DISCO FEVER

We hosted a Murder Mystery Dinner (3 weeks ago, I know it was a while ago but I love the pictures so I need to post about it) and the theme was "Staying Alive".  Apart from being with friends which is always fun we loved dressing up, acting goofy, and using funny accents.  We had such a great time!  Can you guess who the murderer is?  Which one looks suspicious to you?

Disco Queen (I feel the fever, ok those pants are a little tight.  I need some toning on those thighs) and Fletch is working Overtime

Mr. Artsy Fartsy (he did this a little too well if you know 

what I mean) and Broadway Extradonaire

Martial Arts Pro (with a hilarious accent) and Miss Good Looking 

(watch out she isn't what she appears to be)

Singing Sensation and Mr. I Think I Am Too Sexy

The whole gang: Smiths, Jensens, Carters, Rivers

TWILIGHT!!!

Ok, I just have to make one thing clear I am not a "Twilight Freak", "Twilight Groupie", "Edward Nut" or anything else that you would call people that are totally obsessed with these books.  HOWEVER, I did go to the midnight showing last night (I am going on 3 1/2 hours of sleep so I hope this entry makes sense) and even though I wasn't wearing my Twilight apparel, painted bite marks on my neck (people really did do this) or splash my face and hair with glitter I really liked this movie.  Alright I think I can say I loved this movie!!  I was not disappointed plenty of romance, action and entertainment!  There is my little review take it for what it is.  Enjoy!

ST. GEORGE

For UEA Break we headed down to St. George for a little fun in the sun.  And man did we have fun and yes there was sun.  Chandler and I joked that you could tell who lived in St. George because they were wearing pants and long sleeve shirts, visitors on the other hand were enjoying the weather with shorts and swimsuits.

We didn't know about this cool water feature/fountain they have by the tabernacle.  Next time you go to St. George check it out because it is very fun!

One afternoon we dragged the kids to the dinosaur tracks (they were not excited to go at all), but they actually really enjoyed it.  As we were leaving Courtnie said "That wasn't boring like I thought it was going to be!"  I told her we were fun parents and wouldn't take them somewhere boring on vacation.

We hooked up with Zane and Zoey and went to the park and swimming one day.  The kids had so much fun playing with them.  It also is nice to see a friendly face when you are on away from home.  (Just as a side note if Hillary asks you to go for a "walk" with her you better beware!  JK Hillary I had such a great time with you and a nice time chit chatting)

My crazy May and Aunt Annie!  Meagan was out of control in the water.  She couldn't get enough of it and was jumping in and out of the water. (With no life jacket or floaties, we couldn't keep them on her)  "I can do it myself!"

We found this new park down the street from the condos.  It has more spinny, turny, bouncy toys than any other park.  It doesn't have your usual playground toys.  The kids thought it was AWESOME!

Lake Powell Again!!

Here is Dad being a show off!  FALL FALL FALL FALL!!   There's Courtnie hanging on Camille.

Watch out Paul! I'm surving on the high way I'm surving on the high way.
Tyren and Jorden are just hanging . they don't even care what there doing.Jorden smiling  like paul.
Tyren and Shauna waving to the crowd. Meagen's really scared. Camille stop laughing at Tyren and Shauna. Why is Courtnie staring at them.

Anyone feel like a run?

We survived another year!

PASS THE BALM!  You rock!! 

This is such a fun race (really)!  It is hard to imagine being in a car for over 24 hours and not eating, not sleeping and running in 95 degree weather but we had such a great time.  It really is about being with your friends and supporting and cheering everybody to do their best.

BJ and Joni showing off their awesome shirts!

I did it...barely!  This was the hardest leg of my life.  I felt like I was going to die.  I had a good little cry and then when I got it all out and had some time to calm down I was very excited to be done and was very happy in my accomplishment.

Paul did a great job!  The race messed up his calves and shins and he is still walking a little sore.  Please be sympathetic when you see him hobbling down the street.

Lake Powell

After getting home Saturday night from Hilton Head we washed clothes and packed up again to head out the next morning for Lake Powell.  We went with a bunch of people from Paul's work.  The kids had such a great time, it has been 10 years since we have been to Lake Powell and Paul and I forgot how much we love it.  Of course I now have the boating bug (I always have had it I just got it more) and really want to buy a boat. 

 

*Meagan enjoyed the boat rides the best, Chandler called her a "movie star" with her hair flapping in the breeze.  She just giggles and smiled the entire time and kept telling the driver to go faster.

*Courtnie made a new friend and the two of them did everything together.  She loved riding the tubes.

*Tyren enjoyed the wave runners the best, the tubes made him a little nervous when they hit the waves.

*Chandler tried knee boarding for the first time, by the end of the week he was going in and out of the wake

HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA

So I know that it has been forever since you have heard from the Carters, but hopefully the following entries will let you know what we have been up to.  Paul and I kicked off the summer by heading to Hilton Head Island with our friends the Jensens.  It was a long day of traveling but well worth it!  It was such a fantastic trip to just relax and hang out with friends.  

Our highlights included:

*Working out everyday (a run on the beach, a bike ride on the beach, heading to the gym)

*Playing tennis (this was a huge highlight for me, I have never had so much fun.  I forgot how much I really love to play.  Anyone out there that wants to hit around give me a call.)

*Kayaking tour with Sandy (after I got over the initial fear that an alligator was not going to attack my boat I really enjoyed it)

*Golfing (this was a huge highlight for Paul, the last day there we all went golfing together and we had a great time.  Once again I wouldn't go near the water for fear that an alligator would come and attack me.  Have you seen Lake Placid?)

*Playing card games into the wee hours of the morning (and yes the boys won, but the girls gave them a run for the money.  Trust me you don't want to see Nate get mad)

*Reading and relaxing (I finished four books!)

As you can tell we had a great time!  Thanks Sandy and Nate for inviting us you were fabulous company!!

Is it almost SUMMER?

I love this time of year when friends and neighbors all come out and play.  It is time to stock up on fruit snacks, capri suns and otter pops but I wouldn't want it any other way!

Happy Late Mother's Day!

I know I am a week late on posting about Mother's Day but I want everyone, especially my kids to know how much I love being a mom.  They keep me hopping with all the things they do, I love each of their different personalities and I love the quiet moments (though they are few) that I get to spend with each of them.  

*Chandler is growing up so fast and is learning to be very responsible.  He is a big help around the house.

*Tyren is my peacemaker and is very content to just chill.  He makes us laugh everyday with his constant bizarre statements.

*Courtnie is our "Little Miss Social" she needs to always be going, doing and playing.  Life is

 always better when you are doing it with a friend.

*Meagan is my little buddy.  I cart her around from place to place, meeting to meeting and she is so good.  She always tells me from the back seat that I am her best Mom!

Happy Mother's Day also to the two best GRAMMAS  in the world!  We love you!

Playtime with Meagan

Every week this year Meagan and I have participated in a playtime group at the PG rec center.  On Monday was our last day and we took a field trip to Thanksgiving Point Barn.  This is the first time we have done the barn thing and Meagan was in heaven and she didn't want to leave.  I have loved doing this class because it has been so fun to just spend some fun time together.

Congrats Dave and Annie!

We are so proud of Dave (Paul's younger brother) who graduated from BYU last week with his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.  Also a shout out to Annie (Paul's little sister) who graduated from UVU last week with a degree in Elementary Ed.  I am very excited because she will be teaching 3rd grade at Lindon Elementary.  Unfortunately none of my kids are in 3rd but how cool it will be to have their aunt at their school.  We love you guys and are very happy for you!!

Soccer Season 2008

The season is finally over...no wait now we have tournaments.  Will it ever end?!  Actually I really love and enjoy watching my kids play soccer, the bad thing is that 3 of them play and it gets a little crazy trying to get to all their games, practices etc.  This spring season we have probably had one nice day of weather, most games are played in  winds of 30 mph (that's what it feels like), rain and just last week some snow.  Yikes!

Pictures of Atlanta

Our Crazy Fun Trip with the Hansens

It was Chandler's and my turn to go out to Atlanta to visit the Hansens.  Unfortunately Kate was in the hospital for most of our visit, fortunately we were able to stay an extra 2 days (thanks Paul) so that we could get a little more playtime in when Kate came home from the hospital.

Highlights for Chandler:

Andretti's Race Place

Bowling-3 strikes baby (no bumpers)

Chuck E. Cheese-beating Jason in basketball

Highlights for Shauna:

Getting to stay up late and talk to Jason and Carolyn

Finishing 3 books and relaxing

Playing 3 way soccer in the backyard

Spending some time with Chandler

Thanks Jason and Carolyn for showing us such a great time!  Of course we can't wait to come and visit again.

My First Post!!!

After a lengthy process of trying to remember my password, username and google account information, I am finally up and running! The format is rough as I am in Atlanta and just wanted to get it started since I had Carolyn's help. I have hopes of jazzing it up when I get back home and have more time (ha-ha).