Caroline's Dance Recital

I know it's been awhile. And for those anxiously awaiting the other 13 reasons I love Jake, I promise someday I'll get to them! Who knew adding a third kid to the mix could throw such a wrench in the everyday normal things I used to be able to accomplish without a hitch? But I'm loving every minute of it and have had to re-evaluate what is really important in my life. Obviously, blogging isn't one of them, though I have missed the journaling that gets done on here that doesn't happen in my er, journal.

Anyhoo - here's some of Caroline's dance recital. We were so proud of her and she was so excited to dance "on stage" again this year! She was very lucky to have two of her visiting Aunties there to watch, in addition to our Nebraska bunch! Unfortunately I hadn't quite figured my new camera out, so I'm waiting for some pictures taken by another mom. But these are the ones we got of our darling dancer! Also, a good friend of mine got this short clip on video and poted it to YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q34f6GvrZyw

The Tap Dance "We Love To ABC"

My favorite shot!

C

onnor loved watching the dancers! He'd fuss in between numbers and then get all quiet and attentive while the dancers performed.

The Ballet Number "I'm Special"


Little buddies - the only three in their class.

How Do I Love Thee... 2010 Edition - Day One

Your Patience. I love that you hardly ever get riled up about things. Your layed-back personality helps keep me calm & grounded and creates such a peaceful feeling in our little home. It helps so much to have your perspective & relaxed attitude when it comes to teaching our little ones and dealing with the *occasional* tantrum as well (especially on the days when those tantrums are well, NOT occasional.)

Visit to Bluff Fort

We had so much fun exploring the fort - Connor stayed warm and snuggly in the van with Mona!

To celebrate our seventh anniversary, and to enjoy time with the whole family, we made the 50 minute drive South of Monticello to the little town of Bluff, Utah to visit the Bluff Fort. It's a historical site dedicated to the memory of the brave pioneer men & women who created a trail through some of the most harsh country in Utah. Once they drove their wagons down through an unbelievably steep and seemingly impossible crevice in a sheer rock face that is now known as "The Hole In The Rock", they then had to pull the same wagons up a hill known as "Cottonwood Canyon." Once they reached their destination, there was more trial and difficulty as their crops were devastated again and again by the harsh, hot, dry conditions and river flooding in the summertime, not to mention the difficulties they had with the Native Americans they were called there to maintain peace with and be missionaries to. But we are so grateful for the example of their faith & fortitude. Our ancestors (both Jake's and mine) were among those who stuck it out. It was a very humbling experience to visit the recently reconstructed cabins and to stand in the place where these remarkable men & women once stood. Near the visitor's center, there is actually one of the original wagons that made that harrowing journey. I recently have been reading both the historical accounts my relatives left of the journey as well as recent works of historical fiction (which I've enjoyed as it has brought these people to life even more for me.) As I stood there with my hand on that worn, aged wood of that wagon and looked at those wheels I was moved to tears by the spirit of those wonderful people. What a wonderful way to spend our seventh anniversary, with our family members who are still striving to live with the same conviction today as our forbears did! I am particularly grateful for a husband who strives daily to live up to the example they set. I only hope I can continue to nourish my testimony so that it is as strong and steadfast as was the fire of testimony burning in the hearts of those gallant pioneers.

Our first stop was the "Twin Rocks Cafe". Named for, you guessed it - the Twin Rocks. We enjoyed an amazing lunch of Navajo Tacos. A San Juan County treat. Seriously, if you're ever there, you MUST eat one. Either at the cafe in Bluff or on the 24th of July (Pioneer Day!) at the carnival. Yummy!

On the steps of the cafe.

The kids (particularly Clayton) were enamored with this gigantic stuffed bear in the cafe's gift shop.

Caroline pointing out the names of our Ancestors!


President John Taylor - Prophet and 3rd president of the church. He called these pioneers on a mission to settle this part of Utah.

Exploring the first rock home build at Bluff Fort.

An original Hole-in-the-Rock wagon.

There were both a teepee and a hogan on site. The kids loved the teepee!

Daddy taking the kids for a ride in the mini handcart.

Covered Wagons are Fun! (when you don't have to live in, sleep in with all your siblings & parents or drive one down a precariously steep trail.)

The Redd Family Cabin!

The beautiful Redd Family home.

Peeking around a tree in the backyard.

To read an account of Stanford & Belle Smith's (not my ancestors, but I still admire their spirit and dedication!) descent throught the Hole-in-the-Rock, go here.

If you'd like to read more about the Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers, I recommend:

The Undaunted by Gerald N. Lund - masterfully written and a very enjoyable read with some romance and fun mixed in.

And

Hearts Afire by Blaine M. Yorgason - a 3 book series that I personally enjoyed even more than the book by Gerald Lund. I felt there was more detail and there was a lot of my own ancestors woven into the story. It was exciting for me to read about the personality of Lemuel Hardison Redd Sr. and his son Lem (Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr.) and I was able to see some definite family resemblences in personality as Yorgason took actual quotes and experiences from family histories to build the characters in the story. My father is Lemuel Hardison Redd IV, and I could see how some of the personality characteristics were inherited!

Christmas Day (in no particular order)

I feel like my photos are a little Caroline-heavy. I seriously thought I took as many pictures of the boys - but maybe since Clayton did pretty much the same thing the rest of the day I figured I had enough pictures of him. Anyhoo - here's Christmas (only what, 3 1/2 weeks after the fact???)


Chillin' with Papa.

Mar and the boys p;aying with new Christmas toys.

Clayton's awesome Batmobile from Santa. When the key on the back is turned, the engine revs and then the car takes off and will go up to 20 feet. It came with a little Batman figure to go inside. He was lost before we came home.

Jake hiding at the top of the stairs and the rest of us posing by the stockings. We had

'little kid" Christmas fitst, and then while they played we raided our stockings.

Goin' fishing!

More of the Batmobile. It's all he wanted to play with.

Caroline & Aunt Cindy. I think someone was caught by surprise by the camera.

Nanny and Cath. Aren't they gorgeous???

Nan and Cindy. Breathtaking. Really.

Nanny, Cindy, Mar & Cath. Seriously. Beautiful women. Gives me a complex every time I go home. :)

Rodeo princess Caroline. Notice Clayton in the background gleefully chasing his batmobile.

Checkin' out the goods.

Cindy and Clayton on the new ATV. Even after they'd been out for awhile and were both turning into ice cubes, he didn't want to come in. He wanted to "go faster!!!"

Connor modeling his new hat & booties - handmade by Marilyn. I don't think we've gone a single day since Christmas that he hasn't worn the hat or booties or both.

More Mar & Connor.

Knight figurine (that came with a dragon from Caroline) and the now MIA Batman.

Pretty excited about the Tinkerbell toothbrush in her stocking. Clayton was stoked about the Spiderman toothbrush - he immediately unwrapped it - and then went back to playing with the Batmobile. I swear, I did try to take pictures of him doing other things.

She liked the Belle Pez dispenser too. And again, Clayton was pretty excited about the Batman one in his stocking. But it still didn't tear him away from his favorite toy for very long.

Mini Whinnies!!!

Not actually Christmas Day - but this is Caroline's Christmas dress. I made it and the matching one for her doll.