Trip Home to Idaho

I was FINALLY able to make it home to Idaho with the kids for several days at the end of July/first part of August. We enjoyed beautiful weather! The highlights for the kids included feeding Willy the calf, playing "No Bears Are Out Tonight" after a hotdog roast in the backyard, playing in the sandbox, going to a rodeo and eating slushies. What a trip!

The boys ran around the yard all day! Some of Mom's flowers lining the fence
Kids' sandbox
Our little cutie, Taylor

We had fun visiting Great-Grandpa Hatch! He turns 99 years old this fall. (He still thinks he is 19 years old....). Mom's garden

(Look at how beautiful the valley is that I spent most of my childhood in)

Tractor Rides with Grandpa Hatch and Brantly were a highlight too!

Mom with the boys in front of her hollyhawks.

Time for a hotdog roast and smores! Yum!
We get to go to a rodeo? No Way!!!!!

Brantly spoiled the kids with motorbike rides, an evening at the demolation derby and even took Jaxson to the rodeo.

July 24th- Cedar Hills Celebration!

Our city holds its annual celebration each weekend of the 24th. We met at Uncle Doug's at 8:30 to go to the parade (most candy per capita) and then went back to his home for Danish abelskivers (Nielsen family tradition). We spent the afternoon at our home napping and bbqing and then went back over to Uncle Dougs for another BBQ, games and fireworks. Wonderful tradition!

Parade time with Uncle Doug and Cousin DougTaylor got to perform at the park. She did so great! She was a bit nervous but did an incredible for her 1st performance.

A.I. Pictures from my Blackberry!

So, I was just looking around on my computer and found the pictures I had tried to download from my Blackberry last week! Just wanted to make certain you all know how close we were! :O Sorry, trying not to be a brat!

My new boyfriend, David Cook :)

Kind of has monkey lips, but the kid can sing! Eat your heart out, Melissa!
I sent this picture to my friend Jen and sister Ginger during the concert to inspire them to use what they've got a bit better.....
Uncle Doug was a bit shaky when he took this only picture of David Archeleta and me. Too bad it is a bit fuzzy. By the way, I had to wait so long for this picture because of the stupid Osmonds budding in to give David all of their career "advice" and to invite him to their place etc. Run, David! Do your own thing!
This kid is so talented! I could have listened to him sing for an hour.
Tween Idol- David A

Made it to 12 weeks! Finally Relaxing A Bit!

Even though we got a heartbeat at 8 weeks with the ultrasound, I have still been so nervous about losing this pregnancy. I just haven't been sick. Hardly at all! One of my friends, Merideth, has hardly been sick too and we both discovered that our doctors put us both on Prometrium, a hormone enhancer that is supposed to improve the odds of miscarrying. Merideth relayed to me that her doctor informed her a side effect of Prometrium is less sickness during pregnancy. I kind of relaxed when she told this to me yet after weeks of feeling great, it was hard to believe that Prometrium could make me feel THAT well!

So, today at the doctor's office, they couldn't get a heartbeat with the sonar so in my mind I thought, "Here we go again- just more of life's luck dealt my way." He said not to panic- that at 12 weeks, only about 50% of heartbeats could be detected with the sonar-thing. He said, we had better do an ultrasound. Quite quickly, we were able to see the baby move, jump upward and watch the heart beat flicker. It was awesome. Dr Allen says I only have a 3% chance of a miscarriage at this point so I need to "relax and let it be" best I can. I feel just grateful and excited about this baby. Both Dave and I feel relieved at this point.It hit me tonight that I have been guarded about becoming attached to this pregnancy. I got out my books and stuff for the 1st time and just got all excited.

Bear Lake Reunion 2008

It had been a few years since we attended the Hatch reunion at Bear Lake so we were exceptionally exicted to go this year. Lamar (Dad's cousin) is always so gracious to use his timeshare at the Blue Water Resort for us to camp or use condos.

On our way to the reunion, we stopped in Logan to see my brother, Jeff. He bought a new Harley Davidson motorcycle and took me on a ride. (For those who don't know we well, I've had an obsession with Harley's for years and find them to be the sexiest mode of transportation EVER invented!) We ran over to "Charlies" for some yummy ice cream before leaving for Bear Lake.

When we arrived at Bear Lake, we took the kids down to the lake and they went crazy! The beauty about Bear Lake is that there is a ton of beach, shallow water for 50 ft or so before it drops off. The kids had a blast splashing, swimming and running through the water! We ate dinner with our cousins/family shortly thereafter and enjoyed watching the kids compete in relay races and tons of other games and activities prepared by the host family this year. We spent the night in a tent, cuddled together to keep warm! The next morning, we were given a yummy breakfast with pancakes and bacon (from the butcher block at Albertsons). We spent the day on the lake with our cousins and had a great time.

No pictures since I forgot my camera!

American Idol Concert and Post-concert Party

Uncle Doug called me on Monday to see if I wanted to go with him to the American Idol concert and post-concert party on Tuesday. It was a no-brainer for me.

Brooke White and her husband are best friends with my cousin and wife in CA. Brooke let Uncle Doug know that she would have 4 tickets in will-call for us. Imagine our excitement to be on the 2nd row! We were so close to the performers, it was amazing!

I still have some pictures to put on my blog but I can't quite figure out how to transfer my pix from my blackberry to my pictures. I have a ton of David Cook. Let me just say that he was my favorite surprise of the evening. What talent!

Some of Brooke's family seated in front of us!


Uncle Doug had the hots for Kristi Lee Cook so I have several pictures of her. Beautiful girl!

Carley was my other favorite surprise of the night! She told how she had spent the morning with Brooke White in downtown SLC and had seen the temple. Later, at the post-concert party, she was telling the people behind me that she saw the tabernacle....and had even seen Jesus! They all high-fived her and laughed!


Brooke was awesome at the piano. She is so talented.

Jason- I actually enjoyed him this evening.

Here is a chest to die for! Eat your heart out, Ginger!

David Archeleta's moment! The screams were so loud, we couldn't hear him sing until half-way through the 1st song. I seriously think I have some permanent hearing damage from being so close to the speakers and from the screams!
When we arrived at the post-concert party, I headed right for David Cook. He, as well as the other idols, were very, very gracious and sweet.


Let me add here that I am ready for eyelash extensions after seeing these gals! Notice how oily and pregnant I look already! :)

Carley was exceptionally nice and personal.
I know, Jason is prettier......
Uncle Doug is having a slight stroke......
Stay tuned for more pictures as soon as I can figure out my blackberry. Jenna, HELP!!!!!!