July 5, 2008 Roosevelt

I have been meaning to get up to Roosevelt Utah, ( 3 hours east from SLC) for many many years. Well my BFF's (Cynthia's) daughter Gracie just turned 8 and was having a special day, she was going to be baptized. So what better reason to go and support Gracie and to see Cynthia. About 10 am we set off on our 3 hour tour.. HA HA felt a lot like Gilligan... I don't normally do road trips of more than 30 minutes alone or just with the kids. Stuart is usually our captain and navigation crew, but me wanting to be independent while he is gone and venture out more decided to do this on my own. I had my friend Jason check the air pressure in my tires and I made sure my gas tank was full, ( I was very impressed I remembered the tires at all) I stopped and got a drink ( Dr. Pepper of course) and we were off. The drive up was very smooth and very nice. the kids slept most of the way, I had forgotten just how beautiful the drive was.

We arrived about 2 and finished getting ready.

Here is Cynthia, Tony, Gracie, TJ and Tony's grandfather...

After the baptism, we all went back to Cynthia's house for a BBQ... and a few rounds on the Wii

Cynthia and I, BFF's after 25+ years... Love that girl...

Cynthia's adorable daughter Gracie... Love that girl too..

It was so much fun to be able to spend the day with them. I had planned on staying the night however, Sam makes me nervous. He wouldn't eat and would barely drink anything... Then he started having an upset tummy. what can I say, i am gun shy when it comes to him being sick so I set off for home, and after he threw up before we had passed out of town, I knew I had made the right choice to head home. He turned out to be fine after that, slept the whole way and threw the night... Woke up feeling OK, still wouldn't eat much but no other issues. So Cynthia and I are planning another visit and this time with their new Boat... we can't wait.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

This was such a bitter sweet day for me this year, as many of you know, Stuart is deployed right now and it made me reflect on the meaning of the day. More than just fireworks and salt water taffy. I am so grateful for the sacrifices our troops make daily and voluntarily to protect our freedoms. And so proud my husband to be one of those men. And equally proud of my family members as well as his that are or have also served this great country of ours. You are hero's to us all. We love you!

OK on to the kids, which we all know is the reason you visit our site. :) We started off the early morning by going to the local Parade. The parade which I was in several times as a child. it is so fun to now be there with my kids enjoying the same thing. And to run into friends I went to school with that I only see each year on the 4Th.

Emily waiting for the parade to start! Grandma pointing out the police cars on their way.

So really the best part of the parade according to Emily is the "princesses" on the floats and the candy. BAGS of candy. Sam thought the bagpipes were cool and he discovered candy on this day too. I was super excited. Now he can sniff it out anywhere.

Sam and Emily picking up the candy... try explaining to a 3 year old that it is OK on this day only to first take candy from random people and second to pick it up off the street and eat it... but the second the parade ended, it was no longer OK...

Sam enjoying his 1 piece he picked up.

And then we have Emily's score for the day....

and yes everything in this picture short of the pink bag, she got at the parade...

After some much needed naps, we headed up to my friend Katy's house. Where we celebrated with her family for dinner, fun and fireworks. We had such a great time, Thanks to the Pulham family for letting us join you in celebrating.

Sam drawing some sidewalk pictures

Katy, Wyatt, Sam and Brayden wrestling on the lawn

Emily's crown, sweet Brayden made for her from some glow sticks

And what are fireworks with out sparklers...

Thanks Scott and Brock for the fireworks show!

Happy 4Th of July to you all!

July 2, 2008 We will miss you Stormy!

A good friend of ours, Stormy, tragically lost her battle with Cancer on the 30Th of June. She was so sweet to my kids and to me. I took the kids to the funeral on the 2nd after I debated if I should but they saw Stormy every day up until the first of June before she got sick and my kids loved her so much I decided we all needed a chance to say good bye. Emily cried pretty hard for a while, and we talked about it and explained it to her and she understands to the best her 3 year old mind can.

Beautiful Flowers from the Funeral

Our sweet Kathy, and Sam Sam, saying Hi to a sweet baby, near by

Emily walking through the tombstones

Emily and Laura during the grave side services

Professional Hair Cuts July 1, 2008

Today I decided to take Sam to get his hair cut. My mom did a great job on his first ever hair cut but this time, I wanted it short and we didn't think he would hold still. So copying my friend Allissa, I went to Cookie Cutters hair cuts for kids. It was SO cute. Emily wanted every hair accessory they had. I think my baby aged at least 6 months after the cut...but he looks SO cute.

Sam wasn't too sure about this lady combing his hair...

Sam During, he got to sit in a Fire truck and watch a movie, he was more fascinated by the steering wheel and bell than the movie. He did Great.

And after, he got a balloon and sucker. Such a big man!

And of course, we can't forget Emily, she had her hair trimmed too, she wanted it all cut off like Sam but I vetoed that really quickly. instead, we trimmed her bangs and the bottom to make it even... She looks so pretty.

Here she is, sitting so still

And we have the finished girl, cute pig tails and all... (even though you can't see them)