Phones...College (Not)...Pets (dog or cat that is the question)

Where do I start today? Lets see...how about the dreaded teenage cell phone account! I can feel for you Al! Cell phones....what a racket! Emma's is confiscated right now because of slipping grades. I would lay down some conditions to go along with the phone if I were you. Emma is now getting serious about doing her homework because she is going through with drawls! What kind of job does Kayla have to support her phone habit anyway? You are getting her started on it and then expecting her to pay for it in 6 months....with what moola?? I wouldn't allow her to take it to church or YW during the week because the girls are so disrespectful with their phones during lessons and activities they have no phone manners. Good luck with navigating teenage land!!!!!! It only gets better!

Tanner is the biggest procrastinator in all this earth!!! It is college application time and the deadline is looming HUGE right now. The problem is, to get into any respectable school you can't wait until the deadline you have to get your applications in the first week or two when the schools start to accept the applications not the last two weeks before the deadlines! Tanner has got it backwards....and now I am not sure if he will even get into any of his choice of schools. Only time will tell. He always loves to save things for the very last day of the deadline no matter what it is for.

Now lets talk pets! You need to just give into it Al! Aren't we willing to do just about anything for our kids happiness?? I am mean you just gave into the pressure of teenage bugging about cell phones and those things can do much more damage then any cat or dog will ever do in your house! Have you heard about all those kids in Utah and other places for that matter that share special pictures over their cell phones?? And you are worried about a little dog poop! Lets keep things in prospective. Let Lauren nurture her love of animals in a very good way...getting a little kitty won't hurt anything and they are better then dogs when you have to go out of town they don't have to be babysat like dogs. They are much better to potty train and they are calm and peaceful like you! What is the hang up about cats???

Okay I hope I haven't brought anyone to tears today!! I love all you who read my blog and may be having spasms right now. I know you can do it!! Just take some deep breaths and know that you can survive all things! I hope you all have a great Christmas...I will be missing you all on that special night of visiting with the family that is out on parole.

I say this all in joking...I know that what ever you decide to do about pets will be right for your family!

Love you all

fall pictures

I often go with the missionaries to teach the investigators. Sister Alki is from Japan and she is the best!! I will miss her when she returns to Japan.

This is the day I highlighted Emma's hair. It is always fun to spend 2 straight hours with Emma talking while I do her hair!

Elle had a fun skating day with her school on Halloween. Instead of having class parties they take the school to the local ice skating rink and party!

Christmas Is Coming The Goose Is Getting Fat And Lots of Parties Are Coming!

Can you believe I have already done 20 posts?? It is almost Christmas...14 days and counting. I have almost got all shopping done! I love Christmas with all the decorations and smells and glad tidings! I am going to miss my family this year but we are planning on a really fun Christmas Eve with the missionaries and some families in the ward that we are close to. The great thing about living outside of Utah and away from all those Mormons is your ward really does become your family.

We are planning a huge party for next Friday...probably 30 or more teenagers will converge on my home and it will be great. I love the youth of the ward and all my kids friends. We are planning on caroling and then lots of games and food afterwards to warm up.

I just got done Christmas decorating my friends house. It was beautiful. I love to decorate and especially Christmas. We are doing an exchange...she is going to give me massages...hour for hour. I already have put in 10 hours that means that I get 10 hours of massages!! If you even know me a little you know that I think I am getting the best end of this deal! But of course Ann thinks she is getting the best end. I love massages, I am always trying to get Tanner, Scott, Emma and even Elle to give me little shoulder rubs or feet or anything! My family is tired of me asking so they are just as happy that I made this little trade out!

Blogging, Face Book, Emailing,...oh my!

Well I haven't blogged for a few weeks. Part of it is I have started my own face book account and it is kind of addicting. Someone asked me what really is the difference in all this blogging, email, and face book stuff? I look at blogging as a form of journaling and I guess my face book account is a way to keep in touch with people quickly. You get to know what they are doing in their lives in a quick snap shot but on the other hand they also get to see your life just as well. How much do I want Joe Blow from high school to know what is going on in my life? It seems a bit intimate? I am happy to share with my close friends and family but I seem to not know how I feel about people I have lost contact with for years suddenly being able to access my life. At the same time it is a great way to keep in touch with those you love and care about without picking up the phone or even sending them a personal email especially considering that I live so far away from many people that I love. I think it has wonderful pros and a few cons. I do know that Tanner is very unhappy that his mother has a face book account and is friends with some of the same friends as he is. He would like to think that face book is his own space without having to worry about his mother knowing what he is saying and doing in his social circle. I see his point and I am trying to respect his privacy but I have been enjoying being Emma's friend and it doesn't seem to bother her.

Thanksgiving is a few days away!! I love Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to putting up the tree this year with the girls. Emma made me promise her today that we would put the tree up on Thanksgiving. I think decorating reminds me of my mom. She always went way out in the decorating area and I was always her helper. It brings back many fond memories of my mom and the holidays when I put my own decorations up. I have learned a lot from my mom about decorating and I am glad that she invited me as a girl to help her.

I have just finished a really busy time in my life with R.S. I now have a bit of a break before I have to start planning for next year. I am glad to have my big enrichment meeting and craft group over with. They were a big success but a lot of work goes into the planning and executing of activities like this.

I am working on a couple of special projects for my kids for Christmas. I hope that they like them because they are going to be very time consuming. I will tell you what they are after I give them to my kids.

Stupid Thoughts From Me!

Brrrr....I think it is officially winter here in Minnesota! I now have to wear long johns when I go walking in the morning. As soon as the snow starts falling we will be moving into a indoor walking area. If it wasn't for my walking routine I am sure I would be 20 lbs heavier!! I just love to eat and especially sweet things. I don't know what has happened to my will power. I crave sweet everyday and find any way to meet that need even it means sending Tanner out on a doughnut run at 10pm! His drivers license needs to be good for something after all just think of all those years of running him all over it is now his turn to do a little running for me!

It is so cold ....I think we will have a ice storm today. I never understood what that was until we moved here. I couldn't imagine why the rain wouldn't just come down as snow if it was that cold. But it really rains and then instantly turns to ice when it hits the ground and then the streets are like ice skating rinks literally, it is very dangerous to drive in those conditions.

I am getting so good at highlighting Emma's hair. We did her hair yesterday and it looks beautiful. Some day I should think about going into that business! The great thing about doing it is that it saved me $80.

Well I have lots to do today....

Church, Turkeys, and Diapers!

It is official. I am set apart as the Relief Society 1st counselor. I feel very humbled by this calling and feel as though I will have the opportunity to grow in this capacity both in spirit and in mind. I will be working with a wonderful presidency and look forward to getting to know and love the sisters of the ward even better. It seems as though every few months I have been given a new calling in this ward so we will see how long this one lasts! But for now it feels like the place Heavenly Father wants me.

It is finally the "holidays" isn't that what they call it after you get through Halloween? I love the holidays and am looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I am hoping that it works out the way I have planned. We are looking forward to go up to the cities this year and stay in a hotel and then go to a play "Wicked"! I love doing different things for holidays although I didn't use to have this attitude. I use to in my younger years feel like it wasn't a holiday unless I was doing the same thing as everyone else (stuffing my face with turkey). I don't know why I feel differently now but I really enjoy doing unusual things for traditional holidays. As long as I am with my family building memories I am happy doing anything.

The first quarter of school is almost over...this is the last week. I am so glad!! Emma is struggling a bit with some of her classes and Tanner seems to procrastinate everything until the very last minute before he decides it better get done. I will be very happy the day all three of my kids are done with school!!!! Although I will be immensely sad that they are leaving me for adventures in this world I will be very happy that I don't have to worry about another teacher calling me to tell me my child is not living up to there potential (tell me about it...I am their mother!) or getting another recorded message from the school to tell me my child missed 4th-7th period that day just to find out that that particular child thought that they knew best by staying in the study hall that day to finish assignments that are due in 8th period! I love teenagers but they are the most difficult age to parent!!! I would give anything to be able to change their diapers and lay them down for a nap once in a while!

family pictures

pictures turned out great!

halloween, callings, and talking about weather!

Okay! No more mushy stuff.
I have talked my girls (mostly Elle) into bagging Halloween this year!! I told them that we would go to the movies instead of dressing up and knocking on strangers doors and begging for candy. I told them that I would split up the candy I have bought to hand out to kids with them instead and that way they would get a boat load of candy but not have to get cold and we could go do something fun in a warm building! Emma was into that because we she doesn't trick or treat any more and she saw that she was going to get a bag full of candy and a movie! I am so proud of myself for getting out of trick or treating.

I have had a very busy week getting ready for my Relief Society Retreat that we held last Saturday. It was very successful and everyone enjoyed themselves very much. I was called into the Bishop's office yesterday and given a new calling....You will have to tune in to find out what it is. I have been moved around a lot in this ward not holding a calling for very long. We will see how long this new calling will last. Can you guess what the calling is???

This is a really sad story....I went walking this morning and the last 100 yards felt as though I need to get to a bathroom (my stomach didn't hurt but I felt the need to find a toilet) the sad part was that my next door neighbor was outside waiting to catch the bus and she wanted to have a nice neighborly talk! Well this wasn't going to due...after about 30 seconds talking about the weather and feeling the urge to poop swell within my bum I ran into my house and ALMOST made it but not quite. Oh well that is the fun in my life!! Close doesn't count when you are talking about poop.

Fall Activities

This is a sunset at the golf course we played at over our anniversary. It was a beautiful ending to a wonderful day!

Scott and I spent the weekend of our anniversary in the cities. We had a blast exploring down town Minneapolis and golfing. I love my anniversary!

Tanner had a birthday this fall and is now 17!! He is still just a little boy at heart though as he plays with his pet snake finally given a name "snake". He is preparing to apply to schools soon and so we will all be holding our breath as we wait to see which school he will be attending next year.

Emma with her horse Zan. Emma placed 2nd and 3rd in a couple of the horse show competitions. The girls both learned how to handle and ride horses this summer and had a wonderful time. Tanner thinks that Emma makes a very good "cowgirl".

Elle is standing by her horse Miss Muffy. The girls had their end of the season horse show the last weekend in Sept. Elle won a couple of ribbons that day. She really enjoyed her summer of horse riding and is now saving her money to buy her very own horse!...But where will she keep it? ....maybe in her bedroom!

Getting Ready For Winter Means No More Golf

Lets see....what should I blog about today??? Today Scott made a comment to me about golf. He said that he wanted to go this weekend (we have gone for the last 4 weekends) and he was mad that he has made a commitment to do something else because now he can't have a golf day. I told him it was okay it is a good thing to do other things especially if they involve your kids! Then he sadly reminded me that this is the last weekend he may have to golf before winter hits Minnesota. It is such a long winter here that we will not be golfing until at least next May. I have to say I felt a twinge of sadness for Scott but overall I am actually sad that we are going into a long winter and more then missing the golf I am going to miss spending time with Scott. Scott and I have been spending 4-6 hours together every Saturday and it has been so wonderful. I hope that we can find something else to bring us together the way golf has this winter because it is different when you are home and all the stuff of home seems to get in the way of the one on one time together. Hopefully we will have one more weekend left in Oct. where we can get out and hit some balls and spend some time together before we have to settle down for a long winters nap!

Sick?? Who do you want mom or dad?

Yesterday the girls had their end of the season horse show. They did so wonderful and I was very impressed with the skills that they have gained over the summer. Elle is now saving all her news paper money in order to buy herself a horse next summer. Where we will keep it is anyone's guess but as long as she is willing to save her money for a horse I am willing to help figure out how she will care for it when that time comes! Although I know it will be much different then taking care of gerbils.

Well last night I started to feel a headache coming on and this morning awoke with a sore throat and just feeling like crap. All three of the kids have had this head cold in the last two weeks and it seems to have hang on about a week. I guess it is my turn to be sick but I want to know if anyone will take care of me the way I took care of them?? I already know the answer...no. It is just the job of the mom to do the taking care of people but when it comes to the mom getting sick there is no one to take care of the mom. Don't get me wrong, Scott is caring and when he is home he is sensitive to my needs when I am feeling yucky and the kids even seem to be more sensitive to me when I say I don't feel well but when I am sick I just want my Dad!! That's right it is not my mom but my dad that always made me feel better when I was sick as a kid. Here's to wishing that I could have my dad right now.

Good Day

Today is Friday 2:00pm and I have been laying in bed for the whole day. I was up late last night and got up early 6:00am to go walking and then got Elle off to school and then crashed back into bed! It has felt so good to not do anything. I think it is so wonderful to be able to have a day like this every once in a while. But the kids have started to come home from school and so I need to pull myself together and be a mom! I love my life!!!

Just Say No!

The kids and Scott are all at mutual night so I thought I would be productive and do some blogging! So far I only have one faithful reader of my blog and she shall remain nameless. It is harder to blog then I thought it was going to be. Not because I don't have the time, I just don't feel like I have anything really interesting to say. I guess I shouldn't feel like my blog has to live up to the standards of Tanner and be profound each and every time I write. My blogs may be boring but I will do better at blogging more often.

Well things are going good right now, I have adjusted to having the quite time back into my life with the kids gone to school. I am getting myself more involved with the schools then I have for a while. I think I totally burned myself out with my last involvement with volunteering in schools and PTA and then after that I did homeschooling for a couple of years. I just did to much and it wore me out. I finally feel like I can get involved without it taking over my life. I know how to say no much better and not feel guilty about it. Why is it that women feel guilty for saying no anyways?? I hope I can teach my girls that it is okay to say no. I want to teach them it is good to serve others and always have a giving heart but at the same time I want them to know it is okay to take care of yourself and be in a healthy place mentally and physically before you can take care of the the rest of the world.

Now onto a different subject. I am getting really tired of all the political adds and talk on the news that dominates everything. I can't wait till the elections are over. I don't think they should allow campaigning to start until 6 months before the elections. If they didn't allow campaigning until just before elections then people wouldn't be burned out with all of it. The people might pay more attention to the issues instead of get tired of all the stupid stuff they say about each other.

Well I will save my other brilliant thoughts for a later blog....

Go Women and Republicans!

I woke up today to find that John McCain has chosen a woman to run with him as VP for the United States of America. I feel so much elation to know that Sara Palin a mother of 5 kids may serve in this position. I hope that the republicans can pull this off and win the election, I know that I will be giving them my vote. I loved her acceptance speech she seems to have such an inner strength and humility about her. She seems really to just be a regular every day woman that can relate to me and the issues and challenges that I might face as a mother, wife and woman.

I hope that if you all weren't sure about voting for John McCain before that you will all support this republican ticket now!

This is for Allison!

Well it has been a while since I have had time to blog. I apologize to Allison because I didn't realize that my blog would become such an important part of her daily ritual. I will do my best to keep you entertained on a more regular basis.

I am in the process of getting all my kids ready for school. Here in Minnesota school doesn't start until after Labor Day. I have kids in really different stages of life which makes my life more interesting.

Tanner is starting his senior year. I still can't believe that he is in his last year of high school. Scott and I spend a lot of time talking to him about his options with college choices but when it is all said and done I think there is so much pressure on kids now to get high test scores, take hard classes in high school and get almost perfect grades that it seems like society is putting a lot of unneeded stress on our children to early. I can't imagine being a teenager again and having to compete in this culture to try to get into a great school. Tanner seems to take it okay but he does have moments of extreme stress especially during finals when all his assignments are due. One other great development is that Tanner got his drivers license this summer and he has found out that he has gained a lot more Independence!! It is so wonderful to finally have him driving himself around to do all his errands. Tanner also was chosen to be a teen column writer for the local Rochester Post Bulletin newspaper. He will even get paid for his articles!!

Emma is just starting high school and I think that she is just as scared as she is excited about going into high school. It is such a transitional time in a teenagers life when friends seem to change as well as interests. I hope she can adjust to this transition smoothly without to many speed bumps. Emma has never been a fan of school so we are doing all we can to encourage her to keep her grades up. Her biggest motivation right now is that she wants to go to the midnight showing of Twilight on Nov. 21st and then miss the next day of school while she sleeps. I told her if she didn't have lower then a B in any of her classes that I would take her to the movie and sleep with her the next day. I think she may work hard to receive that reward.

Elle is starting her last year in elementary school. She seems happy enough to get back to school. I think this year will be a great year for her. She has been very focused on what she wants to do after she "grows up" that it has been a very positive thing. Elle wants to be a "baby Dr." (I have been unable to convince her to become a geriatrics specialist so she can take care of me when I am old and decrepit) and so I am always pointing out to her that she needs to do well in school and go the extra mile if she wants to be a dr. and she seems to agree and take school very seriously.

Now to me. The kids will be going back to school in less then a week and I will have extra time on my hands. I am actually looking forward to this year more then I have ever in the past. I feel great and healthy and am actually looking forward to volunteering in the schools this year (I haven't enjoyed volunteering the last few years, I think it was more related to my health issues) but I have a great desire to better myself. I will be taking golf lessons this fall so I can kick Scotts butt this year. I want to take a community digital photography class and I have almost convinced Scott to take a partner reflexology class with me (I told him it would be a great date night) I also have a few projects that I am working on at home. But the biggest part of my life this fall is getting licensed for foster care. Scott and I are still in the process of doing that. I am looking forward to bringing special children into our home and giving them lots of love. Actually the whole family is excited about the prospect of having foster kids coming to be a part of our family.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

I have finally caught up with Scott's old age...I turned 39 today just 4 days after Scott reached the last year of our wonderful 30's. I don't know many people that love their birthday as much as I do, but I sure do love when Aug. 10th rolls around each year. I don't know why getting older doesn't bother me like most people, but I love it. I have had a wonderful year and am looking forward to being 39 so much. I think that my life experiences have helped me grow to appreciate all that I have and realize just how blessed I truly am. I feel like I am the luckiest woman on the earth to have 3 beautiful and healthy kids who are truly great 99% of the time. (I can't expect my teenagers to be perfect all the time!) I also have a wonderful husband who loves me and supports me in all my efforts. I have a family far away but close in my heart and I have met wonderful friends where ever I have lived who will always be dear to me.

Some of the highlights from this past year have been:
1. Moving to Rochester Minnesota (one of the best places on earth!)
2. Seeing my kids grow by leaps and bounds this year... I think Elle literally grew 3 inches!
3. Taking two trips to Utah one at Thanksgiving (thanks dad) and the other this summer with the kids.
4. Having the opportunity to grow closer to Emma by understanding the trials she faces as a 14 year old young lady that has moved from her friends in Albuquerque to a strange new city. Finally seeing her embrace this new adventure and making friends. (I would never want to be 14 again!)
5. Exploring new sights and places as we discover what Southeastern Minnesota has to offer.
6. Getting shingles (painful!) and over coming the shingles.
7. Making it to 18 years of marriage and feeling like I am more in love today with Scott then I ever have been!
8. Getting golf clubs from Scott so I can learn to golf and spend more time with him!
9. Seeing Tanner grow and develop into a handsome and caring young man who wants to change the world!
10. Watching Elle grow into a tween and embrace her new life here with enthusiasm and confidence always caring about her mom and how she feels!

I am happy and healthy and truly appreciate all that Heavenly Father has given me. I am looking forward to this year and can't wait to share it with all of my family and friends! Thanks for always caring about me and loving me unconditionally.

Day 4 through the end of the trip!

We all enjoyed our trip to temple square learning about the seaguls that saved the pioneers from starvation from the sister missionaries and watching all the newly married couples that just got married.

We had a great time riding the trax from Ogden to down town SLC to enjoy the sights as well as spend some time with Grandma Dee and Nevaeh.

Chelsee decided to spend 5 minutes with her favorte family from Minnesota. We were honored to get the 5 minutes...you know how teenagers are!

Kylee and Ava hanging out at Jen's house. It was wonderful to meet Jen's new husband Gene. Jennifer is a very lucky woman!

Ava has grown so much! We had so much fun playing with her when we went out to Granstville.

Tanner taught the kids how to take garbage and make something really cool. He was very proud of his creations and wanted some pictures of them before he handed them over to the little cousins.

Just chilling out at Grandmas house the night we did family home evening! That was a great lesson Grandpa....can any one remember what it was about? I think we had to burry something??

After F.H.E. we all went out to enjoy some s'mores. As you can see Katie enjoyed them as much as the kids.

Alllison was the best at making golden brown marshmellows for the s'mores.

The kids all agreed to pose on the four wheeler for a picture. Grandpa, Emma, and Kayla took turns driving the kids around the block for entertainment.

Allison was soooo happy to see her big sister Krys!

Tanner sure enjoyed his cousins even taking part in the wig show. I don't think Tanner makes a very good woman.

The kids always love to get Grandma's "hair extentions" out and try them on.

Day 2 And 3 of Utah Trip

Austin and Tanner

We enjoyed attending Kirk Johnson's homecoming on Sunday. Tanner was able to spend some good times with Austin his favorite cousin and a best friend since they were in heaven I am sure.

Elle and Emma

Emma and Elle enjoyed dancing and doing camp cheers for a very attentive audience. We spent alot of time just "hanging out" doing what ever we wanted.

Elle, Tanner and Abby

On Saturday Grandpa and Tanner took all kids on a swimming outing! Tanner enjoyed being the oldest and only boy in a group of girls that just adored him!

Chloe

Chloe was very smitten by Tanner always wanting him to give her piggyback rides, how could Tanner say no to this sweet and beautiful little girl?

Talon, Katie, and Krys

It was one of the highlights of my trip to be able to spend so much time with my "baby sister". Katie and I enjoyed laughing and watching the kids especially Talon!

The Surprise

The day the big surprise begins! It is a tradition in our family to make the birthday person a big candybar poster. On this poster I drew a map from our house that ended at Grandma's house in Utah. So Elle awoke on her birthday to find that her day was going to be spent driving for 13 hours in the car! Emma was just as surpised as Elle but she found that the best way to spend those 13 hours was sleeping through 5 of them. Tanner and I had some great conversations and even though Tanner didn't really want to go on a birthday adventure he treated his mom and sisters with patience and love and I was sure glad to have him along!

We got to Grandma's house two days and many dvd's later only to find that Katie and Grandpa had to do some major coaxing to get Grandma to go home! Grandma found the four Greer's in her kitchen instead of a big screen tv and boy was she shocked!


We shared lots of hugs and kisses. It made the trip all worth while to see the shear look of unbelief that Grandma had on her face as she realized that we came to see her.

We know Elle grew some this year as she passed Grandma up. It is always a goal of my kids to get taller then their Grandma...which isn't that hard to do but Elle was very proud of herself.

Hannah came up to Oakley to keep Grandma company. She was just as surprised as Grandma and even started crying when she saw all her cousins and Aunt Krys from Minnesota!

We had a great first day in Utah as is was filled with catching up with hugs and love for Grandma and Grandpa and relaxing in beautiful Oakley Utah a place I have grown to love visiting and am going to miss so much when my mom and dad end up selling their home which they have on the market.

TRIP TO UTAH

Hello friends and family! I decided to surprise my mom by making an unplanned trip to Utah. Scott told me on Sunday July 6 to pick my week I wanted to go visit Utah this summer (I think he thought that I would go in Aug.) and I decided on Tues. July 8 to leave on Thurs. July 10 (Elle's Birthday!) I also decided to surprise Elle and Emma so I packed everything up on Wed. and woke up early on Thursday morning told the girls we were going on a birthday adventure (Tanner was in on the planning) and to get into the car! The girls were shocked! It was so much fun. We left at 7:00am and pulled into Little America in Cheyenne WY at 8:30pm. Thirteen hours of driving through some of the most beautiful green country (Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska, not so green was Wyoming) in the USA!! Thank goodness for Tanner...he kept me awake through all that driving by talking nonstop the entire time. Have any of you ever had the experience of listening to Tanner talk for thirteen hours straight? Well it was the best!

We arrived in Oakley Ut at 3:00pm the next day and my mom was nowhere to be found. She had been staying in Granstville in her vacation home (the 5th wheel trailer) and was refusing to leave and drive back to Oakley. Katie and my Dad were doing their best to get her out of Granstville but as you all probably know, Barbara doesn't like any one telling her what she has to do! Finally Katie told her that there was a surprise for her in Oakley and she better leave. Well my mom drove up to Oakley to find me and the kids in her kitchen and it was such a total unexpected surprise!! (She thought she was getting a big screen tv, sorry mom to disappoint).

The nineteen hours of driving was all worth it to see the look of shock on my mom's face! The kids were great on the drive and I will so totally do it again (I have to still find 6 no 7 license plates New Hampshire, Vermont, Ohio, Delaware, West Virgina, and Virgina, oh and we can't forget Hawaii so says Elle) except for the surprise part. My mom told me it was great to have a surprise but she needed a little warning so she could get herself properly medicated for our next visit! (I still love you mom even when you are not medicated).

We spent a wonderful 7 days in Utah. The cousins spent time together playing cards, going swimming, riding 4 wheelers, watching movies, shopping at the outlets, eating lots of Popsicles and making s'mores! It is just the kind of summer activities that the best memories come from! The sisters (Krystine, Allison, Katie and Barbara) got to go out to lunch share time, stories, advice and love as well as guess some great secrets!! But as the time drew to an end the kids and I were looking forward to getting back to our lives in Minnesota. We all missed our dogs and very most we missed Scott! So just as exciting as it was to drive out to Utah we were all excited to drive home!

I took 263 pictures on the trip but my blog helper Tanner has left to go on High Adventure with Scott for the rest of the week. I don't know how to down load the pictures onto the computer without his assistance so for now all you get is the written word! Tune in next week and I will add some really wonderful pictures to go along with the blog!

Until the next blog....I love you all!

Activities this summer

Here are some pictures from the many activities the kids have been doing this Summer:

The girls have both started horseback riding lessons this summer. They have been wanting to do this for 3 years. Emma enjoys horseback riding lessons. Her horse is named Zan.

Elle loves animals and is having a great time learning to ride horses! Elle day dreams about her horse Muffy every day.

We were dropping Elle off at her first YMCA camp. She was gone for a whole week and I think I missed her more then she missed me! She had a blast and taught all the young women in the ward the "shake your little tail" cheer so they could do it up at YW Girls Camp.

Elle and Emma goofing off with the camera one day!

One of my favorite things are sunsets!! This picture was taken at Young Womens Girls Camp. I was able to go to Young Womens Camp this year as camp director. It was a wonderful week of fun and friends!

Tanner and his date Victoria getting ready to leave for prom back in May.

Welcome to my blog!

I have been thinking about doing a blog for a while but it wasn't until I saw Jamie's blog that I got really motivated to take some action. Tanner has been walking me through the process for the last hour and now I am to the part where I get to actually write something! This seems weird because blogging seems kind of a way of journaling. So here I start my blog (or journaling) and it is open to the whole world to read, well I don't think that the whole world will read my blog but hopefully my sisters! By blogging I hope to share my life and world with those I love the most, and because I am far away from them this seems a fun way to do it. If you are not my sisters and you tune in from time to time and read about my fascinating life you will also discover that my grammar is atrocious and if I didn't have spell check (thank heavens I do) I probably spell on a fifth grade level. My sisters already know this and make fun of me constantly in my emails but now the rest of you will know that this is one of my many failures...Scott, Tanner and I actually had a discussion last night on how horrible the school system was in (and probably still is) Granstville when I went there twenty years ago and it is their fault that I don't know how to compose a sentence or read one book while I was going to high school there!

Well I will have much more to say later I am going to finish setting up the blog now!