family pics

Since the family isn't together very often, my dad always wants to take pictures. He sometimes springs it on us at the last minute when someone hasn't done their hair or something. We had a little more advanced notice this time. We are definitely not the most photogenic people, but I'm pretty happy with the way these turned out.

the fam minus Jeff and Jake

the kids

sisters

brothers...so funny. they hated taking a picture of just them and had no idea how to stand

all the girls

chelsea and karlee

Fair Post #2

I can't remember the last time I went to the fair, and I definitely have never been to the fair in Missouri. There were all types of people there which made for a fun time. Karlee rode some rides. We looked at the animals. We ate some fair food...probably a little too much fair food.

grandma, kids, chelsea, me, ashley

we took some pics

fed the animals. karlee was so funny and only wanted to feed the small animals

karlee loved riding rides even though she doesn't look like it.

The fair was pretty fun, but I probably don't need to go to another fair for several more years, and I definitely don't need to eat any fair food anytime soon.

fair from my phone

I'm in Missouri for the week with Chelsea and the kids visiting the fam...more to come. Today we went to the Semo district fair...more to come on that too, but for now here's the fair according to my phone.

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Remembering...Can't Forget

the Brooklyn Bridge

September 11 is a date that hopefully no one will forget. I don't even know how to put into words what I feel today. I have been reading Facebook status updates and blog posts and watching TV specials today. I am overcome as I think of that day 10 years ago. My experience definitely is so small in comparison to many others who lived through it/barely survived, but it is still something I never want to forget. I was a senior in college, and I was finishing getting ready in the morning. My friend Elizabeth came over to walk to school, and she heard something on the news but didn't know much. BYU was a very different campus that day. Many classes were cancelled that day. There was a special prayer meeting held in the Marriott Center. Click here to read. Even though there was an obvious mood of fear overtaking the country, I remember the prayer meeting and how meaningful it was for me that day. As I think back to 10 years ago, I not only remember the horror of our country being ripped apart by terrorists, but I remember our country coming together united in this tragedy. President Monson writes in the Washington Post about the opportunity it gave many to spiritually rebuld. As I look at our country 10 years later, the tragedy to me is that we aren't always united. We aren't always spiritually strong. We aren't always looking out for each other. We don't always remember. Today was a good reminder to me to always remember.

yucky air...beautiful skies

Thank you summer inversion for this most beautiful sunset.

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Bridal Shower on the Boat

Nicole and Matt are getting married next weekend. Since she lives out of town we started talking about her bridal shower the second she got engaged. She picked the date and time (since she had 2 other showers that day), and we started planning. In the midst of the planning, Serena somewhat jokingly suggested boating instead of a traditional shower. I don't think anything could be more appropriate for Nicole. We met at Jaynie's last weekend before hitting the lake. This was by far the best and most fun bridal shower I have ever been to.

the bride

she opened presents (with a little craft talk), we ate (don't tell Jaynie's mom there was food on the boat)

Serena surfed, Jaynie did a few tricks on the water

Nicole started out the wakeboarding, Mary got up on the ski and then did something to her back (thank goodness Nicole is a PT and she felt better by the end of the night)

we took pictures (Courtney, me, Mary, Tonya, Serena, Jaynie, Nicole) and watched the sunset from the boat
It's been a few years since the Turnberry days, but being out on the boat together felt like old times. We laughed our heads off and reminisced about those days. I love those girls so much.

buh-bye old...hello new

I've been saying for a while that I'm getting a new car "soon" whatever that means. I decided to do a little shopping to figure out what I wanted. I have an awesome hookup with Nissan so soon turned into this month to take advantage of some incentives. Well turns out car shopping=new car.

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Goodbye Robyn and Joe

For some reason I keep putting off this post. Maybe I think if I don't post it then it won't be real. It is real. Robyn and Joe and fam moved to Tennessee. Kimberly and I hosted a going away party at the park before they left. Lots of friends and family came. It was the perfect night. I was cry yourself to sleep sad to see them go but so excited for the new adventures for their family. I love you Robyn and Joe and can't wait to visit Tennessee.

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26.2 x 100

My running friend, Sharon, ran her 100th marathon yesterday. She decided a couple of years ago to make it to 100 marathons in celebration of her 60th birthday.

Many of the Generation Gap runners gathered at the Park City marathon finish line to celebrate with Sharon as she accomplished her goal. It was a very bittersweet experience for me. I was supposed to run that marathon, but I am STILL injured. It was hard to be there as a spectator instead of a runner. I knew it would be hard, and I didn't know if I could emotionally handle it. I am glad I went. It was great to be there to support and friend and celebrate with her, but I decided it is mentally much harder to not run a marathon than to actually run the marathon.

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same post...totally different people

Current thing I love the most about living in Utah...out of town visitors. Bill and Karen were in town this week so we all got together for a night of fun and catching up. Most of us were roommates/lived in the same apartment complex so getting together is always fun for everyone.

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Amazing Grace

how many of us pray each day for opportunities to serve others?!? here's your chance.

my roommate Suzie is putting together a yard sale/bake sale/silent auction to help raise money for her darling niece to get physical therapy at the amazing Now I Can.

check it out here and make sure to read Grace's story (it will melt your heart) and the miracle of Now I Can and then donate or stop by Saturday, August 27

Little Mermaid...St. George

When I found out The Little Mermaid was at Tuacahn this summer, I immediately called Chelsea to tell her we HAD to take Karlee. She watched the movie for the first time last Christmas and has loved it ever since. The show did not disappoint and neither did Karlee. She LOVED it! The show was absolutely amazing, and it was so much fun being there with Karlee.

we showed up in St. George all matchy matchy

Karlee was so happy to see Ariel and jumped right in her arms

The main reason we went to St. George was for cousin Eric and Megan's wedding. We had a low key family bbq in the afternoon and wedding and reception that night. An August wedding in St. George was nearly the death of me, but it was great spending time with the family.

trying to get a good picture with these kids is next to impossible

wasatch back BBQ

joe, robyn, laurie, jessica, lindy, bree, me, marci

spending 30 hours in a van together can either make you love or hate each other. in my experience it usually makes you love each other. most of us finally got together for a BBQ the end of July. we were all so excited to see each other again and catch up. thanks robyn and joe for hosting.

same post...some same people

Matt and Eleisha and fam were in town for a few days. We all met for dinner to celebrate Robyn's birthday. It's been so fun having so many friends in town lately.

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wedding crashers

Our good friends Lindsey and Brock were in town for a wedding. Basically the only option of seeing them was to crash her sister's wedding. It was a little awkward especially for Brianna (she knew the groom and family), but it was totally worth the awkwardness. It was so great to see them.

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