Purple (and yellow) Mountain Grandeur

Spring is finally here! Today we took a hike in the mountains above us. Okay, and yesterday we also took the same hike, the outfits will tell. (Yesterday they wore red)

(Below Left) Kyle is singing, "How Great Thou Art". Just kidding, but wouldn't that have been perfect?

(Below Right) Beauty in one hand, food in the other.... What more could a guy want? (You can't see it here, but if you click on this photo, the enlargement will show you the crumb on his cheek.)

Both yesterday and today, Lance asked if we were picking these for Grandma Schauerhamer, who passed away a few months ago. Last year we actually did hike into the mountains to pick some yellow flowers for her. So today we picked some for Grandma.

Lance loves his brother so much, sometimes he almost chokes him!

By the way, it is complete coincidence that these mountains lined up together like that. Fun!

Here's to many more happy, vibrant, wonderful Spring days!

End of Soccer Season

2 Martin Soccer Dudes complete a season and proudly hold on to their trophies. It was an exciting, fun season for both! I think the outlook is good for future soccer seasons.

Love at Home

2 Happy Boys: 4 Happy Boys expressing love in the best possible male way.

(Note: Kyle's head is really quite safe, the display case is behind him)

Any similiarities?

Lance is on his way to get that much needed haircut. He's carrying the case with the shears inside. What a good sport. Usually when we go out, we put gel in his hair to tame it down a bit. But sometimes, if I'm running late, he gets to go with his own natural look. I remember taking him in to the doctor a while back for a routine visit when the good-natured doctor called him, "Fluffy" or "Fuzzy" or something like that. Not many kids get hair that creates its own style like this.

By the way, this Chia pet was a blast for the kids to grow in their bedroom within the last several months. And those little potted plants are from popcorn, grown by Lance himself in preschool.

We love our Lance, fuzz and all!

Zoo Field Trip

Lance and his preschool friends at the zoo, and their little siblings: one per preschooler.

Kyle was so funny today. I took my single umbrella stroller for him to ride in and he would not have anything to do with it. So I put him in his friend, Josh's double stroller, and he was all about that, completely content. I guess the kid isn't used to having his own things. He's accustomed to sharing. So at lunch time, he's at it again. He decided that his friend must have some of his sandwich. Hey, you share, I'll share.

What are Little Boys Made of?

...Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dogs Tails,

That's what Little Boys are made of.

Here is living proof. Lance caught this snail at Gramma Kimmy's house and took it home in a baby food jar. Perfect place for a pet snail... unless it is left unopened at the edge of the kitchen table. Jared and I were in the other room when we heard it. The snail must have slimed up the side of the jar until it's weight tipped it over. We think the lid might have been off to promote the snail's escape... and escape he did! Here he is, all in one piece, well, with a few extra pieces around him. But nonetheless, alive to tell the story.

I think we'll use peanut butter jars from now on.

Table Manners or Moments?

Jace: Proud artist of this creation at the dinner table.

Can't wait to be like his Dad

Maybe if I wear the shoes, I'll grow into them faster.

Firefighter for a Day

Lance and his preschool group had a field trip to the Firestation. Lance knows all too well what sound the fire truck makes. It took him a while to uncover his ears just for this picture. He's got them close by if he needs them! (the fireman pictured here is actually a friend of Jared's from Viewmont High and also I worked with him for a while in Ogden 8 years ago! Small world!)

Lance and his preschool buddies being firefighters.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

When I was born, I spent my first 30 days of life in the NBICU at the U of U hospital. (Funny how I've ended up right smack where I started) Aside from having RH disease (my mom's negative blood was incompatible with my positive blood) I had jaundice, really bad (the nurses called me Pumpkin and Lemon). And I also had Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) which, in English, is when the gas that forms in the intestinal walls tears the tissue and causes it to bleed, causing blood to come out my bowels. The doctors thought they would have to remove part of my intestines and I would have had to live with a bag attached to me. My Dad, when telling this story, says that I was a miracle baby. There was a time when the doctors weren't sure if I was going to make it. The doctors said that NEC in the newborn result in death 50% of the time. And, in the 50% that live, half of them have to have to have part of their intestines removed. My dad, with a good friend of his, Brother Gary Kehl, gave me a blessing. After that, Dad told my Mom that I would be alright. He just knew it. I had many blood transfusions (still have scars on my heals to prove it!) and my billirubin levels (the stuff that makes you turn yellow and have jaundice) were so high that I lost some of my hearing, but that was all. I was healed.

When Evan was sick in the hospital, my dad arranged for that same Brother Gary Kehl to give Evan a blessing with him. What a neat experience! Evan was blessed and recovered from his surgeries amazingly well for what he was going through. I believe that through the priesthood blessings that he received, he was able to be with us longer and enjoy quality of life despite the multiple difficulties and surgeries that he faced. I am grateful for my Dad's testimony and example of the power in priesthood blessings.

I remember when my Dad decided to go to law school at the age of 40, that I wanted to continue my gymnastics career when we moved to Iowa (he went to Drake Law School in Des Moines). Money was tight, but my dad prioritized my desire to be in gymnastics and somehow figured out a way for me to do it. I also remember him being at many of my gymnastics and diving meets despite his busy schedule.


My Dad has been a blessing in my life. I am grateful for him and the Grampa that he is for my children.

Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

(Dad and my little bro. Johnny - Dad is also an awesome bikerider and continues to place in bike races across the country)

Oatmeal Shower

One concern Jared had about my being called to be a Relief Society President was that the family might suffer from a too-busy mom. I found Kyle in this state just this morning after, well, I was busy doing something. Does he look like he's suffering? I think that's almost a smile on his face!


If worse comes to worst, at least he can fend for himself.

Pinewood Derby Part III

Let me fast forward, skipping a paint job and the addition of wheels and weights. This really was a Daddy-son thing while I was elsewhere! They had so much fun together making this awesome race car. And after much anticipation....


Let the races begin!! (Root for the one on the far right, black and blue stripe)



Check out this face! Hey, is that Jace's car finishing first??

They had to race each car in each track to be fair. Jace was in third place in the first round. He finished in Fifth, just barely missing a trophy.

But you know what?? He was such a good sport! Jared came to him and said, "Guess what place your car is in?" Smiling, Jace asked, "What?" Jared was laughing when he told him "Fifth!" and they both laughed about how close it was. He was bummed, but he kept his good attitude. I just have to say that I am very impressed with the great sport that Jace is.

Wacky Weather

Remember the Disney movie, "Bambi" when the little skunk, Flower, asks sleepily, "Is it Spring yet?"
And Thumper answered enthusiastically, "Nope, winter's just started." Like Flower, I feel a little confused. Here's what it was like outside today after a snowstorm yesterday and today:




I cannot believe it was only the day before yesterday (Monday) that we were enjoying Wheeler farm in almost 80 degree weather! Jace was so hot he had to poor water on his head a few times. The boys loved the farm. They pet the pigs, sheep, and horses, fed the ducks, and shouted "cockadoodle doos" to the roosters.




Kyle cannot get enough of these farm animals! One highlight of our visit was this wagon ride, but Jace and Lance agreed that milking the cows was the best part. Lance paused between milkings for this shot. Jace says that when Dad is a doctor, he wants to live on a farm. He volunteered to milk the cows!

Cabin Fever and Denial

I think it's time for a new header picture. I think our family has lost that, "Let it Snow" spirit now that it's April. I know that for my grandparents in California and Texas, the snow is long gone, if it even existed. But in some places, like the cabin, it is not ready to let up. In fact, we just had a snow storm in SLC last week.

What do you do when it's still a winter wonderland in the beginning of Spring? It reminds me of the lyrics to the song, "Oh what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?" (Hey, did I make a rhyme? I should ask Jace. He'd probably say it's missing rhythm)

Jace shoots baskets as if the ball is going to bounce, but instead, it lands quietly in the snow. He's a good sport about it. He'll even pose for the camera with his snow-covered ball.

Lance and Dad enjoy the swingset.

Kyle and Jace, too.

Jace was quite the poser today.

Why not enjoy a picnic in the snow? After all, according to the calendar, it is Spring!