Guess what happened this Morning!!!

Never thought I would be so excited for this.

I really hate posting without any pictures but I think it's time for a little update on us. Well Brad has finished his reffing for football and was asked to do Basketball. I think he is going to take a breather though and pass on that thank heavens! He is also the new 2nd counselor in the elders quorum. And he really is enjoying being a banker although still is planning on being a developer eventually.

The kids and I just got back from a trip to AZ. I am finding that no matter how long the trip I can never find the time to see everyone I want to and do all I want to either. It feels good to be back at home though as good as the trip was. Brad didn't get to go so I think that is why it's so sweet to be home again. I am the enrichment leader in the ward and just hosted a chocolate appreciation night and despite my never used chocolate fountain being broken right out of the box I feel like it went well.

Brad's truck is in the shop and we finally decided it's time to sale both of the vehicles and get something different for both of us. So I am pretty excited for that even though my 4runner has been amazing to me. I have been wanting to do this forever so I don't think it will be to hard to let it go.

As for the kids, Vanessa is a busy two year old and Brigg loves being with her. Brigg has stopped wearing his Batman Mask 24/7 mostly because I purposely left it in AZ. I think it was starting to change the shape of his face. So instead of being batman all of the time he is now back to buzz light year and shoots everyone he see's. I'm glad most people give a kind smile as I just can't seem to explain well enough that we only shoot bad guys.

Well that's us for now. Just mostly getting ready for the winter that I hear is going to come on earlier than usual. Isn't that just my luck huh! Have a happy Halloween.

Chuck Wagon Dinner Theater

The bank recently sponsored an event for the boys and girls club at this really awesome chuch wagon dinner theater. They had a little train there that the kids really loved and the entertainment was great. The location is of course beautiful too it has lots of red rock cliffs all around it (if my camera were working better I would have gotten some more pics).


Brad on occasion will ask me if I think he will be one of those Dorky dad's.....well honey if the hat fits.
Brigg was so happy they let him ring the bell on the train. Life doesn't get any better than that for my little three year old.

This one's for you Kell

So we have fallin in LOVE with Durango. There is so much to do here and the land is beautiful. You can't deny beauty even through a dirty car window. So here are a few scenic shots of our beautiful little valley

The above picture is part of what I look when I am driving to town. We live about five minutes out and at first I didn't know if I would hate having to drive but I find that I can't complain.

Here is Brigg's train. When we first moved here if we took him into town, which wasn't often for this reason, he wouldn't be quiet about the train. But everyday around seven or so the train comes back into town from Silverton and we try and catch it as often as we can. We have yet to take a ride but are planning on something for Brigg in the near future. He can't get enough!



Above shots are a little fourth of July fun in downtown. The guy with the camera looks a little goofy but don't worry he's a really cool republican so we were friends. There are so many liberal democrats here! This town is so fun they shutdown Main st for anything to have a parade or festival etc.
This is the Dora house that we found in our backyard upon arrival. I thought it was kindof cool until I picked it up and all of these nasty ear wigs came crawling out. They are everywhere up here. So I sprayed it down and the kids got a kick out of it. Brigg uses it as a parking garage for his cars mostly.
I will get some more pics up soon of some current things we have been up to my favorite being Brad in his Reff outfit, it's all football all the time around here. I am starting to see progress on this house of ours and getting projects done and the babies have adjusted really well so far. Love our ward to bits we spoke in sacrament meeting and no one left the room crying so so far so good.

Free Paint and pretzel parties

I know this tid bit would normally go on my ideastalker blog, however, I am so totally excited about this. Glidden is giving away free quart of paint until July 2nd. So if you don't want yours I totally do heehee. It's like they say on their website free is always a good color!! go to Glidden and get ya some!!!
Yesterday I think it finally hit me that I was leaving my beautiful hometown and I was a lot bummed. But I think that happens every time I leave for a new adventure. It only lasts for a little while until I snap out of it. So here's to the five year plan!! I think the kids are protesting the move too. Brad and I went to a reception last night leaving our kids in bed supposedly sleeping. When we came home my mom was in bed but my kids were on a destructive rampage. They knocked over full boxes and erased my to do list. They were snacking on pretzels and laughing when I found them. Probably celebrating what they had accomplished. It was so cute I didn't know if I should giggle and hug them or spank them and send them to bed. Brad says that he and his sister were the same way and it makes me scared about having my kids share a room in the new house. So back to packing for me. Have a great day!!!

Greener Pastures

After some serious thought, job interview, and a fantastic time we have come to a conclusion. It's a big one for our little family and I am really excited. Come July first we'll be moving to Durango, CO. Brad got a job at the bank up there and we said why not. It's so beautiful and it seems like they really have an active life style up there. We found a house to rent on our two day trip up, I was surprised that we were able to find one so fast. So it's just a matter of moving now. I am dreading it this time as I feel like our stuff is everywhere. But come July second I will be a happy box un-packer. So I will have picks to come on the new pad etc. This is only a five year plan because we really love AZ. So here we go to hopefully greener pastures.

I know I will be forever changed from going through the emotions of losing my father. I now stop in my tracks when someone else mentions that their father has passed away. Before I viewed it as just a part of life now I am moved with compassion. I think of when the savior wept for Lazarus only to raise him shortly after. I have learned so much from this and thought I might share some of the things that I've learned.

Hug, kiss, talk to, sit by or even sit on your daddies lap if you can get away with it when the times are good. It makes it easier When things aren't so good because you know that they know you love them.

Many people avoid the topic or tippy toe around bringing up my dad. Don't I want to remember him and think about how wonderful he is even if we cry.

Sympathy cards are great but it's good to laugh so a tasteful joke card is much needed.

Don't say, "if there's anything I can do let...." (u know the rest) but say what you can do to help.

I think the number one thing I have learned from all of this is It's important to make time for people even if it's putting off your to-do list. My dad was a great example of this his entire life. I don't think he ever told me he was too busy for me.

This has been ruff and probably one of the harder things I have gone through emotionally,after the funeral I think we all came home and crashed for three hours. I am thankful for the spirit because I know it carried us all that day.

Daddy

Peace finally came early this morning.

Today I hurt for what once was. Most days I can stay happy and look at life as just a chapter in a book. But not today. My big strong daddy is slipping fast. I hate the pain he is in and I hate that I can't do anything about it.