Pitt Family Reunion 2009 - Vernal

Will and I went to the Pitt Family Reunion in Vernal this year with Mom, Karen, Jeff, Kaylee and Kristy... and, of course, Lucky! It turned out to be a Southam Family Reunion with our family. The Southams were wonderful and very gracious to us. They hauled a trailer up the mountain for us and made sure that we were comfortable and had enough water.

Lucky was the first to make himself comfortable in the trailer.

He was not amused when he learned that he would still be sleeping in his crate in the trailer.

We spent lots of time in the trailer playing SkipBo, Hand & Foot, Phase 10, and my favorite from childhood days of camping... Milles Bournes!

I saw Will dragging his camp chair away from the fire pit the very first day and wondered where he was taking it....

Apparently, he saw Nila's shade tent and decided that would be a better place to hang out and have some time to himself!

And then he discovered the ATV!!

And he was never seen in the shade tent again!

Jeff was kind enough to take Will on many ATV rides during the course of our campout. Thanks Jeff!!

All the kids, young and old were very excited that Mom was coming to the campout, because they know that when she is there...

there will be a Candy Tree!!

The hike to get to the tree....

Will spotting the tree for the first time...

very intent on checking out what kinds of candy he is going to grab.

The feeding frenzy...

Kaylee and Kristy helped Will get to the candy he couldn't reach.

We had a great four days hanging out with the family. We had lots of torrential rain, some lightning and thunder, but lots of fun.

Tyson was at our door most mornings asking for Will to come out and play. The little girls were at our door every morning asking for Lucky to come out and play. All the kids loved Lucky and spent a lot of time playing with him and taking him for walks. One of the boys was even heard asking his mom if he could trade his dirt bike for Lucky!

Our boys.

Tired out after a fun-filled campout!

A lucky boy... and a Lucky dog...

So... we were just going to the grocery store... innocent enough.... when all of the sudden we spied someone selling puppies... well, of course we had to go and take a look at them. Two beautiful MALE cocker spaniel puppies. We vowed NEVER to get a male dog again... and especially not a male cocker spaniel. We had learned our lesson with Brinkley... Will picked up one of the puppies...

"Mommy, can i be his brother?"

THE END.

The first name Will picked out for his puppy was Pepper. Because Grandma and Grandpa Meisinger had a beagle named Pepper that Will loved.

Then he started to call him Blackie....

Brent nixed that right away.

Then we asked for suggestions...

Tara let us know that Delaney voted for "Elmo", while Luke thought "Mouse" would be a good idea. Loren came in with "Vladimir", and Jana said "Lucky"
Right away Will chose "Lucky" and that was that.

And it has proved to be lucky indeed. Will has felt very lucky to have a new puppy, we have felt very lucky that our new puppy is already crate trained and potty trained, and spent a very quiet night in his new surroundings.

And Lucky is obviously feeling very lucky indeed... as noted by his first ride...

Will had to tuck Lucky in after a very eventful evening.

Lucky was definitely ready for some R&R

Heber Valley Railroad Fieldtrip

The last fieldtrip of the season was to the Heber Valley Railroad. There was one other group there from Primary Children's Hospital. To everyone's surprise Thomas the Tank Engine came to town a week early to give the children a ride. They thought it was a GREAT surprise!!

William's two partners for the day were Joey and Trista.

They even got a visit from Sir Topham Hatt

William's pre-school class at Walden Montessori School

(Will's "girlfriend" Tessa was having a hard day - she is the one being held by Miss Teresa - pink shirt on the right)

No matter how many times I try to explain to Will....

he still thinks Joey is a boy!

On the train

Because they had the kids from Primary Children's Hospital, there was a news crew there taking pictures. Here is the link to see more... (we actually made into some of their pictures!)

http://www.deseretnews.com/photo/slideshow/1,5587,6173,00.html

Enter.... the Roses...

Our newest surprises have been

coming from our rose bushes.

Here is a glimpse of our backyard...

Batter Up!

Yesterday was the first T-Ball game of the season! Will was in Smart Start Baseball last Spring where they learned the skills to play but didn't play any games. So this is his first year to actually play games against other teams. He was excited to learn that his friends from church, Isaac and Caleb are also on his team. We were impressed with our coach, Jake Francom, who knew all of the boys names at the very first practice.

Will, Isaac Craig, Caleb Williams

Team Picture

(although Will isn't looking at the camera,

at least he is not the one picking his nose! :)

Will getting some catching direction from Coach Jake

and then some batting instruction

Will playing his position outfield

(or... just looking at flowers)

Will playing his position as shortstop

(or... finding something interesting in the dirt)

Although instructed to play only their own position,

as soon as the ball was hit, all of the boys would run after the ball.

It made for lots of fun for the spectators!

Everyone plays, everyone runs all of the bases

(there is no such thing as getting "out" or keeping score)

Giving the other team a shout out.

GO WASATCH!!

Mother's Day

My two wonderful men made it a very lovely Mother's Day. I only had to get myself ready for church. Brent got Will ready and even ironed his own shirt. (ok, truth be told, he only ironed the front of the shirt that would show.) When I came out of the bedroom there was a yummy breakfast of fruit and crumpets waiting for me.

At church Brent had arranged for all of the women to attend Sunday School and Relief Society by organizing the men to take over all of their classes. This is the first time it has happened in this ward and the women were feeling very spoiled and grateful. I received many words of praise and gratitude to Brent.

After church we went for a little Spring drive and spent a little time at the park where Will quickly struck up a friendship with a little girl there and they fed the ducks (with lots of little ducklings in tow) and the birds.
When we got home I automatically launched into my regular routine, but Brent told me to go relax and he took care of everything the rest of the day. He made lunch and dinner, and even fresh fruit smoothies.
I am very lucky to have two of the best males ever living with me. Thank you Brent and Will!!

Our Backyard

has Spring finally arrived on Aspen Avenue?

after a few freak spring snow storms (read as blizzards)... we decided it was time to tackle the jungle that is our backyard!

our beautiful boy

loves to play in the garden, but does not love the gardening so much....yet :)

the large apple tree

(the poor thing lost a limb to the blizzard)

of course, there has to be tulips!

(we will be planting purple ones in the fall)

the grape hyacinth

Brent tilled our future garden plot

the small apple tree in bloom

(this picture does not due justice to the beauty of this little tree)

the garden bench needs a little TLC,

but we hope to have it looking nice in a few weeks.

Our pear tree in bloom

So these are the before pictures...

we hope to have after pictures in a couple of months!

Shopping

William on the phone with his friend Nancy while we are driving in the car to yet another store.

William: We went to Sears and Costco, and when we don't find what we want at Wal-Mart, we're going to Home Depot!

Maybe I do!

So.. we find ourselves outside shoveling snow... again...

Will: Mom, can I shovel now?

Lori: Sure.

Lori: Will, hold it up so you can pick up the snow instead of just running over it!

Lori: Will! If you keep doing it that way you'll just pack it down and it will turn into ice and people will slip and fall!

Will: Mommy, it's your turn.

(I turn around and Will has walked into the street)

Lori: WILL!! Get out of the street!!

Will: Mom... you need a nap.... you're making me crazy!

Brent's First Home Project

We are currently undergoing some projects... like putting in a laundry room. The electrician came to install the outlets. The plumber came to change our 1" pipes to 2" pipes and install the washer box. But still we didn't have a dryer vent. The plumber initially said he could do it... but decided we needed a concrete cutter due to the brick that would need to be cut through.

But my handyman (aka Brent), decided he could do it. He's never done such a project mind you... but was certain he was up to the task.

After spending some cash at Home Depot (our new favorite store), for a 4" concrete drill bit, along with some other items that I haven't a clue what they are for... he began the LONG process of cutting through drywall, chicken wire, and brick.... and then... low and behold.....

a dryer vent!!

the outside view!

What a Handyman!! Who knew!! :)

AT LAST... We have a camera!

Believe it! With all of the birthday and Christmas money we received... we finally got a camera (i'd show you a picture, but...) :)

So... on with the show!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

... but watching it from inside is absolutely beautiful!
(Thanks to our neighbor across the street that takes pictures of our house!) We have been enjoying visits from Brent's Dad and his wife Natalie as well as her kids Karen, with significant other Randy, and Greg with his wife Diane. This is the first time we have been able to spend any time together with them all.

Fall on Aspen Ave

Our lovely neighbor took this picture of our house the other day. Up until today this is what our house has looked like this Fall. Today, however, is a completely different story. Today we are covered in snow. And if I had a camera, I would take a picture and show you the new look our house is sporting... but... I don't. So, just picture this with lots of snow added everywhere! :)

Our House!

So here are the first pictures of our new house. If all goes well, we should close on September 12th.

This is the sunroom, that will probably be "the office"

My Sisters

I was going through some old photos today and came across this one of me and my sisters. It made me smile and quick thoughts and stories ran through my head of each one reminding me how blessed I am to have my best friends also as my sisters. I love you!!

Homeowners At Last!!

Our offer has been accepted and we will finally be homeowners next month! Will only cares that his stuff will be out of storage! And his only request is that we hang a big tire swing on the huge apple tree.

Thank you to all of our family and friends for their prayers on our behalf!! IT WORKED!!

Help!

I think we need blogging lessons! This apparently comes so naturally to everyone... but us!

Recent Happenings

Obviously, we are really good at this! :) Some of our recent happenings: Will starts baseball on Saturday! He also started a "movement" class through BYU yesterday that he loved. We have loved having opportunities to spend time with family over the past few months. Brent is still in love with his job! I am still working. We have been looking for homes in various areas, but nothing we have fallen in love with yet. We are still trying to add to our family, as Will keeps asking where his baby brother and baby sister are hiding. Someday we will own a camera so we can add pictures!