Random Pictures but worth posting...

Kenzie just had gotten her cute hat and a candy necklace from her grandma!! She loved them!!

Hanging out in the hammack

My 85 year old grandma and my mom on our quad!! Don't mess with these ladies!!

Can you totally see what word she is saying? I guess I told her to say "cheese', but trying to get a nice picture lately seems to be impossible!

What a daddy's girl!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Garrett and I decided to head out early on thursday to make sure that we were going to get a good camping spot for the weekend. And it was a good thing that we did. It was super busy and come Friday afternoon we would have been out of luck. We camped by Bear Canyon Lake which is in the same area as Woods Canyon Lake. We brought the quad and a fun boat to take out on the lake. So thurday night Garrett and I took Kenzie on a walk. Well, we got totally turned around and thought that we would be spending the night out in the forest. We walked for a good 2 hours and then came upon someones cabin in the middle of nowhere. thankfully for us the owner had just gotten there a few hours earlier!! So we knocked on the door and asked for a ride back to our camp!! i was so relieved to find someone to help us. so the moral of the story is to not go on walks at night unless you have your GPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the weather decided to be rainy the whole weekend. We were pretty much wet the whole time, but it was fun to have my parents, sister, grandma, brother and sister in law, brother in law, and nephew with us. The boat was really cool too. It was so nice to be able to turn all the way around and just cruise on the lake!! it was more fun than I thought it would be. Have you ever had that happen where your spouse wants something and says it will be fun and you seriously doubt it? but then in the end it was fun? Well this was totally one of those situations!! It was worth pulling the boat up!! ;)

kenzie and Grandpa and of course, a diet coke!

Me and kenzie cruisin' in the truck coming back from the lake!

Way to go Brett!! he caught 3 trout in about 5 minutes!!

Cute huh!? I love seeing my husband having fun with our daughter!! She loves him sooooo much!

Fossil Creek Hike

Garrett and his friend Ray went on an overnight hike April 24 to Fossil Springs just outside of Strawberry. He had a great time and enjoyed being outdoors except for the...

dog that bit Garrett as soon as they got to the falls. He wasn't even there 5 minutes and some drunk hippies obviously couldn't keep their dog under control. Lucky for the dog Garrett's 9mm wasn't with him!! He now has a J looking scar on his arm. He was tough though!!

This is a front view of the falls. I guess the falls were a lot higher before they tore down the dam.

"Macho, macho man..."

The Packer's Visit

So where have I been the last few weeks...oops ;) So, our friends Mollie and Eric came up from Idaho and stayed with us for a few days. We had lots of fun playing on the dance mats, going on a cookout, and touring the Science Center. Garrett and Eric raced in wheelchairs- that seemed to be their highlight! They also have a really cool nature center where you stand on this platform and the presentation takes you through a journey of different types of weather and natural disasters. As the video changes you experience the wind, rain, heat lamps for the sun and a volcano, the platform shakes for an earthquake, thunder sounds, ect. That was definately the coolest part of the science center!!

Eric and Garrett jammin' out on the dance mats

Racing the wheelchairs!!

The Last 2 weeks

So the last two weeks have seemed to go by so fast!! We have had lots going on with school and work, family visiting, easter and camping!! So first, we sold our four wheeler and bought us a newer Scrambler. Garrett is so happy to have a four wheel drive quad again!! We love crusin around the forest on it!!

Secondly, over general conference weekend my two sisters flew in from Utah and so we got to have some fun with them!! We enjoyed a nice hike, some good food, and just hanging out!! That weekend we also celebrated Easter while they were here. My parents got cute easter baskets for the everyone and did the annual...Easter Egg Hunt!! We act like a bunch of kids taring through the house finding eggs. It is such a sweet thing to add up the amount of money you collected total!! My parents give the best egg hunt ever, you guys rock!!

Kenzie is starting to get the hang of how to color the eggs!

Kenzie enjoying her play pool and the slide into it!!

Third, garrett and I took my friend Charissa to the Easter Pagent!! I forget how many people get there soooo early!! We got there at about 7 and ate our KFC, and enjoyed the pagent. Kenzie did ok until the last 30 minutes and she was done!! But such a great reminder of what the Lord has done for us and the true meaning of Easter!!

Fourth, since we had a long weekend due to Good Friday we packed it up and headed to the Rim to do some camping!! We knew it would be cold but did not expect the 6 inches of snow. We enjoyed eating, riding the quad, drinking hot chocolate to stay warm, the boys went fishing and brought back some trout, and taking a ride into Payson to load up on more warm clothes for the kids!! Then on sunday, we set out the easter baskets, and laid the eggs in the snow for the girls to collect. kenzie got a cute horse sticker/coloring book, the movie Bolt, and some candy. Of course she was super excited about Bolt and the horse book, and enjoyed eating her ring pop!!

Our family fun in the snow!!

Garrett's successful fishing provided dinner that night!! Great job love!

Kenzie all decked out for the snow! kids are so hard to keep dry and warm!!

Kenzie enjoyed crawling through the snow and barking like a dog. It was really funny and she had a blast!! Side note, galoshes, the shoes(not sure if I spelled it right) are the best for keeping feet dry!! kenzie was tromping through 4 inch mud puddles and not a bit of water got in!!

Garrett enjoyin the four wheel drive on the new quad!!

Kenzie LOVED to pick up snow and throw it at Rusty (not our dog, our friends). She probably threw him snowballs for a good hour. But hey, she was having fun and rusty loved having someone to play with!!;) Side note, this dog ran in front of the four wheeler and got run over not once, but TWICE! The second time all four tires ran him over and spit him out. And, it didn't even faze him. Not a yelp, or an injury. That is one tough dog!

Kenzie finding the Easter basket and realizing that she got Bolt. Her face says it all!!

Well, that sums up our fun times!! hope that everyone else had a great Easter!!

My 2nd Quilt!!!

Its official-I am addicted!I love to make quilts!! SO tonight I finished my second one!! I used the scraps from Kenzies to make it! Thanks mom for your help and ideas!

Kenzie in March

So this is all about my bug, Kenzie. She has had her share of tantrums, and drama, but lately she seems to be coming into her own. She constantly is saying new words and chatting my ear off. She is being a much better listener, and such a sweet heart. The other morning Kenz and I slept in and I started feeling a little hand in my cheek. Yep, it was kenzie stroking my cheek and saying so soft and sweet, "Hi mommy". I just melted. she was waking me up so cute.

Here is Kenzie with a loved activity-Playdough! And if you look hard enough you will see that she had a bump on her head and scrathes on her nose. Yah, that was from her falling on the concrete face first. Poor Girl!!

Here is me and my girl at Christopher Creek. I love being able to play with and show her new things!
I bought her a cute little growth chart and now we are marking her progress. I love the crazy hair before bed!! And of course she is carrying a giraffe. She usually has some animal in her hands.

Happy St.Patty's Day. This picture is what we see lots in our house. She loves to dance and when she does, she closes her eyes, turns in circles and makes hilarious facial expressions. If you tell her to shake her booty she tosses the junk in the trunk.

Our cute little girl

Debrief of Spring Break

Well, our nice week off came to an end. But, we did have a great time. We ended up going camping with some friends and enjoyed the nice weather. We started out at Lake Roosevelt and then headed up to Christopher Creek area just outside of Payson. Here is Kenzie loving our friends dog, Rusty. She also enjoyed sitting on his back and yelling, "Yee Ha"

A family picture by Christpher Creek

"Does this swimsuit make my butt look big?"

I have to share this story because my daughter is adorable. Kenzie loves swimming and every time we see the pool she states "swimsuit" as excitedly as she can. Those who have witnessed her at a pool know what I am talking about! So, since she had grown out of her old one, Kenzie and I went to get a new one. We found some cute ones at Target and went in the dressing room to try them on. I put her in it and set her down in front of the mirror. Once she saw herself, he excitedly yelled, SWIMSUIT, and turned to the side to check out her butt in the mirror. She then took her hand and smoothed the suit over her butt and then pat her cheeks. I was dieing laughing!! I wish I had a camera to capture the moment but I wasn't fast enough!! Later that afternoon we showed Garrett the swimsuit and needless to say she wouldn't take it off!! So, she passes out on the couch for her nap in her swimsuit.

Our Weekend Getaway

So since spring break was about to start we decided that we needed a weekend away. Our plans of course changed by the minute, but we finally decided on Flagstaff. We dropped Kenzie to my parents, who totally rock and thanks a million, and headed up the mountain with our friends Dave and Shawnette. We enjoyed some bowling, movies, games, and food. It was so nice to be able to do whatever since no diaper changing or naptimes where involved. That night garrett and I were schooled on how to plan Texas Hold 'em. Goodthing we don't gamble for real cause that game is addicting, but it was a lot of fun. The next day we headed to Winslow and went on a four wheeler ride. Thanks Gary for making all that possible. Your a great father in law!! On our ride we went and saw Garrett's families dog's grave and the headstone that Garrett carved out. It was neat to see that the headstone was still there after 15+ years.

We also saw what was left of an airplane that had crashed which was a plane that had cloth wings. That is how old the plan wreckage was. thanks Vanna White aka: shawnette

We also saw the backroad that went to Flagstaff that people way back when would take to and from Winslow with their wagons. You can see the writing on the rock which was their road sign!!

After the ride we went downtown and saw "the corner" and then headed home.

Overall we had such a fun weekend. Now, we get to do some camping the rest of the week! Isn't spring break great!!

Cookout

So this weekend we had a great time with our friends Dave and Shawnette, at a cook-out at Saguaro Lake. W got out there at about 5:30 or so and just enjoyed being outside, sharing some laughs, and good food. The foil dinner which consisted of chicken and veggies(thanks shawnette for the new recipe) was delicious, and then of course berry cobbler and ice cream to top it all off!! Kenzie had a blast chasing around the dog Rusty, and then decided to start tree climbing. Everytime we go camping or have a cook out Kenzie ALWAYS ends up walking over the charcoal that was used to cook the cobbler. So, yet again, another pair of her tennis shoes have burns in the bottom! Then on Saturday, Dave took Garrett out on his bass boat and fished a lake called San Carlos. They caught about 12 Croppies and then had the pleasure of fileting them all.

Garrett and Dave using survivor man skills to start a fire

Rusty the dog, Abbi, and Kenzie just chillin eating grahm crackers

Kenzie tree climbing

Garrett and his catch for the morning!

Big Girl Bed...

Does anyone have any suggestions of when to move your toddler to a twin bed? Kenzie is almost to that point, however I am afraid that all it will be is a fight to keep her there! Any ideas?? Tips??

Presidents Day Hike

So since we had the day off we decided to go to Silly Mountain and do some hiking! It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed being with Garrett's sister Misty.
Everytime Kenzie puts blankets on her head it reminds me of a nun! She looked really funny and everytime I see this I have to laugh!

The Past few weeks...

Well things have been pretty good, just lots going on!! As with everyone else now- a-days, I am not sure I will be staying at my school next year, so the quest begins. Hopefully I can find another part-time job that is as great as mine now!! I should know next week if I am staying or going!!

Garrett is super busy with school and his calling in Young Mens. It seems that time with Daddy has dwindled but, I am so proud of all his hard work!! He is such a great student! He is also doing awesome in his quest for better health. He continues to run and stay motivated in eating better!So far he has lost 20lbs.!! He is stoked to be weighing in at 197!! It helps to have a spouse motivated and commited to being fit and eating healthy!! He has helped push me to do better too!! :) I am doing pretty well and am feeling soooo much better getting back on track with exercise. It is hard when you get in a streak of being busy and not motivated!

On Thursday, Kenzie fell down some stairs(3) and nailed her mouth pretty good. She was bleeding from the top of her two front teeth, and her lip was enormous and purple. So, that was a sad day for her and her last at the baby-sitters house. Her upper lip was huge and to humor it up, it looked like she had a lip job. Or even a "Who" off of The Grinch who Stole Christmas... Kenzie-lou-who!!

Saturday we went with some of Garrett's family to the Renaissance Festival. It was pretty neat minus the million girls who wore costumes that about let the ladies fly out!! We saw a sword swaller, a juggling show, jousting, hypnotist, and ate some great food!! Poor Kenzie couldn't leave without an injury-during lunch she slipped between the table and bench, and of course, nailed her lip yet again causing even more swelling and bleeding! That was twice in three days. Poor Baby!!

She did get to pet and hug a pretty goose! As well as..

rode the biggest horse she had ever seen!!

Her and I with a Fairy at the Festival. Kenzie was totally intrigued by her music playing and had a puzzled look on her face when the fairy wasn't talking back to her? I guess it takes a special kind of people to work there?!! That was evident!!

Here she is with a music playing dog (or "Fra"as kenzie would call it) that flaps his ears. She loves pushing the button!My Nanny in Charelston sent it home to her!!

Have a great week everyone!!!

School...

Has been great so far!! My two classes are online and i will have plenty to do!! For those who don't know what I am talking about, I am working at getting my Masters in Elementary Education!! i want to up my pay, but also have the flexibility to teach in the classroom or in P.E.!! So I am sure that I will be crazy by the end of the semester, but It will be worth it!! Who would have thought that I would continue school?? Wish me luck...

My First QUILT!!

i have never been much of a seamstress, but i have been wanting to try quilting so I could make some cool blankets. So, I did it. My mother in law helped me a ton-thanks NITA you rock!! It was started on Saturday and i finished the top of it by 1pm on sunday. Not too shabby!! I made it for kenzie so it is a horse/cowboy motif!! I think that she is going to love it. I still need to put on the border and have it quilted, but I am pretty proud! If you are a craft store lover I am sure that you have experienced the following: you have a idea of what you are going for- a few yards of fabric, and then you wander into another department and then start thinking of all the cute things you could make but probably wouldn't get to for months!! that was me every time I went into Joannes!By the way, hobby Lobby is just as addicting!! They have some killer sales!!Here are some picts of the almost finished product...

Christmas Day

My family has a tradition that a sheet is put up in the hallway to block everyone but "Santa" from seeing the tree on Christmas morning. So, it was fun this year to be able to tape Kenzie holding up the sheet and running to some gifts that santa had set out for her to play with! She was so cute!!

Another tradition that my family has is that you receive new pajamas to wear for Christmas. So here are all the cuties in their new pajamas. Too bad the only one holding still was Evelynne. Garrett got his Christmas wish for Nike Shox!! Thanks Santa!!

Kenzie playing with a cute set of Dinosaurs. Once she pulled out all the dinos she handed them all to Grandma so she could move on to the next toy. So needless to say G-ma became her storage for toys!!

Later on we had a great dinner, dessert was an Italian cream cake that I made, and then games. It was a great time and had a blast spending time with everyone!! Thanks for everything!!