Thursday, December 25, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Katie's first time on stage (at school)
Every Friday morning the whole school meets for community meeting. Usually the meeting features something one of the grades is working on. Back in November it was Katie's turn. The Kindergarten class is working on syllables. Each student walked up to the microphone and clapped their name. This was met with much applause and flash photography from parents (even the fifth graders were cheering them on). Unfortunately, I was in the very back so we have some noise in the picture.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Hold the Pickles, Please
This morning after church, we explored all the Christmas decorations at the Macy's at Herold's Square. As we were walking home, Katie began to request/negotiate going out to lunch. Five year-old Katie's request was "square burgers" - i.e., White Castle. I think Katie has figured out that for seventy-seven cents for each little burger, I'm reasonable likely to agree to buy lunch. As Katie was requesting lunch, we had the following conversation.
"Daddy, my favorite thing in the whole world is when we go to lunch together. It's really special. Let's go get square burgers, but, when we order, we need to make sure to tell them NO PICKLES. I hate pickles. I know that Mommy says that I'm not allowed to say hate, but I really hate pickles."
"Well, Katie, since you're not to say hate, why don't you say, 'I don't like pickles'?"
"Daddy, I could say 'I don't like pickles' because that's true. But it's much more accurate to say 'I HATE pickles.' I think we should be accurate. The truth is that I really, really HATE pickles."
Maybe it's just because I'm her dad but I found this explanation of her strong feelings about pickles hilarious.
"Daddy, my favorite thing in the whole world is when we go to lunch together. It's really special. Let's go get square burgers, but, when we order, we need to make sure to tell them NO PICKLES. I hate pickles. I know that Mommy says that I'm not allowed to say hate, but I really hate pickles."
"Well, Katie, since you're not to say hate, why don't you say, 'I don't like pickles'?"
"Daddy, I could say 'I don't like pickles' because that's true. But it's much more accurate to say 'I HATE pickles.' I think we should be accurate. The truth is that I really, really HATE pickles."
Maybe it's just because I'm her dad but I found this explanation of her strong feelings about pickles hilarious.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
The Things Our Kids Say (Alternative Title - "The Girls Will Kill Me When They Are Old Enough to Read This")
Our girls are adorable. But sometimes, the things that they say....
When Elizabeth "passes gas," she proudly announces, "My bottom beeped." The first time she made this announcement, it took me a while to figure out what she was talking about. Depending on the nature of the bodily function, she may explain, "My bottom went BEEEEP" or "My bottom went beep, beep, beep."
A few days ago, Mommy was walking down the street with Katie when they encountered a little person. Katie got very excited and announced, "Look. I know what they call someone like that! An elf!"
Elizabeth is not a big fans of gloves or mittens. When she's in her stroller, she would prefer to sit on her hands than wear her mittens. I took the girls for a walk this morning, and it was pretty cold outside (in the 20s). We stopped at a crosswalk, and Elizabeth started yelling to get my attention. "Daddy, my bottom beeped! My hands are warm now!"
When Elizabeth "passes gas," she proudly announces, "My bottom beeped." The first time she made this announcement, it took me a while to figure out what she was talking about. Depending on the nature of the bodily function, she may explain, "My bottom went BEEEEP" or "My bottom went beep, beep, beep."
A few days ago, Mommy was walking down the street with Katie when they encountered a little person. Katie got very excited and announced, "Look. I know what they call someone like that! An elf!"
Elizabeth is not a big fans of gloves or mittens. When she's in her stroller, she would prefer to sit on her hands than wear her mittens. I took the girls for a walk this morning, and it was pretty cold outside (in the 20s). We stopped at a crosswalk, and Elizabeth started yelling to get my attention. "Daddy, my bottom beeped! My hands are warm now!"
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Kindergarten Smiles
Today, we received Katie's kindergarten pictures. It really does seem like just yesterday that we were awe of her first baby smiles. Now, she's a big girl with a big smile - complete with missing tooth!
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
The day after...
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| Our last day together. |
 |
| Daniel, Mindy and Jake |
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| Brandon, Jake and Daniel |
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| Jake, Daniel and Brandon |
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Ring Bearer: All grown up!
Does this handsome young man look familiar? He was the ring bearer at our wedding. How did these kids grow up so fast?
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
My brothers
I have been blessed with 2 full brothers, 2 step-brothers and 1 half brother. Doug, or if you are around our house it is "Uncle Doug" is the eldest of my full brothers. When I surprised my parents with my arrival into this world, Doug was a ten-year old kid. Instead of being annoyed by me (though I am sure he was at times) he was such a fun big brother. Both Doug and Steve taught me everything I know about sports and especially basketball. I remember many times Doug was tasked with the chore of doing my hair. If you know me, you know my curls. My family didn't really know how to handle all my curls at that time and when I had to have my hair brushed out, tears usually occurred. However, Doug was really gentle about it and I remember always preferring it be him that helped me.
Steve was my next full brother. He was the that introduced me to music. I think that is really where he and I connected. Steve was a DJ (Disc Jockey). I thought that he was the coolest brother ever. He could string together songs and keep an event going like it was nothing. I remember the first time I went to a dance to "help" him. He took the time to explain everything to me and even let me pick songs. That is probably one of my best memories of Steve.
Steve was also the assistant soccer coach for my team. Soccer was a big deal in my life as a kid. He taught me so much as right sweeper. I also remember all my friends having crushes on him. That year my season ended early. I broke my wrist (again). I was determined to play despite having my wrist in a cast but the refs wouldn't allow it. Apparently the plastered cast could be considered a weapon if I hit someone over the head with it. I remember Steve actually arguing with the ref for me because I was so upset. As I sat on the sidelines desperately trying to take the cast off, Steve had to come and talk me down and tell me that I would just have to wait till next season.
Doug and Steve were close. They were the only boys in my family of five. I have heard the stories (and have seen the pictures) of them fighting but I honestly don't remember them ever not getting along. Perhaps that is because I came along later in life, I don't know, I just remember that they always had one another's back. I do remember them getting into trouble together - but now that I am older those memories just make me laugh. My poor mother. Seriously though, those two had such a strong bond.
5 years ago we had a family reunion. It was the last time the five of us kids were altogether. I am so thankful that we have those memories. The best time was when we were just standing around the table and Steve and Doug were strolling down memory lane and Steve was adding his wise cracks throughout the dialogue. Those two had us girls laughing so hard that we were in tears and I am sure my chin was shivering.
It was the perfect decision to have Doug speak at Steve's funeral. Doug knew just what to say. It was impressive given how little the poor guy had slept up to that point (he drove pretty much nonstop from Texas to Utah). I don't even know where he found the time to write such a wonderful talk but I am sure glad he did. In his talk he mentioned that he was listening to the radio as he drove across the country and a song came on that made him think of Steve. It seems only fitting that it would be through music. I am almost certain that the first time I ever heard this song was from Steve.
REM
Everybody Hurts
Steve was my next full brother. He was the that introduced me to music. I think that is really where he and I connected. Steve was a DJ (Disc Jockey). I thought that he was the coolest brother ever. He could string together songs and keep an event going like it was nothing. I remember the first time I went to a dance to "help" him. He took the time to explain everything to me and even let me pick songs. That is probably one of my best memories of Steve.
Steve was also the assistant soccer coach for my team. Soccer was a big deal in my life as a kid. He taught me so much as right sweeper. I also remember all my friends having crushes on him. That year my season ended early. I broke my wrist (again). I was determined to play despite having my wrist in a cast but the refs wouldn't allow it. Apparently the plastered cast could be considered a weapon if I hit someone over the head with it. I remember Steve actually arguing with the ref for me because I was so upset. As I sat on the sidelines desperately trying to take the cast off, Steve had to come and talk me down and tell me that I would just have to wait till next season.
Doug and Steve were close. They were the only boys in my family of five. I have heard the stories (and have seen the pictures) of them fighting but I honestly don't remember them ever not getting along. Perhaps that is because I came along later in life, I don't know, I just remember that they always had one another's back. I do remember them getting into trouble together - but now that I am older those memories just make me laugh. My poor mother. Seriously though, those two had such a strong bond.
5 years ago we had a family reunion. It was the last time the five of us kids were altogether. I am so thankful that we have those memories. The best time was when we were just standing around the table and Steve and Doug were strolling down memory lane and Steve was adding his wise cracks throughout the dialogue. Those two had us girls laughing so hard that we were in tears and I am sure my chin was shivering.
It was the perfect decision to have Doug speak at Steve's funeral. Doug knew just what to say. It was impressive given how little the poor guy had slept up to that point (he drove pretty much nonstop from Texas to Utah). I don't even know where he found the time to write such a wonderful talk but I am sure glad he did. In his talk he mentioned that he was listening to the radio as he drove across the country and a song came on that made him think of Steve. It seems only fitting that it would be through music. I am almost certain that the first time I ever heard this song was from Steve.
REM
Everybody Hurts
When your day is long
And the night, the night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go
'Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (Hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (Hold on)
If you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on
Everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand, oh no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you are not alone
If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
Everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes
So hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts
And the night, the night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go
'Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (Hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (Hold on)
If you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on
Everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand, oh no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you are not alone
If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
Everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes
So hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Flowergirl all grownup!
Some of you may recognize this beautiful face holding Elizabeth. It is my niece, my eldest brother's only daughter. She blessed Husband and I by agreeing to walk down the aisle at our wedding as our little flower girl. Eight years later she is beautiful inside and out.
Cousins
We were missing some cousins (and we sure did miss them) but here are the ones that were able to make it out. I really love all of them so much. So do the girls. Katie and Elizabeth thought it was the best thing ever to have all these cousins to play with. When they weren't showered with attention from the cousins they were showered with love from grandparents, aunts, uncles, family, my childhood friends, former neighbors, parents of childhood friends.... It was amazing to see so many people from my childhood come to the funeral to show their love for my brother and our family. Here are a fraction of the cousins. I sure love them.
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