Snow Fun

Sam and I went to Rock Canyon Park to play in the snow a couple of weeks ago. You can see that we still only have the bibs from Mom that are from the 70's. Stylish, I know. We are both new to the snowboard, but had a lot of fun with it.

Monday Sam suggested we hike up Rock Canyon trail and then sled back down on his snowboard--with us both sitting down on it. I had my doubts, but it was tons of fun. A bit painful (we'd recommend using padding), but quite the ride. Afterward, we hiked back up just a bit and tried actual snowboarding again, which was difficult on the packed down path with ruts. Sam did well, but I got going a little too fast. I pathetically yelled for Sam to catch me. He really tried, but I tried to turn to stop and took a very painful fall. One of those times where you can't talk or you'll cry. Fortunately, just bruises on my backside.

I've been tagged!

Winks tagged me, so here we go. . .

I am: Amber
I think: I actually need team sports (despite my lack of ability). Any other method of exercise is not nearly as invigorating, enjoyable, or as good a workout for me.
I have: 37 nieces and nephews (34 on the Z side, 3 on Sam's side). (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)
I dislike: dim lighting, sea food, mayonnaise, egg yoke (unless it's scrambled with the white part), uncomfortable clothes, being cold all the time
I miss: all my family, especially those I didn't get to see at Christmas
I fear: "nothing, when I am in the right!" (Quick, Buddy, what movie is that from?) Actually I sometimes really fear the phone. I can get nervous just calling someone to set up a visiting teaching appointment or calling an old friend. If it's about a job or calling a parent of one of my students, a lot of times I have to write down what I'm going to say before I call. And stare at the phone for many minutes. I'm definitely not as bad as I used to be, but it can still be pretty pathetic.

I feel: awful right now. Sam and I either have food poisoning or the flu. Why don't I appreciate my good health when I have it?
I hear: Sam attempting to eat oatmeal, but he says it's exhausted him just eating half the bowl of his instant packet.
I smell: like the food I cook. (If I cook anything with onions, garlic, etc., my coat or sweater soaks up the aroma.)
I crave: fruit and vegetables normally, but my junk food cravings often win.
I cry: more than I used to, and I'm getting worse at hiding it
I usually: sleep with my pillow over my head; prefer my fruit and drinks (water and juice) lukewarm
I search: for information about my great, great grandfather, George B. Reid. Okay, so I haven't done much research yet, but I've been promising Grandma for a year. I'm determined to really dig in now.
I wonder: where Sam and I will be next year (for his grad school)--UC Davis, BYU, Virginia Tech, or somewhere else?
I regret: missed opportunities to serve/befriend others

I wish: I could speak Spanish a lot more fluently and that I had a space to grow a garden
I love: the gospel, Sam, my family, being outdoors, BYU Creamery's fresh made salsa (except the thought of it right now....)
I care: about how Winks is doing
I always: notice trees
I worry: about the USA's trend towards emphasizing rights and freedom without putting emphasis on personal responsibility, and the climb towards socialism.
I am not: as young as people who don't know think I am (parents of my students, the lunch ladies who give me student prices until corrected, temple workers, neighbors, etc.)
I stand by: the heater. I am always cold!
I remember: good times with my sister Ginger and her goodness.
I believe: in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

I sing: while I play my guitar or ukulele
I don't always: treat others as kindly as I intend to
I write: songs and in my journal (somewhat obsessively)
I win: when Sam and I try to give each other the most bounce on the trampoline (actually, that's not as true as it used to be--I think he's figured it out)
I lose: every time I play against Melissa (sister-in-law)
I listen: better if I'm not multi-tasking. I've discovered that I can't even cook and talk (listen) to Sam at the same time, unless it's something I've made many times before. I've also noticed that I am a very one-track minded person. When someone suddenly starts talking to me, I often give a blank look (or a much-delayed answer) until I can switch my brain to drop my last thought and think about the new stimulus).
I can usually be found: at home or school (teaching). Or at Macey's grocery store. I love that place!
I need: sunlight and warmth
I forget: to turn off the lights on Sam's car (mine turn off automatically). Fortunately, he's caught it twice, and someone was around to give me a jump start the other time.
I am happy: when I take time to recognize the many blessings I've received and work to be worthy of them.

I tag. . . Jason Z and Beth

Electrifying!

Sam and I played the "Shock" game on the trampoline with some of our nieces. Everyone links pinky fingers, gets full of static, and feels the electric shock move through them when a person on the end touches a metal spring. The girls' hair was awesome.

Working on the Ranch

Sam joined Dad and Derek fixing a fence. The horse was curious and eventually started nibbling on Sam.

The 'Loo Lasleys

We were happy that Morgan (Sam's brother) and Melissa were in town for Christmas. (Especially since Sam is the black sheep of the family--the only one not in Iowa.) We had them over and got to hang out with them at Melissa's parents'. And we finally got to meet Josh! Now there's just a niece and a nephew that I still haven't met.


Don't make fun of my Christmas decorations. I did the best I could with what I had (and thanks to some friends that gave us their tree). What little I do have was still at my parents'.

The Man in the Yellow Hat

Sam and I found Dad on the roof in his rain gear and spent the next hour or so helping him clean the gutters. I still love any excuse to climb on the roof! I climbed up to the highest point and noticed that I had a good view of all the land, hills, and mountains surrounding the ranch. It was greener than usual from all the recent rains.

Christmas with the Z's

It was good to be back on the ranch with a lot the family, though I missed everyone who wasn't there. It was hard not seeing Ginger along with everyone else. Really hard. But it also impressed upon me a greater significance of the birth of our Savior and to appreciate the gifts He has given us--particularly the gift of the Resurrection and the ability we have to be with our families eternally, as well as the comfort and hope we can receive through his Atonement to strengthen us in the meantime. It was also good to see some extended family I don't see very often. We did all the usual things, but here are a few other little events and highlights of the trip (besides what I've already blogged about).

Lilia (11 months) was playing with my amber charm necklace. Later, Kate asked me if my necklace had anything on it, and I realized my amber stone was missing. I checked Lilia and had all the nieces and nephews looking all of the house, but no one found it. I figured if I had lost in on a hike in the Grand Tetons and found it on the way back (a couple summers ago), it would show up in the house eventually. The next day, Nat saw Lilia with something. Afraid she was going to put it in her mouth, she reached out to take it away. Sure enough, there was my amber stone!

Watching Mom and Trevor separating a jar full of real M&Ms from the fake ones Wendy dumped in. (Uh, after I had unintentionally mixed them, trying to get to the real ones.)



Hayley, Sam, Kandrea, and Carson; Kate and Holly


Being able to get Holly to allow me to hold her, if only for a few minutes. She's at a stage where she'll only go to her dad, Wendy, Kate, or my Mom and maybe Dad. She's in one of my favorite toddler stages, except that she wants nothing to do with me.

Finding Lilia just as she was crawling out the front door that one of the kids left open.

The kids ran into the house yelling that Ali (12) had stepped on a nail. We ran down the hill, and Sam carried Ali and her bleeding foot up to the house. She was pretty calm then, and we figured she was okay with tetanus shots, but the poor girl was in agony for the next few hours after Dad cleaned her up and bandaged her foot.

Jenna, Brady, and Sam on the trampoline. I love this picture of Winks.

Brady (4) asking, "Aunt Amber, when are you going to have a baby?" I wished I could tell him. Hayley (5) also asked me about having a baby. She told me that I needed to go to the hospital, take some medicine, and then I'd have a baby in my tummy. But then she corrected herself, said that you go to the hospital when you have the baby, not to get it in your tummy. She had this questioning look on her face, and I was a little concerned she was going to ask where babies really do come from. I quickly changed the subject.

Mom slaved away in the kitchen all day to make enough batches of rolls to satisfy all of us eating Christmas dinner together.