Home Already

The kids had an absolutely fantastic time up with cousins in Wyoming. They hiked, rode horses, rode ATV's, cooked on a campfire, and played their little hearts out.

Montana does not do well away from home...I was hoping that she would have so much fun that she would be ok. She did have fun, but she is such a momma's girl that she couldn't think about anything but home. Justice really wanted to stay until Friday but I told him they were a package deal.

So Holly and I arranged to meet in Logan for the pick-up. It was a beautiful drive and brought back so many memories. I went to school at USU in Logan for my first year of college. Driving up the canyon I could picture myself in my roommate Angie's old Blue Honda Prelude...both of us singing old 80's tunes. It put a smile on my face.

We met at Wal-Mart and exchanged kiddos. Holly is a saint. She loves kids and it shows. Thanks so much for taking care of my babies.

The kids and I drove around campus and I showed them where I lived, where I had a few classes, and the hot spots. The Aggie A, Old Main, The Spectrum, The Stadium, and where to get Aggie Ice Cream!! Oh the memories. I had so much fun there. I can't believe I gave it all up for a boy! But, you do silly things when you are in love. And Life goes on.

I'm so happy to have the kids back home. Now if they would just stop fighting...

A Wyoming Week

My sweet cousin Holly invited my kids to come up to Fairview Wy. to spend the week. She has kids the same age as mine and they get along perfectly. It's been at least a year since we have seen them, so they were beyond excited to go!! Fairview is just outside of Afton and the whole valley is just gorgeous. Green rolling meadows, Hills/Mountains all around. They have a beautiful log cabin home with lots of land, and fun stuff to do.

We left about 9:00 am. Sierra wanted to drive so I told her she could until we got to Wyoming. She has only been on the freeway once before so she was white knuckle driving. She did great for about an hour. Then we had too many close calls and I had to take the wheel. Phew...she still has a lot to learn and needs more confidence, but it will come. She is loving it.

So 4 hours later (did I mention Sierra likes to drive slow :-)we arrived in Afton and we all met at Mark & Holly's dental office. Theresa & Chris were down from California to pick up their kids. They had been in town for a week and bouncing back and forth staying with John & Sherma, and Mark & Holly. So it was a big reunion. Kids running all over. It was so cute because there are 3 boys, and 3 girls. It was like they see each other everyday...instant friendship & bug collecting. Sierra & I hung together because there are no teenagers. After a bit we all decided to go out for lunch.

Uncle John just had both knees replaced the first part of June and so he is gingerly walking around, but is doing much better than I expected. He is not even using his cane. He had just come from physical therapy and I could tell he was tired and sore. So he wanted to keep moving...it feels better to walk than to stand he said. We got to drive him home after lunch and it was nice to talk one on one. He is such an amazing guy! I sure love my family!

We all visited for a bit and then Sierra and I had to head back because she had dance and I am watching Skyler in the morning. So we packed the kids gear in Holly's car, kissed & hugged the kids goodbye and they were off to the park. She's a brave woman...good luck Holls!!

I accidentally took a wrong turn that took me an hour in the wrong direction, but we eventually made it back to the right path. As many times as I have been to Star Valley, I have never driven. So it was fun to find my way. It's such a gorgeous drive. It was down to one lane in Evanston for some reason, so it took an HOUR to get through there. We finally made it back to Salt Lake 5 hours later. Ugh. When we realized we could have driven to Vegas in the same amount of time we had driven that day, we wished we would have ended up somewhere fun instead of just back home...oh well.

So the plan is for the kids to stay until Friday and then I will meet Holly in Evanston so I don't have to drive the whole distance again...but we will see how long the kids last. I miss them already. They had a campfire last night with marshmallows & hotdogs. How fun!!! I hope they behave!!

24th of July FUN!

We decided not to camp out for the parade...booo!!...but headed out early the morning of. We found a perfect parking spot right on Main- in the shade. We found a perfect spot for the parade- in the shade, under the trees, on the lawn at the City County Bldg. The parade was a bit long and the kids got bored...but I think overall it was a fun adventure. It was kinda funny to hear the kids complaining about carrying their chairs and water...and then to talk about how the pioneers had to haul everything they own in a tiny wagon...and walk for months!! They forget how good they have it. But I also know they appreciate how blessed they are!

We headed out to mom and dads for a BBQ and fireworks later that night. Mom made some delicious ribs, home fries, and corn. That was probably the highlight of the day. Yummy!! Mom & Dad bought a new tramp for the kids so they had a blast trying it out. We did fireworks in the drive way. Dad taught Justice how to light the fireworks and he did a fantastic job...and was very careful. We had the talk about this being a special occasion and that he is not to use the lighter for anything unless we help him. He was very serious about it...which I was glad for. It was fun to spend time together. Sierra was with us for the parade but then later went with her dad camping. So it is still hit and miss getting our whole crew together. But we try. Happy Pioneer Day!! Enjoy!


Lined up and ready for the parade!!


Enjoying the show!


J-Dog!


Enjoying the tramp!

Go Mom!


Go Dad!

Friends who need plugging!

I have some fabulous friends who are doing fantastic things! I wanted to give them a plug on my blog as well as put them on my links list.

1. John Festin www.johnfestin.blogspot.com
He is running for city council in Saratoga Springs!!! How exciting. He is an amazingly organized and efficient business owner. He will definitely bring a fresh perspective to a government office. Check out his blog for more info.

2. Trudy Pullin ebay store: Too Cute Murals by Trudy (go to ebay.com and then search for her store)
She is an amazing artist who has done the cutest kids murals I have ever seen. She is a fairy guru and the best Disney artist around. Check it out! You wont be sorry.

3. Brooke Barton www.bellavieboutique.com
Brooke has been a friend of mine forever and has always had a flair & eye for fashion. She has a high end boutique with amazing clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories. There are two locations in the Salt Lake area, an online store, and she also does trunk shows which you could host and earn yourself some awesome clothing. She was also nice enough to donate a bag of clothing from her boutique for a raffle basket at Sierra's Drill Team Golf Tournament coming up in August. Thanks so much Brooke

It's Official

Sierra passed her driver's permit test today. She's so excited!! I can't believe she's old enough for this nonsense!

Justice and Tana spent the night being sick--they seem a bit better today. Just kind of lethargic and laying around. Maybe they are worried about Sierra driving too!

My baby's driving

The kids are all finally home!! It's sooooo nice to have all my babies under the same roof. We are noisy, busy, and chaotic again---and it feels good.

Today I took Sierra to take her drivers permit test. We waited in line to get a number--15 minutes...waited for our number to be called...75 minutes...talked to the agent for 15 minutes...she took the test for 20 minutes...AND...didn't pass.

But she can try again in a few days. Although she told me she had studied, I have a feeling she thought she could just wing it (she is so like her mother!!). So we will get to go back again and just do the test...no waiting...thank goodness. And I am sure she will pass next time. She only needed three more right and she would have passed. So I have been letting her drive a little more and more--in the neighborhood, home from church, and tonight I let her drive home from dance. She was scared to death, but she did a fantastic job- and we survived! So for the next year she can drive with parent supervision and then, next birthday---she will be good to go. Kinda scary, but kinda fun too.

Tana and Justice are very supportive of her driving...but they are nervous too...and the WORST back seat drivers ever!! Their turn will come!

All is well

Tana made it back from Mill Hollow just in time to turn around and go camping with her dad & Justice up to Strawberry. So we didn't get much time to talk about her trip...but it sounds like she enjoyed it--except the LONG hikes. But she survived and that's what it's all about. I'm sure she will be all camped out when she returns. Poor kid!

I'm taking the kids to the 24th parade downtown this year...I'm thinking about camping overnight. It was so much fun when I was a kid. I'm trying to convince some friends to go with me...but they are leery. Come on...what's more fun than running around all night long, playing cards & silly games? :-)

My neighbors came and started work on our deck. They measured and made plans for the railing, and then sealed the existing deck. I'm so grateful they are willing to do this for me, because I don't have a clue how to even get started, and it really needs to be done. I'm so excited!!

Mill Hollow Pics

THE THREE AMIGOS: Montana, Brianna, Maddy

Time to pack up!


Have fun sweetie!


See you in 3 days!!

Soccer Pics

Justice had a great first game. He got some big kicks in and really chased after that ball. Good job buddy.

Mahalo/Soccer/Dance

Montana is leaving tomorrow morning to go to Mill Hollow with 79 other 3rd & 4th graders from her school. Its a campsite with cabins and several other cabin type buildings. They get to hike, do crafts, learn about animals, bugs and trees. The usual camp type stuff. I went there when I was a kid, Sierra went in 4th grade, and now it is Montana's turn. She is soooo excited. I just hope that excitement will continue once she gets there. This is her first trip away from home without mom or dad. But her best friend Maddy will be there...so hopefully she will survive. She keeps saying Mahalo (which is Hawaiian for Thank You or goodbye?) instead of Mill Hollow---it makes me laugh. She doesn't do it on purpose--just one of those things that happen when you don't really know how to say something. :-)
So we will be putting her on the bus tomorrow morning---I know she will love it. I am just worried about the weather. If it rains she will freak out...and I know it will rain- it always does up there. So I am packing her brave hat...hope she will wear it.

Justice is starting summer soccer tonight. He is soooo bored...this came at the perfect point this summer. So hopefully he wont melt & will enjoy it. Also Justice insisted on taking a dance class this summer. He is in Montana's jazz/ballet class and is TOTALLY loving it. He is actually really good too--some natural ability in there just like his sisters. So Montana gets attention in their class by being the "best behaved/quiet" dancer, and Justice gets attention because he is the only boy. It is fun to watch them through the window. After every class he is just beaming and says "I want to dance forever mom- I LOVE IT!" I guess we will see how long this phase lasts. But for now...we are the dancing family!!

Sierra is still enjoying her month off from drill team...only Stars and thats it. She is enjoying the time off, but I can tell she doesn't know what to do with herself. She is sleeping A LOT! She broke up with her boyfriend...but she doesn't seem too upset about it. I guess they are still friends. Also she can get her driving permit now that she is 15. She picked up the manual and is studying to take the test. Ugh---here we go!!

Out with the kids

I was able to take the kids to a couple movies this week: some more successful than others.

First I took Justice & Montana to lunch & to see Transformers 2. We totally loved the first one and watch it regularly at home, so I thought they would love it & they really wanted to see it. I had to make them cover their eyes on a couple risque parts, but they were over pretty quick. We were there about an hour when I decided it was just too violent and adult for them. Montana was shaking and covering her eyes- Justice was hanging onto me. So we packed up and left. I felt really bad that we didn't see something more geared for kids. We definitely will next time. They still want to see Up & Ice Age 3. So I will have to make it up to them.

Then I took Sierra to see The Proposal. She had already seen it but was dying to see it again because a)she loved it, and b)she knew I would love it. It was really cute...not my favorite movie of all time- but definitely a must see! We went to dinner & shopping after and made a night of it. She's such a cute kid- I love hanging out with her. I relish the time I get to spend with her. She's so busy and growing up so fast...I know my chances to just hang out with her are dwindling.

Lazy days of summer

Nothing going on here except nothing!! We are still painting but taking our sweet time. Sierra is gone to her dads for another week, little ones are spending the nights and weekends with their dad for the next two weeks.

So needless to say...things around here are blissfully dull.

Except mom and dad went to Yellowstone/Jackson Hole without us! How rude! They did ask us to go and it just didn't work out :-( So we were asked to take care of Shadow, their big black lab. So Roxy has a friend this week.
That's it!

It's kinda nice to just do whatever you want, whenever you feel like it! But I do miss my babies! Love you guys! Be good!

Justice's Room

It's been pretty quiet around here with the kids gone to their dad's. So I decided to start painting bedrooms. Well, a bedroom. We bought Justice new bedding last week and so I started with his room first. His walls are still peach from when the girls use to be in that room...so really his needed to be done first! His sheets are so cute- covered with all different airplanes and kind of a military theme. So I've been slapping up Blue & Cream paint. When I get that done (hopefully today) we are going to hang some airplanes from the ceiling on clear thread. He wants to make a sky on the ceiling--blue sky with white clouds on top, but I will pass on that for now. It sounds cute--but I will need someone to help me who knows what they are doing. And I don't want to ruin what I've already done. He is soooooo excited about this. I am excited to see it all come together. I will post pics when it's done. Then I will most likely move on to the other bedrooms! I guess having the kids gone has it's perks??? The house is getting spruced up a bit--and it really needed it. We haven't painted for 10 years. YIKES!!