What Does Santa Do During the Summer?

Caleb informed me and Grandma Brady this morning at breakfast that Santa cries every night. When I questioned why he said simply, "He misses me!" Caleb is so cute and so funny. I would cry too if I only got to see him once a year.

Caleb tells anyone who'll listen that he wants a house, a dog, and stairs. He also added a snake this past week. He tried adding a "kitty" to the list one day, until I reminded him that I am allergic. So, he changed it to a "cat". I told him that I was also allergic to cats. Now he has a revised list, "a house, a dog, stairs, a snake, but not a kitty or cat." He also asks if I could get him another birthday. It sounds like he thinks I could just run out and pick one up at the store.

Caleb still loves his puppies (both the stuffed animals and the make believe). The other day he got out bowls for dog food and insisted that Grandma (pretend) pour them some apple juice over and over again.

Leave it to Liam

Today we read in the scriptures about wicked King Noah. After he killed the prophet Abinadi he too was burned at the stake. Liam's comment was great. "Ha Ha, he was burned like a steak! That is so silly." I guess it's true that you can read the scriptures over and over again and always get something new out of them.

Out of the blue, on our way up to Logan Liam asked, "Is God Spanish?" (I had no idea where that came from. It cracked me up a bit.) I tried to figure out what he was talking about. Did he mean what language does God speak or what His nationality is? I told him that God may have a perfect language, but he can understand everyone that talks to him in any language. I asked why he thought God might be Spanish. He said he was remembering the missionary movie that we've watched. I think he must mean The Other Side of Heaven--one of my favorites. It's actually not Spanish but Tongan that they're speaking. I think any language that is not English right now he calls Spanish. I guess the most important part of the answer to his question would be that we are made in God's likeness. We are his children and he know and understands us all. I love it when Liam lets me in on what he's pondering.

Fortune Cookies Never Lie

The other night we had Chinese and gave the boys our fortune cookies. Caleb's was something generic like, "happiness can be found close". Liam opened his to read something like, "A romance will soon blossom". (We laughed, but then Kylee McDonald came to town from CA this week and it was really fun to watch the two together--who knows). We read Daniel his fortune which said, "You will succeed in the career path you have chosen." We explained to Daniel that it meant he would do well in the job he picks. (In this job market that is a great fortune to get!) His reply, "Yes! I'm going to be a Jedi!" I wonder what kind of pay a Jedi gets? Do they have good benefits? (They should, afterall, it wouldn't cost the Jedi Council much since they're not supposed to become emotionally or romantically attached--no family health care.) Could we be reimbursed for all of the Star Wars stuff we've bought--just call it job training?!

Pirate Island Dinner

Grandma Brady took us to Pirate Island for dinner. We didn't put money in the games, but the boys had fun with them anyway.

Every restraunt should have something like this to entertain while the kids wait for their food.

Thanks Grandma! We had so much fun.

Dinosaur and Bean Museum

In July John and Jamie came out with their three girls (actually due to a manditory evacuation for the big fires in Los Alamos--nothing was harmed). While they were here we had some fun at the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum.

Our paleontologists unearthed some great fossils. Caleb made a new friend.

They loved the sand and water station, where they built lots of dinosuar islands and created dams and waterfalls.

There wasn't any sign saying, "Please don't feed the dinosaurs!" Maybe our group needed one.

Dinosaurs can be dangerous--but so can we!The boys were fascinated to watch a paleontologist working on a fossil.

There was a part of the Science Discovery Museum (from San Diego) there on temporary display to play with.

Science is hard work.

We also went to the Bean Museum. The three bears are some of our favorites.

Daniel loved looking at the BYU cougar. It is so fun to explore with cousins.

A Dirty Rotten 13th Anniversary!

Last week we celebrated our 13th anniversary! This one was different and different is good. It seems like most of our anniversaries over the past 9 years, we've spent driving to or from Utah to visit family. This time we were already here so we actually got to enjoy it. I haven't allowed Nathan to buy me roses over the past 7 years because in Sacramento we'd had an abundance in our front yard to pick from. So it was such a nice surprise to wake wake up to a vase of gorgeous pink roses on our anniversary. (I'm a spoiled girl--keep it coming Nathan!) Grandma volunteered to watch the boys so we could go out. (We loved our babysitters in Sacramento, but no one can compare to Grandma. The boys got in the pool and then soaked Grandma with their squirt guns as she ran around trying to get away--much to their delight. They found a roly poly bug and made a house for it in a jar. Then they went for a walk and met a neighbor with a talking parrot. Grandma also read lots of bedtime stories. I wouldn't be surprised if the boys start begging us to leave, so they can have more fun with Grandma! Thanks for being such a good sport Grandma.) I'm glad they were having so much fun because Nathan and I were too. We went out for dinner and then to a play at the Hale Center Theater. We saw the play Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and it was hilarious! That was one of the best plays we've ever been to. We've paid a whole lot more for other theater tickets, but we haven't enjoyed any production more than that. The theater is small and every seat is a good one. They amazed us with how well they used the small stage to create levels, and all kinds of new scenes. The actors were outstanding. We will definitely go back again soon. We ended our evening with ice cream. Shouldn't every great day include ice cream?? It was so nice to be out on a date with the love of my life. We met here in Utah and everywhere we go triggers memories, it all seems very sweet to be back here together making new memories.

Nathan, I am so lucky to be married to you. Last week when we were in the temple and you signed, "You're beautiful" to me, it melted me all over again, just like when we were dating. It was so nice to be back in the Logan temple together where this 13 years got started. I love holding your hand and going out on dates. You work so hard for our family, which I really appreciate, so I can be home with our boys. I love when you get home from work and the boys jump on you and you play, and play and play with them. Compliments from you mean more to me than from anyone else. I love when you explain the scriptures to me. You connect things in ways that my mind doesn't. You are the best. I love you MOST! Happy Anniversary! Love, Your Schelle

My Definition of Charity

Over and over again, Nathan and I have been struck by the overwhelming generosity and love of so many who've reached out to us during our move. More than once it has brought us to tears. The Lord does hear us but it is usually through another that he answers our prayers. Thank you all for your help.

Nathan and I were talking on the way home from church about all of the amazing people that have reached out to us. One guy that we hardly know volunteered himself to load the trailer. We have been so touched. Neither of us is very comfortable asking for help. We decided that service is when you help someone, as you're asked to do--pretty simple, but Charity is when you see or feel a need and take it upon yourself to fill it. So many of you have been that example of Charity to us. That is being truly Christlike. I have a learned a lot from you--especially in the past few weeks. Thanks for that love. You are the greatest. Love Michelle, Nathan, and The Boys

I know I won't remember everything that everyone has done for us, but I hope that by writing a few down, we'll recognize the Lord's hand more fully in our lives now and in the future.

Arnolds- As soon as we found out that we'd soon be moving, the Arnold's recognized that we needed some peace. They knew we would no long be able to participate in trading off babysitting but they asked when they could watch the boys so we could go to the temple temple. Boy did we need it. Nathan made the comment that he had never felt such a huge need to get to the temple. The next week they called to let us know that they were babysitting some other kids and expected us to drop the boys by so we could get more done on the move.

Karma-Just after we found out about the move Karma bought and brought over boxes, tape, and all kinds of good moving stuff. Then she connected us with a friend who had a connection to produce boxes. Sent me with lots of love and treats from the primary.

Richard-Came over to help deliver boxes with Karma and offered to drive to UT with Nathan

Larets-Came by to check up on us and brought boxes and bubble wrap

Judds-Saved boxes for us to use.

Clara-Called up insisting on taking the kids off my hands (more than once) so I could pack (when she brought them back she also dropped off a homemade dinner so I'd have less to do), bought me dinner as one last girls night out, organized, helped us sort out all of unknowns with renting out our house, helped us clean and pack up (and found others willing to help and sent them our way), and held a birthday party for Caleb! The night we were driving out of town, she brought over a home cooked dinner to share with us while we finalized things. She has continued to call and check up on us since the move.

Beth-Packed lots of boxes (on one of the days she was over helping, she insisted that I work on a cake and games for Daniel's birthday party while she did all of the packing up), bought me a farewell dinner, learned to use fondant (amazing) to make a "Nightmare" birthday cake for Caleb.

Will- He was the first to come help us pack up the truck (both times) and even came back after everyone left to make sure everything was taken care of. He is a total workhorse!

Nybergs-They sought us out at church, even though we didn't know them very well, and volunteered to load the trailer

Kristi and Fabio- Kristi offered me one of the books from her classroom set that I've borrowed in the past to take with me. Fabio arranged for a trailer and helped load it so that he and Nathan could take a load out early to UT. He also cleaned off old computer CPUs, and they both collected boxes for us.

Stephanie-Called another friend who'd just moved so that we could have their unpacked boxes.

Pres. Fisher--Called us to express his love and his knowledge of the Lord's love for us.

Bishop-Made time to give Nathan a blessing and talk when things were tough.

Smiths-Babysat the kids so we could pack with less stress.

Nathan's work-Stan, Sheryl, Steven Benson, CORGN unit, made activity bags for the boys on our trip out. Others contributed generously to gift cards (RECO), to make our move easier.

Jen MacDonald- Organized a night out with girls (and bought me the biggest dish of icecream I've ever seen), and helped with babysitting the kids while we packed, and then came over to help us pack all of the miscellaneous stuff that you find near the end of packing. She also made activity bags for the kids and brought over snacks for the drive out. She did all of that while still trying to recover from surgery!

Laura and Kevin Sims- Helped watch he kids, helped me make a 'Mission Impossible' birthday video for Daniel's birthday and did lots of packing up.

Alconcels-Acted on a prompting to drop by and visit us. f

Fitzhughs-Offered one of Rodney's famous dinners (we'll either come out and visit to take you up on that or have you out here!).

MaryAnn Perry-Made cute snowmen for boys with a card to get them excited for the move, brought over pizza and strawberries, and picked up bags of extra toys etc. that we didn't want to move.

Carel Yarwood- Arranged for Nathan's skype interview, called to tell me that I didn't need to arrange for music ahead of time for the weeks prior to leaving (she didn't know what she would be playing for primary until the day of), took time out from her son's wedding planning to come to our girls' night. Has called to check up on us here in UT.

Bro. Dillard-We didn't even know him until he showed up at our door asking if he could help. It was the wrong day, and we had car and dentist appointments so we sent him home--but he came back the next day and spent a big part of his day loading the small trailer for the first load out.

My mom and dad- Came out to help us with packing and loading, and driving. The first night my dad received a call informing him that his basement in Logan, UT had flooded. Instead of rushing back he just did what he could to help us--he even spent his birthday driving and unloading our things into a storage shed. Mom made arrangements for our freezer food to be stored, and rearranged her house to fit all of my photo albums etc.

Lynch family- Made snacks and fun stuff for our trip out, and arranged for final play dates with the boys. Stacy came for my girls' night out.

My mom says she's worried that we won't like it in Utah as much as we liked it in California because of all our amazing friends. We truly have felt so loved. Now we just need to remember all of that love and take it with us to others in our new ward and neighborhood. Thanks again for everything.