Catching up on 2010

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to visit with my family and girlfriends. My dad had open heart surgery, and it reminded me to focus on the positive things that I do with my family. My dad is still recovering, but to say the least it was a scary time for all of us. He had several complications and since I wasn't able to be with him, it made it all the more hard for me. I am so grateful for family, and for the love we share. It has made me put things in perspective, and make some goals for myself. One of those goals is to catch up on my blogging and journal writing. The last post I left was about some of the things that have happened in 2009. This post will be mainly about some of the highlights from 2010. We have lived in Utah for roughly 10 months. So much has happened, so sit back while I give you a glimpse into our busy lives.

Sledding fun!

1. This was the first time that our children had the opportunity to go sledding. We went on New Years day with the whole Stratton Clan, and had a wonderful time.

I'm not sure who talked her into this, but my mother in law joined in on the fun!

I'd be scared to if I let a 9 year old drive.

2. My daughter was chosen as Student of the week, and was given a hero cape to wear. She also was awarded a certificate of graduation from the Dare program. Way to go sweetie!!!

We celebrated our son's birthday and Grandma Stratton's birthday in the second new home that we moved into in Utah.

3. We moved after 3 months from West Jordan to Riverton. Our landlords from the first house, failed to notify us that they were planning on moving back in shortly after renting it to us. I thought it was very sneaky of them not to let us know. The plus side is that we found a much better home, that we love.

Make a wish!

Happy 10th birthday!


4. We hosted a St. Patricks Day Party in our new home. It's a family joke, but I purchased about 15 corned beef brisket cuts because it is seasonal. We get to enjoy corned beef and cabbage with red potatoes every month now. I think my daughter hates it now! :) The party was a blast, and kids set out leprachaun traps. They havn't caught one yet, but the magical creature always leaves gifts behind.

My sister in laws Misti and Julie!!

I love a man who's willing to help out in the kitchen!!

Aren't they cute?

Happy St. Patricks Day!!

My sister looking thrilled as ever to be at a family function. :)

My sweet niece.

Check out my daughters elaborate leprachaun trap!

My son's leprachaun trap wasn't going the way he hoped, so he was a little grumpy.

All decked out to go to school, St. Patricks day style.

My little leprachaun man.

We love Stratton family get togethers.

We were so tired from cooking, I just wanted to sleep.

5. Even though my kids are getting a little bigger, they still wanted to dye easter eggs. It was sort of funny actually, because I had my niece and nephew over who are 3 and 5. My kids were being very particular about what color they wanted on their eggs and how they wanted to design them. My sweet niece and nephew just started plopping them into the egg dye, and stealing my kids' eggs. You would have thought it was the end of the world to see the looks on their faces.

I even got my sister to get on the Easter fun!

 I love my kids, they are the best.

My daughters Easter masterpieces.

"Baby eggs"

6. Another highlight this year, was finding out that in the field behind our house, a local rancher let his horses loose to graze during the year. We have been able to get boxes of apples and other treats and feed them to the horses. Most days if they see us standing at the fence they start running. Watching the horses run past my kitchen window in the mornings always brings a smile to my face.

Utah is so beautiful!

Ashlyn on her 12th birthday!

7. When my daughter turned 12, she decided to go to the temple on her birthday. She was beaming from ear to ear, and we were able to enjoy the evening with family and friends.

Jordan River Temple

8. Our nephew Trevor graduated from High School. Congratulations Trevor. We are really proud of him, he just joined the Navy, and will be employed next summer. He's going to be learning diesel mechanics. He's very excited.

8. Searching for snakes, seems to be a common activity for my kids. They have been catching garden variety snakes, and making them as pets. Some died, some had funerals with a burial, some slithered away, some fingers were bit, some fingers didn't. One thing is for sure,  they had fun.

They were raised on the farm, and even though they live in the city, they still find time for country fun.