Hairstyles, More important things.

We were treated to some different hairstyles this weekend. KatiAnne decided to go Jamaican on us, and Becca just made hers extra, extra beautiful. JanaLee was quite a trooper as she put the dreadlocks in KatiAnne's hair just hours before going into labor. KatiAnne has a friend named Sam who has had dreadlocks for months. He had to shave them off last night so he could put in his mission papers. KatiAnne wanted to go to the "shaving off" party with her own dreads. She thought they were pretty awesome. Thankfully, though, she doesn't want to keep them. She found it really interesting how she was treated differently by people the two days that she had them. A good lesson in the fact that people DO judge you by your looks, but also that they shouldn't!

Much more important than hair, though, was the addition of our little baby girl (can I say "our" JanaLee?) with only a small amount of hair!! What a thrill it was to see her and hold her yesterday. And it was truly joyful to see how Caden reacted to her. It was the sweetest thing in the world to see the INSTANT love and acceptance. Of course, I'm sure he'll have adjustments, but it filled my heart to watch him. JanaLee looked great, and seems to be doing well. We can't wait to go over again and hold little ?? (hint, hint, JanaLee).

I gave a talk this morning in church. I think it went alright. It is honestly true what they say about gaining the most when you give the talk rather than when you hear it. Thinking and reading about temple worship and the blessings that come from it has really touched my heart the last couple of weeks.

Love you all. My prayers are with each one of you in your challenges, sorrow, and happy times. Never forget that the Lord is in charge and is guiding your life!

HELLO AGAIN

Hi everyone. What a fun summer we had. I am so sad that it is over. A few of our leaves are starting to change color already. It makes me feel sick to my stomach!! We tried to do one last "summer" thing last night. Daddy wrote you all about it, so I won't say too much more, other than that it was quite an experience. I have put a few more photos of it up. Becca was sure that we were dying on our boat ride over. The hamburgers were burned to a crisp on the outside and barely done on the inside. I posted a photo of KatiAnne's hamburger. Appetizing, eh? But we had such a fun time--we laughed alot and won't forget it very soon!! Look at the beautiful picture Becca took of the sun while we were there. I think it looks like a postcard. The other photo is of our garden. We started out with such high hopes for our garden this year. Daddy and KatiAnne built it, and we excitedly planted the seeds and watered it lovingly. Well, I think I told you all how our zuchinni plant ended up only having female flowers which means we can't get any zuchinni. Well that put a real damper on things. And then the grass started to grow--and grow--and grow. For half the summer we TRIED to weed the grass out, but we finally just gave up. You see the results. We have harvested a few peas. And who knows, maybe we'll get a carrot or two. It really is quite a sad story--oh well. Maybe next year.

We went over to meet our new next door neighbors on Sunday night. And we discovered that they had been our neighbors over in Rocky Ridge Cove for four years. And we never met them--or even saw them that we know. I got all nervous though that they heard bad things about us--cause I know some of our neighbors didn't like us (or at least our dog!). Anyway, they seemed really nice and I hope we can be good neighbors this time.

LOVE YOU ALL.

Woops

I thought I would be able to edit the post after putting the photos on, and do the writing afterwards. But I can't figure out how to do it. So I'll just write separately. We had such a wonderful time in Utah. It was great to spend time together and have so much fun. We miss you all. As you know, though, the ride home was eventful and KatiAnne and Becca ended up very sick. The photo you see of our door was a "tribute" given by the girls' friends. It was as cute as ever, but after a day or so I thought I had better take it down, before we frightened all of our neighbors.

We had Aubrey with us for a week as soon as we got home while her parents were in Hawaii. One day I took them to a wig shop as they want to create secret identities for themselves (like Hannah Montana). We took a million fun pictures of them. I only added one of Becca. We also went to the Stampede where Caden enjoyed sitting in a tree and getting VERY frustrated at another little boy who also wanted a turn. Becca bought a special nail painting kit at the Stampede and you can see the beautiful results. Another really fun thing we did was to go to Denny's at 1:00 or so in the morning. It was on our summer "To Do" list, and so we did it. It was actually one of the funnest things we've done!! We all laughed and laughed.

Becca and KatiAnne both did great on their backpacking girl's camp. Just before they left I took a photo of them standing by the car that KatiAnne's friends soaped and powdered. It cost 14 dollars at the car wash to get it clean!!! I love having teenagers. (Actually, I really do!)

A Bit More

The last two weeks

Sunday update

 These photos show Caden in his very favorite place in the whole world "Pa's Honda".   He would spend hours everyday playing in the car if we'd let him.  

KatiAnne was going through old boxes and found her much loved Roman costume from grade two or something.  She had to try it out on Caden.    The other two photos show my attempt at looking younger.  KatiAnne curled my hair with the straightener, which is apparently, the WAY to curl hair now.  It was fun to have her do it.  

     This week I got released from being choir director.  Even though I hated begging people to come to choir, there were many parts of the calling that I really loved, and I will miss it.  My new calling is nursery leader.  I think that will be good.  

Normal Life

Hi everyone,

     I'm finally back again to update you on my life.  Trouble is, there is not much going on.  It is just life as normal here in Calgary.

     Becca had her violin recital on Saturday and did very well.  She is done with lessons for the summer except that she is doing a summer institute in July and so she still has to practice.  She actually has a pretty good attitude about it which is great.  These photos were taken by Alex Bennion at a recent violin event.  He has got his own photography company and everything. 

This last week at school has been one big party for Becca--they have gone to a movie, gone rollerskating at Lloyds, gone on a forest field trip, had a barbeque, and it is only Wednesday! 

     JanaLee's house is still getting worked on so we get to have her and Caden at our house each day.  And then Ben comes for dinner too.  So it has been lots of fun.  I think we will really miss them when they stop coming each day.   I'm sure JanaLee will be thrilled, though, to get her own house back.

     Daddy has taken KatiAnne and some friends out to the boat this afternoon--our first boating of the year.  It is nice and warm today but a bit windy.  KatiAnne is excited because it is the Annual Mud Fight at young women's tonight.   

     David had an appointment with the specialist this morning about getting his hernia repaired.  I don't know what the result was because he is still working.  

I am excited for our Utah trip.  It will be great fun.  

MY WEEK

I really missed Daddy and David while they were gone this week.  But I am glad they had such a great trip.  Thanks to our Utah family!!   

   This week was spent mostly watching other people create beautiful things.  First of all, Cyndy and Aubrey stayed with us most of the week because their house was getting retiled and painted.  While she was here, Cyndy spent nearly three full days sewing the beautiful baby dress you see.  It is for Carly's baby that was adopted.  The baby is going to the temple this weekend to get sealed and then getting blessed.  Wasn't that unselfish of Cyndy?  I thought that showed a lot of love.  She won't ever even see the baby wear the dress, but she still put so much effort into it.  

     Then I got to see JanaLee create another of her beautiful wedding cakes.  It was her first square one and turned out just lovely.  I have no photos but I'm sure she will put some up.  She worked so hard on it, and I'm sure was very proud of what she created.  

     I watched KatiAnne turn herself into a beautiful princess when she went to Grad on Thursday.  She had a great time again, and sure looked pretty.  

     JanaLee reminded me this week of the talk that was given in General R.S. meeting about the importance of "creating".  Maybe next week I can report on something that I created. 

Love you all. 

Hello again

Once again, I have been surpassed by my children in blogging success.  Way to go, daughters!!!!  I hope you all have been checking KatiAnne's blog as well--it is fun to read.  Have you had problems accessing it?   

     Anyway, she told you about her grad so I won't--other than to say that it was fun to see her dressed up so pretty, and having such a fun time.  She had such a hard time deciding what shoes to wear--(as per photos)   It was a big decision!!  She actually ended up wearing different ones than shown.    Daddy and David just left to drive to Utah.  They will stop in Cardston first and do some yard work for Grandma and then drive down tomorrow.   I've been telling everyone that I'm going to party all week, but actually I will probably be pretty lonely.  

     Believe it or not, our trees actually got put in today!   After two years of complaining about things, we finally got some nice trees.  Hurray!!    The ones in the back by the hot tub are still total wimps of trees and are quite embarrassing.  But at least the front yard will look decent now.  

    I just put this photo of Becca in to amaze you all at how grown up she is getting.  

Secret to Getting your Way

Do 

you remember wanting to go to Hannah Montana movie and not getting there.  Well, I have found the solution.  Plan to go on a date with your husband.  Get to the theatre late enough that the movie they want to go to is all sold out.  Then happen to notice that every other movie available is not rated appropriately.  VaVoom!!  The only movie left is Hannah Montana.  This is the way that I got Daddy to take me to Hannah Montana on Friday night.  I really enjoyed it a lot and Daddy thought it was "o.k."   ( he actually wasn't TOO thrilled, but he didn't complain).  

It has been so fun to talk with you all lately.  It makes me happy.  

We had fun watching KatiAnne's rugby game yesterday.  She got tossed pretty hard sometimes and hurt ALL OVER this morning.  But she continues to love it.   And she does well.

     Becca's friend Erin finally got home a couple of days ago from her 4 month world cruise.  Becca had been watching her hamster.  Boy, was I glad to see that hamster go.  The smell of two hamsters in one room is really more than anyone should be expected to handle.  I've got to give Becca credit though--when she did change their cages she really pitched in and got right down to business.  

A Few Memories

Back to Business

Hey all,

     It is time to get back to business with our blogs, eh?  JanaLee and Lara have done it--the rest of us need to shape up!   I don't know why we all took such a long holiday, but I declare it OVER.  I have sure been grateful for the time I've been able to spend with each of you lately.  It has been precious to me.  Arizona was WONDERFUL, Utah was SUPER, and by birthday was LOVELY.  I had fun shopping with you yesterday, JanaLee.  Let's do it again!  The only photos I have are just variations of ones you've already seen, but I'll send some anyway just for fun.  

     Daddy has been as busy as a beaver lately getting our garage all cleaned out, and our storage lockers empty.  I love having him home.  

     KatiAnne left this morning to go on her band trip.  It is really exciting this year--they get to go to Lethbridge,  Cardston, and Waterton.  We will miss her while she's gone.   She sure has been loving rugby.  Everyday she shows us her new bruises and cuts.   She laughs about it but I think she really is pretty sore.   KatiAnne, JanaLee, Becca and I went shopping on Saturday to find a Grad dress for KA.  It was fun, and she got a lovely dress.  She gets to go to two grads.  

      

Becca's play was yesterday and today.  She did such a great job--I love watching her.  She has so much life and animation on stage.  It makes me smile to watch her.  I think she really loved doing it as well.  They did different scenes from teenager musicals--like Grease, West-side Story, Hairspray, Footloose and High School Musical.  Way to go Becca.  

Becca Nominated for an Oscar!!