ROZ IPSEN

BORN FEB 2006
DIED JUNE 30th 2009

We bought roz from a breeder in West Jordan, James was dead set on a Boxer. She was the last of 9 puppies and the runt of the liter. We had many fun and frustrating memories with Roz. Her underbite, "talking", Her super long "boner" tail, her love of cheese, the list of things she chewed up; trampoline pad, chair, endless pairs of my underwear, many many feminine hygiene products (used), trash, at least 10 loaves of bread, an entire 12 pack of diet pepsi, Fresh loaf of Banana bread, and the latest thing- MONKEY's FACE. She had a sweet personality and was very emotional about getting in trouble. If she did something naughty she would hide under the table and occasionally peek out to see if it was safe. We decided to get her pal Maggie about 2 years ago when Roz was at her height of naughtiness. She was digging holes all over the yard so we thought she was having anxiety issues. Maggie was immediately her puppy and she took her in as any mother would. Maggie was groomed from head to toe and everywhere in between (yuck) daily. Even in the last week of her life when she was feeling her worst she still took time to give Maggie a cleaning behind her ears. I will miss her at the top of the stairs and by my feet at night. She was a good friend to me last summer when James was in Oklahoma. I don't think I would have felt as safe as I did without her. Saying she will be missed seems like an understatement, but that is all that I can say here at the end. She will be missed.

Fathers Day Random-ness

This was James' first official fathers day with his kids, since he was in Oklahoma last year! We cruised over to Tooele and left the civilized world for a few hours. Campsite number 4 was our new home from 1-5pm all for the bargain price of 6$. What a deal! I always feel a sense of ownership for my newly acquired parcel of land if only for a short while. Sydney and I explored the territory while dad went for a couple trips on his bike. It was a good thing I was having a "good mom" day, otherwise Sydney would have fallen victim to blazing hot fire pit, raging river or just losing her way in the trees. She is a very active girl with a furious curiosity for exploring. I took my turn to take my new toy around, only to find out they are BANNED in campgrounds. Who would have thought, since there are about a million marked ATV trails in this area. Oh well, we are IPSENS we will not let this get us down. We opened our bag of Cheetos (crunchy, of course) and explored the river. I found lots of cool rocks, sticks and remnants of modern civilization (Plates, wrappers, plastic milk jugs, beer bottles, soda cans). I wonder if people who live here hundred of years from now will think "oh this is gonna be worth something, an authentic dixy blue plate with sectional dividers, you just don't find 'em in this condition." We find Indian artifacts (arrowheads, pottery, tools, nails) maybe they were just as sloppy as we are but their stuff is older? HMM something to think about. Regardless, I picked up that blue plate and threw it in the trash. I am a better person because of this. :) HAPPY FATHERS DAY for all those great Dads who provide, protect and love us!

Face Transplant

The dogs strike again and this time it was a most beloved stuffed animal "monkey" Before I knew what had happened they had chewed off this cute little animals face. Monkey went into emergency surgery and had only a 40% chance of survival. I am happy to report she pulled through with only a few scars and a slightly distorted face.

Monkey after the accident

Monkey after the face transplant

1. Monkey In recovery
   
   

   Monkey In January..
   
   

New enclosure=garbage

After buying a trampoline for my son 2 YEARS ago I have finally gotten around to putting up the enclosure, which I had to have. I am such a good mom who would think getting a trampoline without an enclosure? Well like I said 2 years later I am now putting it up. James and I tackle this as any good team would, we each have a socket wrench and the directions in front of ME. I look at the instructions trying to decide if I have the paper upside down, and James is already getting to work. He chirps loudly "I see what we are doing!" I guess I am lacking the ability to read and understand. So, with the instructions in hand and a socket wrench in the other I get started. James looks over and says, "oh, um that part needs to go on the other direction." I get irritated but remain calm and say lovingly "okay honey". Attempt number 2 and a few moments later, James said "you need to put the washers on the outside of that part." My eyes fly to the intructions and plead my case.. they do not mention that the washers go on the outside. "How do you know?" He said its "manstincts" Now after hearing this of course I think.. yeah MAN STINK. I am getting a little frustrated. So, on my 3rd attempt I finally get how the security clamps go on but my socket wrench is turned to remove screws instead of tighten. I keep dropping the stupid wrench and I lost a screw in our grass. James is now done with 6 of the 8 clamps and by the time I tightened my last bolt on the first clamp he finished number 7. Now with this done I head back to the instructions.. Okay "Step 2" Attach the netting around the outside. This is not an easy task nor does it help that our lovely dogs got into this box last year and chewed up a couple VITAL pieces. Well, with a very good attemp and an hour down the tubes I threw in the towel and gave the command "THROW IT AWAY"
Luckily it was the yearly clean up day and the huge garbage bins were still out. James got out the saws-all and cut off all my hard work (1 clamp :)) and I more than willingly picked up all the pieces and threw them away! The best 200$ I ever got rid of .

Minnesota Trip

Over spring break we took the family to Minnesota for a reunion with all my family. Kaleb, Sydney and I flew into MN on Easter Sunday. It was so much fun to see all my family. We had an easter dinner, Kathy curtis style, and then we had an easter egg hunt for the little kids and another for the big kids. I think there were over 200 eggs filled and hidden. After all that we played Price is Right, and I won!! I was so excited, my prize was black lingerie and a cowboy hat with a bedazzled "angel" across the front. Yes, we played with the entire family. The week went so fast and I think Kaleb ran across my path a couple times. He spent most of his week on a four-wheeler, in a hottub, or playing with one of his cousins. He has 3 cousins a year older than him and 1 cousin two years younger, so he was busy. HIGHLIGHTS: Mall of America, Water park, and spending time with my sisters!

The week we got back I felt like I gained 10 lbs, and I did. My mom's house is a full time Golden Corral buffet. We ate too much but it was so worth it! I guess as long as we both are chubby and hairy its fine.

Kaleb also entertained this week with an update of his life. Here is a sample of our conversation.



Kaleb ) So I have my 16th girlfriend
Mom) Oh, this is the 16th girl you have liked?
Kaleb) NO, I have 16 girlfriends
Kaleb) Actually, one of them just broke up with me, so I told her thats okay I can get another one
Mom) Why did she break up with you?
Kaleb) She found out about the other girls!
Mom& Dad) Kaleb you should not do that to girls
Kaleb) Oh, I am not doing that anymore, I tell the other girls if they see me with someone else just stay back
mom &Dad) MOUTH DROPS AT THIS POINT

Sydney's Birthday

Sydney's birthday was a stormy week of coughs and colds. We were all sick and doped up on theraflu and mentholatem. Glad to say we are feeling 98% better almost 23 days later. Through all the kleenex' and gloom I was able to make chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting. I did have some help from Kaleb and Hannah. We bought her a new swingset, complete with pink baby swing. She was absolutely terrified of the swing the first couple of times in it, but now she will crack a smile. She devoured her cupcake (meaning she squished it in her hands and threw it on the floor). She has been such a great baby we can't wait to see what the next year will bring.

Her appointment with the neurologist went well, he basically thinks she has a behavior tic that will most likely disappear with age . So we are pretty happy with those results. She is now walking/running, climbing up and down the stairs and loves to scream. LOTs of work but it comes with lots of love as well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY!

NOTE: We braved a Jazz Game the week we were all sick.. They played the timberwolves, how could we not go? I was so sure they had the game we left with 2 minutes on the clock..Of course the wolves scored and the Jazz lost by 2 points.. ARGHH and WOOHOO all at the same time. I wore my Minnesota shirt with my Foam Jazz Finger.