Summer 2009 Update

Our biggest family news this summer is that we moved back to Utah at the end of July. We found renters for our home in Idaho. Thank you, to all those who helped us in the process of moving. We are currently living with Nancy’s parents and are glad to be closer to family. Nancy’s father’s health is doing better since his stroke a few months ago and he is doing therapy to help with his balance and walking. We are anxious, especially Nancy (she’s tired of being pregnant) for the arrival of our new baby girl the end of October.

"Saying Goodbye to our Idaho Home"

Before moving, our family did take a couple of trips down to Utah. Our time was spent with family, going to Lagoon and celebrating the 4th of July with breakfast, a neighborhood parade, a family BBQ and fireworks for those that stayed up.

While at Lagoon we got soaking wet from cloud burst. Shivering from being wet we ate dinner while waiting out the storm. The rain finally stopped, but we decided to call it a day and head home.

Trevor, Sampson, Ashley and Tanner in the spaceship.

Sampson and Tanner taking their nap in the stroller.

4th of July Family BBQ and neighborhood parade.

Grandpa and Grandma Sampson with their Grandsons

Of course swimming was part of our summer activities. The boys took swimming lessons for the last time at the Caldwell City pool. They also had fun splashing in the pool with their cousins.

Preston and Trevor had one last play date party with their friends in Idaho. We had a full house of boys playing with trains, running through sprinklers and sliding on the slip n’ slide. We’re happy to say we survived and all the boys left smiling.

In our preparations of moving we had a yard sale and Preston and Trevor had their table of things they wanted to sell to earn money. They were a little disappointed that they didn’t earn more money, but it was a good learning experience for them. Glade and Nancy were pleased with the things they were able to sell at the yard sale and on Craig’s list since that paid for most of our moving expenses.

Soon after we moved Dan and Jen were nice enough to take Preston and Trevor camping up at the Christensen Family Reunion near the Cub River. Glade and Tanner joined the rest of the crew the next day, while Nancy stayed back. The boys had fun playing in the river, hitting the piñata and roasting marshmallows over the campfire.

The first week in August Preston and Trevor participated in a safety class called “Radkids” sponsored by the Salt Lake County police department. The boys had a blast learning many defensive skills and ways to keep safe.

Glade’s brother Trent and his family came to Utah for their annual visit from Oregon. When we lived in Idaho they would stay with us to break up their drive to Utah, but that changed this year since we moved. It was good to spend time with them and cousins had a great time playing together.

Kailey, Taylor, Tristin, Bryson, Cody, Tanner, Madison, Ashley, Sam, Trevor, Brennen and Preston

"Dog Pile of the Going Boys"
Nephew Cody (bottom), Glade, Dan, Trent and nephew Brennen.

Before school started we squeezed in two more adventures. Nancy and the boys along with Nancy’s sister Jen and her kids went to the Dinosaur Museum down at Thanksgiving Point. It seemed like everyone else in the world was there, but despite the crowds we all had a good time. The other adventure we took was a picnic dinner up Big Cottonwood Canyon at Silver Lake with Dan and Jen’s family. We ate KFC and walked around the lake. We even got to see part of a moose hiding in the bushes and fish in the lake. The kids all thought that was pretty cool.

Our family along with cousins, Kailey and Brennen enjoyed an afternoon up Big Cottonwood Canyon for fall foliage. We took a short hike to Hidden Falls and took pleasure in the beautiful colors that surrounded us.

Preston Update

Preston loves his new school. He is in the 2nd grade and attends Howard Driggs Elementary. Ms. Ashment is Preston’s teacher. He has met a few new friends and enjoys math and recess. Preston has improved greatly in his reading and he is very happy to have his own library card. Since we moved, Preston has lost three more teeth, including his two front teeth. Pokemon has become a favorite of Preston. He likes to collect, trade and play with his Pokemon cards. Preston is overcoming his fear of cats due to the neighbor’s cat that spends a lot of time in our yard. On October 16th Preston will celebrate his 8th Birthday. He is looking forward to getting baptized on October 31st (Halloween).

Trevor Update

Trevor is our big 5 year old who also started school at Howard Driggs Elementary as a Kindergartener. He attends afternoon class and seems to like school, especially playing on the playground. He doesn’t tell us much and when we ask him questions about school, he says, “I don’t remember”. Once in a while he does surprise us. Mrs. Baer is Trevor’s teacher. Like Preston, Trevor is really into Pokemon. It’s nice the boys share this common interest until someone gets upset and then fighting occurs.

Tanner Update

Tanner is growing up so fast. He is 2 and a half and is Mr. Independent. He wants to do everything himself, that’s if we let him. Currently, Tanner likes anything to do with Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go. He will go around the house saying, “Oh, Man!” Tanner still likes to bowl with his six silly pins bowling set. He even gets Grandpa Sampson to be his bowling partner. Tanner and Grandpa are good buddies.

Glade and Nancy Update

On September 4th Glade and Nancy celebrated their 11th Wedding Anniversary. They enjoyed going out to dinner and attending the Temple. Glade is doing well with his new job at Verizon Wireless. He is learning all sorts of high tech stuff and got us new cell phones. Nancy had her 35th Birthday on the 22nd of September. She remains busy with being a mom and chauffeur for the kids. We are still in the process of organizing our lives and deciding what to do with Nancy’s parent’s house. In the meantime we are just doing what we can one day at a time.