Why Roland Can't Walk Normal

OK, he can, but he shoveled soooo much snow I thought for sure his back would go out. He and Aaron spent at least four hours outside on Saturday and Sunday shoveling, digging out cars, making snow tunnels, sledding....you get the idea. Here are some pictures of the fun weekend they had. Peter and I opted to spend the time indoors. Peter went out once and decided that wasn't much fun. Must be my kid.

We've a fox living in the neighborhood. I thought it was living under our shed. Roland and Aaron spotted tracks, so they followed them to a fallen tree. Don't think I would have done that! Roland now thinks that that is his home. Whew! I thought I'd have to relocate a fox when spring comes.

Poor 'Old Blue'. He's covered. The man in the picture is our neighbor Jason. He'd just finished digging out his Pilot.

Exploring down by the old Caboose.

Aaron and Roland thought it'd be funny to bury Peter. No wonder he doesn't want to play outside with them anymore! JK, Peter is standing behind the wheelbarrow. This angle makes him look buried. His brother wouldn't do that to him, at least with Dad near by.

Digging out 'Old Blue'

Peter watching from the warmth of the kitchen.

Hot chocolate after a long day of hard work.

Genevieve in the snow. I can say I was outside right? Sculpture by N8.

Answers to 2 Questions About the Giveaway

1 - I know that most of you don't live near me so I will ship the item.
2 - I don't need to know you. Part of why I'm doing the giveaway is to figure out who some of you are. :-)

Holiday Giveaway!

I did a post awhile back about my new hobby. Since it's the holiday season I thought I'd do a giveaway. To enter leave a comment telling me which item you like best. I'll have Aaron draw a name out of Santa's hat on Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays!

This is a brown tone bracelet and earring set. There are tiny pieces of mirror inlay.

This is a bookmark.



This is a key ring. One of the end balls screws off so you can add your keys.

The Phrase I Love

I love how little kids make up their own words trying to learn all the rules of the English language. My favorite phrase of Aaron's is:

"No I amn't".

Quote of the Day

Aaron took a spill while we were in Moab. It took a chunk out of his palm. As he was looking at it and crying he said, "I hate it when my skin comes off"!

I so agree! I don't much like it either.

Thanksgiving in Utah

Walking in Goblin Valley

Liberty Aaron

Roland found some of his Scouting paraphenailia and dressed up Aaron.

Nate and Heidi

Springer clan watching the WVC parade.

Cousin Scott and Aaron

Sledding with the American Fork Springers

Aaron and Grandpa Springer

Aaron taking advantage of the one snow storm that came through while we were there.

Goblin Valley

While in Utah we spent a day in Goblin Valley (down by Moab). Aaron was being a super spy. He stood on top of the goblins like he was in charge and had so much fun running through the area. I highly recommend the place to people with children. There were no signs telling us to stay on the path, don't go here or there. We had complete freedom to climb, scoot down on our bottoms when we got too high and run all over the place.

Peter wasn't so hip on the idea at first. Roland packed him in but as it warmed up Peter came out of hibernation to walk all the way out. What a tough kid.

Roland's parents came with us. Kurt took so many pictures that I think we've finally convinced them to go digital so he can shoot to his hearts content.

We had a great time in the Valley of the Goblins.

Aaron is in the middle of the picture in a yellow coat. Can you see him?

Peter all warm in Grandma's scarf.

Our Bed and Breakfast

We had a slew of visitors come through in October. First there was cousin Megan. Then Roland's sister Charlene and her husband Jason. Then came Roland's brother Marlow followed by a visit from my brother Nate.

At the Pumpkin Patch

Photos by Charlene

We tried to get to the Tomb of the Unknowns but the Marine Corps Marathon was happening. Apparently, they need a lot of port-a-johns. Roland with Aaron. Jason and Peter in the background. Peter wouldn't let Jason out of his sight the whole trip.

At Udvar-Hazy with Nate.

Nate is striking the Tom-Cat pose in front of the Tom-Cat.

Once again Peter was attached to Nate. Peter is a guy's guy.
Peter decided we were taking too long at each exibit and strikes out on his own.

I started out pretty good. Megan had clean sheets and a sparkling bathroom as did Charlene as Jason. Marlow said he didn't care if I didn't wash the sheets after Charlene. Yeah! But, then Charlene being helpful stripped the bed. Darn! I did go over the bathroom with clorox wipes. But to be honest I shook out the rug on the floor and then laid the rug right on top of the dirt! Eeek! Same for Nate. By the time Nate got here I was done. He didn't even get a home cooked meal. Poor guy. Good thing his sweet wife takes good care of him.

We had a great time with all our visitors. The boys really want Jason, Marlow and Nate to come back. Me, I think the B&B will be closed for a month or two.

Trike Ride Down Constitution

I found this great old Tricycle at a Toy Sale. I don't think I've ever seen one with a crank chain. We were down at the Art Gallery and the trike was still in the van so we had Aaron take it on it's maiden voyage down Constitution Avenue.

My Friend Samite

First off let's make sure everyone knows how to say Samite's name. Most white people slaughter it which has become a running joke between Samite and me but I would like all of you reading this to be saying it correctly in your mind. It's Sam - E - Tay. Not Saaw - Mee - Tay.

This past long weekend (Thursday -Saturday) I was kid free and got to go to 2, count them, 2 Samite concerts! How lucky am I?

I met Samite and his family while Roland was at Cornell. The RS President asked that I go over and clean their house. Samite's wife, Joan, (her name is pronounced JoAnn) had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and Samite along with his family had taken on full time care of her. So being the Relief Society we decided to provide some relief. I came away with a greater blessing then I ever provided for them.

Words cannot express the love that I have for this family and the pure love of Christ that was ever present in that home. Samite put his career on hold to care for his sweetheart. Joan's daughter, Ana, put her schooling on hold to care for her mother. One by one, I met Joan's children as they came home. Samite wrote beautiful music to express his love and sorrow. They let me into their lives at such a tender time and I witnessed the veil slowly thin as they helped their loved one move on to live with our Father again.

Samite and his family gave me an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I look forward to talking with Joan and getting to know the woman that her family tells me about, but I never had the opportunity to talk to before the tumor took her speech.

I'm grateful that I was able to spend time last weekend catching up with my dear friend, listening to great music and remembering such a meaningful time in my life.

Mirembe, Samite!

Pictures

Guess Peter isn't ready for size 18 mo. shorts yet! His favorite thing right now is for someone to read him a book.
Playing in the Kiddie Pool.

My New Tag Line

We just returned from dinner with friends. Wow, can they cook up a storm. Speaking as a complete carnivore I came home satisfied. Our kids played well together so we were able to enjoy good uninterrupted conversation along with excellent food.

At one point during the evening the hostess said while speaking of herself, "It meant something to this Starfish." LOVED IT! That is now my new line. I told her I was stealing it, she didn't seem to mind.

If this saying means nothing to you, ask the nearest Mormon, or motivational speaker, to tell you the story. They've probably heard it 10 times.

One of Aaron's Favorite Bedtime Stories

Once there was a Big Brother and a Little Sister.

Little Sister was in the front yard playing with the next door neighbor. He wasn't being very nice and he made her cry. Big Brother saw what was happening through the front window. So, Big Brother opened the front door, jumped over the porch railing, jumped over the bushes and ran over to his Little Sister's side. Big Brother said to the neighbor boy, "Don't you be mean to my Sister!".

The neighbor boy went home and Big Brother said, "Come on Little Sister, I'll play with you". That made Little Sister so happy. Little Sister loved her Big Brother.

Then I'll ask Aaron, "You're a Big Brother, aren't you Aaron?, You're good at protecting your Little Brother aren't you?" Aaron always says yes, and he is good at protecting Peter from OTHER people. Although, he is getting better at always being a nice big brother.

P.S. Little Sister still loves Big Brother. Both of them actually. Wait till you hear what they did to the kid that was mean to me on the playground!

Ida Hone

My Grandmother on my Pappy's side is Ida Hone. She was born in Idaho. Whenever I tell people this I wait for their reaction. I NEVER get one. I on the other hand am always trying not to laugh.

Anyone? Anyone?

Am I the only one that finds the similarity between the two names amusing? It would be like me naming a kid Verge Henyon. Except my last name isn't Henyon so I couldn't make it work.

Anyone? I'm laughing right now. Anyone else laughing? Am I totally alone in this? Roland? Marlow? Anyone?

It Will Be A Sad Day

The other night we had the kids in bed, or so we thought. Roland and I were talking when we hear Aaron "sneaking" around the basement. We stop and listen then Roland says, "It will be a sad day when he really learns how to sneak around".

The Marriage of Aaron

We are Pleased to Announce the Marriage of

Aaron

to

Hazel

on

September 3, 2009

In attendance were the couple's siblings, Peter and Ginger. The groom's mother only found out about the marriage due to the door of the 'Temple' (playhouse) needing to be put back on the hinge. The newlyweds were going to kiss on top of the slide but were interrupted when they learned that the groom's mother had finally agreed to push whomever wanted to swing. So they opted for an underdog instead.

Goldfish and pretzels with water were served after the wedding party finished with the swings.

Labor Day Party!

Roland and I decided to host a party. Invited twice as many as we could handle knowing that most of the people would already have plans since we do every thing last minute.

Roland heads off to do the shopping, I do minor house cleaning since we'll be outside for the party. Spend most of the day doing yard work, wiping down toys, chairs, tables, slides, etc.

Noon hits and so does a migraine. I take one of the new Rx that the neurologists wants me to try. Wow. It got rid of the migraine, but it condensed the thing into an intense hour of pain.

After an hour in bed it's back outside to help with more yard work. My, my, the yard looks much better with the lawn edged. You just have to beware of the edger. About took off my leg.

3:00 hits and it's still raining. Guess all that time spent getting the yard ready wasn't the best use of time. So it's off to try and clean the house. I shove all the stuff in the basement into the boys bedroom and lock the door. Do a quick check of the bathrooms (something you have to do every 10 minutes with 3 boys in the house), put a cloth on the dining room table and call it good.

4:00 guests start showing up. Still raining. I'm wondering how 43 people are going to fit in my little house, how many things are going to get broken with 24 kids running around, how many people are going to notice that Roland made homemade root beer with maple extract instead of root beer extract, who will notice I never got a shower, never changed into my party outfit, and had rocks and dirt in my hair from that blasted edger. I didn't even notice that until I took my hair down at bedtime!

All in all I think it was a fun time. My sweet friend Jean said to me just as I'm realizing that I never even brushed my teeth (eek!) "Genevieve, how do you make this seem so effortless?". Got to love Jean. Everyone should have a Jean in her life who makes you feel good about yourself even when you have rocks in your hair and fuzzy teeth.

Obama Llama Where's My Mama?

Most Moms have read Llama, Llama Red Pajama to the their kids. I personally haven't. My friend Shanna read it to me when she found out I hadn't read it yet. She's very good at reading out loud. :-) She made the freaked out little Llama looking for his mama sound really freaked out.

With all this news coverage of Obama urging Moms to go back to school I keep thinking it won't be long until we see the book rewritten with the new title Obama Llama Where's My Mama?

Now, I've no problem with Mama's going back to school. I will become concerned, however, if we get a bunch of freaked out little llamas running around, in red pajamas, wondering where their Mamas are.

Someone should start working on this rewrite. Not me, but someone....

Post Update

Mom called to let me know that Howells went out of business after she read my post titled 'Pappy-Chapter 2' dated 8.13.09.

I guess they couldn't get the cameras back together. So sad.

My Pappy - Chapter 2

After Pappy died my brothers and I were down in his shop. We stood there looking at two Hasselblads that were completely torn apart. Pappy had started the repair job for a local photo shop named Howells.

Wes, Nate, and I looked at the cameras then looked at each other. Then looked at the cameras, then looked at each other. "What do you think?", "I don't know, what do you think?", "Can you fix that?", "Hh, NO!, Can you?", "Nope", "What should we do?", "No idea", "Hmph". We walked out shaking our heads thinking "Sure glad I'm not Howells".

Wes got the fun job of bagging up the tiny pieces and taking them back to the owner. Wes handed over about $60,000 worth of itsy bitsy torn apart camera pieces with a "Sorry, Jim died. Hope you can find someone to put these back together for you. Have a good day."

The image of that poor man standing there in what must have been stunned silence still makes me laugh. Not many people have the skill to put a $30,000 camera back together these days. Pappy was one of a kind. He is missed. Wonder if Howells ever got the cameras put back together....

Photos From the Past Month

I need to be better at posting pictures as they're taken. Here is a photo of Aaron from Roland and Aaron's Adventure to Southern Virginia. Two dirty kids getting a bath before dinnner.

Treats after playing in the water.

Playing Candyland with Dad.

Some of our friends.

Roland and Aaron going for a run in the rain. Aaron's face after one week.

Aaron's face the day after.

Foamhenge. Ha, Ha.

Kids at the Natural Bridge gift shop. Yum! White Tiger at the Natural Bridge Zoo. My favorite zoo!
Feeding the animals.

Wish I had her eyelashes!

Monkey House

A Goose in the Tub...

We had a fun day of playing in the water with friends. The kids were a mess so we came in and I plopped them in the tub. Peter stood up for a few seconds to play with the downspout just as Aaron stretched out. Peter sat down right on Aaron's toes. I don't think I've ever seen him stand up that fast.

As a plaque that's in my brother's shower says, "A Goose in the Shower is Good Clean Fun."

The Adventures of Roland and Aaron

They made it home safe and sound, although tired (I expected the tired part).

From what I can gather from short bursts of information they didn't see the race because of rain. They camped on Roland/Aaron Mountain. They did a 6 mile hike that Aaron did amazingly well on. While hiking they skinny dipped in the river and ponds, and ate sardine sandwiches for lunch, still can't believe that one. Listened to Bluegrass music in Buena Vista, and had dinner with some friends that moved down there a few years ago. All in all they had a good time being together.

Peter and I had great naps and a quiet house. It was a good weekend for all of us.

P.S. We just discovered that Aaron brought home a friend. Too bad the deer tick had to die....