The Baptism that almost didn't happen!

The "Tan-Man" had a special day on Saturday that he will never forget. With family coming down from Washington and Grammy and Granddad, we had been looking forward to the Stake baptism to happen at 6:30 pm. After a few reminder calls of the time from members of the ward, we decide to go out for the afternoon and have a fun day. At 5:15, we received a phone call from an apologetic Bishopric member letting us know that the Stake Baptism had been switched to a different time and location and it had happened at 4:00! With it being over, our only option was to make an impromptu special baptism for Tanner and hurry on over to the church.

We had to tell him what was going on and wondered if he would feel sad that he missed it but instead when we told him he took a big, deep breath and said, "Whew! Now I don't have to be embarrassed about getting wet." I guess he had been pretty worried about onlookers (AKA girls from his class) seeing him wet :)

We quickly got dressed (Like Home Alone) and were rushing to get out the door when this clumsy pregnant lady slipped while coming down the living room stairs. I fell and hit my tailbone and head and just lay there like a beached whale hoping that I wouldn't go into labor. Luckily, everything was fine and besides a stiff back and a bruise the size of a softball on my rear end, I was able to muscle my way into my church clothes in order to get to the baptism.

It turned out to be a wonderful experience and special for Tanner on that cold December day. We are thankful it all worked out in the end and even better than we would have hoped. Here are some pics:

Tanner with the Clumsy Lady

With Daddy and The Grand-men Group shot-- just happy to have made it

Grandad J with his Tanner J

Turning 8 is great!

Today I did an amazing thing. I took the time to actually stick batteries in my camera! Oh sadness, there at least a thousand things I should have taken pictures of last month... AKA Tom and Zach's birthday, Kaden's 50 mile bike ride for Scouts, Kym and Adam's wedding, a trip to Rexburg that included "Bear World", the beautiful changing fall leaves--oh yeah, and of course Halloween.
Sigh, at least I can rely on Super Grandad for pictures of most of those events because he is smart and actually keeps his camera functioning. SO do you want to know what finally drove me to put the batteries in?????


Take a look at this


What does a birthday party with 13 kids spell??? You got it.... C R A Z .... No, I mean

F U N !!! It was Tanner's 8th birthday and he just wanted a "few" friends to come over and play. They were actually all really well-behaved boys and perfect little gentlemen to the adorable two cutie pies from across the street that came over to see what all the commotion was about (One of them is disguised in a power ranger costume. That's my kind of girl).
So, what do big brothers do during these kinds of parties?

Yeah, survival of the fittest in this family.Check out Ryan peeking in a present (He got caught by the camera). It is so hard to convice a 3 year old that none of the presents are for him. All those neat toys!Look at cutie pie with the blonde hair hanging out in the back. Someday these boys will have a hard time looking at presents over a beauty like this...Happy Happy Birthday, Tanner Dear. Eight is great and SO ARE YOU!

Draperland Update

I told a friend the other day that I was waiting to post until I had some pictures for everyone, and she said, "Why?" So told me to just POST and dig down into my thoughts right now. For some reason, tonight that sounds like a pretty good idea for this female sitting at the computer missing family, friends that have moved, a husband that is still at work, and just wishing there were someone right here in the room to have a deep talk with.
There is some exciting news in Draperland...BABY #5 is on the way! That is great news in itself but my poor family is being so patient right now with Mom being sick and pretty sluggish, let alone not able to smell certain smells ( which involve cooking most of the time). I always feel terrible during pregnancy when I look around at my family and realize that, yes, they are going to have to entertain themselves through one more movie or fend for themselves in the kitchen one more meal until I have the strength to get up and get things going. But my mom said to me once that someone told her when she was having the exact same feelings that, "kids are resilient. They will be OK and you will, too. It will not permanently damage them."

Isn't that a nice thought? No guilt. Every mom needs to hear that every once in awhile.

We are so excited for a new little person in our family, and as you can well imagine, I get told by all well-wishers that they hope it is a girl. I won't lie. Looking at floofy dresses and buying barbies sounds dreamy, but let it be known that I would be thrilled to have another son. There is something comforting in that thought. Got the boy clothes, boy toys, continuing the same male routine. They are my men. Besides, what is better than being surrounded by strapping young men as they grow taller than you?

Well, we will know the week of Thanksgiving what it is. I promise to announce as soon as we walk in the door from the ultrasound...then we will talk baby names.

Labor Day Fun Part 2--The Dogpile!

Nothing like the fun of a dogpile. Tanner is having loads of it.

Too bad for the littlest guy on top.

Labor Day Fun Part 1

Tanner's first fish!

We Made a memory today...

Who's kids are these?

By order of my sons, I have been forced to stick their new favorite pictures on our blog. This is how it all went down.

A BIG BOWL OF HOMEADE WHIPPED CREAM.

(which for all intensive purposes was for a fruit salad)

THE SONG "BAD TO THE BONE" STARTED PLAYING ON THE STEREO.

A LITTLE BIT ON SOMEONE'S NOSE.

FACE PAINTING FIGHT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN.

The longer the song went on, the more artistic it got. What started as a little dab here or there became a face mask on everyone--who knew that heavy whipping cream could feel so moisturizing.

I could just lie and say that it was one of them that started it.

Too Bad they know the truth... :)

Red, White, and Blue

Here it is again! We are getting excited for the town parade that ends with a water party in the street. The picnics with hot dogs, jello salad, and yummy watermelon. Followed by a bright fireworks show in the sky full of colors and loud booms.


With every BOOM, I think about our National anthem and the Star-Spangled Banner that was still there the morning after. This past Sunday, we enjoyed a talk at church from a man whose ancestor was next in command to General George Washington and served with integrity. He also told stories of when, years later, he served in the army and how the example of his great grandfather stood with him.





Tonight for family night, we talked about our British Ancestors that left their lives to come to America and travel with a handcart company to a place where they could worship how, where and what they may.





This is the legacy that precedes us.








This is the responsibility we have for future generations.
















Awhile back, I stumbled across this picture of Elder Ballard and President Uchtdorf at President Obama's inauguration. Don't you love their smiles? This 4th of July, we will be thinking a little deeper around here. Past all of the glitter and sparklers. Past the food. It is going to mean something more.


One Nation Under God...

Happy 4th of July!!!

Memory Monday

Grandma Mary Lue

For years I have stared at pictures of them and wondered what their laugh was like. Or their hugs. When I was eleven I would go through Grandma Kay's dresser full of her belongings, I used to try to figure out her her favorite clothes or look at her sewing projects that she had been finishing and wondered if they were for me. I wondered what the large inserts for her bra (post surgery) were for and if she hated wearing them.

Grandma Kay

I was three years old when they passed away within a very short time of each other, both in their fifties. It is now, after all these years, that I realize the magnitude of what that must have been like for my parents who were in their twenties when they lost both of their mothers. With Grandma Mary Lue it was sudden and too soon. With Grandma Kay it was the long, drawn out pain and the rocking chair she would sit in to move back and forth, back and forth, while hugging her chest because it hurt so terribly from the cancer.


Yet somehow I do know them. They are a part of my life everyday. I have felt their love and support and yes, definite laughs as they watch this granddaughter muddle through. Grandma Kay had 4 boys in a row. She knows. Sometimes that is just enough to get me through that moment. With Grandma Mary Lue, I have been told I have her personality. I can't wait to be around her because I wonder what it would be like to be around your mother's mom. What is it like? I have always thought there must be something special about that. A maternal grandmother's love.

I think if they were here right now the message would be simple...

Live today to the fullest. Love all those around you as if today were your last.

Love you, too, grandmas.

Springtime smiles

April 7th Birthday Boys

The two birthday men with a little "Rye-Rye" that loves them...

Happy Birthday Grandad and Uncle Steve!

Spring Break Survival for the Not-So-Faint-of-Heart

It is almost here.

There is no plan, but we will work it out as we go.

Gear up.

It has come.

Pick the children up with a smile and shout, "School's Out! ...For ten days!" Turn up the radio and have a treat at home.

Don't be nervous for long days without a schedule, comparisons to their friends who left on big vacations, Dad still has to work a lot, more food to stock up on, keeping everyone busy, etc.

Make it through the initial first party and relax day.

The next few days begin to unfold. No schedule. Whining at job time (because it is coming twice as often).

Boys don't like to clean all day. Mom does.

Day four. Time to figure out a game plan. Boys chasing in circles. One with a sprained toe, two with bloody noses, three teasing the youngest brother, and four wishing that there was somewhere to go.

Refuge during a fun weekend trip.

Back home. Starting to get the hang of this no-school thing.

Jobs getting done once, mostly in the morning.

Scriptures, cooking, afternoon activity. Creative juices are flowing. Teach 'em to do this or that. Occasional squabbles but less blood.

Book reading quiet time and late night movies. Laughing together. Enjoying late morning wake up.

No more injuries, except from dog.

Day 9. Night before back to school. Sad to see it change again. They are leaving me. During the hours I have loved having them here, my little best buddies. Bottom line: IT IS NEVER LONG ENOUGH.


***But it wouldn't be real life without one more thing. When it gets too good and there is peace abounding, count on the whole family getting the flu. Pots in every room at every bedside.

Yep.

Day 10. School tomorrow?!

Kelly's house, Wedding Dresses, and Guitars Unplugged

We decided on a last minute whim to jaunt over to Eastern Idaho for a fun weekend at Kelly's. Look at the this awesome view outside of her house looking over Ashton! We've decided that there is something therapeutic about going to her house and it shall forever be the Draper family's favorite Resort. Thanks Keith and Kelly for letting us just "vedge." With Tom's broken cell phone while being miles away from the lot, all the movies and games the boys could ask for (away from Middleton Unplugged), and snowball fights-- it was just what the doctor ordered.Complete with a big breakfast And an adorable little sweetie that was the only female cousin around

Then, Megan, Kaylee, and I hit the town running on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress for Megan's big day. A lot of this...

And a little of this...

and we found the perfect one! Sorry, Joseph. Can't post the pictures yet, but you will just melt when you see her. It was special after all these years to go back to the store that I bought my dress 13 years ago. After being around boys for all this time, I sure felt like a fish out of water looking at all the floofy, sparkliness.

On Saturday night, we were able to watch Scott, Meg, and Joseph perform with their band at BYU-I Guitars Unplugged. They have performed a number of times before and we have wanted to be there watch them! Since this is Scott's last year because of graduating, we knew it would be worth the drive to have Kaden and Zach see them. Here is a pre-show pic

and at soundcheck in the afternoon.

They did incredible! Way to go guys. I was so proud of my bro, sis, and soon to be bro-in-law. They are so much fun to watch.

***Side note to all of the old Ricks College friends who read this: Holy Cow. Guitars Unplugged is huge compared to when we started it 14 years ago. Memories of Troy, Kelly, Ken, and I judging the auditions in the MC and then watching the little show in the Kirkham---totally different now. It is big.***

Thanks Eastern Idaho crew for the memories!

Pucker Up!

Ryan: (3 years old) Mom, kiss me.

Mom: Ok. I love you, cutie pie. (Kiss on the cheek)

Ryan: No, Mom!!!! Like this.

(Hands on both my cheeks and tilts my head. He proceeds to give me a full on smacker right on the lips. Straight out of the movies!)

Mom: Wow. Thanks, Rye. That was nice.

Ryan: More, Mom!

(I quickly distract him with closest handy item).


I don't know exactly when it happened, but Ryan has discovered REAL kissing and he is anxious to try it out on yours truly. Maybe it was a watching a Disney movie or just seeing Daddy kiss Mommy after work (yeah, it's that good!) but he is set out to try repeatedly on me all day even when I am not looking. He landed a big one on me this afternoon while I was deeply involved in something else and not paying attention. Wet and slippery!

Until he figures out how much he really doesn't want to kiss his mother, I will just enjoy being shown that he only has eyes for me. I'll take some more big smooches--

A Terrible Accident

It was a tough day for Tom as he eyewitnessed a terrible accident in Caldwell. He was outside at work when it happened and will never forget the images he saw. Our thoughts and prayers tonight are with all those that have lost loved ones. I would not normally post this type of blog, but there are some requests from friends and family to see it.

Weekend Party

Kaden is 12! We had a great time with everyone who drove over for the weekend and celebrated with us. We used up every square inch of carpet space with air mattresses, had a dance party complete with a dollar store strobe light, went to Sunrise Cafe for a breakfast of giant waffles, and got to hear lots of guitar jamming with the many talented players that were here. Thanks everyone for making it so special for us and if you weren't able to make it over, have no fear-- there will always be another fun party around the next bend at Draperland...