Wishing They Lived Closer

Disclaimer:

I am a total slacker at blogging lately, but I have so much to get caught up on. I am totally copying Sarah's blog about this fabulous weekend. I know she will forgive me, she knows I'm a slacker.

After all of Bailey's birthday stuff, we got ready for our friends the Drapers to visit. The totally drove out of their way just come visit and we are so glad they did. We were really good friends all through dental school and continue to be close, despite the hundreds of miles between us! It's fun that even though we haven't seen them for a year, we just pick up like nothing has changed. The first night we went out to dinner and then we all (minus the kids) stayed up until 6:00 in the morning talking- it was so fun- just like old times. Needless to say we were really tired the next day, but it was well worth it! If anyone knows Ryan, staying up that late is pretty much next to impossible for him. It takes some great company to accomplish that feat. He does get pretty entertaining when he stays up that late though, we call him fun Bobby (Friends).

On Friday Sarah and I spent the afternoon doing what we do best- shopping!

We left the kids home with the guys and they had fun playing games outside and just hanging out. Bailey and Ellie had so much fun with Jake and Nate they thought they were hilarious. We no longer call quesadillas by their name in our house. They have to be called triangles. So we have a Jake reminder at least 1 or 2 times a week.

After shopping we took the kids swimming.

Ellie and Nate got a long really well. He is such a cute kid.

Logan and Max chilled in the wagon. Max has quite the arm he can throw the ball like a champ!

When we got back from swimming the kids ate popsicles outside and just played until we could get them to go to bed.

After swimming be barbecued and hung out playing games. Saturday Sarah and I went running and helped get them ready for a long drive home. On their way out of town we ate at Five Guys which is sort of like In 'n Out. My take on it is this...... I think In 'n Out has better burgers but 5 guys fries and fry sauce were so good.

The time came too quickly to say goodbye but we were so happy they came our way. It was such a great couple of days. We need to do it more often. We have some really great friends from that time in our lives and I feel blessed that we are all still so close. We love you Drape's and look forward to the times that we get to hang out. Thanks for being such great friends and we can't wait to do it again, you are welcome here anytime. Too bad Southern California and Boise aren't closer.........Disneyland here we come!

Its Great To Be 8

Bailey is getting baptized this weekend. I can't believe this day is here. She is ready, I don't think I am ready, but I know she will do great. Here are some pictures of her invitation, we would love to see you there. Good luck Bay........you will be awesome!

Happy Birthday Bailey !!

Bailey turned 8 today. I can't believe our little girl is already at this milestone. She seems so grown up and still so little all at the same time. I think she had a great birthday weekend. Yesterday she had a High School Musical themed birthday party, it was a little hot but the kids were all troopers. We had a jumping house, a pinata, pin the microphone on Troy and Gabriella, water balloons, standing on ice, and plenty of fun to go around. Bailey really wanted to have a party at her house this year and I think it turned out great. She was a great help in getting the party all ready, she helped me put the cupcake toppers together and did all that she could to make the party just right. She has some really awesome friends who came and supported her and spoiled her with some of her very favorite things; webkinz, earrings, HSM stuff, new dolls, stuff for the pool, a Hannah wig, art supplies and anything turquoise her new favorite color :) Lucky little lady!!

Some pictures from the partyHer party friends

How long can you stand in ice?

She is so excited that she can be both Hannah and Miley
with her wig and her naturally dark hair

HSM cupcakes for everyone

Since her birthday fell on Sunday this year, she informed us last night that we needed to go to the Olive Garden so she could get Alfredo since she wouldn't be able to on Sunday. So after the party we packed up and headed to the Olive Garden, I swear she and Ellie love this place, they sang to her and gave her a little cake.

Sunday July 19th brought more birthday fun and a few matters of church business. She had her interview to get baptized after church today. She said she was nervous before we went in to meet with the Bishop, but she did great and is ready to take this step. I was very proud of her and the way she conducted herself. When we got home she opened the rest of her gifts, lots of new earrings and cute holder for them, art supplies, the Hannah Montana movie soundtrack, and a new bike (she was in need, the old one was getting too small). Ryan did a lot of the shopping for her this year and she couldn't have been happier. We had her favorite dinner, "the good chicken" as she calls it, mashed potatoes and gravy, and she would have picked asparagus, but I forgot so we had green beans. We also had watermelon at the party yesterday because it is her favorite too.The morning celebrations

She was spoiled by grandparents and aunts and uncles, everyone gave and sent gifts that had her name all over them, she LOVED them all

We spend the rest of the night riding her new bike and talking about her great weekend. I think she told Ryan and I thank you about 5 times. What a sweet girl!

Some things we love about Bailey:

1. She is very polite and uses good manners
2. She is a great big sister, Ellie and Logan adore her and love to spend time with her
3. She is very curious, she loves knowing what is going on all around her and always wants to know what we are talking about
4. She is a good friend
   
5. She tells great stories, lots of details and humor to follow along with
6. She loves to sing and dance and put on shows. The new Hannah CD should bring endless possibilities.
   
7. She is a good helper, she really has stepped up and is a right hand man to me around the house, with Logan and anything I really ask her to do. I appreciate her more and more.
   
8. She is excited about getting baptized and is really starting to understand what it means

I can't believe this little girl is growing up to be a beautiful girl with a big heart and a desire to good. I hope she keeps it up. I am lucky to have had 8 great years with her and look forward to all of the years to come.

Happy Birthday Bailey Boo, we Love YOU!!

Is July already half over????

The month started off great. I am officially IN my 30's and I feel okay about it. Ryan got off work early and we all went to lunch and shopping for shoes. Pretty much my idea of a fun afternoon. Ryan actually picked out the same shoes that I did, after 10 years we are on the same page! The kids love birthdays even when its not their own so that always makes the day more fun. Thanks to everyone for making it a great day.

Lovin those candles! Happy Birthday to me, I am blessed to have these cute kids.

p.s. 2 days later those cute kids broke all of the plates in the plate rack behind us, gotta love em!

The next day we headed to Logan for the 4th of July weekend. Aaron and Mindy were blessing baby Dax which made it the perfect reason to head to the old stomping grounds. I love that town, obviously seeing that we have a name sake, it will always just feel like home. So many great memories there. When we got to town we went to A&W, this is the best A&W in the country, I promise!! The root bear is on tap the fry sauce is home made.....yum-o. It is disgrace to this lovely establishment that in most places it now shares its glory with a KFC, not it Logan it stand as a one and only... and Ryan wasn't leaving town without visiting it. Afterward we headed up to campus to meet all of Ryan's family that get to live in Cache Valley....lucky (except in the winter). The fireworks did not disappoint it was a great show. The last time we went to them I was very pregnant with Bailey, so we were due to see them again.A fairly decent family photo

Lots of cute kids!!These 2 are 2 Peas in a Pod

Saturday the guys golfed and we took the kids to a fun park and had lunch at Firehouse, another favorite, and then headed back to Matt and Jill's for our own firework fun and eating lots of watermelon. The 4rth of July and eating watermelon go hand in hand!! The girls had so much fun with Allie and playing Hannah Montana. We did so many fun things that weekend but Bailey said her favorite was putting on a Hannah Montana show on Matt and Jill's deck. Crazy girls!

Ready for some fun at the park

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !

The ending to the Hannah Show

Watermelon pictures are my FAVORITE

This is crazy Matt's West Indies firework, I must admit it was pretty cool

Sunday was baby Dax's special day, he is such a good baby and is going to have lots of people to love him and help him grow up. It was a great day. Trae started crying when we all left, he is such a cute kid!!

Why do I not have any pictures of this???

Later that day Ryan headed back home and my dad came and picked up me and the kids. I stayed down to help Jenn while she had her baby. Before the baby came we did manage to have some fun. We went out on the boat, all of the kids are really starting to love doing that. We also went to Hoggle Zoo. The kids loved seeing the elephants and riding on the merry go round and train. It was a good day....it was hot but lots of fun.

The elephants were definitely a favorite

The zoo is always a hit, even Jackson and Logan had a good time

LiTTlE ApEs

After the zoo we headed for Heber to get ready for the baby. The girls loved being at Drew's house and visiting all of his favorite parks.

The kids have really gotten into climbing trees this summer

Baby Avery was born on July 9th weighing in at 6 lbs 7 oz. She is tiny little thing and so so cute. Ryan came back to pick us up and take us home from wearing out our welcome. I am not sure helpful I am with my own 3 crazy kids, but I am happy to do it Jenn has helped me out on so many occasions I wanted to return the favor. What a blessing family is!

Drew had very excited for the arrival of his new baby sister

It was nice to come home and get busy planning for the rest of the month. While I was in Utah, Ryan scored us some great tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert. I was so very excited. It was so much fun. That was the 3rd time I had seen him and that show was probably my favorite, even better then standing next to the stage. He put on a great show that night, so glad we were there. Thanks Ry!!



The first of of July flew by and was filled with many great moments. The 2nd half doesn't disappoint......more to come!

I just had to finish this post with this picture because its cute. Logan has been lots of fun this summer and has LOVED the pool. He discovered dad's hat this day and looked just like him!

A Relay, A Missionary, Bible Camp, and Swimming

Summer is flying by I can't believe June is already over. I saw fall decorations in Michael's last week. I am so not ready for that yet. More summer fun is definitely needed. The girls are enjoying being home together, they fight a little bit more, but they also play together really well and help me with Logan which is great.

A RELAY

A few weekends ago I ran in the Sawtooth Relay with some of my friends from our ward. It was a lot of fun. I had never done a relay before but would definitely do it again. Everyone did awesome. The race was from Stanley to Ketchum, 62 miles, it is absolutely beautiful up there and made great scenery for the run. The day started out foggy, then it rained, I swear it snowed at the top of Kami's leg (8900 ft in elevation), and it was sunny. We saw it all but I loved every minute of it. We had a great team and I enjoyed getting to know all of them better and covering the 62 mile distance with them. We finished in just over 9 hours, which went by really quickly. I had my best splits yet, maybe I might make Boston someday after all. I look forward to doing this race again.The foggy morning greeting us for our 6:15 start

Some of the beautiful scenery, I love the snow capped mountains and all of the green.

I was lucky enough to get one of the sunny legs. Ryan took this picture, it was nice seeing him and the rest of the team along the way. Perfect motivation.


The team at the finish line. Great job team!!

Kami has picture of all of the exchanges and other events of the day, once I get some of them I will add some more.

A MISSIONARY

After the race we drove down to Utah for the cousin Chelsea who was leaving for a mission. Chelsea spent her first year of college close to us and became part of our family. The girls adore her and so do we. She was the best babysitter and hang out buddy. She would watch sports with Ryan and stay late to watch chick flicks with me. We were sad when she transferred to BYU but knew it was the best choice for her. She has been called to serve in the Los Angeles, California mission Spanish speaking. Her testimony is amazing, she will do great things. The people of L.A. are lucky to have her headed their way. Good luck Hermana.

She promised she would not come home a Laker fan. I am holding her to that.

BIBLE CAMP

The highlight of the summer for the girls thus far as definitely been Bible Camp, yes that is correct Bible Camp. The Christian preschool that Ellie has been going to puts on a camp for a week. It was AWESOME!! The girls are still talking about it and still singing the songs. The got t-shirts, made crafts, played games, had some bible instruction, sang songs, had snacks, and had tons of fun. All for the the unbeatable price of $5.00. seriously $5.00 so AWESOME. They went from 9-12 everyday for a week. We did end up donating to their charity because I felt guilty only paying 10 dollars for such a great program. The girls were so sad when it was over the honestly had the best time. The songs they learned are hilarious and very educational. They learned that Peter was a fisherman, Jesus walked on water, and various other Bible stories.

Son Rock Kids Camp ROCKS!!

SWIMMING LESSONS

A summer staple is the 2 week period dedicated to swimming lessons. The girls have been doing really well. Bailey has been working hard to really get the strokes down and Ellie is so close to swimming on her own. We have this week left so hopefully they will keep up the good work.Bailey working on her back crawl

Ellie swimming all by herself

Pierced Ears

Last Monday (the 8th) Bailey got her ears pierced. I told her she could get the pierced when she turned 8. Since she wanted to get some earrings for her birthday and be able to wear them, I decided to let her get them pierced six weeks before her birthday so she would be able to change them on her birthday. It was not the funnest experience, the girl who did them was lacking some brain cells, and the back has fallen off twice and we lost one of the earrings. They did give us a replacement for free. She is happy with it and loves to take care of them and show everybody. My little girl is growing up!!

It's kind of hard to tell, but the earrings are little flowers with different colored rhinestones making up the petals and center of the flower.

The Saturday before, Bailey had her end of the year get together for girl scouts. They pulled weeds as a service project to their school for letting them have their meetings there. It started out rainy and cold but ended up being a nice day. The girls, and their parents, worked hard and made the flowers beds at the school look much better.
Her troop with all of the weeds that we pulled, it was a lot!!