Wild Weekend

We had an adventurous weekend, it ended too soon. There is a long story as to how this all came about, so scroll down if you just want to see the slide show and captions.

At the beginning of Sept. Justin's dad gave us some tickets to a concert he wasn't able to attend. He is helping to make a movie about Zion National Park, and the surrounding area, which will celebrate 100 years next year. This concert was to debut the CD which is basically the songs for this movie. A composer, named Phillip Bimstein has written songs about the stories and people who live and work, and have lived and worked at the park, and around there. http://pbimstein.googlepages.com/redrockrondo

There is a man, by the name of Leon Lewis, who was at the concert, and performed the song about him, with them that night. http://pbimstein.googlepages.com/whentheroostercrows I immediately fell in love with him, and expressed this to Justin's dad the day after the concert. Well Mike called him and set up a time to go meet him, so this Saturday was the day. Despite it being wet and rainy, we went ahead and followed through with the plans and ended up having a fabulous time!!! Izac couldn't' have been more happy, on a ranch with lots of animals. We even got to get some green eggs, from his chickens, and came home with a pomegranate, a huge zucchini, and a cowboy hat. (for Alex from Leon's grandson Taylor, who has outgrown it, so cute!)

Also I know that my dad works at a resort at the East entrance to the park sometimes, and often stays there while he's working. So I called him and he, my mom, and sister Krista joined us, and we stayed at the resort/ranch on Saturday night. It was unfortunate that Mike and Swendy couldn't come with us there, but we spent a beautiful conference Sunday, in beautiful surroundings and had a great time, with my parents and sister! Due to the fact that Kurt, and his wife Iva are trying to keep the twins in the "oven" as long as possible they are advised not to travel, and Kylee lives too far away now, to come for just a short weekend. WE MISSED YOU GUYS!

7th Anniversary!

This is a little late now, but something happened when I was originally blogging about it and erased half the things I had already written, I was so frustrated I couldn't do anything more that night. So here I try again. Sorry about the lengthiness. (sp?)

When we tell (told people) it was our 7th anniversary, they would say something like, oh the 7th year is the hardest, or if you can make it through 7 years, you can make it many many more. We've heard all sorts of things of this sort lately. I have to say that it's been 7 Great years! Sometimes it seems like all I do and think about is the little men in my life, they are quite consuming. That being said, I really appreciate Justin, and all that he is and does for me and our little family!(even if he only makes me boy babies) I only hope that the next 7 years are as great as the last 7. Thanks J, for being so patient, understanding, and kind!

*Side note* While we're talking about Justin, check him out, I hardly recognized the guy this weekend. (since I finally got a good look(: ) Every time I glanced behind me to see if he was still following, I had to look twice. He's lost nearly 40 Lbs. He is so dedicated, now I'm jealous and better get my butt in gear for Hawaii in May!!!



For our anniversary we went to Park City and stayed at the Westgate Resort. Justin's Dad Mike and his wife Swendy have a time share there, and made it possible for us to stay there. Justin's mom Carol, and husband John watched the boys overnight, which was so nice, and really made our time especially enjoyable. Thanks so much to you four, who helped make our weekend a great one!!!

This is the Westgate Resort

Here are some pictures of our actual room


Saturday night we went up to Park City Mountain resort, and saw one of Justin's coworkers who gave us their wristbands for the adventure park there. We rode the Alpine Slide and the new Alpine Coaster twice, which was really fun!!!(and I guess a little dishonest) Then we had dinner, and went to the room for some fun of our own(; and to use that amazing tub, which I wish I could have brought home with me.

Sunday we took it easy in the morning and I had to use that tub again. Then we went on a search for a Sushi lunch. I won't say much about that, it wasn't too good, we've been spoiled eating way good stuff at Koyo and Tekashi. While on the hunt we walked PC Main Street, and they were having their Park Silly Sunday Market. Basically a farmers market and street fair down the middle of main. It was fun, but we didn't have any cash or it would have been more fun, maybe it's a good thing, I would have come home with lots of treasures.



Thanks for the "good times" Justin, I look forward to many, many more!!!

Cute blog

Thanks to Chelsea for helping me finally make my blog cute!

Day of Firsts

I don't know what was up with his nerdy hair. other than it needs to be cut. Once it dried it was o.k. They took a teddy bear and a box to make a float for it. Then they had a teddy bear parade. So Cute! Thanks Granny Shanny, you're the best!!!

Today was Izac's first day of pre-school for this year. I am so excited, I love the kid, but I need a break from him once in a while.

It was also his first day of soccer. He said he didn't want to play soccer, he wants to play ball with his hands. Then he didn't want to leave practice. I guess he likes it. I'm sure there will be many fun games, and hopefully video/ pictures to come.

The crazy (but worth it) birthday, wedding, homecoming weekend! (see dialog in post below)

What a week!!!

First of all we had a fabulous week this past week!!! It was crazy busy, but well worth it. Other than the part where my sister moved to California, once again leaving me as the only one in the family still here in the Salt Lake area. ( We won't talk too much about it, it'll make me cry if I think about it too much). THANKS to everyone who was a part of this weekend!!!

The little man is one, how did that happen so fast? We had a good day with our little family on Alex's actual birthday, and then threw a Luau party the next day. It was a good time, and if you know me, I love to throw a good party, I tend to go a little overboard. (I learned some thank you etiquette this weekend (thanks Lindsay), and still am slacking (you're supposed to thank people for gifts within 24 hours of receiving), I know this really doesn't count, but it's better than not thanking you at all). Thanks for all the gifts for Alex, and for coming to celebrate with us!

We didn't get to a family reunion on Saturday. However we attended the wedding of one of Justin's best friends Porter, who married Sara. We were invited to the temple, and then to the dinner and reception. It was a super fun, beautiful, and special day! Thanks for inviting us to share in your special day, and we look forward to getting to know Sara better!

Sunday we attended the homecoming of my cousin Scott, who just returned from his mission in Brazil. It was so good to see him, and all the progress he has made. We love him and his family, and had a great Sunday afternnon spending time with them and all our other extended family who were there.

Here's a sneak peak of the party, I'll post a slideshow, later if I can find a speck of time to make one.

Alex's first

All I have time to say is that Alex turned ONE today. It's so good to have a happy healthly little guy. It's so crazy to think that just a year ago I had a newborn baby. Alot happens in a childs first year! We are having a little get together tomorrow (ok a big bash), so I'll post more next week when things have settled a little, and I have pictures of the birthday boy.

In the mean time......

Alex, you are a joy, and light up my life!!!!! Thanks for choosing me to be your mom!

I love you little man!!!!!!!

Summer Adventures

When people ask me what our plans for the summer are, my reply is nothing. Yet we keep finding ourselves busy.

As a result of the wheat my Grandpa ground into flour for me, we made homemade bread last week.

Last Saturday was Family Fun Day at This is the Place Heritage Park. Izac could have stayed entertained just looking at the animals. We did however eat pizza, and ice cream sandwiches, took a wagon ride and a ride on the train, did some pioneer crafts, and looked in some of the old shops.

On Tuesday I was in charge of playgroup, we went to Wheeler Farm, and took our neighbors. That day was our African neighbor's birthday, so when we got home we made her a cake, and went to her house to sing happy birthday to her. (I forgot to take my camera over, darn it!)

Thursday we went to Bountiful to see my sister, and went to the Bountiful Rec center pool, Izac loved the giant yellow slide, and the pirate ship. We will definitely be going back!!!

Friday my parents were here so we went to Temple Square, and shopping at the Gateway, then met Justin when he was off work, for dinner.

Today Alex was irritable and cutting teeth, so Izac and I and the rest of my family visited some old friends who live in Bountiful. (Thanks Justin for staying home with Alex!) It was so fun, to catch up and see how everyone had grown up.

How's that for doing nothing???

4th of July!!!

I could not figure out how to post this slideshow, I tried for about an hour to try to remember how to do it. I finally got it and I'm so glad, I was about to give up!!!! I hope you like it!!!

We had quite an adventure. My sister Kylee and I, and our kids headed out to St. George without our husbands, on Tues. the 1st. They joined us on the 3rd to sleep at the cabin. After that Justin and I, and our boys stayed at the cabin on Cedar mountain, and in Cedar with my Granparents. On the way home we went back over Cedar mountain, and through some of the small towns on highway 89. It was an eventful time.

We got to see some of our favorite people (especially mine, I love my family, and miss them so much!!!).

I had lunch with a cousin, and tried to make her go into labor. Which didn't happen, until I was half way home, and missed the birth.

Went swimming twice in one day.

Went to a cousin's baby shower.

Slept in the cabin for 2 nights.

Went to the parade that I went to, and watched, in front of my Grandpa's car dealership, just like when I was a kid. Ate at Hermies in Cedar City.

Spent a lot of time with Grams and Gramps, my parents, sisters, brother, cousins, aunts and uncles who I don't see enough!!!

Went to the fishing hole I learned to fish at.

Swimming in the pool I learned to swim in, and swam in a lot as a young kid.

Ate TONS of yummy food!!!!

And took the scenic route home!

Without all the details, which could make this as long as a novel. We had a very fun filled jam packed few days! (Which probably explains why I was exhausted last week, and why this post took me so long to get posted!)

When we got home Izac had missed his friends so much! While I unpacked and put things away, Izac decorated our house for a party to have his friends over. He wanted to have them over for dinner, but since I can't feed the whole neighborhood, we had a popscicle party instead!!!

Random things

Last week we went over and met our new neighbors, who are from Sudan. They are so nice, and cute, I'm really starting to love them. Their kids are so well behaved, and obedient (there are 4 kids, a girl who is 10 and three boys, ages 8, 4, & 2). Today we had them over to play in our little pool, so I took a picture. It's so cute to see my little blonde boys playing with these dark skinned people. They love Alex, and think his hair is so cool, they love to touch it. They are as black as we are white, I hope it helps Izac to be more accepting and tolerant of people who are different from us. He was a little leary about them at first, just because they look so different, but I just told him their skin is a different color, and he can't believe they are from Africa. According to him, only scary animals live there. They told him some wild animal stories, and I think he's starting to finally get it . The mom doesn't speak english very well, but the kids always translate for her. She comes and sits outside with me while the kids play, and we talk the best we can. The other day I got out my beads and she, her daughter and I made earrings. It's been so fun and educational to get to know them.





I went to a provident living workshop tonight, to learn about wheat and oats. We sampled some food make with fresh ground whole wheat, and oats, saw some wheat grinders in action, talked about wheat, and made a batch of dough. I got to bring some of the dough home to bake and I wish you could smell it. I actually feel kindof guilty, having not done any of the work. I think I might actually think about making bread now, it would sure beat buying a loaf a week at Great Harvest for $5. It doesn't seem as hard as I always thought it was.




This pic is of the cute little plate Izac made for Justin for Father's Day. It was sitting by the bread so I decided to show it off.

Izac information #2

Izac informed me as we were driving down the street about fuzzy hair, it went like this:
I: Mom, you don't have fuzzy hair
me: I don't?
I: no only grandma's with no kids have fuzzy hair.
me: Oh ya?
I: ya, feel your hair mom, is it fuzzy?
me: do you have fuzzy hair. I don't mine's soft.
I: see mom, only grandma's with no kids have fuzzy hair.

The things he comes up with? I don't always write the things down that I want to remember that he says, I wish I was better at that. He's so funny, and observant sometimes.

The Whole Fam-damily Pics

When we were in St. George we had family pictures, with my whole family. It's hard when the kids are all so little and never look at the camera at the same time. Also my sister was the photographer, and is in the pics. We forgot to take someone with us to get the kids to look at the camera. Considering that, I think they are all still pretty good.

This sequence is pretty funny! They are all looking

pretty good in the first one.

Then who knows what happened. Alex and Auri have

the funniest expressions on their faces.

Izac, is doing such an Izac thing in this one.

It's funny, but still pretty cute!

As for Jenn, if anyone is wondering. She had her surgery, in which they were able to remove the mass and part of the kidney. There was no other tumor in the tissue that they removed the tumor from (negetive margin, for those of you who know what this means). They are quite confident there is no cancer in the rest of her body, that they could find, so at this time she is a cancer surviver. It really is quite a blessing that she found it when she did. Most of the people who get the kind of cancer she had, don't know they have it, until it's too late to do much. It isn't very receptive to chemo, or radiation, so she's quite lucky!!! She's recovering, and has been home since Monday, which was sooner than they expected. So it seems like things are going pretty well.

Winds of change!!!!

We have had an eventful couple of weeks. Here is a rundown on whats been happening.

1. Justin and I are having a contest to lose weight, and have started a "get healthy plan". His sister's Liz and Ali wrote us a book (pretty much) on how to get started and have been helping me figure out how to make this happen. We are hoping to make a change in our life to focus on keeping the weight off, while also making a habit to eat and live healthier. It is long overdue, and surprisingly it's pretty fun. Also for Mother's Day I got a bike trailer/jogging stroller, somehow it's supposed to give me incentive to exercise, I haven't figured that part out yet. The boys look so cute in it, I just had to put a picture of it in.

2. I cut my hair. I have been wanting to for soooo long, but have always hated it when I did in the past. So I finally just did it and love it! I don't have any real good pictures yet, but here's something that somewhat shows it.

3. Alex is finally sleeping in his crib, in "the boy's room". He has been sleeping in a bassinet, next to our bed since he was born, and sadly was scrunched in there. I finally got so sick of it I was willing to put up with the crying. It went much better than expected and we have had two weeks of sleeping soundly through the night for all of us. I was so worried that Alex was gonna wake Izac up, but he sleeps through it all, thankfully. If I knew it was gonna go so well I would have done it long ago. What was I thinking??????

On a down note Justin's older sister was diagnosed with kidney cancer about a week and a half ago. It's scary, but there's so much hope. She will have surgery Wednesday to remove the mass, and hopefully, only some of her kidney. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

We went to St George for Memorial Day weekend. My youngest sibling Krista graduated from high school Friday. Then it was my Dad's Dad's birthday and we had a get together, Saturday at their house. Then my Mom's Mom's birthday, we went to the cabin up Cedar City Canyon for a dinner and party Monday. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Izac, and my cousin Brendan in the cabin sandbox. Alex and Justin on the famous cabin swing.

Izac's 1st time fishing, with Brendan again. Alex at the cabin.

Izac at my uncle Richard, and aunt Linda's farm, we usually have to go there if we're anywhere near Cedar City.

Izac, my cousin Taylor, and my cousin's little boy Maddox, at my Grandparent's house. Maddox and Izac at a splash pad near my parents house.

Brendan and Izac with their snails on my

parent's front porch.

Izac had his last day of preschool last Thursday. His teacher put on a great little program and we had lots of fun!!! We also went to the zoo with his school friends, the day we left for St. George.

Izac's last day of preschool program. Izac at the zoo, looking at the giraffes, did I

mention it was freezing cold!!!