Carlsbad 2009

These are just a few of a million photos from this year's family trip to Carlsbad, CA. Everyone was able to come which totaled 20 family members. The weather was perfect, it was so much fun to watch all of nieces and nephews play together...the trip was wonderful>

Parent's 50th

On June 18, 2009, I was able to drive down to Mesa, Arizona and along with my siblings and their spouses, celebrated my parent's 50th anniversary. We enjoyed a lovely dinner in a private room at Ruth Christ Steakhouse. The food was great but most importantly the time together was wonderful. We presented a book with letters from family, friends and of course their children, to them. The next day we all got together for a swim party with all of my nieces and nephews. It was a short but fun weekend.

My Garden

This year I actually planted a vegetable garden. As you saw in an old post, I built and fenced a garden area. I finally planted 6 different varieties of tomatoes, bell peppers, crook neck squash, zucchini squash, yellow squash and red potatoes. The plants are all huge and I've actually been able to harvest my first squash from each variety and a couple of tomatoes. Hopefully I'll get more before the season is over.

New sod

With hopes that Dixie, Mesa and Buck have decided not to dig in the back yard anymore, I decided to buy and install a pallet of sod. This would at least cover part of my backyard. I'm in the process of redoing my backyard. Cement and pavers are next. One of my friends, Tracy Richards, came over and helped me lay the sod. We laughed the whole time as we reminisced about all of the many times we've laid sod and how easy it was. We both realized/decided that age does make a difference. What would have normally took us an hour took us twice that amount of time.

Shocked and suprised!

This week I was surprised to be awarded DCFS Caseworker of the Year. I was completely shocked and still am. It means so much to me because this comes from my coworkers and community partners. I received a lovely certificate and some other little gifts. Thank you! I'm learning from the best!

A few more Disneyland pics

These are Renee's kids

Disneyland 2009

Last week I was able to go to California with my friend Renee' and her five children. Her youngest daughter, Cailee, participated in the national cheer competition. So, we decided to enjoy spring break and go to Disneyland. I had so much fun. I am not much of a fast ride kind of person but still had a wonderful time. Renee's baby, Ramzey, was a complete trooper. At 4 1/2 mo old Disneyland isn't exactly the baby's first choice of fun, but he did great. Thanks to Renee' and her wonderful children for including me in their family. Love you all!

Buck's birthday

Happy birthday to Buck. He will be 12 years old on this Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day. I don't know how much longer he'll be with me, but he has been a wonderful dog and friend!

Yes, a garden

Last week on of my friends and neighbors came over and dug 4 post holes for me. Then yesterday another friend and neighbor showed up with garden compost from the dump. And then tilled the whole future garden area. As I told them, after thanking them, they've taken away my excuses. So part of my yesterday included doing to Home Depot, using my graduation $25.00 gift card (thanks to my sister) and my $25.00 Christmas gift card (thanks to my brother and sister inlaw) and bought 4x4's, 2x4's, cement and other important things. Came home got my circular saw out and saw horses. set the posts in cement and hung the 2x4 rails. My next step is nailing up pickets and hanging a gate I made. I've got to keep the dogs out somehow! Oh yeah, I think I'm going to put in a small retaining wall so it's all one level. I'm so grateful for the generosity of my friends and neighbors. Now hopefully something will grow!

Spring is here!

My front yard if full of these!

March already!

Today is the first day of March. I can't believe it's already here. This past week was a crazy stressful week at work. We had the state reviewing random cases. It was two days of stress. Plus everyone of my cases blew up. I don't mean simple little things. I mean big blow ups. It seems like when that happens, it happens all at once. I hope the month of March, the month of the Irish, will bring me some good luck! :)

The big 48!

Yesterday was my 48th birthday. I'll be honest I don't feel like what I thought I would feel when I would think of getting this old. I had a fun day that was filled with lunch, a movie (it was the dumbest thing I've every seen and those that went fully agree), a cheerleader expedition and I got to babysit my friend's sweet little Ramzey for the night. Once again, he was a good baby all night. Thank you Renee' for the opportunity. I received some lovely and thoughtful gifts, birthday phone calls, birthday text messages and singing. Thank you everyone for taking the time to do so, thank you to my parents for having me and thank you to Renee' for helping to make "my day" fun. I really appreciate it. Sorry I don't have any pictures of the big day. Maybe next year???

Valentines Day

I had the funnest experience yesterday. As I have mentioned before, I get to help babysit my friend's baby, Ramzey, on Fridays. Last night, for Valentines, Ramzey came over for a sleep over so his parents could hopefully enjoy a full night's sleep without having to wake up to feed and change Ramzey. I had so much fun. He is such a good baby. He only woke up twice and only long enough to drink a bottle. He is darling the way he babbles as if I could understand and the way he wakes up with a literal smile on his face. Thanks Renee' for letting me do this. I hope you'll let me do it again and again! P.S. There are no pictures of my Valentines night. I was too busy playing with him. :)

Ramzey Martineau

This is my friend Renee's baby, Ramzey Martineau. I get to babysit him every Friday. I look forward to it each week. He is absolutely darling and quit the big boy. Ramzey was 3 months old when I took these pictures. He weighs over 15 lbs. He's a such a happy and good baby.

Isn't this beautiful!

A couple weeks ago this beautiful male ringneck pheasant was in my front yard. It has to have gotten out of someone's private pen. It was fairly tame although not tame enough to touch.

Christmas 2008

I was able to go to Mesa, Arizona this year for Christmas. Here are some pictures. As always, it was fun to see my family and to spend time with them. I also brought Mesa and Dixie. My nieces and nephews loved playing with them. I left Buck home because I felt the trip would be hard on him.

It snowed!!!

It actually snowed in St. George. Truthfully, it usually snows every year. But this time it snowed alot, for St. George. My house received about four inches. This is my house, the dogs investigating the cold white stuff and my neighborhood.

Alaska 2008

After receiving my master's degree, I was invited to go to Alaska. My cousin owns a compound that has four cabins on it. It was absolutely beautiful! I went fishing almost everyday catching two different varieties of salmon, halibut, shrimp and even an octopus! We ate fresh fish almost every night. It was delicious. I also saw black bears, a whale and bald eagles everywhere. It was so neat to see the salmon swimming up stream as the went to spawn. My parents, Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bob and another couple that are friends of my aunt and uncle. It was a great once in a lifetime experience. Thank Dad and Mom for footing the bill and for inviting me. Thank you Brad and Suzanne for opening your doors to us!

GRADUATION!!!

After two LONG but enjoyable years, I graduated from Utah State University with my Masters in Family and Human Development. When I arrived home after a long day of paper presentations and driving, I was greeted with this in my garage door and my office at work. It was so thoughtful of my friend Kristin Bowler and all of my friends at work. Thank you!