SANTA CLAUSE IS COMING TO TOWN

We ventured out last night in the weird sleety weather to visit Jolly St. Nick. The kids were so excited, including Tyler. We went at the perfect time 5pm and there were about 3 families in line ahead of us. The kids were able to talk to Santa each by themselves and then we took a group shot! Santa was great with the kids. He even told Seth and McKee (who asked for pricey gifts) that alot of children were asking for that this year so he couldn't make them any promises. That got my thumbs up!
The kids were anxiously waiting in line and spotted him through all of the pretty decorations.

We followed that fun event with going to Bama and Bampa Simmons' house to get some fun Christmas photos. It was the least painful experience we've had yet with pictures with the kids! I'm not going to post those yet though because one of those is going on our Christmas card. Enjoy the cuteness that is my children!

I have been totally lazy and I'm ok with that!

Well, I just finally emptied my camera of hundreds of pictures dating back to October and I'm sure before that. That's the problem with having a camera card that holds so many photos. I will be sorting them and posting a little bit later. I have such cute kids and am so grateful for them and my husband and want to share and document some great moments we've had lately!

Big Boy Bed

Tyler spent the night last night...well...let's let him tell you.

He called it his bunk bed. But it was his crib mattress on the floor next to Brooke's bed. (We have to paint Seth's room before we move him into there into the real big boy bed.)

Tyler has been climbing out of his crib. I realize he's really too big to be in a crib anyway, and all of the other kids were out by now. BUT it has been nice to not have to fight with him during nap times and bed time! Here are some pics of him. This is how I found him this morning!

I got him to climb back in bed and pretend he was sleeping! He's a good sport to humor me!

And here he is so excited about his "bunk" bed.

W7QPF

Lillian Margaret Christensen

Lillian Margaret Christensen Hatch

1920 ~ 2009

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully due to causes incident to age on October 14, 2009. She was preceded in death by her husband Noal, who passed away in June, 2005.

Lillian was born December 11, 1920, to Danish immigrants Marinus (Max) and Anna M. Christensen in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. She was raised in a home learning both English and Danish fluently, and always loved speaking Danish to those who could understand. She married Noal King Hatch on November 5, 1943, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. At the time of their marriage she was taking pilot lessons and had soloed with the intent to help in the Women's Air Corp during World War II, but Noal's work in the war effort took them to San Francisco before she could receive her license.

She was the first woman in Utah Valley to receive her amateur radio license, call sign W7QPF.

Because of her outgoing cheerful personality, she was able to make friends wherever she was. Her Danish hospitality was always apparent, and in any visit with her and Noal she offered treats or gifts.

She was always active in the LDS church and served in many callings, but her favorite was always in music. She led the Provo 3rd Ward choir for over twenty years during which time they recorded a choral album. She sang soprano in "The Accents" quartet, and performed in the Madsen Memorial Choir. She had hundreds of songs memorized, and if any topic were named, she could immediately sing a song about it.

From the 1960s to the '80s she helped Noal in his work as a television news correspondent for Channel 4 news, including filming and writing many news stories. She was active in the Women's Council of Provo in which she also served as president.

In retirement, she and Noal served as Temple Workers in the Provo Temple. She was steady and sure in her love of God and testimony of the Gospel. She was a great example of charitable service and love to all. She cherished friendships with many people, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved her and enjoyed visiting with her.

She is survived by five children, Ron (Genie) of Orem; Roger (Sylvia) of Lehi; Rebecca Simmons (Rulon) of Rochester, New York; Robert (Janeal) of Sandy; and Rosemary Millet (DeLayne) of Goodyear, Arizona; 25 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.

The family expresses appreciation to the many healthcare workers who have assisted in her care.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Provo. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo on Friday evening from 6-8pm or on Saturday one hour prior to services. Interment Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com.

Happy Anniversary

8 wonderful years!

Laziness...

I'll admit it, I've been too lazy to post anything. We've been busy enjoying our summer and I've taken lots of pictures of the kids at the playground, the spray-park and soccer games. I've just been too lazy to post them here. We are going to our family reunion picnic this weekend and I'll be taking pictures there too. My plan is to post some of those when I get back. We'll see I guess! :)

What They Found

The old adage "when it rains it pours" can be so true at some point in everyone's lives. Apparently it's my turn! I went to the dermatologist on June 3rd for a biopsy of a suspicious looking mole on my back. He removed it and I've been anxiously waiting for the results, trying to not to get freaked out...(I may have a tendency to assume I have cancer most of the time, no matter what the test is I'm going for.) Well, I got the letter in the mail I've been waiting for and the mole was a dysplastic nevi. What does that mean? It's benign but may become cancerous, so I have to go in for a check up in 4-6 months. Here is my "new" lifestyle awareness plan as found on the Skin Cancer Foundation website.

Dysplastic Nevi Prevention Guidelines
Anyone who has an increased risk of developing melanoma must be particularly vigilant. Do any of these risk factors apply to you: light eyes, hair, and/or skin; freckles; many moles; personal or family history of melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer; sun sensitivity; inability to tan; repeated and intermittent sunburns; a very large mole present at birth, or dysplastic nevi?

The best advice is “Know your skin.” Each family member should become aware of all moles on his/her total skin surface to minimize the risk of melanoma progressing to life-threatening stages.

Anyone, especially someone with an increased risk of developing melanoma, should:

* Examine the skin completely each month, using a good light source (to illuminate the areas being examined), a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. Ask a family member or friend to help in examining hard-to-see parts of the body. A hair dryer is useful when checking the scalp. Also, examine the bottom of the feet and between the toes.
* Seek prompt medical attention if any of the warning signs of melanoma described earlier are found.
* Have a head-to-toe skin examination by a physician annually or more often. If moles are changing, as they may during adolescence, they should be checked at more frequent intervals. Inform your doctor about any moles that have suspicious signs, symptoms, or changes.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DYSPLASTIC NEVI

If your doctor suspects dysplastic nevi, one or more moles may be biopsied — removed in a minor surgical procedure for microscopic examination. It is not necessary to remove all dysplastic nevi. However, if moles show significant change or signs of melanoma, or if new moles appear after age 40, they may be considered for removal by your physician.

When the diagnosis of dysplastic nevus is confirmed microscopically, it is advisable to:

* write down a complete family history of unusual moles, melanomas or other cancers. Discuss it with your doctor.
* have regular complete skin examinations at intervals suggested by your doctor, and advise family members to do the same.
* supplement regular medical checkups with monthly selfexamination of the skin.
* reduce sun exposure. Excessive exposure may stimulate formation of new moles or even cause melanomas.
* check with your doctor about having a set of full-body photographs taken, especially if family members have dysplastic nevi or melanoma and/or you have many moles. Changes can be more easily spotted in this way.
* have any unusual or changing skin growth examined promptly by your doctor.
* check with your physician to see if an eye examination is recommended, since moles and melanomas may also arise in the eyes.
* be concerned, but don’t worry excessively.

With regular self-examination, professional examination, and common sense, you greatly reduce your chances that a melanoma will grow to a threatening size before it can be detected and removed.
PREVENTING SKIN CANCER

While skin cancers are almost always curable when detected and treated early, the surest line of defense is to prevent them in the first place. Here are some sun safety habits that should be part of everyone’s daily health care:

* Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
* Do not burn.
* Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
* Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
* Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
* Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
* Avoid tanning parlors and tanning devices.
* Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
* See your doctor every year for a professional skin exam.