What?! Tarp Surfing?!?

Nate got me a great big huge tarp for Christmas. Here's why:

That's right - Tarp Surfing!! It is super fun. A lot more fun than I was expecting. Ever get jonesing for waves or want a taste of Hawaii? Get yourself a 50ft tarp at your local hardware store, a skateboard and you're set. I've never been barreled in the waves, but I have been barreled in a parking lot, and that's more than what most surfers can say!!

We tried this out while Nate's brother Brad was out here visiting. It was super fun to have him out here. Hopefully he can come live out here (keeping our fingers crossed!)

Happy 7th birthday, Ivy!!

Ivy rocks!

I mean, really, she's a rock star. And that's what she aspires to be. She makes up her own moves and lyrics, and practices them freely around the house. Her favorite was, "Yeah, yeah, I wanna be a rock star!" Check out her debut on these two videos:  ;) 

So naturally we planned a ROCK STAR party for her birthday. After cake and ice cream and pizza and gifts, we teased the girls' hair and gave them necklaces that light up.

Michael had just moved out of our front room, so it was unfurnished except for a platform bed, which we used as a stage. We decorated the room with black lights, Christmas lights, and disco lights, then played our "Party Music" CD to get all the young'uns dancing. It was soo fun! All these 7 year olds just having a great time! They loved going "on stage" and dancing for all to see.

Here's Ivy on stage:
Each girl got to lead the dance moves, then I taught them the classics -- you know, the "sprinkler", "lawn mower", "shopping cart", "worm" "robot" -- now they are dancing stars!

I think Ivy had a great time. I know I did!

Here are 7 Rockin' things about Ivy:

1. She has learned to read and can read very well.

2. She cares deeply for people and has a great sense of how people must feel under certain situations.

3. She recognizes feelings and promptings from the Holy Ghost and acts upon them.

4. She is a great big sister and little sister.

5. She is clean and organized.

6. She has a real and unique sense of style.

7. She wants to do what's right.

Happy New Year!

May we all make this year a great one. I saw a quote at my friend's studio: "Life is not about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself." May we all create ourselves into who we want to be this year.

We happened upon the Langs New Year's Eve at the beach and invited them over for New Years' celebration. Then I snuck away on a secret mission...


We have very good friends, the Monsons, who have been physically separated since July. Jessica was with their two boys in Tennessee going to school and Michael was still here with the army. Michael has been living with us while his family has been away. Well, just before New Years Jessica called to say she has had enough and was going to come out here indefinitely. She wanted to surprise Michael, and as excited as we all were, it was sooo hard to keep it a secret from him. Somehow though, he found out minutes before she came through the door on New Year's Eve!!!

We love these guys and their family. It is wonderful to have them all together again. And now they are living at Kay's house, so we are neighbors!