Ocean Shores Washington Vacation

Our family took a much needed vacation to the beach last week, and enjoyed every minute of our time. We left on Tuesday the 16th, and returned home on Tuesday the 23rd. We stayed in Ocean Shores Washington, and loved being right on the beach in a small little quiet town. One of the reasons it was quiet is because we waited until the summer season was over so that it would not be so busy or as expensive as it would have been in the summer. We fell in love with the area, and have even talked about making it the place we would love to retire to. The temperatures were great the entire time, and although the water was cold Ellie and Jake still chose to play in the water. One older lady said as she was passing by that they reminded her of her first time at the beach. By the time the kids got out of the water they had blue lips, and goose bumps all over. We had the best of both worlds Ray and I, he loves the Jetty, where the water beats up against the rocks. He loves the power it brings, and the force you feel as the water crashes against the boulders. I had the sandy beaches, where you could walk forever searching for beautiful sand dollars, and sea shells of which we found lots and lots of both. While in Ocean Shores we found several cool parks with playground equipment that we had never seen before, and the kids had a blast maneuvering their way through. We even had the chance of seeing sea lions out in the water. They never got close enough to get full body pictures, but I was able to get some descent head shots of several. One day while at the Jetty we watched the Coast Guard move in on a boat that we later were told was sinking. I got some pictures of it, and talked of how awesome it was to the guy who let us check it out with his binoculars, and then had to apologize for sounding so cold. He assured me he was not offended and thought it was kinda cool to see as well. The slide show that I have attached has comments made on each picture if you want to read them just click play. We had a great time, and were not sure we were ready to come home when the weak came to an end. We were able to see lots of dear who have made this small coastal town there home, and also had fun feeding the seagulls. Both kids were excited to get hoodie sweat shirts to wear, and Ray was able to find an old peace of drift wood he brought home with him along with a tupperware dish full of sand. I brought home lots of sand dollars and sea shells. We are all looking forward for our Vacation to Ocean Shores next year.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Haappy Birthday to you!!

I Love You !!!

Tuesday Tell All

Home Sweet Home

To me, Home Sweet Home is a place where you feel like you are safe, a place where you can kick of your shoes and feel like you belong. We have moved several times in our nine plus years of marriage, and each time with each place we have lived I have felt like I was not just somewhere, but home. Right after we got married Ray sold his small home in Hurricane, and we moved to Garland Ut. We lived in an older home with lots of creeks, and I wondered how we could ever feel like it was ours being so far from family, and not knowing anyone in the area. Well the moment pictures were hung, and beds were made we felt like we were home. We left Garland after a year, and moved back to Hurricane. Again we quickly felt like we were home, but had the added bonus of having family around. A year after moving to Hurricane, we moved to Cedar City. Our place of residence was a very small 2 bedroom apartment, and fit 2 people and an office very snugly. This time it took a bit longer to feel like we were home, it didn't feel like we could kick our shoes off with our being scolded. We were not allowed to hang pictures, and the landlord and his wife let us know quite often that it was their place and we were just tenants. Then we found that with sticky hooks, and locked doors we were able to feel at home because we were able to hang our pictures, and keep the landlord out. Well after Ray did a year of School at SUU, and was ready to start trucking, we decided that it was time to move North. We ended up moving to Ogden Ut. We found a place right off Washington and 14th street. It was a busy part of town, and as hard as I tried, I had a very hard time feeling safe. I spent a lot of time alone while Ray was out on the truck, and spent a lot of nights double and triple checking the door before backing up the stairs to bed. Crazy I know, but it is just the way it had to be. I did however end up falling in love with the place, and feeling very much like it was a home sweet home before we moved after being there for 2 years. After Ogden, we moved to Brigham City into a three bedroom 1 bath apartment until we could get settled and used to Rays new job at the Hospital. The apartment was cozy, but the land lady was a mean as a rabid dog. She did not like me at all, but seemed to think the world of Ray. So after a bit we cozied right into living in Brigham, and found our little place to be ours. After a year in Brigham, we decided that the place we loved the most was the place we started out, and bought our home here in Tremonton. We fell in love with our home the first time we saw it, and felt that as long as we loved this home as much as we had loved our rentals it could be our own Home Sweet Home. So this is where we are, and have been here 3 years. We love the town, and the small town feel it provides for our growing family. We invite all who pass by to come kick off your shoes and visit for a while. The door is always open to the ones we love.

*Our Kitty Fred * Nov-04 / Sept-08 R.I.P

At the end of last week we noticed that our cat Fred was sick. At first we thought maybe he just had a cold or something, then he started to get worse. Well, on Wednesday night we were afraid that he would end up dying while we were asleep, and so the next morning we took him to the Animal Hospital for some tests. It turned out that his bladder was engorged from some kidney/bladder stones. The Vet tried to catheterize him with no success, but was able to drain his bladder. They wanted to keep him for three days with an IV going in, and a Cathe coming out to see if he would be able too recover or if his Kidneys were shot. Thursday when the kids got out of school we went seen him, and let the kids pet him, and then Ray and I went on Friday after the kids went to school, and then once again when the kids got home from school. Well, yesterday marked day number three, and after a call from the Vet, Ray decided it was time to head back in for a closer look. When he got there our poor Fred was so sick he couldn't hardly even lift his head, but did manage to move it into Ray's hand. Ray waited while the Vet did an ultra sound which showed more stones in the bladder. Fred was barley alive at this point, and Ray and the doc felt that the chance for survival was very low. So they decided the best thing to do would be to euthanize him. The Vet gave Ray a few minutes with Fred while he got the shot ready, and Ray said Fred even purred a bit, but could not open his eyes. I guess I am pretty thankful that there are Meds out there that help suffering animals to go so quickly. We are pretty sad at our house. Fred was such a good cat. He was one of a kind. We got Fred the day my great nephew Alex was born, and have loved him so much. He loved to sit on Rays books while he studied, and didn't mind at all if the kids laid on him. He loved to take baths, and would sit in the sink while we got ready for the day. He was such a part of our family, and we are going to miss him so much. Poor little Jake keeps asking if we can go to the Hospital to see Fred. We have told him several times that Fred went to live with Grandpa Westfall, but he just does not quite understand. Ellie however cried pretty hard when we told her he passed away. Ray and I both shed some tears as well. I told Ray this is it for us, I don't want anymore animals. It makes it to hard when you get attached to them and then have to watch them suffer like Fred did. The picture above is of Fred when he was a little kitty. I unfortunately do not have any of him as a big cat. I do on my cell phone, just not on my computer. He was a handsome cat. White with soft orange stripes on his tail and orange tips on his ears, and face. Big blue eyes, and white whiskers, with one black one on each side. Good Bye Fred, we are going to miss you very much, and will always love you. You were our kitty kitty, and a part of our family.

What Color of Crayon are you?

You Are a Green Crayon

Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors. While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around. Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease. You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows! Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Tuesday Tell All

Favorite Children's Book~

Growing up I had many books that I loved reading and having read to me. I loved having stories from children's church books read to me. I don't recall having just one favorite book as a child, I just loved books and loved reading. As a mom I have tried to make sure that I have a large collection of books for my own family. I want my kids to love books as much as I did, and do. A happy picture to me is to have my kids sitting in their favorite place reading a book. Jake will sit on the couch with piles of books around him and look at the pictures for hours.

I have a book that is one of my most favorite books to read to my kids. In fact I have read it so many times that it would not surprise me if they had it memorized. I found it at the Dollar Store for just a buck, and was thrilled to death for this find. It is written by Margaret Park Bridges. This is the book.

Peach Days and Flowers

On Saturday, we went to Brigham City for Peach Days. We had lots and lots of fun walking the booths, and people watching, but the highlight of the day for me and now I guess Ellie too, is being able to make a flower arrangement free of charge to take home with us. There are a couple of floral businesses that donate flowers, and then you get to walk through a line and choose as little or as many flowers as you like, and then they give you a little dish with wet floral foam to make your arrangement. I have done it several years in a row, and it is always exciting to get to do it. I told Ray it makes me want to start doing flowers again. (if only I had the confidence to do it) Anyway one of the guys in charge was really impressed with Ellie's arrangement, and asked if I had helped her at all with it, when I told him no, he said he could tell she had a talent and hopes I will let her pursue it in the future if she chooses. haha Anyway, we had a fun day out as a family, and ended our day with a picnic in the park with KFC, and some pretty flowers that are making our house look and smell pretty.