Farewell Mr. Dodge!

The Autism Society of America is picking up our 2000 Dodge Neon tomorrow.

Kind of sad. -We've had our car for over 10 years.

I'm glad it's going to a good cause.

Fun Memories

We found some old costumes from my childhood.
There was a redskins cheerleading outfit,
a Dance Academy outfit,
and some Drill Team items.
Abby had a blast going through them.
The costume from Dance Academy was her favorite.Isn't she beautiful?

Loves From Alyssa

Little Alyssa
She gives the best loves ever!

Fresh Worms! Yummy

Yesterday, Andrew gave a book report on the book,

"How To Eat Fried Worms."

Andrew chose to serve a dish from the book to his class.

We prepared fresh worms straight from the dirt!

(Brownies, chocolate frosting, crumbled oreo cookies, and gummy worms)

The treats were a hit.

Andrew's class loved them!

I wish I had taken my camera.
Here's a picture of Andrew after he finished his book.

Congrats Josh!

My friend Josh got married earlier this month.
I worked with Josh at the Utah State Developmental Center.
He has an autistic son that is a year older than my son Brody.
It's been nice having someone to talk to,
who's been through similar circumstances.
I'm so happy for him!
Congrats!

It's Getting Spooky At Our House

Our Halloween decorations are out!
Be prepared to be scared!!!
BA Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Ba Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

I Guess Everyone Has To Take Their Turn

We've got another bug at our house.

One of those naughty ones that makes everyone sick.

Abby and Alyssa threw up Wednesday night.

Last night Brody threw up.

I hate it when my kids are sick. :(

Congrats Andrew

I went to my son's IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting this morning. I am pleased to report that Andrew is no longer eligible for specialized speech services. Yep, that's right. Andrew has graduated from speech therapy! I'm so proud of my son. He's such a hard worker. Andrew didn't begin to talk until he was 3 1/2 years old. Now, 6 years later after Kids On The Move, Head Start, and many speech therapists ...He speaks just like everyone else his age. Good job Bud! Love you.

Birthday Party

Andrew went to a birthday party for his friend Robert Saturday morning.
They played "Minute to Win It" and hit a Penguin Piniata.
Here are some pictures I took as I picked him up!

Constitution Day With Dallin H. Oaks

Friday night we went to "Constitution Day" at the tabernacle in temple square.
We went with several of Aaron's sisters, their spouses, my niece, and my in-laws.

Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa for getting us tickets!

My handsome gorgeous hubby!

Teresa, Me and Aaron

ksl.com - Elder Dallin H. Oaks preaches protection of the Constitution

Curt Brinkman

My friend Lorian lost her Dad on 9/7/10.
Her father (Curt Brinkman) was an amazing person.
Here's his story from the Deseret News:

Utah wheelchair athlete and motivational speaker Curt Brinkman is being remembered for living a life exemplified by the title of his book, "The Will to Win."

"Just that phrase, 'The will to win,' embodies his whole attitude about everything," said his son Greg Brinkman.

Curt won the Boston Marathon in 1980, setting a world and course record of 1:55:00. He was also a five-time Paralympic gold medalist who had 20 first-place marathon finishes, according to his website.

Curt died at age 56 at his home in Pleasant Grove Sept. 7 following challenges brought on by a number of health complications, including diabetes and heart problems, Greg said. "We all kind of expected it, but just not so soon," he said. "We figured we would get another 10 years out of him, at least. But it's a shock, a surprise, but at the same time I guess it's a little bit of a relief because he's not dealing with that pain any more."

Curt, a Shelley, Idaho, native, stood 6-foot-7 at age 16 and had aspirations of playing professional basketball. He was working on his father's potato farm and climbed a power pole to see where other workers were when a high-voltage arc knocked him to the ground. Doctors had to amputate both of his legs. It was enough for anyone to use as an excuse, but Curt used it as motivation.

"He took it as a challenge, but he overcame that and he created his own life," Greg said. "A lot of times he said he wouldn't know what to do with his legs if he had them. They would just get in the way."

Some of the athlete's health problems date back to the accident where he lost his legs. Others came from the wear-and-tear of racing. "He had several surgeries on his shoulders and everything. His hands were giving out. His shoulders were giving out. He's been in the hospital a lot because of that," Greg said. "It just seems in the last couple of years he's been a little bit more frail than we're used to."

He won his last race, the St. George Marathon, in 2007 at age 54. Greg said the family thinks of their dad foremost as a motivational speaker. "We've heard from people who he maybe only met once or who saw him speak once but said that Curt changed their life forever." His children and grandchildren meant most to him, Greg said. "Obviously he's done great things in his life, but the most important thing he did for us was to be Dad."

Greg plans to run the St. George Marathon this year in honor of his dad, trying to get special permission to race in Curt's wheelchair.

A Wednesday viewing and funeral in Pleasant Grove will be followed by burial in Shelley, Idaho, on Saturday.

e-mail: jstagg@klsl.com, sfidel@desnews.com

Family + Food + Fun = Monday Night

My Daughter Is Truly Artistic

I found Bree licking this.
I didn't know what it was til I looked up close.
She colored a popsicle stick.
Put a piece of chewed bubble gum at the end.
Stuck a rock, a cherry from Hi Ho Cherry-i-o game, 2 popcorn kernals, and a skittle on top.
Wala! (A masterpiece)

School, Work, Women's Expo and Cascade Springs

Oh what a crazy week it's been.
-We're still trying to get use to our kids' new schedules.
Aaron has been alone at his office this week (His secretary had her tonsils out).
Aaron had a booth at the Women's Expo today and yesterday.
He was at the expo yesterday from 11-6, then he ran home, picked up his gear,
and he and Andrew went camping with the scouts.
The craziness never seams to stop.
My kids were really anxious to get out of the house this morning, so we decided to venture out to Cascade Springs. I was a little nervous going alone, but everything went fine. It's beautiful over there. We loved the trails, fish, birds, and the bugs. Here are some pics from our trip.

Chef Walker

My husband (Chef Walker) made the best dinner yesterday.He made...

Mozzarella sticks

and fried zucchini.

He sprinkled cheese on top and we dipped them in ranch dressing.
-A little bit of heaven if you ask me.

Latter Day Prophets Are # 1 ...

That song will probably be in my head for days. :)

For Labor Day, we decided to take a trip to the Salt Lake Cemetary.

A friend of mine found a map of apostles who are buried there and went a few weeks ago.

It sounded so fun, I decided to take my family.

-There are so many amazing people buried there!

I felt like a kid on a treasure hunt every time we searched for a different person.

If you're looking for something FUN and FREE...

This is it.

Gordon B. Hinckley



David O. McKay



J. Reuben Clark
Harold B. Lee

Richard L. Evans

(He called Grandpa to be a bishop)
Hugh B. Brown
Bruce R. McConkie
Spencer W. Kimball



Neal A. Maxwell
Howard W. Hunter

(He signed Aaron's mission papers)
Heber J Grant
John W. Taylor

Anthon H. Lund

Matthew Cowley
Matthias Cowley
Wilford Woodruff
Wives of Wilford Woodruff
Porter Rockwell
Joseph Fielding Smith
A monument dedicated to Hyrum Smith
Joseph F. Smith
Joseph Wirthlin
Melvin Joseph Ballard
Harriett Young (A wife of Brigham Young)
George Albert Smith



John Smith
Orson Pratt
Another wife of Brigham Young
Clara Young (Another wife of Brigham Young)