tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861405320544137152011-12-03T23:08:34.527-07:00happenings, random thoughts and deep convictions about our journeyTracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.comBlogger1471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-3694007696808256812011-12-03T23:07:00.000-07:002011-12-03T23:08:34.543-07:00

Wow, I had no idea such cute ideas were out there. Click on the link.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-3893805588683380172011-10-12T23:10:00.002-06:002011-10-12T23:11:48.372-06:00

Here's a YouTube video of Jake's second match. He came back from a score of 4-11 to win 12-11. Click the title to see it.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-1527717395670523542011-05-13T16:19:00.003-06:002011-05-13T16:30:27.630-06:00

I had a Girls Night Out last night and spent some time with a girlfriend doing some scrapbooking. Here's my first layouts of anything missionary related.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-63344256563757762712011-05-13T14:55:00.004-06:002011-05-20T15:07:49.681-06:00

Yesterday I had one of those profound moments when you look at your daughter across the room and you get filled with so much joy instantaneously that you start to cry. I was standing in an atrium of a retirement apartment complex videotaping Kyra's spring show. I'd heard most of the pieces before, but suddenly I zoomed in on her face, and watched her sing with such gladness and abandon that my

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-54166821076044796392011-05-09T07:32:00.002-06:002011-05-09T07:57:22.489-06:00

I was feeling grumpy Saturday after spending time at my mom's house for a BBQ. I have 2 step sisters that are absolutely stunning and a Size 4 to boot. I try not to compare myself, for I know perfectly well my body was never meant to be that size, but I was low enough today to throw myself a little pity party and be frustrated with my body size. That feeling doubled when I couldn't even put on

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-90880126382637685532011-05-09T07:15:00.005-06:002011-05-09T07:24:36.455-06:00

Kyra and Collin Odysseus going to Prom. Nick Miner flew over here in his car while we were taking a few pictures to give Kyra a huge hug and tell her how pretty she looked. So we got a picture of him, too!

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-31423051652133851422011-03-18T13:17:00.003-06:002011-03-18T13:19:56.051-06:00

September 2010....the kids are starting another year of school. Jacob is a brand new 7th grader at the junior high, Erica is a freshman at the junior high and Kyra is a junior at Viewmont High. Kyra leaves yet again in the pitch dark as she heads out for her 2nd year in early morning seminary.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-22701579831556468222011-03-18T12:59:00.003-06:002011-03-18T13:15:42.829-06:00

Kyra's friend from 2010's EFY invited her to his homecoming in West Jordan. She also played powder puff football this month as a junior. There was a lots of cheating and bribery amid the judges and seniors. She had a lot of field time. She and her friend Jenna posed after the game.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-12283378879698826162011-03-18T12:50:00.002-06:002011-03-18T12:51:15.751-06:00

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-27039198054933856722011-03-18T12:46:00.002-06:002011-03-18T12:49:46.978-06:00

Erica tried the high jump and 800m on the Farmington Junior High track team. I lost my pictures of her jumping :( Kyra played soccer another spring with Kaysville City rec.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-24447490405104033852011-03-18T12:43:00.000-06:002011-03-18T12:45:35.967-06:00

Another one of Adam's 3D creations.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-35403870868974062312011-03-18T12:41:00.001-06:002011-03-18T12:42:39.707-06:00

Click the title for a slideshow of Adam's senior pictures taken spring of 2010

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-51132291221120275852011-03-18T12:27:00.003-06:002011-03-18T12:29:10.195-06:00

Click on the title for a slideshow of pictures of Adam's prom, polo game, stage crew lifestyle, graduation and Jake's first scout backpack overnighter.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-33071849952696575802011-03-18T12:03:00.002-06:002011-03-18T12:09:26.193-06:00

In March of last year, my sister's husband's cousin (Sydney) invited Rikki down to her place in Houston, offering free lodging and a free car to use during the day. Airline tickets were complimentary from West Wind Litho's SkyMiles account. What could she say?! She said, "Can I bring my sister?" (Sydney works during the day). If you click the title, it will take you to a slideshow.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-3465619314449438972011-03-17T23:32:00.013-06:002011-03-17T23:38:52.191-06:00

For the 4th year's high adventure activity for Girls Camp last year, we took them rappelling. Even though Kyra wasn't a 4th year, the staffers were invited to tag along. Here's Kyra rappelling down, and then doing 2 separate climbs UP....then swinging down.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-74627896778541003572011-03-17T23:08:00.012-06:002011-03-17T23:17:59.365-06:00

For Kyra's 16th birthday we surprised her with a "blind date," a good friend of Adam's and hers from school, doubling with Adam and Jess. Jess did up Kyra beautifully, then took her downstairs to see exactly who she was going out on her first date with: David! They blindfolded her and drove her to Salt Lake to dine at The Roof restaurant which overlooks Temple Square. Afterwards

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-15778076316522543732011-03-17T22:50:00.007-06:002011-03-17T23:00:14.710-06:00

Kyra all ready for her Christmas Dance in Dec 2010. It's March.....do you think I've seen pictures yet?! NO! Erica is also pictured here all ready for her Christmas band concert.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-56186874490847230332011-03-17T22:48:00.001-06:002011-03-17T22:50:02.940-06:00

Kyra and Chris Jenson

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-70507801432355214922011-03-17T22:40:00.004-06:002011-03-17T22:43:14.850-06:00

Why does it take so long to get pics of your kids' dances? I don't know. I "happen" upon these by accident, steal them while the kids are in school, scan them, and quickly return them to where I found them. Why does life have to be sneaky? First one is Adam with Jessica Arnold and second photo is Kyra with Collin Odysseus.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-41919239597550887472011-03-17T22:31:00.005-06:002011-03-17T22:37:47.216-06:00

Bill and I spent a morning with our friends going up into the tops of the mountains where we live on our four-wheelers. I hadn't been up top since 1987, the June that I had brought Bill out to meet my parents.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-239933535366750402011-03-17T21:52:00.008-06:002011-03-17T21:56:19.748-06:00

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-13268752606439230162011-03-17T21:45:00.008-06:002011-03-17T21:51:53.660-06:00

New place to live...New bike to ride...New badge to wear... ...and a couch that theyrescued from thedumpster! And yes,Elder Durrant came home and crashedthis particular day.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-51079971466126443252011-03-17T21:39:00.004-06:002011-03-17T21:41:31.753-06:00

Here's a picture of the group he arrived with, then a picture with his new companion, Elder Durrant from Murray, Utah, and President & Sister Glende.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-73115620803101904232011-03-17T21:34:00.002-06:002011-03-17T21:37:02.925-06:00

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-1762785941757189872011-03-17T21:26:00.013-06:002011-03-17T21:33:52.600-06:00

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-90707454271135461222011-03-17T21:16:00.011-06:002011-03-17T21:25:43.899-06:00

Christmas tree made out of presents....yarnballs for elders...sleepover with another companionshiop...lots of goodies

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-34110083375897917622011-03-17T21:09:00.008-06:002011-03-17T21:16:03.162-06:00

Yarnball tradition.... pajama picture tradition.... trash tradition....

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-54476061855509681782011-03-17T11:52:00.007-06:002011-03-17T12:00:04.127-06:00

While Kyra and cousin Amy took Erica to the mall to shop, we gathered Erica's friends together to have a surprise party complete with a magic show and party games.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-42252963384648361912011-01-30T22:29:00.003-07:002011-01-30T22:30:53.198-07:00

Found this tonight going through some old pictures. Elder Frye and Elder Miner hoping they get called on a mission to Louisville, Kentucky :)

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-49001469760462490932011-01-30T22:26:00.002-07:002011-01-30T22:29:00.774-07:00

Tonight for our family home evening activity, we played the game Psychiatrist. Kyra had to guess that the rest of us were terrorists......yep, Erica's idea, of course! Anyway, Kyra asked Bill what his favorite book was. He said, "How to Slit a Throat in 10 Seconds or Less," Erica piped up with "A Million Ways to Die" and Jacob took the cake and got us laughing so hard we were crying with "

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-69881369054415082412011-01-26T14:26:00.005-07:002011-01-26T14:36:48.243-07:00

Erica is our 3rd child that has taken advanced art. These are some of her pieces. Erica said, "Mom, why are you taking a picture of the eyes?" Well.....because they are phenomenal, that's why! Wowza!

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-88945977995227613292010-11-24T20:36:00.003-07:002010-11-24T20:51:37.542-07:00

Over spring break, we all went on a trip to California’s parks: Six Flags/Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Sea World, Hollywood, and then a variety of beaches. Six Flags is pretty much the home to the biggest roller coasters around. Apparently the ride everyone wanted to go on was something like X2. Personally, I prefer to keep my feet solidly on the ground. I’m not much of a big roller

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-63931523937655151542010-05-23T23:19:00.004-06:002010-05-23T23:31:30.704-06:00

Quite a while ago, Adam, Jake, Mom, and I all went down to watch the BYU ballroom dancers do a show. They have been world champions since 1983 in formation, and they are AMAZING. Their outfits and performances were dazzling. We all voted our favorite when they turned off the lights and turned on the black lights. They dressed up in outlandish alien costumes and danced around. Personally, I think

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-40473396935584780392010-05-23T23:03:00.001-06:002011-03-17T11:51:15.145-06:00

This is Erica speaking (: Kyra had over a bunch of friends over to watch a movie called Blind Side the other night. I was down watching a movie first and then they kicked me out so I had to go upstairs with Adam. We were the only ones home, and we were both pretty bored. Annoyed that they had kicked me out and not let me finish my movie, I stole all of Kyra’s friends’ left shoes and Adam helped

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-85812929280262884002010-05-23T22:59:00.002-06:002010-05-23T23:00:08.548-06:00

Click on the title to see the first half of the video

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-12015747708745601992010-05-23T22:57:00.001-06:002010-05-23T22:59:00.721-06:00

Click on title for part 2

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-26090633528716829112010-05-23T22:53:00.001-06:002010-05-23T22:57:39.237-06:00

Click on the title for Kyra and Collin's swing routine.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-52166410751903634402010-05-23T22:49:00.002-06:002010-05-23T22:53:33.766-06:00

Kyra and Adam are in a swing club after school on Fridays. I would love to join, but I’m not in high school. The point? They go and swing dance after school on Fridays. They get a T-shirt and dance moves. Just the other day they had their first annual (I don’t think it should be called annual if it’s their first) dance party thing. They invited over a bunch of friends and parents and they danced.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-19190479574632995622010-05-23T22:40:00.003-06:002010-05-23T22:49:10.129-06:00

You all should know that Jacob turned 12 this March. If you don’t, well, you do now, so just pretend you did. For his party he invited down a bunch of friends over to the church and had a nerf gun war. For those of you people who are clueless to the world of Nerf, a nerf gun is a gun that shoots out little foam darts at people. I don’t see what the point is, but it’s fun. So he went down to

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-78552403166921908702010-05-23T22:37:00.002-06:002010-05-23T22:39:55.481-06:00

Since Mom is going to be doing other stuff, she has bestowed this important duty upon me, Erica. I will be catching up on just about everything from Christmas up to now. Which is a lot by the way. They’ll all be out of order, and each post will push the others down, so read them all. No seriously, read them.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-88034472251809949812010-05-02T15:40:00.008-06:002010-05-03T08:05:56.683-06:00

In case any of you are even remotely interested in what’s going on, hi. This is Erica. Mom is . . . busy. With stuff. Yeah. I was voted top reporter and take my duty very seriously. I have interviewed everyone very thoroughly-ish and am here to tell you what is going on. Dad: he said he hadn’t done anything this week. But, using my stealth ninja skills, I saw him showing Jake how to fix the

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-44760216989479640392009-11-30T12:24:00.003-07:002009-11-30T12:30:34.510-07:00

This is the 2nd year I was able to spend time with Kyra and Erica up at Girls Camp. It was a great week with a lot of memories made. We've got flag football going on in the background. The theme was CBU: Challenge to Become University. Our ward was red. At the game they had Camp Aerie-ettes do a half time dance complete with popcorn and snow cones for treats. We had a field day one

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-42928876796937139332009-11-30T12:12:00.003-07:002009-11-30T12:19:52.351-07:00

A week or so ago, the girls were celeberated at our ward's Young Women in Excellence. One of the activities was for parents to tell what flower they chose to represent their daughter and why. I chose Virginia Bluebells for Kyra. The true blue color represented her loyalty to friends and family; the many blooms represented her multitude of talents; and the bells symbolized her beautiful

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-82023278519604932862009-11-30T11:46:00.000-07:002009-11-30T11:47:16.526-07:00

Click on the title for a short video clip.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-48544672423147454632009-11-30T11:45:00.001-07:002009-11-30T11:46:42.553-07:00

This is just a short clip of some of the Navajo Trail that goes down into Bryce Canyon. We weren't prepared for the chilly weather this particular day, so we just stayed on top. Click on the title.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-8156857933680736672009-11-30T11:44:00.001-07:002009-11-30T11:45:36.910-07:00

Click on the title for a short clip of this point.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-18767957148016056922009-11-30T11:43:00.003-07:002009-11-30T11:44:44.925-07:00

Quick clip of Inspiration Point - Part A -- just click on the title.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-25826218446857869622009-11-30T11:43:00.001-07:002009-11-30T11:43:55.046-07:00

Click on the title for this short clip.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-12065664451319039562009-11-30T11:41:00.001-07:002009-11-30T11:43:08.383-07:00

The kids were getting restless and fooling around, so I just captured a quick clip. Of course they all became statues.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-10420436898870575522009-11-30T11:40:00.000-07:002009-11-30T11:41:43.256-07:00

Click on the title for a short clip of this view point in Bryce Canyon.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-11263179619589364412009-11-30T11:38:00.001-07:002009-11-30T11:39:40.517-07:00

This is a short clip of Bryce View Point on the rim of Bryce Canyon. Just click on the title.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-8353050947955604042009-11-30T10:31:00.004-07:002009-11-30T11:58:00.686-07:00

Our family spent four nights in Southern Utah, visiting both Zion Canyon Natl Park and Bryce Canyon Natl Park. If you click on the title, it will take you to a slideshow of the pictures we took. The first two days were beautiful and clear, and then we hit some snow at Bryce Canyon which made us miss going down into the canyon itself. I hope we have the opportunity to go back down into Bryce as a

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-83324800832498884642009-11-30T10:08:00.013-07:002009-11-30T10:18:40.154-07:00

We almost pulled off a surprise birthday party for Adam, but a cousin let it slip at 5:00 that night! We invited new and old friends and Adam loved seeing everyone. The highlight of his night was seeing his old sensai from Mushin Self-Defense, Brian Yamasaki. He was kind enough to step in for a quick hello. We had plenty of treats

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-48995537389245378832009-11-30T09:49:00.004-07:002009-11-30T09:52:29.094-07:00

Kyra loves the rain. Erica caught her on film dancing in our first rain of the fall.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-54064825457340146972009-11-30T09:44:00.006-07:002009-11-30T09:55:55.706-07:00

Adam's Homecoming group feasted in our basement. The guys cooked dinner and Mom got out her china. Adam and his very attractive date in teal are on the front corner. Adam works with her at Layton Surf-n-Swim lifeguarding. Four of the boys are in Adam's Priest Quorum.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-24980147095851785742009-11-30T09:33:00.003-07:002009-11-30T09:37:23.685-07:00

Jake dressed up as Nintendo's Luigi this year. The girls spent the evening with friends passing out candy and watching a scary movie. Halloween night was Adam's Harvest Dance. He and Jessica Arnold went as a prince and princess. He couldn't get too technical with details because 'you can't dance with those things on, Mom!'

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-2395805321030248772009-11-30T09:23:00.007-07:002009-11-30T11:09:38.254-07:00

Finding time this year to carve pumpkins was crazy! We ended up with only ONE block of time, Halloween morning, to get all the kids together at once. Adam carved a very intricate Nintendo figure called Link, Kyra carved an Indian face, Jake made a puffball (which he's holding in the Halloween night post) and Erica carved a wolf and a vampire almost biting a woman's throat --

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-8466387882133316962009-11-30T09:19:00.004-07:002009-11-30T09:23:41.256-07:00

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-19773669743917457062009-11-30T09:12:00.005-07:002009-11-30T09:17:35.346-07:00

Adam was asked to Harvest Dance in September. Someone had a lot of fun putting it up - - - and someone had to work hard to get it all down.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-3815233978123334322009-11-30T09:07:00.002-07:002009-11-30T09:12:16.001-07:00

This doesn't look very neat and orderly when you walk into our home, but I love it. I love that the kids feel comfortable having hordes of people come into our home. I love the noise and the chaos of giggling, loud teenagers. I love the dramatic screams followed by laughter that carry from the basement during intense movies. I love the shouts from competitve foosball players. I am a mother

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-6763371720063750832009-11-30T09:03:00.002-07:002009-11-30T09:06:57.582-07:00

Bill bought 'earth boxes' this year and we tried a garden up on our balcony away from critters. This is only a small representation of what we grew. Not bad for first-timers. Our biggest obstacle was remembering it was there!

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-20878976638379111102009-10-24T19:16:00.006-06:002009-10-24T19:24:26.918-06:00

Adam, Kyra and Erica were invited to Adam's girlfriend's Sweet 16 Formal Masquerade Ball. Adam took off too fast for me to get pictures, but I at least got the girls. Kyra spent a lot of time curling Erica's hair -- a first -- and Erica said to take the picture quick because it probably wouldn't happen again!

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-88251663889640078632009-10-24T19:11:00.004-06:002009-10-24T19:16:20.211-06:00

Here's Adam (senior) and Kyra (sophomore) at 6am all ready for early morning seminary on their first day of school. The chipper smiles didn't last. Early morning got old after about 2 weeks, but they wouldn't change it for the world. Smiling at more of a decent hour of the morning is Erica ready for 8th grade. Oops! Forgot Jake -- will add him in soon.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-1448262595183147632009-08-26T13:48:00.002-06:002009-08-26T13:50:35.610-06:00

Kyra and her friend Ashley decided to make pizza out of the blue one afternoon. Here is their creation!

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-53765048423424841422009-08-26T12:53:00.005-06:002009-08-26T13:46:34.799-06:00

In July, Kyra attended an Outdoor Youth Adventure camp at BYU-Idaho. They trekked the group off to Badger Creek Camp and had a fun-filled week full of activities to build their faith, courage, and self-confidence. (Like Kyra REALLY needed any of that :) Besides what is shown on the pictures, she did a small handcart trek with a very difficult women's pull, whitewater rafted,

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-23409851561840044522009-08-26T12:46:00.004-06:002009-08-26T12:52:49.695-06:00

Adam's friends took pictures of him and Jessica. Then he fooled around with them on Photoshop. He's growing up way too fast for this Mom... He'll be home one more year before he leaves on his mission.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-62013819810469389332009-08-26T12:40:00.002-06:002009-08-26T12:46:01.223-06:00

Adam "cleaned" up (photoshopped) and fooled around with the pictures his friends' parents took of him and his date. The results are here.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-42960739857879924882009-08-24T17:15:00.001-06:002009-08-24T17:18:31.134-06:00

Click on the title for the slideshow.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-83934505091075109072009-08-24T17:00:00.004-06:002009-08-24T17:15:28.492-06:00

I hope the saying 'better late than never' still holds true. Over Spring Break I drove the kids up to Bill's family in Gig Harbor, Washington. Between having so many pictures and having technical difficulties, I've had a hard time getting everything up. Luckily, I've been babysitting at a friend's house and have had time to upload pictures -- that wouldn't corrupt! If you click on the title

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-87432965235388182062009-08-24T09:29:00.002-06:002009-08-24T09:33:34.017-06:00

Click on the title for Erica's finale piece of her last band concert last spring. With this piece Mr. Wolfe combined all 3 bands, and since this was the last concert for the 9th graders, one of the parents was invited to come sit with their student.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-38465956606729788982009-08-24T09:19:00.002-06:002009-08-24T09:28:48.151-06:00

This piece is a selection of John Williams' movie themes. It's really quite impressive when you remember that back in September this beginning band was barely squeaking out Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Click on the title for the YouTube video. Erica is sitting in front of the standing girl who is playing the cymbals.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-50739983507144166732009-08-24T09:16:00.002-06:002009-08-24T09:19:47.151-06:00

In May Erica had her last band concert. If you click on the title, it will take you to a YouTube video of one of the pieces. The selection is from the movie Dark Knight. Erica is sitting right in front of the percussionists. If you count the third person in from the left that is standing, Erica is sitting right in front of this boy. She plays the trumpet and has loved playing for Mr. Wolfe.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-47442456463888011212009-08-23T23:04:00.010-06:002009-09-17T18:43:04.814-06:00

Click the title for pictures of the entire trip. At the end of July, my sister Rikki and I drove the kids to the Sacramento area to visit family. If you click on the title, it will take you to a slideshow of the whole trip. Thanks to Kyra, I was able to add some addl photos to mine, which captured more of the trip. We spent time with my Aunt Ruth & Ted, visiting with my cousin

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-91402939502649754362009-08-21T20:56:00.007-06:002009-08-21T21:03:39.957-06:00

Here's some artwork of Kyra's, found under the same circumstances as the next post.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-8051438191818987472009-08-21T20:50:00.007-06:002009-08-21T20:56:29.603-06:00

Cleaning out "stuff" to get ready for the new year, we discovered some art work of Adam's that never made it to the "See what I did, Mom!" stage. He drew these during his junior year in school.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-57120581432577701462009-08-21T19:57:00.014-06:002009-08-21T20:47:54.005-06:00

Adam was part of a historic Eagle Scout Court of Honor in our area when he was awarded his Eagle rank along with 7 other peers in our neighborhood. All the little brothers were part of the flag ceremony, with Jake being a brand new 11-year-old Boy Scout. We had a live bald eagle presentation. The eagle scouts were each given an

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-2194369971447385882009-07-22T13:20:00.005-06:002009-08-21T19:55:44.875-06:00

Wanting to escape for a few days, Bill booked a trip to San Francisco while I was playing in England. We went with some business friends, Bob & Kathleen Dark. If you click the title, it will take you to a slideshow of the pictures I scrapbooked in booklet form. I got a few descriptions wrong because I was going by memory and didn't want to ask Bill, because I was trying to put together this

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-44637190392803849222009-06-29T23:45:00.000-06:002009-06-29T12:01:13.527-06:00

Adam, Kyra, Erica and I just got back from youth conference last weekend. We had an enjoyable time at Bear Lake. I went up with Erica just for the day, but it was jam-packed with fun.I was able to go out on a boat with Erica and Adam and see them get up on the water. Adam got up on 2 skis and Erica got up on a kneeboard. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Kyra got up on a

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-7862880562080036862009-06-29T07:16:00.004-06:002009-06-29T07:21:12.572-06:00

I had no idea when I started how much work went into getting London up on this blog. I just finished this morning, and it feels very liberating to move onto something else. A lot has been happening already this summer with the kids, and I'll get them on here as soon as I can.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-4603732304612543722009-06-29T06:42:00.002-06:002009-06-29T06:44:47.119-06:00

The next morning was the most relaxed we’d had. After stowing our luggage with the hotel concierge, we took off to Hyde Park to see Speaker’s Corner. Unfortunately it was under renovation, and no one was there sharing intellectual thoughts. According to the guide book, it’s a place to practice free speech, and we were hoping to be enlightened during our stay. After that small disappointment,

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-69316481664784099242009-06-23T10:49:00.002-06:002009-06-28T21:58:42.632-06:00

We started out bright and early this morning because our trusty guide book said that the Portabello Market started promptly at 5:30am. Right!? We didn’t even know we were in the right place because people were just barely starting to set up. We knew we wanted to get there early because we had planned on Hampton Court Palace by mid-morning. So we got there around 7am, bought some hot chocolate

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-53815778781768039532009-06-23T10:00:00.004-06:002009-06-28T23:00:28.891-06:00

Click title for pictures -- Up early for our day tour to Stonehenge, Bath and Salisbury. Our tour guide this time was an English young woman who was a history buff and gave us lots and lots of information. It was interesting, but there’s only so much you can digest and take in on a comfortably, swaying bus that tries to lull you to sleep in between stops. . I liked her style, but most of

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-6884477585733239542009-06-23T09:58:00.002-06:002009-06-29T07:11:13.855-06:00

Again, click the title for pictures. During our Cotswold tour, we decided to switch our originally planned schedule around a little bit to fit in a day trip to Paris. Europe has a train called the EuroStar that goes 186 mph in a tunnel underneath the English Channel getting you to Paris in 2:15 hours. It was slick!! And quiet and smooth….wonderful. We went through Grayline again, but

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-32175796700375593482009-06-17T16:34:00.003-06:002009-06-17T17:29:53.730-06:00

We walked through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park again this morning as we made our way to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. We stopped by Princess Diana’s Memorial Fountain, which was a little disappointing. It was like the Royals felt like they had to do something, so they just put this here. My pictures can describe it better than I can in words. It’s supposed to be

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-16719395815085255372009-06-17T08:33:00.003-06:002009-06-17T14:56:23.421-06:00

This morning we were at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater at 9:15am sharp. Adam had created an animated 3D version of this theater for an English project, so it was pretty cool to see it in person. (In order to read some of the exhibits, you may have to click the "previous" button at the top of the slideshow a few times to give you enough time to get through them. If the 'previous' button doesn't

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-26491505482955137372009-06-14T20:19:00.002-06:002009-06-14T20:22:23.144-06:00

This was our first day out in the city by ourselves. We first went to Leicster Square to a discount ticket place to see what kind of deal we could get for this evening. This particular booth only sells tickets the ‘day of’. We got there almost an hour before it opened and there were already 8 people in line. By the time it opened the line was close to 50. While Rikki waited in line I

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-79765890223274023482009-06-14T18:41:00.002-06:002009-06-14T18:44:26.575-06:00

This morning we were up bright and early ready to be picked up for a Grayline tour into the Cotswolds countryside and a visit to Blenheim Palace. We had to leave before the hotel opened up breakfast, so we grabbed a quickie breakfast from the convenience store a block away and walked to Russell Square to eat it. Although it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day, the air was still

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-59520494370047414792009-06-10T12:48:00.003-06:002009-06-10T13:02:38.465-06:00

I decided to break down my London trip into separate entries. So today is Day One. If you click on the title, it will go directly to a Flickr slideshow for pictures. On some of the pictures I put titles on them, but they will only show if you click the "Show Info" button on the top right. I will eventually have the slideshows listed on the bottom right, with my others, but can't remember how

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-8348657245497751962009-06-08T07:22:00.003-06:002009-06-08T16:18:46.057-06:00

I'm learning. At least that's better than being stagnant. I just learned how to edit my 'html code' so I can have expandable post in this blog. What this means is that now I can have a couple of beginning sentences to each entry, and then there will be a 'read more' link if you want to continue reading. And of course you do want to continue reading, because why else would you be on my blog?

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-30930986795909979902009-06-08T07:07:00.006-06:002009-06-08T07:44:37.521-06:00

Here's Adam's 1st dance number at his ballroom showcase in April/May. The waltz was his second. Please disregard the video job. I was having trouble getting used to the new camera's functions, plus people kept standing up in front of me, plus the added annoyance of Bill right next to me trying to tell me what to do and I kept losing sight of Adam on stage. So.... I had to make a lot of cuts.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-43250946347357747502009-06-07T17:12:00.006-06:002009-06-07T17:20:57.123-06:00

Adam had a great time at his school's Junior Prom. This year he went all out and rented a limo with his buddies. Since I didn't fund anything, I didn't ask how much the limo was. I really don't want to know. But I have to question why a limo can be afforded, and professional pictures cannot???

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-65039938052081511022009-06-07T16:35:00.006-06:002009-06-07T17:12:04.350-06:00

At the end of the school year, Kyra was invited to an awards evening where she was given academic and citizenship awards. She's been very conscientious this year, achieving 4.0's the whole year and perfect citizenship. She was also invited to another special awards breakfast where she was given a Citizenship/Leadership award. Each term the school chooses one girl and one boy from each

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-40470893299806435592009-06-07T16:14:00.009-06:002009-06-07T16:29:15.700-06:00

Here are a few pictures of Jacob finishing up his soccer season. Thanks to a great coach who stopped his whining in its tracks, he was given numerous opportunities this spring to get 'into the game' and run and sweat and kick the ball. He showed more aggressiveness than I've ever seen. We're proud of you, Jake, for such a great finish. The final picture is of Kyra on-the-job.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-40837399724196314282009-04-27T21:21:00.013-06:002009-06-07T15:37:52.095-06:00

Adam has belonged to the Davis County Ballroom Team since school started. Once a week he's been meeting with other high schoolers on Thursday nights and swingin' to the beat. If you click on the title, it will take you to youtube.com directly and show you his Viennese Waltz number. At the beginning of the dance, he's the second couple from the back. The second

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-3763281141343368872009-04-26T15:02:00.003-06:002009-04-26T15:34:11.156-06:00

Click on the title to go directly to Kyra's performance on youtube.com. Kyra had a nice surprise come her way the Monday morning after she came home from Spring Break. Her carpool buddy asked if she was excited for the evening. Kyra looked at her quizzically, and asked, "Our voice lesson?" "No," her friend said, "our voice recital!" Unbeknownst to us, her voice teacher changed the date of

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-63195448058522174882009-03-27T13:46:00.004-06:002009-03-27T13:53:43.011-06:00

I've been thinking for some time about doing something different with my locks. I've liked them long and wavy, but then there are THOSE DAYS where nothing quite goes right. I've been making some other changes lately that have resulted in 4 inches off my waist....so I decided to take an additional 5 inches off my hair to lighten myself up even more! Here's a before and after shot. I've

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-62848568324818305232009-03-17T18:38:00.003-06:002009-03-17T18:49:46.763-06:00

Last Thursday Adam participated at BYU in a national amateur ballroom championship. He danced the West Coast Swing with his friend Alyse Wilde. If you click on the title it will take you straight to YouTube to watch him dance. I drove down with him early that afternoon and we had a good time together watching the other events. Our favorite event was the team formations. I wish I had thought of

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-80194930423909943662009-03-17T14:29:00.003-06:002009-03-17T14:35:59.813-06:00

This is a video of one of Adam's routines he learned with the Davis County Ballroom Team. It's the West Coast Swing using a very slow Christmas song. His group performed at several wards' Christmas dinners over the past holiday season. This was one of them. I'm just a little slow at getting stuff on here. Just click on the title and it will take you to YouTube.com and start playing the video

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-18955377671772538602009-03-17T12:39:00.002-06:002009-03-17T12:44:45.647-06:00

Jacob turned 11 yesterday. We celebrated by going out to a pizza buffet Saturday afternoon as a family, and then having Chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner tonight, opening presents and having Dairy Queen's Mint Oreo ice cream cake. This is Jake enjoying the fun comments made about him on his aunt's family website. Blowing and wishing.

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86140532054413715.post-16042497151089619522009-03-17T12:19:00.003-06:002009-03-17T12:24:14.380-06:00

Jake's choice of a family activity one night was pulling taffy. I'd never made taffy before, but he was diligent in getting the recipe from his Cub Scout leader and we embarked on a new venture. It turned out to be a lot of fun, especially when we started to create Whoville creations from Dr. Seuss' imagination. I thought the older kids would just patiently endure Jake's choice of fun, but

Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06637689184739936194noreply@blogger.com0