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.

Lauren's Baptism

I am a little behind on my blogging, but I wanted to remember this day. Lauren was baptized on September 4, 2010. She was so excited to turn eight and have the opportunity to be baptized. What made it even better, is she was able to do it with her best friend, Avery. Months before, Lauren and I went dress shopping. It was a little bitter sweet as I watched her try on these little white dresses. It seemed like yesterday that I was putting her in her blessing dress. Where does the time go? When the day finally arrived, she was so calm and so excited. What a great day to watch her and her dad. I love Jeff for being able to baptize her. I love how loved I felt that day with all the family and friends that came to support us. I love that I have been given the opportunity to be this amazing little girls mom. I am so blessed. Amazing family and friends.

Lauren and Avery are truely sisters at heart!

What an amazing family I am blessed with.

I love my parents

Two of my favorite people.

TRIATHLON!!!!!!!!!!

I finished an olympic triathlon!!!!! I am so proud of myself. 2 years ago i came down with the flu the night before. It was really hard, but I did it. this year I felt like maybe I had something to prove. The whole weekend was so fun. My two sisters Lesli and Megan flew in from Texas and New York. WE Played at rigby lake for awhile. we let lesli swim, which was kinda funny. WE went to Bear world and played with the animals. Then it came down to getting ready for the big day. I had to start at 7 and everyone else strarted at 8. My family was all there to support me and I love them so much for it.

We all swam pretty good.. I was able to knock off 9 minutes off my last time. I really enjoyed it.

I loved the bike. I felt great and was really enjoying my time. Jeff took some awesome pictures on my bike and run. THe run was so hard. My legs were jello. I finished and was so excited to see all my family at the finish line. I feel like I set out a goal and I accomplished it. Doing it with my family is amazing . I love them all.

It is hard to believe that it is over. YOu train for so long and then it is over. I have the greatest support team. I counldn't do any of this without Jeff. I know he hates it sometimed, but is still my number one guy. I love my family and the accomplishment we did. We are one proud family.

Girls Camp 2010!!

The greatest girls and leaders!

We had some of the greatest priesthood come up

A day at the lake!

Flag Ceremony

Some of my awesome help!

I love girls camp! I have been the camp director for a few years and love it. I was recently called to be in the primary presidency and new this was going to be my last year for girls camp. It has been bittersweet. It is alot of work and time, but oh how I love the leaders and girls. I knew we needed to make this year one of the best. We decided on the theme "Heroes of the Heart." We got the opportunity to go Heber Valley Girls camp. If you have never been there, I highly recommend it. They call it the Temple on the mountain. I have done alot of girls camp, but the spirit at this one was so amazing. We had some amazing devotionals and firesides. I had the most amazing assistant and the greatest leaders you could ask for. I had 27 amazing girls that made my last year the best ever. My heart has been very tender since we got home. We sang our song in Sacrament meeting and I cried through the whole thing. It has been an amazing ride and I will miss it tremendously. I Love Girls Camp!

Happy 1st Birthday Luke!!!

He loves to play with any type of ball.
H e is my little helper! Haha. He loves to take out all my silverware!

One year ago, my whole world was turned upside down. Luke came into this world so early and so small. He was a fighter from the beginning. It has been a long year, but we made it. It is hard to believe my baby is 1. I love this little man more than I could ever express. Some of my favorite things are:
1. I am not sure this is my favorite thing, but this little guys has never slept through the night. As I said, it has been a long year.
2. He hates the feel of grass on his toes. It is so funny to watch.
3. He loves his blanket. He loves to suck on the corners.
4. When he is tired, he plays with his ears.
5. His smile and laugh will melt your heart.
6. He is a momma's boy and loves me unconditionally.

This little guy has brought so much joy into our family. I can't imagine life without him.
Happy Birthday Luke!

Much Needed Vacation!

California Adventures: Mom, Morgan, Lauren, and Andrew
Dad and the kids!
Jeff kindly points out that I have a smile on my face.
We loved lounging by the pool. It was the kids favorite.


Breakfast with Characters was so much fun.



Happy Anniversary!




Our view from Our balcony.
The bunk Beds!

M&M world


I am a true believer that Disneyland is really magical. We took the kids last week and it was everything I hoped it would be. We decided to drive and stop in Vegas for a night. We stayed at a place called Red Rock. It was so nice. We took the kids down to see the strip and wore them out. I forget how dirty the strip can be. We got up the next morning and headed to California. It was a long drive , but the kids did so good. We finally made it to our hotel. We stayed at the Grand California and it was amazing. The atmosphere was so fun and we were right on the parks and downtown disney. The rooms had bunk beds for the kids and a nice bed for Jeff and I. When we stepped out on our balacony, we were loving our view. The whole park. The kids were so excited that we headed to the parks. It really wasn't as busy as I thought it might be. We tried to do everything we could fit in. We were afraid that Morgan wouldn't be tall enough, but she was and was able to go on pretty much everything. Did she love everything? No! We took here on Splash Mountain and she was so scared that she screamed and cried. When we took her on Tower of Terror, it a whole other story. When we got in the elevator and in our seats, Morgan would not talk or move. The whole time Jeff and I kept looking at her laughing so hard. She did so amazing. That was the only time we could get her on it. We were able to have breakfast with the characters and get lots of characters autographs. It was days filled with alot of walking and alot of rides and lot of laughter. The nice thing about staying on the park, is that when you get tired you can go back to room or pool and relax and then go back later. The kids loved the pool and wanted to swim everyday. The weather was so nice. We couldn't have asked for better. Jeff and I were able to celebrate our 12 year anniversary while we there. It was fun because that is where we went on our honeymoon. To celebrate with the kids was really fun. Jeff even surprised me with a massage. It was so nice. We Headed back to Spanish Fork and back to reality. Hope you are ready for some serious picture overload. Pictures of Luke are to come next.