Live, Laugh, Love

Bailey's Good News !!! :) :)

2012-02-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

So about 2 years ago we found out that Bailey had Scoliosis. I had heard the word Scoliosis but didn't really know much about it or how it could affect you. After finding out that she had it, we would go to her Doctor so that they could monitor whether it was getting worse or staying the same. About a year ago we decided that it was get bad enough that the Dr. Merkley (her Doctor) decided that we needed to see a specialist at Primary Children's. He referred us to an amazing Doctor and we are so thankful to have been referred to such a wonderful guy. Dr. Klatt at Primary Children's has been doing everything he can to keep Bailey from having to have surgery. After 8 months in a Back Brace for 18 hours a day, Physical Therapy, a sore back at times, a few tears and a few laughs so we don't see tears, Bailey found out that all of her hard work and dedication payed off and her back is getting better. She was so EXCITED!!!! She is still not out of the woods completely but Dr. Klatt said that their is only about a 15% chance that it will get worse and she will need surgery. She will still wear her brace at nights for a few more months and then we will just hope and pray that she won't have problems anymore.

This is an X-Ray of Baileys Spine that was taken about a year ago. She had a curve that is 37 degrees. At her last appointment on Monday it was corrected to 34 degrees. Still not perfect by any means but better. They do surgery on anything at 40 degrees or higher so she got pretty close to just having to have surgery and not even trying the brace.

This is the Back Brace that she had had to wear for 18 hours a day. She actually did really well with it and for as bad as she hated it she really didn't complain to much. She is a very determined girl and that characteristic helped her in this hard trial she was faced with.

Strapping the brace on Bailey. She had to lay a certain way and have her head turned to the right, left arm above her head and right arm to her side every time she put it on. It was quite the process!!!

This is the back view of when the brace was on. She wouldn't let me take a picture of the front view.

Christmas Activities 2011

2012-01-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is always my favorite time of the year. I love the everything about it and so do my kids. They were all very excited this year and we all loved getting ready for the festivities.

Tyus and Peyton were in the school play at their school and also in the church. Both programs were so cute and they both did really well.

Peyton and his class at the School Christmas Program
(This picture didn't turn out very good and I guess I didn't get one of Tyus' class. OOPS!!)
Tyus got to play Santa Clause at the Ward Christmas Eve Program. He did such a great job and Grandma Tracy did an excellent job making him the cutest Santa Clause ever!!

Peyton was a Robot at the Ward Christmas Eve Program

Chad's family had a Christmas party on the 23rd of December. I was a lot of fun having his whole family together. We had dinner and exchanged gifts. Then we all just enjoyed each others company and the kids all had fun playing. We also got to have Chad's mom come stay with us on Christmas Eve this year. She stayed the night and got to spend Christmas morning with us. It was a lot of fun having her and I think she enjoyed herself too. We went up to my mom and dad's house Christmas afternoon and spent the rest of the day with my family. We had our traditional Christmas Lunch of Sub Sandwiches, Salads, Dad's Famous Fudge and a lot of other yummy goodies. The kids had fun playing "the present game" and opening their gifts from grandpa and grandma. We had a great Christmas and hated to see it go by so fast.

Bailey waiting to open her presents from Santa Clause on Christmas Morning

Tyus has his first present ready to open

Peyton also patiently waiting until it is his turn to open a gift
(We usually start with the youngest first but this year we decided to start with the oldest so he had to wait until last to open a gift. He was so patient and didn't mind at all that his sister and brother got to go before him)

As you can see they all got spoiled and had a great Christmas. They got most everything they asked for and probably even a little more. We hope everyone had as great of a Holiday Season as we did and hope that 2012 treats us as good as 2011 did.

Tyus Turns 11

2012-01-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how time flies!! Tyus turned 11 a couple of days before Christmas. He is growing up so fast. I wish that I could just slow time down a little, but I know I can't so I will just enjoy every second I have with him and my other 2 kids. We are very proud of Tyus. He is growing into such a great young man!!

For those of you who know our family, you will know that we are BIG Denver Bronco fans!! Chad has been a huge fan since he was a little boy and now he gets to share his love of them with his family. As much as we all like them..... Tyus seems to love them about as much as his dad. He has a Bronco bedroom, Bronco clothes, Bronco footballs and it goes on and on. This year for his birthday he asked for a Tim Tebow Fathead and a Denver Bronco Cake.

He pretty much asked for a Denver Bronco Birthday and that is what he got!!

These are the 2 cakes that one of my friends and I made for him
(I was a little nervous about the Bronco head turning out so I made the football one as a back up, but thanks to a really good friend of mine, Casey Gibson, she pulled it off)

Make a wish!!!

Opening Presents

Proud to be a Bronco Fan!!
Go TIM TEBOW #15

Tyus posing with his Tim Tebow Fathead that he got for his birthday
It goes very well with his bedroom decor..... ALL DENVER BRONCOS

Family Pictures

2012-01-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

We finally decided to get our family pictures taken again after a few years. Everyone cooperated very well and we got a lot of great pictures. These are just a few of the many that were taken. I think they turned out really well. I just can't believe how our little family has grown!!

CORNIA FAMILY

2011

Bailey age 13

Tyus age 11

Peyton age 7

After 16 years and we are still as in love as the day we got married!! :)

Oh how I LOVE these little guys!!

Daddies Girl !!
(LOVE this picture)

These boys want to grow up to be just like their Dad

Fun Times!!

The 3 cutest kids ever

Blog Slacker

2011-01-23T22:13:00.000-08:00

So I know that I have been a blog slacker. I have thought about doing it, but I just haven't. So I finally got the rest of 2010 done. I know it isn't to interesting now, but I hope to make it into a book some day so that is why I decided to update it a month late. Sorry blog followers!!!!

CHRISTMAS 2010......

2011-01-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun activities and family parties this year for Christmas. We got to see Santa Clause a couple of times and we just enjoyed each other in all of the festivities. We usually go, go, go and Christmas seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. This year it did go really fast, but we decided that we wanted to slow down a little bit and just enjoy a little more. We stayed home all day on Christmas Day this year and it was so nice just being lazy and letting the kids enjoy their gifts.

Erickson Family Christmas Party....
We usually go to my parents house on Christmas Day and we have our Christmas party that day, but this year they were leaving for India to visit Alan and Kerri on the day after Christmas. We all felt like they needed to be getting ready for their trip and we also decided that it would be nice to just stay home on Christmas. We had our Erickson Christmas party the week before at the bowling ally. We had a lot of fun!!!!

Bailey and Ruby

Tyus and Megan waiting their turn to bowl
(Tyus still feeling a little down from his sledding accident a couple days before)

Peyton getting ready to bowl

Chase, Katie's youngest, entertaining himself in the lockers while we bowl.
What a Character!!!!

Cornia Christmas Party.......
This year was the first year for the Cornia Christmas party. We had it at the town hall and all of Chad's Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles and all of his Cousins were there. I am guessing close to 80 or so people were there. We had a lot of fun and hope that this tradition will stick. We ate dinner, played bingo, decorated sugar cookies and had Santa Clause come. (They also went sledding earlier in the day, but we skipped out on that because Tyus had just had surgery after his sledding accident. We didn't really want to go back to the ER with another one of our kids. Maybe next year we will go to the sledding activity)

Bailey telling Santa Clause what she wants for Christmas

Tyus getting a present from Santa

Peyton excited to see what Santa brought him

Peyton and Tyus' School Christmas Program......
Again we went to the kid's School Christmas Program. They sing lots of Christmas songs and they all do so good. Our kids go to school with a great group of kids.

Tyus' 4th grade class

Peyton's 1st grade class

Christmas Eve.....
We spent Christmas Eve at our house, but with Chad's mom and his brothers, sister and their families. We had brunch and then opened presents. The kids went out and played in the snow and had a blast. I am so glad that we had our little get together that day. It helped the day go a little faster and kept the kids entertained. I didn't even get one picture of the day so I can't post any. SORRY!!!

Christmas Morning.....
Santa Clause found up once again. The kids were really excited about Christmas and it makes it so fun for us as parents when they get so excited. We got a wii this year and that has been a lot of fun. Bailey got an ipod touch, clothes, boots ect... Tyus got a remote control car, mind flex, and a lot of other things.... Peyton got the Toy Story Characters, a remote control car, and stinky the garbage truck. They are spoiled and had a great Christmas.

The presents

Bailey and Peyton find their gifts

Tyus patiently waiting to open presents

As you can see we had a great holiday season this year. I love this time of year and hate to see it go so fast. We do look forward to a new year and new adventures that will come with it.

Tyus' 10th Birthday Party

2011-01-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

So Tyus has been trying to earn a Fat Cats Birthday Party. This year he finally had earned it and it was worth the wait. He invited 8 of his friends and we took them down to Ogden to fat cats for an AWESOME party!!! They got to go bowling, play arcades, go mini golfing in the dark (Glow in the dark), eat pizza and ice cream. Wow, what a fun filled day!!! The boys were so good and had a great time. I just can't believe that Tyus is already 10. He has grown up so fast!!!

Tyus and his friends

Brady and Ander (Tyus' friends)
Bowling

Tyus opening his presents

His Friends watching him open his presents

Blowing out candles in the ice cream
Ander, Peyton and Bailey Mini Golfing

Tyus, Jared and Brady Mini Golfing

The Crew after Mini Golfing and at the end of the FUN Birthday party
Thanks Guys!!! Tyus had a BLAST!!!
(Ander,Taylor,Carson,Jordan,Jared,Peyton,Tyus and Brady)

Bailey's Christmas Party

2011-01-23T20:51:00.001-08:00

This year Bailey had a Christmas party with some of her friends. They played some really fun games and had lots of fun. There was lots of running around, laughing and just having a great time with each other.

Drawing pictures on their heads
SOOO FUNNY!!!

Bailey trying to open a mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cup candy
with gloves on. (It is harder then it looks)
Emily and Haily (Bailey's Friends)
Trying to open the candy too.
It was a race between two teams

Tyus' sledding accident

2010-12-17T23:06:00.000-08:00

So we had a scare a couple of days ago. Tyus went to a scout activity and I got a call that he had been in a sledding accident. His scout leader asked if I could come and get him, but I was at work so I told her that I would have Chad come get him. She didn't tell me how bad it was and I didn't even think to ask, but after getting off the phone with her I decided to call her back to see what had happened. I had heard Tyus crying in the back ground so I figured he must be hurt because that kid hardly ever cries when he gets hurt. When I called her back she was a little more panicked and told me that he had been going to fast on his sled and made it to the road. Instead of bailing off of his sled he decided to try to sled across the asphalt, but his sled hit it and stopped and he kept going right on his face. She said that he was missing a chuck out of his cheek and nose and would be coming to the hospital. That is not a fun phone call to get as a mother and I started to panic a little. I called Chad back and told him that it was bad and he would need to bring him to the hospital. I met them there and to my surprise he was as bad or worse then I had pictured in my mind. He is such a TOUGH kid and was such a trooper through the whole ordeal. We had to wait for 2 1/2 hours for a plastic surgeon to get to the hospital to sew him up. He had to go into surgery to have it done where it was so major and on his face. The Dr that sewed him up just happened to be his soccer coach and we were very grateful for him and his great skills. He did such a good job with Tyus and we are sure that he will look as good as new before long. Thanks Dr. Haack and all of the other Doctors and Nurses that helped with Tyus while he was in the hospital. We had a lot of support from family and friends through this and we appreciate everyone who came to see him at the hospital and also when we got home. We live in a great community!!!

This is a picture of Tyus the day after his surgery. He has 21 stitches that we can see and probably about that many more inside his nose and under his skin to hold everything together. He for sure took a good hit.
(I have a before picture too, but I don't know if it is a good idea to post it. It is pretty bad and not good for those of you with weak stomach's)

One of his scout leaders took these balloons to school and had all of the scouts and Tyus' friends sign them for him. He was so excited when they came to visit him.

We are so glad that everything turned out the way it did and wasn't any worse then it was. He is a very lucky kid. WE LOVE YOU A TON TYUS!!!!

Seeing Santa Clause

2010-12-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

We went to the see Santa Clause. Peyton was so excited to tell him everything that he wanted for Christmas and rattled off a whole list of things. Tyus wasn't sure what he wanted so he just told him to bring whatever, and Bailey was just pretty much put out that I made her get in the picture with her brothers. Peyton and Tyus are pretty sure that it was the real Santa, because he called Bailey by name and new that she was keeping her grades up. I think Bailey was wondering how he new all of that too. I guess it must have been the REAL SANTA!!!!!

Tyus' Bball Traveling Team

2010-12-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

Tyus is on a 4th grade traveling basketball team and his first tournament was last weekend. They played 6 games and won all of them but 1. He loves playing one the team with all of his friends. They are a good little team and it is fun to watch them. GREAT JOB BOYS!!!

Tyus' team
Back Left: Coach Todd Stacey, Taylor Hull, Jared Anderson, Tyus, Jordan Stacey, Jace Rothlisburger Front Left: Carson Cornia, Kasen Trenery and Landon Hunting

Thanksgiving and Christmas Decorations

2010-11-30T21:07:00.000-08:00

Peyton had a Thanksgiving program at school. He got to dress up like an Indian. He was so excited and made a cute little Indian.

My cute little Indian

We went to my parents house this year for Thanksgiving. We had a lot of fun visiting with family and eating great food. All of my family was there except for Alan and his family because they are still in India. We missed having them there. After our great feast my mom, Katie, Chad (Katie's husband) and I went "Black Friday" shopping and got some great deals. We stayed up all night standing in line for those great deals, but we got them so that is all that matters.

We now all have the Christmas spirit and can't wait for this fun Holiday. I love Christmas and everything that comes with it. This year I made Countdown to Christmas Calendars for my kids. They turned out so cute and the kids are so excited to start counting down to Christmas. Peyton has really gotten into the holidays this year and December could be the longest month ever. He has asked everyday since we put our tree up if he could just open one present. I keep telling him that he has to wait until Christmas and he just doesn't understand why I won't let him open one. I haven't even started wrapping yet and we don't even have a single present under the tree. I don't know for sure what present he thinks he is going to open and I am thinking if he is this excited w/out seeing presents under the tree, what is he going to be like when there are presents under there. I think we are in trouble!!!!

Our cute Christmas Countdown Calendars
(I have to thank my friend Casey Gibson for the cute idea and help on these calendars)

Our Christmas Tree

Fun w/ cousins

2010-11-30T19:41:00.000-08:00

Katie's kids, Caden and Chase, came and stayed the weekend with us. They were such good boys and the kids had a ball with them.

getting ready for bed

Movie and Popcorn in bed

Chase wrestling w/ Caden....

....and w/ Peyton

We loved having the boys stay with us and we hope they come back to stay again soon!!!!!!

Disney on Ice

2010-11-30T19:23:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago we took to kids to Disney On Ice. We all had a great time, especially Peyton. He was so excited through the whole show. It was a fun family outing.

The boys w/ their souvenirs

During the show

We went to Mayan to eat before the show
(This is a kid favorite in our family because of the show they put on with divers)

Outside the Mayan posing with the big snake

Happy Halloween

2010-11-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Peyton was so excited for Halloween this year. I think we celebrated for 31 days. On October 1st Peyton woke up and informed me that it was the first day of Halloween. He wanted to decorate the house, get his costume and carve pumpkins. We did decorate and buy costumes and pumpkins that day, but I wouldn't let him carve his pumpkin. What a disappointed little boy!!! Needless to say, the month of October has kind of been a long one in the Cornia house. We were all very excited when Halloween finally was here and Peyton could stop driving us crazy about it.

Bailey is to old and COOL to dress up, so I didn't get pictures of her. She spent Halloween running around town with her friends.

Tyus dressed up like an Alien. He looked really good and he loved his costume.

Tyus carving his pumpkin

What a cute Alien
YOU'VE GOT TO LOVE THE SHADES!!!

Peyton was a viking and he told us that his name was "Hiccup" like the kid on "How to Train Your Dragon."

Peyton carving his pumpkin

"The Viking"
(with a skeleton face)

We went up to Grandpa and Grandma's house for their little Halloween party and then we walked around their neighborhood in the rain to trick-or-treating.

The crew at Grandpa and Grandma Erickson's house getting ready to go Trick or Treating

Peyton's 1st Grade class also had an activity carving pumpkins with their parents. It was a really fun activity and I was as excited to go help Peyton carve his pumpkin and he was excited to have me come and help him.

Peyton gutting his pumpkin

Carving

All finished
One proud little boy of his "Freaky" faced pumpkin
Peyton's first grade class after they carved their pumpkins

Stitches

2010-10-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

So we had our first experience with getting stitches. I am actually really surprised that it hasn't happened before now. I guess we have just been lucky.

We went to the High School Volleyball game last night and Peyton was playing with some of Bailey's friends between the games and ran into a window seal and cut above his eye. After cleaning all of the blood up we found that it would probably need stitches. So we were off to Evanston to visit Aunt Amy at the ER. (Peyton was really glad she was working and she could be his nurse) He ended up with 3 stitches and he was such a trooper. He only cried a little bit because he was nervous, and maybe a little when they gave him the shot to numb it. He actually almost fell asleep when the Dr. was stitching it up. Now he is just proud of it and can't wait to show it off at school for show and tell.

Aunt Amy taking care of him when we first got to the ER

Cleaning it up to see if it needs stitches

The Dr. sewing it up

After it was all done

This is what he looks like now. It is a little black and blue but not to bad

School Pictures 2010

2010-10-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

This year we decided to have Emily Weston take the kids' school pictures. I think they turned out really good. I just can't believe how fast our kids are growing up. Time goes so fast!!!!

Bailey- 12 yrs old
7th Grade

Tyus- 9 yrs old
4th Grade

Peyton- 6yrs old
1st Grade

Bailey's Volleyball

2010-10-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Bailey played 7th grade Volleyball this year and again had another great season. They won most of their games. She was #2 and the setter for both the A and B teams. She loves playing and does a great job. We had a great time traveling with her and watching her and her team. Great job on a great year girls!!!!!

7th Grade Volleyball Team Picture

Getting Ready

Bailey setting the ball

Team effort

Tyus' Little Leauge Football

2010-10-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

Team Picture

This year Tyus was old enough to play football. Boy was he excited!!! He did such a great job along with the rest of his team. They one all of their games except for the very last one against Mt. View. They played a tough game and just came up a little short. That's ok, they did such a good job. If they all stick with it they are going to be a tough little team when they get older. Tyus' number was 15 and his positions were Quarter Back, Kicker and on defense he was the middle line backer. He did a really good job at all of his positions. Chad got to help coach his team. He was over the defense. It was fun watching him work with the kids and he loved being there as much as Tyus loved having him there.

Making sure everyone is ready

Running a play

Getting advise from the coach after one of their games

Peyton's Soccer

2010-10-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

Peyton got to play soccer again this fall in Randolph. He loves playing so he was so excited when he got to play again. He was on the blue team. He did so good and got a lot of goals. His coaches were Andrea Mitchell and Teresa Smith.

Running after the ball to make a goal

Ready, Set, GO!!!!

Taking a little water break

First Day of School 2010

2010-08-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

School came fast this year and I don't know if I was ready for it. We started a week early and I really would have liked that extra week. Peyton was excited to go back but I think Bailey and Tyus would have enjoyed one more week of summer too.

Bailey started the 7th grade this year. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She isn't to fond of getting her picture taken and I have always taken their pictures on the first day. This year I tried to sneak one but she know what I was doing and didn't let me get a good one of her.

Tyus is in the 4th grade and his teacher is Mrs. Digerness. He loves having her as a teacher and I think will do really good in her class.

Peyton is in 1st grade this year and his teacher is Mrs. Cornia. She is also a fun teacher and he loves her. He has made her things and wrote her letters to take to school. I'm sure she gets a lot of little things like this for the first little while from the kids.

I hope the year goes as good as the first week of school did. The kids all did great and I think now are glad to get back with their friends and on somewhat of a schedule.

Summer 2010

2010-08-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

Our family had another great summer and I can't believe that it is over already. I haven't blogged for a long time so I am going to try to put the whole summer into one blog.... ENJOY!!!

T-Ball....

Peyton got to play t-ball again this year and he loved every minute of it. He was way excited when he got to hit the ball from the pitcher and not off the tee. He actually did really well hitting it that way. He thinks he is big enough to play softball with the big kids now, but unfortunately he still has one more year of t-ball.

Softball....

Tyus played softball and also enjoyed it. He is really good at hitting and getting around the bases as fast as he can. He would always feel bad if someone got out because he didn't hit the ball far enough to let them get to the next base. We would try to explain that it was ok but it really bothered him. He would have rather himself get out then someone else on his hit. He really does have a soft heart.
Soccer.....

Both Tyus and Peyton played soccer on the Evanston League. They both love when this season comes and enjoy getting to know the kids in Evanston. Tyus got to graduate to playing of the big field this season and he did really well with it. By the end of the game he was worn out. Thank goodness he has a lot of energy.

Peyton taking the ball down for a goal

Peyton with some of his team mates

Tyus getting ready to play

Kicking the ball!!
Look at the poor kid that it hit. Right in the face and he is even on Tyus' team.

Car Show.....

This year for Fathers Day we went to Wendover to a car show. We went with a big group of friends and had a great time. We took our camper trailer out and stayed at the KOA. We would spend the days at the car show, swimming, mini golfing and just being with friends. Both nights that we were there the adults went to concerts. We went to the Beach Boys and also Clay Walker. The kids loved seeing all the cool cars and it was even funner because one of our friends had 2 cars in the show. I think we will try to make this a tradition. We had a GREAT time!!!!

Enjoying the swimming pool on a hot summer day

Peyton standing by one of the cars that our friends had in the car show

4th of July/ Erickson Reunion

We did something different for the 4th this year and it was actually a lot of fun. Chad and Katie were coming that weekend for our Niece, Maddie's baptism so we decided to just have our Erickson reunion that same weekend. The reunion was held at my Mom and Dad's house. We set a tent up on their lawn and also mats on their porch. We got rained out one night and had to pack kids in out of the rain in the middle of the night. They didn't remember being moved and wondered why they were in the house when they woke up. The weekend was full of activities. We went to the parade in Woodruff and then hurried down to Salt Lake to Maddie's baptism. After the baptism we went back to Evanston and lit off our own fireworks. We also got to enjoy playing outside games with the family and of course we had to get the water guns out. It was a really fun weekend and I didn't miss going to the rodeo's at all. I wouldn't mind if we did something like this every year for the 4th instead of sitting in the hot heat at a rodeo.

Flaming Gorge....

Again we went on our annual week at the Gorge. This is always a trip that we all look forward too. It is a very relaxing week and we are with great company so that makes it even funner. The kids have made so many friends and they make new ones each year because so many different people come each time. The weather wasn't the best this year and we didn't get to spend as much time playing on the boats, but we did get a lot of card playing in. The guys did a lot of fishing, the kids did a lot of playing and the women did a lot of relaxing. You couldn't ask for a better week.

Peyton getting ready to go for a dip in the lake
(I love this picture)

Enjoying the water

Kids looking for crawdads

Tyus holding the fish that him and Peyton caught

Peyton holding cute little Ruby Sue

Visitors from California....

Our neighbor, Dave Etter, that has a house down the street comes from California to stay a few times a year. Most of the time it is when he comes hunting, but he had some friends that went on a road trip to Yellowstone. They wanted to come see his place and stayed for a couple of days. He asked if I would help cook so that the ladies would have to do it while they were on vacation. They were the nicest people and Chad, the kids and I were very excited to make such great new friends. They all had great big motor homes and they just parked them along our little lane. We got to go on a little tour of all of the motor homes. They were all amazing and nicer then a lot of houses.

One of the big motor homes

Motorbikes...

All 3 of our kids love riding motorbikes. Tyus bought one a couple years ago and has rode it a ton. This year him and Bailey bought one together, so Peyton got Tyus' old one. He was really excited to learn how to ride it and he did really well. He was a fast learner. Tyus and Bailey love riding their new one, but I think we are going to have to get another one because they all 3 want to ride at the same time. Bailey is really good to let Peyton ride with her so that they can all ride together. She is a great big sister!!!

Girls Camp...

Bailey is 12 and got to go to Girls Camp this year. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. It seems like I was just looking forward to my first year of girls camp. Her dad got to take her up and help them set up. I think she was excited that he got to share that with her. I think that he was excited to take his little girl up too. She said that they had a lot of fun and by the pictures she took it looks like they did.

Woodruff Ward Camp

Skit

FRIENDS and FUNNY FACES

Minatonka Cave...

Tyus got to go to the Minatonka Cave for scouts and he liked it so much that he asked if we could go back as a family. We went a couple days after he went with his scout group and we had a great time. He was so excited to tell us everything he had learned about it. In fact he could have taken over as the tour guide if he would have wanted to. I was impressed that he listed so well the first time he went.

After we went to the cave we went to the Demolition Derby in Laketown. This is a family favorite and we had a great time watching the cars crashing into each other. I didn't get any pictures of it, but we enjoy going to it each year.

4-H...

4-H is a big part of our summer. Our kids raise pigs to show at the fair. We get their pigs in March and the fair is held in the middle of August. The kids become really good friends with their pigs and they enjoy being out with them. That makes it hard to sell them and say goodbye at the end of the summer when they have to go.

Bailey did great this year and got Grand Champion Showmanship in her age group. Her pig was also a good pig and got 4th place over all.

Bailey giving her pig, Charlie, a back scratch

Tyus also did great and got Reserve Champion Showmanship in his age group and his pig was 10th over all (I think). He also showed chickens and got Grand showmanship and Reserve on the chickens. There were only 2 kids that did chickens, but he still did a great job. This was his first year to be in 4-H, so he did great for being so new at it.

Tyus with his pig Baconator

Peyton isn't old enough to do 4-H but he did get to be involved in the cloverbud program. I was his leader and I really enjoyed sharing this with him. We would meet once a week with all the 5-8 year olds and do projects that they would turn into the fair. He also had a pig that he raised just for fun and he loved doing what Bailey and Tyus did with their pigs. He got to be in the open class showmanship and he showed Bailey's pig. All the kids got a ribbon, but he thinks that he got Grand Champion so we just let him think that he did. He did a great job!!!

Peyton showing off his Grand Champion Ribbon for showmanship

That is the run down of our fun summer and now we are excited for the sports and things that our kids will be involved in this fall.

Blogging Troubles

2010-08-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

So I am trying to update my blog because I have been such a slacker, but I either have forgotten how to do it or my computer doesn't want to cooperate so I will try to figure it out and get it done SOON!!! We have had a great summer with lots of fun events that I would like to blog about so hopefully I can figure out what the problem is. ( It won't download my pictures)

Blog to be continued.....

Just finishing up my India trip posts

2010-06-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

So I know that I have been home for a week and a half, but I haven't had time to update the rest of our India trip. We had some really fun experiences the last couple of days that we were there and I didn't have time to finish blogging about them while we were there. I had every intention of finishing it as soon as I got home, but I have found myself running non stop since stepping off the plane. For my own journal purpose's, I wanted to finish blogging about all of our experiences so I decided to blog the rest of it even where I am not still there.

It has been fun blogging throughout the trip and it will help us remember all the things we got to do while we were there. I hope you have all enjoyed following our adventure as much as we had fun being on the adventure!!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH ALAN, KERRI AND KIDS FOR SHOWING US SUCH A GREAT TIME. I'M SURE I CAN SPEAK FOR KATIE IN SAYING THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET OUR EXPERIENCES IN INDIA!!!!! WE HAD A GREAT TRIP, AND MEET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE!!!

THANKS AGAIN, WE LOVE YOU GUYS

Kabini Trip

2010-06-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

The last adventure that we would have in India was in a place called Kabini. It was a very pretty place and we had a fun time there. The weather was really rainy and it cooled down a lot because of that. We weren't prepared for the colder weather because India is usually so hot. We went on a couple of safari's and because we weren't very prepared we thought we might freeze to death. (It still never got as cold as Woodruff does sometimes in the middle of the summer, but for India it was chilly!!!)

We were all really excited to go on the safari's, but because of the weather there weren't a lot of animals out. That was ok though, we still had a great time!!

The only complaint any of us had on this trip was that we couldn't eat any of the food that was provided for us because it was "True Indian" food. When Alan couldn't even eat it Katie and I didn't feel so bad. He has gotten pretty good about eating there food and this was even too much for him. We pretty much lived on the snacks Kerri had packed in a bag for the road trip. It's a good thing she was a little prepared.

This was our room the first night of our Kabini Trip
It was a very nice hotel and the bed was very comfy!!
This was surprising to us, because the other beds in the India hotels weren't so good

(We stopped in Mysore and stayed one night. It was halfway to Kabini which was like a 5-6 hour drive)

A big Chess game just outside our hotel room
The kids had a lot of fun playing on it

Alan and his kids swimming

Alan getting attacked by the lobby bird
(The Hotel lobby was outside and they had a pet bird. It was very friendly and obviously wasn't scared of people.)

This is our Hotel room in Kabini
It was older and the bed wasn't as comfy as the other hotel, but not bad.
The lock on the door was the best part of the hotel and I thought I got a picture, but I couldn't find it. Anyway, it locked from the outside, and the lock was a paddle lock.
Nothing in India was a surprise after awhile, but we got a laugh about the lock.

This was outside of our hotel room. It seemed more like we were camping then staying at a hotel. (I think it was more like a lodge then a hotel)
The Erickson Crew on the Jeep Safari

Some of the animals we saw on the Safari were.................

Elephants!!!

It was really neat to see the Elephants in the wild. We saw a couple different groups of them. They are an amazing animal.

Spotted Deer

Indian Bison

A Crocodile

And a few others that we didn't get very good pictures of.
Some of these include......
Wild Bore, Wild Dogs, lots of Birds, Tree Squirrels ect.....

We went on 2 safari's, one in a jeep and one on a boat. Both were fun, but we saw more in the Jeep. To bad the weather wasn't a little better so that we could have seen more animals.

COW TAKING COVER FROM THE RAIN

This is kind of a random picture, but a funny one. On our way home from Kabini it started to rain really hard. As we were driving down the road we noticed a little shelter with a ton of people under it trying to keep dry from the rain. Right in the middle of all the people was this white cow. The people just stand around it like it is no big deal. We found humor in it and had to stop and take a picture of it. It is probably something that is funnier to see in person. Crazy things like this are not uncommon to see in India. In the time that we were visiting we saw things that you could never believe you would ever see.

EVERY DAY IN INDIA IS A DAY FULL ON NEW ADVENTURES!!!
YOU NEVER NOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE NEXT

Meeting Baby's Family

2010-06-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

Alan and Kerri also have a maid. Her name is Baby. She is the sweetest lady ever. We didn't really get to spend a lot of time with her, because she was always left home tending while we went out sight seeing. She was also busy making us dinner and yummy treats and also doing our laundry. I must say, it was very nice to have all of that done for us for 3 weeks. I'm thinking Kerri is very spoiled!!! I would love to have her come live with me and take as good of care of me and my family as she does for Alan, Kerri and their kids. Although we didn't spend a lot of time with her the time that we did was very rewarding and I am so glad that we got to meet her and her cute little family.

Baby's family
(Minus the cute little white baby, our niece, Annie)

Baby, Ester (her daughter), Solomon (her son)
and Ragu (her Husband)

Solomon and Ester

Katie and I with the Family

Orphanages

2010-06-25T21:52:00.000-07:00

One of the things that we were way excited for was visiting an orphanage in India. We had a lot of preparation for this visit before we got to India. We made yarn dolls and coloring book, crayon, and candy packets for the kids. We had a lot of help from a lot of people back in the US to help us make all of the dolls. (Thank you everyone that helped. It was very much appreciated) All of the kids were so appreciative of the stuff we gave them and they loved playing with their new toys. Every one of the kids shook our hands a dozen times and said "Thank you Auntie." It was so cute!!! It was such a great experience seeing all their cute little smiles. This was probably one of the most rewarding days of my life. I just wish that we could have done more for them. Maybe someday I will have the opportunity to help again.

This is a picture of the kids at one of the Orphanages that we went to
Kerri playing with the kids

The kids showing off their dolls
(We planned on just giving the dolls to the girls, but the boys liked them just as much so we gave them to all of the kids. They were a big hit)

Katie coloring with some of the kids
Enjoying every minute with the kids

Look at that face!!!
Isn't that just the cutest little thing????

Enjoying the coloring book and crayons

The second Orphanage we went to was called the "Home of Hope"
This one was an eye opener. It was actually a home for homeless of any age, but we just mainly visited the Orphanage part of it. When we first got there the owner of the place took us in his office and showed us a DVD about how the "Home of Hope" came about. He started helping people a few years ago and continues his work now. He has saved many people and is now helping the recovered by giving them jobs helping in the Home of Hope facility. The video that we were shown was very graphic and definitely something everyone would have to see to appreciate all the work that this one man has done for so many people. It is simply amazing!!!!

The kids that we got to meet at this place were a little harder to communicate with. Not many of them new English, so we just gave them their dolls and goodies. They were also very appreciative and it was fun seeing their cute little smiles too.

The group of kids at the second orphanage

Giving out more dolls and goody bags

Trip to Mysore

2010-06-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

We spent the day in a place called Mysore. It was a lot of fun and again we got to see a lot of neat things. We went to the Mysore Palace and It was AMAZING!! It was huge and very beautiful. We only got pictures of the outside of it, because they wouldn't let us take cameras inside. Oh well!!! They also had animal rides outside the palace so we got to redeem ourselves on riding a camel and we also got to ride another elephant.

Mysore Palace
Katie, Alan and I are standing in front of it, but you can barely see us.

Our Elephant Ride
I got to help steer the elephant
(Well actually, we just got to get up in the driver seat for a picture)

Our "SUCCESSFUL" Camel ride!!!

Trying to pose with the camel, but he kept trying to give me a kiss!!!
I guess we just aren't so good with camels!!!

The story of how we fell off of the camel.....

2010-06-25T19:14:00.001-07:00

So I never really told to story about our camel ride. Well, not our camel ride, but our camel fall!!! We were the road driving to a place called Mysore, when we spotted some camels and their owners on the side of the road. Alan had a the bright idea of asking if we could ride the camels. The plan was to have me and Katie ride one and Alan and Kerri were going to ride another one. Of course Alan put me and Katie on first and all went bad, so him and Kerri never did get on one. The camel that we got on had a saddle looking thing on it, and we didn't even question it. It hadn't been strapped down securely and therefore when the camel stood up with us on it, the saddle and both Katie and I went flying over the camels shoulder and on to the road below. A lot of people that watch the video wondered if we recovered but figured that we hadn't, but the video stops just short of the graceful fall to the ground.

Katie posing with the camel just before the fall

This is the camel after it had gotten rid of it's riders!!
As you can see the saddle is up around it's shoulders and not on it's back

This is my injury after the fall.
I had to pull rocks out of my knee, but I feel very lucky that this is all that happened. It could have been a lot worse.

Katie's injured knee!!
She got the worst end of the deal. She not only hit the ground first, but also had me land right on top of her. POOR GIRL!!!! Sorry Katie!!!

It is something that we will never forget and we haven't stopped laughing about it yet. We decided that not many people can say that they have even rode a camel let alone fallen off of one. GOOD, and FUNNY MEMORIES!!!!

Pictures Indian Style

2010-06-10T22:11:00.001-07:00

Me, Baby and Katie

Just before going to get the pictures taken

We decided to go get Saree's (an Indian dress) and get our pictures taken in them. We also got Henna tattoo and put all of the jewels on our faces just like the Indian women wear. We went to a photographer to have the pictures taken. I don't know if we were to impressed with the photographer, but we did have fun doing it.

Our Henna Tattoos

Baby (Alan and Kerri's Maid) helping us get ready for our pictures

Trip to Hampi

2010-06-10T03:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to a place called Hampi. We went by train. It was a 10 hour train ride and we didn't get on the train until 10:30 at night, so we slept on the train and when we woke up we were in Hampi. It is a good thing we had Ambion so we could sleep. The train wasn't in the best condition, but it really wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.

Katie and I in front of the train that we rode on

Katie got the bottom bunk.....

....and I got the top bunk.

Hampi is know for having many temples that were destroyed by the Muslim people hundreds of years ago. They haven't been fixed and the temples are no longer in use. It was a really neat place to visit other then the heat. The temperature there is quit a bit hotter then Bangalore. I would guess it was in the high 90's and then you add the humidity and it makes it that much hotter.

These are just a couple of the many temples that we saw. I took a ton of pictures, but I can't post them all. All of them were so neat and it is was very interesting to hear the stories behind each one. Our tour guide was great and told us so much about all of them.

This is a wall on one of the temples. There is so much detailed work on each wall. It just amazes me and I can't believe how much time and work much have went in to building these temples, and then to have them destroyed. I'm sure it was devastating to them.

Outside one of the temples

The guy we standing buy must just walk to streets. He attracted so many people and he always had a group of people around him. We asked if we could have our picture taken with him and he was very happy to let us pose with him. There are tons of cows that just roam the streets and this one wanted to pose with us in our picture. They are all very friendly and you can walk up to all of them.

Alan's family posing with the friendly guy

Alan, Katie and I at the top of on of the temples

The crew!!!!

Eating lunch in Hampi

This is the color that they use

(Like we got on our faces by the driver when we he welcomed us to India)

It is in big bags and there are a lot of different colors

Laxshmi the Elephant

This elephant is so smart!!! If you give it rupees (money) it will give you blessings.

I am giving him rupees and waiting for a blessing. When he blesses you he puts his trunk on your head. I didn't get a good picture of him blessing me on my camera, so that is why I didn't post a picture of the blessing.

Our Camel Ride

2010-06-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Mysore and rode on a camel. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did!!!

P.S. We both survived!!

Random pictures

2010-06-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

There are many different and sometimes funny things that we have seen here. I have taken pictures of a few, but not all.

The Indian people often decorate their cows. We have seen a couple that have been decorated in flowers, but I haven't been able to get a good picture. We have seen a ton of cows pulling wagons. This is a very common way for them to get around and also a great way to haul things.

This is a lizard on the wall at Alan and Kerri's house. We see at least one a day running around in the house. I just keep hoping that they don't get in bed with me. So far I haven't felt one and as long as I don't feel them I guess I am ok

This is an underground parking garage one of the malls. It is a double decker but they do it really different here. One car will drive on the ramp and then they will lift the car with a jack. That will be the top car and then they will pull another car underneath. We were trying to figure out how the top car would get out if there was still a car underneath them when they are ready to leave. We never did figure it out!!!!

This is probably one of the funniest things we have seen so far. A guy was crossing the road with a urinal on his shoulder. We are still laughing about this.

We also saw a guy in an Auto (Rickshaw) and he was in a wheelchair. The rickshaw kindof looked like a little truck. The guy was in the back sitting in the wheelchair while the guy drove him to where he needed to go. I couldn't get a picture of him, but it looked pretty funny. I guess it is good that they have handicap rickshaws because they would have to wheel in their wheelchairs everywhere they went if not.

This is at a gas station. They are fire extinguishers. They all say fire on them and they are full of sand. If there was a gas fire I'm not so sure 4 little buckets of sand would put it out.

This is there produce market. It is just a stand on the street.

Kerri is getting her fruits and vegetables

We went to eat at Chili's and this is the sign that is just outside of the restaurant. It is a good thing that we were Chili's customers. Having you cars crushed and melted would not have been good!!!!!!

We were just out side of Domino's Pizza, this is there delivery motorcycles.

Hard Rock Cafe

2010-06-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

Me posing in front of the Hard Rock Cafe Sign

We went to lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. It tasted so good and it was so nice to eat BEEF!!! They don't believe in eating beef here so you can't find it anywhere. The Hard Rock Cafe is like in the US, so they do serve hamburgers.

A picture of my YUMMY meal

The hamburger was huge, but I ate every bite of it. I was stuffed after we were finished

Hindu Temples

2010-06-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

We spent a whole day going to different Hindu Temples. It was very interesting and it was fun to have Vijay with us so that he could tell us all the stories and explain their believes. There are a ton of different temples and they are all very neat and pretty in their own ways. Here are a couple of the ones that we went to.

This is Sheva, he is the dad to Ganesh which is in the picture below. There is a big long story about how Ganesh got an Elephant head, but it is to long to tell.

(If you look really close you can see me, Kerri and Katie standing in front of the temple)

This is Ganesh. After getting his elephant head he turned into a God.

Just another Temple

Another temple (God) but I can't remember what his name is or the story behind it.

More Experiences

2010-06-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday was kind of a lazy day. We went to church and then went home and were just lazy.

On our way to church we saw a little parade of people. In the center of the parade was a guy on a horse dressed up in fancy clothes and jewels. It was the guys wedding day and they were celebrating before the ceremony.

They celebrate for a whole week before they get married

Church was very interesting also. There building is very small and not anything like the ones we go to. The picture should explain what I'm talking about. There were only about 100 people total at church and only 18 primary kids. The people that are in the church are very religious and don't take any of it for granite. They are just all so happy to be a part of it. There were 2 sets of missionaries and also the Mission President and his wife are in their ward. One of the missionaries that I talked to was from Cheyenne. I think it is nice for them to see people from their country.

This is Alan and Kerri's church. They have a security guard that watches the building all week. He was waving at me out the window when I took this picture. The church is 4 floors high. It is the craziest church I have ever been in.

After church we went out to eat and had really good Indian food. Katie was a little nervous to eat it, but did have any problems with it. She has kind of had a hard time with the food and smells here. I have had a hard time with the smell but not the food. We haven't quit figured out what the BAD smell is, but it is everywhere we go and sometimes worse then others.

This is the restaurant that we ate at. They call restaurants hotels here

This is the Indian dish that I ate. It was really good. The chicken was a little spicy

but it seems like everything here has a kick to it.

Sunday afternoon the sky clouded up and rained most of the night. When it rains here it doesn't just rain, it POURS!!!! The streets flood in seconds and we have seen a few trees that have tipped over because of the wind.

MEETING VIJAYS FAMILY........ (Alan's and Kerri's Driver)

This is Vijay's family

Vijay, Lakshmi(his wife), Shravia, and Srinadi

On Monday we went to Vijays house to meet his family. It was such an awesome experience and I will never forget it. He lives in a very, very small house. The whole house is probably as big as the smallest bedroom in my house. He was very worried about taking us to his house because it was so small. They are very friendly people and want to give you everything they have. While we were visiting with them they feed us and offered us drinks. They know that we pretty much have everything, but yet they still want to give you all that they have. It is hard to take things from them, but they won't let you tell them no. We definitely take so many things for granite. While we were there we got to see a few neighbor kids and they were so excited to see us. We were excited to give them each a yarn doll that we had made before coming. They were so excited and loved them. Vijay has 2 girls and they are beautiful little girls. Shravia is his oldest and she is 3, Srinadi is the baby and she is 1. We had put together a little goody bag for the girls and also gave them each a doll, blanket, and coloring books. You would have thought that they were celebrating Christmas. In fact that was probably way more then they would ever get for Christmas. We also met his wife Lakshmi she is also beautiful!!!

Shravia and Kerri

Katie and I with the family

Srinadi let me hold her. I'm not sure if she was to excited about it, but she was good while I snuggled with her.

These are the girls that we gave the dolls to. They were so excited and it was fun to see the excitement on their faces when we gave them to them.

After visiting Vijay's family we went shopping. That was also a very interesting experience. This is something that I can't describe and I don't know if pictures can even do it justice. It is something that everyone needs to experience. We would walked down the street (sidewalk) and there would be hundreds of shops, and also people walking around trying to sell you stuff. We attract every sales person there because we are white and I guess they know that we have money. A few of the stores that we went to were down allies. It was crazy!!! I thought that we were walking down a sidewalk, but anywhere a car or motorcycle can fit you will see one. I think that is why the shopping experience was so weird, because there were so many shops, people, and then cars and motorcycles. There is so much congestion everywhere you go.

This is one of the shops we went to. It is the tailor that Kerri goes to. It is down an ally and there is barely enough room to walk.

These are some more shops. Cars and motorcycles go down between these shops. I can't believe where a car or motorcycle can fit.

This is how they do their sewing. It is a tiny little room with 6 guys sewing.

The women don't wear swimming suits but if they would choose to this is what they would wear. Isn't this cute!!!!

Another very common thing to see on the streets of Bangalore is cows eating garbage. The animals just roam the streets.

We met a guy that was trying to sell us something.... he was so funny!!! The people are very blunt here and will tell you exactly how they see it. He came up to us and asked if me and Katie were Kerri's daughters. Kerri about died and acted offended so then he started to kiss up to her. He kept telling her how pretty her hair was and then he point to me and said.... "She looks like a Chinese Cartoon." He meant that my hair looked like a cartoon character. I have laughed about that so much. They are very funny people.

Welcome to the Bangalore Zoo

2010-05-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

When we first got to the zoo I wasn't quit sure what to think. There were little tarps set up with vendors trying to sell anything they could. Of course being American we were prime target. We got swarmed with people begging for money. There were a lot of moms with there kids having them beg for money. It was really sad, but there are so many. How do you choose who you should help. We just kept on walking and the just followed.

We went on a little safari while we were at the zoo. We got on buses and went through a gated area. It reminded me a lot of Jurassic Park. Not very many of the animals are caged in this zoo, so you get to see them up close and personal.

The Indian people like to have their pictures taken.

This was our tour guide on the Zoo Safari
We got special treatment because we were the only American's on the tour. I got to sit right next to the driver and he made sure that we got the best pictures possible of the animals

This is a group of bears that are just hanging out on the road. They aren't scared of the buses and won't move for them so they just drive around them.

This tiger was right out our window. It was only one of many.

Vijay trying to bargain a price on a hat for the kids. The price is much less for him to buy stuff, but doubles or even triples when we come around. A lot of times they will just tell him what to buy and he will go and buy it for a much cheaper price. We will for sure take him along when we go shopping for souvenirs.

There are monkey's like crazy. All of them are just roaming the zoo and not in cages. They are so cute and must not mind people to much.

The elephants were just behind one small cable. This is just 3 of many elephants that we saw. I think there were 3 different areas in the zoo that had elephants.
We got to ride on an elephant, but I didn't get a picture on my camera. Kerri stayed off of the ride to take pictures, but she took them on her camera. (I will have to post them later)

This is the elephant zoo keeper. He is making the elephants food with palm tree leaves and rice

We were the main attraction at the zoo. Some of the times it felt like we were getting looked at as much as the animals. A few of the people asked if they could get pictures with us. They also love Annie (Alan and Kerri's youngest daughter)

All of the babies and little kids are so cute in India. I would love to be able to bring one home. They love to have their pictures taken and then they like to see the picture after you take it.

We got a kick out of this sign at the zoo. We had Vijay translate it for us and it says.......
"If you hurt the animals you will be arrested."

This is a picture of a beggar. We had to wait for Vijay to get the car when we were done at the zoo. While we were waiting we got swarmed with little kids and their moms begging for money. It was really sad and I would have loved to help, but couldn't because I hadn't changed any of my American money to Rupee's. Kerri did give one of the little girls some pop and she was very grateful for that.

Day 2- Our first real day in India

2010-05-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

Our first real day in India was definately a big eye opener. We didn't do to much because we got in so late the night before. We decided to go to the spa to relax a little and experience a fish pedicure. I have been very excited about this and looked forward to this experience. I love my feet being rubbed, tickled or anything else, so I was the first one to stick my feet in the water full of feet sucking fish. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!! Not what I was expecting. I didn't ease my feet in the water. I just stuck them right in and got attacked by hundreds of fish. I must say it was the strangest feeling in the world and I screamed and jumped out of the pool. I did decide to put them back in, but I waited until more feet were in with mine so that all the fish didn't come to mine.

Me trying to relax during my fish pedicure experience

Katie wasn't so sure about this after she heard my scream. It took everything the poor Indian's had to get her to put her feet in. She finally did it, but if you can see her feet are very tense.

After our spa day we went to lunch at a pizza place. Everything was jumbo size including the menu's. This menu makes Katie look so little.

Our personal size pizza's came out and they didn't look very small to us.
The left overs were nice. We feed Vijay (the driver) and ate the rest for dinner

India Trip Day 1

2010-05-29T04:28:00.000-07:00

I don't think anyone could have ever prepared us for how long the trip to India really is. I knew that a 24 hour plane ride would be long, but it seemed like a lot longer then that. We started our journey in Salt Lake and had a couple layovers. The first leg of our flight was SLC to San Francisco. We got delayed in Salt Lake for an hour because President Obama was landing in San Francisco and they had the airport closed down for him. When we got there he was still there, but we didn't get to see his plane. Oh Well!!! Next we were off to Germany. This was the longest leg of our flight. We were in the air for 11 hours. Our flight was very full and there wasn't much stretching room. From Germany, our next stop was India. We weren't to excited to get back on a plane, but was pleasantly surprised when our tickets were printed with business class on them. We thought it was a miss print at first but soon found out that it wasn't. This was a 9 hour flight and went by a lot quicker then flying coach. We got the royal treatment and had a lot of room to move around and stretch. As nice as our flight turned out to be, I was still very grateful to be on the ground for a couple of weeks.

Katie and I in the Salt Lake Airport
Do we look like sisters??
We have had a lot of comments from people about how much we look like each other. One lady thought that we were twins. That is a big complement to me because I am 7 years older.

Just landed in San Francisco
(I have never gotten off of a plane outside)

Trying to get a little rest on our layover in Germany

Business class food
It was YUMMY!!!!!

Katie stretched out in her reclining business class seat

Our first Indian food experience.

When the flight attendant brought us our food we weren't very hip on trying it. Thank goodness we had an Indian guy sitting next to us to help us know how to eat it. This dish is Curry Chicken, Rice and Chic Peas. It was a little spicy, but very good. Katie liked the taste of it, but about a half an hour after eating it she felt like her stomach was on fire. She was sick for the first 2 days of our trip and now doesn't think she can ever try Indian food again.

This is what Vijay, Alan's driver, looked like when we saw him at the airport
Alan has been telling him that his sisters are very mean and we hit. He wore a helmet so that he would be protected when we hit him. Of course he knew that he was just teasing him and that we wouldn't really hit him. He was doing this as a joke. The bottom of his sign says..... Get in, sit down, shut up and hold on for your lives. This was suppose to be a joke too, but the way they drive here you really do have to hold on for your lives. It is CRAZY!!!!!

We finally made it to Alan and Kerri's house around 3 am Friday morning. Vijay put color on our faces to welcome us to his country. It is a tradition and he was so excited to be able to welcome us.

Ellie, Ethan and Maddie

The kids were very excited to have us come and visit. They made signs for us and hung them on the door. We got in so late that night so we didn't get to see them until the next day after they got out of school.

We Made It!!!

2010-05-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well we finally made it to India!!! It was a very long couple of flights, but we are now here and relaxing. I took a bunch of pictures that I would like to post, but I'm not sure how to do it yet on this computer. I just wanted to let everyone know that we made it ok and I will up date with a few picture and some stories about the long journey here. TO BE CONTINUED............

INDIA, HERE WE COME!!!!

2010-05-25T21:36:00.000-07:00

Well I guess it is really happening. Katie and I have been planning this trip for a few months and I never dreamed that it would really come. I can't believe how much goes into leaving the country!!! We have spent the last few months getting passports, visas, and all sorts of shots. I think we are finally ready. We are so excited to be able to go and visit our brother Alan and his family. It sounds like they have so many fun things for us to do when we get there. I am going to try and blog a little while I am there, so if anyone is interested you can follow along on our journey.

We will be gone just short of 3 weeks. I hope everything goes well at home. I am so thankful for Chad allowing me to be able to do this. He has been so great about being Mr. Mom for a few weeks. I think he may find a deeper appreciation for my motherly roll and hopefully be ready for me to come home. I know he will do great!!! Thanks to everyone else who are and will be helping him out with the kids while I am gone. We have so many great friends and family that have offered to help.

I love you so much Chad, Bailey, Tyus and Peyton!!!! I will miss you like crazy!!!

My Baby is 6!!!

2010-05-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast time flies!!! When Peyton was born I knew that he would probably be our last child and I also thought that he would always stay a baby. I cherished every moment I had with him as a baby, but eventually he had to grow up.

Peyton is such a fun kid to have around and we have loved every year, month, day, hour and even minute that we have had him in our family.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!!!

The Birthday Boy with his cake's
Peyton wanted a sports birthday and he loved all of the sports ball

He wanted to have a hot dog roast for his birthday dinner. I am so glad it was a nice day so that we could enjoy and not freeze to death.

All he asked for was a BB Gun and he got it. He was a very happy boy!!
Now he can't wait until his dad takes him hunting for squeakies

Opening more presents. He got spoiled rotten!!
Thanks everyone who came to his party and also for the gifts

After his party was over and everyone had gone home, Peyton said "Mom, I had such a great birthday and I got a lot of fun things to play with." I'm glad you had a great day Peyton!!!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Utah's Hogle Zoo

2010-04-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

Ryan and Susie invited us to go to the Hogle Zoo with them. The kids were really excited. We haven't been for a couple of years. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a great time being with their cousins Mayson and Jackson. Thanks for inviting us!!!

The kids looking at the animals

The Baby Elephant was the favorite of the day

The kids had a ball playing on the statues around the zoo

I love this picture of Bailey and her dad. Even if their backs are toward me.
(It seems like that is the only kind of pictures that I can get of Bailey anymore)

Tyus' Raingutter Ragatta

2010-04-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

This year the scouts got to make boats and race them. It was a lot of fun and all of the boats turned out really good. All of the boys got to race 2 times. They didn't have a bracket for placing and that worked out great. All of the boys were WINNERS!!!! Everyone had a great time and had a blast showing off their boats.

Tyus painting his boat

Tyus boat after he finished it

All of the scouts with their boats

Before the race each scout got their picture taken in the raft

Tyus racing his boat

Peyton also got to join in on the fun. Both him and Bailey made a boat and got to race them before the scouts raced theirs. Bailey doesn't like getting her picture taken so I didn't get any of her and she didn't want to race her boat. Peyton had a ball doing both and was so excited that he got to be included just like his big brother.

Peyton painting his boat

Posing in the raft

Racing his boat

New 4-H Animals.....

2010-04-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

We got our pigs and chickens for this years 4-H projects

Bailey and Tyus will both be showing pigs and Tyus wants to show chickens. Peyton got to buy a pig too, but isn't old enough to show it yet so he will just enjoy raising his pig and helping his brother and sister with their projects.

The "Three Little Pigs"

Tyus meeting his chickens

Easter 2010

2010-04-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am once again behind on blogging. So this is catch up time!!!

Easter was fun and relaxing as usual. The kids all had fun decorating eggs, Easter egg hunts at grandparents houses, and then the best of all was waking up Easter morning to lots of candy another egg hunt and new bikes.

Tyus and Peyton decorating their eggs

Bailey is suppose to be decorating her eggs, but if you notice she only has her cell phone. Could anyone even imagine having to put your phone down for 2 seconds!!!!

Tyus' eggs when he got done coloring them

Peyton's final product

Easter Morning

Bailey hunting eggs

Tyus posing for the camera

Peyton found an egg

It is finally winter in Woodruff

2010-03-31T23:18:00.000-07:00

Our seasons are so messed up!! We have had the most mild winter this year and have really had no snow at all. It is now the first of April and it looks like December. We woke up this morning to about 6 inches of snow. It snowed all day long and we now have close to a foot of heavy wet snow. It is crazy!!! I wish the weather would make up it's mind. The kids are so excited, especially Peyton. He can't wait to go out and build a snowman.

Tyus shoveling the side walk

Peyton also helping

Both Chad and I were suppose to travel and wasn't very excited to see all of the snow when we got up. Chad had classes in SLC and I was going to Logan. I made it to Logan without any troubles, but Chad ended up running off the road and blowing 2 tires on his truck. After waiting for help and getting the tires fixed, he was to late to make his class. So he ended up back at home studying what he should have been doing at his class. I am just so grateful that it wasn't worse then it was and that he wasn't hurt. You never know when your life could change and I am so glad that we are all home and safe in our house on a very snowy night.

Bailey's Birthday

2010-03-31T22:59:00.000-07:00

My baby turned 12!!! I can't believe that we have a 12 year old. It doesn't seem possible that she could have grown this fast, but she has and she is turning into a beautiful young lady.

We celebrated her birthday with our families with a dinner, cake and ice cream, and presents. She wanted to have a friend party too, but finding a day to have it has been almost impossible. She was a great sport and enjoyed the company of her family that love her dearly.

We love you Bailey and hope you had a great day!!!!

I always make my kids the cake of their choice. This year I asked Bailey what kind of a cake she wanted and her only request was a confetti cake. I asked her if she wanted anything on it and she was very discussed that I would ask and told me that she just wanted a cake. I guess she is to old for the "Cutesy" cakes. So she just got a plain old cake this year. My baby is growing up!!!

Opening her presents, and she got the cell phone she asked for.

Make a wish!!!

Jason painting Ryan's fingernails
Bailey got some fingernail polish pens for her birthday and I guess my brothers thought they needed to try them out first. What a couple of dorks!!!

Tyus' Traveling Basketball Team

2010-03-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

Tyus was asked to be on a traveling basketball team. They were going to play in a couple of tournaments. The tournaments were for the 4th graders, but they needed some more teams so our 3rd graders decided they wanted to play. Todd Stacey got a team together and took them to 2 tournaments. They did so awesome!!! At the first tournament we went to Jackson and they took 2nd place, loosing to our own 4th grade team. Last weekend they played in the Westside tournament and ended up loosing all of their games, but did very well and gave all of the teams great games. We were all so proud of them for doing so well playing against older kids that have been playing all year. Our little team just got put together a couple of weeks ago. GREAT JOB BOYS!!!!

Tyus #33 with some of his team members

A very blurry picture of Tyus!! (Sorry Bud)

Tyus' Team
Back row L-R: Carson Cornia, Jace Rothlisberger, Jared Andersen, Jordan Stacey
Front row L-R: Tyus Cornia, Brady Hurd, Landon Hunting

Rich County Boys!!!!
3rd grade took 2nd place (Boys in Blue)
4th grade took 1st place (Boys in White)

After the tournament in Jackson we decided to walk around town and see the town. We ran into a museum called Ripley's Believe it or not. The boys really wanted to go in and see it and I am so glad that we did. They had a great time and some of the stuff was really amazing.

Tyus and Peyton standing by a "BLINGED" out horse

"DOUBLE" the fun!!

In the upside down room

This was a favorite. The Two Headed Calf!!!

And the other favorite. The Crashed Airplane!!!!

To bad Bailey is to cool to hang out with her parents and little brothers. She decided that she would rather stay home and hang out with some of her friends. So she missed out on all the fun. Maybe we will be cool again and she will get a chance to go with us again. The boys are wanting to go back again someday. We had a great time!!!

Real Salt Lake Soccer Team visits our school

2010-02-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

Leo the Lion

Salt Lake Real's Mascot

Today we had a very special visit at our school from the Real Salt Lake Soccer Team. The whole team wasn't actually there, just 2 players and the mascot. But it was very exciting to have them come and show off their Championship trophy. Tyus and Peyton have really gotten into soccer and we have followed Real this last year and watched a lot of their games. We even watched the game that they won the championship. It was a very exciting game to and we were very excited that they won.

Leo the Lion, Bailey, Peyton and Tyus
posing with the MLS Cup

Tyus and one of his friends, Riley, got chosen to help with a cheer

Little did Chad know that dads had to help with the cheer too. They did a great job and Chad actually got into with the boys. (Maybe even a little more) What a good sport!!!

Bailey getting Leo's autograph

Peyton getting Joe's autograph
(one of the Real Soccer Players)

Tyus getting autographs

All of the kids playing in a game of soccer with the Real players

The whole group of kids with Leo

The MLS Cup
It really was cool to see

It was really fun having them come to our little community. It doesn't happen everyday that you get to be a part of a championship with one of the states sports team. Thanks to the Real Salt Lake organization for allowing us to be a part of their success.

Girls State Basketball

2010-02-24T21:13:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we went to Richfield to watch our niece, Tristi, and her basketball team in the state 1A Tournament. We went for 3 days and had a great time. The kids always love staying in hotels and swimming, but this trip was a little different and a lot more fun then most for them, because a lot of people from our community also go and stay at the same hotel so the kids have a lot of friends to hang out with all weekend.

The girls did a great job and ended up taking 3rd place overall. Tristi played great and we were so proud of her and the rest of the team for that matter.

Boys state is next week and we are looking forward to going and supporting them also.

Great Job Girls and Good Luck to the Boys!!!!!

Bailey with her friends during the games

Tyus and Wyatt with their group of friends

Peyton sleeping on the hard cement floor at the ball games.

Rich High School Girls Basketball Team

Tristi #25

This is a picture of all the kids from our school in the swimming pool. This is only one corner of the pool. The kids had so much fun, we had a hard time getting them out.

Poor little Peyton is so allergic to chlorine. This is one of his legs after he had been swimming. We have medicine to put on him before and after he swims, but this hotel puts so much chlorine in their pool that he broke out so bad. We had to tell him he couldn't swim anymore and we promised him that we would take him bowling if he would stay out of the pool. After a lot of medicated cream and benadryl he looks good now.
POOR KID!!!

The kids bowling......

Peyton

Tyus

Bailey

The last morning that were in Richfield, this is what we woke up to. It is so crazy, because we have had such a mild winter and haven't had much snow. We go down south where you would think that we would get out of snow and they have had a ton this year. It was kind of fun to wake up to a pretty white morning. There was probably around 8 or so inches on the ground. It was all pretty much melted by the time we left that night because it wasn't to cold. I decided I better get a picture so that we could have one winter picture for this year. LOL

Jazz Game

2010-02-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

I was downloading pictures on to the computer and found the pictures of when we went to the Jazz game. We actually went to 2 games but I only took pictures at one. Bailey wasn't able to go with us to the second game, because she had an overnight trip with her basketball team. Tyus' Jr. Jazz team went together to the Jazz game and Bailey wasn't dressing for her game (just taking stats), so I decided to go with the boys. So sorry Bailey you aren't in any of these pictures!!!

We had a great time at both games that we got to go to, and they were both really close games in the end with the Jazz winning in the end.

The boys waiting and hoping for autographs from the Jazz players

Paul Milsap- posing for pictures with fans

Peyton showing his dad his autographed ball

This picture is for Bailey. She loves Kyle Korver!!! He came so close to us and I got great pictures of him and I felt really bad that she couldn't be with us at that game.

A sad day at our house...

2010-02-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Chad found our dog Blaze dead at the neighbors house. Sunday night I kind of worried about him because he didn't come in for the night. Sometimes he wanders off, but usually will come in before we go to bed. Monday morning when he still was nowhere to be found I really worried about him. Chad went out looking for him and sure enough, something had happened to him. He often thought he was bigger then most dogs and seemed to challenge them to fights. This time he lost!! (We are assuming that that must have been what happened to him)

I have cussed that dog a million times for chewing on the kids toys, or peeing in the house. And now I wish that I could cuss him. The kids were so sad and we had a few tears. Ollie, our other dog just seems a little lost. He doesn't know what to do without his playmate.

This poor dog has had a rough life, and has cost us lots of money in vet bills. About a year ago he lost his right eye and then a couple months after that he got ran over and broke one of his legs. I have always thought that he wasn't going to live a long life and I guess I was right. He was only 2 1/2 years old.

We will miss you BLAZE!!!

BLAZE

BLAZE AND OLLIE

Basketball, Basketball and more Basketball!!!

2010-01-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

So this is the season for Basketball. We have definitely watched our share of games. Between the games we watch on T.V., High School Boys and Girls Basketball games and the games our kids are involved in, we get a lot of basketball in in a week.

Our family is big basketball fans and we enjoy following the Utah Jazz. They have been doing ok this year, but even on their off games we still cheer for them. Chad bought tickets for us to go to a game this year. We are going on Monday night and the kids are way excited. I will have to post pictures after we go.

Tristi our niece is on the High School Girls Basketball team. We try to support her all we can and try to go to her home games. (We also support the Boys High School team too.)

Bailey is playing basketball for her Middle School team. She is only in 6th grade and they usually don't get to do sports until 7th grade, but they don't have enough 7th graders to make up 2 full teams so they are letting the 6th grade practice and get a little playing time when they need subs on the B team. She had her first game the last weekend and she did a great job. She got thrown into a position that she hadn't practiced very much, but she seemed to pick up on it pretty fast.

Bailey's first Basketball Game

What a great steal!!

Time out huddle with the coach

Tyus is on two teams. One up in Evanston, which is his Jr. Jazz team, and the other one is in Randolph, the Jr. Rebels team. He plays every Tuesday and Thursday in Evanston and on Saturdays in Randolph. Him and his teams have done very well. His Jr. Jazz team has won both of their games and his Jr. Rebels them is 1-1.

Tyus stealing the ball from the other team

Tyus playing on his Jr. Rebels team

Guard your man
(Tyus' Jr. Jazz game)

Tyus with his Dad (the assistant coach) at his Jr. Jazz game

Peyton gets to play basketball this year too. His is every Saturday morning and he thinks that he is so big getting to play just like everyone else. From Kindergarten to 2nd Grade they just teach fundamentals, so he really isn't on a "Team". But he sure thinks he is and after they teach them a few things they let them play a little game at the end of each practice.

Peyton shooting the ball at his basketball practice

You have to learn how to dribble before you can play the game.
Peyton has great control with the ball. Keep up the good work buddy!!!

We love going and watch all of the kids and look forward to all of their upcoming games!!!!

Oops!!! We spelled Peyton's name wrong.

2010-01-09T21:44:00.000-08:00

Peyton has been learning sounds and how to spell words at Kindergarten. He came home one night and informed me that we spelled his name wrong. I asked him why he thought that, and he said....
"Mom, my name is Peyt-In not Peyt-On." He was sounding it out and when he said his name it sounded like it had an I in it and not an O. I said, "Well then why isn't it spelled PAY-tin instead of PEY-tin then" He thought for a minute and said, "I don't know, I guess I didn't think of that one." For awhile he would bring papers home from school and he would spell his name Peytin on them. I finally showed him that Peyton Manning, from the Colts NFL team, spelled his name the same way that we spelled his and now he thinks it is cool to have it the same and he has gone back to spelling it the right way. SILLY BOY!!! I guess it did make sense. The English language is kind of confusing sometimes, and it is hard to explain to a very inquisitive little boy trying to learn all of the rules to the language. WHO MADE UP THE RULES ANYWAYS????

New Years 2010

2010-01-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

We usually stay home and host a New Years party with some of our friends and family, but this year we made different plans. Allen and Darlene invited us to go to Primm, Nevada with them for a New Years Party. (Primm is about 30 miles outside of Las Vegas) My sister was nice enough to watch our kids and we dropped them off at her house in St. George on the way down. The kids were really excited to stay with her and they had a great time while they were there. We got to Primm on New Years Eve and brought the New Year in at a concert. It was really good and a fun change to bring in a New Year. We stayed for three days and had a great little vacation. It's always nice to get away without kids once in awhile. Thanks Allen and Darlene for inviting us to go!!! We will have to do it again sometime.

Our family had a great year in 2009 and hope 2010 is just as good or better. HAPPY NEW YEARS from the Cornia Family!!!!

Meeting My Goal.... Finally!!!

2010-01-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

For a few years now I have been telling myself and Chad that after we were done having kids I would loose all the extra pounds that I put on over the years. Well it has been 5 (almost 6 years) since we had our last baby, and we are for sure done having kids. I was still saying that I was going to loose weight, but wasn't doing anything about it. Yes, I would try once in awhile on my own. I would exercise a little and try to eat better, but the more I tried to eat better the worse I was. I think it is a total mind game for me. Well I was tired of playing these games and decided I couldn't do it on my own. So with the help of Dr. Dillree's staff, and the Ideal Protein Diet I finally met my goal this past week. I started the diet back in October and had my last weigh in at the first of this week. I lost 33 pounds total and feel so much better. I wish I would have done it along time ago, but I guess later is better then never. I LOVE MY NEW BODY!!!!! I have had a great support system. Chad and my kids have been so good to help me and not tempt me with all the GOODIES that I wasn't suppose to have. They kept me on track and made sure I only put the good things in my mouth. Thanks again guys!!! You really did help me reach my goal.

A rundown of the month of December...

2009-12-28T20:37:00.000-08:00

So once again it has been awhile since I have taken the time to take a minute and make a post. December has been a very busy and exciting month for us, like most everyone else. We started the month off by decorating and getting a head start on Christmas. I love the Christmas season and the joy it brings to many people. I especially love watching the excitement in my kids. They look forward to counting down everyday until Christmas Day. I buy them the advent calendars each year. Every morning before they make sure to get a candy out of their calendar and are so happy that they are one day closer to the big day.

Chad and I enjoyed going to our Ward Christmas Dinner and also my Company Christmas Party. Our kids weren't invited to either, but didn't seem to mind letting Mom and Dad spend a couple nights away. We had a great time at both and enjoyed each others company.

If December isn't crazy enough as it is we also add in a couple birthdays. My birthday is on December 19th. This year it landed on a Saturday. It was a great day!!! My kids let me sleep in and then we just had a lazy day. We then opened presents and then went out to dinner with my Mom and Dad. We had a great night and enjoyed dinner at my favorite Mexican Restaurant, Don Padro's. Of course my Dad couldn't go without telling everyone that it was my birthday. The people at the Restaurant came out with a great big "Birthday Hat" that I was so lucky to get to wear and then they sang to me while banging lids together. Yes, it was so embarrassing and I will have to get him back for it. Thank goodness nobody had a camera to capture my embarrassment. It was a great day none the less. Thanks Chad, kids, Mom and Dad.

Tyus' Birthday is on December 23rd. I feel so bad that he has to celebrate his birthday 2 days before Christmas, but he doesn't seem to mind to much. He gets spoiled rotten and all attention is on him. He turned 9 this year. I can't believe it!! He is growing way to fast. He also gets to share his birthday with his cousin Caden. We had a party at Grandpa and Grandma Erickson's house this year. We ordered pizza and had cake and ice cream. All Tyus wanted to do for his birthday was go to the movies and see "Alvin and the Chipmunks- The Squeakquel." So after the party we took him to see the movie. He had a really good day and had fun celebrating it with all his family. He got a new 22 gun, PSP games, a hat, Bendaroos, a skateboard and a lot more. Thanks everyone for celebrating with us.

Tyus with his cake.
He likes the cartoon Tom and Jerry so his request was a Jerry cake. It took me forever to decorate because I'm not a cake decorator, but he liked it so that is all that matters.

"The Birthday Boys"
Caden-4 and Tyus-9

Opening Presents

Blowing out the candles... Make a wish!!!

We got to go to Tyus and Peyton's school and watch their school Christmas Program. Each class sang and danced and both boys did a great job. Peyton has been singing his songs to me all month and had them down by the night of the program. They also got to make gifts at school to give to us. They got to get them that night after the program and both Peyton and Tyus could hardly wait for us to see what they had made for us. Peyton made us open his that night and Tyus wanted to us to wait until Christmas morning. I just love the excitement Christmas brings to kids.

Tyus singing

Tyus dancing to one of the songs. He was lucky and got dance with his cousin Hailey

Tyus' with some of the kids in the Elementary

Peyton singing

Peyton with his Kindergarten Class

The kids have been practicing really hard for the "Annual Woodruff Ward Christmas Eve Progam." Ever year the primary kids put on a play and then we sing Christmas songs until Santa Clause comes. Bailey was asked to have one of the lead parts this year. She got to be the Elf. She had a lot of parts to memorize and she did a wonderful job. She looked so cute in her elf costume. Tyus was a Soldier and he played the part great. Peyton got to be a Teddy Bear and he was such a cute and cuddly looking bear. I look so forward to the program each year. The kids get so excited to see Santa Clause and it helps make the LONG night of Christmas Eve go a little quicker.

Peyton the Cuddly Teddy Bear

Tyus as a Soldier

Bailey the "Elf"

Peyton telling Santa everything he wants for Christmas

Tyus giving Santa his list

Christmas morning couldn't come fast enough. We sent the kids to bed around 11 pm with hopes that they would go to sleep. They decided that they needed to all sleep together in Bailey's room. We made the boys a bed on Bailey's floor. Chad and I went to bed shortly after but we kept hearing someone out in the living room. I guess Tyus was to excited and thought he needed to keep an eye on where Santa was. He was on the computer on the Santa Tracker seeing how much longer until he would be in Utah. The last time we told him to go to bed Santa was in Arizona. That is close to Utah and I think it scared him enough that he finally went to bed for good. He new that if he didn't Santa would skip over our house.

Tyus was the first one up in our house and he woke the other kids up at 7:30. The kids got spoiled as usual and had a great Christmas. Bailey got a lot of clothes, boots (that her dad just loves, NOT), a portable DVD player with movies, ect..... Tyus was excited about his IPod, PSP games and more....... Peyton wanted a DS and was excited to see it with a bunch of games, Monster Trucks being his favorite. He also was excited about the other toys and games he got. Santa always pulls through and puts big smiles on the kids faces.

Christmas Morning

Opening Presents

Christmas afternoon we enjoyed a family party with the Erickson family. We have a tradition in my family to spend Christmas at my Mom and Dads. All of my Brothers and Sister, Spouses and Kids were all there. We have a great time and enjoy each others company.

"The Boys"

At Grandpa and Grandmas's house

"The Girls"
At Grandpa and Grandma's house

Peyton opening his present from Grandpa and Grandma

The day after Christmas we went to Chad's Brothers house in Logan for his family Christmas

party. We had a wonderful dinner of homemade noodles and clam chowder. This is a tradition that they have in their family. We exchanged gifts and then played games. We had a great day and really enjoy being with family.

This pretty much raps up the month. We are so thankful for everything that we have been blessed with. Chad and I are so blessed to have wonderful family and friends that support us and our kids. We are thankful to live in a free country and to have all the luxuries of life that we take for granite each day. We are thankful to be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and remember the sacrifices that he made for us. We try to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas and hope that they don't think that is all about the gifts. The year 2009 has been a great year for our family and we look forward to a wonderful year to come.

Christmas Tree Decorating.....

2009-11-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

I usually like to get the Christmas decorations out the day after Thanksgiving. I love having them up all month, but when Christmas is over I like to take them down. It is also my tradition to get up WAY EARLY in the morning on the day after Thanksgiving to get as much Christmas shopping done as possible. This year I was up at 3 am and off the meet my sister-in-law Susie at our local Wal-Mart. I got everything I needed and felt great about being almost done with my Christmas shopping. I just have a few little odds and end things left to get.

When I got home from shopping I had intentions of going back to bed, but I guess I got my second wind because I decided to put the Christmas Tree and decorations up. Some of my nieces and a nephew had stayed the night with my boys the night of Thanksgiving sothey along with my boys helped me decorate. They were the best little helpers and we had a lot of fun decorating the house while we listened to Christmas music. I love getting into the Christmas spirit!!! I think it is one of my favorite times of year. I am worse then the kids when it comes to getting excited about Christmas!!!

(Bailey went to St. George to Katies house with Grandpa and Grandma Erickson this year for Thanksgiving, so she missed out on the tree decorating. I hope she won't be to mad that she missed out when she gets home.)

Tyus helping me put the Christmas Tree skirt under the tree

Peyton putting the first decoration on the tree

All of the kids putting their special little touches on!!
From left to right... Kaylee, Tyus, Peyton (on the chair), Jayden (in front of Peyton), and Jaycee

The final product. The kids did a great job decorating!!
Thanks guys for your help!!!

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

We usually try to rotate between all of our families each year for Thanksgiving. Sometimes this seems to get pretty crazy, but seems to work out the best. We were going to go to my parents house this year, but ended up staying home and hosting dinner at our house. Chad's Grandma decided to move and was moving the day after Thanksgiving, so all of the family was here helping her so we decided it would work out best if we just had it here. We had a great day with great food. I intended on getting the camera out and taking pictures, but when the day was about over I realized I hadn't taken one picture. Oh well, I have never claimed to be a great picture taker!!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-29T14:48:00.000-08:00

I am behind again!! SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!!

I was going through my pictures and realized that I hadn't blogged about Halloween. I decided it was better late then never.

The kids each carved their own pumpkins. This is always a favorite for Halloween!!

Bailey thought that she may be to old to dress up this year until she found a cute Lady Bug costume. She decided it might be fun to do the Halloween thing one more year. She looked darling and I was glad she dressed up again. I don't want her to grow up to fast.

Tyus had a hard time deciding what he wanted to be. At first he wanted to dress up like a motorbiker, but decided against that when I told him that he couldn't ride his motorbike around town to go trick or treating. After looking long and hard for the perfect costume, he decided on a Warewolf costume. It turned out to be a great choice because he won a prize at the school carnival for the "Best Costume" contest.

Peyton wanted to be a skeleton. I thought it would be easy to find a skeleton costume, but to my surprise, there are many different kinds of skeletons. I figured his costume would be the easiest to find, but it ended up being the hardest because there where so many choices. He finally decided on one that looked scary.

They all looked super cute and we had a great night. We went to Grandpa and Grandma Ericksons house for our traditional Halloween dinner of Sloopy Jo's, Chips and Jello, with Caramel Apples for desert. The kids trick or treated with their cousins and their crazy Grandma that also likes to dress up with them.

Grandma the "Witch" with her grandkids

Hunting, Hunting and more Hunting!!!!

2009-11-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

So our October consisted mostly of hunting!! Our family has always been big fans of hunting and we really enjoy being out in the mountains. Chad started doing security for Deseret Land and Livestock. It keeps him pretty busy, but he seems to enjoy it. The kids and I got to ride around with him one weekend. The kids had a great time hiking, playing in the little streams and having a fun family picnic.

Chad also has been lucky enough to guide a few hunters. I think if he had his way, he would do this for a full time job. To bad it isn't a year long thing!! He got some really good guys this year and loved every minute he has with them. All of the ones that he guided ended up getting their animal.

Aren't they an amazing animal?!?!

He also bought an Elk tag this year so that he could take the boys on a hunt. They had a great time going with their dad and thought that they were just as big as he was. A couple of times they had to walk for a ways and not one complaint was said by either Tyus or Peyton. They were troopers. While hunting they saw and even shot at an elk, but unfortunately the shot
was just to far and it missed the elk. The hunt ended up being unsuccessful but the best part of the whole thing was the time the boys got to spend with their dad.

The Mighty Hunters

Peyton posing with Dad's gun and his camo bag.
(He got the bag for his birthday in May and he keeps telling us that he is going to put meat in it. So when he got to go hunting he had to get his bag just in case they got an elk then he could put the meat in it to carry it off the hill.)

We went camping with Van, Jaime and their kids during the hunt. As you can see in the pictures, we got snowed on. Thank goodness for trailers!!! We had a great time and actually stayed really warm.

I was busy myself with a different group of hunters. For the last 3 years, Susie, my sister in-law, and I have cooked for hunters that come the month of October. They are from California and very, very nice men. I enjoy doing it so much!!! It keeps us busy, but they are the nicest people and they are just so happy with everything we fix for them. My kids enjoy when they get to have their mom back because it takes a lot of my time at nights away from them. They are great and really help me in any way that they can.

So as you can see the words HUNTING and HUNTERS has been in our vocabulary a lot this past month.

Bailey's Volleyball Season

2009-10-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

BAILEY WITH TWO OF HER BEST FRIENDS, SHANDON AND EMILY

This is Bailey's first year in Jr. High. Usually 6th graders don't get to play sports, but this year they let them because the 7th grade doesn't have enough kids to make up the team. She was so excited to get to play Volleyball this year and she did very well. Her and her classmates did a very good job on the court every time they got a chance to play. The 6th grade team was the 7th grade B team so when they played other schools they were actually playing against 7th graders. They won most of their games and had a great time doing it. Bailey was the setter. She had one of the hardest positions on the court. She was so nervous the first couple of games but did great every time. I am so proud of her and her friends. They will be an awesome team when they get a little older. GREAT JOB GIRLS!!!!!

BAILEY SERVING THE BALL- SHE HAD A GREAT SERVE AND GOT IT OVER THE NET MOST OF THE TIME (action shots on my camera are so blurry. Sorry!!)

BUMP, SET, SPIKE IT!!!

SERVE RECEIVE- BE READY GIRLS !!!

ALL OF THE GIRLS HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE POSITION CHANGES, BUT THEY FINALLY GOT IT.

HUDDLE TIME- HOW ARE WE GOING TO BEAT THIS TEAM COACH????

BAILEY WITH HER TEAM- CHEERING ON THE 7TH GRADE TEAM

Kids Say the Darndest Things

2009-10-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to be able to go in once a week and help in Peyton's Kindergarten class. The kids are so cute and I really enjoy my time being in the classroom helping them. A couple of weeks ago I decided to stay and eat lunch with the kids after helping them. I was sitting by Peyton eating and he got a little closer to me and patted me on the shoulder. He said, "Hey mom, do you see that guy over there?" I looked over to one of the other tables that Peyton was talking about and saw his Principal, Mr. Lamborn. I said, "Yes, I see him." He said to me, "Did you know that he is our Trenchable and he is really mean." I said, "No he's not mean, he is very nice." Peyton then said, "But mom, he is like the Trenchable on Matilda. For those of you who have seen the movie Matilda will know that it is about a school and their Principal isn't very nice. Her name is Mrs. Trenchable and she does some pretty mean things to the kids. Peyton has watched this movie a million times and knows all the bad things that happen to the kids at that school.

After I had a little laugh to myself I explained to him that his name was Mr. Lamborn and he was a principal, not a trenchable. I then explained to him that on the movie Matilda they also had a principal but her name was Mrs. Trenchable. She was a very mean lady, but not all principals are mean. And I tried to help him understand that her name was Mrs. Trenchable and not that principals are trenchables. Mr. Lamborn is a very nice man and I don't want Peyton to be scared of him. I don't know if I convinced him or not but I hope he can at least relax a little when he is around him.

Kids comes up with some of the funniest things. I would love to just get inside one of their heads for a day to see all of the funny thoughts that go on in a day.

You've got to love the little characters!!!

September 16th 1995........

2009-09-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

.......is where the Cornia story began. Chad and I have been married 14 years today. It hardly seems possible!! We have had many ups and downs through the years, but the ups have definitely out weighed the downs.

When we went into this adventure we were young and in love and didn't know our future. Really I don't even know that we cared to much what our future held as long as we were together. (I'm sure everyone knows what I mean when I say that) We had a lot of growing up to do together and a lot to learn about life. I am so glad that we took this journey on as a team.

We share 3 wonderful kid and a lot of great memories. I only look forward to the next 14 years to come.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH CHAD!!!! Thanks for providing the best life possible for me and the kids. Your the greatest in all of our eyes!

Chad surprised me with these beautiful Roses and a card.
We try to go out to dinner but usually don't buy much for our anniversaries, so I wasn't expecting this. We did go to dinner at our favorite steak house "Bon Rico" in Evanston too. We had a great night together!!!

Close up of the roses. Aren't they pretty??

HERO FOR A DAY!!!

2009-09-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Today Peyton got to be the "Hero For A Day" in his class. Each day a different kid gets to have this special day, and Peyton has really been looking forward to it. I got to go into his class and tell all his friends and classmates all about him. It was a lot of fun seeing the smile on his face as I told stories and showed pictures of him. He also got to choose his favorite story and we read it to the class. He chose "Who's Making That Smell." He almost knows it word for word, so it was fun for him to be able to help me read it. Mrs. Weston is such a fun teacher and does some really great things with the kids.

Mrs. Weston crowning Peyton "Hero For A Day"

Peyton giving everyone a high five while Mrs. Weston presents him to the class

I was so lucky to show off my little "HERO" I love this kid so much and I am so proud of him.
He is our "HERO" everyday

Peyton's favorite book that he shared with his class

School has started again!!!!

2009-08-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I think we have made it through the first week of school. What a great milestone for our family this year. Bailey, our oldest, went into the 6th grade which is the first year of middle school. She was so excited and was on a natural high when she came home Monday night. She was way excited about her classes and teachers. I hope she keeps up the positive attitude all year. She is also playing volleyball this year and loves it. They usually don't let the 6th graders play, but they don't have enough of the older kids so they get to play.

Bailey just before leaving the house to get on the bus. Doesn't she look excited!!! She thinks she is to big to get pictures taken on the first day of school. (That is just for Elementary kids) She gets on the bus at 6:50 in the morning and doesn't get home until 6:30 at night. She is so tired and hungry when she gets home. It is definitely a long day for the kids that choose to do sports after school.

Tyus is going into the 3rd grade and seems to love every minute of it. He has been all smiles since the second I sent him out the door on Monday. His teacher is Mr. Ward and so far he seems to like him. He has already brought home 4 frogs that he found while on a class walk. I also hope his excitement lasts throughout the year.

Tyus excited for his first day of 3rd grade.

Peyton, my baby, went to Kindergarten. I can't believe it!! I have been looking forward to him going as much as he has been excited to go. I have felt guilty because I have been so ready for him to go. He has been my hardest kid as far as having to entertain him all day, everyday. So it has been really hard to get anything done when the other kids have been at school and I have had to be the one to entertain him. I have really enjoyed the one on one time that I have had with him and I am really going to miss it but I am also excited for his new adventure. He didn't get to go when the other kids did on Monday, because they had to test all the Kindergarten kids individually before they could start, so his first day wasn't until Thursday. He had his testing on Monday so that was good that he at least got to go that day for a little while. I took him early enough so he could eat lunch with the kids before his test. He did a great job during his test and his teacher, Mrs. Weston, said that he was ready for Kindergarten.

Peyton getting ready to go for his test to see if he is ready for Kindergarten

Showing off his new backpack

Peyton on his "First" real day of Kindergarten

Tyus and Peyton walking to the bus (Peyton's first day of school)

Tyus and Peyton waiting at the bus stop. Tyus was so good to give Peyton advise on what to do on the bus and when he got to school. He is a great big brother that will take very good care of him if he has any trouble.

Peyton waiting patiently for the Bus

It finally came. He has been so excited to be able to ride the bus like the big kids.
I did really good with my emotions until the door or the bus closed and it pulled away. Then I got a little choked up, but I held the tears back. They just grow up way to fast!!!!

Summer Fun

2009-08-17T21:44:00.001-07:00

Again it has been close to a month since I have updated my blog. I really hope that now summer is coming to an end and school is about to start that I will have a little more of a schedule. Hopefully this will also help us stay home more. We have had a great summer and have really done a lot of fun things.

Here are a few things that we have done lately........ (Sorry it is so long again!!!!)

The Rich County Fair

This past weekend was spent in Randolph at the fair. The kids have all raised a pig this year and Bailey also raised Chickens to sell. Bailey is the only one old enough to actually do 4-H and sell her animals, but the boys got to also show their pigs in the open class show. They all did so good and Chad and I are very proud of them. It is fun to see how much then learn and grow by raising and taking care of animals.

Tyus and Peyton showing their pigs in the open class showmanship show

Peyton got a Blue Ribbon. Good job buddy you did awesome showing bolt!!!

Tyus got Reserve Champion Showmanship. Great Job Bud!!! You were Awesome too!!!
(His pigs name is Spots)

Bailey with Bolt. Trying to get a picture for the buyer of her pig.
Bolt didn't want to cooperate very badly.

Bailey showing her pig during the showmanship.
She got a blue ribbon also. Great job sis!!!

Bailey and Rames Cornia were the only ones that showed chickens. This is them showing the judge how to find different things on a chicken and also how to pose a chicken. Bailey isn't too excited about chickens, so she wasn't to excited about having to show and pose them. She did a great job with them and got Reserve Champion Showmanship and also Grand Champion on the chickens themselves. It is nice only having the two kids because the are garanteed to get Grand or Reserve Champion. Next year it will be harder because Tyus will be old enough to do it too, so there will be at least one more kid to compete.

Our family posing with Bailey and her chickens.
(My mom took the picture and forgot to include the chickens. Oh Well!!!!)

The boys were also involved in the Cloverbud 4-H program this summer and they got to turn in all the projects that they worked on this summer. They got blue ribbons on all there projects and also got a little bit of money for them. Bailey didn't turn in projects this year, but did have her record book. She got the Grand Champion book in her division and we were way excited. Those books are a pain in the butt and alot of work. It is nice to see all the hard work pay off in the end.

All in all you can see that we had a busy week at the fair, but a successful one. We are very proud of our kids and everyone else that was involve in the 4-H program. It is alot of hard work for these kids, but it teaches them alot and I think it is good to learn how to be hard workers.

We will rest for a couple of months and then gear ourselves up for the next year in 4-H with another set of animals.

Seven Peaks Water Park

2009-08-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

The kids earned Seven Peaks Passes this last year in school for reading. They have been so excited to use their passes all summer. I finally took them last Tuesday. Bailey's friend Shandon and her Mom met us there and Tyus took his friend Bradshaw from Evanston (his soccer buddy) with him. Susie and her boys were there with us and Jaime and her kids were also there with her family. We had so much fun and the weather was wonderful!!!!

Peyton was content all day going up these stairs and............

going down this slide!!!

Tyus and Bradshaw sitting in the tube taking a little break.
(This was about the only time I saw them all day)

Bailey enjoying her lunch in the tube

The kids relaxing before hitting the slides again

Salt Lake Bee's Baseball Game

2009-08-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

The third time is the charm I guess, because we have tried to take our kids to the Bee's game two other times and the two games we have chosen got canceled for various reasons. I was a little skeptical going to this game, but we got there and they did play and we had a great time.

Peyton showing off the stuff they gave out at the game. All the kids got a Bees bag and also a bike helmet. He was super excited!!!!

The Boys waiting for the game to start

Tyus, Bailey and Peyton getting signatures from the Bee's Baseball Players

"Bumble" the Bee's Mascot

After the game all the kids got to run the bases. This picture is kind of blurry, but Tyus is the one in navy blue almost to 1st base and Peyton is the one in royal blue just behind him.

Erickson Family Reunion

2009-08-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

Our family went to Star Valley last weekend for my Dad's Family Reunion. We haven't had this reunion since my Grandma Erickson died. It use to be held every year and it was a reunion that I actually looked forward to, but for the past 6 years we haven't had it.

My Aunt Debbie decided to have a little get together at the park. We had a BBQ and just visited. A lot of people ended up coming and most were relatives I hadn't seen for years. We had a great time although the weather wasn't the best. I hope that we will continue to keep the tradition alive and have a get together of some kind every year.

I took my camera but forgot to get it out the whole time that we were there. We even had an awesome hula-hoop contest that I would have loved to get on camera, but I didn't. Oh well maybe next time I will pull it out.

Motor Cross Racing

2009-08-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

Tyus was asked by a friend, Carson Cornia, to come to the Motor Cross race in Evanston and race his motorbike. Tyus was so excited to race, but his dad wasn't so sure if it was a good idea. Tyus has never raced his bike before and has only been on a track a couple times just for fun. We finally talked Chad into letting him try it in the non compotition race. Tyus' other friend Jared Anderson also raced in that same race. They both did such a great job and had a great time doing it. They got to race 2 times that night and I think Tyus wishes he could have done more. He took 3rd place in both races. He thinks that he needs to race in a compotiotion race now. I don't know if I am to excited about the idea of that, but I guess we will have to see.

Tyus getting all the gear on so that he can race

Tyus with his buddies Jared and Carson

The Racing Crew!!!!
(Back Row- Left to Right) Jesse Gross, Cache Sabey, Tucker Cornia
(Front Row- Left to Right) Tyus, Carson Cornia, Jared Anderson

All the boys lined up next to their bikes

Dad giving Tyus a little advise before the race starts

And the racing begins

Tyus going down one of the hills on the track

The boys enjoying the rest of the races together after they were done racing

Tyus with his trophy. He is very proud of this and he hopes that his dad will let him try it again to see if he can win some more cool trophies.

Tyus' Golf Camp

2009-08-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

This kid is in to all sports and absolutely loves them all. This year he asked me if he could do golf camp. I can't imagine wanting to go to golf camp, but he was sure excited. I signed him up and he had a great week on the golf course.

Getting ready for a day of golf

Tyus with his buddies on the course

Enjoying a beautiful day on the Golf Course

The Concert of a Life Time!!!!!

2009-08-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

George Strait Concert- Cheyenne Wyoming 2009

I was lucky enough to go to the George Strait Concert at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, with my good friend Marcy Cornia, and one of her friends from Salt Lake. It was all kind of strange how I ended up getting to go and if I told the whole story this blog entry would go one forever, so I won't go into that. All I will say is, "Thank you so much Marcy for inviting me to go with you. I had the time of my life."

We made a very quick trip to Cheyenne and didn't get much sleep. It is a good thing you can run on adrenaline for awhile, because that is what we did. I met Marcy and Candice in Evanston at 3 am (After they attended the Salt Lake George Strait Concert) and drove to Cheyenne. We did stop in Raulins for a cat nap, but a cat nap it was because Marcy had us up and moving just 1 hour after going to sleep. If anyone knows Marcy you will know that she is George Staits #1 fan. This women knows everything there is to know about George and his band, staff, family.... you name it she knows. She had mentioned to the crew the night of the Salt Lake Concert that she was following them to the Cheyenne Concert. They were so nice and actually told her that they would be at the Little America Hotel and to look them up when she got there. Yep, you guessed it!!! When we got there we headed for the Little America Hotel and sure enough all the buses were parked in the parking lot. To make a long story short, we ended up spending some time with some of the band members, the bus drivers and his security guys before the concert. We visited and took a few pictures with them before they had to leave for sound check.

Marcy wishing she could get on George's Bus !!!!

Me, Marcy, and Candice posing with George's Bus Driver, Leroy!!!

Tommy Foote (Personal Manager), Marcy and ???? (I can't remember this guys name. I think it is one of the band members. Marcy would know, she knows everybody)

We decided that we better get to the fair grounds so that we could get in line, since our tickets were general admission. We stood in line for 4 hours, but it paid off when we got right by the stage for the concert. It was such a good concert and we all had a really great time. I was really excited that Georges opening singer was Julianne Hough from Dancing With the Stars. I have followed her on that show for a few years now and I absolutely love her. She is a great dancer and now showing how great of a singer she is too.

Me, Marcy and Candice posing by the George Strait poster at the fair grounds

After the concert we ended up spending more time with George Straits crew before they had to head back home. Tommy Foote, Georges manager and Mike ??? (I don't remember his last name), a band member, were the two that we visited with the most. I think Marcy was on cloud nine the whole time and the night could have only been better if we could have visited with George Strait himself in person. He only showed his face during the concert. His bus was at the hotel, and he was on it but he didn't come off to see his fans. You can't blame the man, he would get mauled to death. His crew was great and we had a great time with them. Thanks again for a great weekend. It is one I will not soon forget.

Julianne Hough singing before George came on stage

Of course George put on a great concert and I hope I get to go back to a concert of his in the future. I hope I get to go with Marcy and Candice again too. They were both a ton of fun.

Bargain Shopping.....

2009-08-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone has got to try this, it is crazy!!!! My sister got me into bargain shopping a couple of months ago, and I can't believe how much you can really save. This week the Albertson's add is crazy. It is by far the best one I have seen. So much of it was stuff that I use every day, so it was a really great deal for me. My friend and I ran over to Ogden the other night and took advantage of the great deals. I spent $175 and saved $503, yes that is correct $503 DOLLARS!!!! I couldn't believe it either. I couldn't get some of the stuff that I wanted because it was out of stock, so I went to Wal-Mart in Evanston and they price matched everything. I am a true believer in this and would love to help anyone figure it out if you need help. My family loves it too, because they are eating things that I normally wouldn't buy, because it is too expensive. I should have taken a picture, but there was no way $700 worth of groceries was going to fit on my cupboard or fit in a picture and I didn't really want to organize it all and then have to put it away too. SORRY!! Maybe next time. Anyway, I just want to tell everyone to try it, it is way worth it.

Another catch up blog.....Sorry it is so long

2009-07-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

I KNOW, I KNOW...... I am a blog slacker!!! I really haven't been home that much in the last month, so I haven't had a chance to update my blog with all the other stuff I have had to do when I have been home.

Summer is suppose to be relaxing right?? Well not for us. Just as soon as I think it might slow down life gets busier. We have done a lot of things and have had a great time doing them.

I don't know if I have blogged about this, but Chad has been a part of a Federal Grand Jury for the past year and a half. He had to go to Salt Lake every other Wednesday (twice a month). He would go and stay on Tuesday nights because they would pay for him to stay, so basically for the past 1 1/2 years he has had a night to himself twice a month. Where do I sign up for that????? Anyways, it has come to an end and he is really missing it. He really enjoyed it and looked forward to it each time. When he first found out about it he about died thinking it would be a big headache, but it turned into a great thing for him. He got to be involved in a lot of interesting cases and he really enjoyed everything about it. It was a long year and a half for me, because I didn't get to enjoy it quite like he did. Oh well, maybe I will be chosen next.

The kids have been busy with 4-H this summer. Tyus and Peyton are in the cloverbud program and Bailey is raising a Pig and Chickens to sell at the sale in a couple of weeks. Tyus and Peyton are also raising a pig, but they are to young to sell at the sale. Bailey's pig looks really good this year and we are excited that it is gaining weight unlike her one last year that barely gained enough weight to show and sell.

Bailey and Tyus walking their pig

Peyton decides to join in on the fun. Look how friendly Bailey's pig is. She loves all the attention she can get and she loves a good scratching.

We got a new camping trailer this year and have had fun camping in it. We were out growing our other one and have really enjoyed having the room that we now have in this trailer. The first week that we had it we decided to try it out. We took it up above Randolph and camped with some friends of ours, Jason and Penny Petersen and their boys. The kids all had a ball camping and playing with each other and we really enjoyed camping with them. It rained on us all but one of the days, so we ended up in the trailers playing games a lot of the time. We love playing games so that was ok with us. I took a couple of pictures of the boys, but this is all I got. (Sorry Bailey I didn't get any of you. I don't know where you were when I got the camera out the one time that I did. I will have to catch you next time.)

Peyton riding his bike through the weeds while we were camping

Tyus' Cool Face!!!!

Tyus and Austin Petersen helping each other out of the mud

Tyus and Austin again.... playing in the creek with their wadders

The 4th of July was actually a lot different for us this year. We usually help cook hamburgers for the Rodeos that we have in our little town. Chad has been over the security up at Wyoming Downs the last few years and this year they held the races over the 4th so he wasn't able to help with the hamburger cooking. Me and the kids did go to the Rodeo on Friday night and also to the parade and the dinner on Saturday. We also went to the Races at Wyoming Downs on Friday and Saturday so that we could be with our dad. My kids love to go to the races and weren't disappointed one bit that we didn't do as much in Woodruff this year. Chad's Dad and Darlene came and stayed with us that weekend also. We stayed up and played cards with them the first night and went to bed way to late. Oh Well!!! It was fun. The second night that they were here they took our kids to Evanston to the Rodeo and then they watched to "Famous" Evanston Fireworks. Chad and I missed out on the fireworks this year because we were trying to get ready to go to Flaming Gorge.

On Sunday July 5th we headed out for Flaming Gorge. We take this trip every year and absolutely love it. We look forward to this trip and it goes way to fast when we finally get to go. A lot of people go and we have a huge group of about 50 or 60 people. Mike and Amy (Chad's sister) are the ones that invite us to go. It started with Mike's family and has turned into a trip for a lot of family and friends. We stay right on the lake and we are gone for a week. The week consists of nothing but rest, relaxation and a whole lot of fun. There are boats, tubes, skies, knee boards and a lot of other water toys. The kids just have a ball and go none stop from morning to night. We usually have a story or two to tell about something weird that happens while we are there. Some are good and some are bad, some are funny and some not so funny, but usually we can come up with something. This year the story has to be about Mike's boat...... Mike and Amy just bought a new boat last year and it is very nice. This year they took it out and seemed to have a couple problems with it. Mike was so frustrated, but the problems got fixed with a few parts and good mechanics. On the 2nd to last day a few of us decided to go out on the boat before dinner and wash our hair. We headed out at about 4:30 so that we could be back in time to fix dinner, because it was mine and Chad's turn to cook for the group that night. We decided to go into a cove where the water would be a little warmer. We turned off the boat and jumped in to wash. After washing and swimming around for awhile we decided we better head back to camp. Mike tryed to start the boat and it wouldn't start. The guys on board worked for awhile trying to find the problem. Not able to come up with anything they decided we better try to row out of the cove so that we could get to where someone could see us. With one ore and 2 water skies the guys started to row. We got half way out of the cove when the annual Gorge storm blew in. If anyone has ever been to the Gorge you will know that not many days go by with out at least one good wind storm. The winds and rains came and we ended up getting blown back into the cove a little ways. We decided to take cover and ride the storm out. After it had calmed again the guys started to row again. This time only having 2 skies because Chad broke the only ore in the boat. Mike ended up getting on shore when he could and pulling the boat with a rope. He was the only one smart enough to bring shoes along with him. We figured that someone back at camp would soon come looking for us because the cooks were on the stranded boat, but after hours past and no help in sight we began wondering if anyone would come to our rescue. After about 4 hours Bob (Mike's brother in law) finally came to our aid. He had been out looking for us, but had gone the opposite direction from where we were. We ended up getting back to camp around 8:30 pm and was greeted by a lot of hungry people. Dinner was served at 10:00 that night, but nobody complained. I was actually really surprised that everyone had waited for us to get back to eat. Being stranded wasn't all that bad. I actually quite enjoyed it. Nobody was hurt and the weather was pretty good for the most part. I felt bad for Mike because his boat had given him such trouble all week and I also felt bad for the starving people back at camp waiting for their cooks to return. We figured that wasn't such a bad thing though, because we figured if they weren't out looking for us they would get hungry sooner or later and realize that we were gone and someone would come for us. The battery ended up being the problem and after being plugged in for the night everything was fixed. It just needed to be charged. Thank goodness it wasn't a big problem. We all hated to see the week end and can't wait to go again over Labor Day weekend.

Tyus enjoying a boat ride. He was a little nervous to get out in the water on the tubes, but he sure enjoyed watching everyone else.

Bailey, Peyton and their friends riding the tube behind the boat. Peyton wanted on every chance he got and he even got brave enough to ride by him self. Bailey wasn't scared at all either.

Peyton showing off his cool googles

Bailey drying off after her tube ride

A shot of the whole family on the back of the boat

Bailey in the trailer enjoying a little snack before dinner with some friends that came to visit for a couple days

Peyton playing in the water next to camp. See how close the fire wood is to the water? We had to dig 4 fire pits before the trip was over. The water was rising so fast that 3 of them ended up under the water. It was CRAZY!!!!

A picture of our camp lined up along to lake. We had more trailers but they had left before I took this picture on the last day.

Another shot of our camp from a different angle

As you can see it is a great trip. Everyone should go and enjoy the Gorge at least once. I promise you will make it an anual trip like we do if you have as much fun as we do.

So this is what the Cornia Clan has been up to for the past few weeks. Sorry about the long post. I will try harder to update sooner, but no promises are being made.

Summer is well under way. Minus the weather

2009-06-17T12:44:00.000-07:00

June is already half over. I can't believe it!! Time goes so fast, the kids will be back in school before we know it. We really haven't had the best weather yet. It has rained almost everyday since the kids got out of school. WE ARE READY FOR SOME SUNSHINE!!!

We have been busy running kids to all their various activities.

Bailey started volleyball camp this week and has really enjoyed it. They are working them pretty hard and she is coming home very sore and tired. She is going to go to Logan next week to stay with Wade and Lori and babysit for them while they work. After she comes home from their house she will be leaving for 4-H camp. She is a busy girl and I am really going to miss her. She helps me so much with the boys and around the house. I am going to be lost without her.

Tyus is very involved in sports and loves them all. Right now he is playing Soccer in Evanston and also Softball in Randolph. His games and practices for both seem to always fall at the same time so we are running from sport to sport with him trying to make it to as much of both of them as we can. Later in the summer he is also going to go to golf camp. He can't wait and keeps asking me when he gets to go. He will also go to scout camp this year and also seems to be excited for it.

Peyton is involved in sports too. He is playing Teeball in Randolph and also plays Soccer in Evanston. He is doing so well at both sports. This is his first year to do both of them and he is loving ever minute of it. In teeball his coaches pitch the ball to them instead of using the tee and he does very well hitting it. He is so proud of himself for not having to use the tee. I am his soccer coach and I think I may request to not have him on my team next time. He is a little stinker sometimes and I think he would do better with someone else coaching him. Oh well, it has been fun coaching him and his team mates. They are cute little kids and not bad soccer players either.

(I have only remembered to take my camera to one of Peyton's teeball games. I will have to take pictures of his soccer and Tyus' softball and soccer and post them later.)

Peyton up to bat (without the tee)

Running to first base after hitting the ball

My brother Alan and his wife and kids are moving to India in a few days. We decided to have our family reunion before they left. We went camping up to the creek and had a ball. The weather could have been a little better, but other then that everything was great. We will really miss Alan and Kerri and their kids. They will be gone for 2 years. That is a long time and a long ways away from home. Good luck guys!!! We love you and will miss you.

Here are some pictures of our reunion

The kids took the treats we all brought and put them together and made a candy store in one of the tents.

Caden, Peyton and Machesney eating their treats from the candy store

Jackson was the advertiser for the store

My Dad and Chad enjoying dinner. You've got to love camping food!!

Sweet little Savannah (Alan and Kerri's baby)

Katie and Chase (he is enjoying his candy from the candy store too)

The Erickson Clan

Alan, Kerri and Savannah

Chad and I have been looking for a newer camp trailer for about a year now and haven't had any luck at all. We had an older trailer, but it was just to little for our growing family. We were looking for one that would be better for us. We had almost given up, and then we found the trailer that we had been hoping to find. We decided to call on it in hopes that it hadn't already been sold. To our surprise it hadn't and we were able to buy it. We have only had it for a few days and can't wait to try it out. I think we are going to find somewhere to camp this weekend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Our new trailer

We are way excited that it has a slide. It adds a lot more room inside

The living room

Kitchen, Hall and Bedroom