Chris Turns 50

Chris hit his dreaded half way mark.  He keeps telling me he plans to live to be 100.  They had to give him a hard time at work and left him a balloon boquet.

At home we couldn't resist either.  We got his favorite German Chocholate Cake and then put a tombstone candle on it.  Happy Birthday honey.  We love you!!!

Christmas Pics

 I don't often catch my guys being silly for a photo.  I love this.

Christmas card

Christmas Day

 Nathan's pile

 CJ's pile

 Santa baby

Planet of the Apes Collection--Yipee

Circle of Love

This Christmas was a little different since it is on the Sabbath.  We got up and I put our breakfast casserole in.  We looked at our stockings and ate and then got ready for church.  We decided that we would open gifts after. 

The boys were really excited about their afghans.  They loved them.  They turned out great.

Nathan's purple

CJ's blue

Christmas Eve Night

Tonight was the tradtional celebration.  We went out for Chinese and then drove around and looked at the lights in town.  I love this time to reflect on the beauty and quite of Christmas.

Came home and opened our pajamas and then sat and talked around the tree with the lights off.  This is the best part of Christmas!

Christmas Eve Pictures

This year we went out to take some family pictures.  I haven't quite convinced my family that the time of day makes a big difference in lighting.  We took these about 11:30 and it was very bright and sunny. 

Afterwards we went to breakfast at the Egg and I.  We had great food and then came home and crashed for a while.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner was a bit of a delima this year.  Mom's place isn't big enough, Jer and Ann were too sick and Kelli didn't want to spend her one day off cooking, and I was visiting.  We decided to go out to dinner. 

After much debate about long lines we finally ended up at Golden Corral.  We were all able to sit together and visit, everyone got full, could eat what the wanted and there were no dishes!

This is my only half way decent picture.  (Note to self:  use cell camera inside resturants and not good one!)  We talked and laughed and had a good time.  Went back over to Kelli's and visited for a while.  Great relaxing day. 

About 5:00 I took Ann over to Trevor's Aunts house.  They were having the family meal over there.  I helped prepare food, set the table and visited with his family.  Ann visited with Trevor and cousins.  We were there for several hours until she needed to lay down again.  It was a great day with family.

More Family Pictures

While we were at it I had Thomas take some of the kids and I.  Boy are they growing up.

Thanksgiving Day

 We were all meeting at Kelli's for Thanksgiving.  We went over about 10:00 to visit.  I took the kids out into the back yard and took some pictures.  First I took some of Logan and Victoria.  

Then of Lilly. 

Kasandra asked me to take a family group of her, Trent and Lilly.  Not too bad for not being a people photographer. 

Surgery

Ann came yelling in my room this morning.  She didn't hear her alarm and we were running late.  We didn't have time for shower's.  We just threw on our clothes and we were out the door.  We were the first ones there for surgery.  It was a ghost town. 

The doctor said that they got in there and got  the remainders of the cyst.  He didn't see anymore in there.  Everything went well. 

I went back while she was in recovery.  Got her to eat a little and then went back to her place.  She relized that she had left her house key this morning and she didn't have a way in.  Nama was at work and Trevor was working on his truck.  He had it pulled apart and couldn't go anywhere for a while. 

Thus started the adventure!  He and I talked on the phone and he talked me to his place, then I stopped and picked up Ann's medications, hit Panda Express because I was starving by this time, and back to Ann's.  A little over an hour, while she slept on the porch waiting for me.

I got her in bed and dosed with pain pills.  I spent the rest of the afternoon watching Nama's recorded quilting shows, and crocheting. Good info.

Shopping

Ann asked me this morning to take her shopping.  She was out of food and she can't drive on her medication.  We went to Walmart.  She picked up groceries for the next couple of weeks and I bought some things to make meals for her.  I told her I would cook for her while I was here.  We got the ingredients for Chicken Corn Chowder, Mock Veal Parmesan, and Chinese Chicken Salad.  Ann was so excited.  I have to admit, I love that she wants me too cook for her.

We made Chicken Corn Chowder for lunch and made a double portion.  She and I both love it.  That way we had enough for left overs!

Driving to Arizona

One of the advantages of driving down with the boys is that Nathan can help me drive.  I wanted him to have some more freeway experience.  He drove to the outskirts of Vegas.  He drove the gorge for the first time.  He seemed not to be nervous, or he hides it well?   

I drove through Vegas traffic.  It was the beginning of rush hour and the off/on ramp from Utah to Phoenix is really tight.  As you come off you immediately have to change lanes because within half a block it becomes a dedicated lane for downtown.  I had a guy that didn't want to let me over and we almost had an acccident.  Nathan was a little paler after that section.  As soon as we got out of Vegas I pulled over and he drove down to Wikenburg. Then it was my turn again.

Dropped the boys off at moms and drove to Walmart by Ann.  I stopped and got the yarn for the afghans that I am making for the boys.  I thought this would be a good chance to work on them without them around and with some down time. 

We sat and talked for most of the evening.  She is hurting so bad we were not doing anything else. 

Ann's Surgery Scheduled

Ann called and they finally have her surgery scheduled.  She is going in the day before Thanksgiving next week at 5am.  After talking to Chris I have decided to take the boys with me.  Chris can't get off right now. 

I will drop the boys off at moms and leave them there and then I will stay with Ann at her place.  We will join up on Thanksgiving Day and some family time after depending on how Ann is feeling.  I am taking the whole week off of work.

Momma Bear

The momma bear effect hasn't been used very often in my life, but this morning I was fed up.  The doctor's office was supposed to get Ann in for surgery and they still haven't called.  It has been almost a week.  Last night when I was talking to her I got the phone number for the doctor's office.  She said she had left a message, but they still hadn't gotten back to her.

I called this morning and talked to one of the receptionist and explained the problem.  Their scheduling nurse had a family emergency and has been out of the office.  I understand that.  Things like that happen, but there needs to be a plan in place for emergencies.  Ann is on Vicadin, she is still in so much pain she can't stand up, can't drive and can't work.  She needs to get in. 

About 20 minutes later the head nurse called me back.  She said she understood, but she couldn't give me any information.  Ann didn't have me on the list to release information to.  I didn't want information just action.  She said she would see what she could do.

Ann called me back about and hour after that.  She sounded in pain but happy.  She said the nurse called her and let her know that I had called and was not happy.  She was laughing.  She said that she had not put me on the list since I lived so far away.  I was fine with that.  I think that it really made her feel good that the mama bear came out even though she is 21.  It made her day.

Helpless

I was at Walmart tonight shopping tonight and Ann called.  She was sobbing because of pain.  I was almost sobbing with her.  She has a high pain tolerance, and so I knew it was really bad.  I hate feeling helpless and so far away.  All I could do was comfort her.

When I hung up I called my brother Thomas and asked him if he would go over and give her a blessing.  Thank goodness for the priesthood.

Non Responsive

Ann called and had another trip to the ER last night.  She scared herself, Trevor and Jean to death.  She has been in a lot of pain from the cyst.  Last night she was sitting at Trevor's house visiting and she went unresponsive.  She said that she could hear them, but was unable to answer them.  They called the ambulance.  They live so far out that it took them about 20 minutes to get there. 

The paramedics tried pain stimuli and she was unresponsive to that too.  They took her in and ran more tests.   They think that it was in response to the pain that she has been in.  Her body shutting down in a way.  Her GYN appointment was this morning.  They told her at the ER that she will have to have surgery on the cyst.  They are going to call her and schedule it.

I hate this.  It is so hard to be away from your children when they are having health problems.  I feel so helpless.

TOFW 11/11-11/12

This weekend was my second Time Out For Women.  What an amazing experience.  While I wish that this year I could have shared it with someone (My friend got held up at work and couldn't make it), it was still an amazing experience.  I will come every year it is here for the rest of my life. 

When I came home Chris asked me how it was.  I looked at him and just started to cry.  What a spriritual feast.  The theme this year was "Choose to Become...". 

This year both of the musical artists were women.  The artist of my heart Hillary Weeks.  I love her music, she seems to be able to voice the feelings of my heart and mind. 

The other one was Jenny Oaks Baker.  I knew Jenny's name, but not what she did.  She is a fantastic violin player.  I want her albums.  She has just released a Disney Album "Wish Upon a Star".  She played "A Whole New World" from it.  The arranger put a rumba feel to it.  It was amazing.  She also played a classical piece and a couple of hymns.  Her playing is stunning and speaks to my soul.

One of the really cool things we got was this zippered bag.  I was excited.  It will make a great project bag.

 Here are a few of the highlights from some of the talks.

Wendy Ulrich spoke on happiness.  "The key to happiness is having the spirit with us."  It isn't the things that we have or do.  She had 7 points that she hit.  

1. Work on strengths- Identify your strengths and use them.

2. Don't wait to get motivated to excersise, just do it.

3. Stop trying to find friends.

4. Don't try and be happy-feel grateful.

5. Celebrate failure-be willing to fail so that you can go forward.  Learn from your mistakes.

6. Don't dwell on problems. Extend yourself to help others.  Service is the key.  "Who did I help today?"

7. Don't endure to the end, Enjoy to the end.

   

Brad Wilcox spoke on the power of the Atonement.  "The miracle of the atonement is not that we can be clean, not that we can be consoled, but that we can become better." The Redeemer is the one that can make us better.

Deann Flynn spoke about the small things.  She said that the small things are often the most important.  You don't have to have a grand offering for it to be worthwhile. 

1.  Choose to be more aware.  We are here practicing for Heaven.

2.  Make things less complicated.

3.  Be more tender.

Mariama Kallon was the most amazing woman.  She told a little bit of her story.  She was born in Sierra Leon.  She told of how she escaped, some of the trials that she went through and how she found the gospel and served a mission.  Such amazing faith.  She has written a book that I would like to read.  "Delivered by Hope". 

Esther 4:14 "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargment and deliverance arise to the Jews fro another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

The quote that I took from her that touched my heart was "Forgiveness doesn't make the other right, but gives us freedom."  What a forgiving heart.  Out of a family of 5, she was the only one that is still living.

Jason Wright spoke on serving and whether we are waiting billboard moments.  All of us in our life have at one time said, "When so and so happens I will be happy."  Are we waiting for the billboard moments to define our lives?  Shouldn't we be living our lives with our eyes wide open for service and life around us as the Savior and our Father in Heaven would want?

Ann in ER

Ann called me this morning.  She spent the night in the ER.  She was having a lot of pain in her abdomen, and had been bleeding for a long time.  A long longer than her usual cycle.

After a lot of tests they have decided that she has an ovarian cyst and endometriosis.  They referred her to her primary care doctor for a follow up.

Siding Fixed

We got our siding fixed today from the yellow jacket nest. You know, in life it is so easy to see things that need your attention and put them off. Life is often about priorities. One of those was called to our attention with this siding fix. When we moved in we knew that the shingles on the house really didn't look very good. They were dark, weathered and had mold on them. It was on the list of improvements.

The handyman that replaced the small section said that they hadn't been stained. That was why they looked so bad.

The difference is night and day. I think we have moved it toward the top of the list. We hope to do it with our tax check this year. If we have someone come in and replace them Chris and I can get up there and get them stained.

Another Artist

Nathan asked me tonight if I wanted to see his latest picture. Of course I said yes. This is what he showed me.

Needless to say I was blown away. He has been taking art in school like Ann did, but he doesn't share his work as freely as Ann. I asked him if he had shown Ann. He said he didn't know how to scan on our computer. I took it and showed him right then and asked him to send me a copy. Looks like we have another artist in the family.

Chris Keeps his Job

Chris got home from the work meeting a little while ago.  We are really blessed that he is keeping his job.  He was one of the first ones to find out.  The boss came in and said that he had heard nothing but good about Chris and wanted him to stay on.  We feel so releaved.  Heavenly Father is watching out for us.

SunFirst Bank Bought Out

This is such a hard post to write on many levels. A part of our lives is changing, and we are not sure of the outcome. Chris texted me at work today about 3:30 and told me they had called a bank meeting. We have known for 6 months that they had unsuccessfully been trying to sell the bank. Chris knew what was coming, just not when.

The bank has been bought out by another from up in Ogden.  Other side of the state.  There is a meeting tomorrow at one of the hotels to tell everyone about what is going to happen.

Bzzzz, Be Gone OR Saga of the Yellow Jackets

It all began about a month ago. There were some spider webs up on the living room windows and CJ went outside to wash the windows. While doing this he noticed yellow jackets. They looked like they were flying into a hole in the siding by the front door. He told Chris and we had an exterminator come out and spray. Two days later they was no change. Chris called them again and the guy came out. He sprayed again and used this ugly expanding caulk to fill the holes. As you can see, it made a huge mess. I would have liked to have used it on him. It made no difference in the amount of yellow jackets. They were still going in.

Chris waited about a week and we called another extermination company. He admited that he had no experience with yellow jackets, but said that he would try and not charge us. He wanted it as a learning experience. He came 3 times and used really strong stuff and still no change.

Yesterday Chris called the third company. By this time we were beginning to despair ever getting rid of them. I am really allergic to them and they are right by the front door. They came out and looked. They said that they would have to take the siding off, but they would get rid of the nest. Chris said go for it. (Not cheap, but a necessity!)

Today Chris texted me at work and told me not to come home. "The bee guy is here and they are MAD!" Chris got a picture of him out the window, where he was waiting through the process. The nest was HUGE. It is hard to tell from the picture, but it was about 2 ft high and about 6-9 inches thick. It is hard to imagine with a nest that big that we hadn't noticed them before now. I can't believe that they could build something that big in a month.The guy got them all cleaned out. We have to leave the siding off for a while. That is for the ones returning, so that they know they don't have a home anymore. Again, what a mess.

Finally, the end of the yellow jackets. Now we just have to hire someone to put our house back together.

Oral Surgeon

Nathan had his appointment with the oral surgeon. We both really liked him. I found the visit very interesting. The orthodontist had only sent over x-rays. He looked at Nathan's mouth and almost immediately started talking about jaw surgery. We told him the orthodontist sent him in for the wisdom teeth.

He looked at Nath's x-ray and said it was a perfect time too. The haven't descended and the roots haven't finished growing. Nathan doesn't want to miss school and so we have it scheduled for Christmas vacation. No fun, but necessary.

The doctor talked to us about the jaw surgery quite a bit. He said that it looks like his bottom jaw is normal, but his top just didn't grow enough. I told him that we were told that they wouldn't consider doing it until he stops growing. He said with the bottom that was true. With the top not really. he said he definitely needs his wisdom teeth out first. He said we might want to keep an eye in the gap of his bite to get an idea of his growth but he thought next summer would probably be right. He said that with the bite abnormal it affects looks of course, but also the function of biting and chewing. Nath has never eaten a lot of meat because he says he can't chew it that well. We will have to think about this one. It may be something that we want to do. It also depends on how much our insurance will cover also. I'm sure it isn't a inexpensive surgery.

Orthodontist Update

Nathan had an orthodontist appointment yesterday. He was hoping that Dr. Simister would tell him when he was getting his braces off. Unfortunately, all he got was disappointing news.

He has had his braces for almost 3 years. The doctor wants him to keep them on for at least 3 more appointments which probably means Jan. He is still tweaking things in his mouth. Nathan has been a challenge for him. He has never made an expander as big as he did with Nathan. After he gets his braces off he will be in a retainer for a while.

They took x-rays last time he was in. Doctor Simister says his wisdom teeth are prime to come out. There is no room for them to come down anyway. I guess we will be talking to an oral surgeon soon. They will have to come out for his mission. It is standard practice so they don't have to worry about them while they are gone. Might as well do it now while it is easy.

He also said that the expander and braces have done all they could do. His top jaw is just too small. We were hoping that this would fix it, but it has just made it better. He warned me before we started that with puberty his jawline might change and they would have to do surgery to fix it. Nathan panicked a bit at that. They won't even think about doing it until he is finished growing at 19 or 20. I told him that was a long way off. He will be an adult then and can make his own decision about it.

Blessing the Sacrament

I just had to make a quick comment about Nathan today. He blessed the sacrament for the first time today. I was so impressed with how he did. He said the prayer with feeling and expression. On top of that he didn't make any mistakes. Chris and I both had a tear in our eyes. So proud of the young man that he is becoming.

Rugby Practice

I went out this evening after dinner to shoot some pictures with my new lens. I was on my way to the temple and it dawned on me that CJ was still at practice. Great practice for the lens.

I took pictures and he didn't act like he knew I was doing it. Afterwards, he said he knew I was there. I am excited with how much better my sport pictures are going to be.

This is CJ and they were doing throwing drills

Here he was getting ready to do running/passing drills.

I was really glad that I went and watched him at practice. He really looks like he is enjoying it this time. He isn't standing around acting like he is playing this time. He had his hands on the ball a lot in the hour that I was there. He is putting some effort into it. He even talked to the coach afterward to get some pointers. Yea CJ!

My Birthday

As I said before we had to run payroll today. I had the salad from yesterday that I didn't eat because the girls took me to lunch. I skipped my lunch break so I could leave an hour early. Cheryl was so sweet, she came back from lunch with two lemon sour cream pies for everyone in payroll and benefits to share. How nice!

Came home early and sat around until about 5:00. CJ was out with friends and we were waiting for him to come home. All of us went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. "You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl". Steak and ribs for dinner. I only ate about half of it though, I was so full. I'll eat it tomorrow for lunch.

Came home and the guys gave me my present. Chris bought me the 300mm zoom lens that I have been saving for. Yipee!! It was almost dark when I got it. I did take it out on the back porch and focused onto a house at the top of Foremaster Ridge. That is about 2 miles from here. It looked like it was only a block away. Awesome! I can't wait to play with it in the daylight. Thanks so much honey. I love you guys!!

Chris bought me my lemon sour cream pie, but we all forgot about it until right before bed. I guess I will have some for breakfast!

My Pre-Birthday

Today has ended up being kind of a pre-birthday. Went into work today and the girls decided to take me out for lunch today. We are running payroll tomorrow and no one does anything on biweekly payroll, but payroll. LOL

We went over to Outback for lunch. The food was really good. They brought out a raspberry butter for the brown bread and it was yummy. First time I have had a fruit butter like that.

While we were eating Ann called. I called her to tell her I had mailed her birthday gift. I finally got it from the jewelers. I told her we were out for my birthday lunch. She panicked for a minute. She said it isn't your birthday, I know I didn't forget. I laughed and explained why we were a day early. She was really releaved.

Chris and I were supposed to go to a High Priest party tonight, but he changed his mind. I decided that I was going to bag knitting. I had told them that I wasn't going to be there because of the party. Carole came over before and brought me a birthday cake. One of my favorites. Marble spice with a lemon sauce. Yummy. The boys asked why we were eating my birthday cake a day early. I told them that it is the one Carole brought. I didn't want a cake from them I wanted my lemon sour cream pie from Croshaws. They laughed and dug into the cake!

Another ER Visit

Well Chris and I were in ER again this morning. It wasn't him this time, it was me. I got into bed about 11:30 from work and fell right to sleep. About 12:30 I woke up coughing. Not unusual with all my allergies. This time I couldn't stop. I tried everything, progressively getting stronger. Cough drop, inhaler, and my cough syrup with codine. Nothing was touching it. It seemed like the longer I coughed the worse it got.

Chris woke up about 2:30 to use the bathroom, and asked if I had taken something. I told him everything. I went into the living room so he could go back to sleep. I was out there about 10 minutes and I broke out into a cold sweat and my lungs started to really tighten up. Chris yelled out and told me to get dressed, he was taking me to ER. I put on houseshoes and a jacket. I didn't even put my contacts in. At that point I didn't care. I wasn't panicked. I just wanted it to stop.

The ER is only about 5 minutes from our house. They were dead, thankfully. They took my vitals and then took me right to a room. They gave me a huge dose of prednisone, and a breathing treatment. That calmed about 80% of the cough. They took me to x-ray and then back to my room for another breathing treatment. The second one stopped it almost completely. By this time I had been coughing for 3 hours and I was wiped out. The nurse came in and said that they still didn't like my oxygen levels. They put me on oxygen. I couldn't keep my eyes open. I curled up on my side and was out like a light. I think I was on oxygen for about an hour. They came in and released me to go home.

The doctor said that I was having broncho spasms. That is why I couldn't stop. They think when I first started coughing in bed I aspirated something. Never happened before, and hope it never does again. Chris brought me home and I went straight back to bed. I vaugely remember Nathan kissing me on the forehead. I work up about 12:30. My lungs are still tight and my voice is really hoarse, but I am grateful the coughing is gone.

After I had been awake a while Chris brought me a small box of See's chocolates. Half lemon and half chocolate covred lemon. They had been in the mall last night while I was at work. He bought them to let me know he was thinking of me. Yea! My birthday started early.

Super Saturday

Our RS (Women's group) each year does what we call Super Saturday. There are a bunch of crafts that we can sign up for. It is a lot of fun. A day of talking, laughing and crafts. Most of us use them for Christmas presents.

I signed up for the seasonal blocks. I plan on using them for Christmas. I took my crocheting in case I needed something else to do. I only signed up for one this year. It actually took the whole time. They turned out so well I don't know if I want to give them away!

We had a bread making demonstration, a candy making demonstration and lunch. Great day!

Boys Haircuts

Nathan has gone through a phase the last couple of years of trying to have the longest hair that we would let him get away with.  Admittedly, he has kept it neat and clean it was still really hard for his dad to let him do it.  He would give both the boys military haircuts if he thought he could get away with it. 

I took them both for a trim yesterday since they were shaggy.  They both came out with really short cuts.  I was surprised.  Nathan said he was tired of having it long and in his eyes. 

I tried to get a picture of CJ, but he refused.  He hates the camera right now. 

I am glad that this was a battle we chose not to fight.  Even though we didn't really like the long hair, it was better to let them make the choice.  I know that hair length doesn't seem like such a big deal.  In the huge scheme of things it probably isn't.  Our prophet has counseled us to be neat and clean.  I was amazed at the difference in the countenance of each of my boys after their cuts.  Another testimony that it is important to follow our prophet in the small things as well as the large.

Nathan's Ordination

Nathan was ordained to the office of a Priest today. CJ forgot we were doing it and went home. We couldn't get him on his phone. Chris and the Bishop ordained him. Each time one of the boys are ordained I cry. Must be a mom thing. I am so grateful to have worthy priesthood holders in my home.

Time with Mom/Grandma

Mom flew in yesterday so she could be here for Nathan's ordination. I took the day off so we could spend some together. We got up and got the boys out the door and took our time getting ready. We did a couple of errands that I needed to do.

Came home and ate lunch. We decided to go see a movie. We saw "The Help". Excellent movie. It was about black maids in the south in the 60's. Very eye opening. We really enjoyed it. I want the boys to see it when it comes out on netflix.

Stake Conference

Our stake hasn't had a General Authority attend for 27 years. The church realized this and decided to remedy the situation. We were privileged to have Dallin H Oaks attend today. It was interesting to see how much more relaxed he was versus General Conference.

He told us Elder Packer recommended the 12 get iPads for convenience. He read his scriptures on it this morning and told himself that he could do this. Then he remembered there was a BYU game yesterday. He touched the ESPN app and slammed the cover shut. He said some things he can do without. Everyone really laughed as the Y lost badly.

He talked about temples, and various other topics. It was nice to be in the presence and spirit of an apostle of the Lord.

Nathan's Birthday

Today is Nathan's 16th birthday. It has been a full day. We had promised Nathan that he could go and get his permanent license today. The lines at the DMV are always really long. It takes 20 minutes to drive out there. I got off at 3:00 and picked him up. He filled out the paperwork and then we waited. There were several others that were getting their permanent license too. We finally got up to the counter and paid. They took his picture and printed off a paper copy. They don't give out the hard copies there anymore. They send them in the mail in about two weeks. We were not done until about 4:30. I was glad we had gone early.

From the DMV we went to the insurance agent. They had to get his license number and get info from him. Eye opening experience for him to see how much it was going to cost. That was with Several discounts that they applied.

Next we went to Instacare. We waited a while for the doctor to look at his foot. He didn't x-ray it, but didn't think it was broken. He thinks he bruised the planter facia muscle. Speaking from experience that is really painful. The doctor gave him a stiff boot and a PE excuse for the week.

We finally got home about 6:00. I made a quick dinner and it was present time. He had asked for a black silk tie for church that wasn't a clip on, and a real leather wallet.

We couldn't give CJ an iPod and not give Nathan one too. Of course he had to have an iTunes card to go with it. He was really excited about everything. The only problem was our modem died yesterday and he couldn't set anything up.

Nathan wanted strawberry cheesecake for his birthday cake. I found a huge one at Costco for $13, which W's cheaper than I could buy the ingredients for. He and Chris were in cheesecake heaven.

Nathan's Heel

Nathan called me about 10:00 and said his heel really hurt and he thought he had broken it. We had a major communication error on this. I thought he meant this morning. He has PE and social dance today. After numerous text, calls and getting the office involved, I realized that he hurt it Before now. After dance it was just really hurting.

He told me Fri that he had fallen and hurt his foot. He didn't say anymore about it the rest of the weekend. I assumed he sprained it. Come to find out he jumped off a 7 foot wall and "landed wrong". I asked him if there was a right way to land and he rolled his eyes at me. He is such a boy! He landed on his left heel.

Nathan's16th Birthday Party

Tonight is Nathan's birthday party. I left work an hour early so I could help him with a few things. We went over to Red Box and rented some movies for the boys to watch.

One of the boys called and needed to be picked up. His mom had gone to work and forgotten he had the party. We picked him up and Landon was only a few blocks away. He was waiting for his mom to come home. We pulled up just as she did. She saw Nathan get out from behind the wheel and I saw her job drop. She couldn't believe that he was driving. He is the first one to drive of all his friends.

We got to the house and he had friends waiting for him. They started watching a movie. About 6:00 I went and got the 5 pizzas I ordered for dinner. They ate real fast and then were back down stairs. One of the boys brought their X-Box. There were two game systems and the computer going at the same time. Chris and I have stayed up stairs. We have heard a lot of laughing, so they are having a good time.

Rugby

Chris and CJ went to the first football game for Dixie High this afternoon. They had a discussion about CJ playing football. CJ said he wanted to go out for football again. Chris told him that they wouldn't put him on the team. He hasn't played at all, and by freshman year most of these boys have played a min of a couple of years. If he had stayed on the team a couple of years ago it wouldn't be a problem.

CJ mentioned that practices were starting for a rugby team. He thought that he might start going out for that. Chris and I are all for it. Hopefully he will enjoy it. They are starting practices now to learn the rules and condition. It is a Spring sport and the games will start in Mar or April. I guess Chris and I need to learn about this new sport.

Cubmaster

While we were gone in Provo they sustained me to a new church calling. I am now the ward Cubmaster. We combine with the 16th ward boys. They are calling a new Cubmaster also. We will share responsibilities every other month for pack meeting. They have it much better organized than they did four years ago when I was in. Back then I did the wolves, bears and the advancement stuff.

Tucanos

After our hike in the canyon we came back to the hotel. All of us were hot and sweaty. The guys went to the pool to cool off. I had to settle for a shower. I forgot my swimsuit.

We just hung out in the room for a couple of hours waiting for dinner time. We had skipped lunch on purpose. We had plans to go to Tucanos. It is a fantastic Brazilian grill. They feed you until you pop though, so you have to be hungry.

Dinner was as good as we expected, and we rolled out of there. It is so hard not to over eat when the food is so good and they are asking if you want more.

We came back to the hotel full and tired. We watched a little tv and decided it was bedtime. We have to go back to real life tomorrow.

Stewart Falls

After the Y we drove up Provo Canyon. Cheryl, my friend at work, had told me about a hike that she did two weeks ago. She said it was an easy hike, about 3.5 miles round trip. It was above Aspen Grove and Sundance. I told the guys about it and they wanted to do it. We missed the trail head and drove up the mountain for a couple of miles. Chris stopped and let me take a picture of the view.

We finally figured we had passed the trailhead and turned around. We stopped and asked for directions, bought water and we were on our way. The trail that we did is called Stewart Falls. It is a 200 foot waterfall that is two tiered. We finally got close enough to see it in the distance. The boys and I in front of the falls. It was beautiful. A perfect day for a hike. Warm, but not hot.
Here is the full view of the falls. Well worth the hike.
CJ and I decided we wanted to do the whole loop and go the back way down. It was really pretty. Chris and Nathan took the front way back so they could pick up the car. The problem was when we came out off of the trail, we didn't know where we were. We ended up in the middle of some canyons. We finally stopped someone on the road. He told us we were right above the resort. Thank goodness for phones. Chris and Nathan finally found us and picked us up.

On the way back down the canyon we had to stop and take a picture of Bridal Veil Falls. They have changed the look of that a lot since I was in school. It looks totally different. They have made a park at the base. Bridal Veil is a double cataract waterfall that drops 607 feet into the Provo River. It is beautiful.