Fall is really here

Fall is already off to a great start! I usually don't love the Fall because I know winter is right behind it but this year I am actually enjoying it. We just got back from the Aspen Grove marriage retreat which is always so fun. The speaker this year was just exceptional - I don't think I have cried and laughed so hard in a long time. This is our 3rd year doing it and I said to Dave "We can't afford NOT to do this." We love hanging out with Jeff/Jana and Colter and Jen. We do the extended night and all of us bring our kids up for that. It is definitely a tradition we all love. The mountain was simply gorgeous with all it's color as you can see. Of course the picture does not do it justice.




Dave, 5 of this brothers and one nephew all did the OLYMPIC Bear Lake Brawl. I was so proud of him since he has trained really hard for this. They all had a great time as did the rest of us.

SUMMER _ NEVER a dull moment

Summer just flies by way too fast. Since our yard was all put in this year we were finally able to just go have fun and enjoy the warm weather. Here is what we have been up to. We had two family weddings, and 3 baby blessings this summer. Lexie was able to go to girls camp this year but got a little homesick and soaked. It rained the whole time. Lexie wanted her birthday party at the Aquatic Center again this year which was a lot of fun. We finally gave in and got her a dog for her birthday. Her name is Bella and she is 1/2 Westie and 1/2 Toy Poodle. We celebrated the 4th of July with my sister and her family in Layton. On our way to St. George and Las Vegas we stopped to see the Oquirah Temple which was so such a treat to do with our kids. We had a blast in St. George visiting with friends and family. Las Vegas was fun too but maybe not with kid next time. Dave, 5 brothers and one sister-in-law did the Logan triatholon again this year. It was so fun having them all come to our home after for breakfast. We went to Lagoon with some family and Dave, Matthew and Uncle Mark did the Sky Coaster. I finally got the kids on the Colossus this year which was very exciting for me. (I love that ride) The kids did a Kid's camp this summer to make money to buy Rock Band. They earned their goal and had a lot of fun doing it.

Catching Up

It seems like Spring just hit us with a bang. One day I am looking out my kitchen window at all the snow wondering if Spring will ever get here and the next day I am out mowing it. We have been loving Spring here in Logan. For Memorial day we all went to Woods Cross for a fun 5k walk/run with my sister and her husband. I was so proud of Lexie and Matthew for both participating. You probably can't tell from this picture but Lexie wasn't very excited about it.

Matthew's soccer team was undefeated this year. He had a great coach and a great time. He even scored a goal which got me off my chair and yelled so loud I think the people in the town next to us heard me.

For Matthew's 9th birthday we had a Lego party. The boys all made Lego cars and raced them. It was a huge hit.

To start summer vacation off right the day the kids got out of school we headed to Park City with my brothers family for a couple of days. We always love going there and getting our Alpine Slide and Coaster fix. It was so much fun we were just not ready to leave.

Mother's Day

This was the best Mother's Day ever. Since Dave had to work on Sunday he treated us to Hamilton's Mother's day buffet/brunch on Saturday. It was amazing. The owner treated Matthew like it was HIS birthday, I am not kidding he went all out for him. Lexie just loved the grilling station, we had to stop her after her 3rd steaks. Our kids were in heaven which made it that much more pleasant for us. We were seated right by the dessert bar so I was in my own bit of heaven. To top it off Matthew scored his first goal in soccer. I don't think I have ever jumped out of my seat and yelled so loudly. I was so proud I almost started to cry. It was all to perfect. I am so grateful for the privilege of being a mother there truly is nothing more rewarding.

Spring is finally here

So I love spring for many reasons but one is that I take down all my red stuff and put up my blue/green stuff. I change it out every 6 months which is perfect. Just when I start getting sick of the one color it is time to switch. Do I have too much time on my hands? Maybe.

If there is one thing I love it is getting together with old friends. This past weekend 3 of my bestest girlfriends drove all the way to my house for a "girls weekend." We had a blast catching up and even got some shopping in (thanks Blake for watching the kids). Times like this I will treasure forever.

The loves of my life

So while setting up my face book page I had to put these fun pictures on it. Our darling and talented neighbor Trevor took them for us. We love them!

Thawing out in California

So we were all complaining how stinking cold it is up here in Logan. I think Dave got tired of it so he rented a beach house in San Diego for the week. It was just the thing we all needed. We had a blast, we went to Lego Land, San Diego Zoo, The Children's Museum and rode bikes along the beach front to Mission Bay. The Robertson's had us over for a fabulous dinner, it was so fun catching up with them. We wish we lived just a little bit closer. Now we are hoping that Spring is just around the corner for us.

The perfect ending to a perfect year

So I have to share my perfect ending to 2008. When we lived in Missouri I was the Young Women's president which was a very hard calling for me since Dave was in school, Lexie was 5 and Matthew was 2 and our ward building was 25 minutes away. So many times I had to haul my kids there for mutual nights or shuffle them around between friends for firesides and so on. There was one particular young women I just loved and connected with. We moved away and from time to time I would hear from here and there what she was up to. Low and behold in December I get a wedding announcement from her. I quickly skim where she is getting married and about cried when I read the Salt Lake Temple. I could not have been any prouder. Second, I found out that she is going to school here and lives basically 5 minutes from my home. So as Dave and I are driving to the wedding I was hoping that she would remember me. As we walked through the door I see her across the room and she comes running to me with her arms out saying "Sister Casey!" She was absolutely gorgeous and just glowed! As I hugged her I was overwhelmed with love. I was reminded again that this is where true happiness comes from and this is really what our life here on earth is really about. Seeing when those we love make it. I have been on cloud 9 ever since. This truly was an unforgettable memory I will cherish forever. I can't believe I am still receiving blessings from serving the Lord that many years ago.

Happy New Year!

Thanks to our friends and family for your darling Christmas cards. It was so fun getting caught up on what everyone is doing. We could not believe how big everyones kids are getting.

We definitely had a white Christmas this year. The kids have loved playing outside in it and sledding in the pit (water runoff bowl). Dave and Lexie have also enjoyed skiing this year.