Well it's official . . .

We are parents of a teenager! LOL! Today is Trav's 13th birthday! We met Grandma and Grandpa in Brigham tonight for dinner at Winger's. Troy told our waiter about Trav's birthday. It was great . . . they brought out a huge piece of mint oreo pie singing and clapping just for Travis.

Proud Grandpa Steve, our birthday boy and a cheesy grin from Hunter . . .
Of course each time I tried to take a picture of TJ he would turn his head. But I had to post because I loved Grandma Sue's smile . . .
Finally after a few tries I got the front side of TJ, what a goofy boy . . . Travis asked if he could make his own birthday cake this year so after I put the boys to bed Saturday night, we pulled out the mixer and Travis went to town. He did a fabulous job! He did everything by himself. I have to admit it was the fluffiest cake I have seen in a longer time. Nothing like chocolate fudge cake with chocolate fudge frosting. YUMMY!
On Sunday we had his birthday party. Before the festive event my cute friend Carrie and her son Daniel came to play for a few hours. The boys played in the pool, rode the quads and jumped on the tramp. It was nice to have some girl time while our boys enjoyed the sunshine. Here is Travis, Daniel and Hunter posing for the camera . . .
Travis received just over $150 from family and friends, then Troy and I gave him $100 for his birthday. Tonight he bought himself a DSi. He has wanted a DS and a digital camera, so why not get the combo piece that has both. LOL! Here is Great Grandma Poorte and Grandma Rue with Travis opening his cards . . .Before we lit the candles Hunter had to make sure there really was 13 candles on the cake and TJ wasn't far behind to help blow out the candles . . .
It's hard to believe that Travis was only 15 months old when Troy and I got married. Where has the time gone? He has grown into a fine young man and we love him very much!

Dad's Day 2009 . . .

Troy is a wonderful husband and dad. I couldn't have married a better person! He has the patience of Joab and loves being home with his boys. He is a hard worker and provides well for our family. I love you honey and want to wish you a very happy father's day!


This father's day was extra special for Troy because it's the first year he has had all three of his sons together to celebrate his day. I found the younger boys cute "Dad's #1 fan shirts" so after unloading everything from camping and before bath time, I got a quick picture on the porch with Troy and his boys . . .

At daycare last week, the theme was "super hero". The kids got to visit the fire station, ride in ambulance. A K-9 cop gave a presentation as well. Also the boys were working on a "special hero" project for their dad. This is what TJ made his daddy . . .It's a square piece of wood, hand painted by TJ and his creation of daddy. My camera isn't working so well tonight so sorry the pictures are so blurry!


On the back of TJ's "dad" figure it read, My dad is my hero because . . . he goes to work, he comes home to mine house, he plays with me, he brought Travis to see me! Love TJ

Isn't that sweet, my favorite part is what he says about Travis. TJ loves his big brother!

Here is what Hunter made for his dad . . .

Hunter's "dad figure" states, My dad is my hero because . . . he jumps on the tramp with me, he lets me do fun stuff, my dad lets me play in the sprinkler, help me ride my bike and lets me go down the alley.

What cute boys we have!

Unfortunately I didn't get to see my cute dad today. We got home a bit late from camping but I did call to wish him happy dad's day! Know that we love you! Hunter was pretty upset that we weren't going to Grandpa's house to wish his happy father's day. "But mom we got to see Grandpa Lane, so why can't we see Grandpa Steve?" Since Troy has to work all week, the boys and I will head down one night so Hunter and his brother's can wish Grandpa Steve "happy father's day" just a few days late! LOL! Know that you are loved Dad!!!

Camping in the Hills . . .

We headed up Logan Canyon this weekend for Grandma Satterthwaite's 80th birthday. It was nice to get away for a few days. Saturday morning was beautiful, it had sprinkled just a bit Friday night, but early Saturday was fabulous! While Troy and the boys went for a ride TJ and I hung around camp. TJ loves "pretending to ride" on Daddy's 4 wheeler. Here is Jake and Charli enjoying being outside for a little bit before the rain hit . . .

Travis likes to stay in the tent so he can have his own space, Troy brought our canopy to help keep the rain off as well. It worked okay for Friday night, but with all the rain Saturday, Travis joined us in the trailer.

While TJ and I were hanging at camp he wanted a treat . . .
Say cheese . . .
Here is Dad and Hunter BEFORE the rain hit . . .Boying riding 4 wheelers and playing outdoors is hard work, time for a rest . . .
TJ loves the hand held tire pump, he was fixing everything and anything . . .
Hunter wanted to take a picture of he and I, not too bad with his short little arms . . .
TJ loves his little quad, he was content toting around camp on it rather than on the big machines with his dad and brothers . . .

Now let the mud fun begin! At the end of our camping spot was a huge mud puddle that the boys just couldn't resist. Each time they came back they got muddier and muddier. Troy always says "God made dirt and dirt don't hurt" LOL!

Troy and Travis were the first ones out in the rain and mud . . .Hunter wanted to join big brother and daddy too. Here is round two . . .

Round three was the funniest, they were covered in mud from head to toe! As you can see from their smiles, they didn't mind a bit!

All in all it was a great weekend. I didn't care for the rain too much, but after seeing how much fun my boys had, it was worth it! Before Great-Grandma headed home we got our yearly family photo. It worked out perfect this year because Grandpa Lane and Grandma Leann could be a part of the picture too! You would never know it was the middle of June with our winter coats on. It was pretty chilly.
In photo: Grandma Leann, Grandpa Lane, Travis, Grandma Satterthwaite, TJ, Troy and Hunter

I am always the one taking pictures, but Leann was cute and insisted on taking one of all of us as well . . .

In photo: Hunter, Grandpa Lane, Travis, Grandma Satterthwaite, Michelle, TJ and Troy

Like I stated up above TJ was content hanging out at camp and didn't have much desire to venture out in the mud, that was of course until it was time to go. While Troy and I were picking up camp TJ found a mud puddle and had a blast. He was jumping in hit, throwing rocks at it, doing anything he could to make the mud fly. I couldn't resist taking a picture before I changed him for the ride home. He was grinning from ear to ear! Such a cutie!

Travis has arrived . . .

The boys and I were lucky enough to go back with Troy to the gate to pick up Travis this morning. The boys thought it was so cool to watch the planes come in and take off.
Hunter saw a bird and got really excited about it . . .TJ was so excited about the plane in the window, he was trying to tell Hunter it was so big, big like a jet. LOL!
We didn't have to wait long, maybe an hour, but the boys were getting restless so I had them make funny faces for me . . .
Finally they spotted a plane that said Frontier . . .
And their big brother was here!
This afternoon we had a BBQ with cousins that Travis doesn't get too see much. Today worked best for all of us since Tina has her hands full the next few weeks with girls camp, boys camp and a wedding out of town. All the kids are growing up way too fast!
In picture above left to right: Samantha, Sammy, Travis, TJ, Jake, Hunter and Erica!

A visit with O'Todd and Uncle Peggy . . .

Uncle Todd and Aunt Peggy (O'Todd and Uncle Peggy according to TJ) were here last weekend for a few days. It was so fun to have them here.

Aunt Peggy enjoying our boys . . .

Uncle Todd, TJ, Hunter and Ms. Mollie, my parents newest addition . . .
This is my favorite picture, I just wish I would have closed the blinds first, oh well . . .Uncle Todd and TJ chillin on the couch! Uncle Todd and Aunt Peggy need to be around more often, we NEVER get this many smiles out of TJ. LOL!

For dessert after our BBQ I made homemade brownies, Aunt Peggy kept teasing TJ trying to steal a piece of his. It was cute listening to him giggle.
While spending the day at my parents, Troy and Hunter played catch. Millie had to be in the mix of things of course. LOL! Hunter can throw the ball really good but was intimated of catching it at first, but after a few minutes was doing really well.
While Troy and Hunter was playing catch, TJ wanted to roll down the small hill in the front yard , yes I know, a disaster waiting to happen . . .
Hunter under threw the ball to his dad and hit TJ in the head above his right eye . . .

This picture really doesn't tell the story. The poor little guy had a nice indentation and a big read mark dang it!Before Uncle Todd and Aunt Peggy left we met at Andy's for dinner and a drink with Uncle Sam. It was so funny, Uncle Sam kept teasing Troy, that the light was reflecting off his head just right and blinding him. Uncle Sam asked Troy to put on his hat.Here is Uncle Todd and Uncle Sam in his hat . . .
As you can see from the pictures Troy finally had to get glasses. I think he looks really good in them. It was funny, as we were leaving Uncle Todd told Troy he looks like a reformed biker.