High On the Mountain Top!

"For many Saints throughout the world...attending the temple will continue to require great sacrifice. May those of us who live near a temple show our gratitude by increasing our temple attendance. And may we...emulate the example of the Nephites who “did labor exceedingly” to gather to the temple “that they might be … where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude” (3 Nephi 19:3). Elder Claudio Costa, Dec. 2008, Ensign

Tanner chose to miss a high school basketball game, which ultimately affects his standing with the team.

Hunter chose to miss a televised academic Quiz Bowl meet in which his team was invited to participate.

Porter chose to miss his final basketball game / tournament game of the season.

They're such great examples to me and their brothers!

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

Big boys, little boys and toys.

Everyone was happy.

Great Genes

My parents have way too much fun.
Today it was lounging in a "snowstorm that was warm."

Seriously?

I think they have hibernatious boredumitis.

I've heard too much of wood stoves, hot chocolate, shoveling, napping all in one room can mix up the senses just a tad.

Really? Still crazy after 50 years.

I want those genes.

Mummification Science Project

Porter's testing three different types of salt to see if there is a difference in the time it takes to dry these apple slices.

Sea salt, iodinized salt, and rock salt.

I'm wrinkling just thinking about his project!
Can you imagine being preserved in salt?
Or getting your ham out of the barn, having been cured in salt?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Minerva Teichert's painting, Zion, Ho

reminds me of my mother.

When it needs to be done, she does it.

When it's time to go, she leaves.

When it needs to be said, she says it.

When someone needs to be served, she's there.

When it's inconvenient to love, it doesn't stop her.

All qualities of a true pioneer, and the pioneer in our family.

I love you!

Happy Birthday!

Warm Winter Thoughts!

Winter wonderland greetings from Tanner!

It is a beautiful multi-layered scape.
Happy wintery day!

Feed the Birds

We have a real Christmas tree every year.

What to do with it in January is something I ponder once a year.

This year we redecorated it and rededicated it to the birds.

A little cranberry and popcorn...

old bagels, peanut butter...

sunflower seeds, corn meal, walnuts (a few) and oats...

Did not take long for them to find the tree on our porch and begin to empty the bagels!

Come feed the little birds, show them you care

And you'll be glad if you do.

Their young ones are hungry,

Their nests are so bare;

All it takes is tuppence from you.

"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.
"Feed the birds," that's what she cries,
While overhead, her birds fill the skies.

Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she's calling to you:
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."

Living With Boys

Who was the instigator in the great nerf gun dart battle?

Was it "Am I sure I want to participate Petite Pete"?

Or was it the infamous"One Eye Sparky McFly?"

Perhaps it was "Double Draw Drew?"

Or "Wanna-be Bond 007?"

My vote might be for "Golf Grip McGripe"...

or "Slick Finger Flannagan," except...

I saw "Six Eye Stir Fry" fire first!

Cooper's Talk

Enjoying the Fruits of Her Labor

For Christmas my friend Nathan gave me a bookmark that says, "I know the scriptures are true." This is the Primary theme for 2011. Scripture is that which is written or spoken under the influence of the Holy Ghost. This means that when we read the scriptures, the influence of the Holy Ghost can strengthem our testimony of the things that we're reading.

Nephi worked hard to get the scriptures from Laban because he felt they were of great worth. Alma used scriptures to bring his people to a knowledge of their God. Helaman believed scriptures lead men to Christ.

Joseph Smith believed reading scriptures would keep us from being deceived. I know that when I read my scriptures, there's more peace in our home and my testimony of the gospel becomes stronger.

New Year Eve 2010

Getting ready for our New Year's Eve party with one of my cute balloon blower-upper.

Redecorating the tree in a more appropriate fashion!

Early evening activities included a paper airplane contest; these are the finalists ready for round two.

White elephant gift exchange wasn't a hit with everybody, but it was mostly fun!

9:00 countdown - coming down the stairs while counting down.

Some kids had a hard time performing under pressure. It was very funny!

The ping pong tournament turned into Pong - a run-around the table kind of game.

Tin foil boats were a hit, sinking them with coins.

The winner had 175 pennies, 37 nickels and 6 quarters!

The 10:00 countdown were balloons pulled down from the ceiling.

Very ingenious, Porter!

Late night bubble blowing contest ;-)

The biggest bubble!

Not really.

Just a really big balloon that didn't get stomped on.

The 12:00 finale.

A sweet toast to the upcoming year.

Happy New Year!