Holiday Fun

Monday was a local holiday and we celebrated!  Brennan actually went into work and a little fieldtrip in the morning so I took the kids (Anna stayed home so we brought Abby’s friend, Paige) to my sister’s community pool.  We had so much fun.  Ben has become a really good swimmer and I’ve got Joshy squared away in a handy-dandy floaty thingy so I can actually swim too.  Her pool set-up has a great kiddie pool, a hot-tub and a big regular pool.  The kids love to just kind of rotate between them all. 

These two anxiously awaiting our departure to head to the pool

 

Abby and Paige

My nephew, Peter – angel baby extraordinaire and my BIL, Josh.

The pictures speak for themselves, we had a fabulous time.  Thanks, Josh and Lize, for hosting us.

Later that day we gathered at a beautiful nearby park for a rare party with both my Dad’s and Mom’s families.  We do a potluck dinner with the world’s best homemade rootbeer (My Grandpa Bell always used to make it, now my Dad does), we do a few little games/races for the little ones (before they’re completely orphaned for the next few hours)  and then get right down to business, serious business – volleyball.  I think we had 8 teams this year, 3 nets/courts and lots of middle-aged people pretending we’ve still got it   Until we wake up the next morning.  

Here are the only two pictures I managed to take that night.

My team was really good, we didn’t have a weak player, but somehow we managed to lose EVERY SINGLE GAME.  Grrrrr.  It kind of made me in a bad mood.  12 years old is the magical age you are allowed to join in the volleyball tradition so Anna played this year on Brennan’s team.  She did really well and we were very proud of her in this very important rite of passage.  We also had mento/soda pop explosions and a fantastic firework show by Brennan and my cousin, Corbin. 

It was a very fun, very exhausting day.  We’re so grateful for such great families including some extraordinary ancestors.   We’re very blessed!

Cub Scout Day Camp

This handsome guy got to go to day camp for 2 days!  He left around 8:00 am on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and got home around 3:30 both days.  He LOVED it.  He came home super chatty about all the scout humor, bb gun shooting, bow shooting, winning a pull-up contest and all around great times.  He kept trying to tell us about a song they sang, something about a moose they were going to have for breakfast but it was still decomposing.  He couldn’t get it all out because it cracked him right up every time he tried.  Oh boy, its bringing back memories of when the “Boys Life” scouting magazine showed up in our home and my brothers couldn’t wait to learn all the awesome jokes.  It’s a bit painful, but mostly sooooo soooo cute to see these cute little boys get so excited about good things like scouting and cracking themselves up.   Mostly it was really strange to send my little guy away from home for a couple of days.  I’m so glad he loved it so much.  We love Nate!

 

Update

My emotions have kind of run the gamut this weekend.  Yesterday I got news that a darling girl I new in Arizona, died.  She’s about a year older than me, and left behind a husband and 4 kids.  Her oldest is 13 and her youngest just 3.  I didn’t know her well, but I remember her so clearly and she was one of those people that you just liked right off the bat.  She had the cutest southern accent and was so warm and real.  I’m not sure how she died, I’ve heard it was maybe a stroke.  It breaks my heart, mostly for her little family.  I have no doubt Stephanie is in good standing before the Lord and will continue to watch over her little ones and husband, but how they’ll miss her.  Today I attended a Sacrament meeting where my cousin spoke before she leaves on a mission.  This cousin is the youngest of 8 kids and when she was 16 years old her Mom died.  Megan bore a beautiful testimony of having that burden lightened by God’s Love.  I was so touched, and it helped me remember that these things aren’t random, there is a plan and there is reason to hope.  Sometimes I can’t for the life of me see meaning in the tragedies we hear about everyday, but if my sweet, brave cousin can stand in gratitude and humility and testify of God’s love after everything she’s been through perhaps I can continue to look forward in faith and trust in the Lord’s will.  I am so grateful to be here with my family and for every day I get to join Brennan in loving and raising and being loved by our kids. 

Anna is currently a little obsessed with Paris.  For her upcoming birthday, she’s asking for lots of Paris décor for her room.  (Of course a dog is always at the top of her list.)  She has such a cute sense of style and loves to express herself through her clothes.  I’m grateful she’s not dialed into brands, she just has a very specific sense of who she is and loves to put together outfits that reflect that.  Her friends sometimes wonder why she’s all dressed up, she just loves to dress up and accessorize.  She reminds me of my sister so much that way, which, of course, I love.  It’s just fun to watch her develop her identity and talents and emerge such an individual not just an extension of her parents.  We love Anna.

Abby was in our city’s summer theatre production of “Secret Garden”.  She loves being part of these productions.  I’m always a little surprised at her willingness to devote so much time and energy to these things, especially for relatively small parts.  I love watching her on stage.  In her everyday life she’s often a little self-conscious.   I think is part of why she loves performing so much is that she feels free to really let go of some of that inhibition.   Her best friend played the lead role of Mary, I know that was a little hard for Abby at first, but she got over that quickly and was so sweet and supportive of Paige.  We love Abby.

Nate is on a mission to save up some money for a new bike.  He spends LOTS of time looking up different kinds of bikes deciding on just the right one and dreaming up ways he can earn half of the cost of the bike.  So far, the money earning has mostly remained in the conceptual stage. He loves to tell anyone who’ll listen all about the bike he’s going to get.   He spends most of his time outside riding his old bike or having some kind of outdoor adventure with his friends or at the neighbors’ wii.   At night all our kids and the neighbor kids usually end up on their tramp playing a game.  He’s living a true, all-American 8 year old boy Summer.   We love Nathan.

Benny came up to me the other day and in such sincerity and enthusiasm told me he had decided when he gets older he wants to take tricks class.  Would there be anything better for a 5 year old boy than the prospect of somewhere you can go to learn awesome tricks?   I’m not sure he needs it though because much to my surprise and nervousness he did a front handspring off the diving board at the pool the other day.  He’s such a funny ball of contradictions.  In some ways he’s so tough and independent, but a mosquito bite can completely undo him.  I’m used to him hanging around with me and Josh, but when the big kids are around he’s always busy with them.  I miss my little boy.  We love Ben.

Joshua is very much a 2 year old.  He’s embraced his age and all the 2 year old trappings with gusto.  One of my favorite things is that he’s really started to do imaginary play with little action figures and cars.  He gets very wrapped up and the phrase I hear over and over is, “Bye, seeya, hab fun!”  I love that that is his go-to phrase.  The other day the girls saw a bra infomercial and Anna said, “Ewww, gross, that is disgusting!”  Josh sat there quietly but about 3 minutes later we heard, “EWWW, gosss – stusting!”  We love Joshy.

Summer Days

Today wasn’t perfect, I was grumpy, but then Josh took a really great nap, and I got a LOT done, and when I looked outside I saw this:

A Xylophone lady, every wedding needs one.

And, a dj

some decor

A dutiful groom in a bold choice of swimwear and a jedi groomsman?

Evidently, the bride got cold feet.  You can’t blame her, she’s only 6. 

Chloe and Anna saw a beautiful vintagey wedding announcement from my friends’ daughter that got them in the mood for weddings.  They spent all morning trying to find a willing wedding party and getting them ready for the big event.   They even made smoothies for their guests.  I’m so glad I looked outside.

Soccer in Paradise

Anna had a soccer tournament in a beautiful little mountain town near a lake all last weekend.  She played Wednesday night, twice Friday and once Saturday morning.  We got to go back and forth through one of my most favorite stretches of road through the mountains into a valley with a lake surrounded by charming rustic homes with huge stretches of green, green, green everywhere you look, and don’t forget you’re surrounded by breathtaking mountains.  

Anna looks delicate and demure, but if you really know her, you know she’s neither of those things.  From day one she’s had a serious feisty streak and is as tough as she looks dainty.  That’s why she’s so much fun to watch play soccer.

She has the greatest team, they are darling girls who just adore each other and a fantastic coach.  Here they are waiting for their game to start, playing “Big Booty”.  Joshy sort of became their mascot.

Wednesday night they tied won.  Friday afternoon, they tied 3 to 3, and Friday evening tied 0 to 0.  They advanced to the semi-finals on Saturday morning.  They played a team they’d played at a previous tournament and got killed by.  This team has a player twice Anna’s size who has some serious skills.  She scores all their goals, so Anna’s coach put Anna on her.  I just loved every minute watching that.  Anna was like the most determined mosquito you’ve ever seen.  She’s not one bit intimidated by girls so much bigger than her, she just wants to win.   Our girls fought hard, scored the first goal but then got beat 3 to 1.  We were so proud of them, it was major progress from the 8 to 0 from their former match-up.  They took 3rd place in the tournament. 

Brennan had to go to Scout camp Friday night and got up at the crack of dawn so he could make it to Saturday’s game.  After the game, he took Joshy home so they could both catch up on some sleep and I took the 4 big kids and one of Anna’s teammates to the lake with another family.  We didn’t have swimsuits, but that didn’t stop the kids.

Such a great weekend!

Summer Fun

We have really packed it in this Summer, in fact, maybe too much because it’s flying right by.  I don’t know what we could have cut though, it’s all be so much fun.  We had my dear friend from AZ, Cheryl, come stay with us with her sister and 6 kidlets.  What a darling family and I am kicking myself for my failure to pull the camera out.  Loved every minute catching up with Cheryl. 

Shortly after Cheryl’s visit, Nate was baptized, which I already posted about.  After that was the 4th, which was the last post.  The day after the 4th Anna left for Girls’ Camp.  She had a blast, and we REALLY missed her.  While she was gone, we celebrated Joshy’s 2nd birthday.

The day she got back, we had more friends come stay for the weekend.  The Beechers, have 5 kids and my kids love them, and Brennan and I love Cole and Kelly and their kids.  We met them in AZ and then they moved here for a few years, but then back to AZ.  We had a blast catching up with their crew.  Again, I can’t believe I didn’t get any pictures of them!  Friday night we left the girls in charge and went out to eat with just the grown-ups just like old times.  Saturday we got up and out the door to our own little town’s parade.  This is the best parade in all the world.  We sit in the shade on our gorgeous tree lined Main St, and watch our local politicians, schools, teams etc go by and cheer them on.  There are even several really great floats.  It’s just great. 

Mom and Dad, you should be flattered, this is the only picture I took all weekend!

After the parade, we went to the carnival for lunch and a little people watching.  Kelly and I took the girls shopping, then Brennan and Cole went golfing and brought home dinner.  We planned on going to the park, but it got stormy so we stayed in.  The kids completely occupied each other.  Joshy terrorized their darling Khloe, who is a year younger, but she held her own.

Sunday, all 14 of us went to church and then home for the only meal I made them all weekend .  We were so sad to see them leave Monday morning.  Such good times.

The 4th of July!

For the 4th we stuck with tradition and went to our neighboring town’s parade.   That parade is a little random, and seemed even more random than usual this year, but we still had fun.  We always sit near the end which means we either get hardly any candy or tons and tons of candy.  The kids didn’t do as well this year as in the past, but the weather was perfect, cloudy and cool.  Poor Nate wasn’t feeling well that day so Brennan took him home early.

 

We went home for naps and then Brennan took the kids to our friends’ house, the Jensens, for a bbq, while Nate and I stayed home for a quiet night.  Nate was a great sport about missing out, and Brennan saved some fireworks to do in front of our house so Nate could watch.  Good times.  We love America!

Joshy Turns 2!

 

This sweet baby love burst onto the scene exactly 2 years ago today.   As you may recall there were quite a few things going on when Joshua was born.  That same day Ben broke his leg, Brennan played in the State Golf Amateur Tournament (a major accomplishment of a major goal) the day we came home from the hospital and the day Ben got his cast on, all but one brother was in town for the 4th and there were 4,032 things going on, Joshy had jaundice and had to live in the little light pod thing for the first week of his life, his mother was a little traumatized and kind of a mess, he was blessed the day before Gov. Herbert was inaugurated and then attended that inauguration with us to support his Grandpa as the newly appointed Lt. Governor.  Whew, I’m exhausted just writing all of that.  Anyway, you get the picture.

The craziness that surrounded his new little life, was actually completely perfect, because it’s so indicative of life with Joshua Dixon.  He has kept us busy, smiling, laughing, exhausted, and delighted for 2 years. 

He and Anna have been my busiest babies, only with Anna I was young and energetic.  Joshua has made me feel VERY old.  The thing is, I can’t feel sorry for myself for one second because along with his mischief we get chubby squishiness, a face good enough to eat, unfiltered enthusiasm, constant happy chit-chat, and lots of love and affection.

Joshua has also given me one of my life’s greatest joys, he can’t say “Benny” so he finally came up with “Nubby”.  I can’t explain to you how happy I get every time he says “Nubby.”  It’s the best nickname EVER. 

This little birthday had a very sad ending.  Joshy’s obsessed with going outside and I spend every second outside with him making sure he doesn’t ride his little bike down the hill never to be seen again.  Well, tonight, he foiled my attempts to stop him.  He got too far ahead of me.  It was awful.  I ran after him as fast I could but still completely helpless to stop him from gaining more and more speed.  He finally rolled off and scraped his little face up terribly.  Oh, I felt so awful!  He only cried for a few minutes, and it could have been SO SO SO much worse.  Also, a man in my ward who’s a doctor happened to be right in front of my house a few minutes later.  He reassured me that I didn’t need to take him in and told me what to do.  Serious tender mercy. 

Notice the smile.

So, sweet Joshy boy, I’m so sorry you got hurt on your birthday.  I’m thinking we may be in for lots of adventures with you.  I’ll always feel blessed to be able to be along for that ride.  Tonight I rocked you and sang our song and layed you down feeling more blessed than ever to be your Mother.   Happy Birthday, my sweet baby boy!   We love Joshua!!!

Nate’s Big Day

Nathan was baptized on Saturday, July 2nd.   I love baptisms, there’s just something so beautifully simple about them that there are few events I feel the Spirit in more abundance than at a baptism, especially one of a family member. 

Here he is right before the meeting started, all ready in his whites.  Brennan felt like it was a really different experience with a son, because he got to be with Nate every step of the way.  When the girls were baptized, they were in their own dressing room with me, but this time Brennan was with Nate right before and right after his special moment.  What a sweet father and son.

Several of our family members were out of town or sick and we really missed them!   It was still a beautiful day and we were so grateful Ryan and Macy even pushed a trip to a beach house back to attend!   Another boy in our ward, Trey, was also baptized.  His aunt, and my brother, Ryan, each gave beautiful talks that were just perfect.  Trey and his darling siblings/cousins sang a song, and Nate, Anna, Abby and Ben sang, “When I am Baptized.”  It was really sweet, but what made it even better was Joshy noticing all his siblings “on stage” and realizing he was part of that group.  He marched right up there and took his place right next to Ben.  It was so cute.

Some of our cute guests

Life is so much better with cousins.

Brennan baptized Nate and confirmed him, with my Dad, my brothers Ryan and Josh, and our sweet friend Earl standing in the circle.  We are truly blessed to have the priesthood.  I’m so grateful to all those men for participating !

Here he is in his new shirt and tie!

And here is Joshy, who no matter what the occasion, always seems to end up nakey.

Nate was sweet about everything.  He was thrilled to get his very own scriptures and a new white shirt and tie.  He’s been so happy to feel so clean, inside and out.  I know he was touched by the talks, and being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost.  It was definitely a payoff day for Brennan and me.  We love Nathan!

FHE

Once a month we have a combined Family Home Evening with my family, those who are around.  Anyway, last week was kind of a perfect one.  Ryan and Macy were in charge and scouted out a service project that the kids could actually help with.   There’s a church near Ryan and Macy’s house with this charming little amphitheater out back.  Sadly, someone made it lots less charming with their vandalism, so Ryan got permission to turn us loose.

 

With a few quick coats, and lots of helpers, we turned the above into this:

I was so grateful to R&M for finding a service project.  I really want my kids to learn to serve, but it’s sometimes a little tricky to find something they can actually be involved in.  They felt so good to be able to make such a dramatic difference in this little stage.

After the work, we had a rousing game of kick-ball.  What a blast!  When’s the last time you’ve played kickball?  Too long ago, I guarantee it.  So great, all ages participated. 

Ok, so my nephew, Peter, didn’t play, but did make everyone happy just by letting us look at him.

Love these Summer nights with such good company.