Our Crazy, Wonderful Life

Trav finishes first MARATHON!!

2009-10-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

What an amazing job! We are so proud him. 26.2 miles....that is a long, long run. He made his goal of under four hours with a time of 3:53:33. Not too shabby! If you have never been around a marathon, then you really can't imagine what an intense and emotional event this is. I had no idea. I remember after running my half marathon thinking I could not possibly run further. It gave me a better appreciation for what that might be like, but still cannot grasp going the full distance. We were early to try and see him at mile 23 and had some time to watch and cheer other runners on. Just watching is even so emotional. I was glad I had my sunglasses on! It was so cool when he came by..the kids got a high five and were all holding up their cute signs.

Great job to our brother-in-law Blake too! He did so awesome! Trav called him the night of the deadline and talked him into trying to lotto out. He curses Trav for roping him in, but I know deep down he is glad. He did so well. GOOD JOB BLAKE!

So much time and training went into this day! We are just so happy he made it and it is over...until he finds something new to do, which if you know Trav, won't be long.

(Blake, you may want to start screening Trav's calls)

GOOD JOB TRAVIS!!

Hard to say GOODBYE : (

2009-08-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

We lost our sweet little Chesney this weekend. We had taken her to Cedar City on our way to Brianhead. She was doing great and then we are not sure what happened. She started really struggling to breathe...more than usual. We called the vet and the only place that would see her was in St. George. By then, she was turning blue. Travis rushed her down while I stayed with the kids. They made it and at the animal hospital they got her stabilized and looking better. Then, in the night, she got cyanotic again and went into cardiac arrest. They tried to resuscitate her, but it didn't work. They think she may have been in anaphylactic shock..possibly an insect bite. I don't know. They were just guessing.

It has been pretty sad. She was only 3. We had a lot of fun with her. She was a great dog. She loved the kids. When they are gone, you sure wish you had spent more time with them. I gave her a good belly rub that night before she got sick. She loved a belly rub. The kids were all so heartbroken when we buried her. They will miss her. Marli keeps asking where she is, and saying let's go get her. Poor girl :(

We will miss you Ches! LOVE YOU!!!!

She loved the cabin! She would just run all over.

This was the day we picked her up at the airport. She had flown in from Oklahoma as a surprise birthday present for me. She was the cutest puppy ever!

Hiking Snow Canyon

2009-06-10T21:27:00.000-07:00

WOW! What a beautiful place. The day after school got out I loaded up the car and headed to hike with the kiddos. We drove up to Snow Canyon to scout out a hike for my young women for girl's camp. The kids did awesome. Even Marli. She made it the first whole mile without complaint. Then Halle and I took turns packing her. She walked a bit later as long as we were hunting chinchillas and looking for their houses. After our hike we played in the sand a while. It makes me feel badly that we don't spend much time in the beautiful places that are all around us here. We all had a great time together kicking off our summer!!

I am so glad summer is here. I love having my kids home. We have so much planned. They are already busy with swim team and Halle with high school sports morning. I don't like that it passes so fast. I really want to try and soak up every minute I can.

Strawberry Fields Forever!

2009-06-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

The kids had the greatest time at Underwood Farms, a place where you can pick your own fruit and veggies, mostly strawberries. 80% of the US strawberry crops come from this part of California. They were great and so were the oranges. We all had our fill of big red berries before we were done!

OXNARD CALIFORNIA--Vacation Time!

2009-06-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

Our Spring Break Trip this year was to Oxnard California. It is about an hour north of LA, which meant in the spring time, it is not too warm yet. The beach was still great though. Our timeshare was right close to the beach. We would walk there everyday. There was also a park right on the beach which Marli loved. Below you see the brave ones...... They are crazy! They waves were huge and it was a little breezy, but it didn't stop them from boogie boarding. They had a great time and laughed a lot!

Below you see me and Marli on our whale watching trip. We took a boat out to the Channel Islands. It was really neat, but unfortunately it lulled her to sleep before she got to see the whales. She really felt ripped off.

Here you see Halle smiling, which went away for a while when the sea sickness got her. We will leave out the details.....but it was pretty funny!

WHALES! Finally!!!!!!

One came right up to the edge of our boat. The kids loved it.

It was pretty amazing to see them up close like that!

Marli playing on the beach park.

Kari and Booker watching the beautiful sunset.

The big moon opposite the setting sun....this, with the sound of the waves...priceless!!!!

Halle turns 15!

2009-04-16T00:08:00.001-07:00

I cannot believe my baby girl turned 15! Where did the time go.

With a birthday always around conference weekend and spring break, it's sure to be great!

Granny Pam and Grandpa Robert came down to watch a few softball games and got to celebrate with us. It truly seems like yesterday that I was decorating a barney cake, now I am having to start to worry about driving coming up...and one year until dating. YIKES!

Kari's FLAG FOOTBALL

2009-04-15T23:53:00.000-07:00

This is our speedy Kari playing flag football with boys 2 years older than her. She was the only girl on her team and she did awesome. She loved to rush the quarterback.

BRACE FACE

2009-04-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

Poor Adri...She thought getting braces sounded like a great idea. They made her mouth pretty sore, but she is doing great now. I was really proud of how tough she was.

Braces HURT!

Adri's Birthday Skiing and Snowboarding trip

2009-04-15T23:33:00.000-07:00

For Adri's 11th Birthday, we headed to the cabin. She brought her friend Tylee to take snowboarding lessons with her. She, Tylee, Kari and Booker were all in the same beginners class. They spent most of the day on their rear ends. Kari and Booker, with "no fear" on their side, did great. The older two were a little more timid. They all had a great time, but were glad to head to the cabin for some hot chocolate by the end of the day.

Marli also had her first Ski Day!!! She loved it. The lift was her favorite. Travis just went up and down with her for a few hours. She will be ready for ski school next year!

Marli

Adri and Tylee

Booker

Kari

Mar and Dad

Another GREAT Quick Cabin Trip

2009-02-22T20:10:00.000-08:00

On Thursday night, we finished up the kiddos basketball season at about 7:30. I had been to a CE course in Las Vegas all day and hadn't done a thing to get ready, but since winter weekends are running out, we decided to ditch school and work, and head up to Brianhead. I was worried about snowmobiling in at 11:00 at night, but all was well....cold, but well.

Friday morning, Kari was the only one who wanted to ski, everywone else wanted to be lazy, so she and Travis got to have a daddy/daughter ski date. The day was so nice I had to join them after lunch. Kari is a maniac. I was so surprised. On the first run Trav took off and I decided to go behind Kari. I was looking around, then looked to find Kari and she was already down the hill. She has one speed---FAST, and she has no FEAR. I was pretty scared watching her the whole afternoon, but she did very well. She even tackled a black diamond. Travis and I were both glad to get to spend a little one on one time with her. Travis even said that was one of his best ski days ever!

TUBING!
We had to leave Saturday afternoon to get back for Sunday, but not before we did a little tubing. Trav and Marli sat this one out, while mom, Halle, Adri and Kari raced up and down the hill. You get going so fast. It was a blast. Next time we are taking Mar for sure. She would love it.

Overnight at the VENETIAN

2009-02-08T11:37:00.001-08:00

A friend/employee of ours gave Travis and I tickets to Blue Man group for Christmas. We decided to make a family getaway of it. It turned out really fun. Travis got us a suite at the Venetian which was beautiful and actually fit the seven of us. Blue Man group was really cool, although I am getting too old for a 10 o'clock show. The kids loved the room, canal and our wonderful breakfast at the Grand Lux Cafe. We even went swimming. Needless to say we were the only crazies out there in the cool weather.

We had a great time.

Kari's 9th Birthday

2009-02-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

The past nine years have flown past. I really can't believe she is nine. Kari is my little sweetheart, yet when it comes to sports is my most aggressive. She has been such a blessing to our little family. You can count on her if you need anything. Often she is running to get you something or do something for you before you even ask. She is doing very well in school and has great friends.

She makes being a mom easy.
+

Halle for three---SWISH

2009-02-08T10:27:00.000-08:00

This has been a long freshman season. It started off great with a freshman team, but when they lost a couple of girls they decided to stick everyone on JV. This meant a 15 person team which makes it tough to see much playing time as a freshman. That combined with a new first year coach has made it a little tough to watch at times, but Halle has done well and played hard. She has become a perimeter shooter with a couple of games with more than one 3 pointer.
Last week against Moapa (our rivals) she didn't come in until middle of the third quarter. We were getting killed by about 15. She had a quick three, came down again and got fouled, made both her shots and then had another 3 after a couple minutes. Her 8 points got things rolling and we came back within one. The best part was she fouled out of her first game. I was proud of her. She is playing more aggressive and is really a hustler. We have one more game this Friday...then it's softball time!

A Week at the Cabin

2009-01-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

Our Holiday Trip to the cabin was so much fun. We snowmobiled in on 2 ft of powder. Unfortunately when we got to the cabin, our boiler, that is supposed to have freeze protection, failed and we had a frozen cabin. Luckily it only broke pieces on all 3 toilets and my kitchen sprayer. Travis was able to piece together a working toilet so all was well. We were just glad nothing else happened. Once things warmed up, it was great.

Halle pulling Kari

Kari and Booker being pulled by Travis and Marli

They actually just came off a jump, but I was videoing that, so no pic. They get covered in snow and are always freezing cold when they are done sledding, and then can't wait to go again. I think they are nuts.

Kari the Snow Woman

You can hardly tell in this pic, but Marli is sleeping on the snowmobile. She would do this almost everyday. She loves to ride, but it makes her sleepy.

It is so great to just get away and spend time together. Everyone needed a break from school and work. The kids always have jobs up here like shoveling the 2+ feet of snow off the deck, chopping wood and cleaning. But they love it, we all do. Like everything else, it passes way TOO fast!

CHRISTMAS 2008

2008-12-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

I Love Christmas!!! What a wonderful time of year. This picture is me and my girls in the kitchen. Cooking and baking together...one of my all time favorite things to do. We talk and laugh and make a mess. They are becoming wonderful cooks. On Christmas Eve we have a tradition of eating seafood. They all love crab and shrimp. Kari woke up Christmas Eve morning and asked "if we should start cooking the crab?" It is something we look forward to and enjoy very much. I love to create traditions. They bring our family closer together.

Lond and Valene got the boys marshmallow shooter. We were all getting blasted!
They loved them.

Marli loved everything. She was a happy girl all day!

I loved this pic. It says so much.

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is opening our gifts one at a time and making it last all day long. I remember as a kid just tearing through them and then it was over. This way you get to open something and play with it. Everyone knows what each other got and who it was from. The kids like it too because they don't want to be done. I like to slow down any bit of time I can. I cannot believe how fast things pass by.

Grandma Pam and Grandpa Robert came down Christmas Day. They made it in time for the Christmas Movie. This year we rented the theater for Trav's work and invited a bunch of patients. It was so much fun. I could not believe the response and gratitude from his patients. It was really neat and we all loved Bedtime Stories.

When Grandpa is here he is always has a kid or two on him or next to him. They wrestle and play....and give lots of kisses and hugs. Grandpa Lond is the same way. They are so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents on both sides that want to be part of an important part of their lives. As a parent, that is appreciated so much. These kiddos need all the love and support they can get.

2008-12-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

Seventh Birthday!

Every year for Booker's birthday he gets his favorite, a pumpkin roll. It is not easy to make a fun pumpkin roll, but he is not picky. This year he got a monster truck. He loved it. That night he told me that I am a "good maker." He also asked what shape I was making next year. Sounds like I better get planning.

Uncle Darek (and Uncle Brady) got him some camo! He loves hunting with Uncle Darek!

I can't believe my baby boy is seven. He is weighing in at a whopping 78 lbs. He has passed Kari by quite a few. They have been playing soccer and it is so much fun to watch them. They look like my twins they are so close in size.

2008-12-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!

Adri and Kari just finished the Christmas play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It was so cute. Adri had a speaking part. She was Doris. She did such a great job. She would not tell us her lines, so we had no idea of what she was doing, but she had them down perfect. Kari was in the Angel Choir. She sang so well and looked very cute. It was a lot of work and they are glad to be done with practice, but enjoyed making new friends and being a part of something really neat.

Adri above

Kari, top in the shadow

Happy Sisters!

Proud Momma!

2008-12-14T16:01:00.000-08:00

I just had to share a picture of Halle's pinata. She had to make this for her honor's spanish class(which is a ridiculous project for a high school class!) but anyway, we decided to have fun with it. What started out as a deer head, ended up the whole thing. It turned out soooo cute. I hope she doesn't have to smash it. He even has a nose that lights up!

Kari's Spelling Bee

2008-11-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

Kari and Kylee--two cuties!
Kari made it to the 3rd grade spelling bee. They take the top 4 spellers from each 3rd grade class to be in the bee. She was soooo nervous, but she did great. She and her friend Kylee sat together and got out the same round. It helped them not get too sad. We were super proud of her.

2008-11-21T02:49:00.000-08:00

Finally..... Tonight was the midnight opening of TWILIGHT! The movie we have been waiting for for months! We had an awesome night. First, we hit Denny's with our friends Erica and Morgan, then off to wait in line for a big surprise...

The actor that plays Mike Newton in the movie was at our premiere. It made it extra cool. They brought out a red carpet and the whole works. He arrived in a big limo. He was nice to take pictures and hang out with the crowd. He looks a bit different in the movie, blonde and younger.

What a night. The movie was great. We all loved Edward...much more than we thought we would. We got home at 2:25. This will be one we'll all remember!

The Pumpkin Run

2008-11-11T22:27:00.000-08:00

The pumpkin run is one of our favorite school activities. Each grade divided by boys and girls race and the top 24 get a pumpkin. The Wakefield kiddos all finished in the top 25.
Kari placed fourth which was GREAT!

What is granny filming? You can see Kari about to cross the finish line.

Booker picked a BIG ONE!

My First Half Marathon!

2008-11-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

I am starting my blog with an entry about me. Odd, since my life revolves around my family. But in July, I set a personal goal to do something I have never done...and I did it! It all started after my sister in law Teresa and I finished a 5k. We were sitting around talking and I came up with a crazy idea for us to run a half marathon. I hadn't ran more than four miles, neither had she, but for some strange reason it made sense. We found a training guide to follow and we were off. I don't love running, but I love how I feel when I am done. I also love that I am healthier and stronger than I have ever been. Being healthy will help me be able to be a better mom, wife and friend....so this seemed like a good thing to do. Plus, I am a lot happier when I exercise!

We made it through the weeks of training and increasing miles, through plantar fasciitis, through having to try and find time in our schedules to run, through heat, stomach cramps and soreness...and finally made it to our race. Here is our big day!

This is us getting on the bus to head up Snow Canyon...naively happy. This is about mile 9. Not sure why we still look happy, both of us had severely aching feet.

THE FINISH LINE!
I made it in 2 hours 18 minutes. My goal was 2 hours 25 minutes so I was happy.

A big hug after our big run! 13.1 miles--We did it!! And it hurt.....And I cried....

What a great feeling. This is me with two of my best friends. We all just got our butts kicked by the road, and are going to be so sore, and it was GREAT! That is just CRAZY!!!!

Thanks so much to my family for all of their support. Having them there to do this for the first time made it so special. I love you all.