Happy Anniversary to us!!

This picture above is why we had a simple anniversary this year!!
It really is hard to imagine that it has been 15 years for us!! - Although as we watched our wedding videos -a tradition that I make Todd and anyone available endure each year we can tell that the years have past! We looked SO much younger, skinnier, and for Todd, much fuller hair on top. When Todd picked up the flowers, Brandon was with him and he wanted Todd to get the orange flowers. Funny. We did go out for the evening to Applebees and Coldstone. We had gift cards which was good since the before mentioned orange flower lover now has some new hardware that we are paying for!!

Cub Day Camp

AHH --Day Camp - It started the day after Trevor's birthday this year. I ended up going 2 days as a group guide/ cubmaster. Todd actually went the one day that I wasnt there. He enjoyed just being a dad helping out. This will be the last year for Trevor and probably me too. The weather was great. One day they came home just a half hour early. We had 18 boys go! It was a huge group but they had the best time and they were very well behaved!! One of the dad's came the first day and pulled out a big igloo during lunch and said -OK it is trading time and then proceeded to show the boys all sorts of great snacks/junk food to trade for their fruit and sandwiches etc. It was actually very funny and the boys thuoght that it was a hoot.

The leaders in charge did a phenominal job and we so appreciated them and the fact that we were not incharge this year!! It was fun also to see friends from many different wards and another stake as well.

Trevor is 10!!

I cant believe Trevor is 10 now! His birthday was June 23rd. we had a family party this year. He has wanted a Nintendo DS for a long time - has saveed some of his money and then Gma C helped with part of it. Other than that he requested cinimon rolls for breakfast which he helped me make the night before. We went swimming ( he played with 2 of his best buddies there - Josh aqnd Carson) and then to Red Robin and took advantage of the birthday specials there. It was a great day. It was awesome to have my mom there too. He also goat a great book frm Gma and Gpa E. Thank you!!

notice anything different?

The boys welcome for Grandma

So with the girls we had a great day out - see below post-- However, the boys had a different way to welcome grandma. Our neighbor friend came over with his corn snake - I did not ever realize how much my mother hates snakes!! The one good thing is that we finally found a home for Trevor's turtle, Fred and now we can still visit!

Girl's Day Out

My mom is here visiting for several weeks!! It has been so great to have her here! We have done alot of hanging out, visiting, shopping, games movies etc etc. The day after she came the boys and Todd were on a scout fishing trip so it was just the girls. We browsed the Barn - a fun antique shop and had brunch at Dream Pastries. Christen felt like she was so grown up. It was a fun day. I love you mom!!

Tagged - Again!

Wow -- I feel so important! - OK so I have self esteem issues. - No really, my good friend Julie - who I miss SO MUCH -- tagged me. Thanks!

5 things on my To Do list today

1. Sleep in! -I just got finished with cub Day Camp -early mornings and long, but fun days.
2. Laundry
3 Put away laundry - different job because there was still some folded clean laundry to put away from the other day.
4. Go shopping with my mother who is visiting! Went to Kohls and she bought me a few skirts. I am so excited!! Love those Kohls sales!!
5. Go to the library - drop off books, pick up books. By the way, I just LOVE our library. - It is my "happy place"!! Also go to King Soopers - grocery


5 things on my Life Long list

1. Another 15 years plus forever married to Todd. -- and that for my kids too!
2.Go on another Cruise with Todd -maybe for our 20th. With or without our kids -I dont care.
3 Travel Europe and also Back East in the Fall. New York, Church sites etc
4. Lose weight (having issues right now) and stay exercising.
5. Be debt free - car , house everything.

5 sweets that I enjoy

1. Strawberry Twizzlers -never cherry - see other tag list!
2. Death by Chocolate ice cream form King Soopers/ Kroger. - outstanding!
3. Any Chocolate really. Symphony bars are a fovorite -the ones with the toffee bits.
4. Krispy Kreme donuts
5.Squeeze Smoothies

5 books that I have read

1. Anne of Green Gables
2 Any of the Sisterchicks books by Robin Jones Gunn-fun easy reads - Julie, you would like them!
3. Travels with Charley
4.Work and the Glory series - took me a LONG time -
5.3 Weeks With My Brother


Books that I am currently reading

1. Sisterchicks Go Brit.
2. Nickel and Dimed - On (Not) Getting by in America
3. I am rededicating myself to the Book of Mormon. Brandon is so good to read every night on his own. What a good example to me!

Places I Have Lived

1. Chicago, Illinois - Westchester actually
2. Spring, Texas - Houston Area
3. Geraldton, Western Australia - Close to Freemantle and Perth
4. Whangarei, New Zealand -Near Auckland
5. Hemet, California -Near Palm Springs area
6. Provo, Utah -BYU
7. California Oakland Mission - Brentwood, Livermore, Foster City and El Sobrante
8. Sonora, California - Near Yosemite
9. Colorado Springs, Colorado
10. Denver, Colorado
11. and finally, Castle Rock, Colorado for the last 10 years - probably will stay here!!

I will tag now Suzette G, Diane C and Ann O - or anny of you out there that want to or need to feel "important" like I did! - kidding

Happy Father's Day!

The shirt for Grandpa said, "property of my Grandkids" He was on the phone with Todd's sister at the time we were leaving -

We had a great day today. Actually we also were thinking about the fact that 2 years ago yesterday Todd had his accident and we are so grateful that he is still with us! That whole thing really changed our perspective on life and how thankful we are that we are an eternal family. We really have been closer as a couple and a family since then and the experience definately made us stronger. Enjoy each moment!

Backing up a bit --- After going to the temple yesterday we hung out as a family and saw Kung Fu Panda together. I must be superstitious because I wanted things safe and all of us together.

Today we let Todd sleep in, made his breakfast and had decorated the house for the occasion. He had bought himself several practical gifts -camping gear, new weed whacker so there wernt any surprises other than a cool Dad fishing t shirt - Dad - my best fishing buddy. After church we went to see Todd's folks and have dinner there and visit. It was nice.

Primary Temple Trip

On a side note, in a few days Todd and i will be celebrating our 15th anniversary!! What a long time! We are so grateful to be together and where we are today.

Here is a back view of the new haircut

Yesterday was our annual ward temple trip. We had missed last year for some reason so it was fun to go this year. We has breakfast snacks and then several people from the ward talked to us, including the bishop about the importance of temples. Our Home teachers family also spoke. That was cool because he is a recent convert and their family was sealed together and their son CJ -who comes to home teach with him spoke about being sealed to his parents. He had such a great testimony for the youth to hear. We also got a great 8x10 print of the temple to put in our home. I'm so glad that now Brandon has had the chance to take part in doing baptisms. He takes that very seriously as well as his duties as a deacon.

I've been Tagged

Well - I havent done this before but my friend Monica tagged me and this may be a little harder than some I have seen. I actually have to think.

7 things about me that are "Quirky"

Let's see ---

I love Cherries - I just bought some at the store - but I HATE HATE HATE anything cherry flavored or with cherries - yogurt, cherries with chocolate, ice cream -anything --ICK!!

I already mentioned the Sudoku thing. I really do have to do at least one a day.

I pop Todd's pimples. I know it is gross - but I can't stand whiteheads. I cant believe we even both still get pimples. We really are too old for that!


When my kids get loose teeth I have to try to pull them out. I dont understand it when other kids have their teeth dangling by a thread. It drives me crazy!! I usually use dental floss I never have figured out the string tied to the doorknob thing!

I have to have napkins at the table. I guess I am just messy- but I have to hold one during a meal - even if I dont use it. When Todd and I lived with my in laws for a few months before our kids were born I was amazed that they didnt keep napkins on the table. Maybe it is just my family!! I am like that with tissues too. I usually have a tissue in my hand - just in case and even at bed time. ( my allergies have been worse this season, I must say).

I trim up Todd's eyebrows. - No big deal I guess but when I was growing up with my dad he had way bushy eyebrows but never let anyone ever touch them. It drove me nuts! I got the last word on that one because when he passed away 12 years ago - from today in fact - I trimeed up his eyebrows while he was laying there in the coffin!! Creepy? I dont know. I love you dad!!

Housplants stress me out. We have three token plants in our house. I am amazed that they are still alive. - Actually maybe we have 4. I just dont like having the stress of knowing I have to keep them alive. I guess I am too busy keeping my husband, kids and the dogs alive, I dont know. I dont mind plants outdoors or potted flowers during the summer, or flowers in the garden. I even like getting flowers to put in a vase to enjoy because I know that they are temporary.


I can actually think of many more now - but I will leave it at that.

I guess I am supposed to tag a few other people so I will tag KeriLyn, Gwen, Wendy, and Alissa

Yes- another Band Concert

I have never uploaded a video from my camera so I thought I would try. It may not be a good copy at all. We will see. Todd's band played this past Monday at a community ice cream social. Mostly the same music as memorial day weekend. Todd's parents were able to see and hear him for the first time.

Christen's Locks of Love

This is the second time Christen has grown out her hair for the Locks of Love program. We just realized that her hair is 10 inches so we decided to go for it. She often complains about snarls -I can't blame her - and we have been talking about it for awhile now. We went to Great Clips - yes- I know - but they give a free hair cut if you donate. The hairdresser was worried because it was going to be very short. It didnt bother Christen at all and it really does look cute!

Sorry - the pics ended up being backwards -

Sudoku

I have wondered for a long time why people like those sudoku puzzles. a friend of mine was doing one while waiting for her kids and she explained it to me. Now I am hooked!! They are so fun and good for your brain too!

First camping of the Summer

You really have to love to camp to go camping! It really IS all about the kids. Todd decided that we should go camping right away after the kids got out of school. --Not the next day- but that very day! Actually, to be fair it was a family decision. The last day of school for our kids was a half day -Thursday after Memorial Day. I like to hang out with the kids on their last day to be with them for the paries, activities and goodbyes. So, I felt a little crazy getting ready --

By the time we got home Todd was already home off work. He had packed up most of the big camping stuff but I still needed to get the food, clothes ready. It had been a hectic week so I hadnt really started packing. We got in the door and everyone was exhausted. Brandon actually crashed on my bed for an hour while the other two hung around and I packed up clothes got the cooler ready and made tin foil dinners. Trevor and Christen helped some I must say. When Brandon woke up he said, "ok I will pack now!" He also was worried about his new middle school -"Mom, what will it be like?, what is the bus like (we have always carpooled) what about my friends?" Etc etc. He had shown no emotion at school that day but now it was all settling in. Poor kid. He will do great. There is a brand new middle school right near us and his scout and church friends will all be there.

Anyhow, we all got going, made a stop at Todd's folks for a piano lesson for Christen and then off we went. We went to Rampart and had a great time. The dogs and kids were in heaven. There was great fishing and the boys each caught two fish- we ate Trevor's for dinner and Brandon released his - but he did earn the fishing merit badge at least. There were huge pine trees to climb and Gma and Gpa E came for a picnic on Friday. We fished, hiked did smores, played games, etc etc. The weather was perfect and we slept well. Actually, we did decide we had outgrown our tent the first night with the kids getting bigger and the two dogs it was a little crowded so the second night we had the boys in Trevor's 2 man tent.

All in all it was very fun. Brandon is actually camping again at this very moment with the boy scouts at the Sand Dunes. I had to laugh when I got a call the other night that his pants were wet from playing in the creek and he didnt have any more. (he had packed some extra shorts and swim suit but it was colder the first day) I decided to rescue him and give another leader going up later his extra jeans. I should have just given him some of Christen's jeans. Apparently, Boy Scouts -at least 12 yr old are not ALWAYS prepared!!