9/11: 10 years later

It's funny how extreme tragedy or happiness can burn a memory into your mind forever. September 11th, 2001 is such a memory for me, and for most Americans. Dan and I were living in Las Vegas with our one year old, Ashlyn. That morning, my phone rang just after 7 AM. It was my neighbor Annetta and she was crying. She asked, "Have you heard what happened in New York this morning?" We flipped on the TV and sat in bed, watching in horror just as the second plane hit the South Tower. I remember that Ashlyn woke up around this time. Dan and I sat in bed, cuddling Ashlyn and watching the world as we knew it changed forever... 

• Dan called his work and found that no one was going in that day. I think we just watched TV for the next week as the story unfolded. I will always remember people with homemade signs, searching for their missing loved ones, the hysteria surrounding the terrorists, the New Yorkers covered in ash, running for their lives. I also remember stories of people who risked everything to save others, stories of survival and how the whole country was united in collective mourning for those who died that day.
• Of course, so much changed after that. Airport security was tightened and you could no longer take anything sharp (scissors, tweezers, razors) or most liquids on board, the pilots were locked in the cockpit and you could no longer go to the gate to greet an incoming passenger. There were rumors of other possible terrorist targets around the US and talk of military retaliation. I just remember worrying so much for the future of my little baby and the kind of world she was growing up in. 

We attended a short fireside at our church the night of September 11th, 2001. We watched our prophet at the time, Gordon B. Hinckley, on satellite. I don't remember the exact words he used, but I remember that he counseled church members to have hope, love our neighbors, have faith and prepare our families. I looked up his address and found this quote:  “Peace may be denied for a season. … But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him…" Shortly after in General Conference in October, 2001, he said, “Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.”  

Last night, I watched the "9/11: Rising Above" Mormon Tabernacle Choir special with Tom Brokaw. Similar to 10 years ago, the feeling was of hope, of gratitude and optimism for the country we live in and for the American people. In a time of such great sorrow and uncertainty, I was astonished at the strength of the American spirit and resiliency of this great nation...

I showed my kids this video that explains what happened so they can understand: http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/nick-news-what-happened-the-true-story-of-september-11th-full-episode.html

Labor Day in Wyoming...

It's become a tradition to meet at my family's cabin in Wyoming for the Labor Day weekend. I was still coughing terribly, but my doctor said I wasn't contagious and my parents insisted that we come, so we drove 6 hours to be with my family. It was a nice drive both ways and I appreciated the chance to rest while Dan drove. We hadn't been to the cabin since last September, so we were so happy to be up there again. It was a little dusty, but the weather was perfect and there were very few bugs. I LOVE it there in the Fall! My kids loved being with their cousins again and we all enjoyed relaxing and being together. Natalie and Dave didn't come because their little Nora was only a week old, so we really missed them!  

We played an epic Phase 10 game, stayed up late talking, the boys cut down some huge trees to make room for a wider road and we all ate too much of Mom's cooking! On Monday, I took all 3 of my kids on a 4 wheeler ride with Monica, Lisa, Anna, Noah and Michael. Our destination: The old pioneer cabin! I let Corey drive a lot of the time, but he gets nervous when it's too rough or around water. 

This old cabin was apparently occupied by a single woman in her 80's. I think I'd go stark raving mad, living out there all alone (with no grocery store!) 

Monica is the best 4 wheeler tour guide, as she helped cut the majority of the paths we ride on. My favorite spot to be on a 4 wheeler is in the middle of an aspen grove. I love how the light filters through the small round leaves and I love their white trunks against all the other green. It's so peaceful and there's nothing quite like it!

Summer Photo Shoot...

 Well, now that it's over, I can say that August was one of the worst months in recent memory. Dan, Corey and I all got the flu on August 10th and we were sick for almost 10 days. We missed Meet the Teacher night for Corey's school and he didn't meet his teacher until the first day of school. Dan and Corey finally started feeling better around the 20th when Dan left for a business trip to Denmark. He was gone for the kids' first week of school and I continued to struggle to feel better. By the beginning of September, I saw the doctor again and she ordered a chest x-ray and my flu had turned into pneumonia. It's September 9th today and I'm still coughing and am so tired. We've had some tough extended family issues lately and last week a good friend of mine lost a baby girl at one day old, so I think my emotions aren't helping.

On August 21st, Ashlyn reminded me that we usually take pictures around the time that school starts. I had sent my older 2 kids to church that day, so they were photo-ready, so after dinner we went out to take some family photos. I'm still figuring out my new camera... It does SO much, but the kids were cooperative and I'm happy with the shots I got...

I adore these kids and even on tough days, I am extremely grateful to be their Mom! 

Back to school!

{{GULP!!!}} Ashlyn just started Middle School. How did that happen? She's suddenly all grown up and it's hard to believe that she's old enough to have a locker, P.E. and multiple teachers! I took these pictures on the day we picked up her schedule. She was disappointed to learn she was in a different core than her best friend Rachel (below). They were so excited to decorate their lockers and to practice their locker combinations (over and over and over) that day! We think it should be a rule that the TALL girls should get the lockers on top!

School started for Ashlyn on a Friday, of all days! With Middle School they go for a half day, just to meet their teachers. The following Monday it was a regular, full day of school. I think I held my breath all day long until she walked in the door and thankfully, she was just beaming. She's been looking forward to the change and to having new teachers and meeting new friends. For a girl that's been to a new school nearly every year, I was a little surprised she was giddy about starting a new school again! She came home on day 3 to tell me that she'd volunteered to play the cello in orchestra. I guess I should be happy she didn't agree to play the bass!

After nearly putting Corey in the new charter school that opened this Fall, we are at the same school again this year. Corey's been to 6 schools in 3 states now (including preschool) so I am actually glad for some familiarity! He was mildly excited to begin school and once he saw some friends that first day, I think he relaxed and was able to enjoy it. So far, he seems content with his teacher and class. Homework is still a struggle, but we're getting into a routine now. 

 Claire just started preschool on September 7th. She's been watching Corey and Ashlyn go to school each day and couldn't wait to go to school. We're doing a co-op preschool with 2 of the same girls from last year and 2 new boys. This year, we're using the Mother Goose program, which, from what I've seen so far, is going to be much easier than coming up with lesson plans on our own. I'll be responsible to teach 3 times a week for 2 weeks in a row, every 10 weeks. Claire came home on Wednesday so happy and showed me how she's working on writing her own name. My little munchkins are growing up!

Last Summer trip...

On August 2nd, my kids and I got on a plane to Salt Lake City. I had purchased my tickets 3 days before and we were looking forward to a few days with family before school started. We went to Hogle Zoo on August 3rd with my sisters (except Monica) and their kids and had a great morning. Natalie took these pictures (above).  Corey loved learning about owls and Claire loved the huge dinosaurs that were all over the Zoo that moved and roared!

(Above): Thursday, August 4th I took my girls to a meeting for the Book Club I helped create 14 years ago! These great ladies are still getting together every month! I only let our host, Kimberly know we were coming, so it was fun to surprise everyone. I just love these ladies and have so many fun memories of them from when Dan & I were newly married. They were so good to me after our first baby, Chase passed away. A lot of them had brought their daughters that night and I was pleased that Ashlyn fit right in (after being extremely shy at first). The girls did a lip sync for us at the end of the night...

 On August 5th we went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point with my parents and sisters (except Natalie). This museum has the "world's largest collection of mounted dinosaurs." My kids loved the Notion of Motion exhibit, where they could roll various items on a spinning disc, watch balls spiral down a big funnel, play with magnets and a huge pendulum.

 Claire is still obsessed with dinosaurs, so she wanted to stay all day!  

The kids all love the dinosaur sand pit, where they played with little plastic dinosaurs and built rivers and dams in the sand...

 After the museum, we headed to JCW's for lunch. Their reputation for the best shakes in town is true! I love this picture (above) of my cute Mom, surrounded by grandkids that adore her...

On Saturday, we had my nephew Tyler's baptism and then a lunch and swimming party after at Andrea & Paul's house. We spent a lot of time at Andrea's that week, swimming, watching Jane Austen movies and eating. It's such a fun house to hang out at and I think we all feel very at home there...

 On August 8th we went to The Living Planet Aquarium. My favorite thing there is the octopus. I could sit and watch it for hours! 

 (Above): I'm glad we could spend an afternoon with my Grammy at her home. She's 92 now and is still so sharp and sassy, she just amazes me. My kids loved playing tic-tac-toe and Boggle in her basement, just like I did as a little girl! 

On August 8th we flew home, just in time for the kids' back-to-school nights and such. It was such a good trip and I'm so glad we went. 

I came home with a profound admiration for my sweet Mom. I am just in awe of her and I don't know what I'd do without her! She is simply the most thoughtful, selfless, fun, energetic, creative, centered, giving, talented and beautiful woman I know. It makes my heart just ache sometimes because I miss her so much and wish we lived closer. I am amazed she has such a close relationship with each of my kids, since we've lived in a different state since Ashlyn was 6 months old. I  look up to her so much and am so glad she's such a huge part of our lives. 

July 28th: Denver Museum of Nature & Science

July 28th, we went to Cafe Rio for lunch (yum!) then to The Denver Museum of Nature and Science with our friends Sarah, Garrett and Lily. Sarah and her kids had never been to the museum before, so my kids played tour guide and showed them their favorite exhibits: Space, Dinosaurs and Expedition Health. Corey and Claire were chosen to participate in a show on healthy foods. (Below): Claire dressed up as a broccoli floret and Corey got to be a walnut! 

In Expedition Health, Claire and I sat at a machine that aged your face. I snapped this picture (below) of Claire at age 38. I wonder if she'll look anything like that... So crazy!

Camping near Breckenridge...

The weekend of July 29-31st, we went camping at Heaton Bay near the Breckenridge Ski Resort with our friends Mark and Rikke. We had originally scheduled this trip on Memorial weekend in May, but there was still snow! We had heard several good reports about this camp spot and were excited to finally check it out...

It was as beautiful as we'd heard and the weather was just about perfect, if just a little cold at night and there were quite a lot of bugs. We spent the first day fishing and the kids swam...

We didn't catch any fish, but we still loved sitting by the water and talking with our friends. Rikke's friend Lisa was visiting from Denmark and  it was fun to get to know her. I love the picture (below) of Sam "catching" Lisa with the fishing net! 

The sunsets were seriously spectacular at night! It was a really beautiful spot to camp. On Friday, Mark drove into town to see about renting a canoe. He came back about an hour later with a canoe that he bought! We spent a lot of time canoeing on the lake with the kids. There were a few small islands that were fun to canoe around. Dan and Ashlyn took fishing poles with them, but only had one bite. 

One of my favorite parts of camping is cooking over a fire. Dan and I made our favorite Dutch Oven cobbler and we ate S'Mores until we were sick!

Saturday afternoon we drove to Breckenridge to ride the Alpine Slide. It was so crowded and incredibly hot, but I got to ride the slide with Ashlyn and Corey...

I took the picture (above) at Breckenridge before we left to go back to our camp spot. It was a nice trip with great friends! The picture (below) is one I took as we were driving over the dam to go home...