Decades of Dixie Heritage Festival

Monday was another celebration for our cities birthday. It was the Heritage Festival at the Dixie Center. The main ballroom was setup like downtown with street signs, building fronts old and existing locations. There were so many old pictures and displays to look at you weren't sure where to start. How about down Main Street. We looked at old cars, old books, and played at the new Children's Museum.

Rylee & The Commander of Southern Utah American Legion

St George Temple
The kids loved the replica of the temple and old pictures.

Let's dance... Listened to St George Native Eric Dodge.

Reganne had to try out the drums backstage.

Birthday Cake... Looked to good to eat.

Reganne & Commander of Southern Utah American Legion

Ryder wanted to visit the men in hats. So we stopped by their booth and the men all were eager to visit with the kids. They let them wear hats for WWII. They were had serviced in Vietnam & Korea.

It was a fun family night and I loved that the people there were eager to talk to the kids and explain their displays. What a great way to learn about our heritage and make history fun.

Happy Birthday St George 150 Years

It is the 150th Birthday for St George and the city is having a celebration. They decided this year to not celebrate the New Year but wait a couple of weeks and really celebrate the birthday. They have had concerts, art shows, and activities for the kids. This is all for 10 days and everyday is something new for you to do and enjoy. Saturday was the Children's Museum activities for the kids. They could make Pinecone Mice, Clothes Pin Dolls, Scrapbooks, Bean Bags. The kids were excited to get in and start. Each made three projects in the hour and half we were there. They were also raising money for their new museum. One problem someone forgot to tell the volunteers that they need patience and a smile when dealing with lots of children. One city council woman told me that I should help with one project Rylee was needing assistance with. I was busy helping Reganne & Ryder with another one. She huffed off and busied herself with something else. I wanted to remind her she is up for re-election this year. But I kept my mouth shut.

Ryder & Reganne making Pinecone Mice.

These two ladies were awesome, positive, and eager to help each child have a fun time.

Reganne enjoying her rootbeer float

Ryder working on his book.

Rylee and her ice cream minus the rootbeer.

After the projects we were off to the Ice Cream Social with the city council. The mayor was greeting everyone as they walked in. One man overheard that he was the mayor and turned shocked and turned back to the mayor telling him that he thought he was just a nice friendly man. The mayor replied I am that too.

We also saw our Congressman Orrin Hatch shaking hands with people. A good time to drum up votes. He looks the same as he did when I first met him when I was in jr high about 30 years ago.

Reganne & Ryder playing with the sculptures on the river walk.

We are tired and ready to go home.

We had lunch of ice cream, rootbeer, and cookies. What a horrible mother I am, but we had fun.

There are alot more activities this week let's hope we can find time for them all.

Friday Family Fun Night

We needed to change up our Friday nights this year. We have movie night, swim night, and just plain do nothing night. A new year means new ideas or at least that is what I believe. So instead of just one activity each Friday the kids get to pick what we are going to do. This week was Just Dance 3 Wii Night. The only rule is everyone must participate even though we only have 3 remotes the other two danced along.

Reganne dancing along and Rylee cheering her on.

Dad & Reganne's turn and the rest of us were pooped.

Shake it!!!

We had a great time and worked up a sweat. I remembered how much I loved to dance and it is my favorite type of exercise that doesn't feel like work.

What will next week bring???

2011 Family Photo Shoot

It is that time of year again getting the annual family photo. This year I wanted something different and special. Our friend Blake Wheeler has taken his camera on every trip this year and has brought home great pictures to share. I asked him if he would mind shooting some of us. I am not sure if he was excited to do it or not and Dave sure wasn't.

Off we went to Dixie Rock to climb around and have fun. Hopefully, we would end up with great pictures in the process.

Julie is such a good sport. The wind was blowing enough that we were sure she would end up paragliding down the canyon.

Dacoda helping his mom.

Watch this...Ryder loved swinging high and wide. Not so much for the rest of us.

Climbing back down or rather up to the car.

The kids loved climbing on the rocks.

The pictures turned out great. Watch for our Christmas Card.

Exploring Warner Valley

Last weekend when Grandma JeanAnn & Grandpa Chris came for a visit the weather was perfect. Dave decided after dinner that we needed to go exploring so off we went towards Warner Valley and the dinosaur tracks.

Official Marker

Footprint discovered by Rylee.

Wow! Look how big they are.

Grandpa Chris & Ryder explored together.

It was a fun adventure for a spring night. Ryder loved it that he and grandpa discovered dinosaur poop.

Our First Camping Trip

The weather finally cooperated for us to have our first family camping trip with the trailer. We set off Friday night after work & school to Cedar Pockets. This campground is 18 miles from our house heading south on I-15. In a half hour we found the campground, found the campsite, and had the trailer set. We had a quick dinner from Subway and we were off exploring.

Yah!!! We are camping!!!

Our campsite

The wild life...Lizzard

Find rocks for their collections.

Wait a minute...Too throw in the river.

How cold it the water?

Alligator Rock

Breakfast of champions...Chocolate Doughnuts

Headed home for soccer....

Babby Shower for Aunt Becca

Saturday was the baby shower for Aunt Becca. The kids were so excited to see her and to take presents. As soon as we arrived on Friday they ran through the house looking for her. When they woke up they were looking for her. Finally it was time for the shower....

Aunt Becca & Aunt Janelle

Only Girls

Wait.... Who let him in??? He worked so hard on his present for Uncle Bryan's baby. He had a pile of stuff that no longer fit him that was for Uncle Bryan's Baby (hat, rubber pants, and blankets). He waited patiently for the others to be opened. It was finally his turn and the smile was huge. We hope that he can wear them and enjoy them

They are so excited for these new cousins to come.

Over the River and....

Up I-15, through the wind and blizzard to Grandma's House we go. As we traveled to the funeral Dave wanted to drive so we could be on our own schedule and not the airlines. We left St George with blue skies and warm temperatures. As we drove along the colder it became. We met the winds after Beaver, we were greeted by the blizzard at Nephi. Who needs to see to drive? We didn't the visiability was so poor that we followed the semi's around us in a single line. Once we reached Santaquin it cleared up and we were able to drive the rest of the way in peace.

This is the front grill of the monster truck full of snow & ice.

New Cousin - Evelyn Venita Hardinger

One of the high points of the funeral was finally meeting the newest member of our family Evelyn Venita Hardinger born in December. She is such a cutie and from what we could tell a very good baby. The girls were in heaven to see a new baby and to get to hold her.

Reganne, Evelyn, and Rylee

Rylee & Evelyn


Super Mom... Sharai, Cousins Amy and Lindsey

Sharai is really a super woman delivering this sweet baby without an epideral. We look forward to spoiling her. Too bad she lives on the other end of the state.

Grandpa Henderson

This past weekend we traveled to Spanish Fork for the funeral of Grandpa & Great-Grandpa Henderson. He passed away in his sleep on Friday, February 4, 2011. He was 95 years old on December 31st. He was a good man and a great example to everyone around him for hard work. He was always busy doing something and had a part time job well into his eighties. He grew the best garden and had the most wonderful tomatoes.

Ralph I Henderson

1915 to 2011

Bobbie Henderson the family viewing

Travis Miller, Lloyd Miller, Ted Henderson, Darrold Miller, Jared Henderson, Rick Henderson
Pall Bearers



Sharai Hardinger and Dorian Pia...Cemetary

Rylee, Kaye Miller, Rex Henderson, Jennie Henderson

Father & Son are together again... Are they hunting?

Ryder "Mom there's a hole under there? What are they going to do to Grandpa?"

So many questions will they ever stop? I only wish I had answers to half of them. Ryder asked as we were half way home. "Who is going to get Grandpa out of the hole when he wakes up?" Dave & I looked at each other trying to find the right answer. We told him that Jesus would when he comes again. "When will that be? In a couple of days?" I sure hope I have more time than that.

It was a great service and it was fun to see all our family and spend sometime with them.

Family Night: Bird Houses

We actually followed through this week and built the bird houses from the Bird Festival. The kids were so excited to not only build them with their hammers, but to paint them. I had instructions when buying the paint. The colors and to be pink, purple, silver, and blue. I added yellow to the mix just for a variety.

Ryder waiting patiently for Dad to finish screwing on the bottom.

Reganne painting so carefully each color.

Rylee jumped right in... She knew exactly what she wanted to do/

The finished product. Won't the birds love these new houses to live in?