Wrestle Mania 2008

Every kid needs a crazy uncle to rough them up from time to time. My brother Brandt cannot pass up an opportunity to get my kids totally riled up and completely out of control. Christian taught Cali the art and skill of a carefully placed elbow drop. Carter, on the other hand, is a natural fighter (and has been known to throw a head butt when least expected) and had no problem pouncing Brandt at full speed.

Picture Proof

Proof that the clouds do part and spill forth sunlight. Even on sad days. Even in cemeteries.

Memorial Day

With the exception of the crazy gas prices we had a great Memorial Day. We went to Fountain Green on Monday for a Memorial Day picnic, which was rescheduled indoors (it rained for most of the day). We spent the day looking through my grandma's fabric, clothes, and shoes. It was hard, but so nice to be able to have some tangible things to remember her by. We spent some time at the Fountain Green cemetery where she and my grandpa (along with other family members) are buried.

I used to go there with my grandma all the time as a kid. She had a bottle of Lime Away that she used to take with her to remove hard water stains from her parents graves. It just seems so unreal that she is buried there too.

I thought that these pictures provide and interesting perspective. Pictured above are my grandparents graves. Just beyond the fence is one of my grandpa's turkey coops and farm. In fact, they are both buried on land that was once owned by my grandpa. He donated several acres of his farm to the city in return for some burial plots. So, in reality he is buried on his own property.

I took this picture standing next to my grandparent's graves. This is a view of their house, garage, and farm from their grave sites.

How many people get to be buried right between their farm and their home on their own land that they worked so hard on for so many years? I think it is very special.

Shout Shout We'll Shout for Joy

No sooner had I posted my love for My Turn on Earth, than I received an ad from Seagull Book. Sure enough, the DVD is now available. Thankfully they did not remake it, just remastered a classic. Original cast and all! So Mari, Bethany, Natalie, Jan, Audrey, Gretchen, Nicole (by the way, thank you sisters for the lyrical comments) and everyone else who would like to share in the joy (Tatum you must!), check it out or buy it here.

It's About Time

I just finished my latest quilting project, and posted the results on Piece and Quiet. Check it out!

Time Flies

Cali's first day of preschool September 5, 2006


Cali's last day of preschool May 23, 2008

I'm Not Going to Lie, I Nearly Teared Up

Cali graduated from preschool on Friday. She was so excited that she got to wear a graduation cap just like Dory did at her graduation. They preformed a wonderful program highlighting (through song) the things that they had learned this year. It was very cute, and quite touching.

As for the tearing up, I held my stuff together during the program, but when we got home we watched the DVD that was prepared by the teacher's aid. It was a movie of all the things their class had done over the course of the school year. At the end of the movie it showed a picture of all the kids lined up at the door ready to go out side. The caption at the bottom said, "See you later alligator". That's when I lost it. Christian came down stairs and said, "Are you seriously crying?" I couldn't lie, I was!


I could not say enough good things about Miss Teresa. She is the best teacher ever. Her patience and love of all children is unmatched. She had her work cut out for her with these two this year. Cali and Claire are the best of friends, and had to sit at separate tables on numerous occasions this year.

Good Bye Emery High

My sister Dory graduated from high school on Thursday. I don't know if this is just something that happens in the country, but it seems that the kids who get the most cheers when their names are read are usually the "stoners". I know that was very high school of me to classify people as "stoners" but it seems to be true. In Castle Dale people show up to graduation with air horns. No kidding. Sections of the crowd go totally wild for certain people. Usually the people that will look back at high school as the pinnacle of their life.

Brandt and Bethany both looked at me before Dory walked across the stage and said, "should we stoner cheer for her?" We didn't. We just clapped a little. No air horns for Dory.

A Blast From the Past

Several year ago (pre children years) Christian and I realized that we both loved the musical My Turn on Earth. We both had the tape and story book when we were young. My family even took it to the next level by having the sheet music, and my dad even directed the play in our town in the early '80's.

So the other day Christian took Cali on an adventure to get the car serviced. While they were waiting they decided to walk (about 3 miles) to Deseret Book. Christian asked one of the employees if they had the My Turn on Earth soundtrack, sure enough. The helpful employee also told him that is one of the last ones because the creators are going to remake it and release it on DVD.

I haven't listened to these songs for probably at least 15 years, but when Cali started playing the CD I remembered every word to every song. What I didn't remember is how "80's" the songs sound. Complete with random synthesizers and all.

Did any of you have this tape growing up, or have seen the play?

A Day at the Farm

Last Thursday we went to Thanksgiving Point for Cali's final field trip. The kids have been learning about animals and they were so excited to get out and see some real farm animals.

So, what four things do you get when you mix "real" farm animals and children who have a love of all God's creatures......


1. A crazy fascination with pygmy goats.


2. Turkeys that gobble and gobble in your face.


3. A peacock that you're NOT related to.


4. Puzzled looks at birds behind glass.

As Beautiful as a Jersey Calf

Would you be offended if your beauty was compared to that of a Jersey calf? Most people would probably say, yes. However, in our family the phrase, "As beautiful as a Jersey calf" has come to denote great beauty.

My grandma Cook used to tell us the story of when my mother was born (a story that I've heard her tell too many times to count). It goes something like this....When my mom was born she had beautiful olive colored skin and dark circles around each of her eyes. When my grandma saw her for the first time she thought she was as beautiful as a Jersey calf.

When we were at Thanksgiving Point for Cali's field trip I couldn't resist taking a picture of a real Jersey.


Wow! Check it out mom! Did you know the Jersey produces more gallons of milk per pound of body weight than any other breed. Bonus!

Are You a Polygamist?

I really think that this is a question that you should NEVER ask someone unless you KNOW for a fact that the answer will be yes.

"Are you a polygamist?" is not a question that should be asked if there is even the slightest possibility that the answer is no.

Case in point, one of my very favorite co-workers just happens to share the same name as a polygamist woman who has been featured on the news and in newspapers. The name is Lori Allen. Today a man that works in an adjoining office asked her if she was a polygamist. And he was serious. He even told her that he had come by her office to ask her earlier, but she wasn't there. He also told her that he had a heard she was going to be on the news, so he was watching for her.

Ever since Lori told me about this incident, I haven't been able to contain my laughter. Some things are just too funny to me!

So, just to clear up any confusion....

This is a polygamist.


This is not!

I Have Found a Cure for Strep Throat....Well, At Least Some Sweet Relief

Christian found this recipe in our junk mail circulars this morning. I usually throw out most of the random ads, but this one caught his eye. Maybe it was the fresh strawberries, I'm guessing it was probably the Oreo crust (Christian may hold the world's record for most Oreos eaten in a life time thus far, we still need to check on the official record but I'm sure he's got it beat). Nonetheless, I whipped it up this morning and threw it in the freezer. Sweet relief! I'm sure it's good too even if you don't have a pounding sore throat.

Maybe some day it will even get warm enough around here to eat it outside!

Ingredients
4 cups fresh strawberries, divided
1 (14-ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 (8-ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
8 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, finely chopped
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
Line 8x4-inch loaf pan with foil. In large bowl, mash 2 cups of strawberries. Stir in EAGLE BRAND®, lemon juice and 2 cups of COOL WHIP; pour into pan.
In small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and butter; press cookie crumbs into top of mixture. Cover.
Freeze at least 6 hours. To serve: invert onto plate. Remove foil. Frost with remaining COOL WHIP. Slice remaining strawberries and place on top of COOL WHIP. Store leftovers covered in freezer.
Notes: ® COOL WHIP and OREO are registered trademarks

Update: Christian's official opinion is that it should be prepared like a parfait (his exact words, "this should be parfaid") with two layers of Oreo. What did I tell you, Oreo obsessed!

Taking a Day...Or Two

Thursday and Friday I was feeling a little under the weather. Saturday and Sunday I thought I was feeling a little better. Monday I had to go to a horrific training (which my manager/fellow attendee of the workshop demanded we get a full refund, it was that bad) which gave me a horrible head ache. Tuesday my saint of sister drove me to the doctor and took my kids to the park while I underwent a medical examination. The diagnosis, Strep Throat. For crying out loud, who has time to for Strep? The ridiculosity!

So, last night Christian took Cali to his softball game with him, she had a glorious time. I called in sick to work today (which was better than calling in dead which I thought I was yesterday) we played Clue today and watched Barbie movies and basically did nothing, well if you count blogging as nothing.

Tough guys! This is what they looked like when they got home from the game last night, pay no attention to the dirty laundry stacked about the laundry room.

A True Ute

Bethany's graduation from the University of Utah (5/2/08)


Accepting her empty diploma cover, (Nicole and Ashley G. do you remember stuffing those stupid things at the R.O.?) they don't send the real diploma for 30-60 days.


Dad, Tyler, the proud graduate, and Mom.


What would a family gathering be without Brandt acting like......well, Brandt!


Me, Bethany, Brandt, and Dory (we were just missing Jayna).


Tyler and Bethany. She presented him with her red ribbon of gratitude.


My sissy.

Nine Years

May 8th was our 9 year anniversary. We celebrated a pretty low-key anniversary by going to dinner. Carl (Christian's dad) was in town, he watched the kids for us so we could spend the evening together. It was nice and relaxing, especially compared to all the emotions and events we experienced earlier in the week.

As an anniversary surprise Christian picked up this beautiful picture of the Manti Temple for me. This is my favorite temple, and the one we were married in. It is very special to me. I got him Guitar Hero for the Wii (now all we need is the Wii...Father's Day is coming up!).

Simple Pleasures

Hot breakfast on a cold morning. (4/26/08)


Playing outside. (4/28/08)


Wet hands. (4/28/08)


Mud, glorious mud. (4/28/08)


Friends. (4/28/08)



Soft serve ice cream and grandma. (5/1/08)


Birthday presents. (5/5/08)


Tame ducks. (5/5/08)

A Life Well Lived

Last Wednesday, after 5 1/2 weeks in the hospital, my Grandma Cook passed away. She was an amazing woman, and there are no words to describe how she will be missed. The past few days have been intensely spiritual, sad, happy, lonely, and yet filled with gratitude.

Thank you for all of your kind words and expressions of love, I really appreciate all of your kindness. If you would like to read her obituary it is published here.