Summer Days

So we have been enjoying our summer days so far. The weather finally decided to warm up so we could put away the sweaters and long sleeved shirts for a while. Man 60 degrees as a high those first few June days really were a bummer.

My cousin, Mikayla, came to stay with us for 3 1/2 weeks and we have been having a blast. I'm not sure she would say the same thing (4 kids can be a little overwhelming) but we are loving it! She is an awesome help and I love having her around. I think I may go through withdrawals when she leaves to go home.
We have gone swimming, to Lagoon, to the movies, to the zoo, etc. We are really enjoying ourselves and trying to keep busy and keep everyone entertained.
Sean and I even slipped away Wednesday night for an impromptu date night. We went and saw KNIGHT and DAY. It was awesome. The next day we took the kids to see Toy Story 3. I loved both movies!

We are also working to get our backyard finished. I can't WAIT!! They just finished the patio in the back. Now we just have to get bids for cement. As soon as the grading is done Sean will start the sprinkling system. He is still working hard on the waterfall in the front to get it finished too. He had it all laid out but then changed some things and had to start over. It will be amazing when it is finished. I promise I will post pictures soon! I have lots of them.

We can dance, we can dance

The girls had their Spring Dance Recital Wednesday night and both did a fabulous job. I love watching them dance. I also love to see how much they have both progressed. They love getting ready for the big day and getting up on the stage. They make me proud.

This is Rylee with her teacher, Ms. Jenna. She was so sweet.

Daddy brought them both flowers again

Rylee, Tay, and Kate. Cute, cute girls!

Now they have to wait until Fall again to shake it!

weekend fun

On Saturday afternoon we went on our postponed Memorial Day visit to my dad's grave. It was a beautiful day with only a handful of other people at the cemetery so it was nice. I took Tayler, Rylee and Jackson with me and Jayson stayed home to do yard work with Dad. We met Mom at the mall and then headed up to the cemetery. Mom brought these fun paper flowers to decorate the grave with this year and Tayler and Rylee made pictures.
It is always nice to clean off the headstone and sit around and chat. We had fun walking around and looking at other headstones as well. Tayler found 1 of someone born on her birthday and another that died on her birthday.

I love our tradition of going to the grave. It makes me so happy.

That morning we took the kids to Lagoon. We tried to arrive as close to 10 a.m. (when it opened) as we could so that the lines wouldn't be too long yet. It was perfect. We stayed until 1:00 and then headed out. I have yet to ride Wicked with Tayler. Every time we go that stinkin' ride is closed. Oh well, we have the whole summer right?

Saturday night little Jackson screamed pretty much the whole night. It was so sad. Sean took him to the Dr. early Sunday morning and he has a nasty cold and ear infection. Last night his cries sounded so sad because he had a little bit of laryngitis. The antibiotic is working well though and he is almost back to our happy boy. Love medicine!

SUMMER vacation starts today! WAHOO. Wish we had a car though. The Yukon is back in the shop with other issues. If it isn't one thing it's another. I thought we were done with car repairs on that vehicle, but apparently we aren't! We kicked off the morning having pancakes w/strawberries and whipping cream. Now we just need to find our pool key so we can start headin' to the pool. Let the laziness begin.

p.s. Tayler was 6th in her spelling spree. I am so proud of her. When I asked how it went she said "horrible" so I figured she was one of the first one's out.. nope she said horrible because she didn't win. Funny girl!

Family Pictures

Two weeks ago we had our family pictures taken by my new fabulous friend Lynette. She is amazing and it was so much fun. Thanks Lynette. We love you!

Here are a few of my favorite's:

Field Trip Day

Today Tay's class is going to the zoo for their field trip. She was so excited and today turned out to be a beautiful day-- even with NO rain! Hooray. How cute is she?

Can you believe she is almost a 3rd grader? Man, where has time gone since I brought home my first little baby. This girl is amazing.

Yesterday they had a "spelling spree" in class and 3 kids are picked from each 2nd grade class to compete against each other (at least I think that is how it works). She was one of the 3 kids from her class to make it to the final round on Friday. She came home and said that she has butterflies about it. Cute girl! We have been spelling everything we can think of. She does a great job. Sean said that her and I should have a spell off.. he wasn't sure how to put his money on! HAHA. I told her she will do great on Friday. She has had such a wonderful 2nd grade year. I am proud of her on so many levels.

Memorial Day

There is nothing I love better than seeing the flag flying. There is such a sense of peace and reverence that I feel and gratitude to all those that made it possible to enjoy so many things.

Yesterday was a beautiful day so we spent many hours in our yard. There is always so much to do and it seems overwhelming at times, but if we take it piece by piece it will get done! Sean started the waterfall by our front porch. It is going to be awesome! All of us worked together in the yard pulling weeds. Man those things are out of control. Then I mowed the lawn while the kids had a little picnic eating lunch. It was so much fun to work together. Jackson joined us in his bouncer seat from the porch. He loved being outside and never made a peep (literally the whole day).
Afterwards, we headed to Salt Lake to get Sean his early Father's Day Present. He got a sweet bike. I never had any idea how much a bike could cost. HOLY MOLY! Just a small investment. He is riding in the "cure for Diabetes" for work on the 14th. I think he is riding 65 miles. He'll do awesome now that he has his nice bike. I think I could pick it up with just one finger because it is so light.

After we hurried to Lagoon to enjoy the last 1 1/2 hours before it closed at 7. We only rode a few rides, but it was perfect. I love to have season passes so that you don't feel guilty for only staying a few hours each time. Tayler rode BLAST OFF. She is so brave. The whole time she was laughing and chatting. I have to admit that one scares me a wee bit, but it was nothin' to her. I love that she can ride all of the big kid rides now. It's so fun. I think she has now had the chance to ride every single ride there. We then went to dinner and came home at 8:30 and crashed. Everyone was exhausted. It was a fabulous day in so many ways. Next weekend my mom and I are going to visit my Dad's grave. I enjoy going there too and am glad we are going when it won't be so crazy. I hope all the flags are still up though.

NOW...bring on June! I can't wait for school/dance/soccer/etc. to be over. It will be fun to just go to the pool and Lagoon and not have an agenda. I love summertime.