My New Car

July 24, 2010

Today, I got the first car that I truly feel is mine. I know this sounds weird. But, it's how I feel. We weren't bought 'new cars' in High School to have. We took turns driving my dad's old Ford escort. It was a great little car, but it was dad's car.

When I got married, we had Spence's Jetta. We did buy the Neon--that was bought in desperation in a snowstorm as our Jetta wouldn't get out of 2nd gear. I really hated that car! It was in the shop monthly.

We traded the Neon in for the Camry, which was a good car. It was solid and reliable. It was OURS. It was our only car for 5 years until Ian was born and we had to get a mini van. Spence was working crazy hours and we looked, but it was hard with a newborn. I lasted about 3 months with 4 kids and no mini-van, so when we found the Sienna, I was quite desperate and really didn't have any feelings for it other than "Thank you, for the room!".

We've now had the Sienna for 7 years, and it was starting to need some work done and our kids are growing so fast that we needed a bigger vehicle.

I think I understand now how Spencer feels about his new car! I did so much research and test drove so many vehicles. I looked and looked and narrowed it down to wanting an Expedition. Then to find one that had even more than I had expected (DVD,Moonroof, CD, IPOD, Power everything) and I liked the colors inside (black) and out (silver). The buying process was so stressful for me, because I wanted it so bad! We even had to walk away at one point. We searched for another one that had what this one did in the same price range and there really wasn't anything. They came down a bit more in price and the deal was set. I am so very happy!!! I've wondered about the difference in how I feel about it...It is still the family car. But somehow it is more intrinsically MINE!

I've never felt this way about anything we've owned before. I now know why Spence washed the Jag 3 times the first month we owned it. When he hadn't washed the Camry that many times in a whole year! :)

Okay, enough! Now you know, we are goo-goo over some stupid cars!!! (But it brings a smile to our faces!!)

My 2008 Ford Expedition.

Ready to go on a Sunday drive to check out everything in it.

Angle from the Moonroof.

Let's go!!!

Winthrop Trip

July 9-10, 2010

This is the second time we've been invited out to Winthrop by Spence's Aunt Beverly and Uncle Richard. I was unable to go last year because of being in bed with my neck! I was so glad to get to go this time!

I must say, I think that this was the most beautiful drive I've ever been on! And probably the curviest, too! I'm talking kids getting a little carsick!

Here we are at the overlook of a lake called "El Diablo".

It was so windy, but felt so good!

My best picture...

When we arrived, we headed over to Lake Perrigan. It was a beautiful spot to camp and enjoy the water. Uncle Richard was out with some of the cousins fishing. Doug and Theresa brought their ski-doo (sp). We had such a great time swimming and playing and going for rides!

Spence came back with Erin and Katelyn. About to ride with Ian and Freddy.

Jackson getting ready for a turn.

Emily and Erin with their Aunt Theresa.

Auntie Jen and Bridgett.

Ian having a great time!

That evening we cooked s'mores around the campfire! So fun!

Cute Jacob!

Erin showing how good!

The next morning, Uncle Richard took Katelyn, Ian, and Spencer out fishing as it had become too hot the previous day. Katelyn was so excited and ready to help! Unfortunately, the fish just weren't biting that morning!

Katelyn helping Uncle Richard with the boat.

Spence and Katelyn out on the boat.

As we were packing up to leave, Erin found a snake out between the cabins. Uncle Richard said it was a 'bull snake'. The kids were so excited!

As we were driving down the driveway, we spied the buck Uncle Richard had told us about. He evidently likes to come rest in the shade of this tree. Isn't he beautiful?

We stopped in town to get some homemade ice cream from "Sheri's Homemade Ice Cream Shop". It was delicious and felt so good on such a HOT day!

We headed home after and again enjoyed just a gorgeous drive! I can't wait to head out that way again sometime!

Fun at the Children's Museum

We've tried to do a few fun things this summer. Hitting different parks and pools. One thing we decided to do was renew our Children's Museum Membership. The kids still have a great time going there and it is so fun on a rainy day, too!

Ian and Erin piloting the airplane!

This time, we spent a good hour downstairs building different things with wheels. A cart, an airplane and a jeep looking thing. The kids had fun!

The kids love these statues outside the museum.

I thought we were done and was walking to the car. I had to go back and take this one of Ian!

Week in Salt Lake City

June 26, 2010

I lucked out and got to go on a little trip with Spence this month! He had some training in Salt Lake on the 28th, so we went down the Sunday before and got a couple of days together.

We got to visit with our dear friends, Robyn and Shannon Mock. We had a wonderful evening together catching up! The time flew by too quickly! We can't wait to see them again soon!

On Monday, Spence and I went up to Park City. It was a gorgeous day. We checked everything out and decided to try going down the Zip Line. I've always wanted to try it and here I got my chance! The Alpine Slide looked fun, too. I was having to be very careful with my neck, as it was giving me a few problems that weekend.

Here's Spence and I after going down the zip line. It was fun! The only scary part was being up at the top getting strapped in and looking down. Once I was 'zipping', it wasn't scary at all!

We had dinner at a little Bistro on the Main Street. It was kind of a French- American place and the food was delicious!

While Spence was in his class, I got to have lunch with Hollie Wright. They lived by us out in West Valley. It was so fun to catch up with her! After lunch at the Olive Garden, we walked around Temple Square for a while. All too soon it was time for her to go! She dropped me over at The Gateway Mall. I looked around for a while. It was SO HOT! So, I did something I've never done before! I went to a movie all by myself! I saw "Knight and Day" with Tom Cruise and Cameran Diaz. It was a fun movie. It was only weird being alone until the movie started.

I met Spence and we walked around Temple Square ourselves. It was really neat to see the model of the Temple in the South Visitors Center. We had a quick bite to eat at JB's. We used to eat there all the time! We just got the Salad Bar to be quick. It was quite gross! All I'll say is that the mozzerella cheese was grey. I don't want to think about it any more than that! Eww!

I dropped Spence off at the airport-sad that our alone time was over- but actually happy that one of us was getting back to the kids. No matter what, I'm always missing them!

I spent the night with Aunt Conda and Uncle Scott. We visited my cousin Michelle and I got to meet Tory's cute new wife. We had a fun visit.

I met Robyn Mock the next morning for a little 'girl time'. We could have talked forever! It is so funny to find us evolving into the different stages of wife and mother in the same ways, even though we live so far apart. I'm so grateful for their friendship and that physical distance has no meaning!

For the rest of the week, I got to be with Amanda, Kevin, Abbey, Mariah, and finally meet little Callie. It was so fun to be with them and play. The girls are getting so big and are so beautiful and smart! On Friday, Manda and I got some special alone time. We started off shopping. Then we headed back up to Salt Lake. I had pre-purchased tickets to "Eclipse". We went to that in the afternoon and then to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. Yum! We slept in the next morning-- something Manda NEVER gets to do! We were bummed to find out the Salt Lake Temple was closed that weekend for cleaning. So, we walked around the Temple Museum and the new Deseret Book Store before she took me to the airport. We had such a fun time together. I loved every minute of it! It was a great week!

Manda's family as we were about to leave on our "Night away". Poor Abbey didn't want her mommy to go!

Me and my cute sister!

Ah, the moment had arrived!!! (I startled everyone in the theatre as my flash went off! Hee! Hee!)

Fun at the Museum of Flight

On June 16, 2010, we were invited to a special 1st birthday party for the son of one of Spence's co-workers. It was at the Museum of Flight. As part of the party, we all got to enjoy the museum, too! It was a really neat place. We didn't have time to see everything. We'll have to go back again!

We let the kids go on a simulator where they got to steer the plane. So, here they are practicing before the real thing!

Katelyn and Erin went together. Katelyn was hilarious when she got out. They were going all over the place. Erin was letting her pilot, but she didn't understand everything.

Ian and Emily had a great time together! Ian was a little nervous going in, but he had a blast and wanted to do it again!

Pinkwood Derby 2010

June 17, 2010

Every year, our Activity Day Girls have a Pinkwood Derby. It is amazing to me the creativity these girls put into their cars! This year Erin created an Ice Cream Sandwich Car, and Katelyn had a Lego Car. While they weren't the most aero-dynamic, there were lots of complements for creativity

Spence and his girls!

All of the participants! Great job everyone! (oops! might have cut off a few people! It was a big group!)

Projects and Field Day 2010

June 2010

Both Ian and Katelyn had end of the year school projects to do. Ian had to choose a favorite book and do a diorama that depicted a scene from the book and the main characters. He then had to stand up in front of his class and tell them about the book.

Ian loves "I am NOT sleepy and I WILL NOT go to bed!" by Lauren Child.

Uncle Mark actually gave this book to Erin when she was little and it has been a family favorite ever since! The Characters are Charlie and Lola and they have British accents and they are hilarious!

Katelyn did a science project on the Sting Ray. She had to write up a report and present a diorama with her Sting Ray in it's habitat with it's prey and predators. Here's what she put together. We were very proud of both of them!

We had some fun "End of the Year" Activities:

Ian and his class at his Kindergarten Concert...

and

Field Day!!!!

At our school, the PE teachers work with the 6th grade students to put together lots of different stations and fun games/activities the kids can do. The 6th graders love helping out and everyone gets to be outside together for about 2 hours. Ian, as a Kindergartner, loved being able to be with the big kids.

Katelyn had to try to spell her name by hitting the letters on the wall with the ball.

The girlies hanging out together!

Ian's buddy Kennedy.

Erin's class had a "Sundae Party" afterward. We brought Gummy Bears to put on top! YUM!

Ian aiming to hit some cans. The boys in charge were impressed that he kept hitting all the cans down!

Katelyn concentrating to PULL!!!!

It was a great Field Day!!

Erin's field Trip

May 25, 2010

I got to go on a field trip with Erin's 5th grade class. We went to the Nordic Heritage Museum and to the Ballard Locks. Erin and I both LOVED the museum. We have both a Swedish and Danish heritage, so it was very interesting to learn about the people from these places and how they came to the Seattle area. We liked the museum much better than the locks. There were pretty gardens around, but on the whole it was "smelly, wet, and just plain gross" . (This is a direct quote from Erin.)

Arden, Erin, and Makailyn at the Ballard Locks.

Erin and I

The next night, all the 5th graders had a music concert called "And the beat goes on..." They got to play some cool drums and sang some cool songs like "We got the Beat" from the Go Go's, "Beat it!" from Michael Jackson, "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson, and, of course "The Beat goes on" by Sonny and Cher. It was a really fun concert and she had a great time!