Football Season Begins!

This is Kyle's first year playing football for a city team. I had always thought he was too little to play, but was told otherwise. We signed him up to play through the Richmond Beach Jr. League Football. He had an amazing season. Played several positions throughout the season, but his team played the whole season without losing a game. They even won the championship game. He loved playing and can't wait for next year.

September 2008 - Canning Season Begins!

This is just the beginning of a full month of canning. I had offered to teach family and friends how to home preserves. This is one of my all-time favorite things to do. I love canning season. Peaches, pears, applesauce, apple-pie filling, tomatoes, jam's, jellies, syrups... I do it all. I usually reserve the church kitchen and invite several friends and family to join me and that's where the party begins. I've been canning my entire life. Something my parents used to do every year on my birthday weekend. Never failed. As a young child, that's how I knew it was time for school to start. It's a lost art. Not many people do it anymore. Not necessarily cost effective for some (for me it is) but the fruit is delicious and loved by everyone.

August 2008 - Anniversary Month

August 13th, Ryan and I celebrated 20-years of marriage. On a whim, we decided to fly to Las Vegas that following weekend and visit our best friends who were vacationing. It was almost a dare I guess. They invited us, but didn't think we would actually go through with it. Guess what, surprise! Had tons of fun. We even stayed with my Aunt to help keep the costs down. It was fun becoming re-aquinted with her. We really were't there very long. I think from the time we left our home in Seattle to the time we returned it was 56 hours all together. By far the quickest trip we've ever made anywhere. We didn't even check in lagguage!

Then the following weekend, we decided to go to the Jack Johnson concert at the Gorge. That was a new experience for us. Not only to see a concert, but to get Ryan to actually go camping. I've been trying to get him to go for years. I think he might even admit to having fun. We went with some co-workers from Watchguard. Also, another quick weekend. Left Friday morning and came back Sunday afternoon. Way too long of a drive just to camp for such a short time. I'd love to return back to that camp ground, if we could take the kids and spend a week.

Salt Lake City

On Wednesday, we made the drive into SLC while Ryan stayed at the hotel and worked all day. (That's a whole different story) Anyways, we took the Utah Trax into town and it dropped us off right in front of the Temple. We enjoyed the Joseph Smith Memorial building, visited and shopped the distribution center and watched the movie in the theatre. I was a beautiful day but I was extremely sore because I hadn't had my massage yet.

Seven Peaks - Provo, UT

Tuesday morning, we headed to the water park. That was crazy. They actually had a film crew there that day, filming for Highschool Musical a Disney Production. We had to wait in lines everywhere while the film crew tried to get the shots they needed. Trust me, I was never close enough that I have to worry about being seen in my bathing suit!
You see that huge orange slide that has a complete drop? Trust me....don't go on it, you will injure yourself in more places then I care to mention. I ended up having to get a massage the next day because I hurt my neck to bad. Couldn't move it for almost 24-hours. That's me going down the slide.
My brother David and daughter Maddie on the water slide.
For the price, we got our monies worth. Next time we'll bring our own food into the park. That's where they get ya.

Time with Lorrin and Wendy

So after the BBQ at David's we drove to Sandy, UT to visit Ryan's brother Lorrin. Can you see the resemblence? I've always enjoyed spending time with Lorrin and Wendy. We go way back. They used to be our neighbor's when we lived at the funeral home. They were newly weds back then. They now have 3-children, Ivy, Paige and 1-year old Jacob who was asleep when I took this picture. Good times. Love you Lorrin and Wendy. Thanks for a fun night;)

Family Vacation to Utah - Pre Reunion

We arrived in Utah on Saturday, July 26th. Arriving 1-week early for the family reunion so we could attend church and the blessing of my brother's new son, Sam. It was really cool to have all the family there to support this special day. Afterwards, we went to my brother's for a BBQ and enjoyed the afternoon with my grandpa. As you can see, grandpa and Kyle were having fun husking the corn. The photo with all the boys is a 4-generation photo with my grandfather, my dad, my brother and the first "Lassen" great grandson. Thanks David for carrying on the last name, we knew we could count on you:)

The other photo is a picture of my parents and all my siblings.