Trip to Zion

I am finally getting around to posting pictures from our family's annual Zion trip.
K1 and his family have been doing this trip for 17 years now. Family and friends gather for a weekend of hiking. Over the years the hikes have changed to accommodate children. We usually do a family friendly hike on Friday and then a more serious hike on Saturday. We take turns watching children, so everyone that wants to can go. We use to camp and that has changed to renting a home, although once the kids are old enough we want to return to camping.

This year was a little different though. We took our trip without one family member. The one who is always out front and leading the way, she did this in life and in death. Sharon was on every one's mind and talked about often this year. K1 even said S reminded him of Sharon on some of the hikes. S wore her aunt's old hat and soon took on the role of leading everyone and telling the younger kids she was in charge. (and none of them complained) We also had some poor weather for the Saturday hike and had to cancel it. We took the kids on the shuttle bus (aka fun bus, according to J) and did some smaller hikes in the rain. Overall it was a great trip and the kids look forward to next year.

Here are some pictures of the trip.

Kids say the darndest things

So the refrigerator guy came today and K2 watched him move the refrigerator and this is what happened next;
K2: "mommy, that man is really strong"
Me: "your right K2 he is"
K2; "it is because he is fat, fat, fat...(I stopped him)
Me: "we don't talk that way"

I am so embarrassed, and know the man is right behind me listening, because K2 doesn't talk quietly. So the man ordered the part needed and told me he would be back on Friday to install it. I hope it goes better on Friday, Good news though is that, the part is covered by the warranty. YEAH!!!

Having trouble?

Have any of you ever had trouble with your appliances? How about the same one twice in 2 months? When we moved into this house there was a side by side refrigerator. We had it replaced because the freezer side hit the wall and you couldn't open it all the way. We got a freezer on bottom in August of 2004. August of 2007 the freezer stopped working and it came down to the electronic board having to be replaced. In August 2008 the whole thing stopped cooling and freezing, this time it was the overload system. Not two months later we are at it again, this time the compressor is shot. At least this time the company has to pay for it, but we have to go through there repair person. I talked to customer service yesterday and the earliest they could get to me was Tuesday the 14th. I explained that this is my refrigerator and I need it fixed sooner. They then gave me a couple numbers of other repair people to call on my own to see if they could get it fixed sooner. So I have a repair person coming today between 3-6pm to hopefully fix it. I am highly disappointed with my Amana fridge and the customer service I have received from them. Whirlpool bought Amana and the service is still bad. I have been dealing with them since last year and it is the same story every time. Then to top it off, my washing machine is having problems. i guess it didn't like all the attention the refrigerator was getting. I spend at least 2 days a week with this thing, always filling and refilling it with clothes, you think that would be enough. What does it want from me? I hope all of you have a great relationship with your appliances.

The Big 40

K1 is 40 today. He has done so many things in life and has accomplished much. I am so glad to have him in my life and to share a wonderful family together. Hope you have a greaet day and you don't look a day over 35.

Did you see this?

Josh Groban is one of my favorite singers. I love to listen to him when I have had a bad day. I was very surprised when people were talking about his performance on the Emmy's. So I had to look at it for myself and this is what I found. I enjoyed it, hope you do to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9cQWelvgC4

Vegas review

I made it back from my trip. I had a great time, scrapbooking, craft shopping, people watching, Phantom seeing, karaoke listening weekend. I stayed at Bonnie's Lake Las Vegas home, which has an awesome view of the lake and the village. Friday and Saturday night we were put to sleep (not) by the lovely karaoke singers at the club across the way. They were ok, until about 1am when all the liquor hit them and they really thought they could sing well. (thank heavens for ear plugs)

Cathy and I arrived about 4pm on Thursday and once the car was unpacked, we walked around the village, then enjoyed a lovely dinner on the balcony of the home and started crafting. I got quite a bit of scrapbook done with all there help and even got to use Sandi's cricket. (that is a cool toy) Friday, they took me to ever craft and stamp store in town. Then we had a lunch break at In and out burger. I found out they are going to open a burger shop in Provo and SLC, sometime soon, I can hardly wait. We did alot more scrapbooking and then that night there was a local band "Concrete Hillbilly" who performed on the stage right below us. Then at 10pm the karaoke group started and they didn't stop until 2am. You can imagine that the more they drank the better they thought they sounded and so that is when the earplugs went in. Saturday was the big Scrapbook Expo, we headed out at 9am and went to Cashman Center close to downtown Vegas. There were alot of vans in the parking lot, and we were expecting a huge crowd. Last year there was about 200 booths, so we prepared to spend all day. When we entered we saw about 30 booths and no big crowds. The ladies were disappointed and apologized to me and I was not sad at all. I was kid free and loving it. We did all the booths, made some take home items and headed out to go get some show tickets at about noon. Once we had our show tickets in hand we walked around the Venetian, had lunch and then got ready for the show. We saw The Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. I had never seen it and so the ladies felt I needed to. It was a great show, I had nothing to compare it too, but everyone agreed that they did an awesome job and the special affects were great. I had a fabulous time driving down the strip after the show as we returned to the house. This time there was a jazz band on stage and after they finished, it was karaoke again. this time they didn't sing as late, but still an earplug night. Sunday we squeezed in more scrapbooking before Cathy and I headed home. The car was packed and we said our goodbye's, then the long drive home begun. We made a stop in St. George for lunch/dinner at in and out, had to get my fill. Then got home around 7pm. I found the house clean and everyone in one piece. All went well here and they missed me, they said as they rummaged through my stuff to see if I brought them anything.

I look forward to the next girls trip. Everything is back to normal at my house. K2 was up twice during the night with a fever, J was up at 6:30am ready to start his day. I am glad I got some sleep and regained some energy for my mommy job that is back in full swing.

I almost forgot; my sister Leah had her baby Friday evening. He is only 30 weeks and 1 pound 7 ounces and 12 inches long. (about the size of two bills lined up together)This was an emergency c-section because he just wasn't gaining weight and he started to show signs of distress. He is breathing on his own with out oxygen and is hook to alot of tubes for monitoring and feeding. He doesn't have a name yet, but he is doing well. My sister is recovering well also and looks forward to spending at least the next 2 months visiting her baby boy at the hospital.

Viva Las Vegas

So, K1 came back from his business trip today and I head out tomorrow with my mother-in-law for some scrap booking time in Vegas. I am more then ready for this trip. The kids have colds and are very whinny. I have pack up some supplies and will hopefully get S's pre-school and Kindergarten pictures scrap booked while I am gone.

I am very excited to spend time with my mother-in-law, Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Sandi. I have never hung out with them by myself, since I married into the family. I hope to learn alot of crafting tips and other things from them. They are great women and I am glad they have invited me to go.

I hope the house will still be standing when I return and that K1 will have all his hair. One thing I can guarantee, is that the house will be clean. K1 is always good at that and I am very grateful to him for that.

So, I will post when I return with all the crazy Vegas activities (nothing like my younger days) and how things went here. I am sure you will all want to hear that.