The Labit Family

Lessons from a Science Fair...

2012-02-10T08:01:00.002-07:00

This year, Will and two of his friends decided that they wanted to do a project together.
They came over, we did the experiment,

took pictures and that was the last we thought about it-

until two nights before the Science Fair.

So Will and I put the board together, included their names and sent the project to school.

Communication is always key.

Both of the other boys also put a board together.

All three had the exact same project.

Only Will's had all three boys' names on it.

Confusing.

For us, for the judges.

No prizes this year.

Lesson learned.

A Love Note.

2012-02-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

Conservatism is Alive and Well in Missouri, Minnesota AND Colorado...

2012-02-08T10:52:00.002-07:00

Rick Santorum.

He swept those three states last night.

This Weekend I Rediscovered Justin.

2012-02-06T21:28:00.001-07:00

Many moons ago Never Say Never was my conversion to the fever that is Bieber...

But after a long absence of anything Bieber,

Netflix offered the movie on Instant Queue this weekend.

I got sucked in again.

I love that movie.

I downloaded all my favorites
and played them just a little too much.

Then, no joke, during Fast and Testimony meeting yesterday,

I hear the sweetest little voice belt out:

"Baby, baby, baby, oh..."

Yes, the little 2 year old prodigy behind me was apparently

experiencing Bieber Fever as well.

Coincidence? Probably.

But it was an awesome end to my Bieber weekend.

And if by chance you are mocking this 46 year old woman , puhleeeeze, have you ever watched this?

I Stand With The Catholic Church.

2012-02-05T18:21:00.002-07:00

"Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience."

The following is a powerful letter read in almost every Catholic church last week in response to the Obama administration's mandate that employers must include contraception and abortion-inducing drugs in health-care coverage. It will force Catholic colleges, hospitals and other Christian groups to provide these drugs despite their faith-based opposition to them. It's an extremely important and courageous stance:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just been dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people — the Catholic population — and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers,
including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Obama Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to either violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Obama Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture,
only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.
And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience,to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Obama Administration’s decision.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Alexander K. Sample
Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample

I am proud to stand with the Catholic church.
Believe me, our turn will come.

Don't Ask Me How Many Times I Have Watched This....

2012-02-03T23:23:00.007-07:00

So, when somebody asks you to fill in as the National Anthem

singer at your high school basketball game

with a mere three day advance notice

(we're talking the National Anthem),

the correct answer would be uh," HECK no!"

Well, that's the right answer in my wussy world.

In my daughter Michaela's world, not so much.

Watch her rock the rafters :)

(Shout out to Bro.Cope in the bottom right corner for the first 7 seconds...)

Still Recovering.

2012-02-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

This Luau wiped me out.

It might take a couple of days to recover.

Sheesh.

This Is Who I Am.

2012-02-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

I swore I would never become one of "those" Cub scout ladies...

It might be time to be released.

Ah February!

2012-02-01T23:40:00.000-07:00

You deserve a huge celebratory blog post of your own.

The marathon that was January is over.

But I am TIRED.

The Blue and Gold Banquet/ Luau is tomorrow

and I have many miles to go before I sleep...

So this is my pathetic shout-out to February.

Boo yah, we've been waiting ...

Second Term, Spring Creek Hawk's Nest

2012-01-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Once again, the nest is filled with Hawks.

Requirements are pretty stringent,

especially the attendance one,

but due to absolutely zero winter illness so far, we made it.

Great job, Hannah and Will.

Yesterday at Smiths.

2012-01-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Eleven dollars even.

Sweet.

Ode to January.

2012-01-26T11:02:00.002-07:00

This is what I have done so far this month (that my 46 year old brain can remember):

Went to book group..twice.
Went off sugar.
Went back on sugar.
Learned to make home made wheat thins.
Saw Extemely Loud and Incredibly Close
Went to the temple 3 times.
Made dinners for 2 families.
Went to a sealing.
Went to a wedding reception
Visited my rheumatologist..
Went to two baby showers.
Canned my own refried beans and black beans.
Started an intense Book of Mormon reading program with my family...(fulfilling the Virtue requirement in YW)
Read four books.
Watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey-(love-love)
Went to RS enrichment night.
Did my Visiting Teaching.
Went to an Emergency Preparedness class.
Hit an awesome cereal sale...
Went to a Seminary fireside with one daughter and listened to the other daughter sing in the seminary choir..
Had lunch at my former bishop's new and STUNNING home.
Subbed for Cub scouts.
Did a science fair experiment with my son.
Went to New Beginnings with my daughters.
Participated in a couple of Saturday choir practices...(in addition to Sundays)
Listened to my daughter and my husband give most excellent talks...
Read a book out loud from start to finish with my son.
Watched a Republican Presidential Debate.

Even with all of this,
why does January always feel like the most boring month of the year?

State of the Union...

2012-01-24T19:39:00.002-07:00

So I got this email from my brother today saying:

"If you guys happen to watch the State of the Union address tonight, watch closely as the president walks out onto the House floor....the handheld camera backpedaling with him will be yours truly....."

To which I replied:

"Wasn't planning on watching---I KNOW the state of the union...but I will watch now (at least the beginning)."

And so I did. For 5 minutes.

Here is what I saw:

One of my most favorite people, with three of my least.

No offense.

It's Here...

2012-01-23T17:51:00.000-07:00

FINALLY!

Music For Your Sunday Evening.

2012-01-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

I'm not necessarily an Alex Boye fan,

but I LOVE this song.

(I Want Jesus to Walk With Me...)

I Fibbed.

2012-01-21T19:42:00.007-07:00

This January I think about more than just beaches and cookies.

I think about politics and the future of our country, ALOT.

Remember this man?

The man from whom we learned that character

really should matter in a President?

And remember this man?

The president who taught us that character is, in fact, everything?

I am seriously bummed tonight.

Newt Gingrich won handily in South Carolina.

Mr. Gingrich has some major character issues.

But more than that, he has some major policy issues.

You're familiar with this man:

Newt agrees with him on that huge government takeover that tramples
personal freedom, called universal health care.

That's a deal breaker for me.

In a big way.

Tonight I am sick with worry.

But tomorrow,

I'll remember that this man...

...is truly in charge.

Shabbat Shalom.

Please Hurry February.

2012-01-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

In the midst of the January blahs,

my mind is thinking of just two things,

back and forth, back and forth...

Beaches...

..and cookies.

...and beaches

...and cookies.

See, I told you.

January blahs.

Art On A Sunday Afternoon.

2012-01-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

We are duck tape intensive around here.

A little bit of creativity...

...inspires this masterpiece.

Hmmm, someone forgot to measure first....

For My Dad.

2012-01-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

A handsome picture of Mitt Romney on my blog.

(You know I love you Dad.)

We Have A Bird Named Suki.

2012-01-11T15:26:00.000-07:00


She lived a very boring life. Solitary, with just a mirror and a ladder for excitement.

Then she discovered popcorn.

Her life has never been the same.

Finally, Snow.

2012-01-07T21:31:00.002-07:00

Guess who got private snowboard lessons from the Master?

Yeah, he rocked that hill...

(you know, the one right next to our house?)

And of course, a snow battle was waged wherein Will claimed part of the victory...

We are hoping that we will see a little more of this stuff before spring.

On My Docket For January.

2012-01-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

Here's what I'm reading.

Seriously.

Some, simultaneously, and others in order of importance, (meaning just in time for my book groups...)

Most however, are just because someone recommended them.

Awesome.

A Good Night.

2012-01-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

Rick Santorum's virtual tie in Iowa last night makes me giddy with excitement. If you care, read more about it here.

Another Sunday, Another Birthday.

2012-01-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Cassidy turned 14 this weekend.
Here are the pictures to prove it:

Someone is obviously Team Peeta.

Yep, pretty sure.

Janis in a Yahtzee challenge...


And Christine got a haircut.	T

Until next time...

Shabbat Shalom.

Y Mountain: New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T15:36:00.001-07:00

No snow, barely a need for a jacket.

December 31st?

What I Would Have Said If I Had Ever Shared My Testimony in 2011:

2011-12-30T22:19:00.004-07:00

I can remember the exact moment that I knew Jesus loved me. It was a very real, singular moment. I was desperate to know. My heart hurt so intensely that my prayer was more of a challenge than a pleading. I told God that if he was there I needed to know it, right then and there, that I couldn't just hope anymore. He answered that challenge in an immediate and beautiful way. It was life changing.

I can also remember the exact moment that I knew that I loved Him. It was a different moment in time.A couple of years later. It took me by surprise. I always thought I loved Him, but when I knew for sure, I felt it deep. I knew for certain that my spirit recognized His voice as I read His words. I knew that I had loved Him long before I came to this earthly place.

It's not easy to put into words but I get so homesick from time to time. Sometimes, I just see a picture, or sing a sacrament hymn,or read a scripture verse and my heart aches to go home. To be with Him.
I had a friend tell me once that it was morbid to want to go back to Heaven so soon.
I don't think so.

The Book of Mormon kind of brings it all full circle to me. I love to read how intensely the prophets loved Him. How everything they did was to prove their discipleship to Him.
I love how He continually pleads with us to come unto Him.
I feel that plea to my very core.
I try to make the atonement count every single day of my life.
Jesus Christ loves me and that knowledge has made all the difference in the world to me.
I live to be with Him again, whenever that may be.

This is my testimony. Whether I speak it out loud or not.

Veto Power.

2011-12-28T18:50:00.001-07:00

A popular gift this year:The Marshmallow Shooter.

I am scraping up smashed marshmallows everywhere.
And I'm not happy about it.

You know how sometimes you make yourself bite your tongue when you want to veto a certain toy?
You tell yourself to try and be the fun mom who doesn't care if marshmallows are stuck to the wood floor just as long as the darlings are having fun?

Every time I try to be that mom, it doesn't work out well. I never end up being fun for very long. Eventually I become crazy mom who delivers long lectures about how I am not the maid...

Wow, maybe I took the Christmas tree down too soon.

Christmas: Packed Up and Put Away.

2011-12-26T22:04:00.001-07:00

We start early but we end on time.

Christmas Eve, 2011.

2011-12-25T10:15:00.004-07:00

Christmas Eve, without a doubt, is the LONGEST day of the year. Even for adults.
Our day began with a few minor chores- Mom brilliantly decided to have Saturday chore day on Friday in hopes of less grumbling and grouchiness on Christmas Eve.
After a few morning duties, we headed up to Orem to visit Bro. Enlow. When we got there, there was a young cellist playing for the residents. He was quite good.
So good that they were all asleep.

Soon, Beth couldn't help herself and followed suit.

He seemed to go on forever :)

Finally, we made our way to Franklin's room and visited and opened presents. We had fun even though he didn't remember that he used to live right next door to us.

We headed home, ready to go to Payson for Janis' traditional Christmas Eve party.
But, she had some unexpected visitors which put her behind schedule, so we had some extra time to kill.

Hmmm, what to do?

Watch Les Mis, AGAIN.

Soon it was time to hit Janis' party and it was something, I tell you.

She had a spread like no other. Jake was thrilled because FINALLY Janis let the youngest go first in the serving line. With all that food to choose from, what did he end up with?

Yeah, crackers.

We visited...

Played games...

Ate delicious food...

...and played more games.

During Eskimo Bingo, Kaylie got the "crappy " gag gift

(rubber dog poop)...

While Beth scored some cashola!

After the party we went home and had our Christmas FHE, followed by a family gift exchange.

Judie gave everyone PJ's.

Even Bella got a gift.

Long day, but well worth every minute.

Well, almost every minute.

Merry Christmas.

We Love You.

Four Jean Valjeans.

2011-12-23T19:51:00.003-07:00

I am slightly obsessed with the 25th anniversary edition of Les Miserables. My favorite song of all time is Bring Him Home and this is a crazy wonderful version. It features 4 of the greatest Jean Valjeans. But MOST amazing is Alfie Boe . He steps in at about 3:00. He brings me to tears every time.

Oh, I love this story and LOVE this music.

Temple Trip.

2011-12-22T08:59:00.001-07:00

We took Hannah and Kaylie to the temple last Friday, in between the hoopla of getting ready for Beth's birthday party.

It was the perfect reprieve.

The BYU students were heading home for the holidays and so we had the baptistery almost to ourselves. No small feat at the world's busiest temple baptistery...

It was a sweet experience.

I love the temple.

A Night of Archuleta.

2011-12-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

David Archuleta had a Christmas concert last night.

There is no one I would rather listen to sing about Jesus.

My eyes are a little puffy this morning.

His music was topped only by the announcement at the end of the night that he would be serving a full time mission.

Wow.

Flashback Monday.

2011-12-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Thirty years ago I wore this T'shirt to school on a regular basis....

Today, life came full circle.

Rock on.

Ode to the Neeley's.

2011-12-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

Family Christmas Party 2011, Part Two.

2011-12-18T15:11:00.001-07:00

My words are few, but pictures are worth thousands....

Merry Christmas!

Family Christmas Party 2011.

2011-12-17T22:15:00.000-07:00

Guess who gave the gag gift tonight...

Guess who was the lucky recipient...

Guess who traded his own present to take it home....

Oh yeah. You're Welcome.

Sweet Sixteen.

2011-12-16T22:22:00.001-07:00

After a completely stressful day of preparations by a completely stressed out mom and a mildly overtasked Dad, Beth is celebrating her 16th birthday even as we speak...

She chose an 80's theme, which she was totally excited about until I tried to give her "bangs to heaven"...she was not amused but left them as they were since I used a can of hairspray to keep them saluting the sky.

Some people had interesting interpretations of

the 80's dress code (boy on the right...)


Cute group and lots of fun- but I have yet to hear them play the slammin' 80's playlist Michaela and I put together. Hmmm... at least I have some AWESOME new running tunes.

May I just end by saying my kids are truly growing up way too fast?

Happy Birthday Beth.

I LOVE you!

Court of Honor.

2011-12-13T20:27:00.001-07:00

Elijah is now "Life."

Dang, I look happy.

Will Sings.

2011-12-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

At our ward Christmas party, Will was asked to sing in a group of three boys, the second verse of Silent Night. This would follow the whole primary singing the first verse. He was just a little stressed about it....

Turns out he was stressed for nothing. When it came time for the boy group number, the rest of the primary forgot NOT to sing . Don't you love happy endings?

Just Add Water.

2011-12-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

For some reason, the chilluns got a big kick out of this. If you are supposed to "tear here" then why is the slit down there?

Hmmm...

You just have to be smarter than the bag.

Four Out Of Five...

2011-12-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Four out of five sisters were together tonight.

Lot's of fun.

We missed you Alicia...

A Christmas Tradition.

2011-12-06T20:20:00.001-07:00

The Christmas season would not be complete without the Spring Creek Choir performance at BYU. Usually, we fight a snowstorm to get there but this year, it decided to snow during the night. Getting there was super easy. Spring Creek has an awesome choir program- they practice two days a week before school at 7:30 a.m. It takes some real commitment to be in this choir but it is worth it. All five of my kids have done choir at Spring Creek, and mostly without complaint about the early hour.

Love that choir!

Hannah and Will look a little uncertain, but none the less, sounded beautiful (from what I could tell amidst 35 other voices)...

Spring Creek Choir Alumnus...
(remember the "mostly without complaint"part?)

A Post For My Mom That I Hope My Kids Won't Read.

2011-12-05T11:46:00.003-07:00

Last week I week I had a conversation with my mom that went something like this:

Mom: Sounds like your kids are doing great.
Me: Oh, we have our struggles.
Mom: Well, you wouldn't know by your blog.

Okay, so here is the deal. I try to keep my blog positive. Mainly, because my kids read my blog and are kind of sensitive about what I put on it. It may seem like we are just happily sailing along, singing in musicals and winning awards, but let me tell you-we have some wingdingers.

Let me share our weekend at the risk of making one or so of my children not speak to me for awhile. All participants will remain anonymous.

1) Three of my children were grounded all weekend for grades being super sub-par. I don't know who that punishes more, me or them.

2) After being grounded all weekend, one of my children forgot to do the homework in the questionable class that he/she is not passing. Dad got up at 5:00 am and did homework with him/her for 2 1/2 hours and then drove that child to school.

3) I sat in the counseling office this morning with one child to discover that this child is on the truant list for ditching a class too many times. This child is not naughty, he/she has just discovered the happiness of going out to lunch. This child did not realize that there were serious consequences for ditching class.

4) And to top it all off, my phone was turned off this morning for failure to pay the bill. We have had this conversation with Comcast over and over and over again. They can't figure out our auto-pay plan and we "fix" it every couple of months and then it happens again.

So don't try to call me today- you probably wouldn't want to talk to me anyways.

I'm turning up the Michael Buble' and lighting the Christmas candle...

Kaylie's Becoming A Beehive...

2011-12-03T15:54:00.001-07:00

Next week Kaylie turns twelve- she will officially be a "Beehive." SO, we made this cake for her birthday celebration tomorrow. It had some "difficulties", but in the end, it's kind of cute.

Happy Almost Birthday Kaylie!

Wii Wish You A Merry Christmas...

2011-12-02T22:04:00.000-07:00

Is it a little telling that our nativity is gathered around our

Wii antenna?

Bring On Winter.

2011-12-01T08:59:00.001-07:00

This is a shout out to my homegurl-Michaela, who ROCKED it last night at the Timpview Benefit concert!
She and her friend Miranda sang "Winter Song" by
Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.
They truly were awesome and I am speaking NOT just as a doting mother.
They gave me chills and moved me to tears.

SO good.

Unfortunately my camera died as they took the stage.
You will just have to take my word for it.
I have never heard them sound so good.
The audience loved it.
The people in front of us turned around and asked us "Do you know those girls? They were incredible!"
And they were.

Thanks Trilby.

Pomegranates.

2011-11-29T21:04:00.001-07:00

Once again, we had our annual pomegranate feast with Auntie Judie. They really were the most delish pomegranates ever. Judie is going through some tough health issues right now, but she is determined to maintain the traditions that she started with the kids many years ago. They love her Halloween costuming (and so do I, as I am off the hook for Halloween!), her Sunday breakfasts, as well as the pomegranate feasts. She is so good to them.

Another Week, Another Book.

2011-11-28T16:42:00.000-07:00

Excellent book chronicling the assassination of

President Lincoln. So much I didn't know.

I highly recommend...

Happy Birthday Franklin...

2011-11-27T21:53:00.002-07:00

Today is Bro Enlow's 100th birthday.We had a little get together at the church in celebration. He is happy and healthy and wants to live another 10 years. I believe he could do it if he really wanted to.

Amazing.

I don't think that I want to live to be 100 but if I do, I hope to be just like him!

How I Spent My Saturday.

2011-11-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

If you have one, you should know how to use it.

A Post For My Sister. With No Words. Black Friday Exhaustion. You Understand.

2011-11-25T22:57:00.001-07:00

Blessed.

2011-11-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

I really only eat pie once a year....

...now you know why.

But enough about me, here is the Thanksgiving roundup...

As traditional, the cousins tried valiantly to beat Janis at checkers. No winners this time.

Oh, such beauty....

This pic is pretty self-explanatory...right?

More beauty...

...and more.

Thanksgiving is about joy, right Cody?

And food, right Michaela?

It's about lot's of conversation, right Judie?

It's about lot's of love...


...and more good food.

We love having family close by.
We had a great Thanksgiving and realize how greatly
we have all been blessed this year.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.

The One's That Didn't Make the Cut...

2011-11-24T00:32:00.002-07:00

Today we made a valiant attempt at taking a Christmas card photo...

Beth practices her Scully pose...(an X-files reference)

As creepy as Elijah looks, we are more creeped out by the guy with his hand up his shirt in the background...

I kind of missed the "in the air" part of the jump shot...

Michaela whining about the sun...(love you!)


And Will couldn't control the giggles when Elijah urged him to put his bu_ _ in the crevice...(We don't use that word, Elijah).

Don't the children look like they loved every minute of it?

Oh the pictures are deceiving.

But in the end, we got our shot.

It's in the mail.

(Well, not yet. But soon.)

Seven Days, Three Books.

2011-11-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

What a great week.

A Post From Will.

2011-11-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

Before:

AFTER!!!!

Do you see any difference?

It's Over.

2011-11-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

The Primary program is over.

As is my substitute stint as Primary chorister.

Man, I love that job.

One Friday, Three Awards:

2011-11-18T17:22:00.002-07:00

Hannah won first place in her division in the Reflections art contest...

Will was ushered into Spring Creek's Hawk Nest, which honors students who have achieved "greatness" in 5 different categories...


... Hannah also flew into that nest.

A lot of excitement for one weekend...

Having Consumed Our Lives...

2011-11-17T07:58:00.002-07:00

...for the last two months,

Thoroughly Modern Millie opened last night.

Michaela was wonderful- we never knew she could tap,
AND

she had a one word solo-magnificent!

It was just fun, fun, fun to watch!

Great Job Michaela!

This Is The Hand...

2011-11-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

...that high-fived David Osmond last night (twice)

at Liken's Jonah premiere.

Will's now a fan too.

Glenn Beck Came to Our Sacrament Meeting Today.

2011-11-13T15:36:00.001-07:00

That's what happens when your husband tries to access his scriptures from the same phone that downloads his Glenn Beck podcasts.
We heard a 5 second commentary on Herman Cain.
Oh, it could have been much worse.
Luckily, even though he was sitting on the stand, it sounded like it came from the back of the chapel.
A Sabbath miracle?
I think so.

Shabbat Shalom.

Freedom Week.

2011-11-12T08:37:00.001-07:00

For the first time in the 12 years that my kids have attended our elementary school, this week we had Freedom Week. It was pretty cool.The theme was "I Can Be A Star For My Country," and each day had a different focus. It culminated in an assembly where we had a "real" color guard post the colors, two Iraq veterans come and speak, and my personal fave, each grade learned a patriotic song to sing. At the end, the school was presented with an American flag, and a Utah flag that had been flown over the state capitol building. There was such a great patriotic feeling, hopefully it was felt just a little bit by those hooligans.
It was a perfect way to celebrate Veteran's Day.

Anticipating the excitement...

Feeling the excitement...

Pretending excitement....

Fighting the excitement...

Creating excitement...

The Fifth and Sixth graders sing a medley...Hannah's in there somewhere...


Our flag courtesy of Senator Mike Lee...

Just Awesome.

I Get Goosebumps, Seriously.

2011-11-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

Enough cannot be said about the timeless perfection of this CD.

If you grew up listening to Bing Crosby Christmas music...oh, this one will utterly transport you.

Yesterday.

2011-11-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

My backyard went from this...

...to this.

Sadly, it's not the beginnings of a glorious swimming pool-

A major garden area is being constructed,

complete with multi-tiers and a storage shed.

It may not be water, but it promises to give my kids plenty to do next summer!

And aren't these guys just the cutest things?

I Have A Suggestion.

2011-11-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

Remember how Halloween came and went at warp speed?

Get out your Christmas music now.

Time is flying I tell you.

Usually it feels so wrong before Thanksgiving.

Not this year.

Really.

I'm right about this....

Look, someone graffiti'd (not a real word) my Nativity box.

Let's Pretend I Posted This Yesterday.

2011-11-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Angie and Alicia!

WE LOVE YOU!

Scenes from a Sunday.

2011-11-06T18:28:00.002-07:00

We woke up to this- somehow we are always still
surprised when the snow comes...

And more...

My roses bloomed one more time because of our
warm fall, but alas, winter always wins.

Angie's birthday party was delightful.
( Actually,"delightful"
is not really the right word to describe a
Labit/Paynter get together,
it's more like "chaotic"...)


A closeup. Jacob designed the Oreo inspired creation.


I know Jordo was doing something hilariously funny here...can't remember what.

Hope your Sabbath was peaceful and good.

Just Think About It.

2011-11-04T12:06:00.003-06:00

I just want to pass on a great deal at markdown.com

For 79.99 you get:

*37,000 seeds, 1.4 Lbs of Non-Hybrid seeds, Heirloom Vegetables, sealed in an airtight military grade Seed Vault. Non-hybrid seeds mean that every season your garden produces seeds for next years crops. Most seeds you buy in the stores have been engineered not to reproduce.

*23 varieties of the highest yielding crops including tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, watermelon, onions and corn.

*2 books including a seed saving guide and a seed growing guide

The deal is available for a couple more days but is already 75% sold out.

I know I sound like a sales person but I have nothing to do with this company. It just feels really important to be able to grow your own food if you need to, and this is a great deal.

You might thank me later.
(To my family, I have now asked you twice...)

Bye, Bye, Bella.

2011-11-02T10:56:00.000-06:00

Our adopted dog has moved.

Bella now lives in St. George.

We spent Halloween evening with her, and then she was gone.

So sad. We were quite attached.

I guess we are in the market for a new adoptee.

If interested, apply. We aren't that picky...

Halloween 2011.

2011-10-31T22:06:00.000-06:00

You know someone is outgrowing Halloween when this is what they come up with for a costume. He's a leaf blower. Get it?

Michaela is River Song from Dr. Who...I'm not real clear on who she is but I am assured that Michaela looks pretty authentic.

Hannah's daytime costume...

Hannah's night time costume...can you tell Hannah was impatient with my picture taking?

My attempt at getting something inside of their bodies that didn't contain sugar...(bread sticks)

Michaela, I mean River Song, was the only one who truly appreciated them...

Santa and Spock...

These two crashed our neighborhood in hopes of better loot.


Will and his posse heading out to do some damage...

Hope your Halloween was as warm

and balmy as ours.

Seriously.

Tomorrow is calling for snow.

Go figure.

Must Everything Hawaiian Leave Us?

2011-10-30T20:41:00.001-06:00

Wednesday, November 2nd, Cameron leaves Utah. He is returning to his Hawaiian motherland. We have LOVED having him in Utah this past year. It was always so comforting to have part of our Hawaii cousins around.
I know it's bittersweet for him.
Good friends are hard to leave.
But I think he is getting out just in time...November is just around the corner and this weather won't last forever.
Whenever you get homesick for Utah, Cameron, just remember last November: bitter, bitter, bitter cold!

Here are some photos of our last Sunday dinner together...

Let's get a closeup of that cake....

Aloha 'Oe Cam...we'll miss you.

The Slate Eight Volleyball Season is Over.

2011-10-29T12:54:00.000-06:00


By their smiles, you wouldn't guess they just got CREAMED. We still love them....

Sneak Peek...

2011-10-27T09:29:00.001-06:00

Look who's coming a little early this year...

Someone Like You.

2011-10-25T22:42:00.000-06:00

Love this more than the original...

Sorry, Adele.

Scenes from A Fall Break...

2011-10-25T09:16:00.000-06:00

Here in Utah, we have Fall Break every year. This year, it felt more like Spring Break. The temperatures have been close to 80-it really is incredible. Here is a little smidge of what we have been up to...

Elijah and Dad headed to Topaz Mountain with the scouts...(doesn't that look like Riley with Elijah???)

They discovered a new species...uhg.


We attempted to go to the temple with Hannah for her first time...there was a three hour wait. We will try again this week.

We helped Hannah do a service project for school...

Beth got a haircut...

We carved pumpkins...


...and made caramel apples.

I believe we are officially ready.

Bring on Halloween.

Hannah Had a Birthday Party.

2011-10-18T08:16:00.001-06:00

Hannah is 12!!!

We celebrated!!!

Auntie Laura assisted in filling 100 balloons with Helium (her idea!)- she curled the ribbon with her fingernails!!!

And then 13 girls showed up!!!

They made their own pizza's...

...which cooked while these lovelies led the group in a major neighborhood scavenger hunt (in the rain, boo-yah!).

Pizza was followed by cookie dough cupcakes...

...and major amounts of fun!

And, wow, even more fun!

Happy Birthday Hannah...you only turn twelve once.

Thank goodness.

Michaela and Her Big Hair Went to Homecoming.

2011-10-14T14:24:00.000-06:00

Aunt Laura was here for Michaela's Homecoming date and Michaela jumped at the chance to have her hair done by a pro.

When she was finished, all Michaela could say was, "It's so big!"

In the end, it calmed down nicely- she looked beautiful!

What Did You Think He Would Do?

2011-10-13T09:21:00.001-06:00

Did you think Hank Williams Jr. was going to roll over and play dead?

Oooooh Nooooh! Not gonna happen.

Go here and listen to my (his) new anthem....

If you don't know this story, (what rock are you under?) go here.

Sometimes, Less is More.

2011-10-09T22:22:00.000-06:00

It's been a long, crazy fun weekend and I have the pictures to prove it! However, my camera is dead and the charger is missing, so for now I will just say:

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Words to Live By.

2011-10-07T06:48:00.000-06:00

"I've looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, if today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? And whenever the answer has been no too many days in a row I know I need to change something."

Steve Jobs

2005

Grandma Tomi Has Left the Building.

2011-10-05T11:50:00.001-06:00

Grandma Tomi left us bright and early this morning (okay, it wasn't bright but it was definitely early) and we feel it to our core. We had a wonderful week chock full of things meaningful. But with all of the sacred and sad, we had lot's of fun.

We visited Bridal Veil Falls...

and this temple...

...and this temple.

We ate lot's of these...


...and these.

We watched 8 hours of General Conference, (well most of us did), and shopped and visited and shopped and visited. It was the perfect visit, truly. We love and miss you already Tomi. Hope to see you soon!

Much love and Aloha.

In Memorium: Juanita Henrietta Singer

2011-10-03T19:53:00.000-06:00

A sweet service for a sweet woman.

We will miss her.

Six Conference Portraits:

2011-10-02T16:28:00.000-06:00

One:

Two:

Three:

Four:

Five:

Six:

Well, Grandma Tomi and I enjoyed it....

P.S. Elijah is faking, he just felt left out.

Oh Yes It Is !!!

2011-10-01T23:28:00.001-06:00

I took Grandma Tomi to see the newly announced Provo Temple (my heart still beats faster every time I think of it!) which is literally the skeleton of the Provo Tabernacle- this joyous sign had been posted by someone as happy as me!

Two temples in Provo?

My heart can hardly stand it....

Grandma Tomi Comes to Visit.

2011-09-29T08:30:00.000-06:00

Grandma Tomi from Hawaii (that is her official name) is visiting us for a little while and we are enjoying every minute. We don't get much face time with an ocean between us.

Last night we went to Bridal Veil Falls for dinner...it was gorgeous. Nothing like a waterfall as a backdrop for a picnic...we did some hiking, some strolling, and some playing.

It was lovely....not Hawaii lovely, but Utah lovely.

We'll take what we can get.

Another Goodbye.

2011-09-26T10:19:00.000-06:00

It's been a few weeks of sweet reunions for the the Labit/Singer family. Last month Grandpa Fred left mortality to be reunited with family and loved ones on the other side of the veil, and this morning Great Grandma Singer did the same. We spent a couple of hours with her last night as she lay peacefully sleeping. There was such a sweet feeling in the room, the same feeling I felt at the birth of each child- where the veil is thin and heaven is close. I couldn't help but feel a little tug of envy, that her life here was finished and she was on the brink of reuniting with the place my spirit feels such longing for. We will miss her, and always be grateful for the legacy of faith that she has in her two amazing daughters, Grandma Tomi and Auntie Judie.

We love you Grandma Singer.

It's Over.

2011-09-25T15:51:00.000-06:00

Soccer season is over.
Bring on Christmas!

Theater of the Absurd.

2011-09-24T09:42:00.000-06:00

If you have a few moments today, watch some powerful messages from Benjamin Netanyahu's UN speech.

You can find them here.

Just Because She's Beautiful.

2011-09-23T18:20:00.002-06:00

Am I wrong?

What a Difference a Day Makes.

2011-09-20T11:11:00.000-06:00

In just a matter of hours my living room went from this:

To this!

We LOVE the new carpet.

Paint, window treatments, and trim are all soon to follow...

God's Army

2011-09-18T22:04:00.000-06:00

The world is pretty evil, there is no denying it.

Sometimes it is overwhelming.

Sometimes my heart gets so heavy thinking about my children having to navigate through this muck.

And sometimes I feel that the power of the destroyer is just too much.

And then I experience a sacrament meeting like today.

Where my heart was overwhelmed by the tenderness of a newly returned missionary's testimony.

I could feel his love for Jesus before he said a word.

He wept from beginning to end. And so did I.

It was a compelling reminder that God's army will always be victorious.

Please count me in.

You Know You Miss Hawaii When:

2011-09-12T09:11:00.000-06:00

You dig out your favorite Hawaiian CD to clean house to...

(No, that's not a diaper, Will!)

I Hope I Never Forget.

2011-09-11T00:16:00.004-06:00

The tragedy of 9/11...

...the miracle of 9/12.

Remember how we felt?
Remember who we were?

God Bless America.

This Means Fall...

2011-09-08T21:18:00.000-06:00

Soccer season has begun.

What Teenage Daughters are Perfect for:

2011-09-07T16:26:00.001-06:00

What do you get when you combine an outdoor Pack meeting and a thunderstorm? Hair that looks like this:

Too bad I didn't know it until after I had conducted the meeting, socialized with new families, and presented awards...uhg.

Shouldn't someone have told me?

Grandma Brown (my mom).

2011-09-04T18:54:00.002-06:00

You can only do something like leave your family on the first week of school for 8 days if someone you can trust completely helps you out.

Someone like my mom.

Who came, and left my house cleaner than when she got here.

Who made my kids "Sunday dinners" every night.

Who left me a birthday present even though giving me a week of her life was more than enough.

Who always makes my kids feel special and loved.

Who continues to teach me that loving and serving is what life is about.

Thanks mom.

We love you.

P.S. I asked Will what the best part about having Grandma here was. He said " Just having her here, and you can tell her I said that!"

Goodbye.

2011-09-02T04:54:00.001-06:00

It's been a sad and sweet few days in Hawaii.
Sad seeing my wonderful mother-in-law so lost without her dear friend and companion. Sweet seeing those around her rally to her assistance in kindness and love.
Sad knowing that our time together was so short. Sweet getting to know my darling nieces and hilarious nephew in a more meaningful way.
Sad seeing that so much has changed since we were here. Sweet walking down memory lane of the days when our family was new and just beginning.
Sad having so little time with good friends from the past. Sweet remembering the profound influence they had on us as we were just starting out.

Sad saying goodbye again.
Sweet coming home.

Aloha

To Beth.

2011-08-31T11:23:00.001-06:00

The spot where Froggy jumped overboard and landed in the muck.

Oh, the memories.

Things You Might Only Find In Hawaii...

2011-08-30T01:05:00.000-06:00

Lani Kai Beach....

Red Ginger...

Tented house (for roach fumigation)...

Hot Malasadas...

and Blue Stop Signs!

Cookies with the Cooks.

2011-08-28T22:54:00.000-06:00

Aunt Laura wanted me to have a cookie teaching session with Kaitlyn and Alyssa...I was happy to oblige!

We measured...

and mixed...

and measured...

...and mixed...

Until at last,
after minor altitude adjustments and temperature adjustments,
these were the final product.

Great job Kaitlyn and Alyssa!!!

Hawaiian Style.

2011-08-28T02:26:00.001-06:00

Scenes from our Hawaiian get together...

Michael and his sisters, Laura and Nikki

Nikki and Nicolas

Date night...

One of the many amazingly beautiful flowers...

Zachary and Michael chowing down...

Punchbowl Cemetery...


The whole crew.

Aloha Nui Loa!