Lake Powell

It's official! Avery is a water baby! We made our way to Lake Powell for our annual trip with Sid's family last week. I was kind of worried about how it would go and had to psyche myself up for it in the days that led up to it - but she did really well. She loved being the center of attention and loved that we got to play in the water so much. This year was unlike any other that I have spent there, but it was also the most fun.
When we got to the house boat the battery was dead so we stayed on the buoy the first night. We all got a little bored, so the boys decided that we were all going to use the raft and paddle onto the house boats that had slides that weren't occupied. The boys were hilarious. Annie was laughing uncontrollable and I was laughing at her until our sides hurt.

When we got the House Boat going we found a pretty cool spot to park. We had it pretty much to ourselves - my only complaint was the fish. For some reason we had some attacking Blue Gills. That's right - I was attacked by a Blue Gill! It was only a little cut on my foot - but enough to draw blood! Ew!!

Avery had a blast hanging out with everyone and I am proud to say - didn't get burnt at all! That was my biggest concern...She fought us on wearing her hat, but eventually gave up. She spent most of her time sleeping on all the life jackets on the boat.

Avery helping Drive the boat. She's so serious.

Avery's First ride on the Tube with Sid.

Brad, Tony and Sid in their suits with their "goggles"...long story...ask Sid.

It was a great trip. Thanks Steve and Naomi!

Angie's Married!

One of my best friends dropped the big one on me about a month ago.

I hadn't talked to her in months and then when I do, she tells me that she just moved to Utah (WHAT?) and on top of that she is engaged. Now - you are thinking, wow, that's a little crazy...but it gets better. Not only is she getting married, but she is getting married in THREE WEEKS! So, needless to say, Sid and I jumped in to help where we could, since her family is all in California.

Sid threw an impromptu Bachelor party for Derrick - inviting all people Derrick had never met in his life mind you - and I did my best at a Bridal Shower. We had a really good time helping Angie with what we could. It was fun to be in Wedding mode again.

They were married on July 15th at the Salt Lake Temple. Andrea babysat for us in the morning during the sealing (THANKS ANDREA!) and the reception was held at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Angie was beautiful, Derrick was proud and it was a prefect day.

Congrats Angie and Derrick!!

Music at the Mill

We did it!! The concert was June 27th and it was a huge success. All the kids did an awesome job and the bands were a hit too! Sid and I couldn't have been happier with the turn out. We missed some of the students that couldn't make it because of family reunions, camping trips and vacations - but most of his kids were able to be there and we all had a great time.
Sid's family and my mom and Cammie came to help out too. We seriously couldn't have done it without them!
We made the Tooele Transcript and even Fox 13 news! We can't take all the credit though. Much of our crowd and media attention was due to the fact that Kodi and the Chillbodies made it to the concert and played a set. What an amazing person Kodi is. We felt really honored to have him at our concert and to share with all of us his talents.

This is the guitar that Sid built and donated to be raffled off. He did a really great job.

One of his students, Ethan Hunt won the guitar! He was so excited. We were pretty happy that it went to one of the students of the Academy.

Chad Gourley was one of the performers of the night. He was a hit!

Sid and one of his classes. The setting was perfect at Benson Grist Mill. There was an amphitheater where we could all sit and see everyone playing.

"The Untitled" is a band that formed while taking classes from Sid. They did an amazing job!

We needed all the help we could get watching Miss Avery. Between my mom, Cam and Annie, she was well taken care of. She even had a good time!

Sid chatting with Kodi Lee before he went on.

Kodi was truly an amazing person to meet. We were so happy to have him and to meet his wonderful family.

Steve selling t-shirts and raffle tickets. You can see my mom and Annie selling concessions just behind him.

All in all it was a huge success. We are so thankful to EVERYONE that helped and made it what it was. THANK YOU!!

Aunt Annie

Sid's sister Annie came to town last week and Avery and I got to hang out with her for a few days. We had a really great visit. We went to the Zoo and the highlight for Avery was by far the Carousel that Annie took her on. She LOVED it!

Avery loves Annie, and I think the feeling is mutual!

We love you Annie!!

Bicknell, Utah

I am a little slow on my posts these days. It seems like this summer is just flying right by us!
We took a trip to Bicknell, Utah the weekend of Fathers Day. Sid and I are helping his grandparents install hardwood flooring and we were planning on making it a working weekend - but found out from the manufacturer that we needed the flooring to climatize for a few days before we install it. So, we got a fishing weekend out of it instead.
Sid and I got some fishing polls for Christmas and figured we'd start since we have the lake here in Stansbury within walking distance...and with our hectic schedule, we haven't gotten the chance to go yet. Sid's grandparents took us down to Lower Bowns. It's on Boulder Mountain. I hadn't been there before, but it was really beautiful. I wish I'd have taken more pictures - next time I guess.
Sid was the star of the show (as always - right?) and he caught his limit + 1! He threw one back though, none of us were as lucky.
Avery loved it too. She got to play in the water (which was surprisingly warm) and was sandy from head to toe. I was shocked at how much she loved the water! She would have gotten right in had we not stopped her!

Avery is very observant these days...seems she mimics all that we do. I am not sure she knows what she is doing most the time...she just knows that she wants to do whatever it is that we are doing.
The water and sand were a little odd to her at first, but it didn't take long before she was COVERED in it. I was sad that I hadn't brought more play clothes for her, luckily they cleaned up as good as new!

Sid and one of his many prize fish.

Ewww...This is why I was ok with not catching one. Luckily Sid's grandma has a stronger stomach for these types of things...

Our little family

A couple weeks ago Sid and I celebrated our 4th Anniversary! It's amazing to me all that we have been through and accomplished in this short time. It seems like just yesterday we were returning from our honeymoon to Boise - a new city to us - with no friends, no idea where anything was, and thinking - what do we do now? Looking back, those days were so easy and exciting starting our very own life together as a family.

Now here we are 4 years later. Though things are tough now with a house that won't sell in Boise, a leaking foundation here in Utah, scraping by on one income, and wondering how it all just "works out" each month, there is no doubt in my mind that I will look back in another 4 years and think that we had it easy now. There is no way that I can try to compare the times as newlyweds when Sid and I could do the simple things like sleep in on a Saturday, go to concerts, weekend getaways or a midnight movie to the joy and happiness that Avery brings to our lives each day...I think it's safe to say it's just getting better year after year. I am so blessed to have the life I do and the opportunity to have sweet Avery and Sid who takes care of us.

Thanks Sid for all you do for us and our little family! I love you!! Happy Anniversary!

First Family Vacay - Avery's birthday - and everything else

Whew! Well, seems like May just flew by us! We had a great month, between Avery's birthday, my birthday, Mothers day and our very first family vacation, it feels like we just ran a marathon that lasted all month long!

Avery has cut two more teeth - her top ones - and unfortunately, this started on the day of her birthday party. She was pretty cranky the whole time, but she still didn't pass the cake up. She gobbled the whole thing and was even kind enough to share a little with me and Sid. She got lots of love and attention and we all had a great time. Regardless of her being a little moody, it couldn't have been better really.

Then we left about a week later for our trip to Monterey, CA. It was beautiful, relaxing and fun filled. We spent the first day with a dear friend that I met while I was helping out for Hurricane Katrina/Rita in Louisiana for Red Cross. He is such a great person, and I am so thrilled that we were able to reconnect and spend some time together, meet each others families, and catch up. Thanks for everything Jim!!

While in CA, the weather wasn't as warm as we'd hoped, but I think it was better that way. I am so paranoid about Avery getting sun burnt that I would have been a wreck the whole time had it been hot. Everyday we were out all day seeing the sights. Looking back, it's pretty amazing Avery did as well as she did. We visited Hurst Castle, Monterey Aquarium, Carmel by the Sea, Santa Cruz and even fit San Francisco in too! Avery did great on the plane - flirted with anyone who would make eye contact and chattered and giggled the whole time. It was great. But good to be home too.


While we hung out with Jim, he took us to this really neat Redwood hike/walk.

After breakfast in Capitola.

Sid and Avery at one of the overlooks at Hurst Castle. Notice the one sock?


We rented a paddle boat for about an hour and peddled around. We didn't account for it being Avery's nap time though. It doesn't help that Sid is making fun! I would cry too! Mean dad.