Busy, Busy, Busy

Our Family

The most amazing picture EVER!!!!

Well, we have been so busy lately in this Ewell Household. As most of you know, we went to Mexico again in April. We took the kids, and it was AMAZING!!!! We also have been doing baseball practices, games and still dealing with school, homework & all the other duties that we all have to do! Needless to say, it is EXHAUSTING, but a blessing at the same time.

The boys are doing good. They are getting excited that school is almost out for the summer. It is hard to believe that Eastyn is going to be in 8th grade and Cadyn 6th.... Where has the time gone?

Gareth is still hard at work at SunRoc. He just received another promotion!!!! I know, 3 promotions in a year, I think they might just like him ;)

I am still at the theatres, they keep me busy as always. We are now into our busy time, so I have long days, but at least I have an understanding family (well, for the most part).

I promise that I will try to update more often....

Loves

Merry Christmas

Why is it that men don't like to get their pictures taken? Why is it that when you are in the middle of getting said pictures taken do your children go into laughing attacks? These were my questions last week when we did our family pictures!

Most of you know that we don't get family pictures taken too often (Gareth HATES getting pictures done), so why is it that when you do go get them, everyone is off their rockers? Shouldn't we just be able to sit still for 5 minutes and smile normal?

Well, not us Ewells. The boys were on the verge of peeing their pants from laughing so hard. Gareth had his "Are we done yet" smile on his face, and I was just trying to stay still and not slide down the hill from all the leaves!

So, needless to say half our pictures are "black mail if you make mom mad" pictures, but we did seem to actually get some good ones!

A big "Thank You" to my friend/photographer Kari for having enough patience to deal with my crazy family.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

Friends

Ever wonder what your life would be like if you didn't have your friends in your lives? Sitting here with my boys, watching them play with their friends, it makes me wonder what it would be like if we didn't have any friends.

I don't know about all of you out there, but my friends are not just friends, they are family! It doesn't matter how long it has been since we have seen/talked to each other- I know that they will always be apart of my life. I don't know what I would do without my friends. Yes, I do know... I would be a lonely old lady, lol

Watching my boys with their friends is so much fun! Hearing their laughter (best sound in the world), watching them learn new games.... It takes me back to when I was younger!

*Flashback moment*

I remember walking to my friends house, riding bikes/scooters, talking on the phone. We would walk down the street singing at the top of our lungs, like we were famous or something. Nothing could tear us apart.

Back then life seemed to go by so slowly. We didn't have a care in the world, or a worry! We could just play- and that is what we did :) We would make up dances, put on plays- we did anything and everything that we could think of! Everyday... Whether we did the same thing or something new, we were always together.

*Back to reality*

Spending time with my friends now is not an every day occurrence, but when we do get together, it is simply wonderful! Of course now we are older, and more sophisticated- we only sing at the top of our lungs in the privacy of our homes or cars (or movie theatres), but we still know how to have a good time.

So, to all my friends old and new... I don't know what I would do without you! I appreciate you all more then you will ever know! To my handsome little boys, remember not to take your friends for granted. Remember to let them know you enjoy hanging out with them... And most of all... Enjoy your youth!!!!!

Sand Volleyball

On Sunday we decided that we were going to be an active family (like my boys aren't active enough, lol). We invited some friends over for a BBQ that we hadn't seen for awhile, and Mrs. Kari & Kamree joined us, and we went and played Sand Volleyball.

This itself maybe isn't that interesting... But... What I am about to tell you, might just make you pee your pants !!! LOL

We get to the park, took off our shoes, put our feet in the sand (Kari & I were in HEAVEN) and split up into 2 teams. Well, I guess you can't say split up, it was basically Brian, Gareth, Cadyn, Donvyn on one team, Kari, Kamree, Karen, Eastyn and I on another.

We were playing minding our own business, having fun... Then we started getting serious *drama music*

The boys were diving, running into eachother. Cadyn decided to pick on Kari. She was playing in the middle and he would serve to her everytime. She was diving, falling, stretching and at one point, she decided to give her knees a rest and just say down in the sand. She was kicking some butt! She finally had enough and switched sides with Gareth. Well, this maybe wasn't the smartest Idea, since Gareth and Brian are way to aggresive,lol . Everyone had sand in places that it wasn't supposed to be in. lol.

Well, okay... You didn't pee your pants, but we have decided to go play every weekend (probably Saturday afternoons), so if anybody would like to join us, let me know!!

I wanna go back where it's WARM!!!!

So, I know that you are all having Ewell Blog withdrawls, lol - So, I thought I would give you all an update on our Christmas Vacation in Can Cun!!!

It started out on the drive to Vegas, Kari- being the wonderful friend that she is, was nice enough to drive us down, so we didn't have to leave our car in Vegas. (Thank you Kari) As we were driving, Gareth's dad called and wanted to meet up to have dinner so he could give the boys their Christmas presents. Well, he decided that we would all meet at In & Out Burger. Kari, not really a fan of In & Out told Gareth that there was a Hooters close by and that we should eat there. Well, Cadyn asked "What is Hooters?"- I thought Kari was going to have a heart attack! Then out of the blue, Eastyn- My sweet little Eastyn whispered to Cadyn "Boobies", LOL.... I thought we were all going to pee our pants!!!

Well, the following morning, around 3:45am, we got on the shuttle to the airport. Here is a picture of the boys, yeah they were excited (can't you tell?)...
We got on the plane- Gareth & Cadyn in one row, and Eastyn and I in another. Eastyn didn't look to good. He was very nervous and I was just praying that he didn't throw up! To my delight, he made it through the first flight without any problems. Good job Easty! When we landed in Denver we met up with my sister and Leesa, to board the next plane to get to Mexico.

We finally landed in Mexico around 4:00Pm... Here is a picture of the boys outside the Can Cun airport.
When we got to the resort, we decided to just walk around and find out where everything was, and just get the lay of the land. Over the next week, we played Sand Volleyball, Football, Swam, hung out with our new friends, went on a pirate cruise and just enjoyed spending time with eachother.

Here are some more pictures for your enjoyment











Well, the day that we left, was a very interesting day! We were rear-ended on the way to the airport, our flight from Denver to Vegas was canceled due to McCarran Airport being closed for SNOW, yes you heard me right.... Snow!!!!! We had to get a hotel and the following day we spent 13 hours at the Denver airport waiting for our flight.... Super Fun!!!! (A big thanks to Jeff & Brandi for picking us up at 3 in the morning!)

Think about this and don't hurt yourself!

Ok Kari! Are you happy now???? LOL.... I didn't start the blog with "As I sit here".

So, my crazy brain was thinking about Christmas (UGH...) and I wanted to tell you all about the phone conversation I had with my mother-in-law yesterday.

As most of you know, we are taking a family vacation for Christmas. We are going to give the boys their "present" when we get to where we are going. Well, yesterday I informed Stacey that we were not going to be putting up a tree this year, as we are celebrating Christmas on our trip.....

Well, needless to say, she was not happy about this decision. She said that she was going to get with Kari, and they were going to decorate my house and put up the tree while we are gone.

So, here is my question..... Who else is going to help decorate? LMAO

It's not that we are being total scrooges, but- wouldn't that be harder for the boys to have a Christmas tree in the house, knowing that they already got their gifts? I don't know... So, I am asking for advice (yes, me Holly, is asking for advice- Crazy I know)!

Hurry though.... We only have 14 days before we leave!

Oh, how I love the weekends!!!

First of all, I would like to thank all of the Veterans that have given us the opportunity to be where we are today. Without you brave soldiers we wouldn't be here! Happy Veterans Day!!

Ok, so this past weekend was Gareth's birthday. He was playing in a softball tournament in Mesquite, so I decided that we could celebrate down there by watching him play, and then going to kick back at the lounge! So, I packed up, called some friends and we headed to Mesquite!

And that is where it all happened...............

We are at the games, the first game to be exact, and Gareth's team is up to bat, first inning...Foul ball..... CRASH....... Yep, that was my car it hit!!!!!!

So, as I am walking over to survey my car, thinking that I am going to have one hell of a dent on my roof, or the side of my car.... that is when I saw his face!!! Another ball player walking to his car to move it, so it didn't get hit.... He had this "Deer in the headlights" look on his face. I knew it wasn't going to be good. I get up to my car, and I saw it!!!!!!







Oh yeah.... That is my back window!!!!! The ball went through one side and out the other! *Super Fun*

So, Meg, Dave & I left the ball fields and went to vacuum up all the damage, got me some beer to calm my nerves and went back to the game. The good news is at least Gareth's team won!!

At this point I was starving, so we left Gareth at the games and went back to the hotel to eat at Dennys! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS!!!!! I don't know if it was the food, stress or what, but I got sick right after eating there! (No, it wasn't alcohol induced- I only had 1 beer)

Yeah, not so much the weekend I envisioned!!!!!!!!

*11/12/08 UPDATE:
So, I forgot to mention one of the funny things about this - While at Wal-Mart taping up the back window, someone actually asked "Did your window break?" without hesitation Dave replied back, "Nope, we just wanted to tape the back window up for privacy!"..... HERE'S YOUR SIGN!!!

Follow Up

So, I know that you are all wondering if I have even started de-cluttering my house. Well, I am happy to report that I have. Yes, I Holly, have finally started! Yesterday I attacked my childrens bedroom (this was a task in itself). We went through 10 garbage bags, but we did it.

We threw away all broken toys, toys that had missing parts, and clothes that didn't fit anymore. You can not image how much crap boys can store in their rooms, lol. Of course, my boys didn't enjoy the process as much as I did, but in the end... I think they were okay with it.

Now, for a little update on the lives of the Ewells...

For those of you that haven't heard, Gareth got a promotion at work. He is now Sales Manager for the Mesquite plant. This with the promotion he got not long ago, of being over the St. George Plant, has kept him pretty busy, but he is really enjoying it.

The boys are adjusting well to school. We have finished the 1st quarter and are on a pretty good schedule. Yes, we fight regarding homework, but they know that if they don't get it done, they get the wrath of dad, lol.

As for me, nothing really new, just loving life.

Clutter

So, today we are going to talk about clutter. I have come to realize that my home & life are very cluttered!

I started to look around the house and saw that we have a lot of "junk". Stuff that I don't even think we have thought about or even used in over a year. For example.... Sheets, I have so many sheets that we haven't used in forever. Blankets, and more blankets. Coffee cups, that have NEVER been used, things like that.

So, now I am on a mission. My mission is to declutter my life & my house! Yes I know what you are all thinking, that I have said this before... BUT... I already started by cleaning out the fridge. (Hey, it is a start, lol)

Well, wish me luck and if I don't see any of you for the next month, then I'm sorry, but I am decluttering!!!! LOL

(Oh, and I have to declutter the kids room, ugh...)

Concrete!

I am a little late on this post, but thought you all would like to see the improvements Gareth made to our yard. Yes we finally have our concrete done!

Yes that is Kari! She was a trooper and at our house by 7:30am (I know, WOW)

Gareth working hard!

Kamree helping her mom!

Our pad finished! Thanks Babe, Kari & Kam

Congratulations Justin & Annie

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction~ Antoine De Saint-Exupery

So, this weekend my very good friend Justin got married... We all went to Defa's Dude Ranch in Ashley National Park (near Kamas). We spent the weekend relaxing and just having a great time.

Here are some of our very fun, and very interesting pictures.... Congrats Justin & Annie... We love you guys...

Bill, Carley & Brandon

Cody and I

Gareth & Jontae

Leesa

Daron

Justin watching Annie walk down the aisle

Annie

Jamie, Gareth & Janet

Jason & Annalisa

Carley, Me, Jamie, Tiffany & Daron

Jamie and I

Me and Brandon

Justin with the Mayor of Kamas

The heart on the Mountain

Gareth & I

Justin and Dave the night before the wedding

Daron & Justin

Daron, Gareth and Justin

Me, Daron and Jamie

Aunt Vickie

Annie and her Padre

Cheers to the happy couple (Annie's mom, Stepdad are on the right)

Stormy, Jim & Jamie...Dancing the night away

Annalisa and Breanna

Jesse

Gareth & Brandon playing horse shoes

Miss Kenna & Grandma

Mother of the groom, doesn't she look so happy?

Jamie

Carley

Justin and Dave (Annie's padre)

Leesa playing horse shoes with the boys

The hard core biker with the skaters shoes (Daron)

This was on the wall in the Saloon.....