Trip to Bountiful and Maisie's 5th Grade Pics

September 29th, I have been wanting to take a trip south to do some shopping and just get out of town. I got a bunch of scrapbook pages printed at Costco. Took the kids to a couple stores and just had a great day. On the way home, we stopped in Mantua and took Maisie's pictures. It is funny how my own kids are sometimes the hardest to take pictures of. I still can't believe how beautiful Maisie is and how grown up she is. It just doesn't seem possible that I am old enough to have a pre-teen. Haha. I am so glad I get to be my little Maisie Moo's mom. I am one lucky momma.

September 28, 2013

Today was a busy day. I had to come to work to take photos of the Ambassadors. It wasn't too bad cause they fed me Costa Vida. One of my favorite places to eat. I could eat mexican food any day. I also had a family photo session later. I tried to get a few things done around the house before leaving to take photos of a family in Mantua. October is going to be a little crazy with photo sessions. It seems to always happen that everyone wants photos in the same month. I keep telling myself I won't schedule so many, but I have a hard time saying no. Afterwards, I picked the kids up and we went to Twizlberry and then stopped and got the movie Life of PI. It was a pretty good movie. Surprisingly the kids even liked it. I worked on editing pictures while we watched the movie.

Parker's photos - Sept 23

I finally took Parker's 1st grade pictures. He was such a goof ball and is at that stage that he just doesn't know how to smile. His smile ends up in buck teeth and squinted eyes. We did a lot of practicing and by the end he was getting better. I had to bribe him with a treat (which he didn't know what it was until we were done). He has been wanting the Raphael face mask and I told him I had to order it and it would be here in a few days, but I was able to find it at Wal-mart, so when we were finished I surprised him with it and we snapped a few pics with him being a ninja turtle. He asked, "Mom, do I look like a real ninja turtle?" Of course, I had to tell him he totally looked like a real ninja turtle. Afterwards, we went to Twizlberry for a real treat. It is one of our favorite places. It is so hard to believe how much they change each year. Parker is getting more and more handsome and turning into a young man.

September 20 - Wellsville Camping

We decided to throw in one more camping trip. We didn't want to go far, since Eric wouldn't be getting home from work until almost 8:00. I had a few things to throw in the trailer, but I decided to hurry and do a half bushel of peaches before he got home. I was cutting it so close, cause as soon as he pulled in the driveway I was pulling the last bottles out of the water bath. He just rolls his eyes at me. I try to cram too much into my day, but knew the peaches would not be good by the time we got home on Sunday, so they had to be done. We pulled into the spot at Wellsville Reservoir just before dark. We set up camp and then just hung out in the trailer. Eric and the kids played Farkle while I put labels on pictures. I had recently printed over a years worth of pictures (750) that needed to be labeled and put in photo albums. That was my project for the weekend. Saturday, the kids went for a bike ride around the reservoir while I walked around 5 times, which ended up being just under 3 miles. It is a very nice paved trail around the water. Eric and Parker ran to the gas station so they could go fishing later. Then Maisie and I went into town so I could get more photo sheets. I really wanted to get my photos in the binders, so I didn't have to worry about it. It was about 3:00 when we decided to go fishing. Parker caught one right off the bat. We didn't catch any more. It was pretty windy and hard to keep the line tight or cast out in the water. I made crusted chicken and spaghetti with tomatoes and zucchini and then cooked the fish. It was my first time cooking fish and it turned out really good.

We had a fire, but not for very long. It became really windy and we were worried about the ashes blowing everywhere and starting a fire. That night I didn't sleep hardly at all. I was half tempted to have Eric pack up the trailer and go home in the middle of the night. It felt like the trailer was going to blow over the whole night. We packed up in the morning and was home by about 11:00. When the camping season comes to an end, I am sad, but relieved in a way. There are a ton of things I want to get done around the house.

September 13 - 15, 2013

I was so looking forward to the weekend. It has been a long week. Eric picked up the kids at 1:00 from school, so I was able to go straight home. I wanted to go over to my sister's for the night, but Eric wanted me to come home. Cause apparently I entertain him and he is bored if I am not home. I had to laugh at that. Not sure why when I am home nobody is bored, cause they all sit on the couch and watch tv while I am busy running around doing house stuff. I had picked a big bowl of tomatoes the night before, so I was debating on making a half batch of salsa. I also have about 12 zucchini's out of the garden, so Maisie convinced me to make zucchini bread. While it was in the oven, Maisie and I ran to the store to buy peppers for the salsa. When we got home, I prepared the tomatoes and peppers, so that in the morning all I had to do was put it in the pan and cook it. I must be getting old, cause I just can not stay up late any more. We were all in bed by about 10:00. I woke up about 8:00 Saturday and put the salsa in the pan to start cooking. I decided to go for a two mile walk and then when I got home, I finished getting everything ready for the salsa. Parker had been begging me all morning to take him to Walmart so he could by the Ninja Turtle van with his birthday money. I told him we weren't going until 1:00 and that was just forever. We went to Walmart and got his van and then went to Macey's to pick up his birthday cake to take to grandma's later that night. We headed to my parents at about 6:00 for cake and ice cream. It was much easier having cake and ice cream at my parent's rather than making everyone come over to our house. Everyone is so busy on Saturday's it just worked out to do it later Saturday evening. We left my parents about 10:00 to come home. Sunday we spent the morning cleaning the house and doing laundry. My Sunday's are usually not relaxing days. That is the day that I choose to do the laundry and clean the house. It just ends up being the best day for me. That way I can enjoy my Friday and Saturday and then clean the house to get ready for the week ahead. I got the kids to help me out a bit and then we were able to relax the rest of the day.

Parker's Birthday - 7 Years Old

We have been waiting for this day for a long time. Parker has been counting the months and then the days to his birthday. It just could not get here soon enough. He went to bed the night before with such a big smile on his face, cause he knew when he woke up that it was his birthday. It was so fun seeing the excitement in his eyes. When I woke him up on his birthday by singing to him "Happy Birthday" he had the biggest smile on his face. You could just see in his eyes that he couldn't believe the day was finally here. When we got to my office he had to make sure that everyone knew it was his birthday. When he told Beth, the dean, it was his birthday she pulled out of her pocket the change she had just received from buying her coffee, $4. You have never seen a boy so excited and so grateful for receiving $4. He gave her a great big hug. After he left for school, Beth says to me, "I have never seen a boy so excited over $4.00." He is one grateful little boy. 

I bought a salad at our new cafe, Emma's Nook, and took it over to school and ate lunch with him. It just made his day. 

He had to wait until 7:30 when dad got home to open his presents. I thought it was going to be pure torture, but I tried to keep his little mind occupied. We stopped at Twizlberry and had frozen yogurt for his birthday and then when we got home he went and played with a couple of neighbor kids and that kept him happy for awhile. He came home at 7:00 and only had a half hour to wait before he got to open his presents. When Eric opened the door, he couldn't wait another minute. He had to open his presents. He got all he asked for. Michaelangelo, Shredder, Splinter, and April from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He kept giving me hugs and telling me, "Thank you, Mom." Eric had to tease him, cause he didn't thank him. He knows who really bought them. LOL. He was happy as a jay bird. He had the best birthday ever. 

My Dearest Parker,

I can not believe my baby is growing up. I look at you and can not believe you are already 7. You are suppose to be my little boy forever. The years have gone by way too fast. You are growing into such a handsome, smart, young man. I love that you enjoy reading and are getting really good at it. You really enjoy school and have made some great friends. You love playing with your friends both at school and in the neighborhood. You will play with the boys in the neighborhood any chance you get. 

You love toys. I usually do not have a clean front room for very long. The coffee tableand floor are always covered in your toys. You just love to play. None of your toys go unplayed with. You manage to mix and match all your toys while playing. Your blocks have become guns, dinosaurs, transformers, jumps for your cars and monster trucks, or anything else you can come up. Your new favorite is Ninja Turtles. Your imagination and creativeness is amazing. You also love playing games on your tablet. 

You are such an amazing, fun boy. I truly am grateful I am your mom. I love you to the moon and back. 

Love Mom

September 6 - Camping

We wanted to get in another camping trip, cause we are just not sure if we will make it out again before the weather gets bad. We went up to Temple Peak again. It is becoming one of our favorite places to go. We thought we would be fighting campers again and weren't sure what kind of a spot would be left going up later in the day on Friday. When we go up there, there was only one other camper and a sheep herder camper. It was so nice and quiet. I guess it really is true that people stop camping after labor day. Not us. We go til the weather gets too cold. 

I cooked baked potatoes with leftover sweet pork for dinner. It was really yummy. After a little fire, we were all getting tired and it was starting to get a little chilly and raining a bit, so we went in the trailer and played a couple games Farkle. The kids really love that game and it is a great trailer game. 

We all went for a hike up the hill to try and find grouse. We spooked one, but it was in such thick trees that we didn't see it and Eric didn't get a shot. He was very upset. It was the only grouse we saw and he was bound and determined to shoot one. He had a gone a couple of days ago with his friend Brett and they didn't see a one all day. 

Sallie, Jerry & friend, Ben came up Saturday afternoon. They brought a couple of guns and shot at an old tv and some targets. They had a great time. Jerry has been wanting to shoot his guns for a long time, but Sallie told him he had to shoot them with Eric around. 

We cooked ribs for dinner. They took a while to cook, but finally when they were done, they were yummy. Well worth the wait. After dinner, which was about 8:00, Sallie and the boys left to go home. We played another game of Farkle and then went to bed. 

It rained during the night and was raining Sunday morning when we work up. It took us a little bit to get packed up and then we headed home. We got home around noon on Sunday and then unpacked and did laundry. We had a great weekend.

Parker starts Hip Hop

Parker tried out a hip hop class this summer and really enjoyed it, so I decided to sign him up again this fall. He was so excited to start again he could hardly stand it. He loves to dance and loves music. It will be really fun to watch him improve with his dancing. I always wished I knew how to dance. 

Cousin Jared

Tuesday, September 3, I was just pulling into the parking lot to come to work when my dad called me. He informed me that my cousin, Jared, had passed away yesterday. He was only 36. He had had some health problems most of his life, but lived a very rewarding life. Jared always had such a positive outlook on life with a big smile. He was always the first to volunteer to help out and was so willing to help anyone in need. I remember him always having candy in his pocket for all the little kids. He loved to play games and would always recruit others to play a game. He truly was an amazing man and will be missed by all who knew him. He was such a great example to everyone and inspired me to be a better person. 

Obituary:

 Jared Russell Crosby, 36, passed away at his home Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, in Eagar. He was born March 4, 1977, in Provo, Utah, the son of J. Russell Crosby and Becky Hendrickson Crosby.

Jared graduated from Round Valley High School in 1995. He was an Eagle Scout. He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tucson. He worked as a courtesy clerk at Safeway and as an aide and volunteer at the schools. He was a member of the White Mountain Fiber Guild and enjoyed crocheting, weaving and beading.

Jared loved playing hymns on the piano, sunsets, wildflowers, children and especially his family. He often described his own life in these words: “I have the best life. I am so lucky.” Perhaps this was because he was always thinking of ways to make others happy. His family would like to thank all who helped make Jared’s life meaningful and happy.

He is survived by his parents, Russell and Becky; brothers: Daniel Crosby, Michael (Jen) Crosby, David (Jodi) Crosby, Matthew (Kathryn) Crosby and Jonathan (Melina) Crosby; sisters Laura (Colton) Finch, Michelle Crosby and Kerri (Ryan) Quinlan; grandparents Roger and Shirlee Hendrickson and Carma Crosby.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Aaron Thomas Crosby, and grandfather John Harris Crosby.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Eagar Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Main Street in Eagar. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service; also, a visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at Burnham Mortuary in Eagar.

Interment will follow services at the Eagar Cemetery.

Running

I have been able to keep up my running/walking streak for a little over a month now. From July 28th to August 31st I have logged 50 workouts for a total of 113.83 miles. I can not believe I have gone that far. It's amazing how fast they add up. It has felt good and I love getting out and enjoying a little alone time. I have enjoyed listening to some podcasts from Half Size Me. She is an inspirational blogger who lost 170 lbs while doing Weight Watchers and she is out to help inspire others to do the same. 

Occasionally the kids have come with me riding their bikes. Now that the weather is changing it is going to be a little more difficult getting out, but I hope to be able to keep it up.