June to October 2011

June happened so fast. Before I made it home, Kate graduated from school. She enjoyed her school & will miss her friend Sam very much. Kate was lucky to have Aunt Joyce to take her shopping for a new dress for graduation. I was sad to miss it, but had to save vacation time for the move.

Kate has enjoyed Girls Camp with her ward, her first youth temple trip (before school last Tuesday), lots of new friends, babysitting, cat sitting & spending time with cousins.

Kate receiving her graduation certificate. She moved on to the 7th grade at South Davis Jr High in Bountiful, UT. She enjoys most of her teachers & classes. Her only complaint....the school is big & people don't even say excuse me when they bump into in the halls.

Spencer completed 8th grade at Test Middle School. He was able to receive his graduation certificate from Uncle Stacy. It was nice to have someone keeping an eye on him at school. He misses his friends, but has found some good friends here in Utah.

Spencer went to High Adventure camp with his scout troop. They went rafting, hiking & fishing. Spencer also attends South Davis Jr High. The 9th grade is part of the jr high schools here. He will attend Woods Cross High School next year.

Chloe & Tam (cousins) came to visit one night. Tam gave Carson his first haircut. Graham had his first haircut months ago. It is great to have them so close & I kinda miss living with those cute Miller kids. Not to mention, they are funny!


We are so lucky to have friends like Mike & Bev Eby. They came to visit us on the way back to Indiana from Reno, NV. We were able to take them to Temple Square & tour the Conference Center. Of course, we couldn't let them leave without lunch at In & Out Burger.








We have enjoyed the beautiful sunsets & mountain views in Utah. I can not get enough of the gorgeous mountains & the thick smog that gets trapped in the valley.

John has taken some great photos of the scenery. I love that is doesn't rain much, the low humidity & the snow. While I know this has been difficult for all of us, we have found that we are enjoying our new life here.





Graham & Carson LOVE to be outside. We do not have the luxury of a completing fenced back yard, but we take walks quite often. The neighbor girls, who are so cute, have become quite fond of the little boys. The boys will follow them up & down the sidewalk in hopes of getting to play. I love watching this little 4 yr old girl pick up Graham & try to carry him around the yard.


We have great neighbors, mostly senior citizens in the cul de sac behind us. They love to watch Spencer play basketball, Kate & her friends & the little boys doing anything. We have a neighborhood breakfast on the 4th of July courtesy of the Olsens & we recently had a block party in the cul de sac. We could not ask for kinder neighbors.












After our breakfast & neighbor visiting, we loaded up & went to the annual parade in Centerville. We met Kathleen & Ken, Missy & kids, Kent, Heidi & the cute Luke, Lilly & Claire, Sarah, Dave & baby Aliyah. Graham & Carson did great! They loved the music. They waved flags, ate candy & had fun with cousins. We came home & watched fireworks 2 nights in a row (Bountiful & North Salt Lake). Thanks to the Novacks for the neighborhood fireworks show too!







In September, I celebrated my 40th birthday! I always thought I would do something great on my 40th, but I didn't. We went to Pei Wei for dinner. John & the kids went to Costco & bought me this killer chocolate cake. I enjoyed more than I should have, but it was delicious!

I don't feel forty & besides, it is just a number. Big Deal! I am ready for another 40 years!





Graham & Carson are getting so big! Where has the time gone? Graham continues to weigh about 6 lbs or so more than Carson. It has certainly helped with the clothing for the two of them. Graham is starting to talk & he loves to snuggle with you. He gives great hugs & wet kisses. He used to let Carson push him around, but he has learned that he is bigger &  stronger than his brother.

Carson & Graham both love to have you read. They love to get books & say, " I Read". Carson has taken up biting as his defense mechanism with Graham. Carson smiles as soon as you say his name & is a happy morning guy. He loves milk & tries to say it, but has decided that "MORE, MORE" and shaking his cup at you works too! Carson's yearly check with the cardiologist went well & he is good for another year. He is a picky eater (just like his dad) & throws everything on the floor if he is done with it or doesn't want it.








John & Spencer had free tickets to the Indy Car World Championship race in Las Vegas. Again, we were lucky to have our dear friend, Al Saliwanchik (aka Uncle Al), come for a visit & to attend the race. The guys drove down on Saturday & were able to take in some of the race excitement that night. Kate stayed behind with me & the little boys. We went grocery shopping, ran errands & window shopping at the mall. The weather was beautiful all weekend here & in Las Vegas.....isn't it always?

Unfortunately, the race excitement ended too soon. After about 11 laps, a major car pile up occurred & many were injured. Sadly, Dan Wheldon did not survive the accident. Several hours of waiting took place at the track before the official announcement was made. The cars posted Dan's car number on the top of the scoring tower & completed 5 laps in his honor. What a tragic loss to the racing world.




















The kids had fall break in late October. We couldn't do anything big, so we took them on a ride through the mountains. This is where you laugh.....We drove the Alpine Loop, went down into Provo, had lunch & spent the day together as a family. It was not much, but John took some great pictures &  we had fun. Also note, we slept in & had pancakes for breakfast before leaving.