Coming to an End...

Or just beginning? It seems like this time of year I am always ready for life to slow down a bit, i.e. playgroup(s), dance, singing, carpool, school (just a little), etc. I look forward to the summer for the nice weather and lack of a schedule, which I know is surprising considering how OCD I am. I like that the kids can just play and have fun and read on their own schedule and not for some score. Hannah is almost done with pre-school, just 2 more days. Avery is in her home stretch too, doing end of year testing right now, with some fun year-end activities to follow. Dance and singing recitals are also quickly approaching. We are just starting with softball and t-ball. Avery has had 2 softball games and Hannah starts t-ball next week. Avery is enjoying it and has a great coach. Ryan will be coaching (or crowd controlling) Hannah's team. Both girls play well into June. We enjoy watching them play and seeing the joy on their faces when they hit the ball. For Avery, this is the first year that you can strike out (after 5 coach pitches) and that was a little hard the first game but she seems to have it figured out now. She has a GREAT swing and if she connects with the ball right, it'll be outta here!

Alright, Already!!

OK, so I know that I royally suck at this blogging thing! But I was talking with one of my BFF's today and she reminded me that I haven't posted in a while (ok more than a while). I said to her I haven't had anything exciting to post, so what is the point and she said between October and now there must be something...so here goes!
October...
Over UEA, we went to Laughlin, Nevada and Lake Mojave in California for one last warm get-away with some friends. We boated on the lake until sundown and enjoyed the night-life (HA!) in Laughlin. The highlight was taking 24 people, adults and kids, to a mexican restaurant and waiting to be sat, getting the orders placed, and then came the best part, we all wanted to pay separate...good times!
For Halloween, Avery was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Hannah was "her witch" (I will keep it clean here)as she put it "but without the green face mommy, it's too scary". They enjoyed a night of trick or treating and pumpkin shaped pizza!
November...
I turned 31...yikes!! Had a great lunch out with friends and that night saw TWILIGHT at the midnight showing with my mom and sisters. I've never done that before and definitely won't make a habit of it but it was fun to do. Three days later my sister and I saw it again.
December/Christmas...
There was no traveling this year (for the holidays) since Ryan's parents moved to Utah the first part of the month. The girls got all of the items on their wish lists and then some. Ryan was glad to see that I kept Gymboree in business...I keep telling him that we all have our own addictions! I got a beautiful picture of the Salt Lake Temple (still waiting to be hung) and Ryan got an i-pod touch, which he didn't expect. I love when I can do something for him and he is surprised. The kids were off school for two weeks and we were able to spend time with family and friends. On a sad note, Ryan's grandma passed away on Christmas day. We will miss her but know that she is in a better place. (See January for the story on the funeral procession)
January...
A little history on Grandma. She was moved from California to a rest home in Utah in October in anticipation of Ryan's parents moving up here later in the year. During her stay she became very hostile to the staff and other residents, so she was hospitalized for a few weeks to get her medicine regulated. The day before she was to go back to the home, she fell and broke her hip. The break required surgery and an additional hospital stay for her to heal. During the stay, she got pneumonia and that is what took her in the end. Again we are sad but know she is in a better place. So here is the funeral procession story...Grandma was being burried back in California, so the body could either be driven back or flown back. We chose DRIVE! SO the caravan consisted of 4 white vehicles, 12 people, 2 dogs, 1 trailer with a casket and dead body inside. (Please do not think I am being disrespectful but it was quite hilarious!) We had to cross state lines which required a $5 permit stating the "cargo" and upon entering California, my father-in-law told them what he was carrying and asked them to please not make him open the casket. We all made it safe and it was a very nice service. We will miss you, Grandma!
February...
We spent Valentine's Day in the most ro"MAN"tic spot on earth, Glamis, California. It is a very large sand dune near the Mexico border where the MEN get to ride their quads, dirt bikes, rhinos, etc. all day long. Both of my girls learned to ride their quad and I got to chase them, especially Hannah the little speed demon (takes after her daddy), all over camp. The company was great, the food was great (Dutch-oven cobbler anyone!) and the time spent together was great! It was a little cold at night though.
March...
Nothing to much to report so far this month. Just life as normal as normal gets. The sun is starting to shine which makes me excited, the snow is all melted at out house which makes me excited, and TWILIGHT comes out on DVD on Friday night at midnight which makes me excited! Avery has been working on an animal report for school and she chose the elephant. She did a very nice job and wrote a great story about why elephants are grey...I will post it later I promise. You have my permission to hold me to it! OH YEAH, I made my first digital scrapbook page today. It is definitely a work in progress but was kind of cool. I have A LOT to learn though. I will post it when it is finished!
Thanks to everyone who is interested in knowing about the happenings (however mundane) in our lives. We love you all and think of you often!

I CAN HARDLY WAIT....

"The BEST day ever!"

These are the words my daughter, Avery yelled as she came in the front door from her first day of school today. She is growing up so quickly, she didn't even want me to meet her at the school this morning to help her find her class. She said, "I can do it by myself Mom, I know where my new class is." She is very excited about her teacher this year, as am I. We have heard wonderful things about Mrs. Steele and I know that Avery's knowledge will grow by leaps and bounds this year. Let's hope that the words "the best day ever" will be ones that I hear every day!

Kudos to Stephenie Meyer...

I finished reading Breaking Dawn, the forth and supposed final book in the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer, late last night and I will say this...it did not disappoint (for me at least). Whether you are a fan of Edward, my personal favorite, or Jacob, you will be pleased with the outcome. Stephenie did a wonderful job in tying up all of the loose ends and leaving the reader satisfied. I was hardly able to put the book down once I started it, of course it is like that with most anything I read, much to my D.H.'s dismay. I experienced a full range of emotion as I read it...from happy to sad, nervous to excited, shocked to pleased. I even teared up a few times, both tears of joy and sadness. Stupid, I know because it is just a book but as you read the series, you become so involved in the characters that they seem real and you develop a definite attachment to them. So kudos Stephenie on a wonderful and unexpected end to a great series. I am already to read it again and again and again...oh, you get my point! Go Team Edward! Looking forward to Twilight the Movie on November 21st, 2008 (the day after my birthday) and to the release of Midnight Sun!

Am I a follower?

Sooooo, I decided to follow the blogging trend and start one of my own. I am doing this as a way to journal special events and happenings in our little family, and hopefully, as a step towards digital scrapbooking (yet another HINT to the D.H.). I have never fully understood the point of blogging and will admit that I rarely look at anyone elses blog unless they send me an email posting an update. I have realized though, in reading the few blogs that I do, that this is a great way for family and friends, both near and far, to keep in touch and aware of what is going on in my family. So I hope that you will enjoy my blog and the happenings of the Utah Goodfella's.