School's Out

Yeah for summertime! As soon as school was officially out on Friday, we decided to head up to Grandma's to see our cousins and start summer off with a bang. The blow-up pools got dusted off, the bikes came out full force, popsicles were downed by the handful, and the sprinklers were beckoning to the kids. They all had a blast this weekend.

Abigail mastered her bike with no training wheels this week. Way to go, Abby! Now I can't keep her off it. I literally have lived outside for the last three days so she can enjoy her freedom.

Ethan and Elle are both growing so fast!

Giggles are contagious

Zach put the deflated ball on his head and said, "hat"

Three For My Third

Today my yougest turns three. She is sleeping on my bed while I am writing this, and as I watch her I can't express how much she has enriched my life. She is such a joyful child. She seems to always be in a good mood. She has made me slow down, laugh more, smile at the smallest things, and just enjoy life more daily. I love her more than Ican express. Happy Birthday Jade!

Stolen Time with Cousins

Our cousins came to Utah last week for a funeral. It was some unexpected time, which we drank up happily. We planted Nana's garden together, celebrated Jeremiah's birthday, played soccer in the backyard, played dress-ups, etc. Now they are gone to their new home in Texas and they have left a hole just as big as their new home state.

The Soccer Team

The Birthday Boy

Dress Up Diva

I love Jade's "hat"

Our Garden Helpers

Retreat 2009

I just got back last night from my annual getaway with my long-time friends. It was so fun as always. We went to Bear Lake to a condo, where we went swimming, did pedicures, played games, ate way to much good food, went walking, colored our hair, etc. Next year I vote for three nights instead of one. The time went way too fast.

Finally Here

I am so happy tonight for my sister-in-law, Sarah and her family. After two years of waiting, they finally got to bring home their new brother, Zachary, from Haiti. We got to go to the airport to welcome them in. It was so great to be there. Zachary is the sweetest boy! He wasn't shy at all, but so warm and loving and happy to be there with his new family. The kids wanted to bring him something, so we brought a few balloons. He thought they were pretty cool. He learned that he could see himself in the shiny one, and was sticking out his tongue for a show. He pronounced everyone's name perfectly as we introduced ourselves. Ethan kept talking about him all evening when we got home, and when he was trying to fall asleep last night he said, "Mom, I can't sleep cause I am so excited." I asked him what he was excited about, and he said "That I have a new cousin". We can't wait to spend lots of time with him. Welcome, Zachary!

These two could not look anymore opposite. Jade is so white everywhere. I turned around and saw them holding hands across the way. So cute.

Sarah is amazing. She has prepared herself in every way possible for this transition. If there is anyone up to this task, it is her. She is such a great mom. Zachary is so lucky!

He took a particular liking to uncle Kolby. Here they are looking in the balloon.

Tate with his new brother, Zachary.

What a heart warmer!

Home on the Range

On Saturday we went up to see Grandma Teresa for her birthday. We had such a fun day with her. The kids helped me make her a cake with birds and flowers on it (two of her favorite things), we went for a bike ride, we went shopping, and we went with her out to Antelope Island for a day trip. Ethan was in awe that we were actually on an island. He loved studying the flier and the map and reading all of the facts. We did get to see some bison and antelope pretty close, and we had a nice little hike, until the kids got tired. Next time we are going to pick a warmer day so we can play at the beach and hike to the top peak.

Last week we went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point for Abigail's preschool field trip. The kids always have fun there. It was Jade's first time on the ponies. She didn't want to do it at first and almost started crying when the horse started to walk, but I stayed by her, and in no time at all she was saying hi to all of the other kids and loved it!

Kinked Neck

Jade has never had trouble falling asleep. Just this week I have found her in these oh-so-comfortable positions. I swear I give her naps, but the kid is just sleepy!

This is in her high chair during lunch with lots of commotion going on around her.

This is on the stairs. She does this quite a bit. It just seems like to much energy to climb all 13 stairs sometimes. I know how she feels.

Date Night

Jake and I are so "date deprived" it is ridiculous. We hardly see each other because of him working in Ogden and me working nights. I can't wait to meet my husband again :) The other night, however, we did get to go with my work to a dinner and a show at Showtime Utah. It was pretty fun. The band played some John Denver, which always makes for a good night.