Wild Utah

Here is happy Skyler!!!

Over Christmas Break, the Moore clan decided to take a quick trip up north to do some animal watching. Skyler has an assignment to see 100 species for his zoology class. He is taking this very seriously and we have been know to lurk in backyards for a rare sighting. What we found was amazing! You only have to open your eyes to see these critters all around us! Take a look at what we saw. The moose that is in the picture above had a baby right on her heels that you can just see the shadow of. Cool!! This was actually our last sighting and the icing on our cake!

The elk at the Hardware Ranch were so cool! They are free roaming but come here to be fed most days.

We were looking for this fellow all around Willow Bay. We were shocked to find him clear up in the mountains, almost to Hardware Ranch. He was only about 15 feet off the road and posed for us just long enough to get these great shots. What a majestic bird!

This picture is a bit blurry. It was about 20 degrees and windy on Antelope Island this day. We were a little close for my comfort, but we were saved by the DNR officer. Cool!

This was one of the coolest sightings. We came over a hill to see a herd of antelope. Then something spooked them and we caught amazing footage of 2 coyotes!!!! So great!

We also saw porcupines! This was a great trip and we had one happy boy in the backseat the whole time!

Really.....

Stay off the roads if you can't drive.

Just sayin

Remembering a Hero

Follow Cades blog to keep updated on his work

Little Boys at Christmas

Boys will be boys. Sterling had to buy the Polar Express this year to go under our tree. It was fun to see him working so hard to put it together all for the moment when.... Lucas came over to see. He loved it. Couldn't get enough. I had a hard time taking pictures that wouldn't blur due to him bouncing around with excitement.

Doesn't his little face say it all? He was in awe. He might stalk our house every day just to watch the train.

And here is our pretty tree in our gorgous new living room. It looks so pretty that I just sit and stare at it.

Happy

My friend Marie

For Thanksgiving I know I should be gushing about some little soldier in Afghanistan...
but I already did on his blog. hehe
Today I am grateful for my friend, Marie.
This started out as a simple patient/dental assistant relationship. You know, I suck up her spit and she is just a good patient...
Well she starts bringing in hand made items to sell. Now, this chick is 90 years old and crafts like a goddess! She makes cards and hats, scarfs and baby sweaters. I mean, she is pro! So I start buying up a few items. I took the boys over to pick some things up at her place and they could not believe she is 90! She is though! She is amazing!
So, I stopped by to purchase some of her crocheted stockings and next thing I know, I have been chattin it up with my new BFF for 2 hours! AND made a lunch date before I left.
I gotta tell ya, she is cooler than half the friends I have that are my age. And she is lonely. She is in an assisted living center but has no friends because they are all miserable and she is so healthy and fun loving.
In true Gordon Moore fashion, I would love her to be my Grandma. I love her and I am thankful for her at this time of Thanksgiving.

Is this what I've come to????

I am not proud of this...
I woke up today and noticed by bedside table looked sad.
I want to point out several things
-The peace earrings, (my subtle attempt at world peace)
-The controller for my music
My Army squeeze stress ball
-The self tanning lotion (I am one pasty chick lately)
-The inch of dust on everything. (EWWW)
-My new found love, Lyrca (Drugs ahhh)
-The new Kindle on top of two other books I have yet to read.
-And of course the 3 empty jugs of Diet Coke!
Pitiful, pathetic...

Sigh...

Long week. Very long week. I got to speak to Cade for a while on Saturday and while it was fantastic to talk to him, it made me miss him like crazy! Maybe more than that, I just want to hold him. I know that he is seeing things none of us would dare be witness to and I just want to wrap that little man up in a big hug and remind him he is loved and it will be ok.

OK

No comments on the last post please.

Sweet!

The Utes will be wearing these jerseys in the TCU game this weekend. They are in support of The Wounded Warrior Program. Notice how the names are replaced with the commitment, loyalty etc... So cool of the Utes, Underarmour and the Wounded Warrior Program!
Go Utes!

Joy, Rapture and Singing from Rooftops

My lover has come through for me again!
I love him!
I love this!
I am happy!

Again... new address

Well, just an adaption. Leave out Afghanistan in his address. See his blog by clicking on his picture to the right and it will give all the details.

In honor of Happy Hour!

Happy Halloween!!!

Ps. Can I take your order?

It's been brought to my attention...

YES!!!

Football's Over

Sad day.
Koy's team is out of the tournament.
He is bored without Coach kicking his trash every day.
I guess he better get another job.
I am even bored.
But I'm not getting another job. (Unless it's at Hobby Lobby)

New Title, New Address

Check out Macades blog to the right for some exciting news!!!

Creepy

At young womens tonight, in the kitchen, painting pumpkins when one of our Beehives goes to get a drink.
She runs back in and says "there are boys in the gym and they don't have shirts on!"
Wow, excitement! If they could only get so excited about Personal Progress right?
Oh no, that's not even the good part.
Koy was one of the boys.
Creepy!

Got Wood?

Seriously the weirdest thing... No trees in the backyard. Well we do still have the sicamore, but no more ginormous trees. I feel naked. And we have more wood than we know what to do with. We have been chopping for days and haven't made a dent! It's weird that when I stood next to the trunk real quick to take this picture, I could hear the water in it. It had enough moisture (just for you Miss) in it that you could hear it. Kind of like bubbles in a sink sound. Weird. I do miss those big ol trees. I hope I get used to it soon.
Did I mention the new hot tub? I am sure that it will help ease my sorrow.

End of an Era

I'm not sure how long this wood "ladder" was up before I noticed it. I did have to take a picture for Macade before this tree started coming down.

Sterling and I, with a little help from all our cranky neighbors, decided the trees needed to come down. We were a little worried about them coming down on their own right onto someones house. Our house foundation is also at risk.

Don't worry that this truck was broken down in my driveway for 2 full days before becoming a temporary fixture in the backyard. (It leaves lovely black spots wherever it is.)

This tree has gotten out of control. But I won't lie... I am sad. It looks a little naked outside without it. OK a lot naked. It was part of this neighborhood. Boy, the cranky neighbors might not have to rake leaves for 2 days, but their air conditioning bills are going to sky rocket!

Oh and let's not forget the shed. This little beauty had to go to get to the trees. We have one bare backyard! This shed is being replaced with a big old shop and my new hot tub to help ease my tree separation anxiety.

More pics coming soon!

Did I mention....

That Skyler is 18 years old?!!

My chubby little baby.

Gone are the days...

Replaced by hairy legs and a beard.

Happy belated blog birthday buddy.

You inspire me

Onion Days

Nothing quite like Payson Golden Onion Days folks. You gotta love the scones in the park, the sun beating on your face as you watch 43 different dance companies come by and especially the killer demonic bees that attack innocent parade goers.

ps Macade is now receiving mail and hungry for more.
PFC Moore, Macade
118th Sapper Company
FOB Salerno, Afghanistan
APO AE 09314

Can someone explain this to me?

So, I got a new phone. All the prior phones text messages don't exist right? The phone is clean. The nice boy, Thaniel, at Spring, moves all my contacts over. (Don't forget Thaniel, BFF)
So, new phone...
No text messages...
No recent calls list...
So why when I open the inbox is there a message that looks like this???

Aug 16
Cade
I Love you Mama

Nothing else
No more messages
Just this one from 2 weeks ago
Does anyone else have goosebumps?
I love you too kid!

Shout out to my hubby

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The kitchen is amazing. I know it was tough for you and that I was no help at all, but it is so fabulous! I feel like every time I walk in the door, it is a new surprise. I love it all over again. The living room looks great as well as the hall. Just so everyone knows, Sterling did everything from the floor up to the ceiling. (With a little help here and there by my bro in law and our friend, Mike.) Sterling even hung new doors and did all new baseboard and molding. He even let me hang my ginormous clock and family pics. It really does make me so happy! Thanks honey for making my life beautiful!

Before and After

Unbelievable!

Drum Roll Please....

Because my house is freakin hot!!!

Check out this floor that my hubby put in! Ignore the vacum.

My favorite part of the kitchen is the way cool fauset and the trash can cabinet! The countertops are great too!

OH and the range hood is fabulous!!

I am so excited with how it has turned out! I could die and go to heaven in this kitchen right now!

My Boy's Address!

OK, here it is. Just for the next few weeks.

PFC Moore, Macade
118th Sapper Co
1868 Regimental Ave
Fort McCoy, WI 54656

He is loving some letters right now. If you have time to send him one, I am sure he would love to hear from you!
Thanks

Yipee!!

The floor is in!!! It is so gorgous! Way to go Sterling! It looks so nice that I want to mop it 3 times a day to make it shiney! OK, maybe 2 times a day. I will maybe want to take an axe to it later, but right now, I LOVE it!!!

We took the sink out yesterday to make way for the new cabinets coming tomorrow. And then we jumped in and did something crazy...

We decided to paint the kitchen REALLY dark to add contrast to our light cabinets.

O my fear!!!

I am so anxious about it all coming together and actually matching that I had to actually "stress eat" tonight. OK, so I always stress eat, but this was for real! Cafe Rio has never tasted better. It calmed my fear and made me realize that it is going to look amazing!!!

Note: The paint color and the color my camera shoots are 2 totally different colors! It really looks fabulous!
I might need to go "joy eat"!!!

Farewell Sappers

It took me a couple of days to pull it together and some pictures from my sister but here

are some photos from the Sapper farewell.

I have never seen anything quite like this before. It was the most heart wrenching experience of my life and my kid wasn't even there! Daddy's just staring at their little ones and wives sobbing.

The picture above is of all of the gear they put on their backs as they got into one last formation to board the plane.

This photo is the soldiers making their way through the crowds after kissing their families goodbye. PS this is where I lost it completely. These brave men were holding back tears with everything in them!

I decided I wanted to be a support to not only Macade, but his fellow soldiers, which is why I went up even though he left early. (Thanks for doing that Macade. I could not have said my goodbyes in that hanger.) However, when I saw these two men, I couldn't help but ask for a picture. This is General Tarbet and SGT Major Summers of the Utah National Guard. I have heard them speak before and read several articles by them. They are military celebrity!!!

So, Macade, this is who has your back at home! And they are now my BFF's!!! Just thought you should know. When you come home healthy and happy, you will see the 3 of us waiting for you.

I love you son. I am so proud of you. I will be thinking of you constantly. My heart has an empty space in it. But in just a short year, I look forward to seeing you return with your unit having completed your mission successfully.

God bless you all.

Fox13now.com did a good story on this that I couldn't figure out how to blog it. But look it up and check it out.

Oh my Kitchen!!!

If anyone knows who built my house... my husband would like to know. There are several points of interest he would like to discuss with them.

Mainly this sweet tile job and the lovely linoleum underneath it. (This would be the neighbor kid that we recruited during a sleep over.)

Note to my bishop: Your wife has some serious agression issues that you should know about. She alone, took the tile out of 1/2 the kitchen... and LOVED it! I think she should be a contractor. Just sayin...

And Koy is sick and tired of pulling up staples from "Stapleopolis". (Skyler's name for our lovely linoleum).

But after much heartache, oh I mean body aches, we do have new lights and we are laying our floor tomorrow.

Thanks to all of our neighbors, friends and family for helping us out so much! We are so excited to see our end result in...well I don't know. But it should be "lovely".

More pics coming soon.

Boo Hoo!

Sad, Sad day

He's gone...

For a year that is. We dropped Macade off this morning and will go have dinner with him tonight, but he flies out early tomorrow morning. He is very ready to go. I don't know how to feel. We are very busy with our kitchen project and that is maybe a good thing. We could've chosen a less stressful way to deal with our stress though. Anyway, be sure to check out Cades blog as I will be posting his progress as I can.

Alert!

Our house is under construction! We are remodeling our kitchen! We are very excited! We will not be having a going away shindig for Macade but we hope if you would like to talk to him before he leaves, you will call. He is very excited and anxious to get going. Again, we ask that only positive conversation comes his way. He has been swamped with negative feedback that is not helpful, but damaging. This is especially hard coming from family that Macade thinks so highly of. He needs everyones support! Especially that of his family and friends. He is being so brave and we are very proud of him.
Will get some before, during and after photos going of our kitchen.

You can't keep a good kid down

Even if the doctor says so.

Koy had surgery again on Tuesday. The tooth that we have worked so hard to save was coming into his palate. So they cut and chained and stitched and sent him home for me to deal with. Tuesday night he had a friend over to watch movies. Wednesday, he played football with his cousins and Thursday when I left to run some errands, there was a little head popping up and down as I came around the corner. Trampoline of all things!

AND, they said to not eat anything harder than mashed potatoes for 5 days.

"I'm 13 years old for crying out loud. Just tell me not to breathe."

So, you see what I have been up against?