Cambree Turns 2

Cambree turned 2 on Aug 19th. I am sitting here wondering where the last 2 years went! It seems like only yesterday that I held her in my arms for the first time. We did a Pinkalicious birthday for her this year. If you have never read the book, it is about a girl who eats so many pink cupcakes that she turns pink. It is Cambree's absolute favorite book.
For her cake we made her a giant pink cupcake.

Blowing out the candles.

The outside of the cake.

The inside of the cake. I tried to make it pink. I should have used "more, more, more" pink!

Opening the first present.

It's Goldilicious, Pinkalicious's pet unicorn! Cambree already has a Pinkalicious doll, which she loves to death. Now she has the unicorn.

Opening her next present.

It's a scooter! She is always trying to ride the big kids scooters, so we decided to get her her own that is just her size!

I'm so grateful to have Cambree in our family. Heavenly Father knew our family would not be complete without her and her spunky little personality. I thank Him everyday for this wonderful, surprise gift I received.

UBIC Kids' Triathalon

This year Kaden decided he wanted to do the kids triathalon for UBIC. I was so proud of him for doing it, but also so nervous, so I didn't go watch. I made Bruce take lots of pictures though. They don't keep times or anything, it's totally just for fun, which I love. He did the Sprint division which consists of swimming the length of the pool down and back, a one mile bike ride, and a half mile run. (They also have an Olympic division which is 3 lengths of the pool, a 3 mile bike ride, and a mile run, which Kaden wants to do next year.)

Kaden and his dad at the end of the tri.

Kaden with his friend Danny and Danny's brother William. They all think they are pretty tough. And they are!

These are all the kids from our ward who participated.

Getting ready to swim.

Running the last part. Bruce didn't get any bike pictures.

All the kids who participated. I'm so proud of Kaden. He is starting to become quite an athlete, now that he has discovered how important it is to practice in order to be good at something! I'm proud that he dared to try something new, which makes him a winner!

Sitterud Reunion 2011

The weekend of the 24th was the Sitterud Family Reunion. This was the first year we have been able to attend and I was so excited! We grew up down the street from Grandpa and Grandma Sitterud and had most of our cousins close. So these are the people I grew up with!
The theme of the reunion was "All because Neldon and Lola fell in Love" My grandparents had the most amazing love story, so it was really fitting to celebrate that.
This is Grandpa Sitterud in the yellow hat. Grandma has been gone for 4 years now, but we still miss her a lot!

Planting a wildflower garden for Grandma. She loved flowers. We also painted prayer rocks and put together puzzles and bracelets.

Uncle Kirk and Aunt Karen were in charge of the reunion, and we are so grateful for all the work they put into it. (And thanks to my cousin Jen who took most of these pictures!)

It wouldn't be a Sitterud reunion without a sawdust pit! All the adults empty out all their spare change and throw it into the sawdust. Then the kids have a turn to search for as much money as they can find in 3 minutes. We did it as kids and now it's fun to watch my kids have a turn!





Even the adults got in to the action!

I'm so grateful for the heritage that I have. I am grateful for the wonderful family I was raised with and the influence it has had on my life. I was so blessed to live so close to such wonderful grandparents who have such an impact on my life! I loved and admired my Grandma for as long as I can remember, and my Grandpa continues to be one of my heroes in this life! I am truly truly blessed!

Camping at Uintah Canyon

The last weekend of July, we actually had a free weekend, so we decided to take the kids to Uintah Canyon for a quick camping trip. We had a super time, so I'm glad we squeezed in one last camping trip of the summer. The best part for me is no cell phone reception, so we get our dad all to ourselves for a few days!
Brennen and Cambree discovered this little cupboard under the bed not long after we set the trailer up, and it became their little "clubhouse". It also made them filthy because it is where we put the fire wood when we pack the trailer. Oh well, part of being a kid.

One of our favorite parts of camping is hiking. We don't take insane long hikes, for obvious reasons, but we enjoy exploring this beautiful place where we live.

We actually hiked part of the King's Peak trail. King's peak is the highest peak in Utah, and it is right in our backyard. We hiked about a mile and a half up it. Someday when the kids are older, maybe we will hike to the top!

We take a lot of water and rest breaks. Sometimes I think it drives Bruce crazy, but long hikes are hard on little legs!

Brennen has a crazy thing about bridges. He loves them! So we have to cross every bridge we see. (and doesn't my husband look hot with the baby backpack? I think so!)

Our other favorite thing about camping is throwing rocks in the river. Don't ask me, it is a little strange, but it is something we started with Aubree and Kaden, and they can't seem to get enough of it. Even the big kids!
Aubree taking a photo break. As girlie as she is, she still loves playing in the mud!

Brennen with a stick. Dad taught them a new game to launch a stick in the water and then try to "bomb" the stick with the rocks. Hours of entertainment, I tell you!

Cambree had to be where ever her sis was!

Classic Kaden face! What a character!

In Tyson's mind, the bigger the rock, the better!

As I sat next to my husband that day by the river and watched my kids find so much joy in these simple little things, I couldn't help but to thank my Father in Heaven for all these blessings in my life. I thought to myself that this is what life is really all about, these simple moments that remind me how much I have to be thankful for and what a blessing my family is!

Swimming Lessons

Another summer means another round of swimming lessons.
Aubree did level 4, which caused a little drama, because she never passed level 3, but there were no spots available in level 3, so I put her in level 4. She did pretty well, but she just needs to learn to trust herself.


Kaden did 2 weeks of level 4, passed it, so then did 2 weeks of level 5. He has really become an amazing swimmer this year.


Tyson did 2 weeks of level 2 and passed so then he did 2 weeks of level 3. He might have passed level 3, but he is still afraid of deep water.


Brennen did the preschool level and probably made the most progress of all the kids. Last summer, he wouldn't even get in the water, so to see him not only get in, but put his head under the water and jump off the side was amazing!

Fackrell Family Reunion 2011

Some of the highlights of the 2011 Fackrell family reunion....
Riding the horses.

Kaden going solo

Cambree's first time on a horse!

Brennen -- What a change from last year when he screamed and was petrified!

Aubree with her dad. She rode by herself too, but I was changing the camera batteries and didn't catch it.

My husband looks good on a horse !

Tyson was really scared to ride the horse and the only person he would ride with was uncle daryl. Here is the begining of the ride....

And here he is hanging on for dear life at the end!

It wouldn't be family reunion without the water fight! Kaden and Tyson were right in the thick of it.


Brennen and cousin Conner on the tractor. These two boys got to be pretty good buddies!

Of course Cambree had to take her turn!

Jumping on the trampoline is always fun.

The kids loved going for rides with Aunt Maxine!

One morning I walked around the house and saw these boys lined up and just giggling. I wondered what was so funny. I kept walking and soon I saw what was going on.

The big boys were launching water balloons at them and they were just loving it! Too fun!
We always have a great time at the Fackrell family reunion and are so grateful to Uncle Kenny and Aunt Bobbie for opening their home and for everyone else who works so hard to make it a success!