Can You Guess My Resolutions?

Judging from my "food for thought", can you guess one of my resolutions? Maybe because we have been "remodeling as a hobby" for 3 years. It seems that we have lived with/ in a constant mess for a long time. Now that we are almost finished with all the big projects it seems good to change some things about the way the we do and have done things. So get ready to decide if you want some things back etc. I know I have Micah and Rachel things. I think Tim already chose not to take many things... why can't I get rid of those "winner pinewood derbies"??? I need to analyze that.....
I have this wonderful book, Organizing Plain and Simple, by Donna Smallin that I will be using and since the Relief Society has shown some interest in a "Interest Group" I may just post ideas here and use them there. Like Molly this may only last until the end of January, I have an attention problem myself but we'll see who knows, it might just keep my interest.
On to helping sand the beams in the family room. We got the primer on the walls yesterday, we have quarts of "Bird Nest" a deep brown and "Light Chocolate"for the walls.... I want to see if we can live with such rich colors.
Brad, Kendal and Issy are here visiting until Sunday. Its good to see Issy so well. She is just a typical 2 year old. Over heard last night. Brad "you can't hit your mother". Issy " but I want to!" Brad " then you will have to go to your room because we don't hit in our family". So off to her room she went. Last night she just kept saying Micah, Micah, Micah... at least that what I thought she was saying (yesterday it was "Rowena") so I got the computer and showed her pictures of Micah. She was interested in that. I didn't seem to find a picture of Max though, just as well since Max the cat just scratched her.
Hope your New Years is great. We are going to the Stake Dance and we are on the clean up committee. Just supporting my husband in his church calling :0)

Merry Christmas to ALL!!

We went to Brett and Rowena's for Christmas Eve dinner and they expressed a desire to create a blog and so we did. She came up with Red Ceiling because she has one. I thought it was cleaver. She will use it to communicate with their family in the Philippines. We played phase 10 for 4 hours (LaVar won) and came home after midnight. That is the philippine tradition, to stay up after midnight and then open their presents, we didn't do that. She hasn't posted much yet but I thought maybe you could bookmark it. Welcome to blog land Rowena and Brett.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWO YOU!!

Happy Birthday!! to the two of YOU!This picture just shows how close you two have been. Born on the same day, Rachel two weeks early, Micah two weeks late. 
This picture is so out of focus but it is so cute. Just a sweet little boy. 

WE Really love you both and wish you a very Happy Birthday.

MY Year in Review

2007 has been a very fun year. In April Micah and Stephanie planned a trip after her graduation to go on a 4 day cruise and invited us to go along. We drove to California, spent the night with Tim, Laura, Sam and Hadley, then we were off to Catalina and Encinitas Mexico. We rented scooters in Encinitas and drove them, about 35 miles to a blow hole (La Bufadora) and shops. Glad to report that we did this successfully though the learning process was interesting, it was also a "cool ride" take that as you will. 

This is the whole Mac-ing Family. This is how many of us travel. With our Macs in tow and wireless cards, we are never lacking for entertainment, or information.  

This is Tim's transportation. Living in Pasadena California sure can't be beat for the weather especially on a motorcycle. 

In April we went back to Virginia for Center for Naval Analyses "field meetings" we got to see how the whole place has grown. We got to go to the Fredericksburg Ward on Sunday and visit after with the Hebertson family . Sandy,  Nike and I went to DC. We enjoyed the Spy Museum and all the old haunts. Nike took me to visit Danielle's grave. LaVar and I also went to the Washington DC temple. I am grateful for wonderful friends. 

       In June, Tyler, Charlotte, Savannah, Emmaline and Oliver invited me to go with them to Vermont.

Tyler was doing work there and I went to be with the children while Charlotte and her nephew Tucker helped Tyler.  We got to stay in the family's guest house, with it own pond ( or for a girl from Colorado that now lives in Nevada, it was a lake) boat, bugs, salamanders, flowers, mosquitos, miscellaneous creatures & frogs. It was a great time. The weather was great, we enjoyed the main house's pool, and lake with many water toys. 

Emma and Savannah helping out with the metal star, and Ollie just chillin'  these pictures just say it all. We had a little of both and a good time. We celebrated both Oliver's and Emmaline's birthdays.

In August was our family reunion in Fallon.  As we recall over 60 people came. We enjoyed each other, making meals, at Lattin Farms, eating, playing games and just chatting. With everyone's help and between the 3 houses, LaVar's parents, Brett and Rowena's two homes, ours (plus the Holiday Inn), we did quite well.

 

In September I went to Rachel and Greg's home to help out after Greg's second hip replacement this year. He was a great patient and recovered fast. I was walking down the hall still limping from my second broken leg this year and Greg's brother Garth was sitting at the table. He was startled to see me, he expected his brother. 

In October Jaim, Jody, LaVar and I went to Las Vegas. Jaim and Jody got married. We also got to go to the BYU vs UNLV football game. That was a first for Jody too. She was a good sport to go. The weather was wonderful and BYU won. 

Last trip of this year was with Alyssa and Steve to Guatemala which I posted many pictures earlier. We have two new grand daughters and we are grateful for their addition. 

We took many trips to Utah for wonderful occasions that were very memorable, sealings, fires, operations, wedding parties, etc. We love to come and see each of you.

 This has been a very eventful year and we thank you all for including us in your plans. We are profoundly grateful for all of you. We are grateful for your love and we are grateful you are so loveable. We pray for each of you many times everyday. We are grateful that you see the Lord's blessings in your lives. We are grateful the Lord has blessed us with you all, our favorite people in the whole world. We would rather be with you than travel to foreign lands, but hey, if we can travel AND be with YOU.... best of this world. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!! 

WE LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, AND WISH YOU THE HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS! Your Mom and Dad 

Here is the last countertop to go in. We have concrete many places, stainless steel on the sink and now a bit of granite. It is brown with darker spots, its called "tropical brown". I am just so excited and pleased that this has happened! There are just a few things that need to be finished now in the kitchen. We might do that after we finish the drywall in the family room. 

Hooray! that is our Christmas present, plus the trip to Tikal is a great Christmas! We will miss all of you and we will be thinking of you all. Love Mom and Dad

Kitchen Countertops are FINISHED!!

Katerine Massiel DeHart!! Is Home

Here is a lot of the story in pictures. Katie came to motel with the facilitator and her sister on Tuesday. She seemed quite reserved but not overly concerned nor upset. After they left Alyssa started with a banana and Katie ate like she hadn't eaten for awhile..... she does like her food! She is contented most of the time, she puts herself to sleep with some attention.

Her hair is so cute but she pulls things out as fast as one can put it in. Her hair is so long she really needs it pulled back with something. 

Alyssa was able to call the foster Mom and get her to come meet with us and see Katie again. We had heard that the foster mom was quite upset so see Katie go. They were a complete delight. Steve and Alyssa both were able to speak with them and I understood only a very little. The "Grandmother", the older son and 3 daughters came. One is only 6 months older than Katie. Here are pictures of "Katerine" the older and Wendy with Katie.

Delinda ( I think, the foster mom she such a nice and helpful person)




The Two Katerines

We were able to get a car and take these sweet people home. They had taken one of the wonderful Guatemala buses, but they started very early in the morning and going home was going to take awhile, we got to be in their home and see the whole neighborhood who were mostly all relatives. They even had a little dog named "Max" we thought that was soooo funny. 

It was a great trip and we are grateful to have the embassy paperwork, visas, customs etc. She is a great addition to the family and we are glad she is here. Its the beginning of a story. Welcome home Miss Katie DeHart!

There's no place like HOME

But on the other hand we had a GReat time! We started out leaving  Salt Lake and because of a mix up we needed to arrange to get on another flight, that always "red tubs" you going through security. They blew air on us, double checked everything in our bags from cameras, to ipods we were short on time anyway, Alyssa was through first and on to the plane, then I was finished and left, I just thought I knew where I was going and got down the wrong concourse, when I got to the plane they said they had already shut the doors and I would have to be rerouted. And first I panicked because we were going through Houston and on to Guatemala City, and a plan to leave first thing in the morning to go to Flores and a wonderful trip to Tikal (the Mayan Indian Ruins)..... suffice it to say Alyssa wouldn't let them leave me and 3 others got to go on thanks to a persistent daughter, a kind pilot and a bit of a mad land crew girl that just said "maybe next time you need to start a little earlier" I smiled at the thought of all the effort it took us to get where we were right then and knew she would never really understand and so I just said "thanks".   As I was hurrying on to the plane I asked the stewardesses "where is my daughter?" and they both pointed her out to me, I didn't think how funny that was (that they both knew) until I sat down and thought about it. Steve sat in front and pretended he didn't know either one of us! It's funny now, but then.... well, glad we can smile about it now. On to the good stuff. 

Because of all that when we landed in Guatemala City we had no suitcases, there was a lot of people with no baggage so who really knows. We spent the night and got on a plane to Flores, the jungle, Steve was in dress shoes, Alyssa was ok dressed in tennis shoes, jeans t-shirt, me on the other hand was in a black long sleeved shirt, velvet jacket, dress pants, and ballet flats. It was quite warm there not too bad but of course very humid. The first opportunity we had to get any clothes was a souvenir shop we got a t-shirt, capri's, hat and sunglasses but the ballet flats would have to do. 

Many of you will remember scenes from Star Wars and Lost Worlds that were filmed here. 


This is where chewing gum comes from a Chicklee tree not sure of the spelling but said "chicklay". This is our knowledgeable tour guide Antonio Diaz, he said he was the tour guide for both of the movies I mentioned.


wonderful jungle with native monkeys, and mosquitos to just wish I could communicate the smell it was so unusual, but pleasant.


This temple has a number no a name and it goes up 70 steep steps. We felt such a peaceful feeling up there. It was really remarkable.


This is the whole area that they have uncovered but there is believed to be many more all around in every direction. Many symbols, bath houses, cooking areas sleeping areas.


To get here we climbed 140 wooden steps and they seemed to go straight up. We sat up here the longest it was fabulous to just be there. They believed that all the trees were gone, cut down during the Mayan times and that lead to the lack of rainfall and no water meant not living there any more. This trip was Steve's Christmas present from Alyssa and I guess LaVar's to me. I was a gift of a lifetime or in other words "priceless". Just went to show me that proper clothes would have been nice, great experiences are just that, nothing else matters.

WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO GET KATIE!!

Tomorrow I will fly to Salt Lake and Friday Alyssa, Steve and I will fly to Guatemala. I will try and take pictures and post later. So excited.

That's Just FUNNY!

This is the snow storm in Bountiful December First
The video is LaVar trying to "walk" up Alyssa and Steve's driveway after the temple. This is his third attempt. I like how he says "I'm almost there", before he starts slipping down the hill. The odd sounds are me trying to stifle all out hillarity. Then I just give up. I laugh anew every time I see it. We finally got up after they drove up and we walked in the tracks. Dress shoes in Utah are just not practical!

Great Events in Life Make Fabulous Memories!

Saturday December 1st Emily Nicole DeHart was sealed to her family!
The day started with a several inch snow storm. But that didn't slow us down much.
Rachel took professional pictures and we are anxious to see those. These aren't great but give a feel for the day.
After the sealing and picture taking, Emily was crying and Alyssa said that she didn't want to leave the temple or take off her beautiful white dress.
I understand, that day was a wonderful one!
Hope we all can keep in our memories what a beautiful thing it was to be in the temple together, and have a great wish to be there again some day soon!
These pictures help me to remember the feelings I had to see you all dressed in white and being in the sealing room as a family.
I have a dream of having everyone in our family be together in the temple, nothing could be so wonderful to us.
Thanks for including us in your great event.

Day After Thanksgiving!

What do you do after Thanksgiving?
Well, in the day time we had the septic tank drain dug up by LaVar's brother Brett, because he has a tractor.
Oliver was interested to go out and see the "swimming pool" Grandad had dug. The smell with that thought was an interesting contrast.

I heard the definition of "Men Working", one actually doing the work and other men watching the work getting done. Here's our version.


Brett built a wonderful bonfire for us to all enjoy. The embers looked like fireworks. He had the young children throw pinecones in the fire.
Tim, Laura and family left on Saturday afternoon. With all the good-byes said and kissed exchanged the needed to return to get Sam's "kitty" that Oliver found at the Greats house. That avoided a near tragedy, for the trip home and beyond. Then Micah, Stephanie, and Max left. They wished someone had help them know they were forgetting some games for the Wii they were selling as soon as they got home.
So as things go we have not found very many things people have left here.
We are very appreciative of the effort you all made to travel here. We really missed those of you that we didn't get to spend time with.

Our Happy Thanksgiving

We had a good Thanksgiving and I just thought that I would share it in pictures. We had about 35 people and served dinner in our unfinished family room. The candlesticks are Brad's.



Our room had all the entertainment for a little while! Micah and Stephanie brought their Wii and had fun with the guitar.



Tim helping us cover the insulation in the family room.









Sam liked the legos and got Laura to be involved sometimes







Room set up. We had more food than we needed and quite a variety. Great day! We had a good time cooking together and eating together.

Miracles!!

When Jaim and Jody got married in Las Vegas when we all went down there to go to the BYU vs UNLV football game. I tried to download all the pictures to Jaim and my computers when the sandisk seemed to get corrupted. I thought that we had lost all these pictures. But this time I downloaded with the option to delete after download and that seemed to be the trick. I just love it when things seem to "heal" themselves! Congratulations Jaim and Jody, all of our best wishes go out to you!!

HOoray for Katie

http://www.davishomes.com/comm_dp.aspx?comm_id=108
Alyssa sent this and it is pretty interesting!
DeHart's big news is the Katerine is out of PGN and that actually means that she may be "HOMe" for Christmas. They may get to go to Guatamala and pick her up the first part of December and that is pretty darn exciting.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAXWELL

This picture was taken when you were much younger

Here is the state the Family Room is in right now. We had the paneling and 2/3 of the beams taken down off the (yes, that's right off the ceiling) and now we are working on the electrical. There are 15 can lights installed now and plugs and switches are coming. Then the inspection, all before Thanksgiving and drywall, paint and flooring before Christmas! We are pretty excited to be this close to "Finished" that dreamy word that has alluded us for about 3 years. Then we need to turn our attention to the details in almost every room that was left to do when we moved on to bigger jobs. Like trim, paint doors, carpeting, not small things but in the big picture..... not a big deal, but still plenty to do...

New Bloggers

Hi Laura! thanks for starting a blog too. You and I had the idea the about the same day and Rachel was a bit ahead of us. Stephanie on the other hand has been doing this since March!! and Charlotte is an old hand at this stuff.
I really enjoy reading what you all are doing! This is a fun way to share the days activities or special times. I'm so excited about it.
Yesterday Rowena and I drove Jon and Rosey to Reno for medical tests and while there bought the food for Thanksgiving. Rach, I don't know who is cooking the turkey but Costco has fresh ones for .89 cents a lb. It is a dilima what to do a week and a half ahead with a "fresh" one. Rowena was going to freeze it for a few days and then begin thawing it. I wonder what Costco was going to do with them for so long. Maybe their refrigerators are colder.... no idea. So do you want any "traditional" Thanksgiving recipes?? We found and bought a 27 lb. bird. Rowena has a roaster pan that she said I could use since mine got used for construction. It has held thinset, concrete, grout, miriad of wonderful stuff but is no longer good for cooking.
I will include everyones blog address here, and soon figure out how Charlotte put all the blog addresses on the side of hers. Guess you are the first of all of us to start a blog. Thanks Charlotte you are a trend setter!
Stephanie http://onelifelessordinary.blogspot.com
Rachel http://rachelamandahill.blogspot.com/
Laura http://thepinksquirrel.blogspot.com/

First Day

This is the first day of our blog. LaVar thought it was so neat he too wanted to be a part of Blogging land. So from time to time maybe he will add a post or two. Today we were up early. It is a holiday for LaVar, and we do appreciate all those who served in the military and all they have and do sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy each minute of every day, so he will put in electrical in our family room. I am going to Reno to drive a friend Jon Bodie, his wife Rosey and Rowena, to do some medical testing. If he is feeling good we may stop by to get food for Thanksgiving. Its not too early to think about that.

Just enjoying the journey

Because you all were making blogs and we were enjoying them so much, I thought maybe we could do one too! I have made a few mistakes that someday when I am not so tired we can try and fix but for now this will have to do.