Update??

So, yes, it's been awhile. I'm struggling with a laptop that is so close to crashing...therefore I can't load pictures onto the hard drive knowing that that may be the one thing that pushes it over the edge. So here is a small verbal update...slideshow to follow. (Just need to hijack hubby's for a bit...) Favorite, for me, events that took place...

July...Trips to the zoo, Tracy Aviary, Thanksgiving Point, an all day BBQ with the family up American Fork canyon.
Let's see...Silver Lake, BBQ's with friends, a camping trip with friends (which included complimentary bullets whizzing between mine and Dan's heads...
Night time trips to A.F. canyon with s'mores and tinfoil dinners! (Is there anything better?)

August...Anniversary trip to Deer Valley complete with Randy Travis concert (brrrr...), Ambree turned 19 (still trying to wrap my head around that...although I'm not sure why. I have the wrinkles to prove I do have a 19 year old!)
Lots of pool days, either here or at Sissa's place with the kiddo's, Liberty Park picnics, and more Tracy Aviary.

September... Labor Day at the cabin with a girl's day at Swiss Days, State Fair (I'm still craving the fried pickles and funnel cakes...
Dan's parents came to visit, which was extremely wonderful! We drove up and over the Alpine Loop with a stop at Sundance (one of my favorite places!) Lots and lots of preparations for October... Looking forward to skiing with my hubby up there this winter.

October... Threw my parents a 'surprise' 40th wedding anniversary party, complete with their original wedding colors, awesome treats, a bouquet for the bride, and lots of happy tears...Turned out perfectly. Thank you to all those who helped make it that way. They were surprised to say the least!
Lots of birthdays...Ryan... Addison and Emerie both turned 3, Carter, Christian, and little Lukie! Maddy was invited to her first birthday party...
A surprise visit with Christian! Well, it was a surprise for my parents! So for the first time...they all got to celebrate their birthday's together! Our annual pumpkin carving contest was also included in this celebration. We tried to mush together as much stuff with Christian as possible. Miss seeing him more often!
Halloween...another in the long line of first's, Maddy's first Halloween party! Savvy and Luke (and Robyn) did such a good job and it was so cute!
Pumpkin patches and mini corn mazes...
Maddy started a tumbling class...

November...Dan's good friend came down for a 4 day fishing trip to 6 Lakes...the next weekend, Dan flew up to Seattle to meet his sister's to surprise their dad for his 75th birthday...I know that it meant the world to my husband, let alone for his parents. I'm so glad he was able to get up there. It was the first time since 1984, that all 3 siblings and parents had shared the same table...at Herm and Mary's home. The memories of that weekend will be cherished forever, I'm sure! A busy and stressful past week full of ER and hospital trips...which brings me to this final part...

Thanksgiving is only days away...and I am sooo thankful for my life!

For my husband, who through his own stresses, continues to take care of me and do wonderful, thoughtful things for me and someone who I am more in love with today than ever before...

For my girls, who keep me smiling and laughing day in and day out. I am so grateful for both of them, their personalities, their presence in my life. There is nothing better!

For my parents...gosh...where would I be without them? Besides the fact that they gave me life, they gave me many other qualities to. They taught me generosity, and unconditional love, patience and kindness. They continually teach us on a day to day basis, by their actions, how to live, love, accept, and enjoy!

For my siblings, Jeremy and Melissa...they've made me laugh continually, sometimes uncontrollably. We have shared a life full of trials, full of joy and laughter, and we are closer now than ever before! ...and Ryan, who I miss every minute of every day. I'm so grateful for the 28 years that he was in my life!

For Dan's family...who are sweet and caring. Herm and Mary who have raised 3 wonderful, sweet, compassionate, loving children...and I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be married to one of them.

This year has gone by fast, almost too fast. My girls are growing up...Ambree starts college (sniff, sniff) in January. Maddy will be 2 in March. Huge difference in their ages, yes, but I wouldn't change one thing, one moment, one trial, one relationship, one (or more) mistakes...because I am who I am because of all of these.

Life is good!