9 years ago....

I was 24 and I had Jonah on Sept. 18th at 1:10 in the morning. I remember being excited but scared about not knowing much about babies. I had only been married for a little over a year and was still experiencing the newness of it. We lived in a little yellow house that was split into 5 apartments. It was a one bedroom apt. with a swamp cooler that I remember turning on and being sprawled onto our bed waiting for the cool air to get to our room so we could sleep comfortably. We still had our little Geo Prism and it was our only car. It was a great car.

Life was so simple and great. It still is great, but not as simple.

Jonah just turned 9 last week. He had a good birthday. We didn't do much but he got the one present he was dying to have. Lucky boy! I love him. He is a good boy and Jake and I really wanted him to have it.

I can't believe he is 9 though. When people tell you that your baby will grow up so fast you won't even believe it.........they are telling the truth!

Here is the happy birthday boy!

I promise this is the only picture without a helmet. Jake and I are pretty strict when it comes down to the noggin.

DANG IT !!!

I just ate WAY too many Doritos while talking to my sister on the phone.

Why did I buy them? So I could put a small amount in my kids lunches every now and then because I hardly buy them and thought it would be a treat.

Now I know why I stopped buying them! Can't just have one. Isn't that a different companies slogan?

Well, at least I'm swimming tonight. :)

I will refrain next time I walk past the bag on the counter.

Contemplating Dad.

Well, my Dad would have turned 59 on Sunday the 14th of September. It's crazy to think it has been 4 years since I lost him to a heart attack. It's crazy to think about those who do not have the knowledge we have and if I hadn't, I wonder where I would be today. I love what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches us about what happens after we die. It is a comfort to know that I will see my Dad again. I'm glad I had him for 29 years of my life before he had to go. I do wish that my children knew him more. Jonah and Gavin were pretty young. Jonah remember's him as the "tickle monster" who would show him the "scarey door" (their garage door sounded like a monster when it would open). Gavin, I don't think remembers very much as he was not quite 2 when he passed. I'm sure Breck knew him in Heaven but probably won't remember that until after her life on this earth.

I feel for everyone who has lost a loved one. It isn't easy to do. Sometimes is sucks really bad. Sometimes it is hard not to be mad or jealous when you hear someone say,"My Mom or Dad had cancer and now they are ok." or "My Dad had a heart attack but is still alive." I know it sounds sick. It is just true sometimes. I just feel it isn't fair sometimes, that's all.

On a happier note, he was a fabulous Dad who was really funny and smart.

I found some pictures of him and me together recently. I had to take a picture of the pictures so I could upload them. I didn't have a digital camera back then. I don't think they were invented yet. (It was 10 years ago!!)

Well, those were my feelings today:)

Here is my Dad in our boat we had many years ago at Table Rock Lake. I loved it when he wore his hat backwards. (it was so it wouldn't fly off into the water)

This is my and Dad at my Provo reception for Jake's family and friends.

This was at my CA reception in our backyard.

Amazing Grace

Wow. I had not been to the Utah State Capital building for many years. Recently, my friend Wendy invited me and the kids to go on a tour of the amazing place. Her Dad used to be a House Representative and now is a Lobbyist for Tooele County. He told us to come up at a certain time and we met him there and got a tour. It is so beautiful inside and out. It reminds me of the temple in that the landscaping is beautifully done, and it is super clean and fancy inside. I know it is different than the temple, but there is a spirit you feel in it too. More of a patriotic spirit, if you will.
Anyway, here are some pictures I took of the day.

This is inside looking up into the dome. Georgous! Fancy!

This room was called the Gold Room, I wonder why?

Here we are in front of one of the Security guards. Heehee!

"Oh, say can you see the coolest flag of all waving?"

This is in the middle of all of the buildings around the Capital building.

I absolutely love this one. I think it shows how huge the building really is. Love the blue skies that day!

If I had graduated in 1994?

Okay. I graduated High School in 1992 and my hair looked nothing like this. I did have a hairspray, fake nails, and flanel shirt phase. Not all at once though. This is some website that allows you to download a pic of your face and put it with different yearbook photos from 1950-2000. It is hilarious to experiment with. This was the totally dudical raddist one I found. Has anyone seen the movie "Say Anything"? I would so fit into that movie, don't you think?

The site is http://www.yearbookyourself.com/ : have fun!

Oh, here is one I did with Jake's face. Hubba hubba!

~~~~~Our lovely living planet~~~~~~

Growing up in CA, I saw many cool aquariums. I have always been fascinated by marine life.
On Labor Day, we went to the Living Planet Aquarium here in Sandy. It was pretty cool and pretty crowded too. We went to it a long time ago when it was at the Gateway. I remember feeling ripped off because of the price we paid and the size of the tiny exhibit. Well, they are still trying to collect money so they can build a humongous aquarium somewhere in Salt Lake City. I saw the sketches of it and it looks like it would be really neat when it happens. I'm sure it costs aaaaaalooooooot of money to build. I still think it is pretty pricey to go, but on the first Monday of every month from 5-7pm it is family night. This means half price. We got in for $14 instead of $28. Ages 2 and under are free. It is a little bit bigger than it was at the Gateway. The kids loved it. You can touch Sting Ray's and they have sharks.