Flashback Friday- August 1985

August 1985-From my mom's journal

We all walked up the road about a quarter of a mile and down into a secluded spot surrounded by trees. It was very beautiful and peaceful. . .our own sacred grove. Dan took Sharalee out into that cold Teton Creek and his voice boomed out in the silence as by the priesthood he baptized her. I felt very close to the spirit at that moment. I am sure there were angels in attendance and maybe her Grandma and Grandad! It was a thrilling moment for all who were there.

Sharalee's journal
I turned 8 on August 10th. I was baptized two days later on August 12th. It was Monday. There were 29 of my cousins and aunts and uncles there. We all walked down to the creek. Daddy walked into the cold water first. Then he took my hand and I followed. He showed me how to hold his arm and then my nose Daddy said the prayer and then dunked me into the cold water. I was sure cold when I got out, but Mom was there with a big warm fluffy blanket. We hurried back to the house and I got my white dress on. My Daddy confirmed me and my uncles helped.

I don't think that on this day that it really all sunk in- the actual act that I was participating in. I loved having so much of my family around. Did it register that it was a saving ordinance? Of course not. But none-the-less I knew it was important, even as an eight year old.

Lindi Lou and Shara reunited


Lindi I was just thinking about you today. I can't remember if I already blogged this picture before . . . oh well, if I have.

See you on Monday!

I do wish we could have the whole gang back together for a picture as well. It seems like everyone is going to be in California except for Lindi and me and Shelly. Any chance Shelly you are moving to California or Utah? Could we narrow the distance at all?

Confessions of a Thief

The fridge door is an excellent venue for displaying Wiley's artwork. That said, the acclaimed exhibit has a fast rotation, not because of his prolific output of work and the shortage of space (although that's part of the reason), but because there's an art thief in the house. Sometime in the night, pieces simply disappear. Thankfully, the renowned artist has no idea; he's too busy creating the next one-of-a-kind to care.

The confession is, well, that I'm the thief. Now before you act too shocked, please note that I do keep a file full of original "Wiley's." Those pieces of art will be treasured for all times, and will never be put on the black market (or back on the fridge, for that matter). The remainder of his pieces, however, are currently up for sale only to the highest bidder. If you're interested in owning an original, please contact me. Otherwise, the work will shortly find its way to the largest collector of our children's early artwork -- one with a white plastic lining, if you know what I mean. Should you like a peek at these black market finds let me know they are going fast.

Do I hear 1 dollar? (Silence.) How about 50 cents? (Frogs croaking.) Alright, how about 42 cents just to cover postage?




This following is a picture of some of his 3-D work. Which he is submitting to the Lego Magazine to get some national acclaim.

P.S. I'm not joking. He brought me the camera and had me take the picture . . .

True Magic

Wiley came home this week and showed us a magic trick. He turned a six into a nine. We have had the trick demonstrated for us many, many times. It hasn't gotten old for Wiley. The true magic of this simple trick is that he truly believes that it takes magic for it to happen. Three taps and a blow. We have also been hunting for Leprechauns as of late. If you see one at your house, be sure to let us know.

Wiley turns SIX.

Mommy hosted three parties on his behalf. A Sunday family party, and then two birthday parties back to back. This was so that I didn't have to have all the kids at once, plus I planned a 15 minute break between parties. Wiley wanted a Pirate themed party, his cake was really a skull and cross bone cupcake creation. Aunt Keri also came to help and I hired my favorite babysitter to help. Seriously, the parties were great. Short, sweet and manageable. It was great. I think I'm into something here. Call if you want more birthday party hints. haa haa.














Wiley joins an indoor soccer league.

Wiley has watched a dozen or more of mommy's soccer games and hasn't been inspired to play soccer. Dad subs in for one game and Wiley has a new passion.

Wiley just got bunk beds which he shares with Rosie.

Good old fashion bunks, the kids are loving them. But please, mothers of bunkers, how on earth do you change the sheets and make the beds? I forgot how hard it is to do that with bunks.

Wiley takes a HIP HOP Break dance class.

Wiley started taking the lessons with his two cousins, the teacher is fabulous and it is hilarious to see 5 and 6 year old boys working on their coordination.

Tonsils and Adenoids ... GONE.

Wiley also had one cavity filled, four teeth pulled, adenoids and tonsils removed all done in the same week! Also, he has become a very quiet sleeper.

The tooth fairy has come twice, he/she/it has only taken the first two teeth. He is not ready to hand over the last two, even though it means money. He loves showing them to people, roots and all.

What a year it has been already for my big boy. Scratch that, he has graduated from big boy to KID.

It's official! We are going to Germany!

We bought our nonrefundable tickets. There is no backing out now. Wiley will miss the last month of Kindergarten, but Ben and I will just team teach the letters x and y. He he.

I've also discovered that it is challenging to get a two year old to pose for passport pictures.

Which Austen Heroine are you?

Take the Quiz here!

Take the Quiz here!

As a lover of Jane Austin, I was curious as to which Jane Austen character I was most like. I was hoping to be Fanny Price or Elenore Dashwood. I am most like Marianne Dashwood and Emma Woodhouse. I am surprised to say the least. I guess I thought I was better than I am, I didn't realize that I'm not the wonderful characters that I thought I would be. Oh well. At least Marianne gets the right man in the end, and at least Emma grows up.

Check it out, who are you?

Six Non-important Quirks/habits about little ole me.
I was tagged forever ago and I'm just now getting around to it. Sorry Cheryl.


#1. Clean Sheets. I love clean sheets. I love climbing into bed after a fresh wash and just enjoying the moment. The bigger part of this moment is due to the way the sheets have been put on the bed. I can't sleep well unless that sheets have been tucked in just right. I've been known to turn on the lights and re tucked the sheets just right in the middle of the night in case the covers have shifted in the night. Which they normally do because Ben hates them tucked on his side of the bed.





#2. Cleanliness can be an issue for me. I'm extreme but unfortunately, I represent both ends of the spectrum. There are some weeks when every nook and cranny are clean including the toothbrush drawer, windowsill's, and under beds. And there are weeks when I don't mop the floor once (sometimes two weeks) and you can't see the carpet in my own bedroom. I know gross, but there it is, I've now laid it all out in the open. I have clean highs and dirty lows. I wish there was a hormone pill to take to fix this problem. It is also unpredictable when either end of the spectrum will rear it's ugly head. And I'm being serious here. Both ends are not a happy place. I wish I could be in the middle more often:)



#3. Oldies Music. I am a fan. A serious one actually. I rarely know the current music. My radio in the car is always tuned to 94.1.
Some of my favorites include:
1950's Earth Angel by the Penguins
1960's Happy Together by the Turtles
Please Mr. Postman by the Marvelettes
1970's Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
1980's I love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbit

How did this music preference begin you ask, well truthfully it began with my first cassette tape that my dad gave me for my birthday in the 80's. It was the Beach Boys greatest hits. Over time I have come to own such music by artists like Kenny Rogers, Elvis, and ABBA. I have also seen Mama Mia 4 times as well as Buddy Holly the Musical and lets not forget Hairspray on Broadway, as well as the cute movie version. You get it. I like oldies.


#4. Dinner Tardiness/dinner etiquette. I have very strong feelings when it come to guests attending a meal. Please, if I ever invite you to my house, don't show up to dinner late. It is absolutely the rudest thing one can do to the hostess. If something unexpected comes up last minute, call immediately so the hostess can make changes in her cooking/baking times. If you are ever invited to a party and you know that you have obligations elsewhere and the times overlap, don't try to do it both. Commit to one and fully attend one. For those of you who have been to my house for dinner and haven't received a dinner invite lately. You know why. . . . HE HE. If you'd like to review some dinner skills, check out this awesome book. Ben and I laughed so hard. We love the Sedaris family in general.




#5. Cheese. I am a HUGE fan of cheese. Particularly sharp cheeses. I LOVE Aged or antiqued white cheddar cheese, I think it is the most universal, it can go on or in anything. I also enjoy, smoked Gouda, goat Feta, and Blue Cheese from Wisconsin. Deep down I know that if I would simply give up cheese that I would altogether be and look like a different person. But I'm unwilling to make such a sacrifice, so until then I will visit the gym and wish for thinner thighs instead.


# 6. I hate the feeling of obligation, particularly when it is held over my head, or it adds to my lists of things to do. I never get around to answering the "tag" questions from blogs and e-mails. That is not to say that I don't love reading my friends personal answers. That is an indulgence. I love that part. But doing this "tag" is a first for me. Because I don't want to pass on that feeling of obligation, I will not tag anyone in particular. If you want to do this feel free. I will love reading what your 6 non-important quirks/habits are about you.

Happy 29th Birthday Mom!


If you ask me, you haven't change a bit.


When I reach the age age you are mom I hope I will have accomplished as much, lived as well, and loved as hard. I have a quote in my kitchen that reminds me of you daily that reads
"I can do hard things" By Susan W. Tanner. But what I love about this quote is that you take this quote and change it with your attitude and say, "I can do hard things, and love every minute of it."

The short list of what I love about you:

1) you have a great musical voice but you don't flaunt it, most don't even know it.
2) you gravitate to all things beautiful, beautiful furniture, beautiful yards, beautiful ideas, beautiful people.
4) you have always led by example.
5) you would never ask us kids to do something that you wouldn't do.
6) you always worked right along side us.
7) you have passed on to us a wonderful family heritage by teaching us about our ancestors.
8) you are a serious fashionista.
9) you never let your family down, dropping everything, catching a flight, just to babysit your various grandkids for a week.
10) you always knew when it was time for tough love or a hug and tears. One of my favorite quotes from you is "It will stop hurting when the pain goes away."
11) you fulfill any assignment, whether it be a church calling or neighborhood party, and you do it with more thought and consideration for those involved than any person I know.
12) you run for Northern Nevada's Republican delegate and you win.
13) you will still do a series of acrobatic moves and the splits whenever called upon.
14) you found the time to keep a journal for each of your 5 kids until we were old enough to write ourselves.
15) you managed to document our family member lives in various forms, scrapbooking, movies, letters, sewing, books, and pictures. We each have 8-ish or more scrapbooks that are just about ourselves. (And we all know that we love to read and talk about ourselves, you made/make it possible;) And even though we are out of the house, you continue to document our lives.
16) you throw a mean tacky party.
17) heck, you are great with any themed party.
18) with the exception of my wedding dress, you have made all my important dresses for me.
19) you are an accomplished seamstress.
20) you are willing to try out awesome new recipes and make them better then share them.
21) you always have great marriage advice, lessons, and stories.
22) you make every child feel like we are your favorite.
23) family always comes first, but when you don't have family you have found friends to adopt into the family which you are fiercely loyal and loving to.
24) you raised 5 kids who love each other, their family, and the gospel, (can you ask for more in life?)
25) you have loved the same man and remained his best friend for over 37 years (no small task)

The Ultimate Shopper

Everyone who knows me well, also knows that I'm not a shopper. I have no endurance and can only stand it for short periods of time especially if shopping in a group. I'm selfish. I like to only shop for me and my own (the kids or the husband). Get in, get out, move on. I have little patience for group shopping.


By contrast, my older brother Jeromy is the ultimate shopper. He has the ability to be interested in whatever the item is being shopped for. In fact, he enjoys researching a type of item, finding out who makes the best item, best quality, for the best price. Many-a-call has been placed to this brother in asking him to check out an item and find it for us. Whether it be cars, GPS systems, or shoes. You get my point: he is a resourceful shopper. I hope you noticed he is cute too. (Sorry singles, he is married to a serious hottie and they have 3 1/2 kids).

Over the break, Jeromy escorted me to a near-by store in an effort to help me find soccer shoes and shin guards. His oldest son also joined us. This experience was sensational. He became my own personal shopper. His only objective was to discover the greatest shin guard for my current needs as well as find a shoe to do the same. This was not a short trip. I tried on many of the various products, and we verbally reviewed all the spikes lengths and flexibility of the shoe. No stone was left unturned. What's funny is that two different sales people kept looking at Jeromy confused and delighted that he was so knowledgeable. He knew loads more information than they did. One worker even alluded to the idea of Jeromy working there. Jeromy sheepishly declined the offer.

I left the store with complete satisfaction. I knew I had left the store with the right shin guards and shoes for me. Euphoria is really the right word. He is that good. What's really great, though, is that his son helped us find the shoes. He is the ultimate shopper in training.

I think when my ship comes in I will really require the use of a personal shopper. Remember Rachael from Friends? At one point she was a personal shopper. I wish she were around to help me when I venture out to Nordstroms.

Wiley's First Ski Trip







Thanks for Grandma Shell, Wiley and cousin Kimball, had a private ski lesson up at Sundance together. Their instructor was perfect for the two boys.

The moms, Lisa, me and Grandma Shell enjoyed a few runs while they were in class, had a yummy lunch, skied a few more leisurely runs and then picked up our 5 year old boys anxious to see what they had learned in our 2 1/2 hour absence.

After a few tears (tired I think) Wiley agreed to take one more run with me.

At this point, our getting on the lift became a comedy act. I was trying to help Wiley get to the waiting line by pulling him with my ski pole, (Five year olds don't ski with poles) but for some reason Wiley couldn't control his skis, our skis crossed several times. He fell several times just getting to the waiting line, then right before we were to get on the lift Wiley's ski fell off, I'm not sure how. I quick put his boot back in, (they had slowed the lift), and we managed this manic collapse on to the chair lift. In the hustle Kimball lost his ski goggles. A worker came running, grabbed the goggles and ran to catch up with our lifting chair. The hand off was made and phew we made it. It was funny to see I'm sure and I think I heard applause from the crowds below. In fact, Grandma Shell caught it all on camera. Anyway, we were settled until it was time to get off the lift and that, my folks, is another story.

To sum it up, Wiley was like limp spaghetti every time he fell, and it was like trying to straighten out spaghetti with using two forks and two knives. Just too much equipment.

And the best part is I plan to do it all over again next week.