sctnatwygo

Lake Tahoe

2009-05-26T21:58:00.001-07:00

So here we go on our yearly blog! :) We finally made it up to Northern Nevada and boy was I pleasantly surprised! I don't know what I was really expecting but maybe more desert like Las Vegas but instead found it to be a beautiful green and lush place. Lake Tahoe was awesome! It was like combining Fish Lake, Bear Lake, Park City, and the Beach all into one place!
If you want the high end shopping and such they have it one the South Side if you like a little more Rustic go to the North Side. If you want to hike, bike, fish, kayak, para sail, jet ski, water ski, sailboat, motor boat, swim, layout, sightsee, shop,go to the art fairs, craft fairs, farmers markets, eating, camping, mini-golf, real golf, and that is just in the summer time! It is available all around the whole lake. If you get bored it is your own fault. It has your sandy beaches, your rocky beaches, it has your docks to hang out on or fish from. It was a great place for our vacation! The water is as clear as they say and clean too! And for being their first big weekend of the summer season you didn't feel like you were over crowded.

These are pictures of the beach we were hanging out on. Then mostly other pictures of the Lake as we drove around it. It was cool to see the color of the water change as you went around the Lake. Just the way the sun hits it changes from blues to greens.

Rainbow and cutthroat trout at the Truckee Dam. They were so big it was awesome!

Of course the ski slops.

This is Reno looking down from the East Mountains we were headed up to Virginia City the old Mining town. And it is as rustic as old time Saloons that you can get. We rode their Steam Train that takes you on a 30 min tour of the mines and such.

This is the old school house that actually looks like it is in really good shape for being so old.

So we had to do the mini-golf and Garrett the stud got a hole in one..showing up his big brother.
So while we were up there we also went to Carson City, Miner, Gardnerville, and just drove all over.
There are some beautiful little towns and who knows maybe we will end up there someday!
We went a saw the Reno Temple.
and went downtown to see the Biggest Little City in the World. All in all it was a great trip!
For some reason the boys got sick and we had some upchuck moments but they got over it and it was a fun weekend!

2008-11-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

I must be a terrible mother since I didn't take any pictures of the kids for Halloween. In fact the camera I think is collecting dust. So since I just found out that I was tagged a few months ago here is a little info about me you may not know.

Seven Unknown Facts of Natalie

1. I am a video game junkie. When we bought the Star Wars Lego game and Indiana Jones game for me...I mean Wyatt and Garrett I am hooked until I win it...that means a week or two of me on Playstation every breathing second. My poor kids suffer so much because I seriously HAVE to beat this game or it is on my mind 24/7. Then when I win we are a happy family again! And now I hooked on Settlers of Caton online! Oh, please help me!!!

2. I am one of the few people who really love their job. I love to Color hair and come up with new changes for people. Yet I get completely bored with my hair that is why I have had the same look for ummmm at least forever!

3. I have no backbone! I hate confrontation. I let people walk all over me. I will talk about things or people that completely irk me and I will never confront the issue. "No really I am fine...we are fine" My famous quote! I have had customers walk out without paying and I won't say a word... how dumb is that! I must really love my job since I do it for free! :)

4. Girly girls bug me to death! I don't know how I am surviving Young Women's with all these girls surrounding me. I hate to shop at Mall's. I don't know what the big deal is about Name brand clothing, purses, or shoes, and why someone would spend more than $20 on a purse or shoes is so beyond my comprehension. That is what Walmart, Target, and the sales are for.

5. I think I married the wrong man. Was that just terrible to say? Now don't go telling Scott this. I do love him. We are just completely opposite! I just wish he loved camping, fishing, hunting, and traveling like I do. If I had the chance to be on Survivor or Amazing Race I would do it in a heartbeat and that is the furthest thing away from his dreams! Also, I wish he had an interest in being a Jack of all trades and want to change things in the house with me instead of watching me do it.

6. I love reunions...anytype school, family, friends you name it. I love visitiing and catching up on everything. I am really enjoying Facebook right now so if you are on it look me up!

7.I have read the Book of Mormon once in my life. I seriously have a problem reading scriptures. I don't know if it is because I am trying to comprehend it too much or trying to look into the passages for more than what is there. But I seriously get bored I don't get it! When I am listening to someone who is sharing a passage and they are pulling all of these hidden messages I am just like how on earth did you pull that out of there? I have tried to read with the family but I am like how can I teach this when I don't understand what we are reading? Go figure.

Well, there you go! I hope you don't think any less of me now that my secrets are out.

Here we go again

2008-04-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

February 2008

I hate to tell those of you stuck in snow drifts and ice but we have been enjoying some awesome spring weather. It has been fun having Wade and Amy close by again so there is lots of cousin time again. It is great how much they love each other(especially when they are gone lol). They always talk about each other and then when they get together watch out. Garrett and Paityn are two tough cookies. And give each other a run for their money. Although I think Paityn has come out with more bite marks. I mean love bites.

March 2008

So we are all into Flag football now. Scott is coaching Wyatt's little JV team and I am the Team Mom. We are the Kansas City Chiefs and it has been fun watching these 5-7 year old kids learning how to play together. Garrett has to wear the Flags during practice just to show he can be like the big boys. I have enjoyed it so much that I might even be Scott's assistant Coach next year. We will see.

Also we had Easter here in Vegas. Mckay and Wade's families came down and we did the usual Easter Egg Hunt but for the first time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Best part was diving for coins in the pool. We all finally have updated family pics. Also a new updated grandkid pic with grandma and grandpa. Way cute I do say. But if I showed you that pic right now grandma might shoot me. That one is coming for Christmas.

April 2008

Last weekend we got to go to Ceterville to see Jerzee get blessed and had a great time staying with Mckay and Wade's family's and even got to see Jenn for a bit. While we were there we took the kids to this fun little Rec Center to swim. You could say this is dumb, dumber, and dumberer. Brett, Clay, and Wyatt getting ready to go off the high dive. Wyatt has never been on a diving board let alone a high one. So with no brains or lots of guts he just took off and went for it. And when I asked him how it was his reply was "Oh, my heck it freaked me out!" But not enough to keep him off it. So it was all fun and games until it was time to go and as we were leaving Wyatt had a door catch his big toe nail and ripped it completely off. Real fun for the cousins checking out the nail on the ground right next to the bloody toe. Sorry to get graphic but ya it was gross. Then we have gotten addicted to Settlers thanks to Mckay and always have a good game of pit to call it a night.

So for the most part life is going on and going Fast!! I can't believe where the time is going. Scott is going strong with school still and will hopefully be done by next Summer. I am working and hanging with Garrett every day. I don't know he does so well hanging out while I do hair. Wyatt is doing good with school but we have had some adventures on the school bus. A few weeks ago some kid was bugging him so he flipped the double bird! Imagine my innocent son doing such a thing! I told him like any loving mother would "Do it again and I will cut those fingers off!" Then Travis came for a hair cut and I told Wyatt to come ask Travis what cops do to kids that flip the bird and without a second of thought he said the same thing "We cut those fingers off!" So needless to say I hope we don't have anymore of that. Then 2 weeks ago he doesn't get off the bus at our stop and we couldn't find him. After going back to the school and getting ready to scream my heart out I find that he isn't there either. So now I am getting crazy ready to kill once I find him, yet crying cause I don't know where to look for him. I come back home to get Scott to start looking for him and as we drive down the road we saw him walking along kicking rocks with no care in the world. "GET IN THIS TRUCK NOW!!!!" As those sweet words rolled off my tongue I look at Wyatt and he starts crying. "Where have you been!" I lovingly scream "Mom I just wanted to walk home from school and get some excercise." AAHHHHHHH What! Our school is two and a half miles from our house. Then this week 2 kids have been picking on him when he gets off the stop so we had to confront those boys and share a bit of the Oakley Love. "Touch him again and see what happens!" I never thought with his size I would ever have to worry about bullies I guess I forgot there are older bigger kids out there as well. So much for the excitement I tell you. Anyhow, I am looking forward to this summer with the Weddings, Reunions, Girls Camp, and Newport. See ya then...maybe sooner.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-15T15:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, Okay, Okay. So it has been 6 months since we last updated and we didn't do a Christmas letter so here I hope you enjoy this update. I sat down today to do it and can't download pictures sooooo I will just write for now. Last time was June I belive so we have had my birthday and Wyatt in June along with fathers day. Wyatt was so excited to turn 6 and I to turn 35 yippee. So last July we spent ther 4th here in Vegas and had Scott's birthday as well. At the end of July we had a great vacation down to Newport beach with Everyone and the kids had a great week on the beach and ocean and can't wait for next July. August we got a Foster daughter Autum. She is a Senior at Arbor View and is very active in Theater and Debate. She is actually in an independent living situation. We are trying to teach and get her ready to live on her own when she is taken off of State Support. She is quite outgoing and everyone seems to enjoy having her around. It has been good having her with us but a bit challenging as well. Having 3 kids now haunts me! LOL Aunt Marilyn I don't know how you survived with four female teenagers! Yikes. I have realized I am a great boy mom. I don't do well with mood swings and the other things that come with girls. And Autum is a girly girl. Not like the tomboy that I was. So we live and learn and there are more good days than bad so we will survive. I also got called into the Young Women's as 1st counselor and that has been a big change too. But I can't wait for CAMP YEAH!!!!! The girls are typical but I have grown to love them...now if I could figure out how to text all the time I would fit in perfectly. I am back to working full time since in August Scott quit his job at Sierra to go back to school full time. He has spent the last 18 years getting 33 credits and at that rate we were never going to see the end. So we decided he needed to go back to school full time and get it done in 2 years or hopefully less. He just finished the fall semester and did a great job getting 4 A's and one B. So he is now signed up for another 20 credits for the spring and 6 more credits for Institute as well. He wants to graduate Institute by next year and then graduate in Special Ed or maybe a High School Counselor. We will see. It is nice seeing that he knows what he wants to be when he grows up.:) Wyatt is in 1st grade and gone all day so Garrett is bored out of his mind staying home with me all day while I work. Somehow we manage and thankfully Grandma gets his every now and again to save me. Wyatt wasn't too excited about the first few days of school and wanted to go back to kindergarten but he eventually got used to it and enjoys it now. September brought Garretts 2nd Birthday and many other cousins as well. It was fun getting together with everyone. October I was in charge of Young Women's in Excellence night so I was very relived to move on from that experience. And Halloween we had 2 spider man's in our house Garrett was a little one and a big buff spider man for the 3rd year. Love it when a costum lasts for more than one season and thank goodness for the movies keeping it popular. Autum was the Lead in their school play Arsenic and Old Lace she was Abby and did a great job. She has a great talent for memorizing lines. I know I wouldn't even get close to doing what she did. November was great going up to Utah for 5 days. We went to Laura Lee's Wedding in Manti and had lots of fun visiting with all the Daniel's family. Good times getting together. Then we went to Tracy's baby shower and spent some time with Mckay, Tracy and the girls. We stayed with Jenn and had fun Kareoking and went to the Aquarium up there. Pretty cool but not quite like the Atlanta Aquarium. Then kids loved the petting ponds. We went to Temple Square since Autum has never been up there and went to the Joseph Smith movie as well. The we also staying with Wade and Amy and had lots of fun hanging out with them in Richfield. It is so nice having them a 4 hour drive away instead of a 4 hour flight. And as long as we keep Paityn and Garrett separated life is good. Thanksgiving came and left like super fast. And though it was fun having Mckay and Tracy down it was just a bit tooo quite without all the grandkids down to have fun together. So now we are in December and Christmas is 10 days out. I don't know where the year has gone! Especially the last 6 months. I feel like I just blinked and it was gone. We went up to Brett's Baptism last weekend and had fun watching the Light Parade in Richfield. And I quickly realized I have no warm clothes for snow. Oh, well it was great anyways. Sorry we haven't been better on keeping updated but we will try to do better. We love you all and miss you as well. Take care and we will see ya later. Oakley Family

Oakley Life

2007-06-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

Well, lots has been going on we have just had time to update. We have had the Chicken Pox if you can believe that. Luckily since they had vaccinations it wasn't as bad as when we had them. Both Wyatt and Garrett only had maybe a couple dozen and mostly on their faces. After that it was time for Kindergarten Graduation. Wyatt was so excited knowing he was going to start 1st grade. That means I have to find a way to entertain Garrett all day now. As you can see he is hitting the terrible two's and is into everything. He doesn't seem to be scared of much and loves making messes. In one week he had dumped out the Ketchup, Honey, and Butter. Thank goodness for Bissel carpet cleaner. We have also gone out to the Lake to feed the fish and it seems like we see new things all the time. This trip there was a turtle hanging out and a funky looking albino carp. We also have had Mckenna and Ginger here for the last 3 weeks and had lots of fun cooking, swimming, sleeping out on the trampoline and just hanging out. They just went home this weekend and will really miss them.

Sweet Home Alabama.....I mean Georgia!

2007-04-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

What a vacation! All I can say is I love fishing for big mouth bass folks! We had such a great time visiting Wade, Amy, and the kids in Georgia! It has to be top on the list of great vacations. First and foremost to have your own fishing lake in you back yard was awesome! It is a good thing I don't live there since nothing would get done around the house and the kids would be wondering where in the world their mom disappeared to. It was great watching Wyatt get excited about fishing as well. This was his first time catching fish and even though they were bluegill it was fun just catching the fish. Wade built an awsome dock you just hang out on and fish all you want.

They also have a boat they get to borrow and you can row out on the lake to all the other great spots. Even if it is only made of styrofoam and fiberglass and you barely sit 8 inches above the lake it was still fun to go out all around the lake. Talk about abs and thigh workout trying to stay balanced you wouldn't need a gym membership there. I do have one of the best fishing stories of the big one that got away but don't have enough time to type it down. If you want to hear it let me know. But between watching the beaver out in the lake, all the squirels in the trees, turtles sunning themselves or watching you from beneath the water(kind of freaking when you realize you have eyes watching you), or watching fireflies at dusk, or just laying out in the hammock everything was so relaxing. We also went to the Georgia Aquarium.

They house 3 Whale Sharks and 5 Baluga Whales and so many other wildlife and aquatic life. Pretty exciting to see everything so up close. They have many hands on petting pools. So you could touch Stingrays, sharks, horseshoe crabs, shrimp, starfish, anemones(spelling?) Then they have a 4D-Movie about keeping the oceans clean and fish safe. We also went to Stone Mountain and watched a great rain storm with waterfalls coming off the Mountain and then a fun Laser show on the side of the Mountain. So much to do and so little time. I am so glad we got to spend time with them, especially since they are leaving Georgia now. I don't know how they can leave knowing that there is a big mouth with my lure waiting to be caught!!! Garrett had a good time staying home with Dad and Grandma and the girls. He got lots of swimming in and was super spoiled by Grandma and everyone. He loved her slide out back especially when it is pool side and gets to slide in. He is super curious and a very good climber. He is here climbing up my kitchen chair like he is doing nothing wrong. Well enough for now I can't upload anymore pics so we will end it here.

Disney, Soccer, Tae Kwon Do, and More....Finally!!!

2007-03-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it takes me awhile to get these posts up so this one might be a bit long.

Disney was a blast! Good weather and small lines can't beat it. We got to see Mickey everywhere and all the other fun characters too. Lots of walking and just trying to soak everything up. I think Garrett still has a few years to really come to love the rides.

As you can see even the Carosel was a white knuckle ride for him! And to make it worse we made him go on the one in California Adventure as well. Talk about child abuse! ;(

Wyatt on the other hand wants the fastest, highest, and all the water rides of course. Luckily I love those rides as well and Scott is just fine hanging out with Garrett while we go. Although Scott likes to get wet as well. He is in the White shirt here. Wyatt's highlight was fighting Darth Vader. He got picked out of the audience to become a Jedi in Training. Unfortunately, we only had video of the Darth Vader challenge. We couldn't ride Space Mountain enough or Matterhorn either. Scott loves It's a Small World since it gives him a 10 min nap break and its nice and cool inside.

I loved the California Adventure especially the Tower of Terror and Soaring California. LOVE IT!!! All in all a great trip for all.

Wyatt has been doing his Tae kwon do and just made his yellow belt. Even had to break a board with his foot. I think he is slowly getting tired of it and the whole Power Ranger thing has gotten old and now it is hard work. So we will see how this goes. Also he just got done with Soccer and had fun chasing the ball around with the other 11 kids on the field. Quite funny watching 3-5 year olds trying to fight over a ball. He is #37 Here is another pic of Wyatt during Reading week he went to school as Harry Potter. Real fun dying his hair brown....dad was not so happy about that. :( I guess that is what happens when you have a wife as a Hairstylist. Garrett is so much fun. He loves his stroller ride every day to take Wyatt to the bus stop and when ever he sees a bus he starts yelling wy-wit wy-wit. Thinking Wyatt is on there. He mostly hangs out with me all day and hangs out with my clients as I work. More of a busy body than help of course. But I love being home with him. Unfortunately, he get tired of waiting for me to finish working so nap time happens all around the house at any time. But he keeps me smiling and is just a great kid! Scott is still at Sierra Health but they just got bought out so he is just waiting to see what the new company does with Sierra. Fun huh! Anyhow life is good and all is well here in Vegas.

Happy New Year

2007-01-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

With all the fun the Holidays brought I can't belive that it came and went faster than ever. I can't believe 2007 is here. So with the Holidays are over and life can slow down a bit. It is nice not to be rushing so much. The boys are bored out of their mind staying home all day while I work. The not so great advantages of at stay at home working mom. :) As you can see Garrett has found a new napping place, on our kitchen table. I have gone in to check on the boys after doing a haircut and he has been out cold on top. Now I don't know if he is laying in a pile of drool or sweat but when you pick him up his face is soaking wet. But hey if he is comfortable why change anything.:) Wyatt has been taken over by the Playstation. He got the Legos Starwars for Christmas and wants to play it 24/7. So he can't wait until I have to work so I can't stop him. He also just started Soccer which is quite humerous with 14 kids running after one ball. The age group is 3-5 so you know how that goes. But he likes to play unless we are by a park then all he wants to do is play at the park. Scott is getting ready for the Spring Football season. It starts up in March and he will be gone 3 days a week again. But he loves coaching so what do you do. Here is a self portrait with Wyatt just goofing off and another with Dad and Garrett. So we go on enjoying the quite life until Feb when we are looking forward to Disney Land. Yeahhhh!! And then in April we go to Georgia to see the Christensen's. Yippee!! Wyatt can't wait for the Airplane ride.

new blogspot

2006-11-05T22:20:00.000-08:00

Okay we have a new blogspot since this one is now cooperating goto sctnatwygoakley.blogspot.com and we finally have new pics Yeah!!

Tae Kwon Do Kid

2006-10-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

Forget Karate Kid we are going for Tae Kwon Do Kid! We just got Wyatt signed up and he is loving it so far. Thank goodness for the Power Rangers to get him excited about this. He has had 2 classes so far and is a major beginner! It will be interesting to see how well and how long he sticks with it

Happy Birthday Garrett

2006-09-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Garrett finally turned one this week. I can't believe how fast a year flies by. We had a little barbeque with the Ivies and Grandma and Grandpa Christensen and Oakley. As for Garret and his first birthday he is as happy as a can be now that he got to eat his own cake.

Mt. Charleston and Lee Canyon

2006-09-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

Since we can't make it up to Utah to camp as much as I would like, we decided to ride up and check out the campgrounds and see if they are even worth the time. Not bad but definately not the same. At least it is only a 45 min drive.
Wyatt was ready to get hiking and Garrett was ready for another nap. Lots of Motorcycles up there enjoying the beautiful weather.

We ran into a small group of wild horses which was fun. We got out of the truck to see how close we could get to them. No luck! There was a small colt and the adults would keep moving further away.

2006-09-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Garrett is getting to be so much fun. The littlest things get him giggling and laughing so hard. Wyatt gets him started and justs keeps going till we have to stop him. He is cruising around the furniture but isn't ready to let go just yet. He turns one this month. I can't believe it!
This is Garretts SO BIG pose. He has mastered crawling up the stairs and sliding down on his belly. Thank goodness. He also thinks he is Mr. Independent and is up and down the stairs all the time now. Which turns into our game of Where in the House is Garrett. He is everywhere. But the favorite is where any toilet paper roll is and has unraveled and shredded it to pieces. Ah, the good life right.

2006-08-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here's Wyatt down at the Los Angeles Temple. We went there for a cousin's wedding.
Garrett with Grandma Christensen waiting outside the Temple for Carson and his Wife.

2006-08-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

Hey All! Here we are at Mckay and Tracy's Wedding. Our first family pic with Garrett. We had so much fun being with all the family up there and sure miss you all.

2006-08-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Tracy's and Mckay's Wedding.
Our first family picture. Wyatt is now 5 and ready for Kindergarden this fall. Garrett is 10 months and cruisin all around the house.