Mandy & John

Dr. Camacho

2012-01-24T19:48:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago this little fellow came to play. He was so much fun to have here. He came in and headed to the basement to look for the "coolest" toys ever. I never knew cheap toys would entertain the littles as much as they do but I guess they don't get to play with them often so they are "amazing".

We fixed this for breakfast.

Delish. Even the grown ups liked it. Then Gavin found all of the treats on the shelf. He asked me, "where is the little bot that lives here?" I told him that Uncle John was the only little boy that lived here. He just couldn't understand that. Uncle John is not so little in his eyes I guess.

Next we played. There were lots of trucks to drive and a train to toot, but best of all he liked the Doctor stuff. "What kind of heart do you have?" He thought he could hear it and told me it was a BIG one:)

We brought lots of toys up in the big blue bucket. It was fun to put the toys in them and dump them out up stairs.

Auntie M thought that it would be cool to go to the train museum. Once we got there, Gavin informed me that it was not as cool as the Thomas Station. I guess next year we are going to have to go to the Thomas Days at Heber Creeper.

I love to see the temple

2012-01-19T22:51:00.000-08:00

There is something magical in the air when temple square in SLC has its Christmas lights on. The cool night and walking in the lights makes you feel small. If you ever get the chance you should go walk through the area and then go out for hot cocoa.

One in the bed

2012-01-18T23:55:00.000-08:00

and the little one said,

roll over.

Some nights after John leaves for work, this is where I find Bella. Some nights like tonight once I am ready for bed I look for her to make sure I don't leave her out side and this is how I find her.

Now if only I could teach her to sleep on John's side of the bed.

Family Photo Time

2012-01-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

Da Boys

This is our family. You can't see the little Garcia in Jen's belly but when they get here it will be a good reason to do this again.

Jake and Sherina came all the way from Texas for photos.

Aren't we cute?

John almost has a smile. At least his hands are down.

Quinten and Toby's family

Josh and Jen's family

Nash, looking great as always.

M and the girls

Gramps and the little boys

The whole fam damily.

Happy New 2012

2012-01-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

We had a great party at the senior center. I think we were a little to much for some of them. We jammed out to the Greg Simpson band. It was tons of fun and visited with friends. Then we took the party to the Fromms house and partied more until 3:00am. You know that Sunday morning came fast on Sunday. I won a full nail set don't you like them?

Warm Winter Weather

2012-01-04T21:26:00.000-08:00

Bella and I played with Peedee in the back yard today. It was amazing weather and flip flops feel great. I am getting a little worried about what will happen come April or even June. Last year it seemed like winter was normal and we had winter until July. Maybe January will dump snow so we can have spring.

How sweet it is

2012-01-04T15:01:00.000-08:00

Jake is making peanut brittle. Bella is helping.

It was so fun having jake and sherina here. Jake is great in the kitchen. I got a few things off of my to do list because he was here. I had given up on them but he tackled them.

M and Jake testing the candy.

Gramps helping out in the kitchen

Waiting on the brittle to be done.

Two of the handsome men in my life.

Oh Yah it's done.

The first supper

2012-01-01T21:39:00.000-08:00

Jake & Sherina came to utah for Christmas. We all got together on Friday for the first supper. It was a great time to get together and enjoy each other. We found lots of time to be together and enjoyed being with each other.

Christmas Day is Charming

2011-12-26T15:33:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas day. It started by finishing up Christmas Eve and leaving Mom and Dads at 12:30am. We came home and opened up our own Christmas presents. Some how Santa always makes it to our house by the time we get home on Christmas Eve. We finished about 1:30 and headed to bed so we could get up at 7:00am and make our way to Josh and Jen's. We got there and watched the boys open their presents and then made our way back to Ogden for Church. It was a great service at Church and reminded us that we should live with the Christmas spirit all year long and be in the service of our neighbors and near friends. Awesome advise and it really made me think a bit about why we should know our neighbors and serve them. Then we headed home crawled into bed and took a bit of a nap. About 1:00pm we got up and started thinking about Christmas Dinner. At 4:00pm we were increasing our dinner numbers by the handful. It was a spectacular day and was a lot of fun to have the family over for dinner.

Breakfast with Santa

2011-12-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

Gavin in line to see Santa

Sage and Jen are ready to have breakfast with Santa.

Skyler keeps us all laughing

CHEESE!

Gavin found Thomas

Picture with Thomas

All Sage wants for Christmas is Thomas (and to get off Santa's lap) All Sky wants for Christmas is Star Wars ANYTHING!

Gavin wants a train set maybe two or three if they fit in the sleigh

Friends play on the stage and that wraps up our day.

Never mind Santa...

2011-12-22T09:33:00.001-08:00

It looks like all of the Garcia Boy's will make appearances this weekend. Love it. Wish we all lived closer and saw each other more often but we will take what we get. Merry Christmas!

Tamales and the family

2011-12-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

Every year a few weeks before Christmas the Garcia's get together to make tamales. The past few years we have had such a fun time doing it with the whole family that John and I have made them with our family. It's fun to sit around the table working together and enjoying each other. Then you are in for a treat when they come out of the pressure cooker.

Melba's Girls

2011-12-09T20:04:00.000-08:00

The girl "Melba" cousins got together for dinner last night. It was so much fun to get together and eat and visit. We don't often get to see each other in person so it is a lot of fun to get together for dinner. We missed Aunt LaRue and Paige.

Life knows how to keep you moving

2011-12-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was charging my phone in my car so I didn't have it with me. When I got back to my car I had three messages. A text message from my sister asking if my Dad had gotten a hold of me, a phone message from my Dad and a text message from my husband. I figured I'd call my sister back. She asked me if Dad had gotten a hold of me. My stomach dropped. I had not talked to him yet, but I could tell I was not going to like the news she or he had for me. She told me that Dad called to tell me the biopsy from his prostate came back as a positive for cancer.

Wow. That word really gets you going. A flash through a lot of emotions and then the questions start. I made it through our conversation on my drive home but when we hung up and I pulled into my driveway my eyes started to water like crazy. I remember so vividly the day my Mom called to tell me she had cancer. My life has changed a lot since that day, I was in my basement apartment in Clearfield and I was so angry and upset that I drove to Nephi and back just to process. I remember fearing that she would die the next day or that she would be in so much pain that she would hate all of us to be around her. Well that's not how it happened and I learned a lot from her even if she died so early.

So I went in to fill John in with the news. On my way in the house I called my Dad back. It's funny to be able to envision yourself handling the same news the same way your father is, minus the fact that I lack the body parts that make it possible. I pointed that out to my father and he belly laughed. My Dad, if anyone enjoys a joke in EVERY situation. I never remember a situation that he couldn't find humor in. Sometimes that made me mad but now I know its a great way to cope through the tough parts of life.

I really hate cancer. I hate that it hurts so much and that there is no cure. I hate that the treatment is horrible and takes a lot out of you. I hate the fact that there is so much unknown about it that it feels smarter than you. I often wonder about the "whys" in life. This week I'm just focusing on the facts and trying to grasp a hold and hold on with both hands. Life is sure a roller coaster. Get on and enjoy the ride.

Christmas Crafts

2011-12-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

Tonight begins the Christmas Crafts. (well at least it begins the start and finish of Christmas crafts. I found this tree skirt on line and fell in love with it. I have never had a tree skirt before. I usually just use a table cloth draped around the tree or use the Christmas bags my mom made me as a skirt. This year I decided to make a real tree skirt. I looked and looked and then ran across the pattern for the skirt. I bought material and then the night I was going to start this project ended up to be the worst storm ever so I had to wait until today. After we did some yard work I started sewing. In just a few hours it was done. I love it and think it turned out perfect.

The wind storm of 2011

2011-12-03T21:29:00.000-08:00

On Thursday morning around 2:00am the wind started to blow. It was a wind coming out of the East. You know those are the worst kinds. They are the kind that always shut down I-15 to semi trucks and the kind that have a lot of force to them. By 3:30am I was wide awake listening to things crash all around me. Bella wouldn't even go out side at 4:30am when I got up to let her our after her begging to go out. By 5:30am we didn't have power any more. I didn't worry because usually it's only out for a few hours at the longest. At 6:30am I was called into work because the power was out and they needed help. When I got to work I couldn't get out of my car because the wind was blowing so hard. A trampoline was blowing in the air and lots of debris was flying around. While I was at work John called me and asked me to hurry home because part of our pine tree had come through the dinning room window. On my way home this is what I saw a block from my house.

Visions of my parents tree flashed in my eyes. I was scared that when I got home I would find my huge pine down on our house. Well, my tree was still standing but the wind was blowing so hard I thought that the tree would go down soon. We taped up our window and waited for the wind to stop. It did not stop. It blew all day. We did not have power. The whole city was out of power. We didn't have power for 41 hours. By the time it came back on I was so happy. We lost some shingles and our back fence, compost bin and a few tarps but the tree still stands.

I cry the day I put the tree up

2011-12-01T01:43:00.000-08:00

Ok ok. So if you know the song I hope you are laughing by now. If not you'll have to look up the forgotten Christmas carols. Back top my blog! I cry every year that I put my tree up. Not all the tears are sad ones just some of them. I love looking through all of my old decorations. I have my first grade ornament that I made. How fun it is to get that out each year. I have two tree ornaments from my pre kindergarten years that I got from our neighbor boy Clint that I used to play with. We were the cutest red heads in the neighborhood. Each year I add an ornament to our tree. I have ornaments from the first tree I put up many years ago where me and a few of my nieces and nephews spend a whole day threading pop corn onto string to put on the tree. I don't have the popcorn but I do have the tinsel stars that have grown shorter each year. They used to wrap around the whole tree but now barely make it across one side. This year I got a few special ornaments. My Dad downsized his collection and so he gave me two boxes from my mom's collection. That's where the tears start. It's so much fun to get out all of my Christmas collection but every where you turn is memories of my Mom. That's not bad it just makes me homesick for her.

The past three years my new ornaments have been in memory of her. They are not anything unusually just things that remind me of her. So, usually I don't have a problem with taking the Christmas stuff down on the 26th of December. I know that's when lots of people cry because its over. I however, cry when I put the tree up. Merry Christmas!

This is the best tree decorating helper a girl can ask for. I guess she got tired of the lights.

We are thankful!!!

2011-11-22T17:54:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of things we are thankful for this year:
Our Savior Jesus Christ
A roof over our head
Food to eat
A pretty good two year supply
Family: it keeps growing and getting better
Friends that like us just the way we are
A wonderful wife/husband that encourages me
Minds that are open and able to learn
Seasons for the Earth
Children that keep you feeling young
Friends that remind you everyday that your situation could change at any moment
Good health
Wonderful new friends

There are a lot of things on our list but for now this will do. Here's to you and yours for a great Thanksgiving dinner.

Dog tired

2011-11-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those days? I did just the other day. After a LONG day at both jobs I was glad to get home. I walked in two hours after hoping to be home and opened my email. There was a note from my cousin Kris telling me that she needed to get a hold of my father because Aunt Beverly was not doing well and was dying. I replied with his numbers and started a few phone calls myself. It was a great message to me that my load was not more than I could bare. I remember when my Mom passed away like it was yesterday. Some things you just never forget. I had a great night visiting with cousins from my past who I have not had a lot of contact with. It was great to talk to them and get re acquainted with them. After a few more hours of time I just crawled into bed and felt just like this.

ThanksGiving

2011-11-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

We have been working hard to Give to people this season. Giving doesn't always have to be something that is worth money. Yesterday I was shopping and the lady in back of me only had two items. I had a cart of groceries and invited her to go in front of me. Really you would have thought I gave her $100. She thanked me three times and wished me a good day. With out that little gesture, I am sure we wouldn't have exchanged any words. Also, this week I traded job assignments with one of my co workers so she could run get lunch. I had a few extra minutes and she was working in the office alone. She also thanked me for letting her grab lunch. Last week in church we were talking about giving charity. My Mom was a great example of this. She would do what ever she could to help or give charity to others. She didn't have a lot of money to give but she made things happen. Today I will try to find small ways to help others. You should try it out. It will make you feel better about YOU!

Boo from the crew

2011-10-31T16:43:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Hope you all have a great halloween. I know I will. I get to hang out this week with some cool kids.

He's back

2011-10-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Last night we made the journey to SLC to pick up Elder Elliot Gillies from the airport. After he had a long day flying to Hong Kong and then to LA he made it back to Utah. It was so much fun counting down to his arrival. Lena spent the night with me and we made a bunch of signs to decorate the airport and the garage. I only got a few photos with my phone but as soon as Lena, Lori and Megan post their photos I'll add some more. It will be good to visit with him on Sunday after he speaks in church. Welcome Home Elliot we love you and missed you.

Lena made a great sign for the garage

Fall is back

2011-10-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a rainy morning. Today was a rainy all day long. While I was out running errands this afternoon in the rain my pants became wet. You know how well cotton pants dry right? Well on my way home to fix dinner I decided today was the day. First fire of the year. This has usually been one of my favorite nights of the year. You know how romantic a fire is. A snuggle buddy and a good dinner make a fire all that much nicer. I knew tonight was not going to be a snuggle buddy kind of night because I got strict orders to let John sleep until 9:00pm but I did think a fire and a good dinner was worth the sacrifice. I fixed an easy dinner of pork chops and bakers and started my fire. That's the funny part.

I figured I would use a self starting log because the hatchet is in the garage waiting for one more camping trip. I light the paper that surrounds the log and wait. All of the paper is burning but the log is not burning. I light another match to start more of the paper on fire. Still the log refuses to burn. Here is where I get desperate. You see, we do a lot of camping in the year and I can usually make a great fire with one match and a few pieces of wood. I have some wood inside but no way to cut it. I break the piece into small pieces and start my very own wood fire on the side of the log hoping it will start on fire at some point. Good news...the log will burn once you have a very nice fire burning on it. Note to self. Take all of the dura flames out of the 72 hour kit and replace with real wood.

You don't have to push a hand cart

2011-10-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

to tour the Church history museum. It was a great thing to fill up a whole Friday night. In fact we didn't even finish the whole thing. The upstairs has a hands on display. I know, its for kids. When we saw it we looked at each other and grinned. We tried out all of the activities. It was supper fun and we probably looked really funny to the grown ups that were helping their kids but it was supper fun.

John trying his hand at building an ark

M gathering eggs from the hen house

Reading the fine pring on the gold plates

Having a snack with the missionaries.

This is IT! This is what we came for. I only make it to his knee.

Look whos talking:)

Never say never

2011-09-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

This summer we took our clients camping for a few days. This is not anything unusual because we do this every year. The thing that we did do new this year was take them all swimming at crystal Hot Springs. It is an amazing thing to help people do things that they don't always do. Working through the fear and the anxiety and having the event be successful is an amazing thing. I hope in the dead of winter when things are not looking so good I can look back on this time and enjoy our getting out and swimming.

You've got GOLD inside of you

2011-09-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

Last week we took a trip to California. Not just to take a trip but my nephew Ben was getting married. On Friday we went to Sutters Mill just North, I think, of Folsom and went on a tour of the are. It was amazing to check out all of the saw mill stuff and also to find GOLD. It was a lot of fun. Saturday we spent the day with the family and Ben and Natalie. We enjoyed the day with them and loved visiting with everyone. Here are some of the photos from the trip. Not in a specific order.

Here we are at John's church. St. John's. It was worth the hike up the hill to peak in the windows. Thank goodness we had Brent along with us to see in the tall windows. The rest of us stood on stacked rocks to see.

Chugging contest with real Mexican Coke. Looks like Elise wins.

Cute Ben and Natalie are enjoying their day!

Aunt Mandy and two beautiful girls. It was a girls weekend for sure.

More girls...

Silly girls

All of the girls on the trip. It was a lot of fun and look all those girls are so Beautiful and growing up too fast.

The saw mill that was huge and had great craftsman ship involved

John admiring the mill

the best traveling group around

we had a fun trip and can't wait to go on the next one!!!

Where did Summer go?

2011-09-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

I just logged on and see that I have only blogged a few of the summer events. I just don't understand how the summer seems to be over. It feels like it just began. Only yesterday we were counting down days to Memorial Day. Now, here we are planning Thanksgiving. Both of which are mile markers to any year. I will try to fill in the blanks before the end of Fall but today I can't help tell you about the turning leaves. I sat out on my porch tonight while my plants had a little drink and there are plenty of colored leaves up there. Last week prior to our trip to California there were not any leaves turning that we could see from home. Now the mountain is littered with them. Before you know it Old Man Winter will be here and it will start all over again. "To everything there is a season." I can't decide what my favorite is. I like them all for reasons all of their own.

All grown up

2011-09-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Ryan and Christian are off to school in Pheonix. We got to take them to Pheonix and move them into their new home. That is a story in itself. We will tell you about that another time. We found wi-fi at the local Denny's and that is how we stayed connected for a few days. It was great to hang out with these two. They are great guys and will have a good time in college.

Lori and I make a mean cleaning team. We can whip two apartments into shape in no time. It was a fun fast trip and we got them all moved into a neat little place so they can enjoy their school carrier.
Ryan keeps us in stitches all the time.

Mom and Aunt Mandy were worried about getting the apartment set up, Christian and Ryan were worried about getting the bikes running and having enough room to park them.

We even all took a ride on them. With the heat at 116 we rode inside. I never got the hang of the BMX bike with the seat that points up to the sky.

Ryan being silly...

Christian giving himself a haircut. Yeap, that's the life of a student. Save, Save, SAVE.

Maybe grown up enough start school in a different state but still hanging up the sign made by your little sister. Just to remind you of home. Love you Ryan! We will miss you but you will love being in school.

So there you have it

2011-08-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

You have now seen most of what happened in Texas. We had a great time and who knew that we could fit so much into one weekend. Besides an emergency trip to the ER after Pam took a fall at Target after the Groom's dinner, everything went as planned for the most part. We loved Galviston and Bubbas Shrimp Palace for dinner. I think some of us would have eaten there every day. Good thing we didn't find it until Sunday. I can't wait til we go back again to visit Jake and Sherina.

More Texas

2011-08-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

You drive over this bridge heading out of Baytown. It was really cool to see in person. If only we could have stopped for a good shot.

On day two in Galveston we stopped at a neat old cemetery. There was so much to look at. We all split and looked...here are some of the cool things we saw.

Check out the name here...Pete Tellefson. Fun to find a family name.

This is what a lot of graves look like.

There are canals all through the cemetery. My assumption was for the flood waters of hurricanes.

A whole section of the cemetery dedicated to the Masons of Galveston.

The Ants came marching

2011-08-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the grooms dinner. There were ants every where and a picnic theme all around us. It was so nice to meet all of Sherina's family. Nice to see where she comes from.

The next day we headed to the Houston Temple and waited for the happy couple to emerge ready for another party.

Galviston, we love you

2011-08-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time in Galviston that we planned to come back a second day. It was great to get in the salt water and relax. Hanging in the sand was even worth the itchy part of sand. Can't wait to go back again.

WOW who took August away

2011-08-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

It is now 8/23 and I don't feel like I have told you about any of the things that are going on in our world. I guess tonight I will work on catching up on all of the August news. Keep tuned in, it will be worth it.

Rodeo

2011-07-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

When we moved to St. George I bought us rodeo tickets so we could go to a rodeo. I don't remember going to a rodeo when I was little. I really wanted to go and try it out. John teased me because I am from a small town where cowboy is ok to be. He said I could not go with out boots and a trip to the country store so I (in my shorts and tee shirt and chaco's) went into the local IFA store. WOW! There is a lot that goes into having a cowboy title. Just like most things that I am actively involved in. The womens clothing is made to be pretty but not much of it is functional. John informed me right away that I couldn't wear mens wranglers. That was ok by me because I don't like the fit of wranglers so I didn't need any. It was a big struggle because boots and shorts were not going to cut it for him. I left the store without a big buckle, boots or a hat and we went to the rodeo. My reasoning was that at 114 degrees I only needed shorts. It was pretty fun, a little scary and a great place to people watch.
When we moved back up north, my theory didn't work. I bought my first pair of boots, wranglers and a button up cowgirl shirt. I liked my boots so much I got a second pair. I still admit when it is hot my little piggies hate thinking that I may but them in boots but there are certain times and circumstances that it's ok.
Tonight is one. We are going to the "tough enough to wear pink" rodeo. It's a big deal here in Utah that on pie and beer day everyone puts their cowboy on. Even the mayor of Ogden will trade in his tight running shorts (that he wears around town regularly) for boots and jeans. Thanks to Brooke and Ryan for the outfit advice. Boots and a skirt were about the limit at the rodeo. It was a hot one. Had a blast and watched a perfect ride:)

It's Christmas in July

2011-07-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Uncle Brent celebrated his birthday last week and invited us up for pie. He was eager to get his birthday present and as soon as it arrived we all headed down in back of him. He pulled it into the parking lot and gave it a whirl. He is a kid at heart. It was great to see him ride. Now we just have to work on him wearing riding clothes. I reminded him that he didn't have to wear a suit when he rode his bike any more. His two years of that are over. Happy Birthday Brent

I want to be just like you

2011-07-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

Gramps and M were standing in the kitchen talking. M looks down and says don't move. Sage had decided that he to needed to be in on the conversation and had backed up and leaned against the cabinet just like Gramps. He started talking and putting in his two cents.

Snuggled right up there and stood the whole time. It was so cute and made you want to pick him up and smoochie him to pieces.

It's the fifth of July and I'm feeling independent

2011-07-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a great fourth of July. I know I did. It amazes me what small town life can do to you. We spent our fourth of July in Malad Idaho. It's a small town just over the Utah border. The people there are great. We had a fun time. Ate until our tummies were full and then ate more. We went to the grocery store which took me back in time to the small town I grew up in. I still like going "home" even though now home isn't the same as it once was. We had our very own fire work show with fire works that were enough to scare you. We had water balloon fights and played games. My favorite thing was running onto this sign....

This is not the funniest part. It is pretty interesting.

Ho-Made Pie! Puts a whole new spin on being American and loving a bit of cherry pie, or any pie for that matter.

Sunday Grill Time

2011-07-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Garcia is full of great ideas. A few weeks ago he decided that this was a fine time for grill. We all got together and had one heck of a grill. Thanks for letting us break in your new grill. Even if you didn't buy the damn grill.

I scream you scream

2011-07-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

We all scream for Ice Cream!!! A night out to our local home made ice cream shop made us all happy. It's still around and you can find people of all ages out for ice cream. Usually there is a long line and you have to take a number to be served. Not tonight! Lucky for Bella because she was so excited for a lick. She was a well behaved dog and enjoyed being out on the town.

2011-06-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

Looks like it is time for a BBQ. This year we got off to a great start with BBQ's. The Gillies' and John and I have got this down. We make a phone call figure whats in the fridge that we can share and meet to eat. Greg and Jill were good sports this Sunday and came to help us enjoy in the fun.

These kids are growing faster than the rate of vegetables. They are the life of the party when we all get together. This was a great day. Ryan, Megan and Drew had some time to catch up on all of the things they are doing this summer before heading to college.

Lori and I were admiring this quilt and planning yet another day of quilt making. (Sorry Brent, when I uploaded this I thought you were in the photo)

John even enjoyed the BBQ so much you can see a bit of a smile under all of his fur.

Greg and Jill are enjoying some of the sunshine that we had. It seems like this year was full of storms and wet. It's nice to finally be able to get out into the sunshine and enjoy the heat. Never mind all of those blankets hanging on the line. They were just drying out after the wettest camping trip of EVER.

Ryan, Bella and Lena, Showing off and playing ball to keep Bella occupied while we visited.

Happy Fathers Day

2011-06-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

I love my Dad! So glad he is mine.

I think you lost your wisdom

2011-06-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

teeth that is.

Ryan and Drew got their wisdom teeth out on Monday 6-13. What a way to celebrate the birthday of their little sister. It was quite an undertaking. Drew was first. He had a rough time getting home. He did much better once he got a few pain pills under his belt. Ryan was second. Surprise the doctor he had grown a fifth tooth. Not many people can tell their kids that story. Needless to say...They are both still pretty full of wisdom even if they don't have teeth where they used to.

Rain, snow and wind

2011-05-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

We have been camping for the past 8 days. We had to move our usual location to one up in Sardine canyon. I have heard many stories about how that canyon got it's name and after spending a crazy week there I can think of my own reasons. The first day or two were not bad. It was a little windy but nothing we have not seen before. Unfortunately the spot that we were camping in was at the summit of the canyon. Wellsville on one side Dry Lake on the other. Just FYI, Dry Lake is not dry right now and the water in it had white caps on the lake when we were coming home. The third night it blew like no ones business. I have never seen wind quite like that. The worst wind I have ever seen went of for a few minutes maybe even twenty. This wind started at 11:45pm and went til 4:30am. It was not just windy. There were 95 MPH gusts. Let me tell you what that feels like...you can't breath and it will lift you right up off the ground. We laid down camps all night long. We worked faster once the canvas started ripping. The next day we set it all back up again. I kept saying, "If only the wind would be gone I would take the rain." I guess God decided to try that theory out. The wind stopped and the rain started. Then the snow, then the rain, then the snow, then the rain. Once we were taking our camp down on Monday, I was soaked to the bone for five or so hours. Once I started loosing feeling in my fingers and legs I decided running around in my long johns was better than having frost bite. It was true. We did have an enjoyable weekend despite what we went through. I know one thing. There are a few new items in my "Must Have" camp bag and I know I can make it through it what ever IT is!!!

Dear Mom;

2011-05-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

I sure do miss you. It seems that never a day goes by that I don't think of you or use some piece of information that you have taught me to accomplish some task in my day. There are a million questions that I wish I could ask you and have you tell me your opinion. I know when you were here with us you were a great person to ask for an opinion. Even if we didn't see eye to eye on things you would always offer your ideas and explain why you thought that way. I miss having you hear to share new things with, or enjoy old traditions that we still do. It's funny how we used to just do things to do them and now they seem to be things that we did because of you. Some times it's hard to see life change from the way it was with you. I have to remind myself that if you were here we would still be making changes we would just be making them with you. You'll never know how much you influenced our family. YOU were everything. You did such a good job. You never looked for recognition for what you did to make our family the best thing on earth but now that you are not here, we sure can tell what we miss and really how much you did. Even the littlest things that we never realized you were doing while you did them. I often hope that you can keep tabs on us and know what we are doing, what neat things we are involved in, our troubles, our successes. I hope that you can and I also hope that we are doing things the way you would do them if you were here. I love using some of your things that I have acquired. It always makes me think of you when I get to serve dinner in your bowl or when I spend my weekend camping and wear your necklace. I also love to look at my flower gardens. I always think of you. It's always nice when people tell me that I remind them of you. Hopefully some day I will leave a stamp on this life just like you did. It's amazing to me how many people you loved, helped, fed and knew. It seems that every time I make a trip to Hyrum I run into someone who knows you and misses you . Thanks for being my Mom. If only we were able to spend a few more years here together. Someday I guess we'll do a little catching up and then go back to doing things the way we used to. I love you and I'll be seeing you.

Too Many Noodles

2011-05-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

My Mom always used to make a pot of spaghetti and sauce, mix it all together and feed us. I used to ask her if she could leave the sauce on the side because I liked to add as much or as little as I wanted. She would always tell me that it was easier to mix it all together. I tried to make 4 servings of spaghetti and sauce and mix it all together the other night for dinner. The only thing that happened was the noodles are dry and there was not enough sauce. I don't know how she did it to always make good ghetti but she always did it. Maybe next time I'll get it right and know how to make the right sauce for the amount of noodles I have.

You will make many changes...

2011-05-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

before settling satisfactorily.

That is my pre dinner fortune cookie today. How fitting because this month of May has been pretty changing. Well lets just say it probably started in March. You see, this year is one of those years when Easter is really late so we didn't have our first camp out until April. We were set on having a great weekend because being that it was so late in the year we thought we could escape the snow at Easter Rendezvous.
Well to our surprise we had tons of snow this year and when run off season got here...The rivers FLOODED. We went from dry camp spots to covered in 3 feet of water. Just to give you a mental picture right here that was about knee high on me. So we quickly found a new place to camp and had a great weekend.
Following right behind is our LARGE Cache Valley Rendezvous. This is a family activity (ok maybe just me, mom and dad) but it seemed to be what we did from the time I was 6 until, well still doing it. On Mothers day Saturday, we went up the canyon to see our camp site because the river was running high. Blacksmith Fork river had already gone out of its banks. That Saturday there was a little water running down the back gully but nothing that we had not seen before so I figured all was well. Come Sunday morning it was a new story. The river had washed over the bridge we use to get into camp and also started two more new rivers in the middle of our camp ground.
This wouldn't be so bad but a few years back, maybe 11 or so Hyrum City thought that back filling the large gully on the property would be a great idea. So, the kicked us off of the Left hand property for a year and back filled.
Fast forward to May 2011 and now the river is out of its bed and flooding all of the back filled area. The river is actually running so deep through some of the property that I am sure there will be big changes to the layout by next year.
We have been working so hard to find a new location for our event that I am starting to wonder if we are really supposed to go camping this year. Never mind the amount of rain that keeps falling from our skies. Hopefully come Sunday we will be hitting the mountain to enjoy the heck out of a week of camping.

Garden of the Gods

2011-05-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my mom n law and I went to Colorado Springs for a bridal shower. We had an amazing weekend together. We make great traveling partners and got along beautifuly. We had a good time visiting with everyone that we saw. On Sunday, Cathy took us out to see beautiful Garden of the Gods. If you ever find yourself in Co Springs, CO stop by and have a look. My favorite is Kissing Camels. I did a tiny rock climb just so I could get a photo for all of you back home. Here it is...

March in Hyrum

2011-05-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

In Ogden I have now been wearing sandals for weeks. Not really thinking about how much colder or how many weeks behind Cache Valley is I got dressed in a cute skirt and sandals to go and decorate my mom's grave for her March 17th Birthday. Big surprise as we topped Sardine canyon and the snow was coming down. I looked at John and started laughing. Wonder if there will be snow in the cemetery?

Yep there it was. White stuff all around. I stood in the tiny patch of grass near the headstone so I could keep my piggies warm and worked fast.

Thanks to my loving husband who stepped a path out there so I didn't have to walk in the snow. Here's to you mom. Love you and miss you every day.

Spring = Baby Animals

2011-05-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to baby animal days at the historical farm in Wellsville. It was a lot of fun even if it did snow while we were there. Nothing like getting a little dirt on your boots while you are at the farm. Josh, Jen, Sky, Sage, Zack, Nash, Gramps and M all braved the weather and enjoyed a wagon ride out to the barns. In the first barn we held bunnies, won frogs and got out picture taken so we can not be lost children. Then we headed into the petting part of the day. Baby sheep, goats, pigs, chicks, ducks, turtles, and bears. It was a lot of fun to see and we enjoyed making petroglyphs and puppets. After we had our fill on the farm we headed for a bite of lunch at Angies. It was a great day and we enjoyed doing it.

When Grandpa comes

2011-05-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

"It's always fun when Grandpa comes, when grandpa comes hoorah. He has a winkley tinkley smile he's jolly all the day."
I used to have two grandpas that fit the bill of this childrens song of my youth. Now I get to watch these two boys relive the words. Grandpa and his boys.
Nothing makes your day better than being lucky enough to start it out like this. Sky and Sage crawling all over you just because they love you. Gramps is always game for a little snuggle and then Sky knows he'll cave for a video game. Gramps always says it's easier to be the Grandpa because it's ok if it's all fun and games. Surprise boys, Gramps came to play to day.

April showers bring

2011-05-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

May Flowers!!! Happy May Day.

There's a dog in the trunk

2011-05-01T06:59:00.000-07:00

Bella has figured out that when we start getting ready to go some where all she has to do is go out side. Sometimes she will wait for us under the car. One morning when we were setting out for a Saturday of errands...
We found Bella waiting for us in the trunk. I guess she found it open and figured that was as good as the back seat. I don't think she would like it if we left her in there so we opened the back seat and let her go for a ride. She loves being with us and will just hunker down in the back seat. Her eyes say,"I'll sit here if i can just be out with you."

2011-04-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what it would look like if you ran your truck into your car port? This is what it looks like. My father in law wanted to make you didn't have to wonder any more. No on was physically injured. Just a bit of repairs to make and a little harassment from the rest of the family. Who wouldn't enjoy that right?

Octoberfest in April

2011-04-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

Last year when we made sausage we had so much fun we asked Mary if he could put up with us again to make more sausage. This year everyone made Bratwurst. They are very tasty. I didn't wait much past the morning after to fry up a bit of the sausage to try it. It was so worth it. Tastes great and we had so much fun making it that eating it just reminds us what a blast we had stuffing.

Gone Country

2011-04-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

The senior center in Brigham City had a murder mystery dinner for meals on wheels. We went and had a blast. It was great to dress up and have a night out. They did such a great job with decorations and making it a fun evening. Who wouldn't want to get dressed up to go out to dinner with this cute face?

Boys and Toys

2011-03-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

Skyler and Sage came over to visit a few weekends ago. After a while of being there Skyler made his way to the basement and found one of Uncle Jakes remote car toys. All he needed were a few batteries and he was good to go. We fixed the battery issue and away he went. Soon he and Uncle Nash headed out side to ride on the sidewalks. All of the rest of us followed. Glad for a nice day to spend some time outside. Winter is nearing an end and it is nice to head out side for a bit. Sage and Uncle Nash are looking at shadows. Sage tried hard to keep up with his big brother. Skyler tried hard to keep ahead of Sage.

Skyler figured out the driving thing and soon found himself getting farther and farther away from all of us.

Skyler driving, Sage keeping up with him.

Uncle Nash giving Sky some driving pointers.

Enjoying the outside which encouraged M to clean out her flower beds and rake the front yard. Two days later it snowed and hid all of the work M did.

Media player for him, pans for her

2011-03-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

This weekend we added two new household items to our home. John got an ipod and fell in love once he figured it out. it is hard to leave our comfort zone but we did. Today we went out shopping because I need a new outfit for the upcoming week. I didn't find a dress but I did get a great set of new pans. What would make two people more happy...I don't think anything would. Nice pans and nice music where ever we go.

73 things I Love about LaRee

2011-03-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

1~ Things are what you make of them
2~ FAMILY is important
3~ Be organized
4~ You don't always need new things
5~ You can make a wonderful meal with basic things
6~ Sisters are your best friends
7~ Take time for your self
8~ Learn something new every day
9~ Listen to others stories
10~ Love everything you are doing
11~ Spend time doing simple things
12~ Write down your memories
13~ Spend time outside
14~ Grow a garden
15~ Eat what you grow
16~ Use the space you have creatively
17~ Be happy to clean up after your husband....because you love him:)
18~ The best part of life happens around your kitchen table
19~ If you think you can your right
20~ Serve others
21~ Let others help you...you don't always have to be Super Woman
22~ Everyone has at least one good quality
23~ Lay on the grass and look at clouds
24~ Insist on a clothes line outside
25~ Don't be afraid to work hard
26~ There is no such thing as woman's work or mans work. Do it all
27~ Love the person you are. I made it
28~ Never get together without something to eat
29~ Love everyone
30~ A Skore bar will make it all better
31~ You can always fit anything you need to into the trunk of a car
32~ Food always tastes better on a fire
33~ Love your kids no matter what happens
34~ Taking care of your family is worth it, even if it is hard
35~ Time spent in the garden is time well spent
36~ Always agree to go for a car ride
37~ Washing dishes is better than drying them
38~ Singing makes the time fly by
39~ Peaches are better in the winter out of a bottle
40~ The smaller the bathroom the less you have to clean
41~ Be the organizer. Someone has to do it.
42~ You can make a castle out of a few chairs and some blankets
43~ Playing store in the garden adds hours of time spent in the garden
44~ It's ok to clean and cut a deer on your kitchen table
45~ Picking flowers and pressing them makes a fun activity
46~ Remain positive in the face of adversity
47~ Forth of July is a great time for a BBQ
48~ 7 kids can all use one bathroom and survive
49~ Back to school canyon dinners are a necessity
50~ Don't make divinity on a rainy or cloudy day
51~ Navajo Tacos are a family favorite
52~ When you are hunting you can make rain puddles in the road and no one cares
53~ You are never to old to swim in Bear Lake
54~ Never camp near skunks if you are having a kidney stone attack
55~ You can never have to many sewing projects
56~ Neighbors are great people to serve dinner to
57~ Reading every day is not an option
58~ Don't worry just make it happen
59~ Quilts are the best hugs you can make for your children
60~ Food storage is not only fun to store but fun to use
61~ The Easter bunny likes to color the mini eggs the best
62~ You can pretend to be "little house on the prairie" even in the city
63~ Sleeping in the great out of doors is the best sleep you will ever have
64~ Live today like there is no tomorrow. Enjoy today
65~ The school of life is a great place to learn
66~ Throw papa down the stairs his hat
68~ Your kids will never forget hearing you call them down stairs
69~ It's ok to cry
70~ Someday, we will be together again. I can't wait for my great big hug
71~ You will have a plate of fudge waiting for me because I can't make my own
72~ You are always here we just may not know it
73~ Everyone needs their own leprechaun
and one to grow on: You'll always be my "baby".

Happy Birthday Mom...

2011-03-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

I love you!!!

Irish eye's are smiling

2011-03-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Thursday is my Moms BIRTHDAY! You can bet we would be celebrating the Irish way with her. Sometimes that had a bit of a Mexican flare, or German flare, or Swiss flare well pretty much you could count on pork and cabbage but you never knew what else it would mean. One thing for certain....You would be eating a lot of green stuff today. My mom would always talk about how her mom would make cupcakes and bring Pineapple ice cream to school to celebrate "the twin's" birthday's. She was LUCKY, if I had to share my birthday with anyone Aunt LaRue was a great pick. When I was a small girl I could get them confused pretty easily. Not that they were exact but sometimes you just couldn't tell with out a double take. I got older and it got better but then my mom got sick. One year she was in the hospital for Thanksgiving. That was the holiday we spent with her two wonderful sisters. Aunt LaRue was in the back of the chapel and I saw her out of the corner of my eye and started running up to hug my mom. About half way there I realized that my mom really was not there. I changed my direction and headed to the bathroom to make my eyes stop sweating. That day I realized that some day my mom would be gone and I would still have my Aunt. Wondering if that would be hard or easy became a big dread. Know we know it isn't bad at all. Yes, sometimes my eyes still sweat and my voice shakes and my breathing becomes deep because she brings "MOM" memories back to me but over all she is just like having mom in a different kind of way. When we talk on the phone some times I forget that I am not talking to my mom. She keeps track of everything just like MOM. So Happy Birthday MOM and AUNT LARUE...Here's a scoop of pineapple ice cream and a cupcake just for you.

Delightful Dinner Date

2011-03-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

Monday after we fulfilled our family and work duties we headed home to relax. The end of our long weekend together after not seeing each other for four weeks was coming to an end. We grabbed a baguette, salami, cheese, artichoke dip, butter, apples and whiskey and headed to the basement for a little movie named "UP" What a great movie. I laughed, cried and enjoyed the heck out of my simple dinner and date night. Thanks honey for enjoying the simple things with me sometimes. There are not a lot of men that would like a baguette and salami for dinner but I can count on you.

Make it into a full weekend

2011-03-11T18:22:00.000-08:00

This week we actually spent some time together when both of us were coherent enough to know what was going on. We spend Friday with the parents, Friday night with the Grands, Saturday with both and Sunday with the family and each other. Saturday morning Gene went off to help his father for a few hours after he had breakfast with the cutest two boys on Earth. Then he came home and picked us all up and we went to the train show and a picnic. While the boys helped me make a sack lunch they found the cheese balls and devoured most of the bag while I made PB & J's to take with us.

It was not your typical train show you see. There was a mile long wait to get inside but the outside trains were fast to see and we rode two trains with out standing in a line waiting.

When Sage got tired of seeing things we asked what the boys wanted to do next. Sky voted to get a shake. We headed to McDonalds for a shake. We were informed that shakes come from dairy queen, but he was pretty happy with his Oreo Bizzard. We drove for a bit and headed home. Once we dropped the boys off we decided we would go check out the season sales in Salt Lake. We stumbled upon a great sale at Kirkham's. Shoes for everyone, a skirt and socks for M. All on sale and an extra 25% off that. Great find. While we were shopping our friends called and asked us to stop by the car show. It was a lot of fun to walk around and look at cars. After the show we grabbed a bite to eat and headed home. Bella was not too happy with us when we got home. We made it up to her on Sunday because we slept in and let her play in the yard for a long time before we headed out to Mexican Dinner with the Garcia's. St. Mary's serves a great mexican dinner. Then we took Mom and Dad to Aunt Mary Garcia's funeral. A stop for pie and an end to a great weekend together.

Everything is a miracle

2011-03-09T18:15:00.000-08:00

This seems to be a fitting song for a fitting day.

Today you are YOU!

2011-03-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ~Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess. A man I love. If it's possible to say that about someone you have never met only read. Amazing work, rhymes, and life lessons. There really isn't much in life that you can't relate to a Suessism.

And for dinner tonight. Green eggs and Ham and green beer because it's MARCH!!!!

Beans, beans the magical fruit

2011-03-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

Two sisters happy to can together. Canning alone does not make you smile like this.

Beauties just out of the pressure cooker.

We canned them so we don't have to spend so much time soaking them when we want a good meal of beans. It was a lot of fun and canning in the garage on a camp chef just whets your appetite for camping season. It was a lot of fun. The worst part was waiting for the darn things to cook for 75 minutes. Oh, it may have been bad when I was lifting one out of the cooker and it hissed and spit at me. That made me cuss and say bad words. I am sure my mom was smiling at that exact moments. Here are a few photos of our canning day...

Finishes washed and ready to put away. That is the hard part putting it all away.

White beans, red beans black beans, brown beans...we didn't miss any of them

Amazing what 2/3 cup beans and some water turn into after 75 minutes at 12 pounds of pressure.

Vickie we love you

2011-02-23T18:21:00.000-08:00

Today was the funeral for one of the ladies that lived in my group home. It is amazing to see the love that pours out during a time like this. I had the opportunity of working with the bishop of the rock cliff 1st ward again. I hoped last January I wouldn't have to work with him again but this week I got my chance. What an awesome man. He is amazing and willing to help in aspects that I didn't think of myself.

I was asked to speak by the family on Saturday. It is not my favorite thing to do. I kind of thought that I dodged the "Relief Society" bullet that my Mom laid the "big shoes" to fill in that department. However, after this past week I think she is just being sneaky about how she is getting me involved:)

Talking at funerals is not my favorite thing. In fact talking in public is not what I would ever choose to do for a past time. I learned at my mom's funeral that it was really hard to control my tears but with my brothers backing me up I made it. Literally the backed me up. I was having a hard time talking instead of crying and they all came to the pulpit to stand with me while I finished. Now for two other funerals that I have been asked to speak at I can feel them standing right behind me letting me know it's all going to be ok.

I was amazed to find out how often I cross paths with others who know Vickie or her family. It was a great day and thankfully the storm waited to come in until Vickie's day was over. She wouldn't have liked that. I can see her shaking her finger now at the weather man.

Send in a real big storm

2011-02-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

That is what we have been waiting for all winter. We just hoping for the same amount that we had in 2008. That year it seemed to pile right up to our windows. Well, we have not seen anything like that but this weekend made it feel like it was possible. Saturday morning started out rough and by seven that evening all I wanted to do was watch a movie that would make me laugh. My wonderful husband found the perfect movie and so we headed out to see it. When we walked out side of the theater...there was a good two inches of really heavy, wet snow on the ground. We came home and talked about shoveling but it was close to 10:30pm and I said, "I'll do it tomorrow." That phrase is becoming more popular and you would think by now I would know that there is always a crisis on tomorrow. Sunday I woke up early and looked out side. There it was 6 inches of beautiful white snow on the ground. I had a grand idea and figured it was still early enough that I could play in the snow in the front yard and not be seen by any one. I broke out the snow pants and a warm shirt and vest and headed out to play. After I had lost myself in my snow man and snow angel making I heard the neighbor Sam. He stepped out on his porch chuckleing to himself. I stopped in my tracks looked up and laughed. He told me I really was a kid at heart and then left the whole driveway full of snow so I could build the middle section. It started to snow again and Sam wished me well and went inside until it stopped snowing. I stayed out side and played. I even built a snow dog. If you look really close you can see her. Bella wanted to come out front with me and help but when I let her out in the front yard she knocked over Mr. Snowman. After having to rebuild him a time or two I put her in back. So here he is....

Here is the snow dog. Like her tail and ears. After a few minutes of new snow falling her details were hidden.

Goals, goals, goals

2011-02-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

In the class that we are taking we have to make weekly action plans. This was really hard the first week because I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I did know things that I needed to get done but I had a rather hard time coming up with things that I wanted to do. The next week was better and I learned that I set the bar really high for myself. This week has been perfect. I made it a point to take 10 minutes daily for myself. I do something that I want to. That could be read, crochet, sing, or just plain do nothing. 10 minutes is a long time when you have to do something but it doesn't seem that long when I want to do the thing I am working on. Yesterday I didn't think I was going to find 10 minutes in my day. It was one of those days that things just kept coming and piling up all around me. I finally fit it in right near 10:45pm. (I guess I could count my sleep time.) Today I broke my day into two parts. It was a much nicer day and I did get a little more me time and felt like I was not going to break. Maybe next week I'll go for 20 minutes.

Lucky post #280

2011-02-12T04:08:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite hobbies. Today you get post 280! I know its not your typical mile marker but when I started with 15 posts in a year I never guessed I would get close to this and since its here, why not talk about it. In our house we used to joke that EVERYTHING would end up on the blog. We don't talk about it as much any more but we do still look forward to any blog worthy event. So here's to another 280 posts. Hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

February news

2011-02-12T04:02:00.000-08:00

See the paper whites? If you look really close you can see little bulbs with teeney sprouts coming up. Those are going to be really neat flowers in a few weeks. Thats what I love about this time of year. You can actually get bulbs to grow and the night is gettings longer. There is something refreshing about having the sun start to stay out past 5:00pm. Spring is coming just like Skyler told me "The hedge hog saw his shadow so Spring is coming. That means we can play outside."

Beautiful Colorado

2011-02-12T03:41:00.000-08:00

This story starts out because on of our favorite singer song writers isn't coming to SLC. Peter Meyer has become a real favorite in our house. He has wonderful music, great lyrics and awe inspiring talent on the guitar. We just happened upon him on year during the UCC concert programs and fell absolutely in love. at one of gis shows we bumped into some dear friends and that was all it took. We became part of the Jackson clan once a year during this show and had a wonderful time seeing amazing music and enjoying a great after show midnight snack. So this year when Peter released his travel dates "SLC" was not on the list. This weekend is the next best thing to "SLC". He came to Colorado Springs. We headed out with one thing on our minds. We were going to have a great trip and enjoy listening to Peter at least once this year. It was a great time. We stayed with Cathy and Matt who are gracious hosts and we enjoyed visiting with them. The concert was great and we got to meet a new singer song writer that we fell in love with. It was a good weekend and I was sad that all good things must end. I guess that just makes it better when we get to have a good time again.

Where is 25th street?

2011-02-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

It is under a few feet of snow. No we have not had that much snow, but Ogden City has been working hard to haul snow down to 25th street for Winterfest. We had so much fun there last year that we planned to spend most of the weekend down there this year. The added bonus was that Sky and Sage got to come with us.

Friday afternoon we headed down and watched the parade that kicked off the festivities. There was candy and everything. That was all it took. As Sky was picking up little Hersey kisses out of the snow bank, the man with the box came by and poured it into our coats and packs.

There are kisses every where. Lots of people out to see the festivities and enjoy beautiful weather in Ogden.

We got lucky and Megan and Drew came with us to Wnterfest. We even got a cup of coca while braving the outside.

Skyler found this sledding statue and got on the front of the sled. He has a great imagination and made the Weeeeeee sound while he sat here.

What do you think has these boys attention. Held for almost 10 minutes?

The big bang these dumps make after they dump their load. See the flap that is resting on the bank of snow? When the truck starts pulling forward after is dump that little flap hits into the bed and makes a LOUD boom. The boys thought that was a lot of fun. We got to see them dump snow on 25th and Washington. It only took 20 minutes to fill the rest of the road with snow and start the winterfest.

On Saturday we came back. We watched Skijorring, ate breakfast at a restaurant, listened to and watched snow machines, built a bird house, watched whole chickens roast, built snow men, posed by snowmobiles, and walked around a lot.

Uncle Nash came with us and helped us build a snow man. because there was no snow left in the park, the city had to bring in piles of snow. It was not the best snow man snow but with a little help from Uncle Nash we found three just right snow pieces.

Sky couldn't get the arms to stick into the snow/ice. Thank goodness Uncle Nash had just the right touch to make them stick.

Skyler used a spray bottle of blue water to put the finishing touches on his snow man. Once this little guy was built Sky was ready to start another and another. Luckily we found a bird house to build. By this time Sage and M were ready for a nap and so we sat in the amphitheater while Sky, Gramps and Nash built the house.

Over all we had a great couple of days and were very happy to get to spend them with two of the most amazing BOYs on the planet.

A souper day for a super bowl

2011-02-07T15:50:00.001-08:00

Megan and Mandy are so excited to try the next pizza. We had a huge food spread. Anything you could think of we had. Lots of Green and Yellow to support our Green Bay team. We also had a lot of cheese. We are cheese heads...only from Cache Valley.

Lori and Megan enjoying visiting prior to the first kick off.

Lena teasing Me that she was going to eat all of the pizza before I could get mine. I was leaning in to steal a bite.

GIRLS rule. We were having our own party. The boys had other plans so we made up our own plan.

The first touch down. Made by the best team!

This is how much pizza 4 of us could eat. What you can't see is a whole other pizza!! I guess we planned for boys being here to eat with us:)

Family, it's everything

2011-01-27T21:26:00.000-08:00

I am lucky in this department. God loved me so much he gave me a great family to grow up in. It was not always perfect. In fact, I don't think it ever was but that doesn't mean we didn't have a great time growing up. Some of us grew up together, some of us grew us alone. Now as adults we all have some sort of relationship with each other. On a daily basis I get to see dis functional families. Not all of them are but more than I ever thought have some sort of dis function. I guess mine does too I just don't see it that way.
Well, as the story goes you grow up and start your own family. Some people do this by marrying at age 21 having children. Some of us do this by marrying into a wonderful family and acquiring 4 wonderful sons.
I again got lucky.
Tonight I was reminded that I have a wonderful family. I got to spend the night with my in laws and April and her in laws. It seems that she may be as lucky as I am and marry into a family as wonderful as her own.
Not everyone is so lucky and I am grateful that both of my families are just right just the way they are. Nothing in life is perfect but for the most part FAMILY is perfect in my world. Thanks to all of you who are my family.

DOT dot dot dot DOT

2011-01-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

It may sound like Morse code but it is actually the new favorite game Bella likes to play. She has figured out that it is a lot of fun to chase the red light. Just asking her about it will create a stir in the kitchen. She will run to the key hook and look for the red light. She knows it lives there on most days.

See the dot by her back leg. She almost had it. She loves playing with Dad and will beg him to get the light down.

Wher'd it go. It was just here a minute ago.

Please Dad, get the light down for me. I am waiting patiently for the light.

Thank goodness he understood me. Even Snowflake was into the red light.

Dad does such a great job with the light I don't ever need to ask Mom. If I catch him right before he leaves for work I can get in a game before I have to go to bed and wait for the morning game after I eat.

January Family Fun

2011-01-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

A visit to the homestead

2011-01-19T18:31:00.001-08:00

What has happened in January?

2011-01-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

NOTHING. I sat down tonight thinking that it would be nice to update the blog and there are no new photos. I do have some crazy ones from New Years but they were not really what I had in mind. SO, I am left to explain my day. Today I had to go to two meetings. When I awoke this morning my wonderful husband called and said he was going to run by and check on his parents. That is a beautiful part of him heading home at 7:00am only a few of us crazy's are up at that hour and only two of them welcome visitors. He warned me that it was cold out side and I should dress warm. Those are some of my favorite words. I have a norwegian sweater that is so warm I can only wear it on really cold days. Most of the year is sits in the closet because it raerly gets taht cold. Today was the day. I put on thermals, my sweater and slacks, wool socks and the warmest, hand made hat. You see my husband likes to knit. Because I have a rather small head and he has what we call a Garcia Grande we rarely are able to fit hats so when he makes me one that fits I concider myself lucky. Today was that lucky day. I headed out into the cold and got my hand stuck on the gate. I did find his new Christmas gloves that he lost but I didn't remember to put mine on. Once out in the day I realized I may be a little over dressed but nothing a quick trip into a restroom to shed a layer won't fix. And then, the light abouve my head clicks on. Other than needing to be slathered in eucerin cream to keep the exama away, I was built to live in a cold place that I can layer and enjoy. Come July and August I will be complaining that I can not take off enough to keep myself cool but as for January, I can always add a bit more and stay warm. So here's to you all you fair weather frineds...I am sorry you may be cold but I had one nice and toast Norweigian Day today!!!!

Happy New YEAR

2010-12-30T21:04:00.000-08:00

We will be enjoying our next few days relaxing in warm/hot springs in Idaho. Hope you all enjoy your holiday and have a safe and fun time. Happy new year. Here's to a great 2011!

There it goes.

2010-12-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas came and went. Now it's on to new years. HEre are a few shots from the weekend.

Christmas Is Coming

2010-12-23T13:30:00.000-08:00

Ready or not here it comes. I still have two packages to mail. They may have to be New Years gifts. Also I am quickly putting the finishing touches on a few gifts. Lots of baking happened at our house and making to go right along with it. If only we still had a few weeks to finish everything that we still have on the list of "to do's" Oh well. I guess that's where prioritizing comes into play. Christmas will still get here on the 25th ready or not. Merry Christmas

Deck th halls with Danish Pastry

2010-12-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas with our a ring or two of Danish. A lot of my family traditions include lots of good food. Thanks goodness we had a lot of people to share Christmas with this year. Now that Christmas is really upon us life is settling down and we have just come to realize that on Christmas Day we will be all alone the two of us. Maybe a day at home maybe a day on the road.

O holy night

2010-12-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

we picked the perfect night to see the lights at temple square, we took the train so no one had to park, we looked like a big crowd so people moved off the sidewalk for us, the weather couldn't have been better for December. The unperfect part was, it was super crowded at dinner because of some basket ball Ute and BYU game, temple square was way past the limit of people it should have on it and they all wanted to be right with us, and trying to get 21 people through the lights all together wasn't going to work so we broke into small groups and picked a meeting time. We all made it and we enjoyed the heck out of being together as a family

Caroling Cousins

2010-12-09T17:15:00.001-08:00

Don't worry we really didn't sing but we did laugh and get really loud and talk and enjoy one an others company. We got together to enjoy dinner and visit. It's the busy time of the year and yet we still made time and got together. We invited the Aunts along this time which was a lot of fun. Life gets so busy that we don't always get to spend as much time visiting as we would like so I am thankful that we did get to see each other one last time this year.

Deck the house with lots of jolly

2010-12-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

Here it is. Shots of our 2010 Christmas house. These are at least my favorite parts. Because I did the decorating this year I only put out my favorites. I guess that's fitting because we are having a back to basics Christmas this year. Focusing on what is important. Don't worry we have filled up the calendar with what we want to do this year and we have left a few spots for new things to try for added Christmas Cheer. With that said we are reflecting on what the season is all about and trying not to get so wrapped up in the commercial side of Christmas. So sit back and enjoy your virtual tour of the Garcia's house....

Don't feel left out. We start the month off right. Adorning our table with our favorite place mats.

Our card basket always starts the month off with these two cards on top. They are the last Christmas card I got from my mom in 2006. They always start on top just like I just opened the mail. It's always fun to break out the decorations and find these two cards waiting for me.

The top shelf is the angel and creche' shelf and the middle is the continuation of the village. It out grew the mantel last year.

Here it is. The Christmas Village. I usually put this out at Thanksgiving time but I was a bit slow this year. Next year the village may take over the buffet for the season.

Here are the two Christmas trees. This real tree is the most beautiful tree I have ever had. Maybe John had better be in charge of choosing them from now on. We contemplated the artificial tree this year after going out on a cold day to choose our tree, but once we got it home and inside and smell it as soon as we come home, I threw that idea out the window at least for one more year. The second tree is our palm tree in the corner with multi colored lights on it. When we lived in St. George the first two years this was our tree because it was fitting for the area.

And of course you can't forget the mistletoe. Christmas wouldn't be complete with out it.

Merry Christmas to you all. This has been a great year and we are anxiously awaiting 2011.

Happy Cookie Day

2010-12-04T16:23:00.000-08:00

Today is national cookie day! What better way to celebrate than to help 4 little kids make cookies? We tried to stall them long enough to get a few batches done before breaking out the cutters but they were pretty smart and soon figured out that we were busy in the kitchen and they should be helping too.

Trust Pablo to figure out if he used the end of his rolling pin he could shoot cookies out of the end of it like a marshmallow gun.

Ruth getting ready to make a double batch of pumpkin bread...Yummy

Kids with cookie dough. They can't wait to get their hands on it and they also love to cut many things out of dough. There is always a first for cookies.

Note the safety glasses. You can never be to safe in the kitchen.

Good work kids!
Julia helping cut and roll, cut and roll

Ready or not we are cookie ready.

Duke, Don't eat the pie

2010-11-25T06:02:00.000-08:00

Many years ago I was living with my niece and nephew and their mom. We were going to have Thanksgiving dinner. That way we could each work a morning shift and then come home to eat. Wednesday we headed to the store after a long day at work. It was snowing and the world looked so nice, quiet and cold. Hilary grabed her work shoes on the way out the door. They looked great with the pajama's we both had on. I think it was about 11pm or so. We got to the back of Smith's standing in the dairy section with a little finch that had come in to get out of the cold. We were standing there trying to figure out what kind of whipping cream to buy. If you don't know that is a hard decision that could take a matter of minutes deciding. When it was time to continue on our shopping trip Hilary looked at me very seriously and said, "I can not take on more step." Thats just great we haven't even gotten every thing we need and now she doesn't want to walk any more. Well after a good laugh and a pep talk we finished our shopping went home finished our pie baking and went to bed. You see, come 5:00am we were both heading out to work. When we awoke we franticly searched the kitchen for the pies. They were no where to be found. Just then the black lab headed to the back yard with his tail between his legs...He had taken all of the pumpkin pies to the back yard and had his very own dinner.
The other day when I had pies in the house I was worried of a repeat. If you look in my house for pie you better be looking in the fridge or up high. No dogs allowed.

Garcia's are...

2010-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

G- Greatful for each other
I- Involved in Life
V- Valued by others
I- Interested in family and friends
N- Never having a dull moment around here
G- Guitar playing fools
T- Trying new things and making each other laugh
H- Happy to help you
A- Adverture seeking induviduals
N- Nearing another big winter with smiles and readiness
K- Keeping true to what brings us together
S- Super excited for a new year with more adventures to start soon

Hope you are all enjoying a great TURKEY day with family and friends that you love.

Joyfull hearts day

2010-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy anniversary to the man of my past, present and future. Thanks for the wonderful year we have spent together. Here's to another 25.

A few of my favorite things

2010-11-19T19:57:00.000-08:00

This post requires a bit of a preface. You see this activity actually took place a month or so ago. Right after it was done I sat down and wrote the following blog. I never posted it because it made me cry every time I read it. Last night when I was cleaning out my blog in box it kept staring at me. I finally opened it and read it again. Wow. I made it through and wasn't really sure why it has sat around for more than a month. Other than it isn't really finished and I was going to post a few photos of my favorite things I brought home. I have not taken pictures of any of the things I have but I have put them away or put them on walls. So here goes. Sorry the ending is non existent. Maybe that means some day I will finish. Maybe I won't.

The past weekend we spent Saturday collecting, sorting and cleaning up my Dad's old house. It is still very hard to go to the house and not find my Mom there. She always made "home" a special place and made anyone who went there feel specail. So, now she has been gone for a few years and Dad has moved on to bigger and better things, it's time to take a bull by the horns and be the boss. If you have ever had to do any part of this task before you know the emotion that comes along with it. Loss, hate, anger, saddness, happy, memories and mostly a bunch of confusion. Thank goodness I didn't have to do it all alone. I am lucky that I only have one set of parents and when my in-laws are gone it is not my responsibility to make and keep everyone happy. So after we finish with this task my job is 1/2 finished. Thank goodness because I don't ever want to do it again. So, after cleaning stuff out of the old house and finding the stuff that we think the kids would like to keep we made everyone piles and then I was faced with the task of putting all my pile away at my own home.

This is the task that kind of keeps me running. If you know me you know that I really like to have "homes" for everything that comes in my home. That doesn't mean my house is always perfect by any means but I do like things to be put away. So now I am torn. Do I display everything that I have from my Mom's house or do I store it so I can charish it and keep if for a long time.

That has been the question on my mind this week. I love having the memories of my mom and love to share those things, but part of me wants to bottle it all up and keep it just for me when I want to see those things.

It's raining

2010-11-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

leaves that is. I am not sure why when we were looking for houses a big yard was on my list but it was. I have to remember while taking care of it that it's what I wanted. I have been working hard on keeping the leaves picked up this year. Last week end we raked up the back yard. I mulched and composted as much as I could but you see, last year I did that and I didn't pull any compost out from that pen last year. I am afraid you can make more compost than you can use.

I guess one reason that I wanted a huge yard was that is what I knew growing up as a child. I remember mowing and raking and planting and weeding and growing and flowers and fruit trees and melons and I could go on for hours. When I was a child I knew that I had chores to do that helped on the plantation but I didn't realize how much work my mom and dad put into the mix also. Me having to mow the yard on Saturday was nothing to speak of. Never mind fertalizing, edging, weed eating.

Now all of that ends up on my shoulders. I think I am convinced that having a xeriscaped yard it the plan for me. I am not sure that Bella would like so much rock and plants but maybe we could keep a dig spot just for her instead of the whole back yard.

That would solve the issue of yard work but what about those darn leaves. Say noting of the pine needles. Those are every where this year. I also had those growing up as a child and the smart mother I had would give us all of the garden tools and turn us loose under the trees and have us build citys and houses using the fallen needels as walls or streets. We would turn the blanket of needles into rows and piles. Sneaky way to get them all gathered up then it was easy to just rake and dump.

Maybe we could figure out a way to burn pine needles to run our cars. I think I'll start working on that.

"The first snow fell"

2010-11-16T18:12:00.000-08:00

And I wasn't even in Utah. My first snow of 2010 hit me on October 25th while driving home from Paige's. As we climbed the Sierra's the snow fell. There were a few places that had more than this but by that time I was driving with two hands and didn't feel much like taking a photo. After we left the beautiful state of California, there was no more snow. I have been back in Utah now for almost a month and am still waiting for snow. They keep telling me it is coming but I'll have to see, I mean shovel to believe it.

Soup's on

2010-11-15T19:30:00.000-08:00

Family Fun this month was at Matt and Amy's. Brinley and Elise were great hostesses. Sushi for starters and then bread in flavored dipping oil, shrimp and then on to SOUP. Amy out did herself and made three soups. They were all wonderful. Now it's got us thinking that we should make another edition to the cook book...so start your recipe gathering.

Pumpkin passion for dessert was just that and Carol brought raspberry and strawberry rhubarb pies. I was stuffed when we headed home. Thanks for making our night so enjoyable and all of the laughs. Family = FUN.

Projects Dos

2010-11-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

So, if you follow frequently you know that a few weeks ago all of the Israelsen sisters got together to assemble quilt tops. Boy were we crazy. Thinking that we would be able to assemble three tops in four day. Well, we learned that it is ok to take some time to make a quilt top. I learned that I don't have what it takes to make a quilt top in one weekend. I also learned that quilting takes time. If you get to tired things don't go right. After being home for a few weeks I decided it was time to look at the rows I brought home with me. Tada!

In less than one hour it was all put together and laying on the floor in my entry way. Now, here I am at the next big step... Do I want to quilt it? It really should be quilted, like the good ole' days. Tiny stitches in cool patterns. Do I want to tie it? I know my attention span even better now than I did three weeks ago. I have tied a quilt before so it isn't over whelming like making the quilt top. How many people do I know that would LOVE to help someone else quilt for an afternoon? Not that many I would guess. Do I really want to PAY someone else to sit with a quilting machine and stitch in my quilt? That would mean they would have the chance to see all of the mistakes, errors, oooooooppppss I made. So after the quilt top was done, I was thinking I needed a hobbie. I thought, perhaps I was going to be maddley in love with quilting so I would want to do it again and again and when I was borred I would have somehting to do. Well, that didn't work out for me. So yesterday I was hanging out with my knitting husband and hands me a crochet hook and yarn and says do this it's easy. After about 100 atempts and three long hours of going around say 30 stitches, I threw it down and said I hate it you knit if you like I don't. John pointed out that I just let yarn get the best of me. Well Sunday morning was more time just hanging out. John points out to me that the reason I had such a hard time yesterday was that I missed a stitch. Oh my HECK. I tried it his way in 10 minutes I was three more rows into the POT HOLDER.

Things learned:
I can't read instructions in english let alone ones in CROCHET.
If I want to succeed I just need some one to tell me I can't. Then I will
Yarn dries my hands out more than winter.
With two of us crafting in yarn I need a second income.
Happy Crocheing

You're not spoiled...you are a dog

2010-11-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

Bella has had a bit of trauma. Dad started working nights, we went camping a ton, mom went on vacation, dad stayed home. Mom took her to a new house and didn't bring Dad. When we all finally made it HOME this is where you could find Bella for most of the time. I guess dogs don't understand vacation like humans do. Don't tell LaRee she's sleeping on that quilt.

Sleeping Over

2010-11-01T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sage found Ampa's remote first thing. He does know how to use them so take note and stand back. I think he is another spanish station watcher.

Telling stories to Ampa on the bed. Skyler has pretty much figured out the whole world.

The famous M and Sky shot. We can't be with the camera and not have one of these. It was the screen on my phone for a long time. Sky would check to make sure it was there.

Making funny faces. This is just before I gave the 4 year old the camera and ended up with PJ shots:)

Boy's and the TV. There is only one who wouldn't look at M for a photo....

Skyler and Sage make Grandpa's day by having a sleep over. Friday was a big day full of Doctor visits for Grandpa Great. Skyler and Sage were champs and spent the day with Grandpa and M shopping and enjoying being in Salt Lake.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed taking these little goblins out for an afternoon of treating before returning them to their rightful owners.

Cheaper by the Dozen

2010-10-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl and growing up I had a cousin a few years older than me. We would ride our bikes up to the old barn and play on the tractors. We would dream of how our lives would be when we grew up. I always remember her telling me that she would get married and have 12 children. I only remember this because I thought that she was crazy. I came from a family of 7 and that was a lot I couldn't even wrap my brain around 12. I don't really remember how I planned my life to be I knew I wanted twins and I think it was 4 kids. Some girls some boys and for sure a red head. We thought we would live close to each other and that our children would grow up together. Funny how you think you are in charge of your life at certain parts.

Sunday we had a chance to see each other and visit. Life changes, you realize that the things you dream and the things that happen are not always the same. Things you want really bad never happen and things you thing you can't live through do. You make it and never really take time to look back and remember how much you thought it would never happen.

She has three cute little boys and now has a little girl. Much like the family her dad and mom got to raise.

It was a lot of fun to visit and get reacquainted. Some things in life change but there are a few things that stay the same
FAMILY

Gene's genes

2010-10-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Paige, Lori and I got together to have a quilting fest. Ok, I know that sounds a little out of my league but Paige and Lori are all over the sewing aspects of our genes so I tagged along. In planning the trip we talkied about how much fun sewing our quilt tops would be and how cute the jelly rolls are. I thought it sounded like a lot of fun.

I guess in my small mind, my idea of sewing a whole project in one weekend consists of a shirt that took three hours tops. I had no idea that one or three of us could sew for 72 hours non stop. That may be egxaderating a little but not to much. We would sit at the machines and feed cloth threw until our backs ached and our hands were numb. We did get a little R&R after the sewing hours and sitting in the spa. Early in the mornings I would hear the other two planning their sewing day anxiously waiting for me to awake so the machines could be brought out.

I learned a few things this weekend.

1: Do not try to sew a complete quilt top in one weekend.

2: I did not get the genes that think that sewing is fun and relaxing.

3: If you do plan another activity like this plan on eating out every dinner and fix quick lunches so you don't have to waist time fixing lunch.

4: It is a lot of fun to spend a long weekend with SISTERS no matter what activity you do.
For the most part I stayed with sewing. I did howver take the most breaks out of the three of us. Stay tuned to see the rest of the photos

Pumpkins Part Two

2010-10-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

We took Family Fun night on the road with us. I thought Paige's family would like to create pumpkins with us just like we did the week before we left for her house. One night while Savanah and I were just hanging out we broke out the pumpkin stuff and created...Such cute pumpkins