Fishing with Dad

Steve was able to take Dallin fishing on a Thursday morning a couple of weeks ago. They met up with Steve's friend Tim in Wolfeboro at about 7:30 in the morning to head out on Lake Winnipesaukee for some fishing. They did catch a 14 1/2 inch salmon but put it back because it has to be 15 inches to keep. They had a total blast!!

Build a Bear

The kids had fun picking out their adorable Christmas presents from Gma and Gpa Dallin!  Thank you Beary Much! (couldn't help myself...)

Happy Birthdays, Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Christmas

Fall has continued to be a great time of year for our family.  We enjoyed our soccer season, with Emma and Lauren playing really well and Dallin....well, let's just say it was a struggle to get him interested in even attending his games because he did not enjoy the fight for the ball.  He preferred sitting on the sidelines cheering on his team or attending practice where every player received their own ball.  Lauren, on the other hand, was a fighter and scored many goals for her team, giggling all the way.  Emma became a more aggressive player, which was so fun to see!  She played great defense and we loved her audible grunts when she kicked the ball up the field.  Unfortunately, most of our coverage of Emma was in video form so I don't have any pics to upload here.

We also celebrated two birthdays: Lauren turned 6 in October and Emma turned 10 in November.  The girls were so excited and are maturing so quickly!!

Happy Birthday Emma!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Trunk or Treat 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Christmas kids photo 2011

Silly photo shoot

Emma's class party--we brought the chocolate fondue fountain

Christmas morning excitement and new jammies

Erekson and Hunting Fams

Santa and the Tree

Some fun moments

We had a marvelous Christmas with Liz and her family, though we missed all of our other loved ones.  It was a wonderful day with fun times and memories to last a lifetime.  Merry Christmas!

Big Fall Events

The month of September has already been packed full.  Between starting school, Dallin's Birthday, soccer starting, dance starting, and Emma's first clarinet lesson, we are already worn out...and we still have 10 days to go!  WHEW!  What a fun month this has been.  Sadly, the weather is turning and it is already cold and rainy.  But here are a few photos from the past few weeks for you to enjoy!

BIG 4!

Yes, that is Anakin Skywalker fighting Darth Vader--it's an inner Jedi/Sith thing.

Battling Hurricane Irene--Hunting Style

BACK TO SCHOOL!

The girls started dance (Jazz, Ballet, Tap) and Emma already jammed a finger in the first class...like mother like daughter.

Lauren lost her first tooth!

Gma and Gpa Hunting sent us a fun package full of boxes, individually packed with candy!  What a stash!

We celebrated labor day weekend at Storyland!  So fun!!

Cape Cod and Mary's Birthday

We were able to take a short trip to Falmouth, MA on the lower Cape with Gma and Gpa Dallin, Mike and Nicky, and Liz, Jeff, Selina, and Chloe.  We missed Jessica, Brad, Matthew, Katelyn, and Hannah, as well as all of our other loved extended family!  It is so tough that we can't do all these fun things together because we live so far away!

I also had a great birthday!  I enjoyed some shopping time for myself and some great gifts!  What a fun day!

2011 Vacation to Utah

Flying to Utah--Superman Style

We had a wonderful trip to Utah this summer and were able to fill our time with wonderful experiences and memories that the kids talk about constantly.  We thoroughly enjoyed being with everyone.  I am sad that we forgot our charger for the camera and did not document several days of our trip but here are some highlights!

 I think that this may have been the most fun flight crew we have ever seen!  Who says United Airlines can't be fun!  When we got on the plane, the flight attendants came up to Dallin (wearing his Superman cape, of course) and asked him if he could do a special job for the flight that day.  He said yes but we were all perplexed as to what the task could be.  Well, you can see below the important job he needed to fulfill!

Beauty in Utah

Fun in Vernal

High Uintah Scout Camp

My Uncle Mark passed away after a 6 1/2 year battle with cancer.  It was a sad occasion but wonderful to be together and see loved ones we haven't seen in many years.  Our heart goes out to Liz, Jenny, and Miles and we pray for their peace and happiness.

Happy 4th of July!

A Jedi's Journey



Even from within the starship, a call for help is heard.  Off to Endor...





"Hold back while I check things out.  This could get messy."

 "But don't worry.  I have the Force, Remember?"

"Save us from the flood!"



"This isn't a flood at all.  As a matter of fact, it is just a waterfall in our backyard so I  think you'll be just fine."





"Our hero!"

"I'm off on my next mission.  May the force be with you!"

AAA in Chicago

I was able to attend this year’s American Academy of Audiology convention in Chicago (I’m sure you can guess why I wanted to go!).  I was so busy and was unable to take too many pictures but I have a few.   I was able to ride the Metra to Union Station before taking a bus to the conference center, which made the days a little bit long but really fun and jam-packed with information!  I learned a ton and even got to attend a session presented by one of my old classmates from Utah State University (he graduated a couple of years after me).  When the session was over, I saw that several other former students had also attended!  It was fun to see them, especially since I was a tutor for a couple of them when I was in grad school!  They have each found an interesting niche to work in—one owns his own private practice, one is at the Mayo Clinic, one is an educational audiologist in Alaska, and I am in an ENT private practice.   It was great to catch up!

Of course, after all the hard work was done, my dad and I were able to do some fun activities.  Unfortunately, my grandpa had some serious health issues and my mom hurried to the hospital to be with him.  Fortunately, he was able to recuperate well at home and Mom was thrilled to be able to help. 

Dad and I walked the “Magnificent Mile” and enjoyed all the shopping there.  We even had our picture taken for the front page of the Chicago Tribune!  While we enjoyed ourselves on the river front, we stopped down under the city for a famous Billy Goat Tavern double cheeseburger.  When we walked in the front door, we were immediately asked what we wanted to eat.  I said, “I need to see the menu-I’ve never been here before.”  To which he promptly replied, “You want a double-cheezborger, it’s the best. [to the cook in the back] à DOUBLE CHEEZBORGER!  And you, sir, you want a double cheezborger, too. [again, to the cook in the back]à DOUBLE CHEEZBORGER!  You want Coke? Coke, no Pepsi.”  We paid 30 seconds later and sat down with our burgers, in a daze.  What a fun experience!