The Bright Side

Mother's Day 2011

2011-07-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

In May Mom and Ron, AND Briggs and Connie came to visit to attend Nika's big dance performance: Starry Starry night. It happened to be the week-end of Mother's Day as well...so I had both MY mom and Theron's mom in town for this special day. I was excited at the thought of being able to honor both our mom's in person and have some quality time with them, so I planned a steak dinner Sat. evening for just our family and both sets of parents. We ate grilled flank steak, steamed asparagus, carrot souffle, lion house rolls, salad, and berries and ice-cream for dessert.

Mom bought me these pretty flowers. I love the purple. It was so nice to just sit with the 6 adults at the table and have great conversation and enjoy each other's company without interruption. The mom's weren't allowed to help AT ALL with any of the food prep or clean up, and with no little children there they didn't have to cut anyone else's food even. It was a rare opportunity to have them there together, and I thought the meal would be a memory better than any tangible gift I could give them. It was worth it.

WOW.... what a beautiful smile.

ART SHOW HONORS

2011-05-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

Dayne and I decided to enter the Annual South Jordan Art Show this year. Dayne entered two sketches he had done, one of a hawk and one of a tiger. I submitted two photographs: one taken in the jungle in San Juan last Feb., and the other a tunnel in Central Park, NY last spring. This was our first time submitting to an art show and didn't know what to expect. We did it for the experience. Well I went to walmart and picked up a few cheap frames and turned them in to be judged on Friday. The judges were from out of town so they wouldn't be bias. There were different categories such as painting, photography, sculpture, etc. for Adult, Teen, and Youth divisions. On Monday Dayne and I attended the awards reception and were so surprised when they called both our names. Dayne had won second place in the youth division for his sketch of the Hawk, and I placed second in the adult photography category for "Light at the End of the Tunnel".

My photo of "Light at the end of the Tunnel "

I received a 50$ cash prize.

Dayne with his "Hawk" and "Tiger"

Dayne receiving his award- a 24 piece acrylic art set.

He wanted to go home and start painting right away!

GIRLS PHOTOS

2011-04-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

On the April 2011cruise we took a bunch of photos in Central Park because it was so pretty and had great lighting in the late afternoon. The girls recently got their braces off and wanted to take advantage of dressing up, and being tan...so we had a couple photo shoots. They are both so photogenic I had to include all of them cause I couldn't pick and choose. If you want a copy of one let me know.

MORE CRUISE PHOTOS

2011-04-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

FORMAL NIGHT

We took pictures in "Central Park" Atrium on the ship.

Their idea...hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil

Whacky photo

Maybe it's Maybelline....

At the "Club" dancing as a family to the live band,
it was Beatles night

The kids made faces while we slow danced.

Dayne loved watching the guitarist

Both Nika and Skye got to dance with Dad

And with eachother...

Dad taught Dayne a few 80's dance moves

BLUE PLANET- show fish tank effect with dancers on bungees and cables.

Actors from the "Blue Planet" show about mother nature. It had the coolest scene changes and effects including a tree made of people that came to life, desert, underwater, fish tank, rocky mountains with trampolines, etc. We loved it.

We had 3rd row seats

Skye enjoying her Pina Colada at the show

Another day of sun on the ship

Dayne practices "Blue Steel.... "

Freckle face

Yes...we're having fun.

CARIBBEAN CRUISE 2011

2011-04-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

This year we took our family vacation in April and went on a Caribbean cruise. We just can't seem to help ourselves. I know, I know...we always cruise, but being fun and sun-seekers it is just the perfect getaway that has it all. This trip we flew to Ft. Lauderdale, FL on the red-eye flight going through New York (the L-o-n-g way). With just one layover we arrived in Florida to sunny skies and boarded the Royal Caribbean ALLURE OF THE SEAS.

Let me tell you a little about this ship.

We have sailed on the Freedom, the Independence and those were awesome…but this is the mac daddy of them all for sure. It boasts the largest cruise ship in the world…by 3 inches. It has everything:

2- 45 ft. Rock climbing walls

2 flow-riders

Zip line

ping pong center (6 tables)

mini golf course

Carousel- yes a merry go round!

Ice-skating rink

Full ice cream parlor

dedicated running track

Library

Game room with games

Aqua-theater with water shows

Solarium for adults only

Casino, comedy club, dance club

and more!

Here is our photo gallery....

It was so hot...we couldn't wait to lay in the sun

...and flash our long legs

...and already dark tans....you stud!

The kids explored the ship. Here both have

opinions on how he should be doing his hair. Thank

goodness they still don't paint his nails.

They found the Boardwalk and carousel

The aqua theater with high dives

Day one heading to dinner..so much sibling love.

They found Po from Kung Fu Panda on the Promenade.

Fancy dinner set up.

I had the Grouper with lentils and peas. YUM

No, I did not take pictures of all my food. heehee.

More unusual sibling love- well documented. See Theron sleeping in the background? We are actually seatedwaiting for CHICAGO the Broadway musical to start.They weren't playing church music...which is what usually puts him to sleep.

After dinner up on deck- beautiful sunset over Ft. Lauderdale.

Day two- Monday we stopped in Labadee, Haiti. We've been there before, but went to a different beach this time...Nelly's Cove. It was great!

Nika in Haiti

Theron Schwarzenegger

Theron notices the girls sunbathing topless in the corner. Luckily, they were standing up with their backs to the water.

So...he points them out to Dayne, who promptly gawks, but was unlucky....(heehee). After notifying the Haitian beach monitors, and them doing nothing, I later went over to the girls and asked them to keep their tops on since this was a Royal Caribbean owned family beach. They did...and that's how I became so popular on the ship!

Kids exploring the creatures in the rocks...gorgeous water

One or two artsy photos for sure.

We decide on a subject for our traditional sand sculpture...an ALLIGATOR. Theron gets to work.

First the head and eyes- sea urchin shells

Next the arms

Then the body and tail

And he's done!

Skye chills in a vacant hammock

This lady came up to us and said they didn't have time to use these tickets for the Dragon's Tail Coaster and gave us 3 tickets. The kids went- they were worth 20$ ea I think. The coaster was cool cause they were individual cars that you controlled yourself- going as fast or as slow as you like.

Here comes Nika towards the finish.

Even Skye thought it was fun...especially since she didn't have to ride with daredevil dayne.

Once back onthe ship we tested out the rock walls Here's Kristin. I actually forgot to take my wedding ring

off and bent it.

Nika did great

And Skye too.

We cleaned up for dinner- it was formal night

Nika did Skye's make up

Our best clothes and manners

It was so fun. We don't have too many family dinners together usually during the week with dance, sports and work. It was a highlight.

We got towel animals that night.

Cute Elelphant!

There were other Madagascar characters on the ship.

Alex found the kids - here's Nika looking grown up

Skye getts mauled.

Here is our bedroom. The kids had 2 single beds and a couch. We each had our own vanity, TV and bathrooms.

Most everyone tried surfing the flowrider and actually stayed up! Good job skye! It's harder than it looks.

Speaking of keeping your shirt on? Why would he own a shirt?

Beautiful Cozumel, Mexico...water is blue and nothing is free. Taxi from port $20, and we were told there was no entrance fee to the beach. But when we got there the beach chairs costs $2 each with a 10$ minimum food purchase each as well.

So we got NACHOS GRANDE and a few smoothies for 40$. Were we hungry? Noooooooo, but it ended up being a fairly inexpensive excursion overall.

Pina coladas were good.

Theron arranged to split the cost of a wave runner for an hour with another couple, and everyone got a ride- including me. The water is so bright blue when you get away from the beach.

Thumbs up for the ride! Age 15

Age 10

Age 13

mom and dayne in the shade looking for Iguana

Look what we found- cool huh?

Theron also found a crab

Dayne loves animals so much - he was so giddy! And look what we found next....

Monkeys

Eating sunflower seed from his mouth

SNAKES

SNAKES and Lizard

SNAKES and TARANTULA!!!!.

Skye was brave too.

So cute and cuddley

again...with the sunflower seed.

Nika got in on the action

Picture perfect

Ah...monkey's really going for this one.

That's all I can do for today, my back is sore from sitting at the computer. It is spring break and the kids need my attention. There is so much more to tell...and for you to see.

-K

BRACES ARE OFF!!!

2011-04-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

WOW... Just look at those million $ smiles!

Well at least it felt like a million dollars, but was totally worth it I think. They are both so happy to be able to eat corn on the cob, apples, carrots and gooey stuff. I'm glad to not find tiny rubber bands all over the house, and save gas on ortho trips for sure!

JUSTIN BIEBER

2010-10-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

Me and the kids went to the Justin Bieber concert in July.

Sean Kingston opened...along with the stunners.

It was packed with girls 18 and under...and moms...and just a few dads. The screams were deafening.

He had many costume changes and was so cute in person.

We were pretty close and could see him well..

At one point he got in this heart and it traveled over the audience. He played acoustic guitar and sang. It was awesome.

At the end of the concert he and Sean Kingston sang together.

2010-06-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK...NEW YORK

I took over 800 pictures in New York in 8 days. It is hard to edit and choose which ones to post, and can you believe I only have 1 or two of myself! Of course I was the one taking the pictures. Most of them are of cool architecture and scenery. We weren't allowed to take pictures in the dance studio so I have none of Nika dancing. Each one has a story behind it...could put together a book really. Anyway when we were in the NBC studios an employee offered my friend and I free tickets to see Jimmy Fallon's dress rehearsal. Unfortunately we were scheduled to go to the Staten Island Ferry with the girls at that time and couldn't change plans. So we had to pass. I would've loved to go.

We got week passes to use the subways and rode them from morning until late at night for 8 days. We became experts and I think I rode every color train there was: North to South, East to West. As a matter of fact one night we took a train the wrong direction for about 25 min and ended up in Brooklyn around 9:00 PM. Not good. We got right back on and made it to our destination okay. It was funny though. Often there are people that get on the subway and take advantage of the captive audience, ask for handouts etc. One day the doors shut and then I heard the music...."start spreadin' the news....da, da dadada..." this gentleman had his radio with him and then he started playing his trumpet along with the music. He was so cute....Nika gave him a dollar of her own money and then we had to get a picture with her and her friend Montana with him.

We visited Central Park in the late afternoon as the sun was going down. I got some great pictures of the dancers, performers, and "live statues". My favorite though - probably of the whole trip, is this one of this musician in the tunnel. I just think it turned out so artistic.

This is the cross made of girder beams near Ground Zero. It was posted as a sign of comfort for those working to help at that time, and stands as a monument today. The museum was touching.

Here is one picture of the dance studio I was able to take before they stopped me! This is the front desk.

Here is our room...4 bunk beds, 4 girls and 4 moms! We brought our own bath towels, no microwave, fridge, or TV, internet, no maid service, change of bed linens...nothin. Just 1 sheet, 1 blanket, 1 pillow and shared bathrooms. We were roughin it. It worked out fine for the cost though. And more fun for sure.

Girls Week-end in Spokane

2010-06-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

The end of May I had the chance to go visit Stacy Julian in Spokane to be with all the Hall sisters (except Chanda who couldn't make it) and attend the "Time out for Women" conference. Connie and her sister Shirley, Darci, and Hillary all came. It was a fun 3 days. Here are the girls downtown Spokane by the conference center.

Stacy took us to see the sites of the city, and one landmark was this building shaped like a milk-bottle. We went to get ice-cream there...but found it was closed. Pretty cool huh?
The park by the conference center was beautiful, and the weather cooperated on this day.
They are looking at a small dam. I think it is an electrical plant? Anyway Connie said her father served a mission in Spokane, and probably stood in this very same spot years ago.
We had fun at the conference- got inspired, we ate out, shopped, cooked, walked by the river, ran in the mornings, shared recipes, toured Geof's new office building, watched Brian Regan on YouTube, and visited a lot.

ONE YEAR LATER

2010-04-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hello...I can't believe it's been over a year since I've posted anything on our family blog. I feel like I can barely keep up with taking pictures, let alone getting them off my camera and blogging about them. Between e-mail, entering insurance payments, doing taxes, paying bills, updating FB, Managing Bodyworks Webpage and FB book accounts, church work etc... I could stay on the computer all day, so I've avoided it. I don't even check other people's blogs. So I am going to be better at all that this year. We had a nasty virus on our main computer and had to send it away to be cleaned. (sorry for all the "viral videos" I was supposedly sending over FB to you...) So now we have restructured our computer network at home and moved some files around. It will take some getting used to.

I have been travelling a lot this spring - with the Caribbean cruise, NYork trip, and now Spokane next week for a girls week-end with the Halls at a "Time out for Women" conference. It's been really fun...I haven't flown on an airplane this much in years. I think we'll try to take a driving trip in June, and then we have the McDougal Reunion in July. Theron and I want to go on a trip in August, and them September we may go to Arizona to see all you Proudfit family for Labor Day. Will you be there?

Since being released from Stake Music Chair I've been called as the ward activities chair. Y'all know how much of a party planner I am. I'll need a lot of help. They've even put me in charge of the ward road show this year. The theme is "Have I done any good in the world today?"8 min long program. ANY IDEAS?

I'm still enjoying running, although I'm nursing some injuries I've received by bumping up my mileage too soon. Yesterday I ran my first race of the year (10k) and placed first in my age group division and 6th in the women overall. It was the first time I'd run outside for months and we had some killer hills in the 5th mile. Right now I'm not scheduled for any more races until July 10th (1/2 marathon in South Jordan). After I return from Spokane I'm on a "cutting" phase to get ready for summer and will be hitting the cardio and weights hard, and eating super clean. Better to cycle...can't maintain that type of work out all the time. Anyway Theron is doing great. Ankle is healing well...has already been out riding his dirt bike. Will go on an overnight DB trip to Wendover in May. He is working out hard and getting even bigger. His shoulders, traps, and delts are noticeably thicker. He has a great work out partner and the equip. at the gym really helps too. Dayne is in baseball for the first time and is really enjoying it. His team is the Angels and he looks really cute in the long red socks. He is also doing scouts and plays the violin in the orchestra. His Justin Bieber hairdo is getting quite a lot of attention from his sisters and the girls, especially because he is so blond he stands out. Dayne loves school and is adorable. Skye is still tumbling and babysitting a lot. She is heavily involved in social networking and young women's activities. She got a 4.0 last semester and is getting really good at doing hair. She had a boy ask her if she'd "go with him", and she told him no because she wasn't allowed. We haven't crossed over into co-ed parties yet, and we still have to tackle the "sleep-over" issue a few times a month. She always has to have something going on. She is hilarious. We've really enjoyed all Nika's dance competitions this year with U.D.A. (Utah Dance Artists). Check out their website: utahdanceartists.com. She has improved a lot, and I think the New York trip sparked something inside her. I've seen an energy and maturity develop in her dancing- and she loves it. She will dance again next year with the same company. She loves her sewing machine and recently made shorts on her own with the letters N I K A appliqued on the butt, cut from different fabrics. Her artwork is still awesome, and she works hard to keep her A GPA, and still finds time to do lots of crafts. The glue gun is perpetually sitting on my computer desk "cooling". She is amazing. In MAY we are looking forward to opening the pool and doing some repairs on it, finally planting our garden YEAH! Yard work and trying to salvage our lawn, paving the dirt behind the basketball court, lots of dirt bike riding, dance concerts and recitals, Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Yep...we bought all the lumber and plywood to make raised garden boxes. We have leveled the plots and just need to build the boxes, buy the soil, and the starter plants and get it planted. I'm going to paint the boxes some fun colors first. We are doing square foot gardening (the book is great) and hope to harvest our first corn crop in the fall. I"ll have some homegrown cornstalks for Halloween...yeah!

SKYE models

2009-03-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

My neighbor (Jeni Williams) is a photographer and asked Skye and her friend McKenzie to be her models for a photography seminar she went to. They went downtown Salt Lake and got some beautiful photos outdoors in real urban settings. As a thank you we got the pictures on a disc...here are a few of my favorites:

FEBRUARY

2009-02-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

Another month gone by in 2009 and I still don't have pictures downloaded off my cameras to post! Let's see...we've been busy with...

The girls getting braces, dentist and ortho appointments
Shopping for clothes and shoes for me and Theron
Nika being sick with strep throat
Kristin attending ward conferences every Sunday and having
choir practices for stake Conference in March
Theron renewing renter's contracts..taking on another renter
Kris and Ther going to Valentine's dance...and having special
family valentine's dinner
Draper Temple open house
Fixing car batteries, radios, tabs etc.
Battling construction on 104th south! UGH.
Dayne found the biggest frosted flake ever

2009-02-26T14:31:00.000-08:00

Theron, Me, Anderson Varajao, Augusta Varajao, Jon Walker...at a Jazz game.

Jon and Augusta came to Salt Lake for a Jazz game because her cousing was playing for the opposing team: the .......(I have to ask Theron again). Anyway, they got us amazing tickets and Theron got to go down on the court before the game while the players were warming up. Afterwards we waited and got to meet her cousin...Anderson Varajao...and he actually made Theron look "medium sized". Jon and Augusta recently got engaged and will be married July 24th in Sun Valley. We're planning on going- I'm so excited for them!. Augusta is from Brazil and so we speak Portuguese together...and Jon has learned a lot himself.

The next day they came over to the house before leaving town and hung out for awhile. It was a good time!.

JANUARY

2009-02-26T14:23:00.001-08:00

January seemed to fly by. The kids were all in school, and it seemed I had a mountain of errands to run each day that kept me busy. However, I did allow myself to carve out more time than usual to my work outs and have really enjoyed that. In January I didn't go to the club at all...just stayed home and used the home gym and treadmill after the kids left for school. Some days it seemed I barely got showered and ready for the day and it was time to pick Nika up from Middle School already. I got hooked on the cable show: DAMAGES and watched the first season on DVD while working out. I'm back into running distance and really enjoying it.

WEBCAM!

2009-02-26T14:19:00.000-08:00

We got a webcam for Christmas and have loved chatting with Mom and Ron clear in Albania via SKYPE. We haven't chatted with other family members or friends yet...but we're looking forward to that. If any of you have SKYPE (free download)...Sunday afternoons is probably the best time to catch us.

Christmas

2008-12-21T19:52:00.000-08:00

December is finally here and we are looking forward to staying in from the cold, playing games, and snuggling up to the fire. We had our Christmas Sacrament meeting today, and Theron guest starred as "Choir Director" for one number. We needed help, so he put his great rhythm skills to work, led the choir and did a great job. The choir director played his guitar as accompanyment along with the piano.

We've had a great year, and we're so thankful for our family and friends. We miss you Mike and Taylor...especially during the holidays. We will be alone for Christmas eve and day, without family this year. First time in a long time. I guess this means I don't have to cook a bunch of goodies! Most especially we are thankful for Jesus Christ and our testimonies of Him that He is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer, and that we love Him and the peace and joy His Gospel brings into our lives. In the church we have so many opportunities to serve others, giving of our time, talents, and means...and it really blesses our lives. We wish you all the best for this next year, and pray that as difficulties come we will humbly turn to Him and receive strength.

MORE HALLOWEEN

2008-12-21T19:49:00.000-08:00

Halloween fun

2008-12-15T20:23:00.001-08:00

I inow it's a little late, but I couldn't pass up posting these photos of the kids at Halloween. nika was a punk rocker chick and made up her own outfit. We were able to re-use most of the clothes for school. here she is showing off the attitude. Skye was a disco chick complete with platform boots and the wig. Dayne was going to be Darth Vader and we bought a mask, but last minute didn't want to wear it so we sprayed his hair and he went as dracula. He looks like a Proudfit with dark hair. It was very warm this year...we had a carload of kids and went to other neighborhoods. Theron and I trailed in the car. We had a great time.

2008-12-03T18:59:00.000-08:00

AUTUMN FLEW BY

2008-12-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

Well...from Halloween to Christmas time always seems to fly by. I love autumn, and love the colors here in Utah...but wish we could enjoy it a little longer. It is now December 3rd and most all the leaves have fallen and the grass has turned that yellowish green. It has stayed warm (in the 50s) and the winds haven't really picked up yet...so no frost or wind chill really. We are still enjoying the trampoline, walking the dog, running outside, and finishing up the yardwork. Dayne and Skye have been off-track and out of school for 4 weeks. We've had a lot of fun. These pictures were taken early autumn hiking in the canyons here just as the leaves were turning. We came upon these foothills of huge granite boulders.

The views looking West back into the valley were incredible and the camera just didn't capture the perspective and depth of color. It's the stuff paintings are made of. The boulder Nika is standing by is sort of concave and used by rock climbers to practice on. They bring their big landing pads and gloves and work on technique.

HAPPENINGS

2008-10-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight is Halloween! It's 5:45 and all the kids are still outside playing with their friends. It is the warmest Halloween I can remember. Today it was in the 70s. I still made a big pot of chili, and we'll have hot cider after we get home. The leaves are all red and yellow and still have not fallen yet because of the lack of winds. (although after the chili tonight we'll have plenty of "chili winds" I'm sure) It is cozy feeling and I love driving the streets with the leaves whirling around. Every year we drive to other neighborhoods to trick or treat, and I have a carload of friends that are coming with us. One in particular (Triple Crown) gives away whole candy bars and cans of soda and the houses are street of dreams sized. The kids have some friends there anyway.

Just a quick update on the kids. Nika finished her first quarter of middle school and actually had the day off school today. She went with me to Skye's Classroom party. She danced at the Scarecrow festival with her team. Dayne is going to state playoffs for football tomorrow morning. His team is in second place and has only lost 1 game all season. It is quite exciting! Skye is joined at the hip with her friend McKenzie and they are really 2 peas in a pod. She is really into tetherball right now and is begging me to get her one. (memories....)

Hope everyone has a safe, happy halloween!

LAST OCTOBER TRIP

2008-10-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

I'm really enjoying this time of my life. We can do more together with my kids getting older and more independent. I really enjoy spending time with them, and for now they seem to enjoy spending time with me. We've had some big family vacations this year that have created fun memories...and we plan on doing much more of that in the next few years while they are young.

This last week-end we took off after Dayne's football game on Saturday to Park City just 40 min away up in the mountains. The weather was about 68 degrees and sunny. We stayed at the Hampton Inn with a fun pool and hot tub and continental breakfast (just $129 for 5) Saturday we hit the outlet malls and Theron gave each kid a $50! They were excited. No one spent all of it. Skye found Moccassins, Nika some lip gloss, Dayne some new shoes and a soccer ball. Then we at at cafe rio and hit Main street to browse the art galleries and shops. After dark at the hotel we swam, and the girls took a jet tub bath and read their books. The hotel room had a living space and kitchenette. We broke out the munchies and played board games (I had bought two new ones). The breakfast in the morning was spectacular with hot egg/cheese omlettes too. WOW. We hit the outlet mall for fun...then we went to the Canyons ski resort for a short hike. The leaves had all pretty much turned but some were still orange and gold. The Aspen trees are so beautiful. We couldn't have had better weather for October. We stopped for lunch and then made our way home. It was a fun little get-away, although I'm always glad to be back to my own bed. I didn't take any pictures, except for on the hike.

OCTOBER FUN

2008-10-27T20:15:00.001-07:00

We went to Gardner Village to see all the witches on display this year. It was gorgeous weather, so warm and sunny. We saw our favorites...the witch on a bike, playing baseball, and "witchy-poo" reading the newspaper in the outhouse.

We sampled fudge, looked in the boutiques, and the art gallery. Our favorite shop is called Posh Frippery and sells everything from funky aprons to wrapping paper. It was a great way to start off the fall and to get into the Halloween Spirit. The kids are getting a little old to dress up when we go- but we saw a lot of cute little ones.

OFFICIAL "GOOD-BYE" TO SUMMER

2008-09-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Theron and I are "summer" people. We love to be out in the sun and feel like we can't drink enough in during the short summer months. Maybe it's because we had such a shortage of really gorgeous hot sunny days in Seattle growing up...or maybe we just learned to really appreciate it there. Living in Utah we enjoy having a little of all 4 seasons, and though we are sad to see summer end this year, we are thoroughly enjoying the September weather. It has been so warm during the day and cool in the evenings. The flowers are all in full bloom and the grass is all so green. However, today will probably be the last day in the 80s...and starting next week we'll drop to early Fall temps. (whaaaaa!) We'll have 1 last BBQ, close the pool up, and go buy a new sweater.

NIKA's LATEST PAINTING

2008-09-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

Nika just finished another painting...Woodcreek...and will display it in an art show along with the "Fruit bowl" this week-end. They are not for sale, but people can vote on their favorites and she can possibly win some awards. She is really loving it and learning a lot. It's making me want to take again. I'm so proud of her

DAYNE's PLAYING FOOTBALL

2008-09-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

Dayne started football with the Bingham league in August and has really loved it. It is very demanding and requires 2 hours of practice every night, and even on saturday mornings at 7:30. They started their games last saturday and won their first 27 to 0. They have home (blue) and away jerseys (orange and white). He plays tight end and defensive end. He's on 1st offense and 1st defense and kick off team so they keep him busy.
Dayne picked the # 84 because he is 8 yrs. old and he likes Brett Favre (#4).
Here he is #84 on the kick off team. Go Bingham!

DAYNE's BAPTISM

2008-09-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

Dayne turned 8 in July and was baptized in August by his dad. It was a really special day and the confirmation blessing was quite emotional. Dad was especially proud.
The family stayed for a barbeque afterwards. From top left Kevin Dowdle (holding Cache) and Darci Dowdle, Cougar and Hillary Hall (holding Delaney), Nika, Skye(holding Parley).
Bottom row: Brooklyn Dowdle, Payton Hall, DAYNE, Julian Hall, Ty Dowdle.
Here they are dressed in white.

WHY blog?

2008-08-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well I've been using the family blog to mainly post pictures - and sort of announce events instead of using it as a journal. I haven't been keeping any journal really...and I miss writing. Really, you have to have some peace and quiet to even think straight and collect your thoughts to write something coherent, and right now I don'thave much of that. Maybe the more often I do it the better I'll get at it.

At first I really hesitated to do a blog because I thought they were kind of pretentious, to assume that other people would want to know my detailed thoughts on my mundane everyday life and famly's events. Why would it be important for me to announce to the world my private life? What purpose does this serve? Is it self serving, is it a form of boasting, does it seem self-absorbed, or self-reassuring? Will I create events and moments just so I can report them on my blog? Will I read other's blogs and be impressed by what they are accomplishing and doing that I will feel more pressure to be "picture perfect" and report in all in a humorous way with witty comments and sarcastic quips to be entertaining? Is it like creating my own "family circle" magazine in a way? Well....I could go on....

But the fact is I do know that more and more I am feeling disconnected from family, friends, people and the world in general. Technology has allowed me to accomplish more faster and easier, and yet allowed me to interact less with people and be self-sufficient to the point that I have to work to create events and moments when I can connect with neighbors, friends, and actually have friends. I actually don't feel like I have any close friends. Everyone is busy with their own lives working, vacationing, and surviving kids etc. Sure we make time to play...but dont' really connect with friends or family in a meaningful way often enough.

I think that is what finally motivated me to do the blog thing. In the hopes that it would bring my family and friends into our personal world in a way that will help to build those relationships. This is an easy way for others to get to know each of us, and our interests and what's going on in our everyday crazy lives..and what we are thinking. It is difficult to transmit tall that in a short phone conversation or a letter. Anyway, I am glad we started this blog and I have already seen that it has enhanced my relationships with family and friends in a good way. Hopefully now my English will improve.

Sporty at Forty

2008-08-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

My New Audi TT Sport

Theron surprised me for my 40th with this

sporty thing! It's only a 2 seater, but perfect

for errands when all the kids are in school and

taking Dayne to and from football every day.

It's just so fast and fun...it's really been a thrill.

We were going to throw a huge 40th birthday bash

with a band and entertainment and invite all our

friends and family. I was really looking forward to

that, and then the band fell through and things

never solidified. We'll the car was a spur of the

moment surprise- and I'm more than happy to

take that instead of the party. We'll have a small

family bash this week-end to celbrate anyway.

My new PINK IRON

2008-07-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

For mother's day this year ( I know it's boring) I did ask for a brand new iron...since the last one I bought was with wedding money 17 yrs ago. To my surprise, Theron and the kids picked out the most fashionable pink shiny iron with all the bells and whistles. It even has a retractable cord which is an amazing feature. I was thrilled! Now when I was 12 and away at a young women's conference I had an experience with an iron that I'll never forget. I was in a hurry and wanted to see if the iron was hot yet. I didnt' want to spit on the iron...gross! So I thought if I get enough spit on my tongue, really goop it up and just touch it to the iron it will sizzle and I'd know if it was hot enough. My tongue wouldn't actually touch the iron, I thought, and I could retract my tongue fast enough before it was in danger anyway. Well..the experiment didn't go so well and I really burned my tongue. For the entire YW conference I had to apply ice cubes directly to the tip of my tongue. Without ice it would continue to burn. So I've been sure to pass on the advice to my kids...."Never test an iron with your tongue!"

2008-07-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

While practing baseball with dad a pop fly caught Dayne right in the eye. He had such a shiner...and dad was do proud. The colors of a true man right?

The FISH HEADS...

2008-07-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Skye and her friends tried out these 50 cent swimming caps from Walmart. They didn't work, but looked so cute! Can you see that we finally got river rocks in the garden by the edge of the pool? The yard is shaping up. We are swimming every day...sometimes all day with this heat.

CHUBBY BUNNY

2008-07-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Doug and Grandma Linda stopped in for a visit when they brought Great Grandma Helen back to Ogden. We went out to eat, shopped, and then played Chubby Bunny. Grandpa won! I have more flattering pictures...wanna see?

Trampoline fun.

2008-07-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

We finally got a trampoline and the kids are going crazy with the tricks. Skye logs at least an hour a day. It's the best thing we've done this summer.

2008-06-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

We've started doing personal scripture reading before leaving for school each day...seems to be the best time. After school with sports, chores, reading, and homework the kids are not in the frame of mind to fit scriptures in before bed.

Dayne averages a few verses each morning, and his reading is improving as well. He's been very sweet lately and has started insisting that he kisses me before leaving for school. A few times he's even run back because he forgot. I'll take all I can get- for as long as I can!

He turns 8 July 21st,will be baptized in August, and start 3rd grade the end of July. His new favorite past time is skateboarding and is doing well. He practices his Ollie every day and loves going to the skate park with dad. They still manage to ride those motorcycles each week though. He just loves doing anything with dad.

SOCK HOP for SKYE

2008-06-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

For activity days Skye took Dad on a date to a "Sock hop". We made her a poodle skirt and belt, and she got silly socks for the crazy sock contest. Dad wore jeans and a white T-shirt and even rolled an empty candy box in his sleeve. Of course his biceps were the talk of the night, and people really enjoyed looking through each other's high school yearbooks. Skye loves to dance with her daddy. Doesn't she look adorable!

ARTS and CRAFTS

2008-06-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

Nika's quite an artist. Here is her latest painting that's hanging in my red kitchen.

The girls have both been into mod podging clipboards lately. Here's one of the first ones they did.

DANCING at DISNEYLAND

2008-06-01T08:37:00.001-07:00

Nika performed with her dance company (HIP) at Disneyland in May and she took me and Skye along. It was a girls only week-end Thursday through Sunday. She did 3 dances: Hop-hop, jazz, and lyrical. This costume is the lyrical one. I found it hard to get good pictures with all the action. She is such a great performer and really loves dancing. More pictures to come of this vacation as soon as I can find my adaptor for the other camera.

Can you see Nika? Dead center. (hip hop number)