HANSON HAPPENINGS

Memorial Weekend and a good ole fashion sand blasting

2011-05-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

I want to share my memorial weekend adventure. First of all since I am at work right now it will be a "No Picture" post, but I will try and remember to post pictures later.

Our 3rd Annual neighborhood BBQ was held on Friday to kick off the weekend. The weather was cold and sucky. We still had an ok turn out but not like last year. One day maybe mother nature will pull it together and have nice warm weather for this awesome event. (Maybe next year)

After we cleaned up the bbq we got busy packing the car for a camping trip to Cedar Mesa. We woke up at 5:30am and dragged the kids out of bed and drove for six hours to meet up with some friends of ours. It was warm but it was windy. We ate lunch then got back in the car and took a drive to see...... well I am not sure what we really saw but we ended up in BLANDing at a new swimming pool. Kids were excited to swim since it has been raining and snowing at home. It was still windy but the kids enjoyed the pool. (We drove 6+ hours to go swimming) After we went swimming we ate a local restaurant and headed back to our camp site, started a fire and roasted marshmellows.

DAY 2 - A 1 mile hike to some ruins and getting sand blasted by the wind the rest of the day. We spent the rest of the day in our friends camper while the wind spread sand and nastiness all over the place. We drove to a place in trees where we could grill up some burgers and hot dogs away from the wind and then by the time dark came the wind died down.

So here is the question..... Which is better staying home and going skiing and watchin movies since Salt Lake got snow and rain or getting sand blasted for two days.....

Vitamin D

2011-04-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

This will be short. Yesterday I came home from work to a nice sunny afternoon. My kids stayed outside till dinner time and I stayed inside and cleaned my kitchen and bathroom floors that were in desperate need. I was able to accomplish this task cuz my kids were outside not bugging me. YAHOO. Today will be better than yesterday. I get off at noon and it will be warmer today so once again kids outside. Love my Kids all the time but I really really love them when they are outside.

All in a Days Work

2011-03-02T09:11:00.001-08:00

Felt the urge to write on my blog hmmmmmm something must be wrong with me. Anyway not that anyone cares but I have had a great past few days.

It all began with Friday night date night night skiing. Me, Matt, James Wood and is awesome wife and dear friend Lauri spent the evening at Brighton skiing powder and enjoying eachothers company over dinner in the lodge. I was on cloud 9. I was able to ski places that I never thought
I could with some great friends.

Saturday also involved skiing. The canyons got a huge dump of snow and grandma and grandpa Hanson offered to watch the boys while Matt and I hit up Alta. Of course everyone in Utah had the same idea but it was worth the wait in line up the canyon to enjoy the neck deep powder. It was alot of work to make those turns in bottomless powder but it was so so fun to be with Matt and be able to rip and keep up with him. We did get some video of me actually skiing the powder and not looking like a gaper. Will have to upload that footage.

Sunday also involved skiing. But this time it was my job as a ski instructor at Brighton. I was able to teach a sweet girl to over come her fears and feel comfortable making turns down the hill. Her smile really lit me up. I hope that I will have the pleasure of working with her for the next few Sundays. She really is a joy.

Monday involved um nothing but sleeping and relaxing. My body was worked and I needed a day to sleep it off. Collin was great and entertained himself for most of the day.

Tuesday involved back at work. But later that evening Evan started his second session of Ice Skating this time on Hockey Skates and he did very well. After skating Matt brought Collin over to the rec center and we let the kids swim with Rex and Callie and Aunt Heidi. (who btw kicks butt) she is always so great and I can't believe she actually went swimming with the kids while Matt and I sat like bumps on logs on the side and watch. Way to go Heidi :) It was a super fun night with the kids and I think they had fun too.

I hope the rest of my week will be as great as the past few days. Bring on Spring!!!!

My Best Skiing Day EVER!

2011-01-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

I am a ski instructor at Brighton ski resort which is great. I really do love teaching the little wee wackers but I also get the opportunity to ski with some really great awesome skiers. Sunday I was up teaching and as luck would have it did not have a lesson in the afternoon. 4 totally awesome guys (Dennis, Paul, Mike, and Josh) invited me to hike in the backcountry of Brighton off the Great Western Chairlift. After an hour of traversing and side stepping on my right leg (it is still sore) we arrived at our destination. A super fun run of glittery powder and alot of YAHOO's. I am not a good powder skier but at that moment I did not care. It was soooooo fun! I was able to enjoy my mountains. Next they convinced to ski a hard run off Great Western that is steep and the snow was cooked and crudy but I made it out alive and improved my own skiing. It is really great getting paid to ski. For me it was like having a private ski lesson with 4 amazing instructors.

When I got home I was so excited to tell Matt about my day and was surprised that I actually skied in a place that Matt has never skied before. WOW! Now I get to take him and show him what I discoverd and how great our Backcountry is. No more groomers for me unless I am skiing with my kids. Backcountry all the way.

I am Thankful

2010-11-24T17:41:00.000-08:00

Long time no write....... I finally have a few minutes to write down what I am thankful for!

1 - I am thankful for my family. They are wonderful and make me crazy and happy all at the same time. I love waking up to an awesome husband and two crazy cute boys.
2 - I am thankful for the opportunity I have to ski. I love it and am so glad that my family loves it to.

3 - I am thankful for my extended family (picture to come later) It is wonderful to live so close to all of my family and Matt's family.

4 - I am thankful for an awesome Job that is so wonderful to go to everyday and gives me a sense of accomplishment and helps out our family.

5 - I am thankful!!!!!

I need a cleaning fairy!!!!

2010-06-25T09:52:00.001-07:00

My life seems to be more crazy then ever. We recently finished the baseball season with Evan as a Mariner and Collin as a Brave. We had fun but 3 days a week at the baseball field plus make up games due to the rainy spring we have had makes for no time to catch up on cleaning my house. I thought once baseball ended I would have time....... boy was I wrong! Evan had a baseball camp at the University of Utah and then the following week he went to Cub Country (I will blog on that later, oh Boy Scouts) Collin started up his swim lessons again and, and, and and........! This week was Girls camp so this is a break down of how my week went......

Monday (Day OFF of Work) I should have cleaned but it was my day off soooooo off to lunch with my sisters and then to the pool and then home to clean up and go have dinner at the park with Daddy.

Tuesday - Wake up to a messy house, go to work by 8:30am worked until 3pm, home to get ready to go up to girls camp. Stop at smiths for items that my young women need at East Canyon, enjoy camp with the wasatch 9th ward. On the way home I realize that Evan has Cub Country at 8:00am and I need to have his shirt ready, lunch and water bottle packed before I go to bed so I have to stop at store on my way home from camp at 11:30pm get lunch stuff, make lunch get everything ready and shower off the camp smoke and finally get to bed by 12:30pm. (House is still Messy)

Wednesday
Wake up at 7am, get ready for work, wake up Evan so he can get ready for Cub Scouts, make him breakfast, grab his stuff and my stuff head out the door by 7:55. Drop Evan off and head off to work arrive at 8:30am. Work until 3pm. Go home and get ready to go to girls camp. Pick up Leanna (Tiny) one of our other Young Women Leaders stop at Smiths and get more needed items and drive up to East Canyon. Enjoy Camp with the Wasatch 9th Ward. Get home at 11:30pm. Pack Evans lunch and prepare his stuff for Scouts, shower off the camp smoke and go to bed by 12:30pm. (House is still Messy)

Thursday
Wake up at 7pm. Get ready for work. Wake Evan so he can get ready. Make Evan breakfast. Grab our stuff and head out the door by 7:55pm. Drop Evan off and head into work by 8:30am. Work until 3pm. Come home get ready to go up to girls camp. Pick up Leanna (Tiny) head to smiths for more :) needed items. Pick up Nicki and head on up to Girls Camp. Enjoy camp with my girls. Get home at 12:30 this time due to Testimony Meeting. Shower off the camp smoke and get in bed by 1am. (House is still Messy)

Friday (Today)
Wake up at 7:20am, Kinda get ready for work which means get dressed and throw on a hat over my crazy hair since I went to bed with it wet. Get to work by 8am (it is my early day). Now I am sittin here blogging and drinking a Red Bull trying to stay awake, knowing I have a full day ahead of me of cleaning my super messy house especially since I am having the carpets cleaned on Monday ahhhhhh!

Future Plans for Saturday
Wake up at 6:30am. Go mountain biking with Jess Chappell up millcreek canyon and hope she doesnt woop my butt :)

Get home - Take a much needed nap

Then go chill at the pool with the fam.....

Wait....... when am I going to clean? Oh Well, maybe I will finally have a clean house when school starts up again in August. Or Maybe Not?

I HATE CANCER!!!!!

2010-02-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

Let me just start by saying I am usually not to mushy so watch out......

I feel the need to write down my feelings about a sweet family that is fighting the battle of cancer for their 7 year old son. As I read their blog and the struggles they endure and the new twists and turns of this battle my heart truly aches for them. I wish there was something I could do. Why does this happen? It is amazing how quickly life can change and how real everything becomes. After hearing about this family and their sweet boy I want to run home and hug my own 7 year old son and my 4 year old son and tell them I love them. I want to try and not get so frustrated with them and try not to get mad at them as often and just be a better mom, because who knows how long I will have them and be able to hold them and play with them. My plan is to get old and go to heaven way before they do but sometimes bad things happen and that plan could totally change. I want to express my love for my kids. They really are the light of my life. They make me laugh and love life. They are the reason I am who I am and I see now my purpose for my life..... It is to be their Mom. I was never quite sure what my purpose was here on this earth but I have just had a light bulb moment. It is to BE A MOM! WOW! That is great. So I will cherish the time I have with my sons and I will continue to try and be the best mom I can be. I do not promise to be perfect but damn it, I am going to really try. I love you Evan and Collin. Thank you Matt for giving the best gift of all. I know it took some convincing on your part but now I am so thankful you did. I love my family!

If you want to read about this incredible family and the journey they are on go to their blog http://www.mysuperspence.blogspot.com/.

Also if anyone has any ideas I would love to do something for this family maybe a fundraiser or something. Let me know.

Handicap Parking Spaces or Poop Signs?

2010-02-11T15:53:00.000-08:00

Collin had a dentist appointment today and must have still been a little out of it because when I parked my car in my work parking lot and let him out the first thing he said when he saw the handicap sign painted on the ground was "Mom, why is there a poop sign on the ground".

Of Course I had a good laugh!!!

Blogging Rut!

2009-12-17T13:20:00.001-08:00

Ok so it is true, I am in a blogging rut. Not sure what to write about. Not sure I have anthing worth reading. If you all must know this is what we have been up to lately. Evan started 2nd Grade and loves it. He has so much fun walking to and from school with his Cousins and neighbor friends. He would pretty much walk (or ride his scooter) rain or shine but sometimes he does get a ride for my dear sweet neighbors. (Thanks Suzanne and Jess) Collin started Preschool at Adventure Preschool in Sandy. It is the same school that Evan went to. He really has a good time and loves seeing his friends and loves learning. I love this preschool and so glad it is still in business. (They were talking about closing the school since it has been around for 30 some odd years and Miss Shirley might like to retire someday..... she can when Collin is finished. Just one more year)

When November arrives my family starts thinking about what we need to do to get ready for the upcoming ski season. The skis come out the snow gear comes out and we start sizing up the kids and see if what we need to aquire for them so we are ready to go on Day 1. I am on my 3rd season teaching skiing at Brighton Ski Resort. I love it and mostly it makes skiing affordable for my family. Evan is awesome and loves to find little jumps all over the mountain that he can "catch air" on. Collin is pretty much right on Evans tail. They are both so fun to watch and I think that for me is the best part of skiing these days.

Also when November arrives I start thinking I should get my Christmas lights on the house before it snows and Hang up my U and begin the taunting to my byu lovin brother. I was able to go to the byu / utah game with my brother and his family thanks to their extreme generosity and there was fun to be had by all and even though the Utes lost it was still a good time. This November I also spent a week in Mexico with my friends Wendy and Amber. It was a great relaxing week that was very much needed. We layed by the pool, walked on the beach, played Tennis, Learned how to make guacamole and slept in (well at least I slept in). The day we arrived home it was Snowing. It could not have worked out more perfect..... sun and tanning all week to jumping right into skiing! SWEET!

Now that we are well into December and I am kinda BAH HUMBUG this year. Not that I am not excited about Christmas it is just all the craziness that goes along with it. It seems I do not have a free day till well after Christmas and I have vowed that when the kids get old enough that we will be spending our Christmas in Hawaii or Cancun or somewhere else that we can actually relax and be able to reflect on what is most important during this season. There is a couple things that I do actually love about this time of year 1 - My brothers Christmas lights and 2 - My Christmas Tree and I could add a third this year. I was able to go to "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael Mclean with my Young Women and I loved it. Not sure they all did but I definately will try and go to that every year. I always feel the Christmas Spirit during that peformance and I think so far that has really been the only time I felt it this year. And now with Christmas a week away I will try and get in the Christmas Mood. I will let ya'll know if it happens and until then I do hoope that you all have a Sweet Christmas and an excellent New Year...... BRING ON 2010 (New years resolution for 2010 - *Learn to Slide a Rail on my skis*

SUMMER FUN - HANSON STYLE

2009-07-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

As usual our summer has been busy. Right before school got out Matt and I sat down and went over the calendar for the summer. We are booked solid. So Fun! Here is a list of what we have done so far.......

1 - Cottonwood Heights Rec. Center - Pool ! We have been at the pool any free moment we have. And as good parents do we have been bribing Evan to jump off the diving board. We tried everything. We bought him Batman Lego game and said he could have it if he jumped (no deal), we told him he could basically have whatever he wanted to eat or a cool toy (no deal), then the new Transformer movie came out (that did it) he jumped off about a dozen times and also did a front flip. After that Matt had plans to get him to go off the high dive....... but to our surprise my sister took them to the pool on Tuesday and he decided since the low dive was closed he would go off the high dive so 3 times he jumped. He is crazy.

2 - Matt spent some time with long lost friends in Zion National Park doing some canyoneering. He had a nice time rappelling and swimming in the freezing cold water.

3 - I spent a couple of evenings up at Girls Camp. The weather was perfect and the girls looked like they had a good time.

4 - I went to Logan with my parents to participate in the MS Bike Ride - 75 miles to raise money for the MS Society. It was great to ride with my dad who by the way rocks. I know he took it easy on me and I really appreciate it.

5 - Rock Climbing with the kids and my nephew Chandler. We took the boys up to storm mountain to let them climb. Evan and Chandler rocked it to the top and then Collin decided he wanted to try so we got him roped up and off he went all the way to the top which left the next problem how to get him down :) He survied the trip down and had alot of fun.

Coming up we have the Oakley Rodeo and of course the 4th of July festivities. Then on to Balboa California for a week long beach trip with Matts' family. Beach, Sea World and hopefully alot of relaxing. Then on to the Spudman Triathlon in Idaho with friends and family. Did I mention we also have a boating trip, a river trip, a weekend of camping, swim lessons for Collin on Tuesday and Thursday and a 6 weeks puppy kindergarten class for Razzle? It soon will be time to get my skis tuned up for the winter season. I guess we don't realize how busy we are till we put it all down on a calendar. WE LOVE OUR BUSY SUMMER! IF WE ARE EVER HOME FOR LONGER THEN 10 MINUTES SAY HI OR WAIT TILL SEPTEMBER AND WE WILL SEE YOU THEN.

MY NEXT BIKE ADVENTURE.....

2009-06-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

I have decided to try this out....... I am going to ride 75 miles on Saturday June 27th with my dad to help raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. I have never gone that far on my bike so we will see what happens. I promise a cool post to follow of pictures of me and my dad and hopefully I will still be standing upright when it is all said and done so below I have inserted my plea for donations. I only have 7 more days to raise the money so please consider donating. Wish me luck I am really really going to need it.

Dear Friends and Family,
The National MS Society is kicking off Bike MS: Harmons Best Dam Bike Ride campaign. I am planning to be a part of that event in June 2009 and I am asking you to join me in the movement to end MS by making a contribution to support my effort.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS. They simultaneously fund research for a cure while also helping people who currently live with MS lead more fulfilling lives. I believe in the work they do, and I invite you to see for yourself all the good they've done for the MS community. More than 400,000 Americans live with MS, and your support can and will make changes in their lives.
Please help by making a donation - large or small - to end MS. Or, why not join me at the event? Become a participant and side by side, as teammates, we can work together to raise the funds to make a difference.
Whatever you can give will help! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Sincerely,
Kristi Hanson
Paste this into your browser http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=6908978&pg=personal&fr_id=9532 to get to my personal page and make a secure, online donation.
To send a donation: Make all checks payable to: National MS SocietyMail to: 7882 South Oakledge RoadSalt Lake City, UT84121-5821 or you can just deliver them to my house just need to have them by Thursday sometime because I will be heading up to Logan on Friday for the race.

SUPER FUN BIKE TOUR

2009-05-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I participated in the Salt Lake City Bike Tour with my brother and Suzanne's family. The ride followed the Salt Lake Marathon route. It rocked! You did not even have peddle until you got to Sugar House Park. It was great. I rode most of the time with Nanette's awesome mom. We just rode and chatted and enjoyed the early morning ride with no stopping till we got to the gateway. At that point Nanette's mom just hoped on trax and went back up to the U of U where we started and I crossed the finish line and received my medal followed by some great pictures of the group at the finish line. My sister participated in the 5k run and it was also great to see her at the finish line and Suzanne was running the half marathon and she also rocked it. I will for sure be participating in this ride next year. The best part about it was that I got to do this with my brother. As a kid I was the annoying little sister that just followed him around and wanted to be where ever he was. I have always looked up to him and now I am still wanting to be where he is so much so that I live right next door.(haha) I am glad I was able to do this with him. Way to go Jason! What a fun day!

2009-05-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

COLLINS' FIRST T-BALL GAME

Collin had his first t-ball game last Tuesday. Besides the fact that the parking lot was a complete and total joke and that it was super freezing. Collin loved it. He was so proud of himself when he hit the ball and if it weren't for a parent standing at each base Collin (and almost all the kids) would have no idea where to run to. Even though he really liked batting all he wanted to do was actually hold the ball but since the kids in the field have no concept of the game, whenever the ball got hit it turned into a race to see who could get the ball first and since Collin is tiny he never got the ball. He decided to take matters into his own hands..... this is how it went down. Collin got up to batt, he hits the ball and runs to first, next kid gets up to batt and hits the ball between first and second, Collin on his way to second base picks up the ball and throws it first and then continues on to second base. Bottom line - T-ball is just something for us parents to take our kids to in hopes that they burn off some energy. He might be good one day but as for now I am putting on hold my dreams of him becoming a pro baseball player.

SKI KARMA?

2009-02-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

After enrolling my son in a ski school class (since teaching him ourselves seemed impossible) and watching him learn to love skiing, I decided to become a ski instructor myself. I went through the necessary training and paid my dues and Brighton Ski Resort hired me. I was so excited to teach and also improve my own skiing in the process. Season one was a complete success, no injuries, had fun teaching, improved my own skills, increased my drive to learn and teach and become the best I could. Naturally I was looking forward to Season two. I got the call that I was on for another year and was geared up to teach again. Winter hit Utah early and we were off. My kids (6 and 3yrs) were excited about getting their first season passes my husband was enjoying the perks of me working at the resort and I was excited to teach again. My schedule was one day a week (Sunday afternoons) perfect. Plenty of time for me to ski for fun and get the kids up. January 18th changed a lot for me. I was teaching a lesson with 2 kids who were having a ball, finally getting it, learning turns and smiles all the way when out of no where my world came to a stop. I was taken out at the base of the hill (next to the slow sign) by an out of control snowboarder. I was completely knocked out and when I came to it was like a dream. My head was spinning and my face was bleeding and my left shoulder hurt. I saw the look on my kids’ faces and hoped that this would not scar them for life and I hoped that they would return to the hill. Patrol got to me pretty quick and asked me what happened and who did this and to my surprise the person who hit me was no where to be found. A Hit and run on the hill! What, people actually do that! I was taken to the hospital with a concussion (even with a helmet) and a broken collar bone and a busted up face. I had one thought - Karma! Will it come around for that guy…… who knows? I am not one to wish bad for someone but COME ON at least have his board stolen or broken and his pass yanked! I can’t ski now for two months so he should not be able to ride that long either. That kid needs to learn his lesson. As an instructor we are taught to teach about Safety, Fun, Learning. That kid needs that lesson.

Are You Ready To Ski?

2008-11-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

Ok so it has now been a whole month almost since my last entry. Since then the snow has come. The ski resorts are opening and I am getting ready to teach for my second year at Brighton Ski Resort. Last year when I tried out I mainly did it so I could get a free seasons pass which is way cool but learned that I actually like teaching. I got to work with alot of kids and watch them finally get it and even though I was teaching them they were actually teaching me. I had alot more time on my skis last year and I think I got better :) When you teach you break things down into a step by step process and that actually helped me think about what I was doing on my skis and correct anything that I was not doing right. This year I have a desire to really step it up and learn that pesky powder business so it doesnt look so painful when I come down the hill. Yesterday Matt and I and Collin went up to get our Passes. Collin and Evan are free but they can still get a pass with their picture on it for 10 bucks. It was cool to see my baby sitting there so grown up ready to get his pass. He has no idea what he is in for since this will be his first year on skis, but I hope he likes it and since he seems to do whatever Evan is doing I think it will work out ok. After yesterday I had a small glimpse into my future for my Winter Mondays. (I have Mondays off at my other job) ...... next year Collin will be 4 so he can go to ski school and I can teach and then the next year he can ski all morning and then go to kindergarten in the afternoon and the then the year after that........... school all day so my mondays are mine again at least from 8:30am to 3:30pm so I will be skiing and teaching and probably a few naps!

I have been tagged AGAIN

2008-10-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

Six insignificant things about me.....

HMMMMMM - This is hard to do since I am very significant :-)

1. All my pants get a hole in the same knee (my right knee) Wierd.

2. Sometimes I take more than one hot relaxing bath in a day. (It is my time to chill, read, and not ask a three year old if he needs to pee) good thing we have a good water heater.

3. I could eat spaghetti every day! I just love it!

4. I have to put lotion on my feet before bed! I just hate that dry feeling.

5. I never can remember if I locked my car or not so I often have to go back and check.

6. One of my all time favorite movies is "A League of Their Own"

Ok..... there you have it.

I now pass along this tag to my dear sweet sister-in-laws
Janie - Who I am totally jealous of cuz of her season pass to Disneyland and living just 10 minutes from there and Sara who I just love to read her blog.... she makes me laugh and I think she should write a book.

TIME CAPSULE

2008-10-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to spend some time with my nephew Chandler before he had to go to football. He really wanted to make a time capsule to bury in my front flower bed. I gave him some ideas of what to put in it. He went home and gathered up his things he wanted in the capsule then we put all the items in the plastic bag, taped it up and then put that inside a metal tin and then duct taped that up. He wrote his name and the date on the outside and he started digging the hole. I told him we should wait a long time before digging it up again. I thought it was a cool idea and I was proud of Chandler for working to complete it. When he puts his mind to it he truly is amazing. We just love Chandler and what a great example he is to our boys.

After he finished burying the box he played a little football with Collin. What a great kid!!!

I GUESS SUMMER IS NOT TOTALLY OVER

2008-09-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went camping in Arches National Park with a few families from our neighborhood. We had a blast. Evan and Collin ran around in the sand and climbed the rocks and the Whites had us hiking ever arch they could think of. Tim, Melanie, Abby and Matt are like energizer bunnies...... they just keep going and going. It was fun. My favorite hike was to Delicate Arch (the one on the Utah Plate) Matt said we have hiked it before but I honestly don't remember. Weird! Don't you think if I had been there before I would have taken some pictures and or at least remember the very distinctive slick rock hill we had to hike up? Well I will remember it now. It was cool. On Sunday we hiked around in Devils Garden and that was cool to. It truly is amazing that I really have not been there and it is pretty much in my backyard. What a beautiful state we live in. Thanks Tim and Mel for the invite we had fun!

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID "THIS" SUMMER

2008-09-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Hanson Family summer is Go, Go, Go..... I really like everything that goes along with summer like Swimming (lots of swimming), Canyoneering with friends, Climbing, Baseball, Lagoon, Oakley Rodeo, Picnics in the Park, playing with the kids in the front yard, staying up late, BBQ's, (new to my list this summer was a couple of Triathlons) yeah, road trips, camping at Lake Yuba, having the top down on the jeep, singing on the front porch with my sisters and her Georgia Boy Kevin. We have managed to fit almost all we wanted to do in this summer Matt even got to climb Mt. Rainer and he finally got to canyoneer through Heaps canyon in Zion. (We will do a seperate blog about that). AMAZING! Here are a few pictures of how we spent our summer.

I will say even though there is a lot about summer that I love, I am also ready for it to be over (almost). The kids go back to school, the kids go to bed early, my shows start back up, I seem to be able to stick to a work out schedule when it is cold outside, ski season begins. I guess what I am getting at is that we live in a pretty awesome state. When you are sick of winter, spring and summer show up and when you are sick of summer, fall and winter are here again. How great is that. To top off what a great state we live in we also live in the best neighborhood ever. Friends all around for us and our kids a brother next door a sister across the street a mom (both our moms) less than a couple miles away, and big and little cottonwood canyon right out our front door for all our outdoor needs. How Great is That! Now that I have finally updated our blog lets bring on the SNOW!!!!

I have been tagged???

2008-08-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ok to be totally honest I was not sure what being tagged meant but I looked it up (yes I googled it) here it goes Jess. Five things about me that most people don't know. That is a hard thing cuz I am an open book.

1) I really like to take baths - You can find me most nights in my tub after the kids have gone to bed. I usually have a book to read. I also usually have my Dr. Pepper in there with me. HA HA Sometimes if I don't have a book to read I will bring my ipod in there and just relax.

2) I have to put lotion on my feet before I go to bed. I am not sure why but I don't like that dry feeling on my feet in the sheets. There have been times where I hop in bed and forget to put on lotion and and think.... oh I don't need to tonight I am to tired but I always end up getting out of bed to put lotion on. I usually have the lotion on my night stand.

3) I like to eat cucumbers cut up and soaked in vinegar and I also like Rice a Roni the Sanfransico Treat (San-fran flavored kind) I only like it super hot right from the pan.

4) I loved teaching kids how to ski last winter..... I hope that I get that opportunity again this year. I am not sure if it was the teaching or that fact that I really improved in my own skiing. Either way it was all good!

5) I love being with my family - I guess that is not something that no one knows.

Ok so there you have it...... I am boring aren't I? In 5 years from now you can tagg me again I the list would probably be the same... Well if you are perfect there is no reason to change anything right! HA HA

MY TRIP TO CHICAGO!

2008-06-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

I went to visit Matt in Chicago while he was training for his new job. What a fun place to visit. Here is what I got to do.....

Thursday.... flight arrived at 9:00pm

Friday.... slept till noon while Matt was in his training classes when he got back to the hotel we took the train into downtown Chicago to meet some friends of ours and put in for a drawing to get "Wicked" tickets at $25 a piece... and we all got em. What a sweet broadway play.

Saturday.... took train back into downtown and went and ate lunch up on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building overlooking Lake Michigan which is a huge lake by the way. They say the best view is from the women's bathroom so off course I had to check it out. In the first picture that is Oprah's condo complex she lives in.. (sorry mom we did not see her but we did walk outside her building)

Next we went to Navy Pier... (it felt like you were on the ocean it was so big) We took a boat trip that goes up the city river wow those buildings are huge...

This was a light house off the pier. It was really cool.

We next went to Wrigley Field! Home of the Cubs. They were playing the White Sox and won all three games. It was way cool to just be around the field. We did not go to a game but I would love to try and hit this series next year.

We really had a nice time in Chicago.

WELCOME HOME DADDY!

2008-06-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a good day :) My husband and Evan and Collins daddy returned home after a long 2 1/2 week training in Chicago. For all those single parents out there, I had a small taste of what it is like. It takes a strong person to handle your own life and manage a couple of kids and a job on your own. When ever I started to get a little down and complain about how hard it was I would use a few women I know who do it everyday and really make it look easy and i would use them as my inspiration and drive to keep going. I know I only had to endure for a couple of weeks and some people have to do it for longer and I am so blessed and grateful to have Matt in my life. He is a wonderful husband and an awesome kick butt DADDY! I am not sure if I am the only one that sometimes think that my husband really was not a huge help with kids etc. but after he was gone for a while I realized how much he actually does.... for example
* Put kids in Jammies
* Reads kids stories before bed
* Brushes kids teeth
* Changes stinky diapers (without complaint) I hate to do this task!!!!
* Rough Houses with the kids
* Teaches them how to catch
* Teaches them how to ride bikes
* Plays video games with Evan
* Works on the yard
* Works hard to support our family
* Makes sure that me and him have special time together
* Teaches them the importance of church
* Does all that I ask of him (unload dishwasher, put clothes in dryer etc.)
*Oh yeah and somehow after all that finds time to rock it on his ski's and climb big mountains.

I don't think I tell him or show him enough actually how much I appreciate him and all he does for our family and for me. I love every minute I get to be with him and enjoy watching him love on our kids and our family. I am so proud of him and who he has become.

I love you Matt

My SECOND TRIATHLON

2008-06-23T22:08:00.001-07:00

I just finished my 2nd Triathlon (yes 2nd). I competed in the Utah Summer Games with sister and brother-in-law Heidi and Will. They took place at Sand Hollow Resevoir in St. George. It was really fun ( I Know I must be crazy) but it feels good to accomplish something that you did not think was ever possible. My mom and dad and kids came and supported me at the race. It is great to have family cheer you on at each transition, I could not have done it without them. Evan ran with me the last little bit and crossed the finish line with me. That made it all worth it! I think I might just take it easy now but I know the pressure is on with my wonderful neighborhood women who push me to try harder and just keep going.

A BLOG ABOUT US!

2008-06-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hi, ok so here goes nothing...... a few people in our neighborhood have set up these blogs and I am not sure I am up for the task but I can't let them one up us.... SO HERE IT GOES!!!!!

Welcome into our family... enjoy the ride YEAH

Stay Tuned for pictures.....