FOURTH OF JULY IN SPRINGERVILLE ARIZONA

We had a great 4th of July in Springerville, AZ. That is where Danny was born and so it was great to see his 1st house, and so many places that mean a lot to him. Many from his mother's family and some from his dad's still live there. They have a tradition where July 4th at 6am they have a flag raising, which the young scout boys do. There are several musical numbers and a couple of speakers. It was really good. One of the oldest cousins, served in Vietnam and he spoke to us of patriotism and dedication and service. Another one of his cousins is the School superintendent and he spoke of what we can be doing now to serve our country and neighbors, etc... The music was wonderful and I really enjoyed myself. This tradition has been going for 17 years now! Afterwards, they do a big breakfast for EVERYONE there! It was good, lots of great food! Then we visit as we clean up and then we all went to the town parade. It was a good parade. My favorite's were the GIANT statue of liberty built over a crane lift. It was really tall and looked good! I loved the clysdales of course. They are one of my favorite horses! The wagon they carried was really cool as well. I also liked one of the graduating classes float. They were the older guys but apparently they threw water balloons at the crowd last time. So... one section of the crowd had water hoses and balloons ready for them. They started getting them really wet but then the float pulled up their seats and they had a water hose from a pump and they had balloons so it was a fun fight.... And last, they had firecrakers on one float, it was the electric company that was in charge of the nights fireworks... They had these bombs going on in metal tubes, they would shoot up a huge firecracker and the boom was ear popping! But it would shoot up tons of little parachooters that would slowly float down for the kids to catch. It was really cool!

Besides that stuff, we went to Danny's uncle's house to rope. I watched of course, though roping lessons are in the near future for me! Joe, and Pam Sirrine were there! That was a great surprise to see my old Mia Maid Leader that I loved so much! Her husband Josiah is a great man. I had a good time with him this weekend. Great rider! It was fun to watch him rope, he is great on horses! Doesn't have a lot to say as cowboys go :) But what he does say is usually right on the mark :) He really fell in love with my little boy. So the watermelon video is him enjoying Hyrum's attempt to suck every bit of juice out of that melon!

The drive to and from Springerville was good. I got a ticket on the way up which is ironic! I NEVER GET TICKETS!!!!! And last month I decided to never speed again, I promised the Lord I would not speed if he would keep me and my baby safe as we drive around... :) So I am coming thru an area with a gas station and.......... yea, nothing else.... And I guess there was a sign that said the speed went to 55 but I did not see it, so I got a ticket. The sad thing is that I had cruise control on 65 on the dot so that I would not speed on accident.... it stunk really bad! I probably didn't see it because Danny was reading Twilight to me and I had looked over at him as he asked me a question. We both have decided we really didn't like the movie. They missed way too much stuff!!!!! And they lost the cool personalities they each have and the movie lessoned the Vampires powers, and made the two look like non-personality, depressed, losers! :) Sorry for the tangent :) Danny and I have been reading together lately. He has a hard time getting thru books. He has been reading one book since we got married!!!! But in the last 2 months he has gotten thru 3 books with me, 1/2 way thru the 4th! Aight, that's all for now folks.... Love ya!

Camping May 2009

Pics. of our adventure camping...

Hyrum, mommy, and Rambo goin' for a morning ride

Erin and Rambo snoozin' away

Karate Danny

This is a cool lookin root system :)

Happy during the rain storm

Danny contemplating life

His lil' panda came camping too

Chillin' in bed

Hyrum's 1st jump :)

We had such a good time on our campout to Strawberry. We went so that we could scope out a place for the campout in June with our family ward. We loved the spot we found. It rained a lot and so we spent the evenings in the camper, reading out loud to each other and eating the massive amount of junk food that Erin brought with her... :) We had a great time! Here are some pics. of our adventures. Jenny and Mike Steffan came up for a few hours on Saturday to hang out with us...

Getting Hyrum to sleep is easy here....

Quad ride with momma

oh Silly Erin... I love this smile of his

Reading "The Host" together in the camper

Good friend Jenny with her lil' girl Abigail

Relief Society Keeps Me Where I Need To Be!

Todays Relief Society was so wonderful. One of the women I visit teach taught on the talk given by Pres. Uchtdorf called "We are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down". It reminded me of a few things. A major one being My priorities and the need for me to balance my life. The fact is that I easily get excited about things and I have a need to challenge myself continually. However, being a mom now is my number one priority. I am constantly reminding myself of that. Not because I don't love being a mom but because I was single and alone for so long. 28 years.... Danny and Hyrum are the best things that have ever happened to me and I am ready to keep them on the top of my priority list. That means: NO signing up for things like survivor! :) That doesn't mean I cannot have my fun and work out, etc... But I need to keep it close to home!! I will continue with my triathlons here and there and the cycling races, but anything beyond that if it doesn't involve my family needs to stop. :) Isn't family life great! There are so many things for me to get done at home, and in my ward family. I love to be busy and am grateful that I live in such a time that I can balance my life and do those things which are most important while also doing things that bring me some personal gratification. That means I can keep my long term goal a reality! IRONMAN here I come!!!! After I finish having the rest of my babies!!! :) hahaha!

Survivor is going to SAMOA!!!!

Wow! I wish I were going too! But seriously... Sariah has talked me into signing up for it. Crazy? Yes! And I have a million to one shot of getting in but I am going to go ahead with it. Why not? What could it hurt! I want to use my swimmers in my 3 minute video... Other than that I have no idea what to do!

I NEED IDEAS!! Help me get in and I will buy you dinner when I win! :) hahahaha! But seriously, I need help with this. Let me know what would help me stand out in 3 minutes or less. My train of thought is going towards: my religion, my job as a Swim Coach, being a mother, competing in triathlons and cycling, and the fact that I want to show this tv show what a true women's potential is since there has yet to be a really competetive women on this show when it comes to challenges etc... I would like to represent the tough mom's out there that have heart, morals, and mental toughness!

Don't laugh at me... I really do want to do this! Plus I want to go to Samoa :) hahahahaha!

Biggest Loser

Who thinks Helen looks a little aneorexic! I can't believe how much weight she lost! If you ask me she needs to stop dehydrating herself, and gain back 5lbs. :)

Plus, I am a little sad Tara did not win... she is a super stud!

GIRLZ ROCK TRI

Ok, So am I back? Am I competing again? These are good questions... and here is the only answer I have... YES!!!! I did a relay this last weekend with two new friends of mine in my home ward. We had a blast together, and though my time was the slowest it has been in a while I still got third overall and our relay placed second! Go Susie! Go Lindsay!! It was super fun, and the natural endorphines were awesome! Man! I have missed those! Ok, so I felt them a little with labor, but soooooo different. Not as painful. Labor did something to me, it made me realize that everything else is easy... hahahahhaha :)

I am planning out my next race and am SUPER excited about it. Fountain Mountain, here I come! My time was 15:49.00 for the 800 meters. Slow, but apparently not too slow :) Now all I need is to readjust my butt to my saddle and get a running trainer! LA Fitness here I come! Anybody want to join me?

I am starting a new blog for triathletes in Queen Creek. If you are interested in joining our club let me know, there are no fees except for the races we do. On my blog I will post everyones results, stories, pictures.... Plus I will have training tips, and info. on group rides, runs, and swims! Reply if you want to be added on to the site! and in the group!

I Love ya'll!!!!!! Remember, there is a little athlete in all of us just wanting to tear it's way out and be heard! I know you moms are leary, but better to take your energy and aggression out in training than on your kids! Plus kids love to see their parents compete, it's super fun!
Click on the Link - CALDERA to get info on the triathlon training or to post stories, pics. Etc...

Hyrum's photo shoot

PHOTO SHOOT -

here are the rest of his pictures taken at his 1st and probably only photo shoot:)

Hyrum's 1st Photo shoot

Crazy hair!!

Chillin' with the caterpillar

sweet lil' boy

This is my boy! I love this picture, his personality is all there!

Hyrum got professional pictures from Sandi Miller. She was amazing! I posted her info on my contact list....

Easter thoughts

HAPPY EASTER

Easter was great this year. Especially since I have a husband and baby to share it with. Conference was incredible! Elder Holland's talk stands out to me the most. He has a beautiful gift of expressing the love we feel towards our saviour. He strengthens the bond I feel with Christ and helps me to feel the love I should for Christ as my Redeemer. I love listening to him. I have a few talks that I read over and over again and three of them come from him, now four... I feel especially grateful this day for my Lord and Saviour. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost in my life, a gift given from Christ. His influence is what keeps me moving ahead. Last night I was reminded of the importance of being humble and teachable. As I chose to be humble last night I was blessed and had a great evening. Today, again I am being taught... I am proud and selfish most of the time. I am blessed to have such a patient teacher that never leaves me unless I turn away from him. I am of course also grateful for Hyrum, my little boy. He brings a special spirit into my life, and home that blesses me and reminds me of things sacred and precious.

Hyrum's Blessing

Blessing Day - Our circle of men

I am responsible? Are you sure??

I swear, he loves my kisses!!

Arms of trust!

Bathed in light

The blessing was beautiful. Almost the whole family was there, and the spirit was so sweet. Danny prepared himself well and I felt the spirit strongly as he spoke of Hyrum being an example to those around him. He counseled him to look to his ancestors and family for help and guidance. And he spoke to him about the men whose name he now has. It was wonderful! I love being a mom, and love the spirit that is now permanently in my life because of Hyrum!

Hyrum Patrick is getting blessed!!!

Did you know that I have a list of 100 things to do before I die..... maybe one day I will post that list, but probably not. Some things are personal! :) We will see. But on that list is seeing my husband bless our babies. This is finally coming up for me!

We are blessing Hyrum the 29th of March. This month! In our family ward! Let me know if you are interested in coming!

I will report shortly how it goes. I cannot wait! What a special moment this will be for our new family! And for our extended family that has gone through so many trials, each special moment like this brings more peace into our lives.