Introducing The Read-A-Thon!!!!!!

Okay, well, this has been a long time in coming! Almost a year ago I decided I wanted to start a book blog where I could keep track of what I have read, and where people could come to read summaries of those books to decide if they want to read them. I ended up putting my ratings and recommendations on each book summary also. I didn't tell anyone about it at the time because it looked kind of silly with two books listed. It has been almost a year now and I have added each of the books I read in that amount of time, plus I have also been able to add a bunch of the books I have previously read. Since I can't find my camara battery charger and my battery is dead, I can't update this blog with family pics so I decided now is the time to introduce my book blog. Please take a look! If you want to recommend  a book to me please email me, and if you want to comment about what you think about the book then please do! I hope this will be a good tool for determining books teens should read as well. So enjoy!!!!

                            http://www.the-readathon.blogspot.com/

Please let me know what you think and any improvements that can be made. The books are listed in the index on the left hand side and they are under the title, author, and genre. Have fun!

My One Creative Project for the Year!

Okay, so everyone knows how NOT crafty I am. I try, but to no avail. I have been wanting a new job chart for my kids and an FHE board, but did not want to spend a lot of money, and yet I didn't want them made out of cardboard either. I really like the magnetic boards but they are pricey. So I tried to think of a better way. Well, I finally did! I found some cheap (around $10) magnetic white boards at Walmart and I added a few things and I am proud at how it turned out. So....yay! My one creative project for the year is finished!! These pics aren't very good because the boards are hanging in the hall and it isn't very wide, but I think you can see them well enough.

This is the job chart. The days of the week go across and their names go down. I did four so I don't have to redo it when Kate is old enough. Their chores are listed in the Monday slot of each of their rows. They are individualized. What I like is that they are in control. If they have done all their chores for the day then they move the magnet to that day (notice that TJ has the whole week filled in, Brenden a few days, and Alyssa not at all.....age but mostly personality!) I don't have to do it, they do, and that is what I wanted.

In between is our family mission statement and the Proclamation. We spent a lot of time putting together our mission statement and I think it turned out great.

Then on the end is our FHE board. I think it turned out cute. I love that already it has kept me more organized. I think of the lesson one week in advance so I'm not scrambling for something at the last second like I was doing before.

So there you go.....my craftiness for the year... hooray!!

St. George Trip

So.....life is always an adventure being married to Justin! I am not spontaneous at all (See my Disneyland post), but he is good at being spontaneous. Since he had Monday off and the kids had Monday off we decided to head south. I knew St. George wouldn't be hot, but we were hoping for a little warmer, and maybe some sunshine. We got our wish! It wasn't hot, but it was warmer. If the sun was shining and the wind didn't blow then you felt fine in long sleeves. Saturday we drove all day and we couldn't check into our hotel yet so we drove to the temple. It is beautiful! There was a couple taking their wedding pics and it was very cute. There were so many people just walking around and sitting on the grass, yes, grass, and relaxing. It was great.

Sunday morning we headed out to Zions. I've never been there, and Justin hasn't been there in many years, so we thought we'd check it out. It is gorgeous!!! The views are incredible! It was the perfect day. We hiked on a trail called the Emerald Pools and it was long (3.7 miles). The kids did great, though. Even Alyssa hiked the whole thing. It wasn't really easy, either. It was kind of tough, but it was incredible to see the views.

This pic was at the very top. It was freezing, but beautiful. Little Kate was just shivering.

At the bottom we ate lunch and saw two deer (in the background).

Then we went on another, shorter and easier, hike. It was nice and easy but everyone was pretty tired by then. We saw a couple more deer. It was also getting chilly because the sun had gone behind the mountain. So we really didn't get away from the cold, but it was very nice to get out.

Monday we went to Snow Canyon, but it was raining and very cold. We only stayed for a couple of minutes and then turned around and drove home. The kids had fun exploring the sand dunes for the couple of  minutes we were there. Kate had a great time in the sand, getting all dirty for the ride home.

So we didn't stay very long but it was really good to get out and now.....can you say SPRING FEVER?????

Gramps' Funeral

As sad and hard as funerals can be, Gramps' was all that. He was such a good guy and we will all miss him so much. I cried all the way through my talk, but I did feel like I was able to convey my love for him, and I guess that is all that matters. I am so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to know that I will be able to see Gramps again, and hear his laugh, and give him a great big hug. It is still really hard right now, but without that hope it would be absolutely devastating.

One neat thing about the grave dedication was that Gramps received full military honors. He served in the navy and so 4 navy people came and saluted as the casket went by. There were two flags the casket went through, and then they folded the flag on top of the casket, gave it to my Grams and presented it to her "On behalf of the president of the United States." Once again, I'd rather have Gramps, but it was really nice to have the recognition he deserved for his service to our country. Here are some of  the pics. And yes, it was in the middle of a blizzard and it was very cold!

Good-bye Gramps, I love you!

I Love You Gramps!

This post is a tribute to my sweet Gramps. He passed away yesterday, and will be greatly missed. I have so many fun memories with Gramps. I remember him as a big, tough, fun-loving, adventurous, and loving man. I remember him cliff diving into the Firehole in Yellowstone, diving into Jackson Lake and coming up to scare us. I remember him piling all of us cousins into the TravelAll and cutting firewood. I remember him driving the boat. I remember him taking immaculate care of his yard. I remember him loving his AirStream trailer and square dancing in Yuma (I wish I had seen him in person, but I did see lots of pics). His laugh was contagious. I remember him at my baptism and my wedding, and many events in between. I remember his love of photography. He took beautiful pictures. He had a twinkle in his eye that brightened any room. He leaves behind his beautiful bride Grams, his four children (and their better-halves), his 15 grandchildren, and his 15 great-grandchildren. I love you Gramps!!! I will miss you soooooooo much, but will look forward to seeing you again someday. I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to spend this life-time with you. Thank you for your love and example, I love you!!!!!!

Cougar Math Helps

Hey everybody!!! Justin and I recently went to see the principal of our school, Clinton Elementary, because we checked the school's test scores and they are not very good. He defended himself and the teachers, but did admit that there are scores that are too low. We talked for a long time and kept asking what his plan is to improve....we never really got an answer. He had me read the school's improvement plan (which is on the school's website), but I still didn't see a clear-cut plan. So, I opened my big mouth. Justin and I will now be a part of the plan to improve. Hahaha. For starters, I have put together a math website that parents can go to, to find math websites. These sites have everything from games to flashcards and worksheets. It also has important websites and links readily available and all in one place. Our school needs help, lots of help. If you could please go to the website for me, read it, check all the links, check my spelling and grammar, and leave comments (I can't figure out how to do the comment moderation so you can't see the comments......maybe someone knows and can help????), it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any ideas on how to make it better or more user-friendly please let me know!! Also, please let me know if you think it is a good resource, and if you, as a mom or dad of a student, would use it. And if you know of good math sites, please let me know so I can add them. The website is:
                        http://www.cougarmathhelps.blogspot.com/
Thanks everyone!!!!
And a heads up.....I will be setting up a math tutoring program here shortly. We need lots of volunteers. If you would be willing to help (I will provide all the materials. It will be during the school day, during each 2nd and 3rd grade teacher's math time.) please let me know. And tell everyone you know who goes to Clinton Elementary to check out the test scores and volunteer to help! Thanks everyone! With everyone's help we can make our school better for our children!!!
P.S. I would love to babysit your kids if it will allow you to help!!! And if we could do some trade-off babysitting that would be fabulous!!!

Drive up the Canyon

Awhile ago we drove up the canyon and enjoyed a beautiful day by the river. It was a gorgeous day!!!

We are not quite ready to give up summer, but a beautiful fall day does wonders for everyone.