What a little time will do

Today we carved pumpkins. A great Sunday activity if you asked me. As I helped the kids with the activity my mind wandered back a few months...

...to when Halley began school. Here is a picture on the school bus. I remember walking Lindsay to that same school bus, with the same Mrs. Rose as a bus driver. I was pregnant with Evan and Halley was a difficult toddler. I couldn't even imagine the day when it would be her turn to climb on that same big, yellow, bus.

As I gaze at this picture my heart can scarcely remember when this very bright child would drive me to tears with her head strong ways. She knew what she wanted and she could hold out as long as it would take to get it. My mom used to tell me that she will probably need that determination later in life to remain true to her beliefs. I would cling to that...because sometimes it was all I could understand. She is now such a joy to have around. I miss her when she is gone, and can't wait for her to come back. She comes home with such tales of adventure like trips to the Farm with Mr. Bill the bus driver, and to make the "TH" sound you think of Thadius Thickknees, and the life cycle of a pumpkin. I love to see how much she wants to read during scripture study because a world of jumbled letters has now opened a door for her to climb in. I love to hear her quote movies and try to stump me....happens a lot...and every few nights when she can't quite make it until dawn in a bed by herself she tiptoes in and snuggles by my feet...(because she knows if she climbs in by our heads daddy will have her sleep on the floor.)

I am amazed what a few years will do to change a life, or a perspective. I have learned in Motherhood to squeeze every ounce of joy from where you are because soon you won't be there any more. As we carved pumpkins tonight and the craziness that ensued I had a flash forward to a time when there would be no more little hands wanting to scoop pumpkin goop out with a spoon and no more giggling at the sight of brightly lit pumpkin faces in the moonlight. Treasures I now keep.

Hawaiian Addendum

It is inexcusable for me to exclude one of the most exciting things I have ever done. On the first day of our Hawaiian adventure we went diving at night with Manta Rays. In the hour or so we were in the water we had at least 10 of these hugh creatures swim past us -- sometimes so close they skimmed across our stomachs. It was unbelievably exciting and a great introduction for Jeanne to prepare her for "swimming with fishes". Although a member of the shark family, Manta Rays have no stinger and no teeth. We had to remind ourselves of that frequently when one of those monsters came swimming towards us.

Aloha to Hawaii

Whereas we didn't take much time for swimming, the world-class beaches and amazing waves were unbelievable.

We visited the memorial to the servicemen who lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack. It was moving to think of how close to our shores the attack came, and how many unsuspecting servicemen still lie at the bottom of the harbor.

This is the battleship Missouri. It has been deactivated since Desert Storm in which it fired the first volleys. It is more renowned as being the site where the Japanese surrender took place when WWII came to an end. It is docked in Pearl Harbor adjacent the the USS Arizona memorial.

Before leaving Ouahu we visited Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. This sunset scene was taken from there.

In Kauai we were driven to the highest lookout in Waimea Canyon, and then biked the 17 mile distance to the bottom. It was all down hill, and a nail biter at times. Mark burned out his brakes and had to get a replacement bike.

Perhaps the most impressive sight we saw on our trip was the cliffs at the Napali Coast. We paralleled this coast in a catamaran for 19 miles of the most beautiful scenery I can imagine. Many movie scenes have been filmed in or around these cliffs. They are the second highest in the world -- topped only by the cliffs of Molokai, the next island south of here.

This picture was taken during our catamaran cruise of the Napali Coast.

Jeanne had to make sure we all ate enough fruit -- here seen raiding a banana tree. The fresh fruit here was to die for. We had no problem satisfying our nutritional needs.

I have never seen a more beautiful golf course. How would you ever concentrate on your game. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to find out.

One more lighthouse before heading home. Leaving Paradise was not easy -- especially knowing we were going back to October in Petersburg.

This last glimpse of Oahu was shot from the plane on the way home. You can see Diamond Head very clearly at the bottom of the picture.

More from Hawaii

This is our time-share condo in Oahu (the taller one). We were on the 11th floor, overlooking the ocean. There were interesting fish for snorkeling and great waves for just watching and listening to the ocean.

We decided that the Oahu Temple would be a good place to watch General Conference. We found a room full of missionaries in the visitor's center and joined them for the broadcast.

The Polynesian Culture Center was marvelous. Costumes, characteristics and customs from five Polynesian nations were explained and displayed.

There was beautiful dancing from various Polynesian nations as well.

The ocean was 78 degrees and waves like I have never seen before.
We went snorkeling with manta rays and scuba diving in world class coves.

We posed for a picture at a luau where we honored with lies. The food was all Hawaiian, and I found nothing I didn't enjoy -- except perhaps the poi.

Blue Hawaii -- First couple of days

Here is Jeanne hard at work at the time-share condo Uncle Ron made available for us. This posh house has three huge bedrooms, with all the amenities, and we have found ourselves so busy seeing the sights that we haven't even tried the pool yet.

After off-loading all our luggage we hurried back to the airport to pick up Mark and Cindy. Then it was off to the dive-shop to experience what it is like to dive at night with manta rays. No pictures here in the blog, but we have an unbelievable video to share later.

Day two included volcano observation. Here we are strolling through a lava tube -- luckily there was no lava flowing at the time. We hiked on, and around, and down into calderas and other volcanic structures the better part of the day.

The following day we decided to observe the volcanoes from a more lofty point of view. We chartered a helicopter. This is one of many falls visable during the flight to the caldera of Mauna Kea.

While flying over the caldera our pilot spotted a new run-off into the ocean. We flew over to check it out and saw this. Lava flow into the Pacific starts and stops unpredictably. We were lucky enough to have one start-up while we were in the air. It was pretty spectacular.

This picture was taken enroute to a botanical garden that was labled a "Must See" on our tour book. There is not enough room on this blog for all the pictures taken of orchids and other tropical flowers and vegitation.

The quick walk through the botanical gardens took a couple of hours. It was kind of like the Garden of Eden -- only with clothing.

Just before sunset (which, by the way, occurs at about 6:30 when you are this far south) we visited Akaka Falls. This is the tallest falls in Hawaii, falling an impressive 450 feet. We felt like we were in Jurrasic Park. By the way, we were not far from where much of it was filmed.

More later . . . . . . .

I'm cool 'cause I'm related

I wanted to post a pic of my cousin but the only one I have is when we were 10 and we were totally decked in my Grandma's clothes and jewelry posing as what else but Charlie's Angels. When we would play Charlie's Angels my cousin insisted that she get to be Kelly Garrett (aka Jaclyn Smith) because her name is Kelly. I agreed to it but secretly inside I was still Kelly because our first real names were the same. Anyhoo, I posted the next best thing and that is a pic of her flower boxes which I want to copy...someday.

If you haven't guessed this post is about my very cool, very hip cousin, Kelly Sansom. As kids we only got to see each other once or twice a year because we lived in California and then Oregon and she lived in Utah. But that didn't seem to matter because as soon as we got to Utah (okay I usually waited a day.... or a half hour because I didn't want to hurt my Grandma's feelings) I would call her and then spend the next two nights at her house. She had a cool room because it was all hers, she didn't have to share, and she had that cool poster of Rob Lowe hanging in her room. I know what you're thinking....she was an upstanding LDS girl, she faithfully put up a post-it to cover up his cigarette. I would live vicariously through her boyfriend stories, because she always had a boyfriend and an ex...I always had neither.

I write this post because technology has made it possible for me to get reacquainted with her in ways that distance normally negates. She has a blog which she shares with others not only her quirky thoughts and feelings but also her amazing gifts and talents. She has a lot of very fun ,very yummy, recipes. And through reading her blog I found that she makes pretty things and sells them...check it out!! If I had to choose a favorite...hmmm I would have to choose three. Triple threat because they say "I'm here and I'm ready to have fun" something I try to live by. Next would be Be a Blessing because it reminds me of what Sis. Kimball said "Never Suppress a Generous Thought" which after Saturday's R.S. Meeting is a new favorite motto. Last I would choose The Light Within because that is my whole point of this blog. I have gotten to know her in ways that I never would have normally because of our distance. She has tried a lot of things and has perfected many. I am sure she has had her fair share of crappy dinners, and lame looking crafts. She would probably be the first to admit it. But she has not given up on trying, and I have benefited by what gifts she has shared by finding the light within. I admired that from afar and thought "Hey, I'm related maybe I have some of that mojo in my corner. I do, but it is different. I have a light within because I am a Child of the same Heavenly Father. Not just because we each have a piece of Frank and Relda Bringhurst in us....although it doesn't hurt ;)

This post was long, sorry, I hope it has ignited a spark to look with in yourself and find that little something that could turn into a big something if you give it a chance. If not...so you won't think reading this was a big, fat waste of time, go to her blog, try her couscous and you'll thank me...and if you make it for other people, tell them I gave you the recipe!

Happy Birthday Beckett and Evan

This picture still makes me laugh at my sister's neurosis. Juliet had just mopped the floor when someone spilled a can of bacon grease. She was fried (haha) and while she was cleaning up, G-rat walked right through it. She had W pick him up and carry to be washed in the sink....only to have him walk through it again. Mind you, there is a lot of kaos going on because of the upcoming baptism/birthday party. I come into the kitchen and walk through it as well. She didn't take to that kindly and picked me up and carried me to the sink while yelling for someone to take a picture and to come clean my feet. This picture is "G" rated the one I didn't post isn't. Pretty sure there were some obscenities being thrown around...won't tell you by whom...will I purple?

Is that the look of a happy birthday boy or what. Love you Bucket!

Evan was so thrilled to get a Cars coloring book, a Lightning McQueen and a Cars shoe box that it was wrapped in. A guy couldn't be happier.

And speaking of happy. Miyakawa cousins surprised us and showed up 30 minutes before the baptism. How we love our cousins!

L.J.'s Baptism

If you ask her, this day took forever to come. If you ask me she still seems three. It comes as no surprise to my kids that I hate that they are growing up. Anytime anyone asks Halley about kindergarten and being such a big girl she says "Quiet!, We can't talk about it in front of my Mom, it makes her sad". What I am grateful for is the choices my kids are making as they do grow older.

Lindsay was baptized along with three of her classmates; Leilani, Emma, and Dallin who they are watching get baptized now.

Look how they are beaming. That is what it looks like when a child enters into the waters of baptism and takes upon them certain covenants or promises that they make to their Father in Heaven. That is the joy that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring into your life.

Here is the group of family members that made it to the baptism. How lucky we are to have such a wonderful family.

Too close for comfort

Shane came home at lunchtime to take Spencer out for his birthday. Saturday was the day but he was still convalescing from strep throat and Shane didn't want to leave me as I had just had my tonsils removed. We noticed black smoke pouring from over the hilltop a little too close to where we live. Our first thought was to pray for the pear farm. This local pear farm provides our church with all the pears they need for their welfare system world wide. We live a short jog away and the fire was getting very close.

This house was doused in an effort to help save it.

It has sounded like WWII over my house. So many planes and helicopters trying to do all they can to stop the spread. Today was a day off of school due to budget cuts so my heart goes out to working parents whose children are at home alone. I hope they were all able to evacuate safely.

A Time to Be Still

I have always considered myself pretty laid back. I do like to get things accomplished but I don't have to be going all the time. I have found though with 5 kids, a lot of what I like to do gets pushed off to the side. Nothing earth shattering, but I have had 600-ish pictures in my camera waiting to be uploaded to my computer...blogs in my head that I have not published...magazines left unread...you get my drift.
I don't know what I have been waiting for, it just seems that I can't get it all done. If I had my husbands personality all things would be on a list and systematically crossed off when accomplished. Good in theory but not my style. I guess I needed something to come into my life to urge me to finish tasks that have long since been pushed aside and gathered cob webs.
Last Thursday I had my tonsils removed which I have pushed off for years but finally had taken care of. I have found now that rather than lay in bed and fear my next swallow I am distracting myself with small mindless tasks that needed my care. These are things that no one else will notice but me, but I have found that it is putting a smile on an otherwise pale face. I guess I should be grateful for this chance of renewal and a chance to look deeper. I'd say thank you but in reality my throat still really hurts...maybe in a week or two.

Chilkoot Trail

Well here we are, ready for the five-day ordeal. We will follow the same route the Klondike gold seekers followed in the late 1890's.

There was a great deal of smoke from fires in the interior the first day. Luckily the smoke occurred at a time when the views were obscured by trees. The air cleared up during the second day, and the weather was perfect all the way.

Starting out the first day the team still looks pretty fresh. Here we are passing through a burnout on a floating bridge.

The second day included a stop at Canyon City. Artifacts were plentiful in this old stopover from the Klondike gold rush. How they were able to transport things like this cast iron stove is open to conjecture.

The team stops for a photo shoot starting out day-two. Backpacks were still very heavy at this time. Our first day was a very short hike because of the ferry arriving late. Consequently, this second day will be longer than planned.

As promised, I brought no cooking implements along. However I snuck in a couple of MRE's just to see how the kids would react. Julie decided it was worth a photo as evidence that I enjoyed a warm meal on the trip.

This is a place called "The Scales". Here gold seekers weighed their loads before the ascent up the Golden Staircase. Anything extra they left behind. Artifacts like these were plentiful in this area.

Looking up at "False Top" from the bottom of the "Golden Staircase". Looks daunting, and there are two more False Tops after this.

Spencer just getting under way for the top. He'll shed this long-sleeved shirt before too many more steps.

Mid-way up you see our team going hand over hand up the boulder strewn staircase.

Stampeders headed for the Klondike actually preferred the winter ascent because the steps cut into the snow were easier to climb on than these boulders.







Spencer poses near the top on the Golden Staircase for a picture. He, in his BYU tee shirt, should be posted on the BYU website.

Jessica, having already rested at the top, comes back to rescue a distressed backpacker who wrenched her knee, and stops to pose for a photograph with the oldest member of our team.

This monument marks the summit and the dividing line between Alaska and Canada. Usually this area is blanketed in fog. For us it was beautiful sunny skies and a wonderful view.

Spencer's ill-conceived notion to overturn the out-house was was photographed by his Aunt Julie. I imagine Papa Glen was in the out-house at the time.

By this time in the hike, people would resort to anything to improve their body odor -- even the use of bug spray. Juliet demonstrates the technique here.








The bridge near Deep Lake. Everybody is still doing fine. By this time the two old men have developed blisters however and are hobbling just a little.

The Canadian side was treeless for much of the way -- being at about 3,000 feet, which is above the tree level at this latitude. The landscape was marked with glacial snow that provided fresh snow melt all along the way.

Jessica was quite conscious of her appearance along the way because some of the backpackers from other parties were pretty good looking. I'm glad someone was, because many of the rest of us smelled like horses "rode heavy and put away wet".




Long Lake behind this hardy backpacker was a beautiful site, as were the numerous other lakes on the Canadian side of the boarder.

Spencer's backpack was a big as he is but that didn't slow him down. He was the first one to arrive at Bennett Lake, and when he passed me he was running.

The last night was spent at Bare Loon Lake. Some of the brave ones decided they were tired of smelling bad -- time for washing up. The swim out to this little island required passage through leach-infested waters. None of them seemed daunted by the the danger.

True to its name, there were loons in this Lake. Their beautiful sounds made this a much more enjoyable stopover.

The group pauses to pose before this old cabin that reminded us of what the good old days were like. The end of the trail is barely a mile from here.

This was the final day of the hike, and most of us show it.

Nearing the end now. The lake in the background is Lindeman.

Many of the stampeders built boats here only to see them dashed to pieces on the rapids between here and Bennett Lake. The wiser ones pushed on to Bennett before building their boats.

With only two more miles to go, we pushed on as well -- somewhat reluctant to see this wonderful adventure drawing to a close.

The end of the trail. The trail marker now points the way back to Skagway. They don't look too worse for the wear do they?

33 miles of unbelievable terrain as far as scenic beauty. We finished with a much greater appreciation for what the stampeders went through in the search for gold that put Alaska on the map.