Trev's Tribute to our Nation

Trev participated in a grade program at school that celebrated our great nation. I loved the catchy song for the Bill of Rights and am wondering why I have not heard it already. So...I plan on looking it up and learning it as a family. It was fun, catchy, and even though we aren't a family of "singers" we love music and it plays a huge part in our home. All kinds all the time.

Anyway...Trev did a great job and I loved watching him shine. I sure am proud of this son of mine and the effort he puts into everything that he does. Love my son!

GiGi

We were in San Diego for a week. The main reason we went at the time we did was for my Great-Grandma's funeral. Yep, my Great-Grandma. Making GiGi my children's Great-Great Grandma. She passed away February 7, 2013 up here in Utah. She is buried in San Diego next to my Grandpa George. My kids have been so very lucky to have a Great-Great Grandma all these years.

 

One of my favorite memories with my family is all the Halloweens that we spent at GiGi's before her move up to Utah. Garth and I would pack up the kids and meet my parents (and brothers and sisters or whomever was home) at her house. She would buy pizza (forever earning Garin's love) and give the kids candy and then we would trick or treat in her neighborhood and the kids would get so much candy that they didn't finish it. But...they would come back to GiGi's (and Grandpa Joe's) and show them their stash of goodies. They loved it. I loved it.

 

A favorite personal memory is probably lunch at her house. I loved the perfectly set table (fancy schmancy). I loved that everything was wonderfully coordinated. I love my Grandma. Her candy jar. Her funny quirks. Her cake decorating stories. Teaching Jocelyn that olives DO NOT go on your fingers. I am so grateful we were able to go down for her funeral. I was able to see Jocelyn (a HUGE shout out to her and Jason for housing our huge family), Jaleen, and Joanna (plus family). We missed Jenna and my brothers--but had fun none-the-less. A sad reason to get together, but a reason that makes you even more grateful for family.

Shelby is 16

When I asked Shelby what she would like for her 16th Birthday...she answered with, "A trip to San Diego to see Noel and Kirra." I'll admit-we weren't sure how we were going to pull it off. My Great-Grandma's funeral was scheduled for that week too...and being in San Diego for her birthday was able to happen. Below are Shelby and Noel. Yep-whip cream on their faces. I cannot tell you how many birthday pictures I have of these two with something on their faces. They apparently have no clue how to stay clean. Noel is that friend for Shelby. That friend that you know you knew before you even came to earth. That friend that understands you and loves you no matter what your weaknesses are or how far apart you end up living. That friend that makes you say you want a trip to San Diego above anything else. I love both of these girls. And I love that Noel's mom Martha, loves Shelby and is so good to my daughter. Martha made Chicken Chile Verde, wonderful Spanish Rice and Beans, and salad. Can you tell we are loved? She had our whole clan as well as my sister Jocelyn and her husband Jason & kids too. We had a par-tay! We brought the cupcakes (chocolate oreo with cream filling and vanilla with strawberries & cream cheese filling). A great night.

 We are so thankful for Shelby. She really is such a strong young woman. She tries to hard to be a good example and to learn and grow. Garth and I are definitely lucky to be her parents. She chooses great friends (that have great parents-lucky for us) and has been blessed by those amazing friendships. She is a reader like her Mom and sees the divine qualities of others like her Dad. 25% Norwegian and proud. Oldest daughter (thinks she is the oldest period sometimes). Smart. Very smart. A great baker and cook. (from both parents?) A beautiful daughter of God. We love you Shelby.

Flashback...

I was packing up some pictures to get things organized and came across this picture of Garth and Garin. Where has the time (and Garth's hair) gone? Gosh I love these two (and the other 6). Both the guys below make my heart happy. They are so much alike in their desire to be good, kind, obedient people. Both are so incredibly good to me. Both NEVER read my blog. And yet they are so different. Garth loves to build, Garin not so much. Garin loves computer and animation. Garth not so much. All that counts is that they both love each other. And I am grateful for them both.

Snow.

A quick glimpse of our winter. This is the snow accumulation on a teenager from the bus stop to home. At least she is smiling. This San Diego native's bones just got chilly looking at the picture. ;-) In all seriousness, pretty funny, huh?