We had a great trip to Idaho and Yellowstone. The kids can't wait to go again, actually Jay wasn't ready to come home! I have to be honest, now that I am back home I don't want to be here. I could easily live someplace like a small town. It is depressing coming back and all you see are billboards, cars, buildings, and horrible air. Where is nature?? Since we've been back home all of us have been super congested, and Joe and I are getting headaches. I know it's because the air is not good here. BLAH! Anyways, the family reunion was fun, the kids had a blast and if was nice to see my grandma and the aunts and uncles, cousins that all came to the cabin. The best part I think for the kids was floating around the pond. We camped out in our tents and Jay slept in grandpas tent (my dad). The next morning after breakfast we had to pack up a wet tent because it had rained and then head out to Yellowstone. We drove over the mountain and through Jackson Hole to enter the park through the south entrance. We saw a lot of beautiful country on the way. When we got to the checkin for our campsite they told us that there had been a bear seen in the camp area the night before and that morning. We had to keep EVERYTHING in the car, all of your cooking supplies like pots, pans, dishes, food, I mean EVERYTHING!! You couldn't even have bottled water in your tent or chapstick because the bears are attracted to the sent. So the kids were a little nervous about sleeping in the tent so we mad up there beds in the back of the van and they were fine. We saw a bunch of wildlife like elk, bison, and yes even a black bear. Jay did the Junior Ranger program and is now an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger and he has a patch to prove it. The rangers up there are all so friendly and do a number of different programs you can attend to learn more about the park and the animals. We went to 3 of them because they are so much fun!!! At one of them we found out the the bear bells the kids were wearing on our hike on the Overlook trail ( where a grizzly bear had been spotted recently) actually have been proven in a study to do the opposite of what they are supposed to do. So instead of scaring off the bears with their noise, because you are supposed to make noise while hiking through bear country, the bear bells actually attract the bears!!! YIKES! We also saw a lot of beautiful things in the park like the lakes, rivers, trees, mountains, geysers, hot pots, we even saw construction workers. :) Road construction was going on in parts on the park. We only went around the southern half of the park but still did not see everything there is to see in the park. We have decided to make this a yearly trip and next summer we are thinking of staying in the northern part and exploring that area. I am so happy we got to experience this wonderful place with our children and hope it is something they remember always.

The kids had a blast dyeing the eggs and decorating them.......and so did mom and dad! We did monster eggs, they were fun, but the glue it came with didn't work so well so we had to get out the good old elmers glue, the hair stuck really well but the pipe cleaners the kit came with didn't work out so well, so we just mad them with out. They still turned out cute! Easter morning was a blast. Jay was being so polite and if he found a "girl colored" egg he would tell Roxy to get it, even though I told him the easter bunny didn't make the pink and purple ones just for girls, if you find it you get it. He still had a hard time with it....Boys, go figure! Joe had to work that day, but when he came home he asked if the kids had looked outside, and of course we didn't go out because it was so cold, but I guess the easter bunny had left some eggs out in the yard as well!! It was a nice quiet easter just the four of us at home, no one to come over and no where to go so we just watched movies, and had hot dogs on the grill for dinner. On Monday, Joe did take the day off work and we all went to the gym together, since there was no school for Jay, the kids played in the playroom while mom and dad worked out. Then back home for some quick lunch and then back out to go to the movies! We took the kids to see Alice in Wonderland. They loved it, and so did I, it is one I will have to buy. Joe of course said it was just for the kids, but he did like it. Then we took them to the aquarium to see the new penguin exhibit, that was amazing! If you haven't been to the aquarium you need to go. I think we had a pretty good easter break, hope you all did too! XOXO

I have been really bad at updating this blog..... I have been really busy with the kids, dogs, the gym, and making sure the house is perfectly clean 24/7 in case we have a showing on it. This part of selling a house is really frustrating and annoying! I can't wait for it all to be over and done with so we can move. I really like the Suncrest area of Draper. It is really pretty up there and the views are amazing!! Keeping my fingers crossed someone will want to buy my house. So as life goes on and the kids get bigger the next exciting part of being in Kindergarten (besides all of the awesome homework Jay gets on a daily basis) is getting a loose tooth! Jay has wanted to get a loose tooth for about a year before it finally happened. He even would ask the dentist about it. Finally one evening he came up to me and with his big bright eyes says "Mom is this a loose tooth!?!" and sure enough it was and I cried and gave him a big hug and said congratulations!!!!

It was very late when we pulled it so he was tired as you can see but very happy, and the tooth fairy brought him an awesome surprise!! A blackhawk helicopter. (toy of course) :)

One of the kids favorite things to do with there dad is to go down in the basement and play "Call of Duty" in the dark. They  each get a flashlight and a nerf dart gun and have to meet up at the rally point which is the camo teepee we have. It is so much fun to here them yelling and laughing! I even got ambushed one night when I came home from work, no one was around upstairs so I went down to the dark and got attacked. They even take the dogs down with them.

You have to be prepared and wear your protective glasses, and don't forget the camo!! So cute. :)

Roxy gets Princess pamper time by daddy. This is something special Joe does for her on saturdays usually while I am at work but this time they didn't get to it until later so I got to see. First Roxy gets a princess bubble bath with all of her princess toys, then after she gets out and dressed she gets a special princess spray (mommy's perfume) and gets a princess style, then comes the best part a princess manicure and pedicure! She is so spoiled I don't even get that. Joe clips her nails and paints them what ever color she wants. She loves it! Sometimes if they are out running around he will let her pick out a new polish to use when they get back home. How cute is that!  She is one lucky girl.

2009 Recap

2009 was a busy year for us. Trips to Lagoon, the Zoo, working, hanging out with family and friends. Cleaning out the basement, Triathlon, some minor injuries, a new member to our family (Gunther our American Bulldog) Finding out for sure that there we are absolutely done having babies. LOL. Laughing, having fun and just being together. I have a wonderful husband who I love with all my heart and soul, and two beautiful children who I just adore to death. I couldn't ask for a better life and family. We hope 2010 will be filled with much love and happy memories, for us and our loved ones. We are going to try this year to go on a vacation since the last one we had was just for a weekend and it was when Jay was 18 months old! I think we are long overdue.
I hope to take Gunther on many long runs, go to 2 more obedience classes and see just how huge he will be. Gunther has been an awesome dog to have I recommend to anyone considering getting a family dog to invest in an American Bulldog. They have a great personality, always wanting to please you, great with kids, quick learner and a cuddle bug! We LOVE having him.
Ahh, my Merlin, my old man. He will be 11 years old in a couple of weeks. Merlin has been my little angel and a very special part of my life. Even as he has gotten older he still loves his nightly walks and running around chasing the kids outside. His spunk and zest for life is contagious. I cherish the quiet time we have when I go to bed before Joe and Merlin and I cuddle on the bed.
For Joe and myself we hope to to go to 10 movies this year, continue to workout, and just love each other. Joe would love to find a job he enjoys, and sell our house. He is also going to compete again this year in April. As for my self I hope to do more Triathlons and actually do good in the swim portion. I would love to finally after 2 babies reach my ideal image. Well just have wait and see, I will be going part time at work so hopefully it will be possible. I am looking forward to spending more time with my children and making lasting fun memories with them.
Jay and Roxy have really grown up in the last year. My little boy is a little man. Jay started Kindergarten and has really enjoyed it. He even has started to read! I love his smile and laughter. Jay always knows how to make you laugh. Roxy is my sassy diva! What a stubborn attitude she has (Just like her mama!) I love her adorable face and the sound of her sweet voice when she belts out songs she has just made up. She loves animals and is a good little mom to her dolls.

HAPPY 2010 EVERYONE!!