Eden

I got the opportunity to go up north for 1 week to complete what is called "Eden" training and become an Eden certified member for the facility I work at in Hurricane. It is so hard to describe what the Eden program is all about. Basically it is about creating a better quality of life for the elders/elderly that we work with also a better quality life for employees. I learned so much and so many tools at this conferance not only that I could use at my job, but in my daily life (marriage, child rearing, etc.) it was such an eye opening experiance to just everything. I seriously don't know how to explain it, but I feel forever changed. Only a select few have been chosen to go to these trainings, so you can imagine how grateful I felt to get the opportunity to participate in this. Here are some pics of my experiance there. This is a picture of me and Tracy with our boss Gary Kelso and Marla our Eden trainer, after completing our week up north.

This is me with my team members "The Red Team". Each of us were from different sister facilities so none of us new each other. There was also a state surveyor in our group as well (scary), no she really was a sweet girl and it was fun to get to know her and kind of change my perspective on some myths on what surveyors intentions and regulations really are. My group was the best group to be in , I really believe we had the most fun out of everyone. It was neat to get to know these ladies and find out more about there facilities and responsibilities.

This is me participating in a skit with one of my team members. I played the nurse and she played the elderly woman in a wheelchair. All teams had to put together a 10min skit to present on our last day of training.

watch out, it's the sprinkler!!

Me and Tracy at Olive Garden after a long day of Eden training

These are all people that I work with and whom I traveled with up north for training. Kenny and his wife Kathy, Tracy, and me eating dinner at TGIFridays in Salt Lake. We had a lot of fun getting to participate in the Eden program and hang out for a week.

Easter was really fun this year. My family came down friday night and we had steak and coconut shrimp dinner at our house. It was fun to get to visit with everyone and have a yummy meal. The next day (sat) the easter bunny came and brought us candy. Keylee was glad the the easter bunny was able to find Grandma Linda since she slept over at our house. Saturday we went to Sundee's place in St. George and had a yummy Easter lunch and an egg hunt for all the cousins. Sunday we went to church and after we went up to Zions with Mikes sister,her hubby and kids. It was a really fun weekend.

Emerald Pools

Mike and Marissa checking their heart rate to be sure they don't over exert themselves.

strike a pose!

Crossing the bridge to hike up Emerald Pools.

Riding on the Bus to go on a hike.

Jason, Keylee, Marissa

As we walked out our front door sunday we had a plesant surpise when an annonimous someone left easter eggs on our front lawn. It was fun to see Keylee enjoy her own egg hunt in her pretty Easter dress.

Dad and Keylee Easter Sunday on the way to church.

Keylee and mom Easter Sunday on the way to church.

Cousins waiting patiently with there Easter bags

Look at those yummy Easter eggs!

Keylee and Grandma Linda the saturday before Easter 2009. We had so much fun when grandma came to sleep over.

Keylee in her Easter outfit getting ready to go to Easter lunch.

Meet the newest member of our family. Bailey Bell Backus. She is a pure breed Boxer puppy. We got her from American Fork. We are so excited to have her and are already having sooo much fun with her.

Keylee with her new friend.

Spring has Sprung. This is my favorite time of year down here when we get to start haning out in the yard and getting ready for the plant and garden season.

We've already planted the garden. I must say it feels wierd to start it this early,but we've learned if you don't get a head start, then it just gets too hot. We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini squash, cantalope, green beans, broccoli, onions, and beets. It is a small garden,but a good size for our small family.

These are herbs; basil, cilantro, chives, tyme, and also a jalapeno peeper plant. I just started growing herbs the last few years and what a differance it is to cook/bake with fresh herbs. If you haven't tried growing herbs before, don't be intimidated, I have found that I can use them in lots of different recipes.

Mike turned 28 years old on 3-3-09. He has me make his favorite; German Chocolate cake every year. Happy Birthday hun.

I AM SO SMART S*M*R*T. This is keylee being smart with her dads glasses on (more like smart A##). She likes to impersinate her dad. She freaks me out when she puts them on cause she looks just like him. This was the first weekend we've been home in a while so it was nice to just hang out and be silly. I love you my silly kek.

Valentines Day we drove with Mikes sis , her hubby Eric and my sweet neice Marrissa to Las Vegas to meet his other sis Carrie and her Husband Steve. They live in Montana so it was fun to get to have dinner with them and visit a while. We all try to get together at least once a year. We always have so much fun when we do.

Marissa and Eric

Keylee and her cuz Jason had fun hanging out at grandma and grandpa's while we took the trip to Vegas for the day.

Congratulations Mom and Cordell. Feb 7th 2009

So I have been a really bad blogger this last month as it has been really crazy for everyone I'm sure. I just posted some catch-up pics and will tell you what has been going on with us lately. It was a really great month. Thanksgiving was great! we had it over at my moms house and was absolutly delicious. Next was the Christmas pizza party which was also really fun. Mike's mom and step dad were sealed in the Manti Temple and he was also sealed to them along with his deceased brother Jason. It was a wonderful experiance and I am so happy for him and his family. We got tons of snow this month and keylee had lots of fun playing in it. Christmas was fun, I was able to basically take the entire week of Christmas off, so Keylee and I had fun cookin in the kitchen and getting things ready. Keylee was a pretty good girl and got what she wanted for Christmas. What can I say, we are very blessed. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Key going jeepin

Keylee on Christmas day

Keylee on Christmas Morning

Christmas dinner

me and keylee making Christmas goodies

Poor Keylee. After I got home from work I made her go stand next to her snow man
in her PJ's so I could get a pic. She sure had fun playing in the snow.


Mike and I with his parents, Gary and Jillyn,
at the Manti Temple

Keylee with Santa

Yummy Pizza

look at those handsome guys and girls

Christmas Program

Christmas Party at mom's 2008

Keylee and Mar's hanging out the morning after Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2008