Nine years Old

SEPTEMBER 21st, 2009

Happy Birthday Christine!

Nine years old today!

This year all Christine wanted for her birthday was a new bike. Thank goodness Spencer knows a lot about bikes, because I was kind of lost looking at them in the store by myself. Spence picked out a great bike, and we hid it at my Mom's house. The night before Christine's birthday, my Mom had us over for a birthday dinner. We surprised her with the bike while we were there, and she was so excited! On her actual birthday she had to go to school, but as luck would have it her class took a field trip to the symphony. Christine made a cute poster about herself that she showed in class, and she also got to bring in a class treat. That evening we celebrated with the Tycksen family. All in all it was a great birthday. We love you so much Christine! I'm so glad you're happy and healthy. You're our miracle and always will be. Love you.

Back to School

SEPTEMBER 2009

First day of School

All ready for School

Christine 3rd Grade

Mary 1st Grade

So the summer was jam packed with fun, but I guess it has to come to an end some time. The girls were very excited to start school, but also a bit nervous. This year we transferred the girls to a new school called EastWood Elementary. It was highly recommended and after much thought and prayer, we decided to make the switch. Christine's teacher this year is Mrs. Mitchell, and the school refers to her as the "school hippy." She's so layed back, and lots of fun. She's in a bluegrass band, and the class sings along with her every morning while she plays the guitar. Mary has Mrs. Johnson, who is also very nice. She keeps the kids very busy, but Mary is doing very well. Both girls have made new friends and have done a great job adjusting to a new school. Good luck with the rest of the year!

Lake Powell

AUGUST 2009

The Tycksen House boat

Fishing with Great Uncle Eric

Spence getting ready for an evening ski

Hanging out on the boat.

Tine on her ski.

Sam using his life jacket for the first time.

Mary loving Lake Powell!

Tine enjoying the beaches.

I look forward to Lake Powell every year. It's always so much fun! There's always something to do down there. The kids love playing with all of their cousins and they play for hours on the beaches. We all love going out on the boat, swimming, and skiing. It's so nice having the house boat. That way we can all escape from the sun when we need to, use a bathroom and even get a shower in. I'm so grateful to Steve and Ruth for taking us here every year. What a blast!

Seven Years Old

AUGUST 15th, 2009

Mary's 7th Birthday

My cute 7 year old!

The beloved barbie/pony set :)

Mary is now SEVEN years old! She is growing up so fast. This year for her birthday she really wanted this barbie/pony set. She didn't think I got it for her, so she was thrilled to get it on her birthday. I didn't do a party for her this year, but I let her choose what she wanted to do for the entire day. I made crepes for her breakfast, then she wanted to watch her new movie, High School Musical 3. After she got ready I took her shopping at the mall, and she bought a few things with her birthday money. We later went to Toys R Us so she could get something else, and then we went to Arbys for dinner. She told me it was the best day ever. I love you so much Mary. Thanks for bringing so much joy and laughter into our home.

Visit from Jen

AUGUST 10th, 2009

Cabin with Jen's Family

Playing in the pond.

Mary and Alli

Hanging out at the cabin.

Catching grasshoppers.

Andrew and Alli having fun outside.

Jen and Matt with Andrew at the Pond.

More grasshoppers

Sam enjoying the swing.

Cousins having fun!

It was so great to spend some time with my sister Jen and her family. We decided it would be fun to go to the Tycksen cabin for a few days. The weather was great so we had lots of fun playing outside. There were tons of grasshoppers down there, and the kids had a blast catching them...Mary was the only one that wasn't too thrilled about them. It was nice to relax and fun for the cousins to play together. I sure miss having Jen here in Utah, but I'm so glad she could come for a visit.

ULCER

AUGUST 6th, 2009

ULCER

The support Group

Spence and his riding buddy Rob

The Finish Line!

Spencer rode in the ULCER again this year, and he did such a great job! For those of you who don't know, the ULCER is a cycling event that starts at Thanksgiving Point loops around Utah Lake and ends at Thanksgiving Point. The cyclists ride a total of 110 miles! He did this event last year and had so much fun he decided to do it again this year. The day of the event was the coldest, windiest Saturday of the summer, but he still finished strong. Way to go honey, you are so awesome! I can't imagine riding that far... maybe some day.

Happy Anniversary

AUGUST 4th 2009

10 Year Anniversary!

Me and Sam hanging out by the river.

Only about a mile into the hike.

Sam with Spence

We made it!

Spencer and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary this year! Wow... has it already been ten years? We had talked about going on a cruise, but we decided to save that vacation for later since Sam was still nursing. Instead, we spent the entire day together which turned out to be so much fun! My sister-in-law was nice enough to take the girls for the entire morning and Spencer and I hiked Mt. Granduer. We just packed Sam along, and he did great. We ate our lunch up at the top of the mountain, and it was so beautiful. Because we went on a week day, we practically had the entire trail to ourselves. We came home and rested and got all cleaned up, and then my Mom took all three of the kids so we could go out to dinner. We went to the Olive Garden, and then did a little shopping. It was such a great day, and it was so nice to spend some time alone with Spencer. I love Spencer so much and I am so grateful to have him in my life. I am truly blessed and I look forward to eternity with him :0)