Island Park and Yellowstone 8-2011

This vacation was spent with Troy, Kori, Colby and Addie. They had come home early from working in Mississippi so we decided to take a few days and go up to Yellowstone and Island Park. We kept busy by sight seeing and looking for wildlife. We went to West Yellowstone, floated down the river, went to Mesa Falls, roasted marshmellows and visited. It was nice to catch up on things since they'd been gone since April. Troy was fishing and wanted to go out farther in the water but he realized it was way too cold so he headed back to shore.
On our river trip the scenery was so beautiful. We came upon a cow moose and it's baby so we all had to stop for a few minutes because the mommy moose went to the middle of the river and stopped. She looked at us and took a few steps forward and we were all backing up. But thankfully, she went to the other side and waited for her baby to cross.
They're all getting their belongings to put on the flat bottom boat.
Getting ready for our 2.5 hour float down the river.
This young man is a big fan of fishing. Colby has his Toy Story fishing pole and has gotten really good at casting his reel.
When Troy went on his mission to Ecuador he brought home this hammock. At our campsite we had the perfect trees to hang it from. Colby and Addie loved it.
Adaline loves camping. She had hand,foot and mouth disease and was sort of miserable darn it.
I'm just chillin in my camping chair at the campsite. We stayed at Sawteele Resort and it was really nice.
We stopped by the river and let the kids throw rocks. Two things Colby loves to do are fish and throw rocks in the river. He's so excited.
While in Yellowstone the sky started to turn dark and then all of a sudden a huge hailstorm hit us and everyone was pulling off the road. It was pounding on Troys car so loud you couldn't hear a thing.
This trip we didn't see any bull elk. Only some cow elk. But none the less they are still fun to take pictures of.

Each night we had a fire and sat and visited and roasted marshmellows. Colby is a firebug just like his daddy was.
Troy eating his semore with a snicker bar instead of hershey bar.
Addie is a Papa's girl. Everywhere we went or whatever we did she had to have Papa right there.
The sunsets were spectacular. We love looking for wildlife at night and this is what we would see.
There was a horse cutting competition up there and of course Colby loved watching with us. He loved the cows and horses but most of all loved being with Gramma and Papa.
Taking a breather on our way to Mesa Falls
Troy's taking a picture of his self with his phone camera. hahaha
The area surrounding Mesa Falls.
Kori and Addie with me before our walk to the falls.
Papa, son and grandson. Cute picture!!
We had 3 bull moose by our campsite that we went and watched every night. They are so awesome to watch and so big! They were so close to us and would walk in front of our vehicle.
Mesa Falls
Colby Lincoln at our campsite. He loves,loves camping. I'm so glad our kids are continuing the tradition with their own children.
This was so beautiful and so worth the small hike down. Mesa Falls.
The boys couldn't stay out of the water.

My Joys!

I haven't had all my grandkids in one place forever. So when Troy and Kori got home from Mississippi the other day I had a BBQ and decided to try to get a picture of Rog and I with all the grandkids. This picture makes me laugh because Colby had no interest in it, Daxton is once again pulling a funny face. I love these kids with every fiber in me. I hope I can be a good example and continue to be some kind of an influence in their lives. I pray each night for them that they'll chose the right, chose good friends and always love and respect their parents.

Brayden age 10

Daxton age 7

Makinley age 7

Gentry age 5

Easton age 2

Presley age 2

Adaline age 2 (almost)

Hadley age 8 months.

Heart Hurts

I've thought so many times in my life "why do we always hurt the ones we love?" I wish someone could tell me. I know I've been guilty of it myself. I've come to realize that when you're close to losing someone you really try hard to change your tune. When Roger had his bypass surgery 1.5 years ago, it really made me stop and think how stupid we all are for complaining about the things we do. It made me appreciate his presence. We get after each other for dumb things still but we quickly forgive and go on.

I'm so tired of everyone being so short with each other Even within my own family. I"ve prayed and prayed so many times throughout the years to help us love one another and be thankful that we have each other. To not take each other for granted. I would give anything to have my parents back to guide me, teach me, ask advice, take their advice, listen to me, cry with me. I wish I would have taken a lot more pictures of them. I regret that so much. But I was so young and didn't know better. I miss them so much and I still cry over them being gone. I wish they would come to me in dreams, whisperings, anything to help me through difficult times.

I want to be valued as a parent. I want to feel justified in the things I ask my children. I'm a parent, I worry, I care, I love. It's a natural instinct to want to know what's going on in my children's and grand-childrens lives. But at this point, we've been told it's none of our business and not to ask questions. For the life of me, I can't begin to imagine telling my parents that. I always think it's funny that when our kids need us we're right there for them. But otherwise, stay the hell out of our business.

As of today, my blog will be private and I can post what I want without anyone seeing it.

I love my kids with all my heart and don't deserve the disrespect we continue to get.

Cousins meet

I have been so blessed to have been reunited with my brother Jim and his family. On my birthday this year 6-20-2011 we arranged to meet Jim and two of his sons at the Red Iguana in Salt Lake. My kids had never met their cousins so it was fun to have them finally meet. Sean, Jim's youngest son wasn't able to be there but hopefully next time he can.Dane, Jim, Me and Jesse

Here we are getting to know each other. I appreciate my kids being willing to go and making an effort. I know they enjoyed themselves by the conversations they were having.
I feel so blessed to have them in my life and I look forward to being able to have more fun times together.

Happy 34th Anniversary

On August 1st, 2011 of this year Roger and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary. We didn't do a whole lot, just went to dinner at Red Lobster, but we were able to spend the day together since I didn't have to work. Red Lobster is one of his favorite places to eat. I love it also, so that's where we ate dinner. When I think back at when I first met him, I was 15 years old. He had caught my eye in the halls at Orem High. He was a senior and I was a sophomore. Back then it was pretty cool to date someone older so I thought I was pretty neat when he called to ask me out.

He called the day that we buried my beloved Grandma Fry which was right after Christmas. It was an emotional day for me but we talked. After we hung up I then realized I had to ask my dad if I could go out on a date with him. I remember being so nervous because I was so young and not the standard age of 16 to start dating. But I asked him and he said "yes." Roger seems to think he was drilled by my dad when he came to pick me up. He said my dad asked him "what kind of grades do you get in school? What does your dad do for a living? How much money does he make?" I can actually hear my dad saying that but it's still funny to think of it.

Roger and I went to a movie and an Orem High basketball game down at the Marriott Center. We became pretty serious about wanting to date each other on a regular basis but my parents insisted on me dating others. I'm glad they did now that I think about it because I certainly wouldn't want my 15 year old daughter being serious with anyone. Roger and I dated throughout my high school days. We went to many, many dances together. I used to pretend like I was working out in our yard but then I'd sneak off and head to the mountains to meet him on his dirt bike. One time on Valentine's Day our doorbell rang and my mom went to answer it and it was a flower delivery. My mom assumed they were for her from my dad so she opened the box. There was a dozen red roses and she read the card and they were for me!! I couldn't believe he had done that for me. Mom was disappointed but I was excited.

Throughout our married life we've shared many fun times together. We've certainly had our ups and downs as most marriages do but we've conquered those problems and I'm proud to say so. I pray that we'll be able to share many more happy and healthy anniversaries together. I pray we'll both be able to do the things we had hoped to after retirement. I'm so blessed to be married to a wonderful man, father and grandfather. I love you honey!

Bear Lake Vacation July 2011

The last week of July was spent with Jared and Kristi's family and Brayden and Daxton up at Bear Lake. Shana and Jake and girls and Kori and Troy's family weren't able to make it. We had so much fun on the lake and swimming in the pool, going in the Minnetonka Cave etc. I hope we can make this a yearly trip with everyone. What a blast we had! Here's Makinley and Brayden relaxing on the beach.Grandma and Brayden trying to pull an ugly face. It looks like Grandma won this time.
Roger is sure enjoying his retirement. At least it looks like it in this picture.
Easton was almost hooked at the hip with Izzy. He couldn't get enough of her.
Grandma and the kids loving the beach and sun.
Jared and Kristi catching some rays.
Relaxing....Jared, Makinley and Easton
Brayden is a water bug..he is so good at swimming and loves it! Like his grandma
Sure beats working..
My happy husband.

I'm trying to make that sun spot on my face even bigger. NOT! I had lots of sunscreen and my hat on. haha
Jared's trying to hold in his gut. Easton's dirty bum. That's what he spent most of his time doing at the beach. Playing in the sand.
They built a miniature Bear Lake they said.
Jared on the dolphin.
We'd spend 5 or 6 hours a day on the lake

Daxton is so sensitive to the sun. No matter how much and how many times a day you put sunscreen on him somehow he still gets burned. We put this wetsuit on to help a bit.Gentry and her cute smile.

We loved going out to the burger joint and getting yummy food and raspberry shakes
My cute little freckled grandson Daxton
Oh boy Brayden loved his shake
Minnetonka Cave

Entrance to the cave. The kids sure loved it. It has 897 stairs round trip