living in other places like the Big Apple, that it is most definitely NOT like being there. In a movie you don't get the smells & peripheral view & tastes of actually being there.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is a picture of my Mom when she was in third grade, or 8 years old. I love the dimple in her chin (she's still famous for it to this day).

My Mom always liked doing my hair. She'd gush over how easy it was to curl. After a bath she'd just comb it and then take sections of my hair and wrap it around the end of the comb or her finger so that I'd look like Shirley Temple. I think she was living vicariously through me as she always said that, growing up, she loved Shirley Temple.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is one of my favorite photos of my Mom. Isn't she pretty?! She's 17 here.

Some of the gems that my Mom has taught me and that I'm passing on to my girls are:

• "Clean up as you go--it just makes life easier."
• "Makeup should accent your natural beauty, not be seen for what it is."
• "Play with one thing at a time and put it away before you play with something else."
• "When dying hair stay as close to the color that God gave you--He knew what would look good on you."
• "Eat lots of citrus fruit--it's good for the complexion."
• "Act lady-like; keep your knees together, your voice down & always say Thankyou."
• "If you want something done right do it yourself, and do it right the first time or you'll pay twice to have someone else do it."
• "Proof read proof read proof read!" (Again, this has made it impossible for me to write in a careless *freeing* style--sometimes I hate it.)

~~~~~~~~~~

This is my Mom & Dad with their first born, my brother Mike, circa 1960-61.

My Mom isn't perfect, but she never claimed to be. She's made some tough choices in life and has had to struggle at times, but who of us hasn't?! She's endured the loss of a child and both parents, and has been through a divorce, but she's also supported 5 kids, by herself, while graduating from college. I've never doubted that my Mom loves me. At fragile times it was the best she knew how. At other times she's down right smothering. But always loving!

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day. :)

love and statesmen

There were 3 wonderful parts to last week:

• Hard work on the basement.
• A wedding.
• An educational vacation.

We started out working in our basement; laying down Pergo flooring in the "school" room, finishing walls and in general trying to get things ready in the great room for the carpet installation in 5 weeks. The weather was so beautiful that we also worked outside and put in some of our garden; namely tomatoes, lettuce, squash & cucumbers. We were in the zone! Super focused! The rest of the house was super... neglected, but we were okay with that.

Then we got a phone call. My niece, Nicole, and her fiance', Cody, decided to elope and wondered if they could honeymoon at our house while we were on vacation. (We had already asked her if she could "house sit" while we were gone.)

Ummmm.....ok. Only if we get to go to the wedding -HELLO? Who's your favorite Aunt & Uncle??? So we pulled up our boot straps, grabbed a mop and bucket, and cleaned the sadly neglected remains of our house. After all, it's one thing to have a clean house and an entirely different thing to have one worthy of honeymoon-retreat status.

We cleaned like we've never cleaned before. Then I had fun making posters that said things like "Honeymoon suite" and "Hotel Newlywed" and "Cafe Amore". We put our lace runner on the kitchen table with roses in a vase and candles and our "good" dishes. I even made a "menu" and name cards. We put our down comforter in the "good" duvet cover and sprinkled rose petals on the bed and placed candles in the room.

The next day, Wednesday May 3, we met Cody & Nicole (and their families plus Grandma) in Tooele to watch them get married. (Only got video, sorry.) They were a bit nervous, but lovely, and we're so happy for them. And, no, she's not pregnant. It's an unfortunate forcing-the-hand issue from Cody's family --their loss! They stayed that night in a hotel, and came over the next day to see us off.

************

We spent four days in Southern Utah for the Thomas Jefferson Education seminar. TJed is one of the many methods I use for homeschooling. It's about building statesmen. It was started by Dr. Oliver DeMille, who then co-founded the George Wythe College (George Wythe was Thomas Jefferson's mentor). The crux of the TJ method is 1) Classics, and 2) Mentors. A "classic" can be any medium, not just literature, that you learn something from over and over and over and over again. A "mentor" is someone that will INSPIRE you in a certain subject, not just "require" you to parrot back information. The TJ method also includes phases of learning and "steps" of methodology.

It is a very good book and can be used in any area of life- financial, marital relations, physical health, etc. This was the 3rd year I've heard Dr. DeMille speak and it absolutely reaffirms not only why I homeschool, but my love for our founding fathers and the wonderful statesmen that they were.

Gene and the girls stayed around the hotel and enjoyed the swimming pool while I attended the seminar. After the lectures we went out to eat and I got to join them a couple of times at the pool. Emma loved her little life jacket and hated it when we'd get too close or hold on to her. Sarah is getting really good at swimming & diving under water for objects & propelling herself.

*****

It was such a wonderful week on so many levels. Congratulations Cody & Nicole! We love you both and wish you the very best.

the week in pictures 4/25

That's right. I now have a SIX YEAR OLD. Sarah had her birthday party this past weekend at a local "bounce house". All of her friends came; we had 8 little girls running around bouncing, playing, scooter-ing, dancing, eating & bouncing some more. It was a lot of fun, and not one of those horrid places where the staff are idiot teenagers and totally incompetent, they were very attentive and ran things so smoothly it was kind of shocking.

Have you ever known somebody for a while and thought "they remind me of someone" but couldn't put your finger on it? It's been that way the last few months or so with my daughter, Sarah. And I've finally figured out who she reminds me of. Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. Like Laura, Sarah is just so grateful--almost all the time. She said "Oh Mom, this is the BEST birthday EVER!...thanks for being my Mom." She just kept oozing with gratitude. And then she'd throw in a little quirk like "My friends ROCKED the party!" Seriously. I have no idea, don't ask. I'm just so thankful to have a grateful daughter.

Well, between cutting cake and video tapping I was able to get a few snapshots.

Sarah (second one on left) with her friends.

Some girls wanted to bounce, some wanted to scoot, others played arcade games.

One happy birthday girl with her gifts.

After the party, Sarah & Madison decided they wanted to *bounce* even more on our trampoline.

Happy Birthday Sarah -- We love you!

the week in pictures 4/17

Early in the week, Michelle (my dear friend of 16 years), hosted an Easter Egg hunt at her house. She has an incredible back yard and, of course, it was covered with eggs that she thoughtfully hand filled with candy and toys. But, was that enough? Oh, no! Michelle also handed out Easter cups with chocolate bunnies to each child. Sarah and Emma had sooo much fun. Thanks Michelle!!! We love you!

Here's Sarah (blinking) holding her basket with 12 eggs, a cup and a bunny.

Emma loved the eggs but had a hard time getting them open.

****************

Wednesday we went to our first Homeschooling Health Co-op class; Sarah gets dropped off at the older group and I stay with Emma for the younger toddler class. We made a map of our body and learned about exercise, while Sarah's group learned about nutrition and hygiene.

Saturday night we colored the eggs and bathed the girls. Then I got their baskets filled and laid out their dresses for Sunday. The girls woke up at 8am to search for their Easter baskets and eat a quick breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, fruit smoothie and toast before church. Here they are in their Easter dresses.

We decided to do pink this year. Note the matching handbags--too cute!

Sarah looking like Jackie Kennedy Onasis. ;)

Emma simply looking sweet! It was a little too windy for a great pic.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend. And now that all the *sugary-sweet* holidays are out of the way, here's hoping I lose those extra pounds!!! :) I tell ya', Halloween thru Easter is a killer for someone with a sweet tooth.

beauty and chaos

**UPDATE**
Per request from CMHL I will post the bulleted list of balls, and give detail about the "bowling ball". First, please allow me a disclaimer; that I think few people are busier than full-time working Mom's. My own mother, for example, after a divorce, became a full-time worker/single Mom to 5 kids & full-time student. Now THAT'S busy! But, like I said, it's all relative. And in my little, quiet and very blessed life one "ball" can make a big splash.

• Home Educator (that alone should be enough)
• Currently remodeling the walls and floors in our basement (pics to come soon)
• Relief Society teacher (the women's organization in our church)
• Enrichment co-leader (a weekday women's org. in our church)
• Visiting Teacher Supervisor (a stats/district thing for the women in our church)
• visiting teacher (kind of like a fellowshipper)
• Secretary for a Home Educators committee (monthly meetings w/ a newsletter submission)
• local District Leader for the state-wide Home Education association (meaning I'm over approx. 200 homeschool families in my town. Responsibilities include:
• updating the main database each *April* by calling &/or visiting these families,
• moderating the online support group & message boards
• hosting play groups, fieldtrips, etc.
• attending conventions and becoming *savvy* in the legalities of homeschooling laws in our state.
• ...and then there's a bunch of little stuff like: planning my daughters birthday party, attending my book club, putting in our garden, and trying to find time to exercise.

The district leader thing...200 people this month...THAT was the bowling ball! But, like I said I volunteered. I'm passionate about home education, but I feel such a obligation to church duties too. Something has to give...**

---------------

Words of Wisdom: Don't bite off more than you can chew!

We all know this, right?

Yet, personally, I have this theory- that one can do more than they feel capable of, if only they are in the moment when they need to be. Your kids want you to play with them? -Do it. Be in the moment. Your neighbor needs help? Find a time and do it. Be in that moment. You need to finish a project at work? Be in that moment. In theory, if our mind is focused, and not thinking about the hundred of other things we should/could be doing, we can move seamlessly from one moment to the next accomplishing a great deal. Like I said... In theory.

Then again, I suppose there comes a time -for even the best juggler- when there are just too many balls in the air. Which ones do you drop? All of them? How can the juggler keep his act going while eliminating one ball at a time?

I guess this is where prioritization comes into play. Definitely those that you love should not be dropped! But, what about the balls that you should keep in the air (simply because you've been taught for years that's what you should do) vs. the balls that you're passionate about (okay, that last one sounded kinky. sorry.) ??? Group A of people counting on you vs. Group B of people counting on you.

I was thinking about doing a bulleted list of those proverbial balls, but it's all relative anyway, right? Suffice it to say that I just got thrown a rather large ball...a bowling ball...a flaming sword of sorts, and now my theory is out the window and I have to drop a ball. Sad truth is that the large ball wasn't really "thrown" at me, I voluntarily picked it up. Maybe I just need to learn to say "No", or my favorite (coined by a dear friend of mine) "Sorry, I wish I could, but, I don't want to." :)

Anyway, this past week we were able to have a couple moments of fun amidst the chaos... that I've created. So, here's a couple pics for your pleasure. And P.S.- If you don't hear from me for a while it's because I'm trying to balance my juggling act.

Sarah & Emma at the park...

...playing house.

Sarah hand picked these daffodils from our own yard-

(they come up under the Oak tree and in the weirdest places). Gorgeous, no?!

aloha

My nephew, Brandon, who, at 17, just got accepted to BYU-HAWAII!!! Woohoo! Just two years ago he decided to quit public school and take charge of his own education. He also just got his associates from a local Community College. Congratulations Brandon!

spring caucus

How gorgeous is this?! This is what Spring in NC looks like! Here we are just getting some tulips and daffodils peeking through the cold, dead ground while the last of the snow is melting. My mother-in-law will eat this up, but I must admit I'm ready for winter to end. I like snow, I even love it sometimes, but November through March? -it really is getting kinda old now! Mostly, I want my kids to be able to go outside and run off the energy they've pent up all season long.

Last night I attended my first Caucus and it was exhilarating! Can I just say how much I love this system. Getting involved at the delegate level for County and State is critical people! It was SO nice to be able to talk with the candidates and see where they stand on issues that are important to me and my family (namely, freedom of choice in education) and who they support, etc. There was one gentleman who seemed less than enthusiastic to be there and admittedly didn't know his issues, where he stood or who's running. I was embarrassed for him. Hello? Why even be there? And then somebody nominated him. What the...? Thankfully he wasn't elected. It was also disheartening to see that, out of 500 registered voters in our precinct, only 18 people showed up. What's up with that? I plan on helping Sue to get out the vote and increase that number next time.

happy st. paty's day

Ok, so I don't know if I'm technically biologically "Irish", but on a day like today I think there's a little Irish inside all of us. And, because I promised my girls I'd take them to a restaurant and then to the park, I will make this a nice short post of some of my favorite GREEN things.

You know what they say about the green M & M...

Green Day!

There's nothing like a canopy of green leaves.

Yummy fresh scent!

Fried green tomatoes- made the North Carolina way!

This goes without saying...

Have a great Saint Patricks Day!

goodness

My 2 year old daughter, Emma, is currently obsessed with watching the Wizard of Oz. It's the only time I've ever seen her sit still for that length of time. She doesn't even do it for a Disney movie. Not that I like to sit my kids in front of the TV or a movie that often, but you should see her face light up and hear her giggle when we say that she can watch it AGAIN! I figure she could be watching worse stuff; something really stupid, disrespectful or violent, so I give in. I'm amazed at how aware she is of the plot. Emma gets genuinely sad when the mean lady takes the dog away from Dorothy and when Dorothy gets hit on her head by the falling window. On the other hand she gets so happy and laughs when the munchkins come out and when they all sing and dance.

It was while watching the Wizard of Oz for my hundredth time that I remembered having heard a parable on it, years ago, from Jack R. Christiansen. And I've made some observations of my own. Kind of like Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz is full of spiritual symbolism. I believe this life is a time away from our Heavenly Father, a time to be tested and prepare to return to Him. Much like Dorothy leaves her home and has to prove herself to the Great Wizard. I also believe that we have help, probably more than we will ever know, from guardian angels and friends to guide us Home. Much like Glenda, the good witch from the North (Heaven?). I also believe that we are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for, but that our Father knows our strengths.

All that said, there are a few things I find ironic, yet poignant, in the movie the Wizard of Oz. Have you ever noticed that, even though the Scarecrow claims he doesn't have a brain, he's the one that always comes up with the plans or ideas. And that, even though the Tinman claims he doesn't have a heart, he's the emotional one; always crying and "rusting". The rest of the group is always saying to the Tinman "Don't cry now, we don't have your oil can." The Cowardly Lion claims to not have courage, yet he readily admits his weaknesses and faults (which I think takes real courage). Even though he runs away and appears to be afraid, later the Great Wizard points out he's just mistaking courage for wisdom. Sometimes we need to run instead of fight.

My favorite part of all, however, is when the foursome are trapped in the tower at the witches castle and Dorothy throws water, in an attempt to put out a fire on the Scarecrow, in the direction of the witch. And the Wicked Witch mutters these words: "I'm melting, I'm melting...Oh! What a world, what a world! Who would have thought that a good little girl like you could have destroyed my beautiful wickedness."

Water is very symbolic for cleansing. But, I wonder, how many of us consider our own goodness? And that sometimes the only thing it takes for wickedness to prosper is for one "good" person to stand by and do..... nothing. Do we hesitate to be "good"? Are there times when we don't remember, or give credit to, our strengths and do nothing? Or are we aware? How many of us use the strengths of others for help...and bring a few friends along that are in need?? I know I'm guilty of misjudging my strengths at times, and also hesitant to use my "goodness" at times.

But, this I know, I'm very grateful for my family and friends (even the ones who lurk and refuse to leave a comment. heh.) and their strengths that help me be a better, good, person.

Some of my favorite lines in the movie:

• "I don't know, but some people without brains do an awful lot of talking."


• "He's saying 'oil can'". "Oil can what?" (hehehe)


• "...for twenty years I've been dying to tell you what I think of you, and now, well, being a Christian woman I can't!"

future olympians

While the "official" Olympics were being held in Torino, Italy we decided to host an Olympics of our own; on the homeschooling level.

For the first class we read about the history of the Olympics; how they started and about the symbolism of the rings, olive wreaths and cauldron. Then we took advantage of the fact that we live in a former host city and visited the Olympic museum, watched a movie and visited the 2002 Olympic cauldron.

The kids were then asked to pick a country that they wanted to represent and make it's flag, and also to prepare to give a report on an Olympic winter sport or favorite athlete. In the mean time I made 20+ torches and 20+ "gold" medals.

For the second class we met at the Utah Olympic speed skating oval and got to take a tour of the place and look at the ice track close up. An employee there was so accommodating and even put on the Olympic music CD for our "opening ceremony". The kids then entered, one at a time, as their chosen country, holding the flags and walked around the track. Sarah represented Sweden. They each took a turn giving their report. Sarah reported on figure skating -because she loves the pretty outfits and the way the girls spin and lift their legs. We then had a running race and handed out gold medals to everyone, since they were all "winners"!

I had so much fun doing this class. The group that we're in is so wonderful and adventurous and into learning.

The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron

Our homeschooling group at the Olympic museum.

Half of our group- waving flags and holding torches.

Our "gold medal" winners, after the races.

sweetest thing

The weekend before Valentines Day was jam-packed with festivities. These are the boxes Sarah and Emma made during the Homeschooling Valentine party. 22 kids --not a bad turn out! A little chaotic during the valentine exchange. Our host provided cheese fondue with breads and chocolate fondue with strawberries for us Moms.

Also before Valentines day was the county-wide Daddy Daughter Dance that Gene took Sarah to. The dance was open to the public for girls 3-15 and their Dad (or surrogate). Sarah was looking forward to it for weeks. I mean, what 5 year old girl wouldn't want to dress up like a princess for a dance with their Daddy?? We took her shopping for a special dress and then did her hair fancy in the back. Gene presented her with a rose just before they left.
Sarah said "Oh Daddy! That's so romantic. Thank you."
She gets this from watching Anastasia and Cinderella.

The world's greatest Dad with the world's sweetest girl!

At the daddy-daughter dance. Sarah with her friend, Junie, from our homeschooling group.

Gene said there were 150 Dad's easy plus a couple hundred girls. Good turn out! They had a lot of fun -played games and had punch and cookies. Then he took her out to dinner at IHOP.

It absolutely warmed my heart and made me fall deeper in love with Gene to see him doing this with Sarah! I hope it is something she will always remember. I think it's an annual thing and next year he'll be able to take Emma as well. You guys are the sweetest things!

superbowl time

It's one of the funnest traditions that our family has...Superbowl Weekend.

Every year we (16 of us) head up to Logan, UT to my brother's house (joining their 5) for food, fun, games and football! The adults always go out to dinner Friday night and then Saturday we play some kind of family sport. This year we played dodgeball at the local elementary school where my SIL works as a P.E. teacher. We also had skateboard races.

Then, come Sunday, after a quick jont to church we race back home and get ready for the fun games that Don has prepared. And food. Yummy BBQ, or Fajita's, 7-layer bean dip, oysters...yum! It is always so much fun -we look forward to it all year long!

Emma (making a funny face) and Sarah playing at Uncle Don's.

Saturday skateboard races in the school. Dean's a blur at the far left, dragging Laura. Gene's holding on to Emma and Sarah at the right.

Everybody vegging during the Superbowl (minus some kids and a couple teenagers).

My brother, Don, (aka "Uncle Donny") with the goods for the quarterly score winners! Thanks Don for such a fun weekend every year! We love you!