More BANG for your BUCK...

Hunting Season is Here!

So, I loaded the kids into the car and we went huntin'...

...Mommy Style!

After passing by several prime hunting spots, Ryan SIGNALLED that he had found his target.

I pulled over. We looked out the window, scoping the POTENTIAL of the target.

It looked like an easy shot.

I handed Ryan the ammo. A LOOK passed between us. It told me he was READY for this important milestone in his life. I knew he could do it.

He stepped out of the car, took a DEEP BREATH, squared his shoulders and nonchalantly walked towards the target.

The tag read $20. He SHOT IT DOWN with $12. The ammo was just enough for the kill.

Ryan turned and with a HUGE smile gave me a thumbs up.

I patted him on the back (sniff) as we loaded his kill into the back of the Tahoe and headed for home.

My little boy is all grown up (wipe a tear).

I'm so PROUD.

October - Sunday Family Dinner...

We had our monthly Atkinson Family Dinner today. Our hosts for the month were Paul & Mindee. They prepared a yummy dinner of Italian Chicken over rice with rolls and salad. For dessert we enjoyed homemade M&M and Butterfinger rice crispy treats, created entirely by Jeff. It was all so plate-lickin' delicious.

This month, we celebrated Carter's 5th birthday (also Kelly & Mindee AND Grandpa, Robby & Austin - we missed you.) After singing the birthday song, we attempted to give Carter his presents. He refused to take them, unsure that they were for HIS birthday (which is on Oct 31st). It was so cute to watch the kids persuade and convince him that they were truly for him. Eventually he believed us and the presents were opened.

Ever since our parents moved to Germany, I have taken over the dauntless task of documenting our family adventures together for them while they are away (hence the blog.) Although I have taken a lot of flak for this from my brothers and (shock) their wives (thankfully not from the grand kids who LOVE getting their pictures taken), I really can't blame them (at least not much.)

You see, it wasn't that long ago when I used to join them in teasing our sweet Mother, who was never seen without her beloved camera and who we believe to be part Japanese. (Whenever we looked her in the eye - it was through a camera lens :0)

Never fear, MOM! I (the dutiful daughter and most obedient of your children) am carrying on your legacy... and I have the pictures to prove it!!

SMILE! (click)

Another Confession...

Since I have already confessed to seeing a therapist, I know you won't think any less of me if I admit that my hubby and I occasionally consult a marriage counselor. Engaging a MARRIAGE counselor does not mean that you are weak OR "have problems" but rather that you want to STRENGTHEN what you already have OR plant something new. We have found the guidance of a marriage counselor to be very "constructive" therapy... AND working TOGETHER, to build and improve our lives, ALWAYS brings out the best in us.

Here are a few AMAZING results from past counseling sessions...

Here is our current "Therapy" project...

We made INCREDIBLE progress in just one day.

Keep checking for updates on our MARRIAGE counseling project.

A BIG Thank You to our Materials Labor Crew...

Kelly & I were so relieved that we didn't have to haul ALL the wood to the backyard.

A Birthday Tribute...

"alles Gute zum Geburtstagvati!"

(Happy Birthday Dad!)

There are so many reasons I love you. Here are just a few of them...

• DAD + MOM = LOVE...

Ever since I was a little, I knew that Dad loved Mom. He showed us kids how much he loved her by the things he did. I remember the Spring of '93, while camping in the Boulder Mountains, our family went exploring for petrified wood in the desert forest. Mom found the perfect stepping stone for her flower bed, a large tree trunk of petrified wood. First, Dad made sure it was "the one" she wanted and then, with a grunt, he picked it up, placed it on his shoulder and hiked it out. It was an extremely heavy block of wood and an extremely long way to the car. And yet, years later, every time I step on that chunk of petrified log, I am reminded of his deep love for Mom (by the way, I have dibs on the rock.)

• Great Example of Service...

My entire life has been spent observing Dad serve in various positions in the church. Most Sunday's growing up were spent sitting in the congregation, looking him straight in the eye, as he sat on the stand. I am sure that at one time in my life I probably sat with him in the congregation, however I must have been extremely little because I don't remember. Throughout the years he has spent hundreds of hours in the service of others, and never once have I heard him complain about "another meeting." For example, last year Dad had a heart attack (on a Tuesday) and spent a few days in the hospital. The very same day he was released to go home (Thursday), he spent the evening at the stake center, conducting temple recommend interviews. Now, that's an example of service and dedication. If there is a good excuse to cancel a meeting, it would be a heart attack. Right this minute Dad is with his sweetheart, living in Frankfurt, Germany and serving the people of Europe for the next 18 months.

• LIFE LESSON - the value of "FAMILY TIME"...

Dad worked for the school district, which meant he had summer vacation along with the rest of us. Most of the summer was spent fishing, hiking, camping and traveling. We were always together, doing something fun and making memories. From the wonders of high Uintah Mountains to the magic of Goblin Valley. From the beauties of Yellowstone to the excitement of Disneyland. From majestic Mount Rushmore to peaceful Nauvoo to Home Sweet Home. One of our favorite things to do when we get together, is reminisce our childhood. They were happy times.

• I'm BLESSED to CALL you FATHER..

When I was younger, I lamented the fact that I had no sisters... one lonely daughter adrift in a "Sea of Sons" (5 to be exact.) I never appreciated the advantages or blessings of that situation until I became older. We have always had a special father-daughter bond and now that I am a parent, I really value and cherish our relationship. I look back on my childhood and see how nice it was to be "Daddy's Little Girl." One of the things I especially love was that each of us were given a special nickname. When I was little it was "Ladybug." When I got older it changed to... well, let's just say it changed to "Enna." (if my brothers so much as laugh, I will reveal their nicknames :0) Giving nicknames is a tradition he has continued with the grandchildren. We love it!

Birthday Wishes from the kids...

I hope you are having fun in Germany. I miss you. Soon it will be my turn to serve a mission. Thanks for setting the example. Have a happy birthday! Love, Ryan

Happy Birthday, Grandpa! I can't wait to see you when you come home. I hope you have a good birthday in Germany. Love, Brock

I miss your friendly voice. I miss watching movies and eating popcorn at your house. Happy Birthday, I love you! Love, Kelsie

It's Grandpa's Birthday? If you were here with me, I would take you to the zoo. I like the elephants and giraffes best. Happy Birthday! Love, Emilee

There is so much more I can say about how wonderful you are, but I think this poem will sum it up best.

What Makes a Dad?

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quite sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagles flight,

The joy of a morning in Spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need.

Then God combined these qualities,
And when there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it -- Dad.

I love you! Happy Birthday Dad!

(You can add a birthday wish too. Just click on the comment box below.)

Fall Break Cousin Exchange...

We are proud part-owners of an amazing Time Share, appropriately called "The Cousin Exchange." The benefits are incredible and include unlimited useage with no black out dates. Ownership in this Time Share not only pays for itself but is a great investment (and who isn't looking for a safe way to protect their investments these days.)

This weekend, being Fall Break from school, we decided to cash in on some "Time Share Bonus Time." Those of you who own Time Shares will know that this is when you can get LAST MINUTE opportunities for a great bargain.

So, having taken advantage of those LAST MINUTE benefits, all the Time Share owners met at our house today to swap kids, after the cousins "exchanged" homes for the school holiday. The kids were so happy being together that we didn't have the heart to seperate them. Therefore, we let them play together in the backyard for the afternoon. For the sake of their Grandma (who is far away over mountains and oceans) here are some of the good times they had...

The Three Blind Mice...

Grandpa & Grandma Atkinson have been blessed with 20 (and counting) amazing grandchildren, split evenly down the middle with 10 boys and 10 girls (not bad when they started with 5 sons and 1 daughter.) The oldest four are all boys and the best of friends. Following them are these three beauties. They too are the best of friends and enjoy spending lots of time together (usually choreographing a new dance, creating a dramatic production or simply making crafts.) Recently, they have found they have more in common than ever before. A little something called "Nearsightedness!"

Sydnee, 10 yrs old

(has had glasses for a few weeks)






Abby, 9 yrs old

(has had glasses for a few years)






Kelsie, 8 yrs old

(has had glasses for a few months)

The girls are excited to be in THIS together. As the years go by and their friendships strengthen, their talents develop and their beauty blossoms, they will look back and see how incredibly wonderful it was to grow up sharing their lives together.

I've heard it said, "You can pick your friends. You can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's nose." No, wait - that's not it.

What about, "You can pick your friends, but not your family!" Yes - that's what I was looking for!

In this family, these cousins have chosen to be FRIENDS first - and FAMILY second!" Isn't it nice to have it ALL!

Let Your Fingers Do The Talkin'...

Emilee came home from playing at a friend's house with a cute little Diego band aid on her thumb (from past experience we only buy ugly band aids so they don't become body stickers.) She removed it to show me her owie (from a hang nail.) After a few minutes she decided she needed another band aid because a "little owie can hurt like a big one!"

She climbed onto the counter and started searching in the band aid cupboard. When I looked up, she had picked out a huge band aid (the kind you use when you scrape your entire kneecap off!) She had opened it up and was trying to put it on.

"Emilee, that band aid is too big for your little thumb!"

(I repeated this observation several times, as she was in deep concentration and I was unsure she heard me the first time.)

To which she finally replied,

"Mom, (sigh) my thumb can't hear you!"

(Well, it's no wonder her thumb couldn't hear me. It's completely covered in a band aid!!!)

Rainy Day Football Game...

So far, with regards to Brock's tackle football season, we have been pretty lucky when it comes to the weather. However, last Saturday morning our luck ran out and the final regular season game was played in a steady stream of pouring rain, with the occasional gust of wind to make things really interesting. That being the case, we left the other kids home while Kelly and I braved the weather to watch Brock play.

The Lindon Vikings shot the Juan Diego Eagles out of the sky over their own turf... real true turf... in a real true high school football stadium, instead of a junior high grass field (typically unmowed and lumpy.) Being that the game was played during the 1st session of our LDS General Conference (hallelujah for DVR), in my mind I thought of the match up as Mormons vs. Catholics instead of Vikings vs. Eagles. I kept my finger on the snapshot button and the viewing lens to my eye the entire game. Therefore, I got some really great pictures (from under the safety of my over sized umbrella) since the spectators sit above the field on metal bleachers (thank goodness there was no lightening).

Coming... AND Going...

This picture shows Brock #3 next to his rather large opponent from the line #50 (an X man who cannot carry the ball because he tips the scales over 105 lbs.) Although there is a noticeable difference in size, Brock repeatedly "knocked him on his butt" throughout the game. Hence... the size of the heart matters most AND nobody loves the game more than Brock (except for maybe his Dad.)

Brock in action (going for the throat) demonstrating how he takes down the opposition by restricting their air flow!!!

Brock is always a good sport and a thoughtful friend.

Here he is giving a hand to fellow teammate Koy after a tackle.

The Huddle - with Coach Kelly.

My favorite play is when we fake out the other team while hiking the ball. The other team always moves off sides and we move down the field for 1st down. I love it!!

Brock plays on the defense team and spends his game time and energy protecting the ball and his team players who carry it down the field and deliver it to the end zone. Therefore, he rarely gets the opportunity to go after and tackle the other team when they have the ball. However, today our team threw an unfortunate interception and Brock (#3) was standing by to take the ball thief down. It was a beautiful site! It reminded me of watching a National Geographic Special about a powerful, massive lion chasing and tackling a light, fleeting gazelle. Pretty impressive!!!

Like Fathers...

Like Sons...

High five from a proud father. It was a great season!!!