This is one of mine and my sister Kristel’s favorite pictures it reminds us of the three of us when our father past. How old (well close) and innocent we were at that time.

One of the posts that I have wanted to do for quite some time now is this one….

I love my siblings very much, and there is something that can be said about the bond that SISTERS share. I wanted to dedicate this post to my Sisters… I hope that they don’t mind sharing it with my “other sisters” as well.
I am a very lucky person to first have two sisters that mean the world to me. We have been through a lot together, both good and not so good. I LOVE them both so much!! They are two of my best friends. I want nothing but the best for both of them!! And true happiness!!

I am also very lucky to be surrounded by people that really care about me. How amazing it is to have people like this in my life. I know that both of my sisters also have these kinds of “Sisters” in their lives. I think, -no- I know that we are all BLESSED to be able to share our lives with such people. It’s also refreshing and reassuring since all three of us live apart from each other, to know there is someone out there that is caring for your sister the way you would if you were there and could do it yourself. In every way these are OUR Sisters sharing our lives with us!!

So this is for all of OUR SISTERS out there… for all that you do and are to each of us!!

To a Special Sister
Author: unknown

A sister is one of the nicest things
that can happen to anyone.
She is someone to laugh with and share with,
to work with and join in the fun with.
She is someone who helps in the rough times,
and knows when you need a warm smile.
She is someone who will quietly listen,
when you just want to talk for a while.
A sister is dear to you always,
for she is someone who is always a part
of all the favorite memories
that you keep very close to your heart.

This is the three of us two years ago, one of my favorites.

Any of you that know me, know that I love to cook. I didn’t have time to cook for a long time when I was working so much, but I’ve finally convinced my family (ESPECIALLY CHAD) that I need and want to try new recipes. So I called my friend Jenny to ask her about her "Café’ Rio" style Pork recipe. So many of you have been talking about going and eating there lately. I crave Bajio’s *basically the same type of restaurant but I prefer it- the corn and onions have me*. Since the budget can’t support a trip right now I decided that I wanted to make some of my own. Jenny shared her recipe with me.

Oh my goodness!! It was AMAZING!! I shared dinner with a friend and her family and everyone was VERY pleased with the meal :). I must say that I couldn’t tell the difference between the restaurants salad and mine. I did it as a salad (my favorite) instead of the burrito style. I also took the advise and got the uncooked tortillas from Costco. This was my first time using them (didn’t even know they had them) and I have to say WAY GOOD!!... I don’t know if I can use store “pre-cooked” ones again.
YUM-O as Rachael would say :) My mouth and tummy was in HEAVEN ALL night!!

A new MUST on our MENU!!

p.s. I just found another recipe that is a little different... it looks good I'll have to try it and see how it is.

**not that yours wasn't AMAZING Jenny, I just want to try the rice I think that your pork is much better**

New LDS Draper Temple Open House

As I’ve stated before, family and friends mean a great deal to me. Tonight we went to the open house at the new Draper Temple with two of our friends families there were 18 of us that went together. It was a really great night. 12 of the 18 of us were kids; they were all so good and took it all in. I was so happy with the boys and how well they behaved. They really understood the importance of going into Jesus’ home. Here are the pictures of us being there. First we were at one of the many Stake houses, then the bus ride there, and then at the Temple doors getting ready to go in. Some of us made dinner and took it with us; we sat in the parking lot and ate a yummy dinner. It was good for us to be able to reflect on were we had just been and what our favorite parts were. When we got home and pulling into the driveway Chris said as honest and sweet as could be, “Thank you for taking me to the Temple tonight”. We all smiled and agreed that it was a good night for all of us. If you live near by I really suggest the experience for you and your family, you won’t regret it.
You can go here and get the info for tickets.

Chad hates to give me a good picture…he really said that he had a good time even though it doesn’t look like it in the pictures :)…
I love the nut!

Ok finally I have a copy of Twilight to read,

thanks to my best friend STEPH.

Now I can go with the girls on girl’s night out to see the movie!! Chad was supposed to work a double tomorrow (later today now), and Steve is off work. I thought it would be perfect to get it read then. I've been trying to listen to it but it's hard to always focus on it with a 4yr old talking above the audio reader. Chad just got home..oh well 2 hrs ago now.. and he does the double on Monday. So I’ll see how much I can squeeze into this weekend and get it finished as soon as I can. I have to be ready for our night. :). That will be my first night out with friends in a long while, except for this AWESOME class that Cyrene and I just took together for the past 3 Wednesday nights, but that was a little different than a movie night.

Do you remember our Plumbing Issues Well they got worse. It got to the point that I wasn’t able to use the washer at all. Then I wasn’t able to use the Dishwasher without flooding the basement. I was able to use the Kitchen sink as long as I didn’t let much water down at a time, then guess what… yup you guessed it, NO more Kitchen sink either. So I was doing dishes in buckets and having to make sure that no one used the water in the sink. We broke down and called a Plumber out. I thought that all we needed to do is “snake” the pipe….NOPE!! He let me know that the pipe was broken, a $1600 -$2600 quote to fix it and a charge of $135.00 for finding it and I still had no use of my utilities. Let me tell you, we (all of us) have come quit accustomed to these “Modern Miracles”. I just told myself the PIONEERS had it worse than this, so we can do this!!

Chad’s brother Chris (we have BIG Chris and LITTLE Chris when he’s here) is a plumber and he came to our rescue!!!!....
THANK YOU CHRIS!!
I called him and asked him what we should do and if this was for real. He assured me that it was and that his company would have charged us $3600. Well Chris came out at the end of the week, from Colorado, and FIXED it for us!!!... Our Neighbors and Steve all pitched in and helped with what they could and we have our utilities working!!.. WHAT A RELEIFE!! We seriously could not have done it without him and a special thanks to Abe our neighbor (you’ll see why in the pictures).

So we had everyone come over that night after the school carnival for homemade chili (a small thank you from us) and then headed over to the church carnival. We were so excited because Ty (Chris and Roxy’s 2 yr old son) got to go with us. We all had a blast and then went and checked out the haunted house where Frankenstein SCARED me to DEATH!! (I even hit my head on the steering wheel) while ALL the boys laughed at me A LOT!!... it was a great end to a very long ordeal.

The dust and mud was EVERYWHERE!!

Wow can I remember back that far???... I know that it was a busy day from 7am till 11pm… just like everyone else. What I didn’t’ get a chance to post about I guess, was that Chris and I surprised Jimmy for lunch that afternoon (he thought that we were coming over after lunch) we stayed for the Halloween Parade and then the Class Party. Can I say I was dreading and “totally” nervous as could be in anticipation of what Chris’s behavior would be at the party, but he was AWESOME!!... Thanks to Mrs. Nuttell letting him play with the class toys, he went over to the corner and played all by himself quietly and never disturbed anyone!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!..ANY of his Joy School Teachers wouldn’t… LOL!! But he did, and when the class was cleaning up he cleaned up the toys that he was playing with and put them away no mess, no fuss. He is always good at cleaning up, but I didn’t even have to ask him. I was so proud of him!! :) Mrs. Nuttell even sent him home a special treat on Monday because he did so good.

Ok so now I just have to get him to do that and behave that way at Joy School… not sure how I’m going to work that magic yet, but I’m trying!! To all my Joy School Mom’s: THANK YOU for your patience!! I can say that he is learning and can tell me what the teachers taught each day. He LOVES each of you very much!!

Jimmy's School Parade and class Party
Joy School Halloween Party
Church Halloween Carnival

WOW WHAT A HALLOWEEN SEASON FOR US!! And we SURVIVED!!

Last Saturday the 11th was one of my best friends (Lindsay) little boys (Brennan) birthday. I was there with Lindsay and her family when little (not so little anymore) Brennan was born. Lindsay and I became friends while working at Dillard’s together. She was the first really close friend that I made after moving out to Utah. I feel like she is a sister to me. We have been through some really tough times along with the great times. It’s one of those friendships that has lasted through the weather of time.

The boys and I were on our way to the birthday party when Jimmy asked me if Lindsay and Brennan were family. I let him know that they were the closest of friends just like family, and he said yea I think they are family, Chris strongly agreed. I included some pictures of the boys before we left (little cheezers) along with some of the party. The first picture on the third row is of Brennan and Jimmy, mind you that Brennan is 15 days older than Chris and 3 years younger than Jimmy…. Can you say BASKET BALL STAR is written for his future…lol…

we love you Lindsay and Brennan.

Finally I'm getting this post in...lol... I've been excited to get this one done and posted. Just been so much going on. We had so much fun, we have to do it again next year and if you missed it you've got to come!!...

We had a block party that everyone was invited to. It was a BBQ potluck for all. The party started at 3 with water games for all!! We had sprinklers going and a water slide. There was also a volleyball net up and going. Then the BBQ cooking started with homemade Root beer and Ice Cream. Then a fun Fireworks show followed by an outdoor movie, "Herbie Rides Again". We wrapped up around 10:30pm.... What a fun filled day!!! There was something for everyone and everyone had fun, even if it was just visiting. Thank you to everyone that came, helped and enjoyed!!

LET'S DO IT AGAIN!!

We had a great day with our Ward on Saturday June 28th
(remember I'm finishing up the catch up)
I don't think that there was a person there that didn't enjoy themselves.
I know that my family had a blast and are still talking about it...
They really captured the real feeling of a carnival, the
DUNKING TANK
was defiantly the hit of the day,
with the adult sized trikes (3 wheelers) a VERY close second. Here are some of the pictures of the day.

Thank you guys!! it was a real HIT for everyone!!

After all isn't that what it's all about! Spending quality time with family and friends. We have had some great days with both. It's nice to have the time and ability to do that. Skylor has stayed with us for an additional length of time. It was suppose to be 2 weeks and his Mom kindly, reluctantly let him stay another week. The following are a few pictures of some of our summer days.

The five boys jumping on the Trampoline

(their favorite past time lately)

Lisa and the new kittens! The hit of the Day!!

Skylor lands it!!

My best friend Steph on her special day!! They are a blessed couple and so much in LOVE!!. I couldn't be any happier for her and Jesse. Chad and I were blessed to be able to share their day with them. They were even married in the same place that we were, brought back some great memories. Young Love reminds us all to be grateful for what we have, a renewal of what we have had, and to never forget what lies ahead.

Thank you Steph and Jesse for letting us be apart of your special day!! Friends and Family....

NOTHING BETTER THAN THAT IN LIFE!!