Life In The Country With Cody & Michele

2010-12-07T21:34:00.001-07:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Brad Paisley Concert!!!!

2010-10-19T14:20:00.001-06:00

This Fall we got to go see Brad Paisley!!! It was so fun spending the night with everyone and listening to good music! Thanks for the laughs and the memories!

Mom & Lisa

Can you say WHITE TRASH! I could not stop laughing! Cody pretended like I was taking a picture of him so I could get this pic! People just make me laugh!

Jamie and Cody...so fun to be around siblings!

Cotton Candy! Yummy! Sugar High!!!

The Crew!

Brad doing his thing! He is so dang good at playing that guitar!!

Hiking Timp with my AMAZING Dad!

2010-10-15T11:15:00.000-06:00

My Dad and I went on this hike this last Wednesday! I have to tell you my Dad is AMAZING! He is currently on Dialysis and still is hiking mountains! He is an inspiration to us all! We had so much fun spending the day together...just laughing and telling old stories!

Dad hiking up the trail, with the beautiful moutains in the back ground!

Taking our first big break!

Zoey our little trooper! She loves to be a mountain dog every now and again!

Dad's find of the day...look at those glasses! Dad is always finding things...and good things!

Hiking with Dad and Mom...

2010-10-15T10:53:00.000-06:00

We went Hiking up to Julie Andrews Meadow on Monday and had so much fun!
We even got snowed on while we were hiking! The leaves were so beautiful and it was
so fun spending time with my parents! I love the seasons in Utah!

Such cute Parents I have!

PhilLoo Family Pictures 2010

2010-09-29T15:30:00.000-06:00

This is the first time our family has been together in 5 years or so...it was so good to be together, even though it was for some sad things...we still loved being together! Thanks Kylee for taking such wonderful pics!!! These are just a few of them...but we are all very happy with the way they turned out! It's AMAZING to see how much our little family has grown!

PhilLoo Family Reunion in Florida 2010

2010-09-28T23:50:00.001-06:00

Here's the pictures you have been waiting for Jamie and Josie...your brother swimming in the ocean and crab hunting!
We had a blast and can't wait to go again next year!!!

March came and went...

2010-04-02T07:12:00.006-06:00

I was able to go home for a few days in March to spend with my family. It was so fun! Just being home and spending time with them is great! We went snow shoeing one day and then just hung out the rest of the time. Here are a few pics!

Mom and I snowshoeing!

Me posing for a pic with the beautiful mountains!

Dad taking a rest!

Dad tackling Mom in the snow...

Dad and I

Dad and Mom

Mom being a goob as always...

I was able to go to my brothers indoor soccer game while I was in Utah...so fun!

Jared and Joe after the game...they won!!!

Brianna and I...love that little girl!

Dad, Mom and Ashley cheering on the team!

Our birthdays are so fun...we get to celebrate them together! So here are a few pictures of our cake/pie!

The pig and horse were on my cake! Loved it!

Cody's favorite pie...apple...made by our wonderful Aunt Nila!

A close up of my cake...isn't it so cute!

Me with my cake...I loved my cake! And it was so yummy! Thanks Meranda and Aunt Nila!

All and all we had a good March...and it's June now...so you can tell how busy we have been! More posts to come...I just don't have a lot of time on my hands these days!

What we've been up too in February...

2010-03-01T07:16:00.009-07:00

We were able to have a wonderful trip up to Frisco, Colorado...paid for by Encore Electric...since Cody had a job to do up there...it was so great! These mountain pics are the only ones I got...but they are beautiful!!! Both of these were taken right from our Hotel...one from the front office and one from our window...so pretty!!! HOUSE PROJECTS WENT UNDERWAY AGAIN... WE HAD A GREAT VALENTINE WEEKEND... Saturday Night we went to Red Lobster with our Friends Dave & Erica Garner, then we attended a ward Valentine Party and danced the night away...we have decided we are going to take dancing lessons...So Fun! Then Sunday was just a fabulous day...Cody spoiled me wrotten...He cooked me dinner and took care of all the animals all weekend! I have the best husband ever! WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL VISITOR IN OUR GARDEN... He finished off our cabbage leaves and broccoli leaves...Yummy to his tummy!! AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...WE GOT CHICKS!!! 12 OF THEM... Our friends the Garners went in on them with us, so they could have eggs too! The three kids got to pick out their very own chicks and name them! It was fun watching how excited they got to hold them! So now the chicks are living in our kitchen area for a while, until they get big enough to kick them outside! It's fun hearing the little peeps coming out of them! Zoey wondering what they heck these things are...she is actually scared of them! Jacob holding his chick...Chicky Chicky Joseph holding his chick...Gilbert Katherine holding her chick...Herminie All three of the kids excited to have chicks!

Halley Family Pictures

2010-01-31T07:25:00.004-07:00

So I know my wonderful Sister-in-Law's already posted a bunch of pics on their blogs...but I just had to for two reasons...I loved the way the turned out...Thanks Kylee! And the second reason...we had to move the tribute to Buddy down...I get sad everytime I look at it!
We really did have a fun time taking the Family pictures this last December...even though it was freezing cold outside, we had a good time taking them! The kids were all really good sports...and so were the adults!
Thanks for taking the pictures Kylee...they turned out great!

Dad & Mom...they're so stinking cute!

Cody & I

All the girls...love this one...turned out really good!

The Grandkids...so cute!

My favorite family pic! Like the barn behind us!

Me, Josie, & Jamie! Love this pic, because this Christmas we got to know eachother a lot better then we have in the past 3 years...so this will always remind me of what amazing new sister's I have!

The Original Hally Family! What a great photo!

A TRIBUTE TO MR. BUDDY HEAD

2010-01-13T14:43:00.007-07:00

MR. BUDDY HEAD HALLEY
-JANUARY 19, 2007 TO JANUARY 11, 2010-

Our sweet Buddy was taken from us this last Monday night...never did we think we would lose him so soon! Both Cody & I loved that dog so much! He has been apart of our lives since we became a family. It has been hard to not have his happy little self around. He always was so excited to see you and always had his tail going 100 mph whenever you came home! We are just grateful to have been able to have so many great memories with him...he truly was our best friend and loved us so much too!

He was a good dog...the BEST dog...he will never be replaced!

WE LOVE YOU BUDDY! AND WILL MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY!

~Christmas With The Phillips Family~

2009-12-30T19:48:00.008-07:00

Christmas with our Phillips family was so much fun! We were able to play lots and lots of games, watch the Utes bowl game, play ping pong, eat lots of yummy food and treats, and just enjoy eachothers company! We had such a good time with everyone...lots of memories made and lots more to make! So many fun times! And good laughs!!! I think the best memory I will have is watching Dad and Mom open their present from their kids...they were so happy! And then to see Mom throw the money in the air...it was great! Christmas time is so great! Loved our time with the family...missed Ryan, Windy, Caitlin, and Brittany...Can't wait for May!!!

UTE DAY...GO JOE!!! WAHOO!!!

Brianna looking cute as ever supporting her Uncle Joe!!!

Grandma and Sydney...so stinking cute!

Can I tell you how much I love this pic...love this little girl!!!

Grandma playing with Brianna...had fun babysitting!

Me playing the pony for the girls...too much fun! I love being an Aunt...and since I don't get to be one in person very often...I love the time I have!

The Whole Ute Clan...it was such a fun Bowl game with the Phillips Family!

Sydney and her stick horse from Uncle Cody, took a little while to get how to ride it, but she got it and it was the cuttest thing ever!

Brianna loved her blanket and monkey towel from Aunt Ashley...so cute!

Grandma got a cute pic box and some jewelry from Brianna

WEIRDO!!! That's all that needs to be said!

Dad got some really nice UofU gloves from Jared

Jared got a nice new shirt from Dad...he's going to look handsome in the color!

Angie got a cute new U hat from Joe

Joe got a pic/puzzle from Michele...put that together myself...Dad and Cody built the frame.

Ashley got a shoe holder, socks, and some things for your feet...

Dad and Mom opening there present from their Kids...Looking at all the money...

Mom couldn't resist throwing all the bills in the air...she was so happy!

Cody got a nice shirt and new hat from Mom...handsome isn't he?!?!?

Weirdo's together...man I love my little brother!!!

One of my favorite pics of the trip...Love this Sydney!

~Christmas with the Halley Family~

2009-12-30T17:16:00.006-07:00

This Christmas was so much fun! We were able to make it to Utah for 8 whole days! We loved every minute of it and had so much fun with our Halley Family! Here are a few pics of the things we were able to do and the memories we were able to make!
Love you all very much! Can't wait to see you again!!!

Grandpa Halley wearing his UTE shirt that we gave him for Christmas! He was so happy to have it...wore it around all night long! Glad I have connections at the U to make him so happy!

Ashley, Brandon, Cody, and Meranda at the Halley Christmas Party! We had fun!

Brighten holding her little brother Cooper...what a good big sister! Love them both so much!

Uncle Cody and Easton by the ledge...Easton was sitting up there because he was a little afraid of Zoey, but he warmed up to her and by the end of the night he wanted to lead here with her leash...

Grandpa Lee with the Grandkids...yes Zoey is considered a Grandkid in this family, since we have turned into the weird dog people...it was so fun spending time at Travis and Jamies Beautiful home!!!

Josie gave me the cuttest YEEHAW ornament...loved it!

Brighten with her Snowman head from Michele...she loved it!

Cody got Mom an ornament that says, "First Born, Mom's Favorite"...it was a hit!

Easton gave Cody a Shrek...who Farts and Belches! Too Funny!

Silblings...does there need to be more said???!!!???

Cody with our Favorite Aunt Lisa! Love her!

Our little family in front of the tree...

Easton & I being silly...gotta love him!

What a great Christmas! We really had such a blast! Wish we lived Closer!!!

U of U vs. CSU...Go UTES!!!

2009-10-28T09:33:00.002-06:00

My little brother plays for the University of Utah and we have been lucky enough to go to a game or two! He is so talented and I am so proud of him and all of his accomplishments! We were able to have some of my family out to our place to watch the CSU game...it was a good one and Joe did so great! It was also fun to spend time with my Brother Jared and his family. Good times! And some Great Memories!

GO JOE! GO #39!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Jeppy came to visit!!!!

2009-10-28T09:21:00.002-06:00

So my dear friend and sister came to visit me this past month...it was so good seeing her and spending time! We had a lot of laughs! I just love her! We didn't get too many pictures...we forgot...

My Hair Station!!!

2009-10-28T09:10:00.002-06:00

My sweet husband worked all day on Saturday to make this for me...we only have one bathroom so it was kinda crowded, usually on Sundays, when we are both trying to use the mirror and get ready...so he had this amazing idea and put it together! I love it and love having my own little area!

Championships...

2009-10-28T08:45:00.004-06:00

In September I was able to go to the Dressage Championship with my boss Dee. It was so much fun. I was able to groom for her and spend the day with her. It was a really fun and learning experience. Can't wait for the horseshows to start next year!

Dee warming up on Wizard of Art...known as Merlin at the Barn

Dee taking her second test of the day!

She took 4th out of her level...good job Dee!

These last three pics are just of random riders and their horses...absolutely loved the way the riders dressed and of course all the horses were so BEAUTIFUL!

Labor Day Fun!!!

2009-10-28T08:00:00.004-06:00

This last Labor Day we headed to Utah to spend some time with the family. We were able to go boating, camping, meet our new nephew Cooper Jay, and also attend Mom's surprise 50th birthday party. We had a lot of fun!

COUPLES TAG...

2009-10-14T21:05:00.004-06:00

♥What are your middle names? Cody Lee and Michele Phillips
♥ How long have you been together? 3 years...married 2 1/2...time flies!
♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? Didn't...we were set up on a blind date by our wonderful mothers!
♥ Who asked who out? Cody asked...but I sent him a text so my mom would quit asking if I called him.
♥ Who made the first move? Cody...he put his arm around me
♥ Did you go to the same school? No...he was a Caveman...I was a Knight
♥ Are you from the same home town? Yes...but we never knew eachother
♥ Who is the smartest? We are equally smart...help eachother out in our thinking!
♥ Who majored in what? Cody is an Electrician...and I hate school, never went
♥ Who is the most sensitive? Definitely me...but don't be fooled Cody has a tender heart!
♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? When we go out...we like Kiowa pizza, Texas Roadhouse, and Red Robin
♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Montana...but it will be Florida next May!
♥ Who has the worst temper? Me...but Cody is good at calming me down
♥ How many children do you want? We'll take as many that are sent our way!
♥ Who does the cooking? Me mostly...but Cody cooks when I am not in the mood
♥ Who is more social? Me again...social butterfly
♥ Who is the neat-freak? Depends...but mostly me
♥ Who is the most stubborn? usually me...
♥ Who wakes up earlier? Oh definitely Cody...I don't like mornings
♥ Where was your first date? Texas Roadhouse and a movie...we were supposed to go four wheeling but the weather was bad...it was great anyway...
♥ Who has the bigger family? Me...4 siblings...Cody has 3...He's the only boy and I'm the only girl...perfect for eachother!
♥ Do you get flowers often? Not as often as I would like.
♥ How do you spend the holidays? Christmas we go home and it's crazy back and forth the whole time...but we love it!
♥ Who is more jealous? Neither...we're not jealous people
♥ How long did it take to get serious? a month or so
♥ Who eats more? Cody...but I eat my fair share...need to work on that
♥ What do you do for a living? Cody is an Electrician and I work at a horse barn
.♥ Who does/did the laundry? I do...unless Cody needs something washed and I haven't washed it yet...but I usually finish all those loads too
♥ Who’s better with the computer? Me...But cody's getting better and he types faster now too!
♥ Who drives when you are together? Cody and I share...we switch...but I like him to drive when we are on dates
♥ What is "your" song? We have lots...Rascal Flatts, Broken Road...that's our one song that will never change and defines how we came together!

I tag...Rachel, Melody, Tara, Angie, Jamie, and Josie

Tomato's Tomato's Tomato's

2009-09-18T21:00:00.001-06:00

This last trip to Utah we were able to bring home a TON of tomato's that my Dad and Mom grew in the garden...we had so much fun spending time together and bottling diced tomato's and some yummy salsa...we have 29 pints of salsa and 26 quarts of diced tomato's...We are set for the winter! Thanks Dad and Mom for sharing!!! We love you!

All the tomato's sorted from the ripest to the ones that could wait a couple days...out of all our tomato's we only lost 10...

Just getting started...what a good helper I have!

All finished...so pretty...and every single one of them sealed!

I was so happy to be done...but can't wait for next year!

Utah Trip in July...

2009-09-18T20:48:00.004-06:00

June Fun!

2009-08-04T20:52:00.001-06:00

We had so much fun the end of May to the middle of June with the family!

Summer changes & beauties...

2009-08-03T21:21:00.004-06:00

I got a new hair cut...needed something new...I love it!

Beautiful rainbows...and very crazy storms!

New baby foal at the barn...so cute! Wish they would stay this small forever!

New baby birds...everywhere! I love our bird houses!

Getting Closer...

2009-05-30T14:56:00.004-06:00

We have walls now...Yeah! No more curtain hanging to get our privacy for the bathroom! It's coming together quite nice! This will be our last house project for at least a year!!!

HOORAY!!! WALLS...THEY LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

CODY CLEANING UP THE MESS...

PRIVACY AT LAST...IT'S BEEN A WHILE!

WE ALSO GOT OUR SPARE BEDROOM DONE...WELL THE WAINES COAT AT LEAST...ONLY BEEN WANTING TO DO THIS FOR A YEAR...BUT IT LOOKS GREAT!!!

May 30th...2 Years!!!

2009-05-26T07:00:00.003-06:00

Cody and I have been very happily married for 2 years now! We can't believe the time has gone by so fast, but have enjoyed every minute of it! We have been blessed and we are still crazy in love! We look forward to many more years of being married!

The happiest day of my life...being married to Cody for time and all eternity!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T09:08:00.002-06:00

Cody & I have been blessed with two wonderful mothers...we are so lucky to have them in our lives and thank our Heavenly Father every day for the Angels that we call Mom! We love you both very much! Thank you for being great examples to us both...we wouldn't be who we are today without your shining examples throughout our lives!

Happy Birthday Brittany Michelle Loo!!!

2009-05-10T09:01:00.001-06:00

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRITTANY DEAR! HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR! IF WE HAD A WISH THAT IT WOULD BE, A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM US!!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY AND BIRTHDAY WEEK!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Yard projects...

2009-05-09T16:06:00.004-06:00

Along with our house projects, I decided to start on the yard as well...not the best decision I have made, but I am having fun with it! I only have a few projects that I have taken pictures of, but there have been more started! I have come to the conclusion...I am my Father's daughter...but hopefully my projects won't take 15 years to get done! I love you dad!

This year I decided to try and start my own plants in our greenhouse...going good so far!

A new flower garden in the yard...still looks like this too...

Another new flower garden...this one is going to be a lot of work...I think that is why I am putting it off!

House Projects...

2009-05-09T16:00:00.003-06:00

Sorry these pictures are backwards...but I have no patience to do it again!

Well we decided to knock down our small bathroom and put in a big shower...well that all changed when I saw the open space it gave me and now it is going to be a little cubby area for our computer and books. We are nearing completion...well kind of...closer than we were last week. We know it has to be done by the first of June, so we are hurrying fast!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

2009-03-28T11:42:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday Caitlin Lottie Loo!!!

So this is one of the only pictures we have of you! But that will change when you come to spend 10 days with us in June!
We love you and hope you have a wonderful day and a great Birthday week!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

So We Found Out....

2009-03-17T11:58:00.002-06:00

Yesterday Cody woke up to a kidney stone or something down that alley...well we headed out to the hospital...a little over an hour later we made it to the hospital! By then the pain Cody was experiencing was gone...well the worst of it was gone...so as we drove home we started talking about how we were glad it was life threatening...So we found out that we would need to call an ambulance if we wanted to be alive by the time we made it to the hospital, if something serious had happened to us! The joys of living in the country! But we wouldn't change it!

Christmas Vacation Part 1...a little late!!!

2009-03-06T07:36:00.001-07:00

Well the holidays have come and gone...we had a great time too! So much fun that I was worn out and then my life got out of control...we have been really busy since, but I wanted to share our fun pictures with you all!
Hope you enjoy!

Christmas Part 2...

2009-03-06T07:09:00.002-07:00

Here is the rest of our Christmas vacation in Utah...we had so much fun and can't wait to do it again! We love you all!
Some pictures are before Christmas...like me making the suckers...but it's all around the same time! Also in that time Zoey ripped her toe nail off and had to have a little cast for about 1 week...she was so funny to watch!

Sorry this is like 3 months late...Life has been really crazy!

Updating the blog...

2009-02-05T07:21:00.002-07:00

So I was in the process last night of updating our blog...since it has been like two months! So the holiday pictures were going to go up...Thanksgiving was easy...not too many of those, but Christmas was harder so I needed to make a slideshow...as I was almost complete with it...I clicked on something and it took me out of my slideshow and erased everything...so basically I didn't have enough patience to do it over again so that is why you just see Thanksgiving pictures.

All in all I will try again this weekend...my days are pretty full with work and we all know Cody doesn't update the blog. We are doing good though and loving the 60 degree weather that February has brought!

Thanksgiving...

2008-12-19T08:27:00.004-07:00

WAY TO GO JOE!!! WE ARE OFFICIALLY UTE FANS NOW!!!

2008-12-07T17:23:00.004-07:00

I just have to congratulate my little brother Joe! He is done playing at Snow College and is moving onto the University of Utah! He was offered the kicking position and will start in the spring with the team! Joe is an amazing athlete and always has been...it has always been so much fun to watch him play football! He makes it look so easy!
Way to go Joe! You are living your dream! Next up the Pro's!!!
We love you and can't wait to be a Ute fan!!!

This is a picture of Joe...and me! One of my favorites! He is a handsome little devil...and completely the best little brother! You are amazing Joe!!!

Celebrating Mom & Dad....

2008-11-27T06:38:00.002-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BOTH! Our family is lucky enough to have to wonderful parents in our lives that get to celebrate their birthdays 3 days apart...I can only think of a couple times in my life when we didn't celebrate them together!
I just wanted to wish Mom and Dad a Happy Happy Birthday and hope they have had a great birthday so far!(I know they have...they have been celebrating their birthday week in Georgia with Ryan, Windy, Caitlin, and Brittany...and they sure do know how to party!) I love you both! We all of love you! Thank you for making our lives a great adventure and being there for us all a long the way! Love you!

Young and crazy in love...and they still are crazy in love!

Chilling on the favorite swing to sit on...one of their favorite things to do in the summer!

Playing on the 4-wheeler...still like to do all kinds of fun things together!

This last summer camping in the mountains, they took the horses and rode all over the mountains...another favorite thing to do together!

We love you! Have a great Birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGHTEN!!!

2008-11-26T13:31:00.003-07:00

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGHTEN DEAR! HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR! IF I HAD A WISH THAT IT WOULD BE, A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM ME!!!
WE LOVE YOU BRIGHTEN! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY! WISH WE COULD BE THERE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU!!! YOU ARE SO STINKING CUTE!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The Importance of Thank You...

2008-11-24T06:52:00.002-07:00

Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner we decided that we would teach Zoey to be thankful! So for a couple hours she wore this sticker around the house...it worked great! She said thank you for everything we did for her!

Zoey's first Snow...

2008-11-14T14:04:00.002-07:00

So Zoey experienced her first snow. She loved it! And you can't see her...it's like playing hide and seek...and only one person is playing...Zoey!

Zoey posing for the picture!

Where's Zoey...can you see her? She thought if she didn't move I wouldn't see her...lucky for me I used to love the Where's Waldo books...I'm a pro at finding things in hard places!

The GREATEST Generation!!!

2008-11-11T07:08:00.004-07:00

Cody & I are lucky...we had 3 Grandpa's serve in World War II...the 4th grandpa wasn't old enough. We just wanted to thank them and all of the other men that served in the Wars to keep this land free! We owe so much to them for their sacrifices for us and for their country!

Each have influenced our lives for the better! How blessed we are to have grown up with such wonderful men in our lives. They truly are the GREATEST generation!

Grandpa Phillips & Grandpa Jay are gone now, we miss them everyday! But thankful for the time we had them and can't wait to see them again! Grandpa Garrett, is with us still and we are thankful for that! He is a man of integrity and love! We are thankful for your example to us! You truly are an amazing man! Our hearts are full of gratitude for all you have done for us in our lives...you and our other Grandpa's!

Thank you for serving our country and sacrificing for us that we may be FREE!!!

Grandpa Phillips, served in the Airforce, flew in a B-17 as a top gunner & engineer. Served in Germany. Grandpa Phillips was also a POW for three months in Germany, went on a bombing mission and was shot down, this was his 13th mission.

Grandpa Garrett, served in the Navy, Served in the Corona and San Diego Naval Hospitals as the Nuero Psychiatric Technician...he was in charge of typing up all "interviews" that the doctors had with the patients. He also served on board the USS Columbus on the medical staff, the USS Columbus patroled the west coast.

Grandpa Jay, served in the Navy, fought in the pacific, served on a mine sweeper boat and was a gunman (because he was such a good shot).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA!!!

2008-11-08T11:59:00.002-07:00

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA DEAR! HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YEAR ALL YEAR! IF I HAD A WISH THAT IT WOULD BE...A HAPPY HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO YOU FROM US!!!
WE LOVE YOU BUBBA! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame

2008-11-03T16:20:00.002-07:00

So this was and has been the coolest thing I have done in Colorado! I loved The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame...talk about a neat place! It's huge too! Kortsen and I had so much fun in there...I think we were in there for like 2 hours just looking at pictures and goofing off in the clown barrel area...to much fun! And really it isn't expensive at all! 6 whole dollars to go inside! If you are country in any way...and I know some of you are...you gotta come out and see this sometime! It is fun to see all the cowboys who are legends in the United States for riding horses, cows, roping, and being clowns! America is great!

We LOVE Visitors...

2008-10-29T20:15:00.000-06:00

Well this post is a little late...infact it's almost two weeks late...but I haven't wanted to update my blog. But I decided we needed to talk about something other then Zoey...I didn't realize she was on the last two posts that we did! We are those weird dog people!

So my friend Kortsen came to visit me the other weekend...it was great to see her! We hadn't seen eachother for about a year and a half...that's a long time...but I think about it and I haven't seen some of you in that amount of time too! That's what we get for moving 9 hours away from everyone!

Well we ended up having tons of fun with Kortsen...mainly me, because Cody worked most of the days. The first day she was here my cheeks hurt so bad, we were laughing and smiling about everything! The fun thing about having visitors is we get to go and see new places...we ended up doing a lot down in Colorado Springs. I think that City is so beautiful! We had beautiful weather for her...she is a "desert rat", so I am glad the weather warmed up to the 70's in the day and only the 30's at night. I also made my first layered cake for Kortsen's birthday...Steph helped me the day before and it turned out beautiful! So with lots to see and yummy cake to eat we had a blast!

Here is a list of things we did...
1. Slept in!
2. Visited The Barn, antique store...it's so fun!
3. Went to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame...now that was awesome! My favorite thing to do by far!
4. Went to Texas Road House...YUMMY!!!
5. Made Kortsen blow out 26 candles on her cake...too fun!!!
6. Played with the Horses
7. Went to Garden of the Gods...pretty cool
8. Went to a couple old towns in the mountains...old towns are so much fun! There's a lot of them around here too!
9. Went to Canon National Park and Helen Hut Falls...really pretty!
10. Relaxed...Kortsen liked this part!
11. Movie night every night...Kortsen said it was like going to the movie theater with all our movies...it was funny!
12. Went and took pictures of the old towns...Kortsen is getting her degree in photography.

It was a fun weekend...Don't you guys think it would be so fun to come and visit us???? We welcome any guest...and we can find even more to do then this list! And if you don't want to do anything, our place is really quiet and relaxing...just come and be lazy...we like to be lazy too, especially after a hard working summer in our yard!

Cody & I at Canon National Park

Kortsen trying on her Red Hat Society hat...I don't know how they wear these things!

Trying on my Red Hat Society hat...too funny...ugly hats!!

Kortsen and her beautiful PINK cake! It was really yummy too!

Kortsen & I...gotta love these kind of pictures!

Our cute little Zoe Zoe...

2008-10-22T20:52:00.004-06:00

So having dogs is just like having kids...

We had to have Zoey spayed the other day...cause we didn't want to deal with her womenly issues...there's one in the house and that's enough! So the night before she knew something was going one...she was just snuggling with Cody and it was so dang cute to see. That dog has softened both our hearts, but I must say Cody is the cuttest guy in the whole world...I can't wait to see him with kids!
But leaving Zoey at the vets was awful...I hated it! Then going home to an empty house was just horrible...I even missed her messes! I make this seem like it was like a week before we could see her again, but really it was a day and we missed her like crazy. Cody even called a couple times to see if I heard anything from the vet.

We are pretty sad...but we love our animals!
She is doing fine...infact she bounced back so fast she decided she didn't need to have stiches in her stomach any more and tore them out! So we had to get her a special looking collar...and she did look special!

Zoey is doing great...acts like nothing even happened!

Zoey with her special collar...she hates this thing...she won't even move when she has it on...it's pretty funny!

After the surgery...she was drugged for a bit, but in our opinion the drugs didn't last long enough...

The night before...so cute!

Our Little Princess

2008-10-06T17:29:00.002-06:00

I know I already updated the blog today but Cody and I had to show you Zoey's new outfit and hair clips! She is so cute! We don't have any kids to dress and have fun with so we are going to be the "weird" dog people and dress up our little dog, do her hair, and pamper her like crazy! We had so much fun shopping for her and are excited to get more little outfits for her! Plus, we know she will never talk back or be a brat if we spoil her too much!

Moving Dad & Mom

2008-10-06T11:33:00.002-06:00

Well this past week I have been in Utah helping my Dad and Mom move out of their home. It was great to spend time with my parents and help them go through and move a ton of stuff! It's amazing how many things you accumulate when you live in a home for 15 years. I also got to spend a lot of time with my Grandpa and Grandma Garrett...I love them so much!
It wasn't the easiest week on me. For one I worked really hard. But I think the hardest thing was the fact that the house I lived in since I was 10 years old was empty and none of the familiar things were there any more. I didn't think that it would be that hard on me. But I soon realized that I loved that home, but also there are a lot of memories in it too! It is weird to think that there will be a new family living in it when I come back to Utah next time, but they sound like a cute little family and they love the home! It was really hard leaving on Saturday morning. I walked around the home and yard taking in everything, I cried...and just thinking about it makes me cry now. I have just been so sentimental lately, but I really did love growing up in that home, it was a good place to be young at! Life does bring changes no matter how old you are and that is what makes us strong! I will miss that house, but I have many more memories to make with my family! Life is GOOD and we are BLESSED!
Well I enough of the sappy stuff, I did take some pictures of the weeks adventures! I loved being there, but love being home in Colorado with my husband!

Our Naughty Puppies...

2008-09-28T18:40:00.002-06:00

I don't know why our puppies were so naughty this week...Zoey had to be watched at every moment or she would get into everything and tear it a part!
Buddy he stole the car and thought it was funny! And of course his every night ritual is to tear the garage apart...he is one of a kind!

Buddy's first attempt to steal the car...he had to concentrate really hard!

He finally got the hang of it and was laughing at us!!

Zoey tearing up the sandwich bag box and then spreading the bags out strategically on the kitchen floor...she looks cute, but is the devil in disguise!

She thinks it's fun to tear apart everything in the kitchen drawers...we caught her in the act!!!

Wood Cutting - Part 2

2008-09-22T06:19:00.003-06:00

Cody cutting some trees...this trip was too fun! I got to watch Cody almost get smashed by a tree about 3 times...not funny!

Our friend Matt Jones...doing the no look and cutting the tree...He's alot braver then me...no arms or legs were missing at the end of the day so I guess you would call him a pro!

Margaret and I hauling the cut trees...it was nice to have help!

Taking a break...waiting to see what the storm was going to do...

At the end of the day...in front of Matt's trailer...ours was full too...a lot of work! We are so tough! But hey I didn't get as dirty this time, I was really trying hard not to touch my face!

Well we finally got all our wood out of the mountains this last weekend...I am glad we don't have to do that again until next year! It's a lot of work! But I do have to say I wasn't nearly as sore as I was the first time...Cody either...the only thing this time was we got a little sun burnt on our necks, but all and all it was a good trip. Our friend Matt Jones and his daughter Margaret came with use this time. He had to get some wood for his house too, so we told him we would help him...it was fun to have some company and help too! The day started out so beautiful, but by 2 pm, a storm was rolling in and we didn't know what we were going to get. Thank heavens the worst of it didn't hit where we were, but we did get rained on a little. It felt really nice, cooled everything off for us. The weather is so weird in Colorado, one minute beautiful skies, the next not so beautiful! We made it off the mountain safely and home before dark...which was nice, because last time we didn't get home until 9 pm or so.

Well that's all the news on wood cutting...there will be updates really soon on remodeling our kitchen...Cody and I decided that was going to be our Christmas present to eachother...one reason being Cody had to rip out our side cabinet to get our new stove in, so really there are no options if we don't want to live in a ghetto house. So I am way excited! I thought I would have to wait forever to get the nasty wall paper and counter tops gone!

Windy, I hope you enjoy this new post...sorry it took me so long to get a new one on here...but now I know to update more often...we don't want any withdrawals happening!
Love ya!

Start of the Remodel

2008-09-22T06:15:00.000-06:00

Almost but not quite...it was like a quarter of an inch off...the old man that built this place didn't make anything standard size...so out came the cabinet!

Now it fits...and now we get a new cabinet...it will be fun trying to match it to the others...but I love my black appliances...it looks so good!

Well as I stated in my last post...I get to remodel my kitchen now! I am really excited and can't wait to see what I come up with...already have a lot of idea's but need to get with my cousin Steph to help me make some decisions...she's great! So here are two pictures for you to see the start of our remodel...I hate the wall paper and can't wait to see that gone!

SEPTEMBER 11TH

2008-09-11T08:58:00.000-06:00

This morning I woke up to a phone call from my dear sweet husband telling me to do one thing for him this morning...he told me to make sure I went out and flew our flag because it was September 11th and today marks the 7th anniversary of the dreadful day that changed our country. He also told me that it would be a good thing to put something on the blog. So here goes...
Thinking about that day I am sure everyone of us can remember where we were and what were doing. Life changed that day for everyone. The way we looked at the world was completely different and we realized that the country that we lived in really was a beautiful place. It was almost hard to believe that there had been such an attack on our country. How grateful I am for the men and women that gave their lives that day for our country and for those in the towers. I am still grateful for the men and women of our country who still fight for our freedoms. We have so much to be grateful and have no reason not to be. The men and women who died that day and who have died since have not forgotten what they are fighting for...I hope and pray that we will not either!
My heart and prays go out to those families who lost someone on this sad day in history.

Wood Cutting

2008-09-08T19:36:00.002-06:00

Wood Cutting this year was quite the experience...pretty much because last year it was a lot easier, everything was already cut for us and stacked in little nice piles for us to just put into our trailer and truck. This year we went a little late and didn't want to go all the way up to Granby, Colorado so we chose to go South to Colorado Springs thinking it was closer and just the same work. Well it took us about 3 hours to get there...because I, Michele, didn't the greatest directions to the place. I learned my lesson believe you me...never will I leave the house without exact mileage to and from each city and road to where ever it may be we are going...that is how Cody said I should've done it! Well thanks to Steph she was able to help us find our way back down the road we got lost on to find a dark brown worn out sign pointing us to our destination. When we finally got there we didn't know what a task it would be, turns out that the area we could get our wood in was a burn area and it was messy, but we got to work. Cody got to cut down the trees and I hauled them to the trailer (no chainsaws for me)...at least Cody put them all in the trailer for me. All in all it was a great experience once again, a lot of fun memories and laughs came out of that night. The best was seeing Zoey completely covered in ash and pretty much black by the time we left...no pictures were taken of her, but it took me 3 washings to get her white again. And I found out that I touch my face way to much while working...thus my face all black at the end of the night. We can't wait to go back and get the rest of the wood we bought!

Spirit Lake

2008-09-02T13:28:00.006-06:00

The past week Cody and I spent our time hiking, fishing, 4-wheeling, camping, boating, and sitting around a campfire at Spirit Lake. A Halley family tradition, it was my first year, and I loved every minute of it. Cody took me to all the lakes they go to every year...it was great! In order of what we hiked too...Lost Lake, Tamarack Lake, Jessen Lake, Spirit Lake, Judy Lake, Hidden Lake, and Daggett Lake...a lot of hiking and a lot of fun memories! Each lake had their beauties and to be able to hike to them was great! We were lucky enough to get up there on Monday and spend 3 whole days with Lee/Dad all to ourselves...we had an adventure every minute we were there...it was great! Buddy and Zoey were troopers too...they hiked with us every day. Zoey proved herself...she is no longer known as the sissy dog in the family...she is just as tough as Buddy. She is our little log hopping machine. We were really suprised most of the time, it was fun to watch both of them run up and down the mountain...basically running circles around us the whole time.It is hard to say what my favorite day was, or my favorite lake. But going out on Spirit Lake was one of my favorite days, we were able to go out in the boat, that was fun watching Lee/Dad juggle fishing with two poles and trying to drive the boat at the same time. We caught a lot of fish...and I was able to eat one almost everyday! Thursday night the whole clan arrived and it was a great reunion. Cody and I hadn't seen Travis, Jamie, Brighten, and Easton for more then a year. And we hadn't seen Rusty, Josie, and Max since Christmas...so it was great to see everyone. The kids have all grown up so much and were so much fun to be with for a couple of days. It was fun to spend a couple of days hiking and fishing with everyone. Saturday was another great day hiking to a lake called Daggett...4 miles in and 4 miles out...it was a hard one...but what you saw at the end made it all worth it...poor little Zoey had it by the end of the week, she was all tuckered out and I hiked with her in my little carrier for most of the hike home. They also slept the whole 7 1/2 hours home too...didn't move a muscle. What a great trip~!!! It is now both of our favorite places to be...one of them any way!
We are already looking forward to next year! What a great family tradtion Grandpa and Grandma Halley started over 50 years ago...what a beautiful place to get out of the world and spend time with those you love!
I put together a slide show...since I took over 80 pictures...this was the most simple way to show most of them too you!

Pictures of Spirit Lake

2008-09-02T13:27:00.004-06:00

The Hail Storm

2008-08-21T13:30:00.001-06:00

Well yesterday was a sad day! We had this huge storm role in to our cute little town about 3 or 4 pm...at first it was a rain then it turned into a hard rain, then hail...the hail were all sizes, but the biggest I saw were as big as a nickel...it was crazy! Well at first I was like..."Oh Crap! The truck is not under the garage, it could get hail damage...then it was another 'Oh Crap' the garden!" I wasn't too worried about everything, but when the storm kept going and going, I knew there would be damage. I swear it hailed for a good hour or more. This weather so reminds me of Missouri! Anyway, luckly I had brought Buddy in so he wasn't damaged. But as soon as Buddy and I could...well we thought we could, we ventured out into the yard. It was still raining a bit, but rain never hurt anybody. Well at first I checked the truck and it was okay suprisingly...that hail was hard and it was coming down hard! I know...Buddy and I got hit a couple times while out checking for damages! Well I didn't dare go to the garden, but I did, I can't describe to you all how I felt...it was ruined...everything looked so hammered. What once was plants no longer looked like plants, all the leaves were knocked off the vines of everything...it really was a sad sight. The first thing I did was cried! Yup I cried...I have worked so hard in the garden and it has become my pride and joy...to have it taken so fast and not able to do anything was and is hard. But I did learn something from this experience. I started thinking about the pioneers and settlers and how they completely depended on their crops to survive. I just couldn't help but think about how devistated they would have been if this happened to them. They depended on their gardens and crops to feed them...I all the sudden became very grateful for the grocery store down the road, that I could walk to, and all the modern day conviniences we have in our lives today. Even though I may not get too much more out of the garden, Cody and I will still be able to eat through the winter. I learned a very big lesson yesterday...GRATITUDE! We are all so blessed to have what we have and to have opportunities to grow things in gardens. Made me think how really I am not in control of anything...and anything could happen at anytime in my life.

The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away! I wonder sometimes why, but there is always a bigger picture that we don't see.

I know I have gone on about what a sad day it was yesterday...but I learned something...and even it was only a garden I still learned a lot about life in general. Everything we have can be taken away...I don't want to waste another minute being ungrateful for all the things I have! That was the point I was trying to make through this whole post...GRATITUDE!

2008-08-21T13:26:00.001-06:00

Before and After Shots of the Zuchinni...

2008-08-21T13:09:00.002-06:00

The pumpkin got some chunks taken out of it by the hail...it hit hard.

The Corn...what's left of it...

2008-08-21T13:05:00.002-06:00

The hail shredded every leaf. It really looks like when you shred ribbon on a present. So Sad!

2008-08-14T10:08:00.003-06:00

Our first egg came this morning...The egg was green, you can't tell from the picture, but we will have all kinds of colors. So this means we will be getting all kinds of eggs from the 9 hens that we have!

The Rain Storm

2008-08-07T16:51:00.000-06:00

Well last night we had this amazing rain storm! We actually were just putting the horses away, when all of the sudden a cloud burst of rain came down. We decided to watch it for a while, then it got crazy...hail the size of pebbles started coming down too! I haven't seen anything like this since my mission in St. Louis...I love seeing the rain come down, but the lightening I could do without! The storm continued all night...it didn't rain hard all night but off and on it would. I was expecting the ground to be really moist and soft, like Utah, but when I went out this morning to feed the horses and chickens, it barely looked wet! I tell you this place is crazy! The lower part of our property did collect a good sized puddle, my flowers just looked a little hammered, and the garden just looks bigger...all that rain gave it lots and lots of energy to grow I guess. All and all we made it through the night, the animals too. Looks like another storm is rolling in so we will see what happens tonight. Thank heavens we don't get tornado's here...that would just freak me out!

WE DID IT!!!

2008-08-05T19:23:00.000-06:00

Talk about frustrating!!! Blogging is hard...but we did it and we are up and running! Still need to figure out how to change the background, but one thing at a time. Hope you all enjoy the blog and music. I realized how country we are when Tim McGraw comes on full throtle when you go to our blog. Oh well, that's the way we like it!

Zoey & Buddy

2008-08-05T16:49:00.002-06:00

Well ever since we got Zoey, Buddy has been a little jealous. He now is not allowed in the house and we don't let him sit on our laps anymore...he just is a plain old dog! But I think he hates it the most when we let Zoey out to play with him...she jumps all over him, bites him, hangs from his ears...you name it she does it...he just runs to either Cody or I with his tail between his legs, wanting us to save him from the white fur ball. It really is a funny thing to see, but we're not sure he knows what Zoey is...all he can see is a white fluff ball running after him. Time has made them better friends, she doesn't automatically just run and pester him, but makes him think she is a gentle dog...now he lays down and crawls to her, just to see if he can catch a sniff of what it might be!
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