Happy Happy Birthday Meredith Dear!

So glad you've had a wonderful weekend with a successful surprise party and fun with friends. Hope today is lovely for you! And don't worry, 30 isn't so bad ;) You're still a spring chicken!!!! We love you and miss you!

Thank Goodness for Facebook

I'm not the most frequent user of Facebook but I'm glad it exists. When I heard about earthquake in Chile yesterday I was worried about my trainer from my mission who lives in Santiago. Yesterday afternoon she was able to post on Facebook that she and her family were OK. I heard from her about the 6.3 earthquake that hit northern Argentina. So I was able to check on my other companions from Argentina and make sure they are OK too. I really hope that Mother Nature decides to like us again someday.

A Birthday Surprise

In my almost 30 years I can honestly say that no one has ever been able to throw me a true surprise party...until last night. The plan was to have a combined birthday party with my friend Candace, tonight. On Monday Andrew told me he wanted to take me out on friday. So I got a babysitter and assumed we might be meeting some friends from work that couldn't come on Saturday. However the plan was changed with out my knowing it and I was taken to a surprise party just for me. Everyone who I thought would be there Saturday was there last night. We are still having a party for Candance tonight and all of her guests will be there. I was honestly surprised and couldn't believe they pulled it off. Some friends got some great pictures so I'll post those soon, but it was a lot of fun. I'm still having a hard time with 30, but I feel very loved!

Thank you John and Carolyn!

We had such a fun evening with the rockets you sent Seth for his birthday. I posted some photos on my blog, if you want to see the kids making them blast off! We love you!

You're Welcome!

I am more than willing to share the winter weather. We were suppose to get another snow storm last night but it went more north. So I guess we can share winter with other areas and not keep it to ourselves. I have to say that I am glad that the turn lanes are back although I wish the sidewalks would hurry up and make their appearance so people will stop walking down the sides of the roads. Enjoy all your pretty white snow. We are in the ugly muddy ice crusted mini mountains everywhere you look stage. I really am looking forward to spring this year.

PS I can't believe how big your kids have gotten! I can't wait to see you guys again.

Thank you Diana!!!!

You must have done a snow dance or something, because this morning I woke up to the sound of the plow rumbling down the road! WAHOO!! Utah has been sooooo dry this winter, and today we are finally seeing some flurries! I bundled the kids up with coats, hats and gloves and sent them off to school only to find that it was a completely different weather system in the valley. Just some sprinkling rain here and there. So, the snow is pretty localized to the foothills, but at least it's something! Have you had any more crazy weather in DC?

Well, Rich and I are off to Blue and Gold with Luke. Hope you all have a wonderful evening!

This is our neighbor Gryffin. He and his sisters are pretty much part of the family :)

Sometimes Being a Grown-up Can Be Fun

I usually think being a grown-up is over rated but every once in awhile it does have its perks. Like being able to drive to Baltimore to go see an Irish rock band on a work night. I'm such a rebel. But how could I possibly turn down the opportunity to see a band that includes a fiddle, banjo, accordion and a tin whistle. So much fun. And I'm going to do it again in March. Yep, young and exciting, that's me. Except I am sooo tired today. I can't possibly be too old to do this anymore, right? Well, I will just ignore that possibility for as long as possible. I love any type of live music too much to stop going to concerts but I might have to look for ones that actually have seats.

Rich- do you miss this?

So we got our first ice for the season...Rich do you miss this craziness?

Happy Birthday Karen!!!!

Hope your day has been WONDERFUL!!!!! We love you! Here's a photo from Rich's birthday. He enjoyed talking to all of you the other day soooo much.
LOVE YOU.

Speaking of snow

We woke up to the most lovely storm. The flakes were huge! Rich and I were just talking last night about our hope for at least one more good storm this year. So, can you just send the next blizzard our way! It is so much fun to play in, and the perfect way to get out of school and work for a day. I agree that the shoveling can be a complete pain, but it does get you outside breathing that fresh clean air. It's always so crisp and pretty after a storm. Our new house is in the foothills, right next to the canyon, and it's uncanny how much snow there is, but we are loving it. Now, if we lived in DC and didn't have the plow system that Bountiful has, I may be singing a different tune. They are totally ready and out the second the snow starts to fly. It would be crazy otherwise. I can't believe your photos!!!! It's been fun to read your posts. They crack me up!!!

So, here's a photo that I dug up that I took one morning last MARCH. I keep wondering if the snow will keep falling well into the spring again. I am sort of crossing my fingers, since SNOW = MORE SKIING :) We shall see.

No driving the little toddler car around that day! These photos of Ava jumping around to stay warm, were also taken last March.

Hope everybody has a happy WARM (at least in your heart) Valentines Day. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

A fun Video

First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH! Hope you had a great day.

Diana we are glad you currently have power and that you are surviving. We hope that continues, since you're suppose to get 30 more feet, opps I mean inches. Still might as well be feet. Isn't it interesting that the DC area that hosts our nations leaders is having the worst weather in history? Just an interesting observation.

We just wanted to share this video with you because I thought it was a great one of the kids. It was really funny to watch. They just kept at it over and over. It also gives you a little idea of the upstairs of Ed and Linda's new house, which is where this was taken!

Well I Survived a Blizzard... Again

Is it possible to be traumatized by snow? Because I'm pretty sure I will never look at it the same again. I used to like it. It was pretty and white and peaceful and fun to play in. But now, now there's a part of me that just wants to cry. Maybe with time and distance our relationship can be repaired but for now the damage runs deep. Plus I'm developing a severe dislike for shoveling. I have been sore all week. Until now I have never really appreciated the importance of snow boots and really wished I had some. Although taping your feet in plastic bags works remarkably well.

The storm today was crazy!! It was an out and out blizzard that dumped another foot on us. Looking outside when the wind was gusting it was a complete whiteout. I can now say that I have officially lived through a blizzard (safely inside my house with the power on). I know, I really have faced great hardships in my life.

Just because I love all bad disaster movies does not mean I want to live one out myself. This is the closest that I ever want to come to a disaster zone. Trying to drive on these roads is horrible. First of all most of the side roads are still not plowed. So when you end up driving on these roads you realize that these are not really roads any more instead they are snow packed, pot holed, free for all, general suggestions. Roads that were previously two way, two lanes are now one-way chicken playing paths. The one question you repeatedly ask yourself, "Is today the day I die?" And you know the answer deep down is "Very possibly."

All I can say is I'm hit with the realization once again that I so did not read the fine print before I agreed to be born in this last days thing. I have some strong objections because I'm pretty sure that this was clearly not explained to me. Or I suppose it's possible that I might have been distracted during that class wondering if chocolate really can be as good as they say. Good thing it is. But don't worry, I will be filing a complaint with management when I get there.

P.S. The East Coast was suppose to have Stake Conference broadcast to us from Salt Lake on Sunday but it's now cancelled due to the end of days weather.

Snowpocalypse Update #3 (This is the last one I promise.)

OK after this I promise I will be so done with Snowpocalypse. Luckily I'm still one of the privilege few that has power even though every once in awhile the lights will flicker as if to say I have the power and you are at my mercy. Part of me would like to believe that having power is one of those little blessings because I am Heavenly Father's favorite. But the truth is I really don't think He wanted to listen to me whine. Let's be honest, there would be whine, lots of it, and I wouldn't rule out the occasional foot stomping. Sad but true.

Tracy and I dug out my car after a couple of hours. I have acquired a deep respect for those who shovel snow on a regular basis. It is officially on my least favorite things to do list. I'm really hoping that they close the office tomorrow because I really don't want to give up my parking space. We worked hard on it. I have my priorities straight. But here's a few more pictures to document this end of the world storm.

P.S. This is a link to my friend Katie's blog where she recorded our text conversation while I was waiting in the line from Hades the night before the storm. I found it to be entertaining. You might have to copy and paste to open.
http://ihadtoleave.blogspot.com/2010/02/apocalypse-now.html

Snowpocalypse Update #2

Well I survived the night. I'm one of the lucky ones who have power. It went out last night for awhile but came back on and has stayed on. It is insane! I have never seen this much snow. And I'm not even where the heavy snow is like in Maryland. Some places have had more than 30 inches with some close to 40 predicted. Craziness! But fun watching it come down. It is just beautiful. Late last night it didn't look like it was snowing all that hard but this morning it has been coming down hard with more to come. There is probably 2 feet outside our door right now and it keeps piling up. I can't find my camera battery charger so all my pictures for now are from my cell phone. I'll take some of Tracy's pictures once she uploads them. But here's a couple of pictures so far.


Our backyard Friday afternoon before it really started snowing.














Our backyard Saturday morning when it starts to really come down.

Our parking lot in front of the apartment. My car is next to the truck, in front of the sign. (At least I think that's my car.)

Snowpocalypse Update #1

So they forecasted the snow to start at 10am and when we looked out the window at 10:08 it had started to snow. If the forecasters were right about time could they also be right about the 30 inches of snow?? Holy cow, I have never seen that much snow before! The office closed today at noon so I came home and prepared for a very long weekend.

It's a little after 9pm and there about 6 inches of snow outside and cable just went out for the third time. Its going to be a very long and cold weekend. You can't freeze inside your house right? I have blankets and lots of layers of clothes to put on if or probably when the power goes out. I keep looking at the trees outside our apartment. They are covered in this wet heavy snow and are starting to sway. Oh yeah! The cable just came back on for a few moments anyways. Anyways I really hope a tree doesn't decide to fall through my bedroom window. And there goes the cable again. And the really heavy snow doesn't start until later on tonight.

OK the race is on to see if I can finish this post before the power goes out again. The weather committee has it in for me I'm convinced. Ever since I left Missouri there have been these weather "incidences." It's not paranoria when it's true you know. First there was the St. Louis tornado when I left the state. That was followed by crazy t-storms all the to DC. Then there was that other "historic" ice storm which took me 5 hours to get home. Then I had to count money on a boat during the Regatta with Hurricane Hannah coming in. And now one of the worst snow storms in the history DC. The weather committe has it in for me. OK the power is about to go out again. Please pray that I don't end up freezing or having a tree crash on me because that would be an embarassing way to go.

Photos

Here are some photos we would like to share/ Mom & Dad

Top Cat, Fevers and Taxes

First let me say I'm loving all the DeLaMare blogging going on! Fantastic! Amy thanks for sharing pictures!

So this has been an interesting week. The GREAT news is Parker was picked as Top Cat for the Month. This is one child out of each grade that is picked because he has stood out, they look at things like classroom behavior, being a good citizen and working hard. Now I have to say in his almost 3 years at William Byrant Elementary this is the first time he has recieved this award. He told us at the beginning of the year that he wanted to be top cat. And he succeeded. There is a little of a back story. Over the weekend Andrew and I were both very frusturated with him because in so many other things he just doesn't try. We have told him on more than one occasion, he doesn't have to be the best at things but he needs to try his best. So after a VERY frusturating weekend, we found out that he is trying his best at school, and it was a good thing to learn! He has this way of surprising us.

Then on Thursday he started running a fever and has missed 2 days of school. Fun Fun days!!

I have been working on our taxes. And can I just say, like I do every year, I hate doing taxes. It's a little depressing when you realize that the amount you spent on medical things was more than your tithing and Fast offerings combine! YUCK! The only good thing is that we do get a return, of course it is already earmarked for a specific use. I'm sure it's that way for most. But I sure don't care for it. So Diana I ask you, why do you want to go into accounting? Maybe it's so you can do all of our taxes!!! I'm sure that is your sole purpose to help your family with the headache of taxes. Well we are all grateful!

I thought I'd include a couple of my favorite pics of the kids lately. Keep the blogging coming!

Apparently the End of World is Scheduled for Friday

Soo the beginning of the end (at least in the DC metro area) will start on Friday at 10am and continue until 10pm on Saturday. What catastrophic event is it this time? Oh just ANOTHER blizzard! Didn't I already go on this ride? I guess once wasn't enough so bring it on you 16 to 24 inches of snow with a possibility of more. OK seriously the weather committee is just showing off now. And why does it only snow on the weekends?? That's just rude. I have things to do, you know, with Saturday being a special day and all. Why can't the world ever end during the middle of the week so I don't have to go to work? I don't think that's too much to ask.

I know, I know it's winter and things like this happen but I live in Virginia and did not sign up for this. Don't get me wrong I do like snow. When it snowed on Tuesday it was very pretty and I appreciated it. But I do not appreciate the way they clear roads here or how people freak out about it. But then again since everyone is freaking out then it won't snow at all. Isn't that the way it works? Especially since I was successful on the Great Shovel Quest of 2010. It only took me three stores to find one. I know why I didn't have a shovel but everyone else should already have one. This is February after all.

I also had the misfortune of being sucked into the 5th dimension of Hades this evening otherwise known as Shoppers. I took my life into my hands just trying to get into the store and then it was every man for himself grabbing food. Once I had grabbed my share of the food I had to face my worse nightmare. The line. First you had to figure out where the line actually began which was is a whole lot more difficult than you would think. Then the never ending wait begins. One by one the weak fall away. Including the guy in front of me which actually worked out for me because I was able to snag his loaf of bread. So the wait continues with the occasional child screaming at the top of his voice. And we can't forget the lady in front of the store screaming some very unladylike words and ending every phrase with the request to call the pooolice right now. But I did it. I survived the very worse the 5th dimension of Hades could throw at me. And now I just have to wait for the end of the world tomorrow.

Pressure, Pressure, Pressure!

OK everyone. Here is our first blog. Afraid we might get disowned if one of us didn't get this posted.
Hey all, how do you think we feel w/ a 19 yr. old grandson & everyone else growing up so fast. It won't be long before I will have to look up to everyone of these grandkids.
So, here is the news from down south. Big, beautiful snow Fri. all day thru midnight. John was supposed to go to Lebanon for appointments, but postponed them due to predicted big storm. He would have felt a little silly if it didn't materialize. Anyway, he ended up taking the day off. I got home from seminary just as it started to snow. We hunkered down & enjoyed a beautiful snowy day together. We ended up w/ 5-6 inches of snow & much more where it drifted. The truck does well on our driveway, the car is a little more iffy. Good news is I didn't stuck this go around.
John's calling as executive sec. is one he loves. Being behind the scene & directing traffic in & out of the Bishop's office or member of the Stake Presidency when visiting is just to his liking.
Seminary is going well I think. I just wish I were one of those blessed people who have this natural, wonderful way of relating w/ kids. But I try. I have lost one girl whose parents decided it was too difficult to get her there. We vacilitate between 3-5 kids & sometimes a non member friend attends ( usually when we have food.)
They are really a great group of kids.
The YMCA is fun. I am now teaching Tai Chi & Arthritis Exercise. We will be starting the Silver Sneakers program in March. I have met some really fun & neat people.