Picking the perfect "Poo-koo"

The Monday before Halloween our little family has the tradition of going to the pumpkin patch and picking a perfect pumpkin to carve for FHE. This year was especially fun because our little man loves "Poo-koo's!" Yes, that is what he calls pumpkins, "Poo-koo's." There was a cardboard pumpkin hanging on one of our neighbors doors and every time we passed by Logan would say "Poo-koo!" Eventually I figured out what he was saying! So cute! Here are some pictures of our Pumpkin Family Home Evening this year.

Our little Poo-koo lover. He was literally jumping for joy at one point.

Grandma and Grandpa Decker joined us for our Pumpkin FHE. I think Logan learned what a pumpkin was from grandma. She has lots of pretty fall decor at her house.

My boys looking for just the right pumpkin.

Logan tried to pick the pumpkins up but they were too heavy. Janae showed him other things to pick :) She is such a good Aunt!

Me and my little man.

Success! We found our pumpkin!

Logan was very confused at what we were doing to his poo-koo.

What in the world is that stuff?

Our finished pumpkin, Jack. Logan said "Hi" to him every morning and "Bye" to him every night. Man we have a cute kid! Gotta love traditions. Kids make them just a little more fun.

Catching up on Summer-Suchan Family Reunion

Suchan Reunion 2011 was in Bend, Oregon the first week in August. This reunion not only included our Suchan family but all of the George Suchan siblings and their families. We found out about this reunion the summer of 2010 and had been looking forward to it ever since. I had never been to an official Suchan Reunion and just could not help but be excited. They are a unique group of characters that you can't help but love the heck out of.

The Reunion started with a very early morning and a long car ride to Oregon. Amazingly enough Logan did fantastic on the 12ish hour drive to the Beaver State. I attribute most of the success to Kim and her superb entertaining skills. She is such an awesome aunt and we were so happy to have her in our car!

Kim and Logan playin' in the back seat on the drive to Oregon.

Chris driving. Amazing he got us there safe isn't it?

Due to our 5am departure we got to our condo in Oregon a little after 4:00pm. We unloaded and started the FUN. That is the perfect word to describe our week there...so MuCh FUN! While we were there we played lots and lots of tennis. I was pretty much in heaven. We played doubles, singles and a game called King/Queen of the court that really gets your heart pumping. It is the best. The Resort also had racquetball, swimming, a splash pad, horseshoes, swings, golf, bikes, rafting...the list goes on. We could not do it all but we sure tried!

We took the kids to the splash pad to play. Look at the pure joy on Kezia's face. Love it!

Logan was a little freaked out by all the water shooting up from the ground. He went once with daddy and was done. He was happy playing in the wading pool or watching and laughing at Kez.

When we were not outside playing it was great to stay in the condo and relax. Our place had an enclosed deck that was perfect for the kids. Kez, Logan and Davian spent hours out there throwing balls, running back and forth, poking sticks between the cracks and exploring. Davian's particular favorite was going up the the window by the kitchen, squishing his face on it and swishing his tongue back and forth. So funny. It was a wonderful place to visit and look at the nature/golf course that were just gorgeous.

During our relaxing time inside we also ate lots of amazing food, played games, and watched a couple movies. We planned to watch Avatar almost every night but we always ended up talking until our eyelids felt like they weighed a ton and then went to bed. The kids were still on Mountain Time so we had early mornings and late nights. You can't expect much more than that on vacation.

Every night during the Reunion we got together with the big Suchan group for dinner. We have got some talented Suchan cooks! We enjoyed the yummy food and catching up with everyone. Thursday afternoon we spent together at the resorts outdoor pavilion. Everyone came and enjoyed the company, some friendly Suchan volleyball and some delicious BBQ. Yummy!

Logan knows just who to go to when he wants something yummy!

Chris and Dad vs. Duane and Erin in a game of horseshoes.

The family playing Pictionary on our deck.

Since the beginning of my membership in the Suchan family I have heard about and experienced the Suchan's love of Rook. I was warned of the seriousness in which it is played and was terrified to play with any members of family for the longest time! Turns out it is not so bad. I am happy to report that there was a Suchan Rook Tournament during the reunion. I am not sure who won but it brought my little heart so much joy. I am sad to report there was no throwing of cards (that I saw) or major points lost because someone had to be a stickler on rules.

Proof of the blessed event.

We had such a fantastic week with the family and are so grateful for the support and love we receive from them. The location was fantastic and the company even better.

My 2 favorite boys who will carry on the Suchan name.

I went from having a last name that everyone could pronounce to a last name that puzzles the majority. I love my last name and thank my Heavenly Father everyday for the man who married me and made me a Suchan. It was a fantastic week and one that we will always remember! We could have not been there without Mom and Dad. Thank you so much! SUCHAN'S ROCK!

Catching up on Summer- Stallings Family Reunion

This year the Stallings Reunion was at Rendezvous Beach in Bear Lake. Most of the family made it and man was it a blast! I have only been a member of the family for 4 years but it is amazing how much I love each of them. While we were at Bear Lake we did all of the "Bear Lake" things there are to do. One of the things they are most famous for are their raspberry shakes. I will admit they are heavenly. All of the places claim to have the best. I guess one summer we will have to go buy one from each food joint and judge for ourselves.

Dad, Mom and Kim eating the goodness.

Me, Logan and Chris enjoying a famous raspberry shake.

The Stallings family are extremely caring, supportive and super chatty. What a fun family to be a part of. We spent most of the reunion in a big circle of camp chairs just talking up a storm-literally! Every night we were there, save the first, it blew and down poured like crazy. It came and went pretty fast but it was mean while it lasted.

We all went down to the Lake to swim and "Bam!" a storm came in. Sunny one minute, stormy the next.

A picture of our tent getting blown away. We got soaked!

On Saturday morning we had a golf scramble. We were in 3 teams of 4. Team #1 was Nate, Jinky, Brandon and Tyson. Team #2 was Andrea, Greg, Cameron and James. Team #3 was Me, Chris, Mom and Dad. We played nine holes of hacking, some goodness and fun. I remember on the last hole there was a massive hill/mountain between the tee box and green. Chris and Dad cleared it thank goodness! I hit it right in the middle of the fairway but not far enough that it got over. It rolled right down to the bottom. Our team came in 2nd.

The golf cart of love.

The reasons we came in 2nd and not 3rd.

On Saturday we got smart and went swimming before the inevitable storm. Bear Lake is awesome/strange because you can walk out a really long way before it gets too deep to stand. We put Logan in his little yellow tube and we just chilled in the water with Andrea, Greg, Kez and Davian. Perfect summer afternoon.

Swimmin'.

Logan digging for gold. No he did not find any. Dang it!

From Thursday to Sunday we enjoyed the company of some fantastic people, ate a lot of delicious food and caught up. We had so much fun! Thanks for the memories!

Snowbird

Summer just wouldn't be summer without SNOWBIRD! Every July since I can remember has been filled with family fun at The Bird. When the siblings and I were young we would go spend a few days at SB with Grandpa & Grandma Decker and Aunt Joyce swimming ourselves sick. Two weeks later when my parents had their condo we would get to swim ourselves sick for a whole week! As a kid it was heaven.

Snowbird has now become the Decker Family Reunion spot. All 12 of us were there together. Can you say "FUN!?!" Here is picture proof of our Reunion FUN at The Bird...

Walking the Nature Trail on the 4th of July. Yes that is snow behind us!

My sister Janae relaxing after fun in the sun.

Chris playing Wii Golf.

Shalynn and Biege brought their system. Awesome!

Joyce gave the boys Clifford books and Clifford stuffed animals. They loved playing with them!

Me, Corinne, Steven, Janae and Shalynn playing banangrams!

Back to the kiddie pool we go.

Every year Grandpa Decker and now mom bring up binoculars to look for deer on the mountain side. This year we spotted a mama moose and her baby on a walk.

Our awesome Decker family!

Thanks for a fantastic weekend at Snowbird. We love you all so much!

She Did It!

KIM GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL!

Holy Cow! When I came into the family Miss Kimmy was a cute 13 year old teenager. I can not believe how time has flown by. Now she is a young adult who just graduated from BRHS and the world is her oyster. What a fun time of life! I remember thinking that I could be whoever I wanted to be and do whatever I wanted to do. Thank goodness I made the brilliant decision to go to USU! Kim has made the same fantastic decision! Best school EVER! Here are a few pictures from her big day...

Coming into the Spectrum and taking her graduation seat.

The BRHS Class of 2011. Quite a sight!

The Madrigals singing.

Kim was the President her Senior year. She did a great job on her solo during graduation!

They called her name! Kim walking to get her diploma.

The siblings with the graduate.

We love you Kim! We are so proud of you and thrilled that you are our sister! GO AGGIES!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Every time Chris and I come home from a weekend with our family (either side) we always talk about how unbelievably blessed we are to have such amazing people in our lives. We spent Memorial Day weekend this year with the Suchan side of our family. We had a blast!

The weekend started out on Thursday with Andrea, Mom serving at the wet pack cannery in Ogden. We looked so beautiful in our plastic aprons and our fetching hair nets. We put labels on about 500+ spaghetti sauce bottles. We got pretty fast. I would now call it a talent. We left Logan, Kez, and Davian with Greg. Bless him:) We went to lunch at Rumbi and did a little shopping and headed for Tremonton. Kim's Seminary Graduation was that night. We enjoyed hearing Kim sing, listening to the speakers, and watching our sister get her first diploma. So proud of her!

The family after Seminary Graduation

Kezia, Greg, Andrea, Davian, Dad, Kim, Mom, Megan, Logan, Chris

The original plan for the weekend was to go camping. After looking at the cold and rainy forecast we all agreed on a stay-cation. Friday we left mom with the kids and went golfing at the course in Tremonton.

Andrea, Kim and Chris

Three of my favorite people!

Team Olsen

Me hitting the crap out of the ball-HA!

Kim using her mad putting skills

My HOT golfer of a husband.

Notice the awesome red "tan" line. Got fried golfing the week before. Oops!

On Saturday we all went up to Idaho to the cemetery where Austin and the Suchan grandparents are buried. I am grateful for the special experience I had there and the chance we had to remember some amazing people that have been a part of our lives. I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life and to know that we will live with our families forever.

Logan and Dad at Great Grandpa Suchan's Grave

This picture captured a very special moment between Dad, Great Grandpa Suchan and Logan. Dad was kneeling over by Great Grandpa Suchan's grave. I was holding Logan at the time and felt him start squirming and wanting to get down. After putting him on the grass he went straight over to where Dad was and sat right next to him. A short time after Logan sat down he started laughing and talking and laughing some more. As I watched this special moment I couldn't help thinking that Logan knew who was buried there. He was talking and laughing with someone he knew well and loved very much. A few tears streamed down my cheeks as I contemplated eternity. I feel so blessed to have married into such and amazing family.

The Suchan Boys

Dad, Logan, Chris and Austin

After we went to the cemetery we went out for pizza at Doc's (I think is what it was called.) Man was it good!

The rest of the weekend was spent playing games, talking and eating some really yummy food. I love holidays. We should have more of them!

Happy Birthday Easter

This year Easter and my birthday fell on the same day. The way the date of Easter is decided boggles my mind. I remember when I was a kid my sister Corinne had her birthday on Easter (March 26th.) Now this year it was almost a month later on April 24th? Crazy holiday. Chris had his birthday on Thanksgiving last year. We learned that having a birthday and a holiday in one day is crazy so we celebrated a little holiday and a little birthday over 2 days. I love extended birthdays!

APRIL 23RD

Chris took me out on the 23rd for my birthday fun and food. We dropped Logan off at Andrea and Greg's and went golfing. Jim and Anne joined us for 9 holes of awful golf but lots fun. Lets just say I got a few bogeys, HA! After golf we went back to Andrea and Greg's for a birthday lunch and some Easter fun.

Logan's first time dying eggs. He was confused at first but got the hang of it really quick.

Smart boy!

Our awesome family! There were at least 4 dozen eggs to dye. Everyone got to help.

Kezie and Logan opening their Easter presents from Grandma and Grandpa Suchan.

26 year old Meg and my yummy coconut cake. So delicious.

Our cute cute nephew Davian. Love him!

The night of the 23rd Chris took me out to Johnny Carino's for dinner. We were stuffed to the rafters when we left. Totally worth it. We ate their bread and garlic olive oil dip (pretty much why we go there) and ordered calamari, fire sticks, a salad and the spicy shrimp and chicken pasta. Oh my goodness, so good.

APRIL 24TH

I am happy to report the Easter bunny came to our house for Easter. He left us lots of candy, a movie for each of us, some books for Logan and some fancy Easter clothes (dress for me and ties for the boys.)

Chris and Logan with our Easter baskets.

Our Easter attire

After church my boys showered me with gifts and made me lunch. I have the best husband and little boy a girl could ask for. The night of Easter we went over to my parent's house for an Easter egg hunt and dinner.

Logan found an egg!

My usual birthday "cake," Banana Cream Pie. I am so old! Look at that torch!

At the end of the night my family were so wonderful and gave me presents. In this picture I am holding socks my mom made. She is so talented!

It was a wonderful and Happy Birthday Easter. Thanks everyone for making it so special!