Tyson's Baptism

Tyson was baptized on Saturday with his cousin Dallin. It was so touching to see these two adorable boys that are such great friends be able to share this special day. They were born only 5 weeks apart from one another so it was only fitting for them to be baptized on the same day by their dads. We were so blessed to be surrounded by so many family and friends who came to support Tyson and Dallin on this special day. It will be something I hope they remember forever.

Provo 1/2 Marathon

BEFORE

AFTER

As part of my "get back in shape after baby" mode I set a goal to accomplish a race. My first goal was the Provo Triathlon with Niki and T.J. at the end of June. I trained through all of my weakness (swimming and biking) and was ready to go but I caught the flu about 3 days before and couldn't complete the triathlon. I was pretty down so I decided to quickly pick another goal. I chose the Provo 1/2 Marathon. I had ran one before in Boston but I was not used to the long runs for a while. I trained with my friend Charlynne which I have to say that was the best part. There is nothing like great talks on those long runs to get though them. We had to wake up at 4:00 last Saturday to make it up Provo canyon on time. It amazed me to see all the people there standing in the dark waiting for the buses. Another thing amazed me was the variety of people. There were people of every age and size, it didn't mater we were all reaching for the same goal. The race was stunning as we wound down through the beautiful canyons and when Charlynne and I crossed the finish line it was an amazing feeling, painful but amazing. Im sure glad it is done but everyone should try it at least once.

Dreams do come true!

Everyone has dreams. Some are for health and family and others are completely frivolous but not matter what the incentive we can all dream about something and when it does come true it can be the best day of our lives. Chip had the opportunity to have a dream come true. He is a golf purest and one of his dreams has been to play golf at St. Andrews in Scotland. St. Andrews is believed to be the oldest golf course, a place where golf started and it hasn't changed in over 500 years. His older brother Trevor was taking his parents there as a Christmas gift. Trevor doesn't golf and he thought it would be more fun for his dad to have a golf partner so he called Chip two weeks before they left and invited him to come if he could get a plane ticket there. Two weeks later Chip was on a plane to Scotland. He golfed one of the most memorable rounds of his life and he was able to do it with his dad. After he came home I asked what it was like to complete his dream? He said, "Now that I have that out of the way I can't wait to go to New Zealand to golf." I realized that I need to dream bigger!!!

Jackson Hole 2008

We went on this incredible trip to Jackson with all our friends from our neighborhood for the second year in a row and it was pure 24 hour fun the whole time we were there. We camped by the Snake River while we do about 3 trips a day taking turns running this white water river. There were 9 families including John and Debbie Thomas, Tyler and Bonnie (Debbies sister) Sue and Nad Thomas, (Debbies Parents) Pete and Roxanne Duennebiel, Ben and Kellie Pack, Jill and Rich Green, Heather and Cy Waldron, Lisa and Chris Opfar but of all the people that were there Tyler was by far my favorite. He is Debbie's next door neighbor who was born with all of his joints fused together so his has only a very small amount of movement in his wrists. Even though he can not move his sweet personality is bigger than life!! He has not been very many places in his life so to see the excitement in his eyes while camping, hiking to waterfalls, watching everyone run the river was unbelievably humbling. I am so grateful that I was able to become friends with Tyler and he has changed my life for the good. Thanks Tyler for making this trip so much fun!

Boating with the Blacks

Brandie Black is one of my college room mates that I have stayed close with through the years. She is one of those incredible people that is so fun to be around and yet always thinking of others. I have learned so much from her over the years and am so grateful for her friendship. It was a bonus that her husband Tim and Chip get along so well and now so do our kids. They invited us out on their boat on Utah Lake and we had a blast. I feel so blessed to have so many great people in my life.

Shout out to John Mayer

This just goes to show how behind I am in my blogging but I wanted to just say that John Mayer can give one great concert. I haven't been to a big concert since pre-kid days. We went with Lisa and Chris and saw Tiffany, Celisa, and Debbie while we were there. It was so fun and the Colbie Caillet was such a bonus. It was a great recharge my mom batteries night!!!

Family Pictures

The story of my life is that I never do it right the first time, it usually takes me 3 or 4 tries and so it goes with family pictures. I wanted a cute picture with all my kids but with busy football schedules and school starting again it seems like there is never time. The only time they were available was in the middle of a hot sunny day, in fact so sunny that no one could keep their eyes open. I still insisted so even though these are not the cute pictures you want to send to grandparents but I wanted to post them as a reminder to me that in life, timing is everything.

COUSIN SLEEPOVER

We started a tradition last year with the Packer cousins for one full night of fun. Brayden usually does most of the planning so this year we started out with dinner, hat and beaded necklaces, relay races with the gigga ball, several games of Red Rover, we made chocolate chip cookies, had a dance off, (which lasted far longer than my energy did), midnight movie and snacks until everyone finally passed out, and chocolate cover waffles in the morning to pump them full of sugar before the moms came to pick them up then it was all over. I want to thank sweet Auntie Celisa for all her help, I couldn't have done it with out you Cee's especially when it came to staying awake until two year old Dawson finally fell asleep at 1:45 a.m. I love my nieces and nephews and I feel so grateful to live so close to most of them and create these wonderful memories. We had a blast!!

A Wyatt Story

I love to share Wyatt stories for all my mom friends who think, "Wow that was a hard day with my kids but not as hard as if Wyatt was in my family." Now I never want anyone to doubt my love for Wyatt. I actually think that he will always be my most adventurous child because he loves to have fun as much as I do but I share these stories to get though the toddler years. Late last night Wyatt woke up hysterically screaming. I was so worried I jumped out of bed and I met him in the hall way to try and clam him before he woke up the people in Riverton. He would not stop crying. I asked him if it was a bad dream or if he was hurt but nothing would stop the blood curdling screams. I decided the only thing to do was pick him up and he and carry him to bed. As soon as he was securely straddled to my hip I suddenly felt a warm sensation all over my torso and the crying came to a screeching halt. Yes my sweet little Wyatt was just waiting for the moment to pee on his mother and the second his goal was accomplished the crying stopped and everything was alright. At least it was alright for him.

MUSH

I realize that these are pictures that only a mother and honorary mothers of London might enjoy but I just started with real food and it reminds me how grateful I am to have teeth! I love to enjoy the finer things in life like turkey sandwiches, Costa Vida pork salad, and most important CHOCOLATE. These are all wonderful joys in life and she will soon partake but I guess it's good we start at the very bottom of the taste bud chain with this tasteless mush. You can tell by the looks on her face how much she loves it. It could be due to the fact that Uncle (Pediatrician) Zak has already given her soda at 3 months while I wasn't looking, thanks Zak! Im not to worried because it won't be long until chocolate becomes one of the 4 food groups for London. It's just a Packer thing because Im convinced that it makes us sweet, or at least it's my makes me sleep better excuse.

STEWART FALLS

We love to hike Stewart Falls every summer and this year we invited the Opfars, Thomas, and Waldron families to hike it with us. It is such a perfect hike that his not to long for the little ones and they get to cool off under the water when you get there. It is perfect summer fun.

Best 24 Hours!!!

Picture this: It's Wednesday night and I am staring at a pile of laundry higher than the empire state building and trying to find some bit of energy or motivation to tackle the huge overwhelming task when suddenly I get a phone call from my little sister who happens to work for Delta Airlines. She asks me what I was doing tomorrow and I start thinking of all of my exciting plans like grocery shopping, cleaning toilets, washing markers off the walls ect. She then asks, "How would you like to fly to Lagoona Beach for the day?" Are you serious, are you serious??? The next thing I know I am packing my swim suit in a over night bag and setting my alarm for a 6:00 flight. The fun started from the minute I picked her up at her house. We had VIP treatment at the airport because she was an employee and we sat in first class on the plane. When we went to pick up the car and she had reserved the cutest little red convertible. We drove to the beach with the wind blowing in our hair and not a care in the world. Our hotel room faced the ocean and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I felt like I haden't seen the ocean forever so it was such a joy for me. We had the best girl time shopping, getting massages, sitting on the beach, going out for sushi, then ice cream, then got in the jacuzzi, then fell asleep listening to the ocean. The next morning that cute little red convertible was turned in to the car rental return and we were back on a plane home to my little ones. I can't thank Sheri enough for giving me the perfect little mom break. Now somehow that load of laundry doesn't look so bad.