Music, Music, Music

.......................................................Todd and the kids had a great jam session with Roger when he came out last weekend. It was so awesome to see Roger and he was so fun with the kids!! They sounded great with their instruments too. Roger brought out his trumpet. It was also fun to hear family stories. I had no idea that Todd walked 3 and 1/2 miles to school and back with a heavy trombone and backpack!!

Roger also told a hilarious story about selling candy and bubble gum to kids at school for profit and then taking all of his hard earned nickels and dimes over to the bank in a glass jar only to drop it on the way, shatterring it everywhere. Of course, he tried to pick everything up but his hands got all cut up and bloody. Then, after collecting as much as he could he walked into the bank with bloody hands and coins, dumping everything on the teller's desk with her looking perplexed and telling him that he had to roll them up in the papers. So, he moved everything over and started rollong!! Sorry - but we were all laughing so hard when he was reminicsing about that!! I think Glenn took over the business after that.

They also talked about their paper routes - which we now really wish that our boys could do. - maybe they will sell candy and gum instead.--One other thing that they talked about was that their music tutor would give them a small candy for each hour that they practiced. Our kids eyes went huge and guess who all are practicing MUCH more than before?!! Oh, for the love of chocolate!

Even Christen has begun to take keyboard lessons from her grandma since they got home. See above - so cute!! This is another added bonus!!!

Benefits of having the inlaws back!!

.....................................................We have so enjoyed having Todd's folks back from their mission!! The kids have enjoyed seeing the deer that come to visit, we loved being able to hear of their stories and be at their homecoming, having family dinners, and a great visit from Todd's brother Roger! We are thrilled that we will be having a family reunion this summer with everyone!!

Tribute to my Father

I saw this at the library and was laughing so hard. This is SO my dad, rest his fixer upper soul!! Unfortunately, the required age for this class is 13 so Brandon cant learn this fine talent of Duct Tape Art yet! Maybe next year. LJC you would be proud!!

Super Bowl 2008

So, as I am trying to play catch up on the blog we have been watching the game. Giants just won!! So - Matthew - you know who you are - you must have jinxed your Patriots with your earlier antics this morning - what DID you actually do to the electric system at the church??
(He is a huge Patriots fan and when his lovely wife asked him what he was fasting for he said he was going to fast and pray today that church would be cancelled because of snow! -kidding of course - I think?! - very unlikely to snow where they live.) As it turns out they had a huge hail storm and and electrical failure with a bad smokey smell - so church was actually cancelled -- and he is an electrician!!

To give him some credit he did help us install out ceiling fans several years ago! We miss you guys!!

More from the big 39th

Check out ALL OF THAT SMOKE! - and it wasnt even 39 candles!

And Misty dog eating "my" cake!! It was a great weekend. I actually had a friend of mine tell me that it was her birthday today and she was 30. I was feeling SO OLD!! I was thinking - OK I was 9 when she was born, etc etc. Anyhow, I hope I make the most of my last year in my 30s! My mom sent me a card that said life starts at 40 - so I guess I am good. I also should mention that I had a great few days with several friends. Leslie and I went out window shopping and for a steamer and danish, Lori and I went out to the movies, my friend Andi sent me flowers, Julie gave me a shout out on her blog, I had many calls and cards, my inlaws, mom, and Todd gave me wonderful gifts or $ and Todd and I had extra time together. What a lucky girl am I!!! -- Well, the checkers at the grocery store have actually been calling me ma'am for a while now. Yikes.

Starting the new year with a sledding BANG!

Over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend we had a fun sledding trip to a local elementary school's fairly steep hill. We had a blast. It was perfect weather. I dont always go along when Todd and the kids take their sledding trips, but I decided to be a good sport. It was good exercise climbing up that steep hill!!

So, I felt like having some fun so I said, "Todd, Lets race!" It reminded me of BYU days when we'd get the cafeteria trays from the Morris center and sled down the Bell Tower hill - ok - I didnt know Todd then but it was still fun! So - all of the sudden I went blasting down the hill and Todd wasnt behind me. I was still going very fast near the end of the hill and so I slid on the pavement -ok -fine -- but then I went into the curb, trying to stop with my feet but ending up stopping with a big thud with my tush!! Wow, did that hurt! And the bruise I had! Woah - It is actually still there. I didnt break anything - too much padding -- but I tried to be a good sport and went down - barely-- one more time.

Our Prophet Dear

What an emotional week after finding out about the death of President Hinckley! I know that we all knew that it would come at some point but, nonetheless, it stiil is hard. This great man and prophet of God is the only prophet that all of my children have known. When we watched the funeral I realized this and the fact also that this was the first funeral that my children have been a part of. I am not really a crier but I sobbed though most of the service. My children were exceptionally reverent and I know that they felt the spirit then, as I did of the truthfulness of living prophets and of the gospel plan.

So, anyhow, I would just like to state publicly how grateful I am for EVERYTHING that I have learned from President Hinckley and I hope that I can honor his memory by standing a little taller and trying a little harder.