Taylor's school project....

Taylor had a school project that she turned in yesterday. She's been studying all about Utah Indians in her class, and it amazes me everything she now knows about the history of these great people. She chose to do her project on the 'Tepee'. Here is a picture of her final art (however, I couldn't persuade her to get in the picture, but oh well, this will have to do..) I'm very proud of her.

Flashback Friday...

All three of my boys are the loves of my life. I think they are incredible individuals and I cherish all the moments we've shared in the past and continue to have. I found these pictures that were taken in 1996-1998. The pictures taken in the suspenders were at our wedding when Russ & I were married on valentines day in 1998. Aren't they adorable?

Happy Birthday Mitchell...

This cute boy is my nephew Mitchell. Actually I should say 'cute teenager', he had his birthday today, and turned 13! Wow, I can't believe he's 13 already. I remember when he was just a few months old, and his Mom and Dad (my sister Lori and her husband Len) went on a trip, and we helped watch him for a few days. Wow Mitchie ---- time has sure gone by fast. We love you and hope you know what a special person you are to us. I know this is a hard birthday with your Grandpa Dick passing away only just a few days ago, but just know he is always there with you, close to your heart, and I'm sure he's very proud of you. WE LOVE YOU MITCH...

Crazy but loving sisters...

More than anything in the world, I LOVE when my girls are getting along and not bickering. So I cherish the moments of harmony they have. I had to take a few pictures so I could remind them during their times of competitive arguing how much of a better option this is. Between Madison's feisty personality, and Taylor's 'I'm the boss' attitude, they sometimes need a little reminding. In fact, we purchased their halloween costumes today, and Taylor chose a 'devil' and Madison chose a 'princess' (fitting huh?)

I just love them so much...

Flashback Friday...

Flashback to 1992...... This picture is of Russ when he was about 24, and his older sister, Lisa, and his dog Brandy. Cute huh? They are standing in front of the house he lived in with about 4 other guys. So you can imagine what the inside of this house looked like. This house was totally disgusting --- never clean, you could tell a bunch of college guys lived in this house. When I met Russ a few years later, he didn't live here anymore, but we went by to visit his friends, and it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in about 5 years. Anyways ---- I can not believe that 16 years have passed since this picture.

Happy Birthday Barb...

Today is my amazing, wonderful, marvelous mother-in-law's birthday! She's such a strong woman, and I admire her courage and strength that she's had in enduring everything she's gone through the past year. I want to tell you Barb, how honored I feel to be part of your family. Happy Birthday ---- we love you tons!

Flashback Friday...

Originally when I started my blog, I had this great idea to post a blog on Fridays called "Flashback Friday" to add something a bit interesting. I think I did it twice, then I started slacking on my great idea. I decided to start it up again. So I am flashing back today to 1995.

Russ and I had been dating about 8 months, and one weekend we took a trip to the Biospere with a few friends. This place is just north of Tucson, and it was a research center in an enclosed environment where they studied the interraction of plants, animals and humans. 8 men and woman locked themselves inside for 2 years without relying on anything from the outside. I'm not sure if they lasted for the whole two years, or what the outcome of the study was, but apparently it was interesting enough to the public that they conducted tours, which as you can see from the pictures below, we must have been some of those that thought it sounded like fun to see. Also, as you can see from the pictures, well, lets just say, I have no clue what we were thinking when we dressed that day, apparently not fashion!

Happy Birthday Eryka....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY NIECE ERYKA!!!! Today Eryka turned 6 and we want her to know that we love her and miss her tons! Eryka you are a very special girl and you deserve the best birthday ever! Taylor and Madison are really pushing for Virginia to be our next vacation, so we hope to see you sooner than the usual summer visit. We love you Eryka.

Algebra & Geometry.....

(1 + x)(3 + 2x)
3 + 5x + 2x2

HELP!!!! I'm sorry, but the day I got out of high school and then completed a required college course in math, I thought to myself, "I am so glad that's over ----- I never want to do another bit of algebra or geometry again in my life" Then Rocky took algebra & geometry in high school and never really needed my help with it, and I took a deep breath. Now Chad is taking these classes in high school, and I've skated by without having to help him much his sophmore year, but now, his junior year, he's come to me for help each night when he has homework. He's in geometry, however, they're doing a review of algebra as well. And now I'm faced with this demon that I thought would go away.
So now Chad and I are learning together, and helping each other. I really thought I was done with high school (haha!) I guess it's never over.