Burn Camp 5K

A last minute addition to our weekend ended up being a high-point for April! Bj loves spending a week each summer with children who survive the physical and emotional effects of burns. This fundraiser has been on his radar and a last minute change in our scheduling allowed our entire family to participate! (Even though Ash and Cars were confused and only ran half of the race) It was fun to participate in this event and rub shoulders with everyday heros who change lives. They also included a raffle and silent auction where we were able to get Aj and Carson a "Flash" and Iron-Man" cape/mask motif, and a water bottle for Ash. 

 

 

Pheasant Jackpot

These dudes spent the good part of a week in the fields of South Dakota looking for heir next meal. Actually- come to think of it, I'm not even sure if they even partook while there! A portion of the cache was brought home and now resides in our freezer. Luckily the feathered corpses will haunt someone else's plant shelves. This time. 

Captain White

It was so fun celebrating Bj's promotion today!! He has been a firefighter, paramedic, engineer, and a smattering of other specialties like SWAT medic, search and rescue, dog handler, among some, and has finally reached his career goal of Captain. 

During today's ceremony we applauded many advancements in rank, but none so boisterously as that of Captain White!

So proud of you B!

 

 

 

costume shopping

Never a dull moment with this man.  Halloween party in an hour, better find something to wear...

I have so much fun with this man of many faces.  Even though he mostly has one: Love.  He loves me so much.  I love spending time with him, whether it's curled up in a blanket watching our latest craze on Netflix, reading side-by-side in bed, (or me reading, him trying to get me to stop...) taking our kids on outings and vacations, or even on the phone while he is on shift.  I love him through and through and am so lucky that I get to spend eternity with him.  

Firefighter's Chili Cook-off

What a blast!  I have never been to a chili cook-off before and have always wanted to go (because I LOVE chili!).  This event is a fundraiser for the burn camp (Camp Na-Na-Mah) that BJ was a counselor at this past month. Fire departments from all around the valley create a booth and an incredibly large batch (or two) of chili for people to taste.  A small sample (2oz.) is $2, and a bowl (like the kids have) is $5.  BJ bought enough $2 tickets for me to sample a bit from every department except two (one ran out, and I did not realize the other one had chili..?).  After sampling the chili, I took my "Best Chili" ticket and was able to vote for the one I thought was best.  There were many that were quite delicious, but my top two, honestly-unbiased, favorites were the ones cooked by West Valley's Fire Department.  They were SOOOO good! (A close third was the American Fork's Chili, with Park City right on their tail).  Being in the South Town Mall parking lot was convenient because afterward, the kids and I were able to grab a quick birthday for Aj's upcoming celebration. 

After the cook-off, we headed down the road to Carson's soccer game where he scored a goal!  His team-mate, Bobby, set him up with the perfect corner kick and launched it right to Carson where he flawlessly directed it in.  Unfortunately it was the only score of the game, and the opposing team took us out (quite literally... lots of back tackling...).  

Since BJ was on channel 2 news a few days ago, he owed his parents ice cream (an ongoing thing... see him on the tube and he owes ya a scoop!).  We stopped by after the game and were invited by them and Marcie and Don to join them for dinner.  I ran the kids home real quick and met them at Joy Luck.   We had never been there and I really enjoyed it!  It was really nice spending time with them, we don't do it nearly enough.  

It was a very enjoyable afternoon/evening, and makes me increasingly grateful for the ages of my kids that I can leave them home without having to worry about a babysitter!  

What a wonderful life we live.

Perfect "Day"t

It has been about two years since BJ and I went to the dentist together.  So when out appointment took us today, we decided to extend our one-on-one with lunch at one of our local faves, "Morelia's", then decided on a spontaneous trip to the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium!  I love this man and have such a blast monopolizing his time.  It was especially fun going to a place, like the aquarium, that we have never been except with kids.  It is always a blast with kids, but it is refreshing going with someone who doesn't beg for everything they see as they pass the gift shop.  Even though he does love to spoil me and pointed out a bunch of things he thought I would like...all I wanted was him, and a refillable Diet Coke.  

BABIES!

BJ and I usually have to fight over who gets to hold a baby, but tonight there were TWO!!! Not twins, but cousins! Jamie threw a birthday party for Adam and these are babies from his side of the family.  It is so fun being the "aunt"!  I feel like when my babies were this age, I did not really get to be much of an aunt because I had my own little ones that had my constant attention.  Now that my baby is 10, and only wants me around to play pokemon on my phone, I get to spread my attention to other little humans that cross my path.  BJ has the same mentality as me and is loving this phase of our lives.  No toxic teens, and no teething toddlers, just a good opportunity to see who else is part of our world.  

This hill is on fire

Ashlyn's phone died.  Like Dead-Dead.  We found BJ's old phone and extracted as much as we could so we could transfer it to Ash, and came across this gem from when He helped fight the Alpine fire.  It is hard not to stare.

 It's pretty dang cool.

My Husband is awesome.

Burn camp

August 16, 2016

I don't know who had the greater privilege: BJ, for being able to participate, or the campers and staff, for having him.

Camp Nah-Nah-Mah is a summer camp for burn victims, specifically children ages 6 to 12. After BJ had the opportunity of serving The campers a single meal last year, he knew he wanted to play more of a integral role this year possibly and for years to come. The application process began during the first half of the year. They want to make sure their counselors are qualified and the right fit for these special children.  When BJ found out he would be missing his sisters wedding for burn camp, he felt a tinge of regret, but once he stepped foot into Nah-Nah-Mah, everything else disappeared.

The kids and I were invited up on the final day of camp for a "carnival" of sorts. We were really excited to go see where dad had been all week. They had snowcones, cotton candy, Photo Booth, and some cool bounce houses. They also had a few different fire trucks. One fire truck had the latter extended, allowing kids to climb up the ladder. They also had a miniature fire truck that three or four kids could ride in around the campground. The camp was at camp Tracy, up Millcreek Canyon. My highlight of the evening, other than the delicious meal, was all of the people that came up to me and thanked me for lending my husband for the week. They expressed their gratitude for his service, and about what an amazing man he is and that the camp was a better place because he was there. I know he's pretty awesome, but it's always nice to hear things like that. This camp is something that will be a recurring event for our family. I even talked to a couple of the coordinators asking if I could play a role as well. It is such a neat charity, and a worthwhile cause.I would love to get involved, and find a way for my children to be involved as well. Not as campers, but ways they can serve.

Still in love

"I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!"  One of my favorite lines from the movie, "Elf".  Today is mine and BJ's anniversary.  We were married in 1998 and I am still glad we did it!  It is so fun being married.  It is harder than I ever imagined, but as far as being surprised by my expectations, I never expected it to be so rewarding, as well.  I love my husband, probably more than he knows, or that I express.  I am not the most expressive person, and that is something I know I need to work on (even though he makes it hard sometimes).  But I am so proud of what we have created together and look forward to every day that I get to spend with him.

I also must say I still love my ring as much as the day it was slipped on my trembling finger.  

Can't take them anywhere

July 2016

This is why I take my audiobook to keep me company, instead of my family.  This is just typical of what I go through when I am trying to go shopping with anyone other than Ashlyn.  Not only do I spend twice (minimum) the amount of money I originally planned, but twice (minimum) the amount of time as well!  

...Although, I must admit, they are pretty entertaining, and I do feel less guilty when half our our booty contributes to my own booty.

Brunch Date

July 16, 2016

New restaurant within "walking distance".  I love that BJ isn't afraid to walk a little bit to earn his breakfast.  When I first started my binge walking, Ashlyn was my walking buddy.  She fizzled out pretty quick and BJ gladly stepped (literally) in.  Today's destination was the new restaurant by the library.  Overpriced, and way too long of a wait, but great tasting food made it worth the walk, and possibly a second attempt.  The distance there and back home, cutting through the neighborhood, is close to 5 miles, which puts me really close to my 10k step goal for the day.  Not only is it great exercise, but I find so much joy in spending one on one time with this man.  I don't get enough.

Nature Walk

June 20, 2016

FitBit and walks- observe nature and Bj 

Fathers Day 2016

June 19, 2016

Fathers Day

Tree Season

May 28, 2016

 We did it.  We finally bought some friends for our peach tree.  It has been a single child for ten years and we finally decided to bite the bullet and dig some holes.  BJ spent hours... actually, DAYS planting these trees.  He wanted to make sure our investment was protected and nourished.  He bought soil, fertilizer , peat moss, and even made a screen to get rid of some of the bigger rocks. He intends for these trees to thrive in the tough Herriman soil.  Wish us luck!

The big Four-0

April 30, 2016

He's officially 40. No longer in his 40th year, just plain ole forty and counting.  Technically, he's older than 40 now.  For his birthday, I borrowed the idea from his cousin Valerie and pulled together a bunch of memories to assemble in a book.  I gave him the memories in a box, and when I am off track, will put them together so he can read them and have an accompanying picture.  

We started his morning off at my cousin Lisa's wedding at the Timp Temple.  It was beautiful.  She had a breakfast in the area shortly before.  When it was over, we went to Rhumbi for lunch with my mom, then to costco for a couple things... and two Japanese maple trees.(which 4.5 months later still haven't been planted)  We went to dinner at Texas RoadHouse, joined by his parents and Malia.  It was a fun low-key day and I am glad he enjoyed it.

Downtown in December

This is a picture from the exact place BJ proposed to me nearly 18 years ago.  It is so crazy to think we have been together for 20 years!

It was so magical downtown tonight as we walked from the candy windows at Macy's through temple square and up through the main street church offices block.  It was one of those rare hallmark moments where the kids get along, the husband and wife walk hand in hand reminiscing of time gone by while dreaming about what the future will bring. 

It was actually quite perfect.

Never a dull Firestation

I love that my kids never tire of visiting the fire station.  Most of the time when we go we just drop in for a quick hug and kiss, and usually a soda and a treat.  However, sometimes if requested, and conditions are right, the red carpet is rolled out... or the bucket.  104 feet up.. 75 degree angle... extended with precious cargo, and ear to ear grins.

Today was one of those days.

Fathers Day 2015

My favorite 4 people in the entire world. 

Dinner with the Crew

After Ashlyns dance recital, that BJ was extremely bummed he missed, we decided to head in to West Valley for dinner and stop by and say Hi!  When we were getting close we called him and it turned out he was at dinner with his crew at a nearby Subway, which is just what we were all craving!  A quick hug and a couple bites were all we got before he got a call and had to dash off.  As BJ and the other firemen were hopping in the rig, I had the kids jump in line for a quick snapshot.  

We love it when a plan comes together.