Retirement, Chris/Amanda's New House, and Camping Trip

Lacey, Landon, and Shelly made Curt this candy bar poster for Curt's retirement party at Shelly's. She made prime rib--and boy was it yummy. Thanks to Lacey, Landon, Jerry, and Shelly for making Curt feel special.


Another picture of the candy bar poster.

A close up--had to be able to read it all!

Curt was helping Chris get his water turned on for his sprinklers and Cody wanted to help. I thought this picture was so cute.

A front view of Chris and Amanda's new house. It has a full upstairs and downstairs completely finished with new carpet and new paint. It really is a nice home.

I had to get a picture of Cody in his new room.

A back view of their new home. Take a look at that deck!

Now, to the camping trip. Lucky got to come along. Spencer and Jayleigh loved her almost to pieces. She had a hard time getting any alone time.

Cashelle braided the girls' hair. It was nice--they didn't have to have it fixed every day.

The four-wheelers were a big hit--they always are! Jayleigh cried every time she had to get off. She's going to be an outdoorsy girl, that's for sure. Audrey was a great little "mother" to her.

Our kitchen set up was great. It was away from the fire and trailers and tents. We had a lot of shade for all the coolers and food. It turned out just perfect for a change. No Rain!!!!

Jayleigh had to have her hair done like Madalynn and Audrey. Amanda loves to fix the little girls' hair. She sat so patiently and read a book.

A.J. and Carter. A.J., Cashelle, Lacey, Chris, Amanda, and I have been counting calories and trying to get into better shape. Between the six of us, we have lost about 100 pounds. Chris has lost 50 all by himself.

The girls loved climbing up the hill across the road and rolling rocks. They all had so much fun.

Curt found this little game over at Wal-Mart. It was a hit. We also had bubbles and glow-in-the-dark sticks that we had a blast with. The last night there after the kids had gone to bed, all the adults were playing with them. Landon dolled himself all up and walked up the road to the other camp. I know they could have seen him if they had looked, but the dogs started barking so Landon retreated. We laughed so hard.

Landon and Lacey's temporary home--his grandma's trailer. Thank you for letting them borrow it!

Cashelle, A.J. and kids slept in the big blue tent. The other one was set up for the kids to play in.

Oh, Carter. You are so cute. He was such a trooper!

Curt and I slept in our trailer and Chris, Amanda, Cody, and Carter slept in the little white trailer. I wish we had just one more trailer so everyone could stay in one. Cashelle and A.J. got along really well with their tent, though. Even after one of the poles broke. Curt and A.J. mended it, and it worked perfectly.

Look how nice and grassy it was where we camped. NOTHING like last year. Last year was a big 'ol mud hole we were lucky to get out of!

Two of my cute grandsons.

4-wheeling again . . . .

and again . . . .

and again . . . .

and again. They all got plenty of turns.

Jayleigh makes this cutest face when she is surprised by something. I just happened to snap the camera at the right time. What a cutie.

Did I say they enjoyed the 4-wheelers?

We went on a ride up to Yearns campground. Amanda flew through the water in the road. The girls had to all have a turn playing in the water. We had such a great camping trip--one that's going to be hard to beat. There's nothing better than family get togethers.

Has it already been three years?????

It's hard to believe--Landon and Lacey have been married three whole years now. My, but time flies. Three years ago about this time I dumped my favorite salad dressing from their wedding luncheon all over my floor--and I was getting so ready to feast on it the next week! Oh well . . . stuff happens sometimes. Happy Anniversary!

A New Phase

We just entered a new phase of our lives yesterday. Curt officially retired from the high school. It's been a lot of hard work on his part. He deserves to take some time now for himself. He has definitely earned it. Curt, I love you. And I hope the best for your retirement years. Enjoy them!

To my two little lovebirds . . . .

Cashelle and A.J.--I want to be the first to tell you HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I can't believe you have been married 9 (?) years now. It seems like yesterday when we were meeting A.J. for the first time. You both are wonderful parents and have a special family. Keep up the good parenting work. We love you both so much!

Madalynn's baptism

What three handsome boys! They were so anxious to see Madalynn get baptized. Nancy (Madalynn's Nanna) had this beautiful white towel made for Madalynn's special day.

Two happy grandparents to see their very first grandchild get baptized. A.J. did such a good job, and Madalynn was so excited.

Cashelle and A.J. before the big event. Madalynn was so lucky. Not only was this her baptism day, it was also her birthday. How lucky is that! She was so cute--after A.J. confirmed her, she was just sobbing. She said she was just so "happy." Early confirmations of the spirit. Listen to them, Madalynn.

This is just a random picture I threw in of Cody. He fell asleep on the four-wheeler ride with his daddy.

Thomas is No. 1, Uncle Chris.

The two girls--Madalynn in her new birthday outfit with a present from her mom and dad that Audrey is dying to get her hands on.

We got to tend Jayleigh on Saturday night. While the cat's away, the mice will play. We gave her pizza. She loved it.

Cousin Spencer trying to give cousin Jayleigh a bite of his popsicle. It was so cute how he wanted to share with his cousin.

Easter and NASCAR Weekend . . .

We attended the Manti Easter Egg hunt. It was so cold. By the time it was over, it was snowing great big flakes. Thomas with his goodies. Cody with his goodies.

Spencer got a bunch, too.

The Saturday before Easter, we went over west and had our annual "egg roll." We had a really good hill and the boys made an "eggs"cellent trail.

Grandma got to watch from the car.

Looking down from the hill.

All lined up and ready to go.

I don't think we'll be eating these eggs. They did hold up pretty good, though.

All the little cousins in the back of Curt's truck with Grandma Kjar looking on.

Jayleigh watching the older kids.

This is the clan.

Switching gears . . . . This is just a few of the trailers around Cary's NASCAR weekend in Phoenix. If you've never done NASCAR, you need to try it at least once. Cary gratiously prepared for the whole day. We tailgated, visited, shopped at the NASCAR vendors. We had a great day.

Not an uncommon site. Thousands of trailers. You had to see it to believe it.

A racing limo . . . .

The Phoenix track. Getting ready for the race to begin.

Skydivers coming into the arena. There were five of them and then the jet fighters flew overhead before the race started.

Look at the trailers. And this is just a TINY section.

A view of pit row . . .

The pace car with the race cars before it. They did two laps before the official race began.

On the way home from Phoenix just south of Page, Arizona, you can take a 3/4 mile trail to see the Great Horseshoe. It takes your breath away. I don't know why I insisted that Curt and I stop here. I didn't dare get near the edge. There was a fellow from Great Britain taking pictures with a tripod. I talked him into taking a few for me. I didn't dare get near the edge.