Back to school

Can you believe we have a 4th grader and 2nd Grader.

It is crazy how different things are now. JJ and Emma have opionins of their own. They no longer just take what I say and do it. Emma knew what she wanted for shoes. I took one look at them and said they were so ugly. She was crushed. She ended up getting other shoes because of my comment. I felt so bad. JJ on the other hand knows what is cool and Jeron and I have NO CLUE! Sad thing is we really don't. When did I stop knowing what is in and what isn't? JJ did really well. No nerves it seemed. Emma saw all of her friends and that was all she needed to be just fine.

Now Ellie and Elsie on the other hand are going to miss these two so much. It is a long day without their idols.

Emma, cute girl, Megan, and Ashlee

Emma and Riley

Emma and her BFF Baylee

Keith and JJ

I asked JJ if he wanted pics with other kids and he was like Um no Mom get out of here with that camera. Security crazy lady with a camera. SO I just bowed out gracefully.

I will have to say that I hate sending them back but once I do I realize that is just where they need to be. It is so good for them to become independent and make a life of their own. I still watch out for them and help them but they are learning and spreading there wings. I love to watch their minds grow and develop. I love to see how the handle situations with other people not in their family. I just can't believe how fast time goes by when your older. My baby is in 4th grade.

...but really the ceremony...come on! Could we come up with a better way to start the school year out. My kids are so bored after that that I think it puts a bad taste in their mouth. Could we all band together and just walk our kids in. If we all do it who is going to stop us. No I am kidding...Kind of!

Flaming Gorge

For our last adventure before school starts we went to Flaming Gorge. I have not been there since I learned how to water ski many many moons ago. It felt very weird staying on a lake without a boat. I feel my kids really did not get to experience the lake as I did when I was young. Having a boat is one of my favorite memories. Some day I hope to be able to do that for my kids.

FRIDAY: We left around 8:30 am. We got to Flaming Gorge around 1:00pm. We set up camp, which was a task with four kids. We managed to get it done though. It actually was a nice little home for the weekend. I was very impressed with JJ. He is Mr. Camper. He had all these great ideas, can start a fire really well, and can do a lot of other things. One of my favorite JJ moments is when he said "Oh, shoot! We should have brought a rope to tie to the trees, to hang up all of our wet things." That was impressive to me.
Once we were set up we headed down to the lake. Jeron took us to the spot where him and the scouts cliff jumped. I think Jeron soon discovered that this was not going to be like when he went with the scouts. Ellie started crying almost immediately. She was terrified and when I say terrified I am putting it mildly. I honestly thought she might have a heart attack in the water from fright. Elsie was feeding off of Ellie's fear. Once we got Ellie situated nicly on a rock she calmed down. That in turn helped Boo to calm as well. This is a view of what was so scary for Ellie. Jeron, JJ, and Emma jumped off rocks while Ellie sat on the bottom rock, and Elsie and I floated in the water. Elsie was pretty hooked up. We inflated a raft and proped her on it like the Queen of Sheba. She laid there the whole time just watching everyone jump. After the kids and Jeron got their fill we headed back to the "sandy" part of the beach. We decided to swim instead of walk. We loaded all of the towell up onto the raft that Elsie was on. I pulled her, the towells, and the shoes. Emma pulled another float tube with the beach buckets. JJ just swam. Jeron and Ellie walked back because Ellie still wanted nothing to do with the water. Once we got back the kids all played on the beach.

What I didn't get in this picture is that Elsie is sitting in her own swimming pool.

Once we were done we headed back to camp. On our way we ran into Jeron's cousin and wife. Other members of our party were starting to arrive. The had their dog with them so the older kids headed back down to the lake. Jeron and I went and started getting ready for dinner. We ate hot dogs and yummy fruit. JJ got the fire going when he got back. By this time Jeron's Dad and step mom had arrived along with his brother and sister in law. After dinner everyone just sat around the camp fire and chatted. We were all pretty tired so we retired rather early. In the middle of the night Elsie decided to throw up. I started to have flashbacks of Seattle. She was pretty cranky at dinner. Now I know why.

SATURDAY: The next day we ate a yummy breakfast. After that we went down the Green River. We headed out around 11am. I had no idea what to expect. I hadn't done this in years. All I really remember is my cousin Calee falling in. :) With Elsie a bit sick and Ellie terrified of water I knew it would be an adventure. We packed lunches and had them waiting at the end of the river for us. I couldn't take my camera so we have a few off of Jeff and Tara's camera.

This pic is of John, Viki, Me, Jeron, Emma, JJ, Elsie, and Ellie.

We were having a pretty good time. Jeron was feeling rather tough because no one on his boat could push him in. I decided I had better just jump in before my sweet hubby decided to push me in. I was the first one in thank you very much. Well Emma saw me do it so she thought she could as well. She was so brave. She jumped in and shrieked "LET ME IN?" I don't think she was prepared for the cold that she was jumping into. She got over it and jumped in a couple more times. JJ would not get in. So finally Jeron asked JJ if he could see his ore. Then he threw JJ in. JJ screamed like a little girl. "Let me in, let me in..."He as almost in a panic. It was hilarious. We all had to tease him about is shrill. I think that JJ got so upset with us that he decided to jump ships. He sailed the rest of the way with the other raft bunch.
Toward the middle of the river Elsie started asking for juice. Oops. I packed lunch but did not realize just how long it is on the river. Her juice and Ellies juice were at the end of the river. A lot of good that did me now. I felt so bad for her. She was sick and needed some hydration. Good job Mom. We decided we had better hurry so we rode in the current the rest of the way down. We came to a pretty calm spot and Jeron was enjoying the beauty of his surroundings. I saw this a the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. opportunity to umh push him in. Oh yes! I pushed in my husband that could not be pushed in. I was so proud of myself for this heroic feet. He was harrassing everyone of us the whole way down. It was nice to have my day. Funny part about it, I now realize where his kids get their high pitched shrill from. Oh ya, my hubby cried like a little girl himself. "You can't get me in!" came out of his mouth more than once. Priceless.

After rafting we found a picnic table and ate lunch. Then we headed back to camp. John and Viki were nice enough to watch Ellie and Elsie while we went Cliff Jumping. All of us are terrified of heights. We all pushed ourselves and jumped though.

THis is a pic of Gifford(Jeron's cousin) jumping off of the highest one. Tara, Giff, and I were the only ones that did this one. Jeron, Jeff, and Danelle did not do this but jumped off one that was almost as high.

This is actually the rock we put Ellie on the first day so that she was okay with life again. I am standing here trying to get enough courage to jump off of the high one.

Danelle is in the front. That is the spot where she took pics of everyone. Most of the pics I have are from Jeff and Tara's camera in the water. In the background is Jeron, JJ, Emma, and Uncle Jeff.

After jumping we headed back to camp and ate pork taco's Viki's specialty. They were so Yummo! We all stuffed ourselves until our bellys popped. I was impressed that she went to all that work just for camping. It sure was good though.
Then we sat around another one of JJ's camp fires and played games. We started off with Mafia. I couldn't get anyone to play the werewolf version. Lame! It was fun. Some of the group got a bit intense so we moved on to Gestures. It was fun as well. Girls won of course. We roasted marshmallows and then played Golf. Ellie would not go to sleep so she sat by me while we played golf. She would catch all the moths that hit the lantern and throw them at me. UGH! I hate bugs. Then it was time for night night.

SUNDAY: When we awoke the next morning the wind was hauling. I hurried and grabbed all of our things and that couldn't get wet and threw them in the car. It rainded for only a coulpe of minutes but enough that I was glad that our things didn't get hit. We ate a yummy breakfast that Jeff and Tara made. Then we basically cleaned up camp. Jeron, Jeff, and JJ went fishing while the rest of us played cards in the camper.

Sweeping out the tent so that we could take it down.

Elsie and her dogs. She always has to have a dog with her.

Here is Elsie doing her scrunchy face.

I just love this shot.It was a lot of fun to go up there. I don't think I would have wanted to stay much longer. With two little ones it was a chanllenge but it was a lot of fun.

Beautiful Funeral for a Beautiful Lady

Last night when I went to bed the wind was blowing insanely hard. This morning when I woke the weather was displaying my mood. It was rainy and melancholy out side. I was very anxious about giving the obituary. Don't ask me why because I don't know why. I just was so nervous.

When we got to the church first thing I noticed was my parents car. Their entire fender had been torn off. I immediately called my Dad to find out what happened. I was so worried because my Mom and Maren were in the car and I knew they both didn't need the stress of that today. Everything was fine, they actually weren't even in the car when it happened.

Once inside it was so wonderful to see everyone and reminisce about Nana. A lot of my cousins live away. Everyone came home for the funeral.

I wonder what it is about the closing of the casket that is so hard. When it was time to say goodbye for the last time it was so sad. I wonder if it is then that you completely feel the loss that you will have in your life. All I know is that it is always one of the saddest moments for me. I really do see death especially in my Grandparents who have lived their lives fully as a happy thing. I am so excited for Nana. She is having amazing reunions with those that have gone before her.

Her funeral service was beautiful. Everyone that spoke did a wonderful job honoring her. She is a very accomplished woman. She is dignified, strong, intelligent, witty, charming, and just amazing in all the things that she did. She has done so much with her life. I have a lot to live up to. I left her funeral feeling that I need to try harder to be the best I can. I could use her patience. She was so determined and accomplished so much. I hope that I can honor her with the way I live the rest of my life.

After the service we came out to a beautiful day. The sun was shining. The air was clean and crisp. The weather was amazing. We headed to the Salt Lake Cemetery. She was laid to rest by my Granddaddy. They are right by where Joseph F. Smith is buried. It is a beautiful place.
I just love this picture. I think it captures my Dad so well. His heart is broken and yet he is so happy for his Mother.




I have a whole lot of cousins. We were big before spouses entered the picture. We are huge now.

Back Row: Jared, *Laura,* Emily, *Daniel, *Brian, Ashlee, *Smitty, *Garner, Julie, *Matt, Erin, *Sarah, Craig
Middle Row: *Rebekah, *Marianne,* Steve, *Melissa, Zach
Bottom Row: Jeron, *Megan,* Michael, *David,* Maren, Ryan, *Mark, *John, Jenn, *Christine, Ben, Joe, *Rebecca, *Suzanne, John
*Rachel and *Abby not pictures (*Cousin)

Look at all those great grand children.
Ellie, JJ, Elsie, Emma, Tara, Kyra, Ian, Eric, Amy, Ellie, Kate, Spencer, Jack, Johnny, Lauren, Ruth, GarnerIV, Lily

I was looking around the cultural hall while we were eating and was amazed that all of those people in there were my family. It was exactly why I want a large family. Nana and Granddaddy were great examples to all of us. Family really is important. I am not close to everyone but I do love each and everyone of them.

Here's to the next generation. It feels a little weird not having grandparents anymore. Nana was the last one. I hope I can make them all proud. Goodbye Nana.

Goodbye to my Nana

Miriam Smith Taylor Meads, Our Nana, 94, passed away peacefully from natural causes on August 11, 2009, surrounded by family. The eldest child of Albert LeRoy Taylor and Rachel Smith, she was born April 23, 1915, in the Beehive House when her grandfather, Joseph F. Smith, served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her family lived in a home in Salt Lake City on University Street for most of her youth, with a few years in Palo Alto where she read every book in the library. She attended LDS and East High schools and the University of Utah where she was President of her sorority. At the U, she discovered her talent for acting, studied with her beloved Miss Babcock, and performed in many plays in the Playbox Theatre and Kingsbury Hall. She graduated in Speech and Theatre as well as Education. She taught Kindergarten for 13 years in Salt Lake City schools and also instructed teachers at the University of Utah. She spent memorable summers in New York City performing on the radio while completing post-graduate work at New York University. She served on the General Board of the Primary, starting "The Children's Friend of the Air" radio program during her tenure. She also worked as the fashion coordinator for ZCMI. At 31, she began patiently dating Garner B. Meads, M.D., whom she married on August 20, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. They wanted a large family and welcomed five children in five years. As a dedicated physician's wife, her service rearing children in the home enabled Garner to serve those in need. Also service-minded, Miriam was a Beehive House guide for 16 years, where sharing her childhood experiences with visitors brought her great joy. She enjoyed being a temple worker and served with her husband in the Temple Visitors' Center of the Washington D.C. North Mission. After 47 years on Browning Avenue, she resided at Park Lane for the past six years where she remained active in her associations with the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, the Emeritus Group, study group, and her Taylor and Smith cousins. An avid reader and wonderful storyteller, she also found joy in growing roses and tomatoes, collecting historical clothing, and following local sports. Throughout her life, she read the entire newspaper daily and always kept her hair appointment. She loved to put out a beautiful Christmas table with homemade caramels and delicate tarts. She was steadfast in her testimony of the church. Her spirituality and integrity were woven through every part of her life. She loved her great heritage and lovingly worked to preserve and share her memories of her magnificent ancestors. Always elegant, dignified, and wise, she was a proud matriarch who showed her love quietly. She is survived by her children Marjorie (Greg Spencer), Garner Jr. (LeeAnn), David (Marjorie), Mary Ann (Robert Silver), and Judy Jardine; 23 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and siblings Mary Ellen (Elvon Jackson, deceased), Marjorie (Howard Sharp), and David Taylor (Lila). She was preceded in death by her brother LeRoy Jr., parents, and husband.

all my {Favorite}things

Today Emma came upstairs with a basket of trinkets. She came into the study and plopped down on the floor and started laying everything out. She got it all organized and then said "Mom, these are all of my favorite things. Will you take a picture?" She is such a sweet girl with such an imagination. She has always loved to play. One thing that I noticed that made me feel special, among all of her favorite things are the things that I have made for her. It made me think I need to make more things for her. Also a blanket that my Nana made me has turned into one of Emma's favorite blankets. It is falling apart and probably won't last much longer. It is so special to me that my blanket became my daughters blanket. We will have to retire it in a special way. Oh how I love this little girl.Notice her little side kick. Emma didn't bring Ellie with her but Ellie is one of Emma's favorite people as well.

For those of you wondering where I am...

I am here. I have not gone anywhere. Literally. I now work from home. This means I never leave my home. So really I know there is an outside world, I just miss it. Don't you worry, I have been taking pictures on the rare opportunities in which I do leave. I will post them soon.

As many might know I am not a fan of working. I want to be the one to raise my kids and do what they need to be the best people that they can be. Working is something that right now I have to do and it is tearing me up inside. I can see a difference in Ellie and Elsie's behavior. Emma and JJ are having to do more than they should have to. It really goes against every fiber of my being. I am constantly at war with myself right now. I am grateful for the job and that I can stay home to do it. It is just really hard to neglect my kids. I feel for those women out there that do this. If it feels anything like I feel... it sucks. I really feel that I am doing my best an nothing, and mediocrity at everything. My house is being neglected because during the moments I am not working I am not about to clean. I am going to be with my kids. So mountains of laundry are growing. Floors are sticky and gross. Beds haven't been made since I started. Don't even get me started on what we are eating. My kids are watching soooooo much TV and it shows in their attitudes. I know that it will start to get easier. I am just at the beginning of this. I just hope it isn't permanent. I KNOW where my place is and it certainly isn't working. It is being with my kids full time.