Bowdee's Year

So I deam this Bowdee's year to really get better at Wakeboarding. Bowdee started wakeboarding when he was just 5 years old and he has gotten better. Yet not as good as he would like to be. So I really believe along with him that this year his muscles have gotten strong enough where he just might show himself how much talent he has. So here is to you Bowdee I know you can get as good as you want. Love you man and thanks for having a little faith in yourself. Just so you know Bowdee has gone out of the wake but has always been quick to fall and never crossed back over the wake until this year. Here is the video of him wakeboarding this year. The first time out this season. As for the rest of us Terry and I just hope we can make it through another year with our old bodies without any major injuries. Treg it begging us to let him wakeboard on mommies new wakeboard cuz it is cool and he is strong enough to do it himself. Don't worry mommy is not brave enough to let that happen. Matia is still a little weary of the cold water yet she has fun boating and trying a little surfing here and there. We also took Dash out for the second time and this time he jumped out into the water and swam to Terry. I am just glad it was when I had the boat stopped. He did great and Dash is fitting into the family great.

Mother's Day

So wow how did I ever deserve to have such a wonderful family. Terry stayed home with the kids so I could go flower shopping with my mom on Saturday. This is always a treat for me because she is so good with flowers I am trying to learn all that she knows but I don't think I can. So then we mom and dad over for dinner and enjoyed their company with a delicous Pork omlet with green chili sauce - very good if you ever come over for dinner request this from Terry it is to die for.
Then the next morning I was awoke to breakfast in bed accompanied by my Sunday morning paper untouched! Bowdee made me some wonderful blueberry waffles and O.J. After I was left alone to enjoy my breakfast and paper then I got to open all my presents. I just love my family did I ever tell you that?
Then we took the boat out for the first time this year to make sure it still floated. The wind held off for us until we got off the water. Bowdee was the only one to jump in. The rest of us just chilled and soaked in the warmth of the sun for once - it felt really good. Then we came home just intime to watch the Jazz / Lakers game and oh what a game that was... Overtime and everything. WOW! If you don't know I just love watching the Jazz play.
After the Jazz was over Terry loaded the 4-wheelers and off we went to Isearal Canyon for a nice ride up to the top of the mountain. To be with my family out in the great out-doors is also one of my favorite things. So yes I was spoiled beyond belief today. And I am not really sure I deserve it. However I will take it and enjoy every minute of it. I love you guys so much.
I do have to say that Terry's mother is such an amazing person. She has been like a second mother to me. I know she geniunly cares what is going on in our lives and only wants the best for us. So thank you Kaye for taking so much time in the years gone by with your children and making them the loving caring family that you are. Love you.

Twilight

So most of you know that in all my spare time I love to sit down with a good book and take a little time out to read. Well I have not found a book I like as much as the Twilight Series in a very long time. During Christmas is when I began to read them and they were all read within 5 Days. I am considering reading them again, however my friend has me on another Vampire series right now and I am beginning to like them. So yes I am very excited about the fourth book coming out in August and the movie in December. I enjoy reading fiction books because it takes less brain power and when I read I read to relax. I love the mystery with a little love story mixed in with it. Another book I really loved reading was White Out. I can't remember the author but it was a great book if you are looking for one. Oh here is another trailer to the Twilight movie for you. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=33429669

Matia's Fieldtrip

So Matia also got a chance to go to the Bean Museum on a field trip as well. I was not lucky enough to go on this one however, a very good friend of mine was able to go and sent me some of the photos she took on the field trip. Matia is also a good example of what a Kindergartner student should be. She is always listening with her cute ears. And she tries so hard to be a good friend to everyone. I love your spunky darling personality Matia. I love the way you always want to make me happy. With your surprises and paper crafts all over my house. Love you babe Thanks for being you.

Horse Riding with my Daddy

So I thought I would expand on myself for a moment for those that don't know this about me. Ever since I was very little I have had a few things that I can't explain why but I could never get enough of them and when I was really hurting during different times in my life I would cling to these things. One is the love of horses. I remember my first horse Princess I loved her so much she was a auburn Quarter Horse that was a perfect ride for us small children. I loved horses but there was nothing like a horseback ride along with my dad. I can't explain the freedom I feel from all the day to day pains in life. I have a sense of completness when I am riding next to my dad on the horse. I feel safe next to my dad, I feel like he would never let anything happen to me. My dad also gives me a sense of determination. That yes, I Kristi can do anything I set my mind to. He has always had more faith in myself then I ever did. And when I am around him it rubs off on me and I feel that I can do anything. Well almost you see we went riding on a bright Sunday morning just the two of us. However it was a very windy day and our horses have not been ridden much in the wind so they were spookey and there was only one hill I would not follow him up because of the mood Ruby my horse had been in. I loved every minute of it and I cherish those moments more then my dad will ever know.

The other love of my life is water. I love to swim, I would also follow my dad into any lake he jumped in. And my dad would jump in alot of lakes. So every year for my birthday if I wasn't going on a horseback ride with my dad we were borrowing my Grandpa Bennions boat and we were boating. I have always loved the feeling I get when I am surrounded by water on a boat. Wether it is a kayak, raft, ski boat, cruise ship. I love them all but I especially love the time I spend on our boat as a family. Thank you dad for everything you do for me and have taught me to be. I love you.

Bowdee's Fieldtrip

So I truely feel so privelaged to go on a fieldtrip with Bowdee and his whole 2nd grade to the Bean Museum. Wow it really opened my eyes to how great of a child Bowdee is. I am always being complimented by Bowdee's teachers of how great a boy he is and I say "Ya I really lucked out". However after this fieldtrip I will never take him for granted again. Bowdee if you ever read this I want you to know from the deepest of my heart I love you and I love the person you are. I am so lucky to have you in my life. What would I ever do without you as my son. Thank you for all you do!

Townsends Easter Party

After the hunt we loved counting our 6 Blue Eggs and 9 any other color eggs. We are kept thinking and using our brains by the great guidelines given before each hunt. And of course always looking for the wild green egg and the black jelly bean.
Troy and his girls. What a delight to have them around. How lucky is Troy to have 3 special ladies in his life?
Talesha surounded by her sweet family. We are so excited to have a new one around next year. Congrats Talesha we hope this pregnancy goes well for you.
Glen I don't think we told you thank you for coming and being a part of the family even though Cindy couldn't make it. You are the man. Not very many people would have displayed this kind of courage and dedication as you did today. We missed you Cindy I hate it when the work life interfers with real life!
Tomas and Isabela fending for themselves while their mom was rushing about taking photos of the whole ordeal. Not that I can talk but hey it feels good not to be alone. We love you and your darling family Tara and we will pray your family grows to 4 soon. Good luck this week let us know if we can help you.

So a little late it always better then never. Things were so crazy around Easter that we put our annual easter egg hunt until now. It is always hard to find a time that everyone can get together in a family this size. But wow is it ever worth it. The memories we create and the moments that won't be forgotten. The time we have to just talk with one another just is something we can't replace. I am so thankful for family. To have people in this world who are connected to you through something stronger. I cherish the time I have with both of our families to get to know each other even better. We are always changing and we will never know each other truly unless we keep those bonds strong and renew them often. Thank you Kaye and Chuck for allowing us to gather together and strengthen these bonds. And I must say the $5.00 I made in the Easter Egg hunt is always nice as well. The kids loved getting together with their cousins and just having fun.

Gateway Childrens Museum

So this week the kids and I have been creative to find cheap fun activities to do since we couldn't go away like everyone else for Spring Break.

So we have been swimming and playing raquetball and gaming at home and other things. But yesterday we splurged and went to the childrens museum at the Gateway Mall in SLC.

I have heard over and over it is worth the money definately take your kids. Well I finally did and yep it was worth the money we spent a little more to get a 6 month pass.

We learned all about the body and how it works on Sesame Street. Then we got to board a Life Flight Helicopter and decided that was the last time we ever wanted to be in one.
But we are thankful they are here to help those that really need them, like Aunt Tonia. It was simply amazing the grocery shopping was wonderful and all the kids loved the imaginative room upstairs where they had all sorts of things to create with. It was one fun day and if you haven't been you should go. It was $8.50 a person heck like Troys says thats as much as a movie these days.

West Canyon

So this weekend our whole family felt the urge to go away and be together for a little healing time. So we went way out in the West Desert toward Dugway.
Kyle and some of his friends also decided to go to the same place so we went with them and shared mom and dads trailer. Which makes this a little less stressful on me being the mom and making sure the kids are warm and clean.
So it was a good weekend. We went back to the Geode Beds next to Topaz Mountain and found some really cool Geodes. Anyway it was some great fun and good memories.

Dash

So we finally did it! We added on to our family. We have a new member he is a boy we adopted him on April 5th. Dash is a Labradoddle, which is a mix between a lab and a poodle. He is a very sweet boy, although we are working through some obedience issues. However he is great with the kids and we feel he is teaching them alot. We took Dash camping with us this weekend and he was a real trooper. So here is to our first indoor pet since our chipmunks. Wish us a little luck! Yes Tonia, Terry's sister who just passed away inspired us to add on to our family. She was such a dog lover it just seemed like the perfect time, the time we have been waiting for.

Tonia's Accident

So wow where do I start I guess if you don't know already you can check out all the details on Tonia Blogspot at http://toniaeccles.blogspot.com. Here you will find that Terrys sister Tonia, just 2 years older than him was involved in a bad jeep accident. She pulled over to throw up and hit the curb and it flipped her jeep 2-3 times. She was life flighted to IHC in SLC and there she was in the ICU Shock and Trauma unit for over a week. Tonia ended up getting an infection called MRSA, which can be deadly to healthy people. She didn't make it, however she did make her dream come true by saving 3 peoples lives by donating when hers ended. Tonia was an amazing person, I truely feel blessed to have known her as well as I did. I felt like Tonia was my own sister. She had a way of showing how much she cared for everyone. What an amazing person. I wanted to thank everyone that helped me the week she was in the hospital. So many people babysat or carpooled or brought dinners all so that I could spend as much time possible with my very dear friend and sister. I will never forget the thoughtfulness each of you demonstrated to me and my family. I know Tonia is now in a better place and we will miss her much. But Tonia will forever be in my heart as we continue through this life. Thanks Tonia for your perfect example of what I should be.

St. Patricks Day

So if you don't leave out a little green magical box for the leprechauns then you are sure missing out. Of course those little devils messed up the house again. But the kids didn't mind cleaning their mess when I told them if they don't then I will throw away their magical boxes. Because the boxes are what get the leprechauns to come and leave them little green gifts. Then of course we had green pancakes and eggs, then clover sandwiches and the whole works. We celebrate St. Patricks because I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful happy life. I have nothing to complain about. My husband is so dang cute and loveable. And not to mention my kids are the best. Happy Green Day!

Tregs 4th Birthday

March 15, 2008 - So today Treg had another birthday and guess what he is now 4. Treg is so much fun to be around. His moods change as quick as the Utah weather. He is happy one moment and within the same breath everything can go bad just like that. But it is all good because I feel like I understand him. I guess that tells you a little about me huh. Well it is the way it is. Treg decided last year on his 3rd birthday that his 4th birthday would be a "Daf Vador" Birthday and he has stuck with it. Well mom put a little Jedi twist to it but it was a fun party. With all his preschool friends here to celebrate. We made light sabors, then raced pods, then we did light sabor training with balloons and just had a great time. Thank you to all Tregs friends for being so good to him. Oh and Treg I love it when you tell me "When I was a kid I use to..." I just love how now in your mind you are so grown up. What will you think when you turn 8?

Tregs 4th Birthday Slide Show

Matia's 6th Birthday

March 11, 2008 - I just can't believe my baby girl is already 6! I can remember it like it was last week, bringing our sweet bundle of pink home to brighten things up a little. Wow has she ever proven to be a bit of sunshine in our lives. With Matia part of our family we don't feel like we miss out on anything. She adds enough spunk and personality for 10. Matia I sure love the little lady you are becoming always sweet to everyone. And you are always concerned for those who are going through unhappy moments. Thank you for being part of our lives. I love the way you crave cheese and fruit. I love the way you walk right up to school so independant and strong. I just love you, Happy Birthday CutiePie!

Matia's 6th Birthday Slide Show

Welcome Joey

Today yet another miracle happened in our lives. We saw the work of God as he granted us the pure joy of spending time with one of his special loved ones. Joey made the great trek to the good old Earth to join Kyle and Emilee's family. Tayla and Lily both became big sisters and just love the fact they have a special baby. It feels like just yesterday we were in Flaming Gorge when they found out God had plans for them to be parents yet one more time. Joey I love you tons and hope you will always feel of this love for you. Kisses Forever Aunt Kristi

Ice Fishing

March 2, 2008 - Whenever I hear of myself going ice fishing I am reminded of a funny joke my aunt Jeanette told me. It was of a lady who went to a mental institute and told the counselor she would like to have her husband admitted. The counselor asked her what his signs were and she responded. "Well he goes Ice Fishing." The counselor immediatly responded "Good enough for me". Ya well you kinda have to be crazy to go and sit on a huge block of ice, drill a hole, bate a hook and sink it down the hole. Then you just wait and wait for something to happen. And to think we drug our 3 children along for this torture... So actually it is not as bad as it sounds. We do love the time we have there and it creates in incredible bonding time. So yes we got skunked and yes the guy next to us with only one pole and no tent or chairs or heater caught 3 big ones. HUH makes me think what we are doing wrong. Well it was fun and I have to admit without Terry I sure would miss out on alot of fun in life. Thanks Terry for pushing me a little more when I need it.