We love you Old Grandma!

Dan's grandma Annis Crandall Murdock born August 2nd 1916 passed away on August 24th 2008. Grandma was not only a part of many organizations- and since she believed she could always do it better she ended up as president. She spent the majority of her life very involved in Church and community service. Some of the great memories that were shared about grandma, old grandma, mamou, Double A . . . .

• Aunt Mary told about lying to grandma about being in the 24th of July Parade in Salt Lake. The lies grew and before she knew it Grandma had made Mary and her friend a uniform and they ended up in the parade as the flag girls for the Beaver City Band.

• Rob reminded us of Grandma's threat to always tuck in your shirt or she would motivate you by sewing lace to the bottom of it. He also mentioned her compassion and fairness when serving on the New Hampshire Parole Board- always listening to the whole story.

• Todd told us of Grandma's counsel to Wear out rather than Rust out!

• Aunt Nancy told us as she was driving to the hospital and got word that Grandma had taken a turn for the worse she suddenly saw a bucket fly across the road in front of her. She said she knew then it was her mom's own way of telling her she had kicked the bucket!

• Amy & Carrie talked about Grandma sewing them special outfits as well as teaching them how to sew.

• Many remembered her love of music and the primary age kids sang her songs at the family viewing and prayer.

• Dan commented about how he loved it when she was telling a story and you knew it was a good one if she laughed her way through it. Her whole face would light up when she laughed.

• Uncle Bill and many others remembered spending time at Cobbet's Pond. Many of the grand kids had fond memories there.

• Tom mentioned her service on Governor Sununu’s Committee on Volunteerism.

• Judy told about Grandma's landscaping service project at a VA Hospital. She had put an add in the local paper for able body volunteers to help plant and ended up getting a group of Hell's Angels who happened to be in town. She even acted like she had invited them personally.

• Everyone had their own memory of Grandma giving them a bad time about something, but it was just her own way of inspiring us to be better.

• Marianne remembered how she was instantly welcomed to the family (while Kurt was still on his mission). Grandpa greeted her with a big kiss on the mouth which mortified Grandma!

We are sure we missed other memories and thoughts that we would love to have you add in the comments. We love you grandma and will miss you! And will be forever grateful for this great family you started.

First Harvest

This is currently my favorite picture of Kate- oh she is cute!!
Kate and her friend Asher.

As part of landscaping the backyard and trying to break up the space to be more visually appealing- we decided to build garden boxes and plant our first ever garden. I have been a little hesitant about this whole idea because it seems like everyones favorite garden item is tomatoes and Annie is the only one who eats them. (although I am waiting for them to finally turn red so I can make salsa yum!!) So I opted to plant a lot of other things to make up for my lack of tomato loving. I think I planted twice as much as I should have and we are excited about our first harvest of squash (yellow, crookneck, spaghetti, and acorn), zucchini, cucumbers, 3 different kinds of pumpkins, peppers peppers peppers, tomatoes (cherry, grape and regular ones) and a watermelon.

Hurray, it's done!!!!

Well three years later and a lot of money and nights and weekends and every other minute we could spare and the house remodel is pretty much finished (cross your fingers). Of course there is the perpetual punch list but that just allows Dan to retire from hard core remodeling to a weekend warrior. The basement was the final piece to finish off and it was a complete overhaul. Check it out:
Here is our old family room. The orange shag carpet, wallpaper and drapes were begging to stay (maybe a retro look) but we couldn't find anything similar in a Pottery Barn catalog- and since that is how we determine all of our remodeling decisions- it had to go.

We like it much better this way. We'll give you one guess where Dan is going to spend the rest of his Saturday afternoons.

The family room from the other direction. The piano, which we were told would be more valuable as a boat anchor was painted black and moved upstairs. It may not sound great, but it looks awesome.
Again, much better this way- we love the french door that go outside and the open stairs.The main load bearing wall had to be removed. In its place went a 20 foot steel beam that weighs about 800 pounds, and it only took Dan, Jared, and Adrianne to lift it. (well actually A had to sit on the beam to act as a counter weight but we'll let her think she helped)

The old laundry room

The new laundry room- with a dryer vent that actually goes outside instead of blowing around in the room! Almost makes me want to do laundry . . . well almost.

All it needs now are some cute Ikea baskets to hold the clean clothes

The new bathroom we added in an old cold storage room under the front porch. one of the greatest things we have done to the house is add two new bathrooms. Four is much better than two when you have all girls!!

For more house remodeling photos

we now tag John & Ash, Curtis & Gretel, and Lacyface . . . it's your turn to remodel!

Proud to be an American

The 2008 Summer Olympics have been amazing to watch. Every night until late I am glued to the TV and then I tune back in the next day for the recap. Swimming, Gymnastics, local celebrity Jake Gibb and Water Polo (in honor of Ashley) are my favorites!

I remember when the 2002 Olympics came to Salt Lake. We were able to see the Torch Relay and attend a few events. I remember wanting one of those hats the American athletes had worn to the opening ceremonies. Lets just say they didn't look as cute on the general population.

Swimming! Wow! IF that can't capture your attention I don't think anything will. I was at work on Sunday night for the Mens 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay. I was able to see it and we were all cheering and yelling at the TV- seconds after it was over Dan called to tell me he had seen the most incredible race! Definitely the best race I have seen! I got to see it again with the 3:30 am re-run of the days events (finally the insomniacs of the world have something to watch) and the race was still unbelievable knowing the outcome!

For more Michael Phelps photos!

The Dentist- arrrgh!

I went to the dentist today because a tooth had been bothering me while on vacation. I almost canceled because it really wasn't hurting that much anymore and maybe it had just been sensitive. Well I went anyways and the very nice (very calm) dentist said I didn't just have one cavity I HAVE EIGHT!! I got a crown today and I need a root canal! you would think I had never heard of a tooth brush let alone ever used one.

P.S. truth be told the dentist was nice! (less I offend him twice in one week)

The Summer is flying by!

I have been warned by Travis that if I didn't come up with something quick my house might burn down! I am ashamed to say that the entire month of July has passed without a single post from me. I am actually disappointed about this because I had great and lofty goals of daily ... okay more realistly weekly posts (for journaling purposes.) Rather than catch you up on a day to day run down of the month I am going to have to resort to "event" Scrapbooking. You know where the only memories your kid has birthdays, halloween, christmas and the yearly trip to Disney. I want to be like Sandie and capture the little moments (like Luke in his Chaps) but until then here is a catch up!

And yes the basement is finally finished- I promise I will post pictures soon!

Beach Week XVIII

Alternate title for this post: Homage to Tradition! (best if said with a foreign accent)


Tradition # 1 The Bakery

An undisclosed amount is spent on cow cookies and other tasty treats from the bakery. The "pink" box arrives and the 12 year old inside me saunters over for a cookie. Well the number of us has increased over the years and so has the size of the box. So while we may claim we could have done with less- every day a cookie (or two) and a IBC put a smile on many faces!

Happy 21st birthday twinkies! The girls loved the cupcakes!!

Tradition #2 Competive Male Bonding

Over the years the boys have tried to out do each other in 5 am rounds of golf, ultimate, football, soccer and baseball. But now that backs are stiffer, knees are weaker, and cardio fitness is at an all time low due to gratuate degrees, long billable hours and families- the boys have settled for a rousing game of Bocci ball. And although they are not likely to break a sweat it is still very intense!

Tradition # 3 The Zoo

For the past few years Dan & I have taken the kids to the Santa Barbara Zoo after church on Sunday. We love the drive up the coast and the SB Zoo is one of the prettiest I have ever been to. We were saddened this year to find out the famous giraffe with the crooked neck had died since our last visit. But the zoo was still fun with a slide down the grass hill.

Tradition # 4 We never get tired of the beach!

18 years and going strong! We love the smell of the salt water, the crashing of the waves, the feel of the sand. Sliverstrand has that familiar feeling like home. Not every day was warm and sunny but it didn't stop us from dragging all of our gear out to set up camp in front of the ocean. I love that the Hydes are bundled, the teens are trying to get a tan, and the kids don't mind that the water is cold. There were 2 new little ones this year and four more on the way. It is a challenge as a mom of young kids at the beach to enjoy the "vacation" But I believe that the reason why we endure long car rides to be there and then sleepless nights with kids who are out of sorts and lonely evenings because were were all too spread out is because our parents did it for us and my best vacation memories as a kid are with this group.

Tradition # 5 Good Food, Good Times, Good Friends!

Many thanks to the G1 fellows who make this all happen! Dan & I often wonder who will become our livelong vacation friends. You are all great examples to me and I am grateful for what you all "bring to the beach"! Love you! And thanks for another great year!
Ahh! The Parker girls!

Arrgh!!

Meg has learned to climb and every time I turn around she is on top of something! (usually with scissors or similar "safe" item in her mouth) It makes me crazy. But as I grumble and put her back on the floor for another go- the words to the book "I'll love you forever" always come to mind. I am gently reminded that this won't last forever.
Yes it is totally hot pink around her mouth from where she was eating a stamp!

P.S. another Meg thought: The other day Ash and I took the kids to Little Mermaid (one of those free PTA summer movies that you manage to endure because it it FREE). When Scuttle tries to set the mood by singing, Prince Eric comments "someone should put that bird out of its misery" Yes the singing/dying Scuttle is living with us via Meg! And boy does Kate know how to proke her. Recently my dad suggested I just wear ear plugs! ha!