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!

Wishing you were here.....

I absolutely LOVE Christmas!!!!! As I am sure you know , ha, ha. Our Christmas' are pretty traditional in that we love to be together as extended family, there is always lots of yummy food, we love Christmas music, and did I mention the yummy food??? We also have our own traditions that Shane and I established in our own home, traditions that our girls count on and love. Traditions bind us together as a family...extended and immediate.

This year will be different for us, as our Christmas Celebrations have always centered around Shane's parents. EVERY year since we have been married (that is 21 years) we have had a huge Christmas Eve dinner with the whole family all 6 kids, spouses, grandkids, great grandkids, my Dad, and usually other family members, friends, or in-laws. We had a wonderful Christmas Dinner, sometimes played Christmas songs on the Chimes, the kids always acted out the nativity, and there was always a small gift in the "Giant Sock" for everyone from Santa. On Christmas Day we each did our own family stuff before heading back to Grandma's for Christmas Brunch and to watch them open their presents.

This year is our first Christmas without Barbara. Our second without Delbert and Dad. This year will be different. Of the 6 families, 4 want to start their own Family Traditions for Christmas. This year will just be us and Debbie's family, I am so grateful that they still wanted to do this together, in the past year and a half so much has changed and I 'm just not ready to change Christmas Eve yet.....maybe someday.....maybe.

For now we will enjoy being together with Deb, Jim, Jenny, Scott, James, Anna, Lisa, Clayton, Houston, Benjamin, Chris, Liz, Matt, & Zach. I can't wait!!!! I am so excited for Christmas Eve!!

It is exactly 1 year ago today that my Daddy died, it has been an emotional day. I know he still watches out for me, I feel him, sometimes I hear his voice. I miss him so much, but I am so grateful for the knowledge that I will see him again! I am happy that he is no longer in such terrible pain! So while we celebrate a different Christmas this year, we focus on Him whose birth, life, sacrifice, and resurrection make our lives complete....even Jesus Christ! Through Him we are able to overcome all things and return to our Father in Heaven. This I KNOW to be TRUE!

Feelings....

My family keeps asking me when I am going to update our blog. I looked back and I realized that I blogged twice as much in 2008 than in 2009, is this because I have become a slacker???? That is the question I asked myself today, but in asking the question and looking at the last year, I realize that if I said I am just being a slacker, that would be a cop out! So the real reason that I have had a harder time blogging is because of all the feelings....and the emotions that go with them. I don't want to keep expressing them, but I can't help feeling them, and when I write they sometimes pour out of me like a waterfall!

Experiences we have in life change us, there is just no getting around it, we all change! The way we look at life and such changes also. I guess after an emotional year I look at things more emotionally (in my case this means more tearfully) I have always been easy to cry, but sometimes this is ridiculous! Don't get me wrong I don't sit around crying buckets every day, I just tear-up more easily as I think of, watch, and experience life itself! I guess I haven't blogged as much because I don't really want to feel all the feelings again as I write about our family experiences.....does any of this make sense??

So it is December 11, 2009. I am sitting in my favorite recliner by the beautiful Christmas tree. I absolutely love Christmas :) the smells, the weather, the family and friends, the shopping, the music.....I especially love the music...like start up the day after Halloween and listen constantly until January 2nd, and sometimes even a little in July when it is so hot you can fry an egg on the concrete....THAT KINDA LOVE There is so much meaning to Christmas Music that it can make any season a Happy Season!!! Lately, the past few months have been busy, busy, busy, as I am sure your lives have been busy too,(I am not trying to say that I am busier than you..I hate it when people do that) Anyway I will finally try to give a little recap!!!

The school musical was in Nov. The kids did an awesome job, All the kids (about 120 girls and 45 boys). The musical was "Curtains" an edited version of course. I had to be one of the parents who approved of the script, be over the parent seamstress ladies, and over the student ushers. It was a busy time as there were about 12 moms who sewed 120 prairie dresses, 30 dance hall dresses, 30 mermaid costumes, and 30 pair of chaps. I did a little sewing myself it was funny, stressful, and frustrating (the sewing) I also delivered all the sewing material to the moms, picked up the finished products and fit them to the girls at school. I spent so much time there that it was like being in HS again a terrifying thought at my age!! Anyway it all turned out Amazing and it was well worth all the time and work put forth by all! These kids are amazing!!! They make me want to cry, pull my hair out, and laugh all at the same time!

We also had the Fall Choir Concert, planned the Performing Arts Tour, and had the Canyons Invitational at our High School.

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year with Deb & Jim, Chris & Liz, Matt, Zach, Scott, Tim & Vanessa, Nichael, Chloe, Natalie, and the 5 of us...it was great to be with family and enjoy the kids. Black Friday Shane & I were up at 4:30 to go shopping, later we hit a movie with the kids, and decorated for Christmas the next day!

So far December has brought....Snow finally!! We had 4 other families in the ward over for "Cookie" night. Where we make and decorate Christmas Sugar Cookies from scratch....it is so fun to watch the kids from 2 years old to 52 years old eating the dough and decorating. We took the girls to Festival of Trees...this year there were 4 extra daughters(Stacey, Rachel, Michale,and Gwen) as Nicole's friends/roommates came with us! It was great!! Last night we went to "Zoo Lights" and once again there were 9 of us....Kendra, Megan's friend, and Rachel, Gwen, and Sarah came with us. While Shane & I were standing in line for hot chocolate, the girls huddled in a circle and sang "Hokey Pokey" Shane commented on how boring our lives could have been with all boys instead of girls...ha,ha.
We also had the opportunity to hear Megan sing in the JSMB, Church History Museum, and in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. Tomorrow night the choir will sing Forgotten Carols with Michael McLean....and it is the ward Christmas Breakfast.
Whew....we are not even half way through December! Here are a few pics....
Enjoy!!!

"Release"

Six years ago our lives changed forever! Change is tough sometimes, but change is good. I love change, I love when summer changes to fall and there is a crispness in the air, I love the smells of fall when my neighbors start to burn wood in their wood burning stove. I love the frost on the ground, the first skiff of snow in the mountains. I also love the change from winter to spring, the air smells fresh and clear, my daffodils and crocus peek out from the last bits of snow, and as it warms the tulips burst out with flies, bees, and other insects that have been gone for the winter. I love the birds singing, chirping, and even screeching. I have always loved the change of the seasons!

Our lives have seasons too. Six years ago our family entered a new season, a season of service, sacrifice, joy, growth, fun, tears, and lots of laughter. It was the season of a Bishop. Shane served faithfully and whole-heartedly, and as a family he included us all in many acts of secret service. The past years have brought much growth. Nicole was 13, Megan 11, and Abbie was only 9 when we began and they hated having their daddy gone so much, but they adjusted as we all do with changes. They were able to have special experiences with their Dad as their Bishop. He was able to go to all of their Girls Camps, Youth Conferences, and Pioneer Trek twice. As part of his calling he had alot of interaction with the youth of the ward, and many traditions were started such as Bishopric Breakfast at almost everything (Ward Camp Out, Girls Camp, Camp Helaman, and once a year for the Primary) That was alot of cooking for those men! (Oh yeah and the Oreo Bar!)

During this time the girls and I bonded in a way that I don't know we would have otherwise. There were long Sundays without Shane, many weeknights with only us girls, and some unique feelings that come with being in the Bishop's family. It can be hard when people are afraid of socializing with you, or expect something from you because of the calling your Dad/Husband has, and it can be lonely sometimes. So we grew closer, and as sisters they grew closer, and sadly sometimes Shane felt left out!

Change is a constant in life, the girls are now 19, 17, & 15. Nicole is in her second year of college. Megan is a Senior, and Abbie a Sophmore in High School. We have lost six family members in the past 3 years, we have seen family members baptized, recieve temple endowments, and be sealed for time and eternity in the House of the Lord. We have made time for some great family vacations, Yellowstone, Disneyworld, New York, Nauvoo, San Francisco, Disneyland, & St. George and have made great memories.

Has it been hard to have my husband gone so much? Well, yeah, sometimes...but I would never change the experience for anything!! We have been so blessed through it all. We have been sustained through our trials, we have enjoyed good health, we have grown closer. Our testimonies have grown so very much. It has been quite a ride....and now that ride is over. While we will miss the blessings, we feel grateful for the opportunity to serve....and we are all walking around with big smiles on our faces!!
Shane / Daddy is HOME!!