Growing Pains

The boys and I drove to see Amber and Jeremy this weekend with Mom and Dad. Ash couldn't come because she was at girls camp. We really enjoyed hanging out with Jeremy, Amber, Cole and Cali. It was weird not having Ashalee there and I continue to have major issues with her growing up. Speaking of growing up, I have never stayed with Amber and Jeremy as now they are adults. Except one problem, nobody told me. You see, Amber and Jeremy were made for each other, I truly believe that. And like most married people both or one party often forgets. It's strange watching your littlest brother morph into a man, trying to provide for a family and parent two children. As I watched Amber and Jeremy live in the real world of parenting, marriage and just plain surviving I was so inspired by how much they have to offer the world through their own personal lives and through their children. I admire their strength to keep on going even when it is rough. I know they will continue figuring things out and I will LOVE to attend their fiftieth wedding anniversary, with their children and family surrounding them, where they can stare in each other's eyes and be able to say, "What a ride!" I love them both so much, and I know they love each other. I also got to see Kristi on this trip my the baby, youngest, the spoiled one whatever most people call the youngest member of the family. She is no longer any of those. She is a strong, beautiful women with two children that are blessed to have her as a mom. She is patient and loves her children, and once again I was never informed of the transformation she is continually making. She is no longer a little girl, I'm not sure when that happened. So what I have concluded from all this is that I am obviously the only one that still has to grow up, but do I have to?

The two cutest boys in the world

Three generations of really cute men.

I miss Ashy

So Ash is at youth conference at Snow College with her blue hair. (She thought they might kick her out.) They probably would have if she were going to BYU. There are some real straight laced weirdos at that school that are just looking for someone to kick out :). My point is that I REALLY miss her. It's just not the same around here. There is no one to talk politics, religion, morals, other people and our own misjudgments, and of course if the guy playing Edward in the twilight movie is hot. While she has been gone I have suddenly realized how much I love talking to her and listening to her. She is at that stage where she can conceptualize an idea and look at it from any angle and choose cognitively and in her heart what SHE feels is right. It is quite an amazing thing to watch. She is so bright and loves to debate hot topics that she feels strongly about(just say the word abortion or holocaust and you've got one heck of a fight standing in front of you with blue hair.) So the blue matches her perfectly, but it will only last so long. Tuachan doesn't allow any color in hair, in fact she will be spending the next four years in khaki pants and polo shirts. But I know she will shine no matter what her hair color or clothing is because that's what she does best. Ashy come home! Here is a before and after. BEFORE
AFTER

More Spirit of West Coast Pictures

Wishing we could all go back!

Good Times

We took our annual Del Mar California trip this weekend and the kids were SO sad to miss the last two days of school. We had an awesome time and wanted more beach time. We got to see Melisa, Jr., Verlyn, and the beautiful Laree, I wish I had pictures hopefully Melisa posts some on her blog. My kids are growing way to fast. Ashalee is officially taller than me and almost as wise and the boys are moving in. Here are some pictures of the trip. We are very excited for summer and plan to live out everyday with adventure and excitement because school just comes too soon.

Happy Mother's Day!

At the very bottom of this page is a music video about Mothers, it's a must watch for many reasons. The group is called Il Divo. If it makes you cry you must post and tell me.

Warning Gory Picture

Andrew REALLY wants me to post this so here goes. He was riding on the back of his friend's bike and going down a pretty steep hill and fell off, knocked himself out got up holding his eye and fell down again. This resulted in a pretty big gash just below his eye brow and major road rash on his cheek and stomach. Andrew calls them war wounds. Please pray he will make it living until his eighteenth birthday, he is quite the dare devil. I am thinking tackle football might curb his desire to do dangerous things a little bit. So after four hours in the emergency room, a ct scan and a whole bunch of stitches this is the results. It looks really good now and has mostly healed. He is quite the guy, the day after it happened he was riding his bike, skate boarding and running. Thank goodness skiing season is over.

The Ranch

Just Andrew and I went to the ranch this weekend and got to have some one on one time. Love of the ranch is one of the things we have in common. To some the ranch is just a piece of land that occupies rabbits, rodents, sage brush, rabbit brush a few cows, old windmills, broken houses and a very old horse. But to me it represents peace, tranquility and memories. Memories that I will forever hold in my heart whether or not the ranch changes. There is a old windmill by the old corral that I am obsessed with. It's literally falling apart the blades that are left on it are bent and corroded, but yet it still stands. When the wind blows you can hear it creak back and forth not sure what to do anymore. I have taken so many pictures of this windmill from every angle possible but I am not sure why, maybe just to understand it better. It may sound strange but I experience so much familiarity and commonality with this old windmill I think I understand it and it understands me.