Monday Memory- moments on the ice

 I love the adventures Rigby has shared with me and our "Fab Five" over the past 20 years of our marriage.  Our memories on the ice capture "the hidden" adventures of Southern Utah.  I am always surprised when I discover that Southern Utah natives have never had a chance to ice fish.

 This time we took some "newbies" ice fishing.  Some were locals and others Californians.  It was fun to share one of our winter favorites with them.  Thankfully, we have access to some private ponds in not far from our hometown and spent a fun morning making memories.

 Rigby explained to them the intricacies of ice fishing- the gear, the methods, the patience.  I enjoyed watching him share his love of the outdoors with those who rarely have the opportunity to view him in his element.

 It was also fun to see them all squirm a little when the ice starting cracking- too cool!

 Our children had fun exploring, fishing, and playing.  And of course nothing beats hot chocolate and chili dogs on the ice.

 We were glad they all hooked a fish and now can share their own "Fish tales" of their day spent on Southern Utah ice!

Keeping her 11..

To my Emma,

To the little girl who introduced me to the color of pink:

It is so fun to have you for a daughter... 

We get to shop together, bake together, paint our nails together, talk about books, and movies, friends, and how the brothers are driving you crazy- they drive me crazy too!

You are sliding between days of girlhood and womanhood.

I love that you still ask for hugs and cuddles. 

 I love that you wave to me in front of your friends 

and that you wanted to sit by me during the movie at your birthday party.

I love that Daddy is your #1 boyfriend

And that you don't mind his smooches.

I love it when you two talk hunting

and that all you wanted for your birthday was a pocketknife.

I love how you take your four brothers in stride- 

I love your spunk!

I love that they call you their general.

I even love your stubborness- I know it will save you some day.

Birthday party pics

Daddy gave you flowers, jewelry, and a pocket knife.

 There will be rough days ahead...
bad hair days, bad friend days, tough school days, dumb boy days, but remember it's not what you wear that defines you or makes you beautiful, all you need is inside of you because you are amazing!
God made you that way.  Don't forget to keep him on your team Emma. He will always be there and right behind him will be all of us- mom, dad, "the brothers" and so many more.

So go ahead and smile- let those blue eyes sparkle
You are 11 becoming 20 and beautiful
                                        Happiest of Birthdays,
                                                           xo, Mommy!

family party- Siri Emry, Eden, Maleck and Noah

Make a wish!

"Em and Em"

Vintage find.... Solve this mystery

 When my grandfather Weaver passed away, my parents, knowing my love for family history and antiques presented me with this "jewel."  These glasses were hidden away in a chest with no explanation... at all.  

 This year, for Christmas Rigby had the glasses framed with its case for me.  It truly is my Christmas treasure. After searching family photographs, I believe they belonged to my grandfather Weaver's maternal grandmother, Harriet Rosella Flint (1861-1923).  

The gold glasses have oval lenses, a scroll bridge, and curled temples all consistent with  mid 19th century spectacles and Harriet's lifespan.   

It is such a joy for me to have in my possession these glasses.  I have always felt such connection to her and somehow by having her glasses on display on my grandmother Weaver's desk I feel I can see more "clearly."

The last treasured photograph of the entire Dickson family

In the fall of 1918, the Spanish Influenza had swept across America leaving rows and rows of caskets.  The little community of Richville, Utah was no different.  And the Dickson family- two caskets came home to Harriet.  The bodies of her  of her sons in uniform Jared and Abel.  She herself had succumbed to the epidemic and was to ill to attend  Abel's funeral.   I can only imagine her grief in those lonely sleepless hours. 

Harriet's mother, Mary Jane Goodridge, crossed the plains in the Wilford Woodruff company.  She was baptized in the Platter river with her father and brother.  Harriet was blessed with the faith of her mother- this faith continues to bless Harriet's heritage today!  Because of her faith, her descendants all "see" a little better today.

Monday Memory-- holiday snapshots...

Our newest tradition.... marshmallow snowball fight- thanks, Brooke Romney for the idea.. (see blog Brooke Romney Writes) We plan to make this an annual tradition!

Love the colors of Christmas

favorite book

gingerbread house

Seleck and his friends decorating cookies

Seleck's bucket list

favorite guitarist

first and favorite nativity

favorite pianist

Love my boys!

Just a bunch of superheroes.... Christmas Eve jammies

Christmas morning

Seleck reads the Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

 There are a lot of gifts around come Christmas morning and we enjoy every moment of the gift giving and exchanging.  But before we open a gift or look in our stockings, we always read the Miracl of Jonathan Toomey and then we spend the next 2 to 3 hours taking turns exchanging gifts.  I love Christmas morning.  This year Travis and I sat side by side and enjoyed the morning watching our Fab Five open gifts- it is a delicious memory!

 On Christmas morning, it snowed and snowed... I love white Christmases!

Christmas morning crepes

snow removal

Christmas dinner

dinner with the missionaries

Christmas dessert- Danish pudding

Christmas pie- lemon sour cream

Christmas is for families and I love mine.  We loved having mom and dad Weaver for dinner, our dear friend Clyde and the missionaries.  It was the perfect way to end a perfect day!