Williams' Wonders

2010-12-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

One of the local putt-putt golf "parks" had a "bring in a canned food item and golf for free" night. We called the "DUCKS" (our across the street neighbors) and went for a night out of fun. First of all, who knew you could have a golf course in the corner of a parking lot?!? Second, what a stroke of luck that we showed up on Neon night! The golf balls glowed and the lights were off except for some black lights. It was pretty cool.
We ended up with two teams, the experienced(?) golfers

And the beginners!

The score cards went by the wayside by the 4th hole and fun was had by all!

What to do with a free day? Play!!!!

2010-11-18T08:59:00.000-08:00

Seems like November is just the most wonderful month so far as the kids have 6 glorious days off from school! Last weekend, which was 4 days long, we did a lot of reading, baking, jumping on the trampoline, running around and playing at the park. It was so nice to have happy and relaxed kids. My friend said it was like a little gift right before the rush of holiday cheer and etc. I agree.

Family History (aka the longest photog post ever!)

2010-10-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

This morning I am looking for anything to do besides the millions of things which are staring me down begging to be done. Like bowls caked with chili from last night, socks of every size and color longing to be reunited with their mates and tuck snuggily away in a drawer, mirrors splattered with specks of toothpaste, (ewww!) and yet I find my bottom in a familiar place, the chair in front of the computer. Shame on me!!!! My minutes are numbered! How can I squander them for things which are of no worth? But then I remember an old friend/nemesis....WILLIAMS' WONDERS. Certainly named such because we wonder what is up with the Williams since the blog never really stares at me begging to "be done." Well today I will not squander! I will do some family history, yes that's it! So for Lindsay's benefit....to whom I dedicate this blog....I will post. Imagine my surprise to find a post with a 2010 date on it! Really? Wow, I am not as bad at this as I thought!

I will not attempt to go back where I left off, I fear that would cause my bottom and the chair to fuse. But I have been promising you, Lindsay, photos of our happenings since you returned to Provo, so here is a smattering of life missing you.

From high school life:
Facial hair day

Nerd Day

Sunny CA

Homecoming hallway helpers

Meeting Liberty:

Homecoming Night

Misc fun

Spring Break.....literally

2010-04-07T09:27:00.001-07:00

Ben loves volleyball, his ankle, not so much....

2010-04-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

This week the kids are on spring break. We have had a very low key break and it reminds me of my childhood….every day. Back then we didn’t have loads of homework so in the afternoons we were free to jump on the tramp for hours, shoot hoops, sell lemonade, play games, squirt each other with the hose on the tramp, bake 100’s of cookies and lie in the hammock and do nothing.

I think the kids are having a good time. Tuesday we went for a hike at Red Rock.

The weather was perfect. We had planned on a trip to visit Lindsay and cousins in Utah but our gas money was spent to exterminate a swarm of killer bees that picked our chimney for their new home.

It was a bit scary because the first day we had a few of them come into the house from the fireplace. After that we turned on the fireplace and I was certain I could chase them out with the right smoke. Over the next day or so I burned everything and anything I thought would send the message that this was not a good home for them. What sends that message you ask? I don’t know because the onions, pepper, cloves, polyester fabric, garlic powder, and various oils (i.e. melaleuca) seemed only to force them into the crevice between the chimney and the wall. When the exterminator came they couldn’t find them. I could hear them buzzing when I put my ear up to the outside wall in Sam’s room. But the bug man wasn’t able to see them. So he decided to dust the attic with a poison so potent that nothing would survive it for 8 months. I was like, can we survive the dust up there? Oh only things that walk in it will die. So no going into the attic for a year!!!! Anyways, over the next two days we woke up to dead and dying bees all over the patio. I think Dave counted 120 the first day.

It was traumatic and we just don’t get why killer bees have picked our house to make their own........twice!!! Maybe word has gotten out about how our home is a buzz of activity and that we treat our company like royality.

Up in the night, exhausting. Endless piles of laundry, annoying. A note of thanks, priceless.

2010-01-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom,
Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you. You handle a lot of stuff-the laundry, the dishes, the chauffeuring, the family, the children. The list could go on and on and on! Thanks for modeling for me what is really important-making sure we treat others well, as the Savior would treat them. Thanks for making time for me while I try to process and handle all of this crazy college stuff. Viv asked me the other day if I thought I was a lot like you. I didn't think so but I hope to become more like you. You listen so well all the time, make time for others even when it may be inconvenient for you, you love wholeheartedly. I thank you Mom.
Love ya,
Lou

Thing is, it's me that wants to be more like her!

Morphed!!!

2010-01-23T10:50:00.000-08:00

With a little help from Uncle Ben (Brown) our family is transformed into a family only a mother could love.

2010-01-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

Wow! I haven't posted since November?!? As if anyone is waiting with baited breath for a post....I think this is really just for me, and you Lindsay. Hahahaha. As you know Linz, we had a superb holiday. And since that wasn't long enough, we did a repeat of "Here we are together" last weekend. Thanks to the DEW's for their soccer Saturday, and Friday and Monday. Maybe before this weekend is done I will downloas photos from my camera so stay tuned Linz....and.....me.

Countdown

2009-11-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving
Turkey,
Pie,
You & I.
Yummy food,
Togetherness,
Gratitude.

It won't be long now

Owning stock in BYU!

2009-10-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

As you log on to the Williams Wonders you are probably "wondering" how Lindsay is and how bad we miss her. Well, the date I am actually getting around to blogging about August should be a bit of an indication of how much I miss her!!!! It has been really hard to find that magical blogging time since she left. Even now as I blog I realize if I am going to do this (with regularity or not), I will have to stock up on magic erasers. (Josh just tried to improve the look of the tile with a purple marker.)
Lindsay is doing fantastic!
As everyone knows, the first semester as a college freshman creates a huge learning curve.

Lindsay is riding the curve like a pro!

A month after I dropped her off, Sam and the kids and I went up for a visit. We had a blast together!

Sam and Lindsay hiked the to the Y, which is where, (Sadie will volunteer whenever she sees it) Lindsay now lives!

Macho Nacho Night

2009-09-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

One of the wonders of the Williams' home is the childrens (especially teenage ones) ability to quote corny lines from movies we watch together. One day we found two almost still teenagers that can totally bring it in the corny quote department! They "challenged us to a duel" and the "battle of wits" did in deed begin. We had met our match and to celebrate finding such a perfect match, we set our sights on viewing Nacho Libre together. Hence Macho Nacho Night was born. We invited a few friends to "join us in our quarters" for Nacho(s) and gathered our eagle powers with these

Then we watched the movie and practically turned off the sound and quoted the entire flick! We finished up the night with some cool wrestling moves, and a bit of Ninja! Yes that is part of Nacho night....if you are at the Williams' home.

Thanks to everyone who came and showed off their "signature moves." Even without the ruffle shirts parading around like PJ's we all were dancing and singing at this party.

"The future is as bright as your faith"

2009-09-09T09:59:00.001-07:00

Farewell Dear Friend

2009-09-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog;
but you're never friendless ever, if you have a dog.

Douglas Mallock

Keiki passed yesterday, Saturday September 5, 2009. She was a good dog, a loyal friend and a beloved member of our family. We ALL will miss her.

Because this may be a photog

2009-08-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures (posted by Lindsay) to give you a hint of the state of the Williams household these days.
Stephanie as a pouting princess awaiting the end of a long roadtrip. Or doing an impression of the princess from the Tale of Desperux. Take your pick.

Sadie recently developed a taste for headbands and insists on doing them herself. Which results in a style all her own. ( The flip in her hair is due to the fact that she fell asleep with wet hair.)

I should mention that she also uses them to accessorize. She found a cowboy hat and in the true Spirit of the West, maintained an impeccable poker face while I snapped photos. She later told me that cowboys do not smile. They "just get the bad guys and the horses with the rope."

Because every good cowboy needs a sidekick. Or I guess that's superheroes. Oh well. Sadie manages to be both.

There has been much of this at our house and on our travels. Ben & Steph learned it a EFY and have been all to happy to teach it to those who want to learn.

Here are some pictures from our trip to Idaho. Sam was a daredevil, as usual, Ben kept us laughing, and Stephanie was stylin' especially in her life jacket. And then there's one of Mom, because we don't see her in pictures often. :)

Quote of the Day

2009-06-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

I was having a conversation with Stephanie, "...blah, blah, blah It just doesn't make any sense!" Then Sadie piped up and said, "He will have more "cents" when he gets $20.00!"

Bonanza Graduate

2009-06-14T23:19:00.001-07:00

Well kiddo you did it!

What a perfect day!
It was great having Sissy, Levi, Imelda and John here to party with us. You guys are the best! Lindsay was dignified and beautiful. Her speech was well spoken "Each of us has hidden talents simply waiting to be tapped into. They may be uncovered by signing up for the unexpected. Remember that you are in control of you-take the initiative to stretch yourself. Try that which is new, you may find yourself intrigued. The attitude that you entertain will have a heavy influence on the kind of experiences you have. Face new ideas, challenges, events, and so on with an open mind and those things that may have seemed beyond your reach at first are suddenly attainable. Now more than ever will we understand that we are responsible for those experiences we have. Take the plunge and make things happen! Don’t wait for something to happen to you. You have the capacity to bring about change- recognize it!"

We remain your biggest fans!

2009-06-10T23:56:00.000-07:00

Duckling Story: Maiden Voyage, The Commencement, Maiden Flight…or Fall, Leap - June 10, 2009

2009-06-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

Ellie blinked in the bright morning sunshine. The nest seemed somewhat roomier than usual- she then realized that Mother was calling; from outside the nest! Ellie’s siblings awoke to the sound of Mother’s voice and huddled towards the entrance with curiosity. “Come on now, we don’t have all day,” she called cheeringly. “Go on now,” she encouraged at their bewilderment, “Jump! It’s time. You can do it.” What?! Ellie found herself overwhelmed with doubt. There was no possible way: She was barely 24 hours old, she had suddenly developed and inexplicable and firm fear of heights, the ground was certainly not suitable for landing, Ellie considered herself not the least bit graceful, the list continued. It was simply too daunting a task-she could not bring herself to do it. She motioned for the more eager of her siblings to go ahead of her, sighing at their graceful, confident dives. Hyrum noticed her hesitation and waddled his way to her with great alacrity. “What’s the problem?” he inquired. “I…. I can’t do it Hyrum. I just can’t. It’s too scary, too intimidating, too… too much.” Ellie let her thought trial off with a quivering sigh. “Preposterous!” Hyrum returned with a grin. “No really,” Ellie protested earnestly, “I mean what if I fall wrong, and look ridiculous and…” “Ellie,” Hyrum interrupted, “first of all, there is no wrong way to fall and were all going to look ridiculous. None of us have any idea what we’re doing. As for the fear, I think it adds a sort of thrill to the whole thing, don’t you?” Ellie’s brow remained furrowed in doubt. “But what if I fail Hyrum- truly, tremendously, terribly fail?” “Then things can only go up from there!” Hyrum laughed. He then turned serious. “Ellie,” he began gently, “it is better to fail in doing what may terrify you than restrain yourself only because you couldn’t face the prospect of stretching yourself. You’ll never recognize your potential or become aware of what you are fully capable of unless you take some risks. And if you fail, you fail. It will only make success even sweeter.” Ellie searched Hyrum’s face, as if to make certain that what he said was true. Finding her fears subdued, and empowered by Hyrum’s words, Ellie found herself at the entrance of the nest. She and Hyrum were the last to leave. Hyrum glanced in her direction. “Ready? Of course you are!” And with that he made a daring leap into the open air. Ellie followed suit. The ground became a blur and the wind drowned out any sound. It was one of the most peculiar experiences Ellie had had, and supposed she ever would have, in her life. She braced herself for the abrupt landing. Her little body then almost immediately slammed onto the leaf blanketed forest floor, and much to her surprise, bounced back up to where, slightly disoriented, Ellie found herself on two feet. Hyrum rushed over to her, simply ecstatic. “Now wasn’t that an incredible thrill?” he exclaimed. “Simply exhilarating.” Ellie found herself saying. And indeed it had been- an oddly terrifying, yet marvelous experience. She felt as though she could accomplish anything. “Come along you two!” Mother sang. “I knew you could do it, a stunning fall!” she whispered to Ellie with a wink, “It wasn’t that bad now was it?” Ellie positively beamed. “Off to the pond! Come along now!” Mother directed as she made her way to the front of the group. And with that, Ellie found her place near the end of the line with Hyrum, who said they were off to something called swimming a go. “Bring it on,” Ellie thought to herself, “I can handle that.”

Lindsay’s Note ( or I suppose you could call it an author’s note but that sounds a bit presumptuous): Lately, I have found things that deal with potential inspiring- sunrises, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, new seasons, the hummingbird babies that grew up right outside Sadie’s window, clouds, rain, a blank sheet of paper, the robin chicks I watched one morning, Barbie movies and songs, the list could seriously go on for who knows how long. Just about anything at this stage of life has a ring of potential in it. So when I saw the clip (click on "clip" to watch it)of ducklings jumping out of a tree in my Government class during AP week, I felt like I could relate to them, as I too am about to take the plunge into something of which I have absolutely no idea what will happen or what to expect. To pinpoint how I feel through this story was a bunch of fun for me. I hope you will enjoy it as well!

Happy Birthday Joshua!

2009-06-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

I cant believe our little guy is two! He is so fun. He talks a lot and loves exploring. We did part one of the birthday celebration in the Big Basin Redwoods Stake Park, California at the tail end of the Williams Family Reunion.

2009-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Part two was at home with an ELMO birthday cake and much excitement! It's official now, the candles have been blown out! Happy Two Josh Squash!

Revel in the Redwoods

2009-05-31T10:09:00.001-07:00

We had a great time at the Williams "Revel in the Redwoods" reunion. Miriam and company did an awesome job getting everything organized and prepared for us. We just relaxed and enjoyed each others' company. Thanks Mir. Planning for 55 is no small task!

The Beginning of Our Beginning

2009-05-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (5-10-90) Dave and I will celebrate 19 years of married bliss so naturally I have been thinking a lot about us lately. Our story is wonderful and unique and deserves re-telling.

This is the beginning of the beginning; let’s call it the first chapter.

Dave and I met on a warm summer night in Arvada, Colorado in 1987. I was a hard working college student, home for the summer.

Dave was also a hard working college student home (in Colorado Springs) for the summer.

I was alone as my family was on a little trip, (where and why I didn’t go I don’t even remember). I decided to go to go a single’s dance….alone. Weird. I never did dances alone. Dave was not alone. He was with his brothers Daniel (a recently returned missionary), Nathan (a missionary waiting to enter the MTC), his sister Debbie and Kelly Jennings both recent High School graduates. They traveled 1 ½ hours to Arvada to a single’s dance on a Saturday night. Weird. None or they had ever been to north to boogie with the singles before, or since.

The dance was sort of lame, just a small crowd that was almost doubled when the Williams' bus arrived.

The rest of what I remember of the night is a bit foggy, except for anything to do with Dave.

They say first impressions last a lifetime. It must be true; somehow as my memory starts to fade, the first sight of Dave gets sharper. Brace yourself. The first thing I saw was Dave’s red hair, and yes he did have hair, generous amounts! He was the first red head I ever remember that was really good looking. His smile was amazing. He could have been in a toothpaste commercial. I swear I saw a little glimmer and heard a little “ding” when he smiled at me.

The next thing that stood out was Dave’s pink (with black geometric lines) flannel shirt. Yes pink! (Have I ever seen Dave in pink since? No!) Oh I wish I had a photo. Gotta love those 80’s!

Also, what stands out in my mind…his dancing shoes!

Dave had a lot of energy and some “killer dance moves!” (I think he was in the D-Quan Boogie Video of the month club). I know you wish you could dance like that!

As the dance came to a close, I noticed the Williams’ milling around and then Dave came up and asked if I “knew a place they could go to get ice cream?” I thought it was a wired question just because the answerseemed a bit too obvious, but I went along with the gig. I don’t remember how it went down but for some reason I had Dave follow me in my car to the nearest Coco’s, your basic family restaurant where some of them ordered ice cream and I ordered ice water. I was broke, didn’t have a dime and I thought it much too forward to have Dave pay for me. Along with the cold stuff we have some "ice breaking questions" about everyone, and some laughs we decided to call it a night. When we were in the parking lot, Dave asked for my phone number and said he would call me and tell me when the next dance in Colorado Springs was, so I could come there…”with some of my friends.” I didn’t think I would take him up on his offer , but I kinda thought Dan was cute, and knowing that he would be at BYU in the fall when I would be there, I gave him my number. I found out much later that I was the first and last girl Dave had ever asked for a phone number from. He said he felt obligated (being the eldest) to show his two younger brothers just how to “pick up chicks.”

Biggest Loser

2009-05-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

Many of my fans have been wondering how I am doing on the biggest loser contest. I started off strong! I did the no carb thing and was rockin"! Then I hired a personal trainer (well I use the term hired loosely, Janel's sister rocks as the most disciplined little momma in existence. She walks every day and on the days that she thinks that I might be up and dressed she invites me to go along. As for payment okay, there really isn't any.) and so it would seem that you all should be shankin' in yer boots. So to let you know where I am I would like you to take a peek, witholding offense and judgement, at THIS!

Reading girl

2009-04-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Last night I was reading to Sadie when she said she wanted to read to me. Right on! Now I could doze and she could read. I am loving this arrangement. So she started to read to me.....the words! Next we read to Dad (I think I saw a tear, he is not sure he wants his "baby" to grow up) and then to Lindsay. Sadie would have read her book to everyone if they were up! She woke up this morning saying "I'm a reading girl!" Before he barley had his eyes open she read her book to Sam and then to Josh (several times and in every location in the house).
It is cute and it brings to mind a little rhyme;

I can read! Wow look at me.
I know what this word must be.

Now I can read this whole book.
Sit by me and take a look.

I can read it to my dad,
I think reading is quite rad.

I have read it to my sis,
And my brother I won't miss.

I can read! Wow look at me,
I can read it in a tree.

I am now a "Reading Girl"
Books show me a whole new World!

Isn't this the cutest little Meg ever!!!

2009-04-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

Meg has the cutest little face I love her! Steph captured this when she was here on Easter.

Easter Bunnies

2009-04-20T14:02:00.001-07:00

I found these little bunny pops and thought they were hilarious! The kids were good sports to pose for me and after about 150 shots I got these. We love our Bunnies!

Sunny Spring Break Memories

2009-04-16T15:47:00.001-07:00

Something Beautiful called Tollipop

2009-04-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

Check out my friend's blog Tollipop it is her 1st anniversary. This blog is one of my addictions, and a great escape. Kirsten is so clever and talented. Reading her stories and looking at her paintings and photography inspire me and transport me to a carefree life of beauty and serenity. She does a drawing every so often for artwork. All you have to do is make a comment( a tall order for me, I am speaking "toddler" and really have to stretch for an intelligent tidbit in the dark corners of the grown up section of my brain. ;) Anyways, go to the pink link above or Tollipop.com.

Congrats to us (aka Mom's Bragging Rights)

2009-03-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

I am the mom. I get to brag. I am so excited about the things that are happening around here! When I burst at the buttons, things end up on the blog.....

Lindsay was officially accepted to BYU! She is amazing!

Ben made the Freshman Volleyball Team! He can jump!

Stephanie was named student of the month Yea! She's so smart!

Sam finally started practicing with an organized football team, he's only waited his whole life for this!! Go Broncos!

Sadie started a little painting class with our friend Jacob. It's fun!

Joshie is finding his voice, not only in words, but songs. His favorite is a toss up between the Itsy Bitsy Spider and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

Stephanie's True Loves

2009-02-17T11:18:00.001-08:00

Stephanie loves to play her violin,

almost as much as she loves to kiss Joshie's chin.

The day is not complete with out the music she conquers

or with out time hugging the boy that she calls hers.

Both techno strings and acoustic she daily must play

"Joshie is just so cute," she daily must say!

To us she truly lives up her her name being such a JOY

We are blessed that our caboose is that cute little BOY!

The Day of Rest

2009-02-15T17:38:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday I was deeply suffering from some sleep deprivation shared by Myself, Sadie, Hannah & Josh. Convinced that a little sit still-ed-ness would bring an endowment of rest and a restoration of sanity, I put the girls in the car to "go for a drive." My contrived plan work within minutes.....for Hannah. However, after a half of a tank of gas and what little sanity I had left, Sadie was still fighting a surrender to dreamland. I arrived home downhearted and frustrated to this.......

Sam got a wild hair (probably from not being able to breathe the fresh air outside while pasing around a football like a 9 yr old boy. You remember how long that "day of rest" used to be? What kid likes to be told to REST anyways?) and decided to do a captain underpants/Nacho Libre/ weirdie Jose.
Seriously this guy had a little too much time on his hands. Don't you love the unibrow?(created by Stephanie). When I came in he did the strike a pose thing in his "stretchy pants"...
then asked me to "join him in his quarters this night for toast!" Nothing like a little "SAM" to bring the smile back to my face and give me a little perspective.

It should be noted that this is not the first time Sam & Steph have provided Sunday Comedy:

Love and Lodging in Las Vegas

2009-02-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day
we dedicate this post to one of our most loved loves...

VISITORS!

Here are a smattering of photos of guests
that have graced our home over the past few weeks!

Eric warmed up and slept here during his training at "Frontsight."

Grandpa Williams, Nathan & Renee and family, and Miriam stopped by on their way to and from the Frontsight training.

Lucky for us they left Hannah at our house while they froze, er trained... YEA!
(We like to practice good dental hygiene).

Happy Homeowners
(sorry I caught you thinking about how luckily married you are Ben)

The Browns....Ben & Dawn and Baylie & Meg stopped by for a day in route to their NEW HOME!

Aunt Kate came over and brought lunch while she & John were in town for a convention. What a TREAT!

The "DEWS" and Jon came down over Martin Luther King weekend for Imelda's soccer tournament. We gave them the grand tour of our cool hotspots in town...not the least of which was IN-N-OUT!!!

The BOWS came...

twice within a week...because we are so fun!

If you don't believe it we dare you to come for a visit!

We also had a great time singing and punching each other out playing "the HULK" with Gary, Becky and Jon Frazier until we sort of got the flu (not something we ordinarily like to share with loved ones). We do regret we have no photos of that visit....however I think Becky snapped a few of our pathetic lot (before they left for sunny California and the "happiest place on earth" but we're not bitter.....or ANGRY hahaha)...so it is documented!

We LOVE visitors!

The fine print
We do provide pillows, though sometimes having your own makes for a better nights' sleep.
Sometimes earplugs are recommended, not only at night.
Monday night is always soup night.
You may want to pack some long pants because even if you are coming here to "thaw out" it does get a little chilly sometimes Oct-March.
And please give us 10 minutes notice so we can tidy the shoe and backpack pileup by the front door.

Christmas

2008-12-30T15:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day was, in a word, perfect. At one point I looked around at everyone and had a true joy in our posterity moment. Just sitting here writing my blog I'm feeling a little verklempt. I realized that this is our "all are safely gathered in" year as Lindsay will be graduating in June and off to university. Our Christmas was somewhat simple as we had scaled back so that we were able to share Christmas with another family. Christmas morning brought the magic that always accompanies little ones and there were smiles, laughter, and genuine interest in each other.
Indeed there was a lovely spirit -
the spirit of Christ in our home all day.

Gingerbread House

2008-12-07T23:34:00.002-08:00

The GINGERBREAD Expert Annie says:
"I don't know why a gingerbread house has a certain charm on children, but it does. It doesn't really matter what age the child is. You can be 4 or 40 and but you seem to be drawn to them. Maybe it's the detail or just the candy. But there is a special warm smile that comes over us when we look at the wonderful results of someone's imagination. It brings out our creativity and peeks our interest."

The ginger plant originated in southeast Asia.

The name "ginger" is derived from the Sanskrit "srngaveram" which means "horn root".

In Medieval England, gingerbread simply meant "preserved ginger" and evolved form the Old French "gingebras" which came from "zingebar" the Latin name of the spice.

In Medieval Europe, ginger was the second most highly traded spice after pepper.

According to legend, Queen Elizabeth 1st of England invented the "gingerbread man".

The English brought ginger to the American colonies early on. Ginger cookies were handed out to persuade Virginia voters to elect certain candidates for the House of Burgesses.

During the 19th century, gingerbread was modernized and romanticized when the Grimm brothers collected the fairy tale about Hansel and Gretel. This story was about two children who were lost in the woods when they discovered a house made of bread, cake and candles.

One House with fours sides, five decorators, lots of candy and some frosting glue equals one masterpiece and many smiles!

Info gathered at www.annieshomepage.com/gingerbread.html

Creativity Is (or is not ) Pretty?

2008-12-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

Everybody knows that Christmas time adds to life a few extra demands; especially on moms. The baking, the laundry, the decorating, the dishes, the shopping, the cleaning, the wrapping, the taxi-ing, the trying to remember where gifts are hidden, it can all be a little overwhelming! When the Dads ask why we torture ourselves so, moms tell them they like doing all these things...moms love to create magic at Christmas. But as someone once said, "Creativity isn't pretty."
This seems to prove that point. The other day I needed to wrap gifts. I decided to give in to the pleas for painting. " Wow, this will entertain them while I wrap." What was I thinking you ask? Clearly, I wasn't! It is a proven fact that when a mom is overwhelmed at Christmas time the brain functions are the first to go. Anyways, I wrapped 2 gifts and this is the pretty-ness, (or is that mess) I came back to. I guess it is a good thing I didn't wrap all 20 before checking on the kids.

Merry Creating.

2008-11-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

Playing was almost as fun as eating!

Turkey Bowl 2008

2008-11-27T09:15:00.000-08:00

Lindsay Learning Life's Lessons

2008-11-25T21:28:00.000-08:00

So Lindsay is driving to seminary and Ben says, the car is driving weird..... But being the great driver that she is Lindsay makes it to seminary safe and sound and on time at 5:45. When they leave seminary and pile in to drive to school Ben notices that the tire looks like a "rat chewed on it". After driving almost all the way to school, the car starts to drive really weird, and Lindsay starts to pray that they can make it. They get thru the last light and turn the corner by the school when the tire "blows up!" Lindsay calmly directs the car to the curb and stops. The blown up tire looks awful. Lindsay is shaking, but glad they are safe at school. When she gets out of school she calls me to say "I don't think the car will be going anywhere today, can you pick me up?" Mom gets a summary of the crazy morning commute. She promptly calls dad who happens to be out of town, and then heads over to get Lindsay.
Meanwhile, back at the curb, a nice young knight in shining armour rides up on his white horse. He assessed the damage, and they take the suburban apart looking for a spare tire. When mom shows up he had the jack working and everything is under control, so mom leaves. Lindsay, the damsel in distress, helps and watches as Brandon changes the tire. Lindsay arrives home a bit later, in the subarban, safe and sound with one heck of a journal entry. Our faith in chivalry is restored and we know a bit more about tires like; what it feels like to drive on one, how that is different from driving rat chewed ones, that they need changing when dads are gone, that they can actually really blow up !,
how to find the spare one, and how to change one!!!

Oh What a Night!

2008-11-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

Halloween is always a party in Vegas, did you know that Nevada Day is Ocotber 31st? Go figure! The kids got the day off of school and we just partied all day long! Here's proof!

My Creative Creativity

2008-10-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

I loved the RS broadcast last weekend. I loved the thoughts about creativity. I have been thinking a lot about what I create and have found something that really deserves a spot on the blogspot. Over the years I have become very creative when it comes to doing laundry. Most of the creativity has been in the area laundry storage during the laundering process. When I was growing up, I remember the washing machine and dryer in the basement. I also remember great mounds of soiled laundry produced by 10 people in front of the cleaning units. My mom is a laundry goddess. She was a whiz at getting out grass stains, grease stains, all stains in fact. Every item hanging in our closets was pressed. The laundry in our drawers arrived there meticulously folded. (I don’t know if it always stayed folded that, of course, depended on the owner of the dresser). I also remember mom sitting on the couch folding laundry. What I don’t remember is laundry clean or dirty, folded or pressed, out in view. It was only visible during the brief folding process…(when the clothes were still warm by the way). Some things we do just like our mothers, some things don’t, but a plan for the laundry was never something I considered. After being on my own for almost EVER these are the things I understand about my life as a laundress. I didn’t get the basement for the washer and dryer or the Laundry goddess gene or the ability to make the laundry virtually invisible. What I did get is the creativity thing. I have piled laundry on every inch of my floor, top and bottom floors. It has rested, yes sometimes down right NAPPED, on my couches (all three), beds, tables, and counters. It travels, (sometimes nightly for a week UGH!) from bed to ironing board and back to the bed in the morning. (That ole, “if it is on the bed, we won’t go to sleep until it is taken care of” thing just doesn’t fly.) It has even made it’s way to my freezer (it was clean laundry…but nothing beats a cold kid-blankey in the summer desert heat!) I have to admit that I have never put laundry in my oven or car….okay, I have put it in my car, but that was after a road trip so it can’t really count. But the best place so far that my laundry resides during the “process” is in Joshie’s crib!!!

It seems to be just the right size to hold exactly half of the week’s clean laundry. And no, it doesn’t live there for the whole week….usually er mostly er sometimes!

When the Sun is UP!

2008-09-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

Did you ever stay in bed for just a few extra seconds gearing up for what will hit when you do arise and shine like the sun? Well the other day I hit the ground running and was being Little Miss Get It Done. I just kept pluggin' away and didn't notice the time until Sadie said, "Mom! Will you please put your clothes on because the sun is up!" It was closer to noon than I want to admit which really bummed me out. Not only because of my 3-year old's distress at my attire, but I had not accomplished nearly the amount I needed to by that time. Blah, blah, blah, story of my life. It reminds me of something Dave's mom said to his dad the moment after she found out that she had terminal cancer..."I guess I will never get this house clean!"

Maybe some of us are not meant to get our houses clean on earth. Dave's mom had ten kids and I have it on pretty good authority that she hit the ground running before the sun shone more mornings than I have been alive. I also have know for a fact that she ate 0 bon-bons while sitting on the couch to watch 0 soaps on TV!!! Maybe cleanliness is over-rated. Maybe holding a fussy baby, running forgotten gym shorts to a teenager, keeping a toddler out of the toilet, listening to the woes of another teenager, sitting on the piano bench to encourage "good piano hand position", dragging 300 books back and forth to the library every week, and kissing boo-boos are much more important that dust free corners and smudge-free mirrors.

(Just for the record, today Sadie refused to get her clothes on until after noon. I am not sure if that is because of my glorious example, or if she was just too busy doing stuff. I would also like it on record that it is after 10 pm and she just showed up downstairs not dressed in her PJs like she was over two hours ago when we started the go to bed process....but in her clothes. When I sweetly asked her to keep her PJs on because "the sun is not up!" She sincerely replied, "Of course!")

VICTORY!

2008-09-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

Oh how sweet it is! Our Bengals have finally tasted victory! Last night Bonanza Freshman played the Lions of Sierra Vista and WON 22-20. Ben is making us proud. Yesterday he alternated between being wide reciever and tight end. He had a great catch and ran for a few yards as he "stiff armed" one guy but the saftey got him at the two. DANGIT! Sadie and I were cheering our hearts out! We were thrilled last week as they finally put some points on the board against Parump (24-36). The first two games of the season they were blown out 0-42 & 0-34. Yesterday the boys looked like a different team than the first two games. We like the new look! We celebrated at home with cheesecake, Ben's fav! Keep it up & GO BENGALS!

Labor Day

2008-09-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

Our last hurrah for the summer was a trip 15 minutes out of town. It doesn't seem like much but the kids will tell you different. They get to scratch up some dirt on the dune buggy. I was about 105 in the shade that day, but that didn't stop us from having a rip roaring time. You should see Sam drive that thing! He has to hang on to the steering wheel because if he sits back he can't reach the gas pedal. He drives like a maniac!...I am not sure where he gets it from. While two people go for a ride, two other can shoot the BB gun. The rest of us rest in the shade of the umbrella (until the wind whips it inside out)and have a great time eating sunflower seeds or doing creative things with pretzels. This time we cooled off with a "slurpee". Just call us the Dirt Devils!

Girl's Camp

2008-08-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

Picasa Web Albums - Lorene - Williams Girls camp 2008 Camp Stimpson