Date Night

Do you remember how great is was as a kid when you got to go on 'Date Night' with Mom or Dad? Or if you were really lucky you they both came along for a fun night?

Well... I have been spoiled lately.

I have had date night with my parents a couple of times. I even got a selfish night where it was

JUST ME
and
mOm
and
DaD

My beautiful mother joined me for a benefit concert. We went for her birthday!! It was such an enjoyable evening. I often wonder why her and I don't squeeze more stuff in like this. I had a fabulous time!

Then.... Dad met us at Cold Stone for a tasty ice cream treat. DELIGHTFUL! We talked and talked about the little nothings in life. I wasn't even paying attention to the time. Good thing late nights aren't a big deal as an adult, otherwise, walking in the door at 10:30 would have gotten me grounded for sure.

A few nights later we took my parents to dinner and a movie. We went to Wingers and out to see Toy Story 3. I had to share my date night with the kids and Niel..... I am pretty sure Grandma and Grandpa were fine with a night filled with Grand kids.

I am so fortunate to have loving parents who are always willing and excited to be with me, Niel, and especially the grand kids. My parents always seem to have the energy it takes to chase 5 kids around. More importantly they have the most generous and loving hearts!! I am lucky to have had them as incredible examples growing up and double lucky to have them in the lives of our children.

My Favorite Charities

We've been busy lately.... and it has been a good type of busy.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Niel and I participated in the Run for Rex 5K event. Rex was diagnosed with an inoperable brain stem cancer (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG). I am good friends with Rex's dad, Steve Stuart, at work. When the chance came for us to participate in a 5K you can guess Niel and I were excited to run. Some others from work came and ran it too. It was amazing to see all the people who came out to support their family.

For more information or to donate, visit their blog here.

This is Rex and his Dad. My heart goes out to their family. I admire their love and courage.

I spent a night out with my mom at a benefit concert for a neighbor girl down the street. Desmond Rowley was diagnosed with Crohns. While undergoing treatment she was also diagnosed with Leukemia. She is the bravest little girl I have ever met. The benefit concert was incredible!!

You can visit her blog and donate here.

Desmond even got up and sang, "The Climb." She has a beautiful voice. She is a beautiful girl.

Every year I like to participate in the Blood Run. Unfortunately this year I just helped hand out packets and assist were needed. My entire family was out of town and I was home alone.

This is Carter Anderson. This handsome young man has Hemophilia. You wouldn't know it though. Carter is one of my very best friends son. Mya, Carters Mom, sets this fundraiser up every year. This year marks 3 years and I am impressed with the way this event is growing each year. It is always fun to be a part of a great cause.

Click here to find out more information about the Blood Run.

This year has seemed more challenging for many I know. I am so grateful for the many blessing and the health of our family. We have great opportunities to serve and help others. I hope we can all remember how blessed we are regardless of our circumstances.

Girl Chores?

The boys think it is so unfair at times. There are not girls around the house most of the time, so they have to do "girl chores" along with their boy chores. Yeah... it's a hard life when you have to do dishes, laundry, sweeping, vacuuming and so on.

I can't really feel too bad for them. I grew up in a house with no brothers..... so I got to do all the boy chores. Mowing the lawn and taking out the trash were a few of the many chores on my chores list as a kid.

I think their future wives will appreciate a man who can cook, clean, and still mow the lawn. :)

Every year our family has an NCAA tournament bracket contest. I know this post is WAY late. The NCAA basketball tournament ended in March. But here we are, finally meeting our family tradition.

Garrett won the brackets this year!! His pick for a family dinner..... Chipotle!

I love our family traditions!

Strawberry Carnival

Yum.... Strawberries.

This is my favorite way to eat them!

We went on this ride.....

...... then this one......

.... and this little one too

And we felt like this.

We aren't as young as we used to be.

Strawberry Days 2010

Looks like someone knows how to have a good time....

Brynlee, Rick, and Brooke. Ninja style

Niel has introduced me to a brand new tradition.... Strawberry Days! It has become one of my favorite parts of the summer.

We invited some friends and family over for some fun in the sun!

Brittany and Jay, Ike, Rachel and their boys, Brooke, Rick and Bryn, and my Mom all joined us this year!! Even Rocky was excited to play with a new friend!!!

The boys all played a friendly game of HORSE. They got a little wager going. Who ever got out first had to take a dive down the slip and slide. Guess who won that wager?......

Go Niel!

Bryn and Sev kept the entertainment going for the night.

Strawberry Days Rodeo! Good times! ..... this is for you Joyce. We sure missed you two!

Giddy Up!

~June 2001~

Summer time is rodeo time!! One thing we enjoy as a family is going to the rodeo to watch all the cowboys!! Check out these two, little, adorable cowboys.

Giddy Up!

Go Storm

Baseball season is over for the incredible little players on Storm. The team did so well. They made it into the playoffs.

I seriously cannot think of many things cuter than watching these little players hitting, catching, running, and sliding home.

Just like most sports, Garrett is a natural. He has a good arm. Most of his times up to bat resulted in balls hit out to the outfield. He even caught a fly ball this year. He played short stop most of the time in which he dove for the ball more than once!!! He is just fun to watch!!

Way to go Gman!

#483 Do Nothing Days

I had one of these days which I do not think I have ever had. Seriously... this was my past Saturday......

It’s like a mirage.

You see that distant Do Nothing day coming up on the horizon of your kitchen calendar. You stare at its white squarey blankess beckoning you closer and closer and closer. Time moves forward, days march on, and still nothing gets planned on that beautifully perfect patch of nothingness. No homework, no dinner dates, no sports practices, no visiting mates. It’s just you and you sharing a nice peaceful moment of alone time.

When you’re lucky enough to score a Do Nothing day, do yourself a favor and do nothing. Give your brain a break and slip into easy bliss of lying in crumpled sheets, taking a long bath, and ordering out for dinner. Ditch the guilt while you swing in a hammock, cuddle with your cat, or curl up on the couch in front of the TV.

Once in a while it’s good to enjoy a completely unproductive daydreamy day with a slow smile and no worries.

You earned it.

AWESOME!

This is from one of my favorite blogs. Check it out!

Welcome Home!

Looks like I wasn't the only one who missed Niel this past week while he was in Boston.

Lucy just couldn't get enough of her favorite man!

Should I be jealous?

Friday Flashback

~ June 2004~

I believe this was the first glance Niel got of my four little guys. This was the first picture taken of my changed life. We all look happy.... that is good. I just remember thinking when I sent this picture out to Niel.... "Welcome to my amazing world!" The great thing was that Niel seemed excited to met the boys. But who could resist these adorable smiles, big eyes, and loving hearts. My.... time sure has changed. It's been a good change.

A Memorial Weekend

Memorial Holiday weekend was ...... nearly Perfect!

Perfect is hard to come by. My life is pretty good. I love it!

But I don't say perfect very often so you have to know it must have been pretty great.

You might ask, "Why was it so perfect?"

We didn't do anything spectacular. We just kinda, well, we hung out.

Who knew that "hanging out" could be so fun.

We hung out at the cemetery.

Beautiful don't you think?

We played a little basketball with Bryn. She is getting pretty good.

Niel cooked up some delicious steaks and chicken.

We had great company to share light conversation with.

We mowed the lawn and took a nap.

We watched some Prison Break and sipped on Orange Cream Soda.

We were even slight adventurous and went to the Hot Springs in Diamond Fork Canyon.

(yeah, a second picture of me in a swimming suit. I am really brave)

There isn't anything like relaxing in hot water, in the mountains, watching stars come up. I wonder what God thought when he made Hot Springs.... he must have been really happy, or maybe tired and wanted to relax, either way He did good.

Nearly perfect was the weekend. I only say that because I missed the loudness of the boys. I love quiet times so very much and I absolutely love my alone time with my honey.... but I still missed the loudness.

A Little Update

A few things have transpired the past month.

Megan turned 13! Yes, you read that correctly. We officially have a teenager in the house.

For her birthday, Megan invited a few friends to out to dinner. They giggled. Then Giggled. And giggled some more. It was great to meet a few of her friends and enjoy celebrating 13 years!!

School has come to a close. Besides being tall, Conner showed off his brains this past year. He received A's all year long. I am so proud of his dedication to school. He got an award signed by the president himself.
Go Obama!

His 6th grade class celebrated their experience as elementary students. One of his friends even made him a Lei. Conner is ready to move into the next stage of life.... Junior High!

Every year Stocks like to participate in the egg dropping contest. Each year he comes up with something new and exciting. This year, he put together 3 different contraptions for the event. He finally chose the football option.

He cut a hole in the middle of this old football. The hole was sturdy enough to protect the egg, yet jagged enough to hold it in there real tight. He passed with flying colors. I was amazed yet again!!

Eight is GREAT!
Yeah... it is incredible to me how these boys grow. He is eight all ready. We went out as a family to his favorite place, Texas Roadhouse. He loves those rolls with the cinnamon butter.

Ok... handsome.... right? He is a little man. We went to take baptism pictures. They all turned out so great that I am having a hard time choosing just a couple for his announcement. Gar is so photogenic. Here is a sneak peak.

My oh my!
Can you even guess who this little guy is? Or maybe this is a girl (don't let him hear me say that). Zander is still as silly as ever.

This is a fun thins Zander made at school:

He sure has a big personality. I am grateful for it most of the time. He sure keeps things interesting!