Farewell Andy. We wish you the best!

My nephew Andy, my cute little biggest-heart-in-the-whole-world nephew leaves for boot camp tomorrow morning. He has wanted to be in the military service since high school. Once he graduated he spent one year in college and decided he still really wanted it with all his heart. So he enlisted in the Army. He leaves first thing Monday morning for Missouri where he'll spend his time in boot camp before going to AIT in Mississippi.

Andy we are VERY proud of you. If it wasn't for courageous men and women like you, we would not have the freedoms we have today. Be safe and remember how much we all love you!

(Thanksgiving 2005)

(Birthday 2006'ish)

August 30, 2009
Andy, Steph & Jodi

And of course I had to throw in a picture of the old grandchild (22) with the youngest grandchild (3). Well at least until Abby is born!!

Random photos

Reading up on how to organize your closet...

Making sure each bite has syrup on it...

Taking pictures of mom & dad...

Being a cool 3 year old!

Once Upon A Time...

There was a Jeep.

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And once there was a boy (circa 1997) who sold his Jeep so he could go to Westminster College full time and get a great degree that would help him later in life. And he vowed when he sold that Jeep that he would one day get a BIGGER AND BADDER (is that a word?) Jeep. And that would be his reward for all his hard work and dedication.

**

So years later, in 2007, the boy bought a new Jeep. A regular stock wheel, no clearance Jeep. The boy was happy but declared "ONE DAY I WILL HAVE BIG TIRES AND A LIFT AND MY JEEP WILL BE EVEN MORE KICK ASS". The boy was very determined. So the boy set out a plan...

And the boy did his research for a KICK ASS JEEP for THREE months straight. And then the boy worked on the Jeep for 27 HOURS over one weekend.

(don't ask about the cooking Crisco in the back!!)

And in the end, the boy got his KICK ASS JEEP complete with a 4" Tereflex suspension lift, 35" tires and smokin' hot rims to match.

And the boy was very happy.

My little monkey turned 3

Anna turned 3 on August 7th. I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. She is growing up way too fast. I swear the minute she turned 3, she became a little lady and lost all her toddler ways. She's definitely more sassier!!

**

I took her to Kiddie Kandids on Friday morning and had her pictures taken. Most days I think she looks just like Chris, but when I look at this picture, I see mostly me.

On Saturday we had her birthday party. I wanted to do a water party, but since Fall decided to roll in for 2 days, it was too cold to let the kids hang out in the water.
Ashton helping Anna open presents

My sister found this 3 foot snake. Oh a 3 foot CANDY snake!!

Kaylee and Anna
Kaylee got Anna this really cute princess dress-up outfit for her birthday. As soon as everyone left Anna wanted to put it on and prance around. She LOVES the high heels that came with it. In fact even today she wanted to wear them to Home Depot. I had to put my foot down on that one! But I will say she walks better in heels that I do!

Flaming Gorge

For the holiday weekend we headed to Flaming Gorge with Josh & Virginia. They had some boat trailer issues so Saturday Chris and I spent site seeing and fishing on Green's Lake.Chris bought Anna her first fishing pole.On Saturday it rained. No wait, it DOWNPOURED. So after the canoe ride we sat in the Jeep for a good hour just letting the rain come down and eating lunch.

On Sunday we went out on the boat and did some fishing and swimming.

Josh let Anna drive
Once Josh was in the lake, Anna decided she wanted to be too. Which meant Chris had to be. Anna did a great job swimming. She was very comfortable with her life jacket on and just took like a fish to water. Swimming lessons definitely paid off! Not to mention it was the perfect exercise to wear her out and get her to take a nap!

On the way home we went through Vernal instead of Evanston. It really was a nice drive. When we got into Duchesne the streets were lined with these cascading flowers. I "try" to do these buckets in my backyard every summer but I guess one weekend of missed watering just does more harm than good!! :-)

Anna's first visit to Lagoon

Her very first ride was the Terror Ride. Chris insisted she go on that first since that was his first ride at Lagoon too. She really liked it and wasn't scared at all. In fact the only ride she didn't care for was Dracula's Castle, which kind of freaked me out a bit too. Chris definitely has a coaster buddy in Anna! She loved the fast rides and she was such a trooper!

Hanging out with Aunt Tannia at Lagoon-A-Beach

Haylee & Ethan