Fishlake 2010

Well... I hope none of you fall off your chairs when you see I've finally updated this... :) Life has been pretty crazy these days. We are still alive and doing well....

We finally got away to Fishlake over the weekend. WOW! What an emotional roller coaster for me. I seriously walked through the door and was looking for Grandpa. It was so devastating and hard for me when he wasn't sitting there.. I think at that point in time it all became real for me. All of his beautiful furniture he made for the cabin was still there... his wall hangings and just that Grandpa feeling... Even as bad as it hurt... I'm SO glad I got to go and be there one last time... to be somewhere that he loved to be was so healing for me. There are memories that were made at the cabin that we will never forget.

We had a TON of fun on the lake... My kids seriously had a blast. Hayden told my dad it was the best day he had ever had in his life.... Here are some pics of their fish... What a blast. Thanks Mom and Dad for taking the time to go with us. It truly was a much needed break. We love you!! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the memories that we will never forget!!!

I'll miss you Grandpa!

This weekend was I think one of the hardest thus far in my life. I've lost grandparents before, but either was pretty young, or such a blessing after a long illness that I didn't realize how heartbroken I was going to be. Grandparents are such a HUGE part of my life and always have been. Being the oldest granddaughter on both sides, you get to know them pretty well and know what an important influence they are in your life and how much you want their presence in your own children's lives.

My Grandpa Bill was such a wonderful, loving man. He was always SO proud of each of us.... and we knew it! I have SO many special memories of him, but one in particular.... We had a family get together at the Delta Rez.. Jason and I had been married for about 6 months and I was SO tired and SO sick... at that time not knowing why. Of course there was a HUGE hug awaiting me upon arrival from Grandpa and that "I love you more than you know" look on his face. Telling him I wasn't feeling well, he just said I better take it easy on that particular day. A few weeks later, I figured out that I was pregnant with Bracken and called to tell Grandpa and Grandma. He said... "I've known since I saw you what was going on and have just been waiting for you to figure it out. You and Jason are going to be wonderful parents. Grandma and I are SO proud of you." Grandpa also told me I would be the mother of some great "boys".... :) How did he ALWAYS know....????? He knew all three of my boys were boys before I knew my boys were boys..... Still makes me smile to think of telling him I was having ANOTHER boy... and that same, yep, I told you so smile on his face.... :)

It never mattered growing up what was going on in our lives, he never judged us, he never scolded us, he never made us feel like we weren't the most wonderful and important person in the world. I knew I could tell him anything, I knew he would listen and offer advice to ANY situation.... not just advice to suffice the situation, but advice to change the situation if needed and to offer words of encouragement.

One of the most treasured memories I will have is putting together the book for Grandma and Grandpa's 50th Wedding Anniversary. All of us grandchildren were asked to write a letter to them. Each letter was SO unique and SO treasured for them.... What I found SO special is that honestly, each of us felt like we were his favorite.... This was mentioned SEVERAL times as his service... I truly believe that each of us were his favorite.... :)

I love you, Grandpa... I'll miss you everyday....

Monster Jam

I have to admit... this was a pretty fun time.... but LOUD!!!!! We all had a great time! I was worried if Ash would keep his ear plugs in, but he did great.

All Things Thrifty

Okay so I have 3 amazing sisters... I have nick names for them all... We called Adrian ... "AD-Bug", we called Brooke ... "Brookie" and we LOVINGLY call Aubrey ... "Martha". All of them are SO talented and I love them all!!! Crafters... photographers.... pie makers... you name it, they can do it!!!! I am SO blessed to have them in my life. If Adrian and Aubs will excuse me for a few minutes... I have to brag on Brooke and her friend, Kallie for a few minutes... :)

I was FINALLY looking at a few blogs tonight and clicked on Brooke's and Kallie's "All Things Thrifty" blog. WELL... Brooke hasn't said a word to me about this.... it doesn't surprise me as humble as they both she and Kallie are.... BUT, they have been asked to participate in a contest! It's a contest on the blog called "So you think you can decorate..." The contest is starting on February 28th.... I WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED for them. They do a ton of WAY fun things of a very "thrifty" budget.... SOOOO all of you friends out there that read this need to check out their stuff and check out the contest and VOTE FOR THEM!!!! I am sure more details to come, but it sounds like there will be 10 challenges in 10 weeks. Here is the link to the blog where the contest is. "So You Think You Can Decorate...."

CONGRATS YOU TWO!!!! You are going to do GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously can't stop smiling... You've worked SO hard and I know you'll do AMAZING!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Tribute

My Bracken and his friend Zach.

There isn't much more that I could say that would add to the words that were said today... the pictures say them all. I would just like to add my thanks to every member of the Millard County Sheriff's Department and other community service personnel.... Your bravery doesn't go unnoticed. May you and your families also feel peace in your hearts at this time.

Remember....

Somebody killed a policeman today
And a part of America died...
A piece of our country she swore to protect
Will be buried with her at her side.
The beat that she walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if she had gone off to war;
The flag of our nation will fly at half-mast
To her name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today...
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors
This cop put her life on the line.
Now her ghost walks the beat on a dark city street,
And she stands at each new rookie's side;
She answered the call... of herself gave her all,
And a part of America died...

~~Author Unknown~~

May you rest in peace, Josie.

Merry Christmas!!!

I had the wonderful opportunity to write the cantata program for our Christmas party this year. When I was doing the research , there was a quote I found that I loved... you all know how much I love quotes... :)

"Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

For some reason this year, the Savior has been an even bigger part of our Christmas. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our home and our lives. We are so blessed to have a testimony of the gospel and how important our families are to us. We wish all of you the peace that comes to your heart when you think of the Savior and the wondrous gift he gave to each of us.

Merry Christmas... we love you all!!!

Once there was a snowman!!!

Hayden could NOT wait to get out in the snow and build a snowman! He honestly would wear his coveralls everyday to school if I would let him so he could play in the snow. I swear that little bugger doesn't get cold! Cracks me up! Here is his family of snowmen. Look closely... you should be able to see 4!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said "Not everyone can be a star quarterback; not everyone can be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company; not everyone can win a gold medal at the Olympics; but everyone—everyone—can live in thanksgiving daily."

I am SO, SO, SO thankful at this time of year for my family, my friends and all of my blessings.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

All Things Thrifty GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi Everyone.... My little sister and her friend that do the "All Things Thrifty" blog are doing 7 days of giveaways..... You may want to check out their blog.... "All Things Thrifty" They have some DARLING things they are putting together for the giveaway.... keep checking their blog for the items and ENTER AWAY!!!!! :) Thanks Brooke and Kallie for all of your hard work ! I am SO excited to see what you've been up to!!!

Daddy's little helpers...

Like I said below... we have had a TON of help with our basement.... Even the boys have helped. They helped us insulate and staple it up and also Sheetrock... We are getting SO close I can almost taste organization again!!!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Brownies....

Hayden LOVES to lick the bowl....I had to take that picture... can you see it in his hair! Silly Kid??? Ashton had his fair share too... :)

Tomatoes or Trees???

You pick??? Tomatoes or trees? This was our crop failure of the year.... these grew HUGE, but there wasn't one tomato on them. SAD HUH???? They were beautiful to look at though...oh well... better luck next year!

Basement

We have had SOOOOOOO much help getting our basement fixed! It has been such a blessing for us! Here are a few pics. We are painting tonight so stay tuned for more.

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO HAVE HELPED!!!

Ashie's Birthday

It's totally time I catch up on this thing... It's been a while!

Ashie turned two this month.... I already mentioned that.. but had to mention it again....I can't believe that it happened! He is truly such a joy in our house.

HEre are some of his favorite things as he's growing right up! He says lots of words... I think there is a new one everyday... some of our favorites are ...

• Borse aka Horse
  
• Bubba... both brothers
• Bink... Binkie... yes he still has one... He's my last... what can I say? :)
  
• Momma...
  
• Baddy
• MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Cow...
  
• Juice....
• Tractor
• Truck
• Bottle... aka sippie cup
• Bubbles
• NO!!! That's a biggie....
• Please
• MMMMMMMMM mama! (Love you mom!)
  
• Plus many, many more....

Some things I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE about this little boy....

1. I love his curly hair....
2. I love how he snuggles up to me on the couch.... still!!!
3. He loves to be wrapped up in a blanket... ALL THE TIME...
4. He loves to wear Hayden's underwear... this one is scary sometimes.
5. He LOVES Jenn's van. He cries his little heart out when he can't go with her somewhere... cracks me up!
6. He loves his brothers... TO PIECES!!!
7. He loves to ride in Jason's truck! Something about trucks and little boys... well and vans in this case!
   
8. He sleeps in his OWN bed...this was groundbreaking... THANKS BROOKIE!!!
   
9. He loves to watch "Buzz" and "Woody"
10. He loves the "Bubbles"

LOVE YOU ASHIE!!! I am so glad you are ours!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHIE

Had to wish Ashie a Happy Birthday! More pics to follow.... partying all weekend for the little stinker.... :)

I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S TWO. :(

When do I get to go hunting?

For all of you wives out there with hunting husbands, I am sure you will somewhat identify. I don't want to sound like I am a whining person, but I am at the end of my rope.

Jason has been hunting all week. Did I mention ALL WEEK LONG!!! He's been getting up at the crack of dawn, loading his stuff and off he goes! Calling once in a blue moon to "check on" things....not to return till long after dark.

I seriously have had it! I'm trying to work, take care of kids, homework, driving them everywhere and anywhere... house, laundry, yard and all of the other duties of parents... ALL ALONE!!!

So... tonight have now decided that one of these next days, I am going to get up at the crack of dawn, load my "stuff" and head out not to return till after dark and not have a care in the world! I know it's nice for him to get away from the every day rigmarole of life, but I have had it.

Today my kids went to a friends house and it was almost 3 hours before I even thought to them! How sad is that? What a horrible mother I am. Do you think he would survive my "hunting expedition".....

Wouldn't it honestly be nice to be the "hunter" of the family???? Please forgive my pessimistic attitude... won't it be nice to curl up into bed.... oh wait, he'll need a foot massage..... he's exhausted from all of his walking!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

First Day of School and DEEP DEPRESSION!

I can't believe that it's school time already.. better yet, I can't believe that I have a middle schooler... SAD HUH?!?!? I can't believe that he's that big? He is LOVING every minute of it. Hayden started 1st grade and is loving it also! The school change is VERY hard, but we are adjusting. The only one not adjusting is Ashie. He is in the deepest depression ever. He just lays on the floor sad. He walks around yelling "Bubba!!!" that is what he calls Bracken and then "Bubbie" for Hayden. It has been kind of sad to watch, hopefully he'll all adjust soon.

Tooth Lost!

Hayden lost his first tooth about a week ago. He was scared to death... I can't figure out why it scares them so bad, but it does... Anyway, he was thrilled!

p.s. Doesn't he look like "Bugsy?"

Bowling Ball Cannon...........EEEEKKKAAA!!!

Yes you read that correctly! I married into a pretty fun and might I say... VERY ADVENTUROUS family. Jason's cousins and his Uncle and and his family came down to Delta this weekend to help us figure out a solution to our current basement "situation". Well, they detoured to shoot off their newly concocted "bowling ball cannon." I was pretty nervous when all of them were running towards me yelling "TAKE COVER!!!!" But after that this this is a blast. They got it to shoot about a 1/2 a mile! It was unbelievable! I serioulsy can't thank them enough not only for the fun, but also their willingness to help up with the basement. Because of them we are now on the mend! THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!!