The Hill's BBQ

Gracie's Hair

2009-09-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

I’ve always thought of Gracie’s hair
As crazy and unique
And like her hair, she is as rare
A person as you’ll ever meet.

Some days she is wild
Some days she’ll yell
Some days she is quite mild
And will sit and listen well.

She has a million questions
She loves to organize
She loves to help others
She loves a good surprise

Sometimes, like her hair
When it is straight and smooth
She is gentle, calm and quiet
And really gets the groove

On other days, when her curls are tight
It won’t go quite that way
She’ll work hard and do her best
But it might feel like a long day

Whether straight or curly, short or long
Gracie has spirit plus
She is sensational, fantastic, strong
And its KINDERGARTEN OR BUST

My little Buttercup has the cutest smile...

2009-06-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Annie aka Buttercup has blessed our family for the last 33 months or so. She is one sweet girl. There are so many things I love about her. She is dog-loyal to Gracie. When Gracie gets in a tight spot, Annie is the first to back her up, like a few days ago when Jackson took her toy and wouldn't give it back, here comes Annie, 35 pounds of spit and fire, telling Jackson where he can hang his hat if you know what I mean.
I love all her little phrases, like "I pinky promise..." or "I want my sister GRACIE" or "This is saalmoon (salmon) and it's nummy! Try it Grace." She says words like "actually" and "I cryin". She is very expressive especially concerning potty training. "It's very, very hard mommy."

I also love so much her big, blue, beautiful eyes but I suppose my favorite thing about her is that lovely smile. Big, bright and all teeth! She is a sweetheart and we love her!

Olivia's big day!

2009-06-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

We blessed Olivia on June 7th. What a beautiful day. We had friends and family there to see our sweet baby recieve a wonderful blessing. Her dress was lovingly made by Grandma Hill and she had gorgeous blanket crocheted by Grandma Jackson. We have recieved so many blessing in our family and Olivia is the cherry on the top! It is so fun to watch how the other kids love and protect her. She brings such a calming and loving spirit to our home and helps us realize how blessed we are. Thanks Livy! We love you!

Ladybug

2009-05-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of my sweet Gracie otherwise known as Ladybug. She has the most amazing personality and the biggest heart. She also has a huge desire to to the right things. She has this amazing will of steel, like Cody. She also is sweet and loving and she adores Livy and Annie. What an amazing child I have. Our family, especially me, needed her!

Olivia is born!

2009-05-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

April 29, 2009 dawned like any other day for me. I woke up to find the kids eating breakfast in the kitchen, Cody off to the gym and someone hollering for a diaper change! I changed the diaper, made sure the kids ate something other than cookies for breakfast and sent them off one by one to school. Once they were all on their way and Annie was safely tucked away in front of Dora, I knocked on Cody's office door and said, "I'll be back from the doctor in about an hour. Annie is watching Dora and I have my phone if you need me." He waved to me and I headed out the door to what was to be my last pregnancy appointment.

When I got to the doctor, she hooked me up to the monitors to see how the baby's heartrate was doing. We talked about induction. She was firm in saying that she never induces before 39 weeks unless necessary and I being 38 weeks thought, "oh great...one more week!" It was then she took a look at the tape from the monitor and said, "Why don't we go ahead and induce you today." What!!! Of course I was a little frantic that something might be wrong with the baby. She told me that the baby's heartrate wasn't tracking like she liked to see and thought it would be best to go ahead and have the baby.

I called Cody as I walked over to the hospital and told him today was the day! He didn't believe me at first but eventually said, "Well, lets have a baby!" Dr. Webb broke my water at noon and Livy was born at 5:01 pm. Almost waited to long before I got the epidural. Wow! How do we forget that kind of pain! I was glad to finally feel that blessed numbness and enjoy the last part of labor. About an hour after that, the doctor came in, I pushed for 5 minutes and Olivia was born. Even though it was #5 for us, we loved every moment (minus the 20 minutes before the epidural when the pain was pretty intense). She has been such a beautiful addition to our family and now, 11 days later, I can't remember what our family was like without her.

Waiting and waiting...

2009-04-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

So, it shouldn't be long now I keep telling myself. The reality of it is that with each day that passes, I feel my sanity slipping. Oh there are many things I could be doing to pass the time, clean my house, do my laundry, get ready for my mom to visit. (Why is it I always feel the need to deep clean when mom comes?) The problem with doing all these things is no matter how much I do, it never gets completely done! Just when one room is put in order, Annie has dumped the cereal on the floor in the kitchen or Jackson comes home from school and drops books, backpacks, coats on the floor in the living room I just spent 1 hour organizing. Nope, too exhausting for this prego woman to keep up with right now! (It must have something to do with the fact that I CAN"T BEND OVER!) Still, I try not to just sit around and WAIT! and WAIT! The truth is that I truly can't wait to not be pregnant anymore, to get my body back (it would be great if I could tie my shoes without having to practically do the splits sitting on my bed), but most of all to see this little one who has been kicking me for the last few months. I am most curious about her hair. Will it be red like Sara and Jackson or a blondie like Gracie and Annie. She will be the tie breaker. Will it be curly like Gracie or stick straight like Annie's. Will she come out wide eyed (Sara, Jackson) or screaming and her hands in fists (Gracie)? Will she be mellow and laid back like Sara or a little crazy like Jackson? Will she have bits and pieces of all the kids or something competely all her own? These are the things that cross my mind while I wait and wait and wait...

I'm back

2009-04-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I last posted. When I became pregnant, I just hibernated for the winter but now that spring has sprung...(mostly) and there have been some warm, beautiful days, I think I'll come out of my cave and post some thoughts.

First of all, only a couple of weeks left (hopefully), until little Olivia gets here! I, for one, CAN'T WAIT! The kids are excited too. Not sure what Annie will do. She might have a bit of an adjustment to make.

This last year has been a good one. In September, Cody started a new business called Positive Momentum. That has been an interesting adventure! We enjoyed a trip to Nauvoo to visit Cody's parents on their mission. We went in December and it was COLD! Those pioneers were sure made of tougher stuff than most of us today! Wow! We had a great time despite the cold. The temple is beautiful! We also took the kids to Disneyland in February. What a fun time that was. The kids were really good. Now, we are waiting for the little one to get here! All in all it has been an eventful 9 months!

2008-10-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

Little Fox

2008-10-04T18:52:00.000-07:00

I explained on my last blog that Cody gave us all radio names. Jackson is Tiger Cat and Sara is Little Fox. I wanted to devote a blog to my super fantastic Little Fox. You know the Lord is kind when he blesses us with children who are kind, fun, happy, big hearted and full of life. My little blessing came on Feb 20, 1997 a sweet little package of joy topped by a strip of red hair. Little Fox has always had an easy going nature and take life in stride kind of personality. Because of this, it is easy to hang out with her which I love to do! She laughs easily, is brave and loyal. When we went school shopping, she was so funny. I am beginning to see her own style emerge and yet she was willing to listen to my suggestions and in the end, she was so very grateful to me. She told me she loved her new clothes and what a great time she had with me, her mom. Imagine that! I hope this lasts...maybe it will and maybe it won't, but for now, Sara is a great friend to her mom and I love her for it!

A word about Tiger Cat

2008-09-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

When we moved from Utah, Cody and I both had to drive a different car. To stay in touch, we had those little hand held radios. I had Sara and Gracie in the van with me and Cody and Jackson were in our other car. Cody assigned us all "CB" names that we have used since. Jackson's alias is TIGER CAT!
Tiger Cat has always been been fun and full of life. He came barrelling into this world (literally) fast and furious. Had him all natural. By the way, Carol Burnett's description of natural childbirth is absolutely correct. She said its like taking your lower lip and pulling it over your head. Thank heavens he came so fast! Almost had him in the car! The moment I saw his face, I knew I was in for a wild ride. He is fun loving, kind hearted and brave. We went to California Adventure and I made him promise to go on the Tower of Terror with me. When we got there, he wasn't sure he wanted to keep that promise but in the end he did. Screamed through the whole thing and held my hand like a vice but he was there right beside me, brave little dude!
As he gets older, I enjoy more and more his antics, his crazy style and especially his laugh! I can see so clearly in my mind's eye Tiger Cat all dressed up in suit and tie, nametag and scriptures in hand, red hair freckles and all. It will be a bittersweet moment then but for now, I want to see if I can get him to go on the Tower of Terror again with me.

6 things about me

2008-09-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by miss Debi and I shall try to come up with six clever little things about myself:

I love the smell of new books. Yes, I am the one who opens up the book and smells the pages.

I think I must have been a fish in a former life because I love the sea. I love the smell, the wind, the salt. I love sunsets over the water, the sound of the waves and the feel of my feet as they sink in the sand.

I am addicted to chocolate...anyone know a good support group?

I love learning about old things...ancient ruins, artifacts and cultures.

I enjoy going on trips but I love coming home!

And last but not least, I love it when my kids started to talk. Annie is doing this right now and it is so very cute to hear all her new words.

A few facts about me. I am not sure if Nikki Bennett has been tagged so now is your turn girl!

Pictures

2008-09-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

This week has been so great! Not only the weather, but I have been able to spend some time with my parents. (Isn't it funny how when parents are around we tend to revert to being a kid again just for a little while.) They met us in Seaside last weekend. We had a great time at the beach even though it was just a little nippy...BURRR! The kids were die-hards however, they played their little hearts out in the water and in the sand. I loved watching my dad collect rocks on the shore. They are his souvenir from the trip. He has rocks and shells from all the beaches he has visited. He also played catch with Cody and Jackson, 73 years old and he can still handle the football. (He played in college). I watched as my mom built sandcastles with Gracie and I smiled when she laughed her big hearty laugh as Gracie knocked down all their hard work. I have enjoyed long walks with my dad on the Pipeline trail as we discussed politics, family and my dog. My mom gave me a refresher course in canning as we carefully bottled peaches and pears. She has cleaned my kitchen, folded laundry and loved my kids. While in Oregon, I was profoundly hit with the realization that these moments are less and less as my parents get older. I took a picture of my dad on the beach collecting his rocks and shells, a picture of my mom laughing with Gracie and my mind has clicked many moments that I hope will stay with me long after they return home and I have to be mom again.

Grumpy Grandma

2008-08-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Grandma, the word brings to mind a front porch swing, quilting, homemade bread. On a dark night, the lights from her window are a welcome sight. She is always quick with a hug and one is always welcome at Grandma's house. It seems she has a never-ending well of smiles and love...that is until you graze the back bumper of her daughter's mini-van and then all heck breaks loose!
Ahh the unfortunate driver who happens to park just a tad too close and while pulling out of the space, gently touched Grandma's car, leaving a mark that would take a magnifying glass to see. The driver, realizing her folly went to settle things with Grandma. Unfortunately, Grandma has lost all sense of "grandmaness" when the driver's friend steps in to help. Grandma procees to "invite" driver's friend, (none to gently) to return to her car and informing said friend that she has been on the planet for 70 years, alot longer than her, as if that is some magical phrase that gives Grandma the right to be so dogon mean! The driver thought Grandma was going to pop a vessel, spit fire and spin her head completely around. Good thing there was a fireman close by. Meanwhile, while friend is fielding the verbal blows, the driver is writing down her own infromation and looking up spots the cross at Grandma's neck and the fireman logo on her shirt and wonders why Grandma is so unhappy.

Jackson and Sara at the Kid's Tri in June

2008-08-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

Gracie...you gotta love the hair!

2008-08-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Summer Sunshine

2008-08-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year when the sun is high and the days are warm. I am listening to the kids outside laughing and playing in the water. It is like a snapshot in my memory of when I was a kid and did the same thing. I love to see their cute faces all covered in otter pop juice and even though I am bugged by the thousands of wrappers left EVERYWHERE, who can say no to "Please mom, just one more? I haven't had a green one today!" There is just something about the summer sun that does more than warm the air. It plays with the mind and makes it easier to remember the long summer days of my childhood running through the sprinklers and eating popcicles until my teeth ached from the cold. I remember riding my bike with the the red sparkly banana seat, I remember sleeping in the back of my parents green station wagon with the wood panel on the sides...no seatbelts. I remember Tang and Postum. I remember watching Love Boat and Fantasy Island every Saturday night while my mom wrapped my hair in pink spongy rollers for church the next day. I remember being at the '84 Olympics in LA. I went to Women's Diving...China won that day too. There is something about that summer sun...

Seriously Adorable!!!

2008-08-12T22:28:00.000-07:00

Go Jackson!!!!!

2008-08-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

Say cheese

2008-08-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

WE ALL HAVE A BAD HAIR DAY SOMETIMES

2008-08-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

"What is that Bright Shining Circle in the Sky?"

2008-08-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

Gracie's World is Upside Down

2008-08-12T22:11:00.000-07:00

PICNIC PARTIES

2008-08-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

BUDDING ARTIST BABY

2008-08-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

I WANT TO BE A COWGIRL

2008-08-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

Cleaning the Reeve's Shower

2008-08-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

When it was time to leave a play date with Lily Gracie was given the choice to either stay at the Reeves and do some "chores" or go home. She was helping Lily clean the shower in this photo.