Goodbye for now to our brother!!

August 16, 1981 - December 24, 2008

This post is really hard to write. I guess you have to be careful what you ask for. My previous post, I had expressed how hard it had been this year to feel the Christmas spirit, but I was trying. Well, our family had an experience this Christmas that we will never forget. My dad called a little after 5 am on Christmas Eve morning to inform me that my brother-in-law, Zeb McDougal, had passed away unexpectedly in his sleep. As I got off the phone with my dad, I lay there in shock and numb. My heart went out to my sister, Joni and her two little children, Jozelan, age 2 and Daxten, age 10 months. Zeb was too young to die and leave this earth, but how joyous the reunion must have been on the other side when he was met by his father, who had died when Zeb was 13 yrs. old. I hope Joni knows that although Zeb is not with her physically, that he will always be watching over her and the kids. He will be waiting for her and getting things ready for her. Joni, you are not alone in this. Your family is with you every step of the way, and not just now but always!!! We love you, Zeb, and the kids so much!!! Christmas day was hard for our family. One side of me was feeling joy as I watched my own kids experience the fun of Chrismas morning, but the other side of me ached as I thought of my sister and the heartache she is going through. I wish I could help take some of the hurt away. I know the reason it hurts so much was because she loves him so much. Maybe we could all learn from this tragedy. May we always be quick to tell those around us that we love them, may we always be kind to one another, may we be more Christlike and be prepared for his 2nd coming, may we not judge others, don't take our family for granted; enjoy every moment of every day that we have with them in this life. May we always remember those precious memories that we hold dear in our hearts. I found this song on my Jenny Jordan Frogley CD and I really liked the words: ( I altered the first line)
Christmas time - a time for reconnecting, tying up the years
Never expecting it would be a week of tears
Paradise, a picture one could not suppose
That a place so beautiful was chosen as the door
That one tiny moment unseen by human eyes
Could take a life so young and perfect and alter all of our lives
The day you went away
I found myself believing in everything they say
And I know you have journeyed on to such a better place
And though it will seem like forever
I Know we'll be together someday
I can feel you standin' there just like you did before
I can see this smiling man so innocent and pure
Time will travel forward, roll just like a train
Bringing peace and understanding through the emptiness and pain
Oh bittersweet - that this is what is meant to be
Oh separation - yet the promise of a joyous reunion
Thank you, Jesus, thank you, Lord
Savior of our tiny world
Thank you, Jesus, thank you Lord
We will live forevermore
Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord
We are bound forevermore

So as I reflected on Christmas night, I found a whole new different level of Christmas spirit in my heart. One I hadn't put into total perspective. I am so thankful for our Savior, that he was born onto this earth. That he died for us so that we have the opportunity to be together forever as families again someday. We not only celebrate his birth on this day, but we celebrate Christ, his life, his ministry, his teachings, the atonement, our faith, and our knowledge.
Goodbye for now Zeb, we love you and we will miss you, but we will never forget you. Thanks for loving my sister so deeply and being a great husband and father. Thanks for the beautiful niece and nephew. Till we meet again!!!!

Here is the link to Zeb's obituary: http://obit.nelsonfuneralhome.com/obitdisplay.html?id=616175&listing=Current

Where are you Christmas?

I figured that 'where are you Christmas' was a good title for this post. I've had a hard time this year feeling that Christmas is near. Last week when we got snow, that seemed to help it feel a little more like Christmas, but still. To me, it doesn't feel like Christmas Eve should be tomorrow. Maybe it's cause I feel this year just flew by. I wonder if I'm taking time to enjoy life or if I am slowly letting it slip away. As I think back over the year, I know we did a lot of fun things together as a family. I know I accomplished things, but still-am I savoring what really is important. A couple weeks ago, I read a few Christmas books by Richard Paul Evans. That helped me feel the Christmas spirit, but I feel it is still lacking. I hope as I reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and feel the overwhelming joy in my heart as I ponder on Jesus' birth and his life that then I will feel the Christmas spirit. May everyone have a wonderful Christmas. Merry Christmas!!

Thurl Bailey fireside

Last night Shawn & I were able to attend a fireside here in town with Thurl Bailey speaking. I've seen him speak on tv, but never in person. He was so awesome to listen to. He started out by singing a song that he had written. He has a beautiful voice, and when he was done singing you could have heard a pin drop. It was so quiet and peaceful. Then he went into his talk. He is a very good speaker. He kept us laughing, but yet the Spirit was also strong. He has quite a story to tell, and I am so glad that he shares his story, especially with the youth. They need as many positive role models as they can find!! I can't believe how tall he is in person. He had to duck under the doorway just to enter the chapel. The stake president had to lift the podium and I have never seen it that high. It's good to know that it goes that high. Afterwards, Thurl signed autographs and shook hands, so we were able to get his autograph and shake hands with him. One of the girls in my mutual class took this picture with her cell phone and sent it to me because I had forgot my phone, so thanks!! It was an awesome night, and I'm glad we were able to go.

Attention anyone with little girls!!!

I just wanted to have everyone check out a website, especially if you have little girls. I sew dance costumes etc. for Gloria Rudd and she has started a new website called http://www.girlsclothes.com/ Here you can find dress-up clothes for your little princesses, and dancewear. She has been doing this business for a really long time. You'll have to read about her on the website. Anyway, she has lots of cute ideas and fun stuff for little girls to dress up in, so check it out and tell your friends about it!!!

Pictures with Santa

We had our Sparks' Christmas party on November 15, 08. It too was a fun day. It was mom's turn to be in charge this year so we had it at her church. We had a really yummy dinner and played a game or two. Santa came to this party too. I guess he's checking his list twice!! We had a fun day and it was good to visit with family and to see them. I can't believe the holidays are just around the corner. This past year has went by fast!

Pinata time!!

We had our annual Christmas party with dad's side of the family, The Hidalgo's on November 8, 08. Yes, it does sound a little early for Christmas, but we've done it this early now for quite a few years and it has worked out good. We usually don't have any bad weather to deal with, and we usually get everyone there. It seems the closer we get to Christmas then everyone gets busier, so it works out nice this way. Mom was in charge this year so we had it at the fire station. We ate a really yummy Thanksgiving type dinner, then we had Santa come. The kids always love that. My kids were prepared and had written a list to give to Santa the night before. We also had the annual pinata for the kids. This is a tradition that we've been doing for a long time. I remember doing this at every Christmas party when I was young. It's still just as fun!! We had a good time and it was good to visit and see family. I am so thankful to still have my grandparents here and that they are so good to come to family events!! Thanks everyone who came!!

Playing catch-up!!

I haven't had much time lately to post, so I'm a little behind. I'll try to catch up the past month or so, but I'm going to do it according to the date so you might have to scroll down to see some of the newer posts!!

Halloween 2008

Another year of Halloween has come and gone! We're all still on our candy highs!! Shawntae dressed up as Cinderella. Keegan dressed up as Optimus Prime, and Brooklyn dressed up like a kitty. (The one picture Brooklyn is dressed up as a pumpkin bear). We weren't sure if she would be able to be a kitty because we didn't think she'd keep on her makeup whiskers. We were right as you'll notice on the bottom two pictures. We put her whiskers on twice and then finally gave up. The kids had a fun night and they got way too much candy. The nice thing about going trick or treating out where we live is they usually get big candybars and such. I guess out in the country the people don't get as many trick or treaters so they are able to buy the bigger treats. The kids love it!!

Keegan gets his cast off

Keegan got his cast off on Oct. 14, 08 after wearing it for 4 weeks. The doctor told him to wear a splint for another week. We then had to go to the hospital to get more x-rays. They called us a few days later and said that the fracture was still visible so his bones were still pretty weak, so he had to wear his splint for 2 weeks after his cast came off. It was nice cause atleast he was able to take it off to shower and let his skin get some air. We actually found out about a week or two after he first broke it (after we got the x-rays back from the technician) that he broke both bones in his arm. Initially we thought he just broke the one. All I can say is that kid must have one strong leg!!! This was my first experience with a cast, and I must say I was a bit nervous as they sawed the cast off at the doctor's office!! Keegan was brave, but I could see he was a bit nervous although he won't admit it. He's sure glad to have it off now.

Decorating pumpkins for the schools pumpkin walk

The kids had their annual school pumpkin walk on Oct. 23,08. Each class has a theme and then they are able to decorate or carve their pumpkin according to that theme. Keegan's theme was the zoo, so we carved a lion in the pumpkin. Shawntae's theme was ghosts, goblins, & ghouls of the night so we carved her pumpkin as a Frankenstein. Carving pumpkins is such a messy thing to do(and not one of my favorite things), but the kids seem to love it! That night we went out and walked around the school to see everyone's pumpkins. The room moms of each class set up a small display for the pumpkins. It's fun to walk around and see all the fun ideas that people come up with.

Fun Little Quiz for Twilight Fans!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!



Okay, so I took the little quiz, and I found out it thinks I am an Esme. After reading what it says below, I'm okay with what they said. Can't wait for the movie!!!


You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great
importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be
sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and
appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Having fun at the cornmaze!

Brandi & her kids invited us to go to the Carter's corn maze, so we grabbed the wagon and the kids and went. We went the night that it wasn't haunted and it was early enough that it wasn't dark, but we still got lost!! We walked around in circles for probably an hour until we finally found the exit. Shawn & I pulled Brooklyn and Jaxzen behind us in the wagon. Brooklyn kept seeing the fake decorations in the maze and saying "Guy. Scary." It was fun spending some time with family. We also ate doughnuts and pop at Brandi's house. Thanks for the invite Brandi. We had fun!!

Keegan playing soccer

This was Keegan's first year playing soccer. And as you all know, that's how he broke his arm!! But his broken arm didn't stop him from playing. He really liked playing and is already looking forward to next spring when he can play again. I just hope his bones are a little stronger next year!! hehe. He was quite a good little soccer player; more aggressive than we thought he'd be. I love watching this age play. They are so excited just to be able to kick the ball, let alone when they score. Big time smiles!!! Way to go Keegs!!

Keegan's fieldtrip to Hogle Zoo

Keegan's kindergarten class went to the Hogle Zoo on Sept. 25, 08. It was a fun day for the kindergarten kids. It was perfect weather and so the animals actually were out so we could see them. I took Brooklyn down too and she really seemed to like seeing the animals. She liked the big snake. For about a week after we went she kept saying "Snake. Big." after I would ask her what she saw at the zoo.

Brooklyn's 2nd birthday!!

We celebrated Brooklyn's 2nd birthday on September 19, 08. I can't believe my baby is already 2 years old. Time flies!! She is so much fun and she constantly keeps us laughing!! This was a fun day for her. She got some clothes and a little baby doll that she packs around alot. We sang 'Happy birthday' to her and she didn't quite know what to think, but she did like getting cake!!! Happy Birthday Brooklyn!!!

Keegan broke his arm playing soccer!

I can't believe it! Our first broken bone in our family. Even Shawn & I have never had a broken bone. I'm not surprised that it was Keegan. He's my medical child (hehe). Last Wednesday, Sept. 10, Keegan was playing his soccer game. There was a boy on the other team (who was a big boy) and he kicked the ball hard. Keegan stopped it all right - with his arm. The ball hit him on the forearm right above the wrist. I could tell he didn't want to cry, but out came the tears. He came off the field and sat out for the next few minutes till the game was over. We came home and a couple of hours later he was still saying it hurt. I thought he'd go to sleep and forget about it. On Thursday the same thing, he was still babying his arm and saying it hurt. It was a little swollen and a little bruised, but not bad. And he could move his wrist and elbow, so I thought it will be all right. On Friday, it was not better. He still would hardley move it or use it. Even watching him walk in to school that day, I noticed how he'd swing his good arm, but the other arm he wouldn't move. I was concerned so Friday when Shawn got home I was talking to him about it. He suggested we take him to the doctor. I didn't know. I didn't want to be overreactive. When Keegan got off the bus that day, I had him show Shawn his arm. It had swollen up quite a bit. It was getting worse. So I called up the doctor and made an appointment. They did x-rays and sure enough he had a hairline fracture across his arm bone. I'm not sure what bone it is. If you're looking at your wrist, there are two bones that run from your wrist to your elbow. It's the bone on the inside of his arm, and it was broke all the way across. Even the doctor said he was surprised it was broke from a soccer ball hitting him! He said that's a first for him. So, they put him in a splint for the weekend and then I took him in yesterday, Sept. 15, and they casted him up. He'll probably have to have it on for about 4 weeks.

Shawntae & Keegan's 1st day of school!

School started again on August 25, 08. Shawntae started the 3rd grade and her teacher is Mr. Vincent. Keegan started kindergarten and his teacher is Mrs. Brower. I can't believe I'm already sending Keeg's to school! They both really seem to like school. Keegan has been very excited to go to school and to ride the bus. He is in afternoon kindergarten so I lay Brooklyn down for a nap and I have about 3 hours all to myself! Oh, what ever will I do with that free time? Yeah right. I always find something to keep myself occupied. That's why I'm late posting this. I started redoing the girls' bedroom last week. We sold Shawntae's daybed, put away the crib, and bought a new bunkbed. We (me & the girls) decided the room needed a new makeover, so we decided to paint it. We found a pink/brown striped bedspread that is really cute. We painted the bottom part of the walls brown, the top half a light shade of pink, and then we put a white chairrail around the center. It turned out really nice!! I was a little worried about painting with the brown, but it turned out really good. Now I just have to find some things to put on the wall that we like and we're set! I'll have to post pics when it's ready. Hmm. . . what will my next project be? I'm thinking the bathroom. . . . .

4-wheeling to Bear Lake

We went 4-wheeling over Labor Day on a trail that took us to Merlin's in Garden City by Bear Lake. We have traveled different trails in this area, but about a month ago we saw in the Ogden Paper a guy that had wrote about a trail that the Northern Utah ATV trail club had taken, so we decided to give it a try. We started at Temple Fork and then rode towards the Sinks. This trail took us quite awhile. I didn't think it was too bad of a trail until we took one trail that used to be a motorcycle only trail. There were a few tricky parts to that trail. We got to the top by the Sinks, and Shawn, I and the kids was waiting for Shawn's parents and his brother Leon that was with us. We waited and waited. Finally, Shawn turned around to go see what was going on. They returned shortly after, but Shawn's mom had tipped over her 4-wheeler when she hit a tree root the wrong way. She was quite shaken up after that. We finished taking the trail underneath the highway and then down to Garden City. We got to Merlin's and ate a yummy hamburger, tots, and a shake. We decided it was best for just Shawn and Leon to ride back on the ATV's to where we started and then bring the vehicles down to Merlin's. So they took off and we waited at Merlin's for about 2 1/2 hours. It was a long day, but a good ride. I love 4-wheeling with the family!! It was a beautiful ride!

Swiss Days/Park City

I don't have a picture to post for this one, although I should get one sometime. On Friday, the 29th of August, my friend Kim and I went to our annual girls' day out. We leave early in the morning and head down to Midway for the craft show at Swiss Days. If you haven't ever been, I suggest going. There are so many vendor booths with such wonderful things. It gets very crowded, but it is so much fun. There are some booths that you have to turn sideways just to get into because they're so crowded. And if you do that, good luck getting out!! After checking out the booths then we go to lunch. After lunch we head back to Park City and go shopping at the outlets. They have so many good deals this weekend that it is worth going! We always spend too much money, but we get a lot of birthday and Christmas shopping done. After a lot of laughing (from the Bath & Body Works store!) and tired feet we go out for dinner and then we head home. We've been doing this now for about 6 or 7 years. It is so much fun. Thanks Kim so much for inviting me. I have a blast! It is always nice to have a girls' day out. I can't wait for next year!!

We Finally Get Our Driveway!

We finally had the time and money to pour our driveway out front of the house. We've been wanting this for quite a few years, but there is always something else that we end up having to get, so this year we took our extra tax stimulus check and poured us a back patio and a front driveway. Shawn was so excited because now he has a place to play basketball, and hey it's even shaded in the afternoon so it works out really nice. We had help from Shawn's dad, his brother-in-law, Bret, and our wonderful neighbor, Jeremy all came to help. They got done quite fast. We poured it two different days. It will also be nicer this winter to scrape the driveway. We love playing basketball (I'll have to post some pics sometime). THANKS to all who came to help. It was greatly appreciated!!!

Keegan learning to ride a bike without training wheels

This past Saturday, Keegan decided he wanted to ride his bike without training wheels. So off went the wheels and away he went. He struggled a bit and was ready to give up, but we told him to keep practicing. By the end of the day he was doing really good!! Way to go Keegan!!

Twilight Fanatic!!

Okay, what can I say? I LOVE THESE BOOKS!! If any of you have read these, you'll know why. I didn't start reading the first book, Twilight until this past May. Well, I had it finished in about 2 days. Yeah, crazy I know. It was like 500 some odd pages. After that book, I was hooked. So I borrowed the second & third book from a friend and read those all by the end of May. I didn't think I could wait until Aug. 2nd for the fourth and final book to come out. But it finally came. I had the book preordered so I actually received it on Aug. 4th. It took about 5 days to read and that's no simple task. The fourth book, Breaking Dawn, has about 700 some odd pages!! The first book and the last book are definatley my two favorite books of the series. I was happy with the way it ended. Now, we'll see if I can make it until the movie release of Twilight which was going to open on December 12, but I just found out that they moved it up to an earlier date. So, on November 21, you will all know where I'm going to be! Standing in a long line to get a movie ticket. I've been watching movie clips that they've had online and I can't wait!! I never really did get into Harry Potter, so I was surprised when these books took off so well and the movie release is going to be huge, but after reading these books, I know what all the fuss is about. I would highly recommend these to anyone that wants a few good books to read!!

Brooklyn getting into trouble!!

Brooklyn is quite the trouble finder/maker. She keeps us on our toes! I had made some lemon bars and had set the frosting aside so I could frost the bars once they cooled. Shawn & I was in the living room and I thought Brooklyn was back in her room playing with Tae & Keegs. Shawn got up to get a drink and I heard him say, "Oh, oh, what are you doing?" So I came to look and this is what I found. Brooklyn had climbed up onto the kitchen chairs and climbed onto the table to get the frosting. As you can see, she thought it was good! I should have gotten mad, but when she looked at me with frosting all over her face and a huge smile, I just couldn't resist smiling back. So I did the next best thing- I grabbed the camera!! What can I say? She's the baby and rules the roost!!

Kelsie gets married!!

We went down to the Bountiful Temple today to see Shawn's niece get married. It turned out to be a nice day for her. After the ceremony we went outside to take pictures and I'm glad Uncle Leon got this shot of the kids beings I forgot my camera! The kids thought it was neat to be at the same temple where Shawn & I got married. After the temple we went back to Leon & Shelley's and they cooked us some hamburgers and fed us lunch. Then we went to the reception that night. Way to go Kelsie. We're proud of you!!

Jason & Marci get married!!!

My brother got married today (8/8/08) down in the San Diego temple! I can't believe it. Time flies. It seems just like yesterday when he was running around as a 10 year old. We're so excited for him and for Marci. They got some great pictures!! We weren't able to go down to San Diego to see them get married, but I sure wish I could have!! Way to go Jason & Marci. We are so proud of you!!!