Family, Fun, & Friends

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FOOD 4 THOUGHT FRIDAY keep scrolling!!!

I know I have already posted twice today, but I have so much to blog about that I am already behind! So here is a catch up post.

FAMILY click to enlarge
















Thanksgiving started out in flames! We were baking some yams to take to my mom's and Dave asked Taylor to put them back in the oven to broil some marshmellows on top. Taylor didn't realize the rack was too close and really should have been moved down one notch. I opened the oven door to very tall flames. They had settled down by the time I thought to take a photo. They were about 7 inches high! The photo on the top left you can still see some flames. It was a hoot. We were able to salvage them though.

We ate at my parent's house. The food was heavenly. I can't believe how much work my mom goes to, especially when she isn't feeling the greatest. But that's my mom. My brother and his fam came. Alli (his wife) left right after dinner to fly to Chicago where her mom lives to go Black Friday shopping. We then went to Dave's parents house for pie. Dave and I joined the crazies and went Black Friday shopping as well. Wish I would have had my camera for that chaos! After he went to work, I went back out alone. Got some great stuff, so I guess it was worth it.

Taylor and Trevor must have got tired. They are playing ping-pong in chairs!









It was a great day spent with family.





Friends
We got together with some friends on Saturday at Jen and Janzens to play games. They had their Christmas completely up. No surprise there! I'm still trying to get mine up! Their tree is one of the prettiest I have ever seen. Just another one of Jen's many amazing talents.




Mont (in black) contemplating his cards. You had to be a little careful with this game! Janet had even done some previous editing to the cards. Of course we spent all night trying to figure out what she edited out!

I would have collaged these photos as well but Picasa cropped out too much!

We played the game Boxers or Briefs. It was a blast! Especially when Janet's cards started to reveal so much about her we didn't know! ☺ Here is Janet (in red OR red!) trying to explain! lol




















































Here is Janet and Audrey showing off their incredible talent of touching their noses with their tongues. Impressive! And that wasn't even part of the game!































Janzen and Jen. No, they did not have these expressions on their faces all night. They were laughing just as hard as the rest of us, but this is the only shot I got of them. I even stole a couple of pictures from Jen's post on this and couldn't find a better one. Maybe they are secretly wondering when ALL THESE PEOPLE WILL GO HOME!
Notice Audrey (in the white turtle neck) is just laughing in ALL these photos. She's a party animal! Or maybe it was just all the Dr. Pepper. Audrey is the game Queen of the world. She has played almost every game known to man. Good thing too, that way she knows the rules in her head. That is very important when playing with Dave. We have gotten smarter and now hide the rules from him. He is a rule Nazi! Not to be confused with a Nazi ruler. Just a rule Nazi.☺
A fun time was had by all. And Audrey is still laughing. Thanks Jen and Janz for letting us crash your house.


FUN
Taylor had a basketball game at East High this week. Yes EAST HIGH as in High School MUSICAL East High! I am pretty sure it wasn't too impressive to the basketball team, (I know it wasn't to Taylor) but some of their sisters (not to mention moms) were pretty excited to be in the exact same gym that the movie was filmed in. I knew I would be in trouble (you know who you are) if I didn't get a few photos of the place. I only saw the first movie, not the 2nd or 3rd, but I hear they are great.
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We took Taylor to Hires Big H after the game. He was famished and loved it!

In case you have been living on a different planet or don't have any interaction with young girls at all, here are some shots of the movie. The bottom left photo was taken in the exact same gym we played in.

Taylor gets told a lot (especially when his hair was longer) that he looks like the star of High School Musical Zac Efron ↑ (bottom right photo above). So I took this shot of him below just as he was coming out of the locker room.

Click to enlarge to see if you see the resemblance.

And I even found one of Zac with a basketball. Yeah, I think there's some resemblance. What do you think?

MORE FUN

The Freshman team played one of their first home games this week. They played a team from Century Idaho and killed em! At one point Taylor was on the floor with two guys on top of him (I thought we were playing basketball NOT football!) and he shot the ball from the floor. It had a curve and nearly went in. I wish I had a photo of that. It was awesome. Taylor is #10. The bottom right is some of his football buddy "fans" that come and support them each home game. The letters on their chests spell out BEES. The last game they had one too many and it spelled out BEEES.

MORE FRIENDS
I have the dearest friends. Look what I received on the anniversary of Tyson passing away. I can't believe how blessed I am to have such great and caring friends. Thanks guys from the bottom of my ♥. Thanks to those who also sent me texts or called as well. I can't even tell you how much it means to me that you remember. It sure helps make it easier to get through days like that.

Can you believe those gorgeous flowers! They even have the tropical theme going which is so Tyson. The "normal" sign made me laugh. It is so true! And of course there is nothing like a lighthouse to brighten up your day...unless of course, it's chocolate. The bottom right photo used to be a full pan of Chocolate Ecstacy from some friends until my boys sniffed it out! It was almost gone before I remembered to take a photo! Thank you all so much for your kindness.


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Thanks again. I ♥ you all so much!

♫ Oh Christmas Tree ♫

As tradition rules in our house, we always go get a REAL tree. By "go get" I mean we either go cut one down or just go to a lot and pick out one. I have been trying to break this tradition for many years. I know, that sounds like blasphemy coming from the Tradition Queen and all, but the only advantage I see of a real tree is the smell. When I brought it up again this year, the boys all groaned and said we have to have a real one or it just wouldn't be the same. Now if we were still cutting our own down like we did for many years, I could see it. But as it is now, we just go into a lot and try and find the best tall one they have.

Most years it is so bitterly cold that I just say to yes to the first one that doesn't resemble Charlie Brown's too bad. This year the pickin's were more than slim. So were the trees for that matter. The lot we ALWAYS get our tree at had nothing! Well, at least nothing worth writing home about. I was very disappointed. There wasn't even one tree I could settle on. Good thing it wasn't bitterly cold this year or I probably would have. We left and tried another lot. Thankfully they had ONE, and I mean ONE, that was acceptable. Nothing compared to our trees in years past, but acceptable.

Here are the boys doing their part in choosing the tree. Yes, Christmas Tree Lot Wrestling is a sport.

We loaded up the tree on the SUV and headed for Village Inn. That is the part of the tradition I think the boys like the best...the heading for Village Inn part.

We have been doing this for at least 15 years now. Get the tree. Go eat at Village Inn. Order Hot Chocolate. Shake head while boys act like bangees while waiting for the food. Stop boys from acting like bangees long enough for the waitress to take our traditional Village Inn family photo.

Smile. Teach waitress how to operate a digital camera. Eat food. Go home. Unload tree. Leave tree in garage until can find time to actually decorate it. When find time to decorate it, murmur- murmur- murmur about what a pain in the kiester putting lights on are each year and how nice it would be to have an artificial pre-lit one. Dave and boys keep untangling lights and wrapping them around tree. For some reason they are not the ones murmuring. Haul out of storage our two brazillion ornaments. Add them to tree without breaking too many. Risk life and limb of one of the boys in order to add ornaments and star to the top - 16 feet high. Sit back and gaze at the beautiful sight. Sorry no photos of that yet, since it hasn't yet happened! But it will... I keep telling myself, but it will.

Friday Memes

Food 4 Thought Friday

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! I will post a new one each Thursday night for those that are on a different time zone. JOIN IN!!!


Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions
BreakfastWhat is your favorite time of day and why?
Lunch
If you could find anything under your Christmas tree this year, what would it be?

DinnerWould you want to know when you were going to die?


Midnight Snack If someone gives you a Christmas gift that you weren't expecting to, do you give them one in return even though you didn't plan on it?


Recipe for this Week (instead of your recipe for life - what is it for just this week?)


PLEASE PLAY !!!! Come on you know you want to!

Be sure and stop by the other's blogs who played along too!!!

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MY ANSWERS

BreakfastWhat is your favorite time of day and why?I like the real early morning when all is quiet and peaceful. But I also really like it when it is time for bed too!
Lunch
If you could find anything under your Christmas tree this year, what would it be?A pet! Preferably one that goes, "Meow" ☺
DinnerWould you want to know when you were going to die?
That is a really hard one. I think in some ways I would because then I would know how much time I had and I would probably waste less of it. But then on the other hand, I think it would make me take more risks just due to the fact that I would know I wasn't going to die doing it. And just because you don't die (doing a sky dive with a chute that won't open for example) you can still get really hurt and injured. There are some things worse than death to be sure! Like being paralyzed for the rest of your life because your chute didn't open. I think deep down though I don't want to know because if it was real soon, ugh!...I just don't want to know that! Or do I? Hmm.... Tough one to be sure! I can see a lot of pros and cons with each.

Midnight Snack If someone gives you a Christmas gift that you weren't expecting, do you give them one in return even though you didn't plan on it?This seems to happen a lot. But I always buy a few extra things "just in case".


Recipe for this Week (instead of your recipe for life - what is it for just this week?)

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It"
"Be still and know that I am God."




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1. Snow is beautiful when it first falls, but after that....well it can just melt!


2. I'm looking forward to my sister-in-law (and fam) coming for Christmas!


3. A friend is the best therapy ever!


4. One of my favorite old tv shows is I ♥Love♥ Lucy.


5. I'm done with about half the people on my Christmas list. Still so many to go!


6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is the spirit that surrounds each of us during this time. I also love being around family more.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to attending Taylor's game in a city two hours away or not (still not sure how to work it all out), attend our ward Christmas party tomorrow my plans include attending a ward council planning meeting at 7 a.m. and then running in the Snowman Shuffle 5K. After freezing my tush off in the run, I am going to a home show with some friends and Sunday, I want to attend all my meetings and then seriously chill for a change.




To play go HERE

We are aware of the FIRSTS but not always the LASTS

The other night I had an experience that made me stop and ponder something that has long been one of those truths that I don't like to dwell on.

I was in my room sitting on my floor in front of my fireplace checking my email on my laptop. My 11 year old son McKay came in and sat down by me and we chatted about a few things. As we were chatting he started looking at some children's books I have in a basket sitting there by the fireplace. This particular basket has many children's books in it that have become our favorites over the years...the ones that got read over and over and over. I used to spend a significant amount of time each day reading those books to my boys as they were growing up. Sadly, I honestly can't remember when the last time I read to them from those treasured books was.

McKay was thumbing through one of the books and very matter of factly said, "Mom will you read this to me?" That was not something I had heard in a very long time. He had the book A Job for Wittilda in his hands. As he asked, the thought that immediately crossed my mind first was, "I am so tired. I really am not in the mood to read a book out loud." But thankfully the next thought that popped in my head was, "What if this is the very last time he ever asks you to read to him out loud?" I knew that could be a real possibility because he is getting older and enjoys reading books to himself now.

So I said, "Sure, I'd love to." And I meant it.
Then the most amazing thing happened. This big, brawny 11 year old boy crawled right on my lap. He said something like, "We have to do it this way like always." That is how we always read together. It was so cool! I enjoyed every word of that book much more so than I used to. Just knowing that this very well may be the last time I ever read to this precious boy with him sitting on my lap made it that much more endearing.

When he was younger, I am fairly confident that the thought never crossed my mind each time I read to him that it might be the last time he asks me to.



It made me stop and really ponder the fact that when it comes to our children, we take great notice when they experience a FIRST. First step. First word. First solid food. First time sleeping in a big bed. First time away from us overnight. First tooth. First lost tooth. First day of school. First friend birthday party. We record these monumental events and even write them down in their baby books or take photos and scrapbook them so we won't forget the day and moment history was made.

We are very aware of the firsts. But how about the LASTS? It is a sad thought to realize that most of the lasts come and go without us even having a clue that they were a LAST. There is really no way to mark the lasts. Sadly we often don't realize when the lasts come. They sneak up on us ever so slowly. Just as in the case of reading children's books to our children. The requests slow down, until one day they aren't there anymore. It happens so gradually that we don't realize it has even stopped until one day we become aware that it has been a while since we read to them.

Maybe it's a good thing. I don't know. Maybe if we knew when the lasts would be, we would never let go. We might hold onto some things so tightly that our children wouldn't be able to grow up. Sounds like a good idea to me! But unfortunately our job as parents is to raise them to become responsible adults. As painful as it may be to let go, there comes a last for everything.

If we can learn to treasure each and every moment we are able to spend with our little ones, then maybe the lasts won't seem so lasting.

At least we can always hope.

CHERISH THE MOMENTS ♥♥♥ In Memory Of...

♥ Tyson ♥

♥July 15, 1988 ~ December 2, 2005♥

Today marks the three year anniversary since our beloved Tyson returned to live with His Father in Heaven. I wasn't sure I was even going to do this post, but then I realized since this blog is partly a journal for my family, I really needed to. I knew it would be a tough thing to do, but I actually found it therapeutic in many ways as well.

There was only ONE Tyson ever born on the face of this earth. He was very unique in so many ways! If asked to describe him in one word, most people would say "funny" or "humorous" or "witty". He always kept us laughing over something. He had a way of being funny without even trying. In third grade he had to write an epitaph. His read:

R.I.P.

Here lies Tyson who was a good friend.

He met his demise by looking at too many girls.

This was a common scene at our house. His pants were always falling off and it didn't bother him one bit. If they weren't completely off, they were on their way.


He had a great love for animals and little children and they were both very drawn to him. He could always be found with his little cousins and they loved to be around him. He couldn't get enough of his younger brothers when they were little babies. He always wanted to be holding or hugging them.

(All of the pictures are much better if you click to enlarge them)


Tyson had a rough start right from day one and spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. He didn't let his health problems slow him down or keep him from living his short life to the fullest.


He was a fan of Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Batman, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and many other action heroes.


He had a very close relationship to each of his brothers and they were always best buds.

Tyson always had a twinkle in his eye. He was one of the most kind, caring, loving, and sensitive little guys that I have ever known. He always thought of others needs before his own even when he was not feeling well....which was a great deal of the time. Even at his sickest point, he would come into my room before he would go to bed each night and ask me if there was anything "I" needed. He was always a joy to be around. He would light up the room when he entered.


How he loved little babies...

There was never a dull moment with Tyson around. He was always coming up with something interesting to do to keep us amused. He definitely wasn't an angel at all times! After he passed away, his friend Matt told us how one of his favorite memories of Tyson was when they would be walking in a parking lot on their way into a store and Tyson would take the little yellow ribbon magnets that people had on their cars that said "Support our Troops" ... he would take them off one car and throw them onto another as he said, "That was his and now it's hers" or "That was theirs and now it's theirs" ~ that was just so Tyson. He was his own person. His trademark was wearing Hawaiian shirts even before they were popular. Sometimes he would wear them with clashing ties! There are not too many ties that go with Hawaiian shirts, but that didn't stop him from wearing them.

Click to enlarge

Tyson loved people and they loved him. He had a lot of friends. The photo above (third row down - second over) was of him getting ready for his skit when he was running to be a class officer. He ate canned dog food as part of the skit! ☺ The entire skit was hilarious...no surprise. He won the election with the most votes and so was made Freshman Class President. It was no big deal to him. He served well, but didn't let it go to his head. He was a really picky eater and would have lived on Rice Krispies and Snicker bars if we let him.

Tyson loved to paintball, make his own movies, ride four wheelers, go camping, go to his grandpa's cabin in Wyoming, snowmobile, fish, water-ski, wave-run, to drive (even though he could barely see over the wheel and was known by name by all the law enforcement officers in our city because he was pulled over so often for appearing underage!), hang out with his buds, watch movies, draw (he was an amazing artist), and water-color (he did that so me and him could spend more time together). He really wanted me to teach him how to sew when he was about 10. I did and he made a bunch of flannel PJ pants and other things. He was very creative and was always coming up with something to make or create. He loved fireworks...especially the illegal ones. Him and his friends blew up an old toilet (and videotaped it) in his friend's backyard (the Bishop's house!) when they were supposed to be in Sunday School. They also blew a hole in solid ice at the frog pond. He had a little bit of pyro in him!

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Tyson loved the ocean and the beach. We were so fortunate to be able to take all the boys to Hawaii in 2003. It was the greatest trip for our family and Tyson couldn't get enough of the ocean.
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Skyler was serving a two year mission for our church when Tyson passed away. Little did I know that this photo above (third row down, second one over) taken at the MTC would be the last one of them together. Tyson told his Dad once that he wasn't afraid to die. He then said, "I'm afraid of sharks, but not afraid to die."☺

The third photo on the top....↓ is a decorative mushroom covered with a towel (NOT what it looks like!) though THAT is what they were wanting it to look like!

He was always grateful for every act of kindness shown to him. He would always say thank you to the nurses, doctors, RT's, and even phlebotomists who inflicted pain! He had a reputation for being the most polite patient in the hospital, but when armed with a either a 100 cc syringe full of water, silly string, ice bullet in a straw, or some other surprise, he was ruthless! Most of them got to know him pretty well and said he was their all time favorite patient. He called himself "The King" because he knew when he was in the hospital he could eat anything he wanted whenever he wanted. We once smuggled in his bunny Bandit for a visit at Tyson's request. He kept him hid under his covers and no one was the wiser. The most amazing thing about Tyson was even though he went through so much and was really sick so often, he NEVER complained. And I mean NEVER. I am constantly amazed that he was able to do that. He was always okay with whatever needed to be done no matter how much pain was involved and had the most incredible attitude through it all. What an example he was for us all.

I have always had my boy's write a FAVORITES list in their journals periodically. The last one Tyson wrote had some great insights.

Greatest physical attribute: I'm bigger than a midget

Worst physical attribute: I'm almost as small as a midget

Things I miss about Sky: Our drives

Greatest talent: Picking up ladies

Favorite thing about home: It's home

Favorite thing about the hospital: Hah hah funny

Favorite thing about school: Social life

Favorite thing about Skyler: He understands

Favorite thing about Bryce: He's a funny kid

Favorite thing about about Taylor: He's very nice

Favorite thing about McKay: He makes me smile

Favorite thing about Mom: She does so much and she loves me

Favorite thing about Dad: He always know what to do and he loves me

Favorite thing about Grammy: She's a cool Grandma

Favorite thing about Grampy: He's funny

Favorite thing about Grandma Jo: Cookies

Favorite thing about Grandpa Jo: He loves me

Favorite thing about Bandit: He makes me happy

Talent I wish I had: Athletic

Quality I admire most in others: Understanding

Favorite weather: 72 degrees, warm wind, sun out

The thing that makes me happiest: When my mom and dad are happy

Greatest regret: He left this one blank...that says a lot.

I am most thankful for: Medicine

The above is the yearbook page in his memory. I wrote the poem in hopes it would comfort his friends.

His brother Skyler wrote this amazing tribute as part of a letter he sent to be read at the funeral.

(Click to read)

Words cannot convey how much we love and how much we miss this amazing young man. He was such a bright light in our lives and though he is now gone from us for now, his spirit and memory will always remain deep in our hearts. He taught us so many things, the least of which is to cherish the moments we have with those we love. I am so grateful that we did that very thing and we have no regrets. I am also so very grateful that we got to spend the time we did with him. I will treasure and cherish each and every one of those moments of that 17 years I was able to spend with such a noble and amazing young man I was fortunate enough to call my son. I am most grateful for the gospel plan and the unwavering faith and knowledge I have that we will one day be re-united. What a grand blessing it is to be able to know I will one day see him again.

Be still and know that I am God...

♥We love you Squirt♥

Friday Memes

I am so sorry I didn't get this up before tonight! It's been really crazy with the holiday. I know it is probably too late to post now...but PLEASE play along anyway (anytime) even though Friday is almost history!!!

Food 4 Thought Friday

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! I will post a new one each Thursday night for those that are on a different time zone. JOIN IN!!!


Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions
Breakfast What is the most stressful thing for you about the holidays?

Lunch
What one quality do you admire most in others?

DinnerDo you enjoy winter, tolerate it, or detest it?


Midnight Snack Where is your favorite place to shop?




Recipe for this Week (instead of your recipe for life - what is it for just this week?)


PLEASE PLAY !!!! Come on you know you want to!


Be sure and stop by the other's blogs who played along too!!!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MY ANSWERS



Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions
Breakfast What is the most stressful thing for you about the holidays?
Adding so much to my already full plate and trying to pull it off perfectly. Especially trying to find the perfect gift for everyone. That is always very stressful! Writing my family newsletter also adds lots of stress because of the time involved. And when we do family photos--- now that's stress!


Lunch
What one quality do you admire most in others?
I think it would be being genuine. I have a hard time with people when they are one way around certain people and another way around others. I appreciate people being genuine and real...not phony.
DinnerDo you enjoy winter, tolerate it, or detest it?
I really hate the cold, but I enjoy the snow when it's falling. It is so beautiful. I do tend to get really sick of winter quick. The ideal time for winter for me would be two months max! I guess I just tolerate it.

Midnight Snack Where is your favorite place to shop?
Not sure how I could pick just one! I love Ross because they have such good quality items for such great prices. I love a good deal! I love to shop at Maurices, Deseret Book, Quilted Bear(or boutiques), Sams (or Costco), and Ebay too.



Recipe for this Week (instead of your recipe for life - what is it for just this week?)
There is always, always, always something to be grateful for.


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1. My stomach is now happy and full after being empty and hungry all day while I was shopping!
2. Lots of turkey, potatoes and gravy, yams, and PIE is what I ate the most of on Thursday.
3. The yard has lots of leaves scattered around again, but happily no snow yet!
4. At home with my whole family is where I'd rather be at any given time.
5. The smell of pine trees reminds me of Christmas.
6. Since I've been up since 4 a.m. - SLEEP is what I need right now!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and going to bed early after shopping all day, tomorrow my plans include writing a talk (I have get to speak in church in sacrament meeting on Sunday), wrapping gifts, cleaning, enjoying my time with Sky home, possibly going shopping again because Bryce needs running shoes for one of his classes, was hoping to run the Santa Run (you have to dress up like Santa to run it!) but my group decided to wait until next year since we would have to pay a huge late registration fee, :( and Sunday, I want to do a good job on my talk(the topic is gratitude), relax, and get in some good reading time.
To play go HERE