Romero's Summer of Fun

This summer is for the most part over and I have been having too much fun to work on the blog....so this blog will probably leave out some of the details, but hopefully record some of the things we have done so that I don't forget. I am getting old and I forget things quickly!
Our first family adventure was to Las Vegas. Okay, it is not the ultimate place for a family vacation, but it worked well for us. We have a timeshare through Wyndham, and there is a very nice resort in Vegas, which we have gone to a couple of times. Greg and I have wanted the kids to see some of the shows there that we have enjoyed like a Cirque de Soule. We went to see Mystere. It was great! Nothing like Ka' which Greg and I had seen before, but it was still amazing.
We have spent time camping as well. We discovered one site that was up Provo Canyon way up past Squaw Peak, called the Hope Campground. It was beautiful, but the drive was steep! We were joined by Matt and Sharlene, Ryan and Lauren and Billy and a Rebecca and kids, as well as Michael and Christy and kids. It was a lot of fun, but we probably won't go back to that site because of the drive to get there. Our second camping adventure was to Payson Lakes. This site was a winner! It is serene, and gorgeous. I told Lauren that I always feel closer to God when I am camping...she ssid it is because you ARE closer to God when you are camping. I love to look at all the amazing beauties of nature. I take in the smells of the pine, the brightness of the night sky and stars that I never can see at home with all the city lights. I really love to camp! We bought a little inflatable raft, and the kids were able to take it out to fish. Everyone caught a few fish, and we fried them up for dinner. I have to say they were pretty tasty. Milo ate the left overs, and was very possessive of his food that night! He turns his nose up to tuna, but he loved the trout!

Minute to Win It

So it's time for an update. I have been wanting to post our family's attempt at "Minute To Win It"! There is a new game show on television by the same name. It is a "Game Show" made up of gaming challenges like you may play at a school or birthday party--the only difference is you only have one minute to complete the task, and you win lots of money! we made an attempt to do it with the family and it was a lot of fun. We didn't have large cash prizes, but we had some great "white elephants". We had a lot of fun and Taylor ended up being the Champion. Too bad we didn't have a million dollar prize for him!

Milo--He's Big He's Fluffy and Has Better Manners!!!

Greg just completed taking Milo to Basic Dog Training. We were skeptical at first because Milo is a bit out of control at times. He acts out the most in new situations, around other dogs and when he is nervous...just the perfect setting for dog training! The first 20 minutes of the first session had me worried. He barked, paced and basically did everything we didn't want him to do. I am happy to report that after 6 weeks of training he can do remarkable things. He sits (which he did before) but now he actually "stays". He can "leave it"...even the yummy dog treats he craves so much. He can be calmed and we think he is ready for his next round of training. Greg hopes to use him as a Therapy Dog. It will take a lot of work. Milo is smart and if Greg is persistent in training him I think they will make a fantastic team! They both have the perfect personalities for a "Therapy" team.

Michael Buble'-A Night out with my Hubby

As soon as I heard Michael Buble' was coming in concert in SLC I wanted tickets! I knew Greg would love it too...he loves music of all types, but we both find his music so relaxing and wonderful. Tickets to his concert were sold out so I am glad we got them early! It was a fantastic concert. I was very impressed with the opening act Naturally 7. They are a group that accompanies themselves with instrument sounds that they make vocally. I think it is called "vocal play". I'm sure they have a youtube video. We had a great time. MB is a fantastic performer and singer. The technical displays were amazing. It was a night I will remember for a long time! Thanks for the great date!( Concert was 3/31/10 at the E Center)

Spring--Please Stay---We NEED YOU

It is just time for Spring to come and stay! We cleaned the garage today...okay Greg did most of the cleaning of the garage, but I am really appreciative of it! It makes me feel like I want to get the rest of the winter messes cleaned up...The yard, the storage rooms, the shed, the closets....Spring must be coming because I am feeling like Spring Cleaning:) The problem with my projects is that it requires much help from my family, which also means that I either get willing help which is nice, or have to beg and plead for help, which makes me a bit grouchy. Everyone likes to have things cleaned up, but no one really enjoys doing it.

So what has been going on at the Romero's for the past month or so? Greg and I had a great trip to Las Vegas for Valentines. We stayed at the Bellagio and then at the South Point. We got to go to a few shows...The Blue Man Group and Lion King. They were great! I was totally impressed with the costumes in Lion King. We had so much fun that we just booked a week there for a family vacation in June. We are staying at the Grand Desert, which is part of our Wyndham time share. I know it is kind of a slimmy place for a family vacation, but off the strip I think we will enjoy the warm weather, great pools, fun shows and great food!(Chocolate Fountain at Bellagio)


Panda's for Chinese New Year at the Bellagio

My work has been CRAZY. Primary Children's has been it busiest ever. Our unit, not usually effected by seasonal illnesses because it is a Newborn ICU has had very sick babies, and because the rest of the hospital has been so busy has had a few "boarders" from other units, and a shortage of nurses. To top that off I have been very sick the past two weeks. I aspirated my own spit!!! Isn't that disgusting? Don't try it at home, you can really get quite sick.Greg and Milo have been in a dog training class. The ultimate goal is to get Milo trained to be a therapy dog. He has a long way to go, but Greg has really been working hard with him and he has come a long way. You can actually come into our house now without him knocking you over! He is getting good at "sitting" and "waiting"....and even "leave it" which is hard for him when her wants to steal food off the counter, or take off with a sock on the floor! I have hope for their "Therapy Dog" future.

Cameron and Lindz are plugging along. Check out their blog for their latest info. Lindsey does at great job at keeping it updated. Lindz and I are counting down the days until we get to pick up our new I-pads. Of course Cam is getting one too....It is a new Apple product after all. I had fun this week having Cameron visit the NICU. I am so excited for him to start his career in nursing. It will be interesting to see what he decides to do with his degree...Where he will work and what he will be doing. I know he will do great!

Matt is living at home now. Sharlene is working in Salt Lake, and it just made more sense for him to live closer to where she was so that they could date and make plans for the future. Sharlene is an assistant event planner for the Salt Palace. She gets to be involved in many exciting events that take place there. Matt is still commuting to Lindon with his job at TAM. He is hoping to find something in Salt Lake. I am hoping he will get back in school soon. Waiting to decide when they will get married, but they are thinking about August.

Taylor is still at UVU. He is an avid Jazz fan and has been to lots of games this season. He is trying to get along with his psycho roomate, and is learning lots of life's lessons at this point in his life. School is challenging and a little stressful. He is a smart kid, it just takes a lot of getting organized and buckling down to get the grades. I have lots of faith in him.

Ryan is full of life and excitement! Had a great fancy date to Junior Prom. Isn't he a handsome guy? He just informed me that he is going to run for SBO. He already has a pretty busy year planned for next year...but it will be his last year of high school so I say...Live it Up. If you don't get involved in school it is hard to stay motivated to go your last year.


Ryan and his date Lenyx
Lauren is enjoying Young Womens. She has also been selling Girl Scout cookies for Girl Scouts. They are sooo good. She is crafting up all kinds of things with her Cricut paper cutter and is doing great in school. This year has been a little challenging for her. She is learning that many kids aren't "nice" and not every teacher loves her....and even if they don't she still has to grin and bear it. It is much more fun when everyone is nice and your teacher loves you!

Bye Bye January...one month closer to SPRING!!!

I don't especially like winter. I don't hate it because there are some great things about it, but about this time of the winter I start looking forward to Spring. What do I like about winter...New snow on the trees and how it still looks light outside even when it is dark. I like the smell of wood burning fireplaces. I like seeing my kids get excited for snowboarding. I used to love to ski...hope to again when I get rid of more of this fat...hope I don't break something, but I am going to do it again. I love Christmas. I love getting together with family. I love Greg making his shopping lists and making sure we don't forget anyone. He is so good at that. I love hot chocolate and oh yes, the christmas lights! We have our favorite places to go to see them. One year we took all the kids on a carriage ride after visiting Temple Square. The streets were packed with snow, and it was bright outside, even though it was dark...just the way I like it. We went to Memory Grove in the carriages, and it was spectacular. It was the perfect night for taking a carriage ride. I don't think any of us will ever forget that night.
What I don't like about winter, at least here in Salt Lake is the inversion. Salt Lake has about the worst air quality in the nation. I remember bringing Doris here when she was frail with lung cancer. She had lived in Port Angeles with cloudy skies, but clean fresh air. I felt like I was poisoning Doris a bit, and it was quite embarrassing to have such horrible air. The entire family is fighting upper respiratory infections right now. We'd all get better sooner if the air would clear out! I don't like dirty lawns, that have junk on them the wind blows around, but it is too cold to clean them up. I don't like the mud. I don't like freezing hands, nose or toes. I don't like huge heating bills!
I keep seeing geese and ducks flying along the river...NORTH, and sticking around like they may be nesting...and that means that spring is coming.
I like Spring because...well first of all winter is over! Also because of the new flowers, baby animals, new beginnings, clean starts, motivation to clean the house and longer daylight.

The End of Decade...Welcome 2010

It always feels weird to see a decade pass away. Ten years ago I still had little kids at home for Christmas, and Santa was anxiously anticipated by a few of them! Most of the boys still thought girls had fleas, and Lauren only knew how to smear lipstick from one end of her body to the other, no concept of making herself more attractive by applying it. Greg had his gadgets, but his phone just had voice mail and call waiting, nothing like the I-phone!I was still teaching preschool and volunteering at the elementary school. We could go to dinner as a family and order from the kids menus, and I drove a mini van. Time changes so many things. Cameron is married, Matt is engaged, and Taylor and Ryan definitely understand that girls don't have fleas, and for some hormonal and instinctive reason are drawn to beautiful young ladies! Lauren knows all about the Mac counter at Nordstrom and is quite the makeup artist. None of the kids believe in Santa, and in fact are beginning to understand that Christmas is much more than Santa....that being Santa is much more exciting than getting from Santa. I don't miss the mini-van, and I loved teaching preschool, but I am so thankful for my job in the PCMC NICU as an RN.

Here are some pictures from then and now...kind of fun for me. It seems like just a few days or maybe even a year or two ago,....but alas it has been ten!

This was then......

Taylor and Gramee decorating for Christmas 1999
Lauren the bowling queen 1999Greg and Karine at the "Great Wall" China
Karine, Matt and Cam at the Empire State building...just after 9-11
Taylor, Ryan and Lauren... This was the first day of school. Taylor in 4th grade, Ryan in second

Lauren's second birthday...those were the days I actually made the cake! Costco is such a better deal....but it was fun.Ryan with his beloved Game Boy
Taylor and Greg on a golf trip...That is when Greg won...Last year of pre-school

This is now...2009

Cameron and Lindsey Christmas Eve cutting the mouthwatering Brisket...Lindsey is better than Rachel Ray!





Ryan and Taylor in New York on a trip with Greg for Taylor's High School Graduation
Taylor and Katie Peil at the San Diego Zoo

Ryan and Kristin Kimball...no fleas!
Matt and Mom in Rio this summer. Matt was just going to be released from his mission
Lauren at Six Flags and below with a new hair do for the beginning of 6th GradeLauren's new hair-do Greg, Karine and Matt in BrazilGreg and Karine in San Fransisco