September 11th

10 years ago 9/11 is somewhat of a blur, just like any other day, except for those few morning hours that are burned into my memory. I clearly remember sitting on my bed early in the morning watching the news, seeing Darrell in the bathroom getting ready for work. I remember the utter shock and disbelief when that first plane went through the WTC tower. I remember telling Darrell what happened and him replying in a serious tone that we've been attacked and this could not be an accident. I remember watching that 2nd plane shoot through the next tower and the revulsion and fear at seeing people hanging out of windows and some even jumping to their deaths. I remember the complete sadness that I felt for those people and their families and also for our country.

Immediately I wanted my hubby to stay home where it was safe, and I wanted our little kindergarten girl, Annie, to stay home from school unaware of the ugliness that was happening to us. Our country was under attack and I wanted her to remain naive and unafraid. But I also knew that wouldn't solve anything, I knew that if we stopped living our lives, stopped being free to live as we're able, then terrorism would win.

(Annie at the Healing Field in Sandy, UT 9/11/2011)

Yesterday for the anniversary of the attacks we went to the Healing Field in Sandy. We've done this several times before but for some reason I was especially touched by the thousands of flags, the new bronze statue "Hope Rising" and the absolute amazing number of people there. I saw a older couple planting the flag of their son, a soldier who died fighting the war on terror. I saw a couple other soldiers in their fatigues shaking the father's hand and hugging the mother. I was also touched at the stories each of the flags told, I only wish I had the time to read through every single flag! The cards attached to the flag have the name, age, location and a little story about each of the victims from the 9/11 attacks. Thinking of the sacrifices others have made for our country continues to bring tears to my eyes. Also, did you know that Sandy City was the first to do the Healing Field? It's inspired 100's of Healing Fields all over the country!

(the new bronze unveiled at Sandy City for the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks)

I'm so blessed to have been born in this country, to have my babies born here, and I am so eternally grateful for all those who died serving our country. I'm also grateful for those unspoken heroes that died not realizing the impact they had, those who went to work or just went about their regular daily routine on 9/11/2001 and had no idea that their death would mean so much to so many.

(Shawna at the Healing Field Sandy, UT 9/11/2011)

I will never forget...

Today I'm missing...

Yesterday I took the kids to Lagoon, I'm pooped! When did I get too old to ride all the rides and run from one to the next never missing a beat? I'm tired and I'm old :S

Today I'm missing the view from our Hawaii condo, the warm tropical breeze, lounging and not having a care in the world! Eating fantastic shave ice which you can't seem to find anywhere else in the world!

(the view from the upstairs bedroom in the condo we stayed at)

(the view from the ocean just around the bend from Hanauma Bay)

(the view from the turn out going up to Diamond Head Crater)

I wanna go back. Now. Instead I'll have to settle for listening to Iz, day dreaming a little, shuffling through my pics of our trip and maybe planning something fun. Soon. At least, hopefully, sooner rather than later!

(Sorry for the quality of pics, taken from my phone)

I need a vacation...

And in a few short days we'll be spending time here...

...we are so excited! Some much needed relaxation is on it's way for the Byers Family! See you when we get back!

Beware pedestrians... Annie has her learners permit! YIKES!!

Annie turned 15 on April 11th and in our lovely state of Utah that means they need to pass a written test at the DMV and they get their permit!! (You also have to show them your birth certificate, Social Security Card (so have that ready before their bday or your in deep doodoo - but that's a story for another time...) and 2 items for proof of residence (like a couple utility bills will do it). Seems like a way too easy way to be able to drive, especially for those parents that won't let their kid behind the wheel without this little piece of paper!

Well, for Easter we headed to Thermopolis to spend the holiday with Harvey and Geneva (those pics to come as soon as I can get them off my phone) and Grandpa Harvey actually let Annie drive his mustang! She was in HEAVEN! And doesn't she just rock the hot rod convertible look???

On the way home I jumped in back and read a bit (without even getting 1 second of motion sickness which is a HUGE accomplishment for me! Must have been the fact that I was nevous as could be worrying about Annie driving) and Darrell rode shot gun while Annie drove for just over 2 full hours!! She also rocks the "I'm driving a Ford Flex look!" too!!

Mommy/Daughter Date...

Annie's cupcake

Last month Dippidee put a status on their facebook page about a Mommy/Daughter night they were having April 1st. Knowing how creative Shawna is and how much Annie wants to be a baker and cupcake maker I thought it would be fun to go and get some decorating tips as well as eat yummy yummy desserts! We were not disapointed! I'm also glad my girls are not too old to have a date night with their Mommy!

Face Painting

Shawna's on top and mine on bottom. Yes we each made our own fondant flowers!

Disney on Ice with the Kinyon Family!

I get on my blog a lot to get to everyone else's blog, see what they're doing and what's going on in their lives but honestly, I'm terrible about updating my blog! So far we've had a pretty fun and exciting new year but not a ton to blog about.

We did go to Disney on Ice with my family, it was a lot of fun seeing the little kids get excited! I loved that when Mickey and Minnie skated out everyone was shouting MICKEY MICKEY, except Duncan who calls Mickey HOT DOG! He was just a shouting and pointing at hot dog and was so excited! I guess it's because he watches Mickey Mouse Fun House and there's a hot dog song on there. I just thought it was HILARIOUS! I also loved that Mya kept turning around (we sat 1 row behind them) and was trying to tell me all about the show but I couldn't hear her sweet little voice over all the commotion! It was fun bribing her to come sit with me and Dia (her name for Darrell) with popcorn so she could chat away about all that was going on in between bites of popcorn. I loved seeing Lo in her pretty princess dress and wearing her pretty sparkle light up crown (souvenier from the show!) and Brock with his cool light up glasses! Overall we really had a great time! Here's some pics...

Brock and Grandma showing off some cool flashy glasses!

The girls hanging out waiting for the show to start, I could NOT get Mya to look at the camera or smile, but she was excited! Below is Lo wearing her flashy sparkly crown! Annie and Mya got one too!

Duncan and Brock wearing their glasses!

My favorite picture for a couple of reasons... Kiersti and Becky! What the heck are they doing here???

I'm so grateful that my family is close, that we can get together and have a bunch of fun and that we rarely get on each others nerves! I'm grateful for the wonderful examples my brother and sister are and their great spouses!! I'm blessed to have the parents I do and if anything was missing on our family outing to Disney on Ice it was my dad! Whenever we do things and he isn't around it's noticed! We missed you Dad! Thanks for taking us all Mom! I love you family!!

A January Getaway...

We all needed it and I'm so glad we were able to get away! It's hard to believe it was a couple weeks ago that we were in sunny Las Vegas. I've never thought of taking the girls to Vegas, I mean really, what is there to do for a couple teens??? Turns out quite a bit!

We stayed in a beautiful Hilton Grand Vacation hotel on the strip, it's fairly new and the suite we were in was just beautiful, but best of all, NO CASINO!!! When leaving the hotel you didn't have to pass through that yucky smoke smell! You didn't leave feeling like you'd just stepped out of an ash tray!

PLUS, because it wasn't so convenient to walk down to the casino and gamble we didn't lose any money gambling! Instead we spent a fantastic 3 days just enjoying eachothers company! Walking and sight seeing and shopping and just hanging out! We reconnected as a family away from the stress of everyday life and that is exactly what we all needed! I can't wait to go again! It really was so much fun!!

One of our favorite things was hanging out in front of Bellagio watching the fountain show go off every 15 minutes, it was so nice hanging out and enjoying eachothers company in the warm night air! Unfortunately the only camera we had was Darrell's phone and he hasn't emailed them to me yet!

Here's some pics of the highlights...

The girls watching the roller coaster at New York New York!

Me and Darrell enjoying the Rainforest Cafe

Darrell NOT working ;)

The M&M Store!

The girls posing outside the Rainforest Cafe

(It doesn't seem to matter how old we get, we LOVE eating there!)

And the Coke store, where the Polar Bear really

liked Shawna!

We had so much fun! Can't wait for our next WARM adventure!