FAM / Conference Weekend

Sunday, October 3, 2010
Dear Max,
It's been another crazy week. Mommy had her first of two FAM weekends at work. I'm lucky enough to have a set work schedule that gives me my weekends free, but once a year we have FAM trips where we bring in our top customers to "Fam"iliarize them with our properties. Well, this year we have decided to hold two events. This being the first. It is always tough to be away, but especially tough being away and being in the same city. We are kept very busy, which helps the time pass and before I knew it, it was time to come home. I was fortunate enough to participate in a very touching service project on Saturday. We donated our time at the St. Judes Ranch for Children. It's a ranch out in Boulder City for foster children. The children that are at this ranch are children who have moved at least 3 times between foster homes. I was so unaware that the foster system had families participating that don't care properly for the children placed in their homes. At St. Judes Ranch, the children live with house parents in separate homes. Their are 10 homes on the property and our team agreed to paint the interior of all 10 homes. It was such hard work, but such rewarding work. The kids were able to pick out the colors they wanted for their rooms, which they were thrilled about. Their was one little boy, who touched my soul. He had recently been adopted by a couple from Las Vegas, about a month after he was adopted the family dropped him back off at the ranch. He was devastated and is still dealing with the ramifications of what this has done to him mentally. It's unbelievable to me that these kids go through such challenges at a young age, this boy is only 6. It seems so unfair. I want to do so much more to help them. They are in such great need for everything out there. Clothes, shoes, coats, bedding everything. Spending time in the homes it was clear to see they are getting by with the bare minimum. If I could I would have taken all of the kids home, you would have had a bunch of new brothers and sisters. Max, I'm so grateful for your birth mothers decision. I know it was not an easy choice, and who's to say what your path might have been, but I'm an confident that their is a reason we are a family. Seeing those kids struggle made me grateful for our strong family and extended family. I know that even when things get rough we have a support system around us that will always help. These kids really don't have this type of support, and to think at 18 they are out of the system and expected to make it on their own. I'd like to think I didn't need my parents after I turned 18, but the truth of it is I STILL need my parents :) I know I'll be back to St. Judes Ranch, I don't know when, but I am committed to do more to help this cause and these kids.

After an emotional and exhausting last couple of days, it was a welcome relief to enjoy conference in the comfort of our home. I'm grateful for our association with the church and the knowledge that we gain each conference from our church leaders. I love you Max!

NASCAR Series Truck Races

Saturday, September 26, 201
Dear Max,
Today we spent the day out at the speedway. We've been looking forward to taking you out to see the races, their was a lot of excitement in our hearts as we were getting to expose you to a sport that your daddy and I love so much. And like many things that we dream up in our minds, it didn't quite go as we had thought. But it wasn't all bad. We went out early so we could walk around the pits and see the crews work in the garage's. You really liked seeing all the trucks and waving and saying "hi" "hi" to all the workers. After roaming the pits, we took our seats in the grand stand, and then the moment we had all been waiting for "Gentlemen Start your engines!" The roar of the trucks began, you didn't seem to be bothered by it. You were actually excited. And then the race started, the fans got excited. And then it happened, the drunk group of men behind us started asking for you to give them high fives. I will admit one year when we were at the Daytona 500, a drunk man asked Daddy to give him high five, and because your daddy is as nice as you, he did! I quickly busted out the hand sanitizer and right in front of the man asked your daddy to wash up! I couldn't keep up with the hand sanitizer on this one. And then the ultimate happened...the one in the middle crunched his beer can and their it was a drop of beer on my baby! THAT'S IT! :) We are out of here. Now I will admit that daddy and I have always felt a bit out of place in the NASCAR circle, but we did always seem to find our fellow fans that enjoyed the sport in a "classy" sense. Where are these people now? Obviously not sitting behind us. So needless to say we made it to lap 67 out of 220, not bad for our first go. Maybe next time we'll make it to lap 220!

Hanging out with our little Family

Saturday, September 12, 2010
Dear Max,
Today we had the opportunity to hang out as a family. We decided since we don't get many opportunities for weekends that aren't filled with commitments, that we better take full advantage of this. We started the morning out by going to Lied Children Museum, each time we go back it seems like it's better suited for you. We were so busy chasing you around, apparently we didn't get any pictures! Oh, did I say that right... YES! CHASING YOU AROUND! You are a runner! I don't think "walk" is in your vocabulary, even though I'm constantly saying "Max, walk please, Max, walk please... Max, slow down" I'm thinking that while you are reading this you will be having flash backs to hearing your mother say these words, they have to be embedded in your subconscious by now! After enjoying the museum we met up with Aunt Andrea at Love It Frozen Custard, it's the only frozen custard place we know in town, and it happens to be in the worst neighborhood. Close to the children's museum (I know, don't ask!) We sat in our car with the doors locked eating this yummy treat. Oh and we got to see a bum fight too! What a day! It's always so fun to spend time together as a family. By the way, we have put the vision in motion for your birthday party. We even snapped some "farmer" photo's of you this morning... that's right, it's going to be a Farm yard BAAAASH! Here is a sneak peak! I love you Max!

Swiss Day's for Labor Day

Friday, September 3, 2010
Today Grammie, you and I drove up to Salt Lake to spend the weekend up at Swiss day's. It's a festival that I have heard about for a long time, but never attended before. We were invited to go with the Roger Family, which is always so fun to hang with them.

We got to see Aunt Jali, Uncle Geary, Daniel and Natalie before they left for the Labor Day weekend to go camping. I was glad we got to see each other if even for a little bit.

Daniel having some breakfast

Saturday, September 4, 2010
We drove on up to Heber City Saturday morning and arrived just in time for the parade. I love home town parades and have decided that we don't have the opportunity to go to enough of them!

The line up of Tractors! I love it!!

Aunt Julie helping you score some candy from the parade

Now, this is what I will refer to as the "dark time" After the parade we headed into the festival, booth area to get some lunch and do some shopping, sometime between getting lunch and shopping I realized that I had lost the camera. I couldn't believe it. I was sad, but didn't beat myself up too bad, as accidents happen. However, let me try to paint the visual image for you... Rows upon rows of craft vendors selling their stuff.... Rows upon rows of crafts Grammie and Mommy were buying. Do you get the picture? The best part of the whole day was the fact that Papa Rogers and Grandma Roger's dear friends and previous mission couple friends live in an old pioneer style home right across the street from the festival. They have a huge yard that is fenced in by not just any fence, but yes, a white picket fence. Their grass is so green and beautiful with huge tree's complete with a tire swing and hammock. It is truly my small town dream home and yard. Oh and did I mention their was a porch swing! Papa Rogers and Grandma Rogers spent the majority of the day on the porch visiting and helping with the grandkids as everyone came and went as needed, it was wonderful to have a comfortable "facility" to use. After a full day of shopping you had the pleasure of taking an afternoon nap on the porch swing. As I sat their swinging you back and forth I just couldn't stop thinking of how lucky we are to have quiet, beautiful moments like that.

And then the miracle moment of the day... I decided as we left to walk by the lost and found booth and guess what? Someone turned in my camera! So to round off the day nicely... a picture of a man with his dog on his motorcycle!

Seriously! Look at this!!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Today we went on the Heber Creeper. It was your first train ride and you LOVED it! You did like it, but it was 2 and 1/2 hours on a train. And I though an hour and fifteen minute sacrament meeting was rough... so here is a small sampling of the many things used to keep you entertained while traveling through the countryside...

Popcorn

Sunglasses

Papa Rogers, Aunt Julie and Taylor to mention a few of the individuals that found ways to entertain you

Yup, head out the window, keeps little boys happy!

Grammie, you and Mommy

Part of the gang getting ready to go on the train ride

Mommy and Max with the conductor

After the train ride we drove back into Salt Lake to meet up with our dear friends Swendy and Becky. We met at Ms. Swendy's day school, which you loved. Their were so many things to look at and play with, including Becky's doggies, which you loved. It was so fun to see them and quickly get caught up. I love these two lady friends so much!

Playing with Becky and the doggies

Singing songs with Swendy

We also got to see Auntie Emilie on Monday morning for breakfast before driving back home. It was great to be up north even for a moment to see our family and friends. We just don't get up their often enough, so it's always good to spend some time there and for you to get to see the beauty of the north! I love you Max! Thanks for hanging with us ladies this weekend!!

Sometimes Mommy's need to take some time away 2010

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Dear Max,
It's that time of year again, our annual girls trip. After our adventures last year in California, we decided to stay a little bit closer to home this year and make a trip up to Aunt Teri's cabin in Pine Valley. To be honest, it really doesn't matter where we go, it's all about the company. We enjoyed spending time together, talking, laughing and remembering silly stories from our college years (I'm sure they will tell you all the crazy things your mommy did one day...oh my! I'm afraid). I'm sure we kept the wildlife awake all night with our laughter.

Our night consisted of some wonderful highlights:
* Julie only has expired food in her pantry, and refuses to buy fresh food and WILL eat her expired food. YUK!

PROOF

* Us city girls decided to go on a nature walk, after eating 1/2 our weight in junk food. Yup, that's right we went on a nature walk, and wore the most appropriate shoes!

PROOF


Oh - and here is PROOF of nature

* Even though we are great friends, we are great competitors. We found ourselves in some intense games of banagrams and fivecrowns. Both new games to me, but would highly recommend them

So much fun!

Yeah, that's right... Your mommy Won!

I love these girls so much! I'm so glad that they are in my life, it's great to get together and enjoy the memories or our past and create new memories for our future!

PROOF

And More PROOF...oh, if you only knew what happened...I'm sure some day the stories will be told. Hopefully not at one of our funerals, let's hope we are remembered for something more than what happened during this "memory"

Love you girls!

Meanwhile... you were hanging out with your Grandma's, Papa, Aunt Kathy and Daddy. Getting all the love and attention you needed while your mommy was gone.

Helping Grandma get around

Dining out



With a happy face like that...it doesn't look like you missed a beat. Thanks for letting mommy get away for a little bit. I missed you like crazy! I love you Max!!

Weekend of Food, Family, Friends and Fun

Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st
Dear Max,
After returning from our trip to Oregon it has been non stop. We headed back to work and school for a couple of days, and our dear friends Cara and Brandon came into town. We got a babysitter for you Friday night and enjoyed dinner down town with them. It was so great to get caught up, it has been awhile since we had seen each other.

I thought Saturday was going to be a quiet day, laundry, cleaning and getting back into the swing of things, but we got a surprise visit from Auntie Julie! She came into town with a couple of her girlfriends to enjoy the weekend. We all went out to dinner at our favorite bar-b-q place on Saturday night. We are so lucky to have such great friends and to be able to share our time with them.

Family Vacation Day 7 - The End

Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Our last day on vacation. Today we woke up, packed our bags and headed back inland to Portland to fly home. It has been such a fun vacation and so wonderful to spend time together with our family. You have loved having your "brother cousin, Daniel" here day and night. Daniel loves it cause he has a little shadow with you around.

And "baby Natalie" as you refer to her as, loves all the attention you two boys give her. I do think it is funny that you still call Natalie, Baby Natalie, and really she is only 5 months younger than you. It will be good to get back to our home, but we will miss being with our family. Before we hit the airplane ride home, we stopped for lunch at this floating restaurant we saw on our jet boat tour. It was a great day outside, and we ate our on the dock overlooking the river. The perfect finish to a great vacation.

The view from our table

Leaving the restaurant

You and Daniel playing around

Till the next family vacation!