Utah Vacatation

We spent a great week in Kanab Utah with Grammy last week. We swam, and took walks. We went to Pipe Springs, and to the movies. We visited an animal sanctuary and drove to Toquerville to visit cousins. It was a nice relaxing week playing games and hanging out. Thanks Grammy and Papa Oscar for the fun time!

Be NICE!

At the Priest camp out last week Bishop Walker challenged the young men to "be nice" for 24 hours. Being nice was defined as, no rude comments, no yelling, punching, pinching, or teasing, no tantrums, and definitely no sarcasm. President Hinckley said the following: "I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort." So Dan thought it was such a great idea that he challenged our whole family to do the same. Not as easy as it sounds. I've started over many times. I was so close last night. Then a little sarcastic comment slipped out, only a couple hours before bed. So I'm starting again this morning. Wish me luck!

If you want to read the talk by President Hinkley here is the link: http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6055

The Loooong Drive Home

Question: What possesses a mother and her eight children to drive the 7 hour trip to southern Utah? (Dad had used all his vacation for youth trips) Answer: EFY in Cedar City and a visit with Grammy.
The drive home had it's ups and downs:
Downside - Friday night 5 year old starts vomiting
Upside - Finally settled down about 2am
Downside - Had to wake at 5 to drive to Cedar City (1 1/2 hr drive one way) to pick up 18 year old at EFY by 7am
Upside - Had a great time talking one on one with a young man who had a wonderful time.
Downside - Already getting sleepy
Upside - Kids were nearly ready to go when I got back (thanks Grammy)
Downside - 5 year old still sick
Upside - Thankful she can use a barf bag
Downside - Sometimes she misses
Upside - 2 year old falls asleep within the first hour
Downside - She closes her eyes right before the first rest stop (sorry guys, you'll have to hold it)
Upside - Four month old falls asleep too
Downside - Both babies wake up before second rest stop (and they aren't happy!)
Upside - Everyone agrees on McDonalds
Downside - Costs us a fortune!
Upside - 5 year old eats a little and feels better
Downside - 4 month old throws up in high chair
Upside - Made a new barf bag at McDonalds for the 5 year old - just in case
Downside - She had to use it!
Upside - Smart enough to double bag it - wet french fries are heavy
Downside - Backseat is starting to smell a little funky
Upside - 7 year old spills his chocolate milk - seems to diffuse the odor
Downside - My eyelids are getting heavy
Upside - 11 year old wakes me up with a bloody nose
Downside - He uses the whole box of kleenex - and needs more
Upside - He was traveling in a old shirt
Downside - Blood freaks him out and he throws the tissues out the window
Upside - No police were around - sorry to all the drivers on the I-17
Downside - Missed the turn off to the 202
Upside - Hopped on the 60 just in time
Downside - The two year old is DONE!
Upside - Whole family starts singing Popcorn Popping and other primary songs to distract her
Downside - Construction
Upside - We made the trip in 6 hours and 53 minutes - 7 minutes ahead of schedule!

What if the Book of Mormon was written by Dr. Seuss

Nephi: Of goodly parents I was born

I've never drunk,

I've never sworn

This is Lehi,

he's my dad

Laman, Lemuel,

they are bad

And who is this?

Why this is Sam

Yes, this is Sam;
Sam: Sam I am
Laman: That Sam I am,

that Sam I am

I do not like that Sam I am
Sam: In a tent, my father dwelt
Laman: And it's so hot, I think I'll melt
Lemuel: Our father's brain is out of whack
Laman: Yeah, it's too hot, I'm going back
Lehi: Then go and get the plates my dear
Laman: On second thought, I'm staying here
Nephi: You said you'd leave and go away

Now all you want to do is stay?
Lemuel: That Nephi always gets his way
Laman: Here we are in this damp cave
Sam: We would not be here if you'd behave
Nephi: I will go and I will do

There's the angel, that's my cue

Laban's had too much to drink
Now he'll lose his head, I think
Nephi: Look what I found, a brother from the quorum
Sam: We will take him home, we will call him Zoram
Lemuel: Oh great, another pathetic life form
Laman: Our gold and silver we have spent

I do not like it in this tent
Lemuel: I cannot read the Liahona

I must have drunk too much Corona
Laman: We hate it here, we have no lives
Lehi: Then go back to the city and get some wives
Lehi: A tree, a tree, I see a tree

The fruit is white, the fruit is free

A floating building, could it be?

Why do they laugh and stare at me?
Laman, Lemuel, come and see
Laman: We will not eat your precious fruit
Lemuel: We will not wear a tie and suit
Laman: We will not help you build your boat
Lemuel: We do not think that it will float
Laman: No not this boat, it will not float

Not even in a shallow moat

I do not care what Nephi wrote
Lemuel: We will not eat your fruit I say
Laman: We will not eat it on a tray
Lemuel: And we won't eat it in a tent

Not even if your clothes you rent
Laman: We'd rather have a can of spam

L & L: We will not eat it, Sam I am
Sam: You do not like it, so you say

Try it, try it, and you may

Try it and you may I say
Laman: Sam, if you will let us be,

We will try it, you will see
L&L: Say, we like this fruit of life

Sorry that we caused such strife

You've saved us from an awful jam

Thank you, thank you, Sam I am

What would you do for a free meal?

Chick-fil-a offered free meals to anyone who dressed up like a cow last Friday and came into their restaurant. The little ones were all for it. We found old t-shirts and sharpie markers and went to town making cow costumes. Dad and the big kids weren't quite so eager, but "fast food" prevailed and we mosied our herd on over. We had a great time, some yummy food, and best of all it IT WAS FREE!

Beehives

I had a great opportunity to sit in on mutual tonight with the beehive class. The activity was a career day. The girls were to dress up and tell about a career they want to have when they grow up. The girls picked things like interior decorator, pastry chef, writer, teacher, lawyer and even a pilot. All of the girls said they wanted to be moms too. I loved listening to them tell how they would juggle being a mom and having a career. One of the girls said she would have her husband watch them while she was out of town, then he would work when she got back-oh and she wanted eight kids! Lots of girls picked careers that they could do while they stayed home with their children, like writer or artist. They would just work when the kids were asleep! I nearly laughed out loud. I remember when I was younger have aspirations of being something wonderful like a designer, or a CSI. I wanted to be famous, to wow people with my expertise. I wanted to be somebody. Now I look around at my disheveled house, dishes in the sink and laundry on the couch, and I haven't a single regret. My eight amazing children are all I need to make me feel successful. There's not much recognition and no fan fare, but boy do i love my job!

Eagle Court of Honor

They did it! Tres and Zach are officially Eagle Scouts. Sunday night was their court of honor. Mckenzie planned the whole event for one of her value projects. Uncle Doug was the master of ceremonies, and Uncle Mike spoke on the significance of the Eagle. (Thanks guys!) Bishop Walker did a wonderful job giving the Eagle Charge, and Brother Smith gave them Mormon Batallion neckerchief slides. Brother Spier awarded their eagles and it was awesome. Zach chose his dad for his mentor and Tres chose Brother Spier. Mckenzie made the beautiful flag cake and Dawn Thurlow provided the decorations and the drive to get it all done (Thanks a million!) I'm so proud of my boys, and so glad it's over! Two down, three to go!