Rowley Family Pictures

On our last day in Hyrum Jim's family got together to do family pictures. Jim's family is so awesome and I'm glad that I am a part of it. Now I will remind you that this was our last day in Hyrum.....actually we weren't even staying in Hyrum. We were sleeping at Jim's parents and we were living out of our bags. We had been cleaning, packing and doing last minute stuff at our house. I dug in our bags to find some clothes that somewhat matched. (Some of you will recognize Jim's T-shirt (:! He only had two shirts in his backpack. Luckily I had gotten this one for him.) We didn't even have time to fix hair. Most of the pictures turned out great. I really like the one with just the siblings and Boyd and Connie.

When this picture was sent to us of our little family, I was told it was the best one. If this was the best, I can't imagine what the others looked like.

YOU CAN TELL IT WAS MOVING DAY FOR US!!!!

Jim and I might fall asleep as we are sitting there! I didn't even want to share it, but I have to laugh at it. We will always remember when this picture was taken.

We will definately be taking another family picture.

Samantha James

I am having fun with my new camera. Here are a few pictures I took of Jim and Samantha. I also have new software for pictures that I am still trying to figure out. I wanted to put these in a collage, but haven't figured that one out yet.

Torgersen Family Reunion

There are well over 100 pics on this slide show, but I wanted to share the pics that I took. They aren't the best, but they will provide memories. To view the pics a little bigger click on "view all images" then on the right side of the screen click "Full screen".

I loved seeing all of you so much. I miss you and often think of all the fun times we had growing up together. I looked forward to this reunion and now that it is over my heart aches. The time went so fast. I am looking forward to our next one already.

How Many Kids Do You Have?

How many kids do you have? This is a question that all moms get asked, whether in NV or UT. In NV though it is said with an expression of "Holy Cow that is alot of kids"! Then followed by, "Wow, are you done?"

I got asked this question the other day while at Walmart with the whole family. Only this time it was quite funny and cute. Jim had the girls and was playing "ring around the rosies" in the isle while I was shopping. A guy walked by with his wife and turned to me and said, "How many kids do you have?" This was really a statement and not a question. I laughed and replied, "I don't know, but I for sure have one big one!"

What's Your Favorite?

With stuff still in storage, I still haven't been able to find some of my main cooking utensils, like....cheese grater, icecream scoop, kitchen schears, knives, can opener and many other items. This got me thinking about my favorite kitchen tool. Obvioulsy there are some that are essential, but some are my favorite. My most favorite is my Hamburger Chopper. It's actually called the Mix N' Chop from Pampered Chef. I love it. It breaks up hamburger so well. No longer do I sit there with a metal spatula trying to chop up the hamburger in the process shaking the whole stove and still not getting it all chopped into the size I like. I have used it for other things too. I like this tool so much that I got one for my mom and Jim's mom. I was without it for a few weeks while it was in the trailer in Nevada and I was back at home in Hyrum. I was glad to have it back. Yes, it is one tool that I have access too.

So, what is your favorite kitchen tool? Please share, maybe it is something I don't have and need.

Saying Goodbye, The Long Drive, Home Small Home!

First of all I just want to say thanks to all of the family that came to help us with the process of moving. There was packing, cleaning, lifting, organizing and alot of other stuff that went on, all to help us. I also want to thank all of the neighbors and friends that helped out also, from babysitting to yard work to everything else that was done.

Saying Goodbye

Cousin Nicole and Brindley

Lexie and Cousin Josh
Karissa, Cousins Nicole and Lindsay, Brindley

Didn't realize how much stuff we had. That Uhaul was packed!

From top to bottom: Brindley, Cousin Abby, Karissa, Cousin Nate, Lexie, Cousin Leah

Karissa and Best Friend Anna

After loading the trucks we headed on our way. We made a detour through Koosharem where we dropped off Rocky, Ruby and Ebony (our dog and cats). We also spent the night there. When we got on the road we had quite the caravan. Jim drove the moving truck and had Brindley and Karissa with him. Mike drove Jim's truck and I drove the expedition with Dad, Lexie and Samantha.

These pictures were taken halfway across Nevada in the small town of Austin.

Bad shot I know, but I was trying to get one of everyone.

Wow, do these trucks eat up alot of gas!

The kids had fun talking on the radios back and forth to each vehicle.

I was so glad Dad decided to ride with me. He drove some so I could sit in the back and take care of Samantha.

What would we have done without Mike. He helped Jim unload the moving truck into storage. Alot of work that I would have had to do. We did have some Elders from the ward show up to help us too.

Don't I look lovely?! That's what you get after driving from Logan to Koosharem to Halfway across Nevada. Good thing you didn't see what I looked like when we made it all the way across Nevada. Atleast I am smiling.

The famous Shoe Tree. Yes, I said Shoe Tree! Jim doesn't even remember seeing it. How could you miss something like this?! I think on one of our trips home we might have to add to it.

Home Small Home....for the time being.

This is what our trailer looked like when we moved in. Can you find all 4 girls? Yes, I did some organizing. We lived in this for way too long. I know living in the trailer was different than what the pioneers went through, but I kept thinking about them the whole time we were living in it. I learned I can live with a whole lot less. We lived out of our bags from July 7th to Sept. 1st.

What an adventure we have had so far.

Something we will never forget.

Grandpa Perry's Funeral

Grandpa Perry died July 3rd, 2009. There are so many good things that can be said about him. One of the last conversations I had with him was about us moving to Nevada. He told Jim in a phone conversation that we had to let him and Grandma know when we were visiting either in Koosharem or Logan, and they would come see us. What a Legacy he has left behind.

I will let the pictures speak for themself.

Standing: Kent, Robert, Grandma Rhea Perry, Connie, Neal, Verlene

Knealing: Jo, Mark, Beverly

Perry Children with their spouses.

Grandma Perry with Samantha (Great Grandchild)

Grandma Perry with the Great Grandchildren

Grandma Perry with her Grandchildren

4th of July Parade in Hyrum

I know it is September, but I still want to post stuff about our summer that I didn't get posted. For the last three years we have gone to the Hyrum 4th of July Parade. We have to take our chairs down the night before to save our spot. The girls love it and after two years of me helping them get candy, they finally figured out how to get it on their own!!!!

Karissa chatting with her friend Colter. I
hope this isn't a sign of things to come....


Here we are! Sacks in hand! Ready for CaNdY!

Just some fun shots!

Karissa, Lexie, Brindley holding Samantha

Jim's sister Maria.

Lexie with her "Best Buddy"!

Part of the drum line in the MC Marching Band. Our neighbor boy Cameron is the middle one. We always look forward to seeing him march!

Our 4th of July celebrations were kinda quiet. Jim's Grandpa passed away the day before the 4th, so we didn't have any family BBQ's to go to. Instead we let the kids swim and we did a BBQ at our house. Jim's parents came along with a few others. This was the last get together we had at our house before we moved.

Still no internet!

I'm going through withdrawals! Still no internet at home. I have so much I want to post about but have to wait until we have internet.

Just a short update....We have been in a house for a week now. The girls started school today. They were really excited!

We went to our new ward. They are really friendly and are excited to have us here.

My dad and Jim's parents have been to visit us! Didn't want to let them go, but made them promise that they would come back.

We miss you all and look forward to when we can come back home!