Happy Birthday!!

Richard hit the big "37" yesterday. He informed me that his life was now half over. He wanted a cake from the store with the "yucky white frosting and raspberry filling." When I went to order it the gal asked if it was for a little boy and I had to tell her, no it is my husband. This is what Richard got to wake up to. Aren't you all jealous?

Easter

I don't know how it got to be Easter time already!!! Saturday we went to the city Easter Egg Hunt. The little kids always do well. KayLee and Kenna each ended up with about 6 items. Kenzie had a basket full. She even won another small basket. She is a good kid and shared with her sisters. Sunday the Easter bunny must have hit the dollar store because there were some pretty silly things in the baskets, silly string, bug eye glasses with noses, blow up animals(the biggest hit) and of course candy. KayLee tried to tell me the things that she would like the Easter bunny to bring her but was quickly informed that it was Easter not Christmas!

Grandpa Jenkins

On March 11th Grandpa was finally able to return to his parents and sister and brother. He struggled with asthma for 40 years. Now he can breath without difficulty. He was a great man who influenced all he came in contact with. It was nice to see all the family, some of my cousins it has been over 20 years since I last saw them. A nice funeral was done in Bountiful and then we hit the road. He was buried in the Logan Cemetery and we had a nice family meal at the River Heights church. I now have no living Grandpas. I fill very blessed that I got to have 35 years of "Grandfather" influence.

Happy "freakin" Valentines

I had to work 14 hours on Valentines Day. The day before around 4 pm a huge storm blew in. When I left for work on Thursday we had a foot of new snow. I talked to the kids after school and told them they could shovel the driveway. They thought that was funner than being stuck in the house so they started.

When Richard got home he got his work truck stuck where he normally parks it and had to do some digging to get out. He finished the driveway and did a path from the carport to the door as well as the sidewalk to the road. Now I need to tell you that Richard has not shoveled all season. The kids, myself or the old man across thestreet do it. The guy across the street got a nice John Deer riding lawn mower with a plow and he goes to town.

Richard finished and called me at work the wish me a Happy "Freakin" Valentines. Who says that you have to buy something to give on Valentines? I was so happy to not have to wear my snow boots home from work!!!

Giving the Dog alot of attention

Last Fall the kids happen to catch the neighbor dog "stuck" to our dog. Well they went to the library at school and check out books on dogs. They marked it on the calender and counted down. Well that time has come and gone. No puppies. Shadow has never been given so much attention. They have been checking on her almost hourly. Last week before the BIG storm they went out to play with Shadow. I don't know how they did it but Kenzie climbed into the igloo dog house and called Shadow. KayLee tried to get a picture but at the time both Kenzie and Shadow were trying to make a quick get-a-way. For a better look, click on the picture to enlarge it. It makes me giggle!!

Fish Lake 2007

This year was only slightly quieter at the Fish Lake Reunion. Brett and Tres were unable to come due to baby Whitni's early arrival. Taylie got sick so she and Kortny did not come either. They were surely missed!!! Richard had us up and on the road by 8 am. We were driving by the cabin at 10:20. People were just leaving. Check in time was not until 3 pm. The lake was totally frozen but had not been for long. Richard and Kenzie ventured out onto the ice to fish. It was windy and freezing! KayLee and Kenna tried to sled but the snow was pretty deep and it was more work walking up the hill than it was worth. I sat in the truck with my coat and blanket and a good book. KayLee and Kenna got in with me and I read to them for over 2 hours. Finally Justin, Lindsay and Garrett arrived and we shortly there after were able to get into the cabin. Lindsay made clam chowder for dinner which really hit the spot. Kari and Jaron brought their new game Dance, Dance Revolution. It was great fun and lots of laughs.

Grandpa Lewis's Funeral

My Grandpa Lewis passed away on Christmas Eve. It was his anniversary and he was able to go "Home" for Christmas. The funeral was Saturday Dec. 29th. 21 of the 28 Grandchildren were able to attend. The others had trouble getting flights and travel plans and were unable to make it. A nice service was presented with talks from Steven, Kris, Mom and Barbara. The burial was in Provo. The weather was very cold. We went out to Steven's church in Saratoga Springs for a meal. It was fun to see family we don't get to see very often and to celebrate Grandpa's life.

Christmas 2007

Lucy cried from the other room but was too much help opening presents so she got to be involved only from her bed. Richard wanted to make a big breakfast but the kids ate candy and soda and did not want to eat breakfast. I just wanted to go back to bed since I had to go to work. Richard ended up watching the Simpson's movie and I napped. I went to work and the kids played in the snow and Richard continued to work on his movies for the "Fish Lake Film Festival".

All I wanted was to clean my room.............

Saturday morning Justin and Lindsay dropped off their little dog to have us watch while they spent time with Lindsay's family. We had to do some picking up as she put everything from toys to wrappers in her mouth. She then tried to open a present under the tree. I had borrowed a puppy pen from my friend. Lucy only got to be free for about 45 minutes after her drop off. We set her up in the kitchen, we were all in and out doing our normal things. She was fine until she was alone. Richard got ready for work and the girls were playing and KayLee kicked Kenna in the knee where she had a HUGE wart. The wart was knocked off and bleeding down both sides of Kenna's knee. Once she saw the blood Kenna got sick. She was about to faint. I had to cut off the wart and wrap her leg to get the bleeding to stop. (Kenna had put on her Christmas list to have her wart burned off) Well we saved a trip to the Dr. Richard left and Lucy needed to go outside. Kenna put her on her leash and KayLee went out to brake up Shadow's water. KayLee let Shadow off her leash but she was so excited about Lucy that she jumped the fence and came running to see this new dog. She is pretty frisky and pounced Lucy. Lucy started crying in her beagle bark and Kenna started screaming. I was in the house and thought maybe Lucy had been hit by a car or something. She looked fine so we thought maybe she was just scared. I got Kenzie and Kenna in the house and went to help KayLee catch Shadow. When we got back into the house Lucy had vomited on the floor. The kids informed me that they could not clean it up. So I did. I noticed spots of blood in the puke. So I had KayLee who was holding Lucy fill around and see if she was hurt anywhere. KayLee stuck her finger into a cut. Now my helper was useless. She was going to faint. I got a look and found that Lucy had a small cut in her skin on her belly. I called a vet and told them I had a dog that needed stitches. He informed me that I would need to pay a $75 fee just to show up, then $50 for a diagnostic fee and then a fee for what every was done. Oh yeah, it had to be paid up front. I informed the Vet that we would not be coming. I jumped in the car and ran to the store to buy Super Glue. I glued the dog back together! Now I am playing Vet without an assistant! Now it was time to take KayLee to work. I got Kenna, Kenzie and I something to eat. I walk into the house and my just filled 44 oz. drink fell onto the floor. Now I had to get the carpet cleaner out and clean up soda and dog barf. Finally things calmed down enough that I got to clean my room.(Richard's Christmas present) I was barley finished when he walked in at 10.

Pre-Christmas Suprise!

On 12-18-07 Tres and Brett got an early Christmas present. Whitni decided to come into the world 6 weeks and 2 days before she was expected. She was born in St. George and spent 1 week and 2 days in the N.I.C.U. She was born at 5 lbs. 1 oz. She was released from the N.I.C.U. yesterday and was released from the hospital today. Yeah!! Big sister Mardi is so excited about "her new baby".

Recipe For A Super Fantastic Holiday Season from the kitchen of KayLee Hepworth

Combine the following ingredients:

1 Cup of waiting to open presents
2 Tbs. of drawing names for presents
1/4 Cup of going to Salt Lake Temple to see the lights
2 quarts of candy canes from years ago (WARNING: don't eat them they are gross)

Slowly mix together:

A beautiful Festival of Trees
3/4 Cup of teasing my sisters about what color snow they ate
2 tsp. of drawing pictures on the windows (CATION: don't let the adults catch you)

(If wanted) sweeten the memories of going ice fishing with my family

(If wanted) spice it up with a lil' bit of opening 1 present on Christmas Eve (new p.j.s)

NOW ADD:
Shaking the presents
Pictures with Santa
Chocolate covered pretzels
And a small pinch of Christmas parties

Let cool for 5 to 6 minutes

This is good for all the fun Decembers to come.

Christmas with the Jenkins

I am not sure how it got to be so late in the month but I will now try to update the happenings thus far. On 12-15-07 we made the trip up to Cache Valley to have Christmas with my family. Kortny, Tyler and baby Taylie all came along. We had the party at Lauri's house as Mom has no room at hers with her new furniture. Steph and Chad let Kort and Tyler sleep over at their house with them. It was fun to have everyone together. It has been many years since we have all been in attendance. It is also fun to have babies in the family again. This Grandparent thing is great!! Now I know how people feel when they say "It is good to see them come, and better to see them leave". We watched Taylie so the kids could go to the movie. She was as good as can be but it was nice when her mom took her back and we could go to bed knowing we could sleep through the night without interruptions.

Only 7 days............

I still have a few more days in order to be equal with Tres. Anyway I have also been tagged but I have no one to tag. Well here it goes, 6 known facts about me;

*I have broken my back 2 times. Once when I was six, I fell out of a tree. Then when I was sixteen I had a painting accident with a ladder and broke it again. I guess you could say I am a walking miracle.

*My family is my life. I don't worry about friends because they are my friends. Richard is my best friend in the whole world. My kids are all a close second. I have the best parents and sisters as well as in-laws (parents, brother and sisters included) not everyone can say that!

*I have spent more New Years at Fish Lake than I have anywhere else. I am glad that this is a family tradition and hope to continue it for many years to come. (My husband won't stand for change)

*I have a wonderful step-daughter and the cutest grand daughter!! Not too many 35 year olds can say they are a grandma. I love it!!! You should see the reactions I get when I tell someone that I am a grandma. Baby Taylie has brought so much joy into everyone's live and she is such a good baby.

*I miss going to church! You don't know you miss it until you stop going. I work every other weekend so I can only attend when I am off. Then if we go somewhere, it happens when I have a weekend off. I was embarrassed to find out in October that this year in relief society Pres. Kimball was the theme. Had it really been a year since I attended? Any way I am trying harder to make it to church as it is such a blessing in our lives. I do have a testimony that this is the only true church and that Jesus Christ died for our sins. I tell my kids that if they will keep the commandments they will live a happy life. God wanted each of us to be happy so he gave us the commandments. The times I have been down on life it has been because I was not doing things like I should have.

*I love the elderly. I have spent 13 years caring for the elderly. My wonderful grandparents took me to the nursing home with them when I was young for sacrament meeting quite often. I have always felt very comfortable around the elderly. In high school I took the CNA course and became a Certified Nurses Aide. I did that for 10 years. I then spent the next 3 as a Licensed Practical Nurse in a nursing home. I am a lot more comfortable caring for some one older than I am some one my own age. I can't tell you how many time I have been looked in the eye and told, "Don’t ever get old, it's hell". I can agree, my 35 year old body doesn't recover like it did when it was 18

Thanks Tres!!!

For those that don't know, Brett's wife gave me a homework assignment. She tagged (challenged, forced) me into listing 6 little known facts about me.
I will participate as far as the list goes but I wont pass this misery on to anyone else.

Here you go:

1. We will start with the obvious, I hate to SHAVE, enough said.
2. I have over 30 fishing poles, My fishing equipment is worth more than my vehicles.
3. I watch Greys Anatomy on Wednesday nights (Thanx Kim)
4. There is not much more important than watching a Jazz game. While two of my children were being born a Jazz game was on in the background (or foreground depending on your point of view).
5. Probably one of the more embarrassing facts that many probably already know but I'm still going to use, is: I am a BYU alumni
6. I've read the complete Harry Potter series and liked it, ugh.

Nothing to glamorous, and yes pretty painful putting some of that on "paper" but probably nothing to suprising.

P.S. One more just for Justin. I voted for Bill Clinton THREE times!!!!

Richard

Santaquin Light Parade

Tonight was the light parade and the kids dance group was in it. Richard had to work at the Santaqueen so I was alone. I have never been to a parade all alone before. As you can see it is hard to take pictures of a light parade but you get the general picture. It was 30 degrees!!! Then KayLee had to rush over to the Santaqueen to work, Kenzie and Kenna came home and drank hot chocolate.

What I Would Miss By KayLee Hepworth

What I would miss if it were gone.

I would miss hearing the crickets chirp.

Seeing my Mom laugh,
Smelling a small puppy's breath,
Tasting my Grandma's homemade fudge.

I would miss the feeling of a pool on a hot summer day.

The feeling of happy parents,
Hearing the thunder as it rumbles in the sky,
Seeing my Dad try to snowboard.

I would miss smelling brownies almost done.

Tasting greasy salty brown-n-crispy fries,
The feeling of a slimy fish,
The feeling of no sisters bugging me.

What I would miss if it was gone.
I am glad its not!

Opportunity

You have probably noticed, no pictures.
No proof.
No evidence.
Every now and then you get the opportunity to do something that you have always wanted to do but were afraid of getting caught.

Something embarrassing, demeaning, or maybe even illegal.
Could land you in the state mental institution.
Family and friends would never let you live down.
Your mother could never find out.

I could go on and on but I hope by now you are getting the picture. Have you thought of something you want to do? I have, I just hope someday I get that opportunity!!
Richard

Politicians

In 1877 the U.S. Fish Commission began rearing carp shipped from Europe, and soon began shipping this "valuable" fish all over the country. The carp is now the most abundant freshwater fish species, in terms of biomass, in the United States, but perception of its value has changed.

With the recent elections and the numerous phone calls, signage and propaganda I was faced with it got me thinking (usually a dangerous thing). At one time carp were viewed as the save all for fisheries in the United States (much like politicians view themselves) hopefully someday our view of politicians will change much like it has for the common carp.

Halloween

Well I wanted to be the first to post on Halloween, but Tres and Lindsay already beat me. I tried to post pictures but I guess too many people are doing the same thing and it came back as error. I wanted to make sugar cookies after Kenzie got home from school but she convinced me I needed to lay down by her. Oh well things still go on even though not as planned. Richard had to work at the Santaquin tonight so I took the kids trick-or-treating to a few houses and then we went to the city park for the Trunk-or-treat or as the kids at my work call it Trick or trunk. KayLee took the other two around and I passed out the candy. I had 2 bags of cheap candy with 250 pieces each. It lasted about 20 minutes. I still had more candy then the others around me. We then went to Santaquin to grab a burger and shake from dad. He asked KayLee to come back and help so when I brought her home to change her clothes she took her bag of goods with her. I asked her why and she said, "there is no way I am leaving home my candy I had to work for, (more like beg for) with Kenna, Kenzie and You!!" That is ok, I am sure Richard made her pay DADDY Taxes. I will try to post the pictures later. Oh yah, we had NO trick-or-treaters come to the door. Go figure.