MOAB SCOUT TRIP----THIS IS RALPH

THE CONFLUENCE OF THE GREEN AND COLORADO RIVERS.
COLORADO RIVER JUST BEFORE CATARACT CANYON.
CORY AND CAMERON IN THE DOLL HOUSE.
CORY AND FRIENDS IN THE DOLL HOUSE.
RALPH STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DOLL HOUSE.
RALPH AT THE CONFLUENCE.
RALPH IN HORSE SHOE CANYON.
THE WALL.
CORY AND FRIENDS WOULD RATHER JUMP THAN HIKE.
INDIAN ART IN HORSE SHOE CANYON.
CORY IN THE DOLL HOUSE.


This past week Cory went on the ward High Adventure Summer Camp. Dad Tagged along because he thinks he's still a kid. They started out on a 2 1/2 day river trip down the Colorado River near Moab. It was great fun with nice warm weather and a river to cool off in. Cory earned his whitewater merit badge along with the rest of the group. Ralph saw what it's like to get tossed out of a kayak into a whirlpool rapid.

Later in the week they went to a place called Horse Shoe Canyon. This place is world famous, having some of the most spectacular Indian Art in the world. They got to see it up close.

Next they went to a remote place in Canyonlands National Park called the Doll House. It's called the Doll House because there are hundreds of rock formations that look like dolls standing about. It took them seven hours on rough 4 wheel drive roads the reach their destination. Ralph hiked 10 miles round trip to see the place where the Green and Colorado Rivers combine into one big freakin river. Cory hike 1200 ft and a few miles down to the river from their campsite. The problem was that they had to hike back up to get back to camp.

They had a great time and everyone involved came back with big smiles covering their faces.

Golf Tournment a great success.

The girls had there golf fundrasier today. I lucked out and didnt have to go to this one!!! They had to find a team which for the first time ever lucy was able to do. We were happy the weather held out and was a nice day. The golfers play there game with the girls at each hole helping out where needed and at the end they give out prizes and gifts. Hense the donations of gifts the past month shes been collecting. I belive lucy is very happy its her last one with this event, fundraising is very very hard, more so when you have to keep asking the same people every year for three years. She has gotton all her kick a thon letters in the mail and shes hopefull she will get some donations (even small ones) to help her rasie money for nationals. With that done we have two months off fundrasiing, YES. The hardest fundraisers are done so we can kick back and relax for awhile.
Thanks to all of you that have helped lucy with this fundraiser and the others weve had in the past few weeks. You have no idea how much it helps her.

DANCE CAMP AND UPDATE ON MUM.

CUTE WARM UPS FOR THIS YEAR.

Lucy got back from dance camp late last night. Hayley and i went down to uvu where it was held for the past few days and watched them dance. They have the most cute warm ups this year. Lucys first year they had the royal blue ones, last year they had black ones and this year white with blue. Way cute. Lucy was exhausted but sad to see her last ever minerette dance camp over with.

Update on mum. She had her second chemo treatment today. She is in great spirits and feeling great. She has lost her hair and said she is losing weight but that means that the chemo is working and killing the cells like its suppose too. She now has a two week break and then will have chemo again for two weeks then another two weeks off and two more on. When thats done there be repeating the brain scan and pet scans to see how the chemo and radio therapy worked. So keep the prayers going. But shes feeling great, eating well and is excited for Heather and i to be going out there to see her in a few weeks.

OUR VERY LAST YARD SALE!

THE GIRLS DRESSING UP IN SOME OF THE ITEMS AT THE YARD SALE.
AFTER CLEAN UP THE GIRLS TOOK A GROUP PICTURE.
LUCY FACING US AND KARLY WITH HER BACK TO US.
THE GIRLS, MAYBE THERE WEAR THIS FOR DANCE ROUTINE THIS YEAR!!!!!!!
LELAND DOING WHAT HE DOES BEST, SUCKING ON FOOD, WITH HIS DADDY.
LELAND WEARING BINGHAM BLUE AND HIS DADDY.

WELL THE HARDEST FUND RAISER OF THE YEAR IS NOT ONLY OVER BUT FOR US ITS THE LAST ONE!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!! GOING TO BED AT ONE AND BEING AT A YARD SALE BY FIVE AM IS NOT MY FAVE THING TO DO BUT IT TURNED OUT REALLY WELL AND THEY HAD TONS OF STUFF. I STILL THINK THEY WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER AT THE OLD LOCATION ON 7000 REDWOOD BUT IT STILL WENT GREAT. I GOT LELAND A HIGH CHAIR TO KEEP AT OUR HOUSE.
A FUNNY STORY IS THE GIRL ABOVE IN THE FAT LADY BALLET COSTUME. WELL THE GIRLS GOT BORED AND STARTED TRYING ON THE CLOTHES. SHE TOOK HER 50.00 VAN SHOES OFF TO PUT THE COSTUME ON. DID YOU GUESS!! SOMEONE PICKED THEM UP AND WE SOLD THEM FOR A DOLLAR!!!!
RALPH ENDED UP TAKING CARE OF THE KITCHEN AREA ALONE AS I ENDED UP HAVING TO BE ONE OF THE CASHIERS. IT KEPT ME BUSY BUT IT WAS A LOT OF FUN AND INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE BUY!!!
THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT DONATED ITEMS OR CAME TO THE YARD SALE TO SUPPORT THE GIRLS. I HOPE YOU GOT SOME GOOD DEALS.

Three Best Fathers I Know/And Fathers Day Fun.

Ralph couldnt have made his hamburger any bigger if he had tried too.
Corys very shy!!! NOT! Not sure what this picture is about!! Maybe he was having a bad hair day!
Leland and carole, leland in the high chair i picked up for our house at the yard sale saturday.
Leland, Hes going to be six months old in a few days. Its flown by.
Jay, Em, Lee and Hayley in the background.

Just wanted to give a shout out to three wonderful fathers. My own father of course. He has always been there for me though anything in my life and has stood by me in more ways then i could ever say. He was very much a hands on father when i was a child, he was only 20 when i was born and though nothing of playing dolls with me and even knitting at one point when i was upset my dolls had no clothes!! He didnt know how to knit but learnt in order to help my dolls, lol. How many fathers would do that? He would sit though countless hours of school programs, my swimming events and anything else i was involved in. That was in the time when fathers didnt do that, but he always did. He has also been a hands on grandad and would always go play basketball and many other things with the grandkids. When lee had many doctor apps he came with me, when cory had open heart surgery he flew out here to be with me. What more can i say.
The second father is ralph of course, he has also been very hands on with our kids and cannot count the hours hes sat though dance recitals, dance comps and every event all our kids have been involved in. Its great to have a father that does that with girly stuff and not just the boys stuff. The last one is my son lee who celebrated his first fathers day today. He is turning out to be an amazing father. Lelands face just lights up when he sees his daddy. I know he also will be a hands on father. Theres nothing better then seeing your child becomming a great father. All in all we had a wonderful fathers day. I got to speak to my dad on the phone for a nice chat. All our kids came over other then Heather whos working at Lake Powell but she of course did call her dad for a long chat also.
Im very grateful for the three wonderful father figures in my life, our lifes have been so blessed because of them and the great example they are to us all. Yes a certain amount of respect is always there for all fathers but the deeper respect comes from the great example they set and these three have really earned it. Dad, Ralph and Lee, thanks for everything you do. Love you tons.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM

Today my mum turns 71. I hope she has a wonderful day. Sadly its also the day she has to start her chemo. But she had a lovely birthday meal last night that my dad cooked her and she said she ate every bite in case she cant eat today. I brought her Wicked tickets for her birthday for when Heather and I are out there so the four of us (my dad inc) will go and see it Aug 1st. Happy Birthday mum, Know its not the birthday you wanted but hope its as good a day as you can make it. Good luck with the chemo. We are all praying for you.

EVERYONES ISSUES WITH INSURANCE

YOU KNOW THE LAST FEW WEEKS IVE HAD QUITE A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE. MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES OUR PRESIDENT WANTS TO MAKE AND THE FACT THAT I HAVE A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF LIVING WITH THE PLANS HE WANTS TO ENFORCE. ONE THING THAT I NOTICE THE MOST IS THAT PEOPLE HERE IN AMERICA ARE TERRIFIED OF CHANGES BUT THAT ALSO SAY PEOPLE IN ENGLAND WOULD BE TERRIFIED IF THEY HAD TO CHANGE TO OUR SYSTEM. THE TRUTH IS NO SYSTEM IS PERFECT AND NO ONE IS REALLY TOTALLY HAPPY WITH ANY SYSTEM. I GUESS THERES BEEN TALK ON RADIO SHOWS HERE THAT PEOPLE IN ENGLAND ARE HAVING TO DIE BEFORE THEY CAN GET TREATMENT, THEY USED PEOPLE WITH CANCER AS AN EXAMPLE. THAT OF COURSE GOT PEOPLE OVER HERE ALL STRESSED AND TERRIFIED ABOUT HAVING TO LIVE WITH SUCH A TERRIBLE SYSTEM AND ALSO GOT PEOPLE QUESTIONING ME. HAVING A MOTHER RIGHT NOW OVER THERE IN THAT SYSTEM I CAN REPORT THAT SHE IS TOTALLY HAPPY WITH THE QUAITY OF CARE SHE IS GETTING. YES I ADMIT I THOUGH SHE HAD TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER THEN I SEE OVER HERE FOR TEST RESULTS BUT SINCE THEN IVE SEEN PEOPLE OVER HERE GET CANCER AND THERE WAIT BEFORE TREATMENT AND TESTS ARE AROUND THE SAME TIME FRAME. I THINK IT WAS JUST THE FACT THAT IT WAS MY MOTHER THAT I WAS SO STRESSED ABOUT HER WAITING A FEW WEEKS I WANTED EVERYTHING DONE RIGHT AWAY. THE PLUS SIDE OF A SYSTEM LIKE ENGLAND IS THAT MY PARENTS FEEL THERE GETTING EXCELLENT CARE, MY MOM HAS A 24 HOURS AROUND THE CLOCK NURSE SHE CAN CALL AT ANY TIME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. SHE WILL NEVER HAVE TO PAY A PENNY FOR HER MANY TESTS, CHEMO, MEDS OR HOSPITAL STAYS. THAT GIVES US PEACE OF MIND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT MEDICAL BILLS. I HAVE SEEN MANY FAMILIES THOUGH WORK THAT HAVE LOST THERE HOMES WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER GETS CANCER, CANT AFFORD THE MEDS, AND WHEN THERE LOVED ONE DIES THEY THEN HAVE TO TURN TO SORTING OUT MOUTANINS OF BILLS THEY CANNOT EVER PAY. IVE ALSO SEEN PEOPLE KICKED OFF THERE INSURANCE ONCE THEY GET CONFRIMED WITH CANCER. THAT TO ME IS NOT A GOOD SYSTEM. BUT PEOPLE HERE WILL STILL STAND STRONG AND NOT WANT CHANGES. EVEN THO IVE SEEN THEM GO TO MEXICO FOR THERE DENTAL WORK OR TO BUY MEDS THAT COULD HARM THEM BECAUSE THERE CHEAPER THEN HERE, WHEN THE FACT IS THE MEDS ARE NOT THE SAME HERE AND PLAYING WITH MEDS LIKE THAT IS VERY HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. IF OUR SYSTEM WAS SO GOOD WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT????? IVE NEVER UNDERSTOOD. I WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND CHANGES I ADMIT COULD AFFECT MY JOB, IF DOCTORS LOST SOME OF THERE INCOME DUE TO THE CHANGES IM SURE THAT COULD AFFECT ME. BUT EVEN WITH MY SMALL SURGERYS THIS YEAR WE HAVE AROUND THREE THOUSAND OUT OF POCKET MEDICAL BILLS RIGHT NOW TO PAY. THATS WITH PAYING TONS FOR THE MEDICAL INSURANCE IN THE FIRST PLACE. WE HAVE TO FIGHT WITH OUR INSURANCE FOR EVERY BILL WE SUBMIT. WE ARE FIGHTING THEM RIGHT NOW OVER A MINOR SURGERY I HAD DONE IN APRIL. WHO NEEDS THAT IN THERE LIFES ALSO? IF I DIDNT WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET SAMPLES FROM THE REPS FOR MY CHILDRENS ASTHMA AND THE MEDS I NEED THEN WE WOULD BE PAYING AROUND 300.00 OR MORE A MONTH IN MEDS. DO CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE HERE, YES THEY DO, SAYING THAT I DONT THNK THEY EVER WILL BE MADE. THERES TOO MANY PEOPLE MAKING MONEY ON ALL THIS TO ALLOW THE CHANGES THAT THE PEOPLE COULD LIVE WITH AND AFFORD. THATS WHY THE RADIOS ARE SCARING PEOPLE WITH THE SO CALLED TERRIBLE SYSTEMS OVERSEAS. IM NOT SAYING THE MEDICAL OVERSEAS IS PERFECT, I ADMIT I ENJOY THE CARE I GET OVER HERE MORE, BUT THAT SAID I HATE THE EXPENSE AND HARDSHIP I HAVE HAD AND I SEE OVER HERE IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT CARE. HOW MANY OF YOU CAN SAY YOURVE NEVER PUT OFF TAKING A SICK KID TO THE DOCTORS BECAUSE YOU DONT WANT TO PAY A CO PAY FOR NOTHING OR YOUR WORRIED ABOUT THE COST. I CAN SAY OVERSEAS I NEVER DID!!!!! WHEN VISITING ONCE WITH HEATHER WHEN SHE WAS A BABY SHE CAME DOWN WITH STREP AT MIDNIGHT ON A WEEKEND. MY MUM CALLED THE DOCTOR HE WAS AT OUR HOUSE IN 30 MINS, CONFRIMED STREP, EVEN HAD A BOTTLE OF MEDS FOR HER AS PHARMACYS WERE CLOSED!!! WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW MUCH I OWE (AFTER ALL I WAS VISITING) HE AND MY PARENTS LAUGHTED AND LAUGHTED. IT WAS FREE!!!!!!!!!! I FELT SHE HAD FIRST CLASS BETTER CARE THEN ANYTHING I EVER WOULD HAVE GOTTON OVER HERE. YES IT HAS ITS THOUGHTS. BUT NO ONE WILL EVER HAVE TO LOSE A HOUSE OVER A SICK KID OR PARENT. IT HAPPENS OVER HERE, IT HAS HAPPENED TO US. HOW MANY READING THIS CAN SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT!!! YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH THE SYSTEM OVERSEAS AND DONT WORRY I DONT SEE IT EVERY COMMING OVER HERE. BUT IF I GOT TO CHOOSE BEWEEN THE TWO. I KNOW WHAT I WOULD CHOOSE. WHAT GOOD IS GOOD MEDICAL CARE TO PEOPLE WHO CANT AFFORD IT, I SAW A WOMEM OF 32 BLEED TO DEATH IN A HOSPITAL ONCE WHEN I WORKED THERE. ALL BECAUSE SHE DIDNT HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE AND SHE HAD STEP B AND WAS PG. SHE PUT OFF GOING TO THE HOSPITAL TOO LONG. SHE BLED TO DEATH RIGHT IN FRONT OF US AS HER BLOOD STOPPED CLOTTING.
WHAT A WONDERFUL HEALTH CARE WE HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OPENING SOCIAL FOR NEW TEAM 2009

LUCY AND SOME OF THE GIRLS, RIGHT BEHIND THEM IS WHERE 11400 SOUTH IS GOING TO RUN THOUGH.
THE ROCK CLIMBING WALL WITH ONE OF THE MOMS AND ONE OF THE COACHES ON IT.

MONDAY NIGHT WE HAD THE OPENING SOCIAL AT ONE OF THE GIRLS HOMES. HER BACKYARD BACKS ON TO RIGHT WHERE THERE GOING TO RUN THE 11400 SOUTH THOUGH TO THE FREEWAY. SO ITS PROPERLY THE LAST TIME THIS BACKYARD WILL LOOK LIKE THIS AS THE CEMENT WALL IS GOING UP NEXT WEEK BEWEEN THERE HOUSE AND THE ONE BEHIND. THE WALL IS GOING TO GO RIGHT BEHIND WHERE LUCY IS SITTING IN ABOVE PICTURE. IT WAS A GREAT FUN EVENING GETTING TO KNOW THE NEW PARENTS AND NEW GIRLS ON THE TEAM AND A GREAT WAY TO START OFF THE YEAR. LUCKILY THE WEATHER HELD FOR US, THE WALL WAS A GREAT HIT WITH NOT JUST THE GIRLS BUT THE DADS ALSO. IT HELD FOUR DADS SO ITS VERY STRONG. LOL. ITS HARD TO BELIVE THAT THIS WAS OUR THIRD AND LAST OPENING SOCIAL. ITS GONE SO FAST.

FAMILY FUN DINNER AND BIRTHDAY CAKE.

LELAND IN THE HIGH CHAIR HIS GREAT GRANDMA AND GREAT GRANDAD IN ENGLAND GOT HIM.
LELAND HAS TO EAT TOO AND BE AT THE TABLE WITH US AT DINNER TIME.
I THINK HE ATE MORE THEN WE DID!!!!
LUCY WITH SEVENTEEN CANDLES.
RALPH STUFFING HIS FACE.
LEE AND CAROLE.
JAY, FOR SOME REASON WE DIDNT GET A PICTURE OF EMMALEE, SORRY EM!!!
CORY LOOKING SERIOUS!

WE HAD A FUN BIRTHDAY DINNER TODAY. ITS ALWAYS GREAT HAVING THE FAMILY OVER. WE HAD A GREAT MEAL AND A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO. WE ALSO CALLED MY MOM AND DAD AND GOT TO TALK TO THEM. SUNDAYS IS ALWAYS A FUN FAMILY DAY.

HIKING YELLOW FORK CANYON

JAY AND EMMALEE IN YELLOW FORK CANYON.
JAY, EMMALEE AND LUCY
LUCY TRYING TO HIKE WITH A SPRAINED FOOT.
CORY DOG.
JAY, EMMALEE AND CORY TAKING A BREAK.

BELOW JAY, EMMALEE AND LUCY.



TODAY SOME OF THE KIDS AND RALPH HIKED UP YELLOW FORK CANYON.. THEY WERE NOT GONE LONG DUE TO LUCY HAVING FOOT PROBLEMS. (WHATS NEW). BUT THEY HAD TONS OF FUN ON ONE OF THERE FIRST HIKES OF THE SEASON. I WAS HAVING TOE ISSUES WITH AN INFECTED TOE SO DID NOT GO. SOUNDS LIKE THEY WERE OVER RUN WITH HORSES AND DOGS UP THERE. RALPH SAID NEXT TIME HES GOING TO TAKE TOGO, THAT SHOULD BE MORE ENTERTAINING THEN LUCY WITH HER SPRAINED FOOT.

HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY BABES

LUCYS JUNIOR DRILL PICTURE.
LUCY AND I IN NEW YORK.
LUCY AND LUCY!!!!!!!!!!
LOOK HOW HIGH SHE CAN JUMP. ALL THOSE YEARS OF DANCE AND TONS OF MONEY PAID OFF!!
LUCY SHOOTING WITH HER DAD.

TODAY IS LUCYS 17TH BIRTHDAY. iTS HARD TO BELIVE AS I STILL THINK OF HER AS ONE OF MY BABIES. SHE HAS TURNED INTO A BEAUIFUL YOUNG LADY AND IM SOO VERY PROUD TO CALL HER MY DAUGHTER. SHE IS ALSO SOMEONE I CONSIDER A FRIEND. SHE HAS TURNED INTO A VERY GOOD STUDENT, EVEN IF SHE DONT SHOW UP MUCH FOR SEMINARY!!!! HER GRADES ARE VERY GOOD. SHE ALSO WHILE GETTING GREAT GRADES, DOES SIX HOURS OF DANCE A DAY, MORE DURING COMP SEASON. SHE IS ON THE MINERETTERS AND IS A THIRD YEAR MEMBER. I AM SO PROUD OF HOW SHE APPLIED HERSELF SO HARD TO BE ON THE TEAM AND HOW HARD SHE WORKS TO MAINTAIN THE SKILLS SHE NEEDS TO STAY ON THE TEAM. SHE DONT HAVE MUCH SPARE TIME TO HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS BUT IM GRATEFUL SHE HAS SUCH A GOOD PASSION ABOUT DANCE AND WORKS SO HARD. I BELIVE ITS THIS HARD WORK AND LEARNING WHAT A TEAM IS ALL ABOUT THAT HAS HELPED HER TO BECOME THE GREAT PERSON SHE IS. SHE IS MY SECRET FAIRY THAT WILL CLEAN THE HOUSE WHILE IM SLEEPING, I WILL WAKE UP TO FIND EVERYTHING CLEAN. SHES ALWAYS DONE THAT SINCE SHE WAS LITTLE, GETS HER CLEANING ENERGY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. LOL. SHE IS VERY CAREING AND WORRIES ALOT ABOUT HER FAMILY AND HER NANNY IN ENGLAND. LUCY WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND AM SO HONORED TO HAVE YOU AS OUR DAUGHTER. LIVE LOVE AND DANCE IS WHAT ALWAYS COMES TO MIND WHEN I THINK OF YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY.

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES.

I love Roses. I had a real rose garden when i lived in england with about 80 or more rose bushes in it. All in a design where you could walk around them. Since then ive always made a small area at whichever house weve lived in. As weve moved a lot, i often dont get to stay in the house long enought for them to reach there full beauty. Once in awhile weve drive by our old homes and see how beauiful thereve become over the years. I started this one three years ago. This picture was taken last june so its not quite how it looks today. The bushes are a lot bigger, more pretty and go around the house more. I still have a small area to work on, hopefully ive get it finished this summer. Lee and Carole brought me a beauiful blue rose brush for mothers day. I love it. It makes me happy when ive had a long long day at work and i drive into my drive way and see them all in full bloom. This week they have all reached there glory and it lifts my spirits even if im worried about something, which right now i am. When i get out the van the scent hits me and i just love it. I always take the time to smell the roses. Regardless of whats going on in my life it always puts me in a better mood when i get to walk though the beauty and the lovely scent of these rose bushes. I know ive never have the rose garden i once had at my house in london but hopefully if we stay here long enough, lol. i will get to enjoy the beauty of this small one as it grows.