To all my friends

Lately I have been putting together a scrapbook full of memories of Mickie. It has been much more difficult than I ever thought. It has made me really think about how blessed we are to have known Mickie, and for those of us who had the chance to spend a lot of time with her we are really really blessed. She was such an amazing person. Mickie, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten. I will see you soon bud.

I just want all my friends to know that I love you and feel blessed to know you. You all bring so much laughter, fun, and joy to my life. Thank you for your friendship and just being you.

Cortney, Katie, Me, Cortney, Kelli, Amber

Chris, me, Cortney, Steven, Cortney, Mickie, Tara, and Katie

Me, Russell, Steve, Kevin, and Joe

Kevin, Steve, Me, Russell, and Joe

Tara, Cortney, Katie

Tara, Cortney, Katie, Mickie

Tara and I

Katie, me, Cortney, Cortney, Kelli, Amber

Kelli, Amber, Cortney, Katie, Me, Cortney, and Tara

Kanab

After being mowed

The left is mowed the right is unmowed

The grass mowed but not yet trimmed edges

The fire pit after we cleaned it out

The fire pit after we cleaned it out

Putting up the hammock


Chris and Mickie swimming



We went to Kanab over the weekend to get things ready for Mickie's Memorial next Saturday. It went really well. Jim brought up a big lawn mower and we were able to mow all the grass and weeds down by the lake. It looks really good. We also cleaned out the fire pit, picked up all the trash, and raked up the leaves. Our new dog Mickie also had a lot of fun running around and playing in the water. Chris got her to swim a little bit. She is a great swimmer. We are excited for her to get bigger so she will swim more.


Mickie checkin out Jim and Pam's backyard

Mickie swimming in Three Lakes

Chris and I by the lake at Three Lakes

Jim on the Mower and Chris

Chris weed wacking

New Puppy!

We have been wanting to get a dog for a long time and never felt like we could because we lived in the condo and there wasn't a yard. Now that we live in my mom's cabin we can use her big huge yard for the puppy to be in. She is only 8 weeks old and sleeps all the time. (As you can see.) She is doing really good about going to the bathroom outside and letting us know when she needs to go. She is a pure-bred yellow lab and the cutest thing you have ever seen.

We named her Mickie.

Ouch!

So yesterday Chris had a little accident. He was playing with a huge garage spring thinking about how he was going to build this human sling shot at Three Lakes with them
(which we really do plan on doing) and WAM! The spring sprung back and sliced his hand open. He wasn't too lucky either it cut him right between his thumb and forefinger. That peice of skin that connects them together. He especially wasn't so lucky because the spring was metal! So he had to get three stiches and a tetnus shot! OUCH!

I couldn't help but post some pictures of it since it is such a rare occasion that he is in the doctors chair and I'm not! Speaking of which, I had surgery on the 5th to remove lesions and endometriosis. The surgery took longer than expected and hour and twenty minutes longer but it went well. I have pictures of my surgery but I decided not to post them. You can see all the endometriosis and lesions and its not so pretty.

Three Lakes 7/31/08 - 8/3/08

We just got back from another trip to Three Lakes. It was a super fun trip and the weather was perfect. We had 13 people come and stay and play. We swam pretty much the WHOLE time because it was so hot. We did squeeze in some time to play a mad game of croquet. We also crushed some skeet with the shotguns as usual. It was super fun to hang out with all our friends again. The people who came are:

Joe & Jessica, Russell & Shaniel, Steven & Amy, Katie, Kevin, Cortney C., Kaisi, Josh, and Chris and I. Lots of couples as you can see, but no worries Nancy, no shackin up was takin place. :) Anyway, it was the first trip for Kevin and Josh since they have been back from their missions and I think they had a blast. We put a new handle on the zipline. It is actually a workout handle and it doesn't rotate nor is it smooth. Which makes it prime zipline material. The boys were even going down 2 or 3 at a time. It was a lot of fun to watch.

We all slept on the roof which is always an experience. The stars are so incredible at night in Kanab. You can see so many stars, which you can't do up north at night. One night it even sprinkled on us. As Katie puts it, it was refreshing.

Mckensey Neil Demke

On July 21, 2008 one of my very best friends in this whole world was killed in a car accident. Mickie was one of the most amazing people I had ever been so blessed enough to be around. She was so full of life and dreamed of doing so many great things in her life. Mickie had such a sweet spirit and cared for every living thing on this earth. She loved to be outside traveling and exploring all that this earth had to offer. Mickie was the only friend I can honestly say I told every thing too. Every dream, concern, fear, or complaint, Mickie knew I had because I felt like I could tell her anything and she would never judge you or think less of you.

Chris and I feel blessed and honored to have spent her last night here on earth with her. She stayed at our condo in Ogden with us Sunday night. She was so happy and all smiles that night. We ate chips and salsa (her favorite snack) and plotted to play a prank on the rest of our friends on our upcoming trip to Three Lakes. Matt, her husband, was right by her side laughing and just holding her. They were so happy and in love and it was so awesome to be around them.

I miss Mickie so much and it has been the hardest thing in my life to lose such a close friend. I know that she is with our Heavenly Father and watching over all of us right now. I know that she is always going to be there in spirit. I look forward to that day that we will be reunited with her again. Until then, she will always be in my heart and on my mind. I love you Mickie, I'll see you soon.

Mckensey Neil Demke

July 12, 1988 - July 21, 2008

Pineview...just chillin

Steven bought a jet-ski while I was stationed at Camp Geiger, NC. So, since I have been home he has kindly taken me many times to the lake. This particular trip Chris and I went up with Steven, Amy, and Russell. It was a blast. Robocop was on the lake all day since it was a Saturday so we didn't get to pull the tube....(which is my favorite). However, swimming was just as fun that trip. The next time I went with Steven and Amy. Steven was able to get me up on slalom. It was so much fun. I honestly didn't think I would get up but I'll try just about anything. It took me a few trys but I didn't quit and I got up. I decided to go out of the wake right at first. I was loving it until I realized I had to get back into the wake... haha that was a bit tricky. I biffed it real good. But anyway here are some pictures from the lake. Enjoy!

Joe and Jessica's Wedding

I know, I know I've been slacking big time on the posts. I'll do my best to update much more often. Anyway, our good friend Joe was married to an awesome girl Jessica in July. They were sealed in the Bountiful Temple. It was the second sealing we have been to since our own. The spirit was so strong there and they are going to have an amazing future together. We are lucky to be a part of their lives. It was also way fun to be with the "gang" again. Well at least part of it. Steve doesn't get home until September. Anyway, here are some pictures.