Happy Birthday Dad!!

On November 30, 1949 the world was changed forever. David K. Croshaw, son of George Vernal and Arvilla Croshaw, the man voted "Most Fun to be With" in high school, marathon runner, podiatrist, woodworker, hole-digger, friend, bishop, dedicated home teacher, temple worker and most importantly father (and now grandfather) was born.

They say that as children grow, those who have highly involved fathers often do better in some areas of development than children who have less involved fathers. They tend to become better at solving problems and handling frustrations, more socially skilled, more understanding of others' feelings, and better at dealing with a variety of people. They also say that active fathering contributes to a child's sense of humor and eagerness to explore and learn. I think it's obvious from your many well-adjusted children, that you have fulfilled your role as an "active" father well. ;-)

None of us would be here without you, and we definitely wouldn't be the people we are without having had you in our lives! You are an amazing example of hard work and dedication to the important things in life. Your sense of humor and kindness to all has made you a favorite among the young men in the East Stake, among your growing number of sons & daughters-in-law and among your grandchildren. Your generosity has blessed all of our lives in more ways than one. Your unshakeable testimony of the gospel and true principles continues to inspire us, and is making each of us better for it. We love you very much, daddy (David), and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Thanksgiving

Dear Ones,
It is thanksgiving morning and grandpa and I were sitting here counting our blessings and all of you came to our mind. We truly have "blessings unmeasured." It rained heavily last evening and through the night and I always feel so bad when that happens. I think of our brothers and sisters in Mexico that live on the canal bank and have no windows and plastic for a roof. I know that they must have slept cold and damp. Then I think about how blessed we are and I thank my heavenly Father that I am warm when it is cold, I am cool when it is hot, I have food when I am hungry, I have clothing suitable for the seasons, and am aware that we truly have those things sufficient for our needs. And all of these blessings are quite overwhelming. We are grateful for our health, that grandpa is feeling OK, that he has pain pills to take when he needs them and when he contemplates the future, he talks about it with such serenity in his voice that I know all will be well. All is well in Yuma.
We love all of you more than you can every know and you are always in our prayers. Have a wonderful thanksgiving and enjoy each other.
All my love, always,
Gram

Mi Esposo Talentoso

I know I often brag about how good looking my husband is, but he's also become quite the talented designer/carpenter. I've tried to embed photos of his handiwork here, but if it doesn't work, you may have to go to this link.

I suggest magnifying the photos to get a better look at the furniture. It's really nice! I hope we're able to start importing to the States soon, so that you all can put in your orders. It's been so fun this last month seeing so many of you, and I can't wait for December to be able to see the rest.

Love you!

Tension Me

When Valerie was 3, she was with me at UVa and I was working with my collegue Maxillande (from Benin, totally awesome African girl whom I miss desperately, she is now at CalTech) and we were working in The Frog Room. Valerie was on the moveable stairs as Max and I worked and she kept saying "TENSION ME!" when she wanted our attention. I remember that so well. I wish I had it on video, it was so cute. Max and I and now Valerie will say "Tension Me!" when we are trying to be heard.

Anyway, Valerie is wanting you all to see her invention on her blog. It was quite the fun to come up with an invention, then to create it, but it came together well. Take a look at Rapunzel's Secret ;-)

Good to be from the West

I came across a pretty interesting article today. It's about Utah's low unempolyment rate and some reasons why it is so low. Idaho isn't too far behind, probably for some of the same reasons.

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12480476

More Punkin Chunkin

I don't know how many of you saw on my blog when I talked about my Punkin Chunkin adventure,  but I just discovered a clip of us on The Science Channel's website!

Click here to view!

We're about 1:00 into the clip with a big, bearded dude dressed like a Renaissance woman, saying, "Watch Punkin Chunkin on the Science Channel!"  You have to look close...but I'm to the left of bearded Renaissance woman dude, peeking out from behind him.  

Everyone should seriously watch it when they do the special on Thanksgiving.  I think it's on at 9pm, EST.  It's really a fascinating event.

Colby Got a Way-Past-Due-Haircut

Check out this mullet! He always looks so old after we cut his hair. He's such a cute boy!

Changes...

Dad will probably kill me for putting this photo in, but.... It is from a trip we took to Lake Powell many years ago with our Highland friends. Just wanted to let everyone know that Dad has been called to the University Second Stake high council. He has been assigned to the 6th ward, coincidentally the ward Scotty Christensen and his wife Stephanie belong to. Everyone keeps telling us how much we will love it. I am sure we will. Dan Hegsted is the guy who called to make our interview appointment. He was our kind of back yard neighbor when we lived up by Highland. Dad knows a number of people serving up there. Mike McHugh's wife, who was at the same meeting last night, or at least for part of it said, "yes, mike and tony go way back." hahaha Tony gets set apart on Sunday. We will start attending the ward that same day. As a result, I will be released in the next week or two. Sad, sad for me. I have loved this calling. We have so many incredible, spiritual women in our stake, and I have been privileged to meet a few of them. I will really miss our ward and the stake. But, I know it is the right thing. I have had some inspiration about the new Stake Relief Society Pres., so I know things are happening as they should. I will love it, I am sure. Anyway, the distinguished man in the photo will be working with ISU students now. One other bit of news, Eldon and Marcia have been called the the Eugene Oregon mission, and will report Jan 12. Mike and Dana will be moving into their home. Their home is for sale. I am not rereading this for errors, so if there are errors, correct them in your head. love you all. xoxoxo mom

A Really Cool Camo Cast

I took Jack to the orthopedic doctor yesterday morning. I have to make several trips to the car just to leave. I had to carry Jack and the diaper bag to the car, head back into the house, get Cole and the xrays. Remember, our garage is not attached to our house, its only about 29 degrees out, there is snow around and we have to use the side door that leads to the sidewalk because the grass is worn and muddy. Oh, and of course I have left 10 minutes later than I wanted to because I had to change Cole again because he really spit up all over his clothes. It was a struggle to say the least. We got to the office on a prayer. I hadn't been there before and had only glanced at the google map. I knew the area vaugely. I had to park away from the front door quite a ways and wondered how I would get in with an infant carseat and a sleeping child, xrays and my diaper bag. I am sure it was an interesting sight. We got in quickly, saw the student and then the doctor. He confirmed what we already knew and tried very hard to get on Jackson's good side. He was a bit too enthusiastic for Jack. The hard part came when he had to get a full leg cast on. I had to hold Jack's body, the student held his right leg and the doctor and the casting guy put the cast on as fast as they could. Jack fought the whole way through and just into is Cole started crying. I then had to hold Jack's leg and upper body while the student held Cole. After the cast was complete we tried to get Jack to ride in a wheel chair and he would have nothing to do with that. The student then had to carry Cole out for me while I carried Jack, pantless and it was only about 30 degrees out. The cold didn't bother him at all.

Overall he has been a great sport about it all, walking around, just slower, much to my liking. He sits in the stroller and we have to carry him to and from the car. I was completely exhausted by the time we got home. I did get a nap but by 7pm I was wasted again. It didn't help that Colin had to be on call last night.

He's gone and done it!

At just 2 1/2 years old my extreme child has his first fracture. Today, about 4:30pm, Jack decided to stand on the arm rest of our desk chair and jump off. The chair fell over and when I ran into the room he was laying on the floor with the chair on his leg. I could tell he was very hurt by his cry and by the way he held on to me. Normally he cries and then is off and running again. I calmed him down and tried to get him to walk on it but he wouldn't. I called Colin and he was about 1/2 hour away from home. I knew in my gut that it was probably pretty bad, Jack just never complains about being hurt. I made an appointment with my pediatrician but when Colin got home we decided to just go strait to the ER. I guess they took an xray of his foot and found nothing so they xrayed his leg. Colin said it is a buckle or torus fracture on his fibula almost to his knee. I just said to my sister yesterday, "I can't believe he hasn't broken his neck." Well thankfully it is only an incomplete fracture. Colin is not yet home from the ER so I will post pictures of Jack later. I guesss they put a hard splint on it tonight and I have to call the orthopedic tomorrow to get it cast Meanwhile, here is a picture of the chair. The armrest is about 30 inches from the ground.