10 Favorite Memories of Teenage Years

Today's 10 on Tuesday is actually narrowed down to 1.

1. Turning 20.

That's about all I can think of. Being a teenager wasn't an awesome time for me. Luckily, my two teenage sons are making up for it and I am loving watching them be teens.

Okay, so my mom and sister made me think more about it and I'm feeling guilty about not having more positive to say. Here are nine more:

2.Taking the black and white tv into my room in the summer and watching Gidget, Gilligan's Island, and Brady Bunch reruns while I ate mac and cheese, a quesadilla or top ramen and waited for my "Sun In" spray in hair lightener to develop.

Here we are with the neighbors at Lake Powell. I took ocassional breaks from Gidget.

3.Coming home from JR. High to Duran Duran's Wild Boys blaring from the record player, walking in to find Laura and Nate dancing around like maniacs to it in the kitchen.

Laura and Nate with their best friends, the Shins. They frequently had them join in on Duran Duran and Depeche Mode renditions.

4. Playing stylist to my little brother Dave. Dave was like my little Ken doll. I'd do his hair with a cowlick, roll up the sleeves on his tshirt, and peg his pants. He was so cool and cute.

Check out that cowlick and the rolled up sleeves. Good work, eh? Like my sun-in effects?

5. Helping Lisa choreograph a dance routine for her Stars Class to Notorious by Duran Duran. Do you remember that Lisa?

Here I am doing some dance moves with the Jr. High PTSA council--copying Breakfast Club.

6. Going on the family trip back to NYC Statue of Liberty Celebration.

7. Going to Chicago for Uncle Steve's wedding.

8. Driving around with my best friends, Stephanie and Emily, with Led Zeppelin cranked as loud as the station wagon stereo could go. Even though we were in the station wagon, we'd all sit in the front seat. We'd drive to 7 Eleven and load up on Slurpees and get sugar rushes.

Hanging out with Jr. High friends--Jenny, Melissa, Emily and Angie.

9. Skiing at Sundance with my yellow Sony Sport cassette player and earphones listening to my new Red Hot Chili Peppers tape. Yes, in neon.

Wow, that is some nice form. Ha. Ha. Good thing it's a b&w shot or you'd be blinded by the neon colors of the ski suit.

10. Walking to Naugles (bean and cheese burritos), Macey's (Seventeen Magazine and Cover Girl Shimmering Shell Lipstick) or the shaved ice shack (Pink Grapefruit/Grape mixed).

10 inventions that have made my life easier

Today's 10 on Tuesday. These inventions are supposed to be things that were invented in my lifetime. I am not totally sure when these were each invented but I'm thinking they went mainstream in my lifetime. (In no particular order)

1. Digital Photography
2. Debit Cards and online banking
3. Personal Computers and Printers
4. the Internet (thanks, Al. definitely a better invention than your global warming one)
5. central vac
6. microwave ovens
7. cell phones
8. keyless entry-though my key fob has been broken for a good year+
9. mini-vans with self closing doors--genius when you have little kids. loved it when I had one and love others that have them for sparing dents to my car. Now when are we going to get self returning shopping carts?
10. cd/dvd players

Do you want a bagel?

A few mornings ago, when Chloe woke up, I knew she would be hungry for breakfast, so I asked her," Chloe, do you want a bagel?"

She paused for a moment and replied,"No, I want sumfing called....(pause).....
my daddy!"

10 fond memories from my childhood

1. One of my memories is of a trip that we took to Boston. Around age 6, we went to the Zackrisons who were going to college at the time. It was my first time on a plane and I discovered Ginger Ale and was amazed that they would just keep bringing it 'for free'. I found this journal entry I made about the trip.It is still what I remember.

"We just whent to Boston Mass. We whent to a place ware there were witchcraft We whent to Old Iron Sides We whent inside it to I had a great aventcher there. Katie Anne Hawkes"

2. Going to Grandma and Grandpa Hawkes house in Preston, Idaho. I'd always fall asleep on the way and wake up in one of the bedrooms downstairs a little disoriented. Once I realized where I was I'd be so excited and run up to greet my Grandma. I loved playing dress-up in her clothes and shoes, eat homemade cookies from her doghouse cookie jar, and play outside in the treehouse and barn. Great times
3. My mom taking us to get Easter dresses each year. We'd get to go to Mini-World or Jolene's to pick one out. She'd also frequently sew matching outfits for all of us. I loved the seersucker sailor inspired outfits she made one year.

This picture of my mom, Lisa, and I is from a Mother/Daughter fashion show the Relief Society put on one year.
4. Going on a caravan road trip with the Widtfeldts. I thought it was so cool that my grandparents had a motor home. I remember riding in it with Aunt Wendy and she was trying to teach me how to braid. I couldn't figure out how a braid used 3 groupings of hair and looked like it was only two. My family with Unlce Steve, Aunt Wendy, and Grandma Widtfeldt.

5. Going to Great Grandpa Wood's house. He would always greet you with a bearhug that could crack your ribs. He had raw almonds and sherbet in his freezer and Hazel had homemade wheat bread to offer up. We went there frequently and there are numerous memories I have of our visits. I loved his Cape Cod style house with white siding and dormer windows. I couldn't imagine that a more charming house could exist anywhere.

This picture is at Great Grandpa Wood's home for an Easter Egg hunt.
6. Going on a road trip from Orem, Utah to NYC, NY in our Green/Cream two toned Chevy station wagon. My dad drove that right through Harlem and would pull over and talk to people like we were in Mayberry, USA. I remember the finger flipping out of other vehicle windows and the yelling of, "Go back to Utah!" That was a great summer vacation, though.

Can you imagine that car with the Sears Ex-Cargo cartop carrier (my sisters are sitting on it) driving through Manhattan with all of us little 'deer in the headlights' kids staring out the windows? Too funny.

7. Trips to the Weber Cabin. We'd frequently invite another family and as a result I have many memories of the various experiences. For example: chasing down the raft by swimming in the ice cold water, shooting potguts with our homemade bows and arrows, sasquatch lighting our campfire, the chocolate chip cookie eating weirdo who paid a visit to the cabin, etc.


Here I am on the wooden raft at the Weber Cabin pond and holding a snake my siblings, cousins and I caught in the stream.

8. My dad taking us along on his business trips to St. George, Utah. We'd hang out at the Holiday Inn pool that was 1/2 indoor and 1/2 outdoor and think we'd gone to heaven. I felt very sophisticated knowing I was going to get a continental breakfast.

9. My dad would read us Uncle Remus stories at night but change the words so we could understand what was being said. He'd get part way through the book and say, "I need to rest my eyes for just a second." Much to our disappointment, he'd always fall asleep when he said this. He also told great stories about growing up on the farm. We'd beg for 'just on more'. After several, and our plea for one more, he'd say,"Let me tell you the one about Shadrach, Meshach, and To Bed You Go." He thought that was pretty funny.

10. When I went away to girls camp, I came home to a completely redecorated room. My mom had set up a daybed, hung a country blue goose border and decorated it all with country blue, white and tan. I was in love. She hung a little decorative plate with a kitten on it that read 'To a daughter who's PURRRRfect just the way she is."

The Top 5 Reasons I love Being a Mom

I snapped these pictures of my kids on Mothers Day. I sure can't think of anything I'd rather be than their mother.

Going for Broke.

Things that have broken this past month:
1. Transmission on my Suburban. Had to replace. Ouch.
2. The faucet on my sink. Had to use a screwdriver to turn it on and off until Larry came home to order the part. Then wait until the next time he came home to install the part.
3. Chase's knee. Not actually broken (it was x rayed), but now 3 weeks after injuring it he has been referred to an orthopaedist.
4. Caleb's jaw. Once again, not an actual break. It has been swollen for several days after being hit (don't know by what or whom). Luckily the swelling is subsiding.
5. Washing Machine. Just had the repairman out today to fix it. Now I get to fold a week+ worth of laundry. Uggh. I am sooo grateful to have it working, though.
6. Windshield on my Suburban. It has the most massive cracks -2 of them-down the center. The chip that has been there for a good year decided this was the month to join with the rest of the items in our household.
7. Larry's sprayer. John Deere repairman has been out to take care of things several times.
I would knock on wood that nothing more breaks, but am afraid I would split the wood or break my hand doing so.

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

A few days ago Caleb turned SEVEN!

While I could name at least 700 things I love about Caleb, here is a list of 7 in honor of his 7th birthday:

1. He has an insatiable curiosity-he has a question for just about everything. His questions show his deep thought and curiosity about the world. He especially loves learning the history of World Wars 1 & 2. This is why he is decked out in military gear. It's all he was interested in for his birthday.

2.He is extremely kind/compassionate-he cares about others feelings and wants others to be happy and have fun. When wrestling, he often won't give it his all (which drives his brothers crazy as spectators) due to his fear of hurting his opponent's feelings. That is why we call him the gentle giant.

3. He is a cuddler-he loves to cuddle me and give me loves.

4. He is a great eater-he rarely complains about what we are having for dinner and eats what is on his plate. This includes a desire for healthy foods--fruits & veggies.

5. He is a great student- he loves to read and do his homework. He is an excellent reader & speller.

6. He follows the rules-he thinks it is very important to choose the right and I can count on him to do so.

7. He is physically active & imaginative-he creates fun scenarios and is more frequently running around and playing rather than sitting. I rarely hear him say, "I'm bored."

Happy Birthday, Caleb. I LOVE YOU!

10 Things I learned from my Mother

This photo is of my mother holding me in Beaver, Utah when I was about 1 yr. old
10 on Tuesday:
This list is of things my mom has taught me and I have yet to completely learn and master as she has.

1. Value Motherhood. My mom has a college education and numerous talents, abilities, and interests and has always made motherhood her #1 priority. Even when times were less than easy financially, she was committed to being home with her kids.

2. Pursue your interests and develop your talents. She was always learning about and trying new things. She wasn't afraid to venture into unusual hobbies--like taxidermy?!! She encouraged us by enrolling us in dance, piano, art lessons, viola, community classes, skiing, etc.

3. Serve others. I don't think I appreciated how much she sacrificed for us until I was grown, but I know that my mother puts a great importance on serving her family and others.

4. Appreciating the cultural arts. She was interested in plays, ballet, musical performances, home shows, art exhibits, and more, and was frequently purchasing tickets and taking us to these events.

5. Manners. While I certainly have a long way to go, I remember her having etiquette dinners with our family and her training on how to set a table properly, what Emily Post would suggest, etc. I am grateful for this knowledge.

6. Proper grammar and punctuation. I definitely have a long way to go on this. I am still 'taught' frequently on how to correct my mistakes and welcome any teaching she can give me. I know if I ever have a question aboout the proper use of a word, or need an expert editor, she is the best person to consult.

7. Try new foods. My mom taught me to be adventurous in trying and appreciating different cuisines.

8. Appreciate different cultures. Since my mom grew up living and traveling the globe with her family, she appreciated and was interested in travel, and various cultures. She has always tried to take our family to as many places as she could talk my dad into, and when there we were taught about the histories and cultures of the places we went. She still encourages us to travel and experience the diversity of the planet.

9. The importance of family traditions. I am grateful for the traditions that were a part of my life as a child that I have carried on to my family. I have learned the importance of establishing and maintaining our own traditions.

10. Family History. My mom is the quintessential genealogist. She loves searching our family history and preserving our current history as we are making it. She has always been this way. I hope I can live up to her example.