Happy Birthday to Troy!

For Troy's birthday this year we let him invite a few friends to come sleep over and spend a day out at Last Chance. He thought this was great, and counted down the days. As it got closer, the weather report was COLD and WINDY. We decided not to let that stop us. As we were driving out there, Rick and I were wondering if we had made the right decision. The wind was shaking the car as we were driving.

We all crammed into the 5th wheel to enjoy the warmth and get out of the wind.


Can you imagine being cooped up in tight quarters with 7 loud, excited kids! Rick and I brought our advil along for this night!


We got Troy a new wakeboard and bindings for his birthday

I love all their faces here.....



The boys had a blast playing games, eating candy, laughing, and of course farting, all night!
When they went to bed that night, I heard them talking about saying a prayer that the wind will stop and tomorrow will be a nice day:) How cute is that?

Trying on the new board.... unfortunately the board ended up being too big for him, but the bindings were perfect!

Wake up Lindz.... time to go ski

It looks like the boys prayers were answered! Look at that glass we woke up to.... never mind the cold. We were just glad it wasn't windy anymore. It was pretty chilly in the morning, but as the day went on it got warmer and warmer.

We enjoyed a yummy waffle breakfast!

Zack

Birthday boy, Troy

Hayden

Kage

Caden

Lindsie was a trooper to hang out the all the "boys"

Sweet little Mallory

Oh no.... Rick started dancing! He turned up the music on the dock and went crazy!

Boys + water+ rocks = rock skipping contest

All aboard!

Troy trying out his new wakeboard and bindings!

Zack trying to decide if he should get in the cold water!!! The glass was irresistable:)

Zack doing his "one-hander"

No, it wasn't cold at all..... what gave you that idea???

Caden has become quite a little wakeboarder this summer. He went from never wanting to get in, to begging for another turn!!!

Roastin' some dogs for lunch!

Wakeboard session over:
Helping wipe down the wakeboard boat. Now time to get out the ski boat!

Just playin'

That's my girl! Lindsie tears it up on a ski now days!

When I think of wakeboarding, I think of Hayden. He is a PURE-BLOOD wakeboarder. Somehow we convinced him to give slalom skiing a try. He gets out there, never having tried before, and gets up his first try. Not only did he get up right away, he had his very own style. It was a cross-over between wakeboarding style and slalom skiing. We had to keep yelling to him that he was on a ski, not a wakeboard.

Caden's second run, this time with a wet suit!

Kage was so excited to get out and try Wakeboarding.... ha ha ha. His mom actually threatened him that he couldn't come home until he at least tried:) Since it was his first time, we put up the boom for him. He did awesome!

The best part of the day for Troy, and me, was when he got up on a slalom ski for the first time!!!! I don't know who was more excited, Troy or me???? I was amazed how great he was out there. He had perfect form and was so stable. That kid never ceases to amaze me. When he wants to do something, there is no stopping him.

What a perfect way to end a great day! Welcome to the ski club Troy. You have lots of fun days of skiing ahead of you. It makes me smile to think of all the fun you are going to have out on that water!!! Mini course, here we come!

Happy 9th Birthday Troy!

Sixteen Years!

I really don't like to brag, but I have the BEST husband in the world. It was our 16th Anniversary this month, yes 16 whopping years! I can't believe it. Two of our friends share anniversaries the same week as ours. Our husbands got together and decided it was time to surprise the wives with an unforgettable anniversary weekend!!!

The wives had no idea what the hubbies were up to. I knew we would do something fun, and I told Rick I just wanted to spend it out at Last Chance.

Friday night, the husbands told us to be ready at 7:00 am. for waterskiing. We had no idea who else was coming. It was so fun when we all saw each other that morning and realized we were being wisked away together for the day!
All we knew so far is that we were headed out to Last Chance for a little fun in the sun....

Lisa's first ski of the year.... she now has the "bug" and can't wait to get out there again. She tried my new ski and LOVED it!

My hot hubby rippin it up on the course. He did amazing. This may not mean much to some of you, but he ran the course at 28 off, and got three bouys at 32 off! He was a happy man!!!

Kristi, showing off her skills!

After we all skiied, the girls went on top of the boat house for some sun and they guys cooked us a fabulous breakfast: omlets, bacon, and fresh fruit. It tasted sooooo delicious!

The next event of the day: Mountain biking.

We went back to our houses and the guys told us to change into our mountain biking clothes and pack an over-night bag. Could this day get any better???

We drove up to Park City and did the Glen Wild trail

This was the end of the ride. It was the most beautiful stream and everything was so green!

After the mtn biking, they took us up to Deer Valley to stay at the Chateau Lodge. It was amazing! The girls went to our rooms to shower and the guys made us a gourmet steak dinner. They really put so much thought into this weekend for us, we were so impressed! What better way to end the day then with a mouth watering steak.

Look how cute.... they set the table for a nice dinner for us.

Just chillin after a full day of activities....
We tried to watch a movie and we all fell asleep. I think we are getting OLD.

We had such a great little get-away, but we sure missed these faces! 16 years and three amazing children!!!! It's amazing what can happen in 16 years. Thanks, Rick, for the best 16 years of my life!!!

The latest and Greatest

I haven't been very good at blogging the the latest happenings around here. Life just seems to get busier and busier. I thought I would just do a short re-cap of a few of the great things that have been happening....
Troy's first Pinewood Derby! Troy's car is the one all by itself in the middle.

Troy and Rick spent some great one on one time building his first pine wood derby car. Troy was so excited and just couldn't stop talking about it until his car was finally finished. A few weeks before the Derby, Rick found out he had a business trip and wouldn't be able to attend the Derby. I don't know who was more bummed, Troy or Rick. Anyway, as always, things ended up working out just fine. A week before the derby, Rick took Troy to moab for a camping trip, just the two of them, to make up for not being at the pine wood derby.

Just before the event was about to begin, Rick who was in Washington, called and told Troy there was someone who wanted to talk to Troy on the phone. I handed Troy the phone, and on the other end was Travis Pastrana (Troy's favorite motocross guy). He wished Troy good luck on the Derby, and Troy just about fell over with excitement! Rick had just happened to come across an autograph signing Travis was doing that day at a car dealership. PERFECT TIMING! Troy was so excited.

The excitement didn't stop there..... Troy ended up winning the whole pinewood Derby! It was so funny because we really didn't expect he would win. Troy was just happy to be a part of it. I've never seen the grin on his face so big!

The 5th grade wax museum:

Addie as Lucille Ball

Lindsie as Pocohauntas
Hayden as George Washington

DANCE RECITAL

Lindsie and Mallory had their spring dance recital. It is always fun to watch my girls dance. They really love it and they did an amazing job.

Mallory in the "chicken dance."

Lindsie's group did "Thriller"

Mallory has been so sad because Emery broke her arm. Emery hadn't been back to school yet since she had her sling and soft cast on. She was worried the kids would "make fun" of her cast. Mallory really wanted her to come with her, so we wrapped Mallory's arm so Emery wouldn't be the only one with a cast on. It worked! Emery went to school and the kids all loved both of their broken arms:)