1st Soccer game

I was supposed to work this Saturday, but they traded me to work next Saturday instead so I was able to go to Tayler's 1st soccer game. Unfortunately I have to work for the next 5 weeks in a row so I will miss a lot of her games which stinks. The next game I get to go to will be on my birthday. That will be a great present.

Sean is coaching her team this year, which makes it extra special and exciting for Tay. Her team is the Blue Dolphins, and they had an excellent first game. Tayler scored 4 goals and some of her teammates did awesome too.

They have a cute little team that I think will be unstoppable this year :)

Way to go Tay. She really is a gifted little athlete. Her abilities still amaze me. She seems to have it all. I sure love her!

Tay's birthday and Rylee's preschool

Thursday morning we had the chance to go look around Rylee's preschool and meet

her teacher. Her name is Mrs. Dani and Rylee is very excited! She talked about it for weeks (since we received the postcard in the mail), but when we got there she wasn't so sure about it. I think she will do great. On Tues. she has dance right

afterwards, at the same place. She keeps telling me that "she gets to be in school

just like Tayler" She is a cutie!

That night from 5-7 p.m. we had Tayler's friend party for her birthday. We had 13 little people and had such a fun time.

While I was finishing up with dinner I put on some music and they all danced. They are such cute friends.

Then we had dinner (pizza, breadsticks, and fruit). Afterwards, I gave them each a cupcake to frost and then stuck a candle in each one so that they could all blow their own out.

Then came the presents. All of her friends are so generous. Thank you everyone so much!

The theme of her party was "MOVIE NIGHT" so I gave them all tokens which got them into the movie theater downstairs and then some to buy treats at the concession stand I had set up.

The choice were: popcorn(i even found cute popcorn bags at the Dollar store), Cotton Candy (thanks to my fabulous friend Maria for lending that to us. It was definitely the hit of the party), and then assorted treats (like they have in the theaters).

The feature presentation was- The Bee Movie. Almost everyone had seen it already, but seemed to be fine to watch it again.

Tayler seemed to have a great time and loved all of her friends.

I feel like I am all partied out for a while. Thank you everyone for coming.

ALSO, thank you to everyone that called Tayler and sent her presents in the mail. She was very appreciative of everything and felt very loved.

Weekend away

Friday night we left with some of our friends to their cabin up in Liberty. It was a nice, relaxing time away. I love the mountain air. It just seems so clear and has that "fall" tingle to it in the mornings & the evenings. We hiked to a waterfall on Saturday morning. It was a pretty steep climb in some parts, but not too bad. I was deceived by the 0.4 mile sign I saw at that start. It sure seemed a lot farther than that! I guess just holding Jayson made it a little more challenging too, but the kids hiked it no problem.

grace and lydia

4 girls

Silly boy

Say "cheese"

We ate yummy food, took naps, read books, played and had a great time! Thanks Neville's for letting us go with you.

Tay is 6

I honestly can't believe that this sweet little angel came into my life 6 years ago. It was a perfect, warm August day. I was induced with her so Sean and I headed to LDS hospital early that morning. I remember the night before she was born laying in bed & talking to Sean about having a baby. We were both so excited (and a little nervous)! On our way to the hospital I called my mom and dad to let them know. After filling out all the paperwork we settled into our room. The doctor came in and broke my water around noon and she was born at 5:21 p.m. I would love to say that she was perfect, but she had a few mishaps from the being in the birth canal so long that left her a little bruised, swollen and well, lopsided. Yet, I remember holding her for the first time and being completely in love and overwhelmed thinking that I was her mother and she was my little girl. After things "straightened out" she was beautiful and has grown more and more beautiful every day. Her temperament has always been easy going and very loving. She is obedient and always tries to do what she is asked. I really lucked out with her. I am so grateful that she is in my life.

The other night she left me a note that said:

" Mom, I love you. You are so fun to be with. Love Tayler"

She truly does bring a smile to my face each and every day. She helps me more than she will ever realize. She has the kindest heart. Happy 6th Birthday Sweetheart.

I LOVE YOU!!

(right before she left for school)

This morning we woke her up and had a big breakfast ready for her. Her favorite is pancakes with strawberries & whip cream, hash browns and sausage. Rylee and I found this "birthday hat" yesterday that we will use whenever someone has a birthday. It will be our special hat.

We let her open her presents after breakfast.

This afternoon we are taking treats into her school class. Afterwards we are going up to a cabin with some friends for the weekend. It will be nice to go and relax. Tayler wanted an ice cream cake after dinner tonight so we will grab one on our way up to the cabin and keep this party going!

Next week is her friends party. We are doing a Movie themed night with candy, popcorn, cotton candy, etc.

These 2 things are keeping me very busy these days!

(Thanks Britt for lending me your book. I was so excited to start reading)

My bathrooms are completely being ignored these days. Only the bear minimum chores are getting done! I love watching the Olympics. It makes my heart skip a beat or two.

So, my friends: what is keeping you occupied these days?

Party, pArty, pARTY

When we came home from St. George we had another family birthday bash on Saturday to celebrate Tayler, Jayson, Keaton and Emma's birthday! Since it was at our house we included Tayler too, so that I didn't have to do another one a week later. We had a blast!!

Tayler turns 6 on Friday

Keaton turned 5 on July 31st

Emma turned 2 on July 27th

& Jayson turned 1 on July 22nd.

Sean made homemade pizza for all of us. They were so yummy! I think they were absolutely his best ever. Shelly brought a great salad and then we had cake and ice cream as well.

Shelly bought Jayson his own cake to demolish and it was so cute. He loved shoving it in his mouth.

I had to strip Jayson down before opening presents.

Thanks everyone for coming and HAPPY BIRTHDAY all of you July birthdays!

***That includes my sweet little neice Emmy. She celebrated her 11th birthday on July 28th. She is a such a sweetheart and we love her so very much!

A week in review

*** WARNING-- LONG POST***

Sorry I have a lot of catch up to do.

(I meant to post every day last week it just didn't happen so here's a recap):

Tuesday

watched kids for 4 hours

went and got my hair cut & colored-- finally!

(thank you BriAnna for watching my kids. Sorry Jayson cried (A LOT)!

Received an email from my sister in law, Katie

telling us that they were coming from Colorado to visit. YAHOO!

Wednesday

Met my mom at the Salt Lake Temple. It was absolutely lovely.

Since it was her Stake Temple day they provided lunch too.

It was a much needed break and time away. I loved it!

(thanks Mom for letting me tag along).

Jared, Katie, and Cayden showed up around 4 that afternoon.

My kids were so excited to see them and so was I!

I love hanging out with them. Cayden is so much fun to play with.

Thursday

My mom had a dentist appt. at 10:00 (at the place where I work)

so she came up and stayed with us too. It was a party!

We went to her appt. Thurs. morning, came home, and

then went shopping at Ross. It isn't a trip without a trip

to Ross.

That evening we went and walked through a house in Kaysville

and then played some card games. Jared dominated!

We only lasted until 10:30 :)

Friday

My old roommate, Heather got married! 8-8-08. What a cool

anniversary date! My mom watched my kids for me so

that I could go to her sealing. It was at the Jordan River Temple

so I drove down south. It was a beautiful temple, sealing, and she

looked amazing! I love her and am so excited for her. Curt seems like

her perfect match. I hope we can have them up for dinner sometime.

When I walked into the waiting room I saw my other roommate Brooke.

I love that girl so much! I haven't seen her in ages, yet we picked up

right where we left off. It was awesome to visit with her and be together

to watch Heather get married.

We sadly said goodbye to Jared, Katie and Cayden who went out

to mom's house for the rest of their stay. It really was great to

see them. I wish that we all lived closer. I love their new car. It

was so nice. Thank you for always playing with my kids and making

them feel so special. They have a special bond with you guys.

Jared kept Tayler busy for over an hour coloring pictures for a show they did for us! She was in heaven.

Jared and Katie also gave Tayler and Jayson their birthday presents, and

gave Rylee one too so that she wouldn't feel left out. They are the

greatest.

Ever wondered what Rylee would look like as a blonde?

(the perfect gifts-- Hannah Montana outfit for Tay and the wig for Rylee). They loved it! Thanks again you guys.

I hope we can make it to Denver soon! Lots of Love!
That night we went back to the Lion House for the reception. Everything

was picture perfect! Congratulations Heather. We love you!!! Hope you have a great honeymoon!

Afterwards, we went and walked around the gardens at Temple Square with

our 3 little kiddos. They all were drawn to the fountains. I think they are

pretty great.

Saturday

Went to work.

Took a nap.

Went to a family reunion for Sean's DAD's side of the family.

It was our year to help out. We didn't really do a lot, but

planned a game that seemed to be a hit. It was actually

fun, even though it started to rain.

Sunday

Stake Conference. The power was out when we got

there and it was HOT! Thankfully the power came

back on half way through, but the air never really started

to cool anything down. It was a great conference. Our Stake

President is amazing.

Came home and made rolls.

Watched the Olympics. I still have some adrenaline pumping

through my veins. The men's relay race was UNBELIEVABLE!

Oh man, I still can't believe that they pulled it off. Sean and I

were totally pumped. I love watching swimming. It still gives

me the chills.

Today has been a lot of cleaning, laundry and catch-up stuff. It's nice to not have

anything on the agenda except for this evening Sean and I get to go to the Bee's game

since his department got invited to the suite.

Why must it end?

Well, we are back. We enjoyed 7 days of pure relaxation and fun!

We arrived Thursday evening around 7 and checked in. The condos were beautiful. They were perfect for our little family. They had 3 bedrooms, a huge kitchen and 3 bathrooms.

Our days really consisted of sleeping in, eating breakfast, swimming for hours, taking naps, watching movies, eating treats & so much more.

What can be better than that?

Here are some pictures from the swimming pool

Tuesday evening we went to see our great friends the Millers. We have missed them since they moved to St. George. Our kids were instantly attached once again and loved playing with them. Sadly, minutes before we left Rylee and Aubree collided and left poor Aubree with a HUGE, puffy, SWOLLEN BLACK eye! I felt so bad! We need to send her some get well gifts. It was pretty bad. Sorry Aubree. We hope you still love us?!? :)

The next day we went swimming with them, out to dinner and then sadly had to say good-bye again. Sean and I always say "man they are just such great people" after we have spent time with them. Thanks for letting us barge in and hang out with you guys. Hope that we can see you again soon. (we'll try to keep the collisions to a minimum)!

Thursday morning we woke up, packed up, and headed out. We stopped and ate lunch and just took our time getting home. It is so nice to not have an agenda. I love when life stops and gives you a break.

We were happy to be home. Now it's back to the nitty gritty.

All in all it was awesome. I love being with just my little family. We have so much fun together.