Viva! Henderson NV April 9th-13th 2012

It's A Bird It's A Plane

After seeing what Vegas has further deteriorated to in January, I told Matt we had no business going anywhere near there for spring break. We decided on San Diego, but since hotels are more expensive Matt didn't have enough Marriott points for a Residence Inn. But he did have enough for Henderson NV. Since we were just going to relax, eat, swim, and shop it made more sense to go there. Besides, no one complained about half the time it would take in the car.

It was approaching evening when we arrived and there was the most beautiful sky overhead. There was also a huge bowing jet flying over head. It was close enough that you could read the writing on the plane.  Though it was a pretty area with palm trees galore I saw that we were in the landing path for the airport. Hmm.

The whole time we were driving to Henderson Graham asked when we would swim. I looked over as I wheeled my suit case into the room to see him completely stripped down rummaging through his suit case for his swim trunks. Without saying a word Callie was naked as well before I could even open my mouth to tell them we needed to eat dinner first. She does whatever he does.

Graham got his swimming promise fulfilled the next morning after breakfast. I couldn't believe how often a plane flew overhead. The loud intense roaring brought your eyes to they sky each time one passed. Now, I know I am ridiculously sensitive to repetitive loud noises, but Matt and I both agreed that since the hotel is in a flight path it should be mentioned on the website. Matt asked, "How often do you think they are flying overhead?" I guessed five minutes. He said, "No way, it's more like 10." Since he had his waterproof watch on he timed the next one and the one after that. They were 2 1/2 min apart. It was true though that over the course of the next four days we got noticing them less and less.We played basketball outside and TENNIS. We stink big time at tennis but it wasn't the planes fault.

I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream

When evening rolled around we decided to go for a walk. On our way out of the parking lot I spotted an abandoned Smith's shopping cart. Since we would be walking past Smith's eventually I suggested we put some kids inside and bring it back. So Matt put Callie and Graham in the cart and anyone else that didn't want to walk and we pushed it the few blocks and returned it at Smith's. There weren't really any stores to look at but I saw a Baskin Robbins so I suggested we go there, my treat. Lucky for me there was a sign on the door stating all cones were .99 that day. Let me be clear that I offered to pay BEFORE I saw the .99 sign. Soft serve cones were also .99. I cannot figure out in my right mind why someone would EVER choose soft serve over hard ice cream. Isn't that why you'd be at Baskin Robbins in the first place?

On our way out I saw another abandoned Smith's cart near the intersection. I joked, "Someone better go get it." Katrina did and we dropped that one off as we passed Smith's again. We ate our yummy ice cream cones as we walked. The kids thought it odd that I chose bubblegum. I was trying to decide between that or Pralines and Cream. Matt would have chided be about the latter. See, that is why I relate to both young and old people. Bubble gum for the young, pralines for the old. Either way everyone seemed to be happy with their flavor. One of the kids called out,"Thanks Dad." This started a chain reaction as they all chimed in, "Thanks Dad, Thanks Dad, Thanks Dad." Matt interrupted, "Mom bought the ice cream." They changed their chant, "Thanks Mom, Thanks Mom, Thanks Mom." Callie waited till it was quiet, "Thanks Dad."

Go Fly A Kite

The next day Graham brought up the next item on his agenda; to fly a kite. I didn't have a kite but I knew where I could get one. A short trip to Smith's and we were back in no time with two new kites. The wind really started to pick up and this is what I learned; sometimes it is too windy to fly a kite. I brought my own kite string from home and attached it to the new kite. I started to let out the string and it started going so fast because of the wind that it was getting out of my control. I tried to stop the wheel and it nearly ripped off my finger. My other hand was on the string and I got a huge rope burn. I got it under control and handed it to Graham. But before long it was out of control again and he was crying about his hand. Ava came up to me, "I burned my hand on the string." We finally got the kites under control but then one took a huge nose dive onto the roof and the dowel snapped in half. I said, "Look, we tried but, it's too windy to fly a kite." Have you ever heard of such a thing? I hadn't.

That day was definitely the windiest but the weather continued to cool down from there and be breezy. Pour Graham nearly lost his hat. Matt describes that it took off in the parking lot like a loose wheel rolling away from us. It took some fast foot work to catch it. I could picture Graham's face perfectly. I've seen that face when his hat is blowing away. It's the face of one who might be watching their house go up in flames with their life savings inside. Horror.

Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake

We did a whole lot of nothing that day. After lunch some people napped, others watched TV. In our room Matt and I watched Cup Cake Wars for the first time. After the first episode I said, "I wonder if The Sweet Tooth Fairy has ever been on?" The next episode started up and GUESS WHO WAS COMPETING? Weird Huh? We watched earnestly as The Sweet Tooth Fairy passed Round 1, then Round 2, and the nail biter Round 3......she won! She made the most delightful looking filled creme brule cupcakes that looked soooo delish. Unfortunately we could not find an open bakery.

Trying This Hard to Look Busy Is Exhausting

My magnet I picked up on the trip

Oh how I loved sitting by the pool long after everyone else had gone in to shower up and have lunch. I reclined my chair covered my body with my sarong, my face with my hat, closed my eyes and listened to the stillness of...those planes!

I also finished the second book of "A Series of Unfortunate Events." Gray read the series and has begged me to do the same. Finding time is the hard part, but on the trip I had plenty of it. I brought the 3rd book just incase I finished the 2nd. On the long drive home I thought I would try and read a little bit of the 3rd. Usually I get motion sickness if I so much as look at a map. But for some reason reading in the car didn't bother me and I finished the whole book before we got home. Great company I was.

Howdy Hoover!

Even though we went to Hoover Dam last spring break, it was the closest attraction so back we went. This time we went to the visitors center. I thought it was interesting and so did most of the kids. We also got to go up the tower and look out over the side. A different vantage point than last year.  On the way down the you can either take the stairs or the elevator. Matt and half of the kids waited for the elevator. I said "I'm takin the stairs!" Grayson, Mallerie, and Ava all started to run down with me. After we had wound down a floor or so I saw the elevator open. I said, "You guys! Get in!" We rode to the top and the door opened to a waiting Matt, Katrina, and the babies. We were a'laughin! Cause "not only are you lazy for taking the elevator, but we have already gone down and up!" Hahahahahaha.

As we drove up to the dam that day I said, "Those beavers sure did a good job!" So then during the slide presentation Ava said, "I can't believe the beavers mixed the cement." At the end of the day after we learned even more our only question was, "So the beavers didn't build the dam????"

We also hiked up to the bridge. Well half of us again, me, Matt, Ava, and Mallerie. I thought I had vertigo from the top of the dam, but my toes were tingling big time as I peered over the bridge. Between the stair run and that little hike I had muscles hurting that hadn't been the day before. That always feels good in a way.

A Trip Without A Shopping Trip Is Not A Trip

At the far end of the strip, so far that you aren't even near the strip, there is a beautiful outdoor mall. I discovered it with my sisters two years ago on our girls trip when we went to H&M. We were there in January and I think the weather was better that time than this. Though we enjoyed blue skies, the air was crisp. we scuttled from store to store, the restaurant, and into other stores. Katrina dropped a wad of her babysitting cash at H&M while Mallerie chose to spend $16 at the candy store. She bought a GIANT box of Gobstoppers. To each his own. We all left Bath and Body smelling heavenly and I have been loving my finds everyday since then. Dolly Parton's "Working Nine to Five" started up as we entered the store. I thought to myself, "I don't hear this song enough." I love me some Dolly.

A Rockin Trip To Red Rock

After messin around in the arcade for a while and the kids choosing the worlds cheapest toys with their tickets, Matt bought real tickets for the movies.

Dr. Tree-hugger

Matt can be VERY glad he went to the Hunger Games again with Katrina and Mallerie instead of into our theatre with the rest of us. The Lorax is for the birds. Literally, the whole thing is a lecture on planting trees and then not cutting them down. And the popcorn was terrible! All small pieces, burned, and tasteless. Matt said, "You probably had to pay ten bucks." I corrected, "$13."

Our movie was over before Matt and the girls so we waited in the SPACIOUS lobby. Graham tried climing the stone walls. Ava and Grayson got in a game of footsie tarted out fun but ended in tears. Matt walked up in the middle of the chaos and I said, "Things are going great here."

Not a Square to Spare

We had plans to bowl afterwards because Red Rock has a 60 lane alley. However, they were all reserved till 10 pm that night. I bet in hind sight they would have put in 61 lanes.

Instead we ate some lunch, I bought some black and whites from the cafe, and we were on our way.

It's Just A Plain Old Plane

The last day of our trip I was heading to the dining room for breakfast when I needed to run to the van and get my shoes. There was an older couple unloading their suitcases from their car. Just then a plane flew overhead. I looked over to see the husband pointing excitedly. He started filming it with his phone. The wife struggled to get her camera ready to take a picture. I wanted to call out, "Don't worry, there will be plenty more of those!"

Easter reflections 2012

Get this girl a Pantene commercial

Was able at the 11th hour to get the kids a couple of new things. Not head to toe, but some accessories each to brighten the norm.

I was thankful it was fast Sunday so I wasn't raiding the baskets.
I am sure the kids were too.

Much to be grateful for.

I was put in as the first councilor in RS that day. I am already missing being in Nursery with Matt. Also missing free time when meetings weren't always on the agenda. Our first week as a new presidency was ward conference with a 7 am stake meeting. The following Thursday was our first pres. meeting, and that night was stake auxiliary training. We broke off into departments where I was taught with the Sunday teachers. The stake lady asked what are approved recourses for our teachers to teach with. I thought for a moment and shared that I try and stick with things that have the church logo on it. When you think about it, it isn't on that many things: Scriptures, manual, church magazines, hymns... The instructor did a good job of bringing the spirit into the meeting by letting us share and hear from each other. She gave us a chance to each give a closing statement if you will, of other thoughts or things we may have learned during the meeting. The spirit hit me very strongly about something.

 As I contemplated on my own comment of using church approved recourses with the church logo on it I wondered to myself where do personal experiences fit in. They aren't written in any publications with the church logo, rather in my heart. And then I felt these words wash over me, 

"You have the logo on you."

 My eyes welled with tears as I realized because I have been baptized a member of Jesus Christ's church, I bear his name. Therefore, my personal experiences are approved if I use the spirit to guide me in sharing them. 

Pres Hinkley has said, "the symbols of our Christian faith are the lives of our people." 

(In reference to why we do not display the cross). 

I am thankful for Jesus Christ and feel honored to bear his name. 

Performance!

Kartrina 

 Wasatch High School was at it again, taking region, and then State in FBLA. Katrina didn't even mention they had won State for quite a while after she got home from the three day conference. When she did mention it casually, Matt and I were like, "You guys took STATE???" 

She said, "Yeah, we always do." 

Well then.

As a community welcome/congratulations they got to ride on the fire truck down Main Street. Again Matt and I were like, "We would have come and watched you!!!" She was like, "No." 

At least I got to see a TINY picture of the event in the wave. 

Don't all journalists know that faces should be at least the size of a dime? Geesh. 

Mallerie

Mallerie made the Wasatch Wave a couple of times herself. First for her dressing up for Dr. Seuss day, and then again because she ran for 9th Grade Representative. 

This was a tough one. Only one of 10 girls could be chosen. The faculty assured them the race was closer than ever, but in the end a girl named Hadley won. I saw Hadley's speech and thought she did great so both me and Mallerie are happy for her. She said this girl is nice to everybody so I was glad the girls who aren't so nice but "popular" didn't win. What am I in 7th grade? Anyway, Mallerie gave a shout out plea to her aunt and uncle who have successfully run campaigns in the past and went with Sadie's idea where her posters all had this:

"Do it for her Parents!" or "Make my Parents Proud!" or "Don't let my Parents Down!

The other part of this campaign involved Me. Matt was OUT OF TOWN (still can't believe it) the day we were scheduled to interrupt her speech at the middle school. So it was just me dragging sleeping babies on a BLUSTERY day to the school and going for it. She started her "speech" at the mic and across the gymnasium I ran, "Wait!...I am Mallerie's MOM!" THANKFULLY the kids laughed and seemed to 'get it.' I told a couple stories about her as a wee one and said, "Do it for her parents!" Our neighbor is her science teacher and when he realized Matt wouldn't be able to come he said, "I'll stand in for him." I  totally thought he was joking but sure enough he came up to the mic with me.

 Mallerie jokes that he cost her the election. 

I didn't cry too hard into my pillow for her though because the night before the winner was to be announced she handed me a note that stated if she won we owed SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS for conferences and a jacket. Matt asked, "What is it stitched with, gold thread?"

 The morning of the assembly she called home to tell what time to come. I was in the shower and Graham answered the phone. She told him that she would call back and asked him not to answer the phone so she could leave me a message. She called right back, "Hello." It was Graham again, "Mom is in the shower." I looked on the caller ID to see that she had called NINE times with Graham answering every time, "Hello...Mom is in the shower." Mallerie said the secretary in the office was laughing her head off at Mallerie who was flabbergasted, "Graham, don't answer the phone!" 

Ava

With the Disney program out of the way and Ava's Utah History Program held inApril, May is going to seem wide open. Th Fourth grade program is one of my favorite JR Smith Elementary puts on. I am always so moved at the Utah! song. It was brand spankin new in 1996 when I taught at Ivy Hall during Utah's Centennial Celebration. Now I enjoy hearing my kids sing it. The program does a good job of leaving you with a great sense of pride to be living in the great state of Utah. This is the Place!!!! 

Grayson

(scan of Pathfinder card)

His teacher is gaga for him too. I sighed up as Care Center mom this year. About once every other month I take a group of five kids over to the Rocky Mountain Care Center for an hour where we do crafts anda activities with the elderly. As you can see it is not a big commitment AT all, but still, it seems to come on the most inopportune days. FOR EXAMPLE. In April there was a day where I finally seemed to have pretty clear where I could sew. I have fabric for couch cushions I have been dying to get to and was at my machine when they phone rang. It was Grayson asking if I could come to the care center that day.  I said "sure" (not so enthusiastically). I was so glad I went. I love visiting with the elderly and have gotten to know their names. One of the ladies was fretting because she is moving to the other care center across town. I assured her I know one of the night nurses (I visit teach her) and that it is a great place also. 

I was once again reminded that there is no "perfect" time for service, rather I need to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself. Because aside from the dead cat we had to walk past on the way to the Care Center that was smashed as flat as a pancake, it was a very nice outing with Grayson and friends. 

Graham

Later that day I stumbled across Kindergarten Registration for Graham. I stay stumbled because I was merely on my way from the Dr's office where I got an updated immunization form and stopped at the health department for a bike helmet on my way to the Elementary school, when I saw the sign that registration was AT the Health Department. I am a bit scatter brained but I manage at the end of the day to cross my t's and dot my i's. Graham was SO excited. They gave him a goodie bag with work books and rulers and pencils that put him over the moon. It was because of that bag that I ened up getting a bike helmet for Callie as well even though she didn't need one. It just didn't seem fair that one kid would leave with a helmet AND a bag and another with nothing. 

He lost two teeth in as many days. His smile is different of course but he also talks a bit different. More of a whistle as you can imagine. 

He left a note of questions under his pillow for the tooth fairy. Ava helped him write it. Things such as, "I like you even if you are a little bit mean, you are mostly nice." I hope that is true.

Callie

She was cracking me up yesterday. We were playing Memory; she, Graham, and me. I love watching a three-year-old play because they turn the same two cards over every time! They are always the two cards closest to them. She was finally realizing this. With palms up she'd exasperate, "I keep doing dat!" "Why do I keep doing dat?!" "It is making me so... nervous!" Then on her next turn she turned over that darn pizza and banana again, "I keep doing dat!" Cracked. Me. Up.

She also has learned the phrase, "You are cheating," when playing games. She throws this out at any old time but particularly when anyone got a match, "You are cheating Graham." That night I was telling Matt about our funny game playing while Callie lay on the bed between us sucking her thumb and soaking up the conversation. Then she piped up, "Dad's cheating." I looked at him, "Oh really???"

PerformancES

Mini Waspette! March 9th

Look at Ava having a good time with her friends. She did the mini Waspette clinic this year again. These are "All the Single Ladies." It was just me in the audience, which was both good and bad. Bad because more of us couldn't go and support her, but good because we didn't have to pay $5 a head for the family to watch. G-ma Donna and the Wasson's were in Utah for their last night so Matt and the rest of the kids were in Orem with them. We joined them quite a bit later. We were planning on heading down the canyon as soon as Ava's performance was over, but I couldn't get something out of my head. One of the dances had been dedicated to Kalem, the Priest who drowned last summer. It would have been his 18th birthday. So instead of going down the canyon, Ava and I went to Day's Market and picked out a birthday cake. We had the bakery write "Remembering Kalem" on it. Then we drove back  to our neighborhood and Ava waited in the car while I crept to their door, knocked, ran, and hid. As they opened the door I heard them say, "It's a...cake." I don't know if this was what they wanted or not but I just wanted them to know people remember their son and are thinking of them.
This put us a good half hour later getting to the family gathering in Orem but Matt had recorded the dancing everyone had done on his IPhone and it was perfect timing for Ava to show off her little number as well. We practically had to force her to do it but I think after she realized everyone had participated she was glad she did. We had a good visit with the Wasson's before they flew back to Hawaii the next day. They had come to our home the previous Monday with the Bocanegra's where we enjoyed a joint FHE... and my cinnamon rolls.

Everything Disney! March 20th-22nd

It was our fourth time having a kid in the 3rd Grade Disney performance but our first time with a son. It was a bit different, no curling hair or dabbing on rouge. Grayson was a good sport even dancing when it was required. He said he didn't mind wearing the suit coat as a dog catcher and even said he MIGHT wear one to church. The fish, didn't phase him much either, except that it itched his nose.

The bunny however....well, he was a REALLY good sport. He was in the Winnie the Pooh number before the entire grade performed "Life is a Highway" so he was still in his bunny costume. I couldn't get the image of Ralphie from "A Christmas Story" out of head as he danced.

but the most UNcomfortable costume for him was the snake in "Dig a Little Deeper." He said he could feel sweat dripping down his face.

Poor kid, he was still in the snake costume for the group number "We're all in this Together." Good sport! And you know what, he did GREAT.

He kept asking if Adren was going to come and see him perform. Lindsey was a gem and to make this happen had to have her kids miss school. My parents had also made made and appearance the day before.
Thankyou!

May all of your dreams come true...

Giovanni 2/3/12

Giovanni! None of us could believe the turn in events that brought little Giovanni Cacique into the world three months premature. This after his newlywed parents only found out he was on his way two months earlier. Days before he was to be delivered I went to the hospital with Mark and Jamie and Carly to lend our support to Kei and Ademir. We were all very worried because of her preclampsia and the risks that come with an early delivery. Mallerie had an after school appointment at the orthodontist that day and so we went straight to the Bocanegra's afterwards so she could wait for me there while the 'adults' went to the hospital. Kei was puffy but she and Ademir were in good spirits and I was so impressed with their strength. It almost seemed like a regular day of visiting and laughing till the nurse came in to remind us to "keep it calm." That was too hard to do so we gave them our love and said goodnight.
By the time I picked Mallerie up to head home had to have been after 9 pm. She mentioned how starving she was. In all my worry I hadn't realized that neither of us had eaten since lunchtime. The only place to stop before going up the canyon was Will's pit stop. I don't recommend a dinner of Bugels and Zingers, but when you are as hungry as we were, it hit the spot just fine.
In the months that have followed Giovanni's been on a roller coaster of high's and low's. Not a day goes by that we aren't praying for this fighting little guy.

Laurie and Hank came from Hawaii the second week of March to meet their new tiny grandson. It was perfect timing because Giovanni had just been moved to a window where the rest of us could come and take a peek. What a sight to see Donna looking through the glass at her daughter holding grandson. Four generations before our eyes. It was a beautiful thing.

The last of the little guys 3/2/12

 Can you even imagine the obsession and counting down Graham had going on with his birthday coming up? I can assure you, you cannot imagine. This child asks how many days till Christmas...and everything in between. At the last minute he decided to have a family party instead of a friend party. I've got to tell you, I was relieved! I have yet to throw a boy party and they scare me to death. He chose to go to the local bowling alley. This was a good plan. The older kids could come and then get on with on their evenining plans. No one gets hurt.

 Graham wanted to open his gifts at the bowling alley. True to his word he ripped off the paper the second we set our stuff on the table.

 He wanted to be surprised with his cake. I had some Curious George figurines I was planning on using on a yellow cake. Then he said, "I want it to be a yellow and green cake." So much for surprises. He also had specifics for where the streamers should be and how the table was to be arranged.

We had our "party" set up on the only available table but it was right in the middle of the bowling alley and I felt like we were in a fishbowl. As soon as a corner table was available we snagged it. The advantage of having so many of us is that the party moved location real quick.

I had taken him to Walmart that afternoon where he picked out his cups and plates. I also got some fabric cut. The lady at the cutting counter was REAL gabby. Graham finally said, "Mom, did you forget it is my birthday???" How could I.

 This is not the face of a child who is disappointed with a family party is it?

We had two lanes next to each other. As everyone took their last turn there was one spare after another. Then Ava and Mallerie went at the same time. Ava's ball bounced so wildly that it ended up in Mallerie's lane where it knocked down poor Mallerie's last chance at a spare. It wasn't nice, but it was fuuuuuuny. You better believe Mallerie was all over Ava's lane after that.

When we got home we set up Graham's gifts. Matt and I both ended up giving him a train. When we were wrapping presents the night before Matt said, "You can take yours back I bet." I said, "No way! I picked this out. We'll just give him both." I was telling this to Donna the next day on the phone and I looked over and saw Graham staring at me with big eyes since he hadn't opened the 'second' train yet. Oops. The 'finale' gift I had for Graham was a Toy Story 2 set that you set up and it has a chain reaction. Really cool. Matt was setting up the remote control train for a delighted Graham. Matt said, "This is a cool toy!" I said, "Graham, look over here, look what this can do. " We joked back and forth as to whose toy was most cool and which could hold his attention.

(For Mallerie's science assignment she had to show the use of pullies, levers, and machines. I told her to not bother reinventing the wheel and just use Graham's toy. It was a bit of a cop out but she didn't mind.)

Graham is a delightful child to try and please because it is so easy to do so. I feel a twinge of sadness that he is now five and loosing all babiness about him. Heck, he even has two loose teeth.

Ava gave him candy for his birthday. He finished his Bubble Tape and split the container in half. He gave half to me and said, "Now you can smell it whenever you want."I tucked into my apron pocket to do just that.

Proud to be an American

I took Matt along with me to our local Lincoln Day Breakfast held at Soldier Hollow Feb 11, 2012. Katrina said, "I know a kid going to that." We met her friend because we all sat at the same table. Speakers consisted of those running for state offices including Governor Herbert, and also Senator Hatch. Here I snapped a quick photo of Katrina's friend Luke getting his book signed by Orrin Hatch. I'll disappoint my dad, but Matt and I support Orrin Hatch in re-election. The spacious clubhouse windows overlooked the valley with stunning views of the lake on a crisp morning.

The next week in Pre-school I gave a simplified version of President's Day to Graham and Callie. I don't know what Callie is turning her nose up at.

Next up were the caucus meetings March 15th. We had been challenged at the breakfast to bring 10 people with us our neighborhood Caucus. Me and another lady divided up our ward and called as many people as we could to remind them about the meeting. There were about 30 people there and we met in the Elementary School's library. It was interesting to see how things work, as this was the first caucus either Matt or I have attended. That didn't matter though, and Matt was nominated then voted in as a County Representative. I chuckled out loud when it was his turn to give a speech. He did well for not  having done any preparation at all.  He went to the county meeting a week later where they voted on city and county seats. Matt is very passionate about national politics so I was glad to see him get involved on a local level where his voice is really heard. This is sure to be an interesting year in National politics though.

Matt and I also just re-watched "Gone with the Wind." What a reminder to how far our country has come. Thanks Abe for giving us a country we can be proud to be a part of.