Back to Virginia

After Mom's funeral here in Utah my siblings and I headed back to Virginia to do a memorial service for her and to go through some of her things. Mom's service was very nice (we gave the same talks we gave at the funeral). The thing that was different about it was the people there. The majority of the people have no idea what Mormons believe. I heard from Dad that there were many people who came up to him afterwards to tell him how peaceful and uplifting it was. There were even people who were interested in hearing a little bit more about what we believe in. I don't know what will come from those experiences, but at least they have a small understanding or respect for us and what we believe.

After the service we had the task of going through a few things. On the top of that list was her Christmas decorations. Lets just say Christmas was Mom's holiday, she would decorate to the MAX! We counted over 20 Christmas trees, with five of them belong over 7 feet tall! Plus all the boxes of decorations, and ornaments. Then there were her crafts… Mom LOVED to craft! Her craft supplies were never ending. Things from fabrics, to paints, to beads, and everything in between. Of course she was the most crafty person I know!
After a few days of not leaving the house we decided a little field trip was in order. So we drove up to Washington D.C. to see a few sights.
Here is the Washington Monument all covered in scaffolding while they work on securing it after the earthquake.

Dad and his camera

Utah at the World War II memorial

Main fountain at the WWII memorial

Vietnam Memorial

Had to take a picture of Italy at the Vietnam Memorial for Pug

Here I am at the top of the steps at the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.

Lincoln Memorial

Somehow these last few pictures got out of order… Oh well. Here I am at the Steak and Shake. YUMMY!

Back to Washington D.C. at the Air and Space museum at the Smithsonian.

My Yummy food from Steak and Shake

Heather, BJ and I at the Lincoln Memorial.

As hard as it is to loose my Mom, I know that I will see and be with her again someday. And without my amazing family I would not have been able to get through as well as I have.

Happy Birthday Abby!!!

My baby turned 7 on September 8th! I can't believe how fast time flies by! This year was a little bit different for her. I left to go out of town to Virginia for two week to participate in my Mother's memorial service and to help go through her things, so on Friday we celebrated her birthday. She got her new clothes and a new bike. Then she said she wanted to go to Olive Garden to eat dinner. Then after I left Pug took Abby, Kenzie, Cameron and Abby's friend Brynlee swimming. The following Sunday was her actual birthday. I couldn't have asked for a funnier kid! She loves to make people laugh, and has the amazing gift of being able to laugh at herself. Her natural talent at gymnastics just blows my mind. I am so glad that she is a part of our family. I love you "Little Lou!"

Cynthia Skeen McCullough

On the morning of August 25th 2013 my beautiful and amazing mother was called to serve a mission on the other side of the veil. I miss her more than words can say, but I have had so many amazing experiences that I know it was my mom's time to go. I don't know why and probably never will know while here on earth, but I know Mom lives on. I know she working hard teaching people about our Savior. I also know that she will never be far. She will be there when I need her, and she will help me in ways I will not know until I am with her again. Hopefully someday I will be able to blog more about her. Right now, it is still too hard. I love you and miss you Mom!

Cynthia Skeen McCullough
10-02-1957 to 08-25-2013

First Day of School 2013!

School started on the 19th for McKenzie and the 20th for Abby and Cameron. Because McKenzie is now in middle school, they had the 7th graders start one day before all the others so they could find all their classes, learn how to open their lockers, and just figure out how this all works before the 8th and 9th graders got there. Cameron started 5th grade and is in the A.L.L. program (the accelerated learning lab class) this has been a huge help for Cameron. He is no longer bored at school! Abby is now in 1st grade. School all day, lunch at school! She was thrilled to finally eat lunch at school!
I am so proud of my kids! They are all just so smart it kind of scares me!! Here is to another amazing year of learning and having fun!

A little town called OPHIR!

If you drive west of my house for about 40 minutes you will come upon a turnoff to a little mining town called Ophir. And if you drive up that turnoff to the cute little mining town of Ophir you will find old mining stuff everywhere! Old shanteys, mining carts, buildings. It is really neat! The kids had a great time exploring the "ghost town" and seeing all the stuff there is to see. And if you drive through that cute town you come into a beautiful wooded area. Perfect for camping or just having a fun time with friends, roasting hotdogs and swinging in a tree. Thanks for the invite Robinson's and Johnson's. It was a blast!!

Soccer!

This year Cameron's soccer team (Utah Surf) played in two tournaments. They played hard and had to fight for each win, but they ended up taking second place in both tournaments. I am so proud of Cameron and Jeff for all the hard work, time and dedication they both put in to make this team a success. (And just so you know, I don't count a winning team as a necessarily successful team!) Way to go SURF!

Battle Creek Falls

Because our summers are filled with cheer, soccer, and gymnastics, there are very few opportunities to go on vacations or do anything fun. We decided that we needed to get out and do something fun. So, Pug canceled soccer practice for a Saturday morning and we headed up to a neat little place and hike called Battle Creek Falls. It was a nice short, easy hike to some great looking waterfalls. On the way back home the kids had asked about how it got the name Battle Creek Falls. So I looked it up on google on my phone and found out that was the sight of the first battle the pioneers had with the indians. The pioneers had guns and won the battle, but not without significant loss of life to the indians. A sad bit of history at a beautiful place. This is somewhere I think we will need to go again!