Latest Quotes

Raleigh's been pulling a lot of "crusty's" (as they say in Utahrd), or should I say "mean faces," since she started first grade.  It's becoming a bad habit for her, and we had a little chat about it the other day.  Madeline piped up, "Don't worry, Mom, it will wash away when she gets baptized."

Speaking of religious quotes, I was listening to the General Relief Society Broadcast when Sylvia Allred (who has a bit of an accent) began speaking.  Raleigh recognized the accent and asked, "Is she Dieter F. Uchtdorf's wife?"  

The Barking Bush

One of the things I enjoy about our little mountain community in the summertime is NOT one of the things I enjoy so much in the fall: the early-morning run.  

In the summertime the air is still a little cool in the mornings, the sun is already out at 6:00 am, and that blessed Utah smell that reminds me of my grandparents' homes when I came to visit as a child permeates the air.  In the fall the air is even more crisp (which I love- the crispier the better), but the sky is PITCH BLACK at 6:00 am.  And that is why I found myself BEAR HUGGING some stranger lady in the MIDDLE OF THE ROAD  the other morning.

I like to exercise for the solitude; I'm not a social runner.  I love to be out in God's country and meditate and pray while I run.  And I like to run at MY pace and MY route, wherever that will take me, and for however long I want to go.  So that is why I was alone.  Very very alone.

I was running up the street in the extreme darkness (a little freaked out by the stories I've heard about cougars roaming the mountain roads) when I came upon what I thought was a bush right next to a fence.  Well, I realized it wasn't a bush when it started BARKING at me!  I swear it was holding so still, just waiting for me to come closer, so that it could scare me.  I SCREAMED and ran out into the middle of the road, murmuring a few Oh My GOSHes when a group of speed-walking ladies came to my rescue:

"Oh, are you okay, honey?"

"We didn't even see you."

"That'll sure get your heart rate going!"

And that is how I found myself BEAR HUGGING (and holding on tight) to some random stranger lady in the middle of the street.

P.S.- Don't worry.  I'll get a running partner.

So I Have This New Thing for Making Clips

They're my own design.  Any feedback?

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Impromptu Camping Trip

This past summer, we came home on a Friday evening after a long day, and Raleigh remembered, "Isn't today the Ward Campout, Daddy?  You promised us you would take us!!"  So after quickly packing "guy style," and stopping at the store for some needed supplies (Teddy Grahams and OJ), they headed 15 minutes up the canyon to Mutual Dell and and had some bonding time.  They hung out with friends, "camped" in the van, (while I enjoyed the quiet at home with a sleeping baby girl), and they came home the next morning filthy dirty and worn out.  You can tell by the pictures that the Teddy Grahams were a big hit!

She Had a Birthday!

Kensington had a birthday last month, and this is the card that Raleigh thoughtfully gave to her little sis.  Can you translate it?  It says: "You are special.  With love.  Wishes come true.  Love, Raleigh."  Melts your heart!

Choobers Chokes a Cat- MEOW!

To the tune of I'm a Little Teapot (sorry, that's the kind of kiddie music that gets stuck in my head . . .)

I'm a Little Choobers, short and cute!

I have a really big front tooth.

I like this kitty quite a lot.

I put him in a tight headlock.

This is SO funny. Just kidding, it's not.