Raising Bryan

As a mother, I would love to think that in my 28 years of raising children I 'd taught them many things of great worth. Whether or not that is true remains to be seen, BUT one thing I do know for sure is that in those same 28 years...I have definately learned A LOT from raising my children. Here are some of the things I've learned from Raising Bryan!

I've learned that going through 48 hours of labor was even harder on Bryan than it was on me.

I've learned that when your baby cries for the first 18 months of his life, the "terrible two's" aren't really so bad.

I've learned that it's humbling to have a two year old child that is more articulate than you.

I've also learned that you should never ask that same articulate 2 year old a question that you don't want a completely honest answer to.

I've learned that a toy can be taken apart piece by piece, but not necessarily every piece gets put back in.

I've learned that SUPERMAN really does stand for "Trufh, jistice, and the Merican Way!"

I've learned that even your "honor student" can come home at 2:00 AM with a police escort.

I've learned that my sons outgrow clothes and toys, but they never outgrow video games.

I've learned that even though there are other car makers...Audi is really the only car.

Ive learned that a "Ferrari Laptop" is about as reliable as a "Ferrari Enzo"...they both CRASH!

I've learned that it really does pay to teach your son to be a gentleman.

I've learned that being a gentleman is not just appreciated by his mother, but also by his wife.

I've learned that Heavenly Father helped me out by making my oldest son a great example for his younger brothers.

I've learned that you can have four sons that are completely different and yet they all get along famously.

I've learned that my love and appreciation for Halloween is carried on through my son.

I've also learned that my son can make a much better Halloween costume than I can!

I've learned that as happy as my son may have been growing up, it doesn't compare to the happiness he felt when he got married.

I've learned that determination will get you far...especially in dental school!

I've learned that no matter how old your children get or how far away they move, they always have a BIG piece of your heart!

Happy BirthdayBryan...Happy AnniversaryBry and Bre! I love you!

Raising Nick

Although there were times I thought I might just not survive...raising Nick has kept my life interesting challenging, and most of all... entertaining! At Nick's Wedding Dinner I got a chance to share some of my thoughts about the things I've learned from raising him. Here are a few.

I've learned that from the time he was a baby, Nick's smile could always melt my heart.

I've learned that Nick's favorite race track for his Hot Wheels was the toilet seat.

I've also learned that it is always helpful to know a plumber.

I've learned that teachers and Nick were NOT natural allies.

I've learned that getting a phone call from the school once a month was NOT normal.

I've learned that Nick could finish a "Rubic's cube" faster than he could finish his homework.

I've learned that Nick could always make me smile...even on my hardest days.

I've learned that many times, Nick WAS the reason for my hardest days.

I've learned that Nick's "child like faith" continues to grow as an adult.

I've learned that the house is WAY too quiet when Nick is not around.

I've learned that Chelsea can get Nick to do things in an instant that I have been trying to get him to do for years.

I've learned that Nick's face lights up whenever Chelsea walks into the room!

I've learned that because I never had daughters, The Lord blessed me with extra special daughter in laws!

I've learned that a happy marriage an my children, multiply my joy and divides my grief.

I've learned that my greatest joy comes from watching my sons find their eternal companions!

Congratulations Nick on finding that companion!
(Congratulations me...for raising Nick!)

We interrupt this wedding...

OK...not really the wedding, just the engagement. And it was for a good cause...The Long Beach Grand Prix. Only a long standing family tradition (and cars) could pull Nick away from Chelsea for a few days. And so it was...on April 12th, we loaded the boys (except for Bryan, who had to be responsible and stay in dental school!) in the "souped up" mini van and sped off to California for the 28th annual Long Beach Grand Prix. It was a fast trip, with fast cars and fast women! (not really, but I just had to say that.) It was a very quick trip, but everyone agreed...it was worth it! Even me, and I didn't attend a single race! The boys took off early every morning to make sure they got everything in. They had "pit passes" so they could get up close and personal with both the cars and the stars! (Do you recognize "Handsome Rob?")
It was three days of "racing heaven!" In the meantime, I got to do what I love most...spend time with my family! It was a lot to cram in in just a few days, but it was worth it! The boys got their "engines reved up" and I got my "spirits picked up!" When the last race was over, we grabbed our belongings, jumped back in the van, and headed back to Utah. Now we'll have to wait another year before we hear the roar of the engines, and the roar of the crowd... but as Steele jumped behind the wheel of the mini van, he swears he heard a voice say "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

Counting down!!

Aren't they cute? Here's part of the reason I haven't updated this page...Nick and Chelsea are getting married SOON! The big day is coming up on May 17th. After six months of waiting...it is suddenly right around the corner! They had a fun time shooting these pictures and they all turned out great. (Of course, I'm prejudice and they did have a great photographer... but as you can see, they really are a cute couple.) They have been busy moving things into their new apartment, going to showers, addressing invitations, working, going to school, writing thank you notes and making last minute preparations for their big day! (Who am I kidding when I say "they"...I really mean "Chelsea.") Luckily, she is up to the task at hand! She is quite amazing. She has already cleaned and decorated their new place so it feels like 'home'. The furniture is in, the gifts are organized and put away and the cupboards are already stocked! It really looks cute and they are so excited to move in and make it their home. We are really counting down now. With only two and a half weeks to go, I keep waiting for Nick to get a little nervous...but he's as calm as can be. In fact, I have never seen either of them happier. Nick just lights up when Chelsea walks into the room. They have waited for this day for a long time and we are excited to be a part of it!

Response to "Stache Wars"

After having received many responses from family and friends about Steeles mustache, I was surprised to get A few responses that I didn't expect. Steele sent me the following e mail in response to the vote! I enjoyed them so much, I thought I would share them with you.

"Dear Montesgirl,"
I have compiled several responses from a variety of respectable sources that I thought you might be interested in:

"I like it. I am thinking of growing mine back"
George Clooney

"I only wish I was man enough to grow a full mustache like that."
Matt Damon

"Steele obviously has deep spiritual insight. It reminds me of my mentors in the gospel.
President Gordon B. Hinckley

"I think it's HOT!"
Paris Hilton

"Steele, use the force..."
O B One

"You know, he really does look like me. I wonder if my mustache would be that grey now? I hope so.
Robert Redford

"Now that's sophistication! I would grow mine back if I were still alive, but then frankly, I don't give a damn!
Clark Gable

" A look of intergrity. I wonder if that would help my bid for the presidency.
Mitt Romney

"I think either look is great!"
Cathy Howell

"Steele, I think you've got something there. Would you consider an appearance on my show...say March 23rd? David Letterman

"Hidy ho neighbor. It's a dandy cookie duster!"
Ned Flanders

"You know, kissing a man without a mustache is like peaches without cream"
Unknown female celebrity

These are just a few of the responses I have heard so far.

Love,
Steele

Stache...or No Stache?

The return of the mustache! I guess it was inevitable that one day Steele would decide to grow his mustache back. After all, I met Steele in 1976 when his mustache was in full bloom and I thought it was a great look for him then. Dare I say, he even reminded me a little bit of Robert Redford. He was 26, but started his mustache at age 21. (On the day he returned from serving his mission.) I'd never seen him without it! He kept his mustache for the next 24 years. From time to time, when he would get tired of it (or when he would get silly putty stuck in it), he would threaten to shave it off. But having never seen his "virgin" lip, I encouraged him to keep it. Then one day I came home to find a new, younger man standing in front of me...the 'stache' was gone! Without warning, Steele shaved it off. ( I'm not sure what possessed him...but I suspect it was the increasing number of grey hairs in it!) Although initially, it took me by surprise, I really liked his new look. He looked 10 years younger and even more handsome!

Last week I went to California to visit my family and when I returned home I found that the 'stache' was back! It was a little thinner and a little greyer, but it was there! We all wondered what had gotten into Steele! His boys thought it made him look "old school", and his wife just thought it made him look old...OK older, Steele will never look old!

So now it's time to put it to a vote! Stache...or NO stache? I'm posting pictures so that you can make and fair and unbiased decision. (If you need a closer look, you can "double click" on the pictures.) So VOTE NOW! (For all of my family members that may not know how to leave a comment on this page...just send your vote to my email address.) Thank you for your concern on this relevant issue!


1999 mustache





Current mustache...



NO mustache...

"Pirates" on the Caribbean!

Don't we look happy? We should...Steele won a Caribbean Cruise through work... and January seemed like the perfect time to get out of town and head to warmer climates! So now...seven days later and seven pounds heavier...we're back from our first ever cruise! We sailed on Royal Caribbeans Voyager of the Seas and visited four different Caribbean islands.
First stop Haiti...Royal Caribbean has their own private beach there. So we enjoyed a 92 degree day at the beach, complete with crystal blue water, white sandy beaches, live entertainment and a fantastic barbecue! We divided our time between sunning, swimming, snorkeling and ...of course, eating.
After a day on the beach we boarded the ship and enjoyed a little more sun by the pool, and an evening of meeting new people, enjoying fine dining, great entertainment, and leisurely strolls around the deck.










Next stop...Jamaica! Truthfully, most of Jamaica, I could do without. Sorry...I know that sounds terrible, and I only had a few hours there, so it's not really fair of me to make such a harsh judgment...but I would have skipped our day in Jamaica and spent it on Grand Cayman! We did get to climb The Dunn River Falls though. (Well, Steele climbed, I photographed.) They were spectacular! Everyone held hands and then climbed up this 600 foot waterfall! It was an amazing sight! Of course, in my absence, Steele did manage to find some very cute Brazilian twins to guide him up the falls! (You can tell by his face how disappointed he was that I wasn't there!)











Now on to my favorite island...Grand Cayman! I'd heard wonderful things about Grand Cayman, but you simply have to see it to believe it. When we got there we boarded a 60 foot catamaran and sailed off to "Stingray Bay." Against my better judgment, we jumped into the water where we fed and swam with giant stingrays! I was fine as long as the stingrays stayed in front of me, but I must admit... it was a little alarming to have them come up and bump into you from behind. It took me a minute to gain a testimony of this activity, but once I did, it was great!


Last stop Cozumel. We were really looking forward to doing some snorkeling here. The water is suppose to be some of the clearest in the world. Unfortunately, we didn't know exactly where this water was. We thought we could just snorkel off the shore somewhere, so we headed to the beach to find our perfect water. Unfortunately, we realized too late that this beach, although beautiful, was not the perfect beach for snorkeling. We still had a great day! Steele found a little 10 foot Hobie to sail and on our way home we found a great little place to snorkel. If we are ever lucky enough to go there again, we will be little better informed! Of course, you can never go wrong when you are lucky enough to spend the day on a beautiful, sunny beach!

We really enjoyed our first cruise. As Nick said, " It's like staying in a five star hotel that floats!"He was right. We had great weather, fabulous food, first rate entertainment, great service...and my personal favorite...new little friends to greet us when we came in each night. As fun as all this was, I was happy to step back on good old American soil and especially on my own front porch!