Voila! Reflections from a little j bird

Doo Doo!

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Yesterday morning was crazed. No one wanted to wake up on time and we were scrambling to get out the door. After the kids left for school I had to deliver Taylor's car to his office at the University. He needed his car since that morning he had just flown in from Denver, took a taxi from the airport straight to work where he had a meeting with a group of angry students. Immediately following his meeting he had to drive 60 minutes to another city for a work related golf game and business meeting. Well I decided if I had to walk home from the University I would use that time to get my exercise AND walk the dog SO I took Charlie with me. In theory it sounded great however the University is under massive construction right now and navigating the parking lot was not easy especially since masses of students were pulling in for the day. I finally found Taylor's reserved spot parked the car and walked a very round about way to get to the office. I had to carry the dog in the building and you can only imagine the looks I was getting. I thought to myself "if you knew what kind of a morning I've already had you wouldn't look at me that way!" Anyway I dropped his keys and clothing with his secretary and started out. I felt rather ridiculous walking a dog along campus as young students with backpacks were pressing forward to class. Taylor happened to call at this moment. He had just landed at the airport and was pressed for time. The dog was slowing down. I turned back to find that he had somehow managed to poop as he walked along the sidewalk! So there I am yacking on my cell phone trying to hang on to a restless dog and cleaning up a trail of dog doo doo! Needless to say after the last dropping was cleared we ran all the way home.

Lemons to Lemonade

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:21:00 +0000

The weekend was great. Still felt like summer with temperatures almost near 100. A trip to the Farmers Market filled our tummies and our refrigerator with all kinds of fresh produce. After a week long trip to Norway our Dad came home for a whopping 36 hours (he had to catch another plane early this morning). We enjoyed his presence and attention immensely. Spencer scored another goal in his soccer game Saturday. Lilly had her first game of the 2009/10 season. This photo depicts her "game face". Today most of the family wore the same face. I think the novelty of "back to school" is over. We are tired. We need more sleep. I have no idea how to implement an earlier bed time. It just feels impossible to me. One child has massive headaches, another has an overload of homework and yet another is just plain overwhelmed with it all. I'm hoping that a good nights rest will help us turn our so called lemons into lemonade.

oh la la ladies

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:34:00 +0000

When I was born my oldest sister was 16 years old. Technically speaking she was old enough to be my mother. Our mother had the two of us share a room for the first two years of my life. This created a sisterly bond...mostly a bond my sister remembers because she would get up with me in the middle of the night. I don't ever remember living in the same house as Valene. I was just too young. Growing up I always wanted a sister to share a room with, but my sisters were married and living in homes of their own by that time. The wonderful thing for me was that even though my sisters were much older they were and still are interested in having a relationship and friendship with me. Valene had 9 (yes nine) children of her own. They are all grown and married now. She has a lifetime of amazing experiences and wisdom. I rely on her a lot.

When we were living in France Valene came to visit with three of her dearest friends (the oh la la ladies). Each of these women is equally amazing as my sister and in the one short week they stayed in our home I grew to admire and adore them. Today they surprised me with a lunch visit. Not only did they come to my house, but they brought an amazing lunch (bbq chicken salad - homemade rolls & French pastries - delish!). Marilyn brought her French memories book and read us her entries. The stories & photos brought back such special memories of a time and place that literally changed my life. Although I rarely see these women they too have imprinted a change in my heart to be positive, keep learning, laugh A LOT & stay spiritually grounded.

Carpe Diem!

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:52:00 +0000

Whew! What a day. Spencer was the first one up at 6am. A far cry from sleeping in during the summer. When I went to wake Clara & Lilly their light was already on and they were making their beds and getting dressed. Such a fun sight to see their excitement for a new beginning. Olivia's violin music filled the house as everyone was getting ready. I took the standard first day of school photos and marveled at each kid and how they've grown. There really didn't seem to be too many jitters for which I am grateful. Lilly had written a note to her teacher it said

I went to the temple and then out to lunch with a friend. It was a great way to spend the morning. When I got home the doorbell rang and there was an enormous bouquet of flowers for me! Taylor sent flowers - he is in Norway right now and he knew this "time of transition" was making me feel sentimental. What a guy. We are transitioning to new schedules, activities and experiences. I think it will be good. Change is complicated, but it creates new energy and can be invigorating if we let it. Now I need to set some lofty goals and get busy. Wait who am I joking? I could stay home for weeks just trying to fold laundry and un-bury the messes we made over the summer. Oh well, CARPE DIEM!

Little Fingers

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:44:00 +0000

It's the last day of summer vacation. The kids are roaming the circle, playing with friends and enjoying one last afternoon of freedom. We have gone school shopping and coordinated carpools for the 2009/10 school year. Personally I'm not ready. I could use another week or two with my kids.

My mother has always wandered around her house wiping away finger marks. She likes the look of a clean streak free house...especially the back sliding window/door. I also like a clean home, but little finger marks have always made me happy. They are a sign of life and action. The "little" fingers in our family are all growing bigger now. Tomorrow marks the first time in 15 years that I won't have a child with me at lunch time and during a big portion of the day. Lilly's fingers can now write notes and draw lovely pictures, Clara's fingers can now play real songs on the piano and sew articles of clothing, Olivia's fingers can now play classical violin music & bake bread and Spencer's fingers can now palm a soccer ball and fix flat tires on bikes. Watching them grow and progress is one of the greatest joys of my life. It's also a little bitter sweet. I've so enjoyed the little years and the small steps along the way. Just wish it didn't fleet into memories quite so fast. Here's to looking forward to tomorrow and to cherishing the past.

Reaching a Goal

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Not very many weeks left of summer vacation. It makes me sad to think that this time is slipping away. We've practically entertained ourselves to death. I'm not complaining, just wondering if we need to step it up and complete some worthwhile goals. One lovely experience the girls and I have had this summer is to volunteer at This is the Place Heritage Park. Once a week we dress in pioneer costumes and pretend to live that simple life. Not that the pioneers had a simple life. They had to raise the chicken and pluck it before it ever made it into a pot for soup. All their clothes were hand stitched and their livelihood was contingent on hard work and sacrifice. Our job is rather cushy. We give tours of the house we have been assigned - the Charles C. Rich home. When we're not busy doing that we can work on the rag rug loom and the girls can roam the village playing pioneer games, attend the one room school house and run free through the fields. It has been a magical time for the four of us. No electricity, lots of time sitting on the grass just talking and thinking about interesting subjects. This past week we worked hard on the loom. We have never actually finished a rug and there was just a small bit left. Olivia suggested we set a goal that we could not leave until the rug was done. A goal that seemed easier than it was when we started. Our time passed quickly and it was time to go home. The girls opted to stay and FINISH the goal. We all took turns weaving. It was a team effort. Even the other volunteer in our house chose to stay and cheer us on. As the last weave was made and the final knot put in place a sense of satisfaction filled that little house. This rug wasn't coming home with us. It belongs at the park. The girls just wanted to be able to say they actually made a rug for the little house. After a rather indulgent summer my heart was bursting just knowing that my kids knew how to set a goal together and reach it.

Just for the record...

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:26:00 +0000

The last two days, weeks, months have been W I L D to say the least. I feel like I'm gulping for air every day. I guess you could say I'm sucking the marrow out of life, but then again maybe it's sucking the life out of me! Just for the record...

In the last two and 1/2 days I have... traveled the road to swim team 9 times, walked the dog 6 times, emptied the dishwasher 4 times, bid farewell to my husband who is en route to Japan, gone swimming with all of my kids, welcomed a long term house guest from France, volunteered at This Is The Place park with my girls, attended a family reunion barbecue, been entertained by 4 ridiculously funny kids and loving every minute (or at least I'm trying to).

In the last two and 1/2 weeks I have...sent one child to EFY (he LOVED it), sent another child to girls camp (she LOVED it too), spent one day & night at Heber Valley girls camp (as a leader of course!), been diagnosed with Swine Flu (FOR REAL), spent a week recovering (thank goodness for tamiflu medication), sent my boy off on another adventure scout camp in Zions National Park (is this boy having too much fun this summer?!), taken a three day vacation to the Oregon coast with my hubby (SO relaxing) & enjoyed the warm summer weather.

In the last two months I have...celebrated two children's birthdays, welcomed summer and the the end of the school year, celebrated both Grammie & Grandpa's 70th birthdays with amazing parties, spent hours with the Randall family when cousins were visiting from Mississippi, tried to support Taylor as he takes on a new & overwhelming job at work, went to youth conference in Goblin Valley with Spencer & Olivia, hiked Wild Horse Canyon, traveled to Europe with my little crew (we went back to France and stayed in our old house (sigh), visited friends and wandered around Paris, stopped in Brusselles for chocolate & spent a wonderful week in the Netherlands bike riding, touring Amsterdam, & eating vla while Taylor taught classes for a business school).

Petting Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Life at our house seems to move at a very rapid pace. Today for instance we acquired two parakeets. As I sit here recording this event I'm wondering how did all of this happen in just one hour? Lilly has been asking for birds since Sunday. Every night she asks "have you thought about it yet?" to which I reply "not quite". She has been a bit too bossy lately and a little naughty in the obedience department. All week I've been pondering how to motivate and guide her strong willed heart. Just before dinner our friends showed up with two birds, a cage, food and supplies. They wondered if we would like to have some new pets? Who says inspiration doesn't come knocking at the door? We talked about it (for like 10 minutes), wrote up a contract for Lilly to be a first time listener and to work on being patient and voila two birds are now part of the Randall family petting zoo. We add this mix of Monet (blue) and Jacques (green) to our happy home complete with one puppy (just neutered today!) and one turtle. Would anyone like to buy a ticket? This place is going to the birds.
Side note on Charlie (the dog). As mentioned above he had the dreaded male surgery today. When I brought him home from the vet the kids were all quite concerned. Lilly asked why he had to have this surgery. I tried to give a little facts of life lesson in a very non-descript way. She looked at his battle wound and said, "so is that where he used to keep all his fertilizer?" What a crack-up!

Kids Day

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:44:00 +0000

We have a fun little tradition that takes place the day after the last day of school. It's KIDS DAY. You know how we celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day...well this just seems like the perfect day to celebrate kids. I let the kids sleep in and have the day off from chores and household responsibilities. They can take control of their own destiny on this day within reason. Everyone gets a few simple gifts. This year the kids each got a gift card to our favorite book shop "The Kings English", a bubble/water toy and a summer math workbook (they REALLY look forward to this one ;) I'm always amazed at the end of the school year how much my kids have grown in all aspects of life. Kids Day was the perfect way to celebrate each one!

Movin' On Up

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:33:00 +0000

The last day of school for these 6th graders means they are "Movin' On Up" to Middle School. Olivia's last year of elementary school was superb. She had an inspiring and motivating teacher and lots of fun friends to share her school experience.

I think the only regret Olivia has about her elementary experience is that she and her best friend and cousin Ellie NEVER had a class together. They walked to and from school together, ate lunch together and played at recess together, but it was a true bummer that they never shared the same classroom...maybe next year.

10 Big Years for Clara

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:19:00 +0000

Clara had a doubly fun day. Not only was it her birthday on June 9th, but it was also the last day of school. We woke her early in the morning by singing happy birthday and we gave her a long awaited gift. She has wanted a pair of eyeglasses (does NOT need them) and she was thrilled. For her birthday treat at school she took watermelon wedges. I've never known a person who loves watermelon more than Clara.
We had a birthday party with Clara's friends the day before her birthday. Of course it was raining. Always seems to rain on her special day. Luckily we have no furniture in the living/dining room so the girls were able to do double dutch inside. They had a bubble gum blowing contest, crazy hair game and lots of silliness.

Clara choose a cup cake birthday cake. All of the girls decorated their own with an assortment of candies. There are so many things to love about Clara. She is sweet, thoughtful and incredibly helpful. Clara's one smart cookie and FUN to boot. Her energy is contagious and we love her to pieces.

End of Kindergarten

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Only one more day of Kindergarten to go! I almost feel like crying because that means my baby is really growing up. Lilly had her little class play today. She was one of the "tee-pee folk". For the past two weeks Lilly has been belting out the songs and telling me all about this production. I wasn't disappointed. She sang her little heart out and smiled the entire time. As difficult as it is to make new transitions I think this girl is ready to soar to new heights and learn even more.

Weekend Review

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:32:00 +0000

What a weekend it was. Cousins have arrived from Mississippi and the constant get-togethers have begun. We tried to pack in as many hours with family that we could.
Olivia and Clara had the honor of performing with CDT at the 100th anniversary for The Church of the Madeline in SLC. It was a unique opportunity. The Childrens Madeline Choir sang while the girls danced in the church. They were beautiful classical pieces as well as some upbeat folk tunes. The outside of the church reminds us very much of Notre Dame in Paris only it's about 1/4 the size.

Saturday night Taylor and I hosted a party for a dear friend who has just been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. She is only 42 and a mother to three handsome boys. This cancer comes at a very difficult time for their family as they are in the midst of a brutal house remodel. We wanted to gather friends from their old neighborhood to show support and love and to cheer our friend on as she begins this ugly battle against cancer.

I was in awe at the amount of people who came (48!) with only 4 days notice. Everyone contributed to the food and it was an amazing spread. Positive energy, love and friendship were definitely felt and I hope that these feelings will carry our sweet friend forward as she fights back.

It's times like these that I realize we really aren't in control of our lives. It's up to us to live the best lives we can and to love our fellowman.

Lovely Little Lilly

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:17:00 +0000

2008 to 2009 has been a big year for Lilly. She moved back to Utah from France. Started kindergarten. Learned how to read in English. Lost her first tooth. Learned how to really ski on her own. Went snorkeling near a coral reef. Started violin lessons. Joined a soccer team. Danced on the stage at Kingsbury Hall. Went to lots of Ute basketball games with her dad. Tried golfing. Slept in every morning (she had afternoon kindergarten!). Played store, house and make-believe with her sisters. Got lots of piggy back rides from her brother. Made her mom smile and laugh every single day!

Lilly's partner in crime and play is Ryan. These two characters have lived on the same street since they were born. Every morning one or the other finds their way to the others front porch in their pajamas planning the days play. Lilly's birthday was no exception. Ryan showed up bright and early to show Lilly that he had lost his first tooth. We invited him to stay for presents and Lilly's birthday breakfast. Life is pretty sweet for these buddies.

The big birthday party was at "Color Me Mine" - a pottery studio. The kids each painted a bowl or plate and had a marvelous time being artists. I love parties, especially for birthdays. I have parties to celebrate my children and to create lasting memories. How is it that growing older is so exciting for a child? When I told Lilly that she was officially 6 she said, "And next year I'll be 7!" I hope that growing up will hold pleasant reflections for my lovely little Lilly!

Catching-UP

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:55:00 +0000

Ketchup sounds a lot better than CATCH UP. Which is exactly what I intend to do with this post. It's been 2 crazy months and I've lost track of time, keys, children and multiple responsibilities.
Mother's Day morning was sweet and rewarding. The kids banned together and made me MOM pancakes for breakfast. There were some fabulous homemade gifts which I treasure. Lilly had gathered old chestnuts and put them in her own decorator bag. She said that they were to go in a glass dish that I have in the entry.

I love being a mother. That's not to say I love all of the challenges that go along with it, but overall it's my dream job. Lilly keeps asking me "If you weren't a mom what kind of job would you like?" This is not an easy question for me to answer. I have lots of interests, but I really have always aspired to be a mom. Right now it's fulfilling my needs and wearing me out on a daily basis!

One spring day as I pulled into our circle this is what I saw. Lilly and Sophie giving "pony rides" to the neighbor kids. I have loved watching the kids migrate outside to the most glorious playground in America. On our circle no one even needs a backyard as all of the action happens in the front.
Bear attack? No. Thankfully it was only a wire fence that jumped out and bit Spencer one day as he was trying to come home the back way. Lucky for us no stitches, just a shredded shirt and some nasty scratches.
Memorial weekend getaway in St. George with the Reed family and our cute friend Alysee (from France). We were looking for sun and fun and we found both. Our trip included a visit to Uncle Howard's farm, swimming, golfing, climbing through "the crack", games, ice cream and sleeping in. A great introduction to summer.

May brought another birthday for Spencer. Fifteen candles on his cake this year. We fixed a traditional tarteflet birthday dinner and then watched his baby video. Hard to belive this 5'7" young man was once a 7pound 14ounce baby. Some hightlights of Spencer's year include: Starting High School, Joining the Hockey and Soccer team, taking 4th year French, having his final 9th grade piano recital, going to Las Vegas to watch the "Runnin' Utes", parasailing and snorkeling in Mexico, skiing and camping to name a few.

We aren't giving up on piano yet, but Spencer played in his last recital. He's a talented musician and I love listening to him practice...when I can convince him to do so. We are going for a more relaxed lesson schedule this next year in hopes that he will continue developing his talents. Many thanks to Linda his dedicated and motivating teacher.

Spring is my time of year. I love the flowers, the sunshine, the birds singing in the trees and the anticipation of summer. One night we brought home a watermelon and instead of cocoa and toast had watermelon and toast for a bed-time snack.

For the past nine years I have been an art volunteer at the elementary school. Our art director Sabrina has been a joy to work with. Spring Art Night was exceptional. The art from each grade donned the halls and the school was transformed into a regular art museum. Here are a few pieces I worked on with Olivia and Clara's classes. My mind is already spinning with summer art ideas and things to do in next year's classes.

As a Kindergartner Lilly got to dance on the big stage at Kingsbury Hall this spring with Virginia Tanner Dance. She has been lucky enough to be in the same class as her cousin Camille. Her other cousin Isabel also performed the same day. Lilly's dance was about flowers...how fitting for our little Lilly. She had a small solo moment and executed with great grace and beauty.

Tuesdays and Fridays this spring were spent at the soccer field watching Spencer play on the JV team. He was easy to spot with his bright green shoes and #29. This is the sport he loves and we love watching him.
We brought our new puppy Charlie home in April. He has added a whole new element to our home and lives. The kids have been begging for years to get a puppy and I don't regret it one minute now that we have him. He is the first one to greet us when we wake up and he stands at the window by the door and crys when the kids go to school.

Lilly came with me to pick him up. He cried and cried when we put him in his kennell. She said, "this dog really likes his freedom!" After a few more minutes she asked me how long dogs live. I told her and then she said, "I'm gonna bawl my eyes out when he dies!" I guess you could call it love at first sight.

Charlie is our official dish washer. Any chance he gets he jumps in and starts licking. Good thing the dishes get sterilized! This dog is hilarous. He loves candy and can sniff out anything sweet in a wrapper. I had purchased several candy bars and he found the stash. I found him after he had opened the package and he was licking the goods. I took it away from him and went back to my business. A few minutes later he was sneaking past me walking very funny. When I approached him he was hiding another candy bar trying to hide it from my view. Funny boy.
We had a marvelous time vacation in Cancun Mexico with the Ensign family for Spring Break. Our trip had several snafus. For starters I learned at the Dallas airport that my passport had expired and I couldn't go on the trip! We had about 10 minutes to adjust suitcases and then Taylor took the 4 kids and headed off into the sunset. I was stuck in the Dallas airport. I found my way to Houston where I stayed by myself Saturday and Easter Sunday and then went to the passport agency and got a new passport and then met the family in Cancun on Monday night. There were so many funny things that happened on this trip that I might just write a short novel to give the full details.

Early in April Olivia and I attended the LDS Church General Young Womens meeting. It was at the Conference Center. Now that she is 12 this was her first time getting to go. We had a great time together and I loved the goals that they challenged the girls to work on: 1) Read scriptures at least 5 minutes a day 2) Pray every day 3) Smile. Easy steps that I have found truly lead to personal happiness and inspiration.

Since we knew we were going to be gone for Easter we had a Randall family Easter dinner and egg hunt the week before we left. When I look at this picture with the grandkids I'm in awe as all of these kiddos came from Taylor and his 4 other siblings. Great fun!

That about sums up our spring. I know summer doesn't officially start until June 21, but once June hits my mind is there! Now I feel so much better after CATCHING UP on all our fun.

April Fools

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:28:00 +0000

April 1st brought SNOW...grrrr. You can't fool me, my mind says spring, but Mother Nature says snow. This was perhaps the most miserable April Fools Day joke ever. I tried to pull a few jokes on the kids and they loved it. In each lunch bag I put a raw potato, rotten celery and old sliced lemons. At the bottom of the bag I left a note that said, "April Fools! Your real lunch is in the office". It was a hit.

I took Mom & Paul along with my father-in-law Reed out to lunch, but no April Fools joke ensued. We had a fun time visiting and being together. Tomorrow Mom has her big surgery to repair her rotator cuff, fix the shoulder break and repair the bone dammage. I'm hoping by the time Spring decides to really shine forth Mom will be on the speedy road to recovery.

Dirty Dishes

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:14:00 +0000

This is what my kitchen counter looked like at 8:00am. It never really improved the entire day. I took this photo to remember the chaos, but order flew out the window and chaos has ruled king today. My mother never went to bed with dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter. When it was my night to do the dishes I would often ask if I could wait until morning when I wasn't so tired. No she said, you will feel worse waking up to a mess. I'm not quite as militant as my mother in this regard...I wish I was. She's right. Clean counters and a clean sink help clear the mind and allow mornings to take on a newly awakened freedom. Here's hoping for a more organized tomorrow!

Lunch Lady

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:05:00 +0000

I realize that neither one of these girls looks very sick in this picture, but they were both home from school yesterday due to sore throats and runny noses. After laying on the couch and feeling the effects of boredom Clara organized a game of "school". She was the teacher and Lilly was the diligent student. They asked if I could take care of the "lunch room". I put on my hair-net and got to work. When they came in the kitchen for lunch they were surprised to find lunch set out "cafeteria style" complete with cooked peas, mac n' cheese & fruit cups. Had I known it would be such a thrill for them I would have done this years ago. Lilly said, "this is the neatest lunch day ever!" Clara invited her prized pupil to eat in the "Teachers Lounge" with her. Such simple pleasures...I have to admit that being the "Lunch Lady" was pretty dang fun!

Just the Facts M'am

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Thought I'd try a little blog meme today.
This one covers Just the Facts M'am:

Random Fact about Moi #1:
I hate arguing.

Random Fact about Moi #2:
I used to want to be a Broadway star.

Random Fact about Moi #3:
I have given birth 4 times.

Random Fact about Moi #4:
I never thought I would learn a foreign language.

Random Fact about Moi #5:
I like fresh flowers.

Random Fact about Moi #6:
My favorite fruit is fresh raspberries (peaches, watermelon, strawberries…how can I possible pick just one?!).

Random Fact about Moi #7:
I can't stand heights.

Random Fact about Moi #8:
I'm loyal to my faith, family and friends.

Grandma's Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Our church (LDS/Mormon) has a commercial ad that sometimes pops up on the t.v.. It says, "Family. Isn't it about time?!" The point is that time is important and how we choose to spend that time with our family members means a lot. Saturday my brother and two sisters along with their spouses, children and grandchildren met at my mom's (Grandma's) to clean the yard and get ready for spring and summer. Mom fell two weeks ago. She broke her shoulder and has many complications right now. When my niece Emily called to organize the project I jumped at the chance. It was terrific to work alongside family. We had fun and we worked hard. I think my Dad was smiling down from heaven just looking at all of his posterity sweeping, raking and caring for the gardens that he loved for so many years.

Yippee It's Finally SPRING!

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:40:00 +0000

Friday March 20th - The Official First Day of SPRING! I worked in my front flower beds for two glorious hours.
"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens

St. Paddy's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:47:00 +0000

St. Patrick's Day was was GREEN from beginning to end. The night before Clara set up an elaborate Leprechan trap, but those sneaky leprechans found their way in and out...they made a LOT of mischief in our house. Milk turned green. Toilet water green. Chairs tipped over. Sparkly green stuff strewn from here to there. Our resident leprechan Paddy O'Malley even left Green soda's, green potato chips, green rolls and chocolate golden nuggets for our enjoyment.

After school Lilly and her gang marched around the circle chanting, "We believe in Leprechans!"
Just as we were about to sit down for dinner Chris & Xander showed up at our door to play us some Irish jigs and music. This father and son duo are amazing & we loved listening to them perform many fun songs. Even though we aren't Irish we sure love having fun celebrating this day.

Thanksgiving in March

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:37:00 +0000

I hosted a big family dinner Sunday with all of Taylor's siblings and their children. We wanted to honor Grammie & Grandpa with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It felt like they never left when we were all gathered together visiting, laughing and eating together. I love family dinners. I love having my favorite people sitting around the same table sharing a meal & conversation. We went around the table and had each person share a memory or feeling about Grammie & Grandpa. It was touching to listen to so many different perspectives and to hear each grandchild express their love & admiration. It's really awesome to be a part of this big fun family!

Road Trip!

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:28:00 +0000

It's been a big year for the University of Utah sports teams. When Taylor and his brother Greg heard about Utah's big win Friday night they immediately started planning for a Saturday morning road trip to Las Vegas. Utah played for the WAC championship Saturday afternoon. Can you believe that they made it in time? Greg, Thomas, Taylor, Spencer, Nila & Corrie drove straight from SLC to Vegas with only a 10 minute stop along the way. They were 2 minutes late for the game, but it was so worth it when Utah won in the last seconds of the game. Nothing like a lot of spontaniety to keep life moving! Go UTES!

Grammie & Grandpa Return

noreply@blogger.com (Voila!) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Late on Friday the 13th Grammie & Grandpa Randall returned home from their 18 month mission to Hamburg Germany. Almost all of their 20 grandchildren were present at the airport along with all of their kids and some brothers and sisters. It was thrilling to see them again. Grammie instantly had her little brood of chicks following her around the airport. I don't think I know of two more beloved grandparents in the world. We are so happy that we could share them with the people of Hamburg, but we are really happy to have them home again with us!