Deer Valley Retreat

My family (including all of my brothers and sisters and their families) got together for a family reunion at a Deer Valley condo in July. By "Condo" I mean something like a mini mansion. We had 3 levels that were each about the size of my home. There was a pool table, two kitchens, and several balconies with wonderful views. In fact that only thing it didn't have was air conditioning. (My fault - I booked it for us but for some reason assumed that ait conditionining came with most places these days ...) We rode the alpine coaster and let the kids do some high flying bunji tramopline jumping. We went to a ranch nearby for a big dinner and wagon ride. The kids playhed with eachother nonstop. It was great.

While there Mike told us that one of his last business trips had taken him to California near where we used to live. He had driven by our old home and brought a picture. It was fun to take a trip down our memory lane while we watched our kids make wonderful memories of their own.

The home I gew up in. Nothing has changed except for the house color, garage door, steps to the front, gravel (we had grass), and all of the plants you see. Othre than that, exactly the same :)

Summer Camp

Braden attended a fum summer camp put on by his preschool this year. Each week they had new themes like dinosaur and butterflies, sesame street characters, farm animals, etc. He had lots of fun and always made something cool to bring home.

Braden showing off his "Pirates and Princesses" week booty.

Curse of the Ware Pager

When you work for a hospital and get urgent pages from places like the ER and operating rooms, losing your pager is bad. Over the years my pager has spent time in my laundry basket, under my bed, in the couch cushions, beneath the seats in my car, in the washing machine and even in the "porcelain express" - sad but true. Each time my mounting tension has only been relieved once I have found the pager and, as necessary, dried it out.

On July 14th I lost my pager - permanently. Aaron decided to go back to school to get an MBA and between his school, work and on call schedules we just couldn't juggle my work and on call schedules too. I knew I would be sad to leave the job I really enjoyed and the wonderful friends I had made at work, but I thought leaving the pager behind would be a piece of cake. Not so. For about a week I panicked every time I realized I wasn't wearing my pager and felt disoriented every morning when my pager wasn't on my bedside table. For about a month I kept trying to remember if I was on call before committing to do things. And today (2 1/2 months later) I saw something small and black and felt the desperate urge to attach it to my hip. Do I like being at home? I think I love it - but I will let you know for certain once I finally feel like I have left my job!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

We celebrated Abby's birthday on July 11 and got a possible glimpse of Cailin's future ... Then at Lilly's bithday later that week we were taken back to the present!

Cailin with hair longer than mine - using Abby's new Hannah Montana Wig

Cailin at Lilly's birthday party with lashes longer than her hair!

Little Lilly

Tyler, Braden and Jack

Days of 47 Horse Parade

It was a real parade. There were real horses. But smiles? We coulsn't photograph a real one to save our lives!

Braden sporting fake smile #15

Hometown July 4th

On the 4th of July my parents were in Australia preparing for my Aunt Frances' funersl but we still met up with Ben and Kim and their family for the morning parade. After the parade we walked around the fair with Grandma and Grandpa Christensen hunting for the balloon and face painting ladies. One spider on a webbed cheek and a pop-able dragon later we decided to abandon the festivities and enjoy a lunch in the cool of a restaurant. Another fun holiday.

Looking out for parade candy. I still have candhy left in myh purse!

Dearest Aunt Frances

There are some people that have the ability to leave a big impression in a small amount of time. That was my Aunt Frances. Her sunny disposition and sense of humor quickly touched everyone around her. When she was diagnosed with colon cancer she joked about having to "put on weight" and the anti-nausea pills that she "couldn't keep down."

Aunt es passed away in early July just a few days before her birthday. I miss her so much. But even as my eyes tear up I can't help but remember her contagious laughter and start to smile. Heaven must be an even happier place now that she is there.

Christmas in Australia 2001

Silver Lake Silver Lining

There is nothing we like better than spending time as a family, watching our kids' friendship grow, and interacting with animals while we do it. We love Silver Lake!

One of the many people-loving squirrels.

Our squirrel-loving kids

And a moose that we enjoyed watching from the safety of our car.