Boating

I pulled Payson into the water he wasn't to sure about it at first, but then he started to splash around!

Sierra was a little fish swimming around, she thought very seriously about trying the wake board (or skis), maybe next time we'll talk her Dad into coming and then she'll try it out!

Aspen was as happy as a clam just watching everyone, she did venture into the water, but she stayed close to the swim step.

Shawn has started the Monday night tradition of wake boarding. Last summer we called it FHE, but this year I work on Monday's so I don't get to go. Now he takes the boys, Ethan loves wake boarding, last time he started skiing too, and usually Chalon and his kids, and James has been going too. But this week since my wonderful sister has my kids, and the girls were spending the night Tuesday I talked Shawn into taking us all last night. The girls were so excited to get to go out on the boat, they were a little nervous about seeing catfish, and sharks, I reassured them that I've never seen anything lurking in the water. So they decided to take my word on in it and they both took the plunge into the water. We had such a great time splashing around, even Payson liked the water (after he got used to it). We will definitely do it again soon. Maybe today...who knows we are wild and crazy like that!

Father's Day Pictures

The handsome Father taking a break from the game

Grandma came to watch the game, Terry came just to get the shirt, he'll do anything for a shirt

The team, undefeated, 4th year in a row

According to Shawn, Terry was bored so they knocked down the block wall to put in the RV gate (and it was so hot that night, those two are animals)! Yea, I see parking in the garage in the future!!!

Father's Day weekend

So we had a great weekend. My in laws came to visit on Thursday night, and stayed through Fathers Day. It was kind of a busy weekend for us, so I felt bad, but they were flexible and went along with it. Saturday Shawn played dodge ball at the community center. It was awesome. I was totally picturing the elementary game where everyone chucks the ball at the other team to get the players out. And that's what this was, only with more structured rules. It was hilarious. Shawn had a blast inflicting pain on other people ...whats not to love, right? The perfect game. (I will post pictures later!)
Father's Day Ethan made Shawn and Papa Terry breakfast in bed, (toast, yummo. I don't think it even had butter on it, its the thought that counts)! Then I woke up and made a big breakfast. They opened up presents which of course were Wii games, all around. My in laws are into the Wii, they have all the fun games, which solidifies their place in being the cool grandparents. So then they had to try them out! It was fun to have them here, we always have a great time. Thanks for coming guys!

Life: a chore or all fun

i was just wondering what you all think...about life?? I know your life is probably constantly busy with things to do, dishes to wash, dinner to be made, and such. So what I want to know is how do you all do it?? Its hard not to get all caught up in the I need to do everything, be everywhere, and have it all be perfect. But really its impossible to do everything, and be everywhere, and have everything perfect. So how do you accept that. Sometimes I try to relax and not do as much, but then I loose motivation to do anything. How do you find that balance, of being productive, but not caught up in trying to do everything? I am constantly reminded of how quickly life moves by, but come on that doesn't mean that I can forget about laundry and washing the floors and just play with the kids all day. Hello, I have responsibilities.
I've been trying to be more mellow lately. Clean less often, and play more with the kids. Like these last couple of weeks, its been so crazy, with people coming and going, and working more hours, if I didn't constantly remind myself to just breathe in and out, I would probably pass out. I don't want to be uptight, but I its important to me to have an organized home. -It takes a ton of work and it feels like its a lost cause. I walk around all day thinking (chanting, is more like it) it's all okay. -Hey don't laugh it works. I listen to more relaxing music, my fav CD right now is Once, its the BEST. It puts me in a mellow mood. I've found that things go more smoothly when my mood is more even. Highs are good, but they don't last forever, and then it can be exhausting. So I try to just put a smile on my face, and be light hearted. You know what I mean. Just enjoy life for the ride that it is. Any suggestions on how you make life slow down, but still get all that stuff (crap) done??

Swimming it up!

Bryce and Hayden taking a break, eating a snack.

Halle, I love your bathing suit. Best looking girl at the park!

Bryce working on his tan. Bryce loved the pool, he made a mad dash for the slide right when we got there. He even jumped off the diving board like 5 times! Go Bryce! He and Hayden were like little fish. We even went back to the pool later in the day with the Dad's. They wanted to play too! And Cara and I got to play on the water slides too. So fun.
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My very best friend from high school, Cara, came out to visit on Wednesday. We were so excited to catch up. I envisioned us staying up late talking, swapping stories, like the good 'ol days. Maybe watch some chick flicks, I was also going to get a babysitter so we could go shopping at my favorite mall. Such great plans, right?
But two hours after she got here her daughter needed to be taken to the hospital. We were both surprised when they said they wanted her to stay the night so they could observe her. 24 hours later they finally figured out what was causing her to be so sick. She had an infected muscle on her shoulder. She was so sick, and didn't move at all in her hospital bed for two whole days. But she was so brave, and was so good for the nurses and doctors. Her Daddy flew out to be with her Friday night. They let her go home on Saturday afternoon. And is looking much better. Even though we didn't get to hang out that much it was still fun to see her, and to get to know her darling children. I absolutely adore Halle, she was so fun to watch, I didn't want to share her with her Mommy when she came back to our house. We had a good time Saturday night, and stayed up way to late laughing so hard my sides hurt. I miss you guys, we have to keep in touch.

FunFunFun

Ella likes my hand soap, too! She had really clean hands. Isn't her red hair amazing. And look at those big beautiful eyes, gorgeous girl!

You can see her IV bruises in this picture. Isn't that awful, she was so brave though.

We came to visit Ella, and bring Cara lunch in the hospital, this is day three. She was missing her kids. I got some funny looks from people in the hospital with all these kids.

Thank goodness for Chick Fila. The kids needed to get out and have some fun running around. Nothing can put a smile on a childs face like ice cream, ...in a cone none the less. Which according to Bryce is the only way to have ice cream!- Can't agree more, Bryce. Thanks for the idea!

Cara and Jarrod

I know this pic is kind of blurry, but I thought it was still cute. It's the only one I had of us. Hyaden loves to be in front of the camera... He is a camera hog!

The boys refused to pose for the camera, they are too cool, I guess. Somethings never change. They look good though!

The kids going nuts! This picture kind of sums up the week. They all got along super well. Instant buddies!

Here is my BFF, Cara-ly. I love you guys, thanks for coming. I hope we didn't totally scare you guys off, please come back again, so I can really show you a good time!

Memorial Weekend

For Memorial Weekend my Mom and Step Dad came out. We had a good time. It was kinda a quiet weekend. The weather really threw me for a loop. I didn't have a back up plan, we were just really counting on kicking it by the pool all weekend. But we regrouped and went for a nice walk, we went to the movies and saw Iron Man- a great movie, and the boys went dirt biking a couple of times. They had so much fun! My Mom bought us a house warming present- I picked out a fan. I can't wait to see it hung up. I picked it out for the guest room. I thought that would be most appropriate, since it was from them (I can't sleep with out the fan on either). It was great catching up and just relaxing. Thanks for coming out! After they left Ethan told me how much fun he had. We love you.

Last Day of School

Second grade came and went. What happened? Ethan's very best friends in second grade were Griffin and Cordelia. Cordelia is now moving to Utah, and Ethan will be going to New River next year. He is going to miss his friends, but his cousins and friend Andrew go to New River, so I know he will be okay. When Cordelia and Ethan get together don't even try asking them something because they won't hear you, they are to busy concentrating on their DS or Wii games. Ethan already misses Cordelia, but we are going to try to write letters!

Buzz

The boys were way past due for a hair cut, so we headed for the closest Great Clips. It was great we were able to get in and out fast, each lady took a boy, so it was over fast. Don't they look so handsome? I miss Hayden's hair, but it was getting out of control.