A Week with the Holden's

As you can tell with my lack of blogging, I'm back at the grind with school. Things are going good there, but I must warn you this might be a long post. I apologize in advance. I've already been spoiled by taking some days off to play. Stephen's little sister Erin is starting as a freshman at BYU. So his family decided to bring her out here and make a little vacation out of it. It was so good to see them. Stephen's been out a few times to Michigan, but I haven't seen his family since last Thanksgiving. We were able to have them stay with us in our house and we played hard. I have a few pictures of our adventures, but my camera all of the sudden decided not to work. We spent one day up in Park City where we walked the streets and shops and then saw an awesome ski jumping show up at the Olympic Park. It was really incredible to see how they train in the summer time. They had about 4 different jumps and did some amazing tricks and flips, then landed into a swimming pool. Some of the athletes were as young as 13 years old.

After that we went and spent some time up at my parents cabin. It was nice for everyone to at least have their own bed for a few nights. We played lots of games, rode the 4-wheelers and even caught frogs and salamanders at a nearby pond. I always love spending time up there. Here's the murky pond where we were catching frogs and salamanders.
One of the many salamanders we caught.

As soon as Stephen found out that his family was coming he's wanted to take them flying. Tuesday morning we got up early and went to the Provo airport. He ended up taking 2 short flights, since the airplane only had 4 seats. He took the girls up and we flew up Provo Canyon and around Timpanogos. Then he took his dad and brother up they went up to Heber. He even let his dad fly around for a while. They all really loved to go flying...you never know with it being such a little plane. It can be kind of scary.
Then we spent an afternoon up American Fork Canyon. We packed a picnic and hiked up to Timpanogos Caves. I'd forgotten how steep the hike was and even with the elevation difference from Michigan, Stephen's dad hiked us into the ground. (I guess that's what happens when your a marathon runner.) The cave's were beautiful and it had been about 10 years since I'd hiked up to them.
Then I sadly had to go back to work, but they ended up moving Erin into her apartment and spending the day at BYU. After work, I was able to go and see the new place and meet her roommates. It really made me think about when I headed off to school as a Freshman. How fun those days were!
It was so great to have Stephen's family out here for a week. We had a great time entertaining them and showing them the area. It was sad to see them leave and get back to our everyday lives.

And so it begins...

Needless to say this past week has been crazy, sad and exciting all at the same time, as my summer ends and school begins. I'm always so sad to see the relaxing days of summer go. The kids start tomorrow (YIKES!) and my school will be buzzing with excited little children. Its way too early to start school and my body is revolting...it's not used to getting up so early. Long gone are the days where I can wake up to the sun rising over the mountains and into my bedroom window, read in bed, clean my house and head to the gym and not even think about taking a shower until lunchtime. Although it has been nice to be at my new school. I love how close it is to my house. I can run home for lunch and don't have to spend an arm and a leg for gas. It's also been interesting being the "new one" at school. It's a very weird feeling going from knowing the in's and out's of how everything works and all the teachers, to not knowing a thing. I know it will all come, so wish me luck this week!Other good news is that... Stephen's back home after about a week and half of traveling. Right after the funeral he flew straight from Michigan to Las Vegas where he had some meetings for work. I was like a little kid and so anxious for him to return late Thursday night. He did however play a very mean trick by calling me up and telling me he had missed his flight and he'll try to catch the next one in the morning. I believed every word and about hit the roof when he sneaked in the front door and up the stairs with out me even hearing him.

Myrtle Jean Wilke

Feb 1, 1922 - Aug 6, 2008
I wanted to take a quick minute and write. Earlier this week Stephen's Grandma Wilkie passed away. It's been kind of lonely here the past few days. Stephen is out in Michigan right now visiting his family with the viewing tonight and the funeral tomorrow and how I wish I could be with them. This was the only picture that we have of her, that I could find. We took it the first time I met them, the Christmas before we got married in 2006. They've been in a rest home the past little while. And even though I was only able to met them just a handful of times since we got married, I've cherished every moment thinking this might be the last. I was so excited to inherit grandparents when Stephen and I got married. My Grandma Dent was the only grandparent I really knew growing up and she died when I was 10 years old. Although I never new Grandma Wilkie in her prime, I heard many wonderful stories. Stephen grew up in the same city and was very close to his grandparents. They would always taking him hiking and he grew to love the outdoors and his grandma's hobby of bird watching. To this day I'm always so amazed at how he can pick out and name almost every bird we see. She also loved to garden and had such beautiful flower gardens around her house. What a wonderful lady she was and how grateful I am that I got to know her for this short time.

Hats off to Mother's

It has been quite the busy week this week. I must say I am tired. My sister Camille and her husband have been in Europe this past week and a half visiting Scottland, England and France. Between me, my mom and my sister Allison we've been watching their 3 kids, Nathan (7), Austin (5) and Megan (1 1/2) while they are gone. I'm so glad they are able to go on this once in a lifetime experience! I can't wait to hear all their stories. I spent a couple of days up at their house then brought them down to my house for a couple days before sending them off to Allison's. We kept plenty busy going swimming, riding bikes, playing at the park, and getting ice cream at Macey's. I've come to realize that my house is....a) not toddler proof b) has no toys for little kids c)has no baby supplies (high chair, bibs, sippycups etc). We made do and were just fine. But in the midst of all of this, we found out that Stephen's grandma died and in less than 24 hrs he hopped on a plane to Michigan for the next 5 days. Which left the last day and a half with just me and the kiddos. I wish I could be there with him, but I start school on Monday. I've done a lot of baby sitting with my many nieces and nephews over the years but this was quite and adventure going from no kids to 3 overnight! So I would have to say, hats off to all you mothers!

These are a few of our Favorite Things

Since I can't think of anything to write about this week, I saw this on somebody else's blog and thought that I'd share a few of our family's favorite things. Enjoy!
Stephen's Favorites:
Color: Red
Movie: The last one he's seen
Food: ChineseDessert: Cheesecake
Season: Spring, Summer & Fall
T.V. Show: The Office
Place to visit: Home in Michigan or Iguazu Falls
Book:Too many to choose
Hobbie: Flying
Scripture: D&C 46:13-14
Holiday: Christmas
Thing to Do: Play piano, computer & read

Emily's Favorites:
Color: Green
Movie: I am a sucker for any chick flick...you name it and I've probably seen it!
Food: Chinese (it's all delicious)
Dessert: Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
Season: Spring - I love all of the beautiful flowers
T.V. Show: The Office
Place to visit: Paris & Hawaii
Book: I have lots, but "A Little Princess & "Diary of a Worm" (both children's books)
Hobbie: Digital Scrapbooking/Blogging & Teaching
Scripture: Helaman 5:12
Holiday: Christmas
Thing to Do: Spend time with my family