Bear Lake + The Fourth = Good Times

We decided to head up to Bear Lake for the long Fourth of July weekend and I am so glad we did.  We had such a great time.  We built Legos, played video games, rode bikes and had our own little parade, rode the 4 wheeler, went to a parade, swam, swung, drew pictures, lit fireworks, and ended our trip with an amazing day at the lake enjoying the wave runners, water, sand, and family.

We are so grateful for the family place there and that we have the ability to have such fun experiences and create such amazing memories with our kids.  We are so blessed and we are grateful to our family for providing it and sharing it with us.  These are the types of family memories that I want my kids to remember always.

Sam building Legos.

James showing off his decked out bike.

Chloe excited to be riding in her very own parade.

Sam joined in the riding part, but wanted nothing to do with the decorating.

We spent hours and hours on the swings.  They would have stayed there all day everyday if I would have let them.

Paris, Idaho Parade.

We got bags of candy.  Major score.

The best part...Smokey the Bear.

Enjoying the pool on the back porch.

My three favorite kids!

Dad showed off his skills by beating the old-school Nintendo Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game.

Chloe was my cuddle buddy all weekend.

Enjoying the 4 wheeler...

...Chloe not so much.  It took her two days to warm up to it, then she loved it.

Chloe and I spent our mornings drawing pictures of our family on boats on the lake.

We had so many crazy rain storms throughout the weekend.  The skies were just beautiful.

 Finally, on the lake.

Sam taking a minute to relax after a long ride on the wave runner.

James and Chloe had fun taking turns pushing each other around.

The kids used the boat as a hot tub.  They filled it with water and let the sun heat it up for them.

 James having some fun with his lunch.

 Sam loved this log so much we actually brought it home!

Seth, Jaime, and I showing our smiling faces.

 James and the adults enjoyed the trailer.  James loved spending time snuggling up in the bunk beds.

 Chloe was cracking me up with her poses, so I had to snap some of them.

 Not so friendly sibling shot. ;)

We loved doing fireworks on our beach.  It was fun to be so up close and personal.

 Our last day there was Grandpa M's birthday.  We surprised him with a yummy cinnamon roll and beautifully handmade cards.

 On our way out of town we took one last bike ride on the boardwalk.  Chloe wasn't using her bike so Grandma M took advantage.

 

Field Day

I had a blast being with Sam's class as they enjoyed their first field day.  It was so stinking hot, but thankfully a lot of the games involved water.  The whole time all the kids wanted to do was go on the huge bounce house, but we weren't going to have time for it with our time frame and rotation, so I pulled some strings and made it happen.  I have never felt like such a hero before as 21, 5 year olds cheered for me as I hooked them up.  I'm so amazing! ;) 

Who's Hungry?

The kids had a fun surprise today.  I decided to make them mini-pancakes.  Very mini.  They thought they were so funny.  We had a good laugh.  I love when I'm funny! :) 

Kindergarten Program and a Proposal

It was so fun to go to Sam's Kindergarten Program this morning.  I love that I get to do things like this now.  I can't believe how fast my little ones are growing up.  Sniff, Sniff.  I was so proud of Sam.  He wanted to look his best so he dressed to the "T" and was looking good.

They sang a lot of songs with cute, simple choreography.  I loved every minute of it, especially since this happened to be one of the few times I have actually seen Sam sing.  He's not a huge fan.

 After the program I brought some flowers for Sam to give to his teacher since that is what he had insturcted me to do.  We LOVE LOVE LOVED his teacher, Mrs, McKenna, and will sadly miss her next year.

 Sam also wanted a picture with Mylee.  Mylee is Sam's first crush.

 So it all started a long time ago in a land called the Playground... ;)  Mylee was always coming up to Sam and saying, "Hi Sam.  I like your backpack" and things like that.  It was so funny to watch.  He would get all embarrassed and say, "ahh" or "ugg".  It was so funny to watch.  Well, this last Wednesday when he got in the car declared:
Sam: "Mom, I know who I'm going to marry."
Mom: "Oh, were you guys teasing about marriage on the playground today?"
Sam: "No, Mom, I'm serious."
Mom: "Oh, well, who are you going to marry then?"
Sam: "Mylee."
Mom: "Oh, did you ask her?
Sam: "Yes."
Mom: "What did she say?"
Sam: "I think she said yes."
Mom: "Well, where are you guys going to live?"
Sam: "I don't know.  What state will we live in?"
Mom: "Well, that depends on where you get a job."
Sam: "I'm just going to be a Dad."
Mom: "Well you have to have a job too.  Just like your Dad."
Sam: "Maybe we'll live next door and I'll cook food at McDonald's."
It was the funniest conversation ever.  I love how sure of himself he was and how he had it all figured out. 
Later that night he asked me how to spell "marry".  I told him and he soon presented me with his pride and joy.  A beautiful proposal he had written for Mylee.  He was so proud.

A last shot of Sam before heading out for the year (well almost, just Field Day left)!  Love my little smarty pants.



Krista's Special Day

We love spoiling my nieces at BYU and we were especially excited to have Krista up to celebrate her birthday.  We took her out for a sushi dinner and then went to a movie.  It was a blast.  The rest of the night we just hung out at home, gave her a pedicure and laid around talking, laughing and watching shows.  It was a blast.  We sure do love her!

Everyone Comfy?

It's no secret that we are snugglers at our house, and lately we have been magifying that to the tee.  I just had to document all the cuddliness that has been going on around here, as it has been extra cute and creative.

Chloe made sure Snuggles felt loved by sharing her favorite blankie.

 Sam and James decided that they could optimize snuggliness by getting in the blanket closet and enjoying all the blakets at once instead of just getting one out.

 This blanket is Sam's kryptonite.  It is extremely soft, and it seems whenever he wraps himself up it over powers him and he has learned to just give in.

 When I went in to check on the kids before bed I found all of Sam's plushes tucked in for the night too.

USA, USA ,USA!



 Seth and I had a blast treating ourselves to the USA World Cup Qualifying soccer game that was in town.  It was awesome.  We had front row seats to the action and loved ducking as balls that missed the goal would fly right at us.  It was so fun to be right in the action.  It was a great game and we were so excited that we won.  It was great to cut loose, cheer like crazy, and enjoy some great soccer. 

Lego Morning

Sometimes it's just good to wake up and build Legos. :)

Cousins for a Week

We got to watch two of the kids cousins (Dani and Tori) for a week this past month and boy did we have a blast.  The kids were going non-stop and loving (almost) every minute of it! ;)  We made sure to have at least one fun adventure every day. 

They enjoyed taking turns on our new toy. 

 

Going to our cousins Presley's birthday party at Boondocks. 

 Having a lunch playdate at McDonald's.

 Hanging out in the car watching movies.

Picnics at the park.

 

 Having great pool parties in the hot sun.

 Going to the park and lake and feeding the ducks.

 And going on bike rides.

We even had a movie night with our favorite treats, drinks, and popcorn.

We had a great time and are glad we got to spend so much time with some of our cousins and get to know them better.

New Friends

Chloe and I had a fun day at the mall today.  It was the first time I have gone shopping with just her and she loved it.  She had a bag of chips, a sippie, and my phone for playing games and she could have lasted all day in that stroller. 
She kept saying to me, "Can I go say hi to the people?"  I wasn't sure what she was talking about so I fianlly said, "yes" and I got to see what she was talking about.  She wanted to go and "meet" the manicans.  It was so funny.  She would go up and admire what they were wearing and then she would just hold their hands and look up at them smiling.  It was so funny.  I love how kids see things. 

Flutterby

Today we had a special visit from this beautiful butterfly.  He stayed a long time and enjoyed our flowers.  We were all sad when he finally flew away, but I think Snuggles took it hardest.  She loved chasing him around.  We're so glad he came to brighten our day.

All I Want for Christmas...

...I'm sure he still just wants Legos, but you know how the song goes...

Sam was so happy to loose another tooth and get another visit from the Tooth Fairy.  Sam is very specific with the Tooth Fairy.  He doesn't want money.  He wants Legos.  Well the Tooth Fairy left him a note with some cash explaining that she was too small and tired after a long night to carry a Lego set to him, so he could use that money to buy a Lego set.  He was so excited.  When we got him his Lego set he only gave me half the money for it.  I told him that I needed all of his money to pay for it, but he then explained sweetly that he was only going to give me half of the money because he wanted to be able to get two sets.  What a wheeling-dealing little rascal!  I had to hand it to him for trying! :)

If you Water It, It Will Grow

I decided not to do a vegetable garden this year and focused on flowers.  I am so glad I did.  It is looking so beautiful and I just know when all the plants are in full bloom it will be spectacular.  James is my partner in crime in the yard.  I loves to help me trim bushes, weed, and especially water.  I love the time we get outside together.  It reminds me of working outside with my dad.  I love those memories and am glad they are coming back to mind as I work with my son.

Poor Chloe

Poor Chloe was so so sick.  She got strep and boy did she get it.  She had the throw-ups, the fevers, the rash, and the sores in her mouth.  The poor thing had no relief.  The only thing we could get her to eat for a while was the frosting out of oreos.  I know, tough life.  Whatever she wanted she got!  I'm just grateful I get to be at home with my kids, especially at times like these.  What a blessing to be able to just lay with my little girl all week with no other cares but her.  Just as it should be.

Taylor Nation

Dad M is a HUGE Taylor Swift fan and I am so glad he is because he took a bunch of us with him to her concert.  I can't even believe that he got tickets with the fact that they were sold out even before they officially went on sale, but that's how he is.  He always finds a way.

We ended up having some extra tickets so Tressa and Krista were able to come too.  It was a blast.  I haven't been to a live single artist's concert before.  Even the openers were amazing.  Ed Sheeran was unbelievable.  Taylor was of course amazing.  It was fun to sing the night away with her.  Thanks Dad!