Been Awhile

It always seems like I get around to this blog while I am working.  I have two computers sitting side by side.  I am having to re-image the other one for school so they can re-sell it (a long story I will get to at some point.)  The process is taking so long and all I can do is wait, so I figured I can finally write this again.  However, I am not really sure why I am writing other than for my own personal satisfaction.  I knew my mother read this, but she is no longer with us.  There are only very small handful of people who live out of state who might be interested in this.  I assume everyone else who is in the state is probably around me enough to know everything they need to know about me already.  However, the one thing that was really cool about my blog last year was when I published it into a book.  I never wanted to hand write another journal again, so this what you get.

Spring Break

So we pack up the car and drove to Delta, Utah.  Why?  Any reasonable person would ask...Well, because Ethan had just finished reading a book in class about the Topaz Internment camp, so I thought I would take him to see where it was.  On the way down we stopped at an old abandoned mine and looked around.  While we were down there we went on many rock-hounding trips too.  We went to Topaz Mountain and found Topaz and Apache Tears.  The kids had a great time scaling the mountain.  Rock collecting was fun, but I think they just had fun bashing rocks and running around the mountainside.  We went out to the Dugway geode beds and came home with a bucket or two full.  We went and found Sun-stones and Trilobites too.  Since it has done nothing but snow since we have been home, I actually haven't been able to go through the six five gallon buckets we brought home filled with rocks to see what we actually have.  Of, course, we drove out to Topaz.  It was exactly what I expected to see -- mostly nothing.  Mostly, it was a moment to stop and reflect about what a horrible thing our country did -- and wonder of the possibility of it ever happening again.   Our last night we stayed at a dive ON the border.  The boys thought it was hilarious to be in two states at once.  They kept going back and forth for a long time.  Our last day we went to Lehman Caves.  It was amazing how big and beautiful they were.  None of my pictures truly do it justice.  We were so tired from being cooped up in the truck together, that on the way home we decided to buy a new car.  Yeah, right!  Actually, the Lotus was parked next to us in the IKEA parking lot.  Anyway, except for when Brady got food poisoning, I think a good time was had by all...  Surprisingly, I can't wait for another trip to collect more rocks!

Easter Festivities

This year we helped play Easter Bunny.  We stuffed over a thousand eggs for South Ogden City and we didn't even go to the hunt. We did go to the school to do some fun Easter crafts like painting a pot and planting a flower.  We went on a trip for spring break and had to hurry home to make sure we were back in time for Easter.  We did the usual routine at home and then got to go to Grandma Cheryl's for another hunt.  Later that night we had Grandma Carol over to dinner at our house.  Overall, the kids had a very busy and spoiled day.  In fact, Andrew didn't wake up until noon the next day! 

Blue and Gold Banquet

Gee, I love scouting in January and February -- too much to do!  For our cake auction banquet, I made these two cakes.  One is supposed to be the moon and the other is a Foosball table.  Ethan's cake sold for $70 and Hayden's for $50.  Not too bad for a few hours of work. 

Pinewood Derby

Well, I think our track record proves that Dad can make a pretty mean derby car.  This year Ethan won Second overall in the whole pack.  Hayden won second place in his den.  Hayden knew he was sacrificing speed for the look of the car and he still placed in his den (we have 12 in his den).  Two winning years in a row.  Congrats boys!

Award Winners

Hailey made the top picture and Ethan made the bottom picture.  Both of them were made last year in school, but I entered them in an art contest and both of them won first place in their age categories.  Way to go!  Last year Hailey was quite successful in a few contests, but we just didn't have the same energy or time to enter them all this year.

Happy Holidays from the Liddell's

Our nice family picture was taken at the school after the kids finished their Christmas program.  They all did a really great job!  The other picture is from Christmas morning (if that wasn't obvious).  As usual we said we were going to do less, but you can't tell by looking at the mess!

We had a very nice holiday break.  We were so lucky because dad was able to have two weeks off to be home with us over break.  Our highlight was going to visit my cousin in Eagle Mountain and ride her horse.  Hailey will be very sad I didn't post a picture of her.  I got a new camera for Christmas and it it so sensitive that many of my pictures turn out blurry.

Brady and I also went to an 80's prom that our friends put together.  It was fun hanging out with friends and looking at all the old pictures.  The best part though, was when we were the only two dancing together on the floor and Brady was singing to me.  I am such a sucker for a guy who sings.