The end of summer....

For those of you that know me really well, know that I have no problem voicing my opinion about school being back in session. :) I love my children, but I also love the opportunity that they have to go to school, learn more academically, socialize and get a break from me! (and vice versa) As excited as I am for our girls to get back into the school routine, there are definitely things that I will miss about summertime.



How cute their little bums look in their swimsuits......




~Rhino rides.....




~Swimming (or seeing how many toys they can fit) in the pool.....



Lawnmower rides with Dad....


~Getting faces painted at Summer Camp....



~The sound of the "Wild Hawgs" going for their nightly ride....(2 couples at the end of our cul de
sac have Harley's...I was only able to catch pictures of the hubby's at this time)



~Popsicles....



~Playing games with chalk on the driveway......

~Performance Camp.......

~selling Lemonade.....



















~and last, but not least, Lake Powell.....(luckily we still have one more trip planned for September!)

This is how I've been feeling lately....

Syd's First Day of School

Yup, the time is here...Sydney just left for her 1st day of school in the 4th grade. Can't believe it! Not that I can't believe the day is finally here (can I do my happy dance now?!) but that she's actually in the 4th grade! I remember the 4th grade! I had my first boyfriend in the 4th grade! Ross Cash....cute little boy with red hair and freckles....asked me to "go" with him...bought me a necklace with a watermelon on it....broke up with me to go out with Amy Pospisil! :) Oh, the heartbreaks of adolescence! Anyway, here are some pics from this morning. Didn't get as many as I usually get....she was mad at me because I braided her hair and "she doesn't like braids!" Guess I should be grateful I got as many as I did...I'm sure with each year it's going to get harder and harder for her to "say cheese!" for her mom on the first day of school.

Elder Jacob Reading

Our cousin is serving his mission in Carlsbad, California and to keep in touch with him, go to www.missionsite.net and enter his name. With all of this computer technology....email and websites, makes me look like I served the mission in the dark ages! :)

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe that it's been 11 years ago today that I married my best friend. I'm so grateful to be married to a wonderful man who respects me, honors our temple covenants and the Priesthood, is THE BEST father to our 3 beautiful daughters, showers me with love and affection, doesn't back down when he feels strongly about something (even when I disagree :) and is the only one who can make me laugh when I just don't feel like laughing. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and never giving up on me. I'm so grateful to have him by my side through the good and bad times and to know that no matter what happens, we're in this together. I could not be more blessed and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the amazing life that I live with Brett and our girls. Happy Anniversary Honey, I love you!

Mom and Theran

Happy Birthday Theran! Here's a picture of big T with our Mom that I stole from my sister-in-laws blog.....love you Theran!

Our Girls

Here are some pictures of the girls, taken by my sister-in-law, Julie. Cute little stinkers (if I do say so myself! :)

4th of July in St.George

We had one of our weeks at our timeshare condo in St. George and invited a couple of our friends and their kids down for the weekend. Yes, it was hot, but when in St. George in July you just go from the airconditioned house to the airconditioned car to the swimming pool! :) There was lots of fun collecting the snails in the backyard, swimming, eating, swimming, eating and oh yeah, FIREWORKS!

Say Cheese!

These are the faces that Kendra is giving me whenever I pull out the camera lately.... silly girl!

Aaahhhh! He Loves Me!

We were out washing cars the other night and at one point I look over at the driveway and saw this written on the concrete.... my sweet husband after almost 11 years still finds unique ways to express his love to me!

Lake Powell '08

Great weather, great company and very relaxing!! (with big thanks to Jen, Kim and Mom for keeping Kendra while we went...thus, the "very relaxing" part!) Trying to get my family to go in on a time share houseboat in Powell...maybe the pictures will be enticing to them!

Ok, Seriously........

We are on day 3 of rain, clouds and gray skies and I am seriously about to lose it!! :) It's one thing to have this weather during the wintertime, but last I checked it was JUNE! The kids are out of school and they are anxious to get outside and play and they can't. You know, I get that we need the water blah, blah, blah....but we need some sunshine more or they're going to be visiting mom in the looney bin! I mean, I feel like Kendra looks in this picture!!!

Happy Birthday to Brett!

Now, just because Val does this for everyone, doesn't mean that I'm going to! (that's just setting everyone up for disappointment!) But, I did feel the need to wish my sweet husband a very happy Birthday today. For those of you that know him, you know of his sarcasm, sense of humor, kind heart and generous spirit. He is THE best father to our 3 girls and the perfect fit as my husband. He works (and PLAYS) hard and serves all of those that he comes in contact with. Thank You, hon, for always being there for me and for ALWAYS being able to make me laugh. Love you so much....hope you have a great day!

Morgan...our Artist

On any given day--and more often than not--Morgan is drawing something. She's actually very good (not that I'm biased or anything) but the actual volume that she produces is kindof stressing me out because I can't save it all! Her preschool teacher has often emphasized that it's okay to throw away some of their stuff, but just don't let them see you throwing it away. Yea, uh, made that mistake already! So, needless to say, I've got Mo's drawings stashed EVERYWHERE! Not that I don't throw anything of hers away (I am notorious for throwing away stuff~just ask my hubby) but I try and keep the "best" and discretely toss the rest.