Equestrian Stockton

Stockton started horseback riding lessons a couple of weeks ago (My Grandpa Stringam would be so proud)! Our pediatrician recommended this as another early intervention program to help Stockton's sensory skills. He loves it and I've never seen anything so adorable! These pictures don't do it justice. Stockton seems very confident on the horse--at least he doesn't seem nervous--and exclaims, "I did it" after every command he gives, which, at this point, consists of "walk-on" and "whoa."

Glacier and Canada

As promised, here are our pictures from our trip to Canada and Glacier. We had such a great time! It was really special for me to show Clark my motherland, or I should say my mother's land, since I spent many of my childhood summer days there. Most of my mom's family have either moved down to the states or have passed away, but Canada still feels like my second home.

We mostly spent our time in the national parks. We started in Glacier National Park, which feels more like Canada than America to me, then crossed the border into Waterton, then up to Banff National Park, then to my mother's hometown of Lethbridge, and then home through Cardston. We did so much in seven days--I'm still recovering--but it was so awesome!

Exciting News!

Hello everyone! Sorry for the absence. We have been in Canada the last eight days. I thought it was time for Clark to finally see my roots. It was such a neat trip! Both of us needed a vacation, too. I'll post more about it later with our pictures.

Just a couple days before we left on our trip, we had some exciting things happen with Clark's work. For those of you who don't know, Clark works with his dad and brothers running a website that schedules referees for games. Assigners from rec. leagues to college conferences use their website. Well, the company was just sold to the NCAA! This deal has been in the making for a few months now, but was just made official a week ago Thursday. Clark is really excited about this! He had fun going back to Indianapolis and meeting the NCAA's president and CFO. Everything has been very positive so far and Clark thinks that this will be a very good thing. Now, I will have a lot easier time explaining what my husband does for a living: Clark works in officiating for the NCAA. It sounds prestigious, doesn't it?!

The Garden House of Cedar City

Clark and I have some secret ambitions to retire in the next ten years and move to Cedar City. That may seem shocking to most of you--what is in Cedar City after all? Honestly, not much, but that is one reason we love it. It is kind of a small town, but still has most conveniences. Only 40 minutes from St. George, 2 hours from Las Vegas, 3 hours from Salt Lake--so not completely in the boondocks. It is home to the Utah Shakespearean Festival, in which my family annually participates. And, it is also home to The Garden House of Cedar City, this cute little house turned restaurant. They have the best soups and sandwiches ever!

Yesterday, Clark had business in Cedar City and suggested that I tag along. At first, the idea didn't sound appealing--I didn't really want to drive there and back in one day--but, I decided that the chance to go to The Garden House was worth it. That may sound a little extreme. Who really drives three hours to go to a restaurant (Christine, you're the exception)? But, it was worth every minute. Clark and and I had the best time together. We dropped Stockton off at Grandma Ginger's and had the whole quiet trip just to talk! My spirits were definitely lifted for the day. It was the perfect trip on a whim!

A Fun Activity

I serve in the Young Women's presidency in my ward and I love it! I work with the best women and they have become some of my favorite people. I love them! Last week, we had the opportunity to get our pictures taken in front of the temple (oh, the wonderful advantages of having a photographer for a brother). It was such a neat activity--the girls were wonderful and the pictures are awesome!

Labor Day Luau Turned Into Rock Band Party

I married into one of the most happy-go-lucky families (very different from the Howes in any case). Not much can get the Evans family down and that proved to be the case yet again on Labor Day. We had planned to have a Luau, but the storm this last weekend put a bit of a snag in those plans. So, what do you do on Labor Day during a thunderstorm? Rock Band. I really wish I had the video camera with me because you won't be able to understand how funny this was. Everyone had the chance to exhibit their musical talents, which, if truth be told, aren't too impressive. It was a fun night, to say the least.

LeAnn, Spencer, Matt, and Chad

Brooklyn, Scout, Robyn, and Lily