Retraction

Ammon actually makes dinner pretty often. Especially on Pizza Night.

Also, I thought I should write about what Ammon does do since that "Husband Tag" was supposed to be about him.

He is our protector, provider, and presider.
He keeps the cars in good running order and always keeps them full of gas.
He changes the car seats over for me every weekend.
He prepares the primary lesson.
He is the spider killer.
All handyman issues, lawn mowing, and light bulb changing are his.
He remembers family prayer.
He is a full time dad: diapering, bathing, disciplining, and putting to sleep. He probably puts Hyrum to sleep twice as often as I do.
He lets me sleep in and take naps.
Ammon honestly wouldn't mind if I didn't make dinner for weeks, or do laundry, or make the bed, or clean at all. He would even be happy to do all the child care. He never complains that I didn't do something, and he never nags. I have a lot to learn from him.
He has no guile.
Obviously, I could go on. But we'll leave it at that.

Tag

Where was I 10 years ago:

I was in 8th grade at American Fork Junior High, unaware of how my life would change after my two best friends moved away. I will forever be grateful to Stephanie for inviting me to Ashley's surprise birthday party that summer. As I have read back through my journal, I have recognized it as an answer to prayer.

5 things on my to-do list today: Today is pretty much over, and I don't have anything planned for tomorrow. I can do whatever I want!

1. Don't eat chocolate. (I put myself on detox for four weeks, in hopes that I won't crave it fortnightly afterwards...)

2. Bathe Audrey and stick to her nap schedule (Healthy Sleep Happy Baby--good book)

3. Make sure Hyrum gets his fruit, veggies, and milk. (We just had his two year appt. and I felt like I could do better in giving him a balanced diet)

4. Go to the gym

5. Do at least one load of laundry

5 snacks I enjoy:

1-Melissa's Chocolate Cookies

2-Melissa's Chocolate Chip Cookies

3-Cheese and Crackers, especially with grape juice.

4-Hot Chocolate

5-Candy of all kinds, but preferable chocolate. Flips, Junior Mints, Reeses...

What would I do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:

Invest. College educations for my children, and everyone else. Buy the house I love in American Fork, and then I would need to pay for someone to take care of the yard, becuase it is huge. While I am hiring people, I think I could go for a maid and a cook, that way I could focus on the fun stuff!

5 places I have lived:

1-American Fork, UT

2-Provo, UT

3-Red Bluff, CA

4-Lehi, UT

5-American Fork, UT

5 jobs I have had:

1-Cleaning Dad's Office (You and me megan) and delivering his papers.

2-Server and Event Manager at Northampton House

3-Admin for I-Satellite

4-Social Work Intern at UVRMC

5-Adoption Worker at LDS Family Services

5 things you don't know about me:

1- I love sitting on the couch reading a book and listening to the dishwasher, washer, and dryer do all the work.

2- In the past, whenever I was asked this question I would say that I can belly dance, but I can't really do that so well anymore.

3- Unless I have a reason to get dressed for the day, I usually won't. (So it is best to call before you come visit me.)

4- Saturday is pizza night, and Hyrum and I like to sing, "We're having pizza tonight!" while doing a little dance.

5- One time I was smart, and translated Vergil's Aeneid.

Husband Tag:

What is his name: Ammon William Hatch

How long have you been married: Just had our four year anniversary
How long did you date: long time. June 2000 through Jan 2004. (Mission inclusive)

How old is he: He is 25.

Who eats more: I probably do. Ammon often forgets to eat.

Who said I love you first: Ammon

Who is smarter: We're both pretty smart. I think we compliment each other.

Who does the laundry: I do. (but Ammon never complains when he doesn't have any clean clothes.)

Who folds the laundry: I do.

Who does the dishes: I do. Grandma Hatch does them often too.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: If you are laying in the bed, I do.

Who pays the bills: I do.

Who cooks dinner: I do. Again, Grandma Hatch as well.

Who drives when you're together: Always Ammon.

Who is more stubborn: We both are. We think it is funny when we both argue our point and then we both switch positions to accomodate the other person, which puts us back at square one.

Who proposed: Ammon, I totally saw it coming like 3 years in advance.

Who has more friends: We're the closest to our families, and he has a bigger family.

Who wears the pants in the family: We both wear pants...this isn't 1950.

"Okay, hit it!"

“Okay, hit it!”

Katrina’s co-workers didn’t believe we had done it. She had to bring a picture to prove it, and even that looked unreal. Katrina was the reason we started going to Wahweap. Other summers we went to Bullfrog. Kyle got a job working with the park owners so a trip to Lake Powell now provided recreation and a visit with family. She worked at the dam giving tours, and seemed to enjoy it. Many she worked with had been there for some time and had never seen or heard of anyone doing what we did.

The initial idea came on Sunday. That day was not for playing on the lake. We never doubted Dad’s conviction it was important to him and we knew it. After attending church we drove to the dam and admired the feat. He had spent much time around construction and could appreciate the challenge of creating such a large structure. He was doubly appreciative because he had created many memories with his family on the water it held back.

After enjoying the dam Katrina brought us to a lookout over the river, “Horseshoe Bend”. Standing atop a sheer cliff we looked down to the river below. It had carved its way deep into the earth over the years leaving behind the mark of its power. Here however the ground proved to be stronger. The water was forced to go around and eventually found its way back to its original course. This left a massive impression that now resembled a horseshoe.

We were curious about the river and had more time to explore so we traveled further down for a look at the waters edge. We ended up at a small launch ramp. There was a tour company who used it to take groups up the river to see the dam. The fisherman also put into the river here and headed up to angle. We enjoyed the sights and then made an end of our sightseeing in exchange for playing cards at Katrina’s home. Dad was always up for a game of Rook.

Monday morning provided some good waterskiing. We had to wake early and get on the water for dad. He was always searching for the “glass”. The first few runs were pretty good, till the crowds came. The wind was also picking up so we decided it was time to head in. The boat needed gas so we trailered it, ate breakfast and headed for town; the gas on the water was much more than in town.

As we crossed the bridge near the dam we could see the water on the lake was getting worse and knew we had made a good decision. Andrew drew our attention to the water on the river; it was sheltered from the wind by the canyon and was smooth as “glass”. I thought nothing more of it but the idea must have intrigued Dad. After fueling the boat we headed not for home but for the ramp we saw on Sunday. If the tour and fishing boats could launch and travel the river then surely our small ski boat could.

The water in the river came from the bottom of the lake and was not to be associated with the warm water found at Lake Powell. We later learned that it was not over 50 degrees. But it was smooth and the river was exciting. I don’t recall who went first, probably Andrew. Alex who didn’t have a wet suit was surely the coldest. We took our turns and learned that if we were ready with rope in hand we could holler for the boat to go before we were in the water.

Finally it was Dad’s turn, it was after all his idea to be in the river and he was excited to get his ski on the water. Andrew climbed into the drivers’ seat as dad lowered himself into the water. Alex and I laughed as dad made that familiar shiver similar to a horses neigh. He waited for the rope to tighten then hollered those familiar words, “Okay, Hit it!”

He had tinkered with his old ski boat for years and it now pulled him out of the water with ease. He was up. We watched with smiles on our faces as we listened to the soft splashing as he cut back and forth across the wake. We passed fishermen with curious looks on their faces. The tour boats came from the other direction; they too seemed surprised to see us rounding the corner with Dad on the rope behind us.

As we neared the dam and turned around a smile stole across Dads face. Perhaps the smile came from enjoying the beauty of the river,the water and the dam. Maybe it was because he knew he would have to get back in the cold water eventually; he stayed up as long as he could to avoid that. He could have been thinking about the looks of the people on the tour boat as they passed a 50 plus year old man skiing on the river as their guide explained that was the first time he had ever seen such a thing. Maybe he was thinking of telling mom about our crazy adventure. Probably he was remembering how much he enjoyed being with family doing the things he loved.

Play Dough!

Hyrum can't get enough. We play for hours a day. I'm getting rather bored by it, but Hyrum shows no signs of boredom. I do have to say, it is helping him learn his shapes!

Happy Chinese New Year

Power Kick

I went to the gym today and as I was getting a drink I noticed a class was about to start: Power Kick. I haven't attended an aerobics class since before I was married. I was a little hesitant, but I decided to give it a try.

First, I was the only one in the room wearing a t-shirt (oversized as well) all the other women were in sports bras or little tanks. Second, the routine was difficult and very fast. I was watching my goofy self in the mirror.

I'll sum it up by saying I started feeling self-conscious, out of place, and thinking about how I could most easily get to the door without being noticed.

At this point I thought of my mom, who has never cared what other people think of her. I heard her voice saying, "Oh who cares what you look like!" Then I thought of one of our favorite movie clips. Goldie Hawn in Housesitter takes an aerobic class. She just does her own crazy moves and ignores the instructor altogether. It's funny. This made me laugh to myself.

I started getting the hang of the routine and it totally kicked my butt...way more intense than the 20 minutes on the elyptical I usually do.

(I did end up leaving when she gave us a break to get a drink, not because I felt stupid but becuase I thought I might pass out!)

This was a small personal victory for me.
My little sister is coming with me next week and I hope to stay for the whole class!

Goals

1. Read Book of Mormon
2. Read Jesus the Christ
3. Lose 15 lbs by my birthday

I needed incentive to lose the baby weight, so I asked Ammon if he would take me to The Blue Boar Inn if I acheive my goal. Of course he said yes.
I also made a poster. Posters always help.

Sometimes baby comments are like pregnancy comments....and should be kept to yourself.

The nurse at Audrey's 2 month appointment told me that my baby looked like a baby monkey.

I think she meant it as a compliment. :)

Blankets!

Grandma Hatch makes every grandchild a quilt. She puts so much work into them!

This is Audrey's.

Look at all that embroidery--every one is different! Thanks Grandma!

This one is from Shanda, my sister in law. It has all kinds of colors and textures.

Audrey is starting to play with it. She mostly likes to suck on it. Thank you Shanda!

This amazing quilt is from Emily, my other sister in law. She must have spent a lot of time on this.

Thank you Emily, it is Beautiful!

And finally, I want to thank my mom for all the many blankets she embroidered for me. This one is my favorite. Notice the little chicks hatching....and my last name is hatch...I think it's cute.