Bryan, Angie, Lexie, Hoyt & Sabrie

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Back to Blogging

Last year I set a lofty goal to blog every week. You see, this is my way to keep a history of what goes on with our family...pretty much my journal. I started the year off great and kept up for several months, but our busy life got the best of me and I'm once again 7 months behind and having to play catch-up. But there is no time like the present to pick yourself up, and get back on track. It is important to me to write down and document what goes on in our family, so I am going to be working on as many catch-up blogs every week as I can; at the same time, I am going to do new posts as well so I don't get further behind. I know I can do it this time. :) 
 
2014 has started off with a lot of sickness, and a few car problems. On January 12, we tried to go to Kanab to my cousin McKenna's missionary farewell. Here is how I described the experience on FB:
So today was...well, let's just call it an adventure. Got up and tried to get out of town to my cousin's mission farewell. Baby got car sick on the mountain, but we decided to keep driving until we got to my parent's house to get her cleaned up. We stopped at said parent's house and it was completely locked up, so we decided to keep driving to make it to church. Oh wait, car suddenly would not start and we were stranded and had to patiently wait for help to arrive over an hour later. Amazing, awesome, mechanic Dad looked at the car and tried to track down a part, but no such luck. So we headed in the old 80s Ford van to the missionary luncheon where we ate and visited family, then headed back to make a plan to resurrect our car and get home. We realized we were super blessed we did not choose to stop on the top of the mountain to clean up baby, or we would have been stranded there in the freezing cold with no cell service. Realized we were even more blessed to break down at the house of the world's best mechanic. He took the starter apart, found the problem and fixed it, saving us $200, and letting us drive home tonight. So happy to be home now, kids in bed and me heading there now. Goodnight all...life is good and we are blessed!
There was so much going on, we didn't get a picture with the missionary; but here is one of her with my grandparents. She left on Wednesday, and is going to do so great on her mission!
Another good thing about breaking down, was that we noticed the front tires were worn to a point where it was dangerous. We knew the alignment seemed off after changing the front struts a few months ago and figured that is why they were worn. We decided to get an alignment done, then get new tires for the front (the back tires still looked great). After paying to get an alignment done, we found out there was a problem with the struts and we would have to get new ones again and then pay to get yet another alignment before getting the new tires. So we got all that done and the van seems to be running better than it has for a long time.
 
This past week, our entire family has been sick with a nasty cough and cold. I think we are finally on the mend, but that hasn't been much fun. It was especially sad when Sabrie got sick, because there was one night her breathing sounded so bad we thought we would have to take her to the hospital; luckily she is now getting better.
 
Having 3 kids is so much harder than just 2 for some reason, and I have been horrible at taking pictures the past year. There are so many times I should have gotten my camera out, but didn't. So the other night when Bryan was trying to vacuum, I got out my camera to show how the kids always "help". First here is the video. I feel bad Sabrie gets plowed over, but they were all having fun.
I love my husband for always helping me with housework.
 I love my silly kids too. I want to capture more of these small moments in life that make me smile.
 
So here is my new attempt to keep the blog up-to-date. My ultimate goal is to get books made of my blog posts to keep as our family journal/history. I have friends who have done this, and I think it is a great idea. Wish me luck for success in the New Year!

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Blanding Trip for Grandpa Lyman's Memorial

We definitely have been putting some mileage on the van so far this year. June 21-23, we headed to Blanding for a family-fun weekend. Here are some pictures from the long drive. The kids were great on the drive to Blanding, and no one had any issues until about 15 minutes before we arrived....success!
 
Bryan driving & Hoyt eating chicken nuggets.
Lexie & Sabrie had good naps.
Saturday was a full and busy day of family time. First, we all ate breakfast at Norm & Margie's house, before heading out to Lyman farms for a BBQ lunch and fun on the farm. Between those festivities and the community Memorial Celebration for Grandpa Stanley Lyman, a bunch of us went bowling at the new bowling alley in Blanding.
The kids had fun!
 
Lexie and Hoyt loved the alligator ball roller.
Checking out the competition...
Lexie, Bethany & Dads having fun!
Hoyt checking out the A&W Bear.
Bryan goes for the strike!
Sabrie & Mommy watching all the bowling action!
Here are some pictures of beautiful Lyman Farms!
It was a great setting to enjoy a family reunion & remember Grandpa Stanley N. Lyman who ran the farms with his brother Clisbee for much of his life. Now Clisbee's son Bruce runs the farm.
 Sabrie had fun riding in the stroller, and having a nap!
Lexie & Hoyt rode on equipment in the barn during lunch.
Then Lexie found some big equipment with her cousins!
Check out that big tire and huge machine!
Lexie had so much fun with her cousin Bethany! They loved exploring the farm together and were inseparable the entire weekend.
They walked hand-in-hand and loved the hay maze!
 
Aunt Jenny was nice to take the girls around the farm.
 Hoyt's favorite thing to do was help drive the tractor for the hay ride.
 Lexie had fun riding on the hay.
Seriously, Hoyt was in heaven.
And then Bruce was nice enough to let Hoyt drive the small tractor.
Hoyt in complete control...loving it!
Pretty sure he's got the Lyman-love-for-farming genes.
He's got a huge grin on his face. Time of his life!
We took some family pictures.
Stanley & Carol Lyman posterity who made the trip.
Norm & Margie posterity minus Lucy, Patrick, Daniel & Rob
Norm, Margie & all 5 kids: Stan, James, Steven, Bryan & Annie
It was great to see everyone who made the trip, and meet a lot of Bryan's cousins I had never met before. We spend a lot of time visiting, and it was a great tribute to Bryan's Grandpa.
The memorial was casual and low-key, just like Grandpa Stanley would have wanted. Community members came to pay their respects and visit with family while enjoying some yummy ice-cream Sundays. I didn't get any pictures with my camera, but Bryan's cousin took this one of our family at the memorial.
Sunday morning we went to church to listen to Bryan's Dad speak, and a bunch of the Lyman family sang, including Bryan and his siblings. Then we ate a quick lunch and headed on the long journey home. This drive was not as successful, because the kids were worn out and hyper and ready to just get home. But we eventually made it home in one piece, and are glad we were able to make the trip to celebrate the life of a great man!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Fishing, Swimming & Fathers Day!

As a single guy, Bryan spent a lot of time fishing. However, since getting married and having kids, he hasn't found much time for fishing. Every year when free fishing day comes around I tell him we should go, but things always seem to get in the way. This year we had no plans and headed up to the lake on the hill in Cedar City to do a little fishing with the kids. Lexie was especially excited for her first fishing experience. It was hot and windy, but we still had some fun. I think the pictures kind of tell the story best.
 
Lexie and Hoyt all ready to catch a fish! 
Bryan showing Lexie how to get the hook ready.
 
Casting...
Fishing with Daddy.
 
Lexie's first fish! He was little & we put him back, but she was happy!
 Sabrie was so cute in her little hat.
 She got hungry and tired, but she eventually fell asleep.
  
After fishing we went for Sno Shack's to cool down. One of my favorite parts of summer! We also went and got some lunch at Pizza Factory. A perfect family Saturday in June!
 We also finally got a chance to hit the pool now that summer is in full swing. Sabrie and I just watched Bryan and the kids, but it was a nice evening together as a family.
 
 Bryan and Lexie relaxing in the pool.
 Lexie LOVES playing in the water!
Hoyt & Lexie are best buddies and had so much fun (once Hoyt finally got brave enough to go into the water...it's been a while since we have been swimming so he was nervous).
  And finally, Father's Day! Our kids love their Daddy, and I love my sweet husband and father of my cute kiddos! Here he is with his 3 kids in his new Star Wars "I Am Your Father" t-shirt.
 This is my handsome husband in his new suit I gave him for Father's Day. Lookin' good there hot stuff!
 More pictures with the kids.
We are so grateful for all the things this awesome guy does for our family. He works hard to provide us with the things we need, and puts his family first at all times. We love you!