HALLOWEEN

Halloween this year started out to be great, but ended not so great. A few weeks before Halloween we took the boys shopping for their costumes and ended up buying for the whole family. We were the Mario crew. Allen was Toad, Justyn was Mario, Jayson was Luigi , and I was Princess Peach! We were really excited as this would be the first year that we all dressed up together! The Saturday before Halloween, we took the boys to Lagoon. We were having a great time and Justyn had just won his last football game. Jayson started to complain of a belly ache and we thought it was because of the the rides. We slowed down so Allen and Justyn could go on some of the bigger rides and Jay and I watched. Jayson decided that he wanted to go the the skycoaster (the ride that goes across the whole park) I thought this would be fairly safe, so we headed over, about half way there he stopped by a garbage can and lost all of his cookies. I felt so bad. He was so sick. Needless to say, I was glad we weren't on the ride. We went back to the stroller and he laid down and fell alseep. We didn't do too much after that. Allen started to feel sick by the time we got home too. We still weren't sure if it was just the rides of the flu. At 3:00 in the morning, Justyn started and by this time, we knew that it wasn't from the rides. It hit all of us in a 24 hour period. Allen and I were so sick on Sunday and Monday. We spent the day in bed. My poor boys were starting to feel somewhat better on Monday Halloween. Normally I tale the boys to my work to trick-or-treat, but I was so weak and tired. Justyn was feeling a bit better so he went with some of his friends that night. Jayson was so excited to go, so Allen and I figured we would drive him to a few houses and call it got... NO WAY were we getting away with that. Jayson learned this year what to do and he couldn't get enough of it and he got a HAUL of candy. Allen and I didn't dress up, I was doing good to not have my PJs on. But it was fun to see the excitement that Jayson had!

FOOTBALL

One of the best things that have happened to our family this year is Justyn playing football.  I am a very proud momma!  He is amazing.  He puts on the pads and uniform and he is cut like a football player.  His coaches have been AMAZING!  There are 4 of them and only one has a boy that plays, all the rest coach because they LOVE it!  The things that they taught Justyn were great.  Not only did they teach him about football, but they taught his respect for others, himself, and the team.  They worked alot on being a good member of a team and that you always have your brothers backs.  Justyn played both offense and defense. He had several sacks.  He ended the season as the center, his friend Zach is the quarterback and wanted him in that spot.  He made so many good friends and THRIVED!!  He had a change in attitude and has been much more pleasant at home.  He decided in July that he was not going to drink anymore pop, and he has stuck to it.  He has not had a soda since July.  He has slimmed down and is in shape.  I am so proud of him and can't wait until next season.  I think he has finally found his niche!

MY LITTLE FRIENDS......NOT!

Fall is my favorite time of year.  We spend countless hours in our favorite place, the mountains, riding four wheelers and camping.  This year was challenging as Justyn had football, so I did alot of traveling back and forth.  Also the weekend of the elk hunt, it snowed a foot the day before we went, so it was cold and muddy.  Something really funny, now looking back at it, was over the elk hunt, we had mice get into our trailer.  We think that they climbed up the electrical cord from the generator into the trailer.  One morning Allen woke me up, as he was leaving to go hunt, and told me that he saw a mouse.  I was so upset.  I laid there in bed after he left and heard it crawling around.  Once I got up, I had to clean out EVERYTHING!!  It was so gross.  I told him that I was going to go and get some Decon in Huntington, but he figured it was only one mouse so not to worry.  I decided that I couldn't even handle one mouse, so that night we set a trap with a bowl and fishing line.  We put cheese under it and set it up so when we pulled on the string the bowl would fall and trap it.  I sat very still and the mouse came out and snooped around, but then I saw another one scamper on the floor, so now we knew their were 2.  The first mouse went under the bowl and I dropped it and it was caught.  We put it in a bin outside and set up to catch the next mouse.  I sat still and watched again and to my HORROR, I saw 3 MORE!!  We had at least a total of 4.  Well I caught one more that night and then to my complete disgust, went to bed because I was so tired.  The next morning Justyn and I caught one more, so we had a total of 3.  Because it was so cold and muddy, we decided to take the trailers off the mountains early.  I called my sister and she went and bought me boxes of Decon to set in the trailer.  A week later, when we were down home, we checked the trailer and all the Decon was gone, didn't see any more mice, and we set out regular traps to see if we could catch anymore.  I am going to have to deep clean our trailer before we use it again!!! YUCK!!

INDEPENDENCE

"Rise and shout the cougars are out........"

It is here another wonderful season of BYU football.  We are ready for this new chapter in BYU's history as the football program goes independent.  It is going to be exciting to see what happens.  SO far, they won their first game against Ole Miss, but lost their second game against Texas...by 1 point!  Next up is UTAH!  It is so weird that rivalry week is so soon.  We always spend the whole season building up to Utah. Usually the Utah game is the deciding factor of a conference championship or bowl game bids. It is kind of surreal this year that it is the opening game at Lavell Edwards Stadium.  The game is on September 17th and we are going for "Allen's Birthday".  Every year I tell Allen that I want to get away for my birthday and he tells me that he will take me away....take me camping and hunting for my birthday.  So this year I am taking him to the Utah game. :)  I guess that things never stay the same and that change is inevitable so as we move forward into independence and Utah moves into the PAC-12, we will still be cheering our "COUGARS of BYU"!

6th GRADE

August 22 was the first day of school at our house. Justyn is in the 6th grade this year with Mrs. Wendy Pitt. THE 6th GRADE!!! I can't believe that he is this old! He is in class with a few of his friends and is so far enjoying it. Jayson started another year with Bonnie his sitter. She is wonderful and we are so excited to have her again this year. She loves Jayson so much and does so many wonderful things with the kids. It is nice to be back into a routine again. However, we sure need a family vaca!

JAYSON'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

This invitation personalized with Smilebox

My baby boy turned 4 on August 16th. I can't believe how big he has gotten. We had a family party and barbecue the Friday before his birthday. For a while now, Allen and I had been talking about getting a trampoline for the boys. They love to jump on the one at Grandma's house and at our friends, the Odekirks. The Sunday before Jay's birthday, he announced at dinner that we needed to get a tramp like Shirley's (Odekirks). I think that sealed it. So for his birthday, the family got a new trampoline. Jay was so excited. My dad helped Allen to put it up before everyone came for dinner. It has been a huge success. I have even got on and jumped a few times too---big calorie burner!! Jayson got some great gifts. Grandpa Sitterud helped him put a puzzle together and he played until he wore himself out. On Jayson's actual birthday, we took him out to lunch at Chilis, they sang to him and gave him an ice cream sundae and a balloon. He thought he was pretty special.

4th of July

Yes, I know little late, but we had a great time and I wanted to share! Ever year we try and spend the 4th of July at Flaming Gorge! WE LOVE the Green River and fishing on its beautiful shores. This year, I spent the week before and after the 4th in Logan taking classes for my Admin. Cert. We weren't sure if we would be able to go because of my school work. Bless Allen, he knew how much I needed this break and he insisted that we go. He got EVERYTHING ready and I just drove up and met them after my classes on Friday. Normally when we go, I take care of all of the packing, so this was a real treat to not have to worry about any of it! AND because I had classes, I didn't have to clean it up either!! Because there has been so much moisture this year, they have had to open the flood gates or vent tubes on the dam, this has made the river rise about 14 feet. We knew that fishing wouldn't be so great, but we were so excited to see those tubes open. IT WAS AMAZING! The power and force of the water was incredible. As part of the trip, we also floated the river. I didn't dare take the camera for fear of not knowing what the river would be like with the water so high. What is normally a 5 hour float trip from the dam to Little Hole (7 miles) had turned into a hour and 15 minute trip. We did it twice! Aleen's mom and dad came. The first trip down all of us went, Allen, me, Justyn, Jayson, (really nervous about him going), Roger, Diana, Brandi, and my nephew Jaden. It was fun! The next trip down was just Allen, Me, Justyn, Roger, and Diana. We ended up SOAKED! I was such a great memory! I don't think I have ever heard my mother0in-law squeal like that! On the evening of the 3rd, Dutch John had their annual fireworks show which was a delight. We did do some fishing. Jaden smoked us all with his fishing skills. I was so excited for him to catch a big fish! What a great trip we had and I am so glad we went!

CLIFF JUMPING

After the Sitterud Family Reunion was over, we decided to cool off at Joe's Valley Reservoir and go cliff jumping. The kids loved it. Some of our cousins came too. Nicole, Allen, Bevan, and Ty hit the high cliffs and the older kids did a smaller one and the little kiddos swam. It was alot of fun!

SITTERUD FAMILY REUNION

Over the 24th of July we had the Neldon and Lola Sitterud Family Reunion. It was my dads turn to do the reunion this year. We chose the theme "All Because Two People Fell in Love" and focused it on the love my grandpa and grandma shared. About 11 years ago, we made a family music video for my grandparents. We did this to help grandma, because she was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, as a way to help her and to help grandpa. Because there had been so many new births, marriages, and kids growing up, we decided to remake the video. WOW WHAT A TASK!! Thankfully everyone sent me pictures to do this. I have been a basket case over this video.. just ask Allen. I think that I have watched it hundreds of times, trying to make it just perfect. I know this may sound bad, but I truly wasn't worried what anyone else thought, except for my grandpa. Truly this was a tribute to him and for him. I wanted perfection. Friday night came and we had a movie night, Allen, Bevan, and dad set up a big sheet as a movie screen. We had concessions of popcorn candy and drinks. We only had one hiccup where my dads truck battery died and we had to start the generator, but other than that it worked. I was so relieved and many tears were shed. I truly felt my grandmother's spirit there that night. I know grandpa did as well. It was so comforting and special. Saturday morning we planted a flower garden for grandma, because she so loved flowers. We painted prayer rocks, because of grandma's faithful praying and making sure she named all of us in her prayers. We then made necklaces for the girls and puzzles for the boys. We topped off the games with the age old tradition of money in the sawdust. This is something that my cousins and I did when we were little and would go to the Jesse and Edna Sitterud family reunions. We have continued the tradition and just like for us, it is the highlight for our kids. The festivities ended with a yummy family lunch. I am so glad that it is over because of all the planning stress. It was so much fun though! SO fun to see cousins and visit. I am so grateful that I am a member of the Sitterud and Christensen Family. I have been born of goodly parents and ancestors. I have been privy to their love and faithfulness. Families are forever and I am so glad mine is!

REMEMBERING GRANDPA BILL

This past Monday, Allen's Grandpa Bill Craig passed away. He had been battling stage 4 Cancer and it had progressed farther that the doctors were aware. He died very peacefully surrounded by family in his home. On Sunday, Allen had the opportunity to spend several hours with his Grandpa helping to take care of him and to set up his house so it was more comfortable. These moments have become very precious.
My memories of Grandpa Bill start before my memories with Allen. When I first went to college at CEU, my grandparents told me about the house next door to them and that it was an split level apartment for college students. They told me the owner was Bill Craig and how to contact him. I was sure this couldn't get any better, not having to live in the dorm and being able to live next to THE BEST cook in the country. I contacted Bill and they had an opening for the next year. I went over to Bill and Maureen's house to sign the contract and pay my rent. The most striking feature of their house was the fuchsia carpet and the LONGEST couch I had ever seen. They were very gracious and I was excited to finally have a place to live. Bill was always over at the apartment. He had a garden in the back that he tended like a kind dotting father. Every morning about 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. we would hear his small silver truck putt-putt up the alley in between the houses. I never had to rely on an alarm clock, but his truck.
I loved the conversations I had with him. He was truly interested in the classes I was taking and my job. He would ask me about my assignments and tell me to make sure I was getting my studying done and not partying too much. I remember helping him in his garden and him teaching me how to take care of tomatoes, corn, carrots. How to tend the soil and irrigate properly. I felt that he really cared about me. Towards the end of my first year of college, Bill started talking about his grandsons, Tige and Allen, who would be coming to school next year and moving into the apartment. I got nervous because I was worried I would have to find a new place to live, but one afternoon, when I asked about the coming year,he assured me that I would be taken care of. I felt truly felt loved. I became fast friends with his grandson Tige, as he came for the summer quarter to start classes. Once his grandson Allen came home, we became friends and that friendship grew.
There are many memories that I will hold on to of Grandpa, several are a little too close to my heart to express publically, but I share what I will never forget on my wedding day. He gave me a great big hug, a kiss on the cheek, and took my face in his rough weathered hands and told me, "I knew one day you would be my granddaughter". I always felt like I was part of the family, his family, with Grandpa. I never felt like an in-law and I was ever treated that way, I was one of the family, not an appendage, but one of his kids. What an amazing legacy he has left. I will forever be grateful that I was able know this amazing man.

GOOD INTENTIONS

Well, my goal was to update my blog weekly while I am sitting here listening to my Monday night class. As you can see, that hasn't been happening. As i sit here and browse through the blogs I follow, I have a nagging little though in my head about my goal. I guess I don't want to just sit here and ramble that I have the expectation of myself to share "milestones" or "big" happenings. I guess this is where I have slipped a bit. I need to train myself to write what is happening regardless of how monumental it is.

The last few months have been busy. School is going well, so far, I am maintaining my 4.0 GPA. I am thinking that I may have to lower my standards as keeping up that pace might kill me. Work....well, this is normally my down time, but with the Common Core being adopted and the need to transition our assessments to it, my life has been busier than ever. I am still enjoying my job, but the stress level is continuing to rise and I am not sure how long I can keep this up. I guess time will tell. Allen and I have spent the last 9 months working with 7 Webelos Scouts. We are the proud "parents" of these 7 guys ALL getting their Webelos Advancement AND their Arrow of Lights. Justyn will be getting his award at the April Pack Meeting and I am so proud of him and this group of boys. I feel like our mission has been accomplished. We were called to this position 4 years ago with the expectation that we would be moved to a lower group to be able to work with Justyn when he came in to scouts. Well, that never happened, so we have waited the 4 years for him and his buddies to get to us. Now that they have all achieved, I am ready to be done and I and tired :). I fell like we have run a marathon and are finally finished!

We have finished basketball and two seasons of Allen being the coach. I am so proud of him. He did such a great job with the boys and helping their skills to grow. It isn't easy to coach Justyn and I am amazed at overall how well they both did. We are now moving into Baseball season. I am excited for this. Justyn has a great motivated coach and I am looking forward to the new season.

Justyn's skiing has been amazing. On Saturday, Allen and his Uncle Bev took him. He went down 2 black diamond slopes. He is doing amazing and I am so proud of him. I need to go and watch him. That is the hard part about me not being a skier. I have to hear about it second hand. I also wish that skiing was cheaper. Right now, Justyn can ski for free through the 5th and 6th grader program, but Allen can't. I think that this is a great recreational activity that they can do together, but to afford it is something else!

We have a lot on the horizon a hopefully pictures to share soon.

ALTA--FIRST SKIING TRIP

In the state of Utah, 5th and 6th graders can get a ski passport that lets them ski at 14 resorts 4 times each for FREE! We decided to try this out and get Justyn a passport. It finally came, because we applied for it REALLY late, and we decided to try it out. Allen was a big skier growing up and spent alot of time on the slops and wants his kids to learn and see if they will like it to. Now Allen hasn't skied for about 13 years and he was nervous about getting hurt. We took off Friday afternoon and headed to Alta. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! Absolutely GORGEOUS!! It was sunny and bright blue skies!! We had such great fun! Justyn took to it so fast and within and hour was going down the hill and not crashing at all. I was so fun and so fun to see my boys doing it! I can't wait until we take them up again!

SUPER BOWL APPROVED!!

We are soooooo excited! The Packers are on their way to the Super Bowl! We are definitely Super Bowl Approved! GO PACK GO!!!

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Christmas was wonderful this year. I so wanted to make sure that I slowed down to enjoy the season. It was hard to do this as I again left everything to the last minute and had so many grandiose plans that didn’t come to fruition, BUT I did take time with my family. Allen was gone to India for the first 2 weeks in December so that added on an extra layer of stress around the holidays. What was so wonderful was that our home was in a position that I could decorate and enjoy the feeling, sights, and sounds of the holidays. I love to see the lights and purely simple and beauty of my decorations. I also LOVE the feeling that is in my home around the holidays and the smells and joy that comes once the decorations are up. I think that is why I so love having them up early and dread taking them down. My house feels so sad and bare without them.
One great thing this year was my sister and her family came up and spent a few days right before Christmas Day. We made cookies and I loved watching them decorate them. They were so cute. Santa also made a surprise visit Christmas Eve morning while they were here. The boys were SO excited to see him. I am so glad that they came. They really made my holiday—even with the hustle and bustle of that time and trying to tie up the loose ends.
We have tried to start new traditions with our boys on Christmas Eve since we are now home for that night. We take them out to dinner and then go shopping for each other, come home, and wrap presents. We then open one present—new pjs of course and then we listen to my Grandma Sitterud read the Christmas Story. What a wonderful gift that we were given when Brother Law gave our family that recording that he did in the 1970s. We will FOREVER have her as part of our Christmas. This year we also watched the movie A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey. I liked it and so did the boys, although there were a couple of parts that Jayson was hiding his head.
My goal next year is to get my shopping done early and focus on Christ more.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!