happy helpers

This morning we got up extra early (for a Saturday), to help clean the church at 7 am.
Yes, they were all grumpy, they all had fun with the vacuums.
I'm thinking about getting one for our house so they will all fight over who gets to vacuum.

brotherly bonding

This morning KJ was "reading" the junk mail to John.
Quite entertaining for everyone :)

There's nothing better

snuggling with my baby.

1st cereal

big success.

sweet dreams

post-storm clean up day 3

We were without power for 22 hours, and we were one of the lucky ones.
Some in our area were without for five days.
Newspapers reported "hurricane-like havoc" with winds 95-102 mph.
In our stake there were over 700 trees lost.
Friday and Saturday the smell of pine trees and the sound of chainsaws filled the city.
Kempe and Parker spent the majority of the days chainsawing, dragging branches to the curb, and loading trucks heaping full of firewood.


The Utah National Guard was called in to help with the clean up.
This became a common sight.


Every truck and trailer in the entire county was out.
The dump was impossible to get to, so a temporary dumping sight at the high school was set up.
We live by the high school.
It was incredible.


Another storm was in the forecast. One not with as much force, but perhaps more damaging with all of the debris all around. Church meetings were cancelled, except for Sacrament meeting so we could all prepare for what might be ahead. Many of the men didn't even make it to church because of the need for help, and those who were there were in their pine-scented work clothes. It was incredible to see everyone literally dropping everything to help each other. Every truck and trailer in the county and beyond was on the road.

Thankfully, the second storm didn't come. Despite the damage that was done, and the weekend plans that were cancelled, it was it was an amazing thing to be a part of. Many miracles happened this weekend, more than we will ever know, but I think more than that, there was beauty and peace in seeing neighbors joining together in Christlike service and love.

riley's note

Riley had her cute new friend, Lila, over today.
I'm not sure what this means, but I know they had a great time.

Windstorm of 2011

I was up at 4 am to feed John.
I could hear the wind blowing hard outside. When it blows hard enough, you can hear the siding on the outside of our house banging against the house.
Siding was banging, but I didn't think much of it. I heard some tapping noises and realized it was the gravel from our tar and gravel roof, being thrown against our skylight windows.
I went back to bed because, frankly, at four months of sleep deprivation, I really don't think about anything but sleep.
When I got up at 7 am, we were without power {found out it went out about 6 am}. The wind was still howling, but, again, didn't think much of it.
We got ready as usual and Kempe took the kids up to school. They returned shortly to say that school was optional today 'cause the school didn't have power either. So we bundled ourselves up and waited.


About 1 pm, the wind began to settle and I went to survey the surroundings.
Part of our backyard fence was down.


Our large swing looked like it had been thrown from it's place {alongside the grill, right}, up by the garage.


It was beginning to get cold inside the house and my cell phone battery was nearly dead. I called my in-laws: no power, however, my brother-in-law just got power so we invited ourselves over.
On our way, we detoured through our ward boundaries to see how others fared. Breathtaking.

Our neighbors to the south of us:

Our neighbors to the west:

Others in the ward:

Our power pole being replaced.

Can you find the house behind the tree?


How about the trampoline thrown in the trees?


Damage everywhere.


Missing traffic light.


Blown out Fresh Market sign.


The kids couldn't have been happier.
No school.
Cousins sleepover.
What could be better?

festival of trees

Tonight the girls performed at the Festival of Trees.
It's so fun to watch them up on stage.
{Too bad we didn't take very many pictures}

{Emma far right}
{Riley on top}

thanksgiving with the Wrights

We were lucky to spend the whole Thanksgiving week in Oregon with my family. And it was one crazy, busy week.

We were packed up in the van, actually our first long family trip with five kiddos all sitting cozy in the back.


The first day there we went to church in the ward I grew up. Always good to see those familiar faces. KJ opted for elder's quorum over nursery. He fit right in.


Part of the time we stayed at my parent's house with my newlywed brother, and his sweet wife Anna.

Always lots of fun with Uncle Jason.


The other part of the time we stayed out at Eagle Crest, a nearby resort my parents have a timeshare, when my other brother and his wife and kids came to stay.
Lots of swimming.


My cute nephews:

Cousins sleepovers

Exhaustion

Aunt Julie loving John {& all the kiddos} all week long


Of course, a HUGE Thanksgiving dinner with my cousins from Washington.


Grandma's toys to entertain all.


Anna reading stories.


Watching movies with cousins.


Friday I begged my brother to take some family pictures for us. The kids were troopers.
It was quite cold.
With bribery for the kids, my mom and Anna assisting with warming in between shots, we were able to get a few good pictures. :)


Love this one:

It was a fun, relaxing holiday week.
So happy to have spent it with my family and 2 of my 4 brothers.