Reagan Singing

Reagan loves to sing and I have been trying to get a recording of it but she stops as soon as I pull out the camera. It's always very off key and never any words but she singings all day long.

Here's a very little bit that I was able to capture of her singing.

Test #3

Paul texted me today that he passed test #3 with a 92.6%! Each time his test score is higher and I am so proud and grateful. This week we were really concerned as he had scratched the cornea of his eye and was unable to study 2 days due to the severe pain. Looks like he did all right without it!

Memorial Day

I always thought Memorial day was just a day to honor the dead... That is until I spent my first one with Paul. Then I learned that it was instituted to honor those who died in war and that it has grown to include all those who have died.

The morning of Memorial day found us at the grave of Paul's father. He died when Daniel was just a month old. The cemetery was beautiful. Flags lined the street and I don't think there was a grave without flowers. They were also offering complimentary soft drinks. Whole families were there to honor their dead bringing lawn chairs and picnic lunches.

Lois' sister recently announced that she has breast cancer and as we visited a couple of cemeteries over the weekend I was reflecting on life and how it always ends. I thought about the family I have known and lost- a brother, a sister, a grandfather, a great grandfather. Dear friends came to mind who have gone on and I was sad to remember the time I have had with them and not have any more time to spend with them. But then I saw my children, Daniel running all around and Reagan commenting on the pretty flowers, and realized the circle that life goes in. They are what give us hope for the future and the faith to go on. I know that those dear, dear people are there watching over us and are still there even though we can't see them. What a comfort that is.

No, I'm Daniel

Daniel and I were talking about the song, I am a Child of God. I asked him if he was a child of God. He replied, "No, I'm Daniel".

Day Out With Thomas

Happy Birthday to Daniel! Paul and I decided that rather than lug more toys to AK I would take Daniel to see Thomas the Train for his birthday present. His birthday isn't for a few more weeks but we had fun. Daniel developed his love of Thomas from his friends Preston and Oliver, I'm sure they will be green with envy when they see these pictures.
It was really hard to get any good pictures as you can see Daniel is running away in this one and it was the one I really wanted to get a good one of.
We had a really long day but it was a fun day. It's an hour and a half drive from here down to Heber City but it was a beautiful drive. It's spring so there is still plenty of water and everything is green and beautiful, give it a few months... So for me that part of the day was really relaxing.
We arrived a bit too early. I thought it started at 10am but it didn't start until 11:30. They finally took pity on all of us and let us in the gate at 11 but then we had to wait in line forever and then on the train forever as we were on the first train of the day so it was VERY crowded. We did enjoy it though.

Daniel and Reagan on the train ride.

My naughty girl who wouldn't sit in the stroller but wanted to show off. The camera went off too late, a moment before she was grinning mischievously at me.

They both choose to have balloon butterflies.

Thomas tattoo- Reagan has an Emily tattoo. I'm not really sure how I feel about them. Daniel just thinks it's a sticker.

One of Reagan and Daniel's favorite places. They had about 6 Thomas tables set up with all different types of Thomas trains. It
was something they could get their hands on and their were kids to play with. A winning combination.

Okay next we have the minni petting zoo. This appears to be the only picture I got of it but this was an ADORABLE baby camel. It just came right up to you and would nuzzle you. The hair on it is really curly like an angora goat and soft too. Reagan's favorite was the three miniature horses that they had. She walked right up to one the minute we got in there (they let you go in the pen with them) and started hugging the first one that she came too. She got to brush them too which she really enjoyed. (Little does she know that I am planning on taking her to a miniature horse show tomorrow. Score one for Mom!)

My little escape artist and my curious boy who wants to know how everything works.

To kill time while we were waiting for our ride on Thomas we went through a hay maze. The kids were actually pretty good at it at least until the end when Reagan got distracted by a little boy and started running away with him. You're too young Reagan!




We didn't get pictures with Sir Topham Hat although he was there and we saw him as they were asking for $20 for the picture. You couldn't just stand there and take one. I thought that that was ridiculous. So we just looked on from afar. By 3pm we were all exhausted and VERY dirty. Remind me not to put kids in white when going to a working railroad. It was open until 7:30 tonight but Daniel was falling apart and I had had enough for the day being the only parent there. We had fun.

Church Callings-

My Mother in law went visiting teaching to the Primary president's house today and during the course of the conversation she asked Lois if I wanted a calling. Get this- She wanted to put me in as the Nursery Leader as our current Nursery Leader is about to have a baby. This is so wrong, on so many levels!
Yes, I could be the Nursery Leader, however consider the fact that my two children are usually the only ones in there. It is the one day a week for two hours that I get a break from otherwise being the Mom and the Dad 24-7 while Paul is away. This is my very little bit of sanity. Consider that this is really the first time in 3 years that I have been able to go to Sunday School and R.S. since we had Daniel. She of course doesn't realize that, and I don't blame her. But Paul has been gone or for one reason or another (deployments, drill, jobs, teaching Priesthood) and not been able to take the kids so that I could go to class. Next, we only have 2 1/2 months left (HURRAY!!!!) It seems kind of pointless for me to be put in there for just that long. Hopefully Lois said enough so that it ends there. If not I will not feel bad about saying no. People need to take into consideration the situation of the person for callings.

Daniel Planting- Spoons?

Daniel has been asleep every time we have planted the garden, but apparently he understands what we have been doing.
Today while we were playing outside he put a bunch of dirt in a bucket and then pushed a spoon down in and piled more on top. I asked him what he was doing. He replied,"I'm planting my flower Mommy" and continued pouring more dirt on and patting it down and after a few minutes saying," That's perfect", in a pleased voice.
Of course Reagan couldn't leave it alone and the scenario would be repeated again. Where did he learn how to plant things? This is a city kid. Is this knowledge innate?

Here's his "flower."

Our Little Garden Buddy-

Or Mud Buddy- Today Reagan discovered mud, and boy was she happy. We were out planting a few more plants in the garden and Reagan thought she would help. Luckily Daniel was asleep taking his much needed nap or we would have had two of them much dirtier than this.

Test #2 Passed

Good news coming out of GA this morning. Paul passed test #2 with a 91.4 % Hurray for Paul! He has 6 more written tests to go.

Mother's Day

This year for on Mother's day I was reminded what a mother is and does. Daniel was falling apart all morning. He even cried about going to church which is unusual for him as he loves Nursery. He cried in the car all the way to church. Once we were at church he calmed down and wouldn't get off my lap all during sacrament meeting- Not necessarily a bad thing.

The high point of the day was when Reagan decided that going to Nursery was fun and she didn't need me anymore. She has been a bit hesitant there I think because of the move. But as church is at 1pm and she went to nursery that meant that she didn't get a nap. I got the kids some dinner and no sooner had I placed it in front of Reagan then her head went directly into it as she could no longer keep her eyes open. I got her ready for bed and she went to sleep. Only to wake about 20 minutes later throwing up. So we spent some time together that evening- Then about 9pm Daniel woke up having thrown up all over his bed. Yep- I spent all night on the couch cleaning up throw up and with very little sleep. Of course by that time my stomach was rolling just having to deal with it. Happy Mother's Day to me!

Here's to all the Mothers who deal with the throw up, the dirty diapers, the long nights, bratty 2 year olds and teenagers. May they all come to realize one day what we have done for them. Thank you Mom!

Oh, My Oh, Dinosaurs!

Isn't this a great picture! Daniel was scarred to death of the really big dinosaurs and didn't want his picture taken with them, but Reagan had no fear what so ever. Probably as she hasn't had enough experience in the world to realize there are things to be afraid of.

We went to the Dinosaur park in Ogden yesterday after taking a beautiful drive up to Snow Basin.The drive reminded me of growing up in Southern UT and made me a tiny bit home sick for the sights of the mountain vistas I used to know.

But fun was to be had at the Dinosaur park.




















Reagan learned to swing by herself and loved it!

















Then of course there was riding the dinosaurs-





















Sliding by herself. This is new for her. She just decided that sliding can be a lot of fun when we went to the Hogle Zoo earlier this week. I was really nervous letting her go down at first by herself but she has mastered it very well.


















No fear- Here she is playing with the dinosaur.


















I'm not sure that this isn't true.

Daniel had fun making friends with kids at the the Park.

I tried to get a picture with a bigger one of these but Daniel was scarred stiff. He opted for the smaller version.

Earlier this week we went to the Hogle Zoo and the kids had a blast. No pictures as Mom forgot the camera. But Reagan really liked the giraffes and Daniel's favorite part was the small train the we rode through the park. We saw black bears and talked about how we would be seeing them in Alaska. We've also spent a lot of time at the park this week.

Daniel went with me to the chiropractor this week. My back has been out for some time and it has some issues so I have been getting it worked on. I decided to take Daniel in as he has various health issues that a chiropractor might be able to help. His top vertebrae was completely out of alignment, and wonder of wonders, my little boy who runs into everything and falls down ALL the time, is doing so much better. He hasn't run into anything or fallen down since the adjustment. This is a real accomplishment for him. Now if it will just fix his Asthma an chronic constipation...

On the passing of our dog Calvin

Also deserving of his own post-
Tuesday was a sad day for us. Calvin, our dog, had to be put down. A few days before my sister in law took him for a walk and another dog ran up and grabbed Calvin. It took her a couple of minutes to get him away from the other dog, he had been severely bit and injured. Over the next few days we tried to help him and keep him happy but the wounds became infected and there was just nothing we could do. He was miserable and we had to put him down as there was no chance he would survive the infection and get better.
We had Calvin with us for 5 1/2 years. We got him as an 8 week old puppy almost a year after we were married. The kids loved him, especially Reagan. He was a holy terror as a puppy but in the last year or so had really settled down and became a good dog. He will be remembered for his barking and for his love. We will miss you Calvin.

Paul passed his first written test-

Thank you to all of you who have been remembering Paul in your prayers. We really appreciate it as Paul has to pass every test or he is out of the program. Yesterday he took and passed his first written test with a 90%. We knew you could do it Paul! He has 7 more written tests before the end of the course, the next one being next Thursday. Keep those prayers coming! 3 more months and counting until he can come home to us!
I have a lot more to post laterm but thought that he deserved a post of his own.