Salt Lake Wedding

Yesterday, my cousin Calie was married in the Salt Lake Temple. Tawn, me and the boys met my mom & Nappy there. It's been awhile since I've been to Temple Square and it's beautiful! Jess watched the boys while we went to the sealing. It's always nice to go to another sealing be reminded of the important promises we've made. The dinner was at the Lion House and the food was delicious (plus we were all starving). It was great getting to see and visit with family again. My mom and dad were headed to Rockland for the reception today, but it was a little far for us to go.

Out for a Drive...

I forced Tawn to drive around with me Thursday looking for new places to take pictures. We did come up with a few different places that I'm hoping to get to try one day. We ended the drive at the Springville Art Museum which has some beautiful landscaping The kids loved running around and I had fun snapping photos. Thanks Tawn for coming with me!

A Visit from G & G Valentine

Steve & Paulette came to stay with us for a few days this week. Lucas and Kody were in heaven with all the love and attention from grandpa and grandma. They took Lucas to Hogle Zoo on Thursday with Mariann and Talon. He had a blast and the weather was perfect. While I ran a few errands on Friday and got my haircut, they took the boys to the park. Then on Friday night, Nathan, Mariann & Talon came down for a little BBQ and play games. It's always fun to get to see them and their handsome little guy. He's growing so fast. Jed and his parents went to the BYU game on Saturday. Jed was with some guys from work and was happy to have the nice seats on the 50 yard line. Thanks grams and gramps for coming. We had a great time.



While they were at the BYU game, Lucas and I set up camp in the living room. I watched the game while he and Kody had fun playing in the tent.

Ok... so maybe Kody wasn't having too much fun! :)


And as a little side not... Kody is 14 months now and walks around saying 'Hi' to everyone. He can also tell you what a cow says "mmmm".!

Happy Birthday Ab-ilicious!

Hey birthday girl! I can't believe you are one! We wish we were there to celebrate with you today.

Lucas asked me if he gets to go to your birthday party! I said no, we don't live in Sharizona. He said, well I was just there yesterday!

We love you so much!

Saturday Duties

The Cheering Section...


Here's two of my boys right before they headed to the BYU football game. Lucas was so excited, he could hardly wait for this afternoon. Let's hope he doesn't want to come home after the first 5 minutes!


The Cleaning Crew...


Fun for us, I mean me... Kody's not much help when it comes to clean up. In fact, he's part of the duo that caused the tornado crisis inside our home.

Better get going. The first quarters already over and I haven't done anything yet!

Where Were You?

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing 7 years ago today? The day America felt united. The day our course shifted directions.

I do.

I lived in Orem in a Chambery townhomes, west of the freeway, with Hillary and Jenine. That morning I didn't turn on the tv while I was getting ready (maybe I was running behind). I didn't start paying much attention to the radio (K-Bull 93) until I got stopped on top of the overpass at a red light. As I was listening to them talk about the planes that had crashed into the World Trade Centers, I thought it must be some sort of joke.

I was working at UVSC (now UVU) in the Human Resource department. As I got to work, everyone was crowded in the directors office staring the tiny tv. We just sat there watching... and watching... and watching. Replaying over and over again the video of the second plane. I honestly could not believe what was happening. I watched it live as the first tower went down. We all sucked in breath. And then second tower went down... I watched the people as they ran for their lives, covered in ash and rubble.

I remember hearing about the pentagon. I remember reading a ticker across the bottom of the broadcast about a plane crashing in Pennsylvania. At the time, they were unsure if it was related to the other attacks.

I remember walking down the hall of flags and the hundreds of students crowded around the t.v's. I'm sure many missed their classes. I remember being told to fill up our cars with gas because it was going to rise over $5 a gallon.

It's amazing how an event can change our lives in just a split second. How we can feel connected to people we've never met. How our heart breaks for those that lost loved ones. How proud we feel of the heroes who stepped in harms way to save the life of someone else. And for a brief moment, in complete chaos, everyone was united in one cause.

A Bit Preoccupied

So I've very much neglected my blog for the last little while. It's not because I don't want you to know all the ins and outs of the Valentine household, I really do. I've just been a bit preoccupied lately. After many hours of sweat and tears. Oh wait, now I'm getting confused... bank customer service line = sweat and tears! (glad last weeks over!)



But... after many long hours my website if finally up and running. So go here to check it out! There is also a link on the left too. Make sure to check out the Fall Specials. I've also put some Christmas card options up on my blog. More to come. Let me know what you think or if you're interested in booking.

Financial Peace University

Jed and I are starting this class next week. If any one would like to join us, it's gonna be tons of fun! I've read his book and really like his ideas. And the best part is he's speaking from experience.

Shara & Aaron took it when they lived in MA and really liked it. So, thanks guys for pointing us to our financial peace!

IN MY WORLD...

MONEY WILL GROW ON TREES!

(and yes, that title is in CAPS for a reason!)



This is technically my 300th post on blogger. Oh the plans I had for such a fun milestone... the 300 things you didn't know about me, my 300 most favorite movies, 300 ways to kill a mocking bird, but alas, you don't get those fun 300 lists.





Instead you the the "300 reasons why money is the root of all evil..."





1 - 299... BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT TO LIVE.


300... AND YOUR BANK DECIDED TO SUSPEND YOUR CURRENT ACCOUNT (AND ALL MONEY IN IT) BECAUSE YOUR HOME VALUE HAS DECLINED!





Lovely!





Fun times ahead, but we're determined to make it work and we are very grateful that we still have jobs with incoming money.








And because I'm a nice gal, and don't want you to leaf (serisously, how early is it?) all depressed...

Here's two of the things that made me smile in a very stressful day yesterday!


Lucas loves preschool and prestics (gymnastics). He's in the habit of saying "no" to EVERYTHING I ask him to do. Oh, but he's smart! He's constantly turning the tables around on me, like... If we're trying to clean up and I've asked him to find the matching shoes or toys, etc, he'll tell me that he has a game that he'll sit down I should find everything and bring it back to him and he'll even count!



Kody's now walking at all speeds (has been for a few weeks) and he hates naps! He's in to biting and if your not careful, he'll walk up and bite your toes. Take it from me, It hurts! He's so darn cute and thinks he's so funny!

Oh how we love these two boys!

A Fair to Remember

Me and the boys just spent part of last week up in Honeyville for the county fair. Shara & Abby flew in on Wednesday and we (along with Tawn) picked them up from the airport and then headed home for the parade. Which Lucas was so not into! Even the candy wasn't that appealing. We left about half way through and headed out to my dad's booth at the fair. It's always stressful for my dad, and I'm sure it wasn't much easier this year with all the kiddos, but we had a good time. Jed was able to come up on Friday to spend the rest of the weekend with us.

Unfortunately there was a flu bug going around and my kids & Tawn got it Thursday night (in the middle of the night, which means I got zippo sleep) and all day Friday. They were pretty darn miserable. Shara came down with it Friday night and my mom, dad & Jess got it Saturday night. I was feeling fine until Sunday and then it hit, and it was awful! Jed came home from work today with it. Now we've all had it, and we better never get it again!

Despite the sickness, we had a great time being together, just hanging out, and cooking to death in the hot heat!


My little cowboy.


Apparently the fire engines were a bit much!


Mom and her girls... we suprised my dad by having t-shirts made with his logo.


Shara being all fancy and eating some delicious homemade ice cream.


The best we could do for a cousin picture.


This little girl thinks she's so funny... and she is!


Jed practicing his selling techniques on Shara.


Lucas and Logan on the dragon. It took him a minute to smile, but in the end a much better experience than this!


CJ on the motorcycle.


Lucas & Logan


My dad... the owner of B & M Boot Repair!


Xadun, Lucas & Chaetun walking around the fair. So cute!


Kody trying to comfort the sick.


Shara modeling the flu bug very nicely!

Olympic Withdrawls...

What is it about the Summer Olympics?! They capture my full attention. It seems I'm living vicariously through the athletes and I want them all to do good (or bad if you're a Chinese diver...for heaven sakes...just miss a dive for once). My eyes start to hurt from staring so long and then I realize it's 12:30. No wonder! But only after Bob Costas wishes us a good night (or day in China) was I able to pull myself of the couch and drag my lazy bones to bed. Only to repeat the process starting at 7:00 the next night.

Here's a recap of my favorite moments (in no particular order 'cause I don't want to move the pictures around)


Shawn Johnson winning the gold on the balance beam... and the whole USA gymnasts for that matter. I love watching gymnastics. I was never good at it (although I wanted to be). The best I could ever do was a back bend, and I'm not even sure I learned how to flip over while I was in it...I could stand back up though!



Lolo Jones favored to win, but fell during the 100m hurdles. I felt so bad for her, but I thought she was awesome by the way she handled herself afterwards. A very classy lady if you ask me. Maybe it's just me, but a good portion of those track athletes seem very, Very, VERY cocky! Not my favorite events to watch...mostly because of the attitude.



Dara Torres. How could you not love this woman! 41 years old and still winning medals. I loved how she was concerned for the swimmer whose swimming suit ripped and made sure that they didn't start the race until she was ready. And she's got a sense of humor! Such a good role model... in the pool and out!



The women's beach volleyball when Misty May Treanor & Kerri Walsh won their 2nd strait gold medal... in the rain! How could you not want to play volleyball after watching them.



Micheal Phelps and the entire US swim team! Holy spamoli they were awesome to watch. The 4x100 where Jason Lezak came back to win. INCREDIBLE! And even though it was late at night... I was still cheering loudly hoping not to wake my hubby and children! Smash the US... I think not! And...how in the world Mr. Phelps made it to the wall first in the butterfly, I'll never know, but he did and I was one proud American!

Thank you Beijing (spoken with a hard "j") for an awesome Olympics!

Time to sign my kid up for gymnastics. Oh wait, I already did. He starts tomorrow!

Nikon D40 for Sale

UPDATED...
sold the 55-200mm lens and 1 UV filter. NEW PRICE!

I'm selling my Nikon D40 with all the following included. I'm selling everything for $435. I have had it for almost 18 months. It works great. I'm only selling it because I bought a d80 and won't need this one anymore.

Let me know if your interested.

Nikon D40 Nikkor 18-55 Lens
(1) 52mm UV Filters (one for each lens) (1) 52 mm Circular Polarizer Filter
Black Lowepro Camera Backpack
Neck strap, computer cord, battery & batter charger, instruction manual (everything that came with it when I bought it).

The Preschooler

(Denise took this picture and I love it!)



Because his mom's a bit spacy at times, this little boy almost didn't have a preschool to attend this fall. I found out about 2 weeks ago that he wouldn't qualify for the one I was originally going to put him in. This turned out to be a good thing other than I was left with no preschool and little hope. Every where I called was full. I finally found one that is just a couple minutes from our house. She just had a couple spots open up in Lucas' age group. I was so excited. Lucas and I went to meet her today and she's going to be great! Now he can hardly wait until Preschool starts next Tuesday and I can hardly wait for my 2 1/2 hours... oh the things I'll be able to do...




clean
laundry
work
grocery shop




But... let's be realistic I'll probably come home, put Kody down for a nap and do nothing!