Hallie's 1st Day of 2nd Grade

Hallie started 2nd grade on August 23rd. She was really excited and I was sad that it was yet another reminder that summer is coming to a close. She is at Valley Elementary is Mrs. Truett's class. She was very excited to have some of the same kids in her class as last year. She is a little mother to most everyone around her making sure everyone is taking care of. She is an excellent reader and super friendly. She is thoughtful and kind and tries to make the extra effort both at home and at school. She picks up on things so easily and the things she doesn't she gets slightly frustrated shortly before figuring it out. She can sound out just about any word. She recently decided to learn how to tie her shoes after us trying to talk her into once she found cute shoes that tie. She had it down in about 5 minutes...stubborn girl. Matt and I are so proud of the amazing little girl she is although it does make me sad to see her grow up so quickly the times I get frustrated I remind myself that someday I will miss all the extra work and attention my kids needed when they were younger so I'm doing my best to enjoy every minute.

A Family Trip to the Lake

We love the lake but sometimes we just want to go ourselves and since the girls are so little we just got to play. On this particular night we just played on the beach, swam, fed the seagulls, had a major dance party, and just floated....it was awesome and so relaxing. I know our days are limited this summer but Im excited for more trips like this next summer.

Hot Air Balloon Festival

I was really looking forward to the Hot Air Balloon Festival. The first morning I promised the kids I would wake them up if I saw the balloons. I got up and sure enough there was a half a dozen balloons floating in the sky. I went to get the girls up and they were so excited . We sat on the front porch and watch them float up and down. I love the valley and all the beauty that surrounds us up here.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary

This year Matt and I celebrate 10 years of marriage! I know for a lot of people that's a huge thing but for me it is only a blink of an eye in the scheme of eternity. I love  this man and the life we have built together. We are a great team and handle whatever comes our way together. Since our anniversary was on a Thursday we met for lunch at Panda Express and just spent time together. I think some might think it was silly that we did panda express but it is a true representation of what we are....where ever we are we are just happy being together....especially with our little family

When Matt came home form work that night he brought flowers and chocolate. For a long time I didn't really care for flowers but as I have gotten older I love the brightness and beauty they bring. As for the chocolate I have always loved that. Matt can be really thoughtful. There have been times in our marriage that he has been so busy that I have felt a little forgotten but we talk thru it and then at just the right moments he comes thru with surprises.

That weekend we had planned a getaway for just the two of us. Nic was great to watch the kids and they were thrilled to stay with her and play with their cousins. We booked Hotel Park City in downtown Park City...it turned out to be so nice.

Our deck was right off the pool they also had live music going on and a bbq...we sat out on our deck and just enjoyed the music and each other

We enjoyed going to dinner, doing some shopping, we looked at new suburbans, and just relaxing. I was really anxious about leaving the girls but I knew they were in good hands with Nic...although they weren't really great for her she made it thru. I was grateful we went and had a good time and I'm looking forward to an eternity of anniversaries. 

Fun with the Parrish's

After some crazy weeks I had the feeling we needed to head to Logan and visit Erin. It worked out so well that we had nothing going on the next day so I text Erin and we made plans. Matt was out of town as well so it was a great time to get out and do some fun stuff. The girls and I got up and ready and left about 10. We headed to Erin's house so she could show us her new place. From there we went to pick up KFC and then to the a cool park I had heard about called Ryan's Playground. I of coarse forgot to take pictures but we enjoyed eating our lunch but mostly playing and catching up. Erin is such an example to me of a faithful person. She has had some many tough trials in her and her families lives and she just keeps on smiling. I know after getting to know her that this doesn't come easily but she chooses to try to make the best of every situation. One of her bad days is uncomprehendable to me and I in no way shape or form hope to go thru anything she has experienced. We are two of the most unlikely friends that you could possibly meet and yet we have such a love for one another. Even though we don't live close I still feel the desire to be in her life and help her to succeed in any way I can. After the park we went to show the kids where they make cheese...Gossners. I have such great memories of going to Gossners as a kid. We would get cheese curds and occasionally ice cream. So of coarse that is what we got the kids. I think they were all pretty pleased with their decisions. 

I swear Gracie can make her face a mess eating just about anything

After our cheese pit stop we went back to Erin's to change our close and head to Hyrum Dam to swim and play in the water. When we got there it was a little chilly and because the water was so low the beach was pretty much no existent but we made the best of it and had a good time.

The kids swam and played with the beach toys. Then they went on a hunt to find seashells and chased some birds.

We only stayed for an hour before it started to get cold and the babies were exhausted. We had such a fun filled day I was sad to see it come to an end. As we were both driving away I remembered we hadn't taken a single picture of both of us the entire day. Luckily she was willing to turn around and then we got one. Im so grateful for this girl and her happiness in her simple life is such an example to me. When things get tough she just holds on tight for the ride. I was so glad I made the decision to go up and visit. It was a great day with a great friend

Summer Days Coming to a Close

It feels like once again that our summer went way quicker than any of us ever wanted. Luckily now that the yard is done we are doing everything we possibly can to enjoy the last days of summer from riding bikes, going to the park. Em is enjoying walking an the new found freedom that has come with it. The girls are all so cute to play together and help watch each other. I love these 3 little girls, their daddy, and the lives that we live. We are very blessed...now back to enjoying what is left of summer

Austin's Farewell Weekend

Saturday morning we got up and got all the stuff packed to head to Idaho. We got there about 5 just in time to join Ris's family at founder days. Em had a ball playing in the little kid bounce house. She is loving her new found freedom with walking.

They also had a big bounce house for the older kids but they were going so fast I found it difficult to get a picture

Em really wanted to get in the big kid bounce house

They all got a turn in this cute train

Then before heading back to Ris's we shared some icees..the girls were more than thrilled with our plans for the evening

Once we got back to Ris' Nick & Brit got there and the kids all had a great time playing in the back yard

That night we went back to our hotel and called it a night. Em struggled sleeping thru the night which meant Matt and I got little to no sleep. We had to be at the church by 11 for sacrament and we actually made it 5 minutes before it started. Church went as it usually does Em was really restless. Preston was my buddy during sacrament meeting and spent most of it on my lap. Austin gave a great talk about missionary work and Im sure will be a great missionary. After we went back to Ris's house and had a late lunch/early dinner. We finally got Em down for a nap and enjoyed visiting. Then about 6 we headed for home. By the time we got home we got everyone in bed and unpacked.  I hate long drives and this was no exception but I was glad we went.