Happy Halloween

Another successful Halloween. The kids always look forward to Halloween. This year we were some sort of scary guy in a black costume with face paint and a a mermaid princess! Needless to say they both looked great! We continued on with the tradition we have made (not always by choice) to carve pumpkins on Halloween Eve! Halloween night started with a "spooky" dinner. Brains, mummies, swamp monsters, and ghosts. The Smith's, Meyers, and McKinleys were all able to join us. After that it was off to trick-or-treating. First in our neighborhood with all of the kids and then off to Vista Valley to meet up with all of the Sting boys. It is always so much fun to let them trick or treat in big groups. The older boys get to be together and the little ones can do their own thing... and of course us adults always enjoy hanging together. The weather was beautiful and we now have enough candy to last until next year!

On the Edge

It's nine o'clock and I am on the edge.... Of the bed! This little stinker is hogging the bed and snoring, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Live in the Moment

Yesterday was a day for the books... one of those days when you have to stop and remember what is really important in life and not get caught up in the negative. Things could always be worse... right?

I was completely overwhelmed at work on Monday because I stayed home Friday with Tanner since he had the flu. Monday afternoon when I got the call that Peyton had pink eye I decided to call Cole and ask him to get her... I made her a doctors appointment and he headed into town with her. About a half hour after her appointment was supposed to start I got a text that said "Just got in accident Pey and I are okay. My fault ran into car totaled front end of truck". My heart sank.... I was still at school and was supposed to be picking mom up from her last reconstruction surgery. I was totally frantic... didn't know which way to turn or what to do first. I ended up going straight to the accident and to my delight it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Everyone was okay... and that's all that matters. Vehicles can be fixed, tickets can be paid and lessons can be learned.

Manic Monday reminded me that sometimes life doesn't always go as planned. However, I am BLESSED beyond words. I have a healthy family (for the most part...my mom just beat cancer), we can provide for our chidren, I love my husband and don't know what I would do without him, we have stable jobs, we have an amazing extended family, great friends, a roof over our head... and the list can go on and on and on... sometimes though it takes a day like this to be reminded to live in the moment... you never know when you might not have another.

Labor Day Weekend

We didn't go anywhere for Labor Day but instead enjoyed a weekend at home. It was by no means a quiet weekend, we had plenty planned! We started Friday night off with dinner at Texas Roadhouse and dessert at our favorite place Red Mango! I always love having dinner out as a family.
On Saturday we worked around the house, did some laundry and picked up. We took the kids over to Aunt Jenn and Uncle Dan's so that we could go see the Help. What a great movie... I had already read the book but it was amazing to see the stories and hardships these people faced. I can only imagine what life was REALLY like during the Civil Rights movement.
On Sunday morning we packed up at went to Eagle Rim Park and let the kids play at the skatepark. We met up with the Meyers and the McKinleys.... the kids had such a great time! Then we all headed to moms for a BBQ and some quality family time. We really are lucky to be so close to the kids aunts and uncles... Someday I know the kids will appreciate the fact that there were able to grow up with everyone around! Who better to watch your games, have sleepovers with, hang out with, and just have around then your family!
The boys (Sam, Dan, Tanner, Cole and Nate) headed out Sunday night for a hunting trip! The end of 18Rd was their destination... their prey; doves! Yes, doves! They ended up shooting several and Tanner brought their meat home and had dad cook it. He ate it all... I couldn't believe it! Every last bite, and he said it tasted like elk steak. I wasn't brave enough to try it. I stuck to the s'mores that we were making on the firepit!
Labor Day also brought with it cooler temperatures, especially at night. We can now sleep with the windows open and have a need for the comforter that has been kicked off all summer. This means it is time to take down the pool. The kids enjoyed one last swim before we took it down until next summer. After taking the pool down we had another BBQ this time with the Willford side of the family.
It was a great three day weekend. It really made me wish that I had a four day work week everyweek, but unfortunately that is not the case. I guess the lesson to be learned is to remember to enjoy every minute we have together!

Too Long

I can't believe I have waited this long in between posts. I really am going to make a conscience effort to more blogging. I want so badly to capture all these memories that are happening everyday right in front of me.

Yesterday Tanner started 4th grade and Peyton pre-school. I can't believe how quickly they grow up. It seems like just yesterday Peyton and I were walking Tanner to kindergarten (I was on maternity leave for Peyton). They both enjoyed their days SO much. Tanner was ecstatic about 4th grade and his new teacher Mrs. Hoffman. He was so excited that he gets to earn money (even though it is fake) to purchase prizes. It is amazing what a little bit of incentive will do! Peyton got to move room at DKLC too... she is now in Mrs. Dawn and Ms. Alex's room. She was super excited to tell us about the game magic rock that they learned to play!

After school Tanner got to go to Maverick to celebrate with Grandma. Boy does he love that place! Then it was off to baseball for a t-ball game and Tanner's game. It was so amazing to watch these two kiddos play.... they are such hard workers, are focused, and truly always want to do their best.

Peyton was down on her knees wiping dirt on to her pants so she could look tough! She had the biggest smile as she walked up to the tee! Its so fun to see the joy in their eyes as the participate in things.

Tanner did great... he had 2 RBI's but he struck out once. It broke my heart when he struck out cause he came back to the dugout, put his hand on the chain look fence and just watched the game. He was so disappointed in himself...he is so hard on himself. We were SO proud of him though... he always does his best and NEVER gives up!

My Mom Kicked Cancers @$$

She did it....

I have always known my mom was tough.... always knew that she could do anything she put her mind too... always knew that she doesn't let anything keep her down.... but today she let the world now all of that... she kicked cancer's ass!

It seems like just yesterday our world came tumbling down as we learned of her diagnosis. In the short amount of time since that we have been on a roller coaster ride of events... but I am proud to say that through it all my mom kept her spirits high and her attitude positive.

I listened today as she visited with another cancer patient who still has a long road in front of her. Mom inspired that lady to keep going, to keep a positive attitude and take it one step at a time.

I know that our cancer "road" is not over... that it will never be officially "over"... but for now she has kicked cancers ass... taken chemo by the horns and kicked the shit out of it! And I couldn't be prouder of her. I am so honored to call her my mom!

"Summer" Time Flies

I can't believe that it has already been a month since I posted last. I can't believe how quickly time passes... especially once summer is upon us. We have been extremely busy since school got out. ... everything has been kind of a whirlwind and I am actually excited for the rest of summer to slow down!

The week after school got out Tanner participated in the FMHS Wildcats baseball camp. He really emjoyed himself and really seemed to learn alot. He is constantly improving on all his sports, it's really cool to see how much effort he puts into his athletics. While Tanner was at camp P and I just kind of hung out... we did the Fruita pool one day and on the last day of camp Tanner had a bunch of his friends over to hang out! We also celebrated Presley's first birthday that weekend. She is such a cutie and is so gorgeous... so happy that we get to have them close by and watch them grow up!

The following week Tanner did the Mesa State Basketball Camp.... well lets just say he tried to. It was such a poorly put together camp that two days in Cole and I let him quit.... something I always telll Tanner we don't do... quit. It was just unbearable how terrible it was.... standing in line... sitting and watching... so little participation. Needless to say Tanner was not disappointed in being done with it an actually spent the next couple of days working one on one with Beck in the backyard. This turned out to be much more fun and much more benficial for him! The same week that Tanner started basketball camp was the same week that Cole and I left for Italy (more to come on that later).... and at the end of that week Tanner headed to Vernal for his first competitive baseball camp. Cole and I were disappointed that we missed it but Tanner had a blast! He spent the first night in the KOA with the Hightowers and the next day Aunt Jess, Grandma and little P were there to cheer him on. He really enjoyed the whole weekend but mostly the bonding time with all of his friends... such a great experience for him and I hope that he gets the opportunity to continue to grow up with these boys! While Tanner was in Vernal Peyton got to spend a few days with Grammy and Beck.... and did she love that! She was Grammy's little shadow helping to do whatever work she needed done... but her favorite was watering the flowers. Grammy and Beck also took her swimming at the rec center... that girl is a fish! She has no fear of the water, it is great but it can be kind of scary sometimes too, you have to watch her like a hawk.

After Vernal the kids spent the next five days with Aunt Jess and Uncle Nate until we got back from Italy. They had a great time there and showed Aunt Jess what it would be like with three kids... not sure there will be more than two at that household! Needless to say it was great to know that our kids were so well taken care of as we were touring Italy. There is alot of love for those two little munchkins.

Since we have been back we have just been hanging out! There has been several trips to the library, swimming EVERYDAY in the backyard, a FMHS Wildcats basketball camp, shopping, reading, napping, a new dance class and lots of working for daddy. Peyton started a new dance class at Absolute Dance. I didn't know if she would like it or not but the girl NEVER stopped smiling the entire time. She absolutely loved it! I am so happy that she is involved in something... it usually revolves around Tanner so it is great to see her involved in something that she loves. We leave next week for the lake and are excited to spend some time relaxing there. Both of the kids will enjoy that time for sure!