July 4th

On our way to Tabiona to help Uncle Judd with his cows...Big 4th of July Weedend Plans

Weekend Rewind...

Haddy and her blow up flip flops. "Uncle" Jeff Syddell took the girls to the park after the parade. They came back with face paint, gold fish, and blow up flip flops. The park is always a crowded mess so Matt and I really appreciated Jeff taking our girls with his.

We ended our weekend back in Moroni where we watched the fireworks with our neighbors. Moroni has amazing fireworks! Grandpa John had given us a whole box of fireworks to light off but we had to save them for another night because as soon as the grand finale was over it started to down poor.

Family fun...and exhaustion setting in.

Oh Haddy Po!

Destinee and Dallas

Linda and Paula, our sweet neighbors.

It is tradition to have a barbecue at Grandma Marianne's house after the horse races. Jon decided to blow up a watermelon. I think Wag had to end up shooting it with a gun because the firework kept going out.

Grandpa and Wag at the grill

Jabin's bike moves

Cute Cousins

Horse Races! Checking out the horses and placin' bets. Matt usually does really well picking the winning horse but this was not his lucky year. I don't think he won a race, including the one he lost to me on the last race. I was one dollar richer!

The announcer always does fun games with the kids. This is a foot race on the track. Dallas likes to hang out by the announcer and answer his questions for a prize. She won quite a few free pops answering correctly. Some of the questions were: How many frogs does a horse have? What do we measure horses in? She knew they have four frogs and they are measured in hands.

Grandpa Marcus and the grandkids at the horse races.

Caught some candy, went to the park for face paint, now off to the races...

Parade..Jabin, Yates, Hayzen, Haddy, Makel, Dallas, and Hayley

My mom was so nice to give me a ride down from Current Creek so I could run the Tabiona 5K. We started just above my house on the old road. I was feeling like I was doing pretty good until we got into town and two of the girls I used to babysit ended up passing me. I was able to stay ahead of one but it was a race to the finish line with me and Kambi. I won by a nose. It is always fun when you have a challenge it helps push me to go harder. It feels like I am going to die but that is what the "runner's high" is all about. It was so fun to have my mom and dad there to see me run too. My mom gave me a ride back up to the cows and we ended up pushing them the rest of the day but did get done in time to get back to Tabby for the rodeo.

Dallas had my camera while I was riding so I didn't get many pictures. The kids were a big help and I was so proud of them for working so hard. Jabin even jumped on Bell and did so well for not riding a horse very much. He had a great time. The kids agreed with me that herding cows and keeping them out of the willows is very hard work but a lot of fun. This is having lunch and watermelon on the tailgate after a hard days work.

One big hat for little Maile. Mom and dad brought the twins up so they could help with the cows on Saturday and I rode home with them to Tabby. It was so nice to visit with my mom. She is such an amazing person and example.

I had to take a picture of what Riley came up with this year. He actually built a septic tank, Ben brought a real toilet from his work, and Riley used the 50 gallon water barrel and siphoned the water rigging it up so it actually flushed...Camping with Riley is camping in luxury.

University of Utah School on Alcohol and other Drug Dependencies

Shayla and I work very closely together. I have learned soooo much from her and I am so thankful for her friendship. I couldn't ask for a better person to spend my day with.

Sally and Welby had a summer barbeque after getting back from Africa, and since they won't be around for the Christmas party because they are heading straight back on another mission to Uganda!

Welby and Raun

Cynthia is the secretary for the administrative office and was in a terrible motorcycle accident early in June. Thanks to a lot of miracles and prayers her and her husband Paul are okay, although it has been a very hard and long recovery process.

Eva Olson. Love her!

Farel and Lynette

Heather and Rhonda. I am so lucky to work with such great people and friends!

Lilliam, Shayla, Me, and Jan. Okay, we have officially named ourselves the Nashville Tribute Band groupies after attending their concert! It was so good and we had so much fun, except for Lilliam, I don't think it was her cup of tea.

My co-workers and friends Alan and Dawn

Lance, Mark, and Jolene. I spend more time with Shayla then any person in my life right now and I keep telling her we need to get a picture so the Shayla post is coming soon. :)

Yogurt samples. Root beer (no pun intended..I just noticed my heading) was the best!!

I was fortunate enough to attend U of U Conference again this year. This is some pictures of our extra curricular activities after the conference. Some of my favorites were taking a couple of my co-workers to an all you can eat sushi restaurant. It was so delicious! Lance and Cindy also took me to the Madeline Cathedral which was interesting and beautiful. Dawn, Jolene, Lance and I went on a bike ride up City Creek but got a late start and ended up coming down in the dark. I got going a little too fast and noticed Dawn coming up the trail. Thinking I had slowed down enough to stop, I didn't get unclipped and I tipped over hard. I bled pretty good but mostly hurt my pride. I regret not getting a picture of the capitol as we rode by in the dark. It was so beautiful. We also rode up immigration canyon and again ended up coming down in the dark. It is so much fun to be in the city, attend an amazing and informative conference and get to eat delicious food and go on bike rides. A great week! I am so lucky to work where I do.

Jolene, Lance, Me and Dawn

Lance and I made it to the top.

Joining in the Native American Friendship Circle.

Beautiful dancers and their costumes

A highlight of the conference is the picnic they have where they have the Native American Indians share their special dances.

University of Utah School on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies. I love this conference and always learn a lot of interesting things that helps my understanding with the people I work with everyday and also things that I can apply in my life. This is me with Jolene and Cindy. I rode up with Cindy this year and we got to spend a lot of time together and have some great talks. I really love Cindy and admire the kind of person she is. She is such a kind, giving and loving person.... and she makes me laugh like crazy! Thank goodness for "Martha" for helping us get around in the city and get used to the crazy tracks on 400th street.