KelleyKlip

Vegas, Baby

2010-10-30T15:06:00.001-06:00

Oct 7-10, 2010

We cruised out to Vegas to visit Natalie and Scott. It was cold in Utah, so a little warm weather sounded nice... but 95 degrees in October?!?! (All the local splash pads and swimming pools were closed for the cold)

We took the kids to the strip, went to a dry splash pad, played soccer, ate out at the Cheesecake Factory, and went to see Cirque du Soleil KA. The cirque was amazing. I was mind-boggled by the "free-floating" stage that rotated in every direction. Even crazier was the stunts they did from it.

The funny thing is Linc and Tagg are only a few months apart in age. They get along so well it made me wish these guys live close.

Tagg's first "Talk"

2010-10-30T14:41:00.002-06:00

To put the video clip in perspective:
In August it was my joy and sheer pleasure to speak in sacrament meeting. Tagg waved to me from the back of the room the entire time. That same day after church we went to Tom and Shalaun's for dinner and watched Emy stand on the coffee table to give the talk she had memorized for primary. After a day full of talks Tagg decided he had it figured out. (notice the rhythm and inflections--they sound just like Mormon talks)

Through the Eyes of a Two Year Old

2010-10-04T09:22:00.001-06:00

Tyson and Tagg read a story about construction trucks. Dump Trucks. Cranes. Bulldozers. As they got to the cement truck with it's trough for pouring cement onto the ground, not-potty-trained Tagg said, "Look Dad, cement truck go potty."

Keys and Phone...Locked in Car.

2010-09-16T14:49:00.000-06:00

Hmmm.

"You can't lock your keys in the car, the car won't let you," said the Nissan dealer.

So tell me again why I'm sitting here with both my keys and my cell phone locked in the car?

It's 45 minutes before I'm supposed to leave for the big annual business meeting, and I don't even have a phone to call the locksmith. Ah dang.

Happy Anniversary! 6 Years!

2010-08-26T23:38:00.002-06:00

August 20, 2010

I can't believe it has only been six years. "Six" doesn't sound like very long at all...

Haven't I known you my whole life?

In 6 years we:

...got four degrees...

...bought 2 cars, one house and a dog...

...moved four times...

...went to New York 3 times and California twice...

...visited Mexico and Guatemala...

...added a charming little blue-eyed boy to the family...

...biked, skied, four wheeled, hiked, boated and climbed thousands of miles...

...and...

LAUGHED a lot.

To celebrate we found a screaming deal for a stay at Snowbird. $65/person got us a room, breakfast at the restaurant and unlimited use of the pool, hot tub, steam room/sauna, tram, ski lift, bungee tramp, alpine slide, zip line, ropes course and mechanical bull for 24 hours. We put the most miles on the tram, I think.

(I don't usually ride with a camera around my neck, plus I forgot my riding glasses and had to wear my glam ones...Meredith, how did you get so cool?)

I met a very nice older lady on our ride down the mountain. She was stopped on the side of the path, and as I slowly picked my way past her (in the middle to avoid gravel) I opened my mouth to say thank you. My niceties were cut off by what I thought was maybe a little louder than necessary, "MOVE OVER! IDIOT!"...huh? what the...?

I didn't say anything at the time, and it's probably best that I didn't. But lady, if you're out there... Maybe I am an idiot. :) But if you were to get to know me, you would probably like me--I really am quite nice. Next time a smile and a hello would be just fine.

A Good Laugh

2010-08-26T22:47:00.001-06:00

Today Tagg ate his bowl of serial...um...cereal (really Mer.)...and asked for more. I poured him some, but I guess he didn't notice cause he asked me again for more.

When I told him that I had already gotten him some more I pointed to his bowl and said, "See? More...in your bowl." As I walked away I heard him whisper, "whoa, amaaaaazing..."

Tagg is Two!

2010-08-22T23:33:00.000-06:00

July 23, 2010

We had a small birthday party for Tagg up at the cabin with the Kelleys. The theme was trains because that is Tagg's thing these days. We bought him a train table and I made him a sad little train cake. I know it's way more work than it's worth, but I've had fun making his cakes so far. (...we'll see how long that lasts...) Tagg loved the cake though (how could he not, it was pure sugar) and has logged some pretty impressive hours with the train table so far.

Madi might have been more excited than Tagg.

These two were ready to dive in all night...we could hardly keep their hands off.

BEFORE...

...AND AFTER

Day at the Park

2010-08-22T22:06:00.002-06:00

July 16, 2010

Natalie and her cute kids came to spend a day with us at the park. The kids had a good time and it was so nice to see Natalie again.

Natalie will hate me for putting her picture up...sorry Nat!

These two cracked me up...they would call out to each other across the playground.

Howell Family Extravaganza

2010-08-22T22:00:00.001-06:00

July 9&10, 2010

Thanks to the generosity of Tyson's parents, we had as many of my family members as could make it up to our cabin in Preston, Idaho for a weekend of boating and fun. I really wish I had taken more pictures, though.

Here's the crew...minus Grandma Pat and Linc's kids. We didn't think of taking a picture before they left, duh.

We had a lot of fun on the water weenie, knee board, skis, canoes and rope swing. Several people got up on skis for the first time ever.

Sam and Shalaun

Viva, Las Vegas!

2010-08-22T21:46:00.000-06:00

I went to the national dental hygiene convention again this year as a delegate for Utah. This time it was in Las Vegas. We stayed at Caesar's Palace for about a week, which is probably the first time I have ever actually stayed on the strip. We spent some long hours doing business, but we managed to have a good time in between.

Angie, Doug and I hit the Bellagio fountains after dinner. I could probably sit and watch them for hours.

As a delegation we saw Jersey Boys...fun music...not so good language though...what a bummer that such a fun play is marred by bad language.

District X Delegation 2010

Utah Summer Games 2010

2010-08-03T22:12:00.004-06:00

June 18 & 19, 2010

My sisters-in-law and I, with a couple of friends, went to Cedar City for the Utah Summer Games and played in the 3 v 3 soccer tournament. We had a blast and took Gold in our division. (One team asked if we are in high school and another asked if we are all sisters.) Actually, the two on the back row are and us on the front row are too. That made it way fun.

Erin and I had to pose like we did when we were kids.

We stayed the night in St. George at the Hyer's vacation home and after the tournament went to cedar breaks, had a picnic in the mountains, and went for a hike at Kolob.

I love this picture of Erin at Cedar Breaks.

Taggart's Grill

2010-08-03T21:41:00.002-06:00

June 5, 2010

We had heard a lot about this restaurant named after Taggo and wanted to try it. The food was tasty and the setting was fun. (It's in a little town called Taggart up past Morgan. Population 6. Don't blink or you'll miss it)

The day that I can get Tagg to smile and Tyson to open his eyes for a picture at the same time will be a miracle. Come on Tyson, he's two. What's your excuse? ;)

Tagg got a little excited about the peacocks. (They sound like Kevin on Disney's "UP")

Water Fight

2010-08-03T21:29:00.000-06:00

June 5, 2010

Tyson told Tagg to squirt Mom. I told Tagg to squirt Dad. The poor kid was running back and forth trying to decide who to squirt.

Baby Animal Days

2010-08-02T23:31:00.000-06:00

May 29, 2010

Tagg and I went to This Is The Place Monument for baby animal days. It was so fun to actually pet and hold the animals. I think Tagg enjoyed this just as much or more than the zoo because it was so interactive.

Tagg's first pony ride. I thought he would be scared but he wanted to go again and again and again. I don't even know his pony's name :(

The Zoo.

2010-08-02T23:09:00.000-06:00

May 15, 2010

We went to the HOGLE ZOO with Tagg and some of his cousins. His favorite animals were the ones that resemble household pets.

Tagg actually does a great gorilla impression, despite the terror you see in his face.

I'm not sure who was more ready to go home...father or son.

Ah dang.

2010-08-02T22:54:00.000-06:00

I spent about two hours trying to catch up on my blogging the other night and suddenly--gone. all of it. I was so mad I almost swore off blogging forever. So because of that little incident, I think I will take baby steps to catch up. I realize I have skipped a pretty hardy 7 months, but we'll get to it...eventually. And it might be a little out of order. As long as we get it all in the end...right?

St. George

2010-04-29T15:41:00.007-06:00

In March, we went to St. George to mountain bike, and Taggy decided to do a little biking of his own. After going over his Fisher Price handlebars, the damage totaled some nice road rash, a few tears, and a great shiner.

We finished one of our rides just as a nasty storm with high winds hit. Driving back to the house we ran into backed-up traffic. After puzzling over what was holding up so many cars, we had to laugh when we realized it was a several hundred meter long gauntlet of tumbleweeds the size of our truck. Cars were having to take turns negotiating this unusual series of roadblocks. Notice the wall of tumbleweeds on both sides of the road.

Home Improvements

2010-04-29T15:29:00.017-06:00

For over 3 years, since we moved in, I have wanted to update our interior. I painted last year and this year we tackled the flooring...which wasn't as easy as they said it would be, by the way. But I am definitely happy with the end product. My husband deserves the husband of the year award for this one--what a trooper!

Before, During & After Pics:

Random Pics of Tagg

2010-04-29T14:48:00.025-06:00

My favorite moments with Tagg recently:

"Go Go? (grandma) This is Mmmmmm!"

Instead of crying during the night I heard, "BBBBrrrrrr!" "BBBbbrrrr!" I guess he was cold. :)

I love watching Tagg drink his cereal milk. He's been doing it since he was really little. I guess I'm lucky it hasn't gone everywhere yet.

We got all geared up to play in the snow at the cabin.

One day Tagg wore these construction goggles for hours.

Tagg loves being outside, I can hardly get him back indoors sometimes.

2009 at a Glance

2010-02-25T14:54:00.009-07:00

Despite the grim truth that everyone I know has now ditched my blog because I never post,

I am catching up! Let's start with a snapshot of 2009.

April:

Of coarse we can't live without our yearly (sometimes more often) trip to St. George or Moab to mountain bike.

May:

My little sister X got married--She looked amazing! I love love love her dress.

Madi-girl's birthday party. (Tagg's only cousin, at the time, on the Kelley side)

Tagg is surrounded by girls everywhere he goes...doesn't he look thrilled about it? This is FHE at temple square.

This picture is courtesy of my dad (nice teeth, Dad). I am doing hygiene 3 mornings a week and love it. It's nice because two of the days Tyson is home with Tagg and the other Tagg goes across the street to play with his friend Gretta. He loves it there. When I ask him if he wants to go there he gets really excited and runs to the front door yelling, "Gre gre" for Gretta.

June:

MoNeY DIg!!! One of my favorite traditions Tyson's grandparents do is the annual money

dig. It consists of three piles of sand in their volleyball court and about $400 in buried coins...

plus a few ants and thorns. Chuck doesn't put those in on purpose...does he? This year

Tagg went home about $50 richer.

As a delegate for ADHA (American Dental Hygiene Association), I went to annual session in Washington D.C. for a week. As part of my time there the delegates stormed the hill and talked to our legislators about Health Reform and oral health. It was an interesting experience and I learned so much. Between convention meetings and classes we found some time to see the best D.C. tourist sites. I particularly enjoyed Ford Theatre (where Pres. Lincoln was assassinated).

July:

The Howell clan had a 24th of July party combined with Tagg's 1 year birthday party. We all slept over at my Dad's apartment downtown and watched the parade off his balcony. Notice the decorations...what started out as balloons and crepe paper taped to the ceiling slowly became beach balls, legos, pop bottles, Hawaiian leis, and small children. I made Tagg a lego cake which really looked better before it melted in the car on the way there.

My family all went to a Bee's Game and fireworks. Tagg stayed entertained mooching snow cone from grandpa.

Tagg's first time to Flaming Gorge. I was really bummed when I strained my knee waterskiing the first day and had to skip the cliff jumping and tubing. :(

We spend a lot of time at Tyson's grandparents lake-front cabin in Idaho. This is Tyson flying his remote control airplane over the lake (see the airplane?). When we are there we love to boat, four-wheel, snowmobile, shoot guns, etc. Tyson's parents just finished a cabin of their own across the lake and we are pumped about it.

August:

SUMMER Work Party This bad boy won me the woman's competition--grand prize: gift card to dinner (at Bonzai) and a movie for two. If you've ever been to Bonzai, then you know it was well worth it. :)

My step-sister Callie got married at Wheeler Farm.

September:

UDHA (Utah Dental Hygiene Association) Annual Session (Park City, Utah)--As part of the board of trustees I helped roll out this convention and committed to another year as a delegate. It wasn't all business though :)

October (& December):

Tyson went to Germany twice for work.

November:

NEW MOON Of coarse we had to make a girls' night out of it. In this picture we came across a couple of hotties at the restaurant before dinner.

I've been playing indoor soccer and in November we won the championship. I LOVESOCCER!

December:

OATMEAL. So, I think I have a pretty cute kid...but oatmeal?! Really?!

Tagg's new thing is finding creative things to sit in while we are watching TV. Yes, that's a baby doll stroller, and yes, that is The Bachelor (Don't judge me--it's funny :))

BOWL GAMES A couple days before Christmas we packed up and went on a road trip with some family. We hit the freezing BYU bowl game in Vegas, then drove on to see the UofU play in San Diego. We went to the beach while there--it was Tagg's first time and he was terrified of the waves!

Of coarse we have a million Christmas pictures, but I like this one because Tagg decided he would rather ride in his new Tonka truck than push it around. That's one sturdy toy!

My wonderful step-mom introduced us to her traditional shepherd's dinner years ago and we've enjoyed it ever since. It involves eating Christmas Eve dinner on the floor, but only foods that shepherds might have had access to, such as finger foods. Attendees are encouraged to dress up like shepherds or sheep. (what a cruel twist that this year we ate lamb shank...)

Baby Play Group: This year we had baby play group every Monday with Gretta (and Lydia sometimes). We've started noticing Tagg doesn't know any boys his age...just all girl cousins and friends.

What a GREAT Year!!!!

Frairy Peak

2009-09-24T19:09:00.000-06:00

June 2009

This is the highest peak on Antelope Island. It was a perfect day and Tagg was great. He smiled or snoozed the whole way--which was 6-8 miles round trip (I don't remember exactly which).

It was the perfect day until we got eaten alive by bugs just at the very top. We couldn't enjoy the view for very long cause they were in my hair and eyes and every where.

Tagg doesn't look very comfortable, but he was actually really happy. We did need a new backpack though.

Hike around Causey Reservoir

2009-09-24T19:01:00.000-06:00

August 2009

This summer we've had to put the mountain bikes aside a little more than usual cause Tagg just hasn't learned to ride one yet. It won't be long, but he'll be cruising past us on a bike of his own in no time.

He has his own sunglasses...really, he does.

Bryce Canyon

2009-09-24T18:50:00.000-06:00

September 5, 2009

On our way back from the Red Rock Relay Tyson, Tagg and I stopped at Bryce Canyon.

Tagg loves his new backpack. It's a good thing cause he's gonna be in it a lot!

Tagg and Tyson were going for the camouflage effect.

ReD RoCk ReLaY!!!

2009-09-24T18:15:00.000-06:00

September 4-5, 2009

My brother invited me to join his RED ROCK RELAY team. So with about two weeks to train I went and had one of the best experiences of my life! The race started at Brian Head Resort and ended near Snow Canyon in St. George, going through the night, through thunderstorms, through hail, through heat...we got it all!

REDROCK

Relay

snow to sun

2 days

187 miles

8k ft descent

I am a running machine.

That is what my t-shirt from the race said. Cool.

This is my totally awesome Van showing off our markings. We got a bar for each leg of the race completed--in the end looking like the RRR logo.

We had the best team--I loved my van! We laughed for two days straight. Seriously.

During my first leg I ran near the Cedar Breaks Monument. Holy Moly!

Overall I ran a total of 15 miles (in three legs). This was unforgettable!!!

Can't Spring Just Come?!

2009-03-29T21:32:00.000-06:00

I typically try to not look forward to future events so much that I can't appreciate the present, but come on...do we really want it to keep snowing?! One day I was thinking how fast the winter has gone and the next I am having real issues about the snow on the daffodils. So today I am looking forward...looking forward to:

Spring (for real, none of this spring one day, winter the next stuff)
Our trip to St. George next weekend to go mountain biking and enjoy some warmth!
The family cabin scheduled to begin construction in April
Chad returning from his mission in June

Tagg is one thing that certainly keeps me grounded in the present. He's such a fun little man--keeping me laughing all the time.

Here's Tagg and his cousin, Madi. They certainly look related, don't they?