January's flying by! That's a good thing, right? Geof and I took a completely last minute, spontaneous (yes!!) trip to Atlanta to see and hear Louis Zamperini speak. The book, "Unbroken" told his story (PLEASE READ if you have not, yet). Such an unbelievable yet inspiring story. It was a wonderful experience. He turned 96 the day before (Sat) and the whole crowd that had shown up to hear him speak (a very large church FULL), stood and sang to him. And we sat in the very front row. Our friend Taylor went, as well, and had told us about him (Louis) going to Atlanta and he had shown up two hours early to get good seats-lucky for us. Just so nice to have good friends in Richmond who agreed lasting minute to watch our kids, teach YWs for me, etc. Awesome, really. We both were so happy to have so much alone time in car and walking around Atlanta to just TALK! Geof sure can talk (it's all those podcasts he listens to, I tell you...he knows so much!). Oh, and the extra sleep was h e a v e n.

We just got back tonight from Cole's pinewood derby-and he won! Surprisingly. I mean, we really didn't do much and Geof and Cole showed little desire to even work on the car. So we had a "scouting" friend come over and help do our car plus two other boy's. Cole DID draw and cut out his design..but it took a lot of prodding from our friend to get the boys to finish. Of course, Cole was thrilled to get first place but he was so good about not rubbing it in other boys' faces-we've had, and Cole's seen too many tears in the past from those who don't do as well.

And we can't forget Dayners and June bug. They love tackling Dad during family prayer. Need I say more?

Dayne's been gifted two pair of earrings from an admirer at school (see pic). She gave me one pair because she's just that sweet. And June, upon seeing Dayne's fancy earrings, went and cut her own out, and then glued them to her ears. Funny girl. They lasted all day.

You Will Sleep or I Will Make You Sleep

This is how Adam found T&R sound asleep the other night. Ruby Rojo story: she was mad at Adam when they were unloading from the car and walking up the stairs. Ruby pulled off her boots, threw them on the stairs, and said to Adam "trip on those!"

Provo

So the other day Finn watched an episode of Daniel Tiger. It was all about trying new food. There was even a little jingle to go along with it. Jess, I'm sure you know the one. "Ya gotta try new food cuz it might taste good". Well I've been using this little ditty on my picky eater ever since when he turns down food. Today as I'm on the phone with Mom and feeding the kids lunch, Finn is putting his noodles through some honey nut Cheerios that I had taken off Adam's tray and eating it. He offers me some and when I politely declined he looks up at me and sings "ya got to try new food cuz it might taste good". Wow! Just got bested by my 4 year old! All I could do was laugh, admit his victory and eat the weird combo. He's awesome.


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Ragnar Trail Relay?

I got an email this morning saying that Ragnar is now doing trail relays. The first one is in Zions in April. Someday when we all have the funds and freedom to drop everything and do such things, lets do it!!

Our latest adventure with our Nutella (sorry Ellynn, the Italian name you suggested just isn't sticking).

My sister, Grace, bought Adam this spinning spaghetti fork for Christmas. The kids have been fighting over it constantly, but I refused to let anyone use it until Adam did.

Our first Science Fair. I'm so grateful Adam was home for the bulk of the experimenting. He brought home some cool looking stuff from his lab for Sierra to use. I was so sad to have gotten food poisoning/stomach bug the night of the fair, so I missed it all. But my mom and grandparents were able to be there and said the girls did great.

Our annual trip to the National Western Stock Show! My grandpa has worked as a bus driver for the Stock Show for 13 years. Last year was the only year he couldn't find a way to sneak us all in for free.

I thought I'd post our latest pictures. We sure love all of you guys! Can't wait to be together again.

That Junie girl..

Shared this in a text this morning:
Some children are not meant to grow up fast..nor will anyone make them. You would think June, at 5 and a half, and in Kindergarten, would know that you don't really turn into a cat if you drink out of the cat bowl. She continued to ask us how she could become a cat yesterday, and that was the answer we gave her. She thought about this all evening as we were out running errands. At one point she even shouted hopefully, "that means I get to stay up! Phoebe and Lizzie always get to stay up with you and Daddy!"
When we arrived home, and the rest of us had forgotten the "cat talk", she ran into the laundry/mud room, knelt down, and sipped (like a cat) two slurps out of the bowl (yuck!) before Dayne yelled at her to "get outta there!" And she was quite upset that she didn't magically transform right the and there!
...and we want our children to grow up faster?! No way.

Cory's Home

Cory really is home and we all doubt Meagan will ever be able to get him out of Amboy again!!!

The home could not be better situated. They are in a new ward but still in our stake so we will still see them though I will miss seeing Jack pass the sacrament and my sneak attack hugs from all of them in the hallways at church. Their ward overlaps with Brind and Jules so that's fun. They can see Julia as she walks the halls with one of their monkeys. Meagan has all her running buddies readily available. The kids do not have to change schools. Jack can finish out the year as Student Body Pres. and next year he can go to BGH with all his friends. Wil and Benn can carpool with the other kids that attend Cam (its like a charter school) and next year Hazel will be going there too so Meagan will have an excuse to come into "town" to visit me rather than drive all the way back home. All in All it is as good as it can get!

Sat was fun! They had so much help. It was sweet! Brooke and Mike came down and Mike worked diligently til time for the game. Then El, Wil and he disappeared to our house. Brooke's expertise was much appreciated. Beds get made up first! Brind came to help before he had to go to work til midnight. We were moving a dresser together and had to boost it up and over the footboard. I had to change how I was holding it to get it that high. Brind held up the whole 5 foot dresser from his end while I made the change. The kid is a Beast!

While we are working a flock of geese flew in to land on the lake. It is frozen so they skidded across. They did find a part that wasn't frozen and hung out there. So picturesque! Later that day when it was just Brooke, Meagan, Benny and I, we took a break and walked around the lake. There is a 15 foot easement around the whole thing. Does it get any better than this? We are all suffering a little from house envy!

Cory's family is so glad to have him home. Linda and Dave, Cory's mom and dad, Gran, Uncle Gary, Clint, Chole all came to visit and brought 2 big pots of Linda's home made soup and bread. You have to realize that to have them all come to visit even IN AMBOY is a big deal. They really are happy he is home!!!

Well I am back on task,
Le Anne

Fry that bad boy

I feel like this is my only safe place to write about my new pride, and albeit illegal, joy. Kev and the kids bought 6 chicks this summer while I was at a baby shower. They all knew it was their only chance. They texted me a picture of themselves at the farm store, allowance money and chicks in hand, fists pumping toward heaven. Ridiculous. Anyway, they've been a tremendous pain in the arse, what with the constant nagging of the children to feed and water them. Lately their water is totally frozen each day and I was starting to wonder if I would eventually wake up to them being dead. Not to mention they should be laying by now. This prompted me to wonder if all the little suckers were, in fact, roosters. I was on the verge of putting them in the paper for free. Oh yes, and they're illegal. We don't have enough square footage to allow for them. We decided we'd look for forgiveness rather than permission. Anyway, one of those little cheepers finally laid an egg. I feel so at one with the universe. I feel like my life has come full circle. I am raising something that can feed me. It's weirdly empowering. "I don't need the government and their oppressive laws! I've got guns and egg-laying chickens! Take that Uncle Sam!" Then we fried it and, after a frankly ridiculous amount of self-talk, I ate it. Amazing. It was like I was finally tasting what an egg was supposed to taste like my whole life. Anyway, that's about it. Just thought I'd share. If the others turn out to be hens as well, everyone's invited over for omelettes.

Mom

I have been sitting here reading all the posts about Mom and crying. What a legacy she has left us!

Our Temple President asked to meet with me. I deliberately set the appointment on Mom's birthday. He asked me to be a Temple Ordinance Worker. I had a feeling that was going to be it and I wanted it to be on Mom's Day. After talking with him I did a session. The woman's name I did the temple endowment for was "Ellen." No last name, only the year 1850. That was cool!

I was worried about accepting this calling. I am out of town a lot and believe it or not there are a lot of demands on my time. No little or big kids at home, but I still have more than enough to keep me busy! After the session I went upstairs in our beautiful Celestial Room. I almost always take a minute to say a prayer and sometimes for fun I randomly open up one of the sets of scriptures and read something. Today it was Doctrine and Covenants 25 where the Lord is talking to Emma. There were all my answers to all my concerns and it talked about an "elect lady". How fitting on Mom's day! She was an elect lady! It has been a good day!

Mom had gone for surgery that spring to have her veins stripped. Dr. Kerr made a horrible mistake...one that would eventually cause Mom's death. He cut a main artery in her leg. A blood clot developed. They almost lost her on the operating table. They thought she was going to die. Then they thought she was going to lose her leg and then that they could save her leg but she would always walk with a limp. They chased it down her leg leaving horrendous scars from the top of her thigh down to mid calf. The one was 14 inches long. She spent what seemed like a long time in the hospital and we stayed with Aunt Mary and Uncle Clyde. Imagine what it would have been like to wake up and find out that instead of having your Beauty Queen legs back you now had a slashed mess.

When she came home Dad slept on the couch. She thought it was so he didn't hurt her. I took over the household except for meals and ironing Dad's shirts. I could do all the rest of the ironing but Mom would do his shirts so they were done just right. No spray starch. That was lazy. They were washed, hung out to dry and then dipped in starch and hung out to dry again, dampened and then ironed. He waited till Oct. 10th or 11th, long enough to make sure Mom was going to be alright he said and then left. I could write pages in vivid detail because I remember it in vivid detail. Mom was upset...Mom only cried once that I remember before the divorce. She was always rather stoic. Now she was crying a lot.

Jack always had to know what was going on so she was the first to ask what the matter was. I was 12, Jack was 10, Paula 7 and Joan 5 years old. Dad told Mom one night on the phone that we were almost grown and he needed to think about his happiness. I always thought it was hardest on Jack. For a long time after Dad left Mom never could go anywhere that Jack didn't pitch a fit. I was not sympathetic at all. I was a horrible older sister to her. I will always regret that. Paula and Joani didn't seem to hardly notice. I think because Dad had been gone so much. He left in Oct and we didn't see him again until my birthday in March. That's Thanksgiving and Christmas with no Dad. If "the little kids" asked we just said he was on a business trip. They seemed to be fine with that.

When Dad left he sent $400.00 each month for child support. It was not much to live on even then. The house payment was $125.00, utilities, food, clothing etc. Our bishop told Mom not to worry about paying tithing on the child support. If Dad didn't do it that was his problem. Mom went with that until we moved to Utah and our new bishop, Bishop Bishop (her brother-in-law from her marriage to Dell) said that she should start paying on it. Mom did pay on it. She told me when she got her first job her dad had sat her down and told her she should always pay the Lord His 10% first, pay herself meaning 10% in savings, live on the rest...And to Never Bounce a Check! Mom was always amazing with her money. No one could make it go farther.

This sounds so sad....and it was, but most importantly Mom went on and always did her best even when life sucked. She taught me all the good things like paying tithing even when it was hard by her example. She was faithful! She always said she was not brave or strong, but she is the bravest, strongest woman I will ever know. I will never be my mom but I am me and the best parts of me I owe to her. She has given me such a rich heritage I can never repay only hope to pass on in part!

I still love and miss her! I am looking forward to seeing her again someday!
Le Anne

PS One of my favorite memories is having Mom play the piano and all of us singing. She could do so many things so well! Do you remember the movie they made of her and Glen dancing. A lot of it was in silhouette. She was so good!

What can I say that hasn't already been said! One time when Mom and I were talking, she said she wondered when her trials were going to start. I couldn't believe that she would say something like that. If you look back on her very short life, losing her husband of six weeks, losing her only baby boy at 9 months, having a minor surgery go so very wrong, then having that come back to haunt her and finally end her life, having her second husband walk out on her leaving her with 4 very young daughters, having to raise them all on her own and then dying so young. If she wondered when her trials were going to begin, I guess that I'm a real wimp because I don't think that I could have done half of what she did, and she never complained! I'm with Joan and have always felt cheated that we lost her so young. I was Alicia's age when Mom died. One would think that you would need your Mom when you are young and start with babies, but just about anyone can help you with that time of your life. It is when they get older that things get harder. No one there to ask what you should do if this, that or the other happens. You can't tell anyone but your Mom what great kids, grandkids or husband you have and have them understand. You can only tell your Mom about all the great things that they do and have them as excited as you are about it and not bragging! And then there are the heart aches, that only a Mom can understand! On thing about Mom leaving us so young is that she didn't have to go through this getting old crap! As we watch Reed in his last days, I decided that I would much rather have my body go before my mind. Her leaving so quickly was very hard on us, but it was good for her. Don't get me wrong I think 20 more years or more would have been better!Mom wouldn't have been good at asking for help, she never would, she always did it on her own. I just hope that she looks down and see what she has done. "The Sisters", our families, I am so proud of all of you and I know that Mom gets to tell Grandma and they are so proud of us also!! Love you Mom!!!

Grandma

Well, my favorite memory of Grandma is how she walked me and Jess along the road to get back up to the house after an especially traumatizing trip down the grasshopper -infested hill to the park. She also picked me up from Jr. High one day and called me her "little model." I remember the Honeycombs, face cream and of course the frogs. In fact, after she died mom got her jar of face cream and wouldn't let any of us mess up where Grandma had last touched. I LOVED the laundry chute (chute?). Didn't we push Kel through it at one point? I remember her white pantry doors with the slats and the round knobs (why do I remember that? Simple. I was always looking for food. Hmm. Wait. Nothing's changed there). Getting ready for the Nativity in her giant room. Sitting on her amazing deck and watching the sun set over the valley. Her slacks. I never saw her in jeans. And every time I hear Make The World Go Away, I cry because mom said she'd come home from work when they were little and play that record. Can you imagine the weight on that woman's shoulders? She was a pretty amazing lady.

Happy Birthday Arlene

I have many memories of Arlene and they are all good. She was one of the finest women I have ever known. Her devotion to her family ran about as deep as one could imagine. My first memories were of her amazing work ethic, every time I picked LeAnne up for a date, Arlene was in the back room sewing. So after a full day of work she would come home evry night and sew for her girls and I never heard her complain as for her it was a labor of love.
Several times in the dating process before we got married, Arlene asked me if I was sure I knew what I was getting into by marrying her fiery redhead. I confidently said that I did but now 40 years later I realize that I did not have a clue!
When we had our six babies I looked forward to Arlenes' visits almost as much as I looked forward to the babies. She would come in and pamper all of us and I am sure it was exhausting to her, but again no complaints. It was the only time anyone ever ironed my gym clothes and we probably only would have had 2 kids if we weren't always so spoiled during Arlene's visits.
One of the sadest days of my life was receiving a call from LeAnne while I was in Idaho Falls telling me that she had lost her mother. I couldn't get my mind around it as I knew how devistating the loss was to her 4 girls and their families. I also realized that I had lost a wonderful woman that had become a mother to me.
I think we all wonder what our legacy will be and if we will make a difference during our time on this earth. You don't have to look any further than LeAnne, Jackie, Paula and Joan to understand the magnitude of Arlenes' legacy. Happy birthday Mom and thank you for my fiery redhead.

Ellery

Granny

Sadly, I have very few memories of Granny. I remember waiting for the trailer to show up in the driveway near the end of the school year and being so excited when it finally did! Hiding the folding from her because mom didn't want her to fold all our clothes. I remember waffles in the trailer and asking grandma if the berry I had picked was a huckleberry or a poisonous one. I remember exactly how her face looked at her viewing. The most distinct memory I have of granny wasn't a memory at all. It was a dream I had the night before Brooke and mike got married and I woke up crying because I missed her so much. I also felt her on my mission. It seemed like Finland had a million frogs. My trainer gave me a little blanket with a frog on it and stuffed frog when I came into the country. I really didn't think much about it until a little girl at church gave me a little bead frog she had made. I remember looking at it in relief society as a sister was talking about temple work and how she had a testimony that the work was really taking place on both sides of the veil. Right at that moment I knew why so many frogs were popping up! I think it was granny's way of saying "hi" and I felt that she was likely doing the same work i was, just on the other side of the veil.
I wish I remembered/knew her better. But as Joanie said, she will be waiting for each of us when our test is over and I will get that chance :)


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Happy Birthday to my Dear Mom!!!

Well the day could be over by the time I remember how to do all this!!  I have the cutest picture but can't get it uploaded for some reason.  Hmmm, imagine that?!!! 

Every Christmas I think of Mom when I look at the Christmas lights outside.  She always did the every other blue and green lights.  I think about the umberalla I got and the hot wheel set because she didn't know what else to get me and I always loved my cousins set!

I've thought a lot about Mom lately, probably because of my new life I have begun.  I understand she was divorced for 10 years before she got married, the same as myself.  I just hope she was as happy as I am, but if not, she certainly is now!  I feel my life has kind of patterned hers.  She had 4 girls, I had 4 girls, minus Kurt.  She dated someone for quite sometime before she found Les and so did I, until we both saw the light.  My only hope is I don't die like she did at age 63!!  Secretly I'm still a little upset that she left but, on the other hand, I have nothing to fear when I have to go, I know that she will be waiting for me. 

Probably one of the greatest things I learned from my Mom is the pride that she took in keeping everything nice and how hard she worked at it.  I can only hope that I can do the same.  Best Mom ever!

Love you Mom!!

Granny

Things I love and remember about Granny-
Her little tiny pillow
Her very large bra on the back of the bathroom door
Her pretty nightgowns
Watching her put on her face cream and watching her put on her lipstick.
Her little Kleenex tucked neatly in her sleeve.
Breakfasts in the trailer
Arriving at Granny and Papa Les' in the middle of the night and the smiles and the hugs and the beds all set up for us downstairs
Popcorn
Granny playing the piano
Honeycombs
Granny always calling to ask what I wanted for my birthday.
Frogs
Our camping trip

More to follow


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Cole and Silverware

Before all the sweet posts about our mom/Granny start tomorrow for her birthday I wanted to quick post something about Cole.

While we were in Richmond for Christmas we had such a wonderful time with Geof. Darla Cole Dayne and June. They are so much fun to play with! I emailed them my journal entries....sweet memories! I don't know how to transfer them to the blog except to retype everything...I am not my mom so you get Darla's pictures and this little excerpt from me.

Geof. had asked Ellery to tell them stories about growning up...their most memorable Christmas. Ellery told them about how he and Aunt Dorothy had gone without lunch every
day for over 3 months so they would have enough money to buy their mom and dad silverware for Christmas. (Sounds like an idea El come up with right?) As Pa would get on the bus each morning Aunt Dorothy, not quite sure of his resolve, would take his lunch money and "save" it for him!

Christmas Eve Day after watching Geof. play some basketball. Which BTW he has improved since highschool. El, Geof. Cole and I went shopping. As we are walking into Costco Cole says to me, "I want to buy something for my mom and dad."
"Oh, really, Like what?"
He runs a little ahead, looks back over his shoulder with a grin and says, "I was thinking...silverware!"

Sweet little guy!!! It took all the rest of his birthday money to buy a shirt for his dad and some earrings for his mom.

Just when you think they aren't listening to you!

Love you All,

Le Anne

TSOOYSON

George D. Watt

Here is a book about George D. Watt some of you may be interested in looking at: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1045&context=usupress_pubs&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dgeorge%2520albert%2520smith%2520converted%2520head%2520to%2520toe%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D3%26ved%3D0CD8QFjAC%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fdigitalcommons.usu.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1045%2526context%253Dusupress_pubs%26ei%3Dq9rmUPfSJMjIrQHw54CwAQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNHW2ryB8ANry6kwoV_sD855ehhjxA%26sig2%3Dk6P7PpO9ntjGiH_MhBUguw%26bvm%3Dbv.1355534169%2Cd.aWM#search=%22george%20albert%20smith%20converted%20head%20toe%22

The Story of Our Year's Supply of Nutella

Arrived: early December from Italy
Opened: December 26th
Expiration Date: November 6th, 2013
Goal: consume before expiration date (haha, not a problem) and bring jug with us on family adventures for photo opportunities (Thanks for the idea, Ellynn!). When jug is empty Adam says he will fill it with cement and we will have the coolest kettle bell in town.

Current favorite ways to consume: on crepes, on toast, on animal crackers...and Tristan seems to think it does wonders for his completion (a European secret, perhaps?)

VA Christmas

Geof. just informed me that I need to go take some pictures for him for work..so this'll be quick-not much narrative..., and most of these pics you might have already seen, anyway. Hopefully Le Anne will post her "Virginia Christmas Story" on here so you'll have a better idea of what we did. And "did" we did DO! There's always a handful of things to do while in Richmond and its surrounding areas.., but I'm coming to appreciate more and more the quiet (and not so quiet) time in our home.., reading books, doing puzzles (we decided to leave the card table out for a few months to do puzzles on while watching movies), enjoying meals together, etc. Le Anne and Ellery spoiled us rotten with not only gifts (can't wait to use the leaf blower!), but just their undivided attention. They're always so good at that. They're good listeners and make you feel special and important...even if you're not feeling too great about yourself. :) We dragged them all over and they were good sports about it.

 The kids loved the "tickle monster", Gma's goodies (and Pa's, of course!), movies, staying up late(r), trying on GOBS of new clothes (Yay!Thank you Meags and Hazel!), receiving gifts, buying gifts (Cole surprised Geof. and me with some things he picked out with Gma from Costco), going on walks in the rain, hearing stories of Pa and Dana's growing up years. Lucky kids. That's what Geof. said after we dropped them off at the airport. He was "so happy his kids could have this experience with their grandparents".  Thank you, Ellery and Le Anne for ALWAYS MAKING LIFE SPECIAL.