Our 2008 Family Reunion

The new yearly tradition to have our family reunion at Heber Valley Campground was a lot of fun. We stayed in Yurts, which were a little chilly the first night. But the 2nd night was much better and we had a lot of fun. I, of course, forgot to take very many pictures, so you'll have to look at Jenn's or Melanie's site to see the good pictures, but I did capture some cute ones swimming at the neat pool in Kamas (the site of the previous week's triathlon).

Here's the whole family, minus Steph of course, who is on a mission in Autralia and who was greatly missed. Garrett and I are on the left side. I'm holding Jacob and Garrett's holding Gabe who's sporting his new jacket which was a b-day present from Aunt Carla. Dave and Melanie are next to us. Dave's holding Mathew and Mel's holding Brooke. Next to Melanie is David, who is holding Katie. Next to David is Jenn, who's holding Emmy and next to Emmy is her twin brother Owen, being held by my brother Joseph. Next to Joseph (on the right) is Carla. Below and to the left of her is my dad, who is holding Ryan (Joseph's oldest son), then Rachel (David and Shayla's oldest), then mom, and then Shayla is holding Sarah and also has her arms around Jonathan, our oldest. And that's everyone (except the aforementioned Stephanie).
This is Aunt Carla trying to keep her balance with all the neices and nephews. What a job!
And here we have Garrett in the pool playing with Jonathan and Gabe. I had gotten out to feed Jacob, who's tummy was grumbling.
Here you can see that we covered Gabe's head for the swimming and camping excursions to protect his little stitches, which came out the next day in the ER. We originally tried to keep Gabe safely out of the water, but as you can see, he likes the water and wouldn't have anything to do with staying dry.
This is my brother Joseph putting on a crazy face with Owen, who I think is saying, "Help me Ryan! Dad's getting crazy again." Ryan doesn't look too sure if interceding is the best option at this point.
And that was the reunion. We went and ate yummy pizza afterwards. And all our leftovers, were carefully placed in a take home container, carefully set on top of the care while kids got buckled in, and not so carefully blew away in the wind. My apologies to the City of Kamas, who I'm sure is wondering who dumped pizza all over main street.

Jonathan's New School

This is Jonathan in front of his new preschool with our friend Ember (Whose birthday is tomorrow! Happy Birthday, Ember!). We carpool together. This picture was taken on "Red Day". Jonathan is doing very well and really enjoying the two hours, three days/week with lots of friends.

Kite Flying by the Snake River

Uncle Shawn and Aunt Carissa sent the boys a kite and this is us by the Snake River playing with it. Jonathan and Gabe are posing while they wait for Daddy to get the kite ready.
Garrett getting things ready...
Jacob smiling out of the wind from his car seat.

First Day of Work (....with my new haircut)

I'm not very fond of putting pictures of myself on the blog. I would prefer to use space to put my darling little boys, but I got a new job and a new haircut and you can see my grey, but that will have to remain until Sister Stephanie returns from her mission to Australia and dyes it for me.

Pretty darn funny - you little whipper snapper!

I thought this was worth the time to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vwxAVZ6fJ4

Happy Birthday Uncle Joseph

I began dating Garrett seven years past
Little did I know the time would move fast.
Back then, he had a little brother, Joe.
And now, my how that boy did grow!

I was there when he hit the teen years
I even got to meet a lot of his peers.
As his brother became a big part of my heart
My love also grew for this youngest upstart.

Joseph was delight to have so close
I think his enthusiasm I've missed most.
So happy to talk shmack with older siblings
Quick with a smile and lots of hearty laughings...

But with our first child, we moved away
And those I miss much of those good old days.
I think I miss most seeing lots of him
And watching all his activities on a whim.

Now as we celebrate the latest - a mission call.
I find myself reminiscing on it all.
Oh - Joseph - how I love you! and I'm so very glad
My boys have your example - from the brother of their dad!

Happy Birthday Uncle Joseph!!!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Carissa!

Another birthday we celebrate today
Aunt Carissa – It’s her special day!
She is the one-year wife of our Uncle Shawn
His lonely single days are now forever gone!

Our three little boys think she’s oh! so great
Her surprise packages are truly first rate.
For little boys who don’t get a lot of mail.
Getting a big package for them is very swell.

Her thoughtful words and kind rememberings
Endear her as a sister - so much joy she brings!
Shawn really found a treasure in this Oregonian.
When she starts planning, our family’s in for fun!

And so to Aunt Carissa, we hope your day is great
And that you have the best of times with your loyal mate!
Happy Birthday – we love you and we’re glad
That a girl was born to your sweet mom and dad!

Happy Birthday - Hope you did something fun and got at least one surprise from Shawn. We love you!

Happy 4th Birthday Kaitlin!

The middle child of the F-------- girls
Is a lass full of smiles and cute little curls.
For her contagious joy, there is no cure
When asked to share a toy, she’ll say, “Sure!”

When the video camera light turns red
Her moves get going with a shake of her head.
And dance and sing…She was a diva at 3!
And now that she’s 4, we can’t wait to see!

Kaitlin – HAPPY BIRTHDAY – we think you’re 1st rate!
For a potential wife, Jon thinks you’re great!
But we know Rachel won’t let you marry a cousin
And Jon’s list is down by the first ½ dozen!

We love you Katie – Sorry we missed your party, but we were thinking of you today and that fantastic smile!

Happy Birthday Brandon!

My husband's 2nd brother is Brandon Lee
And a fine addition to the P---- family
Always happy - setting you quickly at ease
Reportedly the first at shmoosing the ladies.

However, he'd say that really wan't the case
That his brother Ben - He took first place!
So, I guess we'll never really know
Unless the high school girls have their "say so".

I remember the first time I met Bro #2
Sunday dinner, the mouths were not a few.
He was there with his best friend and his wife
As well as the kind and beautiful love of his life.

They made me feel welcome and treated me kind.
I soon found my worries had fallen behind.
And as I've gotten to know them more and more
They are a fun family that's easy to adore.

So Brandon! On your day of all days.
Please know that we are shouting Horray's!
And saying our prayers of thanks for you!
You've blessed our lives - And that is true!

Happy Birthday!

Joys, Fears, and Obsessions

These are the rules: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people. Leave a comment for the people you tag so they know they have been tagged.

Joys
1. Watching kids learn something new (today Jacob held his own bottle).
2. Back rubs and scratches from my husband.
3. Porch swings.

Fears
1. Anything to do with rats.
2. Adequately preparing my children for the world.
3. Thoughtlessly injuring those I love.

Obsessions/Collections
1. When I'm at my parent's home, there is this sequence of turning the lights on upstairs that I have to maintain - it's possible to have all the lights off, but in the wrong sequence. I will got back downstairs and start over if it's wrong.
2. When we go on vacation, I have to leave a clean house, so it's fun coming home and not a ton of work.
3. I HATE towels being left on the floor when they're wet. Mildew.....

Surprising facts
1. My parent's home is for sale.
2. I scored in the 99th percentile on the GRE in problem solving (also the area that graduate schools don't really care about) and I liked taking the practice exams in this area.
3. I focus better in lectures if I write notes - I usually throw them away afterwards.

Tagged: Dorothy, Melanie, Shayla, Jenn, Natalie

Happy Birthday To Two Great Women!

Two great women were born on this date in time
My great grandma Vanetta and this mother of mine.
More than birthdays are shared by theses two noble souls;
Each one chose to pursue the same occupational roles.

They both have been teachers - but beyond this great field
The title of mother - they both chose to yeild.
They did more than just each raise six kids to adulthood.
Beyond their mere words - much more was understood.

Of my Grandma Vanetta, I remember just a bit
The smell of her house and where her candy did sit
Her glasses, her teeth, the forbidden laundry shoot
The attic filled with endless marvels for youth.

I'm so grateful for how she jumped into a new life
After marrying my grandpa when he lost his first wife.
She not only taught the gospel to my grandma and her sister
But instilled a deep love for their mom when they asked her.

She was a great woman in my ancestry, for sure
And she's someone I'll always be gratefor for.
But for the rest of this poem, my words I'll devote
To the woman who will always have my "Best Mother" vote!

My dad told me once that all of us kids were "ok"
"But it's your mother I want to be with all day."
As we each joined the growing Z family clan
We were cared for in the most loving of hands.

Dad worked more than one job - making ends meet
Leaving mother to train all twelve little feet.
We like to remind her of the silly things we remember
Hiding Christmas presents in June - and not finding them in December.

But I don't think I tell her nearly as often as I should
How her little daily efforts made our home better than good!
Mom always knew when our feet stepped thru the door
If our day was good or if there was something more...

She could might anything we wanted with her amazing foresight
That could see how to make any school project turn out just right!
She taught us the skills to be fantastic parents and spouses
Showing thru example how to make homes out of houses.

Mother's often common title has been "Matt's wife"
A title she's had for most of her life.
My Dad's ability to do so much of what he can
Rests solidly on my mother's support for her man.

If this "angel mother" of mine has one flaw it would be
Her unwavering, always steady devotion to our family.
When one of her kids hurts or falls into trouble
You've got to know that her heart feels it double.
Yet day after day, she continues with a smile and a cheer
Ready to help - helping hands to a listening ear.

Mom - I love you - so much of what I am today
Is thanks to you - What more can I say.
If ever my income gets close to my level of thanks
Your sure to be envied by all of the banks!

The ER and 7 Stitches

Sunday morning as we started getting ready for church, Jonathan was on a chair playing when it fell over - Gabe getting squished by the chair with Jonathan on top. I was so glad that Garrett was on call and not already at the hospital. I tended the other two in the waiting room and watched Old Yeller while Garrett held the poor kid down on the ER table.
Here's a close up of the wound. You can also get a nice look at the scar from last week when he and Jonathan were chasing each other around the house and he ran right into the corner of a wall.

Summit Triathlon 2008

I was in a small triathlon. My goal was to finish and I did.

Happy Birthday Sister Steph!

My sister Steph lives far away.
She lives "down under" as they say.
Preaching the gospel - sharing The Light
Being an example of how to live right.

She's our missionary - Our Sister Z
The youngest Z from our family.
It's hard to imagine 22 years ago
She was a baby - just starting to grow!

Now she's all grown up and here's something to note
She's going to miss this big election year vote
But she's doing something more important by far
She the Zollinger Family's Little Sister Star!

We love her and pray for her every day.
We want her to know she's remembered today
If mom and dad had to end this great clan
They picked the perfect cabose in the land!

Some highlights from the end of August

Gabe's b-day party with just our family - This is a Baby Farm Animals book that Jonathan picked out at Walmart.
This is a self-created jail for Katie, Rachel, Jonathan, and Gabe - in Grandma Z's kitchen.
At the camping trip over Labor Day Weekend, we went to the falls with Bryan and Carol and two of their girls.
Here's the packed back seat.
I do believe Garrett captured Bryan yawning....
It was a very fun part of the camping trip - and actually the only part that was captured on film.