Hey...I didn't know this

I started a post a week ago, but was having trouble with my computer and/or blogger and never finished it. I just finished uploading the pics tonight, but it posted back on the date when I started it (Aug. 11) instead of at the "top" of the blog. So if you're interested in seeing the fun time we had at the park with Todd's brother, Aaron, and his family, scroll on down and take a look.

Alyssa Chappell June 2006-August 2008

Our little friend, Alyssa, passed away this weekend.

She was a newborn when we moved here, and I met her right away at our little park group. We called her "Miss 'lyss" and it was so fun to see her each week and "gush" over whatever cute little girly outfit she had on. She was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in March of this year, and has undergone 5 or 6 rounds of chemo, and a major surgery in the past 5 1/2 months. She left behind three older brothers, and an older sister who is 11.

Her family came to our ward today, and I was able to give her mom a hug, and cry with her for a brief moment. Our ward was so crowded, that we had to sit on chairs in the gym and listen to sacrament meeting. Alyssa's family sat on the row behind us. My heart ached for them every time I saw a little blonde girl at the drinking fountain during the meeting. There were SO many. I couldn't help but wonder why they could all smile and twirl around in their little skirts....when Alyssa can't. I know she's happier where she is, and she's free of pain, and I know her family will get through this, but it's been so hard to watch.

Thank you for all your prayers in her behalf. Her family feels that support.

Bubble Battle

I found this picture on my sister's photo blog,

and since it's my kid, I figured it was OK to steal it.

Dillon, in the midst of a bubble battle,

desperately trying to shoot down enemy warheads...

More blog fodder

My friend, Shauntae had this comic posted on her blog. Unfortunately, even Todd learns a thing or two from my blog :o)

Who wears the pants in your family?

Todd wears the pants at our house...but I pick them out :o)

With our tenth wedding anniversary coming up, I've been pondering marriage related things, and it's amazing to me how one can change in ten years. I used to be uptight where Todd was laid-back and now we've switched. Well, not really switched...we've just grown more and more alike. We just "go" together,

and we really do take turns "wearing the pants".

I am blessed to have a husband who walks beside me

(not in front of or behind me).

He truly is my better half.

We celebrated our anniversary (early) last week when we were in Cache Valley. We had dinner at Hamilton's and when we told them why we were celebrating, they brought us a complimentary cheesecake and two goblets of sparkling cider so we could have a "toast".

We looked at each other and kind of laughed because a toast is for "fancy people" and we were sitting there in our usual baseball cap and flip-flops.

But then I noticed that the cheesecake they brought us had a fly on it.

I couldn't think of a better representation of our marriage...

so we toasted to the fly.

There's been a lot of good, a little bad, and plenty of ordinary.

I'm just grateful we get to do it for the rest of eternity.

I Love you, Todd!

(but I do think it's time for some new pants)

Fun at the park

Todd's brother, Aaron, and his family came to visit us last weekend and we had a ball! We were completely irresponsible...staying up 'til 2:00 AM every night, eating breakfast at 11:00, lunch at 3:00, and dinner at 9:00. We played games, talked, and laughed. It was wonderful. We took them on the scenic drive on highway 12, and ended up at a park in Escalante.

Does anyone know what this thing is? It's a tall pole, with several chains hanging down from it, and the chains have handles attached. We tried holding onto the handles and running around in circles...but we just ended in a big heap, with our arms tangled in chains.

Here's Caleb on the monkey bars, wearing his signature socks.

Dillon kept putting his arms and legs in the air while

swinging on his belly, pretending to be a super hero.

Brayden, Caleb, and Makensie on dinosaur

Uncle Aaron had the most fun. I think he tried out every

piece of playground equipment there.

Here he is on the monkey bars:

...and on the big purple dinosaur



Todd dared him to jump out of the swing
and then he did it again :o)

You can see Cayleen and Sydney Jo on the swings.
Posing for the camera. What a ham.
He made it down the slide...although it took awhile :o)
Todd and I got a minute to ourselves for a "foot popping" kiss :o)

Out with the gold...

My neighbors are moving.

They had a garage sale to "lighten their load".

They were selling their sofa and loveseat for a killer deal.

I had to hold myself back from doing cartwheels as we

loaded "old goldie" here to the dump to make a little extra room.

Then we moved the couch and recliner from our

livingroom to the basement to make room for my finds.

Now here is my testimonial for microfiber couches:

I had heard about how easy they were to clean, but I was
still a bit nervous buying this sofa set because my neighbor
let her kids eat on them and although they were in great
condition otherwise....they were covered in stains.

I called the furniture store that is an hour away (before the purchase)
and asked how to clean a microfiber couch.
They lady assured me that they are "naturally stain-resistant"
and all I would need to do is use a little dish soap,
diluted in a bucket of water, and wipe the entire cushion
down with a rag. After it dries, you take a nylon
scrubbie brush, and brush over the surface to get the texture back.
I cleaned one cushion first, to compare it to the one next to it,
and this is what I got:


She was right! I couldn't believe how easy this was to clean. And
now that I know it worked, I am very happy with my find!

This is definitely the way to go with kids!
The two ends of the sofa recline, but not the middle
(that's why it's uneven)