My Wreath

Anja had a craft night and this is what I made. I wanted to add an S for Skabelund to my wreath and Anja helped me make my letter S awesome! We Mod Podged tissue paper on the top and then pained over the tissue paper with the blue paint. After the paint dried we use brown ink to bring out the texture of the tissue paper. I love how it turned out!

Memories from My Family about Me

Kathlene is feeling kind of left out because I saved her for last in spotlightling all of my kids. You know what they say, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Well, that wasn't exactly the order I put this in. I just went with inspiration I guess. Kathlene was my first child. Being a first child myself, I know a little about what goes along with that. Kathlene had to be the first to experience everything, she was a pioneer. That has it's ups and downs. Kathlene has always been very close to her Mom and I. She was my beautiful baby girl. Great Grandma Hawkes told us that her name should be "Evangeline". I guess that it meant that she was an angel in Grandma Hawkes' eyes. We had so many exciting life experiences with Kathlene as our first and only child for that first year. I remember taking movies on 8mm of her first steps outside our apartment in Logan. I'm so proud of Kathlene and the wonderful mother and person she is. She is an awesome example to her brother and sisters. She assumes the responsibility of the oldest in her family much better than I have in mine. I'm proud of who she was, who she is and who she will become. -Dad

When you were born I was surprised at how much dark hair you had. I would have people stop me in store so they could take a look at you and would say how pretty you were. That was the beginning of one of my happiest days for me was being a mother. I know how much you love being a mother and how important that calling is too you. You are a wonderful mother and Eternal Partner to Travis. When you were growing up I noticed you always seem to have a hard time being away from me. You became a home body. I would try to get you out of the house and to go and play with friends but you had not interest in leaving the house. It was like pulling "teeth". I love your laugh it's contagious. The name or one of them Laughiy Kathy is fitting for you. You are one of the most positive person that I have ever know. What a wonderful trait to have. I'm proud of the daughter, mother, wife and friend that you have become. Thanks for thinking of me each day and giving me my daily phone call.
I love you!
MoM

  I have had a lot of memories with you over the years. We have grown closer. I have enjoyed living with you and getting to know you and your family better. You always had positive things to say about me and have been a big support in my life. Everytime I hear Bruce Springsteen on the radio it makes me laugh and think of you. You are a great example and have been a good older sister. Thanks for being my friend as well. Olive Juice!!!!  Jennifer W Rives

  Kathlene, Believe it or not a have a lot of memories of you. You were my big sister I always wanted to like me and pick me for her buddy. We never were buddies..... I remember you daring me to put a bean up my nose. But I didn't know how to blow out so i ended up sucking it in. I think when you were dating Travis i had more of a crush on him then you did. I always followed you guys around. He would swing dance with me and I always felt so cool. I wish you lived closer so that we could become better friends. I am not the little brat I was when I was little. I think you are such a great mom and you are always smiling. I love you very much! -Becky Warnick Hinds

 Thanks for sharing your memories! Becky, you made me feel bad. I'm so sorry! I had no clue that you wanted to be my buddy. I have always loved you and thought you were so cute! I felt that your were mom's favorite child, you were her baby even though you weren't the youngest. I guess that may be why I was always with Michele and the other kids. I love feeling needed and I didn't feel you needed me. Becky, I don't think of you as a brat either, if anything I may have been a little jealous of you at times. As the oldest I wish I could have been a better example to my siblings. I want you all to know that I will always be here if you need anything! Please feel free to call me whenever you need to talk. Love you all so much! -Kathlene Warnick Skabelund

  Sorry Kathlene, my intentions weren't to hurt your feelings. I just remember always wanting to be your buddy and never got the chance. I love you to death! -Becky Warnick Hinds

Well, There is nothing to say. Just Kidding. I think if I said all I wanted to say you would get bored. I love this woman. I never really had the opportunity to get to know Kathlene that well before I moved to Oregon. I was always so busy working. That is all I have done for a long time. I remember before I got married that we went to Flaming Gorge With Her, Travis and some of the kids and their friends. It was a lot of fun. I remember when Aaron and I were dating Travis and Bean invited us to 4th of July fireworks in Kaysville. I loved it. It was my favorite and now it has become tradition. When I moved to Oregon I was scared. I didn't know anyone. Aaron said you know Kathlene and Travis. I didn't know Kathlene that well and was nervous. She took me in as a friend, as a sister, as a pall for life. I miss her so much it hurts. She has become my best friend. I know that I am not good at calling. I hate talking on the phone. I am not good at writing like I would like to be, But I miss you so much. In Oregon we did so many things. We made up dances to music. Threw parties just for the heck of it to just have a party. I miss our Girls nights and Rock band wars. I miss BBQ's. As you all know Aaron and I have struggled having children and Bean has always made me feel like a mom. She always let me take the kids whenever I wanted. I am ever so grateful to her for that. She trusted me with them all the time. She helped teach me what a mother should be like by example. She is the best mom that I know. Always so forward. Straight with her kids but always wanting them to reach for their dreams. She is an amazing wife. I remember when she used to lay out Travis' clothes. She would always leave him notes everywhere and always made him breakfast. She is amazing. I miss just hanging out. With Kathlene I didn't need an appointment or the 3rd friday of every month to hang with her. It was whenever I could she always said "Come over, lets do something." I feel like I left half of myself in Oregon. Thank you for being such a great friend, sister, and example. I can't wait to get the other half of myself when you move back here. I love you Bean. -Carrie Warnick 

Kathlene and I had many great times as kids! Kathlene was there when the neighbor kid pretended that his finger was cut off and kept it in a matchbox. I know for me it was scary...not sure why but I was even scare of the kids with a broken leg...I think I was only 5 or so. But anyway, Kathlene assured me that the kid really didn't cut his finger off and that he just cut a whole in a matchbox and poured ketchup all over it. She was always there to protect me even when it meant being stung by thousands of bees to rescue a bike from the school. Love you BEAN!! -Kelli Fancis

  I remember when we went to bear lake on a family trip and you were wading out into the river and cut you foot on something. Dad pulled you out an looked at it and it was decided that you need to go to the doctor in town. When you came back you had stitches. Finally someone else in the family that has had stitches. I now didn't feel so dumb and accident prone. I tried to use that excuse to cheer you up. not sure if it worked. We always made a good team and I love and miss you still hope we can see each other again very soon. Maybe you and I will be able to do as much fun with the rest of the family as we did each other. Love and miss you. :) -Aaron Warnick 

Aaron, sorry to tell you this but I never got stitches that day. I remember I thought it would be cool to have them and I was bummed to not get them. The first and only stitches I ever had (not counting when I had Lexie) was when I was in my car accident in Logan. -Kathlene Skabelund

• What! I was lied to. I am bummed. There are lots of things that happened when we were kids that I wasn't told the whole story. :( -Aaron Warnick

  
  

    We had so many good times together. I'm so very blessed to have you for a brother! -Kathlene Skabelund
  

  
  

  I love you mom!!! Lexie Skabelund
  

  
  

   I remember seeing Bean for the first time in front of my house. She was walking up the street with Deawn and I introduced myself and said "Watch out for those boys!". Who would have thought that I would be the one chasing her around. At first I didn't like her freckles, and she thought I was goofy looking and that I looked like the kid on Punky Brooster. Within 2 years time we fell in love and spent every moment we could together. I had to fight off literally ALL of my best friends (except Andrew Plewe, thank goodness) and believe me it was quite a battle but I CAME OUT VICTORIOUS! I remember every little date we went on and I always tried to be super romantic. Yes, I know I'm not as good as that anymore but I will try harder. I remember working at Lagoon and you would come ride the rides I was operating over and over again. I also remember talking about living in Oregon someday when we were first married. We met that goal without really planning it. I love Bean with all my heart. She is the most patient, forgiving, loving and happy person that I have ever met. I wish that her optimism would rub off on me. I am a perfectionist and being that I'm never perfect I tend to be a pessimist, so it's good to have her around. Thanks for always being there for me in good times and in bad. I love you unconditionally and eternally. You are my happy thought. :) -Travis Skabelund
  

  
  

      
  I loved waking up and seeing this on facebook! Travis, you are one of the greatest blessings in my life. I may have dated most of your friends, but I never cared about anyone as much as I do you. You have always been and will forever be, my other half. You complete me! We have had been through a lot together. Good times and bad! If I had the opportunity to go back and change anything, I wouldn't change a thing. Everything we have been through has made us closer and stronger. I love you Travis Skabelund!! Kathlene Skabelund