Im Thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving!

viruses

We have had a crazy virus come and sweep our home. First it was our computer, who by the way has not recovered from it. Then I got it and was down for a few days, then it spread to Chloe, and then to Bella. Chris luckily never got it. I dont know if it was swine flu because we never went to the Dr. ( I tried calling a few times and it was busy). But if it was H1N1, we lived to survive.

Anyways, we have been really busy with school, vacations, Halloween, and gymnastics. I hope that I can get my computer working so I can post pictures.

We went to Cali for our annual trip with my family in October this year. It was so much fun. For Jeni's birthday we all went to Disneyland, which was fun and I actually learned a few things I never knew about Disneyland.
1- Every, or at least most, of the rides on the Disneyland side are scary. And the scariest ones are the little dinky kids ones. Seriously I dont know why they call it the happiest place on earth when they try to scare you the whole time. They have now even tried to make space mountain more scary, I wont give it away, but its not just a roller coaster in the dark anymore. Chloe went on every ride that we did except space mountain because she wasnt tall enough. She loved splash mountain and big thunder mountain.
2-Because they are trying to scare you all of the time, the Halloween fireworks show is the greatest that I have ever seen by 20 fold! It was great, they had all of the villains and scary songs. Definitely a must see for all!
3- there are a lot of rides that are under ground ( for sure pirates and haunted mansion). I would love to see a map and see what other tunnels they have underground too. They do have guided tours that tell you a ton of information and take you different places, one day I would love to do that too.

We also went to the San Diego zoo while we were there and it was pretty awesome. We didnt have time to see all the animals either and we were there until close.

Hopefully soon I can get some pictures up for peoples viewing pleasure but until then
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Havasupai

Ok this post is mostly for journaling purposes so I don't forget the crazy adventure, if you want the shortened version, scroll down to the captions under the pictures. Here is our adventure to Havasupai. For years Chris has been begging me to go with him to Havasupai. Me being the camping unenthusiest have really never had the desire but this year I decided to be brave and grin and bear it. So our adventure started on Thursday around 6 or 7 PM ( I'm not quite sure what time we left Fajitas). We got to the parking lot at the top of the Canyon at around midnight and the plan was to just sleep up there then hike the whole 10 miles down to the campground around 4 or 5 in the morning. Well we had the crazy idea to just start hiking right then. So we geared up and started the descent down the switchbacks. About halfway down the switchbacks we ran into some wild horses. Now I am terribly afraid of any kind of animal so this absolutely freaked me out, which got my adrenaline pumping, which is a good thing if its 1 in the morning and you are hiking in the dark ( we did have headlamps of course.) We made it past the wild horses, were bombarded by bats and moths and about 2 hours later, we found a little cave and set up tents. Of course no sleep was had because we swear we heard a gunshot right as we were about to close our eyes, and I just know that the wild animals were surrounding us. So 3 hours later, the sun was up and off we were to hike the rest of the way to the campground. When we got to the villiage, the office to pay at was closed so we just hiked the 2 miles down to the campground and set up. Then we went to Havasu falls ( I think that was the name) and played around for a while. Then back to camp, and a much needed 20 minute nap. Next we hiked a few miles up to the new falls, enjoyed a few jumps off of the waterfalls and headed to the village to pay. Then back down to camp and it got dark. We went to bed at about 7 PM and slept so good, it was soothing being right next to the river. I think we woke up about 6 and just laid around for a while. Then after breakfast we hiked a mile or so to Mooney falls. It was beautiful and we hiked down a sketchy cliff and the started our trek to beaver falls. Along the way we say these huge big horned sheep and I was freaked out because they were only a few feet away from the trail. I thought for sure they would ram us with their horns but we made it past them, surprised that they didn't even budge. We got to beaver falls and played in the water, ate lunch and then headed back to camp. That hike was the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. And our hike ended up longer than we thought, we ran out of water, had a major injury to Gregg's foot. He could not even walk on it. So after getting back to camp at 5:30 we ate dinner and contemplated out game plan. Miraculously, and with the help of modern medicine and a little bit of a tape job, Gregg was feeling ok to start hiking out. So we packed up camp and at about 8:15 PM we headed up the trail ( and when I say up I mean a pretty steep trail with redsand. I think that first 2 miles out is way harder than the 1.5 miles of switchbacks). We got almost 2 miles and almost got attacked by a dog, if Chris had not turned around, it would have bit either me or him. Oh wait let me back up, while we were leaving the campground, this dog started walking with us ( not the one that was attacking us.) He just kept going up and up with us. He would disappear for a while and then there he would be. We nicknamed him Chancho. Anyways we got to the village, took a quick 10 minute snack break and then started up again. Then we came to a fork in the path. In the dark we had no clue which one to take, so we guessed and started one way and then we happened to notice Chancho waiting at the beginning of the other path. So we turned back and sure enough he was pointing us in the right direction ( we later saw the sign pointing the way to the hilltop but really without Chancho, we would have been so lost.) actually there were a few times that Chancho helped us pick the right way, he was such a good, loyal dog, he stayed with us the entire time and met up with some of his friends in the parking lot. Anyways, so we hiked for a couple miles and then dead in our tracks were 2 bulls. I'm serious, bulls with big horns and all. They were HUGE. Of course I was a mess but got the much needed adrenaline rush again.and ran up the side of the trail and hid behind a rock. One of the bulls darted up the trail and the other just stayed there on the trail, snorting and staring. I don't know how, but we got past him and hiked pretty quickly up a ways then heard him running up behind us. I was running too, I had no idea what else to do and then he stopped, snorted some more and there in front of us was his friend. So we went around that bull and hurried up the trail. Thank goodness, that was the last we saw of them! We saw a few more wild horses and then made it to the bottom of the switchbacks. I was really dreading this part because everybody that I talked to about it said it was soooooo hard. Plus my blistered heel was killing me. So up we went and in about an hour, we were at the top. We only stopped once on the switchbacks, Chris and Gregg stopped once because they were a little bit ahead of me but when I saw them stopped I said, " Sorry I'm not stopping because If I do it will hurt my feet too much". So they kept going to because I didn't want to be the first one to run into a wild beast ( which we did run into one more horse right at the top). But we got to the truck at about 1:15AM and drove into the little town, rented a hotel room, showered and slept for about 4 hours. Then traveled home. AHHHH that felt good!

But I really had a great time, I didn't even think about how dirty I was the whole time. And they built these really nice bathrooms in the campground so that wasn't an issue. I will definitely go again and I don't think that I will ever helicopter out ( I guess if I get hurt I will). It was fun to be with Chris in his element, he loves to camp and be outdoors and adventurous. And he was very sweet to me the whole time, He even packed most of the stuff out so it would be easier on me. I feel good about making it the whole way without complaining, I think we hiked a total of 33 miles in 2 days. I didn't even feel weird about being the only girl. I wish we would have taken more pictures, GREGG, I WANT YOU TO SEND ME YOURS!!!! Next time I will definitly have better shoes, bring flip flops, and take more pictures, its beautiful there!
This was on the way to beaver falls, it was just a tiny tiny waterfall but it was cool to go in the little cave behind it, so green and pretty.

This is mooney falls ( spelling?) It was reall big, the picture doesnt do it justice. After this we hiked down a really steep, narrow cliff to the bottom and then 3 more miles down the river to beaver falls. I think this day total we hiked about 18 miles.

This is the cave that we slept in the first night along the trail. Actually I cant really say slept in, we were too scared of wild animals getting us to sleep that night, so this is the cave that we set up our tent in and layed down for 3 hours in.

Its that time again!

I always looked forward to planting and eating the garden foods as a kid and it still is a lot of fun now. This weekend we planted our fall garden with green onions, romaine lettuce, baby spinich, swiss chard, and my most favorite of all, sweet peas! I cant wait for the harvest!

easy yum!

I dont enjoy baking but I love to eat baked goods. I was craving cinnamon rolls this weekend so I busted out my bread machine and whipped out some really yummy cinnamon rolls, actually the first I've ever made. They were so easy and just as yummy as if I made the dough by hand!

I love that the girlies are starting to play really well together. It gives me a chance to catch up on some much needed housework! Bella woke up this morning saying Chloe, Chloe. She just cant wait to see her when she wakes up.

Back 2 Skool

I started school again, last night was my first class and lab and I LOVED IT! We get to do work on actual cadavers. Next lab we are doing real human hearts! I never realized just how much I love science (not chemistry!) I am really excited for this semester! Its been a long time since I've been in school so wish me luck!

A good clean ugly book

For a couple months now I have had 2 young women recommend a book to me called Uglies by author Scott Westerfeld. So finally after having it placed on hold at the library, I got it and read it in 3 days. It was a really good book and I would recommend it to any preteen, teen, and beyond reader, both boys and girls. It was clean and actually a quite interesting story. There are 3 other sequels to the series, the next one is called pretties, then specials, and lastly extras ( you'll understand the meanings after reading the first one) and I already have placed a hold on them at my library. So if you want something easy and good to read, you have my recommendation!

Curly Sue!

Is this Chloe or Shirley Temple! We tried rag curls for the first time and Chloe just loved the results! We also had fun playing with Kolby and Lexie that day too!

Sweet Addie

Dear Addie,

I am writing this now to tell you the things that I wish I could have told you while you were still here. You were an amazing young woman, I never saw you without a smile on your face. Your smile would light up every room you walked into. You had so much integrity, Once while babysitting my kids I came home to find you sitting on the couch without the TV on. When I said, " You could have been watching a show instead of sitting there bored," You responded, " actually I am grounded from watching TV and wouldn't feel good about watching it." I will miss your hugs, every time I saw you, no matter where, you would give me a hug. You were so warm and welcoming to me when I was first put into young women's, I felt right at home when you were around. My children absolutely love you too. Chloe would always ask for you to come babysit for them because she said you were so fun and she loved you. Last Saturday when you babysat for them was the first time that Bella said your name when she saw you. I learned so much from you in the short year that I knew you. You loved your family and treated them with respect. You loved the gospel and life and lived it with a happy attitude. I am so thankful that I was able to have you in my life, even if that time was cut too short. Thank you for being an excellent example to me of a believer! You are already greatly missed!

All my love,
Buffy

DIRTY!!!

Just look at our dirty little faces!

WOW!!!

We went riding last weekend with Mike, Brenda, and Alec and boy did we get DIRTY!!! We had a great time though and saw some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in this state! The weather was gorgeous, and the smell of the pines was too. I don't think that I have ever been that covered in dirt though!

Going to the Lake is always fun for the whole family! Some of my favorite summer memories involve ski trips at the lake or the bay! And my dad is still the best waterskiier I have ever seen! Mom you're pretty awesome too! We were able to go 2 times last week which was so fun! Thanks Ben and Sarah and Aaron! We had a blast!

So far this summer...

We have enjoyed our libraries summer reading program.

Built a roaring fire on our camping trip

Enjoyed some fine dining.

Managed to get as dirty as humanly possible in the first 10 minutes of our camping trip.

Scare our friends with our most perfect demon faces.

I love summer!

Just stuff

We have been enjoying swimming a lot already this summer! Chloe is swimming all by herself all over the pool!

This brought back memories of me and Matt when we were little. I loved putting olives on my fingers, but didnt like to eat them so Matt would eat them for me.

The kids made me breakfast for mothers day, actually I think it was the day before!

Part-A!

We had our first ever backyard BBQ and swim party over memorial day weekend. And we not only had fun, but our house and yard survived all of those crazy kids!

Watch out Hallmark!

Chloe gave me the best mothers day present the other day. She made me a card with her hand as the flower and inside she wrote a special note of how she see me. It says:

My mom is 28 years old ( THANKS CHLOE!)

Her hair is rainbow colored

Her shoe size is 29

Her favorite color is green

Her favorite food is pickle stew

Her favorite TV show is basketball

Her favorite thing to do is work

My favorite thing to do with my mom is play with Rylee

My mom is special because she loves me

Something that makes her happy is when I clean my room!

I know my mom loves me because she loves me all the time.

I love it! She made my day when she gave this card to me.

Happy Mothers Day to all of you moms out there!

I'm still here

I have a working computer today Hurray!

So Happy Birthday to my Little Clo Clo! We had a really low key birthday with her this year compared to last years disney adventure! But she had a fun time going to Peter Piper with our little fam! and then she loved the Icecream cake too!

We finally finished the backyard and the Kitchen so I will post picts on those later if my computer is still working!

Total burnout

Sorry I have been suffering from blog burnout, busyness, and my main computer being out of comission. I will post picts of what we have been up to, so so much going on, when my main computer gets a new monitor ( i hope that is the problem anyways). We have just been working on the kitchen, backyard, we had a ski trip, a wedding ( my baby sis), stake conference with Elder Nelson, family in town, girls getting sick and much much more. But I will post again with fun stuff, but when, I dont know!

Just for being good girls!

Thanks Chris, I love getting flowers! And now Chloe does too!

Happy Birthday

Thanks for ALWAYS being the sunshine thru the rain ( especially during those few short years from ages 2 to 18!). I love you mom!

GNO!

That stands for girls night out ( normally) but for this past weekend it stood for Ginger night out! My bestest friend Ginger came down for the weekend without kids and husband and oddly Chirs happened to be out of town for that weekend too. So I was able to find a sitter and her and I enjoyed an evening out on the town! Actually we saw Twilight for the second time and decided we liked it even better. Then we came back to my place and stayed up past 2 in the morning just talking and laughing, reminiscing, being big huge dorks, and just plain having a great time. We laughed so hard that we cried ( many times!). I am so thankful for the many friends that I have but especially thankful that I have a friend like Ginger who I know I can always be myself with and always, no matter how long its been since we have seen eachother, pick up right where we left off. Thanks Ginger, I had so much fun! I did miss Chris, dont get me wrong, but she was a plesant distraction! Love you Ging!

PS, sorry Ging I stole the picture from you, if you want me to delete it, let me know. You look beautiful as always!

Secrets

My beautiful sister Jeni tagged me to tell my top 10 beauty secrets, why do I find that hillarious! Anyway for those of you who care, here goes!

1- I dont use a hair dryer unless I have too, this may be why 1- my hair doesnt get split ends easily, and 2- It looks a mess during the week ( I usually blow dry it on Sundays!)

2- I have a great dermatologist! I have been using her perscription mosituriser and Retin-A micro and its been working wonders!

3- I drink a ton of water and nothing else!

4-I just recently learned how to curl my hair the correct way! Start in the middle not at the end! Thanks Ginger!

5- I also just recently started using lotion, I hate it but it has really made my skin so soft!

6- I smile a lot- true beauty comes from within (right?)

7- Dove soap!

8- I have Ken and Barbie for parents so that helped!

9- I pray often!

10- I take my vitamins daily ( Vitamin C, Calcium, and a multi vitamin)

So now that I spilled all of my secrets, I want to know about yours. Im tagging JoAnna, Elisha (Mrs.P, which by the way I dont even know if I spelled your name right!) Melissa, Ginger, Sarah and Shannon. If anybody else wants to do it too, I need all of the help I can get!

Happy Birthday Bootsy!

From the moment she was born I had a special connection with her, and not just because I'm her mother. She was the sweetest baby, really never cried. She slept for 3 months straight ( at least it seemed that way!) And boy has she changed from when she was little, you would never guess by looking at her baby pictures that she is the same baby! Happy birthday Bella Rose, we love you to pieces!

Half way on the wagon

So I decided while we were on vacation, and I had 2 sick children who slept a lot, that I would break down and FINALLY read the twilight books. And I have mixed feelings about each book. I loved the first one. But I didnt really like the second one, I skipped a lot of it and had to go back and read it. I really liked the third one a lot. And then the last one I thought was strange and skipped a bit of it too. But my favorite one was Midnight Sun, the one you can read on her website. I really hope that she finishes it because I love it from Edwards perspective. Does anybody know the story there? Is she really not going to finish it? I hope she does. Anyways that is my take on the books, overall they were good but Im not psycholly obsessed with them!

8 is GREAT!

Wow, its sure been a while! So much to say but first things first, Happy Anniversary to my husband of 8 years! Im not going to get mushy because I know Chris really doesnt even read this blog and we have already celebrated it together! But these last 8 years have really been the greatest of my life, so many, many fun times and experiences! Te Quiero mas que puedo explicar! ( I hope I spelled that right!)

And I must give a special shout out to my fabulous sister-in- law/ one of my bestest friends JoAnna for taking the girls over night so Chris and I could enjoy time alone with eachother. I know I've said it before and Im sure I will say it again, she is so sweet and thoughtful and I love her so much! Everybody should have a sister like her! Thanks Jo! Love you!

Wow I really need to catch up on blogging but have no time at the moment. Maybe later this week!