Art Show

Our stake is having an Evening with the Arts on Nov. 14th. I entered 4 pieces of our families art into the show. I hope the artists don't mind, since I didn't ask any of them. Anyway, I put Chris' bird, Spencer's portrait of Chris, Chris' Mom's drawing of Chris as a young cowboy, that looks like Kyle and Brandon, and His grandfather's cowboy watercolor. These have all been posted in previous posts. Kyle and Brandon have inherited this talent too, they just need to exercise it more, as does Chris. Good job everyone, they will be great in the show. Thank you!

Brave New World

Today I received a call from a friend asking me if I had read "A Brave New World". Well coming from this friend it was a strange question, so I say "No, but Should I?" She then preceded to tell me that she is now reading it, because it is required reading at the high school. Her daughter came home from school telling her that they were having a huge discussion in one of their classes today about this book. Apparently a student had come in and asked who he needed to talk to, to take the book off the required reading list. At this point I'm worried because I really have no idea what this book is even about. Then she goes on to tell me that the student who went to the teacher was my son Brandon. Wow, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it when she told me this. Apparently this book talks about teen sex and drugs. How can this be required reading for high school students? I was so proud of Brandon for speaking up for his beliefs. And even prouder because it apparently caused a big stir that it was discussed in classes afterwards. When I came home from work I asked him about it. He told me it was a horrible book and I should never read it. How kind of him to try to protect me from this book. Kyle said the teacher pulled him aside and told him about the stir that Brandon started. WAY TO GO BRANDON!!

Family Art

So while Chris has been gone this time, I've been busy with his paintings that he's been wanting to get framed. I finally took them to get them framed at Michael's and their 60% off custom framing. First I did the bird in the previous post. Then I took his portrait that his brother painted to get it framed and his grandfather's painting of cowboys too. I will admit I was not a fan of the cowboys. I had no clue where we would be able to hang it. However, once we (Linda Warner helped me pick the mats and frame) got it framed it looks totally awesome. Now it is hanging in my family room, and it looks great. I had a hard time finding a place for Chris's portrait that would be seen well. Our problem was we didn't really have anymore walls big enough, or they were too big. I decided to put it in the dining room. Figured if I hung a mirror on the other wall it could be seen from the kitchen. Was hoping it would from the front door too, but wrong angle I guess. Hope he likes it when he gets home. Just over one month now. What do you think?

The Wall

I've had this idea in my mind for a while now. I've been purchasing frames and shelves and other items over time to add to it. I am so excited to finally get it up and see in person what's been in my mind for so long. Thanks Andrea for helping me get it there!! Now it's complete... What do you think??



Chris comes from a family of artists as you have seen in other posts I have done. Well, I finally got Chris' picture that he drew framed. Think he'll like it?

Hurt

It's pretty sad when your family has a reputation of getting hurt. Of course with a maiden name of HURT it comes to be expected. First me, with several broken arms and 3 surgeries for torn cartilage and ended up having a bone removed. My right arm has been in a cast 7 times for different things. I should be left handed by now. And, reconstructive surgery on my ankle, and various other injuries. Ryan, then carried on the tradition with his 2 broken elbows, displaced finger, dislocated shoulder, and a badly broken wrist. Then there's Kyle, who broke his leg last year, almost had to have surgery on it because his break had the ACL attached to it. Thank goodness, they were able to set it without the surgery. Now, Brandon is continuing the tradition. While camping Memorial weekend, he was playing on the playground you see behind him. Jumping from some tires behind his left shoulder to a zip line above his head (not shown). Got the momentum going and fell off landing on his rear with his arm behind him breaking it in 3 places. They had to put him under to finish breaking one bone so it could be set. Doesn't he look a little green? He really did look green, it's not just the picture.

How is it Chris only seems to get scrapes and cuts??

Brandon

Well, in tradition of birthdays... Brandon's birthday is today, May 2nd. So here are 15 things about him:

1. He started off being impatient, wanting to come out too quickly and I had to hold him in until antibiotics took effect so he wouldn't get strep.
2. Always been a talker. Even when no one understood a word he was saying except Kyle.
3. He wants everyone to love him.
4. He's good with kids.
5. He's very smart, just doesn't always show it.
6. He's a lot of fun.
7. Comes up with some crazy ideas.
8. He use to love putting my hair in his face when he was upset. Probably still would if I could handle it.
9. He likes hoops.
10. He loves his big bro.
11. He likes to use words he thinks make him cool. Like hoops, bro. and calls his dad Fabio.
12. He's getting pretty close to earning his Eagle.
13. He wants to make everyone happy.
14. He's very social.
15. Great member of our family and we all love him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!!!

Well, I did it...

I actually went walking/running this morning. I am doing the program that Andrea introduced me to. Only, this time I am doing it with Shaulane Brower (sp?) I think I'm going to die!! Good thing there are these nasty pictures of me out there. They are my inspiration. I'm going to try to get back to where I was a couple of years ago. I can do it, I just need to try to do it without paying for a gym membership. That's the hard part. I want to lose at least 15 before our camping trip Memorial weekend. Do you have good exercise or diet tips?? I need all the help I can get so please comment...

Let's try this again!

OK, I know have been very bad at keeping up with this blog thing. However, with Chris leaving for Iraq again in July I have to try to get in the habit at keeping this up again. So, if you don't see anything from me after a while get on my case. Ryan is now out at college at BYU-Idaho. I'm glad he's at school, hopefully he'll concentrate on school for a while instead of girls. I don't care if he goes out with them, I just want him to make school a priority right now while he's getting started. My brother thinks he'll be married by the end of the year. And, if Ryan has his way it could be as soon as July 25th or 26th. The day after he gets home from school for break and the day before his dad leaves for Iraq. I would absolutely die if that were the case. Anyway, I don't want to keep this long, but a friend's daughter has set up a blog where she tries out recipes and posts them and the results on her blog. A lot of these recipes totally reminded me of Andrea, I think she in particular would love them. But you all might like them too. But Andrea, when you try these recipes (and I know you will) I want a taste!!! And vice versa. Here's the link http://ahintofhoney.blogspot.com/

Feeling Old

OK so it's official. I am now feeling old. I became a "great aunt" recently. My niece had a baby girl. Avery Michelle Norton. She is so cute and has a ton of hair. But something about a title with the word "great" in it makes me feel old. I don't think I remember my great aunts without gray hair so it should be an old thing. Guess it's time to go buy some hair color just to make sure I get all grays covered.


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1803726&id=549306675

Who is that kid?

Do you ever have those moments as a parent where you look at your child and wonder if he's the child you raised? I look at Ryan and he looks like Ryan, but there are moments that he totally blows me away and I have to wonder if it is him. Last night we were invited to the High Council meeting where Ryan gave his mission report. I just kept looking at him in awe as to how awesome he has grown to be. I know we raised him, he has always been good at giving talks on spur of the moment and active in church and had a strong testimony. But, to listen to him speak in front of all of those great spiritual men I was in awe. I guess that's when I realized we weren't the only ones that raised him. He's had great teachers, friends, leaders, mission companions and president and many others to help him along the way. And now we have this return missionary with a great testimony and understanding of the Gospel. You listen to him and just feel like you are in the presence of a future teacher, bishop, stake president, mission leader, maybe even higher, apostle, who knows maybe a prophet. We are very blessed to have Ryan home and with our family again, and he has grown so much on his mission.

Misc. about England

Hotels we stayed at
Wychnor Park Country Club
Recommend this one highly. It was lovely.
Notting Hill Gate Hotel
Was not thrilled with this one. Very small, neighbors were smokers and you could hear everything from their rooms.


Grateful for
The Mace Family
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2144768&id=585300796
An awesome family who went above and beyond to make our trip more enjoyable. Thank you Mace Family!
Tomtom (GPS)
the curbs that tell you which way to look when crossing the street.
Wychnor Hotel for making sure we were fed on Christmas day

England Day 8

Well, today we had to leave. First, we had to skip breakfast because the hotel's breakfast was late due to the New Year. So, we couldn't wait and had to leave for the tube with intentions of grabbing something at the airport. Well, there were a few delays on the train due to some problems with the signals at terminal 5. Caused problems further down the track. So, we got to the airport where the lines were super long. Our flight was due to close in the next 10 minutes and we still hadn't checked in. They finally called our flight to a different line to check in for this reason. After we finally got checked in we practically had to run to the gate. But we made it. The flight was long, but an hour shorter than scheduled. Thank goodness. I was starting to panic about that though because we had asked people to meet us at the airport to welcome Ryan home since that was what he was missing by us going to London. Luckily we have good friends that were checking on our flights and notified those that were going to be going. As soon as we landed I turned on my cell phone and there was a text from Andrea saying they had just seen our plane and were on their way and would be there shortly. I was instantly relieved, especially when she told me that everyone had been notified. She and I kept in contact letting her know where in the process of customs we were, which was pretty quick. And she let me know when everyone was there. As we were walking out we let Ryan walk out first. He was surprised when all of these people started yelling for him. He really did appreciate it though. Thanks to all who came. We appreciated it too. The Kunz family had driven our car to the airport so we could drive straight to the Stake Center where Ryan was released. I know he had mixed feelings about being released. We stopped at Arby's to pick up dinner. This is what he wanted, he really missed it. As soon as we got home he actually wanted to change, That's when I knew things would be normal. We had visitors that night and he ended up going to their house where they played Guitar Hero World Tour. I think he just watched though. But, he did go out yesterday with someone all day. Life is back to normal.

England Day 7 part 2

Prior to going to England, Ryan had recommended I contact a couple of his contacts so he could hopefully see them one more time. Well I had originally had difficulties getting hold of them. But, about a week before we were leaving I finally got a hold of them by email. We had arranged to meet both of them in London at Trafalgar Square at 1. We spent most of the rest of the day with them. Talk about crazy, trying to see London in a day. Ha. It was freezing cold. Thank goodness for long underwear and coats and gloves. After meeting up with Chris and Lisa (they had never met before this) we walked to The London Eye. Where they had just sold out, so we didn't get to go on it. Oh well, next time I guess. We then walked to Buckingham Palace. It's pretty spectacular. All of the gold filigree everywhere. Watched the guards stand there. We decided that would be a boring job. Could you imagine just standing there forever with people constantly watching you? We then got ont he tube to The London Bridge, which looks at the Memorial Bridge which was much prettier. Then we walked over to the London Tower. Pretty expensive to get into and we only had 1 hour before it closed so we decided not to go in. But, the outside was pretty. After that, we got back on the tube to go to Oxford St. for some shopping. It was packed with people. Guess it was rush hour on New Years eve. We stayed there a while. Lisa had to leave us at that point. Chris came with us to dinner at Garfunkel's. We had the slowest service there. But, the food was good. After this we got back on the tube to head back to the hotel. This is where Chris left us to head to a YSA dance at Hyde Park. We did a little souvenir shopping before heading to the hotel. We decided we were too tired to go out to watch the fireworks for New Years. Which would have been exciting. We stayed in and had a lot of fun playing Apples to Apples. Good thing we didn't go anywhere because it was hard enough getting up the next morning for the plane. Anyway, we had a great time getting to know Chris and Lisa. They are both active in the Church and have great testimonies. Chris is about to receive his patriarchal blessing and looking forward to the temple. They were so awesome.

Dr. Who Day 7 Part 1

I'm breaking day 7 into 2 parts. During the time we were deciding on things that we wanted to do while in England I had googled Dr. Who, one of my families favorite shows. Especially the male species in the family. Anyway, when I googled it I found they were having an exhibit in London while we were going to be there. So, when it was mentioned my son got so excited that was the main attraction for him. Are we a nerdy family or what?? Here is our experience there. And so you know, Ryan felt really awkward here. He doesn't know anything about the show and hasn't watched any TV for 2 years and wouldn't let us watch TV when he was with us.