Dane's Birthday

Dane turned three on the 12th and we went to Chuck E. Cheese's with Ike's family to celebrate. Dane's cousins, Emma and Duke, were there to celebrate and Ike's cousin, Clint, brought his wife and baby girl. We had a lot of fun playing games and eating cake! Thanks to everyone who was there and thanks to everyone who sent their love and gifts from afar! I can't believe he is already 3!

Thomas the Train Adventure

My sister in law and I took our boys to the Thomas the Train day at the Heber Valley railroad in Heber, Utah. The boys loved it. They got to ride the train, pet horses, climb on old trains, and play with yes....lots of trains. The only bad part of the experience is that Dane threw the biggest fit of his life when it was time to go. It was so embarrassing, but I just continued with him to the car and finally he calmed down. He fell right asleep on the way home, so I'm sure being a little tired had something to do with it. Thank goodness for only children....I don't know what I would have done if I had more than one tantrum to deal with! It is a good reminder to wait a little longer to have any more.

All in all it was a fun experience and I'm glad Dane and Pierce had a little adventure together before we move next weekend....they will be so sad!

Just and Update on Us..

It has been a while since I posted, but things are pretty crazy right now. Here's a short update until I can get back on the regular blogging bandwagon..

Our house is under contract but won't close until June 12th (maybe sooner, we hope). In the mean time, I am finishing my last two weeks of school and Ike is still working in Vegas. He is coming up Memorial weekend to move a load down to Vegas, and the day after my school gets out we are moving the rest of the stuff and our family. We have an apartment ready for us down there for the summer. We thought it would be best so we didn't have to rush to find permanent housing. We were lucky to find a really nice apartment complex in a great area that actually accepts large dogs, so Bo can stay a part of our family! Yeah!

On another note, I got a job already at another charter school. It is very small (300 students next year), but is growing steadily. I will be teaching PE/Health for 6-9th grade, as I understand it. I think it will be a good place for me, although not without challenges. Luckily I already went through the challenges of starting in a brand new school, so I am prepared for whatever comes my way. The biggest challenge will be weather and facilities. I will be getting back those dreaded PE teacher tan lines, since my job will be outside most of the year (like it was in California). At least I have an unobstructed view of the Strip from the back field...that is kinda cool.

Well, now you know what's going on with us....Oh, and to all my friends and family back east...get ready for us (me and Dane at least). I will probably be coming to visit in the beginning of July! Nags Head and Busch Gardens, here I come (Simone, Brooke and Holly...get ready). And, of course, I can't wait to see my family....we will have so much fun!

Keep in touch and I will update again in a few weeks once we get settled down there in the desert!

Triathlon!!

I thought I'd share a few pics of my very first triathlon. It was a week ago at the Lake Las Vegas Resort. The water was a very COLD 63 degrees or so, but the outside temps were nice...just a bit windy. I finished the half mile swim, 12.5 mile bike, and 5k triathlon in 1:39, which is a middle ranking in my age group and overall. It was a blast (after I got over the cold water) and I would love to do it again. I was so tired afterward and I had a good afternoon nap. I have been on two short 1 1/2 mile runs this week and I can definitely feel the effects. I wasn't really too sore afterward, but my legs have been weaker this week for sure!

Oh, and since it was the first triathlon sponsored by AFLAC and IRON GIRL at the resort, it was taped and will air (on NBC or one of its affiliates) on July 26th.

So, here are a few pics that the race photographers took and emailed me. In one I am getting out a tissue because I got a cold the week before the event and had to race with nasal issues! THank heaven for pockets!

Ike's Birthday and New Job

Ike is 31 today and what is he doing??? Laying tile! We purchased it last summer but couldn't put it in because the basketball season was so busy, so here he is...on his birthday...willing to work! He did get to play golf this weekend, and he is playing ball tonight, so he is getting to do some enjoyable activities at least.

Here are a few interesting facts about him you may or may not know....

He is a jack of all trades...and is such a handyman. He can do almost anything, and get this...he likes doing it! He has been wanting to do projects ever since the b-ball season ended. He has created some wonderful additions to our home including a HUGE deck, vinyl fence, yard (grass, shrubs, etc), a playhouse for Dane, a doghouse for Bo (that he sadly never really used), countless shelves, paint (I helped), and the latest project...the kitchen tile!

He is so comical and has a great sense of humor. He gets along with pretty much EVERYONE and is such a fun person to be around...and he doesn't take life to seriously (something I have fallen more victim too as I have aged). I used to enjoy the spotlight, but now I just enjoy watching him in it!

He is very opinionated and dependable. When he decides to do something, he usually does it. This is very helpful when I need to clean up the house. (He is very good at sorting through messes in about half the time it takes me....he just gets it done). This can be bad, because sometimes he just keeps working until the job is done....but he does take pride in his work!

He puts family first and actually likes hanging out with us. (He's not one of those husbands or dads who works, comes home and sits around or ignores his family). He is so great with Dane and will play with him when I need time to work on my Master's class assignments, or when i need to just get away for a bit. Sometimes I think he might enjoy the playing just as much or more than Dane.....but I love that!

He is spontaneous....wich I usualy like, unless I want to make plans in advance for a trip or something...then he just wants to "wait and see when the times draws near".

There are many more things I could list, but I don't want this turning in to a novel. Even though he probably won't read this, I wanted everyone else to know what a great guy he is! Dane and I are so lucky! Happy Birthday...we Love you!




The second part of this post involves Ike's new Job. He accepted a job with the Korte Company (commercial construction company)in Las Vegas, so it looks as though we will be heading back down there. Ike starts work in a week, but I will stay in Utah until the end of my school year at the end of May. Hopefully, then Dane and I will be able to join him in Vegas (we need our house to sell...so if you know anyone moving to the area.....let us know...we have a great place!) So, for all of you who visit Vegas...let us know when you come into town...our door will always be open!

Easter Weekend

Here are a few pics of Easter Weekend. We had an easter egg hunt for the kids on our street, then we had a BBQ with Ginni, Joe, and kids for Ike's B-day. (His real birthday is today...the 24th). Ike got to go golfing during the day...it was what he wanted to do for his b-day. Luckily the weather has been BEAUTIFUL lately and I hope it keeps up! Happy Easter everyone!




Here's Dane and his cousins, Pierce, and baby Shelby. Dane and Pierce have so much fun together and they cry when they have to leave each other. It's too bad they don't live closer so they could play everyday!

Cousin Nick's Wedding

Last weekend I attended my cousin's wedding in Austin, TX. It was such a great weekend and I am so thrilled that Nick's new wife, Adriana, is so awesome. I really enjoyed meeting her and her family...they are great people. I also am so grateful I could spend some quality time with my Dad's side of my family, whom I haven't seen in a few years. Thank you for a great time...I love you all!

Here are a few pics from the weekend.....and hopefully I will have some more when I get some forwarded to me from my family.

Here is my family that attended the wedding...l-r: Step-mom Kathy and Dad, Grandma Keim, Nick and Adriana (She is such a cute and fun girl), Aunt Beth and Uncle Gregg (Nick's parents), and me.

This picture doesn't do the reception justice. It was at the historic Driskell hotel and it was GORGEOUS! You may get a better view by clicking on the picture to enlarge it. It was a GRAND event!

If you look closely, under the SUSHI-YA, and in smaller print, it says created by Brittany Joy Cune. Brittany is my cousin (Nick's sister) who passed a way a few years ago in a car accident. She worked for this grocery store as a graphic designer and designed this sign for the sushi bar. It is in every store as a tribute to her. You could feel her presence throughout the weekend.

I stayed with my friend, Amy, who had just moved outside of Austin with her husband. Their property was so cool...with a pond, cute cottage style house, and 8 acres for their farming.

This was at the rehearsal dinner. Dad and I being silly for the camera.