Memory Game

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Pine Valley

I have a whole new respect for weekends now. I relish every minute of them now that I'm a 8-5 Mon-Fri. working stiff. We decided to have a little day trip up to Pine Valley this Saturday to enjoy cooler temps, water and yes, even TREES! (as great at St. George is, the one thing its missing is more trees) Scott, Crystal & Mylie came along too. We had a great time hiking around and picnicking. Toby & Arielle even made makeshift fishing poles with a stick, fishing line and a soda tab that they found laying around (didn't catch anything, but had fun trying) On the way home we stopped to pet some horses including an adorable miniature paint.

Business and Pleasure

I have started a NEW job as a social worker. Its been a long time coming. After all, I did go to school for psychology. It took the mortgage market falling apart for me to be motivated to start in the social work field. I'll be working for the State of Utah helping victims of domestic violence. Heartbreaking for sure, but I'm up for the challenge! The new 40 hr. a week schedule is taking quite an adjustment for a spoiled gal like myself who has been working from home (for the family owned business) for the last 10 yrs. I have jumped right into this new tightly structured job in the summer with the kids home from school. My dear sleep deprived husband (who works night and takes care of the kids during the day) has been a wonderful support. I couldn't do it without him! As part of my new job, I had to go to SLC for training last week. Jim had to work so I took both kids and roped my parents into helping watch them on the days I had training. Arielle ended up going to the Titcombs for most of the time. They are so sweet to have her and spoil her rotten. She came home with a new "twin dress" (Anna and her got matching outfits that they wore to church together) and a new Webkinz toy. I know she was in great hands and treated like a princess while I was working. Thank you Julie, Brent & Anna! Toby stayed at Daybreak and had a blast too. He got to be the "big kid" and stay up late watching movies in the theatre room and playing cards & settlers with the adults. He got some great one-on-one time with grandmom & grandpa while they took him to shoot some hoops, kayak, and play miniature golf. The trip was mostly work for me, but I did enjoy chilling at mom & dad's and spending time with them. Evenings at Daybreak are cool and delightful, my favorite time of the day. We like to walk around the lake or take the kids to the little community parks (of which there are many!) I also got to sneak in a quick lunch with Shmeg, Henry & Sheaner. Its always a treat to spend time with "my gals".

Toby's Track Meets

The last couple of years we spend most every Saturday in June at Track Meets. Since I run myself, I can find no better way to spend the day but hanging out at the track around a bunch of running nerds and cheering for my little track star. Toby's relay team went to Region where they won 2nd, then State where they won 3rd place. Now all the teams are awaiting results of the paper meet between the western states to find out who will get the opportunity to travel to Hershey, PA to compete. (our road probably stops at the state level...) Toby also competed at the Utah Summer Games where to took 3rd in the long jump and 1st on his relay team. I was esp. proud of him this year because he was a 10 yr. old competing against 11 & 12 yr old (it goes by how old you'll be the end of the year and he'll be 11 in Aug.) He didn't lose confidence and gave it his all even though he ran against much bigger kids and sometimes was last in his heat. To me, that willingness to go for it against the odds is a much better accomplishment than winning medals. Go Tobes!

Florida '08 Slide Show

White Beaches, Sunny Days & Great Food!

Ah! Vacation! There are too many pictures to post so I will try to create a slide show of the highlights to accompany this post. We just got back from 11 days in Clearwater, Florida. Our days mostly consisted of LOTS of swimming (beach & pool), treated to a nice lunch at various fancy restaurants by Grandmom Wellborn (the kids "Great" Grandmom), then more swimming/beaching and finally gourmet meals at Grandma & Grandpa Dieckmans' at night. Everything homemade & delicious (crabcakes, coleslaw, lasagna rollups, chocolate mousse pie, canolis were some of the highlights). We also checked out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where the kids could see stingrays, dolphins, sea turtles & river otters up close. Our favorites memories were skimboarding, hunting for shells along the beach, & boogie boarding. Weather was perfect the whole time (hot & sunny with a nice sea breeze) Jim & I came back with extra pounds & everyone came back tan. A great time for everyone!

Jim earns "Purple Belt"!

Moving up belts in Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is very difficult and a VERY big deal. There are not many belts awarded in this martial art (white, blue, purple, brown, black) There are very few black belts in the world- usually only instructors. So for Jim to advance to Purple belt was a great accomplishment. He has worked hard on this for years! Congrats Jim!