Turning a new leaf...

Just a simple question

2011-09-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Today my youngest son Ryan asked me this morning...

"Mom what is your dream house?"

no one ever asked me that before and it was refreshing
to hear those sweet words from my little boy.

So I said " Let me show you" and I did.

I had to record this moment cause
I don't ever want to forget it.

Thank You my sweet Ryan! I love you!!!

Hockey Buds

2011-08-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Ryan and Keil

Fall 2009

Ryan and Keil

Spring 2010

Ryan and Keil have been friends since the 1st grade. His mother Cari and I have also been friends. Love that girl! The boys have shared same classes at school, birthday parties, sleepovers, and sports. There love for hockey has really glued their friendship... along with other things like star wars and being chased by girls (I know really??)

They started playing hockey together the fall of 2009 through the Castle Rock rec. center. Watching the boys play made us proud. It's hard enough to inline skate let alone to wear all the gear. These little guys were tough!

After each game I would greet Ryan and immediatley take off his helmet to find him dripping with sweat. But none the less I would also find him with a huge smile!

One of Ryan's BIG moments!! GO RYAN!!

What will be his next move??

Action shot! You go Ryan!

Ryan's 1st cub scout pak meeting

2011-07-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

Pak meeting was at Rhyolite Park. It was entertaining to watch Ryan play with his fellow cub scouts. Way to go Ryan cub! Oh and the shorts...do you think they could be any longer??

Ryan's 8th Birthday

2011-07-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

Ryan's 8th birthday was a blast!

"How to train your dragon"

He invited friends from school and

they made their own shield. Of course they

had a sword battle and guess who won...

yep it was the birthday boy!

Happy 8th bday Ryan!!

It's time...

2011-07-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

So...I need to catch up on some posts!

Ryan's Baptism June 2010

Baptised by Rich

Look at Ryan's sweet smile! He was
so happy he was being baptized.

It was a happy day for all of us! I'm so

proud of my boy. He had a smile on his face

all day. What a great memory for him.

I love you Ryan!!

Rhylee's 1st 5k

2010-12-20T08:34:00.001-08:00

This year Rhylee and Rich decided to run a 5k together. They started conditioning a few months prior to prepare for the big day! This was a first for Rhylee as she did great!!

Rhylee's time was 32.16 and Rich's was 30.28...pretty darn good!! Needless to say they were proud of their goal.

Castle Rock Stake put this race together for the 5th year in a row. There were 77 people total, 24 kids from the primary.

The weather was overcast which made it great for running the Nature Trail Park! We celebrated at IHOP with an excellent breakfast. It was fun for me to take pictures and cheer these two on! Proud of you two!!

2010-10-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

my GHETTO van

You see, from this view it looks pretty darn good.

But wait...

Yah, told ya! Okay...so the parking is a little off.

And backing up is really hard. Especially when little
yellow poles are not in my eyes view.

Oh and this one happened when I backed up

and hit a 'Town of Castle Rock' vehicle.
Didn't do ANY damage to his monster truck.
BONUS: a ticket to boot!

I've been thinking of getting a HUGE bandaid
and putting it over my dents. Thoughts?

Now from a distance it doesn't look all that bad...

Until you get up close and personal. Did this one with
our Jeep. Again, no damage to the monster Jeep.

Okay, I admit that when I wear my glasses
I do see better. I totally own up to all of it!

2010-09-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

Rhylee 'The Lifeguard'!

Rhylee's first day as a lifeguard at the

Pinnacle in Crystal Valley Ranch

On May 12th Rhylee applied at YMCA to become a Lifeguard.

After 8 days of intense training she was offically certified in CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Administration and basic YMCA lifeguarding. She was then hired to work as a Lifeguard at the Pinnacle at Crystal Valley Ranch. Rhylee's first weekend of work started on

May 29th-31st.

The majority of her job was to constantly watch for any danger that might come to swimmers in the pool whether it be in the deep end or kiddie pool. And 15 minutes before the hour Rhylee would blow her whistle and yell 'ADULT SWIM'!

Rhylee would test the chlorine/ph levels in the pool making sure it was clean and safe for swimmers.

Mason, Rhylee and Steve (head lifeguard)

Three months later it was time

for the Pinnacle to end the summer fun.

Rhylee made some good friends,

got a great tan and learned some lifetime skills that will benefit her in the future.

Some days were really difficult for her after a long day of seminary and school, to come home for 2 min. and turn around and

work a 5 hr. shift.

But she did it and we are so proud of her!

We'll see you back at the Pinnacle next summer Rhylee!

2010-09-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

Hide your assests!

(The setting):
Ryan shuffling things around in my purse

Me: What are you looking for Ryan?

Ryan: Oh, your credit card!

Me: What? No! Get out of my purse!

Ryan: But mom, I neeed your credit card!!

Me: What for?

Ryan: There's a game on xbox and if I buy it now it will only be $5 !

Please mom please!!

Me: (feeling a little bad...after all it's only $5 right?)

Ryan: So can I? Can I mom?
Me: Sorry buddy, not going to happen. (I quickly get my purse and hide it)
One week later...

Me: So was the game that you wanted to buy REALLY $5 ?(starting to cave)

Ryan: No. It's actually $20 mom.

Things that make you go hmmm...

2010-07-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

It's Official...

June 15th 2010

It was an exciting day for Rhylee when she passed her drivers test. She passed on her first try. I have to be honest and admit I was a little scared for Rhylee when I saw the lady who was testing her. She was about 6'2" with a large frame. But she didn't scare Rhylee in the least. In fact Rhylee said she was honest, polite, and clear. Another lesson learned:

don't judge 'a book by it's cover'!

The D.O.R. (department of revenue) requires you to log one

year of day and night time driving. Really? Who does that?

This was a huge milestone for Rhylee and for us as parents. My Rhylee is growing up soo fast. And soon she will be off to college and then marriage. I constantly need to remind myself to enjoy every minute I have with her. But reality tells me it's really around the corner!

2010-07-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

Good-bye 6th grade!

Devin with his buddies Jake and Mikey

Devin's drum (the black one)

Capturing the moment...

Ya think he's a little happy?

Mixed emotions

Making sure his shoes are tied so there's no trippin cause
that would suck on the last day of elementary school!

Devin rarely walks with his head down... :(

Good-bye REMS...Devin will always remember what a great school you were and all the impacting skills he learned.

2010-07-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

Birthday Love...

For my 47th Birthday...(yes,you read it right)

I was spoiled with red roses, homemade cards, brighton charms, and a yummy dinner at Olive Garden from my family. And from my good friends I was spoiled with more brighton charms and a lunch at Panera Bread. (Thanks Alana for putting it all together!).

I really don't feel comfortable when I'm the center of attention but I guess once a year it's ok. I feel especially blessed to have a loving family and wonderful friends.

So Thank You All for making my birthday memorable!

2010-05-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Lefty-loosy vs. Righty-tighty

Okay...This is Devin trying to teach Ryan how to

loosen the lid of the apple juice bottle.

Ryan is getting fustrated cause

"he's just not getting it!"

It was hilarious to watch the two try to understand each others logic! Seriously, after 20 minutes of listening to them argue...

I just had to rescue my poor Ryan.

And it was simple...

To loosen the lid you twist away from 'the curtains',

to tighten the lid you twist towards 'the curtains'!

Note: 'The curtains' in the background

Hey MY logic worked!

2010-04-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

NUMBER #5

Devin is my oldest son. He played on the basketball rec team this year and has done great! He was soo fun to watch and he really gets the game. This is his 1st year trying this sport and check this out:

He was selected to participate in the

HOOPLA event this year.

He was preselected by a coach as

one of the 2 top players of his team.

The criteria is met on these guidelines:

Coach ability
Hustle
Sportsmanship
Team Player
Skills and
Commitment

I'm so VERY proud of Devin.

He is an amazing kid!
I'm proud of you Devdog!

(Did I mention how proud I am of him ??)

DEVIN'S GOT GAME!! Can I get a WHOOT WHOOT!!

2010-04-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Zapped Cookies!

WARNING:
Do Not cook cookies in microwave...

could be hazardous to your plates!

2010-03-18T08:26:00.001-07:00

Okay, I was challenged to post something

before St. Patty's day but... didn't make it.I read a friends blog this morning and realized that it's okay to blg about having 'nothing to blg about'.
So here goes my nothing to blg about!
Oh wait! I am doing something kinda chemical today!
This one's for you Amy...

I'M KILLING THE SKUNK! WHOO HOO!
It's a blessing to have friends that add
so much color to your life!

Thanks friends!

2010-02-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve 2010

5,4,3,2,1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Got together with a few friends on

New Years Eve.
This year it was at Nadezda's home.
Six families were there, with the exception of mine.
Rhylee hung out with her friends. Devin was sick and Rich insisted that I go and hang out

with 'the girls'.
He would of had fun watching 'the girls' have fun
with the rest of the hubbies. We ate and laughed which is the best of both worlds. We attempted to play a game but it never happened. Instead we got 'drunk'... drunk off laughter that is!!

Side note: 'drunk' as explained in the

dictionary:overcome or dominated by a

strong feeling or emotion: drunk with joy.

Happy New Year!!

2010-02-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

Remember Elmer Fudd??

My youngest son is Ryan. He has a charming personality and loves to make people laugh! So...Ryan re-enacts a commercial by Geico.

"Shh...I'm hunting wabbits."

"CUT,CUT,CUT. It's rabbits."

"Shh...I'm hunting wabbits."

"CUT! CUT! CUT! It's...RA...bbits!

"WABBITS!" "RABBITS!" "WABBITS!"

"RABBITS!!...with an 'R' "

"AH...THIS Diwectow is dwiving me the wong way!!"

I was laughing so hard I was in tears! I couldn't even take pictures. I asked if he would do it again so I could blog about it. This is just one of his many times he has entertained us.

My FUNNY little man!

2010-01-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas this year.

We spent the morning at home opening presents

and enjoying a traditional Christmas breakfast.

I added a new dish this year...

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup.

Needless to say it was a huge hit and

it was close to a trillion calories.

It was all worth it!!

We played and ate and took our naps...

pretty much of a 'normal' Christmas day.

A few homemade gifts which I absolutley love...

A really cool jewelry holder

made by Devin. Thanks buddy!

A wicked Ed Hardy(mock) scarf

made by Rhylee. Thanks pookie!

Then off to dinner at our good friends home Ally and Brett. We met up with more good friends the Westers and Ropers. We ate and...ate until we could barely move. On big screen we watched one of my favorite movies ' The Hangover'! It was fun to watch as couples (first time just the girls saw it) we all have the same humor, absolutley ...100% irreverent!

Home away from home...the best way to spend a holiday!

2009-12-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

On A Positive Note!

My Mother...was a very good, hard working woman.

As I've said before, my parents divorced when I was 14 yrs it was a bit much for a teen to handle. Not only the divorce, but the responsibility that followed. Mom raised the 5 of us alone with no additional financial help. She had a good paying job, but that meant working odd hours

so she could raise us. She worked the graveyard shift 11pm - 7am. I was the oldest of 5 which we know as the 'trial and error' kid. Of course I didn't like it, but I did what ever I could to make life easier on Mom

The best description of mom were strikingly Beautiful, strong Spirited, Giving to no end, and just plain Hilarious! She made sure we had a comfortable home to keep us warm, always had food on our table,and she never skipped a beat for our Dentist appointments!

For ALL these things I am very grateful to her...still don't know how she did it, but she did!

2009-12-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

Where Do I Begin?

When I was a little girl I dreamed of marrying a good man, living in a beautiful home and having a few children. Sounds like a cliché doesn't it? Well, who said dreams don't come true?
I have all those things and more, much more!

BUT...growing up in the home that I had wasn't like what I have at all.

In fact if home life were bi-polar...that would be mine. Mom divorced when I was 14 and I took on a load of responsibilities. Way too much for any young girl. My dreams vanished quickly!
My world changed once I hit my 20's. I was like a prisoner freed from jail. I experience life like never before. Unhealthy relationships, living in the fast lane, real freedom!! So I thought.

Almost crazier then my childhood. Almost!

After a few years of a confused life I knew deep down that there could be a change. A better life. I just didn't know how. Still very confused of why I even existed. Yeah, I know. Most people KNOW whom they are, and are married with children by now. Not me. I was trying to make sense of out of this weird thing we call LIFE.

Long story short...I got it somewhat together (still working on it) served a honorable mission for my church, married a good man, live in a beautiful home and have a few fantastic children! And VERY grateful for a God who loved me enough to show me His way!!
And that's my story in a NUTTY shell...and I mean nutty!