.

2010-12-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

Foregoing a wedding invite at a chateau in France?

2010-12-23T07:05:00.006-07:00

CHATEAU DE LA TREYNE LAVAL, FRANCE

This is one of the biggest announcments of the year (for me anyway.)In July we got the official "save the date" announcement from Dave's childhood friend in England about his upcoming wedding in our beloved South of France. The wedding is still 6 months away in June 2011 but I have officially had to resort to reality that unless we take our suckling child (who would be 18 motnhs old for cryin out loud) I am tied down to the homefront. And unless we win the lottery, & acquire a full time nanny for the other precious 3 we are tied down to the homefront. So we are foregoing a once in a lifetime "moments that take your breath away" experience (Good Grief I am so dramatic, I sound like it's the end of the world)to stay home and be parents like we committed to do when we said "I Do" 10 short years ago. It's just that I LOVE WEDDINGS and I had this one all figured out right down to the non stop Virgin Atlantic flight into Gatwick and shuttle connection to Stansted to catch the Ryanair (20L GBP(pound)that's cheaper than filling up our van!) charter flight into Rodez, the Opel rental car and 3 days in Paris at Momo's apartment in Brie-Compte-Robert! Zoot Allure!

So it looks like I will have to dream about Rich & Sonia's happily ever after from afar, and wear those fabulous shoes and purse (purchased for the wedding) somewhere else this summer. [insert picture] it's bugging me how I can't insert pics where I want within the post when I am blogging anymore!!!!!! I think it has something to do with the template I chose.

Final note: "Buck up Bucky" It's only been 2 years since I was walking in Provence last. It could be worse, much worse!

I have a problem with blogging

2010-12-23T06:57:00.003-07:00

My problem is this: I have too many things I want to blog about, too many pictures I want to share, too many Ah! Hah! moments in the shower, too many cute things the kids say....... And too much catching up to do when I get inspired to sit down and dig in to a new post. Seriously, it's been a month or so since I have signed in, and when I do, I think , "well really quick" I am going to check on what other family and friends have been up to. Which is all great and enjoyable until one hour(if I'm lucky Nigel gives me that much time) has gone by and I'm all caught up on the other haps of everyone else and left with a blank post in front of me! Oh bother! "Forget it" I say and walk away.

Heaven on Earth

2010-05-26T14:36:00.004-06:00

We soooooo need another day like this ! ! ! It seems like forever ago that the sun was brightly shining like this. You know the days when the kids tear off thier clothes and ask to play in the sprinklers. This particular day seems especially radiant. Lying on our backs watching the clouds. The kids pointed to where Heaven is. I think they were pretty close that day. The trees behind where we live happen to house falcons and thier young. She was teaching her baby how to swoop down and hover. It was so neat. The leaves on these trees have multiplied, turned green, and make it thick to see the nests. Heaven by the way is behind that very very brillant bright white light in the clouds.

Makeshift Salon

2010-05-26T14:21:00.002-06:00

For activity days (2 x a month the girls ages 8 to 12) Chloe made me a card. It said a little something like this: Mom we used to do stuff together all the time, you don't have time anymore, but one day we will . So see ya bye!

Needless to say, I got right to work designing a salon day so I could give all my attention to my little girl. Because after all - she is still little. I got an email about how an 8 year old daughter thinks her mom is cool and knows everything. By the time she turns 13 they think "my mom doesn't know anything"! Knowing this to be true, we washed hair, painted toes and put her hello kitty nails on that she got with Michaela her cousin a year ago! I hope I am cool for just a little while longer.

Mom's Day

2010-05-26T13:36:00.006-06:00

Does carrying a baby in a car seat count as weight lifting

IMPOSSIBLE to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time

Dec 5- June 5 = six mos

2010-05-26T12:28:00.005-06:00

Hard to believe 6 short months ago our baby was still inside of me. This pic was taken a couple hours before he was born.
I gathered my courage & took our well baby boy to the Doctor. The day before I measured his length and head and sat him on our scale just to see if they could tell me something different. If it weren't for my sister making me feel guilty I hadn't gotten the Dtap (whooping cough) shot yet (it's the only immunization she has given her baby as well) I am not sure what the purpose is (for us) taking a healthy baby to the doc.(to get airborn sickness from unwell children) unless you are on a immunization schedule. I am thankful Dr. West doesn't encourage or discourage parents to do something a certain way. I am following Donnell's recommendations since she researches the subject aggressively. And guess what? 4 days after the Dtap he has been coughing.... hmmmm.....interesting!
27 inches long = 90%
15 lbs 13 oz.
16" head circum.
He's just right!

A dark brunette girl & a blue eyed boy make

2010-05-26T12:05:00.004-06:00

Red Heads. Here are my sisters boys. Cute!
GINGER HAIR COLORED KIDS . That makes 3 out of 4 now. True redheads run on both sides of my family .

C Hens Run

2010-05-26T11:28:00.003-06:00

We went to purchase fresh eggs from Sister Gardiner. She has A LOT of Chickens! Efficient and knowledgable this woman is. She is our provident living/food storage chairperson. We had a great visit.
The kids can point out the comb and the waddle now. And they learned Ground up oyster shells are a secret to hard outer egg shell. I was suprised at how nice and white they were in the rain.

Is this me?

2010-05-07T11:27:00.002-06:00

This picture is freaking me out. When I was going through picture albums looking for a picture of you and I, when I saw this I did a double take! People have told me since I am older that I look so much like you! But I always thought I looked so much like a GAVED (like Dad) Holy Cow- I think I am you! Especially when my hair was short like this when Iain was a baby. You however have better suptle skin than mine (dry & thirsty) and you look younger than me here

MOTHER, I LOVE YOU MOTHER, I DO Circ. 1984

2010-05-07T10:55:00.006-06:00

"Mother I love you Mother I do. Father in Heaven has sent me to you
When I am near you, I love to hear you, singing so softly that you love me too."

Mom, you used to sing primary songs on the way home from church when me & Travis were fighting in the back seat. You should have jerked the car off the road and made us get out and walk :) Thank you for singing instead. I will always love the primary songs.

Since You are the same age as me in this photo , I am the same age as Chloe is right now- 1984 Kinda puts things in perspective. You always say "I would have had 5 more kids if I looked like you before and after you are pregnant"... Gee Mom, it looks like in this picture you have a 26" inch waist. I think we always remember things differently than they really were. I remember holding your hand, I think of that whenever Chloe holds mine when we are walking into a store

Matching homemade Nightgowns- totally cool! Way before Matching Hannah Andersson's Nightgowns came out. Love it.

First day of school. I am such a poser! Even when I was 8! I remember this outfit. What's crazy is , these colored jeans are back in style 1984. I can tell it's the first day back to school in Sept. because we are tan from being outside all summer. I also remember those "thongs" you are wearing they were hawaiian print. Once again, something Chloe does tries my shoes on in my closet. Your closet had rows of shoe boxes on the top shelf and you usually had labeled in marker what color & style. On Sundays you had a few pair of heels that had matching purses and you would change your purse out to match your shoes. A pattened red and black one stands out.

Love you Momma! Happy Mothers Day!

Annual APRIL Post

2010-04-28T12:49:00.004-06:00

I realized today that April is almost over and I haven't posted my tribute to La France (Usually titled APRIL in PARIS) It makes me appreciate how much can happen in a years time. So Voila! Happy Spring in Aix en Provence!

Instead of posting la french valse music typically heard on movies that we all associate with Paris like Frank Sinatra singing "I love Paris" or Ella Fitzgerald. I picked a REALISTIC artist called A.R. Rahman heard typically in Marseille. Where arabic influence is very heavy. The Sunny South of France is VERY different from the rainy North in many ways. We love the South, particularly Provence and the Riviera. The heart of Marseille isn't so bad from time to time when you need your middle east fix. And somedays I miss 2 friends called Fadila and Rabaha and a little cous cous.

Back Up

2010-04-25T01:03:00.004-06:00

Plan....... That is........Afternoon Girl Time
So me and the girls(and my perma date until he's weaned) went to the early show of J-Lo's new movie "The Back up Plan"
Note to self : When you go out to eat with 2 Midwives make sure you don't care
who is sitting in the booth next to you. They might hear things they might not want to hear. And when you go to a movie about pregnancy and birth be prepared to hear roaring laughter- it's all in a days work for them!

I'll have to take a shot in the dark here, that this scene of Jenny from the block is wetter than she ever got giving birth, cause in real life she looked like a million bucks when she delivered her twins. She looks like a million bucks in this scene too. This movie is a good laugh in more than one way! l

SMITTEN AWESTRUCK Just can't get enough!

2010-04-25T00:30:00.004-06:00

Love him so much I'll even share my side of the bed with him from time to time. "Good as Gold" this boy of ours is from the get go. He's going through a growth spurt (4 months) so he's woken up in the night the last little while which he has NEVER done! Fancy that! Eating solids and stealing our hearts with his personality. Either he's on my hip or on my lap, I love looking down at his pillowy legs!

Getting closer!

2010-04-25T00:00:00.002-06:00

I think we perhaps may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel on our Basement
A work in progress!
Dave did a SAweet tile job in the bath & staining the concrete floor

The Britney song is on

2010-04-24T23:41:00.002-06:00

Chlo had her first clogging competiton (1st year of clogging)
It was the same weekend as her baptism- so Xtra exciting!
They won First Place in their age group and teams were from all over Southeast Idaho into Utah

Easter Bunnies

2010-04-24T23:27:00.002-06:00

Chloe holding Samantha (not to replace China- her first white bunny)
Kendon coaxing Fluffy with a carrot
Iain coined his with the name Lilly
We'll see how this goes

It's Great to be 8

2010-04-24T23:05:00.002-06:00

Spring Break

2010-03-24T20:58:00.001-06:00

Chloe made her 1st scrapbook today!

| View Sample Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

FrINGe?

2010-03-15T15:35:00.005-06:00

COCO SAID "WHEN A WOMAN WANTS TO CHANGE HER LIFE SHE CUTS HER HAIR"
IT SOUNDS SO MUCH BETTER IN FRENCH.
Yes it's cousin "it" under all those grown out layers (5 months of no up-keep)

VOILA! I CUT MY HAIR

Calgon

2010-03-14T21:09:00.001-06:00

So remember that commercial about Calgon "take me away".... This is the scene of my bathroom everytime I take a shower ----- the boys are in the shower with me, except Nigel who is in his bouncer seat just outside the door ... Every now and then I peek my head out and he sports a big grin and kicks. Sweet sweet baby boy. It won't be long and he'll be in there with us. I remember the days when I couldn't manage to get a shower in by myself , now I get my shower in but it's usually a family affair.

Sorry Ellen

2010-03-14T20:39:00.007-06:00

So don't get me wrong, at 3 oclock when I sit down and feed the baby The ELLEN show is on. She says everyone needs to laugh and dance at least once in the day. So I watch her intro to the show, I laugh and then we dance into the commercial. Last week she did a show on being Vegan ( I love my vegetarian friends, that's you Heidi ) The interviews were enough to interest me a little about people who cut out anything "animal". They had more energy, felt better all around and healthy. I think I could do most of it, but I just couldn't give up my STEAK! The rare occasion we go out to eat I order a 8 oz sirloin (this weekend I had it smothered in mushrooms and grilled onions Texas style!) So sorry Ellen. I have no troubles resisting Buffalo, Venison, any kind of bird , even chicken and turkey at times I have a mental block. I could never possibly eat rabbit like in France.

Dave has to remind me- everytime we pay $14.+ Bucks to eat steak, that he'd rather eat the best steak he has ever eaten at Nicole's. (Cheers Nic!) She has a secret marinade that they used at her families restaurant in Yellowstone, then couples that with a peppercorn cream sauce to die for... Yummm

I Hope they call me on a mission

2010-03-14T20:15:00.002-06:00

Departed Last Week from the MTC. All grown up and seeing the World. This is a post dedicated to Elder Hale. David's little bro (whom was a wee bit older than my Chloe now) - only 9 years old when Dave& I first got married. What a sweet little fella! This pic taken at our first Christmas makes me smile and blush because I didn't realize that it was so easy to give him little squeezes without him getting embarassed. Man, He is makin us proud. He's tearin it up out there in The Phillipeans (what is it 4 days now?) trying to learn Tagalog and be a servant to the Lord. He's already doing se well I can't imagine what he's gonna be like when he's been out for a while. It's so awesome to feel the missionary spirit, I've never been on this end of it with a family member. Go forth with Faith- No Regrets! We love you Johnny! I will post a pic of his first area when we get it. I might even post one of his letters, I can't wait to hear what his new home is like. Missions are so cool. I 'm excited to have 3 upcoming boys to join the Armies of Helamen. Big responsibility for me.... It's gonna come fast!

Picture it

2010-03-14T19:16:00.006-06:00

Pics are out of order but the last couple months in a re-cap go something like this:
David turned 32!(Back in January!)We can still tell the truth about our ages;) for a little while. We had some company for Nigel's blessing, & another visit from the Logan Pantons, the babe is giving us reason to love him more and more everyday, (hint it's his good nature) Gramps got discharged from hospital (close call with death-Yikes!) and the kids are growing like weeds.....

Gabrielle 'COCO' Chanel

2010-03-05T21:32:00.015-07:00

The story of Chanel - Coco avant Chanel = Coco before she was Chanel.

I didn't remember until I just saw the movie ( it's in French but has english subtitles too, also is a bit bold for PG-13 you can rent it at the RED BOX) Anywho, I realized that I had jotted down one of my favorite quotes displayed in a window scene (of Galeries Lafayette) in a small town of my mission in France. I looked through my journal and found the quote:
"Si vous etes triste, si vous avez un chagrin d'amour, maquillez-vous, mettez du rouge a' levres, et attaquez: Les Hommes detestent les pleureuses" ~ Gabrielle Chanel
= Basically it says "If you are sad, if you have a broken heart (heartache), apply your make up, put on your lipstick and attack: Men hate cry babies."

The department store where I saw the window display

Here she is- "Coco" in her glory days , black blouse with pearls in the 1960's. Everyone said she was too plain in the late 1930's. An orphan, She built an empire in a Mans world until she died working one Sunday in 1971.

Delicious

2010-02-25T07:33:00.004-07:00

Iain told me yesterday when we got Nigel out of the bath that he looked "Delicious". I have to agree. His skin color is purely white we just want to eat him! He's changing before our eyes. When I picked him up this morning, I swear he gained weight through the night. He's just a sweet sweet baby.

2010-02-20T23:48:00.003-07:00

Blood and Milk

2010-01-23T09:50:00.003-07:00

Sorry for the over-due post.... The baby is a perfect Angel, and not just because Great Grandma and Grandpa say so. This baby really is, even though they said the last 3 were perfect Angels too. No colic, no gas, no constipation, no screaming in pain, no cutting out my favorite foods- I have my beliefs of why and how this could be. Perhaps the fresh habanero cayene pepper extracted according to lunar calendar :) in capsules I took while he was in utero? Dave and I would joke this baby is going to be Mexican with tons of black hair! His hair isn't jet black but it seems that dark chocolate, scallops, onions and broccoli don't phase him except he lets off sulfur air to knock you over(Sweet sweet baby boy I love you however bad you smell...)Bottom line: I am Just thankful he is so content in this crazy household & quite ironically I am too.

Looks like I will get my "voice" back soon; blogging, writing, creating...... As for right now, I'm making slideshows, preparing for a baby blessing and baptisms. I was called to be the Music Leader in R.S. (yes me! the one who can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I've been told anyone can sing the Hymns with the Lord's help!)

I will use another mothers voice today: I recommmend a great book which I will pass on to my sisters as soon as I close it's pages ( it's only 250) The Editor Kaythryn > Soper is the mother of 7 children who released the book I am speaking of called "the mother in me - Real Reflections on growing into motherhood" written by "everyday"moms. You can also check out writings on the website www.segullah.org . It is really great stuff!

For all my nursing mama's , you will relate to this poem

Blood & Milk

Sharlee Mullins Glenn

(adapted by Whitney)

I dream of Bandol....

(South of France, warm Riviera sun on my face, soft sand, mediteranien sea air, my solitary self , newlywed. Tuesday market, baguettes, fresh produce in hand)

Then awakened to the Laundry

and things to be wiped

(countertops, noses, bottoms)

When did this happen?

Time flows, it flows, it flows

and there are choices to be made:

left or right side?

paper or plastic?

blood or milk?

There's freedom in the bleeding;

bondage in the milk- do not be decieved

Ah, but it's an empty freedom; a holy bondage-

A sweet and holy bondage.

Four times I chose the chains, those tender chains,

and checked the crimson flow.

Suckled while dreaming of Riviera Sun

but awakened, always awakened, to the laundry

and to that small and cherished captor at my breast.

My midwife's "goods"

2009-12-17T16:11:00.002-07:00

LoVe LoVe LoVe all these remedies and tricks of the trade .... Missing is the Pregnancy Ease Tincture which i took faithfully. If anyone has any questions I would love to discuss some of the things I learned that benefited me abundantly. I am really enjoying meeting new fellow home-birth parents in this area(you've been forwarded to my blog) and feel honored to share any information with you. I know what you are going through trying to find a trusted and experienced midwife around here! I did a lot of leg-work to find the right one for us.

My Girls: "I want the tender soothings of friendship" Mary Wollstonecraft 1786 BIRTH TEAM

2009-12-16T10:30:00.005-07:00

Sweet Sweet Heidi was a wonderful assistant

Love you Lambert! You always BELIEVED in me & this experienceWonderful Wonderful Wonderful Nicole giving me a good foot rub Dec 4

The Birth Team -
My midwife Laura and my 2 best friends (not pictured Dave)
A very over-qualified friend indeed, there was no need
for more than friendship & support that night

We have a joke about the floating red cup (with straw) balanced with the placenta in the pink pan -Heidi served it to me joking saying "Here's your strawberry Margarita" it was actually Bernanrd Jensens Natural Chlorophyl (stops bleeding)
although I had very minimal blood loss, she said far less than average, she gives it to all her mothers anyway for
the alfalfa high in vitamin K. It tastes refreshing like green mint .
(Dave was the camera man by this point)

Christmas Stocking

2009-12-13T07:03:00.002-07:00

I've sent out Christmas Cards but wanted to share with fellow bloggers

Our BEST Christmas present ever

Welcoming

our little

Nigel David Panton

Born December 5, 2009

at 11:45 pm at Home

8 lbs. 6 oz. 20 inches longHe totally fits the Panton baby mold. We love him to pieces, he is

the calmest baby on the block. We're definitely keepin him!

Love and Blessings this Holiday Season xxxxx

Merry Christmas!

Patience Patience Patience

2009-12-13T06:21:00.005-07:00

Placenta still attached and nursing

10:45 pm

Everyone is asking for Pictures Details and Birth Story..... Hold on, it's coming

These things take time :)

Birth doesn't happen in 1 moment it is a process.

The actual birth may happen very quickly for me, BUT I don't want to be quick to share too much about this sacred life event in a setting that just about anyone has access to. I know myself and my passions and If I start talking my heart is so open right now I want to be careful about what I say.

Nigel is a stud! We have never had a baby sooooo calm and sleep so well..... I think I really am starting to believe my midwives that the longer they cook the more peaceful they are as well as how and where they are born. Time will tell, but I did sense a calmness about him, especially at the end when he was literally +1 and I was so dilated for days and days he just wanted to take his time. Thank you Heavenly Father for sending us a good baby ..... At Last

I married

2009-12-13T04:55:00.002-07:00

There is no other way to describe him. I married Superman. Through all of this I couldn't start blogging about this wonderful experience without acknowledging my amazing husband. To Thank, David, most importantly, the one who gives everything he has to his family & His DNA :)

The 9 months of support, standing by my side, all the texting, "you are doing the right thing" attitude, and sensitivity. You are truly an amazing father. You do more in one day as Mr. Mom than most Dad's in an entire year. To watch you this week with our new little man in the middle of the night snuggle and cuddle him I realize[time and time again] Wow! I am so lucky. Here's to you mon amour, I raise my glass, we make a pretty good team [and cute babies too!] Ching Ching CHEERS!

Je t'aime forever

I am Thankful for Tina's cooking

2009-11-29T19:20:00.003-07:00

Wally carving the BirdKENDON is So Big- graduated to the kids table

I made homemade pies this year

Donnell's little pumpkin Tate Thompson

Sweet Baby Boys

LIghts Up! Inside and Out

2009-11-29T19:05:00.002-07:00

We dug into Christmas and got the tree up before Thanksgiving this year. It's fun to see the kids "remember" thier ornaments they have made in school . Starting our own family traditions.

One more day until December!

2009-11-29T18:57:00.001-07:00

Belly Casting

2009-11-29T18:53:00.002-07:00

Nicole treated me to a jacuzzi bath complete with candles & music

It was my turn for the dripping plaster gauze strips to cast my belly.
My Grandpa Pool is my biggest fan, he thinks it is the neatest
"souvenir" anyone could have. It is pretty amazing what's
inside that mold.

Downstairs Bath Project

2009-11-29T18:43:00.003-07:00

Dave busy getting the shower poured
Dad's Helper

So glad I have a "DIY" (Do It Yourself) hubby
Might take a little longer but it has kept him busy-

how he likes it

xxxxxxx

Shout out to my midwife!

2009-11-20T22:52:00.004-07:00

This post is LOOOOOOONG overdue........... I started to write this back in November. This is Laura my midwife and she ROCKS! I don't even know where to start when I talk about her. Since giving birth I MISS HER immensely. It's like part of my life has walked away but I know she is still there whenever I want to call her. I can't even describe how much I learned from her. All the books she shared with me, childrens remedies, church history, spiritual midwifery, tinctures, nutrition, family living, emotional healing. You taught by experience. Story after story. She truly is a remarkable woman. One that knows the art of so many things that [hopefully not] will one day be lost. What she does at home is a lost art. I have to remember that just because I have had the baby now that I will still need her when my children are sick, I get burned on the stove ouch! [Now I know what to use for that] or any concern I have with the baby. She is an encyclopedia of information on natural and holistic care. I am so thankful to have been led to her, which in itself was by the hand of God. The care and attention I recieved over this pregnancy, birth and postpardum has surpassed any medical care I have ever been given. She was a mother[of 13 of her own], the midwife, a confident, dr., pharmacist, nicu nurse, pediatrician, and lactation specialist all at once. The phone calls late at night or early in the morning didn't bother her. Her voice was always filled with joy "Whitney, How you Doing?" She loves what she does and it emmulates. The spiritual journey I went on with you, connecting and trusting this baby more than ANYTHING, I will NEVER take FOR GRANTED. Thank You! I know that having kept this Baby in charge more than anything will help me in my future with other women wherever this road is taking me. I could go on and on. But the main thing is GRATITUDE. She taught me if I can be grateful for all the good and the bad things that happen in my life then I will be HAPPY. I LOVE YOU LAURA. I hope the Lord allows you to be amoungst us for many more years. Your physical heart may be weak but like you say there is always more room for Love within it. I can't begin to imagine how many blessings await you for helping Heavenly Father bring so many of his special children into the World. When I met you on the phone we both knew there was something special. You said "oh, I am excited to meet you, I can just tell you are one of my sister friends that I get to help. " From the time you clanked through my front door with all your bags the first time I met you to When you walked away from my doorstep after my last postpardum visitI turned to Dave and we held each other tight. Our Circle was complete. I will never forget you!

I'm not cryin over spilled milk

2009-11-20T15:44:00.004-07:00

I'm cryin cause Kendon is so sweet. Any of you fellow moms know spilled milk and juice at lunch are just one of those every day occurances. But yesterday it was different... We were late for preschool and Kendon spilled his milk "on purpose". I didn't have time to clean it up, scolded him (mildly) but wanted to (harshly) and said " when we get back you are helping mommy clean that up!" (Not really expecting that to really happen, I didn't mention it again) We got back home, I went straight to the bathroom (like usual these days have to pee every 10 minutes) and after I was done came to discover this. Kendon had the dishcloth and was on his hands and knees wiping up the puddle of milk... My heart melted like butter and I scooped him up so THANKFUL he is such a nice boy. I grabbed my camera and have to remember to write this in his baby book. It's moments like this that make this job worth it. Can't get the picture to rotate! Grrr....

Welcome "Lightening McQueen!"

2009-11-15T12:30:00.004-07:00

My sister just gave birth on Thursday, November 12th at 6:39 pm in 60 minutes flat! They are thinking of calling him "Lightening!"

So here are my scratch notes of how her day was- Mind you she lives in Utah County (Orem) so we did most of this by phone calls and texting

The morning he was born She had a Dr.'s (39 week) appointment at 10 am- Exam conclusion 4.5cm dilated and 100% effaced. Think that's crazy? She was walking around that way for 2 weeks. This is how we do labor. The Dr. tells us "oh, you won't go another week, I'll be really suprised if we see you next week". . . So we leave the office thinking Okay this is going to happen any second! Wrong! Our body prepares over a number of days of cramping and low pelvic pressure. In her case, she had been very very very patient and they decided to strip her membranes. Her baby was at 0 station.

She called me throughout the day as she shopped ALL DAY! She's nuts! Leave it to my mother "who we call Marathon Shopper Woman". At about 2 pm she said I feel like this baby would shoot out of me if they broke my water. Yeah, pretty much, it would. I told her to go home and rest for heaven's sake!

4:03 They called me from a shoppe in American Fork where the Hospital is located and wanted to know if I wanted a blessing outfit for our new baby. She was fine. Having a lot of low pressure but still shopping! Okay Kendon was born in an hour too but I wasn't out shopping an hour before. I was home in my bathtub for 2 hours and then went to the hospital.

5:30 I get a text from my mom saying they just got to the hospital , her cramps were getting stronger. They checked her and she was 6cm and getting the shakes. I sent back a text telling her I loved her, she was going to do awesome and I was turning OFF my phone. Time to concentrate now!

6:20 My brother in law called and said She was already 8 cm and wanted some pain relief- "Too late now" I said. It's gonna be over. I sat down my phone and prayed "they'll never get it in in time...."

6:39 Her water broke onto the Dr.'s lap (of course typical scenerio just as he barely got into the room to sit down) as she pushed her baby out. 6 lbs 15 oz Tiny little thing!

Way to go Don! You did it! We still haven't had time to talk about it from her perspective. I'm sure she'll say it was fine. Her husband said ha ha!! "Well that was easy, maybe we should have another one!" Look out- Be careful what you say ; that just might be the case!

Lucy , Picachu & Cookie Monster

2009-10-31T10:47:00.005-06:00

Our Narnia Lucy

Our Poser!

Kendon is so sweet I could Eat Him!

I'm not sure we need to Trick or Treat tonight the kids have already

had soooo much candy from Trunk or Treat last week.

Having all these sweets around is killing me!

Our Pumpkin safe and warm inside. 3 more weeks Cook

baby Cook~ I'm not ready for a baby yet, it's been the

first time I haven't been ready to have a baby at 35 weeks

Hope it stays a bright sunny day not rainy like yesterday

Brrrr..........

Late Night at our House

2009-10-31T10:17:00.003-06:00

Last night Chloe had her best friends over for a late night. It's pretty fun to listen to what they giggle about and how they act. Must have been how my mom must have felt listening to us when i didn't know she was paying attention. It's all pretty new for Dave and he can't believe his little girl talks about who she is going to marry already. We made breakfast for dinner: Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage and it cracks me up how they compete how much they can eat and how fast. They obviously are only 7, and 10 ! I also realize how many times my mom had to clean up the basement after us- Pillows, Sleeping Bags, Dress ups, Popcorn, Movies, empty ice cream bowls.... But it makes me smile because everyone always wanted to stay the night at my house and I hope Chloe will feel like that for a few more years. The best part is we switch and the Boys (Kevin thier little brother) invites Iain over to play the Wii so there is no fighting or "No BoYs AllOwEd" problems which seems to be Iain's dilemma with his Sister and her friends.

I absolutly LoVe Julianna she is at the age where babysitting is fun and cool. She is so good with Kendon "they are little buddies"... He got bored watching the Disney Princess Protection Program movie so Julianna took Kendon upstairs and they watched one of his favorites "Tinkerbell" on Chloes bed.... So cute!

They were all wearing cheerleading costumes (thanks nellie & tatum) blasting "Party in the USA"with the lyrics "and the britney song is on"............. and that other one "she wears high heels ...I wear sneakers I'm on the bleachers She's the cheer captain ...na na na .... " I don't try to "coddle" her but I guess they just settle into quickly growing up with main stream media even if you don't have cable TV or buy them all the stuff on special at Walmart this week.

Itty Bitty Tiny Onesies

2009-10-31T10:06:00.002-06:00

I washed the baby's basic Layette. It never ceases to amaze me how small the diapers and onesies look. Is it really true the other ones really started out that tiny? Getting excited for this preious little heavenly being. Crazy!

Legend of the "Thieves"

2009-10-31T09:44:00.003-06:00

This essential oil blend is called Pandora's Hope:
wild oregano, lemon,rosemary,euculyptus,thyme,cinnamon,cloves

It is an oil blend of essential oils based on the legend of the Thieves during the Dark Ages. The thieves who robbed the bodies of those who had died of the Plagues would wear around thier necks a bag of potent spices to protect them from becoming infected with airborn plagues (live virus' like today's swine flu) . It is antiviral, an immune stimulant and helpful for respitory illness, flu, sore throat and colds.. The most effective use of Pandora's Hope is to breathe it in or inhale it. This protects a person from catching airborne disease which is how 97% of viral infections are spread. It is very pleasant to smell. The kids each have thier own inhaler (at different potency) and call them thier "sniffer thing"...... So far so good. Dave uses his about every hour at work, he's been pretty concerned with people around him getting sick at Qwest.The most dominant spice that I smell in it is cinnamon oil - perfect for this time of year. "Holidays". Chloe now loves the way it smells....

HELP! It's just a NAME!

2009-10-29T19:11:00.002-06:00

Okay. So It's getting down to the wire and we still have not even come up with A names we both can picture naming our SON. Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed. The name we like I'm afraid is Nigel and I guess most people think it is horrid. Like naming your little baby "Bertha" or "Melvin" I think it's nice and it means "CHAMPION". There is a variation of "Neal" which is okay too. One of our problems is the whole "international" background. Haaving lived somewher else in the world, we have been influenced by culture. I like classic names and French ones but they are NOT pronounced the same. Dave has his way of making them sound good when he says them or really bad on purpose!!!!! Like the other day I came home after hearing in the store a mom call her boy "Carter" but when Dave said it he of course said "no" it sounds like Kaw-Ta. Alright already Mr. Panton! He is never going to lose his british way of saying vowels....

DAVE's PICKS since 2002 He hasn't added any new ones:
SIMON
NIGEL
CHRISTOPHER
LOUIS
COLLIN
CRAIG
JOSEPH
THOMAS
SAMUEL
GEOFFERY

WHIT's PICKS mine change daily usually hourly:
NIGEL
THOMAS (not Tom!- Tommy is okay)
MARCUS
JOSEPH
JACOB
COLLIN
COLE
VINCENT
CALLUM

Post your vote in the comment link!
If we get enough influence that our child will be harmed for life because of his old fashioned name maybe we will reconsider. It's pretty bad when your husband in childbirth class when talking about fears in delivery, He can't come up with one scarey thing that could happen but says "i'm more afraid of not coming up with a name for our baby" when the other dad's are saying "I'm afraid that my wife is going to die or the pain will be too great..."... LOL! I love you to pieces mon David!

Ceremonial Mothers Blessing

2009-10-18T22:36:00.002-06:00

Foot bath with Jasmine oil. Smelled so good~ My Aunt Vickie rubbing my shoulders
Massaging my hands.
She said her girlfriends were having
thier babies in the 70's in the back of VW buses when she lived in San Fransisco

I'm Reading the meaning and symbolizm of

my "birth bundle" on my lap

Whoever had my camera good job on the candid shots

I'm so glad I got some pictures

Yay, Baby is head down... I felt him turn last week, even

MORE pelvic pressure. Love to hear his strong steady heartbeat

xxxxx

Elder Panton & Soeur Gaved Reunion Pics

2009-10-18T22:19:00.002-06:00

President Dansie with 2 Marseille Missionaries- Who would have ever known we'd hook up Destiny

Sweet Soeur Dansie- still so pure & gracious

Amy Cottle (Taurra) in the black print & I had plenty to talk about

She has had all 4 of her babies at home

Soeur Smith- One of my favs

(I need to dig out a pic of us in 1998)

We had a great great companionship in a ville on the Italian border

Biggest personal growth area for me; she is one amazing Sister!

Soeur Jones finished up in Martigues

(where Georges and Henry live) She was the highlight

of the night for me filling her in on my visit to the branch last year. I wished we

could have served together!

2 of my companions. Good times in Perpignan on the Barcelona

Spain border- Viva Espana!

Bombay & L A equals 10 years

2009-10-06T21:46:00.002-06:00

Dave & I LoVe THE BOMBAY HOUSE Indian Restaurant- We only get the chance to indulge in good curry once a year if we're in SLC or Provo. For our "10th Anni" we celebrated this past weekend for our Mission Reunion coincidentally 10 years since we've been home! It went by so fast.... Donc, VOILA! A feast for the eyes. Perhaps our 40th we'll celebrate in Bombay. India is on my bucket list Onion salad, Raita, Rice, Mango Chutneys, Tandoori Chicken, & Papadams

My very favorite Naan Bread and dipping sauce. Dave gets Curried Lamb
YUMMMMMMMM (pas de L'angeau pour moi)

The smells, the sounds, the service. Impeccable & Affordable. www.bombayhouse.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A little secret... Little America is as "grand" as Grand America only a lot cheaper!

I just booked the most affordable room Conference Weekend for Downtown. With a little homework, we got a 99$ anniversary package, saweet room with a view, chocolate covered strawberries & sparkling cider from Italy. Also a Gold Engraved Key with our wedding date. Pas Mal!

Kim cheers for babysitting. The kids have good memories with you. Merci, ma soeur!

Are we really ready for this?

2009-10-06T21:35:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, yes, that's right, October 5th got our first snow. It's been pretty chilly. The boys were outside in the snow by 10 am in all thier snow gear. Iain was of course throwing snowballs at the sliding door and laughing..... He's such a boy! Kendon in his "ho ho" hat. He loves this Santa topper! So funny....

The low tomorrow is supposed to be about 25 degrees... Here we go

Tyhee Pow Wow

2009-10-06T15:05:00.002-06:00

A couple weeks ago Chloe's whole school held during class a Native American Pow Wow honoring Indian Heritage. Tyhee has a large native american population (1/2 & 1/2) which some parents I know don't really care for. I like the diversity and things Chloe gets to learn about. At Thanksgiving for example because of the awareness of "Indians" sharing thier food with the "Puritans" she comes home with different stories. It's amazing to me in 2009 that there is still a little bit of seperation between the "white folks" but I took this picture because I sat on the Native American side not thinking anything of it, when I noticed all the other families sat on the opposite side .

It is true, the reality of what some races are blessed and not so blessed with. Their artisitc & creative ability when I teach art in class each month some of thier artwork totally stands out from the other kids. They choose brighter colors and paint very well.

When the drum started to beat and the "howls & cries" from the voices of the circle of men drummers I got tears in my eyes! (yes, I'm pregnant!) But there was a pretty powerful feeling in the air. I've been reading this book about 1,000 white women that were traded to Indian tribes in Montana under President Grant. They talk about childbirth and how they believe that the shaking women experience right before pushing and after the birth is the "spirit" entering the physical body of the baby. I believe that's not too far off.

Love the thick black frenchbraids

Climb On!

2009-09-28T08:08:00.005-06:00

Of Course even Kendon thinks he can do everything the big kids can- he threw a FIT!

Bill and Sophie brought thier climbing gear so my kids had thier first opportunity to rock climb. I was proud of them both . I think these things build thier confidence and trust. It's a lot harder than it looks. They walked the walked and talked the talked, the fear came when they had to come back down

Give me some dirt

2009-09-28T07:58:00.002-06:00

Kendon played in the dirt with these little trucks for an entire hour!

Nicola+Iain

Chloe Sierra & Kendon all look like they are related with thier hair color

The wrong decisions make the best stories (when on adventures)

2009-09-28T07:33:00.004-06:00

Here's the Gang at the Start of the Trail- It's a nice little walk, but this year we decided to make the full loop and had to "hike up to get out". It turned out to be 2 1/2 miles & came out further down from our starting point. I was thankful I found out I was in better shape than I thought I was. Luckily when we made it "out" the pregnant woman hitched a ride for everybody back to our camp with Kendon crying from the heat and the rest of the kids got to ride in the back of his truck. They all thought that part was pretty awesome

Allergy Alert! Sage Brush in full bloom!

2009-09-27T18:23:00.002-06:00

Poor little Chloe suffers with hay fever from H*LL... It's bad at home so imagine sleeping out in it! See this yellow stuff- that's the culprit! You'd think being born and raised in Idaho where the stuff is rampant your body would be accustomed to it- but nope! When I got my allergy testing done in highschool sage brush was my biggest reaction, and we live right in the middle of it. Dr. Brydon asked where I was going on my mission & when I said Marseille he said absolutly nothing that grows in France will give you allergies according to your tests (not even Lavender in full bloom) but the pollution will.. .. :) Luckily I never served in the big cities. Moving to sea level on the Mediteranian was dreamy, I didn't have to take Claritin once! Go figure! Anyway, I can control mine with B-complex and homepathics being pregnant. I can't manage to get Chloe to swallow vitamins so she has to use Nasonex and Benedryl. Bless her heart. I'm so glad I have mine under control for now.

This is the kids' cave "private club"

Sierra & Chloe took the cameras around and took A LOT of pictures!

They are the best of friends-

Most of these snaps came from her

The Kiddos on thier PLAYLAND

who knew a blanket of rocks could be so fun

(it was a little scary keeping track of Kendon)

We had to "Tent it"- kids slept great! One happy family all in a 3 man tent!

2009-09-27T17:56:00.003-06:00

First time we had this tent out of the
box after Dave won it a couple years ago in a drawing. Yep, our camping gear even has the Qwest Symbol stamped on it. (inside joke)

Kendon took almost a 3 hour nap after our hike on Saturday. He did so good! Lil' trooper!
Mom & Dad slept all through the night too! I didn't even wake up to pee... :) Yipee!

Taking a pic outside our tent door where the racoon was rumaging through our food the night before!
At least we hope it was a racoon, it ran away when Dave zipped the tent door and shined the light out! Yikes! It was loud enough to wake us up

Breakfast is served!
Pancakes with peaches & whip cream
(plus everything we get from Nic is organic & tastes good)

Yummmy

Fine with me, your friends call you a
"princess camper"

Some princess- I was the one with the
inflatable matress, you didn't even have mats! :)

At the end of the fence was our

"Toilet" spot

We were "really roughin' it!"

Sept 18 Camping in the "City"- Good food, friends, & climbing

2009-09-25T15:07:00.007-06:00

Our 2nd Annual City of the Rocks camping trip - Dave got to experience it this year!On his way to California in 1849, emigrant James F. Wilkens described the dramatic geological area he encountered as "City of Rocks." The name remains, as well as hundreds of pioneer inscriptions, wagon ruts, and journal accounts, testifying to the nearly quarter-million people who traveled through here between 1843 and 1869. Visitors today will see nearly the same scene - granite spires and monoliths reaching 60 stories tall. Geologists estimate the oldest granite to exceed 2.5 billion years old. Climbers find the younger granite of the Almo Pluton to be some of the best rock they've ever ascended.

Nicole's son Devon and Iain

My man

Nicole's daughter Sierra with Chloe

Sophie's daughter Nicola (her mom is french)

Iain+Nicola have a "crunch" but just friends not boyfriend& girlfriend.. tee hee

The Pantons: Promoting Midwifery http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?s=11038098

2009-09-17T12:56:00.000-06:00

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?s=11038098

More Expectant Mothers Turning to Midwives

2009-09-16T09:55:00.007-06:00

By: Michelle Costa Local News 8

Aired 10 o 'clock news Sept 2, 2009 ( 2 hours after Molly had her baby!) It was taped at our 6 pm class, you will see us together in the class practicing pain coping techniquesSeptember 2, 2009

101 degrees at Lagoon First Weekend in AUGUST

2009-09-16T09:07:00.007-06:00

We finally made it after saying since Springtime we would take the kids to LAGOON. It was a very hot weekend so we wore our swimsuits and headed straight to Lagoon-A-Beach as soon as they opened and got a spot. We kept cool on the rides in between swimming.

Iain's favorite ride the "Bumper Cars"

Chloe's favorite ride the "Tilt a Whirl" (makes me sick just watching it twirl!)

Chloe & Dave rode the tubes down the Slide Ride and talked

me into going down once- she said "i promise mom it's really easy"

OUch!

See you next time- in the mean while the kids will talk about it all year till we go again!

Summer Wheat

2009-09-15T19:16:00.009-06:00

Our 7 yr old Chloe in the Fields of Gold behind our house. They cut the wheat 3 days after we took the pictures. She's changing so much. You are so special to me Clo Jo- You give me hope everyday. I love you to pieces sweetheart

For Photography information

http://www.brandeesimpsonphotography.blogspot.com/

MOLLY You So DID it! Wed. Sept 2nd

2009-09-03T20:05:00.009-06:00

This story rocks! I almost feel like I need to begin this post with pictures of me& Molly from 5th grade, our senior pictures together, or silly college roommate pics of us at Ricks... But we're all grown up now and now we are Real WOMEN! So where do I begin? There's really not much to the story it went sooooooooooooo fast. We were sitting in birth class, all was well, 3 days before her due date. She was asking if everything was okay because she felt so good. Usually between the waddle, the practice toning contrax, aches and pains of being 40 weeks- most women are done with being prego! Not Miss Molly; tall , slender, long torso and in fantastic shape. At 7:45 pm We went on the tour of the hospital , stopped in Labor room #1 first door on the right. Whilst listening to Tracy, the midwife, show some specific examples of things available in the delivery room (the squating bar, ball, shower etc) Molly noticed she thought something was happening (her first nice contrax that made her pay attention) She didn't say anything and we walked back over to the clinic. When she was checked, she was 3 cm and 100% effaced. Oh! Okay! So we made plans to walk by Mollys office on campus to pick up one of her Dance Videos from her Uof U days so we could show Nicole what Modern Dance looks like. However, she was definately starting to walk fast and move differently on the way to the parking lot. She kept saying "I'm fine, I'm fine- right?" well whatever....I said "Let's bag going to get the video and go to your house, get something to eat, maybe get you in the shower. "She lives 4 blocks from the hospital. We get to her house (by 8:20 pm) and she's totally pacing around, trying to gather some things together, get her little boy off with Grandma and call her husband to tell him to come home. Contractions are 2 minutes apart. She's sweating and handling them so well.... Lasting 45 seconds. Short but close together. The more I am watching her, it was beautiful, instead of stopping to lean on the bed or breath through it , she is MOVING ... Makes sense since she is a dancer, of course she is going to use her body to express herself. She sat on the toilet and immediately went to LABORLAND, wasn't making eye contact, was completely engulfed in her labor. I knew instantly, she was in transition. WOW! I said "Mol, your baby is moving down quickly in that position (which is great) , we need to try to walk out to the car"... She finished the contraction, got up and marched out to the car. I drove their vehicle, dropped them at the side door where Tracy met them. I gathered their bags, checked for the camera, & called Dave to tell him I was going to be home late. Time is 8:52 (checked my cell phone call log) By the time I got upstairs, Tracy had checked her standing up at the end of the bed. Report: Complete (fully dilated) baby is +2 and she is feeling pushy! Baby was born right at the end of the bed where she was standing.

[I hope you don't kill me for putting this shot in] Tracy and Julie (the midwives) did the pampering from here and Dr. Cox sat down on a stool and caught the baby.
No time for any medical stuff little Suzie was coming HER way
Molly you completely surrendered!
It was intensely fast (3cm to complete in 40 minutes)
I don't know if any of us were expecting a VBAC patient
to fly so quickly. YOU DID IT GIRL!

3 givens in Labor: It hurts, It's hard work, and You can do it

Awards Ceremony Qwest Top Sales Quarterly

2009-09-01T16:06:00.003-06:00

They gave all the guys "Brad Pitt" Cuban style hats to wearThe theme was Havana nights & they played cuban salsa music

Is my husband "hawt!" & he can dance

Pit- Stop in Poky for the P.G. Panton's

2009-08-16T18:22:00.002-06:00

Dave's oldest brother Steve and his family came through town on thier way to Yellowstone and stopped so we could "See" Lyndsee... Thier little peanut. She is soooooooo tiny (the pictures don't show just how petite she really is) I think they said she almost weighs 9 lbs now. She's

Adorable!

Welcome New Baby
Dave's brother is looking so much
like thier Dad it's madening!- They are about the same age as thier Dad (in thier 30's) when he passed away.
Sad!

Kendon looking on very intently.
He's more tender and sensitive like his Daddy so I think we will be safe
with our new baby.

Need I say more?

2009-08-16T18:13:00.001-06:00

Chloe really
NEEDS a sister
really bad!

Bear Lake August 1st with The Conley Crew

2009-08-16T17:37:00.005-06:00

Here's Trouble. These 2 might be going to Jr. Prom together !This is how far out you can walk

(it was only 3-4 feet deep bringing the boat in)

The middle of Bear Lake is where the depth is

I wish the camera could capture how clean and
"caribbean like" the water is

Sand Heaven

David is looking so much like his Dad lately, Amazing!

It doesn't get much better than this- Having friends with 4 kids (3 boys and a girl) Can't beat it!

They all get along and we don't have to stress about who's getting hurt or fighting

Now this is what I call Drive up Boating! We discovered Northshore of Bear Lake (Idaho Side) "Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy" like Chloe says. Masacre Rocks is so much work to load the coolers in the boat and all the canopy's ect. ect.. Just back right up , sit back down, and kick it
Bloomington just 10 minutes from the Beach, some people in our
ward were so nice to let us park at thier Grandma's house for the night

I love old houses like this in St. Charles and surrounding areas

Thank you Eborns!

Ridge, Cutler, and Haven - too cute!

Having some Dutch Oven Delights
(minus my au gratin "rotten" potatoes) ha ha ha

Birthday's & Camping with Dave's Family July 24th

2009-08-16T16:55:00.004-06:00

This one is pricelessWho's this little bleach blonde girl?
Tehya is a tough little cookie!

Camping in the sand... not too fun keeping the sand out of the campers
and the laundry after!

The Mamma's & The Tots

(this ride was way too bumpy for my 20 week uterus! Ugh!)

Give them some shovels and some sand and they are occupied till the sun goes down

Iain's B-day Pressies from G'ma & G'pa Hale

He and Chloe set up this castle and played 3

days straight Mideivel Times- G'ma Sue is an

expert Toy shopper!

Happy 5th Birthday Iain! Sporting his new helmet from Dad!

Ninja Turtle Power

Strawberry Rhubarb PIE @ Neighborhood Girls Night Out

2009-07-28T17:22:00.001-06:00

Yummmmmm.......

I am so proud of this post- to show off my first ever from scratch homemade PIE!Angie showing me how to make the pretty edges

We have a neighborhood craft night once a month with the girls~
This month Angie Oliver showed us how to make homemade pie
(that is her very own zebra she shot in Africa hanging on the wall)

It was fun Ladies!

My Grandma Gaved has been making strawberry rhubarb pie ever since I can remember. I love the sour and the sweet. I am so happy it turned out! It was suprisingly SO easy!

Look at those beautiful edges! :) Stop laughing Jen Merrill!

VOILA! Bon Appetite!

So the secret to her crust is brushing it with milk and a little sugar

Buckets 'O' Fun!

2009-07-28T17:18:00.000-06:00

Of course Iain wouldn't let Kendon get all the Fun so he had to join in

Jolie Fleurs at the I.F. Temple

2009-07-28T17:05:00.001-06:00

Nothing exciting just sharing some of the "beauty of the earth" . It's easy to feel happy to be on the earth when you are at the Temple. I went through first then Rachelle . I watched her 3 month old baby boy outside and took these pictures. I had a really nice time.

Melanie Maag's Wedding of the Century!

2009-07-28T16:05:00.002-06:00

July 11, 2009 I love weddings
The groom is an avid fisherman so the grooms cake
was quite the "conversation piece" our friend Sarah from Highschool
has a cake business "Baked by Design.com" The kids talked about watching cutting the
trout's head off and eating it for days after ! It was the best "fish" i have ever tasted
(I don't like fish much)

Kendon sportin' his new "duds"

Grandma Gaved and Iain eating appetizers, we had a full

course dinner inside afterwards!

This is the inside of the "barn" - some barn! Travis

joked in the "best man" speech , Man, We were really roughin' it!

There they are "best buds" Mel and Trav have been friends since diapers

so it was only fitting that he was her "best man" she didn't have bridesmaids.

L.D. did the flowers- they were out of this world

Live flowers were everywhere! We all walked away with

gorgeous flower arrangements from the many tables

Trav and his Gal. We're hopin he's next! Courtney is a Montana Barrel

Racer & one tough little lady! ( sorry your eyes are closed Cort)

Go Fish, Crash & Burn, & Dream On

2009-07-28T15:44:00.001-06:00

No beach at American Falls the water is clear up to the rocks but we heard it is down nowDave asked Glendon if he wanted to "car swap" "wife swap" won't work ! C'mon Glen isn't

a T&C minivan cool enough?

2 weeks ago Crash & burn! Iain's first wipeout on his bike, coming
mock 5 down the condo hill- he hit gravel... Chloe ran frantically 2 blocks
back up the hill to get G'ma Tina
He was reluctant to let anyone see him, bless his heart. He said
"mom I look so poor".. "Will i get healed? "

We thought his eye was going to turn black and his
nose was quite swollen. He healed up in a few short days
with some good persistence (kept the skin moist with neosporin)
and vitamin C and E internally

Back to normal! Amazing!

UPPER MESA FALLS (Niagra Falls)

2009-07-05T14:05:00.002-06:00

It's a little bit of a walk into the Falls

Uphill stair stepper on the way out

Breathtaking! I love the depth of the sound of the rushing water
crashing against the rocks. It's loud

The mist makes a rainbow and

grows lush vegetation across the rocks

Happy 4th America!

Nature's Best

2009-07-05T13:55:00.003-06:00

One of the largest freshwater springs in North America 120,000,000 gallons of water at 52 degrees flow daily. Large rainbow & cutthroat trout swim beneath you at Big Springs on the bridge. Further 30 miles is Mesa Falls. A glimpse of the 120 feet falls

Overlooking the Gulch

It is beautiful & green I am sure more so than usual

THE TETONS

on the scenic route to Mesa Falls

Honeymoon Getaway

2009-07-05T13:34:00.002-06:00

For our 10th Annie coming up we got a promotion package for Macks Inn & Playhouse. It was a nice drive to Island Park and good food at the Playmill Theatre- The show was well done. We had fun. We sat next

to a couple who were motrocycling through Yellowstone- He served

his mission in Marseille in 1965! What a conversation that was!

Such a beautiful part of our State and so close to home

Love Shack #32 No tin roof !
Built in 1912 Ha Ha
I won't go into detail- mosquitos, gaping doors,
Idaho night drafts, sunbare curtains... We got
really inventive!

The water is crystal clear

Gramma Lammies & Good Friends

2009-07-05T12:36:00.002-06:00

Molly is having a girl in August! Liam is her boy with the curly blonde hair. Heidi's homestead on Lamb Dairy

We had a bbq 2 times while she was home on the fire pit.

Eric and Dave went shooting

Chloe standing at the door of the sheep camp

So cool! Heidi's family is Basque and her dad
rebuilt this original sheep camp. The inside is so neat.

What a GARDEN of EATIN"!

These lil' ducks doubled in size since the last time we were there

Iain and Chloe discovered the Hen laid 2 eggs! It was

so exciting! But they were just so confused that

they were going to be eaten. They couldn't figure out that

they weren't chickens inside. It was quite the lesson! LOL!

Pretty sad kids don't know eggs are brown too!

Heidi & I used to play in this treehouse when

we were little. Now Chloe is playing in it- so fun!

Elias "lilas" & Iain

All the friends together! It is so cute Elias

blocked the door so we couldn't leave when it was

time to go home!

Until next time! See you in November!

We look forward to it!

We're going to the ZOO- How about YOU?

2009-07-05T12:20:00.002-06:00

The Annual Qwest Family Day at the Zoo Iain navigated us through with the map & followed the tracks

It was a nice sunny day! Imagine that!

Kendon could have stayed here all day looking at

the Lion

So Majestic! We were trying to think of the

name of the Lion on Narnia (dave wasn't by us at the time)

That's what we named him

Tigers are so cool!

I think it is one of my favorite animals- They are

HUGE!

Brushing the goats was the highlight of

Kendon's time at the Zoo. He stood there

combing the goats forever. When he started

to walk away to leave they started "braying" and it

scared him. They were just trying to say
"Hey! Come Back!"

Local Mom delivers baby on way to hospital

2009-06-26T14:31:00.002-06:00

Good Job Bri!

She requested that Portneuf gets Honda Minivan seats for Labor and Delivery- the upright position worked great for pushing. :)

2 previous epidurals and pitocin augumented labors.....

"I wanted to avoid feeling like having a baby is a medical issue. I wanted to avoid being pumped full of drugs."

Me & The Girls! (Kristen we missed you)

2009-06-23T14:49:00.003-06:00

Royal Pizza Parlor~ Lava
Saturday Night in a small town!
Had to suffice because the THAI food restaurant was over an hour wait!
B U M M E R ! I have yet to eat there.

We picked the Lava Hot Spring Inn to soak because the biggest pool is only 98 degrees. Perfect for me and baby.
Except Nicole (aka my personal trainer- ha ha) made me swim 2 laps to warm my muscles up! Geez!
We thought we were back in France reminiscence of natural gardens and good smelling things
An airhead named Heidi (just teasing Lamb!) forgot her swimsuit so she was going to wear her bra and rig some bottoms or just go "au naturelle" We pulled something together , thanks to Nicole (a midwife is always prepared)

I am going to come here from now on

Kids will love it! The State park is always so crowded.

Heidi Michelle putting on her "visage"

The drive to Freedom was so gorgeous and green. The Caribou National

Forrest surrounds the valley where Idaho and Wyoming meets

We visited with some friends who have a center for

natural medicine, herbs, homeopathic stuff. I am

learning so much! Heidi is teaching me about energy & reflexology

(but I don't think I'll ever catch up to her organic gardening, canning, milking, raising chickens for fresh eggs & making homemade butter, bread and mayonaise!)

Starting last week, with the lift of the rain, Summer pollen count sky-rocketed

I have been suffering from severe

allergies. I have found a wealth of information, and relief without taking

harmful Claritin D which has Psuedephedrine in it. I'm open to some

alternatives since I can't take anything but wimpy Tylenol which I don't take

anyway.

150 Guests

2009-06-23T14:38:00.002-06:00

Dave and I are still on the activities committee & the nursery workers in the ward-they must think we like kids and like to party! :) Anyhow, it was our Ward camp-out up Scout Mountain on Kendons birthday so we had a big party
He was so happy !

He brings so much happiness and smiles to our family

Some of the things I ate on my big day- Dutch Oven creamy potatoes,

BBQ shredded pork, and Dutch Oven monkey bread that He

helped make and eat (raw) rolling in cinnamon & sugar
YUMMMMM!

Who stole the cupcake?

2009-06-23T14:26:00.002-06:00

Friday morning 19th making Kendon's cupcakes

Who Me? Couldn't Be!

The evidence is all I see

We thought it was going to be another wet day, I can't remember the last time
it DIDN'T rain or hail in one day

Lucky 7

2009-06-23T13:49:00.002-06:00

Chloe was ready to get her ear pierced. She has been asking for a couple years but I wasn't sure she was "ready". She used to pinch my ear randomly and say "mom is that what it feels like to get your ears pierced?" - random moments! I think her pinching hurt worse than the real thing! She was really brave! She's been very responsible about taking care of her ears and came home and circled 24 July (6 wks)on the calendar when she can take out her studs. I think I'm cleaver by using "non focused awareness" techniques to distract her. I told her to think about getting her hair braided in St. Maarten and how bad that hurt to put those tiny braids in her hair that took almost 2 hours! The girl pulled the trigger & the piercing was over.

Dave is Green

2009-06-22T09:29:00.002-06:00

Dave mon jardinier (the gardener) he is definately outside more than he is inside. He lives out here, but it shows. I have a lovely yard. His therapy is planting and digging and seeing the fruits of his labor. I lost track of how many trees he has planted close to 20 or more.

This is the intersection that is going to be made into a huge round about for traffic. He is sick about the 8 gigantic cottonwood trees (50+years old) they are going to cut down on Bilyeau's property.

There is a little eco-system thriving; the trees are the home of many birds, owls, and falcons

Riding along the "snake" - it's the sidewalk that slithers like a snake the kids say. It is going to be destroyed too.

This little area is going to drastically change in a couple weeks. Tractors, big Trucks, and trees are going to be chopped down. So Sad!

2 of our neighbors got "Jungle Gym's" this summer, so we don't have to get one now!

My periwinkle Peonie that Dave nursed back to life after a bitter winter. It is doing well, with his green thumb

Iain brought this tiny little starter home from school. We don't know what it is yet, but we're waiting to see. Dave planted it and it took off.

I love Poppies!
My Great Grandma Aldous did too

Poppies of Tuscano! I need to go back out and take another picture of the poppies going wild. This was a couple weeks ago. There is Edelweize (ha ha ha.... I have no idea how to spell that! You know the song that is on Sound of Music,the flower comes from the mountains of Austria) It's the tiny white one

A Comprehensive Textbook for Midwives in Homebirth Practice

2009-06-16T21:27:00.002-06:00

By: Anne Frye ~ CARE DURING PREGNANCY Volume I { 1,184 pages}

My midwife came over today and brought with her 3 very special books
I am in INSPIRED.

One of which reads The dedicatory page:

To my Sister Healers

Wise Women

Midwives

Who for hundreds of years

were burned

and torutred

and died

by the millions

as your children looked on.

To those who locked arms and walked into the Sea

rather than submit to the inquisitors torments.

For the wisdom that went with you

mostly unwritten, but never forgotten.

For all you knew and shared.

The care you gave

and the courage it took

To continue in the face of truly overwhelming odds.

For your strength; a source of continuing inspiration,

To you, dear Sisters,

I dedicate this book.

Volkswagen or bust!

2009-06-07T17:41:00.002-06:00

Dave belongs to a group called VESI- Volkswagen Enthusiats of Southeast Idaho- They went on thier annual 60 mile cruise Poky (buckskin loop) to McCammon. The Ghia is drivin great, Dave takes good of care it. There were quite a few admirers. Here's a pic he took at Inkom of some of the classics

This is a nice easy drive, green and scenic. The guy in the orange
bus was our old neighbor on Maple street

We decided next time, I need to drive my gold bug, someone else drive the '66

grey one (which I call the nazi and wouldn't be crushed if Dave sold it, but it's worth too much now) and Tina can drive the '76 white convertible. We would have 4 VW's to cruise, not to mention the 2 passat's, jetta and GTI Golf in the fam!

Walkin on sunshine

2009-06-07T17:19:00.008-06:00

Spring Summer Recital~ The 3 Muskateers

All in a days work

2009-06-07T16:58:00.004-06:00

Iain has been liking to do the dishes! Let me repeat that; Iain has been liking to do the dishes! That is Kendon trying to crowd his way under the faucet to help. The kids started naming off chores they wanted to do- but they want .25 cents for each chore. So far it has lasted 1 day. Grandpa Walt is home from Kansas and treated the kids to popcicles- 2$ each popcicles! (That's my next door neighbor in the picture) The jingle of the ice cream truck music was a happy sound

Dave finally got some help with the shed! Dad installed the window and they got the rest of the siding on.

Kendon's buddy (Donnell's boy) Drew Drew came up and played

all day long outside. Drew kept these sunglasses on till dark.

He's funny! They get down and dirty playing at our house.

"The GRADUATE" Iain is an entertainer

we are so proud of him. He's working really hard!

Monday Fun Day!

2009-05-26T08:22:00.004-06:00

Trav's new "gal" Tort - Her name is Courtney and bless her, she is very patient with my kids & the wild and craziness of our lives.

It was so nice Memorial Day~ the condo pool opened, and Chloe and Iain have sunburns to show for it. Sorry Loves! Dave was golfing with the guys so regular sunscreen duty wasn't as "regular" as Dave is with the SPF. I learned my lesson. It was a rough night getting them settled with aloe vera rub downs.

Teneille is a great little babysitter- everyone is growing up

Kendon thinks he can swim on his own , he doesn't

want a grown up any near him.

First Time Fishin!

2009-05-26T08:09:00.002-06:00

Proudest Moment Ever! We took a little overnighter to Lava Hot Springs and camped by the river so Iain could go fishin. Dave won some fishing gear and tackle box at work for Memorial Day drawing so we headed out with clear blue skies on Friday night. Saturday we woke up bright and early and learned how to fish. Iain caught a 12 " (we had to measure it!) rainbow trout! Yee Haw Iain! He was soooooo proud! He Caught it with a salmon egg.Our camera is lost somewhere along this bank, thus no picture

of the fish amoung all the excitement

It poured down rain, so we are contemplating if we should drive

back and look for it

7 a.m.

"The Mr." driving the motorhome

Darn, my kids are cute!

April Moments

2009-05-26T07:49:00.005-06:00

Ward Talent Show-I got the kids up on the stage to do the Cha Cha SlideInventions

Ice cream cones

Daddy's Sunday Crepe Fete

Yum

Chloe & I dancing the "Evolution of Dance" for

"fun" at the Talent Show

LOL!

Iain set up this display for Chloe

while she was at school- Pretty Diva!

We never any trouble flying kites with the

wind around here!

Sherie I'll miss you! Red hot roasters was delish!

2009-04-29T15:44:00.003-06:00

It's hard to believe this was 6 years ago when we first met in Vail, CO. We were at Circle of Excellence for Qwest. Our husbands were awarded for top sales in consumer markets group. We've been friends since, meeting for lunch 2 times a year :), working on Miss Pocatello, and going to Boise for Miss Idaho. I love The Holidays when she makes a plate of homemade fudge with other delectable baking treats. She reminds me of Bree on Desperate Housewives- only less fanatical! She's moving to Cedar City , so it's an excuse to finally see Zions National Park (on my bucket list)... Thanks for your friendship Sherie!

You're a gem! You're my first true red-headed friend! Your hair is amazing!

ALMOST TWO AND AS SWEET AS EVER!

2009-04-17T19:12:00.002-06:00

The youngest usually gets the "shaft" with baby records, video taping and pictures. Kendon is no exception to the order of the birth right. I finally took him to get portaits taken at a decent photographer (since his 6 months baby pics) I was frustrated with Walmart. They never seem to capture the "candid look" of my kids. Now the clencher is picking "the one" I want to pay the big bucks for out of all of the absolutely adorable ones.... DECISIONS! DECISIONS!

April in Paris ii

2009-04-10T14:53:00.003-06:00

Oooh La La! I can smell the sweet batter being poured onto the hot creperie pan. Lather it up with some nutella and some chantilly please. These street venders at night time are everywhere in Paris serving up fresh hot crepes.

Boulangerie (Bakery) Anyone? We can leave in an hour!

Baguettes and Croissants that melt in your mouth...

April in Paris~ I dream of you

2009-04-10T14:48:00.005-06:00

Reflecting back 6 months ago. The closest I will be to you in April "Mon Amour Paris" is in these pictures... Au Revoir bientot avec "Mon David" in a few years.....Nous avons une Rendez-Vous ici

March 28th Shake it Shake it Shake it

2009-04-03T17:12:00.005-06:00

Scroll to the bottom of this post where I explain

Nicole and Katherine

Elks Lodge Pocatello~ I went to a fun cultural experience night of belly dancing. Nicole performed while I sat there thinking about how totally out of shape I am! It was very interesting how this dance Fusion Tribal has evolved. I went to a couple of nights practice and liked it , I'm just not sure I actually have what it takes to Shake it like that!

March Re-cap

2009-04-02T14:20:00.004-06:00

Our Logan Cousins (Dave's bro) came up Sat 28th - is is ever going to WARM up? Michaela and Chloe did some chalk drawing. Kendon ate some. ;)

Gramma Sue and Grandpa Irv came up from Orem (Dave's parents) The kids love having Irv to wrestle and tease them to death...

Chloe tore it up for her 1st game EVER playing footy! We were blown away how competitive she was out there. She must of clearly gotten her skills from her Daddy! Way to go Chloe!

Not much blogging going on lately because

of times like this ....................................................

Chloe's magic toe shoes. My Grandma made these years and years ago

way before they were popular. We always

told her to market them. She was ahead of the

game Jo Pool!

Chloe turns Lucky 7- March 27

2009-04-02T14:01:00.004-06:00

Chloe picked Deleta Skating for her birthday party gathering spot. I told her to make a b-day list for invites, when she was done it included 18 people. "Um.... if we are skating honey how about we invite 6 of your best friends?" That cut the list down a little, but through thick and thin Isabella and Julianna are always on the top of the list(it doesn't really matter who comes as long as they are there). This is a picture of the girls at our old house so I think they were 4 yrs. old Once a glam girl always a glam girl- Here they are when they are 5

Smiling again- always together!

Sadie is in Chloe's class, Brandi , Braxton

and Keagan couldn't come because of Spring

Break...

Chloe designed her cake, she drew me a picture and

then we decorated it just how she wanted. But Mom

got to pick what I wrote on the cake-

Cause she really does ROCK!

Celine Dion is the biggest selling female artist of all time

2009-02-24T19:30:00.005-07:00

More than 3 million people saw her in "A new Day" in Las Vegas over the last 5 years at her own Cesaers Palace Venue. Her album "Taking Chances" releasedwent Top 5 in every major market worldwide. Dave and I especially like her for her albums in French with Jean Jaques Goldman (a huge French aucustic guitar player and singing star ) Her Taking Chances Tour has covered 24 countries and 95 cities! Insane! Her 81 year mother is touring with them, the youngest of 14 children she asked the mothers in the audience to put themselves in "her shoes" (and I have a lot of them she says) Her mother first agreed to go on the world wide tour with Rene and their 8 year son by saying "do you need some help honey?" I think she has all the help she can get! Along with a personal trainer (she has the longest legs!) She's not much of a dancer but she works the stage with moves like falling to her knees and standing on the black grand piano with her full orchestra shredding some of the most popular hits of all time. This was her opening number.

I drove all night just to be with you- is that alright?

2009-02-24T18:43:00.007-07:00

Celine -Taking Chances World Tour Salt Lake City last night!

Here's what she looked like , backup dancers and all. She opened with fireworks and "i drove all night" it was hair raising! What a show! Click here to read more about the concert! What a schedule, every two days she is in a different city. Today she opened in Denver and tomorrow she will be in Omaha at Qwest Stadium. She sang 6 nights in a row to sold out Palais in Paris Borely! People still love her! She has a way to connect with her audience. WoW! She is in fantastic shape! How do you sing more than a decade of music and connect to every person in the (Delta) Center. She closed with (we thought what would gag me with a spoon if she sang it) Titanic "my heart will go on" and the crowd totally errupted! It was definately the "Finale", complete with Candle chandilers and 4 big screens with Leo & Kate in the I can fly scene on front of the ship- wind blowing Celine's dress and a moving stage.

St. Maarten Island (Aruba) Jan. 20 -C more on vacation blog

2009-02-16T18:02:00.003-07:00