What can I say? I am a SLACKER!

I totally realize that I am a complete slacker/failure when it comes to blogging. I guess I have allowed my obsession with Facebook to distract me from blogging. I truly just don't know where to begin, so I won't. I will, briefly touch upon some of the more memorable experiences we've had in the last six months.

Top 10 things to remember November 2009-August 2010:

1. Katie made the drill team for Springville High School in April

2. LeGrande finished his sixth grade year in my classroom. It was great to have him in my class, but it was a VERY difficult year in more ways than one.

3. LeGrande and Emma developed a love for fishing with Dad! They have caught countless catfish down at Utah Lake in the last couple of months.

4. I participated in my first relay race,- the Ragnar Relay. It was truly one of the most physically exhausting and trying experiences of my life. (My total was 21.4 miles)

5. John is hunting for a Dall sheep in Alaska as I write this.

6. We went to Driggs, Idaho (and Jackson Hole) for our family reunion. It was wonderful to visit with all of my family, but especially nice to visit with my brother Shane and sister-in-law Michele from Missouri.

7. Girls Camp at Heber Valley was truly an amazing experience. I had to participate in the fireside on Temples the very first night, so it was a little bit intimidating, but fun.

8. Katie danced in the Stadium of Fire where Carrie Underwood performed.

9. LeGrande got braces in March. What an experience for him!

10. Signed up for my first marathon (potentially my last one too!) It isn't until October 2, but I feel it has overtaken my life!!

Family Pic

We finally, after years of neglecting to do our family photo, took the jump and had it taken.  My sister-in-law Maria took them and did a great job.  I will add them as I get them.  Life is good these days...just crazy busy.  Katie is active serving in the student council, doing dance and guitar.  LeGrande finally finished football and will be getting into football, and Emma is...well...she is Emma and keeping us on our toes.

June 2009

June has been a busy month.  I started out by going on the 4th year overnighter to Capitol Reef.  A week later I, along with Katie, went to youth conference in Gunnison, Utah of all places.  A week and a half later, we went to girls camp.  It has been crazy!  I am just grateful to be home and with the kiddos.  We have had plenty of fun in between these outings to hang out at Seven Peaks.  These next few weeks I just plan on being with my babies and relaxing.  Youth Conference was an especially amazing experience.  The planning involved was at times overwhelming, but its amazing how everything just seems to come together.  Most of the youth who participated ended up having a tremendous experience.  It was evident in the testimonies that were shared on the last day in the shadow of the Manti temple. And although I wouldn't allow Katie to go to the dance on the last day as she isn't quite fourteen, she even says she had a great time.  The 4th year overnight experience was incredible. I had never been to Capitol Reef, but it was absolutely beautiful!  We hiked around the bottom of the canyon traversing the river over and over again.  It wasn't strenuous, but there were a couple of spots that were a little bit challenging to climb.  More than anything, I loved hanging out with the AWESOME people that I worked with.

Jamaica and Grand Cayman

My parents purchased a cruise for all of the kids and their spouses.  We left the children with friends for a night, and then with Grandma and Grandpa Bair for the remainder of the time we were gone (they didn't EVEN miss us they had so much fun!)  It was absolutely and unforgettable experience,-one I hope to never forget.  The cruise was great, the food was delectable, and spending time with John and the family was wonderful.  I sang Billie Jean karaoke with my sister and two sisters-in-law Michele and Melannie.  I swam with the stingrays in Grand Cayman.  I walked on the beach with my husband hand in hand.  I ate chocolate til I was about to puke.  I took naps on the beach and on the pool deck...had a virgin margarita and pina colada.  I LOVED it.  I think I needed some time away to regroup and rest.  It has been an exhausting year.  We kind of heard some negative comments about Jamaica.  Although it was poverty stricken and kind of scary in places, I absolutely loved it.  Our tour guide (who was incidentally inebriated for a good portion of the trip,-and yes, he was driving the van with all twelve of us in it!)  We went to a beach that was pretty isolated...not one other tourist there, and met some of the locals.  The kids of course begged for a couple of dollars.  They were so cute that I couldn't resist.  On Grand Cayman we swam with some stingrays which was so incredibly bizarre that it still feels a little surreal.  When we returned to a snowstorm in Utah after having experienced 85 degree weather, I felt as if the whole experience was a dream. 

Katie's Student Council Run

Katie made it through the first round of her student body elections.  She is running for Vice Pres.  She has been working so hard on her campaign, cutting out handouts and handing out pencils.  Each candidate had to make a video to persuade voters to vote for them.  I thought Katie's was pretty funny.  Her entire campaign was centered around Kung Fu Panda's quote, "Prepare for Awesomeness."  I have been so proud to see her work so hard.  She is a very motivated child.  

Old Wedding Pics

I had to scan some old wedding photographs as there are only a few of them.  The original proofs were lost shortly after the wedding....don't ask us how that happened.  Anyway, here are just  a few of them.  I know i look different.  Someone commented on how much better i look now. Should I take that as a compliment?  I don't know.  I thought John looked so cute in these pics.