Pool Time

After swimming at my friend Michelle's last week we were really itching to get a pool. We just got it set up and it is MUCH bigger than I thought it would be. It's 10 feet wide and 30 inches deep. It is 900 gallons (yikes) and has a filter & chlorination system. So it's pretty nice for a "little" pool. It was really a pain to set up because our yard is so un-level. We tried several spots but ended up putting it on the brick patio (which I know is going to be a bad idea) right by the house because it's the only place it would work. So we will see if the kids can behave and not flood the house :-{ I will have to put a tarp over the window right behind it I am sure. But I am hoping we can avoid that--- I NEED THE SUNLIGHT! We have a cover for it so hopefully the water will warm up a bit! It is chilly hose water. So the kids are perfectly happy and loving the water today!! Hopefully that will keep them busy for a couple of days!

Taylorsville Dayzz Parade & Carnival

This morning Sierra's drill team marched in the Taylorsville Dayzz Parade. She was not able to dance with them because she missed a couple of practices while we were in Las Vegas. She was not upset about this at all because she got to pass out flyers instead while wear t-shirt, jeans and flip flops instead of the sequins and dance garb. We were all there to cheer on the team anyway. They looked amazing. I also took some fun pics of the rest of the parade- it was a fun time.

Later that night, we went back to the carnival. Sierra went to hang out with her friends and I headed over to watch the Neil Diamond tribute concert (Jay White- looks and sounds exactly like him). It was a lot of fun. Mom met me later for the fireworks and some food. It was a good time for everyone. We didn't get home until after midnight, we partied til we dropped. We love Taylorsville!

Drill Camp

Sierra went to her first ever "Basic Dance Training" for Drill Team. It was exactly like Boot Camp for the military. They worked these girls to death. She was totally exhausted and feeling sick every night. But they looked great at the parent performance. She was chosen to be in the final Drill Down, but got out somewhere in the middle of it--and it was HARD. She was also 1 of 30 dancers chosen to be in the Miss Drill Team Utah Competition. So she can compete a solo on the High School Level. It will be pretty exciting. They had a lot of team building activities, as well as bonding as friends. She is with such a cute group of girls and they are amazing together. Here are some fun shots of the last day of camp. They were chosen by votes from the other teams as most inspirational team--and won the big trophy. Way to go girls!!

An Old Friend

I had the chance to meet up with an old friend that I haven't seen since high school...Michelle Cragun Jensen. We decided to meet at her house and let our kids play together. She has a beautiful home up in Cottonwood Heights. The view is amazing & so is her house!! She also had set up a big jumpy house with water slide, a playground, a little slide for Skyler (18 mos.) and her little Hannah (3 yrs old) and a trampoline for the kids to play on. We ended up spending the whole afternoon because we were just having way too much fun. We got a lot of sun, but this time the kids were coated in sunscreen and I made them wear t-shirts too. They still got a little burned, but not too badly this time. It was so great catching up with her and just spending time reminiscing. It's so funny how you can just pick right up where you left off 20 years ago. She is an amazing mom of 5 and they run their own business out of their home. She is also a part time neurosurgical nurse at the U. WOW-she is and always has been amazing! Her kids are great and they got along so well with mine. Leah (9) and Montana (also 9) hit it off and invited each other to their respective birthday parties this summer. So cute. So hopefully Michelle and I will be seeing each other again this summer and wont wait 20 years to see each other again!!! Thanks for a great visit!!

Fun in the Sun- OUCH!!

Montana went swimming with some friends yesterday. Although we put sunscreen on her before she left- they swam for about 5 hours!!! The poor thing came home totally exhausted and totally sunburned. She is having a hard time getting comfortable in clothes and trying to sleep, and is just generally in pain. We are doing the aloe vera gel and cool rags. A friend suggested applying vinegar?? Has anyone ever done that? These pics don't really do it justice- but you get the idea.

Vegas Baby 09

We made our annual trek to Vegas for the Stars National Dance Competition. The kids, Grama Laura, Grama Dodie, and I, drove down in the Big Blue Dodge Truck. It had tons of room for all of our bags in the back and although it has seating for six, we were a bit crammed inside. But we made it and the kids didn't even complain until we were an hour from home.

Montana performed her solo for the last time- and did such a fantastic job!! We were all so stinkin' proud of her. She has grown so much and I am so glad she decided to do it. She didn't place and therefore did not receive a trophy either- which really stunk--but she didn't dwell on it and was still proud of herself.

Sierra and Montana were both able to dance in a Master Workshop with Dennis Caspary who is a fantastic choreographer/teacher. They both had a great time and were able to do something way out of their comfort zone and learn from someone new. Sierra was in the advanced class and Montana was in the beginning class. However- I think the choreography was equally hard in both classes. It was a good experience for both of them.

Sierra's team danced up a storm and they all felt great about their routines. We LOVE going to Vegas and seeing the teams from around the country. Every state has their own style and it's fascinating to see. The Shows were amazing, tons of fantastic choreography, beautiful costumes, and some of the best technique I have ever seen. Sierra's team ended up not placing in their class dances and took 3rd in show. She was upset about it- but it didn't last long. We had such a great time enjoying all the fantastic talent that it was a dance lovers paradise.

The trip was relaxing and enjoyable. It was super sunny!!! We had no set plans- just kind of did whatever we felt like, and went where the wind blew us. We were so happy to have sunshine on our skin and heat in the air!! It has been so rainy and blah in SLC for weeks that it was really a boost to be by the pool. We stayed at the Flamingo- which was soooo nice about 10 years ago when we stayed there. Now it is a bit run down and not somewhere we would stay again. However, the kids loved the pool. The hotel was soooo crowded and the pool was a serious party palace full of tattoos, smoking and alcohol. I seriously felt out of place. Not very family friendly- but the kids didn't even notice it. There was a fantastic series of slides and waterfalls, and the pool was only 3.5 feet everywhere. So they were in heaven. We were lucky to get one night at the pool that was not very crowded. But it was such a mess from the party happenings all day (cigarette butts and beer bottles/glasses) -that it was hard to relax and enjoy. But that certainly didn't stop us from being right in the middle of it all.

We drove up and down the strip one night (took two hours :-)) and stopped at the famous original Las Vegas sign and took pics. That was probably the highlight of the trip and something we had never done before in all the years we have been going there (18 years?). We also went to Margaritaville (a restaurant) and it was amazing. Jimmy Buffet music playing loudly, boats, flip flops, balloon artists on stilts, singing, a volcano, and of course Margaritas!! Our funnest adventure was going to the Miracle Mile Mall that was only a couple blocks away- but it was so crowded and crazy it felt like miles. We found fantastic shops and bought some fun stuff. Justice and Tana loved the M&M factory that they went to with their dad and Sierra spent some time at the Venetian hotel pool with her dad. So we all had a great time!

5 days flew by and we weren't ready to come home. But here we are back in the hometown- and it looks like we dragged some sunshine home with us!! YES!!

My whitty whittle kids

As I have said before- my kids are a hoot. They are always saying things that crack me up. Yesterday they were on a roll- so Sierra and I started writing down all their funny antics. You may not find them as funny, but these will spark memories for us in the future so I wanted to jot them down.

Justice: "Can I help you Adam" Sierra: "Adam? Oh...you mean madaam" Justice: "Whatever"

Montana: "Mom- what is whipwash?" (Whiplash)

Montana: While practicing her dance: "Ready, OK!"

Montana: "I wish I was a Banfire" (Vampire)

Montana: (Singing like Elvis over and over) "Feva Las Vegas" (because it's hot there)

Montana: "Good luck living!! Results of living may vary" (Spoken like a commercial announcer)

Justice: "Where's the Wii Wiimote?" (He meant to say remote)

Montana: "Aaaahhhhhh, I'm crowning!" (Screamed while assuming the birthing position. A result of too many "I didn't know I was pregnant" shows!!)

We spent most of the day laughing at these two. Ahh- they keep me smilin'!

Sick little buddy

Justice has been feel off since Friday. He keeps running a fever, feels nauseous and is just generally lethargic. The fever goes down with medicine and then he seems fine. He was feeling much better yesterday and wanted to plan a sleepover. So I agreed and his friend came over. I knew things were going downhill when he didn't want to run through the sprinklers. The fever came back, his energy left,and he laid down pretty much ready for bed. So I decided the friend should go home so he wouldn't get sick also. That was about 9:00. He fell asleep immediately after that. We have had some exposure to the "swine" flu- but everyone else seems fine. I will take him to the doc today and make sure everything is ok. We are leaving for Vegas tomorrow so I would hate for him to be sick the whole trip. I'll keep ya posted.

Spring Dance Recital 09

This was such a fun recital. It was the first time that Sierra and Montana have ever danced together. They performed a ballet production together called "Hooked on Ballet". There were 50 girls from ages 8-18 all dressed in fluffy red tutus. I was on the verge of tears the whole time. Tana also performed a jazz routine where each of the girls got to do a little solo for 8 counts. She did such an amazing job. We were all so proud of her. Sierra also performed her jazz & lyrical routines. She was also in the routine that honored the seniors who were graduating. Wow- that was a tear jerker! Such a fun night. The girls had quite a crowd to cheer them on: All the Jepsons(they were also there to see Alexa- Niki's little one), Me, Grama Laura & Grampa Dave, Eric, CoriLynn (Eric's girlfriend), & McKade (her son). It was fun to have so many people supporting my girls. Thanks for coming everyone! And congrats girls on a fantastic year of dance. We are headed to Las Vegas this week for our last dance competition and then the new dance year begins in July.
Montana

Montana's Jazz Class

Sierra

Sierra's Elite Class

Awwww......Sierra helping Montana into the school

Tana getting ready in the dressing room

The cakes

Here are pics of Sierra's bday cake. My totally talented friend Theresa made them for her. This two layer cake was for her friends party. She also made a one layer cake for the family party. I feel bad that I kept her so busy that week- but they turned out so awesome and they were sooooo delicious!! Hope to get pics from Chris or Dad soon from Sierra's parties cause I forgot my camera (hint, hint)! ;-)

How does your garden grow?

I secured a spot at our neighborhood garden, and it is huge!! I have never had much of a green thumb so I am leery about this project. Justice and Montana went with me last night to get things planted. We planted strawberries, watermelon, pumpkins, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, and forget-me-nots here and there to fill in the empty spaces and hopefully keep unwanted bugs away. Mom told me to use marigolds, but we already had the forget-me-nots so I hope they will work too.

We fertilized everything with Miracle-Gro and we will go check on things every couple of days. The garden has full sun 24 hrs. a day and there is a soaker hose that runs up and down all the rows. They have the hoses on timers and the weeds are taken care of by the lawn maintenance co- we shall see. So we will cross our fingers and get our bottling paraphernalia ready for harvest time. I hope to make some jam, salsa, spaghetti sauce, zucchini bread, and carve pumpkins this fall! It would also be nice to eat a few of these summer lovelies!! Let me know if you have any gardening tips!

Sierra turns 15

15 years ago I was eating pizza, and started feeling terrible. Being pregnant for the first time I wasn't sure what was wrong with me. But several hours of back ache later I decided I was in labor. We rushed to the hospital and 12 hours later she was delivered C-section. She was a blessing from the first moment I knew I was pregnant to this very day. At times- I can't believe we are even related. She is so smart, beautiful, talented, and such a great big sister. She is a parent's joy. I am so lucky to be her mother.

She celebrated with her friends and had a big co-ed party at her dad's with ONLY the girls sleeping over. Then we had a family party today with her favorite meal, some presents and a fantastic cake that I had my friend make. She was pretty spoiled this weekend--but she totally deserves it.

Happy 15 Bofera!! I love you with all my heart!
(I will post pics soon)

Montana the Entrepeneur

At our yard sale this weekend Montana ran her own concessions stand. She sold pop, candy, and chips. She had a couple of friends help her. After the first hour, they worked out a rotating break system so that someone would always be at the table. They started taking their breaks more and more, until they were breaking more than they were working. It was pretty funny. They had steady business so I wanted to make sure someone was there to take care of it. Towards noon, they were totally bored. They kept asking, "How much longer?", "When is it over?" So after almost 5 hours of grueling work- I sent them inside for lunch and freetime. Grama Dodie and I were able to handle things at that point. I was surprised at what a great saleswoman she is. She would ask everyone who came if they were thirsty or hungry- and do her best Vanna White impression with a flick of her hand. After a while people were coming just for the snacks. I can just imagine her being a little business woman someday. She did a fantastic job. They earned $17.50 profit. Not bad for a boring day.

The summer buzz

For the summer, Justice wanted to go "bald" as he calls it. So we took the plunge and buzzed off all his hair. Admittedly, I did a pretty crappy job, but I know it will grow out. Tip: Always use the measured attachments when using the buzz clippers. Then it turns out much more professionally.

Later that night, he and his friend Jordan were horsing around. Somehow Jordan's tooth punctured Justice's head. He came to show me what had happened and was very calm. He pulled his hand aways from his head- his hand was covered in blood and the blood was gushing all down his head. He saw the panic in my eyes and started crying and freaking out. So I washed off all the blood and it ended up being just a tiny little wound. It was nice that there was no hair in the way. It was easy to see just exactly what we were dealing with. Some neosporin, a bandaid, a kiss, and he was good to go. Why do head wounds bleed so much??

Here is Justice with his new do and a close up of his "wound".

I can't believe it!!

After months of work- I have accomplished a monumental task. Every closet, every room , including the garage has been de-junked and organized. Today was the yard sale and we literally (mom, the kids, & I) worked for hours and hours getting all of our belongings out to sell. It had rained all week and so I was worried about having it in the garage and having everything covered. But it would not all fit. So we set up a shade tent and put the rest of it under there.

The weather ended up being fabulous and we sold a ton of stuff. Everything that was left was hauled away and I was left with....hold on to your seats....a completely clean garage!! We have been in this house for going on 10 years and we have NEVER been able to park in the garage. I actually cried- what a weirdo I am!! It was way too much work- but I am sooooo glad we did it.


The clean garage :-)


CAR IN THE GARAGE!!!


Car in the garage with the door closed!! Wahoo!!

9th grade promotion

My baby is growing up. It's bittersweet- but I'm excited for her. High school is so much fun and I hope she enjoys it half as much as I did. Tonight her and 18 of her closest friends went to Chili's for dinner all dressed up, and then rented a limo to bring them back to the school for the big dance. Now this wasn't just any old limo- it was a GIGANTIC stretch Hummer limo. All the parents were there to take pics and you could hear the kids nearby oohing and aahing when it pulled into the parking lot. Then they all piled out of that thing like clowns out of a car at the circus. I got some cute pics of the group and her and Mark together. It's nice to arrive in style!

awww....the happy couple :-)


Video of the Limo