Aint' No Mountain High Enough, Ain't No Valley Low Enough to Keep Me Away From You Baby!

Nathan and I thought that it was about time the two of us had a little "us" time. We wanted to get away together this weekend so- thanks to my beautiful sister Bobbi Ann, we were able to make that happen. Originally we had planned to go down to Lake Las Vegas and stay in the very fancy Ritz hotel there. But as Thursday drew nearer (designated day of departure) we decided that why not stay home and have a "Staycation"! We still took all three kids to my sister's house as planned, however, instead of heading down to Vegas, that evening we went to our favorite restaurant in Salt Lake, Cuchina Touscana. This one of my favorite places to eat - it is yummy Italian food and the crazy but very talent owner is named Walter but you pronounce it with a V so you would say "oh everything is Vounderful Valter" because he is constantly walking around the dinning room asking how the food is. This is how fancy people behave. Aren't we so fancy?

On Friday, I slept in until 9am because nobody woke up me at 6:30am telling me the were starving and expecting me to do something about it. They have me trained right? We went shopping, to the movies and out to eat. What a perfect day. We saw the movie "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock. It was so good! I definitely recommend seeing it. I love going to the movies. We went to another one of our favorite restaurants, "Simply Thai" in Sandy. So good! I love Thai food. We were trying to eat a lot of rice since we decided we were going to hike to the top of Lone Peak in Draper. *I have to write a little side note here - when Nathan said he wanted to hike Lone Peak, I didn't really take him serious. I thought "Okay, so we'll get up, hike around a little, come home around noon, go see another movie and got out to eat and oh! maybe I'll get those cute sunglasses I wanted - I can do that". This is what Nathan was thinking, "Tomorrow we are going to climb to the top of that mountain! 6000 ft all the way baby!". Can you see the difference between a man and a women?

So on Friday morning Nathan got up at 5:30 and began to pack our backpacks. I woke up thinking "oh shoot - he's really serious". I then rolled out of bed and threw on my clothes and laced up my hiking shoes. The whole time I am doing this I am just sure that it won't be that bad although Nathan appears to be taking this a little more seriously than I am but oh well, I'll just follow along.

We were on the mountain by 6am and we begin heading up a trail that has been recently washed out by mud slides so it is a little challenging to say the least. Then I remember a little tidbit I heard from Debbi, my sister in law, about how they are having a lot of problems with cougars in the foothills of Draper. So now I start to panic about cougars. And then I remember about the Bear attack in AF canyon last year. So I am now scared of cougars AND bears. Nathan then announces,

"Isn't that pretty - it's called Bear Canyon".

"WHAT?", I ask a little panicked - "Why is it called 'Bear' canyon?"

"Tammi! It's just a name! Calm down." OK. Whatever - I was just asking.

Then we spot a wild turkey - I think I heard that they can be dangerous right? I mean "wild" can never mean good things when used in conjunction with an animal can it? So I quietly hurry past the possibly dangerous animal. Nathan then spots a hawk flying above us, and I think "oh great, when you see a hawk in a movie it is never a good thing. Is there a dead animal around here or something?" After a little while longer, Nathan almost steps on a rattle snake. In my mind I'm thinking "Oh great! I forgot about snakes! Now I have to watch for cougars, bears, crazy wild turkeys AND snakes! Please don't let me die today."

We just keep forging ahead and pretty soon we are hiking on granite and snow. We are so close to the top but my legs are getting shakie and my hands are getting weak from hanging onto anything I can just so I don't slide off a cliff and I finally say,

"Okay, I am done! I can't go another step further - go ahead and I will wait on this ledge for you."

"Are you mad at me?" Nathan replies.

"No, I just know what my limit is and it has been reached. This is it."

"You are so close to the top! Only 800 more feet to go. You can do it - I know you can."

"Nathan - I know I can't- just go to the top and look out at the valley. I'm fine right here. I promise - I won't go anywhere!

So Nathan proceeds to the top however he falls just a little shy of it due to the snow field. Only those hikers with cramp-ons, snow picks and ropes are able to make it to the top. Well, needless to say, we (painfully) made our way down the mountain without much incidence. (thank goodness! but I swear I did see a snake - it was, however, slithering away from me so that was a VERY good thing)

Okay - all joking aside- I did enjoy the hike. I love getting out in nature and enjoying what God created (even the yucky snakes). I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who never made me feel like a wimp. He just encouraged me the whole time and we had such a blast doing it together. The one thing that made me feel really great is that I was the only female hiker on the mountain. Pretty cool right? As Audrey likes to say "I'm the WOMAN!"

Yikes! A snake - at least it was Nathan that found this guy and not me!

We just had to hit the 7/11 at 6am before we began our journey - this is a necessary step - basic hiking rules 101.

Father's Day Remembered

Our Favorite Father! We love you babe. Thanks for being the man that you are - we love you so much!!

One week ago today we celebrated Father's Day. The kids and I enjoyed bringing breakfast-in-bed for our favorite dad! We made pecan pancakes with a side of fruit served with a nice cold diet coke (of course). The kids then sat and watched dad eat his food. Isn't that the best? It was a nice day and then my parents treated us all to a wonderful dinner at their home. I didn't have to bring a thing! Thanks so much M&D! We loved it! I was soooo stuffed by the time I left. We roasted hot dogs in their fire pit and for dessert we made s'mores. Jackson's favorite part of the night was probably trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to roast the perfect marshmallow. I have to be honest, it can be a little frightening watching your son run at you through a crowd of other small children with 6 flaming marshmallows on a hot, sharp, metal rod screaming "It's on fire! It's on fire! Put it out! Put it out!" And we wonder how kids get injured. . .

I have posted some of my favorite pictures from the evening. My favorite is this one of my parents. I love you mom and dad! You guys are so cute. What would I do without you. You're the best - I can't imagine growing up with a better mom and dad. Thanks for Sunday!

Mom - You've still got it after all these years!

What lengths we will go to for anything Disney . . .

Debbi and I decided it would be soooo fun to go see the Disney Christmas Carol train that stopped at Ogden Union station for one day only - oh, so did everyone else in Utah! For those sane people who may have not gotten wind of this from the other crazies out there, Disney has a new movie with Jim Carey coming out November 6. As part of the promotion of this movie, they customized three Amtrak cars to look like sets from the movie and the idea was that the public tour through them and see a little bit of the "Disney Majic". If you were willing to wait in line for three hours, supposedly it was really neato. However, it was Debbi and I supervising nine children (we brought Jodi and Tolan Brown's children with us) and we didn't think it prudent to attempt waiting in line for 3 hours. Luckily, we did pack a lunch so driving to the Ogden Union station was not in vain. We were able to enjoy a delicious lunch on a green strip between the large parking lot and a busy street. How divine! ("No Paigie, stay here and eat this sandwich, don't wander onto that busy highway over there - what did you say? I can't hear you! I think it may be all this traffic?!")

This is the view from the outside, ohhhh, I can only imagine what it must have been like on the inside (I am certain it was amazing - they even brought the Disneyland street sweepers to clean the sidewalk outside the train. You know who I'm talking about don't you? Those people that are all over Disneyland with their broom and dustpan-on-a-stick sweeping up molecules of dust when there is an absence of any actual trash?) Can you see the little snowflakes blowing about? They were tiny bubbles - again- Disney doesn't do anything halfway.

"Hurry, climb up on the dirty, rusty old train so I can take a picture! Be careful - I don't know if your tetanus shot is current or not. Now smile and act like your not disappointed we didn't wait in line for three hours!"

Don't we all just look beautiful and fresh-faced? You would never know we had been sweating and constantly counting nine kids all day long would ya!

Sorry Raquel and Paige - your kinda out of focus but remember - I'm not a professional so just be grateful your in the photo at all. Thanks Debb for a great and unforgettable day! At least we didn't sit at home bored. . . .

Tiny Dancer . . .

Last night our tiny dancer, Audrey, had her spring dance recital. She had been preparing for this since January and boy, was she excited to preform. On Friday I had to take her to her dress rehearsal and I was looking everywhere for her and getting kind of upset because she had to be there by 6pm. I checked at the neighbors and they said she came home. I called her name outside and she didn't respond. I came inside my house and yelled "Audrey, Audrey, we need to hustle". Still, she didn't respond. Finally I went upstairs into my bedroom and there she was standing on a step stool all ready to go, just adding the final touch of applying her lipstick. When she was finished, she replied "Sorry mom, I couldn't talk, I was putting on my lipstick. Okay - I'm ready- let's go!" May I remind you she is 5?! Oh heaven help me during the teenage years.


Audrey has some friends that go to the same studio. This is her friend Mia. They are so CUTE! I wish I could have gotten a photo of all the girls together - maybe next time! Great job Mia, Eden and Daisy! You all looked beautiful and danced divine!

We even had a VIP attend the performance! Grandpa just couldn't miss it. He made the trip north even though he was feeling very sick. Thanks for coming grandpa - thanks for the rose. Audrey was so excited to have her very own flower. We love you! Get well soon!

Girls just wanna have fun.

Audrey's cousins Maddie and Brielle spent the night last night. Their mom had won tickets to the Kelly Clarkson concert at UVU so I insisted she bring them up for the night. Audrey was so thrilled! I made one giant bed for them and I let them watch Barbie Rapunzel on my laptop in Audrey's room. Am I a fun Aunt or what? Really it's just another great technique for crowd control. Thanks Bobbi Ann for bringing them up. We love your girls so much! Even the big girl headed to BYU in the fall. Go Cougars.

Jackson had a special rite of passage today. It was the first day of his first scout camp ever! He woke up at 5:30 and was counting the minutes until he got to meet up with his troop at 8am. He came home this afternoon full of all sorts of tales. A highlight for him was getting to use a Beebe gun for the first time. He claims that is what he is going to request for his birthday. I don't know... I've always said there would be no fire arms in my house but when your son is just so excited - huh, this is a topic for further discussion at a later date.

Today was the first day in a long time that we actually were able to see the sun so of course Audrey had to don her beautiful bathing suit and organize a water balloon fight. Many of my neighbor's kids participated and even I had to join in the fun. Jackson, Lizzie and Joann against me and the little kids. I think our team won? I don't know - we all ended up wet in the end. I just pray I am never too old for water balloons. I have always been a big fan of them- go figure.




Jane's personality is really starting to take shape. She is very adventurous and wants to be where all the action is. As we were all filling up balloons, I saw her trying to make her way out into the backyard and I had to capture the moment. I like to think of this photo as "the great escape". Way to go Jane!

Oh SNAP!

An extremely sad thing happened at the red brick house today. Someone in a very large blue truck with a "Y" decal on the back, backed into the family trike. Yes, it is true. As a few of you may know, I have sketchy backup skills to say the least. Well - unfortunately, the plastic yellow trike was the latest casualty. However, it must be said that I did see it behind me and I thought that the truck would "gently" tap it and it would roll away - I mean after all, it is plastic. Well, I don't know exactly what happened but "gentle" is not a word I would use to describe what happened. I am kinda sad because the trike does have some sentimental value to it. I think the original purchase price was about $24.99, however, I did get my money's worth. It was Jackson's first bike in California. I think he was about 18 months old when he got it. Audrey was the one who really used it and who I feel bad for the most. She put many miles on that puppy and rode it this very morning. How sad! Oh, now that I think about it, even Buzz enjoyed it during his first few months as a new resident of the red brick house. (He chewed off one of the handles) I don't think the bike can be saved but if any of you have and extra plastic wheel lying around - we could certainly use it. How I wish my grandpa were still alive - I just know he would be able to remedy this unfortunate situation!

Jackson's cousin, Tyler, was able to spend the night tonight. Jackson was so excited to have him sleep over as he is the only other boy cousin on my side of the family. That's right - out of 12 grand kids (almost thirteen) only 2 are boys (the baby due in September is a girl). Jackson and I were both surprised when Tyler showed up to our house wearing glasses. If you have ever wanted to know what Brandon looked like as a little boy, just look at the picture below. It is a "mini-me". How cute is he? We love you Ty-guy!

One more photo of my darling baby. There is so much tile in our house and baby Jane is forced to crawl on it. My only consolation is that she knows no difference. It's so cute to hear her on it. All day I hear this "smack, smack, smack" sound as her little hands slap the tile and her knees shuffle along. Big news -she is getting her four front teeth in. I feel sorry and happy for at the same time! Don't worry Jane - it will be worth it. By next year at this time, those teeth will be chomping on a Costco hot dog and you will be so glad you have them!

It's Saturday!

I thought I would just post a few quick photos of some things that have been going on. The photo above is just an image my iphone accidentally took while at the pool the other day. It took it of the water. I did a few things to bring out the color and I think it now looks pretty cool. Maybe I will print it out and hang it up on my wall. Oh, I forgot . . . we NEVER hang anything on our walls. We are so bad that way but I just can't figure out how I want to decorate and so I never do. Isn't that bad?

Okay. The next two pictures is of Jackson giving his report on airplanes. He had to do all his own research, write it on note cards, and present it to the class. The day of his report happen to fall on pajama day and so that is why he is sporting the plaid flannel in 80 degree weather. So cute!
This was his model airplane he constructed out of play dough. Well done Jackson!

So yesterday, my cute dad took Jackson and Brandon's family up to the airshow at Hill Air Force Base. Thanks dad! Jackson loved it. I got to hear all about the amazing stunts the airplanes preformed. Nathan is out of town this weekend so he couldn't take Jackson but it was so sweet of my dad to make sure he didn't miss out on the fun! When my dad came to my house he said "Tammi, what happened 65 years ago today?" Of course, I had no clue. "Sixty-five years ago today marks the anniversary of the invasion of U.S. forces in Normandy! That's why I wore my patriotic shirt!" I love my dad. Isn't he the best? You look soooo handsome guys!


Saturday evening we celebrated Mark's birthday "Ringger" style. We had yummy barbecue, Jackson's FAVORITE baked beans Jill makes, fruit and pasta salads and of course two kinds of birthday cake - all served out on the back porch. It was so much fun. Happy 58th birthday Mark! You don't look a day over 57! Just kidding.




I almost forgot to post this photo. . . Audrey's school always has a fun run at the end of the year. Parents can participate with their children. They begin at the elementary school and then walk all the way around Draper city park. It's a big deal for the city. The police officers are out making sure the route is safe for the kids and it's just a lot of fun because the whole community shows up. Jackson had to give his report about airplanes on this day so I couldn't participate but Nathan walked with Audrey. I wish this picture showed her shoes she was wearing. They are these dainty little silver flat fashion shoes. Audrey doesn't own a pair of tennis shoes -quite honestly she wouldn't be caught dead wearing them.

Let it begin. . .

So the kids are officially out of school. I asked a friend of mine if school being out was a good thing for her or a bad thing. Her reply "oh, I don't know. It's good...yea.. hummm, but I guess it's mostly a bad thing." I just had to laugh.

We started off the summer vacation with a bang. Jackson had a friend over all afternoon and Audrey got into some trouble at the neighbor's house. Apparently she was dangling a blanket out a hole through a window screen and her little friend was supposed to catch it - three stories down. Oh yea, apparently it was a nice blanket (I'm sure Sally was so happy). After a long timeout in her room she then got busy looking for tape.

"Mom, can I have some tape?"

"Yea, here you go."

A few minutes later . . .

"Audrey?"

"Ya mom?" (coming from the bathroom)

"What's the tape for?"

"Oh - well, I'm putting it around the toilet paper because then when someone tries to use the toilet paper it won't come off and they will just keep turning it and turning it wondering why it won't come off and it will be really funny."

Oh jeez - help me now. Guess who was the first person to use that bathroom an hour later.
Soooooo funny.

I then took the kids swimming. It was great, we had the pool all to ourselves. Probably because it was kinda stormy all afternoon. The kids had been swimming for maybe about 30 minutes when someone who worked there said they saw lightning. I don't think they did - I just think they wanted to shut it down and go home. Nathan it still in D.C. for school requirements- we miss him tons and can't wait to get him home next weekend.

Here are a few pictures I took of the kids swimming. They're not very good because I used my phone, I didn't have my good camera with me but you get the idea...there was water, they're wet, there are noodles in the background. Yup, looks like they're swimming.




I almost forgot to mention. . .we had to celebrate the end of the school year with our traditional trip to Chuck-a-Rama. This is Jackson's favorite place in the world. I can't go in that place without thinking of my Grandpa. It was his favorite too. We went with Brandon and his family which was fun. Brandon's kids are supper cute. Audrey gave Paige a mini makeover (with lipstick) in the restaurant. I'm sure Debbi was thrilled! Hip Hip Hooray for Summer!!

Summer summer summertimmmmmmmmmmme, summertime. Let's just sit back and unwind. (hey, that's catchy! Someone should write a song using those words!)

Audrey wanted to put this rose in her hair so I had to take a photo - this actually came from one of my rose bushes.

Two more days of school and then we're done for the summer. No big plans really, oh yea, this summer I will not be pregers so that is a plus. My hubby and I both agree that I am a lot more fun to be around when I am not in incubation mode. Today we signed Jackson up for a sports camp this summer at BYU - he won't be spending the night but he will be going each day for a week. He is almost 9 years old that I guess this is a normal thing now. He also goes up to scout camp next week so he is way excited about that. Audrey begins first grade next year and our school is beginning a Chinese immersion program so in preparing for that, they are having the children participate in a two week Chinese language day camp ( that is paid for by the state). Somehow we have to plan a family vacation in there. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to go up and visit Steph and Marcus in Seattle - Steph swears to me that she will entertain us all day every day around the clock if we make an appearance so who can resist an offer like that.

Audrey had an agenda today. We went and bought her bird a house and she painted it. Jackson is supervising.


Finally, her ceramic bird has it's own home. With all the little doll houses Audrey collects, we like to refer to it officially as "unincorporated area 12687". Anymore "houses" of any kind and we will need to consider lobbying dad for her own fire station.

Really, the only thing that makes Jane cry is being on the grass without a protective barrier between her and the grass.
"Oh please, ENOUGH already!"