Family Photos

Check them out and tell me your favorites.

And if you live in the Portland area, I highly recommend this photographer

Nick Curteman
Resolution Photography
www.resolutionphotos.com

http://www.pictage.com/client/event.do?event=693089

What the 4th of July means to me....

Growing up, the 4th of July was nothing short of magical.  There was always the ward pancake breakfast, which when your 8 and all your best friends are in your ward, is pretty special.  Then it was off to the huge Provo parade, with the loud jets in the sky, and super loud cannon that passed by, and lots of covering my ears from the noise!   Next came the infamous nap.  My mom insisted on us kids taking a nap (which now that I'm a mom I totally understand....she's the one who really needed the nap!)  and I would just sit in my room, jittery with excitement for the fun that would follow.  In the evening we'd head out to our traditional spot on the Sidewalk of Fire.  Sure, you Utah folk might have only heard of the Stadium of Fire, but you see, out family was smart, and instead of paying the money to get inside the stadium, we'd just sit right outside and watch as the fireworks exploded right above our heads for free!  It was magic.  But before any of this happened, and the reason I got out of bed as early as possible on our country's Independence day was for these....

If you were lucky, and woke up early enough, you could see the sky littered with hot air balloons.  And each year I wished I could be there as they all gently lifted off the ground.  It is a memory so vivid in my mind.

So needless to say, when I heard that there was a hot air balloon festival in Tigard, I simply had to be there.  So at the wee small hour of 4:00am, I woke my family, bundled them up, and headed out the door to fulfill a life long dream of mine.  And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Well, nowadays the 4th has taken on a whole new meaning thanks to my adorable little niece.  If ever there was a girl who needed fireworks on her birthday, it's Emily.  I had a blast celebrating with her this year.

The day kicked off with Heidi's annual birthday breakfast....crepes, waffles, fresh berries, and cream cheese frostings to name a few.  YUM!  Then to the birthday parade and fireworks.  We had a great turn out of neighbors watching this year which was fun.  Jake and I took the top of the jeep and decorated it, and stuck Sage in the front with a sash that said Little Miss Aloha.  Very cute.  Here's me and the birthday girl.

   

     Heidi and I were so happy to have Heather with us this year.  She's usually off if Africa during the summer, but we got to keep her this time.

For her cake Emily was very descriptive.  She wanted an American flag cake with watermelon cookies for everyone, and a Hello Kitty cookie just for her. 

Who am I to say no to such a request!

That was an ice cream cake, and it was delish! 

Then we got to go to Chuck E Cheese,  which is all Emily really wanted to do for her birthday, 

and then off to Vernonia for a "parade" and fireworks.

Wow....that is some holiday!

Moving

Have you ever noticed how all you do when you clean is move things around?  Clothes for instance.  They go from your drawer to your body to the floor, to the laundry basket, to the washer, to the dryer, to the floor, to the drawer and repeat.  Or dishes.  From the cupboard to the table, from the table to the sink, from the sink to the dishwasher, and then back to the cupboard.  Toys....you move them one place, your kids move them right back.  Dirt comes in through the door, then you sweep it back out, only for it to come right back in.  It's EXHAUSTING!!  I've been working all night, and my house finally feels clean.  Now everyone just

STOP MOVING!

Happy Father's Day

To all the fathers in my life.  I love you all! 

Luau Cake

I posted some new cakes on my other blog, and I really just want to post them on this blog as well, but that seems a little redundant, so I'll just ask you all kindly to head on over there and check them out.  Thanks

Late nights

Let's be honest.  Most nights I can't wait to get my kids in bed.  It seems like 8:00 just can't come soon enough.  But then there are nights - like tonight - when 9:30 seems to come too early.   Tonight we watched lots of Dora.  We played charades, which Jaxon was awesome at, he pantomimed brushing teeth, conducting, and playing Frisbee.  Then we decided it was time we light off some of the fireworks we've had stashed in our closet.  The kids were thrilled.  

It was a fun night to be sure.

And now we're pumped for the 4th!

(and to ruin the "magic" a bit, it's now 10:00pm, and the kids are driving us crazy because they won't go to bed.  Some things never change!) :)

Things are happening!

I've had some good times these past few months, and I finally have a minute to tell about it.  Let's see, where should I start..... I got to go to the Tulip festival, which was amazing.  I might not want to live in Oregon the rest of my life, but there are certainly a lot of things to come back and visit for.  Berry picking being #1, but this comes in at a close 2nd.

This picture isn't posed at all.  We just couldn't help but take in the beautiful scent of the tulips! :) I love this picture of my dad.  He knows how to get out and enjoy life, even if he was still recovering from hip surgery! And speaking of my dad, we got to go to the Opera together.  We saw Rigoletto, and it was unbelievable.  I absolutely love the opera, and it's nice to have someone to share that love with. 

 

Oh, and I cut my bangs, but we all already knew that!

 

 

 

We were able to enjoy going to Connor's baseball games.  Nothing says summer to me more than watching a baseball game.  I love it!

Even if sometimes I get bored and take pictures of Jaxon and me making funny faces!

On Saturday we all went to the beach to meet Heather and Rick after their 100+ mile bikeride from Portland to the coast.  Crazy people.  It was so much fun!  My kids were in heaven the whole time.  I need to get back there soon!

That picture of Jaxon shows the massive sand dune we climbed up.  Both Jaxon and Sage did so well....much better than I did!  I love the beach.

Sage had her dance recital yesterday, and was as cute as could be.  She really did a good job with all the little moves, and just melted my heart. 

When she's not screaming at me, she's actually very sweet!

And more than anything else really, we've been swimming!  My apartment complex has a pool that opened last week, and I've already been 8 or 9 times.   Jaxon is quite the little swimmer!

I've got a lot to learn

This is unbelievable.  If you've got 5 minutes to kill, check it out.

There's hope for our country!

Yeah for Kris!!  Although, if I'm being completely honest, I'm a Danny fan. 

Watch out America......next year it's me!

There's something in the air

What's up with this day? 

The morning started out great with reasons I'll keep to myself, then I got a coupon for a free movie rental in my email (sweet), then Jake comes home early, and I leave my babysitting responsibilities to him, then I go to the store and win a bag full of BBQ goodies and a $25 gift card to Albertsons from 105.1 the buzz, then I  go to the bank, and they are giving out doughnuts, and Capri Suns, and candy, all sorts of goodies, and now I'm home and it's only 2:30!  I should really go buy myself a lotto ticket, because my odds are looking pretty good right about now!