Pictures from Kuwait!

Can't wait to see the picture of Nick riding a camel.

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida!

I had the opportunity to fly to New Orleans to meet Nick on his four day leave. It was so much fun! We stayed very busy the whole time. The first night we stayed in New Orleans. We walked around the streets, down the river walk, and Bourbon Street. It was a whole new world there. Unfortunately I was a bit of a party pooper that night. I was so tired I crashed around 7:00. (Hey don't judge me, it was my let down day!)




Then we headed on our road trip through Mississippi and Alabama, to Florida.




In Alabama we stopped in Mobile for lunch. We took a tour of the U.S.S Alabama. It was very neat to be able to walk through such a huge war ship.

Mobile had some very cool buildings.

We made it!!!

We made a stop at Miramar Beach to see Bella, Shawn and Mariah's baby. Nick hadn't seen her yet so it was a must do. Then we headed to our hotel. We got there as the sun was setting, it was beautiful. This is a picture from our hotel room.

The first night we played a round of golf. Miniature golf that is. It was so funny. We had the choice of the easy, yellow path or the more difficult red path. Of course we chose the red path. We are expert golfers you know. We approached the first hole and both had to laugh because it was sooooo simple. I got a hole in one. Then to the second hole, again very simple. I got another hole in one. Nick was not so impressed. After that I had to play a little less perfect and let him take the lead. This course was so difficult Nick even lost a ball! After searching forever we ended up sharing my ball. Nick was a little too nervous to go ask the scary man at the ticket booth for another ball.


The following day we walked the beach to the pier. The sand in Florida was so pretty. It was white and very clean. Nick even made friends with a crab.





After walking so long we decided to rent a little scooter car. It was way fun. This scooter was street legal so we road it all over Panama City. I am not sure I have laughed that hard in a long time. We were getting passed like we were sitting still. The scooter didn't reverse either. So we had to use the Flintstone method to get around. We were honked at and laughed at by many passerby's. We drove our little scooter to St. Andrew's State Park to try to find alligators but didn't see any. We also went to Ripley's Believe it or NOt, and Wonder work, two very fun museums.




Then of course we had to eat. Unfortunately we struggled finding restaurants with good food. The best restaurant we ate at was the last night when we met up with Maj. Galley, Lt. Newell, and SFC. Miner. It was nice to finally be able to connect a face with the soldiers Nick talks about.




We had such a great time! I am so in love with him. He is still everything to me. I cannot wait until this year is up until we can be together again. Love you Nick and be safe. Come home soon!!!

Happy Halloween!!


It was a good Halloween. The kids had so many Halloween parties this year. Their daycare also did a party and when I dropped them off for the day I couldn't believe how amazing it was. I knew the kids would have a great time. We also went to a ward chili, trunk or treat activity and then over to Jen and Jesse's neighborhood for door to door trick or treating. We definitely have enough candy to last us months on end. It was a great holiday. I know this is pathetic but I only have to go to work 27 more days before it is Christmas break. But whose counting?

Happy Birthday Smokey!



Brayden turned 6!!! He has been waiting so long for this day to come. On Thursday we went to the Fun Zone with Kaden and Ellie. After that we came home to open presents. Luckily Nick was able to Skype at that time and watched Brayden open all of his gifts. It was kind of cool because Nick ordered his soldiers to sing to Brayden over Skype. What a neat thing to see over the computer. There were at least 10 guys standing in front of the camera singing to him. Brayden afterward said he was a little embarrassed having so many soldiers staring at him. But he felt very special. Brayden's birthday continued for the rest of the weekend. On Friday, Brayden got to play with Grandma and Grandpa Burr, Kaiden, Keira, and Kelsey. He chose the Fun Zone again, but this time we played miniature golf. Then on Sunday he got to play with Zach and Mia out at Nana's house. What a spoiled kid. We just think he is the greatest little boy in the world. It was kind of sad not having Nick around but luckily for us we have many friends and family to make things okay.

My favorite 6 things about Brayden!

1. Brayden is a peacemaker.

2. Brayden loves learning.

3. Brayden always does everything he can to make my life easier.

4. Brayden is kind and loving. He has such a soft heart.

5. Brayden is fun.

6. Brayden tries so hard to do what is right.

We love you so much and are so grateful you are you!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Intermittent Springs in Star Valley

We headed to Star Valley this weekend and had so much fun. Star Valley is beautiful all year round, but there is nothing more relaxing then sitting in my moms house on a cold, rainy day with the fireplace on. It is so cozy. On Saturday, even though it was way cold and cloudy, we decided to go for a hike to the intermittent spring, up Swift Creek, in Afton. We got there just in time to see the water start down the mountain, watched it turn off, and then re-start again. It was beautiful. The kids had a lot of fun.



These are a few pictures of the trail headed up to the spring



Sorry this one is a bit blurry.
On the way up the trail. (Okay so who am I kidding, most of these are blurry)

The water was so clear you could see to the bottom of this little pond and the trees that surrounded it were beautiful.
Always so cool!! The water was beautiful.
Kelsey had the best spot. She just tucked herself right in, and was ready to go. I can't imagine it was the smoothest ride.
At the base of the actual spring.


The spring started just as we were headed up the hill.


We waited there for 20min so that we could see it start back up again. (Kaiden and Brayden)
(Jaycie and Keira)

(Mom and Brandy) Mom couldn't even look down the hill or she would start tearing up. I thought we were going to have to carry her back down. She did great just took a bit longer than all of the rest of us.


You can see behind Jaycie and I where the water actually comes out at.
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See you soon!

Nick left yesterday. It was a sad day, we will really miss him. He is such a great husband, father and best friend. We headed to the airport at 1:00pm and stood around waiting for final formation which was at 3:30. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I had to watch him go around the string barrier that separated family from soldier. As he stood in formation he would occasionally wave and throw the I LOVE YOU sign up in the air. The kids and I would do the same. It was hard to think that that was the last time we would see him for a very, very long time. We watched the plane fly off and took a deep breath and headed home. It begins, one year and counting. Be safe Nick and come home soon!!

Brayden showing me that he is going to be tough while dad is away. His face isn't so convincing is it?

School Begins...

School has officially started for me. I went back on the 30th of August and the students came back on the 2nd. It is bitter sweet! I love teaching, but this year is a little more overwhelming with Nick being gone and the kids going to daycare. Luckily the kids love it. Jaycie, who I was most worried about, can't get enough. She can't stop talking about all the new kids she is meeting and new songs she is learning. She is in the 3 year old class until December and then will be bumped to the 4's. Brayden is also going to daycare three days out of the week. He is in kindergarten this year and gets to go to the school I teach at,which is really nice. He had his first day on the 7th and he had a blast. It is a good thing my kids are so social and happy. This job would be really tough on me if they hated being away from me. Sadly the days I am home they wish they were going to daycare so they could play with all their new friends.

Brayden was so nervous about the first day of school. Before we headed out the door his one main concern was that kids would not like him and make fun of him because of his glasses. My heart sunk. I made him go look at himself in the mirror so he could see how incredibly handsome he is with his glasses. He made a few "I am cool looks" and we were ready.

Nick being gone is a little harder than I thought. I miss him a ton and feel a little awkward in social situations. I didn't think things like that would bother me but even as simple as going to church I feel like something is missing from me. The first three weeks have been okay and they went very fast. I am glad that I work, and the class I got seems great. We are very excited that Nick gets to come home this weekend. We will enjoy each second we get together before

he leaves again on the 20th for the year.