Yabba, Dabba, Doo and a... Thank You!!

Tuesday night Mike and I went to Pack Meeting to see Adam receive his Arrow of Light award and Zach receive his Wolf. Boy, was it deja vu!! There was a "cheer" box full of cheers (hence this post title), cub scout skits and songs, pinning pins on moms, hugging moms and being embarrassed (one boy even grimaced when his mom kissed him), and lots of gold and silver arrow points. Andy did a fabulous job as Cub master and Zach led the flag ceremony; Mike was there dressed in his mountain man clothes helping with the presentation to Adam. It was awesome!! It brought back memories of having three sons in cub scouts and the many, many MANY Pack Meetings we attended. I loved seeing my two oldest grandsons decked out from the top of their heads to their toes in cub scout uniforms. I was reminded of a snowy day a few weeks ago when I picked up Adam and Zach from school. I told the boys that they needed to get ready for scouts as soon as they got home. Adam was very excited because his den was going to the local high school's science lab where they would be setting their hands on fire. WHAT!! But get this... he didn't want to wear his scout shirt because he didn't want his sleeves to catch fire and ruin his shirt. Better the hands than the sleeves; I guess... not! 

Day 18: Davis County Fair

This post will be short and to the point.

Another shout-out for Endless Summer... they will be playing at the Davis County Fair tonight from 6-8:30.
It will be fun and it's FREE!!!

Blogging for 31 days can be fun, but I'm starting to run out of ideas... maybe tomorrow I'll post about laundry, unless any of you have some suggestions.

Day 10: William's Story

One night at bedtime when Andy was two-years-old, I told him that we would go to the park the next day. He was so happy as he anticipated the park outing that I made up a little story for him about a boy I called Willy, I even titled the story "Willy Goes to the Park". After that, Andy frequently would request a "Willy story" and I would make one up for him on a number of different subjects and activities that "Willy" did. Andy still has memories of his custom made stories, and since he has a little boy named William, today I'm going to tell a William story... because I'm certain that Willy's name was really William too.

 William Rides the Train

Once there was a little boy named William who was five-years-old. One day William's Grandma came to his house. They were going to have a Grandma Day together. William had a big smile on his face and said, "hi Grandma" when she arrived. They said good-by to William's mommy and brothers and they drove to the train station. William LOVES trains.

William waited patiently for the train to come. When the train arrived he held Grandma's hand so that he would be safe. William and Grandma climbed the stairs so that they could sit on the top floor of the train. They were high above everything as the train flew down the tracks. They saw houses and animals and cars and even Lagoon. William told Grandma, "that's my Lagoon."

When the train stopped William and Grandma went into the train museum. William had been there before so he led Grandma all around. At the train museum there are real train cars. William climbed up on the different cars. One car was a 2002 Olympics car. Grandma took William's picture there. William's mommy was a volunteer at the 2002 Olympics.

William and Grandma played with a wooden toy train on a wooden track. William knew how to share because he said, "here's your train Grandma" as he placed four train cars in front of her. Grandma and William each led their trains around the track being careful not to have a collision.

 Soon it was time for William and Grandma to go back to the train and return home. When they got home William told Grandma "thank you", and Grandma told William, "thanks for coming with me and showing me the train museum." They had a fun day together.

Day 9: The First and the Last

It was just over twenty years ago that we announced to our three sons (ages 14, 12 and 8) that we were going to have a baby. Concerned that teenaged boys may not be enthusiastic about a new baby, we were pleased when Andy told us that he was going to teach the baby "his ways". Caitlin was born 3 days after Andy's 15th birthday; I'm not sure if he taught her his ways, or she just followed in his ways, or they are just siblings with similar ways... but they both love music, theater, and Disney.

Every once in awhile after band rehearsal Andy will stay late and visit with his mom and dad (we love it). The other night I was upstairs when I heard Mike calling from downstairs, "your boy's here to see you." When I went downstairs Andy was already playing the piano and Caitlin was singing Carole King (and doing a very good job of it). Pretty soon Mike had his guitar out and even I threw in some harmonies as I took these pictures. I am grateful for my first and my last (Andy and Caitlin); and everyone in between (Jeffrey, Jeremy and Ashleigh)... I am truly blessed.

Day 3: Endless Summer at the Park

It has been an endless summer for the Endless Summer Band. They have been busy-little-banders this season; and if you haven't had the opportunity to hear them perform... you can catch them tonight at 7 pm at the Bountiful City Park (it's free). They will be performing on the stage on the corner of 4th North and 2nd West. If you can't make that one, next week they perform at Midvale Harvest Days and then at another event in Murray. On August 18 they will be headlining at the Davis County Fair, and then on September 10 they will be back at the Bountiful City Park as part of Murphy's Guitars summer concert series (another free event).   

Classics and Favorites: First Family Picture 1993

Last week was Caitlin's birthday, so it seems appropriate to share a favorite picture taken minutes after her birth.

When I went to my very first OB appointment I told my Doctor that I would like the baby to be born on St. Patrick's Day. My due date was so close to that day, and after all... I was born in Ireland. I was induced early that morning and amazingly it was my longest labor ever. Caitlin Rose (perfect name for a St. Patrick's Day baby girl) made it with just 55 minutes to spare. I came to the conclusion that Caitlin and Ashleigh had spent some time together, and waited as long as possible to say "goodbye".

Caitlin's birth brought a lot of joy and healing to our family. Just look at the smiles on our faces. She was, and continues to be a gift. Happy birthday Rose!!

Classics and Favorites: Brothers

On Sunday Jeff will be blessing his baby boy, so today I'm sharing a favorite picture of Jeff on the day that he was blessed. It was December 1979 and we were living in Duchesne, in a cute little rental house that had previously been a garage. Our families were there on that special day and after church we had dinner at our home. I love this picture of the brothers. I had already changed Jeff from his blessing outfit into this one piece jammie; the same jammie that Andy wore after church on his blessing day. Time does fly on "wings of lightening".

Classics and Favorites: San Clemente Pier

This classic picture was taken on our first trip to the beach house in 1984. I have some other beach house pictures lined up for this series, but I had to share this one first. I have been going to San Clemente beach since I was 10 years old (including my honeymoon), but this was the year that the beach house tradition started for Mike and I and our little family. Some memories of this trip would include: being a contestant on "The Price is Right"; walking from our motel in Las Vegas to Circus Circus, because... "it's just down the street" (it turned out to be 3 miles); and triple odds on craps... and I'm not talking about gambling here folks. I.LOVE.THIS.PLACE!!!

Classics and Favorites: Andy and Jeffrey

This is one of my very favorite classics (it will be in the 50th anniversary DVD for sure). At the time this picture was taken Andy and Jeffrey were the only grandchildren on both sides of the family and were "doted" on by several aunts and uncles. One of my brothers (please remind me who, Archie or Alan?) took this photo in my parents backyard. I can still remember these two little guys (sorry Andy, you're two for two with goofy faces in this photo series) wearing those shiny jackets. Jeff is singing along with the 80's version of the "ipod", the Sony Walkman. Seriously... aren't they the cutest!!!!!

Family Pics

I shared a "sneak peak" of our family picture at the end of June... tonight my sister (click here to see her photography blog) gave me a disc of the pictures I chose, and they are ready to be printed. Here are just a few. You have to agree... my family is beautiful!!!

My four kids

Andy's family

Jeff's family

Jeremy's family

Caitlin's family

Summer Concert and New Hobby #1 Update

Last night was Endless Summer's concert in the park and WOW! what a great turn out. The west end of the park was filled with lawn chairs, blankets and people. I don't think anyone went away disappointed. It was a fabulous performance.



Adam, Zach and Will got in on the performance again with Tambourine Man.

Here is just some of the crowd with a few of our Endless Summer "family" in the foreground.

Alex, Alana and Bob; our cousins.

Tiffany and Mike; our friends.

Andy singing Long, Cool Woman and introducing the band members.

I don't have any pictures of my new hobby yet; but I'm happy to report that I reached my Labor Day goal today... a week early.

Friday Night Concert

Friday night, August 26, the Endless Summer Band will be playing at the Bountiful Park at 7 pm. They are rehearsing right.this.minute so I snuck into the band room and took these pictures. It's going to be a great show!!


Here's my hubby... rockin' out (the Bishop!?!)


Andy was very excited about something new the band had just accomplished... this is the picture my camera captured in a ba-zillienth of a second... I couldn't resist posting it.


Be sure and come to the park... bring your chairs, your family, your friends, your dinner... just come!!!

The Endless Summer Band

Friday night July 1 is the Endless Summer Band concert at the West Bountiful City Park from 7-10 pm; after the concert there will be a fireworks display. You won't want to miss any of it!!

Mike the incredibly talented rhythm guitar player and vocalist. Wait 'til you hear his high notes on the Beach Boys songs!!

Kevin he does an amazing job on the lead guitar... what a talent!!

Andy the incredible vocalist and keyboard player... but wait a minute, where's the keyboard? Oh well, I'm his mom so I will just tell you that HE CAN PLAY ANYTHING!!! Just sayin'.

Doug fabulous bass player and vocalist... multi-talented; 'cause... did you notice he's playing the banjo!?!

Mickey the drummer of all drummer's... he never misses a beat!!

Ummmm... these two aren't in the band... oh well, I just think it's a dang cute picture!! And it is my blog.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Zach, Grandpa Bear, and Adam in between a double header in which Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, and Uncle Jeremy played a few days ago.

Last week Michael and I attended Adam and Zach's baseball game. It was so much fun to see both of the boys get a good hit, play well in the field, and to observe their good sportsmanship throughout the game. We were impressed by how Andy and his friend coached the team. The boys had been given opportunities throughout the season to play in different positions on the field; and at the end of the game before cheering for themselves, they cheered for and "hand slapped" the other team. All in all, playing baseball appeared to have been a good experience for all of the boys on this team.

Michael who has always been a huge fan of baseball, was particularly impressed. His experiences as a child; as well as a coach for our own children, sometimes left him amazed and confused at the behavior of the adults (namely coaches and parents). We were both happy that we didn't see any of that kind of behavior at this game... after all, these are our grandchildren and we want their experience to be positive.

Being at a baseball game always brings to my memory a story that makes me smile. When Jeremy was about six he played t-ball. The coach used to line the boys up on the grass between 3rd base and home plate. They all sat there in a neatly organized row waiting for their turn up at bat. During one of the games a teammate got out on 3rd base. The boys on the team began to murmer about this "out" as the 6-year-old that caused the "out" had to shamefully walk past his entire team to get to his place in the line. I remember feeling so sorry for him having to walk past all of his peers, knowing that he had let them down. At one point he stopped, and with hands out in pleading desperation proclaimed, "I wasn't there the day they gave the instructions."

I love that story. I love coaches that care more about building a child's confidence than winning a game; parents who realize that all of those children on the field matter, not just their child; and those who show understanding to those who weren't there the day they gave the instructions.

On with the game.

TDBC Day 18: Something You Miss

I enjoy Hilary Weeks performance each year at BYU Women's Conference. This year she shared a story about her daughter that touched my heart.

A few years ago Hilary and her nine-year-old daughter went out to dinner together. Hilary enjoyed this one-on-one time with her daughter and was completely captivated as her daughter regaled her with the events of her day, through mouthfuls of mac-and-cheese. As Hilary listened intently to the details of a game of freeze tag, the thought occurred to her that she would have all eternity to enjoy the companionship of her daughter as an adult, but just this short time in mortality to enjoy her as a child.

So here is something I miss: