Thanksgiving, San Diego style!

This year, we drove to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Not only did we enjoy the company, but the weather wasn't bad either!
(it's sad when you forget how warm your home state is this time of year!!)

I wish I would've taken more pictures on Thanksgiving day, but you get what you get!

Since we'll be in Utah for Christmas Grandma Diane and Grandpa Bob gave a little early gift giving...the kids were thrilled!

Wish it were longer...always!

P.S. Merry Christmas to ALL my blog readers! I've taken my comments off, so no need to think of something witty to say!! :)

I'm so PRETTY!

We're going to keep this and let Claire see it when she's 14 and struggling with self confidence! (Which I hope never happens!)

(please excuse the messy house, it was right before church, and things can get a little crazy during that time!)

Porter's October Musts...

-Go to Gardner Village, dance with a witch, even if she makes you cry!

-Make caramel apples!

-Go to as many Halloween party's as possible (school, friends, church, aunt's and uncles...my motto, the more parties, the more candy!)

-Whatever your costume...rock it! I was a warrior, and now my sister (the princess, if you couldn't tell) thinks I'm her Knight in Shinning Armor! -major brownie points when you've eaten your candy, and she still has some left! :)

-Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

P.S. my mom keeps talking about some haunted house with a chainsaw? She says you must go!

What Happens in Vegas...

is NOT staying in Vegas,
at least not this time!

We hit the road to complete another Ragnar Relay.
Kind of crazy when you know what you're getting yourself into,
but they're kind of addicting!
Not to mention we are now Saints and Sinners after completing
both the Wasatch Back (in Utah) and the Vegas Ragnar

Before starting.
Our team name:
The Bald and The Beautiful
(we (the girls) thought it was pretty funny, the balding guys...not so much)

My runs this time were easy, so easy,
(don't hate me van 2!)
I really enjoyed running them! :)
(no throwing up this time around)

Getting Ragnasty in the van...
we even had a pillow intervention!

Yes we got no sleep,
but this time after the race we got to hang out at the pool
(a huge bonus considering it's about 50 degrees in Utah!)

171 miles
Logandale to Las Vegas
29 hours total

I miss you already Ragnar, until next time...

Preschool

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap."
Author: Barbara Jordan

The day has come...THREE glorious hours!

Family Pictures

Man am I glad these are over!

Now can anyone teach me photoshop (which I do have, but don't know how to use) to make a Christmas card?!
And yes, this is always what we look like while shopping at Gateway! :)
Photos were taken by Karly with
Karly Kim Photography

**Update on Grandpa Bob-
Margins were clear! Yeah. Grateful for all the kind words and answered prayers!

When it rains...it POURS

About a week and a half ago my dad was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
Stage 1A with a 95% recovery rate.
But still it's scary...
Two days later broke his hip in a bicycle accident.
Once very active, is now confined to a hospital bed for at least the next two months.
He is doing very well, all things considered.
He can get up on his own, which is a miracle a week out.

My dad is literally the greatest man I know.
I'm honored to be his daughter,
to have been there this last weekend to "help"
when he's been "helping" me my whole life!
Wish I were closer!

Needless to say our faith has been tested, and STRENGTHENED!
Thank you for your calls, your prayers and your support.

Really, 10 years?

This was Elizabeth and I our Senior year of High school...

I'm afraid we've changed!

It was so good to see everyone I haven't seen in ten years.
For a moment I wanted to be back to those carefree,
worrying about what outfit I would wear the next day,
A.S.B. working,
playing volleyball,
High School days!

I sort of feel like I'm still that person...
do you ever really "grow-up?"

Stitches at two!

Poor Claire fell
(don't ask me how, but Porter was gone, so he's not to blame!)
on the hard wood floor and split her chin open needing stitches!

On the way to the doctor.

In the waiting room
singing twinkle twinkle little star,
running in circles
asking for stickers
and probably bugging people!

waiting for the Dr.
You'd never know she was hurt,
until we had to pin all four limbs down!

her promised ice cream cone at DQ!

somewhere between the ice cream and chocolate
there are SIX stitches!

*(pictures courtesy Mark's cell phone!)

Why I married Mark...

For this house in Hana, Maui!

Totally kidding, but it is a great perk!
Just spent last week with my sister and her husband here!
(no kids, thanks Paul and Susan!)

Hana Highway
30 miles
such a winding road that it takes two hours!

Walks down to the coconut grove
huge snails
big cows
horses
beautiful coastal walk

Sunday
the only day we did our hair!

Hamoa Beach
big waves
body surfing (Rob and Mark)
Boogie boarding
(I tried, mark will tell you differently, but I got pounded one two many times)

Bamboo Forest
(Twice because we left grandma's keys on a rock to get in the water! Luckily they were there when I got back!)
Beautiful Waterfall

Seven Pools
Jumping off a Rock
(that I stood on for about an hour the last time I was there and didn't jump)
Great Picnics

Wailua Falls
Snow cones
Walks to Wailua
Rice and Chili bowls

Wainapanapa
Mark jumped off the highest point (bunny ears)
Signing autographs and taking pictures, people thought he was pretty cool
One guy even took about fifteen pictures of Mark jumping
he said he'd send them to us, so we'll see if he does, and I'll post them when I get them.
Hana Hotel pool
Runs to Hasegawas
Venus Pool


Reading on the deck
Dinner on the deck
Red Sand beach (only one naked girl)
Playing Tennis
Hana Ranch Restaurant

Rested, Relaxed, Rejuvinated...but NOT ready to be back in the
bill paying, diaper changing, husband working

daily grind!

Loving the number TWO!

Claire is TWO today!
What a joy!

One and loving cake!

Two, and still loving anything sweet.
She is often heard saying "I wanna teat!" (treat)

I NEVER want to forget her cute little voice or what she's been doing now that she is so vocal.

• two bankies
• people still commenting on her hair
• "one succor, kay?"
• monkey's bed mommy
• "po, po hit me" (when Porter isn't even home!)
• "iii doooit, kay?"
• "tat too" (thank you)
• "iii talk a daddy."
• "iii watch a Dodo, kay mommy?" (Dora the Explorer)
• "iiii mommy doit!"
  

We celebrated it with cousin Emily who is one day younger than Claire.

She will never know how much we love her until, I suppose, she has her own!

Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat.

Kind of sums up the last couple of days!

• Two vans
• Twelve Crazy people
• No sleep!
• Logan to Park City
• 188 miles
• No sleep!
• Great trail mix
• dry heaving
• 8% grade all 4 miles
• No sleep!
• Team Janet
• Beautiful scenery
  
• No sleep!
  

Finish time: 29 hrs. 30 mins
I think we're signed up for next year! CRAZY!!!

California we miss you!

The last two weeks have been a little bit of Heaven for our family (minus poor Mark!). We went back to San Diego where fun was had by all...

California Adventure

Disneyland

Parker turns 4! and Trains with Grandpa Bob

Mission Bay
(Collecting seashells and potty breaks!)

Knott's Berry Farm

Hanging out at Aunt Lizzy's house

Newport Beach
(no bathing suites make for really wet clothes and not so happy kids!)

Why is it so hard to come home from vacation?
Thank you Mom and Dad for spoiling us!