What a Loser! (and other good things)

This is old news but I haven't shared it yet. 

Our school had a "Biggest Loser" contest.  

We weighed in January 9th and every Monday since then. Our final weigh-in was March 15th. (our anniversary).  I lost a total of 18 lbs and WON!!!  I had lost the biggest percentage of weight!  Woot!  Woot!  The sad things is, it's the STP! (Same Twenty Pounds)  
You're probably wondering what the winnings were. Well, you know that on the REAL Biggest Loser show, the winner gets a quarter of a million dollars!  I won a quarter of a thousand dollars!  That's right, $250.00!  I think I'll retire and buy a condo in City Creek! 

Here are a few pictures of our annual Easter egg hunt.

Since Troy and Aly are the youngest egg hunters, they got to have a head start.  Look at that determined look on Troy's face!  Aly had a hard time maneuvering around that huge basket.  We later switched it out for a lighter, more versatile, woven basket.

Keiti's checking out her loot.

Kelsey had no problem finding her eggs. 

Izzy wants to check hers before putting them in the basket!  No one wants a rotten egg! (An egg with jelly beans)

Uh...Corban...look behind you!  

See, this is why we have that yucky lava rock on the house! One day, we're hoping to have that stuff removed!  But until then, it's a great hiding place for eggs.

Uncle Dan hid most of the eggs.  Here's Em trying her hardest to get that lone pink egg in the huge apricot tree.  Notice all those dang blossoms?  (Sigh)

Cy's back up in the walnut tree to find his eggs.  

Real funny, Uncle Dan!  

Baby Langston couldn't care less about the hunt.

 Baby Neil looks like he made a haul when all he did was sit in the front room and wait patiently.

Another good thing:

  I've been doing Indexing and am enjoying it!

  Do you want to try your hand at it?  Go here and see what you think!  

 (I've learned to greatly appreciate good handwriting.)

Last, but not least, I have signed up on Facebook! 

(Never say "never!")  

I feel like a fish out of water!  I'm trying to figure out the proper etiquette of Facebook and have asked my daughters several different times how it all works. I'm a slow learner - so be patient with me.

Wait! One last item of business!  Go to Camille's blog to enter to win a body contouring treatment.  

OK, I think I'm finished!

Spring Break - Heading South

It's Spring Break for us peeps so we decided to take a trip to help us along our healing process. 
What better way to spend the week than to be cooped up together with family in an 8 passenger Excursion for 5 days!
 (Every seat was filled but Aly wanted to sit in ANY seat but hers.)

A stop in St. George to cover ourselves with red sand

was therapeutic.

We'll be finding that sand for the next few days!

Back in the Excursion for the next jaunt of our healing trip. 

(I could post another shot of Aly's discontent but you get the picture)

The Grand Canyon is amazing! And yes, I was watching Aly like a Grandma Hawk!

As we pulled in to Phoenix, this beautiful sunset was the perfect ending to our day. 

This is the main reason we headed south...to be with Grandparents (I didn't get a picture of Andy's Mom.)

and to play with  cousins.  

A good game of Red Rover is the best way to get reacquainted.

When was the last time you played London Bridge?

It's good to get away.  It's good to be with family...even if Aly doesn't like her car seat!

Cell Phone Saturday - Easing Back in to Life

Joining Gigi for Cell Phone Saturday: 

Getting on with Life through:

Adventure

Mr. Cy at the top of the walnut tree!

(Sorry, Candice)

Love

Langston ~ he loves his bath and his sister.

Comfort

Thanks to all of you for your cards, prayers, and love sent our way.

 And if all else fails...

 The Hard Stuff!

I Have Seen and Met Angels...

...wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives. Tracy Chapman

This past week has been a hard week, filled with countless emotions and many tears as we muddled our way through the many events that need to take place after the death of a loved one.  

If it wasn't for the Angels who look like ordinary people, I'm not sure how we would have gotten through this week. 

At the grave site~notes to Grady, written by siblings and cousins, tied to balloons.

I have been amazed at the outpouring of love that my daughter and son-in-law, Candice and Andy, have received during this time of Grady's death.  Their church members and neighbors have been there to offer prayers, hugs, words of encouragement, comfort, food, flowers, house cleaning, cards and notes filled with words of love, and providing service during and after the funeral.  They truly know how to "mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort."  

(Mr. Cy, blowing "Kisses" to his baby brother)

I thank each of you for your words of love and encouragement to me and my family. I felt comforted and buoyed up as I read your comments, emails and cards.  I need that strength to not only heal my broken heart but to help Candice and Andy as we rally around them and their little family to help mend their broken hearts.

(Aly - blowing her kisses)

One regret Candice had was that they hadn't taken a family picture since Grady was born. My son, Dan, took care of that with his airbrush, paints, prayers, tears and countless hours to present them a family portrait that includes their sweet baby Grady.  

I am at peace knowing that Families are Forever!

Beginning To Heal

Grady Conway Badger

December 28, 2011 - March 16, 2012

On March 16, 2012 Grady returned quietly to the presence of his Heavenly Father. Grady entered mortality in Lehi, Utah on December 28, 2011 as the fifth child and second son of Andrew Dale Badger and Candice Langston Badger. He brought with him a gentle, happy disposition and his brief stay was filled with soft lullabies, tender kisses, and generous hugs. Grady's loving parents, siblings (Emily, Cyrus, Kelsey and Alyson) and extended family look forward to the time when they will, once again, be together sharing each others' adventures and happy embraces.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday March 21, 2011 at 1:00 pm in the Spring Creek 1st Ward building located at 1630 South Weeping Willow Way, Lehi, Utah.  A family viewing will be held before the services.

My dear friends, THANK YOU for all your kind, supportive words, comments, texts and phone calls during our time of grief.  We have experienced some of the darkest days and longest nights.  However, because of all your prayers in our behalf, we have felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost and our hearts are healing.

I love you!

(Simon Dewey - In His Constant Care)

Many of you have asked how to help.  My daughter, Camille, has a link to a paypal account where you can donate to help the family with funeral and burial expenses, if you feel so inclined.  You may go here to read about it.

When Will It Stop Hurting?

How can a strong, healthy baby be here one minute and gone the next?

How can I comfort the parents whose arms are empty?

How can we keep on living?

When will the tears stop flowing?

I know time will help heal but it hurts so much right now!

I understand the plan of salvation, but it's hard to even take a breath.

Farewell, our sweet, sweet, Grady.

The Ides of March ~ Anniversary Style

Today it has been 39 years since we said "I Do!"

Who are those naive, fresh faced people?

 

And who would have their bridesmaids dressed in gingham?

 

Thanks, Andy, for the best 39 years of my life! 

Love you forever!

Dressed In White

Couldn't resist posting pictures of these two handsome boys.

Grady was blessed the first Sunday in February. 

 You can tell that it wore him out.

Love the way his hands are folded on his stomach. 

Langston was blessed the first Sunday in March.

This picture was taken the night before to make sure his clothes would fit.  

I think he likes his new outfit!

Such sweet babies!

Cell Phone Saturday - Seriously?

 I went to a Sinclair gas station a few days ago.  I had never been to that gas station before but the price was 6 cents cheaper than the station across the street so I decided to save a dollar and fill up there. (A dollar saved is a dollar earned...or something like that)
I swiped my debit card but the pump didn't work.  So I canceled the transaction and tried again.  Still no luck.  I drove to another pump, swiped my card and pumped out the ridiculously expensive liquid.
I checked my bank statement online today. Guess what!  I was charged $1.00 for every swipe I made with my debit card!  Really? 



So much for saving a dollar!  I've never had this happen before.  Have you?