Nate earns his Bear

We are so proud of Nate! Aside from being a great kid, Nate is a great student, a good friend, a nice brother, and a great boy scout! His Cub Scout uniform is filled with awards, and he has a C filled with academic and sport pins and a belt full of belt loops. He was supposed to get his bear award at the last pack meeting, but Bannock baseball has started, and it was his first game, so it was postponed until April. Nate has been blessed with wonderful scout leaders from the very beginning. Sean and I have not had the opportunity to be his leaders yet, but we have had the opportunity to work with the scouts so that we have been familiar with how the program works, so we know how wonderful it is, how to help him, and who to go to for the help, so we do feel truly blessed.
Ever since Nate was a baby he has shown a real love and interest for nature and the outdoors. While he attended the charter school he was given several opportunities to fulfill many of the requirements in the scout booklet. Living in the west is also a real blessing. Nathan will go far in life. He has a real thirst for knowledge, and the ability to push himself to accomplish his goals. He is truly amazing. What a great example he is to our family. I am so proud of you Nate! Webelos--You have a really good scout coming your way!!!!!

Jarons Babtism

Saturday May 2nd Jaron was babtized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! We are so excited for him. He is so cute. He says "This is the biggest decision of my life." We are very proud of him and know that he will continue to be a great example! We were so blessed to have so many family members come. Bret Kristy Taylor and Grandma Royce were there from the Gordon family. Uncle Eric and Kandi were in Boise, Kandi had to work, and Eric was visiting the kids. Melissa and Jake traveled halfway from Orem, but due to bad weather had to return home. We were thrilled to have grandpa Tbone (he was a witness of the babtism). It snowed in Kemmerer and they had broken pipes, so grandma Gail had to stay and take care of water issues. Uncle TJ and Thomas were finishing up finals at Utah State and were unable to come. Grandma May and Grandpa Tom were celebrating grandmas birthday that day!!! Lane and Carson Clayson came to support Jaron. Carson was originally gettting babtized Saturday as well, but broke his arm on the tramp a couple weeks ago, so he will get babtized in a couple weeks:) We are so lucky to have so many family members in Pocatello. All the Pocatello Gibsons were able to attend: Grandma and Grandpa (Grandpa was the other witness for the babtism. Thank you both so much for the help with the luncheon and everything). Gary and Sandra, Kevin, Kelli, Alex and KariAnn, Karen and Steve, Kendra and Kyler, Paige and Nathan, Kurt, Anita, Sarah, and KayLynn, and of course my mom and Dianne. I love you guys and really appreciate you and your love and support---it was a wonderful day.
There were 7 kids babtized that day! 5 from our ward. It was really special because the kids are really good friends, and they choose not to seperate them to keep groups small, but instead to keep them all together. And it was amazing, because I actually got the best seat I had ever gotten in a babtism! It didn't seem crowded at all! They even kept us together for the confirmations and it was amazing because it was the same thing, no pressure, no rush, just really peaceful!
This next part my grandma will hate, sorry, following the babtism we came to the house and had a luncheon. We thought that potatoe bar would be nice and easy because it is pretty forgiving timewise. Things can just stay warm. We had about 30 guests, and no clue when we would be eating, so this would work perfect. My sweet grandparents offered great help. They had potatoes, so they cleaned and wrapped them, cut onions, browned burger, made a salad, brought pop, sour cream, a relish tray, dessert, there was VERY little I had to do right?!? My only responsibility was to grate cheese and turn on the oven for the potatoes to cook. I asked my grandma when I should turn it on and how high. She said "You don't want it to be undercooked, because then they are not good". "I totally agree---YUCK!!!" I said. I think I stressed her out a bit, because the next morning she called me and said. "I was up all night worrying about those potatoes, and I think you should put them in now at 450!" Now in my mind I knew that was pretty high, especially when I could smell them about 5 minutes later, so I was going to turn them down to 300 when I left for the babtism (knowing that there were 5 kids being babtized from our ward alone!) but of course I FORGOT! When we got home I still forgot. I started getting things put out and arranged, greeting people. I got things all ready, and dududud....Royce cracks out 5 bags of stuff because---she wants to make a couple salads!!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! ARRRRR!!! So distract myself and refocus, I check the potatoes. Grandma asks how are they. I get a confused look on my face and say "CRUNCHY".
"Hard?" she questions.
"No. Crunchy." We open the foil to find a wilted burned potatoe that when you crunch it open there is almost nothing in it! hahahaha I start laughing. My grandma is not happy! "This is Awful!"she says. "It's actually kind of funny" I say. "It is NOT funny she says sternly to me. I can't help but smile. I pat her on the back because I know that she is so disappointed. Poor grandma, so sweet, and so much work, and to have it not be perfect. Little did she know that everyone just loved them the way they were. I had so many compliments, but she won't believe me.
That was grandmas frustration, now back to mine: Again, I think she had good intentions....
OK MICHELLE KEEP YOUR COOL!!!! 20 minutes later--me:"Royce can I help you with anything."
45 minutes later: As her bags are in the table, counter, and island....I finally start cleaning her stuff up...Royce:"What are you doing? I need that? me: "I am cleaning up. I have had things ready an hour and I have 30 people here to feed!" Royce: "Well I just wanted to be included in the babtism and bring something too! Noboby tells me anything...." Sean starting to get irritated. I go in the other room.
20 minutes later. My kitchen is a total disaster. Not at all like I planned it. Everyone still eats, it still works out okay (of course not as good as if it was my way lol.) Okay so I have been totally harsh. I really do love Royce. I honestly do get frustrated and upset with you, but I love you and I appreciate the fact that I know that I can always count on your help and support when I need it. You are a wonderful grandma to my children, and I love the encouragement that you give to them, so please forvive me when I loose my patience with you, and know that I will always love you, and I appreciate that I can experience real emotions with you.
Mother in Law Lesson learned there really is more than one way to do things.... The right way (my way) and the wrong way (your way). hehehe. I am so funny. Well this is my blog, If you don't like it, don't read it!
Okay back to a serious note, Thank you so much to everyone who came to Jarons dinner. We appreciate your love and support! We missed those of you who could not make it, but we knew that if circumstance were diffrent you would have been here. Please know that we love you.

Gibson Family

As you can see me new little hobby has been to make collages. Part of this is because it is great to just have 1 photo with several images, second, it is way easier to upload, third, I want the practice to keep my mind sharp. This collage was a more traditional attempt with just family photos. I tried to give it a little more space between the photos.

The next one I tried to tie in some more sentiment. Nate told me it looked to boxy and I didn't get it proportioned well. It is all just a work in progress....

I just made this collage for my family on my moms side. It shows my grandpa and grandma Gibson on thier wedding day. The temple they were married in (Idaho Falls)--my grandpa always points to the sealing room and says "there is where it all began". The photo on the top with the kids looking out the window is from when I was a kid my grandparents would hire a Santa to come for the annual Christmas party. Santas getaway plan was for the kids to look out the big picture window and look for Rudolphs nose...wouldn't you know that each and every year we would all see it! This is also a special photo, because it is one of my grandpas favorites! The one below the wedding one is of my grandpa and Sarah (granddaughter) and Emily (greatgranddaughter) because they share the same birthday, as did his mother in law Grandma James who has passed. The other photos are of each of thier 5 children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren!

This has been a lot of fun! Now I will have to talk to Sean and decide which one to print and hang in our home!

Jarons Birthday Party

This year for Jarons birthday he got to have a friend party. Lucky for me, Anne called, and was not able to get a date schedule early for Jake's party (about 2 weeks before Jarons), and wanted to know if I wanted to do a combined party with her. It worked out great because they have pretty much the same friends, so they were able to invited twice as many kids! We let them to to Randys Tumbling gym and they were able to jump off the tower, run on the trampoline, slide into the pit, build with the blocks, play with the parachute, climb the wall, and just be wild animals! Sean even took part in the festivities and did some running and jumping, usually he will do the pit too, but there were too many kids.
I don't know what it is, but I am the mom that the kids attack! And yes, this party was no exception.....At one point in time I had about 10 kids who cornered me into a wall throwing foam blocks at me! If there is a water party, then I am drenched...you get the idea. Jaron had a blast and that made it all worth it. It was a fun and exhausting day! We love Jaron. I is a fun addition to our family. He brings a special sweetness that is just Jaron!

Family Easter

Spring Break 2009--Lehi Utah????

Who would have guessed that the small town of Lehi Utah would have been the destination of choice for the Gordon Family Spring Break 2009.

We took the kids out of school on Friday afternoon and headed straight to Sandy to the Mayan. We had so much fun. I don't quite understand why a resteraunt that is 1/4 full will make you wait 1 hour and then make you eat on the 3rd level of the resteraunt, but oh well. It was fun. I also was in an argument with a 10 year old (Logan) for the entire first show debating over if it was Indiana Jones or a treasure hunter--I lost--they totally need to add theme music!!!!! I am still bitter! We made it to the hotel to find a cold pool and a sign that said it was broken until Tuesday! The day after we were to get home! Aagh!

The next day was the day for museums. We went to the dinosaur museum. The kids LOVED it! Nate and Logan ran off. Jaron and Jake ran off (got lost for a little while) the dads got all techno are were photographing and using there phones, and Anne and I were following Emily and Caleb. We got an expensive brainwashing of global warming in 3D imax, followed by a picnic in the park on the grounds. MaryAnn, Rich, Kaitlin, and Tyler met up with us for Farm country. We got to see the animals and ride a wagon pulled by 2 horses. Emily was able to go on a pony ride. I was totally afraid of the turkeys! Sean milked a jersey cow---btw that was not part of the admission, that was 100% on the dare of his lovely wife! I think the boys mostly loved running outdoors with thier friends and playing in the little houses. Then back to the museum to make fossils and finish playing with the exhibits.

Sunday was a pretty restful day. We had breakfast in the hotel and headed to Provo to see MaryAnn and Rich. They got a new home last year and we had not yet seen it. It was beautiful, and the kids loved playing together. Afterwards, we met up with the Ramseys at the hotel for lunch, we watched some shows, then took a ride to the MTC, Provo temple, Provo canyon, and Mt. Timpanogas temples. Then to Olive Garden for dinner.

Monday was our final day of vacation. We went to the Lehi aquatic center. It was a very nice facility. We played there for about 3-4 hours. They had slides, lazy river, play areas, and a big dump bucket that poured tons of water down on you. It was a blast. When we got home, we met up with Eric, Kandi, and the kids and went to Race to Witch Mountain! I Loved that show--I totally have to buy it!!! It was a very fun spring break!

Emily's First Soccer Game!!!

We did put Emily in soccer last spring, but we froze our bums off sitting on the sidelines bribing her with "magic quarters" simaliar to dumbos magic feather. When I did finally get her out on the field last year some lady yelled at her because she hadn't seen her on the field all year and when I finally did get her in the game it was already in play and put the team off number for about 40 seconds--like it mattered that there was an extra 3 year old smothering the soccer ball! Well there went that season.
Well this year is off to a rip roaring start. She was smiling the whole time, and running with the ball and the team the whole time, and unlike Nate and Jaron, when the coach asked who wanted to a break, Emily was not the first one on the team to raise her hand:). It seems like we just finished Jaron and Nates Basketball--Oh ya, we did, oh well, time for Jarons soccer and Nates baseball, and Emily's soccer!

Our sweet kids

I love yo...scratch that!

This morning was one of those kodak moments. It was a great morning. We got the boys sent happily off to school, and I was up in the bathroom helping Emily finish her bath. Then I was helping her get dressed. We were playing and laughing and having a good old time. You know how kids just say what they are thinking, well.....she smiled a big smile, and I knew I was getting ready to hear a big "I love you momma" and probably get a big hug and goofy kiss.
So I was shocked when that sweet smiling face that had been playing with me for the last 20 minutes said "I love dad most". All I could say was "I know honey." Now I know that might sound rude to some of you, but to me it was just a reminder of her innocence. I think that what was going on in her mind was "Mom. I love you. I am having a lot of fun with you. Dad is number one in my book. I have really loved playing with you, you are fun."
I appreciate daddys girls and am so greatful to Sean for being such a wonderful daddy for Emily. I know that she loves me too and that we have special moments as well and many to come, and that I also have many moments that only I am able to share with our sons. I am greatful for Heavenly Father and his wisdom in creating and giving us families, and the strengths therein. I am greatful for the energry that the church puts into building strong families. I am also greatful for my extended family, for good aunts and uncles who taught me and let me know I was loved. I am especially greatful for a sweet, loving and supportive husband who truly is my best friend. I love my chidren who teach me by little things everyday---they are the best!!

Poor deprieved kids!

Last night we had my grandparents and my mom and Dianne over for dinner. My grandparents provided the whole meal even down to the punch! It was a wonderful meal. My kids were in heaven, eating in silence with an occasional "ummmm", "this is gooood" etc. when they were finished Jaron came up to my grandma and gave her a hug and said "Grandma, that jello was so good. Was it home made?" She smiled and laughed. (I smiled because there were 2 kinds the green one with cottage cheese, and the red one with homemade whipped cream) "The red one!" Jaron said. We all laughed at how such a simple thing as homemade red jello could be so good to Jaron!

Its a fine line

So today at church I was sitting by Emily. We were singing "I know that my Redeemer Lives". That is one of my favorite hymns, and I really want it my kids to be reverent while it is sung. The boys know it, and Emily knows most of it, so I made the kids sing. She of course can't read, and the parts that she didn't know she did not want to hum, but she would whistle. I knew this was not ideal, but I thought this was a pretty good compromise, so I said okay. I felt pretty good about this arrangement.
Awhile later halfway thru the sacrament hymn, she was really getting into "While of these Emblems We Partake." Granted she wasn't being wild, she just really liked the song. She started getting kind of loud, andI realize maybe whistling church hymns may not be the best option.....
Oh well! I guess we will try something else next week!

Emily

Emily is going to be student of the week in preschool in a couple of weeks. She is supposed to bring some photos, so I decided to make a collage for her of some highlights of her life.
Her favorite color is blue.
She likes soccer and baseball.
She was born 7 weeks early (4 pounds 6 ounces.)
She shares her birthday with her great grandpa Gibson and 2nd cousin Sarah Gibson.
Her best friend is Caleb Ramsey (friends since birth).
She loves to read, play, and play with daddy.
We love summers, outdoors, family, and friends!