Memories of Dad

Well last week was difficult, but life does not stop, so it is time to get moving again. However, I want to share some memories of Dad. He was in the Air force and I was born in Germany. I don't remember much about that. Then we moved to California. It seemed like Dad was always gone to Japan. I think he would be gone for 3 months at a time but I could be wrong. He would always bring home gifts. The one I remember the most was a jacket with the SR-71 on the back. It said Habu on the back as well. I believe Habu referred to a snake that was very hard to see and catch. When he got out of the service my brothers were already in Utah and I drove out with Mom and Dad. We stopped at a lake for the night and Dad took me fishing. I remember my feet being in the water and dad sitting next to me. We were bottom fishing. All of a sudden my pole bent almost in half and I didn't know what to do. Dad took it from me and started reeling it in. I ran to a nearby boat where someone handed me a net. But by the time I got back to Dad the fish had broken the line and was gone. We laughed and walked back to mom with a great "fish" story
When we got to Utah I remember Dad having a couple of different jobs. One at Hill AFB then at the TAD. We lived in a couple of different places and finally moved to the house on 2nd Street. Dad loved popcorn and would make a giant roasting pan full and we would eat it and watch TV. Remember at the time there were no VCR or DVDs and only network TV. The only show I know for sure we watched was MASH. Sunday was football and he was not to be disturbed. He watched as many games as he could and watched the news to get the rest of the scores. He wrote everything down on legal size pads. Pages and pages of names and numbers. Once in awhile Dad and I would get in the car and go buy a small jar of peanut butter and crackers and a Pepsi, not in a can or plastic bottle but a real Pepsi in the 16oz glass bottle. We would go for a drive and eat peanut butter and cracker sandwiches and I would drink most of the Pepsi. I would ask him if he wanted to share a Pepsi and he would say "NO. I know how you share" We would laugh.
I remember him making home made wooden building blocks on his table saw. He would come to my football practices and encourage me. I wasn't the biggest or the strongest on the team but it meant a lot to see him there.
As I sit here so many memories come back to me. So many that I can't keep them straight. I will have to close for now and will write more later.

What do we do now?

The kids had their last soccer game, and last swimming lesson. We are wondering what to do next. They had such a great time with their activities. Justice was a great goalie. He would catch ball after ball. He would like to kick the ball back into play. He would back way up into the net and do this warrior scream as he came charging into kick the ball- it was very funny.

Tana made some great friends and got in some good kicks. She still runs on the balls of her feet and looks kind of like a princess out there- but she did her best and had a great time. Dad got some great pics of the kids so we will post them as soon as we can get our hands on them. Hint Hint- Dad email me some ok :-) The best part is they both got a trophy. Their prized possession. They are so proud. So we will let you know what adventures await us in a post to come soon!!

I start teaching preschool next week but the kids still have a month until their school starts. So it really feels like the summer is winding down. Bummer.

The Funeral

Jeff's funeral turned out very nice. The casket was covered with a flag. There were 8 soldiers that surrounded the casket and they did this very elaborate ceremony to fold the flag into a triangle for a keepsake. They gave the flag to Eric's sister Kristina along with 4 of the bullet casings from the 21 gun salute. Another soldier played "Taps" on his bugle. It was very beautiful. He was buried at Camp Williams. It is a mountainous scene. I think Jeff was very pleased and proud of his kids.

We had a chance to meet Jeff's brother Dan and his wife Robyn. They were so nice. Eric was their driver while they were here. Uncle Dan brought lots of pictures of Jeff while he young and growing up. It was great to learn more about him. Eric, Uncle Dan, Aunt Robyn, and Eric's brother Dave spent a day up in Park City seeing the sights. They also went over Guardsman's Pass. Dan and Robyn are from Ohio and they were amazed at the beautiful mountains and how far you can see here. Eric's brothers and nephews and I had dinner with Dan and Robyn at the Mayan. We had a great time. We hope to see them again and keep in touch.

Kids Days of '47 Parade

JD, Montana and I were in the Kids Days of '47 Downtown Parade this year. Our stake called me as a rep for our ward in coordinating this parade. So it was a little work on my part- but it was a piece of cake. You might have seen us on TV. They had a close up of the three of us. That was kind of exciting when we watched it on the DVR later that day. The float and our t-shirts were covered in painted handprints. That was such a mess, but the kids felt like they really had a "hand" in the decorating. Bad joke I know, but I couldn't resist. Everything turned out wonderful. The float and t-shirts looked so much better than I had anticipated. Our theme was "Success Through Helping Hands". We sang the primary song "Holding Hands Around the World" while we walked the parade route. We had a great time, despite the 100 degree temperatures. There was a big kids festival at the City County Building after as a thankyou for the participants. Inflatable slides, face painting, popsicles, etc. We were completely exhausted when we got home. We all slept and slept. It will be a fun memory.

Eric's Father Died

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and condolences for Eric's father's death. After his parents divorced when he was 11 he did not have much contact with Jeff, but he still feels a lot of emotions and has many responsibilites in the settling of his affairs as well as the funeral. Of course this is very hard for him. Lots of old wounds have been opened and it will take time to heal. Our kids & I did not know him at all, so this is a little confusing for all of us. Grampa George is who they know as Eric's dad. Although he is Eric's step father, he raised Eric into the man we know and love. The funeral will be Thursday. Jeff was a military man who retired from the Air Force and so he is having a military burial with a flag covered coffin. It will be a very nice service. Your prayers for peace and healing would be very appreciated.

JD looses his first tooth!

Justice or JD as he now likes to be called, has lost his first tooth!!! He is so proud of his missing tooth. He swears that he saw the tooth fairy. She is small, silver, and has no eyeballs. Hmmm, interesting!!

We have been calling Justice "Justi" for a long time. Well he has decided that is a baby name. He now wants to be called JD, short for Justice David. He gets really mad when we call him Justi. He will say "I TOLD YOU I DON'T WANT YOU TO CALL ME THAT ANYMORE!" And he will have this very mad look on his face. It is so cute. We are trying to change but it is hard. He is growing up too fast. He starts kindergarten in one month!! Yeah!! He is very excited. And so is mom!!

Jenn's Wendover Haul!!

Hi Everyone!


I just came back from my work party for KJZZ TV14. As most of you know I have been working their as a Master Control Operator for the last 6 months on the graveyard shift. Anyhoo, We took a fun bus to Wendover. It was soooo awesome! We played Bingo for the big prizes and then they had a drawing for prizes for each person that came to the party. I thought that was great. Right off the bat they had the Bingo game for the 37" flat screen HDTV. And I won it!!! Everyone is so mad at me- hee hee hee. Except Eric, he is totally loving it. It really is nice. I also won a family pass to Cherry Hills Water Park and a gift certificate to Cafe Med. Haven't ever been there but it sounds yummy. That was all on the bus. I could've just come home then and been happy. When we got to Wendover they took us to the movies, we had lunch at the Casino Buffet, and they even gave us some gambling money. I came out even so it was a fun day. More Bingo on the way home but I let everyone else have a turn winning :-) !!

As if that weren't enough- we got paid wages while at the party. It was fun. This is such a great company to work for. Because of Larry Miller owning the joint sometimes we get free concert tickets, race track tickets, and some of our Advertisers give us stuff sometimes (Theatre tickets, gift certificates, etc.) Lots of perks. Eric and I recently got to go see the Tim & Faith concert on their dime. I am not complaining- except sleeping would be nice. FUN DAY!!

5 Factor Diet

I found a diet that I am really interested in and excited about. It is the 5 Factor Diet. Their website is www.5factordiet.com. 5 healthy meals a day (3 meals + 2 snacks), exercise 5 days a week for 25 minutes, & one cheat day a week where you can eat whatever you like. Jessica Simpson, Eva Mendes, Alicia Keyes, John Mayer, and other celebrities have had great success with it. I am starting a journey. I am loosing 95 lbs in the next 6-12 months. Yes you read right. It has taken me many years to get to this point, so I want to give myself time to loose this weight. I have been really depressed and sedentary since we closed our studio a few years ago. This has contributed to my weight gain, not to mention my crazy work schedule. But I am ready to shed all of that and start a new healthy life. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted on my success!!

Inspirational Thought: “Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.”
Keri Russell

Our New Car

Well kids it was finally time to make a big purchase. My 1994 Jeep which has served me well for the past 5 years has reached a point it it's life that it was time to move it along. Thank you Jeep gods for such a great car. So last night Sweetie and I went car shopping. After what seemed like hours of back and forth on price and terms we purchased a 2005 GMC Envoy. It has 44K miles on it and is in great shape. It is loaded. Here are a few pictures. I will take some more and post them this afternoon.

Taylorsville Dayzz

We watched Sierra march in the parade. That was pretty fun- except for the heat, and the whining kids. The best part was watching the Sheriff K-9 unit run out of gas and push his truck down the parade route. We had a good laugh about that. Then we went to the giant carnival and car show at the park. We watched a tire burn out- haven't ever seen one of those before. It's where they see which cars can make the most smoke with their tires. That was awesome. There was one plain old blazer with a kick butt engine. Of course he smoked up the place. We loved it. The kids rode the rides, went to the petting zoo, rode the ponies, had snow cones, got airbrush tattoos. We were completely exhausted from the heat. We went home for a big nap and some relaxation. Then we came back that night for the fireworks and glow in the dark necklaces. It was a great day.

Pix of Sierra

Here she is in her uniform!! GOOOO Bobcats!

And her solo costume