Memphis, TN

Mike & I on Beale St. after enjoying some blues at BB King's Blues Club
Mike & I atop the Peabody Hotel with Memphis and the Mississippi River in the background

Mike & I spent the last 3 days in Memphis, TN! We had some buddy passes tht were about to expire and we wanted to go somewhere we had never been. We decided on Memphis mostly for the BBQ and the music. It was so nice to get away with no kids and no definite plans. We were able to sleep in (that was almost the best part of the trip) and just have fun and enjoy time without kids and the daily stresses of life to worry about. We visited the Rock -n- Soul Museum and learned about the rich musical heritage of our country that all started there in Memphis. We visited the Gibson Guitar Factory and I learned a lot about guitars and how they are made. We saw the ducks at the Peabody Hotel, they are like celebrities there (they even walk the red carpet twice a day). We visited Beale St where there are like 20+ different clubs to hear blues, soul, and rock -n- roll. We ate BBQ, that is pretty much all we ate the whole trip. We visited a museum on the Mississippi all about the Mississippi. We saw an armadillo in the wild. We went to Arkansas and Mississippi as well. We played some blackjack. We listened to some Blues at BB King's Blues Club. We had a great!!!!!!!!!!! trip to Memphis and look forward to going back again, next time when it is a little warmer outside and we can go on a riverboat cruise.

32!

Today is my 32nd, yes 32nd birthday! Mike keeps trying to tell the kids and others that I am lying about my age, whatever. I have never really cared about getting older and have no reason to lie about my age, he just thinks he's funny. I really have never felt older or worried about getting older until now. Not that I am worried, but for some reason 32 is feeling different than any other age so far. Maybe it's because I realize Rylee will be 10 in ten days and the boys will be 8 in March and Jenna 4 in May. I don't have any more babies at home and am not planning on anymore. I guess entering a new stage in my life and not knowing quite how to deal with it or exactly what to expect is a bit scary! Maybe it is the thought of goals yet to be reached or the fact that I am still trying to find my true "niche" in life. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I am going to do my best to find myself and accomplish those goals that have been on the back burner (so to speak) for too long. 32 is going to be a great year for me, I hope!!!!

More Sundance!

Mike & I saw 2 more Sundance movies this week. One lastnight, called Drained, which was another foreign film with subtitles. It was good, but a little strange. I think maybe I didn't quite get the story or meaning to the whole story. Tonight we saw Resurrecting the Champ, an incredible movie with Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett. The story was great and the acting, especially by Samuel, was awesome. I am sure that movie will be released in theaters, a must see!

Pedicures!

Last Saturday, Rylee & I went with Leah (my sister) & Eliza to get pedicures. The girls were laughing (their feet are a "little" ticklish) so hard there faces were turning red. After being pampered for awhile we had dinner at Pei Wei (yummy asian food). It was a lot of fun!!!

Bouncing!!!

Yesterday we went to a birthday party for Sofie. Sofie is Lane(Brandon's best friend) & Devra's daughter and she just turned 4! The party was at Bouncing Off the Walls, a big warehouse full of bouncy stuff. There was a huge slide, a bounce house, an obstacle course, and so much more. We all had a great time sliding and bouncing!!!


Rylee enjoying her cupcake.
Noah going down the big slide!
Cole & Mike after a fast ride down the slide!
Jenna & Mike having fun on the bouncy obstacle course!

A Fun Busy Saturday!

Yesterday was busy, but fun! Mike made us his yummy pancakes for breakfast before he headed to work for a few hours. The rest of us drove around so Ry could sell Girl Scout Cookies (if anybody would like to order let us know). Then we all headed to a birthday party at Bouncing Off the Walls (more on that in another post) that was so much fun! Then they dropped me off at The Dodo (a really good restaurant, with the best desserts) so I could meet my friends for a birthday dinner for me. It was sooooooo much fun: great food, neat gifts, and incredible friends and conversation! Thanks, girls! Meanwhile, Mike took the kids to Training Table and then home to get them bathed and ready for bed, thanks Mike! After I got home Mike & I headed to another Sundace movie called SK8 Life. Obviously I picked this one for Mike! It was sooooo lame, cheesy is probably the best description. I am not sure how it got into Sundance and I dont' understand why people who know nothing about skateboarding try to make a movie about it. Oh well, hopefully our next movie is better.

Sundance!

It is Sundance Film Festival time here and Mike & I saw our first of 4 movies lastnight. We say a world dramatic film called Legacy. It was written and directed by a father and son from Georgia (not in the USA) and it was really good. I didn't realize when I bought tickets that it had subtitles and Mike wasn't so sure about that at first, but we both really enjoyed it. The story was good, and it had funny and sad moments. All of our movies are in Salt Lake this year which is nice, less crowded.

The last few days...

The last few days I have been in pain! It started Thursday afternoon in my neck and shoulder then started shooting down my arm and my fingers would feel tingly. Friday it felt better until that night when I tried to sleep. Saturday I decided to go to a chiroprator, for the first time. Didn't really like it and it didn't help at all. Sunday morning I was in so much pain and decided to go to Instacare. They did some x-rays that showed nothing unusual. The dr. said it was probably a pinched nerve from neck spasms. She gave me an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxer which have helped a lot. I spent the rest of Sunday and most of yesterday in bed recuporating. The kids had no school yesterday or today and they have been a big help. They have kept themselves entertained coloring, making things with beads, and watching movies. Mike has been a big help too. I am lucky to have a husband who is willing to help me out and can cook and help the kids. Today I feel much better, hardly any pain left. I am bummed though because I should be playing volleyball tonight but figure I should wait another week so I don't do anymore damage. I guess that means I get to go to Enrichment Mtg instead!

Volleyball!

I, along with some friends, have joined an adult coed volleyball league. Lastnight we had our first 2 games. We haven't played for a month or so and were a little worried about how we might do. Well, no need to worry, we did just fine. In fact we won all 4 games/2 matches and is was so much fun! Not just because we won, just to be playing, I love volleyball!

New Year...

With the new year comes a new church schedule and new primary classes for the kids. We now have church at 9 a.m. and I was a little worried about getting there on time, but we made it. I actually like this time because then you get done earlier and have the day to relax and spend time with the fam. The kids all like their new teachers. Jenna started Sunbeams, no more nursery. She loved it! Luckily she is familiar with her teachers already so it was all ok. Lastnight we went to Mike's parents for dinner with the whole family and it was good, as usual. Then we came home to watch new episodes of some of our favorite tv shows (another perk of the new year).

SNOW!!!!

JENNA HELPING DADDY SHOVEL SNOW!

NOAH'S SNOWMAN WITH BROCCOLI EYES, CARROT NOSE, AND STICK MOUTH (ON THE FRONT PORCH, WHERE HE BUILT IT)

COLE TAKING ON A TURN ON THE SNOWSLIDE MIKE MADE


The snow started about 8:30 this morning and didn't stop until 4 p.m. and about 9 inches later. Jenna had so much fun playing in the snow off and on today. Mike had fun shoveling again and again (I helped a little), making a snowslide, and throwing snowballs (mostly at me). The boys were so excited to get all their snow gear on as soon as they got home from school and did not want to come in. Rylee missed all the fun as she went right from school to gymnastics. It looks so pretty outside, all white and fresh.

Rylee's New Acheivement

Rylee started gymnastics at a new gym just before the holidays. They put her in level 2 but said she would probably move up to 3 soon. Yesterday she tried level 3 and the coach said, no she should be in level 4! What!?!? So today she went to level 4 and really liked it. She likes her new coach and she is a little sore. I told her it is because she is learning new, harder things and using different muscles. She will be going 2 twice a week for 3 hours each time. The next step is team and competing. We have told her it costs a lot of money, but if she really enjoys it and keeps working hard she can keep going. We also told her there is no pressure. She is built for it and is sooooo flexible. We are hoping that someday we will get the investment back by way of college scholarships. Way to go Ry, keep up the great work!

The Day to Day

We have just been getting back into the swing of things after Christmas and New Year's. Here is a little recap: Friday I took the kids to see Open Season at the dollar theater, we really enjoyed it. Saturday we all went bowling with Mike's friend Curtis & his son Cooper and Devon (Mike's sister Cheryl's stepston visiting from CA). That night we hung out with Grandma & Grandpa and watched The Sandlot, one our favorites. Sunday we went to church and then to a new year's party at some friends & ate & played games & had a good time! Monday we stayed home all day and just took it easy. Tuesday the kids went back to school - YEAH! So life is pretty much back to "normal", whatever that is.