Happy Birthday Keileen!!!

My 'big' sister's birthday today - probably the most influencial person in my life! She helped me find the Lord in my adult life, she took me into her home and family when I was at my rock bottom, she inspires me to do better and to look deeper. She is 11 years older than me so when I was a child, idolized her, I wanted to be a paralegal just like she was studying to become - I remember writing her at college and she wrote me back!! She also served a LDS mission and I wanted to do that too! I actually lived with them the summer their first child was born - that was another turning point for me. I also lived with them when I met Cory so that was pretty amazing. Anyway, I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to my sis - I love you Kei! Thanks for being the example and friend all the times I really needed one!!!

HAPPY 2010!!!

We hope you have had a very happpy Christmas and new year!

I have many things to update on this blog...I have been thinking 'why' 'what happened to my bloggin'? I came up with two answers: pride and paranoia. Let me explain... I was paranoid mostly because Cory was gone 7/8 of the time from April to October, and because we traveled almost every weekend when he did get home full time. I was going to privatize our blog but never did and so worried about giving too much detail to some stranger reading my blog. But Cory is home and we have settled down so I feel much more secure. Pride you ask? Well, yes, remembering pride takes on many forms, everytime I got online to blog, I would first check my family and friends to find out what was going on in their lives but then an hour would go by and I hadn't touched my blog!! I also started to compare my self and blog to others and think 'no one wants to read my blog - its not nearly as entertaining as so and so's or my blog is not half as thought provoking as so and so's or I'm not nearly so crafty or healthy or cool as so and so's- I would not write anything and I got to the point where I didn't even check any of my family and friends and had no idea where to begin on mine!!
I love all my so and so's!! I wanted to keep our relationships close by more than just blogging (or facebook - I tried that for a while and just didn't get the one liner things to do!!). So, here I am, my feet back on the ground, my life a little more focused and hopefully a little less prideful and little more centered on the important things. I have learned soooo much this past year and I am grateful for those opportunities but really, I am glad to move onto this new year!!

July 24,2009- Utah Pioneer Day

We went to Bear Lake with my brother's family -
it was soo much fun! Emily driving a wave runner
just kidding!

Owen LOVED the water!

Cory made it home for dinner & fireworks!

The new 'do!

finally my camera and computer worked together...

SO, what do you think?!

Suzi's visit

two of my favorite things - ice cream and gorgeous eyes!

another fav of mine- Emily sleeping!, sweet Cody chillin', Owen

And of course, when Auntie Suzi comes, Emily must wear a pair of her sunglasses!!

Suzi, Cory's sister, and I at the end of a great visit!! Notice the fantastic hair job- Suzi colored and cut my hair!! I still love it, thank you Suzi!!! Thanks for the delicious spinach and artichoke dip - yummy!!!, and the fun thrift store adventures...(if you want to see a funny video of the kids, go to sidebar of family and friends -Suzi and Kevin - Adventures in Logan post) And if I ever get my computer and camera to work at the same time, together, I will add more pictures - until then... beware, I may steal some pictures from your blog!!

Welcome September!

Autumn is my favorite time of year! I love to see the hot summer go and the anticipation for winter is exciting for me (mostly because I love scarves)! I love the changing of tree leaves (makes me miss Michigan - WOW!) and when I am old and rich, I will be an 'autumn bird' instead of a 'snow bird' and my second home will be somewhere with lots and lots of beautiful trees!!

Autumn is also nice to get more of a routine in our home...school does a lot for that! I can't believe still I have a child old enough for preschool- wonder what is like when she goes to "real" school. Emily is doing great! Her language is about to explode- she is now pronouncing b's and p's! She is such a friendly child and catches on quickly, even as the youngest in her class she is right there with them. Owen is getting so big - literally and figuratively! He says Emily all the time for things he wants...I am not sure if he thinks she will get it for him or if I say Emily too much so he thinks its like the word please?! Its cute either way! He is going up and down stairs pretty well and can open the fridge- bummer for Mom! The other day I found a few toys in the fridge!!!

Cory is still in Colorado but only two more weeks to go!! Hallelujah! He has learned so many different things but is happy to be coming home soon too! When he gets home, he will be getting a job and finishing up his turf management program long distance. I'm sure the ward will find something to put him to work doing- they gave me the calling of enrichment leader. Yes, again for the 3rd time- obviously, I am not learning what I am supposed to or I am just really good at it! (haha, I think its to develop my non-existent crafty side)

Well, we took forever to fix our computer screen which was actually cheap (Thanks Dad for the referral!) but now our disc reader is acting up - I really was going to post a bunch of pictures but sorry! I hope all is well for you and yours! We feel grateful for the opportunity to live each day and be so blessed with a fantastic family!!


ps Congratulations Kristina on delivering twins today!! Rosilee (6# 3 oz) and William (7# 6oz)!! I am superstitious/selfishly glad I didn't get pregnant this year - my brother's wife also delivered twins in June!

Update!!

So...its been almost two months since our last post! But what can I say- I don't feel too bad because I haven't had the internet (or desire to post until now)!!

Kaylynn, Emily and Owen have been in Logan now for 2 months and Cory has about 5 weeks to go in Vail to finish up his internship. We are having a great summer, all things considered :)

Emily went to a summer session at her new preschool and did so great! She loves school and we can already see improvement in her listening and verbal skills! Owen is growing so huge! He is semi-running, with a slight wobble, laughing, babbling and loves to play with Emily! They are both helpful with cleaning, laundry, dishes and even cooking when I do that ;) Emily starts school again on the 24th and Owen will have me to himself again.

Cory is learning new things and making good contacts for the future career. We get to see him every other weekend for 3 days now so that is pretty exciting! Kaylynn is now serving as the enrichment leader in the ward and is having fun organizing and invovling all the sisters in activities; and is learning a bunch more crafty-artsy stuff!!


Thank you to all our friends and family who have really helped out and given us support during this unique time for our family! We love you!!!