Prom!

This year for prom, Sage went with Zach Scott, and Jessica went with Joey Logan. I just wanted to post some fun pictures they took, they can tell you all the details of their dates later.

Another Track Meet

Today Grantsville High School ran against Logan. Jessica ran in 4 events. She came in 2nd place in the mile. She has started running the 300M hurdles, she's actually pretty good. She has taken 1st place in that race for the past 3 meets. She also ran the 800M in the medley relay, she was about 100M ahead of the 2nd place girl. Her last event was the 4X400M relay, her team took 2nd place. Overall it was a fun day. On Friday she is participating in a 24 hour run. They start at 2:00pm on Friday and go til Saturday at the same time. It's something she really looks forward to each year.

Welcome Spring!

Don't you just love springtime? It has been really cold these past few weeks, but my tulips and dafodils are blooming, the grass is turning green, and my yard is FULL of birds. They are all gathering twigs, straw and miscellaneous things to build their nests. As they say in "Bambi" they're all twitterpated! I hear birds chirping all the time; front yard, back yard, and especially on my chimney! I have been able to hear baby birds after they have hatched on my chimney for the past 7 years. I just love it; Finches, Sparrows, Robins, Swallows(thankfully not on my house yet), and Killdeer. I started my garden early this year, I planted peas, broccoli, and cabbage already. I say I like fall better than springtime, but it's only because of the gnats out here. This year we haven't seen them yet, I'm kind of liking spring...

She's here!

Steve's brother Adam and his wife Caitlyn just had their baby yesterday! Steve and I got to go see her today, what a doll! Her name is Zoe Noel, she was 7lbs 8oz and 21 inches long. She is so pretty. We took pictures on Steve's cell phone, they aren't as clear as I would like, but I'm happy to have them. We took one of Catie holding Zoe, but it wasn't there when I downloaded the pictures, I'm not sure where it went. Catie looks great! They just moved into a new home, I'm sure they are anxious to get Zoe home.

I'm starting to get a complex, for the past few months, my niece Mallory has called me Grandma. Today in the hospital, Steve and I were in the elevator on our way up to the maternity ward. A man and his son were in the elevator with us. The man turned to us and said, "You two look like first time grandparents!" WOW, that was a first from an adult! I'm thinking about botox... what do you think?

Clean Freak!

Jamie came out last week with mom, and put together a cleaning program for me. I have to say I LOVE it!! I think Steve loves it too. My house stays clean, and I have been doing the deep cleaning chores that I NEVER get around to doing. I seem to have a lot more time to do the things I WANT to do. Erin came over yesterday and helped me fix my disposal that has been broken for over a month, fix a drawer that has been broken for over 2 years, and change out a light that has been ugly since I moved here 7 years ago. Thanks ladies, you're great!

Tagged!

Thanks Molly - I liked reading yours!

Rules:
A. Post the rules
B. Answer all the questions about yourself
C. After you are done posting, tag 5 people

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? Raising 4 cute kids ages 8, 6, 4, and 1, stay at home mom, Primary President
2. Five things on your to do list today- Clean house, shop, go to a wedding reception, address graduation announcements, update blog. (sorry it's been a while)
3. Snacks I enjoy- Doritos, potato chips
4. What would I do if suddenly I were a billionaire? pass out... pay tithing, pay off all debt, buy some cool Christmas gifts for everyone
5. 3 bad habits- I pop my knuckles, teeth clenching at night, stay up too late... always!
6. 5 places I've lived- Grantsville, Tooele, and Salt Lake City UT, Aurora Co, and Kent WA
7. 5 jobs I've had- Secretary, Family History Clerk, daycare, janitor, and Customer Service Rep
8. 5 things people don't know about me- I hate these... I don't know what you know... I hate to shop, I stress out every time I go. I hate selling things to people, I find a million reasons why they shouldn't buy it, and I tell them. I'm scared of mice and snakes (this counts for 2 things). I hate LAGOON... used to love it, but every ride makes me sick, even the kiddie rides.

I tag Mom, Jamie, Erin, Tera, and Casi

Grandpa Dickson's 90th birthday

So in December I decided that a 90th birthday should be marked with something special. I decided to make a memory quilt for Grandpa Dickson. My mom helped me, I mostly just did the sewing. We contacted my mom's brothers and sister, and their kids, and had them send a picture of them and their immediate families. I wanted to represent all 5 kids, 31 grandchildren, and 90 great-grand children. I was pretty happy with the pictures I got, I was only missing 2 people. Grandpa said that there are still 6 more great-grandchildren on the way, which means by the first part of 2009 they will have 96 great-grandchildren...AMAZING!

Uncle Roy and Aunt Karen reserved their church house in Orem, and spread the news that we were going to celebrate Grandpa's birthday on the Monday night after General Conference.We got together, and had a potluck dinner. I presented the quilt. Uncle Jack and Aunt Delores had a photo presentation that was really neat. Mom and Jamie had put together a timeline that showed interesting things that had happened from 1918 to 2008. Everything from international news, to national news, to LDS church news, to Grandpa's life. They printed it off, and gave out copies to all of Grandpa's kids. Then mom presented him with a journal that she had found that Grandpa wrote in before he was married, and Grandma wrote in after they were married. She transcribed it, and attached pictures that went along with it. It was such a lot of work for her, but really worth it. She made copies for all of us kids, I will definately cherish it. I forgot to take my camera to Grandpa's party, I'm attaching a picture mom emailed me.

Which Austen Heroine are you?

You Are...Elinor Dashwood!

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see.

I love this quiz! I love Jane Austen. Thanks Victoria for the fun link!

Welcome Family!

After General Conference on Sunday night I invited my family to come over for dinner. My mom and sister, Jamie were in town, and it was fun to see everyone else. The only siblings that were unable to be with us were David, and Thad. And of course dad wasn't able to be there. Thanks for a fun evening everyone!

General Conference

I sure enjoyed listening to General Conference last weekend. It was fun to take part in the Solemn Assembly, and sustain a new Prophet of the church. We were able to hear it on the radio while driving to Jessica's track meet in Delta, what a blessing it is to live in a time when it's so easy to hear from our church leadership. Sunday was really nice too. My kids are older, and listened so quietly, I can't wait to receive the next Ensign and read the talks over again. I was sent this picture of the new first presidency, and really love it.

Survey

1. What is your occupation? Mom, Admin assistant
2. What is the color of your socks now? tie dyed, white, orange, yellow, and red
3. What are you listening to right now? My house is silent, occasional office noise from Steve
4. What was the last thing you ate? Doritos
5. Can you drive a stick shift? yup
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? yellow
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? A woman from Arkansas, calling President Collings???
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes
9. How old are you today? 38
10. Favorite drink? water
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Basketball, football, track
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? yes
13. Pets? one horse
14. Favorite food? Italian, pasta dishes
15. Last movie you watched? Enchanted, we bought it for FHE
16. Favorite Day of the year? Christmas
17. What do you do to vent anger? Call someone and VENT, clean house
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? Bonnie Blue eyes
19. What is your favorite season? Fall (used to be spring until I experienced the gnats in Grantsville, April and May)
20. Hugs or kisses? hugs
21. Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry
22. You want your friends to email you back? Yes
23. Who is most likely to respond?
24. Who is least likely to respond? Jamie, I'm responding to her
25. When was the last time you cried? Tuesday, I smashed my thumb, I think I cried.
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? My sister Jamie. it's been 38 1/2 years. lol
30. Favorite Smells? any fresh flowers, babies, Erin's laundry detergent!
31. Who inspires you? My Parents, My husband, My kids, My brothers and sisters
32. What are you afraid of? Falling
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese
34. Favorite car? I would love a hybrid, not sure if it's my favorite yet.
35. Favorite cat breed? none
36. Number of keys on your key ring? 2
37. How many years at your current job? I think 6 years
38. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
39. How many states have you lived in? three
40. Do you think you're funny? I try, but fail mostly
41. Favorite past time? Reading

Smile!!

Grantsville 5K

Jessica and I ran the Grantsville 5K today. Jessica took 1st overall in the women, at 23 minutes. I took first in my age group, I think there were only two of us running... I ran it in 31 minutes. It was a fun day

First Track Meet of the Season

Sage's Race.

Sage and Zach before the race.
Sage ran the 800 meters and the mile. I think she really enjoys track. She used to run cross country, this is a little bit different, but lots of fun.

A hug before the meet

This is Phillip, the missionary Jessica has been dating.

Jessica and Phillip

Just before the race, HI JESSICA!

Great form!

She's so fast!

Jessica ran the mile, the 4X100 relay, the 800 meters, and the 4X400 relay. She won the first 3 races, and came from behind in the last race (the relay), she helped her team go from last place to second place. I think she's feeling really good this year.

HAPPY EASTER!

This first picture is me, Jess, and Steve next to the daffodils that Great Grandpa Collings gave us for Easter. I can't believe he already has so many blooming.

You know, Easter changes as the kids get older. The Easter Bunny hasn't visited us for a few years, the kids have slowly stopped going to community Easter egg hunts, and life is almost normal. We really enjoy getting together with family, but today, Easter Sunday, we had a very calm, relaxing day. We went to church like usual on Sunday, and after church decided we couldn't let Easter go by without decorating eggs. So the kids and I used egg dye, google eyes, pom poms, and glitter glue and made some pretty cute eggs. It's really nice not having to help anyone, I actually made a few of my own. Stevie hid the eggs for Conner while Jessica took a nap, and Kaylea took a bath. Then we had dinner and watched "The Work and the Glory" 1 and 2.

Dad was encouraged by Elder Price, the Area Authority Seventy in this area, to bring the family together, and talk with them about the special things he and I got to experience when Steve was called as the Stake President, then he encouraged him to give each of us a blessing. We had a nice Family Home Evening, I think the kids really appreciated the things that were taught. It kind of ended Easter on a spiritual note.

Jessica was invited to spend the evening with Phillip Young and his family. He is the RM Jessica has been dating. Dad had 2 missionaries to set apart this evening, which he really enjoys. All in all it was a really nice Easter.

Collings Easter Party

We just got back from a family Easter party at Steve's parents house. Steve and I picked up his Grandparents, Fred and LoaJean. It was such a nice afternoon. We were able to catch up on everything everyone is up to. Marc and Victoria's family, and Adam were missing, we were sorry we didn't get to see them, but it was fun seeing everyone else. Steve and Jessica both had to work today, so they didn't make it either. The kids got to have an Easter egg hunt, and played a balloon game. They had a lot of fun playing on the swing set, and passing the football around in the back yard. I got a lot of really cute pictures! Actually Kaylea took most of them, she should be a photographer.

Conner's first stitches

It's hard to believe, with as much energy as Conner has, he has never had stitches...until now. We are right in the middle of spring break, which means my kids stay up much later than me. Apparently, Conner was jumping on his bed at about 10:30 last night, came down on the floor, and knelt on a piece of glass. The glass was a piece of broken light bulb. I'm not sure how long it has been there. Well, he came upstairs and got band-aids out of the first aid kit. Two band-aids couldn't stop the bleeding, so he came to me. It was obviously too deep to just put a band-aid on, so Conner and I took a trip to the emergency room. He is very proud of his new battle scar.

This is my kids favorite video

Hockey Tournament

Tonight for Family Home Evening we decided to have an air hockey tournament. We had an amazing time, and in the end found out that Dad is the ultimate air hockey champion! Here were the standings as of 8:00 tonight. Dad in first, followed by Steve, Conner, Jessica, Mom, and Kaylea took up the rear. She is actually pretty good, but didn't have a lot of motivation tonight. Family isn't always the funnest to hang out with, but Kaylea was our photographer, and she got a lot of intense pictures. This is our family with our HOCKEY faces on!