Happy 7th Birthday Parker!

I can't believe it...my BABY turned 7 yesterday. He was so excited for his birthday this year. He has turned into a little man, not my baby anymore. He still tells me that I can call him my baby. I hope that lasts forever, probably won't but I will keep believing it will. We had my family over for dinner as well as Todd. After that we had the Parson's and Smith's come for cake and ice cream. Parker got spoiled as usual. Today my grandparents have taken him shopping and then we are going to meet them at Chuck E Cheese for lunch, Parker has wanted to go there so bad. Todd thought it would be really funny to give Parker something Hannah Montana for his birthday. He put some notepads in the bag. I will post a video of the moment, it is priceless, once the blog isn't so slow.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christams everyone! We have had a great time over the past few days. We spent Christmas Eve with my family playing games and eating yummy food. We had our 1st annual Wii Bowling tournament. Natalie tied with my Dad and then won in a bowl off. We then played guitar hero, that was a lot of fun. Christmas morning we had my parents, Todd, Brian, Nat and Cat over for breakfast and rocked out w/ rock band. We are enjoying a nice relaxing day, watching the snow fall. My grandparents are flying in tonight to spend the week with us for Parker's birthday.

That About Sums It Up....

2008

January - Parker has his tonsils out. He was such a trooper. Bouncing off the walls in just a few days.

February 2008 - We welcomed Kian in to our family. He was a little early and had to stay in the hospital for about a week. He is now very strong, healthy and absolutely adorable. Chris' brother Todd came to live with us until his house was ready to move in. It has been so nice to have him closer. The boys love hanging out with Uncle Todd.I also had Lasik, best thing I ever did next to having children.

March 2008 - We bought our new home on wheels, a new 25 foot Kodiac trailer. It has been a great investment.

May 2008 - Karsten turned 9! He became a Bear scout. He loves scouts. My grandparents were able to come visit for a few weeks. We love to have them. My kids are so lucky they have been able to spend time with great-grandparents that love them so much. We also journeyed to Yuba Lake. This was a very fun trip. We spent time with the Parson's and Smith's. My good friend Dana got to come visit from SOuth Carolina. She brought cute baby Ryan. Steve was doing a training at Hill for 2 weeks. It was so nice to see them. We really miss them living by us.

Summer 2008 - This was a very busy summer, so busy I can't remember when we actually did what. We had an awesome time taking out our new trailer. We went to Zions, Grand Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. All of these places were amazing. We love traveling together as a family. We feel so blessed that we have been able to have the ability to travel the world and make some incredible memories.



August 2008 - The boys got to go on a camping trip with my parents. They bought a new trailer so we can all go camping more together.

September 2008 - We enjoyed a fun weekend with our friends the Smith's at Wolf Creek.

October 2008 - Work for me started getting very crazy. The economy really started taking a turn for the worse. I lost 60% of my retirement fund. Rumors of layoffs started. I started 2 large projects and life was very stressful.

November 2008 - Life at work was still crazy, the 2 projects had not yet finished. We enjoyed a nice quiet Thanksgiving with the four of us and my brother-in-law Todd.

Now here we are the 2nd to last week in December. I can not believe this year is almost over. Parker will be turning 7 next Saturday. He is getting so big. We have been so blessed this year. We have been able to spend time as a family and make some great memories. Even though work has been rough, I have learned a lot. I was so excited this week to win the Chairman's Leadership Award. This award is given to a few select leaders of the business. Due to the cut backs, they have decided to do away with the trip, but I am very excited to receive $1000 cash award.

I hope this message finds all of your happy and healthy. I look forward to the what lay in store for 2009!

Joy To Everyone

One of my friends sent me this link. It is a beautiful Christmas song. Enjoy!

http://joytoeveryone.com/en/

What a Week.....

Last Sunday we decided we better go and visit Chris' grandma that lives in West Valley. She is going to be 89 years old tomorrow. She is an absolutely amazing woman. She has been through a lot over the years. She has been a widow now for 5 years, she was almost killed by an intruder, she has fallen several times and that is just to name a few things she has been through over the past several years. We took her out to dinner. Parker was so cute with her. She had to use a walker now and he was right there next to her making sure she got where she needed to go. I have added some pics of the boys w/ her, including Chris. His grandma has been very good to him in his life. She helped him a lot when his mother passed away. They also helped financially support him while he was on his mission. It will be a bitter sweet day when she returns to our Heavenly Father and grandpa.

This week has been crazy. Karsten had a choir performance on Monday night. He didn't want to go, said he was sick, WHATEVER! I think he wanted to stay home and watch Monday Night Football. He is addicted to football. He even will play it by himself in the backyard. It cracks me up to watch him out the window, he talks to himself, makes up plays, etc.

We went and bought Parker another birthday present. We were not going to buy him anymore than his bed but the game store had a deal where they gave us $40 off a Nintendo DS for the trade-in of his Game Boy. The Game Boy is not made anymore, therefore no new games are being made. Nice thing is he can play all the Game Boy games on the DS and share Karsten's. Our kids are spoiled rotten that is all I have to say.

Work has been crazy and very emotional this week. I have been working on 2 seperate projects that are consuming most of my time. We had to announce that one of the unit managers from my team will be moving to another to get our span of control in 'control'. That leaves me with 3 unit managers and 72 people. I worked until 11:30pm on Tuesday night. I anticipate many more late nights until this project gets finished, and just in time for our audit. Yesterday, they announced some of the lay-offs and my boss will be moving to cover for 2 of the other directors that got JD'd. I am really sad, it made me very emotional. I felt really stupid, he called me after the announcement and I cried, what a dork I am. I really like the guy I will be reporting to now, he actually worked for me years ago. Next year is going to be even more intense than this year as we are asked to do more with less, less money and less people. I really enjoy my job. It is challenging and I love the people I work with.

Today, I had the opportunity to go to the temple w/ my nephew Casey. He is leaving on his mission to Colombia on Jan 14th. He will be a great missionary. It was a good experience today. Wendy is a wonderful mother who has raised 5 wonderful children.

Mr. Blue Eyes

Today I took Parker to get his pictures taken for his 7th birthday...yes 7, I can't believe he is going to be that old. I wanted to get them done before the Christmas rush. They turned out so cute. He is getting so big. He is so funny when he gets his picture taken. He loves to tell the photographer how he thinks they should pose him. You would think he has had his pictures taken a lot in his life. I am posting my favorite one. I love his eyes in this picture. He has the biggest, bluest, prettiest eyes in the whole world.

It has been a great week so far. Thanksgiving was very nice. I made the tastiest turkey if I may say so myself. I rubbed it with Olive Oil, salt and pepper and basil. It was great. I bought a 21 pound turkey, that should help w/ the years supply of food storage - HA!

Todd came over and we had a nice quiet Thanksgiving with just the 5 of us. My parents went on vacation againg this. I keep teasing that they better never leave us alone on Thanksgiving again.

I did a little bit of shopping but I had really already finished Christmas shopping. I got all the presents wrapped tonight while the kids went with Chris. We are going to put our tree up tomorrow. I have already put the decorations outside.

Tonight we went over to our favorite neighbors and decorated snowman cookies, I will post some pics when I get them.

Well, only 1 more day off and then back to crazy work. I have enjoyed my time off and look forward to the week I have off at the end of December.

Does He Look Like Me Or What???

Over the past few weeks, I have been getting comments from my family and friends that Karsten looks just like me. All I have to say is "POOR KID"!! Now that I have started keeping in touch with some friends on facebook, I dug out an old picture from my 6th grade birthday party to post. It is a very funny picture and I look like a DORK! Well, just a day after I had posted the picture, Karsten brought home a picture of him and his friends at a birthday party. Can I just say ---- FUNNY!!! He looks just like me, facial expression and all. Thought I would blog about it so you all can have a good laugh. Just remember, my picture was taken in the 80's, as one of my friends stated, "Acid washed jeans, the claw and Cosby sweaters." I think that just about sums it up.

"Rumormongering"

Ok, so I wasn't going to blog about this but I am seriously getting sick of the media. In a recent news article my companies CEO - Vikram Pandit said it correctly -we have most of these issues w/ the economy and our stocks to blame on the "rumormongering" media.

People have been frequently asking, did you hear about Citi this or that. Well, honestly I try to not listen to what is out there. I have trust in the leaders of our companies, especially my boss, that they will keep us as informed as they possibly can. The rumors seem to change daily, how could anyone in their right mind keep up with that.

Many of you have probably seen the recent stock prices for Citi, a company I have now worked for, for 14.5 years. I had sold some stock last year at $55, well today we hit a whopping $3.77. One of my friends I work with commented that she just recently bought a brick of cheese for more than 1 share of Citi stock. I just had to laugh.

Some of my family is very concerned that I may loose my job. Well, it is not like that has not crossed my mind as well as the minds of all my co-workers. But, this is the way I look at it.....what can I do about it????

I have comfort knowing that I pay my tithing as well as follow the prophet in regards to food storage, now I can't say I have a whole year but I am getting close. I think we all wish we had more in savings than we do, but at least there is a little bit just in case, as well as wishing we had no debt. We have told the boys it will be a small Christmas this year, as we are trying to hang on to the cash we do have, since our insurance premiums are going up.

My attitude has been to just to the best I possibly can each and everyday at work and nothing less. We just all need to keep our heads high and do what is right for the business and our customers during this time. Many of our customers are probably very concerned as well.

4th Albumn, 4th Picture

So, several of my friends have put this on their blog. You go to your 4th albumn, 4th picture. Completely random. This was our picture from 2 Christmas' ago. I really liked my hair short, Chris hated it. What is it w/ men and long hair, seriously, do we complain about their hair?????

I Love My Kids

Today was a nice day. The boys and I got up and went to Steed Park to help clean up for Citi's Global Volunteer Day. We didn't stay long because my back couldn't handle much of the raking leaves. We then came home and I cleaned the house for my friend Jana and her family to come over. Chris got off early today and we went to Heritage Park in Clinton to take some pictures of the boys. We have decided not to take family pictures this Christmas and have some professional ones done in the spring w/ my entire family, now that we have a new addition and the boys are a lot older than the last time we had it done. We finally got started on some Christmas shopping for the kids today. We went to Best Buy because we had some coupons and the while the kids where playing the video games we bought the presents and snuck them into the trunk of the car. We are going very light this year due to the economy and the increase in insurance premiums we have coming the 1st of January, as well as we are not sure how much of a raise there will be available this year as both companies we work for are struggling. I think it is good, it helps us stay humble. We all could use that everyone once in awhile.

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures we took today. I just think I have the most handsome boys in the world. They are also good kids, I can't complain. I wish I was a better mother, something I have to work on each and every day. The kids have unconditional love right now but I know that will not last forever so I have to strive to be the best mom ever.

What I am Thankful For

I wanted to sit down and put my thoughts on what I am thankful for.

1. My children - my boys are amazing. They are challenging at times but the good out weighs the bad.
2. My husband - I love that he loves me for me and puts up w/ my crap.
3. My parents - they have been such a great example to me in my life. I thank them for teaching the value of a solid work ethic and how to love their children.
4. My job - Times are tough right now and I am so grateful for a steady job and income to care for my family.
5. My brothers - they are good people. They love me for me (at least I hope).
6. My home - I couldn't ask for a better place to raise my family.
7. My freedom
8. A car that gets me to and fro
9. The ability for us to travel as a family
10. My grandparents - they are awesome. I am grateful that my children have been able to grow up with great grandparents that come visit often.
11. My health
12. The fact I have a testimony that Families are Forever
13. A loving Heavenly Father
14. Great neighbors
15. Great friends

The Rash!

Parker came down with a rash on Saturday morning, the left side of his cheek. I didn't really think anything of it because he has very sensitive skin. Well, Sunday morning he woke up and his face was beet red on both sides. I assumed he has what is called Fifth's Disease. Luckily, Chris was off on Monday so he took him to the doctor. Yes indeed that is what he has. The doctor said he can't go to school until the rash is no longer on his face. He has really been contagious for about 2 weeks before the actual break out. He feels fine and it is not something that makes kids feel sick. I worked from home today and he was being a nut. Chris got home a little bit early and took some pictures of him outside. I have also added a goofy picture of him w/ the 'face' on, he won it at the school carnival.

To All Those Who Have Suffered....

This entry is a tribute to all those women who have suffered the terrible disease called cancer. October is breast cancer awareness month. Unfortuntely, we have had 3 people in our lives that have been affected by this MONSTER. Luckily, they are all survivors. My Grams has made it past her 5 years, they say after that you are in the clear. Chris' sister Wendy, November will be 2 years. She was so strong during the whole thing. And now, Chris' cousin Kara. Hers has been the worst of them all. She took necessary measures to try and permantely elimate this evil. She will be going through months of chemo. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family during this time.

We love all of you and your strength and positive attitude has shown us that CANCER can be conquered.

My Little (Big) 4th Grader

Where has time gone. I can't believe I have a 4th grader. I really remember school from about 4th grade on. I moved from Riverton to Layton middle of my 4th grade year, and have lived here ever since. Karsten is finally getting his front side teeth. Braces here we come. We are waiting until the first of next year when I can beef of my flex spending account. Karsten is such a good kid, he still loves me. He is so thoughtful to others, I hope he stays that way. Today the boys were out of school for UEA. I worked from home and when Chris got home we went to the Aquatic Center. We had a really good time. We then came home and pigged out on pizza.

Where Did Fall Go???

It is only the 2nd weekend of October and the weather man said it would snow but I was not expecting this. When we woke this morning I was completely amazed by the amount of snow we had received. We must of received some good lake effect snow. We had about 5-6 inches and it is 1:23pm and STILL SNOWING. Chris went out this morning before church to clear the trees. None of the leaves have even fallen off the trees, nor have they really turned their Fall colors. This is CRAZY!!! I wonder if we are headed for a similar or worse winter than last.

However, with snow means fun for the boys. As soon as we got home from church they had their snowsuits and boots on - thank goodness everything stills fits from last winter.

Enjoy the beautiful pictures. The first snow really is so pure and white, it is when it doesn't seem to end that really gets ugly.

Congrats to Casey!!!

Congratulations to our cute nephew Casey. He received his mission call on Friday and will be leaving for Bogota, Columbia on Jan 14, 2009. He will be such an awesome missionary. We are very proud of him.

This week was very hectic with football every night as well as parent-teacher conference. We got very good reports on the boys. Biggest complaint is they are both chatter boxes - wonder where on earth they get that from??? Karsten' teacher said he a really good kid and is very nice to everyone. Parker's teacher said he is doing very well with his reading, math and writing. She said she just melts when he looks at her with his big blue eyes.

It was a rainy weekend, which was a nice change. We just lounged around, I watched a few movies, really dumb ones. I finished my book, "Tuesdays with Morrie". It was a very good book. Sure makes you think about the importance of life. Now I am on to a new book, "True Believer" by Nicholas Sparks. I really like his books, I have read almost all of them.

I have attached a photo of Karsten at his last football game. He is doing very well.

Football

Here is a great clip of Parker playing football. He seems to be enjoying it and does really well. That is when the coach lets other kids besides his own run the ball.

Things have been really crazy around our house with football every night. By the time the kids get home, do homework, go to football, eat dinner, it is bedtime. I really look forward to Friday - Sunday.

The weather has been really nice. I have been trying for the past couple of months to run at least 2 miles a night. I have done pretty good except for 2 weeks ago when I threw my back out again. I am really getting sick of that happening. It happened because I vaccuumed the entire house. I really need a maid, just can't afford one.

Tomorrow is parent teacher conference. I am excited to talk w/ Parker's teacher. He seems to be doing very well. He is getting 100% on his spelling tests. Karsten also seems to be doing good.

The Getaway

Chris and I just returned Friday afternoon from a nice getaway from the kids and work. We helped my parents at the Pharmacy conference be the hosts for the spouse/guest activities on Thursday and Friday. We stayed at the Grand Summit Hotel at the Canyons in Park City. We shared an incredible suite w/ my parents. It had two large rooms, 3 bathrooms, a large living area and a kitchen. It was a beautiful room.

On Thursday we had the opportunity to take them to Temple Square. There the missionaries took us on a historic tour of the Beehive House, The Conference Center, Temple Square Visitor Center and then we went to the organ recital at the Tabernacle. The tour was really nice. The ladies ask very good questions about the Mormon religion. They all seemed to enjoy the time. We then finished the day with them by having lunch at The Garden, in the Joseph Smith building, overlooking the temple. I had never been up there, Chris and I said we need to go back at Christmas time and have dinner w/ the kids.

For dinner that evening we took the gondola up to the lodge at the Canyons It was a lot of fun. Dinner was wonderful and the entertainment was really good as well.

On Friday we took the spouses/guests to the Olympic Park. We took a tour all the way to the top of the jumps and bobsled run. That was a very interesting tour. Those athletes are amazing. We then finished the day in old Main St. Park City by having lunch at Main Street Pizza & Pasta. Their pizza is to die for.

It was a really good time. Nice and relaxing. My parents did a fantastic job putting on the conference. It took many hours of preparation but the feedback was really good.

I have posted a picture from the Internet of the hotel. This is the second time Chris and I have stayed at The Canyons. I would recommend it to anyone.

Welcome Fall!!

I am getting excited for this wonderful fall weather, so I have changed my blog. Fall is my favorite time of the year, I hope we really get to have one this year and the snow stays away until at least November. This weeks weather has been AWESOME!!! This week has also been extremely NUTS!!!!! Work has been so busy, I can't seem to get caught up. I am usually a very responsive person but I have emails from a week ago I just can't seem to get to. I am on so many projects right now. Not that I want the end of the year to come but some of my projects will be over by then, so in some ways it can't come soon enough.

The boys started football practice this week. They are really cute. The coaching thing with Chris and I is going alright. Games start this week and run through the week of Oct 6th, so it is not too long.

I don't have any new pictures to post this week but will next week after football starts.

Chris and I are going away from the 17th - 19th. We are going to the Canyons in Park City to help my parents with the Pharmacy conference. We will be the chaperone's for the spouses. It should be a lot of fun.

My grandma should be moving to her assisted living place next Sunday. She has been in a nursing home for a few months, ever since she feel at her home and hasn't quite recovered properly. She is now 89 years old and getting very fragile. I am so proud of my parents. Over the past 5 years they have really sacrificed to take care of my grandma. It has been a lot of work. I look up to them for what they have done.

The boys really seem to be liking school. Parker is doing very well each Friday on his spelling tests. He is also really enjoying going to school with his cousin Cathryn.

Well, I am off to do my Saturday chores - I just LOVE THEM!

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today is Chris' 37th birthday and tomorrow is our 14th wedding anniversary. Since we didn't have a lot of money left over from playing all summer we decided to go to Wolfe Creek with our friends the Smith's. We left on Friday evening and returned today. It was a nice relaxing weekend, and as always we ate way to much food. The canyon is so beautiful, it is already starting to change from green to red and orange, this is one of my most favorite times of year.

The condo was really nice. It slept 10, had a great view. It also had 2 really nice hot tubs and a sauna, that Chris & Guido used to sweat their guts out.

We went on a small hike yesterday. We went as far as the kids would hold up, which was maybe 2 miles round trip. I have included some family photos. We have a good time when we are with the Smith's.

I have also included the photo from the accident Parker had on Friday at school. I got a call just as I was heading to pick him up. He had been poked in the eye and popped a blood vessel. It is healing, but is sure ugly.

The boys are starting flag football this week for Clearfield City. Chris and I are actually coaching Karsten's team, this ought to be interesting. I will keep you posted. Good thing it only lasts through the week of October 6th.

Time w/ Grams and Papa

Well, the month is now almost over and it has been very crazy and busy. Karsten finished his golf program that he has been participating in since June. He didn't place this year because we were gone to Yellowstone during one of the tournaments. He really enjoys golf.

My Grams and Papa have been visiting for almost 2 weeks now, with the past week staying with us. It has been a nice visit. The boys love when they come. How many kids get to spend quality time with their great-grandparents - not many!

My Papa tried out Chris' scooter. He had a lot of fun and looked great doing it.

The kids started school this week. They seem to be enjoying it. Parker has been really tired because of the transition to full day from Kindergarten. He said they starve him and he can't eat until the little hand is on the 11 and the big hand on the 12 - very cute.

Work has been very busy for me. We launched a new product. We have been working on it since February. I am glad for it to finally be here. Still some more work to do in getting it fully up and running, but I have great people that I work with.

Chris laid some new sod in the area that the grubs had attacked. We finally had a professional come and see what they could do. It just about killed Chris. He takes a lot of pride in the yard.

Last Saturday we with a few neighbors cleaned up the front of the neighborhood. It was starting to look like you know what. The developers for this area are very irresponsible and have not done what they have committed to do. We are in the process of trying to get the property turned back over to the city. The drama continues.....

The boys start flag football on the 8th. They are excited. Should be a good time.

Enjoy the pictures of my Papa and Karsten on the last day of golf.

Vacation w/ Grandma & Pop

The kids just returned yesterday from a weekend with my parents (Grandma & Pop). My parents bought a new trailer and they wanted to start using it right away. They took the kids to Twin Falls, Idaho, with the primary purpose of going to the temple open house. They stayed at the KOA camp, went to the falls, Shoshone Ice Cave and Shoshone Falls. The kids said they had a good time, their favorite was the ice caves.

It was nice having a weekend w/ just Chris and I, but we were glad to see the kids when they returned.

A Lost Tooth

Good Morning,

Parker has lost his 1st tooth. How exciting, this just means he is getting even bigger. Last night I was working on the computer and he wanted a piece of gum. Just a few minutes after he had gone up stairs he came down crying hysterically - "My tooth is bleeding and I heard a crack", he stated. Sure enough the tooth that had been just a little loose for the past 6 months has moved and was very loose. Of course he wouldn't let me touch it. We got him a rag and he sat and cried for an hour until Chris returned home. He kept asking me when it was going to feel better, I told him NEVER, unless he pulled it out.

Well, I went to a wedding reception w/ my parents and when I returned the tooth had been removed and was still stuck to the floss. Chris said he wanted me to wake him up, I tried but no luck, so he is still asleep this morning and I am yet to see that cute toothless smile.

Chris is always so good about taking pictures, so I have attached one.

Hope everyone has a great week. My grandparents from Las Vegas are coming in today, we are very excited to see them. They will be staying with us for a week at the end of the month. The boys really enjoy seeing them, they are sure lucky to have great-grandparents that are involved in their lives.

Relay for Life

Friday night we had the opportunity to participate in the North Davis Relay for Life. I was the team captain for the 3rd year in a row. This has been a tradition for the past 2 years with Chris' family. Ever since Chris' sister was diagnosed with breast cancer it made this event extra special for the family. Chris' sister from California drove in, bringing her friend Debbie, daughter Nicki, son Eric and our new great-niece Heaven. Our nephew Kenny also came up from Provo, I hadn't seen him since Karsten was a baby. Chris' cousins and their families also drove up from Riverton area, we only see them about once a year. My friend Kim and Amy were also on our team. The team raised about $1200 - thanks to my brother Brian for his $500 donation.

The kids stayed up most of the night. You can see Parker got arrested for a donation - the charge was for being so cute. Our team name was the Wizard of Bras, to go along w/ the theme "There is no place like Hope." By Saturday we were SOOOO tired, since we decided to stay one extra day in the Tetons, we didn't get home until about 2:30pm on Friday and went to the Relay about 5pm until 9am Saturday morning.

Enjoy the pictures!

Yellowstone Trip

We have returned from our last camping trip of the season, and we had a BLAST!!! We headed to Yellowstone last Saturday and just returned yesterday. We had made reservations to stay in Yellowstone the entire trip but we decided to head to the Grand Tetons on Tuesday.

We journeyed into parts of Yellowstone I had never been. We had the opportunity to see some incredible wildlife - YES, we saw a bear, 2 actually. We had ventured to Artist Paintpots and there we came within 50 feet or so of a black bear. It was AWESOME. The same day we saw a grizzly from much further away than the black bear. We also saw a coyote, bald eagle, moose, deer, elk and tons of buffalo. The kids also got very close to some very hungry chipmunks, they were really cute.

The weather was great - mid 70's. One night it got down to 36 degrees. We did a lot of hiking and saw some beautiful waterfalls. We went with our good friends the Brown's. The kids had a good time hanging out together and riding their bikes.

Chris took some fantastic pictures for your viewing pleasure - check out the slide show.

Another Week Flies By!

It just seems like we got back from Flaming Gorge but it has almost been an entire week. This week has just cruised right by. I am glad it went fast considering it was a week from HELL at work. It was probably the most stressful week I have had since I started working in my new department. I am just glad that I have good people to work with and a great boss that steps in to help when I need him.

The boys had a fun 2 days at Art in the Park. My brother Brady came and did a demonstration w/ the police dog, the kids said they had a really good time. Chris and I both had to work on the 24th but we got off early and went to the park with Wendy, Kyle and Colby. It was nice and relaxing.

Today Karsten went to Cub Scout day camp. He is not home yet but I am sure he has been having a blast. I just ran a lot of errands and cleaned my pig sty of a house.

Parker helped Chris around the house and in the yard this week and helped him fix the flat he got on his bike. The boys have only been riding their bikes for a month or so and this is the 2nd flat Chris has had to fix. I have attached a picture of him showing off his really cool sunglasses. He is going to be quite the lady killer when he gets older.

We leave next Sunday for Yellowstone, so unless we have something exciting happen we will not post again for awhile.

Flaming Gorge

Enjoying some 'smores'!
Some day he will put on weight like the rest of us.
"Breathtaking"


This weekend we had the opportunity to spend it with the Fitzpatrick side of the family. We had the whole gang except for Kian and Chantal - we missed them but hope to have them join us next year.

We left Thursday for Flaming Gorge and stayed in the Firefighter Memorial campground until Sunday afternoon. We had a great spot with a lot of shade. The kids found them a great place to make a hideout for the 'Civil War' they were having. They had made them a bunker from rocks they carried from around the area. They also found some great sticks they used as cannons.

My brothers brought their boat and we traded off playing on the lake, since all of us couldn't go together. We had 10 of us and 2 dogs. We found some great little coves to stop and swim. The water was actually very warm and fun to float around in.

The new trailer was awesome with the amount of people that we had in there sleeping all at one time. We did however have to dump once ine the 3.5 days we were there.

It was great to get some time to relax and away from our busy lives. We love spending time together as a family, even when the kids fight and talk back. We also love being in the outdoors. It is great not having to wake up and get ready for the day. A gal needs a day with out make-up every once in awhile.

We will be heading for Yellowstone in a few weeks with our friends the Brown's to enjoy yet another wonderful trailer trip.

Hope all is well with everyone. Please comment or email if you can - some of you I haven't heard from in months!