You deserve it all!

If you don't get what you want this year, the Stapps blog to you cheese balls and muddy buddies! Platefuls of chocolate dipped whatever you like most and all that jazz. Loads of Merry Christmas cards in your mailbox too! Big packages wrapped with snowflaked paper lit by the tree. Lot's of electronic doo dads and warm socks. There you go. You're welcome. Oh, and most of all the true gifts of the Season. Hope of the Savior's promises and a new start for 2008! Merry Christmas All!

Old or Young

Birthday Reflections

You look closely at this drawing. You see either Old or Young. Each person who looks at or knows me decides what I am. Old or young. Each judgement of my agedness is a comparison of his/her own time spent in this earth life. Older or younger. So from my perspective, I'm young! I'm not older than myself! From an eternal perspective, I'm the same age as everybody reading this blog.

Alive or Dead

Friends and family (mostly the dog-lovers in the for to mentioned categories) come to our house and on occasion wonder, hey what about Elche, the little black dog of days gone by? She must have passed onto doggy heaven by now. Or sometimes one might hear her clickety clackety paws against the tiles in the kitchen and are amazed. An unbeliever has shouted--SHE'S STILL ALIVE?

Elche is timeless. We have had her since 18-oops-1993. See if you can pick her out from the dogs pictured on Julia's bed.

Switchfoot (the real story)

phOtOs bY juLiA STapP

Once upon a time there was a friend of ours. Lent us a Switchfoot CD. OK, whatever, ho hum. HMMmmm, maybe we should listen to this (Curtis)? I've heard something about this band. Ho hum, OK, whatever. Next thing you know BAM. The girls are in, faintly remembering Switchfoot from years gone by...Ah! HA! the Jingle Ball concert. Fast forward one year, if you can't beat 'em join 'em (Caryn). Well, now 3 or 4 years into the future (which is now the present). The Stapp's are die hard SF fans. Even made friends with other fans (crazy). Now this may sound boastful, it is, but we know the band. For some strange reason (luck, persistance, stalking) we have managed backstage passes! Every concert! No joke. On Friday, Chad (drummer) recognizes Curtis and says, "Hey man" or something like that. Curtis replies, "Dude, backstage passes tonight?" Chad says, "Right on" or something like that. BAM! We're hangin' with the band again.

We're also fans of Noteworthy. No chance of backstage passes. They're too big! (hee hee)

From left to right: Julia, Curtis, Rebekah, Jon, Alex, Drew, Samuel, Chad, Jerome, Tim

Fascinating Fractals!

I love fractals. It is a new passion. What's a fractal? Hard to explain, but it is a picture of math functions, in nature, in reflections, computer generated. It is when you look really deep into something (magnified) and find something really cool. One of the most famous fractals is the Mandelbrot (the guy who found it, he's still alive btw) fractal below. Basically this is a computer generated graph of the following function z=z2+c (or z=z^2+c).

Now lets magnify the fractal here. From a section or set.

The flower is from the M-set of the Mandelbrot

So, it is like the Energizer Bunny. It keeps going and going. Eternal is a word that comes to mind! I have been digging this stuff for a few days. Here is a web site if you want to dig further too. (check out the Wada Fractals)

http://www.miqel.com/fractals_math_patterns/visual_math_varieties.html

Tag you're it!

I used to play a tons of tag when I was a kid. Freeze tag, sardines, statue tag, under the leg type, plain old tag. Now computer users play tag online, also known as tagging. It is a way to find out strange and interesting things about people you think you already know. When we played tag as kids, I never learned anything new about the taggee but whether he/she could run faster than me or not. Usually they couldn't. I was a fast runner. I'm not sure, but can this be a sneaky type of chain letter type thingy? Well my niece April tagged me and instructed me to write 7 random facts about myself. If I do this and tag 10 more people I believe I am suppose to get 350 dish towels in the mail by Christmas Day. So here I go.

Random Fact #1--I go crazy if anybody tries to touch me while I am eating.

Random Fact #2--I openly adore dogs, and secretly abhor cats.

Random Fact #3--I (once) used Desitin diaper rash ointment for toothpaste and Vicks deep heating rub to take off my eye make-up.

Random Fact #4--I prefer natural colored, royal blue, or deep red dishtowels.

Random Fact #5--I enjoy true crime books.

Random Fact #6--I often have nightmares about true crime.

Random Fact #7--I have difficulty sticking to a routine. Random but true!

I tag anybody who reads this blog (you know who you are! Even if you don't have blog Natalie, just leave the info on my blog). Please don't bring dishtowels over to my house. I need them via U.S. Postal Service.

Ari? Betty? And you too!

Play Ball

I love baseball. I happen to coach a rough bunch of homeschoolers. Well, at first we had around 8-10 kids. The longer we played the more kids came oozing out of the woodwork. We play every Wednesday at 2pm. Max--two innings. All players on the team bat each inning. No balls. No strikes. You swing until you hit, but no sympathy if we get you out. Last week we had over twenty-five kids, two dads (who know more than I do, but still take orders) and Moms yelling like crazy! The most extraordinary play this week was when Samuel hit the ball way out. It bounced over the fence, then bounced onto the sidewalk, then right into the window of a parked car, landing on the lap of a startled passenger. Unbelievable plays happen like this every week. Best darn day of the week!

Case study: Men Taking Excessive Trips to the Hardware Store!

Exhibit #1

Exhibit #2

Exhibit #3

Exhibit #4

Exhibit #5

(You are awesome Curtis!)

BOO!

Here is Alex as a dirty low-down pirate. He came up with this one the day of Halloween. We have a tradition of procrastinating the costume decision until the last moment. The more pressure, the better the get up. (you have to look at this photo close up!)


Samuel was the weatherman and was such a hit. He said he either wanted to be a remote control, an IPOD, or a T.V. for Halloween. Looks like a blizzard is coming through next week!

Julia was wishing she were at the Ren Fair like the old days with the Bringhursts for Halloween! She filled her sleeves with candy!

MMM (More Music Man!)

Putting myself out there people is not easy! If you want to do something crazy (perform on stage, jump from an airplane) my advice is go right ahead, but when it comes to crunch time pray a lot and don't blame anybody but yourself.

Music Man 2007!!!

Here we are, the lot of us (minus Rachel), in full garb ready to perform! Thanks to you all who came to the show. We had such a wonderful time being together as a family, helping each other out, consoling each other when we made mistakes, giving unwanted advice... We have two more shows to go and then what are we going to do? We may go stir crazy!

buttons and milkshakes

I gathered buttons this summer for a project I was doing. I was amazed at how these buttons attracted the attention of my kids. You'd think I unwrapped a bag of Reeses Peanutbutter Cups. Alex had ideas. He insisted he needed certain buttons for this, that, and the other. On occasion I gave in. Everyone was excited about the colors and designs and all the funky old ones. Well one thing led to another. Samuel got out the ice cream and started making milkshakes. The two were a great combination.

Alex Looking Toward Sacramento Temple

Our greatest hope in life is that our children will understand and utilize the principles of the gospel. Alex turns 12 years old today! What a great year for our boy. Next Sunday his father will confer the Aaronic priesthood on him and ordain him to the office of a Deacon. I love Alex so much. What a pleasure it is to have this boy (young man) in our care.

When Alex was born the doctor (who happened to be a woman) claimed she had never seen such a beautiful baby! Now you may say, "Yeah right, she says that to every mother!" Well, you did not see her face. I took her comment and ran with it. I HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY IN THE WORLD (I mean, in the lot of babies delivered by Dr. Olsen). Out of our way people, Curtis Alexander Stapp is coming through. Fast forward 12 years. He is still beautiful, but the sure look on the doctor's face is starting to fade from my memory. Did I really hear what I thought I heard at 4 am so many years ago? Oh well, it's my memory! To balance my memory information (which makes the story more believable) friends, I also remember one of my brothers grimacing at the ugliness of another one of my newborn children.

Back to the birthday boy. I look forward to seeing him reach up and over the Sacrament table to grab the emblems. Hopefully the administering Priest will be able locate his open hand down below! I'm going to try to figure out where Alex will pass the Sacrament so we can sit in his passing area. Have any of you done crazy things like this? Well it is a great day for all our family!

Critics tear apart Music Man!

But Samuel and the rest of the Stapps come out unscathed!

http://www.dailydemocrat.com/ci_7148076?source=most_emailed

http://criticontheloose.blogspot.com/

Sammy Kablammy

Dreamy is not a word I would use to label any of my children, but this one, well, if anybody can think of some other adjective for Samuel here....

Samuel has been going strong on his acting career (of course he hasn't made a dime yet). Nothing holds him back. He is not afraid to go for the gusto in front of hundreds of people. Now if you ask him to sing for an intimate crowd at home he is all butterflies. What's up with that?? I suppose he just really loves the stage!

Yellowstone

We felt like we were on another planet when we visited Yellowstone. Absolutely fascinating. Can't wait to return. Anyone want to join us next time?

Rexburg, Idaho

Here we are in the Ricks Gardens at BYU-I. We met up with our Woodland friends, the Duque family. Larry teaches education at BYU-I. They have a great place on the hill. You can see the temple spire from their backyard. We had booked a hotel, but after much coaxing (on the Duques part) we stayed at their beautiful home. Larry took us on the grand tour of Rexburg. Wow, that's a lot of potatoes. We spent time with Rachel getting her settled, attending parent orientation, a Hawaiian luau and a day at Yellowstone.

One funny tidbit: On Saturday en route, we stopped in Idaho Falls to eat. We ate well and then obediently dug out our long pants. BYU-I has a dress standard! We went into the taco joint and changed into these long, hot leg coverings (finding these for the boys had been a real chore, since they only wear pants to church on Sundays). Anyway, when we reached the dorms we were startled to find most the folks dressed in shorts and flip flops. Hey! Read the rules people! Curtis, where did I put my capris?

Seventy-Six is My Lucky Number

Here is a little sampling of the posters plastered all over Woodland folks. Yes sssssir! No, I'm not a proud mama here, but I am a pick-a-little lady so the latest is cheep, cheep, cheep talk a lot pick a little more. The show starts on October 5th and most everybody in the Stapp family will be acting in this one. Having nail-bitting nerves about my Grecian Urn performance. And I hope I don't drop that book I will have balanced on my head! See ya all in Iowa!

Watch this 4 Fun!

http://erickerickson.org/blog/?p=4726

Room Makeover

Julia and I are doing a bedroom makeover. We are not finished obviously, but we sure made a statement with the color. Hope you like your room Rachel! We miss and love you! We will post the finished product soon!

Egg Head on Campus

When things get too serious it is time to go outside and loosen up. One of our favorite stomping grounds is the UCD arboratum. In this particular photo I believe I tried to kiss the egg head and he turned around and burped in my face. This is not the first time this has happened to me. Although it was a first rude gesture from the egg head.

I hope this blog helps the reader to loosen up and stop being so serious!

Something Meaningful!

I love being a Mormon. I know I am different and so does everybody else. The fact that a few non-Mormons judge me unfairly does not bother me a bit. They just haven't learned enough yet. I especially love the lessons I learn in the Book of Mormon. The Prophet asked us to read it a few years ago by the end of the year. I did and decided to do it again last year. Both times I finished on New Years Eve convinced of its truth. I'm now on my third year and feeling the great and wonderful spirit of this work! There seems to be some push to read the Old Testiment. I started it today. Don't count on me for finishing it by December 31st people!

Happy Boy Stuff! Samuel in the sand at Dillon.

Oooh! Aaah!

I feel so warm in this sand.

I could stay here all day.

Hey where are you all heading?

I have an itch on my nose...

(the dunes were such a nice refuge when the beach turned cold. And just steps away!)

Close
your
eyes
and
feel.

I love the beach. But don't kick sand on me or my blanket!

Dillon Beach with the family. Here is a little sneak peak of our hike down to the beach. Julia in the forground with her board, Harry Potter book and Switchfoot hat. Rachel with her nifty hiking boot pretending she is a gangster. Curtis, cool as ever. Alex with his size 10 flip flops (one of his dissapeared so we spent a fortune at the beach market). Samuel climbing on the monument of Sadaam Husein (jk, Mr. Dillon?). The beach waiting eagerly in the background.

Stream from Donner Lake

Exploring! I believe Alex prefers this to any other activity.

On our trip to Donner the boys spent most of their time shoeless. Their feet were so black! Thanks goodness for the lake and streams!

CAriSsa and MIchAeL

The marriage on July 6th was a high energy and happening wedding. Tons of bling on the ring and another thing: the cheesecake rocked!

Summer at Donner Lake

I love Summer.

The weather was hot.

The water was not.

I love summer.

(Can anybody tell me what kind of poem I just wrote?)

Haven't figured out how to make these pictures rotate yet. Stay tuned!

Back in time!

The gals dressed up in their vintage 50's clothes (actually made by our neighbor when she was young and hoppin')and went to the old theater in downtown Woodland (the parents wore 2007 attire). It was super keen! I think these two really did come out of the 50's!

This pioneer lady made it to the Salt Lake Valley with little energy to spare. She pushed and pulled! She moved along with a smile on her face, turning around after taking the wrong trail, pulling the handcart alone with the other women when the men left with the Mormon Battalion, and never giving up! She even sewed her own dress! She is amazing!

What will Julia do when Rachel leaves for College? I've been asking that question for a few months now. Hmmm. Should be interesting. Maybe she will be more independant, branching out, take wing and fly. Yeah, it will be a good change! Happy thoughts!

We grew one sunflower last year. Actually it grew itself. What pleasure it brought. It said hello friend to all who walked past.

OK, that last comment was a bit overboard. See how I slowly sucked you in with the cutie picture, then little sappy comments...Julia is pretty cute though! She says hello friend to all who walk past.

OLIVER! OLIVER!

Oliver and Sykes!

Yikes!

Three of the cast members from this years Woodland Opera House production of Oliver! Aren't they gorgeous?

Foot News!

The

foot

is

pink,

the

foot

may

stink!

(hey, it hasn't been washed for over two weeks)

FISH ANYONE?

Wow! Life is good when you can be in the company of somebody who loves to cook! Have you ever met a 16 year old with a habit of preparing a nice selection of fish into an awesome fish taco for breakfast! This teen cannot be satisfied with Corn Flakes. I bet you were wondering about that certain glow upon the facial skin. Yes it's the Fish!