Aaron & Crystalyn's world

Emmett is so stinking cute!!!

2012-02-15T22:35:00.000-08:00

Check out those boots.

Woodruff Home

2012-02-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

We lived in this Woodruff Home from June 2004 to June 2012, eight years. Mason, Emmett, and Olivia were all brought home from the hospital in this home. Because I had to clean the whole house to get it ready to sale I thought I would take a few pictures to remember it by. This house has been such a perfect home for us. Aaron tiled the downstairs bathroom in one night and built a closet door the next. He is amazing. He designed and installed the kitchen and bathrooms too.

College Station, Texas

2012-02-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

I was checking out College Station and these are the things they are on the top 100 list for...
What hit me the most was that we are moving to a very young and educated place. "I butter go get myself sckooled" and a face lift too.

For those that don't know me. I am just kidding. Aaron and I are very exited and know we will fit right in and love our new home.

College Station on our top lists:

#1 on the list of "Top 100 cities with highest percentage of college students (pop. 50,000+)"
#1 on the list of "Top 100 cities with youngest residents (pop. 50,000+)"
#5 on the list of "Top 100 cities with shortest commuting times (pop. 50,000+)"
#15 on the list of "Top 100 cities with highest percentage of renters (pop. 50,000+)"
#26 on the list of "Top 100 best educated cities (highest percentage of bachelor degree holding residents) (pop. 50,000+)"
#27 on the list of "Top 100 cities with the largest percentage of males (pop. 50,000+)"
#28 on the list of "Top 100 cities with strongest arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services industries (pop. 50,000+)"
#39 on the list of "Top 100 cities with highest ratio of median house value to median household income (pop. 50,000+)"
#55 on the list of "Top 100 cities with newest houses (pop. 50,000+)"
#57 on the list of "Top 100 fastest growing cities from 2000 to 2008 (pop. 50,000+)"
#63 on the list of "Top 100 cities with smallest houses (pop. 50,000+)"

#19 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating from foreign countries between 2005 and 2006"
#31 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
#45 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2006 (pop. 50,000+)"
#69 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of births per 1000 residents 1990-1999 to 2000-2003 (pop 50,000+)"
#70 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of people without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"

Dear Woodruff Friends,

2012-02-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Everything has finally caught up to me.

Will we be loved like we are in Woodruff? Will there be other moms in Texas that will love my sons, like SO many of you do!? Will there be a priesthood leader to guild Taylor when he turns 12? Will Cameron find a friend that treats him good. Will Mason's teacher help him like Linda Cornia would? Is anyone going to be personally invest in our friendship? Will we relate to anyone there?

I remember the first year living in Woodruff, Aaron and I would laugh at how slow everyone talked. We both remember how we had to purposely talk slow so we could communicate better with the friends here in Woodruff. Well last night I called the bishop's wife, of one of the wards in College Station, and she was talking so fast I had a hard time talking. The same thing happened with the next women I called that lived in College Station. Do you think they would mind if I asked them to slow down and relax a little when they talk to me? At least for the first year.

I love you all and will miss you VERY much.
Love, Crystalyn

Professional Mothers

2012-01-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

I consider myself a professional mother. I also consider myself a professional Home Maker and Tailor. Being a mother is my first responsibility so I use most of the hours in a day doing it. Just as a lawyer or teacher is a professional person but had to do a number of years of research and study to become one, a professional Mother does too. There is 2 years of baby research then 3 years of toddler research, before the mother can claim to be a professional Mother of the Early Years. The same pattern continues for Elementary years, adolescent or Argumentative stage, and Self Expression or High School stage. With each child the professional person has, it gives them a compound amount of years. For example if the professional mother had two kids and they both are out of the Early stage then she has 10 years, but always subtract the first 5 years as the research and study time needed to become the professional. Leaving her 5 years of being a professional Mother, the Early Years. Like all professions the mother must be doing it full time or 8 hours a day. Also remember there are ones that do it better or worse then others. Depending on the results they were going after.

I have a group of friends here in Woodruff that I also consider professional Mothers and use them as a resource of information. They are out in the field actively researching and practicing. Each week we meet and report to each other our findings. We also address our own research projects and hope to get some insights on how to handle the project. The projects are usually Mothering questions , but sometimes are Home Makers situation.

I love having these meeting and get great information. I also find a lot of info from posting research questions on Facebook. The project for this week is Potty Training. I would like to know from any professional Mother what their number one thing they do while Potty Training?

The Woodruff research group members are as follows...
myself Crystalyn professional Mother, the Early Years -12 yrs

Katherine professional Mother, the Early Years - 7 yrs

Andrea professional Mother, the Early Years - 12 yrs

Casey professional Mother, the Early Years - 9 yrs

Lynne professional Mother, the Early Years - 24 yrs
Michelle professional Mother, the Early Years - 20 yrs
Lisa professional Mother, the Early Years - 25 yrs

Hull Family Picture 2011

2011-12-04T21:34:00.003-08:00

Taken by JoshuaTreePhotography

Logan Hyrum Mack

2011-12-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

One of the things that made November 6th such a great day was Logan. Logan is Rachel and Aaron's third child and they came to Woodruff to bless him on the same day that Olivia was blessed. I am so proud of Rachel and the mother, wife, and friend that she is. It was fantastic to see and be with her.

Blessing Day

2011-12-04T17:23:00.000-08:00

Olivia was blessed on November 6, 2011, by her father Aaron Hull, in Woodruff, Utah. The day was amazing. Absolutely perfect. Thirty or more family members came to celebrate her on this day. My little brother, Joshua, took this great picture of her. You can contact him at JoshuaTreePhotography.com or his cell is 801-759-2228.

Carol and Richard. Mike and Glenda. Ross and Janeatte. Don and Caroll. Joshua and Melissa. Chad, Jessica, Jozie, and Haven. Kristianna and Micheal. Chelsea and Reed. Ethan, Stephanie, Zach, Scott, Cheyenne, and Hailey. Skyler and Keri. Eric and Kari. And Olivia's family, Aaron, Crystalyn, Taylor, Cameron, Mason, and Emmett.

After the costumes and dinner

2011-11-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

After we dressed up in costumes, eat a spooky dinner, and played Green Witch outside, the kids put on a show for us. It was lots of fun seeing Taylor, Cameron, Mason, and Jozie put on a different outfit and then act out a play. Sometimes they were memorized poetry and sometime we told the story while they acted it out. I LOVED LOVED seeing my boys get love and encouragement from loving uncles, aunts, cousins, grandmas, and grandpas.

If you can't tell this is a picture of Cameron, Jozie and Mason

Emmett loved these white angle wings and would flap is arms and run
around acting like he was flying. He is having Melissa talk on his phone. He loves his phone so much he often shares it with others.

Mason started the whole show and got everyone else into it. Mason is and has always been the funniest entertainer. He has never been bashful.
The man holding up Jozie is Don Miskin. We all love having him in our lives now. He just recently moved to Utah from California. "we love you, uncle Don"

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-11-15T14:30:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of Grandpa B (Mike) with a arrow on his head. He didn't come with a costume so we spray painted the Air Bender Avitar arrow on him. It was rocking awesome.
Melissa came as a army chick. With a "real knife and everything", says my boys.
Here we have Joshua eating a jello worm. They looked really gross. Jessica made them for the spooky dinner and were the best and grossest things there.
Chad

Cameron and Taylor
Mason as spiderman. Notice the picture on Don's phone

Halloween Night was a hug success. We didn't even need coats. Emmett got his first taste of a pixy stick and got so hipper he started belly flopping on the floor. From a standing position.

Five Children

2011-11-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

Emmett came down stairs all exited to tell me, "egg, mess" . He said it about 5 times before I realized what he was saying. On Facebook I have been posting things that have been happening now that I have 5 children. The first one was, a night I gave the wrong kid cough medicine and didn't realize it until the next day. Here are pictures of the other two examples of what happens when you have 5 children.

2011-11-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

Fun at Uncle Don's house

After spending the night at Don's house we went to the local Pumpkin Walk. It was great and we are totally doing it again next year.

Spooky Dinner

2011-10-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

For the second year in a row Jessica and I are hosting a Spooky Halloween Dinner for all those that want to come. The whole night is geared towards kids and having fun like a kid. So...

You are invited to a night of spooky fun
Friday October 28, 2011
6:00 Dinner
6:45 Trunk or Treat
by Kari and Eric neighborhood
8:00 Games in the Dark
at Chad and Jessica's place
9:30 Just the adult play time

I have been planning out our Spooky Dinner menu and came up with one all on my own. Jessica and I don't want any sweet treats for dinner so I came up with Candy Corn Yogart.
We hope to see you all there and lots of costumes.

OLIVIA

2011-10-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Rachel have been requesting more pictures of Olivia. BUT I am not a great photographer like my brother and so every picture I take Olivia looks the same. BUT I'll try. I thought maybe if I changed her outfits a few times that would help. I also like the pictures that are not posed, they seem to show more emotions and are meaning full. I think they tell a bigger story. So here are the pictures and the people in Olivia life this weekend.

First bath

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMERON AND TAYLOR

2011-10-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

"Heavy heavy hang over thy poor head, what do you wish this donor?"

"Happy Birthday Taylor"

"Happy Birthday Cameron"

Cameron loves that we live in the country where there are a lot of cowboys and one of his good friends is a girl in his class named Syndey. We are good friends with her whole family. The oldest kid is Isaac and very good on a horse because he helps his dad on the ranch. So for Cameron's birthday I asked Isaac to teach Cameron and Taylor how to ride a horse. They road for hours and hours and had THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE. "Thanks Isaac and the Hopkin family"

Taylor's Football

2011-10-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Aaron was able to schedule all the games and help coach Taylor's football team. Taylor played center and guard and tackle. His number is 89 which was Aaron's, Uncle Eric, Uncle, Ryan, and Uncle Ethan's number.

Soccer Fun

2011-09-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

Cameron and Mason are both playing soccer this year. Here are some cute shots of them. I love to watch them play. They are both good at what ever sport they are playing and they both love to be outside active. Cameron has really got the ability to run hard the whole game and gets mad at his team mates that don't run and play hard. Mason just loves to be a part of something and gets exited for who ever is kicking the ball. I'm going to enjoy every game what ever sport they play. AND I think I'll have lots of bleacher time since I have 5 children now.

Olivia Grace Hull

2011-09-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

We are so exited to introduce our newest member of the family ...Olivia Grace Hull

Congratulations Chelsea and Reed

2011-09-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Cameron

2011-09-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations cousin

2011-08-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mason

2011-08-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

Mason's birthday is just days before my due date. SOOO We threw him a early birthday party. I like to do one friend party a year and this year is Mason's turn. Summer fun is always the funniest fun so we planned a pool party during the hottest part of the summer. It was planned and set for the last week of July. That day it only got to 91 degrees and was in the 80's the rest of the days.

We had pizza, presents, cake, and pop sickles. Ohh and we set up our pool that is about 3 feet deep. Mason and all his friends had lots of fun. After the 3 hour party I took them all home and then the bigger kids of the neighborhood could jump in and play.
I feel I should give more details of the day to give you a realistic picture of events. We got home late the night before so I had to decorate the cake the morning of the party and set up the pool and make the pizza all before the kids got there. I couldn't find a working air pump so I blew the pool up with my lunges. I am 8 months pregnant and a mother of 4 other small children, Aaron was not home to help, I sprayed the kids down with mosquito spray and sun screen every hour, I had to barrow my neighbors minivan to take everyone home because ours was in the shop. I'm too cheep for paper goods to be on hand and running to the store is not an option here in Woodruff, so all the 5&6 year old friends eat off of paper towels and drank with glass glasses.

With all that goes into a party, I am so glad to do it for my Mason. He is so fantastic, wonderful, fun, loving, excepting of others, forgiving, empathetic, giving, and patient. He is also cute, smart, and athletic.

Mason and I owe Taylor a BIG THANK YOU. It went off so well and successful because of him.

Bear Lake

2011-07-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

Emmett and Haven are totally buddies and played, played, and played together all weekend.

Bear Lake is so full, we hadn't gotten in yet, until last weekend. I wasn't even sure we could find a place that was Emmett friendly, so Aaron and I checked it out one night. Turns out it was even fuller. All the usual places I go were underwater and the shore was all rocks. We went to check out the Idaho State Parks to see if they were any better. And it was. We even found a sandy beach. Jessica and her two girls came up for the Fourth of July weekend. The weekend started Saturday at Bear Lake. It was such a perfect spot and a perfect day we stay 3 hours longer then planned. I LOVED swimming deep into the water with Taylor and Cameron. They are so fun to play with. I've have a ton of fun with them all summer. Hiking, biking, swimming, or what ever.

Monday we did the Woodruff Fourth of July Parade and Rodeo. We loved it too. Jessica took Jozie out to try and catch a rabbit. Aaron and I were really hoping she would and then they would have to figure out what to do with a rabbit. Cameron was the only one that caught anything. Mason and Taylor tried too. There were calfs and chicken to catch too.
Monday ended with us driving down to Hooper, UT to meet up with Chelsea, Reed, Eric, Kari, Carol, Richard, Ethan, Stephanie, Zachary, Scott, Cheyenne, and Hailey. We took the big tent and camped out in Carol's backyard. The men played horse shoes and the cousins played in the water. Everyone had a good time.

2011-06-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Moab was so much fun. We played in the sand. Hiked to all the different arches, which included a 5 mile difficult uphill climb/hike to double O Arch that Mason did by himself. He is my little superhero. Biked along the red hill cliffs. Yelled to hear our echo and threw rocks at Dead Horse Point. Drank water right out of the rocks. Swam in the Colorado River. Eat dinner by the fire at night and eat lunch on the trails during the day. We had lots and lots of fun. Just to remember for future camping trips we camped in the Big Bend campground space number 8.

2011-05-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Mom, does this picture remind you of anyone?

2011-05-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

We have gone biking a few times already this spring, and the last time was the best one yet. Last summer we got nice gear bikes for Taylor and Cameron and biked all summer. This summer I hope to be the same.

Jessica and Chad live right next to the Jordan River wa
lkway and so we thought we would try it out. The plan was a 10 mile bike ride. For my 5 year old Mason that is way more then he has ever done and so we were not sure if he could do it or that my stomach could handle it that long either.

Ohh Mason became the SUPER HERO of the year. Because he does not have a gear bike he just has a Walmart special he has to peddle 2 to 3 times more then any of us. He never gets to coast along. At one point we had to go up a hill that was 200 yards long and he did it without complaining or slowing down. I am still amazed when I think about him and what he did that day. Mason rocks!

The plan for the day was to go riding as a family and we are so glad Jessica, Chad, Jozie, Haven, and even Joshua could last minute come and join us. Ten more awesome bike rides coming soon this summer.

Our half way point way Gardener Village. We eat lunch and pastries. I mean pastries was our lunch, and loved checking out all the shops. Here is a picture of all 5 of my boys.

I love to quilt

2011-04-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

Here is my newest project. With a new baby on the way Emmett needs to move out of the crib and so he needs a bed. Thanks to by friend Katherine we have a twin bed but he has no blankets so I have added to the little jean blanket my mother made and made a blanket to go on Emmett's new bed. It's not the nicest or best but it will totally keep him warm at night.

Quilting brings out the artisic side in myself and I love to sew and it fits everybody shape and never goes out of style. It's a lasting art piece that can be around for 50 years and it tells the person I make it for that they are loved. I think I get better at it with ever quilt. This is quilt number 7. I've done one for myself, Cameron, Chad, Bella, Joshua, Mike, and now Emmett. I think Taylor is next. He wants one too.

Collage of Winter pics

2011-04-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

It was great to get to know Dallin and Maria and Chelsea a little better. We all knew them as great kids and now there more adults then kids and they are even better. The picture below is Dallin jumping off the swing. We all went to Hooper Park after lunch. After Dalin jumped my boys had to try too. The picture above is Chelsea and Taylor.

The picture above is Cameron and Mason. We went for a walk with the aunts and uncles to welcome in spring. It was a nice day next to a great walking path along the Jordan River. When ever there is water my boys are finding things to throw into it. My 30 yr old little brother Joshua loves to play the same games as my boys. They started with rocks then boulders. Then they found sticks to be the funniest to throw because they would race down the river with the currant. So then Joshua started finding dead trees to throw in. It was totally hilarious. I LOVED IT.

Emmett loves to wear hats and shoes. He loves it even more if he can get more then one thing on his head at a time.

Emmett is still loved and adored by all his brothers, and Emmett loves the attention!!! Taylor loves the ability to carry any of his brothers around on his back. He can even carry Mom or Dad, but those pictures are for a more private photo show.

above we have Hailey and Emmett
---Cute cousins---
and below we have Cheyenne and Mason

Just before this picture of Taylor and Grandma Wilson, Taylor was measuring to see if he is taller then her yet. Taylor has 1 more inch to go.

Mason and Micheal always have a ton of fun when ever we get together. Mason loves having a boy cousin close to his age but younger so he can be the boss.

Here we have the other girl cousin that Emmett will love having as a best cousin. I'll be praying for Haven and Hailey to pick good friends 'cause I'm sure Emmett will be double dating with them. I guess only if Emmett can be nice by then.

2011-01-30T17:15:00.000-08:00

Let's go walking again. I can't wait until summer is here again. This is our Emmett at 1 years old.

2011-01-30T17:01:00.000-08:00

Just to make you laugh. This is Pack Night for Cub Scouts in my ward and I'm the pirate on the right.

Hull family picture - 2010

2010-10-24T17:55:00.001-07:00

This is my favorite picture. I love that it shows everyone's personality and has great photography too. The picture was taken by Joshua Taylor with JoshuaTreePhotography.net or 801-759-2228

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

At the end of our trip we stopped at Chad and Jessica's house to spend some time with my Dad's Dad, Raymond. It was also Melissa's birthday so we got to sing to her too. Raymond is the oldest one in the middle. Do I look like him?

2010-06-10T21:52:00.000-07:00

Each year around February Aaron and I start planning our summer family trip. This year we wanted to do Disney Land and we are so glad we did. We even had my mom come to help with Emmett. When Emmett couldn't ride a ride we left him with Grandma. It worked out great. "Thanks Mom"
Taylor is 9 Cameron is 7 and Mason is 4. Out of those three, Mason had the most fun. He was not scared of rides and loved all the different Disney charterer.

2010-04-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMETT. It has been a great year. No lie. Better then the year before and better then the year before that. Ever year is better then the last. I have a full life! We are all very glad Emmett is in our family. Taylor, Cameron, and Mason want Emmett's attention. He is the most fought over toy in the house.

Emmett has the most patience of us all, too. Yes my one year old waits his turn. Emmett is amazing. He is smart too. he only needs to see it once to remember it. He does the hand signs for pop corn popping and paddy cake. He is not walking yet, but he can climb up tv cabinets and desks. He gets his toes on the routed out groove in the doors and his fingers on the top. Then climbs up anything he wants!

I could go on and on about him and how much he is in our hearts. BUT I really am adding this post to invite you to his first birthday party at our house, next Saturday night, April 24th at 5:00. Anyone can come. Please rsvp so I will know.

Easter

2010-04-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

The week before Easter all the snow had melted in Woodruff and we were all loving the warm weather. The boys were outside shoeless and playing with the squirt guns. We had a mild winter so far and I thought for sure spring was here to stay. So for Easter weekend we decided to stay in Woodruff and have a Easter Egg Hunt up at the playground. Then ...

So we moved the Hunt inside and they all had a blast, and found lots and lots of eggs. This is Conrad our neighbor that likes to bear crawl when his knees have had enough. I thought is was so cute I had to take a picture. He and Emmett are 5 days apart in age.

Fun Weekend in Osino

2010-04-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

We took a trip to Stephanie and Ethan's. It was a lots of fun. The two old boys went snowboarding the first day and then took the younger 5 boys the next day. Here is a picture of the 5 younger boys at the end of their big snowboarding/sledding day. A big THANK YOU goes out to Ethan and Stephanie for treating us to such a great weekend.

Ice Skating on a pond in Evanston

2010-03-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

Chad and Jozie came up to play with us for the day and it was great. We went to a pond to go ice skating in Evanston. They groom it each time it snows and so there is a huge rink and also trails that go around and contect. I just think it is so very cool to go ice skating like my grandparents did.

I forgot it's kind of hard to go ice skating. Taylor and Cameron had fun but it's was mostly while they held someone's hand.

This is the whole Hull family.

With four kids we both have to be moms

2010-03-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

Has anyone asked you what number of kids was the hardest for you? So Aaron and I just had our fourth child. Friends ask me all the time, was having the fourth kid the hardest. They asked me the same thing when I had my third. I even ask my friends the same thing. I believe everyone has a certain number that is "the hardest" for them and then I believe every couple has a certain number that is the hardest on the married. How hard determines how much the husband is willing to do.

Number three was the hardest for me, BUT number four was the hardest for Aaron or our marriage. I simply could not do four all the time by my self. Aaron had 2 or more kids with him every moment I had kids with me. There was no more where I took the baby and he had the older two. If I needed or wanted to go do something I left him with baby and all. AND in the middle of the night Aaron would take a turn with Emmett. After the day jobs were done we both were running around with kids every single night. Unlike before when I could do it all or at least take the baby while Aaron took the older two.

With four kids we both have to be moms. Aaron had his way of putting Emmett to sleep and I had mine. Aaron had his way of feeding Emmett and I had mine. Aaron would give me tips of what worked for him in the middle of the night and how Emmett liked it.

I have the most amazing husband!!! I believe that every husband has the choice of sucking it up and figuring it out too. Just like us women have too and just like my most amazing husband did, because I ran out of energy and needed help.

Melba Miskin

2010-02-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

Jessica asked me to restore Chad's quilt and I have fully enjoyed it. It was origanally made for Chad when he was a kid, by our Grandmother Miskin. She passed away 9 years ago. The women was a mother that made a living knowing how to sew. She then taught her daughter, my mother. Which then taught me. So you see why I loved working on it. Now it's almost done. I decided it was important to leave the hand quilting that my Grandmother did so I removed all the bad batting without pulling out any stitches or taking off the back. I then washed it real well and applicaded new patches on a front. My mother and I picked out fabric for the patches that looked like Grandma Miskin. She made this quilt out of scrapes and left over material she had used to make herself blouses and a bedspread. I remember her wearing some of these fabric.

I love my grandmother so much. I have always said that she was my best friend and I still feel that way. I have learned so much more about her working on it. She learned how to do quilts from the one that her mother-in-law gave to her for her wedding gift. It is not made like the typical quilts of the time. She used a flannel backing. She also rapped the backing around to the front to use as the binding. Both of the things were done of her wedding quilt. Because her mother died when she was only 6 years old this tells me volumes of how she looked to her mother in law for instructions.

My grandmother, Melba Miskin, influesed me in so many ways. Mostly she loved me always no matter what. Just as I could see how much she loved her Savior. I could always she the Savior in her face! She showed me how to love others. By never putting herself above anyone else. Have you ever met someone that made you feel so important. You felt so important and liked when you were around them you just wanted to always be around them? That was Grandma Miskin. I wish I could have been her sister so that I could have had her in my life more. But I know that I will see her again someday. My eyes and my heart swell up evertime I think of that day in heaven when I see her again.

So I dedicate the repairing of this quilt to Jozie and Haven. So that Jessica will wrap them up in it and say, "this is the blanket your Great Grandma Miskin made for your dad when he was your age." Then Jozie or Haven will ask, "who is Grandma Miskin" and Jessica then can tell them about their grandmother and all the love she had.

Christmas 2009

2010-01-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas was lots of fun. Life is so good to us.
Merry Christmas everyone.

2009-12-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

The annual Christmas Tree Hunt. Chad, Jessica, Josie, Haven, Joshua, Melissa, Glenda, and Mike all came up to cut down their Christmas trees. I think this is the third year in a row. We brought up chilly and hot chocolate for lunch. We were out playing in the snow from 11:00 to 5:00pm. We were having so much fun. One the way home Taylor, Cameron, Chad, and Joshua all took turns getting pulled behind the truck. I haven't laughed that hard in a long long time. We loved it so much that when we got to the bottom Aaron turned the truck around and drove back to the top to do it again!!!

Grandma and Mason

Haven and Jessica above and below is Chad and Josh getting pulled behind the truck.
Then it was Cameron and Taylor's turn to get pulled behind the truck.
Here is Chad and Josh's next turn, but this time Josh took off his helmet and laid down. While Chad decide to go with the knees this time. Notice Chad's hand signaling to go faster, while Josh is completely covered in snow. Aaron was driving the truck and didn't know what to do. He couldn't see Josh and didn't know if he should do what Chad is signaling, but Chad kept saying faster, faster, go faster. So Aaron went faster.
Josh said he had fun and was glad Aaron went "faster"

We really wish Clint and Elle could be here too!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-12-06T15:59:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad for good friends. They showed me how to host the most perfect Thanksgiving dinner. I set the table a week before everyone was to arrive. Stephanie and I planned out the menu. Aaron and the boys cleaned the house and made the beds. The day before Aaron got the tree permits and drove up to check out a new area to get the trees from. On Thanksgiving morning everyone was in the kitchen cooking together. Eric made the cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries. Kari was making mashed potatoes. Stephanie and Kari made rolls from The Lion House cookbook. Aaron started to brain the turkey the night before. Carol and Richard drove up and brought yummy salad and fruit. I made the cheese cake and Banana Cream Pie. The whole weekend was perfect. We had good company and good food for three days. I think everyone felt full of love, laughter, and food.

The best kind of mustache is a EGGNOG mustache

Hailey Hull and Emmett HullMason with Scott and Cameron, Taylor with Zach

All of us were able to sit at ONE table.Friday we went up to cut down our Christmas trees and did a lot of sledding.

It's SNOW

2009-11-22T15:46:00.001-08:00

IT'S SNOWING BIG BEAUTIFUL FLAKES AND I'M SOOO EXITED.

Weekend with Clint

2009-09-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

Clint is coming to town and here is a tentative schedule for all that need to know.

Here is the best schedule we have come up with so far. Since It's Clint that does not live in Utah and we can do any of these thing anytime, we asked Clint what he would like to do most. He said go backpacking. So we scheduled in a small one night backpacking trip from Tuesday to Wednesday. We will be going somewhere close to Salt Lake City and it will be very cold. So pack well.
Other suggestions that we can do at anytime are... Ultimate Frisbee, batting cage $2, fastkartspeedway $25, Corn Maze $6, Jump-On-It $2.50, Zip Line Rider $8, Alpine Slide $8, Climbing Wall $8, Car camp on Monti, 3 mile day hike up to waterfall up Ogden canyon, or what ever sounds fun.

See you soon, Love, Crystalyn

Joshua & Emmett

2009-09-20T14:34:00.001-07:00

This is my brother Joshua and my son Emmett. You can't tell me they're not related. I love this picture.

Eric and Kari's wedding weekend

2009-07-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

2009-07-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

If your town doesn't have a pool, then you make a pool of your own. I LOVE SUMMER TIME. I hope summer never ends.

2009-07-23T15:41:00.000-07:00

I am loving my boys. They are so cute. Emmett is such a good baby and Taylor, Cameron, and Mason are all very much in love with him too.

2009-06-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

These are a few of my favorite shots from the TAYLORSTROM family weekend.

2009-06-30T11:53:00.001-07:00

Borgstrom Family Reunion

They had a few really fun games to play. The three legged race was a lot of fun and Aaron and I can beat anyone. Michael and Mason we tied together and did really well, at least better then last year. It was a lot of fun to watch. BUT more fun to watch was my mom, Glenda, and her sister in law Jeannie. Oh I laugh just thinking about it. Here is a picture of there tie popping off again. They were laughing so hard it was hard not to laugh too.

Here is another picture of them just talking in the corner. I think they are becoming best friends. Good thing Glenda moved to Utah so she could develop this friendship.
My step Dad, Mike, has a younger brother Randy and Randy is married to LouAnn. Their youngest child, Emily, is a Senior in High School now and an awesome girl. Randy was telling me that one of her favorite thing to do is go on group dates to the temple and do baptisms.
Aaron and I are so impressed with Randy and LouAnn's family every time we are around them. They have such a positive and great outlook on life. You will never catch any of them talking bad about anyone else, EVER. Here is a picture of one of their son in laws. We really admire him. His name is Todd and just 2 year ago or less he started having grandmall secures. He has one sometimes every 5 minutes and grandmall secures a few times a day. Yet when you talk to him he acts like his life is fine and a lot of fun having his kids in his life. His outlook on life is so bright we love just being around him.

Aaron and I really love being around all of their kids. Micheal and Chelsea. Sara and Todd. Andrew and Cheryl. Josh and is no longer with Dawn. and then Emily. We had fun and am glad someone continues to plan the Borgstrom family Reunion.

2009-06-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Fathers Day weekend

On Saturday Eric, Richard, Carol, Aaron, Crystalyn, Taylor, Cameron, Mason, and Emmett all ventured out to the Great Salt Lake and drove across to Antelope Island. I have never been in the Great Salt Lake and was hoping to go swimming. The storm made it just too cold. But we did get to have a lot of fun because Carol took Emmett back to the car. These were the coolest tall weeds ever. I loved getting in there and walking around. I also want to try again in a few years on a warmer day and next time get in and swim.

2009-06-30T11:19:00.001-07:00

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

We all really enjoyed going to the temple. The baptismal font was the funnest to see for the boys. Aaron got some extra tickets so Eric, Josh, and Melissa were able to come with us. And all three of them beat us there. Eric helped me by holding Emmett. Then as time went on Emmett's diaper got so big I wouldn't dare give him to anyone, in fear of wrecking their clothes. It is the best when I can be with family. We love that Eric lives in Utah now. And we love doing things with Josh and Melissa too. Because of our babysitting need we don't get to the temple very often and walking through the Oquirrh Temple made me ache to go.

2009-06-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Friday and Saturday before we blessed Emmett, Melissa and Joshua came to play. We first celebrated Melissa's BIRTHDAY! Then we took off to play at Bear Lake and eat good food in Garden City at the famous LaBaus. I love my little brother Joshua and am my love for Melissa continues to grow. Sadly, they had to leave on Sunday, but Stephanie, Zach, Scott, and Cheyenne stayed to play.

On Monday Aaron took all the boys up Bearch Creek Reservoir. It was boy heaven, with a endless amount of rocks to skip. They even roasted a few hot dogs and climbed a few mountains. Tuesday we went swimming in Evanston because Bear Lake would have been too cold. It rained most the time they were here. Every other moment they had, they were at the dirk track. Zach and Scott brought their bikes and so all five of them would take off to the dirt track when they could. Stephanie and I enjoyed watching these five boys become best friend. They really truly treated each other with respect and love the whole 4 days. I personally am glad my boys have these cousins to help them in life.

2009-06-10T10:27:00.001-07:00

Everyone that was able to come to Emmett's baby blessing. It was a beautiful day.

2009-06-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

T-Ball and Softball Season

Who says the picture can't sit down. Cameron was ready for every batter.

2009-06-10T10:00:00.001-07:00

More fun at Bear Lake. This time we went with Rachel, Aaron, Bella, and Isaac. The water was perfect and so was the weather. Aaron, Taylor, Cameron, and myself all went out in the deep part and jumped in head first. OH man, it felt like I washed off all of winter and left it there in the lake.

2009-06-10T09:21:00.001-07:00

"ON YOUR MARK. GET SET. GO!"

Here we are at the Woodruff Testicle Festival. I always forget how early it is in the summer. Sorry I didn't get a chance to tell anyone of you about it soon enough, so you could join the fun. Taylor, Cameron, and Mason all took their turn at trying to catch a rabbit. Taylor also tried to catch a tag on a goat and then a chicken later too.

Cameron in is the yellow shirt and Taylor is in blue.

This poor goat didn't know what hit him. Taylor is right out front.

Do you see Mason? Do you see the goat? I think the goat had the upper hand on this group.

Taylor wanted to Bustin Buck this year. So we signed him up, brought a helmet, and then Aaron took him over when it was time to ride. The sheep didn't like Taylor on his back and started to jump and move inside the shoot. Taylor looked up at his dad to see if this was ok and to see if he is safe, even though he feels SCARED TO DEATH. When he looked at Aaron's face and saw that he was more scared then he was, they both just about cried. Aaron asked Taylor one last time "are you sure you want to do this" Taylor screemed "no, get me off." So Aaron pulled Taylor off as fast as he could before the shoot opened. Here is a picture of the sheep Taylor was on. And then the next picture is of Taylor on the gate safe and sound.

We all had a lot of fun all day and are glad it's summer time in Woodruff, so we can play play play.

Emmett's Baby Blessing

2009-05-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

We are blessing Emmett, in Woodruff, on June 7th. All are welcome to join us. You can stay for the week or just the day. Let me know so I can get a head count. Sacrament starts at 11:45. Lunch will be served at my place after church.

Bear Lake

2009-05-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

Yesterday on May 17th we went to Bear Lake and it was great. Taylor Cameron and Mason all swam around. The water was still a little too cold for Aaron and I, but we got wet up to our knees. Emmett slept the whole time. We all fight over who's turn it is with the skim boards, so we better buy another one. When Grandpa Richard flood irrigates this weekend we are going to play again with the skim boards. That should be A LOT OF FUN. With the perfect amount of water and lots of cushion for when I fall. Everyone is welcome to come stay and play at Bear Lake with us this summer.

2009-05-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

How would you define masculinity? Is a man masculine when he opens a door for his wife? Is he still masuline when he opens a door for another man? Here is a picture of our back yard today. Cameron, Mason, and some friends jumping on the trampoline. Then one of them started to cry so Aaron stopped what he was doing and went over to give comfort to them and dried their tears. Is that masuline?

I believe 95% of the population has a misconception of what it is to be masculine. I believe my husband shows the same kind of masculinity that Christ did. Aaron blows me away at how awsome of a man he is. I hope to post more pictures of Aaron. To brag about him a little and how incredible he is.

2009-04-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

"introducing..."

Emmett Hull
born Saturday April 25, 2009 at 1:30am

There are a lot more pictures out there. I hope to round them up and post more soon. We have all fallen in love with our new member of the family. Taylor wants to hold him all the time. Which is not Taylor's personality. I am so glad he has taken to him so fast and so much. Cameron wants to be close to him and stroke his head, but not hold. Cameron also has told me that Emmett is going to grow up to be just like him. Mason has become the BIG brother and tells me all the time that he is big and Baby is small. Mason hasn't gotten the name down yet so he calls him Baby. Before we came up with the name Emmett, Cameron named him Skippy John Jones at school during sharing time the week before. So when Grandpa starting asking for a name for their new brother Cameron and Taylor called him Skip.

Everything is going good with us. Thanks to a wonderful husband that really takes good care of us all and the house at the same time. We hope to see you all this summer. Join us any weekend, we will be out camping somewhere. Love, The Hulls a family of 6 now

2009-04-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

First we ate snow, but then soon came the sun and Easter weekend.
This is Jozie and Mason just a week or so ago.

2009-04-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Then we ate eggs.
We had a lot of fun this Easter weekend.

Grandma Borgstrom

Grandma Hull

Wow thanks!

2009-03-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, thanks!!! I was glad to here from all of you on that last post. I am so glad to have great women doing great things giving me great examples, in my life. YOU ALL ROCK !
Because I am so tired,because I'm prego, I wanted a easy solution to how to do it all. What I learned was to stop doing it all. I was trying to feel accomplished and fulfilled by getting the kitchen clean or getting all the laundry done. I WAS SO WRONG. I am loving life and loving my boys so much more now that my house is messy. So when you come to visit and my house is trashed know that it's because I have been out running, playing, biking, and laughing with my boys and LOVING it.

Thank you again for telling me that you understand and have been there. You also said to pray, take a moment, fight, procrastinate, sing, talk, cry, nap, remember, find a friend, read, and hold on. Noboby said to stop and give up. All of you are wonderful examples of what I want I want to be so thank you for being that example. I am always watching you and learning!!!

What do you do???

2009-03-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

For the few that check in on our world I have a question for you. First of all sorry I don't post very often. I really don't have much going on lately. ANYWAY. My question is...

What do you do when you are having a bad day and you can't throw in the towel and quit. Your day is hard and you wish you could run far far away or even just get up and leave, BUT YOU CAN'T. WHAT DO YOU DO? ! ? ! ?

Basketball

2009-02-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my good friend Penny. We have pictures of basketball. I am the coach for the 2nd graders and Aaron is the coach for the kindergartners. Another good friend Jackie watches Mason for us on the sidelines. He gets to play with her son James and loves it. All four of us on the court have a fun time each Saturday playing basketball.

Happy Birthday Bella Mack

2009-02-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Birthday

Bella Mack

Something to share

2009-02-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

So I am reading To Draw Closer To God by Henry B Eyring and just read a great thought I want to share. "Prophet Joseph Smith assures me and you that once we receive a simple truth, there is something simple to do to qualify for more truth: we have to live what we learn, with enough humility to obey and enough faith to work at it."

Wow cool right? I live most of what I have been taught but not all. So I can not expect to receive answers to my questions if I don't DO what he has already taught me!!!

Thanksgiving Tree Cutting Weekend

2009-01-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day 2008

2008-12-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun Christmas morning, but later that day was more fun. Aaron and I decided to get get things to play with as a family. After lunch we went sledding on snowboarding he in our neighborhood on a hill. Then came back and played more together. I think one of Aaron's favorite is Battle Ship. Merry Christmas. My newest hobby is movie making. I do movies of the holidays so let me know if you want a copy of Christmas because you joined us one day.

Christmas assignments for '08

2008-12-02T13:50:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas family here are our Christmas assignments-
We have done this Christmas rotation a few years in a row now and everyone seems to like to do it. In years past I just draw the names out of a hate and then try not to make it so you get the same person you had the year before. This is too confusing. From now on we will just simply rotate everyone down one, to the next person each year. For this year of 2008 Clint will buy for Josh----Chad will buy for Kristianna---Crystalyn will buy for Clint---Josh will buy for Chad --- and Kristianna will buy for Crystalyn. I'll keep track of all of this. The price limit is still at $25.00 too. That seems to be working. Mom is still trying to find something we can do before Christmas and then go out to eat to exchange the gifts. I think she is trying for the 19th of December so plan on exchanging gifts then. LoVe, Crystalyn

2008-11-02T15:35:00.000-08:00

I want to testify of something amazing. The gift of the Holy Ghost. I was baptized and then received the gift at age 8. From there I grew and learned how to listen to the "still small voice." I can give my own personal experiences of how the Holy Ghost worked in my life, but not now. I want to tell you about Taylor.

Aaron and I would talk to him and try to explain to him how to look on the positive side of things. He would be given something and see what he didn't get. An adult would be handing out treats and Taylor would only want the best and biggest one. He would even step in front and grab it before anyone else would. Every time, without fail, when he would get back from a friends house and I would ask how it went he would cry and be so mad because of something small thing that happened. I just could not get that kid to look on the positive. I even took away ever toy in the house from Taylor and Cameron. They could receive them back when I thought they had changed their attitude towards life. It kind of worked to stop the complaining and fighting, but it didn't change his view of the world.

The amazing thing I want to testify is of Taylor and receiving the Holy Ghost. From October 18th and on, he has had a different attitude. He has said "thanks mom, I really liked it" OUT OF THE BLUE to me, so many times. He can understand there is plenty of candy to go around and time with his toys when they leave. He has been in this positive attitude for a month now. Instead of dinner being burnt he says, "the cheese is the best part, Mom."

I had no idea there would be such a fast change in him. I personally and so glad to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost in my life and am equally glad that my children will receive it. Taylor needs it already at school and now I know he will do much better with the decisions he'll face.

Taylor got bapized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost

2008-10-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Our first born son (Taylor) was baptized October 18th. We had lots of family come out for the whole weekend. It all started with a birthday party and went late into the night with games around the kitchen table. Everyone took a part in cleaning and setting up and even helping my boys get dress. That really saved me because I am still so sick. Tow more weeks and I hope to not be so sick all the time. We all had so much fun I hope you come again.

Guess What ! ! !

2008-10-11T14:05:00.001-07:00

On the left is the head and on the right is the bum. You can see the feet and hands too. Isn't that crazy. It's only 2 centimeters big so that makes my due date May 16th. We are all so exited. Taylor and Cameron are exited too. Taylor wants it to be a boy and Cameron wants a girls. I think they both really don't care and are exited to have another sibling.

Cameron got to go with us to the ultra sound and he really took to her/him right off the bate. He has claimed it his, in his heart. He wouldn't let go of the picture all day. Very sweet. I think this baby is really ready to be here all ready. And exited to be apart of Taylor, Cameron, and Mason's world. I can hardly wait for it to come.

Mom's day out.

2008-09-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

This could be Mom's Day Out or Play Group. Either one will work. We had a lot of fun. We drove from Marcy's house, up behind Woodruff, then down into Randolph. Stopped for hot chocolate and then back the same way we came. We went from about 9:00 am until 1:00. Sometimes we would have cows meet us on the road.
"Thanks girls, it was a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

SOCCER SEASON

2008-09-11T20:05:00.001-07:00

We haven't had the chance to sign the boys up in soccer until this year. I'm the couch for Cameron's team and Aaron in one of the referees. It's a lot of fun. The boys love it and crash when we get home.

Scott

2008-09-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

Scott is always having fun. He is great. We all have a good time with him. I don't remember a time that I saw Scott pouting or just in a sad mood. What a great talent he has been blessed with. Here are some pictures I found on Josh's facebook.

You will love this video, watch it with your kids.

2008-08-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

Love One Another

2008-08-17T21:34:00.000-07:00

I love the song Love One Another. When Taylor (my first born) was two years old he started getting out of bed, after we put him in. So I started a bed time routine. This way he will know it's time to go to bed and that he will more likely stay in bed. At least that was the plan. Part of the routine was singing a few songs. I am not a singer but it somehow worked. Now three children later (all boys) I am still singing a song to them each night.

I love the song Love One Another. I always feel the spirit and love of my Savior when I sing the part "as I have loved you, love one another." I know the Lord loves me. I know it better then I know anything else in my life.

What can be better in life then helping someone else. I believe there is no greater action then serving on another. If I were to compare every great thing done in the whole history of the Earth, service to another human is by fare the greatest of all accomplishments.

I personally believe with every interaction with someone else I either leave them better or worse then before I met them. Yes yes I am an all or nothing. My husband says, "it's not always black or white." I disagree! Even in this situation.

For example, if I passed by someone on the street without speaking and he didn't even look up from his shoes. I bet he felt uncomfortable for the whole 10 seconds it took to pass by me. I believe, I just knock him down just a little bit. What if I simple said "hi." No smile or anything bigger then just saying "hi." He/She would no longer feel out of place. Even maybe feel excepted by me. My point... I have then done the greatest good I could on this earth. I have serviced, by loving on another.

Most the time I don' t know how to help thows around me. I am trying to develop a talking talent. BUT for now there is someone I want you all to meet. Her name is Molly and earlier this years her only daughter (Lucy) chocked on an apple and died. It was only May when she died. Just 3 months ago. Threw this tragedy she is helping hundreds of people everyday. Here is here link to here blog...

http://www.jacksonparkcity.blogspot.com/

My favorite part of reading her blog are the comments. Hundreds of people, that Molly doesn't even know, read her words and are strengthened. To give you a better perspective of how many people she has touched. We were eating lunch in Randolph and a friend came up to us to comment to Aaron how much Molly has touched their hearts. We were so surprised that he knew Molly. He said he didn't. His daughter and wife showed him the blog and where Aaron's had given Molly some up lifting words. Aaron's name was included. So he just came over to tell us how much Molly's blog has meant to his daughter and wife. I had to go check out the comments from the all the different people. I want to see how many people know Molly and how many don't. You will have to see for your self. I'm amazed at the effect her words have on so many people. What a talent! To move people to tiers. People that don't even know her. She gives them a better outlook on life. She gives them a loving attitude. She gives them a mom that understands. She gives them hope and dark days. She gives them just what they needed that day. The list goes on and on. These people are touched.

I really can not believe the talent and effect Molly has had so many people. Those are just the ones that comment. I bet 5X as many people read it and not comment. Service to another, is by fare the greatest of all accomplishments.

"wow"

"tiiiiiiimmmmmmbererererers"

2008-08-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

Mom needs a better view out of her window so she asked Josh and Chad to come help. I heard about the event and stayed to watch. First Josh brought his climbing equipment and strapped Chad into a harness of some kind. Then hosted Chad into the air with a chain saw and a bow saw strapped to him. When he got to the branch that needed to be cut he whipped out a saw and cut it down. At one point they tried to get Chad to pull himself up a rope to a higher branch, but Chad's biceps just couldn't do it.

"trust me Chad, I got you, just let go."

After all the trees were down, Josh set us up with the GREATEST TREE SWING EVER. Here are the pictures from the event.

ONE ...........TWO...........THREE............ JUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't get a grip with having no shoes on. So look how I am hanging onto the swing... I tried to dismount but failed and the swing drug me back out. It is so much fun I can't wait until we play on it next time we come to visit. It would be the most perfect swing in the world if there was water to fall into. Right ! ? ! ?

Cameron went on the swing before I did. When it was my turn it looked really scary. I had to remember that even Cameron did it and he did just fine. Cameron is really a brave soul.

Rachel and Bella came to visit

2008-08-10T16:28:00.001-07:00

Bella is 6 months old now and rolling all over the place. It was a real treat to have Rachel around. All three boys really loved Bella and created a relationship with her, because she was here for a whole week. All three boys were soft and loving towards here the whole time. I was so glad.

Hull Cousin Weekend

2008-08-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

Taylor, Cameron, Mason, and I had so much fun with all the family that came to play. We have fun all summer long at Bear Lake, but when we have great people to play with, it creates memories that will never be forgotten.
Thanks for coming to play!

The cousins weekend at Bear Lake was a great success. Everyone I think had a lot of fun. We sure did. We first play long and hard at Bear Lake. Then we had a treasure hunt around the neighborhood, which ended in the back yard. We had buckets of water balloons and ice-cream. Thanks for coming up to play with us. Please feel welcome to come again, summer or winter.

Zach, Scott, Taylor, and Cameron all slept in a tent in the back yard that night. While the rest of us were inside.
Each of the kids went home with a Bear Lake sandy mold of their foot. All but Sutton, she was a little scared but loved the sand at the lake. She just thought the sand needed to stay at the lake.

Pioneer Trek from Nebraska to Utah

2008-08-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun. I learned a lot of details about the pioneers and I also learned why they did what they did. Why it is important for me to understand their stories. And How I should be living my life. I wish I could explain it or even a small parts to you. It had a huge impact on how I view myself and my life. I totally recommend it to everyone. I just can't do my feelings and understanding justice in words. I can only say I know the Lord is very aware of me and he was very very aware of each pioneer. If I could have that same relationship with my Lord that the pioneers had I too would die of starvation or being frozen. In many ways my life is harder. I'm scared because Taylor, Cameron, and Mason's will face more than I have to or had to. They will have to be strong all the days of their life, not just the 90 days it took to get across the plains.

We had people that set up our tents before we would get there. We had a cooking crew. We had a toilet crew. We even had people carry our bags if we needed them and we drove around in air conditioned SUVs. Very nice trip.
We met lot of good people and a few good friends. Hopefully we can stay in touch with them for many many years.
Here we are at the Parting Of The Ways. I am going to Oregon and Aaron is going to Utah.

This trip could only happen once in a career. A BIG "thank you" goes out to my mom, for watching our boys on Monday and Tuesday. AND a BIG "thank you goes out to Stephanie for taking the rest of the week. Carol helped too, thank you too.

Summer fun with Taylor

2008-08-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Summer fun with Cameron

2008-08-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

Summer fun with Mason

2008-08-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

My Three Cooks

2008-07-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Isn't cooking with kids great. I personally HATE to cook and eating is a chore too. But when the kids come to help is a new discovery. Especially with Mason. He wants to taste everything and taste throughout the process. We have so much fun.

Day 2 of our Colorado Family Vacation

2008-07-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

Denver, Colorado

On day one, of our summer vacation, we left Woodruff about 6 o'clock at night and drove straight to Denver Colorado. Thanks for putting us up, Clair and Cathy.

On day two of our vacation we spent the whole day at a water park The boys have not stopped talking about it. This park was so great because 75% of the rides are built so that all ages could ride them. Which is brilliant. Cameron and Taylor can't swim perfect, yet they were able to ride and ride and ride. We didn't even get to everything before the park closed. The park is so good I would drive 6 hours again just to go to that park!!! Here is a whole group of pictures. One of the pictures is of the Fun House. Aaron Taylor and Cameron spent a good 40 minutes in there pumping and cranking water to dump on people below. They will tell you all about it if you ask.

Day 3

2008-07-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday we spent time sleeping in. Way overdue. Then took off to the Colorado Natural History Museum. This museum is like no other I have been too. They stuffed animals from around the world. They made it look so real I couldn't believe my eyes. Here is a picture of Mason in front of an Alkatraz bird that stands 6 feet tall. I had no idea they existed.The dinosaur exhibit was so wild. Cameron even got a souvenir of a dinosaur and when we asked to see what kind of dinosaur it was we found out it was a Camisoras. All three boys loved all the things to do in space. We even came back at the end of the day. Cameron snuck back into this costum section and started dressing himself. When I looked back and saw what he was doing I asked if I could help and take a picture. He got really exited and you can tell be the way he is standing for the camera. SO CUTE!
Taylor loved this one were you can try and land a space craft.

Day 4

2008-07-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

Day 4 of our vacation was a Sunday. Church was great and that night we had a little needed down time roasting marshmallows in Clair and Cathy's backyard.
Mason really took to Haley. He soon would look for her and would "b" line to her is he saw her. It was very fun to watch.
One of the great things about this trip was getting to know the Hull family. We were so impressed with who Whitney and Haley grew up to be. We also got a chance to hang out until 1:30 am with Kaycey and with wife Dez. Dez and I will be starting a business together someday. She Rocks! Cathy has so much on her plate I don't know how she does it. Really she does. Busier then anyone else I know.

Day 5

2008-07-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

On Monday we went to the Colorado Butterfly Pavilion. It's like a zoo but for bugs. We were all very grossed out by the size of some of those bugs and the number of legs. They were all alive which made it even creepier. All and all a great place to take four boys on a family vacation. We even got to hold some of the bugs. Aaron and I held a tarantula named Rosie. VERY COOL. They had a small water section were we all could pet the star fish and sea-enchants.

Taylor, Cameron, and Mason climbed all over a hug spider web. And Taylor and I tried to be as tall as this praying mantas.

Last but not least, the Butterfly Green House. I think I loved it here more than anyone else. I didn't know I liked butterflies so much, until this day. Colorado has created a huge enclosed green house where they release and keep the butterflies. It's really humid and green. Twice a day they release a new bunch of butterflies. Here I have a picture of the developing butterflies coming out of their cocoons. I wish I could describe how cool it felt to have them fling all around me. You just had to be there.

I think I like butterflies because in life when ever one flies by everyone stops to watch. We all hold really still to look close, until it flies away. It's like a shooting star. You only get to see them once in a while and only when you are outside.

So here I am standing in a room filled with them. They were all really bright, vibrant colors. Red. Blue. Green. Yellow.

That is the end of our annual family vacation. We had a really good time. Thanks to Clair and Cathy for there house, food, and love.

The Taylor side of my family

2008-06-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

Yeah my family is very complicated. Now this weekend was the Taylor side of me. Two of my three half siblings came to camp for a night. I have two step on the Borgstrom side. Three step on the Taylor side and three half on the Taylor side. Then I also have three whole siblings. Way too crazy and complicated if you ask me.

We had a great camping trip at Smith and Morehouse Reservoir camping area. It's up past Kamas and was a ton of fun. We camped right next to a stream. The boys had the most fun playing in that water. On Friday we went hiking up a great little trail. Here are some shots.

Are they not a cute couple. This is my "whole" older brother Chad and his wife Jessica with their first born little girl Jozie.

I call this picture...
On The Path of Life.

BEAR LAKE

2008-06-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last week when the weatherman said "that was the end of cold weather, summer is here." We set a date for the fallowing week to go to Bear Lake. Which turned out to be yesterday. I seem to always be the first amongst our Woodruff friends to go check out the lake. Well I got to tell you...

"the Lake is prefect, come jump in."

After soaking up a ton of sun on the beach I got in the water and it was great. I swam and swam. Then got in again and then got in again. Ohhhhh Man! the Lake was absolutely wonderful. We had so much fun. We plan on being at the lake everyday we can this summer. So if anyone wants to come up, we'll be going to Bear Lake on Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursday. Then if we don't leave town to go camping we will be there on Fridays and Saturdays. Here are some great pictures of the day.
The drive from our Woodruff neighborhood to Bear Lake is about 30 minutes. We live where there is sagebrush and cows everywhere. Then past Randolph we drive through a little canyon. Just as we reach the end the valley comes into sight and there it is, Bear Lake! In all it's glorious blue water and sandy beaches. I love that sight every time we drive in. We had a lot of fun and I am so very grateful it's the beginning of the summer. I know we'll be back. So bye for now but we will return soon.

Father's Day Weekend

2008-06-17T15:21:00.001-07:00

We went down to Hooper to wish Richard a Happy Father's Day. He still flood irrigates, which turned out to be a lot of fun. Here are some great shots...

Now it's time to clean up. The best and funniest is with hose in the yard. Look closely at the boys faces. It's freezing cold water. Taylor gets to go first.

Now it's cousin Zachary's turn.
Last but not any warmer, Cameron's turn.
Next time we're down and Richard is flooding we will have Aaron's skim board. Then it will be the dad's having the most fun. Then at the end of the day I'll be taking pictures of the dads getting hosed off by their sons.

The 1st annual Borgstom Family Reunion

2008-06-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

What makes up a family?
Marriage? Blood? Time and effort? Love?
Can you cut someone out of your family?

Because I have a lot of different kinds of relationships in my life, so the question of who is my family comes up in my mind a lot. I would love to get a response from everyone. Here is the question....
What makes a family a family?

Saturday I was able to go to The First Annual Borgstrom Family Reunion. It was so much fun. You see after my parents got a divorce, around 1982 my mom married a good man by the name of Mike Borgstrom, in 1987. Then introducing a whole butch of good people that I could call family. Then in 1997 I married Aaron and we lived in Salt Lake City for 7 years without much mediate family members around. Our friends and extended family were the ones there to love, help, and support where blood was not. So I ask you again what is it that makes someone a family member, support, effort, love, or not it's just blood and marriage? Then I ask you what is stronger... blood OR support?

Here are some great pictures of Saturday's fun. Aunt LouAnn was in charge of the games and we really had a lot of fun. There was great food and thanks you Brad for the house and yard to do it all in. Sheila started the whole idea and made it happen. The Borgstrom people are so nice, sincere, genuine, and the most positive people I know.

Potato Sack Race Three Legged Race

Water Balloon Volleyball turned Water Fight!

After all that fun, we all were sitting around winning prices and talking. While Mason and his cuz'n (Micheal) were checking out this cooler. The pictures will tell the story. Take a look...

Micheal is Kristianna's son. Kristianna is my step dad's (Mike) daughter. So in 1982 I got a sister one year older and a bother (Scott) one year younger. Micheal and Mason were buddies the whole 4 1/2 hour family reunion. They really had a good time together and always do. They stayed in this cooler for at least 45 minutes. Until Mason decided to get his whole body inside. Micheal did not think that was fair because he couldn't fit too.
Don't you love Micheal's red curly hair? We all do. Here is a picture of everyone that could come. We missed Chad, Jessica, Jozie, Josh, Melissa, Scott, and Glenda. I left the picture large so you can click on it to blow it up if you like.

TeeBall Season

2008-06-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

Cameron was out playing Second Baseman

Taylor mostly plays First Base but today he played short stop.

HOME RUN !!!!!!!!!!!

I am ethereally enjoying this stage in their lives. I love watching them play and learn.

My life growing up in Texas was pretty good. I got to do a lot of stuff. Then I got married to a man that showed me all the stuff I've missed out on living in Texas. Mostly snowboarding and mountain biking. Life was great! We had so much fun together, hiking all over Utah. Three years into our marriage we had our first child. Our life and fun became watching him. Watching him laugh and learn at everything around him. Hiking, camping, biking, and everything else just got better.

Now it's been 11 years into our marriage we have three boys. Each day is a memory and experance far better then I thought raising a family would be. I could imagine a lot of love involved when raising a family but I didn't know it was going to be so much fun.

I have more fun watching them play teeball then if I was playing. Swimming in Bear Lake is way more fun when a child is holding so tight around your neck you know he is holding on for dear life, but at the same time laughing a giggling as each wave comes up on him. I love swinging on a swing set with a son swinging right next to me, as he is yelling, with a big smile across his face, "mom we're twins." I love basketball and didn't think I could love it more. Until last weekend when Taylor and I just shot around for an hour. I new he loved it too, because when we were leaving Taylor stopped, turned around, and said, "thanks mom, I love you." The only way I jump on our trampoline is with a child. When Mason in on with us we all have to sit down so he doesn't get hurt. Then Mason will jump as hard as he can. He doesn't weigh very much so he doesn't get very high in the air, so he will lift his knees to his chin with each bounce. This gives him the hight and excitement he likes. Because he is laughing and giggling so much we all can't help but laugh and giggle too. My day can not begin without a hug from each boy. Cameron loves to give them as much as he loves to receive them. He will even rub check to check with me until he has had enough. Then at the end of each day, even if Dad puts them to bed, I get a hug from each one again.

The Secret Bird Refudge

2008-06-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

Ethan and Stephanie took us to this great park in Ogden. Taylor, Cameron, Mason, Aaron, and I all thought we had left Utah and found ourselves in Oregon or Washington. It was the coolest place. It had a main trail and then all these shoot offs the boys could go explore. Also a huge pond for birds to make their home, with bird houses built for them and islands created in the middle of the pond.

This picture is called Wait For Me by Mason Hull

Ethan wanted to see what the mother goose would do if he tried to get close. "hee hee"

Then later Ethan and Aaron started putting stuff they could find in the creek to see it float down. Ethan totally got caught up in the game. All 7 boys were dropping sticks and leaves up stream and then running to follow is down stream. Sometimes racing each other. At one point Stephanie and I heard Ethan yell " hey where's my stick!"

One night we even had a night with Carol and Richard in their backyard. This picture is too cute not to show it off. Cameron is always watching out for his younger brother Mason. We stayed at "Grandma and Grandpa's" until 10:00 sitting around the camp fire just chewing the fat. We had such a great week.

Fun w/Betsy

2008-06-08T16:04:00.000-07:00

We hung out with our good friend Betsy at the Gateway Mall. We even got some ice cream. Mason was enjoying two ice-creams thanks to his older brother. They didn't mind. They were having too much fun in the water. OR trying not to get hit by the water.

At one point the clouds covered up the sun and it got kind of chilly. All the kids slowly got out of the fountain. It was just to cold to be in the water, except if you live in Woodruff and you came to play. Taylor and Cameron were the only ones that thought the water was fine. Not too cold at all. They didn't notice it get late. We didn't even get there until 6:00 PM and so come 7:30 at night the night air started to slow them down, a little. All they would do is lay out on the warm cement steps and the when warm enough run back into the fountain.

Melissa and Josh came to visit with us too. It was fun to catch up with them once and a while. When it was time to go Josh dared Melissa to run through the
fountains with him and try not to get wet. Half way through Melissa got bumped and yes wet. We expected nothing less.

Day at the Park with Grandma Borgstrom

2008-06-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Grandma came to play at the park with us. What a great sunny day it was. Or at least 30% chance it was. Sometime is started to sprinkle but we really didn't mind.
Josh and Jentry are the rock climbers in the family. Now I have one more, my Cam Ham Man.

CAMPING WITH THE COUSINS

2008-05-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

We went camping with the cousins up past Kamas, Ut last weekend. It was so great. A little wet but not wet enough to stop us from hiking and four wheeling or having a fire.
Two must be the perfect age for riding in a backpack because Mason loved it. He thought he was king of the world and would come running to get into the back pack the next time. Taylor and Cameron were fast hikers. I sometimes had to catch up to them. Yes I am old. Dad might need to work on his squats so to protect Mason's head from branches. All in all hiking was perfect and great success each time.

Grandma Carol had a great time chasing Mason around with a stick. I don't know who was laughing more.
I think the award with the Biggest Excitement goes to Grandpa Richard, for getting to ride his four wheeler. They got snowed on and still had fun. Ethan took Taylor out for a ride the day before and on the way down asked Taylor if he wanted to drive. He said yes and was a little scared. It took courage for Taylor to do it and when he got back you could see how proud of himself he was ALL OVER HIS FACE. I too drove for really the first time in my life and did it on a very rocky road. I took it as fast as I thought I could and really loved it. I can see how it can be ridden like a sport. I want to buy two of them now.

We can't wait until we can go camping again !