A week away from home.

Love this picture of Karlee

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This past week we have been away from home. Rob had a couple jobs over in Page, so we packed up our bags and hit the road. I was anxious for a relaxing week in Page. Not to say that my life is so crazy here at home, there is just something about going to Page and being able to relax. I don't know maybe its just me, I love it. When I called my mom to tell her that we were coming over for the week, she said Great! - and then she realized that she was going to be up north watching my brothers kids, while they went out of town for the weekend. So she invited Karlee and I to go up with her, and we did. Rob stayed in Page, and worked on his jobs. We had a great time up north, I think Karlee was in heaven with all the attention that she was getting from all her cousins. They were all so cute with her. I also think Karlee really grew up a lot this past week. She is talking much more and has become more imaginative while she plays. We did have have one incident that took my breath away for a second. Karlee is not compfortable with stairs as we do not have them in our home, and she took a little tumble down the stairs. Her little body flipped like 2-3 times before it landed on a flat surface. It startled she quite a bit, but she was fine, after a few minutes. I had anticipated some type of fall with her lack of practice with stairs. She did good the rest of the week, however never did she go down the stairs alone.

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While we were up north with my brothers kids we went to the park, played in the backyard, ate pizza, played games, put puzzles together, went to a soccer game, went to their ward party, and watched both the Utah and BYU football games. We had a great time. One of the days we were up there, was Grandparents day at my nephew Austin's school. His school put together a cute program full of songs. It was really fun to get to go and see Austin perform. I can't believe how young these grandparents are these days, I guess thats just a sign of me getting old. Oh great! Here is my mom with Austin at his classroom.

Grandma W. with Austin in 1st grade!

Austin and Abbey with our completed USA puzzle.

My sister-in-law prepares a bag of surprises for each day they are schedule to be gone. This trip there were 4 bags, all filled with fun toys and treats. (Bouncing balls, big sunglasses, candy, and Utah Red pom poms, and football)

Taylor, Austin and Abbey excited to open bag #3.

When the weekend was over, Rob was still working on his jobs, so Karlee and I went back with my mom to Page, and stayed until the jobs were completed. It was a fun week, but a long week. Now its time to get back to some schedule (for my own sanity). Thanks mom and dad for letting our little family come over and stay, Thanks for all the YUMMY delicious food that you always have at your house.

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----When I figure out how to get the pictures off Rob's camera I will post the pictures of his jobs. They are pretty amazing.----

No more Binky!!!

I guess this past week has been a week of major milestones in Karlee's life and ours as well. Karlee has now moved from 2 naps a day to 1 nap, and she is doing fairly well. I still think that there will be days when 2 naps are inorder, but for now we are going to try this 1 nap thing out. Another exciting milestone or achievement is that Karlee is officially off the binky. I have to say this was relatively easy. After talking to some friends, and family members, I felt that I could take the plunge. Karlee only got her binky when it was nap time and for bedtime, so I think that helped in the whole process. My main reservation for not taking her binky away was actually pretty selfish. You see, Karlee really is such an easy tempered little girl, and at nap time or bedtime she rarely cries and is asleep within minutes after one of us put her in her crib. So the thought of taking her binky away - I just envisioned Karlee crying for hours.

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Rob and I talked it over and decided that this the best time as any. So last Thursday I put Karlee down for bed, and as expected, she cried! This was a different cry however, this was the sad (lost your best friend cry), I couldn't take it so I called my sister and talked to her as my distraction. Karlee cried for about 40 minutes and then fell asleep. Next day at nap time she cried for about 10 minutes, again that sad sad cry. On Friday night, Rob was at work, and Karlee and I were over to our neighbors house, so we didn't get home too early (9:45pm - I know don't faint, yes I was still awake at that late late hour. ha ha) okay so when I put her down, she just cried 2-3 minutes and was completely out. Karlee is doing good. .

Karlee goes to Nursery.

Wow - today it hit me that our little Karlee is growing up. We went to church today and went about our normal routine. Rob takes Karlee with him, while I go and get copies made for my class of 2 kiddos. We then meet up together in the primary room for sharing time. Today I beat Rob to the primary room - I figured he found one of his friends and started talking about BYU Football. He showed up to the primary room about 15 minutes later, and was empty handed. I am sure I looked puzzled, Rob told me that Karlee was in Nursery. Nursery What!!!!, I thought to myself, my little Karlee isn't ready for Nursery, however she did really good.

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Rob said that she got right in there and started playing with all the toys. Rob said that Karlee did get a little nervous when a little boy, who was sitting beside her, burst into hysterics when his dad got up to leave, other than that she did great. Our neighbors little girl Britley was in the same nursery so I am sure that was somewhat comforting as she plays with her almost everyday. Rob said that Karlee started to cry just a little when he went to leave, but she was able to get distracted and she ended up being fine. Rob said that it was actually harder than he thought it would be to leave her, so like every first time parent he was peeking through the door window checking on her throughout the rest of church.

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I know, I know, I know that Karlee is technically old enough to be going to nursery, but this just means our little baby is no longer a baby. I guess this is just another milestone Karlee has to experience, and I will try to embrace it.

We Remember . . . National Day of Service

Today we remember all those that lost their lives on September 11, 2001. When I woke up this morning, I stopped to think of all the many people who had lost a loved one on this particular day. My prayers and thoughts go out to them. As I drove through our little town, there were flags that lined the roads, what a wonderful nation that we live in. We are so blessed. September 11th has been named the National Day of Service. What better way to show kindness than to serve. Today I had the blessing of going to the temple with my mom and her sweet friend, Angie. I love to go to the temple, and it was just icing on the cake to be there with 2 sweet women who have touch my life in so many ways. I guess this was my act of service - being able to help someone who has past through this life, to give them the blessings that I have in my own life. This really has been a special day for me.

Family Reunion 2009 on Cedar Mountain

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We had another fun packed weekend up on Cedar Mountain. Every year over the Labor Day weekend my family has our reunion. This was our second year camping at the Duck Creek Campgrounds and it really is just the perfect spot for our family. The weather forecast predicted another wet Labor Day weekend, and so we packed prepared to endure the rain. Luckily we only got rain the first day and night. Unfortunately we (our tent) were yet again victims to Mother Natures downpours. Our tent was positioned just perfectly to catch all the rain that came down the hillside. We quickly emptied our tent and moved to higher ground. The next few days were perfect and exactly what we had prayed for, which helped to dry everything out. My sister-in-law Hayley planned some fun activities: family flags, tie-dyed t-shirts, rainbow tag, the traditional guessing jars and crazy cousins (secret cousins). We all ate really good with French Dip sandwiches, Egg Bake, Dutch Oven Lasagna, Pancakes-Sausage-Eggs, Dutch Oven Chicken & Potatoes, and French Toast with strawberries. Nothing better than good food while you are camping - right! All the cousins had a great time, they played from sun up to sun down. It was really fun to see them using their imaginations - this reminded me of when I was a kid. We had a really great time.
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"Weston's Pound" Our Family Flag. (Rob is quite the artist)

My dad standing next to our drenched tent.

Karlee and Trenton coloring in grandma's trailer.

Karlee and her papa - She's a cuddlier when she wants.

"Uncle Torcher!" Rob teasing his nephews.

All the cousins in their adorable tie-dye shirts.

Grandma with some of her grandkids.

Special Thanks goes to two amazing people, my mom and dad. They have raised 5 children, and are now being able to see the fruits of their labors. They have 11 grandchildren with one due in January. They have taught us the importance of family, the gospel, and all by example. I love you!

What have I been doing?

Lately I have had a few projects in the works. I have been busy refinishing furniture, which I have decided I really am enjoying. A couple months ago we found a bed and a 2 drawer dresser at the D.I. and got them for next to nothing. My thoughts for these two items were for the bed (headboard & foot board) to sand down and stain with a darker stain. For the 2 drawer dresser, I spray painted it black and have it in our front room, for Karlee's books, and toys. Another project that I have had for oh... the past year and a half is my FREE cedar chest that I picked up on my way home from work when we lived in Louisville, KY. It has been in our garage taking up space and not really getting much better. I have been telling Rob that it would be my next project. Just this past week I finished the cedar chest, and I am really pleased with it. Here are some pictures of all my projects.

D.I. Headboard & Foot board

(Before)

(After)

We have the headboard on our bed, and are using the foot board as the headboard for our guest room.

D.I. 2 drawer

(Before)

(After)

Still need to find hardware for the bottom drawer.

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Cedar Chest

(Before)

(After)

This is a new addition to Karlee's room! Lucky Girl.