Whitney Family Fun!

Speed...I am Speed!

2011-10-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

This year for Rick's birthday we kinda went a long the same lines as Emma's birthday party, except we changed the theme to CARS! We had the swimming pool out, the slip n slide and the the tramp, but we also had a water balloon sling shot that these boys just loved. Rick just loves to play and be in the water, so it was easy to throw this together in the back yard and just 2 weeks after we had Emma's party. Our little Man turned 4 and he is growing up too fast. Happy Birthday Rick. We sure love you!

Aloha Birthday Girl!

2011-10-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

This year Emma wanted a Luau birthday party. So we set up the kiddie pool, a slip and slide, and a sprinkler under the tramp for all the friends to play on. We decorated the backyard to be all luau, we had a limbo contest and a hula hoop contest. The girls ate pizza and cake and then hit a tiki pinata and had a RIO cupcake cake. Was a lot of fun, can't believe my little girl is 8 years old. SO grown up. Happy Birthday my little Emma(nem). Love you!

Emma's Baptism

2011-10-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

On Aug 6th our little Emma got baptized by her daddy. What a special day it was. So special to see her be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For her special day I gave her a scrapbook journal, a CTR necklace, new scripture bag, scripture marker, Book of Mormon, and a baptism towel that my good friend Amy used her embroidery machine to put her name and date on it. I also gave her a handkerchief with her name on it and a poem:

As you're Baptized

You have chosen to be baptized; To start your life anew,

Following in Christ's footsteps- For you know the Gospel's true,

When our lives are clean and spotless, The Holy Ghost can guide;

A companion and a prompter- He'll stay always at your side,

For your reflections of today, I give a gift to you;

Symbolic of these sacred vows, And of the Gospel true,

So clean and white, this hanky- Like you've become today;

When you vowed to follow Jesus, And your sins were washed away,

To follow in Christ's footsteps- The commandments to obey-

To remember His atonement, And for repentance, pray,

Remember God is near you; His love for you is great,

Stay near the straight and narrow path, Where lasting blessings wait.

Afterwards we met with friends at Emma's favorite restaurant "The Cracker Barrel" to share a meal. we have so many amazing friends that are close as family and we really appreciate the ward family we have here in TN.

Utah Fun, Road Trip 2011- part 4

2011-10-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

On June 23rd we said goodbye to Spearfish and headed to Utah. Its was a 4 car train as Me, my brother Jay and his family, my parents, and sister Heather and family heading to Utah. Heather and Trav stayed one night and then headed home to San Diego. Before they left we got one shot of all the grandkids and the grandparents. This photo above was the best it was gonna get.

The next day Nick surprised me with a hotel stay at the Anniversary Inn theme rooms, we stayed in the Eqyptian room and it was nice to spend some time alone together.

On Sunday we went to Lagoon with Dylan and Brandon. Kids loved Lagoon and still talk about going back. Emma passed out on the Wicked ride, but her favorite was the new surf ride. Rick loved all the kiddie rides and playing games to win prizes. We also had fun swimming in Lagoon a beach.

We also enjoyed riding on the 4-wheeler in the field behind Grandma and Grandpa Hamiltons house.

Every year on the first weekend of July is the Cache Valley Cruise In. So awesome to walk around and see the classic cars, Rick and Daddy were in heaven. Me and Emma were more interested in the booths and shopping. We saw the Batmobile that was featured in the 95 movie, and we found Bumblebee, Rick was just loving it. On opening night of the Cruise In, the Beach Boys put on a show, Nick bought tickets and we went with his Dad Art and his wife. Such a fun concert, we had fun dancing around and enjoying all my favorite Beach boys songs, this was the 2nd time I had seen them in concert.

We then met up with some of Nick's family to the stadium fireworks show with Diamond Rio, Rick fell asleep during the loud fireworks show, but the kids had fun and really enjoyed themselves.

Emma and her favorite uncle Dylan

The family at Temple Square. Marianne and Kris were sealed exactly 1 year after they were married. it was so great to be there with them.

We then headed down to St George to visit Nicks sister Rebecca and family. On the way down we called to confirm some flights and car rental info and found out that the rental charge was going to be really hefty and made the decision to drive back instead of flying to avoid a huge fee for returning the car in Salt Lake. so we had to cut our trip a day short to drive back. The kids did amazing in the car, if they hadn't- mom and dad wouldn't have made it. Rick and Emma got a new toy for being so great on the long trip back.

Some pics of the beautiful scenery on the way home

It was such a great trip to see friends and family we hadn't seen in such a long time. I really enjoyed our trip except maybe the long drive. I am so grateful to family and friends we got to visit.

Love you all!

Mount Rushmore, Road Trip 2011 Part 3

2011-10-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

June 22nd we set off the see Mount Rushmore. It was a beautiful day and it was fun to spend it

with the family. Holly and Jared didn't go with us, but we had a lot of fun hiking around the

mountain and going on the zip line.

Spearfish South Dakota, Road Trip 2011 part 2

2011-10-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

We finally arrived in Spearfish South Dakota on Sunday night of the 19th for Holly and Jared's wedding on June 21st. It was SO GREAT to see family and hang out with them for the next few days. Holly and Jared live on 5 acres and are very self reliant. They have a river that runs through the property and it has a water wheel hooked up to it to water the organic garden, they have solar pannels for electricity, a chicken coop, and a man made sauna. I am very impressed for what they have done with the land. It was so great to see Heather and Travis, I hadn't seen them in over 3 years. I got to meet my new neice Stella, who is such a doll, I was just wrapped around her little finger.

Rick and Emma loved swinging on the rope over the river.

Rick and Jackson are only 3 months apart and just hung out together all week

Me and my Sisters Holly and Heather went and got Pedicures for the wedding!

Holly and Jared Capp got married at the court house on the morning of June 21st,

That afternoon family and friends gathered on their land for an exchange of the rings and

some vows along with a few friends and family sharing stories of the happy couple. Then

we had a bbq and music as we partied the rest of the evening.

The sisters kiss on the cheek (its a tradition)

The happy couple with mom and dad

Emma trying on the flower head band

Heather and Baby Stella

Mom and Carson

Little Stella, how cute she is!

Father Daughter Dance

Jackson and Rick love Uncle Brandon

Me and the girls wearing sarongs and trying out the sauna.

Rick loves his aunt Holly

Me and little Stella

It was so great to be able to come to the wedding and spend some time with Holly and Jared. They

are really happy and really glad I got to be here with them.

Driving and driving....Road Trip 2011

2011-09-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

On June 17th we set off on the biggest road trip we have ever taken in our lives. We were on our way to South Dakota for Holly's wedding on the 21st in Spearfish SD. After the first day we stopped in Independance MO and stayed at the Drury Inn for the night. The next day we went site seeing around MO. We first stopped at the Visitors Center and had the tour and got information on other historical sites.

We then stopped at the Liberty Jail. Where Joseph Smith and 3 other men were held for 5 months. The original jail had been torn down, but the church was able to get ahold of the original stones and then recreate the jail for the visitors and church history. There was such a spirit there.

We then went over to Farr West where the corner stones are laid for a future temple to be built. This area is BEAUTIFUL and when you walk onto the grounds it feels like your walking into a temple. Such an amazing spirit can be felt. We were the only visitors, so we had a picnic, played a little and just enjoyed the beauty and spirit around us.

Just down the street from Farr West is the LDS country store. So we stopped in.

These are replica face plastors of the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith just after they were killed in the Carthage Jail.

Lastly we stopped by Adam-ondi-Ahman. This is the place where the saints will meet during the 2nd coming of Christ. This place is beautiful and can totally understand why this place was chosen. The church owns all the land. As we were atop the hill overlooking the valley, a song came into my head and I sang it to Emma: When all that was promised, the Saints will be Given and none will molest them from morn until eve'n and the earth shall appear as the garden of Eden and Jesus will say to all Isreal come home.

After we left Adam-Ondi-Ahman, we stopped at a hotel in Kansas. Pony Express Hotel. Then headed on our way to SD. We were about 100 miles away from Spearfish when we stopped and 1880 Town to let the kids out and see all the cool buildings from the 1800's. This is also where a lot of the props from "Dances with Wolves" are located and the original horse "Cysco" lived his last years at this town before his death in 2007. The movie was mostly shot in SD.

Here are some of the props from the movie: Dances with Wolves

Rick's First Soccer Game

2011-09-14T14:01:00.001-07:00

Rick played his first soccer game on June 11th, YMCA youth indoor soccer, Red Bears #7!

He has really enjoyed playing soccer, He is aggressive and athletic and scored several times. After he would score he would throw his arms up like a V and then say "I'm number 1". we will have to work on his humility as he learns how to be a team player. Whenever the ball got into the corner, he kept useing his hands to move the ball or carry the ball out right in front of the goal and then kick it in. After telling him "no hands" he started to use his elbows to move the ball (little smarty, but it wasn't his hands) but by the end of the game he was only using his legs to move the ball about. Its so fun to watch him play and get really excited.

Summer Time Fun

2011-09-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

Emma got out of school on the 26th of May and its been a bit of a challenge to keep her from saying those dreaded words: "I'm so bored" which she said the very day she got out of school. So we have been swimming at the pool A LOT, and doing other fun activitis: Going to family fun centers to escape the heat outside, parks, and hangin out with friends. Here are some fun things we've done so far this summer.

Touch a Truck at pinkerton park. Kids got to see some big trucks and a helicopter.

Goofballs Family Fun Center with friends Tyler and Jillian

Emma won 1000 tickets with one pull of the handle on this game!

so she got a pillow with her winnings.

Water fun in the backyard with friends!

Emma and Makayla

Boys doing the limbo water sprinkler

Playing in the pool

Mammoth Cave National Park

2011-05-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we decided to go camping up at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, there was a chance of rain, but decided to try it out anyway. We headed up early friday afternoon, pulled Emma out of school early. We stayed at the main campground, which is really nice campgrounds, at the entry way there is a store, laundry and showers, so thats nice to have with little ones camping. Just down the road is also a hotel and visitor center. Mammoth Cave got its name because its the longest cave in the world. so beautiful, and we only saw a small portion of it, the only way to see the cave is to take a tour and most of the tours that we can take the little ones on, sold out quickly. The kids loved camping, they rode their bikes, roasted marshmallows and playing in the tent. We cooked up some dutch oven potatoes and chicken for dinner, then came the marshmallows for smore's. We also went to a fireside where the forrest ranger talked about the different types of birds found in the park. We saw lots of animals: wild turkey's, deer, skunks, frogs, and squirrels. We had a great time.....up until the storm hit saturday night, while we were on a cave tour, the storm came in and quick. By the time we got back to the campsite, and it was still a downpour of a rain, our fears were manifested- we left the windows down on the tent and everything got soaked- the sleeping bags, airmattress, all our clothes. So we decided to pack it all up in the rain and head home a night early, who wants to sleep in wetness. Yes there is a laundry service at the campground but they were already closed. We enjoyed hiking and walking around the camp site and just enjoying nature.

Saturday morning we headed off to dinosaur world in Cave City just down the street from Mammoth Cave Park. The kids loved coming here, Rick especially.

Rick and Emma did a fossil dig, they dug for all kinds of fossils and after digging for 15 mins, they got to keep the 3 best fossils they found. Emma found 3 tiger shark teeth and was excited to keep them. Rick found a shell fossil, shark tooth, and a sponge fossil. Emma and Rick worked together to put the giant puzzle together.

After dino world, we stopped by a family fun center, we rode on a ski lift and went down the Alpine slide (this is the 4th state that I have done this in), Rick couldn't go down the slide but did enjoy riding the ski lift, Emma loved being able to ride by herself. We also rode on some go carts (oh Rick just loved driving the go carts) and then onto the bumper cars, Emma didn't like the bumper cars.

The New Entrance to Mammoth Cave, this part of the cave has lots of rock formations, we were in this part of the cave when the storm hit.

Even though part of the trip was literally a wash out, we did have a lot of fun and we got to see party of Kentucky. We will have to make another trip to the park.

Mighty Tikes Triathalon

2011-05-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

On May 14th, Rick participated in the first annual Mighty Tikes Triathalon at the Williamson County Rec Center, ages 3-6. Emma was bummed that she couldn't race, for the first time ever- she was too old to do something. The race started with the bike, then a run and finish with a run through the sprinklers. All of Rick's little buddies also participated. Rick is #1 in Heat 1
Rick and Tyler (#6 in Heat 2)

All the little boys lined up on their bikes

(Makai, Rick, Tyler, Donovan, and Ashton)

Here is Rick on the run portion

Here he is running to Finsh, and he WON his Heat! Yeah Ricky

He Didn't like the sprinklers and kept running around them (as did most of the kids)

Everyone got a medal, and the look on his face when daddy told him that he had Won the race, Rick was sooo excited and really Happy!! we were soo Happy too! When he started the race on the bike portion, he just took off from the rest of the pack and had a huge lead on the other kids. He really loves to ride his bike, and we ride often as a family. Emma was a great cheerleader.

All the little winners with their medals, what a great experience for these little athletes.

Rick loves to be active and race Emma around the yard and gets competitive with his parents too (wonder where he gets that from....both of us!)

All the Happy Moms at the Finish Line!

Easter 2011

2011-05-09T18:25:00.001-07:00

Chattanooga Childrens Museum

2011-05-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Atlanta we stopped by the childrens museum, kids choice. They really enjoyed playing and having alot of fun learning. Rick dressed like a dinosaur
digging for bones

I thought this saying was pretty funny

Atlanta Temple

2011-05-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

On April 21st we headed down to Atlanta so we could go through the Atlanta Temple the next morning. The temple had been closed the last 2 years for renovations and we went down for the open house. Wanted to take the kids through and this is a great opportunity to teach them about the temple. The whole week leading up to leaving for Atlanta was very hard and it seemed like anything that could go wrong, did go wrong (murphy's law), but we didn't let it get the best of us and we pushed onward to the temple. It was such a great experience going through the rooms, Rick thought they were pretty but didn't like the booties you have to wear, Emma asked a lot of questions and she thought it was beautiful. She loved the Celestial room and the chandelier. But she wanted to know where the isle is that you go down when you get married, so that led to a conversation about how different it is when your married in the temple versus anywhere else. Emma wants to get married in the temple and is excited to be able to go through one day. This was a great learning and testimony builder experience for our family. I'm grateful for these opporunities to share the gospel with my family.

Preschool Party

2011-05-04T18:52:00.001-07:00

So Rick has been going to my friend Jenny's Preshool in her home and he has just really enjoyed and loved preschool. She had a BBQ with all the 3 year old families. Me and Jenny

Rick and his best Bud Tyler

Boys getting ready for the flashlight easter egg hunt

We all (except me, gag too easy) played chubby bunny, heres Nick with

a mouth full of marshmallow.

This is me and Camille, I use to work with her at Taco Time when we were

in High School, crazy how small this world can be sometimes.

The girls playing chubby bunny

(Camille, Ginger, Jenny, and Zoe)

Emma with Barrett and Roxy

Family Update

2011-04-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

I've been posting alot of activities and things we've been doing, so I thought I would update just family information. Nick started a new job with a consulting firm back in March and he's enjoying it much more than his last job. he also is back in school for his Doctorate degree through University of Phoenix- Hospital Administration. Emma is in the 1st grade, she loves gymnastics, riding her bike, playing with her brother. She is very creative and loves to play dress up and put on her own plays that she makes up. She will join the Star Bright players this summer for an acting camp, she also will get baptized this year, can you believe it, growing up too fast on me. Rick is in Miss Jenny's Pre-school and just loving it, it is at the home of his best bud in the world- Tyler. He loves riding his bike and playing any sport. He will play indoor soccer this summer through the YMCA and then play a regular season this fall. I am working at the Franklin Family YMCA as a wellness coach and also in family serivices. I really enjoy it, and gives me some freedom to do what I love to do. I am the soccer mom, taking the kids from one activity to another. I am an Activity Days leader in the church and love that calling and will be going to girls camp this summer as a ropes coarse leader :-) And I enjoy just speding time with my family and dates night with Nick. The last month has been busy, we enjoyed a week long spring break: We took the kids to their first round of golf (but only 9 holes), they had a lot of fun with that; we went swimming, went to jump zone, went to the TN state museum, and just hanging out with the family. The kids also got a new 4 wheeler to play on (an early easter present, couldn't pass up the deal). We have been truely blessed this year. Our family is happy and just enjoy each other.

Atlanta Trip Day 3, Ruby Falls

2011-03-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

Day 3 of our Atlanta Trip and we are headed home. We left right after breakfast so we can avoid traffic. On our way through Chattanooga we decided to stop and see Ruby Falls and if time and weather permitted we would also see Rocky City. Ruby Falls is an 145 ft underground waterfall, approx 1200 feet below the surface. We started off taking an elevator ride down about 260 ft, and then hiked from there to the waterfall. The kids loved it, and I was amazed at how Rick kept up. There were so many beautiful rock formations and of coarse the falls itself. For more info on Ruby Falls, go to the web site: www.rubyfalls.com.

We didn't have time to walk through Rock City, it was about to rain, so we drove past and do have plans to go back this spring to camp, hike, climb, and zip line around Rock City. We started here, the elevator is located on the 2nd level.
Down in the caves, our path was lighted the whole way and we had a tour guide.

Atop of Ruby Falls lookout overseeing Chattanooga.

Here is video of the falls! So Beautiful!

Atlanta Day 2, the Zoo

2011-03-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

On day 2 of our Atlanta Trip, Feb 20th, we went to the Atlanta Zoo! The kids just love the animals and they were certainly getting their fill of marine and land animals this weekend. The Atlanta zoo isn't much bigger than Nashvilles, but this zoo has an amazing gorilla and monkey exibits. We also went on a train ride and played in the kids zone. The kids were pretty worn out and we took a nap when we got back to the hotel. We then went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.

This gorilla was pounding on the glass at us. you can see Emma in the reflection.

This is the newest gorilla in the zoo, only 9 months olds. Rick just loved watching the gorillas and didn't want to leave and move on to see the other animals, but when the mama gorilla took the baby gorilla out of sight, he was ready to move on. It was amazing to see this little guy, his mom would just hold onto his leg and not let him wonder off.

The first video is Emma drawing the animals that we see. The second is the baby gorilla.

Listen to this playlist: whitneyklan's Playlist

2011-02-25T17:46:00.001-08:00

Atlanta Trip day 1

2011-02-25T16:17:00.000-08:00

Nick had to go down to Atlanta Feb 16-21 for residency for school, so me and the kids decided to go down on friday the 18th and have some fun and see Atlanta. I picked up Emma early from school and headed down and got down to Atlanta in about 5 hours with traffic and its a huge city, glad we had the gps or I would have been lost for sure, there is sooo much to do and see. We had some dinner with Nick at the Hilton hotel, I worked out in the fitness center and then we went swimmin. The next day, Feb 19th we went to the Georgia Aquarium, worlds largest tank. Poor little Emma was in some pain, she had a big mouth soar on her cheek, so she isn't smiling in the pictures, lots of pain, but she still had fun.
We saw just about every kind of fish: salt water, fresh water and other animals that inhabit them: fish, sharks, octopus, gaters, otters, star fish, sea horse, sting rays, whale shark, paranas, and so on. Rick loved the sharks, and Emma loved petting the sting rays. We also saw a fun 4D movie, the shark exhibit, and hangin out at the kids play zone.

Then after the aquarium, we crossed the street over to Olympic park, home of the 1996 summer olympics, we walked around the square.

This is a statue of the founder of the olympics, Baron Couberin, and his motto below.

After a long day at the Aquarium and sight seeing, kids were tired, but not too tired to go swimming again at the hotel, Emma got new necklace, a dolphin book, and a fish key chain, and rick got a shark squirter which he just loved playing with.

Here is video taken at the largest tank, you can just see how big it is and the kids loved it!

Snow Day!

2011-02-25T16:09:00.000-08:00

Woops, this snow day actually took place in January, but just had to post the cute pics of the kids and the snow man they made! there was 4 snow days last month, crazy what an inch of snow can do! it just shuts down the whole city, but lots of fun at home!

Season of LOVE

2011-02-25T15:48:00.000-08:00

This is Rick's valentine box that he helped me make for his first

valentine party at pre-school! it was either this or a soccer theme, I think

this was much easier to make!

On Feb 12th, we were invited to a couples valentine party hosted by Munni and Jami at Jami's home, this party was soo much fun, we have never been to a party like this and it was a blast.

First off we started with lots of pot luck food that everyone brought. Then the men went on a bus ride to go to a few stores, and us gals just sat around and had some girl talk and it got pretty juicy and a little bit of "too much information" being passed around, but that's what girls do!

After the men got back, they had purchased 4 items and put them in the middle of a group circle and we were to guess what the men picked out for us:

1st was a candy bar: had to guess which candy bar was Nick's favorite, I guessed right! snickers.

2nd was flowers: took me lucky 3x to pick out the right ones.

3rd to pick out an item that reminded him of our first date: I picked the motorcycle, right on, we went on a motorcycle ride for our first date.

4th was an item that reminded him of me, well this was a little tougher, but Nick got hand sanitizer because I am always concerned about germs.

It was a great night with lots of friends, I believe 15 couples were able to find a sitter and make it, so lots of fun and lots to talk about!

Ben and Jenny!

Shannon and Aaron

Tambi and Devre (Nick's motorcycle buddy)

Ivan and Danny, Brad and Zoe

Andrew and Munni (host) on the left

Christmas 2010

2011-02-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010 was great to be home with the kids and just hang around. We woke up to snow Christmas morning and it was awesome, reminded me of Utah. So nice to have a white Christmas, even though it was only an inch, I'll take it. The kids all got what they wanted, so no complaining. Emma got her pogo stick and Rick got his train tracks and cars. Our trip to Utah was the big gift, so we kept gifts on the lighter side. It was a great Christmas! We made Cookies for Santa

Emma was sooo excited she had a hard time being patient, but we let the kids open their
gift from Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton: pajamas and a new book

Christmas morning, Emma rushed down to tell us Santa had come, and she tried so very hard to wait up to see him to prove to herself that he really exists, she didn't make it. But Santa had left her a special note telling her what a good girl she had been, She was convinced.

Rick got more batman, he was thrilled!

It was a great Christmas and we are truely thankful for all our blessings!

Utah Trip

2011-01-20T14:19:00.001-08:00

December 4-11 we went to Utah to visit family and friends we haven't seen in roughly 2 years. It was sooo good to go, the family really needed a visit back home.

This photo was taken at the Nashville airport as we waited for our flight.

Southwest gave out free pictures with Santa, what a great treat for the kids, although Emma

knew it wasn't the real Santa, she knew that he worked for him. This year was the year of

figuring out Santa, she doesn't know yet, I would like at least 1 more year of her believing. She asked a lot of quetions... trying to figure out if he really exsists and playing detective.

After we landed in SLC and drove up to Cache Valley we went to our favorite taco shop: Taco Time and got dinner, yummy, really miss that place, don't have one in TN. We then went to Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton's House where we stayed the week. Emma didn't recongnize her favorite uncle, she said: "What did you do with my Dylan?"

My 2 younger brothers just grew up on us and are men now. Rick was 1 the last time we visited and it was like we never left, he loved it. Just had the grandparents all wrapped around his finger and they loved it.

The next day we went to a family reunion with Nick's family at the Hyde Park Civic Center,

everyone was there and it was good to meet new family and hang out. Santa came to visit and Rick and Emma got to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Emma wants a pogo stick and Rick wants batman toys.

Well, it was raining the whole week we were in Utah, so the kids tried to go out and play in the snow before it was gone (ironically it snowed in Nashville while we were gone). But still enjoyed

building a snowman and throwing snow balls.

Rick and Rocky, this is his dog when we visit.

Emma and Zoe, this is her dog when we visit.

Grandma and the kids

Opeing presents from the grandparents, Emma thought this really was Christmas

and was a little disappointed when she didn't get ther pogo stick, but this was just

the grandparents christmas gifts, not Santa.

Uncle Dylan and the kids

Uncle Brandon and Rick

Uncle Brandon and Emma

We saw lots of people during the week, we hung out with old friends: we had dinner with the Fish family, and Leni cooked up some yummy brazilian food. We went to the Fun park with the Ben and Michelle Nilson, Saw Great Grandma Hamilton, and Grandma and Grandpa Great Tanner. The night before we flew back we went to Temple Square and stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel. We walked around temple Square, saw the Nativity, walked around to all the lights, road the trax and just enjoyed spending time with each other.

Emma started to "Hamm" it up and striking poses

We had a great trip to Utah and hope to make another one in the summer when its warm.

We love our family and friends and hope to see you again soon!

Here's a video of Rick and Emma playing in the snow.

Family Fall Pictures

2011-01-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

I am a little behind getting my posts up, I've been really busy and the last couple times I tried to download some pics- it just wouldn't down load. My BF Jenny took these pics of our family out around the county library, they turned out really wonderful! Thanks Jen!

A THRILLER of a Halloween!

2010-11-18T14:53:00.001-08:00

Wow, Halloween has been really busy this year! So many "Partay"s! On Oct 22-23 was adults only halloween spectacular hosted by friends Dever and Tambi, Dever is Nick's Motorcycle buddy, they go out on theirs bikes and enjoy riding around this beautiful state. Anyway, it starts off with dinner and movie at their home. Couples came dressed up and watched a movie. Here is me and Nick as gangsters!

Me, Tambi, and Shobnah, with Dever as Shrek in background.

Trinity and Neo (Cassy and Seth)

Me and Shannon

So Here is the Party Bus on the 23rd. We all hopped onto Dever's bus and went to a restaurant out in the middle of TN somewhere, but it was great fun, dancing on the bus, singing on the bus, and a little making out. Here is the gang of rowdy Mormons that went.
What Happens on the BUS, stays on the BUS!

I am Half Angel and Half Devil

Nick is backwards dead guy

This is Star and Macho Man (Amber and Travis)

80's wrestlers

Willy Wonka and Umpa Lumpa

(Shannon and Aaron)

Shannon made these costumes and they are amazing!

Were dancing and grooving and moving to the music!

The company was a lot of fun, and a little scandalous!

Dinner wasn't very good, so glad to have good company.

Here is the family carving pumpkins!

Emma didn't like cleaning out her pumpkin, but she did it.

Sadly I never got a final shot of her carved pumpkin, but she carved her pumpkin

into the one thing that she is most scarred of....an OWL.

Okay, so the ward I attend is legendary for Halloween Party's, mostly due to who has been

in charge that last few years in the activities committee. This year was awesome. It was

held on the 30th, with a chili cook off, Dancing, minute to win it games, and the trunk or

treat. It was a lot of fun, and I got to participate in a dance collaboration with the YM and YW

in the ward to Michael Jackson's 'Bad'.

Friends Travis, Flora, Zack and Xander

gal pal Laura all as her bad self!

20's gangsters

Cool by default!

Here is Rick and his friend Levi from the YMCA

Batman was the #1 choice of most 3 year olds

Emma is my perfect little Devil!

Don't be fooled by that cute little smile!

Minute to win it game of Unicorn

Stack 7 ding dongs on your forehead for 5 seconds

Here is Ben with a panty hose around his head with a baseball in it and then you

have to swing it around and knock over the bottles with out using your hands..

and he won!

Here is Rick trunk or treating

Ahh, the car is eating my family!

Rick giving his best buddy Tyler a hug, he is also batman

This is my BF Cat woman (Jenny)

Okay, so this is Cassy, she is soo creative, she made this costume. She is Valcore,

her daughter is the Empriss, and Her son is Atrayou from the Never Ending Story.

Just amazing detail!

The Hart Family

Willy Wonka, Umpa Lumpa, Agustus Gloop, Violet, and the golden ticket.

Happy Halloween!

Nashville Heart Walk

2010-10-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

On Oct 2nd was the Nashville Heart walk. Its a 2 mile walk for curing Heart Diseases. Nick's company had signed up to walk this year and put together a team. It was a beautiful day and nice to get out of the house since the surgery. Although I couldn't walk the whole way, I did about half and did it in my brothers name: Carson, who was born with a heart defect. this is CHAMP the dog from Childrens Vanderbilt Hospital.

When Rick saw the dog, he ran right up to him and just game him a big old hug,

Emma wouldn't go near him, just too scared, but it was soo cute.

There was a lot of activities for the kids and lots of free food. A good 10,000 people

had showed up to walk. It was a lot of fun and great to see the support.

We will definately have to walk again next year.

When the boys are away, the girls gotta do somethin...!

2010-10-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

So the weekend before my surgery on Monday the 20th of Sept, Nick and a bunch of friends decided to go down to Florida for the weekend to watch the BYU game against Florida State. So whats a girl to do with the men gone? Well lets get together at Jenny's for Grillin and Chillin!

So me, Jenny, Shannon, and Zoe got together to hang out with the kids and have a little fun, but our turn will come, don't worry, it will COME! and when it does, I'm thinking a girls weekend away at a spa, wouldn't that be heavenly. Shannon, Zoe, Jenny, Me

Our Little Boys, just the best of buds!

The next day we all met up again at a horse ranch for some free activities:Rick was scared to death of this horse, and didn't like being up there.

He is a little affraid of heights.

Rick playing with the bing bag toss

Me and Jenny with our boys, just the best of friends!

Emma taking her turn on the football throw!

Look at all our little Cowboys and Cowgirls!

(from left to right)

Ashton, Barrett, Emma, Tyler, Roxy, Rick, Donovan.

Afterwards we went to Mcdonalds for food and ice cream.

It was a great weekend with great friends, I have amazing friends.

Happy Birthday RICK!

2010-10-11T12:15:00.001-07:00

Rick turned 3 on Sept 1st! Wow he is getting sooo big!! For his birthday he got a batman costume from grandma Cindy and he loves to wear it all the time, and just guess what he's gonna be for Halloween? We gave him a remote control lightning McQueen, and a party at one of his favorite places: Jump Zone on the 9th of Sept. Most of his friends came out and celebrated with him, and had a great time. This was his first big birthday party all to himself, the last couple years he shared it with Emma and another Friend, so this year- it was all for HIM! and He loved every minute of, and has kept talking about it.

Rick picked out his batman birthday cake.

Rick's First Day of Preschool

2010-10-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Rick started school on Sept 9th, at Miss Jenny's Pre-school (which is my amazing friend Jenny and Rick's BFF Tyler's Home) He is sooo happy to be in school, just like his big sister Emma and he can't wait to ride the bus one day, He likes to take Emma to her bus stop. There are only 5 others kids in his class and he just enjoys going 2x a week. He is always asking to go to school.

Miss Jenny also has a cool pirate ship in her back yard

to play on, the kiddies love it.

Emma's First Day of School!

2010-09-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Emma is now in first grade and loving it this year! She is in Mr Smiths class and he is a fun teacher which makes learning fun for Emma. She is just growing up soo fast. My little Emmanem! We sure love you!

Emma is 7!

2010-09-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

Emma turned 7 on Aug 2nd! Can't believe she is getting so old, next year she will be baptized! Emma had a family party on her birthday and then a pool party on the 7th with her friends at our friends neighborhood pool. She had a blast doing what she loves....swimming!
I love you Emma, your growing up soo fast!

Emma helped me make all her cupcakes, and they were just melting

in the HOT HOT HUMID sun!

Emma had a shark pinata!
And a new swim suit!

Rick and Tyler

Emma found a devil costume on clearance and just had to have, she

has many costumes that she plays in.

Wild Hogs!

2010-08-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

Me and Nick on date night! Motorcycle rides are awesome! I love

wrapping my arms around my man. Love you baby! If you can't see my helmet, its black with pink flames- so cool!

This was taken on the scenic Nachez Trave Parkway Bridge Overpass.

Just keep Swiming!

2010-08-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

So on Wed July 28th we went to Nashville Shores for a birthday surprise for my BF Jenny and an early swim surprise for Emma. What a great day to go swimming with the family and great friends! Ben, Tyler and Jenny

Its great to go with another couple, we could all take turnes on slides and

rides while the other watches the kids. We had a lot of fun!

Happy Birthday Girl! Love ya!

Tyler and Rick on the Slide

Emma loved the new wave pool and lazy river, couldn't get

enough of it.

Dutch Oven Cookin

2010-08-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

On July 24th, I headed down to teach a dutch oven cooking class down at Swanee Creek for a provident living activity. It was HOT! Smoltering HOT! not the best of days to teach a dutch oven cooking class, but the food did turn out GREAT! I made BBQ chicken, Sparkling Potatoes and Turtle cake. Nick was in Utah for business, so I got to do this all alone. The kids had fun running around and getting very dirty and very sweaty! I was glad when we got to go home and shower! Emma down at the lake at bottom of the mountain coolin off

and washing her dirty feet.

Rick on the hike to a waterfall that is all dried up

Me teaching set up!

I am very tired and carried Rick through most of the hike in like 105 degree

weather, the look on my face says it all!

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-17T14:55:00.001-07:00

Independence day party at the Matich's house, they have a great set up for party's, hot tub, pool, game room, big back yard, volley ball. It was a lot of fun, enjoyed a great BBQ and amazing fireworks show from Nick and Aaron Hart.

Rick loved the fireworks, he was clapping and screaming along

Late night movie on the lawn, Finding Nemo

Amazing Race 2010

2010-07-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

So every year my friend Munni puts together an FHE event, the Amazing Race, we were unable to participate last year. Well, it was soo much fun! about 10 families participated, we were given our clues and set off to the race, we caught an early break, our first location was the closest one, a lap swim at the pool, Nick dove in clothes and all and off we were to our 2nd clue, Chucke Cheese, then we had to sing a song at a deli, then I got a makeover done at a childs salon, then we took a picture in front of p f changs, then had to do an obstacle coarse at Let It Shine gymnastics, a rock climb at the YMCA, then onto a dance studio for hip hop lessons, then Nick got to go dress up in fire gear at a fire station (he loved it) and then onto the final destination, Walmart. And who was the winner..... see below! We Were... in our matching Flag shirts! It was a lot of fun and wow, our family

is competitive, the Scott family was a close second. So much fun, thank you Munni

for putting together a fun FHE activity and to all the businesses that participated!

The great escape to The Smokey's

2010-06-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm making time to finally get some pics from our trip up and going, we had som much FUN, and well deserved FUN! We found a great deal on a package to head to pigeon forge and Gatlinburg and decided we needed to see more of Tennessee. So off we went on a little adventure, we were gone May 25-28. Pigeon Forge is located on the east side of the state by Knoxville right next to the Smokey's National Park, the Mountain were bigger than I thought, but nothin like the Rocky's, still very beautiful. As we arrived in town by dinner time, we headed to Corky's BBQ, they had the best sweet potatoe fries ever! yummy, then we went and drove around the town to see what we want to do. It is such a resort and tourist town, sooo much to do with the family, several family fun centers, museums, attractions. WOW, there was no way to get it all in on one trip, guess we'll have to come back next year! Here some of what we did: Wonder Works, this building is upsidedown! Its a lot like the adventure

science center. but soo much more. We got to experience what a 6.4 magnatude

earthquake would feel like, and a hurricane winds, and we got to feel how cold the

water was when the titanic sank (freezing). After we spent a few hours there, we

went down the the dinner show called "Hoot n Holler". It was great for the family,

Emma just loved the dancing, singing, and comedy.

Emma and Rick had so much fun playin on everything, especially the giant keyboard

Emma got to rock climb

make huge bubbles

We found this store and Emma just freaked out, so we had to go in!

We went tubing down the River, kids did sooo amazing! We had a lot of fun

floating down the river, we saw eagles, fish, geese, snakes. Rick was so

good and had fun.

Having a little picnic after tubing.

Here we are in the tram riding it up to Ober Gatlinburg

Kids thought it was sooo cool, and such a great way to see Gatlinberg.

At the top of the mountain has soo much going on, ice skating, alpine slide,

mini carnival, food, black bear reserve, hiking.

Rick found a batmobile and just had to ride.

We took the ski lift up to ride the alpine slide

Rick screemed the whole way down, too funny.

Emma was awesome, she wanted to go faster.

And we ran into Bella and Edward, isn't that cool! well actually it was

at the wax museum, and Nick had no interest in going in, and I wan't going

to do it by myself, but was able to get this fun shot.

Next up was the Ripley's Belive it or not Museum, me and Nick thought it

was cool but the kids didn't really like it as much. This is the 2nd museum

we've been able to go see, the main museum was broken up into 7 different

museums around the country.

A very large chair.

This was a crazy man, so I just had to take a pic with him.....

actually he's fake, coulda fooled me!

Emma is standing in a room thats spinning, but walking accross

can really throw your bearings off.

Here the kids are in the dinosaur room, freaking out.
After we left Ripley's we drove around Gatlinberg, which was cool, its a

great town to walk down main street. We then went down to old mill square

in Pigeon Forge to have dinner, real southern cookin on the menu and really good.

On the way home we decided to stop in Knoxville to see the zoo. Its got so much

going on in this zoo and many more animals than Nashville's zoo, so we just had to

go and stop by. Here we are in front of the bears exibit.

On the way home after leaving the zoo, we took a wrong turn during a huge down pour of rain

and ended up heading south towards Chattanooga, which delayed us only by about an hour, so

we ended up seeing even more of the state. Tennessee is very beautiful!

This video is of Rick trying to feed the camels, its really funny!

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

this pic was taken at the Mother Daughter Social at the church.

Amy Rahm took the picture.

I just love my kids!

Emma made this plate for me at school with clay.

LOVE IT!

Nick had these flowers sent to me while he was on his business
trip, sooo BEAUTIFUL. Thanks love, I love you!

The many faces of EMMA!

2010-05-14T16:46:00.000-07:00

This last month has been a busy month for Emma. She is doing a lot of fun things and is really excited for school to get out on the 21st of May. She is my little shining star and just a wonderful blessing to our family! She has been going to gymnastics, going to girl scouts, and loves to draw and make crafts. She is a great help to her brother and she can now ride a 2 wheeler! she also would rather clean the bathroom than her own room, go figure! Emma is a crack up like her dad, always cracking jokes and making fun of everything. I love her imagination and the creativity that she has. We love you Emma! Emma did a class performance called "The Umbrella Gala", she

was Awesome! She played THUNDER and rain drops, which kinda suits her.

Here's Emma and her cast.

Emma is such a great big sister. Rick sure does love her.

She loves gymnastics and has some talent for it. Just like mom and dad.

here she is in her Easter Dress! So beautiful!

I've uploaded some videos from gymnastics

Nashville Tennessee Flood 2010

2010-05-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

Trip to the Nashville Zoo

2010-04-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

Its spring break and need to entertain the kids, what better place for some little rascals then the zoo! Emma brought along her friend Roxy and Rick brought along his best bud Tyler. We had so much fun walking around, seeing the animals and just letting the kids run, run, and run!

I am holding 3 of the kids up....Roxy, Tyler and Rick.

Rick was too funny, he would only pet the near the rear of the animal, away from the head.

Emma just loves the amimals, now she wants to be a vet or a marine biologist that

work with the animals at sea world.

Biker Dude!

2010-04-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Nick finally got the motorcycle he's been wanting for years. A new 2008 honda VTX 1300 bike. He is in biker heaven and just enjoying his new man toy! We are set to do a motorcycle tour on the 24th of April for charity. Doesn't he look HOT on his new bike!

Easter Fun!

2010-04-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Lots of EASTER fun this year! We started off with an egg hunt at the county rec center, Emma cleaned up, she was awesome and Rick was more interested in the egg candy on the ground, he didn't collect many eggs. Then the next egg hunt was at the Brentwood library, they had face painting and the bunny, and of coarse the egg hunt, and again, Emma did well and Rick went for the candy- he wasn't interested in the eggs. Emma got a new easter dress and some more art stuff, and Rick got a bunch of disney cars toys. Then the biggest surprise of all....the kids got a new trampoline which they love love love!

Emma and her friend Rylie before the egg hunt at the rec center.

Rick lovin on the new tramp!

The first video is of Emma singing Bon Jovi, she has apparently been playing too much Rock Band! The second video is of Rick and his best bud Tyler playing base ball and its too cute!

We are the Champions

2010-04-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

On March 20th, our Stake had a basketball tournament. And WE WON! WOW!! YEAH! I'm not the best baller, I was there for fun and to show off some hot white legs! Great job ladies! woohoo.

Be Mine!

2010-03-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

Super Bat Man

2010-03-11T12:26:00.001-08:00

Wow, Rick sure is just a growing little man. He is now 2 and a half and will start pre-school next fall. He loves to play with cars. Cars cars cars. He eat, plays and sleeps with his cars, and his favorite is Lightning McQueen (which he has like 4 of them), but he will play with all his cars, little match box and big ones with sound. He has recently gotten more into super heros and loves to chase around Emma (who is the bad guy). He is just sooo active and athletic. Plays every sport, as long as he gets to just play. We got rock band for Christmas and he loves to play the drums, while Emma enjoys being the star on the mic. He loves to look at books and go to the library with mom for reading time. He know his abc's, and counts to 30. He also loves to play with his best buddy Tyler. My little baby is just not so little, but he's still my baby.

Because...I love you!

Listen to Fun Times

2010-03-03T07:15:00.001-08:00

No more Snow!

2010-02-24T10:26:00.001-08:00

Okay, enough snow already! Where is the warm 50's and 60's that's the norm this time of year? 5 snow days, no school...Emma loved that. But I'm ready for some warmer weather, but we might as well enjoy what little snow we do get. Here we are playing over at the Saville's house in the snow. The snow doesn't last long when we do get it, completely melted in 2-3 days, including the now man. These pics were taken 1st weekend in February.

I Heart Snow Days!

2010-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

So we've had 4 "snow days" this year. well, maybe only 2 days could really count as snow days, with just a couple inches of snow, they also shut school down here on days that are considered too cold. But the kids sure enjoyed it anyway! Emma wanted to build a snow man, Rick wanted to ride his bike. But we had fun anyways just playing in the snow, enjoying hot cocoa, and spending the day together.

The Greatest Show on Earth!

2010-02-03T14:58:00.001-08:00

On Jan 23rd, we went to the Circus. The Greatest Show on Earth. It was soooo much fun! Kids just loved it. It was me, Emma and Rick's first time ever to a circus. They had it all and did not disappoint. Emma now wants to be an acrobat when she grows up, if she keeps up with her gymnastics, she will get there. Elephants, horses, zebras, tigers... all trained well and the kids thought it was amazing. Here is some of the fun we had: High wire act.

The tiger Tamer. Awesome

They are walking on the ceiling....how cool is that.

Rick loved watching the 2 girls get shot out of a cannon.

Twilight Mom

2010-01-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, If you are a Twi-hard like me! Check out www.twilightmoms.com for everything twilight! There are also cool giveaways (currently Walls of Wisdom) and contests! so check them out!

I'm 29 (plus 1)

2010-01-21T09:09:00.001-08:00

January 9th markd the 1st anniversary to my 29th birthday, wasn't really looking forward to this day at all, Nick is already taking turing 30 hard, and now its my turn, and he is giving me lots of crap for it too, lots of old jokes. But anyway, so Nick took me out to my fav italian place for lunch, Bucca De Bebbo- Yummy! and then we got ready for an 80's birthday party that my great friend Jenny Saville thru for me! Its was a lot of fun, and helped keep my mind off of a little number. Here is the fun we had, check out what I'm wearing! Were a crazy bunch!

Heres Jenny and her bottle of non-alcoholic wine!

I love you Jenny! Thanks so much!

My favorite cake: Strawberry short cake, isn't it beautiful,

Jenny slaved all day to make it for me!

We played a really fun game of The Price is Right with 80's merchandise

pricing, its really fun to see what was how much things were just 29 + 1 years ago.

Me and my Hottie of a husband!

Munni your making me blush, oh wait, that's just the hot pink blush I'm wearing!

New Years 2010

2010-01-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

So this new years it was our turn to host, and wow, a lot of work too! I'm a little partied out, could use a bit of a break from hosting! anyways, my friend Munni helped out and she helped out big time- girl you rock! Adults only party, and it was hard to find sitters because the youth also had a dance that night, but we had a great turnout: Just see how much fun we had. The theme was ROCKBAND, and a couple people did dress up as thier favorite artist, so that was cool. We played a card game, guesstures and of coarse...Rockband, which is a lot of fun with a big group of people!

supergirl Munni and Me

Pink and Fergie

Christmas 2009

2010-01-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas this year! Kids got pretty much what they wanted and then some. We started off Christmas eve with making cookies for Santa, made a ham dinner and invited the Saville's over for dinner, went and saw some lights and then to bed. Emma got a new princess castle doll house, an easy bake oven, a new scooter, more art supplies, a hamster in a ball, and silly bands. Rick got a new bike, bumble bee action figure, disney cars, remote control dump truck, art supplies, a bounce ball, and books. I gave Nick tickets to the Predators game, a jersey to wear, a new watch, and clothes. Nick got me a new computer which is just awesome and so much more convenient, a bosu ball, an I-home, and a new hat. We also got some family gifts too: new furniture for the front room and Rock band which has been so much fun to play! We have been truly blessed this past year and are truly grateful for great friends and family for their love and support.

Rick and Emma sportin the new pajamas from Grandma Hamilton

Christmas Party

2010-01-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

Dec 19th was the ward Christmas party and me and Nick were asked to participate, first we had to decorate a table and a theme to go along with the table. We decided on "What Christmas means to me" by Stevie Wonder and then we put on a Lindy Hop Dance routine to it. We had a lot of fun and Nick really came through on the footwork, he was awesome for the little prep time we had to do it. Here's Jenny and Tyler, the Saville's did: The Grinch, which was amazing and funny!

They have already dressed up as the grinch a few times for halloween and now Christmas,

I think they are finally done, but it was sooo cute.

The dance routine.

I love you Nick, you did amazing!

Christmas happenings...

2010-01-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 19th Emma's Girl Scout troop went to the Chaffin Barn for Dinner Theatre. Emma loved the show, to my surprise, now she wants to see more, which is good since the girl wants to be a rock star one day!Here is Emma with the Cast

Me and Emma at our table

The Troop

Emma made this gingerbread house at school, isn't it AWESOME!

Aunt Holly came by for a short visit, Emma was super excited to see her and dressed up

in her halloween costume to show her.

Rick and Holly playin around!

Sisters....it was great to spend some time with her, she will be back towards the end of

January and spend more time.

Breakfast with Santa

2010-01-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

On December 12th, we took the kids to have breakfast with Santa, they just loved it. Emma and Rick got to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas, Emma wants a drum set and Rick wants more cars! Our friends, the Savilles, were also there too! It was a great time!

Tyler and Rick with Santa

Luke 2:10-11

2009-12-22T14:13:00.000-08:00

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

May the true spirit of this wonderful season be with you and your family as you celebrate our Saviors Birth. God Bless and have a Great New year!

Marcia, Nick, Emma, and Rick

Fun stuff...

2009-12-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

Rick and Tyler and Pinkerton Park, they sure are the best of buds!Love to Ride Bikes

Emma loves to climb trees at Cenntenial Park

Just Love my kids. Cheesers

Train Rides at Opry Hotel

I love you Nick!

The Parthenon, is an exact replica of the real Parthenon located in

Cenntenial Park in downtown Nashville. This was really cool.

Here's Emma posing like the statue in the museum of the Parthenon.

The HUGE statue of a greek god,

The ole' Chattanooga express, Rick loved the big Choo Choo!

Me and my gal pal Jenny livin it up Indian Style on Thanksgiving.

Christmas Time is Here!

2009-12-08T07:27:00.001-08:00

Me and Rick on Thanksgiving

Me and Emma got to meet the rocketts

Watch out for those kicking legs!

New Moon!

2009-12-08T07:21:00.001-08:00

On November 19th at midnight, me and the girls went to the midnight showing of New Moon, it was CRAZY! We first saw Twilight at Nine and then the Movie of the year and it was AWESOME! !!! The best part of the whole experience is being with the girls and acting silly, can't really do this around the husbands and get away with it! Just so much fun! and a very late night for all of us moms!

This is me and my home girl Munni

This is Steven Fiske (17) from my ward, isn't he a dead ringer to Edward!

And we just had to get a pic with him, he was his own celebrity this night, he had a long line of girls just wanting a picture with him!

Me and my gal pal Jenny!

Happy Birthday Nick!

2009-12-08T07:14:00.001-08:00

Nick was hopin that his birthday would go unnoticed this year (he is now the number between 29 and 31- we don't talk about it!) but I can't do that! so we had a BBQ over at our good friends (who are now more like family!) house the Savilles. I love you Nick! Happy Birthday Love!

Home Sweet Home

2009-11-12T07:11:00.001-08:00

On Oct 1st, we moved into a home from our apt. We are loving it! 2800sf, 4 bedrooms 2 bonus rooms, backyard, deck, formal dining. Emma is still in the same school, and the kids just love having room! We have storage, ahh room, did I mention we have room! Lovin every minute of it!

More Halloween fun..

2009-11-12T06:50:00.000-08:00

We had a lot going on for Halloween this year. We had a great ward party, Emma had fall fling at school and then there was Pumkinfest and then trick or treating. Needless to say, the kids are set for a while with candy!!!!

Emma on our porch as the cuttest tiger you ever did see!

Our little Nemo!

Trick or treating with friends! Rick loved trick or treating, he wanted to go and go,
Emma was the little quitter, she wanted to stop.
Pumpkin carving with dad.

Jump zone at pumpkin fest

Chewbacca at pumpkinfest

Me and Emma at her fall fling at school

Here she is and she scored the goal.

The Savilles (Cindy Lou Who, Max, and the Grinch) at ward party.Rick Trunk or Treating

Rick and Tyler at the Fish Pond

Emma at the fish pond.

Emma (ladybug) and her friends Victoria and Malia

For the trunk or treat, I tried to decorate our trunk to look like a cave.

Halloween Party

2009-11-12T06:38:00.000-08:00

Me and my friend Kyla decided to throw a couples Halloween Party, we threw it at her house and had lots of laughs. We had a Candy Corn throwing contest, donut eating contest (yes, me and Nick won that one), costume contests, Trivia, Tragic Sam (guessing body parts game), and Chubby Pumpkin. It was a great time to spend with friends and have some laughs.

Here is the Candy Corn toss

Me, Jenny, and Kyla

Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch! Best costume ever! (aka: Jenny and Ben)
Here is Seth and Cassy, they are from Harry Potter?

Me and Nick as cave dwellers!

Rick's Birthday Continued...

2009-11-11T06:30:00.001-08:00

On Sept 20th, Me and Jenny threw a combined birthday party for Rick and Tyler (since they are so close together) The theme: all the things little boys love. We had Elmo cake, Nemo pinata, Cars goodie bags, and Thomas the train twinkies. It was a lot of fun for those little boys. Emma was not able to attend, she was at home with dad with the flu.

Here are the 3 friends, Rick, Donovan and Tyler pushing their cars around. You

will never find Rick with out one of his cars in his hands, he loves to play with his

cars and even has a car in his hand at bedtime.

Jenny and Tyler and the gifts he got.

Rick opening up his gifts

Blowing out the candle.

Tyler got a good hit on Nemo

Rick in his birthday hat.

Thomas the train tweenkies that Rick helped me make.

Rick didn't like hitting Nemo too much.

Jenny made this Elmo cake, she did an awesome job, I couldn't have done it!

Purity Dairy Farms

2009-11-11T06:24:00.000-08:00

Here is rick and his Best Bud Tyler and the rest of the mommy and me crew at the Purity Dairy Farms, where the kids got to watch a really old movie about how milk and other dairy products are made as well as eat free ice cream. Guitar shaped ice cream.
The Crew

Me, Rick, Jenny and Tyler

Girls Scout Camp 2009

2009-11-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

Emma went to her first scount camp Sept 11-13. It was a perfect weekend for camping. We had a lot of fun together. We went to camp sycamore hills. Look at all the fun we had.The main barn had a tunnel slide from the second story to the outside,

the girls loved sliding down.
Here's the troop after the hay ride.

Emma on the rope bridge.

Emma, Mary and Sloane.

Heres Emma making swaps.

Emma fell asleep first out of all the girls (this is suprising). While she was

asleep, the rest of the girls were having a spa party. She missed out.

Carnton Cup

2009-10-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Last month our ward had the Carnton Cup Volley ball tournament and this is my team: Spiked Heels! We wore our Twilight shirts and just had so much fun, we came in 2nd to last place which is pretty good considering we didn't practice and really didn't know what we were getting ourselves into, but we had a great deal of fun. Love ya girls!

Left to right: Amber, Aimee, Me, Kathy, Katie, Munni and Alli

Here we are in those heels! sexy

go to this website to check out the winning moment:
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/6039816/15698632

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK!

2009-09-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my little guy is 2 already. Where has the time gone! Rick is boy through and through. He knows the ABC song, he loves to watch Super Why and Seseme street, He loves cars, nemo and Elmo, he loves to ride his bike, climb just about anything, kick his soccer ball around, and play with his best bud Tyler. He is very much a daddy's boy. He loves his daddy soo much and is daddy's little shadow. We had a little family party for him and took him to toys r us to pick out a gift or two. Rick got a little people train set from Emma and he picked out a scooter and lego blocks at toys r us. We will have another party later this month with his friend Tyler who turns 2 next week, that will be a combined party.

Not So Talented Show!

2009-09-17T10:31:00.001-07:00

So our ward had an activity last month called the "Not so talented show" which is basically made up of different acts lip singing to various artists. This was so much fun! Me and Nick were the B-52's singing Love shack. I had a red wig on, and a crazy outfit. Emma came on stage to perform with us, she was Breakdancing and it must be said: she stole the show, she was AWESOME! (some of my pics are not so great, it wasn't the best of lighting, I didn't take them) But the night was soo much fun and sooo entertaining. Our ward has the best activities.

Here we are as the B-52's

Bro. Dave Nabrotski

Bro. Williamson as the King
The Beasty Boys

Here is me and my friend Jenny (she was Madonna)

Just look at those outfits huh!

Bro. Hart and the youth Dancing to "THRILLER"

Ahh Date Nights with Nick

2009-09-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

So me and Nick try to at least get out with each other once a month. Courtship doesn't end with marriage and we sure love to court each other. We do all kinds of things....rock climbing, dinner, movie. Its all good with the one you love! Arcade anyone!

TThis was taken at the Mellow Mushroom pizza, sooo good! During the Franklin Jazz Festival.
It was great to dance and be together.

This was at a P.F. Changs china bistro (which was excellent) and then we saw "GI Joes" afterwards, which was also excellent, I really didn't think I would like that movie.

1st Day of School

2009-09-14T14:36:00.000-07:00

Emma is in school and lovin every minute of it. She is riding the bus for the first time

and is sooo excited about it. She is just growing up too fast.

Happy Birthday EMMA!

2009-09-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Emma turned 6 Aug 2nd. Wow, she is soo grown up. We had a party at the house with some of her friends, it was sopose to be a swimming party, but sadly the weather didn't cooperate. Still...we had fun. Emma got a hannah montana mic, swim gear, make your own jewelery, art supplies, and her favorite...a leapster. We love you Emma! Emma got a Hannah Montana microphone. She is a future star!
We went rock climbing, Emma loves to climb.

Rick did AWESOME

Emma loves to swing too!

Happy Birthday to you

Pioneer Day

2009-09-14T14:17:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I am way behind, so my posts are not going to be too detailed!

Pioneer Day at the church July 25th. The kids had lots of fun. Wagon Rides

Sack Races

Petting Zoo

July is Party Month

2009-07-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

What a month it has been, I put together 2 birthday parties for my friends, Emma has been to 3 birthday parties so far this month, she will have her Birthday pool party on Friday the 31st. We have done a lot ya'll. So July is party month, but it has been a lot of fun. Special thanks to Munni Lux for all of your help. You rock girl. Take a look at some fun....

Here we are a Malia Dotson's birthday party at chuck e cheese!

On this day we went to Rain Forest Cafe in Opry Mills, went and saw a free movie and walked arund the mall, its the biggest mall I've ever been to.

Rick at Chuck E Cheese

Shyla Lux Princess Birthday Party

Each of the girls got their hair done, nails and makeup.

Nashville Temple

Emma went as Bell, and she is at the ball. (she's the Bell of the ball)

Me and Nick at the temple before a session.

We only have a week and a half until school starts, I really can't wait for school to start, its hard to keep Emma busy, and yet, the summer isn't over.