June

Summer is my favorite food season!

My counter has never looked so beautiful.

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Myth: turtles are slow.    
Fact: turtles are great entertainment.

This handsome fella was rescued from the road, lovingly protected in our yard for about an hour and released into his natural habitat before dark.

Our other pets were curious and cautious about the newcomer.

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In a "small world" moment, LeRoy helped my high school bus driver plant a tree at Krupp Scout hollow for his wife, also a dedicated scouter, who had passed away.

LeRoy ~ Alan Wilson ~ Alan's daughter

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Hibbard 5th Ward Father and Sons Camp Out

LeRoy made his annual Dutch oven berry cobbler and the boys drank an insane amount of soda. It seemed so fitting to see Brock in a picture with all of them. Not a day goes by that we don't see his cute face.

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Derek had his 19th birthday!!
Away from home.
Without me.

What a strange new experience to only talk with him for a minute as he bustled around in his celebrations 3 hours away. I'm grateful he had others to pamper him with a homemade raspberry cheesecake on his special day.

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After a morning of cheer workouts and running, Justin sat at the kitchen table eating his second breakfast and tried to test his heart rate which showed up as 155 on his pedometer but seemed unlikely since he was "resting".  He put his hand over his heart, looked up in shock and stated, "I can't feel my heartbeat at all . . . {pause} . . . my pecks are too big".

While Hyrum and Nathan were playing imagination I overheard "I can't do it, I'm going to tap out"! Hyrum's encouragement to Nathan was very touching. "You just need to believe in yourself. You're strong. Come on, be brave."  A few minutes later I learned what all the encouragement was needed for when I walked into the family room Ninja Warrior course and they yelled out, "Stop! You almost stepped into the spikes of death"!

Hyrum has a tendency to start his stories with, "So, I was being dumb . . . " and they often end with bodily evidence of a cut, scratch, burn, torn toenail, or bruise followed or accompanied by a giggle, tear or big exaggerated eyes to which I respond with the appropriate laugh or band aid and always a hug.

Sewing Through the Summer

My first project goal for the summer was to finish a denim quilt.

195 Circles from used jeans
195 Squares from scrap fabrics
2 spools of thread

It turned out brighter and better than I expected! Now, I'm not so sure that I want it to be for football games and camping. I'm considering it for display only.

I love the swirly look on the back and the diamonds, flower petals and circles that can be found on the front. I love reminiscing as each scrap fabric swatch brings back memories of projects past.

Charlie also loves it. He would not get off of it as I was clipping each of the rag-time petals and each time I walked away from it he would bunch it all together and curl up in it.

My next denim quilt was similar to the first but consisted of octagons instead of circles.  I found a curtain at a garage sale in Utah and used that as my colored fabric, carefully numbering each square to maintain the pattern once sewn in.

165 Octagons
165 Squares
2 spools of blue thread
2 spools of white thread

Using octagons created a star look rather than the flower petal look.  Also, instead of using a straight stitch and clipping each petal to make a rag quilt, I used a zig zag stitch to complete each side of the stars.

I started this quilt with gusto but quickly lost interest because I was spending so much time hiding in my basement sewing when I should have been outside enjoying the summer sun.  So, I put it away until the first week of August when I would be spending a week at Kellie's house watching her girls. The project filled the quiet evenings after kids were in bed and I was so close to finishing when all of the sudden, I ran out of thread.

My 4th spool of thread!! I knew it was crazy and I needed to get kids to bed but I loaded up five little ones and braved Saturday Utah traffic to the nearest Walmart (20 minutes away) to get thread so that I could finish.

I entered both of my quilts in the Madison County Fair and received blue ribbons for each. I had not entered anything in the fair since I was a pre-teen in Jr. High so I felt a little silly but it was rewarding to look up at them on display for others to enjoy their unique beauty.

As I gathered my quilts to take to the fair I also decided last minute to enter a couple of my holiday runners.  They also received blue ribbons.

The pre-teen in me was very satisfied with the work I had put into each project and the ribbons for my scrapbook. I imagine Great Grandma Laws smiling in approval.

Gymnastics and Cheer

Gynmastics teams 2015

Nathan has progressed very well in tumbling and his skill level reminds me so much of Justin at age nine.  He does have the advantage of living with one of his coaches so gets extra training on the trampoline and encouragement outside of class.

We really enjoyed their recital and love their new t-shirts.  The "caution:" is real! Besides continuing to take advanced tumbling from ValaRae, Justin also co-coaches many of the other classes.

Just a little showing off before coaching the next class. . .



He has worked hard to get that!


Justin began each weekday morning at cheer practice as a new Madison cheerleader.
Following cheer practice he would head over to Airbound to coach gymnastics.

When he initially told me what his summer schedule would be I was concerned that I might be dragging him out of bed at 5:30 each morning.  However, I did not need to get him up even once.  He wasn't just up; he was cheerful!
I appreciate so much his positive and helpful attitude.

Some mornings he was finished by 10:00 and others he coached until 11-12:30. His favorite mornings consisted of a brief break to run home for Second Breakfast. He did great getting to bed at a decent time each night and was full of energy starting each new day but by the time he was home he was ready to crash on the couch or bed for a short nap and then he'd be ready for the rest of his day.

One morning he thought he could skip the nap but as he was talking to me while I was folding laundry his voice gradually got softer and he drifted off to sleep. I stood there and stared at him for a minute remembering his four years old nap routine. He would chatter and chatter at me while the older kids were in school and gradually talk himself to sleep.  I feel so blessed that he still loves to share his thoughts, dreams, frustrations and everyday details of his life with me.


Some of my favorite texts are random videos keeping me caught up on the latest tumbling tricks. Justin has to work really hard to do parkour flips and stunts because it is more style and creative than the structured and sharp tumbling that he has been trained in. He'd like to have a good balance of both in his portfolio.




During July the cheer team went to Layton, Utah for a three day cheer camp.

Of the four boys on the team, he was the only one able to do the full extension.  All those late night pull-ups in his doorway have now paid off.

Practicing this particular stunt left him with a huge shoe hickey on his collar bone and his hands were blistered from catching her in her shoes but those wounds were very minor compared to the rips and tears he used to get from the rings and parallel bars when he was training in competition gymnastics.  He likes this balance of minor wounds with major fun vs the major wounds for the minor fun.

May: Soccer and School

The boys wanted to try soccer this year.  Since none of us knew anything about soccer, Daymia and Bret taught them the basics and Justin played along as well.

After showing up to the first practice in their regular shoes I was given a crash course in cleats and shin guards and how to be a sufficient soccer mom. We each learned our parts rather quickly and every Thursday and Saturday for eight weeks we put in our time on the soccer fields. Five of those eight weeks found me wrapped up in blankets with my head covered and my eyes peeking out through the bitter winds and rains of spring while my sons ran around the fields warmed by adrenaline.

At Hyrum's first practice and game I felt like I was sitting through a glorified recess. However, within a couple of
weeks they started to work together and apply the basic techniques they were learning.

Nathan's team was a bit more organized and by the time the season came to a close they were ready to take on the parents in a scrimmage.  Nathan didn't even ask his parents to play but instead went right to Bret and Daymia.  It seemed very fitting since they had taught him how to play in the first place.

After the first few weeks of soccer Hyrum started constantly complaining about his stomach hurting and feeling like he was going to throw up.  I attributed it to nerves since he was a little cautious about going for the ball after being knocked down and smacked with the ball a couple of times (the coach's son had played for 2 previous years and was pretty aggressive). When the complaining became more frequent I took him to the doctor.  We found that he was having stomach cramps from dehydration which was likely brought on by the weather warming up so suddenly and running for an hour at a time for soccer plus all of his outside hours and surviving on his winter water habits.  We were told to simply increase his water, wear a hat and add in some electrolytes.

Then the doctor (who we had never been to before) asked about the status of his heart murmur.  I looked at him funny and didn't know how to respond. We discussed that he could hear a murmur and since it has never been looked into he recommended an EKG. The office scheduled it for the following week. The pediatric cardiologist in Boise reviewed the test and it was determined that Hyrum does have minor irregularities that we will have checked in 6 months and 1 year to observe changes as he grows unless he shows signs of breathing trouble, fainting, or fatigue before then.

Hyrum was so still and calm that the test that we were warned could take about 45 minutes only took 30. After the test he kept staring at the screen and asking questions about what he was seeing.  The tech was so great to point out chambers and valves and much that was over his head (and mine) to ease his curiosity. He giggled just a little as the screen showed two valved beating in rhythm looking as if they were clapping.

As I sat watching the technician take ultrasound pictures of his beating heart and listening to each little beat I became a teary eyed.  The last time I heard his heartbeat he was nestled under my heart and I waited in anticipation to meet him. Seeing his heart beating in real time sparked a new appreciation in me for that precious muscle and it's role in life.



The end of the school year brought another orchestra concert for Justin as well as the usual tests, essays, and projects.

His only picture from all of that was one he took while sneaking onto the roof of the school after the orchestra concert. I'm not sure how ideas like this cross a boy's mind but I'm sure it has to do with putting two boy minds together in a moment of boredom.



Nathan's class closed out the school year with a Japanese folk tale, The Terrible Leak. Under the guidance of Mrs. Ashmore the class created a village set and put on a wonderful production.

Nathan, the comical thief, and McKay, the animated wolf, stole the show. McKay's mom Katie and I shared a good laugh after the show reminiscing about our Marsh Valley days in the drama department. 


Hyrum's teacher this year came directly out of student teaching last spring to run her own classroom in the fall.  There was a great learning curve going on for her which meant that I needed to supplement Hyrum's studies a little more than usual but I appreciated her many efforts to take the suggestions of parents and grow with the needs of her class. She began the year with more interest in decorating her classroom and surrounding every subject with an owl theme but ended the year with full concern and focus on her students. To express our thanks we gave her an adorable owl pillow to go with her themed classroom.

Nathan and Hyrum also wrote a Thank You note for their individual teacher expressing
You are special to me because . . . 
What I loved most about your class this year was . . . 
My favorite thing you taught me . . . 
Thank you for . . .

From Hyrum: What I loved most about your class this year was learning how to do minuses.
From Nathan: Thank you for being my teacher, making me smarter, helping me improve my reading and writing, and being kind.

April: Scattered Showers

Another piano festival; another smoothie date.
This was the first festival where his courage conquered his shyness and he played one of his pieces on the
grand piano in the lobby. My part was to take a picture and not embarrass him with tears.

Nathan felt pretty important with his own designated parking spot.
"N for Nathan.  They knew I was coming."


Spring Has Sprung!
We consider it spring when the snow has melted enough that we can get to Mesa Falls.
We still had to rev our way through a couple of snow banks and there was still snow at the falls but it was worth it.

Yep, that is Justin with his arm around Daymia sending a little picture jealousy to Levi while he works and we play.


How to Be Adorable by Vivien and Gabor

That dimpled smile; those beautiful eyes! She looks so happy! 

And I miss her!

Walking the Plank Stage

Bret didn't want to walk the stage for graduation but with gentle persuasion from his wife, mother and 

mother-in-law he gave in and let us celebrate for him.

It was a wonderful day! Erika earned a picture with the diploma considering the many hours of homework that 

she put in for it. They make a great team! 

What will they do next? 

Bret has an internship over the summer and then their tentative plan is to move to Colorado for work.  

What's Cookin'?

It might be a little manipulative of me but when I miss my older kids I tend to make some of their favorite foods,
send out a picture text and wait for their homecoming.

The responses of
I can almost smell it. You're torturing me. 
I'll be there in 20.
Heaven is what that is!
Oh my freaking gosh! There's no way I'm missing that!
are always followed with a visit from at least two of them.

Poor Derek just responds with,
That's so not nice.  Why torture me?

Stressed? Who me?

It was suggested to me to print off some mandala pictures and try coloring for anxiety/stress relief. Once I got over the hassle of picking the "right" color scheme it wasn't too bad. Until I printed off the 2nd picture a couple of days later and suffered the same color selecting fate again. How is this stress freeing? I think I'll stick to rocking back and forth.


Effective Stress Relief

I only had him for about 30 minutes but his smile soothed my heart; his eyes lit up the day and his peaceful trusting nature was therapy from heaven.


It's Erika's Fault

She had me hosting a party for Jamberry nail wraps.  I don't do parties! (See previous picture on stress).
I give her full credit for these pretties.



A thought or two . . . 

Nathan, after running for Presidential Fitness requirements:  "I only got 9:15 because I had to run to the bathroom on the third lap.  I probably would have been under 8:30 if I just wet my pants."

They have to run it in 8:30 to get the award. Back off, Presidential Fitness!  My boy ran a mile in 9:15!

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Hyrum comes running in the house to tell me that Harrison caught and killed a mouse but didn't eat it. I asked if he touched it.

"Yeah, it was nice and fluffy."

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Hyrum: showing his new room to Spencer and explaining that the crown was broken off of his Angry Birds bank because . . .  "Nathan broke it off. Actually, I don't know if he did but I blame him."

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Why I love Primary . . .
Bro Gordon:  Why do we come to primary?
Ellie (age 3): So when we are 4 we can not pick our nose!

Sister Gardner: How can we be like Jesus?
Ellie: When we are 4 we don't hit anymore.

Birthday singing time: Ellie turns 4 in 2 days

Easter Conference Birthday Weekend

With everyone coming to house for General Conference we decided to bundle Nathan's birthday with Easter.
We had nonstop fun, laughs, learning and games.

Daymia started off the weekend with an Easter surprise for the boys.
They woke up to Easter Bunny footprints leading from their room to the baskets in the kitchen.

Daymia, Levi, Erika and Bret filled eggs the night before and were ready to hide them between conference sessions.  After munching on their basket treats during the first session they went on an egg hunt and snacked on those sweets through the second session.

There was no time to fall into a sugar coma; we had a birthday to celebrate.

Saturday started with Curry Eggs and Strawberry & Nutella Waffle Sandwiches for breakfast and another conference session.

Inbetween sessions I made Nathan's requested cookie cake and quickly frosted it before the final session started.

 The cookie easily transformed into roundabout for the roadway on the table, completing the hinted race car theme. It wasn't until I was looking through pictures after the party was over and the cookie eaten that I noticed that "birthday" had been spelled wrong.  Before all the teasing started I reminded them that "birthay" is how the little boys actually say it.  The teasing came on anyway.

Because we had been spending the whole day eating through conference sessions we decided to have simple healthy snacks (and mini donuts) for Nathan's party. To make ordinary snack appear birthday worthy we fit them into the race car theme.

He was thrilled with the new presentation of his favorite foods.  He even ate the cucumber car and tomato driver all by himself.

Using the duck race platform that Derek had built for Hyrum's birthday we raced our pull-back cars.

Nathan received a stomp rocket which was immediately put to good use for the next hour until we made him come in for cake before the older kids needed to leave.

He really concentrated on that birthday wish even long before the candles were lit.

Then Hyrum lit the candles for him and a new birthday wish was recorded in some magical birthday cloud in the heavens.

Nathan's love for vegetables and fruits goes back to his very first year.

Peas, avocado, zucchini, orange, strawberry and apple.
Also among his favorites are green beans, black beans, asparagus, kiwi, and bananas.

As I was looking through pictures I had to pause and stare at this beautiful little boy. I remember taking this picture; it seems just a few days ago.  My heart has a hard time letting him grow up but I am so proud of the young man that he is becoming, even at a tender age.

What I could say on Facebook,

but don't


There's a new baby in our neeeeeighborhood!

Sharing a property line practically makes me a proud aunt.

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I'm loving my potty breaks throughout the day.  With my bathroom window open I am blessed with a serenade of bees humming through the raspberry patch.  If more bees means an abundant crop and sweet flavor, it's going to be an amazing August!  Potty break over.

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On a hectic evening I quickly grabbed a meal from our food storage options. The picture on the package looked satisfying, even yummy, and we were all hungry.  The final product was not at all the vision of gourmet goodness displayed on the package and the flavor was disgusting! I will admit that back in my farm days I once licked a salt block before giving it to the calves.  This pale brown blob tasted similar but was worse!

The Ala King looked, tasted and smelled more like Ala Puking! Perhaps I should store salt blocks instead.

One bite and Justin choked out, I'd rather be eaten by zombies than eat that! Apparently, he believes our food storage is for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.


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Soccer for seven year olds is basically glorified recess.  I paid money to freeze through it every Saturday.

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Potty training is going great!

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I'm pretty open about my distaste for shopping.  All that wandering among hundreds and hundreds of racks to pick several hopeful garments; the taking off and putting on clothes MULTIPLE TIMES; and then the reminder that I am in my 40's and everything I have in my dressing room was meant for my body of 20 years ago; followed by the static hair and clothing burns from taking off and putting on so much fabric.  I can live without it.  But, I won't live naked (you're welcome world) so I make myself do it.

Then there is bra shopping.  I've put it off for weeks; suffering through the broken under wire that is beginning to leave it's mark on my under-boob and wishing I could stretch the band wide enough to fit my expanding body frame so that it will quit rubbing my mole raw.  It's not as simple as taking measurements and picking up the right size.  Again, it's taking off ALL my upper clothes (my skin hurts just thinking about it) and putting on an overpriced piece of fabric and fluff, dressing again, looking in the mirror to find torpedoes pointing at me and hoping when I said "where in the h&!! did those come from?" that I didn't say it out loud.  Next bra . . . clothes off, lift saggers into cups, clothes on, mirror . . . arm pit fat.  Each bra shocks me anew as I face the mirror: back fat; peaks reaching for my chin; lack of support sadly drooping to my belly.

Make. It. Stop!

I'm beginning to think fourteen year old me had it right.  Just tape them down and pretend they don't exist.

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Smitten, I am!