Cold Days and Colder Days

I'm a little behind at posting my pics. These are from the end of Sept/ beginning of Oct. We had some really cold days and an even colder one Oct. 12 when we woke up for church to like 7 inches of snow!!! But, of course it melted and we've had some rather beautiful fall days. The last week or two have stayed in the 70's, but today has started the downslide. We're expected to have snow by Wednesday and today it's been raining all day. I like snowy Christmases, but that's about it. And even then I only like the snow on the grass. I prefer the roads snowless. Can't have it all, I suppose. I don't do well in the cold, so I'm preparing myself. Maybe I'll take up skiing so it'll give me something to look forward to besides shoveling the driveway! :) P.S Dad was lucky enough to experience the snow with us. Probably not so bad when you get to fly to Vegas the next day! :)

Wednesday Club

Every Wednesday is short day. I think it's absolutely lame, but I'm sure the teachers love it. It's supposed to be a day for them to catch up and work on teaching plans. The kids get out at 1:20 instead of 3:20. Anyway, since the first of school, Kaleb has put together a club on Wednesdays. The kids are supposed to be meeting at the school park after school to hang out but it's turned out that I usually have extra kids at my house every week... there aren't drinks and treats at the park! I really don't mind, usually. :) The kids are pretty good kids. At first we were getting as many as 9 extra boys here, but it's dwindled to 3-5 every week. I did try to at least have one fun thing for them to do, but they're boys and they would rather play football or basketball. So, since they're boys, I do try to at least have the drinks and treats and then they're on their own for entertainment. It's been fun for them and I like to get to know the boys. Here's a pic of them making cookies for their activity... that one they liked! (Afterall, there was treat involved!) Millie joined in, too... she's no dummie! She knows when a good time is being had! Occasionally, I've had to kick the boys out if it gets to dinner time or something, but for the most part, I think this will be a continued after school Wednesday tradition.

Around 2:30 Saturday afternoon, my aunt and I decided we wanted to see the 2:45 showing of The Secret Life of Bees. We got a sitter quickly for Millie and her son, Nate (Dax had the boys shootin') and headed off. Sometimes those are the most fun times when you don't plan, you just do. Anyway, it was an AWESOME movie. I really just like inspirational shows and I think this was one. Wear water-proof mascara though... not sad, but dramatic! Whenever I watch a movie about such hateful times, I wonder what I would've been like then. I'm proud of my grandma. She had told me once that she was probably around 12 years old when she was riding the bus one day and there were plenty of seats in the "white" section, but none in the "black" section, so she pointed to a black girl standing in the isle to sit by her. She had to talk her into it and let her know it was all right. My grandma said she got very mean looks, but she didn't care. She knew it was the right thing. She was fortunate. Her parents taught her to love everyone. My grandma grew up on a tobacco farm (go figure!). My great-grandparents treated the black people that worked for them with kindness and so my grandma did the same and I'd like to think the habit has made its way down the line. Back then, my grandma said that a lot of the farmers fed their workers leftovers from their lunch (lunch was a huge feast of fried chicken, potatoes, veggies, pies, rolls, etc. all done in a log burning stove... and I complain about cooking now :)). But, my great-grandma, Kris, cooked the workers their own meals identical to whatever they were having. I'm grateful for that. Even though it was so long ago and I'm sure I've had relatives do things I wouldn't be so proud of, I'm grateful that they were people filled with love and decency. I know because of them, my grandma was made to be one of the most loving and decent people I know. If you've never met her, you're missing out. If you've met her, you'll never forget her or her huge heart (or macaroni 'n cheese or brownies!:)). Because of my ancestors and their examples, I'd like to think I know what I would've been like if I lived in such hateful times.

Birthday Cake

I was looking at pics and forgot to post the birthday cake incident. As always, I made the cake and wish I'd bought it. I tried to do a sun which turned out to look more like the flowers I tried to make that didn't turn out either. Oh well. Like I said before, it's because my kids like the homemade ones. Anyway, the sequence went something like this...
Millie was curious at first. She tried to play with her 1 year smash cake flower. Fun enough. The candle seemed to itrigue her until...
it lit up. Freaked her out! She wanted nothing more than for Grammie to save her.
Eventually, we got her to taste it and she seemed to realized that it wasn't so scary afterall. Well, at least the inside was a chocolate cake from scratch (recipe on Hershey cocoa box... the best). So, how bad could it be?

Not bad at all, not bad at all! :)

Goin' Private!

I'm going private as soon as possible. I've just had this feeling for a while that I need to do so. My friend, for all you "open book bloggers" out there, has a brother-in-law who's a police officer. He got her social security number, bank account, birthdays, etc. all off her blog within 24 hrs to prove to her how scary they are. I decided... I have cute kids and who knows what kind of psycho's out there waiting to make one of them his/hers since I'm sure my identity's not worth stealing. Please send me your email addresses if you're interested... mrsgurr@mail.com. I'll send you an invite. "See" ya then!

Diabetes Walk

Saturday, Sept. 27th, we participated in the diabetes walk for the American Diabetes Association. My kids love it and I feel good doing it. My aunt (the one in the wreck who is, by the way, still in the ICU... prayers welcome) and my sister, Emily have type I and my dad and uncle have type II. So, this is the 4th year we've done it. It starts at the This is the Place Monument and ends up at the Hogle Zoo.

This year the walk took us up around the monument which was way cool! This was the kids (Kaleb, cousin Nate, Ethan, Millie, and Emmett) at the top of the hill overlooking SLC. Very beautiful!

We stopped along the way to take advantage of the cute little school house that was part of the monument set up of old cabins, churches, school, etc. Check out how cute Emmett is! He was loving being in school on a Saturday! Not so sure the other kids were as thrilled. But, Kaleb at least got to appreciate modern day discipline... nothing like holding books behind your back while leaning with your nose against the wall. Although, I thought I might be able to find a corner and an extra book or so at home... wonder what child services would think of that! :)

Dax and Millie at lunch in the zoo.

The kids of course love that it ends in the zoo. Even Millie initiated herself on her 1st walk while bravely petting some very odd looking turtle. All in all, it was a great day until the end when brotherly love wasn't so lovely. But, even with that, I had a good time and I look forward to doing it next year. Anyone interested, keep it in mind! My aunt only hoped to live to be 50 when she was younger, but research has brought diabetes treatment such a long way. She's 59 and even though she had that accident, she's doing relatively well and we're hopeful she'll see 60+! I'm happy we get to help aid in further research even if just a little so that maybe this disease will be completely curable one day!

Happy 1st Birthday, Millie!!!

Millie turned 1 September 26th! I can hardly believe it. I have no excuses for my pant size!!! Actually, I guess I haven't for a few months now. Oh well. We love having Millie in our family. She's sweet, but can get attitude... typical girl. :) She's definitely Dax's little princess and I'll admit I'm having fun with a girl around, too. The boys haven't gotten sick of her yet. They're always helpful with her and Emmett especially takes very good care of her while the other boys are at school. She's got a slew of protectors... I feel for the first boy she dates for sure! She can say mama, dada, ca-ca (cracker), and of course, NO. She just shakes her head for that, but she uses it at the right times. I can tell she has a good sense of humor, too. She laughs at things she shouldn't even understand. She loves peek-a-boo and pat-a-cakin! She loves to make messes, play with her brothers, chocolate (my daughter), and to sing. Whenever music comes on, she "la, la, las." It's awesome and makes my mother very proud. :) Anyway, I'm just grateful to be her mom!

This was a picture taken through the nursery glass of Dax looking at Millie right after she was born. I just love it. He knew before Emmett was even born that we had a little girl waiting to come join our family. When I called to tell him the dr. said "girl", he just said, "I told you I already knew that." She lights up when he comes into the room and probably always will... his "pretty princess!"

This is my first picture taken with Millie outside of the hospital. It was a candid my sister-in-law, Shalon snapped. I kind of like it. Look how little Mills is! Makes me kind of sad.

I waited 10 years for my mother-in-law to be able to make Millie's
blessing dress from my wedding dress. Yeah!!! It turned out beautifully!









Pics for fun... must take time to learn to do slide show. :)

We love you, Millie!!!

Kiss 'Em Goodbye

You would think with all we've been through as a family, losing Dax's dad so tragic and suddenly, we might be more aware of how fragile life can be. You would think when we walked out the door every time we would tell each other we love each other and give hugs and kisses. Maybe it was like that at first, but then the hussle and bussle of everything finds me running out the door with hardly a goodbye. I'm going to be better at that. You never know when your time will be up and wouldn't it be so sad if the last time you ran to the grocery store and something, heaven for bid happens, you maybe yelled at the kids to get in the house or failed to give those xxx's and ooo's. You see, these are the photos of my aunt's car accident that were posted in today's paper.

She hit a dump truck head on, flipped over it to another truck, and then proceeded to run head on with another car after she spun out several times. This was what was left of her Toyota. It seems she may have had a low insuline reaction from her diabetes. It was ironic that it happened just 2 days before we are going to "step out" for diabetes. This is our 4th year walking to raise money for diabetes research and awareness. Thank heavens no one was hurt worse than they were or even killed. Alice suffered a really bad broken arm (3 breaks that required surgery), a broken vertebrae, and a broken scapula. Other than some serious aches and pains, she's going to be just fine. We love you, Alice and are glad you're going to better soon!

Anyway, love your kids and your husband (or wife) all the time. Kiss 'em goodbye. I know I'm going to try to be better at it. Not to sound so down, but you just never know. And, so you know... I love you all, too! :) I'm thankful for your love and friendship. Good night!

Bye. Bye, football!

I just came across this cute picture of Kaleb in his football workout gear. He looks so cute. But, cuteness aside, he chose to quit. We didn't want him to think he could just quit because it was hard, so we made him keep going and even play 2 games. He cried almost every day before practice!!! Finally, after seeing my neighbor's son on a Monday with bruises all over him after a Friday night game I caved and talked Dax into caving with me. Well, it may have happened a little differently, but at least it's over. We told him he had to be the one to tell his coach. He gladly did and the kid was never happier. Next time, he's paying the $75 sign-up fee. Other than that, I'm thrilled it's over if at least just for now. He's playing soccer and loving it. Practice only 1x a week, no coaches screaming in your face, no kids tackling on purpose, and smiles on Saturday... That makes for a happy mom, too!

Dedication of Utah Law Enforcement Memorial

This is the entire (well almost... Shalon had a little boy Sept. 11) Gurr clan at the placement of Cecil's (my father-in-law) name on the memorial of fallen officers Sept. 5th, 2008. We met there Friday night to have an inidividual moment to place the plaque and then Saturday was the actual dedication. It's a beautiful site that sits close to the State Capitol bldg. It's good because it gives the kids a chance to learn about their grandpa and what a hero he is and it gives others an opportunity to reflect, I hope, on what a sacrifice our public safety officers make on our behalf everyday they go to work.

Saturday morning was beautiful. We got there a bit early and Kaleb and his cousin, Keston, had the opportunity to shake President Boyd K. Packer's hand. He and gave the benediction and dedicated the site. We sat next to his son who is a policeman in Orem and his wife... nice, nice people! Anyway, there was an amazing spirit there.

Gov. Huntsman said a few words, too. It was short and sweet and very appropriate.

O.K. I've been a major slacker with the bloggin thing. I either spend all my time checkin' other people's blogs or it's like journal writing and I don't know where to begin because it's been so long! I'll try to get better, but Dax stole my camera for work 'cause he broke his so we'll have to see how that works. Anyway, here are the pics I have of Kaleb and Ethan's birthday cake... from August! (I mentioned to Celeste I would post 'em.) I got lazy and didn't even take the cake out of the pan, but they still loved it. :) My sister and I sculpted Mario, Luigi, and Bowser out of fondant. We were at Bear Lake when we celebrated, so Mario and Luigi are on the beach and they've buried Bowser in the sand. It's hard to see, but this is the best I could do. Hard to believe they're 9 and 7 now! I feel old. :) But, I'm glad to be old with two such awesome boys! Except for the occasional tantrum that reminds me they are still little sometimes, I feel especially blessed that they're growing up to be such studs!

As if...

As if I have nothing better to do with my time, I've become a facebook junky during the last couple of days. My sisters, Mary and Emily have accounts so I originally only signed up to view them. But, I must say it's kind of fun to look up people you haven't seen in a while. I grew up all over the mid-west and in Vegas, so it's been fun to reconnect. Anyways, this might be worse than the Twilight series because it never ends. Sorry about the dishes, Dax. I'm facebooking! :)

Millie's Sooo Happy

The funny thing about these pictures is that you don't see what a nightmare it was trying to take them . Millie's my happy baby, usually, but by the time we tried to shoot these, she was a tired baby bear! Oh well. We still managed a few cute ones. Thanks, Shalon!!!

The painful reality of that day...! :)

Grandpa Came For a Visit

We love grandpa Morley, but he rarely just stops by. In fact, I can maybe count on one hand the number of times he has. But, today he was out driving around and said he just had to stop by and see "his Millie". The other kids were bonus. When Millie heard his voice she immediately crawled out of the bedroom to get hugs and kisses. I thought it was so cute how when I was trying to get a cute pic of him with the kids, he couldn't stop looking/smiling at them long enough for me to actually take the darn thing. Finally, after a few tries we shot one.

He's such a clown! I have always loved his sense of humor and his honesty... although brutal at times. :) He's the biggest sports fan ever!!! He has played, coached, reffed, umped, or watched anything you can name from women's badmitton to BYU football, of course. (For those of you who don't know, he has a BYU room, a huge statue of a cougar to boot, a coffin already ordered and paid for with BYU lining, a #1 fan deal from KSL?, I think, and the list goes on and on. We felt very special to think that after much deliberation he attended Kaleb's baptism instead of the home BYU game he had initially planned on for that date.) He has a big, big heart... he always means well anyway. :) I could continue on about my grandpa and how he bought cheap flowers for my grandma from a guy whom he later found out was a grave robber or how he tried to change Ethan's diaper, while babysitting no less, for me to find it backwards and halfway down his legs later that night. :) But, maybe later. Though obviously not perfect (ask grandma), I wouldn't change a thing!

He's a convert to the church and has been a faithful member ever since. He worked several jobs and moved his entire family, wife & 4 kids, here from PA to take them through the Salt Lake Temple to be sealed. He stayed here to be where he thought his family should be raised. He's pretty sure if you are a member, it's sac-relig to not cheer for... you guessed it! BYU!!! :) He now works at the temple. I'm grateful to be a part of his legacy. I love you, Grandpa!!! Thanks for stopping by!

School Is In!!!

*I am trying to figure out how to retrieve my summer pics
from the comp Dax revamped for working out of his home
office. Then, I'll update on our summer fun. Until then...


For the last 2 weeks, I have been counting down until the day the boys go back to school. I seriously just couldn't take anymore fighting and nagging. They were just getting bored and it was time they got back into a routine... I'm not so good at that without motivation. But, this morning as I watched Ethan take off on his scooter to 1st grade and Kaleb on his bike to 3rd, I got a little sad. They're growing up so fast. :(



Then again (and I hope I don't sound terrible), they only had a short day and by 9pm when they were still not in bed and reading (my fault, sort of, but none the less) still wasn't done and they wouldn't settle down for scriptures, I smiled at the thought that tomorrow they go back! :) So, though I may miss them a little in those short 8 hours each day, I just might adjust. And hopefully/probably the absence will make the heart grow fonder and with any luck, the mom grow more patient.