Monday, April 19, 2010

Spring Break....St. George 2010

As most know, I absolutely love St. George! So do my boys, we had a great time with terrific weather too! The little boys and I went down with Kiki and her girls.  Kiki and I were both on the go, ready to not waste time sitting around, we did more in three days than I do in a week there alone, it was great times.  Steve and Austin came down mid week since he had baseball games and Steve couldn't take off the whole week and I was not about to wait at home in the cold weather for them. We hiked, played tennis, swam, explored and had great fun playing nonstop! We went into a store down there and the boys thought it was the coolest thing to get their very own shopping carts, I agreed until they started filling them up with things they wanted ME to buy! It was so cute, I am sure you can agree...look at how happy Colton looks.

There was a Jumping Place so went there when the weather was cooler, I even took a dive through that little whole there, if you look closely, those are my legs, Colton was photographing!

We also got haircuts down there too...amazing what intrigues a boy in a hair salon? It was the hit of the place....there was some extreme fighting going on as to whose turn it was next. I thought it would make for some great blackmail in years to come.
For as many years as we have been going to St. George, the Wildlife Museum, never really sparked my interest......but with a coupon to get in FREE, I thought its worth a shot. To my surprise and boys too, we really enjoyed it. There were stuffed animals from all over the world in there, big and small, cute and scary. There was even a dress up area for kids to put on some hunting attire...Colton was happy to model that for us here. He is a ham sometimes, but other times he runs when I get out the camera.
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A bunch of Austin's friends were in St. George for spring break and they had so much fun together, a bunch from his swim team and baseball team.  They were affectionately know as the "ST. Jorge Amigos". 
Sad its over as I know that Spring has not really arrived back in Heber and if my place was not rented out, I would have kept the kids out of school another week and literally waited out the storm or storms.

Friday, April 09, 2010

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Colton

You are now 7, that is such a big number for a little guy!  Where has the time gone, literally I can't remember but its now in the past and you are so grown up, so handsome and so determined.  There is not a day that goes by without you making me laugh and scream all in a matter of 5 minutes.  I love that you know what you want, how you want it and try to change your mind might call on an act of God.  Not sure where you get it from but, I don't worry about you in that you are confident and comfortable with yourself, a quality most lack.  Colton, you are in the first grade, making strides in learning and growing more agile in sports and in all that you do.  I know that you wanted to add candles to that cake, but really did we need that many?  Who is  83 anyway?  Another display of your way or no way!  We had Grandma Sally and Grandpa Phil over for Red Velvet Bundt cake that I made and it didn't even fall apart!  I am getting the baking thing down now.
Happy Birthday my sweet boy!  We love you so much!

Monday, April 05, 2010

Easter memories

This egg Colton made for Avery girl! They so love her and oh my gosh I just forgot I have to go the cemetery to pick up the stuff or they will throw it all away!



I am sure there will be a day when I have to hide the eggs for Steve or him for me because Easter is so much fun around here. I had to hide the eggs harder than Steve did, I was like hello Steve, these kids aren't two anymore (of course we wish they would stay that little) and then the boys were finding them all day long. There is another mom, look! It was cute.

We didn't really do much except eat, watch conference, and play with the bunny stuff. Relaxing is always so much work, well for me it is!

Last week Colton got sent to his room for some poor choices, so when we went in there later on, he had made a saying on the floor with his "Bendaroos" that he got for Christmas, in case you can' t read it, it says, "Dad is the meanest" well in colton's phonetic spelling.





Monday, March 29, 2010

The Fort

Dad and the boys working on the new lower fort!
Kaden on the rope swing made with a piece of wood a base of an orange cone.

The Old Fort up in the tree over 15 feet. Heartattack scary!

The weather in Heber is not predictable, nor does it seem to go in my favor either. I love the sun, I could live in the heat over the cold any day. Well if winter was the three months like the calender says, I could handle that. Yucko! But I never focus on the negative.....soooooooooo

when the sun does shine, I set my sites on the outdoors, along with the boys...we have been rollerblading, playing baseball, basketball, biking, going to the fort in the field behind our house. Now its these things that make me appreciate Heber much more. This fort is so cool and so scary at the same time. The boys love it, so we took them yesterday afternoon. I was like no way can you go here without me.....Its truly a work of lets be nice "art". Some others have constructed this thing with a pulley cable even to hoist things up there. Wow! My boys think its the the coolest thing in the world...Colton brought a bag over there yesterday with the following contents: 2 hammers, a box of nails and his Book of Mormon, and that is it! Not sure what the rhyme or reason was but it is what it is. I immediately was looking around for another spot on this gigantic tree seriously the diameter is like 20 feet and that is not an exaggeration. Steve located a spot that could suffice but it was about 15 feet lower than the other one and that made us both feel better. Colton took to it and started building away, those nails and hammers sure were a lifesaver...well not really as he didn't want to leave at all. He was in his glory for sure. He loves to build, arrange, and put things together that is what he can truly focus on well and he does....Kade of course was happy swinging on the rope swing that swung over the little creek. Colton's friend, Ethan, was there as well and he did something wrong in the building plans according to Colton hence, Colton's reply....."Ethan was choosing the wrong, good thing I brought my scriptures with me." Steve and I couldn't stop laughing, he can be such a sweetheart then in a moments time turn vicious. Ugh..I know I gave him that personality...its has served me very well 95% of the time! So I am going to try to embrace it the best I know how.

Baseball season has started and it is fun, we have been to two games only but both games Austin was the starting pitcher and did well the first game and not so well the second on the mound however, he made up for it with a three run homer out in left field! It was a beautiful hit and I know he needed that after his mound performance. When we got home, he said I was throwing strikes...that umpire had no teeth on the bottom and his right eye was all jacked up! LMAO...the other game the umpire has a HUGE 6 inch hole in his pants...so glad he had on some pants underneath those....Seriously it was so hard not to look at it every single time he bent over.


Kaden......as precious as ever, I tell you that kid makes me want to have ten more, well not really. He is reading so well, and loves it too! Tonight our family home evening lesson is on reading our scriptures more and then going to the library, he is so excited.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

I can only Imagine................


What my sweet baby girl would be doing today, who would she look like, would I have to get a job to support her clothing habit....or would that be mine? I wish I could say that this was all a dream and that this never happened to our family. But since I can't, I have chosen to look at the positive things that our trial has helped us achieve in such a short time. As I reflect back on Avery's journey, I can't seem to grasp how I made it through that period of time. I was with someone today and I shared with them that it was as if I was being guided literally, to take each and every step & breath. I was given a very special gift when I needed it most and for that I will be eternally grateful. My husband and I became like one again, we gained strength through each others struggles and good times. We needed one another, we felt strong in the presence of our children, their innocence and tender spirits showed us what was really important in life. We cherished our family, our friends, ourselves....just a little bit more as we embraced life for another day, as our journeys are not our own.

Sweet Avery Ann is still here, somehow she lives on with us in our daily lives, as my boys would have it no other way. There is not a day that goes by that Colton and Kaden don't talk about or pray for her. My boys have given me a gift that I don't know if I could have given myself. They have the faith that is untainted by the words of the world, their innocence is untouchable, they believe what they are told! They teach me day after day that Avery is our family forever and we will see her again.
Until we see her again, we will enjoy when she shows off her presence, as she visits us in many forms, sometimes as a ladybug, sometimes as a butterfly...and often times she says hello to us in the form of some coin on the ground. A friend of ours, who also has a special angel, gave the boys piggy banks and said that whenever you see money on the ground that is Avery telling you hello! We relish in that notion, and every time we spot a coin on the ground, we pick it up and say hello Avery! She shows up a lot in our lives and it may seem corny to others, but we will take all we can get and the smile it puts on our faces and in our hearts.

Today we will celebrate instead of mourn the short life of Avery. The little boys have requested a birthday party at the cemetery, pink cupcakes and messages attached to balloons telling her about the special spirit she has brought into our lives. I will tell her, Life is not the same, life will never be the same, life goes on....we love you so much Avery, thank you for the strength and courage you have given each of us! Happy Birthday to you!



Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Sweet Sixteen or not?







Not wanting to throw off his Mommy's schedule, Austin Keith Arce Hallows arrived exactly on his due date and my mother's birthday, February 24, 1994 at 6:10am. Weighing in at a 9 lb. 8 oz. and measuring 21 1/2 long, he was no lightweight. He gave us all a struggle with 26 hours of labor.....it was exhausting. The first thing I noticed was his beautiful lips and nose...He won't agree with the nose thing, but it was cute back then. He had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes, so much for the blond hair and blue eyed baby girl I always wanted....but nonetheless he was a wanted wonder to me.
This child has of mine has ceased to amaze me yet he wouldn't believe that with all the chores he thinks I make him do. Looking back....my fondest memories are:

He learned to read in kindergarten
He told me when he was 4 that he didn't like my attitude
He never stopped watching these three movies..."Space Jam", "Little Rascals" and any episode of "Barney"
He was a great baseball player at age 7 and he still is a great player...I love to watch him
He would want to sleep with me and when I wouldn't let him, he slept on the floor beside my bed, he still loves to sleep with me and I love it too!
People constantly come up to Steve and I, telling us how great of kid he is, that is music to a parents ears.

I can go on and on...but I won't bore you with the details of how grateful I am to be able to call Austin my son. Today, the boy stands 5"10", 145 lbs and size 13 feet.....
I had a suprise birthday party for him with all his friends....it was a suprise until he had to walk in and he knew something was up! I thought I did a great job and was pleased to be able to keep it from him for that long. They played water polo in the clubhouse and ping pong for hours...The kids didn't want to leave, I had to tell Austin to tell them, we have to go now......

Happy Birthday my sweet sixteen boy! We love you lots!





Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Future Swimmers....LOL




These boys idolize their brother, Austin, even though its not reciprocated. Well somedays.....We had a swim party for all the team here and the boys dressed up in Austin's swim stuff. I couldn't stop laughing it was so cute. Just look at the way Kade is standing. He is so ready. I hope he can swim like that in the future...as of right now its not looking good. Colton has really gotten the hang of it, he is a swimming away. I want to keep them into swimming, its a great sport, as we have discovered.



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2010 State Swim Meet


I am sorry, look at this kid, he is a stud. That body is amazing!
We were up above the pool and Kaden called down to him to look at us!

This was the pool at BYU, it was an really neat experience to be in there.



The team captains get in a huddle before the meet, jump up and down chanting...its exhilarating!


Getting ready for the Breaststroke!



This swim meet was my first one, last year he was only an alternate but this year he swam in three events, the 200 Relay, the breaststroke and freestyle. I am not sure where he got his swimming ability since, I can't swim, my mom can't swim, my grandmother couldn't swim and even my great grandmother couldn't swim. Must have been from his dad's side of the family. His dad could do every sport with such excellence, I think that is where he gets that from....but of course the body and good looks must have come from me. hehe


Overall the girls and boys teams are stars in my eyes but, this year they proved it with taking 2nd in the State Championship. The took 2nd last year too and were hoping to take 1st but Park City who they beat in the Regional Championship just the week before came up with more points. It was the most fun I have had ever watching a swim meet, as they tend to get monotonous. My throat was killing me, towards the end, its SO close you are yelling at every race hoping they place. I am so proud of my son who did so well even though he didn't think so. He is swimming faster and better than those who have swam for years....this is only his second year with no formal training ever and he is in state....he may not have won any title this time but he looked hot trying. Way to go Austin, I am so proud of you.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

These are the days we will remember forever!


We had a wonderful Family Home Evening last night, we talked about how Grandma and Grandpa Hallows are serving a mission in Independence, Missouri and what happened to Joseph Smith. The kids are so much smarter than we think, just sitting still and being quiet you will probably find that out about your own children as well. Colton was in charge of the song, so of course, he gets my itouch, puts on Van Halen, we all dance around the living room, swinging, laughing and really making fools of ourselves, but enjoying every minute of it. Steve had an epiphany as all that was happening, he said, you know that these fun evening spent as a family will be soon turn into memories for our children. Last year, I had ordered some vinyl lettering and had the saying, "these are the days we will remember forever" put on the wall, for times just like this. Its the little things that make the big picture so wonderful. We ended our night playing hide and seek, Kaden picked that game....Colton had a great hiding place, as you can see, in the pantry. I am sure he was eating in there too!


A few years ago, I bought my friend a set of angel cards, she said they were actually her first set, she later confessed. When Avery died and became an angel, she gave those cards back to me and they have been sitting in my guest room. I use them once in a while, but lately I have been using them more and the boys like to use them to...Well they play with them and the other day, Kaden, now to be known as only Kade, (He has asked us that we now refer to him as Kade, not Kaden.) wanted to draw a card, I told him to ask the angels a question. He looked puzzled like huh? why? What does it do? He did, then he was playing with the cards, I was making the bed, cleaning up around there, and he was asking me to spell words out for him. I wasn't paying much attention to it but he was asking me to spell out what he wanted to ask his angel. He said he picked angel Isabella, cuz he only likes pretty angels. I have the note of what he wrote and will treasure its innocence forever.


"Angel Isabella, we need are baby back any day close two today"


Ugh that brings me to tears still everytime I see it. He is so precious and sweet, he makes it so much more tolerable to deal with the loss of Avery. Today, we had to go to the dentist, and its right near the mortuary, I was tearful, remembering my last hours holding her were spent there. I am really doing well, but grief doesn't go away entirely it just gets a little easier. I had tears in my eyes, when we were getting out of the car, and Kade gently wiped my eyes and said, do you get sad when we talk about Avery, no I replied, do you? No, it makes me happy, he said. Truly it makes me happy too, she is my child and always will be, so of course I enjoy talking about her. What parent wouldn't?

Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Griswold Family Party!

Cousin Eddy's children!
We all fit nicely into Clark's family room!
Kaden was the first to open his gift, his words exactly, "I always wanted this!" Daddy said, what is it?, Kaden replied, "I don't know!"
Clark didn't sit much this night however, his family sure was gracious in hosting this Griswold Christmas Party!
The dessert left us all speechless, except Leah. She never is speechless!
Austin seems to believe that he is the man of the house trying very hard to convince the cousins of the same.
The college cousin got a well needed package full of highly nutritious meals to keep his figure and bank account in check.
This hat has been a big hit amongst the follow Griswold's
The position for most during the evening.
This is the Hallows' aka Griswold Family, minus Dad and Mom Hallows' who are serving an LDS Mission in Independence, Missouri. We sure do miss them!
Our cousin Rusty, aka Zach really is very well suited for this hat!
It sure was a terrific evening, everyone got such great fun gifts, hopefully everyone was very happy. The food was super good as usual. Steve made fun of Leah's Raspberry Pretzel Salad but everyone else loved it. Mom would be so proud of my jello salad experience while she is away. There might be some competition when she returns. Barry and Lanett aka Clark and Ellen really did a wonderful job at hosting this event in their home. We played a game of Cranium with each family being a team, all the kids even participated, it was fun but the President of the family Marcia, thought we should open gifts as the kids were anxious, that is by far their favorite part. Cassidy got a digital camera from Santa and she learned lots of new tricks yesterday on how to use it, she will soon be showcasing a video presentation to all at the next family gathering. I think this Christmas was wonderful and I hope that 2010 brings us all much happiness and blessings beyond our desires.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Christmas Tree decorating Event



Everyone wanted to help except when we had to decorate the top half of the 12 foot tree. Its a beaut Clark, Steven said and it sure it. Its also so large that it takes up almost half of my family room. We traded trees with our neighbor this year, as they needed a smaller one and we needed a bigger one since we they ran out of tree permits this year. Its a fake one but if its possible to say, its really growing on me. I leave it on all the time, its so festive and bright and since we didn't put it up until a week after Thanksgiving I want to get my time with it as it will go down pretty quickly after the man comes. Which is another story. Colton and Kaden think that it would be so cool to catch me kissing Santa Claus this year. They are really taking to the music and magic of Christmas they are 5 and 6 now, and might be Colton's last year of believing as he is already questioning who is real and who is a fake Santa. He is too smart for himself, I tried to spell something out the other night to Steve and Colton was like that spells plant! I might have to learn Portuguese so we can communicate without everyone knowing what we are saying.
We also have Elfy, who is the magical elf that appears right after Thanksgiving and watches over my boys during the day and reports back to Santa on their progress. He moves spots each night and its always a treat to wake up each morning to see the excitement on their faces when they have found out where Elfy landed for the day. You can't touch Elfy or else he looses his magic power and therefore won't return the next day, that keeps them from them climbing up on things to retrieve Elfy and then ultimatly misplacing him and then I am frantic trying to find him a new resting spot for the day. He sure does have some fun spots to hide and the boys think its hilarious how he hangs on things some nights....I have been woken from a dead sleep panicing that I forgot to reposition Elfy. But all is well so far, as he has not failed us yet.
Its stinking cold here in Heber but this week, its a heat wave. We got almost a foot of wet snow last week, I embraced that stuff, got all bundled up only to be sweating an hour later from sheer exhaustion trying to build a snowman family...what was I thinking. I stopped at 3 that snow was so heavy, I could hardly lift up the middle ball to make Steve, I told him a diet was necessary. Kaden and Colton both wanted me to make sure that we made the snowMEN anotomically correct! Ah...no but and weiny are needed boys, they are snowMEN still. I think next time it snows, I will get the other kids done. For now, I enjoy the snow, as its beautiful for the holiday season...after that you can leave it up in the sky.
I did have a picture of the tree all finished decorated but I can't seem to get it downloaded without a lot of trouble so maybe next time.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Twas the Disneyland Vacation












It all began on a cold windy day

hoping not to be halted along the way

We journeyed along

For what felt like so long

To the stop of the day

Las Vegas OK!

My kids were all frightened by sights not usually seen

I tried to detract them but their eyes were a gleem

Don't look around

For the sights were not fond

They were scarred~

So they said to everyone they had met

When you go to Vegas be sure not to take the cards

of the ladies on the ground.

Then all the next day, not a car was moving, not even an foot

but you sure got the look

move your car or you will get took

No one cared, they sped by as if on wings

Then halted to stop just moments away

for a day and a life on the LA freeway.

We made headway that day to Disneyland we will stay

Not for a moment, not for an hour, we did not stop to ponder

We dashed and we dreaded the next line where we were headed

The boys all armed in their strollers, due to mom and dad now with bad shoulders

No longer could we contain the excitement, for the drive home would be SUCH enjoyment

We journeyed we traveled, we arrived back in Utah without any hassles

The trip is now ended, with pictures in tow, so long Disneyland until my grandkids have to go!