1994 Sun Valley

Jan 1, 1994 

A most special New Years Day with the baptism of Aaron :)

Mom and Dad Klingler came over for the baptism and except for the water being very cold in the font, all went well.  Aaron is growing up so fast and continues to be a great joy in my life.  He has a special, sensitive, thoughtful spirit.  He LOVES to draw, draw, draw.  He once was frustrated because he said he had so many pictures in his head that he couldn't find time to draw them all before he forgets them.

Jennifer had a basketball game in Challis.  They had to go through Arco to avoid Galina summit so the trip took a very long time.  She didn't get back into town until 3:30am. She only got 2 hours of sleep because of seminary the next morning.  Then it was YW and homework until late.  At 11:40 pm she was kidnapped by the YW for a slumber party.  I picked her up at 6am - (so another 2 hour night) because she needed to be in Hailey at 7am for orchestra rehearsal.  She was so completely exhausted I didn't even wake her up for church the next morning.  I taught RS and then came home and got her.   (Jen had basketball every morning through the Christmas break so she hasn't had much rest.)

Jennifer's concert was great and we went out for ice-cream after.  Tami and Katie  came over for it.  She also had a home game and it was fun because Sharilyn was in the pep band.  One of Jen's ball games they won in overtime by 3 points!  

Jen and Shar are practicing for Solo & Ensemble coming up.  Beautiful sounds!

Sharilyn won 2nd place in the science fair and got a superior rating and she did this all on her own! Emily got A+ on her social studies test! Aaron got 100% on his spelling test! Andrea took scissors to her hair.  Andrew built a dog house out of blankets and chairs.

California had such a big earthquake this month that it caused power outages here in Idaho!  Ours flickered off just long enough to have to reset the clocks.

Chris, Emily and Aaron are in the ski program every Wednesday on Bald Mt.  Emily's snowsuit has a hole in the rear, knee and shoulder.  She's only wears it on ski days.  I turned it inside out and & saw that the lining is in great shape - no holes so I cut off the tag, removed the zipper and turned it around and it looks like a perfectly good snowsuit!  It should get her through this season.   Aaron is in Chris's group! :)

Andrew blessed the food thus: "We are going to eat dinner and we can't go to Grandmas and we can't go to Heaven yet because it isn't our turn."  The twins are in such a fun age.  I have been thoroughly enjoying them.  They play house together and say such fun things.  Andrea bundled up her dolly and took her for a ride outside in a sled ha ha!

In a family prayer a couple weeks ago Andrew blessed Joseph Smith.  I was so surprised and I didn't know he even knew that name.  Last night we went to a missionary fireside in Hailey and a lady mentioned Joseph /smith and Andrew's eyes lit up and he ran over and loudly whispered to us "She said Joseph Smith!"  I wonder if still remembers Joseph!  Is the veil still thin?

I put a dress on Andrea and she said "Oh, this looks cute on me!  I'm going to show Jesus when he comes."  Then Andrew started singing "Jesus is coming to town" to the tune of "Santa Claus is coming to town" ha ha

Andrea saw a picture of Jesus & said "Oh there's Jesus.  He is my very best friend.  His is so so so nice.  I love Jesus.  He loves me too.  He is so so nice!"

Andrew was doing good in his big boy pants all the day long!  Later he disappeared.  I called "Andrew, where are you?"  I saw bread on the kitchen floor, then the door to the bread cupboard sprung open and there sat Andrew with a big grin on his face "I in here!" :)  It was then that I saw a puddle begin to drip off the edge of the cupboard.  Yes, indeed, he used it as a bathroom.

I have 3 weeks of RS lessons that I need substitutes for.

Feb

Jennifer is Sweet 16!!!

Grandma Clarke came over for Jen's birthday.  We sent Jen on a scavenger hunt that led her to her viola which is now all hers! (instead of renting) She cried with surprise and was so thrilled! She said that her "viola is part of her and her best friend and they share feelings together and it was hard thinking that it wasn't really hers."  Cody from Dietrich called her on her birthday and asked her on a date!  The next day a boy named JW asked her on a date!  I'm not sure I'm ready for this.  We've entered a whole new phase of parenthood and I'm open to some good advise.

 

This month we enjoyed Emily's poetry recital.  She did so great! It was a really cute piece called "I Lost My Homework in Hawaii".

Sharilyn got 4.0 for her semester grade!  So proud of her!  

Andrea has imaginary pets.  She keeps coming up to us with little cupped hands for us to pet her pretend gerbil.  One time Andrew pretended to take it from her and she cried and cried because Andrew took her gerbil.  She ran and told me in tears and I got it back.  ha ha.  One thing nice about invisible friends is they are sure easy to find when they get lost.  She lost her gerbil at the dentist office also and Emily pretended to find and catch it for her.  They love to hold the real gerbils so I don't know why she has an imaginary one.  In the bathtub she scoops up a handful of bubbles and pretends it's her pet gerbil. :D

I did an emergency preparedness for homemaking meeting in which I showed some Teton dam flood slides and played the radio recording from it.  We talked about several of the miracles and blessings that happened during that time.  The Lord truly loves us all and blesses those who have done their best to obey. 

We sent the kids on a scavenger hunt with riddles that they had to solve to get the next clue.  The surprise was that we are taking them to Disneyland for Spring break! 

It's been a busy month of babysitting, field trips, activities, many meetings, Mom and Dad coming to visit and the septic tank backing up while they were here.  Oh my! Also we went to Provo so Chris could do interviews.  He's going to make an offer to Thad Thomas.  While there we went to dinner with Paula and Rock.

 Jennifer went on a date with Cody.  I really like him but she likes Ryan Dillworth better and has asked Ryan to Jr. Prom.  (she can ask him bc he is in a different school.

March

Happy Birthday Sharilyn!

Sharilyn had 7 friends over for a slumber party.  I made a million pizza cups for dinner and they were a hit.  Chris and Aaron were gone on a scout overnighter.  (They got to see her open her presents before they left.)

We went to John & Marla's mission farewell (to Sweden or Finland).  It was just  wonderful. Uncle John speaks so many languages...Finnish, German, French, Russian, Japanese, Estonian...

We got to take care of Emily's class rats for a week.  Andrea adores them and cried as we were returning them to school saying "but I love them, I love them." 

Jen had track meet, speech festival and drivers ed.  Shar had babysitting jobs, an outing to the movies with friends and I got a very nice call from Emily and also Aaron's teachers.  They told me what great students and individuals they are and that I didn't need to come in for Parent Teacher Conference.

Chris and I got to officiate in a session at the Boise Temple and Jen and Shar did baptisms for the dead.  The twins were so excited to go to the temple.  Andrew kept saying he wanted to go find Jesus and Moroni.  I told him that Jesus came there but it wasn't our turn to see him yet.  While they were in the waiting room sitting quietly with Sharilyn,  Andrea asked her if we were up in Heaven.

I've taught RS, Gospel Doctrine and primary.  I sure do a lot of teaching for not being a teacher. We have begun boxing things up in preparation for the addition we're putting on our home.  It all begins the week we return from CA.  We just seem to Run Run Pant Pant Phew!  But we are happy, healthy and terrific.  I love the Lord and through His light and strength we can overcome all troubles and remember to look for the good and praiseworthy in all things when we get discouraged.

I'm excited because the Hailey 2nd ward is singing a couple songs that I wrote.  The choir director heard them sung in our ward and asked me for a copy! Wish I could go hear them.  (A Light for All Mankind and You Can Count on Me) I also gave her my new song "Seed of Abraham".

April

See next page for our Spring break in California. (where Em & I had our birthday)

My 39th and ...

Emily's 10th Birthday, Blue Sea Lodge, San Diego CA

    The twins were busy while I was busy.  Andrew poured 1/3 gallon of milk into the bowl of green salad that I had made for dinner.  Then I saw our 1/2 jar of Tang filled with water.  Andrea told me she did it.  Andrew asked me for a cup of milk.  A few minutes later he came back for more.  I smelled something funny and found he had been spitting the milk into the heater unit in the laundry room.  I had to take it apart to clean it out.  He then went to the sink and filled a bag of chips with water.                             

                                Play days with Toby and Cole Citrit

 Andrea keeps finding moths that “don’t work”.  She picked one up and it fluttered its wings & she got all excited and exclaimed “Oh!  This one is still working!”

Andrew looked out and said “It’s winding outside!” 

Andrea was crying and sad and said through tears “I want Jesus, I want Jesus.”  Andrew said “Jesus in heaven.”  Then she and Andrew both said to me “I want to go to heaven mom, can we go to heaven.” (Holy cow! This is so intriguing to me! Ya, I wish we could just pop over there and then come back!)

May

May 2, 1994  Andrew told us about Jesus “who died on a cross way up high but he is alive again and I have a bandaid to give him for his owee when he comes.”  Oh my goodness this so touched my heart. Such sweet sincerity. Wouldn’t that be a most tender scene to watch this little Andrew putting a bandaid on the scar on Jesus foot. 

                Our major remodel project began.

Before and

after demolition

 When we got home from CA (see next page) we were surprised to see the remodel had begun on our home.  Seeing the roof gone over the family room really scared poor Andrea.  She cried and cried because "someone had broken our house".  She was really scared of the workers too.  I felt so bad for her and wish we had prepared her better for this.    

I picked up the mail and was going thru it.  Andrew asked me what all of it was and I answered “Oh just bills.”  He said “But what are they”   “Just bills, Andrew.  They are bills we have to pay.”  “But are they grandpas?”  “No, they are ours.”  “But grandpa is Bill”.  Ha ha ha

Cody came to see Jennifer and brought her a rose.  (He will leave on a mission to Okinawa Japan next month.)

Chris performed a wedding at the Sun Valley duck pond Saturday.

Jennifer was inducted into the National Honor Society.  Jen had track meet in Carey.  She'll miss 2 days of drivers Ed bc of districts.  

Neighbor cat, Charlee

Got Sharilyn registered for High School! She is working 3 days a week after school at Sawtooth Software and has 2 ladies wanting her to babysit this summer.  As a Jr Honor Society Member, Shar helped with 6th grade orientation into Middle School. She also had a band concert this week.

Road shows are this weekend and the girls have practice Tues and Weds.  I still have costumes to put together.  Chris is practicing some great funny songs we wrote for it. We sat outside on the deck and all worked together.  The kids loved helping. 

Aaron was in the Tortoise & the Hare play at school. (looking for the photo)  Next week is his poetry recital and pack meeting where he will receive his Bobcat award. 

Even though we're in a construction mess we had 16 people crammed in the kitchen one Sunday for dinner. We had Kunz family and 3 visitors in town; someone from our branch who served mission in Yugoslavia and 2 of his missionary companions. They all needed a place to go.  I learned that even though you're not in a state for guests, things come up and you do it anyway.  We had planned to eat on the deck but it rained.

 

I went to a baby shower and when I got home the twins had emptied the pantry shelves and spilled powdered Jello all over the floor.  They tried to clean it up with a dripping wet wash cloth, which by the time I saw it was glued to the sticky grainy mess.

Ah...maybe all these things are a last fling before they have to start acting like 3 year olds.

Our prophet, Pres. Benson passed away on Memorial day.  I like to think of the rejoicing as he joined his wife and met the Savior having lived true to his Earthly mission.  Sure hope I'll have lived true and repented as needed.

June

I went with Aaron to cub scout meeting (mom's were invited) and when we got home Andrew had tried to flush a whole roll of toilet paper down the toilet and it clogged and the floor was all flooded.  

*** There was also a very cute scene in the bathroom.  Andrea scraped her finger and was begging me to get her a bandaid.  I told her she would have to wait a couple minutes and so Andrew said "I'll help you Andrewa".  He ran in and climbed up the shelves and got her a bandaid.  After awhile I went in to see how things were going and found he had gotten the bandaid out of the wrapper and peeled off the tabs and was trying so hard to get it round her finger, but it kept sticking to him.  It was so cute watching him try so hard.  He'd pull it off his hand and then it would be stuck on his other hand.  He'd get half of it on Andrea and the other half would still be stuck to his finger. 

So cute.  Andrew sings and sings "How much is that doggie in the window, I do hope that doggie has a tail." and "Frosty the snowman, was a giant happy snow."

Dad got so much done on our home remodel.  We're so grateful they came and helped.  Everything is such a big mess. President Chandler gave us a toilet and vanity for the bathroom.  Some rich person redecorated and told him to give the old away even though it's a new house!  (Their decorator thought they needed a different one).

Jennifer got a summer job at a day care. She looked everywhere for work that didn't require Sundays and just couldn't face the SV laundry again.  

Aaron went to cub day camp and was so excited to come home with a t-shirt.  He is so completely enthusiastic about cub scouts.  He's always wanting me to help him on his arrow points and that is fun.

The twins were squabbling about something during sacrament meeting and I was struggling to keep them quiet.  I whispered into Andrea's ear to please be a peace maker and she shouted loudly - I'm sure everyone heard "I Don't Want To Be a Peacemaker!!"  They are both so cute and fun.  There are times though ha ha...like when they were playing with my contact lenses and when they were sticking our postage stamps all over the bathroom door.

I got a new calling as Institute teacher for Ketchum /Sun Valley /Hailey.  I'll go to Twin Falls soon for training.  Oh dear, I will certainly need the Lord's help and presence.

July

4th of July Parade in Hailey ID

Sharilyn with the Wood River Band

I took Jen & Shar to Rexburg.  (Chris couldn't get away) They along with Dannah and Katie are staying with Mom Clarke for a few days.  Jen & Dannah were going for basketball camp and so Mom invited Shar and Katie to come as well so they can have fun together.  So nice of her!

While in Rexburg I visited my grandma Klingler.  She didn't look at all good. I'm glad I got to visit her though because the day after I returned home from Rexburg I got a call that she had died.

My Grandma Klingler passed away on the 17th.  I used to hang out at their house quite often during my college days because my cousins (Lyle, LaRay and LeAnn) were there.  We loved to get silly and laugh and Grandma would laugh right along with us and her eyes would sparkle with laughter tears. 

Mom & Dad at Grandma's Klingler's funeral.
I love to think of the reunion she is having with loved ones
especially her mother who died when Grandma was only 16 days old.

While in Rexburg for the funeral Paula & I went up to the hospital to visit Laurel who had just delivered (8 month along) a stillborn baby girl. So heartbreaking.  Also that day Paula's father-in-law had a heart attack and was having triple bypass surgery.

When Laurel was pregnant Mom Clarke told us they were going to name the baby Desdemona.  When Laurel went to the doctor and they discovered the baby had died, I told the news to the kids and Emily said "She probably heard what they were going to name her and she had a heart attack!"   Ha ha, only Emily can make you really laugh even if something is sad.  (By the way, they named her Darcy.)

Klingler's house

Jennifer can't stop juggling!

Clarke's front porch

Family photo on Clarkes stairs

 Sister Elaine Jack (Gen RS Pres) was in church as well as Elder Archibald of 1st Quorum of 70.  The next day Pres. Chandler and his nephew came over for a home evening project to help us put up wall board.  I worked hard all day (in fact all week) trying to be ready for this.  The kids all helped so much too!  We all itch and are exhausted and my voice is hoarse from insulation.  Anyway it was so cool because we were all there working hard Monday evening when Elder Archibald appeared at the front door!  He said "I'm a warm body ready to work."  What a crew!  We were so grateful for their help.  I told Elder A that I hoped that next time he's here we can have him come over for dinner and relax on his vacation.

I did some flute tutoring with students in the SV Youth Orchestra.

Ralph Harris is a famous local painter who is well known all across the country and even has a painting hanging in the Pentagon!  He phoned me and asked if he could photograph Andrew and put him in his painting for the Wagon Days poster!  (He's not a member but I visit teach his wife who is.) Anyway, I was so excited!  I got Andrew dressed in overalls with red shirt and straw hat .  Ralph had him carry a shovel and pick.  At first Andrew was bashful so I asked Jen and Shar if they thought they could lift the heavy shovel etc. and made a game out of it. It worked!  The painting was all finished except for the spot he left for Andrew!  It was a most magnificent painting!!

  

Andrew in Ralph Harris's Wagon Days Poster!

AUGUST

Sun Valley Youth Orchestra,
Sun Valley Music Festival
Jen & Shar each had a solo part!

This orchestra is just wonderful.  They go once a week and during the week they are practicing beautiful music together! :)

Went to Provo for a most amazing Book of Mormon Symposium.  I was so grateful Chris could come too.  Three days, 4 meals, edifying instruction and all at no cost for CES & spouse! (I teach institute)  Jen & Shar stayed behind because of girls camp.  The four younger kids we took to Rexburg.  They had great fun.  Mom C took them to Ricks College gardens and to the Rexburg carousel in the park and to the delight of Andrew, a car wash!  My mom took them to the zoo in IF and then swimming at my brother Dave's. 

REXBURG

Well the "before school starts" rush is on.  Jen and Shar have 2 going away parties for friends.  Shar went to a birthday party and the twins went to a birthday party.  Shar has volley ball practice every evening in Hailey and Jen has cross country each evening in Hailey.  Next week Shar has band practice after volley ball on tues & thurs and is playing at a football game on Fri and in Wagon Days parade on Sat and Bellevue parade on Mon.  Then school starts tues.

SEPTEMBER

Chris's 40th Birthday

I gave him a party with friends

Mom C. came for Chris's birthday.  We went to the office at noon for pizza and I brought a big salad.  I did a surprise party for him at the church.  I set it up earlier with banner, two cakes and black balloons that said "40" and "over the hill".  I wrapped up little things in foil and tucked into the cake before frosting it.  Things like "sing happy birthday omitting every other work." or "give a 1 minute speech on anything you want." etc.  Afterward we came home and had dinner.  I made ham spread and rolls, green salad and corn on the cob.  Birches came over too so we had another big gathering in the kitchen.

enjoying the sun on the back deck

While Gma Clarke was visiting she watched the kids while Chris & I went to institute.  The twins wanted her to sing a song.  They LOVE to sing and we sing all day in the house or in the car.  She started singing “Skeeters” and Andrew said “You Can’t Sing That Song.  That’s My Dads Song!”  ha ha  After we got home he gathered up money out of the lunch money bank and said he was saving it for when we go to Rexburg so we can go to the car wash!

Andrea got mad at Andrew and yelled “You can’t go on a mission or Boy Scouts when you get bigger!”

Jennifer Junior Year

Sharilyn 9th Grade

 

Emily 5th Grade

Aaron 3rd Grade

This year the school let us bring our younger kids on  photo day.

I was excited to have Andrea and Andrew get a school photo even though they aren't in school yet.

 

We finally finished wall boarding!  The house is all painted except the tall peaks that I'm too scared to climb the ladder that high so Chris is going to work on that but I'm scared of him up there too.  Our family room floor got ruined by rain so we are working on replacing that.  We are so indebted to the Chandlers. 

October

I scowled at one of the kids, with wrinkled eyebrows.  Andrea touched me between the eyebrows and asked me what I was doing with them.  Later I came in from teaching institute and they were so happy to see me.  Andrea climbed on my lap, said she loved me and was very happy.  I then made the scowly face at Em who was starting her math homework way too late at night and Andrea said “Mom, let’s not do that with our eyebrows.  Let’s be happy.”

Jennifer was elected United Student Organization (USO) President.

Jen & Shar performed in a couple SV orchestra Halloween Concerts. They also got to have a music lesson from a Russian quartet in town. 

Getting ready for Halloween!

Jennifer

Sharilyn and Emily

For Halloween Andrea was a ballerina.  Andrew kept saying "Andrewa is a Halloweena!" ha ha!

I wiped Andrea's nose and she said "Good catch Mom!"

I found Andrew asleep in bed with a toilet plunger!

  I was rocking the twins in the big rocking chair and Andrea asked me “What would happen if somebody ate a TV?”  I said “No one can eat a TV, it’s too hard”.  Andrew said “Well you could cook it until it was all smooshy.”  I laughed and said “No, it’s too big.”  He said “You could get a big square pan!”

 November

Andrea asked me where Heavenly Father was and I told her "Heaven."  She said she wanted to go to Heaven and see Heavenly Father.

We were driving in the car and Andrea was telling me how she could sing songs and wash windows and she was getting bigger.  She said "I looked in the mirror at myself and I was higher than my eyebrows!

Andrew told me again that he helped Jesus build the mountains and the trees. 

Andrea ran in all alarmed "I was just sitting on the rug looking at my picture when my skirt started to lightning! What was that mommy?"

Nov 14 Andrew bore his testimony again.  So cute!  He says "testimony" and "Jesus Christ" and "family" and lots of mumbles in between and "Amen."  Also - Sunday the twins were walking together into the chapel and Br. Stoddard looked at them and said "Hi Kids!"  Andrew looked up at him and said quite seriously "We is babes!"  ha ha  I seem to always refer to them as babes!  Like when I get home from somewhere they run to me so happy and I give them a big hug and say "Hi Babes!"

Chris went on a business trip to Chicago.

We were very surprised to have the Church News show up
and do a story on our branch!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at a cabin in Swan Valley (Pine Basin Lodge).  ALL of the Klingler family, except Steve on his mission, were there!  35 of us!  Plenty of room and lots of fun, talking, laughing, eating, singing, testimonies, sledding etc. 

December

1st Presidency Christmas devotional was on and Andrew saw the tabernacle choir sitting there and got all excited and said “There’s the tabernacle & halleluiah!”  Andrea said “No, it’s hoolaria.  Not Halleluiah, hoolaria!”

We got to take care of Emily’s class pets (2 rats) over a weekend again.  They were really cute and the twins went crazy over them.  Now even more than a week later, Andrea still talks of them and looks for pictures of rats in books and blesses them in almost every prayer.  Last night she said the blessing on food and said “Bless the food and bless the rats and bless McDonalds.”

We were riding in the car on a sunny day and Andrea said the sun was “splashing” in her eyes. 

This is the month of parties and people who are too busy to go to the parties. There are basketball games, pep band, orchestra concerts, school & ward Christmas programs. Aaron went to a birthday party. I went to cub scouts ha ha...made royal frosting and helped at the cub scout activity with Aaron, making gingerbread houses. We still have so much to do with the house...two heaters, 7 lights, light switches, plugs, doors, telephone, fireplace, bathroom, window seals. It's easy to forget what's so important...to read and play and rock the babes. They are little for so little. Time takes away childhood too quickly I've discovered. I love seeing the kids grow up but miss them little.

We went to the Bountiful temple open house with Mom & Dad, Mike and Kev and Mom Clarke, Paula and her family.  Visited Gpa Tronier.  Stayed in a Marriott and were surprised to find Pooleys were just down the hall from us! We also got to see Legacy at Temple Square and the beautiful Christmas lights. We loved attending a Tabernacle Choir broadcast. 

                            Christmas in Sun Valley

We enjoyed a nice Christmas here.  Birches, John & Emily Topper and Mom C came Christmas eve for singing carols, oyster stew, cheese ball etc.  Birches were in Rexburg and basically kidnapped Mom and brought her here. (The day after Christmas we all went to Rexburg.)

I was bathing the twins and Andrew asked "Is Jesus in Heaven?"  I said yes and he said "I want to go to Heaven.  I love Jesus."  Andrea then asked "Heaven far far away?"  Andrew added "Way up in the sky?"  I answered yes it was far away and we will go there someday to see Jesus.  Nephi is there and Moroni and Joseph Smith.  Andrew's eyes lit up and he said excitedly "I want to be with Joseph Smith!"  Andrea said "I want to hug Jesus!"

Happy 9th Birthday Aaron!!  

It's fun to celebrate Aaron's birthday during the holiday week.  I know he misses getting sung to at school but we try to make up for it with our singing (and schools will never sing Yamo Han Liva to you ha ha.  Plus, it's Always a day off of school on Aaron's birthday so more play time! ha ha.   

Andrew got a fish bone stuck in his throat.  We couldn’t see anything at all and I remembered it happened to me once and the scratch from the bone made it feel like the bone was in my throat even though it wasn’t.  We suspected this was the case.  Andrew said “Jennifer, I want to get the bone out of my throat.”  She told him to pray to Heavenly Father.  He said “Mom, you know how Joseph Smith prayed about the gold plates buried.  I want to pray like that to get the bone out.”  Then he disappeared for awhile and came back to me and said “Mom how come nobody came and took the bone out when I prayed.”  I asked if he’d like a blessing and he said yes.  Chris blessed him and told him he would feel better tomorrow.  Next day he was great.  I asked him about his throat and he then asked me “Mommy what did Jesus do with the bone?  Did he put it in a bad guys throat?”

Andrew was stabbing a pencil into the air and told me “I’m going to go kill the devil.  Jesus will be so happy with me cause then he won’t have to worry about him anymore!”

 If you could see our calendar page you would faint! Every square is crammed and color coded for deciphering purposes and circles and arrows and well, just too too much.