Sweet Sixteen and Super Excited!!

Happy Birthday to Mady, who turned 16 on November 15, 2012.  She has been looking forward to this day for a long time.  Not only does she turn 16, but she also can get her drivers license and date.  She had her first date on her birthday with her Dad.  Doug and I decided a few years ago that we wanted to be our kids' first dates, so Doug called Mady up on her phone and "officially" asked her out and planned a fun time after school that Thursday. He picked her up from school and took her to Fiesta Fun Center in St. George where they played miniature golf and drove the go-carts.  She got quite a surprise on the go-carts when she tried to cut her Dad off around a curve and Doug hit her and spun her in a 360, getting her stuck into the side railing.  It kind of scared her, but later they had a good laugh about it. 

Mady said she didn't like playing miniature golf very much because it was slow and boring, so they only did it one time, with her cheating the hole way through.  She and her Dad went to the Cracker Barrel for dinner after Fiesta Fun, and had a very yummy combination meals, then came home for ice cream and cake with us in a small family party later that night.  My Dad came over to celebrate with us, because his birthday was the next day so we let them celebrate together.  Mady is getting very comfortable with her Grandpa Winn, and got a few good teases in when they were getting ready to blow out the cake. 

Mady is telling Grandpa that he can blow out one candle, because he is so old, and she will get the rest.  He surprised us all by blowing them all out faster than I've ever seen candles blown out on a cake.  I didn't even have enough time to set up for a picture.  They had a great time bantering back and forth. I think Mady was a little bit disappointed because she was expecting a big surprise party when she got back, because some of her friends had mentioned it in passing.  When she got back to just us and a few presents, she put on a brave face, but I could tell she was wondering where all her friends were. 

Funny thing, the next night was Friday night and her friends actually DID have a surprise party planned for her.  She went away with some girlfriends to make shirts for the SADIES dance which was on Saturday (her second date), and we hurried and got ready for the 20 kids coming over.  She had no idea anything was happening until she got home to walk downstairs and happened to see a bunch of cars parked in the back when she was on her way downstairs.  I had to nearly PUSH her down the stairs to get her to go and everyone yelled SURPRISE!!!  They played WII dance 4 and ate lots of food and had a really great time. 

I'm glad to report that she wasn't disappointed this time.   They all gave her presents that mostly consisted of food, and laughed and danced and was goofy for most of the night.  I appreciate Abby Londrie and Chelsie Cahoon for putting the party together for her.  What a great birthday! 
Happy Sweet Sixteen Mady!!! 

A New Eagle Takes Flight

Since becoming a New Scout when he turned 11, Cody has had a goal to become and Eagle Scout before he turned 14, and I'm so proud to report that he did just that!  On November 14th, he had his Eagle Board of Review and was found to have successfully completed everything required to be awarded his Eagle Scout rank advancement, six days before his 14th birthday.  We are very proud of him!  He had a few obsticles that we were afraid were going to keep him from his goal, but he is very determined, and extremely persistant which resulted in him achieving his goal.  We are very proud of him.  This year is the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout and those attaining this rank recieve special patches and certificates commemorating the special anniversary.  We are so proud of you Cody!!!  His court of honor will be held in February.

Congratulations Cody!!! 

Halloween Concerts

This year three of the kids are involved in music groups, and we get to participate in a lot of concerts, which I love.  Dalyon is starting the cello in the 6th grade with Mrs. Leavitt.  His concerts are short because they don't have a lot that they can play, but he is beginning to enjoy it.  His concert was on Thursday the 25th of October.  They played some fun songs, one with paper instead of their bows, folding it into tiny pieces as they went.  It was a fun concert.

Cody and Mady had a concert the next week on Monday the 29th of October.  Cody played in the Middle School orchestra and Mady played in the High School orchestra and symphony.  Because it was a Halloween concert they were all supposed to dress up for Halloween.  The concert was good and very long because they not only had the orchestra's, but also the bands playing.  It ended up being about three hours long.  We sat on the wrong side of the auditorium to be able to see Cody and Mady on the violin side, but we did get a few sneaky pictures of Cody.  He dressed up as a cowboy, and Mady dressed up as a mechanic, like in the pictures from earlier. 

The concerts were very good and I was glad to share them with my parents.  My Dad has been home since his truck burned in April and we have enjoyed having him come to the kids events with my Mom.  It is always fun to listen to the kids and their progress. 

Halloween is about. . . .

It seems like the older the kids get the less I have to do with them for Halloween.  This year was a very different year for me.  Cody asked if he could have a party with his friends so I knew I would be home chaperoning his party and I farmed the rest of the kids out to friends.  This is the first year in about 18 that I did not take the kids trick-or-treating and stayed home to answer the door.  (Usually Doug does that).  All the kids went four different ways, and all had a great time. 

Mady went with her friends to a party in Toquerville.  They all dressed up as the "Dougs'" in Doug's coveralls.  They thought they were SO funny!!!  They giggled and giggled about it.

 This is Mady, Chelsi Cahoon, Mercy Something, and Alyssa Bohne all dressed up as Doug, and Doug and their other brother Doug, and Larry.  (Alyssa's coveralls didn't have a name on them.)

This is Mady, Rachel Nielson and Chelsi ready to go to the party.  No one recognized Rachel until she smiled and then they thought she was her Mom, Britta.  What a great costume!!! 

Dalyon went trick -or-treating with his friend Dallas.  He dressed up in his Karate outfit, but Dallas wasn't ready to go when we got there.  They went all over Dallas' neighborhood begging candy and having fun together. 

Cami went as a farm girl with her friend Jessica Perry.  Jessica lives in a neighborhood call Roberts Ranch and they close the street off and have a big Halloween spook alley/trick-or-treat/party with all the neighbors.  Most of the town drop their kids off at one end of the neighborhood and let them go for the night.  Jessica's Mom took the girls to other neighborhoods that night because they get better candy if they do.  Funny.  They had a really great time. 

We didn't get any pictures of Cody and his friends but had a good time at home with them.  He had Carsen Bjelland, Summer Stratton, Hollie Isom, and a few other friends over for a small party.  I think everyone had a great time, and definitely their sugar fix. 

The gifts of Music

It is that time of year when each of the orchestra's our kids are in have their annual fall concerts.  This year I enjoyed three.

  Dalyon is in the beginning orchestra in the intermediate school and he plays the cello.  It is a lot harder to play than he thought but I think he is getting the hand of it.  His concert was on Thursday October 25.

Dalyon was very nervous for his first concert but I think enjoyed it anyway.  He seems timid right now with his playing and I hope he gains confidence and keeps practicing.  I know he will enjoy it as he gets better.

Cody is in the Middle School and he and Mady have the same teacher for their orchestra's,  Mrs. Thorton teaches both the Middle and High School orchestras so they have the same concert night.  My mom and dad came and we ended up sitting on the wrong side of the auditorium so I had to strain for a picture of him.  It was a Halloween concert so all of the kids dressed up, and Cody went as a cowboy (how did you guess that?).   He is a strong player and Mrs. Thorton always complements him on his playing. 

Mady also played that night in the High School orchestra and symphony.  She really enjoys playing also, however I couldn't get a picture of her in her costume because she was on the other side of the stage.  I guess I'm not very good at guessing where the kids are going to sit ha ha, but I will do better from now on. 

Cami also performed for the fall festival on the 27th of October at the first annual Halloween festival held in St. George at the town square.  It was a fun festival with magicians and lots of costumes, food, and games.  The performers before her group were belly dancers and she was funny because she couldn't watch, saying they were too immodest.  She did a great job dancing and smiling and having fun.

We are proud of all our kids and I'm especially grateful that they are interested in music and performing, even if it on a small scale. 

Taking a Little Time Out

Every couple of years a few friends and I get together and take a little Time Out.  Deseret Book Company puts on a production called Time Out For Women where they have several authors speak and LDS musical artists perform in uplifting and spiritually edifying ways.  In the past we have gone to Las Vegas when the tour was there, but this year we decided to try Richfield, Utah for a quieter, less traffic place to enjoy ourselves.  The idea turned out to be fabulous, and very very fun! 

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Richfield and there were three to a room.  I went with Bobette Green, Maria Hall, Shelly Beutler, Joyce Swyers, and my Mom.  Bobette drove because she knows Richfield, her in laws live there and she visits often.  We traveled together on Friday afternoon, getting there early enough to check into our hotel and grab a bite to eat at the Wingers next door.

It seems the ride wasn't as stimulating as we had hoped.  Shelly got the coveted seat in the back, and the others were out, until I mentioned putting something up Maria's nose and she magically came awake. 

 Dinner at Wingers.  I love the "self portraits" (when you take the picture of yourself with your own camera).  They seem to always give you a double chin. 

Cute picture of Maria and Joyce trying to hide behind their menus.  Being silly is a part of the fun!

 Our seats were up in the balcony and it was great seats for us!  With the big screens we could see the speakers and performer up close and still enjoy everything. 

It is amazing how, in a room as large as this, with this many people there and all the disruptions that the spirit can be so strong and witness to you of truth. 

Jenny Oaks Baker, an exceptional violinist performed for us on Friday night.  Shelly and I got our pictures takes with her and Shelly got a CD autographed for her daughter Sadie, who is also an exceptional violinist.  Her music is beautiful. We also heard from Sheri Dew and  Virginia Hinkley Pierce.

Sleep was very late in coming for us that night.  When you let a group of women get away together without any kids of husbands, we tend to let our hair down and get silly, which is what happened that night.  Someone brought ice cream, bowls and spoons and dropped them off at Maria's room and told her to take some and pass it to the next room, so we did!  We also had treats we had picked up at Wal-Mart that night and we talked and laughed until well after midnight.  Such fun memories!!
 

 On our way into the convention Saturday morning they handed out their famous bags.  Every year they give those who attend on Saturday a fabulous bag, and this year was no exception.  Don't we all look happy and like we are having a good time? 

We had a great day with lots of great information and perspective changes.  We listened to the music of Mercy River and heard presentations from authors like DeAnn Flynn, Michael Wilcox, Wendy Ulrich, and Emily Freeman.  After the convention we took another photo opportunity on a rock outside of the convention center.  The weather was a perfect fall day, and the leaves were changing, adding to the beauty of the weekend. 

Not in any hurry to get home, we took a few moments to look around Richfield and eat at the famous Pufferbellys Mexican restaurant.  Our cute little waiter got in the picture with us, and a bunch of others before that .  Funny guy.  We had a really nice time together and I love to look over my notes and remember what I learned, hopefully to apply the ideas into my life.  I look forward to going again in a couple of years!! 

Introducing Indy Beutler

After all the luck we have had with our animals lately I was hesitant to consider getting another animal.  However, Cody found a Britney Springer Spaniel on the Internet that was in LaVerkin and we all fell in love with him.  He is five years old and is a pure bred, and well trained.  He had been with the same family in LaVerkin since he was born but they can't have pets in the place that they are moving to so they had to put him up for sale.  They were so sad, and I could tell he was too, but we were so glad to get him and I hope we can love him enough to replace his old family.  We picked him up on Sunday, October 7th after General Conference.  The kids had scrubbed out Gracies kennal and washed the blankets and tightened the fencing to get it ready for its new occupant,

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 The first thing we did when we got him was give him and bath and found out he loves the water.  He jumped right in the tub and sat there!  He also has been trained to come, and sit, and lay down, and roll over, and the kids are teaching him to play dead.  He also shakes hands with both paws.   He is a purebred bird dog and the other day he brought me a chicken.  He had disappeared and suddenly I could hear a chicken squawking and found it in his mouth.  He was so proud of his catch and only played with it, not wanting to kill it.  (I'm told it is in their instinct not to kill the birds).  The poor thing was traumatized, but Indy was so proud!!  I didn't know whose chicken it was and I knew ours were locked up, and I didn't dare go around to my neighbors and tell them my dog captured one of their chickens, so we put it in the coup.  He was very excited to have gotten a bird!  It was so funny!!

We are so glad to have him apart of our family!  Even Doug likes him and that says something!  Welcome to our home Indy!!