Quinn D Matheson

My heart aches for my brother Quinn right now. He passed away Monday, September 21, 2009 at 10:55am in a motorcycle accident. He was a great friend and dad. I will miss him greatly.

Amazing kids!!!

If you were to see my journal, you'd notice ten pages covering the events of this past week. I usually do what I do, then move on to the next thing, without looking back! If you were to ask me what I've been up to, I'd have to think hard about that question OR look it up in my journal! I'm just not good about paying close attention to my own activities I guess. I do keep pretty good tabs on the kids though, and I love being able to share these things. This week started out pretty exciting. Sadie decided to try out for the Zion Youth Symphony Orchestra, thirty minutes before the auditions! She found out about the audition from her dad (Mike) after he read about it in the paper. Sadie said that she thought it would be fun to do and that she would make it a goal for "next year." I told her she had nothing to lose by auditioning THIS year. She tossed the idea back and forth. At school on Monday, some of her friends had encouraged her to do it, but she just didn't know. She was nervous and we talked about it for nearly a half hour after school. I finally told her to just make a decision, because if she wanted to do it, we would have to leave for the auditions soon. Ten minutes later she decided to do it! I had to find a babysitter at the last minute. Cari was working, Trevon was at Cross Country, and Kristi had piano lessons (Since when have I had to look for a sitter!!!). We headed to St. George. Sadie wasn't sure about everything she was required to play, so we discussed it and I told her to just do what she could. She was asked to play some scales; a piece of her choosing (not longer than one minute); and then to sight read. Sadie is a great sight reader and when I asked her how that part of her audition went, she confidently said - I did 100% on that!!! Well, the next day I went to the ZYSO website and HER NAME was on the year's roster. She was so excited and happy! She is an official member of the premiere youth symphony in Southern Utah. She will have rigorous and exciting rehearsals each week and we are happy to support her in this new challenge and learning experience. YEA SADIE!!!








On another night this past week, the little kids were in the mood for a "treat." I didn't want to heat the house up, and suggested NO BAKE COOKIES. Cameron, Elise and Corban quickly agreed and as you can see by the pictures, had a great time helping in the kitchen!

I am so thankful for the children I have been blessed with. They add so much to my life. They help me love and serve and find happiness. I recently read a quote from William Shakespear that said, "They do not love, that do not show their love." This week I hope to take more efforts to show them my love, for I do love them so!

Lunch Group

Here's a great idea for stay at home moms whose older children have an open campus lunch time. My high schoolers do, and can leave campus during lunch time to eat elsewhere. This year, Cari is part of a lunch group. I guess, in a way, I am too; I am the one that actually makes the lunch when the kids come to our house to eat. The way it works is simple. The kids in the "group" take turns going to each others homes for lunch. Our day to host the lunch is on Monday. I spend my Monday mornings making a lunch that I think the girls (and Trevon - he comes home on Mondays for a "good" lunch) will enjoy. We've made Mexican Pizzas, Stuffed Pasta Shells, and Haystacks, so far. Tomorrow I will either make homemade pizza or a breakfast quiche (I haven't decided yet). Sometimes while I make the lunch, I make a huge amount so that my dinner is also made. It has been a very enjoyable part of the week for me. I like being able to see my children in the middle of their school day. I like being able to serve them, with a yummy lunch. I also enjoy hearing their lunch time conversation and laughter. I think I'll probably be involved in many more years of lunch groups as well. Maybe I should start one for myself - I wouldn't mind spending lunch with some of MY friends during the week. It probably wouldn't be good for my waistline though! So, what do YOU want for lunch?


Cari's braces were removed this past week! She has a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l smile!!!

Peach Day Pipers

Labor Day weekend always brings with it PEACH DAYS in Hurricane, Utah. Cari and Trevon marched with the Hurricane High School Band in the parade. Here is a glimpse of what they looked like in their uniforms:

TEN!

KRISTI
Favorite food: burritos
Favorite color: red
Favorite Book: The BFG
Likes: to read, sing and draw
Favorite scent: rain
Favorite flower: rose
Plays piano and violin




Kristi turned ten this past week. She was due for a birthday party (her last one took place four years ago)! Usually I give our kids a friend party on their even birthdays up to 12 years old. She was very excited to have one this year. Her friends came over and played some games: Kristi questions; Guess what's on my back; Don't Eat Pete. She opened presents.



We ate pizza for lunch and then had a cupcake decorating contest. We had eleven cupcakes in the "contest" and each girl voted for their two most favorite (NOT including the one they made). The top three chosen cupcakes were then voted on (see photo). Number four ended up winning the contest! Then we sang Happy Birthday to Kristi and ate the cupcakes with some ice cream.



The final activity was a treasure hunt. Clues were scattered throughout the yard. It was fun watching the group run from clue to clue. They found some party bags filled with candy and a big punch balloon at the end.



When the party was all over, and everything cleaned up, my kids filled the stairwell with the leftover balloons, turned on a floor fan, and played and played (See video below). It was a fun day for Kristi. We love her very much and are glad she is part of our family!

In Memory of John

John
Smiling Eyes
Big Warm Hugs
Giving (Sweets & Love)
Always Asked About My Life
Interested In Me And Mine.

Seafood
(Lobster, Crab & Shrimp)
Hats; Including Role Of "Chef"
Great Lasagna And Barbecues
"Saucy" Ribs Were Best.

Always Sharing Something:
The Candy Jar; Encouragement;
Advice -
Supportive With His Compliments
Wore His Heart On His Sleeve Quite Nice.

Proud Of His Boy And Grand Kids Too
Grandpa, Father, Husband, Friend
A Business Man
A Great Big Kid
A Yard That Never Ends.

Penny Loafers And Khaki Shorts
Remember His Green Chair Too
Minnesota Farm
His Whit And His Charm
Just Some Of What We'll Miss
John

Birthday Kids

Trevon turned FIFTEEN on Thursday. He woke up at 5:20am and went to a cross country practice at 5:45am (his morning ritual now days). Mike made him a birthday breakfast of waffles, eggs and orange juice, while I ran to the High School to decorate the inside of his locker, leaving him birthday goodies to find. We ate breakfast around 7AM and then Trevon opened a little gift of the Utah Driver's manual and some big punch balloons.


In his locker, I had placed a birthday sign and a bag with some red and black FINE tipped markers (his school colors), a bucket of bubble gum, a ruler and some hugs and kisses candies. I included a note that read:
Hey, Trevon
You're so FINE,
You're so FINE,
You BLOW our minds!
Hey, Trevon!

We think you RULE!
Happy Birthday with
HUGS and KISSES from your family.

(Sorry I didn't take a picture of this) He enjoyed finding his surprise there, and was quick to clean up his locker.
After a PIZZA dinner, we headed to the High School for Back to School night. Trevon and Cari both played in the pep band to start the evening and then we went from class to class, meeting their teachers. Mike going with Cari and I with Trevon. When we returned home, we sang Happy Birthday and ate cake and ice cream. The following evening, Mike and I took Trevon out to dinner at the OUTBACK Steakhouse for his birthday. He was happy that we didn't insist on telling the waitress it was his birthday!





On Saturday (Elise's birthday) Trevon ran in a cross country invitational. It was fun cheering him on. He came in 37th out of 108 boys running. He also increased his personal record by 20 seconds, running three miles in 19min. 20sec. WAY TO GO TREV!





When I awoke on Saturday, I found this card for Elise on the counter top. Kristi made it for her the night before, having each of us sign the inside with our notes of love. Elise could hardly stand that it was her birthday! She didn't want to wait for cake and ice cream and so opened her cards and present first thing!








She opened her birthday bag, finding a Barbie doll, toy cell phone, notepad, markers and a ring pop. We made her a fun cake. Cari made homemade frosting and frosted her cake. It was delicious.






We spent some of the day making a poster for Elise too. She is Student of the Week this week. It was fun looking at pictures from over the last five years and reflecting on all the things we love about Elise.
She is a big help at home, likes her mom's lasagna, and loves to hug and kiss her mom. She likes her dad to tickle her and loves playing educational games on the internet. She likes to play with Barbies and to play house. She wants to be a ballerina when she grows up and her favorite color is red. She knows all of her letters and likes to draw pictures and shapes. We love her very much!