What a Great Day

An unforgettable day for both father and son. David and Gavyn went to the local hobby shop, purchased a rocket kit, assembled it, launched it so high they could no longer see it, then ran to retrieve it so they could do it again.

Mabel the Tornado

Being able to walk at a relatively young age has allowed Mabel to constantly find trouble. She likes to mimic behavior that she considers 'big'. Within micro-seconds she can get herself into some difficult situations. Thus, today she hurt herself several times. First, she climbed up on the foot stool in the kitchen to copy her brother Gavyn who likes jumping off the top. She dove off on her head. Later, she found the surgical instrument that her dad had been working with all morning and had left under the couch. While it likely weighs as much as she does, she lifted it and tried to carry it like her father. Its weight made her fall, causing her to gouge herself in the forehead. Last, while playing with the family this evening in the backyard, she shuffled over to join the kids on the tramp but fell through the springs and into the pit, landing on her face.

UEA Spent at Local Hotel

Autumn

Tuesdays with Marion

When Lisa is in town we find that we are more active. She keeps us actively engaged.

Ada's Eye

Ada's congenitally malformed eye caused her to be predisposed to a detached retina. Unfortunately, it was detached for some time before we discovered the condition, thus the retina sustained significant, irreparable damage. The retina was too damaged to likely ever provide vision, however a retinal surgery was ultimately performed to try to keep the eye from dying. The eye is now filled with a semi-opaque silicone oil to hold the retina in place with the hope that it will re-attach. But the oil has a side effect in that it has caused the formation of a cataract. Further, the entry wound that was made to allow placement of the oil caused a complication in that a flap of skin folded in on itself and filled with serous fluid. This made a blister on the surface of the eye that was about the size of a cashew nut. She just had another surgery. This time to remove the blister and to adjust the muscles of the eye so that it will track with the seeing eye. The surgery went great!

Mabel Takes a Stand

7 days ago she turned 7 months and can now stand for about 7 seconds at a time.

Family Vacation

Mabel at 3 months

Our sweet baby is already over 3 months old. She is so much fun, and she always has a smile. Her favorite activities include: taking a bath, getting her diaper changed, play time with her dad, and watching her siblings play with each other.

Home Teaching

A Home Teaching lesson to remember. One of our home teachers is an outdoor lover, and has frequently talked about how to build a fire without matches. He thought it would be fun to show us how he does this, so he brought his equipment to our house one Sunday to demonstrate this for us. He said his fastest time is about 45 seconds. I guess he was a little rusty. We sat on the porch in the cold and watched while he tried to start a fire. I must say, I have rarely seen someone with so much determination. After an hour and 22 minutes he was successful. Notice the blood and sweat on the concrete.

The Meaning of Easter

This morning we were discussing the meaning of Easter while we were eating breakfast. One of our daughters had asked, "Why an Easter Bunny?" I explained that bunnies are known for having many babies and having them often and so they symbolize new life. Chickens are always laying eggs and so they are a symbol of new life and thus chickens are also an Easter icon. I reminded the children that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and that resurrection is new life. To verify that the message was clear I thought to employ the Socratic method and inquired, "Easter means new....._______?" Ada eager to show her understanding emphatically finished: "CLOTHES!"

Grasshopper in the Pool Locker Room

On Saturday we went to the Lehi Legacy Center pool. It was recommended by Sarah Wiley. After swimming, I put Gavyn in the shower so that he would rinse and stay warm while I changed my clothes. His kung fu practice made me smile. I was able to capture some on video.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Thursdays with Gavyn

I have been spending too many hours of my would-be-home-time doing business work. That combined with our family health issues has meant that I have left Gavyn a little too neglected. I decided to spend the day with him. We began by eating Cocoa Crispies while watching Transformers "Roboks in disguise" (I am told that 'in da-skies' means that they can fly). The eating took quite some time, one of us ended up drinking soggy cereal instead of eating it. It looked like a very rich bowl of chocolate milk.

We then changed out of our PJs to go to the elementary school to eat lunch with Emma-Ada. Gavyn and I shared a lunch, which consisted of a chicken fried steak, a roll, chocolate milk and broccoli. The broccoli is only served upon request. Like most of the other school children Gavyn had the chocolate milk and the roll (I am told that chocolate milk is only helfly for big boys). Like most of the garbage cans, I had the steak and broccoli. I didn't remember the lunch room being that loud.

Gavyn and I spent about 20 minutes on the playground with Ada. She is a little spider monkey performing her cherry drops, back flips, monkey bars, etc. Gavyn went down the slide several times (I am told that he only does the really cool tricks on warmer days).

When we got home, we transplanted a tree from the front yard to the backyard. We took turns digging, Gavyn with a spade and I with a shovel and pick. It seemed efficient for some dirt to be removed during my rest periods. While digging I commented that the tree would look really pretty in the backyard. I was then told that Gavyn and I don't like pretty things, just awesome things, like fighting and knives.

Once the tree was planted we rested with a 100 calories bag of Doritos. I was able to convince Gavyn that the cheese on the chips is helfly for daddies and big boys and so he gave me some. I was then told that Gavyn does like one pretty thing: girls. He will marry a pretty girl in the temple when he is a daddy. I suggested that he marry the pretty girl before he is a daddy. Something was lost in translation.

We gathered all of the 3+ years old tax documents and went out back to burn them. I was told that fire is awesome because it can make roasted sticks taste doughyicious and can make pyastic turn yiddoo. Gavyn roasted a stick to feed to SanchoPasta.

Emma-Ada will be home soon so we are back inside. We will make a couple of protein shakes, mine with water and whey, Gavyn's with milk, chocolate and non-dairy creamer. He makes his own.

If only every day could be like today!

Hawkes 25 Year Memorial Snow Temple

To celebrate the 25th year since the Jim Hawkes family built a large snow fort in the front yard, we attempted to replicate the feat. We were able to stack 55 bricks that each weighed 50 pounds before calling it a day. We planned to return the next evening to finish the memorial; however, our neighbor boy spent an hour kicking it down before we knew our work was being vandalized. We may have to wait another 25 years before enough snow falls to try again.

Mabel's New Quilt

Thank you Grandma Hawkes for this Beautiful quilt. We get compliments on it everywhere we go.

Happy Birthday Emma

Emma turned 9 years old in January. She was pretty disappointed that she couldn't go anywhere, but was very happy that people visited her and called to wish her a happy day. She is a beautiful, talented young lady. She is especially talented musically. She plays the piano, guitar, and is teaching herself how to play the harmonica. Her teacher at school says she is a model student, and notices that Emma is kind to everyone. We are happy to have a such a sweet, nice, girl as part of our family. Happy Birthday!

A few Pictures

Our Sweet Baby

Matching pajamas on Christmas Eve

Gavyn holding Hazel

Things have been pretty crazy around our house for the past few weeks, and I haven't really had a chance to sit down to the computer. I thought I would post some pictures from the past few weeks.