Journey to the Top of the Mountain

I've got some great friends who, I'm still not sure how, talked me into joining them on a pretty intese hike in South Lake Tahoe. Mt. Tallac is 9700 ft. above sea level and, from the summit, one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen. I read that, overall, the route we took is 6 miles in distance with an elevation gain of 3,200 ft., but I have to give it to these girls, they were very patient and encouraging. The view and satisfaction of reaching the summit made it all well worth with, though I found myself repeating the mantra I have for my own kids, "You can do hard things!" Several times I felt like the little blue engine, "I think I can, I think I can..." But we did it, in just over 4 hours, I believe. So here are a few pictures from our resident photographer, Debby. Thanks again, girls!

Mom's Graduation

We are so darned proud of you, Grandma!! Way to go!

Our Fun 4th!

Yes, I know this is very late, but I had to post about the great week we spent with my sister and her family in Washington. We love to be up there in the summer - it's such a wonderful break from the incessant heat we get down here. We spent most of the time at their little cabin on the lake. Good times...

10-Year Anniversary!

Yeah! This year for the "Big 10," we went down to Monterey for the weekend. Grandma McMindes, lovingly, offered to take the kids to the Ranch, which is always a treat for them. So, knowing the kids were happy as clams, we headed for the coast. It was strange to be in the car together and be able to talk without comments from the peanut gallery. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. One of the perks of Ryan's jobs is that since he has to travel so much, he earns points for hotel stays. So after a little calculating, he landed us in The Clement, which is arguably the nicest hotel there, right in the center of Cannery Row. We realized this was our first time staying in a hotel without kids since our honeymoon!

Bubba Gumps for Dinner

Evening Stroll

View from our deck - the Central Plaza

Ocean View

Petting Stingrays at Montery Bay Aquarium

Ben's Baptism Day

Finally! Here are some pictures from Ben's baptism. I felt so proud of my little man, not only because of his decision to be baptized, but of his preparation. He really took it seriously and was so excited, he told everyone he came in contact with, from schoolmates, to teachers, the principal, store cashiers, it was so neat. When he met with the Bishop prior to his baptism, the bishop came out and said, "He'll be interviewing us someday." He loves learning about the gospel and has always had such a sensitive heart. I tell him all the time he's going to be the best missionary, husband and father. I'm so proud of my boy!

My Guys

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma with Aunt Babe

Four Generations of Handsome Men

Our neighbors, Connie and Fritz were so sweet to come and support Ben.

Ben really loved having his friends there.

Memorial Day Weekend

One of our family's favorite things to do is be outdoors, surrounded by nature. We really don't do it often enough, but we have the best time when we do. So this weekend was a "Nature Vacation." Ryan had some work to do in Redding, so we stayed with him in his hotel, which the kids think is the coolest thing ever. The first picture is fast becoming a staple in during our Redding adventures. Burney Falls has a great hike which we just found leads to a beautiful lake (see picture of Ryan and Ben.) The middle pictures are from a hike we took to Castle Crags State Park in Dunsmuir, just south of Shasta. It was breathtaking. At the end of the hike, before we turned back, was a little stream that the kids really enjoyed. We were really proud of them, since we literally hiked or drove for three solid days. The loved it, though. Very few complaints, which is quite huge!

Dear Friends

I'm just amazed to know so many wonderful women in my life. These are a few dear friends from Vacaville I visited with while they were in town. Mandi, Christy, Judy, and Tricia. Each one plays a part in my history, from different periods of my life and I feel so awed by them, what great mothers and women they have become. I'm blessed to know them.

Toothless!

After a few weeks of anxious wiggling and painful apple biting, we have an official lost tooth! Lauryn was so excited to have her tooth finally come out. This was that morning's conversation:

(Ben and Lauryn had been sleeping in his tent)

Lauryn: My tooth hurts. I think it's almost out.

Ben: Try to move it.

Lauryn: I'm trying to, but I can't feel it.

Ben: Where is it?

Lauryn: I don't know. I was just wiggling it. Hey, I think I feel something.

Ben: Let me see!

Lauryn: Yeah, it's my tooth!

Ben: Mom!! Lauryn's tooth came out!

It was hard to tell who was more excited, but she definitely came out beaming. And it seems we have a very generous Tooth Fairy! Initially the Tooth Fairy thought $1 was perfect, but the Tooth Fairy's husband thought that wasn't sufficient to celebrate a 1st tooth! So the next morning, this was the conversation:

Ben: Mom, what was that you were writing last night with Lauryn's name on it. It looks like the Tooth Fairy's note.

Mom: (shooting the former a dirty look) Well, I don't know why.

Lauryn: The Tooth Fairy gave me $5!

Ben: Hey, I think the Tooth Fairy only gave me $2 for my first tooth! (Shooting a dirty look my way.)

Oops!

Dillon Beach

We spent a few days with our friends at Dillon Beach. It was freezing and windy, but the kids had a fabulous time!

Ellie's 3!

We have this tradition in our family, dating back to my childhood, of being awoken to a sleepy rendition of Happy Birthday. Then we were presented with a single wrapped gift, our favorite (sugar) cereal. That was the only time all year we were allowed to have sugar cereal, so birthday mornings were quite a treat. My favorite was (and still is) Honeycombs. My birthday just isn't the same without it. Ellie has decided her favorite is Fruit Loops. This is her 3rd year opening her little box and watching her get so excited makes me so grateful my mom made such a point to create little traditions like this. (I have to say, however, that I have tweaked it slightly over the years. We buy the small, individual boxes so there are no leftovers! This way, the other kids also get to choose from what is left in the packet of cereals, so it's fun for them, too!)
Happy Birthday, Darling!

Gettin' Down and Funky!

Our friends, Matt & Christy, brought over Dance Revolution the other night. It's seriously addicting! You keep thinking, I'll get it this time, no, really. I don't even know what time we got the kids to bed, but it was late. Ryan actually busted quite a move, reverting back to his old single days when he was the hottest thing on the dance floor.

Well, we thought it might be too difficult for our little white kids to really get, but they sure proved us wrong! They each had their own style - Ben was more thoughtful and gentle, and then there's Lauryn beating the heck out of the pads!

(Sorry, I had a hard time getting the video to work, so I've added it to our other website (www.easysite.com/mahoneyfamily5). Feel free to visit and see the kids gettin' down and funky!

The Hicksville Twins

Okay, this picture was too cute. They were having so much fun being silly. To save my brother and sister-in-law's reputation, though, Taytum is always dressed adorably - matching clothes, shoes, hair done, the whole bit. Now I know that sounds like normal life for most of you all, but in our family, it's a miracle if we can keep clothes on our kids. And then to try and get those clothes to match, well, it's just too much for me. So when Taytum comes over, she has to blend in, of course. She just becomes one of the kids. So, sorry Paul and Tiff! This is really what happens when she's at our house!

Sense and Sensibility

For those of you who know Jane Austen characters, I'd have guessed I would have been Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice, but alas, I'm the mature, sensible Ms. Dashwood. Though I'm not complaining, if you know who she gets in the end!

Take the Quiz here!

Super Monday!

After the Church's press conference this morning, announcing President Monson as our new prophet, I was listening to a Q&A with Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy. He mentioned how ironic it was that we've just had 'Super Sunday' (Super Bowl Sunday), Tuesday we'll have 'Super Tuesday', and today we have 'Super Monday'. He commented on how interesting it is this is only the 16th time we've had the succession of a new prophet, since the Church's restoration 178 years ago. It really made an impression on me how amazing it is to watch this and it's significance to the world, though so many have no idea this is happening.

I found a really great website I used often for Nursery ideas, which has a link for FHE ideas. The website is sugardoodle.net. One idea was to make a scrapbook page in the kids' scrapbooks about the things they remembered about President Hinckley and some of the things he helped bring about, ie. temples, Perpetual Education Fund, more worldwide media exposure, etc. I think we'll do that tonight.

At the press conference, I was so impressed by President Monson's response to a question about how he felt when he knew he would be the next prophet. He said he went straight to his knees. I guess I imagined him to talk about how overwhelmed he was and possibly nervous by this great responsibility. But he didn't. His unwavering faith was evident in his response. It also hit me that this is a man who truly knows the Lord and knows He will guide him as he leads His church. My own faith was strengthened by his quiet, sure response. It also reminds me of the need to take my worries and concerns to the Lord, trusting Him to guide me in my life.

Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes authored these adorable books about a group of mice friends. Each has its own personality that almost any kid can identify with. Lauryn's favorite is Lilly. She oozes drama and I think Lauryn likes her because she's brave enough to do all the things she wishes she could do. However, seeing what her poor mother goes through, I'm grateful for my Lulu!

Winter Wonderland

We had the best day with our friends, Matt & Christy, enjoying the wintery outdoors. We drove about an hour east and found the perfect spot. (Thanks, Matt!) I couldn't believe how brave the kids were. Both Ben and Lauryn are my nervous Nellies, so I was pretty amazed they took to it so quickly. They literally sledded a good hour and a half, taking only the necessary snack/hot chocolate breaks here and there. And when the adults were too tired/sore/cold, they found new paths on the other side of our hill. Even after several nasty spills, they kept on going. It really was a perfect day. Feel free to visit our family website for more pics and some video!

What better way to spend a Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday! Actually, I felt a tad guilty that we hadn't made mention of the purpose for the holiday (though they're very thorough at school), so on the trip home, I mentioned how grateful I was to have spent the day with my family and how blessed we are to be free - thanks to so many before us who had to fight to pave the way so that everyone could enjoy freedom. Reveling in my eloquence, I was interupted by Lauryn's insightful comment, "Yeah, we already talked about that." Thanks, Mom!

Ellie the Ogre

Ellie was an "Ogre" playing in the mud. I didn't have the heart to get mad at her, but it was sure a lovely mess.