computer probs ugh

So yes, we are still alive and having a great time. We just moved to Texas and the internet has been down for a while. Not sure exactly when it will be up and running again. Just think of our next blog post like waiting for Christmas......Only not I guess. :)

Five

Today Payton and I were doing his homework. We got to the number 5 and I was telling him that is his number. He is 5!
Payton "But I can't see my five? Where is it? "

Me "It's not actually on you honey, that's just how old you are."

Payton "Well is my five inside of me?"

Me "No, it means you have been alive 5 years."

Payton, "No mom, it's somewhere, it's just hiding on me."

Huntsman Reunion '09

Every 2 years we have my Grandpa's family reunion. This year we went to King's Creek Campground up near Tropic Reservoir. I've never been there before, but it was nice and we had a great time to say the least.
This is a typical picture of Halle during the reunion. There was a lot of dirt and so of course, they played in it. And not just play on it, but lay in it, roll in it, throw it, (then sit in time out for throwing it), pile it, pretend it was make-up, you name it, they did it.

One night we had family program. There was a large number of people who couldn't make it but I think we counted 127 for this reunion. I think we've only had one reunion where EVERYONE was there. Hopefully someday.....We all have matching shirts, awe..

Nicki, Nicholas, Jay, Halle, Jenny, Payton, Isabella

We all took turns performing a song, poem, or whatever. My kids of course stood there and wouldn't sing their song but I didn't feel too bad because they had at least sang it for Grandpa at his house a week before. That's who this was for anyway. However, they sure had fun singing with everyone else!! Nice, make me look dumb but oh well! It was cute..

Yep, my kids, covered in dirt. They had just put these shirts on maybe and hour and a half prior. :) Big thanks to our aunts and uncles who let them go for endless rides on the gators. They had so much fun!

This is my Grandpa Huntsman. He is one of my hero's and is also the best looking old man in the world!! He turns the big 100 this September and he doesn't look a day over 80! Everyone says Payton looks just like Andy and Grandpa Huntsman.

My aunt Marie put together a book about his life and we were all able to get copies. It was nice to see pictures of him and all our family when they were young and hear the stories of growing up. Grandpa then autographed each of our books. Mine of course said, "you're my favorite!" JK

Steph, Shalee, and Kris

This pictures was from our last day there. The kids were smothered in sunscreen and I have no idea what they were doing to get it pasted on their faces. Sadly, most of the time I had no idea what they were doing because, basically my kids would rather live at "Aunt Jodie's camp". They spent most of their time there playing with their "new" cousins. In truth their camp was right next to ours but they mostly came to me if they needed to go to the bathroom....lovely.

Halle's version :) They were so dirty that I had to just take off their clothes and have them ride home in their underwear. Everything else was packed. They didn't seem to care.

Every night we, of course, roasted marshmallows. They also wanted to roast hot dogs every night but that gets old quickly. Besides, Halle was the only one who'd eat them. They loved to roast them but then they just wanted to give them away and roast another.

This was Payton on the ride home. Nothin but a hat!

Halle and McKyla looking for sticks.

Grandpa Huntsman and Halle

If Andy looks surprised, it's because we all were. Our first day there he went fishing. After blowing up his tube, (not with a machine) he spent a few hours fishing in the lake. He came back with a terrible headache and spent the next two days literally in a sleeping bag with a terrible migraine. I was ready to take him to the hospital the 3rd day when he just woke up and came outside smiling, but a little weird. JK :) We all were happy to welcome him back to life and he then ate and went out fishing!!

Halle, Kris and McKenzie

Ok, so yes I have a doo-rag on in all of these pictures, but hey, we're camping!! Everyone else did too. I didn't want my fav hat to smell like smoke ok. Anyhoo, it was so great to see everyone there. Kenze here, I maybe get to see once a year if I'm lucky. I used to babysit her all the time and feel like I helped raise her. Unless she gets into trouble, that's her moms doing. :) Now she's a teenager...ah, I feel so old!

For all you faithful blog followers, this is me and my cousin Leslie. I did the Avon Cancer Walk with her and her sister Nicole. Once again, our lovely rags. :) Apparently all of my cousins have made a plan to go visit her since she lives in Hawaii. Luckily I made my appointment first!

Belle, Aunt Jodie, and Payton

Payton has always been fascinated with four-wheelers and tractors but has never dared to get on them before. I was so happy to see he finally got on. He had so much fun.

This picture just cracks me up because of the story behind it. This was our first day there. It was raining and of course our cheapo tent was leaking from the few little sprinkles. The men started putting up the tarps and of course us ladies watched and suggested how they could do it best. :) Finally Jesse said, "Look you guys, I know how we can do it if someone would just go get me some pine cones!" We all of course immediately start laughing, not knowing what he's talking about, while Aunt Jodie just walks over and gets him some pine cones. Being the out door's man he is, he suggested tying the two tarps together with pine cones, so not to get any creases or leaks. Sure enough, it worked out perfectly!! Who knew? Not me. :)

The almost finished product. We had no leaks after that!

Belle, Aunt Jodie and Halle

Just wanted to tell everyone how much fun we had. The kids keep talking about all their new friends and new cousins. It was great to see you and catch up on all the interesting things in your lives. Staying up late making fun of each other, reminiscing of the old days, moving cars and tents all over, sharing treats and especially for smiling for all the pictures you didn't want me to take. We love you all and can't wait to see you at the next reunion!

The week before our family reunion, we had a small get-together with lots of the family at a pool party to celebrate my cousin Annie's wedding. My kids just love cousin Karen, her pool, and especially their dog Rocco. She's been kind enough to let us swim there several times this summer and each time we leave exhausted but with smiles on our faces.

Don't know why Dustin had this but he let Payton try it on. :) Payton said he'd look like 'Moe' if only it was red. :)

School is starting now and our summer fun will have to slow down. Thanks to all of you who made it so much fun!!

Surprise Trip

We headed up north to the family cabin and found out Andy's sister was camping nearby. We decided to surprise them and had two wonderful days playing with them. They told us about the BYU wildlife museum which I had never heard of for some reason. It was actually very nice and best of all it was free! Thankfully this snake was the only 'live' animal there. Of course the kiddo's all had to touch it. On a side note, BYU parking is worse than trying to find parking in NYC!

They had several animal heads out like this that you could touch. Halle was getting a little too personal. Grabbing them, growling at them, touching their eyeballs, ya know.......

We also headed to the Wilkinson Center to go bowling. This was our kids first time and they LOVED IT!! Thanks for inviting us Ben and Afton. Payton even got a few spares. They haven't stopped talking about it since.

We are now going to have to make this a monthly thing in our family. The kids had a blast.

Payton and Spencer

Halle and Payton, never shy to pose for a picture...(at Mirror Lake)

Afton brought some bubbles for the kids. Are you sure that's what you were teaching my kids Afton? Looks pretty sketchy to me. :)

Aunt Afton and Halle, actually blowing bubbles!! JK :)

Of course my kids had to get in the water and get messy and wet. :)

Just playin around

Emma, Payton, Halle, Katie, pretending to not get caught throwing rocks.

We must love our hubbies. :) This is what they were doing while we ladies were chasing the kids. Actually, they shared a little and Payton and I even caught a fish. I can't believe any of us caught fish since the kids entertained themselves by throwing rocks in the water. It was a perfect day though.

No clue what she's doing. :)

Time for bed.......The kids haven't been to the cabin since Halle was 5 months old. They had a great time exploring and roasting hot dogs and marshmallow's. Of course, they loved to roast them, they just didn't want to eat them.

July Fun

We've had a great summer so far. So great in fact, that I just haven't really wanted to blog. I've been outside having fun with the kids. :)
We had a great 4th of July with Andy's family. We celebrated Karen and Conrad's birthdays with lots of swimming, games, and lots of yummy food. Halle and Payton are getting more brave and can now jump off the pier all by themselves. The kids came out of the water only to eat and sleep. :) Thank goodness for sunscreen is all I can say.
The family was also kind enough to help us unload our truck. Conveniently it arrived the same day everyone else did. :) It was extremely hot to say the least and we are so grateful to them, especially all the little ones who were such big helpers. It actually didn't take too long and thanks to dads excellent packing skills, it all fit in the garage nicely.
We had 'real' fireworks, thanks to several of the neighbors. We would hear them start to "boom" and we'd all run outside in excitement and watch. Then we'd think they were done and would go back inside just to hear "boom" again! I think we did that 3 or 4 times. :) Grandma Gold also bought glow sticks for all the kids which was a lot of fun.
We then headed to southern Utah for some more celebrating.

Grandpa Huntsman is turning 100 this September so we had a float for him that all the grand kids road on. Don't know why I don't have a picture of it!!! yikes. We were at the first of the parade so we all jumped off and were able to watch the rest. The kids had their bags and anxiously waited for all the candy to be thrown. We had fun until some dumb girl threw a water balloon at Halle's face. Uh, hello! She survived though. :)

I love the 24th because we get to see all our family and friends. Two of my closest friend came down for the weekend and it was so fun to stay up late catching up and playing games. We even ran the fun run together. (Every year it's another miracle that the ambulance doesn't bring us in.) :) This is my awesome cuz/sis/friend Shannon. Kindy, why didn't we take a picture!! So glad you came!

We did our own little fireworks in the back yard, luckily the kids are easily impressed.

Halle loves the races. I was happy that this year she ran instead of just wave and smile at everyone. :) Payton doesn't like to race but we had fun cheering everyone on.

Halle after her race.

Of course the weekend would be complete without the rodeo. The kids loved it, especially since we got to go with our cousins. We finally convinced the kids to go out and try the chase where they try to catch some puppies and chickens. They didn't catch one but it was and adventure trying.

Luckily the kids played so hard each day that they easily went to bed and us grown-ups were able to relax and play games all night. Even if there was some cheating going on. You know who you are!

Funny Conversation

Today Payton and I were talking about how big he is getting. He never fails to crack me up. :)

(me) "Yep, pretty soon you'll be old enough to get baptized"

(Payton) "What, I can't I will drown!"

"No you won't, you've seen baptisms before."

"oh yeah"

"Someday you'll go on a mission and then you can get married in the temple."

"Who am I gonna marry?"

"I don't know, a girl you meet someday."

"I could marry Halle."

"No, she's your sister."

"Well, I could marry you!"

"No, I'm your mom and I'm already married to daddy."

"Well, who in the heck am I gonna marry then! Come on Halle, Will you marry me please?"

Luckily I told him he didn't have to worry about it for sometime. He is still growing though and he only needs to worry about getting some shorts that fit. :)

oh yeah, we've moved.

Since our parents were so kind to come help us move, we thought it only fair to show them a good time. After a fun but rainy day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park, Andy and our parents went to see 'Wicked'. This is a favorite of ours and I'm so glad they were able to see it. The kids and I headed home at the worst time of course, evening traffic. It only took us 1 hr and 45 min but we had our 'Wicked' CD and they sang 'Popular' most of the way.

The next day,(after graduation) our good friends took the kids so we could go on the dinner cruise down the Manhattan East River. It was a 4 hr event and it was amazing. The food was yummy and the views just beautiful. That's really the best way to see the city. Unfortunately, you need a dang nice camera, which I don't have, to get a good night picture. Someday....

Throgs Neck Bridge

The ship crew announced a big 'hooray' to Andy for his graduation that day.

Mom and Dad Gold :)

We couldn't talk them into dancing on the upper deck, but it was still a lot of fun.

Such good little helpers! (with our friend Jack)

We loaded, cleaned and handed over the keys. The guy came to pick up the truck and we just stood there. Now homeless, with a suitcase and our car. :) We had a yummy Indian dinner and before we got out of the restaurant, a huge rain storm hit. So glad we didn't have to move in that! We then headed to DC for the weekend before heading on down to Texas. I'll post those pics soon cause that was a whole other adventure! Nothing with us is ever boring, especially on a road trip. :)

Daddy's Graduation!!

Hard to believe that we are done with school. Yes, 'we'. Andy did most of the school work, but it was definitely a family effort. The kids will tell you, "daddy has to get a job". :) cracks me up. Halle is so proud of her daddy. She keeps saying, "he's all done with school!!" The kids went one year with only seeing their dad on Saturday's and Sunday's. The second year, we dragged them all over NY, getting up early, staying up late, sitting in traffic, buses, subways, missing friends, parties, activities, etc to get daddy where he needed to be. They are real troopers!!

Daddy and his other little PA. Payton has also earned numerous hours giving dolls, Shrek, and teddy bears check-ups, surgeries, and personal care. Luckily, he's stopped 'cutting' babies to get them 'born.'

If you want and interesting conversation, just visit with these two. Andy and Grandma Lori (my mom). Mom is a nurse and these two love discussing all the 'gross and exciting' medical stories they can. Half the time I have no idea what they are talking about. Mom hates to fly and came out MANY times to help us and visit.

I told you my man looks good in his white coat. I'm SO PROUD of him and all the hard work he's done. (Of course he couldn't have done it without me) They should give out a wife's diploma? JK :) No one better tell me that PA's don't do a lot. Cause ya'll have no idea. He has worked Hard!

Andy and his parents. I know they join me in being so happy and proud of Andy. There is NO way we could have made it through these last few years without both our parents' help. They have all done more than we can ever give thanks enough for. We are so grateful to have such wonderful family support and love. We owe you all so much! Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou!

Andy graduated from St. John's University. Though we wish there would have been air conditioning in the building, it was a very nice ceremony. I think it lasted 30 min. Short, sweet and to the point. If only they could all be like that. We also made some really good friends in school and will miss them and their 'crazy' antics. :)

We did it! It was worth every minute, yahoo!!!