Super Bowl 52

This is how we celebrated the Super Bowl on Sunday.

with pedi's in the tub. It makes for the best party ever!

  In the middle of washing the dinner dishes a special Super Bowl invitation was delivered.

the place: Mom's bathroom

the time: right now

the activity: pedis in the tub

There were foot soaks, foot and leg lotion massages, nail painting, and treats. 

After-all, What's a party without treats?

I vote we make this a new tradition! Next year I'll be rooting for team SPA! Go TEAM!

Babies R Us

I love that we're still playing with baby dolls at our house. 

For Christmas Kami and Kaitlyn both got a new doll.

 Kami got a toddler size doll that she packs around on her hip all day.

Kaitlyn got a newborn that she swaddles and cradles while she plays.

These girls love their babies. Every night they dress them in pajamas and get them ready for bed.

Every morning they get them dressed and comb their hair. 

They take them for walks, and check out books from the library to read to them. Most nights, they even eat dinner with us. 

Each morning they bring their baby down for me to tend while they're away at school.

Even "Aunt" Kelsey is sometimes forced to get in on the action.

I know it's only a matter of time before they no longer want to play with baby dolls so I'm cherishing every moment I can.

Birthday Week 2016

This year, we celebrated birthday week a little differently.

Since this is #2's last year as a "teen", and Clint and I's last year before we hit the BIG 4-0, we decided to celebrate it big. . .

 in sunny CA!

This beauty got to spend her actual birthday surfing in the ocean and soaking up the sun.

We met up with Clint's brother, Stephen, and his family at the beach.

  My girls were so excited to get to play with their cousins, we could hardly contain them. 

  This was also they first time any of my children have been swimming in the ocean.

They kept saying, "It's so salty!"

 

But they loved every minute of it.

(If you look closely, you can see the Santa Monica Pier in the background.)

    

After our day at the beach, we ended the night at Stephen's house. His family was so sweet to feed us dinner. They even had a birthday cake complete with candles for #2.

 Although it was hard to top last years , I think this has been her favorite birthday yet.

I'm all for making this a yearly tradition! Clint, are you with me?


Read more about Righteous Traditions HERE

Class of 2016

Well, she did it! We officially have a graduate.

On May 25th, #2 graduated from high school with high honors and we couldn't be more proud of her.

Here is her Announcement.

And out of the 1,677,00 pictures I took of that day, here are just a "few" of my favorites:

  

After the ceremony, we came back to our house to PAR-TAY!

20 Years

Last month was Clint and I's 20th Wedding Anniversary.

Last weekend, we were finally able to carve out some time to celebrate.

(It's been a crazy busy summer full of camps, college orientations, and yard work!)

Friday and Saturday, we took off on a little overnighter to Park City while #2 held the fort down back at home.

We attended the symphony, ate, shopped, and just enjoyed each other's company sans kids while #2 took everyone swimming at the pond, scootering along the river trail, and for a picnic. She's pretty awesome.

I think the saying "Choose your love, love your choice" couldn't be any truer. I definitely love my choice. I'm so grateful for this man and how our life has turned out. Here's to another 20+ years.

Exodus 2016

Last week #2, #3, and #4 had the opportunity to go on an Exodus.

What the heck is an EXODUS?

Exodus - a departure from, exiting from or a journey...

We are leaving behind the piece of our heart that distanced us from God and giving Him our new heart. A heart that loves God above all and places Him first in our lives. One heart, one mind - Zion

 Exodus is similar to a Trek, but without the pioneer theme.

Each child was assigned a Ma and Pa.

Here is #3 with his family

and #4 with his. 

#2 (Can you find her- hint she's on the left side) was on a special team they called the Delta Team.

It was comprised of those who had graduated from high school this past May. 

The Delta group was assigned as helpers along the trial. They served meals, unpacked trailers, help to pull handcarts, and befriended the friendless.

Months and months of preparation were involved, as you can imagine when you take 780  people on a 4 day hike over the mountain. Not to mention feeding them all?

 Here #3 and #4 are practicing setting up and taking down their tents.

 Exodus started up Ephraim Canyon

(Can you find #3?  - He's pulling the handcart on the left)

23 miles over the mountain where they ended their Exodus at

the Manti Utah Temple.

As they walked they thought about what things, things they were holding them back and distancing them from God, that they wanted to leave behind in the mountain.  When they reached the temple each of them made a commitment to be a new better person, to serve God more fully and love Him with all their heart.

 Pulling a handcart for four days in the mountains surrounded by God's creations and His presence, what a truly remarkable, spiritual experience, and I am so grateful my children were able to take part.