Fast Weekend in Utah

Over Conference we made a quick trip to Utah to see Jason's sister Lindsay who was in town from North Carolina. We haven't seen her and her daughter Kailtyn since the Fall and we wont see her again until Thanksgiving. We had such a good, but busy weekend. I went to a "Jean" party at Jamie's new house. It was fun to see her new house, which is so beautiful, and buy some great jeans. We went shopping with Lindsay and out to lunch on Friday. It was fun to spend some time with her. A weekend in Utah would not be complete without a visit to Brick Oven with the whole family. It was Chaos but the kids had fun. Mckay also went to a Spanish Fork Don's baseball camp with his cousin Andrew, which they loved. We ended the weekend with a family BBQ on Sunday before we left. It was so fun to see our family, I only wish we had a little more time to spend with everyone and see a few other people.

This was our attempt for a Grandchildren photo. Not all the kids were cooperating. Emrie is MIA in the photo.
Beckham and his two cousins Emrie and Kaitlyn. You would think with the size difference he would dominate these girls but, they seem to have him mastered. He just lets them have whatever they want.
Jamie, Lindsay and I waiting to get into Brick Oven
Three one year old's don't make a one hour wait easy. They were pretty wild.
Jason grooming Beckham to be his shortstop. You got to start early, right!

Thanks Linds for the photos!

A Tribute to Friends

As my time here in Grand Junction is coming to a close, I am mindful of my many great friends. Moving, helps me to be grateful for my life experiences and for the many people that have touched my life. There have been many phases throughout my life and it seems like each phase comes a new group of great friends. I still cherish my high school and college friends. Through cheer and dance groups I was able to make such great friends and create many lasting memories. I am saddened that I only keep in touch with a few of them but, the memories are still vivid. I remember first leaving Utah for the first time, I didn't know how I would ever live without Aly and family. Aly and I were inseparable we played softball, worked out at World Gym, ran and trained for marathons, watched Oprah, coached Spanish Fork Cheer, and hung out almost every night together. It was hard but, I found that we became better and closer friends. Aly and I still talk regularly on the phone and she is always close to my heart.

When leaving Ohio, I was excited for no more school and student loans but, I hated the thought of leaving so many great friends. I knew I would miss BUNCO with the Ohio girls, Columbus Zoo, Polaris mall, COSI, and Wyandott Lake trips with Tiffany and Kelly, Abbey Church Village and the many great neighbors, sitting through many Ohio State games with friends, talking with Kristy as she cut my hair, laughing at Mike and Jason cruising in the Mazda MX3, watching movies with the Reid's, play dates for Mckay and Dallin (which were good excuses for Tiffany and I to get together) and the many long tedious runs through the hills of Dublin with Tiffany and Corrie. Wow those were some good times. I am grateful that through the world of blogging I have been able to stay in touch with so many of my Ohio friends.

I have been blessed to have many great friends here in Grand Junction as well, two of them being my sisters. Most of our friendships have been strengthened by the many long training runs we have been on together. We have helped each other reach our goals and listen to each other when we just need to talk and vent. I will always remember our Birthday lunches and dinners, St. George Marathon weekend, Sunday game night at the Lynn's or Chapman's, Super Bowl Party, Friends Christmas Party, Christmas Eve Sledding, Oscar Party, gambling on March Madness, girls weekend in Steamboat, Coed Softball, weekend in Breckenridge, trail running with the Frunners, running up the monument at 5:30 AM,enduring many long 20 plus milers, and watching Suzy and Andy go through the temple with family and friends. Thanks guys for making our three years so memorable and thanks to all the many people who have touched my life throughout the years. I truly cherish and love our friendships.

Easter Weekend with friends and family

St. George Marathon 2007
Lunch at Olive Garden Michelle and Carla

Texas Roadhouse Girls Night Out and Michelle's Birthday

Kami and I posing for the camera
Michelle riding the saddle at Texas Roadhouse
Suzy and I post St. George Marathon
Monument Trail with the Frunner's

Easter

We had a busy but great Easter weekend. My mom and dad came down to spend the weekend with us, so it was nice to see them. Jason and I are coming to an end on our training for Boston (only one more hard, long week before we can taper)so we had to start the weekend off with a long 22 miles on Saturday. We then rushed to soccer games. Mckay and Mckinley had their first soccer games of the season. It was fun to get back into the games and see the kids play. On Saturday night we went to my sister Becky's for a Weenie roast and S'mores. Her new house has no yard so it was a great place for a bonfire. The kids loved it and it reminded me of all my many memories of Easter on the farm. After dinner, my kids painted eggs and a craft that grandma Marilynn had brought. My kids loved this. Beckham had to get right in there with his paint brush-- he made a mess.
Easter morning, it took Beckham a while to realize that the Easter bunny had left him a surprise (a fire truck push toy that sings, which has gotten real annoying). When he finally saw it he went crazy. Mckay and Mckinley got Guitar Hero for the WII and I am not sure who enjoyed it more the kids or Jason??? They were all rocking out to the Killer's and Guns-n-Roses. We had Easter dinner at Becky's and ended the weekend with an Easter Egg Hunt at Michelle's with friends. It was a great weekend. It is times like this when I get so sad thinking about leaving such great friends and family. I will miss everyone a lot.

Sunshine Tournament in St. George, UT

I have fond memories that stem to my early childhood of the Sunshine Tournament in St. George. My fellow Spanish Fork friends probably have memories of the Sunshine Tournament as well. The majority of Spanish Fork City heads down south to the Sunshine Tournament to support the local high school baseball team, The Spanish Fork Dons. We have continued this tradition over the years and have rarely missed a Sunshine Tournament. It's always fun to be reacquainted with old friends from childhood and high school. Jason loves the tradition of Spanish Fork baseball and I love the warm sun. The baseball and softball teams didn't disappoint, they both were victors of the 2008 Sunshine Tourney. For the most part, we had a good time. We did really miss a few of our good friends Kyle and Aly, Sam and Whit. The trip just wasn't the same without them. This will probably be our last Sunshine Tourney for some time with our big move to Indianapolis and who knows where after that. I forgot my camera so my brother-in-law shared a few photos that he took of the kids swimming. My sister Becky and her family met up with us on their way back home from California. My kids just love Jaryn and Ryan, so they enjoyed swimming at the pool with them and playing with their dog Sadie.

The kids always love the pool. They swam even in 60 degree weather. CRAZY!!!

Jaryn and Mckinley
Beckham showing off his nice chest!

Mckay and Ryan
Mckinley my little fish!

I love this picture of Beckhams feet. Beckham didn't really care for the water. Hopefully, because it was too cold.

Training Them Young

The other night I had two little ones helping me clean the kitchen. I thought that Beckham and Mckinley looked so cute washing the dishes I had to take a few photos. Yes, that is a knife in Beckham's hand, I promise I was watching him. He refused to let it go so, for the sake of a good photo I let him have it. Beckham also loves to Vacuum. When I pulled out the vacuum to clean up the food particles that he had thrown on the floor, he had to help suck everything up. I can only hope that this kind of behavior will last forever but, I am sure the novelty will wear off soon.

Gymnastics with Jess

Most of you know that Mckinley loves gymnastics. She had her last class last week with her team and teacher miss Jess so we decided to take some memorable photos. Mckinley has decided to take a break until we get to Indianapolis so that she can play soccer and T-ball. I just can't handle one more thing this spring. I have to admit with the sale of our home and Mckinleys last gymnastic class I got a little teary eyed as she was saying good bye to her class and teacher. I am going to be a total mess when it is time to say good bye to all my close friends and family.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I am seriously amazed at Mckinley's ability to hang from the bar and touch her toes to her head so I had to record it. I think this would kill me. Maybe, this is why she has rock hard abs and I don't.

Basketball, Movie Night, and Our House is Under Contract

I took some pictures of Mckay playing Basketball. He has loved it and is sad that it is over. He is all decked out in his BYU gear, you would think that we loved BYU or something. He insisted every time in wearing his BYU basketball shorts, maybe someday we will convert him. Beckham also loved going to watch Mckay play basketball. He thought he was one of the boys and was always running on the court with his basketball. Doug (my very tall brother-in-law) would lift him up to the basket and let him shoot baskets, he loved it.




The last couple of weekends we have been letting the kids eat popcorn and rent movies. I took this picture of the kids, I thought they looked so cute all bundled up watching the movie. Beckham only lasted a short time after this picture was taken. He then started shooting baskets and bugging the kids.


So after 10 days we have had 8 showings, 1 open house, and an offer on our house. We have decided to take the offer (which was really close to our asking price) because the closing date is perfect for our situation. We aren't closing until June 2nd. This has seemed to be an answer to our prayers because we have been so worried about closing earlier and having to rent for some time. It just seems to perfect, hopefully it will continue to be positive and hopefully this will relieve some of my craziness.

TAG!!!!

I thought this tag was especially fun because it was mostly about Jason and when our little romance began. Looking back, Jason and I have been together almost more than half of our life, CRAZY!!!Thanks, Stacie for the challenge this was fun!

What is your spouses name? Jason Philip Barney


How long have you been together? Well we have known each other since about 8th grade. His girlfriend Kelly was my best friend so we were always hanging out. We officially started being together between my 9th grade and Sophomore year.

Who eats more? Well I eat more junk. He probably eats more but, I would say I keep up with him pretty good.


Who said 'I Love You' first? I really can’t remember. I am sure it was in high school and it was probably me. It was so long ago I honestly can’t remember this detail.

Who is taller? Jason, by four inches.

Who Sings better? Well this one is a toss up because we are both pretty bad. But, I would have to say me because Jason is tone deaf. I am no Carrie underwood but, I like to pretend to be her every once in a while.

Who is smarter? Well I would definitely have to say Jason. He is always studying, loves to read, and would love to be in school forever—that is probably why we are headed back for two more years! I have to give myself a little credit, when it comes to problem solving and finances I am clearly smarter.

Who does the laundry? Me. I like to get it done and usually Jason is not around to help. If he is around he sometimes helps fold and put it away.


Who does the dishes? Jason does a good job of cleaning the dishes after dinner and most meals when he is around.

Who pays the bills? Me. Jason doesn’t even know how to write out a check or look up our accounts online. He is to busy browsing NPR, Pitchfork media, and D Mans music web pages to worry about finances. There is a benefit to me paying the bills, I have no restrictions and I am in total control of our finances, which I love.

Who mows the lawn? This is a sensitive subject if you remember from our summer blog entries. Jason is suppose to mow the lawn but, waits until it is up to our knees to do it so, I sometimes end up doing it. I refuse to do the backyard though.

Who cooks dinner? Me. However, Jason has a zest for Michael Chiarello, cooking shows, and fine cook books (which I keep getting as gifts). He has made a few meals but, his cookbooks for the most part are collecting dust.

Who is more stubborn? Both of Us are equally stubborn. We both enjoy a good debate and challenge. We are also very set in our ways.

Who kissed who first? Jason. My first kiss was Jason the summer before my Sophomore year on Michelle Measom’s front porch (so magical). Jason likes to bring up the fact that I kissed him first when he came home from his mission—the night he got home (just wanted him to know what he had been missing for two years).

Who asked who out first? Jason. Our first official date, Jason took me to Spanish Fork High Homecoming. Before that we just hung out a lot with groups of friends.

Who proposed? Jason. He proposed at the Spanish Fork Golf course (Ironic because Jason hates golf) where we had our first date or get together with friends (I was only in 9th grade so I don’t think it was a date???).

Who has more siblings? He does – 5 in his family-3 girls, 2 boys. There are 4 in mine- 3 girls, and 1 poor boy.


Who wears the pants? This is a hard one. I would definitely say me. But, I think Jason likes me to think I wear them, so he can secretly get what he wants.

Now I am tagging a few others: Aly Dart, Kristie Crockett, Suzy Keith, Michelle Chapman, and Heather Hansen

Valentines Day, Wild Beckham, and House is on the Market

My kids had a great Valentines Day. They had parties at school and got special valentines from their grandparents and parents. I took some pictures of the kids at school. Beckham just loves going to the kids classrooms. All the kids in Mckay's class were just laughing at him.

Mckinley and her friend Kayla

Mckay and Mckinley posing for a picture! I wish they were always this nice!

Beckham giving his famous kisses!

The kids surrounding Mckay's desk while he opens his Valentine's from his classmates.

Beckham is starting to get in a little trouble. He decided to take a marker to my newly painted walls. He knew he was in trouble. I would point at the wall and he would say "OH".

So we all know that Beckham loves food. His new craze is Spaghetti O's! I took him to the doctor last week for his 18 month check up and he is still big, weighing in at 32 1/2 pounds. Everything is in the 95th percentile and his weight is above the 95th! His genes have got to start kicking in.

Our house is finally on the Market! It has been on two days and I have had one showing and two calls. I am pretty much a basket case right now. I just don't know what to expect with this being our first time selling a house. Hopefully it will all work out!

Mom, Please Let Us Have a Dog and Expanding Waiste Line

So, I am on the outs with my family because I won't let them get a dog. Jason has been begging and begging me to let him get a dog. He has persuaded the kids that we need a dog and that it would be so much fun. So, last night my sister Becky came over with her brand new Lab (7 weeks old), which they named Sadie. After they left Jason and my kids were pouting for a dog. I will admit the dog was cute and I even let it snuggle with me but, they grow up and will soon be big, wild, hairy and a pooping machine. My friend Suzie (major dog lover) agrees that I am just not ready for this time commitment or change in my life. I am trying to convince Jason that maybe after he finishes school it would be a better time for our family to get a dog. He seems to think that our family can't wait and that the kids need one now to help with the move. We will see who wins????



Here are some funny pictures of Beckham. Lately he seems to be having major plumber bum. I think his waiste line has expanded making his pants and diapers a little small. There's something about buying that next size up in diapers (size 6), you get less for the money. He was running around last night and we were just laughing at his bum peeking out of his pants that we had to take a few pictures.