2008 in Review

When 2008 started for us, well, actually one of us was asleep! In 2008 we flew out of the Salt Lake Airport in a Blizzard. By the time the plane was
de-iced we were over a hour late to take off. We had a layover in Phoenix which gave us plenty of time to land in North Carolina. We went to bless Shana and Chuck's newest son, Cooper. We had a blast visiting Charleston, Marks mission area and a civil war battlefield. The only regret was there wasn't enough time to see more. While there we got a phone call that church had been cancelled due to another blizzard leaving Tremonton buried! In June our garden got pounded by a huge hail storm and Mark's store where he works moved into the new building. In July we added a new addition to our family, A mini Aussie we named Allie. We bought a new trailer, went camping and in Sept took a road trip to see Trevor, Summer and Madi in Portland. We had fun time seeing the coast, touring the Air Museum where Marks dad served during the war and playing with Madi. In August we saw Kristy off to Alabama to get her Masters Degree!! With the high gas prices we bought Mark a new ride, visited with the Hatches in Idaho, took a few trips to Hurricane to see the parents,
knocked out the back wall in the Kitchen and added French Doors. The deck will be a 2009 project! Hope everyone has a great 2009 filled with some great memories!!

Blizzard Update

Yep it snowed all day today! The power went out for almost 2 hours, while we cooking dinner, so we went outside to shovel, throw snowballs to Allie and visit with other shovelling neighbors. This is what it looked like at 6:00 tonight, yes it's still snowing. We can't sing "Dreaming of a White Christmas" we can sing "Walking in a Winterland"!! We love it, it's true. The forcast just said we might get "Thunder Snow" tonigt. Who knows what we will wake up to.

The Christmas Morning Blizzard

We heard last night we were getting a big storm and I guess the weatherman got it right. We woke up to quite a blizzard. The Dog loved it, she ran and crashed right into a snowbank, got up and did it again. Guess we'll have to bundle up and go out and play with her. Her are a few pics of this mornings blizzard. The dip in the snow at the door is from the dog!

Merry Christmas

Snowday

Let's Play!

We have had some snow off and on, today was the first big storm of the season. It started last night, we could see the snow amber glow when we went to bed and by morning it was snowing hard with big fluffy flakes! Fun.... Allie loved it, she ran and tried to catch the falling snow and had a great time in the field chasing snowballs. We had the police scanner on and was very glad to be at home today. It was just a perfect day to stay in and chill (or warm up!)

Finally, I got my door!

Yeah turn the heat back on! It's done


There's a big hole in the house and it's cold!!


Staring time, better be sure now!




Before the remodel


I have always wanted a back door and a deck, finally we got her done!! Except for the snow flurries and the wind, it went well. We just need to add the trim and do some touch up to finish it off.
In the spring we'll start on the deck and I can't wait to BBQ and watch the sunsets. Mark says he will stay inside because of the mosquito's, I say he is a wimp. Maybe a screened in porch?? They have them in the south, so why not here. Then we could sit in our rocking chairs and watch the sunsets together. Hint, Hint Mark??

condolences....

Our heart goes out to the sudden loss of Al Christoffersen the Tooele UPS Driver that was killed. His wife, Karen was my college roommate and we knew both of them.
We send out deepest condolences and well wishes to his family. Words alone cannot express the sorrow we feel for them at this time.

Some pics

Thanksgiving Fun

As always getting away is great, especially when it involves food and 5 days away, which by the way was great.
It rained all day on Thursday, the rest of the weekend was nice. Kristy even came to visit all the way from Alabama. Most of the fam was there, except we missed Kerry and Fam, he had Fire Station Duty where they cooked dinner there. Marks Bro Layne and his wife Linda came to join us as well.
Allie tormented Cricket, we went shopping at Costco where found our Christmas gift from the parents! We ate at In-Out Burger and had to hover over tables to get one. It was packed! We took Allie out to the desert to play, she had a great time jumping over rocks and chasing tumbleweeds in the wind. With gas prices a lot cheaper, it made it nicer to travel the hoiday weekend. The best part, I blogged while we travelled home!

Southern Trippin

Playing with Kerry's toys in the backyard!

Waking up Tyler!

Jordan Teaching Allie to jump

Wow, I am behind in our blog. A few weeks ago we tripped South to Hurricane for a few days of fun in the sun. Kerry, Misty, Jordan and Tyler went the same weekend, so it was really fun to visit with them. Allie loved the kids and would tell me that she needed to go out to potty in the night. She was bluffing, stinkin dog wanted to wake up the kids and play with Cricket. I caught on to that really fast! We had a great time and loved the belgian waffles with strawberries Dad made. (hoping to have them at Thanksgiving, hint...) Jordan is quite a little dog trainer, I guess she takes after her Aunt!!

Tagged by Shana!

Okay 7 random facts about us??????ummmmmmmmmmmmm

1. Mark loves brand new Levis, Kim likes older worn ones.
2. Mark has more clothes than Kim!
3. Mark likes to sleep in, Kim likes to get up early.
4. We both hate shopping malls.
5. We both love roller coasters.
6. Mark hate snakes, Kim likes Snakes.
7. We are both animal lovin people (no surpise here!)

We will tag Shane/Jenny, Carrie,not sure who else.......

Just for fun................

Our little Allie is now 5 months and we had a breakthrough with her training today! We have been working on the stop command and today was the test! We were out in the field today and pigeon lady let her birds out again! Last time Allie followed those silly pigeons all around the field with her little head in the air. She got too far and wasn't listening. Today she saw those stinkin pigeons and went after them, I yelled Allie Stop and she did! Then later we were in the park throwing a ball and something caught her eye and she started to run across the park, I yelled Allie Stop and she did! It's nice to have those training moments pay off. The Allie picture is after a workout in the field chasing sticks!
The flowers were sent from Kristy for my birthday. They are so pretty! Thanks Kristy. Hope all is well in Alabama.

Portland pic part 2

Portland pics part 1

Portland Pursuits

Mark and I took a road trip to Portland, Ore. We stayed in Boise on the way there with Brian and Kim Hatch where we watched Emily play soccer. We had a great time visiting with them. The next morning we left for Portland to see Trevor, Summer and Madi. We stopped in Pendleton and looked around, it wasn't that great. The drive was really pretty along the Columbia River.
As you know we love to sight see and we had great tour guides. We went to the Air Museum in Tillamook where Marks Dad served in the 1940's. He was on a Blimp that crashed into the ocean and we found a pic of him in the exhibit hall. It was really interesting, but cold in there!
We went to the Cheese Factory and watched the employees work! We had cheese samples, lunch and then headed for Seaside. We played a really fun arcade game and I think we all won at least one! We walked the beach and Madi rode the carousel with her dad. We have jackets on, but it wasn't too bad.
We also visited the Roloff Pumpkin Farm in Beaverton. I had only seen the show once in Arizona and it looked fun. I wasn't as familiar with the show, but got an education about them and their life. They have a really nice house and they were filming. (Little People, Big World)
We all had to sign a release and get our pics taken for permission to be on the show. I guess we have to upgrade to TLC to see it! It was a fun time and of course we all got pumpkins. Shana you would have loved it! They had quite a fan club there.
That evening Trevor and Summer (Madi to) took us to a restaurant on the river. I had the best Tiger Prawns! Thank you!! We walked the river front, then went home and had birthday cake and ice cream.
We also watched Trevor play ball and hit a home run, go fishing and played the Wii. Sorry Mark about the two KO'S!! It was a fun trip and we thank the Heids for a great time. Madi you are so much fun and we will miss you!

Camping under the pines...........

Allies Adventures in Camping

After we sold our Trailer, we knew we would miss camping under the pines and our ATV rides. We decided we would look for another one after the first of the year when prices are lower. We came across a 2008 Sandstorm that was being sold due to a divorce. The owner used it once and put $6000.00 down on it. He just wanted to sell it for what was owed. After searching the internet for Toy Haulers with a similar price, all we found were older ones that were really used. It was a no brainer. It's smaller which we wanted, only 18 feet and we can still put both ATV's in it. Mark likes the way this one pulls, it's much lighter and 8 feet shorter.
Of course, we took a few days to go up to Logan Canyon and do what we love. Camp and ride!! Allie loved her first camping adventure. Her job was collecting sticks and protecting us during the day! At night, the dark and the noises in the forest scared her a lot. She did great for a 4 month old. She stayed near the trailer and stayed with us when we hiked. She slept in her crate in the trailer when we rode and at night. Of course, she needed a bath! We are looking forward to another trip before winter!

The Grand Opening Pics

The Grand Opening

When planning a Grand Opening for a store that will have lots of outside activities you hope for good weather! We had our own "Hurricane" with heavy rain, lightning and lots of wind. The next morning wasn't much better with more rain, lightning and wind. Mark had to pick up sheep from a friend for the Mutton Bustin, another friend was bringing his team for hayrides, and the outdoor BBQ were some of the events planned. The day started out slow, however, the weather finally had some mercy. The weather somewhat broke and the events were on!

Park City Pics

Day Trippin

Mark, I and Allie took a day trip up the beautiful mountains of Park City so we could visit with Neil and Niki. We found an outdoor cafe that allows dogs, and since it was such a nice day, it nice to eat outside. Allie did great, except she wanted the attention of the waitress! We had a good lunch and a great visit. It was nice to see the blogs of their kids so we knew something about the grand kids!
We wish we could of stayed longer, however, Mark had to get back to work the next day to get ready for the IFA Grand Opening (hopefully we will have pics).
Park City is so nice in spite of the smoke that filled the valley that day from the Corner Canyon Fire in Draper just over the mountain in the Salt Lake Valley.
We look forward to next year when you guys come back! Allie will be old enough to be left, so we stay a little longer. It's always good to visit with them ;)
Thanks Niki for the nice note and the pamphlet, it is very interesting to read!

The Fair Pics

The Week Long Party!!

The Box Elder County Fair is a great success again! Here are a few highlights of the fun time we had. The "Beatles Group" known as Imagine, brought the crowd to its feet. We included a clip for you to see. They started with early Beatles and ended with the Sargent Pepper, they had 3 eras they performed. The entertainment isn't all Cowboy music.

We of course had to go the Rodeo which is always fun and we closed the fair again with dancing every night. Saturday night will be the best dance band!! We Cowboy Cha-Cha, 2 Step, Waltz and Ten Step. Mark is a great dancer. It's a lot of fun especially hangin with friends. Our kids used to ask what we do there and why we spend so much time at the fair?? We hang out with friends, just like you do. Geez I guess they thought we were too old to have so much fun. The Pee Wee Lamb show is always fun to see with the costumes and the little kids dressed up. It's always sad to see the Fair end, but we get to relax again and go to bed at a normal hour. The local food booths are really good and best of all the fair is free!! Thanks Box Elder for the party, See you next year 2009 !! (Mark says thanks to those who voted for him in the survey! Like Kim will really give it to him ;)

The Fair is Here!!

Kylan in the tree

Bird Watcher

Civil War Iron- North Carolina

Taken in Charleston, SC

Once again it's time for the Box Elder County Fair. Today is the first day and I went to see if I won anything with my picture entries. I entered 4 photos and 3 took 2nd place in the amateur division!! I was excited, on Friday I get to collect my prize money, what on earth should with it, should I invest it, should I save it, should I pay a bill, or should I buy some fair food!! (Take the survey!!) After all a whole $4.50 will buy a meal there. I entered Kylan's pic I took of him in the tree, it is pretty cool but it didn't win. More on the fair to come ;) On the survey the first question kinda got cut off (invest with Chuck!) our son-in-law who works for Edward Jones...

Allies Adventures

Allie took her first road trip of her young life! We tripped down to Hurricane so she could meet mom, dad and Cricket. She travelled quite well and even though her energy level was a little much for Cricket, they did great together. She wore out Cricket, I'm sure Cricket is glad for a little R&R after we left. We had a great time and wish mom a speedy recovery and we thank dad for the great Turkey dinner.
While there Allie learned to Shake and jump on the fireplace. She is doing great with her basic commands and growing quickly, we even had to loosen her collar.