tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69229638119581947452024-03-12T19:31:28.816-07:00THE PAYNE POSTIt's life's little moments that matter the most.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-81015614838514539502011-02-02T21:45:00.000-08:002011-04-26T14:56:46.171-07:00Conner Is a Sunbeam<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL2UTvwrfI/AAAAAAAADjQ/Y6VM-YnLu50/s1600/Christmas%2B028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571786517769137650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL2UTvwrfI/AAAAAAAADjQ/Y6VM-YnLu50/s400/Christmas%2B028.jpg" /></a> On January 2 my baby became a Sunbeam! I was excited for him to take this next step in Primary, but also sad because it means he's growing up. I can't believe I'll never have another child in nursery! Conner was the most adorable Sunbeam despite the big bruise on his forehead.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL1rgDaimI/AAAAAAAADjI/GBRqn8-s5no/s1600/Christmas%2B033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571785816698161762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL1rgDaimI/AAAAAAAADjI/GBRqn8-s5no/s400/Christmas%2B033.jpg" /></a>All of the kids in his class are so cute. They are on the best Sunbeam classes I've ever seen. They can sit through all of Sharing Time and their lesson this early in the year. The girls are absolutely precious and I can't believe they are all so smart. They truly must be a righteous generation!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL1duQrbdI/AAAAAAAADjA/4hC3WCdtDZU/s1600/Christmas%2B034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571785579993722322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL1duQrbdI/AAAAAAAADjA/4hC3WCdtDZU/s400/Christmas%2B034.jpg" /></a>I got to teach the Sunbeam class for the first few weeks of the year since they hadn't called a teacher yet. Then I got called as the Primary Secretary. I love getting to see the Sunbeams every week!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-23396110172742930532010-12-31T14:34:00.001-08:002011-04-26T14:54:04.943-07:00Our Christmas<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVMBTYIXu-I/AAAAAAAADmA/FTuA6cM_O5A/s1600/Christmas%2B001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571798596394138594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVMBTYIXu-I/AAAAAAAADmA/FTuA6cM_O5A/s400/Christmas%2B001.jpg" /></a> On Christmas Eve we had the missionaries and Jayne over for a turkey dinner. We had them join us at the block party and Jayne helped the neighbors put out the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">luminaries</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571798256657992706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVMA_mg9jAI/AAAAAAAADl4/iOMAS0qxSpQ/s400/Christmas%2B002.jpg" /> After dinner we watched "Mr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Krueger's</span> Christmas" and read the Christmas story from the Bible. We loved having them in our home!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVMA0T8jK1I/AAAAAAAADlw/nhMbgbSHlu8/s1600/Christmas%2B013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571798062694869842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVMA0T8jK1I/AAAAAAAADlw/nhMbgbSHlu8/s400/Christmas%2B013.jpg" /></a>Here are the kids on Christmas morning wondering, "What did Santa bring me?"<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVMAnb77dQI/AAAAAAAADlo/-SIxj1ze-CU/s1600/Christmas%2B012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571797841501451522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVMAnb77dQI/AAAAAAAADlo/-SIxj1ze-CU/s400/Christmas%2B012.jpg" /></a>Courtney got a leather jacket, Katelyn got Just Dance 2, and Kylie got Toy Story 3 and fun slides. An unexpected gift was finding a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wii</span> remote that had been lost for a couple weeks. We found it in the back of our closet.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL_9IUQlvI/AAAAAAAADlg/Kton1VNd7J0/s1600/Christmas%2B014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571797114680284914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL_9IUQlvI/AAAAAAAADlg/Kton1VNd7J0/s400/Christmas%2B014.jpg" /></a> Santa brought Cameron and Conner <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">legos</span> and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">lego</span> table.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL_SULejxI/AAAAAAAADlY/3Saw8dkDzqE/s1600/Christmas%2B015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571796379130302226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL_SULejxI/AAAAAAAADlY/3Saw8dkDzqE/s400/Christmas%2B015.jpg" /></a>A tradition from when I was a little girl is to always have sweet cereal on Christmas morning. This is a real treat because the rest of the year we try to eat less sweet cereal.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL-oeYhSgI/AAAAAAAADlQ/XfQzLNC_GrM/s1600/Christmas%2B016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571795660314855938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL-oeYhSgI/AAAAAAAADlQ/XfQzLNC_GrM/s400/Christmas%2B016.jpg" /></a> The kids always buy gifts for each other at the dollar store. This year the boys got these knight accessories from the girls.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL-EDs3ugI/AAAAAAAADlI/wD6dlkLJt3k/s1600/Christmas%2B019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571795034677164546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL-EDs3ugI/AAAAAAAADlI/wD6dlkLJt3k/s400/Christmas%2B019.jpg" /></a> We spent the Christmas evening at Grandma's house. We had a nice dinner with Bryce, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chareen</span>, and Ray. We also got to open more presents!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL9h8g1p2I/AAAAAAAADlA/58IF1akaqR0/s1600/Christmas%2B020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571794448632096610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL9h8g1p2I/AAAAAAAADlA/58IF1akaqR0/s400/Christmas%2B020.jpg" /></a>Kylie loved this Littlest Pet Shop shirt from Grandma and Grandpa.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL9Wcy-XgI/AAAAAAAADk4/j98ypElcWww/s1600/Christmas%2B021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571794251139669506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL9Wcy-XgI/AAAAAAAADk4/j98ypElcWww/s400/Christmas%2B021.jpg" /></a> Cameron's favorite gift was this Star Wars Lego <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wii</span> game.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL88tSmmpI/AAAAAAAADkw/zkR7dZ96pcM/s1600/Christmas%2B022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571793808890698386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL88tSmmpI/AAAAAAAADkw/zkR7dZ96pcM/s400/Christmas%2B022.jpg" /></a> The girls were thrilled to get dozens of headbands and hair accessories from Grandma. She had been collecting them for weeks and the girls loved the huge variety.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL8t628Z3I/AAAAAAAADko/to0lEfd7ltQ/s1600/Christmas%2B023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571793554834745202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL8t628Z3I/AAAAAAAADko/to0lEfd7ltQ/s400/Christmas%2B023.jpg" /></a>What cute boys wearing the stocking caps and gloves from Grandma. Cameron got Star Wars and Conner got Toy Story.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL8XDU_WpI/AAAAAAAADkg/buzxfCJLQRE/s1600/Christmas%2B024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571793161971260050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL8XDU_WpI/AAAAAAAADkg/buzxfCJLQRE/s400/Christmas%2B024.jpg" /></a>Kylie got an art set. It will be perfect for writing all her stories!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL8Bh7ihSI/AAAAAAAADkY/80_taUC5iYo/s1600/Christmas%2B025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571792792228889890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVL8Bh7ihSI/AAAAAAAADkY/80_taUC5iYo/s400/Christmas%2B025.jpg" /></a>Lloyd surprised me with an electric blanket to keep me warm in the winter. Lloyd was thrilled with his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Belgian</span> waffle maker from Mom and Jay. It was a great Christmas. We love being together and celebrating the birth of our Savior.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-47618152092388117942010-11-24T22:00:00.001-08:002011-04-26T14:50:34.713-07:00Thanksgiving<div align="center">I love all holidays. I enjoy decorating, creating traditions, and celebrating in fun ways. I especially love Thanksgiving because of what it represents. I love focusing on all my blessings and expressing gratitude for them. I believe that true happiness comes from gratitude. This year I heard a Relief Society lesson given by Sister Mack on gratitude. I loved that lesson and tried to carry it in my heart throughout the entire holiday season. The lesson was based on President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Monson's</span> talk, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude." <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJJdK1UGmI/AAAAAAAADhw/9VsHRMNcMzo/s1600/Fall%2B003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571596454483728994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJJdK1UGmI/AAAAAAAADhw/9VsHRMNcMzo/s400/Fall%2B003.jpg" /></a> This year we were able to watch Cameron perform in a kindergarten Thanksgiving program. Al the kids looked so cute dressed up as pilgrims and Indians.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJJTbZ_jBI/AAAAAAAADho/sQZFAOLUCK8/s1600/Fall%2B006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571596287133846546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJJTbZ_jBI/AAAAAAAADho/sQZFAOLUCK8/s400/Fall%2B006.jpg" /></a> After the program all the students enjoyed a "feast."<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJJH1hPgpI/AAAAAAAADhg/nfs6h5LJGks/s1600/Fall%2B011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571596087985144466" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJJH1hPgpI/AAAAAAAADhg/nfs6h5LJGks/s400/Fall%2B011.jpg" /></a> Conner and I enjoyed seeing Cameron's Thanksgiving celebration. Cameron loves kindergarten and we are so grateful for his amazing teacher.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJIu2vG9jI/AAAAAAAADhY/WJ-w3V-te6Y/s1600/Fall%2B103.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571595658815010354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJIu2vG9jI/AAAAAAAADhY/WJ-w3V-te6Y/s400/Fall%2B103.jpg" /></a>We had a quiet Thanksgiving at my mom's this year. We were so grateful that Bryce and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chareen</span> were expecting their first baby in April.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJIiNToD9I/AAAAAAAADhQ/F7ycajLwjL8/s1600/Fall%2B105.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571595441535455186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJIiNToD9I/AAAAAAAADhQ/F7ycajLwjL8/s400/Fall%2B105.jpg" /></a>Of course, my mom and Jay prepared a wonderfully delicious meal. They are both such talented cooks!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJH1B7BAOI/AAAAAAAADhI/DClpXXQlRmk/s1600/Fall%2B106.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571594665385328866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJH1B7BAOI/AAAAAAAADhI/DClpXXQlRmk/s400/Fall%2B106.jpg" /></a>I consider my marriage to Lloyd one of my greatest blessings. He is such a loving, righteous, hard working, and sensitive husband. I am truly blessed!</div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-81805750510382651422010-11-24T21:56:00.001-08:002011-04-26T14:31:54.224-07:00Young Women In Excellence<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6S3LCsLnpU/TVjL0AOSrLI/AAAAAAAADpA/p8u_yaAsX7g/s1600/Christmas%2B097.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573428633144569010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6S3LCsLnpU/TVjL0AOSrLI/AAAAAAAADpA/p8u_yaAsX7g/s400/Christmas%2B097.jpg" /></a> On November 3 we had Young Women in Excellence. This was my third one since being called to serve in Young <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Womens</span> with Sister Regina <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reavill</span>. I made a very simple invitation that focused on this year's mutual theme. Actually, we tried to make the entire evening simple, yet spiritual. We held it in the chapel again this year. I love having it in the chapel because it really invites the spirit and you don't have to worry about decorating. Each of the girls either gave a short talk about a value experience or project they had worked on this past year, or they shared their projects with a table display. Courtney and Katelyn both chose to give a short talk. Courtney talked about a value experience for Good Works. She explained how she served our family by making dinner for us for a week. Katelyn spoke about the importance of Virtue and learning what it means to be virtuous. I was so proud of my girls and all of the Young Women. My favorite part was when they sang "I Am His Daughter" for the closing song. The young women are so beautiful, unique, and righteous. What a privilege it is to work with them.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVByzU-kY6I/AAAAAAAADfw/qY0ZfG3swgQ/s1600/YWIE%2Bcrop.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571078965187339170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVByzU-kY6I/AAAAAAAADfw/qY0ZfG3swgQ/s400/YWIE%2Bcrop.JPG" /></a> The Young Women of Modesto 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Ward<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVByoADg_6I/AAAAAAAADfo/3ogJy0AYIpU/s1600/IMG_5286.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571078770592382882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVByoADg_6I/AAAAAAAADfo/3ogJy0AYIpU/s400/IMG_5286.JPG" /></a>The Young Women leaders. I am so blessed to be able to serve with these amazing women.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571078575254022242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBycoXOKGI/AAAAAAAADfg/hpU7RS7AoRU/s400/IMG_5289.JPG" />My two "favorite" young women.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVByUwzCQiI/AAAAAAAADfY/TK97d22jw6g/s1600/IMG_5287.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571078440079213090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVByUwzCQiI/AAAAAAAADfY/TK97d22jw6g/s400/IMG_5287.JPG" /></a>After the program we went to the cultural hall to enjoy mini fruit pizzas, the table displays, and the video slide show. I was so grateful to Lloyd who helped me make the video slide show that showed pictures from all our activities this past year. We made copies for each of the girls too. What a great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">memento</span> of their young women years!</div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-40101054091141739352010-11-24T21:55:00.001-08:002011-02-12T04:57:07.692-08:00Halloween<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB36nn0WJI/AAAAAAAADhA/Pz2LHTOj_dM/s1600/Halloween%2B001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571084588009412754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB36nn0WJI/AAAAAAAADhA/Pz2LHTOj_dM/s400/Halloween%2B001.jpg" /></a> We were so excited when Brad and his family surprised us with a visit on October 16. We took their family to Del <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Osso</span> Pumpkin Patch in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lathrop</span>. We had a lot of fun at the petting zoo and on the hay ride. <br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571083832680581810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB3OpzZCrI/AAAAAAAADgw/zpWWj9oYkno/s400/Halloween%2B004.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571083608267820434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB3BlzODZI/AAAAAAAADgo/1CFnF3ti8YA/s400/Halloween%2B005.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571082902764185346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB2YhmC5wI/AAAAAAAADgg/2dB6zKO1j_w/s400/Halloween%2B006.jpg" />Cameron and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cayden</span> are only a couple months apart. They loved laughing and playing together.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB1ybP8nQI/AAAAAAAADgY/BbOqoPK216g/s1600/Halloween%2B010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571082248225856770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB1ybP8nQI/AAAAAAAADgY/BbOqoPK216g/s400/Halloween%2B010.jpg" /></a> Conner and Dylan are six months apart and they also loved being together. Dylan is such a cute chatterbox. It's too bad the boys only get to see their cousins a couple times a year because they really do love playing together.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB1Mzhy0qI/AAAAAAAADgQ/W11tWDoDiXs/s1600/Halloween%2B015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571081601908134562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB1Mzhy0qI/AAAAAAAADgQ/W11tWDoDiXs/s400/Halloween%2B015.jpg" /></a>For Halloween our theme this year was to try not to spend any money. The only costume I had to buy was Conner's Buzz <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lightyear</span> and I got it pretty cheap off of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ebay</span>. Courtney and Katelyn used my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheerleading</span> uniforms from high school. Kylie wore a pixie fairy costume we already had. Cameron was Woody last year, but he didn't mind being Woody again. Halloween was on a Sunday this year so we celebrated by going to the ward party and handing out candy. We also had our traditional dinner of beef stew.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB0thSCCOI/AAAAAAAADgI/1rqn4geOVKY/s1600/Halloween%2B019crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571081064434239714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB0thSCCOI/AAAAAAAADgI/1rqn4geOVKY/s400/Halloween%2B019crop.jpg" /></a>I think my Woody and Buzz were pretty cute!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB0fELIYHI/AAAAAAAADgA/Twv-0-3AlM4/s1600/Halloween%2B024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571080816102498418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB0fELIYHI/AAAAAAAADgA/Twv-0-3AlM4/s400/Halloween%2B024.jpg" /></a> I joined in with the girls and wore one of my old uniforms.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB0VDrIcrI/AAAAAAAADf4/PYauGX_xchA/s1600/Halloween%2B025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571080644169593522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVB0VDrIcrI/AAAAAAAADf4/PYauGX_xchA/s400/Halloween%2B025.jpg" /></a>Lloyd and I got to go to a party at our friends' house. It's always fun to see how the couples dress up. We used the costumes we had from our Peter Pan year.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-86469545929054290522010-10-10T22:38:00.001-07:002011-02-12T04:31:22.818-08:00Time Out for Women<div align="center"> This was my fifth time to go to Deseret Book's Time Out for Women. What a special treat it is to attend these events. They give me such a spiritual boost. They also help me to reprioritize my life and set new goals. This year it was held in Sacramento on September 10-11 and the theme was "Infinite Hope." I was only able to attend the Friday session because of my race on Saturday. I was able to hear two of my favorite speakers, Ardeth Kapp and John Bytheway. Sister Kapp spoke about hope and how we should never lose it. She also quoted one of my very favorite scriptures, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31:20) She explained that the verb "ask" appears in the scriptures more than anything else. We need to always be asking Heavenly Father to give us the faith, hope, and charity we need to get through life. John Bytheway said we should pray daily for the Holy Ghost to be with us. We should Appreciate all our spouse does and not Expect or Demand our spouse to do things. When we hear speakers speak we should remember not only what the speaker says, but the spirit we feel and the commitments we make. I was grateful I was able to be spiritually fed by another Time Out for Women. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569396768730017506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TUp42m1cbuI/AAAAAAAADcI/RxyEdka6Hpo/s400/TOFW.jpg" />I was also thrilled that twenty sisters from our ward were able to attend this year's Time Out for Women. I hope each one of them had a wonderful experience. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571597810224751074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJKsFXKYeI/AAAAAAAADh4/0TBZQNQ-eLM/s400/birthdays%2B153.jpg" />After the Friday night session, Regina and I were able to go out to the Spaghetti Factory with our husbands. I was excited to go to one of my favorite restaurants to carb up for my big day. It was so fun to go on a double date with the Reavills.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-29386527641266544462010-10-10T22:37:00.001-07:002011-02-12T03:48:15.958-08:00Kylie's Luau Party<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJNjGxx1kI/AAAAAAAADi4/Ae8x12WE0As/s1600/birthdays%2B112.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571600954520884802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJNjGxx1kI/AAAAAAAADi4/Ae8x12WE0As/s400/birthdays%2B112.jpg" /></a> Aloha! Kylie decided to have a luau party for her ninth birthday. Our friends, Jeff and Sherry Vail, made this amazing cake for her. They have become real experts in cake decorating and offered to share their talent. Kylie was so impressed with the cake and wrote them the most sincere thank you letter. The detail work is what is so amazing about the cake. Each flower is decorated with tiny detailing and the chocolate sea creatures were so adorable. The cake was both white and chocolate and tasted absolutely delicious!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJNT8PLLFI/AAAAAAAADiw/wakKztF6rqw/s1600/birthdays%2B122.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571600693993352274" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJNT8PLLFI/AAAAAAAADiw/wakKztF6rqw/s400/birthdays%2B122.jpg" /></a> All the girls looked adorable in their leis. What cute girls they are!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJNED1f2SI/AAAAAAAADio/iHZfJuu6Yis/s1600/birthdays%2B127.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571600421155232034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJNED1f2SI/AAAAAAAADio/iHZfJuu6Yis/s400/birthdays%2B127.jpg" /></a>They had tons of fun playing in the pool.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJM43hsrfI/AAAAAAAADig/vdaI3nsJDWE/s1600/birthdays%2B125.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571600228872400370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJM43hsrfI/AAAAAAAADig/vdaI3nsJDWE/s400/birthdays%2B125.jpg" /></a>Eating pizza was fun too!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJMoVlvYQI/AAAAAAAADiY/DzkJi5W_VFA/s1600/birthdays%2B128.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571599944884642050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJMoVlvYQI/AAAAAAAADiY/DzkJi5W_VFA/s400/birthdays%2B128.jpg" /></a>We did a little hula dancing.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJMXRgcMQI/AAAAAAAADiQ/TRX8x_FJCUA/s1600/birthdays%2B130.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571599651730895106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJMXRgcMQI/AAAAAAAADiQ/TRX8x_FJCUA/s400/birthdays%2B130.jpg" /></a>The party would not be complete without a pinata!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571598167233277490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJLA3UoLjI/AAAAAAAADiA/fma48dQC5U8/s400/birthdays%2B132.jpg" /> "Happy Ninth Birthday, Kylie!"</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571598934581613938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVJLth6ulXI/AAAAAAAADiI/D-3XRBI0DdQ/s400/birthdays%2B134.jpg" />It's hard to believe my little girl is nine years old. She is growing up way too fast! Kylie is such a sweet and responsible girl. She does great in school and is such a gifted writer. I let her walk home from school every day and she loves being independent. She also loves to push herself to do her best and has already memorized all the Articles of Faith. She loves to help around the house and is so eager to please. Thank goodness she is still a little girl in some ways. She loves making clubhouses, playing with her Littlest Pet shop stuff, and imagining with stuffed animals. Kylie always says "I don't want to grow up. I want to stay your little girl forever." I wish she could stay my little girl forever!</div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-52895429718769009892010-08-31T22:46:00.003-07:002011-02-08T22:21:17.824-08:00Kids Triathlon<div align="center">In an earlier post I mentioned how I am always trying to convince others to do a triathlon. Well, I was able to convince all three of my girls to train for and race in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seco</span> Kids Triathlon on August 28. Unfortunately, Courtney got sick and was unable to do the race. Katelyn and Kylie did complete the race with mixed reviews. Kylie thought it was terrific. Katelyn did not have a good experience. We had to rush her to the start and she ended up not being able to breathe after the swim. She wanted to quit after the swim, but I encouraged her to do the bike. Once she completed the bike, she almost refused to do the one mile run. I told her I would walk with her. I basically forced her through it, but she crossed the finish line and got her finishers medal. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Katelyn</span> said she would not be opposed to doing another triathlon and hope for a better experience. Kylie can't wait to do another one.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBeJWjghXI/AAAAAAAADdI/fhAYfMtq0HE/s1600/birthdays%2B068.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571056253823649138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBeJWjghXI/AAAAAAAADdI/fhAYfMtq0HE/s400/birthdays%2B068.jpg" /></a> Kylie before her 50 meter swim.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBeAjsSv3I/AAAAAAAADdA/Dzf33L4AYVM/s1600/birthdays%2B071.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571056102731333490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBeAjsSv3I/AAAAAAAADdA/Dzf33L4AYVM/s400/birthdays%2B071.jpg" /></a>Katelyn after her 150 meter swim.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBd0FSMq2I/AAAAAAAADc4/fh3qG___iy8/s1600/birthdays%2B073.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571055888410389346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBd0FSMq2I/AAAAAAAADc4/fh3qG___iy8/s400/birthdays%2B073.jpg" /></a> Kylie running to the transition area after the swim.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBdk0ImoYI/AAAAAAAADcw/kMa6enhBlLQ/s1600/birthdays%2B078.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 395px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571055626108707202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBdk0ImoYI/AAAAAAAADcw/kMa6enhBlLQ/s400/birthdays%2B078.jpg" /></a> Kylie loving it one the four mile bike ride.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBdZZI5mgI/AAAAAAAADco/O636qzAGl4g/s1600/birthdays%2B080.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571055429883632130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBdZZI5mgI/AAAAAAAADco/O636qzAGl4g/s400/birthdays%2B080.jpg" /></a> Kylie stopping for water before heading out for the one mile run.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBdGShF5xI/AAAAAAAADcg/lEp6GTaG4vI/s1600/birthdays%2B087.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571055101688538898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBdGShF5xI/AAAAAAAADcg/lEp6GTaG4vI/s400/birthdays%2B087.jpg" /></a>Kylie showing off her finishers medal.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBc2kDUz_I/AAAAAAAADcY/4yBGcSp7hLM/s1600/birthdays%2B091.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571054831517618162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBc2kDUz_I/AAAAAAAADcY/4yBGcSp7hLM/s400/birthdays%2B091.jpg" /></a>Katelyn reluctantly crossing the finish line. We are so proud of you girls for completing your first triathlon!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-44523589904902275762010-08-31T22:46:00.001-07:002011-02-13T20:38:14.637-08:00Star Wars Party<div align="center">My kids always look forward to their birthday parties. Sometimes they even start talking about them six months in advance. We've done lots of different themes - swim party, luau, train, slumber party, High School Musical, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> girl, etc. I usually feel pretty comfortable with the theme. I try to decorate and plan activities to go with the theme. Well, when Cameron insisted that he have a Star Wars party I felt stumped. I don't really know that much about Star Wars - that's Lloyd's thing. I haven't watched the movies and don't know the lingo. Sure, I know who the main character are - Darth Vader, Luke <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skywalker</span>, Yoda, and Princess Leia, but that's about it. There was no changing Cameron's mind about the Star Wars theme so I knew I would have to do some research for this party. Thank goodness for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">internet</span>! There were tons of ideas for Star Wars birthday parties. I also went to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">wikipedia</span> to make sure I had all the correct terms like light saber (I thought it was lifesaver!), Jedi, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Padawan</span>, Jedi Knight, the Force, etc. Looking back on it, I had a lot of fun planning this party for Cameron, and Cameron absolutely loved it!<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571074041237192834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBuUt1XwII/AAAAAAAADfQ/kIgFKPEUxsM/s400/birthdays%2B012.jpg" /> <p align="center">Here's all the supplies we used for a successful party: Star Wars party goods from Party City including a Darth Vader pinata, Jedi training badges for all the boys, Star Wars coloring sheets, a Star Wars Trouble game and matching game, lots of Star Wars toys, Star Wars Bingo game purchased online (the photos were great), light sabers made from foam pipe insulation and different tape (bought at Home Depot), Pop Rocks for game winners, and cupcakes with Star Wars pencil sharpeners on top.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573399550150654674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bhb2lec3pU/TVixXJoNOtI/AAAAAAAADmI/kpHQGP1_Gxg/s400/birthdays%2B016.jpg" /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBuIXHcy7I/AAAAAAAADfI/Tf-y_I3NFSw/s1600/birthdays%2B018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571073828980575154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBuIXHcy7I/AAAAAAAADfI/Tf-y_I3NFSw/s400/birthdays%2B018.jpg" /></a> As the boys arrived they had fun playing with all the Star Wars toys. A friend was kind enough to let me borrow some.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBt7tGix8I/AAAAAAAADfA/IMvrDYIpLBo/s1600/birthdays%2B028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571073611544053698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBt7tGix8I/AAAAAAAADfA/IMvrDYIpLBo/s400/birthdays%2B028.jpg" /></a>We also played a game called "Help Restore Order to the Galaxy." Each boy was either on the Empire team or the Rebellion team. They earned points for their team by placing their sticking on asteroids with different point values.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBtvSgNTGI/AAAAAAAADe4/_3Q3t7nqYx8/s1600/birthdays%2B020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571073398245510242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBtvSgNTGI/AAAAAAAADe4/_3Q3t7nqYx8/s400/birthdays%2B020.jpg" /></a> Princess Leia (Katelyn) came to help out at the party.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571072722553658082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBtH9Wt2uI/AAAAAAAADew/bczjxjJWsoE/s400/birthdays%2B035.jpg" /> We had <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">asteroid</span> pizza, light saber <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bread sticks</span>, and Yoda soda for lunch.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571072356588870674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBsyqB6XBI/AAAAAAAADeo/99xLABjeFws/s400/birthdays%2B042.jpg" />Then the boys did their Jedi training and prepared for any attacks.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071487071042898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBsAC0tPVI/AAAAAAAADeY/J3PFHPLnIpk/s400/birthdays%2B037.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071723663108002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBsN0Mpp6I/AAAAAAAADeg/K0_8SHrIMb0/s400/birthdays%2B043.jpg" /> Sure enough, Darth Vader (Lloyd) showed up and kidnapped Princess Leia. Each of the boys individually fought Darth Vader, using the skills they had learned from the Jedi training.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071194628941858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBrvBZE6CI/AAAAAAAADeQ/HuGQEcEZrQA/s400/birthdays%2B053.jpg" />In the end, all the boys attacked Darth Vader and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jedis</span> prevailed!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBrjh12rDI/AAAAAAAADeI/i5JDZOZiZFk/s1600/birthdays%2B055.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571070997181148210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBrjh12rDI/AAAAAAAADeI/i5JDZOZiZFk/s400/birthdays%2B055.jpg" /></a>It was a great party for our six-year old Star Wars enthusiast and all his friends.</div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-54945087104954190522010-08-23T22:40:00.001-07:002011-02-08T22:20:12.841-08:00My Utah Get Away<div align="center"> On August 18 I was able to take a trip to Utah all by myself. Lloyd went to Utah last November so now it was my turn. I was thrilled to be able to catch up with old friends and spend a day at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> education week. Since I was only there for three and a half days I didn't want to spread myself too thin so I just focused on being able to see my two close friends, Laura and Kim. I was totally surprised and excited when I learned I was on the same flight to Utah as our good friend, Scott <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wyckoff</span>. We visited the whole flight and then I was able to visit with Rebekah <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wyckoff</span> when she picked us up from the airport. I was thrilled to see the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wyckoff</span> family and there new home in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Holladay</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571064425617164546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBllA26CQI/AAAAAAAADeA/vmWLitwQfqg/s400/utah%2B004.jpg" />Here's a picture of me and Rebekah. A visit with her was a treat I had not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">expected</span>!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBlK_N8SQI/AAAAAAAADd4/HIDLPKqhfos/s1600/utah%2B005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571063978500311298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBlK_N8SQI/AAAAAAAADd4/HIDLPKqhfos/s400/utah%2B005.jpg" /></a> On Thursday I spent the day with my very dear friend, Laura Reese. We have known each other since we were teenagers and were roommates in college. Laura and I both love to talk and I wasn't surprised that when I spent the night we stayed up until 4 am talking. Laura has so many talents and I love hearing about all her new endeavors. She is a great mom to four children, including two identical twin girls. She regularly volunteers at the hospital helping mothers with high-risk pregnancies. She is also very talented at blogging, decorating, fashion, computer/technology. She is always teaching me something new. She was the one who encouraged me to start this blog over three years ago! Laura loves to dress her children in the latest styles and she makes sure to always get a bargain. Then she turns around and resells the clothes on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ebay</span>; sometimes she sells them for buy than she paid. She also loves to read and is always the one I ask when I need a good book club pick. I will forever be grateful to Laura for the love and support she showed me during the Fall of 1994. I was a newlywed and Lloyd was gone in the Navy. Laura was taking a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">semester</span> off from school. We were both lonely and really needed a friend. We went almost every day together talking, shopping, watching movies, and being friends. Laura was there for me during a very challenging time and I will never forget her kindness.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571063594903086082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBk0qNPJAI/AAAAAAAADdw/YBCCP5EU74g/s400/utah%2B010.jpg" />While I was visiting Laura I was able to go on a six mile run around her home in Sandy. I thought it would be great training for my Half <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span>. I had the challenge of running the hills and running at a higher altitude. It was a great run! Laura was kind enough to take me to two Utah-only stores, Lime Ricki swimwear and Down East Outfitters. I've ordered online before, but it was great to go to the actual store! Then Laura and I met her two sisters and mother for dinner. Laura's sister, Holly was also my roommate at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span>. In fact, Holly and I were roommates my entire time at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span>. I also love Laura's mom and her sweet nature. It was wonderful to see the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alldredge</span> girls.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571063213391560946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBkec9zQPI/AAAAAAAADdo/UhJyMOdyZqU/s400/utah%2B011.jpg" />The next day I spent with my close friend Kim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Matz</span>. Kim and I have known each other since we were six and have been best friends since we were 13. She is always there for me no matter what. She listens, encourages, offers advice, and truly loves me. I am so grateful for her friendship; it truly means the world to me. The last time Kim and I saw each other was November 2006 so we were so glad to be reunited. Kim has lots of talents too. She loves to read and watch movies; she was the first one to tell me about the Twilight series. Kim also loves to bake and decorate cakes. She made a cake for me to enjoy while I was there! I am so proud of Kim because she recently lost over 60 pounds and she is meticulous about keeping it off. We spent Friday at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> education week. We were able to hear some hear some good speakers like John <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Byetheway</span>, Merrilee <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Boyack</span>, and Marvin <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Goldstein</span>. The talks were fun and inspirational, but the best part was being with Kim. The other best part was the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> mint brownies. They were amazing! It's a good thing they didn't have those when I was at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span>.<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBj6hf-8xI/AAAAAAAADdg/x0-x3FAzLeE/s1600/utah%2B012.copyjpg.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571062596133384978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBj6hf-8xI/AAAAAAAADdg/x0-x3FAzLeE/s400/utah%2B012.copyjpg.jpg" /></a>Another highlight of Education Week was reuniting with my favorite speaker from my teen years, Brad Wilcox. I loved this guy as a teenager - I mean really loved him. Most teenagers love rock stars or movie stars, but my idol was Brad Wilcox. I love his enthusiasm for life, his honesty, his teaching techniques, and his love. In over 20 years, Brad is still just as amazing. He is so popular I had to wait a long time to get this photo, but it was worth it!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBjrbeOz2I/AAAAAAAADdY/VyAM7ISg1ws/s1600/utah%2B014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571062336817385314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBjrbeOz2I/AAAAAAAADdY/VyAM7ISg1ws/s400/utah%2B014.jpg" /></a> On Saturday Kim and I had a Girls Day Out. We went and got facials at the Beauty College. I love facials; it's the ultimate form of relaxation. Then I got to go to another Utah favorite, Cafe Rio! This was my first time at a Cafe Rio restaurant. I've eaten the food before when my friend Ashleigh has made it. This food is the best - my mouth is watering just looking at this picture. Everything tasted just as good as when Ashleigh has made it, but the Cafe Rio tortillas were so much better. I can't wait to go to Utah again and go to Cafe Rio. After lunch Kim and I went to see "Knight and Day" at the movies. Then we had a barbecue with Kim's family. They have a great backyard. That evening Kim and I had a mint <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Oreo</span> milkshake for dessert - so yummy!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBjgDLYQsI/AAAAAAAADdQ/mJm-PKFT5Vk/s1600/utah%2B016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571062141317300930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TVBjgDLYQsI/AAAAAAAADdQ/mJm-PKFT5Vk/s400/utah%2B016.jpg" /></a>The next day I got to go to church with Kim and her family. I was curious to visit her Young <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Womens</span> since I am also serving in Young <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Womens</span> in my ward. I love these pictures of me and Kim. I put the photo below in a frame on my dresser and I love seeing it every day. I loved doing tons of fun things with Kim, but the best part was just talking and being with her. We can talk for hours and hours. I love her so much. Being with her for just a couple days was such a gift. I am so glad I was able to take this trip.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNbmm1mM3I/AAAAAAAADbQ/eRZWOkqn1FE/s1600/utah+018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508847488022754162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNbmm1mM3I/AAAAAAAADbQ/eRZWOkqn1FE/s400/utah+018.jpg" /></a> <div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-12497385629967025122010-08-18T13:05:00.002-07:002011-02-06T13:24:07.934-08:00Back to School<div align="center">Back to School time is always a bittersweet time for me. I am sad because it means the fun and lazy days of summer are over. It is also exciting because their are lots of new things for the kids to experience - a new class, new teachers, new friends, and new opportunities for growth. This year all five of the kids are in school since Conner is starting preschool for the first time. It's a bit crazy with five kids at four different schools! Thank goodness for car pools, responsible kids, and understanding teachers. So here are all five of my cuties on the first days of school. I can't believe Courtney is a sophomore - only two more years in high school! I hate that my kids are growing up so fast. I am trying to savor these years! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569395788136985954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TUp39h12NWI/AAAAAAAADcA/cvoI6NKpBz0/s400/birthdays%2B003.jpg" /> CONNER</div><div align="center">St. Paul's Preschool</div><div align="center">Ms. Kim</div><div align="center">Three Year Old Class</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNXIaycEdI/AAAAAAAADa4/4ODBLY7ZFOE/s1600/triathlon+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508842571345695186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNXIaycEdI/AAAAAAAADa4/4ODBLY7ZFOE/s400/triathlon+002.jpg" /></a> KYLIE</div><div align="center">Orchard Elementary</div><div align="center">Ms. Byars</div><div align="center">Fourth Grade</div><div align="center">and</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">CAMERON</div><div align="center">Orchard Elementary<br />Ms. Nelson</div><div align="center">Kindergarten</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNW65p01mI/AAAAAAAADaw/pX3Qquxx5_0/s1600/school+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508842339112900194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNW65p01mI/AAAAAAAADaw/pX3Qquxx5_0/s400/school+002.jpg" /></a>KATELYN</div><div align="center">Savage Middle School</div><div align="center">Seventh Grade</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNWsTvysZI/AAAAAAAADao/LczOLy3mP_8/s1600/school+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508842088419209618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNWsTvysZI/AAAAAAAADao/LczOLy3mP_8/s400/school+004.jpg" /></a>COURTNEY</div><div align="center">Enochs High School</div><div align="center">Tenth Grade</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-5994427347195620562010-08-18T13:05:00.001-07:002011-02-07T12:41:22.182-08:00Rancho Seco Triathlon<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNVjv7QGWI/AAAAAAAADag/2x8hOkm9CUM/s1600/triathlon+043.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508840841853016418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNVjv7QGWI/AAAAAAAADag/2x8hOkm9CUM/s400/triathlon+043.jpg" /></a> Since I have gained a new love for triathlons, I am always trying to convince others how fun they are. I can't understand why others don't think doing a triathlon is one of the best things in the world. I try to remind myself that we all have different interests and people don't want to hear me talk about triathlons for hours (because I could talk about them for hours if you give me the chance). Anyway, I was able to convince five of my friends to do a triathlon with me on August 7. It was a sprint triathlon at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seco</span>. I am proud of each of my friends for taking on the challenge and successfully completing the triathlon. Cindy even got third place in her age category and she had to walk the entire run portion because of a sore hamstring. Cindy is totally amazing on the bike. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNVTyJHFKI/AAAAAAAADaY/wWinF0LkH00/s1600/triathlon+015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508840567570109602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNVTyJHFKI/AAAAAAAADaY/wWinF0LkH00/s400/triathlon+015.jpg" /></a>Here's me with Tami, Cindy, and Ann before the race.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNVAEJmTFI/AAAAAAAADaQ/Te5SZIa6agY/s1600/tcrop1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508840228806610002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNVAEJmTFI/AAAAAAAADaQ/Te5SZIa6agY/s400/tcrop1.jpg" /></a>We're showing our stuff!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNUzu-htJI/AAAAAAAADaI/BuvuDiPmMhc/s1600/tcrop2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508840016964596882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNUzu-htJI/AAAAAAAADaI/BuvuDiPmMhc/s400/tcrop2.jpg" /></a>Lloyd got these pictures of me on the bike and run. I don't think I'll ever be able to convince Lloyd to do a triathlon, mostly because of the swim. I think he prefers being my cheerleader and photographer. I really pushed myself on the bike this time. I was able to get my fastest time at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seco</span> sprint distance. My goal was under 1:45 and I came in at 1:44:32. I was thrilled to have reached my goal! I love the high I feel after doing a race; it's the best feeling in the world. I think I keep doing triathlons because I am addicted to that feeling! <br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 339px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508839829408585010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNUo0RsFTI/AAAAAAAADaA/8sPbUr8JAvs/s400/tcrop3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508839288414025170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNUJU6iNdI/AAAAAAAADZw/JhuhcvIrI6w/s400/tcrop6.jpg" />I am so lucky to have the most supportive husband. He supports me and cheers me on not only on race day, but also during all the training that leads up to the race!</div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-68246029324534629952010-08-18T13:04:00.000-07:002011-02-06T21:19:58.554-08:00Courtney's Birthday Celebration<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNTtUbDb0I/AAAAAAAADZo/1spWVSaNtAY/s1600/Copy+of+serpentarium+039.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508838807245647682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNTtUbDb0I/AAAAAAAADZo/1spWVSaNtAY/s400/Copy+of+serpentarium+039.jpg" /></a> This year for Courtney's birthday we went to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">water slides</span> instead of doing a traditional birthday party. She chose her best friend, Kelly, to come along. Since Kylie and I both have birthdays coming up we decided to go too. It was perfect because a lot of the slides are for two or four people so we always had a partner. This was my second time going to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Golfland</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sunsplash</span>. It's a great water park with lots of different slides. We love the "toilet bowl" slides and our favorite is The Vortex. The Vortex is a four-story drop into a eight-foot pool; it's such adrenaline rush! Going on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">water slides</span> is actually one of my most favorite things in the world. I love them more than any ride at an amusement park. I love them so much I even have dreams about them! These water slides are right next to In-N-Out Burger so we had the perfect spot for lunch. All four of us really had a blast!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNTjUlm_KI/AAAAAAAADZg/Fk7NlteYVXc/s1600/Copy+of+serpentarium+037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508838635491228834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNTjUlm_KI/AAAAAAAADZg/Fk7NlteYVXc/s400/Copy+of+serpentarium+037.jpg" /></a>Here's Courtney and Kelly on the "Bermuda Triangle" river<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNTH3gaVRI/AAAAAAAADZY/Prv_xo4axpI/s1600/Copy+of+serpentarium+034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508838163828331794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNTH3gaVRI/AAAAAAAADZY/Prv_xo4axpI/s400/Copy+of+serpentarium+034.jpg" /></a>Kylie and me at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wave pool</span>. She was a great partner on the slides!</div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-8885334922207405542010-07-20T21:19:00.001-07:002011-02-06T22:08:44.587-08:00Youth Temple Baptisms<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNbQ3eqDkI/AAAAAAAADbI/HnY80zILJlA/s1600/friends+028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508847114532818498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNbQ3eqDkI/AAAAAAAADbI/HnY80zILJlA/s400/friends+028.jpg" /></a> On July 30 Lloyd and I got to take the youth to the Oakland Temple for temple baptisms. Since it was summer a lot of the youth were out of town and all the young men were at scout camp. We got this sweet picture of the young women who were able to attend. Katelyn turned twelve in May so this was her first time doing temple baptisms. Lloyd even got to baptize her. I feel so privileged to be able to serve in the Young Women program. I felt so much love and peace as we worshipped together in the temple. These girls are such precious daughters of our Heavenly Father. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508846890017436402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNbDzGBMvI/AAAAAAAADbA/GKHQQp-Sgkk/s400/temple.jpg" />Here is a picture of our Young Women presidency. I also feel blessed to serve with such righteous and inspirational women. There is such joy in serving the Lord. I am so grateful for this special opportunity.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-52731093741000804082010-07-20T14:21:00.002-07:002011-02-06T23:09:05.380-08:00Meeting Chris McCormack<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496219282486445922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ-UTRBx2I/AAAAAAAADX4/5lcaHFLChas/s400/Chris.jpg" /> <div align="center">I received an email inviting me to hear Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">McCormack</span>, 2007 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span> World Champion, speak in San Jose. With my new addiction to triathlons and my dream of some day doing an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span>, I jumped at the chance to meet Chris. The event was free. They only asked for a donation to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Macca</span> Now. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Macca</span> Now is a charity foundation that Chris established in honor of his mother who died of breast cancer. So Courtney and I went to meet Chris on July 15. I braved the long drive (for me) to San Jose to meet an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span> Champ. Courtney got this picture of me with Chris before he started speaking. The first thing we both noticed was his Australian accent - we loved it! I mentioned to Chris that we were the same age - both born in 1973. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496219156320560914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ-M9QvJxI/AAAAAAAADXw/JJ23thunEnY/s400/serpentarium+015.jpg" /> <div>As Chris spoke he shared about his life and his childhood dream of some day winning the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kona</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span> Championship. He explained that his mother was the one person who never gave up on him. He talked about how he went to college and became an accountant and that he really hated having a desk job. He quit his job and decided to pursue being a professional triathlete. He was scared to tell his dad he quit so he would dress in his work clothes every day and then go out and train all day instead of working. He finally confessed to his dad and left to Europe to pursue his triathlon career. He had no place to live in Europe and really no plan, but he just went for it. He won the first triathlon he did there and began training with other triathletes. Chris then shared the ups and downs of his triathlon career. He had many successes and failures. He won a lot of races, but also had to deal with the disappointment of not being asked to be on the Australian Olympic team. The first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span> Chris did in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kona</span> was a disaster. Despite his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-race bragging, he didn't even finish. Finally, in 2007 he reached his childhood dream of winning in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kona</span>. Chris was very candid and sincere as he spoke. At first I observed him to be very humble, but I also saw his cocky and prideful side come out too. Chris is a fighter and he will openly defend himself. He spoke of a disagreement with Norman <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stadler</span> and how he wouldn't tolerate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stadler</span> bad mouthing him. I felt touched when he spoke about his best friend dying when he was partying and fell out the window of a hotel room. Chris has been labeled as a "party boy" too, but he has settled down and is married and has two adorable daughters. I loved hearing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Macca's</span> life story and was so glad I got to meet him. I thought he would speak a bit more about inspiring others to be successful at doing triathlons. I would have liked to have heard more training advice and recommendations. After the event, Courtney and I went to my favorite restaurant in San Jose, The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sonoma</span> Chicken Coop. The food was so delicious. I still think about this ranch <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">calzone</span> I had there; it was one of the best things I've ever eaten!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570837605141607298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TU-XSUvac4I/AAAAAAAADcQ/duImYvBH2Wo/s400/professional-triathlete-chris-mccormack-australia-celebrates-after-winning-the-ford-ironman-world-championship-triathlon-kailua-kona%255B1%255D.jpg" /></div><div></div><div><strong>P.S</strong>. Chris went on the win the 2010 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span> World Championship in K<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">ona</span>. I loved watching the race on the i<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nternet</span> and then again on the NBC coverage months later. Chris was neck and neck with Andreas <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ralert</span> from Germany with less than three miles left of the 140.6 mile race. It was the closest race in the history of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironman</span> Championship - even closer than the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ironwar</span> between Mark Allen and Dave Scott in 1989. I loved watching Chris win and since I've met him and heard him speak I knew how much it meant to him. Awesome job, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Macca</span>! </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-21794512624766192152010-07-20T14:20:00.000-07:002011-02-03T01:14:31.328-08:00Our 16th Anniversary<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ95po_TXI/AAAAAAAADXo/jjMYC5S-a-I/s1600/spring+047.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496218824636058994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ95po_TXI/AAAAAAAADXo/jjMYC5S-a-I/s400/spring+047.jpg" /></a> We celebrated our 16<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Anniversary with a trip to Yosemite for two nights (July 8-10). It was just the two of us so it was such a treat. Lloyd and I both love being outdoors and with Yosemite practically being in our backyard we couldn't have picked a better place.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ9pphSmrI/AAAAAAAADXg/NTQuTb7MSGY/s1600/spring+044.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496218549725862578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ9pphSmrI/AAAAAAAADXg/NTQuTb7MSGY/s400/spring+044.jpg" /></a> We got around the valley on our mountain bikes. It was a lot more fun than taking the shuttle. The first night we got there we had a beautiful ride at dusk, unfortunately that was the time when all the mosquitoes came out too!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ9dAAZE5I/AAAAAAAADXY/rzhVTlRbvOk/s1600/spring+038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496218332423590802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ9dAAZE5I/AAAAAAAADXY/rzhVTlRbvOk/s400/spring+038.jpg" /></a> We had a little canvas tent cabin in Curry Village. It wasn't real fancy, but you can't beat the location - right on the valley floor!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ9LvxAeZI/AAAAAAAADXQ/N_1jfYXqSts/s1600/spring+064.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496218036006320530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ9LvxAeZI/AAAAAAAADXQ/N_1jfYXqSts/s400/spring+064.jpg" /></a> Our wedding day was 7-09-94. We thought it was very ironic that our cabin was #7-09. It was meant to be for our anniversary!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ8-Qioz8I/AAAAAAAADXI/jhFDQtn4A-8/s1600/spring+049.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496217804286250946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ8-Qioz8I/AAAAAAAADXI/jhFDQtn4A-8/s400/spring+049.jpg" /></a> My best souvenir was this little towel from the pool. The attendant said I could keep it. I just love it because it's the perfect size for spin class!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ82K2eLTI/AAAAAAAADXA/27hy8jNdj58/s1600/spring+059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496217665319873842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ82K2eLTI/AAAAAAAADXA/27hy8jNdj58/s400/spring+059.jpg" /></a> The highlight of our trip was floating down the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Merced</span> River. It was so peaceful! I loved letting the river pull me along as I enjoyed the gorgeous views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and all the beauty of Yosemite. Our only complaint was that our river trip was too short - less than an hour of floating and then the river is blocked off. I could have been on that river for hours!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496216754483394306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ8BJuIdwI/AAAAAAAADW4/ZQFLFO5v_bM/s400/spring+055.jpg" />You can see upper Yosemite Falls in the background!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496216514599585586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ7zMFYBzI/AAAAAAAADWw/hVmgeBRVqBU/s400/spring+054.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496216225557712482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ7iXUbDmI/AAAAAAAADWo/RmZMsz5c9Z0/s400/spring+051.jpg" />We are so glad we brought our own boat. We didn't want to rent one for such a short trip!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ505xkyII/AAAAAAAADWQ/YbdyvXUSPtc/s1600/spring+061.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496214345021180034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ505xkyII/AAAAAAAADWQ/YbdyvXUSPtc/s400/spring+061.jpg" /></a>Relaxing by the pool (without any kids) was heavenly!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ5dSCX2JI/AAAAAAAADWI/-Id-CJvSZcw/s1600/spring+065.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496213939217225874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ5dSCX2JI/AAAAAAAADWI/-Id-CJvSZcw/s400/spring+065.jpg" /></a>On our final day of the trip (and Lloyd's birthday) we hiked to the top of upper Yosemite Falls. Here we are at Columbia Rock. The view was breathtaking! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496213161313135138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ4wAHlaiI/AAAAAAAADV4/59KLCPkjzDg/s400/spring+071+copy.jpg" /> Here's Lloyd next to the falls on the way up the trail.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496213605862147522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ5J4MVBcI/AAAAAAAADWA/L_DX2blL90w/s400/spring+073.jpg" />Here's the view of the valley floor once we reached the top of the falls...<br /><div><div><div>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496213007023160946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ4nBV_PnI/AAAAAAAADVw/eiTikZ1TZH0/s400/spring+077.jpg" />..and here's the top of the falls!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ4WyfQBxI/AAAAAAAADVo/iugwP49-Vxg/s1600/spring+076.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496212728157570834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ4WyfQBxI/AAAAAAAADVo/iugwP49-Vxg/s400/spring+076.jpg" /></a> Glad to have reached the top - hold on! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496211817883078178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ3hzc5jiI/AAAAAAAADVY/xMBG9uV6QzQ/s400/spring+078.jpg" />The foot bridge over the falls was a cute little bridge.<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496212211900715058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ34vSBkDI/AAAAAAAADVg/eu_PgkdBqSI/s400/spring+085.jpg" /> We hiked a bit more to Yosemite Point. A nice man took this photo of us with Half Dome in the background. It was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">strenuous</span> hike. First it was all uphill and then, on the way back, it was all downhill. The downhill is actually a lot harder for me. We've done Half Dome the past two years so it was fun to do something different!<br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ3Ovwzg8I/AAAAAAAADVQ/3l9cgLpSkO0/s1600/spring+087.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496211490475312066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ3Ovwzg8I/AAAAAAAADVQ/3l9cgLpSkO0/s400/spring+087.jpg" /></a> After the hike we celebrated Lloyd's birthday at Claim Jumpers, our favorite!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ3CMPWWII/AAAAAAAADVI/-qi5y-Cv5FQ/s1600/spring+088.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496211274781317250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ3CMPWWII/AAAAAAAADVI/-qi5y-Cv5FQ/s400/spring+088.jpg" /></a> The kids sang "Happy Birthday" to their Dad and enjoyed his favorite birthday cake - an apple pie. We were so grateful to Bryce and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chareen</span> for watching the kids. It was a perfect anniversary and birthday celebration for me and Lloyd.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-71123986942097849642010-07-08T02:26:00.001-07:002011-02-03T00:36:11.473-08:00Conner's Swim Lessons<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaAdv4xiYI/AAAAAAAADYw/izPUl8aXcPQ/s1600/spring+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496221643811424642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaAdv4xiYI/AAAAAAAADYw/izPUl8aXcPQ/s400/spring+024.jpg" /></a> This was Conner's first year of swimming lessons (June 21-30). It was quite an experience! On the first day he HATED it! He wanted me to hold him and didn't want anything to do with the water. I literally had to sit by the edge of the pool and force him to stay there. I really felt like he was the "problem child" and I got several sympathetic looks from parents! The next day was a little better, but not by much. When the teacher asked all the kids to put their face in the water and blow bubbles, Conner emphatically said, "I NOT blow bubbles!" The swimming lessons were for two weeks and every day he improved a little more and cried a little less. I took all of these photos on his last day. I was so proud of the progress he made. We'll see how next year goes!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaAQOLY9ZI/AAAAAAAADYo/aw5sMiWNUOM/s1600/spring+021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496221411424400786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaAQOLY9ZI/AAAAAAAADYo/aw5sMiWNUOM/s400/spring+021.jpg" /></a> He finally agreed to blow bubbles. He was so proud of himself!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaAEt0_xOI/AAAAAAAADYg/hZ4tI9-Wa9Q/s1600/spring+026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496221213761979618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaAEt0_xOI/AAAAAAAADYg/hZ4tI9-Wa9Q/s400/spring+026.jpg" /></a> His teacher was very patient!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ_3NHcz1I/AAAAAAAADYY/5La74e7u2pM/s1600/spring+028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496220981642710866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ_3NHcz1I/AAAAAAAADYY/5La74e7u2pM/s400/spring+028.jpg" /></a>I adore his smile!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ_jEXxsHI/AAAAAAAADYQ/xaPldDjSZ0o/s1600/spring+027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496220635697885298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ_jEXxsHI/AAAAAAAADYQ/xaPldDjSZ0o/s400/spring+027.jpg" /></a>He loved grabbing his fish ring!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ_UV7_C6I/AAAAAAAADYI/CxbL5Og98C0/s1600/spring+034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496220382715120546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ_UV7_C6I/AAAAAAAADYI/CxbL5Og98C0/s400/spring+034.jpg" /></a> This took a lot of courage for him!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ-x4h0aaI/AAAAAAAADYA/iZbQHF6gtOY/s1600/spring+035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496219790705191330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEZ-x4h0aaI/AAAAAAAADYA/iZbQHF6gtOY/s400/spring+035.jpg" /></a> I love my little swimmer. I think he's a real cutie!</div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-87716055510502360972010-07-08T02:25:00.000-07:002011-02-03T00:23:52.819-08:00Eclipse<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY9WjkmClI/AAAAAAAADUg/zLK_qE1mLtQ/s1600/eclipse+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496147852967414354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY9WjkmClI/AAAAAAAADUg/zLK_qE1mLtQ/s400/eclipse+002.jpg" /></a> Yes, I did it again! I went to the Midnight Showing on another Twilight movie. The third movie, Eclipse, came out at midnight on June 30. So we headed to the theater late on June 29. It was really crowded with lots of Twilight fans! Katelyn got to come along this year with her friends Brianna and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caslynn</span>. I had fun hanging out with their moms! I think we all agreed this was the best Twilight movie so far (and I didn't hear many complaints about Taylor <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lautner</span> having his shirt off for most of the movie). The Twilight midnight showings has become a tradition for me. I guess I'll have to continue it with the fourth and fifth installments!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY9Nw8Z4yI/AAAAAAAADUY/MHXYS9WF0Qc/s1600/eclipse+005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496147701938119458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY9Nw8Z4yI/AAAAAAAADUY/MHXYS9WF0Qc/s400/eclipse+005.jpg" /></a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-80399311491894005822010-07-08T02:22:00.001-07:002011-02-03T00:10:54.923-08:00Serpentarium<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNeb3G3ipI/AAAAAAAADbo/FyDAq8_sii8/s1600/serpentarium+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508850601946483346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNeb3G3ipI/AAAAAAAADbo/FyDAq8_sii8/s400/serpentarium+003.jpg" /></a> On June 26 we took a little field trip to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Serpentarium</span> in Stockton which is a living reptile museum. We got to see tons of reptiles - snakes, turtles, lizards, iguanas, etc. We also saw several insects, frogs, and snake eggs about to hatch. The highlight of our trip was seeing a live feeding - it was truly amazing to see how quickly the live mouse was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">snatched</span> up by the reptile! <div align="center"> All <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> us, except for Conner thought the animals were pretty interesting. It is amazing how many different creatures there are here on earth!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508849770503205090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNdrdvV8OI/AAAAAAAADbg/tf4J4VWKJSs/s400/serpentarium+005.jpg" />Cameron<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNdMHIbJ7I/AAAAAAAADbY/hHwLLTS92Dc/s1600/serpentarium+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508849231858444210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/THNdMHIbJ7I/AAAAAAAADbY/hHwLLTS92Dc/s400/serpentarium+004.jpg" /></a> Kylie<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY-8srjooI/AAAAAAAADVA/zjsHcbiWaAU/s1600/serpentarium+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496149607759192706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY-8srjooI/AAAAAAAADVA/zjsHcbiWaAU/s400/serpentarium+002.jpg" /></a> Kristi <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496148716917979826" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY-I2CderI/AAAAAAAADUw/_xTw43TBuJw/s400/serpentarium+011.jpg" />Lloyd<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496148980036343682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY-YKOxF4I/AAAAAAAADU4/FK-8kjYlfBY/s400/serpentarium+007.jpg" /> and Conner not looking too thrilled!<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY9w81-PFI/AAAAAAAADUo/y8fykp4mZdA/s1600/serpentarium+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496148306427788370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY9w81-PFI/AAAAAAAADUo/y8fykp4mZdA/s400/serpentarium+012.jpg" /></a> We were glad we could shared this fun trip with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Haslem</span>, Lees, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Boyds</span>, and Counters!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-85716567073075351532010-06-30T12:01:00.001-07:002011-02-02T23:54:00.319-08:00Camping with Grandpa<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY5jlwlUzI/AAAAAAAADUQ/KBK9FDGHlNI/s1600/spring+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496143678846358322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY5jlwlUzI/AAAAAAAADUQ/KBK9FDGHlNI/s400/spring+006.jpg" /></a> Lloyd's dad came out for his annual trip from Utah. We are always so excited to see him and appreciate his visits. We decided to go camping and take him to<br />Yosemite this year. Our trip was June 27-29.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496143402539282178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY5Tgb17wI/AAAAAAAADUI/v-NNsSNnZ5Q/s400/spring+004.jpg" />We had fun at the Visitors Center and exploring the park by riding the shuttle.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY5G5j8UWI/AAAAAAAADUA/voG82_kvXmg/s1600/spring+005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496143185945842018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY5G5j8UWI/AAAAAAAADUA/voG82_kvXmg/s400/spring+005.jpg" /></a>We also enjoyed a picnic lunch while we soaked in the beauty of Yosemite.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY4e3yLTxI/AAAAAAAADT4/QWyjP-tmKUY/s1600/spring+010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496142498273906450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY4e3yLTxI/AAAAAAAADT4/QWyjP-tmKUY/s400/spring+010.jpg" /></a> The camping at Yosemite Pines was really fun too! Grandpa even brought us a new tent. We were shocked when the sprinklers came on in the middle in the night! We enjoyed being together, cooking out, playing on the playground, and swimming in the pool. It was a great trip with Grandpa!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496141342697140610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY3bm7NMYI/AAAAAAAADTg/xRDDnb2hICc/s400/spring+017.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496141619170923698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY3rs3sVLI/AAAAAAAADTo/IePCBQJv3Kg/s400/spring+013.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496142134176463986" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY4JralPHI/AAAAAAAADTw/owSfl2Nxfmg/s400/spring+014.jpg" /> <div><div><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-89982196846641195362010-06-30T12:00:00.000-07:002010-07-24T14:01:19.999-07:00Half Dome Midnight Hike<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496140189853690258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY2YgP6KZI/AAAAAAAADTQ/LwYyIf2IxBs/s400/102_5745.jpg" />Lloyd hiked Half Dome for the fifth time on June 21. He went with three other guys from our ward- Ben, Roy, and Jonathan.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496140001286193538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY2Nhx6gYI/AAAAAAAADTI/6D1ixZTORfE/s400/102_5661.jpg" />They started at 10 pm and reached the top at sunrise.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496140907373090226" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY3CRN3VbI/AAAAAAAADTY/wvS-tpIMdS4/s400/102_5704.jpg" />Here's a photo of the long climb up the cables to reach the top of Half Dome. It's an exciting and daring trip!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496139868207075042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY2FyBYTuI/AAAAAAAADTA/rEW8eb5S-k8/s400/102_5667.jpg" />He made it! Now it's time to relax and enjoy the sunrise.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496139687192421922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY17PsH5iI/AAAAAAAADS4/wxV-rdlBMww/s400/102_5670.jpg" />It's a long and scary drop down from the diving board. Nothing can really compare to the exhilarating feeling at the top of Half Dome. Lloyd loves it, but would like to try something different now. He'll be climbing Mount Whitney at the end of August. Keep it up, Lloyd! <div><div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-42978881979678582312010-06-30T11:55:00.000-07:002010-07-24T13:37:30.562-07:00Rancho Seco Camping and Triathlon<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY1K4gSwlI/AAAAAAAADSw/nzq15s6_5y8/s1600/spring+117.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496138856335065682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY1K4gSwlI/AAAAAAAADSw/nzq15s6_5y8/s400/spring+117.jpg" /></a> On June 4-5 we went camping at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seco</span> and I did my first triathlon of the season. I loved having my whole family there to cheer me on.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY0xK_bluI/AAAAAAAADSo/TLCG5hWrMJg/s1600/spring+111.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496138414620907234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY0xK_bluI/AAAAAAAADSo/TLCG5hWrMJg/s400/spring+111.jpg" /></a> It was a sprint distance - a half mile swim, 16 miles on the bike. and a 3 mile run. It was still a challenge. I am gearing up to do a half <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ironman</span> triathlon at the of the summer. This was good training in preparation for my big race!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496138081659512226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY0dynP5aI/AAAAAAAADSg/tGwD-9twKeI/s400/spring+115.jpg" />The kids and Lloyd enjoyed playing on the beach and swimming in the lake. The water was actually really warm!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496137921028433938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEY0UcN0KBI/AAAAAAAADSY/0e1CyrQ_CIw/s400/spring+116.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496137539664739730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYz-Phn_ZI/AAAAAAAADSQ/qBpgbE13cQE/s400/spring+120.jpg" /> It was so fun to camp out and be together as a family. In fact, we loved it so much we are going camping at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seco</span> four different times this year! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-36990876950600046932010-05-30T22:35:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:33:13.673-07:00Katelyn's 12th Birthday<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYzQIcGN6I/AAAAAAAADSI/R9M5rlyckWk/s1600/spring+069.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496136747488524194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYzQIcGN6I/AAAAAAAADSI/R9M5rlyckWk/s400/spring+069.jpg" /></a> Katelyn turned 12 this year which means lots of exciting things. She is now in Young <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Womens</span> and she got her ears pierced. She had a swim birthday party.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYy-d19wWI/AAAAAAAADSA/ovSPkV1rNIA/s1600/spring+080.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496136443996520802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYy-d19wWI/AAAAAAAADSA/ovSPkV1rNIA/s400/spring+080.jpg" /></a>Katelyn has lots of friends who love her.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYyxbdL-PI/AAAAAAAADR4/edRoHSgUzxQ/s1600/spring+082.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496136220017424626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYyxbdL-PI/AAAAAAAADR4/edRoHSgUzxQ/s400/spring+082.jpg" /></a> Even at 12, pinatas are still fun!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496135965087080706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYyilxDoQI/AAAAAAAADRw/ZpmZI3lFPjw/s400/spring+095.jpg" />On her actual birthday, May 31, she got your ears pierced at the mall. Grandma insisted on paying for this special gift. Here she is BEFORE.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496135745241138066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYyVyxsw5I/AAAAAAAADRo/FCUyMCmIb78/s400/spring+098.jpg" />DURING - she opted for both ears to be pierced at once.<br /><br /><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496135512694961250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYyIQeXtGI/AAAAAAAADRg/YZJ-F6p3H7c/s400/spring+099.jpg" />AFTER - a beautiful and new look!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496135297843570050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYx7wFzpYI/AAAAAAAADRY/_lU5BKBwgho/s400/spring+090.jpg" />The Beehives heart attacked Katelyn to welcome her to Young Women. I can't believe she's growing up so fast! She is such a helpful, kind, smart, and friendly girl. We think we'll keep her!</div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-39700660382538720772010-05-30T22:34:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:41:57.839-07:00Father/Son Camp Out<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYwZcbcNuI/AAAAAAAADRQ/3pC8UKlxfb0/s1600/spring+035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496133608938419938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYwZcbcNuI/AAAAAAAADRQ/3pC8UKlxfb0/s400/spring+035.jpg" /></a> This was the first year Lloyd took both of the boys on the Father/Son Camp Out on May 14-15. I was more than thrilled for them to go for the night, but honestly after a couple hours I started missing them and the house felt too quiet.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYwNw2W1JI/AAAAAAAADRI/KiXHRCOlqiw/s1600/spring+022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496133408261592210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYwNw2W1JI/AAAAAAAADRI/KiXHRCOlqiw/s400/spring+022.jpg" /></a> These brothers really are inseparable - they are best friends and buddies!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYwB3-3aUI/AAAAAAAADRA/YpD6dAtkivo/s1600/spring+033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496133204017899842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYwB3-3aUI/AAAAAAAADRA/YpD6dAtkivo/s400/spring+033.jpg" /></a>My cute "baby" is 3 years old - not a baby any more!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYvz-dJ-nI/AAAAAAAADQ4/cMT9C7SXLbI/s1600/spring+031.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496132965237389938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYvz-dJ-nI/AAAAAAAADQ4/cMT9C7SXLbI/s400/spring+031.jpg" /></a>Cameron at age 5 is still full of energy and curiosity.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYvjr_eEdI/AAAAAAAADQw/THs4OofawoE/s1600/spring+029.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496132685403132370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYvjr_eEdI/AAAAAAAADQw/THs4OofawoE/s400/spring+029.jpg" /></a>They love sleeping in a tent!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYvTOZugVI/AAAAAAAADQo/UQiZCXUX-6U/s1600/spring+030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496132402582290770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYvTOZugVI/AAAAAAAADQo/UQiZCXUX-6U/s400/spring+030.jpg" /></a>Yummy breakfast in the morning! We are so grateful for these little boys. They keep us busy and create lots of excitement. Lloyd is a fabulous daddy to them. I am sure they will be going on camp outs for years to come! </div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922963811958194745.post-5052336685494217042010-05-30T22:33:00.000-07:002011-02-02T23:27:37.592-08:00Mother's Day<div align="center">I can't believe this is my 14th Mother's Day as a mother. Time has really flown since I celebrated my first Mother's Day in 1996 when Courtney was only nine months old. Growing up I dreamed of becoming a mother. I truly thought there was no better job in the world. I couldn't wait to be a Mommy to my own little ones. Well, now I can honestly say motherhood is much more challenging than I ever dreamed it would be. I am always feeling inadequate and unsure of where I should devote my time and energy. I have truly been humbled as a mother and I openly admit to my children that I am less than perfect. Thank goodness children are so loving and easy to forgive! I would like to share a quote from Sister Hinckley that reminds me to cherish my years of motherhood.<br /><br />"These are golden years for you. These are years when you will probably do the most important work of your lives. Don’t wish away your years of caring for small children. Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans. This is a time of great opportunity for you to build the kingdom. When you teach children to love their Heavenly Father, you have done one of the greatest things you will ever do."<br /><br />I thought I would begin this post with this precious photo that was taken this Mother's Day - May 9, 2010. I like this photo because I am surrounded by my five little sweethearts. This picture makes me feel so loved and full of joy.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496238442429346018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaPvjnY8OI/AAAAAAAADZQ/yO1g-6Ia5xk/s400/cabin+017.jpg" /> Lloyd made sure my Mother's Day had a perfect start by getting me my favorite treat - a huge cinnamon roll from Fuddruckers! I loved every bite of it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496129996645620530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYtHLluWzI/AAAAAAAADQY/9ij9HxJnArU/s400/cabin+011.jpg" /> <p align="center">Then we went to church for a beautiful sacrament meeting and my children gave me cards with these adorable photos!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496237439835378642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaO1MqXE9I/AAAAAAAADZI/TUvBvnpECCw/s400/Cameron_0002.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496237264796344258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaOrAlzX8I/AAAAAAAADZA/aw7PoCcQKbU/s400/Cameron_0001.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496237129638009362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEaOjJFi2hI/AAAAAAAADY4/IGn5v8opdQI/s400/Cameron_0003.jpg" /> This picture wasn't taken on Mother's Day - it was taken a few weeks before. I love it because it reminds me that we need to enjoy each other and play together. I am glad my kids can have fun together!</p><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYs7Nz0SmI/AAAAAAAADQQ/NdXgHGr6WIc/s1600/Spring+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496129791083170402" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYs7Nz0SmI/AAAAAAAADQQ/NdXgHGr6WIc/s400/Spring+001.jpg" /></a> In just a few, short years these little children will be grown and gone. I am trying to hold fast to these golden years and cherish everything - the fun, the chaos, the craziness, the challenges, and the memories.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYslvELs9I/AAAAAAAADQI/UDrkYAs51Q4/s1600/cabin+008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496129422053061586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slfVeTA6yzY/TEYslvELs9I/AAAAAAAADQI/UDrkYAs51Q4/s400/cabin+008.jpg" /></a> I'd like to end this post with an inspirational quote from Jeffrey R. Holland. I am so grateful the Lord is there for me as I embrace this journey called motherhood.<br /><br />"Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.” You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” And it will make your children whole as well. "</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0