My Man Darren!

Okay, so I just have to say a little about Darren. He is such a great man, husband, father. He started two years ago January taking classes at the U for his CPA designation, has studied 30-35 hours a week on accounting modules and for his exams, puts in 9-10 hour work days winding down Lehman's bankruptcy, looked at employment options for the future, all the while trying to spend quality time with his wife and children. He has given so much lately with almost super-human capacities. I literally don't know how he has done it. He has one final exam in January and then he is done! Hooray for Darren and for us all!

To lighten the load and give a release from stress, we started in August to get a sitter once a week to hike just the two of us. Mid-October, we hiked from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim (8800 feet elevation, all the way down to the Colorado, then back up to 7800 feet elevation). It was a whirlwind 48 hour trip, but well worth it. Hiked around 27 miles in total (including side trips to Waterfalls, etc) and completed it in 10.5 hours. It was such a rush to see the beauty of the Grand Canyon, but complete a physical feat like that together. So here is my man in all his glory the day after our hike as we prepared to drive home.

The group that hiked (his friend at work goes every year and coordinated the whole thing)

Crossing the Colorado together and just loving being "people" without kids!

One of several signs along the way that read:

"Warning: Do not attempt to hike from rim to rim in one day"

Halloween Fun!

Okay, so Halloween is such a fun holiday and kids make it even more grand (well kids make EVERY holiday more fun). But every year we get invited to a couples Halloween party and for some reason (Darren) we never seem to be able to go (Darren). But this year, we (Darren) agreed to go and have a good time with our great friends. The kids picked out his costume and I found a compliment to it in my old NYC stash (clothing from my "other life"). We (Darren) let me go to town on make-up (won a prize at the party acutally) and I just have to say, the whole evening was a streeeetching and reaaaaching event for Darren. On the way home, he actually admitted to having fun! So here are the picks. Darren of course "Dracula" and me - his victim. Yes the lady in all the vampire movies that hears a noise, and goes into the darkness to see just what it was....! Enjoy: )

P.S. Rachel and Jared took the pictures, didn't they do a good job?

A friend of mine got a group of ladies together to re-make Michael Jackson's Thriller for Enrichment night. Went all the way with costumes, black-lights, & fog machines. It went over so well, we were requested for two more performances before Halloween. Kind of fun actually to be out dancing again. Can you find me?

(Middle-ish with black wig)

The trick or treating pack, they just ran around together with a mob-mentality

Supergirl, Island Princess, Ironman, Power-ranger

Rachel chose to be Super-girl and she truly is that - a SUPER girl, we love all that Rachel is and what she brings to our family!

Justin was Tigger, and an adorable one I might add!

Jared was Ironman for Halloween - he is strong and brave just like Jared!

Hefty-man Jared who was an AWESOME worker while raking leaves and using the blower

If he could "arr-arr" like Tim-the-Toolman-Taylor because of power-tools he would....

he loves anything with power!

A snowstorm a couple of days before Halloween

Jared and Justin are sitting on a bench on the far left amid the flurries

Fall Fun - WE LOVE FALL IN UTAH!

This Fall has been beautiful weather wise with some fun activities. Some days, you just have to look around, take in the fresh mountain air, and say, "THIS is why we live in Utah!"

I coached Rachel's soccer team this year and had an absolute blast. The team was a great group of girls that we knew from school and the neighborhood. I loved being part of Rachel's life this way and she did too.

Rachel is quite the little soccer player - strong runner who smiles the whole game. This year she loved playing goalie and only let 2 balls get past her the WHOLE season!

Darren's all time favorite season is fall. We started a tradition back east to go apple-picking in Princeton, NJ, but have let it slide the past few years out here in the west. So we started it up again for Darren's birthday with Grandpa & Grandma Voss!

Ice-cream cake the kids chose for Darren's birthday - had to go to TWO places for it, because they had something particular in mind. Boy do they love their Daddy!

Hiking up Mill Creek Canyon - gorgeous fall colors

Cousins: Brady, Jared, Rachel, Rosina on a combined-family weekend hike

Glorious Summer

Just a few of the fun things from summer of 09.

The weather of Utah has been beautiful and we made it a priority to carve out time for fun family adventures

amid most of life's to-do's: ) So here they are in no particular order or chronology

Hike to Cecret Lake - did it 2 days in a row actually because it was so beautiful

Jumping on the bed with Ashley - WITH mother approval even!

Night at "Singing in the Rain" starring Melanie McKay. We were on the first row and got drenched - so much fun!

Mikeum's Birthday Bash along with Mom's High Class Chocolate Tasting Party

Darren & Nicole in the grand cliffs of the Narrows - Zions National Park

Family Reunion in Huntsville Utah

Darren and Rachel riding ATVs

Rachel, Rosina, & Louise riding horses

The kids favorite Dinosaur Park in Ogden - Rachel & Jared

Justin's big smile

Jared making bubble snakes at his BOYS ONLY playdate in our yard

Family Vacation to Bear World - Idaho

The video is of the kids feeding the bears from a jeep. Though Rachel was asked the question, it was Jared who decided to answer - it was truly an awesome experience to see the bears so close

THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY.........

THE GOOD = Justin's Baby Blessing March 1st - 5 weeks old - A beautiful day with lots of family and friends and an adorable little boy!!!!!

THE BAD (and good) = A quick trip to southern Utah for "family bonding." Kind of insane to take a one month old - what were we thinking? However we had a FANTASTIC time on our adventures, and had slightly warmer temps than Salt Lake has had, though the nights in the rental with the baby were crazy - again, what were we thinking?

Rachel and Jared before our snow/mud hike of Kolob Canyon (in Zion's National Park)

The sand dunes of Snow Canyon - near St. George

One of the amazing slot canyons - that's me way in the back (with Rachel & Jared) feeding the baby and getting out of the wind.
We saw birds roosting high in the cave nooks, it was pretty cool actually!



Rachel teaching Jared how to skip at one of the wildlife preserves. Life has such sweet moments sometimes that just make you smile.





THE UGLY = The brutality of severe sleep deprivation
The only position that feels good to Justin due to his acid reflux - poor little guy!




The greatest stress releaser of all....


Darren - the day he picked this puppy up in Las Vegas in January.
Nicole is anxiously waiting to acquire her motorcycle license hopefully in April - do you think they let you get one with a baby strapped to your back??? Hmmmm

JUSTIN M. BERRY

January 25, 2009

Rachel and Jared meeting Justin for the first time the evening he was born. Darren being daddy and videographer at the same time: )

Day 2 - R&J came by after school to read books to Justin

Just love the look on their faces in this one even though its a bit fuzzy.



Already doing their loving duty to keep Justin happy.

Today marks one week since B-day and what a week it has been! Lots of love and sweet memories already.

Highlights September-November

Despite the fall of Lehman Brothers (Darren's employer) in September and the consistently rocky pregnancy (baby due end of January - hallelujah) we continue to count our many, many blessings. Happy Thanksgiving! And here's to more of life's wonderful adventures!!!!!!

1. Darren's adventure hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim - 24 miles and 5,000 foot elevation change 2x - temps changing from 31-97 degrees during the journey

2. The gorgeous view on leaves changing just up the road from us





3. Halloween with Grandma Matthews and cousins - Rosina as Snow White, Jared as Ninja Turtle, Rachel as a bride, Brady as transformer, Baby Britton and Grandma as themselves!




4. Jared's third visit to the emergency room for head lacerations in the mere three years he has lived on this earth. He is one tough cookie and resists more when he must leave the injurous activity than receiving the stitches/staples. Still smiling as we attempt to stop the bleeding and head to the ER. Since this shot, two massive smacks to the face have occurred - luckily just bruising, swelling, & tissue damage since kids noses are more cartilage than bone right now. It's tough to keep this go-getter kid alive! But we love his zest for life...
5. "Our" river in Cottonwood Canyon. We have a favorite camping spot full of adventure just 20 minutes from the house and in the middle of amazing Rocky Mountain beauty. Lots of critters and wild-life (even had racoons snatch our breakfast donuts this last trip - 2nd weekend in Sept).

6. The crew huddled around the morning fire - barely 39 degrees when we left that morning at 10:30.

7. Rachel and Jared's first day at school. Rachel in kindergarten and Jared in the pre-K program. They love doing everything in the world together and school is no exception.

8. Rachel's first year in soccer. She really loved it and was the only girl that would run around with a huge smile on her face the entire hour. She wasn't one to "get into the mix" much but LOVED defending and blocked at least 3-4 goals per game. (At this stage they don't have "positions" so for her to take on "goalie" on her own was fun to watch.) She also was a surprising leftie for her strong kick.

9. Oktoberfest at Snowbird ski resort and dancing to the oom-pa-pahs!

This has been the summer of "What the Hell..." for the Berry family.......you know what I mean: ) It's that perfectly descriptive phrase that comes out when we are too busy, too tired, over-run, sick from excessive pregnancy vomiting, dealing with stressful work issues, feeling the bear market blues, and still waking up to do it alllllllll over again. It's what you say when your children ask for their 5th popsicle of the day - "oh W-T-H, get another one!" It slips out when you just get out of the hospital from receiving IV treatments for dehydration and STILL go on the family adventure outing you've been planning - "oh W-T-H - let's go anyway!" It's on the tip of your tongue every night when your company's stock prices sink lower and lower into the toilet and yet carry undying faith for your 12 years allegiance with them, "oh W-T-H, let's see what happens tomorrow!" But amid all the little challenges that come with life, we always manage to put a smile on and enjoy the beautiful and wonderful things that we are soooooooooooooooooooooo greatly blessed with and love. They make all the other aspects disappear, if just for a moment. So enjoy a few of our cherished moments from the summer:













Extracting the one, lone, gigantic weed that grew in our window well.




















A hike to Temple Quarry trail in Cottonwood Canyon when Chad and Colter visited from Cedar City when they went to see Thomas the Train at Heber Valley railroad.





A gorgeous hike up to Timanogous Cave with Steve, Tyler, Nathan, and Josh. See the "guys" picture and the "girls" on that adventure. We also camped that weekend with that crew, Mike, and Grandma & Grandpa Voss. And if you EVER do anything with the Berry Boys, undoubtedly the word "high tech" is involved - thus the blow up screen in the middle of the wilderness. You've never experienced nature like that - a raging river 10 feet away while watching "The Count of Monte Christo" in your sleeping bag!




























Jared's Olympic Gym Graduation


Rachel's Dance recital at Kingsbury Hall



Grandma's Birthday Celebration - Rachel made a "throne" from various chairs and brought the presents and cards to her on a pillow. It was pretty cute!



A dance outfit from MY youth that grandma brought to pass along to the next generation: )


A gorgeous summer mountain storm whose rainbow landed right above our house. What better pot of gold than home and family!










Boys will be boys - need I say more...

Great friends - the Dougall family that visited from London - whom we knew during the NY years! (Rob's finger was in the way so sorry about the bad picture)

Our trip to Great Basin National Park - we had 3 days break to getaway with Darren given his school/work schedule. So we traveled 4 hours southwest of here to the middle of NOWHERE! The town of Baker, NV (just across the Utah border) had only a population of 25 and only 2 places to lodge. The place we stayed was soooooooooooooooooooooo horrible. Dirty, disgusting, and as Darren said - rivaled his life in 3rd world Dominican Republic. No A/C, ceiling and walls peeling off, window frames held by tape, gapes in the doors, and so many bugs and grimy dirt - not the nice dusty dirt. Darren went on raids to kill all flying things before bed both nights, but you still woke up with moths and pincher bugs next to you in the morning. And yes, this was all while I was worshiping the white, porcelain god. We almost just left after the first day, but it was pre-paid so....what do we say here????? "Oh, what the hell, let's tough it out!" So day 2 we spent up on the mountain at 10,000 feet to escape the heat and bugs. There were pine trees nearly 4,000 years old and gorgeous geologic caves with temps in the 50's - we could have stayed forever there!

Jared went nuts with his flashlight in the caves "exploring" just like those that found them in the 1800's. We also hiked a trail to this beautiful lake almost at the timberline level which was exquisite. Along the way we were swarmed by myriads of butterflies of all colors and sizes. There were so many that the kids re-named the place "butterfly mountain." We got quite close to many of them and you could tell this area was untouched by tourists.

So there you have it, the conclusion of the summer highlights. More adventures ahead for sure....

The Berry Family - Darren, Nicole, Rachel, Jared and Baby Berry

Change, change, change.  Lots of fun, kind of crazy!  

Gone is the truck and its tent top, gone is Darren's fun business car.........Hello FJ Cruiser!  Here is its maiden voyage to Antelope Island.  The kids are asleep in the car after hiking and checking out the bison and antelope.   Its an amazing and very unique Utah setting - who would have thought there was an island in the Rocky Mountains!

The next inevitable change was the celebration of another year in my life. Darren secretly planned an overnight getaway which was amazing! We stayed at the Blue Boar Inn in Midway (near Park City) and though it was still freezing cold and the 1st of May, we adored the European food and decor and just the time together - it was absolutely divine for us. Big thanks to Mom Voss for watching the kids!

Though the snow seems to still come and go, we've tried to welcome spring, urging it to stay.  Bike riding is a family favorite on Jordan River Parkway.

Darren began a new semester this week (he's taking night classes at the U for more capital letters to go with his name:).  So before he hit the grindstone again, we got away to Southern Utah for the weekend. Darren's brother Steve was gracious enough to let us borrow his camper.  So Plan A, as you see here, was to camp out near Goblin Valley in a gorgeous spot near the canyons. However, due to mechanical difficulties, strong sandy winds, and the smashing of Darren's foot...

.....we went with Plan B....the Whispering Sands Motel : )

Never-the-less, we still had a wonderful time (hey and got showers every day, so no complaints here).  Rachel and Jared love to explore and this was their version of paradise.  

The imaginative rock formations of Goblin Valley - imaginative because you can conjure up all sorts of stories and forms from these strange rocks.  We played for hours and luckily had our food bins and igloos still with us, so food and drink was plentiful.  

The other locations of adventure were the Little Wild Horse & Bell canyons nearby.  It is several miles of geologic awe and has several "slot canyons" that are just a few inches/feet wide.  This was really fun and amazing.  The weather was perfect - not too hot, not too cold. We also stopped into the Dinosaur Center since so many of the findings come from this area, and the kids really thought that was cool.  They've been into dinosaurs for a long time and this "sealed the deal" for them to be near where the bones, footprints, and eggs were found.  We arrived home Sunday night and as exhausted as we were, the kids had little gifts and drawings, hugs and lots of kisses to celebrate Mother's day.  Awwwww! 

Our darling Rachel and one of her masterpieces.  So all in all, the winds of change keep coming and we keep blowing with them.