Yep, I'm back to blogging...

Over a month has passed since I last blogged. How did this happen? This post will fast forward through the past five weeks of our lives.

Several weeks ago, our friends asked us to watch their daughter overnight. Her name is Kennedy and she's 13 months old. We started the evening by attending a carnival at the elementary school where John teaches NOVA (similar to the DARE program). John was assigned to use a radar gun to measure the speed of baseballs that the kids threw. Jyson did it several times.
Jyson also built this rocket and launched it several times. He loved it. Kennedy was very patient in her stroller all night.
After we got home it was time for bed. Jyson loved playing big brother. Kennedy played the 'ol "I drop it, you pick it up" game with game with her toys. Very entertaining.
This was taken the next morning. Doesn't she look comfy and relaxed?
After breakfast, we went to Jyson's cousin's birthday party. Kennedy crawled around. Jyson ran around. By the time we got home, this was the scene in the back seat...

A few days later it was Cub Scout Pack Meeting at the Dastrup ranch. (Dastrups are a family in our ward.) Ride, Jyson, ride...
Fall is especially beautiful in Utah this year! (The little girl is Micahl, a total cutie - I have to hug her every chance I get. The older girl is Haley, one of my Mia Maids - it's her family's ranch.)
Cub Scouts - gotta love 'em!
Jyson earned his Bobcat a few months ago, but we haven't been able to attend Pack Meeting so he finally got it this night.
The Mother's pin - I've been waiting for this moment.
Jyson, the proud new Bobcat. (He had gotten something in his eye earlier and it was a little swollen.)

We spent General Conference weekend in Elko, Nevada. John went a few days earlier than I did to help his brother re-roof his house. Here he is with his nephew Trevor:
Other helpers who came out: Nate (John's youngest brother) & Bob (John's dad).
Sunday was John's 46th b-day. His mom brought a pumpkin pie for him (his favorite). It was a pretty low-key birthday. He was actually sick the entire weekend but worked hard as usual. He rocks - what else can I say?
This is what we saw on the drive home. I was not too happy about it. Luckily it has returned to fall weather.

The next weekend, John & Jyson emptied our hot tub, wiped it down, and refilled it. Aahh, bring on the cold winter nights (but not yet).

This past weekend we went down to St. George - John, Jyson, and I along with our neighbors - Steve, Lynnette, daughter Sara. When we got there Friday afternoon, we went on a mountain bike ride on the Bear Claw Poppy Train.
91 degrees + out of shape = bright red face.
Jyson did so well. I think playing soccer has really increased his strength and focus.
Saturday morning John rode the Zion Century - 100 mile bike ride including a climb through Snow Canyon. Our neighbor Steve rode 60+ miles - it was his first road ride. Jyson and I went shopping with Lynnette and Sara. When we knew John was getting close, we waited for him near the ending point - a street in the middle of St. George. Jyson entertained himself by jumping from these power boxes. I think this is a great photo!
John finished in 5 hours, 50 minutes. Way to go babe! This was his 3rd century ride this year. He is one tough boy!
A century ride is always followed by a steak dinner. Here we are at Outback with our neighbors.
That night we all went to the Tuacahn and saw Aida. I loved it! The Tuacahn is such a gorgeous outdoor theater.
Sunday morning we headed home. We caravanned with our neighbors and took the scenic route home through Zion National Park and Panguitch. This picture was taken outside a boutique in Springdale.While it did take longer, the drive was beautiful. All in all, a great trip!
The end.

Labor Day Weekend in 1000 Springs, Idaho

Welcome to Tent City USA. These are 5 of the 11 tents that were set up for our recent trip to Idaho. We stayed at a place called 1000 Springs Resort just outside of Hagerman, Idaho. Resort makes it sound posh. First of all, you can see we were sleeping in tents. And secondly, the closest restroom was an outhouse. The running water toilets and showers were about 150 yards away. So, it wasn't really a resort - it was just good old fashioned camping.
Here's the view from our campsite looking across the Snake River.There were about 35 of us - mostly John's family and then some extra friends/other in-laws, etc. Here's John surrounded by his dad, brothers, & nephew cooking us up some tasty grub.
We drove up Friday night & set up camp. Saturday morning John & I did a 20 mile bike ride. About 8 of those miles were uphill. That was a killer for me. John thought it was great. I quite enjoyed the downhill on the way back though. :)

That afternoon we rafted down the Snake River. That was great fun!!
Yes, we packed kids in the back of the trucks. Luckily we didn't go very far on back roads. Apparently it was pretty sunny that afternoon.
We split up some of the meals. Julie & Travis were working on this one. Love the hat she bought at a gas station on the way up. She fit right in with the locals.
Sunday morning John & I went into town and went to church in Hagerman. It was a great meeting. The rest of the day we ran the shuttles while everyone ran the river. While we waited, I read aloud to John from Harry Potter #7. (He hasn't read any of them but he LOVES the movies. After seeing movie #6 he wanted to read book #7 because he can't wait for the movie to find out how it will end.)

This was kind of our central cooking & gathering area.
Sunday night we all gathered and played a game called Werewolves. Apparently it's similar to a game called Mafia. It was very fun. We played several rounds.Monday morning we got up, cleaned up camp, & headed for home. It was a great weekend. Thanks to all of John's family for the good times!

Summer is over. SIGH...

Summer is over. Big sigh... After six years of working during the summers, I LOVED having the summer off. Though I didn't get all my projects done, it was still very enjoyable. Now I realize that I can't complain about going "back to work" since most people in the real world don't get their summers off. And, I am very grateful to have a good job. Enough about that.

Before school started we got together with some college roommates, Debbie & husband Brandon and Shelly & husband Lele. (We got together with Debbie and Brandon in Dec. You may have seen that post.) It's always fun to hang out and catch up. The last time the six of us got together was quite memorable. We sat down to eat our tasty steaks and John got a piece of steak caught in his throat which sent him to the hospital. This time was much less eventful. Debbie served sloppy joes just to be safe.
This was supposed to be our skinny pose. It didn't really work for me.
Shelly & Lele have five girls. Debbie & Brandon have two. They played so well together all night.
We had some ping pong matches. It was great fun!

A week ago we got together for an impromptu picnic with John's parents and his sister Julie & her family at Vivian Park up Provo Canyon. Apparently a gazillion other people had the same idea. Julie & Travis brought fishing poles. G'pa Bob taught Jyson how to cast and he loved it.We didn't have a table, but no problem for Johnny.Ty, Kaden, Julie, & Jake just relaxing.
I have to throw this in because I just love hair day. Bye, bye gray hair. Plus, Michelle (my hair stylist) always straightens it for me. It's always fun to look different for a day or two.
Yesterday I took Jyson down to my sister Tanya's house so he could hang out with his cousins. He had a great time! My brother-in-law Eric is building a big shed in his backyard and had lots of helpers:
Luke, Jyson, Adam, Caleb, and the good sport, Uncle Eric.
John came over after he sealed our driveway and patio, just in time for dinner. Thanks for the fun afternoon and a tasty dinner Tanya!

This could be my new addiction...

A few years ago, a neighbor invited me to a "party" where they were introducing books made online from digital photos. The company was Heritage Makers. I thought they were so cool, but expensive, plus I was really into scrapbooking.

Lately I haven't had (or made) any time for scrapbooking. Well, several months ago, while looking at photos in iPhoto (my computer is an iMac), I discovered an icon at the bottom of the screen that says "book." I was intrigued and discovered I could create a book from my photos. I decided to make one for McKelle for graduation. I got started.

Meanwhile, my sister Tanya, who uses Shutterfly for her photos, had also decided to create a book about our Oxborrow family reunion last year to give to our dad for Father's Day. (The 4 sisters helped pay for it but Tanya did all the work.) We gave him a 12"x12" and I ordered an 8"x8" copy for our family. The book turned out incredibly well. Everyone has enjoyed looking through it many times. Thanks again Tanya!
Here's a sample page:Seeing that book in print got me motivated to finish McKelle's book. I didn't get it done in time for graduation so I decided to give it to her for her birthday. Due to some unforseen complications, her birthday party was postponed for several weeks. This gave me plenty of time to finish her book. I love it. I just want to keep making more of them. I also want to get back to scrapbooking. I have a craft room, now I just have to clean it up and get started.There is very little text but lots of fun photos. I included several of her and John when she was younger, but most of the book includes photos from the past 5 years. This page has our first family photo (after John & I were engaged), wedding photo, and first Easter together.
The first two photos on the page were taken on two of McKelle's birthdays. They decided to try the pose again at the party.
Here is McKelle looking at her book. It was fun to see her reaction to all the photos.
We just had a small, simple party: Jyson, John's parents Bob & Joy, McKelle & Jake, their mom Nancy & husband William and their kids Ethan & Liam, and Nancy's mom Gayle. Here are McKelle & Jake with their three siblings. Yes, Jake needs a little sun. It looks like he's the adopted one.
So, Happy 18th Birthday McKelle. I hope your future is bright.