Changes.....the one constant

Change...its what life seems to be all about! People say, "I need a change", "I feel things changing", "change is for the better", "times are a changin"', "time changes all things" .....I could go on and on, but I think you get the Idea.
Our lives are always changing, and that is good! Change = Growth. But, sometimes I forget that change can be awkward, and difficult. Here are a few of the changes in our lives the past few months.....

Megan graduated from Hillcrest High School in June. Her summer was filled with "change"...she had her wisdom teeth out, all four impacted...then about 4 weeks later she had her tonsils out! During this time she was also packing/shopping for college, and reorganizing/cleaning out her bedroom, and basically spending any free time partying with her friends before they all went their separate ways for college/missions. Her summer ended with a trip to Washington D.C. with Mom & Dad.


We had an amazing trip and enjoyed the alone one on one time with Meg, before we moved her to SNOW College. SNOW is in Ephraim Utah, about 1 1/2 hours south east of Sandy. Just far enough away for her to be independent and close enough to be able to come home once in a while! Megan is loving college, her new friends, and the fact that she still has her own room.

Abbie had a great summer, very busy! She went to girls camp and had a blast! She went to Moon Lake with some friends and had a great time there also. Abbie got her license and since then is hardly ever home. Especially since Nicole has left and Abbie is now driving the Mazda.
Abbie is on the tennis team and is busy every day with either matches, or practices. Abbie is also involved with the school play/musical this year. Abbie has always been the most independent child and has such a zest for life....she keeps us going here at home!


Nicole had a busy summer working and saving $ for her semester abroad studies in London! She worked hard all summer. In her free time she spent with friends, and mostly with her family! It was great, we loved having her home and it was great that she actually wanted to spend her time with us. Maybe she thought that she would get sick of us and it would be easier for her to leave for 3 1/2 months. There was also alot of preparation for her to pack up her college stuff, pack up for London, and also pack up her room for being gone again. She is now Loving London and having great experiences that are changing her life!



As for Shane & I, we are also keeping busy, changing, getting older, wiser, poorer, (ha,ha)
Life is good and the one thing that hasn't changed it that I still LOVE this man and our girls!



Life is changing...it's getting better all the time!

California...a big state

It seems that when it rains it pours, well, sometimes. Like when all the really good movies come out within the same 2 week period, or all of the family's social demands fall within a 3 day period, you know stuff like that. So it was with my recent trips to California. Shane and I had been planning all year on chaperoning Hillcrest HS Performing Arts Tour to Southern California the week before Easter. I have done this for the past 4 years, and this would be Shane's second trip as a chaperone. I have loved this trip! The kids are amazing and supportive of eachother. They know how to work hard and play hard (very important in Disneyland). But while planning for this trip my dear sweet Grandma Jessie passed away so I took a quick trip to Norhtern CA for her funeral, it was a beautiful service, and it was great to see my family...and spend time in San Francisco exploring with my sister-in-law (she always has the best ideas of where to go)


This is an older picture from a different adventure, but just so you know she is very fun!!

I returned from my Grandma's services on Sunday and we departed on Monday for the Performing Arts Tour in So. California. I wish I could say I hopped on a plane for that trip, but it was not to be......instead it was a lovely bus trip leaving Utah about 7pm Monday night and arriving in San Diego about 7 am Tuesday morning! Lots of fun but almost no sleep!!
We had breakfast and then toured the USS Midway. The kids also performed on board.



As you can see this first day of tour, was also Megan's 18th Birthday!!! She wore a crown and a "Birthday Princess" sash all day. We celebrated pretty much the whole trip though!! I still can't believe she is 18 and graduating so soon! Do I feel old? no, not really....I just feel time is slipping away and just yesterday she was a baby! I sure do love her and am proud of her!!

After leaving the Midway we went to the beach, it was beautiful weather and you could sure spot the "white" Utah kids in the water, ha, ha. It was a great afternoon in the surf and sun!


Megan performing on the USS Midway.


Singing karoke on the cruise Tues. night!

Choir performing at Disneyland.


VE performing at Disneyland!

Sisters watching the performance!

More birthday celebration @ Rainforest Cafe.

Mama & Papa London
Tour was an awesome experience. We were able to go to San Diego, Disneyland, and on the way home we stopped in Las Vegas to see "The Lion King" it was great! We arrived home early Easter morning. In time to come home and take a short rest before having a great Easter with the Child clan.

Happy 20th Birthday Nicole

Nicole isn't going to be very happy about the picture chosen for this blog. My answer to that is "TO BAD."

This picture has always been one of my favorites because it shows me the true side of this amazing young woman. Nicole is usually seen with a smile on her face, or dancing (mostly in the car), singing or laughing (especially when 30 Rock is on). However, she has always been one that has knows what it is like to feel the spirit and has taken the time to reflect on it.

Whether its the sacrifice experience at girls camp, or kneeling in ward prayer pleading to spare Jared and Karen's lives, or sitting by her "pops" bed reading him a book while he prepared to leave us, or talking with her with other grandparents or simply reflecting on her life..she knows and appreciates her relationship with her Heavenly Father.

Well now she's 20, been away to college, and this fall leaving for a study abroad to London. She's growing up but we know that she will continue to be amazing and are grateful for her in our family.

We love ya "Collie" or "T......" HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dad, Mom, Megan & Abbie

By the way...pictures of her birthday night out with her friends are below:



Isn't this an Honor Code Violation??????:)



Chocolate and friends...pretty much Nicole's idea of the perfect evening!

The Legacy Continues

Last July we were in California for Robyne's mom's birthday (won't say which one...don't want to get in any more trouble than I'm usually in). While we were there we took the girls to see their only remaining great-grandmother who was living in a care center. While she was in frail health and suffered from Dementia, we still had an amazing time visiting with her.

Yesterday she passed away after a very long and rewarding life.

Robyne and I had the opportunity to spend some time last night reflecting on the different experiences we've had with her. She talked of spending time with her in the summer, her delicious cooking and the support she felt from her grandma as she left on her mission. My first memory was visiting with her after our engagement and the ice cold Coke she brought me in a in what had to be a gallon size glass. Tender tears always accompanied Robyne's reflections along with a tender smile and eyes filled with love.

One of the attributes I love most about my wife is her unconditional and genuine love she has for everyone, especially her family. Robyne has had an amazing relationship with her grandparents throughout her life. She loved them deeply and they did her in return. Every time Robyne and her grandparents were together, laughter, smiles and love was always abundant. They enjoyed the time they spent together.

My parents were the same age as Robyne's grandparents and she always treated them in the same way she did her own parents and grandparents...loved them unconditionally.

As I've reflected on the lives of those we've lost over the past few years I've often thought of what I cherish most about them, and how its made me a better person. I also have reflected on how best we can keep their individual legacies continuing within our family. Tonight as I looked over this picture I realized again that those legacies are still alive and well with my wife and daughters. It is seen just as clearly in their faces as it is in their mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. For that, I am eternally blessed.

Four Generations

The Hectic Days of Winter?

We've all heard about the "Lazy Days of Summer" so does that mean that winter is the "hectic" time? I've been thinking about that quite a bit lately as it seems that there has been A LOT going on since the holidays ended. Let's get caught up to date:

ABBIE TURNED16!

Yes the youngest of the family is very accommodating to drive us anywhere we would like to go. She hasn't gotten her final license, but that is coming very soon. She had a quiet Sunday birthday at home with the family and a "wild and crazy" "Sweet 16" party with her friends. The party included a trip to get pedicures, Robyne's car not starting, dinner at the house, and a night of movies, laughter, girl talk and fun.

Food, Fun and Laughter.

Abbie is an amazing young woman and we love having her around. Her sense of humor is always keeping us on our toes and she really loves life. She's been actively involved in a number of things this year including choir, drama and is loving the high school experience. It's weird to have our daughters grow up, but each year brings even more fun with them.

Renaissance Faire!

If you live in our neighborhood you know that every February Hillcrest High School (HHS) puts on a Renaissance Feast. Well, with the change of choir teachers came a slight change to this tradition. Basically what happens is that the school auditorium is converted to a medieval castle, with royalty and common folk dressed for the time period. There is good food, good music, and of course a good play.

Robyne, as the official "Choir Mom" for HHS was responsible for the food, choir kids, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Suffice it say, she's been very busy. However, she was able to dress to the time period as the official "Mother Wench"...see below:

Momma Wench...isn't she cute?

Megan, as a member of Vocal Ensemble (VE) was able to be part of the royalty group and she portrayed the Sorcerers. She and her Knight (see below) cast spells on everyone throughout all three nights of the event. She was amazing and we never thought we would see the day when Megan would be so outgoing.

Sorcerers and The Knight of M&M



She even put a spell on her Bishop!

The Entire Royalty Court (except the foxy Momma Wench)

Abbie did an amazing job as one of the Nuns of the Castle and was very serious in her role and very reluctant to have the her picture taken. Rumor has it amongst the people during that time period they thought a camera was something that "stole your soul". You can see as a Nun she would have a big problem with that. Isn't Sister Abbie Paige cute:

Now as for Nicole, she was part of the Royal family a couple of years back. Now she's just one of the "towns folk" that are out causing problems. She brought her roommate Rachel up from Provo for the fun and festivities. You can see below what happened...

Went to Boston and Naomi's birthday party on Super Bowl Sunday...aren't they cute!

Aunt Robyne sure does have fun playing with them

As for me, I was busy everynight trying to pick up the Momma Wench!

PS I did have my Colonoscopy in January, but didn't really think you'd like to see the pictures. By the way, everything was great and don't have to worry about it for another five years.

Yes, We're Still Around!

Robyne has had a busy year since school started last September and so I (Shane) thought I might try to update the blog (this should be interesting). You can read her previous posts to get a flavor of what her life was like a couple of months ago...trust me, nothing has changed (in fact, she may be busier now).

We had a great holiday season and it was exciting to have all of us at home together again. Holiday traditions are something we've always cherished as a family. However, due to my mom passing away in August, the Christmas traditions changed. For all but two years (mission) of my short life (work with me here), Christmas eve and day have always involved my parents, and all my siblings, in one way or another. This year we all either developed new holiday traditions, or at a minimum modified the ones we always had. Thanks to my sister and her family for letting us share part of theirs

Below are a few of the pictures that show what our Christmas was like:
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Christmas eve PJ's from Santa..."Life is Good"



The "Three Wise Men" bringing Gifts...fun new tradition and a very handsome group if I do say so myself.

Fun new game...pretty fun time and don't they all look happy!!!


Christmas morning festivities...yep, this Santa doesn't shop for girl clothes. Primary reason, is to maintain Santa's sanity, everything is cheaper the week after Christmas, and finally, they enjoy shopping for themselves. Also, don't worry, there are actual presents to open!


Modifying two past Christmas traditions into one. My parents always a big stocking at their house the Santa would fill with a present to be opened on Christmas eve. Also, when the kids were little and Robyne's dad was living with us, we would take everyone to "All A Dollar" to buy Christmas presents. The kids loved doing this and some of the presents they gave were great. So this year we got our own big stocking and each of us bought "Dollar Tree" presents for each other which we opened on Christmas night. We had a blast with this tradition and will be keeping it going.

Bought a kit to make a Ginger Bread House but didn't get around to making it until Christmas night. Lots and lots of laughter and I thought the finished product of cute. Major earth quake in "Ginger Bread Land" destroyed it immediately after this picture was taken!



Yes we sure did miss our parents/grandparents this Christmas, but felt them right there with us most of the time. I'm also confident that they were excited to see our own traditions begin to develop. It was great Christmas and so far 2010 is going great...

PS This was my first December in six years that I didn't have to conduct Tithing Settlement. Many have wondered how we're holding up since my release and if I'm missing the hectic schedule. The following pictures should help "lay to rest" any concerns you may have:





The doctor says I'm doing great and thinks that smile on my face says it all!