SNOW !!!!

It's not often that we get to talk about the latest snowstorm in Las Vegas so when it dropped 8 inches this afternoon at our house, we got out there and lived it up. This picture represents the third time that we have had snow on our house/lawn in the ten years we have lived here.

As soon as he got a chance, Rhett was out making snow angels, throwing snowballs and working on a snowman.

Austin thought the snow looked cool, but after a few falls on the slippery ground, and cold hands, he'd had enough. We were lucky to get him to pose for this photo before hustling back inside.

It took me almost an hour and a half to drive into work tonight, making me wonder why the good folks of Las Vegas have no driving skills. Fortunately, the snow should melt and the weather be OK for the LV Bowl this Saturday, our fourth one in a row we'll attend. It will be cold, but I can handle that. Cold and super windy or cold and wet is another story...... Here is one last picture of our street and Rhett enjoying the snow.

My Rant

I guess this is just one more example of global warming at its best. When it is warmer than usual, blame global warming. If it is colder than usual, it is once again, the result of global warming. I guess I should have become a climatologist instead of a deck guard at the jail. I could have been a straight A student since it appears that every multiple choice question seems to have the same answer: Global warming. Don't get me wrong, we can always become more responsible with pollution and the impact we have on our environment. I just dislike the fear tactics and fanaticism associated with global warming. and it turns me off. The US can improve a lot, but China and other countries are far worse. Maybe we should spend some time shaming them in the world spotlight, then get back to imposing stringent standards on ours own country, far more than what our competitors have to meet. Quit scaring us, quit treating global warming like a religion in which we should simply accept the phenomenon as the fault of people, disregarding any evidence to the contrary. Lets get rational and talk about improving our world. No more scare tactics, stop strong arming companies, or hijacking the Supreme Court-- passing laws that environmentalists can't get past Congress, because they lack the numbers to pass them. Lets get intelligent conversation and debate on the subject (isn't that what the academic comminity is built around?), instead of simply demoninzing detractors and shunning them in the academic circles..... Maybe then we can make some progress in this arena. (deep breath).

If anyone is actually still reading, I feel better.

Rhett turns 4!

Rhett was so excited to open his card from Pops and get 4 of his very own dollars.


He has been asking for the Screaming Banchee from Cars for months.

Happy Birthday to my little Rhett-boy. He is so much fun and so excited about everything-especially Disney CARS! He would wake up every day and try to convince me it was time for his birthday. We invited some friends over for pizza and just let the kids run wild and play while we chit-chatted. Then came presents and cake. What a night!

I will never do another cake like this again. It turned out ok but it took me 2 hours and lots of frustration. No matter how much my kids want a cool cake-they are only going to get cupcakes from now on!

These are 2 of Rhett's best buddies, Samuel and Jared.

Done Traveling...

Hello all blog stalkers! We are done traveling and had a great time. If I never see my orange suitcase again, it will be too soon. 4 weeks of living out of a suitcase, just coming home to do laundry and repack everything can wear a girl down. We visited lots of family and friends-thanks for letting us mooch off you guys! We just have to get through the BYU vs. Utah game tomorrow and we can breathe again. Here are some pics for your enjoyment.

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City

Trick Or Treating - Superior, CO

BYU vs. CSU - Ft. Collins, CO

Visiting the Allen Family - Pueblo, CO

BYU vs. Air Force - Colorado Springs, CO

Grandpa's New Old Car

We recently spent some time in UT hanging out with family and relaxing. My kids love their grandparents so much and they are so lucky to have such awesome grandparents. Thanks to both my parents and Neldon's parents for letting us mooch off you and trash your houses! We had a great time!

Anyway, Neldon's dad has had an ongoing project for as long as I have known him-I think it has been a project for a very long time. He has been working on restoring a 1936 (I think) Packard that he has had since high school to its original glory. It is a beautiful car! While we were hanging out with Grandpa Barrowes, he thought the kids would like a ride. The coolest thing about this car is that it has a rumble seat. Bekah and Rhett thought that it was pretty cool that Grandpa's car had a seat in the trunk. Ha Ha! So, he took them for a couple of rides around the block. He mention that they were the first kids to ride in the seat in about 30 years. Here are some pics!

Seattle/Vancouver Trip -- Finally

I really thought I would do this sooner but obviously I haven't. Neldon has been bugging me to get this entry done but he should know by now that I only procrastinate more when I am getting nagged.

So, the first week of September we ditched the kids and went on vacation for a week. It did include the in-laws and a football game but it was still great. (Disclaimer in case they are reading...I have great in-laws and I don't mind having them on vacation with us.) Bekah stayed with our neighbor so she wouldn't miss any school. We took the boys to UT and they were passed between my sister and my parents.

We left Friday morning and flew to Seattle. It was Neldon, me, my sister Lyndsey and her husband Darin, and my mother-in-law, Norma. We got our car and headed to downtown. We joined a tour of the Seattle Underground (http://www.undergroundtour.com/). Then we walked down the waterfront and ended up at Pike's Market Place. (http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/). We met up with more of Neldon's family (Spencer, Brooksany, Steve, Lynelle, Nathan, Amanda, Logan, and Emily). Total count is now 13 people. We then hopped on the Duck Boats and got a land/water tour of Seattle. (http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/) I now know the difference between a house boat and a house barge. After a long day and a late dinner we parted ways for our hotel/lodging. Neldon, me, Lyndsey and Darin stayed with Juliana and her family-she was an exchange student that lived with my family 20 years ago in Idaho. She is like my 3rd sister. Here are some pics from the first day.

Day #2 - The main reason we were even in this part of the country. BYU vs. UW football game. (See Neldon's entry below) By this time, Neldon's dad had joined us. Along with some other friends making group total about 22 people.

Day#3 - Everyone kindof did their own things in the morning and then we met up in the afternoon at Snoqualmie Falls. http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/ We then went back to Juliana's house for pizza and little more visiting before parting ways. Lynelle & Steve's family went back home to Portland and Lyndsey and Darin stayed with Juliana and the rest of us headed north to Vancouver, B.C, Canada.

Day #4 - Vancouver, B.C. Our group was now down to a managable number of 6 (Me, Neldon, his mom, dad, brother and sister). Spencer was our tour guide because he used to live there. We rented bikes and rode along the Pacific Ocean and through the rainforest of Stansbury Park. It was awesome! We ate a Dim Sum lunch at a restaraunt of Spencer's choice-let's say it was interesting, especially because I am not a real fan of fish. I refused the squid (see entry below about Neldon's birthday) but tried just about everything else. That night we tried frisby and dinner on the beach but it was a little windy and chilly so that didn't last long.

Day #5 Whistler, B.C. Sea to Sky Highway - We saw amazing scenery along the way, rode a gondola and ski lift to the top of a 7,000 ft. mountain, saw 2 bears and walked around the village. This is where the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held. We ended the day back at sea level at a lighthouse watching the sunset on the city of Vancouver.

Day #6 - Vancouver, B.C. and Olympic National Park, Washington

We went to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Treetop Adventure. (http://www.capbridge.com/) This was definately an overpriced tourist trap but it was fun anyway. It felt a little like the Eewok adventure from Star Wars or maybe like Robin Hood. We then ditched Spencer at the airport and the rest of us drove back to the USA. We caught a ferry and drove around Olympic National Park.

I took way to many pictures but now I will just add them to my endless "Things to Scrapbook" list. It was an awesome trip!

Happy Birthday Neldon!

Today is Neldon's birthday-#38. Neither one of us are real mushy people but I decided to do a shout out to my great husband anyway.

This time of year gets a little busy at our house-since we are totally consumed by BYU football. Being such a die hard fan does have at least one draw back. He doesn't really get to watch many other games because we are usually traveling back home after the game so he misses watching other games. This weekend was their BYE weekend so that meant no game. He was so excited to sit on the couch and watch game after game after game. What a way to spend his day, right?! Well, that isn't how it happened. His best friend Matt called and bought a house and they were moving this weekend and he really needed Neldon's help in the moving process. So, Neldon gave up his football filled birthday. What a guy!

Happy Birthday, Sweetie! We sure love you and all of the dorky things you do. Most of all, we appreciate all that you do for our family!

BYU vs Washington, from Seattle

We had a great trip to the Northwest last week. Jenny will post a slideshow and report of everything we did, but I'll give a quick rundown of the football game. First, Husky Stadium is beautiful. The lake in the background makes this the most beautiful setting in college football. Lavell Edwards Stadium is gorgeous too, with Mount Timp in the background, but Husky is the best I've seen. Other nice stadiums include Alltel in Jacksonville on the bay, and the Rose Bowl was also very nice. I'm looking forward to checking out the Air Force and Colorado State stadiums later this season. Back to the football game.... It went back and forth, but in the end, the good guys won 28-27. We had a group of 22 people who all enjoyed the game and left happy. On Friday night, before the game, Darin and I snuck into Husky Stadium and snapped a few pictures of the helmet car they drive down the sideline after scores, and the turf, then fled from security. Good times.

Austin Turns 1 - how did that happen so fast?

Today is Austin's 1st birthday. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It seems like yesterday that I was complaining about being so uncomfortable and wanting to not be pregnant anymore. He is such a fun little boy. He loves to laugh and he loves to make others laugh. Do you think he might be the jokester of the family? Here are some of his latest pictures (about 2 weeks ago). We love you Austin!

Has it already been 7 years?!

Bekah's 1st Birthday

So, this Friday is Bekah's 7th birthday. I can't believe how fast the last 7 years have gone by. Her due date was Aug. 30 but she had to be a little stubborn-I finally convinced the doctor to induce me a week later. So, Sept. 5 she made her entrance. Life is sure interesting when you have a daughter with a similar personality-let's just say there have bee a few battles along the way. BUT...we love our Bekah and all of the cute things she says and does. She is a great sister and loves her little brothers so much. Rhett gets so excited when it is time to go pick her up from school each day.

Since football season is now upon us, we are busy with traveling around following BYU football. This year, her birthday didn't "fit" into the football schedule so we decided to have her party a few weeks early on Aug. 16 (which happens to be my Grandma Sessions birthday-she would have been 92 if she was still with us). Since Bekah is part fish, she wanted to do a swimming party and luckily Aunt Joyce and Uncle Scott have a pool for us to use. So, she invited a few friends to go swimming and then we came back to our house for pizza, cupcakes, and icecream. She received a lot of great stuff from her friends and at the top of her wishlist was her own Ipod. So, Daddy delivered. Now she won't have to borrow ours all of the time. Now she walks around "plugged in" and ignoring us more than ever-is she already turning into a teenage?

Here are some pictures from the party. I had the camera at the pool but forgot to take pictures. We also decided to let Austin get some cake eating practice in since his 1st birthday is Sept. 15. He did pretty good!

Rebekah Loves to Swim

Rebekah is becoming a very good swimmer. She can do most every stroke and enjoys her daily swimming lessons. As if those were not enough, when we visit Uncle Scott and family on Mondays for FHE, she usually goes straight to their pool for another dip before we start. On the weekends, we often take another visit in at the public pool, or at her friend Emilee's house. Rhett also enjoys swimming and by this time next year, will probably be able to swim without help. Here are a couple pictures of Rebekah learning to dive below and jumping off the high dive above. She turns 7 in about three weeks.