Hooray for the Everyday

Morgen is coming off of a four night sleepover hang-over. He has had a sleepover everyday for the past four days and boy can you tell. He slept over at Austin's house first, then Alex came over here, then Casey came home with us from my sister Marilee's birthday party. And stayed until today. Hooray that he is not having a sleep over today.

be...

Morgen went to pick up his schedule at high school yesterday, after having registered online. He was only inside for about 5 minutes and the boys all wanted to see his locker, but he said it just looks the same as all the other ones, it just has a different number on it. So since it didn't take that long, we went to get ice cream afterwards at Baskin-Robins.  

*******

I was reading his planner from school and on the cover it had all of these qualities listed;

be...

brave

 

unique

involved

confident

focused

organized

knowledgeable

 

proud

clever

patient

wise

confident

alive

happy

informed

respectful

focused

unique

yourself

vibrant

trustworthy

strong

fun

inventive

curious

All I Have

My friend Kathy sent me this email today:

This is the sweetest thing I ever did see. I love you and you are a blessing in my life.

I may not be the most important person in your life. I just hope that when you hear my name you smile, and say, "That's my friend!" Give this heart to everyone you care about including me if you care. 

Con Man

My cute little Connor man came over to visit today, along with his sister's Whitney and Josslyn. Sheri had surgery today on her hernia and they hung out with me while Max had football practice tonight. He is a little bit bummed that he is on the B team this year.

Some More

Some more photos from Sun Valley this weekend. Amanda and I rollerbladed out past Gimlet, about 6 miles each way on the trail. We stopped for a photo on the bridge over the Big Wood River.

Darlin warming up at the practice before the show on Saturday.

Evan Lysacek in the air during his triple lutz on the afore mentioned practice session.

Amanda was freaking out when she saw the rink outside and Evan skating around on it. She has a huge crush on him and couldn't wait to meet him. Let alone skate on the same ice as him. She thought she had died and gone to heaven.

Weekend in Sun Valley

Darlin redecorated her patio outside her condo and it looks so warm and inviting, especially last night when we arrived in Sun Valley, with all the lanterns and candles glowing. Darlin invited me up to see the show this weekend and I asked my student Amanda if she would like to come with me since she has never been there and I have always told her about my favorite place on earth. To skate outdoors, in the summer, doesn't get much better than that. She said, "Heck yes!"

Amanda and I waiting for the show to begin.

The stars were shinning so brightly tonight in Sun Valley! Darlin did a dazzling number to Glitter in The Air in her new dress that weighs almost 5 pounds due to all the crystals that it has on it. She definitely sparkled!

It was a sold out show due to Evan Lysacek, the 2010 Olympic Men's Gold Medalist, performing tonight. And he was great, but I still liked watching Darlin the best.

Beauty Tips

Beauties?!!!: Laurie, Naomi, B, Heidi, Olivia, Nicole, Bonnie (Olivia & Naomi's mom), & Audrey

I am not sure if I really want to post his photo of girl night last night or not!!!

Naomi had a beauty night at her house last night and gave everyone a facial and hair mask. As well as painting fingernails and toe nails, she gave us a whole bunch of beauty tips for makeup and hair. She also gave us all samples of shampoo and conditioner. Naomi's friend, Audrey made a delicious dessert -  I will post the recipe to that on the recipe blog. It was so good. Naomi also gave us a copy of the following:

Beauty Tips by Audrey Hepburn

•For attractive lips, Speak words of kindness.

•For lovely eyes, Seek out the good in people.

•For a slim figure, Share your food with the hungry.

•For beautiful hair, Let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

•For poise, Walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

•People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

•Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

•As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

•The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

•The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.

•And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!

She gave us a copy of this bookmark as well:

"Unto him that receives it shall be given more abundantly..." D & C 71:6

ABUNDANCE comes in...

Finding God's will for me.
Learning, living & Understanding my full potential.
Feeling blessings in my sacrifice, service, obedience & belief.
Remembering & expressing my gratitude for faith & blessings.
Recognizing I can seek good in all things.
Knowing the Savior loves me & is aware of me.

Time Flies

I was scanning in some photos and found these the other day. Max was almost one year old and Morgen was 3 1/2. Almost exactly ten years ago. How does time go by so fast?

Favorites

One of my most favorite pictures ever: Darlin in the hammock in Sun Valley right after she moved there 14 years ago. Morgen was almost 1 and Darlin was 17 years old. 

I am going to visit Darlin again this weekend and I am so looking forward to it.

Morgen has some...

Serious Driving skills!!!

Summertime

Swimming at the pool to keep ourselves cool. That is what we have been doing this summer. At least until tonight, football tryouts started tonight and will run all week. So no more swimming at night. And I am usually at the rink during the day, so probably not until the weekend now.

Jump

I finally found a trampoline at Big 5 yesterday. I have been calling and checking at Sports Authority, Costco and Wal-mart all week and they have all been sold out. But Friday I found one and the boys have been loving having one to jump and play on all day!

Teenagers!

Morgen and his friend Alex stayed up the entire night last night. Alex came over to spend the night for Morgen's birthday and they have been outside skate boarding and I took them out to practice their driving skills as well. I took Morgen out to get his permit yesterday and he passed the test with flying colors in only ten minutes. He hardly even looked at the driver's handbook before hand. Just walked in and passed the written test like that. He is getting better at driving too. After he had his permit in hand yesterday, I let him drive from the DMV over to Ikea, since I needed to pick up some frames. It took him 5 minutes to back out of the parking space since the parking lot was rather crowded, and every time he went to go, another car would be coming in his direction. Then he pulled out on to the frontage road and a truck pulled out behind us and started honking at him for going too slow. Then he sped up but I was telling him to slow down since the corner was coming up and he hadn't practiced turning yet. Once we got around the corner I had him signal to pull over and stop so that I could drive us over the freeway (and around all the traffic) and he just stopped in the middle of the road instead. I think I will take him over to the high school parking lot again to practice before I let him out on the road for a while though. They still haven't gone to sleep yet, but I am sure when they do it will be for a long time. Crazy teenagers!

Silly

I found some more photos from Morgen's birthday dinner. Silly boys!

Benihana

Morgen's birthday dinner last night at Benihana's. He invited his friend Alex to come along and I think they both had a pretty good time.

Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this...

When you only got 100 years to live

Morgen had crepes in bed this morning for breakfast. Max and Markus sang happy birthday to him and gave him his gift (cash!). His friends Brittany and Mariah were texting him non-stop all the while. Alex is coming over later today to hang out and play...video games! Then after I finish teaching today, I am taking him out to get his learner's permit. I can't believe my little boy will be driving! It seems like I was just holding him like this the other day....I blinked my eye and he is driving.

I'm 15 for a moment

Caught in between 10 and 20

And I'm just dreaming

Counting the ways to where you are

I'm 22 for a moment

She feels better than ever

And we're on fire

Making our way back from Mars

15 there's still time for you

Time to buy and time to lose

15, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got 100 years to live

I'm 33 for a moment

Still the man, but you see I'm a they

A kid on the way

A family on my mind

I'm 45 for a moment

The sea is high

And I'm heading into a crisis

Chasing the years of my life

15 there's still time for you

Time to buy, Time to lose yourself

Within a morning star

15 I'm all right with you

15, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got 100 years to live

Half time goes by

Suddenly you’re wise

Another blink of an eye


67 is gone


The sun is getting high


We're moving on...


I'm 99 for a moment


Dying for just another moment


And I'm just dreaming


Counting the ways to where you are


15 there's still time for you


22 I feel her too


33 you’re on your way


Every day's a new day...


15 there's still time for you


Time to buy and time to choose


Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this


When you only got 100 years to live

Connor's Little Heart Friend

Connor's little heart friend, Annie Sabin passed away on Sunday. I only met her a couple of times when I was with Connor up at Primary Children's when he had two of his surgeries. She was in the bed across the hall from Connor. And although I don't know her family at all, when I read her obituary today that was posted to her blog, I couldn't help but cry. So sad.

New Gear

Football equipment pick up was on Saturday morning. Max's coach Jeremy was there and helped him get almost all new gear this year. Max was pretty excited for the helmet that had never been used before. Tryouts start Monday.  

Saturday was a busy day. I went to a baptism for two of the children in primary. Then after Max picked up his equipment for football, we went up to Heber for a long bike ride through the beautiful countryside with my friend Sharon and a barbecue afterwards at her new house. She invited all the kids to come as well, so we stayed and played for a long time. It was a great night to be outside. I forgot to bring my camera so, sorry, no photos. But she said she was going to invite us up again, so I will try to remember it then. Ciao.

Carnival...

Whitney's ninth birthday party theme was a carnival and so we drove up to celebrate with her yesterday. As you can see, everyone had a pretty great time. 

 

Whitney painted faces while the boys played water balloon games and jumped on the tramp. I think they kind of miss our trampoline that we used to have. It broke two years ago when there were about ten neighbor boys on it. Luckily, no one was hurt but we still haven't bought another one. Markus wants a tree house instead, but Max really wants a trampoline.

Connor was a little scared at first but once he got the hang of it, he thought it was like a giant johnny jump up.

Cole was pretty good at making the cotton candy...

Markus and Connor were the last ones outside after the party ended, just swinging side by side. Whitney's parties are always worth the drive up to Preston, and this year was no exception.

Snapshots of Snowbird

Bungee Jumping 

Ready, set, JUMP!

Waiting is the hardest part...

Getting a new view on things

Some more photos from Snowbird.