December Birthdays

Tyler was pretty excited to enter into a Man vs. Grill competition that took place on his birthday. The giant burger consisted of 4 lb. meat, 9 eggs, 1/2 lb. bacon, 1/2 lb. cheese, avacado, 1/2 lb. salsa and tomato- all with fries on the side.

The kids and I had a great time cheering him!

Tyler and his buddy Kevin at after the end of the 45 minute time limit. Tyler was definitely in the top 3, and although several other gentleman had their dinner come back up he kept it down. No one was able to finish, but Ty is pretty proud of his shirt and complimentary barf bucket.

Sydney's birthday was next. It is an even year for her so she had a friend party with Harry Potter as the theme.

I didn't think to take group pics until the end when we had already started cleaning up, but I must say that I surprised myself with how well the decorations and events turned out for how little time and effort I had to put into it. Ty did an awesome job with a head table and 4 house tables, it was a party to remember.

I love this picture! Both of these young ladies are getting so big! I love that they are still close friends even as they get older. We played Quiditch on our "brooms" and had glow-in-the-dark skating- the kids loved it and didn't want to go when the party was ending.

I can't believe my baby girl is already 10! She is such a good girl and we are so blessed to have her in our family. She is so compassionate and loving toward others, she is a good example for me in so many ways. She is so bright and down to Earth, I couldn't imagine a better daughter.

Snow!

Well, this isn't the first snow of the season, but it's the first that the kids got to go outside and play in. And they were so excited to don their new snow gear!

The snowman is almost done...

Fall Weekend

Gardner's Village is a great place for butter pecan fudge to die for and some spooky fun. We were so glad to have their cousin with us- she is such a sweetheart and always brightens my day when I see her.

We stopped off at a local market and they had a cute kids hay maze the kids had fun playing in.

Ty couldn't resist giving it a go as well.

At Grandpa Buggy and Grandma Lucie's house, up in the tree reading Harry Potter and just hanging out. We had such a fun weekend, I am pretty sure that you have started a fall weekend tradition.

Carving pumpkins the REAL way (according to the kids).

I always forget how messy carving the pumpkins can be.

4 spooky and fantastic pumpkins.

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!

Out to dinner for Aunt Trishies B-day sans the kids.

My bro and his adorable wife.

Happy BERTHday, Berthie!!

My other bro and his cute wife, Berthie, and my parental units.

The Weekend for Ladies

I had a reunion with my college roommates over the weekend and it was absolutely fabulous. When my friend's phone rang to remind her of her daughter's soccer practice I realized we are OLD LADIES! Annie made us all matching "The Girls of 439" matching shirts, they were beautiful. I met these fab ladies 13 years ago, and I am so grateful that they put up with my love of Tupac, beaching in my undies, and general sense of rebelliousness. Having them as roommates for 2 years and now as friends definitely makes me a better person. I love you, Ladies!

Syd had a ladies night with Aunt Trishie. What an amazing thing to have an aunt who is able to spoil you with an entire night to yourself. Thanks, Berthie!

Sketch Blog

My friend Geoff, Royce and I had a sketch night on Saturday - tons of fun! Pizza, heavy metal, legos, and lots of vehicles, weapons and robots. Royce was really excited to start his own blog to document his weekly work. You can check it out here, and feel free to leave comments.

Who Would Think?

Tyler talks about his PR's on facebook, so I thought I'd brag about one of mine here. This was Fight Gone Bad at Crossfit last Saturday and I got a new PR- 215! What's up now?

I would have never guessed that I would love Crossfit, everyone there is so nice and supportive. I think it may just be the only thing holding me back from complete insanity on many days. Not only do I get to keep reaching new goals, but I also get to work out with a broad-shouldered, big-muscled man who looks very hot doing pull-ups. Thanks for getting me started and putting up with all of my whining, hun!

Farmer's Market

Super cool clouds that accompanied one of the many rain storms we have had of late.

Looks like somebody is having fun up there.

We went to the local farmer's market again today and got a bunch of carrots. We immediately wiped them off and began eating them as we finished our shopping at the market. The kids loved them, they walked around eating their Bugs Bunny carrots and saying "What's up, Doc." They taste so different- like they actually have flavor- I just wish we could eat this good all year long. I do so love the local market!

We had a great bike ride today as well, the weather couldn't have been more perfect. I am looking forward to the beautiful leaves we get to see on our bike rides in the fall. I love the stages my kids are in. They are old enough that we can do fun & crazy things, but young enough that they are still excited about hanging out with the fam.

More Summer Pics

Here is a few random pictures from the summer I haven't yet posted, and since adult school (and the craziness) once again begins tomorrow I thought I'd just better hurry up and get this done.

We went for a quick trip to Idaho Falls. We love the hotel on the falls and riding bikes around, makes for a great mini-vacation.

Mandee and I got hooked up with VIP passes for Eclipse when it first came out. I will go to a free movie anytime, even this one- and the free popcorn and soda didn't hurt.

Royce loved having his longer mohawk all summer. Had to make it red for the 4th.

Riding to the parade (that the kids rode a horse in) with cousin Dallon. So cute and so many questions!

A beautiful calm day at Bear Lake.

Syd even tried water skiing for the very first time!

Then after my finals and applications were completed my honey took me to the place of the stone that is yellow for another quick trip. As a kid I always hated taking a cooler on trips, but we took a cooler and only ate out once (thanks for breakfast G & G !). We ate healthier and it worked much better with our schedule in the park. A cooler is the cooler way to go.

We went on different trails and saw new things, this pic just doesn't do these bright colors justice.

We saw lots of elk.

We took respite at the place of peace (aka my lake), and enjoyed the serenity. I love taking walks along here to the country store to get ice cream and just enjoying the lake.

Amazing things like this always seem to help put things in perspective.

And of course we saw lots and lots of bison. We had to turn back from our walk because the frisky bison had migrated and were way too close to the path. Tyler took this opportunity in the car to ask various bison if they knew they had a little butt.

I can't wait to go back next year!

Let School Begin

31 flavors of fun, ya'll!

Thanks for all the B-day wishes - I feel the love!

(This picture of myself is my special gift back to you.)

The juniors on their first day of 4th and 2nd grades at school yesterday. They were both so excited, I don't think they slept much at all the night before. I remember being nervous for my 1st day, too. Guess it is just part of being a kid. I am so glad that I am sending them to such an awesome school where they are challenged and engaged rather than just babysat for the day, and I love that they have to wear modest and classy clothes. Aren't they just stinkin' cute!

They got twinner shoes! They are both so excited for their new Chuck Taylors. Oh boy, let the brand name recognition begin, egh?

Great Summer

A few of these pics are way past due. This is from July when my baby turned 7. SEVEN, can you believe it? Wow, I am feeling old. He had the coolest archery cake from Aunt Tricia!

We got hooked up with passes for Raging Waters and so we had to go, our friend had the day off and was able to spend it with us and we had so much fun. I would definitely go again!

It was clean and there was a lot for the kids to do, Royce did this at least a dozen times and would have happily done it a few dozen more.

They had so much fun!

Thanks for the hook up Miss Mandy!

While in SL the kids got haircuts for school (I love trying out funky things on Royce's hair).

Syd chopped her hair off! I can't believe she chose this haircut, but it is way cute and fun.

Guys night: Lego's, loud metal music, manly junk food, & wrestling.

Ladies Night: Rodeo, face painting, junk food, hooping and hollering, & cute cowboys.

Up in Them Hills

Summer semester in finally over for me! I am relishing being able to cook and clean and actually just hanging out with my 2 cute kids and doing regular Mom things. We had some great company today (THANK YOU!) and it was so relaxing to visit and eat without the threat of homework lurking nearby.

I am so blessed to have such supportive and amazing family and friends, especially my husband. I know I will be happy wherever we end up and whatever we end up doing. Although I have my moments where I'd like to cry (and sometimes I do), I am confident that we are staying true to ourselves and doing what is right for our family.

I believe in staying positive and celebrating the small things in life. With that in mind, let the journey continue...

We went up in them thar hills a few weeks ago for some good old target practice and quality family time playing games. We had so much fun!

Who does she get these freckles from? I always wanted freckles when I was younger, guess my daughter got them instead.

Ready.

Aim.....

Fire!

This thing would not leave us alone- obviously he is used to getting fed.

Oh yes, it's Ladies Night!

Pre-MAC makeovers, trying to look as dowdy as possible without laughing.

Miss Pinney had so much fun being one of the grown ups.

After we had all been beautified. Makes me wish I could whistle at myself, right?

Just chillin'- peace ya'll.