The Injured

Tonight was our ward campout at Camp Atoka by Causey Dam. Thomas tripped and landed on a little toy plastic rocket. It split open his eyelid in three different places. There were two nurses at the campout. They both said if we took him in, they would stitch it, but it's closing fine and we would only need to have it done for cosmetic reasons. Every man there said it's a battle wound....he's going to be proud of that one day. We left it. One of the nurses (our bishops wife), cleaned him up and put neosporin and bandaids on the wounds. Poor little guy. We didn't stay long enough to get more pictures....this is it.

After an hour and a half of being there, big John mentioned his back wasn't feeling too great. So we packed up and headed home pretty quick. The McMillans offered to bring Emily home later so she stayed to roast marshmallows and play with her friends.

John was miserable the entire way home. It was so sad. When we got home, he got in the tub and luckily started feeling better pretty quick. He took ibuprofen and went to bed on some ice. Hopefully he stays well and doesn't wake up in the middle of the night in pain again. Our plans are to go to Yellowstone for the next few days but I'm a little worried now. It would be awful to have his back go out while we are camping.

Happy 34th Sean!

Jolie had a great party for Sean's birthday. She made him this baseball cake with "grass" cupcakes all around it. The boys played "home run derby", there were prizes, we had hot dogs, and the big boys (Sean's buddies) were even sent home with party favor bags filled with cracker jacks, peanuts, and baseball cards. The kids (the little ones) were sent home with big league bubble gum. Good job Jolie. It was a great evening.

Shed Project.....Complete!

Putting the shed together was such a great show, the boys pulled out chairs and popped popcorn to watch. They had great shady seats in the 100 degree weather.

Little John is helping big John put the shed together. They did a great job. Now I get to tear down the old one. Woo hoo!

Samuel the Bruce Almighty - 4 Months

Sam weighed in at 13 1/2 pounds and was 25 1/2 inches long. That puts him at 75% length, 25% weight and believe it or not 25% head. All of my boys have been 90% or more on head so Sam beat the odds. Emily's head was always at 25%. Anyway....not that any of it even matters. Big heads or not, they are all cute.
He suddenly has found his feet, plays with toys, and screams. It is so funny. This morning I was in the kitchen and heard him screaming at the other end of the house, in his room with the door shut. It was so cute. He is getting so animated and is so much fun.
I love being a mom!!

Happy Birthday Sean at the Bees Game

Jack and Anna love to be together and get so excited when they see each other. Here they are with Emily.

Samuel's first baseball game. What a great memory for him. :)

This is some of the group. Turns out Sean's family and neighbors were on the bleachers above us for half the game. They joined us once we found them. So much for cell phones, eh?!

My cute family.

Happy Birthday Sean. Sean's birthday is on Wednesday and Jolie has a week of surprises for him. One of them was surpring him with friends and family at the bees game.

Ryan and Laura less than a few weeks into marriage. And of course sweet Thomas.

The bee finally made it to our end of the bleachers by the end of the game. Aren't those kids great!

John was determined to catch a fly ball and in the bottom of the ninth, with one out left, decided to rally cap in hopes of getting that ball.

Bumble the Bee signed John and Emily's hand. They vowed to never wash the top of their hand again. I thought otherwise and took a picture. It will last longer.

Boys Night Out

So tonight is the boys turn. We are watching Matt and Kristina for the night while the rest of their family is at Youth Conference. So we decided to make it an event. Trent and Erica and family and Nairn and Maria and family and Jolie and Sean and family came by. We played wiffle ball (aka: home run derby) and had ice cream with home made hot "runny fudge". As smart as I am, I had the great idea of having all the boys sleep over in the tent. So here they are. Nairn, Matt, Jacob, John, and Nolan.

Here is the recipe for "Peggy's Runny Fudge" : melt 2 cubes of butter in saucepan. Add 5-6 T. cocoa. stir. Add 3 cups sugar and 1 can evaporated milk. Keep stirring until bubbly, then keep stirring for several minutes. Add a little Karo syrup and vanilla when it's done. It is very yummy. When growing up, my mom use to make this often and we would eat it plain out of a mug with a spoon. It's a great treat...great on ice cream....great on cake. (Peggy is my aunt, my mom's sister).

Like I said...he likes projects.

I can't get him to stop sometimes. Here he is installing closet doors in our room. After three years of living here, do you think it's time for closet doors?! He is also installing a door in Thomas and Jack's closet (in the room he finished for them) and putting in a door to their bedroom. He does a great job.

Most of My Boys

Another project! I promise....he asks for them. I have a husband that loves the feeling of getting things done. He loves a project and every so often asks what else he can do. Thank you John. Here he is moving the fence out four feet so we can put a shed in that corner. He enjoyed listening to a book while he worked but didn't enjoy a couple nights later when his "herniated disc" (isn't that a great word) caused him major problems. I know what you are saying...."ask for help".

Blue eyes, Sam, and Thomas.

Like I said..."blue eyes". Ice blue eyes that is.

Thomas always puts on a cute face for a picture. But not only for a picture. He's just really good at putting on a cute face. The next post will have to be little John. He obviously isn't around much when I'm taking pictures.

Girls Late Night

Here are just a few shots of "the girls". There are 6 little girl cousins all about the same age. Savannah was in town from Idaho, so we had them all over for a few hours to play. Thanks to Veronica, everything went extremely well.

They made up dances and performed them for each other. Then they made of plays and performed them for each other. They had pizza and played night games. It was a fun evening.

Front to back, left to right...Veronica, Savannah, Samuel, Kristina, Anna, Caroline, Julia, Emily, Jack and Thomas.

Earlier in the day, almost all of my sister in laws and my sister and all the kids came over for lunch and visiting. It was a repeat of one week before when Kristi was in town. Nothing changed except Karey and her 3 kids replaced Kristi and her 3 kids. We had wonton salad, jello pretzel salad, rolls, and cookies. It was a great day. (I just forgot my camera).

Just some thoughts....

So, I am sitting here in my quiet front room with, I hope, all the children asleep. It is 9:00 P.M. John was called to be the 2nd counselor in the bishopric in April. He has meetings Tuesday nights so I am enjoying a moment of peace and quiet...finally. I was called to be the junior primary chorister and I am scared to death. When the 1st counselor called me, I said (well, yelled), "WHAT?!! You have got to be kidding. John are you serious?" Then I turned to the counselor and said "I decided a long time ago that I would never turn down a calling so I'll do it but this for me would be like being called to teach Gospel Doctrine to a bunch of old scriptorians." So I am now the chorister. First of all...I can't sing and I definitly can not sing high notes (like no higher than a G, you know the pinky on your right hand, starting with middle C on the piano). I cried for about 20 minutes after he left. John told me that the bishop asked him if this would challenge me. John said he thinks it will. I told John the bishop is getting exactly what he wants. I am being challenged beyond my capability. I was the chorister at BYU to 10 or less kids. 2 being mine. 3 being my neighbors who were always at my house. And I was a mental emotional wreck while I was in Provo with John gone all the time, etc. etc. etc. Anyway, I was also pregnant with Jack and it was extremely challenging for me. I didn't enjoy it and always said that is one calling Heavenly Father challenged me with and I'm done. I won't ever get it again. That's what I thought (hoped)!!
Anyway, I was also told that I would be surprised how well things would go when John was gone in the evenings or on Sundays serving in the bishopric. I am writing now because for the last two hours, I have been questioning those words of wisdom. It's been chaotic. But I can't complain...it's quiet right now and pretty early for quiet at our house.
So, I'll end with saying I am happy for the callings we both have been given. I have seen a wonderful change in John. He was wonderful before but there is something more to him now and I love it. I love to see him being a good neighbor. When I see neighbors, I usually hide in my house. Not John, he seeks them out and makes friends with them. On a daily basis, I am stressed about my calling. I know most people think I'm nuts. But it's one of those things for me. I have to stand in front of a bunch of kids and teachers and sing. ahhh. Take away every adult, and I'll be just fine. I love to be with the kids. I just don't want any big people watching me. Jolie guarantees that in about 2 months, I'm going to think this is the best calling I have ever had.
A couple more things on my mind. An 11 year old boy was attacked and killed by a bear while sleeping in a tent with his family in American Fork Canyon. The bear quietly ripped through the tent, drug him out, and killed him. I'm surprised how much that has been on my mind. Second, my neighbor, Mike LeFevre, was just diagnosed with Lymphoma. His wife lost her first child in a car accident, then lost her first husband to Leukemia, now this husband was diagnosed with Lymphoma one week after their fifth child was born and on the same day, right before the appointment to get results, their 3 year old daughter cut off half her big toe. What else can be piled on this sweet family?!!
Some good news...John's parents come home from their mission in 5 weeks. A few weeks earlier than planned. I am excited about that. There are a 2 or 3 sets of new senior missionaries ready to come at that time, so it was the best time to turn everything over. It will be nice to have them around. My kids have really missed them.
John just moved a part of our fence to make room for a new shed. So I'm going to have a tear down the shed party on the old one. I can't wait. He's been working really hard. But when he doesn't have a project, he asks what he can do. And I'm really good at finding projects for him.
Does anyone want to come clean my room? I am a hypocrite because I tell my children how important it is to keep your room clean. To have respect for yourself and your surroundings. Have you seen mine?!! I can give the counsel because I know what it feels like to not be clean. Does anyone just love to organize other peoples stuff? Come on over!!
Thanks for humoring me with my thoughts. I sure love this blog thing. I'm journaling like I did in high school. It's really fun.

Katie Bugs

Somehow Katie was deleted from the last post. She was a character last night. She LOVES the camera....just like her dad. We also missed pictures of Thomas, Zach, Anna, and Jack. It was such a nice evening and I just loved watching Katie wander and be silly.

Happy Grandpas Day!!

Grandma Jamison is 89 and took her turn at bat. Ryan is behind her just in case she fell. After two swings, she decided she had enough and felt bad that she couldn't play anymore. We use to always go over to the elementary school across from her house when we were little and have big family baseball games. Good memories. And I'm glad she at least tried last night.

Looking Good Grandma!

Kate up at bat. I think my dad and Kate won the first "home run derby".

Somehow dad had to take care of all the outfield balls. Sorry dad.

Laura, Grandma, Emily, and Max enjoying the company.

When Jolie got up to bat, we couldn't get her to stop. She either had home runs or the men just couldn't seem to be able to catch her balls. That's too bad boys. :)

Sean is pitching to Jolie and Ryan, John, Big John, and Dad are ready in the outfield.

Emily did pretty well too. We all got to play and we all had fun.

Grandpa with John and Emily.

Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday Dad. We missed his birthday the day after the wedding and then missed Father's Day with him because of late church and celebrating John. Dad wanted sloppy joes so we all got together at our house and had a nice spread of Joes, corn on the cob, chips, pasta salad, fruit and dip, and desserts galore. Sadly we were all too stuffed to eat dessert. It was a nice evening. We played until about 9:30. Thanks for coming everybody.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day John!

No meetings!!! (sadly, he didn't know that and went to the church at 8:00 am to find no one there. Sorry babe.)

He was a little spoiled this year. He's always wanted a pool table so he got a very miniature one. He also got 3 tee shirts, John Deere Monopoly, a blower (yardwork), an air bed for camping, and wiffle ball. We played for a long time last night and it was so fun. The boys always play "home run derby" at Sean's house and I thought it would be fun to have at our house too. He also bought a new tent and sleeping bags for the family. We've been sleeping in a four man tent all these years and our last campout was a little crowded so we decided it was time. I know, he sounds spoiled but it is all stuff he's been needing and wanting and we saved it all for Father's Day. Emily made this sign....remember my kids are really into paper creations right now?!! My mom came over and we grilled kabobs for dinner and had corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon, salad, and a turtle cake with ice cream for dessert. It was a nice day and more than anything we have been truly blessed with THE BEST DAD EVER!! He is such a good man and a great example to our children. He is a hard worker and a great neighbor. I was reading a tribute from his grandpa's children about his grandpa, John Higginson, whom he is named after. Someone said his grandpa lived by "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well" and "do it right the first time, so you don't have to do it again". Little John said he read that in anything he would do, he would stick with it until he achieved his goal. He never criticized his wife, was very generous, and always looked for ways to help others. My John sure has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather. Little John is now reading the tributes so he can learn more about his namesake. I LOVE YOU JOHN!!

Samuel the Bruce Almighty - 3 Months

Is it the cutest little thing you've ever seen?!!

Thank you Rob at www.higginsonphotography.com

(note: images have not yet been edited) :)

Creative Kids and Bees

Little John asked me what he should make out of paper, (he was supposed to be cleaning) so I said, "something you can clean with". So he made a broom. Emily liked the idea so she made one. Then they made several other paper products such as candy machines, a robot, a gun for Thomas from John, and a bed for Emily's bunny from John. We had a lot of paper and tape around our house that day but it sure was neat to see the creativity in my children. John had two tickets for the suite at the Bees game. He always takes John to these things and we decided it was someone elses turn. Since John and Emily had golf this week, we decided it was time to take Thomas. He loved it and I guess ate way too much popcorn. (And for the sake of journaling, I'll slip in here that John and Emily had golf lessons this week at Bountiful Ridge. Tonight they played three holes. They loved it!)

Trent and Tad Fulkerson (our California/BYU friends) were there as well. Trent works at OC Tanner with John and also had two tickets.

Speaking of creativity....what's this John? A hot dog?!! That's one creative hot dog. I now see where our children get their creativity.

Xie Xie

Tonight Spencer and Kristi organized a dinner at the Mandarin for the couples. It was a great evening. We worked it out that Thomas, Jack, and Sam went to bed at 7:00 and we had a babysitter come. She played games with John and Emily and kept everyone safe. :)

Nairn, Robert, John, Lisa, Leslie, and Spencer and spouses were there. I love to get together with the couples. We always laugh so hard and as was said tonight....the conversation always turns into very childish things. But as Robert says..."why grow up now?" Teresa couldn't agree more with her black ice cream. Come on Teresa...admit it. The only reason you got the ice cream was for the fun of having a black tongue, lips, and teeth. By the way, the ice cream came from Baskin "and" Robbins after Mandarin. It was a nice evening.

Spencer and Kristi - thanks for getting us together and let's keep that tradition when you come in town. Love you all!!!

Summer Fun and a Mission Call

Big Richard invited EVERYONE over to watch little Richard open his mission call on Wednesday. He is going to Washington Kennewick mission and leaves on September 19. Congratulations Richard!!! Below you can see some of the several phones so everyone who wasn't there could hear. They also had a houseful of people. I hope it didn't take away the excitement of getting to call hundreds of people to share the good news! We are excited for this new adventure in your lives.

Before the call, I had the girls and kids over for lunch and visiting and playing. Kristi has been in town for a couple of weeks and life has been so busy, I haven't seen her. So, we finally found a day that would work for most. We had wonton salad, raspberry pretzel jello salad, homemade rolls, honeybutter, and punch. And thousands of peanut butter and honey or jam sandwiches. It was fun to have everyone here. Kara, Nathan (for a minute), David, Matt, Kristina, Maria, Nairn and Jacob (for a few minutes), Lauren, Daniel, Allison, Teresa, Zach, Lori, Julia, Anna, Sophie, Lily, me, lil John, Emily, Thomas, Jack, Samuel, Lisa, Caroline, Hannah, Elise, Stella, Angus, Leslie, AJ, Kristi, Spencer, Luke, Benjamin, Suzy, Mark, Jolie, Zach, Anna, and Katie. 42?!! Wow. We missed Karey and her kids but are excited to see them next week and I guess we will just have to do it again!!

The Big Day--June 9, 2007

This is most of Ryan and Laura's nieces and nephews. They have 16. 8 on each side.

Lil John just waiting patiently.

And they are finally out. Isn't Laura beautiful?! The kids were so excited they couldn't stand it. They were all over Ryan and Laura pretty much all day. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple and had a luncheon for about 85 people at the Eldredge House that afternoon.

Cute Ryan. Laura is hugging her sister Holly and Emily is looking on dreaming about her big day in 12 years or so.

This is their car, obviously.

And these are the culprits.

Zach looked so cute sitting here, I had to take a picture.

Cute Thomas enjoying the moment.

Jolie made this cake. It was beautiful. She does a great job. She was up until 3:00 am the night before the wedding.

The gifts, again obviously.

They had a great moment of feeding each other cake. Rob (the photographer) said it's the best he's seen.

Lookin good. Way to go Laura.

These are my boys. Aren't they a good looking group of men?

And here's the girls.

This is Kate, Grandma Jamison, and Dad.

Cute Samuel. He is wearing Jack's blessing outfit.

And they're off. They headed to the airport about an hour later and will spend a week in LA, San Luis Obispo (?), and San Francisco. Then they'll come home to their house in Layton.

It was a beautiful day. And a wonderful ceremony with great advice and counsel for the couple and the rest of us. Congratulations Ryan and Laura.