2010 Ogden's Electric Light Parade "A Ride for Jonas"

Our little friend Jonas passed away just one week before the Lights Parade.  We had hoped that he and his family would ride in the parade with us this year, and his beautiful blue eyes could have seen the magical wonder of the thousands of twinkling Christmas lights draping the floats and the Christmas village in town.

But maybe those angel eyes did see it all.

Watch for pictures of our "Ride for Jonas" coming soon.  I'm having a few technical difficulties with getting the pictures onto my computer.  If you would like to read more about Jonas and how you can help find a cure for the disease that took his life, follow the links below.

 

EndSMA.com

coleman2family.blogspot.com

October Nights

We took a night ride to see the Halloween lights.  We rode our bikes and dad took the little ones on the Sitlo.  There's not so many lights up yet, but the "Halloween House" did not disappoint.  Dad had scoped it out a few days earlier, and said we would love it.  He was right!  It's all decked out with thousands of orange lights and lots of little glowing pumpkins.  It even has orange icicle lights!  I didn't even know they made orange icicle lights!  They're awesome!  All of the clouds made for a very dark night.  It was so quite and peaceful.... except for that one madly barking dog that we were so glad was on a chain!  I love October Nights!

Hauling Hay Today

Party Hats!

"We need party hats for dad's birthday, mom!", said Joe.

"And it needs dots on it, and sprinkles on the top."

So we made party hats with lots of dots - and sprinkles on the top.

And then we went for a ride.

Park Day

and naptime...

 

Church Train and Corn Dogs

Sunday mornings are hectic!  It doesn't matter how early we get up, there never seems to be enough time to find all the missing shoes, ties, socks, and clean white shirts (that are not crinkled into a ball in the bottom of the closet).  I feel like a Sunday morning detective, sifting through a weeks worth of living, trying to decipher the brains of my children in hopes of discovering where they may have stashed their Sunday duds seven days earlier.

Seven days earlier on the way home from church:

"When we get home, I want you to do 3 things.

1. Change your clothes.
2. Hang them up on a hanger in your closet.
3. And come upstairs to eat."

Number 3 is always accomplished without fail.  Number one, most of the time.  But despite recent claims of obedience, I am 100% positive that number 2 is not happening.

But summertime has shown a marked improvement in our church time readiness.  And I account this in full to the church train.

The church train only pulls out if everyone can get ready on time.  Otherwise we take the Burb.  And that is not nearly as fun!

Somehow, when the 10 minute bike departure is announced, miraculously, the missing shoes are found (or not so appropriate substitutes are clad), far too wrinkly shirts are quickly pulled from the deep, dark abyss and happily worn, and the paint pants are always a close substitute for church pants.

At one time in my life, this would not be acceptable.  But after raising 5 children, I have realized that it is a complete miracle if we are all able to arrive together at any given scheduled appointment on time.  To all be dressed properly and accordingly, and still make it on time, that is beyond a miracle.

But everybody wants to ride the bikes.  They like dad to drive really fast to the canal and then take flight down the hill.  Mom tries her best to keep up with him.  They know on the way home that dad will stop next to the canal, hike down into the ditch, and cut them a corn dog (cat tail).  Then happily they will wave it all the way home.

Church train and corn dogs.  The secret to Sunday morning success! 

It's My Hayhauler

The air is getting crisp!  I see hayrides just around the corner!  We'll have to lose the Fourth of July decorations and prepare for the greatest time of year, fall!

I took this photo the day I discovered that my bike had more talent than I had previously thought!

We had just loaded up the car for our long awaited Bear Lake trip, when I discovered the horse was out of hay and would surely starve to death while we were gone.  My thrifty husband grabbed the weed whacker and began to mow down the alfalfa with great gusto, throwing the mutilated clippings over the fence to our dear old horse.  But that just wasn't going to cut it for 5 days.  So, I loaded the boys on the bike and we went knocking doors.  Within minutes we had located a bail of hay and had it loaded on the bike.  We were a sight.

We pulled around the back of the house.  Trent had a big smile on his face and he was just shaking his head.

"Wwwhat! ", I said smiling back.

"Nothin',  that just made me happy seeing you comin' down the road with that bail of hay sittin' on there."

My bike is so talented.