Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to 3 of the most important men in my life!

My own dad is such an amazing example of humility and hard work. He has ALWAYS put the Lord first in his life and I know that this is why he is such an incredible husband, father and grandpa. I am one lucky girl. I love you dad. Next we have my "other" dad. He is such a LOVING and caring person. He did a fabulous job raising a son that I love more than anything. He has always made me feel apart of the family ever since I first time I met him. He is a spiritual giant and a wonderful man. I love you Ric!

And of course we have my Nathan. I am so proud to call him the father of our children. He works so hard for us and I am amazed with his determination and drive to accomplish anything he puts his mind to. You are my everything Nathan Richard! Our boys are truly blessed to have such an incredible dad!

What is love?

Tonight as I tucked the boys into bed, I told them that I loved them. It's the same old routine every night and the boys try to come up with every excuse imaginable to prolong the experience. Usually the excuses are....

I have to go potty (again)

I need some water

I need my blanket/bunny/beaver/teddy bear/whatever stuffed animal they can think of

Where is the night light?

I forgot to brush...the list goes on and on.

Tonight though, ....Parker asked what love was. As I was racking my mind trying to come up with an answer that Parker would understand Dallin suddenly says, "I know what love is. Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings." Then he continued with, "Love is hugging. Love is kissing. Love is saying no sometimes."


Pretty good insight for a 6 year old.

Lake Powell 2009

We had an awesome time at Lake Powell this year. For once in our lives we had NO HICCUPS! It was a miracle! Usually every year we come across at least a few major problems but this year everything was pretty much smooth sailing! The weather was a little cooler than usual but we actually enjoyed the water being only a few degrees cooler then the air...it make the water feel really warm!

We were few in number this year as Nat and Robby stayed home as did Nate and Landon. We missed them! Here is a little picture recap:

We stayed in the same spot we did last year and had this as our view: SO beautiful!

We got some good fishing in. They boys had fishing poles (with just sinkers on...no hooks) and they spend HOURS casting out their lines and reeling it back in. They loved it! We did catch a few fish with the real fishing pole too. We got some carp and blue gill....the usual. The boys loved hanging out with their uncles. They are lucky to have such great young men to look up to! They had fun hanging out with Mason and Preston too!
The skiing/boarding/surfing/air chairing/tubing was incredible! There is no where that even compares! We were able to get Dallin to TRY ON the wakeboard....but that is about as far as he would go...poor guy. As soon as he realized he was going to have to float in the water WITH that huge thing attached to his legs he changed his mind. O well.....hopefully we'll get him out there soon.

Grandpa Rock put on quite the show as usual. I don't think there are many guys out there who have a Grandpa who can ski like he can! He is awesome! We played the 2nd annual Red Rock Challenge which was a huge hit. This years challenges included: starring contest, casting contest (furthest and most straight), American Gladiators (first to push the other one off the raft wins), root beer chugging, icky poo challenge (we used those sticky hand things...first to grab the most pieces of paper is the winner), shaving cream sculpting contest, and many more. Preston and I won! Woo woo!

We had a Mexican Fiesta one night. Uncle James cooked us up some authentic Mexican tostadas. We rocked out to some Mexican hits and enjoyed some corn on the cob smothered in mayo and cheese (insert puke noise here). The chicken was great but I wasn't a fan of the corn.
It was another great year down at Powell!

We've been going down to Powell for so many years now. Sometimes the years kind of blend together so I wanted to document a couple of things that made this trip......unique.

We saw a fish that was acting like a shark. It was swimming with its fin out of the water. Luckily we spotted the fish while we were IN the boat. If I had seen it while I was in the water I'm sure I would have been freaking out.

Next......we had a dead deer near the entrance of our canyon. We've never seen a deer before. We are thinking that a flash flood caused the deer to fall over the canyon wall and the deer probably swam over to the shore and starved since there is nothing to eat. The water was going up about 2 feet every day. As soon as the water swallowed up our deer we left that canyon......good thing. YUCK!

We had a wonderful vacation. The boys and I had such a fantastic time! THANK you Grandma Lee Lee for watching Landon for us this year! It's always nice to get away for a few days. We were so happy to come home to our hardworking Daddy!

It's that time of year again.....

Has it really already been a year?? We're off to Powell again! Summer has officially started........

To go....or not to go...that is the question.

So, my 10 year high school reunion is coming up. The money was actually due yesterday. I'm having a really hard time deciding if I want to go or not. One dear friend actually threatened to drag me by my ankles, willing or unwilling. So, maybe I am going. I have mixed feelings about it. The world of facebook has made it possible to "see" how everyone is doing with very little effort. Can we not just consider facebook a reunion and call it good? I already keep in touch with the friends that really mean something to me from the high school days.
Okay. Maybe there are a few old friends I would love to see in person. A few. So it will be ME pulling my HUSBAND along by his ankles, cause well, I can't go back to a reunion without my hot (and skinny) husband, right? I don't know why HE isn't excited about going. He has no idea how lucky he is for the opportunity to be blinded by the sheer awesomeness that is the class of 1999. Haha.
I guess I am just paranoid. I'm not the same girl I was back then.
I'm also nervous because I'm going to be gone the entire week prior to the reunion because I'll be at girls camp. My poor mom having to deal with my 3 rascals ALL week??? Yikes!

Did you go to your ten year high school reunion? Was it worth the effort? Should I go to mine?

Baseball Fever

They boys had their first baseball games today! After a LONG and HOT day, I have concluded my Saturdays are pretty much gone for the next month or so. These 2 games have taken up the entire day!

Nate was over in Pocatello for a race so I had all three boys in tow. We packed up and left the house at about 9:30am. The first game started at 10:15 and the second one started at 1:30. I thought we'd better just stay over by the fields and get lunch somewhere since the games are played at a high school about 35-40 minutes away from my house. Needless to say, we didn't get home until 3:30 and being out in the 95 degree temps all day long has WORN US OUT! It's only 6:15 now and poor Landon is out for the night! haha!

This was Parker's very first time playing. (Warning...bragging moment coming on.) Let me just say....Parker is a little stud. He is the smallest guy on the team yet is is by far the FASTEST and can hit the ball the FARTHEST. It was hilarious....Parker was the last batter up. The last batter always hits a "home run" no matter what. All of the coaches in the outfield were telling the kids to scoot up. (Thinking that this teeny kid wouldn't hit it far at all.) Parker steps up to the plate and SMASHES the ball way over the coaches heads in the outfield. Then he runs all of the bases...and he ends up beating both of the runners on 2nd and 1st base. All of the parents had a good laugh. The next time Parker was up to bat all of the kids knew to move back because the "hitter" was up. Honestly....if you know Parker, you're not surprised at all.

Dallin had a great game too. Now that he is a U7 he gets to play on a real baseball field. All of the kids looked so little out there...to me anyway. Dallin had 2 great hits and gently needed to be reminded to stop picking his nose out in the outfield a few times. Love that kid.

Landon and I huddled under the shade of my umbrella and tried not to cook. It has been a good day. Again...LONG and HOT but still really good.

Memorial Day Weekend

Its been a fun weekend! The boys finished up their last soccer games and we enjoyed spending time outside with Grandma LeeLee. Kickin Kids soccer was a HUGE success! The boys had a fun season and were thrilled with their new trophies! Monday we went boating and had a BBQ! It was a perfect Memorial Day Weekend!

Whirlwind Week

It's been a busy week and before it becomes an even busier weekend I thought I would do a quick recap.

On Monday it was my brother Jason's 16th birthday! My parents surprised him with a ride in a stretched HUMMER limo. We had a great time cruising around downtown with all of his friends. We made a stop over at Coldstone. It was such a fun time! Our driver was this Rod Stewart look- alike. I couldn't stop starring at him. (He was so STRANGE) The limo was awesome though....tvs, huge speakers and disco lights! The boys thought it was the COOLEST thing ever! I can't believe my BABY brother is 16! Crazy!

The boys finished their last week of swim lessons. They finished just in time to START playing baseball. :) (sigh)

Nate had another crit on Tuesday. He is doing a series of crit races for a few weeks this spring over at the fairgrounds. (I compare it to Nascar...but on a road bike) The guys ride around and around a course for 30 minutes. He accomplished his goal of a top ten finish! Its fun to cheer him on and the boys love it too. It doesn't matter WHO rides by...they boys scream "GO Daddy GO!" to all of the riders! Its pretty cute.

Parker graduated from preschool today. It was so adorable. All of the kids wore caps and gowns and received a diploma. He was so excited for his "grad-appreciation" as he puts it. He has had a wonderful time going to Miss Fenn's this year and we will are so sad that she isn't teaching next year! (I'm REALLY going to miss the little BREAK during the week!)

We're gearing up for a fun Memorial Day weekend with Grandma LeeLee! Have a safe Memorial Weekend everyone!

Too Cool for School

Scooter

Hat

Shades

Cherrios on a string.....

What more could a guy need??

You know it's a BAD day when.......

You look down and your hand and see that your diamond from your wedding ring is G-O-N-E.

I've had that constant aching feeling in my stomach all day long. I keep trying to tell myself that really it's just a THING but it is so hard for me to look past all of the sentimental value associated with it. I feel horrible...especially becuase just 2 weeks ago Nate told me to go and get the prongs checked out.

Good thing our marriage is eternal.....cause obviously my ring wasn't. Today sucks...I am going to bed.

Pretty Scary Stuff

Here is a picture of the first apartment we lived in while Nate attended Law School in Spokane:

Here is that same apartment TODAY as it burned to the ground.

Thankfully no on was hurt but I can't even begin to imagine what these people are dealing with today. Fire was something I CONSTANTLY worried about while we were apartment dwellers. I am so glad everyone escaped. SO SCARY

8 is GREAT!

Seven year itch is over! Happy 8th Anniversary to us! I love you my dear!

A close call

This afternoon the boys and I were running a few errands. We were cruising down the road blasting the Kids Bop song "Life is a Highway" that we got from our latest visit to McDonalds. We had the windows down singing at the top of our lungs. Out of the corner of my eye I see him. A motorcycle cop...pointing his gun right at me.

Crap. His lights start to flash as he pulls out.

I am very proud of the fact that my last speeding ticket was all the way back in high school. I always boast to my dear spouse that I am a much more attentive and better overall driver then he is. (He really is a good driver...I just love to give him a hard time!)

All of a sudden I feel sick to my stomach. I start crying as I pull off on a side road. I had no idea how fast I was going....everything feels fast when the windows are down.

The boys start crying because I am crying. Landon doesn't know what the heck is going on.

I look in my rear view mirror and watch as the cop cruises right past me and nabs the truck that was right in front of me.

I start laughing...the boys are still crying.

We turn "Life is a Highway" back on and we start rocking on right where we left off.

Sweet...I am still ticket free.

To My Birthday Boy

Dear Landon Loo,

It seems like yesterday that we brought home this handsome little man. The joy that you have brought to our home has been overwhelming!!!

It is hard for me to believe that you have grown so fast into such a busy toddler!

You are full of life and laughter and we are so blessed to have you. Here are some of your favorites at 2:

Favorite toys: any kind of BALL..shape or size doesn't matter, three wheeled scooter...you insist on riding it every time you enter the garage and every time we go to the park, nerf guns (trying to be like the big brothers), your new basketball hoop, golf clubs, books, cars.

Things you LOVE: your BLANKETS.....yes that is plural...you are crazy about your 4-5 blankets and insist on sleeping with ALL of them every night, playing outside, when Daddy walks through the door, seeing airplanes fly overhead, taking your shoes and socks off, getting into my lotions and potions, you love to DANCE!

Favorite foods: spaghetti, eclairs (I'll never forget when we made some together and when I looked the other way for a second you had CRAMMED all of them into your mouth as fast as you could!) tacos, cheese, bananas, "Yeeareal" or cereal.

You are such a sweet and strong willed little guy. I love how each morning as soon as you get up you come running into my room and you let me hold you for a few minutes. Even though it seems like our snuggles get shorter and shorter I cherish those few minutes each day. My baby isn't a baby anymore!!

Happy 2nd birthday big boy. I love you.

Love, Mama

Women's Conference and MUCH more!

I feel like I have been gone for 2 weeks...not 5 days! We CRAMMED a lot in in the few days we were down in Utah.

The boys and I left on Tuesday and right before we went out of town I read all about the Shoshone Falls in the newspaper. The water level was at an all time high so I thought we would stop on our way since we didn't take the time to see it last summer. It was absolutely amazing. Hard to believe the falls are actually taller than Niagara.

Wednesday we met up with Ash and Ann for lunch. Afterwards, we went down to Lindsay's cute house to see their new little addition. Connor is darling! Later that day we did some shopping at IKEA. Man....I love that store.

The next day we headed down to Thanksgiving Point. Grandma was able to make her own glass flower as a birthday gift from Nat. Grandma had a great time and she was definitely in her "artsy" element!

After lunch we headed over to the Tulip Festival. It was just beautiful. It was a picturesque spring day and the boys loved playing in all of the fountains and running around the gardens. We'll definitely try to come down for the festival next year.

Friday I went down to BYU to attend Women's Conference. Grandma was such a saint for taking all 3 boys for me so I could go. It was so much fun spending the day with Marce and feeling uplifted and encouraged by the speakers. I just can't understand how so many years have gone by since we went to school there. It really doesn't seem that long ago! We had fun eating at the good old Cougareat and doing some shopping in the Bookstore. I thoroughly enjoyed my Cinnamon Bears and the famous BYU Mint Brownies! YUM!

After the conference we met Sarah and Jenny for dinner at CPK. It has been a long time since the Madison 9 girls had a reunion. (We missed you Erin!)

We had fun catching up and laughing about the good old college days! Such a fun night.

Nate came down to UT on Friday with Jared to do a race over at Antelope Island. We were going to go over and cheer him on but when we woke up Saturday morning to a major downpour I opted not to drag the kids out there. Nate had a rough race and wasn't able to finish because he ended up getting 3 flat tires. He was bummed but still had a fun time. Later that day we all met up over at his parents house to celebrate Kelsey and Landon's Birthdays!

MY BABY is 2 years old!

I will do a little post on him later but for now we had a great time seeing the whole family and he had fun opening his presents, eating fruit pizza, and playing with cousins.
It was a memorable week!