FALL BREAK IN OREGON

We just got home from our funbulous Fall Break in Oregon. I know I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again, "What a beautiful place Oregon is!" The weather was great!! NO RAIN!! We had a great time and got to do just about everything on our list that we wanted to do. Of course vacations are always way too short and we hated to say goodbye, but I'm sure we'll be back!

Playing around at Mattress World is a blast for the kids. They love to hide in the rows and rows of mattresses and play on pallet jacks. They wear themselves out big time! Although this day, the only one sleeping was me, MOM (or at least trying to sleep sitting up in a chair). I was coming down with a big head cold/flu and riding on the plane there only made it worse!


Riding in the car and trying to have a little fun at the same time

Riding the ferry to Washington is one of the kids' favorite things to do when in Oregon. We drive the car right up onto the ferry and then stand out in the open air for the ride. Grandma Brinkerhoff was buried in Cathalamet Washington last month so we we got to visit her grave.

We ate out A LOT!!

Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is our favorite spot on the coast. The kids love to go right after the tide has gone out so they can hop from rock to rock and look for stranded sea creatures. This trip, not many creatures were found other than a "drifting out to sea" flip flop belonging to Carson

Grandpa Garrison lives in Astoria. We were able to spend the day there and visit several of the kids' favorite sites.



Most of Astoria is built upon a hillside and the streets look a lot like those in San Francisco. 8th Street is the steepest, funnest street to go down. You literally have to hold on and enjoy the ride!! The kids want to go fast down it, but us old fogies who obey the laws of the land go slower than they would like. We've been known to go airborn and hit our heads on the car roof ocassionally though.

Also in Astoria are the famous sea lions. Most of the locals hate them but of course, we tourists LOVE them! They lay on the docks and sun themselves and bark (or whatever it is that they do) and make quite a racket. We heard them all night at our hotel while we were there. Astoria sits at the very Northern tip of Oregon at the edge of the Pacific Ocean and mouth of the Columbia River. This time of year the salmon are making their run up river so there were a ton of sea lions everywhere waiting for their feast.


When we got out of our car at the docks to go see the Sea Lions, instantly Mark and Colton were bombed from above. (Seagulls) YUCK!!

We went to climb the Aster Column in Astoria but it was closed for renovation. The kids still got to look out over the city and enjoy the view! Mark likes to visit here because he can see all of Astoria and the surrounding area where he grew up out on the farm in Olney. This day was a particularly clear day and we could see all the way up the Washington Coast for miles!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAXTON!

Happy 5th Birthday Daxton!!

October 14, 2008

Five years ago the cutest little red head came into our lives. He is a ball of energy and a true spit-fire. He has brought so much joy to our family and we love having him spend time with us. He loves having sleep-overs with us so we have designated Carson's bunk bed as "Carson's and Daxton's bunk bed". It has been so much fun watching him interact with our family and we look forward to many more fun years together! We love you Daxton!!

Kylie and Carson enjoying birthday cake

Jett enjoying something other than birthday cake that Taylir is feeding him

Colton playing in Dax's new Spider Man Tent

General Conference

How wonderful it was to listen to conference this past weekend. Mark was home and that made it even more wonderful. This year I was especially interested in hearing any message that would be uplifting about the recent events with our economy and how this would effect us as Latter Day Saints. Although we've been warned over and over about having a years worth of food storage and adequate finances put away, I was still looking for counsel on the recent events. Yes, several talks mentioned the economic hardships we are facing today, but Sunday mornings talk by President Monson was the talk that really moved me and inspired me even though it had nothing to do with what I was looking to find or hear. In his talk he stated, "This is our one and only chance at mortal life - here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization it is brief. Don't let the most important things pass while dreaming of an illusive future based on time to fulfill leisurely pursuits. Instead, find joy in the journey - now." He went on to say, "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family. One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows."

I am so guilty at looking at my "tomorrows" and have a hard time with my "today". I've found that I don't have that many todays left with my children at home and how quickly the last 17-years have passed since Kylie was born. I don't like to focus on the disappointments and regret a lot of her upbringing but I think any parent on the threshold of their oldest child graduating high school and leaving home wishes they could of changed some things, and in my case I think a lot of things. I've often apologized to Kylie for her crazy flaky mother, especially during my divorced/single years. How greatful I am to her for telling me she wouldn't change a thing about me, even though she maybe just doesn't want to hurt my feelings with the truth :)

I have found that the last six years with having as many as all eight children living at home at a time, I was looking more to the future - for the number at home to decrease and make life a little easier. I thought that tomorrow held a time where I would be more at ease and more comfortable with all the change that had taken place since Mark and I had gotten married and blended our families. Although I realize that was very selfish on my part, I am thankful for many happy memories that we have from those early "learning" years. I do feel bad for the older kids though, they had it a lot harder than the kids living at home now have. But at least I can admit that, and they have heard me say it too! :)

This past year for our family has also been a year of uncertainty, which I don't think will be changing any time soon. With Mark's employment in Oregon and our family still not living there I have found my looking at my "tomorrows" more frequent than not. I have pretty much put our life here at home on hold while dreaming of our life in Oregon "tomorrow". Not that this past year has been a waste, but it definitely hasn't been a year of progress with a lot of things. I am definitely going to change that now.

I need to heed to the counsel of our dear prophet. In the end of his talk he stated, "Gratitude should be extended to God, as well." "In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things. Let us follow him. Let us emulate his example. Let us obey his word. By so doing, we give to him the divine gift of gratitude."

I am going to try harder at focussing on today and my family here at home and living with the circumstances we have to deal with today. I hate to have regrets in my life and hope to FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY - NOW."

The Smithfield Girls

Back in the pre-existence before coming to earth, there were four little heavenly angels who were always together and rarely apart. They were truly best friends. When the choice came to go to earth these little angels jumped with joy, even though they knew they would be tried and tested and experience great challenges. But they believed in Heavenly Father's plan and wanted to go to earth. They vowed to try and find each other and help each through their earthly missions. None of these four friends were born or raised in the same town but knew they that they would eventually meet up in a quaint little town called Smithfield, nestled in the far north end of beautiful Cache Valley. Though their time together in this little town was to be short, they knew they would always be there for each other no matter what.

These four friends have endured some mighty tough earthly challenges but have never failed to be there for each other. They have even had to bear the sadness of the early earthly departure of one of them. Though these best friends don't get to spend the time they would like to with each other, it is comforting to know that they are still there for each other wherever they may be. These friends still get together often and pick up as if they have never been apart. The three remaining friends here on earth like to think that their friend in heaven is watching down on them and cheering them on while anxiously awaiting their reunion in heaven.

Love you Linda, Sandra and Cheryl!

Bye Bye OCD!

Most of you who know me know that I am obessed when it comes to my dogs, in fact I've been accused of loving my dogs more than my kids......of course we all know that is not true but they come in a close second place since I love them like they are my kids. This morning while doing my hair and makeup, I glanced over to my bed and noticed that Gunner had made himself compfy IN my bed and was sound asleep. Back when I became obsessed with my dogs I got rid of my foofey decorative bed comforter and pillows and traded in my world of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) for a "la da da" life as a dog lover and relaxed person. My bed is now sittable/layable, not just a decoration. Back in the day, I would have never thought of having a dog in my house, let alone one on my bed, or should I say IN my bed. Boy have times changed. But I think I'm a much happier person now and much more relaxed. Thanks Gunner and Tank for helping get rid of my OCD! I know all you friends out there think I've gone nuts but oh well........I'M A DOG LOVER!! (Just don't mess up one of my pictures on the wall,that's another story!! :)

An Elect Lady

We just arrived home from attending the funeral and burial of Mark's Grandma Brinkerhoff (Mark's mom's mother) in Washington. We took the two oldest kids with us, Brandt and Kortney. Even though it was sad to have her die, what a blessing it is to have her reunited with her eternal companion, Grandpa Richardson. A lot of her posterity was able to attend the funeral and what an awesome sight it was to see so many who because of the choice of one woman to get baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, their lives have been richly blessed. I have to say, I don't think I have ever met a woman who had a stronger testimony than she did. She loved the gospel with all her heart and bore testimony of it, and the love of her savior every time I would visit with her. She was a great example to my children and wanted them to know how blessed she was in her life because of living the commandments. We are all blessed to have had her in our lives and how happy we are of the sweet reunion that has been taking place in heaven with her return.


Laurice Hilma Burch Richardson Brinkerhoff, age 94, passed away on September 8, 2008 in Orem, Utah. She was born April 6, 1914 in Astoria, Oregon, a daughter of Robert Burch, Jr. and Agnes Matilda Peterson Burch.Laurice was reared on a farm in Skamokawa, Washington, and attended the one-room West Valley Grade School. She was a graduate of Wahkiakum High School, attended the University of Idaho, and received an A.S degree in Library Science from Lower Columbia Junior College.She married Bertram Haldon Richardson, Jr. on September 10, 1931 in Vancouver, Washington, and together they ran a dairy farm in Skamokawa where they reared four daughters. When they retired from the farm, they moved a few miles away to Cathlamet, Washington where Laurice was an assistant librarian in the Cathlamet schools.Bert and Laurice were converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Laurice joining 20 years before her husband. She served many years in the Skamokawa Home Sunday School and later in the Cathlamet Branch, and as a district primary president.Bert preceded her in death on April 19, 1980 in Cathlamet. She then served an LDS mission in South Dakota and Minnesota, followed by a mission to the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City. She married Lloyd A. Brinkerhoff on April 11, 1987, and they moved to Orem where they were members of the Sharon 2nd Ward. Lloyd passed away on May 1, 2001. Recently, Laurice has been a resident of Courtyard at Jamestown in Provo, Utah.She is survived by four daughters: Laureen Jaussi (August) of Orem, Utah; Judy Garrison of Boise, Idaho; Karen Tarbet (Floyd) of Sandy, Utah; and Gail Barney (Denton) of Las Vegas, Nevada. Survivors also include 22 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Carol Quigley of Cathlamet, Washington, and two nephews.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008, at the Cathlamet Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with burial in the Greenwood Cemetery in Cathlamet.

Mark and his siblings, Dayna, Kirk and Dawna

Kortney, myself, Mark and Brandt

Mark and his family (Dad-Roy, Dayna, Mark, Kirk, Mom-Judy and Dawna)

Fabulous at "40" Girlfriend's Retreat

I just got back from my little vacation with my girlfriends, all of whom are 40-years old (well, 1 who is almost 40...she's the baby of our group). Two years ago at our 20-year reunion for Jordan High School, I got the idea of a girls trip to help celebrate our 20 plus year friendships and also turning the ripe old age of 40. We've had this trip planned all year to The RedRock Hotel and Spa in Summerlin Nevada just outside Las Vegas. What a fabulous 4-day retreat this was. I came away with a smile both on my face and in my heart, wanting to become a better person. What beautiful friends on the inside and out I have! I learned so much wisdom and knowledge from a group of women who are so unique in their individualness and each brining something differen't and special to the plate. It was wonderful to see how much each person has changed and grown over the years and hear of their triumphs and sorrows both. What incredible journey's we have all been on!

During the last day of our retreat, the melody of a song kept coming to my mind but I was having a hard time remembering all the words. After I came home this evening, I found the words and realized why it was that I kept humming this tune in my head:

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Through words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord above.

This weekend I was fed spiritually, mentally, socially, and I hate to say it, but of course physically (we ate, and ate, and ate, and ate!!!) We shared laughter along with tears and became closer now than we have ever been. How greatful I am for friends and the amazing journey in life we all share as women. Thank you to all of those husbands out there that know and understand the importance of women needing time to be with other women to help buoy each other up and give each other words of encouragement and kudos for the lives we are living and the little lives we are nurturing at home. Thank you for letting us be us!

This is us 22-years ago as cheerleaders for Jordan High School

Oh my gosh!!! Look at our hair!!

Did I say we had grown and matured???

Family Time

Saturday we went to Mark's family reunion up the canyon. His Dad's brothers and sister get together every other year, taking turns with who's home state it is in. A lot of these reunions consist only of the elder brothers and sister, minus the children and grandchildren. It is neat to see that these siblings are still actively involved in each other's lives even though they live in differen't states. At today's reunion each of the siblings stood and took turns telling about their children/grandchildren/great grandchildren and what has been happening with their families over the past 2 years. Uncle Ray, Roy's twin brother (Mark's Dad) issued a challenge to everyone in attendance to get more involved in family history and he wants to hear at the next reunion in 2 years that we have all been engaged in some form of it. I am going to try to make it a point to type a message on my blog, with or without pictures and report what has been happening with my family. With my crazy life, I think I am doing pretty darn good by just blogging and not worrying about individual scrapbooks, journals or other forms of family history. I love how easy and less time consuming it is to just sit down and blog. I've learned to hate scrapbooking now that I have so many kids and I threw the towell in long ago with trying to keep up. So, enjoy or don't enjoy my form of family history!








Friday, September 5th was the twins' 20th birthday. Since Roy was in town for the reuinion, we decided to make it a birthday/get-together with him and the whole family. Tavyn came over but Tyson is living in Texas so he wasn't able to attend. We did call him and sing Happy Birthday and Tavyn blew out the candles for both of them while he listened on the other end of the phone.

You know you're a red neck when..................You light the birthday candles with a blow-torch!

Tavyn blowing out the candles for her and Tyson both

Kortney and her baby Diesel

Proud Daddy Brandt with his little guy Will

Grandpa Mark with his other grandbaby

Four Generations of Garrison men

All the Garrison Girls (and Will)

Carson wins in overtime!

Last night we went to Carson's football game. It was one of those adrenaline pumping, nail biting, intense ballgames. We were down by 8 points with less than a minute to go and we rallied from behind to get a touchdown, pulling us within 2 points. We would need a 2-point conversion to tie the ball game and send it into overtime...........................WHICH WE DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For little league football, the rule in overtime is that each team will have a posession and try to score. If both teams don't score then they are given another posession. The other team got the ball first and ran in a touchdown but missed the extra point. We got the ball and my little Carson ran in the touchdown to tie the ballgame. Now we would need to make the extra point to win the game. The ball was snapped and Nate Katoa ran the ball into the enzone........WE WIN!!!!!!!! Congratulations Carson's 6th Grade team and coaches!!!!!!

This is Carson #11 with the ref's doing the coin toss to see who would be first to get the ball in over-time

Post game talk with the coaches and team

It's hard to get Carson to smile but I think this win pulled off a smile for him. Daxton is one of Carson's biggest fans....he gets dressed in full uniform to support him.

I'm a proud Mom!