What a Week!!

Last Tuesday, July 1rst, started off a great, exciting, fun and busy week. Here is the run down of our weekly activities............

TUESDAY JULY 1st

• I cleaned my house all day for the arrival of our company in a few days, so I was totally ready to get out of the house. That night my friends took me to dinner for my birthday at P.F. Changs. We had such a great time, it was so nice to hang out with the girls. It was great to get to know everyone a little better and eat delicious food. Thanks Kam for organizing it all and driving and thanks everyone for dinner and for coming, it was so much fun. Thanks Ryan for watching the kids and cleaning the floor so I didn't have to do it on my b-day. I took my camera, but forgot to take a picture, I think I was to busy laughing.......Thanks again ladies!!!

WEDNESDAY JULY 2nd

• The big 3 o ! Not sure how I feel about this, well I guess I don't really feel any different than I did the day before, its just official, I am out of my 20's so sad!! But still much to look forward to. It was a good day, the girls and I went and did some shopping. I didn't really buy anything and it was a little stressful with all 3 kids at the mall, but hey at least we got out of the house. That night we went to dinner at Macaroni Grill, which is always good, and the kids were well behaved so that makes it much more fun. Later that night we had the Costco carrot cake that I had requested and it did not disappoint. I had some again tonight, it was huge and I have been eating on it for a week, I am glad it is pretty much gone. It was a good day, I look forward to next 30...........
Bailey took this picture of Ryan and I, she was pretty proud of herself

That is A LOT of cake!

• I was pretty spoiled in the gift area this year my friends and family were all very thoughtful and generous and it was much appreciated. Ryan got my a gift certificate to the spa that I like and finally some new furniture!! We have never had new living room furniture ever until now, it was much needed, and i am quite excited about it. It was time!!
  
  



This is the cute banner my sister made for me

THURSDAY JULY 3rd

• The party continued into the next day when my family came to town. We blessed Logan on Sunday, but my family decided to come early and celebrate my birthday and the 4rth of July. We went to the water park on Thursday when they got here. It was the perfect day to spend in the water. I think everyone had a good time. We rented one of the cabanas so their was plenty of shade for Logan. The girls had fun in the wave pool with everyone and of course all of the slides were a hit. We were also able to meet up with our friends the Garcias, it was so fun to see them. I am glad they were in town. We had fun with them at the water park and were grateful they could make it to the blessing. When we got back to our house we had pizza and some more birthday fun. Plenty of cake to go around and my sisters put up some decorations and had a banner. They also made a list of some of my accomplishments and things I have done over the years, it was fun to look back and realize that you have done some pretty decent stuff thus far. My 3 little precious kidos and Ryan are enough to make up a good list. It was fun to have another day of celebrating.
  

FRIDAY JULY 4th

• Happy 4th of July!! We started out this day with a neighborhood bike parade. This was Kami's idea and it turned out to be so much fun. Quite a few kids from our neighborhood and ward participated, they went to Kami's and decorated their bikes the night before and then came for the parade the morning of the 4rth. It was cute to watch them all ride up and down the street. They were pretty proud of their bikes. Ellie rode really slow waving at everyone, Drew thought it was a race and tried to go as fast as possible, Bay was concerned when some of her decorations started falling off, it was cute to watch them all. Later that day the guys went golfing and the girls took the kids to the pool. Then we had a bbq, a game of kick ball and of course fireworks. It was fun way to spend our Nation's birthday.

Bailey and Gavin, your bikes are looking fabulous

Ellie, Drew and Noah ready for a great parade, love Noah's helmet

Lots of good food

On 4th of July, I usually make strawberry cake with blueberries, a tradition we started with our friends the Draper's (for a great picture of it see her blog) but since I had a lot of baking and cooking to do this weekend. We had a little help from Costco. They had these cute cupcakes and of course Costco cake in any form is always delicious.

Cute 4th of July kids

Logan's first 4rth of July (gotta love a dark shirt, shows all of the spit up)

Bailey just relaxing

Ellie and Drew loved the cupcakes

We moved our old furniture outside, a little white trash, but it made for some comfortable seating for the weekend with all of our company.

Lined up to enjoy the fireworks show, quite a few people had fireworks going on, it ended up being a great show, the kids loved doing sparklers and poppers

SATURDAY JULY 5th

• This day was pretty much spent getting ready for Sunday. We hit Costco early in the day for a food run. The guys went golfing and the girls cooked and cleaned. Since we have church at 8 a.m. we pretty much had to have everything ready to go. My mom and sisters were a huge help I couldn't have done it without them. The kids were good to play and help cook. Later in the day Ryan's brothers and his sister got into town. The girls were so excited for Allie to get here to play and it was fun to see how much the twins had grown. We all went to dinner and then headed home to be ready for 8 o'clock church.
  
  

Ellie, Drew and Bailey cooking up a little fruit snack delight


Nothing like a little ring around the garbage can to keep the kids entertained. An outdoor eating place was perfect for our big group.

SUNDAY JULY 6th

• Today was Logan's blessing day. He looked so handsome in his little outfit. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find a cute outfit for a boy, but I loved this one, and it came with the little embroidered P. It was the perfect choice. We all made it to church on time, miracle. Ryan's dad and sister and her family made it before us and they came from Burley that morning (thanks for getting up so early for us). Ryan did a great job on the blessing. He blessed Logan with many great things, how lucky we are the have the priesthood and the gospel in our lives. We were also very blessed to have all of the members of our family there and some of our friends. There was a wonderful circle of people surrounding Logan to help bless him. When we got home we enjoyed a nice brunch, thanks to everyone for all of the their help and for bringing some of the delicious food. We had so much support it was so great to have everyone here for Logan's special day.
  

Another great spread

MONDAY JULY 7th

• Ryan's brothers and their families stayed through Monday. It was nice to have a little more time to hang out with them. The guys went golfing and the girls took the kids swimming (I am seeing a pattern here). It was fun for all of the kids to be able to go swimming together. It was the babies first time in the pool and they loved it. After we just hung out for a little while and then went to dinner before they had to all take off. We haven't all been able to hang out for a while so it was nice to just chill and enjoy one another.

Eight kids, 3 women, lots of water, we had it under control

It was a great week. We had a lot of fun things to do. It has taken me all week to finish this post because there was so much to write about and so many great pictures to choose from. Thanks again to everyone for all of your love and support.

(I also was a little busy reading Eclipse, the 3rd book in the Twlight series, I am excited for #4

The Month of June!

So after my last post the kids broke the power to our computer. It was on its last leg before and they sent it over the edge, as a result I have been very out of touch from the cyber world. It was nice for a couple of days, but then it was just annoying. Anyway, Ryan ordered a new one off of ebay and it finally arrived so I am back in business. Here is a little of what we have been up to....

Fabulous Weekend
This past weekend we went to Cedar City for a reunion with our friends from dental school. Our friends the Ludlow's were so kind to house us all in their new beautiful home. We got their Friday morning and it took about 5 minutes for the girls to pick right up where they left off. They played their little hearts out, I barely saw them the whole weekend. The guys went out to lunch and then us ladies headed out when they got back. I was excited to get a diet coke from the drive up at the gas station. Awesome!! I must find one of these in my town. We also hit Roberts, the very best craft store around, wish I had one by me. Later that night we headed to St. George to the Tuacahn theatre to see The Sound of Music. It was so good, they always do such a great job. The girls loved it and Logan didn't make a peep the whole time so it worked out well. It was pretty hot but it just brought back memories of those great Vegas summers.

Some cool snow cones were perfect on the hot summer night

Ludlow's live on the golf course so the guys went to check it out on Saturday. They came and picked up the kids on the 16th hole for a ride in the golf cart, the girls loved being on the course I am really going to start pushing this. Ryan needs to get them going!!! The girls hung out at the house in the theatre room watching episodes of the Office. It was great to just chill in comfy chairs and laugh at that hilarious show. When the guys got back we headed out for a little more shopping. Natalie was concerned that Cedar didn't have any where we would want to shop, but it did, and it was just fun to go shopping with some of your best friends. That night we had a bbq and b-day party for Sarah. She hit the big 30 this year, we had 3 dessert options which is totally necessary on your 30th b-day. I am glad we were able to celebrate with her.

Sweet Theatre Room!!!
My kids are dying for one of these now, they thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Golf Buddies

The guys and the gals

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!
(Thanks Jon and Nat for the yummy b-day treats)!

Logan was one month old while we were there. He did so good on his first major outing. There have been 3 new babies added to the group this year.

Here is a photo of Audrey, Max and Logan

Sunday we enjoyed some awesome buttermilk syrup for breakfast and then hit church. After we just hung out and relaxed. It was great. My kids had so much fun they did not want to leave they started crying when it was time to go. They ask me everyday when we can go back. It was such a great a time. Thanks so much to the Ludlow's for great food, fun and entertainment. A perfect summer vacation. Thanks again guys!!!

The kids playing in the sand box, and doing a fashion show

Thanks girls we had a blast!

Other stuff :

We took Logan to church for the first time of Father's Day. He did great and we actually made it sort of on time. The 8 a.m. thing is going to be a bit a of challenge but for week #1 it wasn't too bad. The girls had fun celebrating Father's Day with Ryan. He is a great dad and they are very lucky to have him and his mellowness, it is needed, I can be a little "non mellow."

A fairly decent family photo!

Summer Activities

The girls also took swimming lessons for 2 weeks at our local water park. They both did a great job and have become pretty good swimmers. Its nice because at the end of their lessons they get a free pass to the water park. We are looking forward to using those.

Mule Days

The first weekend in June, the town of Star had their annual celebration and parade. Since Ryan works for a practice in Star he had to take part. The girls thought it was pretty cool to be in the parade. They were able to be princesses, throw candy and blow bubbles. It was a little chilly for a June parade, but not too bad. It was fun to watch them go by and throw candy and toothbrushes. It is a great little community and we had fun being a part of their festivities.

Fun at the Park
One of our parks down town as this pretty cool water fountain, the girls thought it was fun to run around it feel the mist. They also loved picking flowers and putting them in their hair and mine. it was a fun way to spend a summer day.

Schools Out Scream and Shout

I had to get my HSM plug in, actually Bailey has been singing that all day long. She was happy that school was finally out. Too bad the weather has been horrible, so it doesn't quite seem like summer. Hopefully it will warm up soon! Bailey got out today (Wed). and Ellie got out last Thursday. Ellie had a little program, her class sang a couple of songs. One song was about being the Lord's Army and the other was called He's a Peach of a Saviour. Gotta love Christian Pre-School. She loved it though! On her last day her class had a pizza party. Yesterday at Bay's last day, they had a family picnic (inside) that we were all able to go to and they had a Apache Helicopter land a take off at their school, the kids loved this, I think Ryan liked even more than they did. Well let the summer begin.........swimming lessons start on Monday so lets hope it gets
WARM!!

This is Ellie at her program and on the last day, she is holding her name tag. She went by Ellie Jo at school this year because there were 2 Ellie P's.

Bay with her name tag and with Mr. Barrera (her teacher) she had a great year with him. She said she is happy school is over, but that she is going to miss Mr. Barrera. He was a really good teacher. We have lucked out so far. Hopefully at the new school next year, we will be as lucky!

This is the helicopter, it is pretty amazing how they just take off.

2 Weeks Old Today

Logan is 2 weeks old today. He is still such a good baby!

In this photo I do realize that he is not wearing any pants, WHY? You may ask, well the art of changing a boy's diaper is still foreign to us. WHY? Well he pees and poos everywhere, each time you open the diaper. It is honestly a 20 min. ordeal, the fact that he was circumcised this week does not help the situation. So as a result he goes through a lot of clothes (which is also a problem because it is suppose to be WARM so he is slightly lacking in the winter outfits). Anyway at 8:00 at night, I give up on putting on pants, but he looked cute just laying there. So...that is why he is not wearing pants, I know you were all very concerned :)

Grandma Pops and The Dance Recital

Even with a newborn life didn't slow down. I am so glad my mom was here last week to help with everything and everyone. It was so nice having her here and the girls absolutely loved it. Ellie kept calling me grandma after she left. Thanks for everything Mom!! My dad flew in for the weekend to see Logan and attend the dance recital for the girls. He and Ryan also put up the chair rail in Logan's room, it is finally coming together. Photos to come soon.

Saturday was the dance recital that the girls have been waiting for. They both did awesome. Ellie's dance was to a Circus song and Bailey's was to a version of Be Our Guest. They looked really cute and were so excited and nervous, it was a fun day. They loved getting flowers and being a part of it all. Logan was good he just slept the whole time, but I of course told the girls he thought they did great.