Some Weeks in Review

Things have been crazy busy since I last posted about leaving for Education Week. I can't believe how busy life is and continues to be. To catch everyone up on our life here is a quick review:

July 13-15: Lake Powell trip

Loads of fun but you wont believe what I did, I totally left my camara. I know!! So, my mil took some pics but getting them from her was pretty darn hard. Anyway, we had a blast with all the family just hanging out and playing on the boats. We were at Lone Rock, not my favorite spot. It can get some pretty nasty sand storms. The first day we were there we got like 4 big sand storms. All I remember is looking up each time and seeing this wall of sand moving toward us. No, I think Lake Powell is best done on a houseboat.

The water weenie was a BIG hit with all the kids. They loved playing on it, even if it was just tide at the beach. Looks like we know what water toy we're bringing every year!

Baby G floating on the kneeboard. Gotta start them early.

July 18-21: Education Week at BYU Idaho

It was SO much fun! I loved going to all the classes and feeling myself get "refueled". It was also a lot of fun spending time with my mom and my wonderful friends. I did a few parenting classes that were wonderful. I didn't get home from that trip until Monday.

July 23: Brekkon's 8th birthday

For his birthday he wanted to go see the new Transformer Movie. So we took him and some friends to see the movie and then back to our house for games and cake. The next day we went out as a family for his birthday to Texas Roadhouse. He had a blast!!

On my way!

Today I'm heading off to Education Week at BYU-Idaho. I'll be driving up with my mom and her friend and we will be rooming together. I attended last year with my two friends Katri and Julie and had the time of my life. I'm looking forward to this year and the great escape it gives to everyday life. Plus as an added bonus, I just found out that both Katri and Julie decided to attend last minute!! I have been feeling a little down lately about some things. I'm enjoying St. George, but there are some factors here that I'm having a hard time getting used to. It is great to see that the Lord knows my needs. And what I needed was to see some of my sweet beautiful friends!! I'll post all about this trip and our Lake Powell trip when I return!

The Office - Dwight's Pepper Spray

This weeks tribute to The Office. Hope you enjoy!

I'm Gryffindor!

I'm a Gryffindor!

Go here to take the quize and see which house you belong to.

Slow Cooking Thursday

Shredded Pork Sandwiches

1 pork roast

1 can Dr. Pepper or Cherry Coke (I used Dr. Pepper)

18 oz. barbecue sauce (I used Spicy Honey)

First cook the pork roast over night with the Dr. Pepper or Cherry coke on low. In the morning take pork out and shred, also reserve 1 cup of the juice. Put the shredded pork, 1 cup reserved juice and the barbecue sauce into the crock pot. Heat on low and serve on buns. Great for any occasion. Tip: if you aren't eating till later that evening just put crock pot into fridge until time to start heating it up. Hope you enjoy!!

For more tried and true recipies visit The Pumkin Patch.

Classical Conditioning - The Office

I have decided to post a weekly video honoring The Office to help me get through my withdrawel. So hope you enjoy this weeks tribute!

Are You Addicted to Blogging?

78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Online Dating

Apparently I am! How addicted are you? Visit here to see how addicted you are. Thanks Laurie for finding this.

Menu Plan Monday

It's that time again where I get to post our meals for the week. I missed last week because we were off camping so I'll have some carry overs. For more meals visit Menu Plan Monday over at Laura's I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Monday: Homemade raviolies with grilled cheese (kids favorite)

Tuesday: Mutual night so we are going easy with hot dogs, baked beans and chips

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob (grilled)

Thursday: Lasagna, salad, garlic bread

Friday: Left overs

Saturday: Curry Chicken w/ rice, rolls (carry over from last time)

Sunday: Chicken alfredo, cesar salad, garlic bread

I was tagged as being a Rockin' Girl Blogger by Mique, my new friend. Girl I enjoy your blog and talking with you too! This is such a great honor...I hope I can live up to it ; ).

1. Julie - I have known her since before this wonderful world of blogging. She has taught me many things about friendship and love. Thanks girl!

2. Stephanie - It has been great to reconnect with her through blogging. I love reading about what her twin boys are doing and watching her cute family grow.

3. Renee - I LOVE her site!! So fun to visit and full of alot of great recipes.

4. Julianne - I only got to know her for about a month before I moved from Texas but she is a great friend. Her site is full of amazing pictures of her beautiful family.

Okay girls, now your it - who do you think is a Rockin' Girl Blogger?

Here's what you do: Visit Tip Junkie and leave a comment. Be sure to mention my name as referring you and we could both win a free Classic Tee. Click on the link above to read the guidelines for the give away. So, go visit and be sure to post a comment and say that I sent you and who knows...we could both win!!

Hike - Calf Creek Falls

We read about these falls and decided to do the hike. We were told it was easy with kids, though I wouldn't recommend it with any kid under 5. Lets just say this wasn't the smartest thing we've done. But we made it in and out again.

It is a 6 mile hike round trip. You hike into the most beautiful water fall. It seems strange to find this beauty in the desert, almost seems out of place. It was well worth the struggle. I think that the thing that made it hard, besides the sun, was that is was a very sandy trail. I will say that Brekkon and Korbin were so good. They really held their own and proved themselves. They made Grandpa proud (my dad loves to hike and go backpacking so seeing his grandsons do this really put a smile on his face). Our Garrik did well considering his age. He walked were he could but mostly we carried him. Once we got to the falls Korbin comes running off the trail yelling, "I did it. I finally made it". We all laughed at that expression. After all that hard work he finally made it. It made me think about life in general. All the great things in life that are worth it are hard work. When we finally achieve them we can yell "I did it, I finally made it."

Before we even started on the hike, G totally falls and gets a busted lip. So after we got him all fixed up we were on our way.

Grandpa, Brekkon and Korbin.

Brekkon taking a drink of some water. A definite must have on this hike.

Our little G-man. He wouldn't keep a hat on his head so we made him a doo-rag. He is just so dang cute!

More hiking pictures:

We made it! The Calf Creek Falls.

On the way up whenever we would pass someone they would assure us that it was all worth it and boy were they right. So beautiful!! Once we got there we waded around in the water and had some lunch. It was nice to cool off after such a long hot hike in.



Grandpa and G heading out into the falls.

Camping - Calf Creek Campground

This past weekend we went camping in Escalante Grand Staircase National Park. We camped in the Lower Calf Creek Campgrounds and had a great time. We were in the very back of the campground with a lot of trees for shade and we were really close to the creek. Close enough to hear it but far enough away for it to not be a temptation.

We got there on Sat. June 30, my parents joined us Sunday and they had the campsite right next to ours. We left Tues. July 3 and I must admit that by Tuesday my fun meter was on full. And like my friend Julie, we came ill prepared for the night. It's 95 during the day, how cold can it get at night? Lets just say thank goodness my parents were prepared! Boy do we have a lot to learn about Utah camping.

After we set up camp we ate some lunch and just hung around and explored.


We gave up trying to keep G clean so we just let him go around in his diaper.


The water spicket was right next to our campsite and we couldn't keep G away from it. Oh well, at least his feet were clean...till he walked back to camp across the dirt.


Fun in the creek
We decided to go cool off during the day in the creek. My dad spent half the time widdling some boats for the boys to play with down the little rapids. What a great Grandpa!! Afterwards he also made my mom a great walking stick for the hike we did.

I don't think anyone enjoyed the water more than G. He loved walking around in it.

Laurie's summer hair worked great. It kept my hair back while looking stylish, if that's possible while camping.

I even made one for my mom to wear.

More Pictures

I love these next three pictures of my boys.

Blake and G-man relaxing.

Overall we had a great time being together as a family. But, like always, it was nice to go home. I think G was most excited about going home. Once he noticed us loading up the car he jumped into his car seat. I think he had had enough of the primitive lifestyle. He was a trooper, though I think it will be awhile before we taking him camping again.

My 4 Favs.

Four jobs I've held:
Cashier at Jitney Jungle: I grew up in Mississippi, does that explain it? Actaully it was a great job because they totally worked around my after school activities.

Western Watts: Hated this job. It was a telamarketing place in Rexburg, ID. It payed our rent though so....

Nanny: After we moved to Texas we lived with our in-laws for about 3 months and to make some more money I was a nanny. It was nice because I got to take Brekkon with me.

First American Title Comp.: I was an escrow assistant. It was okay. I quite once I found out I was prego's with Korbin. Don't really desire to work at all anymore. Been there done that.


Four Movies I can watch over and over again:
Pride and Prejudice
Goonies
Last of the Mohicans
Princess Bride

Four Places I have Lived:
Puerto Rico till I was 7
Madison, Mississippi
Fort Worth, Texas
St. George, UT

Four T.V. Shows I Watch:
Desperate Housewives
Grey's Anatomy
The Office
Deadliest Catch

Four Places I've been on Vacation:

Puerto Rico - I went back every summer to visit my grandparents and loved it.

Mazatlan Mexico - my most fav. place to vacation. I have been there twice and loved it everytime. The best time to go, I think, is in December. You get more of the culture.

Cruise - I've been able to do two cruises and they are wonderful.

Disney World

Four Fav. Foods:
Stake
Crab Legs and shrimp
Dr. Pepper
Sweet Potato

Four websites I visit:
Executive Homemaker
The Office (I'm addicted)
Banana Republic
Moms minvan

Four People I'm Tagging: now you guys copy it and tag four more people
Mique
Stephanie
Renee
Jenni

Sizzlin' Summer Swap

Sounds like a lot of fun! Anyone else want to swap? If you do just click on the link to the right of my blog for rules and more info.