SampsonDogHouse

Where to begin...

2010-10-17T20:53:00.001-06:00

Yep, it's been OVER a year since I posted one thing or updated one thing. WOW! What on earth is wrong with me? Maybe that question is best left unanswered...

Sampson Family Party

2009-10-06T20:19:00.005-06:00

Jared's Aunt Leslee had a Sampson Family party at her house this summer. It was nice to get together with those of us who were able to be there; we don't get to see each other very often.

Happy Father's Day Jared!

2009-10-05T21:01:00.009-06:00

We had our Father's Day BBQ to celebrate the great Dad that Jared is. The weather was great, we ate outside and it was a great afternoon.

I am thankful to be married to Jared - for the love he shows us, the example he is to us and I am grateful that he is more spontaneous and more easy going than I am. (Well, sometimes, I may not be sooo grateful for that - but it really is a good thing). I love you Jared!

Holt Family Reunion

2009-10-05T20:25:00.010-06:00

We had the Holt Family Reunion at This is the Place Heritage Park. It was pretty chilly, but it was still fun. It was so great to see everyone that was there. I don't get to see my cousins and their families. I can't believe how all the kids have grown. We used to see each other more frequently, but everyone has such busy lives that we don't seem to be able to.

Jared & I

My Dad and his balloon hat

Cassie

Cody's Graduation

2009-10-05T20:00:00.005-06:00

My nephew graduated from high school. I can't believe he is old enough. He is so cute. My brother, Allen, has done a great job with both of his boys. Cody graduated with a 4.0 accumulative GPA and I think also honors. (If I would learn to update my blog right after the event - I probably would be able to remember something important like that). Ugh - I hate getting old...

My Dad & Mom, Cody & Allen

Cody & Allen

Debbie(my sister), Russelito(Jenny's son), Jenny(Deb's daughter) & Todd(Deb's son.

Pam, Allen, Austin(Allen's son), my Mom & Dad

Allen & Austin

My Dad & Mom, Cody, Allen & Austin

Jared & Patti's Road Trip to Idaho/Oregon Coast

2009-10-04T18:36:00.030-06:00

Jared was going to Idaho & Oregon for work - so I went with him and we took a road trip. We went a little further and went to the Oregon Coast. It was beautiful. It was a very long and short trip, but it was so nice. It was a nice get-away and it was nice to be together, just the two of us.

These are self-portraits by the Columbia River.

We then stopped at Bonneville Fish Hatchery. The grounds are so beautiful there. We had fun walking around and taking more pictures of ourselves. The sturgeon there are HUGE and a little ugly.

We then stopped at Multnomah Falls. It was quite the traffic jam - but it was so beautiful - so green.

Then we went to Cape Meares and the lighthouse. It was COLD! But the view was amazing. We loved it!!

What a fabulous weekend together! I am happy to be married to my best friend!

Prather Family Party

2009-10-04T16:00:00.009-06:00

We have not had a family party where the majority of us could all be together at once. We had a party right before Mother's Day to celebrate our Mom, but also to celebrate our relationships with one another. I hope that my family knows how much I love each one of them; how grateful I am to be a member of the Prather family and am so lucky that love is shown and expressed in our family.

Mom & Dad

Debbie & Brent

Tonja & Shawn, Alec & Cassie

Kiersten & Devin

Eric & Kiley

Austin & Todd

Shelli & Jordan

Here comes Peter Cottontail - hoppin' down the bunny trail...

2009-10-04T15:38:00.005-06:00

I personally had a great Easter - my 3 favorite people were home with me and Jared surprised me by making new flower gardens and planting all of the purple and white flowers. I LOVE it and LOVE him. I am lucky.

Kiersten & Jeremy still like their Easter baskets hidden and yes, I still have Jared help me hide them. I think it's still fun. Later we colored Easter Eggs.

Run, Jeremy, Run!!!

2009-10-04T15:22:00.003-06:00

Poor Jeremy. He was running the 50-yard dash at school when he heard a pop and felt pain in his hip, but kept running to finish the race. Once he crossed the finish line, he fell and couldn't get back up. The school called Jared - so Jared left work to go and see if he needed to go to the ER. Jeremy was transported by ambulance to Alta View Hospital to be checked and have x-rays taken. I met them at the hospital to make sure Jeremy was ok, but also to take pictures.

We found out that he had completely broken a chip of his hip bone off and that was the reason for all of his pain. When he would move, not only was it painful and sore, but that bone chip was sharp and was poking him. Jeremy is not a very good sick or hurt patient. He likes sympathy, to be waited on and he's grumpy and demanding. I am glad that he has since healed and is able to walk and get things himself.

Las Vegas, Girlfriends and Donny & Marie - 2009

2009-10-04T15:08:00.003-06:00

What could be better than 4 best friends in Las Vegas every year?!?!?!? Not much!!! This year we went to see Donny & Marie. This year was definitely a vacation. It included laughing, eating, laughing, staying in bed and reading, eating, laughing, taking naps, laughing, eating, sharing beds at night to watch movies, eating, laughing, shopping, eating, laughing, going to Donny & Marie - quite possibly the BEST show EVER!! More eating, more laughing and more shopping. Tiffanee, Renae & Amy - thank you for being my best girlfriends and thank you for making me laugh. I love you!!

Kiersten turns 21!!!!!!

2009-10-04T12:26:00.005-06:00

Kiersten's 21st Birthday!! I can't even believe that 21 years ago she was my baby. I am proud of her. She is beautiful on the inside and out. She is a great daughter. She is loving and she is kind. I am grateful to have her as my daughter and my friend.

We went to Olive Garden for her birthday dinner; came home for cake & ice cream and then she went out to celebrate with Devin and her friends.

Snapshots of February, 2009

2009-10-04T11:38:00.006-06:00

We (I) didn't take a lot of photos in February. I was still in mourning over Winnie, as weird as that may be. But I miss her!!

Jared surprised me and took me to Capitol Theater for a Valentine's musical presentation. It was fun and something we have never done. It was a great couple hours together.

We took the kids out to dinner for Valentine's Day. I think we went to Chuck-a-Rama.

Jared & I share the same birthday. So for our birthdays we went to Texas Roadhouse. Great food and the BEST company!

Snapshots of January, 2009

2009-10-03T20:15:00.015-06:00

My Uncle Ralph Offret died and these are just a few pictures of the family luncheon.

Aunt Jean Lefler Prather, Aunt Neet Prather Lefler, my Dad (Ray Prather) & Aunt Betty Prather Offret

My parents, Joyce Holt Prather & Ray Prather

My brother Allen Prather & my Mom

My sister, Debbie, bought my Mom, Debbie, Shelli & I tickets to Time Out for Women in Ogden. It was an amazing weekend. It was wonderful for us to spend time together as family and women. We slept at my Mom & Dad's and it was fun to have a "sleep over" - staying up late talking and laughing. It was a very uplifting weekend. It gave me hope, strength and determination to improve and be better. Do strenghten my testimony, to be of service and to show my love to others. I am grateful to be a daughter of my Heavenly Father, to be a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister and a friend. I took some pictures, but none of them turned out. But for me - this was the highlight of January, 2009.

We went with Jared's family to Deer Valley to the Empire Lodge Fireside Dining - just adults went. The atmosphere is wonderful! It snowed while we were there and it was beautiful. It seemed like we were on a world away from home. Some of the food was a little much for me (I am rather plain jane and picky) but it was fun to try new things and it was a very romantic place to be. Everyone who worked there was very nice and very friendly. My most favorite part was dessert - imagine that!!!

Pam & Jeff Sampson
Patti & Jared Sampson
Pat Newman Sampson & Gary Gillespie
JoAnn Newman Gillespie, Grandma Fern Johnson Newman & Pam Sampson
Aunt Lueen Newman Hatch, Pat Newman Sampson, Gary Gillespie, Aunt JoAnn Newman Gillespie, Grandma Fern Johnson Newman, Pam & Jeff Sampson.

We attended Saturday basketball games for Jeremy. He's skills are getting better. He just keeps growing and growing. He LOVES that. Here are a few pictures of him playing his favorite sport.

I don't remember what Jared was doing or WHY he was doing this - but it is still HILARIOUS!!!! Maybe he was singing "I'm so pretty..." Certainly NOT his most manly moment - but I still love him.

Then we come to a very sad day in my life - my baby (really a cat) Winnie died while I was laying by her. Let me begin this with I really don't love cats - but I rescued Winnie when she was abandoned in the middle of winter and was only about 4 weeks old - her little eyes were even open and she had not know how to feed herself. Since then I mothered her and feed her kitty formula from an eye dropper at first and then from a bottle - getting up every 3-4 hours (just like a baby) to feed her. Needless to say, we bonded. I was her Mommy and she was my baby.
When we went on our cruise in November, Winnie got very mad. She quit eating and quit going to the bathroom in her litter box. Then when we got back she continued - I don't know if she was already sick and this made her worse or what. But she hung on until the end of January. I came home from work one night and I knew she was not doing well at all. So I got on the floor with her on her blanket and laid with her for a couple hours - while she passed away. I was bawling the whole time and was so sad to see her suffer. It was a very emotional time. Kiersten was working and didn't get to see her before she died - but was able to see her before Jared buried Winnie for us. It may sound stupid because "she's just a cat" but to me she was a party of my family for 10 years and thought she was human. Winnie did not know she was a cat.
I hope we get to have our pets in heaven... that would be great!

Christmas 2008

2009-10-03T19:08:00.007-06:00

Christmas is a time to reflect on the things we believe in, the things we love and the traditions we have. We were able to spend Christmas Day with both our kids and we love our time together. We were able to spend time with both of our extended families as well. I am so grateful for our families and the love, friendships and support that we receive. I am thankful that love is expressed in our family.

Kiersten & I love to make chocolate-caramel dipped pretzels every year. Jared & Jeremy decided that did not even sound fun - except they wanted to eat them and give them to people as gifts. Have they heard the Little Red Hen story???

Christmas Eve was spent with Jared's family at Jeff & Pam's house (brother & sister-in-law). It was a great time - with great company!

Then we were able to spend some time with my family at my parent's house. It was fabulous. Good fun, lots of laughs and a great time!

Thanksgiving 2008 Family Cruise - Mexican Riveria

2009-10-03T15:27:00.003-06:00

We had a FABULOUS time on our family cruise. We drove to San Diego where the ship was departing from. We stopped in St. George to eat at the Pizza Factory - of course! Kiersten had an awful trip to Cali - to say the least. Kiersten and road trips do not belong in the same sentence. Kiersten got car sick, bored, squished, car sick, car sick and sick of riding. When we got to the hotel Kiersten bought a plane fare home so that she did not have to repeat this road trip hell! Jeremy just complained that he didn't have enough room and that Kiersten had to keep hanging out of the window because she was sick.

We had one suite - so all of us were all a little worried about having our own space and sharing one bathroom. But it turned out to be just fine. Jeremy found friends right after getting on the boat and Kiersten found friends the first night. It's a good thing we made stops at ports, or we may not have spent anytime at all with the kids. We were able to eat dinner every night together. But we all had fun. The kids stayed out late and came back to the room in the middle of the night - one day Kiersten was coming back to the room at 6:30 am - while Jared & I were leaving to go to breakfast. WOW, to be young again.

We stopped in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Rico. We had a great time at each port and found some fantastic restaurants! Authentic - not chain restaurants. The guacamole was amazing! The weather was great and the ocean was absolutely beautiful. People were friendly and Kiersten & especially Jeremy had a great time bargaining with the people selling their goods in the villages & town squares.

It was a great time for the four of us to be able to spend time together away from computers, cell phones, work, friends and other distractions. It's the first big family trip we have taken together. I can't wait until the next one.

BLOGGING SLACKER!!!

2009-10-03T15:24:00.003-06:00

I am a blogging slacker in the worst way. I mean, who leaves their blog without a note, a picture, an update, anything... since November of 2008?? I think just me. I try to say that I don't procrastinate, but when it comes to blogging I am a procrastinator and I don't know why. I will try to do better, but I can't make a promise at this time.

Halloween

2008-11-05T12:28:00.007-07:00

Let me just say I really don't like Halloween - I only like the candy. I don't like to dress up (I'm a party pooper).
Jeremy didn't dress up this year, but Kiersten & Devin did. Kiersten used to hate to trick or treat - but loved to pass out the candy to all the other kids.
I had to make her go to 10 houses because she had a costume. And EVERY year it was a fight and there were tears because something wasn't exactly perfect with her costume and she didn't want to go trick or treating.
WHY did I make her do it??? I will never know.

Jared didn't dress up but I took a picture of him anyway. And OF COURSE I had to take a picture of my Halloween cat - Winnie. I gave her to Kiersten for Halloween in 1997. I don't like cats but I love mine!!

Jeremy's 15th Birthday

2008-11-05T11:38:00.014-07:00

I can't believe Jeremy is 15. He is excited to get his learner's permit - YIKES! That sounds scary and weird that Jeremy will be driving. But he's been studying and taking the practice tests online.

We went to Texas Roadhouse for Jeremy's birthday dinner and then came home and had cake. Jeremy got to ride the saddle at dinner - I think that was the best part for him. He loved the attention!!

He is 6' tall and it seems like he grows every month. He is a great kid and has good friends. He gets great grades in school and has been on the honor roll the past 5 quarters. He is a very loving and caring teenager. Now for the macho part - he is trying out for the Jordan (yes, I said Jordan) High School basketball team. Tryouts are next week. I am excited that he will be going to Jordan - Beetdiggers Rule!!!

CATCHIN' UP...

2008-11-05T11:29:00.012-07:00

Ok - I am a slacker when it comes to keeping our blog up. I need to step it up. So what have we been doing????

We have been working on ZU-B still. We have the product, we are doing some trade shows, we have distributors and it's starting to move and go. Wow - it has been a lot of work, but it's been fun at the same time. It's exciting for me to watch Jared's dream and vision come to life. Jared & I went to California to promote the company and had a great time while we were there. Here's some pictures of us at the Dog Beach (us without dogs - but we have 5 at home).

It was SOOOO nice for Jared & I to be together away from home and work and all of that - and just be together and talk and laugh. It's very good to take the time to do this and fall in love again and again.

The Disco Scene...

2008-10-14T09:12:00.003-06:00

This is HILARIOUS!!!!!!!

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What does a "Man Bag" & my new "Great-Neice" have in common?

2008-07-23T13:50:00.011-06:00

Kiersten, Jared & I went to St. Mark's Hospital on Saturday to see Brent (aka keeper of the "man bag") and Kinsley my newest "great-neice".

We went to visit Brent & Debbie & also met Eric, Kiley, Kinsley and Todd there for a quick visit. This was our first time to see Kinsley in person & we fell in love!!! She is a month old and just as cute as can be. She is so snuggly. It does make me feel rather old now that my niece & nephew are having kids though.....

Brent is is the hospital after having a tumor and part of his small intestine removed on Thursday. He has been diagnosed with Carcinoid Cancer. We are keeping Brent and Debbie in our prayers. But Brent was in good spirits as Debbie fed him ice chips. Brent actually walked out to the waiting area to visit with everyone.

I kept teasing him because he has this little bag of medicine & I call it his "man bag" because it was also covering him when his hospital gown was open. Brent was more concerned about being able to fart so that he could eat... Kylie asked if he wanted her to pull his finger - because she said in the past that has always worked.

I am thankful that we believe in the power of prayer & the power of the priesthood. I am grateful for my family & for the love, support and encouragement that they show. I hope that I will be able to give back to my family and show my love and appreciation for them.

On a lighter note... here are some pictures we took of the visit.

Lagoon...it's what fUN is!!!!

2008-07-14T11:00:00.009-06:00

We went to Lagoon this past Saturday. It was Patti's company party. We all had a lot of fun. We've never been as a family & it has been years since Patti has been at all. We took Devin & Britton with us too.

Jeremy & Brittan kept riding the Sky Ride so they could
"check out the hunnies"!!!

Jared & Kiersten convinced Patti to go on the Rocket Re-Entry. Holy *&#@ - it scared the crap out of me (not literally - thank goodness). It was fun - but I was not expecting the drop as far and as fast as it was.

While we were there we saw my nephews - Cody & Austin from Pokie. They are so cute & we loved seeing them.

I think Jared's favorite ride was CliffHanger...

More pics of the fabulous day!!!!

A little family time at the pool

2008-07-09T14:33:00.012-06:00

The kids LOVE to swim. So Jared took pity & swam with them, while I photographed our pretty much grown kids - who think they are toddlers. Did I say they LOVE to swim? They both kept saying "take a picture of me". Ok - "take a picture of me now". By the way... they both LOVE to swim. I took a picture of Jared "swimming" - but he was mooning me - so now I can't post it.

The BOYS new Do's...

2008-07-06T20:49:00.004-06:00

Jared & Jeremy have matching hairdo's!!!

(thanks to Jared's handy work)

Buzz cuts - just in time for the heat of the summer.

School's Out for the Summer....

2008-06-06T17:32:00.006-06:00

School might be out - but where the heck is summer???? I want sun & warmth & the feel of summer. And I wanted it like a month ago. Anyway - I think Jeremy is happy to be out of school. We are very proud of him - this past school year - 8th grade - he has been on the honor roll every quarter. WAY TO GO JEREMY!!!

We'll be Cruisin' the Mexican Riveria!

2008-06-01T21:09:00.011-06:00

Our 1st family vacation * The four of us are going on a Mexican Riviera cruise the week of Thanksgiving this year. We are all soooooo excited!!!! I hope the weather will be warm & sunny and we will all still love each other after 7 days of 24/7 togetherness... This will be a different kind of Thanksgiving for us & we will be grateful to be together and create some wonderful memories! We will be visiting Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas & Mazatlan. Mexico will never be the same.

I can't believe this!!!!

2008-05-31T17:22:00.032-06:00

I can't believe I am actually "blogging"... what do you know??? I am challenged with stuff like this - but I am going to give it a shot. I will write a little on all of us later... This is really just a test to see if I know how to post. Remember, "patience is a virtue"... although I have NONE!