Bonko Camping Weekend

This past weekend was one of my favorite weekends of the year...Bonko Camping. For those who aren't familiar with this awesome tradition...let me explain what this is. Every year The Bonko Babes go up to camp for a night, then the families are all welcome to join us the next day. So not only do we get our girl time; but, we also get to see some of the husbands & kiddos and enjoy our time in the mountains together. It is just something not to miss!! This blog will be about the Bonko part. Part 2 will come with the families (lots of pics, doing inbetween everything else....so, best to split it up a little :})

Let me start with our way out of town. Here's Suzanne who's just driven the trailer into the pallet of mulch. You should have seen the look on the old guys face next to us too, watching us trying to get out of it...it was hillarious! And sorry Suz; but, I couldn't resist! I realize many of you, especially the guys, are saying "Damn Women Drivers!" But, hey, I'll stick up for her too....it's not easy pulling a trailer! :}

We made it...camp is set up, time to get some food in us!

One of the best parts is just getting that down time to sit & relax, enjoy our time together! You know we always have plenty to talk about!

Tina showing us her "Sexy Camping Self" :} Tracy & Lette made it! (before sundown too..yea! :})

It was fun to have MaryAnn's (and our's now :}) friend, Julie, join us. She was also with us on our adventure to Napa...what a cutie!

'Princess Deanna' got to celebrate her official birthday with all of us...what a great way to celebrate your day!

Tracy just had to bring her new dog, Dodger...or is it Dodger Bailey something something Newby? That was a debate! :}

He's such a loveable dog, we all enjoyed having him there!

We actually forgot the Bonko Box, so we had to come up with a creative way to win the prizes still (yes folks, we do still play when we go camping! :}). How about musical chairs?

Yea, musical chairs while you dance around the fire...that's smart! No, really, it was hillarious. Continuing on with our "We can still be kids" moments!

Chris won that round! OMG, seriously about peed my pants watching this one!

The party continues...everyone survived musical chairs!

You'll notice the birthday girl managed to keep her tiera on all night! :}

"Duurrhh"....OK, so normally I wouldn't put some an actractive picture of myself; but, Lil' One liked it & insisted I keep it. I always manage to pull some great faces in pictures!

Another year down & many great memories made once again. Sure do love my Bonko Babes....can't imagine life without them!!

Goodbye Our Friend....

This week has been a tough week in seeing our dear friends, The Thropp/Katris Family, lose another family member...our buddy, their brother, Mitch. This would be the 3rd sibling in 5 years...besides losing thier mom, as well, not much earlier than that. I know God throws out those challenges & obstacles, and I truly believe there's a reason for everything; but, I also don't think one family should have to experience so much pain & tragedy like they have. It really just doesn't seem fair! My heart just breaks for them right now & all I can ask is that you keep them in your prayers.

I can only hope that our friends & family always know how much we truly love & care about them, and that they know we are there for them, through the good & the bad times. You never know when you might not ever get the chance again! I also want all of you out there to stop & think about how precious life is & to not take it for granted. I'm not trying to preach...no one can truly understand what's going on in your own head & personal life; but, yourself (hell, that's hard enough...if only you could see the inside of my head! :}). Everyone has their own demons & battles we have to fight....some obviously more than others. But, know there IS help out there, that people DO truly care & will be understanding & will be there for you. I also know that sometimes there is nothing else we, their loved ones, can do besides just being there for them. Appreciate every moment & memory you can!!

WE WILL MISS YOU MITCH!

P.S.....Have I told ya I love you today?

That's Our Dyl-Pickle!!

So...we're at Costco tonight. I had Dylan with me since we went straight from Tae Kwon Do. We're walking down the isle, all of a sudden I can't seem to find him. Where did he go? Off to find more samples? Knock Knock I hear...oh, look who it is!!! Of course instead of immediately trying to get him out, I thought...that is a Kodak moment! Oh that kid of ours!!

Happy Friday!!!

Our boy begins the adventures of Jr. High!

Am I really old enough to have a student in Jr. High?! Seriously?! This morning I got to take Bradon to his new school to get his locker & find out his class schedule. Oh the memories that brings! Or shall we say "nightmares" that brings. Seriously, I STILL have them periodically...that I'm there in the school, have no idea what my schedule is, where my classes are, or can't get into my locker...you'd think they would go away; but, no! It's a scary time (for both him & us as parents!)...it's such a big change from what they're used to! So, first thing we do is go try out his locker. Guess what?...he couldn't get in! I guess they messed up the #s on a bunch of them & the guy was having to go around & fix them all morning (we went back after my class & fortunately it worked then. I was afraid he wouldn't get to try again until the 1st day). We walked around to see where his classes were, get familiar with the school. Why you have to go from one end to the complete other inbetween each class I don't know...you would think there was a better system; but, guess that's the luck of the draw. Watching all the other kids there getting thier info reminded me of what a hard, crazy, whatever word you want to use...age that is. Young teenagers all think they are just the bomb! It's funny really, they do make you laugh! Let's just hope he survives it all right!

Another Season Of Softball Comes To An End

The summer softball season has once again come & gone. We were proud to take 2nd place (sure, 1st would have been nice...but, 2nd is better than all the rest below us! :}). It's crazy to think I've been playing now for 30 straight years (you would think I'd be good by now! :}) This is a great team, we really all have fun playing together & work well as a team...which is the key!! I've also really enjoyed being able to play at Murray Park, which was pretty much my second home in the summer time while growing up. My old Boys & Girl's Club is just down the path there from our field and the pool there behind us was a hot spot....fun times for sure!

The game in action..."Pitch him a strike Kev!"

"C'mon, hit it to me!"

Cute little Megan, aka" Chep" patiently waiting for her turn at batClint, our fearless coach, about to hit another slugger (well, he was ready to if they weren't walking him that is!) There's a reason he's #1 on the batting list with an average of over .800..he rocks! :} Meanwhile Kristy, who is known for her splits on 1st base, is in the batter's box

Alex in good stance, ready to put some power into it....look at those legs! :} We like to throw an end of season BBQ after the final game. Doug, Kevin & Steve (Powelly) getting some laughs in all ready(Clint) Zundel...aka: Slugger!
Kristy with her adorable son, Quinn
Sheree and one of her sons Ashley with her kids, Hailey & Sam, friend, Jeff & Kevin's daughter, Lauren Alex & her friend, Harut
It just wouldn't be the same without our great fans...like Peggy (Steve's wife) & of course, our Dyl-Pickle (who was still mad at me for having to wear his new shoes at the game...long story short, I forgot my bag..no cleets or mitt! YIKES...haven't done that one before!)

Jada, Lauren & Kaley always make great cheerleaders too! Jared's cute family...oh, his son is a ham, he was running around with a huge grin on all night!

Always good to see Kevin's family too...wife, Monica, with her long time friend. And Spencer down below...what a stud!

See you guys next season...oh wait, that's the fall league which all ready starts next week! :}

A visit with Daniella

Our friend, Daniella, came in town this week from Florida for her school reunion. I was surprised & excited to first see her come join me for some Jazzercise this morning (what, I bug her for years...and it takes her moving & visiting to finally come?! :} j/k Daniella!) Then tonight it gave us a good excuse to have a girl's night out at The Oyster Bar. Not that you need an excuse to meet up with the friends; but, it always helps when someone comes to town! :} It was great to see her, and the others again...we had a fun visit! Luckily I'll also get to see her again when she meets up with us in New York! (that's her official home town...she has to show us around! :})

She does always got to pull a face! :} Silly Daniella!

So proud of our boys!

Just had to be the proud parent & share....Dylan did pass his test, he is an official black belt now! I knew he did it as well as the test went; but, it was still exciting to get the official word! He does do well when he focuses...the problem usually is actually getting him to focus!! :}

Also, not to leave out Bradon...he found out tonight he is the official quarterback of his football team this year. Awesome, we're so proud of him! He really does work hard...practices every day & possible waking moment he can. He all ready forsees being a Utes Quarterback some day! (now that would be awesome....keep on working hard Bradon! Kaley can be your cheerleader! :})

Oh, how proud we are of our little ones!! :}