Were We Really That Young Once?

I NEVER do the tag thing. I don't know why. But I looked up this one and thought it was a great excuse to show this picture.

The rules: Go to your picture files. Pick the 4th file, and the 4th picture in it. Tell alittle about the picture.


This is my mom and dad. I think it is there engagement picture. I know it is of them before they were married. They look so young, so happy, and so glad to be together. They have been married for 34 years now. I think they still look as young and as happy and as gald to be together as they did back then.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

This is the most amazing giveaway I have ever seen. Check it out and winMarie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Snap Shot

One of the presents Peaches got for her birthday was a dress for her and her baby. So Cute.

Zucchini

We got some zucchini from our neighbors garden so I figured I had better do something with it so that it didn't go to waste. I peeled and grated most of it, to freeze, and then made some zucchini bread. Isabel helped.

It was a good recipe, so I will be making more of it.

Fishing with the Big Boys

Court and Gentry went on a fishing trip with one of Gentry's closest friends. This was Courtland's first time going with the big boys. I was worried that he would be ignored or freeze to death. This partly did come true. He told me that he spent "80% of the time" by himself. He didn't complain about it at all though. He thought the whole trip was "the best!" Court spent most of his time shooting with Gentry's old BB gun. He had target practice on tin cans, weeds, and trees. He fished and caught about 30 fish (with daddy's help). He gathered firewood and kept the fire going. He roasted his own hot dog and marshmallows. He stayed up really late even got to sleep in his clothes.
I am so glad that Doug allowed for Court to go. I know he wouldn't have a problem but I am sure it changed the trip some too. Doug and his family have been apart of our lives since we were dating. We have never lived by each other, but we feel close. It is great to have friends like that.
I know this isn't the biggest fish Doug caught this trip, but it was the best one of him. :)

Turning Three

Our first little girl turned three. She is at the age where pretend and make believe are closer sometimes than the real world. So of course we want to foster these activities. She was spoiled by all around her who love her. Grandma and Grandpa got her all sorts of American Girl items. Grammy and Grandpa Ramsay made Peach a dress up box full of all sorts of things. Emily gave her play do with toys for it and we can't forget balloons. From us she got some music, shoes, her Halloween costume and a princess box.

For her birthday cake I made cupcakes. Not just any cupcake would do for our little princess. We made her a Cinderella pumpkin carriage.

So happy birthday Peaches! You will always be our princess.

Trick or Treat

My mom makes these amazing trick or treat bags for all of her grandkids. We all love them so much. No pillow cases for these kids! This one my mom just gave to Peach, but Isabel fit in perfectly. She certainly is a treat for all of us. :)

Body Worlds

Friday night I went to Body Worlds 3 & The Story of the Heart down town Salt Lake at The Leonardo.

BODY WORLDS 3 is a first-of-its-kind exhibit where visitors learn about anatomy, physiology and health by viewing real human bodies. The bodies are preserved through plastination, which is a groundbreaking method for specimen preservation invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977. BODY WORLDS 3 & the Story of the Heart features more than 200 authentic human specimens including whole body plastinates, organs, translucent body slices, and a special presentation on the heart

It was incredible. More than I expected. It took about three hours and I learned a lot. If you are thinking of going, do! It is only here until the new year and so worth going. Also, rent the head set. I was able to tune out others around me and just enjoy the experience more because of them.

I wasn't able to take pictures (because it isn't allowed and I usually follow rules) but if you are interested or just want to learning more, go to http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html

I did have one complaint. Too many people. I don't understand how this happened. When I went on line to order my tickets they only sold 15 tickets every half an hour. Somehow though, we went through with about a hundred people. Making it not only crowded, but uncomfortably hot. So my suggestion to try and avoid this would be to go earlier during a week day if at all possible.

McCain, McCain, He's our Man?

My family knows one of my favorite T.V. programs is The View. I still remember what was going on in some of the first shows I saw. It was about the time that Courtland was born so that was in 1999 Barbara, Joy, Meredith and Star were trying to find the next co-host. They had on a couple candidates, but it was clear to me that they would choose Lisa Ling who I remembered from watching in high school on Channel One News. Things have changed a lot since then, but I have continued to watch.
Now that we have TiVo, I am able to watch The View whenever I would like too. Since I am (still) undecided on whom I am to vote for I like how much the ladies talk about politics. Their conversations are always lively and give me something more to think about. Often I end up not agreeing with any of them, but I enjoy the experience to get to my own truth.
Ever since the bailout was purposed the ladies have been talking about it. Whoopi had an idea that I could totally get on board with. For EVERY home owner to get a percentage break off of their home loan. I really like that idea. I think it would help the economy. McCain came up with a plan in this last debate, a $300 billion plan to stabilize the housing market by buying up and renegotiating bad mortgages. Yet but he did so in a way that left many questions. I think McCain will still need to do a lot more in order to win this election.
So I give two points to Whoopi for the idea, Ten points to McCain for taking it, and trying to figure out how to make it work. Too bad it is going to take more than that to get my vote.
My favorite quote of the night came from McCain in his final statement: "I know what it's like in dark times. I know what it's like to have to fight to keep one's hope going through difficult times. I know what it's like to rely on others for support and courage and love in tough times. I know what it's like to have your comrades reach out to you and your neighbors and your fellow citizens and pick you up and put you back in the fight."
I believe him. That may be worth a few more points.

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Saturday between conferences we headed out to pick pumpkins. It was an honor to be able to support neighbors in this effort. In February, a three year old boy in the neighborhood was diagnosed with leukemia. Another neighbor planted some pumpkins to now be sold and the profits to go to this family. I love our neighborhood. It feels like a community. For two hours friends sold pumpkins, hay bales, corn stocks, and even hot chocolate. It drizzled and rained the whole time, but (I heard) every item was sold. I hope everyone felt like it was a success.
My kids certainly loved it!

Peaches’ pumpkin

Tate’s pick

Court got the big one

Set out front

This is on old picture of Peach with the pumpkins we grew a couple years ago.

Matching Dresses

Rights of a Father

Gentry doesn't even read my blog, but I finally talked him into writing a post.

I fondly remember watching my dad as he would get ready for Sunday. I was fascinated by him and would imagine the day when I would be like him. The day came when I was old enough to stand in front of the mirror with my dad and graduate from the clip on ties I was used to. I’m not sure if my dad could tell how excited I was that he was going to teach me how to tie a “real” tie. At that time I didn’t imagine that one day my turn would come to stand in front of the mirror with my son. I’m not sure if Courtland could tell how excited I was that I was going to teach him how to tie a “real” tie.
There are certain moments that rank up there in the great moments of life. As insignificant as tying a tie might be, standing in front of the mirror with my dad and standing in front of the mirror with my son are two of them.

Motor Boat, Motor Boat, Go So Fast

We spend some time Saturday on our own little Utah Lake. It was the perfect day. The water was like glass and hardly any other boats were on the lake so it was just us.
Courtland and his friend Jonas did a little knee boarding
Everyone was happy to ride around in Ben and Jennifer’s boat. Peach and Isabel just hung out.

The water was pretty cold so it took some warming up after being in the water.
It was a great family activity.

This is a video of Courtland knee boarding; it is about a minute long.