Our Christmas card this year

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Elf Yourself

Savannah the Cheerleader

Go Utes!!!

100 Things

I copied this from my friend Allison's blog. Allison, I know about some of things you did like going on a speeding motorcycle. I have done about 43 things on this list and would love to do more. I highlighted the one I have done in purple.


1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

Happy Halloween!

We all had a happy Halloween. Thanks to Cami and Stan for a wonderful meal before trick or treating. Zach loved his Jedi Costume. I went to go buy him a jedi costume before Halloween but they were $50 for a piece of crap costume. I looked at the costume and decided I could sew one for him. I think it turned out great! It was alot of hard work since I am not a real great seamstress. There was alot of stitches to be unpicked because I had sewn stuff backwards.

Savannah's costume was easy. Thanks again Cami for letting us borrow the Snow White Costume. Savannah had 2 different costumes. She was also Cinderella. It is a little bit long in front so she decided to be Snow White for trick or treating.

And of course we can't forget Dylan. He was darling as baby Yoda. He already kind of looks like Yoda with his cute pokey ears. I tried to find a Charlie Brown costume for him - because his Charlie Brown's twin - But no luck!

Six Quirky Things

Thanks Annie. You are quirky. But that's what I like about you!

1. Just like you, Annie, I had calling people on the phone. If there is anyway to get around it - I will do it. I put off getting my hair colored because I hate calling people. That's why my roots get pretty bad. You know your roots are getting bad when your husband suggested getting your hair done.

2. I hate the feel of newspaper and velvet. I don't know why I have always hated that.

3. I secretly play Webkinz while Zach is asleep. I love to play the games.

4. I love to take a bath at night. It relaxes me. It has to be so hot - most people couldn't stand it. I hate to be cold.

5. I hate public bathrooms! They are soooo disgusting. I hate having to take Savannah into them because she has to touch everything. The other day we went to Target - and of course she had to go to the bathroom. So we try to fit everyone into the handicapped stall. The seats are black instead of white and she is so fascinated by this that she has to rub her hand all along the black seat. I was in shock. We had to totally disinfect her hands.

6. I would love to cook more often if all the ingredients were premeasured in cute little bowls like on the Martha Stewart show. And if someone would clean up the mess after I am done. Actually I would just love to have personal chef. I think I would eat so much more healthy if I had a personal chef. I hate cutting up food - especially raw chicken. I had the hardest time doing that while I was pregnant. Does that make you sick Marilee and Annie? Sorry! Probably, just thinking about it make you guys sick.

Zach's first lost tooth & crazy hair day

I had been bugging Zach to let me pull his tooth since it had been hanging by a thread. He agreed to let me pull it out the next day - BUT, he was eating some apples with dinner and it just fell out. It didn't even hurt. He thought it was part of his apple. Thank goodness he didn't swallow it!

It was Red Ribbon week and some of the activities included having a crazy hair day. Last year we were slackers so this year we had to go all out. (The T.V. was on while I was taking this picture - I kept telling them to look at me - finally I just took the picture).

Autumn Fun

I don't know why Zach and Savannah (mostly Zach) love playing in the leaves. They had fun raking up all the leaves into a big pile and jumping in them. Savannah loved to tease Zach and jump in the pile he made. What a teaser she is!

Old Mill Golf Course

Dylan was fascinated with all the leaves. He loved to pick them up and put them in his mouth.

Dylan kicking his feet in the leaves.

Dylan's Surgery

Dylan went in for surgery on Monday to have a circumcision revision. The doctor who did Dylan's circumcision took too much skin off on one side which was cause it to twist. The procedure went well, although the Doctor said it was more difficult than he had anticipated. I am so thankful that all went so well.

Yesterday after the surgery he was very irritable and didn't sleep well that night. Dylan is doing great and feeling much better today. Although he had his six month check up and had 4 more shots. I am hoping that the medication they gave us for the surgery will help with the injections in his legs. He has had a rough couple days. What a mean Mom I am. It makes me want to cry when any of my kids have to get shots. I know it is for the best but I don't like them to be in pain.

Being at the Hospital and seeing some of the other patients I feel so blessed that I have 3 beautiful and healthy children. I know that those parents have had many trials and are so much stronger that I could ever be.

First Airplane Trip

Savannah watching movies on Dad's iphone and Zach coloring while waiting for our flight to Orange County

First time on an airplane with all the kids. Are we crazy or what? They did really good! Savannah liked it when we "blasted off." Dylan did really good. He only cried on right before the landing. Zach had a good time sitting next to Dad. It was really nice because the flight was not full at all. I haven't been on a flight like that forever. We could sit where ever we wanted. It was nice to spread out.
Zach playing games and watching movies on Dad's iphone
Savannah and her new sunglasses. She saw them from all the way across the store and just had to have them.

Huntington Beach 2008

Dylan loved the beach. He loved the sand. He had his first "sand"which. He really enjoyed putting his feet in the sand and kicking it all over. He also like grabbing the sand and putting it in his mouth. He didn't mind having the sand in his mouth and all over his body. He is such a good baby. He just goes with the flow.

Zach and Savannah at Huntington Beach. Zach and Savannah didn't mind the freezing cold water. One of the restaurants right by the the beach was called "Savannah at the Beach." Not too far from that was Zach's Surf Shop. They thought that was pretty cool.

We could get Savannah out of the freezing cold water. She had so much fun. She is such a free spirit. She would pretend the waves were chasing after her and she would try not to let them catch her. She did fall down once and the current started pulling on her. That kind of freaked her out. But she got back up and kept on playing in the water till it was time to go.

Zach had lots of fun playing in the sand. He would try and right his entire name before the waves would come and wash it away. He was really sad we didn't have and sand toys to make a sand castle.

Savannah the "junkfood junkie" having some rootbeer and pizza. She was in heaven.

Disneyland 2008

Savannah and Dad going for a ride in the rockets. She loves to "blast off."

Zach, Dylan, Mom and Savannah at Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland. Savannah was more interested in looking at the duck in the pond than getting her picture taken.

Day 2 of theme parks. Zach and Savannah on A Bug's Life ride in California Adventure.

Zach and Mom driving the bumper bugs at California Adventure. Zach was a better driver than some of the adults on that ride!

Savannah's favorite ride was the Carousel. It was a short line. So we went on it again and again while we waited for Matt and Zach to go on some bigger rides.

Zach, Savannah, Dylan

Zach with a cheesy grin.

Savannah found this hat it the closet and just had to wear it. Isn't she cute.

Dylan is not a big fan of baby food.

Old Mill Golf

Jog-a-thon Fund Raiser

Today was the Jog-a-thon fund raiser for Granite Elementary. So, Savannah, Dylan and I went to cheer Zach on. Before school Zach was running around the house - He said, "I have to practice for the Jog-a-thon."

The PTA did a great job of putting it together. To start off they had a warm-up. Then to start the jog-a-thon they had a big START sign for the kids to run through. They didn't know quite what to do and kept running around the sign.

If you know Zach, he ALWAYS has to be FIRST. He started in the middle of the pack but by the first lap he was one of the first kids. Zach had a great time. When Zach is running he likes to pretend he is Lightning McQueen - so every time Zach would pass us he would leap into the air and wink at us. It took me second to figure out why he was doing that - in the movie CARS while Lightning McQueen is racing, he leaps in the air and winks at the audience.

Savannah and I tried to run a lap but Zach just took off. He ended up lapping us. He sure is a fast runner. I think he will be a track star in High School. I don't know where Zach and Savannah get all their energy - they must suck it out of me because I have NO energy at all. Zach and Savannah ran the entire time (20 mins). Zach was totally sweatty and his face was bright red when the race was finished.

Later today when we went to pick Zach up from school Savannah said, "Let's go run laps again!" Maybe we will have to do that each night to waste some of her energy and get her to go to bed at a decent hour.

Golf, Tractor, Crowns

Happy Anniversary

August 31st was our 9th anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long! Here are some of the highlights of 9 years together.

• Honeymoon trip to Cancun
• Moving and buying our first house in Broken Arrow, OK (Tulsa)
• Having our 1st Mortgage together
• Winning a trip to Myrtle Beach and Darlington and getting to sit in the pits at a Nascar race. Matt you are so lucky! I must be your good luck charm
• Going on a 2 week vacation to Rome and Greece. Rome was unbelievable - even though we got lost in Pompeii.
• Moving back to Utah and having our first son - Zach
• Building our 2nd home in Park City and living close to Sue and Jeff & Steve and Natalie.
• The birth of our second child, Savannah
• Selling our home in Park City and building a new home in Sandy
• Many memorable vacations - Disney Cruise and Hawaii with the Schettler clan, Bear Lake, St. George, and Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary Cruise
• The birth of Dylan - which makes 3 beautiful and healthy children
• His and hers silver Hondas

I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who loves me and his children - and works so hard to take great care of us. Mom and Dad you are such a wonderful example of a loving couple and I hope that we can have 50 wonderful year together just like you. Matt, I love you!!!

School Days!

Wow! It was sure quiet at our house today! Zach went to his first day of school as a 1st grader which means he doesn't get out till 3:35. And, Savannah went to her first day of preschool. I actually got to exercise and get ready for the day.

Zach loves school. He told me his favorite thing to do at school was to write in his journal. I was surprised I thought he would say recess was his favorite part because of the new playground at school.

Savannah had a great time at school. She got to paint a big red circle. Painting is her favorite thing to do. She painted not only the paper but on her hands, her face and a little on her dress. I thought I wouldn't have to worry about her making a mess with paints when she was at school.

It is amazing what a few hours away from the kids can do. Zach says I am a lot more fun since he has started school.

End of Summer Fun

I can't believe summer is almost over. It has gone by so fast. Zach will start 1st grade in 2 weeks and Savannah will start her 1st year of preschool. Savannah is almost completely potty trained -- with only 2 weeks to spare (they have to be potty trained to attend Challenger).

Some funny things the kids have been doing this week -

Dylan likes to flap his arms up and down while in the high chair. Some times with fists (rock) and sometimes with open hands (paper). Zach thinks it's fun to play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" with Dylan. Zach actually lets Dylan win sometimes.

Saturday was uneventful - other than we went to Smith's grocery store. That was the highlight of Savannah's day. It was the Founder's day sale there. They had balloons, free cake and face painting. She was in heaven. We started out the shopping trip with eating cake. Savy's favorite!! And we ended with face painting. She got her face painted as a pink and red kitty cat. She said to me on the way home. I like painted faces better than plain faces.

Then on Sunday as we were getting ready for church, Savannah said, "Mom, I am ready to paint my face." She wanted me to paint her face like a butterfly.

Jeff Proctor Backyard Concert

Bells Canyon Hiking (Matt & Jeremy)