Our Straight Arrow......May 30, 2011

Today we were traveling in our car listening to a live version of "San Francisco" by Train. At the end of the song the crowd cheered and Daxton quickly had something to say about all those people that cheered. He said, "I don't know why those people cheered because that song said the 'H' and 'D' Words in it." Jen and I looked at each other and both smiled. Jen said, "Your a good boy Dax, your right they shouldn't be clapping."

I'm not sure what we did to get such a good boy, but for some reason we've got this sweet boy that is so sensitive to everything around him. I love you Dax!

Dad

Snakes? I hate Snakes.....May 26, 2011

Yes, I really found this serpent while I was pulling weeds. I almost touched him. I know he's harmless but it scared me to death. Sam has seen three of these guys around the yard. They removed the canal behind us and put in drain piping system. I am SURE we will find more of these guys slithering around now that there is no swamp lands behind us.

BOBCAT.....May 25, 2011

Daxton received his Bobcat award tonight. This is Dax's FIRST cub scout award. We were so proud of him. He is really enjoying the Cub Scout program. Our goal is to help him get his Eagle by the time he is 14 years old. This is the first award of many more to come.

GREAT JOB DAXTON! We love you! You're a great example for Tage.

Daxton and his den made these bean bag toss boards. They all enjoyed playing their games.

U2 Concert, Yeah Baby Yeah.....May 24, 2011

U2 TOUR, SALT LAKE CITY 2011..

Monday, May 23rd, I got a text from one of my best friends from high school, Charity. She asked if I was interested in going to the U2 concert. She got tickets for $20.00. OF COURSE, I jumped all over that. I was so excited she asked me.

I immediately called Sam and asked him if I could go. At first, he wasn't that happy. When I called him he said this: "Jen, I could have worked that event and went to the concert. But, I decided not to work it because I knew it would make you jealous and sad if you didn't get to go." I said: "Honey, I told you to work the event when you told me you could have. That was your mistake, not mine." He said: "Yeah, your right. That's fine, go ahead, but just so you know....I'm working Cheryl Crow when she comes this summer 'With or Without You' ". I started to laugh and said: "Deal!"

However, his tune changed more and more all throughout Tuesday. He walked over to the stadium a few times and watched the band practice. He watched the stage go up and marvelled over it all. He texted me all kinds of pictures about how awesome it looked and sounded. I think by Tuesday night he was more excited than I was.

Charity picked me at the Gateway and rode Trax up to the U of U. We were cracking up because when we went to get onto Trax, the doors opened, and I kid you NOT, there were a million people in there. They all about spilled out onto the pavement when the doors opened. It shocked us. They looked like a chorus of people packed into a train cart like sardines. It was so funny. Not what we expected at all.

We missed the opening group, the Frey. We got there right as they finished singing. We hung out in the bleachers until it got dark then U2 came out. It was AWESOME! The stage, the sound, the music, the performance was INCREDIBLE! It brought me back to my high school days. LOVED IT!

Charity and I had a BLAST! Our other best friend, Courtnie, was rocking out across the stadium from us, probably in the best seats in the house. But, we wouldn't expect less of her. She is a DIE HARD U2 fan. I would've of love to watch her during the concert. I am sure she was jammin'.

It was a fun night. Thanks Charity! Thanks for asking me to go. I really needed that. Life's been a little too stressful and it was good to wind down a bit. I love ya tons! P.S.- Please tell Brady NOT to hate me. Sometimes, this 34 year old mind just forgets who is who. It was an honest mistake. Gay or not, I'd still like him. Tell him I am glad he has a hot wife too. :) LOL!!!

Me and Charity....

This stage was AMAZING!

Preschool Graduation......May 21, 2011

After my race, we all raced home to get ready for Tage's Preschool Graduation Program. He had his graduation at Roy Elementary. My Dad, Mom, Brother Dave, and his wife, Meagan, all came to his graduation as well. It was fun driving with my dad to the program because he shared his childhood growing up in Roy with us. He showed us where he grew up and where my great grandma lived. He even went to Roy Elementary. However, his school no longer exists. They rebuilt the Roy Elementary, where Tage had his graduation.

Tage's program was darling. We were so proud of him. He got up with another kid and sang the ABC's frontwards and backwards. Then he exited the stage in a little bus. He waved proudly out the window. He did great. He sang all the songs and had a wonderful time. It was fun to watch him perform with the other children.

Tage,

We are so very proud of you. You are getting so big and growing so fast. Dad and I can hardly believe that you will start Kindergarten next year. We hope you continue to love to learn and you enjoy your educational experience. We love you so much. You always make us laugh and smile. You're so very sweet and we hope you continue to be a good boy! Keep learning and enjoying life.

Mom and Dad

Tage during his performance.

(This picture cracked me and Sam up.)

Ironically enough, my best friend, from when I was Tage's age, daughter is in Tage's class. We had a fun reunion after their program because my parents or Cory's parents haven't seen each other in years. It was fun to reminisce with the Haviland's for a bit. Cory and I were in the same class together all through elementary. I think the only grade we didn't have the same teacher was fourth grade. We were two peas in a pod, her and I . We both got the "Hope of America" award in sixth grade. We laugh about that all the time.

This is us: Me, Elaine, Lorianne, and Cory

Curt, Dennis, and Paizlie.

Who knew two best friends from elementary would be standing together with their preschoolers 30 years later?

(That just made me sound old! ahhhh!)

Jeremy, Cory, and their cute family.

Sam, me, and our cute family.

Ogden Half Marathon.......May 21, 2011

This was me and my friend, Meghan's, fourth year to run the Ogden Half Marathon. It's crazy to think we have been running together that long. We train every year for this race together. We've trained for others as well. However, we've had injuries, or surgeries that have stopped us from running at times in our other races, but we always seem to pull the Ogden off together.

This year I have to say was our greatest accomplishment yet. We did awesome! We ran an overall average of a 8:18 minute pace. We ran our 13.1 mile race in 1 hour and 49 Min's. We ran our goal and it felt so great to run across the finish line completing it. We figured we were both within the top 10% of our age categories, I think Meghan was more in the top 5 to 10% of her age group. (Yes, Meghan is 10 years younger than me; she's a speedy and keeps me on my toes.)

I am really grateful for Meghan. She and I always help each other to do better. It's never a competition, just two friends helping each other along to become stronger and better. She has defiantly helped me become a stronger runner this year by far.

My last three miles were very difficult. I was DEHYDRATED and sick from it. When I saw the finish line I said to Meghan, "I think I am going to throw up." She said, "Just keep running and don't look up. Look at the ground." That was good advise for me. I just focused down and ran along the side of her. Thank goodness for her support because I wasn't sure I could make it that last 500 feet.

Anyhow, it was a great day! Thank you Meghan. I love training with you and I appreciate your friendship. Here's to many more years of Ogden Halves. Maybe we'll shoot for the full one of the upcoming years. Hopefully, both of us can go injury free to pull a full marathon off together in the future. Note to both of us: TAKE CALCIUM! ;0

This is a CUTE run kit that our friend Carrie gave to us girlies running the race. She gave one to me, Meghan, and Stacie. It was SO darling. It made my day. Thanks Carrie for all your love and support. You are AWESOME!

Meghan and Me!

WE ROCKED IT MEGHAN! GOOD JOB!

Also, Thank You Mom, Dad, Dave, and Meagan for coming up and bringing my kiddos to the race. Your support meant a lot to me. I don't know what I'd do without you. What am I going to do without you here is the next question? :)

Mother's Day!.....May 8,2011

This year I got spoiled for Mother's Day! I had a wonderful day. Sam and I went on a bike ride at 7 in the morning. Then he came home and cooked a breakfast for a queen. He cleaned and slaved all day long. I got to do just what I wanted. SLEEP! It was AWESOME. I took several naps. I snuggled down in my bed and slept most of the day away. I caught up on the sleep I was lacking. It felt good.

This year we stayed home for a change. Sam made dinner, we played games with the kids, and hung out. I didn't have to do a thing but go to church. Sam spoiled me. It was a perfect day.

The kids were so excited to give me their gifts. Hadlie made me the CUTEST pillow at Activity Days. It said MOM on it. Daxton painted a cover for a planter they made at school with a flower in it. Hadlie helped Tage make me a candy card. Their presents were so cute. I love my kids!

Sam always does a good job with the gift giving, too good sometimes. He got me a really cute outfit and jewelry, he and the kids picked out. Then he got me a Lifetime table I have been wanting. I was very spoiled.

Thank you Sam Dawg and kids. You made my Mother's Day wonderful. I love you all so very much! I am thankful I am your mom. You are the greatest treasures in my life and I wouldn't trade you for anything! I am very blest to have you all.

There is a cute story behind Daxton's gift. He snuck his gift home from school so I wouldn't see it ;) Later on that day he came to me in TEARS. I said, "What's wrong Dax?" He said, "Hadlie accidentally spilled water on my gift to you and it's ruined". I said, "It's OK bud, I'll love it anyways." Then, Hadlie took Dax down stairs and they locked themselves in her room for two hours while they made a new cover for his flower pot. I thought that was SO SWEET of Hadlie to help him and SO SWEET of Dax to be so upset.

Play that UKE.....April 26, 2011

Hadlie had her spring Ukulele Concert with her 4th grade spectrum class. They all performed so well. It's been such a great experience to watch these kids learn the UKE. We are so grateful to Mrs. Godfrey, the volunteer who has dedicated so much of her time to teach these children. Not only did she teach them how to play the Ukulele but she also taught them how music and math are associated with each other. It was a great performance.

BRAVO!

Easter Family Pictures.....April 23, 2011

Easter April 24, 2011

These are some cute pictures of the kids coloring eggs for Easter. We went to Nanny's and colored eggs. Kagen and Grady came with us. They had a fun time.

Cub Scout.....April 21, 2011

Daxton is an official Cub Scout now! He looks so handsome in his uniform. We went to his first Pack Meeting and when Brother Allred welcomed him into their Den he said, "Daxton, we are so excited you are in our den. You should be the poster child for Cub Scouts because you look so nice."

Sam and I thought that was so cute because Daxton LOVES getting decked out in his uniform. Sam and I often wonder where this boy will go in life. He loves a pressed suit or uniform. He'd wear either one everyday if he could and he's only eight.

What a STUD!

Good Luck in Scouts buddy. We are so proud of you and we love you tons!