Enjoying the Warm Weather- while it lasts!

Last week, I met my friends Kara and Laura from High School and we hit a couple classes at BYU education week. It was so fun and I learned some new things. We went to a Marriage Class (What Happily Married Couples Actually Do) and The Art of Contentment. Kara is pregnant with her second baby, a boy this time and Laura just had her 4th! It is so fun to hang out with these girls that have known me since elementary school and Jr. High. We always have a great time and I'm glad our hubby's watch the kids so we can get away for an evening once and awhile. We'll have to do it again next year!

Over the weekend we went camping and boating at Pine View (up Ogden Canyon). It was so pretty and the weather was great! Our friends, the Hansens, that we went with just got a 5th Wheel and it is so nice. We were camping in style. Although tents are fun- so are beds and a bathroom. Pine View is the first lake we have been to this summer that has a nice sandy beach. So the kids loved digging and playing in the sand. Besides having some car trouble (with our brand new car) we had a great time. (the cars in shop and I have a rental without a DVD player- how will I get by....)

Yesterday for FHE we met at the Legacy Center Swimming pool for Carly and Steph's birthdays. We swam, had pizza and opened some presents. Carly is turning 4 soon and she didn't know what to do with herself getting so many things. It was so cute! At the end of the pool party the wind picked up and has been blowing ever since. Is the nice weather coming to an end?

Kali's first digital scrapbook page

Now that Kali is 8 she is in Activity Days. For an upcoming stake activity she was supposed to have something to display. So I taught her the basics with Memory Mixer and this is what we came up with. She had fun putting it together and I bet it won't be long before she will want to do it some more.

Lagoon & School Started!

On Friday, we took the kids to Lagoon and met our friends the Fishers there. The kids went on all the rides and Jimmy and I took turns being with Sophie and taking her around. She loved the train ride to see the animals, the Merry-Go-Round, the Dragon roller-coaster, and the Lazy River. Conner and Kali loved going on the big rides. Wicked was Conner's favorite and Kali really like the Wild Mouse. She was laughing the whole time- probably because I was screaming. There weren't long lines and it wasn't too hot of a day. At night it got windy so we left earlier than we would have. The best part was just hanging out as a family and watching the kids have a great time. (Liked the rides too)

The school year started today. The summer went by so fast. Conner started 4th grade and Kali is in 3rd. I can't believe they are getting so old. Sophie is not sure what to do with it so quiet around here. We'll miss them when they are gone during the day. I am looking forward to organizing and getting things ready for fall. I am ready for things to cool down- and start cooking again. (I love cooking in the Fall)

11 Years Already!!

Last Fri. was Jimmy and I's 11th Anniversary! It goes by faster every year. This year, we went to Anniversary Inn for a night and stayed in the Wild West Themed room. It was a lot of fun. On the way, we stopped at Spoon Me. We are hooked. It is natural yogurt that Steph has been telling me about for several months. Well, we finally stopped by to see what the fuss was about. It is so yummy. I got natural & Asie Berry swirl with fresh mango and rasberries on top. On Friday we went to Park City. We stayed at the Sky Lodge. Jimmy's work team won a competition and got some money to use for something fun. Jimmy's boss put together a fun weekend at Park City and it just happened to fall on our Anniversary. We went on the Alpine Slide, Coaster and zip line. It was a rush- love to get my adrenline pumping! That night we went to a BBQ place. On Saturday morning, we went on a hike and then went swimming and hot tubbing back at the Lodge. Later that afternoon, we went to the outlet mall and spent the rest of our spending money on some stuff for the kids. Not only did we have a great time but we didn't have to spend our own money to do it. Good job, Jimmy, doing so well at your job. I am looking forward to more fun adventures on the company!

A big thanks to Steph, Ken & Gina, and Aaron & Camile for watching our kids! Steph stayed with the kids on Thurs. night, Ken & Gina took them Friday and Aaron & Camile came and stayed at our house Saturday and then we came home on Sunday morning.

Cruisin' Alaska

In July, I went on a cruise with some of my family. My grandpa worked on a tugboat when my dad was little in Alaska. So my cousin, Lisa, organized a cruise for everyone who could participate to spend time with my grandpa seeing that part of the country. I roomed with Steph, my younger Sis. Here are some of the highlights I want to remember along with some pictures.



-two stepping with my Grandpa at 50's & 60's night, he is in his 80's but that doesn't slow him down. He is such a wonderful man- I love him for how well her took care of my grandma before she died (for many years). I can see how she fell for him all those years ago- I had a little flash of the young man he was when he swept her off her feet on the dance floor all those years ago. He told me they danced so well together they had their own steps and it was hard to dance with anyone else after her.



-the billy-bob teeth that Steph & I both brought (without consulting about it even). We made quite a few people smile.



-Dancing with Steph at the dance class- I was the man. We learned the swing- different swinging than I did at Ricks but still fun. My parents we so cute- dancing like they were love sick teenagers.



-Any Man of Mine by Shannia Twain (Karaokee with Steph) We don't remember anything about My Boyfriend's Back!



-The last day at sea sharing memories about Grandma & Grandpa and Grandpa telling us "If what I did was a sacrifice all those years ago, it was all worth it"



-Photo shoots with Steph- Arnold, the Mummy, the round window sill



-working out while watching the Ocean and the Alaskan scenery



-dinner every night at 6 and all the yummy food (great company too- I sat with Ken (my bro) and Gina & their kids, my parents & Steph- Grandpa sat with us one night too)



-the great detoxifying massage (good thing you got some of those knots worked on Steph- that many toxins are harmful, I could sell you a bottle of seaweed something for $100 to help)



-praying so hard that Brigham (my 9 year old nephew) would be found safe, our prayers were answered



-Emma (7 year old niece) having a girls night with Steph & I in our room, we got tons of room service! So fun!!



-The lumberjack show (one of the lumber jacks tried to take Steph home with him after our picture with them, can't blame him though! She's a catch!



-hanging out with my cousin Lisa (we're a month apart)



-getting to know my cousin Mark better



-late night Mexican buffet with Mom & Steph



-Another midnight buffet (Gala)- fancy one though



-lots of sugar free desserts that were very tasty!!



-hot tubbing with Steph, Grandpa, Mom, Blake, Brandon & Emma in the not so hot hot tub



-egg white veggie omelet & fresh fruit for breakfast everyday (at least I started the days off right- a workout and then a healthy breakfast. It always went downhill from there)



-the friendly staff that went the extra mile (I was away from Jimmy and the kids for 8 days and so excited to see them, these workers go months without seeing their families. So sad!!)



-Dad & his Multan chocolate cake every night and finishing off what others couldn't



-towel animals



-the pass along pillow on the airplane



-knowing my kids were doing great with their daddy!



-my great sister Camile for watching the kids one day and my neighbors that helped out when Jimmy went out on appointments

Here are some pictures of our adventure- let me know if this is too much of a pain to view them this way. It's a lot faster than the blogger upload

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27640&l=dd07a&id=691978396

We had a special day!

On Saturday, Kali was baptised by her dad. We had lots of family that came to show their love and support. Jimmy's parents came from Oregon, my parents came from Idaho, 2 of Jimmy's sister's and their families came from Texas and Oregon. My 2 sisters and brother and his family all came too. Our neighbors, the Burt's also came (they aren't moving anymore- YEAH!!) Kali looked so pretty in her white dress and when she changed into the jumpsuit to get baptised she looked so clean and pure. Jimmy got choked up a bit as he said the baptismal prayer. The spirit was really strong and it was so neat watching Kali come out of the waters. We quickly changed her back into her dress and came out for the confirmation of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. In the prayer Jimmy blessed her to be a leader, to learn and study the gospel, to do as she has been taught by those who love her, and to have high standards when choosing a mate to take her to the temple. It was a very nice blessing.

We went to the park and had a brunch. There was lots of fresh fruit, yogurt, muffins, juice and breakfast casserole. There was a fun game of football played and the younger kids were entertained at the park. It was a nice day and at the end of it I was tired!

On Sunday we had great meetings at church- I've been out of town for a few weeks so it was nice to be back in our ward again. Jimmy, Jay and I all bore our testimonies and I hope our kids felt the spirit. They don't seem like they are paying attention but I think they do listen when they hear our voices over the sound system.

I went on an Alaskan Cruise with some of my family and once I get some pictures from it (Ken & Steph had the cameras) I'll post some details.

Here are some pictures from Saturday
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27419&l=8f640&id=691978396

(we signed up for facebook this weekend so if you have a facebook account let's be friends ;)