Manti

For Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary they wanted all of us to got the Manti Pageant. So thus, a plan was set in motion. The Sessions planned their summer trip so they could meet us in Manti and join in on the fun. We started the weekend off at a lake. We enjoyed canoeing and paddle boats.

Jon, Garrett and Thomas

Malin, Rylee, Kaisa and Alek going a ride.

Garrett caught 3 sunfish that he fell in love with and named Tom, Jerry and Dork! He's a creative one that Garrett!

Brian, Kaisa, Rylee and Alek

After much fun in the sun we headed back to the hotel, regrouped, waited for the Sessions to arrive (Rylee actually was excited to see Bryn and gave her lots of loves),

had a yummy Mexican dinner,

then headed into town to see the Pageant. I was surprised at how much my kids enjoyed it and kept asking questions about Joseph Smith and what was going on.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a great, memorable weekend! And Happy Anniversary!!!

Girls Camp

Girls Camp for our ward was at Snow Canyon in St. George this year. Melanie and Chad Morris, the camp directors did an AWESOME job. Although the girls did lots of fun and unusual "camp" activities they did have to work their tails off before the could enjoy the fun. Like setting up these massive tents that took everyone helping in the hot hot 105 degree afternoon. Luckily we did have some man power!

Day 1 - The heat wasn't fun but our surroundings were BEAUTIFUL!!! After camp was set up the girls went repelling off the hot red rocks. No one died! At the fireside we all did skits...the leaders started out with the opening dance routine from High School Musical. Seriously! We, even the two guys, learned the whole dance and we dressed up and all. We pretty much rocked!

Day 2 we went boating and enjoyed relaxing on the beach for most of the day. We all got "cleaned up", had dinner and then headed to the Tuachan for Tarzan. It was absolutely fabulous. I think every girl loved the experience! This is all of us with Tarzan and Jane!

Day 3 - We were able to experience the Emerald Pools after a hike in Zions. It was amazing to be in such a beautiful ginormous place. It made me feel so small yet important in our Heavenly Father's eyes.

We have the cutest bunch of girls ever!

After the hike we headed to the St. George temple. Brother Morris told us about the construction and sacrifices give for this temple and it was so interesting to me. We let the girls wander through the visitors center and around the temple grounds before heading back to camp.

We had a great testimony meeting and it was a perfect ending to a great week. All 32 girls, and 11 leaders, got a long so well it made for one of the best camps I've ever been to. The girls were always so willing to help with anything that needed to be done. There wasn't any bickering or back biting which is pretty good for a bunch of girls. I had such a great experience and just love our Young Women and the Leaders!!!

Expanding the family

By the end of the year our little family will grow to five! It's true....I'm having a baby. Yes, it was planned and we are excited. I'm due on Christmas Day - that part was not planned, well I should say not planned well. Either way it will be fun to have a new little one around the house. Rylee tells me every day that my belly is getting bigger! Thanks Toots, that's just what I want to hear right now.

T-Ball

Garrett was so excited to play t-ball this summer - until the first game. He absolutely wigged out. He wanted nothing to do with it. We managed to get him to bat the last inning so that he "participated" enough to get the zinger and gatorade that only the "players" get. By the third game we had made significant progress and got him to play a couple innings. His lack of knowledge thus leading to anxiety about the unknown is partially our fault as parents, we've hit the ball with him and played catch but how was he supposed to know that after you hit the ball you don't run to third and that when you finally start running to first you don't need to stop and pick up the ball that you just hit. Oh, good times. That's what t-ball is all about.
Luckily, he's now discovered the love of the game and happily plays the whole game and jumps up and down every time he gets to a base or catches a ball. He definitely has a big cheering section for him!

All about me week

After my 18th birthday it just didn't seem that birthday's have been super exciting (except for my surprise 30th party...thanks mom). Not that I don't feel loved but I'm a grown up and birthday's are for kids, right! This year was different and probably part of that was my attitude and mostly because of so many of my sweet friends and family. I let it be all about me this year and it felt good to be so selfish...I highly recommend it once in awhile.
On Sunday Shellie had us over for a delicious steak dinner and homemade apple pie that she made just for moi! I didn't even clean up a single dish. Then on Monday she took me for a pedicure and oh how nice that was. My mom watched my kids while I was gone and had helped them make cards to give me the next morning. So Tuesday morning I wake up to my kids so anxious to give me their cards. They were both T-Rex b-day cards, of course, and what mom wouldn't love that. They were so cute and kept giving me hugs all morning. Then my mom watched them while I went to the Healing Cottage for a splendid 1 hour massage. I'll give you her number if you want - she's incredible! So after a little more pampering and a few errands I picked up my kids and played with them for a bit before I dropped them off at my friend Kim's who so graciously offered to watch them while I went to lunch with my parents and Alisa. I picked Applebee's and thoroughly enjoyed my crispy orange chicken bowl with my family and opened presents. I returned home with my kids to find several phone calls singing me the birthday song and dozens of emails from my friends. Did I feel loved....you betcha! I played with the kids during the afternoon and then I took them to Shellie's since she offered to watch them while we went to dinner with Kim and Layne. More good food, friends and relaxation. Ahhh, this is the life! Too bad every day couldn't be like this. The evening didn't stop with more visits and calls from friends. The playing continued all week and finally ended the following Sunday with a yummy dinner at my mom's. I think my kids were a little tired of all my attention and loudly protested that it was no longer mommy's birthday! Hands down one of my best birthday's ever! Thanks everyone for treating my like Queen for the Day!!!

Graduation Day!

On May 20th Garrett graduated from Preschool. He's loved going to Mrs. Jerman's Busy Bee's all year and she does such a wonderful job that he will definitely miss her. They had a program prepared where they each talked about themselves and sang songs then she handed each of them their ABC books they'd been working on all year, a diploma and their cap


Now off to Kindergarten!