Hannah & Brad's Lake Powell Excursion

Hannah & Brad were lucky enough to get to spend a few days in Lake Powell this last week. Many of you will remember Jeff Welker. They went down to spend sometime & hang out with him...and Tom too. It looks like they had a great time! Hannah called me while they were there and she couldn't stop talking about the toad she caught. And Brad couldn't stop telling me about her playing Jeff's drums. The picture didn't work out though! Dang! It sounds like Jeff is doing good. He doesn't like to come back to the "city" much. He says he is allergic and he wants a shirt that says that(this info is from Hannah). Tom is doing good too, but had a little set back, or a big one. He was riding his dirt bike, and someone (in a car) hit him. He broke his hip and shattered a knee, but he is doing really good now. I thought some of you would want to know. By the way, Jeff has taken some really, really awesome pictures & sent them to me. I may put them on a different post...some of them are really cool.

A little side note...when I was looking at these pictures, I saw 3 bachelors & my daughter and wondered if I should have pushed pink & princesses a little more! Anyway, here are the pictures...and the information I have posted came solely from Hannah...

Slide Shows?

Robyn and I were having a discussion about slide shows...does anyone have an idea about where to get "better" slide shows? I have been using Slide.com, but I don't know...Hmmm...and who prefers slide shows over just posting pictures...and what if I have several pictures...do you all care about scrolling down? I (and Robyn) would appreciate your feedback! Thanks!

A Lovely Lily

One of my pharmacists, Chris, has many, many of these lilies growing in his yard. He was headed out of town for a little bit and, rather than letting them wilt in his yard, he brought a slew of them in for all of us to take home and enjoy. I only took one, but I will say I wish I snagged a few more...my house smells sooo good when I come home! I wish you could see how big this flower is! Anyway, thanks Chris!

Alex, the Chrysalis, Update

So I am such a lazy blogger lately...I will try and do better. Here is the update of "Alex" He/She successfully made it to the chrysalis stage. We are now just patiently waiting for the Birthday! Here are the final few stages...

3 weeks old...

J stage...3 days shy of 4 weeks...

The wonder!

I wish my pictures were better. The chrysalis is beautiful. It has these little gold buttons across the top...Where do they come from?!

Hiking Timpanogos Cave

While we were camping, we made a trip up to Timpanogos Cave. It is always a good one, especially for the kids. Every single child made it up without being carried. Jessica and Jodi played "Hansel & Gretel" to get Stella up the trail. It's amazing how much of an incentive trail mix can be if it's on the trail & not in the bag! I have to say we have some of the best hikers in the world!

Hannah Rae on the way up.

The Best Hikers Ever!

Point Kodachrome

Inside the big room...LOL...I can't remember the name right now...

Caramel Falls...

Can you find the mouse?

The Heart of Timpanogos

The view on the way down.

E and her fossil she found...so cool!

Roughin' It With the Emerys

Each year we make it up American Fork Canyon once or twice to go camping. We had a great time. We (my family) are lucky to have siblings that love (and even like) each other enough that we can pull these kind of vacations off. We do see each other often and spend lots of time together. But it seems like we have more and more fun each year. We hike, do a craft or two, play games, build "clubhouses", take walks to the beaver pond-although I don't think a beaver has lived there for several years now, talk, color, read, play with Playdough, watch a movie or two, sing, catch squirrels (this might get some eyebrow lifts...don't worry...with Hannah around, everything is on the up & up)-and actually, it's probably the same squirrel-& he FEASTS when we are there, fishing with Grandpa at Tibblefork Reservoir, looking for the moose(one of my favorites), picnics at Silver Lake, make up plays & shows to put on for the one person who wasn't involved, catch bugs, get after a few who get to close to the fire or the river, laugh, and MOST OF ALL...we become closer to each other! And isn't that really what it is all about? And it was extra fun having "neighbors" that we actually knew! One of my pharmacist, Leon, made it up with his family for part of the time! The kids thought it was great!

Here are a few pictures...ok, more than a few. And a few notes about the pictures...K was a little upset that Grandma & Grandpa didn't have hats, so, she made them each one...TOO CUTE-She asked if I would lay out the letters for their names and she would put them on their hats in order. Dads was G-r-a-n-p-a...Mom's was (LOL) a-m-m-a-r-G! And we don't have a lot of pictures of the tye-dying...if was tense for a few moments...and by the time we just said "Have at it", we forgot. The Big Kids (Me, Jess, Jod) whined a little that we didn't have shirts to do. Thanks to mom, she went and brought T-shirts back up for us. I will admit, I didn't do mine. It was a nice surprise. I was at work, so mom dyed one to match Hannah's...how cute is that? Pretty cute-that's how cute! Nicely done Mom!

Baby Killdeer Rescue Mission

I received a funny phone call from my friend Robyn tonight. She asked if I was busy. But, she wasn't offering any information over the phone. When she came to pick me up, she said "We need Hannah too." Anyway, 3 baby birds (Killdeer) had fallen into a storm drain near the church. Robyn had made a little contraption to get them out, but we needed Hannah's smaller hands. After a few discussions over whether or not we should take them out-maybe mom and/or dad put them there, safer from the magpies, but they will drown if we leave them there-we decided to go for it. The babies definitely looked like they did not want to be down there, and mom & dad looked a little worried. (Although, we struggled over if we could REALLY tell if they were worried or not.) When it was all said and done, we did the right thing. Success! Momma was happy to see her babies. She went right over and sat on them. Both Hannah and Robyn checked on them later-Mom and babies were doing great! Good call Robyn! And do want to be a part of Hannah & Elisabeth's invention group they are starting?

So this is a post script to this post...lol...post script to post...anyway...Hannah was telling me how as she and Addie were walking by this momma, they thought it had a broken wing. They had big plans to try and nurse it back to health. Well, Robyn just called me to tell me this tidbit...Killdeer "pretend" to have a broken wing if you are close to their babies. As you approach them to tend to the "broken wing", they lead you farther and farther away from the nest. Once far enough away they call "Killdee" to their young. Pretty cool!

Lucky Update...

Hannah came home from her dad's to practice piano for a little bit yesterday. When she was there, I asked her to check on the caterpillars. She called me at work to inform me all was well. WEEEELLLL...when I got home from work (around 10:00pm), Lucky was gone. Now remember, Lucky was the one we found in the wild...he/she was already pretty big. I should have known that he/she was going to wander off. They do that when they are ready make their chrysalis...they are searching for a place to "hang" from. Kind of my own fault. I should have been more prepared. Anyway, after a bit of mild freaking out, I called Hannah & Brad. Of course, they came to help me look for Lucky. (Brad didn't see what the big deal was, but Hannah did. "Dad, just get in the car!"-Thanks Brad!) Hannah is sooo good with these critters. She has a 6th sense-caterpillar/egg sense. Anyway, she hadn't been home for more than 30 seconds, "Here he is." The little critter had crawled off his milkweed, down off the table, and back up under a chair. I woke up a few times last night to check on him...anyway, good news. He is in his "J". He started to hang about 6:30pm. So we will have a chrysalis tomorrow morning...about 12-15 hours or so. This "J" time is the most fragile for them. Once they are in a chrysalis, they are much easier. And just for the record, they are a little to handle when they are this big, but we still don't like to. We did just because he was going to be safer...otherwise, he would have become a kitty toy!

July 4th & 5th With the Real Emerys

So this is a little delayed...
Hannah spent some time with her dad and his family over the weekend of the 4th. They had a great time! Aunt Julie (married to Brad's brother, Lance) has always been so great to spoil these kids. On top of the fabulous 4th festivities, she took them up to Park City and rode the the new Alpine Coaster. This is similiar to the Alpine Slide, but the carts are built into the track...and you go a lot faster! Just like a real roller coaster! We love Aunt Julie & Alexander-and crazy Uncle Lance and Yoda & Nikita too! Anyway, here are the pictures as proof! By the way, Alexander is 3 months YOUNGER than Hannah Rae...2 different sets of genes, I guess!

Alex Update...

2 weeks old...I don't think he will make it til next Wednesday. I will take more pictures over the weekend. He has grown so much in 24 hours! By the way, the warmer the environment, the quicker the process. Our place stays quite a bit cooler, so we can make it about 3 weeks before a seeing a chrysalis. Some make it only 2.

Funny Day...Funny Daughter

Monday we didn't have a whole lot on the schedule...which was nice for us. We usually do cookie orders, but didn't have any this week. Anyway, she wanted to play with Jessica's daughter, Elisabeth. She called, and then walked to meet her. When they came in the house, I hear, "Oh my gosh!" I was little worried. I called to her, "What happened?" As I came in the room, she is holding a package in her hand. Apparently we have the coolest neighbors! Actually I already knew this. Curry Jones (the phone call makes sense now!), who has been pretty faithful at ordering cookies from Hannah, had ordered Hannah her own business cards! (We have a testimonial from Curry on her flyers) She and Elisabeth thought they were soooo cool! Hannah's Kitchen, Offering homemade Oreos and Snickerdoodles-Family Night Treats without the mess! Thanks Curry & Melissa! She really thinks she is awesome. Pretty cute surprise! Cookies are on us next time!

A little later Mom called and wanted us to go look for caterpillar eggs with her. Hannah is a pro. We headed down to a horse pasture that we know of. (We have permission, of course.) Usually there isn't any horses in it. But, Monday, there was. This is the funny part...Mom is really, really afraid of horses. (Maybe this isn't funny.) Anyway, Hannah isn't. In fact, just the opposite. When we get inside the pasture, of course, Hannah starts calling to the horses. But she kept following Mom around. I don't think she realized how worried Mom gets around horses. After a few minutes of dodging them, Mom finally says, "Hannah, call them AWAY from me." All's well that ends well. Mom wasn't eaten, and Hannah got her horse fix for the week. Mom did say later, "Good thing you came, Hannah...I was about to start freaking out!" Lol.

Our mission for eggs wasn't very successful, but we did find a caterpillar...a pretty big caterpillar. He has these funny looking red spots on his back...we don't know if they are bee stings or what. At any rate, we named him "Lucky"...lucky he made it!

The capper of the day was Hannah's Invention. While she and Beth were playing, they made this "invention". I guess the two of them have been having the same problem...writing in their journals every day. Isn't it great that they have been trying to stay current?! Hannah actually has 2...I gotta hand it to her. It's hard for me to stay current with 1. Anyway, they came up with this contraption to help them remember. Thanks for being an example to us! And nice goin' on the "invention" (Look for the reminder...)

Happy 4th of July!

I love this country, I love my family, and I love this day! A few years ago we sat around talking about whether or not we wanted to go sleep out and fight the crowds to get a good seat for the parade over in Provo. After much grumbling, someone (I actually think it was me) suggested letting the kids have a parade down mom's street. We were all there anyway for lunch and the Slip-n-slide. So we did! And I tell you what-it has been soooo fun. The kids come dressed in whatever they whatever they want and march and dance and do magic tricks and tell jokes and rides bikes & scooters. We do have a little twist on it. We throw candy at them. There really hasn't been enough spectators to justify throwing candy to them. I think the first year we did it, we had around 3 people who came. Boy, how we've grown! This year we actually had some of the grandkids from our neighbors come out and participate. Then we sing at the end. Oh, how this parade makes me laugh! Kinda of white trashy-but I was telling my sister-in-law that I like that we are just white trashy enough to be interesting! And we do know how to entertain ourselves. One more thing about the parade-our Grand Marshall this year was my sister, Jessica. I mentioned this before, but Hannah had a school project to come up with a "Person of the Year". She nominated Jessica. Too cute. She did say to me, "Mom, are you sad I didn't nominate you?" Heck no! Let me tell you something...Jessica really should be "Person of the Year". Some of the reasons why Hannah nominated her-She has 7 children, she is pretty, her kids keep her company, she is caring, she cooks a hot meal almost every night (and really great meals), she loves her & vice versa and she used to be a super-great pogo-stick jumper. I get a little weepy! She really is sooo great! Love you, Jess! And yeah for Hannah because she noticed! Here is a clip of the parade. Sorry about the quality...I get a little sidetracked sometimes...




Here a pictures from the rest of the day, which included lunch, Slip-n-slide (of course), and fireworks. We really do have a great time! God bless the USA!

AND, for the grand finale...

I am so proud of myself...I made a little movie. I was going nuts trying to figure out why I couldn't flip my video clips. On my quest, I discovered a few more things...I was so excited. Hannah finally said, "Ok, I'll come watch it." When it was over she said, "Well, it could have been a little longer." Lol. Maybe I will redo the parade clip...at least it would be longer. Drum roll please...

Sleeping Out...

...there is nothing like it. Baby sis Jennie is always good to remind us to just do it! So, we do. And we did. It took us a little bit to decide on a movie. Because of the holiday, we wanted to keep with the theme...we started at Damn Yankees, then went to Yankee Doodle Dandy, then to Independence Day...we ended up watching Tom Sawyer. I guess that's American enough, right?(Oh, and thanks for the laughs Trevor & Shelly! The Paul Bunyan thing is sooo great!)

Tagged...

So I was curious what this whole tagging thing was about...a friend from work decided to include me...about a month or more ago...and I haven't played very well....and because this was hard...so FINALLY...Sorry Courtney! (I reserve the right to change any of this at anytime!)


8 Things I’m Passionate About-I had to cheat a little...I combined some...It was too hard to pick only 8!

1) Jesus Christ/The Gospel

2) Hannah & my family

3) Travel/Hiking

4) Music

5) Everything that comes with being a mom

6) Constantly learning & growing

7) Quilting/Scrapbooking/Reading-it depends on which one I am spending the most time doing at the time.

8) Buying Cinnamon Rolls...some of you will get this...A few years ago Hannah did a little "packet" for me for Mothers Day. One of the questions was "What is your mothers favorite pastime...she put buying cinnamon rolls...Hmmmm...



8 Songs I Can Listen to Over and Over Again and Never Get Sick of-this was the hardest of all! Way too hard! I will give it my best shot...I cheated again! And I don't really know if I would consider them songs that I would listen to over and over and never get sick of, but I really like them...this really was hard...and it would change tomorrow.

1) Galileo & Ghost-Indigo Girls

2) Banana Pancakes & Bubbly Toes-Jack Johnson

3) Fireflies-Faith Hill

4) Come Thou Fount-almost anyone

5) Bubbly & Realize-Colbie Caillet

6) Sandalwood & Stay-Lisa Loeb

7) Because I Knew You-Wicked Soundtrack

8) Lovesong & Many the Miles-Sara Bareilles

9) Beautiful Day & Walk On-U2

Ok, I can't do it...this is what I came up with today.


The Past 8 Books I’ve Read-I cheated again...I listed some that I am still reading...I have this posted on my blog anyway...

1) Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer

2) Twilight - Stephanie Meyer

3) New Moon - Stephanie Meyer

4) The Appeal-John Grisham-not my favorite....

5) The Giver-Lois Lowry

6) The Memory Keeper's Daughter-Kim Edwards-hmmmm....ok...a little depressing.

7) Bud, Not Buddy-Christopher Paul Curtis

8) Currently reading...The Misadventures of Benjamin Barthlomew Piff (so far, GREAT!), Love That Works (again, Great!), The Golden Compass (GREAT!) 3 Cups of Tea (Great!)...I have a little problem at the moment.


8 Things I Say Often-this one is funny because I had a hard time, but I'm not usually at a loss for words!

1) Smith's Pharmacy...

2) Hannah...(fill in the rest)

3) Holy Jiboly!

4) I know! (Suzi thinks this will be my epitaph...She knew.)

5) Kitty!

6) ______, I dedicate this song to you...

7) I'm not kidding...Hannah thinks I say this...

8) Love you.



8 Things That Attract Me to a Friend

1) Happy

2) Smart

3) Funny

4) Content

5) A little on the wild side...

6) Inspires me

7) Accepts me

8) Continues to learn and grow



8 Random Things About Me

1) I love moose.

2) I love red licorice and Swedish Fish.

3) I collect teapots...used to collect postcards...thinking about switching back...cheaper and easier to move!

4) I love sushi.

5) I'm a lover, not a fighter.

6) I was a National Champion Clogger...I guess I still am for that year...

7) I have at one time or another played...the piano, the guitar, the bassoon, the accordion, the tuba (marching band), the clarinet, the drums, the flute, the trumpet...former music major. Unfortunately(or fortunately), I really only play the piano now. It's enough.

8) I have two friends (who have never met) who both remind me quite often how much I remind them of Diane Lane(I could only hope)...apparently it's in the mannerisms. Watch "Must Love Dogs"...in more ways than one, that is my life. Except that I haven't answered my own dad's ad...yet!



8 Things I Want to Do Before I Die

1) Raise a super-oopider daughter!

2) Travel...particularly Ireland.

3) MAYBE get married again-maybe more kids...I had to think about this one...

4) Get my Pharmacy degree.

5) Run a marathon.

6) Write a book-don't know what about...

7) Own a house.

8) Learn to play guitar...good-funny...I think that is a John Cougar Mellencamp song...except the good part.



8 Things I’ve Learned This Past Year

1) Hannah is a GREAT kid! (LOL! Hannah just looked over my shoulder and asked "How come you learned just this year I was a great kid?" So I guess I didn't really learn it this year...)

2) To blog.

3) It's never too late.

4) I have been entirely too dependant on caffeine...not anymore though! Yeah!

5) Being Primary Music Chorister is seriously one of the greatest callings...sometimes I think the kids think I am wacked, and I don't blame them, and it's a lot of work, but seriously soooo fun!

6) Hannah is growing up...and I am a little sad...

7) To applique.

8) I still have a lot to learn.



8 People I'm Tagging-I am taking requests-Hurry! Space is limited!

"Alex", The Ever-Changing, Ever-Munching Monarch

Here is the update...hopefully you get an idea of how fast they grow and how much they eat...Alex at 4 days old...

Alex at 1 week old...Still soooo cool!

Lagoon-A-Second Time

After a few proddings from a couple of different friends, I bought season passes to Lagoon this year. Wow...Lagoon...It's what FUN is! And I am still getting older-I thought it would pass. Darn it! Anyway, I told Hannah if she worked good last week, I would take her and her friend Addie. I am always amazed at how long we can stay & how much we STILL don't do. We really did have a good time! Thanks for going with us, AD...it's always more fun with you! HAN really loves you! Here are the pictures...and I thought the swirling effect of the slide show was appropriate!;-) (Emily, if you want these, I will email them to you!)