Randon took Kelcie, Karlie and Morgan on a 4X4 trip to Bulldog Canyon. 

Where he got on a rock that tipped him.

The funniest part of this story is that when our friend Cliff, who was riding in his own jeep on the trip, came to “save” Kelcie she was practically hysterical.  However, she was not hysterical out of fear, she was laughing her head off and Morgan said “lets do it again!”  They are definately their father’s daughters!  I am glad that I stayed home with the 3 younger kids.

Another big January event (just in case there is anyone in the world I haven’t already told, doubtful): my sister Lisa and Charles welcomed baby Chase into the world.

Michelle captured here deboning a chicken! She is so amazing, this past week she has been working on finals for this semester, I am so impressed she has done a spectacular job! She spent two semesters on her honors project, The Anatomy of Happiness. She put together a twenty five page report and an excellent PowerPoint presentation. She received an A+++ 100%! Today she found out that she has a 94% in her intermediate algebra! She was sorely afraid that this class would bring her 4.0 grade point down so she kicked it in high gear, studied like mad and pulled it off! She had two other classes which she did exceptionally well in but I don’t want to rant on. Congratulations My Love, you are amazing!

Irises in bloom

Beauty, but you

are more lovely.

I remember

loving you

belonging with you.

“Love,” you would say.

Seasons

of play.

Fishing, snowing, baking

together.

 Winter

came too soon.

But, I still see you

in the spring.

Enduring.

Forever, you smile at me

and I see

people in your face.

People

I love.

     Though miles away.

How I wished that it was more

     than just a haunting memory.

But, that would be asking you to be

     something you’re not.

Can’t get blood from a turnip

     they always say.

But, you’re there.

     Even when I don’t want you to be.

We’ve all had one of those awkward moments where we really don’t know what to do with the experience we are living.  Reflecting back to those awkward, cataclysmic moments we see how the stars must have been moving us towards that particular moment for some time before its unfolding.  Taking thier time, arranging everything perfectly so that when time and circumstance finally line up, the scene bursts into being like a force of nature for which we are helpless against.

Caught off gaurd, we find ourselves an observer, watching the unavoidable run its course.  Anything we do, or don’t do, only adds to the disaster;  there is nothing you can do to prevent it.  So, there you sit perched up in a tree somewhere, watching yourself frame by frame.

What a bizzare place! 

Our family took a trip out to Oracle yesterday with my honors group to have a tour of the Biosphere 2. 

My impressions:  It was so much smaller than I had pictured in my head.  200+ million dollars to build this thing, seems like a lot of good could have been done towards some other cause (but, that is just me).  There is not a chance in Hades that I would EVER live in one of these, here or on some other planet; ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!  I will stay on planet earth, thank you ever so much.

Our guide said something that really stuck with me.  We can try to mimic nature but we cannot duplicate it; it is too complex.  Even with the greatest minds all working together, we can try but we cannot duplicate nature.  Thank you, another testimony of God, our father and creator.

Now, our children, on the other hand, would love to live in the biosphere.  Crazy kids!!  I thought it was great how it sparked thier imagination.  Scott especially loves science which made it fun to watch him here make connections and putting things together that he learned there and that he had learned at school.

He also worked to earn a new hatchet to bring along with him.  This must be a male thing, if there is any tool, even if they really don’t need it, they MUST have it; to complete the experience, I guess.

They went to the section of the trail near Maricopa.  They camped out on Friday night.  I am not super clear on the details of this next little oddity, I will just let the picture speak:

And I should say that no, this is not normal camping behavior, in my experience (and perhaps is a tiny part of why I hate camping).  I, unlike my husband, cannot cause a mattress to come along for the camping experience.  The Gardner family brought this for him, from what I understand.  He said he slept really well on it too.  (Thanks Bob for capturing this priceless bit of camping eccentricity.  And thanks Gardners for being so lavish with your bishop.  He did enjoy it.)

Our troop worked hard restoring the trail on Saturday.  (Ethan aka Sunny, pictured here hard at work.  Courtesy of Bob Gray photography.)

They hauled out two heaping truck loads, as you see above, of old tires and trash that was dumped in the desert.  (This photo also courtesy of Bob.) 

Scott went on and on about the Mormon Batallion Soldiers who came through that evening to talk to them about the history of the trail.  They carried working replica black powder guns which they shot off for the boys. 

Scott’s first official Scout campout was really fun, something he will always remember, I am sure.

(From the left to right, back row: Jacob, Uncle Joe, Aunt Gwen, Michelle, Lorna (Jakes new and recently deceased wife), and Morgan.  From left to right front row:  Addi, Charis, Joey and Scott.)

My cousins Bill and Sandi threw a Halloween costume party for thier two little girls, Kimmie and Annie.  It was so much fun!   (Thanks Sandi and Bill!)

They fed us:

They entertained us, and stuffed us full of cupcakes and cookies, yum!  (Sandi makes the absolute best sugar cookie, ever, I had to take some home with us.)

And differences were put aside for the night, as you can see by the fuzz (our Scott) sitting right next to a well known Mafiosi (Joey Gatti). 

And me and Teresa.

You can find pictures of the birthday girls and family at Bill and Sandi’s Blog (<– by clicking here).

Their birthday really felt like a holiday this year because Daddy took the day off and we took the whole family to lunch to celebrate:

Then, we had a party with friends the next night:

Pierce and Darin played the piano for us.  They both are very accomplished pianists.  It was really fun to hear all of the pop songs that Pierce has memorized.  To quote Kelcie “he is AMAAZINGG!!!”  He played everything from “Clocks” by Coldplay to “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. 

(I love this picture Kelcie took mid key.)

The kids also played games and just goofed off.  It was tons of fun!

Um…Scott, you might want to get that buddy.  You’re losing your eyeball.