Miss America 2010

Oh my gosh I had SOOOO much fun at Miss America with my dear friend Jenny. Jenny thanks for some great laughs. I appreciate the laughs Friday night, Big foot, and eating Ben and Jerry's, introducing you to Sephora, and having us finally at Miss America TOGETHER. It was great. Especially the $200 a night hotel....can't get any better than that. Loved it, loved it, loved it! Here's to Miss Utah in only 4 1/2 months. YIPPEE.

The Las Vegas Tournament for Hayden

We returned a couple of weeks ago from attending the Las Vegas Soccer Tournament for Hayden. This was the first time we have attended this tournament and it was GIGANTIC. There were teams from all over. The competition was quite stiff and we worked hard. Hayden played defense and ran hard. The weather wasn't as warm as I would have liked, but it was so much fun to go and stay with the entire team. He enjoyed hanging in the hot tub with all his friends and getting in trouble from running up and down the halls of the hotel :) There was a lot of team bonding and it was fun to hang out with all my friends. We even made it to the ESPN Zone for some games and off to the M&M Factory on the strip. It was quite a wake up call for my children going on the strip. Wow.....all in all we had a wonderful time together even though the team did not make it to the finals. There is always next year right? Bring on outdoor soccer! It will be here before we know it :)

I DID IT! My Half Marathon!

Well after months and months of training I ran my second half marathon this weekend in St. George. Jeff came with me and we made it a fun weekend together. It was nice to have his support as the last race was supporting Jeff! He was so cute pumping me up and making me feel confident. The weather was suppose to be rainy but it ended up being absolutely PERFECT. It was overcast and about 40 degrees. There were a lot of runners and Shellie and I felt quite overwhelmed as it felt like everyone was passing us at the beginning of the race. I felt really strong in the race until mile 11. It was difficult the last 2 miles as it was slightly uphill and I ran out of steam but I kept going. I came in at 2 hours 3 minutes. I really wanted to come in under 2 hours......maybe next time :) I discovered I have an injury called planter fiscitis in my right foot....it is quite painful and will be pampering it over the next couple of months, but then I am anxious to start training again for something else!

Christmas 2009

Well once again we have sailed through another holiday season. It goes far too quickly but I made sure this year that I prepared early, baked ahead, sent out Christmas cards early, and made the decision that I would have a "daily Christmas activity." It was wonderful to relax and enjoy my boys who are growing so quickly. Logan only will have 2 Christmases left with us and I just can't bring myself to think about it SO I made sure it was a memorable one this year. We had fun going to Midway to see a Creche display, looking at a Gingerbread house charity auction, visiting friends and family, making our own Gingerbread house, reading Christmas stories, and watching many wonderful traditional Christmas movies. Logan got his I-pod Touch, Hayden (by a small...no LARGE Christmas miracle) got a cell phone, and Garrett got a very covetous Original Turtle Rider which I believe will be the talk of the street once he can get outside and ride it. Thank you family for another wonderful and memorable Christmas. Hopefully we have created more cherished memories to share for years to come!

Great Flick.

I know I'm just a month late, but this was an excellent movie....HIGHLY recommend it.

I feel so thankful......

Today I feel so blessed for so many wonderful things.

I am thankful for a fantastic family of BOYS. I know I am a great boy mom. The Lord knew it was what I could handle and I have acclamated quite well I may say so myself.

I am thankful for a fireplace. It makes me feel cozy and warm on those chilly days.

I am thankful for wonderful and inspiring music. I love all kinds of music. As long as it inspires me in some way I love it.

I am grateful for the best job in the entire world....teaching. Not only teaching, but teaching PART TIME. THAT is what is such a blessing. I can do what I love (my hobby) and then come home and be the mother that my boys need.

I am grateful for my cozy home. It is a gathering place for my boys and their friends which is a mother's dream.

I'm grateful for my sweet dog Sadie....who knew I would love her so much. She has truly filled that void of having a daughter (well not exactly but she is my little "baby") She offers our family so much joy. I should have done this much earlier.

I'm grateful for memories. Every Christmas time I relish in the vivid memories I have of going up to my grandparents house in Ohio during Christmas time. Sledding, smelling the freshly cut balsam pine cut by my grandpa on his property in the country, and all the wonderful smells and food that my senses remember. Oh such sweet memories....

I am grateful for fantastic friends who love me. They lift me up, think of me on spontaneous occasions, and make me laugh when I have had a rotten day. They ROCK!

I'm grateful for a supportive husband who is so loving and patient with me. He is my rock and the better half of the two of us. I don't know how I got so lucky.....I count my blessings every day I found him in that college parking lot that January day :)

I am thankful for chocolate covered cinnamon bears. I was introduced several years ago and I have never been able to stay away since.....give them a try. You quite possibly could be hooked for life!

I'm especially grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for my Savior. I know everything I have is because of him and I thank him daily for the blessings that have been showered upon me and my family. I love him so much and know he loves me too.


I hope all of you have an amazing Thanksgiving. Love and be thankful for all that you have been given. It is a wonderful time of year!!!!!

Halloween 2009

This year was a little different. I am officially an "old" mother. I only had 1 child go trick or treating.....SAD. Logan went to a party so he dressed up like Charlie Brown. Hayden didn't even dress up. He had a bunch of friends over and they gave out the candy and had a great time! Little Garrett was thrilled to go trick or treating and enjoyed dressing up as Mario. He wore Jeff and I out as he hit all of Lehi (no not really). Jeff and I enjoyed dressing up as the Queen and King of Hearts. I LOVE dressing up since I have to because I am a teacher. My costume was a HIT, and I enjoyed pointing at the children all day saying, "Off with your heads!" I have set the bar quite high and already am thinking what I could be next year! Carving pumpkins was fabulous as ever and the kids get more and more creative each and every year. Jeff is amazing to dig out all the yuck inside the pumpkins. THANKS HONEY!