General Conference Weekend

I always look forward to conference weekends. In the fall, the weather is cool, autumn colors are brilliant, and I love wearing my warm pj's to listen. In the spring, flowers are blossoming, birds are chirping, and I wear my cool pj's. It's a nice break from the usual Sunday meetings to be spiritually uplifted and inspired to be better. It's the shot in the arm I need...too bad it's only twice a year. I have always loved the way Pres. Monson tells stories and recites poetry that really brings home the messages we can all benefit from.

Three weeks ago was the Panaca Stake Conference. We were honored and blessed to have President Holland here in our presence to teach us. It was a remarkable weekend. Evan had a special assignment from our Stake President to act as protective services...he got to pack "heat" to the meetings and be up close and personal with this wonderful man. One of Evan's mission companions married Pres. Holland's oldest daughter, so they chatted about that and commanalities from both being from Southern Utah. He loved every minute of it...first conference he didn't snooze through!

And who doesn't love President Bednar? One of my favorite talks by him was the "Tender Mercies" topic. I've often thought of that and have been more aware of the multiple tender mercies in my own life. They are truly men who are mouthpieces for a loving Heavenly Father! Well, I better go get my favorite seat on the couch! I hope you get to enjoy conference with your family as well!

Then there's M Russell Ballard who took the time to call my mother a few days after dad's tragic plane accident to console and assure her of God's love. It was his grandson who was the student pilot flying with dad on that fatal day in January 2005. He spoke briefly of this incident and the atonement in the April 2005 conference that year. He always speaks directly and eloquently in all matters.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pres. Uchtdorf. Perhaps it's his German accent, the special pilot "air" about him, or just that he's so simply grounded in the gospel and sees it from the perspective of the outside world and knows how to delicately address the things we so need to "hear with our ears and feel with our hearts."

I could go on and on about different Prophets and disciples who have touched my life throughout the years, but these are some favorites at this present time. They are all men of God; I enjoy hearing them, reading their words, and trying to apply them in my life.

Hippy Day

This past week was Lincoln County High School's 100th Year Celebration. It was a huge event for our little neck of the woods. Each day all the schools dressed up to show school spirit. We enjoyed "Hippy Day" the most and since I woke up later than usual, I simply went all natural for the day. No make up, threw a headband in my hair, put on jeans and my "Hug a Tree" t-shirt. (No biggie as we went on a field trip to the Apple Orchard that day.) Taylor and Abby, however, dressed pretty much their normal selves except for the added headband accessories. P.S. For the record...Taylor wants everyone to know that she IS taller than Abby...not by much though!

Good-Bye for Two Years, Trent

Looking happy, glowing and in love! Trent and Whitney have been sweethearts for nearly three years. Only 24 fast sundays until they can see each other again! Hang in there, Whitee!

Back to School

Taylor going to 8th grade. Abby going to 6th grade.

Slip-n-Slide with Tibbitts

The girls went to Tibbitts' backyard for a giant slip-n-slide. They had a lot of fun sliding down their grassy hills.

Fun with Cousins

Shawn and the kids stayed for a few days after picking Hannah up from EFY. We enjoyed their musical talents, cooking skills, and Nertz card games. It was our last get together before school began.

Trent's Day at St. George Temple

This was an exciting day for the Tibbitts family as Trent went through the temple for the first time. He leaves for the MTC on Sept. 16th and will serve in Raleigh, North Carolina. Whitney got to babysit kids while we attended...happy to hug him later!
Talen and Trent looking like Joseph and Hyrum.
Tibbitts men in their shades looking handsome.

Grandma & Grandpa McCrosky, Trent, Lisa & Brent, Talen...Proud Kodak moment!

Simple Pleasures of Summer

Up late and sleeping in...Taylor and Abby look so sweet as they slumber, it's hard to believe they would ever be anything but nice to each other! (That's why I left them sleeping!)

I love it when Whitney is home and sits down to play the piano! Her little fingers make it look so easy as she plays song after song...worth every penny spent on lessons!

Poor Abby...she biffed it riding down a steep and rocky hill (after being warned not to) and did a face plant in the road. She skinned her forehead, chin, both elbows, her belly, and knees and came up laughing! Good thing she's so tough! (She's not smiling cause she hates getting her picture taken, not cause she's sad.)

Here's a happier moment when she and her BFF Chesnee were eating grapes and giggling hysterically. They are practically inseparable during the summer.


One of Abby's weekly rituals is making brownies on Sunday evenings. She is a pro at making them by now. Half of us like nuts and half of us don't, so she made a special batch to please everyone. Brownies always make her happy!

Definition of a Muumuu

I was asked, "What's a muumuu?" by an old friend. Of course he's male, so I suppose he really may not know. In case any of you are wondering here it is: according to Wikipedia: The muumuu or muʻumuʻu (English pronunciation: /ˈmuːmuː/) is a loose dress of Hawaiian origin that hangs from the shoulder. Like the Aloha shirt, muumuu exports are often brilliantly colored with floral patterns of generic Polynesian motifs. Muumuu for local Hawaiian residents are more subdued in tone. Muumuu are not as widely worn at work as the aloha shirt, but may be worn as a uniform by women working in the hotel industry. Muumuu are also popular as maternity gowns and with obese people because they do not restrict the waist.
I'll try to forget that last line of the definition..even if it it true. If you haven't tried a muumuu yet, you should. It's the only way to survive the humid months of July and August when the swamp cooler doesn't quite cut it. There are those who think they are only for the "older" or "larger" women, however, I've found them to be quite comfortable at any age, size, or stage of life! Caution: They are, however, meant for females only!

Congratulations to Trent

Trent received his mission call today to Raleigh, North Carolina!

It was so exciting to watch him open the letter from the First Presidency. His parents had just dropped some things off at the school and went to the post office across the street. They came back immediately and called him over from work. He was going to wait to read it to everyone at a BBQ this evening, but within 5 minutes, his boss had sent him over to read it. There were several of us gathered in my classroom to find out where he's going. Word travels very quickly with cell phones! Within a half hour after that, I went to the Panaca Merc where there was buzzing all around with excitement for him! Just one of the many perks of living in a small town!

Happy Birthday, Whitney

Today is Whitney's 19th birthday. We made the traditional BLTs the night before since that is what I craved at 3:00am 19 yrs ago when Evan lovingly got up and made me one! (Now he would just keep on snoring!)

Anyway, we all went to eat at Pizza Factory for lunch. The host served her a personal pizza in the shape of a one and a nine! She was sad they didn't sing for her, but threatened me if I did! What the heck? She's going to Vegas to see Lion King with her work friends tomorrow. Happy Birthday E-E! WE LOVE YOU!!

Whitney and Trent at Lake Powell before he leaves on his mission to . . .TBA!

Lake Powell Vacation

Sun, sand, water...family, friends, food...all make for an exceptionally FUN time at Lone Rock Beach! Cooling off before we pack up to come home! More pics to come soon!

Headed for Lake Powell

Whew! I can check "update blog" off my list of things to do before vacation! I had started a few posts, but didn't get them completed until today! It has been a busy couple of weeks as summers usually are but in a good, relaxing way mostly. We also had the annual Schimbeck Reunion last weekend over the 4th of July, but my camera wasn't working, so I'll have to get pics from the sis-in-laws after Lake Powell!

Must haves for Lake Powell:

1. Sunscreen, aloe vera, and lip protection
2. Plenty of water & ice
3. Shade Tent
4. Plenty of food & snacks
5. Reading material and lounge chair
6. Life jackets
7. Boat, kayak, jet skiis, or other water toys
8. Flip flops, hat, sunglasses
9. Money, Husband and kids, friends, extended family, etc.
10. Oh. . . and a swimsuit for daylight hours! LOL

Thanks for reading my blog and commenting...it's like getting a letter in the mail instead of bills!

New Councilman and Mayor

Evan and Mayor Larsen being sworn into office. Now they're official and important! Let the fun begin!

Happy Birthday Abby & Happy Father's Day Evan

These two events have only occurred on the same day twice since Abby's birth. Eleven years ago it wasn't such a good Father's Day for Evan when Abby decided to enter this world much too early. Evan wondered if he'd be a single dad left to raise his little girls alone. Thank goodness our story has had a happy and blessed ending. Looking at her today, one would never guess Abby was a 26 week preemie. Evan has more grey hair from raising three girls (he claims), and they still share a very special Daddy-Daughter bond between them. Both are stubborn about sharing their affections, emotions, and feelings, so we sneak in hugs and kisses whenever we get the chance. ABBY and EVAN, We love you very much! You have blessed our lives in so many ways! Abby enjoying Hot Fudge Cake for her 11th birthday dessert. She LOVES chocolate in any way, shape, or form. She makes brownies nearly every Sunday evening.

Guns Are For Girls, Too--Silly Boys

The girls wanted to go shooting at the gun range with the "Range Master" (Evan) during Father's Day Weekend. Very important to wear protection so we don't lose our hearing like Dad! Cousin Chandler shows up on our doorstep like a little orphan from time to time, so he was thrilled to go along and shoot guns with Uncle Evan. He brought home cups and pocketfuls of bullets in a variety of sizes and shapes. We told him he could take as many home as he wanted to along with his pollywog and crawdad from the creek. (Lucky for the little crawdad...he was too small for Chan to boil up and eat!)

Whitney brought her roommate, Noelle, to visit. Not bad shooting skills for a couple of college girls!


Chicka was disappointed that there wasn't a shooting range this year at Girls Camp, so Evan made up for that by letting her shoot his AR15, 22s, 223 preparing for deer hunting in October since she drew her first tag. Woo Hoo!

Girls Camp on Kolob Mountain

Taylor and I had a great time at Girls Camp! The theme was: Anchor Your Soul in Christ. We had so much fun as a camp committee putting our ideas and plans together over the past few months. It was a lot cooler this year with light rainshowers nearly every day. I was in the Stake Camp while Taylor was in our ward camp, but we saw each other daily. Some of the activities were: canoeing at the reservoir, performing silly skits, watching a movie, hiking, pranks, secret sister messages, special firesides each night with music, great food, and lots of testimony building experiences and events. We can't wait to initiate Abby to Girls Camp next summer! I'll have to post pictures later as we only took disposable cameras.

Top Ten Reasons I LOVE Summer

10. Time to catch up on unfinished projects (or not).
9. Family Reunions and get-to-gethers with family and friends. (Camping, Lake Powell, BBQs, Birthdays, etc.)
8. Girls' Camp on beautiful Kolob Mountain. (2009 Theme: Anchor Your Soul in Christ)
7. Abby, Whitney, and I all celebrate summer birthdays. (Woo-hoo!)
6. Plenty of sunny days with occasional summer rainshowers. (Never enough rain in NV)
5. Variety of fruits and vegetables in season. (strawberries, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, cherries, apricots, cilantro, Mmm. .Mmm!)
4. Barbeques, roasting marshmallows, and star-gazing. (Do ya hear those crickets?)
3. Laid back schedules with longer day-light hours. (Sleep in, up late...whatever)
2. School's out for 12 weeks. (Sure gonna miss those kids.)
1. More quality time to spend together with family! (Swimming, picnics, coloring, sewing, reading, watching great flicks, dad's salsa, organizing, painting, shopping, eating, bike rides, walks, longer visits, playing games or anything...as long as we're together!!)

Caliente or Mayberry?

When we moved to Caliente eight years ago, Evan began working as a deputy sheriff. In many ways Caliente is similar to Mayberry in the old tv show--The Andy Griffith Show. Who wouldn't want to live in Mayberry? He's been an active Barney Fife ever since (and is allowed to carry more than one bullet!) He began serving on the City Planning Committee the past year and enjoyed it. Then he came up with the crazy idea to run for City Council. Well.....elections were Tuesday, and he won with the highest number of votes! He says it's a trial run to see if he'll want to run for Mayor or Sheriff someday. I just wish I had some of Aunt Bee's homemade pie to celebrate with!

Happy Birthday to Me

Yes, it's true. . .I had another birthday. The family said since I post everyone else's b-days, I should post mine; however, they said "NO" about posting me in my new 40-something birthday suit. Anyway, I had a great day. The girls and I joined friends at Kershaw-Ryan for a picnic and swim. Abby had a softball game in Pioche and Evan gave me money to buy my own cheeseburger and soda at the concession stands while he coached! Wow! Since he outdid himself on Mother's Day less than a month ago, I told him I'd take care of my birthday. He just doesn't get the whole "spa" thing.

I have always loved having a birthday in June because I'm out of school and can do whatever I want to. On Monday I'll be joining girlfriends at the spa for some pampering and relaxing. That will be a treat! Thanks Evan for being so understanding!!

Trent's Graduation

Check out all the medals, ribbons, honors, and champion rings on each finger! What an amazing guy he is!

A very proud Tibbitts family. Whitney is the shortest one in the center. His twelve year old sister is taller than Whitney!

Here's Whitney posing with her "boyfriends", Talen and Trent. Trent's dad teases them both about Trent leaving and Talen "keeping her company" while he's on his mission!

And last of all. . . Whitney with Trent . . . lots of emotions. . .college, mission, separation . . . I'm glad I'm past that season in my life!