Spring Break 2011

This spring break we decided to take a short weekend trip to Flagstaff. We didn't get to go sledding but had a great time playing in snow, going to the Lowell observatory, swimming in the hotel pool and just hanging out as a family. When we got home we continued to find fun things to do. Some of the highlights were going to the skate park, going on a 8 mile hike up to the towers on South mountain, swimming at Hamilton pool and going to the movies. I especially enjoyed the break because when Nick goes back to school tomorrow I will be starting my new job. Just this last week I became official again when I recieved my RN license in the mail. I have mixed feelings about going back to work but I do know that this is what I should be doing right now. I have felt the guidance of Heavenly Father through this whole process of getting my license back and the way that things have fallen into place I know I am on the right track. My heart is filled with gratitude.

The final picture on this post happened about 3 weeks before spring break. Nicholas has always been an energetic and fun kid but he also has a softer side. Unfortunately not everyone gets to see that side of Nick. Well this year I guess his teacher got a glimpse of it because one day he came home with a note stating he would be getting the caring award for the grading period. I am so proud of Nicholas. He has already overcome many obstacles in his short little life but he is a fighter and I know he will accomplish great things in his life.

20th Anniversary Trip

On December 20th 2010 Dale and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. Since December is always such a busy time of year we chose to go on a trip, for the first time without Nick, in January. We thought of many exotic locations but ended up going to California. We ended up having a great time. We went to Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles Temple, Universal Studios, The Jay Leno Show, Disneyland, visited friends, went shopping, went to the movies and even had a chance to relax and sleep in a couple of days. Many of you know that I have serious hotel anxiety. I am happy to report that we did not have a single problem with either one of our hotels. We both realized that this is something we definately don't want to wait another 20 years to do. I am so grateful for my wonderful husband and look forward to being with him forever.

Arizona Science Center

This year we chose to get a pass to the Arizona Science Center. Nicholas has been completely fascinated with the place. His favorite things to do there is watch the fire display and play with the blocks.

Canada Summer 2010

All my siblings and Mom at our family reunion.

Horsebackriding at Waterton.

At the top of Bear's Hump looking down at Waterton village.

All of us that hiked up Bear's Hump.

Feeding a squirrel on the top of Bear's Hump in Waterton National Park.

Nick enjoying the dirt bikes on the Draper farm.

The Woolf's home where we stayed on our second visit.

Nick playing with the newborn kittens on the Woolf farm.

Snowball sucking on Nick's finger....yuk

Nick enjoying the animals on Gloria's farm.


Gloria and friends on her farm.

Mom and me.

Grandma telling stories.

Enjoying Banff with Mark's wife Jodi and the kids.

Last summer we made two trips to Canada. One was in June because I happen to find really reasonable ticket prices. Nicholas was out of school so the both of us left Dale behind and headed to Canada for about a week. It was a great trip and I was able to see so much of my family. The next trip was the end of July and this time we went up for a family reunion. Dale came with us this time and we drove the 26 hours one way. It too was a great trip. I am grateful to the Woolf family that allowed us to stay in their beautiful home while they were away on vacation. I do love living in the United States but Canada will always have a special place in my heart. Things that I love about Canada are: clean fresh air, friendly people where ever you go, beautiful nature, wide open spaces and of course my family. Here are a few random pictures of out two trips.

More Canada Summer 2010

More Canada pictures:
Family picture in front of Gloria's barn

Gloria and I still friends after all these years.

Nick and Grandma Yawney in Roseline's yard.

Jeanne one of the best cooks in the family.

Nick and I at Banff.

Mom with her favorite Seagulls.

Nick having fun with his cousins Zachary and MaKenzie.

Nick and his cousins in their jammies.

Turning 8

Well my little guy is turning 8 this Sunday and I can't express in words how lucky I feel to have had him in my life for this 8 years. He makes me laugh, he makes me scream, he makes me cry and he makes my heart melt. He can be so rough and tough and then a younger friend will come over and he turns into this amazing caring "big brother". Little kids love him because he is very entertaining. He is always making everyone laugh. Just the other day we were delivering his birthday invites. We stopped at a friend's house and Nicholas saw his younger brother at the door. As we were driving off he looked at me with his big sad eyes and said, "I feel so bad that Kash can't come too." He seriously felt so sad that I told him to go back to the door and let Kash's Mom know that Kash could come too. What would my life be without this treasure.

Back to School

A few months ago I once again started thinking about whether I should go back to school to get my RN license back. When we adopted Nick I quit working and as a result lost my license. Pretty much every time I would think about going back I would start having nightmares of me working with patients and forgetting to pass meds or neglecting a patient for an entire shift. This time around it was different. There were no nightmares. This made me start to consider it more seriously. I prayed about it and looked into the different refresher programs. I just got the impression that now was the time. In September I started a program at MCC and just recently completed the first portion and did better that I thought I would. I know that I have been guided throughout this whole process. I feel so blessed to be guided in this way. It is such a good feeling. Dale has been so supportive through this process which reinforces that I have the best husband ever. I am feeling very blessed at this moment.