Enjoying Fall

Living in Vegas there aren't traditional seasons. It's more like Summer and the rest of the year. We decided to take a little week-end trip to Duck Creek in Utah to see the Fall colors. When we got there Saturday the weather was perfect. A chilly Fall day but not too bad. Damon took the boys fishing, but we had no luck. Shane is Damon's sidekick and loves watching him and helping him fish. They walk around the river looking for the perfect spot and enjoy being together. I love watching them. I usually watch from afar because Trevor and I are off doing our own thing.

Damon in his element.

Trevor loves to hold the pole for a few seconds and swings it around and then he is off!

This time Trevor and I collected leaves. They were beautiful falling from all the Aspen trees. Then we spent the rest of the morning throwing rocks into the river. Doesn't sound too adventurous but we both love it!

Shane could last all day out at the river fishing with Daddy.

Shane loves to get behind the camera and take a few pictures too.

Once we fished for awhile we met up with Grandma and Grandpa Young. There were on a little vacation and we decided to all spend a few days together. It was great to spend some time with them! We had a yummy picnic and along with a fire and smores then decided to look for some Fall colors and made it to Bryce! By this time it was getting cold and our Vegas boys don't deal well with the cold!

I think the last time I was here I was about 15 years old. It was beautiful.

Damon and I left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa for a little bit so we could hike to the top to see the view. It was amazing but my camera battery died! It's fun being together even if it's just a short 20 minute hike! The next day we woke up to windy and cold weather! All the leaves were falling and soon so were the trees! The mountain men AKA Damon and Larry had to move a fallen over tree out of the road so we could drive. What an adventure.

After driving through an aspen grove and seeing and hearing this giant pine tree fall right in front of us we decided it was time to get out of there!

Another great week-end together with those I love. It couldn't be better and I always look forward to our next adventure!

From the Bottom of Our Hearts

Thank you! Our first Brite Blue photo shoot was a huge success. Children came, pictures were taken, and donations were made.

With the smiles of these beautiful children others will receive joy...

because of their parents kind hearts.

Brite Blue takes your donations and places smiles onto poverty stricken children by giving them an education.

Thanks you, thank you, thank you!

We cannot express our gratitude to all who have donated to Brite Blue this year. Our hearts are full. The smiles of our children will now give smiles to children across the world in a small village. Our children have warm baths and beds. Food always at their disposal and now because of every one's kindness more children will be able to do the unimaginable, go to school!

Hope will be given to the beautiful children of Guatemala in over a week. Damon is over joyed with every one's kindness and help. We will continue to keep you updated of the success of the children of Brite Blue. For now, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

My Buddy

This little guy brings me so many emotions each day. He brings me love, frustration, laughter, happiness, sleepiness, friendship and more joy then I could ever have dreamed.Always wanting to play cars or watch TV with me. I can just give him a look and he knows I need a kiss and love which he is always quick to give. He showers me with love each day which is probably the only reason I can handle his craziness! He can be wild and crazy and know just what buttons to push but all he has to do is flash that adorable smile and I laugh at Mr. Trevor, my buddy!

Peace

Peace is something I usually take for granted. I feel peace while walking in my neighborhood. Peace when my kids are sleeping sweetly. Peace when Damon holds me in his arms. I am told I live in a bubble. Living carefree going about my life in bliss not worrying about what most worry about in this cold world. I go about my life with lunch dates and park playing all while Damon is keeping peace in our community. He sees more than most will in a thousand lifetimes. He helps those that cannot help themselves. The horror and hate he sees on most days are things most of us cannot even imagine yet he comes home and takes his badge off. He give me a kiss and begins to play with his boys. Pushing back the stress of his workdays and not only bringing peace into our home but laughter too.

He returns safe to us, his family, and I always say a small prayer. A prayer of gratitude he is home safe and we can continue to make memories together.

I am proud of Damon and the peace he brings into the world. I get to continue to live in my bubble of peace while he is out serving our community.

Life isn't stopping!

I was beginning to feel sorry for myself. My life seemed boring, nothing to blog about. All I could think about is since I have started working we haven't been up to much and it was making me sad. Well, that was until I actually uploaded my pictures from the last few weeks and realized life isn't stopping. We are still going full speed ahead and having a blast at it! Blog posts have slown down but life hasn't. In case you were wondering what we have been up to we have been...

Park playing...

Lunch dining...Brother wrestling...Chicken eating...

Movie going...

** Went to see Fame and ended up sitting in front of someone who STARRED in the show! Really, one of the dancers but he loved the paparazzi!!

Carousel riding...

More movie watching...

Car Show seeing...

Baby feeding...

**This redheaded little darling baby girl is not mine but we would take her any day!
Target shopping...

***Don't worry Damon, I didn't buy any scrapbook stuff because I didn't "need" it!

Friend playing...

fun filled days!

Life is still good and we are loving it and each other. As you can see school and work are not getting in the way of our traditional life of crazy yet fun!

Pictures to Educate!

This year I decided to help fundraise for Brite Blue and what better way to help those kids in need then with our own children's smiles! Back to school pictures will be offered through Young Impressions Photography (me!) and all proceeds will got to the children of the Brite Blue Foundation. Here is how it works. Sign-up for a mini session, take pictures, make a donation to Brite Blue, get pictures, change a child in Guatemala's life!

First Annual

Young Impressions Photography

Pictures to Educate

All proceeds go to Brite Blue Foundation

Thursday, September 24, 2009

3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Location: Town Square Park

Make a $25 minimum donation to Brite Blue Foundation per child

With each donation your child will have an individual mini session. After the session you will receive a CD of 2-3 images in color and black & white with full copyright release. With this you will be able to print, e-mail, and blog photos for whatever you need!

Spaces are limited so don't miss out! Feel good about helping others while you get darling pictures of your beautiful children. To set up an appointment e-mail me at tricia@surftheweb.com

Kindergarten Smiles

We finally made it to the first day of Kindergarten today! Being on track 1 we had our first break the first 3 weeks of school! I was nervous for Shane. He doesn't like change and will sometimes cry so I wasn't sure what today would bring but to much relief he was all smiles! Since today was MY first day of school too Shane had to go to school extra early with me! As soon as we got there he asked me when it was his turn to go to his class. I signed a deep breath of relief because that meant he was excited! As a teacher I start my day at 8:20 and Shane can go on the playground at 8:50. His day ends at 11:45 and I will go get him and finish up my day at 12:15. It's a perfect schedule and a quick day.

I love how proud he looks. If you can't tell by his outfit he goes to a uniform school. He likes having a uniform "like daddy!"

Seriously, his teacher, Mrs. Stemp, couldn't be any better for me. She is the exact image of a kindergarten teacher I would picture in my mind. She dresses, acts, talks, and is just the perfect kindergarten teach. I think we will have a very fun year.

Once it was time to go in the gate to class Daddy and Trevor met us to say good-bye to Shane.

Trevor wasn't so happy Shane was leaving him again for school. He also wasn't happy he couldn't play on the playground! I cannot believe how grown-up he is! Loving his proud smile.

Daddy and Trevor our new special buddies. While Shane and I are at school on Damon's days off they will be together. Trevor is excited to have Daddy all to himself and loved going to get donuts and chocolate milk while Shane and I were working away at school! I was happy to come home to clean carpets and a clean car! Damon made it nice and relaxing to come home to a clean house!

Now this is the part where all the other parents had to say good-bye and stand outside the door. However, since I'm a teacher and an interventionist for Kindergarten with no kids to help yet Shane's teacher asked me to come in and help them get settled!!! I loved watching him and his unsure demeanor as he entered and sat on the run. He had a very somber face. Once his teacher started talking and singing and telling them she's the queen of the classroom and talking like a queen his face began to light up with smiles and he was starting to relax in his environment.

As a teacher I was proud of the way he was sitting. Quietly and tall. He listened to directions and raised his hand to help. He was the lucky boy to be the example to show the kids how to go from their desk to the rug and sit quietly. He did a perfect job but forgot to push in his chair just like many other kids. Once Mrs. Stemp had all the kids seated on the rug she walked past Shane's chair and pretended to trip and fall over it! She fell right to the ground pretended to be hurt and dramatically called for the kids! Most were laughing and came to help but Shane had a look of concern because it was his chair! Once he realized it was on purpose he laughed. I'm sure they will all always remember to push in their chairs now.

The day went fast and before we knew it we were done! We stayed awhile so I could get some things done and I felt guilty leaving since no other teachers were leaving! Shane was glad to have his first day of Kindergarten down and only 179 more days! It was a perfect day to a perfect year!

Emotions were high today, but there were no tears. Shane said he almost cried in the middle of class but "sucked it up!" As for me, the Mommy, I sucked it up too! I couldn't cry because I was at work. I was helping other sad Kindergartners and I couldn't cry along with them! I was testing. I was making copies. I was on lunch duty. I didn't have time to cry, which was perfect. The time I had to fight the tears back the most was when I picked Shane up and he smiled proud that he finished his first day of school.