And the winner is.............

.......Ok, Ok, you didn't really think I would tell you right off the bat did you?


First I have to tell all my faithful followers, that would be my 5 daughters, that you are all WINNERS in my book. I don't want any of you calling and crying to me that the winner is my favorite and that's why she won. That's simply not true. This was a CONTEST, AN HONEST TO GOODNESS CONTEST. No favorites here, because you are all my favorite.


And why, you ask, do I spend time telling you that you are all my favorite?


Last week Matthew showed me a newspaper article discussing policies at elementary schools to prevent children from having low self-esteem. You know, how every child on the soccer team gets a trophy now. The article mentioned a school back east that no longer allows children to use ropes for jump rope, because they risk tripping over the rope and suffering bruised egos.

Poor dears.....! You wouldn't want to permanently ruin the self-image of little Johnny, because he can't jump over the rope!


How do you solve that problem? Tell the children they can imagine themselves jumping over the rope instead of actually doing it.


This may sound ridiculous, but, seriously, I have been exercising that way for years. I imagine myself trim, firm, well-defined, riding the luge at the Olympics or being the lead runner in the New York Marathon. I feel so much better about myself now.

...anyway...THE WINNER IS......



drum roll, please,



or if you don't play the drums, just imagine yourself playing the drums...


Shay guesstimated (that's a word right?) the little guy would come in at a hefty 7 lbs. 10 ozs. with light hair.



Congratulations to Shay! Now, Shay can imagine herself with a tiara and large bouguet of roses walking the winners runway, envied by all.


Way to go Shay. You look lovely.


Your $5 will be in the mail shortly.

Dani and I...

...had a lot of fun today with the camera and the newest family member, Logan.




And since I couldn't decide which picture I like best, I put all of them on the blog.



By double clicking on the pictures, you can make them larger. Enjoy!

Well, not all of them actually, because that would be 423 pictures in all.



Oh, how grateful I am for digital cameras that have a delete button.

More precious than gold...

...are the memories of this moment

Just a note to my beautiful daughter...

Dani,

It was at this moment that I saw the Dr. hand Logan to you and you laid him on your chest that I remembered a similar moment when I first took you in my arms 25 years ago. I wished then, that you might someday know the same joy I felt when I held you.

Today, that joy was there, in your eyes, and it reminded me to thank God for giving me my hearts desire wished for so long ago, that you would someday know the same love I have known.




I cherish you...


I cherish you for giving me the gift of today.

Trailing clouds of glory...

....Logan E. Lawson was born....


March 17, 2010...


7 pounds, 9.5 ounces


20 1/2 inches


strawberry blond hair


10 fingers


10 toes


...and he is...


perfect!







....anticipation....




1 1/2 pushes...

...Jake giggled








...Dani cried

...Logan turned pink

...and held his daddy's hand for the first time

...they checked each other out

...and prepared to meet the world

...while dad dreamed of taking TWO boys hunting

...and every inch was carefully inspected

...old friendships were renewed

...the first family portrait was taken

...and it is the happy beginning at the end of a wonderful day.

Today, more than ever...

...I missed Chris for what he was missing.

I captured this moment for him. This beautiful moment when his children climbed a mountain and found joy in the adventure. It was a gentle reminder for me that his determination to keep going, even when it's tough, is an example to his children.

Spring fever....

.....sent us looking for a little sunshine today. Kay Lee loved the mountains in the background of this picture. It is actually the Oquirrh mountains about 30 miles away.

During the rescue of Abbie we decided she should take her coat off before she fell down. There are teeth in the middle of that smile, but they will not be visible for about three months.

Abbie got stuck first so Madison went to rescue her. They then had to call on Preston and Matthew for more help.

We are at the Farmington Bay Bird Refuge and found a little sunshine, lots of mud and a plethora of fun. Preston tried to pull Madison out of the mud, but a little push backwards seemed like the more fun thing to do.

The suction sound when they tried to pull their boots out of this gunk was pretty cool. Luke thought it sounded like a goose honking or hissing.


We enjoyed taking Aubrey and her four children on this little outdoor walk. Preston was so excited. He brought his back pack that he received for his eleventh birthday last summer. He brought water and all his camping gear. He was so excited to go hiking. He wanted to lead the way and investigate everything. No eagles about, just geese. They honked at us when we got too close. Kay Lee took the pictures and I, Matthew, tried to control the mud fights and mayhem. The mud won.

I don't want to teach...

...seminary tomorrow.



Alma 39




Help!





The lesson is on morality...actually, it's on sexual immorality. I have 14 year olds all the way up to 18 year olds...boys...girls....together!





I'm having anxiety attacks and sympathy pains for Lauren.





Any suggestions?


Please!!!!!



What do you think about taking in Better Than Sex Cake and starting the discussion with that? I mean, seriously, if you want to get the attention of a teenager, feed them...right?