"Hell" has officially frozen over...

I swore I would never, ever go skiing in my life after a snowboarding trip in 1989. There was just nothing that could possibly make it fun for me--I hate snow (being IN snow, not looking at it--I LOVE looking at it), I hate exercising in the cold, I hate being cold, I hate spending money on sports equipment, I have zero kinetic intelligence--it's an equation for disaster. HOWEVER--my ever-optimistic husband was determined that we find a winter sport to enjoy as a family (besides sledding with Uncle Davey's snowmobile, which hardly counts as a sport and which I avoid by being the official hot cocoa chef). Hubs began collecting gear for the family this fall at ski swaps, etc. (including these incredibly effective vintage thermoses [?]), and buying the Lexus was the final piece of the puzzle. Today, against all odds and opposition, he took us cross-country skiing!
We drove out to Mill Creek this morning at 10:30 am. Here are Addie and Heidi warming up on their skis at the trailhead.
The sun was even out for a while!

We zipped James in a duffel bag and Rich pulled him on his homemade harness sled (it's called a "ski pulk"). We will probably get him skis in the next year or two.
Me-n-hubs, ready to roll!
(I smiled for the pictures because I was still trying to muster enthusiasm)

Heidi, Addie and Me entering the trail.

Rich pulling James on the trail

(it's a "commercial dog sled trail", so you can probably spot lots of poo in these trail pix)

Heidi, Addie and Me stopping for some cocoa and cup-o-noodles trailside after my big wipe-out.

(my left foot turns out from the hip at a pretty big angle, so holding it straight in the cold got to be incredibly tricky, especially once I got a good stride going. I would inevitably start turning out to my natural stride, and then my skis would cross or I'd twist my ankle and fall--but only three times!)

Me and my punkins in the snow.

James wanted to ride on Heidi's skis...

He kept shouting, "Go, Heidi!"Addie really wanted to pull the sled, so here are me , Ad , and James on the sled. James kept shouting, "Ho-ho-ho! Go, Rudolph!"

Cute little Addie pulling James--she did so great: skiing, getting up, putting her gear on and off--she's a natural (clearly not MY genes).

Heidi took a turn pulling James when she got tired of falling on her skis.

Ahh, back at the car!

Oh, yeah--this is the new car. We haven't named it yet, but we love it.

Here is Mill Creek, which our trail followed.

We had to stop at the ranch on the way home to move our tent trailer out of the boat house, so I hopped out of the car to snap a pic myself and the awesome snowy mountains...I failed.

All in all, a pretty fun trip. We learned a lot, and I will go again on a sunny, 30+-degree day. But it will definitely be more fun when James and Heidi are more self-sufficient (and I am in better shape). THANKS for making us try something new, Hubs! I love you, even more than Arizona!

***

In closing, here is my pet triceratops helping me make dinner the other day. He loves celery:

WTH?: Dating Edition, chapter one

My delightful old friend and blog pal, Stephanie Ingermanson Lund (yeah, I posted your WHOLE name) posted a hilarious tale of a date-gone-wrong on her blog, so I decided to shamelessly copy her. And if you've got a good story, post it on you blog or in the comments here. Like I told Steph, might as well make use of those 15 years of dating, right?


So my first installment...OMG. Actually, now that I sit down to write the play-by-play, it's a bit sketchy. Erin or Heidi will have to correct me in the comment section. Somehow, somwhere, a few months after my mission (while living with The Young Ones), I met a dude on the UTA commuting from work at a printing press. I can't remember the details, except that he seemed pretty lonely and I talked to him for a while and he asked me for my phone number.

Now, this was in the days before the luxury of caller ID, people, and also before I had any idea that I could/should give out a fake number in this situation (Really, this was always a huge problem for me---first, having a terribly soft spot in my heart for the Eyores and Underdogs of the world, and secondly, being a horribly inept/naieve liar). Also, he clearly had some socializing issues, what might be diagnosed as mild asbergers or something nowadays. So there ya go.

A few days later, Heidi gives me a message from him (I forget his name), and I look puzzled and then say, "Bus Boy!" Ack! And I am acking in my head because I know I will go on a date with him, because that's what I do. I promised myself that unless I have a true prompting NOT to go (sense of danger), I should have the courtesy to say yes if someone has the courage to ask. Yeah, I know. That's a standard I prolly won't pass on to my girls, but I must add here that it's prolly what led me to my hubs cuz I kinda didn't really want to go out with him at first, either. Nothing against him, I just wasn't INTO the dating at the time. So I must say this policy resulted in the treasure of my life. Anyway, back to Bus Boy.

So he wants to take me to a movie and The Remains of the Day is playing at the Wilkinson Center so we decide to see that (which, mmmmkay--if you have seen that movie, you know the pace and subtlety of the story line, and I am going with a borderline asbergers patient; bus boy+subtlety=match made in hell). Bus Boy clearly has no car (common in Provo) so we are walking across campus--from 500 N to the Wilk-- at night, so I insist that one of my roommates joins us, cuz, you know, they don't call it "rape hill" for nothing. Just in case.

So we go to the movie and have a totally awkward time. Bus Boy is totally lost with the story line. I am totally uncomfortable, but he wants to walk us home. Um, okay. We walk and make clumsy conversation. He asks me if , appropos of absolutely nothing, he can hold my hand. Um, okay. We walk past the old testing center (where we went to church) and head down the hill, when he asks me about another date.

In my head I am screaming, "REALLY? Nooooo!" but I tell him I really like someone else and it wouldn't be fair, but thanks for inviting me tonigh--and I am interrupted by an almost-yell, as he exclaims, "Dang it! Why doesn't anyone LIKE me? Why can't I have a girlfriend?" I stand there everso uncomfortably watching my date launch into a tirade/meltdown. I feel really bad, but I know that sharing my sympathy is going to give this guy the wrong signals. I just know--I have learned from sad experience. So I mumble my condolences and maybe I grab HEIDI's* arm and say, "You don't have to walk us the rest of the way. I can see that you're upset. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." And we practically run home, glad he doesn't know exactly where we live because--just a hunch--Bus Boy may be a little unstable, and you never know when you could be someone's last straw.

* see Heidi's comment below...it was fun for her, too. And Heidi, we wanted to beat up that blasted Hoodwink! Rememebr when he stopped by to see you after The Breakup and you weren't home. He asked Erin and I when you'd be home and we both said, "NEVER!"

This Emotional Life

FIRST: Check out our belated New Years Eve Time Capsule--I still might add more stuff to it.
SECOND: I am really enjoying the PBS series, This Emotional Life (even though the title's similarity to my very favorite radio show, This American Life, kinda bugs me). The first night was about anger, fear, depression and anxiety. Tonight was about relationships--family, community, friendship, love--and how love shapes our brain development.

They interviewed a family who has been doing cutting-edge therapy with their adopted son who has reactive attachment disorder (that's a whole other post). The dad said something so profound, and he said it so emotionally, I think it applies to all parents at some point. The host asked him how the disorder has affected them as parents, and the dad said, "This is not the dad I wanted to be. And that is the hard part--that I have to be somebody else. I have to be the dad who is best FOR HIM. That's a hard thing to give up--(long pause). But maybe that's what being a dad is." Isn't that beautiful? To be the best parents we can requires an insane amount of selflessness. But I have a sneaking suspicion that THAT is the whole idea. That is why it's part of the plan: if we do it right (setting aside who we wanted to be for who our children need us to be), it transforms us. It takes us up another level, that much closer to being Christlike and godly.

THIRD: another story I wanted to share. While we were in Utah (test-driving our new car, actually), I got a call from my Sisterfriend Debbie to let me know she and her family didn't go to Arizona as planned. I thought something terrible had happened, but it turned out to be a simple act of faith. You can read about it here on Jessica's (Deb's daughter) blog. This story will forever be an example to me to listen and obey, no matter who I may disappoint. If Heavenly Father loves me enough to warn me of impending danger--physical or emotional or totally unknown--I should love Him enough to listen. And if you're reading this and you don't believe God speaks to us thru the Holy Ghost, call it your gut or your intuition or whatever--but listen to it!


PS: On a total tangent, I just love me some Jessica. I want Addie & Heidi to take daughter lessons from her. Jess and her sister, Haylee, made the cutest headbands for my girls for Christmas (in addition to having fun little playdates with them during Christmas break--thanks for making my kids feel special, Jess--James is in love with you now). So please go have a look at Jessica's crafty little blog where she is selling her headbands and jewelry (Jess, post some of your bead work and rosette necklaces!). Even if you don't buy anything, let her know she's super talented and spread the word!

Happy 2010

I'm finally back. I lost my blogging mojo for a bit, but I have been posting daily facebook updates. So yes, we made it home safe to Montana on New Year's Day, after driving thru a blizzard in Idaho. Worst part was that I had to drive ( I was so dang tired) because we did indeed buy that Lexus/Land Cruiser. I am in love with that car and I need 4WD so bad! Next year or two, Mama's gettin' a 4WD Acadia (if Jesus doesn't come before then--;)).

Anyway, longest trip home EVER. We had two full-on meal stops, two potty/snack stops, and two stop-at-the-next-rest-area-and-let-me-power-nap-or-mama's-gonna-drive-into-a-ditch stops (just closed my eyes for 10 minutes and kept on truckin'). We left Draper at noon and got home at 8:45! Saturday I planned to sleep like the dead, but the kids wanted to sled with their cousins up at Uncle Mike's cabin and we had promised they could see "Princess & the Frog" on Christmas break, so I showered at the crack of noon and met them at Mike's to go to the movie in Bozeman. We had a nice quiet Sunday (with scones and beef stew and new xmas board games) and got back to the grind on Monday. Yay us.

I got all Christmas stuff packed and to the garage Monday, made Stir Fry dinner with Gram & Gramp Melin, set some goals and played the Ladybug game for FHE. Next month, Addie is doing the lesson as one of her Faith in God achievements (can I say how cute it is to see her studying her scriptures? She is still a little girl in so many ways, but it's fun to see her maturing in good ways!!!). I tried to be ambitious today, but shower/laundry/dishes/dinner is as good as it got. I even napped with James from noon-1pm...that was AWESOME!

I'm now going to check the camera card and see if there are any good pix to post from our trip or of the new car or my new glasses...if so, I'll post them ASAP. Adios...

oh, ps: there's new stuff at Framanisco if you're subscribed.

On New Year's morning, Heidi & I drove over to say good bye to Erin while Rich loaded the car and the other kids slept. We wore our party hats from the night before and took her a Pepsi :)Heidi & Auntie Erin

I guess we didn't take any pix at mom's house or at Jill's, which is sad, cuz the kids had a ball with their cousins and looked so cute in their party hats. We also had fun playing games and ringing in the New Year with Grays and Stotts and the Mayberry newlyweds! You'll just have to take my word for it!

***

Retro: On Dec 18th, Addie's class did a play of Jan Bretts' book, "The Mitten." Addie played the mouse Jasper (in the vest) is the same kid who dressed up like Jack Layton (SR71 pilot) for Halloween.
***

On MOnday, 12/21, we went to the high school to watch the elementary school production of "A Beary Happy Holiday" (see previous post):

The 4th graders in back are polar bears, the thrd graders in shades are grizzlies, and the 2nd graders are pandas.

All the Pandas singing, "Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella"

Addie doing her "Panda-monium" number

(she was dressed just like Audrey Hepburn--adorable)

Cousin Danny was a dancing cowboy bear with the first graders (he's in the hat).

***

On the 22nd, we caroled and took candy trains to friends and neighbors. It was WINDY, but so fun!

***

I think we're all caught up on photos now.

The Cousins' New Year Time Capsule

We celebrated "East Coast New Year" with our (mine & Jill's) kids at 10pm at my mom's house. Just before the big countdown, we gathered the kids around the table and asked them two questions: (1) What are you going to try to do better in 2010/ How will you try to be more like Jesus? and (2) What's your best memory of 2009? I am posting their answers here so we can look back on them at our 2010 New Years Party, where ever we are. We can check our progress and ask ourselves the same questions every year. If you want to join in (we missed so many of our cousins and would love for you to play along), post your family's answers to these questions as a comment on this post (or send me a link), and we'll all open our 'time capsule' next NYE!

Lyndi Alice, age 10: Be nicer to my siblings. Don't grind my teeth.
Heidi Lynn, age 5: Bake cookies for Santa in my Easy Bake. Don't scream in the house.
Jack Elliott, age 5: No sucking my fingers. No slamming doors.
Addie Rose, age 8: Try not to cry when I get frustrated and say words instead. Do my Faith in God book.
Isabelle Marie, age 7.5: Help my mom keep the house clean and give her hugs.
James Ole, age 3: "Uhhh...be a SUNBEAM!"
(Ben was playing downtairs)

BEST MEMORIES of 2009
Lyndi Alice: Addie's Baptism
Addie: My baptism day
Isabelle: Grandma Petersen's funeral because now she is back in heaven.
Jack: My birthday
Heidi: Riding an airplane and other fun stuff.

***

Okay...what do you other cousins have to add???

A Day at Temple Square

On Tuesday, 12/29, we took the Trax train downtown to Temple Square.

[that's me putting my hat on James, Heidi, and Addie]

Heidi and Addie on the train.

James on the train.

Me and Rich on the train

Addie and her mp3 player.

We got to temple square at 2:30 pm and went exploring

Addie, James, and Heidi on the east side of the temple.

There is a cool nativity on the reflection pool!

Addie, James, and Heidi at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

[We had a 7pm dinner at the cafe behind them--I had Apple-Carrot-Curry soup and it was so good! And their $1 hot cocoas were great, too!]

Before watching the movie at teh JSMB, we took the kids up to the roof to see the temple.

"I love to see the temple..." James & Heidi

Heidi, Addie, Tarah and Brandon

James looking down on temple square.

Tarah, Brandon, Brittany looking down on the temple

James, Addie, Brittany, Brandon, Tarah, and Heidi

I LOOOOOVE THESE KIDS!

James was the only kid to notice that the Nutcrackers guarding The Roof were functional...

...and they could bite Addie!

Brittany, Tarah and Brandon with the Nutcracker.

[can you believe how grown up and gorgeous these kids are? The twins are going on 13 and little Tarah is 10! I lived with them for a month when Tarah was a tiny baby...isn't that CRAZY?]

Addie and James at "Ellis Island."

The Family History Center in the JSMB is SO MUCH FUN now!

Heidi at "Ellis Island."

Erin and me laughing at "Ellis Island."

Are we not just the cutest little old blind ladies you ever saw?

[We had the giggles bad, especially after somebody said, "Yay, you made it to Ellis Island! Now pick up your handcart and walk to Utah!"]

***
We took the kids to watch the Joseph Smith movie at 4:30 pm (and it was wonderful for them--everyone was mesmerized, except for Heidi, whom I had to take to the bathroom at about 40 minutes in and missed the ending, but I've seen it several times). Anyway, when we came out of the building at 5:40, all the lights were on! It was amazing!

Rich with James east of Temple Square

Casper girls with the Mexican Nativity

(including Nestor, the long -eared donkey)

Heidi and the Native American Nativity.

Heidi looking at the reflcting pool.

There were hundreds of beautiful luminarias around the church office building, including this cool one in Slovenian (reminded us of the Blatters' mission to Croatia).

Two happy families at Temple Square!

[we lost Heidi for about 20 minutes after this picture was taken...Rhett found her, but not after the entire force of Temple Square secret service agents were called on the case...thanks for the memories, Heidi!]

Brittany and Addie

Lights-n-Snow!

The Plaza

(you can see the Brigham Young Statue there behind the red tree)

Rhett and Brandon

Eliza, Tarah and Addie near the south visitors' center.

Greetings from the Shadow of the Everlasting Hills

So we're in Utah now. We spent Sunday & Monday morning in Idaho, then drove down to SLC yesterday. Rich sold our Civic hybrid in Bozeman (I know, so sad), so he is shopping for a good 4WD (because he's tired of getting stuck in our Montana terrain---not ideal for a tiny hybrid, but it was fun while it lasted--I love that car). We test drove a Lexus equivalent of a Land Cruiser yesterday (Rich is testing another one today) and we liked it. So tomorrow we'll own one Land Cruiser or another (which you may remember was my dream car in HS---I was SUV when SUV wasn't cool).

After car shoppin' we went and visited Erin Casper at her in-laws' (you may remember that Erin was my post-mission Provo roommate/soul sister and we stayed with her in England last year--they are visiting family for a few weeks here, and that's why we came down). Then we drove a whole mile or two to MY mom's house and had dinner and family time. So far so good, but I only slept for about 4 hours last night because my back hurt, I had a caffeinated beverage at dinner, and I was riddled with anxiety and am off medication for it right now. I talked myself down and slept well between 4:30-8am. Now we are heading out to lunch with Rich's Aunt Jude, then up to spent the afternoon and evening on Temple Square with the Casper family. I am SO VERY EXCITED!

I didn't get a chance before Christmas to post pix of Addie's super fun Christmas program, "A Beary-Happy Holiday" in which she (and 37 other 2nd graders) played a Panda bear and sang fun songs. I got to help make the costumes, as I have been more and more involved at the school this year. I really like knowing what my kids are doing everyday and having some input into the curriculum, discipline, and atmosphere they experience. In fact, I just took over as PTO secretary (even though I have only been to 3 PTO meetings in 3 years). The major job of the secretary is to post minutes from meetings, rallying support for activities and fundraisers, and I am all about that kind of stuff. Anything I can do mostly from home, online, I'll do in a heartbeat. Besides, my mom mocked me and the PTO, and that's always a good sign that I am on the right track. I have other plans for the New Year, too, which I am excited about. Richard and I have done some talking and I have done a lot of praying about how to be a better and more whole person/wife/mom/friend and we have come up with some great ideas that I think will take our family "to the next level." I really love how the gospel, the great plan of happiness, is all about progression. It gets really exhausting sometimes, but I know that I am LEAST hapy when I "stop to rest" and most happy when I am striving. Often lately I have been singing in my hand this very joyful verse of "The Iron Rod": So Hand o'er hand the rod along/ thru each succeeding day/ with earnest prayer and hopeful song/we'll still pursue our way. I love the image of "hand over hand," just pulling our way up and up, becoming better. It says nothing about lollygagging along, nor taking a leisurely stroll along the rod (reminds me of Neal A Maxwell's "Hoping to ride to heaven on a golf cart" image), but 'hand over hand'--holding tight and moving. Striving. Onward and upward, y'all.

Hey, my ride is here! We're outta here. Have a great day and leave me a comment!