Kindred Spirits

Me and my Christy. Always so good to see her. And now she is headed off for adventures living in Denver! Our husbands are always so good to make sure we can get together. It might also be because they kind of like each other too.

Go Dino!

Last Summer, my parents took my boys to a dinosaur museum, and ever since, Will has prayed every night that they will take him back! So, my mom and my sister's little boy, cousin Owen came with us for another dino museum adventure. Lots of fun!

Wally tells me every day that he is going to be good in school so he can be a paleontologist. Cute, cute.






Owen, ready to head to the next exhibit.

The Family Party

We got together for Del's family party at his sister's house in Highland. Wendy and Randy know how to show guests a good time, and it was fun to be all together as a family. There are a whole lot of us, so I wish I had more to show, I only have a fraction of the group in pictures. Oh, and see all those AMAZING mountains in the background? That means home.




Two of Del's sisters, Renee and Heidi


The Brothers, Dave, Bob, Del


Cousins, Nathan, Georgia, Wally and Gabe


Checking out the great Utah views.


The cute little dirt bike. Too bad the evening ended with the Bike, and cousin Nevaeh's head crashing into the fence. She is okay, don't worry.

Will, Wally, Cameron, Gabe, Ian, Cadence




The Big Boy cousins. We are so glad that our boys have such great examples to look up to as they grow! Dallin, Cody, Nathan, Kendall


Cousins, Garrett, Nikole, Brielle

Ten Years Ago...

I graduated from High School.
And while I was in Utah for our Summer visit to the homeland, I went to my high school reunion. I was blessed with some good friends back then, just as I am now. It is amazing to me that it has been ten years. They have gone by so fast, and been so fulfilling. I am grateful for what I had then, and what it has led me to in the present. It was fun to catch up on how many kids everyone has, and find out where they are living. I, of course, was the pregnant one. When am I not? That is what it feels like anyway. But I am grateful for each of my babies! So, I guess I am okay with that being the memory everyone has of me until the 20 year reunion.

I had some really great, funny (but probably only to us) times with these ladies. Lots of fun, weather it was pulling some really lame prank on the guy we were dating, or even studying, it was always fun. Fun, but I wouldn't want to go back. I am just glad I still know these gals!

Amy, Maranda, Stacey, Amanda, Amanda, Kathryn, Me. I have actually known most of these ladies since Jr. High.


The reason I am most grateful for my high school experience. That is where I met this man. I am just glad the SBO president would pay attention to a sophomore! He was just SOOO mature! We also attended Del's 12 year reunion the same night, but I didn't get any pictures.


Me, Kathryn, Amanda. These are just two of the girls that made my college experience another great one. We were roommates at Dixie in St. George. Yay for E6!


Maranda, Me, Amy

Sweet North Carolina

We made a family vacation out of a business trip to North Carolina. We got to see our friends Luke, Alicia, and Jordan, get some sun and sand, and Southern BBQ, and the kids and I stayed busy with fun activities while Del worked. What a beautiful part of the country! I must say that the heat and humidity was smothering! I thought it got humid in Chicago! We flew in to Raleigh for a couple of days, then drove down to Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington.

We had a few adventures, and I learned some good lessons. I thought I would be brave and take my kids to the hotel pool by myself because Del was just a few minutes from meeting us there after work. Within the first five minutes of walking into the pool area, I was letting go of Georgia's hand on the pool steps to save a drowning Wally. When I turned to pull him back to the steps, Georgia was already completely under the water because she took a step off the stairs. I felt like I was moving in slow motion trying to swim to my kids in the water to help them. Especially being pregnant, and dragging Wally behind me. A lady jumped from the hot tub into the pool and grabbed Georgia after my terrified scream. I still get sick in my stomach thinking about both Wally and Georgia sinking in the pool. Del found us all in a wet, crying heap on the hotel room floor. No more deep water with almost four kids six and under after that. I guess I am a mean mom for a reason when I say I won't take my kids to open swim by myself. I am sub- consciously just smart!

Eating a BBQ style lunch with Luke and Jordan.

A super fun part of the trip was when, while cruising along in our rental car, we suddenly found ourselves with a blown engine on a busy road on a very hot day. So that we would not pass out from the heat, I moved the kids out of the road to the side walk, where I had a frustrating conversation with the rental car company, frequently interrupted by call transfers, and me yelling at my kids to sit back down so they would not run out into the road. It finally ended with me calling Alicia to come save us, and getting an upgrade to functioning SUV.

Don't they look bored?

Don't I look chipper?

Doesn't that car look like trouble waiting to happen? Should have known.


Walking the pier at Wrightsville Beach.


Our tour of the Battleship North Carolina. I would be a horrible sailor. I was fighting claustrophobia throughout the entire tour. It took me by surprise how fast it set in when we started moving down into the hot ship. It was interesting to get a look though.


There was a real wild alligator hanging out in the swampy shade off the side of the ship. Scary.


The train ride at the Museum of Science in Durham.



Let me see your Dinosaur Roar!


The ever photogenic Luke and Alicia.


I promise the boys were with us at the beach on the day we took them in their swimming suites. They were just never out of the waves long enough to get a good picture. By the way, I love the Atlantic Ocean beaches! Nice and sandy and clean, at least at Wrightsville.


My guys.


Me and Georgie. I would show the picture taken right after this when Georgia hit me on the head with the boat, and I laughed, but when I was editing it, Will came in and said that it was a picture of Mom's big teeth, and that didn't sound too flattering, so it didn't make the cut.


Alicia and I decided to take the kids to the beach for a peek at the water the evening we got to Wilmington. The peek at the water turned into a full on swim, as we pretty much knew would happen. The guys met us there after work. I was glad to see Del show up after the hotel pool incident.



So excited!


Del showed up prepared for a business deal on the beach. But isn't he handsome?




A lovely time was had by all. I learned I need a lot more time in North Carolina to see all there is to offer! Plantations, and all of the scenic area around Biltmore House on the Western end of the state would be amazing! We won't call this goodbye, North Carolina, just until next time! We flew home for just enough time to do the laundry, re-pack, and catch a flight to Salt Lake City! More vacation pictures to come!

Been Busy Beaching

Be Back Soon!

The Once In A Lifetime Smile, Of A One Of A Kind Little Boy

I Love you Wild Man.