Summer 2011

Ok, this is embarrassing.  I am FINALLY updating my blog while sitting on vacation in California waiting for our family cruise to start tomorrow.   It takes a huge vacation to actually give me time to do some much needed updating...pretty pitiful!  I guess you can say that we are so busy making memories, I don't have time to record them for all to see :)  Good excuse as any, right???!!  Anyway, here goes last summer in a nutshell...endure to the end :)

Aunt Marge's Pool Every Wednesday - Love Aunt Marge!

Bear Lake - Climbing Trees, Kayak's, Minetonka Cave, Banana Boats Rides & Sea Doos!

Boating @ Jordanelle with Uncle Chad & Family - Thanks Uncle Chad!!!

Annual Capitol Reef Trip to Mickelson's Cabin - Thanks Mickelson Fam!!!

Summer Wouldn't Be Complete without Moosehorn Fishing & Hiking!

4 Year Old Ryan Learned To Ride His Bike!

Kyle Continues To Amaze All With His Awesome Track & Field Skills!

Report Card

Just have to brag about my awesome 13 year old who ACED his first year in middle school.  Congratulations, Kyle, we love you and are so proud of you!  Keep up the great work and you will go far in this life!

Father's Day From the Mouths of Babes...

So Carson is in primary today and they asked the kids, "What are some of the jobs that dad's have?"  Nobody answered so they asked, "Think about it, what are some really hard jobs that your dad's do at your house?"  Everyone was quiet until Carson, my ever-helpful 10 year old, speaks up and very seriously says "Dealing with their wife." Needless to say, all the teachers were in stitches and Carson sat there completely confused as to why it was so funny!  Gotta love my boy - telling it just like it is :)  So.... Happy Father's Day to all the awesome dad's out there that are "dealing with their wives" :)

One Year Older!

Birthdays!!!

Kyle Koch, 13 Years old.  February 15.
Wanted an Ipod Touch & Cinnamon Rolls - No Cake Please!

Ryan Koch, 4 Years Old, March 20.
Had a huge combo Super Hero party with his friend, Bridger.
Waving the candles out because I have a cold and don't want to share it!

Carson Koch, 10 Years Old, March 29.
 Also wanted Ipod Touch!

Cole Koch, 7 Years Old, May 13.
Wanted Huge Party - Happy to accommodate at Jungle Jims & our house!

Hailey & Me In Colorado!!!

This past weekend I went to Colorado to visit with my very dear and close friend and confidant, Hailey Babcock.  It was my early Mother's Day gift from Chris and it was the best gift ever!  We drove there and I flew back 4 days later.  She teaches pilates with a Reformer machine and let me join one of her classes.  I am still hurting - what a wimp!  We talked and talked for hours on end, watched chick flicks & Food, Inc. (highly recommended unless you ever want to eat again), ate at waaayyyyy yummy French Brasserie Ten Ten on Pearl Street and Larkburger (yummmmmmm), stayed up way too late, exercised, ate too much good-for-you food, made granola, homemade wheat bread (grinding the wheat yourself), homemade guacamole, and to-die-for sugar cookies!  I brought home wonderful new skills, great recipes and many wonderful memories....thanks, Hailey, for everything!!!

Ok, I am not the brightest tool in the shed...ripped off my entire nail - roots and all - when helping Hailey to move a basketball stand.  Can honestly say I now understand why ripping out fingernails is an effective form of torture.  Truly a painful experience - let's hope it grows back...yes, that is my fingernail next to my finger in the picture ...OWWWWCHHHH!!!!!

My Big Brother, Dirk

I just received the news that my sweet, wonderful, christ-like brother, Dirk, just passed away from his brave battle with adrenal cancer. I am filled with sadness for all of those he left behind. I know he is at peace and filled with joy where he is. I know the Lord took him home to do His work because he was such a wonderful man and had proved himself worthy of the Lord's kingdom. I know his time on earth was cut short because he was needed there more than here. I know he is at peace and filled with joy in our loving Heavenly Father's kingdom. I know that I will see him again because Families are Forever.  I am so thankful for all this knowledge!

I am so proud of him and the example he has set for me and for our family all of my life. He will always be remembered as the Spiritual Giant in our family. He has done so much for each of us and set an unwavering example of faith and righteous living. A few things I will always remember about Dirk....

• My children loved him dearly! Every time he came to visit our home, he played with them. I am not talking about 3 minutes of hide and seek, I am talking about running around, throwing them in the air, wrestling with them and talking to them for hours! They each know him and love him even though he lived across the country. He made a true lasting, loving impression on my children!
• He quit his lucrative job as a big-shot attorney to stay home more with his family as they went through their teenage years. All of his children are successful, beautiful, truly happy people and I believe it was because of his and Laura's unwavering dedication to them growing up. Thank you, Dirk, for setting this example for me!
• He always put the Lord first in his life. In every decision he made, he made it with the Lord's approval first. He was super smart and learned both in worldly and spiritual matters. I never tired of hearing his thoughts and opinions on anything - he knew so much and was so humble!
• I cherished picking his brain for child-rearing help. He inspired our "one-on-one" time with our kids at night and our "daddy dates" each week. I pray each day our children will turn out as wonderful as his and Laura's have! I pray he will help watch over and guide them as their "Guardian Uncle Dirk Angel" as they grow up!
• He loved law and making a difference in the world through his work. He loved learning and using his mind. I want to be more like him in so many ways!

Good-bye, my Big Brother Dirk....I love you and I miss you so much! Until we meet again....your little sister, Jody