Uncle Tad's Funeral

This was the last time I seen and talked with my Uncle Tad. This picture was taken when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Graci at my little brother, Rhett's wedding reception. March 19th, 2005. Thank you Arlene for making us pose for this picture. I think that it really is the only photo I have of him. I don't remember much but I do remember going to their house in Idaho falls, riding my skate board and playing with John, my cousin, Tad's son and having a great time. I believe that my Uncle has been sick for along time and his heart and lungs finally gave out on him.

This is my parents. My Dad looks a lot like my Uncle Tad but he has taken much better care of himself and it definitely show. My dad looks the same as I can remember. He does not age!! He is amazing. Unfortunately at these times in our lives, we are reminded that we are all getting older and we do not have as much time on this earth as we think that we have so we must definitely make good use of every day and not let our loved ones go very long without letting them know how much we love them and what they mean in our lives. This is one that I am not very good at but this past year have been trying to do better at. Sometimes I think that they will always be there and that disagreement can go for a time without taking care of them however we waste so much time and energy, when really they are very minuscule to what this life is truly about so let us not waste the time that we have, bottom line.

"Total Relaxation"

It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted but a lot has been going on. Torrey and I had the opportunity to fly to Las Vegas and stay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Henderson Nevada. Torrey had met all of his numbers that he is accounted for at Smiths so Torrey was in for winning the grand prize that Smith's was giving away. 32 store Directors met their goal out of 150 Store Directors. So way to go Torrey!!!! What a beautiful place! It sits just off of Lake Las Vegas so it was just relaxing and the weather was just perfect. Not to hot but not to cool either. April is a great month to visit Las Vegas if you would ever like to go unless you like intense heat. We flew in at about 1:00 p.m. and was shuttled to our destination. We had the afternoon to ourselves so we went and had lunch at a yummy Mexican Restaurant and then walked around the hotel a bit and checked out the surroundings. It was a great chance to reconnect for a bit. Later that night, we met at the little beach and had dinner with the group and played beach games which was a lot of fun. Torrey won a $400.00 golf driver that night which cost him $20.00 but was very comical and will have to tell the story sometime on how he won. Smith's people will not be forgetting that anytime soon. Saturday was a very relaxing day for me because Torrey went and played golf all day with the group of Directors. His new driver served him well. They played "Best Ball" which he said that they used a lot of his drives but he ended up being 4 over par. He had alot of fun! I went for a walk around Lake Las Vegas and looked at all of the beautiful homes around the golf course. I came back and started reading a book and sitting by the swimming pool catching a few sun rays which these white legs are definitely in need for. I was able to take a nap and then when Torrey came back we relaxed by the pool with some other people we knew. We then got ready for the big night. Torrey was feeling pretty confident about winning the grand prize of either $15,000,two jet ski's (which we were wanting),two snowmobiles, or two, four wheelers. After a delicious salmon dinner was the prize giveaway. Needless to say we did not win but had a great time trying. The winner walked away with $15,000. We flew out early Sunday morning and were able to get back to Green River in good time. Thank you so much Julie and Sara for taking the girls. They had so much fun!!! It was very nice to get away with Torrey and know that the kids were in good hands. We appreciate it more than you know.

Spring Break and Easter Weekend

Our Spring Break started out with the "Hannah Montana Movie" We loved it! I even was able to talk the boys into coming with us and even if they would not admit it, I know that they liked it. Saturday, we colored Easter eggs and they turned out so good.
Then we headed for Salt Lake after Torrey and Riley got home from work. We were going to spend Easter with some of Torrey's family in Utah. We had so much fun. We hadn't seen them since Christmas I think so it was fun just hanging out and playing with cousins. Sunday morning started out with an Easter Egg hunt done by Aunt Julie at Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Sara's house.
Too much fun. The kids found so many eggs filled with candy and some of the kids got eggs filled with money. After the hunt, we went back to the Chambers and the kids found their Easter Baskets which were hidden.Then we went down stairs and had an awesome Easter lesson given by Uncle Randy. Everyone loved it and I know the little ones understand Easter a little better and understand the Resurrection of our Savior more and what Easter is really about. It definitely gave us all a special feeling inside and we were able to totally enjoy the Sabbath Day.
After Church, we had an amazing dinner and just enjoyed each others company. The kids watched Bedtime Stories and played pool and had a great time. Thank You Uncle Randy and Aunt Julie for the awesome Spring Break and Easter Sunday. We had such a great time being with you all. Our hotel accomadations were beyond any five star hotel. Thank you Julie. You are truley amazing!

Graci's first trip to the Dentist

Graci just hopped right up in the Dentist chair!! We had talked about what to expect at the dentist and so I guess she felt like she was prepared and all and she has such great examples to watch so going to the Dentist seemed like no big deal until the Hygenist put the paper napkin around her neck just before cleaning her teeth and all of a sudden Graci has this big tear rolling down her face but the funny thing was is that she was trying so hard to be big and pretending that she wasn't crying. I could not believe how big she was being. I asked her if the tear was from pain or just being scared and nervous and she she she was scared and a little nervous, but was she ever so big. She did not like the Flouride which I can't blame her. That is the worst part of going to the Dentist in my mind. She was so excited to get her a new princess toothbrush which she chose Airel, the Little Mermaid. I was so proud of her!!

My Baby turned 4!

Yesterday was Graci's big day. She made the comment half way through the day that she didn't feel any different. She still feels like she is three. How profound for a three year old, oops, i mean four year old. That one is a tough one to explain. I still feel like I am twenty most days but occassionaly do have days that I feel my age and they are getting more frequent. Graci was very specific as to what she wanted on her Birthday cake. Princesses and Bubble Gum. Thanks Layton for making such an awesome cake! Graci received a princess blanket, a light bright, some TinkerBell toys and the cutest outfit from Grandma. Thank You Grandma! You are awesome. We had a fun party. Graci was very happy.
Four years ago at this time was a very crazy time. We were making the decision to move to Green River. The day after Torrey brought Graci and I home from the hospital, He left to come to Green River. He stayed at the Oak Tree Inn for three months and would come home on weekends. I had to stay and finish the kids in school and sell the house and that meant trying to keep it clean during this process. I remember everytime I would go to lay down and try to get some rest, the phone would ring and someone would want to come and look at the house in 30 minutes and that meant cleaning and also getting out of the house so we got really good at. We definately had to have a strategy. I believe that Graci spent most of her first few months in her car seat. We finally sold the house the middle of June and then lived in a hotel for a few weeks in Rock Springs and then finally found a trailor to live in. We were so thankful for that. We were all ready for some home cooked meals. I never thought that I would ever want to eat out again. Graci has definately kept life exciting since the day she was born. She has been my buddy over the last four years and I know that it will be so hard to let her go off to school all day every day. I seriously will be lost for a time. I just love the way she thinks. She is so much fun and just keeps me smiling. Happy Birthday Graci!! We love you.