The Felix Familia

Boating With Buddies and Cousins

2010-07-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

We have gone boating many times this summer. The following are a few pictures of our adventures. Including boating at Bear Lake and Lake Lowell with friends and cousins.

Savanna in the cubby of our boat.

Austin and Logan tubin on the lake.

Moving on to Madelyn's boating trip with her buddies

Madelyn's friends Allison and Megan tubing on Lake Lowell.

Madelyn and Shandi tubing off of the wake.

Shandi and Allison had fun after that picture.I gave them a wild ride.

These two amigos,where the very first people to EVER be flipped off of that tube. Megan is on the left side of the picture, Kara is on the right. Goes to show you that when I drive hold on tight because you have NO idea what is coming to you.

Last but not least is Melissa, the one with the red life jacket.

To finish this post I am going to just put a few of our pictures from our Bear Lake trip.

The Whoopin Shed

2010-04-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

That's where I took my garage today. I am NOT a clutter person. I will throw everything away. Haven't used it in a year? Gone. Except I have to be careful since it takes two people to have a marriage.

Funny that I can be so anti-clutter. And still be such a slob sometimes. How does that work? Maybe I let things creep in on me until I hit insane. Then I go nuts.

Anyway - Take that garage!

#4

2010-04-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

Nathan: Mom, do you know my favorite thing to eat in the world?

Me: What?

Nathan: Anything what has sugar.

Spring is Springing

2010-03-02T11:58:00.001-08:00

My grass is turning green, my lilac is on the verge of blooming. All the buds on the trees are plump.

I love it.

Dear Tiger Woods,

2010-02-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

You don't owe me an apology. I don't know if you knew this but, you are a GOLF-ER. You hit a little white ball with a titanium stick for a living. Last I checked, that doesn't help cure cancer. Or diabetes.

Some people are upset because you were set up as an "image" and then you went and shattered it. Or your wife did when she 7-ironed your window. Beautiful call wife. Although I would've gone with the Big Bertha driver, and the birdie.

So what, people are upset because Tiger Woods was false advertising? Good thing this is the only commercial that lies. What? It's not?

Oh crap, you mean I won't be able to play golf like him, even if I buy everything Nike? Wait a minute, so... guys who eat Carls Jr. burgers aren't going to actually make it with Paris Hilton? And beer doesn't make me beautiful? And freedom has nothing to do with Coke? Oh the inhumanity of it all.

I'm just wondering, why do we give extra credibility to people who are on t.v.? I don't get it.

Tents are hard. And so is writing.

2010-01-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

I love Russell from Disney/Pixar's movie UP. Because, "When we get to the falls, you're going to feel SOO assisted."

Now for the real reason I'm writing this post.

I've been moving faster than I ever have on the current novel I'm working on. It's pouring out of me. Not perfectly mind you, but it is coming. Which I believe is 95% of the battle. And did you know that 78% of statistics are made up on the spot?

It's been a privilege to get to know my character. To understand what she's going through, and to help her find a way to some sort of resolution. But at the resolution, I am not. I'm smack dab in the heart of it. Feeling the pain. Seeing in my mind every little thing that happens to her.

I can smell it. I can taste it. And earlier today I had to stop writing it. For a little while. It's hard stuff right now.
I try to push through it. To close my eyes and let my fingers speed through some of the hardest moments. I find myself holding my breath. Feeling panic. Anxiety. And sorrow. So much sadness. Because what is coming from my fingers really does happen.

Maybe that's the hardest part. Knowing there are children who live this life. I find myself in parts of it. Take away the flesh and many people will see a familiarity of their own childhood gone terribly wrong.

I don't think there has been a time in my life previous to this where I would have felt strong enough to write this. I have many loved ones that I can thank for much of my own healing. And two specifically who have guided me to this point.

Writing can be every kind of emotion.

Today it was pain.

Barbie In The Snow (Not unlike the Cypher)

2009-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

A family of five girls. And I was smack dab in the middle. I was surrounded on every side by girliness. Blond nylon hair, disproportionate long legs to the extreme, and designer outfits littered the bedrooms and hallways. Occasionally a half-naked Barbie was found in the kitchen's junk drawer. It was a Tim Burton Mattell nightmare.

Someone had to break free from the perfectly painted blue-eyed madness. That's when I discovered Transformers and G.I. Joe's. I was already familiar with mud, snakes, frogs, and trees. But now I had comrades.

No Barbie was safe. I knew where they hid them, and knowing is half the battle. G.I. Joe and Cobra had many wars. There were mass casualties, including decapitated and butched Barbies. Some came back with limbs having been blown off. War is hell, Barbie.

Yes, there were tears, and much tattling, but humans really have no control over Deceptacons. They're Rogue. They could hit you anywhere, anytime. Even when you're skinny dipping in a swimming pool also referred to as, mom's salad bowl.

Life was hard for Barbie and all of her clones. And now she's laying pantless in my backyard, in the snow. Chunks of ice sticking to her hair, she stares into the sky, "help me, help me."

Not my daughters Barbie, no, it's the dogs. Who knew Barbie's hair was so yummy and chewable?

Do I open the back door, walk three steps and save her?

Logan's Baptism Day

2009-12-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

We've had a lot of family time. We spent a week in Utah with Brendan's very gracious family. A funeral, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and BYU Football.

Now we have family gathered for Logan's Baptism. I know the cousins are having a great time, and these moments are ones that they will remember forever. But I need a nap.

I just wanted to tell Logan how pleased I am with his decision, and it has been his. He's been looking forward to this day for a long time. I love you, son.

Family is crazy.
Family is noisy.
Family is never predictable.
Family is what it's all about.

Look at me, I'm posting pictures!

2009-10-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Alright, so it's been a long stretch across the Sahara since I last put up some pictures. We've been busy. Football, volleyball, and now basketball. I thought I'd throw in a picture of Dallin playing football. The rest of the pictures are some that we took on a very recent trip to Utah. Which, may I add was one of the most delightful trips I can remember having. Family, Football, and Friends.

Enjoy!

Dallin has the orange sleeves and green jersey on. He played both offense and defense and did really well. Take note Mendenhall.

Nathan playing in the park. Remember when jumping off of things sounded like a good idea instead of a sure trip to the ER?

Brothers. Logan and Dallin get along famously. Thank you Heaven.

The three amigos. Playing with cousins, Colton and Danyelle is always an adventure.

Madelyn and Great Grandma Mary. Mary is one of the most amazing women I know. And check out the beautiful Madelyn.

What? Pictures of me? Good luck with that.

Remember The Olden Days?

2009-10-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the olden days, when there were rotary phones? Remember when if you wanted to talk to someone while you were away from home, you had to find a payphone and actually put money in it? Remember camera's with the flashbulbs? And film?

Remember when going to McDonald's was birthday party worthy and not just something people do 3 times a week?

Remember when hanging your head out the car window wasn't a reason to get pulled over and thrown in jail for child neglect?

Remember riding your bike? All over the place? And your parents had no clue where you were?

Remember checkbooks?

Remember when you had to move the sprinkler around the yard to water it?

Remember how only rich people had air conditioning?

Remember when candy and dessert were a luxury?

Remember patching jeans instead of just buying new ones?

Remember paper dolls?

Remember when getting toys only happened on your birthday and Christmas?

Remember when only a few people had huge, fat computers with black and white screens?

Remember there wasn't always an internet?

Remember when sending someone a letter required the use of a mailbox?

Remember when Saturday Night Live was funny?

Remember when you only got new clothes at the beginning of the school year? And you had school shoes, and play shoes? And if you wore your school shoes out to play, you were busted.

Remember station wagons? And no seatbels?

Remember when people changed their own oil, and washed their own cars, and mowed their own lawns?

Remember when you started reading this? It was like an hour ago.

Nature vs. Nurture

2009-09-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

When I grew up the Spotted Owl needed to be saved. Littering was a serious crime. Logging was done by evil, greedy people. And people believed girls and boys personalities were a matter of how we nurtured the child. We watched video's in school that seemed to support this heavily.

My daughter when young named her toy horse, "Magic Rainbow" and brushed and loved the horsie hair. My daughter carried her baby dolls with love, made sure they had blankies and plenty of rest.

So you can imagine my surprise when my 8 month old son spent a happy half an hour bashing horsies like Derby Cars. Poor Magic Rainbow lost an ear and a hoof during the friendly fire.

As a toddler, he would make the cute "vroom" sound while dishing out serious carpet burn to baby doll faces.

They started to get older, and we added two more boys to our family. Let me just say, forget the movie, boys and girls are different.

I can walk into my daughters room and smell pretty lotions and clean laundry.

The boys room? Not so much.

As a parent, I try to do as much nurturing as I can. Teaching boys that punching someone in the stomach isn't a good way to resolve a problem. And teach my daughter that not everything is worth crying about.

So I'm just saying. Nature has a serious role in all of this.

Finally!!

2009-09-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

After hours and hours I finished my website, until I find something on there that annoys me, then I will change it. But for the most part, it is done.
And Oh my aching back, and shoulders, and neck, and eyes.

All hale to people who work 9-5 in front of a computer. You have my admiration, and sympathy.

You can see my website at http://site.lucindaannfelix.com

Eventually you won't have to use the word site. And I cannot get the link to use the word site, so sorry, you're going to have to punch it in the url bar. I know, your forefathers are weeping because you have to manually type in a few letters.

But really, I think it's worth the labor.

I'm going to lay on the floor for the next hour.

I'm Serious

2009-09-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

With the help of my Nea (Linnea) I figured out how to have more time writing.

Leaving my husband at night when he gives me those puppy dog eyes is VERY difficult. All of his responsibilities leave little time for us as is. He's too tempting!

I thought having just one at home during the day would allow me more time to write. This is not the case, infact I am the 8 hour entertainer.

The solution?

PRESCHOOL, I LOVE YOU!

Nathan prepares for kindergarten next year, and I, I get 2 1/2 hours, 3 days a week with Joan.

How I lost my voice Saturday Night!

2009-09-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

Greg Wrubbel can call a game. You can hear a few SWEET clips and see some awesome photos of the BYU - OU game here.

Or if you've got a spare 7 minutes and 38 seconds, you can watch a great re-cap here.

In my own humble words, this is how I feel about BYU beating Oklahoma:
YAHA! WOOHOO! YES! YES! YES! GO BYU! WE BEAT OKLAHOMA!

I quietly displayed my happiness Saturday night by having 4 of my children and 5 nieces and nephews pile into the back of my truck and drive around our neighborhood screaming, yelling, and honking the horn.

It was also noted that I was near passing out from lack of oxygen for screaming so loud and for so long. But if you're ever going to pass out, do it in front of a crowd, they will help you. Cuz when you do it at night on your way to the bathroom and your head hits the wood of the gun cabinet and your shoulder goes through the glass, the reaction time of help is slower. But the scars are awesome. An ER trip to remember.

So here's to my Cougs! May I continually have to torture my neighbors with my FANDEMONIUM! And may you continue to rake in the W's!!

I'm really worried

2009-08-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

I'm the only one who sees all the granola bar and yogurt wrappers on the floor.

No-one else notices the dirty socks that mysteriously ended up on the counter. The counter we prepare FOOD ON.

Nobody notices that our house looks like the shoe aisle at Ross. Apparently people who shop at Ross are unaware that you put things back on the shelves after you try them on. And stop putting size 10 shoes in the size 7 aisle you Ross shoppers.

Atleast no-one notices the plethera of shoes and may I mention again, dirty socks, until there is a tripping tragedy.

Do they need their eyes checked?

I think my kids have a problem with their muscles too because apparently back-packs are so heavy that they need to be stripped off right in front of the door. And since they could possibly be visually impaired they can't see where they left them.

I think I need to take them all to the doctor because their memory is going.
Early onset alzheimers?

No-one remembers forgetting to flush the toilet. No-one remembers spilling red juice on beige carpet. No-one remembers who broke a branch off my tree. (Don't mess with my trees.) No-one remembers that I told them an hour ago to do the dishes. No-one remembers they were supposed to be doing homework instead of watching Scooby Doo.

But really, I think my greatest worry is the visual impairment, because everytime

I say: (see below) they say: (see below)

it's in the closet: where, I don't see it?
it's in the pantry: where, I don't see it?
it's in the fridge: where, I don't see it?
it's in your room: where, I don't see it? - Well, I have to give it to them on that one. Have you seen their room? Me neither because apparently they are striking against the use of shelves and hangers. Maybe if I put in more attractive carpet, they'd want to see it once in awhile.

I'm really starting to think Primary Children's with these kids. It's really weird, they have all the energy in the world until it's time to do anything practical. Then it's like a complete transformation. Maybe their bodies get taken over by alien slugs when certain words are spoken like, chores, help, work, clean, or homework.

I'm really worried.

I hope there's a cure.

Dear Obama and the "mom-jeans"

2009-08-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

It seems there has been a great issue in regards to your wearing of "mom-jeans".
I'm here to say, do not be ashamed Mr. President.
I'd like to publicly defend the "mom-jeans".

I think we can all say we miss the LONG zipper.
Back in the day, it had a real purpose.
Laying on the bed, trying to shove all the extra inches underneath its clenching teeth was a real challenge and got the adrenaline pumping for the day.
We women, are at a disadvantage in the morning without that traditional rush.
I think that's why Cappuccinos were invented, to make up for the long zipper.
I've even seen the occasional woman with a cold can of Dr. Pepper before 9am.
(You know who you are.)

And really, who needs a torso anyway?
Now Mr. P., you may not understand the need to be all legs and chest, but I'm thinking, maybe, deep down, your wearing of mom-jeans signifies that you may have an incling of understanding.

I noticed you didn't peg the legs on your jeans. Nowadays they do that automatically with what they call "skinny" jeans. But really, without the long zipper and huge pockets, I'm left feeling empty.

So next time you throw on your Lee Riders with the button just under your pectorals, know that you're doing it for women everywhere. We love those huge butt-pockets and mile long zippers. See if you can't get one of those secret-service guys to give you a good peg.

Just think, you could stop our dependence on caffeine and help us live healthier lives. And then, it would be your dream come true, you could bail-out Starbucks AND PEPSI at the same time. Just think of all my money you could spend.

Thanks Mr. P. for letting me know its alright to be proud of the long zipper. I'm going to K-mart right now to pick up a new pair.

Splish! Splash!

2009-08-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

I love this little guy! All that is good and right with summer can be seen in these pictures. This is my baby, Nathan.

I will allow you to enjoy these pictures - uninterrupted.

He's so delicious! He looks like his daddy.

My Logan

2009-08-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

Logan: Dad, if I grow my first chest hair, do I get something from the dollar store?

Dad: By the time you grow a chest hair, you won't want anything from the dollar store.

Logan: What do I get then?

Dad: A chest hair, and a hearty slap on the back.

Just so you know, I'm going to jail

2009-07-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

That's what my 4 year old has been telling me all day. Apparently reprimanding him is grounds for time in the clinker.

"Nathan, quit hitting your brother."

"It was an accident."

"I just saw you do it son, it wasn't an accident."

"It was an accident, and if you keep saying that to me,
YOU'RE GOING TO JAIL."

"How about you go to jail since you're the one who commited assault and battery?"

"NO! YOUR'RE GOING TO JAIL!"

At this point I'm wondering, have I fed him today? Did he sleep well last night? Is there a full moon? Body snatchers?

So I walk away thinking the child is beyond reasoning and I will wait a few minutes to address the situation again. When lo and behold, another innocent victim of Nathan rage. Okay, Logan is never that innocent since it is his sworn duty in life to irritate his little brother, but hitting is hitting.

So I grab the little gremlim. No food or water for you after midnight you little hatchling!

"Nathan, you need to stand in the corner."

"No!"

"Turn around and face the corner."

"No. It was an accident."
(Even Osha would start to be suspicious about the recent cluster of "accidents" surrounding this 4 year old.)

"Son, turn around. I'd rather you choose to cooperate than I force you to turn."

"Stop telling me that. YOU'RE GOING TO JAIL!"

Right now I'm thinking jail isn't so bad. The toilet may be in the open, but I won't have 3 inaccurate boys using it. 3 square meals that I don't have to make. Library access, cable, and a gym to work out in. Is this jail or a country club?

The rest of the incident is sealed as it took some physical persuasion on the rear-end to convince him that facing the corner was a good idea.
(All those of you who think spanking is a crime... re-read my sentence, I never used the word, nor does this sentence insinuate that I meant to use it.)(Should've been a lawyer.)

Since that moment in the corner. I've been told on 6 different occassions that I'M GOING TO JAIL. Someone get that kid a snack and a nap.

I wonder if the jail allows conjugal visits?

And so, here's the story

2009-07-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

For those who may have missed one of the great moments in my life. Last week I had a root canal. Wasn't a planned one... long story short... lost filling... fixed it... oh dangit this hurts... hemmoraging... someone kill me, where is Kevorkian?... oooh, that's better... pain killers are a necessary evil.

Today

Took one of my boys in to the dentist. All things good except one cavity. Great! Much cheaper than a root canal.
Then it was my turn. I had just enough time to run Logan home and return to dentist for my cleaning.
Oh wait... not a cleaning... more needles... more drills... more numbing

I have great respect for paralyzed people. I think I've bit my fat tongue 3 times in the last 30 minutes. I'm making my boys feel like its okay when they STILL slobber, because now their mom does.

I was just hoping not to get pulled over on the way home.
"No slocifler, I habent had a dwink. I'm cumbleetwy pine."

Here's to technology. Still better than pounding out a tooth with the blade of an ice-skate. (Maybe I should put a face on my volleyball and talk to it, then I will feel better. But I'm not naming it Wilson.)

Back from Yellowstone

2009-07-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

I need a vacation from my vacation!

The scenery was gorgeous. The weather cooperative.
The kids had a great time. (Thank you dvd player in car.)
When we had the nearly teenagers in our car it was, NO MOVIES ALLOWED.
When we had the four year olds it was, THANK YOU BOLT! Because
nothing is greater than a dog who thinks he has super-powers
and a hamster named Rino when cruising for Big Game sightings.
And also go-gurts, fruit roll-ups, granola bars, chips, and a few
juice boxes. Not for me - for the children!

Cousins are fun, really fun. But having them together for so long
is a great reminder that I am NO Mother Theresa. Screwing up eleven
kids schedules, eating ALL the TIME, and in and out, in and out, drive, drive, drive is a serious recipe for self-medicating.

But OH THE LOVE. And baby Bison, and baby Elk, and baby Black Bears, and baby everything are SO CUTE! Funny thing is, the kids were just as enamored by the dogs
that other people brought along with them. THANK YOU DOG OWNERS, for having the ability to own a pet and share it with the world.

And in the end, we now have a new family memory, complete with a grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles, and very loving, noisy, happy, screaming, cousins. The cool animals, scenery, and geysers were just a bonus.

Thank you Felix Family for all you did to make it happen.

Letter to my Representatives

2009-07-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

Dear &%^%$%^^%^%$###@@$^&**^$!

I'd like to express how I feel about what is going on in Congress. I think I can sum it up with these words, %^^$%&&^$%&**&^*^%&&^%&&^**&^%#$#^&^%&%! Furthermore, what is happening in the senate brings me to this response, ***&^##%^&*&^$#$^^^$C##@@$%%$#%^^#%^&***(&^$@@$$%^^!

This is how I feel about global warming, tarp, czars, your healthcare plan, and saying we're not a christian nation: **&^&&%^$^$&%*^^**^(*&(*&*^%$E&^&^*^&*&^^%^^$&^&^%&&^$$&^^*&***&(*(*&%&%(&)*_()++))*(&)*&*^%^^^@&^$&*^&#@#%&*&$%^*(**&^$%*(**&^%&$^&^$&%(*&%*^*$&*%((**&()()_(_)+))+*&&^%%&^*^(&*^>":>":?>?>">:^%^%@@@^%$&%^(*!

P.S. Enjoy your paycheck while it lasts. While there are ^^$%*^*^$&$^%&^ people who may support you for &^&*T*&%**&$$&&^% reasons which I cannot figure out, I have a feeling you may be standing in line with the other 16% of unemployed americans soon.

Maybe you could find a government job in California. I hear the IOU's are buying a lot of groceries.

Take care,

Frustrated Patriot

Where we went, what we did, and how we spent our anniversary, because really, you want to know

2009-07-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

As eluded to in my previous post, we headed out to Salt Lake City. (Never actually been to the lake itself.)

Thursday Night - Yay! We're there! Stayed at the Plaza right next to the Temple. Did not get camera out to take pictures. (story of my life) Walked the area, mainly for the purpose of holding hands, and oh yes, I was on a mission. I had to find Ann a pen. (Long story, and really it would only prove that I am slightly crazy... who just repeated slightly in their head in a very sarcastic manner?)

Next morning, breakfast at "Lambs" with Ann. Thankfully, she did not hand me a restraining order, but was extremely gracious, and could possibly challenge me for the "chatty cathy" title. Because. Again. I did not bring the camera to breakfast, I am missing a picture of a very pleasant morning. So for your viewing enjoyment, I will cut and paste a picture of Ann.

Isn't she cute? If you want to read her column, and you really do, try it at
deseretnews.com. Search Ann Cannon and have yourself a dandy of a time reading.

After breakfast, Brendan and I drove up the Immigration Canyon and went for a hike. And this time, we did bring the camera. (Applause)

No kids, no schedule, no appointments, and NO MEETINGS! Just eachother, doing whatever we wanted, when we wanted. And it was beautiful, as shown in the next few pictures...

SO GREEN! Was I secretly transported to Ireland? It's the middle of July in Utah, everything should have a brown hue. But I say, thank you heaven for my green anniversary. And I'm not talking rip me off cap and tax, and regulate, and outlaw, and govern, and deceive kind of green. Politics is really ruining my adoration for the color green. Cuz we all know what green m&m's mean. What kind of childhood could you have without talking about what green m&m's meant?

Back to happy thoughts. An ode to la fleur. Beautiful yellow flowers dotted the landscape.

Here and there, and then to dinner, to the Rio Grande. Where whom might we run into, but Ann?! By the way, great food. So we got to introduce the husbands, and I met one of her sons.

Off to a movie, just Brendan and I, again with the hand holding, and the snuggling, and the... wait, what movie are we watching? Just kidding! We do have some kind of social standards that we adhere to most of the time.

Next day with Bronco Mendenhall. Here. Again. No. Pictures. But, we did sit at his table, had the closest seats as he spoke. Can I say one more time that he is the man? Such a great example. We got to speak with him and shake his hand and all the niceties. Then he did the greatest thing. He signed a BYU hat for our daughter Madelyn. And I quote, "Madelyn, thanks for bleeding blue, I love you, Bronco Mendenhall."

I really debated rubbing out her name and replacing it with mine, but guilt got the best of me.

5 and a half hours of driving time with Brendan is divine. Did I mention my "Chatty Cathy" title? I love that man, thanks honey for asking the question that I would say yes to every minute of every day.

Bronco Mendenhall, "The Man"

2009-07-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

My love for BYU football was born after I left highschool. I was smitten, love at first sight for the man with the "jowels", and the constant "scowl". That would be LaVell Edwards. Nothing phased this man. Atleast on the outside. He wore old-school baseball style hats that sat high on his head. His arms were crossed - all the time. If we were ahead by 41 - same face. If we were behind by 41 - same face.

LaVell reminds me of the pure joy I feel when I see someone walking a bulldog. Something about that face makes me turn my head and smile wether I'm driving or not.(no accidents yet.) So when it came time to retire for ol' LaVell, I was sad. BYU football, didn't seem like it ever existed without him. He was afterall, BYU Football.

Gary Crowton sounded cool because of his NFL experience, but he was a sizzle in the pan. Still think he's a good man, just didn't work out.

Enter Bronco Mendenhall!! I love him! (Not in any sort of romantic way.) I yell at the tv sometimes to the coach and players. I say stuff like, "I love you Austin Collie in a completely pleutonic and non-romantic way, I just think you're cool and a great player." My husband likes it when I include all the extra stuff. Trust me, when it comes to my husband, he is my hero and a man among boys.

Bronco doesn't mess. The man expects perfection. I have his interview with Jim Rome on my mp3. (I know, I'm checking into the looney bin in a few weeks.) I love that he cares more about the personal progess of these young men than their football careers. We can clearly see what kind of life an undirected person can experience in the NFL, SEE STEVE MCNAIR. That was messed up, how many girlfriends did that man have? Makes me want to puke.

Back to Bronco... He is doing a fundraising breakfast in Salt Lake on Saturday for Eagle-Condor. These guys are re-shaping Peru, bringing in doctors, doing micro-lending, building schools and orphanages, and teaching basic skills that will better their lives.

We're going to be there, having breakfast with Bronco. Yahoo and Yippee Skippy! Breakfast with Bronco, breakfast with Bronco. Just so you know, I've been singing that to myself all morning.

Brendan and I are taking off later today to head down. Breakfast with Bronco, breakfast with Bronco!

Yay for our anniversary present to eachother!

I feel like singing baby! (My secret musical life)

2009-07-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

"Beware of loud singing" should be a sign on my front door.

I often wonder how I would feel at church on Sunday when a friend of mine might say, "Hey, walked by your house yesterday. Next time, shut your windows."

Sign number 2 should say, "Beware of middle-aged dancing woman."

I can't help that one, my body reacts to the music. That's a huge part of single life that I miss, the dance clubs. It's just not the same when you are the chaperone at the stake dance. I've had a few boys mistake me for a teenager. Awkward! Usually I say, yeah, my husband is your seminary teacher.

For my Lacey girls who spent Saturday Nights at the Stake Dances with me. We brought it, didn't we? Poor Stake YW Presidency. They changed the dress code, so we had to wear skirts. Well, that really restricts the amount of funk you can bring to the floor. We would go change into pants in the bathroom and then try to hide from the authorities. Funny how it all comes full circle. I had dress code duty when I was in the Stake Presidency, chasing down offenders. - Sorry -

Having Dance Party USA with my kids is a fun alternative to sweaty clubs. My Logan has those instinctive body jerks to the bass, we just need to mold it into something different than what we saw from Elaine on Seinfeld.

What do I listen to? Everything!

From the likes of AC/DC, Toad the Wet Sprocket, U2, Eurasure, Depeche Mode, Aerosmith, to Reba, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, to Enya, and 300 classical songs I have downloaded. Can't go anywhere without Tracy Chapman, Alicia Keys, Evanescence, and I'm embarassed to admit I like Kelly Clarkson. Give me some techno like Lady Gaga (2 of her cleaner songs). Foreigner, Air Supply, Chicago, Def Leppard, and The Transiberian Orchestra. Abba, the Momma's and Papa's, and of course the new version of Mama Mia. I love soundtracks, the music from Pride and Prejudice, the Chronicles of Narnia. If the movie's music moves me, I want it. Not to mention all of the church music I listen to, a lot of EFY music. Phantom! Les Mis! Oh yes, the Cranberries, I heard one of their songs the other day and forgot how much I like them.

So that's the secret me, when it comes to music. I know there is more music I love. So if you're walking by my house, don't look in the windows, and plug your ears.

4th of July Injuries and Lessons learned

2009-07-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

Do you know me? Then you know I like all things fire.

I grew up in Washington buying fireworks at the Indian Reservations. Where they had REALLY COOL fireworks. For days before and after the 4th I would seek out anthills and fill them with fire crackers. Goodbye Anties! M-80's were allowed in my young hands. Where were my parents?!

So I had a packet of fire-crackers in my hand on the 4th. I lit it. The fuse went fast, very fast. The lame part is I was holding the pack in the middle, on the fuse. I'm a few years out of practice. I singed my fingers pretty good. It was awesome. The smell of singed fingernails and flesh was oddly familiar.

Here's the really cool part. I wasn't wearing shoes, and was I going to stop lighting those fire crackers? No! The next packet went so fast, it fell apart - all over my foot. I thought I took some up-close shots, but I couldn't find them on the camera. So you'll have to look close at my foot in this dark shot. So there were I think, three firecrackers that went off on my right foot.

After that incident, my daughter Madelyn showed up in her sloshing boots. Apparently she didn't want any of the burnt foot action.

And here's the Dallin man with his Chinese Pagoda.

It was a good day. We all had various parts of us sun-burned from spending the day on the lake. Why don't they invent 8 hour sunblock?

Amy's news video

2009-07-03T17:58:00.001-07:00

ksl.com - Man charged in 9-year-old murder of U student

Shared via AddThis

You can click on the address to watch the newscast of Amy's murder.

My friend Amy

2009-07-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

A nine-year-old Utah murder case has been solved. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's office says it knows who killed a University of Utah student back in 1999 and that the man is already locked up in another state for murder.

Charging documents say that on Aug. 2, 1999, Younge barged into Quinton's apartment. They say Younge terrorized three women inside and demanded their wallets. Quinton's roommate was stabbed. Quinton, a 22-year-old theater major at the University of Utah, also was stabbed and died.

It was a day before her final exam at the University of Utah when the district attorney's office says Donald Younge stormed in her apartment and killed her. During it all, one of the girls was able to call 911, but the phone was disconnected. When a dispatcher called back, Younge answered.

Nine years later, the district attorney's office was finally able to charge him with murder after a relative identified Younge's voice on that 911 call. Investigators also verified Younge was in Salt Lake the night of the stabbing, and one of the victims identified Younge.

The theater's season was dedicated to her that year, and her parents received her diploma. Her parents live out of state, but we talked to Quinton's mother over the phone today. She says she's happy Salt Lake police did not forget about her daughter.

***********

Amy and I grew up together, we were very close. Things that are not mentioned in this report are that it was Amy who called 911. Her call saved the lives of her roommates. She was stabbed more than 16 times.

I know the anniversary of her death is in August, but I remember her on the 4th of July. Our families spent many of them together.

I love you Amy! I've never forgotten - I never will.

Until we meet again.

Latest and Greatest

2009-07-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would promote books on my blog. Everytime people mention joining book clubs or recommend books I should read I cringe inside. I'm picky, I have a strange sense of rebellion to the "crowd". I may be the only woman on the planet who has not read Twilight. I didn't even read Harry Potter - not a single one. Would I enjoy them? Maybe. But something inside of me fights against them. (Reference therapy session 187.)

Find me the lesser known, the delightful, the book that will change the way I view the world, my life, and others. Enter Ann Dee Ellis, enter Carol Lynch Williams. I was reading comments on Amazon for Ann Dee Ellis's "Everything is Fine" book. Some people loved it, others didn't get it, thought it was weird. Weird? Weird? The ironic part is I think those who felt it was weird are those who like to say, "Everything is fine." and ignore the difficult. I thought it was brilliant.

Of course these are authors that were at the BYU Writers workshop, and so I feel a strange duty to protect them, like they're my kids, or my sisters.

My daughter has not read the books I have, and probably won't for quite awhile. I've introduced her to Janette Rallison and Ann Cannon. Janette writes chic/lit, and Madelyn loves it. Just so you know, this girl has read the Eragon trilogy, all 9 Work and the Glory's, all of Shannon Hale's books, Brandon Mulls FableHaven's, and the list goes on and on and on.

The sad part is, I didn't know some of these authors existed. (I live in Idaho.) So I'm thinking some of you may not know them either. It's hard to become a household name if you don't write about vampires.

So go to your bookstores and ask for Janette Rallison, A.E. Cannon, Carol Lynch Williams, Ann Dee Ellis, and if you like CSI, Alane Ferguson. Almost forgot Louise Plummer.

I'm a shameless plugger now. What has happened to my life?

The heated moment of murder!

2009-06-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

So it was the annual, move the couch and clean under it day. (Possibly I do it more than once a year but considering how much junk was underneath it, I'm questioning my title as Housewife.)

There were 8 holes in my wall, possibly more but I'm not getting up to verify. Apparently the pinewood one by one's in the back of the couch had given way and exposed the sharp nails to my wall. Piece of junk!!

The destruction I'm sure had nothing to do with having 3 boys that don't recognize that couches are for sitting, and when you do sit, it shouldn't be on top of the couch. I'm blaming "the man" for some kind of union labor laws that required exportation of labor to a country that can't nail one by one's correctly. Stupid country lacking basic nailing skills!

So maybe the couch could've been salvaged, I'm pretty handy and love fixing things, cars, trailors, and in general messing around with stuff. But there was anger! Anger I tell you! Lots of anger! Stupid anger!

I grabbed a knife, not really a sharp one because we don't really own any of those, but a big one nonetheless.

I punctured the back of the couch and slashed violently. (reality check: dull knife, the slashing wasn't so fluid, which increased the anger, stupid dull knife.)

After the complete destruction and death of the couch I found inside it's guts a pair of socks, .23 cents, legos, marbles, and other things that will remain undescribed. (See above doubt on the term Housewife.)

Where does this violence come from? I'm blaming Alane Ferguson. I had just read one of her books. (she's a good writer)

Good news is the couch's corpse was immediately taken into the backyard and turned into a fort. Because really, I must rid all doubt with the neighbors that we are PWT (Poor White Trash), and what says that better than having a ripped up couch in your back yard? (It's going to the dump today)

Am I guilty of murder? Absolutely. Do I care? Not in the least. When I have to pay for a new one maybe the remourse will kick in. (Proly not.) Ha ha ha!

Post-Girls Camp

2009-06-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

Sleep deprivation becomes more difficult the older I get. I don't think I ever slept in college. My roommates are still cursing my name. -sorry-

The week was filled with hats and pony-tails, bandana's, t-shirts and jeans, bug spray, and sweat. Showers were good. Having that strong stench of camp-fire washed out of your hair is priceless. Too bad it takes a week of washing to totally get rid of it.

Camping is the only time tin-foil dinners are delicious, as long as they're not burnt to a crisp or raw. One thing you will never do at our camp is starve. There was so much food - too much, I feel like I need to hit the treadmill more ferociously. (okay- I mean I need to get on it period.)

Having Madelyn at camp this year meant that I had someone to squeeze and kiss whenever I wanted. (sometimes to her embarassment)

Was there a water fight? Hello... who's writing this? Yes, yes there was, and I am the victor. I like having a stake camp, where you have all the wards there at the same time. So many more potential victims.

I'm tired. I came home, hit the shower and crashed for a few hours on the bed. My prince charming washed all my clothes and made dinner while I slept. (sorry - he's taken.)

But it was all well worth it, and another year full of friends and new memories.

The Official number of years at girls camp is...

2009-06-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

17!!!!!

That's right, I have officially spent over half my life at girls camp. 17 years of spending a week with 12-18 year old girls. And this is the very first year I will have my own daughter there.

Madelyn tried to make me pinky swear that I wouldn't embarass her, but where is the fun in that?

It's time to pack and make sure I'm not forgetting the most important of things. This is also one of the few years I'm not in charge of something, or everything. I'm going as a warm body and chaperone for the 30 beehives we have. Oh the fun I will have.

I owe much of who I am to experiences like girls camp, and I am glad to return again and again to try to give back what I received.

Hope you all have a great week.

An Ode to my Husband, the father of my children

2009-06-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... (or list, I hate writing down numbers)

Warning: This may cause extreme jealousy for the man I married.

I love thee for brushing my hair during movies.
I love thee for thinking I'm brilliant and the hottest thing to walk the planet.
I love thee for never asking "whats for dinner?" but jumping in yourself and helping out.
I love thee for all our dates in the ER, keeping me company through the torture.
I love thee for doing laundry, dishes, scrubbing toilets and tubs, taking out the trash, cooking, and mowing the lawn. (there's more.)
I love thee for being a list man, an organizer, and rational, because let's be honest, I am none of those.
I love thee for being snuggly, kissy, and pretty much all over me all the time. Where would I be without the confidence you instill in me?
I love thee for honoring your priesthood, going to thousands of meetings, and getting up everyday to go to work.
I love thee for playing catch, pushing swings, and playing clue and dominoes.
I love thee for having tears in your eyes and kissing my forehead when our babies were born.
I love thee for saving my life countless times, many during the middle of the night.
I love thee for letting me talk your head off late into the night when you have to get up so early.
I love thee for having a strong body, for doing the physical things I'm not capable of sometimes.
I love thee for not complaining about having a sick wife.
And I love thee for letting me know everyday that you're more in love with me than the last.

I am not me without you. Thank you for asking me to marry you, I'd do it again everyday.

How my life is like a bowl full of cherries.

2009-06-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

From my favorite line in the movie Barnyard, "I'll do what I want, when I want, when I wanna do it."

In third grade, when you had to write what you wanted to be when you grew up, my list went on for about a page and a half. Mostly because it was wide rule paper and my handwriting was horrible. (still is) But also because I couldn't narrow it down. So much to do, so little time.

I'm thirty-(not finishing that number)something now and my list is even bigger. Does that mean I haven't grown up yet? Some people are shaking their heads right now. (Stop it traitors!)

I had to cross off soccer star when I broke my shooting toe my sophomore year and had to side-line my career. But coaching my own little soccer stars has been a great experience.

Astronaut got shot down after the age of 12 because of severe motion sickness. Stupid motion sickness. But I do get to pretend to be an astronaut with my little Nathan. (Not puking is a definite benefit.)

Concert pianist isn't going to come to fruition, but I do have two pianos and can experience beautiful music in my home. My daughter however, has the talent and dedication I lacked.

The list goes on and on. But here's the sweetest part of my bowl, I have a husband who supports my need to learn and grow. I feel like I can try to do anything because well, he thinks I'm a genius. (I'm not, but its still good to hear it.)

I'm living the dream, a home, a family, friends, great friends, and a faith that sustains me through all the hard parts inbetween.

Just thought I'd give a shout-out to today, to my life, to my dreams. Thank you all for being a part of it.

To Kill a Robin

2009-06-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

This is my tree, I love this tree. I have another one just like it, two cherry trees. I bought them at an auction five years ago, when they were little sapplings. I watered them, fed them, pruned them, and talked to them. (Yeah, look in the mirror and ask yourself if you can really cast the first stone.)

I weed around their trunks, mow around their trunks. I reluctantly hold back from beating my children for hanging on their branches. (Apparently I'm not scary enough, Logan broke a big branch yesterday. Don't worry, he's still breathing. Dang social services!)

I have them sprayed to keep the buggies off. I don't like buggies.

So I ask you, where do these robins get off? Have they not read the little red hen? Do they not know the principal of the harvest?

They're not even scared of me... until I throw something at them. Trust me, with four kids, there are plenty of things to pick up and throw in my back yard.

So I've been debating... I have a bb gun, I have lots of guns. I have guns that I specifically use to kill birdies, big fat birdies that we eat. I don't want to eat a robin, I'll leave that to Andrew Zimmerman and his bizarre foods.

Do I or don't I? Do I or don't I?

Here's the real dillema. I love cutie little blue robin eggs. I love to hear the birds sing, I like that they eat the crane fly's, and generally I'm a lover of animals, until I'm hungry.

I could use nets, but that's going to cost me a trip somewhere and money, and I'll lose it or destroy it every year. I could just share the wealth, which is really what I've been doing. But those robins are greedy fat buggars.

So I'm going to think about this a little longer. By the way the cherries are awesome and we've been eating a ton every day. I think we're going to make cherrie shakes tonight.

So what should I do? What would you do?

P.S. I'm adding a picture of my garden, because well, it's awesome!

The Writer's Workshop, Bandito's, and peanut m&m's

2009-06-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

This will be short, which is hard, cuz I'm pretty wordy. But I'm the last one to get my suitcase out of the car. The kids did it. Me? I'm not so inclined, maybe because I know it means laundry is looming. It's probably more deep-seeded than that since laundry is always looming, but that introspective therapy session will have to wait.

The Writer's Workshop was the the greatest place I never knew I wanted to go. I am feeling overwhelmingly grateful to Lisa Hale, my BYU Professor, for pushing it into my lap. This is really going to have to take another entry. Just wanted to say, I loved it. There are some very amazing women out there, and I loved the opportunity to learn from them. (There were guys there too, but I'm a girl party kind of person.)

I do have to give a shout-out to two author's in particular. Carol Lynch Williams has a new book called, "The Chosen One." A great read, absolutely worth my time, and I felt like a better person for reading it. And A. E. Cannon, or Ann Cannon has a book out called, "A losers guide to life and love." If you're looking for insightful comedy and great writing, she's your author. She's done a lot of genres, so check her out. Plus, she's amazing, and I love her, but I'm being completely unbiased here about her books.

And oh yes, I was introduced to a bandito in Provo, it was good, but the company was the high-light. Also, munching on peanut m&m's while critiquing and chatting with good people makes for a great morning.

Okay, now I need to make the long walk to the car, and the forever long walk up the stairs to my bedroom, and then... unpack or nap?

Rockhounding at Succor Creek

2009-03-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

We headed out to the beautiful desert just over the Oregon border. It really has it's own beauty, as I am first and foremost a tree girl. We saw about a dozen deer, a few jackrabbits, a pair of chuckers, and ran into REAL COWBOYS herding cows and their babies right in front of us. Madelyn said "I wish I had a baby cow and could make it stay a baby all the time." They were adorable.

We found a "cave" that we had to hike up to. Any crevice in the hillside attracts the attention of the boys. They were slightly dissapointed that this cave didn't lead to an Indiana Jones type adventure with hidden treasure and cave paintings. But hey, the hike was fun.

Did I mention this was a desert? This is Brendan, Logan, and Nathan at the top of the hill and Dallin on his way up. Logan went up on his own, and after watching Nathan follow him, Brendan thought it a good idea to join the crew. Thanks Bren, I didn't feel like trudging in soft dirt.

This is at the actual State Park camping sight, where we found the thundereggs. It was about 7 miles up the dirt road through a beautiful canyon from where we had loaded up with agates. Not included in this picture is Brendan taking a nap on the hillside.

We stopped earlier at a spot on the creek to allow the joy of throwing rocks into the water. Dallin asked if we were crossing the Delaware. He and Logan gave their "Crossing the Delaware" pose on top of this rock at the park.

It was a fun day, we're not rich from our finds, infact I think I'm going to have to get a rock polisher now, but we were all there, smiling, having fun. You know it was a good day when they fall asleep on the way home.

How to get your way with me

2009-03-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

Try a few of these, my children have:

Wait until I am on the phone and then bounce up and down saying, "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom," until I make eye contact and shoo you towards the pantry to get whatever you wanted.

Wait until I am in the shower and then do whatever the heck you want because what can I do about it when I'm in the shower?

Hide behind the couch and eat your forbidden snack and then come and tell me you did it. And because you told me, I have to think that's progress so you go unpunished.

Give me a big cheesie smile, a hug, and an I love you, and you're pretty much in.

Use your 6th sense radar to know when I am feeling down and then cry about how everything is unfair and your life is miserable. This isn't always fool-proof, but most of the time there is middle ground to be found.

And last but not least, wait until we are in public, then defy me running around like you're playing a game. Then I just have to smile and act like I'm not going to let you have it when we do get in the car. Usually by the time I remember where I parked, and we make it out there, the steam is gone and I've blamed myself for taking you somewhere when you're tired or hungry. (Isn't that all the time?)

Confessions of a Mother

2009-02-05T22:10:00.000-08:00

He stood next to the dining table, his shorts on backwards, a black pen mark up his right leg, and a sheepish grin across his face. I knew something had happened, probably in his favorite place in the house, the bathroom.

Nathan licked his lips and tapped his bare foot on the tile floor, his new buzz cut shining in the suns reflection through the dining room window.

“What did you do Nathan?”

He was four, he felt no offense for an outright accusation that he had been involved in something most likely mischievous. His blue eyes darted around the room. Was he going to make something up or was he waiting for something to distract me? I wasn’t sure.

“In the bafroom.” He said with a smile, cocking his head and clicking his tongue.

Was I going to need to call hazmat? Was it going to be something stinky? Was it going to be a watery result of his obsession with bubbles in the sink, and recently in the toilet? Oh the horrible possibilities of a four year old with a spare three minutes in a bathroom.

I felt at one with the force as the seven and a half steps I took to the bathroom were accompanied in my head by the Darth Vader ballot. It was a long, lonely road. The father of this child was safe at work, and this child’s siblings in a distant galaxy we call school.

There was no way out, the judge had passed his sentence and I alone was to face the music. I rounded the corner, instinctively holding my breath, looking with my eyes half shut. It was a miracle, my bathroom floor had been transformed into a bathtub, how could this be? What modern invention could accomplish such feats?

“Nathan, what did you do?”

“I put da bouncy ball in and flushed da toyet.”

Oh, what a genius, it was shear brilliance. Any ordinary bouncy ball would have flushed right down, and what would be the glory in that? No, Nathan, my extraordinary son put in the “BIG” bouncy ball that is made of very hard rubber and has little cutsie flashie lights that go on when you bounce it.

He must have learned this genius from his older sister, who at a younger age, (she always was a show off), learned that if you put a ceramic napkin ring in the toilet, it would allow some things to pass, but not others. Could a mother be anymore proud? I’m thinking Harvard, scholarship.

So once again, I am left to face my demons and allow gross amounts of filth and contamination to violate my hands as I soak up lovely potty water. But you know what, when my children have their valedictorian speeches at the colleges of their choices, I know in my heart that they will scan the crowd, find my face and say, “Thanks mom, couldn’t have done it without you.”

On that day I’ll wipe the tears from my face and think to myself, you’re dang right, now get the rest of your junk out of my house, I’m turning your room into my personal gallery. Such is the joy of motherhood.

Bowl-O-Rama!

2009-01-22T12:02:00.001-08:00

It was a day off, and since we do chores every other day, we took a little time to have a family activity. We haven't been bowling for a long time, so it was fun to do something different. And KUDOS to those who passed laws to ban smoking indoors. Still, it was a bowling rink, but it did not smell as bad as K-mart, hate that smell.

Nathan with the help of bowling bumpers had a really good game. Brendan showed him the ropes on the first one, and then he was on his own, grabbing his own ball and carrying the heavy thing up to the lane. He had a really cute wind-up, that I should've got on camera.

Madelyn had a wicked curve on her ball. It went spinning down the lane like a top.

Here's Logan on his wind-up. You can see that he's already knocked down a bunch of pins and is getting ready for the spare.

Dallin is a serious bowler. He actually was trying to learn instead of running up and tossing the ball, then sitting down and begging for snacks. Why does fried food smell so good?

Nathan W. Felix's 4th Birthday

2009-01-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

This kid is my stay at home buddy. But today, the day after his 4th birthday he was dressed and ready to go to school with his brothers. Apparently since he's a year older and by his description "really big now" he thought it was time to go to school. Little does he know he's got a whole nother year after this one before kindergarden. Calgon take me away!

Grandpa Wayne is trying to get the Star Wars blaster out of that darn package so Nathan can drive his parents crazy. Thanks Tammy and Greg!

There's the star wars blaster again, at it's rightful place at the table. And yes, I have two pianos. I like the sound of a traditional piano and use the concert series for recording and composing, plus it makes cool sounds.

Isn't it fun when the present is as big as you? So yes, my 4 year old got guns and knives for his birthday, hey, a football too, we're not completely violent. Notice the distressed look on the coffee table in the background, that was on purpose, okay maybe not. But that's why it's pushed against the wall during birthday hours, so no-one's head adds to the distressed look. We have some good ER memories from that table. Good times.

Happy Birthday Nathan my big boy!

For the Love of Geo-Cashing

2008-12-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

We were introduced to this fun sport by Brendan's sisters, Missy, and Kristin. We finally got our own gps for Christmas and put it to good use today going on the hunt for odd trinkets.

This picture is of our very first one, near a cemetary. Spooky! Okay, not really, but it was fun, the gps gets you within a few feet and then you have to really search. Dallin spotted it underneath a bushy tree.

The next one we had to do a little hiking, and it was MUDDY! Oh well, thank you laundry soap. This is Brendan and Nathan trekking through the Jungle.

And at last the find, this was a big cash with a lot of fun things in it. This was well hidden and a good find.

And p.s. in my motherly defense, I usually try to comb down the explosion on Dallin's head, but he felt he was on vacation.

Move over Von Trapps!

2008-12-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

After the tribute to Logan, it seems only right to show of the rest of the Felix singers.

Madelyn sings for the 6th grade choir. In this particular concert, she had a bit of a duet part during "Silent Night." Isn't she beautiful? She's finally passed me on shoe size and Sunday proved that her hands are now bigger as well. It's nice to have a little girl companionship around all of these boys.

Dallin not only shows off his vocal chords by being specially selected by the music teacher to be the only 3rd grade singer in the 4th and 5th grade honor choir, but he displayed his serious boogey skills as well.
At one time when Dallin was around 2-3 years old, we were having our piano tuned and when the tuner would correct the pitch and play it, Dallin would copy the sound. The tuner said that he would be an exceptionally gifted kid. Well yes, who's your mommy? :)

Although Nathan isn't joined to a choir, he does have the opportunity every Monday night to sing his favorite hymn's during Family Home Evening. I bet you didn't know the Lightning McQueen song "Life is a Highway" was in the primary book, but it's a staple at our house.

Ode to Logan

2008-12-14T15:30:00.001-08:00

What would Christmas be without a Christmas play? Logan put his acting skills on display as a tree in the North Pole Tree lot. He starred as a selfish tree who thought he was the most important thing about Christmas. Though Santa said he wasn't, I'd take that tree home with me anyday. It was a really cute play, and it helped that his buddies were up on stage with him.

Today we had our first real snow of the year, with about an inch and a half sticking to the ground. The kids couldn't wait to get out of church and change their clothes. But Logan outlasted them all by twenty minutes. He stayed in the back yard until his snowman masterpiece was finished.

This kid works hard and plays hard, and is a joy to have around. Love you Logan!

Hunt for the Perfect Christmas Tree

2008-11-30T17:42:00.000-08:00

It was Saturday, drizzly, grey, but unseasonably warm. We packed the boots, gloves, jackets, krispy kreme doughnuts, and water bottles into the Suburban and headed to the mountains.

First we stopped at a small town corner market for the tree permit. You've been to this place, more beer and wine on the walls than the inhabitants of the town. The bathroom was tiny, universal, and had old farm pictures that seemed right at home with the grey cement floor and giant red stained drain that you instinctively steered clear of. You thought about buying a pack of gum, but remembered the days of grandpa and his stale wrigley peppermint sticks he seemed too glad to hand out, and thought, this could be worse.

After flipping the map around 4 or 5 times, and reprimanding the bouncing children in the back atleast 3 times more often than that, we make the muddy ascent into the trees. With every passing vehicle that hails a captured tree the excitment builds.

We can't quite agree that we have found the right spot to start the hunt, so we drive on, winding and climbing. Finally our patience is waining and the threat of dusk beckons us to pull off onto a little road that requires 4 wheel drive and a little sense of adventure.

Ahh, out of the car. With an axe, a hatchet, and a bow-saw in hand, we spread out in search of the perfect tree. Up and down some steep hills, through a lot of poaky oak brush, we make our way deep into the forest. Okay, not that deep, but it sounds good. We do have to haul this thing back, and when I say we, I mean Brendan.

We could tell the troops were losing morale after a couple of unfruitful trails, so Brendan decided to hold a hack-a-thon. He named it after his basketball skills. We found some nice grey, dead logs on a trail and let the kids hack away, all the while teaching them the art of how to pass the sharp object to eachother. (the scout way)

Finally, Brendan spots it, it's huge, it's beautiful, and it's going down. We hack away, starting with the axe, and I get the privilege of finishin the beast off. One problem, this thing is massive, so we have to do a little more hacking to the trunk. A few more hacks by everyone and a little maneuvering to let Nathan feel like he felled the beast, the hunt was pronounced VICTORIOUS!

It was an awesome 6 hours of our lives.