We Love 4th of July!

Like many of you, our family loves the 4th of July! We love getting dressed up in our red, white, and blue and taking the time to remember how truly fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful country. The weekend was long and exhausting as it started Friday night with our wonderful neighbors in a neighborhood BBQ and fireworks party. Lots of good food, friends, water balloon games and fireworks was a great way to kick off the weekend.

Yes, Aidan is still biting. But he looks so cute with that sparkler.

Ella and her girlfriends, Dani and Mallory stuck togther all night

4th of July morning, Matt got up at 6:00 and saved our spots for the parade then took the kids to the balloon fest. I missed it this year because I had to work :(. (once I figure out how to flip this on here I will. My photo editing program would not save the rotation. Just turn your head to the left. That's better . . .)


Off to the parade! My kids were so excited to try a snowcone. It turns out netiher of them care for one again!

Ella in La La land with all the horses!

Ella took a three hour nap while we let Aidan sleep for four before we're off again to Stadium of Fire; obviously a late night!

The jets were amazing to see once they flew by, Aidan finally stopped asking about them since the moment we got into the car to leave for the event.

Ahhh! The fireworks from this point of view were truly remarkable.

Jonas Brothers! That's all I know. I don't even know their names. I can't decide which was louder the music or the tweens and young teens screaming from the tops of their lungs. It's a good thing I brought ear plugs.

I actually recognized 3 songs! I guess I'm not THAT old!

Mount Oquirrh Temple Open House

Our family had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Mt. Oquirrh temple open house. Our youth were going last night so at the last minute we decided to tag along only we ended up going earlier which is why Nicholas isn't in any of the photos. It was Wednesday night so we happened to be smack in the middle of a youth group (not ours) and I was trying so hard not to get annoyed at some of the giggling and constant talking. I mean I was at the temple. I was actually quite surprised at the behavior to tell you the truth. I made Matt be rude and "excuse us" through past the group so the children and I could experience the serenity of the temple. This made a big difference. And the rest of the tour was magnificent. I was in awe.

Every temple seems to get more beautiful. Ella made the comment, "Mommy, it's so peaceful. I don't want to ever leave."


All boys must go through this (Nicholas did); the cheesy smile in every photo!


Aidan was so cute when he said, "Mommy, did you know M0roni got torched by thunder?" I didn't dare correct him. He was so proud of his knowledge. The lightning happened to hit Moroni's horn and right arm.


Ella and I enjoy a mommy and daugher photo opp.


Ella, Ella, my soft, feminine little girl couldn't get enough of the flowers or anything beautiful. When asked which was her favorite room, she replied the baptismal font. It was remarkable.


This is what I mean by holding onto 3. I love how Aidan, too, still wants to smell every flower. When asked what his favorite part was, he replied the sparkly chandeliers!

Holding onto 3

Aidan is my last child and I have to admit, I have gotten slightly baby hungry knowing this lately and I mean "slightly." Part of me looks forward to having my children more independent but a big part of me is holding onto 3! Aidan will be four in July and I only have a month left of 3! For some reason four is just not a toddler to me.

I love how Aidan daily tells me, "Mommy, I LIKE you!" He will shout it from across the room with his big smile and adorable dimples. I always reply, "I like you more." Aidan, always wins with, "I like you as much as Heavenly Father and Jesus loves all of us!" Awwww! Holding onto 3, holding onto 3. . . .

A Couple Favorites

Ella & Aidan don't always get a nap but when they do, it is quite nice.

I love this product and drink one protein shake everyday. This particular protein powder (whey protein) is so yummy just on it's own (comes in many flavors) and doesn't need much although I do add skim milk, natural peanut butter, fat free vanilla yogurt and ice. It's a great afternoon "pick me up."

Calories - 125

Fat - 1.5 g

Protein - 21 g

Carbs - 6 g

On it's own with one scoop of mix. You can get this at Good Earth. I get mine at Golds with my discount but Good Earth has it on sale all the time.

Memorial Day Weekend - Not our typical tradition

We were invited to go to St. George this Memorial Day weekend to stay at our good friends' in-laws home (they're snow birds.) It was a beautiful home with a gorgeous pool and hot tub. We basically swam, barbequed, swam, layed out, etc. Jill and I got to go shopping at Tai Pan just blocks from the house while Matt and Wally took in the new Terminator movie later that evening. Ahhh, this is the life . . .

I am so impressed my husband can still do full front flips and from the edge of the swimmintg pool. Here he is keeping up with 15-year old Tyler. Whoo - Hoo!!

I love how my camera takes up to 32 "shots" of a single setting when in the sports mode. The kids wore out this slide.

Ella and one of the twins - Cody.

Thoughts Tonight

It's quarter to midnight and I know I'm going to regret being up this late tomorrow but everyone's in bed and the quiet is so nice. So, I'm going to blog. . . .

I feel guilty at times that I rush to get my little ones in bed almost everynight because I look forward to "adult" time, whatever that means. Tonight was no different - bath, pjs, brush teeth, floss, rinse with fluoride, potty, stories, prayer, hugs and kisses, tuck in bed - Sigh! We didn't get to scripture tonight - twice this week so far but who's counting?

After some wind down time, I take time to notice pieces of my children's world around me like Ella's little stuffed animals and the details in how they are set up (little ribbons on ponies' manes, baby wash cloths used for saddles on her horses, Barbie Rapunzel's hair piece used as a leash for her stuffed puppy, a necklace of hers wrapped around her unicorn to "accessorize" and all of them sitting around a tea set.) I see drawings from the day on the fridge of rainbows, flowers, butterflies, a family- our family. I see Aidan's toy cars all lined next to each other where he used his other car to jump over them. I see little fingerprints on my just wiped fridge, my sliding glass door and bathroom light switch - where my children have been. I reflect on the day and don't want it to end. It's just a day closer to leaving childhood. My dad counseled once when Nicholas was little to "treasure every precious moment with your children because they pass all too quickly." I don't do it enough.

I keep thinking things will slow down then I can really get into my children's world. They don't and they won't.

Nicholas is now 17. 17!! Today, he was excited to tell me about a car he drove (he drives the cars into the car wash at Super Sonic where he works) but I couldn't give him my undivided attention because I was running out the door. That moment is gone.

On a happier note, I treasure my little ones and big one and their example of Christ-like qualities. I reflect on the day and picture Aidan shouting at the top of his lungs a number of times today, "Mommy, I LIKE you!" His thing lately. It melts my heart! I see Nicholas giving me a hug because I feel bad that I can't listen to his car story and saying, "It's okay, Mom. Go. I'll talk to you later. " I see and hear Ella, saying, "Mommy, I can rub your neck for you," at lunch time while I take my hand and rub the back of always - sore neck while we eat lunch. I see Aidan running to me when I get home tonight saying, "Mommy, where were you? I missed you!" He's my "little man." I've called him this forever.

What would the world be like without children?

I feel so blessed and honored to be a mother. I feel so privileged and often in awe that Heavenly Father would give me stewardship over His children. I hope I can take the time to be better at treasuring these precious moments.

Big Son, Little Son

One of our "highlights" from Arches . . . .

Keep in mind Nicholas is 6' 3" while Aidan is 3' 2". I was so scared. Luckily Aidan landed just a couple feet from rock in the sand. He was more scared than scratched - thank goodness!