Sick Pumpkin

Hailey's deformed pumpkin wasn't only sad but it
was violently ill.

Sad Pumpkin

Hailey worked at a pumpkin patch for a few hours last
weekend and as payment she was told to pick out any
pumpkin she wanted.
She brought home a misshapen, pathetic thing which couldn't
even stand up on it's own.


I asked her why she picked this pumpkin out of the entire
patch and she told me it looked sad.
Welcome to our home poor thing!!

THE MOAB 2010

A four day weekend, great weather and beautiful scenery
makes Moab a perfect destination in October. For us and
about 100,000 other people. We decided to wing it without
hotel reservations and were perplexed when every hotel
had a NO VACANCY sign. Apparently, this is the 2nd most
popular weekend of the year. Out of sheer determination
Dave found us a fun little place with only a king bed. The
maid brought in a roll-away bed for Hailey, making our
small room just one big huge bed.
During the next three days we enjoyed amazing landscapes
which most tourists travel thousands of miles to see. And
to realize Moab is practically in my backyard makes
me wonder why I don't come here more often.


Hailey is ready to tackle the hike to Delicate Arch


slowing down

pooping out


Sooooo worth it!


Landscape Arch is one of those natural wonders which could
fall at any moment.


Nowhere else on earth can you experience such crazy formations.


Of course the Big Sand Mountain was the chosen favorite.


Still, Tanner prefers to be back at the hotel where he
can flip through channels. For him, keeping it simple
is the key to his happiness regardless of how beautiful
the world is.

The Second Decade

It wasn't too hard to make it through those first ten years. The
second decade taught us the lessons of life. We learned that
although the world is a beautiful and wondrous place, it can't
be enjoyed fully without the companionship of a family.

2001


2002


2003


2004


2005


2006


2007


2008



2009


2010

The First Ten Years

It all started one autumn afternoon in September. I was
just dying for a "Beef 'n Cheddar" at the Arby's not far from
my parent's house. He was dying for an "Albuquerque Turkey"
at that very same time and place. Little did I know that the
timid guy giving me the eye across the room would end up
being my husband. That was exactly twenty years ago.
A year and a half after that fateful meeting we tied the knot.


1992
Just look at that young, hopeful couple,
ready to begin a long and glorious life together




1992
We promised to always have fun and do new things...which
is what we always did.


1993
I changed my hair color from time to time while he watched
his hair go from the top of his head to the inside of his ears



1994
Back then neither of us felt insecure in swim wear. I could
wear a bikini and he still had a bum



1995
When we climbed Angel's Landing for the first time neither
one of us considered pushing the other off the cliff



1996
And we were very fashionable. He wore his big sunglasses, I wore
my lycra bike shorts....everywhere



1997
Everywhere we went together was paradise



1998
When Tanner came along we brought him with us...at first



1999
When Hailey joined us we still had fun


2000
Two kids later we're still looking pretty good

Still, there's the Second Decade.......

Last Chance to Camp

The Perfect Mountain Stream

Above the Cache Valley, a perfect little steam runs gently
through a lush forest. Tanner and Hailey play safely in it's
shallow pools, tossing rocks while mom and dad pitch the
tents and gather firewood. This is our favorite part of the
summer.

We set our chairs right in the stream bed where our feet
can dangle in the cool water. Here we sit until the sun drops
behind the trees, signaling "campfire time".


Hailey sleeps in her very own tent. She knows that sleeping
in the same tent with Tanner means no sleep at all.


After a tasty breakfast of french toast and a bouncy ride
down the mountain we stop off at a little lake which offers
plenty of rocks for Tanner to throw and plenty of laughs for
Hailey and dad.

Eat, Sleep, Surf

California 2010

There's nothing like 7 lbs. of roast beast and potatoes. Now that's
a meal!

Ah, the ecstasy !


Art appreciation at the Getty. Wow, would you just look at that
hay stack!

The Getty gardens rival the art exhibits.


Everyone knows you have to put on socks before you body surf!


Jen and Wen in bed by 9:30 every night.

Cheap airfare enticed us to take a few days off to visit relatives and
get in some beach time before winter sets in. We found grandma
and grandpa in good health and good spirits with lots of stories to
share. As always, we ate well, had great conversation and enjoyed
the California sun.