What's Your Adventure?

O.K. So, I'm not a die hard movie goer. I'd much rather read a book. But Keri REALLY wanted to go see the movie Up. Today. After much pleading I caved. And I'm really glad I did.
Up is a story about Carl's long anticipated adventure. It will make you laugh and cry. But more importantly, it will inspire you to think about what adventures you want to have in your life. Watch the preview on you tube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkqzFUhGPJg

Or, better yet, go see the show...

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Today was the last day of school for all the kids. I'm not sure I'm ready yet. But, oh well, here we go...
The kids only went to school today for a couple of hours. Mostly just to collect last minute papers and projects, get their grades, and say goodbye. My favorite thing they came home with was a DVD of pictures from the school year. I loved it!!!
What great teachers and volunteer moms there are at Freedom!!!
Here are some of the best ones...
Carson and Mrs. Stapley's class...






Keri and Mrs. Alston's class...

Utah Lake

Mark and I took our little puddle jumper out onto Utah Lake today to make sure everything was in good working order for the season. The kids weren't too happy with us though. While some of the kids in the neighborhood got to skip school today Mark and I shipped ours off so we could go spend some alone time together. I know, I'm not a very good parent. But it was so much fun. I think Florida fried our brain a little...

This is the small sign you need to look for to get to the lake...

I had Mark make sure the boat was properly equipped...

What a view!!!

What a champ!!! Mark drove the boat while I lounged around....
My cute toes after the pedicure I gave myself last week...

All in all our little puddle jumper did pretty well. We did have a few hiccups though...
1. If we got too close to the outside borders of the lake we started to get eaten by mosquitos.
2. We almost ran out of gas. It was on "E" for 5 minutes before we got to the landing dock. Utah Lake is a pretty big lake. We had rode around for hours...
3. Mark blew a fuse while trying to load the boat back onto the trailer. It took about 30 minutes to fix. Luckily we didn't get any dirty looks because there was hardly anyone around...

The Dance Festival

Every year Freedom Elementary puts on a dance festival for all the parents. Keri and Carson were so excited to show us their dance moves. What a great performance!!
I was so proud of Carson. During the middle of the festival Carson went and got his teacher a chair. What a gentleman...

Twins First Win

Cole's baseball team had their first win last week. They have had a tough time this year, losing game after game. But last week they finally pulled it together and beat the Yankees.
Cole got to play second base that day. (Something he's been waiting for all seaseon.)He also had 2 RBI's!!!! Go Twins!! It must have been the gatorade their coach brought them that night...

Florida Fun!!

I know this looks like a postcard. But I really did take this picture...

We had gelato ice cream. No fat!! Serious!!!

He's just missing the pina colada. We figured that out the next day!!!

The view from our hotel room...

1st sunset with no rain...

The fishing pier. You wouldn't believe the fish!!!

Me trying to look cute...

Sorry. No swimsuit pictures. They were WAY too funny to post...

Mark and I had been looking forward to this vacation for a long time now. It almost didn't happen, thanks to the swine flu. But after much rearranging and a little negotiating we finally pulled it off.
We ended up staying at the Sandpiper Hotel in St Pete's Beach, Florida...
What a great vacation!! We collected seashells, watched the dolphins swim, and enjoyed two beautiful sunsets. Our favorite part was getting caught in the rain after dinner one night in Siesta Key and drinking pina coladas (virgin, of course) in our cabanas...
I never knew we had so much in common....:)
I must say that this was probably my favorite vacation with Mark I have ever had. Because we basically did nothing. We rested, read books, watched movies, and well, you know...

Grandma Cox's Passing

On April 29, 2009 my Grandma Cox passed away from Alzheimer's at the age of 85. The battle was long and hard. We knew the day would come when we would have to say goodbye but we were not fully prepared for the emotions or the pain that we felt...
Celeste, Jenny and I made the trip to North Carolina to say goodbye to Grandma and celebrate her life here on earth. It was wonderful to see friends and family that we hadn't seen for years. And to remember all the sweet memories we had together.
One of my fondest memories of my Grandma is when I played the piano for her. I was only 9 or 10. Whenever I played she would always praise me for a job well done, even if I had made a few mistakes. "Just play me the hymns sweetheart. That's all I want to hear..."
When my parents asked me to play the piano at her services I was a little hesitant. Because I haven't played the piano for years. But I didn't want to give up the opportunity to play for her one last time. I knew she would love the music no matter what it sounded like. In her eyes it would be beautiful. (Thanks Grandma for your encouragement and your love of music.)
All day Saturday we hung out together as a family. It was so comforting to feel of the love that everyone had for each other. Some of the family members I saw that day I hadn't seen in over 10 years. I forgot how truly loved I was....
My cousin put together this awe-inspiring video of our day together. Take the time to watch it if you can...

http://www.youtube.com/user/babyb353

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

The Emperor's New Clothes

Keri was an acrobat in a play over at her school called The Emperor's New Clothes. She practiced for months on her tumbling, and her singing skills. I can't believe the day has come and gone.
Mrs. Billingsley and the whole cast did a great job from start to finish. Even I got roped in to taking pictures of the whole play!! (On short notice.)
Keri is glad she participated in the play. But is also glad it is over. Lots of long hours and hard work!!!

Tulip Festival

This day was absolutley beautiful!! On my birthday my sistas and I went to go get pedicures. We also went to the Cheesecake Factory, and the Tulip Festival!! Wow!! Can a girl get any luckier?
It was nice to sit by the waterfall and chitty chat with them, laugh at how life is so crazy now, and reminisce of past birthdays...
Thanks guys for a great day!!

How Sweet It Is!!

O.K. I know my birthday was over a month ago. But life has gotten so busy lately I've haven't made the time to post these pictures...
Mark and I spent the whole day together just hanging out and shopping. Then we fired up the grill and made the best steaks ever. The kids got me this way cool fruit pie!!
How sweet it is to be loved by them!!!