Sledding in Sub Zero

Although it means sub zero temperatures, that's usually the only time the roads are frozen over, and we can drag the Hoodlums behind the 4-Wheeler.



Only 2 sleds meant  that Em had to ride with a brother every time. She liked that for all of two passes down the road. Then she was shoving them off.



Milo wussed  out after the first few minutes and spent the afternoon zipped in my coat, which I didn't mind a bit.



Once Em opted out for a turn by herself, the Boyz spent the whole time trying to knock each other off.





Em soaked it all in and then tried to top the Boyz in her crashes, not even shedding a tear, and begging to go faster.





Look Ma, no hands.



Christmas Catch Up

Dylan has been killing us this month. The Santa watching thing does not work for him anymore. The first time I used this on him, he calmly replied, "I don't care. I will get a present from Nana and Grannpa Ranny, and from Uncle R and Hope, and Grandma Carol, and Jeffy, and Hannah. I am cool with 5 presents."

The second time, Dave asked him to put away his Bakugan and Dyl was taking his own sweet time. Dave told him again and got a smart answer, which prompted him to take away one of the presents under the tree. Dylan's response, "I don't care." Which prompted the removal of a second present, and Dylan's response, " I don't care Dad, Christmas isn't even about presents."

He made us laugh though, when he was super pumped about being a lamb in the nativity. He practiced his "Baaa" nonstop and took his role very seriously. I told him that he needed to sing loud and not Baa, but he said, "Sheep don't sing, they Baa." The play was great and he looked ridiculous/adorable in his sheep costume. But at the very end of Away In A Manger, just as it got quiet, my little sheep let out a loud Baa, which set off the other sheep and they quickly ended the program.

The Hoodlums all sat on Santa's lap. Dawson wants a DS, (not gonna happen. I am not quite ready for him to unplug from the family.)  Dylan, wants an orange and black cat, (not gonna happen unless we get a new Daddy too.) And Ems wants a Dora Changing Window, or whatever current commercial happens to be playing.

Christmas was lovely. They got a dog instead of DSs'.................That's a whole 'nother post.

We spent a lot of Christmas Break outside playing in the snow and spending time together. It was the best Christmas yet.

12 Years of Wedded Bliss

We have been married 12 years. There are way to many things about this guy, and this marriage to put into a caption. But I am pretty sure we both get it.



We spent our anniversary in our usual tradition. Christmas shopping, a trip to where it all began, a few days in a seedy motel, and more Christmas shopping.




And of course, a kissing picture to add to our collection. Over the 14 years we have been together, we have collected more of these than I can count. Someday I will  put them all together.




Sometimes it takes a couple of tries before the self portrait comes out just right. We were in a hurry though, not to seem like Pervs on the temple grounds.





Ka-ching! I am so glad he is mine.



Squash

I love getting Dawson's school journals home to see what he has shared of our lives with his teacher. I thought the top entry, though short and sweet, really captured the essence of just how much he hates squash. I might have made him eat the Roasted Butternut Soup I made for this evening, had it not been such a short time ago that I myself threw up in my mouth. Long story short, Girls Night Out.... Sushi/Mussel......Vomiting at the table, not an option.

When Dawson saw Dave laughing about this, he and Dyl got on a tirade about the terrible, healthy things I make them eat. Dyl's contribution was, "Yeah, and what about those little green balls,  terrible!"

Yeah, well some starving kids would kill for brussel sprouts. Sue me for wanting to have healthy kids. Can't wait to see Dyl's journal come home.

A Last Minute Gift Idea

Dear Santa-

I wish to remain a licensed driver this year. I have not been a great girl, or even a good girl, but that has never stopped you from spoiling me in the past. (Minus the year I came home from college and got silverware. Yes, silverware. I am not sure WTH you were thinking.)

Sincerely,
Linz

I got two tickets within 2 weeks of each other this month. Even for my reckless standards, that is a lot. I was worried for my license's sake. I have had many a ticket just this year for speeding, but the last one was for "running a red light" as the PoPo put it. I say the light was yellow when I entered the intersection, and at worst, maybe orange, but definitely not red.

I decided to fight it.

My parents were in town for the weekend and were planning a lunch date with Hannah and myself in the city. In retrospect, being a troubled youth has really paid off for me. Now when I casually mention that I need to make a brief, appearance at the Salt Lake County District Court, before we go to lunch, they don't even blink an eye.

My visit was brief. With my sister and my beautiful, impressionable daughter in tow, we made our way through the sea of law enforcement, thugs, and more thugs. I successfully passed through the metal detector with my studded trauma shears in the bottom of my purse, and presented myself to the window.

Apparently these'a days you can't just appear before the judge, say "I didn' do it." and be on your way. I shoved my ticket across the counter, and said just that, but the guy studied the ticket for a moment, and then made a big sarcastic show of pushing a post-it note back to me. Apparently, one of my buddies at work had seen the citation sitting by my computer and had lovingly written, 'Another ticket? I love you even though you are dangerous.'  Not helpful. The driving court officer said I could fight the ticket, but it would take 8 months, mean several trips to the city, and legal fees. He said, "With your good record, you should just pay the ticket."

He didn't strike me as the joke telling kind, so I enquired as to what he might mean about my good record. He said that it only showed me as having the two tickets. That's when I just leveled with him. He phoned-a-friend at the DMV and realized that the records from the counties hadn't merged. He said I was safe, and to pay my ticket, and be on my way. Never trust law enforcement.

Today I got a letter saying that the Defensive Driving Course was going to be my Christmas present, or my license would be revoked for one year without the option of taking a course. Holla.

Merry Christmas to me.

Grandpa Delaine

Delaine Sweat

May 8, 1933 ~ November 25, 2010

Hometown: Heber City, UT

Delaine Sweat

Born May 8, 1933

Died November 25, 2010

Viewing: Tues 6-8PM @ LDS Church & Wed. 930-1030AM @ LDS Church

Service: Wed. Dec. 1, 2010 - 11:00 A.M.

Cemetery: Heber City Cemetery

Our loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother Delaine Sweat, age 77, passed away Thursday, November 25, 2010, in Heber City, Utah.

Born May 8, 1933, in Wallsburg, Utah, the son of Charles and Lela Bethers Sweat.

Dad was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War. Delaine was a very hard worker, often working more than one job to provide for his family.

Delaine worked most of his life as a miner and was even the last person to leave the HECLA mine in Park City. He worked many years as a truck driver for KOCH and earlier in his career also worked as a Park Ranger.

Delaine was an active member of the LDS Church, serving in various callings throughout the years. He was an amazing example and the Best Dad four kids could ever have. He was always kind and tender with his grandchildren and spending time with them was one of his favorite things to do.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Ruby; four children: Lavar Kenneth (Dixie) Daybell, Randy Lee (Nancy) Daybell, Marty Steven (Cindy) Daybell, Lela Marie (Gordon) Hall; siblings: Ron (Virginia) Sweat, Burton Kay (Jolene) Sweat, Thomas Fred (Colene) Sweat, Allen (Chris) Sweat; 17 grand children, 20 great-grand and one great-great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by both parents; three brothers: Delbert Glen, Asil, Lloyd; four sisters: Phyllis Brewer, Lorraine Robertson, Mariam Preston, Clara Bowers; and great-granddaughter, Karley D. Hone.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 1, 2010 – 11:00 A.M. in the Heber LDS 3rd Ward, 244 East 400 South, Heber City.

Viewings will be on Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the Church and on Wednesday from 9:30 – 10:30 A.M. prior to the services at the Church.

Interment will follow the services in the Heber City Cemetery



Both my Grandpa Dick and Grandpa Delaine had full military honors at their funerals. There  is a feeling of thankfulness that  burns deep in my heart for the freedoms and liberties that I enjoy without much thought to where they come from.





The mood never stays too somber for long with my family, and that is one of the things I love best about them. We can mourn and grieve, and then move on to a celebration of life, love, family, and memories that will continue on in our hearts and minds..........holy hallmark, sorry.



With all the funerals I have attended lately, the silver lining has to be, getting to see family. We really missed Hope and Jordan, and Mall and Jeff, this time around.





My Dad and his siblings. Lela, Lavar, Grandma Ruby, Marty and Randy (my Dad)

 

Lela and Gordon Camper, Dixie and Lavar Daybell, G-mizzle Ruby, Marty and Cindy Daybell, and Nancy and Randy Daybell



All things considered it was a really great day. Grandpa Delaine was a hell of a guy, who never said much, so when he did, it meant a whole lot more. R.I.P. Gramps.