Groendyke Traditions

Every Third Monday Night
Dinner with Grandma Garff

Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day Cards for Class, Friends and Family

Birthday
Noah picks theme and helps plan party
Treat for the school children
Party with friends, grandparents and family
Eat Off the Red "You Are Special" Plate

St. Patrick's Day
Dress in Green and Irish Cuisine

Easter
Easter Bunny Lady Hunt and Barbeque
Color and decorate eggs
Hunt for eggs filled with candy and money
Sort
Eat
Play

South Jordan County Fest
Usually the second week of June
Rides
Vendors
Prizes
Contests

July 4th
Purchase Fireworks
Cul de Sac of Fire
Pot luck and Barbeque with the neighbors
Noah drives his jeep and gives rides
Fireworks in the Circle

Night Games--All Summer Long
Austin, Carter, Jayden, Gentry, Rachel, Katherine, Tryn, Sterling, Jillian, Preston

Summer Retreat
Hebegen Lake with the Bodines and the Harts
Wake and Surf Board
Waterski
BOB
Bubblejumping
Tube Rides and Tube Wars
Boat Rides
Madison Arm Resort for Sundries and Ice Cream
S'mores
4 Wheelin"
Nature Walks
Make Videos
Jen's Hill
West Yellowstone
Yellowstone
Geysers and Wildlife
Dock Mafia
Fish
CRAZY Afternoon Storms
Fun with Cousins
Playmill
ETC.

Back to School
School Supply Shopping
Chuck E. Cheese
Father's Blessing
New School Shoes and Outfit

Sport's Camp at South Jordan Recreation Center
Basketball, Soccer, Swim, Crafts, Games, Skate Park
(Off track )

Utah State Fair
All Day Ride Pass and Fun House
Treats
Little Farmers

Halloween
Archibalds Witch Hunt
Halloween City for Costume
Trick or Treat in the Neighborhood
Candy Sorting
Jack-O-Lantern Pizza

Thanksgiving
Usually with Grandma and Grandpa Hart

Christmas
First Monday in December--Tree
Ward Christmas Party
Cousins rotate gift giving
Christmas Eve--hors de uerves and ice skating, new pj, Santa Hat
Christmas Day--gifts, hot breakfast, play, movie, nap

New Year's Eve
Blow Horns, Hats, Snacks and usually at home in bed before midnight

Weekdays

Sunday--Church and later America's Funniest Home Video
Monday--Dancing with the Stars/Big Break
Wednesday--Survivor
Thursday--Del Taco
Friday--Pizza and Red Box

Favorite Family Programs
*House
*Fraiser
*The Big Bang Theory
*Jazz Basketball
*Survivor
*Dancing with the Stars
*Big Break
*American Idol
*Friends
*Seinfeld

Favorite Family Dining
*Cafe Rio
*Chuck-a-Rama
*Olive Garden
*Zupas
*Del Taco

Favorite Treat Stop
*Maverick (diet coke, frozen yogurt, licorice, donut and an ice cream snickers)
*Arctic Circle for the Brown Topper

One Golden Night, One Golden Family

My sister will sometimes have what she calls the "after vacation blues."I think it is just a plain "Hebgen Lake Withdrawal."I don't stay nearly as long as she does and I am experiencing a withdrawal right now.

Honestly, there is something MAGICAL and SPECIAL about THAT PLACE, and this year I felt it to the extent of my inner core. Maybe it is not that THE PLACE is MAGICAL so much as the Pete and Michelle Bodine Family and Howard and Lisa Hart Family have created MAGIC for THAT PLACE.

Is it because they know how to make every moment count?

Is it because they have opened their minds to the wonders of nature, not just viewing it, but learning and applying it?

Is it because every year they have a craft from shrink art jewelry to felt paintings, hair wraps, friendship bracelets, fleece blankets, crochet hats, window art, jewelry made of washers and scrapbook paper and who knows what else?

Is it because every morning it is a guaranteed smooth ski or wave surf?

Is it the incredulous storms that appear late in the afternoons?

Is it the wildlife...the star gazing?

Is it the visits to West for the Playmill, loud laughter and homemade fudge?

Is it the wildlife tee shirt of the year?

Is it the fact that their generosity extends to families and friends, and then when guests come, they make everyone feel like family?

Is it because of the late night games and stories?

Is it because there is a wide variety of activities (4 wheeling, biking, hiking, nature walks, snipe hunting, bat counting, treasure hunts, wave runners, boating, tube rides, skiing, wave surfing and wake boarding, BOB, fishing, floating the Madison, visiting the sites, smores, picnicking, etc.)

Is it the cozy meals and cramped sleeping quarters?

Is it the quaint, charming decor of the cabin?

Is it the fact that their warmth and friendliness include the surrounding neighbors? (I am almost positive others plan their summer stay around when the Bodines/Harts will be there.)

Is it because they have improved and brought needed changes like a newer, safer stairs and boat dock?

Is it because there is still a spiritual component in discussion and attending sacrament meetings in the Park and in West?

Is it because my nieces and nephews are the coolest, the funnest, the hippest and blow cool over the edge?

Is it because every bathroom is chalk full of Bath and Body Works Lotions, Soaps, Shampoos, a rainbow of Venus Razors and toothbrushes?

Is it because there is a system, a real house of order that is set so that everyone pitches in and takes part and a certain amount of that system also is devoted to flexibility and spontanaiety?

Is it because even the Chipmunk has a place, a name (Davey) and feels welcome there?

Is it because you get to learn new words and phrases (random, awkward moment, retro, metro, bcote?)

Is it the "hot cocomotion" and the "whip creamer?"

Is it the array of desserts? (oreos and whip cream? peanut butter spread atop cookies? fudge stripe smores? "Bring it to the Idaho Fair."

Is it the contagious laughs, the infectious smiles and allergy sniffles?

Is it because the stars appear to shine brighter and be more numerous?

Is it because the sounds of the city and the fast pace of the world are put on hold to enjoy moments of a higher nature?

Is it because the Adults get to act like Children (Howard in floral swim cap and two ski Tuesday) and Children get to act like Adults?(like when Mallory was asked to move the car and Noah gets to drive mom on the wave runner)

Is it because there are unlimited opportunities for fantabulous photo shoots and pictures?

Is it the magnificent sunrises and brilliant sunsets?

Is it the "grow a moose" in a bucket of water?

Is it because Madeline is a Playmill Star and the rest of the Family is a Star Audience?(literally received their own ovation from the Cast when they came through the door)

Is it because there is a personal library brought to the cabin and a few classic dvd's for wholesome entertainment?

Is it the bronze tan and golden highlights in your hair that give you a look of refreshemnt, revival and relaxation?

Is it the night swims, the swim to the point, the brave jaunt off the steep blue slide?

Is it the warmth of tradition?

Is it the fact that you are reminded that "families are forever" and there is no one else I would rather be forever with?

Is it all of the above and more? Yes, and so much more that words escape me. This year I would say there was a bonus

--One Golden Moment for One Golden Family--for one glorious evening every sibling shared an evening together with their amazing parents in their Golden Years of Life.

One can only be too grateful for those making these MAGICAL MOMENTS possible.

What Noah and I learned from the Bodines and Harts: Hebgen never loses it's MAGIC.

Playmill, Playmill and More Playmill

Being a teenager in Idaho Falls, Idaho meant that we often had to create our own fun. I remember a particularly thrilling date with Chris Wilken...oh, and Eric Walker and who knows who else. It was a ride into West Yellowstone. The drive was about 90 minutes. We would enjoy a tasty meal, walk the streets and then head to the Playmill Theatre. It was a rather small theatre, but that meant the audience was more involved and made for a quaint and charming evening. There was the variety show, the intermission where the cast would sell treats for the second half, and always a fabulous and hilarious show.

Years later, my brother in law rented out a Cabin on Hebgen Lake--just minutes away from West Yellowstone. It became the family tradition to see the Playmill Theatre's Shows year after year...and not just one, all three, and not all three just once. I would say that the Bodine/Hart Family have done their share in keeping this company in business. It is a rather odd, but welcome feeling to walk in with the Bodine family and get an ovation from the Cast "Yea, the Bodines are here!"

There was Trent, David Walker, "Forever Plaid, " "Joseph," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "Oklahoma" just to name a few of the gazillion memories. I believe one year, my nieces Madeline and Jennifer even went to a Playmill Theatre Camp and then performed what they had learned. Madeline stood front and center stage year after year as the cast sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She even got a smackeroo from a few hotties that performed at the Playmill.

Then there was the Single Seat. My niece, Mallory was able to live out her long awaited dream by requesting and sitting in the oh so awkward, randomly desired Single Seat. I had the good fortune to witness this event first hand. Then there was Mr. Big Hunk in another section--he was the recipient of a Tropical Ice Cream Treat via Mallory via overbearing aunt... Mallory was then the recipient of many OOOOHHHH and AAAHHHHS from the observing audience. That was a real bonding moment for me and my niece.

Okay, so this year, just when you think Playmill can't get any better...it "bcote."Niece, Miss Madeline, tried out for the cast and is now a very important member of the Playmill Theatre. There are three shows in which I have seen all of them and some of them even twice--"The Secret Garden," "Footloose," and "Guys and Dolls."It is an absolute rush for me to see her living a dream. Miss Mads is beautiful, energetic, and having the time of her life. The first night I was there, one of the opening numbers in the variety show was "Suddenly Seymour," played by another young woman in the cast. Oh how it bothered me. I had seen that number performed numerous times by Miss Mads in last year's "Little Shop of Horrors." How I longed to hear her sing that again...maybe even just once and I would be satisfied.

Though she did not have any leading roles, she played each role as if it were the lead. She was spectabulous and I was beaming with pride. Noah thought the Playmill was a nightly ritual and was so disappointed when we went into town JUST for dinner.

So now I am home.  I feel the "after Hebgen back to real life blues." I check my muted phone and there in what appeared to be bold print was "Madeline is performing 'Suddenly Seymour' with Addison tonight. I can hardly wait." I started looking for my keys to the car. I was not going to miss MY long awaited request. The thought occured to me to check to see when the text message was sent--yesterday--I MISSED IT!!! I truly wanted to cry. Is it possible to be so gratefully bummed? I was so grateful Madeline had the opportunity to sing that number on her birthday.I was so bummed I wasn't there to see it first hand and not a one of my family members had the gumption to record such a moment. Oh well...

Now that I have reminded and depressed myself that I missed Miss Madeline sing "Suddenly Seymour," I will close by saying, Playmill hasn't seen the last of me yet.

What I learned period: Dreams do come true, the Playmill Theatre and the Book of Mormon are true (spotted Books of Mormon on random benches with the town literature and advertisments,) I still have a case of bad timing and once in a great while, I can pull off the overbearing, over proud Aunt.

What I learned from Noah: "The theatre, the theatre"...my litlle boy had a grand time at the theatre.

"Easter Lilly.. Don't Eat Me!"

When one has a child in the home, every holiday is an event. Easter has come and gone. Ours was relatively simple, yet,  there were still some memories to note. We do not have many decorations for Easter--just enough to fit on the mantle. Last year, Da Vinci had a hey day attacking the "Harry and David" Bunny that contained a variety of Easter treats from mom and dad. My first task was to paint Mr. Bunny, replace his eyes and nose, and with clean, white, fluffy fur---give him a "new do." I have to say, he turned out better than before--Bunny Makeovers???  Don't even go there.

Immediately, Noah had to dye hard boiled eggs even though Easter was at least two weeks away. I was amazed at all the choices--glitter. flourescent, camouflage--I had to remind Noah, that I grew up in the day when there was only one choice--"PAAS" regular colors. (Kind of like our parents had to walk a mile in the snow, we had one choice to color eggs.)

Noah enjoys the Traditional Easter Egg Hunt that Aunt Linda and Uncle Mike host. There are eggs to color, eggs to find, money to count, and lots and lots of children. This year it was my hair that needed coloring and the money I counted was what it cost me to have those greys covered. I am grateful that the Rutters still wanted Noah to come. He had a fabulous time and loves the company as well as the activities.

Noah was anxiously awaiting a visit from the Easter Bunny, especially since the incident with Larry the Leprechaun. Noah is just plain thoughtful--cookies for Santa Claus, celery for Larry and carrots dipped in chocolate for the Easter Bunny.

The dinner table appeared to be empty without a center piece and so I splurged on a beautiful Easter Lilly in a pastel purple container. It seemed to liven up the Kitchen area too. Noah walked by the Lilly with a concerned look on his face. He inquired, "Mom, what is that?" and "Can you take it back?" I explained it was a beautiful Easter Lilly and no, I was not going to take it back. As the days progressed, so did the Lilly and so did Noah's concern. The plant began to bloom and what I viewed as being lovely, was creating stress for Noah. "Mom, I have been watching that plant and every day a new flower opens." I told him that was because it was a living thing. He no longer walked close by the plant. From a distance, he was waving odd toys and food by it. I asked him what he was doing. "Trying to feed the plant so it won't be hungry and eat me."Click--the light went on--I think he thought it was a Venus Flytrap like he saw in the play "Little Shop of Horrors" that Maddie was in last year.

What I learned from Noah: Children are VERY impressionable and they REMEMBER things that an adult, such as myself, would not even notice. I need to pay more attention to the details.