Baptism Day

It seems like more often than not, these special days have an overshadowing of stress--trying to get there on time, trying to keep everyone looking nice, trying to keep the spirit. But this was not one of those days. The day went off without a hitch. Saturday morning, I packed up the car (this was to be the last day of our nearly month long trip to Utah), showered, helped Paul and my parents get the kids ready, and while we were right on time, we stopped to have a family prayer and give Andrew the chance to open his baptism presents before hitting the road to head to the Stake Center. He was thrilled with his suit! He had been asking me if he could wear it for 3 weeks. And let me tell you how handsome he looks in it! I know I'm his mom, but that kid is super handsome! I wasn't sure what his reaction would be to the scriptures and journal Paul and I had given him. As he opened them, he curiously opened the scripture carrying case, took out the set of hard bound black (engraved w/ Andrew M. Boley) scriptures and proceeded to thumb through the pages. Not saying much, and never having been one to show much excitement, I just sat back and observed. As we loaded into the car to drive to the Stake Center, he wanted his scriptures and journal on his lap. Paul and I had both written a special message to him in his journal. As he got into the car, he said, "Mom, I read what you and dad wrote in my journal." "Oh yeah? What did you think?" "I liked it." (that's BIG for him to offer up that comment.) He wanted to have his scriptures with him in his pictures, took them with him into the baptism program and took them to church with him yesterday (and even remembered to bring them home again).

We stayed an extra long time in Utah so Andrew and Emma could be baptised together. It's much easier for us to travel to all the family than hope for everyone to travel to us. I loved sharing this special day with Emma. And she sure looked beautiful! She took my breath away when I first saw her--the tears that were already so close to the surface almost flooded over at that moment.

My Dad gave a talk about baptism--remembering how he was baptised in the Tabernacle (what an awesome memory!). He also spoke about baptism being the first essential saving ordinance to be entered into. He spoke directly to the kids who were being baptised (Andrew, Emma and 2 other boys from Emma's ward).

Emma was the first to be baptised, followed by Andrew. Paul and Andrew walked down into the waters of baptism together. As Andrew stood in the water, he looked out at his cousins who were kneeling just above him, watching him. I don't think I've ever seen that big of a smile on his face! He was so happy! The first dunk was a success. After Andrew and Emma's baptisms, we waited in the Chapel's overflow for the other two boys. Then Emma was confirmed, and next came Andrew. Paul confirmed and blessed Andrew to be a leader among his friends and to continue to be a good example to his brother. In the confirmation circle were: Paul, Mikel Boley, John Telford, Matt Boley, Brent Cooley, Brett Telford, Benj Skolmoski and Great Grandpa Telford. I mentioned to Andrew that he is probably the only one of his brothers to have Great Grandpa be part of the confirmation circle. He is getting very old and I can't imagine him making it to Barik's baptism. I think he recognizes how special it is that my Grandpa was able to participate in that blessing.

After the baptism, we went to a beautiful park and had lunch. I was so touched by all the love that has been shown to our family and the influences that have helped Andrew get to this point in his life. Family is what matters most.

When everything was said and done, I realized I had forgotten to get pictures of Andrew with too many people. It's too bad you can't go back and recreate those days to capture the memories on film. I would have loved to get a picture of him with me. I would have loved to have pictures of him with his grandparents, his great grandparents, his cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers. Live and learn. I'll remember at Barik's baptism. I hope...

2 weeks at mom and dad's house

After packing us all up 4 times, I was ready to settle into one place. Paul headed back to Phoenix to work so, here we come, mom and dad. It was so nice to be able to set up camp and know we didn't have to move again for a couple weeks. And let me just say how nice and relaxing it was! Mom baby proofed her house the best she could (the kids will always find something they shouldn't) which made it possible for me to relax a little bit more. Drake was finally used to sleeping in the port a crib, so no more spuradic sleeping, and no more crying himself to sleep, which was also a huge relief.

Monday night, mom babysat the kids while dad and I went on a date. Ate at a yummy BBQ joint in Provo and then headed to the dollar theater (wish we had one of those here). "Ghosts from girlfriends past" was the choice. In the first scene, a lady was in nothing but her bra and panties (I leaned over to my dad and said, "You're eyes are closed, right?") The next scene, eluded to a three-some. What kind of quality movie did my DAD and I get into? This type of movie would make me a bit uncomfortable under normal circumstances--I'm not big into casual sex being portrayed on tv or movies. But compound those uncomfortable feelings with my DAD sitting right next to me, and well, we'll just say I didn't relax for the next hour and a half. I loved spending time with my dad and we joked after about how uncomfortable that movie made me. My mom's solution to the problem is that dad and I should have had more sex talks when I was younger. RIGHT!!!! No thank you! I love my dad and otherwise really enjoyed our daddy/daughter date. Can't remember the last time that happened.

My parents live in Provo and most of the rest of the family (mine and Paul's) live in the West Jordan area. So while it definately wasn't convenient to do a lot of visits, it was sure nice and relaxing to bring down our pace a bit. We walked to the park (still sweated, but at least the park was an option--in Phoenix, it's not even an option in July), we went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point, went to see Monsters vs. Aliens (cost a total of $2.50 for dad, me, Andrew, Barik and Cooper--loved that!), played with Lori and her kiddos, took a day to go out to the Boleys where the rest of the Boleys came to play. It was nice to have so much time to spread out all the visits. We were able to visit my grandparents.
We only stay for about 30 minutes, not because I don't enjoy their company, but because Cooper-kazi can only handle those cramped quarters for about that long. He is my alarm sounding that it's time to go.

Over the 24th of July (Pioneer Day) the Telfords got together as a "family reunion" (not that anyone needs to be reunited, it's just a title for getting all together and spending a lot of time together. Thursday, Debbi and her kids came up to moms house and we all prepared as much of the meals for the next 2 days as possible. It's a lot of work preparing that much food for 32 people! But couldn't have been happier to spend that time with my sister and mom. Just wish we all could have spent that time together. That was yet to come. Friday started at the Kearns pool. This was not just a pool, but many pools and pool areas. Could be kind of tricky with 4 little boys and only one of them able to be off on his own (according to the pool standards). But even still, with as many people as were there (thousands) on the 24th of July, I was really nervous because I couldn't find my kids in that sea of people and worried that they wouldn't be able to find me either. But Brent volunteered to watch over Barik and Brett volunteered to watch over Cooper. I was in charge of Drake and Andrew could hang out on his own (could usually be found with Dillon). What a relief that was for me to know that my kids were being watched over and loved by their uncles.

That night dinner was at Brett and Heathers. They have always made me feel super comfortable at their house--like I'm at home. We showered and bathed and then did the last prep work for dinner. BBQ chicken, garden salad, corn on the cob, baked beans. Yummy (except for the baked beans)! Then it was time to go the the West Jordan Bull Riding show. The kids got up close and personal with the horses and clowns. Mutton Busting was announced and Barik and Maegan said they wanted to sign up. $20 later, they were signed up. Come time for the muttons to be busted, they were both pretty excited. Maegan was a bit apprehensive, but Barik was stoked.
He was petting those poor wide eyed (a little crazy looking) sheep in their pins. I was so proud of my little Bear for being so brave and secretly wondering if he was really as brave as I had hoped (or maybe hoped he wasn't all that brave after seeing some of the kids tumbling head over heels with a mutton attached). We found a more mellow sheep, started to put Barik on it, I was getting the camera ready to snap his photo, knowing I had less than a second to capture that moment, and then it was over. No picture proving that he had even sat on that dirty, crazed looking sheep. Oh well, at least he tried. So Maegan would be our saving grace. All the cousins were waiting for one of these kids to come out riding in all their glory. Brent got Maegan's glasses off, I snapped a photo, and then her mutton busting days ended just as prematurely as Barik's. Oh well. It was sure fun to get down close to all that action. And I'm still just as proud of my little Bear for trying.

After the bull riding show, it was off to Debbi's for snow cones, fire works and camping in the back yard. Any fire work that requires a match is illegal in Phoenix, so I was pretty excited for my kids to be able to see these fireworks. They loved them! By now, everyone is pooped! Cooper hadn't had a nap that day, and it was pushing 11 pm. Time to set up sleeping bags and hit the grass. Right after the kids had fallen asleep, it started to rain. Just a little, at first. I was so tired, I didn't care. A little rain never hurt, did it? Brent checked the forecast--a 30% chance of rain until 1 am. Not bad. Just a couple more hours. And 30% chance? The odds were in our favor. I stayed put. The sprinkles started to get a little more serious. I still didn't care. I was tired and wasn't moving. Brent and dad were concerned, so Brent set up his pop up shade and put that over us as shelter. Just after he did that, it started raining pretty good. Brent and dad were out in the rain finding tarps to drape over us to make a little "homeless" tent. Still I was too tired to care or move. And now it was downright POURING!!! The boys had no idea that it was even wet outside. Debbi's sweet dog Sierra slept just outside the opening of our "tent" all night--she never left us. What a good dog! Thank goodness the clouds were still covering the sun Saturday morning--that meant the kids all slept a bit longer than would have normally with the sun poking up at 6 am. In fact, I don't think I woke up until after 8 am. How often does that happen while camping with little kids? Breakfast was served and then there was debate as to what activities to do Saturday. The forecast didn't look good for going to the lake like had been planned.

Throwing all caution to the wind, we packed up and headed to the lake. Brett took Andrew, Barik and Cooper with him and his kids. Drake, Austin, Dillon, Maegan and I met up with them at the lake for a beautiful day! Lots of sand castles, and more time with cousins. Barik loved playing in the sand as much as building sand castles. Cooper was loving the beach so much that he was rolling all over in the sand (with a wet body). He was covered head to toe in sand. He did NOT appreciate me cleaning him off in the lake. He was absolutely exhausted and fell asleep in my lap after the cleaning ordeal was over. I don't think he has fallen asleep in my lap since he was a newborn. Andrew thoroughly enjoyed playing by himself in the sand. He was a bit tired from the night before and prefers to be by himself in those cases.Drake was crawling all over, and was pretty self contained most of the time. But there were many times when Denice and Debbi took over helping him out. My mom and dad helped a ton with my sweet kids also. Everyone did! I felt so loved and taken care of! What an awesome family I have.

After the beach, it was off to Denice's for dinner. We got cleaned up at her house and then had BBQ ribs, more salad, veggies, potato salad, snow cones and funnel cakes. Yummy (again)! The night at Denice's was a bit more low key. All of us were getting tired. But more fire works made their way out--the boys got to do sparklers for the first time (Andrew for the second time, but he doesn't remember the first). Then back to mom and dads to sleep. We were all so tired Sunday, I couldn't imagine getting myself and all the boys ready for church. So we didn't. Just stayed home and recovered.

What a great, fun filled, memory made weekend! I sure love spending time with my family!

Snowbird

So, from Brian Head, we headed up to Snowbird to enjoy Paul's parents time share. Paul has always loved Snowbird and gets super excited when we can make it up there. After being in 110 degrees, what could be better than ski resort hopping? More pine trees. More hiking and exploring. More family time. The boys got to spend lots of time with Connor (who stayed with Carol and us for the first couple days) and then lots of time with Adam, Marc and Treyson (and Connor as well) when Michelle and Emily came up. Emily took the boys to the game room one night and spoiled them by buying them tokens to play games and even bought them snacks. She sure loves her nephews and niece. Matt and Maria came with their kids and spent some time with us as well. Having grown up away from cousins, the boys sure enjoy spending every waking minute with them. It doesn't matter whether it's in the pool, or running up and down the halls. It doesn't matter whether it's going down the alpine slides, or hanging out in one of the rooms. It doesn't matter whether they're riding a mechanical bull or staring up at the stars from the balcony (wondering aloud if the lights on the mountain are monsters). It doesn't matter what's going on, as long as they get to spend time with each other.

We celebrated Andrew's birthday a few days early with Paul's family at Snowbird with Sponge Bob cup cakes (you know how much I love my son when I buy him Sponge Bob cup cakes--I hate Sponge Bob). (no candle? Not to worry, Emily came prepared with a lighter:))
He had just gotten some pretty good road rash on the Alpine slide (oh yeah, we were racing and he lost control--poor little dude). He was in some pain and having a hard time getting over it, but when Paul decided to give him his new MP3 player, it seemed to make everything better. Paul was almost more excited about Andrew's MP3 player than Andrew was. He's such a good dad. Spent hours downloading all the songs he knew Andrew would love. He also got the pocket knife that he's been asking about for over a year. Paul always told him that he could have it when he turned 8. Seriously?! What does that kid need with a pocket knife? Now there's a disaster waiting to happen! Happily, it has been hidden away in my purse ever since.All the Boley cousins (notice there's only one girl?!)

Brian Head

The first stop in our trip to Utah (besides the night we spent in Cedar City) was a beautiful cabin (selling for only$550,000). Debbi, Austin, Dillon, Bailee and Mom and Dad met us down there. Brian Head is near Cedar Breaks and is absolutely breath taking!







Dillon and Andrew enjoying the very chilly view.The pine trees are surrounded by the red rock we have come to know as home. What a stark and amazing contrast!
We got settled, and then the exploring began. Of course, the first thing the boys did was build a fort. They spent hours gathering the perfect logs and sticks to put their master planned fort together. I loved that Dad was right in the mix with the boys (Dillon, Andrew, Barik and Paul) building this fort. Once the fort was finished, they moved on to bigger and better things--like building another fort. Except this one was WAY cooler! They found nails and ply wood and 2x4's. And then when that fort was finished, they hiked.

There was a lot of time spent playing pool, which was a big hit with Austin who is too old to be building "dumb forts" (my words, not his). Cooper fell in love with the doll house that was upstairs in the loft. Heaven knows we don't have doll houses in our house. Sponge Bob Life was brought out, which my boys loved (stupid Sponge Bob).

On one of the late mornings, Cooper, Drake, Debbi and I went looking for Bumble Bee's (from Transformers) house. Cooper was convinced that Bumble Bee lived in one of the Cabins right next to the one we were staying in. So off we went. Cooper didn't find Bumble Bee at the first cabin (imagine that), so off we went to the next one. Up hills. Down hills. (Remember we are at a ski resort--in the mountains, of course). We visited 3 different cabins, and never found Bumble Bee (or "Octimus Pwime", for that matter). But it was sure great hiking around with this little boy filled with a HUGE imagination.

After dinner one night, we all made smores on the back porch overlooking the grand forest. Dad got to show Andrew the finer points of Smore making.Cooper really enjoyed his Smore.And of course Barik did too.


Dad took our family pictures at the cabin. We even got one where we all look pretty good.
We hadn't had family pictures taken since Cooper was 4 months old. It was way past time! Family pictures always stress me out. Having to look just right, have the boys look just right, praying that no road rash happens moments before the pictures and that everyone will be in good spirits. Debbi was the briber, clown, and anything else she could be to get all 6 of us looking at the same thing, at the same time and preferable with smiles on our faces. She did a great job! Dad did a great job capturing the beauty of our surroundings and of course our little boys. Mom did a great job as dad's assistant (she has been his unpaid assistant forever). I am so happy to have our current family pictures hanging on the wall.


We celebrated Drake's first birthday at the cabin. He got his very own cake, only ate a couple bites of it before pushing it away, but we sure enjoyed watching him on his first birthday. He was cruising like a champ and could win any crawling contest. He finally cut 2 top teeth (he only had 2 bottom teeth until right before his birthday). He was sure grumpy--cutting teeth and being in a different house and a different bed. But he sure is cute! Can you say "cookie"?

One day after hiking with Barik, Debbi called me over to show me the project Barik was working on. With a rock in his right hand, he was pounding a larger boulder. "What are you doing, Barik?" "Making snow." "What for?" "For the ants. So they can make snowmen." "That's nice of you Bear. Hmmm. The wind is blowing some of your snow away." "I'll make extra so the wind doesn't blow it all away." Such a gentle, thoughtful little guy.

On yet another hike, Cooper was found reading a very detailed story to an even more captive Badger.Good thing the Badger didn't see these two strong boys, or surely it would have run away.
Lots of great memories were made at the cabin. I'm so glad Debbi and her kids and my parents decided to come down to spend time with us.

Oh Boys!

Cooper is very energetic. And he also LOVES to play and wrestle with his older brothers. Andrew likes to wrestle back with Cooper, but Barik is a bit more "soft" and gets annoyed by Cooper easily. So, when Cooper goes into attack mode, Barik turns the other cheek. Again, and again, and again. Barik always ends up in tears. After exhausting our other discipline tactics, we finally turned it over to Barik, instructing him to stand up for himself--that when Cooper goes into "Cooper-kazi" mode, to retaliate. However, much to our dismay, this form of retaliation only encourages Cooper. He's like a helicopter of arms and legs flying after Barik. Barik begrudgingly retaliates, but still cries (after all, the desired effect of Cooper being stopped in his place by his other brother is not achieved). This has been going on for about a month. Today, Barik informed me that he was no longer going to hit Cooper back when Cooper hits him. "Why?" I asked him. "Because I love Cooper." to which I reply, "You know Barik, that is what Jesus would do." Thanks for putting me back in place, my little Bear.