The Giles Family

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Family History

I don't think I really meant to post that--I just clicked one button and there it went to the blog! But it's kind of interesting. About the middle, it talks about William Giles and his son Frederick--they're on your Genealogy charts. William was the first Giles to join the church and move to Zion. Maybe he and Dad are visiting these days. Just remembering that it's been 6 years today.
Love to you all!

Portrait, Genealogical and Biographical Record of the State of Utah Containing Biographies of Many Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present

Portrait, Genealogical and Biographical Record of the State of Utah Containing Biographies of Many Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present: "

I changed the color scheme. I like it. Any complaints--go ahead and change it.

Friday, May 30, 2008

"Tatum the Babysitter"

So funny b/c I kind of ended our little CO-OP babysitting group this week. Tatum has been wanting to start babysitting and I was all over that! I told her I have to teach her and she must get ALOT of practice before anyone will want to pay her :). So then yesterday a friend of mine w/ 2 kids ages: 6 and 3 called and said "Could Tatum babysit tonight for just an hr in between when I have to leave and my husband will be home from work. So like 5:30-6:45."
Talk about feeling old!! I have a daughter that can babysit??? WoW! I was way more worried then she was. I gave her the drill before she left. No movies, play with the kids, clean up messes, I am here if you need me, etc, etc... "ya, ya ya I know mom, she said as she left" I can't beleive how old she is already. She is such responsible girl and did a great job. Even got paid $7.00 and The 6 yr old was happy to have the "president" as his babysitter. My baby is growing up!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Taking the Plunge

I can't figure out how to add info on the side of our blog, but I wanted to say that I finally started my own blog. It's- klevenlife.blogspot.com. If you dare to go to it just know that it will be a work in progress and if you're used to seeing all these cute blogs that people have (like I am)-don't expect it to be like those. So there's my disclaimer...
My kids are all also taking the plunge literally (except Sadie-much to her dismay) everyday. Emma still LOVES swimteam in the mornings (yay!) and Holly and Eli LOVE swim lessons in the afternoon. Eli swam halfway across the pool today! I got tears in my eyes when he did. (Mom, thanks for the Ecard :) Today was our last day until mid-June.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Swimming Lessons

We just finished our 8th swimming lesson today for Eli and Holly and I just had to report Eli's triumph. He was so scared starting out and even ran away from the teacher a couple times. Now he LOVES it and is constantly going under water and is getting close to swimming! The best part is seeing him and how excited he is that he's overcome his fear. Also, can you see the rain? We have this freak storm today and probably through the weekend. I think it's LV too-. The weather guy said there hasn't been a storm like this here in May for the past 100 yrs! It is awesome though! Day before yesterday it was 110 and today was down 50 deg. to 60!

Holly is swimming and is cute to watch. I love this picture because everything is blurry except her. Lucky shot. Anyway, swim lessons have been fun- it's the highlight of their day for sure.

Jane's sweet heart

Jane decided a long time ago to cut off her hair when it was long enough and give it to locks of love!

Last night was "The Night"

It reminds me of when she was little! What a thoughtful girl. It was a plan that took alot of patience with a tender head but WE (patience for both of us) DID IT!

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