Fall Break Fun

Gramma (New York) came out to visit for a week.  Since we are all dog owners now, it shortens how long we care to be away from home.  We have had fun, fun, fun! 


Today we spent time in Provo Canyon browning marshmallows to make s'mores (or maybe it was to make ourselves sticky?).
 The kids climbed some steep hills and used fallen trees to crawl across the stream.

SabhaLuna enjoyed a little freedom running through the woods and splashing in the stream. She is getting much better at returning when called.

The leaves were gorgeous, the weather comfortable and the sky was deep blue and cloudless.  We couldn't have had a more perfect day.

Yesterday we carved pumkins, hung out on the deck looking at the lake (it was more still than I have ever seen it, reflecting the moutains with their fall colors), and had a movie night.

Friday we played with Cole, Liv, and Mandy at Cornbelly's.  The weather was almost too hot. Then Gramma took the kids and I to the Mayan where we got to see four new dive/gymnastic routines during our meal while the amazing ambience (but mediocre food) that the restaurant provides.

Thursday we went to Michaels and got some awesome art projects to work on  then enjoyed dinner at Wom Won Wok, where we ran into Shanda and Clint (great minds think alike). The vegetarian mom is raising a son who has now expanded his carniverous cravings to include: calamari and shrimp (yuck, I say!).

Angel's Flat Stanley Book - For Her First Grade Class

Meet SabhaLuna "Sabha"

We will be welcoming this little one into our family in just a couple of weeks. We can't wait to tell you all about her!

She is a Tamaskan puppy, a rare breed.  Tamaskans are a mix of Siberian Husky, German Sheperd, and Alaskan Malamute. They are expected to have a mask around the eyes which flows down to the nose. More to come about this precious little one.

Civil War Trip Tomorrow.... This is the Tentative Schedule

Sunday, April 10


• Fly Salt Lake to Richmond, Virginia, landing about 6:30 PM

• Evening lecture/pedagogy session/dinner?

• Embassy Suites in Richmond Tel. 804-672-8585



Monday, April 11

• Petersburg National Battlefield, Grant’s Cabin 9:00AM to 12:30 PM

• Cold Harbor, Gains Mill (12 miles south of Richmond)

• Chimborazo Medical, in Richmond (open 9-5)

• Pamplin Park 1:30-5:00 (plan 3 ½ hours) 40 minutes from Richmond

• National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Battlefield Trails

• Tudor Hall Plantation-2 perspectives on war

• Gerri Wyatt 1-804-861-2408 $10/adult admission ($270)



Tuesday, April 12

• Tredegar iron Works- 9-11 AM (Shawn Kane, 1-804-771-2018)

• Cannon Talk-National Park Service 30 min.

• Civil War prisons-American Civil War Center-30 minutes

• Civil War Battlefields film, 22 minutes

• Museum of the Confederacy 12:30-1:30 PM (Self-guided)

• (Dean Knight:1-804-649-1861, ext.37)

• Confederate White House two groups: 1:30, 1:45 PM (45 min. tour)

• Educational Program: Medicine, Inflation 3-4PM

• Walking Tour of Jefferson Davis’Richmond, 4-5 PM

• Drive to Washington DC ( Manassas?) (Hampton Inn, Alexandria)

• Evening river cruise on own in Alexandria?



Wednesday, April 13

• Tour Frederick Douglass House in morning

• Drive to Ford’s theater museum, Lincoln’s box 1 hour

• Museum

• Walking Tour with staff- 1 hour

• Decatur House in DC afternoon

• Dinner/lecture at Gadsby’s in Alexandria



Thursday, April 14

• Fort Stevens

• Drive to Lincoln Cottage-tour,

• Lincoln’s Sanctuary discussion with Matt Pinsker

• Lincoln Memorial

• Catered lunch

• Drive to Gettysburg-stops at Harper’s Ferry, execution site in Charlestown

• Antietam in afternoon

• Drive to Gettysburg-evening lecture/pedagogy session

• Hampton Inn, Gettysburg Tel: 1-717-338-9121



Friday, April 15

• Tour Gettysburg Battlefield in morning

• New Center, Cemetery, Willis House

• Army War College tour (Formerly Carlisle Indian School), 1 hour

• Underground Railroad sites on way to Carlisle

• Documentary film Festival in evening



Saturday, April 16

• Workshop on House Divided Digital Resource Project in morning

• Walking tour of Carlisle in afternoon with “augmented reality”

• Keynote address by David Blight in Evening



Sunday, April 17

• Leave Gettysburg at 7:00, drive to DC

• Civil War Encampment 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

8 a.m. Fort opens to the public

• 9 a.m. Roll calls and unit inspections

• 10 a.m. Grand parade and flag-raising ceremony

• 10:30 a.m. Living history demonstrations begin

• 11 a.m. American Bastille or Bastion of Freedom? program

• 12:30 p.m. Battle Cry of Freedom! fife and drum concert

• 3 p.m. Grand parade and flag-lowering Ceremony

• Drive to Baltimore-Fly home

• 5PM, direct flight to Salt Lake

The Puppy Obsession - Aatu Tamaskan

We went through a Utonagan obsession for a while but then the breeder (from Scotland) that we were going to purchase from didn't end up being able to meet our needs because her puppies who were due in May ended up being due late July.  So we started researching again. 

In the United States, it was really hard to find a Utonagan so I started looking for mixed breed with the mix of Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and German Sheperd. I found the Tamaskan. The Tamaskan is very similar to the Utonagan in make-up but the Tamaskan has more stringent physical trait requirements and less variation in color than the Utonagan.

With my interest peaked, I contacted the Aatu Tamaskan Breeders about availability of puppies.  I ended up finding an amazing breeder who sent me the ultrasound above.  I immediately started doing research and actively talking with the breeder.

She sent me the picture to the right when the puppies were born.  By this time I was madly in love with the breed and so were the kids.  We have been studying how to train and raise a puppy as well as studying information on Siberian Huskies and German Sheperds, since there are no books specifically on Tamaskans.  We have done a lot of internet research and even have read some training books on games, tricks and agility activities you can do with your dog to keep their mind active and engaged. 

The breeder of our puppy (or so we hope) is named Reggie, and she does some amazing things with these puppies. If all breeders were so caring and involved, I think that there would be no market for puppy mills because it wouldn't be acceptable developmentally for puppies to be denied what she gives them.

You may wonder why I am not saving a dog from the pound and here are just a few of the reasons: 1. The dogs, especially the puppies haven't received the care during those developmental months.  2. Temperment, breed and previous life experience cannot be determined.  3. There is a 50/50 chance at the pound of getting a severe problem, like Cali who peed on everything.  Ella on the other hand is now totally indoor and doing great. 4. I wanted a puppy who grows up with our family and knows us and who is trained for our lifestyles. 5. I want to know the full medical history of the dog.

I do feel sad for the problem of unwanted pets, I am not supporting puppy mills or poor breeders. I feel this is right because we are supporting an amazing breeder who is bringing into the world a mentally and physically healthy puppy who is well supported at all stages of development. I will give more information about her amazing care soon.

Is The Weekend Over Already?

What a weekend!  The kids spent some time with their dad on Friday night to Saturday.  Patrick hung out with his friend and Mandy and I went to dinner and a movie.  We ate at Red Robin, at the District (You will want to remember which one).  We avoided an hour wait by being bar vultures.  We took the first seats that opened up and had our food by the time they called our name to sit.  After running into Krista and her hubby we finished the Jazz game :-( then headed to our movie. 

The movies was pretty good.  Not at all what I expected.  Definitely a DRAMA and good if you feel like getting a little bit emotional.

You would think the night was over... but no. For the fourth time in a few weeks I forgot to unplug the seat warmer that Patrick got me for Christmas and so my car was sitting outside Mandy's house dead as a doornail. 12:30 at night, the temp was in the teens, Mandy's house was warm and cozy, and Patrick was getting up early for drill so I just decided to sleep over and deal with it in the morning. 

Everything seemed great, we watched Grey's while lying in bed, but Mandy was starting to feel sick.  She ended up being up all night with what seems to be food poisoning from none other than RED ROBIN! She was so ill that we went to the doctor in the morning who thinks it was e.coli.  She is still sick now and will be for a few days.  Thank you Red Robin! (I am starting to wonder if I am bad luck... flat tire, late nights, dead battery, food poisoning.)

Saturday night the kids and I went to get haircuts, ate fast food, then came home and got in our pajamas and went to bed.  Patrick had drill again and we spend the day in our PJs.  I wanted to go to the school again but ended up working on stuff from home.  I am hoping for a great week.  Joey and Patrick start Jr. Jazz Wednesday.  Angel has piano and dance.  Next weekend is a lovely 3 days!  Keep moving forward.

January 3, 2011

We started off our day having brunch at Market Street Grill With Jay and Nghia (which this is not actually a picture of... well, it is Jay and Nghia, just not at the restaurant).  I have been a terrible friend and just barely gave them their Christmas card and gift.  They looked great and were fun to be around. I wish I saw them more often.

Following brunch, Patrick spent the rest of the day alone while I went to the school and tried to get some work done.  Some organization happened and until this hour (2 am) I have been working on my Science grades for Mr. Wood and will momentarily retire for the night without a complete product for him.

I hired Liv and Cord to work for me and they were really hard workers.  The Rhoton's joined us and helped for a good 45 minutes as well.  My goal is to limit procrastination and stay on top of things. Three and a half hours till it's time to get started.... Goodnight!

New Year's Day

Breakfast of Champions: Reese's Puffs, Pop Tarts, Nutty Buddies, Hot Chocolate, and Soy or Rice Milk.

The kiddos hung out, rocked out on the Wii, and played board games until about 11:30 when Clint came to pick up Joey and Angel for his family get-together.  Joey and Angel went sledding and exchanged presents with the Deckers.  Meanwhile I went to the School and Mandy's to grade some papers and watch Grey's Anatomy (which she is getting me hooked on - but making me start with season 1).  We got through 1 episode, a new seating chart and some grading while stopping periodically to run children around.  Cole, Cord, and some friends went sledding (don't worry, it was sunny and warm with a high of 13 degrees).

Dinner was Betos' chips, salsa and guac; which we enjoyed while watching Good Will Hunting until Mommy Mandy was wanted but unfortunately she was stuck in my driveway due to a snow (ice) hill under the car. It ended up she just needed a little push and was off.

Patrick and I hung out the rest of the night, relaxing.

New Year's Eve

We wanted to start our new year with some of our good friends: the Willdens and the Rhotons.  During the day we went to Boondocks and played Laser-tag, enjoyed the XD Theater and played lots of games.



We had tacos for dinner and then played board games, Rockband, Guitar hero, Wii Dance and Sing it until just before midnight.

The Willden family told us that their tradition was to grab pots and pans to make noise with for one whole minute at midnight.  Instead, we grabbed all the musical instruments around and used those while screaming and yelling on the porch. After brining in the New Year, parents went home and the kids had a sleep-over.  When I finally went to bed at 3:30 I could still hear Kristyn, Kaley and Liv talking.

As you are trying to imagine Patrick and Bristol taking part in all of our fun activities, don't.  After returning from Boondocks they watched football and then TV.  The only time I heard them even address the rest of us was after throwing a pillow at the basement door didn't successfully close it, so they had to tell one of the kids to do it.

(Incidentally, it has been years since I was able to stay awake until midnight to bring in the New Year.)