Hoo-ray!

(Kyle and Kendall)

Kyle had his third and hopefully last cleft lip/palate surgery. People with cleft lip and palate tend to have abnormally large ears. Since Kyle really has no cartilage in his nose (it was quite flat), the surgeon removed cartilage from his ears to form his nose. He also pinnned back Kyle's ears. Kyle had the cutest ears--I'm going to miss those things. He has been through quite the ordeal--all these surgeries--but has remained quite the happy camper through it all. I think he's glad he doesn't have to work in the garden or out on the farm. Instead he gets to stay inside for a week playing his DS and watching movies all day. Love this kiddo to death! So grateful for him and what a blessing he is to our family! This one's for you Kyle! You're a stud!

(Kyle day after surgery. He has to wear the bandage/wrap for a week to stabilize and keep his ears in place-poor boy it's so dang hot right now)

SOLD! on Chacos

Anyone who knows me or has seen me over the summer knows I absolutely LOVE Chacos! They are my shoe/sandal choice of the summer. You can pretty much do anything in them-hike, swim, dance, play, jump, hula hoop (wink wink)...you name it! I actually have two pairs of Chacos...bought the second pair on clearance (thanks Kel) for a smashing deal thinking I would have them as a back-up in case my first pair broke. But who am I kidding...those things will never bust or break. I think they'll last me a lifetime. I don't like to spend a lot on shoes, but Chacos are definitely worth it! Trust me...I've sold plenty of people on them. If you're still trying to decide whether or not to make the splurge or if your faith in them is waivering, I am here for you!

My first pair of Chacos

Second pair-love the color but love the toe loop on the first pair best

Now that's dedication-pretty much wear those things EVERYday

*Yes I know, I have the ugliest feet in the world. I have been told PLENTY of times that I have finger-like toes...that my second toe is extremely longer than my big toe...that I have fat feet...and the list goes on and on. Come on people, like I don't already know. But I will embrace my ugly feet. I am perfectly fine with it.

One of the many places I call PARADISE

Spent 24th of July wknd with family and a few friends in Cascade, ID. Camping, food galore, bonfires, and boating-which included tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding. Always look forward to our annual trip to Cascade Lake. BEAUTIFUL area. Grandma and Grandpa Rupp came. It was so good to see them and they seemed to really enjoy the time away. Uncle Mark and Aunt Debbie and some of their family came. Aunt Rhonda and some of her family. And my entire family-Yeah! And our friends the Buckley's. A few other friends and cousins came and went throughout the weekend as well.

Absolutely love waterskiing. Hated it at first but my dad insisted we try everytime we made a trip to the lake over the years. And now I love it. Thanks Dad! I'm also learning to wakeboard this summer. I can get up but can't do any tricks. Fun though. And can't forget tubing-some seriously good times. Tube wars included. I had some terrible terrible painful spills (and so did many others), but definitely worth the pain...and bruises...and sore muscles...and wounds. Really it is.

HIGHLIGHT of the trip: the three little ones (Jenna, Kyle, and Reigan) learned how to ski! They skiied around the lake (well not the entire lake) without falling. We are so proud of them! And they were pretty proud of themselves too. I was so proud I almost shed a tear. I'm not joking. Love them so much and can't believe how fast they are growing up. They were also quite the brave little ones tubing. Such studs and studettes!

(I would have posted more pics of everyone doing their thing but my memory card broke and I only had room for a few pics on my cam)

I'm already missing the lake. But at the same time I've had plenty of sun-too much sun this summer and should probably stay indoors for awhile before I become a walking advertisement for skin cancer-ahhh! We're already planning another trip back Labor Day weekend. Can't wait!

*Side note: This blog has kinda posed a problem. A distraction and excuse for me to procrastinate other things. Like my internship that I should be working on right now. So I have now spent the hour I was suppose to work on my internship updating my blog. And now I'm off to go running. Even though I should be working on my internship. Maybe I will stay up til the wee hours of the morning working on it to compensate. Probably not. Oh well. Life goes on.

Got CHOPPED!

I cut my hair again-surprise surprise. I tried growing it out but I just couldn't stand it. It finally passed the 'crease-at-my-neck' annoying stage. Then passed my shoulders. And then...CHOPPED. Several reasons why. It's summer. My hair is black which equals you can fry an egg on my head in the blazing heat. My neck was getting sweaty too. And I just don't do hair-especially long hair obviously-like I don't know how to 'do' it as in 'fix' it. I'm a short bob a-line kinda girl...probably for life. And did I mention I love my hair stylist? Charisse Williams. She's amazing. Go to her. Metropolitan Salon in Provo.

Some things I LOVE right now...

1. Running!-st. george midnight 5k Moab half-marathon
   Graduating-exciting but scary...now what do I do???
   
   
   CRUISIN!
   Our assigned table boys at dinner were so much fun
   
   The emergency drill-Nancy looks like my small child
   
   Biking...especially tandem
   
   Moab, Zions...anywhere down south where the red rock lies
   
   Hiking-Stewart Falls
   
   Anything daring-paragliding ended up being 100% fun and not at all scary
   I'm ready to skydive!
   
   Boating-the lake-tubing-waterskiing-wakeboarding
   
   Snowskiing!...I miss it
   
   

   
   Triple love these kiddos. So glad they're a part of our family!

   
   

Fam Cancer Camp

A couple weeks ago we went to a cancer camp in Idaho near Sun Valley. BEAUTIFUL area. This is our second year attending the family cancer camp. Cancer patients and their families are invited to attend the camp. My younger sister Kaylee was diagnosed with cancer (Wilms tumor) when she was 3--she is now 13 and cancer free! My dad has never been able to attend because it is a busy time of year for him. So I go with my mom and little siblings. And Tanner joined us as well this year. We went canoeing and kayaking, geocaching, and mtn biking. We attended the famous family dance (we were Pitt and Jolie and family). Campfire and songs. Great food. Such a good time! And such a neat experience! A very sobering experience as well. I was particularly touched by a 15-yr old girl who was diagnosed with some type of brain cancer not too long ago. She was still going through chemo treatments and was very weak and sickly while at camp. One day during lunch she said something to the effect of "Mom everyone keeps staring at me." Her dad then said, "It's because you're beautiful." And she was like "Yeah right." I felt so bad for her. She had lost all of her hair and was very pale and skinny. Of course people were looking at her. And she had every right to feel down on herself. I was so impressed with her throughout the weekend. She was so sweet and would help the little kids around her. And she had such a good attitude through the puking, nausea and weakness she was experiencing. She has remained on my mind since then. I just kept thinking I have no reason to complain about my problems. Completely different but so small in comparison. I have so much reason to be grateful and happy. And I am! Can't wait for next year and hope I will see her again!

Canoeing...a bit chilly

three munchkins in the cabin

funky water trike

kayaking

Famous family dress up

Can you guess who?

I think they did a dang good job

minus the freakish looking dolls

Imma Newbie

Since I'm terrible at keeping a journal, this is another attempt to record my life...or at least some of it. We'll see how long it lasts. Get EXCITED and stay tuned...