Moving and Other Stuff

Well, I decided it is definately time for a new post...I am going to have to put Dean in charge of keeping up on this blogging business, because I am not very good at it! But, here's to another effort from me.
Our family has had a lot of changes over the last few months. Most importantly, we want to congratulate Carson on his new walking skills...just in time for nursery! Way to go champ. To his credit, he was a very fast crawler!

I guess the next biggest new thing for us is our move to Utah. In the beginning of February, Dean's company unexpectedly closed their Phoenix office. Dean started looking for another job, and had some prospects, but then he got an offer he couldn't refuse! Dean's parents bought an online sporting goods business (robbinssports.com) in May, and they asked Dean to come work with them. Yes, it is completely different from what Dean has been doing before, and there is going to be a big learning curve for all of us, but we are really excited about this opportunity. We are especially grateful for the feelings of peace and comfort that we have been blessed with along the way. The last few months we have been very grateful for prayer and the direction we can recieve through it.

So, here we are in Utah. The move was hard because we really loved Arizona and the friends we had there. I am so glad we were able to live in Gilbert for a few years and be around so many good people! I especially miss my sister Diane, there are almost 10 years between us and so I was off at college while she was still young. But we became really close while we both lived there, and I was thankful to her for being an amazing aunt to my kids- they adore and miss her!Initially, we moved into Dean's parents home while we looked for a home. A few weeks into moving there, we found out there was a couple in the stake who were leaving to be mission president in Brazil in just two weeks. They were planning on having their son live in their home while they were away, but at the last minute he was unable to transfer his job to Utah, so they were looking for someone to rent and take care of their home. It all worked out and we just moved into their home last week. We are excited to be in an area that we love. Lanie will go to kindergarten at the same elementary school Dean went to. Once again, we are grateful to feel like we have been looked after. Dean loves the job and working with his parents.

As for our summer, we had a really fun 4th of July. My Dad and brother, Steven, came to town for a wedding and stayed with us. We stayed up late playing pool (and for the record, I beat Steven) and visiting. Dean's sister, Brittany, came up with her family. We all have fun going to the parade and playing outside. Autumn got pink eye so I got to spend the evening at the quick care with her.

Dean, his Dad (also Dean), and Carson watching the parade

Me with my Dad and the kiddos

Lanie and Autumn with their cousins Ellie and Hannah Sparklers....Lanie was very careful to hold them far away from herself
A cute patriot
A few weeks ago I did the Jordanelle Sprint Triathlon. It was my first open water swim so I was pretty scared. I did a practice swim a few days before up there, and I had a hard time concentrating on swimming instead of how deep and dark the water was, but on the day of the tri I really tried to control my thoughts and it helped a lot. I had a great time and am excited to do another one sometime! The course was so beautiful, I guess everything up by Park City is. My sunglasses broke right when I was getting ready, so Dean let me wear his- thanks hon!
Getting ready for the swim
Bike transition
My support group (minus Dean)

Almost at the finish lineDone!
In June our family also went to the Thunderbirds airshow. We had never been to one before, and we loved it!