I am back!!!

I am a horrible blogger and my goal this year is to try and keep up with the events of my family's life at least for the rest of the year. So wish me luck

Please Pray for Traci !!

If you haven't followed me on facebook, I am asking everyone to pray for a friend of mine who was involved in a serious car accident involving a drunk driver. She is in serious condition and will be in the hospital for a while. She broke both legs, knees, elbows, pelvis, 7 ribs and has had many other complications. We are just soooo grateful she is alive and her son wasn't hurt badly. Please keep Traci in your prayers as she has a long road ahead of her, along with her family. We love you Traci!

Westlake Thunder vs American Fork Caveman

We have been waiting 3 wks for our first football game!! It was a great game. It started with an interception by our friend Tom which led to us scoring. It was a tough defensive game. Both defenses played their hearts out. However, the 4th quarter was our downfall. We had a couple of penalties that would lead to the Cavemen scoring twice. I was so proud of Andrew. He had some great defensive tackles and played quarterback for a few plays. He had great sportsmanship, even though his team lost. I am proud to call him my son! We can do it next week! GO THUNDER!! AND GO #7!

Cassidy's First Day of Preschool

Well today was my baby's 1st day of Preschool. And like my other children she didn't want me to take her picture either! So I had to try and sneak a picture here and there. At the end of the day, she was so excited to tell me all about it. She can't wait until Monday. Mom on the other hand had mixed emotions. It was great to have 2 hours of freedom, but I sure missed my little deedles!

First Day of School for McKenna and Andrew

So McKenna and Andrew started school today! They were so excited they got up REALLY early. I decided since it was the 1st day of school I would make them a nice hot breakfast. They got dressed and were ready to go. Then reality check for me, "Mom please don't walk us to our classes and don't take any pictures of us at school, and while you are at it drop us off in the back." So I guess, I am officially embarrassing. So I made them let me at least take a picture of them outside of our house (hopefully that wasn't too embarrassing). Then I took them to school and again they begged me not to get out of the car! So I was a good mom and stayed in the car. Poor Cassidy-tomorrow is her first day of school and the camera WILL be out and I WILL take her to class and I WILL take tons of pictures!! At least she still isn't embarrassed my me! ... FYI they LOVED school today and can't wait for tomorrow. I hope that attitude will last the whole year!

Reunion #3- Beach Buddies!

 

This was one of the reunions I was looking forward to. It has been so long (16 + years, is that possible)since I have seen Dave, Travis, Nathan, Darren,Josh (Jen)and Heather and Bart (but I see them at least every few years, thank goodness). Heather and I use to go to the beach with them and watch them surf and just hang out. Since most of us graduated together and came to San Diego for our High School reunion, Dave's brother Greg thought it would be fun to get together and spend a fun evening together. We ate, some played volleyball, reminised about old times and we just seemed to pick up were we left off! I can't believe we are as old as we are! I also enjoyed getting to know the spouses more. I had a great time! Hopefully it won't be another 16 years until we get together again.

Reunion # 2- Mount Carmel High School's 20th Reunion

So the whole reason McKenna and I went to California was so that I could go to my HS reunion. I had debated whether or not to go, but I am so glad I went. I got to see friends I wasn't expecting to see like Jeremy and Rod. And then, I got to see one of my best friends from 2nd grade throughout High School, Robin. She hasn't changed a bit and I just loved spending time with her and Carrie. It was also great to see my friend Marcy! I had the best time. I am so glad I went!!Though my feet were sooo glad when it was over! Next time the stilettos stay at home, though they were really cute!

Reunion #1

Heather, Dave and myself



Some friends from my days in the PQ 3rd ward go together for dinner on Friday, August 7th. Good times! It was fun to hangout again. I can't believe it has been 20 years, how come I don't feel THAT old? I really enjoyed hanging out with my friend, Heather. We really need to get together more often.

California Again!! Love it!

Kenna and I were able to go back to California again this summer. She went with me so I could go to my 20th HS reunion. But I knew that Kenna really wanted to go so she could play with her friends,Caitlin and Maddie Sadleir. And play they did!! We took the girls to the Wild Animal Park where they got to feed the birds and just hang out and be tweenagers.





The next day went met Heather and her kids and went to the beach, where Maddie taught Kenna how to boggie board. McKenna had soo much fun! Both mother and daughter got completely sunburned ( not so fun ).




The next day, the girls and I hit the malls and pool at the hotel. Then Kenna spent the next two nights at the Sadleir's for an extended sleepover so I could go to a couple of reunion parties! Thanks Heather and Bart! She had the best time.

Youth Conference- Trek

We couldn't have asked for a better Youth Conference. This year we did Trek in Wyoming. I was extremely nervous about going. I am not much of a walker and the thought of pushing a handcart 10 miles didn't sound that exciting. But I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. We left early on Tuesday July 28th for a 6 hour drive to Wyoming. We had Lecia and Kaytee in our car with us and they cracked Pete and I up the entire ride. It made the drive go by fast.

We then made it to Martin's Cove where we got out and pulled handcarts. We were told the history of the cove and were told to hike to the cove in silence and to pay attention to how we felt as we hiked about 6 miles. When we got to the cove, everyone sat in silence and wrote down their feelings of the events that had happened in this sacred place. My thoughts turned to all the mother's who had to watch their children cold, hungry and sometimes without proper clothing walk this path in the snow. I just can't imagine seeing my own children starving and cold and trying to make the journey out West. My heart just broke thinking of these poor children. It really made me appreciate the trials I do have because all though they seem hard to me, I can't image the trials the pioneers went through.







After Martin's Cove we drove to our campsite. As we were driving there, the skies started to blacken and the closer we got to the destination it started to sprinkle, then rain, then rain harder, then hail . . . I was just waiting for the snow!! But believe it or not , we loved the rain and cold. It made it so much easier to hike 10miles in the rain than in the heat.





I didn't bring my camera on the day of the big hike because of the weather but as soon as I get a hold of pictures that we had our historians take I will post them. As we hiked throughout the day, as leaders, we felt that the weather was catered to us. Whenever we hiked, it rained. When we had a trail side with the missionaries, it stopped. When we did the Woman's Pull, it down poured on us. When we ate lunch, it stopped. As we hiked the tail end of the trek, did the water crossings, it was perfect weather- not hot, still cloudy but perfect. Then as we were a mile out of camp it started to rain again! We felt that we got to experience (a little) what it would be like to walk in uncomfortable conditions like the pioneers. And although it didn't snow or sleet or under 0 degree weather, it was cold and muddy and at time hard to push/pull handcarts in the rain.

We ended our trek on Thursday, at Rock Creek Hollow. The missionaries talked about how this area was considered to be an "open temple" and we were to again be reverent as we hike to the area for our testimony meeting.






We had a fantastic testimony meeting. It was so wonderful to hear what the youth thought about the experience. The youth testified of the spirit they felt during the Woman's Pull and the River Crossings ( where the men carried the Women across as the YW sang hymns). They testified of the spirit they felt within their own Trek Families and at Martin's Cove. I think one thing that was amazing to me, was the fact that throughout this entire experience of hiking, weather, not being with the friends they wanted in their trek family or carpool, NOT one of the youth complained!! They rolled with the punches and had a truely marvelous experience and I can't wait for the concluding fireside to recap the experience through talks and video.