A few more wrestling pics

Cameron wrestling

Big Valley has a wrestling program for kids from Kindergarten through 8th grade and Cameron wanted to do it. So he went to his first tournament last wknd. I decided that watching wrestling is not my favorite thing to watch. First of all, it's just gross. Second, as a mother it is very hard to sit back and watch your kid be pinned to the ground stuggling for their life. It just goes against motherly insticts. Cameron loves it though. It's a loooong day, and each tournament is between 1 and 2 hours away, and it starts super early in the morning. He wrestled 3 times, and won 2 out of the 3 and got a medal. So he was happy.

Sad Day

If you think this is going to be a sad post from reading the title, you're absolutely right. If you think I'm posting this to get your sympathetic comments and a little empathy, you're absolutely right.

So yesterday Rod and I embarked on a much-anticipated snowboarding trip. Arrangements for all three children were made (involving a total of 6 moms and one paid babysitter!), winter gear was packed in the car and we rose early to leave for Brian Head, a 3 1/2 hour drive from Vegas. We arrive at 9:30 am as planned and....you guessed it. They were closed. Couldn't open because of 55 mph winds. So, so sad. Double sad because if it hadn't been for the wind, it would have been a perfect day: not too cold (about 40 degrees) and sunny.

We tried to rouse our spirits and drive home a quickly as we could, hoping to get to the resort in Vegas (which is crappy and twice as expensive as Brian Head) in time for a 3 hour (or even 2 hour!) snowboarding venture. But it was not to be. We returned and there cleary was not enough time to make it. We would have gotten only an hour on the slopes. So, so sad.

Well after making all those child arrangements, we had to do something. It was about 2:30 or so (we had made arrangments for the kids until 6pm), so we consoled ourselves with Capriotti's sandwiches and hiking at Red Rock Canyon. It was fun, but it wasn't snowboarding.

Note, I did not cry when the guy came out of the lodge and delivered his cruel news! But if I had all of my kids with me, and had packed up gear for all them, and endured a 3 1/2 hour drive with yelling and screaming in the background, I would have.

Anyway, had to tell you all our sad story of yesterday. I know you'll understand!!

Here Comes The Bride....

With an upcoming wedding I was having fun yesterday looking at some fun pics online. Here's a few that caught my eye.

This table runner is wrapping paper and it is also used on the table gifts.

chatting with brother

So I called our bro tonight to say hi. I love our brother...although he may not be the best conversationalist. But I thought I'd post this, cause I know you can all read it in his voice and enjoy it. :)

Travis: Hi Kate (louder than I expected)
Kate: Hi Trav, what's up? I'm just calling to say hi cause I miss you!
Travis: I miss you too Kate
Kate: Are you at Ryan's house?
Travis: Yes
Kate: Did you go to different strokes today?
Travis: Yes. Kate I didn't go bowling.
Kate:Did some people go bowling?
Travis: Yes. Gary went bowling.
Kate: Guess what Trav, I'll get to see you in about 50 days!
Travis: That's good. Kate...
Kate: Yeah Trav?
Travis: (pause)...I'm doing good.
Kate: Yes Trav. I love you.
Travis: I love you too Kate. Kate, you're my friend?
Kate: Yes and your favorite sister! Do you want to keep talking or do you want to get off the phone?
Travis: Kate...I want to watch TV.

Happy Birthday Emily Jean!!

Happy Birthday Emily!!! We love our little sister! Emily adds so much to our family- she brings so much spunk and humor! She's also very thoughtful and aware of those around her! We love you Em!

Caitlin is 6! Emily is 21! soon . . .

Emily is our spunky one! Happy Birthday! Love to you both OXXO

Happy Birthday Brooke!!

Happy Birthday Brooke!!
We are so glad you were the first-born in this family
We all love you so much!!

Brooke is an extremely beautiful, patient, funny and kind person.
She always has time for everyone, and she always makes you feel important.
She also is a terrific baker, and makes dang good treats!!
Have a great Birthday Brooke!
We all wish we could be there to party with you today!

Why do you love Brooke??

We're Engaged!

Okay...sorry it has taken me a while to post. But Clark and I are officially getting married on May 15!

After a fun day of breakfast, boggle, the temple, and hiking Clark dropped me off to get ready for dinner. He brought me some beautiful flowers (pictured below) and took me to The Roof for dinner. After trying to make me THINK he was going to propose at temple square- which he knew was NOT okay- we went to a comedy improv show. When we got back in the car, he blindfolded me and took me to a park we had gone to when we were first dating, where he had arranged a pretty scene. He took off my blindfold and he was down on his knee...so after I looked around and figured out where we were, he proposed and I said YES! It was all very thoughtful! :)


pretty flowers...Clark has brought me flowers on many occasions, which I always appreciate!



The pretty candles that Clark had his cousins and sister help set up. It was so lovely!




After we got engaged!



It was hard to get a non-blurry picture of the ring...you can kinda see it in the pictures. It is a band with white, yellow, and rose gold with diamonds interspersed. It was the very first ring that we looked at and I love it!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun......

I almost feel bad posting this, I know all of my sister's would want to have been there! Wow, what a weekend. I had so much fun. I got up early Friday morning and drove to the Royal Gorge cross country resort to meet mom there. I had never been cross country skiing before. It's hard work! Mom and I figured out that it's really hard to stand and talk without falling down. If we'were moving, we were okay. We took a few falls just standing there. It was hysterical and ridiculous at the same time! The weather turned out to be perfect, despite what the weathermen were saying. There had been a storm earlier in the week, so we had lots of fresh snow. It was so beautiful and serene. It wasn't crowded at all. We figured we went about 20 miles, and the last hour or so, we were definently feeling it. I am still sore today. Friday night we ate the Rainbow Lodge restuarant, and had a yummy steak dinner. The lodge, it such a neat place, it's so old and quirky, but beautiful and rustic at the same time. We didn't stay up too late, we were so tired! In the morning we had an awesome complimentary breakfast. The french toast was good. After brkfst. we played 10,000 in front of the fireplace until mom had to leave to make it to her swedish massage from OC Jones. It was a rough weekend :) Jenny got there a little after mom left and we hit the slopes at Donner. It was so fun, Jenny hadn't been skiing since high school, and I went once last year, which before that it had been since high school. It was a little scary at first, but after the first run, it just all comes back. We had a great day. We went to dinner, then got our PJ's on and ate treats in bed while watching the classic Dumb and Dumber. So many great one liners in that movie. :) Anyways, Sunday morning we had breakfast then went for a walk before we had to check out. It was sad to leave and know we had to survive "re-entry". Troy did great all by himself and the house was clean when I got home. What more could I ask for? It was a perfect weekend!

Royal Gorge as these cute little 'warming huts' on the slopes. You can go warm up, and the have a hot plate and kettle to make water. We melted some snow and filled up our water bottles. It wasn't very cold that day, so it was pretty warm inside.

Beautiful View! Mariah Pt.

Mmmmm.

This was me and Jenny's stash. Nutter Butters go way back to when we went to Hawaii together in high school. We lived off them and smoothies. Sadly we couldn't stay up that late, I think we were asleep by 10:30. we're old.

The rooms are so small and cozy!

Donner Lake in the background.

Continuing the tradition of pulling over on one of the ski runs for a candy bar. A Snickers never tasted so good.

Gotta love the self timer. Do we look excited?

Kate, post a picture of your ring!!!!!

The Abby Show

For each girl I make a slideshow of their first year after they turn one. I burn it and we watch it every year as part of their birthday festivities. I just finished Abby's; enjoy!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.