Just a photo to help us remember Colton in his tough macho state. A few weeks ago he was boasting about being such a strong tough guy at school...I just couldn't resist humbling him a bit...YES! I won. I told him some day he could be as strong as me, if he worked out. I don't think he realized that hefting babies for years and as they grow up does work the arms a bit.

Jason took the youth down to the temple for baptisms. It was Colton's first time as a young man. He had a wonderful time. Mostly cause they ate Chinese food and he scarfed down 20 or more fortune cookies, my son is insane!

Bro. Hansen, Johnathan, Bro. Weldon, Kyle, Bro. Layton, Bro. Rich, Colton, Talon, Bro. Petersen.

Yes, this is our YM's group. Our YW's is even smaller with two girls.

Jason started his first week working from home! It has been great so far. Some of my friends expressed concern about how soon I'll be eager to have him go to a separate location to work. After the first two days I don't think I'll have anything to worry about. I'm more worried he'll be eager to get into an office ASAP. Though I do think he likes not having to get all dress up to go to work. He has made it pretty nice, he's watched Sarah (which isn't too hard as she plays contently by herself most of the time) he's done laundry and helped with some errands. It's been a big help to me not having to hire a sitter to do my jobs once or twice a week. I think I like this work from home thing! And no there is no news yet on any office locations...they have so much planning to do first!

Remembering My Brother...

Thursday is my brother Darin's birthday. I miss him very much. I worried that over time I'd forget his mannerisms, his smile, laugh and the quirky things that made him who he was. As I read through a family book my parents gave us, I realized I hadn't forgotten. In fact, as I think about him it makes me smile remembering the nicknames he gave to all of us, especially his smile and laugh. He was the 2nd child born to our large family of 10 kids. Some of the things I remember most about him are...
*he loved to work on cars, it was him. He could see a porche in an old beater.
*I loved to hear him speak in Swedish.
*I loved hanging out with him, always make me laugh.
*I loved that I did the paper route with him at 3 in the morning...lots of talk time. Not that i loved it as a job, but now I treasure that time with my brother.
*He loved Chevy's, country music, his Trans Am, Taco Bell burritos and AZ warm sun.
*He ran the St. George Marathon with my dad and he placed 7th in his age division.
*He loved his family. He was married in the AZ Temple to an incredible woman. I know he loved playing with his boys. If he could have he would have stayed home and played with them all day, never having to go off to work.

He wasn't perfect, he had his own flaws; but don't we all? I do miss him. He was 30 years young when he died in a freak accident on May 19th the year my 1st son was born. At that time I wished more than anything that I could take his place so he could raise his boys. It broke my heart to see them without a daddy.
My sister-in-law, Joni, has done a remarkable job holding them together. I can't imagine that any part of it has been easy as she remarried some time later and then lost her second husband to cancer 2 years ago. I have never seen a stronger woman. I love her for what she has done to care for her boys. They are an amazing bunch!

This was the last visit to Darin's grave in AZ, 2 years ago.

This is his youngest son who was only 6 months old when Darin died. I can't wait for the day he can meet his dad and know that he has been watching over them all along. I think they will be amazed how well they know him when they see him face to face.

Maybe this is why I've felt so blue that last few days. They say time heals all wounds, but they forget to mention the scars that are left when the healing has taken place; thus we never forget. I love you Darin.

"Santa Sarah" (she went around telling everyone she was "Santa Sarah, ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!")

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope this brings many wonderful surprises for you all. We are playing the waiting game, waiting to see what happens with the job change for Jason. As soon as we know anything we'll pass the word along. I can't believe I've miss updating this so my new years goal is to keep it up. I like FB but it doesn't allow for sharing stories and funny things so I want this blog to keep going at least for my own record of our families happenings.

December was very busy with my Christmas Exchange and making stuff to Jason's work (Santa pillow.) I enjoy doing those things I just need to start sooner so it doesn't take my life away. I also put together gift baskets for some Dr.'s and they turned out really good; it was a big relief for me, I wanted to make sure they would be appropriate for the recipients. I heard many good things back so they must have been a hit! I'd love to move to a larger area so I could get this little business off the ground, but here in nowhere land it wouldn't be sustained.

Some of our highlights were surviving the Ice Storm, Colton becoming a Deacon. Sarah getting potty-trained, Luke making it through another year with Diabetes and starting preschool. Whitney excelling in school with her math facts. She did great. Had learned her times and division and was a month ahead of all the other 4th graders. Some of my favorites sayings from the kids: Sarah - singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the ear" and Luke trying to tell us he was scared (nervous) and said "mom, I feel nerbo." It took us a while to figure that one out:)

I'll post some Christmas pictures soon! thanks for your patience, love to you all - Melanie

Family Pics...

Our windy picture day on the park pier...

Colton is becoming quite the Young Man!

Luke is just my huggable little bear...

Can't believe how much Whitney has grown up!

She was told to smile so she did...with her gum sticking out:)

So serious...but so cute! our Sarah bug:)

One of my favorites with Colton & Luke...

Sarah pulls the funniest faces....

Our funny little family:)

The best things in our lives...Whitney, Luke, Colton & Sarah.

Ok so there was a bit of a cold wind and my hair shows it...burrr!

These were taken at this beautiful little park in MO.

Tough Day for Colton

This week has been a bit crazy, sick kids and then our first experience with Colton and the police. I think every parent would dread a phone call from the school principal, I certainly did. I was relieved to know that he was calling to let me know my son did the right thing! This week Colton had been in class watching a film. A boy next to him got his attention and showed him a knife he brought. Now when I was growing up I'm sure oodles of kids brought pocket knives to school, but now days there is zero tolerance for anything that could be a weapon. Colton has seen other kids bring pocket knives to school but didn't want to lose his friends by being the snitch so he didn't turn them in. However, this time he finally had the courage to turn the boy in. He was at lunch and the same kid sat next to him, the boy being a smart mouth told Colton to give him his food or he'd cut in the bathroom. The boy reached for his food but Colton slide away from him. Thankfully the boy dropped it and Colton finished his lunch, instead of heading to the gym he went to the office and reported what had happened. They took him back to class and at the end of class the coach escorted the boy to the office. When the police arrived they were going to take Colton's statement again, but he had to catch the bus. When Colton got home he told me he had to go to the station and make a statement that night. I wasn't sure who was handling this so I really didn't know where he should go. We live in the county, but the school he goes to is in a small town 12 miles away. Jason had to call to find out were to go but no one knew about it. The town only has 2 officers, one for day and one for night. We hadn't heard back from the county dept. so we just waited to see if the town sheriff would contact us back. (Their office closes at 4:30pm.) Finally at 8:30 the night officer came out and took his statement. It was a very vague statement and the poor officer was trying to get him to give more detail. Finally I told Colton he needed to give detail - play by play, movie detail as to what happened from one moment to the next. After he listened to him retell it with more detail, he then had to write it. After he left we joked about the rumors that would be flying in the neighborhood as to why a cop was at our home for so long. I haven't heard anything yet though. Anyhow, the boy was taken to "Juvie" as my son calls it; and should be having a hearing by Monday. If it goes to trial Colton will have to testify. We are all hoping it will be settled without it going that far. I was very proud of Colton for having the courage to report the knife. I was shocked any student would bring any weapon after the experience that happened last week. (This really isn't a violent area, it's rather quiet compared to the school we had in CA.) Last week a 5th grader pulled a knife on a boy he had a fight with earlier in the week. He actually had it to his throat when another boy pushed him away and the teacher was able to restrain the boy. That boy will be in Juvie for 2 years. So I was very surprised any kid would even risk bring a knife to school. It is just plain stupidity. I told the cop it's probably time for another Assembly to really reiterate what will happen if you bring any weapon to school. So sad it has come to this now days. It blows me away my kids have to have lock-down drills just as they do with fire-drills. They have had 2 lock-downs already this year.

A Young Man Now...

Sunday was one of those days that just makes a mother so proud. For once, Colton dressed in his new white shirt, tie and even a belt. Yes, you guessed it; he usually tries to do the least dress up as possible. Sunday he took it very seriously and I was so pleased. He looked so handsome. He asked Grandpa Erickson to ordain him and Grandpa gave him a really special blessing. I love him so much. They just grow up too fast!

Our trip with Mom and Dad was such a delight. I loved every minute of it. They were so cute with the kids and one evening Luke propped himself on a stool and rested his chin in his hands watching Grandpa making scones. I walked by and patted his back and he looked at me and said "I just love your Dad!" Of course I love my dad too, but it's even more special when your kids do too. It reminded me on how much we miss out on out here and how my little ones haven't had as many special times with their grandparents as other cousins. It makes me sad. I really hope we will one day be closer to our families. We miss them so much.

Yes, we played much scum in honor of all of our family; and I even pulled out my "presidents cap" but it didn't help much. I was only president one time:( It was a lot of fun though!

(my presidents cap for those who don't know, is a bandana I wore several year ago when several family members were playing scum. I played so well and was pres. so long that we attributed it to "the cap" and so I like to bring it along when we play just incase my luck sticks. There are usually some family thiefs who try to hide my cap for fear of me being pres. again, but it's all just family fun!)