"By Order of the Managment" posters

I love these:

Do you ever feel....

like your skates have been pulled out from underneath you????    

One year old!

Our sweet Claire is one...  I can't believe it.  Life is so much fun with her and we are all crazy about her.   

Best memory of the trip... and favorite find.

In Gothenburg, Sweden Chris decided that he wanted a little something to munch on.   We went to a grocery store and got this giant dessert roll.  It looked like a huge Hostess HoHo.  And we ate pretty much the entire thing.  I am sure that it was meant to serve between 10 to 12 people!  There were some girls walking behind us watching us devouring the thing... I am sure they were thinking what stupid Americans we were- eating this monstrous, calorie overloaded, delectable treat.   

The greatest band-aid dispenser ever...  The band-aids are pulled up and are ready to go.  You may not think this is as ingenious as I do, but trust me it was awesome!  

P.S.  Band-aids are called "ploustas"  in Sweden.  Try explaining that you need a band-aid to someone that has no idea what your are saying... comedy! 

Demark and Paris

After Sweden Chris and I went to Denmark- where we meet some of Chris' distant relatives, visited an old family farm and got a parking ticket.  We really enjoyed everyone we meet and we even walked to the very Northern tip of Denmark (Skagen) where the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean come together.  

 

And then a day in Paris.  Paris had so many places to visit that we didn't really know where to start, with only one day there.  We walked all over and saw amazing places.   We were a little stressed when we arrived in Paris and our luggage didn't, but it showed up the next morning at the hotel about 20 minutes before we left for the airport again.  The crepes with Nutella and bananas were yum-o!  And the chocolate milk with french bread to dip brought back tons of memories from a trip 15 years earlier!

 

Haley made a great sign to welcome us home and Claire wanted nothing to do with us.  I think that my Mom was loving it!

It was a great trip with great people.  We are very lucky!

Birthday Party via Skype

Claire and I missed sharing a birthday by one hour.  My baby turned one while we were gone. (The guilt was horrible!)  My Mom threw her a great party and we got to join in too-  all with the magic of SKYPE.  Ashlynn and Coby told us about it and I love it!  We got to see and talk with the kids every night.   Learn all about it here

Bjertorp Slott, Sweden

 After riding the train to Lidkoping, our good friends the Jepson's, (who are serving a mission there,) meet us at the train station and drove us about 45 minutes to Bjertorp Slott (Castle.)  It was so fun to see them and spend a little time with them.   It was great to see each other a hear some of the experiences they have had in Sweden.  We really couldn't believe that in all of Sweden we ended up going right to when they were.  Small world!

We had the run of our very own castle...  It was a fairytale.  The backyard was gorgeous with a fountain and green grass as far as you could see.  

 

The driveway leading to the castle was lined with trees.  Amazing!  

There were also some old bikes for the guests to ride.  That was the best!

Pictured are Ashlynn and her husband Coby, Ray and Brittany- She works for Asko USA and was our fantastic tour guide.  We called her "Sugar Mama" because she was the holder of the Asko Credit Card.  We were able to tour the Asko factory too.  It was really interesting and we loved meeting so many nice people.  

Sweden!

Chris won a design contest with ASKO; the winning prize was a trip to Sweden.  

The best part was Ashlynn that works for Chris won too!  Read Ashlynn's blog for more details and photos.

Asko spoiled us and we loved every second of the trip!

We had such a great time... I thought that I would share a few

 photos...

Stockholm is my new favorite place.  It was a beautiful city and old town was perfectly picturesque!  We spent the first two days there and I also got to celebrate my birthday there.

I

It did rain quite a bit, but we enjoyed not having to be in 100 + degree weather.   I have no idea what this picture is, but I am pretty sure I am thinking, "Oh, snap!  My hair + this humidity + a hairdryer that will NOT work with a converter... things are going to get UGLY!"

House for Sale and My "Super Mom"

It's official, our house is for sale.

It was cruel trick to list the house while my Mom was tending for the 10 days that we were gone, but the reality is; if anyone could keep a house clean and presentable - it's her!  

I think that I am going to have a cape made for her because she really is "Super Mom"  She had 14 people show up to see the house with just a moments notice.  Also she managed to throw a little birthday party for Claire, get kids to school, run errands, swim practice for Haley, Montessori for Ryan, and swimming lessons for Claire.  That was just her first day tending!

Why I don't do anything anymore....

I  Follow Claire around and try to keep the mess under control!  It is a full time job.   I love this little girl, but she is into everything!  

She is taking a few steps on her own now and I am led to believe that the craziness has just begun... life is on fast forward right now and I would give anything to slow it down.  

Best day EVER!

Friday was one of the best days I have had in a long time!  I drove (by myself) to Las Vegas and got to go shopping (by myself!)  I ate lunch (by myself) and loved every second of it!  

And I would like to add that my husband is now in Hawaii BY HIMSELF.  So you don't need to feel bad for him!  It is for work, but still....  Alone and in Hawaii.  He is NOT suffering!  

Mowercycle

I thought this was pretty funny...  for anyone who missed spin class and needs their lawn trimmed ... mowercycle is the perfect answer!

Forth of July 08'

It is in out "prenuptial agreement" that Chris and I go to Richfield for the Forth.  It is really the best place ever.  The fireworks went on for 45 min.  We left before they were over because Chris had to be back to St. George, but we did see the big finale when we got on the freeway.  I love the Forth.  I am pretty sure that it is my favorite holiday!   

We usually get to see both sides of our families there so that makes it even better.  Chris' parents announced that they are putting in their mission papers soon.  That is exciting!  

Zach and Emily blessed Conner in St. George before they flew back to N.Y.  It was really fun to see them with Connor.  They are both head-over-heels with that boy!  

Del Coronado

After a long four months we finally got to meet Connor.  He is my sister Emily's first baby and so adorable!  

My brother Clint and his family where there too.  We had a really great time enjoying each other. 

There was only a ONE major incident...  We lost Ryan @ the San Diego Zoo.  (I really don't want to re-live this!)  

I am pretty sure that this will be a vacation that Clint,especially, will never forget...  :) 

We just all had fun being together.  

Father's Day 2008

Do you have any idea how lucky I am to have the most amazing men in my life!

     

                                                                                                                                                                       

My Dad makes everything fun!  I love his enthusiasm for life and for his willingness to blow anything up with just a little bit of prodding.  (I think this is why my husband married me... because my Dad is a really good time!- Guaranteed!)

I love my Dad more than I could ever explain.  I am thankful for the man he is.  He makes me feel loved and is the most wonderful Grandpa to my kids.  He is Ryan's very best pal too!

Chris is really everything I could ask for in a husband!  I love to be with him.  He is honest, fair, hard working, super smart, genuine, and the best father to our kids.  I love him and am so grateful for all he does for me.  

I am grateful for my father-in-law too.  He is so good to me and I am thankful for him for raising Chris to be such a good man.  

Ryan's Collection.

Ryan has informed my that he would like to start collecting bottle caps.  If you find yourself swigging down a a bottle of sugary goodness- keep Ryan in mind and save your caps.  

Just in case you ever needed to know...  

Suprise Party

Chris' Mom turned 60. So we had surprise party for her... Janae did a fantastic job planning the party... I am sure that living next door to the birthday girl made it a little tricky keeping it a secret too.

I am pretty sure that Becky had no idea about the party because she was thoroughly surprised!

Chris' sister Molly made that best desserts and Melissa did the veggie trays. Lots of good food!

I can cook... I just choose not to...

I just wanted to prove that once in awhile I do make an effort. My husband really is the better cook, so really, why compete?

Haley makes a mean chocolate strawberry too!