This Might Gross You Out But...

Tanning beds are the devil!! I just want to tell everyone who has ever gone to a tanning salon or laid in the sun for hours and hours that it is totally NOT worth it! This is the price you pay. I have had several skin cancers removed in the past few years, and it is not a fun experience.

Mine were basal cell carcinomas, the slow-growing, not so lethal kind, but it is still cancer, and you still need to have them removed, or you could eventually die.

They have to make a very long incision to make sure they get all the margins, so you end up with a big long ugly scar on your body. I have one on my shoulder, two on my chest, one on my neck and five on my back.

So for all you sun goddesses out there, let me just say, STOP! There is no such thing as a "healthy tan", so if you are spending more than 15 minutes a day in the sun, which is what you need to get your vitamin D, then you are spending too much time, and you will regret it. Please wear sunscreen and don't go to tanning beds. I wouldn't listen to anyone who told me that either, even when I was working in a cancer treatment center! (Can you say moron??) I had to learn from my own experience, but I hope I can convince some people so they don't have to regret it like I do now. Oh, and did I mention the cost? It is very expensive, and my insurance did not cover everything, so I ended up paying in more ways than one. Just repeat after me: "White is beautiful!" Thanks! I will come down from my soap box now......at least for awhile.

Go Fish!

We spent Memorial day weekend at Flaming Gorge. It almost always rains on us, but we have fun anyway. Look how happy Jaron looks!

Devin's feet looked like this pretty much the whole weekend.

Kenny and Michael had a great time riding the wave runners even though the water was really cold. His dad's wetsuit is still just a tad too big.

All the crazy kids on the wave runners.

I caught this fish on Monday, right before we left to come home. I think it's the biggest one I've ever caught. It was so much fun!

All of the fish we caught on Monday morning. Some pretty good sized trout, don't ya think? We had a great time at the gorge, and can't wait to go back again when it is a little bit warmer!

Grandma's Journal

Recently my mom let me borrow a priceless treasure -- my grandma Bastian's journal, or at least one of them. I have enjoyed so much reading her handwriting, and I can still hear her voice saying the funny things she used to say. Here are a few excerpts:

January 1973: Such a January. Too much snow, measured it myself. Where oh where did that Jan. thaw meander to? Now fog to go along with slick roads, all we havent had is wind. I'm not feeling so well, maybe it's the weather, a lot of flu here and there. Hope it stays there.

February 1972: Washington's birthday, another 3 day holiday for those who are working (lets me out).

March 1974: Have ordered a Grandfather clock for company for a grandma with time on her hands.

April 1972: Cold, miserable Easter. Stayed home and rolled eggs under the table.

July 1972: Independence Day. My goodness, how nice to be independent! (Oh Yeah)

July 1969: Three astronauts will try for a landing on the moon. Was it I who said it will never be a reality? Oh well, any fool can change his mind. I've tried to imagine the sensation of weightlessness, another thing my finite mind cannot conceive. Hope it proves okay. Seems such a risk. What courage the wives and families have and how the whole world awaits the results.

August 1974: Ex-President Nixon stepped down with a salary of 80 thousand dollars a year. (poor guy?) Can't pay his taxes on that.

August 1974: Life has been so good to me. I appreciate my little family so much.

September 1971: Linda started school over here. She is so precious. Little Debbie so grown up and independent. Again August has passed too swiftly and life is getting shorter. I love life.

September 1972: School days and Jeannie is cooking at Union High School. We have made many plans on what we will spend the first check for.

October ?: I like to start each day with a smile and get it over with early. Why bother all day?

October ?: Guess I'll have my face lifted, the rest is too heavy.

October 1972: Woke up this a.m. to a world white with snow after 33 rain and more rainy days. So much wet, can't swim, guess I'll grow webbed feet. Seems easier.

November 1969: Wayne went to Green River to work today, miss him already. (mother hen) How oft would I gather my chickens under my wing. Saw a brave little petunia blooming in the yard. Sweet little blossom.

December 1969: Linda marched up to the front alone at the church house and sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer without a mistake. (Proud grandma)

If there was ever any doubt in my mind about keeping a journal and how important it may be to my descendants, there is not a doubt now. This journal is one of the few things in this world besides my memories that link me to my beloved grandmother. As I read her words, I can remember the tone in her voice, the kindness of her touch, and the love she gave to me. It truly is a priceless treasure to me. Thanks Mom for sharing it with me. I am so blessed!

Best Mother's Day Ever!

I'm the luckiest mom in the world, because I have three wonderful sons who spent the whole day with me on Sunday. We got to go up to the canyon and take some family pictures, so fun now that Michael is home again.

We had a great weekend in Neola visiting with my mom, playing games with my sister and her family, shooting clay pigeons and eating yummy brownies. It is so relaxing to go home and be with the ones I love most in the world. I think it was the best Mother's Day I've had yet.

Yes, we are a goofy bunch, but we have a great time together. Thanks boys and David, for giving me the best gift you could ever give -- you! I love you guys!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

My amazing son won a car last week at his school. He was one of the students nominated by a teacher to be put in a random drawing. The students have to have good grades, as well as participate in various school activities and have good citizenship. Jaron's key was the magic one that worked, and he won! We are so excited for him. All his hard work the last 3 years and even before that is starting to pay off. He puts his heart and soul into every production, every performance and everything he does. Way to go Jaron! (In case you were wondering, it is a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Way better than what he has been driving.)

Snow Canyon Rocks!

I have a new favorite place on earth, it's called Snow Canyon.

It is down in Southern Utah, right by Tuacahn.

It has petrified sand dunes, red rocks, white rocks, lava fields and other cool stuff.

I love going there and taking pictures with my family.

I don't know what it is about this place, but I feel so alive when I am there.

We got some cool pictures of Jaron doing leaps on the rocks.

We tried all sorts of different poses, just for fun.

This is one of my favorites.

Jaron told me to throw my head back like I was laughing. It looks like I really am, doesn't it?

We really had a wonderful time exploring this beautiful, rugged place. I can't wait to go back.

Missionary Homecoming #2!

We went to the airport on Saturday to welcome home our other boy, Elder Hirschi, who served a mission in Lima, Peru. The plane was delayed, so we were really tired of waiting!

The beautiful welcome home signs we made. I think everyone in the airport was jealous of our artistic talents!

Here they come down the slowest escalator in the world...

It was so great to see Michael and Kenny together again. They were born 6 days apart and have always been very close.

Our boys, Special K and Froot Loops. Together again for the first time!

The Peruvian travellers: Grandparents Carma and Scott Hirschi, Bryce and Jessica(sister) Tibbitts (who did not go to Peru), Dad Karl, Elder Kenny Hirschi, Mom Debbie (my seester),Brother Danny and Sister Nikki.

Welcome Home Elder Hirschi! Jessica brought Kenny Krispy Kreme doughnuts and we brought him a Mountain Dew!

Danny boy is much bigger than his "Big" brother now, so they had to arm wrestle to see who was the strongest. Kenny won, but there was some talk about cheating.

We had fun listening to Kenny's stories of his mission and also hearing him play the guitar. Like Michael, he missed his guitar alot!

All the girls: Jessica, Debbie, Mom, Linda and Nikki. Kenny gave a wonderful report on Sunday and we had an awesome day having all of us together again.