Georgia Time

Thursday morning, October 10th I get up early to fly out of Salt Lake City to visit my "home".  For years when we moved to GA I longed to be back west close to what I knew to be home.  Little did I know that home was all around me.  I had grown so much in our 11 1/2 years of living there that I had to go back for a visit and see all the wonderful people there.

Upon arriving into Atlanta, I grabbed a rental car and headed out to Newnan.  Oh it was so surreal...I had to get my bearings and it just flooded back to me.  I stopped by both our old houses and drove all around the area.  Although I did come out to visit and had no plans of any kind, I did a lot of driving and just soaked it all in.  If I never get back I wanted to really remember this place. 

The southern charm and core beliefs are so amazing.  I felt so at home.  Living in Utah just isn't the same.

Wish my kids could have come too...I saw many of their friends.

Sydney Farmer and family

Catalina Reisinger, Sam Thorne, Hailey Bake and sooo many more!  Can't believe how fast everyone grows up!

I saw many of my friends too and didn't take enough pictures!  Melissa Coe, how did we not get a picture together!!  My sweet kindred spirit whom we are bound forever.  I love you and had an amazing time with you!But I feel I saw many of the ones I longed to see.  I didn't even touch the Summergrove and Newnan Ward peeps...I love you guys wish I had a week to visit!!

I did get to spend some time with some other ladies that made my last few weeks in Georgia (before moving) the best times ever.  Kristi Henderson and Lisa Carlock.  So we continued the saga...we headed up to a Hilton by perimeter mall.  We had a blast!  

 Ladies on the loose...watch out!  Had to get the king and queen in the background...too bad their crowns didn't show up very well.  Thanks to the gentleman that Kristi flagged down with "hey baby" in his car to take our picture!

We hit Chow Baby for dinner...oh so amazing!  Need to do that again sometime!

Afterwards we were looking for a club with bands to check out...we were directed to one called West Terminal.  Well, Kristi went in to check it out, and I decided to ask the officer in the parking lot for a good place to park (with Lisa in the back seat).  Well after a short talk he asked why Lisa was in the back (passenger seat empty of Kristi).  I joked that I'm her paid friend...well, come to find out Kristi said the bands were crappy because it was Pride week.  Oh man, did that officer think we were crazy!  But a lot of things made sense the rest of the night...

Finally we set off for Atlantic Station and hit a few stores.  Then we headed back and hit the hot tub and poor James...or was it Jason the maintenance guy who let us into the hot tub after hours?  Anyway, we all crashed and made it to 1pm church in Sharpsburg ward the next day.

That night, the Marlers invited me to dinner at their new house.  Great place out on the BT Reservoir!  I had a blast with all my little buddies.  Love you guys!

A huge Thank You to Brian and Lori Clark for letting me stay with them while I leaned back on old times.  Love you all so much.

I sure hope to be back and see everyone again real soon.

Random Doings

I tried out the produce co-op through my sis-in-law, but I think I will start up my own.  Although it was great stuff, it just wasn't stuff we use...except the spinach!  Oh yeah, bring back the spinach smoothies!  My kids love these smoothies.

I also ordered 40 lbs of chicken through Zaycon.  Huge chicken breasts and so fresh...but so fresh I had a lot of work ahead of me.  Before heading out of town to Georgia for a visit, I had to have this done.  I cut off all the fat and 90% of the chicken I had cut up so it was ready to use and the other 10% left as breasts for crock pot and grilling.  You should see my freezer!  Oh it's a good feeling to have that all done and ready for use.

Moving Day

Moving Day was finally here.  After commuting our kids out to Saratoga Shores Elementary for 5 wks, I was ready to get this move done!  We are desperately going to miss our Cedar Hills neighborhood and ward, but we are ready for our own home and to to start our new normal.

 The ward had a great turn out with help.  Thank you for that!  The girls also had a great time spending a few more hours with their friends before saying good bye.  We will still be around to see each other, but good bye for now.

322 W. Landview Dr

This is our new home in Saratoga Springs.  We had David Brown (bro-in-law) help put in some sprinklers in the front yard.  Next spring we hope to get some sod in and begin work on the back yard.

Lots of work to be done on this blank slate.

House is a mess, sorry...

Living Room

Family Room

Sorry I'm too lazy to get the big camera out for better pictures, the phone pics are so much easier to upload.

Kitchen

I love how this turned out.  Suppose to be an L shaped kitchen, but we did a bump out and now have the U shape.  Kitchen is where we all hang out...

Upstairs is Master and two bedrooms 

Downstairs is another 3 bedrooms and a bathroom

We only finished half of the basement.  So this will be my project to finish.  But it's still functional.  It's a walk out basement, can't see the door to the left.

I have so much to do to this house, I wish I had a ba-jillion dollars to do it all now!  But we plan to be here til kids finish school so a good 10+ years to work on that!

James Taylor In Concert

What a great opportunity to go to the Conference Center and see James Taylor in Concert with the Utah Symphony and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  I was a fun night with.  My brother Jeff had tickets so I invited Kiley (Trent's sister) and her friend Lori.  Thank you big brother!!

Terrible pictures I know, but still evidence that the guy is still kickin' and singing his awesome songs.

Afterwards, I met my brother in the electronics room and hung out for a bit.  Yeah they were finishing watching the BYU football game...

Soccer Season Begins

Another dose of soccer.  4 will be involved this year, and wow, did I forget how much driving there was for practices and games.  This is Northern Utah County league so we are still all over the valley!  Oh well, they really love it.  Trent is Ammon's coach this year and enjoyed it.  Ammon is still learning to have "dad" as coach and that he is dividing his attention with all the kids...it will work out.

 Coach Trent with Team "Dragons"

Tarin's team practicing the "Black Widows"

Rian and Raegan are also playing this season.  Raegan's team is the "Pink Panthers", while Rian's team is kind of young and chose the "Green Ninja Hulks"  a little weird, but a good team.

Labor Day Hike In Corner Canyon

Wanted to try a hike we haven't done yet.  Trent found a simple one called Ghost Falls up in Corner Canyon by the Draper Temple.  It was fun and very easy for those non hikers in our family.

The trail was shaded most of the way and the overcast was nice.  Ammon was my front runner...but Jarom was my trail blazer.  He kept a good pace for all of us.

Every now and then the trail would pop out to see the view of Salt Lake Valley.  It was also neat to see the temple in the horizon.  Seriously, I wish I had a better portable camera...phone pics are depressing.  It was spectacular.

 Finally we made it to the falls...but...that is the falls?  A little disappointing.  A little bit of running water over some rocks.  Maybe that is why it's ghost falls?  Can't see it?  :o/  I over heard another family say they use to be able to play in it...but it was barricaded off.  I'm sure in the spring there would be more run off and it would be more of a spectacle.  Oh well, it was a fun, refreshing hike.

 Altogether on the bridge ready to loop back around.

Neptune Park

Ammon and I have spent a lot of time together these past few weeks.  With all the driving out to Saratoga Springs from Cedar Hills, and Ammon having Kindergarten from 9:15-12:00pm I take Ammon to the park with a packed lunch, until it's time to get the others at 2:15 and 2:45.  Although spending time with him and having fun at the park is good, it's also hot and...yep I'm getting bored.  Not much to do out here.  Luckily, my sis-in-law Carrie lives out here and my friend Kendall, so now and then I will crash and hang with them.  But if you know me, I hate to inconvenience anyone and don't want to over stay my welcome. 

Ammon wouldn't get too high on this, now after much practice, he's almost all the way to the top.  And yes, even I have had a gander on this pyramid.

First Day of Kindergarden

My big boy!!  I can't believe the time has come that he officially goes to school.  He's excited but scared all at once. 

I had to get an official "altogether" first day of school picture

Dropping him off was difficult.  He was my only child that had a hard first day, because all the others had Pre-K in Georgia (may as well been Kindergarten--all day at the school).  He's trying to like it, but he has been my right hand buddy for several years now, so we are both feeling at a loss.  I hope he fits in soon.

Letters of Appreciation

Activity Days

Tarin has moved on to the older group, but I officially have Raegan in my group. :o)

Had the girls over and talked about people in their lives they appreciate and respect.  Then we had them compose these thoughts into letters to give to these people.  It was a lot of fun, and they all did a great job.

A few examples.  I'm going to miss these girls.  I truly have come to know them real well and have enjoyed their spunk and input.

First Day Of School 2013

 Another opening to another year of school...this one will compare to last year.  Hopefully this one will be out on top.  Because we are moving out to Saratoga Springs next month, we decided to start them in their local schools.  So just like moving here from Georgia, the kids will have to start a new school and make new friends all over again.  I know they will be strong and brave.

Jarom starts Jr. High so he and Rian will be together at Vista Heights Jr. High.  Tarin and Raegan will be attending Saratoga Shores Elementary.  Ammon will also be going to Kindergarden starting next week at Saratoga Shores.  It's going to be quite the commute for the next 5 weeks.

Driving away at 7:20am to make it out across the valley in time for 8am school.

Happy 9 Years!

 Raegan has turned 9 years old!  I can't believe this little sprite has grown up so fast.  She loves life and always has a smile on her face.  Her birthday is the day before school starts so it was a bit crazy, so we have been spreading out the celebration.  Sunday was the waffle candle celebration, and then on her birthday she got to spend some time with daddy at work and go to lunch and splurge on a few accessories.  Tomorrow we will make the cookie cake and finish her celebration with Gma and Gpa Wardwell on Saturday.  We love you Raegan and I know you will have another great year.

Back To School Get Together

Activity Days

We had a combined Activity Days that had close to 30 girls show up.  Wish I took pictures, but it was pretty crazy fun.  Down by the creek of Heritage Park, we had 4 rotations.  One was chocolate fondue in the pavilion, two stations had water games, and finally I had the "spiritual" station.  I thought it was important that the girls make something to put on their backpack.  This key chain idea came to mind.  The flower represents growth and beauty.  On the back I wrote "GROW".

Having a plant I asked what it needs to grow.  Various answers.  I explained we also need things to grow, such as experiences.  I referred to these experiences as moments of good and even not so good moments.  We need the good, but we also need the bad to help us recognize the great times. Our Heavenly Father would love to give us only good experiences, but we wouldn't learn anything. When the girls are not having a good day or something makes them feel down, I told them to look at this key chain and remember that the Lord has given us these moments to learn from and to be strong and GROW.  Think "what does the Lord want me to learn from this?" and to move forward.  And of course, we are all made with love from our Heavenly Father.

Happy Birthday Trent - 37

"One year older and wis-er too, Hap-py Birth-day, to you!"

This place was A-Ma-Zing!  Oh the steak and shimp...Yumm!  

No way we could have eaten here without a gift card, but so worth it!

Quite the dessert!  Magnifico!

Hope your wish comes true and this coming year is good to you.  Happy Birthday!