Before and After

Just thought I would add a few before and after pics of our house. Alot of sweat, tears, and sleepless night contributed to this.

Luau

My Parents treated all of us to a traditional Hawaiin Luau with the roasted pig, hula dancing and of course the sunset over the ocean. It was so much fun. Before we left they also surprised us with Parasailing over the ocean coast. It was such a cool experience and like nothing I had ever done before. How did we do all of this with our little Tatum? Let's just say thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Brimhall jeff and I were able to fully enjoy the time we had together. It was a very memorable trip and a great big thank you to Mom and Pop Smoot for making it possible!!!

Hawaii! part two

Since this was Jeff's first time in Hawaii we made sure everyday was a fun filled adventure and took advantage of the activities the island has to offer. We snorkeled almost everyday in different areas, hiked to the twin falls with Jenny and Steve (shortly after I dropped my camera in the water and it stopped working but since has made a full come back) and lastly my Dad rented a boat for a day and we went scuba-diving!

Hawaii! part one

My parents are part owners of a condo in Maui and we were lucky enough to spend a week enjoying their new buy. The Condo is right on the beach, which Jeff is taking in the views from the front window. We also played a little tennis, went swimming in the waves and we even found a little piece of AZ in a local fish shop.

And we are back!

As some of you know we have been up to our eye balls in work trying to fix up the house we just purchased...yes we bought a HOUSE!!! we are thrilled but it has taken up any and all spare time we have had outside of Jeff's paying job and life my life as a Mom. However, we are not revealing any pics until most of the project is done, so you will just have to keep checking in for updates. I would like to fill everyone in on the last few months, which I have been hounded to do for some time now. Let's take it back to the month of August.....The photos above are our trip to Pine dale, AZ, for the annual B-13 Family reunion. I don't know about you, but I love any excuse to get together with family, even extended! We had a great time and Tate cannot get enough of her cousins. Towards the end of the trip we did hit a few snags. If you look close Tate looks like she was punched in the eye, but it was a BAD case of pink eye, not to mention a double ear infection and she had four teeth coming in! It was awesome!

The 4th, take two!

So on independence day we rolled into Aspen just in time for the town's parade. Tate loved it! She was able to see some of the nicest cars in her life, horses, fire trucks and kids riding bikes....oh and lots of Democrats! After the parade we headed over to the art museum for a free BBQ and a live Jazz Band (we were loving all the free activities). I have decided that this was the start of a new family tradition to celebrate the 4th in Aspen every year! To finish off our vacation we watched fireworks from our hotel parking lot, it was a great fun filled weekend!

Our fabulous fourth of July!

Our little family headed for the mountains to celebrate our freedom...and to get some real rocky mountain fresh air over the weekend of the fourth! Our first stop was Breckenridge...the home of our future cabin. It is one of the only towns not effected by the pine beetles who have destroyed thousands of pine trees in the Rockies. We started the weekend at the base of a fourteen-er and hiked our way up. It was breath taking! Tatum was such a good sport that we even considered going all the way to the top, until she started passing out in her backpack. It looked so uncomfortable I ended up carrying her down the path in my arms....it was a precious moment though!

Hurray for Jeff!!!

I am very proud of my sweetheart for taking advantage of our beautiful surroundings and getting out when he can. A few weeks back he and a buddy, Justin, from our ward completed their first race in boulder. It was a beautiful day and they said their 60 mile journey was quite a site to see. The wives and kids were there to cheer them on as they crossed the finish line!

Yes, yet another trip to Utah!

Since Tate will not be going on the extended Family trip this year I decided I had better fly her out to see the Family before she is walking and talking. We had a great time attending the REAL soccer game, going to the zoo with cousins and swimming at Grandpa's condo. While I was there I decided to get some good bonding time in with Jenny so I decided to get involved in one of her favorite past times these days...running. Now those of you who know me, or did back in my high school days, recall I use to do this quite often and for good reason back then. I ran to clear my head of stress with dating, work and the pressures of school. Now that I am free from those running has become more of a chore. So while in Utah, Jenny's enthusiasm encouraged me to sign up for a local race (10K)to benifit something to do with eyes(?). So what did I do to prepare...I woke up that morning, after not running in a few weeks, and prayed that I would cross the finish line. Well I did it! I fininshed the 5k loop before heading back to the finish line. I secretly peeled off my sticker, that indicated I was running the 10k, and headed back with the majority of the crowd. I know this is bold to be posting a confession like this on the web, but hey, I am amazed that I ran at all on that very hot day! Overall Utah was a blast and I can't wait to go again soon!

Father's Day...a month ago!

Happy Father's day to all you Dads out there! I know that we only take one day out of the year to give you an official thanks, but you deserve it everyday. That is why I have extended this post until now! (it has nothing to do with busy schedules or an undesire to blog at times) I just have to shout it from the roof tops of cyberspace that my hubby takes the cake when it comes to being a Dad (and believe me he has a lot of good competition out there). He is such a hands on Dad involved in Tate's ever growing development and makes it all the more fun! Tate can't get enough of Jeff and yes, she is even starting to take on some of his looks the older she gets (although I still hold the dominate gene) We Love you Jeff and all you do for us! I also want to take a moment to recognize the Fathers in my life. Jeff reminds me a lot of my own Dad in how much they get involved with their kids...Dad, a lot of who I am is shaped after your good example and honesty in all you do. You are and will always be a great example in my life and I love you for that and more! And to the other, my Father in Law, you have helped us in so many ways to grow and move forward with our lives (even if you would prefer us closer) you have made so much possible for us with your never ending generosity! We send our love your way! So there you have it Dads, always know your appreciated for the role you play to your kids! Lots of love!