Hospital

I have never enjoyed surprises. I guess that part of my hyper vigilance in life is due in part to surprises that came early in my life. They were not the kind of fun ones like a surprise trip or surprise party (which I had one horrid one on my 16th birthday which is an entirely different story). They were the ones where you are playing at your cousins house and a neighbor drives up and they go talk to your Aunt who goes white and then they tell you that your dad or mom is in the hospital but everything will be all right and how about an ice cream before we head to the hospital. Or waking in the middle of the night to a siren and then being packed off to a neighbors until family can come get you. I like to try and always be ready so I don't feel that shock and dread. Scott and his brother and two sons had headed off on an extended backpacking trip when early in the morning I found out my father in law had quit breathing and been rushed by ambulance to the ER. They live far away so there was nothing I could do except pray and help make phone calls to the rest of the family. Luckily my sister in law was in town visiting them. But Scott brother who lives near his parents is far away with Scott. When he was conscious again he was able to understand jokes which is good. This is the first year he has not gone with his sons to the Wind River range. He is getting older and has been having operations for prostate of late and has heart issues. I really feel like everthing will work out but it remded me of not liking surprises or unexspected phone calls. Yet if given the chance I guess knowing in advance of events that are not desired whould not really be wonderful. This one of the times I wish family was closer than 14 hour drives.

The longest day of Neals life in Hawaii

One of the million things I enjoy in Kauai is the drive to Princeville. Scott decided we needed to go to the very end of the road... literally. It is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Neal had it about 30 miles before we hit the end but Scott pushed on. The vistas and colors overwhelem me. From the tall green cliffs to the turquoise waters. Truly paradise. We noticed hippes have kind of moved in up there. I think they are back in the 60s still. There were these spooky caves and ferns and trees I had never seen before. It is like living in a postcard! Lynda and I bet the boys about this water cave and boy did we lose. Scott almost jumped in to prove they were right. Poor Neal could not find bathrooms. It is neat to see movies sights and see how they enhance things to look like other places too. What beauty!

Kauai SMILES

I wish I had taken more photos but some days I just enjoyed the day and forgot the camera back home. Most days we all had huge smiles. Lynda and Teri are 2 of the women I just admire and adore so what a treat to spend time with them both. They are both so happy, positive and beautiful. Kelly and I have great gospel talks and he and Scott just are great buddies. Neal is always teasing and saying the funniest things like "Nothing grow in Kauai here in this red dirt". He says this becasue there are no wild cucumbers growing onthe road side. Most days we all had flowers in our hair or around our necks. I guess they smell magnificent. I was a little sad to not be able to smell. We went to church over there and it was cool to see how faithful the people there are. Big welcoming smiles.

Kauai Marriott

Lynda and Neal are the best in laws in the whole world. They are so kind to us and we cry each time we have to say goodbye. I wish we lived closer to his parents. Any chance we get to spend time together is a real treat. Neal does not like to travel. He says he can sit by the pool or avoid the sun at home. I say but you can't be with us! He did not comment:) I know he loves us, especially Scott. Neal and Lynda are good moral people. They are honest, hard working, charitable, smart and classy. Here are some photos of where we stayed on Kauai. If you ever have the change to stay there on Poi Pou Marriott vacation club-- do it. We could have spent the whole week and never left and been in heaven. The ocean was like an aquarium right in front of our resort. We snorkeled almost every single day. I was thinking that it is one of my very most enjoyable things in the whole world to snorkel. Lynda and I swam in the salt water pools that were heavenly. I always pretend that I am in the Olympics in the pool. I started this as a young child with my little brother at a condo we had growing up. I do gymnastics, ice skating and synchronized swimming. Anth would be the judge and we had such fun. I missed him. I had a very nice bar routine this trip he would have been impressed with the tricks I picked up from Nastia and Shawn. To swim at night and see the bright stars and tiny half moon was breath taking. It is not as fun to do my routines with out judges but I sure did enjoy the water. My dad always called me a mermaid and had a hard time getting me out of the water. Now it is Scott who has to drag me out. Lynda and Neal watched the Republican convention with us. I really enjoyed Sarah and wish she was running for President. It distracted everyone which helped me get in extra pool time to work on my floor routine and triple lutz.

Wind Rivers

For the weekend of the 24th Scott went with his dad, brother and 2 of his nephews to the Wind Rivers to backpack and camp and fish and what ever else men do in the middle of nowhere. Evan loved every minute. Erry had serious breakdowns. Evan is more like Scott- care free daredevil. Erry is more like Steve- cautious planner. Erry is a smart boy and he thinks of every negative possible angle. Evan is like Scott they do- they do not think. I am not saying they are not smart they just jump first. Evan was glued to Scott which was perfect so that Erry could hang with dad. Grandpa even did hiking and fishing. This is the spot that Scott loves over anywhere else on the earth. Neal has taken him here since he could walk and he adores the whole area. I am so happy that had a wonderful trip and survived the bugs, bears, snow, and fits.

St George trip

Here are a few other memories from our trip.

1. Scott going to the new In-n-Out and send Anthony cell phone photos of the small limited menu. 2. Carli barking and growling at me mom protecting me while in the parking lot. 3. Seeing Mason and Ellen and the sweet kids they have that are going up way to fast. 4. Eating breakfast at the new Egg and I with Aunt Susan and hearing about how instead f replacing her diamond ring she got Kelly a new trumpet- how is that for a super mom? 5. Being with Lynda and Neal 6. Taking Mungo (his remains in a cedar box) with us on our trip. 7. Being able to read scriptures with Mom Marianne and say prayer with her too. She gave Scott a cute birthday moose. 8. Going to Grandma's grave at Zion and how Carli laid on the headstone. 9. Seeing how compassionate and calm and cool Michele was under the pressure of ICU. 10. being able to sign Cheree's heart pillow. 11. Ate at the new Pizza Factory with all the gang. 12. It snowed on our way home- in May snow... what happened to the global warming? 13. Listened to Phantom on the way home with Scott. 14. Celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary amid the chaos. 15. Glad that Mason and Scott could give Priesthood blessings. 16. Marianne in the ICU- she is an original- good luck with you eye operation n Wed. mom:) 17. the family that ate all the food in ICU and never washed their hands and how Missy started to tell them off and I don't think they spoke English or pretended they did not understand. So I may not be the best person in the family under pressure:) 18. Lynda reminding me that we each have a purpose on earth and God decides when it starts and ends-- that we must endure. 19. Neal gave us awesome produce:) 20. Ellen gives great hugs:) 21. Boyd got a huge deer I'm not excited about it but everyone else was. 22. Everyone telling Ted stories until we cried form laughing so hard-- I miss you dad:)

Squirrels part two

On Christmas morning Neal brought out the gift he had made for us out of wood. His gifts are some of my favorites because I love homemade and I love wood. My grandfather owned a lumber yard and company called Hyland lumber. I grew up surrounded by fine wood and learning about the value of hard woods. I am creative and love to make things so I think I am especially grateful when time is spent creating. This year the joke was on me. We have been having many squirrel discussions of late. So on the center of the gift was a hunter outline with a gun and a tiny squirrel running away for its life. At first I thought he was serious. I imagined he wanted me to hang this death scene in our home. The detail he got into the tiny hunter and squirrel is amazing. So I didn't even notice the beautiful mountain scene on the sides. They really make the home seem more lived in and add a nice warmth. I was leery of eating the whole time I was there. You never know when he may sneak in some tiny animal parts, I told him we were cutting back on high cholesterol foods and that squirrel was at the top of the list.

Christmas memories 2006 part 2 photos

The most wonderful time of the year. We are very lucky to travel to be with Scott's family. I love the kids he loves the dogs and his mom. We both love her food and decorations. For 2006 we went to three states. Utah, Arizona, and California. In CA we spent time with my Scharrier cousins the Odles. Amiee was having a birthday. We went to Disneyland and then were not allowed in as it was too capacity:( No worries we loved being with family and finding a yummy cupcake store called Sprinkles. In AZ we did our annual marshmallow roast a highlight to my year where the kids fall asleep on my lap looking for Santa and I strive to make the perfect marshmallow. I like to suck on it first to get it wet then it browns nice and slow getting all melted inside. It is an art. Neal made me these amazing wood window treatments and teased me with hunter shooting squirrels. Lynda gave my new bling I love! We try to spend New years with my brother his wife and my mom in St George. It was a relaxing trip with the two of us having a blast. Happy Christmas 2006

Squirrels fight back!

Squirrels Fight Back!
Today it was announced that SFB has a new spokeswoman. A darling girl from Utah; Missy. The world wide foundation has of late been distressed by a report that a very classy lady was over heard to exclaim “I just love squirrel gravy”. The high class lady lives with a Bah Hum Bug from W.V., who proudly eats squirrel. Spokeswoman Missy will be touring the world with squirrels drawing attention to the timely cause. To join the worthy cause please send small unmarked bills to S.F.B. attn: Darling Missy

This is for my Dad-in-law who teases me...