a whole year gone and not one post...

Wow - I was on facebook reading everyone's status when I came across one from Ben's friend that linked me to his blog. Well this particular blog is one I love to read. It is insightful, uplifting, and funny. I found myself reading and reading! Then I remembered all the times I have had in my life that I won't remember if I don't write them down, I visited our blog and realized that 2010 is a wash...
Now I'm not saying that I will do better this coming year because let's face it I probably won't. It is the Christmas break right now and this is the first day with the kids. It is SO nice to be home. I feel like I am never here. I feel like I am not around for my family enough. The thing is I don't know how to change it. I do enjoy working, just not this much. Ben is still working on contract out at Kennecott which is such a blessing, although he wishes he had more responsibility and of course would get hired by Kennecott. The kids are healthy and things are really good. What is missing? I am not sure. Maybe that is what 2011 will be all about. Me figuring out what true happiness means to me and my family. I know that I need to focus more on my spirituality and my relationship with my Savior. I have many opportunities ahead of me this year where if I do what I am asked to do the outcome for my personal growth will be immense. Wish me luck!

First Day of School

It has been a great summer!! We had so much fun and maybe I will post pictures. . .

Emma started 4th grade yesterday. She is so grown up. It was funny though because she met her friend at the corner and then walked to school. She didn't need mom this year to walk over with her. Here are a few cute pictures:

Emma in her first day of school outfit in front of our house

Emma with Addi at the corner ready for me to go back home :-)

Bridger's first official day of school was today. He did go meet his teacher yesterday though. I do feel like I need to explain the outfit. . .

You are probably thinking that Ben took Bridger shopping for his first day of school outfit and yes this is what would happen if that were the case. Bridger and I had gotten him a new outfit for his first day of school, it has been hanging in his closet and he has been so excited to wear it - until yesterday. While meeting his new teacher she told him it was "red" day today. Bridger didn't miss a beat he came home and laid out his U of U clothes without a second thought! He is so cute!

Bridger with Spencer - they go to church together and ran track together this summer!

This is Bridger with his friends Anthony and Fisher - they are in the same class again!

Now Bridger did let me walk him to school today and so I got this great picture of Emma on her 2nd day of school.

Capital Reef in the RAIN!!

We went down to Capital Reef for Memorial Day weekend. The last couple of years we have gone boating at Rockport but decided to change it up and head a little bit south, too bad it wasn't any warmer. It was great to get away, but not so great to camp in the rain for 4 days! Here are some pictures of our camp out - good thing we had a few hours each day that it stopped raining :-)

Emma, Bridger, and Lexi

The whole family hiking
Bridger - dare devil - just like his dad!

Emma - looking at the scenery!
On the trail to Hickman Bridge

The kids really wanted to fish, so on the way home we stopped at a lake.

It was a great trip!! This summer is full of camping and boating - I can't wait!

Bridger's Birthday

Emma gave Bridger a skateboard for his birthday. So we figured that we had better make sure he doesn't brake his head open. Therefore we gave him the helmet and pads. It only took him about 10 minutes before he was doing ollies and kick flips. Watch out Tony Hawk, here comes Bridger Hansen.

WOW!! It has been a crazy couple of weeks. Yesterday I was really stressed about the show that opens next week, but after a morning rehearsal, class, and an after school rehearsal things seem to be coming together. Now I am inviting all my friends and family to come see:

"6 Bodies"

presented by the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts

It will be performed on April 2-4th @ 7:00pm. I would love for you to come and see what I have been up to since December. My students have worked really hard. I am actually dancing with them in one of the dances that I choreographed. I am on the program for a solo also, but seeing as I haven't even picked music yet, I'm not sure I am going to be ready. The show is in the Highland High Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and $7 unless you buy them before the show starts => they are $3 & $5.


I hope to see you there!

Just in case you were wondering. . .

We are still alive. I was worried that you may have thought otherwise because it has been so long since either of us as done anything with the blog.

Life is crazy! Ben got called to be the assistant scout master and I got an assignment to choreograph for the youth Temple Cultural Celebration. Add that to the already crazy schedule and it could seem that we did drop off the face of the earth - at least the blogging earth.

I'll Gladly Stand Up

So tonight was Emma's third grade class play. It was all about America and the freedoms we enjoy. More specifically it honored the Veterans who have fought for this great nation. Never in my life could I have imagined that I would fight back tears of pride on this night. I was so proud of Emma, and to also be an American.

America is such a great place. There is nowhere else in the world that someone can freely express their opinions and how they feel. And although people will always disagree, it is our right to disagree with each other.

One thing that was truly amazing to me tonight was the sight and sounds of 1st generation Americans singing the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. Here were 8 & 9 year olds from all different backgrounds singing in perfect unison. They had nothing but pride for their country.

Thanks Emma for having such good friends, and for being a good example for us all. I love you.