Swiss Days

Since I moved to Utah 4 years ago I have heard of Swiss Days. Then I became friends with Sandra and when I would visit her home, it was decorated with some cute chachkis and nick-nacks. When I would ask where she got it most of the time the answer was, "Swiss Days." So when Sandra invited me to come along this year with her I of course took her up on it. We (Sandra, her sister Julie, friends Jennifer and Jill and myself)met at 6:00 am at Sandra's and began the trek up through Parley's Canyon to Midway.

We visited a few of the booths, but soon our morning hunger got the best of us and we stood in the popular, but long line for scones. They were HUGE!!

I was seriously amazed at how many booth there were. What a great place to come and buy cute stuff to decorate your home. The magnet boards were very popular. One of the booths had LARGE on with a calendar printed on the upper half and a memo board on the lower section. That is the only thing I am a little sorry I did not buy. Sandra and Jill both purchased Large ones as gifts that had a sampler stitched on the top that said, "GRANDKIDS" and the bottom half was magnet board to place pictures. These were quite popular. As we walked around, both Jill and Sandra, would be stopped by people and they inquired what booth the cute frames had been bought at.

Some of the booths were so packed with women you could hardly get in and if you did get in, it was quite a feat to get out. I quickly learned that if a booth was packed, that was a booth we needed to stop in and see what they had.

If I had an unlimited budget, I could have gone hog wild and Sandra would have needed a trailer on the back of her Suburban. BUT...this s what what I purchased instead:

• 2 Iron hanging hearts
• Wooden blocks that spell out HARVEST
• A wooden block that holds magnet board to hold recipes
• Some cute headbands
  
  
  

On our way home we stopped in Park City and had lunch at a restaurant named HAPA GRILL . We introduced Jennifer to edaname as an appetizer. Then we each enjoyed some yummy salads and Jennifer ate her HUMONGOUS hamburger. Our salads came with an orchid as a decoration. Then Julie said she thought it was edible. We all gave it a little bite and then opted to tuck it behind our ear instead.

Yard Fun

One of the coolest things about summer and kids is sitting in the front yard and watching the kids play. I usually pull up one of the green Adirondack chairs, that sit in the front of the house, up to the lawn. The kids usually do chalk drawings, jump rope or ride their bikes around the circle.

Just a few nights ago the children pulled out an old, misshapen hula hoop and began to dive and somersault through the hoop as Steve stood there and held it. Belle got a little silly and thought it would be funnier to not make it completely through the hoop, but rather get caught by her stomach instead. I was funny to watch once or twice, but after a while it was just frustrating.

Katie and Becky were quite good at getting through the hoop and doing a beautiful somersault, like a flawless gymnast's dismount off the beam.

This weekend Becky brought home Buddy Bear from her class. She had to take Buddy along with her and then write a page in his journal, as if he were the author. So Friday night as we all gathered in the family room to watch "The Best of the Muppet Show", Buddy also joined us I could help taking a picture of Becky with the Bear. One of her main concerns for the last few weeks has not been the book report that is due at the end of the month, but rather whether she would get to bring Buddy home soon. I hope it lived up to all of her expectations.

One more thought...today at church I had the neatest feelings. At the end of Sacrament Meeting we sang, "FAMILIES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER". I sat there and listened as all my children and my husband sang these words:

I have a family here on earth

They are so good to me

I want to share my life with them

Through all eternity

Families can be together forever

Through Heavenly Father's plan

I always want to be with my own family

And the Lord has shown me how I can

It just gave me chills and I walked out of the meeting with such an awesome feeling. That is all I really want. I love my little family so much and do feel so blessed to have them.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2

Last night was the night that "tweens" have been waiting for all summer. The premiere of

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2

We had Belle's friend Maddie over to watch it with the kids. We popped popcorn, drank rootbeer and ate chocolate as we watched the kids from East High head off to summer vacation. It was fun to sit in the room and listen to the two girls, Maddie and Belle, discuss the plot. They speak of the characters as if they are real. It was too cute. As the songs were sung the littlest girls would stand up and dance along. Katie even sang along to a few of the songs. I am so glad that there is a few shows out there for my children to watch and I know that there will be nothing inappropriate and it even has a lesson on being of good character.

Once the movie was over the kids were excited to see the latest episode of Hannah Montana. They were excited to see the Jonas Brothers. It is so cute to see the little girls swoon over these "pop stars". It was definitely a fun night.

What's Going On?

*Last night was book club at my house. We were short a couple of our friends due to girls camp. We met on the back deck and enjoyed veggies and chocolate dipped cream puffs. This past month we read Empire Falls by Richard Russo.

As usual we had a great discussion and lots of laughs. I really look forward every month to getting together with my friends and visiting. I have enjoyed reading the different books that have been suggested, but to be honest I just love getting together, talking and laughing.

*Steve spent Tuesday and Wednesday up at girls camp in Heber. He was asked to give a presentation on the stars. So for the past few months he would spend his free time reading upon the stars, looking at charts and staring up at the night sky. All of this was in vain...mother nature did not cooperate and instead brought in a cloudy sky. He stayed t the camp that night and helped with the hike that they girls did the next day. It sounds as though he enjoyed his time at girls camp.

*My favorite time of the year is quickly approaching...no not Christmas, although it is a close 2nd...FOOTBALL SEASON!! I have gotten signed up for my Fantasy League and have even watched some of the preseason games. For those who do not know, until I met Steve, I knew nothing about football. But since Steve taught me about it I have been hooked. Steve has been a Chargers fan since our days in San Diego and I have as well been on their bandwagon, but I also enjoy other teams: The Colts-because Peyton Manning is so stinkin' funny, oh yeah he is a good quarterback too; I had liked the Steelers because the Coach, Bill Cower was so entertaining, but he is gone so I may not enjoy them as much this year.

* The kid's school year is in full swing. We have gotten caught up from our unexpected trip to Rhode Island. Zack turned in his 1st of 10 book reports, Katie has been working hard on memorizing her math facts, Becky has some very challenging spelling words this year, and Belle has been studying geography. We have about 3 weeks left until we are off track again.

I think that is the basics of what has been going on in our lives. I apologize for the lack of pictures today. I promise to pull out the camera and take some photos for next time.
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Our Beloved Dad and Papa

This last week has been such a blur. Last week Steve's dad passed away unexpectedly and within hours Steve, the kids and I were on a red eye flight to Rhode Island. For those who did not know Ken here is a link to the article that ran on the front page of the Providence Journal last weekend: Projo Article It was amazing to see how many people Ken had touched through his writing, work with the Audubon Society, coaching athletics...I spent many hours in the last week thinking, remembering things about Ken. I loved talking with Ken. He always seemed so interested in whatever I had to say. He would ask questions, sometimes I would have the answers and sometimes he would just stump me. He also had a great laugh. I remember playing cards with him last summer and something funny happened and we all began laughing, but he was by far laughing the hardest. He nose and cheeks turned red and he even began to tear up. I have thought about my 1st visit to Rhode Island and he took me out to see my beaver. It was so amazing to watch that beaver. When I think of him, I see him outside. He enjoyed nature. He took people out for walks to identify animal tracks in the winter, would visit places where he knew foxes lived or had heard certain animals had been sited. He had spent the last few years writing a weekly article in the Providence Journal about the nature he saw and experienced. He loved his grandchildren. One summer we came out for a visit and he had set up a tent in the backyard and he gathered the children in there with him and began to tell them stories. He had their undivided attention. When they came out of the tent the climbed on him, wrestled with him and tickled him. I feel so priviledged to have married into his family and been honored to call him Dad. I am especially blessed that my children have him for their grandpa.

In the program, that was handed out at the funeral, there was a poem printed:

THE BROKEN CHAIN

We little knew that afternoon that

God was going to call your name.

In life, we loved you dearly

In death, we will do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you

You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories

Your love is still our guide

And though we cannot see you

You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken

And, nothing seems the same.

But, as God calls us one by one

The chain will link again.

After the funeral we went back to Mom's and gathered in the house and on the porch. Some of Ken's brothers and sisters were there and shared stories about him when he was younger. It was so fun to hear about what Ken was like when he was a youth. I hope someone will write these stories down or retell them so my chidlren will get to hear ALL about their Papa.

My children are blessed to have 5 other cousins in Rhode Island and they spent most of those 5 days we were back east together. These are just a few of the pictures I took of the cousins all together. They all got along so well. They played outside, swam, climbed trees, played crab apple baseball. It was fun to watch them play and I kept thinking how much Dad would enjoy knowing that all the kids were together.

Guess Who is 60 Today!!!

This is the birthday boy...Can you guess who it is?

It is none other than my Pop, Lou Sansevero. I can't put into words how much I love my Pop. I have always been a "Daddy's Girl". I just spent the last weekend at my parent's home and thought about my Pop's upcoming birthday. I just can't quite get my head around the thought of him being 60. When I look at him, he is still in his 30's and the hero of mythical proportions. Sure there is a little more gray at the temples and his beard and mustache is more white than black, but what I remember is kissing my dad on the cheek before going to bed as a little girl or how he looked the day he walked me down the aisle to become Steve's wife. And I know that even now, in the eyes of my children, he still maintains the status of hero.

So enough of the mush...

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY POP!!!

Feel free to leave a birthday message to Pop in the comments section...I will be sure he gets a peek...

Meeting Ana

Today was the day that the children have been anticipating for nearly a year...They met their baby cousin Ana. My brother Chip, his wife Mabel and her sister Jackie flew in last night to have their baby blessed in my Mom and Dad's ward. Belle has been talking about getting to learn how to change diapers. Katie and Becky wanted to get the chance to hold the little bundle. The time finally came for us to met Ana (or AJ which is what Zack calls her). I still can't believe that my brother has a baby. And what a BEAUTIFUL little girl she is. Expect to see more pictures of my cute niece in my next entry.

1st Day of School

The 2007-08 school year has begun. Last night Steve gave the kids their "back to school blessings", which were quite nice to hear. I know the children appreciate that moment of listening to their blessing and they all enjoy sitting their and listening to each other's blessing. When each one was done they would get up and give each other a hug. It was quite sweet.

Zack has begun his last year in elementary school. He is starting his 2nd year in the ALPS program and will have some of the same kids in his class this year. He has more confidence in himself this year than he did last year.

Belle is also beginning her 2nd year in ALPS. I can't believe she is already a 4th grader. She has the cutest teacher this year. She is pregnant (36 weeks) and expecting twins. Talk about a "Super Woman". So I guess she will be gone for a while at the beginning of the school year.

Besides coming to a new school this year, Katie and Becky are having their 1st experience of being in separate classes. I think Katie was a little nervous, but we have spent time talking about the positives of having different teachers. She lined up in front of a sign that said Mrs. Miyasaki and waited patiently to be led to her new classroom.

I There was no need to walk far to get Becky into her line because it was just 2 lines over. That was where we found the sign for Mrs. Burgon. Becky had gotten to meet her teacher last week at the Open House they had for the ALPS student, so she was not quite as nervous as the others about meeting their teachers.

Zack was the last one I dropped off in a line. I turned around and as I walked away I realized this would be the last time I would walk Zack to his class and take my silly scrapbook photos of him. Ughh...I can't believe they are growing so fast. I thought about that 1st day Zack went to Kindergarten and climbed up onto that school bus and I didn't know how he would get through the day without me by his side. And he has for 7 years...

Camping at Escalante

This was our 2nd year camping with the Duve's and the Nigh's. We had initially planned to make the trip the day after school got out, but due to scheduling conflicts we postponed it 2 weeks. We had also decided to goto a camp ground down near Escalante. We left Friday morning and by the afternoon arrived at camp. We awaited the arrival of the Duves and the Nighs. It rained and even hailed a little. Luckily we had set up the canopy over the picnic tables. Steve and the kids went swimming and I read up at our camping site and began to get worried because the 2 other families still were not there. They finally arrived around 6:00pm. It turned out the directions that I had handed out lead them to the wrong place. Ooooooops!!!

Saturday we got up and the group worked together to make "MOUNTAIN MAN" breakfast. Once the kitchen was cleaned up we headed to Calf Creek. There was a 6 mile hike (roundtrip) that Steve had found that would lead to an incredible waterfall. I stayed back at the trailhead while the other made their way to the falls. While they were on their trek, I found a little stream where I could sit with my legs in the water while I read my book. Five hours later they all returned tired, thirsty, hot, BUT very glad they had seen the beautiful waterfall.

Sunday morning Steve, Zack and I hiked a little hill to see some great petrified wood. The view of our camp sites and the little lake was breathtaking. I was impressed to the petrified wood, but disappointed that the was so little. I had expected so much more. We then made up some breakfast and quickly broke down our camp to head home.

On our way home we made a stop at a hiking trail. It led to a small waterfall. It may not have been as impressive as the Calf Creek Fall, but I was exited to see it and enjoyed walking through the stream. I even made my way behind the fall and dipped my head into it. Steve, who is a little braver than myself walked completely through the fall. It was a fun and refreshing way to end our trip.

Went to the Movies..

Steve and I did not have any plans for this evening other than planning our menus for an upcoming camping trip. Then our friend Ryan called and said he had been given some tickets to see an early showing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and would Steve and I have any interest in coming along. When I ran the idea by Steve he was very much interested in seeing the movie. We changed our clothes and got a babysitter in 15 minutes and then left with Ryan and Dayna. I am not as big a fan as Steve and Zack when it comes to the Harry Potter series, but I truly enjoyed this one. I don't know if it was seeing so many people walking around in "Potteresque" costumes, knowing I was seeing it before the people that were sitting in lawn chairs outside of the building or if the storyline truly was good. Whatever it was, I was inspired to track down the 1st book in the series as soon as I got home.

...I have been sucked in...Wish me luck!!!

VACATION DAY 4: Lowry Ruins & Moab

Awww...the end of the vacation. We loaded into our faithful van and drove out of Cortez. As we made our way to one final ruin, Belle read her latest Magic Tree House book out loud to the twins and Zack. She seriously read, nonstop, for 1 1/2 hours. What an awesome kid. Occasionally she would ask, "Should I read the next chapter."

And the other kids would respond, "Yes...Don't stop...read more."

We eventually came to a sign that would lead us to Hovenweep National Monument. We traveled down this road that looked more like farm lands than a place to find Indian Ruins. The roads changed from smooth and paved to dirt and washed out. We decided to not drive the 20 miles that would take us Hovenweep, but rather drive the 6 miles to a place named Lowry Ruins. When we arrived, we were surprised to see a large structure. This was quite an impressive ruin. Many rooms in this structure along with a couple of kivas. The coolest thing was you could get so close to it. There were a few areas that you were not permitted to walk through, but there were more places that you were allowed to poke around in.

Throughout the trip, the girls had been talking about wanting to find artifacts. So...while I was in Cortez I had bought a couple of arrowheads. So as we walked around the Lowry ruin, Steve and I dropped them on the ground and as the kids poked around on the ground they all found an arrowhead. I know it is a little cheesy, but it was a fun way o get them a little souvenir and a fun way to give it to them. Before we left the site I signed the guestbook and was surprised to find that the day before 10 people had signed in. This ruin is kind of out of the way and I HIGHLY recommend you stop in and visit it if you find yourself in that part of Colorado.


We pulled into Moab about 1:00 pm. Steve dropped me off in town to visit a used bookstore I like there while he and the kids did one last hike. This was going to be purely a fun hike. The hike would take them to little pond where they could swim and jump off of small cliffs. What a refreshing way to get out of the 106 degree temps. After 2 hours my family found me in town and we completed our drive to my parent's home. It was a mixed bag of emotions as we got out of the van at mom and dad's. It had been such an incredible trip and we had sucha great time with our children and yet we couldn't wait to sleep in our own bed.