17 years...

It only seems like yesterday when we said I do!

Sometimes it was pure bliss and others sheer misery,

and every emotion in between.

We have shared love & laughter, sorrow & pain

We have brought beautiful new people into this world,

and we have watched some dearest loved ones leave it.

We have done it together!

I love you Michael J ....ALWAYS & FOREVER

July 14th HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGGS!

12 years old! wow

For awhile now Briggs has been checking out the go carts on KSL. So when his birthday rolled around we found one that only needed a little work. After a few hours and a couple lawn mower parts (MJ is sure handy!) he had a running go-cart.




After I snapped a few pics I realize this birthday reminded me allot of his 3rd birthday. So we pulled out the scrapbook & this is what we found......

Briggs just has a need for speed!

This summer has sped by at the speed of light! I have so much that I need to catch up on. So bare with me as we travel back in time.......

Coming soon.....

Kimber's

CRaZY, iNsaNe, cAn i JuST caTcH mY bReAtH sUmMeR!

Happy Birthday to me!

With MJ out of town I deceided to just buy myself a Birthday cake!

Maybe I'll even share some with the kids!

Ray Barrus 5k memorial race

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays! It is even more special now that we get to share it with a memorial to my dad! The Ray Barrus 5K memorial run has been a fun tradition for our family. I have participated every year with the exception of two when I was VERY pregnant (Briggs July 14th & Brennon Aug. 20th) and this year thanks to recent surgery and to add insult to injury a broken toe!

I have been very proud to participate. And now my heart is so full of pride for my sons who have chosen to honer their grandpa by participating also.

Briggs never got to meet his "Grandpa Ray" and still follows in his footsteps. He ran the 5K this year in 21min! WOW!! Finishing first of anyone under 16. I cried when I saw him coming toward the finish line way ahead of anyone near his age. Finishing 33 overall out of 350!

Devon a self proclaimed "non runner" finished in 23min. coming in 65th overall.



It is so exciting for me to see a small tradition that started with aprox. 20 runners become a community event. I was so touched to see people who are my friends & acquaintances participating. I know everyone was there for there own reasons but I also want to believe some small part of them was also there for me!

So THANK YOU to everyone who participated, for whatever reason!

Muddy buddies

I have great memories of doing crazy things as a kid.

Sliding down old wrestling mats in the driveway with dish soap.

(mom was a little ticked when we'd use a bottle a day)

Making obstacle courses in the back yard using anything we could find.

Making huge "forts" with every piece of furniture, blanket & pillow in the house.

Jumping on the tramp in a rainstorm.

So when I saw the fun being had next door...

I just grinned and grabbed my camera!

What are neighborhood kids supposed to do when the drainage ditches fill up with water?

I know!!... grab as much mud as you can and throw it at the girls! :)

Devon and Brittany share a special relationship
(a big change from the prom pics last month)



A good look for Briggs!


And could Tuc be any cuter? I'd still hug him!

The damage was widespread!

Please note* Kristen on her roof also snapping photos, but staying out of the line of fire!

(a wise decision, as I was the recipient of some "mud shrapnel") Did I forget to mention this is how dad cleans

off boys who play in the mud!

*I know allot of pics but I just couldn't leave any out! (I have TON'S more)

It was a fun evening to have right before I had my surgery, it really made me smile, and filled my heart with love, and the knowledge of who and what I am living for.