Goblins

We spent two days camping out in Goblin Valley - the girls loved it! Me? Well, I surely didn't appreciate that the nearest (and only) restroom was the rock around the bend, but I did like telling scary stories and funny jokes and seeing shooting stars and watching Jenna, Kellie, and Alissa choreograph their own dance routine to Justin Bieber's "Baby" (they swear they aren't fans, but they know EVERY WORD to this song). I also love the beautiful pictures of the red rock area of Utah and eating s'mores and all the funny poses of my girls.

I hear there is a movie (Galaxy Quest?) that has some scenes shot in Goblin Valley...any opinions on whether we should watch?

State Champ

My daughter is a state champ - 'tis true, 'tis true. Her cross country team came in second in the Utah 4A race - running a difficult, hilly course that taxed their determination and spirit. It's a good things she's run over 500 miles in the last few months so that she could be ready!

Much thanks to her fabulous coach, Jaimie, and to the girls on the team who all support and encourage each other. And thanks, also, to her former coach, Travis Madsen, who got off work just to come watch her and whose cheering in the final moments gave her that little push she needed to keep going. We love you guys! Oh - and Jenna's team is nationally ranked. You can check that out here: http://espn.go.com/high-school/girls-cross-country/team-rankings/fab50

Double Digits

Today is Double Digits Day for my youngest child. The big 1-0. Yep, she's 10. She was so excited about this that she woke up at 4:15 this morning. But then, a downer because she wasn't actually born until 4:59 am so she wasn't really 10 yet. Fortunately, she was able to fall back to sleep and wake up at 6:45 fully and officially 10 years old. Whew!

How I love my Katie Lois. She was the only one of my 5 children that we didn't find out was a boy or a girl before she was born. I wanted a surprise, so we could hear the words, "It's a girl!" and laugh with joy at the wonder of life and the fact that WE HAD FOUR GIRLS!

Katie is an individual. She has definite opinions about the when and where and why of life. She has a flair for the dramatic, and keeps us chuckling with her observations of life. She loves to laugh, and when she gets to giggling, she inevitably ends up with the hiccups (she had the hiccups the whole time I was pregnant with her). Her heart is tender, filled with compassion for babies and children and animals and suffering. At her young age, she understands what it means to mourn with those who mourn.

It can be a tough gig being the youngest. Lots of people telling you what to do or not to do, ratting you out to Mom and Dad, and you always get stuck in the back seat because you're the smallest. But then, there are the perks: you're still small enough for Mom to snuggle and smooch, you still want and get toys for Christmas and birthdays, and you can still order off the kids menu at restaurants where the macaroni and cheese is plentiful and comes with a drink (Sprite) and a dessert.

I love you, Katie! Welcome to double digits! I'm so glad you picked us as your family!

1st picture: the shirt Josh sent her from his mission.

2nd picture: Laughing at the card Grandpa Gresko sent her; it sings "Shake It Up, Baby Now!"

My Missionary

One of the things I do at the MTC is act in a short play that the missionaries see the Friday before they depart for their assigned missions. Since Josh leaves for Korea tomorrow, I knew he would be at the one this week, so I brought David along.

We were able to give our Elder Crowther a hug and a Korean flag cake and money, but mostly our love and support. Doesn't he look fabulous? And he's so excited and ready to go to Korea.

These are some of my favorite pictures from his two and a half months in the MTC. I LOVE MY MISSIONARY!!

Big group photo at the Provo temple with all the Korean missionaries.

Learning the language.

He loves Korea!

The sisters and elders in his district.

Josh, Elder Miller, Elder Gomez, and Elder McCausland have been together in the MTC for the entire 12 weeks.

Good men!

Lean on me.

Sporty Girls

Early on in our family, when we were having girls, girls, and more girls, David voiced his opinion on which direction we should try to steer their interests:

"I want them to be sporty girls," he said. "Girls who can play sports are a lot cooler to guys than girlie girls." (Although attracting the guys is the last thing he wants for them now!)

Add to that statement an oft-spoken disdain for cheerleading and other "girlie" pursuits and you end up with what we have now: a houseful of sporty girls.

They are pretty cool, I must admit.

And strong. These girls can endure and overcome all kinds of troubles and difficulties; in short, they can do hard things. Every time I watch them run a race or compete in a game and see them sweating or hurting or struggling, and then watch them push through it and finish with determination, I am in awe.

These amazing creatures are my children.

Now, lest you think we haven't allowed them the opportunity to explore all their interests, let it be known that I put them all in dance classes (much to the chagrin of their dad, but he did pay for it and attend all their performances, with flowers and a smile). But it was the sports that stuck.

[They also all play various instruments, perform in plays, and are excellent students. But that is another story...]

The really great thing now is that we have so many activities that we can do together as a family: hiking and running and basketball and soccer. Plus, they're good for us! Keeps the ever-aging mom and dad spry and agile (or at least moving).

So I'm grateful that my good husband put a plug in for sporty girls. I love 'em!

Playing hoops with Dad.