The Giles Family: July 2008

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Love Ya Mom!!!

We took this at the beach last week and couldn't resist putting it up, Mom your the best!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Uncle Remus and "The Tar Baby"

This was one of my favorite things as a girl! Mom reading anything but I loved the voices and characters of "brer- rabbit and brer-bear!" I took a video for memory sake but it won't down load for some reason. Thanks mom for a great week!

more pic coming on my blog...

P.S. Also thanks to Sal and Jeff who made such an effort to come and spend time with us.

I love you too. It was really fun :( I got No pictures of our time with Sal.

Rand see you soon. I LOVE that you all are so sweet to come and visit with us the kids ALL adore you you are THE BEST aunts and uncle EVER!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Dancing Baby

I caught a cute video today of Sadie dancing. She's still so small but I can't believe she'll be 17 months tomorrow! She's so much fun. I love watching her constantly learning. She's not super verbal yet (although she does say some words) but she understands so much. Love Holly's comment about Sadie's dress. She notices everything pretty and girly. She gets so excited anytime I wear any jewelry- especially because it's a rare occasion.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

On Cleaning My Bedroom in 1989:

There are moments when music, like food, can take you right back. I knew that going to a Journey concert would lead me there, and I was right. A lot of 80's music does this for me. Sometimes it seems like I spent my whole childhood cleaning my room, or that giant bathroom mirror, singing along to whatever was Amy or Katie's current favorite song. Things never got very clean, I think, because I was having too much fun singing.

There are some songs that bring up very specific memories. Here are a few:

Billy Joel's 'Still Rock and Roll to Me': We listened to this on the drive home from Utah at some point, I seem to think it was a Conference weekend (I also remember on this trip thinking about how much I liked President Monson). I remember it was on a mix tape that also had Total Eclipse of the Heart, but I liked this song better.

The Beastie Boys 'Brass Monkey' and They Might be Giants 'Mr. Horrible' and 'Particle Man': We played Mario Brothers to these a lot.

1st Mormon Pop Artists, 'In the Hollow of His Hand' and 'I Heard Him Come': I think we got ready for church to these songs every Sunday for three years.

Belinda Carslile 'Heaven is a Place on Earth': This song was what was stuck in my head the whole day of my baptism. HAHA!

I'm sure you all have diffrent musical memories too.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Just wondered if you all noticed Kristy's blog has some exciting news!
(mine has my trip and a very funny video of Dall, if you are in of a need a laugh)
I'm at Kate's babysitting.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Here's one for memory lane...

(Even scanned in the picture!)

Fudge Meltaways

1/2 c. marg

1 sq unsweetened choc (1 oz)

1/4 c sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg, beaten

2 c graham cracker crumbs

1 c. coconut

1/2 c. ch nuts (optional)

1/4 c. marg

1 tb milk

2 c. powd. sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 sq. unsweetened choc (1 1/2 oz)

Melt 1/2 c. marg and 1 sq. chocolate in saucepan. Blend granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, egg, crumbs, coconut, and nuts into butter-chocolate mixture. Mix well and press into ungreased baking dish (11x7) or 9" square (or whatever you can find). Refrigerate.

Mix 1/4 c. marg, milk, powd sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla. Spread over crumb mixture. Chill.

Melt 1 1/2 sq chocolate and spread over chilled filling. Chill.

Cut before firm. Makes 3-4 dozen squares.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

the good old days

I gotta a little hankering for some old time tacos! Not a regular at our house actually the first time in all my married life I made tacos this way but it was fun.

Memories of Dad

* When Dad was in the hospital, and had been for a couple weeks. Tatum had been taking a little community tap dance class. Often when we were on our way home from school or anywhere we would stop by to say hello. Tatum wanted to show Dad her dance she was learning. Mom said "oh no, not here honey its just too loud" Dad quickly answered " No I want to see" Tatum was thrilled and Dad loved it or at least pretended he did.
* Dan was reminding me the other night about a story I had forgotten. Many of you probably remember how afraid of men Tatum was. Although she LOVED Dad and Jeff even though she hardly saw them. When Robin and Nick got married Mom and Dad came up for the wedding and stayed in a hotel. We came down from Provo and met them. As we were in the Lobby wating for them to come down,the elevator "dinged" Tatum turned to see and it was "Pappa" Tatum (about 2 yrs) just stood in one spot running and waving her arms! So excited that he was finally there. Dad with his big sweet smile walked over and scooped her up.
*I remember how whenever we went to Big Bear in spite of the fact that he'd been driving two hours. Without fail and without going into the house he would disappear with the blue Yamaha motorcycle. Then he'd be gone for as a much as two hours. Of course when he came back at least two of us kids would be waiting for him so we could go on a ride. The funnest thing for me was when he finally let me go it alone. I was about 12 and he let me red an old Honda. I fell and distinctly remember him saying something like don't tell your Mom about this.
*My biggest road trip with just Dad was going up to Idaho for my first semester. After leaving Joyce’s house on the second day we were passing Kolobe Canyon (which I pass all the time now) and he just took the exit, I don’t think he even asked me if I wanted to see it. We drove up the canyon a little ways and got out and looked around for a while. I had a disposable camera and we took some pictures. It was really beautiful, but mostly I was just happy to be with him--one of those rare spontaneous moments. Too bad I lost the camera somehow when I got to school.
*When Dana comes home from work the kids get excited and run to him and say "Daddy!" Lately, he's been saying "Yay!" in reply. I love it because I remember dad used to say the same thing a lot.
*Thinking of birthday cakes today, I remembered the first (and only) birthday cake Dad made for me. We weren't even engaged yet, and he was trying to make an impression. So he decided on the extraordinary plan to make a cake that would taste like a fruit salad; I suppose he was thinking ambrosia. He used an orange cake mix ( I don't think they even make them anymore) and strawberry flavored frosting (also thankfully retired). This must have been very early in the relationship or he might have guessed chocolate would have been more effective. I think I was polite, but I'm sure that cake never was finished. You all know he wasn't much of a cook, but I loved him for trying!
*Another funny memory I have was when Jeff was driving Mom's white car and it caught on fire. (We were living there with Mom and Dad) so we were all kneeling around the bed for prayers when jeff called. Dad anwsers, Jeff and said "the car is on fire, and the fire dept had to come put it out... kinda scared to tell I think. Dad yells YAAAHOOOO! Let it Burn! He was thrilled to be done with that car finally. And off he went to pick up Jeff!
* I was at the DMV the other day registering my new van (YEA!) When I remembered once running into Dad at the DMV in CA. It was so funny b/c he was dressed as usual in his roofer garb. Old dirty jeans and t-shirt and hat but the best part was that over the hat he was wearing those headphones the big ones with the little antanae sticking up on the side. Just standing there listening to whatever station he could get reception to in there. He was so funny I had to think for a moment to I really want to walk over and say "HI DAD!" Of couse I did. I'm glad for all those memories now.
*I just remembered a time when I was about 11. It was Sunday afternoon, I was wearing my cool new jean shorts, and dad was chasing me around the house. We were in the entry when he grabbed on to me by the belt loop on the back of my shorts. I pulled away really hard, and the loop ripped right off leaving a hole in my back side. I was so mad, but dad was laughing and laughing, so I started to laugh too. I’m sure mom was in the kitchen giving her usual opinion: ‘It’s all fun and games until…” Randa
*One of my most treasured memories is from when I was very little. For some reason I just loved when dad would hide behind the cereal box and then peek out at me from different sides- and the real suprise...the TOP! I loved that he really liked it too and played that game with me frequently. Very simple but very meaningful to me at the time. Katie
*One time driving to Utah with Dad, when I was 15 or so, we kept seeing signs for Hogi Yogi in Southern Utah. First we made fun of the goofy name. Then it started to sound good. Then we decided we'd have to stop and get some at that exit when it came. The exit came and we missed it. Dad got off at the next one and drove about 20 min through a small town, backtracking to the Hogi Yogi. We laughed about it the whole time. I love that Dad would go along with stupid kid stuff with us. Sally

The Giles Family