Fragile Icicle

This lacey creation hung for a week outside our bathroom window. I was amazed that something so fragile could last for so long.

5th Grade Holiday Concert

Serving as the Den leader for Cole's age group, may have been one of the best things I've ever done for Cole. Over four years these 15 boys have become such good friends. With 60 kids in their grade, they are half the boys in their grade! Here are three: Ethan, Harrison and Cole after the 5th Grade Christmas concert.

Cole turns 11!

About six months ago, Cole started asking for an IPOD or a tablet. We told him yes, if he could demonstrate before hand that he could live a balanced life, playdates with friends, homework, chores, piano etc. He pretty much was doing all those things remarkably well, except playing with friends. Cole enjoyed his digital weekends. But after that challenge he started inviting friends over every weekend. He really enlarged his friend circle. We felt he really deserved a device for all the times he earned time, but a device was not available. We got him a Nook and he immediately downloaded Clash of Clans, which he's enjoyed playing with Dad, Anderson Songer and friends from school.

Breakfast in bed. Hope he didn't get syrup on himself! Ooooh!

That night we cut cake with friends the Nielsens.

With buddy, Gavin.

Swim Team

Since June the Cresap boys have been at this pool two times a week swimming laps with the swim team.

 It's always a trip to see the white snow through the windows, while it's steamy warm inside. The swim team has improved our family life tremendously. A tired family is a happy family--especially when your family is all boys.

Ranchgiving

A rare view of the Ranch blanketed in two feet of snow!

We had freezing fog every night, creating this frozen-cornflake crust that sparkled like crazy. The kids kept on bringing pieces of it inside for the adults to see, like it was a pretty rock or bone.

Trace with his Wookie hat.

We brought down two sets of snow shoes we rented from the U. Clint and I went for an hour stomp and it was great exercise! We saw the Batemans sledding down their hill.

Jack treated us to Jiggle Bells a few dozen times a day. Ethan sidled up to him to see how it was done.

Our dinner was wonderful. Present were Barbara and Phil Hale; Jenny, Mike, Jon, Annie and Sam Pulsipher; Katie, Jeff and Ethan Brown and we Cresaps. Highlights were the Raspberry Carrots from Katie Brown and the lime-sweet potatoes from Jenny Pulsipher. I made a apple caramel pie that was well received. I was requested to make another the next day--so I obliged. We had our pie eating at the Brians. It was fun to visit with Kam and Katherine Brian, Ashley and Regan Whimpy, Tani and Lee Radebaugh, Sherry Brian, Brandi and Jacob Terry, Amber and Jon Benson and Jani Radebaugh.

The last day we went up Boulder Mountain and cut our first Christmas tree. It was magical up there. But we had to adjust to the fact that it would be a Charlie Brown tree and not a symetrical tree like you see in a lot. 

Pretty, magical place.

Tal as Husband

Me: Tal someday you're going to have a wife. Are you going to say negative things about her cooking?

Tal: No, I'll just change the subject to her eyes. Like, 'You have pretty blue eyes.'

Cresap Quips

Trace: What's the word on the street?
Jack: I don't know
Trace: Honey Bucket! (There is a lot of remodeling going on in our neighborhood and Honey Bucket is a brand of port-a-potty)

Trace: (observing Jack's drawing) Jack, that isn't even symetrical!
Jack: It doesn't have to be. Symmetry freak!

What I've been up to

On a suggestion from a friend, and encouragement from Casey Songer and Jon Pulsipher, I've started baby steps towards learning to code in Javascript. Click here to see some of my itty bitty programs. Khan Academy is awesome!

Halloween 2013

 A little decor on our new little house

 We had such a beautiful warm fall! These ivy leaves looked almost flourescent.

 Cole talked about wanting to be Slenderman for months! He was pretty proud of this costume.

Jack was a "Navy Dude" and Trace was a ninja. He had to leave all his weapons home, so it's hard to tell! 

Our school Halloween parade around the neighborhood! It's so fun! 

Two of Jack's buddies Zach and Avery. 

Like father like son. 

Cole, you are so scary! 

 Tal with his two "Besties" Nico and Ronin. They had a very dramatic night. Talmage got in a fight with a kid who kept stealing his candy and Tal ended up with a scratch on his face. Ronin hid behind a bush and hollered out obscenities. The episode was famous at school the next day and four of deacons from Talmage's quorum came to our house to show their concern and make sure Tal was o.k. He was fine. With these three, things are never dull. This marked our first Halloween of our older boys going off with their friends on their own. I'm proud that they survived (barely), but it was a bit sad to see their days of dependance on Mom and Dad fading.

 One of these was "Starry Night" by Van Gogh. Very sophisticated neighbors.

The street scene was so magical with hundreds of kids walking in and out of these historic homes. 

Cole and his crew Cole, Carter, Noah and Keegan. Most of the boys called it quits early. But Cole and Carter kept on going for another hour and a half. Clint weighed Cole's bag and it was over 6 pounds of candy! Cole was extremely proud of his hard earned haul.

To Vernal with Jack

Jack and I drove to Vernal one Friday. We wish our mission was a happier one. It was for the funeral of Ian Brown, son of our dear friends from Memphis, Erin, Clayton and Anya. He passed away in his sleep after a decade of decline due to San Felipe Syndrome. I was impressed with Jack wanting to come with me to support his friend, Anya. Perfect attendance is so important to him. He'd been chastising me for months about taking him out of school to go to the Ranch last spring. But for his friend, he didn't hesitate. He was so sad for Anya and cried at the funeral and remembered to pray for her the following week.

While we were there we made a quick stop at the Natural History Museum.

Labor Day in Ogden

On Labor Day we went to Ogden's Tree House Museum. It was the last free day for the Military.

While were in that neck of the woods we drove up to Perry and bought three boxes of DEEE-licious peaches! We feasted on them for days, then cut up the rest and froze them for smoothies.

We're going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

I was lucky enough to be a chaperone for the kindergarten day at the zoo.