Hart Family Blog

Wasting time

2009-02-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

These are really fun. I got started and now I can't stop! I am stuck on 16 right now, and must go to bed. But I fully intend to devote every spare minute to these tomorrow!

www.mcgov.co.uk/riddles/level1.html

Erin

We're-avinababy...itsaboy

2009-02-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Remember that commerical? Anyway, yay! We had an ultrasound today, which revealed to us what we already knew...we're having a boy! David Demke and chinese astrology predicted this several weeks ago, so it really wasn't a huge surprise. While I have my doubts with the chinese astrology, I don't doubt David's gift. As far as I know, he has never been wrong. He predicts a boy for Susie too...

No other changes for the Beamans. Just getting fatter every day (just me. Jake and Wyatt are not getting any fatter). Wish we had more news, hopefully soon.

Erin

Blog Death?

2008-12-31T11:23:00.000-08:00

Okay, so now that our three main posters have blogs of their own...does this mean we should end the family blog? Opinions?

Erin

Message from Wyatt

2008-11-15T09:10:00.001-08:00

On July 19, 2009:

Beaman Halloween! Spooooky!

2008-11-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

Yay! We had our first trick-or-treating Halloween with Wyatt. I was so excited! Wyatt (and I think Jake) did not understand why he had to go. Basically, there is nothing about trick or treating that appeals to Wyatt. He has to wear a hot costume, with a HAT, be around strangers in his face cooing "she is so cute!" and be confined to mom's arms/stroller. Well, too bad for you Wyatt. Mom wanted you to go trick or treating, so we did. I had to put some "seed candy" in his bucket, to get him distracted enough to keep his hat on and leave the house. We opened a bag of skittles (choking hazard, I know) and dumped them in. Wy tried to drink them out of his bucket. Anyway, once we got started, he didn't do too bad. He likes running up and down the street, so that was exciting for him. After approximately 13 minutes though, he wouldn't tolerate going up driveways and waiting for people to answer the door. He started getting all floppy and shrieky, behavior usually reserved for church and the doctor's office. Jake decided that "sugar turns him pure evil," and I had to agree. So, our total venture lasted 15 minutes. Not too shabby. I wish he would have lasted a little longer. I, er, HE already ate all the candy. Next year, we are aiming for 20 minutes.

Wyatt and Sheldon, cute little monkeys, at the ward Halloween party.

Checking out his pre-trick-or-treating Skittles. Yum. If only Mom hadn't picked all the purple ones out for herself.

He looks like a cat, but he was a monkey. When we went to Jake's work, all the old people kept saying "she is such a cute little kitty!" despite the fact that Jake was dressed as a giant banana and repeatedly saying "this is my son Wyatt, he's a monkey."

Update on the Beamans

2008-09-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

I guess its my turn to make an entry...I felt so boring over the summer. All I did was clean the house. But now that I don't have that to worry about, Wyatt and I are enjoying ourselves! We had a rough drive out to California, and it took Wyatt a few days to adjust to the new place (lots more people, fun and noise), but now we are together as a family again. We miss Utah. Well, I do anyway. Mostly I get sad when I think about missing the Millers and the fall season. It is my favorite season in Heber. The leaves and the weather are beautiful, and I miss the clean air. But the season is over so quickly, and then it is winter for the next eight months. So I much prefer the weather here. It is still very warm. And no coming winter to dread.

In other news, Jake is really enjoying his training at his new job. We are so excited to find out where we will be moving in a few months. Every week we hear new rumors, but nothing concrete yet. We hope we can stay near the Demke's. We'll just have to wait and see.

I started taking horse back riding lessons. So fun! Our teacher is...well...not afraid to tell me what she thinks, but the lessons are fun and I am learning a lot. We have been to the beach a few times, and to Disneyland a few times as well. I kind of feel like I have been on vacation since I got here, we do so many fun things every week.

We miss our home, but we love staying with the Demke's! We are very grateful for their generosity and hospitality! Since we made the decision to take this job, we feel like everything just started falling into place. Hopefully everything continues to work out so well!

I've posted a few pictures, mostly from the beach last Saturday. It was overcast, but really fun. Wyatt was afraid of the beach the first time we went, but he loves it now. He likes walking in the water (when there are no waves coming), but mostly he likes finding things in the sand and eating them. The red crap all over his face is Red Vines, my personal favorite beach food. He is still afraid of Disneyland, but his protests are waning, and his cries aren't as loud as they used to be, so I think we are making progress.

Wyatt and Sheldon in the frog pool, lapping up the water.

Wyatt doesn't say many words, but one word he has down is "Cheeeeeese!" He says "teeeeeeee!" and makes this face (its a smile) when he sees me take out my phone or the camcorder.

Susie, Gavin, Whitley, Tatum and Afton building a drip castle.

Jake and Wyatt, on the hunt for things in the sand to eat.

A slightly cuter smile.

Miller Kids

2008-09-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

From Hinckley

2008-09-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

When I was at Fathers' and Sons' Outing me and my friend Mckay were riding our bikes then we found a caterpillar and a trapdoor spider hole and we left the caterpillar by there cause we wanted to see if it would pop out. I thought I saw a taratula hole. Then me and Mckay and his friend, I can't remember his name, we played army. Me and my friend Steven were on teams and Mckay and his friend were on teams. We almost beat them. And then we went on a hike and we almost went one way, but we went another, then we went to explore and I found a dried out river. Then me and Noah played Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skull then we played cops and robbers. Then we sat around the campfire and roasted marshmallows and I roasted a Starburst and it caught on fire, but just a little bit. Then we stayed up late, then we went to sleep. Then I woke up and Dad wasn't there, so I got out of the back of the truck and went to have breakfast. And then me and Mckay and his dad and my Dad and Noah, his dad, his older brother and his older brother's friend and his little brother went to Mt. Timpanookee. On the way we saw 3 caterpillars. And then we hiked up to the waterfall and I almost slipped. Then I found a stinging nettle. Then we hiked down and when we got to Mckay's house we dropped him off, and they forgot their gummy bears so we had to drop them off, then we went home and that's it.

From Halle

2008-09-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

My first day of school was fun. And American Heritage is fun. I love Mrs. Hobbs. She's my favorite teacher. I love to be with my mom. It was fun at Seven Peaks and I had fun with Dad going on the big slides. I love my whole family. I love to play with Izabella and Miranda because they're my favorite friends. I like to play princesses, we pretend we have on dresses and Bronson be's the prince and Lorien be's the queen and they try to get us and me and Jesse and Marlee run away. My birthday's about to come up. I think I'm gonna have angel cake but I don't know what my mom will get. I think I want a Snow White dress and an Erica dress and an Annaliese dress. I love to be with my family.

2008-09-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

I just updated myself on everyone's blogs and wanted to say thank you. I am sitting at my computer, all alone, kids either in naps or at school, laughing very quietly. Elizabeth and Susie, you are SO FUNNY! Not to mention Austin. Reading your posts is a little reward I give myself when all of my mom chores are done. Darron will walk by as I'm reading late at night, chuckling and wheezing, but he doesn't ask what I'm doing anymore. Erin and I have commiserated about being the unfunny ones, but you know, we don't even care. So my message, my second message is to keep writing. And get Austin his own blog please.

What I Did For My Summer Vacation

2008-08-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I forget to take pictures of my older kids. They were at Seven Peaks with us, I just can't prove it with photos. So there's one from the first day of school thrown in. Halle was dressed and ready with her backpack on at 6:30 am. We leave at 11:30. The girl on the left is their cousin, Miranda.

When Mom was here, our family went with her and Erin and Wyatt to Seven Peaks. Her idea, not mine. Actually, I think Hinckley wanted to do it first. That was the only thing he requested we do this summer. I would never have attempted it on my own. I'm not joking when I say I'm not fun. And normally I would have just sent the kids with Grandma and Dad and stay home with Tommy, but to be honest, I really wanted to go to Seven Peaks! The last time I went was whenever we all were last there as kids. And yes, I have lived here since 1994. The older kids had a blast, as did Darron, but then, he got to ride the slides. As for me and Erin and Grandma, we floated a lot on the La-a-a-a-zy River. With a lot of babies attached. I should have taken a picture. It would have been amusing. But maybe not appropriate for internet publication.

2008-08-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Sheldon's First Birthday

2008-08-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Sheldon's first birthday a few days early because we have a big party planned at the end of the month. Unfortunately Sheldon was not feeling so well as you can tell from some of the videos but not the photos. So cute. He had an earache and was feeling pretty grumpy. He really needed a nap. Doesn't that always happen? Yes, I know he is just in a diaper. It's his birthday. Why not? It was fun and very loud. I can't believe he is one! You know how everyone asks- "where did the time go"? I could tell you. It's been a long and busy year. But this was a great day, we love Sheldon so much and he fits in quite nicely. He has adapted well. We're keeping him.

We had all the Demke's over. Daniel Hart was a no show, but I forgive him because he is over a lot AND he babysits. Jake was working. We had hot dogs and beans and potato salad and chips and dip. Who do you think planned that menu? Whitley could hardly stand that is was his birthday and that he got his very own cake. She just could not wrap her mind around that. I finally just told her it was her birthday. That it was all for her. I know.... She is still talking about it. Poor Sheldon.

He really hated the toys Christian bought him. Yo Gabba toys! What!? We were so excited they just came out in stores and we bought a few and wrapped them up. They scared him to death. I hope all children aren' t reacting this way. The offensive toys are soft little balls that look like each character that shake and rattle and roll when you bounce them. And it screams " let's get the wiggles out, lets get the wiggles out." From the show. It freaked him out! Whitley and Sheldon won't even go into the room if these two toys in there. It's so weird. They hate them. I felt bad that I thought it was so funny. If Whitley and Sheldon are in the room peacefully sitting and watching T.V., from around the corner I will throw one in the middle of the room like a grenade and watch it go off and those two will jump up and scream and run out of there so fast. I can't stop laughing.

2008-07-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

Our lifeguard
And Action!
Sheldon's new trick
Sand is a great digestive aid and my kids love it
Mom and Whit playing in the seaweed
I'm not pregnant. Maternity suit and bad posture. Eww.
Resting after a long day at the beach
Just waiting
We have been having a great summer so far. We had mom and dad visit for a few days. Lots of fun. We had a really hot day inland so with about 95% of the inland population we headed to the beach for the day. It was wonderful. It was warm, hot sand, perfect waves. The only problem a huge seaweed infestation in the ocean going on. It was very strange. The surf was so thick with huge tangles of seaweed you couldn't go in the water. It was like walking through soup. I have never seen anything like it. It was a little disappointing, especially because we all love playing in the waves. But we still had a great time. Seaweed and all. We have been going back weekly since.

We also took mom and dad to the Yo Gabba studios before they left. Lots of fun. Very hot inside a un- air conditioned warehouse. Can you imagine being inside on of those costumes?! We were sweating bullets and trying to stay in front of the huge fans they have blowing everywhere. Unfortunately these are the only photos I can post because they don't have any images of the characters or sets. I guess we can get in a lot of trouble if we post those anywhere online which I almost did. Dad has some fun ones he can show when you visit them. We took pictures with DJ Lance. He was the only one filming that day and in costume. We watched the live people who wear the costumes of Muno, Tootie, Foofa, Plex, and Broby rehearse which was fun. Did I get the names right? I guess I am not a true fan. Gavin loved sitting in the directors chair and watching everything on the little screen. He was more interested in the screen than watching DJ Lance in real life right in front of him. He is very technical. It was fun to see some of the behind the scenes action and the huge sets. Very interesting and kind of boring too.... Lots of sitting around and waiting. In the hot warehouse.

We are so excited to have Erin and Jake here with us in Sunny SoCal. We are ready for them. I can't wait to go with Erin to the beach and take the babies to Disneyland. We have our sunblock, our boogie boards, our season passes, everything is ready. Wyatt will love it. I can't wait to get Sheldon and Wyatt next to each other. They are two little skinny minnies. I want Sheldon to have another little baby around so he won't feel like such a shrimp around his sister and the other babies in the ward. The "fatties". I don't think Sheldon has gained a pound in the last 3 months. Lucky kid. He gets held a lot.

Here is something very surprising about Sheldon. I was feeling a little smug a while back because he was so quite and pleasant and mellow. I was so pleased I finally had one of those kind of babies. A quiet baby...I felt very overdue......Yeah right! Something happened. How did I ever think I would have a child like that. It's not in my DNA and apparently I have very dominate genes. Dang it. He is a screamer. All day. He screams all day. To himself, to anyone who walks by, he just screams. There is no difference between the " I lost a limb" to the " You put me down and I don't like it scream." I will hear him in the other room and it makes my toes curl because I think he must have gotten his head stuck in small hole or found scissors and cut a toe off or clawed by the cat or something terrible and dangerous only to find him trying to pull a toy out of his toy box. I have horrible anxiety these days because every time I hear it I completely panic. And it goes on all day, but it's so deceptive, that scream. It will make your brain rattle. Wow.

Sheldon is also walking. Yeah! But the day he learned to walk he learned to climb. Boo! The same day. He is so so soo busy. I have to say we are shocked. He is like a completely different kid. We keep bringing it up because we just did not see this coming and it has really surprised us. He is a busy as Whitley. I am running in two different directions. Unfortunately Whitley is not the most willing playmate. She just brushes him off, literally. I think he stresses her out too. I am telling you, we are all adjusting to this very loud kid that is now living in our house.

We have a new rule here. Only one person is allowed to cry, complain, scream, or whine at a time. Sheldon usually gets firsts dibs and a soon as he takes a breath Whitley takes her turn. Gavin if he's lucky. It's like on long run on scream. All. day. long.

It's been the best thing in the world having Gavin here for the summer. It makes me sad sometimes that just having all 3 kids in the house for longer than a week is such a treat but I am too busy to get to hung up on it. As loud and chaotic as it has been I wouldn't have it any other way and I wake up everyday so happy just to have my family all together. I wish the summer could just be a little longer.

We have a wonderful new ward and a lots of new friends. We love this new neighborhood. We don't want the summer to end. We can't wait to have Aunt Erin, Uncle Jake and cousin Wyatt join us. I know it's going to be hard for Heather to let them go and we promise to appreciate them as much as the Millers have. Thank you for letting us have them for awhile.

I just figured out how to post pictures. I'm brilliant.

Original Art for Cheap

2008-07-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

Mom always told me I had real talent. And I think I finally believe her. Here is some of my work, circa 4th grade, on its way to the garbage can. When you move to a house 1/3 the size of where you used to live, you have to let some things go. I'm sure my grandkids will treasure all of these pictures I took of my junk, but I just couldn't throw it out without some sort of record of it.

We are making progress finally on getting settled. I have been really overwhelmed, so its been extremely slow going. My ADD surfaces, I've realized, when I have multiple tasks to do. I work for a few minutes at one thing, then get distracted by something else, and pretty soon I'm left with 10 partially completed projects and no idea where to go from there. Every now and then I have Darron come in and give me tasks to do because I really just can't focus when there is so much to do. But we do have furniture to sit on now (Dad, I know you will be pleased to hear that) and a few accessories and pictures out, so it looks more like a home and less like a halfway house under construction. We have had one garage sale already, with another one in the works. How did I let it get like this? I don't even consider myself a packrat and have prided myself on not being sentimental about keeping things, I hate "stuff", so I'm really amazed.

Fortunately my kids don't realize they are having a kind of crappy summer. We haven't gone anywhere or done anything exciting, but they have their best friends close by now and that has taken the pressure off of me. We really are glad to have moved to this house. It is such a good situation for us in every way. When things get photographable I will send pictures. I would actually love to see pictures of Elizabeth's and Susie's houses that I have never seen. Only good moms take their kids to their cousins' houses to visit. Sorry.

I know nothing is happening to any of you either, but I do love reading your posts.

Heather

2008-06-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

This is the way I remember the whole corn dog incident: we (Heather, me and Susie) were glad to even GET a corn dog at all, but disappointed they were still cold. But while Heather and I just ate ours anyway, Susie ate hers down to almost the last bite, THEN complained to the snack bar lady and got a new one. I was mostly just mad that I didn't think of doing that. Plus I was too chicken to ask for another one after Susie did. And now, even though I think corn dogs are actually kind of gross, I still always have to have one at fairs. I think I'm still trying to replace that corn dog I should have had 15 years ago.

And do you remember why we did that Skippy video? It was for my 9th grade English class project. Well, the Skippy part wasn't. That was a supposed to be a "commercial". But everyone in my class LOVED it. The teacher rewound that part about 5 times. I was so proud, mostly of David.

As for the peanut butter, I still like carving a heart in a nice, fresh jar of Skippy :)
Elizabeth

2008-06-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

I bought some "organic" a while back. Probably six months ago. It's still in the fridge. Maybe a half a spoonful gone. Whitley eats Skippy by the spoonfuls, beefy little girl, but she won't touch the organic. I think I bought it because I thought it might be less fattening and she loves her a big scoop of peanut butter.
That makes me think of when mom decided she loved sauerkraut. She had a hot dog with sauerkraut at Heathers, I think, and remembered how much she like it, I actually really like it too. She was still doing most of her shopping at Costco and bought like a 7 pound jar/tub of sauerkraut. Little dents made here and there. That jar sat in their fridge for years.
Like finding a good deal on nutmeg.

I Know My Mama Loves Me

2008-06-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

As I was making some PB&H's today, this memory came back to me...

Erin: I know my mama loves me. How do I know?
David: Cause my Skippy tells me so.
Elizabeth: She gives me love that I can see,
Susie: Cause Mom knows Skippy's Good For Me!
Heather: Moms all across America trust the blah blah blah...

Not totally sure I got the parts right, but I can still hear David's scratchy little whisper singing his line. He must have been about 3 0r 4. We were in Modesto. You know, I think my kids are cute and all, but David really was the cutest little boy ever. I'm pretty sure Daniel doesn't read this, so I won't fear his taking offense. So tell the truth, do you all buy Skippy exclusively? I bought some Jif awhile back for my food storage because it was on sale and I feel a little weird using it.

Our house is finally mostly done inside with a few exceptions, so we are moving in this week.

Love, Hebs

Demke News

2008-05-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS. By granddad's old cabin. Dad actually bought us some food after the gondola ride, a real treat but the corn dogs we got were frozen in the middle. We took them back and asked for cooked ones. I knew once I got past the middle it would be warm again near the bottom and we were getting some free ones anyway so I decided a semi frozen corn dog wasn't too bad and 2 was even better than one and half. I have no regrets. I would do it again.

We have new cat. His name is Neldon, but Whitley says Meldon. He answers to both. Even Sheldon. I spend a good portion of the day keeping Whitley from killing him (that is not a joke to be funny) and trying to keep Sheldon off of him too. I'm very worried she might strangle him when I'm not looking. I find tufts of cat hair in Sheldon's fists. I would feel more sorry for the cat but he just asks for it he won't stay away from the kids, it's like he seeks this abuse. Whitley has been to the emergency room already after the cat attacked her. He had a little heart on his collar and she tried to pull it off, the collar and the heart. I think she wanted to wear it. The cat was also bleeding but we only have insurance for Whitley so she got to go to the hospital. Sheldon got scratched yesterday, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner, after pulling out another clump of the cat's hair. The cat has bald patches and Sheldon has little red scabs on both sides of his head. I would get rid of him,(Neldon not Sheldon) but I already made Christian get rid of one of the dogs and and I am working on another. I'll get to Neldon eventually.

That is my contribution to our boring blog. That's really all that's going on here. I guess it could always be worse

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of us mamas, and especially to our mama. I hope you got some delicious waffles with strawberry syrup this morning. Wish we could have all been there with you. I love you!

-Erin

(Elizabeth-i'm with you on the concrete)

Can you name this place?

2008-05-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

With the exception of Erin, whose idea it was to go in the first place, does anyone recognize where this picture was taken? Your hint is... Susie with a frozen corn dog--make that TWO frozen corn dogs. It looks a little different now, there was a landslide a few years ago, and the picture is a closeup, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to see the people. That's Halle in the foreground and Ava holding on to Erin. Erin is my one link to the outdoors. When she leaves I may never set foot in a National (or State) Park again.

I vote pavers.

Hebs

We are the most boring family EVER!

2008-04-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

All right guys, what is the deal?!? No posts in 2 months? Are our lives that dull? I mean, I know mine is, but surely one of you is doing something interesting. If no one posts soon I am going to describe in great detail Kurt's and my debate over whether to finish the back yard with concrete or pavers. I am leaning toward concrete--simple, uncluttered, easy to sweep--but Kurt likes the look of pavers. Are you bored yet? Well, then POST SOMETHING!!

Life in CA

2008-02-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

Its sunny and 65 in Clovis for the rest of the week. I expect trees to start blooming soon. We've had a long winter though, seems like those 8 weeks went on forever!

Be thankful you aren't here...

2008-02-03T11:19:00.000-08:00

When the weather forecast last night said that we could expect between 1 and 3 feet of snow today, I thought, "no way." But it is only 12:30 and we probably already got 1 1/2 feet, and the snow isn't slowing down at all. Add this to the several feet already on the ground. After sacrament meeting our bishop cancelled the rest of church so we could go home and dig ourselves and our neighbors out of the snow. Not an easy task.

I will tell you what, it makes me grateful that I have a warm home, food to eat, and warm clothes to wear. And I am thankful I am not a pioneer. I don't know how they did it. They were tougher than I am, that's for sure. Anyway, we are safe and dry inside our home. I just hope we don't get any snapped power lines or anything like that. Hope the weather is better wherever you are!

-Erin

Hit me with another "S," Sammy!

2008-01-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

Check out this clip on YouTube. I watched our local high school production of "Hello Dolly" last night (interesting...), and needless to say, I have been singing the title song non-stop since. I have been driving myself and helpless little Wyatt crazy. I remembered that there was an old Sesame Street sketch with Carol Channing, so I googled it, and found the YouTube clip. I forgot how creepy her voice is. The only problem is that now I have the "Sammy" song stuck in my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-UMlJhgQbY&feature=related

Incindentally, today is Carol Channing's 87th birthday.

-Erin

2008-01-20T19:42:00.000-08:00

I figured it out but unfortunately I don't know how to draw a picture and send it. Did any of you boys figure it out yet?
Love, Grandma

Family Farm Inheritance Dilema

2008-01-15T20:03:00.000-08:00

Austin, Gavin and Hinckley, here's a puzzle to figure out:

A man had a piece of land that formed a perfect square. His farm took one quarter of the square as shown in the picture. The other 3/4 of his land he wanted to give to his four sons, but ONLY if they could figure out a way to divide the land into four equal SIZED and equal SHAPED pieces; each piece had to be exactly like the other three. It took his sons a while to figure it out, but eventually they did. How did they do it?

Send me a picture back if you figure it out...

Grandpa

Grandma/Grandpa Pix from a long time ago

2008-01-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

Christmas about 1968?

Dad about 3 years 4 months (Aug 6, 1949)

Anyone...how do you get text before pictures? everytime I try it comes out after the pix.

Dad

2008-01-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone,
Thank you all so much for the gifts. We loved everything!!! Heather I have the Baby Beatles C.D. playing right now. We loved our p.j.s, slippers, calenders, shoes, games, clothes, all the very fun things you all got for our family and we are enjoying them everyday. Dad we had a big Yo Gabba meetig where all the creators, owners, employees, producers and wives, get together and just throw out ideas for the new seasons shows, songs, story times themes, etc. We talk about our kids- big issues them, funny things that happen at home and see how it can be incorperated into the show. Thats how you get songs like "Don't Bite your Friends" etc. Because it comes directly from the parents. Very fun. So we were talking about doing a grandparents episode, well having the dance segment be with grandparents which morphed into a possible family theme episode and I mentioned to John about your band!! Send me all that info to my e-mail with the pictures and web site and I will pass it along. That would be fun to have your band to do the band segment if there is a grand parents/family episode. I will push for it. Not that I have any pull but wouldn't that be fun to have the the Todes on Yo Gabba!? We really enjoyed having everyone visit for the holidays. The horses were happy too. Our house is always open! Love you all.
Susie

Todes Revisited-sorry the text is after the pix...

2008-01-07T17:37:00.000-08:00

Dave Donahoe, guitar, leads, vocals. Still rocking at 62 in Virginia/successful businessman, active LDS guy. You can tell who is or isn't enrolled at BYU by the hair.

Steve Thomas-lead, Dan Doty-bass

Steve Thomas, lead guitar, vocal and song writer. A good guy really, he encouraged me to join the Church and was very supportive, though sad, when I left the group to go on my mission. He always wrote and stayed in touch.

Yes, its true, if you pay to get in to 20 Todes dances, you'll get a free pass for the next dance (but only on Wed night) Our marketing team was obviously in a very creative mood when they came up with this.

Farfisa with a Hohner Cymbalet, electric piano, now they almost don't exist anymore, but have a great piano/reed sound. I sold mine after my mission along with everything else, as I was broke..

Sweaty nite at Steelworker's

Very early Todes. The keyboard is a Farfisa Combo Compact. If you can find a working one now, they are worth a lot. The sound is very recognizable, (think "Wooly Booly" etc. Pink Floyd and many others and current bands still use them)

At the time it looked beyond cool

Hard Day's Night

Moi playing a dance gig

I found this website http://dwp.bigplanet.com/stevethomas/nss-folder/music/

Actually my brother Pat found it and sent it. Its the website of the lead singer/guitarist from my old band, the Todes. We started e-mailing-he's in Florida. I got connected with all the band members, in Utah, CA, Virginia and got caught up on everything going on. There's some people that are interested in regional garage bands, I guess thats exactly what we were, and if you google Todes Utah, you'll find some of that. Some guy has written a book that includes us. Anyway, if you go to Steve's web site, you find our songs and some others, including new recordings of our old songs. One of the members, Dave Donahoe found a record and paid $75 for it from a dealer, there's at least one in Utah but the guy won't sell it, so I'm still looking. We used to have boxes of them laying around.

If you scroll down on the website you'll find the audios.

Steve's living in Florida, we're going to talk on Tues and then he'll be out to CA in March and we're going to get together, used to be very good friends. Dave Doty and his wife have a flower shop/home decor in Orem (Planted Earth), Dave is a real estate exec in Virginia, Alan is working in Utah. I have only a very few pix, but here's some of them. All of the band members are still playing in bands, some very actively-recording, performing etc. except for me and Steve. There's lots of emails flying back and forth. We're all glad to be talking again. Maybe a Todes World Reunion Tour is next?? I'll let you know.

Dad

2008-01-07T16:55:00.000-08:00

Here's some pix I found in an upstairs drawer. Sorry Erin, these look like you weren't around yet. The dates are written on the backs, can't say for sure if they are accurate....

May 1984

February 1979

?

Susie, could that be Angela you are holding??

Spring 1981

Spring 1979

Spring, 1981

Our Fun Trip to the Demke's

2008-01-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

I think I am going to rename this blog "The Adventures of Wyatt and Austin." Seriously, let's see some posts from the rest of you. Over New Years we went to Susie's house. It was so fun! We really enjoyed the break from the snow and freezing cold.

Jake had a great time riding horses with Christian, Jake and Aaron. We got this picture after one of the rides. Wyatt is wearing Whitley's cowgirl hat. I think he is smiling in this picture.

Whitley really likes to dress up. She likes her princess pajamas, princess wand, and princess shoes. She also likes her princess Mickey Mouse ears, but Gavin decided to wear them for this picture. Doesn't he look cute? ;)

Happy New Year!

-Erin

Austin's Top 10

2007-12-21T18:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of my top 10 favorite things:

Food
10. Chocolate
9. Eggs and bacon
8. Pancakes
7. French toast
6. Miso soup/popcorn
5. Edamame
4. Rice/chicken
3. Watermelon
2. Ribs/tuna
1. Poor man tacos

Activities
10. Tae kwon do
9. Swimming/soccer
8. Exploring stuff
7. Listening to music
6. Writing/designing
5. Visiting friends
4. Doing PowerPoint/reading/playing with the triplets
3. Playing Impossible Quiz
2. Playing video games/playing
1. Spying/eating/making mazes/doing mazes/wrestling

Subjects
10. ABC order
9. History
8. Writing
7. Humanities
6. Library
5. P.E.
4. Reading
3. Social Studies/music
2. Science
1. Math/art/chess
0. Independent study (learning stuff with lots of adults)

-Aj365

Two bugs on a blanket

2007-12-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

This is a picture from Thanksgiving. That blanket ended up covered in barf. Too many babies.

Anyone want my leftovers?

2007-12-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Wyatt has recently started eating solid foods. It is messy business! I am not sure how he ends up with cereal on his eyebrows, but somehow he does. I think he likes eating it, but we are still working on the execution. Anyone have any tips?

In other news...we are so excited for Christmas! We have presents under the tree, Christmas candy coming out our ears, and lots of snow! We can't wait to see the fam after Christmas and over New Years.

Peace out homeys.

-Erin

Elf Dance

2007-12-11T11:12:00.001-08:00

Someday I will make the kids do this for a ward talent show.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1304402751

Poetry for Austin

2007-12-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Austin, here's some poems that will enlighten you:

(I think of this one when I remember the babies crawling up the stairs)

As I was going down the stair,
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today,
Oh how I wish he'd go away!

(You can sing this next one to the babies and subsitute the correct number)

I have four little teeth that are shiny and white.
They are each very small but they really can bite!
During all the long hours till daylight is through,
There are plenty of things for my four teeth to chew.

Well, that's it.

Love, Grandpa

My Third Hilarious Blog (warning--hilarious post)

2007-12-02T07:14:00.000-08:00

Do you know your 8 senses? You have the sense of sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, common sense, sense of humor, and "cents"! Get it? Well, I'll be back.

2007-11-29T10:48:00.000-08:00

I MEANT A BLOG FROM AUSTIN!!! NOT A BABY!!!

chickens in the front yard

2007-11-29T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
I was just looking at the blog while the 2 kids are asleep. I think I will have to read it more often. I especially enjoyed yours Austin. I wanted to laugh out loud but I can't because I don't want to wake up the babies. My babies. I am looking forward to another one soon. We are very excited for Christmas. Gavin and Whitley are both with their pops for the week- well Whitley not so long, perhaps Christian and I will take a trip to Las Vegas with Sheldon. I was in the front room today, we have a lot of workers out there working on the front of our house and yard, because I like to peek out the window and see what's going on. I often see the chicken roaming around in the front, weaving their way through the mess and the men. They walk in a little pack and there is one leader, not the rooster who never took the position as head of the roost, it is one of the females who took over that all the other follow her. I like that! Queen Hen. I do hear the rooster crowing in the mornings now. I think at about 6am. I'm not sure. I wonder if our neighbors hate it. Probably. We are starting to offend them with the constant barage of projects going on. I'm beginging to hate us too. I really like the chickens. For some reason when I see them outside in the back and front yard or neigbors garage it makes me very happy. Maybe becuase we had chickens when we were kids. Out of all the pets I like our chickens the best. Even the scary one who chases us and pecks your toes. Gavin named them, Penny, Copper, Gromet(rooster), Clair(named after a crush) and Blanche. I took some pictures of them in the front I will have Christian post them tonight.
Susie

2007-11-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is proof that photos can be uploaded. So, lets see some
photos from Thanksgiving!

-Erin

Reply to Austin

2007-11-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

Austin, I have to say your posts are the funniest on this blog. Everyone else's are interesting, but your are hilarious. They brighten up my day, I've read them several times. I've been waiting for a third, but haven't seen it. Please, keep the posts coming, especially the ones about life in your hectic home.

Love, Grandpa

P.S. Thanks for coming for Thanksgiving. Having you there made it a very special time for all of us.

The AFV Stars and the Non-AFV Star

2007-11-13T13:55:00.000-08:00

I am back again, even though it is still the same day. I am here to tell you people about a new topic. It's about the 4 kids. One tries to do hilarious things and make people view them so somebody can post them on AFV (America's Funniest Videos) but he just ends up making a fool of himself. And the other 3 are doing hilarious things and the other kid (who we will call the non-AFV star) wants to post them. The writer of this post is the non-AFV star, and the little triplets are the AFV stars because they do the hilarious stuff. Like, when Chase kissed the fireplace glass (multiple times) and stuck a popcorn bowl on his head! Or when Chase had his hand through the stair rail attached to Kai's ear (the hand, not the stair rail), and Chase was pulling Kai's ear which caused Kai's head to bonk into a wall. That was hilarious. Or when Kai went on Chase's back and stood up to play the piano in the living room. Or maybe the time when Kate barfed on Dad's head. (Well, she did that a lot.)

-Austin

The Impossible Quiz 2 and Other Things

2007-11-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hi, I am new to this blog and I want you to know about this very very hard quiz that I just took. It is called the Impossible Quiz because it is very, very hard. It is really hard to beat it. It's not impossible, though. I've played it many times and I've never passed it. But it's more than just any old quiz. It's a weird-type quiz. You have timed questions, and there's answers, but even though there are answers, it's still very hard itself. Now, before I go on any further, my name is Austin and I am kind of new to this blog. And I seem to notice that I am not really a Hart, but I am in part of the Hart family so I get some kind of free access to this blog. So far I am the worst typer in the world. And speaking of that, if you want to know how I got this done, it didn't take me days, my mom's doing this for me.
Now, back to the subject. I seem to find that there is more than one quiz, there's 3. And even though it's called the Impossible Quiz 2, there's no Impossible Quiz 3. The 3 Impossible Quizzes are: The Impossible Quiz Demo, The Impossible Quiz, and The Impossible Quiz 2. I don't think they'll make a third one but I want them to.
The next thing I will talk about is the triplets. My mom just recently had triplets, and surprise surprise, what do you know? They're doing crazy things and most of the time it's funny. Otherwise they're just playing or getting in trouble. Those are the three main things they do: eat, sleep, get into trouble, play. But mostly eat sleep and play. Each one of them seems to have a special ability. Kai can stand a very very long time before falling down, Chase is the first one to talk, and Kate does multiple things. Chase so far has talked the most, which means the other triplets have said either one thing or nothing at all. Chase has said: ba, baba, dad, and dada. Kate is pretty much this big fat chunk of joy. The reason I say that is she's happy and she's heavy. The reason she's heavy is from her eating a lot. Kate was just eating a book, in fact.
Another thing that I'd like to talk about right now is that I am 8 and I feel that everybody thinks I'm smart, kind, something like that. And there was one old lady who thought I was all of the good things in the world. That's what she said when I sat by her on the plane.

-Austin

Grandpa Hart's Funeral (warning-long post)

2007-11-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

November 7, 2007

To the family, I wanted to share my impressions about Grandpa Hart’s funeral:

Mom and I drove up Thursday, November 1st. We left at 11:30 in the morning and arrived about 4:00 in Redding. We stayed at a hotel, since Kathy and my mom’s houses were full. Susie, Christian, Daniel and Sheldon arrived about 10:30 that night. We went over to the “viewing” or open house at the funeral chapel. Dad’s casket was open in the chapel, but most of the people that came were visiting in the foyer. There was a nice display that Gail Speer-Snyder had put together of pictures, mementos, and histories of Dad and his family. It was so nice to have those to remind us all of our Dad we remember, not the situation he was in for the last few years. There was a book of family histories, one each from the seven brothers and sisters in the Hart family of their lives growing up. Jenny is going to get copies of those histories for each of us. Each one was quite different as each child had such varied experiences.

We greeted and talked to many, many people who knew Dad, most of whom I knew, but from much earlier times. They all expressed admiration for him and each had some stories or anecdotes of Dad to tell. Trusten Hart, Dad youngest brother came from Southern Utah, along with Jack Walter, who is an old friend of Dad’s. They drove two days to get their. Trusten hasn’t changed at all since I have seen him, still extremely talkative and funny. He’s 79, 10 years younger than Dad. My sisters, Sue, Pam, Jenny were there, also Pat. All the spouses were there, as were Patrick’s two children. After the viewing, we all drove over to Jenny’s for dinner.

The next morning we arrived about 10:30 for the funeral service. All the immediate family sat in the front two rows and in a small extension room to the side, with the other people in attendance filling the main chapel. I’d guess there were about 50 family members, and another 150 visitors-some very aged. The Masonic lodge members officiated and conducted. There is a specific ritual they use as a format, mixed with their thoughts about Dad and his life. The ritual is reading of formalized thoughts including scriptural passages about life, death and the afterlife. That took about 20 minutes. There were no prayers or music, which seems odd to me. That part seemed to me quite solemn and somber compared to the many LDS funerals I have attended.

At that point they asked if any family members would like to speak. My sister Sue read a poem and shared her memories about Dad, I spoke next regarding my memories of him and the things that have so greatly impacted my life. I also shared my absolute faith in the continuation of life after death and the eternal nature of families bonded by love. I commented also on the great love and devotion the Dad and Kathy had for each other. His decreasing capacity, loss of mental ability only increased that love and devotion. Kathy was with him almost daily, for hours, and loved him more and more each day; really, she gave her life for him in his last couple of years. I said that they serve as perfect examples to me of what a marriage should be.

Pam then spoke. She talked, as we did, about his great zest for life-whatever he did he did it 100%. We all noted how hard he worked-six, seven days a week, never ever sitting or resting. He would get home after 10 hours of very hard labor at the station, then go to work in the yard. Everyone that spoke mentioned some aspect of that. All noted how proud he was of his family, and how he loved us. Pam also mentioned that she saw him a few days before his death. He was so happy to see her, though he didn’t know who she was. He told her (as he always did to his girls) how pretty she was and how happy he was that she came. She then quoted a Primary song which says we lived before we came to earth and that God has a plan for us here. She expressed her firm conviction that she would see Dad again, and at that time he would know her.

Trusten spoke and told stories of Dad growing up, life on the ranch, of the deer hunts that all the family loved so much-more for the chance to all get together as much as the hunts. Grandma Hart was always so happy for her boys to come home and be together. Trusten talked about the love they had for their mom and dad, and what good parents they were to the family. He spoke of a joyous reunion of his mom and dad, Allan, Charles, Mary Lou and Jane, who have all passed away. Jack Walter spoke to the same themes and shared his testimony of those eternal principals. Jeff Speer, Mike Snyder (Gayle’s husband) spoke. Mike told this story: when he was a teenager he had a VW bug that was always running out of gas, once out in the street a block from Dad’s station. He always got gas there at the station. Dad went up the street and helped Mike push his car into the station, where he got 50 cents worth of gas. With tears he said, “Al always treated me-with my buying 50 cents of gas-as well he did his rich customers with their several cars and lots of service needs” Other family members spoke as well.

The service lasted about and hour and fifteen minutes. After that there was a luncheon. Dad was cremated sometime after the funeral. Kathy will also be cremated after her death, and their ashes will be interred at her family burial plot in Yreka, about 2 hours north of Redding, where Kathy grew up. Mom and I visited with my Mom at her house again, then one more time with Kathy and her family and drove home.

In conclusion, I would say it was a remarkable and very spiritual event. Though the LDS family members are few in number, the testimonies and spirit that they contributed brought a very uplifting spirit into the service. I think that all the family was strengthened and their burdens made lighter. Kathy felt so good about the service and she has a strong conviction that she will see Dad again. I believe my three non-LDS siblings feel that way, but to what degree, I can’t tell. Dad’s death has been hardest on my brother Pat; he has been emotional at times, which I have never seen in the past.

As for me, I have had many thoughtful impressions over the last few weeks, that continue. I felt Dad’s presence there at the service; I have felt his spirit near me on other occasions. I have felt his love for me, and that he is proud of me. I am certain his family was there to greet him as he passed from this life to the next. I think about him and life in the spirit world and about family relationships, both here and there. As our family-my four siblings and I-have gotten older, we have grown closer together. We have a noble birthright through the Hart lineage, as well as my Mom’s side of the family. They were honorable, hard-working people. It is interesting to me that my grandparents found the gospel, by moving to Utah from California, and I did the same thing decades later. My dad, and his oldest sister, Mary Lou, missed out on the gospel being presented to them, because they had left home by the early fifties, when the missionaries came. But it seems like God is reaching out to all of them and their descendants. He reached out to me, my sister, and other cousins who have joined. Some less active members have returned to the faith. Jane returned to full activity in the final few years of her life and was very active in temple service. My dad has always had the greatest respect for the Church. In his last few months he would say things like “I’m a Mormon!” very emphatically. I think the thoughts expressed at the funeral will remain in the hearts of those who attended. We will see what happens as the years go by.

Thanks again to those who attended; Kathy was so very happy to see you. She was also grateful for the messages and cards. Keep her on your mailing list with cards and pictures (especially). Please don’t feel bad if you could not come, I know it just was not possible for you, and Kathy understood the same thing.

Love, Dad

2007-11-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

I cannot post a photo for some reason, probably lots. I need some tech support. So if this video ever uploads, you can see our Halloween costumes. I have to say, I'm really glad Hinckley went for the scary this year. The makeup was so cool I decided to try it on me, too. Halle is Jasmine, (its hard to tell), Ava is a very upset Minnie Mouse, Darron is the photographer, and Thomas is a teddy bear.

Welcome to the Hart Family Blog!

2007-11-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

This is a blog for all of us! I figured this is the easiest way for us to communicate news, pictures, information, etc. A family blog is more efficient than group emails, and everything is saved forever. It's more fun if everyone uses it, rather than just me. So post pictures of your kids in their Halloween costumes, write about what's happening in your lives, and keep coming back!

-Erin