The New Do (or Don't)

I got a wild hair up my you know what earlier this week and when I went in to get my hair cut & colored I decided to go a bit......short. At least shorter than I'm used to. I've had a few friends ask to see a pic so that is why I'm posting something on the blog. Here's how it used to be:

Here it is now:

Parker's 1st impression was "weird" and Paxton said "I want your other hair back." Hmmm, maybe this "do" should have been a "don't"? :) At least in their eyes.. (OK, Eric wouldn't have liked it either, he was never a short hair kind of guy. I won't mention how he would have reacted to it since we all want to keep the positive memories flowing regarding Eric & his reaction would not have been quite as postive. :) It's just short and I'm not used to showing that much of my face & neck but I'll get used to it and hey, it will grow back eventually right??

Eric's Headstone

Just a few days after posting about the 3 month mark on Eric Dalton's Memorial called and let me know they had gotten the headstone put in on his grave. The boys and I drove up to see how it turned out. Cathy (Eric's mom) had already been there & also called me about it. She didn't seem the happiest with the picture I put on it but it's one of my favorites (as I mentioned under the 3 month mark post.) That picture was taken shortly after Eric had joined the church and he had this new light in his eyes that wasn't there before that I thought the pic captured so well.

To see the headstone with Eric's name on it brings certain feelings and emotions to the surface. It's sad to see in a lot of ways but I think it looks so much better than a bare grave for the boys & I to visit.

The headstone was done in a way that captured who Eric was since he was such an outdoorsman. On the back it lists our names and says "Families Are Forever" since that was so important to Eric. I just remember how going through the temple was one of the best days in Eric's life.

We think about you Eric and know you are doing well and that we will see you again someday. Until then remember you are loved by everyone that you left behind.

School Days

Today was the first day back to school for Parker- yahoo! Parker is in Miss Holthaus' 4th grade class. A lot of his friends from last year and from the ward are in his class so I think it will be a fun year for him. He had to ride his ripstik to school this morning (sans the helmet & pads, the little turd. Actually I learned we left his helmet up in Kaysville.)

When Parker got home from school I had this cake waiting for him. I had done this for him once before (back when he started 1st grade) and he remembered that this morning and commented on how he liked getting that when he started 1st grade. So this afternoon (20 min before he was to get home from school) I went and picked up a cake for today and he was happy.

I asked him how his 1st day of school was, he said "good, I didn't get in trouble once." It made me laugh since it's the first day of school and all, I would hope he wouldn't have a "think time" this early in the game. (Can you tell this kid is used to having to report on his behavior to me each day? We've just had a few issues in the past to where I have to ask for updates. Little does he know I used to get "disruptive influence" comments on my report cards in middle and jr. high - like mother, like son? Man I'm embarrassed to remember how mouthy and terrible I was to some of my teachers. Susie - remember Mr. Kroes biology class? I remember getting caught cheating in there & he was basically chasing me around the room for my little cheat sheet while I proceeded to eat the "proof." That is so bad! I think I spent more time sitting on the floor in Mr. Cornaby's class as punishment, than I did learning about biology. I have so repented for these things!)

I can't believe Parker is going to be 10 this year and is in 4th grade already! Time flies by way too fast! Parker has enjoyed the summer & gotten off the hook in not having to read much so now it's back to nightly reading, homework & getting to bed before 10.

Fun with Friends at Cherry Hill

This past Friday we headed up to Kaysville & hung out with my good longtime high school friend Kris and her family. (Apparently she is only known as "Kristine" up there in Kaysville but she'll always be Kris to me.) We had a great time hanging out with her & her girls Savannah, Brooklyn & Paige.

They took us to Cherry Hills water park. The weather was kind of cool and a bit windy (OK, so maybe the kid's lips were turning blue a few times & we had a case or two of RT - I am so not explaining that one to those of you that don't know what it means :) but it was still a lot of fun.

Afterwards the kids had a slumber party in the basement watching movies while Kris & I caught up & had the usual girl talk. It was cute because Parker is in between Savannah & Brooklyn's ages & they kind of were arguing over which one of them he liked & things like that. :)

Paige is the same age as Paxton so they had a good time together as well. Kris' husband Rich joined us later on in the evening after work. In the morning Kris made a nice breakfast with bacon, pancakes, etc. She was a great hostess and we really enjoyed hanging out with them. We'll definitely be back up for a visit soon Kris! Thanks again for the FUN time!

3 Month Mark

I'm a bit behind on blogging lately and need to get caught up. This past weekend we hit the 3 month mark since Eric's fatal accident.

I thought I would post some pics of him & the boys since they were his pride & joy & he loved nothing more than hanging out with his boys.

I realize nothing has been said about him on the blog for the last few months but although he's gone, he's not been forgotten.

This is one of my favorite pics of Parker & Eric - they look so handsome all ready for church.

I love this pic taken at Hogle Zoo with the 3 of them even though Pax isn't cooperating too well. They ironically all have their camo shorts on & look cute.

We are doing fine as time continues to go by. Life just goes on & has a way of taking you with it. Summer is over (can you feel it in the air?) & now school is starting (hallelujah to have Parker back to school. Paxton is excited to start preschool after Labor Day.)

I have noticed the boys "act out" at times since Eric passed away but I knew that was to be expected, it could be their way of grieving and you just deal with things the best you can. I have had every intention to take them to some grief counseling but didn't do that this summer. Parker tends to throw a fit & cry at times if he's not allowed to do something. He's a bit of a hot head & then will calm down, he just needs to learn to not react so quickly & dramatically when things don't go his way. Paxton is more whiny than he ever used to be, esp when Parker teases him. Overall though I'm impressed with how they are adjusting.

This was Parker's baptism day - Eric was unable to do the baptism & so it was an extra emotional day for him I remember.

We are still waiting for Eric's grave to get the headstone. I'm hoping by the end of this month something will be in place. We stay in close touch with Brent & Cathy of course & wish things were going better for them. Can I just say how the gospel is such a strength to me? It not only gives me hope but the knowledge that there is more to life than what we have down here & that we will see him again. Brent & Cathy do not have the gospel in their lives. I know they'd find some peace and a bit of comfort regarding this sad situation with Eric if they did. I honestly don't know what people do without it and it just makes me so grateful to be a member of this true Church.

I Love a Parade - Salem Days continues

After running the 5k race we ate a delicious breakfast back at my house, (compliments of Karisa, my sis in law.) She's such a good cook! Then we showered up & headed over to the parade.

(Parker & Paxton with cousins Isaiah, Antony & Bridjer)
The Salem parade is famous for all the candy they throw out to the kids - it's worse than halloween I swear! So the kids were excited about that. I sat & visited with my good friend Debby while the kids enjoyed collecting candy.

Olson's Greenhouse had a float in the parade this year & they were giving potted plants, hanging plants, flowers, etc, so I was able to score a few of those (just a few more things I can kill since I don't have much of a green thumb.)
Paxton is always scared when Smokey the bear or the big bobble head fireman guy comes walking through the parade so he will go run & hide behind our chairs. Here is his "scared" face.

But get some music going and he's a little ham, dancing in the streets! (Isn't he a cutie?)


After the parade we walked over to the "fair in the square." The boys played games, won prizes & played on this bouncy, wet slide.


Initially Paxton was doing really good at staying dry but then he bounced a little too hard & it bounced him right into the water at the bottom and submerged him completely - it was quite funny & he thought it was fun & had to do it several more times.
The kids noticed a dunk tank & Parker asked if he could sit in it. They let him sit in it & Paxton tried to get his brother dunked. He was close to hitting the target but missed & decided at the end Parker was going in & just hit the bulls eye with his hand instead.


In the evening we watched the Salem Days pageant & then the awesome fireworks. (I swear Salem puts on a show that would rival BYU's Stadium of Fire.) There was a bunch of lightning before the fireworks & then it started to rain (HARD) in the middle of the fireworks. We were w/out jackets, umbrella, blanket (gee - let's go ahead and add these to my previous list of what a great mother I am??) So we headed back to our car (since it was parked quite a ways away.) The boys & I ended up soaking wet but had a good time!

Salem Days Fun Run

This morning was the Salem Days fun run. It consists of a 1 mile and/or 5 K run. Last year I volunteered & helped with the race (since the people in charge are in my neighborhood & ward) & I really enjoyed seeing all the families participating together & having fun. I thought "I want to do that with my family next year." So this year I made it a family event & signed Parker & Paxton up for the 1 mile race. We practiced one time this week in preparation & I thought Parker would be OK running it but Paxton wasn't going to like it & would stop, walk & complain & want to be held, etc.

The race started at 7am and my dad nicely agreed to walk alongside Paxton to keep him motivated to get through the race. Paxton ended up leaving my dad in the dust & had no problem running when it got down to it.

Parker ran the 1 mile in 8:21 (took 20th place overall, and 5th place in his age division.)

Paxton ran it in 11:48, (took 62nd place overall, and also 5th in his age division.) The kids enjoyed getting their race shirts & had hoped for a medal but those only go to the top 3.

(No, I don't know who this vetran is, I was in a hurry trying to catch Paxton going over the finish line & showing his time - you can see him right?)

Right after the 1 mile race was the 5K which I had registered for. Back on the 24th of July during a family BBQ my 3 younger brothers decided they wanted to run it too (none of them have ever ran or trained to run, etc.)

(Before the race - L to R: John, myself & Sam)

They made it a competition to see who could win. Jerry ended up at a wedding in St. George so he didn't participate but Sam & John both registered for the race & ran it with me. Of course they left me in the dust & out of the 3 of us, John (our BYU Ambassador performer) beat out both of us. He ran it in 22:19 & Sam did it in 22:32.

I came in at 26:46, (taking 31st place overall & 8th in my age division.)

(After the race - L to R: Sam & his son Maxwell, Paxton, John & myself.)
Max is crying in the pic because John had just finished yelling encouragement to runners that were still running the race and it scared poor Max to death.
John took 3rd in his age division & Sam took 2nd in his age division so they both got medals. I thought that was pretty impressive since neither of them had ever ran a race or trained to run until 2 weeks ago.


Parker took it upon himself to go down & help my neighbor distribute the medals so he was able to give John & Sam their medals. I totally forgot to take a picture of that so I had Sam & Parker re enact it for me.


There were raffle prizes afterward but none of us won anything - Parker was hoping for the ripstik or IPOD shuffle, Paxton would have been happy with anything. He was quite bummed that they didn't call his name out. We plan to run the Onion Days (Payson) 5k on Labor Day since we enjoyed doing this one together. I think my brother Jerry & his wife will be around to run it too. Anyone else care to join us?

Children's Parade

Our ward had a small float in the Salem Days children's parade last night so the boys & I headed up to Salem Pond so they could participate in the fun. The kids could either ride on the float or decorate their bike & ride alongside everything.

Paxton decided to ride in the float & wave a flag:

Parker, on the other hand, wanted to decorate his bike & ride it around.

I wasn't sure the parade would be on for a bit since it got rainy 30 min before parade time. But the weather held up just fine (well it was kind of muggy) & so the kids enjoyed riding around the pond 2 or so times. It was a very small & quick parade - don't blink or you'll miss it!

Afterwards the kids & I listened to the "tunes in the park" as they had it lableled & walked around the booths buying "dinner" (AKA nachos & hamburgers), cotton candy & sno cones - yeah, I'm really a great mom when it comes to nutrition aren't I? :) Maybe now is the time I also mention how they were then up until midnight & this morning I got them up at 6:30am to run in the 1 mile race???