GOTTA LOVE AUTUMN!

TOP TEN REASONS I LOVE AUTUMN



10. Hot showers

9. Sleeping with the windows open and being wrapped up in a wobbie all snug and tight.

8. Long sleeves and jackets.

7. Hot chocolate

6. Pumpkin pie

5. Leaf piles

4. Halloween

3. Thanksgiving

2. Not too hot . . . not too cold

And the Number one reason I love autumn. . . .

THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL!!!!

CODY/YELLOWSTONE TRIP

We headed up north for this long weekend. Josh's dad was awesome enough to take us to Cody, WY. All of his 5 kids, the 3 daughter-in-laws and the 9 grandkids were present. It is quite a crew. We got looks and comments everywhere we went. We stopped the first night at the cabin in Star Valley (which is for sale if you know anyone who wants an awesome cabin in amazing Star Valley, WY). The next morning we headed up through Yellowstone, saw some buffalo, stopped at Fishing Bridge, and made it to Cody early enough to shop a bit, get some delicious dinner at the Proud Cut and go swimming in the huge (NOT) pool.

Laci, Avery, Abby, Landon, Cullen, Cady at Fishing Bridge


The wind blowing through Cady's dark chesnut hair!


Some of the Buffs we saw


The next morning, the guys (including Cullen) headed off early to do some fishing. The girls and the rest of the kids went into town and tried to do some shopping. The kids weren't too keen on shopping so we headed to the park for some lunch and then back to the hotel for a long nap. We woke up just in time to go to dinner then we took a late night swim.

My little fisherman!

Josh caught a few, too


Robert had some luck too!

There were lots of rabbits right outside our cabins that the kids loved chasing around.
Kristy, Laci and Cady dancin' to Taylor Swift out by the pool.


The next morning, we headed back through Yellowstone, where we stopped at Old Faithful. It never ceases to amaze me how many people flock there each day and how "faithful" the ol' geyser is. Pretty amazing if you think about it.


About the time we headed out of the parking lot at Old Faithful, the weather started cooling down. We stopped at Jenny Lake to check it out and as soon as we got in the visitor center, it began to downpour. We stayed there for awhile hoping it would stop raining, but it never did. The power went out a couple of times though. And always prepared me, didn't pack sweatshirts or jackets cuz I figured it would be hot the whole time. Cullen didn't let me live that down.

Our whole fam in front of our Cody cabin.

The majestic Tetons.

We got to Jackson and ate at The Merry Piglets, a mexican restaurant we had never tried. It was pretty good. We made it back to the cabin by 9pm and had to dry out all our stuff (we had taken the work truck--so all our stuff got rained on). Morning came and it was still raining and freezing. Those jackets would have come in handy. On the way home, we drove through a snow storm. It sure was pretty, but the shorts and flip-flops did not appreciate it. Next time, I will make sure to pack the jackets.

All in all, it was a pretty good trip. Too much driving for the kids, who tormented each other EVERY WAKING MOMENT!!!! I'm ready for a vacation now. Thanks Robert for the great trip. Great times are had and great memories are being made. Love ya!

Vacations really take it out of ya!

BRAG MOMENT

So many of you know that I had the lap band surgery in March. I was tired of being overweight, but not motivated enough to do anything about it on my own, so i decided to go for it. Any way, it has been a great thing for me (except for the latest abcess). It was just what I needed to kick my butt into gear. I am now exercising--willingly --- and eating better. And I'm proud to say that when I weighed today, I have hit my 50 pound mark (52 to be precise!!!!). Anyway, I had to brag. Hopefully all will continue to go well with my weight-loss goals.

BELATED ANNIVERSARY

So it seems everything happened (or tried to happen) while I was sick. Josh and I were set to go out on a date for our 12th wedding anniversary on August 9th. But I was sooooooo sick that we cancelled. What a great way to celebrate--in bed--and not the good way :) Anyway, so last Friday, I planned a little belated celebration. I was starting to feel a little better and the pain was somewhat tolerable, so I thought, "let's do it!" Then, that ended up being the day the abcess was found and drained, so I really wasn't feeling my "A game" but I didn't want to cancel again, so we continued on with our plans. I had reserved the "kitchen table" at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Buca di Beppo. The table is actually in the kitchen amidst all the cooking and action. It was fun. The food was fantastic as usual and it was fun to see the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.

Then we went and saw "Pineapple Express". I was in the mood for a great comedy and it was funny, but not as great as we were hoping. But, we made it through the night, just as we've made it through the past 12 years--some good, some bad, some tolerable, some pain, some misery, some laughter, some chaos, some duty-filled, etc. I'd say here's to 12 more, but let's just try to get throught the next one, ok hun? HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JOSHIE!!!

CAMPING TRIP

So we were scheduled to go camping mid-August--the opening weekend of the deer hunt. But I was still so sick I wasn't sure if I would be able to go. I was almost in tears the night before we were scheduled to go because I wanted to go sooooo bad, but I hurt sooooo bad. I finally decided to just buck up and go. I could be in pain there just as easy as at home. So we packed up and headed to the mountains. I pretty much lived on pain pills and did absolutely nothing while there, but it was nice to have a change of scenery. And the kids loved it! Thanks to all the friends and family there that made it easier for me! Love ya~

Cullen and Ryker

Cullen and Josh

Landon and Ryker goin' for a ride

The big log

Madolyn, Cady, Laci and Ethney

The sharp shooter

Landon, Lane and Cady

Josh and Bry choppin' some firewood

The new tent trailer

BACK TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING

So, I've been absent from the blogging world for almost a month now because I have been sick. So sick that I couldn't eat, read, blog, walk, talk, etc. I was pretty much in bed with severe pain for 2 weeks and then I went back to work and have been barely squeakin' by just doing that. I've had no energy for anything else. No one could figure out what was wrong---they all pretty much thought I was crazy until I finally got the right doctor to listen to me. I had a big abcess (pocket of infection) in my belly. I still don't know if that was the only thing that was going on, but by the time that was discovered, the other symptoms except my severe pain had pretty much resolved. Anyway, they drained the abcess and put me on heavy duty antibiotics and I'm feeling much better. So, now I'm trying to catch up on everyone's lives. Love y'all!

911 WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY?

We were rudely awakened this morning with a doorbell and a loud knock. I was like, "was that seriously the doorbell---if that is one of our annoying neighbor kids I think I might go postal." Anyway, it was the Woods Cross Police saying that they had just received 5-6 call/hang-ups from this number and they wanted to know if we were all okay. Well, as far as we knew everyone was still asleep. So Josh took them downstairs and sure enough, found Landon in his room awake (with the phone hidden at this point). I guess it's good he knows how to dial the number, but SERIOUSLY!!!!

Anyone else have good 911 stories?