A New Delicious Delight

HONEYCRISP apples. Sweet yet tart. Crunchy and juicy. Nature's great snack has been perfected. I could eat them all day - but they are expensive and I am cheap. I can only enjoy them occasionally. The real treat is a glass of honey crisp apple juice. Now that is pure joy in a cup.

Snow Fest 2015

We went to Snow Fest in Driggs today. This was our first time going even though it has been happening for a long time. There are lots of events but we only went to see the snow sculptures. Katy kept saying, "How do they do that?" Some were very impressive. It would be fun to watch the sculptures being created.  We had a great time. The weather was perfectly cold - cold but not too cold. After the sculptures, we went to a Korean food restaurant. It was delicious and new. Trent and I will go back. Katy probably won't.

Not a Pinterest Fail

This is probably my favorite gift that we received at Christmas. Our four children worked together to create this wonderful wall hanging on their own, with some help from Grandma, from an idea McKenna saw on Pinterest. I love it. I love that they worked together. I love that it shows how we are all connected in one family. And I love that they were so proud of it. Sometimes I stand with my hands on my hips just staring at it - kind of like Forest Gump. 

My Birthday

I feel that today is the very middle of my life. I'm dead center between birth and where I expect death. That is a weird place to be. Also that is an unnaturally negative thought for me. But it is true. I didn't feel like celebrated this day with adorable children. I decided to spend it skiing. My sister-in-law, Susan, and her friend, and mine, Tammi, went with me. Actually they took me because I didn't know where to go or how to do it. It was a great day with fantastic weather, clear skies, and incredible nature. I totally LOVED IT. And, groomed trails are way more fun and easy than the track. I also got this awesome bike. I have wanted one of these for a VERY long time - a lot longer than they have been the in thing.

So Blessed

Today my family got to stay home while I attended meetings at the school. (They were fun so I didn't really mind.) while there, I had occasion to think about my cute little family and how quickly everyone has grown up. Times when we are all together are not as often as they were just a couple years ago. I sure treasure those moments. In December, we attended the Christmas concert at the Conference Center where we truly enjoyed the Muppets. I have always loved Big Bird. He is even more grand in real-life. But the real joy of that night was being there with my family, all of them, and one of my other favorite people, my mom in-law. A true blessing and wonderful memory.

Getting My Swedish Ancestry On

I don't believe my Swedish ancestors would be so impressed. Somewhere, through the generations, the Nordic skills got lost because I definitely don't have them. But, I am a willing participant and have been very anxious to try out cross country skiing. In the Fall, a neighbor of ours had a garage sale and I bought cross country skis, boots, and poles. He threw in a ski rack for the car, too. (All for $25. WOOT!!!!) I patiently waited until all the factors of a good ski day were perfect and today was the day. Since I had never been before, I wanted to try it out someplace open and easy. What could be better than the school track? My teacher friend, Krista, came along, too. We were both pretty green but we had so much fun and laughed a lot. It is a lot more difficult than it looks. Can't wait to go again. I may have found a reason to like winter.

Sibling Love

All was quiet at our house when suddenly a hurricane blew in - otherwise known as Collin burst in through the door. The entire atmosphere changed instantly. Collin brings a lot of joy, exuberance, hugs, and chaos when he enters the house. He is fun. He came to see his twins. I just happen to be here. They laugh, squeal, and squish each other. Mostly they love each other. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Books Books and More Books

During the summer I attended a class taught by a most fascinating woman. She is THE children's/young adult's book guru. Like seriously, if she doesn't approve it doesn't get published. The class was about nonfiction books. I haven't really appreciated that old boring genre in the past. However, Susanna opened a whole new world of expository literature to me. I can't get enough of it. I just keep reading it. I have read a book called "BOMB: The Race to Build - and Steal - The World's Most Dangerous Weapon" twice. Seriously it was sooo good and fascinating. I feel a whole new smart coming on because of it. There is another book called "Toilet" that explains in a most delightful way the whole process of the sewage disposal system. It is currently one of my favorite books. If you can't find me, check the library in the non-fiction section. I'm probably there. 

My Short Daily Jaunt

I am lucky enough to live close enough to walk to work. It is a short, two block walk to the back doors of the school. In the mornings, during the winter, that little walk can be a bit intimidating. I swear I saw a cougar in there once which made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up. On that day I walked out of the alley, quite quickly, and took plan B which is always the roadway. That adds an extra half block of walking, you know. But in the afternoon, the walk is peaceful and beautiful - for an alley. Today, I took a few snaps because the frost from yesterday was still lingering on the links and limbs. I love the frosty feathers.

Wintertime Wonders

Not too often, but occasionally, we get a really dense fog that settle upon this area we live in. And, if all the elements are just right, a beautiful frost will adhere to the trees turning everything into a winter wonderland. Such was the occasion today. Unfortunately, I was inside until the wee hours of the afternoon so I missed the most marvelous moments but I did catch a snap of the heavy frost on our tree. We live in such a beautiful place. I'm so grateful to be here - even in the winter.

Grandma Erikson

Today I helped the twins enter names in a family history book that they will use to find the names of temple ready ancestors. I'm excited for them to get involved with genealogy. One of the names we entered was of my Grandma Erikson. Just he name triggered a flood of wonderfully warm emotions and memories. She died just over thirty years ago. That is a long time to miss someone and I do very much and often.i wish she had been here as I accomplished things as a teenager. I wish my she had been here when I got married and as my children were born. I wish she had been here to hold them. I wish they could have tasted her orange rolls, chocolate chip cookies, and maybe, even, her ketchup-flavored gravy. She would have loved them and they would have loved her too. In honor of her we had twice-baked potatoes because that is one thing I remember about her and could share with them.

Exercise

It's January - the time to feel ambitious. The time to jump into exercise. I loath the thought of exercise and dread the deed. But, once it is over, it feels good and I'm ALWAYS grateful that I put in the time. You know, if exercise could elicit the enjoyment I feel while eating strawberries dipped in whipped cream I'd stick to it longer and probably never complain about it. 

McKenna's Birthday

Today is the birthday of McKenna Carol Grant. She is nineteen years old. She is also away at college and spent her first birthday away from family. I assume this was much harder on me than on her. My class and I facetimed her and sang our class birthday song. It was the highlight of the students' day. I sure hope she had a great day. I sure love her! I want this to be the best year of her life so far.

Vacation is Over

Tomorrow I go back to these people. I really like them and am actually quite excited to see them. I'm so lucky to love what I do.

A Reason to Cheer

Sometimes there are reasons to cheer. The kind of cheer that makes you want to pump your fist high in the air or chest bump your fellow team player after an amazing win. It is probably the type of cheer I would give if I had won the lottery (don't play the lottery so I won't ever win). We are cheering because we just "won" and extra $30. At least we saved that much when we gassed up the van at $1.92 per gallon. Can I get a WOOT WOOT? Go gas prices! Go gas prices! Go gas prices! GO! That's right folks, $1.92!!!!!!

Beginning the New Year

Began this New Year with freezing temperatures. I hate freezing temperatures but because of them I realize how wonderful and cozy a nice day of 50 degrees can be. There must be negatives to appreciate the positives. I scheduled family pictures today, too. So, we gathered together, with the photographer, in bitter cold temps, to smile and make permanent the start of this year. No family has ever taken pictures that quickly. I'll just say, "BURR!" Because of the extreme chill we sure acknowledged our deep gratitude for the tepid temps in the car. Can hardly wait to see them. Until then, I'll enjoy my cozy blanket while the temperatures hover in the subzero range.