Baxter

KSL news article

2012-01-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=19052686&title=90-year-old-runner-encourages-others-to-get-fit

This guy was inspirational to me! I wouldn't mind meeting him and maybe someday run a few laps with him and talk about his other views in life. I believe in being active. Running is more than just staying in shape, it is the positive attitude it takes, it is the determination, overcoming pain, and the belief in yourself. The release of stress and leaving everything behind to enjoy the beauty of life, the surrounding, the rythem of your feet and breath. Clearing my mind and thinking of only what I want to think about. Maybe soultions to a problem, or something that happened that was amazing, a talk from conference or the simplicity of N O T H I N G... Is there any reason in the world I wouldn't do this for the rest of my life? Doubt it. Breaks from it, well that's part of life. It's a soul thing that only crazy people would understand :)

Lately

2012-01-26T12:59:00.002-07:00

Paul: Bryan, remember when you were messin' around with that Black Widow spider?
Bryan: Ya...
Paul: Well never do that again! That was dangerous!
Bryan: YA!!!!

Hyrum woke up this morning, got dressed, made his bed and headed down stairs. He opened the fridge with a completely blank look on his face, just a sliver of concern in his brow. "I feel old," he flatly says.

He really is getting old! I can't believe he is in senior primary or that he is loosing teeth. Old enough to know how to dribble a basketball and run down the court. Old enough to read novels. Old enough to understand that pregnant women's brains don't work very sharp and to simply laugh when I say something dumb like "Apples eat horses." All in all Hyrum has been timeless with is love, testimony, care, observation and principle. I hope that he never grows out of these.

Just a few more things:

Pregnancy, love it. Well, I love the ending result. Less than two months, guys, and staying awake all night will be for a little baby needing some love instead of heart burn.

Paul is doing so well in Preschool! He is one smarty! Counting is his real strong point, but he does real well with reading too! They do a lot of large and small motor skills in his preschool too, which is so important too! His dream is to be a cowboy pilot :) Which means he will need those motor skills and brains. I must say he has they cutest dimples and softest hair in the world. He still plays with his hair all the time. Brad and I tease him when he is playing with his hair and tell him his hair is going to fall out, he just grins. But the other day he said that if he wasn't touching his soft hair, he was going to die! There are worse habits right?? ;) Love this Paul Boy!

Brad! Still working like crazy! He has been really ambitions and set a goal to go 1000 miles biking, hiking or running. He works at it almost everyday. I can't help but be impressed! Here he is reading to Bryan and the Cherrington girls while we baby sat them last night. He keeps asking me if I want a girl... I don't worry about that right now. When it comes to babies, I worry about this sweet active one right in my belly. Names? Health? Who is he going to look most like? Is he going to want a swing or bouncer? Is the stress I feel affecting him? Those kind of things. Not worryin' about another baby for now.

Bryan Boy. He is amazing. He has this voice that cheers me up all the time. He is so animated and wild. Bryan loves his brothers and his friends and even though he wrestles them and what not, I trust he has good intentions. He loves to share, when you ask nice. He will give you the clothes off his back, he is that kind of kid. He's got a lot of love and gives me hugs all day long and tells me, "I wove you mom! You're so beautiful!" Well Sunny Boy, right back at ya! I love you and you are so beautiful!

Brad surprised me with flowers the other day! AND jammies that I love and fit into--- which means a lot to a pregnant lady! Also when I was trying to paint my toes, and was holding my breath every toe because I just couldn't do both: lean over and breathe... Someday. Anyway, he painted my toenails. How sweet? Very. he put one big drip on each toe and called it good. I kind of giggled and he asked why. I scrambled around for a tactful way to put it... "Ummmm... Because it is going to take a couple hours for these toes to dry, but it looks great Hunny!"
"Does it usually take that long!?"
"Uh, well, um... Usually you... paint it. Like from the top of the nail out to the end. Something like that. You know..."
"Oh well why didn't you just say something, I can do that! I've never done this before." And off to work he went PAINTING my toenails with all the concentration that that man has. I loved it. Every minute. I think it was the sweetest thing in the world.

My Son-shine Bryan

2012-01-20T08:09:00.001-07:00

This morning I was eating breakfast at the table when one groggy, cute little boy came strolling down the stairs. His face lit up when I gasped and said, "My Sunshine woke up!" He unsteadily ran into my arms and melted into a hug. He looked up at me with his big beautiful eyes that are just like mine and smiled. Then his daddy moved into an Oreo hug and Bryan looked back up at me, sandwiched between his parents and scrunched his nose from feeling the poky ends of his daddy's whiskers. And, once again, he smiled!

These are the moments I live for...

It may be a sin-

2011-12-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

To be enjoying this freaky weather! But how can I help it! It is keeping my husband busy at work and seriously, who gets to spend New Years Eve going on a bike ride as a family? And who got to spend Christmas Eve raking leaves? US, that's who :) Yep, can't help but love this weather!!!

December Happenings

2011-12-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

December is an exciting month for us! We have birthdays, Christmas Cards, school performances, Winter Break, Christmas excitement and family parties! I actually enjoy the busyness of it all--- well unless I am at Walmart, I will pass on Walmart the entire December!

Here is my wonderful husband and our three boys a few days (or weeks) after Brad's actual birthday! I love how he comes home from work with his hair all messy! I love his laugh and his stories! I love his way we enjoy holding hands after over 8 years! I love dating my man! Our last date we went to Sam's Club, how romantic :) We laughed and laughed about how he can't keep his cart under control, it has been said that Brad is a bull in a china cabinet. Do I agree? Yes I do. And I love that about him too!

Paul loves he Preschool! And honestly, so do I! He sang his heart out along with his other 19 friends for their Christmas Program! I love watching his eyes sparkle, knowing that he is doing his best and he has his best of best friends (his bro's) and his mom smiling and giving him thumbs up!

Here is Hyrum at his Christmas Performance!

(side note: I hate the lighting in gyms. None the less, we loved his performance!) I love how he will wave to us every time he catches our eye and he did so well with his speaking parts!

Congratulating him in the classroom!

Here is Hyrum and just a few of his friends. That kiddo thinks his whole class is great and he really does seem to be good friends with each and every one of them! I love how in the background Paul is taking something out of Tinleys desk... So sneaky. They were playing a game and Tinley (white shirt) couldn't resist pausing her game with Paul and stepping in for the picture :) Paul sure fooled you!

We had a smashing good time at our Miller Christmas Party! My boys sure love their cousins M-U-C-H-O!

Even this little guy who was so cute! Canyon was sitting next to Paul and was eating the jello off of Paul's plate! How cute is that?!!? Paul was just giggling about it--- which made it even more cute to me!

The other night, it could have been clear back in November, I woke up with an idea. A splendid idea:

Tall Christmas Tree to go in our tall front room
White lights
rustic-- something that will go with all the dead deer hanging on the walls :)
matching tree skirt and stockings
sepia family pictures hanging as the ornaments
adorned in red

Problem:

I didn't have any of the named above things.

Solution:

Keep an eye out for deals--- good ones. Which I found at Shopko. Tree skirts and 5 stockings are expensive... So even though I got it 50% off about ALL of my Christmas $$$ went to it. One time expense right? And I think it creates a beautiful mental image of Christmas for my kids to reflect on. And, who am I kidding, it creates a beautiful mental image for me to reflect on the rest of my life too! I love the stockings, I love the tree skirt and I love the way it all completes itself--- and goes with the dead deer.
sell my tree on KSL Classifieds
Buy a tree on KSL Classifieds
have family email me pictures (I did my kids' Great Grandparents, Grandparents, parents, Uncles/Aunts and cousin and of course them!) Which most of them actually did! I am so grateful! Walgreen's was even running a 50% off prints! Super! I think I am only missing 2 people in the bunches of people listed above! Great thing too--- Because it was made from scratch, I can add to it every year!
Put a bunch of work into painting and cutting out pictures and wood and turning them into beautiful ornaments. Days of work, literally. It was worth it!
Top it off with Cinnamon scented pine cones and snowflakes that my sister Jess was going to take to the DI!
I think I got it all taken care of for just over $100. Not bad- considering all I started out with was a multi-colored 6 ft tree. (Bryan ate a glass ornament a couple years ago and so we got rid of all our glass bulbs... So last year we decorated the tree with my kids' stuffed animals and bought dollar store stockings...)

And wala! Our beautiful family on our tree! I did well over 50 ornaments and each ornament has two picture on them. The kids enjoy switching them from back to front. The game I SPY is becoming a favorite while enjoying the glow of Christmas lights and beautiful Christmas music!

Me gusta!

I did stitch the names of the kiddo's on the stockings! I love it! This whole project has been quite the joy for me! And I tell you what, it feels so good to be done!

And can I just add that I have really REALLY enjoyed listening to David Archuleta's Christmas Albums?????? I grew up listening to Amy Grant's Christmas Albums, which always remind me of home and our Christmas'. I loved it! That will be a purchase I make next year though ;)

Oh and dude! I also have to say how much I have loved the Advent Calendars that they sell at Maceys! They have been a blast! Each day the boys had their own 24 Chocolate Days of Christmas:

Let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas! Paul gave a cute talk in Church about the Nativity.

I made this last year. Cutest thing ever! Brad's mom's ward did these for an enrichment and picked us up our own set to put together. Man, I do have to say, my first time using Mod Podge was not quite as successful as my second :) My boys enjoy playing with these and setting up their own idea of the Nativity.

I sure do love this time of year! It has been especially fun having the boys home for 2 weeks straight and doing crazy fun things everyday together without worrying about school or even getting dressed out of PJ's! The joys! I hope your Christmas' are Merry indeed!

Walgreens

2011-12-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Today Bryan and I were driving to Walgreens when Bryan asked, "Where are we going?"
"To Walgreens."
"To Walmart?"
"No, honey, to Walgreens."
"Ohhhhh! To Walgreens."
We pulled up, got out of the car and started walking to the store.
"Mom! This isn't a green Walmart!"

He makes me laugh every day!

Tender Mercies

2011-12-12T16:07:00.003-07:00

I am blessed by many tender mercies!

Listening to my boys say the word "perimeter." Oh how I love the sound!
Paul, "If you eat too many little oranges, you'll get eczema... I mean, diarrhea." :)
Brad's job. He is such a hard worker. He has been working 60+ hour weeks for a long time! I am so grateful for his endurance!
Byran and his cute little love for turtles

Bryan loves to come in and sleep by me when Brad is up late working. And to think that somehow I am lucky enough to just watch this sweet boy snooze... Love.

I am a huge fan of Christmas. Christmas music. Christmas lights. Christmas trees. Christmas smells. Yum! I just take it all in!

I love peaking in and seeing these cute little rascals reading away together... The joy it brings, I can't quite explain!

Here they are reading Brad's engineering book --haha!

Well, crazy as I may be, this was quite the tender mercy! Not that it happened, but that it kept me laughing for days after it happened...

I was determined one day that we were going to get out of the house and have some fun. We had been couped up tooooo long. My boys keep positive attitudes even with me in bed so much, but as a mom, I hate that I am not providing them more in their lives! Well, like I said, I was determined. I was sick, but we were heading out no matter what. We headed to the local fun center after Hyrum got out of school. The boys wanted to rock climb. We waited and waited in line... I was so sick. I was just doing everything I could to keep the potatoes I had eaten down and me up right. That railing was my best friend, letting me lean on it so :) Well, I leaned on it with my elbows, naturally your butt kinda sticks out there right? Well mine was totally sticking "out there." Without being covered by my pants!!!! I had no idea though until after having been leaning on that railing for a half an hour! A sweet lady came up to me and whispered, "Ummmm.... I hate to tell you this, but you have a rip in your pants."
"Oh I do?!?! How bad is it?" I felt around back there and just as she answered "BAD," I felt my entire pocket move...
I immediately turned my rear to the railing and, over my shoulder, told my boys it was time to go. Now.
I tried to persuade Hyrum to walk behind me, but that never works with my kids, they always race to the car. So there I was way behind my boys, purse over my butt, speed walkin to my car. We hurried in, buckled, backed up, pulled into another parking stall (which was right next to the road), unbuckled, opened the car door and that's when I lost it. Potatoes, all over just outside the car door. Perfect view for those looking on from the road. Not only them, but that one poor lady who had first informed me my pants were ripped to begin with. The look on her face: pure sorrow.
When I got home, I couldn't believe what I saw when I looked at my back side! From the top of my pants, down my butt and about 3 inches below... Wow. I am sure that was quite the site!

Lego's. I love how my boys can explore and create and enjoy the darn things! I think it helps them become do-ers, problem solvers and create their own ideas and entertainment. I loved Lego's growing up and at times I find that hours have been spent with my boys building away!
Speaking of Legos... I got so side tracked playing with them with the boys, I burned Hyrums Birthday dinner. I am so grateful I have Hyrum and Brad assuring me that it still tastes great, when it really was terrible.
I got tooooo worn out making chocolate candy cane popcorn for Hyrum's class and making Hyrum's birthday dinner, that I could not make him a birthday cake. So the next day I did and Hyrum was totally great with the idea. Well, I made it. And when I went to frost it, it completely stuck to the bottom of the pan...I tried everything I could to get it out in one piece, but it fell apart and was "broken" as Bryan put it. I felt like such a failure... I decided that I will cry about it in my room (my emotions show too easy for some reason). Hyrum came up and told me that he was still so happy with his cake and that he had such a wonderful birthday! And if you are wondering, I don't really feel like I deserve him as a child.

Hyrum asked for one thing for his birthday. The Magic Tree House Collection. Although I kinda laugh, because books were the furthest thing from my mind at the age, I love that he loves reading so much! It is something he, Paul and I do for a good hour before bed every night. We are on book three now, it's pretty intense! We just finished Micheal Vey the other day, that was fantastic too!

I am feeling quite a bit better!
And I get to feel this little boy be so active in my tummy!

I am so excited to be a mom of four boys!!!! After the ultrasound I sat down to think about how life will be with another little boy. At that very instant, I felt pure peace and joy. I felt a strong impression that this little boy needs to be raised by me and Brad. He needs to be in our home and part of our family. Four boys to teach continually to be providers and protectors, I couldn't think of a greater privilege!
Hyrum, Paul and Bryan are amazing. They have character, love, compassion and conviction and there won't be better brothers for this baby than what he has!
I am so grateful for the Gospel! I enjoy the callings I have and also Conference talks and Ensign articles. I love Mormon Messages too!

I have a very blessed life, I am so grateful!

A look inside our reality

2011-11-08T13:40:00.006-07:00

I looked in the mirror today. I almost didn't recognize the person staring back at me... Longer hair then I last remembered... Eyes, that although they looked like mine, they were missing the vibrant spark and joy... Pale lips, no smile... Sulking and sick... Clothes baggy and unfamiliar...

I have been sick, very sick, for a very long time. Most days are spent in bed or on the couch. Sometimes crying because of severe pain. Sometimes motionless, knowing the slightest move may send me puking or taken over in pain. Sometimes sleep may enter in. The best moments, I get to be snuggled with my kids reading a book to them.

My children. I worry how they may be handling this bumpy journey on the inside. Man, I sure love them! Bryan, with his beautiful eyes and sweetest of sweet voice, kissing me better and asking if I feel better now. Paul, always so willing and kind, fetching drinks and making sandwiches for me and Bryan. Hyrum, excited to help and asks if I "need the day off today," making dinner, giving foot rubs, helping referee and even reading to the youngins, peaking in the bathroom while I am puking and asking if I am ok or if I need anything. He will sit there and talk to me about his day. Each of my kids constantly expressing their love for me and prayers that I will start feeling better.

Brad. Well thankfully hunting season is dwindling. The kids held down the fort for about 6 weeks. We are so grateful Brad is home now to help us all out :) He helps put away the clothes that I tried to fold while laying down, sometimes having to just re-do. Taking over scripture study with the kids. Calls in the middle of the day to make sure I am ok. Helping with meals, sometimes doing the dishes and laundry. Brad even cleaned the whole entire house so Ina and Wendy and their families could come over for dinner (a night I somehow survived being vertical), he even cooked the turkey! Most of all, he doesn't complain about the messes that I can't clean up. It seems about once a week I can actually make dinner and once I have done that, I eat and climb on into bed. He takes care of the kids and finishes up his paperwork from work and does his things, while the pots just sit there. And they sit there way toooo long without a word of complaint from him. I love listening as he reads the boys books before bed.

Neighbors have brought meals, cookies, bread and offered to watch the kids. I am extremely grateful for them and how they jumped in to help. The nights they brought dinner---- oh man, the taste of homemade. I couldn't ask for anything better. Without the stress and preparation and clean up of the meals, the food would even sit better. Carpooling has made things go smoother. Hyrum's teacher being understanding while I can only make it to half the amount of volunteering I signed up for. Neighbors and friends have really make a difference.

I am half way done with this pregnancy, I haven't gained a pound. I have no appetite at all, but try and drink water and eat bland foods throughout the day. I thought the 2nd tri. would be so much better, but it has brought a lot more obstacles that I could have ever imagined. I think my body handled everything better when I was younger. I can't seem to handle anything at all this go around. A cold knocked me out cold for 2.5 weeks, the pain in my stomach keeps me from even being able to concentrate on holding a conversation with someone. Oh how I miss good health...

But the blessings are there.

My kids. My husband. My home. My ward. My baby. Baths. Friends. Brad's job holding out. My comfy couch and bed. Food storage, that we have been living on. The cute neighbor girls (my old activity day girls) that check in on me. Freezer meals. Christmas Music. My sister who calls and asks how I am doing regularly. The Lords tender mercy of having me feel well enough to take my kids to school and back, and fulfill my callings. Visiting Teachers. Home teachers. They are people who really care, not just checking of lists. And there are sometimes spontaneous hours that I feel ok. There have also been a few days where I have been able to fight through and enjoy birthdays or holidays:

Paul's birthday. I was not going to let this slip by in bed. So that morning I asked him for a list of his friends, a party theme and by the end of the day we had had one smashing cowboy party for my birthday boy!

Moments. Here is one the the nights that Brad was gone and I was in sick-in-bed and Hyrum took charge of bed time. Bryan took things into his own hands and....

made himself his own bed of stuffed animals and fell fast asleep :)

Halloween! Candle light dinner, Papa Murphy's Jack-O-Lantern Pizza, and trick-or treatin'!

I know, I know, Brad and I have HORRIBLE humor. But even though this really didn't happen this way, Brad and I dubbed in what we think is a great script to the picture story:

Bryan: Ahhhhhh....

Bryan: Uh-oh. That was a stinky one!

Brad: Who farted?

Bryan: Me!

Paul: Ewwwwwwwwww!

Paul: BRYAN!!!!!

Hyrum: (puking) Ahhhhhhh! That is BAD!
Bryan: Whew! Finally getting some fresh air over here!

After letting this clear out.
Boys: CHEESE!!! (Paul still recovering)

One day Brad took us hunting with him. We didn't see anything, but we had fun! Paul and I both got real sick a couple of times, but we made the most of it!

Bryan's eye- can't help but just love it!

Last, but not least, clearance pj's! Brad brought these home one night. They are great quality at a super price. And these boys just love to be scary--- so for us--- they are perfect :)

Ok- there you have it. An inside look at our world. Life is ok, but I know it is going to get better. We are blessed in the challenges we face.

P.S. My boys are my super hero's! I love and appreciate them more than words can say!

Forever Friends from Forever Ago!

2011-10-30T20:47:00.001-06:00

FINALLY! How many times we have talked about getting together?!?! Finally we set a date, planned a dinner and got together for the first time in tooooooo long. Probably a couple of years I would say! Well- meet Wendy and Ina!

Aren't they beautiful!

These two are the best thing that ever happened to me in 8th Grade! Lucky for me, they still claim me as a friend! Ina and Wendy are strong girls, spiritually, mentally, the works. We ran together on Cross Country and all around BE county for that matter :)

Amazingly they had all girls so far! I am so glad, because the world could use a lot more Wendy's and Ina's! I hope they turn out just like them in every way! Their girls were so sweet and cute! ---My boys were so intimidated by them :) As for me, I LOVED seeing them again! It was fun to just be together again and it is just awesome to see what wonderful women they have become and seeing them raise their cute families!

Here we are from about 12 years ago! Wow!

It was just a dream....

2011-09-28T10:40:00.003-06:00

I was chillin' at Jess and Brandon's home. We had just got the cougar out of their home that was nestled in the mountains. I returned to their computer where I had saved picture of the kitchen cupboards I was deciding to buy, before the cougar incident. I flipped through their pictures looking for mine, as images of their family vacations or everyday snapshot moments flashed on the screen. Then, pictures of past times, pictures of my mom. Simple things. My mom sitting in a chair, then taking off her gloves, a series of pictures showing this. I studied her face, her expression, her movement. Her eyebrows showed worry, like they expressed many times. I guessed from the picture the worry was getting snow tracked into the house. I studied the way she sighed as she sat in the chair and so much started coming back to me...

I remembered her hair (dark blond, permed just below the ears), just the way it was in the picture, not only her hair but I remembered everything about the way she was. I flipped to the next picture, a carriage ride, my siblings and our spouses sat up front, and all the grand kids wanted to be with their grandma in back. Where it was open and two black benches faced each other. Snow covered the ground and everyone was bundled up. Emma, Paul, Hyrum, Josh, Becca, Bryan, Ali and Canyon all sat by her, laughing and smiling. Another picture, same setting of just Paul and Emma, smiling brightly at Grandma Becka. A short video clip, on the sleigh ride, of her giving someone a hug and saying, "I love you," just exactly the same way I remember. The next series of shots were of my mom in Jess' chair again, obviously telling stories of reindeer to her dear grandchildren sitting on the floor in front of her. She had her permed hair and cheery cheeks, smiling as she had both hands and two fingers raised up by her head, suggesting the deer had antlers. The joy was obvious as she interacted with all those kids, that were spellbound by their grandma's love, beauty and captivating story telling. A picture, where she smiled at the kids, but no. Something was wrong. My dream had a tooth wrong, making her smile off. I realized then that I was dreaming, and even though it was just a dream and it was just pictures, I didn't want to let them go. I flipped though them again as I had and realized she was getting sicker each picture that was taken. Her joy, her health, her hair, everything started to show more and more signs that yes, even in these pictures, she still had cancer. And it took her away slowly until it took her. Then next pictures were of my sister on the roof of her house. She was holding wild flowers high into the air and letting the wind carry them away. I asked her what it was all about. "Every year I pick new wild flowers," Jess said, "and I take them up to the roof where the wind always blows them into the field behind the house. In the spring time the field is full of all sorts of wildflowers, whose seeds were planted there by that wind, where ever it decides to place them."

I'm awake. And unable to control the sobbing. The pain is deep and real. So deep that even as I take a deep breath of the fresh morning air, I can't breathe deep enough to cover the hurt. Sob. I often have thought during sad movies, that at times the crying/sobbing is a little too much. I am not a big crier myself. But this morning, it was deeper and stronger, the depth of my breathes couldn't feel up the void within me. I miss my mom.

I was glad it wasn't worse, my nightmares about my mom exceed that of a horror. Part of me felt some comfort seeing the way it could have been. My mom interacting with her grandchildren. All of them, not just Hyrum and Emma, who were babies at the time of her death.

And it was when she was healthy enough to be herself and not held back by treatments or comas. Part of me also felt robbed for the same reason. The hurt is so real, but so is my faith, and though I have never moved mountains, I know we can be together forever some day. We will be together forever someday...

And maybe my mom is just as much, or more a part, of our family's life now that she is on the other side. I like to think she watches over us. And even though I can't see her or feel her or hear her laugh or kind voice, that is where my faith kicks in. I know she loves us all deeply and wanted so badly to be a part of all her grandkids' life's. I believe she is. I hope they can feel her love and influence. I thank my Savior for the life she taught us to live, she taught us to love, she taught us to laugh so hard we couldn't breath and she taught us to look to Him. Because of the Savior, life does go on, and we really can be together forever. My Visiting Teacher, Becca, believes that all this time lost being apart, will all be made up in the eternities. I am sure it will. And who knows, she really may be up there using her artistic flare to help plant wildflowers...

Paul's Favorite

2011-09-19T09:11:00.001-06:00

Paul just told me that he has a picture of his favorite continent in his room! I couldn't guess what is was so he grabbed the picture and brought it down to me:

"This is my favorite continent!"

Apparently they talked about it in primary :)

The Birds

2011-09-17T12:09:00.002-06:00

There have been times in my life when a story changes my life. This is one, one I never want to forget-

Once upon a time there was a flock of birds. One Sunday morning they all walked to church. That day, throughout church, they learned how to fly!!! Oh man, they learned how to swoop and soar! And after church, they walked home.

At times it is like that, we learn and grow so much then all the sudden, when the moment of learning and growing is over, we go back to who we were. What an unfortunate thing it is, to learn to fly and choose to walk...

SEVEN PEAKS!

2011-09-05T14:18:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning I made the bold move to buy the POAP! But the kiddo's had to promise me that that was what they REALLY wanted to do for their birthdays. -Yippee! I don't have to plan a B-day party for any of the kids now! - And honestly, I think we save a few bucks doing it this way anyway! we celebrated by going to Seven Peaks in Salt Lake. I decided to call up my Daddy and ask if he and Paula wanted to go and to my complete surprise, they DID! I was so glad and after all the fun began, I don't know if I could have done it alone without the Brad Man!

It was a blast!!! We had an amazing time and look forward to next season--- hopefully with Brad Man, Dad, Paula and the little bambino we're expecting!

Huntin' Bucks

2011-09-05T00:14:00.000-06:00

and maybe a few horny toads...

Ok, ok, we loved them!!! Bryan kept one by him as he constant companion the whole time we were there--- waking hours only though. Mom's rule. We went on many-a-hikes and walks looking carefully for the little buggers. It was horrible to bid them farewell...

Paul spent a great deal of his time with the bow and arrow- listening to his slang, stories and sound effects is sure priceless. He just gets lost, like every child should, in his imagination as it runs wild!

I could not believe how loose Hyrum's tooth was by the second day. He was incredibly brave and he told Brad to just yank it out. Without a cry, just a tear in his eye, he braved his way through the ordeal. It was Hyrums first tooth, and it was Brad's first tooth he has ever pulled out without it being his own. I am quite certain that the tooth fairy was freaked out and didn't think it should be her job, especially while camping! I bet she felt like this little one is too young to be losing his teeth. I BET she worried like crazy that he would wake up while doing her job. But from the looks of it, the exchange went just fine, even though I bet it was her first time too!

Amazingly enough, where we camped, this was written on some quakies! I didn't do it, I swear! ---but I think I know who did :)

Beauty was all around because of the weird weather. Flowers were all a bloom, the grass was still green and there wasn't wildfires luring in our area! Beautiful, I say! But check out that bottom picture on this collage----- YIKES! That spider is U-G-L-Y!!! I would not have gotten as close as I did, if I had known it was there. But low and behold, I just noticed, just barely!

Brad and Wylie! (YES! Joe and Maegan did come with us! It was a hundred times more fun to have them there, then to be there all alone all day long with just me and my kiddos! It was fantastic that they came!!!! )

Whoa Brad... You better slow down there... I think you had a few tooo many Dr. Peppers :)

He is such a great cook! He made eggs and bacon everyday for lunch for everyone! Thanks hun! Speaking of cooking.... I have a mad fear FEAR! of propane. And guess what!?!?! I actually cooked on the stove too! Quite a few time actually! Improving and progressing in my life;)

All the kids got dirty and had a ton of fun!

Hyrum learned how to drive the four wheeler! These boys (and Wylie) just can't get enough of the "La La Rides!"

Haha! Bryan fell asleep with one leg hanging out of the tent! I love it!

The men and men-to-be played some golf!

They used the shovel as a flag, and the hole as a hole they simply dug. I had to laugh, because when Bryan just finished taking a dump, I was burring his poopy. I randomly dug a few holes around the scene of the crime to cover things up thoroughly. Then Bryan points to one of the holes and said we could now play golf!

That may be a little gross, but what was disgusting to me was that "MEN" was dug out of quakies all over the mountain! Admittingly, I have a slight feminist bone in me, nothing like it use to be, trust me. But it drove me nuts! And also my wonderful SIL Maegan. Soooooo we thought it would be just a grand idea to write "WO" in front of the proudly carved "MEN."

Now if you think we had ANYTHING to do with this.... Well... you may be onto something...

Partners in Crime. What more can I say... Except for this picture was taken after 3 hours of riding in the back of a truck along a dirt road. We got SO DIRTY, but the scenery was the most beautiful scenery I had seen in a long time!

Wow. That is just amazing that the B sits perfectly over Bryan's head :)

Here is the BUCK--- a 3x4 24 incher I think. Not bad horns, but the body was so small! Not much meat!

All them boys!

On the road again....

It was a great GREAT trip! I am just still so thankful that Joe, Maegan and Wylers came up! All the kids did soooooo gooooood and had sooooooo much fun!

In the Middle of the Night....

2011-08-19T13:03:00.001-06:00

Our favorite books to read together:

The Hiccupotumus Any Dr Seuss Fidgety Fish and Friends The Very Hungry Caterpillar There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Farmer Will

I Love You Stinky Face If Animal Kissed Like We Kissed Goodnight Hyrum and I are reading the BFG--- so far so good :)

I think I mentioned once before how much Bryan LOVES books. Well the other night, Brad and I snuggled up together to watch a movie (Soul Surfer--- loved it!). We had put the kids to bed, Hyrum and Paul were sound asleep, but Bryan wanted to stay up and read a few more books. We turned off his light, but kept the hall light on, so he would hopefully go to sleep in the dimness of his room. Throughout the movie, we could hear pages turning and Bryan's animated voice telling the stories and making all the sound effects that a good story needs. Bryan read for over 2 hours! By the time we went to bed this is the sight we saw:

and then:

I wonder what he dreams about after reading over 80 books page by page...

Stay-Cation

2011-08-07T11:07:00.002-06:00

Yesterday we opted out of Scipio and spent the day up AF canyon hiking. The younger boys sure got tired after a couple of miles, understandably. I do look forward to the day we can hike to the top as a family, but I am thinking we are about 10 years away :) We made the most of it! Bryan was funny, he wanted his shirt off because it was too hot. He didn't want it on the rest of the day. He makes me laugh! Hyrum was amazing and could have gone a lot further, he sure is a trooper! Paul wanted to prove how tough he was by packing the backpack most of the way. He is tough! It was funny because he didn't know how to say he was tired and he described it saying each step hurt, but he didn't know where :) Brad packed him out after that.

Cascade Springs is sooooo beautiful! I love strolling around on the boardwalks with my family!

What a week!

2011-08-06T21:25:00.001-06:00

The first part of August is always exciting for me! It is my anniversary and my birthday! Brad and I bought each other running shoes from my favorite running store that put all their clearance shoes for $25 a couple weeks before! We got ~$250 worth of shoes for $50, we were pretty happy about that :) Then for my birthday I had really overspent the month before on clothes... So I had asked Brad to not get me anything. Soooo we didn't plan anything for either one of my special days. But, having the awesome friends I have, we weren't left doing nothing. Robyn offered to watch my kids for my anniversary, which was a blast! Brad and I went to Sub Zero, ate our heavenly ice cream and talked about the last 8 years. It is amazing looking back and seeing all that we have been through and our feelings, how they have grown. Marriage is sure beautiful, as covenants are honored and when so much of what we are is each other.

Now and then

For my birthday... My birthday. There is such special sweet people in my life. Emily Rupp and her friend Abby made me a CHOCOLATE cake and came and ate it with me and all the neighbor kids that were over! How sweet! It really made me quite happy :) Then I got out the slip'n slide in the front yard and the kids were going crazy with fun! Not to mention me and Carolyn both went down it! Carolyn is 8 months pregnant! Anyway, I got a kick out of it (and so did the other neighbor)! Then Carolyn also offered to watch the kids so Brad and I could go out to eat together for my birthday! Seriously! I couldn't believe how thoughtful Robyn and Carolyn were to me. It meant a LOT and I sure enjoyed the extra time with the man I love. It was the best!

Paul

Hyrum and Jocelyn

Kendra, Kaleb, Hyrum, Jocelyn and Brad

Kaleb, Abby, Kendra, Bradley, Hyrum and Jocelyn

Hyrum

Bryan

Seth

Joselyn, Seth, Abby, Kendra and Bryan

Paul who controlled the pressure of the water from a safe distance. He finally enjoyed the water the last 20 minutes or so :)

Bryan

Abby

Carolyn and here baby boy! Sorry all I got was a back shot! I didn't realize you would fly down the slide Carolyn!

Kendra

Hyrum

Great times!

Great neighbors!

Great friends!

Great kids!

Great husband!

It's a such a great life!

One more post for today

2011-07-30T11:54:00.001-06:00

And I will be ALL CAUGHT up on the things I need to remember in my life--- whew! Here we go---

The boys love spending summer days outside on the swings, running through the sprinklers, making homes for potato bugs and ants, or at Thanksgiving Point.

We got a cat! She was the cutest little kitty ever! We named her Tiger!

But then...

Paul started turning red and itchy....

And swollen... So even though we had to give it back to Stefanie after only having Tiger for 20 minutes, we will love her forever :)

Brad. He is one heck of a worker. He has been working on a job near our home this summer. He has been doing inspection and testing for some road work. He works 10-14 hour days for 5-6 days a week. Every time I comment on how hot it is outside, Hyrum always brings up, "Can you imagine what it is like to be Dad and be out here all day!" Brad works so hard so much and then on his days off, we make the most of it, which means very little rest time for him. We really appreciate all the time he puts in at work and also at home for our family! Even last night, even though he had to work a big shift today, he took us to watch The Smurfs in 3D. They boys has a blast, it was their first 3D movie ever and I actually REALLY liked the movie a LOT! It wasn't even full of Eco Freako crap, like most movies now-a-days! For Fathers Day Hyrum made this for Brad:

Sweet huh!
Also this summer--- we have been hiking up somewhere in AF Canyon and the Y. We have been biking a lot. The furthest we went was 8.5 and Hyrum was singing the whole time. He did so well! And the other two were mostly good in the trailer. Lots of TGP and their $.25 ice cream. Splash Park. Rockport Reservoir for Canyons Birthday. 4th of July fireworks at Joe and Maegan's. Little Valley Days. Cub Scout Day Camp. And lots of fireworks. Not us, but our neighbors. I loved all the ariel's that lit up the sky late into the night. I am so grateful that we live in the USA and that we can do that. Courteous or not, I love freedom. And I love not living in an HOA. I also want to start scrapbooking again. In doing so, I realized how valuable a blog is! Which is why I felt such a need to get caught up :)

Blazing guns!

2011-07-30T11:09:00.000-06:00

Our first attempt at going shooting didn't go so well... Hyrum and Brad took a few shots while I finished cleaning up the puke in the car... And then we went home.

This next attempt about a month later went much better! It was a beautiful drive AND nobody got carsick!

Oh I also have to mention that Hyrum got third place at the Mantua Little Valley Day Shoot Out, he got a new scope! Brad also got third and a new scope. We are waiting for Cabela's to get in a Cricket so Hyrum and Paul have a gun that fits them and they can shoot properly.

Hyrum did pretty swell!

What is a trip up to the mountains without any Gatorade, really?

My man

Brad did pretty well also. He also spent most of his banana clip shooting at rocks because he loves the sound of the rick-a-shay!

Moi---- I love shooting my gun that Brad won for me a couple years ago!

Yo mess with me...

Yo messin' with the wrong girl, that is fo shor!

Bry

Paul shooting

Is it bad to be proud that I married such a manly man?? Because if it is, call me guilty. I just watched Beauty and the Beast and Brad is as manly as Gaston, but luckily has more sense, is kind, has more compassion than I can understand, is such a great daddy, quite layed-back, laughs hard, has got humor that busts me right in half and he loves, a real love. Perfect combo for a girl like me. And perfect combo for three stripling young lads :) I have to point out the picture below. It is just of Bryan looking at me with his binoculars, but notice Brad and Hyrum in the background. His hand. Says it all.

Bryan loves this!

2011-07-30T10:17:00.000-06:00

Where's Bryan?

Peek-A-Boo!

Where's Bryan??

Peek-A-Boo!!!!

He just laughs and laughs at these pictures and asks to see them again and again!!!

COWS

2011-07-30T10:07:00.002-06:00

I love cows. But even more than that, I love all the work they are. But even more than that, I love that we can get a call the night before and drive 200 miles to go help out as a family with the cows. Love it!

I love that Great Grandpa, Papa and Brad have the patience and care to teach my three boys how to do some real work! Seriously, it brings joy to my heart! Which is why I ALWAYS bring along my camera, because it is one of the most awesome experiences my kids can have!

4 Generations of COWboys!

I don't know everything they do, but I think they are vaccinating them and then they castrate the males.

Another great picture of all these Great and Mighty Men and the Great and Mighty Men in training:)

Brad helping Bryan ride a little calf.

Hyrum riding the calf

Hyrum getting saved from a run-a-way calf.

Bryan

Hyrum

Paul

I absolutely LOVE these pictures of Hyrum and Paul looking like reciprocals of each other!

I am so impressed by Brad's Grandpa! 86 yrs old and he is still chasing, doctoring and climbing over fences with the rest of them!

Bryan and Brad

Hyrum

I took this shot on the side of the road as we were waiting for the cows to get chased our way :)

I think it is my favorite!

Bryan

Brad, Hyrum and Paul

Brad's awesome Grandma!

There Grandpa is chasin those cows again!

Brad and I stopped traffic on this road and made sure the cows went in the right pasture.

Grandpa Baxter and Papa

LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!

Brad and his Grandpa.

What a great time we had! I love LOVE coming up to Perry and helping out with the cows!

Now this happens to be a couple weeks later, but still very applicable to COWS---

Wylie and Bryan being soooooo cute!

I think this was the day that we bought Paul his first cowboy hat. Paul's dream is to become a cowboy. Papa is going to teach Paul to rope a calf and they then give 'em the green cheerio...

Off they go to the barn.....

Out at the barn they found the calf and....

Paul roped him all by himself!

Yep, he is one happy cowboy!

Practicing his lasso

There's Hyrum

Brad lassoing with Bryan, Kaden and Paul close by while Papa checks on the chickens.

Chaddy

Kaden is so sweet to Bryan, SO SWEET!

Brad and Bryan going out to the barn to check out the chickens

---Face to face---

Bottle feeding the calves. This a ton of fun for me. I grew up across from buffalo and I got to help bottle feed the babies all the time. Then when Brad and I were engaged, we bottle fed a cute little calf everyday together. Now my boys get that same chance when we head up to Brad's parents house. I love to tag along and watch my boys learn a man's work.

Kaden and Hyrum

Bryan kept pointing to that calf's butt and telling me that there was poop... lol!

His nose was practically in the butt crack, he was so concerned! I am not sure if he expected me to wipe his butt or what!

We finally got him distracted from the rear, and he and Kaden fed the calf.

Paul, love that hat kid!

Heading back to the house on the 4-la-la! What a great time!

Fishing@Silverlake

2011-07-30T08:58:00.000-06:00

After a super hot day, one of our favorite things to do is head up to the mountains for the evening. This particular evening we went fishing at Silverlake. It was wonderful!!!!

The boys spent a lot of time throwing rocks, as big as the could, as far as they could.

There was a lot of "Whoa! Did you see that!?!"

Brad taught Hyrum how to cast. I was so impressed and my heart just fills with joy and excitement as I watch Brad teach his boys life skills. They look up to their Daddy so much!

Paul, getting in on the fishing action :)

Can you see how far Hyrum casted out his line!!!??!? Simply Impressive.

Bryan and me reeling in nothin'. In fact I don't think we caught a thing that whole evening. Hardly even noticed, because it was so much more than just fishin'.

Yellowstone

2011-07-30T08:33:00.000-06:00

For our fun family vacation this year with my side of the family, we went to Yellowstone! This was clear back in June, but better late than never :)

But right before we pulled out, the boys were sitting here like this and I had to snap a picture.

When we got to Yellowstone, the first thing we did was the hike above Old Faithful. It has always been a favorite of mine. I love the pathway. For some reason the roots that creep across the trail, the mud that seems to always be there, the logs and rocks to hop from one to the next on the side of the trail just mesmerize me. The boys seemed to enjoy it just as I do!

Bryan

We went to some museum, that seems to be new. It was near Fishing Bridge. And it was pretty cool!

Later we did some hikes around the Yellowstone Falls. I can't keep them all straight, there seems to be about 10 different ones, at least.

Hyrum

Brad Man

Josh, Paul, Bryan

Bry-Bob

Emma

Dave's (my brother) Family

Bob

My boys

Jess (my sista) and Becca

Emma and Hyrum, Brandon and Josh

Ali Monster

Ali and Bry

Cousins

Ali, isn't she just so cute!

Paul

Another trail by the Falls

Here is most of our group--- Dave and Brit and Canyon are a little behind. Thank goodness! Because Britt ended up saving Bryan's life as the got here... I think I may keep that story to myself, but I certainly have a lot more compassion for those who turn for ONE SECOND and then have something tragic happen to a child...

Yep, it happened right after this picture. Right as I was trying to get a picture of my sister's family... Ugh, I am sick just thinking about it.

Paul

Hyrum, Emma and Ali

2 of the 7 bears we saw.

Mud pots. How I love the mud pots! And the boardwalks. I love the sound and feel of taking a stroll on a elevated pathway with steam, stinky smells, bubbling blobs and the clop clop of my own rhythm. Mmmmm! I just love it!

Finally we got to see Old Faithless, we kept missing it and missing it!

Hyrum, Bryan and Paul

Grandma Paula and Paul

Bryan

I just think Bryan is just so adorable! But can you see how tired he is in his eyes?!?! That means it really was a great vacation! Speaking of being tired, there was a bear that strolled through our camp that next night...

Grandma Paula, Paul and Hyrum

Sleepy Bob and Brad

Hyrum, Grandpa, Bryan, Grandma and Paul! I am so thankful for my Dad who planed this all out. It was such a blast to spend time together!

Home Sweet Home

2011-07-15T11:05:00.000-06:00

Blossoming Blooms, oh how I love this time of year! There is Zucchini hiding in there and pumpkin blooms and watermelon blooms (the watermelons are doing amazing! -- I have NEVER done well with the watermelons...) and daisy's and Asian pears and peaches and raspberries and blackberries and cucumbers and petunias and cantaloupe! I get so excited over all of this I squill! I am so excited for my cone flowers to bloom! As for the rest of the gardens... Strawberries are over :( but the raspberries are on! We get about 30 a day right now and love them for breakfast! The tomatoes are growing, broccoli is always abundant, celery too, the peas are done and need to be pulled and....... I can't wait for the brussell sprouts! Oh! And the grapes are growing so well and we will get probably 10 bundles. Yippeeeee!

Finding Bryan

2011-06-24T16:54:00.003-06:00

Randomly, but at least once a day, I find my baby

digging into a book, or 12. When I enter his room, he so excitedly tells me about what is happening on the page he is examining.

Most of the time he is grouping animals together and naming each one as "Mommy Buck," "Daddy Buck, "Brother Buck" and "Baby Buck." It is so tender and pure. It speaks volumes to me as the mommy. He will then pat my chest and say "Mommy Buck!" then he will pat his own and say "Baby Buck!" He will then turn to each of his family and lable them for who they are.

It's the Excitement.

The Love.

The Peace.

The Enjoyment.

The Stories.

The connection.

That makes us Family.

Our first load of Strawberries of the year!

2011-06-21T11:54:00.001-06:00

To me, gradens are just as exciting as Space Mountain in Disneyland!

And that says quite a bit coming from a thrill seeker!

A makin' "ME" laugh!

2011-06-18T09:53:00.002-06:00

I was chatting with Paul today and I asked,

"Paul, are you a 'he' or a 'she'?"

"I am a ME!" Paul replied with a giggle!

I am confident that someday he will understand the he/she concept :)

ALSO today Hyrum went running with me! Well, I ran and he rode his bike! He was a fantastic partner and I cannot wait for the day when he will run with me! We went 3.6 miles. It was a great speed workout, I was definitely at a talkless speed!

Be Prepared.

2011-06-16T12:13:00.001-06:00

We were heading out on a bike ride today-- Hyrum riding his bike and me, pulling Paul and Bryan in the trailer behind my bike. We have a trail we take near our home and we go a little more than 3.5 miles. While we were loading up, Paul starts fussing that he can't fit in the trailer because "THIS" was in his way---

A water gun, two Gatorade's, a can of Progresso, a stud finder and there is also a pencil. Bryan had been packing it and put it in the trailer to bring with us hahaha! I just love him :)

Life Changing!

2011-05-27T22:19:00.002-06:00

Ok, it has been a long winter! Don't you think? Then Spring... Oh man, this Spring! Nothing really to compare it, really. It can be quite the downer, if you ask me. Anyway, after being down for way tooo long, I decided I needed a change. I wanted something big and crazy, like moving to Africa. But I found that I don't really need to do that. Here are a few things that have made such a ginormicous change in my life. Lightly put, they changed my life (or attitide, which is one in the same) from bad to good :)

Dating. I love dating Brad. But somehow after having kids, I forgot how great it is to be together alone: joking, bowling, eating, kissing, holding hands, etc. Here! Here! To the man I love kissing!

Fun picture ey? It was from the day after our first kiss, and our engagement! Take in good ol' Willard Bay Campground- courtesy of my mom. I love the way he is holding my back, and kissing me, and his very NICE eyelashes. Then in love... now in love... love it!

(I am hoping this post doesn't get too romantic for those not interested in our love.) But I finally decorated our bedroom!

I used mostly used things we had and made it match all together. I don't think the pictures do it much justice at all, not that it matters much to anyone else :) I used our wedding picture and made everything correlate with it. The temple was full of creams and browns, green grass, bight blue sky. You catch my drift right? I used the saying "You had me from Hello" for the vinyl. Brad says he had a crush on me a L O N G time before we even said "Hello" on that fateful day we were both voting up in Mantua in 2002. He said that song always reminds him of me. And some days I love/need the reminder that my husband loves me deeply. I am a girl. I'm emotional. What can I say? Anyway- our bedroom used to be the ARMPIT of the house. If there was company coming and the house was messy-- guess where we just ran and stashed EVERYTHING? Yep, our dresser, the floor, our closet, on the bed... Blah Our Bedroom. I didn't realize what I was missing, till I got it spotless and decorated. Brad appreciates our room too. I would have never guess he would love it as much as he does! That makes me love him and our room even more, bring more love in our home. Win-win.

My life is quite humorous. I am really lucky to have such a funny life. Let me share a glimpse:
Bryan put my cell phone on the home phone charger. That's funny!
Bryan's face. I love it and it just cracks me up every day!
Hyrum caught a butterfly! Isn't that incredible?!? He even -totally accidental- damaged it enough that it slept on a pillow at the foot of his bed all night long. Hyrum treated that thing like a king-- well at least as good as he possibly could. He didn't kill it if you were wondering. It was funny watching those kids enjoy one of the most delicate and beautiful creations!
Paul put a potato bug in his airplane and gave it the ride of his life, I am sure! Funny, I say!
Bryan folds in half like this all the time! He does it when he is happy, or sad, or just being silly. It cracks me up!
Bryan got this potato bug sticker and put is square over his belly button! Why that is so funny, I am not sure, but I couldn't quit laughing over it!
This is more incredible than funny. Paul saved up $20 for a pillow pet! He worked day after day and got paid a dime at a time and earned that pup!
HAHAHA!!! I love this! I found these beaut's on the camera. I love when Hyrum takes pictures of himself! LOL!
At times I even have to laugh at myself... lol... I got hot glue in my bangs. I am not a genius, but I am creative. This was a creation, created by creating a headband. A creating that took a turn for the worst, when I realized that the hot glue from the headband I finished, had gotten on the curling iron which consequently got in my hair. Ya, my bangs were straight up after that until I got some very helpful advice from some very dear friends that I will always hold a special place in my heart for helping me when things were down, I mean, up.
Paul, Hyrum and I went on a date to SUB ZERO (which I am obsessed with). Paul pointed to a thermometer and said, "I'm this tall!" Which happened to be 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bryan is funny! He has gorgeous eyes and he moves them a lot! I love when he looks to the side, but I can't get a good shot of it! So you will have to settle for him looking up. He moves his eyes all the way to the side, so there is mostly white showing. Brad and I just get a kick out of it!
Hyrum is reading that from the back side! He is quite fluent in reading backwards! That is talent! A talent I find quite humorous!
These boys are always mixing things! EVERYTHING! The things they come up with LOL! You can't even imagine!
They made a train out of the loafs of bread they made!

Delicate Arch. Courtesy of Hyrum
Brad climbing a tree. He is sawing it down branch by branch. For some reason him climbing a tree is funny.
I have noticed that laughing makes me feel better. And when I pay a lot of attention to what my boys or husband are doing, they are quite funny! It always turns out to be way better to listen to them, then to sing to myself oblivious to the world. Although at times that is nice to!

Another thing I that has made a huge difference in my life is FLY Lady. I do so well at keeping my kitchen clean and am building great habits of decluttering and organizing and staying on top of cleaning my wonderful home!

I finally found a food that I L O V E. The kind of love that I hear others talking about- and now I get it! This ice cream is from Sub Zero. I LOVE IT. I close my eyes and everything fades away... Aweeee... It is so good.

Girls night out! I have the greatest neighbors! I plan on planning my own girls night out with a few more wonderful neighbors coming soon! And hopefully it will include another trip over to Sub Zero :)

Running, swimming and biking again with great company!
I love the temple. I go every chance I get. When I was on my date with Hyrum and Paul, we stopped by and I let the boys play on the grass. It was a Monday, so I don't think it was distracting or rude to the visitors.

I love talking to my boys about how the feel about anything and this was no exception. Paul excitedly said, "I felt like my heart was going to explode!" when we were there. The Holy Ghost is real and testifies to each of us the power of the temple, of Christ and of God. I testify of that too. I love the temple. I feel peace, love and most of all an unmeasurable amount of joy when I get to serve there!

I have a good life. I love it. I love my family. I love my home. I love the Gospel. I love God. I love Jesus Christ. I love the Holy Ghost. And I love to find joy in all that is around me.

And honestly, I love that I am loved. Even though blogger isn't loving me and letting me rotate my sweet note from Hyrum.

Family pictures 2011

2011-05-27T15:01:00.001-06:00

Stolen Moments Photography

Love them! Thanks Britt!!!

Garden 2011 Phase 1 and 2

2011-05-07T20:11:00.000-06:00

Wahoo! It is that time of year! I have been hooked on gardening --hmmmm-- going on 3 years now. Every year we add a little more room for yummy home grow crops and flowers. And every year is starts out with one of these:

A plan-- this is Phase 1. What and where! I start thinking about all this as soon as the snow starts to melt. This is a major part of Spring Fever for me :) Oooooh it just makes me giddy inside!

Ok ACTION----

In the front yard we've got (where we had a big tree two months ago) (this is also where we added more gardening area! It is the whole right bump):

Hibiscus
Strawberries
Watermelon
Zucchini
Shasta Daisies
Lettuce
Pumpkin
Ferns
Cucumbers
Lemon Cucumbers
Cantaloupe
Raspberries (along the fence with the Lilacs)
This flowerbed is lined with Petunias also
We also planted a peach tree to the side (which is in bloom along with the asian pear!-- so exciting!)

Another flowerbed in the front--- just flowers

I love these Phlox flowers, but I wish I could figure out how to spit them and plant more where some have died... Any ideas??

Onto the back yard. Brad and I built this two years ago, I'd say. We wanted more garden area, and we hated the two stumps we had here-- so wala! A beautiful raised garden that needs close to NO WEEDING. I love it. Mega.

In here, we have

That back corner is our strawberry patch
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts (SO EXCITED ABOUT THESE!)
Celery
Cherry tomatoes
Basil
blueberry bush
Concord grapes
Green grapes
peppers (green bell, sweet bells, and yellow bells)
Brad wanted to plant some carrots, so I left him some room to do that
This is also lined in petunias

These petunias to be specific. These line the big front flowerbed, big back flowerbed and also lines a side of these square foot garden boxes:

In here we also have:

Peas
oregano
pumpkins
Brussels sprouts
lots and lots of tomatoes (For bottled SALSA! YUM)
and soon corn

Raspberry bushes along the side of the house.

We just transplanted these a month ago, I think they are very happy there. They kind of took over the big flowerbed in the back. I am confident these will fill in just nicely. To the far left is a blueberry bush too!
Along the back of our house

Just pretty flowers that I LOVE this time of year!

I wish you all happy planting! I hope your indoor or outdoor gardens are beautiful and you feel a sense of accomplishment and creativity after planting them also!!! I will be updating on my garden every now and again. I just think it is a miracle things grow like they do!

Renaissance Academy 5k

2011-05-07T10:39:00.000-06:00

Rennaissnace Academy 5k

24:07

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift" -Pre

Races are mentally challenging. Keeping a pace that is faster than your normal run is a battle you fight inside. This quote by Prefontaine motivated me when I wanted to slow, so did the songs Angel (Akon), Love Like Woe (The Ready Set), Daydream, First Date, Firework & Dynamite. But what made me smile and enjoy the speed was thinking of my dreaming, sleeping boys. I gently shook them awake just enough for them to hear me, but now quite open their eyes, as I asked them for a good luck kiss. The sleepily gave me a kiss on the cheek or forehead and they dosed back into a peaceful slumber. They are so sweet! In fact they are so sweet they are pushing me out the door as I type! Off for another biking adventure (yesterday Hyrum biked 3.6 miles with me)!

Growing up!

2011-05-02T23:21:00.001-06:00

It is happening...

Before my very eyes...

They are growing up.

And learning all sorts of new things!

And, at times, it really scares me.

REALLY scares me-- to let go...

And let them learn.

I worry they'll fall

and be too scared or hurt to get back up!

But he did, and for that, he is my hero!

I LOVE YOU HYRUM!!!

Exhausting...

2011-04-15T09:51:00.002-06:00

Lets face it

Potty training is exhausting!*

But Bryan has gone and done it! Way to to Brew-Bob! It was exhausting, but at the same time we actually had a fun time! A cool sticker chart, treats and parties 10x a day- how could anyone not enjoy that?!?! I have spent the last 5 days mostly never going out of Bryan's sight. It was fun to spend so much time together and joking around and laughing. Not that I ever want to potty train again, but I do enjoy Bryan's humor and personality! Wahoo for no diapers at this house!

Way to go DUDE!!! I am so happy for you!

This is not all the excitement this home has-- Paul has the puking flu! Exciting huh! I am sure it is just a matter of time before we all have it. This may get interesting.

*That is is high chair, in case you were wondering, he is uses the toilet not a potty chair. And especially not a potty chair at the table. Although IF that were the case, it would explain Paul's puking. But it's not.

Potty Training--- Day 1

2011-04-11T23:16:00.001-06:00

How cool is this?

If we do actually pull this off and Bryan becomes potty trained this time (this is the third try), there will be no diaper changin' goin' on in the Baxter home unless visitors are over! Well... at least for a while. Bryan did well today. Lots of success and lots of "uh-oh!" I got up this morning stressing about it just after 4am! It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Bryan is so sweet and awesome-- what in the world was I worried about?

While I was in the bathroom with Bryan tonight, I head the most tender conversation between Paul and Hyrum. They are just so sweet when they choose. Here is how it went--

Paul: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-Y-R-U-M -----pause----- Hyrum, what goes next?
Hyrum: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I--J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Paul:How about you do the hard parts and I do the easy parts?
Hyrum: OK
Paul: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-Y-R-U-M -----pause----- What goes next again?
With all the patience in the world Hyrum: F-G-H-I-J-K-L
Paul: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-
Paul and Hyrum: W-X-Y-Z

Hyrum is always teaching Paul things from his colors to addition to Aribic. I am so blessed... I just love them! And him :)

(even that salt and pepper-- yep, LOVE it!)

Pop Quiz

2011-04-07T14:22:00.001-06:00

Grab a pen and paper and number it 1-10 Questions are multiple choice, True or False or fill in the blank.

Exploring Creativity Through The Eyes And Mind Of My Bryan

1. This picture if of my container of brown sugar and a piece of damp clay that keeps the sugar from clumping up. What does Bryan see in the picture?

a. Batman
b. topping for his oatmeal
c. an ear
d. candy

2. What has Bryan created with his Lego's?

a. camera
b. a "drag-gun"
c. nothing in particular
d. cat

3. True or False Bryan has named all of his 8 chicks and can tell them all apart.

4. Look and find the face that Bryan found in the watermelon. What did he call it?
a. watermelon head
b. smiler
c. guy
d. girl

5. Bryan will run out of the house full board no-matter-what when __________ comes home.

6. Bryan's favorite food is a Roll-Up (or Crepe). This particular one is a ___________ with it's mouth open ready to bite.

7. True or False One of Mommy's favorite things in the whole wide world is "tight-squeeze" hugs from Bryan.

8. Bryan is a very messy eater. To Bryan this particular mess happens to be

a. milk and Fruit Loops
b. a Fire
c. a Swimming pool
d. a Horse

9. This piece of popcorn is

a. a Rabbit
b. a Spider
c. a Crab
d. yummy

{CASTLE}

{FISHY}

10. True or False Bryan thinks that frosting and sugar cubes has got to be some of the funnest (and tastiest) toys in the world.

Ok. Put your pencils down and we are ready to correct your papers.

#1 c. An Ear! How funny is that. I was so shocked when he wouldn't let me put the container away because there was an ear inside.

#2 b. A Drag-Gun! I thought that it was amazing the he even built something (he usually just destroys things), let alone building a dragon that he used as a gun and then cleverly named it a Drag-gun.

#3 False, he calls them all his chicks and will play with whatever one he can get his hands on

#4 c. Guy. Did you see that? He pointed it out himself! I am so amazed... and amused.

#5 Daddy! That was a given! Bry-Dude L O V E S his daddy!

#6 Snake. Bryan is fascinated by snakes!

#7 True! Duh! They are so loving and sweet and awe... I just love them!

#8 d. A Horse! I was upset at the time of the picture, but how could I stay upset when he melts my heart with his imagination?

#9 a. A rabbit! I love eating popcorn with him. We have so much fun!

#10 True and false. Trick question. Obviously he thinks everything is a toy and is fun. He makes so much out of life and enjoys so much. It is contagious when you are around him and laugh more about simple things then you ever would have thought!

Speaking of tests... Brad is taking the PE (professional engineering) Exam tomorrow.

THREE TRUTHS

2011-03-07T11:02:00.002-07:00

#1 Boys will be boys.

They wrestle.

They tackle.

They're tough.

No matter how small

they join the fun.

And fun they have.

They grunt,

And "Hi-YA!"

At times it is one big doggie pile.

They love football.

And worms.

And with boys, everything is better with dirt on it.

And even though they are crazy...

They love each other.

#2 Men will be men.

And when a job needs to be done

they do it, usually with a truck and usually a big mess.

#3 With a life like this, this girl needs a girls night out every once in a while.

Loads of fun!

2011-02-22T11:32:00.002-07:00

Yesterday and this morning I was "havin' loads of fun" decorating my laundry room! Am I pathetic or what?!?!

I made it girly- BECAUSE it is the only room in the house I could make girly!

Is it wrong to be so giddy about something so silly??? Haha! I got this new program Sure Cuts A Lot and I love to make vinyl and card creations! I also made this for my boys room----

I love it! I have way too much fun with the Cricut!

*I hope I don't become too much of a vinyl freak... I just freakin' love it though!

Valentines Day

2011-02-12T18:23:00.003-07:00

For Valentines Day this year Amazon is giving you 2 mp3 to give away as gifts just for free-- sounded good to me! SOOoooo--- for my family that is what I am giving:

Brad--- First Date by Blink-182

Hyrum--- Lean On Me by Bill Withers

Paul--- I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flats

Bryan- Firework by Katy Perry

There's gonna be lots a'dancin' at our home on Valentine's night!

Can you say...

2011-02-04T16:16:00.001-07:00

NO CAVITIES!!!!

Go ahead and click on that picture, enlarge it and enjoy those totally clean, healthy smiles a bit longer :)

Two years and counting of no cavities!

This was Bryan's first dentist appt. He did GREAT! He watched how good his brothers did and then just hopped in that chair like he had done it a million times oppened his mouth and watched "Trainin Dragon."

Hardware Ranch 2011

2011-02-04T16:14:00.000-07:00

We go because we love it, we go because

Tradition!

This One's For Me.

2011-01-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

I get down. I assume it is because I am human. We were made with all these emotions and sometimes I am happy and sometimes I am sad, but one thing is for sure- I feel. I seem to always have an emotion, I think that is normal, although my cousin Jen may tell me I could probably find a medication for that :) I think it is good to feel, even though sometimes I feel trapped in a bad mood. I do believe that happiness is a habit of mine. I really good, natural habit of mine. But I have noticed that if life seems lonely to me, I slip into a sadness. Weird thing- it could be lonely in any aspect-- lonely in my ward, family, friends, Spiritually- even if it is only one single aspect of my whole like, I let it get me down. Well, my dear Kati (that's, of course, how I always refer to myself haha), in times like these, you need to remember a few thoughts like these:

Happiness is a choice.

Love. I know you have a difficult time with this for anyone outside your little family, but LOVE. Yes, you have had friends that have really hurt you and you hide it well, but that big heart of yours is happier if it is open to all and it grows and grows the more you love yourself and all around you.

Labels. I could easily take a thoughtless comment from anyone and turn it into a dart and stab myself in the heart. "You look to be offended and you will find it..." WHO CARES WHAT THE HECK PEOPLE THINK. Never, never, never label yourself with what ANYONE intentionally and unintentionally says, feels, looks at you wrong, writes- any of that. IT DOESN'T MATTER. What really matters is what God thinks. He knows your heart, he knows your faults and he knows your strenghts and:

GOD MADE YOU AND GOD DOESN'T MAKE MISTAKES.

Now, have yourself a good cry, realize what is REAL and important, forget the crap and free yourself

from hurt, from labels, from criticism, from hate, from inadequacy, from sadness, from worry, from doubt, from second guessing your greatness.

You are loved. People do care. You really do have quite a great life. Three little boys count on you and you are a great mom to them. You have a husband that loves you and cares about your crazy ambitions and helps you accomplish your dreams one step at a time. The Lord loves you and has a plan for you. Life is what you make it, so make it a great one!

Ahhh... starting to feel better. I hope tomorrow is a bright beautiful day inside and out!

Snow, Undies, Bryan, Basketball and Brussel Sprouts

2011-01-08T16:25:00.001-07:00

My favorite part of White Christmas is when the Wallis and Davis and the Haynes Sisters are on the train and they sing the song about snow! (Hence the snow snow snow snow on the picture.) Bryan enjoyed the snow this year so far, well, he enjoyed eating it most. He thinks it is all to eat- even the dirty icicles that form off the truck! YUCK! A constant battle this time of year with that cutie. Every time it snows, I shovel the snow into one big pile and the kids sled down it- they love it!

My whole life Mrs Clause came on New Year's morning and decorated the tree with underwear and filled our stockings with school supplies. I looked forward to it so much, until when I was a little older and all my friends wanted to stay awake and bring in the new year with a party. WHAT??? I had to be in bed or Mrs. Clause would pass on by! Now I am feeling my parents were very clever :) We were always in bed by 8pm and they had the whole night to do whatever. Anyway, we celebrated this year a day early (I am so grateful Mrs. Clause is so flexible) and decorated the bedroom instead of the tree. I couldn't have my Christmas Decorations up another day.

Bryan is getting bigger! He looks so much like my brother David Brian (who he is partly named after) when he is sleeping- well actually all the time, but especially when he is sleeping. He finally is over 20 lbs and is still excited about everything in the world! He shoved a kernel of corn up his nose the other day. It freaked him out so bad (and me!) I hoped he doesn't ever do that again! I was able to fish it out in case you were wondering. My sister Jess used to shove everything up her nose, she went to the ER so many times they ended up just giving my mom the special tweezers. So there you have it- Bryan is all Miller: looks-Dave, Nose enthusiast-Jess, and Excited-me. Although, he doesn't have my dad's or Michelle's height, but I am guessing my mom had the spunk for life that Bry dude has :)

Today was Hyrum's first basketball game! He learned a lot! They don't have practice, so this was his first time playing basketball with anyone besides our family. I think he was quite scared to do anything- but did great! I am excited to see how he progresses. Paul is also in Itty Bitty Basketball right now! I LOVE itty bitty ball- they learn all the different skill you need to be able to play. I need to get a few pictures of it!

Lastly- we LOVE brussel sprouts- not cooked, just plain. I guess this is weird. I thought I better take some pictures before my kids find out it isn't normal. I had never had them until I got them in our Bountiful Basket in the fall sometime and I was so excited to get more today in my basket! My friend gave me hers because with all the ways she tried to eat them, she and her family just couldn't stand 'em! But we just LOVE brussel sprouts and eat them like candy! Which we like candy too, especially chocolate...

Discovering

2011-01-05T22:45:00.002-07:00

Along with seeking comes great discovery-- let me share a few gems from the book "Living, Loving & Learning" by Leo Buscaglia:

"Learning is [a] great joy. To learn something is fantastic because every time you learn something you become something new."

"I believe that probably the most important thing is that this loving person is a person who loves himself." -speaking of educators of every kind

"The only reason you have anything is to give it away." Ben Franklin also believed that all the knowledge he had was for the benefit of all mankind and that it should also be shared.

"The wonderful thing about it is that I could teach everybody in this room everything I know, and yet I will not have lost anything-I will still know everything I know. So it isn't a matter of giving it away, it's a matter of sharing it... It's the same thing with love... And so my responsibility to me is to make myself enormous, full of knowledge, full of love, full of understanding, full of experience, full of everything so that I can give it to you and that you can take it and build from there." Isn't that just beautiful!

"I see personality... as something that we have been missing for a long time. That something is uniqueness. I see it as being a unique individual, having within himself an X factor. Something within that you of you that is only yours, that is different from everybody else, that causes you to see differently, to feel differently, to react differently. I believe that each of us has this and I only hope that you've been fortunate to have met someone along the line who's helped you to develop it."

"The loving person is not satisfied only to unique, to develop his uniqueness, and to fight to maintain his uniqueness. He want to be the greatest, because he realizes that this is something he can give away."

"We think much less that we we know. We know much less than what we love, We love much less that what there is. And to this precise extent, we are much less than what we are."

"Let's get back to us. We have the potential to see and to feel and to touch and to smell, that we've never dreamed of. But we have forgotten how to do it. These are the things we want to be doing, if we care about ourselves and if we love ourselves."

"Things we stupid... You are all you have. Therefore make yourself the most beautiful, tender, wonderful, fantastic person in the world. And then you will always survive... When you recognize this importance of you again returning to a respect for you, a love for you, and realizing that all things come from you, then you can give to others."

"Perhaps love is the process of my leading you gently back to yourself. Not to whom I want you to be, but to who you are."

"If you are a loving person, you will rule words and not allow words [and labels] rule you."

"I also think that a loving individual is spontaneous."

"I think the loving person must return to spontaneity- return to touching each other, to holding each other, to smiling at each other, to thinking of each other, to caring about each other."

"The loving individual is one who hasn't forgotten his own needs."

"The most important need of all are what we need in ourselves- a need to be seen, a need to be known, a need to be recognized, a need for achievement, a need to enjoy our world, a need to see the continual wonder in life, a need to be able to see how wonderful it is to be alive. But we've forgotten how to look at each other anymore. We don't look at each other; we don't listen to each other; we don't touch each other. Not even our kids."

"Your kids grow so fast you don't see them... You've missed the joy of looking in their faces because you've been so busy, running around making things for them, that you've missed the joy. It's not the goal, it the trip that's life. Life is the trip; life is the process; life is getting there."

"We all have a need for freedom... 'Birds never sing in caves.' You've got to be free. You've got to be free to experiment, to try, free to make mistakes. That's the way you learn. I understand your mistakes and I profit greatly from mine. The secret is not to make the same one twice. But I need to be free to experiment and to try. Give me a chance. Allow me the freedom to be and to be myself and to find the joy I need."

"It is the weak who are cruel; gentleness is to be expected only from the strong. Those who do not know fear are not really brave, for courage is the capacity to confront what can be imagined... You can understand people better if you look at them- no matter how old or impressive they may be- as if they are children. For most of us never mature; we simply grow taller... Happiness comes only when we push our brains and hearts to the farthest reaches of which we are capable... The purpose of life is to matter- to count, to stand for something, to have it make some difference that we lived at all."

I read this book back in my college days. As I have wondered about the lasting value of relationships and friendships, I dug up this ol' thing and even in the first few pages I r e m e m b e r e d how great I saw people even last month. I started to loose grasp of that, and I hope to never let that go again. Also, I need to emphasize how important all compliments are to everyone. It lets them know that they are known, seen and not lonely. One thing that this book is missing is the importance of a loving Heavenly Father, the understanding and gift of the Savior, Jesus Christ and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. BUT it helps me see how to better see others and the influence I, and everyone else, can make in each others life's and the lasting value of love. I have found many more gems in my studies! I can't wait to share! President Eyring gave an amazing talk last conference!

One last quote by Leo, “It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”

Seeking

2011-01-04T00:23:00.001-07:00

I am seeking for lasting value.

This has been on my mind for two years. When Brad got laid off I noticed something. Something dreadful. Conversation. Sickeningly most all human conversation revolves around one thing. Money. Of course the reason I noticed this was because the only cash flow we had was going towards doctor bills with nothin comin in... But even since, the issue has never gone away. Sadly, I find myself talking about money often, too often. Money can be tricky- it can be talked about in a number of ways. The obvious one is direct. "I spent $40 on that ticket!" "I only got 20 bucks." "No, I don't want to buy that dog." The most common, I feel, is when people talk indirectly about it and one of the only reasons you notice is because you feel bad you can't afford what people talk about. "I got my hair cut, colored and styled yesterday!" "We are going on a cruise!" "We need to get that Wii game!" "Lets go out to eat!" Are you catching my drift? It seemed like most things were about what people had and what they want. Is that really all we can think of to talk about? Material possessions have no lasting value. Money has no lasting values... Relationships, friendships are shallow when this is the focus. So as I have thought about this (probably way too much) I have noticed a lot of things I don't understand about this society I have been born and raised in.

When we had arguments growing up, my mom always asked us, "Is that really going to matter in 5 years?"

I would say that I am not sure if what I do everyday is something that is going to matter in 5 years, but I want it to. I want what I do to last more than 5 years, I want it to last forever.

Time. They way we utilize it. Is there really lasting value in the daily things we do? Here is my list of what we spend our time doing and what I feel about their lasting value--

Blogging--- I say mostly. If you died today and kept a journal or blog- your children would definitely find lasting value in it. I do feel it could play against you too if it is too timely
testimony- lasting
Watching TV- I say mostly not. Very occasionally and I uplifted while watching TV.
Cleaning- yes and no. Cleaning itself-not so much, but becoming an organized person that refines character and, I believe, is lasting. So I guess you have to hit on step one to get to step two.
Looking deeply into your children's eyes- everlasting
Love-everlasting
Family- potentially everlasting
Teaching- lasting
Laughing- lasting
Cooking-- same as cleaning, but taking care of you family is lasting and fulfilling.
Video games- I believe do not have lasting value.
Walks--- I'd say yes. Mostly the talks you have while you walk and enjoying nature or structures or whatever you are walking through
Board Games- leisurely yes
listening to a heart broken friend- yes
Secretly helping out a stranger-yes
compliments- I am not sure on this one... Is telling somebody they are pretty everlasting? Maybe? But telling someone that you love a certain quality of their character? Blah! I really don't know! Compliments are good, because if they weren't good, they wouldn't be so hard to give :) Building others is good, but what about them do we build?
Befriending a special needs person-- yes
Worrying about peoples opinions of me-- so totally not lasting
God's judgements-- Forever lasting
friendships- I am really wondering about these. So many seem meaningful and so many seem so shallow. Do they really matter? Family is forever, friends... I haven't decided.
Visiting a nursing home-yes
Ipods-- probably not, but dancing with you kids along with your ipod is.
Taking pictures-- yes and no-- I easily get carried away trying to take a picture than enjoying the moment
Vacations-- yes, but frugality is truly a virtue and that is not to be forgotten.
Changing diapers a hundred times a day-- lasting value? Taking care of your kids is everlasting. I need to remind myself of this.
Going to the temple- Most definitely.
Faith-lasting
Learning, wisdom, knowledge- these have lasting value
Church- it is what you make of it.
Making flower clippies for the neighbor girls-- I am thinking there are more meaningful ways to serve others. But not a bad thing.
Watching sports- nope, I don't think so
Reading history- priceless. Lasting, yep
Reading to your kids. Priceless.
Integrity- Lasting
Expressing gratitude in letters or word- lasting
Sharing your skills, knitting, cooking, gardening, decorating-- Lasting
Virtue-lasting
hiking- yes
respecting and taking care of your body- yes
Loving who you are-yes
Loving everyone around you-yes

Why do we spend so much time doing so much of nothing!

There are so many stepping stones, like changing diapers and cooking and cleaning that LEAD to lasting value, but being the go-getter-antsy-slightly-crazy girl I am, I want to something more or different as well. In high school my favorite English teacher, Mr. Larsen, said this when someone asked how this school year was going, in his experienced wisdom, "Well, different faces, different names, but the same old thing." It was when I heard that, that I realized I was done. Done with High School. I went to my counselors office soon after and said that I needed to go to college. Not when High School was over, but now. I am done. She looked over my grades and citizenship and game me the green flag. Within a week, I was out of High School and onto College. I didn't make a difference in College, but the experience was well worth it. I have that itch again. I know there is more for me and my kids and I want to find it. I am getting the feeling that service is my key. The key out of the same old thing. Not to say "the same old thing" is bad. It is really good, if you can handle it. But going to college my senior year counted towards my High School Credits and College Credits. Doing more requires doing both. The diapers, the dishes, the floors, the FHE, family prayers, family scriptures, personal study and prayer, callings + whatever I figure is going to give us lasting value. We could literally entertain ourselves to death with all the gadgets and devices we have. We have been blessed with microwaves, dishwashers and washing machines and have a lot of time for many other things. I want to be a part of something bigger than what I am doing.

This is my year of searching,

my year to seek.

Follow The Prophet

2010-12-27T20:49:00.002-07:00

Our home teacher, Brother Hinckley, came by on Sunday. During the lesson he asked the kids what good things they can do.

Paul said, "Follow the Prophet!"

Brother Hinckley said, "Oh good Paul! What has the prophet asked us to do?"

Paul, "Don't go A-Straight!"

LOL! He must learn the best through music, I am guessing he gets is from the primary song, but missed what that last word really is (astray). I sure love that kid!

A brief update--- For the first time we stayed here for Halloween. It was super fun! The boys loved the Halloween Carnival at Hyrum's school and Trick-or-treating in the rain!

Hyrum is loving school and his best friends Annabella and Ethan. He is reading really well and has a mathematical brain like his parents. He is always having he quiz him on his multiplication.

Paul is funny. He is always making us laugh our guts out! He loves to play with friends, with brothers and even alone. I am still trying to figure out how he learns best. He is just learning to learn and remembering stories he is taught in primary. I wish I knew their trick!

Bryan is the sweetest little fart I know. He gets really defensive if he feels the need, but if his brothers or friends ask nice, he is the best sharer in the world. His voice reflects his mood and I love his sweet and angry and imaginary voices the most. He likes rules and loves to follow them and gets REAL ticked if somebody isn't doing things right.

Brad is studying a lot for the PE exam and is keeping close tabs on the football Bowls. Work is going well ---ya!--- Brad decided the other day that he don't like winter much. He misses hiking, fishing and being in the mountains.

Me-- man, I feel busy, but have no idea what I have done. I keep up with the dishes and laundry the best I can. Sweep and mop when I can. We have been reading a lot of kids books Oh my faves: Hiccupotomus and How Do Dinosaurs Say I love you? Also, I spent a large portion of my day building cool forts. Time flew when I was having fun! I should have been sweeping... I have a good life! I also started writing a book for my posterity.

Thanksgiving was with the Baxter's this year at my house. Hosting was actually fun! The girls who wanted to did some crafts, but didn't have time to do toenails.

Brad and I were in charge of the Ward Christmas Party. I wish we had taken pictures, it was like being in a snow globe. Most of the ward helped out in some way shape or form. It was a lot of work and I feel like it was a success. 1000 snowflakes, red table cloths, cinnamon scented pine cones, fresh cut pine boughs, fun facts about our neighbors decorated as gifts, a homemade movie about over 70% of the ward and their winter traditions and the yummiest dinner you ever had tasted! Even with all the work from so many people, I have learned that you can't please everyone and that if you are ever inspired to do an idea, do it. Don't worry about other people's opinions. Simple as that!

My sister's in law and my niece got tickets to the David Archuleta Concert with MoTab. That was incredible. Period. I kept thinking "His voice really is good." "He sings really good." "Could that really be coming from his mouth?" David was that good. I could hardly believe it.

Christmas was one the best since my mom passed away. Brad set the alarm for 4:30 am and got up the boys. They were so ecstatic for all the gifts! We had pigs in the blankets eaten by 6am. Later we went up to Mantua for the Town Party there and ate lunch with the Baxter's and went to dinner at my Dad's. It was a wonderful day full of love, conversations, gifts, yummy food, crocheting, games--- it was just so fun!

This was the family gift we got from Santa--- Brik-A-Blok. We LOVE them! I have always enjoyed making forts with blankets and disarrayed furniture, but this beats it. Oh I just got an idea, disarrayed furniture and Brik-A-Bloks! I am so on that! Anyway, t'was a great Christmas indeed, life has been good and is good for us! -------knock on wood-------

Fall 2010

2010-10-19T14:35:00.001-06:00

Fall at our house always starts out with hunting. We went to the Uinta's this year when we had time to scout out the moose because Brad drew our on a cow. This particular day was opening day and while we waited for the prime time to be in the prime spot, Brad pulled out his bow to take a few shots and the boys pulled out a shot of pudding.

I crocheted me a hat, which I had finished right before we left to go hunting. I love it- I would love it more, if I actually could stand wearing the dang thing...

Then Brad shot him a Moose. I landed in a river, just as it was getting dark. That ended up interesting. We tried pulling it out. Brad, me, and the boys. Do you think we could even get it to budge? No. But we got some help from some campers near by-- Many thanks to whoever they were! The cow did not have a calf- which I was happy about. She lived a good life and she sure tastes good too. There is something awesome about eating an animal that wasn't raised in slaughter house (not that I mind that either), was shot and cut up and cooked my my Brad. I can't explain it, but it is great!

I crocheted a few more hats for my little chipmunks for Halloween. I am sure there will be more on that later...

I bottled. A LOT.

I never have, but my wonderful friend Kirston spent the day teaching me. We did 4 boxes that day- 56 quarts. The next week, feeling more confident, I did pears all by myself :) I did 18 or so of those. Then, after having a box of tomatoes stare me down for a week, I finally got around to doing some Salsa. All of which I enjoyed and although I am SO DONE with bottling this year, I will do it again next year. There is nothing like hearing the "POP" after you pull those suckers out of the water bath!

My boy, my neighbors and I ran/walked a race. It was just a mile, but I did it for the boys. They loved it.

Paul turned 4. He is so dang wonderful. That kid sure melts my heart like skittles colors in my hand! Man he is sweet!

Bryan is as fun as ever. Here he is in the shower having a grand ol' time!

Here he is eating some delicious peaches with his friend Seth.

Sounds like all good news and life is perfect, doesn't it?? Haha- here is the bad news. Brad has been gone hunting every single weekend- making 7 weekends total. Then a whole week on top of that! {Here is his buck from Wyoming that took him about 14 days to get}

I will get over that though and life will get back to normal. But what won't get back to normal is my Tuesdays and Sundays. You see, normal for me is Young woman's. But...

I got released. And I am sad. (((sniffle))) (sigh) ... Life will go on right??? Really I will miss those girls. And the other leaders. And the YM. ((sigh)) I did get a new calling! Ward Activity Co-Chairman. I Co- with Brad! Yeah! It should be fun. I will make the most of it.

Awe- and these girls thought I was an 8 cow woman! How nice!

Oh crap- somebody found out I have a mischievous side...

Lastly- we went on a cruise!!! Yep all the way to the Provo River :) It was a Halloween Cruise- how cute. I don't have time to write about it, but it was super fun!

We got hit by lightening!!!!

2010-09-23T16:30:00.003-06:00

Shocking, I know! Here's how it played out-- Yesterday I was driving home from delivering peaches. It was storming and the lightening was flashing all over the place. I naturally count after seeing the flash, believing that every second that goes by after the flash until the thunder is approximately 1 mile. Two flashes in a row were less than a second, to me that meant they were close- too close. I got to a red light and I actually saw the lightening strike the ground about 20 yards away! I was getting a little nervous- but at the same time I felt ok because I was in a car. Just after I got through the stoplight and under the overpass and halfway through another stoplight, there was a crack. This was no ordinary crack, this crack sounded as if the sky and atmosphere directly above me ripped in half and shattered to pieces. A bight flash of lightening filled my window as I clinched my hands on the steering wheel. Just as soon as it happened, it was over. There was a green minivan in front of me that pulled over immediately, the guy dove out of his car and just gawked at me. I kept driving, not knowing what else I should do. I thought maybe the lightening hit me- but the odds seem too slim for that! So I convinced myself that maybe it hit right next to me. But no-- it did hit my car- right above my head in the drivers seat leaving this---

on the top of my car. Also any thing that was on my car- dead bugs, bird poop etc- was charred- burned to a crisp. When we did get home- Bryan was speechless. He sits behind me and his eyes were fixed on my window and his eyes were as big as balloons. His mouth wide open. Paul- who was lost in his own thoughts of his birthday, thought somebody just shot a buck :) I just kept my hands cluched to the steering wheel while we sat in the car in our driveway for a solid 10 minutes in silence before calming down enough to venture outside in the rain and run inside the house. I felt like a moving target! I still do!

I love Cascade Springs!!!

2010-09-21T12:35:00.000-06:00

2010-08-31T23:19:00.000-06:00

This was a big, big day for me. To jump off the highest platform at Lava Hot Springs has been on my bucket list for years. I finally got my chance! We went up last weekend as a family (more to come on that) and right when we got there, before everyone got all wet, I planned to make the plunge. Starting with the smaller diving boards and working my way up. Jumping from the high dive was a good experience. I pulled a small muscle or ligament in my groin because I didn't have my legs tight enough together. The bad thing was, was that I was really trying. Also when I dove backwards off the low dive, I didn't get my eyes shut, and that really hurt... I was a little worried because if you didn't do both on the platforms, you could get really injured. (The guards say that big injuries- spin injuries too- happen daily there, that surprised me). Considering that I would maybe never get the chance to do this again, despite my little pains, I made my way up the stairs to the lowest platform. I looked down at the water. I knew I could jump, I wasn't scared, it would be easy really. Then I thought of my boys, waving at me from the other side of the pool. I thought of my own health, and if that was altered, the consequences of that affecting my family wasn't worth it. Making the quick decision, the answer was no. I turned around and left. The thought came to me that just because I could, doesn't mean I should. It took a lot of courage to come to terms with that. Thrills are fun and exciting, but short lived. I had to see beyond that, and that was a big, big step for me.

The DMV

2010-08-26T17:53:00.001-06:00

Can you guess what is in this cup????

Hint: I got it from the DMV....

The boys seem quite nervous about it....

Can you see it????

A FROG!!!

It was in the parking lot and so I scooped it up in a cup and took it home... I was so excited!

Ok, ok... Not so excited I was going to kiss it... I already have my prince.

Unfortunately the boys weren't as excited as me.

They ran away.

They have a few things to learn. We need to watch Little Rascels again.

To keep the peace, and because I really didn't want to keep it- I just wanted to play with it ( I hate taking care of pets!) we let the frog go in our yard. I think he is pretty happy.

FADS

2010-08-23T16:47:00.004-06:00

First of all--- Hyrum is amazing. This boy has worked ALL SUMMER LONG for:MONEY.

He did chores, and a lot of them! He did the dished, cleaned rooms, made his bed, helped with laundry. A quarter or dime at a time and then maybe a nickel or dime for a bonus if he had a good attitude, he worked. And being the mean mom I am, there were many times he worked without pay because it is just what you do as a member of our family. And Brad being the kind and generous one, paid well for cleaning the lawn before he mowed. Anyway with all this work Hyrum bought:Some fads will fade right... Because as much hard work as this was, it has over run our house in a short week! I have let him play it a lot because, obviously, he work hard and saved long for it. But the day it fades will be a happy one for me!

Here is a fad that I dread fading!!! But fade, it will, along with the changing colors in the fall.

We go over to Thanksgiving Point and order us up some 25 cent ice cream cones.Enjoy them, of course.Then we let the kids (and Brad) play with this......contraption.Then we take a stroll down to the Hidden Falls. Which, as you can guess, is a secret.

Summer 2010: Family Campout!

2010-08-17T13:54:00.010-06:00

This year we went camping at Scipio! We had a blast!
Brad shooting the .22 with the boys who have been dying to shoot at the targets they won.
Hyrum seemed to love to shoot fast, as fast as he could!Paul just loves anything his dad loves. So naturally, shooting was wonderful to Paul.Bryan wasn't sure what the heck was going on with this, but loved doing what his brothers did :)

While eating apple sauce-

Hyrum: Let's eat, EVERYONE!!!

Paul takes a bite of applesauce and then says: Mmmmmm! Everyone tastes good!

We went on hikes

Looked for horny toads--- but never found any

Saw a lot of cow crap

I loved watching Bryan explore---

Brad, lovingly, takes care of all the meals that are cooked. I am so thankful for this--- I have this crazy fear of propane...Brawls ended in smiles.Brad took Paul and Bry on a bike ride, while Hyrum and I ran along side.We, surprisingly, saw quite a few bucks!

This was the best buck we saw-

Then we also a lot of rock buck and log bucks like this one :)

Sleeping in the tent was a little scary for the boys-- I remember when I was camping when I was young and when the lanterns went out- it was DARK, and DARK can be scary. Brilliant Brad thought to bring glow sticks. It was perfect. They played with them for a moment, but then began to drift peacefully off to sleep. It was a great trip! I am so thankful we could go!

Summer 2010: Hiking

2010-08-14T22:24:00.005-06:00

We have done a lot of hiking this year! I have always been big into hiking- so this has been the best year to be able to go hiking as a family!

July 24-We went up to the Uinta Mountains to go see if we could find some moose. We found one and did some fishin' and hikin' and diggin'. It was a lot of fun--- well except I forgot to bring shoes and to get to the river we had to hike a quarter of a mile in swamp. I scared myself so bad that I was going to be bitten by a snake or get leaches in between my toes. I was not happy about that--- besides that, we all had a great time! The boys just loved throwing rocks in, hiking and playing in dirt and mud. Bryan did fall into the water once, he cried, but then was ok and oh so happy to be doing boy things!

A few week previous- we went up fishing and hiking up to Trial Lake in the Uinta's and the boys hiked and fished all the way around it! They are such troopers!

July 31-Guess this mountain??? HINT: It's my favorite mountain!

We hiked up to the waterfall through Aspen Grove and it was BEAUTIFUL!!! So beautiful, in fact, that we had to come back the next weekend and hike all the way to the top. I forgot the camera though... Anyway, it was me, Brad, Dave, Paul and Amber Rice from my ward. We hiked to the summit and it was beautiful as ever! We went up through Timpanookie, which isn't quite as pretty as Aspen, but really it was so amazing!

This summer we have also hiked Cascade Springs and Bridal Veil Falls and Brad took the boys up the Alpine Loop somewhere to go shoot arrows.

WE LOVE HIKING!!!

Baptisms for the Dead at the Timp Temple

2010-08-12T14:20:00.002-06:00

This morning I had the opportunity to go with the YW and YM in our ward and do baptisms. It was joyful! It reminded me of the first time I went to the Temple. I went through the Ogden Temple and I was so excited. My mom gave me the best advice to not worry about remembering anything except with I felt at the temple that day. What great advise, because if it hadn't been for that advice I would have been pretty overwhelmed! Then the next week I went to the Logan Temple to get married and sealed to Brad forever. I was SO excited! I couldn't quit smiling. And every time I tried, I started to giggle about it. I felt a twinkle in my eye that came from the joy in my heart. Even as we were kneeling around the alter- the sealer pointed out that he just loved the way I looked at Brad. I knew exactly what he was talking about! What an amazing blessing it is to live a good life, free from the bondage of sin through repentance, knowing what is right and knowing that what is right is true and brings eternal happiness and joy to the core of my soul. It is that joy that feels my being as I enter the temple doors to this day. Every time I walk up to the temple I get excited. Then as I walk through the door, the excitement bursts out of me with a smile. This year has been very special. I cannot even tell you how many times I have been to the temple, but I have gone a lot. And when I start to lose my cool at home and I feel down-trodden and sad, I know where to go and I know what I need to do to find joy. That joy reminds me... Reminds me of what life is really about and that joy follows me all the way home. I feel so blessed to have shared the joy that the temple spreads with my ward members today. I sure love them. I feel so at home in my ward. From the Bishopric, to the other leaders, to the girls, to the primary, full circle- I call my ward members friends. Treasured friends.

Bryan's new trick!

2010-07-28T22:41:00.006-06:00

After watching him jump off the bed and doing a flip on Paul's bed, I am sure you see why I call him insane :) He just thinks he is just as big as Hyrum, that's all! After the hundreth time he did this, I thought I better record it on my phone- not the best picture, but I am sure you get it! MY CRAZY BOY! I SURE LOVE HIM!

Little Valley Days 2010

2010-07-19T21:57:00.003-06:00

Little Valley Days this year was so fun!

5 mile Dam Run with my sista Jess.
Took 3rd place with the time of 39:15
Parade that was short
.22 shoot out
I took 1st place (somehow) overall and got binoculars
Hyrum and Paul tied for 5th in 9 and under and won targets
Brad and Papa did horse shoe comp- had fun
Hyrum and Bryan did a watermelon eatting contest- had a blast
Ate lunch with my dad, Paula and the BX family- totally a blast
Won a few crazy prizes in the raffle (Monster energy pack with hat, wind chimes, and a buck knife)
Hung out with my fun family at the fireworks! Jess, Britt, Dave and B and kids were so fun to talk with!
The fireworks were totally TOTALLY fun- cuddling with Bryan and Brad! Loved it!

Got home well after midnight- church the next day was a nightmare...

Backpacking in the Uinta's!!!

2010-07-07T15:59:00.005-06:00

What a great trip!
DAY ONE: On Thursday, July 1, we dropped off my wonderful boys at Nana's house. Then headed for Roosevelt, UT to the trail head. We grabbed our backpacks, strapped them on and took off about 7pm. I was amazed by the beauty; the rocks, the trees, the rivers, the trail, the smell. We crossed rivers on logs and on rocks and swamps where you jumped from one high point to the next or matted down a bush to keep your feet from drowning. I hated my feet getting wet! Before we knew it, the sun had started to set. We whipped out some head lamps and keep going. We started a great climb up to the pass. We stopped often for us to catch our breath. As we did this we stared into the sky. There were so many stars! As we neared closer to the pass- the stars were dimmed by clouds and lightening. All around the lightening flashed. Thoughts that it would miss us quickly faded away as we quickly hopped off the path. Paul grabbed a plastic sheet he had in his pack and draped it over us. We held down the sides as the wind started ripping past. Then there was rain, hail, lightening and thunder. The lightening was so bright as it flashed so close to us. The thunder rumbled and echoed. I was scared- very, very scared. I cried in prayer that we be kept safe. All I could think about was my boys. Hyrum. Paul. Bryan. Every feeling and fiber within me pleaded that I would be able to continue to raise them and be with them. The storm finally passed after 15 long minutes and we continued up the pass, down the other side, then to a spring for water, then to set up camp for the night. It was 1am and we were beat.

DAY TWO: Brad had a fire going when I woke up this morning. It was welcoming with how wet we were. We stuck out of pads and sleeping bags and tent to dry before heading out once again. We ate french bread with honey for breakfast and headed to Fox Lake and Crescent Lake. After passing by those we had to cross another river that had no logs, no rocks to hop along, nothing. So much for dry feet on day two :) We hiked through meadows with meandering streams, woods that smelled strongly of pine, though bare gullies and on tops of hills. After many more rivers and missing the rocks and more sloshing of my feet we reached the Kidney Lakes. The sight was beautiful and the rivers had bridges! We hiked over to where they Baxter's have camped for many, many years. Our view of the Kidney Lakes from camp. We set up camp and got out the fishing poles and headed over to the lakes to fish! This was a BLAST!!! There was nothing better than feeling that tug, shouting "I got one," and reeling 'em in!DAY THREE: We hiked and fished all day today! From lake to lake. Here are the pictures- it was so dang much fun! Impressive. This 61 year old father-in-law of mine not only crossed over the rock with ease, but he also jumped over a 6 foot river with no problem!This rock was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHTCan you guess why??? It funneled the whole tiny stream down between the crack. Also- the rock was flat- this girl, who was so terrible as crossing over the rocks, fell in love with this rock! Notice I said WAS- I became better as the trip progressed. "I got one" said with a Scottish accent
This river was fun to fish out of. Tiny baby brookies were just a starving as they have been every year. "How did everything come out?" Lilly lake- no bites.This waterfall was above the Davis Lakes. It was so pretty and every time we neared closer, it looked even more pretty. So I took quite a few picture of it as we hiked.View from between the Davis Lakes.River coming out of Davis Lake.A moose! We also saw a couple coyotes, a few elk and my favorite was a couple of deer that watched me as I pooped. The whole time. I felt like we were quite good friend by the time I left to go back fishing. I wish I had my camera!!! Above Rainbow Lake and a no name lake. Rainbow had the BEST fishing. We caught all our big ones from it. Beautiful view from up there! Stories about Yoda, Shower girl, Ryan, Kidney Comer, Iron man, Shane, Johnny, Joe, Ed the Horse, Grandpa and Grandma Baxter and their horses, and many, many more. Surprisingly, I spent much, much, more time listening on this vacation than talking, which is an unusual thing for me- but I rather enjoyed it! "Huh, Dad." Brad loved talking about stories and expressing his opinion about everything and after that he always said "Huh, dad!" Paul talked about how Brad was always the boy he hiked around with Paul with his "nose up his butt crack and getting hit in the head by his bow" from following so close behind. Brad said he always had to smell all the farts too :) Brad looks up to his dad more than I have ever seen anyone look up to anyone. Those two were so fun to listen to.This evening we had a competition to see who could catch the most fish. We were reeling them in left and right. The biggest problem was- was that I was not about to touch a fish, let alone dig the hook out and throw the fish back in. Sooooo every time I caught one, Brad or Paul had to come and take care of it. Therefore, I won. Catching 16 fish in just over an hours time.I asked Paul what he likes best about being up here. His reply was hiking, fishing, being away from work- then summed it up by saying, "Up here... It's all good."Brad grew up coming up to the Uintas's every year from the time he was 8 to when he went on his mission. It is more hit and miss now that he has a job and a family, but I hope it is something he does with our boys as they get old enough to hike 50 miles.DAY FOUR: We woke up early and headed to Rainbow. It was overcast. We fished for a while before having to retreat to the "fire hole" for shelter and warmth from the storm. Some rain. Some snow. We got a fire going and stayed there for a half an hour or so. It lightened up and we headed to fish some more. I was too cold- so this was the only time I just watched. The snow started coming down and we headed to camp.

"Back in the good ol' days..."After it just kept snowing and snowing we decided it would be out best guess to hike out today instead of tomorrow. There was a chance, we assumed, that we could have a couple feet of snow on the ground by morning if it wasn't going to let up. We sat around the fire under some shelter Brad and his dad concocted (they are amazing to always figure out a way to meet their objectives) and then got things packed up. We left around 4pm, I think, and got back to the truck at 12:30am. The trail was hard to follow after dark. Everything had a coat of thick frost on it. Logs and roots in our trail were avoided at all cost as they were the slipperiest. We lost the trail quite a few times- I was scared and felt lost. But I did have the faith that Brad and his dad knew our where abouts and had things under control. It was funny because one instance where we had lost the trail we were walking along and there was a sudden drop off that the men didn't remember. After a confused minute, we recognized the optical illusion. It was really a lake, a dark, dark lake that appeared to drop off after the shore. I was wet, I was cold. But still tried hard to just endure. But that last mile, or so, which seemed literally at least three or ten- was when I got tired. Dirty, stinking, completely, sickingly, utterly worn out. I even complained. After a good nights rest at the bottom of the mountain, I was a lot happier :) Here are a few more random pictures and quotes:"Good crap!"I loved all the flowers! The rocks were also so beautiful with bright green and gray patches growing on them.

"Uh.... There are two beady eyes looking at me..." On the way out, just after dusk, I was wearing my head lamp. I look over to the right and staring right at me were two beady eyes reflecting brightly. It could have been any animal- I, of course, thought mountain lion or bear, but it ended up being just a deer. I was so glad!

Brad bragged and bragged about how great his boots were the whole time! haha! I wore trail running shoes that claimed to be water resistant- UH- NO. It seemed my quest everyday was to keep my feet dry. It was always a pointless endeavor. Especially when we were wading through the swamps and waist high willows at 11pm Sunday night. That was the CRAZIEST thing I have ever done for sure! This was when we had to jump over a 5-6 foot deep river to get across. Brad and his Dad could have jumped further, as for me, it took a heap of courage! I made it though after freaking out a little then telling myself I could do it.The biggest catch of the trip- amazingly caught by me :)West Kidney Lake

One thing is for sure... this girl had the time of her life! I am so thankful Brad and Paul let me tag along! I LOVED it!

26.2

2010-06-14T15:19:00.008-06:00

These wet, tired FEET...

Just carried us 26.2 miles!Saturday Kirston and I ran the Utah Valley Marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We got a ride up with this super hot man! It was 4 am and only insane people look this thrilled!Just before we started! It was sprinkling rain and we were excited! Little did we know that it would down pour just before the starting gun blew! But pour it did on and off for NINE MILES. It was something we will always remember, that's for sure :) This is mile 6- coming just out of the town Wallsburge- feeling good!We turn up towards Provo Canyon to some hills that I thought would be a lot worse. The sloshing in our shoes may have distracted us, but really the hills were a sinch.Can you spot us? We are the "Pink Warriors." We became a land mark to some and as they passed us, they would comment how they have been trying to catch the girls in pink for a long time--- haha!!!About mile 10- I am YELLING, "THERE'S MY HUSBAND!!!" Apparently the guys behind us was just as excited about it as we were!Can you see the fog and rain?!?!?! Ok- it was just the lens that was foggy- but it was raining!HALF WAY!!! I loved the tunnel! My mom- who was just as crazy as I am- taught us to roll the windows down and scream as we drove through tunnels- so what did I do? I screamed the whole tunnel of course! Of course I couldn't do it in just one breath like I can in the car... Brad was on the other side with some other LOUD guy cheering us on. I kept thinking- is that guy saying our names? And sure enough he was- he had asked Brad what our names were so he could cheer for us- nice huh! About mile 22 when I gave Brad my iPod that was ruined in the rain--- Oops. I was still feeling good. I know I look crazy, but I smiled the entire race!Every mile starting on mile 20 I though of each member of my family for that mile and just cried. Mile 20-21 my Dad including Paula. Mile 21-22 my mom. Mile 22-23 Bryan Baxter. Mile 23-24 Paul Baxter. Mile 24-25 Hyrum Baxter. Mile 25-26 Brad Baxter. And the last .2 went to Kirston. My family cheered and cheered for us as they bunny hopped us all down University Ave. My dad and Paula had the boys and Brad met up with them. One the most memorable things was watching them cheer for us at the top of their lungs. Clapping and jumping- shouting our names! I loved it and that I will remember also.... At mile 23 I also cried cause it was almost over and I just didn't want it to end. I loved EVERY minute of this crazy marathon! We looked forward to a rise in the road and we knew just after that- we would be at the mall to finish. As we ascended the rise- we were strong and feeling so great! At the top we could see the mall and where we finish- what and amazing feeling. People cheering on the "pink girls" and curving around the parking lot. Picking up our speed and feeling the excitement. Emotion smacks me across my heart as I see the blue finish, and my family on the side. Step, step, step and we finish at the exact same time. Then...We find a gutter and sit down :) Just like we had planned! I cried and cried- Brad was there, Bryan was there, and Kirston who had trained for 4 and a half months and just finished the longest run of our life's together. It was cool!!! What an emotional wonderful fulfilling feeling to finish a marathon!!! Thank you Isabel for the leg massage- they appreciate you!

Finally back on our feet!

As for our time- we got 4 hours 38 minutes. We never walked or stopped unless we were going potty, getting a drink or stretching out our poor knees :) I am happy 'bout it all!