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!

Mother's Day

A new perspective....





I've always loved mother's day.... even before I was a mom myself. I have the best mom and it is always fun to celebrate everything she has done for me... I truly don't know where I would be today without her. She has been by my side through so many events, both and good and bad and she always reassures me that "this too shall pass."





I am also thankful for my mother-in-law who raised the man that I love. I realize that every quality, belief and trait he has is somehow related back to the woman who gave him life. What an amazing job she did!





Of course since I have become a mom the day has meant something else to me. I realize how truly blessed I am to have the two greatest kids on Earth. They make me smile everday! I hope that they feel blessed to have me as their mom and I hope that Cole and I raise them as best as we know how.





The kids woke me up with breakfast in bed... peanut butter and jelly English muffins! The brought me gifts in bed too... Buckle shorts, a great bracelet and a Ty Lawson jersey. I can't wait to sport it at a game next season! It was perfect! Then I decided that we should go on a little run... it was such a beautiful day. Remember I said "little". Well I think my husband thought I should challenge myself... run a little further... do something "extra" on Mother's Day. Well we did just that... 5 miles! Woah.. I am not used to running that far. Then we headed to Jenn's for a Mother's Day brunch... which we secretly turned in to an Adoption Party for Jess, Nate and Little P! It was a great time with the family! Lots of great food... biscuit supremes, pancakes and homemade cinnamon rolls! (thanks jenn and jamey) Then it was back home for a short rest and then off to the desert so Tanner could ride his dirt bike! After that we had a great dinner at Pablo's Pizza.





Then I started thinking about all the people on Earth who no longer have their mother's physically present on Earth to be with. Or the mothers who have angels in heaven looking down on them. Or the mothers who are battling for their lives. Or the mothers who are wathcing their kids battle for their lives. Or the women who have never had the opportunity to be a mother. Or the mothers who have given their babies to someone else to raise.





This day just makes you stop and think.


Be thankful for what you have.


I hope all women everywhere can somehow find peace and joy today... not matter what "mother" situation they find themselves in.

252

Jackson Hole
THURSDAY
road trip was long.. but the girls did great
aunt jess had lots of surprises to entertain
movies, candy, toys and colors
afternoon naps
Arby's for dinner
got there late and went to bed
FRIDAY
missed the first race...oops
weather was nice racing was good
one for two
played at the park
SATURDAY
racing was great
two for two
120 races
Peyton wants in
male bonding in the trailer
Cole, Tanner and Uncle Nate
a late walk through the tunnel
a new track and screws
several shots of crown
met Cole's RMSHA family
wish I could be there more
shopping for jess and mom
headbands, bread and fudge
Tanner rode the chair lift
again and again and again
only to slide down the mountain
SUNDAY
spittin seeds and nappin
finals didn't turn out how we wanted
he rode with pride
he did his best
what more can you ask for
he showed his kids how to handle defeat
not an easy thing to do
chin up there is always the next one
MONDAY
snowy roads to start another long ride
s outhbound 191 CLOSED
a new route hwy 540
Taco Time
naps and movies
We are home.... until next year! 252 CREW

A Good Break

Spring break has come and gone once again. We did our best to enjoy the time away from our normal schedules and just enjoy being together.

We started off the break with a quick trip to Glenwood Springs. Cole was in Lost Trail racing so it was just the kids, grandma Jane, the Meyers and myself. We headed over Saturday afternoon and checked into our hotel... Hotel Glenwood Springs. They had a great pool for the kids... it had a little kids slide, a basketball hoop and a big slide. The kids really enjoyed it and spent the entire afternoon swimming. After swimming we decided to grab some dinner at Chili's and then went back to the hotel where the kids played board games in the lobby. Nothing beats a hot game of Candy Land. The next morning the kids woke up late (only because of daylight savings) we ate breakfast at the hotel and then headed back to the swimming pool. We checked out around lunch time and headed to McDonald's before the drive home. It was a short trip but a lot of fun and a great way to start off the break!

On St. Patrick's day Tanner and I invited Papa Frank to go skiing. Tanner also invited Kamdan and Tristany. We headed up to Powderhorn early and got our rentals and tickets all ready. Unfortunately their snowcats had broken down the night before and so the runs hadn't been groomed... it started out being really icy. It got better as the day went on and we all had a great time. The kids stayed on the bunny hill all day and boy did they have fun! They only stopped twice, once for a quick lunch break and once in the afternoon for a quick snack and bathroom break. Other than that they never quit... I hadn't been on skis for almost ten years and I am happy to say that I did really well, never fell and even did a black diamond run... I was pretty proud of myself. We ended the day at Grandma Janes with a very traditional Saint Patrick's meal... corned beef, cabbage and potatoes... it was great!

The rest of break was filled with a lot of fun. Baseball practices, ice cream at I Scream U Scream, birthday dinners for Grammy and Aunt Megan, yard work at grandmas, lots of cleaning at home, several sleepovers with Grandma Jane, and Tanner had lots of friend time with Kamdan.

I am sad that it is over but it means that spring is here... and summer is getting close.