Gold's Gym Stranger

Dear Mr. good looking 23 yr old guy at Gold's Gym today who flirted with me in the swimming pool, lent me your goggles, and then guessed that I was only 25.  Since the creation of my 2nd child, THIS NEVER HAPPENS to me anymore.  It was a dream come true.  Normally, I would not blog about this, as I despise people trying to make themselves sound cooler than they are.  But, I have had a bad week and really needed a pick me up.  So Tony from they gym- I love you.  Not nearly as much as I love my husband but none the less, I love you for this day.   I so enjoyed the pick me up that I couldn't confess my real age.  I went for 27, hoping that it would be believable and yet young enough that you would keep flirting.   It's not uncommon for old people to think you are young.  That's one thing I miss about working- all my little 70-80 yr olds telling me I was just a child.  But to have someone YOUNGER than you guess that- well, let's just say the likelihood of that ever happening again is slim to nothing.  So yes- this post is my own spotlight.  On days when the cellulite looks a little worse than normal, the bags under the eyes seem darker, and the needle on the scale leans to the right a little more- I can remember this day!  haha

Marcus's Homecoming

 

The Kids

 

The Moms

 

                                                                     Excited Bella

                                                               Hesitant Little Bud

                                    Who had Marc wrapped his little finger within an hour!

The Whole Fam   

I didn't have high expectations for this reunion.  I figured Weston wouldn't know Marc and then the day before he came home, Gabe decided he didn't want to go to the Airport.  Apparently, this is a really normal reaction for kids his age.   He understood enough to know he was gone, but not enough to understand why.  Fortunately, a very somber Gabe at the airport, melted away as soon as he saw his dad.   Weston was hesitate at first but within an hour, he acted as if no time had passed and actually was already preferring Marc over me!  Isabel was my gem during this all.  She was constantly drawing pictures for Marc while he was gone and would cuddle up with me at night and tell me how much she missed her daddy.  We had fun together making our welcome home signs and as you can see in the pictures and videos, she was the first to run to Marc.  She is definitely a Daddy's girl and a very tender spirit at that. Thanks goodness Marc could tell that we all loved and missed him.

We spent the rest of the evening doing all the things that the kids had missed doing with dad.   We jumped from one activity to the next as the kids scrambled to fit everything in.  It was an amazing night.

                                                                    Sand Castles

                                                 Jumping (lots of 'new tricks' to show off)

                                                                         Horsey

                                                                   Fort Building

                                                                    Story time

School time

I think since they've been back to school for a bit, I will post their pics.  Just to make it interesting, let's compare last year to this year.  Can't believe how much they've grown.  (like it's different from any other kid/parent).  Gabe started Kindergarten and he loves it.  His teacher is amazing.  Isabel started her 2nd year of preschool.  She's going to the same place so it doesn't feel any different to her.  She still loves going though.

Miss Annabelle Mae

If you haven't already heard/seen the new arrival, here she is.  Just as gorgeous as her mommy!

These pictures were taken by my sister Stephanie.  There are a ton more and they are all gorgeous.  This little girl was born in the hospital parking lot.  Another story worth hearing about but I'll leave that up to Michelle.  I forgot how much fun having a girl is.  I just want to take her home every time I am around her.  I also have to stop myself from buying all the cute little girl things!

Have I mentioned I like hiking?

Plan A:  Take a hike every week this summer Plan B:  Summer is almost over, try and fit in as many hikes as you can. It's not much but at least it's something.  I first went on a hike with Gabe and Isabel.  They did really well but it was a pretty tough hike and we couldn't finish it.  Then I went on a hike with my good friend Wendy.  It was a ton of fun and I love hanging with her.  Last but not least, I got rid of the older two and tried to finish the first hike with Weston.  Unfortunately about a half hour from the top he started screaming and I turned back.  (This is probably about a 3 hour hike to the top)   Fortunately though, Marc is going to do it with me when he gets back so hopefully I will reach the top before the weather changes too much.  AND, fortunately the weather is still good so I plan on adding a few more hikes to my list for the summer. BTW- Weston loves hiking, can you tell?

Weston is Stoked!

Exhausted!

 

 

And once again, Weston is less than thrilled.

Now and Then

My family and I have a tradition that dates back way before I was even born.  Camping.  That doesn't sound too original but it wasn't just the camping that made the tradition.  It was where we camped.  I think we thought that we owned this part of the Uintas.  It's true that we would camp for a week at a time without ever seeing another soul.  And if we did, with the exception of the sheep herder, we were related to them.   Just to get an idea, my grandparents can remember camping there as children.  Of course, now we have a hard time getting 'our' campsite and there seems to be more and more people every year.  It's still beauitful though, and it's still something that I look forward to every year.  It will always be a very special place for me.  Not only because of all the memories, but because it reminds me of my Grandpa.  I went up there this year on the day that marked one year since his passing.  Before he died, he gave me the infamous orange tub.  What's that you say?  Well, it this big orange bucket that we used to bath in as kids while were camping.  Probably seems wierd to you all but when you're up there for a week, you've gotta clean up.  Anyway, my grandpa asked me to take Isabel up there and have her bath in it.  That too may seem a little strange but I think Isabel reminded my Grandpa a lot of me and we've got a picture of me around her same age in this orange tub.  Needless to say, it's about the only thing he asked me to do right before he died.  A heavy obligation!  So, here is the picture of me, and here is the picture of Isabel 27 years later.

We had a great time and I loved having my own children up there.  Here are more great pictures from the trip.

Weston is such a ham!

Aunt Sue has a gift with Children.  They loved story time!

 Even Jared and Michelle made it up for a day.  (Michelle has never missed a year in her life!  Wish I could say the same)

Target practice anyone?  Thanks for the fun Jared

Such posers!

 

                                              Seriously, does it get any cuter than this little dude?

                                         Notice the sticks in the background.  This was their fort. 

Such a stud!

Love my girl!  

 

This picture means a lot to me.  Nan and all the little girls.

At the end of the trip the van was filthy of course.  Luckily, I had my little bud helping me clean up the mess!

Miley Sirus of all people...

Could I have really cried while watching an episode of Hannah Montana.  I guess so....?  Lately I think all you have to do is say Military or husband and I burst into tears.  Either way, she did a show dedicated to military families and I really liked the words to this song.  So to anyone that might have someone they love far away, here you go. 

Been Here All Along
Sun rise and I lift up my head then I smile at your picture sitting next to my bed
Sun set and you’re feeling okay cause you smile at the letter that I sent you today
Cant wait till I see you again and we both say remember when
The band played on the fourth of July and you held me on your shoulders way up high


You're still there for me
Wherever there might be
And if an ocean lies between us I’ll send a message across the sea
That you can  sleep tonight knowing it’s all right
I believe that you’re listening to my song
You’re with me
You’ve been here all along


And I cant wait till I see you again and we both say remember when
I’m holding on to moments like that and I know that their coming back
All along the way I keep you in my heart and in my prayers
You’ll always be the one who cares the most
Counting all the days
I see you running up to say, “ I missed you”
I missed you


You're still there for me
Wherever there might be
And if an ocean lies between us I’ll send a message across the sea
That you can  sleep tonight knowing It’s alright
I believed that you’re listening to my song
Cause you’re with me
You’ve been here all along

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

From Marcus:  I've never posted on a blog before.  In fact, my wife probably doesn't even remember giving me the password.  Moreover, she will probably want to kill me when she reads this.  However, I am temporarily out of the country, and so I am hijacking some space to ask all of you to help me wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (I'll start.)  That's right, just 26 (or is it 24?) years ago today was born the most wonderful woman in the whole wide world!  Thank you for being the woman of my dreams, for making my life more amazing than I ever deserved, and for being the cement that holds our family together.  I am so lucky to have you in my life, and even more lucky to be married to my best friend.  Plus, you are smokin' HOT!  I hope you have a fantastic day and that you know how much I love you.  You are the best! 
(PS To Linds:  Don't try to take this down, because I can make it more embarrassing!)

Bear Lake

The
Crew

Best Sand Face

Miss Lacey Lou

My little mermaid

Grandma Vic and Little Bud

Most shallow water ever swam in

First Place Sand Castle

Last Place Sand Castle (Most help by children though!)

2nd place Sand Castle (mostly due to late entry)

Cousin Baths

Sunser Rides

Child after child rides...

Minnitonka Caves

Inside the caves

Best wound on trip

Giant cousin sleepovers

Most time spent on Kitchen duty

OOHHH.  Baby movement!

Corbin& Isabel

Grandparents vs. Grandkids

Thanks for the great vacation mom and dad!!!