The Davis Family

Antelope Island

2011-09-04T23:27:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to take the girls to the Great Salt Lake for a long time. I was 50/50 on whether or not I wanted to go this past weekend. Then I found out that they were having a little festival out on the island, and that sealed the deal for me. And bonus....they had a place to do horse-back riding.

This was our first glimpse of the bison.

Then we found some closer to the road.

Then they had to cross the road....

Then we got to the ranch, and our guide (DJ) got our horses saddled up. This is Dom's horse. His name is Maverick because he was in the Mel Gibson movie with the same name.

This is Elle on Navajo. He was in the movie Far and Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

We took a 90 minute ride up the trail. It took us a bit to get adjusted to our horses, but once the girls got the hang of it, it was just a lot of fun!

I have about 15 pictures that look like this. Can I tell you that the ride would have been much more enjoyable if I had not been lugging my big old camera.

This was the pinnacle (literally) of our ride. It's difficult to tell, bu the view is really, really awesome. When we went down the hill, DJ told Dom and Elle to lean back, and use the stirrups to balance and hold on to the reigns. Dom was holding on for dear life, and he had the reigns too tight. She said, "Why won't he go?" I said, "Do you have the reigns pulled back so he thinks you should be stopped?" She said, "Oh....that."

All along the way there were thousands and thousands of beautiful sunflowers. It was SO picturesque!

After our ride, we went to the other side of the island and took pictures along the way.

And more bison....

And more sunflowers.....

Then we went to the Stampede Festival and ate some carb-loaded, fried food. The girls really wanted to dip their toes in the Great Salt Lake.

On the way to "the beach," we saw a few of the balloons that flew that evening.

This is one of my favorite pictures....

We got to the west side of the island as the sun was going down. I haven't altered any of these pictures...

Here they are....as the sun is going down...in the Great Salt Lake. They are probably about 1/4 mile away from where I'm standing.

I love this picture.

I love living in Utah; it is so unbelievably beautiful! This whole state is a testament to God's great creations!

She has an old soul....

2011-07-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

On June 27th, Layla Rae Davis was born. What a day! On Sunday night, Elise and Bradley had been over for dinner. At about 9:30 PM ALL of the girls (Mariah, Elle and Dominique) wanted to go sleep over with Bradley and Elise. Poor Elise never did go to sleep that night. She started having contractions, and she went into the hospital in the wee small hours of the morning. Later that morning, Dean went to pick the girls up and took Mariah up to the hospital to wait.

I think I had 6 meetings that day. I started moving meetings off of my calendar because I knew that this was the day that the baby would be born. Mercifully, I was home that day (not traveling).

After a long day, the doctor decided that there were some questions about the baby's condition and that it was safest to take her c-section. Dominique and I were at Harmon's getting cake, cupcakes, flowers...and all of that stuff when we got the call from Bradley. We started making calls and hustling as quickly as we could out of there. Dominique, Elle and I arrived with goodies in hand to the waiting room. Less than 10 minutes later, we were able to see Layla for the very first time through the window of the nursery.

She is a BEAUTIFUL baby girl. She weighted only 5 pounds, 4 oz, and she was 18 1/2 inches long. Did I mention how beautiful she is? Wow! What a little blessing.

Here are a few pictures either taken on the day of her birth or within the first 24 hours. Did I mention that she has an old soul? This is only my opinion, of course, but the first time I held her, I thought that. I still do. I love to hold her and look at her. She's a wiggler when she's awake. She's a beauty when she's sleeping...but then again...I'm kind of biased!

Can you tell how much we all lover her???

Surfer Girl

2011-06-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Mariah and I were in San Diego, and we headed to the beach for lunch. Mariah was instantly enamoured with the beach. She decided that she really wanted to surf, and so she did.

Her instructor was Charlie, and he was great!

All lessons start on dry ground.

Photo op while still dry. The pier makes a great backdrop.

Mariah and Charlie

Going in!

That girl got up on her very first try...which is unbelievable. The next several pictures are a play-by-play of that first time up on the board!

Notice that HUGE smile!

Most of the 90 minute lesson looked like the next three pictures...a great attempt to get on the board and "something happened." She *really* wanted to get on that board, and she used all of her athleticism to try and get up as often as she could.

On this turn, the board clonked her in the head. That couldn't have felt good!

So, they got out of the water and moved down several yards to find some waves that were a bit more tame.

Charlie watching the waves to find her a good one...usually then he would "push" her into the wave so she didn't have to paddle too much.

This next series is one of those "nearly got up on the board" times. Me and the photographer were on the shore cheering her on!

You me here in the background say, "Oh, shoot." I was pulling for her every time she tried to get up on the board. I knew it was hard, and I knew that she was getting tired.

Cool shot with birds in the background.

This next series is her second time up on the board!!!!!!

...and I caught it on video.....

And she ended on a great note with one final time up on the board...

She absolutely loved this experience! She said again and again that it was her favorite part of the weekend. I have a feeling this won't be her last time surfing.

Tulip Festival

2011-04-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we loaded up in the van and headed to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. It was an overcast day. We've had a colder than normal spring so the tulips hadn't all "hatched" (as Elle would say), but it was still a good time...except that I sprained my ankle. And did I mention that we walked a mile and half? Oj! Still a fun time!

One BIG birthday bash...

2011-04-10T00:42:00.000-07:00

We have six birthdays between December 18th and April 23rd....we are heavily stacked at the beginning of the year. Add to the mix Garrett and Elise (both in April), we've got 8 birthdays in five months. So, this year Mariah asked if we could go to Benihana for our birthdays. She missed the December Benihana event. We went..we ate...we had a really good time!

Mariah and Garrett (can I tell you that they REALLY enjoyed the meal and themselves)

Me and Riah

Bradley and Elise

Dom and Dean

Elle was missing...she was at a softball tournament in St. George. It wasn't all tragedy...at least Elle was there for the December Benihana fest.

Part of the fun of Benihana is watching the making of the food. Our guy was cute...he put the fried rice in the shape of a heart and made the heart "beat" with the spatula.

Yummy veggies and shrimp appetizers

Add the seafood and chicken

Add the red meat...

The cheesy and requisite birthday drum and tambourine

Ice cream and candles for all birthday celebrants.

Extinguishing the candles

Back at home....a cake for Bradley (made by Dom) See everyone laughing? What you can't see is that Garrett is just out of this picture...and for sure he has said something hilarious...he's always saying hilarious things.

If you only knew the escapade it was getting those candles lit, you would understand why I took the action shots of the candles being blown out. Let's just say that kindling and flint is not an effective method for candle lighting.

Dean and Bradley

Man, have we had the snow....

2011-04-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

Just when we think that it's all done snowing, it snows again. These shots were taken on a March morning when the snow around the house looked absolutley brilliant!

February Birthdays

2011-04-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

In February, we have two family birthdays! Mariah celebrated her 17th Birthday on February 24th! I can hardly BELIEVE she is 17!!!

Then just a few days later, Adam had his 27th Birthday on February 27th.

We celebrated at our house with some good food...I think Dean made tempura and two birthday cakes!

Super cute picture of Mariah and Garrett

A Sweethearts Scavenger Hunt

2011-02-14T10:16:00.001-08:00

Saturday was the Sweetheart's Dance at Jordan High School. Here in Utah, they kids make a whole day of any dance event....which is weird to me...but oh, well! Last year for Sweethearts, Dean and I made Mariah and her friends a Chinese themed dinner, and while dinner was finishing, I sent the kids on a scavenger hunt in our neighborhood. ...you know...find a house with Christmas lights still up...find a house with a 9 and a 5 in the address...that kind of thing.

This year, she asked me if I would make a "big" scavenger hunt that took a couple of hours. Challenge! I put on my creative hat and created what I think is a pretty good little scavenger hunt for Salt Lake City. They divided into two teams: boys vs girls. I had no idea it would take them 4 HOURS to do this scavenger hunt, but it did. They had to take pictures or video to provide evidence of their accomplishments.

Here is how it all turned out:

Fortitude, Integrity, Honor and Patience are their names. They live on one of the most important “hills” in the “capitol” city. They are white…and they are BIG…but they are only statues. Look for them on the east side of this most important structure where laws are made. When you find one…you must act like a lion tamer.

Garrett:

Mariah, Audrey and Jordynn (Not quite sure how this is lion taming...)

Now that you’ve tamed the lion, let’s visit someone who wears a different kind of hat. Isn’t life grand in America? Find a uniformed bellman at the only 5 Star Downtown hotel and take a picture! Bonus points if you can get the manager to appear in the picture with you!

Mariah with the Bellman (smiling):

Kalen with the Bellman (not quite sure what face that is...): He was Utah’s first territorial governor, and he had a house full of wives. He holds his hand out…some say with it reaching toward Zions Bank (for money). Find this iconic statute downtown and pose like Brother Brigham in the statue. Bonus points if you can get a random person on the street to pose with you!

Garrett posing like Brigham: The girls posing...but Brigham not in the statue!“I’ve got joy like a fountain!” Find the way…and it doesn’t really require gate…to this popular summertime fountain…where kids frolic and moms can rest from their shopping. You think you’re going in the fountain? Guess again. Get a bottle of water…and you guessed it…you become the fountain. Water must come out of your mouth for your fountain picture. Get creative!

Old timers still call it the Delta Center. In the 1990s, these two men lead the Jazz to back to back NBA finals against the Bulls (and unfortunately lost two years in a row). They both are immortalized in bronze outside of the house that Larry built. Strike a pose like one of the NBA hall of famers. You must be in front of their actual statue. Hint: props will help make this photo complete. BTW…the mailman is in town…and if you could get him in a picture with you, you win $100 (no joke)….it doesn’t have to be a picture at statue.

Mariah didn't *get* the reference to the "mailman" was about Karl Malone. So, they found a real mailman and got him to pose in the picture!

In 1997, lightening struck this tree, and people believe that what was left is an image of the Virgin Mary. For almost 14 years people have paid tribute to this tree in downtown Salt Lake City. Don’t been offensive (and offend those who actually believe that you can see the image of the Virgin Mary in the trunk of the tree), but get a picture of you and your party at the tree.

Notice how Garrett is solemn and respectful and Mariah "poses" next to the Virgin Mary tree! In the 2nd largest park in Salt Lake City, you’ll find a collection of over 400 species of birds. Pay your entrance fee and find at least 5 of the birds in the list.

At this stage of the scavenger hunt, the boys lied to the girls and told them that they were almost done. So the girls decided to take their time and have fun. I let the girls know that the boys had fibbed..and the girls took off to finish the hunt. Bald EagleSome birdFlamingos!!!

You don’t have to be an Einstein to understand political theory. At the Starbucks on 15th South and 15th East find a barista named Rosa. Ask her, “What are the three types of pluralism?” Write the answer on one of those Starbucks cup sleeves and bring it home with you.

My friend, Rosa, helped me out on this one! I don't have a picture to go with this....

It was 20 year ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play….and in 2004, the artist who did the original album cover for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band created a more modern version on a downtown wall. Find the mural called SLC Pepper, and when you take your picture, put yourself in the crowd…or pose as how you might fit in the crowd.

The girls got two homeless guys to be in the picture...then after the picture the guys asked them for money. *Classic*

What is the greatest university in the state? While the U, of course. In the plaza in front of the Marriott Library (at the U) build a human pyramid…and of course…the person on top should somehow show that you’re pyramid is for the U! Bonus if you can get U of U students to help you and/or be in your picture.

The guy in the pic recruited all of the by-standers to be in the pic. But....they boys got a girl to be on top!!!

They had SO MUCH FUN! I asked my neighbors, Kim and Doreen to judge and distribute the prizes. The prizes were Chili's gift cards...and conveniently, that is where they had dinner that night. I have no idea how I will top this next year!

Click >>HERE<< to see the scavenger hunt list.

12 Days of Christmas

2010-12-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas, I wanted to achieve two things 1) keep it simple (and relatively inexpensive) and 2) make sure that the girls got something they really wanted. Last year was kind of a bust. Even though I try, I always kind of miss the mark with their clothes and shoes. Let's face it...I'm kind of an old lady, and while I think that I'm still hip enough to pick out cool teen clothes, I'm not. So....such that neither they nor I would be disappointed, I crafted a plan. We did a 12 Days of Christmas Christmas.

The girls on Christmas morning (before the present opening began).
The 12 days of Christmas went something like this.....all neat and packaged...and painstakingly adorned with the pictures of the 12 days of Christmas on every.single.package. I printed out pages with the "clues" to the gifts on them. Mariah read each one then they opened the presents.

This gift was a "pair" of earrings.

This one was a small box of turtles (candies) and a bag of Dove candies.

This was a $5.00 McDonald's gift card so they could get their favorite meal (chicken nuggets and french fries).

This was 4 free downloads for their cell phones. We don't let them download things, so they were kind of psyched about this one. They would have been more excited about free texting, but we don't let them do that either.

This was a $15.00 gift certificate to Claire's They love buying crap from Claire's. I did, too, when I was their age.
This one was kind of hokie. I got Easter eggs and filled them with various kinds of M&Ms. Unfortunately, I could only find 12 eggs...the ones Dean got for me last Easter and hid in my office...so I gave each of the kids 4 eggs. They LOVED the candy. In fact, the next day at church, Mariah pulled out her new make up bag from her purse and it was FILLED with M&Ms! I just laughed and laughed!

I ordered rubber duckies online (24 of them). I put 7 in a box and put a $25.00 Bath and Body Works gift card in with it. I was kind of proud of the rubber duckies idea. They all bought lip gloss from BBW.

We have a cleaning lady who comes once every other week. (We DO NOT call her a maid, though.) Earlier this year I instructed her not to clean the girls' bathroom any more because they need to learn how to keep it clean on their own. They were being 1st class slobs and would say things like, "The cleaning lady will clean it." Um......I don't think so! So, now we are on a rotation....Mariah, Elle then Dom clean it...and rotate every Saturday. This gift was $20.00 (or the approximate amount that it costs to have Karen clean their bathroom). They chose to spend the cash. No surprises there!

This was a $10.00 iTunes gift card.

The younger girls have been telling me for months that they want Vans (a brand of shoe). I have been telling them for months that they are not getting Vans from me. I got Dom and Elle $30.00 gift cards to the Vans store. Riah got $30.00 to Payless (she's not as big of a fan of Vans). This was a $100.00 gift card. It can be used at Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy. This was the BIG surprise. They got iHomes (which are devices that you can plug your ipod into so you can hear it). The only one who has an ipod is Dominique. So, Mariah and Elle were like..."uh, thanks." Then I said to Dom, "Keep looking in the box." Hidden in the bottom were the new nano slide ipods. They were quite surprised. You can see Dom's mouth agape in this picture.

It was a very good Christmas. I was worried that the hokie gifts at the beginning were not going to be received well, but they loved their 12 Days of Christmas. They have told everyone about their presents, and Dominique told me, "It was the best Christmas ever." I'm so glad! I'm so, so glad!

A few Christmas Eve images....

2010-12-25T18:16:00.000-08:00

We had a small family gathering on Christmas Eve. It was all of us plus Elise and Garrett and my brother Adam (who was not yet here when week took these pictures).

Our Tree
Me and Dean

Mariah and Garrett
Bradley and Elise
We read the Christmas story from the Bible (Luke 2) and sang a few Christmas carols...Opened a few gifts....
And just hung out....
It was a very good night.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever

2010-12-19T22:37:00.000-08:00

We have a tradition at our house. I can't remember exactly how it began, but that's not really important. Each year we read this book:Each year, we get just a bit of resistance, but not too much. This year Dom said, "Why do we have to read this book every year?" We said, "Because it's what we do; it's our tradition."

If you haven't read the book, you should. It's narrated by an elementary school girl and chronicles her interactions with an unruly gaggle of neighbor kids called "The Herdmans." Due to an unfortunate turn of events, the narrator's mother has been put in charge of the annual church Christmas pageant. I don't care who you are, this story is funny. We laugh and laugh every single year.

This year, it is only Dean, me, Dom and Elle reading the book. Bradley practically lives at his girlfriend's house and only shows up to sleep and eat some stuff once a day. Mariah is always busy with work when we want to read, so it's just the four of us this year. It's no less meaningful.

I hope you have meaningful traditions with your family. I fully anticipate that, one day, I will be reading this book to grandchildren.

And as Gladys Herdman would say, "Hey, Unto you a child is born!" Merry Christmas!!!

A word about the new family picture....

2010-12-14T11:24:00.000-08:00

Now that the Christmas cards are all sent (all but 15 of them...which I have in my bag and intend to do tonight), I felt like we could change the family picture on the blog. You will notice that Bradley is noticeably absent from the picture (and the Christmas card). This was not intentional.

We actually tried to take family pictures with him in early October, but he was late by a few hours because of a previous commitment. Those pictures were kind of cruddy anyway. Then the opportunity came up for a photo shoot in later October...on a day that you would never have imagined would have been good for taking photos. We ran with it. Unfortunately, Bradley was out of town on that day.

We are *hoping* that before he goes we can get one more family picture with him in it. I just didn't want anyone to think that we intentionally left him out. We didn't. We still love him....most of the time ;-)

Benihana Birthdays

2010-12-12T20:48:00.001-08:00

Over the weekend, my cousin, Kevin came to visit. It was a quick visit, but it was very nice. That night, we all went to Benihana for some great food. Here is a pic of Kevin, Dom and Elle waiting for our table to open.

Dom and Elle mesmerized by the preparation of the fried rice. Carrie, Dominique and Elle

Clearly, one of the best parts of the night is watching the meal preparation and all of the yummy food!

It all began when Elle wanted the seafood combo..then Dom followed suit. I normally would not spring for that expensive of a plate of food for the kids, but since we were (in part) celebrating Elle's birthday, I let them splurge.

We were also celebrating Carrie's birthday (which was a week ago).

They do birthdays up right at Benihana...."Happy Birthday to you...cha, cha, cha..." You get how it goes! We had a really fun night at one of our favorite places. In case you were wondering, Dean is out of town. Adam was there (just out of camera range), and Kevin was beside me. Fun times had by all...until we went down to coat check, and someone had stolen Carrie's coat. (Boo!)

I'm so proud of Elle!

2010-11-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember, Elle has been our "go to" person in the kitchen. She loves to learn. She loves to help. And she follows directions to a "T." She also takes great satisfaction in a job well done.

One of the things that she has learned to do over the years is set a beautiful table. Sometimes she'll surprise me on a Sunday evening and set "her table" with pretty dishes, napkins and candles. As part of her Young Women's goals, she did a special project this Thanksgiving. This is what it says in the Young Women's personal progress manual: "Develop a skill you could use in your future home, such as cooking, sewing, making repairs, organizing, or designing. Teach that skill to someone, and explain how establishing a house of order (see D&C 109:8) is one of your divine roles."

I thought, "She's developed homemaking skills, now we just need to "teach that skill to someone." So, I got the idea to do mini-video segments of her planning to decorate the table and executing on the plan.

Here is our video journal. (Sometimes she is difficult to understand...I could get her to slow down OR enunciate...not both at the same time, but for the most part, I think she is understandable).

It is difficult to understand this video. She says, "I have a blank slate" (referencing the table). She says that her first tip is to not take a table from the church unless you have permission from the Bishop (which we did). That's why there was the close up of the "Property of" on the table."

Wasn't that fun!?! I'm so proud of her for all of her hard work and her willingness to do this project. It is not easy for anyone to demo in front of the camera as she did (trust me, I know! I'm a professional presenter!) I'm also proud of how much she learns about things around the house. All of the kids "know" how to clean, for example. (Not that they do it, but they do know how.) They know how to do their laundry. They know how to paint a room. They know how to fix small household appliances.

It sounds so cliche, but "they grow up so fast!" I worry that I haven't taught them enough! Moments like this make me proud that they do "know" how to do things...even if they don't act like it all the time.

Stay tuned for a video blog from Dominique. We taught her how to paint her room this summer....and let's just say that it took more gallons of BRIGHT YELLOW paint than anyone could have ever imagined! She is not nearly as thrilled to do video blogs, but she'll warm up to it!

Some Halloween Images

2010-10-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween kind of stunk it up this year. First, it was on Sunday. This is very confusing for those of us who live in Utah and actually use a calendar but conform to social norms and Trick or Treat on Saturday to avoid doing so on the Sabbath. Second, it rained...I mean it POURED during the end of the afternoon, and that kind of kept the trick or treaters away. Third, we had very few trick or treaters....and way too much candy. With all that, there were a few highlights!

First, Dean carved a really cool pumpkin in tribute to our SF Giants!

Dom Dressed up as BatGirl. My favorite part is her yellow duct taped belt. It says "Ba-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, Batman!" Did I mention that for some odd reason, she took the yellow duct tape to school and got it taken away by her shop teacher. Nice. Why she took it to school??? I just can't explain these kinds of things.

After a rousing run of trick or treating in the rain, we had 15 kiddos at our house indulging on candy, popcorn, apple juice and laughing their heads off.

They all eventually left. The end. Happy Halloween!

'O Ye Mountains High

2010-10-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

There is a goregous hym in our hymn book that I really love; it's called "O Ye Mountains High." Several weeks ago, we took a Saturday morning drive on the Alpine Loop in Utah to gawk at the beautiful fall colors. Here are a few shots from our outting.

Verse 1: O ye mountains high, where the clear blue skyArches over the vales of the free, Where the pure breezes blow and the clear streamlets flow, How I’ve longed to your bosom to flee! O Zion! dear Zion! land of the free, Now my own mountain home, unto thee I have come;All my fond hopes are centered in thee.

Verse 2. Tho the great and the wise all thy beauties despise,To the humble and pure thou art dear;Tho the haughty may smile and the wicked revile,Yet we love thy glad tidings to hear.O Zion! dear Zion! home of the free,Tho thou wert forced to fly to thy chambers on high,Yet we’ll share joy and sorrow with thee.

Verse 3. In thy mountain retreat, God will strengthen thy feet; Without fear of thy foes thou shalt tread; And their silver and gold, as the prophets have told, Shall be brought to adorn thy fair head. O Zion! dear Zion! home of the free, Soon thy towers shall shine with a splendor divine, And eternal thy glory shall be.

Verse 4. Here our voices we’ll raise, and we’ll sing to thy praise, Sacred home of the prophets of God. Thy deliv’rance is nigh; thy oppressors shall die; And thy land shall be freedom’s abode. O Zion! dear Zion! land of the free, In thy temples we’ll bend; all thy rights we’ll defend; And our home shall be ever with thee.

Picking out Pumpkins.....

2010-10-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

I don't remember carving pumpkins in my adolescence, but I recall that it meant a great deal to me when I was a little kid. I was in a pumpking picking mood today, so I loaded all the girls up in the van and headed to a roadside (completely fake...just there for Halloween) pumpkin patch.

Dominique toting her pumpkin.

Elle didn't want a big pumpkin; she only wanted a little one for her room.

Great pumpkin, anyone?

Mariah plans on carving her pumpkin with her pumpkin (I'm only funny in my own mind!) She plans on carving the gourd with Garrett.

Yeah, our fake pumpkin patch is just off of 90th South (a super busy road).

All the girls, plus one (Mariah's friend, Zavey)

School Pics

2010-09-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you the amount of negotiating that goes on about school picture day. I am not a fan of over-doing the eye make up especially when we have girls that are so beautiful without it. This picture day was no different than any other...ridden with negotiation and some tears. Goodness me.

Aren't they pretty girls!!! Growing up WAY too fast!!!

Swearing in Day...

2010-09-04T20:46:00.000-07:00

On August 16, 2010 Bradley officially enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. This was not something that was random or not thought through. Bradley has been considering the Corps for over a year. In fact, as we helped him plan what he might do after high school, he considered a lot of different options. The military just seemed "right" for him. On his 18th birthday, we took him down to the recruiting office, and the serious process really started then.

Joining the Corps was contingent upon receiving a high school diploma. Once that was accomplished in early August, the rest fell into place for him. August 16th is our anniversary, so we'll remember this day quite easily. Dean and I changed our anniversary plans just a bit to incorporate a visit to the military processing center...with time to spare before we witnessed this.

"I, Bradley Alexander Davis, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

This is Sgt. Pottin (aka in our family as Sgt. Harry Potter, but he seriously hated the one and only time I called him that to his face...whoopsie!)

Proud papa. Dean and I are very proud of Bradley's decision. He's had a rough go of life for most of his adolescence. Some rough patches were brought on by himself but others were external factors over which he had no control. He's come at life the hard way. We are proud of his choice and his decision to serve. He will be GREAT at whatever he chooses to do with his life, and for this season, we're confident that he'll be a great Marine.

Mariah really wanted to be there, but unfortunately, we couldn't manage to get from Park City, pick up the girls, get Mariah AND get back in time. She'll be there for the send off and for graduation day, though!

Let me say this in closing. I have spent years of my life writing about the Iraq war and how much I disagree with it. Never mistake my dissatisfaction with an administration as criticism for the US Military. I said as much in my thesis. I am very, very proud of Bradley. His grandfather (Mike) was in the Navy, his great-grandpa Denkins was a career military man, many people in my family have served in the military for generations. I'm proud of them all. I may rant about this political thing or that war, but I will always be proud of Bradley and his involvement in the military. We love you Bradley and are very excited for your future!

First Day of School

2010-09-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

I'm shamefully "late" in posting these pictures. To my defense, I was not home on the first day of school this year. That fact makes me a bit sad. It's one day that I really try hard not to miss, but this year, it was unavoidable. Each year the kids get older (duh!), but the realization is that in getting older they'll soon be moving on. They are incredible young women ready to conquer the school year!Mariah: 16 years old, Junior at Jordan High

Elle: 14 years old, 9th Grader at Mount Jordan Middle School in Sandy, Utah
(She is really a Freshman, but this year 9th grade is still at the middle school.)

Dominique: 12 years old, 7th Grade at Mount Jordan Middle School in Sandy, Utah
(Had I been home that morning, this child would have never left the house with that much eye make up on! She's trying to grow up too fast, and it's tough when you have two older sisters who are allowed to do things you're not yet allowed to do. We've got a nice compromise all worked out now with regard to the eye make up...at least for now...)

They're growing up!!!!

I try and try and try to convince these two girls that they are absolutely beautiful without their eye makeup, but it is a losing battle. They so want to wear it, and it makes them so happy. I try to tell them that it is not what is on their face but in their heart that makes them beautiful. They listen, nod...then ask if they can buy blue mascara. AKKKK! ANYTHING but blue! There is a line from the movie "My Girl" with Jamie Lee Curtis. She is putting eye makeup on Veda for the first time and she says, "The number one rule about eye makeup is that you can never have enough blue eyeshadow." That movie took place in the early 70s, and that statement might have been true 3 decades ago, but it isn't true now. There has been an alarming resurgence of 80s styles, though. Stay tuned for more fashion happenings from the Davis girls.

On being impulsive

2010-08-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

When Dean and I were first married, we were trying to fall asleep one night in the summer, and he said, "Pancakes sure do sound good right now." So, at around midnight, I said, "Let's go to IHOP." We rounded up Bradley, Mariah and Mariah's friend who was spending the night and we headed to IHOP. The kids STILL talk about that 7 years later. The spontaneity of it all and the fact that we went to IHOP in our PJs in the middle of the night was so exciting to them that they still talk about it. (The irony of Dean's "I want pancakes comment" was that he didn't even order pancakes when we got there; he had chicken friend steak.)

Last week, I was watching the local evening news when I learned that there was a meteor shower that night. That sounded kind of cool, so at 10:30 PM, I looked up the observatory in Tooele County (which was opened that night for the occasion), did a crash course on you tube on how to change the aperture on my camera, loaded the kids in the van with blankets and headed out to Stansbury Park (which is approximately 50 minutes away). Mariah's boyfriend had just dropped her off, so he went with us.

I have always been amazed at all things space related. I don't even begin to pretend that I comprehend anything about stars, planets, galaxies and outer space, but I do think it's really, really cool. One of my favorite places to visit during a visit to Chicago is the Adler Planetarium. I've probably been there a dozen times.

By the time we got to Stansbury Park, all of the kids were asleep. The crisp air woke them right up. We went out with a couple hundred other crazy people to the observation area and waited for burning particles to fall from the sky.

The first time I ever saw a meteor was in 1995. I was on my way to St. George, Utah. I had picked up two hitch-hiking teenage boys in Cedar City. I said, "I will take you to St. George if you promise not to kill me." One of the kids said, "We'll get in the car if you promise not to kill us." Deal. I saw unbelievable meteors that night. I had no idea what they were! I asked the two kids, and they had seen them hundreds of times. I knew them as "falling stars," but that is not really what they are at all. I know just how brilliant they can look in the desert sky, and I wanted the kids to see.

It is near next to impossible to catch a meteor with a camera, and I missed so many of them while fiddling with my tripod and camera. The oohs and ahhs were reminiscent of the 4th of July. Eventually, I saw some really cool ones streaking across the sky.

While I didn't get a picture of a meteor, I took this rad picture of the Big Dipper.

I also caught this picture of Jupiter. (You're going to have to just believe me that it really is Jupiter). It was the "brightest star" in the sky, but when Elle and Dom asked the astronomer, he told them it was Jupiter. They thought that was super cool.
The star party ended for us when 1) it got kinda cold and 2) when the sprinklers adjacent to the viewing area came on. A load of people laying out there got sprayed with water at 1:15 AM. I wasn't going to take the chance with my camera equipment...nor was I excited about a van full of wet kids and wet blankets. We packed up and headed home (and this time I remembered to turn the headlights on! ARRGGH!)

I had covered my flash with blue tape so that it wouldn't disturb others. I took this funky picture of Garrett (in the back of the fan) and Elle. The blue glow is from the tape on the flash. We got hot chocolates and headed home.

I had a good time, and I hope the kids did, too. I'm not as spontaneous as I used to be....but when the bug hits me, I'm going to try and act on it a bit more. Life is short. There's no harm in spending a few hours chasing a thunderstorm, looking at a meteor shower or creating an IHOP memory that will last a lifetime.

Family, Friends, Food and Fireworks!

2010-07-05T21:44:00.000-07:00

Dean LOVES to have people over, and he loves to cook out. I dread the work that comes with getting the house ready for guests and prepping all of the food, but as the kids have gotten older, the burden has been shared, and I dread it less and less. This 4th we had a cookout with our neighbors and some friends. It was a really nice time...even if it was so chilly that we needed JACKETS. Yes, jackets!

Dean at the grill..

Teriyaki Chicken. Yummy!

Julian and Carolyn Jesse

Adam and Carrie (posing with all of the food!)

Chilling...waiting for the fireworks....

Dylan made a lovely cake!

The kiddos and the fireworks...they were all paying homage to the blast zone.

Dominique was all into the pyrotechnics this year...

Dom and Dylan...doesn't Dom look thrilled?

They look happier in this picture.

This is Mariah's boyfriend, Garrett....in a momentary lapse of judgement holding what I can only assume from the size of the flames was an entire box of sparklers!

Elementary school is but a memory....

2010-06-25T12:45:00.001-07:00

I can't even tell you how freaking sad I am that Dominique is no longer in elementary school. She is super excited about middle school, but Dean and I were openly crying at her last performance of her 6th grade year. It's not just that she is out of elementary....ALL of the kids are out of elementary!

Here are a few memories of Dominique from elementary school!

This is when Domi was 5 years old and almost done with Kindergarten. This picture is taken in Nauvoo, Illinois.

This is when Domi was 6th and in the 1st grade. She loved her hair that way!

Second grade back to school night at Wastach Elementary.

The second grade performance about "How the Baby Elephant got its trunk." Freaking adorable!

Third grade at Sandy Elementary School.

The "wax museum" that the 3rd graders put on. She was Queen Elizabeth and had to sit still like she was a wax figure.

1st day of school: 4th GRADE!

This is Dom and two of her friends jamming out to karaoke on TV: FUNKYTOWN!

4th Grade softball....the Chili Peppers.

This is right before 5th grade began. She BEGGED us to let her shave her legs.

5th Grade

Christmas in the 5th Grade

Winter violin concert, 5th Grade

6th Grade Picture

Spring musical...doesn't she look thrilled!

Final 6th Grade Performance!

Little Kid Art

2010-06-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

...is my favorite kind of art. Dominique has always liked to draw. Today I gave her an old bulletin board. I haven't ever hung it in this house, so I know that these drawings are at least 4 years old. They were probably done when she was 7 years old.

I miss the days when she used to draw me pictures and bring them to me. Her favorite thing to draw was butterflies. Sometimes she still draws; she likes to do design dresses and other outfits. She doesn't like me to look at them, though. *Sigh*

Here are some oldies but goodies.....

The good, the bad and the ugly....

2010-06-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

Since the inception of this family blog, I've kept it fairly upbeat and positive choosing to air my opinions on my personal blog. I grapple sometimes with whether or not I should share "less favorable" family news on the blog, and I have chosen not to. Trust me, there are A LOT of unfavorable posts that could have made it on here.

I often wonder if I'm creating a false image of who our family is. I don't think so. I consider this more of a photo journal rather than a newsy blog about the goings on in our family. Our family is FAR from perfect. We have just as many heartaches and sorrows as we do picture perfect moments. We have fights just like every other family does. We have struggles with our kids....just like every other family does. Having kids the age we do, we also tend to have a lot of extraneous drama going on. Any given day is a hodge podge of the good, the bad and the ugly. In the spirit of full disclosure, I think it's important to put that out there.

I don't want to go on with this blog pretending like all is well in our family. It's not. There has been a major disruption lately, and I wanted to blog about it. If I really began to express my feelings about it, I would never stop. So, I won't. Suffice it to say that our oldest son, Bradley, has moved out. It's been a little over three weeks since he first left.

He has desired his independence and his freedom from our rules and our standards of accountability for a long time. We always intended for him to move on after he graduated from high school. His premature departure created more angst in our family than was necessary, but it is what it is. He currently is staying in a room with our next door neighbors, Kim and Doreen. I can't tell you how thankful I am for these women. They care about Bradley, and they have been absolutely wonderful to him. I know that he is safe, and above all else, that is most important.

Bradley did not graduate from high school yesterday with his class. He failed to meet the requirements necessary for that to happen. I can't even tell you the heartache that this caused in our family. We so wanted him to graduate from high school. Dean and I have worked so hard over his junior high and high school career to try and help him. We have gone to extreme measures at times to help him get on the right path and ensure that he had more choices rather than fewer choices in his youth. For him to fall short in the last quarter of his high school career was beyond disappointing.

Every person has his right to make choices in this life. As parents we are only doing the best we can to teach them, guide them and help them. The child must do his part as well.

I deeply hope for Bradley that he figures our who he is. I hope that he chooses to live an authentic and honest life some day. I hope that he figures out how love is different than teenage lustful desires and "being in love." I hope that he gets his high school diploma. I hope that once he finds out who he is that he is true to that person. Interestingly, these are the same things that I have hoped for Bradley for a long, long time. We've been through a lot with him, and we have drug him through kicking and screaming (in his passive aggressive way) for the last 6 years.

I have done all that I can do for Bradley. I have given all I have to give, and my cup is empty. For now, I am relying on the generosity of others to buoy me up. A sweet woman from church came to me a few weeks ago and said, "My cup runneth over, and what extra I have, I share with you." It was once of the most charitable things that someone said to me in a very long time. My friends and extended family have been wonderful to me and my family. There is not a true friend who knows me and Dean who doesn't know how hard we have worked to help this child.

So, as he moves on, it is with mixed emotions. I'm anxious for the day that he moves away from the neighbor's house and puts action to all of his rhetoric. He hasn't really moved out...he's moved next door. I can't wait until he gets a job, moves out on his own and really, really, really starts earning his own way in the world. He claims that he can do it, and we are hopeful that he can. We won't know until others stop enabling him, stop giving him extra chances and stop taking care of him. It is probable that this pattern will continue for him for quite some time though, regrettably.

I'm anxious to see what kind of man that he will be, and I hope above all hopes that I'm the kind of woman who can accept the person he chooses to be.

Being a parent is tough. Being a step-parent is tougher. Being married to Dean and being given the opportunity to parent these four kids had provided me a set of experiences that I could never have had in any other way. I have learned more about myself than I ever dreamed I would. I have grown closer to God because of my experience as a parent. I have a treasure chest full of life experience because of this parenting opportunity. So, through the good, the bad and the ugly, I'm grateful for that.

San Francisco!

2010-06-03T19:37:00.001-07:00

In April we (Dean, Wendy and Mariah) had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco and enjoy that great city. Below are some digital scrapbook pages I created. I think they turned out lovely.

Bradley's Birthday and Elle's Concert

2010-05-25T22:08:00.001-07:00

They're so cute when they're sleeping

2010-05-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

Oh, boy! If they knew that I was posting this, they'd be ticked. Dean snapped this picture of Dom and Riah when they were at their Grandma's house over Easter. In fact, my favorite picture EVER of those two was taken at Grandma's house several years earlier. (I'll find it when I get home and post it here....and that will doubly tick them off!)

....and here is the picture below....are they not the cutest sisters that you've EVER seen???? And when I showed this post to Mariah (minus the pony-tailed, no make up picture below) she said, "That is my favorite picture of me and Dom." Huh. Well, who knew? I'm confident that she would NOT like this photo, but it is definitely one of MY favorite pictures of those two.

Domi has always looked up to her big sister. Sometimes her big sister is a good example worthy of emulation; sometimes her example should not be followed ;-) There aren't too many more years left when this kind of sisterly moment can be captured, so I'm glad that Dean got it.

At the plate...

2010-05-12T19:46:00.001-07:00

This has been a CRAZY Baseball/Softball season for Jordan High. We had a mild winter, and when the season finally began in March, the weather was crazy. There was wind, rain, snow. It began snowing on April 1st and lasted through May. Here are a rare few photos of Bradley pitching.

He began pitching for the JV then late in the season, he pitched a few times for the Varsity.

Wendy Turns 40!

2010-04-03T17:50:00.001-07:00

Play Ball!

2010-03-25T20:44:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year....softball season. We are big softball/baseball players in our house, and for whatever reason, this year we've really been looking forward to it. Mariah made the Jordan VJ and Sophomore teams, and she has at least two games a week. Her dad is her biggest fan and goes to every single game he can make (which is almost all of them). Here are some pages that I made of Mariah's first game of the season. I don't want to brag too much, but she's a dang good softball player.

Student of the Month

2010-03-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dominique was awarded Student of the Month in March. Here is my continued attempt at digital scrapbooking. It takes longer than you might think, but I'm hoping to get better at it the more I try. If you click on the images, you can see them in a much larger format.

And the best actress award goes to.....

2010-03-08T21:51:00.000-08:00

Dominique! She has worked very hard on her elementary school musical called "Hickory Dickory Rock!" She was Little Red Riding Hood in a tongue in cheek parody of classic nursery rhymes. This version was full of classic songs that are fun to dance to...and dance they did. This is Dominique delivering her lines...the last ones of the play that tell the Big Bad Wolf that he is no longer banished but can come back to the forest with the other fairy tale characters.This is a number that featured the Katrina and the Wave hit "Walking on Sunshine." Dominique is on the left in the red cape.

This is awesome. The lead singer (lower left-center of the frame) is in KINDERGARTEN. He rocks it! "You should be Dancing!"

And what good would a fairy tale parody be without a rendition of "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang? Ironically, I was grooving to this tune when I was in the 6th Grade. Dom's kids will probably be grooving to this tune 20 years from now.

This video is for my friend, Diane. Her awesome Kindergartner rocked his part.

These moments from elementary school go by so quickly. I have LOVED every performance that the kids have done. When I realize that Domi is our last kid in elementary, it's hard not to be sentimental. She spent most of her elementary school years at Sandy Elementary, and she has loved every day of it! We are so grateful to all of the wonderful men and women who have taught our kids in those crucial elementary years. They are true heroes! There is a special place in heaven for those who love teaching and love children enough to teach them.

Sweethearts Dance

2010-02-25T23:40:00.000-08:00

I've been trying my hand at digital scrapbooking. Here are a few pages that I made from the Sweetheart Dance. We had all of the kids over to our house for dinner, and it was great fun!

They all looked so nice!!!

Big Love for the Big Easy

2010-02-08T21:38:00.000-08:00

The Davis family celebrated the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints by indulging in beignets. Dominique LOVES to make them. You'll notice in the photos that she is sporting our "New Orleans School of Cooking" apron to make the occasion that much more authentic. Congratulations to all of the Saints and their fans of the "Who Dat" Nation!

Carolyn and Julian Jesse (aka Uncle Julius)

Accolades for Elle

2009-12-25T16:18:00.000-08:00

Elle has been going through some rough times lately, and it's been difficult for us as parents to celebrate too many things. The bad sometimes seems to overshadow the good, but it shouldn't. It is important to promote and celebrate the good things even if we hit the rough patches in life. We all make mistakes. Thankfully, we have a way to overcome all mistakes we make. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, made it possible for all of us who bring a repentant heart and a contrite spirit to repent of those things we have done and be forgiven.

Today, we want you to know only the good! Elle was named the "Mountaineer of the Day" at her middle school. Attached is her award and the very nice letter her band teacher wrote her. A few weeks into the 8th grade, Elle came to us and proclaimed that she was quitting band. We don't quit in our house. There were arguments, some tears, anger...and every possible teenage attitude you could possibly imagine, but under no terms and conditions was she going to quit band. Band is now one of her favorite classes, and she is in the Jazz Band (which she loves)! Sometimes we have to go through struggles in order to see the better part.

Congratulations, Elle! Your family is very proud of all of your accomplishments!!!

Christmas Concert

2009-12-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

It is a bitter sweet moment when you realize that we have attended our last elementary school Christmas concert for one of the kids. I look back on all of the elementary school performances, and it makes me a bit weepy. Dominique is the last one in elementary school, and I still remember her performances in 1st grade! What is even more crazy is that it seems like yesterday when we went to Bradley's 6th grade performances, and now he is a senior in high school!

Dom has been playing the violin for 2 years, and she's really improved since last year. (Last years' performances are in the history of this blog if you're interested.) She took violin lessons over the summer with Mary Ann Petersen (the violin teacher at the elementary school). She fights us sometimes about violin and has vowed not to continue in junior high (which makes us sad). But for now, we have these performances to enjoy!

We hope you enjoy them, too!

Jingle Bells

Holly Jolly Christmas

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Ah...the makeup battles

2009-12-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

I don't really remember exactly when I began wearing make up. I know that it wasn't a discussion point; it just kind of happened. I'm sure I "borrowed" makeup from my mom. The next door lady was an Avon Lady, so I got lots of free stuff from her. Sometimes she paid me for babysitting with make up.

I don't remember having fights with my mom about makeup, probably because my mom wore a lot of makeup herself, and there really wasn't a lot she could say anything. I, however, have not been so lucky in escaping "the makeup debate." Now, Mariah...she looks hideous without makeup. It's a fact. She'll even say it's so. When she hit 12, it was a gift to all of us when she started slathering on the foundation. She has always gone way overboard on the eye make up. Last year, I had to pay a professional 50 bucks to photo edit her eyes in our family picture so they didn't look like two black spiders. (True story).

Elle...oh, Elle. She is beautiful without makeup. She has a wonderful skin tone, and I hate to see her cover it up. We agreed (finally) that this year she could begin wearing mascara. It makes her eyes look really pretty. I don't think she wears anything but eye makeup. She really doesn't need it.

I have an illogical aversion to eye liner. I think it is hideous! I especially hate thick, black eyeliner. I REALLY hat thick, black eyeliner on Elle....for all of the reasons I've mentioned.

I know, I know, I know...."somethings don't really matter." "Let her express herself with her makeup at least it's not a tattoo." (A-hem) "Pick your battles." "It's not worth the fight." I know. I really do know all of those things. But let's face it, I'm imperfect (and that is an understatement!)

The other night Elle was in tears as we were negotiating when she could wear the offensive eye liner. First I said, "9th Grade." She didn't like that answer. I finally said that we'd re-evaluate the situation in February....just in time for her to get all over-done for Valentine's Day *sigh*.
I wrote the following poem for Elle. I'm not a poet, and I definitely don't have the panache for iambic pentameter or any pentameter for that matter. But I meant what I wrote. I gave it to her (cowardly, I left it for her to find before school). It might work for a few months, I think in February that I'll be forced to look the other way as she applies more eye-liner than Adam Lambert.

Those Beautiful Eyes

Elle, Oh, Elle…what can I say?
You’re growing faster and faster every day.

The girl in the picture has beautiful eyes
I wonder if she can realize….

Those eyes are the window to her soul.
Grey-green in color with a black center like coal

Your eyes tell when you’re happy, sad or upset;
Sometimes your eyes say you’re filled with regret.

Your eyes help you see the beauty all around:
A fine painting, the clouds…beauty abounds

With those eyes, you look for the love of your dad.
He looks back with his eyes when you’re feeling bad.

Your eyes have seen heaven before you were born.
Your eyes will see God again on resurrection morn.

Do you see how wonderful and special your eyes are?
Do you see why I want them to be how they are?

Some girls line their eyes with black lines thin or fat--
Your eyes are so perfect there’s no need for that!

I know you want to go your own way.
I know you disagree with what I have to say.

Know that I love you and your beautiful eyes.
I know that someday I will compromise.

For now, however, let those eyes shine
Before we surround them with a black line.

Gravy Boat or Neti Pot?

2009-11-26T22:19:00.000-08:00

So, this is one of those Thanksgiving moments that we'll forget years down the road, so I will document in cyberspace. (And assume that cyberspace will not go away for a while).

I've used a neti pot for about a year. I saw it on Oprah one day, and Dr. Oz made it look easy. I've got to tell you, I love my neti pot. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a way to clean our your sinus passages. It sounds really gross, but it's really awesome...especially if you suffer from allergies like I do. Anyway...google it if you want to know more about how it works.

It looks like this:This year we bought two new "kitchen things" in relation to Thanksgiving. We purchased a really nice turkey roasting pan and a gravy boat. We've always put gravy in the glass measuring cup, but a gravy boat is more classy, so we splurged.

The gray boat looks like this:I will admit that there are similarities in their shape and color. However, one is clearly a gravy boat and the other is clearly not. On two separate occasions, both Dom and Elle asked while referencing the gravy boat, "Is this your nose pot?" (Nose pot is what we affectionately call it.)

Of course the answer is, "No."

Interestingly, I couldn't get either Dom or Elle to eat the gravy. I think the thought that it might have been the neti pot was too much for them!

More Thanksgiving photos to follow!

It's been a while.....

2009-11-11T22:50:00.000-08:00

I've been INSANELY busy...too busy to post much. That does not mean, however, that nothing has been happening. Hopefully, I'll have more of a chance the week of Thanksgiving to catch up a bit. (I took the whole week off.)

Let's see if I can give a quick update:

Dean. Well, if you haven't heard, Dean is looking for a new job. Yep, we are now officially affected by the recession. Dean's group at work had a 10% reduction in force, and he was one of the unlucky ones. The exit package was more than generous, and we're ok for a while. We're confident that he'll be able to find something...even if it has to be part time for a while.

Luckily, he's been around the house to help with house things and the kids while I've been traveling.

Wendy. I've been traveling a lot...which is always good, right! I've also had a class this term at the University of Utah. I'm waiting to see if I'm officially admitted to the PhD program in Political Science, but so far....still waiting on an accept or reject letter. I've also been engaged in some volunteer efforts with my alma mater. There is a lot going on.

Bradley. Bradley had surgery on his left shoulder at the beginning of October. He had an accident a year earlier during baseball practice, and his shoulder has never been the same. After three dislocations this summer, he finally had an operation to correct the problem. I'll scan in the surgery photos one of these days. It's quite miraculous what you can do orthoscopically these days. Bradley is a SENIOR and working toward graduation. So far, so good (barely)...but so good. He's also taken to dying his hair at home...which is freaking annoying....and also makes him look a bit freaky. His red hair is one of his distinguishing characteristics. Someday he'll appreciate it again...hopefully sooner rather than later.

Mariah. She is on the go, non-stop. She seems to be enjoying her sophomore year. She also has an after school job so that she can afford all of those extras that she wants. She's a good student and has ambitions to go into nursing. Riah has a renewed interest in exercise and eating well, and she's all but given up her favorite restaurant: McDonalds. Seriously, I tempted her the other night, and she ordered bottled water! Total determination and self control! Did I mention that she's always on the go? She enjoys spending time with her friends, going to movies, going shopping....and pretty much just going.

Elle. She's our sports girl these days. Elle continues to excel at Tae-kwon-do. She received her black belt back in September. (I'm lame and haven't gotten the pictures up yet.) She also just finished her season with her softball team, KOSS (sounds like chaos). She has been playing catcher. You'll not find a better follower of instructions than Elle and one who really wants to learn. She's becoming quite proficient at the Clarinet and absolutely LOVES Jazz band. She's growing up....

Dominique. Dom is our last one in elementary (where did the time go???). This girl loves to talk....her teacher has told me so....and I've witnessed it myself. She's a popular chick; her friends are always calling and wanting to talk, have sleepovers, hang out, go out....blah, blah, blah...you'd think she was a teenager. Dom is SO EXCITED...she recently got her very own cell phone. Let's hope she understands the privilege and doesn't get hers taken away. Domi plays violin in the advanced class, and she's quite good. She's a bit shy about playing, though. She wants to be in Jr. High so badly and acts like a teenager already. Lord, help us.

That's the 411 on what's been going on with us.

We plan to celebrate the holidays close to home....for many reasons.....not the least of which is the unemployment situation...

More postings to come as soon as I get a spare few minutes!

Made with Love

2009-10-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

I've been quite busy lately with school and work. I took a few vacation days to study and write a paper. Alas, life gets in the way (and unfortunately so did work). I had to take a nap this morning to compensate for the 3 hours of sleep I got last night. (I was up until 2 working on the paper, watched Survivor on DVR, went to sleep on he couch at 3, up at 6 for a 7 AM meeting...on my day off).

Domi said, "Do you want me to get you up by 3:00 PM if you are not up?"

I said, "Thank you, but I'll be fine." She's always asking me if she can help by waking me up...keeping me on track. She's responsible that way.

I got up at about 2:00 PM to begin a long day of writing. Dom heard that I was up and came to say hello. I asked her if she would be so kind as to make me a peanut butter sandwich while I was in the shower so I could take it down to my office and start working. She took the specifics of my order (heavy on peanut butter...yes, grape jelly is fine if there is no strawberry....yes, chips would be great.....paper plate, please).

When I came downstairs, this is what I found.

The note says, "MADE WITH LOVE."

It made my day.

Our 9/11 Tradition

2009-09-26T23:39:00.001-07:00

I've posted this in the past, but 9/11 is a special day of remembrance in our family. I'm a bit surprised that it is not a national day of remembrance, but I'm also encouraged to know that the events of 9/11 are being shared with a generation who is too young to remember the day from their own experiences.

This year I volunteered to give a presentation to the 6th Graders at Sandy Elementary about 9/11. I approached the presentation from a historical perspective, and I smattered a few of my personal memories of that day; I was in Manhattan on that unbelievable day. I spent hours and hours preparing a power point that I thought would be appropriate for 6th Graders and do accurate justice to the day. The theme of the presentation was "remembering the heroes of 9/11."

At the end of the presentation, I asked the children how they could remember 9/11. I was stunned with some of the answers they gave. They are SMART, THOUGHTFUL kids! Many of them have an adult in their life to has told them of their personal experience on 9/11. Many of them already have 9/11 traditions with their families. I was quite surprised that many of them wanted to share their thoughts. Perhaps I underestimate 6th Graders. I learned a lot from them.

In keeping with our family tradition, we all went to the Healing Field in Sandy, Utah (now our home town), and we spent some time reflecting on that day. The following are some of the pictures. With the exception of one of these pictures, Bradley was the designated photographer for the event, and he did a fabulous job!

First Day of School Pics

2009-08-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ah...the only day of the year when they wake up without protest, shower without protest and are out the door on time. They LOVE the first day of school!

The whole gang.

Bradley, 17 years old, Senior at Jordan High

Mariah, 15 years old, Sophomore at Jordan High

Elle, 13 years old, 8th Grader at Mount Jordan Middle School

Dominique, 11 years old, 6th Grader at Sandy Elementary

Happy Anniversary!

2009-08-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Six years ago, Dean and I were married. Four years ago, we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and had a formal ceremony. Here are some of my favorite shots from that day...and not your typical shots. The thing that is most shocking to me is how much the kids have grown in four short years! Bradley was just about to enter the 8th grade. Now, he is beginning his senior year!

This is one of my all time favorite pictures of the kids. I think they look so nice! It was a fun day, and they loved getting all dressed up and participating!

The kids looks so nice because of this woman! Alicia Brown was their primary president, and I asked her if she would help them get ready and bring them to the temple. I was overwhelmed at how beautiful the girls looked! Alicia is one of the un-sung heros of the day.

This is Steve, my BFF. It meant the world to me that he came up for our special day! He was such a help (even if he did forget his pants...oopsie!) I'm so glad he was there!

This picture makes me laugh. I have no idea what is in my hair...probably a bug or something. Check out Domi who is still posing for the camera...albeit with a forced smile. Many, many things happen behind the scenes to get to that one "money shot."

This picture makes me smile. This is our "funny face picture." (Oh, and for the record, that is not my real hair color...for some reason, it was exceptionally dark that day....I think we did more brown than normal. My real hair color is pretty close to Elle's (left).)
These two girls are definitely sisters. They fight like cats and dogs, but they really do care about each other. This candid shot speaks volumes about the true nature of their relationship.
I call this picture "Taller than Dad." Bradley was so excited that he was finally taller than his dad (which isn't too hard since his dad is only 5'5"). It's no mistaking that these two are father and son...and if you saw Dean's dad...you'd see just how strong that gene pool is.

It was my idea to have candid pics taken on the little league field where Bradley played ball. At first the kids were like, "Um...I don't get it." Then we had a good time with it! These are some of my favorite pictures.

This was near the very end of the photo shoot....what bride in their right mind would sport a baseball cap for pictures if it wasn't near the end. What fun pictures!

Happy Anniversary to the whole clan. I didn't just marry Dean, I married everyone!

Summer Softball

2009-07-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Summertime brings many activities, but one that is prominent in our family is softball (for the girls) and baseball for Bradley. All of the girls are excellent ball players, but Elle has worked really hard to improve her skills. She's blessed to have great coaches and a great group of girls to play with.

She's been playing catcher, but she has versatility to play most positions.

We're proud of her for the progress she's made in softball!

What happened to playing "school" with paper and pencils?

2009-07-28T23:27:00.001-07:00

So...today I was cleaning out my bookshelves. Some books got donated, some were given away and some were to be sold. I typically do a quick thumb through the books to see if there is any writing in them. I found this book:

I have my own copy of this classic, but this one belonged to one of the girls. I think it is Elle's. As I opened the book, I saw this....

Then this.....

At first I was irritated that there was writing in the book...then I looked closer....she made her own fake laptop, and she did a pretty good rendition. (Clearly, she doesn't know what a QWERTY keyboard is, but that's not a big surprise.)
She even drew the side of the laptop! Ingenious!

I don't know why she did this, but I'm guessing that one day she was either dreaming of having a laptop or was playing a game where she needed a laptop.

One thing that dismays me about the kiddos is that they don't like to read. It is a constant fight. I found it completely ironic that the laptop drawing was done in a book. I wish I could inspire them to READ books...and not just use them as props. It's a constant battle.

I try to tell them that it is a blessing and gift to be able to read. I try to explain that they get to do pretty much whatever they want, and all I ask is 30 minutes of reading a day. You'd think I'd asked them to eat a salad-only diet or something...they are that opposed to the idea.

*Sigh* I'll keep trying. I am a voracious reader. I can't imagine my life without it. Interestingly enough, I can't imagine my life without my laptop, either. I'm guessing that they learned that last part from me, too. I'm only hoping to have more influence on the first part.

Alcatraz

2009-07-15T23:54:00.001-07:00

In preparation for our trip to San Francisco, we rented the Clint Eastwood classic, "Escape from Alcatraz." The girls loved it, and it made their trip to "The Rock" much more meaningful. It was pretty overcast most of our trip. Below are some of the Alcatraz highlights. (Wendy was working during the Alcatraz tour and is noticeably absent.)

Dom "fake crying" because she's in jail.

What have the kids been up to?

2009-07-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it's almost been a MONTH since I last posted. While our attention was diverted for a period of time to deal with a family issue, we're hopefully back on track now! One of the absolute best things we did this summer was to hire Jana! She comes every day (even when Wendy is home) to be with Elle and Domi. Now, both girls are capable of being on their own, but it's summertime, and they want to be going and doing. I can't do that when I'm working from home, and I definitely can't do that when I'm gone. Jana helps them plan their days and does a great job of mixing the required (like reading, math and music) with the fun (like everything else!) Each week she chooses a "big" event. Here are a few pics of what they've been up to. This is Jana and Mariah on the week they went bowling. Riah tagged along. (She likes Jana and bowling, so it was a perfect combo!)

This is when they went to the Aquarium...Dom doesn't look like she's having fun at all! ;-)

This was when they went to the zoo. Dylan (our neighbor) with Dom and Elle. They had a really good time! (Elle won't show her teeth when she smiles...if she only could see how beautiful we all think her smile is! She's our smiling Elle. We're hoping she moves past the no smile phase soon!)

This pic of Dylan and Dom at the zoo makes me smile.

Just last week they went to the Oquirrih Temple Open house.

It's been great to have someone we can rely upon to make sure the girls have organized days and weeks. It's making the summer fly by! They don't have to rely on Dad or Wendy to get home to do things, and they seem to be having a great time! We're glad we have Jana! We know she's getting ready for school in the Fall, and we wish her all the best. Hopefully, more Jana pictures are to come since we have her for about 6 more weeks!

Moving on up...

2009-06-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

to recommended black belt. About 3 1/2 years ago Elle began Tae Kwon Do through a community ed class at East High School. She was the youngest one in her class, but she really enjoyed it. When we moved to Sandy 3 years ago, we weren't sure where to take her for Tae Kwon Do. It took us a while to figure it out, but there is a good school close to our house. She has thrived there and moved up in all of her belts.

She's in leadership now at the school, and she's taking on more responsibility. She's very good at her sport, and she takes it very seriously.

Here are some pics and videos of her on Saturday. She received her recommended black belt. There are several steps and ranks in black, but she is well on her way!

Testing form

Name that tune....and I challenge you to try!

2009-05-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

I will never forget the first elementary school band concert I attended. You have to understand that I was a season ticket holder to the Utah Symphony in my single days. I've heard Vivaldi played in a church in Venice by a string quartet. My taste in music is good, and my standards are high.

I will never forget attending Bradley's first concert in Utah and expecting....well...expecting to at least understand what they were playing.

I smiled, had my camera poised with anticipation of the number...then it happened. The first measure was played. I thought my ears were going to bleed. I wondered if the elderly in the crowd might have their hearing aids explode from the horrible noise. I looked around, and all of the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles smiled and nodded as their children exuded horrific sounds from their instruments. I seemed to be the only parent who realized that these kids were terrible.

I have since learned that parents have a filter. They don't care how horrible their kids sound. They're proud of them for the effort. They're proud of them for their commitment, and they're proud to have a moment in time that is....priceless.

OK...with that said....I attended Dom's rehearsal today for her Thursday performance (I'll be out of town).

Number one: Name that tune

Answer: Can Can Polka (listen hard...and with that filter on!)

Name that tune: This one is pretty easy to get from the beginning, however half way through when the Junior strings (Dom's Group) joins, they pretty much butcher the song.

Answer: Edelweiss

Well, I AM proud of her. She really enjoys playing the violin, and it is her first year. She's trying, and that's what matters most. Maybe next year I'll understand what they are playing without having to look at the program. Probably not, but I need something to look forward to, right?

Friday night lights

2009-05-10T21:33:00.001-07:00

So, on Friday we were sitting around playing the "What should we do?" game. Family favorites are movies or dinner. I wanted to do something different, so I suggested the batting cages. The kids were like "YOU want to go to the cages?" I'm like "Yea, I CAN hit a ball you know." They have never seen me hit a ball, so they were skeptical. Let's just say that by my count, I hit about 75-80% of all of my pitches...thank you very much. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.

Below are pictures of me, Dean, Elle and Bradley (Dom and Riah were other places).

Above: Wide-shot view of the cages. This is Elle in the cage. Below: Elle at the Bat.

Bradley

Dean

Wendy and Elle

This is what happens when the ball hits the cage and returns to a very unpleasant place. Bradley recovering from what we can only describe as "That pitch was a ball."

Tis the season for more softball....

2009-05-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

This time the star of the blog is Dominique. I admire moms and dads who volunteer to coach their kids and kids of people they don't know....all because they love the game. At Domi's level, it's all about participation and learning skills. Often times, the kids don't know the score or if they have even won. They are seeking for validation and praise from their parents, coaches and grandparents who come to watch the game.

The time for competition will come, but for now, I'm glad for the Sandy City Rec League and the good people who give their time and talents to help out some little girls who love to play softball.

Dominique at the Bat...it takes a while, but she makes it!

Dom is the runner on 2nd. The wide shot is to remind me of how goregous Utah is and the breathtaking background that we have! The shadows of the pines are pretty cool, too!

Play Ball---Elle Davis Rules

2009-04-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like a game under the lights. Wednesday night was about as perfect as a night as it gets. Here are a few videos of Elle. She's a dang good ball player...but then again, so are all of the girls.

Behind the plate.

Elle batting.

Easter Weekend in Washington

2009-04-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

I have not been in a blogging mood lately, but since we've been back from Washington for a week, it seems like it's more than time to post a few pics. The kids' extended family lives up in Washington, so every once in a while we try to head up that way. This time, the added incentive were two new cousins. Tyson is 5 months old, and he is the kids' first cousin once removed (trust me, that is the correct way to represent the relationship...I googled it to confirm what I already knew). The second baby is Ella. She is the kids' first cousin (no once removed stuff here). Have tons of pictures of both of the newbies, but the ones with Dean are really cute....well, and the babies are cute, too.

On the Saturday before Easter, Dean and I took the Ferry from Edmonds to Whidby Island. We rarely go out just exploring, but that is exactly what we did on that day. We stopped when we wanted to, grabbed something to eat when we wanted to, took the road less taken a few times and designed our own adventure. We drove the length of the island, over Deception Pass Bridge, back on to the mainland and make our way to where we needed to be. It was nice to spend the time together doing whatever we wanted!!!

Self portrait at Deception Pass Bridge. It's 20 times more cool looking in real life.

Root, root, root for the home team...

2009-04-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

For years we watched the local professional soccer stadium go up just a few blocks from our house. We talked about it and figured that we should support our local team and the local economy by becoming season ticket holders to Real Salt Lake (which is really in Sandy now...not Salt Lake).

We toured the facility before it was finished last fall, and the place is amazing. So, we purchased four season tickets! The first game was last Thursday, and it was WINDY, a bit chilly, and rain was predicted. I sent Dean to the game with Dom, Elle and the neighbor kid. They had a blast. I can't wait to go when the weather is much more cooperative!

Elle, Domi and Dylan (our adopted 5th kid!)

Our home team whopping Columbus!!!

By the way...it DID rain by the end of the night. I had picked them up from he game by the time it really started coming down.

Prom Night 2009

2009-04-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Friday, March 27th was Bradley's Junior prom. He went with his girlfriend, Toli, and they had a good time. At the last minute, there was a bit of drama around dinner plans, so I (Wendy) stepped in and just took over. We took them to La Caille. For those of you who are not from Utah, this is a fabulous place not far from where we live. The pictures actually do it justice in this case. Here are a few mementos from the night.

I have no idea why he is sticking his tongue out...except sometimes he does that when he laughs. I had to get the mom in the pic helping with the boutineer...classic...the mom usually has to help.

Thankfully, the wrist corsage is much easier to manage.

Don't they look great! It was VERY cold!

At dinner.

Let's just say that prom costs too much, creates unnecessary drama and is an antiquated teenage ritual. But, "you only have one Junior prom, right?" So we keep this tradition alive no matter how much drama and money it costs. One junior prom down...three more to go!

Going Amish in Lancaster, PA

2009-03-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

On our recent trip to Pennsylvania Dean, Bradley and I spent a day in Lancaster, PA learning about the Amish. It was quite the educational experience. I highly recommend a visit if you ever get anywhere near there.

This is us at the visitor's center.

Bradley and Dean with a Buggy. Yes, they really do drive them, and yes, they are everywhere. The cost of a brand new buggy (tricked out) is about $5,000-7,000.

Amish School. The children are "complete" with school when they are done with the 8th Grade. All of the Amish schools in the county are one room school houses.

This is Bradley in a replica of an Amish school...we didn't bust in on a class and demand to take pictures. In fact, our tour driver was very respectful of the children and didn't stop at the school if children were present outside.

This is a "typical" Amish farmhouse. The propane tank (because they don't use electricity), the clothes on the line (because they don't use propane dryers, apparently), and the houses which have add-ons (additions to accommodate multiple generations in the same household) are all indicative of a typical farmhouse.

The farmers were out in force plowing their fields the day we were there. In my whole life, I've never seen a horse-drawn plow (except on TV). This seems like such a hard way to do it. Get a John Deere for the love....

One thing which we don't have a picture of is our lunch. We ate at a true "family style diner" called Good and Plenty. The name says it all. Family style means that you are seated at a table made for 12 with whomever else comes into the restaurant and needs a seat. We had a lovely time and met some great people from New York and York, PA. I'm still dreaming (and paying for) those buttered noodles and that fried chicken! YUM!

Not for the faint of heart...disclaimer....Bradley's surgery photos

2009-03-28T05:39:00.001-07:00

About 6 months ago, I noticed a skin abnormality on Mariah's neck turned a dark color. I took her to the doctor and insisted that he biopsy it. He didn't want to. After a cursory examination, my doctor (who I love, by the way) claimed that the abnormality was simply vascular in nature and that I had nothing to worry about. I pushed.

The biopsy results showed cancerous cells. We went back in and had a larger section removed from Mariah's neck.

This got Bradley worried because he has similar skin abnormalities. We took him to a dermatologist, and a biopsy of his spots also proved to have cancerous cells. You guessed it. We went back in for a minor surgery to remove the affected area.

The surgery was fascinating in the execution and accuracy. The dermatologist is a skilled professional, and there will be minimal scaring.

The message here.....WEAR SUNSCREEN! These kiddos are 15 and 17, respectively. They are fair skinned, red-headed kids who love to have a tan. Unfortunately, their pigmentation does not lend itself well to tanning. Burning, yes. Tanning, no. They think they are invincible, but we've really tried to impress upon them how serious skin cancers are. I have no idea if the message is sticking, but I hope it does.

********************************

This first pic is what it looks like after the numbing agent is doing its job. The red dots are needle marks. The other dots are enlarged pores from the lytocane.

This picture is the initial incision.

It was truly alarming to see how deep the incision was. The doctor told me that I could watch as long as I wasn't going to pass out (and he was serious).

This site almost did me in. It's about 1/4 of an inch deep. The dermis layer was much thicker than I thought it was. The slightly yellowish layer at the bottom is actually fat.

The next few pictures are the stitches.

All done!

He gets his stitches out on Monday, March 30th!

Bradley, the Little Leprechaun, Turns 17 on March 17th

2009-03-19T22:19:00.001-07:00

It's been several years since Bradley has had a proper birthday party, so this year we all had a "somewhat of a surprise" dinner gathering. I wouldn't really call it a party. His requests were simple: Chicken caserole (done), cookie dough ice cream (Ben and Jerry's, done), and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (I made a tower of cookies to form a "cookie cake" (done).

What is a party without some balloons?

The "cookie cake."

The requisite "blowing out the candles."

A fun shot of Toli.

Mariah in her St. Paddy's Day garb.

More Images from Sedona

2009-03-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

Dean and Wendy at Chicken Point

Our "Trail"

The beautiful views

Images from Sedona, Arizona

2009-03-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

Dean and I are in Sedona, Arizona for a company event, and it's a magical place. Here are a few images.

Wendy and Dean at the Enchantment Resort

I took this off of the balcony of our room (casita)...yes...we're quite blessed and grateful!

This is my favorite shot from the day

The Teapot

The site of "The Vortex"

The island is now a memory

2009-02-26T05:29:00.000-08:00

My trip to Guam was about as perfect as a business trip could be. While Guam is way out in the middle of the Pacific, the flight wasn't too terribly bad (it's 7 1/2 hours past Hawaii...for those who don't know).

Guam has a very unique history, and one that I'm certain that many Americans are not familiar with. Long ago, it was ruled by the Spanish. The Japanese occupied it during WWII, and it is now a US protectorate territory. Between now and 2014, the US will be closing Japanese military bases (like Okinawa) and moving thousands of military personnel and their families to Guam. I'm hopeful that this will help build the local economy and strengthen the infrastructure.

Click here to read a pretty good overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Guam

Guam is a lot like Hawaii, but the economic conditions are considerably worse. We took a trip around the southern tip of the island and saw many of the villages. It's very clear that most of the economic action on the island takes place in the central and north.

Regardless of north or south, village or city...the scenery and the people were beautiful. I'm appreciative of the opportunity to meet people at Guam Community College and the University of Guam.

Here were a few pictures I took at Two Lovers Point (a very famous cultural landmark).

Click here to read the legend of Two Lovers Point: http://www.twoloverspoint.com/legend.htm

It sure is beautiful.

Tumon Bay: A view from Two Lover's Point

This last picture is of me at the property on Two Lovers Point by the symbolic representation of the latte stones: the iconic symbol that represents Guam. The stones remind me of a challis, and they are everywhere across the island. Click here to read about the stones: http://ns.gov.gu/latte.html

Wendy is in Guam....

2009-02-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm in Guam for work, and it's been a very nice trip so far. The real work starts today (Tuesday), but I've been able to cram in a mini-vacation into a day and a half! Here are some gorgeous pictures of the island.

This is me at the beach by the Hilton in Tumon bay. The water was absolutely wonderful! I got in and snorkeled for about an hour. I discovered Sea Cucumbers. I thought they were big whale turds or something, but when one moved on the bottom of the ocean floor, I was all done!!!

Pretty flora on the Hilton property.

A monument to Ferdinand Magellan who landed on the island in 1521.

Talofofo Bay...on the southeast side of the island.

Elle Got Her Red Belt

2009-02-23T13:10:00.001-08:00

On Saturday, Elle tested for her Red belt in Taekwondo. She's approaching that black belt.

Ironically, Domi can still take her down!

Sorry, no pictures. I took the camera with me and left Dean camera-less.

Great Job, Elle!!!!

What the *&(@ is WRONG with Utah Legislators?

2009-02-20T23:16:00.000-08:00

....seriously, I probably should just shut up and run for office. If I were elect-able I would probably do it, but I don't think people could handle my "tell it like it is" style (a.k.a. "offensive").

So, some numb nuts in the Utah State Senate decided that Senate Bill 199 was good enough to get out of committee. This bill is specifically designed to disallow Utah local PTA groups from having any interaction with schools, their boards, districts and the Utah State Board of Education. The entire bill is shrouded in a premise of inclusivity. The language is such that it "appears" to be giving "fair and equal treatment" to ALL parent groups.

Ok. I don't have a problem with that. Tell me of a parent group that exists outside of PTA where people actually are organized and interact with schools, their boards, the district and the SBE? Seriously, we have difficulty getting parents to join our local PTA let alone be actively engaged in what's going on.

This bill specifically says that the schools, their boards, et. al. cannot-

56 (c) work in conjunction with a parent group that requires the payment of dues as a 57 condition for participation in its group, including participation in volunteer opportunities,
58 leadership positions, or the ability to vote.

Here is the problem. Local PTAs require dues because the state requires dues. The state PTA requires dues because the national requires dues.

The wise senators amended the bill to say:

58a S. (6) The provisions under Subsection (5)(c) do not apply to a parent group that waives the
58b required payment of dues for a person upon the request of that person. .S

Again, the dues cannot be waived per the PTA by-laws. With no, dues there is NO PTA.

What a crazy thing.

This bill is absolutely ridiculous. If feel like I'm reading a bill for Student Congress at the High School level...no, wait...the bill that we passed into law during Student Congress were actually meaningful.

I've emailed my senator. I'll let you know what I hear back.

Let's just say that I am not happy at a piece of legislation aimed to rub out PTA and their associations with Utah schools.

More to come on this...for sure.

Bradley's Valentine Day Dance

2009-02-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

Oh...the boy is growing up. This was the first "real" get dressed up kind of dance Bradley has been to. In the past, he's either 1) not been old enough; 2) only had Junior High dances (which take place DURING school in Utah); 3) not been "able" to go for grades or whatever.

Here are some pictures. Boy do I feel old. I still remember going to my Homecoming dances and having the whole "pictures with the date experience." I hope those crazy kids mind themselves...but really, I'm just hoping they don't do some of the stupid things I did in high school (after) dances....most of the stupidity was due to lack of sleep and lack of judgement. Enough about me...on to Bradley's pictures.

This poor girl struggled with the boutonniere.

I left Dean and Bradley to get the corsage...it was a mess. I had to retro-fit it with a ribbon that tied on her wrist because it didn't have the wrist-thingy. I'm hoping it stays on. I also had Bradley bring a band-aid because the floral wire was poking out a bit. I said, "If she complains that it's hurting her, slap a band aid on her wrist."

Below: Their "Group."

My Beautiful Flowers

2009-02-13T20:44:00.000-08:00

My friend from church, Karlie Badger, made my Valentine arrangement. What a wonderful surprise they turned out to be, and trust me, I'm very difficult to surprise!

A Tasty Chicken Recipe

2009-02-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

I'm typically not one to cook, but since we have a kitchen that is manageable, I've tried a lot more than I ever have before.

My friend, Leona, gave me this idea, and it was quite tasty!

Chicken Cordon Bleu (Weight Watchers Style)

4 oz chicken breast
1 oz thinly sliced ham
"Laughing Cow" Cheese Wedges
Seasoning (like garlic salt or onion salt)
Toothpicks

Pound chicken with meat tenderizer until thin enough to be able to "roll"
I put saran wrap around the chicken and pound it that way.
Season chicken with your preferred seasoning (I used poultry seasoning and onion salt)
Place two very thin slices of ham in the middle of the chicken
Put one wedge of cheese on ham and "spread" with a spoon (the cheese doesn't easily spread)
Roll chicken and secure with a toothpick.
Coat with either bread crumbs or "Shake and Bake"
Place chicken rolls on baking dish (sprayed with Pam).

Bake at 400 Degrees for 35 Minutes.
Remove toothpicks and serve.

Very, very yummy and only 7 WW points.

"Homemade" Salad

2009-02-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

As you know, Dean and I have joined (re-joined) Weight Watchers, and we've been diligent about eating better. Today I volunteered to make dinner and on the menu was a tossed salad, baked potatoes and pork chops.

Elle helped me make the salad, and in the end, she had to do the whole thing because I cut my finger...and didn't want to bleed on the veggies (yeah, gross, I know...but it would have been grosser had it actually happened.)

Today I actually bought a head of lettuce instead of the salad in a bag. I thought...any way I can save money, and that salad in a bag can be expensive and doesn't taste fresh to me. I taught her how to core the lettuce without a knife, and she was amazed. I then told her in my best Martha Stewart like voice that you always tear lettuce and never, never cut it with knife.

She was really getting into her first lettuce ripping experience when she said, "So, are we making homemade salad then?" I laughed and laughed. Poor kid. Everything comes out of a bag, and when you actually spend more than 20 seconds making something, she thinks it's "homemade." Ah, the "instant generation."

Made out like a bandit....

2009-01-27T20:17:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, the kids say things that make us laugh so hard that we almost pee our pants. I've taken to writing them down because I'm afraid that I'll forget them.

I recently bought a bunch of skirts on-line from Target. I'm on a quest to find church appropriate clothes for my teenage girls that don't make them look like young hookers. I've been to every major retail store out there, and the clothes are all short, short, short. It's near next to impossible to find dresses....that aren't short, low cut...or otherwise not acceptable. So, I ordered several "knee-length skirts" on line. Of the four skirts and one dress, Elle found two she liked, Riah (of course) liked nothing...and Dom took two skirts.

Dom is the easy one to buy clothes for. She's not picky, and as long as she thinks it's cute, I'm good. I bought her two skirts the other day when we were out, and it was not my intention to give her two more.

So...tonight I said, "Dom, you made out like a bandit."

Dom: "I made out with a bandit?"

Dean: (laughing) "like a bandit"

Dom: "I don't know what that means."

Wendy: "And you probably don't know what it means to 'make out,' either.

Dom: (long pause) "That's what you think!"

Um....she's 10. I may be in for big trouble because 1) she doesn't know a standard, albeit colloquial expression, but 2) she does know what it means to make out.

Well, we did it...

2009-01-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

Dean and I have re-joined Weight Watchers. I think this is our 3rd time as a couple trying. It works! I love WW. Anytime I've not been successful, it is because I didn't try...not because the program isn't a good one.

As we're getting older, our health problems become more pronounced, and over and over again, the common denominator seems to be weight. While weight is a measurable goal, I have other goals as well:

1) Not to be as tired as I am all the time;
2) Not to have to use a seat belt extension on an airplane;
3) Not to have to lay on the bed to zip up my jeans;

There are many more, but those are a start. I'm confident that by trying, that those goals can be met and met in a relatively short period of time.

I'm grateful for Dean, and I want him around and kicking for a while. We have plans to retire to San Diego...to go on a mission and to enjoy our lives. It's imperative that we work on our health to be able to enjoy the rest of our lives!

A lot of excitement for one day....

2009-01-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

Today was a big day for two of the kids. First, after a year, Mariah GOT HER BRACES OFF. To say she was excited would be a bit of an understatement. Here's a picture of her with her new chops.

Also today-Dominique was recognized in an assembly at school as one of the Students of the Month for exemplifying the quality of integrity. It was supposed to be a surprise, and I tried to throw her off the trail by telling her that the letter sent home was requesting a parent-teacher conference for issues related to her reading. We did our very best to sneak in the back and truly surprise her, but one of her little friends "outed" us in the crowd of parents. Oh well...it was a surprise almost until the end.

Were proud of both of all of the kids, and we love to celebrate their extra-special days with them.

Below: Dom, Wendy and the Shark; Domi and Dean

Dom and Mrs. Dahl-Houlihan (Principal)

Below: Video of the Award Ceremony

I'm proud of the kiddos...

2009-01-20T22:51:00.000-08:00

I left Edmonton, Canada VERY early this morning. My flight landed at 8:25 AM and by 9:15 or so, I was at home. The girls were all up (still in PJs) with the TV turned on waiting for me to watch the Inauguration.

I had already told them that I didn't want anyone going anywhere on Tuesday. I told them we were going to watch it, but I honestly expected a bit of a protest. No one complained...not even a little bit.

I think that they knew it was important to me. I also think they knew on a greater scale that it was important. I don't know if they truly understand "why" it's so important, but they sense the energy. They were amazed by the number of people (as was I).

They listened patiently as I pointed out who was who in the crowd, how the process of the inauguration would go, and my Washington, D.C. geography lesson. After President Obama's speech, Elle said, "is that all we have to watch."

I said, "Yep, you're free to go clean your room now." To which Mariah and Domi said, "I think I'll watch some more."

I hope that years from now that they'll remember that we watched the Inauguration together. I remember my first Inauguration. It was Jimmy Carter in 1977. My 1st Grade reading teacher rolled in the TV and had us watch it. We were first graders, and I still remember that. The year before in Kindergarten, I had been part of a school-wide 1976 Bi-centennial program where I learned all of the patriotic hymns. I still remember every, single word. I firmly believe that we are influenced by trusted adults at an early age, and my love for my country was definitely affected from the time I was very young.

Maybe years from now my grandchildren will not understand why "judging a man by the content of his character, not the color of his skin" is even an issue....because it will be something that is standard. Maybe a generation from now we will no longer define individuals by their race, gender, religion, or sexual preference. I sure do hope so!

For today, I will celebrate that part of the dream has been fulfilled, and this enables us to continue to dream. I'm very excited to see what we can dream and what we can do!!!

A Tribute to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King

2009-01-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad that every American has the opportunity to dream and to have that dream realized. I'm so inspired by Obama, and I hope that the energy he brings to DC will convert to actions that perpetuate the dream and make this country a better place.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Mariah's Dye Job

2009-01-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

Mariah has been asking to get her hair colored "all brown" for a while now. She earned the money to pay for it, and I documented the whole process. Let's just say that the process can be an ugly one, but the result is worth it...at least to her it was!

This is Mariah with Nan, our favorite hairdresser.

The brows are gettin dyed! (One of the not so pretty parts!)

A close up

In the chair getting the do done!

I personally think the final result was somewhat reminiscent of Michael J. Fox's girlfriend in Back to the Future. Regardless, it's definitely an 80's do.

Not too much new to report....

2009-01-10T21:32:00.000-08:00

There aren't any fantastic pictures or great news to report for this week, but I wanted to give some kind of an update.

The kids went back to school this week! Hallelujah! It was all about trying to get everyone back to normal and back into a routine.

I (Wendy) spent the week at meetings in lovely San Diego. I love that place, and it's my aspiration to one day finally live there. I experienced great food, great conversations...and one minor earthquake.

I also managed to drop my cell phone in the toilet last night (Friday). I can't BELIEVE I did that. Dean is working on drying it out with some technique he learned on You Tube. I'll let you know if it works.

Sometimes no news is good news...but let me tell you...there will be something new and exciting to report soon...I'm sure of it!

Exciting News

2008-12-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

...for anyone who thought the first sentence of this post would be, "we're having a baby," GUESS AGAIN! In fact, if that ever were true, you probably wouldn't read about it...because I'd be crying so hard that it would probably short out my keyboard. (And...I mean sobbing, crying....in a BAD way!) We have four lovely children and are quite pleased with the challenge they provide. But I digress...this is not about me, it's about DEAN!

On Saturday, Dean got a call from our Stake President, and today he was called to be in our newly formed bishopric. He will serve as second counselor to our new bishop. He's quite excited and nervous all at the same time, but mainly, he just wants to do a good job.

We're very proud of him! We'll miss sitting with him on Sundays most of all, but it's a small (and hopefully temporary) sacrifice.

He's a great father and husband, and now we just get to share him with the ward members who are sure to love him as much as we do!

A few Christmas Pics

2008-12-26T21:07:00.000-08:00

Well, it's come...and gone....Christmas, that is. It was a good Christmas for all. Except me (Wendy), I developed a cold on Christmas Eve, and spent nearly all Christmas Day in bed :-(
Other than that, it was great!

Christmas morning...waiting to go downstairs...all decked out in new PJs.

One of the whole gang...with Dean and Wendy also outfitted in new PJs

Diving into stockings...and yes, Mariah is wearing footed PJs..

This picture makes me laugh. Dom loves wearing eye masks. That began one day when she couldn't sleep with the light on. I use eyemasks all of the time when I travel. She has a stash of them; this is a new one that Elle got for her for Christmas.

This is our good friend, Julian and Bradley trying to dig our car out of the driveway. We got quite a bit of snow on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after.

Our House at Christmastime

2008-12-24T01:15:00.001-08:00

It's important to me to make sure the house feels cozy and welcoming at Christmastime. Each year, I switch it up a bit...depending on how I feel. Here are some pictures of our home this year.

This first series of photos is of my display on our bookshelf. I had the idea to use the tiles from my bathroom tile job and make a beautiful display. I chose some of my favorite sayings from Christmas songs. I think it turned out to be very beautiful..much more so than I expected.

This is our tree. It looks much better in person. It's hard to get it right with the light/flash.

This is on our coffee table. I love this beautiful container. I put some filler and some simple ornaments in the container. I think it looks lovely.

I had a momentary lapse in judgement and decided to tackle Christmas cookies. It actually went much smoother than I thought it would. All of the kids love to help, and they are happy to do the baking if I'll do the cleaning. It works out pretty well. Here is a photo story of Bradley making my favorite Christmas cookies: Spritz...with the favorite "cookie gun."

This is one of my favorite spaces to decorate. It's in our kitchen. We have an oddly large space behind our sink because of the way it was built, and it serves nicely for displaying things. The two pictures are art that my mom made when I was young...as far as I can remember, we've had them. The trees are creations that Elle, Domi and I made: candy, Styrofoam

and a glue gun. Viola!

I hope you have warm Christmas memories of your home!

Elle's Tae Kwon Do Testing

2008-12-21T00:26:00.000-08:00

Periodically, Elle tests for advancement either within her belt color or to another belt. Today, she tested for her Brown Belt Decided stripe. She did very well! She's been doing Tae Kwon Do for about three years now. She has been at this academy for about a year..or a year and a half.

This is the Brown Belt Form.

Holding form until they are allowed to break

Elle also has a sparing element that she does for testing. This is her all gussied up in full on combat gear!

This is Elle setting up her boards that she will break.

Breaking her boards!

Elle receiving her stripe

We're VERY PROUD of Elle! (And she just turned 13!!! Yikes!)