MOVEMBER

This is Ben's "Movember" contribution, courtesy of his sister and a sharpie marker....

THANKSGIVING

We decided in the grocery store last week that what we really wanted to do for Thanksgiving was drive to Salt Lake and spend it with the Smiths. So that is what we did! It was a great trip. The kids played and played and played some more. Annette and I cooked and walked and visited a ton. The boys played football, went to watch the Utes play and shopped for guns. Throw in a few board games, a couple of movies and some great food and we all really enjoyed ourselves!

TEMPLE

I was really excited that we would be able to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square while we were in Salt Lake. The last time we were there was in 2004 so none of the kids remembered it. We made an evening of it, having the best dinner ever with everyone at Red Iguana first.

We hit the display windows at Macy's first. They were created completely out of candy and really, really cool. I told Nick he should make something for the windows at our house......

Then we headed over to the main attraction. The temple is so beautiful!! Even without all the lights, being near the Salt Lake Temple is just awesome. 

 Nick was absolutely darling. I was telling him that this is where Dad and I were married and a few things and he just got the sweetest look on his face. "I have never been by this temple before," he said. He read what is carved and the side  of it an asked me if he could touch it while I took his picture. We talked about the temple, the special feeling that is felt even on the grounds around it, and when he will get to go inside. He can't WAIT until he turns twelve.:) It was a very tender moment. 

The lights were as pretty as I remembered them. The church does such a stellar job and temple square was just amazing with all the lanterns and nativities everywhere. All the kids had fun and we got a few good (dark!) pictures.

We went in to use the restrooms in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building just as a choir was singing up in the balcony. That is such a gorgeous building. It was fun to see the chandeliers and the giant statue of Joseph Smith. The kids thought it was really neat that the prophet lives there too.:)

We topped off the night with peppermint milkshakes from Chic-Fil-a. Seriously, can an evening get any better than this???

CEREAL

So Chris has this recipe he calls "Dad's Special Cereal." It is basically a ton of butter and brown sugar with a little bit of oats mixed in. And the whole family LOVES it. I have tried to make it and, in Olivia's words, "No offense mom, but you make it too crunchy." Today I started melting the butter for Chris and Olivia quickly motioned to him to take over at the stove before I got at it.:) I love that it really is a special breakfast for the kids. So special in fact that they line up at the stove, bowls in hand.....

(Chris puts toasted pecans in mine so it's pretty special for me, too. Thanks babe!)

SWAG

Look who is no longer a "brace face!" He has a beautiful smile..... Even his big sister told him so several times. Lookin good, Swaggermuffin 99. In a week his pink and black retainers will be ready!

KITTY TALKS 2.5

I AM A BABY SITTER!
Bunny a hug a me.
You stop it!
Shut up Ben.
Monster feeder
I am tired mom.
BABY DEER!
Good morning!
How are ya? Go chool?
Humpkins
Pinki is MINE
I have a go gym.
I have a go Ben chool.

REPTILES

The boys and I went to the library's reptile show this week and they got to pet all kinds of creatures! Ben was in heaven, Nick was a little leery after "Rose" the big tarantula made her appearance. So he opted to sit on my lap the rest of the show......

TIRED

Ben, after being at a swim meet for nearly forever: "This is like a spa."

TEMPLE

I think it is true when people say that 'bad things always happen on the way to the temple.' I have had it happen more than once.....despite advanced planning,  I am running late, can't find something I need to take, have had a disagreement with Chris or am just in a fowl mood. It is Satan's way of keeping me from where I need to be the very most. Thankfully, as I was reminded recently, Heavenly Father always wins out......;)

So back up two weeks. Nick had just been registered for Hawks football and received some of those decals for the car window. He kept begging me to put one on the van and I always had an excuse....not right now, the car is dirty, etc etc. I finally got around to putting it on the bottom left corner of the back window just a few days before our trip to Utah.

Fast forward to this past Saturday morning. We had spent a week in Idaho and were driving to Salt Lake to go through the temple with Chris' nephew, Carson, that afternoon. Carson is the son of Chris' only sister and will be leaving to serve a mission in Japan next month. While Chris' sister is a member of the church, her husband is not, so Chris has had the opportunity to bless and perform some of Carson's ordinances. It wasn't long ago that he was blessing Carson as a baby; this he was able to give him the Melchesidak Priesthood and escort him through the temple! Chris has been a strong spiritual support for their family and today was undoubtedly a special day. As we were driving, I took the wallet out of my purse, just to double check that I had my recommend. It was there, and I was really looking forward to being in the temple.

Later on, Chris and Carson left in our van to head to the temple. They needed to be there two hours earlier than Annette (Chris' sister) and I. It wasn't until  after they left and I went to run an errand that I realized my wallet was not in my bag. It took me a minute to realize that it had been left in the van. And that my recommend was in it. I looked at my watch. It was 1:57. The boys were already in the temple. I raced home to tell Chris' sister. I thought for sure I wasn't going to get to go. We left with not nearly enough time to accomplish what we need to do. Once on the road, Annette reached over, grabbed my leg and said, "We'll say a prayer, and if Heavenly Father wants you in the temple, this will work out. And I know He does!" I wanted to cry. I prayed the whole way. I really needed to be in the temple, for Carson and but also for myself.  I told him I trusted in His plan, that He could make this work. I had the feeling to start at the top level of the parking garage where Annette figured Chris had parked. Having never been there or seen where it was, I quizzed her on the details of it the rest of the ride.

We made it to the temple in record time, despite the distance we had to drive. We found a perfect parking spot on a very busy street. So far, so good. It was 2:29. She pointed me to the doors of the conference center and then headed across the street to the temple. There were people everywhere. A sign read "East Elevators" and I figured I would start there, alongside the rest of the world.  While waiting for the elevator, the lady in front of me pointed out a picture on the wall to someone next to her. My eyes followed and noticed a picture with a bunch of houses in it. 

No one seemed to know what level was  the top level of the parking garage. I rode the elevator clear to the top of the convention center, where I was told I couldn't be unless I was in a tour. Oops. Then I rode down with a Russian family that was as lost as I was. I kept looking at my watch..2:35pm. The clock was ticking and I was stuck in an elevator! I finally just got off on some level that started with a 'P'. I will admit, I was feeling hopeless. This place was a huge maze. I took off my heels, slung my bag over my neck and started to run. The parking garage was dimly lit and hotter than hot. I knew our dark colored car was not going to be easy to find. My eyes scanned several rows while I ran up and around. The place was busy and soon I was back where I had started. No van. I hit the stairwell and went down a level. I started running again. It was 2:40. There were very few cars on this level. It looked to be under construction. A large letter T with the number 5 was painted on the wall. Where was I?  I was wasting my time. He didn't park here. No one parked here, I thought as I ran. I was dripping with sweat. I had just rounded the corner and was heading up hill when I saw it. Straight in front of me, about 10 cars up, a bright orange Parker Hawks football decal. I couldn't see the car it was on, but the sticker was bright and reflecting. The closer I got, I realized it was the van. I threw my shoes and bag down and crawled under the van to get the hide-a-key. I grabbed my wallet, then my bag and shoes and started running again. 2:40. Not late yet, but I was turned around and not sure which direction to go. I couldn't find a sign and the once busy parking garage was suddenly quiet. I started running again and heard myself say out loud, "I just need to get to the temple!" I found a sign that read "East exit" and followed it, remembering that at one point I was on the "East Elevators." Soon I found the elevators and hit whatever floor had a star next to it. I got off somewhere in the conference center and was completely alone. Where were the crowds of people when I needed them?! It was then that I turned around and saw the picture of all the houses on the wall. Ah, bless that woman for pointing it out to her friend! I realized I was back on street level and ran out the door and across the street.

Sheets of sweat were running down my face when I handed the temple worker my recommend.  The clock on the wall read 2:45. I changed quickly and tried to clean myself up for a second in the restroom before entering the chapel. My sister-in-law was in the first row and stood up and hugged me tightly when I walked in. Neither of us could believe that I made it. I realized that I had never been in the temple with her before then. And that the Salt Lake temple is even more beautiful than I had remembered. I took it all in, feeling the peace and beauty and contentment of the Lord's House. I have been in many temples, many different times. But, for the first time in my life, I had felt a deep, desperate urgency to get to the temple. I wanted to be there. And clearly, Heavenly Father wanted me there,too. 

My testimony of the temple has grown because of this experience. It is the Lord's house and He wants me in it. His plan for me includes being in the temple. Often. I know that, because I called upon Him, He guided me and through several tiny miracles, made it possible for me to spend time in His house on this particular day. 

CARSON

On our way to Preston, we drove through Salt Lake so Chris could ordain Carson with the Melchezedik Priesthood. He will be leaving for his mission to Japan in a month and I am just so thankful for this guy. He has been such a powerful example in my kids' lives. They play the piano because of him. They swim because Carson swims. They write stories at school about him. And some mornings the only way I get them dressed is by reminding them that the shirt I am begging them to wear was a hand-me-down from Carson. For them to see how he has chosen to live and the decision he has made to serve a mission is so, so impressionable. I hope my boys grow to be just like their favorite cousin!

After a week in Preston, we returned to Salt Lake to go through the temple with Carson. Chris was his escort and the experience was a very special one. Aunt Pat, Uncle Ron, and Casey were there in addition to Annette and I. There really is no better place on earth to see your family than in the temple!

Afterwards, we grabbed some Cafe Rio and headed back to the Malens for one last night. I love this picture of Carson, Kate, and Olivia. They look like parents....

I love how happy yet awkward Kate is with Carson holding her....

This picture will be used on next year's reunion t-shirts to commemorate Carson's time serving in Japan......

We are sure going to miss you Carson but wouldn't have you anywhere else. Enjoy Japan! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

IDAHO

The week of July 4th 2013, in pictures:

YES! The best week of the year is about to begin!

The "All American" scavenger hunt was, once again, a huge hit. Jack loved his corn dog.

Annette and Jenn got the opportunity to wear the John Deer hats of two red-neck strangers they found at Tattles, the local bar. Thanks, Bobby!

Jack happily donned the overalls of a man Grandma Jen knew. I don't know if that makes it okay or not.....

And three big cheers to the winning team, who beat the second place crew by an unbelievable 7 minutes. True champions!

Sugar.cereal.every.day. And on this particular day, Kitty opted to add a pop-tart and two suckers.

The Eye of the Liger family fun run was exciting this year as the trophy hat changed hands for the first time ever. Uncle Joseph overtook Carson, the reigning champion since the race started seven years ago.

Cutest catcher ever. This little guy lives for the annual softball game!

Sweaty hungry kids. And Sugar dog. Good thing Dad and Uncle Pete are working their magic on the grill.

 

Grandpa's homemade water slide gets wilder as the kids get older. Seeing 6'3 Noah surf down it standing up was hilarious. And Nick's tricks landed him in the grass more than once...

Lady Liberty Livi.

Kitty playing cards with Carson, the cousin she loves to pieces and is scared to death of at the same time.

 

Lots of jokes, battles, games and insanely loud laughter went on all week long. It is quite possible that the entire town of Preston could hear the kids when they played spoons at the kitchen table. Here, little Nick woke up from his post-swimming nap with whiskers.

And just like that, the week is over for another year. Dirty, tired kids strung out on sugar have been thrown in the van and we are headed home. It is kind of sad, really. It is just so fun, being together and watching the kids enjoy each other. The memories and the love they feel for their cousins will no doubt last a lifetime!

NOTE: Aunt Jenn clearly did not take enough pictures. For the record, these individuals were also in attendance: Grandpa Randall, Uncle Joseph, Noah, Izzy, and Preston.

GROCERY STORE

It is SO FUN going to the grocery store with four kids. What a freakin circus!! I can't believe we made it out of there. And that I will forget how crazy it is and do it again at some point!  I am thankful, however, that Olivia was mindful enough to catch the event in photos......

This one here sums it all up, no words needed.....

This picture is pretty cool.... Nick was being a dude and showing off his dancing skillz.....

P.S. A big thank you to whoever made those big, cheap, long-lasting suckers. They have saved my life more than once...

BEN

Me, to Ben, who was laying on the landing on the stairs: Hey Ben, can you go find Kate's Lola please?

Ben: No. I am tormenting a bee. A yellow jacket......

"MOM! Look what I found!!" I love how big his eyes get was he is excited.....

Then we went outside and took turns whapping it on each other and getting all fuzzy.

KITTY

Yesterday morning, we took the big kids to swim practice. I made the mistake of sitting down right next to the baby pool with Kate, who was fully dressed. It took about 3 seconds for her to be waist deep in the water. and she wasn't too happy when I drug her out and laid her on the towel to dry off......

A little coloring project. I love how quietly she colors, making tiny little circles on the paper and leaving a trail of un-capped markers behind her.....

Last night Kate was playing puppets on the kitchen floor and nibbling on the red pepper that was supposed to be part of our dinner.....

This morning, nothing would do until I took the top off of my deodorant so she could use it.....

I don't think she could be any cuter or more hilarious....XOXO