#22

Wyatt and Breckyn...

This cute girls came over today to play with Wyatt...he's the only one of my kids that still plays.  The others all just 'hang out'.  When I even mention the word play, my kids all cringe...it's the funniest thing. 

Breckyn's mom, Jamie, and I became friends a few years ago.  We met at a stake conference adult session and when we met, we began talking like we had been friends for years.  It was comfortable and easy and there was something different.  As she turned to leave that night, she said "I'm going to tell you something that I probably shouldn't say, but I was supposed to meet you tonight.  I've been praying for someone like you to come into my life."  I wasn't even taken back by what she said, but I did feel like I had an obligation to fill, not really an obligation because I had just met her and I instantly loved her, but more of an opportunity to know her.  Time passed and we chatted a few times and it was always easy, like an old friend that has been with you through everything.  Then, in March of 2009, both of our husbands were called to be bishop's of our wards and today we are close friends.  I cherish my relationship with Jamie...it's different than it is with some women I meet and I'm grateful for her in my life.  And now with our kindergartner's in the same class, we have more chances to see each other.  In fact, the first day of kindergarten orientation Breckyn and Wyatt became friends instantly and they didn't even know that we knew each other...they are destined to be great friends.  

A few weeks ago Wyatt told me about a girl at school that follows him around at recess and makes kissing sounds to him.  I smiled and hugged him tight and told him this would happen a lot in his lifetime :) and then I asked if he knew her name and if it made him feel uncomfortable.  He said it was Breckyn and he really didn't mind it.  Oh, I couldn't wait to tell Jamie.  We laughed about it and decided we needed to get them together outside school.  A few days went by and Wyatt would ask for Breckyn to come over every day, so I called Jamie and she told me that all Breckyn talks about is Wyatt...so we arranged a play-date.  They are too cute!

New Babies in the Family...

In the last few months, two baby boys have been born to my sisters-in-law.  Aunt Mandy and uncle Steve had a baby boy in July and moved to Las Vegas within the same month.  They named their new little one Isaac and so far we have only seen pictures of him...hopefully soon, before he turns one, we'll be able to meet baby Isaac. 

Then, last month aunt Nicole and uncle Kurt just had a baby boy weighing almost 10 lbs and they named him Jaxon.  The other night we stopped by to meet our newest little cousin and nephew and love on him.  The kids were enamored with him and kept asking us why we couldn't have another baby in our family...they didn't even stop all night long.  Ooooh, it's so fun to see them loving on babies.  Good thing they can still be around baby cousins :)  We finally pryed their little hands off from baby Jaxon and said goodnight and then listened to them plead for another baby the whole way home. 

Colt's Football Poster...

I love this kid!!

My New Ring...

Ta-da...I am spoiled!

Teenage Lesson's Learned...

Kenna has reached the teenage years and we are definitely feeling it.  It's amazing how the emotions and actions of one person in the family can really make or break the mood in the family.  Kenna is an amazing girl, but lately she is running us ragged. So, last week she had her phone taken from her for her disrespectful and unthankful behavior...it was a tough few days, but she's got her phone back and we've got our happy, cheerful, helpful McKenna back. 

The other day she even noticed how good everything was at home and I quickly reminded her that she was the only one who had changed.  It's true.  She noticed how nice it was to be nice.  I hope she remembers this for a long time...or I'll have to remind her again and it won't be fun :)

Kenna's Missionary Moment...

with Rian...drake coming to scouts...aubrey inviting Peyton to baptism

Utah State Fair...

Enjoyed a perfect fall night at the Utah County Fair with grandma and grandpa Nichol, aunt Whitney, Tanner and Ethan.  The kids love the huge slide, but this year their new favorite were the water balls. They talked about them all night long...they were awesome!  (Get pics from Whit)

Happy Birthday to Me...

I love my birthday...I love getting calls and texts and visits from family and friends and gifts, too.  I love it all!  Today was great.  My great friend Andreya set up a birthday lunch at Kneaders for me and a few of my closest friends...it was so much fun, but I forgot to take a picture until half the group had left.  After lunch, I was planning to meet Garrett at Ari Diamonds to pick out a new wedding ring but my girlfriends and I chatted for too long, so instead G drove home to put my fantastic fruit tart cake from Market Street into the fridge. 

I got home in time to quickly ride my bike to pick up the kids from school, then we ate dinner together as a family and then Colt and dad went to Pack meeting, Ashlyn and I went to her costume fittings for their upcoming trip to New York and then I headed to a wedding shower.  We met up back at night and thought about going to a movie with the Anderson's and Porters, but decided to spend a quite night together.  Lucky for me, G tickled my back and arms until I fell asleep...one of my favorite things ever!!

My sister gave me the cutest dmask strap cover for my camera that I'm excited to put on...I've admired hers for the past year and now get to have my own.  I love it!

Since my birthday was pretty busy, we decided to spend Friday together at lunch and then go ring shopping at the Shane Company.  So, I dropped Wyatt off at school, drove to his work and we enjoyed lunch at Su Casa, then we picked out my new diamond ring.  G brought my first setting and diamond  with him and I picked out the new one I wanted...a white gold setting with my diamond re-set into the new setting.  G was feeling pretty generous (and I was feeling pretty spoiled) when he told me he wanted to have my first setting fixed with a new 4-prong crown and then decided to buy a white sapphire to put in it.  Now I have two new rings and I love them both.  I love my first ring because it's my first ring and it's engraved and there are so many memories with that ring...but I'm so, so excited to get this new ring!! I am spoiled!

Wyatt's Tiger Sharks...

Wyatt's playing soccer again this year with his buddy, Sam, and he's tearing it up...2 goals at his first game. Exactly the same time as Wyatt's game, Garrett needed to conduct at Brother Rick Christensen's funeral and I wanted to be there with him and Kenna was off at keeper training and soccer training...so again, Ashlyn took care of Wyatt and together they rode their bikes over to Wyatt's game at Bluff Ridge. I don't know what I'd do without Ashlyn...she is always willing to babysit and help out. I got to the game for the last few minutes and cheered him on. He is the cutest little tiger shark! 8/27/11

It's two weeks later and Wyatt's still tearing it up on the AYSO field.  He's loving soccer and is the cutest little player...I could just eat him up!  Next week he'll be starting swimming lessons and starting itty bitty hoops.  I love this boy!

1,200 Miles in 4 Days...

Garrett and his dad took a trip to Florida to check out properties for work.  I joked with Garrett as he left for the airport that he better not kill his dad and he joked back "I'm thinking the other way around!"  I laughed because thinking about him with his dad on a 4-day road trip just driving and eating and talking might just make him nuts but it will be so good for him. 

Garrett came home with stories galore...I love my father-in-law.

Taylor's Homecoming...

Last week, Garrett's cousin, Taylor, returned home from serving his mission in California.  G knew he would be in Florida during that time, but asked me to take the kids to see Taylor at the airport.  He felt that our boys might not have many opportunities to see a missionary coming off the plane, so it would be a good thing for them to go...luckily the girls could come too, with their busy school schedules.  It was great to see Taylor. 

On the ride home, Wyatt got a little carsick and kept saying he was going to throw up.  The kids looked around for a bag and could only find a small Nibs licorice bag, so I asked Ash to hold it ready for him in case he did throw up.  A few minutes later he began throwing up and Ash was doing her best to hold the little bag for him, but then I hear Ashlyn screaming and trying not to laugh and puke at the same time yelling "Mom, there's a hole in the bag!!"  Oh, yuck!  I looked at her and Colt and McKenna and they were all gagging and trying hard not to puck, too.

 It was pretty comical for me, well, except for my baby crying and throwing up.  We pulled over, order some food at In n Out Burger and cleaned Wyatt and Ashlyn up...yuck!

Defensive Player of the Week...

Colt had an amazing game on Saturday.  Among other tackled, he got this award for tackling two guys headed straight for touchdowns and helped secure the win for his team.  He was on fire and his coaches noticed because tonight at practice, Colt was awarded this certificate, a Gatorade and candy bar...he thought it was pretty cool...I agree!

Lunches with Grandma...

For the past few months, Whitney and I have had the opportunity to take grandma B out every other week.  This is good for us and helps my mom a little because she feels a lot of responsibility in caring for and taking grandma out.  Grandma is a social bee and loves to be out shopping everyday.  We take her to lunch, we go grocery shopping, we take her to have her nails done and just shop...whatever she wants or whatever errands we need to run, we take her along. 

Grandma never runs out of energy and she's always so positive, thankful and happy.  I don't think I've ever seen my grandma mad or grumpy, oh wait, how can I forget the soccer field last month (but aside from that, haha).  She's always saying "I'm so blessed!"  Yesterday while we were out, half the road was closed because street workers were laying down new asphalt and using tar to fix old patches.  Grandma looked at the work they were doing and remembered a memory.  She then told me that when she was young she remembers she and her friends would dig up warm tar off the streets and chew it.  What??  I looked at grandma in disgust.  I said "that probably wasn't very good for you" and she replied "well, I guess it wasn't bad for us either, look at me, I'm still alive and kicking!"  She is so spunky and funny and always laughing at herself.  She is someone I look up to. 

Her first husband, Gordon, my mom's dad, died from a heart attack at age 57 and then a week later, grandma lost her sister in a house fire.  She was devastated, but endured and found love again.  Her life with Gordon was like that in the Norman Rockwell paintings...they had three kids, went to church every Sunday and due to Gordon being in the Army, they moved a lot, living in Salt Lake, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Rhode Island and back to Salt Lake.  Grandma doesn't talk much about how she got through losing her husband and sister, but I can sometimes see in her eyes a longing for her first love.

A few years later, she met a handsome, wealthy California business man named Al Bedard.  He charmed grandma and she fell hard for him.  They married and she lived an extravagant lifestyle on an estate with a pool on Lantana Avenue in California.  They traveled everywhere in the world, they went on cruises and danced the night away, she was spoiled with lavish jewels and anything her little heart could desire. 

Every summer, our family would spend a week at their home.  We had our own private wing in the house just for our family.  To this day, whenever I smell the green Irish Clean soap I think of taking a bath in that house after swimming in the pool all day long. We went to Disneyland, Knottsberry Farm, the swap meet and Polly's Pie's every year.  We played rummi-kub until the wee hours of the night on the patio by the pool.  Grandma and mom would mom would make us lunch and I have such vivid memories of barely being able to take the time to get out of the pool to eat and when we did come out of the pool, our fingers were always puckered and our sandwiches would be soaked from eating them with wet fingers.  I remember getting to drink pop at grandma's house, something we didn't get that often at home. I remember riding our skateboards down their driveway and looking for frogs in the yard. I have so many great memories of vacationing with grandma and Al in that home on Lantana Avenue.  Grandma lived a life so different from her life with Gordon and she seemed happy.  But, Al was an alcoholic and sometimes didn't treat grandma very kindly.  After quite a few years of this, she decided it was time to get out.  She divorced Al after 15 years of marriage and he died a year later, from a broken heart.  He loved grandma so much and missed her so much, but he loved drinking more.

It was hard to watch grandma begin a new life without Al, but she did it and never complained and never once talked bad of Al or looked back on her decision to leave him even though she left with only the shirt on her back.  She took pride in finding great finds at local thrift stores to furnish and decorate her new apartment and try to make it a home with the limited income she had.  She loves nick-knacks and finding treasures and decorated her home beautifully.  My mom, Whitney and I visited her often while she lived in the apartment. 

Grandma soon met a gentleman named Berk and he fell hard for grandma.  Berk was always so sweet and kind and gentle with grandma.  He loved her so much.  He asked her to marry him quite a few times until she said yes.  They married and she moved into his condo.  Garrett and I visited gram and Berk a few times while they lived in that condo.  We have good memories of swimming with Kenna and Ashlyn in their pool, going to Disneyland and swamp meets and doing many of the same things I grew up doing in Cali.

About 5 years later, Berk began to have some health problems and one weekend his daughters came and moved him out of his place and into an assisted living home close to them.  They put the condo up for sale and grandma was kicked out of her home.  Grandma was devastated and couldn't understand why his daughters would just take him away and not let grandma visit him or even call him.  They had always been jealous of grandma and fearful that she was going to take all of his money, but that's not how grandma was.  She's always been frugal and stuck to a budget.  Money means nothing to grandma.  Berk died a few years later and grandma never even knew until a mutual friend of theirs told her that he had died.  Grandma loved Berk.

At this time, my parents decided it was time for her to be close to them.  So they hooked up their trailer and drove to California and loaded her things up and bring her back home to Utah.  Grandma was hesitant at first because she loves the warm California sunshine and not the cold winter months in Utah. She says the cold just chills her to the bone and grandma doesnt' have any fat on her to warm those bones!  

Mom found a great assisted-living home for grandma just 3 miles from their home and she has been there ever since.  It's a beautiful place and she's met many more dashing and handsome men...she goes dancing every Thursday evening and has more boyfriends than any 94 year-old I know.  Grandma sure has a knack for finding good-looking men.  She soon met Lynn after moving in and they became an item.  Lynn was so much fun.  He was kind of a crotchety old man who loved to swear and had the most beautiful head of white hair.  He was handsome and he and grandma had fun together.  They snuggled and laughed and kissed like they were teenagers when they were together. When Lynn died, about 5 years later, grandma attended his funeral and was even hit on by one of the men working at the funeral home.  My mom had to tell the man that grandma was mourning the loss of her boyfriend and not to bother her.  She is always being hit on...it's amazing!  She's always said she gets along better with men than women because women tend to be jealous...great wisdom from a great woman!

Within a week of Lynn's passing, she met a new man, Ben.  Ben is her current beau. She loves his family and enjoys spending her days with him.  She's always calling him Lynn and we are always correcting her...I told you she was funny!  She's beginning to lose her memory and it's frustrating to mom and especially to grandma because she realizes she can't remember things. 

I'm thankful I can spend time with my grandma and learn more about her.  I've learned she loved eating onion sandwhiches and drinking fresh cows milk with one young man she dated.  I know she loves a good hamburger, fried zucchini and her diet Coke.  I've noticed she always notices the mountains and beautiful blue sky.  She loves flowers and always notices everything that's good. 

Yesterday while we were out, I ran into an old high school friend at Target.  We chatted while grandma tried on a sweater.  Grandma came out and I introduced them to each other.  My friend said "I wish my grandma were still alive, you're lucky to have each other"  Grandma and I said at the same time "Oh, I'm the lucky one!"  Then my friend said something I won't forget, she said "That's the funny thing about love, it blesses everyone."  I don't want to forget that.

Movie Night...

The Inskeeps, a cute, new family from Idaho, moved into our ward a few months ago.  Marci and I quickly became friends, their 5 year old is in my primary class and she's the cutest thing ever and Ashlyn and their 11 year-old daughter, Phoebe, have become good friends.  Last weekend Marci invited us, along with a bunch of other cute neighbor girls to a late night movie. 

We saw Monte Carlo at the Kaysville Theatre and had such a fun time.  The theatre was packed and our girls were all spread out in twos in the theatre.  I was sitting with Marci and on the other side was an older man with some mental challenges.  During the movie he kept asking me if I wanted to buy some of his artwork and because the movie was set in Paris and Monte Carlo, he kept asking me where those places were on the map and he wasn't quiet about it.  I would quietly answer his questions and he would ask again where these places were, so I just kept saying "it's far away, outside of the United States" and that would satisfy him for a while.  It was humbling to me.  I have so much...I have full use of all my senses and my body is healthy and I am strong and as I sat next to him I had an impression.  A quiet whispering from the spirit gently reminding me that he is a son of our Heavenly Father...it changed the way I looked at this man the rest of the evening, I almost felt a little protective of him when I would hear others behind us snicker and laugh as he would ask me questions.  I won't forget that impression.

Hitting a Bucket of Balls...

The boys love getting out with dad to hit a bucket of balls...

Forza Cup Finals...

This morning, Kenna's team played Souli's La Roca team in the semi-finals.  I prayed this morning that Kenna would do her best and that when it was all done and over, that she would feel good about the way she played.  It's tough being a keeper and having such pressure, but she really does love it and thrives on the pressure. She is awesome.  She was diving all over the place to save the ball and in the end her team beat La Roca 1-0.  Her teammates were saying "Kenna for MVP"  It was amazing and Ray was ecstatic!!  He came over to Kenna and said "Way to go!" and held out his fist for a bump..she loved that! 

They moved onto the finals at 2:00 against Sparta, whom they already played on Friday and lost 3-1.  Between games the girls all hung out at Sadie's, ate Subway, messed around and tried to rest up for the game.  Dad and the kids and I celebrated her victory by going to IHOP without her :) 

We met back at the field with grandma and grandpa Nichol and grandma and grandpa Sill cheering her on.  It was an aggressive and tough game, Sparta dominated and we played defense most of the game.  Their coach was kicked off the field by the ref and one of their players received a yellow card...at this point we were winning with the score 1-0 and Sparta was not happy.  In the last 10 minutes of play, they probably shot 10 times on Kenna and she blocked every single one...then they got one in off a corner kick and we were tied.  It was sad because the girl was really off-sides, but the middle ref couldn't see it and the line ref, who should have been watching the game was busy talking to the coach that had been kicked off the field but instead he was hiding still coaching from the sideline, didn't see it either and so the middle ref had to make the call and decided it was a goal.  We  were all devastated and so sad for our girls.  Bad referee's can really mess up a game.  In the end, after one ten-minute overtime and into the second overtime with 2 minutes left to play, Sparta made a goal and it was over...golden goal.  It was a tough loss.  Sparta's girls and coaches were cocky and arrogant and not the best winners.  Their goalie even yelled at Ray.  All in all, it was a great tournament...the girls worked hard to bring home 1st place for Ray, but 2nd is close to it and they should be extremely proud!  Kenna's knees and sides are covered with dirt and bruises...she is one touch chick!

Connor Comes to Kenna's Game...

Connor and Sadie (along with Sadie's mom, Carrie) came to watch Kenna play soccer last night.  She was so nervous when I told her Connor was coming to watch...she kept telling me to tell him he really couldn't come, but he's been asking to see her play for a few weeks now and I thought this would be a good game to watch.  And it turned out I was right. 

Wow...Kenna had one of her best games ever.  She was diving all over the place, saving balls everywhere and charging players that would come at her one-on-one.  They never scored on her and Forza won.  Carrie was very impressed and kept saying "I've never seen that side of McKenna,  she's amazing and so aggressive...she's amazing!!" 

After the game, Ray saw Connor and Kenna talking and of course had to embarrass them by asking Kenna (pretty loudly) "Is this your boyfriend?"  Kenna and Connor both went red.  We all went to Warrens for dinner and shakes after the game...this is a fun time in Kenna's life and Connor and Said are great friends!

Swiss Days...

This year it was just me and Whit that made it up to Swiss Days.  It's not often that Whitney and I have a chance to spend the whole day together and I've been looking forward to it all week.  Kenna is helping at a Forza fundraiser for her team and Ashlyn is at Daddy/Daughters with Garrett and mom is in Las Vegas at Jacob's baptism and Isaac's blessing...so it's just us.

The day began with us meeting up at our old meeting spot off Foothill Blvd so we could carpool from there.  She jumped in the car with me and we headed out...in the wrong direction!!  And I mean that literally because as we headed down one road I asked Whitney where we needed to be...she said "just turn around here and we'll head up the canyon."  It was early, so not many cars were on the road.  We headed down this single lane road and up ahead saw a truck coming straight at us.  I quickly pulled over and we could not stop laughing, Whitney even peed her pants from laughing so hard.  We were headed the wrong way on a one-way road, straight for 1-15....aaagh.   I didn't make eye contact with the driver of the truck and quickly turned around and found the right road to Parleys.  We couldn't stop laughing!!  Later when Whitney told Russ, he said "That would only happen to you and Steph!"  Russ knows us too well.

As we traveled up the canyons, we saw quite a few hot-air balloons and both just smiled at each other, remembering mornings up at Midway, eating breakfast on the deck and seeing hot-air balloons all over the valley.  It's a beautiful sight.  We turned off to Midway and I sensed that we both felt a longing and sadness.  I haven't driven this road since last year when my parents sold their Midway home and as we continued up the road, we didn't talk.  All morning I wanted to ask Whitney if she was OK if we drove past the house before going to Swiss Days, but I never said anything...we came to the roundabout and Whitney said "Do you care if we drive past the house??" Exactly what I was thinking...I smiled, sped up and as we came upon Valais, we both looked at each other in silence. 

I miss the quietness and stillness and beauty of Midway.  I miss the memories we created together.  I miss the laughter at the pool.  As we came upon the house I could still picture my kids playing soccer in the backyard, seeing grandm and grandpa on the deck as we would come up the hill, snowboarding down the sidewalk, shooting marshmallow guns out back, seeing the Swiss flag swaying in the breeze during this weekend, finding rocks with grandpa...it all came back and I just smiled.  The trees are getting bigger and a house across the street has been built.  It's changing and so are we.  We stopped and talked with Kim and Sharon and Larry, who just happened to be outside...Kim, Sharon, Whitney and I cried as we talked.  I miss Midway more than I realize.

It was a great day.  I love my sister.  I love that we are equal.  I love being with her more than anyone else (besides my own family).  I am so blessed.  Before heading back home, we stopped by Jim and Joan's place in Midway, to visit with them and see Jodi and Jenni.  Both of them are pregnant...yay!  We made plans to meet for dinner at Cheesecake Factory later this month. It was a great day...hopefully mom and my girls will be able to join us next year!

Two Funerals in Two Weeks...

Coming back home from Alaska and catching up on work and church duties has made for a busy few weeks, but then a member of our ward, Brother Rick Christensen, passed away on Monday from colon cancer and then a week later, another member, Brother Dennis Barton, had a heart attack and died while Garrett was at the hospital visiting him.  Both were sudden and unexpected deaths.  Garrett's so good to meet with the families and help with funeral and viewing arrangements, and after meeting with any family he has visited with, they are always so complimentary of him and how he handles everything.  He is amazing.  He truly follows the spirit in all he does.  He is amazing.

Daddy/Daughter Overnighter...

Ashlyn loves time alone with dad and this year it was just her and dad and she couldn't wait.  Garrett had to be at the graveside service up in Hennefer of one of our neighbors that had just passed away, and our stake camp is in Morgan, so after the service he headed to the camp and Ash caught a ride with Breanne and her dad, her second family :). 

Ash and dad threw the football, baseball, Frisbee and played volleyball.  They ate Subway for dinner and made the sweetest bed in the back of the truck.This is the only picture from their overnighter and I love it! Garrett came home and kept saying "Ashlyn is such a beautiful girl!"  He kept saying this over and over...he loves this girl!

Forza Cup 2011...

For the past two years, Kenna's La Roca team took 1st Place at the Forza Cup...and Ray was their coach for both those wins with La Roca.  This year, Kenna's new Forza team, with Ray as their coach, is playing in the Forza Cup and the girls have high hopes of bringing home 1st Place for Ray.

 Last night the girls beat Wasatch 2-0 in a pretty aggressive and fast game.  Kenna had some amazing, diving saves...dad has made a sweet deal with her that if she keeps all the games in this tournament to a shut-out (no one scoring on her) she will get money!!  On the way home last night, after a quick stop for dinner at In-n-Out, Kenna said all she could think about as she dove for that last ball was how much money she's going to make by the end of this tournament...funny girl!

This new team has meshed perfectly and these girls already have way too much fun together.  It's been a good thing to play in quite a few tournaments this summer, so the girls could have fun together off the field, too.  Park City was great for that...the girls loved riding the Alpine Slide and eating out every night after the games.  A few weeks ago, Kenna, Sadie, Kat and McKahl spent the day at Lagoon-A-Beach and last week Mandy and Kenna went to the movies and came back and hung out.  It's fun to see new friendship develop that never could have been unless this change to Forza was made.

Out-of-state tournaments are going to be great with these new, cute girls and their parents.  Last week, Kenna, Ash and I booked our flights for the San Diego tournament over Thanksgiving and since it will be just the boys home, they are now planning their own pheasant hunting weekend at Falcon's Ledge...lucky ducks!

LJH Hello Assembly...

Yesterday was the Hello Assembly at Legacy where the 'sevies' learn the school song and where they highlight the cheerleaders, the volleyball girls , the boys basketball team and SBO's.  It's always a fun time...Kenna is having a blast in jr high.  She's involved and is at a great place in life and she continues to balance it all beautifully.