Backus Family

2010-11-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

On October 4th, Buddy turned 1. We feel like this is a huge milestone because our last dog, Copper, only lasted 8 months in our home. I have a hard time admitting that I am not a dog lover, but the reality is I do love Buddy regardless of the fact that he has chewed up our baseboards, our new area rug, countless pairs of shoes, books, furniture, and so on. There are days I would like to give him away until I remind myself that my children would disown me if I did that. From day 1, Buddy has been included in our prayers and will more than likely be with us until his last day.

Niagra Falls

2010-10-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

Niagra Falls is just a short drive from Palmyra. We are standing on the U.S. side and the buildings in the background are on the Canadian side.

New York City

2010-10-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Standing on top of Rockefeller Plaza overlooking the Empire State Building. A view I will never forget!
We went to Gershwin Theater to see Wicked. Lot's of fun! Christine now wants to one day be Glinda. I have heard the song "Popular" over and over and over and over........

We took the subway to Yankee Stadium and watched the Mariners get beat. It's hard to hate the Yankees when you are sitting in the midst of die hard Yankee fans everywhere. Steve and Cody were even on their best behavior :).

Especially for Youth

2010-10-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

I am posting a few pics from summer. Better late than never. Jake, McCoy, Brady and Cody went to EFY at BYU in July. They had a great time and came home better boys because of it. The highlight for me was having them all go to our ward and pass the sacrament together.

Palmyra, New York

2010-09-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

We went to Palmyra on July 3rd and on the 4th of July we went for the first time to the Sacred Grove. It was a trip we will never forget.

I It was interesting to realize that at the time of our trip to the Sacred Grove Cody was 14 years old - the same age Joseph Smith was when he was visited by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

We loved our walk through the Sacred Grove.

I loved this picture of my children entering the Sacred Grove.

This is the Palmyra Temple which through this small opening in the trees overlooks the Sacred Grove. A missionary in our stake is from Palmyra and he told us that the church couldn't get permission from the city of Palmyra to cut down the trees that would give the temple this small opening. Not long after, a lightening storm struck the 3-4 trees which were blocking the view and had to be removed. He assured me that this story was fact.

It Went!

2009-11-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

We finally decided to wrap the steel post with wood. The picture doesn't do it justice, but we are definitely happy with it.

Should it stay or should it go?

2009-07-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

We've been going back and forth on whether to keep this chrome post or wrap it with something else. I'd love your opinion and suggestions on what we could do to change it.

Cody recently completed his Eagle project. He put together school kits for children in need.

2009-07-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

After moving into the same neighborhood we used to live in, we decided to do some remodeling. These are our recently painted kitchen cabinets.

2009-07-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hope the weather cooperates for this great celebration!

2009-06-14T19:36:00.001-07:00

50th Anniversay location

2009-06-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

Go Utes!

2009-05-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

Cody, Kaylie and Kyle sliding down the block "U".

Alicia suggested the kids climb the "U" when she came down for Women's Conference. It was pretty steep, so the kids had to slide down to avoid tumbling down.

The "U" has been lit quite often this year due to the Utes undefeated season.

University of Utah campus view from the block "U'.

Disneyland 2009

2009-05-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

We keep thinking we need to see more of the world on our vacations, but we just don't think anything else will top Disneyland. This was our first trip without a stroller!

Easter Sunday

2009-04-23T15:17:00.000-07:00

Steve and Cody are almost the same height. Steve refuses to believe this.
Christine told me she thought she looked like Alice in Wonderland.
It's a mother's perrogative to buy matching outfits.

2009-04-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

We miss the cousins!!

Little Miss toothless wonder

2009-03-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

christine just lost her two front teeth!!!! how exciting! her mom pulled out one, but her other one came out at school! good job tini!!!!!

Draper Temple open house.

2009-02-08T16:05:00.000-08:00

We went to the Draper temple open house the day after it opened. The Draper Temple is the 129th temple of the church and the 12th in Utah.

Happy Birthday Cassidy!

2009-02-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

Cassidy turned 11 on December 30th. She asked for a new desk and a new hairstyle.

She celebrated with her cousins and David.

Her girlfriends celebrated at the Murray Ice Center.

Happy birthday, David Archuleta! | Idoltracker | Los Angeles Times

2008-12-28T12:49:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below to read a great article that was posted in the LA Times about David Archuleta turning 18.

Happy birthday, David Archuleta! Idoltracker Los Angeles Times

The Utah Utes Honor Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

2008-12-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

Dec. 18, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah athletics department plans to establish an endowed scholarship in the name of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, a former Utah football player and a staunch supporter of the program for many years.
Initial contributors to the program include current Ute football coach Kyle Whittingham and former Ute football coach Urban Meyer. The Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Family Scholarship, which will benefit the Utah football program, is being established with the support of the Wirthlin family, the University of Utah and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Utah football team will honor Wirthlin's memory by wearing a decal bearing the initials JBW on its helmets in the Sugar Bowl.
"Elder Wirthlin was a close personal friend to me and my family," said Whittingham. "I learned a great deal from him over the years. He will be missed by all of us associated with Utah football, including our fans. I'm thankful to the Wirthlin family for helping us establish this scholarship in his memory. I hope Ute fans around the country will join Coach Meyer and me in fully funding this scholarship. It is a great tribute to a great person."

Real Hero Posters

2008-12-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

I came across this artist at a Christmas show in Salt Lake. I love his posters of Book of Mormon heroes. You can view more of his posters at www.realheroposters.com.

The Quest For Perfection - the RED version.

2008-12-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

December 11th Steve turned 41 years old. He bought himself a birthday present which he thought was kind of cool. This year the BYU football team chose 'The Quest For Perfection' as their slogan for 2008. Unfortunately they didn't quite reach their goal and the UofU stole their slogan as they ended with a perfect season. Immediately after the Utes beat the Cougars these t-shirts were made that are identical to the shirts that BYU made, but in RED.

Some things we miss about Olympia

2008-12-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

Mallory.

Our home.

Matt and Alicia.

Kathleen and Bob.

Grandpa.

Grandma.

The Neeley Boys.

Chloe.

Apple Fritters at Lattin's Farm.

Grandma and Grandpa's front porch view.

Halloween with the cousins!

Glen Beck book signing

2008-12-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading "The Christmas Sweater" written by Glenn Beck. He has done a stage show based on the book where he plays 12 different characters. Steve gave me tickets to the show for my b-day and before it began I met him at a book signing. I told him he was a lot quieter in person. I think he was trying to save his voice for the show and also hoping not to encourage lengthy conversation as there were over 1000 people in line!

Snow Canyon Half Marathon

2008-11-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

Steve and I decided to run our first race together. We ran the Snow Canyon Half Marathon in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Steve decided to "run for love" which means he decided to slow down and run with me. It was a beautiful day in St. George and we enjoyed the race. When I woke up the next morning I could barely move! There were up and down hills throughout the race and I had not trained on any hills. I am just now able to walk down the stairs without groaning.

Brenda was first in line

2008-11-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Brenda was first in line when the cake was cut so she could claim David's face! Get out and buy your copy of the CD!

News worthy

2008-11-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

The girls all had their Arch Angel t-shirts on which caught the attention of Fox 13 News. They were all on the news that night screaming for their hometown boy!

Midnight CD purchase

2008-11-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

The Walmart in Sandy, Utah had a CD release party from 8p.m. til midnight with cake, balloons, games and contests. Brenda and I took Cassidy, Bethany, Meghan, and some friends and hung out for 4 hours till we could purchase the CD at midnight.

Puggle

2008-11-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

This is a cross between a Pug and a Beagle. Christine has had a fascination with Pugs for the last couple of months. I don't have the heart to tell her that I don't find them very cute, so I took her to this pet store to see what she thought about a Puggle. I think we are making progress!

2008-11-09T21:14:00.000-08:00

Archuleta's CD release on 11-11!

2008-11-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

Support this young man!

Arch Angels on Halloween

2008-11-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

David Archuleta fans are called Arch Angels. Yes, I talked the girls into this too! We all went trick or treating at the Murray Care Center where Steve's grandmother is living.

Fall Volleyball

2008-11-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

Cassidy is loving Volleyball. She is the youngest and smallest member of her team, but has proved she can play with the best of them.

Christines B-day!

2008-11-09T20:51:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Christine's birthday at the Cornbelly's corn maze which featured David Archuleta. ( Yes, I suggested that would be a great idea!)

Christine is now 7!

2008-11-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

A week after Cody's birthday Christine turned 7 on September 26th. She is following the same path as her sister. All she wanted was a Pug for her birthday. Her grandfather told her there are no dogs allowed in his house so she settled for a Nintendogs game which features Pugs.

Our first teen-ager!

2008-11-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

On September 18th Cody turned 13. He let us know he just wanted to celebrate quietly. "Don't do anything big, I'm not Miley Cyrus". ( Miley's parents shut down Disneyland for her 16th!)

2008-10-12T17:20:00.000-07:00

I loved Olympia so much I gave it a big long smooch before we left!