The Mom Song

Snow at Jessie & Eamon's House

Snow Again!

It's snowing again today!

This has to be some kind of record for Vegas!

This was the side of the road on the way home from Smiths!

The back yard!

It's like Christmas Day! What a treat!

Snow

It's been snowing all morning, and now its starting to stick! It's so exciting! We took the seminary kids outside this morning to experience it!

I wish it would do this on Christmas Day!

Mark & Jessica

Make a Smilebox photobook

So Much to be Thankful For!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Midnight Movie

Last night Erin, her friend Nicole, and I went to the midnight showing of the movie 'Twilight'. I have enjoyed all of the books in the series. Most all of the time I enjoy the books I read more than the movie, just because the book usually contains more information and explaination of events, feelings, etc, than can be portrayed in a movie. Also, when I read, I picture people and places a certain way. Then when I go to the movie, when they are different, I am sometimes disapointed. This was the case with the actor that portrayed 'Edward' in the movie. He just didn't seem right to me for the part. Everyone else fell into place and I could adapt to how they were portrayed, but not Edward.

I think they did a pretty good job of incorporating the main events in the book into the movie. On a scale of 1 to 10, (ten being as much as I enjoyed the book), I give it a 7.

While we were out I learned something about my daughter Erin. I saw her in a new light last night. She has always been a sweet and compassionate girl. She sees herself as a quiet, behind the scenes, friendly person. What I discovered though, is that she knows half the world! She sees her brother Eamon as the social person in the family, and he is definitly social! And so is Erin, she just expresses it in a different way!!! I see this as another of her hidden talents! She has so much untapped potential!! I love her and wish she could see herself as others see her!

First Attempt

I jumped in and tried some Digital Scrapbooking today.

I have very little knowledge of Photoshop Elements

but I am trying some tutorials.

Here is my first attempt.

Fog!

Brent sent us this picture of the fog he has at school today.

We so seldom see fog, I thought I would.....

Blog the Fog!

lol!

Halloween 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I Voted!

Today is election day! Our country is in a time of financial crisis, and the candidates have opposing ideas on how to handle it. It is said on tv that there will be a record- breaking turn out for the vote this year. I feel strongly about my responsibility in our "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" to excercise my right to vote. I have voted in every major election since I was 18.

I hope my family will never take this right for granted. What a great country we live in! We are free to choose our leaders, make our laws, and change what we don't like!

Dwight Arrives Home!

We took off after Church yesterday and drove to Cedar City to see Brent. He needed some stuff from home and we needed a road trip! This was the first time I had seen his new place. It's nice, but quite a way from school. We also took Dwight on up to his rightful home!

Jury Duty

This week I was selected for jury duty. This is my second time serving on a jury and it is very interesting. This was in federal court. I was an alternate at first, then 2 jurors were removed and I was moved onto the jury.

After the evidence was presented, which took 3 1/2 days, we went into deliberations. It was amazing to me the variation of opinions as to what was right and what was wrong. It struck me that so many people in our society today don't have a solid foundation in this area. They are taught their values by the schools, or the media, or public opinion. I am so grateful to have been taught solid values in my home, and to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Apple Pie

Last Thursday was Enrichment Night. I was very excited to be shown how to bake an apple pie! We worked with a partner and made dough; Then, we peeled the apples and added the seasonings. Next we put the 'stuff' in the crust. Everyone took a pie home to bake. I have to say IT WAS MARVELOUS!! The crust was even good. I was so proud of myself. If I can duplicate the process at home on my own I am sure to earn some 'marriage points.' Eric loves apple pie! (If I can't, my back-up pie is a Mrs. Smith's!) Ha!

A Brent Sighting!

Brent came to Vegas the end of September for the Mr. Olympia convention. It's an annual event around here. It was so nice to actually spend some time with Brent. He has come thru town a couple of times, but with his school and work schedule it seems we had very little time to visit. He traveled down late Thursday night with friends. Patrick stayed here. Josh hosted Jarred. They all went to the convention Friday during the day. They had a great time and got lots of tee shirts and samples. Friday night they had pizza with us, then went over to Astle's to swim. Brent stayed here and spent time with the fam. Erin really misses her brothers, so I think there would have been dire consequences if he didn't!!

Saturday we spent the morning together, then the group went back to the convention. Lo and behold, Brent ran into a javelin thrower he has been watching: Breaux Greer. Breaux was nice enough to let Brent get his picture taken with him! (See above)

I got Brent a Dwight bobblehead to take back to school, but when he left on Sunday, Dwight was forgotten! How very sad!! I think Dwight needs to go on a road trip to Cedar City! Ha!

Seminary-Year Four Begins!

I haven' t updated this blog in quite a while. It seems life has been a blur since Mema passed away. I am writing a seperate post about my memories of her and her life. It is still a work in progress. When we returned from her funeral (in Georgia), we got right into Seminary training. One of the first things President Monson did as the leader of this Church is to make "Seminary Teacher" a calling rather than a volunteer position. As a result we were all set apart as teachers and given a Priesthood Blessing. I personally feel this has made a difference this year, at least for me. We have another wonderful class this year! We think it is an awesome task to teach the youth of the Church. They are so sharp! We still feel we will not stand out as much as teachers, as we will as leaders, with a testimony, who love them.

The front fell off!

On August 19th 2007, an oil tanker off the coast of Australia split in two, dumping 20,000 tons of crude oil. Senator Collins, a member of the Australian Parliament, appeared on a TV news program to reassure the Australian public. This actual interview is so funny, you'd swear it was a Saturday Night Live or Monty Python skit. It just proves... Once a politician, always a politician!

Sarah Palin

I finally found a political candidate I cheer for-Sarah Palin!
I think she is awesome. Anyone who puts the state plane for sale on ebay is all right by me!

Mark & Jessica

Erin called me on Sunday morning and said,

"Did you hear that Mark Egbert is engaged?"

Of course I hadn't, so I turned to Brent who

was on the couch and asked him,

"Did you hear that Mark Egbert is engaged?"

He hadn't either, so he called Mark. Mark confirmed that he was indeed engaged, but how did we find out about it, it just happened 8 hours ago! All I can say is that Erin is in the loop! lol

Mark is like my own kid. I've known him since kindergarden and he grew up with my boys. He is the teddy bear I never had! He has a big heart and has found a wonderful girl in Jessica! We are so happy for them both! They plan to marry in January, just a few weeks before Bill gets home.

Bill is so sad to miss the wedding!

(See ticker labeled, "The Time is Far Spent")

Nicole's Baby Shower

Saturday was Nicole's Baby Shower. She is such a cutie! It's hard to believe she's all grown up and having a cutie of her own! Her baby is due in October. Erin and I went together and had a very nice time! I got a cute picture of the cousins:

Joanne, Erin & Nicole.

The Call

I blogged Ethan's night out separately because I didn't want to detract from his accomplishments; but we recieved a phone call that night from Dublinair Nursing Home. My grandmother had just passed away. She went quietly in her sleep. She was 98 years old. Her 99th birthday would have on Halloween. I had mixed emotions. Her health the past few years was failing, and it was hard to watch her live the way she did. I knew her passing was the best thing for her. She certainly had more friends and relatives on the other side than she did here. But still, I will miss her-we all will. I will write my memories of her seperatly.

Ethan's Night Out

Our dear sweet Ethan earned straight As all year on his report cards! He also earned the citizenship reward on his last report card. We are so proud of him! So last night he asked if he could have a sleep over at our house. We all had a nice time. We went out to dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. He said that was his favorite place to go out to dinner. It took a while to fill him up, but we did! Then we went to Best Buy and he picked out a game for the Nintendo as a reward for his hard work. We hope he always does his best in school! He is a great kid!

We got to babysit Shelby and Colt last Friday night! Shelby and Grandpa picked grapes and filled the hummingbird feeders! Colten played with Grandma. Erin, Ethan and Aidan dropped by for a few minutes. We were able to get a few good pictures of active kids! After dinner we all played some more and then watched "A Muppet Christmas Carol." We don't know about Shelby and Colt, but we were worn out!!

Shelby & Colt 2008

Make a Smilebox postcard

Salt Lake City Summer Trip

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Bobsled Ride!

We went to the Olympic Village at Park City, UT today and we got to do the Bobsled run! The guy in the back told our driver he wanted to set a record! Our stats are on the photo, but basically there are 15 turns, we went about 69 miles an hour which at certain turns was around 4.5 G's!!! Eric says it's a good way to explode your brain!
When we left, we still had the first place record for the day! (1.01.61) What a RUSH!

"The Happiest Place on Earth"

Last March was our granddaughter Shelby's birthday! She turned three this year. Jessie and Eamon hosted their second family trip to Disneyland! We all love Disneyland! John and Donelle got to go this year and it was so fun to have them along. Shelby was a Princess, and had a Princess Breakfast! Ethan is tall enough to go on all of the rides and loves them all. Little Colt and Aidan just hung out with their peeps. We missed Bill and Brent this year, but look forward to the time that they can come with us. We loved just being with all of our family at "The Happiest Place on Earth." I'm ready for a fall trip!

Track Travels 2008

Brent was on the SUU track team this past year. Now that Eric and I are "empty nesters", we saw track events in a new light. Not only were they an opportunity to support our son, but they provided many nice road trips!

Brent is a decatholete! In high school he participated in primarily throwing events. He began learning hurdles his Senior year. This past year he has taken on many new events and has been a year of much growth! We have particularly enjoyed watching him learn the pole vault!

A Little Taste of Home!

This little series of pictures was sent to us Feb 2008. Before he left on his mission, Bill was the official Springall burger chef! The family would come over on weekends, and he always enjoyed cooking the meat on the barbeque! One week he felt a little homesick, so he decided to do something to cheer himself up! We laughed out loud when we saw the pictures!

"Be true to who you are and the family name you bear."

Gordon B. Hinkley