Oh No the Big 3 0!

This past Thursday, was my 30th birthday. Thursday not much happened as far as events, but many wishes came via email, phone, text and Facebook. I didn't feel great, so we stayed home. Bri brought home Cafe Rio for dinner, so I didn't have to cook and then I received my present an Ipod touch (so excited).

Friday, was when the fun started. My family came to a birthday over at Hires, all that attended - Mom and Gar; Dad and Kel; Deb and Steve; Lindsey and Carter; Shane, Haliey and Griffin; Andy, Jamie, and Kash; Lynn, Doug, and Monica; Grandma DeLone; and Grandpa Bob. We enjoyed good food then caramel apples and candy bar cake (OH MY!). I got spoiled BIG TIME, a nice massage, 2 pedicures, shoes, hydration belt (pink! YES!) and birthday money. Thanks everyone for the gifts!

Saturday, some of my friends from high school got together for my birthday. We had a taco bar, and for the first time this year, I got to blow out the candles. Those that attended Thayne, Sherry and Kaylee; Dustin, Lindsey and Carter; Wes, Lindsay, and Tucker; and Andrew. We laughed an really enjoyed the time together.

Sunday, Mom and Gar made a dinner for my birthday. Chile rellanos, they were very yummy, followed by an apple pie from Costco. I really did have a great birthday this year and feel so blessed to have so many family and friends celebrate my big 3 0 with me. Thanks everyone.

A Winter Hike

Yesterday, after I had made it back from my run, Bri asked if I wanted to go play out on Antelope Island. After talking for a few minutes I told him that would be fun. I suggested that we call Papa and Bana, to see if they would like to come along with us. A few phone calls were made and we were all ready to met them at the gate to go for a winter hike on the island. As we were waiting for them to show up, we found Neeners and Grandpa Garry leaving the park. They were able to make a suggestion as to were to go on our hike.

Well we got up to the suggested hiking trail, it was cold and windy. We all bundled up and started up the trail, once we got going it really wasn't too bad. It was a little steep in some areas, others was nice and flat. Papa and Bana brought 2 of their dogs, Kody and Molly, they were on cloud 9. After about a mile, Papa (from his heart surgery) and Colin got a little tired, so we decided we better start heading back. On the way down, we saw a herd of doe deer, we were able to get closer and even spooked them. Then we saw a bald eagle. By this time the kids were cold and upset, they wanted to be in the warm car. We finally made it down the hill, just in time to see a professional photo shoot for some ultra fighters, I can't imagine being half naked in the cold like that.We had told Colin that he could take some pictures of buffalo with his camera. So, after we went hunting for buffalo, we found a heard of buck deer with some HUGE antlers. Dad was in seventh heaven. Then we found the buffalo and Colin took this picture, not too bad huh? It was also Papa's first time to see buffaloes on the island. We ended our nice adventure at the Red Robin with some soup and a sandwich. We all had a great time. Thanks for going with us Papa and Bana.

The Special Olympics

My friend Lynn has a daughter named Monica. Monica is a fun young lady, she is 19 years old and attends South Valley School, which is considered college for Monica. Well, Monica's teacher is a coach for the Utah Special Olympics in bowling, she got Monica out bowling this year. So, for the first time Monica was in the Special Olympics in bowling. Today was the first round of the Olympics in bowling, so I took our 2 kids down the bowling alley to watch and cheer on Monica. The athletes did so good, there were different levels of bowling, Monica was in the ramp assisted level, meaning that her coach could approach the line and hold the ramp for her. Her coach is also her dad, Doug. It was fun to watch the participants bowl and watch the coaches help them out. Monica rolled a 96 in her first game, which was the winning score. In the second game, Monica rolled a 65. So, without handicaps Monica got a 161. I don't remember what her score was with her handicap, but she came in 4th place (2 pins shy of 3rd) and received a ribbon. Unfortunately, this was the only round for Monica this year, but I have a feeling that she will be back next year. When I got the kids in the car after the event, Colin told me that he had fun. I think that is probably a true story. As, he and Audra were able to run around in a contained room right behind Monica. So I was really able to sit and enjoy. Another highlight was I ran into Heather, a friend from high school, and her daughter Suzanne. We were able to catch up for a few minutes all in all a really good time at the Special Olympics.

A Trip to the Matt's

Bri has a friend at work named Ed Matt. Yep, that is really his name. I think it is kinda cool 2 first names and both one syllable names. Anyway, Bri has wanted to go snow shoeing for quite some time now, so Ed invited our family up to their home in Park City for some snow fun this past Saturday. We arrived at the Matt's home and had a fun little meal of burgers, salad and chips. We had to make sure that we were fueled for our adventure. Soon, we were off to snow shoe. I don't know how many of you have snow shooed before, but for me this was a first. It was actually fun, but a lot of work, especially with a Lou Who on my back. Coly Bug did so great! Sharon (Ed's wife) was so kind to get Coly's snow shoes on while I stuffed Lou into the back pack and got my own shoes own. Colin just took off, it was no big deal for him. He just started snow shoeing and it took Bri and I quite some time to catch up with him. He did call it quits for snow shoeing about half way thru and Ed carried him on his shoulders for a while, then he just walked in his boots. Bri took Lynnie for the 2nd half and she thoroughly enjoyed the scenery thru the back of her eyelids. After we had reached the cars, we took the kids over to see a Buffalo (Miss Billie), a Zebra (Ace), and a donkey (Chip). Yep, they all live together outside in the cold. Audra, slept thru this part of the day, however Colin thought it was pretty cool.Next, we went over to the park and took Coly sledding, Lynnie was still passed out. Coly had a great time, he convinced Ed's son Josh (teenager) to go down wit him several times. Josh quickly became Colin's favorite when he would push Coly back up the hill. After about an hour of sledding/tubing, we called it a day. After, changing out of our snow clothes, we headed for home. We all were tuckered out that night, but we did have a lot of fun. Bri and I are going to go back up there without kids so we can go even further. Thanks to the Matt family for a fun day.

Family Size

So if you have spent any time with Bri and I, you know that we disagree on our family size. He is perfectly happy with the 2 children we have at this time. I, on the other hand, want to expand our family by one more. Now I don't want this post to be about me vs. Bri, but more the perfect family size. Over the past week I have spoken to my Uncle Jeff, who said that Aunt Beth wishes she had more children (they have 2 a boy and a girl) and Aunt Liz also said that she wishes she had more children, but do to health issues could not (she also has 2 both boys). I googled the topic and found out that a small family is 1-2 children and a large is 3+ kids. Really, I don't feel like I came from a large family but ok. I also found out that most people think 2 to 3 children is the perfect size. (Based on a national study.) So here is my question, what really is the perfect size family? Please defend your answer. There are no right or wrong answers. I know this is a personal topic, but I also think it is a fun topic. Thanks for your comments.

Sledding

Brian has been wanting to take the kiddos sledding for some time, for one reason or another we did not get it done until today. After the kids and I woke up from our naps we got dressed and headed for a hill over by Neeners and Grandpa Garry's house. The hill was perfect for the kids. Not too steep, no other people (because it was soooo cold), and really close to a warm house. The kids were so excited to go on their first sledding trip.First up Brian and Colin. They marched up the hill and got on the sled down they came. They had a great time and Colin was ready to go again. However, he had to wait because Audra and I were up next. So, up we go and down we come. Lou let out a little squeal, it was soo cute. Unfortunately, I hurt my thumb, so my sledding was done for the day. Bri then took Coly and Lou down again. The second time Bri took Coly up higher then before and caught a small amount of air, this scared Colin and he kept saying not so high. After that, the kids talked Grandpa into taking them one time each. He had just come along to take pictures and watch, so he wasn't dressed for sledding, but was a good sport.

By this point both kids were cold and ready to go back to Neeners and Grandpa's house for a drink and some warm food. Once, we make a few adjustments, different glubs (gloves) as Coly says and warmer pants for Lou I think the kids will have a blast.

A Trip to the Dentist

Some of you may know that our family dentist is my uncle. Uncle Jeff, followed in his dad's footsteps and became a dentist, after years of working together Grandpa sold the business to Uncle Jeff. So, since I can remember I have had a family member as my dentist and I have never been scared to go to the dentist. I have wanted our kids to feel comfortable with the dentist as well. Since, Coly started getting teeth, I have been asking Uncle Jeff when to bring the kids in and what to do to promote good oral hygiene at a young age.

Six months ago, Coly was with me and was asked to sit in the chair so they could "count teeth." Well Coly sat in the chair no problem, but would not open his mouth. I was told no big deal, we go at the child's speed. My dental appointment came up and so I scheduled a "mini exam" for Coly too. Well, today was that day. I have to tell you I prepped Coly for 2 days about going to see Uncle Jeff and he did so good. He let them clean his teeth, got a fluoride treatment and then let Uncle Jeff "count his teeth." He has 10 teeth on top and 10 teeth on bottom. They look healthy and no issues. I was also told that he has a Kienke mouth (lots of room and likely no braces), so we are super excited about that.

At the beginning of the exam Colin climbed up into the chair and opened his mouth really big, so when the chair side asked him how old he was he answered with his mouth wide open and with his fingers sticking up "3." Audra Lynn watched her brother and after a while wanted to be included in the fun. So, the chair side took the "water gun" and squirted it in her mouth and so she feels that she saw the dentist today too. The kids then got to pick a prize for doing so good at the dentist today. They left feeling comfortable and like the dentist was fun. I am so excited and hope that the next trip is as successful as this one.

Mary Louise Taylor Nelson

Name: Mary Louise Taylor Nelson

DOB: September 30, 1925

Death Date: October 12, 1997

Parents: Ralph & Ethel Taylor

Siblings: Charles Ralph Taylor

Married to: Lynn Harris Nelson on March 1, 19-- (more to get)

Children in order: Still born, Jeffrey, Tammy, Gregory

This beautiful woman is my grandmother on my dad's side. She passed away when I was 16 years old, we were on vacation in Lake Powell when we got the news. She had been visiting family friends and went out to her car where she was found a little later slumped over, apparently her heart had given up.

She was a wonderful lady. She was a social butterfly and loved talking on the phone or visiting her friends. She had the best laugh, it would bring a smile to your face. She loved to knit and work on other yarn projects. I don't remember a time that she wasn't working on something, dish clothes, hot pads, sunglasses cases, cute little yarn "gingerbread houses" and numerous yarn crafts. I remember at one point she had tired of working with yarn, so she needle-pointed the dinning room chair seats. They were unbelievable.

One thing I KNOW I inherited from Mama Mary (that is what us girls called her) is my love of chocolate. She and I love that addicting brown stuff. The darker the better in our world.

However, she was not much of a cook from what I remember. If Papa Lynn was not around during a meal, she would often feed us canned soup, frozen pizza, or sandwiches. One thing I do remember her making that I have never been able to duplicate is a Peanut Butter and Mayo sandwich. Hers were the best, mine are disgusting. Funny how happy memories make food taste better.

She and Papa Lynn lived in Tremonton Utah, while we grew up. Her brother Charlie lived less than 1 mile away. She would often take us over to his house so we could swim in their pool and play with cousins that we did not see very often.

Something worth mentioning, she said yes to marring my grandfather after 2 dates. The wedding was planned in 6 weeks. They were married for 50 years. She had several nicknames Pelican, Duckie, Mary bear, her children and sweetheart called her these names.

So here is the first of many posts to come through the year of some family history. I hope that I don't bore you all with this info. I just want my kids to know where they come from and discover who they are.

A Scary Time

So, tonight I sit postponing going to bed. I wonder as I sit here what are we going to learn tomorrow. Will it be life altering or will it just be a bump on the road of life. Yesterday, I had a CT scan due to a headache that will not go away. The doctor called with the results of an abnormality. It could be a Menigioma (a benign brain tumor) or a bony protuberance, the doctor tells me that I will be referred to another doctor either a neurologist or a neurosurgeon depending on what shows up tomorrow. I am scared. I want to cry at the thoughts of invasive surgery on my brain. I want to cry at the thoughts of pain (more then now).

My family is very wonderful and supporting me fully. I feel blessed to have them standing with me as I face this scary time. I pray that I will see my kids grow up, get married, have babies, and even see my great-grand babies. Please let this just be a little scare and nothing that will take my life.

2011 New Year's Resolutions

So for the past few years, I make a lot of resolutions and by February I can't remember what they are. This year I am going to do better. For starters I am only going to make 3 resolutions and then I am posting them to the blog so I can go back and look at what they really are.

1 - Last year, I ran 294.6 miles. That is after starting in April, and only having the goal of running a 5K. So, since I ran 3 5Ks I decided I am going to take it up a notch. My goal is to run 500 miles in 2011 and 1 half marathon. After running today, I only have 498.8 miles to go (hey it was 12 degrees outside).

2 - Facebook recently had a list on it that the BBC put out, they stated the average person had only read 6 books from that list. Well, I was pretty close to average with 5 books on that list those books included: Harry Potter Series (7 books, but whose counting), Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Da Vinci Code, Lord of the Flies. So I am going to read 4 books this year off that list. Bri said he is going to do this as well.

3 - I am going to put some family history on our blog. I want a page with each parent and grandparent on here with some information about them. That way when I turn it into a book at the end of the year, my kids will have some precious information about their family tree.

With that, I want to say that 2010 was a good year for our family. We were blessed with health, family and some worldly things as well. I look forward to this new year and the memories we are going to be making. I want to wish you my family and friends a Happy New Year and may 2011 be one of joy.