Idaho

The kids and I went to Idaho this last weekend for a visit. I think this was my first time there since my Grandpa past away and it was really sad when I would think of that and how he wasn't around anymore. My Grandpa was one of the best men I have ever know. I will have to post more of him later.

My Grandma Stockham and me at the family picnic. Not the best picture in the world as it is one of those that I held my arms out and took myself but I still think my Grandmas is beautiful! Grandma just turned 80 years old this summer and was still up wanting to make everyone breakfast in the mornings and out trying to take care of her chickens, garden and flowers. You just have to forget any kind of diet you are on at her house. Her yummy breakfast include, fresh from the farm, thick cut fried bacon, fresh eggs (some that my kids picked from the chicken coop) and her homemade bread and jam. To die for delicious. My dad always says that he knew he wanted to marry my mom after spending a weekend at her parents home and experiencing my Grandma's cooking. It may be true! My Grandma seriously is the most caring person ever. She always finds the best in everyone. I love her so much! My kids adore her too.

Ava, Chanel, Brooklynn, Jada

Isn't Ava beautiful? I love how she is looking up at the older girls. Ava is my cousin Michell's daughter. We have always been really close. Similar to how Brooklyyn and Jada are now. Michelle has always been one of my best friends! Chanel is my cousin Chis and Bernadette's daughter. Jada and her were inseparable during this trip. And of course Brooklynn is Kari's daughter and Jada just loves her and looks up to her.

Chloe, me, Logan and Jada

Chris and Bernadette were so good to us during our trip. We found out the first night at my Grandma's house that Logan is allergic to cats. His eyes swelled up so big. Bernadette is so fun and sweet. She invited us to her home. We stayed their the first night and then at their river home the second night. Chloe is Chris and Bernadette's second daughter and she became my best little friend. She was sooooo cute. She kept asking to come to my house and was crying when I left. I really would have taken her home except for the fact that her parents would miss her like crazy. Logan loved playing with her. This is a picture of us on the dock next to the snake river.

Chloe, me and Logan on Chris and Bern's boat

I love this picture of Hayden checking out Logan's foot. I guess he stepped on something in the boat. We all had so much fun! I'll post a few more pictures later. I know you are excited...

It was so much fun spending time with my Grandma, Aunts and cousins. My kids love playing with their second cousins and three of them were crying when it was time to go home because they just wanted to stay a little longer. I honestly remember doing the same thing when I would go visit my Grandparents home as a child with my parents. The farm life was like Disneyland and now is the same for my kids.

10k

It's a miracle! My friend Liz talked me into running a 10k. Are you kidding me..... I have only been "training" for about two weeks. Liz is also the one who motivated me into running in the first place. Maybe she should be a motivational speaker. I haven't ran in any kind of race since maybe Junior High gym. I really don't even care how fast I run at this point. Plus my knees have been killing me so, lets be honest, I am just hoping to finish. The 10k is on Thursday July 24th as part of the Pioneer Day Celebration. Angie is running with Liz and I and we are way excited to try. Soon enough we will be running marathon's! he he

More Fun in the Sun

So my life is pretty boring lately. (Which isn't always a bad thing in my life). This is the first summer in quite a few years that we have not taken some type of big vacation like to California. I have been working more but have been trying to go in early like around 6am so that I am able to come home early to be with my kids. Dylan has been gone to scout camp all week and we all miss him tons especially Hayden. This is his first week long camp. My dad went up with him for a night and reported back to me that Dylan is having a great time. I have the best Dad to go with my son to camp! Here are a few pictures of the kids this week playing in the sprinklers and just hanging out.

This is Angie's little girl Lexi. She is adorable! One possible bad thing about having two older brothers who talk about girls and girlfriends a lot is that now Logan thinks it is what everyone does including 4 year olds I guess. One day he came up to me and said "Mom, Lexi dumped me". And he really does know what that means. Another really cute thing was when a couple of months ago Logan was riding his bike and he rode up near Lexi and said "Lexi do you want to ride on my pegs?" They are really cute friends!

I love this picture of Logan with his head in the sprinklers! This is very typical of him.

Hayden has been hanging out with me more because he is going crazy with Dylan gone. He has been a wonderful help with Jada and Logan while I work. Every day I come home from work and the kids are at least dressed, alive and the house is in one piece, kind of. What more can I ask? Hayden's favorite thing to do is to skateboard. He is actually getting very good at it. He is an awesome kid!

Running

I have been slacking for the past six months as far as working out as much and it shows. My goal is to loose about 15-20 pounds so that I can fit back into my cute size 28 jeans. So my wonderful friend Angie and I have started to run every morning. This morning we were out by 5am and we are running again at night for a total of about 5 miles a day. I HATE running and have never been a runner. My cardio has always been aerobics, or the elliptical. I love weights and yoga so I am going to keep those up too. Hopefully I will start to enjoy it soon. Why does weight have to be such an issue, I really hate it and feel very shallow worrying about it all the time. I'll keep you posted on our progress. Wish us luck!

Lovin the Summer Time

Reasons I LOVE Summer:

*No Homework

*Laying out in the sun

*Popsicles

*Vacations

*Hot Days

*I can wear flip flops without everyone looking at me weird

*Getting a Tan

*Camping

*No Spelling Words

*Less running my kids around

*Barbe Q's

*Flowers

*Spending more time with my kids

*Longer Days

*Summer food like watermelon and salads

*Vegetables from my garden

*Snow cones

*Did I mention No Homework

I just realized that we are about half way through the summer days before school starts again. (Give or take a few days). I got a really sick feeling realizing this because I am dreading the homework fights. It causes our household major anxiety. Also I can't believe that my 12 year old will be going to Junior High. I remember Junior High all to well. Also my six year old will be in the First grade leaving my four year old very lonely I'm sure. I am just going to forget about the upcoming school year for the next half of the summer and enjoy the time off!

Celebrating the 4th of July

Dylan

Angie and I

Hayden

Me and the kids. Jada doesn't look very happy but it is just impossible to take a picture of us all without someone mad or fake cheesing it. This pic has both. :)

The day after the 4th of July we were able to go across the street to our
friends home to light some fire works of our own. (Courtesy of The Wendells). It doesn't look like it but we really do try to instill safety issues into our kids, but as you can see Dylan and Hayden still had a "blast". The stadium of fire was fun but apparently there is just something about lighting that flame yourself. P.S Angie is amazing and fixed Logan and Hayden's hair today so thank goodness the pink is gone and their hair looks great again!

Stadium of Fire

My Dad was wonderful to get us into the Stadium of Fire again this year. Jada was ecstatic to be able to see Miley Cyrus. The kids all colored their hair Blue and Red to get in the 4th of July spirit. I had to include a picture of Logan'shair. He loved it! The only problem is I have washed his hair five times since that night and can't seem to get the red out. It actually looks pink now. Just in case anyone missed seeing any fire works this year I included a small video of some of the display at the stadium. :) It was a really fun night although we had to park so far away that I'm sure we walked at least five miles. I may be exaggerating a little but it was truly a few miles. Happy Birthday America!!!

A few more pictures:

At the Beach, July 2007

Me and my parents and brothers and sisters, Summer 2007

Park City, April 2007

Pics of us

Here are a few pictures of us during the last year:

Me and the kids at Temple Square 2007

Dylan, me and Hayden December 2007

Logan, James and Jaden (our nephew) June 2007

Jada and Logan September 2007

December 2007

New Cousin

Benet Covin Nordgren was born on June 18th to Jason and Cindy Nordgren. Cindy is James sister and she is such a wonderful sister-in-law. Benet is adorable. Here is a picture of Hayden holding Benet.

Jada's First Sleepover

Jada has had several "late overs" in the last year but we finally gave in and let her have a sleepover a few weeks ago. She was just across the street at her best friend Allie's but it was still a big mile stone. She had so much fun!

I have a 12 year old

Dylan's birthday was on June 7Th. I know everyone says this at one time or another but I seriously cannot believe that I have a 12 year old. And he is such a good "young man", I guess I can't really call him a kid anymore at least not to him. He is always worried about other's feelings and is a wonderful big brother. He has so many friends and is very talented and funny. Dylan started playing the trumpet and guitar this last year and seems to be learning fast and doing well. He played Basketball and Soccer this year again and had a lot of fun and did great! He also was in his school chorus and has become a great singer too. Dylan loves to skateboard, draw, and to play video games. He loves camping and has been able to do even more of this lately in scouts. I love him so much!!

Palisade Lake

For the last six or more years I have been able to go with my Dad and Mom along with as many of my brothers and sisters who are available to Palisade Lake. My kids absolutely love it and look forward to it every year the week after school gets out. Last year was an adventure as our tent blew over in the middle of the night. It was actually really scary. Luckily this year was calm. Dylan and Hayden were able to go golfing this year for the first time and loved it. (The picture of them on their way to go golfing is with my dad, my nephew Kamdenn and my beautiful sister Kari.) The kids also love the paddle boats, swimming, fishing and just hanging out with their Grandparents and cousins. I love laying out at the beach and hanging out with my family. My Dad and Mom are the best Grandparents ever. I am so lucky to have them be such a big part of my kids life.

Logan's Preschool Graduation

4 year old Preschool here he goes....
Logan has been my only child who didn't want to go to school every day. He loved his teacher and his friends at school but occasionally he would cry and want to stay home with me. Maybe it is the youngest child syndrome (whatever that is). Overall he seemed to enjoy school, especially his field trip to the Dinosaur museum. Here are some pictures of the field trip and of his graduation in May. I know, I know, he has a really fake smile. :)

First Post

Can everyone believe that I finally created a blog...(Thanks mostly to my amazing sister-in-law and friend Tiffany). I am not creative and I really don't have very much time but I will try to make the most of it as I love looking at other blogs.