What do you do in the summer time?

Take cute pictures for your mother, because she got new cute clothes for a steal?Eat sandy corn on the cob while playing in the sand box, because no one is watching?Play with your cute friend Liz, because she was so much fun to read with in laundry baskets?Go golfing almost every week and sometimes with the awesome Chuggs, because your dad is obsessed with the sport right now?Get stuck in the washer because you thought you and your beach ball could fit?Play in the bath tub with lots of bubbles and toys and of course your best little friend Selma? Run around the house and play with blocks with your favorite cousin Macey?Or jump on the tramp, because Macey can open the front door and you both can climb onto the tramp?
Play with your new favorite boy cousin Clark, because he was so chill and yet so full of energy?

(NO IDEA WHY THERE ARE LINES????)

Graduation at CRCC

Jon graduated Wednesday 8/11/10 from Core training at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. The first picture is of the pinning where he received his first shiny badge. The third picture is of the Corrections Honor Guard, we learned that at CRCC (prison lingo?) they have over 90 different professions. This was my first experience watching Jon graduate from anything so I was quite proud. I'm even more proud after today when he told me that several people wanted him to be their partner out in the facility. The last picture is of Jon and his cute mom Jeanie, I was so happy she came with me. I think I've always liked a man in uniform.

Potty....training?

So what do you do when your baby is ready to potty train and you are not? Ideas? Maybe I'll just lock my little sister out of the house since she keeps taking Maddie potty and rewarding her.

For Brylee Bee Phillips...

Last Saturday the sisters minus Carrie (we missed you Carrie and Mary I'm referring to you as a sister here) went to Seattle and did some shopping. So I got some balloons the night before and they traveled with us to Seattle. Around 1 we climbed to the top of the parking lot where we let our pink balloons go in honor of little Brylee Bee Phillips and waived good bye. Wished we could have been there for the Phillips, but satisified we got to be part in the memorial 500 some miles away. Family is so important and I'm happy to be so close to so many of mine now. Thinking of your family Ash & Joe.

Preist Lake Here I Come..

So I know its been weeks, almost a month, since I lasted blogged. I don't know why. Tomorrow night we are leaving to our relative's cabin to spend time with my mom's family. Should be fun and I'm excited to get out in the sun. The sun is not as enjoyable without wearing a swimsuit. It was so hot today that Maddie's whole face was bright red for almost an hour. I had to sneak her some chocolate milk in Walmart to cool her down, don't worry I always pay for it.

Its been nice to be home but different. It not exactly like the way I thought it would be. I've been home bound for a week or so and have hated it. We all got the flu and Maddie's lasted for about 6 days. So happy to be bug free again, but I think I'm ready to have my own space.

Jon's work experience has been interesting. They are doing classroom work right now so basically he goes to class for about 10 hours, 4 days a week. I think he will really enjoy it when they're able to move around. Jon informed me that there are men at the prison that have committed murder, but categorized as involuntary man slaughter. He also told me that the power in the prison is the white supremest group funny because the area is dominantly hispanic. The other two mexican gangs have been fighting causing the prison to go on lock down for several days. Which was on the news, creepy. Apparently they had so many fights they had to lock down or put all the prisoners in their cells until the fighting dies down. Jon wasn't anywhere near the fighting thank goodness.

Well I guess I should go pack so that I can enjoy this beach, this lake, and these people.

New Job

Just thought I'd post a few pictures of the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, which I still haven't seen for myself. All in good time though I suppose. Its amazing that they are expanding, because this place looks big enough for me. How did I not know there was something this big out there? I remember making jokes about the "Corrections Center Ahead" sign in front of Connell High School on the sporting event bus.

Whooo hooo today is my last day of work and then I have to really kick the packing and cleaning into gear.

We're Leaving

In a Uhaul don't know when we'll be back again. This is what Jon and I started singing when he got the call Thurs. night. Thats right goodbye Utah, and hello good ol' Washington. We have been so blessed for this opportunity to pop up in our lives. We've both felt like our lives have been on hold, in limbo, waiting & waiting for normal income and to have insurance. To be able to expand our family if we like. Jon has never had health insurance so we'll finally found out what ALL is wrong with him. Ha ha. Jon has been working for an electric company the last month and guess what....was laid off again. So the timing couldn't be more perfect. We've already started packing thanks to my sweet mother-in-law. I started working on my bathroom yesterday and can't wait to get started today.

This has been bitter sweet I know I'll miss my good friends that I've developed while living here at Alpine Storage. They've really been there for my family through it all and even become like family to me. I'm so happy I'll have lots of reasons to come back to UT though, and I've got to little new babies to see come August and October. So excited to come back and visit already.

Jon has been such a good sport though everything we've dealt with. I know he carried a heavy burden when he wasn't able to provide all he could for the family. He's been a hard worker and picked up jobs where ever he could. I'm proud of him for that. I'm excited to see how he likes this new career and to see if it will fit his personality like I expect it to.

I've never liked Connell much and probably only because I went to Othello high school (rivals). I could never be more grateful for it now. I've never really loved Othello until now. I think I've finally grown up enough to appreciate my home town for what it is. I'm estatic to have family close and to be able to create deeper friendships with my sisters. I'm excited to start running with having to worry about getting hit by cars or mugged by ex-cons (where I work). Maddie is going to go nuts with all the little cousins running around, a real dream come true. I'm expecting her to become Katie's new tag-along, because she seems to like Katie the most when were home visiting. Jon is so excited to live on "The Hill".

Well I'm off to a primary activity, then Bode's baptism, and then hopefully start packing.