New England 2008

We were so blessed to be able to take Michael back to New England where he served his mission. It was a beautiful time of year to go. However, we were about a week or two early for the real vibrant fall colors. But it was still nice to be there and see where Michael spent 2 years of his life. We took one of his friends (who served with him in Rutland, VT) Alan Monson and he was awesome. He and Michael kept Troy and I laughing most of the time. However, being in a car most of the time with 3 men was NOT a good thing. (use your imagination). The trip was too fast but it was good for Michael to show us the places he served and meet some of the people he baptized and some of the members who took good care of him. It was evident to me that Michael was very loved on his mission. It was also awesome to see where Joseph Smith was born and spent his early years. This is a trip that will stay in our memories forever.

WHAT ABOUT ME!

I am...a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend.
I Want....to take my family on a long and relaxing vacation
I Have....the greatest family and friends in the world!
I Wish...I could keep my house clean.
I Hate...when I can't keep my house clean
I Fear...a crazy ex- brother-n-law (who should be in jail) breaking into my house.
I Hear....myself saying "O0eee, Ooeee, Ooee" every time I walk or stand up.
I Search... for ways to tell them I love them
I Always... love being with my family...
I Usually... try to be a better mother than I am...
I Am Not… as good a cook as I use to be...
I Dance... NEVER! Have you seen me lately?
I like to Sing...whenever I play Karaoke Revolution.
I Never... forget to tell my kids I love them.
I Rarely...cook anymore because no one is ever home to eat it and I get harassed when I do.
I Cry...silently...when I don't feel good.
I am Not Always...a grumpy mom
I Lose.. a few more brain cells every day.
I'm Confused...whenever Michael and Alan Monson are together.
I Need... a house cleaner
I Should...go to the temple more often
I Dream...of being able to run with Mallory some day.

TAG: Lorna, Annette, Lynnie, Kaye!

WE'RE BACK!

We are back from our fabulous (too fast) trip to New England. We got home last night around 10:15 p.m. We left our hotel in Rutland, Vermont at about 9:15 in the morning (7:15 Utah Time). We took a few pictures and had to go and get a "Grinder" (sandwich) from Gill's Grinder's before we could leave the state of Vermont. The boys said they were wonderful. We actually saved our sandwiches to eat during our layover in Chicago. Anyway, after an eventful morning in Rutland, we drove the 2 hours back to the Manchester, Airport and barely made it in time. Our flight left at 1:30. Troy was naturally STRESSED OUT which made me STRESSED OUT! But when we were on the plane we were fine. Now unfortunately, Michael took the camera downstairs last night and left it. I don't have the strength to go down stairs and get it. So, I am going to post some pictures later. (After Cameron gets home so can bring me the camera. I know that is so ultra lazy of me, but I can honestly say that this trip ZAPPED ME! I have NO strength but the strength it takes for me to go back to bed. So, stay tunes for some really awesome pictures. The leaves were changing but they weren't at the prettiest. We were about a week or two early for the beautiful reds and oranges that I wanted. Oh well. So, I'll be back..... (By the way, the Grinder sandwiches were AWESOME!)

Annual Hunting "Camping" Trip 2008

The family went on their annual hunting "Camping" trip and I was left home all alone. :) This is one of my favorite times of the year because I get the whole house to myself for a few days. But I know that Troy and the kids always have a good time. I'm always relieved that they don't ever actually shoot anything. And by looking at the pictures, they had more fun fishing. I guess they had a lot of success with the fish. Michael and Mallory came home early because they have school tomorrow. Troy and Cameron will be home sometime tomorrow (Tuesday). I did miss them and it will be nice to have them home again. I am just not looking forward to the laundry mess they will leave me. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. Enjoy the pics of my crazy family.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - July 1982

This is a picture of me and Troy when we were dating before his mission. Young, carefree, not a worry in the world. Wow...look at us now! Troy was barely 19 and I was 17.

Little "BIG" League

We missed having our team captain, Kyle Rigby, for the last game which really wasn't a game because the other team forfeited. So this gives us 2 wins and 6 losses... but who's counting. Justin Schroepfer also added a little drama at this "game" and dislocated his finger. We are just glad it wasn't broken.

WORTH A GIGGLE OR TWO .....

I found this picture on a friends blog and I thought it was hilarious. Who knows, it could be a fake, but if not, the poor guy probably got picked on all his life. My friend wondered if his name was an indicator of how he died....sad.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

In June of 2003 we took a trip up to Montana with the Shumways and the Rigby's. It was so much fun. Here are a few pictures from that trip.

MICHAEL, MALLORY AND CAMERON
WHILE DRIVING UP GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

MALLORY AND CAMERON
(GLACIER AGAIN)

THIS IS THE "BEAR WITH THE BELLY ACHE"
A FAVORITE PLACE TO HAVE PICTURES
TAKEN. I THINK IT IS NEAR HENRY'S LAKE.

HANSON AND RIGBY KIDS BEING SILLY

(AS ALWAYS)

MALLORY COPYING THE STATUE....
THIS IS OUR CABIN IN "WHITEFISH"
IT WAS SO FUN! RIGBY'S AND SHUMWAYS
HAD CABINS TO THE LEFT OF US.

We have so many memories from that trip. It's too bad we weren't able to go back with the Shumways. They went there for years. It was an annual vacation for them. Thanks again Shumways for making that trip so much fun. We'll never forget it!

INSPIRING MAN

I was browsing some blogs and I found Paul Cardall's blog off of my friend Laura's. I know that he is a very gifted musician and I didn't realize that he was suffering from Heart failure and waiting for a transplant. As I was reading his blog, I was touched by something he wrote and I hope that he won't mind me posting just a brief paragraph that he wrote. It inspired me and I know it will inspire others. Here it is....

"You can't know the sweetness in life without tasting the bitterness of life. There is no reason to blame God for what we are subject to. I believe we chose to experience earthly life as part of a three act play in the eternal nature of things. We are in the second act. God knows what's ahead for us in the third and final act. Like any loving parent, he loves seeing us grow and mature from the choices we make. But above all, at times we make poor choices or are hurt by the choices of others, and like the child who falls from a bike and cries for their mother and father, there is a loving Savior who is there to wipe away our tears and heal our wounds." (Paul Cardall)

I too have felt my Saviors love with some of my own personal trials and I know these trials have only made me a stronger person as well as my family. How truly blessed we are. I pray that Paul will find a donor soon and I appreciate him sharing his story on his blog.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY (a little late)

TROY AND THE KIDS HAVE ALWAYS LOVED TO
GO HIKING, FISHING AND CAMPING. THIS
WAS ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE TRIPS IN 1998
(notice our dog "Lucky" and how young she was)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE BEING LEFT AT HOME ALONE!
KNOWING THEY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME!

NEED TO BRAG

Okay, I took Cameron to the doctor today to get a strep test (It was negative by the way) and guess who walked into the clinic? Lindsey Mair! I guess she had the baby on Monday and I had no idea. So I have to brag because I am the first in the neighborhood to have seen Dawson and he is absolutely ADORABLE. He has lots of dark hair and he even opened his eyes and I saw a lot of J.D. in him and also some of Lindsey. Needless to say, with those parents you are going to get a cute baby. AND Lindsey looks great for just having a baby. It just isn't fair. Motherhood seems to agree with her. So, Congratulations Mair Family on your special delivery....Dawson.

DAY OUT WITH MY DADDY

The day my Dad flew in we picked him up at the airport and then we went to lunch. My Dad has a tradition that when he is in town he buys a bunch of roses and with his daughters, takes them to the cemetery to my Mom's grave. He
always reserves a rose for each of his daughters and the rest goes to my Mom's grave. This year we split the flowers between my Mom and Jennifer. It was a nice day. However, my silly sisters tried to get me to do a pose that was very difficult for a handicap. Anyway, my leg wasn't even remotely off the ground. Oh well, at least I tried. It was fun to be with my Dad and Sisters and enjoy the moment. (My sister Jennifer's headstone is on the left and my Mom's is on the right)