Weekend in the Country

It has been quite warm in Cedar City during the afternoon lately and it was so nice to get out of the heat and head to my parent's. This is the view from their back yard. Gotta love the pretty, rustic ranch.

Cowgirls (Paxton refused to be in the picture)

The Rich County Fair was going on so we got to go to the Parade where Macy sat on Papa's lap the whole time. That cowboy in the bakcground is Macy's great grandpa, Pampa.

Cousins Natalee & Bella

Aunt Barbara and cousin Kambria

Cousin Emily

Grandma Nanny & Grandma Gigi

Clarissa, Ahanna and Satish

The highlight was getting to see my cousin Clarissa who lives in Michigan with her husband Satish and daughter Ahanna. I had never met Satish or Ahanna and hadn't seen Clarissa is 4 years! It was so fun to catch up with her and "talk babies".

Next we went see the home arts exhibit and some of the livestock which Macy loved.

Then it was over to Bear Lake to see some of the homes Andy has been working on for the Bear Lake Parade of Homes and celebrate Brie and Papa's birthdays with dinner at Cafe Sabor...

Paxton hiding from the camera

And then off to the Berry Bowl for cupcakes and frozen yogurt.

I want to get this IKEA table and chairs for Macy to color and have tea parties.

At the Berry Bowl, Macy enjoyed chasing ants on the sidewalk:

Video from Nicole Funderburk on Vimeo.

I got some Bear Lake raspberries for making jam! We had a great weekend (and a long drive home).

Kidney Transplant

My brother Colby Jay just had his 3rd kidney transplant last week. Everything is going really well so far so we hope this kidney is a keeper. I just love my brother and have been thinking and praying for him and his wife a lot lately. My mom posted this story on facebook about the past few weeks and I wanted to share it because she put it so well:

GOOD SAMARITANS.....A few weeks ago a 26 year old lady walked into a hospital in California and said she wanted to donate a Kidney to anyone in need! Her blood type worked with Colby, my son, who has been at the top of the Transplant list for 41/2 years waiting for a donor, his blood was hard to match due to 2 other failed transplants, and lots of blood transfusions. She was a match with Colby!!! So June 29th was the big day that her kidney was removed in California and flown to SLC for Colby! After his first transplant 9 years ago, his friend Nick Stuart gave him a puppy, who he named ALTA, after his favorite ski resort! These two became good buddies, and I have never seen so much love, between a man and his dog! During THIS hospital stay Alta was staying in Centerville at Laurie's parents, at 10 pm a cat ran across the drive-way and a huge Fireworks show began! Alta shot off into the dark as fast as Lightning ! Searching that night lasted until 1 am, no luck, More searching as daylight came, no luck, Flyers where posted everywhere, and handed out to many at the celebration in Centerville. four wheelers combed the Mountains side, screaming Alta, Loud whistling, still No Alta. Colby was so distraught, as he lay in the hospital that he couldn't be helping search. All shelters, and pounds were called, the police where alerted, at 6pm we felt we had tried every angel we could think to find Alta. Tearfully Laurie came back to the hospital to trade me with being with Colby! At 11 pm she called me crying and said they found Alta!! Alta was walking along busy highway 89 by Fruit Heights, UT, A man spotted her and recognized her from the flyer he was handed at the Celebration in Centerville, He pulled over and called to her, she jumped right in his truck, and he took her to Animal Control, who recognized her from the flyers and called Laurie's parents. We do have Angels among us! Thank -you to these two Good Samaritans, for blessing our lives!!

Doug Bingham Family Reunion 2008

We had a quick getaway to Bear Lake for our family reunion. From boating, hiking and crafting to the Pickleville Playhouse melodrama, it was a smashing time! The highlights of the weekend included:

1. Making the traditional family breakfast of Eggs Golden. Have you ever seen these commercials called SprintCuts? They are pretty hilarious and when I saw Kevin and Holly with a pot full of boiled eggs to peel I knew we had to try it out. It did work once or twice but when they say exhale with gusto, they mean it!

2. Bicycle Built for 6. Riding these fun bicycles on the bike trail was a hit and we were fortunate enough to run into a cute little lemonade stand right when we were panting and thirsty.



Andy was showing his biking skills on the banana bike!

3. Pranking on the Beach. We put Natalee up to dumping water on Andy and you can see the mischief in her face!


4. Boating, tubing, and skiing. I love this picture because Ally is giving the signal to cut it and Andy is giving the signal to speed up.





This is me lounging in the boat, but I did water ski, it just didn't get photographed!


5. Our hike, or attempt at hiking.

Thanks everyone! We had a really great time.

Happy Birthday Colby! (a day late)

I was pretty much away from my computer all day yesterday but we didn't forget about you, Colby! I love this photo of Colby even though he really has never been the type of brother to taunt me too bad. I love all of the adventures we have had together and I wish we lived closer to each other. Colby has a great eye for beauty and it shows in his photography. He is such an incredible individual. I value his opinion so much. Colby is a very kind and thoughtful person and I am so glad to have him as my brother. Love ya Colby Jay.