Good Old Sinclair

On the 9th of this month...it will be two years since Dad passed away. I stopped at the Sinclair on 54th South 9th East on my way back from a meeting. I couldn't help but think of my dad. I have fond memories of that station, as my dad took me here several times when I would go to work with him. Dad was a regional manager for Sinclair Oil and had stations all over intermountain region. I have a picture somewhere at home where I'm sitting right here in front of the station driving a Go-Kart.

This is also one of the stations that all of us "P-Kids" would mow lawns during the summer. I remember being so humiliated that I had to mow lawns. I remember thinking, "I will just die if anyone I know sees me mowing lawn!" How silly is that! Sad, but true. We mowed lawns for my dads service stations for two or maybe three summers that I can remember. I was so sad to find out that Sinclair has closed several of their stores. I have so many memories of the "little green Dino". I even bought a coffee mug (for hot chocolate people) that says Sinclair on it to keep at my desk at work. When I went into the service station the clerk told me that she remembered my dad. She's worked there for 15 years and waiting to find out if the Holding kids are selling her store. I felt sad. I'm now scrambling to buy a green blow up Dino for Jaxon...just in case they close everything. For today, it was a fond memory of my dad. I'm sure he didn't always love his job, but he made his kids feel like it was important to him, and he worked hard. I appreciate him for showing me that.

Santa's Christmas Surprise 2009

I know this is a little late in posting... But I've just got to put this in here! We had a Ward Christmas Party last December & Santa came to visit. It happened to be the night of my dads birthday, so it seemed like an even more special day. Jaxon knew exactly what he wanted...

He closed his eyes and made a wish...

And he asked Santa for... A Puppy. He told John and I all December long that all he wanted for Christmas was 1-His family back (John and I were work on our marriage, and were bringing our family back together), and 2-A Puppy. Last year we had two pure bread Golden Retrievers. Unfortunately due to several circumstances (surgery, separation, finances, and soforth) we had to give them away, and they found a new home. "Santa" called me and told me that our dogs had a puppy and wanted to know if we were ready for one.

When we got home from the Christmas Party there was something waiting for Jaxon under the Christmas tree. I love how big his eyes are in this picture!

He opened the box...with dad's help of course.

And was so surprised that Santa had brought him an early Christmas present.

This little guy's name is BUDDY.

I felt like a million dollars that night. Jaxons punch stained smile was from ear to ear for days!

Notice the wii remotes are off to the side, and Jaxon has a new toy to play with!

Jaxon & Buddy.

Jaxon's best Christmas surprise ever! We had a wonderful Christmas that we spent together as a family. I am happy to say that we were officially a family again, and Jaxon had another best friend. It was truly wonderful, and we were very blessed!

St.George Historic Square

What do you do when it rains in St. George? Go to Fiesta of Fun of course!

Jaxon said, "this looks like my dad!"

John won, yea, that's right, won...our game of air hockey, so his reward was riding in the moving school bus. That will teach him to win me again! Hee hee!

We went to Judd's Candy Store.

Me & Jaxon were in heaven! They have the best bread bowls, bread sticks & chicken noodle soup. YUMMY!

John & Jaxon outside the Tabernacle.

I love the chandeliers.

We have been to St. George so many times, that we decided to take the church history tour. We had a wonderful time learning about the tabernacle.

I loved Brigham Young's summer home. I love the wrap around porch on the two levels. I just love old houses.

I want to put an archway like this in my backyard.

John and I also checked out the Green Gate Village Bed & Breakfast. It's so cute! We have another St. George getaway planned now!

Did I tell you that I LOVE old houses?

These were all the types of root beer that Judd's had in the cooler. I felt like an alcoholic in a liquor store. And no, I didn't buy any. I've been off soda for 7 months now!

Jaxon found this old fire truck in the historic district. I couldn't help but tell him to get into the front seat.

Life is good!

Family Fishing Expo - St. George 2010

We spent all day fishing in Southern Utah. We went to Baker Dam, and two other city fishing ponds in St. George (skyline & tawa ponds). Jaxon had a blast. Fish & Game just stocked all the lakes & ponds so we had plenty of good bites, and a few good keepers. Jaxon broke his "big boy" fishing pole, so I ran to Target and bought a little Buzz Lightyear toy fishing pole. Charlie came out with us, and we all had a great time!

Jaxon & his temporary fishing pole.

Jaxon fishing Tawa Pond.

The fishing boys.

Charlies "best catch" of the night!

This was hilarious!

This crawfish even bit Charlie... I think... Or he just acted like it did!

Chuck's other catch!

John and Jaxon started wondering what was going on, and why they hadn't caught anything yet.

John helped Jaxon understand that fishing takes "patience, and hard work".

It started to pay off...

Jaxon reeled in the biggest fish of the night.

It was decent size for the Tawa pond.

I thought Jax would be traumatized from watching John hit the fish (it swallowed the hook so he had to put it out of it's misery).

He was proud of his catch.

He still wouldn't put his fingers in the gills to carry it.

But he had a good time joking around.

The nights catch! My little fisherman!

Zions Canyon April 2010

We gave away what was supposed to be our vacation week in Maui so we decided to take off to somewhere tropical...in Utah...and St. George / So. Utah was as close as we were going to get. We spent a whole day in Zions. I think next time we'll stay at the lodge. We went on all the hikes that we could take Jaxon on. He had a blast, but is too young to hike Angels Landing.

Me & Jaxon ready to hike the Emerald Pool Trails.

Jaxon & Dad.

Here's Jaxon showing us how tough he is. Of course, he has his famous "walking stick".

The Lower Falls.

Me under the lower falls.

Jaxon & John by the Lower Falls.

Me & Jaxaroonies by the lower falls. April is the perfect time to visit Zions. Just watch for flash floods because they had a few while we were there. The weather is perfect though!

Not every parent would let their child take his shoes off and walk along the slippery, mossy, water about ten feet from a thousand foot water drop off... But we did. Jaxon had a blast. We kept careful eye on him and he played with the other kids above the falls.

The water was "freezing", said Jaxon!

See the underwear and shorts in the background! LOL, I told you there were other kids with their shoes off, and some with their pants off too!

Jaxon at the top of the Upper Falls.

"Boom, Boom, Firepower!"

Now there's a HOTTIE!

Jaxon at the Upper Falls.

After Emerald Falls we went to Weeping Rock. It's a super easy, annoyingly easy hike, but what a beautiful site.