Nostalgia...for my childhood

My childhood was great! My parents were very good at getting us out there making memories as a family, trying it and doing it all. Big opening day for movies...Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones, and E.T. at the Cinedome, Drive-in's in the summers. Weekly Sunday bike rides to 7 Eleven, hiking up Timpanogas Cave in the heat, touring the Osmond studios...the list could go on and on. But lately I have found myself a little nostalgic for the small list above. These were some of my most favorite memories of growing up, and how I want my kids to have that same experience, that same fondness that I had, had. And so I decided to start a list. It will be a later post. But FIRST here is one I am proud to check off as complete...

NOSTALGIA AT THE DRIVE IN!

People just don't go to the drive in anymore, and I loved it! I remember The Davis Drivein and Motor Vu which was my favorite because it had swings under the big screen just like in Grease when John Travolta sings "Sandy". I remember skipping to the bathroom with my sisters and our new "iron on" shirts from T-shirts Plus. Cheryl with her Scott Baio, Me with my Shaun Cassidy and Jennifer with her Andy Gibb. Jennifer falling on the gravel and Andy Gibb having half a face. I remember our 1974 Blue Suburban and my parents letting me and my friends Angie and Toni lay on top during the movie, and us shining flashlights on the "couples" in the nearby cars. They were not quite as entertained as we, of course. Good Times!

So...this weekend we did it! We went to the Drivein. The closest one to us that was STILL open, was my most favorite anyway; Motor Vu! So after running to Target for some snacks, and to Jimmy John's for sandwiches we headed to opening weekend for Harry Potter. Exactly at 7:15 when the gates open to wait for "dusk" when the movie starts. Logan lasted about 10 min, Darren about 30min, and Ayden 1hr 15min...before they were sound asleep. But 'Kennah, Jaret, and I saw the fantastic movie to the very, very, very end. Needless to say, I was pleased. I enjoyed it as much as I remember in my past. I enjoyed it enough to go again. And even though 1/2 of us may not remember the movie-- maybe they will remember...

Me, letting Logan bring his ENTIRE collection of Star Wars figurines...

Playing "War" with Dad, and Ayden kicking hiney...

Or the cheap Velcro ball catchers that fell apart after a dozen throws.......and dad actually saying..."save the package. I'm returning those piece of junks."

I had a great time, and I think the kids did, too. How could we go wrong, being together? I enjoyed my childhood and credit that ALL to my parents, who made sure that we were well taken care of, behaved properly, respected and loved others, and most of all enjoyed being with each other, and having fun!

I had so much fun, I can't wait to tackle the next thing off my list!

Fun in the Sun...

Last Wednesday our family was able to go to Lagoon for the day with Tina, Lauren and Nate. (Steven, and Brandon were both working and Amanda was in Chicago.) It was the perfect day!



We did not arrive until about 3 pm, and headed straight for Lagoon-a -Beach, it was the first time our kids had been there, and the last time I was here I was wearing a neon shirt, with overalls, and matching scrunchie and socks for our good 'ol --"Stance" (stomp/dance) that we had here in 1991 for high school. The kids had a blast showing their macho, in the lazy river, and trying all the waterslides for the 1st time. We stayed until the beach closed at 8pm.

We had a lot of baggage...not just me and my drama...real baggage. A beach umbrella that we brought for shade, back packs full of treats, extra clothes, etc. and Darren wanted to take it all back out to the car. We told him we would go, wait in line for the rides, and that we would text him to tell him where we were, so he could find us. So, off we go Tina, I, and all the remaining kiddos in tow to the get in line for the Spider. Nate was not of heighth to ride the Spider, and Tina and I decided even "cool" moms can decide to sit a ride (or two) out. So we let the 3 older ones go ahead without us...it was at this time I thought..."oh, the twins would love this ride..." and then another thought occured..."oh... I hope that Darren has BOTH of the twins..." So...I so casually text Darren "We are in line for the spider...do you have both Jaret and Ayden?" to which Darren responds "I have Jaret..." The sirens go off... and I immediately start the stiff legs, heel toe, high swinging arm walk back towards the waterpark. Lost in my thoughts of "what if's"..."what if someone took him", "what if he just wanders aimlessly", "what if he asks a stranger to help him find is mom"....and then my phone rings, and it's Lagoon's "lost child" department, and they have my "Little Ay." PHEW!

All of those horrible thought's and "what if's" going through my mind...and I didn't need to worry, this little boy has been trained well. (...or he has been LOST BEFORE) ok, ok...it is the latter one that is true...but since our little fiasco at Home Depot he HAS been trained well. He executed the "perfect" plan and it worked. According to Ayden, he decided to check out the dude that was making a purchase at the "Drugstore" in the Lagoon-a-Beach store where you exit the beach. He wanted to know just what "kind" of drugs this dude was purchasing and just why was there a store selling "drugs!" He didn't know that we were just not as interested in this gentleman as he was and we had continued down on our way to the Spider. After he saw the completed "deal" being made between the gentlemen and the drugstore seller...he noticed that we were gone. He looked around the store for us a bit, poked his head out the door to see as far as he could see, and waited a good 10 min. When he realized mom and dad were not quite "missing him" just yet, he decided he would try a phone. He asked a Lagoon employee, NOT A STRANGER (you bet we emphasized that detail the last time) if he could use his phone. He tried to call my cell phone, but you could not make personal calls on these here work phones. So he told the employee that he was lost, and they were able to contact the Lost children department for him.

Lagoon has it down! They keep the lost child at the place they had called, and send a manager down to escort the child to a holding cell. It was down the scary alley next to the lockers. When you walk through the 1st door, there is a window to your left where they hold your child to watch for you (much like I imagine "How much is that doggie in the window?" would look.) They have a camera and a microphone where they ask the child "Is that your mom?" before they open that 2nd locked door to let them out.
A little puffy in the eyes, but thankfully SAFE AND SOUND.

We love you, Ayden! And are proud of you for doing everything just right!

Happy Birthday, America!

RED, WHITE and...BOO HOO!

I am always so sad when my favorite holiday comes and goes. Not does it just mean that summer with my kids is just about over, but I am grateful for a holiday that celebrates the country that I love! And of course there's family, parades, and fireworks! This year we didn't have a moment to sit down and loved every minute of it! We woke up bright and early to head to the Breakfast at the Layton park, watched the parade (why I am so loyal, I'll never know!), walked around the booths until the rain came down...then headed up to Blenda and Kirk's (McGary) for a family BBQ and swim! A good time was had by all.

To wrap up the perfect holiday we went to Morgan High School where we were entertained by none other than Blenda herself, and Alex Boye. And BOY, WHAT A SHOW!

Take me out to the Ballgame...

Baseball season came and went this year, it was a good year! Jaret and Ayden played machine pitch last year, and this was Logan's 1st year back since tee ball! Ayden and Logan played 2nd base, and outfield...and little Jaret wanted to be constantly in the action at catcher. All of the boys caught on quite well to kid pitch, they were all able to get a couple of hits, but only Logan can say he got the winning hit in the Championship game! Sealing the deal by hitting two runners in -- WAY TO GO!

#1 FANS

Tampa Bay Rays Major League Champions 2009

(with the best coaches ever- Jeff Parry, and Ed Dayton)

Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay 2009

WE DID IT!

After months and months of training the day had finally arrived. We had assembled the team in January with the original members being: Brandon and Kara Dart, Chad and Des Hansen, Brandt and Kriste Miles, Tyler and Kristen Elmore, Robb and Brooke Kelly, and us. Brandon Dart and Brandt Miles' ended up having knee problems and so dear Scott Olsen and Koji a friend of Chad Hansen's were asked to fill in. Darren and I didn't begin our training until April after our trip to Hong Kong. Training consisted of 4 to 9 mile runs, with hills and also multiple runs in a day. It was pretty grueling but necessary. 2 weeks prior to the race I had acquired shin splints in both legs, to the extent that it hurt to even walk, and my toes started to go numb. I ended up taking 2 weeks off prior to the race to recoup. And it worked for the most part... Wasatch Back is being stuck in a van, for 24 hours with 6 great friends, laughing, eating, sleeping....and crying with you. It was the single most hardest thing I have ever had to endure. Not being able to stretch out, ice or have Darren work on my shin splints, the last 2 miles of my race my shin splints came back with a vengeance! And although my body was telling me to stop, and my sweet friends were offering to finish the race for me. My pride, my heart and my training...wouldn't allow it. How sweet it was when I finished that final run!

Kim: Leg 8
6/19/09 5:03 pm
Ogden Valley- 3.4 miles

6/20/09 1:38 am
Henefer- 7.2 miles

6/20/09 12:00 pm
Midway- 6.1 miles

Darren: Leg 11
6/19/09 6:32 pm
Old Snow Basin Road- 3.8 miles

6/20/09 5:13 am
Rockport- 7.4 miles

6/20/09 2:46 pm
Deer Valley- 7.1 miles

Team Fusion 2009

Happy Birthday, sweet cheeks!

In honor of the best friend, father, husband, companion, supporter...I love you. Happy 36th! Words cannot express how I feel about you, but I will try.

Darren has always, yes, since the day I can remember been...wonderful, confident, charming, athletic, handsome, forgiving, accomplished, wise, attentive, blessed, loyal, faithful, comedic, sweet, convincing, driven, brave, gifted, competent, mindful, devoted, impressive, achiever, respected, unfailing, decisive, big hearted, considerate, unselfish, witty, competitive, professional, intuitive, capable, honored, thoughtful, trustworthy, fascinating, resolute, sentimental, admired, warm hearted, talented...

The list just keeps going. How lucky I am to have him, and hold him, hoping I will never forget...what I have, and that he knows-- what he means to me.

Our weekend in George...

We love St. George, and have seemed to make a tradition out of it, we've gone once a year the last couple of years...all beginning with Darren and those triathlons. But what could make it better than bringing along some friends? Our party planners Kriste and Marla, didn't disappoint the group-- we had a fun filled weekend, with no time to spare! We-- Scott's, Miles', Hansen's, Marker's, Call's, Dart's, Davis' and Sandall's. All drove separately and arrived at various times but all making sure the schedule stayed intact. =) We left Thursday night at around 8:00 and didn't arrive until about 1:00am in the morn. Thinking we were gonna have a rough morning... heard the Call's didn't arrive until 5:00am. Phew! Just in time for the boys' 8:09 tee time.

Our schedule was as follows:

Friday, June 5:

8:00 Boy's Morning out -Golf Day (tee time 8:09)
11:00 Meet at Splash!
2:00 Lunch
4:00 Las Palmas Pool Party
6:30 Whisperwood Reunion party/Talent Show
10:30 Midnight 5K at the Southgate Golf Course

Saturday, June 6:

9:00 Girl's Morning out - Pampering at Taylor Andrews Scalp Massages/Pedicures
Shopping and Lunch
2:00 Las Palmas Pool Party
6:00 Whisperwood Fiesta Night: Mexican Food/Pinata/Fiesta Fun Center

We had such a relaxing time, one of our favorite family vacations it was a little sad to pack back up and head home.

Until next year.......

Peak Performance Chiropractic & Wellness Family Fun Night

Well the tally is in...we had a great turn out and a great time at our 2nd Annual Family Fun Night at the Classic Family Fun Center in Layton on June 3rd. About 350 people came to celebrate the end of the school year with us-- to show our thanks to our many patients for trusting us with their healthcare needs! There was free roller skating, bounce zone, refreshments and raffle drawings! People won beach towels w/water bottles (Kevin C.), a salsa maker (Brittney T.), a snow cone machine (Lana M.), a 4-in-1 vacuum (Chuck B.), and an IPOD shuffle (Lacey P.). My kids look forward to being the "coolest kids on the block" for a day every year when they get to invite whoever they want to come to Classic Skating for free.

On May 9th we also held our 2nd Annual Patient Appreciation Day. We gave every patient that came in a free adjustment, free 7 min massage, free hat, water bottle, and drawstring bag. We saw a record setting 110 patients that day, up from our 105 from last year!

Flowers? I NEVER get flowers...

Well...this time I did. My cute little husband had these flowers waiting for me at a table for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants for my birthday, June 1st. When they came out with my meal they brought me out another package, some cute new summer shoes!! And if that wasn't enough he told our waitress we had to be out by 1:45 because I had an appointment at the spa for a massage and manicure! Wow what a day! After the spa I called my kids, and they said I was not quite welcome home just yet, I quote my McKennah..."can't you just go into the office for 3 hrs." Lucky for her Darren had bought us tickets to go see the new movie "Angels and Demons." So we ordered the kids pizza and off we went.

When we got home my kids...all of them. Cleaned my house -- (for reals this time --"as if the cleaning lady was here" as I always say.) They had each made me poster size birthday cards, and had posted little notes around my room that said: Mom you are the best, because...you make us laugh(on toilet)...you are kind (on my pillow)...you love us (on our fireplace)...you are funny (on ironing board)...you are beautiful (in our shower)...you are my mom (on my makeup table)...you are special (in my jewlry box)...for all the times that being a mom can make you cry...this was what they call the "happy" kind.

Together...our favorite place to be!

Well I am caving in, and finally starting a blog of my own...doing it in love and for those in the picture with me above. What would I not do for my family? I am the luckiest person on the planet because of these 5 special people. This picture was taken in the fall of 2007 and so McKennah Astin was not quite 12, Logan Michael was 11 and the twins Jaret Ryley and Ayden Tate 7 1/2. An updated photo I will have to find and post later. I just love this photo because it is what our family is all about. Love, hugs, smiles, fun and being together...our favorite place to be!