Family Flag

So when Jim came and instructed us on some Tipi etiquette he said we should think about a family flag. It would distinguish our camp and lodge. It will go on the pole out in front that the smoke flaps are attatched to.


See the pole?

Anyway, we talked about it as a family and we decided to keep with our theme of "Three Toads and a Princess". Either my creative juices are dried up (they were never very good to start with), or I am just brain dead from all the decisions from the kitchen, but I can't seem to get a visual for this flag. We would like it to go with the Rendezvous/Tipi feel. I can sew it and figure out the details if I can just get a jump start. So any ideas you creative people out there????

Remodeling, Baptism, Camping in a Tipi!

I feel like we have been on a fast moving escalator! Ok so, sometimes in the middle of the remodel, a slooooow escalator with the world still going at warp speed. We have talked about remodeling our kitchen for a couple of years. This winter we decided to go ahead and get started, Mike came, they took out the frame for the light fixture, Mike made a hole in the ceiling... it all came to a screaching halt! We had a drop ceiling over the work area with a florescent light down the middle. The hope was, that when the kitchen was built, they had put the whole ceiling in and then built the drop ceiling. That would have contained the insulation in the attic while allowing us to raise the ceiling. No such luck, with one swipe of a hammer we found out that the insulation was sitting on top of the drop ceiling. We talked about removing the insulation during the dead of winter and decided that I couldn't function with my kitchen being cold. So the project was put on hold until there was better weather.

Finally in June, I told Donald that it HAD to be done by Rachel's baptism in August. So we began. (I use we loosley.) Donald and the boys got up in the attic to assess the situation. With masks on and a lantern they began to shovel the insulation off of the drop ceiling and pile it on the adjoining areas. After a week of shoveling they were finally ready to start in the kitchen. They began taking down the upper cabinets...


...yes a sawsall was used, after the "fix the stripped screw" thingamajig didn't work.

Pulling down the old ceiling was fun, until they got to the part that was near the eaves. Even Dusty wasn't small enough to get under there!


They had to shovel MORE INSULATION into a big plastic bag.


Then the sheetrock went up! I was thinking this will take no time at all...hahahahahaha. Ya know the saying, "a watched pot never boils"? That is how it is waiting for drywall mud to dry and then be sanded and then more mud and then sand and then more mud and then sand...you get the idea.


Meanwhile, the kids and I stripped the wallpaper. They were happy to help. How many times does mom hand you a squirt bottle and say soak the wall?


Can I just say how grateful we are for good friends! We could not have done this without Michael. He even had the coolest tool for the lights.


It took the jigsaw, a bowsaw and once again the sawsall to cut off the bar.


We found a treasure when we removed the lazy susan and flipped the dishwaher and drawers to the outer wall.

Seventies carpet anyone?

Removing the bar opened up the space sooo much. I kept thinking as soon as the upper cabinets are put in, or the rest of the lower cabinets put in, it will close it in. Nope, I feel like we added space in the same space :)

Putting the floor together was like making a jigsaw puzzle. How grateful we are for such a creative mind in Donald's dad. He never ceases to amaze me. He can make anything work with whatever there is on hand. He figured out how to make toungues and grooves in boards that were cut off. All it took was a table saw, a dremel and a steady hand. It saved us a ton of money!

Just so ya know the tounge is part of the genius in the man!

Trent was delighted to once again go up in the attic and fish wires for the lights.

It would not be his last trip up the ladder.

And then there were lights!


Once the lights were in, with lantern in hand and masks on, Andrew, Trent, and Dusty once again trudged up the ladder to shovel insulation back in place. They sweated off a couple of pounds. My kitchen was MUCH cooler once the insulation was replaced. I could never have done without insulation in the winter!

We painted the ceiling, finished the lights and then came the upper cabinets. Trent and I had given them a fresh coat of paint.

I knew I borned such strong boys for a reason.

We were closing in. The baptism was coming fast too. We took a day and went to Donald's Aunts funeral in Idaho Falls.


We painted the walls and trim. Then went to Enterprise for the 24th of July and a family reunion.




We came home with a sick little girl :( She was still sick on Monday for her Birthday.


We postponed her friend party until the next week. (What was I thinking having a birthday party in the middle of choas?)

Tuesday before the baptism we removed the sink and the rest of the countertop. With a lot of faith and a terse phone call to the countertop place, we hoped that on Wednesday we would have new countertops. Donald left a little later than normal in the morning. He hadn't been gone 2 minutes when my phone rang...get dressed the countertop guy is here!!! They had told us they would let us know what time to expect them. We hadn't heard a word since they had measured three weeks earlier.
We had no worries however. He did a fantastic job and was gone by 12:30.

They are beautiful!

On Thursday, Donald installed the sink I found on KSL. Finished the trim and put the recepticals and switches back in. It's a good thing too! Because this happened..

and this...

Which I canned on thursday and friday night.

On Friday, we went to the Oquirrh Hills Temple open house. We met Steve and Nan and family, and my parents at the Temple. The next day was the baptism and except for a few minor touch ups we had made it!!!!!

Rachel looked beautiful in her dress! (did I mention I managed to make it in the middle of everything without her knowing!)


The kitchen was perfect for all of our family to move around and to serve the food.
People were inside and out and we loved having everyone!




We had Rachel's friend party the next week. She was so excited to have her cousin come to sleep over and be at her party!



I canned some apricot juice and then some jam and then some more juice and then jam...they can freeze next year!

I also did some tomatoe sauce. That is good because it also means that Donald made this...


You may notice that he is a little scruffy and hairy. That is because he and Trent had just returned from a week at scout camp. They had a good time. Maybe I can get them to post their experiences and photos.

Then finally....we learned how to put up the Tipi. Jim came on Family Night and taught us how it worked.




those strong boys I borned, again.



The kids slept in it for 3 or 4 nights. Then we took it down and loaded it up to go camping and archery hunting.

We went to Monte Cristo in a spot we have gone before. We knew it would have plenty of room for the Tipi and Donald's parents trailer. They came along to watch the younger two kids while Trent, Andrew, Donald and I went hunting. We had a fun time!




I love vaulted ceilings!!!




We will take it up to Fort Bridger with us over Labor Day Weekend. The kids have gone back to school (yipeee!) I can take a breath and get some more canning done. You are all caught up with the Cramers!

19 years and counting!

We have been so busy the last few months! I will catch everyone up soon...for now just wanted to tell my sweetheart how much I love him! It was 19 years ago today we weathered our first storm as a married couple ;) We were taking pictures in my parents backyard when the storm clouds started to gather. Most people remember our wedding reception as the one where it rained all night! Thank you Don Don for weathering many more since then. I love you!

It’s here!!!

The Tipi came home last night!!!

I can't wait for Jim Sherman to come next week and teach us how to set up the tipi and proper tipi etiquette. More importantly, I can't wait to use it in the mountains, camping with my family! There is a sweet spot at Monte Cristo, where we have camped before, that would be perfect.

We had a wonderful time at Easter

 

Rachel was beautiful!!

 

The boys??

Enough said.

I would be happy if the weather would stay like it has been the last few days…it could reach 80 and be fine. This spring has been hard on my body it would just adjust to warm weather and then BLAM cold again. Needless to say too many days with hives and fluctuating body temperature.

Andrew is almost done with his first year in high school. It won't be soon enough for him! He is working part time at Schneiters Bluff golf course right now. It has been a little hit and miss with the storms. However, he does get free golf for so many hours worked. He also TRIED OUT AND MADE Acapella and Madrigals at Syracuse for next year. YEAH!!! Don't remind him that in little over 2 years he will be preparing his mission papers and leaving. It is beginning to seem real and not just some random time in the future, he is little nervous. He is a good kid and honors his priesthood even when it is difficult and lonely. Thanks Andrew!

Trent is finishing his first year of Jr. High. He has worked really hard and if he TURNS IN HIS DRAWING OF DAFFY DUCK, sorry a little reminder, he will have accomplished a 4.0 all year long. WAY TO GO!!! As always sports fill his days. He has gone early to soccer club, played 3v3 basketball at lunch, played in a basketball tournament (first time I remember seeing him play nervous, he is usually very confident) and of course gone golfing several times. He doesn't work at the golf course and so he has to pay, he does mow Brother Porter's lawn and that funds golf. He has learned what it means to be Quorum President and what an assignment given requires. He has fulfilled that calling well. Thanks Trent!

Dusty will be done with fourth grade soon. He has learned lots about the state of Utah and has enjoyed contributing when they talk about Mountain Men and the Rendezvous. He is becoming quite the accomplished skateboarder. He spends much of his time after school with his friend Josh Olson, riding, grinding, alling, etc. I broke down one day and took Rachel and him to the skate park….AHHHHHHH…I thought we had left such language in West Jordan. Donald took him another day and I guess the presence of an adult male tamed it considerably. He continues to make us smile he has incredible timing with his wit and humor. Thanks Dusty!

Rachel will complete second grade. She is doing so well with her reading and math. She has very much enjoyed learning and performing with Performance Academy. We have had a return to ABBA. She sings and dances to many of their songs for their performances. Next year she wants to try gymnastics. There is a place that has just moved close to us so I vote for that. We have travelled to Kaysville this year for her classes. She is grateful for the warm weather and sunshine so she can ride her bike and play with Sydney Olson. We have had fun trying out new hairstyles from other blogs. Rachel is my shopping buddy and all things girl! Thanks Sunshine!

Donald has had some stress lately at work. The new Draper Temple was the first temple with a new phone system. Let's just say there were some growing pains. They are hoping the Oquirrh Mountain Temple goes much smoother. They are also beginning to change the phone system for church headquarters. Many days he has to say "at least I know my job isn't going to be gone tomorrow, we are too busy". He sets a good example for the boys in fulfilling his calling even when it is difficult! Thanks DonDon!

Me, well I am still teaching sewing and completely enjoy it. I have had opportunities to do spinning demonstrations and LOVE IT. I marvel at the hand of the Lord in our lives. True, we have had a difficult time since moving to Syracuse but, we have also been blessed. We have met people and had opportunities, we otherwise wouldn't have had. Thanks Heavenly Father!

Tipi

I am really looking forward to getting our Tipi!! We would like to go to more Rendezvous than Fort Bridger over Labor Day. We so enjoy going as a family and stepping back in time for a while. The kids even enjoy not having T.V., Playstation, internet, etc... The boys spend hours throwing their Hawks and Knives. Donald bought a muzzleloader kit that he is going to put together so he can shoot at the Rendezvous. Rachel is just happy to look at all the beads and, other bling, in the Traders Tents. Me, well anytime I can be in the century I would have liked to have been born, I am content! We come home sunburned, tired, and smelling of campfire. As we drove into Bridger last year, Andrew rolled down the window, breathed deeply and said "we're home"! The smell of leather, campfire and dutch oven food!

With the Tipi, we are slowly getting ourselves outfitted for "primitive camp". I need to finish some sewing and I think everyone will be clothed, at least for this year. Donald and the boys are going to work on some chairs for us. So at least on the outside we will look pretty good. Just don't look inside the Tipi yet!

Donald has wanted to go bear hunting...I may have to relent so we can have a bearskin for the Tipi.

The Daffodils and Tulips have poked out and I am ready for Spring!

Life zipping by

Yesterday, Donald, Rachel and I went to Rachel's baptism preview. Where has the time gone??? It seems like yesterday that I was celebrating with my roommates because I was an aunt and the baby was FINALLY a GIRL! That baby is now 21, YIKES!!!! Now MY baby is going to be baptized this year. It seems to take the oldest forever to get to certain milestones and a blink of an eye for the baby to get there!

I guess, because I have recently reconnected with friends from the past, I have been reflecting on how quickly time passes. In so many ways my life has changed, and yet I still feel the same as I did as a teenager. There is something to say about "old friends" (Mitzi not in age, just friends that you have known for a looong time). Even though you may not have seen them for a while there is a connection and a nonverbal communication that always seems to be there.

I don't know maybe it is because I turn 40 in a couple of weeks? Age hasn't ever really been an issue to me. I am the age I am. With age brings exprience and wisdom, at least that is what I have heard... still waiting on the wisdom part ;) Just my musings on life zipping by!

What have you done?

What Have You Done?

Copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (does standing on the beach count?)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort(hives and all!)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie/commercial
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby(4 of them)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
98. Owned a cell phone
97. Been involved in a law suit
99. Been stung by a bee

A few of our favorite things 2008