A Week of Discoveries

Braden has discovered:
* To do a 3 second wheely on his Rip Stick.
* To wear his safety gear while riding the Rip Stick. This after two near visits to the ER!
* Being able to walk to school is really COOL!

Collin has discovered:
* To kick through a practice board in Tae Kwon Do.
* That there is a right way and a wrong way to pick your nose.
* When I go shopping with mom, I can usually get something that I want.

Lila has Discovered:
* That she will eat blueberries in her wheat pancakes if I chop them up first. Hurray!
* She is going to absolutely love Kindergaren and her new teacher, Mrs. Le Baron!
(not so much a discovery, but something funny Lila said during a prayer this week.... "and please bless that we can obey our parents ..... sometimes!"

Caleb has Discovered:
* To walk proficiently. (He's only 15 months ...)
* Using his fork is a much more fun and cleaner way to eat!
* To crawl straight up to our bedroom, into the bathroom, climb up to the sink and turn
the water on, grab the closest brush, get it wet and comb his hair!
* When he looks in the mirror, he sees someone really cute and wants to have a fun
conversation with that person. So funny.

First Day of School!

Braden: Big man on campus in 6th grade.
Collin: Mr. Cool 3rd grader
Lila Rose: Enthusiastic Kindergartener

14 Years And Going Strong!

Talmage and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary! My Mother-in-law, Nancy, always says, "the days are long, but the years are short." I have found this to be particularly true. Looking back, it seems like a blink of an eye. In the past 14 years, we have been blessed with four beautiful children, lived in five places, trudged through under-grad, med-school, internship, residency and a fellowship. Phew! What a ride we have been on. Some ups and downs, but holding on tight all the while. I love Talmage so very much and am thankful to walk side by side with him on this wonderful journey called Marriage!

For our anniversary, Grandma Kathy came and watched the kids so that we could have a little get-away. THANK YOU GRANDMA! We went to Park City and had such a great, relaxing time. I'm thinking we need to celebrate being married more often! It was great. Here are a few pictures of our hike. The views were so amazing and these pictures just don't do it justice, but here's a little idea of the beauty in Utah.

Utah Summer Activities

Since we got off of the airplane, we have been going and going. We have been able to make it to so many family functions and it has been wonderful. In the midst of everything, we found a house to rent for a few months so that we weren't jumping into something that we would regret. It is a nice home and our neighbors have been very warm and welcoming. The day our POD arrived, the Bishop of our church and his wife were walking by (I don't think by chance) and within a few minutes there were about 8 or so men unloading our POD. We were so grateful for all of the help. There are so many good people in the world.

Here are some pictures of what we have been doing.


Cousins with Grandpa Bart at Snowbird

Braden climbing the rock wall.

Collin on the rock wall. He got all the way to the top!

Lila on the rock wall. She was so brave and got about half way!

Collin, Lila and Braden all climbing the rock wall at once

Caleb, Braden, Collin, Sydnie, Lila, Kellie and Blake up at Snowbird. So beautiful!

Cousins Cup tower. They were so proud, we just had to take a picture.

Blake, Collin and Braden off to Camp Snowbird. So fun.

Caleb having fun.

Braden and Collin going up to ride the Alpine slide.

Aunt Dina and Lila Rose coming down the Alpine slide. Lila wanted to go "faster and faster".

A huge wasp nest in our new back yard! YIKES

Lila, Sydnie, Braden and Collin sleeping on the deck because they didn't want to be near the hive.

Lila riding her new princess bike. She is so girly!

Talmage and his dad and brother, Jon. This is at our nieces wedding. Don't they look sharp?

Great Grandma Oleta and the Shill and Fitzpatrick grandchildren. We love you grandma.

Talmage, Braden and Collin canoing up at Island Park for a Dyer reunion. It was so beautiful and peaceful.
Braden had so much fun on the canoe. He said he loved to go out because it was so peaceful.

Collin spent countless hours in the water catching tad poles. There were literally thousands.
Collin and Lila hanging out.
A beautiful rainbow landing right in the lake. This picture doesn't do it justice.
Grandma Kathy and Uncle Brandon preparing an amazing, enormous clam bake. It was so fun to be a part of and I even ate some clams. Not too bad.
Roasting smores and hot dogs with Grandpa Bart

Celebrating Lila's 5th birthday. We made a homemade ice cream cake and it was DE-LIC-IOUS!

Grandpa Bart and Caleb having some bonding time. Too cute.
My mom and dad. I love you so much.

Our Last Week In Pittsburgh

Our last week in Pittsburgh was filled with lots of mixed emotions. We were SO HAPPY to FINALLY be done with all of Talmages' training (14 years!!), we were also so excited to be closer to our family, and... let's be honest, Cafe Rio comes into an easy 3rd place;) HOWEVER, we really loved being in Pittsburgh. We had the best neighbors and friends and we will miss you all so much. If any of you Pittsburgher's are reading this, please know how much you touched our hearts and that you always have friends in Utah!
Here are a few pictures of our last week.



All of our earthly possessions being taken away by the "PODZILLA"

A "going away brunch" with some dear friends. I love you so much!

Talmage's Graduation Dinner. Hip Hip Hooray!

Our big yard sale. Of course, It wouldn't be a Shill yard sale without a major rain storm! aaaggh
At least, we still had pretty good business.

Lila selling cookies in-between rain storms. She did great!


Who needs toys, when there are boxes?

Lila catching "pet potato bugs"

Collin Hula-hooping at a going away open house.

Braden blowing bubbles through his mouth - Yes, through his mouth.

TRIUMPHANT!