Rockies vs. Dodgers

Jeff & I spent the weekend in Denver and we saw the Rockies play. This was my 1st pro baseball game & it was actually a lot of fun! It was a hot & sunny day, so we bought tickets in a less sunny area - the sun was over our right shoulders for the 1st hour or so...then we were in the shade - just perfect! Out seats ended up being in the family section so no alcohol was allowed there. Not that I care if the people around me drink alcohol, but intoxicated men really like to talk to me - even with my husband near by (remember NASCAR & the show at Excaliber?).

The view from our seats. We were in the upper section, but the view was still great!

Us - in the shade! Yay!

We saw some great pitching, some great home runs, and some great plays. I was amazed though to see the Rockies go through 5 or more pitchers during the game.

This is the well known Manny Rodriguez of the L.A. Dodgers. He has a .311 batting average & 554 home runs. He came in as DH (I learned that means designated hitter) and he didn't even swing the bat once. The first ball thrown, the ump called a strike and Rodruguez complained and ended up getting ejected from the game. The next day he was traded to the White Sox.

Oh...and the best news...the Rockies won!

First Day of School 2010-2011

Holy cow! Look who's growing up!

Karlee: 15, High School Sophomore, 5'7" tall.

Garet: 13, Middle School 8th grader, 5' tall.

Every year since Karlee entered kindergarten I have posed my kids on the rock for a zillion first-day-of-school photos. A lot of things have changed over these 10 years...the kids, the vegetation, the weather, the sun light, but the rock has remained steadfast and unmovable. Thank you, Rock. See you next year!!!

"Little" Stevie is HOME!!!

"Little" (he's like 6'4"-ish) Stevie made it home from his mission (Portland, Oregon - Spanish Speaking) last week - I can hardly believe it's been 2 years already!

Steve - The MAN of the hour/day/week/last 2 years! Welcome home, Steve, we love you!

Karlee with one of Briggs' famous ice cream cones.

Annie - ditto on the famous ice cream cone.

Family pix - THANKS Wend, for sending it to me!

Aiden - on the way home.

Steve's talk was fantastic... made especially so with the Spanish flection used with the English words. But, embarrassingly I only snapped these few pix of the event. (Hopefully Wend will get some to me to add.) There was so much family there, so many of Steve Aunts & Uncles & cousins, as well as grand parents, on the Hoerman side, as well as those of us on the Stokes side - it was total bedlam. It was a great time with way tons of conversation and of course nummy food, including Briggs' famous soft serve ice cream. YUM!

Lava Hot Springs

We decided to spend Saturday doing our last summer fling at Lava Hot Springs. It's been probably 10 years since we've been there, and the kids had a blast.

Karlee would not go off the platforms, but she went off the high diving board lots of times. In this pic, both Karlee and Garet are on the high dives. I must be getting old, because the high dive was plenty high (almost too high) for me.

Garet (left) waiting his turn to jump from the bottom platform.

And down he goes.

This is him (bottom-middle) awaiting his turn on the middle platform. I don't know it's height, but the upper platform is 33 feet. He plans on jumping from it next year.

He went off the middle platform quite a few times - the crazy kid!

We were en route to the hot pots - 4 blocks through town - when we came upon this bull. I have no idea its significance.

At the hot pots. And they were hot too!

The cute little town of Lava Hot Springs. Note the truck loaded with tubes. Next year we plan to float the river.

All Growed Up

15 year old beauty with a Learner's Permit - OUCH! Be very glad if you don't live by us. AND, you might want to wait a year or so to come visit us. (Wish us & our neighbors lots of luck!) If you do live near us...be very afraid!

Karlee & Sea Lions

Remember Karlee went scuba diving with B&B in Mexico last month??? Here is an AMAZING video of the sea lions & Karlee & B. They are so cute!!!

Thank you, Brad, for the awesome camera work!!!

Aiden & Garet

This video is from Julia's soccer game last weekend. It's just adorable. Aiden & Garet are such good buddies!

Burn Camp 2010

Every year since 1993 University Health Care Burn Center (Click to get to website) puts on a camp for burn survivors - free of charge for participants. Camp Nah-Nah-Mah, located in Millcreek Canyon Boy Scout Camp, Camp Tracy, is for children ages 6-12. Neptune Divers is proud to provide scuba experiences for the children at the camp. The camp organizers specify that only children age 11 can attend the scuba experience. This way, it gives the younger kids something to look forward to doing when they get "big".

Since B&B are associated with Neptune Divers, they get to run the scuba experience. And since Garet & I are associated with B&B (Duh!) we got to attend this year! YAY!

First things, first, though. FOOD! Fire Fighters across the Wasatch Front provide each meal for the kids all week at the Burn Camp. Lunch was provided by the Logan Fire Fighters & after we had all the gear set up and ready for the kids, we were able to sit and eat lunch with the kids. We all mingled and sat among them and their counselors as we ate. It was great getting to meet them before scuba diving.

I was really impressed because each counselor is either and RN, NP, MD, etc, and each counselor has only one or two kids. These kids get undivided attention and lots of fun & support.

Then there's scuba diving!!! Some kids did the scuba experience last year and were way excited to do it again this year. For most, this was their first year doing it. For a few this was a very scary adventure. But, ALL the kids had a great time and a positive experience - thanks to everyone that helped!

From L to R: B, George, Me, Emma, Tyler, Susan, Garet, Chris, Penne, Brad, & Brad.

Brad, George, & Brad instructing the boys. Statistically, more boys get burned than girls. We only had 2 girls to our 12 or more boys.

Garet was the official underwater photographer. Here he is with B helping him get the camera set up.

Garet & Brad adjusting things on the underwater camera.

Notice the water frisbee in the upper right corner of the pic. These kids are havin' a blast.

Channel 2 & Fox 13 News were there and they interviewed a few of the kids. (Click on Channel 2 to see the article - it's pretty neat.)

Do you know, I was so impressed with these kids. They have all been through a lot, they all have scars, and they each have a story. But, I was amazed and touched by their strength and courage.

At lunch B, Garet, George, & I sat with Carson and his counselor. Carson can't swim and was quite nervous about scuba diving. George took him one on one and Carson ended up having a great time.

George outfitting Carson.

Brad joined with Carson & George. Here they are holding Carson's hands for a couple of reasons. First he was scared, and 2nd to help him swim under the water.

Geroge, Carson, & Brad still holding hands and swimming under the water.

Carson solo. YAY!

In Carson's right hand is a water frisbee. He looks pretty comfy in the water now!

Carson post scuba. Note the red ring on his forehead from the mask. Also note the smile on his face! What a great kid!

This nervous young boy and his counselor did the scuba experience together. (With George assisting of course.) He ended up having a great time.

Brayden

This is Jaci. This girl was not just nervous, she was off-the-charts nervous. Brad & Penne are getting her outfitted with a weight belt.

Penne spent an hour with Jaci, from coaxing her into the scuba clothing and weight belt, to easing her into the pool. Then the mask, BC & reg. Each new item was carefully and repeatedly explained to her. Jaci ended up doing great and was later seen independently playing with the toys in the pool with the other kids.

Penne & Jaci with her counselor close by.

In this picture, Channel 2 is interviewing her. She told them that she was having a great time.

JC - Penne

I never caught this boy's name, but isn't he darling.

What a great experience for everyone there. It was hard work too. We had to count & unload then count & reload all the equipment, outfit the kids, take tons of pics, and keep everyone safe. And make sure all are having a great time too. Garet worked hard - he was in charge of counting the equipment off then back in the truck. He was also in charge of all the underwater photography, and whatever anyone else needed help with. What a great kid!

I am so glad I was able to attend this burn camp. There were a few times I found myself tearing up. I chalked it up to no sleep because I worked the night before, but today as I looked over the pics, I found myself tearful yet again. These kids are amazing. I've been around a bunch of boys and I usually get sick of them pretty fast. But, these kids were different. Not because of the scars you can see, but because of who they are. They are survivors. They were awesome to be around.

Thank you B&B for allowing me to be there! Plan on me next year too!