Spring Violin Recital

On June 5th, Alicyn had her spring violin recital. She got a little to nervous this time, but she did so great and we are proud of her getting up in front of everyone and doing her best.

She had great family to come and support her Grandma Jeanne, Grandma & Grandpa Colby, Dad, Mom and Zach.

We love you babe.

Puppy Lovers Band

I have a daughter with a dream.

Alicyn goes into her room and works for hours at her desk.

While helping her clean her room I found the puppy lover's band. Anyone want to join? There is a sign up sheet.

Ali's Good Friend Trent DuVal

UPDATE: Yesterday was an amazing day for me. I can't describe the feelings that I had at Chick-Fil-A. Some friends of mine at work decided it would be nice to go out to lunch and support Trent and his family. We work close to the Sandy Chick-Fil-A, so we went there for lunch. It was very nice to hear people say Trent's name and that they wanted to donate money for the cause, (Made me tear up). Then again last night we went as a family to The District and it was incredible. There were probably 30 cars waiting at the drive-thru and inside was so packed, no tables available, and the line wound around the entire inside of the store. The feeling and atmosphere were so great, and it brought me to tears once again. The silent auction items which were donated were being purchased well above the worth/value of the items. There were so many people there that the manager of Chick-Fil-A extended the silent auction until 10:00 pm. Alicyn took some money from her piggy bank and was so happy to hand it over. I was overwhelmed with different emotions, happy, sad, peace, love, and just glad that I could be there to experience it. I love how a community like ours can come together and help each other out at times of need. It didn't really seem like I did anything of significance. I still feel helpless, but I really hope that those little small acts make a big difference. I hope that the fundraiser was a huge success and that everyone that contributed feels like every minute they waited in line and every penny they gave will make a difference and help out the DuVal family.

Ali has a friend named Trent DuVal. They were in the same first grade class and were real pals. In July, just a month after 1st grade was over he found out he had leukemia. Alicyn was so distraught and asked me about him constantly. I tried so many ways to find out information about him for her. Never could get any where. We found out today that Trent will lose his battle shortly, and has come home from the hospital to spend his last few days with his family.

The minute I told Ali about him she burst out crying and spent a good part of today in tears and sobbing. We read his blog together and cried together. I held her for about 20 minutes while she cried, and it is so hard to sit and hold your child who is healthy and fine and know that somewhere just down the street a mom is holding her child who is the same age for maybe the last time on this earth.

I have put a link under family and friends so you can read about him and his incredible faith and testimony.

Ali has prayed for Trent in her prayers every day for 15 months. She cares about him and loves him. He teased her in school and she would come home and tell us about him, or just tell us a story of what they did that day.

To help Trent's family with the tremendous financial burden from medical expenses, Chick-fil-A of South Jordan will be donating 20% of the day's revenue on Monday, October 13th to Trent's family. Cash donations will also be accepted, and anyone making a donation of $10 or more will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich to be used on their next visit.In addition, Chick-fil-A of South Jordan will hold a silent auction from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Auctioned items have been donated by local businesses and community members. All proceeds will go to Trent's family.Please,please, please help us in supporting Trent and his family! Call Chick-fil-A of South Jordan with any questions at (801) 727-2697 **Southtown, Ogden & Layton will be giving a % of sales as well, but only the District Location will have an auction and coupons for donations.

3rd Grade Field Trip

In my group I had Ali, and her two friends Lauren and Katie.

I had the opportunity to go with Ali on her third grade field trip, Thursday, September 26th. This field trip was focusing on science and things they are learing in school right now. We were able to go the movie theater at Jordan Landing, the park in Copperton for lunch and on to the mine portion of Kennecott. It was really cool to see the open pit mine just a few days after we were at the concentrator with our family. The whole process just made a lot more sense and it was cool to see the ginormous dump trucks that my dad drives.

This is a shovel, loads the trucks. It was directly below me so I couldn't get a great shot.

We went to the movie theater's first and were able to watch about 10 to 15 minutes of previews. Then they split us up into smaller groups and gave us the grand tour. Showed us how everything works and popped fresh popcorn for all the kids. The manager told us that the movies they get on actual film still are rented for $5,000.00 and if they get scratched or damaged in anyway they have to purchase the movie but then still give it back to the film company. He also told us that 85% of our movie tickets go back to Hollywood, to pay the actors, production team and all that jazz. The movie theater runs almost solely on the concessions stand and that is why items are more expensive. The biggest portion of the concessions stand pays for operations of the movie theater, Payroll, Insurance, purchasing/renting movies etc. So that made a lot more sense to me and can see why it is around $8.00 a ticket.

We went to Copperton after that and had a nice lunch at the park. Very nice little park and town. I hadn't been there since my junior year in high school and our homecoming dance was at the old Bingham High there (that was years ago...shhhh).

Once we finished lunch they took us up to the visitor center at the mine. Again another very fascinating time for me. I could have stood there and watched for an hour or so. I am going to have to go back one time when my dad can go with me so he can show me the ropes. He was working that day and Ali and I watched for his truck. He said at the time we were there he was probably at the bottom of the mine. Which from where we were standing those monster trucks looked like little tonka's and it seemed like if we were close enough we could have picked one up with our fingers.

It was a fun mom and daughter day. I am glad I was able to go.

Alicyn's Special Day

On September 13th Ali was baptized to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She has been looking forward to this day since she turned 7 years old. As her friends and cousins have been baptized she would get more and more excited.

She met with our bishop, Bishop Brown and they had a really nice talk about baptism and what it means to follow in Jesus' footsteps. She really was ready and made the decision on her own. She is such a little joy. Always wants to make everyone happy and tries so hard to do the right thing. A couple of weeks before her baptism Zach had Thomas the Train book at church and after he was done looking at it Ali took it. Dave leaned over and said something to her...must have been something like you are getting to old to be doing that, you need to be quiet and listen to the people talking.

The following Sunday she sat by the wall with this long face, almost looked ready to cry. I called her over and asked what was wrong and she said. Dad told me that I can't be little anymore and I have to just sit here and listen to the boring talkers since I am getting baptized soon. It was hard not to laugh. I told her that she just needed to try hard not to be noisy and distract people around us.

We have so many family and friends that love us and we feel it. She had so much support and you could just see how happy she was to have everyone there just for her.

We had a lunch after at our house, it was great to visit and be together.

Just like Indy - Snakes, Why Did it Have to Be Snakes?

My sister Adrienne gave Zach a wooden snake for his birthday about three years ago. I really hate this thing. It might not look so real in the picture, but when you are not expecting a snake and you move something and it is sitting there it really makes you jump!

Ali and Dave have found this to be quite funny!!! I on the other hand don't find the humor in it unless they are the ones being got.

I have been so tempted to throw this stupid snake in the garbage, just so I am not worried about where it is going to show up next.

To my displeasure over the last week I have found this snake in numerous places. Ali thinks it is really funny to stash it in your bed to try to get you. Dave put it in my purse on Friday morning last week. If we have something to be mailed he will put the mail on top of my purse so I won't forget it. Well I picked up the mail - ready to leave for the day and that stupid snake was in my purse with it's head looking up at me. Yes, he got me!

Friday night Ali put it on Dave's side of the bed and then came in the room as he was about to climb in, she probably would have got him if she didn't have a huge cheesy grin on her face that gave her away.

Then again tonight, Ali put it on Dave's side of the bed in hopes to get him (he is really afraid of snakes), well I pulled the covers down and reveled the snake and I jumped instead of him. After about a week of hiding the snake they stop for awhile until I am wondering where it is and they start all over again a few months later. One of these days I really am going to put it in the trash. You can hear giggling all over the house when mom has been gotten by the snake. I personally think it is funnier if Dave is the one that jumps!

July Horse Show - Our Cowgirl

Alicyn with Jet waiting for the next event in the shade.

Running the Speed Barrels Event

Ali - Pole Bending Event

We had a great day on Saturday, despite the heat, which kicked my fanny. Ali did great at the horse show this month and had a fun day.

Cousins Emily and Ty did fabulous too and it was fun to cheer them on and watch the wonderful progress & improvement our kids have accomplished over the summer riding.

Emily running the Speed Barrels event

Ty running the Barrels event

Zach was sick so he just took it easy & rested in his lawn chair in the shade.

Ali running the barrels pattern - She loves to lope, (which is a slow run) and did that a lot during her events. She just loved it!

After the horse show the kids always insist on going to the park next to the arena. They love that park!