Monday, August 31, 2009

My Motto

This is from an old English War Poster. Isn't this great? Not only is the saying perfect for today but I love the pink color. Check out this site http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/ She has wonderful blogging backgrounds, buttons, and more.

First Day...Last Child

No Tears.

Bad mom?

LOVE the peace and quiet.

Waited 13 years.



Rainey getting caught up with friends.
Elsa saying good-bye to her Henry. I do miss {the littles }when they are gone but how I love a quiet house for a few hours.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

So this is 13.....

We now get to enjoy lovely decorations like these at our house. I thought they did a nice drape effect don't you? This is what you get to look forward to once you have teenagers in the house.






Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Anniversary Week-end

August 19, 1989 Bridal Veil Falls Provo Utah

Our 20th Anniversary we spent at Stein Eriksen. It was wonderful. We were married 20 years ago at the top of Bridal Veil Falls when it still had the tram. What a cool place that was. We lived in Arizona at that time and eventually ended up moving to Utah. As I look back on our 20 years of marriage we are once again on the verge of taking a giant leap together. This time we have four kids in tow but I feel truly blessed to still call him my husband. I'll follow you anywhere, to any ends of the earth even if it is only Idaho Falls and it feels like the end of the earth.





















Our lovely room at Stein. It was beautiful and the staff was incredible. Our favorite kind of vacation. Low key, mountains, chair lifts, hot tubs, no kids, {love them} but you have to have some couple time. It was wonderful. Hope we have another 20 as lovely as the past 20. Happy Anniversary. And yes , I would still do it all over again.








Meet the Girls

Our newest members- Demeter, Athena, and AnnabethThe kids convinced me to adopt {the girls}. They found them on pigeepoo adoption. I of course am somewhat skeptical about these cute little piggies. But being the sucker I am I gave in. They eat salad every day and enjoy "grass time" outside. Thats ok, only problem is these cute little critters require a cage about the size of a twin bed. I am not exaggerating here. I will have to take a picture to post . Maybe we will find a place or I should say a room for them. Right now they are bunking with Rainey in his room. Storry has already given it a try and has kicked them out. Did I mention that their cage is very large and all the pine bedding and hay they live in is strewn all over my floors from the basement to the stairs to the upstairs. Oh and did I also mention that my kids clothing, bedding and towels are covered in this stuff as well. My entire being says they must go but my children love them. Do I break their hearts or do I do the super good mom thing and just find a way to deal. Did I also mention I am super crazy about cleanliness and this is driving me crazy!!!! For now super mom wins...stay tuned.
Demeter is Annabeths mom


All named after Greek Gods for their wisdom.

Ok you have to admit they are very cute! Didn't help to see G Force. It was a fun movie but the kids had already decided they needed to have guineas. Beware moms, kids will ask for these. Be strong, just say no.




Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Firsts...

Our trip to Minnesota was filled with many {firsts}. Such as our first day of boating on the Mississippi. We have never seen a barge going down the river. Lakes and Rivers in Minnesota are so cool!

Cute daddy in the water with Elsa and Beck. Just look at those smiles. Pure joy that day.


Storry headed out on the knee board. First time water skiing but those pics didn't turn out.



Waiting for the tow




Kids jumped out of tube because they were getting bored?? I guess the ride was too long.




Blurry {bummer} Rainey taking his turn on the tube. It was thumbs up all the way. No jumping off for Rainey, he wanted full speed all the way. He is fearless!






Elsa and Jacob waiting for the fun to begin.


Leah and Beck


Bringing the boat back home and cleaning it up. Thanks Lunds for letting us use your boat.




Grandpa and his BBQ. The best part of the Minnesota experience is sitting on the deck watching the kids play in the beautiful backyard and enjoying a cocktail with the family. One of the traditions I look forward to the most. Here is to Deck parties!




Kids enjoying a game. It started out ok but quickly turned to hitting the apples off Grandpas tree, rocks, sticks. You know the usual stuff that gets kids in trouble. Oh to be young and silly again.



Enjoying a baseball game with the cousins. But wait where is the baseball player we came to see? Oops no pic. Our cousin Parker took second place. Way to go!


The little kids enjoying a snack under the umbrella. I believe this was their third or fourth trip to the snack shack. What baseball game? We came for the treats.


Minnesota style baseball- tailgaiting after the game. Gotta love this place.

Our lovely vacation home for eight days. Thanks for the fun memories and wonderful hospitality Gramma and Grandpa. We love you!
















Thursday, August 6, 2009

Sundance Moonlight Chairlift Rides

Check this out. Our family loves doing this. Sundance is a beautiful resort and this is one of the coolest things they do in the summer. You will want to get there early, sometimes the lines are pretty long, but so worth the wait.



Full Moon Lift Rides
For a truly unique experience, enjoy a Sundance lift ride by the light of the full moon. Be sure to bundle up as temperatures may become chilly at night.
9pm-11pm
June 5th & 6thJuly 6th & 7thAugust 6th & 7thSeptember 3rd, 4th & 5thOctober 2nd & 3rd
Adult: $10Child (6-12): $9Senior (65+): $7Children 5 & under FREE
Checkout more from http://www.sundanceresort.com

Happy Campers

Our final destination-beautiful Rochester Minnesota
aka Gramma/Gramps place.
Arriving in Minneapolis at 12:30 a.m. {And still smiling}
Perfect travel day. Oh we still have a 90 mile drive ahead of us kids!


The x ray tech loved all of Becks cars. He couldn't pick just 1 so he brought them all. And I do mean all. This is just a few of them.


Rainey trying out his hand at picture taking.





Wednesday, August 5, 2009

This is a first!


First time all kids could carry their own bags and luggage. Yes, it has finally happened! A
momma has to love that. And we're off to Minnesota.