Simon (Simmie) The Cat

We started to shave our cat. Most people that I tell laugh. Haven't heard of shaving a cat before. He seems so much happier with short hair and just looks cute!

My Dad Always Helps

Dad is always there to help Ali learn a new task like learning to ride her bike or rollerblade. She likes that better than mom helping. He must help her feel more secure.

The Big 7

Alicyn turned 7 this year and it is hard to believe. She is excited because she only has one more year until she can be baptized. She had a fun party with all her friends. Everyone got to decorate a plate and take it home. I, of course, forgot to take pictures of the plates that everyone did, but they turned out so cute.

Zach & His Buddies

Zach loves to play with Luke and Mason. Luke recently moved away and Zach misses him. Luckily he can still see him in his preschool class. Mason, Luke and Zach go to Miss Lisa's preschool, right behind our house. They always ask if they can play after school.

Fall Vacation During School Break :)

We had the fun opportunity to go to Yellowstone National Park in August. We love Yellowstone! Yellowstone became the world's first national park on March 1, 1872.
It was a much needed vactaion. We had some really good quality time together. We were so lucky to have Grandma Jeanne join us. Zachary kept us entertained the whole time in the car. Asking questions and just talking the whole time.

We were staying in West Yellowstone, MT. I was able to show the kids my apartment where I lived while working there. We walked everywhere, and I showed them everything. It was fun to reminisce, and tell them all about that little town (that has now grown so much). At the store there we purchased Alicyn a disposable camera. I should have known, Zachary had to have one too. I wish I would have purchased one for him also. We had to buy him one at a gift shop inside the park which was about triple the cost of the one we bought at the store. It was so fun to see the trip through their eyes and the things they took pictures of that they thought were important. We went on a couple of hikes and just had a great time together.

Zach & Makeup!

I went to my mom's house to pick Zach up after work, and he had a fun day! He was sitting at the vanity and he turned and smiled at me. Mom, I put on some makeup. He was pretty embarrassed about it when I kept trying to take his picture....but I couldn't resist!

Swiss Days over Labor Day Weekend

One of my favorite things each year is to go to Swiss Days in Midway, Utah. This year my mom and Hayley were able to come with us. We had so much fun looking at all the booths and having a giant scone. We were all sticky. The day was just great, we got there at 8:30 in the morning when it wasn't very crowded...yet! We ran into Nate and Jaynan Hansen and my Friend's Amanda and Jeff. It is fun to see people you know when you are not expecting it.

We were getting ready to leave and go home. I had one more thing that I just thought I had to have. So we went back to that booth so I could get it. My mom told the kids they could have some cotton candy so she left me to go get them some. Zach wouldn't go with her, so he stayed with me. I told him not to move at the booth we were at. I bet I took my eye off him for 20 seconds, that was all it took. He disappeared. At first I was alright, pretty calm. Walking around looking for the boy all in green. I dressed him that way just in case this happened, thought I would be able to spot him easily. Well, a few minutes passed, then 15 and I couldn't find him anywhere. I called my mom on her phone and she started looking for him too. After 25 minutes I was in a panic. I was sure that someone had guided him off to their car or something. I saw a police officer in the street, directing traffic, and went and asked him what to do. He told me to go to the announcer's stand and they would let security know we needed to look for him. I did so, rather quickly. The lady that did the announcement said "Zachary Bliss, please come to the information booth, he is 4 years old, wearing a green soccer outfit." I thought, holy cow, that isn't going to help. How does he know where the announcer booth is???

So then I ran around this time and ran into Amanda and Jeff again. They joined in on the search too. I was so grateful!!! Someone I knew, of course I couldn't hold the emotions in and cried to her. I spotted the Sherriffs, Search and Resuce Motor Home and went straight there. The officer I greeted was so wonderful. He calmed me right down and made me go inside to give him information. He was going to call everyone on their radio that he had been missing for 45 minutes and I needed help to find him. Shortly afterwards, my cell phone rang it was my mom. She ran into a lady that had him and she was accompanied by two officers. Zach was just lying on the lawn all alone. Not worried or bothered at all. Little did he know what he was doing to his mom this whole time. The officer helping me wouldn't let me go to him by myself. He wanted to make sure all was well and it was really him. He told me that he would talk to him about wandering. I am not sure if it sank in but he did tell Dave that the policeman told him to stay by his mom. I hope that never happens again! That was awful. Other than that our day was just great.

Baby on the Way!

We are so excited to have a new baby coming to our family. We recently had a fun baby shower for my sister Adrienne. Adrienne looks fantastic and only 6 more weeks to go! She is due on November 11th, with a girl. Now all my sisters (me included) will have a boy and a girl. Ali and Zach are so happy, they love babies and want a new cousin. Brett wouldn't let go of those balloons cause he wanted to suck out the helium and sing for us. See how happy he is. Colby is not so sure about having a sister, he thinks a brother would be a better deal. Hopefully that will happen too. ;)

Fishing - Must Be in the Genes

Lake Powell - One of Our Favorite Places

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

Sooooo, Ali asked me if she could take a bath in our big tub with bubbles. I was just happy that she was getting ready to go to bed. Whenever Zach hears "bath" he thinks he has to take one too. They have always been happy to be in water, no matter what kind. We turned on the jets and I left them for a few minutes and when I came back, I could barely see my kids! The next time we do that...I will be a little more cautious on the amount of bubble bath, although Ali and Zach would probably disagree.

They thought that was the best thing ever!

Dad, I got one!

This last weekened we went to Torrey, Utah for my friend Kurt's wedding. It is near Capitol Reef National Park. We decided to make a weekend of it and camp, fish, and have atleast one more outing before it gets too cold. Well, we were too late. It was freezing.

We went to the wedding and it was so cold and windy. It was suppose to be outside and the veiw was just spectacular. Despite the weather the wedding turned out really nice. Kurt and Gail were beaming. Which is what it is all about anyway.

Meanwhile, back up on the mountain at our camp spot it was snowing. We made a fire, and huddled around it to get warm. We told stories and spent some good time togther drinking our hot chocolate, (Zach had cold chocolate milk) until bed time. The next morning the wind had stopped and it was a little warmer, so we decided to have a go at fishing, we can't pass up a chance to fish at the Bliss house. Zach is really fun to watch when he catches a fish. Here is a small sample.

Zachary's First Day of Preschool

Zach was so excited to go to school. We were on a family vacation to Yellowstone when Lisa had her open house for preschool, so he was so happy to see a special place for him to hang his backpack.
I called him after school to see how his day went and he told me all about it. He had so much fun! Now he feels big like Ali.