Catch Up #2 - A TaVaci Concert to Remember

Today is June 20.  I actually typed this post on May 20, the night of the girls concert.  I had to type it then so I wouldn't forget any of the details but have been a bit slow in adding pictures and posting.  Enjoy the story!

Tonight was Hannah and Ashley's Spring TaVaci concert and what a night to remember it was!

Let me back up a bit to say that Monday night it dawned on Dave and I that the girls' concert was on Friday and he was working.  Bummer!  We didn't plan right and have him take the night off.  He also has a trainee with him so trying to shuffle that around is quite hard.  What do you do?  You punt and hope that this is one of the few he misses.

Wednesday night was staging rehearsal, which in and of itself is quite the story.  We had so much stuff jam packed into Wednesday that Grandma Peterson actually ended up being the chauffeur and taking the girls to their practices.  Thursday night brought dress rehearsal and tonight was the performance.

The girls and I were at home and running right on schedule.  We ate dinner at 5:15, got everyone (including Nicole) in their dresses/costumes and were on the road by 6:15 to the university.  I'd have to say I was quite impressed.  We were only going to be 5 minutes late!  That's impressive where I got three girls in dresses, tights, and curled their hair.  Plus....I got myself ready too.

We're driving up 400 north in Logan when Nicole says, "Mom, I need to throw up."  In times past she's said this and it's really meant nothing.  She'll say it at home a few times and when you finally tell her to go throw up, she'll go in the bathroom, spit in the toilet, and be done.  So I'm thinking that she's just saying it.  Then she says it again.  Hmmm.  Then she starts crying.  Oh crap!  She's really going to throw up.  I grab Ashley's jacket off the front passenger seat, toss it to Hannah and tell her to put it on Nicole so that if she does throw up we can catch it in something.  Withing seconds of the jacket, she starts throwing up in the van.  Are you kidding me?!?!?  Hannah starts sliding toward the other door so she doesn't get anything on her costume and then Ashley starts making weird noises like she's gagging and going to start throwing up herself.  Really?!?!?  I toss Nicole's jacket to Ashley but she says, "Mom, I'm not going to throw up. I'm just coughing from the smell."  Oh...okay.

Now panic mode sets in.  What in the world am I going to do?  Hannah grabs the cell phone and calls my mom who is inside with Grandma Nana saving seats.  She informs her that Nicole is puking in the car and to come outside and help.  I pull in the parking lot and tell Hannah and Ashley that they're going to need to get out of the van and run inside to their seats.  I'll figure out Nicole and find them later.  They were such troopers.  Once the van was in park they be-lined it out the door and into the theatre.  How nice to know that I have two very responsible girls.

I open the sliding door to the van and see that Nicole is covered in throw up.  Her face, Ashley's jacket and her new May Day dress that Traci made her to match Hannah and Ashley's.  She looks at me and says, "It's okay mom.  My tummy feels better."  Oh good!  Glad to hear.

Thank goodness two days ago I put a package of wet wipes in the van.  At least I had something to start cleaning her up with.  My mom came out to the parking lot and lucky for us she had some garbage bags in her car so we could clean up and dispose of things.  However, there I am standing in a stupor.  What am I going to do.  I have a sick child in the car, my other two girls are inside for their performance that they've worked so hard on, and Dave's working.  As a mom, I was so torn.  I want to see the performance and be with Hannah and Ashley.  They each had speaking parts and I was so nervous for Ashley that she wouldn't talk loud enough but I have Nicole who isn't feeling well and needs her mom.

So, we punt.  Grandma Peterson is sent back inside with the camera to watch the girls and take Hannah her apron that she left in the van.  Oh yea and to be with Grandma Nana.  After wiping Nicole up, I decide that I'm going to have to run to a store and buy her a new outfit.  We'll have to play it by ear to see if when we return we'll be able to sneak in and sit in the back.....with a garbage sack......and see some of the show or wait in the parking lot until it's over.

We did make it to Kmart and back with a new outfit.  Nicole kept telling me that she was better and could watch the girls sing their songs.  The new clothes helped her smell better so we were able to go in and see some of the show.  We missed Ashley's speaking part but my mom, Nana and Traci said that she was so cute and did an amazing job.  She talked loud and everyone got a good laugh from her joke.  AND I MISSED IT!!! BUMMER!!!  I did get to see Hannah do her part and she did a great job.  She too spoke loud and clear so she could be heard and got a good laugh from the audience.

I didn't realize that everyone was only sitting 4 or 5 rows in front of us until Nicole spotted my mom and wanted to go sit with her.  My mom must have spotted us shortly after because not too long after that she came and sat with Nicole on the back row while I sat down a little closer and took some pictures.

Even though Dave was working, he actually was able to sneak in for the last couple of songs and to see the girls at the end which brought smiles to their faces.  Thanks to Grandma Peterson too for bringing each of the girls a red rose.  They sure felt like they were on top of the world.

After the performance the four of us and Grandma Peterson went to Casper's Malt Shoppe for ice cream.  This is a tradition we've started with the girls and who's not up for some ice cream!

We arrived at home around 9:30 with everyone exhausted and ready for bed.  Poor Nicole came right in and laid down on the couch.  I really don't think she feels good.  It could be an interesting night at our house!!!

Excerpt June 20:  Nicole did end up with the flu this weekend.  We were up at 4 a.m. throwing up and again at 6:30.  She also came down with a fever for all of Saturday.  Poor kid....she really didn't feel good.

Here's some pictures of the performers:

Catching Up #1 - Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary

Monday, April 25 marked 13 years that Dave and I have been married.  Wahoo!

Dave actually left on Monday the 25th for the entire week to attend SWAT training in Wendover, NV.  Before he left he brought me some beautiful roses at work.  The arrangement of flowers consisted of 13 red roses; one for each year of marriage and three white roses; one for each of our girls.  Now that's impressive!  There was definitely some thought that went into these roses.

I have to say I'm pretty spoiled!!!


Happy Birthday Ashley

On Wednesday, April 27, Ashley turned six!  Let's have another wahoo for that one!!! 

With Dave being out of town, we talked Ashley into waiting for the main festivities until he returned and could enjoy it with us.  So, we did our regular routine of TaVaci and then headed to Mendon for Ashley's soccer game at 5:30.  Once the game was over, we headed to town and had a birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  Ashley's choice.  It's all about sitting in the saddle (no picture...what was I thinking)!

What are the two thoughts stand out the most at this dinner?

1- The girls were standing in the aisle watching the waitresses/waiters line dance when all of a sudden comes a THUD! A little boy probably about 18 months old came backward into our booth from the other booth behind us and smacked his head on our table.  Ouch!  I'm not sure how he actually came over backward.  I can see frontward if he was leaning over the bench but he wasn't.

2- We were sitting at the table waiting for our food when all of the sudden it dawns on me that I have forgotten to take Hannah to her piano lesson.  Between Dave being gone and trying to coordinate TaVaci, soccer and a birthday dinner I totally spaced off that Hannah needed to be at piano during Ashley's soccer game.  I had forgotten my cell phone at home so it wasn't until 9:30 that I could call her teacher with multiple apologies.

Ashley's VIP Poster

Picture this in your mind with me......it's Monday night.  This is the first of four nights/five days that Dave is gone.  Ashley comes up to me as she's heading to bed and says, "Mom, my birthday is on Wednesday.  Have you made my VEI poster for school?"  In my shocked but trying not to be shocked voice, I say, "No.  Am I suppose to make you a poster?"  Ashley - "Yes.  When it's your birthday, your mom makes a poster about you and then brings it to share in class."  Me - "Oh....well.....I haven't heard from your teacher so I'll send her an e-mail tonight and see what I'm suppose to do."

The next morning when I get to work, I check my e-mail and see that I am suppose to create a VIP poster on Ashley.  The e-mail says that if I'd like to come and share the poster on Wednesday that would be great but if that's too soon I can wait and come on Thursday.    Hmmm.....let's think about this for a moment.  I can't do anything until I'm off work on Tuesday and then I have to get Hannah to TaVaci at 4pm then to a soccer game at 5:30.  When am I suppose to buy the poster paper and find the pictures to have the poster ready for presentation by Wednesday?  I replied that Thursday would work fine.  I would need the extra day to pull it together.

Tuesday during TaVaci I was able to take Ashley to purchase the poster paper and she picked the "rainbow" paper.  She's such a color girl.  Tuesday night I stayed up until almost midnight finding pictures and then Wednesday night I pulled it all together.  I then made it for the end of class Thursday for the presentation and the handing out of cupcakes to celebrate Ashley's birthday.

Here's the final product:

Ashley's Birthday Party

This year it was Ashley's turn for the "friend" birthday party.  She was adament that she needed a skating party at the Fun Park.  So....that's what she got.  We held the festivities on Monday, May 2.  It worked out great because I had taken the day off work and it was Dave's regular scheduled day off.

There ended up being 15 girls for the party.  This included Hannah, Nicole and Hannah's friend.  Can I just say.....that's a lot of little girls to coordinate!  Especially where only 4 could skate!!!  I was sweating by the time the pizza was ready!!!

It turned out to be a fun party and I think everyone had a great time.  I asked Ashley on the way home if she had fun but she told me no.  I guess that's what I get for asking when she's exhausted because the next morning it was the best party she'd ever had!  Probably because it was only her second one!

However, she did say that where she invited all girls this year she would like to invite all boys next time.  Oh dear!  I guess we'll see if that changes when she's in 2nd grade!




She was so cute!  She sang to herself the whole time everyone was singing Happy Birthday!

She hit the goldmine in the present department!  You could tell that all of the girls had her pegged.  They all gave her some sort of art supply/kit.  She was in total heaven!

According to Ashley, her favorite present was the remote controlled puppy from Mom and Dad!

Medal of Valor

At the Sheriff's Office 2011 Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, May 18, Dave was given the Medal of Valor.  I would like to paraphrase what the Sheriff read but I couldn't do it justice.  Plus, I want it for my journal so I'll go ahead and type what was said:

"The Medal of Valor is given for outstanding service and conspicuous bravery in the line of duty, wherein the employee risks loss of life with knowledge of the danger involved.

On July 4, 2010, deputies were dispatched to an emergency call of traumatic injury involving a citizen and a boat propeller at Hyrum Dam Reservoir.  Several members of the sheriff's Office and allied first responders were sent to the scene including Deputies Welker and Hansen.  On arrival, Deputies Welker and Hansen removed their uniform gear, received a ride on a private boat to the incident location, and found the victim pinned in the propeller of the boat.  Without hesitation, with risk to their own lives, Deputies Welker and Hansen went into the water.  They took turns keeping the victim's head above water while trying to free the victim from the propeller.  Welker and Hansen worked repeatedly to cut clothing and free the victim's legs that were tangled in the propeller.  After being freed from the boat and with the assistance of other first responders and citizens, the victim was loaded into a private boat and transported to medical providers at the Hyrum Dam Boat Dock.

With this demonstration of bravery and unselfish act of putting his own life at great risk, it is with a great deal of pleasure I award this medal, the Medal of Valor, to Deputy Welker."

When this incident occurred, Dave was actually riding his motorcycle.  For him to drop is duty gear took more then just removing his duty belt.  He had to take of his knee-high motorcycle boots.  Now let me say that it's no easy task removing these things.  Without Dave's boot "horse shoe" to help remove the boots, it turns into a two man job between us to pull those things off.  I guess it's amazing what adrenaline can do because he doesn't remember there being a struggle to remove the boots by himself.

Also, this is the night that Dave spent some time at the ER getting stitches in his finger.  While he was trying to cut the man lose from the propeller, he sliced his finger open.

Things like this make your heart swell and can bring a tear or two to your eye.  What an amazing person Dave is.  I am so lucky to have him in my life and in the life of our girls.

Congratulations Dave!

Hogle Zoo

Dave and I surprised the girls on Friday and took them to Hogle Zoo.  With Dave now on swing shifts and not having Saturday and Sunday off, we have to plan our "weekends" together.  I think the girls were surprised.  Hannah kept thinking we were taking her to school late and she kept begging to have a "fun" day instead of going to school.  So I think she was pretty happy when the van headed south.

We got to the zoo and were greeted by about 10 school buses.  I thought we'd be safe where it was a Friday.  That's what I get for thinking on my own.  It didn't seem too crowded though.  We didn't have to wait in line for the carousel or the train.  Nice!

We did see Jacob (nephew) which was fun for the girls.  He was down with his class from Cache Valley.  We also ran into someone from Mendon.  What are the odds of that?

The temperature was hot.  It ended up being around 80, which was plenty warm.  About 5-10 degrees cooler would have been prime.  We enjoyed the 8 bottles of water, the sunscreen, and the hats.

Our favorite part was the bird show.  We were about three rows back and when the birds would fly over our heads you could feel the wind from their wings.  It was a very interactive show and the girls really enjoyed it.  If you look closely in this picture you can actually see the owl flying right at the camera.  He's brown so you have to look close.  Look between the middle and right pole just above the little boy's head.  In fact, the owl's wing looks like its' going to touch the little boy's head.

It's not the zoo unless you ride on the carousel....

The train (waiting for it to arrive).....nice bubble blowing Ashley......

Get your picture taken at all he cool statues......

and see some animals......

Above picture: so this isn't a real animal but there were a bunch of these robot dinosaurs all over the zoo.  They were pretty cool.  A couple of them even sprayed water.

Hannah took this picture....didn't know she was so "up close and personal".

After the zoo, we headed to Layton and had lunch/dinner at Red Robbin.  Yummy!  We arrived back home around 6 p.m.  The kids ran right outside to jump on the trampoline and Dave and I collapsed on the couch!

What a fun day!!



May Day in Mendon

Saturday, May 7 brought the 149th annual May Day Celebration in Mendon.  For us, it brought the second year of braiding the May Pole.

It's quite the "thing" in Mendon....the May Day celebration that is.  On March 27, Hannah and I attending the May Pole meeting where they "reveal" the dress and give the instructions.

Practices started on Monday, March 28 and carried through until the performance.  The girls practice three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) to learn the steps and the songs.

The first week of practice is basically getting the girls paired up with partners.  I received a call from Dave while I was getting my hair done that Hannah called and they were short "little girls" and so they volunteered Ashley to braid the May Pole.  The girls invited to braid the May Pole are in grades 1-5.  Where they were short a few "little girls", they needed to pull a few kindergartners.  Thus, Ashley became a part of the celebration.  She was stoked!  At first you could tell she was a bit envious of Hannah because she couldn't participate so it actually worked out good.

It was interesting for those weeks to coordinate getting the girls picked up from school at 2:45 and out to May Day practice by 3:25.  A HUGE thanks to Dave and Grandma Peterson for making this work.  I couldn't have done it without them.

The most stressful part of the celebration for me is that you have to make the dresses.  The problem you ask.......I DON'T SEW!!!  Not only do I have to have two dresses made this year but I need to find someone to make them.  Hannah really wanted Traci to make them so we called and thank goodness she was happy to help us out.  Phew!  Huge stress relief.

I do have to say that it is NOT cheaper to make your own clothes.  By the time I bought the material for both of the dresses I was in over $50.  But hey.....it's all about tradition so we carried on.

At least this year the weather cooperated and the girls didn't get rained out or rained on.  Our first year in Mendon we went and watched.  It was moved to the Stake Center due to the rain.  Last year, the girls were able to braid the May Pole but then right after it down poured hail.  This year.....the weather was amazing.  In fact, amazing enough that I didn't think about sun screen and both Nicole and I paid the price.

Thanks Traci......the dresses were great!

Thanks Hannah and Ashley for being willing to participate.  You girls did a great job!!

The girls ended up being partners, which was nice because then they were for sure at the same pole.

Here's the girls with the happy dress maker! 

Great job girls!!

A Little Catching Up

Happy Anniversary
Monday, April 25 marked 13 years that Dave and I have been married.  Wahoo!

Dave actually left on Monday the 25th for the entire week to attend SWAT training in Wendover, NV.  Before he left he brought me some beautiful roses at work.  The arrangement of flowers consisted of 13 red roses; one for each year of marriage and three white roses; one for each of our girls.  Now that's impressive!  There was definitely some thought that went into these roses.

I have to say I'm pretty spoiled!!!

Happy Birthday Ashley
On Wednesday, April 27, Ashley turned six!  Let's have another wahoo for that one!!! 

With Dave being out of town, we talked Ashley into waiting for the main festivities until he returned and could enjoy it with us.  So, we did our regular routine of TaVaci and then headed to Mendon for Ashley's soccer game at 5:30.  Once the game was over, we headed to town and had a birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  Ashley's choice.  It's all about sitting in the saddle!

What are the two thoughts stand out the most at this dinner?

1- The girls were standing in the aisle watching the waitresses/waiters line dance when all of a sudden comes a THUD! A little boy probably about 18 months old came backward into our booth from the other booth behind us and smacked his head on our table.  Ouch!  I'm not sure how he actually came over backward.  I can see frontward if he was leaning over the bench but he wasn't.

2- We were sitting at the table waiting for our food when all of the sudden it dawns on me that I have forgotten to take Hannah to her piano lesson.  Between Dave being gone and trying to coordinate TaVaci, soccer and a birthday dinner I totally spaced off that Hannah needed to be at piano during Ashley's soccer game.  I had forgotten my cell phone at home so it wasn't until 9:30 that I could call her teacher with multiple apologies.

Ashley's VIP Poster
Picture this in your mind with me......it's Monday night.  This is the first of four nights/five days that Dave is gone.  Ashley comes up to me as she's heading to bed and says, "Mom, my birthday is on Wednesday.  Have you made my VEI poster for school?"  In my shocked but trying not to be shocked voice, I say, "No.  Am I suppose to make you a poster?"  Ashley - "Yes.  When it's your birthday, your mom makes a poster about you and then brings it to share in class."  Me - "Oh....well.....I haven't heard from your teacher so I'll send her an e-mail tonight and see what I'm suppose to do."

The next morning when I get to work, I check my e-mail and see that I am suppose to create a "VIP" poster on Ashley.  The e-mail says that if I'd like to come and share the poster on Wednesday that would be great but if that's too soon I can wait and come on Thursday.    Hmmm.....let's think about this for a moment.  I can't do anything until I'm off work on Tuesday and then I have to get Hannah to TaVaci at 4pm then to a soccer game at 5:30.  When am I suppose to buy the poster paper and find the pictures to have the poster ready for presentation by Wednesday?  I replied that Thursday would work fine.  I would need the extra day to pull it together.

Tuesday during TaVaci I was able to take Ashley to purchase the poster paper and she picked the "rainbow" paper.  She's such a color girl.  Tuesday night I stayed up until almost midnight finding pictures and then Wednesday night I pulled it all together.  I then made it for the end of class Thursday for the presentation and the handing out of cupcakes to celebrate Ashley's birthday.

Here's the final product:

Ashley's Birthday Party
This year it was Ashley's turn for the "friend" birthday party.  She was adamant that she needed a skating party at the Fun Park.  So....that's what she got.  We held the festivities on Monday, May 2.  It worked out great because I had taken the day off work and it was Dave's regular scheduled day off.

There ended up being 15 girls for the party.  This included Hannah, Nicole and Hannah's friend.  Can I just say.....that's a lot of little girls to coordinate!  Especially where only 4 could skate!!!  I was sweating by the time the pizza was ready!!!

It turned out to be a fun party and I think everyone had a great time.  I asked Ashley on the way home if she had fun but she told me no.  I guess that's what I get for asking when she's exhausted because the next morning it was the best party she'd ever had!  Probably because it was only her second one!

However, she did say that where she invited all girls this year she would like to invite all boys next time.  Oh dear!  I guess we'll see if that changes when she's in 2nd grade!

She was so cute!  She sang to herself the whole time everyone was singing Happy Birthday!

She hit the goldmine in the present department!  You could tell that all of the girls had her pegged.  They all gave her some sort of art supply/kit.  She was in total heaven!

According to Ashley, her favorite present was the remote controlled puppy from Mom and Dad!

Happy Birthday Ashley!  We love you!!