Tastes Like Chicken

We've acquired a new bunny. The kids are so excited. The parents... well, it's a rabbit. One of Grant's friends, Corby, had a few bunnies. He wanted a new dog. Corby's parents told him he couldn't get a dog because he had bunnies. So, he gave away his bunnies. We were the lucky recipients of Floppy. I am not sure why, but I had pictured in my mind a little, baby bunny, cute and cuddly. Floppy is huge, fast, and naughty. Floppy escapes every night. Our yard is not completely fenced in and the bunny likes to roam the neighborhood. Lucky for Russ and I, he comes back every morning. This morning he was in Russ' garden, actually eating Russ' home grown carrots. I am just expecting to wake up one morning and find Floppy fur-less. I understand rabbit fur is good fly-tying material. I also heard this morning, after Floppy was found in Russ' garden, that rabbits are good eatin'... taste like chicken.

What the #*&%!!!

I need to write down a couple of quick stories that took place this weekend. The first one happened on Friday night. We are BIG Hurricane Tiger football fans. Our family attends all of their games. We rarely miss one. We support Hurricane because of the coach, "uncle" Chris. Chris Homer is one of Russ' best friends and fly-fishing buddies. He, Russ and my boys go to Yellowstone every summer. He has become one of my boys favorite "uncles". Anyway, last Friday the Tigers had a game in Fillmore, UT against the Millard Eagles. Yes, Fillmore, 2 1/2 hours from St. George. Yes, we traveled to the game. I am not kidding... we are devout fans. At Millard High there is a huge field behind the visitors stands. The hitting dummies for the football team are kept on that field. My boys decided to go down and practice their football skills with the dummies. Where we were sitting in the stands, I could keep an eye on them and make sure they were staying out of trouble. When half-time of the game rolled around we found Chris' wife, Carie, up in the stands and went to sit with her. She was telling us about her brother's wedding which was taking place the following morning and catching us up on the team news. I wasn't really paying attention to my boys. It wasn't until after the game that we heard what had happened during half-time. Uncle Chris informed us that he had taken his team onto the practice field behind the visitor's stands during the half. He had his team huddled up and was preparing them for the second half, when in came the Hyde boys. Chris said Grant had his arms out like he was an airplane, flying in loopty-loops right into the middle of his team. Garrett just walked into the huddle like he belonged there. They went up to Chris, gave him five, said "Hi", then went back to playing. Poor Chris. At least they didn't call him "Turtlehead" in front of his team, which is the nickname my boys have adorned him with. It was also a blessing for my boys that the Tigers absolutely dominated that game, winning 36-6. If they had been losing, Uncle Chris probably wouldn't have been laughing about the little half-time interruption. Thanks Chris for not killing the boys and for providing fabulous Friday night entertainment.

The second story I have to tell happened on Sunday morning. I had to work at the hospital that morning. Luckily, two of our heart surgeons were on vacation this week and I had very few patients. I was able to get home in time for breakfast. Russ was making bacon and pancakes when I got home. I said my hellos and then went into the bedroom to begin ironing the kids clothes for church, when I heard Gracie ask Russ, " Dad, where are my f---in' "pant"cakes?". Russ said, "What did you say?". Then she repeated the question with the "F" word flowing easily from her innocent little mouth. Russ came sprinting into the bedroom... laughing hysterically...not wanting Gracie to see him and think it was funny or cute to say such words. I, of course, FREAKED. "Did she just say what I think she said?!!!" We went back into the kitchen and asked her one more time what kind of "pant"cakes she wanted (that's how she pronounces pancakes). Once again, she swore. Russ again had to leave the room with tears running down his face. Russ and I are not swearers! Well, I swore at Russ one time when we were engaged and he hung up the phone on me after telling me he didn't appreciate my language (and I think I only used the "D" word). I don't think I have sworn since. My point being, I know she didn't hear that word from us. When I asked her where she had heard that word, she said she didn't know. What I do know is that she has been in kindergarten for one week and is already swearing like a sailor! WOW- love the public schools. I had to have the "we don't say that word" talk with her. I think she understands. I am just praying she doesn't ask her Primary teacher when it is her turn to give the f---in' prayer.

Imagine that big, ugly word coming out of her cute, little mouth.

Wii love to Read

Garrett participated in a summer reading program offered by his orthodontinst, Dr. Beckstrom. Let me begin by saying we have been so impressed with Dr. Beckstrom and his staff. They are so nice and do fabulous work. We have seen an enormous improvement is Garrett's cute smile already. Dr. Beckstrom offered a reading program for the kids this summer. There were two age groups 8-11 and 12-15. In each age group Dr. Beckstrom awarded prizes to the top three readers. For Garrett's age group (8-11), the top reader won a Nintendo Wii, second place received an iPod, and the third place winner received a $25 gift certificate to Target.

Garrett was so excited to participate. He wanted to win that Nintendo Wii. He read ALL summer. Every time we looked at him he had a book in his hand. When the contest was over he had read 15,099 pages. He had read the entire Harry Potter series, the entire Magic Treehouse series (all 39 books), the Charlie Bone series, the Spiderwick Chronicles, some Judy Moody, a little Chronicles of Narnia, Eragon, and MUCH, MUCH more.

Garrett took 2nd place in the contest. He was out-read by a little girl that read 16, 730 pages. He was very disappointed not to have won the Wii. But, he is the proud owner of a new iPod. "Wii" are absolutely thrilled at what he accomplished this summer (He may still get that Wii from his mom and dad). "Wii" are so proud of his desire to participate, putting that much effort into it, and for him still smiling after it was all said and done. Garrett- "Wii" think you are AMAZING!

Dr. Bryce Beckstrom and Garrett with his 2nd place prize!!!

The Sunset Stallions

I am the proud mother of three Stallions, Sunset Elementary Stallions that is. I cannot believe that all of my children are now in school. It is such a happy day! Although it is sad to think that your kids are growing up... and growing up fast... it is a wonderful feeling to know that they are prepared for this stage in their life. I have been blessed with wonderful, fun, darling, smart children.
This year Garrett is in the 5th grade. His teacher is Mrs. Hagen. He was supposed to be in Mr. Payne's class, but Mr. Payne received a grant this year and is now the Sunset Elementary full-time music teacher. I don't know much about Mrs. Hagen, but she made the kids fudge on the first day of school, so she is "great" in Garrett's opinion. Give the boy food and he's your #1 fan!!
Grant is in Mrs. Beck's class. She is the most coveted teacher in the 3rd grade. Luckily, Grant's big brother was loved by Mrs. Beck enough that she actually asked to have Grant in her class this year. Grant is ecstatic to go to school everyday. He also has his cousin, Gavin, in his class. What more could a 3rd grader want?
Gracie started Kindergarten. She is in Mrs. Vaka's class. Mrs. Vaka is absolutely darling. She will be so good for Gracie. Gracie has a few friends in the class and is so excited to be in kindergarten.
Just one quick, cute story... The night before school started, Russ gave the kids father's blessings. He told the kids to think about what they felt their needs were this year in school. Anyway, as each sat down to get their blessing they told Russ about their concerns or fears for the upcoming school year. When Gracie sat down in the chair, she turned and looked up at Russ and said, "Dad, I need help with cutting and gluing". Russ looked at me with a quizzical smile on his face and said, "Really". I assured him that these were very important skills for a kindergartner to master. He did bless her with the ability to cut and glue, however, I could hear a crackle in voice as he uttered those words.

Naked Tramp

I thought I'd share a few pictures from our trip to Phoenix. The kids loved jumping on the tramp, and playing "keep away from the naked boy". Naked boy- being Cameron- my nephew that is potty training. The kids thought this was pretty funny.

Garrett learned how to do a back flip on the tramp while we were there. Here is a little action collage showing his tramp skills...

YEA!! However, now he wants a trampoline for Christmas. That scares me to death because he has NO FEAR and will try anything. Can you say broken neck?

We had such a fun time just hanging out with our extended family...grandma, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, etc. Here are a few more pictures from the trip...

This is Grant testing out the Front Flip

Little Macy and Jonathan (Wow! Has he gotten big...and muscular!)

Garrett and Preston with those DS's

Cameron

Lovely Mackenzie who is a wonderful babysitter... wish we lived closer to her!

Ava and Preston

Sealed with Love

I had the most incredible opportunity to this weekend to travel to Phoenix, Arizona and see Russ' sister, Lisa, and her family get sealed in the MESA TEMPLE. What a wonderful experience it was! I got a little teary as Robert and Lisa were sealed to one another. Robert had a HUGE smile on his face the entire time and never took his eyes off of Lisa. It was very sweet to see how much love they have for one another still- after almost 14 years of marriage. When their sealing was complete the darling sealer spoke to us about about the children. He told us that the temple workers were bringing the children in so that they could be sealed to their parents. He said that their youngest daughter, Ava, may be a little nervous and to be patient as she acquainted herself with those in the room and her surroundings. The children were then brought into the room. All of the children were dressed in white and had nervous smiles on their faces. Taylor and Mackenzie were absolutely beautiful, and Preston looked dashing. Adorable, little Ava scanned the room at all of her family's friends and extended family members that were there in the temple with them. She lightly waved at a couple of people and then saw her mom. She looked up at Lisa and a huge grin spread across her face. That was when I started bawling. I couldn't stop the tears from running down my face. Their children looked absolutely beautiful and were so reverent. They were so well prepared for their temple experience. The children very confidently kneeled at the altar with their parents as the sealer made them an ETERNAL FAMILY.

After the sealing we went to Cafe Rio with everyone that attended the temple with the Carter's. We enjoyed a tasty dinner and dessert from Nothing Bundt Cakes (to die for delicious)! The family members that were there then traveled back to the Carter's new, beautiful home in Maricopa. My kids were thrilled to have a "sleep over" with their cousins.

That night Lisa and I were visiting as Gracie and Ava were playing. Ava came over to me and said, "You were crying at me in the temple". I replied, " You're right, I was crying at you in the temple". She then asked, "Why were you crying at me?". I got kind of teary again as I told her that she looked so darling, and that she was so reverent, and that I was so happy that she could be a part of an eternal family. She told me that she was happy too.

What a wonderful experience it was for me to be apart of that night. Thank you to the Carter family for allowing me to share your special evening. It strengthened my testimony of the plan of salvation. I am so grateful to belong to a church that allows us to be TOGETHER FOREVER, rather than "til death do us part".