Spring Break.....literally

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

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.

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!!!

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

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

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

It won't be long now

Owning stock in BYU!

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

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"

Farewell Dear Friend

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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.

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

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!