tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90470519378407619032024-03-18T21:18:28.129-07:00The Wild Wild West-phals2012-The Year of the Dragon!Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-1352009896671154892016-02-18T12:23:00.001-07:002016-02-18T12:24:17.583-07:00What have we been doing the last 4 years1?Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-4976210658234676552012-02-01T22:20:00.005-07:002012-02-02T00:16:56.759-07:00<b>Happy New Year!</b><div><br /></div><div>We appreciate all of the sympathy that we got from our last blog. We are looking into the face of 2012 with a renewed hope that things will be brighter and try to enjoy each moment a little more. We are doing well and adjusting to life here in the northern midwest. We have experienced a very mild winter, hardly any snow. We've had some cold days in the single digits, but we really cannot complain. We went from summer in Bullhead City, AZ, to summer in Ohio, to winter in Ohio. To those fellow <i>Star Wars</i> fans, it was like traveling from <i>Tatooine</i>, to <i>Endor</i>, to <i>Hoth</i>, all in 2 months time! Poor Cora was wearing shorts and snow boots. It's very confusing to adjust!</div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas was fun. We really enjoyed having Carl's sister Carrie and her husband, Will at our home. They are very loved by the Westphal kids! Carrie took Clay and Catie on a whirlwind day trip to Chicago for a day of "highs"(the Sears Tower) and "lows" (the subway)--topped off with a taste of Chicago Style pizza. Everyone needs an "aunt Carrie" to remind them to enjoy life.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have also tried to keep the kids busy, which of course keeps mom and dad busy. Carl is the Scout Master, and has had one campout, with another "Klondike" style scheduled next week. We are utilizing the great resource of the YMCA. It cures the winter blues. We just completed our annual "Westphal Style" Chinese New Year celebration. We had some new friends over and had some homemade dumplings, chow mein, orange chicken, rice and homemade fortune cookies with silly fortunes with a little twist of "Lora" humor. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Here's an update:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Clay</b> is still at the Toledo Technology Academy. His skills and understanding of science are growing and we do not doubt that mixed with his established sense of curiosity and "out-of-the-box" mind, interesting things will come of it. In addition to all that he does, he is taking karate classes, weight training and a weekly swim class. He also takes good care of his baby (80 lb labrador, "Scout") and is trying to earn his "Eagle" in scouts.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Catie</b> is looking to attend an interesting magnet high school called the <i>Toledo School for the Arts. </i>She<i> </i>and I toured it about a week ago. It is a really unique school, with arts (music, visual, dance) integrated across the curriculum. She is interested in percussion, drama, visual arts, and has a natural talent in writing. So we hope she can get in. It's a lottery system, and there's only about 15 openings per year, but we'll see!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lacey</b> is still playing flute in the band at her school. She has made a few friends, and continues to receive high grades in all of her classes. She is very dedicated to learning and has made a great start in junior high. She still likes to tease us daily, and can be very entertaining. (at least to us...)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Luke</b> is a cutie and developing a funny sense of humor, also. He loves to draw and it is still a large part of who he is. He loves history, art, and science and tires me with his endless barrage of questions. I hear myself say, "Hmmm, I'm not sure" as in "I'm not sure if atoms are made of atoms..." (ouch my brain!)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leia</b> is adorable and lovable and like a butterfly in that she is beautiful, but it also represents her attention span. (as in she doesn't have one). In some way, it makes her endearing, but it is <i>interesting</i> to watch her march around the house in the morning with one shoe on, half an eaten bowl of cereal, and a comic book in her hand. I grumble that I can't take another minute of it just when she comes running back from the bus stop to say in a panting voice, "I almost forgot to hug you!"--all is forgiven. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Christian</b> is finally enrolled in preschool and in love with all of it. We found an excellent 3 day a week program for him. He is absolutely adorable and it makes me mad that kids become so cute right before they leave you for kindergarten! He is writing his name and wanting to be very "grown-up". I took him to the park yesterday and by the time we left about 4 girls were following him around and giggling at all of his silly antics. He's going to be heartbreaker.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Cora</b> is hilarious. She cocks her head and talks on her (broken) cell phone to "Justin Bieber", and passes the phone to me to say hello. (yay) When asked if she is beautiful, she responds with a quick and surprisingly humble, "yes". (I hope that never changes.) She loves to "dance" her own way (no formal lessons), go swimming, play babies and in her little pretend kitchen and play with her brothers and sisters. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for Carl and I, sometimes we live life, and sometimes it lives us. We are still recuperating quietly from the roller coaster of our past year, heck, the past 16 years. We've had some interesting times together. Not that we're saying we have it harder than anyone else, but it's no doubt been a ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>We love and miss you all--</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-7637090603142128942011-12-22T22:22:00.006-07:002011-12-23T00:29:09.808-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><b>Humble Pie Anyone?</b></span><div><br /></div><div>We decided to serve ourselves up a few juicy slices these past 7 months. If you'd like a taste or at least share a few laughs and tears with us, read on...</div><div><br /></div><div>Carl's job in Bullhead City came to an abrupt end on May 23, 2011. It was something we sensed might happen, but never in this way. We scrambled to find alternative employment, and after much thought and prayer accepted a position in Toledo, Ohio. We spent another month tying up loose ends, and preparing to move 2000 miles with our 7 confused children and large drooling labrador. It was <i>denial</i> in it's finest form.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those that know us, we have been dreaming of home ownership for many years now. The economy and our hard-to-fit group has kept us in the rental world, and we thought that this was a prime time to buy and start living the "American Dream"... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;">(<i>scary music fades in</i>)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Carl flew out to the Toledo area in June, and found a lovely home with all that we desired at a good price, but as he was boarding the plane to return home, the whole deal fell through, and he came home empty handed. Due to our financial limitations and the craziness of our lives, we were forced to complete the home searching process online and do our best to secure a home through our realtor. We thought we found a home that would be great for us. It was good sized with a large yard, and we went ahead and signed the final paperwork on July 26. We piled the kids into a minivan and a moving truck, and began our long drive across the United States. We dreamed of our new "home" and thought that we'd done a brilliant job researching the property through the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;">eyes</span> (rhymes with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;"><i>lies</i></span>) of others. </div><div><br /></div><div>After 4 grueling days of driving, at 11:00pm, we pulled into the driveway of our "dream home", only to find out that we'd stumbled into a "night mare". The home was a mess. The whole kitchen and breezeway smelled heavily of cat urine, the windows were painted shut, the ceiling was not square and the rails on the second floor were swaying loosely. Needless to say, we were devastated. The kids were disappointed and crying, and we just couldn't believe it. We decided to sleep there one night. It was horrible--no air circulation, and the house was settling so badly, it sounded like gun shots when the beams would creak.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, we called our realtor, and to our surprise, he was just angry and told us to "get a good lawyer". <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">(<i>click</i>)</span> So there we were, no where to live, a full moving truck, 2000 miles from anyone we know and a new job starting in 2 days. Thankfully, we had managed to pull ourselves together and find the church building. We attended church and fell into the arms of some of the kindest people we have yet met on this earth. We stayed the next night at a hotel trying to gather our thoughts and get some rest. By morning, some ward members had found us a vacant house to stay in until things settled with our real estate blunder. We moved our stuff into the garage so we could return the moving van, and just brought in some clothes, and bedding to "survive" on for a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>Carl started work the next day. We couldn't find any nice clothes, so we bought him some. He managed to shower and dry off with a clean T-shirt <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;">(we are classy folks)</span></i> and show up to his first day of work. Lora and the kids stayed in the borrowed house. The owners of the scary house continued to harass us and drove us to involve lawyers. They wanted to sue us for $10,000, then $50, 000. We didn't know what to do. Life became surreal and we just lived day-to-day out of an ice chest and the laundromat. Some kind sisters in the ward opened up their homes to our children to play and it took an edge off of their confusion and fears. We pulled together every night on the floor of this little house with 1 bathroom, and would just read together and pray for miracles like we'd never prayed before. Days turned into weeks, and the school year was starting. Our poor children were lost feeling and very worried. Finally, we found a rental that was sufficient for our family and at a price we could finally afford. We moved in exactly 30 days from our arrival.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids started school about 1 week late and Clay was able to get into school on time at a Magnet School, that didn't require a permanent address. All of our down payment money was now spent on the rental for the deposit, and the first and last month installment. We felt like we'd been through an emotional war. This home felt like absolute <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">heaven</span></i> after living in such sub-par conditions. We appreciate things like: a refrigerator, working stove, dishes and silverware, home cooked food, beds off the floor, and a place to collect mail. </div><div><br /></div><div>This has been the single most poignant experience of our lives and has helped to define and humble us in ways we never suspected. We struggle daily with feelings of this experience being a blessing or a curse. We cannot decide if we brought it upon ourselves or if it is a rare gift of adversity that drove compassion, humility, and charity into our very core. </div><div><br /></div><div>So here we are, in Toledo, Ohio. If we had a dime for every time we heard a person say, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;">"You moved from Arizona to <i>HERE?</i> "</span> we might have enough money to settle the lawsuit pending against us. Yes, the owners of the "scary house" continue to hound us. We received a subpoena from the sheriff on November 21. They are now suing us for <b>$200,000</b>. So, the plot thickens, or "<i>sickens</i>", as they say. (sigh)</div><div><br /></div><div>On a happier note, aside from all of the "house-stuff", life is pretty good. We literally feel of the prayers on our behalf and are especially grateful to see the light in our children's eyes returning. In their innocent and wise ways, they have come to love Ohio. I hope it is evident in the pictures running along these words that they are happy. We are happy, too, but changed forever. We no longer seek for happiness in the things of the world. We still like to have fun, and some "stuff" is of course essential and enjoyable, but we see it for what it is--<b>stuff.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>There are of course a million details and nuances to all of these events that could fill volumes. The bottom line is, we are fine. We decided from this experience, that losing money is not eternally significant, but losing the spirit is. We strive every day to keep the spirit of forgiveness and love and fight the anger that could be justified.</div><div><br /></div><div>Top 10 things we love about Toledo?</div><div><ol><li>Beautiful trees and plants</li><li>grass (no rocks!)</li><li>4 seasons (still a novelty)</li><li>Amazing art museum</li><li>Theaters</li><li>Symphonies</li><li>good schools</li><li>beautiful libraries</li><li>Large Metro-Parks</li><li>Strong Boy Scouting programs</li></ol></div><div>Top 10 things we miss about California, New Mexico, Missouri, and Arizona?:</div><div><ol><li>you</li><li>and you</li><li>and you</li><li>and you</li><li>and you</li><li>and you</li><li>and, oh, you</li><li>and yes, even you,</li><li>and you too...sort of</li><li>oh, and the mountains.</li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;"><b>Happy Holidays from the Wild-Wild- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600cc;">MID</span>-WESTphals!!</b></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-82737941340538715322010-12-11T15:15:00.001-07:002010-12-11T15:22:15.533-07:00Happy Holidays!<br />Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-82160255316153193952010-03-17T22:36:00.016-07:002010-03-17T23:34:42.305-07:00St. Patrick's Day<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#009900;"><strong><em>WE WILL-WE WILL</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:180%;">SHAM-ROCK YOU!</span> </span></em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>(Leia was heard singing this today </em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>when riding her scooter on the back porch...</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>we had a good laugh!)</em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj9xXbk8qgKT2hcvgwGTznZrGCXxoqZUEcqcffhhzOMtdIm7S24Z5u1pyp1EKehPe2i8wfAcy9WTglzWkTznyUdU066AKKYqcVjkcnl0eXzUQpi2rH8NKk_xVPEeLDWQVQkgeSjTJ0QE/s1600-h/3-17-2010+070.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449845123816601874" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj9xXbk8qgKT2hcvgwGTznZrGCXxoqZUEcqcffhhzOMtdIm7S24Z5u1pyp1EKehPe2i8wfAcy9WTglzWkTznyUdU066AKKYqcVjkcnl0eXzUQpi2rH8NKk_xVPEeLDWQVQkgeSjTJ0QE/s320/3-17-2010+070.JPG" border="0" /></em></span></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi48Z7ekZLyvaqhBu94QEO6D7w6RH8P3yt3-3yvjsuOB1NNJV-njU744V7V_KxKada3aE1IovjMzum-g2PfnPqlARQSnrRCz6SHe_OPz5xc-yEEEw2xSUH4VJ0VemNu1Y4UoTBlcDJ2A/s1600-h/3-17-2010+079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449844626310860322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W28aDq5UKd4Dr1c2CLQ03nXxWkq1mwAfVN1sGGg9fBb7RZSe4ErHPnYQw_t-fXDPoO5yNJYVbdIveeaudE4EvgZ5pzdnA9r5BeinUVbc3rc7-RUxko15ISh4IYHjQDpAXQjgEOv6Ykk/s320/3-17-2010+076.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The goofy Westphal clan spent another silly holiday together making the best of it. We all thought "<em><span style="color:#009900;">GREEN</span></em>" all day, from clothes to food...here's a few pictures to see how people with more kids than money spend a day in the life.</span><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:verdana;">Corned Beef and Cabbage (Carl's favorite meal...)</span></em></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449848053159565746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHTjt_OTwlXMNR2KHKucaqxxisnhb71zCIcbjcnQ92LZciIQlA2UILGJLt5yDWPWdkieR83KrDLDbF1vLv3Hy0tCrGo3_7xb8iBH3uigJfVSGMqWlBE4O9Fnw1jEDxdiwb5-oPMYbRSc/s320/3-17-2010+072.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We tried "Irish Soda Bread" for the first time...the kids gave it a sporting taste, but only Carl liked it. We are sure he has some irish blood!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NqTIZ5l-L44aLZrcA0ORKsn5kwF9yRW8ae2dRcoWb3hzYFcEMtIC8eVHnWF0fdKtLwByDYLADp8tJwXO6BUZH56T5SL7hAdw_e2zzOK3EIp70LwmUNdbQB69Afie0v0QubFZ7HA2o58/s1600-h/3-17-2010+073.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449848398591207410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NqTIZ5l-L44aLZrcA0ORKsn5kwF9yRW8ae2dRcoWb3hzYFcEMtIC8eVHnWF0fdKtLwByDYLADp8tJwXO6BUZH56T5SL7hAdw_e2zzOK3EIp70LwmUNdbQB69Afie0v0QubFZ7HA2o58/s320/3-17-2010+073.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Grasshopper Pie to finish the meal (pistachio flavored...)<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449848785749426898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi48Z7ekZLyvaqhBu94QEO6D7w6RH8P3yt3-3yvjsuOB1NNJV-njU744V7V_KxKada3aE1IovjMzum-g2PfnPqlARQSnrRCz6SHe_OPz5xc-yEEEw2xSUH4VJ0VemNu1Y4UoTBlcDJ2A/s320/3-17-2010+079.JPG" border="0" />Lacey and Luke being cute---colored lemonade and apples for a little more <span style="color:#009900;"><strong><em>GREEN!<br /></em></strong></span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tO6c31AufyTb7q1xe7jYmdwCTakYtszhHxa8qfcRH_isJ_775NfQWrKhUdyRC5Tw8Ro0xqmjrJiOYbIeB0d3Zzv0BIlSo3g9-a3zA-TgAnB9I3fYY4YNVJHNMqVfHf_gAqY0_CdRZSs/s1600-h/3-17-2010+064.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449847233996018866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tO6c31AufyTb7q1xe7jYmdwCTakYtszhHxa8qfcRH_isJ_775NfQWrKhUdyRC5Tw8Ro0xqmjrJiOYbIeB0d3Zzv0BIlSo3g9-a3zA-TgAnB9I3fYY4YNVJHNMqVfHf_gAqY0_CdRZSs/s400/3-17-2010+064.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA0iYqq33WZ5Sl_O0mQlKHaVTzkhNRoYpcnJt_2kNRcUlAU1qcFFZRpw59eiYXVZpHXADRK0DbmjyV0PNy1ObwTSdrru5rSFkgfYB_GcWwHcA-LEW0AilXE6zFAlfi3-lvxc4MS-25v8/s1600-h/3-17-2010+063.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449849129613990114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA0iYqq33WZ5Sl_O0mQlKHaVTzkhNRoYpcnJt_2kNRcUlAU1qcFFZRpw59eiYXVZpHXADRK0DbmjyV0PNy1ObwTSdrru5rSFkgfYB_GcWwHcA-LEW0AilXE6zFAlfi3-lvxc4MS-25v8/s320/3-17-2010+063.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Cora testing the lemonade ...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">(sporting a <span style="color:#009900;"><em>green</em></span> striped sweater and holding a <em><span style="color:#009900;">green</span></em> cup!)<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RmS7Ht-hDeOUEAYXcaoZt6PL90jsOK7peyOrRL80iChXCxsSy84pcbweKHRkCqpYxv8Chs0KgSEQlexFd_sAWvEptHLyVHVMHvJd_oXzNP1PnEOGpDKfaX0gGBpYk8KopEf-Iexht6A/s1600-h/3-17-2010+071.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449845455809457874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RmS7Ht-hDeOUEAYXcaoZt6PL90jsOK7peyOrRL80iChXCxsSy84pcbweKHRkCqpYxv8Chs0KgSEQlexFd_sAWvEptHLyVHVMHvJd_oXzNP1PnEOGpDKfaX0gGBpYk8KopEf-Iexht6A/s320/3-17-2010+071.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Christian thinks <span style="color:#009900;"><em>green</em></span> things are magical now...made the apples taste extra good </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">(he ate 3 today!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09CsDu36km7bwdfEkHjkQbVyy4B4dDgR307-2qhqQP5if7dGWUWuO8-GOel5GVIpHkdHrnhC0qYt7QCxPrJ1atOqivSaYygw4f2Moevhv63xRmXTQ3fI7tBHP7X-nDMKccqF_3vKmyr0/s1600-h/3-17-2010+075.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449847695319630354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09CsDu36km7bwdfEkHjkQbVyy4B4dDgR307-2qhqQP5if7dGWUWuO8-GOel5GVIpHkdHrnhC0qYt7QCxPrJ1atOqivSaYygw4f2Moevhv63xRmXTQ3fI7tBHP7X-nDMKccqF_3vKmyr0/s320/3-17-2010+075.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Clay and his <em><span style="color:#009900;">green</span> </em>shirt...<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div><br /><br /><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em></em></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gh80FcTg-pez5zxzFj5Wh2Lyu-8Wb8usVECv8a_3EtdqFJBFXuGworcfbbfIhTLnVWVNgAa8ZO9Ngr4bdNU0BxSG8ju1f5GlySRA5Cw1j0WZR0AktLeONsw2rd32SNlr4Ly73c_TOpw/s1600-h/3-17-2010+078.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></a></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gh80FcTg-pez5zxzFj5Wh2Lyu-8Wb8usVECv8a_3EtdqFJBFXuGworcfbbfIhTLnVWVNgAa8ZO9Ngr4bdNU0BxSG8ju1f5GlySRA5Cw1j0WZR0AktLeONsw2rd32SNlr4Ly73c_TOpw/s1600-h/3-17-2010+078.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></a></em></span></strong></span></div></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gh80FcTg-pez5zxzFj5Wh2Lyu-8Wb8usVECv8a_3EtdqFJBFXuGworcfbbfIhTLnVWVNgAa8ZO9Ngr4bdNU0BxSG8ju1f5GlySRA5Cw1j0WZR0AktLeONsw2rd32SNlr4Ly73c_TOpw/s1600-h/3-17-2010+078.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449844194983270546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gh80FcTg-pez5zxzFj5Wh2Lyu-8Wb8usVECv8a_3EtdqFJBFXuGworcfbbfIhTLnVWVNgAa8ZO9Ngr4bdNU0BxSG8ju1f5GlySRA5Cw1j0WZR0AktLeONsw2rd32SNlr4Ly73c_TOpw/s320/3-17-2010+078.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></em></span></strong></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gh80FcTg-pez5zxzFj5Wh2Lyu-8Wb8usVECv8a_3EtdqFJBFXuGworcfbbfIhTLnVWVNgAa8ZO9Ngr4bdNU0BxSG8ju1f5GlySRA5Cw1j0WZR0AktLeONsw2rd32SNlr4Ly73c_TOpw/s1600-h/3-17-2010+078.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></a></em></span></strong></span></div></em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em>HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY-</em></span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:130%;">WESTPHAL STYLE<br /></span><br /></span></em></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></span><div></div></div><br /></div>Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-13464827387189442192010-03-12T21:54:00.023-07:002010-03-13T22:55:33.329-07:00Chinese New Year 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTajAt_klPEKbbubOMbx7BQHlHFnxBMbtBorgzSK61h2LZtPgTvT1Rs7GFFVCSQTOYusWsoPBiEJheprL2atTNYL2yASImRkzel4tUmAK3s4OjO9WOa26_rQQBBqdIhY17WOGHPbNaFx0/s1600-h/120.JPG"></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!</strong></em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447981915486775826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuUgQY6ZywgmZ1yhtoc6FspfUhrswymctOe2t4L04NG3lhnpvmolnd70uumPsYlPlbJ-0PaFW4XIPyhYurl50uZ0i8ktK6hp7T3mGqF2S1l1akWWRTIlLwmKYkgu0_0TMFVB1G1mjI28/s200/078.JPG" border="0" />It is the Year of the Tiger! Catie is the only "Tiger" in the family and she proudly poses with a little tiger and her best Chinese costume. We were so glad to have John, Jessica and Ethan to join in our silly festivities this year! We had a lot of fun preparing delicious, authentic Chinese food, making homemade decorations and enjoying the company and ethnic treat.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447992929512445266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72_t4XvVQF2HWOWswwAMK2ErkLpTWH3k2TeKhjoTnE_l1rdD-PC8NdGYWcOGQz4gSWnSFvaICvpUOUxT9rnkKv2ARBTkGvPWlbiduUgYk0YPV5xIYb1SyuVygaUZKQMQ5b5K9ZgRIwuo/s200/095.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">This is Clay performing as the "Dragon" in the parade. The kids suprised us by putting together an after dinner show that they prepared while we were cooking.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_jJjLAYSrlDwawRzNU4ESTzM4aYopwnmSd5czIBEOPbtqFov-ttT2Py7pda6CvO2px5B0Fho1-nYHlL1J_Ee8aYzlC0-UTiGGLJLFLqodcZlbln1B6HAhnB2hcwIYcDy_sntP6jVHZA/s1600-h/087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447997355528042018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_jJjLAYSrlDwawRzNU4ESTzM4aYopwnmSd5czIBEOPbtqFov-ttT2Py7pda6CvO2px5B0Fho1-nYHlL1J_Ee8aYzlC0-UTiGGLJLFLqodcZlbln1B6HAhnB2hcwIYcDy_sntP6jVHZA/s200/087.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447995325972301874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTI63VK4hrok9mItGc2GyaxNPLG5nZmyt6HlAua-StjOcB0zbQYSWrhodBvPIs-MOCixHFMMl8LAu_Kvf-nPyrAMQDgBZ6oXQ7VcBUdVKUfO0oQsnpKK60Rm9t4XcqGynUWnHsL_nBoc/s200/124.JPG" border="0" /> Christian was his usual silly self, and we all took an opportunity to "rub Buddah's Belly" for good luck in 2010! (Thanks Ethan!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4vOMuWTHYEwiYGqRUJIrLZLQhuV1zxxYY_4aFhyphenhyphenzFHKGIUL5UwRLh_5PT_bhiDkZqs7zmOUSPPTvuIP6VtVwTC8ea3ukcA192Bqs66I4fxQNFfPH68a9Mq6lWGRBueEX92OO0xElPp8/s1600-h/117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447993884052055074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4vOMuWTHYEwiYGqRUJIrLZLQhuV1zxxYY_4aFhyphenhyphenzFHKGIUL5UwRLh_5PT_bhiDkZqs7zmOUSPPTvuIP6VtVwTC8ea3ukcA192Bqs66I4fxQNFfPH68a9Mq6lWGRBueEX92OO0xElPp8/s200/117.JPG" border="0" /></a> Luke took his part as Lantern bearer very seriously--he lead out the parade and the kids dazzled us with their dancing and artistic flare.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU42_TD-ROvuSsxJVO_AD1dIkyNVSoAssw_lviN9LZ-pcbemMj-dJ3eF6x82T7KmjyqlHiy0zdPXhb0irgahsXMlROzjBiUZEFuBn3ZphSZTgMxQnIgF0bluu4D6kUdo_g1Tv5co4tkg/s1600-h/100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447993472937446658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU42_TD-ROvuSsxJVO_AD1dIkyNVSoAssw_lviN9LZ-pcbemMj-dJ3eF6x82T7KmjyqlHiy0zdPXhb0irgahsXMlROzjBiUZEFuBn3ZphSZTgMxQnIgF0bluu4D6kUdo_g1Tv5co4tkg/s200/100.JPG" border="0" /></a> Luke meditating and bringing in the spirit of the Tiger!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsVrsbEhriT786qx7S6w5SJ1d-m49zpMAbOFQm0RVPBR13pEQ6DsSe_Uu0U4kiNEx2TBj4f_PAImjCIH5SgT_fXrBMMPYkkktRXEEq3VbMSWPlITEQLrh5wgsqckg6Zg9bYZlWlJaXBo/s1600-h/090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447989069736853746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsVrsbEhriT786qx7S6w5SJ1d-m49zpMAbOFQm0RVPBR13pEQ6DsSe_Uu0U4kiNEx2TBj4f_PAImjCIH5SgT_fXrBMMPYkkktRXEEq3VbMSWPlITEQLrh5wgsqckg6Zg9bYZlWlJaXBo/s200/090.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ethan and Jessica getting ready for "the feast"!<br /><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSOSD8ezfwkOKX5GenE-a5Z4wqVDp5SagkNot3uYlR98PIQuc6fHD6ZMLLE17N05arcBjAUYKz9oCCPa03IN7eYmcpwV96jo-fCrE4NjMCgkxrhEeJkm4-FR8YAZ4mQAPR6fzRkxJ_X4/s1600-h/068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447986813448880082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSOSD8ezfwkOKX5GenE-a5Z4wqVDp5SagkNot3uYlR98PIQuc6fHD6ZMLLE17N05arcBjAUYKz9oCCPa03IN7eYmcpwV96jo-fCrE4NjMCgkxrhEeJkm4-FR8YAZ4mQAPR6fzRkxJ_X4/s200/068.JPG" border="0" /></a> The decorations are in place and the table is set! </div><div align="center">Ethan and Christian have some fun while they wait. </div><div> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn995JYPnmL0oNJfGls1TJox7wby7OlmdlhzESZcVRV6SYLhzSnOLkxICnBHljujbEVjqMY_hZFrTI70pwnhZfozrXnFRfHEqRJCkyuEA8HVAdKo743G0kz6gwnY0PfTxj21l3qgw0iw/s1600-h/076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447981263235159922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn995JYPnmL0oNJfGls1TJox7wby7OlmdlhzESZcVRV6SYLhzSnOLkxICnBHljujbEVjqMY_hZFrTI70pwnhZfozrXnFRfHEqRJCkyuEA8HVAdKo743G0kz6gwnY0PfTxj21l3qgw0iw/s200/076.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div align="left">This is a cute pose of Leia and Ethan,<br />She just fell in love with him at this visit.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHpDtZqQMRslpj1ubXUe-fWLjdaaAMlOrBV5EqGXD8ABDW9cW3HgqHmgFx-CJdzVIJQdmmLLtuCCtTOgImK8-yWGFrBy2AG0XLnrHHP52sm488XyHDBO2oUUWvnDMnmcRtaSNWN6B5hs/s1600-h/067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447980675839427074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHpDtZqQMRslpj1ubXUe-fWLjdaaAMlOrBV5EqGXD8ABDW9cW3HgqHmgFx-CJdzVIJQdmmLLtuCCtTOgImK8-yWGFrBy2AG0XLnrHHP52sm488XyHDBO2oUUWvnDMnmcRtaSNWN6B5hs/s200/067.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjAs7spDplFQauIv7zK3pHx6ECVkouMZdHWQwQuGuk5_heg-P59RSRPVJEdx0hPtjvW4WUpDNFcl36bIeyWj1LC5CUpuEbiHrW_NO3QGrVxxEpCMPwOm2HNUI5-LatX-cZl-Zk_egF2I/s1600-h/066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447979530382720658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjAs7spDplFQauIv7zK3pHx6ECVkouMZdHWQwQuGuk5_heg-P59RSRPVJEdx0hPtjvW4WUpDNFcl36bIeyWj1LC5CUpuEbiHrW_NO3QGrVxxEpCMPwOm2HNUI5-LatX-cZl-Zk_egF2I/s200/066.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Lora looking ever so matronly and making the "dumplings!" (these are yummy...but I still need to perfect them somehow?)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO9eaCSBPBJ_7fj-QNmRf_1Be9hTEPkZqcNLTBXLExSpcQKiGRsHBg65s3n-nigeq8KOJcuC51d3eDqs_o5D4V65q6EgX7ZuI9CRZ7sgHhe5Rhi9etN_HIdu1Yk8O3rRe3ApL-cuceyM/s1600-h/065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447978779917642082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO9eaCSBPBJ_7fj-QNmRf_1Be9hTEPkZqcNLTBXLExSpcQKiGRsHBg65s3n-nigeq8KOJcuC51d3eDqs_o5D4V65q6EgX7ZuI9CRZ7sgHhe5Rhi9etN_HIdu1Yk8O3rRe3ApL-cuceyM/s200/065.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Carl specializes in Chow Mein...it blows away any we've ever had before!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jessica is a good sport and helped us fry up the tempura chicken...you can never have enough hands for this meal! (John was very helpful...he cheered us on...)<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoavgYmRaabqnvvlbTnFJdTzNQgO3pw9tnTyRc9ICoOVbHwnQi9LmlN66vrYuNw6S_-Sbban2rRNMxCI4RqIaH2U2EO63VyPHsRgeXe_hUvUiWNmQe625Vb96HH2DkwmqjEpHdIwrkcw/s1600-h/064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447978155659254274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoavgYmRaabqnvvlbTnFJdTzNQgO3pw9tnTyRc9ICoOVbHwnQi9LmlN66vrYuNw6S_-Sbban2rRNMxCI4RqIaH2U2EO63VyPHsRgeXe_hUvUiWNmQe625Vb96HH2DkwmqjEpHdIwrkcw/s200/064.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw7RLTNoetnpxB0h5QUctevtapPwNo_K18WFnqFtx__-Cw21jiGQjAbfRpPaFnoPgucpOUxB4tVrAU-b5Y6x_SPgyhKkg6BnQUTLsN9HsPGxQ1rmWY-rumXTNJ7bA6lAqxx0tyFgt1uc/s1600-h/104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448001961197713426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw7RLTNoetnpxB0h5QUctevtapPwNo_K18WFnqFtx__-Cw21jiGQjAbfRpPaFnoPgucpOUxB4tVrAU-b5Y6x_SPgyhKkg6BnQUTLsN9HsPGxQ1rmWY-rumXTNJ7bA6lAqxx0tyFgt1uc/s200/104.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lacey and clay having a "dumpling fight" (yeah...we've watched <em>Kung Fu Panda</em> one too many times...)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSLBl3MyXRvgezuanJ5AYa1gxmzUiXjaeYZ6T3v25k_d7mGuX89_I8YxV6u3VYCjNT_TbSLSuwcR2L5Wlpov0sI6gLatp-hNxQUnjeFCoVw0xb8kN2mCItAfIWKcKjAOYkB6c3FukItY/s1600-h/122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448002820267394002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSLBl3MyXRvgezuanJ5AYa1gxmzUiXjaeYZ6T3v25k_d7mGuX89_I8YxV6u3VYCjNT_TbSLSuwcR2L5Wlpov0sI6gLatp-hNxQUnjeFCoVw0xb8kN2mCItAfIWKcKjAOYkB6c3FukItY/s200/122.JPG" border="0" /></a>Lacey performing as "Grandmother Chang", the story teller" --she did a great job retelling the story of "The Empty Pot". We were all very impressed with her improvisation.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">All in all, it was a nice evening and a great visit! Thanks John, Jessica, and Ethan (and Gemma, too!) We enjoyed seeing you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>"Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-54497401472682522052010-01-08T21:57:00.060-07:002010-01-11T23:32:44.470-07:00Salt Lake City Trip<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QGFMMO8YvCTGrIKevy4DZXCuSSZsWWMNiChdzIlahjZXXum1dmXDhN3-Uo-WslDz36h8BYJsuBj8ZImVkU8ngCbH-oepyKE4gn2T_p5DWRXwJEA4StuU8pZpeX-4Kuq6rqaoaURYMHQ/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424633770465187122" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QGFMMO8YvCTGrIKevy4DZXCuSSZsWWMNiChdzIlahjZXXum1dmXDhN3-Uo-WslDz36h8BYJsuBj8ZImVkU8ngCbH-oepyKE4gn2T_p5DWRXwJEA4StuU8pZpeX-4Kuq6rqaoaURYMHQ/s200/12_18+to+12_31+015.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">uhhh...<span style="font-family:times new roman;">Dad, <strong>ARE WE THERE YET?</strong></span></span></em></span> <div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424608776532543090" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; float: right; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8gzPbQm0fwLC28NYYspU63nF2I_uXUprB67cXX5xWzRZJqTmBj1Vn5CFZ77V5UgZ_b9qeTuM54xcI-kufqubkwYDqu-PN4jMU_fl7O0EhbzyNgLXkC0DIKeMSzghTm2p9gehLV39T30/s200/12_18+to+12_31+014.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHp9m7toBC9vKV7zlEgPsdwaPCIIIAm7CW-9R8ksUiRNy6_3Cvo4WdSNpyb5jDQHraTyodRcogKUsq31sBrjcd0eHO33ENj92QHayjvcsO1tIrH_4_BdXDTTCeyYz4Urxkg556U9cIC8/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+017.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I think we mentioned to most of our family that we took a spur of the moment trip to Salt Lake City the weekend before Christmas. Sometimes it's good not to think of something too long, because we talk ourselves out of doing it. Logically, taking 9 people to Salt Lake City, in bad, dreary weather, in a van built for 8 people, driving 10 hours one-way, and staying in a hotel with 7 kids sounds like a horrible experience...right? Let's just say that we had some ups and downs, (the few downs were mostly due to cramped spaces, hunger, tiredness, and snow...) but we had WAY more ups. And that's what blogs are for, right? <strong><em>The "Ups",</em></strong> so here they are:</div><div></div><div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQAdGCQHzLKxKHX8Piejb-HwX__E5j_kJKYzuOixLcddOnN0j-IrCYLCbgEzxXVhmBYAZNa1ZutiVXqsbBlXtTsWpUC9GvRKIe07g10TwrE0KROHvXex4hxGJMFyAdPDM_EY-9eigc5w/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424608474720648754" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQAdGCQHzLKxKHX8Piejb-HwX__E5j_kJKYzuOixLcddOnN0j-IrCYLCbgEzxXVhmBYAZNa1ZutiVXqsbBlXtTsWpUC9GvRKIe07g10TwrE0KROHvXex4hxGJMFyAdPDM_EY-9eigc5w/s200/12_18+to+12_31+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><em><strong>Day 1</strong>: Driving to Salt Lake, Arrival at the hotel, live nativity at Liberty park.</em></span></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQAdGCQHzLKxKHX8Piejb-HwX__E5j_kJKYzuOixLcddOnN0j-IrCYLCbgEzxXVhmBYAZNa1ZutiVXqsbBlXtTsWpUC9GvRKIe07g10TwrE0KROHvXex4hxGJMFyAdPDM_EY-9eigc5w/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+011.JPG"></a></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Little America hotel has quickly become our favorite place to stay in Salt Lake. We were introduced to it for John and Jessica's wedding, and then Carl and Clay stayed there to attend General Conference, and now we will probably always choose to stay there when we visit. The rooms were huge, affordable, clean and cozy. The beautiful indoor, heated pool was a big hit with the kids, and the opportunity to jump on "Trax" right out the front door to visit Temple Square was so convenient and completely fun for our city starved kids who thought it was the onl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS08FRciUgc2bfpoYxXFwUWQdC5Rh2e4WzFarh-niQHf24FnytBX_E3fgIM3R2EVIWsL3yciITH_OjNU9U3xMzeKd8WBSyk3AdKVw5hrO9EvTwBe2Qagh9wXQx7FWBB9LW09OkOgwJhoc/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424610716814647138" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS08FRciUgc2bfpoYxXFwUWQdC5Rh2e4WzFarh-niQHf24FnytBX_E3fgIM3R2EVIWsL3yciITH_OjNU9U3xMzeKd8WBSyk3AdKVw5hrO9EvTwBe2Qagh9wXQx7FWBB9LW09OkOgwJhoc/s200/12_18+to+12_31+030.JPG" border="0" /></a>y way to travel. The live nativity got us happily in the mood for the real meaning of Christmas, as we traveled around from scene to scene, being reminded of t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXvC8RUc1YX5RmXBgH19P3t9oPRVnPn6ELV3Tjolyx1uzIchoNUHAsOEKAF1zC4GQhoqGwsW1_lqr4OSyy5INfpXla2hfxpFDDE8j1B3uWKqADIgtgiheRxmRDYNyFOrdHm3BFBgko7M/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424611974172545730" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXvC8RUc1YX5RmXBgH19P3t9oPRVnPn6ELV3Tjolyx1uzIchoNUHAsOEKAF1zC4GQhoqGwsW1_lqr4OSyy5INfpXla2hfxpFDDE8j1B3uWKqADIgtgiheRxmRDYNyFOrdHm3BFBgko7M/s200/12_18+to+12_31+033.JPG" border="0" /></a>he "Echoes of Christmas", as we are still in awe of this amazing story even 2000 years later. There was singing, and real animals (sheep, camel, donkey...very big plus with the little ones). All of us enjoyed it, except Luke. He muttered the whole time that it was "Boring", but in the end a kind older man, seeing his sulkiness let him hold his dogs leash, and in the magical way of children, he somehow thought that it was a perfect evening after that!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><em><strong>Day 2</strong>: Church in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, dinner at Sizzler, nap time, a trip across to the Grand America for a Teddy Bear and Gingerbread House Display, and a finale to Temple Square for the beautiful lights and to hear a choir in the Assembly Hall.</em></span></div><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></em></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildUj6fdOA4BLNm9yB1d_JB3R0O_-Kq0onNfZJhgNW7K7LO0_rYiMqiERsmBI2jP9SpWWITWWwTYkQXpp7ByKlSCqsAH59pXrYrRIBiNz2LZ4mVmQW54FD0Iwdl-SuMH0orf63cMTVSHM/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+091.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424621048826692882" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildUj6fdOA4BLNm9yB1d_JB3R0O_-Kq0onNfZJhgNW7K7LO0_rYiMqiERsmBI2jP9SpWWITWWwTYkQXpp7ByKlSCqsAH59pXrYrRIBiNz2LZ4mVmQW54FD0Iwdl-SuMH0orf63cMTVSHM/s200/12_18+to+12_31+091.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424620616642050578" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 309px; height: 224px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvycQqPnkETfbvwSFXZ9Qfi7UXaz86T_VVEiqcN0-c-iLkEsnInsgca8h_vqfEo8UPfqV3II5jfECPvOcUKBJwhmKplCh6NTsfdEHVNpVe9Lok0YEwe3jCuTjWcQH0512s7oR8SvQE2VI/s320/12_18+to+12_31+090.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>We began the day blissfully choosing a ward to attend that wasn't too early and not too late. We dressed the kids in cozy sweaters and sweater dresses, and took our first trip on "the train". We arrived to the "oohs" and "Ahhs" of the children as they admired the intricate beauty of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We found the chapel, and sat cozily on the back bench. Cora was already a mes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmRgXV7MAsJzYsCaBWyN6PNVzXZNqknhSYgccWRw8p9xykJksV9_pB2SahoiVere-NIlxqgooKKBFldfLBbDJ7GGK7w2z1pxImnKSY5qoIweNGfYhddfbHiyxdlEEaVR1u3HPLM6gvmg/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+056.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424613827691063090" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmRgXV7MAsJzYsCaBWyN6PNVzXZNqknhSYgccWRw8p9xykJksV9_pB2SahoiVere-NIlxqgooKKBFldfLBbDJ7GGK7w2z1pxImnKSY5qoIweNGfYhddfbHiyxdlEEaVR1u3HPLM6gvmg/s200/12_18+to+12_31+056.JPG" border="0" /></a>s with tiredness, but even that was not a damper on the day as we were cons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFtRSt7iqhrp1ORFSIipCo7KEoq8a03KsChlZqNXS1N8xVePmyqmgZy2RTwSpSkVFHG8WMzwyCL5cZDdoteDkdIje3seUjZypOEJQfPsszmDocWFwQlt6kdr4APy9XJqnKXRlOk36xgQ/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424614845340624498" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFtRSt7iqhrp1ORFSIipCo7KEoq8a03KsChlZqNXS1N8xVePmyqmgZy2RTwSpSkVFHG8WMzwyCL5cZDdoteDkdIje3seUjZypOEJQfPsszmDocWFwQlt6kdr4APy9XJqnKXRlOk36xgQ/s200/12_18+to+12_31+060.JPG" border="0" /></a>tantly attended to by a "children starved" ward that offered compassionate smiles, and assistance. The meeting was pleasant and uplifting. We filled up on food at Sizzler to make it last the rest of the day, and went back to the hotel f<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424613068280012290" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; float: right; width: 150px; height: 200px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9GF_MkV354gwfqFxFkbriJAaUOZpiv58-iq9jlvPGbFJ52_gN0f9ABbXZFPl5MmqdfusBf0F_WRpNRzZrahRv1FCgHsuR5CEFpEZ8ruf0bQz2eEzPy1Ksmjfhh246C7TnoSlggL38CE/s200/12_18+to+12_31+043.JPG" border="0" />or even more delicious naps. Later in the evening, Clay, Lacey, Luke, Leia, and Lora went across to the Grand America hotel to see a Teddy bear Exhibit in the Presidential Suite, (collected for Charity) and a saw a breathtaking Gingerbread House display by the Grand America head Chefs to help support juvenile <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrv7QhQnAWJRPn8gafE_CNseDeMxF3nFBxAbdoA_Iqs1innMxjUGLr7iQ_Z0XV6bp6rooypSBFYWO20Ynm-ftSPgFCdgpYkl8pvVYXzo838uO5XQkIC2T4YsWRcW5E0Xs0cz9lXTr8h8/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424612592809306962" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrv7QhQnAWJRPn8gafE_CNseDeMxF3nFBxAbdoA_Iqs1innMxjUGLr7iQ_Z0XV6bp6rooypSBFYWO20Ynm-ftSPgFCdgpYkl8pvVYXzo838uO5XQkIC2T4YsWRcW5E0Xs0cz9lXTr8h8/s200/12_18+to+12_31+041.JPG" border="0" /></a>diabetes (I know, a bit ironic...but it was so cool) Probably the best part was the trip up to the 23rd floor via a high speed elevator. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildUj6fdOA4BLNm9yB1d_JB3R0O_-Kq0onNfZJhgNW7K7LO0_rYiMqiERsmBI2jP9SpWWITWWwTYkQXpp7ByKlSCqsAH59pXrYrRIBiNz2LZ4mVmQW54FD0Iwdl-SuMH0orf63cMTVSHM/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+091.JPG"></a></div><div>Having children reminds you that <em>everything</em> is fun! </div><div></div><div></div><div>After some relaxation, we went back to Temple Square, and enjoy </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildUj6fdOA4BLNm9yB1d_JB3R0O_-Kq0onNfZJhgNW7K7LO0_rYiMqiERsmBI2jP9SpWWITWWwTYkQXpp7ByKlSCqsAH59pXrYrRIBiNz2LZ4mVmQW54FD0Iwdl-SuMH0orf63cMTVSHM/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+091.JPG"></a></div><div>ed the awesome display of lights and a lovely choir in the Assembly Hall to make the night feel so like Christmas time!<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildUj6fdOA4BLNm9yB1d_JB3R0O_-Kq0onNfZJhgNW7K7LO0_rYiMqiERsmBI2jP9SpWWITWWwTYkQXpp7ByKlSCqsAH59pXrYrRIBiNz2LZ4mVmQW54FD0Iwdl-SuMH0orf63cMTVSHM/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+091.JPG"></a></div><div><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Under the 75 foot tall "Cedar of Lebanon", our favorite tree</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424617602763900610" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshN0_GSUbyWQBHNSJKN4On9XV0P3BRL6JQVmAUXPsRKBQAy0Zwz2VMSiFgHglhVxgrOem4DV0LCjzft6ifeRPoOJJaUmuptaR2eYx2Za5Z86pzqwMnXzwC0JrUdDJ3KcOCSyqh0Uf_vQ/s400/12_18+to+12_31+069.JPG" border="0" /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkpSxUcCmC-EPXF9iDAJOxAbbP3ac4gwAjzo-FHnN4rRhgnEnZJojFVM0mKTH7PGL_mZanL_1d1IomeBRfdTRvbdtW2-m46GoGVKpjHFCDBvG6uwzHRWdkvWPKH6O23RLphkBfielvf0/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424618625269605346" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: right; width: 300px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkpSxUcCmC-EPXF9iDAJOxAbbP3ac4gwAjzo-FHnN4rRhgnEnZJojFVM0mKTH7PGL_mZanL_1d1IomeBRfdTRvbdtW2-m46GoGVKpjHFCDBvG6uwzHRWdkvWPKH6O23RLphkBfielvf0/s400/12_18+to+12_31+073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Christian looking t<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424618959613411938" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; float: right; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies5fwE1HKQeNcM9J1aKYwgGcQuWY0B87wTeYg6Q3EcqjwgIDW1EzVLSh8Q3GTLidEUlaPO2inov6zDFXJ_JiUeMqbWBDzFLFCkCOZyxJr9YtzxoiSGTvv0chTRHsaRFC_ldG1J9-69kg/s400/12_18+to+12_31+075.JPG" border="0" />hrilled...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9_aJZCI1CoP3HCIGvfiiR5948g2sK_dDv4cVklafX6xCE6iphyphenhyphen5F96V-8nUvhiOTxBRH-P_YQepguAWbpMfMDVMd7bd8w-rtbFqr6DaXYSXhmZDiLRHRnJA7rRxBtno2i6ltben6d5Q/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424619390547275458" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9_aJZCI1CoP3HCIGvfiiR5948g2sK_dDv4cVklafX6xCE6iphyphenhyphen5F96V-8nUvhiOTxBRH-P_YQepguAWbpMfMDVMd7bd8w-rtbFqr6DaXYSXhmZDiLRHRnJA7rRxBtno2i6ltben6d5Q/s320/12_18+to+12_31+077.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424620071342174594" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EtdyJ5blsTqyj4c8bDu11f1PcjGny-dFCk1MmlLMvjHu0uJq5IZhk_NDvP0o65rGyJo4Svw-fcz8nf__re_4eWgZiUKUg2XoH1OT3da4YKE4PvqDCcf2mActosNx2gN9UKf_v2XQE80/s320/12_18+to+12_31+086.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Day </span></em></strong><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><em><strong>3</strong>: The Church History Museum, Dinner with Santa, and Hogle Zoo Lights Spectacular.</em></span> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>One of the reasons we wanted to take the kids to Salt Lake was for them to experience the Museum. I have many fond memories of going there as a child and young adult. It qui<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjePjjs-tP8bI4ntLCFGWBcMehGtyZ99p3dE7HTYF6564ATPabKFCjeFpQqAP0VQZQNajDEr7mSPa-HPe5YbLfQw2u585L9-JfOuVVBs1IiuQVmUfeD06HOd1Zp_Zf6vw11LGB2N1QX0k/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424622972266943234" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjePjjs-tP8bI4ntLCFGWBcMehGtyZ99p3dE7HTYF6564ATPabKFCjeFpQqAP0VQZQNajDEr7mSPa-HPe5YbLfQw2u585L9-JfOuVVBs1IiuQVmUfeD06HOd1Zp_Zf6vw11LGB2N1QX0k/s320/12_18+to+12_31+103.JPG" border="0" /></a>etly strengthened my testimony and we hope that it instilled a sense <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm6vq4uEKfHEMSV3KNXrygJ1et_VfQI2mLid4qgqpMIU0I46dN7iGnyc3b73quHqh8WaWJMqm4MCVQ2qJzsdk90MIioYszXMv9KfNTcpNHpy3PTLNLEq_zvHmqAfhvFVP2mF-p5M1epE/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+114.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424623549436735698" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm6vq4uEKfHEMSV3KNXrygJ1et_VfQI2mLid4qgqpMIU0I46dN7iGnyc3b73quHqh8WaWJMqm4MCVQ2qJzsdk90MIioYszXMv9KfNTcpNHpy3PTLNLEq_zvHmqAfhvFVP2mF-p5M1epE/s200/12_18+to+12_31+114.JPG" border="0" /></a>of the strength of the church into our children's souls. We took each of them to Joseph and Hyrum's death masks for that one on one connection that we hoped would make the history a reality to them. It was an enjoyable trip. All of the children loved it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Db5xVsn0-_sR9uzRvY-WZvdeGm1wJD0wgi4EQMFBsMD4wRQelABCSaKj1YTj30Ezzr_bInmyEOqPAIOmTRkJnKSVoTpA2qaeXAigf1ciypiUtZVLM_ctWlHp6KCPIRkscGMCiP3tij8/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424625872063137906" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Db5xVsn0-_sR9uzRvY-WZvdeGm1wJD0wgi4EQMFBsMD4wRQelABCSaKj1YTj30Ezzr_bInmyEOqPAIOmTRkJnKSVoTpA2qaeXAigf1ciypiUtZVLM_ctWlHp6KCPIRkscGMCiP3tij8/s200/12_18+to+12_31+105.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM_J9gG7opsNYetrlGwQFJHZ3zo8UOywzEPJ1b7b3HROon5uk9KmEkhHvF1hPBGQ7WppPGdRSHobOoF8OBFxYt34fksfWUmck6OtmK5AcoQTeZrsnszNbbHlBV__FNzYEEJFFV6KzZMk/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424624764030088786" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 400px; height: 300px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM_J9gG7opsNYetrlGwQFJHZ3zo8UOywzEPJ1b7b3HROon5uk9KmEkhHvF1hPBGQ7WppPGdRSHobOoF8OBFxYt34fksfWUmck6OtmK5AcoQTeZrsnszNbbHlBV__FNzYEEJFFV6KzZMk/s400/12_18+to+12_31+115.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424624097353350610" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOKgFn-oAHT0jJ3nwUNJJl0zOn2qbzuiDeHicni0dZXCYIPzvNvlJk-woeYB9kCRcA9Gh7Q66rlgLDtHZUqXjOV_VoAv7nK-oO-1_kEoGP62UE1DiUs0ayXfYjMASpRjKeVqn7Ta_a2g/s400/12_18+to+12_31+120.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> I think these "sermon" pictures are HILARIOUS!!!</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6Pp998NqOxnGGTGvIPpPLjTWpWJzco9Sx-o9zsuLarfrOc-YOBEU0cXH3sXcbJZyPscr_5d3Y59TdbVTlSEKIALVS-LZmJIKOtBBH2ujwEu_QPssDN2ix45BquiQumTqoz5E8iBpws4/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424625348853721122" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 400px; height: 300px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6Pp998NqOxnGGTGvIPpPLjTWpWJzco9Sx-o9zsuLarfrOc-YOBEU0cXH3sXcbJZyPscr_5d3Y59TdbVTlSEKIALVS-LZmJIKOtBBH2ujwEu_QPssDN2ix45BquiQumTqoz5E8iBpws4/s400/12_18+to+12_31+122.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6Pp998NqOxnGGTGvIPpPLjTWpWJzco9Sx-o9zsuLarfrOc-YOBEU0cXH3sXcbJZyPscr_5d3Y59TdbVTlSEKIALVS-LZmJIKOtBBH2ujwEu_QPssDN2ix45BquiQumTqoz5E8iBpws4/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+122.JPG"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>In a total internet fluke, I stumbled across an opportunity to have a hot buffet dinner with "Santa" and a trip to the Hogle Zoo for not much more than dinner would have cost us, and it turned out to be such a fun evening. (By the way, this was the REAL Santa. We were lucky enough to actually meet him. )The dinner was delicious and the whole thing was wonderful. We rea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmoKLIdpyYqujMYAeH1PTfT1uHiD70x54YzVk1LkKjE5Au7jo9CoAkmrgrN_p-8lkjLAcC2lwPkN5Jqb5lPlo4g-ivhuhe6RL2Onz-klihoT3hd-JMEm2tO10cCsShyFvuJa_Dv7RgrI/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424627564243027858" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmoKLIdpyYqujMYAeH1PTfT1uHiD70x54YzVk1LkKjE5Au7jo9CoAkmrgrN_p-8lkjLAcC2lwPkN5Jqb5lPlo4g-ivhuhe6RL2Onz-klihoT3hd-JMEm2tO10cCsShyFvuJa_Dv7RgrI/s200/12_18+to+12_31+133.JPG" border="0" /></a>lly enjoyed the Zoo lights even though we were freezing, it was good winter fun, and an excellent way to end the trip. Cora was completely in love with all of the animals. We can't wait to take her to a zoo in better weather. She is too cute<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIOvDO7fWT5CWt5jkCyJb7wtb3FRL_4QJtvDEbVDUX1KtNiVLk4pu539s2xNepUXjrA1WXzzjF9T9Tc_j6GQ_4pWUfZpj0EHm4HYGDJOJNWFQgkkZdPHndiGZuDQEP3PVYBqgFcR0XhA/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424626968167066946" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 400px; height: 300px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIOvDO7fWT5CWt5jkCyJb7wtb3FRL_4QJtvDEbVDUX1KtNiVLk4pu539s2xNepUXjrA1WXzzjF9T9Tc_j6GQ_4pWUfZpj0EHm4HYGDJOJNWFQgkkZdPHndiGZuDQEP3PVYBqgFcR0XhA/s400/12_18+to+12_31+140.JPG" border="0" /></a>. </div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLN9XmhXtvzudinDcYHAb1j7JkPYy3DeIbuJsA7CRN5A8RN6P-rHXT-e3TRq9GjH3zrBfMIe4Sx2QWZl_FIKEvipMJHFGMJM-hVt6GhsbJaa5IMSxzdhZ7jhH-QiX0uCBcj_3uJ4X_JY/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424628767976211154" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 150px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLN9XmhXtvzudinDcYHAb1j7JkPYy3DeIbuJsA7CRN5A8RN6P-rHXT-e3TRq9GjH3zrBfMIe4Sx2QWZl_FIKEvipMJHFGMJM-hVt6GhsbJaa5IMSxzdhZ7jhH-QiX0uCBcj_3uJ4X_JY/s200/12_18+to+12_31+138.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> Can you guess which one is OUR child? <span style="font-size:78%;">(below)</span><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424628118500371746" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMBYU05dIoy8IDW2OFww-ymMZJDnJw05LhRmViYNLHIcjZYK4902PvrtPJBz7CjCIM4zLGtkvqZPJ3UVAbOdIE_tot8kU7HEjXGTh3GUcc405Kug5Ej3prRsUkIeXkSph9iieuEhQO5g/s320/12_18+to+12_31+143.JPG" border="0" /><br />This is so FUN! Cora's first Carousel ride<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYfDHqoteSIfBeDDGVYShQLzusygIw6STCJdSiM1LU7j1I4njhlrp283qZVk67r_perbiyb0b_Aq-ooSDuDe1vvZxu713uCWFxGPJmpun7YRurUCD2qtE9sM4e6wlfDTluxLihNHxC1w/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424631280773846690" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYfDHqoteSIfBeDDGVYShQLzusygIw6STCJdSiM1LU7j1I4njhlrp283qZVk67r_perbiyb0b_Aq-ooSDuDe1vvZxu713uCWFxGPJmpun7YRurUCD2qtE9sM4e6wlfDTluxLihNHxC1w/s320/12_18+to+12_31+164.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424632317771304834" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1osJYEDKFRtdBOiDURC5VUS4_AJa_MgS2L4pRJVPJtvSExvkTLOsGVkwZ5R6oeBxwoeALlWyXpJLlyzYTmiMWX-k6YGrtyEVcJ2mPLd3g0ulpLYWMnj2FK4HbJFBYSfAblN5161z98Q/s320/12_18+to+12_31+175.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwsitL75cjEbW2HNtInmi_IzcRKWd5qLbq28sDo43pSK1oVWB7TGgMIzHOyjYQCPH-MhZrzNXDvzs9Mtg2AmhyphenhyphenmcmkTuEIGDiqXVianBas9YOZo7Qg-uGE69jqKV6OAaKrhhR6V24zgY/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424630142293556386" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; float: right; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwsitL75cjEbW2HNtInmi_IzcRKWd5qLbq28sDo43pSK1oVWB7TGgMIzHOyjYQCPH-MhZrzNXDvzs9Mtg2AmhyphenhyphenmcmkTuEIGDiqXVianBas9YOZo7Qg-uGE69jqKV6OAaKrhhR6V24zgY/s320/12_18+to+12_31+165.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424626337499868162" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu00CldOXZ852TbwKDZ0dCYyhxc8fhKZZyDjtDRO90hyphenhyphenV07yKqiqeKNKfPYeRNuYwyy3O4kdHrAVzVqwuyevbh1QBt_Tx3iwNJIgxX4yyt3ordj-1GDsbexMCV5mN06wt9B6AkUBc9mU/s320/12_18+to+12_31+155.JPG" border="0" /> Clay found a snow "gun" and said "FREEZE!" get it????<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><strong>Day 4</strong>: pack up, check out, visit Carl's brother Brian and his family and meet their new son, drive back to sunny Bullhead City.</span></em></div><div><br /></div><div>This day started a bit rough as the snow began to fall heavily and we were silently concerned about the Beaver/Fillmore area. We stopped briefly near Lehi, in Eagle Mountain, and met Brian, Emily, their cute girls and their new, beautiful son, William Brian Westphal. He is precious and all is well with their family. The snow dissipated and we set off on the long ride home. We met Carl's parents briefly in Las Vegas to exchange gifts as they were on their way up to see their new grandson and spend Christmas up there. We arrived home to find all well, and welcomed the warm weather and coziness of familiarity. Sometimes the best part of a trip is coming home. We are sure glad we went and look forward to other unplanned trips in the future!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-69585770272791317862010-01-01T22:16:00.022-07:002010-01-03T01:23:09.302-07:00Happy New Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_pVOCxBtaGqeqExmq5W8CNH-P3pGjlkAoEAl6IxIEofgqO1_Pm-5wWqxddjrYzdb7vawDyzeNByhnLmCyZ2cq6MbD8eXCMeYiYen-tbh11qdtXtNccIYijglhcuhGas1ZdLFcZ5JrSo/s1600-h/christmas+2009+042.JPG"></a>Here's a quick "catch-up" on the Wild-Westphal clan. We fell off blog mountain sometime back in August, and just found ourselves back at the top ready to try again. We realize that no one may really care about any of this, but we genuinely enjoy reading all of your blogs, so we hope this is somewhat interesting to you as well...or at least the pictures make you smile.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><strong>CLAY</strong> </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5QmCnGiQ5UysajzOqtYzeosmhAjtdl2TuUjfW8SBW9OKc05xFmO8aAXsIbWEHj14GES-jWIWWvVHNdjOOBCkm0_kAaJCOIH6ot-kcJc-PWpy-Gly448bcWOkp6t-rQkit1W7hSWrM6M/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422012757157850306" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5QmCnGiQ5UysajzOqtYzeosmhAjtdl2TuUjfW8SBW9OKc05xFmO8aAXsIbWEHj14GES-jWIWWvVHNdjOOBCkm0_kAaJCOIH6ot-kcJc-PWpy-Gly448bcWOkp6t-rQkit1W7hSWrM6M/s320/12_18+to+12_31+035.JPG" border="0" /></a> Clay has had an interesting year. He turned 13 on July 20, a few days after the "Pioneer Trek". He also finished off well on the <em>Barracuda Swim Team</em>, placing high in breast stroke and improving in all other areas. He has a real love now for swimming and plans to do it again this spring. After a difficult 1st quarter back to Middle School, we decided to try home schooling for the remainder of the year. Many of you know he struggles w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5PQGTU5CCOTcw2plGMAtTsVuOi1AL_B4CqGZZbmQXXJ_sd9mw3odV3Hg9-YIJqVoZ148j5-pUedkkn_PbLAYbt21hSilSLOSpUTAzdMoK97jkc2tYOMVOfrHjHYcnkM4Bf8QOv8jAqU/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+114.JPG"></a>ith Asperger's Syndrome, which makes the already difficult adolescent years even that much more complicated. So far, he is enjoying the time with mom, learning math, reading, writing, and some enrichment in history and science. We have even taken up an elementary Latin course and Clay really enjoys it. He plans to repeat 8th grade next year at a charter school and then go to regular high school in 2011with his buddies from church. We are excited for his future which looks brighter with every passing day. He's a brilliant young man bursting with talent and creativity.<br /><div><div><br /><div><br /><div><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">CATIE </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Bz3UHNr3FySpUdv_83HyKUGlgHSc1BuEWwicGUZtkG5g8F8Y_1te5Fz_6ymyd53n4R3cmstXCm9xzzAdWr3GfE15C3qWr1IlZF4SBcM5wWaK8-8qM0lFJYHD7QkhjKc6n9UQw5y0_uw/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+010.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422015922754041602" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Bz3UHNr3FySpUdv_83HyKUGlgHSc1BuEWwicGUZtkG5g8F8Y_1te5Fz_6ymyd53n4R3cmstXCm9xzzAdWr3GfE15C3qWr1IlZF4SBcM5wWaK8-8qM0lFJYHD7QkhjKc6n9UQw5y0_uw/s320/12_18+to+12_31+010.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></strong><br />Catie is 11 going on 13...she is bright, silly, and generally loves life. 6th grade has been fun for her. She has a large circle of friends, with a best friend named Aina Ahzer. They love to pour over "anime" cartoons, draw pictures, giggle and spend time together. Catie is doing well for a first time Middle Schooler, she has kept her grades high and continues to take honors math and english. Her teachers love her and she brings a lot of joy to our family as well. When she isn't home, things aren't quite as fun. Catie is currently talking guitar lessons from the best teacher in town (her dad...) She shows promise as a musician as it comes so easily to her. We hope she will continue to develop this talent in many areas as we know it will bring her much happiness in the future. Aside from these things, Catie loves to read, read, read. She still loves the "Warrior" series as cats continue to be her favorite animal, but she also likes Fablehaven, Peter and the Star Catchers, and many light "pre-teen" reads. We are so glad Catie is with us. We need her light hearted personality.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">LAC</span></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">EY</span></strong></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOMBwwVoxAX_eb9_HVgYlCMh4BcG0roPn1J0EoyGdP1uhCsEyYJ5hsm_YOjXoYe9JTb0rT52B6E3BesHykGo38gGu0qHUdIZ7t6N62Y-76Conuhdy0TCl3hDhHWauGyym32vbgRGA_vg/s1600-h/christian+022.JPG"><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422019458806420802" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOMBwwVoxAX_eb9_HVgYlCMh4BcG0roPn1J0EoyGdP1uhCsEyYJ5hsm_YOjXoYe9JTb0rT52B6E3BesHykGo38gGu0qHUdIZ7t6N62Y-76Conuhdy0TCl3hDhHWauGyym32vbgRGA_vg/s320/christian+022.JPG" border="0" /></span></strong></a>Lacey has had a fun end to 2009. She is in 4th grade now, and doing well. She also began playing soccer again. She ended up on a really good team, with a fantastic coach (her dad) and they ended as the best team, placing first with the <em>gold.</em> They went to area play offs, and won their first 2 games and lost the last one. The last one was on Sunday, and Lacey opted not to play. She was sad when she heard they lost, but only for a few minutes, in her words <em>"It's just a soccer game, it's not that important."</em> The picture at the left is her with her "Aunt Carrie" her soccer inspiration. Carrie currently plays soccer and was able to make it to one of Lacey's games. Aside from all this, Lacey has taken up learning the flute and has come to love playing. She is very self motivated in practicing and plans to stick with it. Lacey is an entertaining child, very goofy and hardly ever serious. She teases us until we smile, and is good to lend a helping hand with little brothers ans sisters. She likes to do crafts and makes silly movies with her camcorder she got for Christmas. </div><br /><div><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LUK</span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnhlvXGsfrPOxTkzXKua9KTMIMWInhnouT-zL0U5tlcSoXCc551K84ohdI-CHpzO1gvRra8Xk-IAEmmS-VyFM_UIoFxbAPqmlbcA_o4r4Qjl7H4G00XAkSTy54roXQzm9mpMZ0-dQ-9w/s1600-h/christmas+2009+020.JPG"><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422025066989311298" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 314px; height: 236px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnhlvXGsfrPOxTkzXKua9KTMIMWInhnouT-zL0U5tlcSoXCc551K84ohdI-CHpzO1gvRra8Xk-IAEmmS-VyFM_UIoFxbAPqmlbcA_o4r4Qjl7H4G00XAkSTy54roXQzm9mpMZ0-dQ-9w/s320/christmas+2009+020.JPG" border="0" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">E</span></strong><br />Luke is so much fun to have around. He loves kindergarten and his teacher and she is so good for him. He got an art award for a drawing he made and he couldn't have been more proud. It was a representation of people taking care of their pets and he was chosen as the best display of <em>"Trust & Responsibility" </em>by the art teacher. In addition to this, he also gets good grades and high marks for behavior. He is such a sweet, funny, bright person. He has also become good friends with Christian and they have a blast "being boys" rolling all over the floor, and laughing their heads off. It's so cute.</div><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">LEIA</span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXG12eKAwO6fIPvOIjPVs9k1vn_qWmHDp-RrgaJyAhcD54jOPwzzKPyQy4PI9rHlf4jszQAAsG5TjQxo25CBZklelFcsIKdEs0ItU3Wf_1_lyUXwmxZ4zRTltuL2ROQC0cvz8c3y0egc/s1600-h/12_18+to+12_31+246.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422028820557424642" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXG12eKAwO6fIPvOIjPVs9k1vn_qWmHDp-RrgaJyAhcD54jOPwzzKPyQy4PI9rHlf4jszQAAsG5TjQxo25CBZklelFcsIKdEs0ItU3Wf_1_lyUXwmxZ4zRTltuL2ROQC0cvz8c3y0egc/s320/12_18+to+12_31+246.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><p>What can you say about Leia? She is hilarious, and such an individual. I've never met a smaller person with a bigger sense of herself than Leia! She is doing equally well in kindergarten in a totally different way than her brother. She is in love with words and all day reads signs and all the words she can find with in the house and on the streets. She also spells things very well (better than her parents...) and is lighthearted, messy and wonderful. Her favorite things are riding her scooter, drawing, helping cook, playing with her brothers and sisters, and reading books. Her talent among many seems to be singing--she has this opera-like voice that is bigger than she is and continually amazes us as well as makes us laugh with her rendetions of popular tunes. We hope that it, along with dancing, are talents that can be shaped and fine tuned along the way. We can't wait to see how she turns out!</p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">CHRISTIAN<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422031655852793490" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-Gm89lGN2CCUWDggrft9e-CNcdq_NrYpzX3oGIoAWjU8fdv-AwYaZnz-kuSvYhcd4peaFSkFE-uAYePm_qANJIdozNBNLN5-ufLc46iontLcFTPYo16ipGKavOgSr2acZtjHO1gkXPM/s320/christmas+2009+063.JPG" border="0" /></span></strong><br />Here is a great shot of Christian hugging the Han Solo christmas ornament--(yes, we have a Han Solo Christmas ornament and Luke and Leia too, of course...) Christian is mix of devil and angel all day long. He is usually the first one up and the last one to go to bed. He LOVES orange. He has to eat everything on orange dishes and drink our of an orange cup. He even likes to eat oranges, why? Because they're orange! He is rough and tumble, but can be found cuddling somewhere just before nap with his favorite "doggie" stuffed animal, and will tell you he "doesn't lub you anymore" to see your pained reaction, just before he tackles you with a big hug and says "I lub you" just to see out delighted smiles. He's in that "testing" age and starts his first day of Primary this Sunday at church. He is so proud to be a "big boy" and it's a good thing he's so darn cute or he'd be in more trouble each day than he could handle!</p><br /><p></p><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">COR</span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvigxtHe_Wa3qniHburh9dnTKk0p6RYgOOzKA2jhp-6uf8jMnpIyNy8g90FW757S2rPzGt1tFjcu2nP2eA8WyW5a0z2CKp_yuugcFln4ID490sh32f1hoKvwbvR0lfnB63unVXhokbkw/s1600-h/christian+117.JPG"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422035647932138706" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvigxtHe_Wa3qniHburh9dnTKk0p6RYgOOzKA2jhp-6uf8jMnpIyNy8g90FW757S2rPzGt1tFjcu2nP2eA8WyW5a0z2CKp_yuugcFln4ID490sh32f1hoKvwbvR0lfnB63unVXhokbkw/s320/christian+117.JPG" border="0" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">A</span></strong></p><p>Aside from being able to double as a garden gnome, Cora spends most of her day flipping through books, coloring, hugging dollies, playing with her brothers and sisters, and making a mess. Cora dazzles us with her how well she understands things and is not afraid of many things. (just people...) We are so glad that we broke the symmetry and went ahead and had a seventh child. Now that she's here, we don't know what we'd do without her. She is in love with life and reminds all of us everyday to be thankful for the amazing world we live in. The name Cora comes from the latin root for "Heart" and that's what she is to us, "our heart". </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Well, I know it reads like an annoying Christmas card, but there it is--a short update. We are alive and well, and hope are too! (especially the "alive" part)</p></div></div></div>Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-68926439698375450992009-12-13T01:33:00.001-07:002009-12-13T01:33:45.347-07:00Season's GreetingsFamily Joys<br /><br />Christmas is filled with special joys,<br />And the very best of all<br />Is contemplating those dear to us,<br />And the memories we recall.<br /><br />We often think at Christmas time<br />Of people, affectionately,<br />And we realize how blessed we are<br />To be an eternal family.Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-6188837894735548392009-07-26T22:56:00.015-07:002009-08-03T16:57:34.089-07:00Kingman Stake Pioneer Trek 2009<span style="font-weight:bold;">DAY 1</span> - The <span style="font-style:italic;">Kingman Stake Pioneer Trek </span>began at noon on July 15. We packed our meager belongings, donned our pioneer clothing, and took a 3 hour journey to Williams, AZ. When we arrived, we were assigned a handcart, complete with a jar of fresh cream that shook into butter as we rumbled along. We were thankful to share our Cart with a single gentleman from a ward in Kingman by the name of <span style="font-style:italic;">Victor Martell</span>. We feel it was a great blessing, and he became a fast friend of the children and indispensable to Carl as a helper in pulling the cart. We loaded our water, bed rolls, and tent and a change of clothes for each of us and began our first walk, about 3 miles on a flat, rocky road. We stopped in a pretty clearing around 4:30pm, kicked as many pine cones and rocks out of the way that we could, and set up our tent. We were served dinner, pioneer style. We each received 1 bowl of soup, then cleaned up and prepared for the evening. We had an evening devotional and some shared personal pioneer stories, we sang, prayed and headed to sleep. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DAY 2</span> - Day two began with a somber spirit, tired from the <span style="font-style:italic;">long </span>day before, and a night sleeping on rocks, we awoke and heard the hustle and bustle of movement within our camp, tents coming down, whispers, the crunching of pine needles. We joined the activity and cleaned up and organized in record time. We wore the same clothes, as we imagined the real pioneers would have done, enjoyed a nice breakfast of oatmeal and rolled out for the hardest day. The terrain became increasingly steep and rocky, the still heat diminished spirits and we began to taste in a small way how a day on the real road west may have felt. Poor Leia stepped in a cactus that went straight through her shoe! Lacey and some young women helped console her, we carefully removed the spines, and the final one had to be removed with Lora's teeth--She recovered well, and moved along as only sweet Leia can. We stopped in a beautiful setting for lunch, peanut butter sandwiches and apples, and then headed out for another stretch of our journey. Little legs began to ache and Luke offered a prayer that he might feel better. After a few feet, we were told that the men were being "called away" <span style="font-style:italic;">(in likeness of the Mormon Batallion)</span>, and all of the women and children were left to push the carts. Carl marveled at the determined look on Clay's face and became overcome with emotion as he could see the young man rise to his calling as the priesthood leader, and he gave it all his effort. In contrast, this proved the most disheartening part of the trail for Lora, as with Cora in arms, Luke and Christian eager to help, but dangerously too small for the wheels, rolled forth in the heat of the day, up twisting, rocky terrain. A young man, aged 14 helped Clay. His nose began to bleed due to exertion, and Lora stepped in to help, with eyes now to the ground pushing, we heard a yell and discovered that Luke caught his foot under the heavy, metal wheel. Fearing the worst, we stopped as frustrated sisters some passing, some helping looked our way. His prayer was answered as the injury was minor. With Christian and Cora now in tears, Catie, Clay and Lacey near exhaustion, we stumbled forth while kindly sisters grabbed the hands of our crying children and we moved forward. Soon, we began seeing some of the men reappearing, stepping toward their wagon. Carl never looked so handsome. A monument to marriage, yoked together once again, we moved forward with ease, Carl by the sweat of his brow, Lora with increased sorrow, nurturing the little ones, the burden was lightened. <br /><br />The journey continued, the clouds moved in to provide a much appreciated cover from the hot sun. They grew heavy and a gentle rain began to fall. At first refreshing, but as the lightening and thunder rolled across the sky, little ones hearts began to falter, Christian began to ask to "go home", his big sad eyes pleading to be held, an impossibility given the circumstances. He walked almost 2 miles in tears. My arms ached to hold him, but little Cora's legs couldn't manage the rocks, a kindly sister walked slowly with us, cheering him on. The rain soaked his little body, but when we told him we were "going to see daddy", he took a few more steps. When we finally were within sight of the camp, he ran to Carl. We saw his tired face as he shared their difficulty pulling through the thick, clay mud. We shook the mud off of our gear, and set up for camp again. No walking tomorrow...the sleep was well deserved and deep.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DAY 3</span> - This day began slower and with lighter hearts. We knew we were staying. We ate some pancakes and around 11:00am, some activities began, tug-of-war, an egg toss, string games (Lora was in charge of this...we made yarn dolls and necklaces), handkerchief dolls, homemade ice cream, etc. It was a free, relaxing day, a time to chat and use creativity to entertain. Leia, Luke and Christian spent the hours playing with other children just using their imaginations, Cora clung to Lora, Carl looked after the kids, and Clay itched to be doing something more productive. Idleness makes him restless. The day ended in a "Hoe-Down", All of the children participated in some dancing. It was a fun way to end the day. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Day 4</span> - Originally intended to leave at 9:00am, the clear skies were a warning of a hot day approaching. We awoke at 6:00am, once again greeted by the noises of hard working saints, repacking the handcarts for the last leg of the trek. Only 2.5 miles this day, but it was rumored to be steep. Breakfast of granola bars and apples was quick and good enough. We got an early start, somewhat apprehensive given the memory of Thursday, but we began knowing that each step brought us closer to our destination. This trip proved unique, as although the hills were steep, within the first mile, we could see the base camp off in the distance--this reassurance, with our "eyes single to this goal", made the journey quick, and the carts all arrived within an hour. It was amazing the difference in attitude and speed when the goal is in sight. Lora had a unique opportunity this day, as with Cora once again in her sling, and sweet Christian and his little legs at her side, she became the very LAST of the almost 300 saints on the trail. She was a bit forlorn when she realized that 3 people were behind her, the stake president (a blonde reincarnation of Johnny Cash...:-)), his wife and a young man. Due to an unusual pain in his back and legs, he was unable to walk more than about 30 yards without stopping to rest. The young man carried a folding chair for him. Our strides were well matched as Christian spent most of his time chasing grasshoppers and wanting to be held. We shared a quiet walk together, reflecting upon the pioneers and their sacrifices. Imagining leaving a loved one behind, buried by the side of the road. Emotions were high, quiet lessons of the heart were learned. Words cannot convey the feelings of those last steps. Watching this good man make each painful step, determined to make it to the end, I couldn't help but think of Brigham Young, and then Joseph Smith, as he kindly bid farewell to Christian, and dropped a grasshopper into his hand. That grasshopper rode all the way back to Bullhead City with us in a little boys shirt pocket. Ask him if he liked the "trek",he'll say, "yeah"...Two words: <span style="font-style:italic;">Life Changing.</span><br /><br /><br />I hope you can all comment now!Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-12977645417520475422009-07-14T11:15:00.011-07:002009-07-18T21:39:54.208-07:00Birthday Bonanza!<font style="font-weight: bold;">June 12-Catherine Emelia turns ELEVEN!</font> She opted for a "Blue" theme (her favorite of favorite colors) We had a party last year, so this year it was a "one friend" sleepover with best buddy "Shelby". She requested milkshakes in lieu of the traditional cake. She received Legos, Webkinz, and some crocheting supplies. It was a fun day and we hope she knows how much we love her silly personality and amazing contribution to our family! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Birthday, Catie!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 23-Luke and Leia turn FIVE!</span> Luke and Leia have been looking forward to this landmark birthday for about the last, ummm, 364 days! They are so cute and so ready to be "BIG". Five is the magic number for all the big kid activities in our family. They had a family birthday this year, as we have been battling illness and didn't think anyone wanted that as a birthday prize to take home. They love "Webkinz", too and their cakes are respectively a "pink pony" and a "Zingoz"...both Webkinz that they got for presents. They were so cute, as you can see by the picture they are still so sweet together and have recently been discussing their future marriage to one another! This is actually very cute, and we know that this is not as scary as it sounds. Catie used to want to marry Clay...so NOT true anymore. We've learned to enjoy these times! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Birthday Lukey and Lei-Lei!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 12-Cora LeAnn turns ONE! </span>What can we say? They just keep getting cuter! Cora's birthday was a joy, she is so LOVED by her brothers and sisters, even Christian wasn't jealous. They fawned and fussed over her all day and she was so pleasant and perfect in her reactions. She adores animals of any kind, especially TIGERS--we had so much fun with her jungle theme. Poppa and Grandma Westphal spent the day with us and spoiled her with all of the cute decorations that we all enjoyed. She got a stuffed tiger, a ball game, a little pet hospital, and some pretty clothes, too. We are so glad we have this precious spirit in our home. In her blessing, it was pronounced that she would bring us peace. How true this is! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Birthday Co-Co!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Clayton Allen</span> - Clay's birthday will be on the next post, but he has had a great summer. He became a "junior lifeguard" and attended Scout Camp for a whole week by himself. He had a great time earning 4 merit badges in rowing, archery, mammal studies, and Indian Lore. He is also enjoying some art classes that a lady in our neighborhood teaches once a week. She is an actual artist, and Clay is having fun playing with "Clay" and using his great talents in this area.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lacey Sue</span> - had a chance to attend "AYSO UK Soccer Camp" in Chino, California for a whole week while staying with her grandparents. The coaches are all from the United Kingdom, and Lacey loved that "Continental" element. It made it more interesting. She still to date, has never lost a game. Even in the scrimmage games, her team always wins! It's crazy--but she just looks at us like, "well-of course!" She's a bit too competitive for her own good, but it works well for her on the field. Her energy is a real asset, and she really enjoys moving! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Christian </span>is still just a complete nut, and has developed a very tender side mixed with his usual rough and tumble exterior. He is also very funny (as noted in the picture) He loves to make us all laugh, and he usually succeeds! He still loves cars and all boyish things. He is fun to tease and is good at giving it back.Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-16207521693243568302009-06-04T09:40:00.009-07:002009-06-04T13:37:02.354-07:00Jovial JuneWe apologize for "Missed May" as I will call the <span style="font-style:italic;">invisible post</span> for last month. It was an interesting month, filled with some illness and some rougher moments, which most likely explains where the time went. It ended well, and this post is mostly filled with pictures from the better days in between. We like to report each individual as mostly grandparents look upon our page and it answers all of there questions and curiosities. So here we go!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Clay</span>: Clay is having a good start to summer. We enrolled him in the Bullhead Community "Swim Team", more commonly known as the <span style="font-style:italic;">Barracudas</span>. This is just a race against himself, and he is doing really well. In the last 3 weeks, he's moved up 2 lanes and has improved his ability to swim the 4 main strokes (breast, butterfly, free-style, and back) very well. He practices 2 hours a day, 5 days a week and will participate in about 6-7 meets before the season ends in late August. He now has a love for water and is beginning to build muscle and feel good about himself. We are so happy for him. We took a trip to the beach May 30, and he had fun trying to swim in the ocean. He will finish the month with a week of scout camp at a really awesome full scale camp (swimming, canoeing, shooting, etc.) All the stuff boys <span style="font-style:italic;">love </span>and moms try not to think about! <br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Catie</span>: Catie is also enjoying a break. She had a great 5th grade year and finished with the highest grades in her class and the most "reading counts" points her teacher has ever seen! She has learned a bit of crocheting from a nice lady in the ward and has had fun trying her hand at that. She made me a little pillow for Mother's day. She is also in nightly swim classes 4 days a week and does well to help around the house and keeps us entertained with her naturally silly nature and great imagination. She turns ELEVEN years old in 8 days and I can hardly believe it. She is becoming a beautiful "young lady" and I enjoy our friendship so much. I hope we stay close always!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lacey</span>: Lacey also had a great school year. She received an award for "Fabulous Friend" from her class, which fits her well. She is a sweetie and very sensitive to people's feelings. She intuitively knows when to hug, tease, or just smile at a person. I benefit from that strength of hers daily. I sometimes feel she is gift from Heavenly Father to comfort her complicated mommy. While I was in the middle of typing this, a little "tiff" errupted from Luke, Leia, and Christian over a toy. She walked off quietly and returned saying, "I solved the problem...I gave them one of <span style="font-style:italic;">my </span>toys and it took care of it. Such a peace maker! She has officially memorized all 13 "<span style="font-style:italic;">Articles of Faith</span>", and said to me "Now what?"...hmmmm, keeping Lacey busy, not an easy task! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Luke</span>: Luke is an impressive soul. His mind fascinates us, from strange things like me explaining to him that "pickles are cucumbers soaked in salt water to keep them fresh" and him responding with, "So they are like little <span style="font-style:italic;">mummy </span>cucumbers?"...uhhh, yeah I guess you could say that! Another example is when I tell him "<span style="font-style:italic;">The Three Bears</span>" which I have done almost every night for 3 years (ugh), and suddenly the story goes like this: "...and their porridge was TOO Hot!...what is porridge? ummm it's like oatmeal...anyways, the daddy's was too hot, the mommy's was too cold and the baby's was JUST right!...what's "just right" mean?...you know, not too hot, not too cold, just warmish...then he says, "so the chair was warm?" ---(sigh) Do you get the picture? Last night, Carl calls me in to the bathroom where he was bathing the little boys, and I come running expecting a problem, he just looks at me and says, "Luke wants to know what <span style="font-style:italic;">time </span>is?" "Do you have any ideas how to explain that? Uhhhhhhhh...well...you know...hmmmm? <br />Go ahead think about it! We welcome some help here!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Leia</span>: Leia is also going through a big "cognitive shift". I guess turning 5 is more complicated than I remember, especially watching it double-time. Her thing is <span style="font-style:italic;">honesty</span>, or a lack thereof unfortunately.It is always a complicated thing knowing when to punish for lying and when to reward for honesty. I know it sounds like a simple thing, but if you get too angry about the inappropriate things they do, some kids will lie to avoid conflict, and if you praise them too much for telling the truth, they'll often continue undesirable behavior to get the "reward" of telling the truth! Trust me, it's not as easy as it looks. So that is our dilemma with Leia. On a higher note, she is very well behaved in primary and always loving to Cora. She also loves to help with laundry and dishes. She has become enchanted with "doing hair" and patient Lacey is often the recipient of her "styles"--she's very coordinated for a little one, and she amazes me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Christian</span>: Thankfully, due to the complex balance of the universe, as Luke and Leia become more exhausting, Christian is leveling off and becoming more calm. His communication skills have grown ten fold, and this has greatly lessened his frustration with the world. He is about 75% potty trained, much to the dismay of his mommy, but we have learned these things always work out, so we just go on with life and thank the stars for "pull-ups". (sigh) Christian's social skills are (in our opinion) very advanced. Everywhere we go, he introduces himself to strangers, "I'm Kiss-chin, what you name?" He loves nursery and his teachers (childless younger couple...bless them!) love him, too. He's a cutie and melts my heart every time he smiles at me. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cora</span>: "One Giant Step for Cora, One Giant Leap for the Westphal's!" Yes, we have an official "<span style="font-style:italic;">walker</span>". (sniffle) She is SO cute though, I could die. Such a tiny thing, but so capable and determined. She also repeats words like "Co-Co" (her nick name), "GO", and "da-da". We think she's a baby genius. She is generally very pleasant, likes to feed herself Cheerio's, bananas, pears, and recently some tiny bits of an "In-N-Out" burger that made her daddy proud! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Did we miss anyone? I hope not! As for <span style="font-weight:bold;">Carl </span>and <span style="font-weight:bold;">I</span>, we are just plugging along, keeping the kids busy and learning, and trying to find as many moments in a day to nurture our marriage and kiss and hug and gross the kids out. (giggle) We enjoyed a brief visit to California this past weekend. We went out with my dear friend, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Dianne Felshaw</span> and our favorite "<span style="font-weight:bold;">Uncle Wendell</span>" and all the kids this past Friday night and saw "<span style="font-style:italic;">Night At The Museum II</span>"--we LOVED it, and it was just the kind of stupid, wonderful humor that keeps life worth living. The next day, we took the kids to <span style="font-style:italic;">Cabrillo Marine Aquarium</span> in San Pedro. (Many pictures attached) we had a truly FANTASTIC time, and it was the perfect kind of place for the ages and stages of our kids. A trip to the beach after wards finished the day off perfectly. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...LIFE IS GOOD!Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-23808918980336152502009-04-17T22:25:00.002-07:002009-04-17T22:55:58.890-07:00Ahhhh...April.Well, from what I am reading of all of your thoughts in "cyberspace", Spring is easing on to all of us and we are enjoying gentle breezes, warmer temperatures, and enjoying it so much.<br /><br />Quick Family Update:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Clay </span>is enjoying scouting and finished his woodworking merit badge, and is actually flying in a REAL plane tomorrow as he completes his aviation merit badge. He is also working on personal finance and fitness, and we are so impressed that he has earned about $80 on his own, and gets himself up everyday at 6:00am to run and/or do some strength training. He continues to fascinate us and his friends at school with his artistic talents and is also becoming rather funny, kind of 'Gary Larson' style humor.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Catie </span>is still playing Clarinet. She is, as we suspected, naturally talented with musical things and she looks forward to learning other instruments, especially the piano. She also won an award for an essay she wrote about "Citizenship". Also, as I type this, she is attending an "overnight" trip to the Phoenix Zoo as a fun 5th grade field trip to "observe and learn", and I don't doubt giggle into the wee hours of the night.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lacey </span>is enjoying school and naturally challenges herself to be the best at everything she tries. Hula hoop, multiplication facts, 'cat's cradle", and memorizing her articles of faith. (she knows 11 now, perfectly) -- She is fun to watch grow and continues to crack us up with her quick wit and constant teasing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Luke </span>has discovered words and writing. He asks me many times throughout the day, "how do you spell..." and we go through the sounding out and it is exhausting and wonderful. He loves to draw, and collect bugs, and read books. He has a fascination with the human body and gazes at his book on bones and muscles for hours at a time. He is an interesting little boy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Leia </span>continues to dazzle us with her love for singing, she can hear a song once and sing it instantly with a surprisingly strong voice, she's in love with High School Musical much to the embarrassment of her oldest brother who shushes her in public when she "belts out" as tune suddenly...(well, that's what they do in the movie, right?) So funny.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Christian </span>can be described as <span style="font-weight:bold;">AD-HORRIBLE!</span> That is the Westphal word for when their very cute kids do those awful things that make you bite your lip not to laugh, mixed with sheer horror of the magnitude of their crimes. (i.e. pulling their pants down and saying, "see my bum?"----giggle, shudder!!) He is currently "Potty training" and it just sounds like so much fun to him "the Potty train!" (like a ride)--Thank goodness for Spider man Under pants. That designer has my vote for the Nobel prize!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cora </span>is the definition of cute right now, constant smiles, and a new found sense of contentment through crawling around and exploring her world. She brings warm fuzzies to all of us and is the sunshine of our life. What a blessing she is.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Carl </span>and <span style="font-weight:bold;">I</span> are also fine, not nearly as cute as the kids, (well, I think Carl is cute...) but we are just trying to hang in through all of the daily tasks that make up life right now. We are very happy and when I type out these updates, I feel so pleased to be the mother of such amazing and beautiful children. We enjoyed our first camping trip as a family of 9...it was an adventure, but really VERY fun. Life is Good!Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-62729530788190798632009-02-17T09:39:00.002-07:002009-02-17T09:46:36.769-07:00Presidents Day PlayWe enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing weekend and we are so thankful for quiet times to get us through the inevitable crazy times that always follow. It is hard to believe that February is on it's way to an end and Spring can be felt approaching. <br /><br />We love this season of renewal and are ever grateful for the chance to "relive" the excitement and magic of the simple things of life through our precious children. We are not rich in this world, but can taste the treasure of eternity. <br /><br />Live-Love-Laugh!Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-43597407751181210332009-02-08T14:37:00.012-07:002009-02-08T15:08:03.453-07:00Loving LoveWell, somewhere over the last 13 years, I decided <span style="font-style: italic;">Valentines Day</span> was one of my favorite holidays, granted it has it's roots in something pagan or strange like all holidays, but all that aside, what's not to like about a day to say "I love you" in a hundred different ways?<br /><br />Pink, red, conversation hearts, silly romantic things, chocolate...all good if you ask me. It's also a great excuse to make frosted sugar cookies with too many sprinkles! I actually found an excellent recipe online this year, and thought I'd share it. <span style="font-style: italic;">And</span>, if you're not feeling the <span style="font-style: italic;">LOVE</span>...then tuck it away for another holiday. ~ENJOY~<br /><br />Happy Valentines Day! I love <span style="font-style: italic;">YOU</span>! (see, it feels good)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />PERFECT SUGAR COOKIES</span><br /><br />INGREDIENTS <br />· 1 1/2 cups butter, softened<br />· 2 cups white sugar<br />· 4 eggs<br />· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />· 5 cups all-purpose flour<br />· 2 teaspoons baking powder<br />· 1 teaspoon salt<br /><br />DIRECTIONS<br />1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight). <br />2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. <br />3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely. <br />PERFECT ICING <br />INGREDIENTS <br />· 4 cups confectioners' sugar<br />· 1/2 cup shortening<br />· 5 tablespoons milk<br />· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />· food coloring<br /><br />DIRECTIONS<br />1. In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners' sugar and shortening until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-16866764438327600562009-02-02T16:25:00.002-07:002009-02-02T16:35:13.485-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Fresh February</span><br /><br />It is a beautiful day--70 degrees and breezy...clear, blue skies--major pay-off for the 120 degree temperatures possible in a few months. Just wanted to post a few silly pictures of the kids mostly for grandparents but maybe a giggle for others as well.<br /><br />My mom and dad brought us a bumper crop of beautiful lemons and grapefruit from their yard in Green Valley. I enjoyed squeezing and freezing the delicious lemons and Leia and I dug in full force into the <span style="font-weight: bold;">grapefruit</span>--yummm! Makes me think of Weird Al's song, "Grapefruit Diet". I posted the lyrics because they are TOO FUNNY! (sorry for the fat jokes, but being overweight, I figured it was politically correct to post it!) (sung to the tune of "Zoot Suit Riot")<br /><br /><h1>Grapefruit Diet</h1> by Al Yankovic<p> <br />Lyrics:</p> Who's that waddlin' down the street<br />It's just me 'cause I love to eat<br />Fudge and Twinkies and deviled ham<br />Who's real flabby? Yes, I am!<br />Every picture of me's<br />Gotta be an aerial view<br />Now my doctor tells me<br />There's just one thing left to do<br /><br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />Throw out the pizza and beer<br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />Oh, get those jelly donuts out of here<br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />Might seem a little severe<br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />I'm gettin' tired of my big fat rear<br />Blow, fatty!<br /><br />Well, I used to live on chocolate sauce<br />Made sumo wrestlers look like Kate Moss<br />Walked down an alley and I got stuck<br />I got more rolls than a pastry truck<br />When I'm all done eating<br />I eat a little more<br />When I leave a room<br />First I gotta grease the door<br /><br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />Can't have another eclair<br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />I gotta decrease my derriere<br /><br />I'm on a Grapefruit Diet<br />I'm on a Grapefruit Diet<br />I'm on a Grapefruit Diet<br /><br />No more pie now<br />No more creme brulee<br />Lay off the gravy<br />And souffle<br />No french fri-yi-yies now<br />No ice cream parfait<br />Mr. Cheese Nacho<br />Stay away<br /><br />Oh I think I'd sell my soul<br />For a triple patty melt<br />But I need a boomerang<br />When I put on my belt<br /><br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />Lay off the 3 Musketeers<br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />Until my big booty disappears<br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />Eat 'em till they're comin' out of my ears<br />Grapefruit Diet (Diet!)<br />'Cause I haven't seen my feet in years<br /><br />I'm on a Grapefruit Diet<br />I'm on a Grapefruit Diet<br />I'm on a Grapefruit Diet<br /><br />I think I'm about ready for a Quarter Pounder with extra cheese<br />I need a side order of onion rings<br />And don't forget to Super-Size thatLora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-26138814584560711912009-01-29T11:17:00.002-07:002009-01-29T11:29:00.498-07:00Valuable Visits2009 has started well. We have had a busy month. Carl was able to travel to see his good friend Colleen and be with her and her family at her father's passing. It was nice for him to see old friends again and reflect on the life of a very good man. He also attended an Optometric Conference in Phoenix and was able to stay with my brother John and his family. He had fun seeing them, too.<br /><br />After he returned we were glad to welcome Carl's mom and sister, Carrie, for a short but pleasant visit. Our kids LOVE Aunt Carrie, she's cool and fun and always buys them unique and fun gifts. We also enjoyed a nice 3 day visit from my mom and dad--just relaxing and fun. In Honor of the Chinese New Year, I tried my hand at making traditional Chinese food (almond chicken, steamed pork dumplings, chow mein, jasmine rice, okay and frozen egg-rolls...) It came out pretty good, but my mom and I commented on why many asian have multi generations living under one roof---you need lots of hands to make this delicious food!<br /><br /> HAPPY YEAR OF THE OX! Slow and steady and strong---should be a good year!Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-53541948417629912002009-01-08T13:44:00.002-07:002009-01-08T14:23:12.594-07:00Joyous JanuaryJanuary and the prospect of the <span style="font-style: italic;">New Year</span> is always a special time. I love being able to start "anew", reflecting on all of the good of the past year, and look forward with quiet anticipation for the one to come. 2008 was a very important year for our family and we are so thankful to see the hand of the Lord in our life. New employment, new home, new baby, new schools, new ward, new friends, new wisdom gained. A synonym for "new" is "fresh" and that's how life feels right now. Not easy, not perfect, but fresh and <span style="font-style: italic;">blooming, glowing, novel, unfamiliar, different</span>...any of these great words describes how we feel.<br /><br />Hope you enjoy the pictures showing our precious children. We love them so very much, it hurts.<br /><br />Have a truly Happy <span style="font-style: italic;">blooming, glowing, novel, unfamiliar, different...</span>New Year!<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-26159568063194783042008-12-28T18:16:00.003-07:002008-12-28T20:33:22.519-07:00Christmas CutiesWell...our 14th Christmas together just passed.<br /><br />Christmas Eve was very uplifting. We ate a simple dinner followed by a fun (but disastrously messy...) Christmas cookie baking party. After baths, (and hosing down the kitchen,) Carl put together a little Christmas program where we read scriptures and sang hymns accompanied by his ever increasing guitar talent. The kids got their Famous Christmas Eve "jammies" and were all eager and pleasant about going to bed. Christmas morning was met with many thanks to Santa and his great taste...(whew!) The kids all played with their Santa gifts from 8:00 am until almost 5:00pm with no complaints or inquiries about the other wrapped presents. (Christmas miracle)...We threw together a simple meal of blueberry pancakes, bacon, sausage, Carl's famous eggs, and cold milk (yummm)---<br /><br />well...then we opened the presents...and all I can remember is paper flying, screams of joy and terror mixed with "wow" and "that's awesome!" and a lot of..."who was that from?" and "uhhhh....I don't know..." Sort of a scary ending to a rather perfect 23 hours...(sigh) Silent Night it was not, <span style="font-style: italic;">but </span>all is calm and all is bright.Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-67139708966808353192008-12-11T09:57:00.004-07:002008-12-11T22:46:02.398-07:00December DelightsWell, the weather is hardly frightful, and a fire would be too hot to be delightful, and there's usually <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">too many </span>places to go, but that's okay, 'cause it won't snow, it won't snow, it won't snow...we're in Arizona.<br /><br />Okay, that was a lame attempt at being clever...sorry. Just thought I'd throw a few pictures on "the blog" to show our fun holiday times. Life is too short to cry over spilled cocoa. (see photos at right...)Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-84187179503547962572008-11-16T21:52:00.003-07:002008-11-16T22:17:04.551-07:00November News...GO CHEETAHS! Lacey's soccer team finished an amazing season winning 10 games, tying 1 and "zero" losses! The girls had so much fun and really enjoyed each other. "Coach Carl" (aka "daddy") loved the experience and plans to coach again next year. We hope you like the updated slide show with the fun shots of the last game and the pizza party after to celebrate.<br /><br />Luke and Christian were spoiled by Carl and each received super hero "jammies"---they are a BIG hit as you can see. Luke wants to wear his all day, we have to sneak them out of his room to wash them.<br /><br />Also a few new shots of Cora and her new bouncy seat (courtesy of the Target gift cards from many of you--) She likes it and the twins and Christian get a kick out of her sitting in it. (and yes, Christian sits in it too when I'm not looking...)<br /><br />We love you and hope you have a wonderful season! What a special time of year this is--we are trying to take President Monson's advice and enjoy life--NOW.Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047051937840761903.post-45549897817994339552008-11-05T20:52:00.005-07:002008-11-05T21:44:29.233-07:00Fall has Fallen...We have had an enjoyable October. Here are some slide shows that "are worth a thousand words"--or so it is said. I am not good at sharing my innermost thoughts, but I do like to share pictures of how cute our kids are! In the mix this month are Carl & Clay's trip to Salt Lake for General Conference, Halloween, Christian's 2nd birthday, Lacey's amazing soccer season, Clay's scouting, Catie's clarinet debut, and some fun antics with the 4 little ones and our fun times at home. Life is pretty darn good!Lora and Carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12022387038621226974noreply@blogger.com4