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The Great outdoors, at Joes Valley

This past weekend, over the 24th, we went to Joe's Valley. It was the first time for Todd and I. It was very pretty and a lot of fun. Two of Todd's uncles and their families, Todd's Grandma R, Todd parents and siblings (other than Justin who couldn't get off work) came up throughout the weekend. It was so fun to play and relax. I went up a day early with Teresa but without Todd and we survived :-) He came up Friday afternoon with his dad and two sisters. It was nice to have him up there. We did survive, but it's a little easier with two of us.

I love camping and the boys do to. We wanted to go a lot this summer but with all of our stuff packed we've had a hard time getting away.

The view...

Part of what camping is all about....food.

Two days we were able to go to the lake. It was a lot of fun. TC was really brave (and bribed) to jump of a 20 foot cliff. It might have been 30' or 35' depends on who you ask. I don't have pics but I will post them as soon as I get them.

Any where we went, the kids would throw in some chairs and ride in the back of the trucks.

This is most of everyone that was there. It was a pretty big (and fun) group!

We went to see the Mammoth find. It was a little interesting, but not too much to see. We were hoping for some kind of cast or something, but all there was were signs with info. We did learn a little something though.

Skyler and Tate. These two have been good friends since the beginning. Their bdays are only 2 months apart.

I love fun summer camping trips!

Hiking

On Friday we went hiking up one of the Timpanogos trails. We didn't make it all the way to the top. It was HOT and the kids were wearing out fast, but we saw some pretty views. It was fun to do that with the kids. Next time we'll aim for a cooler day, bring a little more water, and choose a little bit easier trail.

We did go swimming after to cool off and the boys really enjoyed that also. I really enjoy spending the day with my family. We have a lot of fun!

Exercise Blog

I continue to update my Healthy Mamma blog (found on the left). I have discovered a few things that I hope will help over all who I am and how I see my self. That's the plan anyway. To keep me motivated and if I can motivate others along the way.

Parade...

Monday we went to the Provo parade, it was fun. The boys and Todd lovingly endured it for me. I like parades. We saw a lot of fun things...some only to be seen in Utah...

...like KSL station float

...and a whole section just for missionaries....

...and floats that different wards designed....

And we loved all of it. It is part of our culture and that's OK.

We also saw other fun things like Star Wars guys...

and big giant dogs.

Thanks to the Haws family for letting us share their big space that they save every year! And thanks Todd for going with me!

The 4th of July weekend!

With the 4th on Sunday this year, it left us 3 day of fun! On Saturday we met up with the Hessings (some good friends of ours) drove to the AF amphitheater to kill some time before it got dark, then we drove over in front of the Timpanogos Temple and watched the firework shows all over the valley. They were a little small and far away, but I think the kids enjoyed staying out late and watching them. Best of all was sitting on top of the car to watch :-)

Sunday we met up again with our friends to eat and do fireworks. We BBQ'd, visited, played, ate, talked, and played some more. The best part of this summer is how well all the boys (in the neighborhood) play so well together. They are constantly asking to play with friends. It has been a welcome relief from our other struggles.

Todd and Titus

Some of the boys

More of the boys...oh-wait there IS a cute little girl in there!

The whole reason for patiently waiting...

Oh-yeah...and the fact that the kids got to help light some of the fireworks.

All of the kids watching. I noticed it was hard to get a pic of TC and his friend Gavin. They were moving so much I couln't get them in a shot!

I really am thankful for this free country that we live in. In testimony meeting a lot of people bore their testimony's about the struggles and miracles that happened in order to obtain our freedom and keep it that way. It made my heart swell with love for those men! Our Heavenly Father truly has blessed us to live in this chosen land.

Another Project...

My table:

I bought this table for $50 on KSL. I can't wait until it's finished. This is it after I sanded it all down. The whole thing was an ugly vinyl, fake wood, stuff. Todd had to add some new sides to one of the middle pieces. I am going to paint it a faint grey/white. I am going to add mismatched chairs to it, but they will all be painted one color to match the table. I am so excited for it to be done! (did I say that already?)

Now I just need a house to put it in...

Job

I applied for a job at Colgan air two week ago, and today I got a letter telling me their decision...I didn't get the job. I wasn't disappointed in the decision they made because the pay was crapy and I would have to commute to New York.

I have been thinking about getting out of aviation altogether (and no, Connie is not the reason). I love to fly, but I love my family more. When I started this adventure I was okay with the fact that I would not be around much while working, due to the typical four-on, three-off, schedule of a pilot. I know that it wouldn't always be like that after I build up some seniority.

A little while ago the boys came to me and asked why I was never home to do stuff with them and that hurt. I don't feel like I am a bad dad, but I think I have deprived them of father time they needed. I know people think that I'm crazy because I could just turn my back on all the hard work and sacrifice that we, as a family, put into me going back to school.

I still don't know what I will do. For now the feeling that I have is to just keep doing what I have been doing. If I do deiced to do something else, it will probably some thing in the medical field so there is a possibility that I could still instruct on the side.

Answers:

Todd finally heard from Colgan Air. He did not get the job. We actually were a little surprised, but not really. Even though it's a little hard to be told no, it made the choice for some very hard decision that we were not sure we were ready to face.

I am sort of rambling, but I hope I make sense. I feel Ok with it. I am a little glad that I don't have to live with out my husband for weeks at a time. I am glad that he didn't have to turn it down, because that's what he was going to do anyway. Now what? Well I think we will sit tight for a while and keep saving and paying off. Todd will keep applying, I hope, and we will keep going forward. I hope Todd posts his feeling on here. So be prepared for 2 of the same story.