Olympus High School Class of 2000 Alumni Website

Here is an update of what the Tag Team has been up to through pictures…

Speen and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on June 28. For Christmas my grandma gave us a gift card to The Roof, so we used it for dinner, and had a blast.

Thanksgiving Point Farm is adorable, I took the kids and we had a blast!

For Father’s Day, my father in law wanted to go for a hike, so we went on a hike with the Taggart’s, it was a ton of fun. If you are wondering why Spence made me carry the heavy backup, you’ll find out why below…

Do you like this tree? Do you think it looks B-E-A-Utiful? I think it does! Do you think the lovely tree trim was worth $10,000?

Well unfortunately I’m sure it will be the MOST EXPENSIVE tree trim we ever do to that tree. See this genius thought it would be fun to climb up the tree (when I was not home) with a chainsaw and cartwheel out of the tree from 15 feet up with said chainsaw in hand… poor guy, we ended up in the ER where we found out Speen bruised a lung and had 6 rib breaks! Yikes, so no lifting, pulling, pushing, exercising, etc for 6 weeks! Luckily, that was the extent of his injuries, and it has now been over 4 weeks, so we are getting close to recovery, wahoo!

We were laying in bed the other night and Speen just looks over and starts laughing. I am watching the Bachelorette on the Ipad in my left hand and playing words with friends on my iphone in my right. He was playing scrabble with his iphone while watching the Bachelorette on the ipad I was holding up. We are such apple dorks!

Love this guy – can’t believe he’ll be 3 this week!!!

Oh my Tootles, too cute!

Here are all the grandkids on the Taggart side. I gave this picture to my father in law for father’s day!

Wanted to document Tallie’s rolls, they are so yummy!

Best buddies! I am so lucky, Lance has always been so sweet, gentle and loving to her!

We have loved playing outside in the sun with friends this summer. Lucky Lance is quite the ladies man since my two best girl friends have only girls, hah!

I have the cutest neighbors that come over and play with my kids almost every day!

She is trying to crawl, but hasn’t quite figured it out yet!

And lastly – we had a shower for a cousin last week. And keep in mind we’ve had like 10 showers on this side in the last year, so it was really refreshing to change it up. We had a “B” shower, where we all went wearing our “B’s!” It was such a blast!

Yes, I have the Baseball cap, bandana, braids with blue, black, brown and beige bindings, bling, bracelents, blue eyeliner, blush, black mascara, baseball jersey, blazer, belts, bath robe, broches, black leggins, and boots. What you can’t see, is that under the baseball jersey, I had a pair of Speen’s briefs on, a brown shirt, and my bikini! Hah! We did have a competition, but judging from the picture, it’s not like I’m competitive or anything…

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Picture Update

Amelia Mae Jones.
She’s official!

Jason gave her a beautiful blessing. The blessing included: be a peacemaker, good health, people would be drawn to her because of her testimony, a kind heart, her family loves her, love for her Father in Heaven. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned it before, but this bears repeating: Jason is an incredible father and husband. He puts up with quite a bit from me- and is still hanging around! I love to see him cuddle with Amelia or help Lyvia with a project. He is truly a caring father. I feel so overwhelmed that he chose to be with me forever! We are constantly blessed. We have two amazing girls in our family, a lovely home, wonderful extended family, supportive friends, and a really good chocolate chip cookie recipe- we just couldn’t be happier!

Here are a few pictures of the day…

Thanks to all the family and friends who came up to Bountiful to support our family. (Especially Erica- who came off a night shift at the hospital!I’m glad you made it through awake!) We are also lucky to have so many ward members who love us. THANK YOU!

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Amelia's Blessing Day

Housesitting is pretty lovely. I really don’t mind living with my parents and I definitely didn’t mind spending a month out in Napa living with my extended family, but there’s something about having a place with only two people rattling around in it that makes me rethink our plan to ever have kids…

Of course, we’re not staying in the crummiest of houses. Dad and Chris’s house isn’t huge, but it’s very comfortable and beautifully decorated. It’s also located in one of Salt Lake’s better neighborhoods, so Kyle and I are just a walk away from great bookstores and restaurants. Plus, Kyle’s commute has gone down from one hour to ten minutes, so he’s definitely not complaining. And, best of all, someone around here doesn’t know how to secure their wireless internet. Yay!

One of the big perks of housesitting for my father is his insane music collection. Although I never had to deal with a deadbeat dad, my Deadhead dad used to get lost in his music when I was little, spending hours in the basement blasting Jerry Garcia. He used to take me to all of the record stores in town, trying to get me interested in the difference between the ’69 live album and the ’74 live album. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the best pupil, even when we took a special trip to Haight Ashbury to see the house that the Grateful Dead used to live in…a trip that was perfectly time to coincide with my I-Hate-That-I’m-On-Vacation-With-My-Dad-Leave-Me-The-Hell-Alone phase.

It wasn’t all rock and roll, to be fair. My dad has a real penchant for jazz, folk, blues, and great original cast recordings of classic Broadway shows. I got to see John Prine, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, and countless others before I turned ten. I also had a pretty impressive record collection for someone who couldn’t tie their shoes…but I just could never see why Dad seemed to constantly need a fresh feed of music. So many CDs. So many CDs!

No matter what was going on my dad’s life, the music collection continued to thrive. As we went from house to house and my dad’s family situtation changed a couple of times, there were always the trips to the record store to replace the albums that a person simply shouldn’t live without. Kind of Blue from Miles Davis. One Fair Summer Evening from Nanci Griffith. Truckin’ Up to Buffalo from Grateful Dead. Learning to Flinch from Warren Zevon. And always John Prine Live, the album that has my parents and I on the cover. No, really, we were there and now we’re immortalized in music legend. Bit of trivia: this album also has my favorite version of my favorite song in the entire world, “Angel from Montgomery”.

We’re on the right hand side…see the Asian looking woman, the little kid in red, and the guy with the intense facial hair? That’s the Lane family.

Pic for comparison:

I always thought that his music addiction was just one more thing that I didn’t get about my dad. Until, of course, we stopped in at a used music store last spring and I stumbled on a copy of Deadicated, a Grateful Dead tribute album that’s pretty fantsatic. I was lamenting the fact that I had pawned my copy in college when Kyle mentioned that he didn’t know any of the songs. Apparently, Kyle made it all the way to 26 without listening to the Grateful Dead. I immediately bought the CD and then made him sit in the car while I tried to download everything I knew about the Dead into his underprivileged brain. “Listen to this chord change…isn’t that incredible? Mellow and powerful all at the same time. Oh, and listen to these lyrics. Do you get it? Here, wait, let me back it up again so you can really listen to it. There. Isn’t that just mind blowing?”

Apparently, the answer was no. But my husband laughed and shook his head and said, “You’re so your dad. You’re more like your dad than anyone else on the planet.”

It’s the truth and every day I see it more. I used to hate his retreats into seclusion, but now I get manic if I don’t get a couple of hours to myself every day. I thought the road trips to all of the crappy Utah historical monuments were a trial I had to endure to get into heaven, but now I really like getting in the car, picking a direction, and just driving until something interesting happens. And while I used to think that my father’s basement music sessions were just a noisy way to keep us all at arm’s length, I find that I have to take twenty minutes every now and then, lock myself in the bathroom with my headphones on, and just crank that iPod up as loud as I can get it…which is never loud enough. I’m looking forward to the day when they can permanently implant Eric Clapton music directly into my ear canal.

And so, while my father tours Argentina (with his iPod safely anchoring him in the sixties), I’m slurping all of his music into my computer and making playlists of all those songs I always thought I never got. And, oh, there might not be anything better.

Hanging with Warren in front of some of my father’s music collection.
If you don’t own Learning to Flinch, I’m sorry to tell you that your life is woefully incomplete.
Best album ever? Very possible.

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My Father’s Music

I’m home! It’s temporary, since we’re off to housesit for my father, who is spending a few weeks in Argentina with the wife and kids, but it’s still so good to be back in my old, boring life.

I did have a lot of fun while I was in California and worked with a lot of great kids. I thought I’d share some photos from the last dress rehearsal. I apologize for the poor quality…I really need to upgrade my camera gear so I can get some low-light pictures…

(good shot of Kevin)

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Dress Rehearsal

Better late than never, right? I know I’m kind of a slacker when it comes to blogging, but 7 months is bad for even me. Since I don’t want to spend two hours trying to remember and write it all down, I’m just going to take a page straight out of my journal. Hope you enjoy, but if you don’t finish this I don’t blame you.

Becoming a mother is the most wonderful that has ever happened to me. I was terrified, all the way until the delivery, that something would go wrong and I wouldn’t get to keep my baby. Maybe having a miscarriage made me paranoid. But the big day arrived and things could not have gone more smoothly!

The last week or so of December, I was feeling pretty bad. I was so tired and uncomfortable and just ready to be done. I was feeling particularly achey on New Year’s Eve, and Matt almost called in sick at work but decided to go in at the last minute. Not wanting to be alone, I went to my parents house and had sort of an early birthday dinner for my mom, whose birthday was the next day. I remember telling them about how badly I wished Matt was there. My dad told me that they would take me to the hospital if I needed them to, but Matt was the only one I wanted with me. Around 10 pm, I figured I would feel better if I went home and got some sleep. Shortly after I got back, Matt came home from work and we watched TV for a whille. We tried to find a New Year’s Eve specIal but there was nothing on. We turned to some random rerun instead and I slept right through the new year. About quarter after midnight, I remember waking up with a strange pain. I got up and when I got into the bathroom I lost my mucous plug and my water broke. I started vomiting right after that and then came the real contractions. They were very uncomfortable. AFter ten minutes or so of uncontrollable retching, my stomach was empty and I was feeling really weak. The contractions were getting stronger and faster, about four minutes apart at that time. Being a first-timer, I still wasn’t sure if I was truly in labor, so I called the hospital to ask what I should do (I’m amazed they understood me in between the panting and moaning). The nurse told me to come in and get checked, since they couldn’t see me through the phone (obviously). By this time I was so uncomfortable that I was pacing frantically around the house, so when I got off the phone I ran upstairs and threw some last minute things into my hospital bag. Matt kept telling me to sit down and breathe, but there was no way I could do that.

When we had everything together we jumped in the Jeep and headed for St. MArk’s. We left the house around 1:30 am and I was worried the whole time that because it was New Year’s Eve, we were going to either get hit by a drunk driver or get pulled over because Matt looked like one. Matt actually was very calm and in control, but I kept yelling at him to drive faster. Every stoplight was torture! The contractions were so intense and close together that I really believed I might have the baby in the car.

We finally made it to the hospital just after 2 am, when the nurse took one look at me and decided to wheel me into a delivery room right away for an exam, while Matt did admission papers. I changed into a hospital gown as quickly as a girl can when she is doubled over and shaking from pain. As soon as I got up onto the bed the nurse examining me announced in shock that I was dilated 8 cm already. It’s a good thing I had already decided against pain medication, because it was way too late to get it anyway! When the nurse realized how fast I was progressing, she hurried out of the room to find an on-call doctor. MAtt was still out in the lobby, filling out papers and calling our parents. We had decided not to call them until we were admitted, just to make sure we didn’t wake them up for a false alarm. Fortunately they both live within 15 minute of the hospital and they were able to make it just in time. What I didn’t know was that I had accidentally called my mom when I was trying to call the hospital, and she was so worried when she answered the phone and I didn’t say anything that she stayed up for the next two hours waiting for the phone to ring. Sorry Mom. When Matt finally did call her, she was ready to go in an instant. Pam, on the other hand, wasn’t home yet from a party in Orem, and Cal was leaving the house right as she pulled in the garage. Lucky for her she didn’t miss it.

Back in the hospital while I was alone in the delivery room, waiting for Matt and the nurse, I was trying to just breathe through the contractions when all of a sudden I started pushing. I knew I shouldn’t yet, but I could not help it, my body was so much stronger than my will. I was afraid that I would hurt the baby or myself by pushing too soon, so I started to panic when I realized that I couldn’t control it. I yelled like a mad woman for Matt, who came running in looking very nervous. I barked an order at him to go get the nurse, so he ran out. When she came in to examine me, she found I was at 10 cm and ready to go. I think it had only been about 15 minutes since the first exam, so she was pretty surprised.

It was time to start pushing but the doctor still hadn’t arrived, so the nurse told me to start pushing gently and working the baby’s head down. I was totally unprepared for this part. Everybody says it’s a relief to finally be able to push through the pain, but let me just say that pushing was soooo much worse than the contractions. aFter enduring probably 20 or 30 minute of very slow torture, the doctor came rushing in and said I could give it my all. I did, and a few minutes later out popped my beautiful baby boy (aren’t you glad I’m sparing you the details of the episiotomy?). Miles Ryan McDaniel was born at 3:03 am on January 1, 2009, weighing 7 lbs even and measuring 20 inches long. When I felt that warm rush of blood that came with the final push, the first emotional was relief. The next was awe. When they held up my tiny, screeching, wrinkled baby I was so overcome. It was incredible knowing that child was mine, just sent from his Heavenly Father. Right away I felt the mantle of parenthood placed on my shoulders. It’s such a tremendous responsibility to have to provide everything for a helpless little infant, but what a gift!

There is so much more that I could say, but let’s just leave it at that. I love you Miles!

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Welcome to earth, Miles Ryan McDaniel

Today is the one week anniversary of my father’s wedding, which makes me slightly overdue for a post about my recent trip to Oregon, but I wanted to gather my photos (and thoughts) so that I could do the event justice…

Even now, I’m not sure I have the words to fully express how happy I am that my father found Chris. She is simply the loveliest woman and her warmth makes me feel like I’ve known her for years. More importantly, she seems to bring out my father…as though her presence allows him to be more comfortable in his own skin. I suppose that’s a weird description, but I don’t know how else to put it. After years of watching my father get more and more worn down with life, it’s amazing to see the difference that the right person makes.

The wedding took place on a beach in Yachats, Oregon, a small coastal town that’s practically untouched by time. The ceremony was short, taking place on a small cliff overlooking the ocean while the guests stood nearby, braced against those Pacific winds that I love so much. Oliver sported a tie like my father’s and I held Ella for most of the ceremony, all wrapped up in a jacket since her party dress didn’t offer much warmth. It’s very easy to love my new little brother and sister…they are the happiest, funniest kids.

The happiness of the event was shared by a small group of relatives and friends…most of whom were strangers to me in one sense or another. I had only met a few of Chris’s relatives before last weekend and there were relatives from our side of the family that I hadn’t seen in years and years. All four of my father’s siblings made it out to the event and I realized that I haven’t seen the four of them together in more than fifteen years, so it was wonderful to catch up with everyone.

It was easy to feel at home with Chris’s family and friends. Everyone was nice and fun and simply delightful. As we celebrated, I realized how lucky I am to be a part of so many happy families. I’ve recently joined Kyle’s and now with Chris I’ve found a whole new set of great people (including Chris’s talented, spoon-wearing niece), and with my sister getting married soon my family will be growing even more.

Mostly, though, the event made me reflect on Kyle. I suppose that’s not surprising, since we’re still newlyweds and everything from going to the grocery store to doing my nails makes me reflect on Kyle, but more specifically the weekend made me realize how important a job it is to be the person that makes someone else happy. We all want to find someone who will make us happy, but I don’t think we often think about what it is to be that person for someone else…or for the people around someone else.

What Chris has done for my dad is wonderful not only for him, but also for Randy and me, and I’m really happy we were able to be there to celebrate. Kyle and I will miss their Utah reception tomorrow, since we’re still stuck in Utah waiting to hear about Kyle’s transfer. Frustratingly, I can’t give you much of a moving update. The moving truck is coming on Tuesday and then all of our stuff will go to Utah with or without us. If we still don’t know by then, it will be Kyle, me, and the guinea pigs hanging out in our empty apartment, waiting for news. Le sigh…

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My Father is Married

Today is the one week anniversary of my father’s wedding, which makes me slightly overdue for a post about my recent trip to Oregon, but I wanted to gather my photos (and thoughts) so that I could do the event justice…

Even now, I’m not sure I have the words to fully express how happy I am that my father found Chris. She is simply the loveliest woman and her warmth makes me feel like I’ve known her for years. More importantly, she seems to bring out my father…as though her presence allows him to be more comfortable in his own skin. I suppose that’s a weird description, but I don’t know how else to put it. After years of watching my father get more and more worn down with life, it’s amazing to see the difference that the right person makes.

The wedding took place on a beach in Yachats, Oregon, a small coastal town that’s practically untouched by time. The ceremony was short, taking place on a small cliff overlooking the ocean while the guests stood nearby, braced against those Pacific winds that I love so much. Oliver sported a tie like my father’s and I held Ella for most of the ceremony, all wrapped up in a jacket since her party dress didn’t offer much warmth. It’s very easy to love my new little brother and sister…they are the happiest, funniest kids.

The happiness of the event was shared by a small group of relatives and friends…most of whom were strangers to me in one sense or another. I had only met a few of Chris’s relatives before last weekend and there were relatives from our side of the family that I hadn’t seen in years and years. All four of my father’s siblings made it out to the event and I realized that I haven’t seen the four of them together in more than fifteen years, so it was wonderful to catch up with everyone.

It was easy to feel at home with Chris’s family and friends. Everyone was nice and fun and simply delightful. As we celebrated, I realized how lucky I am to be a part of so many happy families. I’ve recently joined Kyle’s and now with Chris I’ve found a whole new set of great people (including Chris’s talented, spoon-wearing niece), and with my sister getting married soon my family will be growing even more.

Mostly, though, the event made me reflect on Kyle. I suppose that’s not surprising, since we’re still newlyweds and everything from going to the grocery store to doing my nails makes me reflect on Kyle, but more specifically the weekend made me realize how important a job it is to be the person that makes someone else happy. We all want to find someone who will make us happy, but I don’t think we often think about what it is to be that person for someone else…or for the people around someone else.

What Chris has done for my dad is wonderful not only for him, but also for Randy and me, and I’m really happy we were able to be there to celebrate. Kyle and I will miss their Utah reception tomorrow, since we’re still stuck in Utah waiting to hear about Kyle’s transfer. Frustratingly, I can’t give you much of a moving update. The moving truck is coming on Tuesday and then all of our stuff will go to Utah with or without us. If we still don’t know by then, it will be Kyle, me, and the guinea pigs hanging out in our empty apartment, waiting for news. Le sigh…

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My Father is Married