Utah Crocketts

Shelby's Graduation Pictures

2011-11-13T11:30:00.001-08:00

My Family Room...

2011-04-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

We have been in our new home for almost a year now and as spring approaches I am wondering if my husband is right...our family room/great room is to dark, this is a good thing if it's where your family gathers to watch movies:) but we don't believe in a TV in the family room/great room off the kitchen...it's annoying when you're trying to visit and the TV is blaring in the background (no offense to those who love their TV room as part of their main living area, I don't judge:)...and I can understand if you're sports fans but if you know us you know we don't watch any sports...none). We have a sound system instead and enjoy music in the background as we gather with friends and family. All of that being said...the one place I would love unstoppable light happens to be the darkest part of our home. At first I disagreed with removing the valances that currently hang in our family room...they are so cute and I love they way they match our stuff so well, but as you can see in the picture...they block an awful lot of light, so I am planning to remove them and hang panels like the ones in our front sitting area (earlier post) Below is the before shot, and I will post the middle and end to this dilemma... wish me luck!

Cooking Class Fun!

2011-03-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

{Pic from gathering of friends website}

For those of you who don't know...I go to a cooking class called "Cooking with Brook" here in Daybreak, it's made up of a few ladies from the neighborhood and Brook my neighbor two doors down who teaches us everything food (she is the most unbelievable cook I have ever known)! We learn everything from how to make homemade chicken stock to bread making (I love the bread making!:) We recently started going to each others homes and teaching a skill we have ourselves (Look for my post from November, I chose decorating for parties...cooking is not a skill I have yet).
This month we took a field trip to Michelle Huxtables home...Michelle is the author of several AMAZING cookbooks "The gathering of friends" series. It was incredible for me...not just the cooking part but her home is beautiful! She has been a decorator/designer/home builder, ect. for 20+ years and what an amazing home she has. I didn't take any pics...trying to be respectful, but her cookbooks include pictures of place settings and many of those were taken in her home.
If your looking for an inspiring, makes you want to cook and entertain type book...I highly recommend any of her books. They are like mini works of art..and worthy of your coffee table or the perfect gift.
Visit www.thegatheringoffriends.com for details on how to get her books.
Thank you to Michelle for opening her home and her heart to a bunch of "foodies", you are truly a gracious host and an incredible human being!

{pic from gathering of friends website}

Check out the "Cooking with Brook" blog for great recipes, fun pictures and ideas galore!
www.cookingwithbrook.blogspot.com

So busy is still my middle name!

2011-03-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

Yep I am still working non stop and when I am not working I am with my girls doing whatever they are doing... Violin concerts, Dance competitions, you name it we do it:)
But today (Sunday) I am taking back for myself...reading, blogging, planning, and a quick phone call to my mom!
I am currently in the middle of planning out my yard...or should I say yards:) both side yards and the front (I live in Daybreak and we don't have backyards, we have garages and alleys) This might seem a little obsessive since it's really not "spring" yet but I must submit my plans to the Daybreak gods and hope for their approval:) I am not planning anything to elaborate but I really want a beautiful space...I have included one of the pictures that is giving me inspiration and as I find more I will post them too. This should be a fun summer, not only living in Daybreak with tons to do everyday but also a whole new house and yard to make mine...stay tuned!
I have a walkway just like this from our front yard to our side yard, I also have the exact same rock path...so what else do I need? These beautiful plants and a green thumb is all! We will see what I can do:)

SO BUSY!

2011-02-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

My weekends have gotten away from me...and that has meant no posts:(
Well here's a run down of the fun!!
Rod Works will be opening our Clearance center soon and having a warehouse sale too...what does this mean? It's where I have been every weekend this month:) Shelby too, she has been currently working in the clearance center during the day and then Carters at night, she is soooo her mother...work work work. We have also had the Coopers down for the weekend and a trip to the boat show (we are not buying just fun to look, BTW...Cobalt is my new favorite brand of boat, they are just plain SEXY:) Our friends Dave and Tammy were here on a ski weekend (from Colorado, apparently skiing in CO sucks and costs an arm and a leg) it was great to see them too! Throw in cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping and well that's it the weekend is gone...bye bye.
I have however made a few more improvements in our home and here are the pics...
I am not sure what the plan was with these cornices...they are fun fabric and very well made but the darn things block so much light so they had to go. (they were here when we moved in, fabric was coming out the bottoms but I neglected to take a pic of that before Kevin started demolition)

That's my hubby taking the hideous things down:)

Let there be light! I left it this way for a week while I decided what to do...and both my girls are now so used to every inch of our house being decorated they kept saying..."it feels like we just moved in, please put something back up" funny I now have two decorators in training:)

The finished product...
I love our high ceilings and I really wanted to show them off! I went with rods from my work...they are custom made so I get exactly the length I want. The curtains are from Ikea..I searched all the usual places but in the end they all carry the same chocolate linen curtain and at $10 a panel Ikea was the cheapest. The room itself is still a project in the works but I am very happy with the window treatments!

So You Think You Can Dance!

2011-02-20T07:18:00.000-08:00

So you think you can dance tryouts were here in SLC two weekends ago and Kevin got the girls and I tickets!!! It was amazing...seeing Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy in person was awesome. The dancers are truly unbelievable and if you think they are fun to watch on TV try seeing them up close and personal...some will make you cry:) Shelby was glued to every move, while Payton asked how long this was going to take...that's my girls for you, always at opposite ends of the fun!
Get all SYTYCD details by clicking here!

Kevin's 40th Birthday

2011-01-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

Kevin's 40!!

We had a party at our house with friends and family...and what a party! Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate this joyous occasion. Enjoy the pics and if you didn't make it, you were missed:)

Great food and fun drinks!

Many photos ops!

Well he is 40 now!

Special thanks to Charlie and Denise for bar-tending and help with food, Katie for her moral support;) and James and Diane for .....EVERYTHING, we can't pull this stuff off without ya!

A little of me in the house

2011-01-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

Not religious just beautiful:)

I love crosses, and I collect from them from all different places. A cross wall somewhere in my house has always been the plan but I had originally planned on putting them in a more personal spot, like my bedroom or my sitting area but after lots of thought I decided on this wall because I love they way they look next to our fountain. This is a wall that leads from the front door into the family room/kitchen area...It might be a bit much for some but I love them and couldn't be happier with their placement. (and the bonus is...you can see them from my front door so no wandering church peeps come a knocking:)

The thermostat is not the greatest of accents but hopefully the bright fun colors catch your eye long before the white box.

Kevin's Idea!

2011-01-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

Cigar Art

My husband Kevin loves cigars...and all the cool stuff that goes with them. He came up with this FANTASTIC idea for art above our computer desk. Cigar box tops all layered and framed. He got the cigar boxes from the Tinder Box ($1 or $2 each).
I bought deep Ikea frames for $20, layered and glued the cigar box tops on the backboard of the frame and there you have it.... really cool art for our office.

A little different blog for 2011

2011-01-03T20:38:00.000-08:00

This year I'm thinking I'd like to blog about a little more than just what we are doing every weekend...as I read a book called "An affair with a house" I can't help but want to share how amazing our new home is and how much fun I am having decorating it. I am truly obessed with every little detail. This is going to be a full year of ideas brought to life, from a possible fireplace in the living room to how the entire outside of our home will make a transformation this summer.
So this week marks the begining of "My affair with this house", it will be exciting to see where we end up a year from now and how many of us live to tell about it:)

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T18:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Crockett Family!
2010 brought many changes...the biggest being our move to Daybreak. We are loving our lives here, I get home in time for dinner and family fun, We are falling head over hills for our new home as we make it our own. The girls have settled in nicely with their new school and new friends, they are excited for summer to come again so they can swim, hang out at the lake or ride their new beach cruisers! I am in total decorating mode so my weekends are spent looking through books, searching the internet and shopping, even Kevin has started giving opinions about rooms and what we should do next...so all in all this has been a great year for our family.
We wish all of you a Happy New Year and we can't wait to see what adventures 2011 brings!
Love,
The Crockett Gang

Crockett Christmas

2010-12-26T12:57:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning have sure changed throughout the years...this year the girls were tired and went to bed at about 8pm, as they gave kisses goodnight this is what they said "Don't wake me up till 8". Wow...I remember setting a 5am rule just a few years ago:) now they want a full 12 hours of sleep..really?
Well needless to say it was a very quiet night and morning. The girls woke up to new Beach Cruiser Bikes (with baskets and bows;), we exchanged gifts, ate a little breakfast and then back to bed for a nap...Man I love my life! We did spend time with my family later that day and then our friends the Coopers came down to spend the night...again love my life!

Shelby and Payton on their new bikes with their snuggies!

For those of you who don't know... my precious Ariel is in Florida...enjoying fun in the sun! She has started a new job and plans to live there for now. We miss her terribly this time of year but keep hope that she will be back to visit soon:)

Merry Christmas from the Crockett Gang and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Winter Blues

2010-12-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

Even though Christmas is right around the corner...I really miss summer! Here are some pictures I took of all the rug-rats in my family...The pictures were taken this summer at Daybreak lake:) My girls, all my nieces and my nephew (my other nephew lives in Florida) are so cute and we had a great time taking pics out at the lake!

My Brother is married!

2010-12-11T09:53:00.001-08:00

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Charlie White!!

My brother and his fiance Denise were married this week! It was a joyous day and awesome to see two people commit their lives together. Congratulations and well wishes from all of us!

Halloween at our house!

2010-12-11T09:46:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know...my mom lives in Florida and this October she came to visit!

We decided on an early Thanksgiving dinner with all the family:) My sister and brother came with their families and we had it on Halloween so all the kids could trick or treat after we ate.

Here is a picture of them eating Thanksgiving dinner at the "kids" table.

Thanks to all of you for coming and helping with dinner and clean up! It was an awesome day!

A night of sewing fun!

2010-12-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Me sew? sure...especially if Kevin's out of town, and the girls are both at a sleep over:) I have to find something to do with my lonely weekends. I went to a quilt store by my new house called Material Girls...it's adorable with the cutest fabric. I was originally looking for material to use in Payton's room for a valance and well, as you can see I ended up with fabric for pillows too!

Payton's Pillow

Payton's Valance

Shelby's Pillow

Both girls have fun chairs in thier rooms and these pillows look so cute on them!

Hopefully soon they will clean up thier rooms and let me take a picture so you can see how fabulous they are.

Rod Works is on Facebook!

2010-11-18T18:29:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note! Rod Works is on Facebook....be patient, we are newbies but we are planning great things! We would love to have a million "likes" so what are you waiting for...LIKE us!

If your not on Facebook please visit our blog...lots of great ideas! Click Here

It's November!

2010-11-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

It's November!!! and my turn to host cooking group!

As many of you know I am not much of a cook so it only seemed more appropriate to do table settings, appetizers and DRINKS...hello I am very good at drinks! I talked about all the ways to "set" a table, and the difference between a formal table and a casual table. I've posted some pics, and a special thanks to Payton and Marley for taking great pictures of our fun night!

Fall is here! I think:)

2010-10-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

The girls are back in school and the holiday season is just around the corner. We are trying to squeeze every last bit of summer out of our weekends... The Alpine Slide was a great Saturday get a way and we found out that Shelby is a bit of a baby:) Most Saturday mornings Payton and I visit the farmers market and the library, and then spend the afternoon looking at our books. (looking instead of reading because we both prefer books with lots of pictures) Today we drove up the canyon and had lunch at Sundance (my favorite mountain spot), the leaves are beautiful and it's so nice and cool. We are looking forward to new memories in our new house and we will continue to share them here!

Payton in front of the library

Ariel and Shelby at the Alpine Slide

Payton the Violinist!

2010-06-27T17:57:00.001-07:00

Payton was chosen for 1st chair for the end of the year concert...Her piece that won her the spot, Think of me (Phantom of the Opera). She has really become a amazing violin player this past year:) We gave her a violin for her birthday... she continues to play, and she practices constantly.

Our New Home

2010-06-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

We Have Moved!!!! Our new home is in Day Break, (South Jordan). After 3 long years with an hour long commute twice a day...it was time to move closer and spend that precious time with my girls. Here are some pics of our new pad, we are planning a party....details to come.

New Year New Beginings

2009-12-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

I have been a bit busy the last few months of this year and blogging has fallen to the bottom of the list, don't feel bad so has emails and phone calls that don't involve work. But I am coming back! This new year I will do my best to give you great pics, great stories and our lives day to day:)

We hope for nothing but love and happiness for everyone in this new year!

We love you all,

The Crockett Family

Amy Dewalds Surprise Shower

2009-08-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Mary Ellen (my neighbor) and I threw a baby shower for my other neighbor Amy... It was a fun surprise! She is doing Owls for Elizabeth (the baby in her tummy:) and Mary Ellen found the cutest cake to set the mood! All of Amy's family and friends were contacted (they are military so none of them live here) and they all sent gifts! We had so much fun...and now we wait for Elizabeth to arrive:)

Amy and Grayson (Big brother)

Owl cake...sooo cute!

Elizabeth's loot!

The Crockett and Cooper Cabin Trip

2009-08-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Last year while attending a fundraiser at Northridge High School and we had the opportunity to bid on a cabin stay. We won the bid (we being the Crocketts and the Coppers)! Our first stay was 2 weeks ago and it was so much fun! We road 4 wheelers everyday and sat around a fire every night. The cabin was nice but the views are spectacular!
We have one more stay...so stay tuned for all the fun!

Kevin and Lex

James and Diane

Shelby's 15th Birthday!!

2009-08-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

All she wanted was a touch and that was all she got;)

She is 15 now and has her permit! Her party was at a local hotel and she had every friend she could get hold of + a few boys attend :0 (boys did not spend the night)...
as you can see they had a blast.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELBY,
you are becoming a beautiful young woman and we are proud of the person you are and strive to be. We love you Shelby Welby!

Who's the ugly girl with no tiara?Is she 15 or 18... god help us!

We did cupcakes cuz I thought that would be easier...instead they had a cupcake fight and got frosting everywhere!

The Waterfall

2009-07-19T17:35:00.001-07:00

Well you would think after the pouring of the pad last year we would take a summer off...oh no that wouldn't make sense, who takes a summer off:) so this year we tore out the garden (yes I can't grow food outside) and put in a waterfall! Kevin and I are no landscapers but I think we did an ok job! Here are a few pics from the last few weeks...this is why I never get to blog and I wear nothing but a hat and work clothes all weekend long.

Payton and I proving that a dead body would fit in the hole:)

We think it is beautiful and the sound is like nothing else on this earth!

Shelby's Surgery

2009-07-19T17:22:00.000-07:00

Shelby had a tonsillectomy on Wednesday July 8th. She did great...the worst part was getting the IV before the surgery:( as you can see in the pic...tissues are for tears. Luckily the entire family was there for the experience and much to the staffs surprise we all stayed for the entire ordeal.
She has recovered nicely and lets say Shelby on Lortab is quite an experience! She came out of her room shortly after we got home and told me she had grown, " look how much taller I am than you" she said as she stood eye to eye with me. I did not have the heart to tell her she was still the same size.

Ariel's Graduation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

She did it! We could not be more proud of her!
What a fantastic day!
We love you Ariel!

Shelby and Payton with Dance Addiction 2009

2009-06-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

The girls have finished dance for another season!
They had a great year and look forward to next season...that starts in August, hope they enjoy the summer!

Payton is 12!!!

2009-04-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

Payton had her Bday party this weekend and she is 12! She had a sleepover with a bunch of friends. They had hoped to make smores around the fire pit but it was cold and rainy so they just ate smores in the house uncooked:) Kevin and I always forget what a house full of 12 yr old girls sounds like, if your not sure... a trip to the zoo to the laughing Hyena exhibit will fill you in!
Happy Birthday Payton...We love you!!

Payton I won't start you on fire! Chill!

HAIR HAIR HAIR! It's a love/hate relationship!

2009-04-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

Yes that is ARIEL with BLACK HAIR...and right before graduation!
Well it's only hair and her blue eyes glow against it.

When faced with a bad hair day...Shelby goes with the hat option.
She always has so much style!

And then there is Payton....not sure what she was going for, but who cares when she has that adorable smile:)

Our fabulous trip to Cali!

2009-04-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I flew to Cali last weekend for a few days...in a small airplane!
We survived and have some great pics of the trip. Thanks to Jason (the pilot) and his wife Marla for taking us for a great weekend!

I think Spring is on it's way....

2009-03-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

The weather is getting nicer and the days are getting longer, I think Spring could actually be coming! I can't wait for dinner on the patio, drinks under the stars, and everyone just stopping by to hang out next to the fire pit! Someday we will live in a place where this can be done every night but until then I will take what I can get:)

I want SUMMER!!!

2009-03-07T12:26:00.001-08:00

AHHHH I feel a little better!

My beautiful girls!!

2009-02-01T09:47:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have realized how old I'm getting and what I have accomplished in this life...
While I may not be famous, rich or super intelligent I have done one thing no one else on the face of this planet has done. I have given birth to three of the most beautiful girls in this world! Each of them is so amazing, their personalities are so different and yet at the end of the day I can say they all have 3 things in common...They are smart, caring and one of a kind! I thought I would list the things that make them special, not just to me but to anyone who has the pleasure of being around them!

Ariel is the MOST intelligent person, don't believe me? test her!
She is so determined in life that nothing (including me:) will stand in her way.
Her friends are lucky to have her, she would die for them.
Boys think she is beautiful and "blonde" little do they know she will run circles around them at college, work, or jeopardy!
She is and always will be the little person who changed my life, 17 years ago I had no idea, and 17 years later...I can't believe she is mine!

SHELBY is the KINDEST soul you will ever meet!
She has a touch that is so soft and so gentle that every little being loves to be held by her.
You can't lie to her, she can see into your very soul.
She has more street smarts than a 80 year old gang member.
If you are her friend you are very lucky...for she only keeps true friends around.
She will make an amazing mother someday and her children will be blessed to have this incredible person as their mother!

PAYTON is the animal whisperer...at first I thought just cats, and then guinea pigs, but now the dogs have proven it does not matter what the animal is...she speaks to them.
Her kind caring touch and voice puts even the biggest beast at ease...human and animal alike.
She is and always will be the baby of our family, her care for all of us is so strong and so deep she feels and lives our pain, our happiness and our love.
She will be the most amazing care giver to everyone and everything that is blessed to know her.

I know it is an unwritten rule that you think your kids are the best...but I truly believe my children are my greatest accomplishment, and everyone who encounters them will see they are as amazing as I believe them to be!

2009-01-29T17:38:00.000-08:00

ADELE!!!

If you don't know who she is... you soon will!!
We took the girls to her concert last weekend, She was amazing and the girls experienced a little night life they have never seen before...standing room only, hours on your feet waiting, and drunk sweaty people everywhere! I have put a couple of her songs below to listen too, and the link to her site. ENJOY!! I dedicate the song "Make you feel my love" to my three girls...

utahcrocketts

2008-12-19T19:16:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2008-12-06T09:45:00.001-08:00

As we enter December I start to think of all the Christmas' past and how much the girls have grown. They don't wake up at 4am begging to see what Santa brought. Now they sleep till 7 or so and go right back to bed after opening presents. We have gone from staying up all night to build toys, bikes, and playhouses to setting out nicely wrapped gifts under the tree, mainly because gift certificates and video games don't require assembly. I am reminded of the best Christmas Story ever! Its sort of long but I will give you the shortest version I can....

Shelby has never believed in Santa, possibly when she was 2 and didn't really get the whole Santa thing, but in reality has NEVER thought he or the Tooth fairy or the Easter bunny were real.
Sooooo a few years back, and me being the mom I am decided to prove to her he was real!
I had a lady in my Yoga class who's husband was Santa at the local mall (she played Mrs. Clause)
He was the real deal, real old, real white hair, real long white beard etc. So she told me to just write down a few things about each of my girls that only us and "Santa" could know. Easy enough...done.
I then let her know when we would be visiting the mall to see Santa and she would have Santa mention of few of these things to the girls. Score! or so I thought.
We go to the mall, wait in line for an hour, and when we get to the front of the line I pull my camera out so I can take a picture of the girls on Santa's lap and possibly Shelby's face!
The Elf in charge then begins to tell me I can't take my own picture....WHAT? I have taken my own picture for the last 12 years I tell her. She continues to raise her voice and tell me I have to buy a picture..."NO PERSONAL PICTURES" she shouts! As the scene escalates because my girls are getting on Santa's lap while I argue with the Elf that I am not putting my camera away and all 100 people in line are dead silent watching...Santa stands, and demands to know
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!". He helps my girls off his lap and heads towards the Elf and tells her "She is taking the DAMN picture with her own camera".
The Elf then starts into Santa telling him the "rules" to which he tells her "I am Santa and I makes the rules".
Well I got my pictures...but as far as Shelby believing, she couldn't wait to tell everyone at school that Santa swears and really does tell the elves what to do.
I learned my lesson...and now Shelby believes or disbelieves anything she wants!
We hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Another Addition!

2008-11-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Chester is a big brother!! We added Chelsea to our home this weekend.
She is 8 weeks old and so precious. She is light red and a mini dachshund too.
Her sister was adopted by the Coopers. We are so happy to have her and can't believe she gets the chance to grow up with her sister!
(I'm beginning to think we should open a pet shop or start building a really big boat.)

2008-10-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is my Husband Tag!!!
He's not only my Husband and the Father of my children...He is truly my best friend!

1. What's his name? Kevin Crockett
2. How long have you been married? 16 years
3. Where did you meet? The Black Bird (A bar in Colorado Springs that neither of us were old enough to be in.)
4. How long did you date? 2 long
5. How old is he? 37 yrs
6. Who eats more? It depends…Meat, Kevin. Potatoes, Me.
7. Who said, "I love you" first? We can’t remember…but Kevin was the first to ask to go steady☺
8. Who is taller? Kevin duh….He’s 6’2”
9. Who sings better? He does…especially the Barry White low voice in my ear.
10. Who is smarter? That’s a toss up…He thinks he’s smarter but I remind him that he thought Pony’s were baby horses that haven’t grown yet…not a breed of small horses!
11. Who's temper is worse? It depends on the circumstances… we both can be hot heads.
12. Who does the laundry? That would be me every load for 16 years and I am proud of it! (Some of you might wonder why I have no t taught our girls? One load of whites turned pink is all I could take)
13. Who does the dishes? The girls, we do the cooking
14. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? All sides are the right side if you know what I mean;)
15. Who pays the bills? Both
16. Who mows the lawn? Both, and the girls
17. Who cooks dinner? Kevin, I help here and there but almost always Kevin
18. Who drives when you are together? Depends on who’s car we are in.
19. Who is more stubborn? Stubborn? We aren’t stubborn…what the hell kinda question is that!
20. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Always Kevin, I am never wrong;)
21. What do you admire most about him? He always keeps going…no matter what life throws at him he still gets up and gets going.
22. Who proposed? He did
23. What is his favorite color? It changes often so I really don’t know right at the moment.
24. Who has more siblings? Me, 3, Him, 2
25. Who wears the pants in the family? He thinks he does and I let him think that;)
26. What does he do that surprises you? I always think I know how he’ll react to a situation and then he does the complete opposite.
27. What is your favorite quality of his? He doesn’t let anyone push him around.
28. What is your favorite feature of his? Tall, Dark and Handsome, I like it all!
29. Does he have a hidden talent? He can pack a bag like no other... I think it’s a combination of military and railroad experience but he can make anything fit anywhere.

ARIEL IS 17!!!!!!!!

2008-10-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

We can't believe it! Ariel turned 17 on October 16th.
I remember having her like it was yesterday...
I was at a 2 for 2 weeks, (2 weeks over due:) and finally she decided it was time, if you know anything about Ariel she does everything in her own time, this was no exception.
With only 4 hrs of labor she came, tiny, so small I was actually afraid to unwrap her from all the blankets they had her in. She was the smallest thing I had ever held. We stayed in the hospital for 2 days which is not the norm but she was not breathing when she first came out so they wanted to watch her. It was a blizzard the day I got to take her home, we made it home, got warm, got settled and then she started to cry and cry and cry...I fed her, held her, sang to her, fed her again and finally asked my mom why she wouldn't stop crying, "did you change her?" was all she said and in that moment I realized I had no idea what I was doing. I cried, while she cried and somehow I think she knew I was a beginner.
And so the last 17 years have gone...Her crying, me trying... and somehow she knows I am still just a beginner, trying so hard to guide her and yet somehow falling short but never giving up.
The only words that truly describe the last 17 years are sung by Reba McEntire "You're gonna be"
I love you Ariel, You are my whole life, my whole heart and the window to my soul. Mom

DISNEYLAND!!!!

2008-10-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

We went to Disneyland for UEA weekend
and it was a blast!
Everything is decorated for Halloween which just happens to be one of our favorite holidays!
There is nothing like the Haunted Mansion during Halloween and the Tower of Terror was so much fun we rode it over and over again,
we even posed for a pic!

I also must mention the beautiful weather!!!!!! I wish I lived in sunny California, Utah is nice but it will never be southern Cali!

Halloween!!!

2008-10-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

I just had to post some pics from Halloween's
past, the girls have always liked dressing up, and last year Kevin and I joined in the fun!

Ariel...we miss you and hope you find your way home soon!

2008-09-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Inside the Crockett Household

2008-09-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

While Kevin was off for a few weeks we had this great idea to put wood flooring on our entire first floor...great idea but what an incredible amount of work. I can only speak from the hours spent at night after work helping out, But Kevin and Shelby are the two true workers here...Ariel and Payton helped when they could, But Kevin and Shelby stayed at it for 7 days straight knowing that every morning when they woke up they would work just as hard or even harder. As you can see it looks amazing...now its up to me to recualk all trim and update the paint throughout. I will keep you posted:) BTW Kevin found the nastiest thing in our toilet hole and look how proud he is!

Back Yard Makeover Part 2

2008-09-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

Finally.... here are some of the pics from the backyard, we've used the pad and everything on it almost every night of the week. I wish Utah was an 80 degree climate all of the time, so we could live out here. The girls especially love roasting marshmallows and making smores with the fire pit. Kevin and I just like sitting out and visiting with friends. We are putting in garden boxes to the right where there is a pile of dirt in the pictures, and I am looking for a cool umbrella for up on the deck.

Shelby turns 14!

2008-08-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

Shelby turned 14 on the 4th of August, As you can see she had the typical Birthday party....a bunch of teenage girls giggling and screaming all night.
We surprised Shelby with a visit from her friend Kensie...This was a surprise because Kensie lives in Colorado and Shelby had no idea she was coming!

Declaration of Independence

2008-08-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Declaration of Independence was on tour in Utah this weekend. We took this as an opportunity to ride the new frontrunner train into Salt Lake, and ride the trax system to the capitol. It was quite an adventure...but as you will see in the pics, some families must have much more time on their hands:) We ended our day with lunch at the gateway and a visit to the Hansen planetarium to see the Imax movie The Alps (It was very cool, a must see) again I included some photos of our trip, I thought the girls would be a little more excited about visiting the moon and mars...but as you see...not so much.

This is just a copy...
"Can we go now"....my parents are so weird.

I'm not sure why Kevin and Payton are crawling...but Shelby looks fabulous!

Payton and Shelby are weather girls.

Sunday Morning...

2008-07-27T17:26:00.001-07:00

Our back yard makeover!

2008-07-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

We are redoing our backyard...or for those who have seen it "doing it" would be a better description, fence and new gate on RV pad are just the beginning, a PARTY pad is being laid this week, so stay posted for pics of the overhaul...and the finished product should be fabulouso!!!

Kevin doing 360's on an IKEA Cart...

2008-07-24T15:16:00.000-07:00