Buttered Grapes, Anyone?

With five kids, I tend to think I've seen it all. Last night at dinner Daniel proved me wrong. We had grapes with our dinner. We also had some muffins, so the butter was on the table. At one point during dinner, I look over to see Daniel buttering individual grapes and then eating them. I tried to explain that we don't butter grapes, but apparently he liked it, cause he went right on doing it. I don't know that I'll try it.

Police Checkpoint- Drug Dogs in Use

I never shared this funny story from our trip home from Utah, so I thought I'd take a minute to share it with all of you. As many of you know we drove home from Utah straight through the night, with Rick's sister Sarah coming along with us. Rick drove most of the night, and I took over driving at about 4 am. I then drove until we stopped for breakfast sometime around 7-8 in the morning. After breakfast, Rick thought he'd be ok to drive some more, so I sat shotgun, and he started driving. At this point we were in Nebraska. It wasn't too far when Rick realized he was really too drowsy to be driving. Sarah said she could take over, so we decided to pull over and make the switch.

Not seeing a rest area soon, Rick pulled over on the exit ramp. As we were pulling off the interstate, I pointed out some interesting signs posted. They said "Drug Dogs in Use". Rick stopped at the stop sign, proceeded through to the on ramp, and pulled off the shoulder. I moved from the passenger seat to the back, Sarah moved from the back to the driver's seat, and Rick moved from the driver's seat to the passenger's seat. We paused for a moment for Rick to explain a few things about our van to Sarah, and we were off.

Sarah was cruising along at a comfortable speed, when she noticed a police car behind her with the lights flashing. We were all surprised, as Sarah had been driving right at the speed limit. She hadn't even had time to find out what the speed limit was there in Nebraska. The officer came to Rick's window and asked to see HIS license. We were all very confused. He proceeded to explain that he was pulling us over because Rick hadn't made a complete stop at the stop sign when we exited. PLUS, he informed us that it is illegal to stop along the interstate, even on an exit ramp. Ok, we thought, strange reason for pulling us over. Then he asked if we had seen any signs about a police checkpoint. We said that we had not. Again he said, "you didn't see any signs as you exited the freeway?". I reminded Rick of the Drug Dog sign, we told the officer and let him know that we didn't know what it was for. The officer then asked for Sarah's license as well, and asked Rick to accompany him back to his car.

Rick obediently obliged, and Sarah and I wondered what on Earth was going on? I seriously thought they were taking him back to be sniffed by a dog, or searched for drugs or something. We watched out the back of the van, for any sign of what was going on. I felt some relief when I saw Rick laughing in the passenger seat of the patrol car. It wasn't too long before Rick returned to the van. Sarah pulled back onto the freeway, and Rick filled us in with the details.
It turns out that there was no police checkpoint or drug dogs. The signs were there to catch people doing the very thing it appeared we were doing. They assumed, if there was trouble, i.e. people driving with an expired license, stolen vehicle, or even drugs, they would see the sign, pull over and switch drivers. It just so happened that we chose the WRONG exit to do that very thing. Once Rick's license came up fine, as well as the VIN for the van, the officer knew there was no problem. What are the odds that we would choose to pull off at an exit and switch drivers at the very exit they were watching for people to do that!!?? Let this be a lesson to all of you- if you see a sign for a police checkpoint ahead, or a drug dog in use, pick another exit to make your quick stop!!!

Pioneer Day

Happy Pioneer Day!! July 24, 1847 was the day the Mormon pioneers first entered the Salt Lake Valley. I have always loved this "holiday" (at least for those of us who are LDS it is), even though most of my life I have not lived where it is celebrated. I love the oppotunity to reflect on the sacrifices of those early pioneers. Like President Uchtdorf , "I have no ancestors among the 19th-century pioneers. However, since the first days of my Church membership, I have felt a close kinship to those early pioneers who crossed the plains. They are my spiritual ancestry, as they are for each and every member of the Church, regardless of nationality, language, or culture. They established not only a safe place in the West but also a spiritual foundation for the building of the kingdom of God in all the nations of the world."

I found a really cool link on the Church website that I haven't explored completely. Mostly because I could spend hours reading the journal accounts and histories of the trek West. If you'd like to check it out yourself, here's the link: http://www.lds.org/gospellibrary/pioneer/pioneerstory.htm

"We must never allow recognition of their trials, of their sacrifices, of their tenacity, of their faith and their prayers in establishing this great community to lapse or be forgotten."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

I don't know if it is possible for those early Saints to know what is written on a blog in 2008, but if it is, I want to say Thank you. Thank you for all that you endured, and for your faith so that I can have what I have today. When I ponder on the efforts of the early pioneers I wonder why I ever complain. When I am feeling lonely because Rick is gone or busy serving as Bishop, I often think of Mary Fielding Smith who crossed the plains with her children, without a husband, because he had been murdered by the same people who were now driving her from her home. I think of her, and think, I can do it, and I can do it with a smile, because this is the Lord's work. "shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!" D &C 128:22

Thank you, Pioneers!

Sunday Fun

Frodo's Sunday attire. No, we don't really take him to Church, but one of the kids put Daniel's tie on him, and it was just too funny to pass up a photo op.

Dailie and Audri spent their Sunday afternoon preparing a puppet show for the family. It was "Samuel the Lamanite".

So, this was actually not on Sunday, but I needed to post theses pictures. Doesn't this face say, "can you believe my sisters did this to me?". The truth is, while playing dress up, Daniel asked to be a princess (poor boy, with three older sisters he thinks everyone wants to be a princess). Much to the dismay of Dallin, the girls were happy to oblige Daniel's request, and begged me to put pictures on the blog.

Looking a little more masculine....

Twilight

I know Amy and Tera will be pleased to hear that I just finished reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, an intriguing and very good book. I resisted reading it for awhile, I'm not exactly sure why. The whole I idea of a love story with a vampire just seemed odd to me. It is odd, and that's what makes it so intriguing, I think. The author has done an excellent job with this story. I'm ready for the second one.

First Talk

Dallin gave his first talk in Sacrament meeting yesterday, and did a very nice job. His talk was on the Book of Mormon. Dallin was very nervous, but with coaxing was able to prepare and write the talk himself. I told him it was good preparation to be a missionary one day. I'm proud of him.

Summer Fun!

Audri performed at the Courthouse Plaza today with the Park District summer band and orchestra. She has been taking violin lessons since April of this year, and has enjoyed playing in a group this summer. She did a great job!!

It was 90+ degrees and very humid while Audri and the rest of the band and orchestra were playing. Daniel and Eliza enjoyed checking out the nearby fountain and pretty flowers on the plaza.

After having a yummy lunch from vendors on the street, we headed over to the fountain at the Riverfront. Interestingly enough, as we headed over, the skies darkened and began to look ominous. We were able to play for a little while before the storm came rolling in. As we drove away from downtown, we noticed the temperature outside was 12 degrees cooler than when we had driven to the riverfront, just 45 minutes earlier. Crazy weather!!!

Fun in the Fountain!! (Daniel was there, but was not interested in getting in the water, mostly because he did not have his swimming suit!!)

Sundance

Ok, I think this will FINALLY be the last post about our trip to Utah!! On Thursday we drove the Alpine Loop. We stopped along the river for a picnic lunch and then drove on to Sundance where we rode the ski lift. Tera, Amy, and Addy came along with us.
At the top of the lift, we got off and hiked a nearby peak. It was a tough hike, but Rick convinced the kids that the view would be worth it. It was. Here we are as a family at the top.
Rick and Daniel on the way back down. This gives you a good shot of the view. It really was breathtaking!!
Friday was our last day in Utah. We spent most of the day doing laundry, packing up and just hanging out. We were able to see my brother Todd and his family for a little bit that day. That was a real treat, and I don't know how I managed to NOT take any pictures!!! We got to see their twins, who are now about 20 months old. They are adorable!! That evening, we pulled out, leaving Dallin and Dailie behind, and taking Sarah with us. We drove straight through the night, and all the next day, arriving back home to Peoria. I think that brings me back up to date, so now I can fill you in on life since our return.....Thanks for putting up with my recording of all we did on our trip!!!

The Thornleys and Kevin

One of the things we were able to do while in Utah was hang out for an evening with our good firends the Thornleys. Rick and lived next to Mary Ann and Tracy when we were first married, and got to be great friends. We had their daughters M'kaaylie and M'kenna in Nursery when we were Nursery Leaders at Church. Fifteen years later, here's all the kids (minus Dailie who had already returned too Dance Camp before the photo).

Mary Ann and Charity
One of the main reasons we went out to Utah was to visit with Kevin, Rick's brother. Kevin is battling cancer, for his 4th time. He is a warrior. Rick and Dallin were able to go hang out with him during the day while he received a blood transfusion. Most of the time he was home with us, but he did have to stop into the hospital for chemo one day and this transfusion the next. We love you , Kevin!!!!

Cougar Blue Jeffs

As I mentioned in my last post, one of the things we got to do while in Utah was spend a little time on BYU campus. We took the opportunity to get a family photo, decked out in BYU apparel, in front of the cougar statue in the new Athletic Training Facility. Unfortunately, it was the end of a long day, and Daniel had just woken up from a nap, so it wasn't quite as great as we had hoped for, but here it is, nonetheless...
The Bean Museum is always a favorite of our family's, and Daniel is currently very excited about bears. As a matter-of-fact, before the trip, Rick kept telling Daniel that he would get to see a bear in Utah (meaning the chance to see one at the Bean Museum). When we first arrived at the Taylors, Daniel kept insisting that we were NOT in Utah, because we had not seen a bear. I love the look of awe as he gazes up at these bears.
Audri holding a real live snake at the Bean Museum!! Eliza even had it around her shoulders!!!
This one is a little blurry, but I wanted to post it anyway, for two reasons. First, cause I think it's so darn cute, and secondly because of where it was taken. This picture was taken in the new Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni building at BYU. It was really nice to see it and feel the honor that it held for Pres. Hinckley. I especially liked seeing Marjorie Hinckley's chair in the building. At the groundbreaking, Pres. Hinckley expressed hope that her chair (which had already been placed in a building on campus to honor her) could be moved to his building so that they could be together again. The love that the two of them shared/share is an inspiration to me. I wish I'd taken a picture of the chair...

Dance Camp and Backpacking Timp

The next portion of our trip we were able to stay at Kevin and Tera's house in Lehi, Utah. Thanks, guys!! They were very hospitable, and such great company. On Monday, we sent Dallin and Rick off backpacking and took Dailie to get her started at the Folk Dance Camp at BYU. I'll share a little about each of those events, but I only have pictures from the backpacking trip. I have some video from the dance camp that I MIGHT attempt getting on here later, but don't get your hopes up. That would definitely be pushing it for me, and I don't know if I have the time or patience to figure it out....

So, Sherpa Dave, as he came to be known, set up a great little backpacking adventure for Dallin, Rick, himself and his son, Jeffrey (this is Dave Taylor, my bro-in-law). Rick has been itching to get Dallin up in the mountains for a backpacking trip, and this seemed a great opportunity. His one regret is that Kevin was not feeling up to a hike of this magnitude, but they'll have to catch you another time, Kevin. So, they started at Stewart Falls, and hiked the backside of Timp. They were not able to get all the way to the lake that was their destination (Mirror Lake?) because of all the snow!!!! But they were able to have a great time sliding down the sheets of snow. The honest truth is, if you want more detail your going to have to convince Rick or Dallin to get on here and give them to you. Good luck with that....Anyway, they hiked back down the same day, camped that night and returned to us the next day. In spite of the fact that Dallin did get altitude sickness, they had a great time, and got some beautiful picutres, a small sampling of which I have provided for your viewing pleasure!! Thanks, Sherpa Dave for all your work to make this a success, and uh, sorry about the key incident...

As far as Dailie's dance camp- what a great experience!!! She loved it and wants to return again next year. It was a fantastic program, she learned so much in three days. She learned an African dance, Scottish dance, Polynesian dance, and one more I'm forgetting at the moment...At the end of the three days they did a showcase for family and friends, and I was really impressed. As well as learning dances she was able to spend time doing fun "stuff" with other LDS girls and boys who love to dance. They had a pool party, and a dance party of their own, where they brought in different dance groups, plus they had times during the day to just chill out, play games and get to be friends. She really loved it, and I'm so glad she got to do it.

After registering Dailie on Monday, I hit the BYU Bookstore where I could have spent a lot more money than I did, but instead tried to hold myself back. I was able to deck out the family in BYU gear for the upcoming football season, which we are VERY excited about!!! When I put Daniel's new little football jersey and hat on, he said, "Now I'm ready to play football. With Unga. I'm going to tackle him!!!" I love it!!! After that we ate at the CougarEat, it's just too bad you can't get a taco salad anymore....I loved being on BYU campus again. Although it's changed a lot, it still brought back lots of happy memories for me.

I'm Home!

I'm Home!!!!