A Roadtrip Down South

This past weekend we got to take a roadtrip down to Southern Utah...which, as you may know, is a place we really enjoy! We'd live down there if it were easy enough to get up & go & start over; but, we all know it's never that easy! Some day maybe! We appreciate Utah Barricade for taking Doug down there periodically, and letting us tag along. Usually that's for work; but, this time it was for a golf tournament....which is his favorite thing to do! We actually had a free weekend, which is very rare for us..so we were happy to join along! It was perfect weather & very nice to just take the weekend slowly with no busy agenda!! Since the cold is really kickin' in up here, I was glad to escape for a few days! It was great family time, something we just can't get enough of!!

We're off & excited to hit the road!

While Doug was golfing, the kids & I took a drive up to Zions, stopping in Springdale on the way in...it's a cute little small town, a very peaceful place!

We stopped in at the store my cousin, Christine, works at...she's a cutie! We also got to meet up with Uncle Dave & Aunt Mimi, and cousin, Emily, later that night for ice cream. I meant to get a picture of them too, darn it! :} (what, I missed a Kodak moment?! :}). We do love them all...they really are a great family!! it was awesome to spend some time with them!

First stop in Zions, Checkerboard Mesa

Next stop, Weeping Rock

Got to love it when the kids are all getting along! :}

Walking through The Grotto area...what gorgeous country!

The boys enjoyed all the exploring they got to do!

She sure is growing up!

Check out what was right in front of us. Actually there were 8 in that field; but, this guy didn't seemed bothered at all!

So much for the getting along part! No, kidding...they were just having fun (he wasn't really about to punch him, though they do like to gang up on Dylan!)

Isn't she just sweet?! :}

...or not! :} We'll call this the "My mean brothers won't let me play pool with them!" moment

We always like to go up to Pioneer Park, up by Dixie Rock (not sure if that's the official name; but, it's where it has Dixie painted on the side & overlooks the city...great place for the kids to explore!).

Dylan has this thing for doing handstands everywhere lately, just had to capture it on top of the rock! :}

"Look mommy, there's St. George down there!"

And there's that little town we love

My boys

I love the red rock everywhere!

Then it was time to play in the pool!

There goes Dylan & his handstand again!

Having fun together again! :}Doug is so good with the kids, I love to see him playing with them!Yep, I think they're having fun!On the way home we decided to take a little side trek to see Cedar Breaks National Monument. I always thought it was farther in & can't believe I've never seen it after living here almost all my life! Doug, who is normally no where near any edges with his fear of heights, appeared to be a little more relaxed this time! This is by Point Supreme.Yes, we live in a beautiful state!I loved seeing the snow on the red rocks...something you just don't see too often! Now from Sunset View...I can only imagine how cool this would be to see during a sunset!OK Doug, now we're feelin' a bit daring today apparently?! Made me nervous! Love my man!Kaley was keeping her eyes closed, she wasn't diggin' the canyon so far down!And final stop at North ViewWhat, now he's bringing Bradon in on his dangerous antics?! (it's all good really, it wasn't like an immediate drop behind him; but, still...) Amazing to think how the canyons were created! You seem so small when you look over into this incredible landscape!

I've realized more & more lately how much we can take for granted all that's around us. It doesn't matter where you live, it just seems to be that way. So, my goal is to NOT do that & for our family to see more sites that we haven't seen yet. Especially when they are in a short distance like some of these places! There's a whole world to explore!

Our Baby Turns 6!

As I mentioned, it was also Kaley's Birthday this weekend. How fast the time flies!! I'll never forget the day she was born...I was determined to be more prepared this time around (as if you're ever really prepared for a new baby! :}). Since I went early with the boys, I planned to go out on leave early too so I was ready to go. I was not going to leave work just hangin' for others to do like before (again, as if I even knew that would be the case before...you don't exactly plan to go early!). It was a smoother pregnancy (which I contribute much of that to Jazzercise)...I felt pretty good, I only had 1 more day before I went on leave. But, sure enough, I had her the next morning. I didn't get that last day in, so it didn't go exactly as planned (I know, I know!). She was only 3 weeks early, so it wasn't quite the concern as the others. But no problems & her personality was evident right from the get go. We laugh about her constant thumb sucking (which I believe she has finally kicked the habit!!)...she was sucking her thumb in the ultrasound, and then sure enough she comes out with one hand on the umbillical cord, and the other with her thumb in her mouth (kind of like a little monkey! :}). No tears, just as content as could be! Mom actually got to be there this time, which I know she was thrilled to witness. The boys were excited to have thier sister (as mentioned on a previous blog, Bradon had begged for a sister for a good two years, so he was more than anxious to get her home!)...she was truly our little angel!

Her birthday celebrations lasted all weekend. It started with her class party on Friday, and she wore that hat all weekend! On Saturday, Grandma came to be with her at the football game. We then we had our own family time to open her presents after that.

She was just whining about her old bike being broken just this morning. So she was very excited to get her new Bratz bike (which hopefully we can take the training wheels off soon, we're just not quite there yet!)

We let her best friend, Bailey, go with us to Boondocks (it's her birthday this week too!)...and she got to sleep over We then had her official party yesterday by taking her & her friends to the new Madagascar movie..which was very cute! We came back after to do presents & cake & ice cream.
How fast they grow!

Our weekend of fun...

So this was definately a very busy & eventful weekend. It involved Bonko Night (which was another night of many laughs :}), the final football game of the year for Bradon, the Football Banquet @ Boondocks, Kaley's Birthday, and her party. Feelin' a little pooped now; but, all worth it! That's what weekends are for, right?! :} We had another nice fall day..so we were glad for that too! (despite the big snowfall just earlier this week...there's Utah for you!) This is what I caught the boys doing while they were "raking the leaves". I do have to admit, I remember how much fun it was being able to play in the leaves as a child. We would always spread it out in Melissa's yard to make it a home with the different rooms....and you couldn't cheat to step over the "walls". Kids are always easily entertained! :} Here you see the typical brothers...boys will be boys!

Mom came to Bradon's football game & surprised us with a brand new car for her & dad. Trust me, if there was anyone cursed with bad luck on cars, it's them unfortunatley. So it is very well deserved to finally get something new!

Bradon got one more shot to show us his moves as a quarterback this yearThe team for one last picture Presenting the coaches with some gifts at the Football Banquet. First was a framed shirt with all the players signatures ...and then some shirts with a picture of the teamBradon getting his award for Outstanding LeadershipWe sure are proud of our boy!

Then it was time for them to let loose & play all the games & rides @ Boondocks. We got the Go Carts in, the boys played Laser Tag, Doug & I hit a few balls in the batting cages, played the games....definately a place full of all kinds of fun!

Tag, I'm it....

I've seen a few "tags" going around different blogs on different things...thought they seemed kind of fun. So, I decided to play along....

8 Shows I like to watch:

1. The Office

2. Grey's Anatomy

3. ER

4. Desperate Housewives

5. Ellen

6. The Today Show

7. So You Think You Can Dance

8. American Idol

8 Restaurants I like to eat at:

1. Applebees

2. Market Street

3. The Porcupine

4. The Olive Garden

5. The Golden Braid

6. The Soup Kitchen

7. Iggy's

8. Cafe Rio

8 Things that happened today:

1. Kaley had her class party @ school

2. I had a mammogram (yea, exciting I know...just trying to be a responsible old fart)

3. I came to work

4. I chatted a little bit on Facebook

5. I read up on the articles on that fantastic game last night!

6. I laughed my butt off on my friend's blog about cooking Sheppard's Pie

7. I read a few blog updates, which made me smile & bring tears to my eyes

8. I texted a few friends

8 things I'm looking forward to:

1. Thanksgiving (including the annual Jazzercise class that day)

2. Christmas

3. The Pink Floyd Concert

4. The Niel Diamond Concert

5. Going to St. George next weekend

6. Bonko tonight

7. Kaley's Birthday this weekend

8. Jackson Hole next summer (the final of the "40 Parties")

8 Things on my wish list:

1. For my kids to grow up happy & healthy

2. To win the lottery

3. A laptop

4. More time

5. To get my whole family together again all at once

6. For someone else to do my cleaning & laundry

7. New appliances! (washer/dryer, dishwasher...need to replace them all!)

8. For Peace, Love & Family Home Evening (that was for you Sherrie :})

OK, you're turn!.....

10-0 BABY!!!!

Oh wow...what a game tonight!! It was "The Blackout" night where our guys wore thier new black uniforms (which looked great)...the fans were to wear thier black. It was strange actually to look out & see all that black verses red. But, cool & fun to mix it up (though Doug was nervous that was going to mess the streak up!). It was a very important game with being two top ranked teams, both undeafeted in thier conference. This all with a possible BSC Bowl up at stake...yea, it was important all right! It was the 2nd largest crowd in thier history with over 45,000 people..and oh was the energy awesome! I'm still in awe of that ending! OK, let's be honest, it wasn't such a great game until the last few minutes. I mean it was really...a nail biter the whole game, always within a touchdown; but, we never had the lead the whole game until the very end. Why is it our Utes like to do that? And for TCU to miss 2 fieldgoals in a row, we didn't think that could happen! Either way, it was not helping my anxiety & blood pressure levels!! :} But, wow...to FINALLY take the lead with only 47 seconds left in the game was just incredibly awesome! The crowd went insane!! So amongst the other thousands, Doug & Bradon decided they too, would run down on the field. I stayed back to hold all our stuff; but, now wishing I did too. They got to meet some of the players....Bradon even got his picture with Bradon Godfrey (he liked they had the same name :})...(will add those pics later since I'm still waiting on them). So....2 more games left in the season. Very much looking forward to that final game against BYU!! :}

The Blackout

Bradon just had to miss practice for this one tonight!

Our buddies that sit behind us

And the crowd charges the field...they were going nuts!!

Bradon & Daddy just had to do it too!