Daredevils

Well, after being gone for what seemed like a long time, we're home, and I'm finally starting to catch up on stuff a little. We had a great time and did all sorts of fun stuff. First, we celebrated my Grandparents' 50th Anniversary, which was fun. Almost everyone was there, and some of them I haven't seen in years. The kids and I stayed with my parents for a few days, and then we all went to a reunion on my dad's side. It's been even longer since I've seen some of those guys, and it was fun, too. We camped at the Heber Valley Camp, and there were challenge courses, among other things. The first day, we put harnesses on and were pulled up about 20ft or so and dropped, swinging in the air back and forth for awhile. I was brave and tried it, and it was fun! Carson got to do it as well, but he didn't go all the way up. The next day, Mike arrived, and we went on paddle boats on the lake. That afternoon, we went to another challenge course. First of all, you climb up a 25ft pole with notches, which is hanging from above, so it swings a little. Next, walk across a cable suspended 25ft in the air while holding onto a rope. Last, repel back down to the ground. I decided there was NO WAY I'd try it. Of course, Mike never even asked me, knowing that I don't respond well to pressure. In the end, I decided I could do it, and I'd prove it to myself and everyone. It was scary, but I did it! Mike did too, and he was so fast! Carson really wanted to, but he was a bit too small. Who's kid is he, anyway?

No Dogs!

After more than a month of being restricted to the side yard while our baby grass started growing, Roscoe is back in the yard and playing with the kids. The older he gets, the better he is with them, and they love him. Of course, who knew how much I don't like dogs, since I'd never had one. We figured out pretty quickly that dogs do NOT come in my house. No matter whose dog, how large or small, how "well trained" they are, they do not come in!! It makes me so angry and grumpy, even though I try not to be that way. we've had people bring dogs to our house before, and I spent the whole time trying to pretend that I was happy through gritted teeth. Not cool. So we have a strict NO DOG policy in my house, NO EXCEPTIONS! I figure my house, my rules. At any rate, Carson has decided once again that he's a puppy, and he's been very insistent that he is the one exception to my NO DOG rule. And lately Natalie is crawling around after him like another little puppy, so now I have two dogs in my house! But at least they don't lick, pee, bark, shed, or jump on furniture, right? Ha, ha, ha, I wish.

Family Pictures!

While we were visiting Mike's family, we got our family pictures taken. It was a Christmas present from Mike's parents, and it was so much fun! We love the way the pictures turned out! Thanks for such a great gift! Here are some of my favorites.

Our Family:
Natalie and Carson:

Mike and Michelle:

Carson and Mom:

Natalie and Mom:

Natalie and Dad:

Carson and Dad:

Dad and the kids:

Mom and the kids:

Mike:

Michelle:

Natalie:

Carson:

Relaxing Weekend

We went to visit Mike's parents last weekend, and it was so nice and relaxing! Carson went with Grandma and Grandpa on Wednesday night, and Mike and I took Natalie on Friday. Carson had a great time, but I sure missed him. I forgot my camera!!! Loyce took a few pictures of the kids at the dinosaur museum, but of course I didn't get any of Grandma and Grandpa with the kids. Next time...

Here are Carson and Natalie outside the museum.
Carson, Natalie, and Me next to a wooly mammoth. The thing was huge!

Carson and Natalie

Carson and Natalie digging for dinosaur bones!

Carson and Natalie with Grandpa Len.

Mommy's Helpers

Here are my little grocery shoppers. They each have to make a menu and then a grocery list, which we then take to the store so they can cross off items we buy. Oh, and sometimes Carson puts things on the list that I don't want to get, but he really thinks we should, because they're on HIS list. Kids are the cutest!

New Friends

Carson has recently made some new friends that have moved into a couple of houses up the street. He loves this, and it seems like every day he asks to go out riding bikes with Dallin. I love it! Natalie usually tags along, so my house is relatively quiet for a short time. Last week we had some hotter days, so the kids played on the slip-n-slide on day (no pictures!) and the next day, we filled up our little swimming pool. Here are a few pictures of them swimming.

Carson, Dallin, Lily, and Natalie

Five Years!

Mike and I celebrated five years of marriage last weekend. So much has changed in my life during that time! My parents came to stay with the kids. Mike and I went on a nearly 14 mile hike and then out to dinner, and then we stayed at a wonderful hotel here called Destinations Inn. If you are ever anywhere close, consider staying there. We stayed in the Rio De Janeiro room, and it was awesome! The kids went to the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa, so I don't have those pics. Then my parents spent the rest of the weekend with us, which was great. We walked around the temple, did yard work, tried to race monster trucks, and just had a good time relaxing. Thanks for coming, Mom and Dad! Here are a few pictures from our weekend.

Our family at the temple:
Grandpa, Grandma, Mike, Carson, and Natalie:

Our family:

Grandma and Grandpa at the temple:

Natalie at the temple:

The boys playing with monster trucks:

Carson and Grandpa flying a kite:

Carson and Mike flying a kite:

Baby ducks at the river:

Baby geese at the river. Apparently we didn't take any pictures with people in them at the river.

Wii Love It!

This was fun! I just realized that Grandma is in most of these, so sorry Mom. But they sure are entertaining to watch.

Carson and Grandma boxing on Wii.

Carson and Grandma boxing again.

Mike and Dean boxing

Grandma and Grandpa boxing

Grandma and Grandpa boxing again