Monson Metropolis

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-31T14:14:00.000-07:00

It is always hard to be a way from home (Salt Lake City) on Memorial Day. It has been a tradition for years to decorate our ancestors graves with my Grandma Lacey and my Aunt Becky. I miss being so far away and not being apart of our annual tradition.

This year we were able to participate in our city's Memorial Day parade. It was amazing to see all the uniforms from many who served in wars past. Asher was able to wear a World War I uniform and Chaim was able to carry the flag from the great state of Utah down the parade route. There was an accident just prior to the parade starting. Our commander of the parade who was dressed as George Washington was injured while handling a horse and the horse landed on him. I saw many people rush to his side and circle around him as he was laying flat on his back unconscious. It was a scary scene to see a horse loose control and a man down on the ground receiving medical treatment. I saw men in uniform rush to his side and circle around him with a prayer. As I saw many people in various uniforms trying to treat the injuries, I could only picture in my mind what happens in the battlefields around the world everyday to save the lives of their fellow soldiers. I saw men and women today in uniform rushing to a side of a friend. I am so grateful for the service and sacrifice of those men and women who gave their lives on behalf of our freedom.

November 7, 2009 (15 Years Together)

2009-11-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that we have been married for 15 years. Seems like a lot longer since we have know each other for so long. Our wonderful friends watched the kids for a couple of days while we took a trip down to Atlanta. We we walked around the city and saw the CNN Center. We look forward to the next 15 years together.

Flip Flops for Halloween

2009-11-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love the warm weather in Georgia? I wore my flip flops on Halloween. I could have never done that in Utah. I had to get a picture to remember the moment. It was a beautiful night. The kids had a parade at school. Asher never lets me take his picture. He tries to hide from the camera. His friends finally helped me get a picture at the Halloween parade. We had a great day!

Can You Really Walk a Rabbit?

2009-11-21T09:07:00.000-08:00

Well yes... you really can walk a rabbit. Some of our favorite friends came over (Kate and John) and we attempted to walk the rabbits. The boys didn't really seem all that interested. The girls thought it was a great idea. The boys just wanted to play with their light sabers.

Another Home Run at Turner Field

2009-11-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

We love going to Turner Field. We wait all year to do our tomahawk chops for the Braves. One of the best part of the game is seeing the Cartoon Network kids center. Chaim joined in on an ongoing game and got a home run which he was very proud of. Go Chaim!

Rome Middle School Marching Band 2009

2009-10-04T16:15:00.001-07:00

I think McKenna has signed up for every club and activity at the middle school. The middle school played at the Rome High School's homecoming, football game. She was the soloist for the game. We are so proud of her. (If you watch the video, she is the one that comes forward during the second song to do the solo for the trumpets). She had had roaring cheers from the crowd for her performance.

Georgia Rain

2009-10-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

Wow what a fall. Last year we were in a drought. This year too much rain. The flooding in Georgia was so bad it wiped out schools and houses. Justin spent his time during the October morning of conference on clean up duty. Over 250 priesthood members showed up to rip apart homes that had been damaged in the flood. Here are some pictures of our Georgia rain. I believe the rain lasted about 2 1/2 weeks. We were so happy to see the sun again.

Believe it or not, this shot was taken during daytime.

The sun finally reappears.

Butterfiles in my garden.

We Actually Saw A Beatle!

2009-08-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Man oh man.... I surprised my husband with an amazing concert to see Paul McCartney at Piedmont Park. I debated days if I should buy the tickets which were $100 a piece. That was the cheap section. The section near the front was $1000. I tried to go back and forth on whether I should spend my last dollar. They were constantly talking about it on the news, on the radio, on tv. I tried to make myself forget about spending the money so I turned the channel to one that wouldn't talk about the concert. I thought The Weather Channel (which is based out of Atlanta) was pretty safe right? I thought I'd check on the weather since we were going to see the Braves that evening. Then, the weather man said well it is great that it is raining here in Atlanta so it can clean out Piedmont Park just in time for the concert of Paul McCartney on Saturday. The Weather Channel? I said all right, all right, WE ARE GOING!!!!!!! It was a message from the heavens I guess. I was trying to stay on budget this month. It was hard to keep the secret from Justin but I managed to pull it off. He had no idea that we were going until about 3 hours before we had to leave. I have seen a lot of concerts and this tops them all! Here are some highlights from the game and the concert.

Can I just say it was a concert of a lifetime. Truly Amazing is Paul McCartney! We were surrounded by 50,000 people all singing Beatles songs. I will never again hear anything quite like it. I have never seen so many people in my life! It poured, I mean poured rain in the middle of Blackbird. What a wonderful moment hearing him sing in the pouring rain with the one I love.

Someone posted this on youtube. This couldn't help to warm your heart. Their day felt like ours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWC7uL_5-KQ

Highlights from the best concert in a lifetime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ9MH1lMQN8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY305toAIXk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdWmwP-v8RU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl_vtAYdP2o&feature=PlayList&p=B52D25DD2B812D6A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9mGfhz2x3w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0nZIlvI8H4&feature=related

School is Here Again

2009-08-30T13:17:00.001-07:00

School is back in again. We had such a fun summer with a trip to Florida. Chaim was excited to start his first day at the big school. Being at school all day isn't much of a change for him. Pre-K is all day too, so this, a full day of Kindergarten wasn't much of a difference except it is at the "Big School". Asher started 5th grade. He lost a couple of good friends to other schools this year but he is determined to find some more real good friends this year. McKenna starts 8th grade this year and she is involved with so many things that I can't keep track of them myself. She is in Chorus, Concert Choir, Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Drama, Beta Club, German Club and Fish (Christian Club). I thought that was enough but she came home and told me that her teacher wants her to try out for the Show Choir and her band teacher suggested that she get some private trumpet lessons. Her band teacher wants her to try out later in the year for the All State Band. I pray that she doesn't try out for anything else this year........ Here are some pictures of the kids.

Disney Studios- Star Wars Day

2009-06-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time at Disney Studios. Chaim was the only one brave enough out of all our kids to go on the Tower of Terror. We loved the fact that we planned to go during Star Wars Day. Our niece Abi waited and waited for a chance to be in the Jedi Training Academy. We all cheered when we heard she was one of the kids picked to be in the show. She has been talking about it for months now. We on the other hand got to see some of our favorite characters. This turned out to be a great day for die-hard Star Wars fans like us.

Our wheelchair train to push McKenna around the park.

One of our favorite pictures of the kids with Chewbacca.

Jedi Mickey with Chaim

Our day would not be complete without a picture from a Stormtroper.

One of our favorite pictures of all. She was scary. Chaim and Abi did not seem to be scared, they had smiles on their faces when I took the pictures. She was so mean that most people did not get any pictures. This picture is a classic.

Our own American Idols. Chaim got on the tv screen inside the show. The M.C. interviewed him for the show in the studio. He really thinks he was on American Idol and has been telling everyone about it and who he voted for.

Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral

2009-06-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

We had a great day at the Kennedy Space Center. It was Asher's dream to visit Cape Canaveral. We took a tour of the area and saw the Shuttle up on the launch pad. We were anticipating the shuttle launch in two days. Unfortunately the shuttle had a gas leak and the shuttle launch was called off and set for possibly a month later when repairs are made. We hope to get back someday for a shuttle launch. They say there are just 7 launches left.

Disneyworld-Magic Kingdom

2009-06-24T13:25:00.001-07:00

What a great day at the Magic Kingdom. Our highlight of the day was dinner at the Crystal Palace. We enjoyed seeing Winnie the Pooh with Tigger there. The kids marched around the tables in a parade. It was so fun to watch our niece Eliza follow Tigger around the restaurant. We have never seen her smile so big.

Grandma and Chaim just watching a parade.

Chaim could not miss a chance to see Captain Hook and Smee.

Who could miss riding the Tea Cups after eating breakfast?

Dave and Justin waiting patiently for a ride.

Even McKenna enjoyed riding Dumbo!

If you want to ride Dumbo you have to run to the ride when it first opens. We were one of the first ones in line and by the time we got off there was a 60 minute wait.

Disneyworld-Animal Kingdom

2009-06-24T13:07:00.001-07:00

We had a great day at the Animal Kingdom. It was by far one of the hottest days we were there. We enjoyed any shade or drink we could find. We loved the popsicles that Grandma found us. We loved the Lion King Show, Finding Nemo and the Safari.

Disneyworld-Epcot

2009-06-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Why is Justin sticking his tongue out in all these pictures?

McKenna was the lucky one who got to use a wheelchair around Walt Disney World. Grandpa even decided that a wheelchair was the way to go so he found one for him also.

2 Graduations, Greek Festival, Shrimp Boil and 4 Matching purses

2009-06-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy Summer. In May, I traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas to attend my brother Jake's and my sister-in-law Tori's graduation. It was fun to the family for a few days. We are so proud of them for their accomplishments. We had so much fun in just a few days. We rode the trolley, saw the Peabody Ducks, visited parks and bridges, attended both graduations, attended the Greek Festival, had a fantastic shrimp boil and took plenty of pictures along the way. We even took pictures of us with our matching purses.

Rabbits

2009-05-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

We decided to get some rabbits for the Monson family. A while ago Dad built a rabbit hutch with a friend, and finally we got some inhabitants. The kids are already in love.....

Chaim's Graduation from Pre-School

2009-05-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

Today was Chaim's graduation from pre-school. It was held at Ridge Ferry Park and there was lots of singing, a play, and the graduation ceremony. All this was followed by lunch and treats. Mom flew to Little Rock today, so Dad was in charge...he ended up in front of the grill cookin' weenies for all the little kiddies. It was a grand time.

Pinewood Derby

2009-05-02T12:46:00.001-07:00

How could be not post pictures from the Pinewood Derby? Asher always thinks of the best way to paint his car. One year was Spiderman, last year Harry Potter, this year a real race car. We still haven't figured out the trick to make it the fastest, but his cars sure look great! He always gets the awards for the best looking car. Good job Asher!

Chaim's 5th Birthday

2009-05-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

Chaim turned 5 on February 18th! He had a fun party with his friends. Some of them even came dressed as pirates.

Field Day at Preschool

2009-05-02T12:41:00.001-07:00

The end of the year is almost here. Chaim has enjoyed a fun year at Pre-K and met some new friends. His class especially enjoyed a tug a war between the classes. Chaim tried to miss the egg toss game.

Young Women Visit

2009-05-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

McKenna enjoyed a visit from some of the Young Women while she was recuperating. They made her a new pillowcase and baked her a cake. She also received cards and packages from family and friends. All this lifted her spirits! Thanks to all!

McKenna's Surgery

2009-05-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

McKenna has endured her knee surgery. She dislocated her knee, tore a tendon and broke her patella. She spent two nights at the hospital. She has a full knee brace and several months of rehabilitation. She is a brave girl! She wanted to make sure the doctor had the correct knee so she decided to send him a message. Brother Wolfer helped put her to sleep and was able to watch her surgery. He gave us all the gross details!

An Evening with the Braves

2009-05-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

We always enjoy and evening into Atlanta. We got tickets to the Atlanta Braves game and we had fun doing our Tomahawk Chops! We enjoyed the firework show at the end. We even got our pictures on the jumbo tron in the stadium. Chaim thought we were superstars!

Spring Storms

2009-05-02T12:25:00.001-07:00

Watch out for Spring Storms! We spent our evening crammed in our mud room. We could hear the hail pounding on our house, hoping to miss a tornado or two. Our backyard looks like it is floating away. We sent our pictures to the news and we got our picture on their website.

Evening of Dreams

2009-05-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights for the band each year is their dinner/dance held each spring. It is quite a popular event where we enjoy an evening of good food and outstanding music! This was McKenna's first year of performing with the Jazz Band. Watch out Louis Armstrong!

High School Musical

2009-05-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

McKenna has spent the past several months practicing for the musical. Grandma Madeline, does this East High School logo look authentic? McKenna has enjoyed being in drama and being on stage. She must get that from her Great-Grandma and Grandpa Stover. Too bad she hurt her knee right before one of the performances. Talk about breaking a leg!

Chaim!!!!!!!!

2009-01-25T15:18:00.000-08:00

Chaim !!!!!!!!!!

Christmas!!!!!!

2008-12-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

It was nice to be home this year for the holidays,and we had a lot of fun.We listened to Grandpa Monson's testimony as well as Grandpa Wirthlin's. We had a wonderful Christmas Season and we hope you did too.

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Hike!!!

2008-12-25T10:08:00.000-08:00

School is out and "I am bored!" is a frequent statement, so we decided to actualy do something. Justin and the kids went to the wonderful Berry College and took a hike. It was a little chilly ,but they managed. Here are some of the pictures we took.

Busy Weekend

2008-08-10T17:17:00.001-07:00

This weekend we attended a fun Stake Activity. We had a luau (with a pig) that was done by a Sister Missionary that baptized several people from our area 30 years ago. She even named some of her kids from people she baptized in the Rome, Georgia Ward so many years ago. They came back to Georgia and gave us a great show. This is as close to the Islands as we are going to get.

Fun times in Salt Lake

2008-08-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

After taking our family reunion, we finished the week in Salt Lake. We were able to see the rest of our family and friends. (Sorry friends I didn't get any pictures of you.) We stayed up half the night laughing and talking about all the good times. How we miss you and love our barbeque's.

Justin and I were able to spend a day with McKenna and take her to the Salt Lake Temple for the first time to do baptisms. That was a day we will never forget.

We also were able to attend the Days of 47 parade on the 24th of July. It was good to just be with family, relax and enjoy the sights. It was so fun to see Alex, Sydney and Jack. They are our friends that just moved to Provo from Georgia.

We were able to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Hill and enjoy a fun day at the Lehi pool. The kids loved playing with all the Star Wars toys Grandmas has collected over the years. We spent a few days there after they returned from Yellowstone.

We were able to spend some fun times with Grandma Monson. We got to go to our favorite place and eat Sconecutter food. We spent some time at Murray Park and ate some real good ice cream. The kids had a blast when Grandma spun them around until they were dizzy using the playground equipment.

Our highlight of the trip was Grandma Johnson's 85th birthday. The menu was dedicated to all of Grandma's favorite foods for us to enjoy. It turned out great. The kids enjoyed running around the yard. It was so fun to be able to spend the day with her. I am glad we were there for the her birthday.

Family Reunion

2008-08-10T15:19:00.001-07:00

Well it has been a fun summer. We were able to have a family reunion up at Yellowstone National Park. When I was trying to figure out how many people were with us, it took me a good 10 minutes to get some kind of count. I thought I had the number straight until I figured out that I did not count a whole family so I had to recount. We had 45 people with us. Did I get everyone? Email me if I missed you. Talk about a BIG FAMILY. Top that! We have had this all planned for quite some time. Did it all live up to our expectations? stopping at every gas station on the way up to Yellowstone, Mosquitos and 20 bottles of OFF, feeding and cleaning up for an army, enough people in our family to sink the boat to Jenny Lake, dirt everywhere, disturbing the peace, kids running around like wild animals, the joy of many opinionated people in our family, a powerful thunderstorm, sleeping on the hard ground, trying to fit everyone in the few vehicles we had, and a long drive (and for some a long plane ride also).

The things we loved about our family reunion:

*Elk, Deers and Bears (oh my!)
*pictures, pictures and more pictures
*Ryan's slide show
*Old Faithful
*Campfire with smores
*Swimming and boating in Yellowstone and Jenny Lake
*Dutch Oven Cooking
*A little bit of Grace (Grace's baby blessing in the campground at Colter Bay)
*Justin's art work during the trip
*a $3.00 shower at Colter Bay
*Madeline practicing her music on the way up for her July 24th Tabernacle Choir Concert with Donny and Marie
*visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming
*two $8.00 cake mixes from the grocery store for peach cobbler (Yum!) Thanks Dave!
*phone and internet services in Evanston, Wyoming to be able to call our Stake President back after several attempts to reach us
*Family from all over the country
Georgia
Connecticut
Arkansas
Utah
Idaho
Nevada
California
PRICELESS!!!!!!!!

Hike at Jenny Lake

Dad getting dinner ready

The kids in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The kids at Old Faithful

Boating in front of the Grand Tetons

Fun and not so fun of the summer.

2008-07-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Tennis Camp

Berry College

McKenna's Poison Ivy Episode

Asher's Baseball Team

4th of July at Ridge Ferry Park

My Secret Garden...

2008-06-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

This year we have chosen to try to grow something in our yard besides poison oak and weeds. Every previous year the bugs and the birds have seemed to get more out of our plants than we have, so we tried something new...box gardening.
We created a special mix of 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 compost and 1/3 peat moss. We have found so far that the roots grow strong and there are few if any weeds. We started with one crate and everything we planted grew quickly (as seen by the pictures). Yesterday we filled up two more old crates from Justin's work and planted Watermelons, cantaloupe, eggplants and herbs. We'll see how these come along. We also sprinkled the top of the dirt with a "Sevin" pesticide. (We changed our last name so that Green Peace, the Sierra Club, and any other tree huggers won't come after us.)
The best thing about using these crates is that when we are finished, we could shoot the neighbor's dog, bury him in one of the empty crates and use him as compost next year...imagine the tomato's we would get....

School is Out!

2008-05-24T10:39:00.001-07:00

Yes it is time again that all mothers dread. School is officially out and the kids are already bored and it has only been one day since school ended.

McKenna officially graduated from 6th grade. Justin and I laughed because we never had such a big program when we graduated from 6th grade. The teachers just shoved us out the door. We laughed and said that I guess the world has changed so much they are just happy that kids graduate at any level. These are some pictures of her graduation. She received several awards and honors. She was awarded the Presidential Award for Academics and Character. This means she got all A's and B's for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade and high CRCT scores. She also got awards for the Beta Club, Reading Bowl Team and an Elm TV award where she was the anchor and camera man this past year. She was nominated from her teachers for the National Creative Society for Chorus and Band. Wow that is a lot of awards! We are very proud of her!

Asher also has a lot to brag about. He got awards for High Honor Roll, Showcase for the Arts and Perfect Attendance. He got 158 AR Points this year. He loves to read. He has been in the musical, participated in Scouts and played baseball also. He along with McKenna were in the challenge program this year. Asher tells me he and his friend are going to be the first ones to Mars. His study of space in the Challenge program and a trip out to the Huntsville Space Center has inspired him to do great things.

We usually do not like to brag, but we are very proud of them this past year.