Richard Simmons Wanna-be

My next adventure:

Group Fitness Instructor!

I got offered a job to be a group fitness instructor at Peak Health and Wellness Center! (The gym I currently work at in the childcare center). They needed "new faces and dynamic personalities to keep a crowd and compete with the new Kroc Center". At first, I wasn't sure because they wanted me to jump in waist deep and take on my own spin and strong (strength training) class! But we made a compromise.

I am currently training and certifying to become the instructor of STRONG one evening a week to start out with, and I still will get one day a week at the nursery! Perfect! Keep both doors open and I will make the same amount of money in 1 hour as I do in a day at the nursery. I am excited and a little nervous for the new adventure...and it is kicking my butt getting in strength training shape!!

Eventually I hopefully would take on more early morning classes (that way I am done before Jon even goes to work) if I love it!

Besides, who doesn't want to get paid to work out?!

Lee Family Reunion

Here are the highlights of this year's bi-annual Leo Lee Family reunion:

Of course, whitewater rafting the Alberton Gorge of the Clark Fork river...including the infamous "Tumbleweed". It ate everybody alive and gave us a few more near death experiences. ;)

(below: the kiddy run)

Infesting the beautiful, white, sandy beach right on the river.

The guys having their "beach olympics" including the long jump:

and the 'walk continuously into the water holding rocks and see who can hold their breath the longest' contest:

of course, Brynne's old man won! That man has lungs! And who looks that great at almost 60?!

Which brings us to our next activity:

Steve's suprise 60th birthday party!

Each sibling (Tom thru Cassie) highlighted a decade of his life very creatively! Then A.J. highlighted his poetry and Brynne played guitar while the brother in laws sang "when the man comes around" by Johnny Cash. Couldn't have had a more appropriate party (in the woods) for such an amazing man!

Treasure hunts for the kids:

Cliff jumping:

There is a 45-50 foot cliff we always jump. Brynne knocked herself out on it 2 years ago doing a flip and then last year was pregnant so when she got up there this time, she had to face her fears. She did it a couple of times (without the flip) and got over it! The guys all did it together.

(below: LtoR Dan, Dusty, Brett and Jon)

(Below: Brynne)

Injury repairing (at least one each trip).

Sally sliced her ear open on the edge of the fire pit and had to have stitches.

luckily Dr. Old Man Gatten comes prepared for anything!
Brynne assisted on the procedure. Just like the old days!

and speaking of injuries...

The Gatten Marathon:

Not your average race!! WIsh we had pictures! It was about a half mile swim down and across the river, and a 2 or more mile run on trails and pavement. In this race, there are no RULES except to stay on course and not KILL anybody.

Well, we came close. Between Dan and Dusty's bike wreck, Brett and Sadies clothes line (at 20 mph on a bike), Jon's running into a tree, Brynne's sores from running in Chacos and all of the peppering, tripping, shoe stealing and vinegaring...miraculously we all made it! And, Brynne won it all!!

Softball:

One night a bunch of the adults met at Superior elementary and played a sweet game of softball (with a tee ball bat) in the sprinklers!

4th of July:

fireworks (always CRAZY) in St. Regis

after church in Superior, MT where we doubled the branch

We certainly love our extended family and it is always a blast when we all get together. It is crazy to see everyone getting older, having kids of their own and moving on with their lives. Although it is still fun, each year will never be the same as the last.

That's the circle of life.

HOOPFEST

The Team:

LtoR Scott Brady, (Colette Brady), Jarman Lyle (single...anyone?) Jon, and not pictured is Zack Simon.

These long-time buddies came from Salt Lake and Logan for their second annual together.

The Record:

1 and 2. It was a super competative bracket. The two games they lost were by 1 and 2 points.

The Fans:

Cade (classic, classic shot of Cade) and Jay

Cassie and her 3 boys

Colette, Brynne, and Zack's family. We also had a few friends from the ward come watch.

The Weekend:

Spent on Jon's parents' dock fishing and grilling, watching movies, jumping in at Cda beach, and having a seafood fest with Brynne's family, and enjoying Hoopfest festivities.

Here is another random pic of one of our missionaries, Elder Stienbeigle reading to Cade. We have them over for dinner quite often, and we are always good friends with whoever is in our area at the present time. Cade loves them. Wierd that he may be a missionary one day!

Zoey

We have had quite an emotional roller coaster with our Zo-dizzle lately. We have had her since she was a pup, and she is 4.5 years now. We have a neighbor that HATES her (and us, and kids, and life in general). He has made it hard on us (and others and her) for a good year and a half giving us costly tickets forcing us to take her everywhere that we go (the system isn't fair, and she is a great dog). For a while we weighed our options on whether it is best for all to keep her or not. We put an ad on craigs list and had so much interest in her that then we couldn't get ourselves to pick a home. We were all a wreck for a few days, until we decided that it wasn't right. She is a part of our family and she loves us, and we love her. We will fight whatever we need to to keep her with us.

Today, I found this picture and it melted my heart.

So, to the uptight dog hater, you wont win. Zoey is sticking around for quite a few more good years. :)

And we are so happy.

The Property

Brynne's parents (Steve and Jean Gatten) have a piece of property on Hayden Lake. We have gone out there a few times this summer to canoe, fish, have a fire and enjoy the peaceful, quiet bay. You can hear lots of wildlife. It's awesome.

Sophia, Cade and Jon

Ella, Gunner and Cade

Beckett, Cassie and Cade

We love our Dads

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

The pictures above and below capture the essence of the amazing man that I married. Not only does he fully support me in everything I want or need to do, he is an amazing Dad to our two beautiful boys and truely enjoys it. They are both wrapped around his finger! He is constantly telling me how amazing they are. Many times I catch him just watching them with a proud smile on his face. He is the first to get up in the morning with the boys and "let Mommy sleep". He works hard for us and then plays hard with us. Cade isn't a Daddy's boy for nothing! Even Jay gets excited when he hears his voice. It's truely a sensation to witness.

I am also grateful for Bruce, Jon's dad who raised him so well. When they are together, I see where he got many of his father's attributes. I know he looks up to him so much.

Lastly, there is my Dad. Not only has he always been the ring leader, funny, fun-loving, outdoorsy, and a hard worker, but he has not missed a chance to support any of his kids in whatever he can. He is the most selfless man I know.

When I was giving birth to Jay, there was a few minutes of complications. After it ended, I noticed he was gone. My mom told me he left the room, was crying and had to find a place to be alone to pray for me. It melted my heart. I love this man more than words can say.

I am so grateful for Fathers. But most of all, my Heavenly Father who put these men in my life.

Gatten Girl's Weekend!!

The time had come once again for our annual girl's getaway. This year I was in charge of all the planning and we went to Seattle! It was a fun-filled weekend spent:

Getting flashed, (Didn't get a pic of that one... ;)

Eating AWESOME food (cheescake factory below),

working off that awesome food together,

Eating MORE (here at lunch at georgios subs),

Lots and lots of SHOPPING,

Eating more GOOD food to replenish ourselves after all that shopping (below at macaroni grill...cheers!),
enjoying PIKE PLACE market,
(below: here I am buying Jon's Father's Day present)
(below: hanging out with my sister, Cassie who I hadn't seen for 10 mos!!)

(below: my brother Dusty who lives in Seattle going to endo school has baby boy #1 on the way. He came along to Pike street and watched Jay and then took him from there while we went to the game. He was so cute enjoying what he will soon have!)Cheering on the MARINERS!!! It was an awesome game. They beat the Diamondbacks 7-3. We were a little crazy.............or a lot crazy. :)

(above LtoR: Brynne, Angie (brett's wife), Angie (dusty's wife), Brooke, my mom Jean, sister Cassie and Sister Mikin. Only one missing was Lizzy G.)

and we had a devotional on trust and all of us did trust falls off of the bed! We went swimming in the pool (Mikin and Brooke made up an awesome synchronized swimming routine ;) and spent 3 nights trying to get through "Sleepless in Seattle". More like can't stay awake in Seattle! We were bushed every night from too much fun.

I sure love these women!!!