Ward Christmas Party

We got to bring "the girls" to our Christmas party...they make everything so much more fun!
Lucy decided she needed to don a Santa hat before we loaded into the van.

Hannah was dancing with Sister Dupaix

When the Primary children got up to sing, Lucy went right up with them!
She's so ready for Primary.

Thomas and Jubal entertaining the group while waiting for
the man in red to appear...

Abbie actually made a visit -

I think mostly because the goody bags
looked good enough to endure the "visit"
My kids have never been Santa fans.

Holiday Dinner

Matt Barry

Provo High School Choir does the most remarkable holiday event.

Andrew Apgood and Joshua Rhodes

The ballroom at the Academy Square is arranged with several round tables, each decorated with a holiday centerpiece and eight place settings in beautiful china.
A wonderful meal is served while the choir entertains their guests with numerous Christmas songs. Some solos, small ensembles, some with the entire choir surrounding the hall. It's an occasion not to be missed.
Pictured with Claire are her "brothers"
wonderful friends that take great care of her. I love them all!

Laura Mitchell and Thomas

The mastermind behind it all! She's worked with her husband to give these students an experience they'll treasure forever! Thank You!

Clogging

A couple of back stage pictures at the
Christmas Clogging Classic. Abbie clogs with
Rocky Mountain Express
and loves it!
This year they danced to a song from
Willie Wonka and are dressed as Oompa Loompas.

We're expecting!

I cannot tell you how excited I am to add Elizabeth to our family! One week before the glorious wedding. Yahoo!
Just in case I missed your email address ... My friend Jody, is giving an online shower. Visit the website at weddingshowerlizsteve.blogspot.com
I'm going to be a mother-in-law!!

Love Hate Relationship

This is a multi-part saga...skip or follow along as you desire.

Since Thanksgiving I have been SO miserable!! Allergies galore! I've been racking my brain....what have I changed? Have I eaten anything different? Two doctors, allergy eye drops, wicked mean cortisone cream, eyes swollen, I'm exhausted as my body tried to combat, sleeping for hours, all with too little relief!

Walnuts: For most of you this probably is a rather benign food item maybe causing a canker or two. As you know, for me it is cause for alarm. I avoid all tree nuts with diligence that is only equal to that of following the Prophet. I am the poster child for extreme allergies...do they have a poster adult???

I love wood! I love walnut, cherry, mahogany, maple! I'm not such a fan of oak...
I have the most beautiful walnut table! My brother in law made it, just for me, one of a kind. Making me custom furniture isn't his day job, but he has access to all the wood and equipment. He's made me a lot of beautiful furniture...but that's another story. For the last several years (I'm not going to count!) we've used our wonderful blue folding chairs mingled with bar stools to sit at the table. Note: The table is not a standard height, thus you sit on a bar stool and are too tall or a folding chair and feel like a three year old. The wood for the chairs was sent to our friend in Tonga. (He made much of the furniture for the Tongan Temple, he has an amazing talent.) When he was finished with the chairs he sent them via airplane to Utah with mutual friends. It was then Lane's job to assemble what Kishore had made and make the seats. Quite a job!!! Lane makes beautiful legs and arms, and is incredibly good with his hands but this was a new adventure! He did a lot of research, talked to people who make chairs (few and far between!!!)
To make a long story a little shorter...Lane decided that he was going to finish the chairs Thanksgiving weekend. I was elated!

Lane worked for two days solid and the result is beautiful! Wow, so worth waiting for!
They'll be back from the finisher next week. You're welcome to come ooohhh and aaahhh if you'd like.

Now for some walnut education. (Out of necessity, we just learned this...) The leaves of a walnut tree are so poisonous that they must be raked immediately as they fall or they will kill the grass. Green Walnut is not as toxic as Black Walnut. (I don't know what we have...probably black.) Walnuts often open while still on the tree thus dropping only the nut. Quinone is released into the air and is highly toxic. It is present in all parts, the leaves, the roots, and the wood. When landscaping or gardening you must be very careful as to the proximity you plant as even the toxins in the air will inhibit growth. There are some plants less affected. Anyway, so as Lane has been working his little heart out sanding and prepping our chairs the quinone has been released into the air in our garage, porch and driveway.

Now, remember who is highly allergic to tree nuts?!?!? It was 3:00 a m about five days ago when he sat up in bed and said, "I know what you're allergic to!" Sure enough as he did some research it became very clear.

I am so allergic to nuts that if I walk into your house and you've been chopping nuts, I will react. I don't have to actually ingest the nut. It never even crossed our minds that the chairs would be a problem. He's worked on other woods without incident...but not nut woods. So, being the amazing man that he is, he has totally sterilized the garage and everything in it. Hopefully soon the toxins will have worked their way through my system and I'll feel better!

And yes, the chairs will be fine once they are varnished. The table has been. What an education this has been! Now you know....and so do I.

What have you done?

Just for fun. My friend, Emily, had this on her blog...
Copy and paste into you blog, then highlight the things that you have done!

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more money to charity than you can afford

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightening storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child - not legally

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunset or sunrise

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace or your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I'm easily satisfied, warm home, car that runs, food in the fridge, running water, etc. I've lived the rich life, it's no different

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone's life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seem the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Visited Italy

So, is this a strange list? I've only done 1/3 of these things....and many of them I'm confident I'll never do. What have you done? Do tell, if you're in the mood.

A loss of pets...

Todd ran away....I hope someone is enjoying him! And a few days ago, kisses got a little too big for his britches and high centered himself trying to squeeze through the wholes in his cage...and died. We are so sad! The cage looks so terribly empty. The truth is, I haven't had the heart to tell Lucy, Hannah, Isaac and Elias :-(

Six quirks

I've been tagged to divulge six (just six?) quirky things about me. Actually I think the word "quirk" describes me....here goes.

1. I will NOT fold cold laundry! Yes, I will warm it up if I didn't catch it finishing in the dryer.

2. I still iron, old fashioned, I know. We love cotton and I love the crisp look :-)

3. I have the most scrambled family tree!

4. I'm not a media person. I have no idea what's on TV, cable or otherwise. I have no idea what the latest movie is, nor do I care. I don't have a radio, cd player or such in my car and rarely listen at home either. It just isn't a part of my world. The only time you'll see the TV on at our house is during General Conference. (I will watch a good old movie while I iron, or snuggle with one of girls, sometimes.)

5. I like closed cupboard and closet doors, more than like actually, it's an issue.

6. I detest crumbs in the butter, jam in the peanut butter, peanut butter in the jam, mustard in the mayo or any other cross contamination.

Now you know, though I'm confident that none of this surprises anyone. Thanks, Sharri. Now I'm supposed to tag....silly but fun. I had no idea Sharri was such a Latin gal!

Jill S.
Klin
Kate S.
Deby J.
Julie L.
Stephanie M.

PHS Homecoming

Matt Barry took Claire to Provo High's Homecoming.
Don't they look great?!?!?
He even brought me a rose, ahhh, what a guy!

Mr. Wonderful

This is especially for you young moms that wonder if your little ones will ever be independent. Thomas called from school this week to see how I was feeling. The conversation went something like this:
"Do you have anything planned for dinner?"
"No, is there something special you want?"
"Do you feel up to making dinner?"
"No, it's been an especially rough day."
"How about I hurry home and make you dinner before I have to leave for my activity?"
"That's sweet honey, but you shouldn't have to go to school all day and then come home and make dinner for the family because I've been in bed all day!"
"Well, what if I want to?"
"Ok"
So, he and Laura came home, made a wonderful dinner and ran out the door to their activity without even eating...they didn't have time.
Thank you, Thomas, for taking care of me. I love you!

Just sweet

Thomas and Laura after a long day...

Abbie fell asleep in Thomas' bed...so they had morning snuggles.

Stewart Falls

Thomas had the day off work and was determined to get out into nature! He and Laura and Lane went hiking.

We're so blessed to live in this beautiful land!

My Claire

I know she's mine, but isn't she beautiful?!?!? Dennis wanted some updated photos so we did a little photo shoot today.

Not bad for mom being behind the camera! I really need to learn how to use my own camera~

Just a lot of nonsense

Kayti's silly "up do"

Abbie's turn for Kayti to do her magic

Just what CAN you do with Mom's short hair?

The best sports of all...with millions of tiny pony tails...

Sunday Night Singing

On Sunday evenings the kids all gather and sing hymns. Tonight we decided to do it around a fire on the patio...and roast marshmallows! Hmmm, how do you eat roasted marshmallows while singing....?

We love having them here. "Them" changes weekly, tonight it's a small group.
Fun, but small 8)

Amber and Claire

Melanie, Claire and Amber

Thomas....doing what? Mr. Photogenic doesn't even look stupid when he's being stupid! Oh wait, he's doing something important...that's a tuning fork next to his ear! We love him.

The love of my life

Happy Birthday Lane!
16 Sept 60
I think so often about the many things I love about my husband, the many ways he blesses my life, my intense gratitude that we have been sealed for eternity.

So, my love, here's a partial, very partial, list of the things I love about you. There are 48 actually, because you're 48.

They're not in any specific order...

1 He loves the Lord and will serve Him in any capacity
2 He provides for our family temporally & spiritually
3 He is incredibly teachable
4 He'll admit when he's wrong and is quick to apologize
5 He can fix anything!
6 Loves me unconditionally
7 His dedication to his patients is inspiring
8 He kisses me good bye in the morning
9 He massages my neck
10 He rubs my feet
11 We pray together morning & night
12 He is committed to improving
13 He dates his daughters
14 He dances with his daughters
15 He keeps the garage floor clean
16 Our cars are always maintained
17 He washes my car
18 When he mows the lawn, he edges!
19 We go to nice restaurants
20 He interviews our children and knows them well
21 We gather as a family for scriptures & prayer nightly
22 We have an openhouse policy for friends & family
23 He works on the kid's friends cars with them,
teaching and talking
24 He's a good driver
25 We love road trips
26 He's a marvelous role model for our sons
27 I don't know if there's anyone who loves babies
more than Lane does!
28 He holds me when I cry
29 He takes over when I fall down
30 He gave my talk for me in church!!
31 He's man enough to cry, show his tender emotions
32 He walks with me...long or short, shuffle or brisk,
or anywhere in between
33 He helps me focus on the eternal perspective
34 We love projecting together
35 He's a good cook, mmmmm!
36 He's very forgiving
37 And incredibly patient with me
38 There are no secrets in our marriage
39 He's a great 'mom' when he needs to be
40 He allows chocolate week & too much ice cream
41 Family time is top priority
42 He's a good snuggler
43 He honors his priesthood
44 He gives us priesthood blessings, always ready
45 He loves to go to the temple
46 He laughs at me :-) even if I'm not so funny!
47 We play games together, you name it, we play it
48 He loves being a dad...and is a wonderful one!
Our children are very blessed

Grounded

So, some of you know that my doctor grounded me in June. For at least a year. I'm not allowed to have a calling, volunteer in anyone's classroom, take on any projects...nothing. That was a hard to accept but I knew he was right. I even had to admit to myself that I can't watch my precious nieces. (That almost took a 2x4!)

I made it to about half an hour of Stake Conference on Sunday before Lane had to bring me home. Wow, am I broken!!! I've had to remind myself many times over the last five weeks that I'm glad I have a body....

Well, now I'm in solitary confinement.

During the day, while my children are at school, I am not to take any phone calls, answer my door, etc. That added instruction came from a more Divine source than my doctor, but after just three days I'm feeling the benefit. I'm getting stronger, taking less medication etc. It's hard, but like anything else Heavenly Father directs us to do, it's right. I have to conserve all my energy for my family and even then I'm far from what I'd like to be doing for them.

Is it wrong of me to feel proud of myself for listening this time before He had to use a 2x4?

Happy Birthday to me!

 
I'll save you the counting...there are 43 and I'm proud of every one!
Thank you, everyone, for contributing to my very happy life!

Abbie has taken some lessons on hand quilting from my mom and gave me the pieces she's sewn and asked if we could finish it together and make a pillow for my bed. I was SO excited! It's a wonderful thing to learn a skill from your children.
Thanks, Abbie

Some things you don't get to plan and how you'll feel on your birthday is one of them. Unfortunately, my birthday came at the end of a very difficult "fibro" week. My sweet Claire was so concerned about me feeling celebrated. She even texted several of her friends and had them stop by to wish me a happy day.

She was photo shooting all through the yummy dinner Lane made for me and kept telling me to smile. Most of the pictures are appropriately dorky but this one won. After mixing all the colors of frosting from my piece of cake (I LOVE frosting but not food coloring...it's just wrong!) I made a smiley face for her...just not on my face.

A day in the life of....

Hannah Louie

Lucy Jane

A very happy Auntie Denise with her beautiful girls. Hannah and Lucy bring so much joy into our lives! We're lucky to have them so close!

Hannah was insisting on a drink from Jody's water bottle...I only regret that you cannot see how drenched her shirt is! She kept pulling the bottle away before putting it upright, silly girl.

Thomas has moved home for the semester. It's wonderful to have him here and he loves having time with the girls. Laura included....Laura Mitchell from Oregon, yup, we love her too!