Camping Across the Road?

Yes, we camped across the road this weekend at North Fork. It's awesome living in a place that we can do that! Actually, we didn't even notice we were across the road. It is such a pretty place to camp. I feel so lucky to live here! And if we forgot something we could just pop home for a quick second. The kids loved it and Chris and I enjoyed the time relaxing. Daisy even had a good time, but only spent one night because she kept barking ever time a deer came into camp. So, after the first night, she only spent the days with us. (We took her home at night.) I think we are going to camp up in Avon in a couple of weeks. And then Anderson Cove, after that. I LOVE having all these places to camp nearby!! Our camper was the best purchase, ever! Here's pictures...of course I took a bunch!!!

Our first morning there Chris suggested we hike up to the waterfall. Landon was our hike leader.

After a few fall, many tears and a scared Kamber (from the steep hills) we eventually made it to the waterfall!! And back to camp...

All the kids got little chairs to take with them. Korbin loved his and wouldn't let go of it.

We enjoyed roasting marshmellows by the fire. Landon ate so many that it amazed me he didn't get sick. One s'more and I'm done!

And I bet you didn't know I had a lap dog. She may be 60 lbs, but she's my lap dog! Daisy loved cuddling next to the fire with me.

Taking a Stroll Down Vanity Lane

Every so often, I get these crazy ideas and this one....well...I flew with it! I got extentions put in today!! My head hurts...lol...but it's sure fun to doll yourself up now and then. Here's the transformation:

Kamber

For those of you that knew Kamber was leaving us this week....SHE'S STAYING!!! In a nutshell, aunt and uncle decided they weren't up for it. She was so excited when I told her she was staying and she's back to being a sweet little girl.

She'll be with us until at least November/December, possibly longer.

Black Thunder

Our new horse, technically Chris's-given to him on father's day, has had a few name changes. That's why it's taken me so long to post about her, but the song playing on our blog has finally inspired us with the final name: Black Thunder. She is the daugher of Abbaddon's Ebony Eclipse, who is a decendent from Courage of Equinox, a pretty fancy Morgan horse. Actually, her dad is pretty "fancy" himself and people from around the country breed their mares with him, for his good looks. We were hoping to breed Eden with him in a few years, but it looks like she's probably already expecting....that's another story. Her mom is Jet's Wayward Lass.

Thunder is BEAUTIFUL! She's solid black and just gorgeous. She's pretty wild and gets spooked easily because she was kept in a dark, small stable with no windows or lights. She's a yearling and is learning quickly, though. Once Chris gets the "spooks" out of her, he believes she'll be a good horse.

Chris wanted a horse with "spirit". He said Cayden is a "dead head" and you have to really prod Eden to get her moving, she's so laid back. So, he loves the wild flair that Thunder has.

I need to get better pictures, but for now, here is what I could round up.

Visiting with Cousins

Today we went to South Fork Campground and met up with some of Chris's extended family. We don't get to see them very often, so it was nice to say hello and catch up with everyone. Here are a few photos.

Here is Chris with his cousin, Travis McDowell. Also, with Travis was his wife, Lindsey and his step son, Wyatt.

And this is Chris and Taryn McDowell, another cousin. Taryn and Travis are siblings, along with Trent, who couldn't make it this time. They are John's brother's kids.

Last, but not least, Aunt Cindy with Chris, Korbin and Taryn. Also, there was Tom, Cindy's husband and Chris's brother, Matt . And of course, me and Landon were there, too.

It was good seeing everyone!

Rainy Daze

I just love the expressions on thier faces. They just seem content.

Lipizzaner Stallions

It's been a little while, but on June 8th, we went with Matt and Melisa (our friends and realtors) to see the Lipizzaner Stallions. Matt and Melisa had some extra tickets, so we jumped at the change to go. It was a lot of fun. They are sure some amazing horses, very well behaved, indeed. And very beautiful, too!

Lil' Miss Apple Bottom

Okay, I was debating on whether or not to post this, but it's too funny to pass up. The bad part about all this...you guys now get to see what a bad mom I am. lol!

Have you guys heard the song, "Apple Bottom Jeans"? It's got a really catchy beat, but terrible lyrics. When the song first came out Chris fell in love with the beat and burned it to a cd with a bunch of songs. We listened to it a few times, until we realized what it was saying. After we realized what it was saying, we stopped listening to it, but it was still burned to the cd that we listen to in the car.

Well, my mind was somewhere else and this song came on, while I was driving. All of a sudden, I hear this cute little blonde haired little girl in the back seat saying (perfectly copied, might I add),

"Let me talk to her. Let me talk to her."

Then PERFECTLY on beat she starts, word for word, singing,

"She wore them apple bottom jeans (jeans)

Boots with the fur (With the fur)

The whole club was lookin' at her

She hit the floor (She hit the floor)

Next thang you know

Shwaty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low."

Now, you'd think by this point I would have turned off the song, but my jaw was dropped and I was in shock. I'm looking back, through my rear view mirror, at this adorable little girl who has this "I've got attitude" look on her face, just singing her heart out to "Apple Bottom Jeans". So, while I sat there dumbfounded she continues on,

"Them baggy sweat pants

And the Reeboks with the straps [With the straps]

She turned around and gave that big booty a smack [Ayy]

She hit the floor [She hit the floor]

Next thang you know

Shawty got low low low low low low low low"

And I wont give you any more lyrics after that, 'cause it gets pretty graphic. Now here's where the "bad mom" comes in. Not only did I not turn off the song, (because I was dying to see if she REALLY knew the whole thing....and she did), but it had to have been one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I didn't laugh (out loud), but if she could have seen my face, she would have seen me trying real hard not to giggle, although it was not a succesful attempt. (Thank goodness I was in the front seat.)

Since this time I have explained to her that we don't listen to that song because it has naughty words. But, recently, her mom gave her a new doll. Today I asked her what she wanted to call her new dolly and she thought about it for a while and then said, "Apple Bottom". lol!!!!!

Me and the kids...

Well, you got Chris's update, so now for the kids and me.
Landon graduated preschool! He's going to start kindergarten, which I just can't believe! I'm so nerveous about the bus ride! lol! I guess I'll have to get over it.
He's still skating a lot, but is currently mad at the skateboard because it ran Kamber's fingers over. lol. At the moment, I am trying to help him meet new friends, which is proving to be a hard task. There just doesn't seem to be that many kids around, I'm sure when we start school we'll get a better chance to mee them. Although, he does have to twin boys over right now.
Kambree is making huge improvements! I think I've got her totally potty trained and her speech is improving already. She is in weekly speech therapy. She is really starting to come out of her shell. She's just a cutie pie and her schedule keeps me VERY busy.
Between visits to mom, step dad, dad, step mom, grandma & grandpa, grandpa, great grandma, a new sister (no one knew about) and speech therapy, my week is very busy! This is a wonderful experience though and I love meeting the family. Helping the family is just as exciting as helping Kamber. I think they are going to do *it*, so we are very proud of them! Even our caseworker has said how impressive they have been and said they *truly* are going the extra mile. She said our case is quite unique. It's so rewarding to see people grow and we truly hope their family can reunite.
And as for little Korbin...he's just living the baby life. He's chatting away, saying all kinds of little things, like "thank you" and he now calls me, "Momma Christina" because he hears Kambree saying it. His eyes are still really bad and he'll probably be getting them probed soon, which we aren't looking foward to. And he's got rotten allergies, so he's a bit of a cranky baby, but we still love him!! lol! His new favorite thing is climbing up onto the couch. He's so proud of his new achievement.
And that's what we are up to....

The Jerky Guy

Well, for those of you that don't know. Chris is now working with Farr West Outfitters. They sell beef jerky to convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. Chris is managing established accounts and opening up new accounts. "Technically" he is in business for himself, with his own business lisense and such, but he works hand in hand with the owner. Basically, it's his own distributorship.
It's wonderful because he is home anywhere between 3-5pm and off all weekends and holidays. Right now he is still training, but when training is over he can work his own schedule and should be working Monday to Thursday, so I am very, very excited about the three day weekends this summer!!
He is really loving it! He is so awesome at sales and so good with people, it's an easy job for him. He has been excited about the hours and hey...we get loads of beef jerky! lol!
Check it out:
http://farrwestoutfitters.com/

Our New House

We moved to our new house on May 21st in Liberty, UT. Liberty is a beautiful little town near Eden. And for those of you that don't know where Eden is, that's near Huntsville....and Hunstville is were Pineview Reserviour is. And if you don't know were Pineview is...well...you'll have to mapquest it! lol! We are close to Ogden, though, tucked away at the bottom of the mountains. It such a peaceful, quiet area with beauitful views all around!

Our house is a cute little rambler with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. It has a very open floor plan, which so far, I am enjoying. We really like the house and the yard is nice. The views are just breath taking! In the front, we are directly across the road from North Fork Park, where you can camp. In the back, we have this "castle house" (they say it's worth like 25 million with all the land).  Behind their property, is Avon.  We are surrounded with mountains!

So, if you want to go camping, skiing, boating, jet skiing, whatever...you can make our house the home base. We'd love to have visitors! Come see us!

Home Sweet Home:

Here's the front yard.

And here's what we back up onto.

Check out the side of the blog to see a picture of the house!