1st Lake Trip of the Season

Growing up Memorial Day to us was usually the opener of boating season and now that we have the boat we will hopefully continue the tradition. Monday morning we finished some yard work and pack up to head to East Canyon(it is probably our favorite place to boat that is close to home). Nic and Ky already had the boat in the water and ready to go. The weather was perfect and we were all pretty excited. Boating to me is such a great way to spend time together as a family and a perfect way to relax. The water hasn't had enough time to get really warm but we had anticipated that being the case. I think that may have been one of the reasons that there weren't to many people there. And we were completely content to lay out in the sun, float, and just visit. 

We had plenty of snack so we were set for a day full of fun.

Monday morning after getting up and ready I asked Grace how she wanted her hair done. She replied with, "No hair done today...please?" I was happy to oblige(don't we all have those days we don't want our hair done?) and once we got to the lake her hair gave us a good laugh. The way the wind caught it was so perfect. She loves to sit in the front of the boat and look out with the wind in her hair.

Rigs stole Matt's hat and insisted on wearing it. Matt caught a rare picture of him looking and smiling.

Shortly after we got there Hallie asked if we could find a place to have a swim break. All the kids got off the back of the boat and got 1 foot in before they decided it was to cold and climbed back in to play.

Gracie is seriously such a ham. This was her spot she just loves to be in the boat cruising around

Because of the water temp the ones of us that aren't crazy stayed in the boat...lol just kidding. Kyle thought we were all wimps since we wouldn't get in the water so he showed us how it was done by skiing and wake boarding. The rest of us just enjoyed riding and laying in the sun.

There aren't many things that I love more than boating with my family.....I think they like it to.

We can't wait to go again and in less than 2 weeks we will be in Lake Powell soaking up the sun. We have really enjoyed having the boat and look forward to all the trips and time we will spend together boating with family and friends.

Memorial Day Weekend--Saturday--BBQ and Cousin Time

Saturday we planned to all get together and spend the day hanging out and playing in the sun. Kim/Ez and Nic arrived about lunch time and all the kids were SO excited to see each other. When Kimber/Nic pulled in the girls went crazy they were so excited and Kim couldn't get out of the car fast enough for them to hug her. Once we all said our hellos we fired up the grill and got our food cooking. The kids played while we got lunch ready. It was a little to cold to play in the water initially but after lunch the sun came out and it warmed right up. The kids wasted no time asking to fill and get in the pool.

 And we even added a little sprinkler to the fun . I think Hallie liked that the best

 We spent plenty of time in the sand box and you know what a great combination the sandbox and pool make

So after they were done swimming Luke got a naked hose shower since his diaper area was covered in sand...luckily the water was warm and he seemed to enjoy it.

 Kim, Nic, and I got out our reclining lawn chairs and sat in the shade on the deck while the kids played. Eventually they noticed all the treats we were eating without them and came to get some. Kimber brought some white chocolate chip and craisin cookies and they were a big hit with the kids. These 3 are hilarious they were all standing in a line eating their cookies together. When one of their cookies was gone they would lean over and get a bite from whomever was next to them. Then it became a game and they would slowly move towards the grill and once they ran into it that kids would run around in a circle and get back in "line" on the other side.

They all played so cute. Its fun to watch how they have grown up together and have learned to play so well together for the most part.

 At one point Nic put Kinley in the swing and all the kids slowly migrated to the swing set and started asking to be pushed. They started calling her the "pusher". Kim and I sat quietly giggling and shortly after Nic said, "hey I'm how come I am the only one pushing these kids?" Then we all had a good laugh. It was so fun to catch up and visit with my sisters that are also my best friends. We can talk about anything and everything. Its so fun that we are all raising kids together and frequently give each other suggestions or advice. I love them dearly more than words can say or express.

 After awhile we let the puppies play with the kids. Luke was a little nervous at first since the puppies are as big as they are but after awhile he seemed to really like them.

The kids also played quite a bit with the power wheels jeep and four wheeler. Luke really liked the four wheeler but for the picture is about the only time he smiled while riding in the jeep. Hallie gave all the smaller kids rides. Rigs likes to drive by himself but hasn't quite learned to steer and frequently ran into things.

 After a long day playing in the sun Nic headed home to meet Kyle(they had plans), Matt came home from a full day of class, Kim and I fed the kids, and all the adults got ready to head out for our date night. Kim and I decided we would just share a babysitter so I made sure to get my favorite and probably most responsible babysitter, Cierra. I will be so sad when she decides she doesn't want to babysit anymore. Kim, Ez, Matt, and I had decided to go see Draft Day. We went to what is quickly becoming Matt and I's favorite movie place called Moviegrille. It is a theater as well as a restaurant. Once you are seated in the theater they bring you a menu. You sit in overstuffed and super comfy recliners and eat your ordered food while watching the movie...seriously so awesome. And the food is delicious!!!! I can't say enough good about the movie it such a great and feel good movie. I love date nights with my siblings and getting to spend time together

I love fun and family filled days like today so relaxing and just a laid back great time

More Yard Work....New Trees

After cutting down the dying tress and getting new trees planted it was time to some more landscaping.  So Saturday morning while Matt was at work the girls and I got some done. Gracie wanted to be very involved so I let her help with all of it. She helped carry the flowering bushes to where they needed to be planted.

 Put them on there X 

 After getting them all planted we put down all new mulch. We got out the little rakes and all of us got to work. 

Although yard work at times seems endless I love how it looks when its all done and I always feel so accomplished when I feel like I can't move at the end of the day...lol

The Last Piece of our San Diego Trip----Family Pictures

Our family pictures are finally done!!! I am so glad that we decided to get these done. They turned out so well and we actually got them taken in less than an hour. The girls were so excited to see the ocean and be at the beach so they were pretty easy to get smiles out of. This is probably my favorite family one although it was really hard to pick one.

Me and my girls. This was near the very end of our shoot and they were still doing great despite the fact we were all wet and sandy by this point.

Here is one under the pier

Im typically a fan of posed pictures but really love the candid ones. We were all just having a great time and our photographer did a great job capturing them.

Another one of my favorites. The anticipation waiting for the wave to come was like torture to the kids it was pretty comical.

These 2 really love each other. Gracie was a little nervous of the waves and Hallie would take her hand and tell her it was ok she would protect her as they walked out to the waves!! Seriously heart melting moment.

Gracie at 28 months

Hallie 4 1/2 years

Me and my hubby...kinda like him....ALOT!!!

More candid fun

And another of these 2 beautiful girls. Just a side note there is rarely a time I take my kids to the store or run errands that I don't get stopped for someone to tell me how beautiful, sweet, or well behaved these 2 are. I think so but I may be a little bias

While our photographer was capturing some pictures of Matt with Grace we turned to find Hallie just looking almost taking it all in

While getting ready for a picture Gracie was staring off and I guess Hallie thought she would help I had no idea this happened until getting our pictures back...it was a good laugh though. Helps to describe in pictures these 2 relationship at times. Hallie is very mothering to her for sure.

A daddy and his girls...these 2 get so excited when they hear his truck in the driveway. He is a great dad to them.

Like I said before I will completely do on location vacation pictures again. I'm so glad we did them on the first day there so no one was worn out or sun burned. I think its a great way to document our amazing family vacation. Now our vacation is complete.