The Zip Line

Chad's Dad, or "Bumpa Saker" as the boys call him, installed a new toy in his backyard... a zip line. After our Sunday dinner, we had to go out and give it a try. The boys were too chicken and kept saying "Emmi first," and so we did put her on it first and she cried, so we got her off. Keek was next and he had to go slow at first, but soon enough he was zippin' down from the top and the faster the better. After 2 attempts to get Sam to like it, we gave up and are hoping that he will warm up to it eventually. (Honestly, I was not surprised by his apprehension, given that he cried on kiddie rides at the fair last month:)

Sam was crying to get off until I asked him to look at me for a picture. Immediately he gave me this little smirk and all seemed to be well! Bumpa Saker, (who was helping him out), couldn't believe it!

I had to include these short clips of the boys in action. What a cool Grandpa, eh?!!

Fun at the Company Party

Instead of a company Christmas party, Chad's boss bumped it up a few months so we could have a barbecue up the canyon. He arranged for the "Goodwood" restaurant to cater it and even rented out a cotton candy machine (my personal favorite) and a snow cone machine. Chad's dad Kirk and little brother Tyler also work for the same company, so we got to see family, which made it even more fun for us. Being up the canyon, it started to get quite frosty as the sun went down, but that didn't stop us from having lots of ice cream and treats. Tyler, Kirk, and Kim helping Emmi with her "RingPop". No, I didn't want Emmi to have one because I knew she would get messy, but Sam insisted she needed one and took it upon himself to go and get her one. Yeah,...thanks Sam :) Aunt Kristin and the boys with their RingPops. Notice how in both pictures, Sam felt the need to pull a funny face. As Kirk says, "What a kid!!" At the usual Christmas party, Leon (Chad's boss) does a raffle and gives out lots of cool prizes. He didn't disappoint this time. Every employee got something. He even gave out a Wii, a laptop, a mini-fridge, and a 32'' flat screen TV (Kirk and Kim were the lucky ones who got to keep that one). I was very happy with Chad's win, a nice King-size down comforter for our bed. Keek likes it too, can ya tell? I am so grateful that Chad works for such a great company. I know that they have their share of problems, but I feel that this job has been a big blessing for our family and I am so grateful for it.

School is Great

Is it just me, or is school the best thing ever? I mean, I love my boys more than anything, but I have been really enjoying seeing them go to school. Maybe it's because I see the excitement in Keek's face every time the school bus pulls up, the big smile on Sam's face when he puts his "bap- pap"(backpack) on, the friends and memories that are being made every day, not to mention the crafts and artwork pieces that are taking over my fridge. Or maybe, as hard as it is to see my children grow up, they are simply loving this new chapter in their lives and I seem to appreciate them even more when they get home. Sam's first day of school

Our Labor Day Weekend

In our little city we are lucky enough to get to go to a carnival every Labor Day weekend. The city also puts on a parade, firework show and all sorts of entertainment for "Onion Days," but the carnival is our favorite, well, maybe not Chad's:) He said if he would've know that we were going that night he would've stayed at work. What a stinker! I tried to take some really cute pictures of the kids on the rides, but my camera is retarded and wouldn't go off when I wanted it to. I got a few good ones, but now I am more determined than ever to get me a new one. This was Emmi's first ride ever and boy did she like it! Sam was fine on the spaceship until it started going up, which was when he started to freak out. Ironically Emmi was just fine though.

It was also my Nephew Tanner's birthday. (Abby's son, for those who know her). The boys had tons of fun at his Iron Man party. Tanner is such a fan of super-heroes and has more costumes than any kid I know. He is a very high-energy little guy and is hilarious like his daddy. Happy Birthday Tan, we love ya! Last but not least it was also the first BYU home game. Chad was lucky to get enough box seats to have his parents, sister and her husband as well as my little sister Erin and her hubby join us. I was very thankful to be in the shade on such a hot day. Having our family and real seats to sit even made it even better. This picture was taken of me and Erin near the end of the game. If it looks like we were hot and sweaty its because we were, but it didn't stop us from giggling and having a good time. At one point Erin's husband Rob had me crying I was laughing so hard which is why I think my eyes look red. Thanks for coming to the game family and, Go Cougars!!

Trim that baby mullet!

Emmi's hair has grown a lot in the last few months and was starting to get a mullet-ish look. Her little wispys in the front just aren't growing fast enough for the back, so I decided it was time for her first haircut. My good friend Sheila was over cutting Chad and the boys' hair, so she helped me with Em's too. I'm hoping this cut will help the hair follicles start growing in the front too. Grow baby, grow! Sheila did such a great job, so I took a few shots of the kids with their new do's and after a bath and jammies. What a bunch of (cute) turkeys!

Random pictures..

The boys take the "gator" for a ride every chance they get, especially when they get to drive a friend. This is our neighbor, Bryton who has become one of Sam's favorites playmates. These cuties really are two peas in a pod! We took a visit to my Sister Abby's house this week. I couldn't resist taking a picture of little Lauren and Emmi while they were watching Snow White. Lauren normally won't let Emmi get this close to her, so it was definitely a Kodak moment! Then my cute Mom sat down with her girls. They love their Nana. What you are looking at was exactly what I had found upon returning to the kitchen the other day. Emmi had managed to climb on the table, grab the spoon and jar of peanut butter that Keek had left there, and smeared it all over her face and the table. Needless to say, I was a little upset! Even after a bath the girl smelled like peanut butter all day long!

This is my favorite. It looks like she's thinking, "Oh, what did I do!?"
We also had a ward pool party this week, and the kids had a blast. We couldn't keep them off the slides.
Chad and Emmi. Our poor little peanut kept falling under the water; good thing that Chad and I were watching her! Even a little water-logged, she is still a cutie.

I'm Feeling Very Olympic Today...

...How could I not after that awesome win by the U.S.in the men's relay! Those of you who didn't see it, you have to go back and watch. Chad and I were screaming at the T.V when they pulled off the win. The best part was beating the French, who were favored to win and were talkin' smack about the U.S.A. Oh, it was great!! I just love the Olympics. Chad and I always seem to get glued to the T.V. whenever they are on, which is fitting, since they remind me of him. During the Sydney summer games, back in 2000, I was at Ricks college. Most of you know that I got the idea to take Chad a big pitcher of Orange Julius when I found out he was "under the weather". We were in the same ward and had talked a few times, and I knew I was being pretty forward by going over to his apartment unannounced. Well, the next night my roomie Candace and I were watching the games in our apartment, when I heard a knock at the door. There was Chad with the empty (and cleaned) pitcher. He asked me out for the following day, and we have been inseparable since!! That means that I have "dated" Chad for 8 years!! Wow, time flies!