Just if you need a smile today!

(I actually caught him on camera- I just LOVE when they start smiling!!)

(7 weeks old)
(2 years old)

(4 years old)

I hope these bring a smile to you too!

Gone Camping!

First Camping trip to the Spruces, Big Cottonwood Canyon

I think I must have been crazy to go on a camping trip with a 6 week old little guy. But then again I think it was completely worth it! Because the first night was FREEZING cold this little snuggle bug got to sleep with me in my sleeping bag. Funny, I know. But then I did it again the next night because I was worried he would stay warm.

The BOYS doing what they do best, getting wet, muddy and throwing rocks!

The gang who hiked Donut Falls...Conner and Todd did too, but they hiked to the top and were behind us!

This is how Jake hiked the mountain!

The cute girly cousins. I was totally impressed because Alayna actually hiked the whole by her self. This is not her usual self. She prefers to be carried, but she was having so much fun with her cute cousins! As I look at these beautiful girls I am thankful Alayna has them in her life because she may not get a little sister close in age to her but she does have the two best girl cousins ever!

Jake LOVING the roasting "smarsh-mellow" thing!

Hanging by the fire...This was the first night when I dared to come with out my hubby. Yes, I came with my mom for extra hand help. I love this picture because you can see my three kids, Jake on my lap, the Alayna and Caleb in his carseat! That's funny!

Donut Falls - The grumpy face from Jake is because he was not wanting to smile one more time. Not to mention he fell and he cut his lip! Poor kid.

Thanks to the entire family who helped this new mom of three, keep making memories for my little kids. Alayna LOVED her time camping. She was so sad to come home!

It's a BOY!

Krista and Riley had both sides of the family over for their "finding out" party!

We couldn't have been more excited for them when they opened the envelope and Riley annoucned, "It's a boy!" YEAH, bring on our 8th baby BOY to the family! We LOVE boys!

Riverton Parade...Friday, July 3rd.

Here are a few family pictures of us sitting back and enjoying the parade...

The kids LOVE the parade for the candy. Alayna totally got it this year, you have to chase after it if you want it. Jake on the other hand, would rather sit back and relax. He didn't really see a need to go after it? I think he only picked up one piece of candy. It was FUN as usual. My entire family LOVES the parade. It's a multi-family gathering. My sisters in-laws come, some of their in-laws come, aunts, uncles, grand parents, etc. We take up an ENTIRE corner. We lucked out with great shade and tons of yummy pizza. I love this tradition.

Bridal Veil Falls

After the balloon festival we hike up...well, lets say a small brief nature walk up to the falls. It was really pretty. Alayna couldn't resist getting her feet wet again just like last year!

Hot Air Balloon Festival

This is so cool!
Waiting for the balloons to get filled up!

Having a fun EARLY morning once again at the Provo Hot Air Balloon Festival. Thanks to the Murphy's who introduced this GREAT early morning tradition on July 3rd. I really have enjoyed this tradition. It might be early, but it's wonderful and the kids love it.

The boys...

The girls...

Perry Family Summer BBQ

"All because two people fell in love..." is the perfect saying for these pictures. This is my Grandma Lucy (age 82 - I think?) and Grandpa Perry (age 87). These are my dad's parents. A few days back we were able to get together as an entire extended family for a bbq. It was neat to have all of my dad's siblings together and all family members except for like 8 people. This is a rare occasion because the Perry's are scattered in several different states.

My grandparents, Aunt Kathleen, Aunt Nancy, My Dad, Uncle Doug and Uncle Alan.

They entire Perry gang. WOW! I haven't taken the time to count up how many there are of us now. We sure do know how to have a fun time.

All the Great Grand kids! 19 great grand kids were present (Lilly was missing to make it an even 20) and there are TWO sets of twin boys on this side of the family.

This is my Dad's current posterity. We feel like we can never capture the "Perry" family because there are ALWAYS new babies coming in a few months. Krista and Riley are the next to have another little bundle of JOY...we are welcoming our SEVENTH-YES- 7th- BOY (Conner, Logan, Sawyer, Isaac, Jacob, Everett, Caleb and New baby boy Peck) to the Perry family of once all girls! We just laugh because we were once a family of only girls. Now the boys are taking over. We all love it, but my mom pulls for little baby girls every time!

Our little gang...Alayna, Jared, Caleb (6 weeks old), Me and Jakey!

Oh, I have to show this ADORABLE picture! These two kids win the award in our family as the two "Hams" mainly because they are so silly and have quite the personalities. We were so happy to actually capture a cute picture of the two of them together. That's Kennady doing her classic "CHEEEEESE" pose and Jake doing his sweet, "Cheese" face. You just have to love these kids. I'm sure they were extra happy we were letting them have so many yummy cupcakes! That would make me smile too!

6 weeks old and getting chubby!

Look at this chubby baby! Caleb is getting a little bigger than he started out. I love to have such small little babies and then watch them chub up after just a few short weeks.

I might be his mother but I think he has such a sweet little face.

I think he's even adorable when he's crying! He is such a good baby. He loves to sleep during the day. Jared laughed when I said, "No, he's napping right now!" Because Jared thinks he sleeps all day long and there is no way I could have a "schedule" for him. But I'm enjoying whatever sleepy pretend schedule he is on. I'm waiting for a few more hours during the night time to really feel back to normal! We love you baby Caleb.

Strollers?????

Is it just me or do we need to purchase a new stroller? Now that we have a 3rd little baby I think we just might have to give in and buy a double? A sit and stand? or to please Alayna I think she'd LOVE me to buy a triple stroller! I won't appease her and buy a triple but what are your suggestions for a newborn and Jake? Any suggestions are welcome!!! Our morning walks aren't very effective or fast, we are normally left in the dust!

Herriman Fireworks

Last weekend it was Herriman's Towndays. It was as usual a great night. What's better than pizza at the park and fireworks? Not to mention friends and family hanging out on blankets!


If you are wondering if Jacob is on a leash, well YES he is. I am that kind of parent. I must admit that we have lost this little "speedy" boy too many times. For some reason Jared and I lack that parental "keep track of our children" trait. So thanks to so many other inspired parents they help us keep track of our children. So finally had I had to pull back out the "monkey" for Jake to wear at this outing. The only problem is that we have to remember to keep the leash on our wrists. Thankfully, we were successful and he came back home with us again!

The boys fighting with the kid toys!

Ryan, Alayna and Jacob. These three little kids are in my opinion just like brother and sisters. I hope Emily agrees with me when I say they are so dang cute with each other. They really get along so well I love having Alayna know such cute kids that come from a great family! This WILL make a cute wedding photo one day...but who will she pick? Or which one will pick her?

Heaven on Earth!

Thanks to Grandma Suker who let me borrow a new recipe book the other day. I was feeling adventurous and wanting to bake up something (It was cold then not hot like it is today). So I thought, why not white rolls! Yum. Yum. Yum. These rolls are absolutely fabulous. I must admit they turned our perfect every time. I have since made them again, and again. And then my sister made them and they turned out perfectly for her too. So I think the recipe is a keeper. It was SUPER simple and they taste heavenly right out of the oven. I would recommend this recipe to anyone so I'm giving it to all of you to try. Let me know if they work out as well for you too! Good Luck...have some strawberry jam on hand because it's a perfect combo...Here come the next Thanksgiving rolls.

Crescent Rolls – (The Food Nanny – Liz Edmunds)
(makes 2 cookie sheets, 48 rolls, 24 on each pan)

4 T. yeast
½ c. + 2 T. warm Water

Mix together and allow sitting for 10 minutes.

Mix together very well in separate bowl:

6 eggs
1 c. oil
1 c. sugar

Warm milk in the microwave only until warm NOT scalding.
2 c. warm milk

Add egg mixture and warm milk to the yeast mixture. Mix all together until combined.

10-11 c. flour
2 T. salt

Add 1 cup of flour at a time until combined together. Continue to mix/knead for 5 minutes on med-high speed. Allow to raise 2-3 hours.

Separate dough into 6 even balls. Roll out each ball until the size of a dinner plate on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 8 pizza wedge slices. With each wedge, roll down ward wrapping bottom skinny bottom piece down and around to make pretty crescent shape. Place 3 rolls across and 8 down, 24 on each cookie sheet.

Allow to double in size while covered with clean dish towel (about 15 minutes). While raising on top of oven, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake one sheet at a time. Bake 6 minutes on bottom rack and then 5 minutes on middle shelf until light golden brown. (Before you take them out, double check the bottom to make sure they are golden brown, not too light they could be doughy). Once they are perfectly golden brown, brush tops with melted butter once removed.

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

So, I have a house...so now it means I have an extra table to decorate with holiday decorations. I told several people that I always wanted a "changing" seasonal table in our home. So I have found it's location.

I went to Roberts and picked up a few holiday goodies and came back to decorate it. I found Alayna sitting at the counter looking at the table. I said, "Alayna, what are you looking at?" she said, "My favorite new table...I like the little stars, mom!" So with that one comment I knew I had found the right things, I've always heard that kids love decorations for holidays. I think it makes it more "home-ee", if that's a word? Either way enjoy the busy weekend filled with bbq's and fireworks...oh and I can't forget my favorite...Salt Water Taffy! YUM

Always fun...

It's always fun as a new mom to go and share your little bundles of joy with great-grandparents. There is something special about that union, I think it's because great-grandparents are filled with wise wisdom and experience. They know to just cherish and adore these little babies.

I must admit that our little babies have been spoiled with such a loving family. We always make sure to bring our new babies over to visit Grandma Denny and Grandpa. These are Jared's mothers parents. I must admit that a part of me LOVES to share these little ones with Denice because she is the closet relative to Jacqui, Jared's mother. We often speak of how Jacqui is the last one to hold and hug our precious little babies up in heaven before they are sent down to us. Jared and I often wonder what his mother would have been like as a grandmother? Our first response that we come up with is she would have been the grandma that had the bumper sticker that says, "My grandkids are cuter than yours!" Jacqui LOVED her kids more than anything. So we know that she would have LOVED her grandkids even more!!

I am so thankful for Denice because she gives sound good advice, I appreciate it so much because I know it is the closest thing to what Jacqui would tell me. As a young mother I LOVE to hear how I need to not worry about dishes, clean houses, and simply sit back and snuggle and love my kids. One favorite thing she says each time she meets our new little babies is, "Oh, you are so loved...you have been born into a family who loves you so much!" I don't realize until that moment how true that is. These sweet little babies have been so blessed to be born into our family who on all sides love and are excited for them to be born. For that today I am thankful.

Here is Alayna loving the special toys Grandma Denny has for her to play with. One time Alayna said, "Why doesn't Grandma Denny have any toys at her house for me?" After Grandma Denny heard Alayna say that she keeps a special bag near by for her to do puzzles, markers, paper, paper dolls, etc. I must admit it makes for our visits so much more enjoyable.

Then there is Jake. He is too concerned what the kitty cat is doing to engage in really any activity.