Pre-Boob Family Pictures

I know that I am crazy to have made us do family pictures today! Especially because Justice puked in the toilet this morning and I am trying to get a million things done before my double mastectomy tomorrow. But dang it! I wanted a pre-boob picture with my family so we went! They turned out really fun so I'm glad we survived the experience. Here's some of my favorites from our photo shoot. Aren't we such a cute family!? Love it!

I love my Family!

Kickball FHE

We wanted to do something with all our friends before I go in for Surgery this week. We've been meaning to do this for a while so we invited a bunch of people to a FHE Kickball Game. What a fun time! We played Kids vs. Parents. The kids had a blast!

We shared treats after! What great friends we have. I love Fargo!

Happily Ever After #25

Last week, I was busy on vacation so back to business. LOL

I Know...
Family ties are important. We are all tied together from the beginning of time. Family dramatics can be crazy but also make us who we are. I know that we are part of families for a reason.
Endurance...
Vacations are always tricky for Mothers. It's just trying to run a normal life without anything familiar and crazy tired kids. Normally I am NOT a very fun traveling companion. Let's say, I wouldn't blame Brett for leaving me home most of the time. But I was very proud of myself this trip. I have had a few moments but have tried really hard to stay calm, go with the flow and enjoy myself. Go me!
Service...
* drove lots and lots of miles to spend time with family
* packed my family so they could be clothed and comfortable on our trip
* had a good attitude
Gratitude...
* Family
* vacations
* memories

Still alive! UPDATED!

Yes...We are still alive!
We've just been busy visiting family out West. We traveled over 1300 miles in 14 days, took around 1200 pictures that I have to sort through and collage (Who does that kind of thing? LOL), and have less than 72 hours to get my home and life organized enough to lay around completely still for 336 hours. (Grrrrr! That does NOT sound fun!)
So be patient. I'll see if I can work a miracle and get it all together. IF I can figure out what "IT" is! LOL

7/31- I go in for surgery tomorrow! And obviously I didn't get all caught up. Hopefully I'll be up for blogging soon. See you in a couple weeks! XOXO!

The Tucker Luau

After a longer-than-needed hospital visit this morning, we were glad to hang out with friends tonight. It feels like it's been forever since we've seen them all. The Tuckers had a bunch of us over for a Summer Luau. It was so much fun! They got that job out of state they interviewed for and are moving really soon. We are gonna miss them so much! Luv you guys! 

Growing a Garden #4: That's what we get for leaving!

Our Garden was a bit neglected while we were gone. Sorry! Thanks to the Larsens for sparing some it for us. ;) Our corn took off though. Hopefully we get something! LOL

UTAH Trip: Billings Temple

On the way home, we made stop in Billings for the night. We ate, swam, slept and most importantly stopped to touch the Temple. So beautiful! 

UTAH Trip: Staying with Shauna

The last part of trip we stayed with Aunt Shauna. It was perfect timing with the Holiday festivities. We had such a great time and she made our stay a blast! We enjoyed all her special knowledge of downtown Salt Lake. We loved her special treats, playing games, wrestling and taking home stuff from her balcony herb garden! She always makes us feel so loved. You're awesome Shauna. Love you tons! Can't wait for another visit from you our way. XOXO 

UTAH Trip: Fireworks across the Valley

We made a quick stop to see the fireflies in the trees at City Creek before we headed back up to watch fireworks.
Here's the kids with some of their favorite people. Justice and his best bud, Ethan. Victoria and her twin, Halie. (They were inseparable during our visit) And Glory with "that girl". Love being with cousins!

This isn't a great picture but we got to watch the fireworks from all over the Valley. It was great fun except when Glory ran into the cement wall and got a humongous goose egg on the back of her head. Ouch!

 Everyone walked us back to Shauna's place and we said our goodbyes. What a great visit! We love you all. Thanks for the fun memories!

Group Hug!!!

UTAH Trip: Fountain @ City Creek

Before it got dark, we took a fast run over to the fountains at the City Creek Mall. We were a bit out of breath by the time we got there but we were just in time. Every night at 9pm, they set them on fire for a spectacular show. It was so beautiful!

 Here's some of the shots we got of the show:

UTAH Trip: Goodbye Dinner

We met with some of our family up at Shauna's Social Room for a Goodbye dinner. So great to spend a little more time with everyone. Also all the Priesthood holders there helped give me a blessing. It was really neat. (I may have shocked a few when I took my wig off. Sorry!) But it was very special and I appreciate all my family that was there with us. Their support during this "little bump" in our road is really appreciated! XOXO!

UTAH Trip: The Salt Lake Temple

I love the Salt Lake Temple! I always have. It's so beautiful! And even more so when you realize the important things that happen within it's walls. Within it's walls, earth is bound to heaven. Families become forever. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth! So after a little solo shopping at Deseret Book, I couldn't help but be drawn to walk it's grounds. I could stay there forever! Love, love, love it!

UTAH Trip: Ice Age Movie

We met people at another movie while we were on Vacation. We went to Ice Age 4: Continental Drift. So fun!
We stopped for lunch at City Creek first. Glory obviously LOVES broccoli!! LOL And the kids got to play on the Dinosaurs.

Then we met up with the Davis' and rode the Trax over to the Gateway:

Here's us at the Movie:

Fun, fun, fun!

UTAH Trip: Pioneer Day Parade

Last night, we went down to save a place for us to watch the parade. We were so lucky to be staying uptown with Shauna. It was perfect! We hung out late to enjoy in the whole experience.

 Early the next morning we headed down for the Parade. Some of the Rasmussen's joined us. Extra lucky for us! We had a great time!

Victoria and I took tons of pictures! TONS, I said. There was 111 entries. I'm sure we got at least one of each! LOL Here's some of them:

Happy Pioneer Day, UTAH! 

So glad we could be there to celebrate with you!

UTAH Trip: Cafe Rio @ Liberty Park

We took the chance to eat Cafe Rio one more time. But decided with how many wanted to get together that we would meet at Liberty Park to eat it. The clouds threatened and the Parade crowds were a bit crazy but it was a perfect night to be together! Thanks everyone for coming! Luv you all!

 They had water going at the playground which made some wet. They played soccer hacky sack. And we just enjoyed each other's company. We loved it!

UTAH Trip: Swimming @ Brigham Apts

Shauna invited a bunch of people up to her pool to go swimming. It was so LOUD and we had a blast!

The boys played football catch the whole time. They got pretty impressive with it doing tricks and passes in mid-air. Here's a video of their crowning achievement. Awesome guys!

Everyone had so much fun! Except for my cell phone! It was inside my bag under a bench which got completely soaked! Even after sticking it in rice for 4 days, it never recovered. Poor thing- RIP!

UTAH Trip: This is the Place

For Pioneer Day tomorrow, we wanted to do something Pioneer-y. What better place to do that than in Utah? We decided to head up to the This is the Place park for the day. We had so much fun! We needed several more hours to do all the things they had there. But we definitely did some fun stuff while we were there.
We started out by walking like Pioneer children through some of the old houses and shops.

We stopped to watch a Native American dance presentation. So talented!

Grandma Karla treated us to some home-made donuts at the Brigham's Donut Shop.

We all rode on a little train ride.

We mined for gold. This was every one's favorite.

We turned our gold into the bank later to exchange for some treasure.

We rode on the big train around the entire grounds.

All the kids wanted to ride on a pony and go to the petting zoo part. They chased the ducks like crazy!

After we made a  stop in the gift shop for souvenirs, we made sure we stopped by a few of the monuments.

We are so grateful for the Pioneers and their sacrifice. What a great way to celebrate them!

UTAH Trip: Dinner @ Sadlers

We had Sunday dinner over at the Sadler's tonight. This was the only time we got to see most of them so it was so great it worked out for everyone to be there. Thanks for making the time to see us guys!

We had a fabulous dinner outside under the tent. So yummy!

Kathie & Bud got out silly string and party guns for the kids. It was a crazy fight to the death!

They also let all the kids make airplanes to fly around the yard.

Several played a game of Volleyball.

And then there was lots more fun in their yard.

Thanks everyone. We had a great time!

UTAH Trip: Mormon Pioneer Memorial

Walking Shauna back to her place, we stopped by the resting place of Brigham Young. It's tucked into the corner of the Mormon Pioneer Memorial Park. The grounds are beautiful! 

We totally had a good laugh because when we got there the gate was locked which I guess, normally it's not. So, Shauna just hoped over the fence and others followed her. I was in a dress so it was gonna be tricky. But then Victoria pushed on the gate and it opened right up. They just have a lock on the gate but it isn't actually locked. Too funny! Thank goodness for me they discovered that before I inappropriately climbed over. LOL

UTAH Trip: The Capital

For our Sunday afternoon, we took a walk around the Capitol Grounds. It's an impressive building. Brett and I both had dances and/or graduations here. The kids ran to every floor and did some "echo" making inside. Lots of fun! 

[In the top right picture, you can see Brett and Glory on the very top floor. They are teeny tiny.]

UTAH Trip: Music & the Spoken Word

So that we could make it up to Salt Lake on time, Lori sent us off early this morning with cute little breakfast bags! Isn't she super sweet? They were perfect for breakfast on the run. 

We made it just in time to attend Music and the Spoken Word. At least those old enough to go. Brett stayed out with the little girls and let Liberty, Justice and Shay go in. It was a special Pioneer Day program. It was really great!

When it was over, we met Brett and the girls at the Christus statue. They had walked around the Visitor's center and talked with some of the Sister Missionaries. A couple of them had taught Glory and Victoria to say hello in Korean. Brett also ended up talking to a Sister who came from where he served his mission. He was so excited! We took the chance and walked around the basement to check things out before we left. I love that place!

We walked through Temple Square on our way to meet Shauna. I love Temple Square! It's one of my all time favorite places! So gorgeous!

We attended Sacrament Meeting with Shauna at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The building is so beautiful. It was a special treat to be there. Thanks Shauna!