Everything and Nothing

I haven't posted in a while because I feel like nothing has really been going on. Yet, we are so completely busy every day that it seems like everything is happening. Our weeks are full of lessons, practices, school and work. McKell has started dance competition season so she has had dance multiple times a week and now our Saturdays are full of competitions. Which we love, of course. A few weeks ago she danced in Pocatello and it was fun to have Grandma, Hollie, and some cousins come to watch. McKell is doing great and I love watching her improve each time:)

After the competition we went back to my parents and hung out. The cousins got to play and we had a late celebration for my parents birthday. They were out of town on their real birthday.

I love this picture of the cousins huddled up making plans.

Braxton is doing track this year. It is a first for him and he is doing great. We went to our first track meet at the high school this past week. He is doing the high jump. It is really amazing to watch him run and jump over the bar.

Fun-Filled February

We have had a lot of visiting going on this month. Derek's parents came for his birthday and then Greg and Tasha came over President's Day weekend for a few days. McKell and Payton had lots of fun rolling out and decorating Valentine cookies.

Grandma sent us some yummy Valentine treats.

We went bowling and had lots of fun. I think Braxton won both games.

I judged a drill team competition in Idaho and we were able to spend some time with family. We went swimming at Green Canyon to celebrate my nephew's birthday.

In The Spotlight

Check out my strong and athletic husband :) He was chosen for the Athlete Spotlight at Crossfit.

http://crossfitcachevalley.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/derek-pinnock/

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to a :

wonderful husband and father

a great provider and hard worker


a helpful son and son-in-law (sometimes too helpful, right mom?)


the coolest guy I know.

Derek's parents came to celebrate. We had dinner
at the Beehive Grill.

Also, with an icecream cake. He didn't want 35 candles, he

settled for around 13. Happy Birthday Derek. I love you.

Goodbye January

January is a long month. It started like this . . .

Not much happened this month. McKell and I attended the USU/BSU gymnastics meet and then we took a family outing to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" which after much complaining from our kids (about how I ruined a Saturday afternoon by making them go, and they didn't even want to go, and couldn't they just stay home) they really ended up liking it. Crazy me for wanting to make some family memories, I guess.

And now the month ends with even more of this . . .

Goodbye January, and next time take the white stuff with you.

Top 9 of 2009

I realize we have been in 2010 for almost a month but I have wanted to do a quick recap 2009. Here it is (in no particular order):




1. Derek said 2009 was the year of projects. We had a huge tree taken out of our backyard, got a new roof, and buried the trampoline. We also painted a bedroom and bathroom downstairs for Braxton (thanks Hollie.)





2. Braxton had a big year - he turned 16, started driving and dating. This has also been a big thing for me as I have had a hard time letting go. It is slowly getting easier.





3. Got a new car. Finally, after 13 years of the Honda we moved onto something bigger.




4. Took a fun family vacation to Yellowstone Park and Jackson.




5. Derek ran a 5K and beat his previous time by 1 minute.





6. McKell turned 9, danced, spent a lot of time with friends, danced, got and survived the swine flu, and danced. Busy year for her.





7. Spent many holidays with my family: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas



8. My dad survived a serious motorcycle accident and multiple injuries. We are so blessed that slowly he has made a full recovery. He and my mom also celebrated 40 years of marriage.


9. Last, I had 3 (Spring, Veteran's Day, and Christmas) successful music programs and wrote and got a grant funded for my classroom.


Overall, 2009, was a great year. I am looking forward to a busy, fun, and probably sometimes stressful 2010.

Date Night

Jen and I have entered an interesting chapter in our lives where every once in awhile both of the kids are at their friends house and it is just the two of us - we actually really like it. Last night was one of those nights so Jen and I decided to have a little date night.

We started by going out to dinner at El Toro, our favorite place to eat in Logan, and then headed to Hollywood Video (I am a little embarrassed to admit the next part) and rented a couple of episodes of Gilmore Girls.

We watched a couple of episodes and then picked up McKell from her friends. A while later Brax was home and our family was together again, which was great but it meant our date night was over.

I really like spending time with Jen. She is a great wife and my very best friend (sorry Destry you are in 2nd place). I am happy that Jen and I have can enjoy spending time together - just us. I feel lucky to have her in my life. I love you Jen.