Flippin bird

About a year or so ago, I ended up with a huge cyst on my right middle finger knuckle. At first it was no big deal, but then it started to get painful. If it got bumped it swelled, after i ran it swelled. I finally had a hand surgeon look at it and he said it had to come out. He wasn't sure how bad it was so he thought it would be best to put me under. So under I went. He thought he could scope it at first but ended up being sliced open with 15 stitches later. It is healing pretty good, but dang has it hurt. Jeff has been a great nurse.

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving at the Mendenhall house is anything but calm. This year was no exception. When all of us sisters and Mike get together, it seems to get a little loud. Ok alot. I love thanksgiving at home. There is nothing like it. Is it crazy? YEs but I love it. The food was amazing as always. We attempted black friday. That was hilarious in and of itself. I really do love being with my family. I think my mom only had one tantrum and us girls only had a few. The good thing is we get over them fast. I know our husbands wish we could get over our tantrums that fast with them. We also decided to attempt family pictures with our camera. Note to self: do not attempt in freezing cold weather, a new born, a very tempermental 34 week pregnant lady and no professional camera man. All in all they turned out ok. Lesli and Dan blessed little June on Sunday. She is beautiful. I didn't want to leave her. The weekend was amazing. It was defintely time to go home, but the next day I was ready to go back. Sweet baby June. I love her, but am so glad I got to hand her off.

All the grandkids with Santa and Grams and GRamps

No words. I just love them all.

Luke loves his gramps

Can't be thanksgiving without bowling.

Don't ask, but boy does he make me laugh

The weekend before Thanksgiving I had an amazing opportunity to go to Time Out For Women with two pretty amazing women. I have decided that girl friends and girl weekends are a must. I met these two beautiful girls many years ago. They loved me for me and have always no matter what. We have been through some difficult times to say the least. There strength is amazing and inspiring. The weekend was full of food, tears, laughter, and late nights. I also learned that I snore really bad and they thought that was pretty dang funny. It was a weekend to always remember.

The weather was so awesome for Halloween. We had just got home from St. George, so we kinda through together costumes. Andrew was a baseball player, lauren was a punk rocker, morgan was a witch and of course the little man was buzz light year. The Beals and Garsides came over and we had a great time. Can't believe halloween has come and gone. It was fun to see the kids growing and going out on there own.

Trying and Failing.

I have so muc to catch up on it is scary. I will get there. In the mean time you will have to be patient. I have this sweet friend, who i so open and honest and I want to be just like her. Life has been harded the last couple of months. I have cried and yelled and even thought about getting in my car and not coming back. ( yes I came back) I love my children, I love my husband and I love my life, I am just really tryiing to figure out who i am! I am struggling with it. I dont like change, I dont like me. It is coming. Please stay tune for good blogs. Fun ones are to come. Lots of love.

Fall Baseball!

Andrew played his last tournament of the fall in St. George. The weather was fabulous and it was a much needed mini vacation. I have become such a baseball mom. I love to watch it. More than anything I have loved watching my son love baseball. They beat one of the best teams in there pool. Andrew caught two of the fly balls and RBIied the only run of the game. The smile on his face said it all. My mom and dad were able to come with us and they always make the trip fun. My parents are my heros and I'm pretty sure my parents loved watching baseball as I was. Andrew has been put on a great team. He has many some really great new friends and loves baseball.
We got a little bit of fun in between baseball. My mom pushed my dad in to the pool only to realize that his wallet and phone were in his pockets. How great is my dad? He just handed to my mom and went on playing with the boys fully clothed. We are still not sure the phone will work but he has 10 baseball boys that thinks he is the coolest. Poor Luke didnt feel good before we left so we hand long nights and cranky days, but by saturday he was his silly self. We took the kids hiking and swimming, shopping and yogurt. I was so grateful to have my parents there. I know we are all biased, but I have the greatest parents. They are amazing and my kids think they are the greatest. There was this little crevis that the kids walked in. They were so silly.

I love these two boys.

I have no words for how amazing these two are.

My cute little family on top of our hike. Minus Andrew but it was still fun.

Poor Luke felt like crap the whole time so this is what he did. Love you.

Love Her!

Love him!

Andrew up at bat! So serious

Luke and I just hung out.

Go Lynx!

I am so proud of my son. He has come along way and has practiced really hard. He is turning into a mighty fine young man. His little brother worships the ground he walk on. Thanks Andrew for letting do this with you.

Catch Up in a nutshell!!

We have started school and fall is in the air, What more can I ask for. We had an awesome summer running around like crazies. I wouldn't even know where to begin catching up, so this is our last 5 months in a nutshell. Does anyone read blogs anymore? We have played alot of baseball, and still going. Andrew is playing excellerated baseball and is loving it. We have had 3 birthdays, dance recitals, competitions, a few family get togethers, ran a 10k, and did a sprint triathlons. I also got to spend a whole weekend with my sisters and family with no kids ( that's a whole post in itself.) I also still realized I totally love my husband. He really is the best. Hope to do better with the blog thing. Andrew did awesome with city baseball. Jeff was the coach and it was busy!

Ran the speedy spaniard and did it under an hour with a bummed calf!

Still Love him!

My dad came to some of Andrew's games! Luke Loves grandpa!

Last part of the triathlon leg.

I had the best cheering section. My family and Garsides were there to cheer me on!

Lauren turned 9. Where does time go.

Luke turned 2. Love him.

Much Needed Vacation!

It is no secret that the last few months have been probably been some of the most humbling and hardest months of my life. My grandpa passed away the first of December and his funeral was on my birthday. It was a great way to spend my birthday, celebrating a great man. He was 93 and reunited with his wife and son, what more could I ask for? Still, a hard day non the less. Not even a week later, one of my best friends ( lives right across the street and is a second mom to my children) husband passed away very unexpectedly. He was also one of Jeff and I's great friend. We loved Jim and my children loved Jim. I was with her children when I recieved the news. My heart was broken for this family that I loved as my own. As the weeks passed, I was humbled by my sweet friend Leslie's strength. As I struggled to understand all that had happened, I had my own rock! My sweet husband. He was so patient and loving as I spent time with Leslie and he loved me when I just needed to cry and never questioned me. There are no words how grateful I am for him. Needless to say, Christmas was very bittersweet. It was very humbling and sweet. Jeff and I had decided that we wouldn't really do much as far as santa for each other. If any of you know my husband that is not how my husband works. Christmas morning by my stocking was a week long cruise to the Western Carribean. REALLY!!!

We left toward the end of february as there was still snow on the ground here in Utah. As we landed in Miami, the temperature was 80. Oh my gosh. The vacation started with a night in Miami right on the beach. We walked and on the beach with no kids, no yelling, just my hand in his with the ocean on our feet. We loaded our boat the next afternoon. I was a little worried about seasickness, but my doctor gave me a patch and it worked great. We were at sea for 2 days and I swear all we did was eat! So much food. The temperature was never below eighty and the sunshine was great for my skin and my soul. We laughed and slept and ate. Our first stop was the Cayman Islands. The water was so amazing. Everyone we talked to told us to go to the Stingray Park. Now I love the water. I always have. But, as we took a 45 minute boat ride out into the middle of the ocean and there was a little sandbar with 100's of stingray, I Panicked. My poor husnband almost had to push me in. They were so slimy and all they wanted to do was rub up against you. So what does my sweet husband do, tell me to stay in the water while he got the camera!!! I am so glad I could be his entertainment. He Loved it. He held them and even got a back massage by one. OOH!!! The rest of the day we walked around the town and did some shopping.

The next stop was Cozumel. This was my favorite. I was so in Love with the town and the water. We did a dune buggy ride that day and had a great time. I even put an alligator on my head. I did have a helmet on! The town was so fun to shop and walk around. Of course Jeff spoiled me as always. Love him. The rest of our time was on the ship as we headed back to Miami. This vacation was so great. My husband knew just what I needed. I am pretty sure I never stopped smiling. Did I mention I got all the Diet Pepsi I wanted and I didn't have to get up and get it. It was brought to me. HEaven. I love that this trip reminded me how lucky I am and how much I am still in love with my husband. I am so blessed and so grateful for him. As we touched down in Utah, it was snowing. Back to reality. So grateful for him.

Our view from our Miami hotel.

Our Cruise ship

I did ok for about 2 minutes and then they started touching me.

No explanation needed

Do you see how big the dang thing is?

We was getting a massage! Gross

I could have done this all day!

These were on our bed every night we came to our room

Could I ask for anything more. I so love this man. Thanks for a great trip.