Travis

I wrote most of this post back in April of this year.  I have been cleaning out my blog posts and found this one again.  It reminded me of a recent exchange I had with Travis via text:

ME:  Can we pretend to get in a fight so u will bring me flowers someday soon? :)

TRAVIS: I think that is the first time you've ever suggested we pretend to fight for the sake of flowers.  I think I can manage that. 

ME:  I am glad that fight is over.  ;)

TRAVIS:  Like HE_ _ it is!  :)

(He typed the spaces.  Really.  My honey doesn't swear.)

Two days later I got the most beautiful flowers.  Texting to wonderful!  And so is my honey.
Here is that post I found - enjoy!

•  Did you know his company, AZ American Water Co., is selling the AZ branch and starting next January will be under new ownership?  Well, it's true.  This past January it was announced and so far everything seems to be on track to keep everyone at their current jobs.  A company from Canada is wanting to expand and they are starting in AZ.  We are crossing our fingers and hoping for the best, but Travis seems at ease about it and thinks it will be a good thing.

•  Did you know Traivs helps coach the local high school JV team?  He trys to go up to practice or a game at least twice a week.  He is a great volunteer and does the best he can with a full time job to do what he really loves to do - pitch!  He throws batting practice every now and then and comes home sore, but happy!

•  Did you know Travis also coaches RHM's little league farm team?  He is loving it and has every game day rotation and batting order set up for the whole season!  He is a planner.  He even sat in a dunk tank at the opening ceremonies while his team tried to dunk him.  Such a good sport. 

•  Did you know that Travis loves to use his phone to navigate and look up aerial maps of everywhere we go?  Yep!  He does.  It is a man's version of asking someone at the gas station.  

• Did you know Travis surprises me often?  He plans anniversary dinners/ get aways/ and weekly dates?  He is the bomb! 

• Did you know that Travis is an AMAZING dad?  Well he is!  Enough said.

Slide Rock - Oak Creek Canyon - Sedona, AZ

We arrived on a Friday morning.

Packed and ready to go, but not sure what to expect.

Then we got there and ...
COLD WATER! 
This water was DANG cold.  I can't tell you how cold it was, but if you went on trek, it was colder than our little Sweetwater baby pools.


Then we found something fun.  JUMPInG!

We started here and then we even hiked around looking for a bigger, taller, higher jump. The big kids wanted the jump and I wanted the camera shot.

My friend Jessika helped a ton, although I am not sure how much fun she had playing with the little ones.

Agent J is mid air jumping in the water.  Look close.

I think Jessika is having fun!  At least her kids seems happy!

That is the only blurry shot of me.  I had a lot of fun on this trip and can't wait to go back and bring Travis.  :)

RHM loved going in and out of the FREEZING COLD water, but he was nervous to jump off a cliff.  With Agent J and Princess' help, we got him warmed up here:

After that he jumped off two more higher cliffs.  RHM is a brave, fearless boy!

I need to set this up.  Agent J was jumping, but I was having problems with my record button, hence the 1 second jump.  Wish I could have gotten his splash down.  Next time. 

Pencil dives seemed to cause the least amount of red marks after hitting the water.

Princess was a dream on the cliffs.  She loved it and jumped lots from the 3 different heights.  Everytime she jumped she would have to work up a little more courage.  See the next video for her fearful, yet successful last jump. 

RHM jumping again!  He never wanted to wait for the camera after his first little jump.

Below is a better cliff jumping video of Agent J.  It is a more flattering picture than him sleeping on the two hour car ride home.  Although the sleeping is a sign of a good, hard day!

Sweetie was not the star of today.  She actually SCREAMED about the cold water the most.  She ended up making friends with the water by the end of the day, but only to wade.  She never wanted to be on the slides where the "water could push" her (her words).   She was pleasant enough and I would definitely go back in a heartbeat.

Late Birthday Lunch

 My friend, Jessika, had a birthday on July 15 while I was on trek.  My birthday was back in June.  So...we decided to go out for a birthday lunch - for both of us!  Actually, lunch was her treat, but I thought it was about both of our birthdays.  Anywho, she took me to Benihana.  YUM! 

I had never been to a choreographed meal cooked at a hibachi table.  It was exciting! Tony was our chef and I found out that I want to go back.  It was a first!  And a great time.

It doesn't seem like summer...

repainting the chalk board in the kids area

 I have been spending too much time up at the school cleaning out the parent room in June.

 In July I have been busy getting ready for school to start up again.  Did I tell you I signed up for another 2 year on the PTO?  I am over the 8th grade promotion committee and the VP, which means I help out for the President when she is unable - so I do nothing.  The 8th grade promotion stuff is going to be fun.  It is like being the Homeroom Parent for the whole grade.  I LOVE party planning.  It will be fun!

 I have also been making posters and signs to make the room even better. 

 It still looks cluttered, but it is organized.  YAY!

BEFORE - I tried to save it from the crayon mess.  Baking soda, iron with brown paper bags, white magic erase sponge, etc.

it didn't work very well

AFTER:  the sign is hopefully going to prevent future crayon on the chalk board.

I have been making copies for the first week of school stuff.  I have been making posters for "Gear up for School Night".  I even made a bulletin board.  I have been helping the office make signs for the parking lot.  Sometimes it seems like I am just spinning my wheels up there, but I have getting things done.

Even though I have been visiting the kids' school a few times each month, it is a good place to be.  Hope your summer is full of volunteering somewhere you love, too!

Professional pictures of the Swimmer's Classic Meet

Just had to show you a few of the great photos!  WOW!  Those are my awesome kids!

Ma/Pa/ Captain Date Night

Julie and Scott Sessions and Dana

Chase and Nicole Woods and Wes and Trudi Kuefer

Lisa Reber and Cheryl Griffith

Tim and Kris Angle and Eden and Mike McCrery

Jill and Jeremy Bingham and Bobbi and Wyatt Wood

Paul Reber and Carrie Coley

Mike Rollins, Jared Pike, Mike, Tim, Travis, Chris Kofford

playing "I never..."

 Thanks Pam and Dana for hosting a great mini-reunion!  It was good to see the Ma's and Pa's a week after we got home from the trek and just hang out.  We had a great time and LOVED this group of Ma's and Pa's.  We had almost everyone here.  We were missing 2 of our awesome Captains - this trek would not have been the coolest without the best Captains in the Stake!  And we were missing 3 Ma's and Pa's.  Not a bad turn out.  I think we will all cherish this experience that we had together.  I know I will.  It was my honor to "train" the Ma's and Pa's.  My title was the Ma/Pa Trainer, but to be honest these leaders needed little to no training.  They were already the best for the task at hand.  Such a great group who tried their best to do the best for each and every youth on this trek! THANK YOU!