Fishing at Flaming Gorge

OK, Stacy is always wanting me to write something on the blog so here you go. The kids and I went fishing after Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. We did our annual trip to Flaming Gorge and Mustang Ridge. It was another successful trip. We were suppose to have rain, but we only got wind. We caught a total of 29 fisher between us (me, Abby and Austin), Kelly, and Dad (Terry Sr.). Kelly, of course showed us all up by catching the most, 14, fish. The highlight for me though, was Abby caught 4 all by herself. We were using worms and a bubble and so I would cast it out and have her watch the bubble. As soon as it went down then she would reel in. She loved it and caught the 4 with out any help from me. The other highlight of the trip was the net. Both Abby and Austin loved to use the net to get the fish into the bank. They were really good at it also. We usually do this trip in one day, but we decided this time to spend the night. So, we rented a condo at the Flaming Gorge Lodge. The kids said "it was so much better than a hotel!" It was nice because we did not have to get up early to go nor get back. We were able to fish until we got tired and then go get a good nights sleep and fish again the next day. I loved being with my kids. I love seeing them climb on the rocks, or over trees. I love seeing them play together. I love seeing their faces as they caught the fish and then even more as they touched them. They are wonderful kids.

New York

Ok, guess were we went? No, I am not going to tell you. You have to guess from the picture! OK I will tell you. Terry and I went to New York!! Terry had a customer he was flying back for a large demo and so I went along with him. It was a short trip, but a fun one. We went to two plays on Broadway. The first was Tale of Two Cities and it was out of this world. In fact, I liked it better than Wicked which we saw the next day. Not to say that Wicked was bad, it was just that the singing talent in Tale of Two Cities was that good. We also saw ground zero and it was a strange felling still to be down there. We also saw Times Square.

It is also fall and the colors are out of this world. Terry is having to much fun with the camera.

First Snow

We just had our first snow storm for the year. Yes go figure. It is only the second week in OCT and we had at least 2 inches fall at our house. It fell on a Saturday night and so when the kid woke up Sunday morning they were besides themselves. "Dad can we get our snow clothes on?" "Dad where are my boots?" "I can't find my gloves." Well, all of their clothes were out in the garage and so we had to go out in the cold to get them. After we found the bins of cloths we then remembered that most of their stuff they had out grown last year and so we gave them to DI with plans on getting new clothes this year. So we had to mix and match and bundle them up so they could go outside. It really was pretty. It only lasted a few days because by Wed the temperature was back up to 65-70 and the snow was gone.

We know that we have not done very many updates, but we have been busy with really nothing. We did a far amount of traveling during the summer that now we are just catching up and getting things prepared for Winter. Terry and I are going to New York next week. He has a customer that he is taking back there and so I am going to tag along. I have never been to NY and so I am very excited. Bonnie, my good friend, is going to met me there and we are going to tour NY on Tuesday while Terry is at work. Tuesday night we are going to go see "tale of two cities" on Broadway. Wed will be more site seeing and then seeing "Wicked" on broadway at night. It will be a short trip, but who cares. WE ARE GOING TO NEW YORK!!!!!!!!! Can't wait.

Fun with Friends

ddd

4th of July

Can you imagine a mountain as surreal as this? This is the Teton Mountain range from the north looking south. This picture was taken in the middle of Leigh Lake in the middle of Teton National Park. As always we spent the 4th of July at Terry's grandpa's cabin in Jackson Hole, WY. It is such a wonderful place with beautiful scenery and fun things to do. We left on Wed and traveled up to Jackson. It was a long day as Terry had to make sales calls on the way up. But, we got there Wed night and ate at my favorite place called "The New York Sub Shop." They make the most wonderful hot sandwiches.

Thursday morning was spent preparing for the week by buying food in town and then relaxing at the cabin. In the afternoon we took the kids to the Rec center for swimming. They really have a good time there.

Friday was the 4th and we got up and went into town for the parade. This year it was the biggest parade the town had ever had. There were lots of cars and fire engines and people throwing candy. After the parade Nikita and I went shopping while the boys went fishing. We learned that Nikita and I have a lot more in common than we thought. We have the same taste in cloths and can talk each other out of things we should not buy anyways. The boys went to Slide Lake up the Gros Ventre canyon. They did not catch anything, but said they had a great time in the canoe using some flooded trees as an obstacle course. The evening was spent at the "Music in the Hole" music festival where the orchestra plays patriotic music and everyone is waving flags and honoring our service men. The night was topped off with the best fireworks show they have done in years. They had three levels of fireworks that they would shoot off at different times and then combine. For 20 minutes we were in aw at colors, sounds, and excitement.

Saturday was my birthday and once again I did not get to sleep in. We got up and had breakfast in Moose where they have a chuck wagon breakfast and we eat in a huge tepee. It has been a tradition of ours for the last few years. We then went into the park and canoed String Lake and Leigh Lake and had lunch. Terry made me get in the water and as my mom says "Lake water adds 7 years to your life".......or is it takes it away?????? Leigh Lake is a glacier fed lake and it must have unfroze yesterday because it was the coldest water I have ever been in. But the kids swam with Terry and we all had a great time. We even got Robyn in a canoe out in the water.

We had a wonderful time, but of course did miss Scott and Jess and Trish and Scott with their families. This is the first year in awhile we have not had everyone around.

Moab and Arches National Park

We just had a wonderful trip to Moab, UT and Arches National Park. This place is amazing and truly one of the amazing places in Utah. We left on Wed and traveled 4 hours to Moab. Terry had to do some work so we just stayed in the hotel. It was not so bad because it was raining anyways. Thursday afternoon and Friday we were able to go into Arches to view all the wonderful sites. We took the kids on the famous Delicate Arch hike. This is a three mile round trip hike over sand, rocks, mountains, and ledges. The kids did great! Even though Austins favorite phrase coming down was "my legs won't work." But of course as soon as he saw the car he ran to it. One of the things we wanted to show the kids were lizards and so on the way down from Delicate Arch we started to look for them and we saw 6. Terry says they were some of the biggest he has seen. Austin loved them, but of course kept his distance. The kids loved climbing on the rocks and playing in the sand. When ever we asked them what the favorite part of their trip was it was always what ever the last thing we had done or saw. So Terry and I thought we did a good job and they loved everything about the trip.

Golf

Terry and Austin went golfing for the first time together today. They went to Jordan River Golf Course which is just a par three course. It was perfect for what they wanted to do because they were not rushed and Austin was able to hit the ball around a lot. Although he enjoyed using he new clubs his favorite part was running to the flag and taking it out of the hole. Terry says he did really well and even made a 6 foot put.

Two days ago was also the annual MS "Day at the Park" with the Salt Lake Bee's Triple A baseball team. Each year they offer tickets to the game with dinner before. It is such a fun event. The kids love playing at the park and riding the train they have around the outfield. We enjoyed spending time with family. We sat out in right field on the hill. They also have a lady doing balloons and the kids got a helmet and sword. Austin found another kid who had the same thing and they would play fight each other. Oh how nice it is to be young and not be afraid to approach someone you don't know and ask them to play. How simple life really is.

Hooray for May!

We finally had nice enough weather to get up in the mountains. Unfortunately the mountains are a few weeks behind in spring colors, but it was still so wonderful to get out. We decided to go up Mueller Park Canyon for dinner. We got a spot right next to the stream (crick for all you red neck Utahan's) The kids had a blast playing around the stream. Terry and I just enjoyed the break and a chance to sit in the warmth and relax. We had tin foil dinners which the kids loved the potatoes. Go figure. Terry thought the meat was the best, but me, Mushrooms... MMM good!

February? Where did you go?

My, My, My. . . . Where did February go? This month has been packed with celebrations! Of course, Austin turned the big "4", even though he said he didn't want to. He had a bowling party with 1 other boy and, of course, 4 little ladies. He's starting young. We had a fun valentine dinner complete with pie amid candle light (Abby's idea) and I'm waiting for Terry to return home from a business trip so we can celebrate our 9th year of marriage! We celebrated Presidents' Day at the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. The kids were able to make three quarter hats, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and even write in old english. We were there for a few hours, so we ended up doing a little bit of everything, even participating in the play of Davie Crockett. Abby started ice skating lessons this week, Austin is still trying to be the man in charge while dad's away (he has a "serious" face when trying to solve things, which is sooo cute), and I am just trying to stay organized. Life is wonderful and we are truly blessed. Love you all!

Us for Now

We're finally sharing pics and news!!! Yay!
Birthdays, birthdays, snow, snow, tubing, snow, and more snow!! Can anyone say S-P-R-I-N-G
I'm ready!! But, the kids have loved every minute of January so far. Abby turned the big #7 and had a birthday party with a few friends at the rec center's indoor pool. Austin is looking forward to his b'day #4 on Feb. 5th. Of course it is a Lightning McQueen party (but we're going bowling!). He has developed a love for the sport thanks to the Wii. Terry has been staying busy with work and me, well, I'm just "doing the deal "and loving it. Just finished the book called Left to Tell about the Rwandan genocide. I would highly recommend it! Amazing story!!! (Did I mention, amazing?) Well, enjoy the pics!! love to all!