Monday, February 23, 2009

Mini-Reunion with school friends

As you hear me talk about often....I love any chance to get together with good friends or family. A few of these friends I've fortunately been able to stay in touch with over the years, through emails mostly, as we've gone on with our busy lives & moved all over the country. Since blogging & Facebook came around, it's been all the the better in being able to stay in touch, and reunite with old friends that we lost track of along the way. It happens, we realize that; but, it's nice to know they're never forgotten! :} And there's something about those that you grew up with too. Those who you shared your hardest years, and certainly some of your funnest times, with. The time when you were learning about life, who you are, learning from your mistakes together, and all the ackwardness that comes with that part of growing up! So, fortunately, when Heidi Northington came in town, it gave us a better reason/excuse (not that you need one) to get many of us together. I've known Heidi (as well as Allison Givens & Stacey (Nelson) Hoogveldt) since Kindergarten. Actually I think we went to pre-school together too if I remember right. Regardless...a LONG time! Heidi's mom used to put up with us girls all the time. We practically lived at their house & slept over almost every weekend. Fun times for sure! So here we are, 35+ years later from when we met & still our same fun selves! :} Ruby Pehrson so kindly opened up her beautiful home & we were so excited to have so many be able to show up!
Alli, Heidi & I together again

It was also fabulous to see Sandra (Kidd) Pannell too, who recently moved back to Utah (though she swore she never would! :}). Sandra & I grew up on the same street, so also friends from a very early age. We got in all kinds of mischief together over the years! Many fun & crazy memories...oh the stories we could tell!

I haven't seen Holly Lunt since school either...so, another fun one to be in touch with!
Glad to also have JulieAnn Carter Winward there too. She's been fun to be back in touch with, and exciting to hear her living her dreams through art & writing.


Stacey & I

Also fun to see June (Thurmond) Florendo & her adorable kids too!!


Holly, Sherri (Ewell) Steed & Michael Roberts all getting some good laughs in!

Kaley just adores Ruby!! She was attached to her all night. I wish I got the picture of her walking around in her stilletos too, darn it! :}


Awesome to also see Lesllie (Harris) Elsmore & Stephanie (Pearson) Riddle. Steph was always one to make you laugh...she hasn't changed a bit! :}


Alli, Sandra, Ruby & I..."The Westside Girls". Yea, we're bad, YO! :}
Oh, fun times! Sure do appreciate the chance to be together again!! :}


Go Jazz!

Doug has been very fortunate to get to see a lot of Jazz games this year. This all thanks to Cal, his boss, for generously handing over his season tickets. He often has Doug give these to clients; but, has let him keep many of them. I seem to usually be teaching or something, so he'll take the kids along. Which they love of course! Luckily, I have still got to see some great games myself. The one this night, against the Current National Championships, Boston Celtics, was an incredibly awesome game!! Not too many people expected them to win, despite their current winning strea, & they came out fighting. OK, let me rephrase that...they started fighting the second half. The first half, not so good. But, whatever...we got the W & the crowd was going insane. Got to love witnessing those moments in life!

The night started with Bear riding out on this killer Harley

Let the game begin!


Watching Garnett in action was a thrill as well...he's got skills, that's for sure!


This amazing 8 year old jammed on the drums @ halftime

Bear getting the crowd riled up!

Sadly, just 2 days later Jazz Owner, Larry H. Miller, passed away from complications to diabetes. He's done a lot for our city & kept the Jazz alive here in Utah. he was nominated Utahn of the year in 2008...a title he so well deserved. For all he's done for our city & state, we here will be forever grateful!

Larry Miller, may you Rest In Peace!

We officially have a teenager!

BRADON
13 YEARS OLD
It's crazy to think how fast time flies & how our first born is all ready a little man! Of course that day he was born was one we'll never forget! Let me try to recall exactly how that day occured....
As I wake up in the guest room (due to tossing & turning & moaning & groaning all night), I wonder "Did I actually wet the bed? Ooohh, that's gross!" About 10 min. later..."Humm, wonder if my water broke. No, can't be....I still have 4 weeks left. I have things to do, I'm not ready yet. Oooohhh gross, I wet the bed! Maybe I should call the dr. just in case. No Doug, go ahead & go to work because it CAN'T BE!" (denial is obvious here!) After calling the dr. who told me to get the the ER, I then proceed to call my dear friend, Chautel, who was then my manager. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "Hey Tel, I'll be late, my Dr. insists I go the the emergency room for a check. It shouldn't take too long, will be there in a couple hours I'm thinking"
Chautel: "WHAT, NO YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE HAVING A BABY TODAY!"
Me: "Oh no I'm not, I'm not ready. Plus I have a lot of work to finish up before I go on maternity leave. I just CAN'T be having a baby today!
Chautel: "Just get to the hospital, don't forget your bag, we'll get the work done, don't worry!"
Me: "No really...I HAVE to finish up these claims, I'll be there in a bit!"
Well, you get the jist. Denial, denial, denial. Soon I was at the hospital being informed I am, in fact, am having my baby today. Guess I should call Doug who's now at work. Other good friend, Connie, was soon to rescue, to keep me company. Poor thing had to bear with me all day...God bless her! Of course she swears this is why she never wants to go through pregnancy either! Because I wasn't dilated, they started my labor & that made for an awfully long day. It started @ 7 am & @ 4 pm I was still @ a 1. And because I was extremely sick from the potassium, I couldn't even keep ice chips down. Just not fun. But, we all know all worth the result! My dear sister, Colleen, spent most of the day there as well. Her & Connie kept my spirits up, keeping me laughing. Doug was a nervous wreck; but, did well in massaging my feet & whatever else I needed. Into the night, more of the family showed up. The waiting room was full. My cute sister, Jen, & her friends were all there playing Phase 10 in the lobby for hours. It was also the night of our Lamaze class, which we obviously missed. The teacher came upstairs to say hi from the class. Finally by around 7-8 I was starting to dilate a little more. Seriously was ready for the epidural! But, they wouldn't do it until I was at least a 4. Hello...I was in pain here! :} And then a few more hours later, I went from 4-10 in no time. 3 pushes later, there he was. The whitest haired baby I've ever seen! And of course the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. For 4 weeks early, he was still good size! He did need some oxygen; but, not for long. Whew...what a long day! And of course, bringing him home was scary..you are NEVER REALLY READY! Doug so kindly offered to take the first diaper change. He learned very fast why you keep little boys covered. And they can also mess on the changing table if you take to long too! :} We didn't even have a bassinet yet, so we got creative & made a little bed with a pillow & blankets in a VCR box. That's kind of funny now! I hope he'll forgive us for making him sleep in a box. It was either that or the dresser drawer I took out (which I think I thought of from the Seinfield episode :}).
So, here we are....13 years later. We've watched him develop his sweet personality & appreciate the relationships in his life from an early age. He really does care a lot about his family and friends. He is very driven in achieving his goals. Like with football, he takes the training very seriously. And now with the basketball. He loves to learn all the statistics & know his sports trivia. He gets the fact he has to work hard if he wants to be good. These are just a few of the things that make us proud to call him our son! Now let's just hope he stays that way & doesn't give us ANY grief! Ha Ha :}
So, for his birthday, he just wanted to hang out & have a sports day with his buds (of course!). That made for easy party planning. The only problem we had was that our rusty old basketball hoop managed to break the day before (though he had no idea we had a new one just waiting for him on his birthday). They played some football, their own version of street baseball & then some basketball once we go the hoop up. They certainly got their exercise! And I'm sure they had a great time!
Dylan & Toby say "Happy Birthday Bradon!"


"Awesome!!"
Once again our awesome neighbors, Paul & Dan, came to the rescue in helping us get the hoop up quickly.



Drew being his silly self...he loves to talk BYU smack to us. Apparently he keeps forgetting who actually went to the Sugar Bowl (though we like to remind him)
Kaley wants to play too!
Daddy right in there with the boys (well, he is a kid at heart himself)



HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADON...WE LOVE YOU!!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Valentine's Celebration

This year we got to share Valentine's Day with a bunch of loved ones. The kids, of course, had their school parties & have been filled with plenty of treats all week. I got to start the weekend with Bonko night at Tracy's...which was fun as always. Then friends, Julie & Scott Neilson, held a Valentine's celebration at their house, for the special day. Of course we had a blast; but, looking through these pictures, it appears the kids may have had even funner. Good pictures is always a sign of a great time, right? Thanks again for hosting guys!! :}

Hey look...twinners! :}
Blowing Valentine's kisses to you....

The boys kept themselves busy with play swords & the Wii



We're not surprised that the kids, once again, had to get out & do a little dancing for everyone are we? (by the way...look at "Flex". That name his teacher gave him seems to fit him well!)

The girls had all kinds of fun together. First they were happy to be in barbie/princess world, then they found the kitty's house, which seemed to be funny to them. Silly girls!



And then they found the dress up clothes. I lost count how many times they actually changed outfits; but, you know they were in heaven at that moment!
Daddy & his girl (I love this pic!)

We hope the rest of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day and got to share & feel lots of love around you!! Know there's some from us being thrown your way!! :}