Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Farewell to our Mootz

It was with a sad but happy heart that our dear sweet Mootzie passed away.
She's always been the LIFE of the party!  An absolute treat to be around.  She has been suffering with dementia for about 15 years now and it was so sad to watch such an amazing lady who loved singing, entertaining and helping, whittled down into someone that could no longer even speak.  In the end she was only a shell of the person she once was.  But even through it all she managed to keep her happy demeanor and a cheerful smile on her face.  
Coby's Cousin Julie Patterson was actually with her when she passed.  I took this from Marianne's blog.  "Julie Patterson was actually with her when she passed away, she just had the feeling to go see her after work. She said she stayed for 30 min (which is a long time to talk with someone that is not talking back and just as she was going to leave she heard a voice in her head say, "Stay for another 30 minutes and if she hasn't passed away by then you can go." So she stayed and watched as Mootzie's breaths grew further and further apart until there were not more breathes.  She helped dress her and was given the pearls that mootzie was dressed in that night.  What an amazing experience to have had.  And I think it was truly interesting that it was Mootzie's youngest granddaughter who was the one to share it with her. Full Circle.
We all joked that it must have been quite a site when Mootzie finally left her frail body and was met by loved ones on the other side.  We thought that upon seeing Jim she might have said, "Well, what the HELL are you doing here?!!"  Marianne said that then she may have pointed to her cheek and motioned for Jim to give her a kiss and as Jim went to kiss her cheek pulled the old "switch-a-roo" and made jim kiss her on the lips!  :)  She was always fun and always happy to keep you guessing! But the thing I think I will remember her most for was her generosity.  She had the means and she never missed an opportunity to share her good fortune.  She was big on supporting the community, especially the arts.  There is even a wing dedicated to her at Pioneer Theater.  She took each grandkid on their own very special trip to anywhere they wanted to go after they finished 6th grade.  She took countless family trips with all of her family and their extended family.  Flipping the bill each time.   She will be greatly missed, but I'm happy that she's able to be free from the disease that stole her mind.  We could all learn a lot from this amazing lady if we took the time to serve each other...and have a little fun too!  :)
My heart broke as I watched her loving children say their last goodbye to their dear mother.  But in the same breath rejoiced that the life she lived.
Mootz LOVED hats!  And she had a TON of them!  Marianne said this best, "The girls in the family wearing the many hats of Mootzie.  This was for two reasons.  1. Mootz loved hats, her closet was full of them and 2. To symbolize the many hats that Mootzie wore during her life. Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, neighbor, confidant, sister, aunt, and so many more."
Her grandsons were the pallbearers.  
As I mentioned Mootz was a great lover of music and she passed that trait on to her children. Singing their tribute to Mootz, her children are singing "The Campfire Song".  A favorite pastime singing around the campfire at Bear Lake for countless summers. 
Here is one of the last pictures I have of Mootz laughing and being the life of the party.  We were celebrating her 90th birthday.  Joanne wrote an amazing poem for her that pretty much sums up our wonderful Mootz.

 MARVELOUS, MAGICAL ‘MOOTZ’

Marvelous Mootsie is just so much fun,
And it’s magical how she can get so much done!
She can cook yummy stuff while she warms up her car,
Then drive us to places to play, near and far!
She can tell you your ‘fortune’ and host parties too,
If you had her backyard well, why wouldn’t you?
And just when you think she’ll sit down and unwind,
She’ll get up and at it’ and back to the grind!
Taking off to Sedona or up to Bear Lake
After hosting a gala she’d say, ‘piece of cake’!
And when there are things that could cause ‘grandma’ strife
She’s puts on a smile and then tells you “that’s life!”
She’s a little bit young and a little bit old,
She’s directed the Symphony, so we’ve been told!
She’s traveled the world and taken us too,
On our twelve year old trips, just to mention a few!
Has a ‘magic wand’ that can conjure the sun,
A ‘lover-of-life prize’, she sure could have won!
How lucky can we twenty grand-children be,
To have grown up with someone as awesome as she!
She’s created the best out of all of her days,
Brought joy to others in so many ways!
She has loved the lord as she’s lived life with ‘zest’!
And now we’re so grateful that she gets to rest!

Hurrying on her merry way!
She can talk to a fly and summon the sun,
If you need a car, she’ll lend you one!
Never much to fret or fear,
She’s just too busy spreading cheer!
Her community service is admired,
And if there’s a gala, she’s never too tired!
Not ‘lighting long, she loves to roam,
The world, Sedona or her Bear Lake home!
Yes she’s unique above the rest,
To anything she adds the ‘zest!
As Mom and Mootz she’s at your side,
Full of that maternal pride!
Lifting others thru the years,
In happy times or days with tears!
We are so blessed to have walked her way!
She is the magic in our day!

Mootz, we miss you.  We are so happy you are free.  I'm sure you are busy working up there and they were glad to have you home.  Until we meet again....

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday to this pretty "Lady"!!
 
She LOVES my boys!
 And they LOVE her!
 And HIM!!
He's always been a goofball....and we couldn't be happier about it!

I really have the BEST parents in the whole wide world!  My mom is the most kind, selfless and caring woman I know.  She has taught me what it is to be a good mom and as I watch her I wish I could be half the woman is.  She inspires every single day and hope that she know just how much I love and appreciate her.  She is my hero.  She's been through so much in her life and chose to be the bigger person. She always forgives and loves the Lord with all her heart.  She always makes extra cute things for her visiting teaching lessons for me.  She has ALWAYS done her VT faithfully!  She loves and plays with my boys and spoils them rotten!  She tells, me, "It's my privilege as a grandmother!" She nurses my plants back to health and taught me how to cook.  She makes the BEST cinnamon rolls in the world and EVERYONE who has had one will quickly agree.  They are so good, she used to sell them!  I have her hands.  She loves the color pink and always has her toe nails painted.  She's always excited to share whatever "new" thing she's discovered, purchased or learned with me.  We talk about 5 times a day and if she hasn't heard from me in a few hours she'll always comment that she hasn't heard from me in a while!  :)  She is so kind and is always encouraging me to do the little things for Coby.  She takes the boys every Friday for a sleepover or for a little date night with Coby.  She always watches the boys when Coby and I escape for a few days.  She loves to read and always studies, really studies the scriptures.  Oh...I could go on and on!  I just love this LADY and I feel so blessed to have her as my mom!

My dad has always been one of my best friends.  I remember having to call him at work every single day for about an hour when I was going to school in Provo.  He is always up for anything and tries to make the best out of every situation.  Life hasn't always dealt him a fair hand, but he always chosen to make "lemonade".  He is SO funny!  He's always ready for an adventure and when I say adventure I mean...he's crazy and will try to catch an alligator with his bare hands...take it home, put it in the bathtub and try to keep it as a pet!!  TRUE story!  He loves ALL reptiles and used to bring blue racers on his way home from work in his socks to show us in our backyard.  He loves practical jokes, getting dirty and anything outdoors.  He writes amazing poetry and the BEST talks EVER!  He always memorizes every one and delivers an amazing talk!  I wish he's be a public speaker because he'd be AMAZING at it!  He loves sports of any kind!  His favorites are golf and basketball.  Infact, one of the criteria for marrying was that they had to "Play ball."  It didn't matter what kind of ball...just as long as they were an athlete!  He works hard, harder than anyone I know.  He gives 110% all of the time and is not usually recognized for it.  I get my love for any kind documentary films, especially crime and animal, from him.  He's always treated me like his closest friend and I hope he knows just how much he means to me!


Friday, July 19, 2013

Happy Birthday Monster

Happy Birthday to this HANDSOME guy!
I certainly do LOVE this Monster of mine!  He is the best thing that has EVER happened to me and I thank my Heavenly Father every day that he's all mine!
 I love his confident little strut that he doesn't even know he has and always walks with his head high.  He doesn't worry about things that don't matter and forgives quickly and easily.  He's the best kisser and has the softest hands. He loves to plan our next family "adventure" and always makes it magic!  I'm a lucky girl, but it doesn't stop there!

Coby is the kindest, most amazing person I've ever met!  He is patient and loving with our boys and always willing to play, teach and take the time show them how much he loves them every day.  There is nothing more important than us and he shows us every single day.
 Going on hikes and teaching the boys how to cool off in a puddle!
 Lots and Lots of snuggling!
 Surfing the flowrider...
 Teaching the boys to ski...
 Playing, tickling and always generous with his smooch-a-roos!

Constantly playing with the boys and teaching them to love the outdoors...
 And putting up with my need to dress up as a family every year for Halloween!
Being such a "hard" worker...  I have to hand it to him.  He is quite BRILLIANT!  He is always able to think outside the box and figure out the best, most efficient and time saving ways of doing most things.  He seems to know the answers to EVERY SINGLE question I ask and knows the definition of any word! It's rare that he's wrong and I trust him completely with EVERYTHING!  He is my best friend and I still don't know how I got so lucky to have him or eternity!  I still feel in awe that he chose ME!!  :)  
Happy Birthday Monster I love you to the moon and back!  

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Swim Lessons

Apparently, Coby and I are raising little FISH...
 These little boys are naturals!
 Jaden was quite the character!  We LOVE Mrs. Lorie.  She is so patient and works so well with them.  All the while Jaden is constantly TALKING...one may even say YELLING since he only has ONE volume and it's NOT quiet!  He loved asking her, "Did I do a good job?"  She did a good job in the short little 2 weeks of instilling in him that the phrase, "I can't" is NEVER ok!
 He was a PRO at diving...
Corb is an absolute little PRO!  He can swim better than me!!!  More pictures to come!



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Happy Birthday Corb

Happy Birthday to my favorite FIRST child!!  I can't believe he's 8!!  Where has the time gone???!!!
I sure love this goofy ball of fun!
He's going to a new school this year....and starting 3rd Grade.
 We are so proud that he made the decision to be baptized into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by his Dad.  
He LOVES doing anything that is a bit of a scary risk....Sky Diving!  Okay...so it's not out of an actual plane...but it's the closest I could come to letting him!  :)
 He's always smiling and and loves to constantly tease his brothers!!  CONSTANTLY!!  :)
 It's hard to get him to give us a "real" smile...but I'll take what I can get!  
 More than anything he wants to do all things sporty like his dad!  Mountain Biking with his dad is one of his favorites!
 I love that he'll hang out with me and isn't afraid to be a little crazy!  Because Crazy and I go hand in hand!!
He's always trying to make everyone laugh and that little guy next to him thinks he's the best thing since Hot Coco...and if you know Jaden...that's better than sweet sweet nectar from the Gods!  :)
It warms my heart when I walk in and find both of them sitting together playing....even if it is a stupid video game!
 He loves going to the skate park and riding around and trying to do tricks on both his scooter and skateboard.  And I have to say...he's actually pretty darn good!  Look at that air!  Self-taught...NO lessons!!
And I think it's safe to say that the apple didn't fall too far from the Coby tree...look at that stance.  He even loves Golf...surprise surprise!!

I love this little guy of mine sooo much!  I hate that he's already 8 years old and keeps getting bigger and bigger every day!  He has a kind heart and is very forgiving!  Which is good because I have to ask for his forgiveness FREQUENTLY!  He's is getting pretty picky when it comes to the clothing he wears.  The days of picking out his clothing and expecting to wear it without hesitation are gone! Skinny Jeans are his favorite and he loves to wear his Vans shoes.  He's hard on shoes and has the stinkiest feet EVER!  In fact...he never has jeans or shoes to pass down to Jaden!  He likes to build paper airplanes and paper guns made with lots and lots of whatever tape (even painters tape) I have laying around the house! He's a little impulsive and is constantly changing his mind every other day about which sport he most wants to play next!  And it's usually a completely different sport than the one he's currently enrolled in!! He jumps around from Basketball, Football, Baseball, Soccer, Skateboarding, Biking, Wake Boarding, Water Skiing, Snow Skiing and the latest was La Cross! He loves to play with is BeyBlades, building all kinds of contraptions with Legos, having Nerf Gun fights with Jaden, (teasing his brothers to the point of insanity on both my end as well as theirs) and spending one on one time with his dad and I.  He misses his Poppy terribly.  He has Rich Paws and the softest little nose.  But the thing I love most about him is his willingness to be share and be kind to others.  He's compassionate, has a tender heart and is never mean spirited.  I love this little Corbin and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday that he's here and is part of our eternal Family.  Happy Birthday Corbi-Mac a doodle!  :)  

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Bear Lake with the Vans

We've been trying to plan a friend's weekend for a while with the Seibenbergs, Vans and Zullos...  Vans were the only ones that could make it this weekend and the cabin was free...in JULY...so we had to go!
Love this cute family!
Here's Cobe and Jadesy on the long board and Ang, Emma and Cade in the Kayak.
Corb needed a little help getting started...but after a couple of minutes...he had it DOWN!
Next, Ang helped Emma...and again...it didn't take her long before she was showing us all up!
Emma noticed a paddle boat, and after we asked permission...Emma and Jaden set off to rescue Cade on the raft from the cold Bear Lake water.
And there they go....cruising the Bear Lake shoreline!
Here are a few on-lookers...
The Van Family is VERY into Baseball...and when I say Very... I mean it...if Cade doesn't get a full ride scholarship...I'd be shocked!  Their entire summers are chocked full of baseball games and so when we found out that they didn't have a tournament this weekend...it was a no brainer to come to Bear Lake!  At any rate, we played a little baseball from the "pros"!
Jaden was having the time of his life...playing baseball and getting cozy with Emma!
Even Coby and his burnt back got in on the baseball action!

Loved hanging with my girl Ang!  She's one of my dearest friends and I'm so thankful for the chance we got to become such great friends through Young Womens. We had so much fun with the Vans this weekend! We will definitely need to plan another trip soon!  

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Loving my colie poke

I think it's safe to say....
 
That I LOVE this little boy!  
I love his fat chubby face!  His cute dimples! His neverending Fat rolls!  They are very soft and squishy and I wouldn't have it any other way!
The boys love him too!  Sometimes a little too much...he is the little brother and well, sometimes he has to be the TARGET!
He's recently starting taking a bottle.  Here he is sneaking a little chocolate milk with his Nana!  I don't dare introduce him to Hot Coco!  Jaden is 4 and thinks he needs it 3 times a day...even in the summer!!
Did I mention he's so squishy and those rolls, my gosh...the endless ROLLS!!!  
He's always interested in EVERYTHING!

I love this little baby!  I can't believe he's 7 months already!  He is like the others at this stage in life... A MOMMA'S BOY!  He gets mad when I walk into a room and don't instantly grab him and hold him.  He will get mad! He has inherited a temper too!   I love that he loves me.  He adores his brothers and they love him right back.  He watches them incessantly...a lot like Jack used to watch Corbin I've noticed. I love his peach fuzz head and soft squishy body.  He's still a GREAT nurser.  He has 2 little teeth and loves to army crawl everywhere!  I don't think it will be long before this little chunk a munk is crawling all over the place!  He loves to eat....EVERYTHING we do.  He sips out of straws with ease.  He's starting to LOVE baths which is definitely a nice change!!  He still loves to be held and at 20lbs, it's not the easiest thing to do.  It's not too bad thanks to the Moby, which we use almost daily!  This kid puts EVERYTHING in his mouth....I nervous since Jadesy and Corb love to play Legos!  He's getting so big and I have to remind myself that he's not going to stay this way for long and to savor every single moment.  I love him!  I am glad he's here.  He's such an added light in our family and love watching his personality come out every day.