Joining the Club and Going Private

I knew sooner or later we would need to make our blog private for just our family and friends. I have been monitoring the visitors of our blog for quite awhile. I can tell who visits the blog, how long they spend on it, what posts they view, what pictures they view, and many other details. I do not like the habits of one particular person. So once again in life, one person ruins the fun for everyone. If you would like to continue viewing our blog, leave your email address in the comments and we'll add you to the list. I have the comments moderated so your email isn't exposed to the world. You can also send an email to:

Big Places, Small Changes

Well, I have a bunch of things going on that my head is spinning. First off, a few weeks ago, we went to Vegas to have a family reunion with the Elggren side. It was a short, but fun trip. It was great to see everyone and finally meet Tony. We also took family pictures by the Red Rocks in Nevada. I am really excited to get them back. Thanks to Craig and Cheryl for the great trip. Then a few weeks later we went to Henry's Lake in Idaho for a Condie family reunion. It was crazy, but fun. We went to Yellowstone one day and attempted to float down a river near the cabins. That did not work out as planned. But I was able to get some great pictures and we enjoyed seeing family members we don't see often. I have posted the pictures below. Now for the small changes: we have been in a new house for 3 months now and loving it. I am on the Enrichment committee for our ward and planning things all the time. Avery is now crawling, getting into things she should not, pulling herself up on things and standing and just growing too fast! We are thinking about making our blog private we are just wanting to keep Avery safe. Also, I am now starting digital photography and will be doing a blog, website, and have location and in-studio options. So once it takes off, I would love to do photography for you!! Life is changing and we welcome it with open arms.

Derek, Jen, and Houston near the Waterfall

Josh, Hailie, Annette, and Parker

Avery and Taylor

The Waterfall

Amber and Hailie

Avery and Grandpa

Can you find us?

Family Photo- don't mind the car


Mom, Dad, and Amber

The huge monster!

Family by the hot springs

Hot Springs

Warning: Baby Crawling

Looks are deceiving

We were told constantly that our lives would change once Avery was born. As expected, life changed and everyone was right. Well Avery has hit some milestones in her life over the past couple of weeks and I just want to know where the warning was this time. Avery has learned to crawl. Not only did she grab and eat everything in her sight before, but she now has developed this additional skill to assist in her baby thuggery. Her latest victim is my phone. It does not matter where I set that thing. If it is within her line of sight, she is going to track that sucker down and eat it. If you ever get a call from me and hear nothing on the other end but heavy breathing and whatever sound drool makes, it is either me climbing a set of stairs carrying a pizza, or my little monster has my phone.

Her last victim.

Seconds before the attack.



The solution....

Gotta Love Small Towns

So for the 4th of July, Eric and I took Avery down to the small town of Meadow for the weekend. It was good to get away for a short while. The morning of the 4th Eric, my dad, Grandpa De, Tom, and Craig went golfing EARLY! They went at 7:30 am. Eric was pretty happy that he beat my dad and almost my grandpa. He says he was just on his game. Go Eric! I was glad he had fun. While the men were out, my mom, me, Avery, and Amber went to the parade in Fillmore. Sorry to say, it is just not as good as it used to be. Can't we get creative down there? Horses and tractors are just not fun to look at. It was so blasted hot that we left the parade way early and headed to the park for a Texas Twister drink and to look at the boothes. We decided to have some fun and have a man do a cartoon drawing of Avery! It was so funny. Then we headed to Aunt Cindy's for the traditional BBQ . Then we headed back home for naps and then headed back to Fillmore for the fireworks show. This year, we did not get hit by ash and we were a little saddened by this. But at the end there was a little explosion that scared a lot of people. But no one was hurt. Just knocked a guy back about 20 feet. Avery did so good during the fireworks. I thought she was going to freak out, but she sat and watched for about ten min. and then slept through the rest. They finished just in time because it started to rain. It was fun. Good old Fillmore Fireworks.

Amber being amazing!

Mom and Avery

Avery laughing before the fireworks

Troublesome Threesome

Toni and Sean and myself

With wondering awe

Avery loved her glow sticks

Amber and Dad watching the show

Avery and her daddy- she loved being in his arms

Our Family