September 11th

My mother has attended the healing field in Sandy the past couple of years and I finally had the opportunity to take my kids. It was really neat because before we headed over we had a little Family Home Evening about our country, honoring the flag, the laws and what the word honor means.

Cute little Jake took the lesson to heart when he kept his hand on his heart the entire time we were there. Here is the new sculpture that was released this year. I also, have to mention that my kids knew we were going to attend the flags this morning and they all came down dressed in their flag t-shirts. I have to admit I was totally impressed by their patriotism. This really was so overwhelming and very impressive to attend. It really has given us all something to stop and think about, especially our feelings and memories on how we felt 10 years ago. Not to mention to immense gratitude we have in our hearts for those who continue to fight and defend our country. Here is a THANK YOU to all of you who we personally know that are defending our country.

Jacob

Caleb

Alayna

Our favorite visitors...

Here is to some of our favorite visitors...the new baby Mikey and of coarse his parents! :)

I can't believe I actually caught his adorable SMILE on camera! I think it's because I am truly his favorite Aunt!

Here's to all the boy cousins...yes, Caleb is totally jealous that Mikey has a blanket that can be carried around all day long. Ever since this little baby has been around for the past week, Caleb has started his complete sucking his thumb addiction once again! AHHH

Alayna saying goodbye to her new cousin before she left to school.

Pretty much the MOST adorable little baby face ever.

Here is to the cute new family! Seriously, so darling. We really couldn't be more happier for the two of you, you have all prayed much for this little guy to be born into your family and I can't imagine a cuter baby to have arrived! We love you all! And really, we miss you already so much. Not to mention we didn't even play our favorite game ever!!! Maybe next time you will be getting enough sleep and I won't be pregnant and tired! Until next time...

Jacob's Preschool Adventures

It's that time of year once again! I'm loosing yet another child to school. Thankfully for me I'm only sending Jake to preschool three times a week for a few hours. As you can tell from the SMILE on his face he is SUPER excited about this FINALLY coming!

Here are the four boy cousins all attending the same preschool. (Sawyer, Logan, Isaac and Jake). The funny thing about this picture was that we kept telling the boys to look at us and SMILE but they seriously could not keep their EYES off of Miss Angie. Jake's face seems like he's a little unsure, but honestly I think they just think she's so happy and adorable they didn't want anything to do with all the mom's taking pictures. All four boys ran off with out any problems at all.

Caleb INSISTED on having a picture with Jake. The funny thing was that when we arrived to drop Jake off at Miss Angie's house, he said, "Mom I go inside!" Miss Angie was so darling and said, "Buddy you want to come with us?" Then Caleb the little guy not afraid of anything ran straight over to her with out any hesitation. She picked him up and then felt awful because he was totally okay with leaving me and going off to have fun! I am happy to report that Jake LOVED his first day, "It's so FUN mom!!! We learned about letter "M" number 4, and the rectangle!" I think the hours in the morning tomorrow will not pass fast enough for preschool to come again!

Early for church...

So cute little Jake had a literal run in with the corner of my bed...We have a big chunky black bed with four posts on each end. Which the footboard portion of our bed is apparently right at Jake's eye level. This poor kid was being chased by Caleb (This is their daily routine...Jake running away from Caleb chasing him!) Apparently, he was running too fast and not paying attention to where he was running, because SMACK he hit our bed corner and it sliced his eye open. Jared was on his way out to bishopric meetings, when I said, "Oh, it looks like we have yet another sliced Suker!" Caleb has popped/sliced his chin open two times already this summer requiring extra medical attention. I think Jake was simply trying to uphold the status of BOY in our family as well. So within a few minutes we had this little dude, laying on the couch, flushing it clean with water, patting dry, compressing with ice, and then daddy applying our third steri-stip bandage in one summer. So it had to be documented that yet, again we are becoming pros to a few open wounds around here!

I couldn't help resist taking a picture of my handsome kid. Seriously, ever since the missionaries live across the street from us he's wanted to look just like them. For his 4 year old birthday he asked for a white shirt, a tie, and a belt. What mother isn't totally excited to support church attire! Recently Ashley and Brian in Texas returned some small scriptures that were once Jareds as a kid. Jake couldn't have been MORE pleased with his gift we brought him from Texas. He LOVES these. He knows where they are at all times and pretends to read them often. He has it by him each morning as we reading scriptures as a family. He was so pleased to finally have scriptures to take with him to church! Each week I honestly can't get enough of him! Too handsome!

Alayna wanted in on the fun photo shoot before church. Pretty little girl! If only this pretty smile carried over to sacrament meeting! Oh, this poor girl had a rough time this week. She was hilarious though, because when we arrived home she was sitting on the couch folding her arms and said, "I know I have to practice being reverent, so please start my timer!" I gave her a little extra time to practice being reverent, then she had to think of an activity for next week that she will do to keep her entertained. I was really pleased with her idea, she said "I will write down the Articles of Faith because I love them!" This will not only keep her attention but it will inevitably improve her writing skills as well! I'm just crossing my fingers it will work!

Just my adorable little dude!

Alayna posing on a bike...this has been our kids summer! Living on their bikes. Seriously, it has been awesome to have both of them say, "Hey let's go ride bikes together!" It really has made their summer activities seem much more fun because we take these bikes where ever we go, the park, cousins, Grandma & Grandpa's house, you name it these bikes tag along! Thank heavens for mini vans and big trunks!

Texas Part 3

Since Ashley is so great to send me a few more pictures to show our kiddos, I figure I should blog about them as well. Considering this blog happens to document pretty much every event our families does...Here is a cute little photo of the proud Aunt and Uncle of the FIRST Cousin on Jared's side of the fam.

Oh, this is yet another picture of us eating at Salt Grass, a steak restaurant. We were all still so full from the previous lunch (remember all the MEAT BBQ), well we decided to save about $40 and share a meal. Let's just say this pregnant belly of mine couldn't fit one more ounce of food in me. I took a few bites of the steak and that was great. It really was awesome! Once again, well done Brian and Ashley on picking a great place to eat!! As you expected Jared was in complete heaven with MORE food!!

I know I mentioned this before, that we ate a ton while we were in Texas...so as if we hadn't had enough food already on Sunday Brian was so awesome to smoke some bbq ribs for us. They were totally delish as always! Thanks for doing it!

Now, here is dedication...the temperature outside was 110 degrees and the boys were barbecuing in this heat! Unreal...These ribs required some tender loving care, but man oh man they were so good!

Since we had literally eaten so much, rested, ate more, rested, ate more we decided it was time to get out of the house and go for a walk. The temperature at 8pm was around 90 degrees, a pleasant temperature to enjoy a leisurely stroll. Plus it was fun to get out and site see around their darling neighborhood community! Let's just say that if we find some cheap flights for the whole family we will return. Their swimming pool was amazing and my kids would love it! We really had such a great time in Texas and we are so thankful we were able to be there for this wonderful baby blessing and spending time with some of our favorite people. We love you guys!

Texas Part 2

Since the first part of my trip to Texas was all about Baby Mikey I figured I should post a little bit about the second part. Sadly, I left my camera in Texas where ALL my pictures are living for the next little while, but Ashley was kind enough email me a few pictures I could show our kids.

So here is to some GREAT Texas BBQ. Some may wonder if there is even such a thing as Texas BBQ but honestly, this was Awesome! Thanks to Brian and Ashley doing some research for Jared on what great places to eat at in Dallas, Texas. Jared had one request while visiting Texas...He wanted to eat, eat and eat some BBQ and Steak. That's it. So what did we do...we ate until we were all sick. Honestly, it was painful. But at the end of the day it was still delicious. This restaurant was called Hard 8 BBQ, you entered and literally just saw a giant metal pit of BBQ meat. You tell this BIG sweaty guy what kind of meat you want and how much, they plop it on a plastic tray lined with wax paper, weigh it then charge you. It's unreal. Then you walk through line and pick up all your sides. We had pretty much one of everything, and lets just say I will totally try and recreate their Jalapeno Creamed Corn. Random side dish but totally delish! YUM. From start to finish this was an A+ meal.

This here is a picture of the gate that enters the entrance to a highly secured neighborhood where Glenn Beck just moved in Westlake, Texas. We went here for my mom, my sister and a few other fellow Glenn Beck fans. We obviously couldn't enter, but I thought I'd snap a picture of two in honor of those who just adore him!

As soon as I get a few more pictures I will upload them and blog about them. But until then you will just have to wait!!! Despite the HEAT we really had such a wonderful trip. I can't wait for Brian and Ashley to return to Utah and visit us!

Baby Mikey

For those of you who don't know, I am privileged enough to come all the way down to Dallas Texas and visit this little guy! I can't say that the temperature down here is my personal favorite, but with a new little dude around there really is no reason to venture outside. It was 111 degrees yesterday and I believe about 110 today. So needless to say indoor weather is much more pleasant.

This little guy looks so much like his daddy (Uncle Brian).

I don't know about you, but he is a cutie! I wanted to update the pictures because, his little face has changed so much from the previous birth blog posts I made, plus the grandparents back home are really wanting to see some more pictures of him!

Another Bike Rider

Here is our Jake showing off his two wheeler bike without training wheels!

Yup, he is a mad machine riding around on his little bike. It's amazing how these kids just figure it out. I love this picture because Caleb is standing safely on the grass pointing and saying "Jake go this way!"

I "tried" to help him over and over again with lots of practice. Then I encouraged Jared to go out with him one evening and just a few minutes later Alayna was inside telling me he had actually figured it out!

The next morning we headed to the waterpark and he went around and around the track. He was awesome!! I feel like it was as successful as potty training! This skill he's mastered and will know for the rest of his life. Way to go Jake! Now, let's all pray for his safety considering he really has no fear and let's face it, he's a BOY!!!

Two "WiLd" Boys

Well, we have finished one day with out Alayna around and let's just say it was all rough play around here. There were fights, bites, and hitting all day. Seriously, tomorrow Jake is for sure taking a nap. These two boys played HARD all day long. I must admit these two really are fun to have around. It's going to be strange when Jake starts preschool in a few weeks because it really will be a quiet house for a few hours! Since I will still be prego I think I just might have to nap for a few hours each day to get enough rest before I welcome yet another baby into this crazy home! Isn't it funny how Caleb is still sucking his thumb. He's about to drive me crazy. No joke, I have removed every sock from his drawers and Jake's drawers. And some how, he STILL finds random socks around. I swear my sisters are planting them around the house. Today at the bus stop he pulled one out of his shirt, as if he stored it there for later. Which is exactly what he did. He is one funny little man. Well, the journey continues in raising and loving these kids. Grateful they are around but it's time to elevate my legs!

First Grade Here We Come!

Well, it's official. Jared and I have our very first 1st Grader. Unreal. I can't believe honestly that we've been married long enough to have a child grow up and now leave us for 8 hours each day. Besides the fact that she is going to have the BEST time of her life, we are going to miss her here at home. Last night Alayna was BOUNCING off the walls with excitement that she was able to go back to school. She was thrilled to be a BIG kid and go to school ALL DAY LONG just like her cousins. It would be much harder for me if she was feeling uncomfortable about being gone all day, but she seems to love this idea. It's Jake now, that is super sad she's gone clear till almost dinner time.

Look how much she has grown over the past two years...She really is such a darling girl!
Preschool Pictures
Kindergarten Pictures

She was DONE taking pictures. She wanted to just go to the bus!

I'm going to keep taking pictures of her with her GIANT back pack and see how many years it takes for her to grown into it. She was super excited that this year she actually got to pack a lunch! It will be fun to see how much she eats. Alayna is known for being the absolute slowest eater in the world! So her sandwich, two carrots, 5 grapes just might do her in! I told her to bring it back home so I could see how much she could actually eat. Oh, I can hardly wait to have her return home and tell me ALL about her day. (Oh, yes we forgot to get her school shoes. So we are breaking the rules on the first day of school and sending her in flip flops! Opps...Target here we come!)

Here is her darling friend Eliza that lives around the corner from us. They were both so excited to have each other on the bus. Sadly, this year all the kids were put on different tracks, so they won't be in the same class, but they will have each other at recess and the bus. Let's all pray for her that she keeps up this excitement and we won't have too many hard mornings getting her out the door on time. Here's to first grade!

Girls Camp 2011

Girls Camp 2011...Rose Summit Ward...is finally over! With over 6 months of planning it's unreal to think about, what on earth am I going to spend my time doing?? Seriously, what a GREAT week. We had a small crowd in number this year, but not small in Spirit. Our girls were a complete delight to be around, to teach and inspire. I had the best time and so spiritually rewarding. I have many tender feelings towards this week and how many blessings I personally received. With a few pregnancy woes as of late, I was concerned how I would handle being up at camp. But as always, the Lord blesses us so abundantly. Honestly, it seems almost impossible to say, but for 4 days straight, I didn't have one issue relating to pregnancy. For some that may not seem like a big deal, but let me tell you, for me, who has a few difficult/annoying issues, this is a blessing that brings tears to my eyes. I gave much gratitude for the prayers Jared was saying for me back home and for the pleadings of my heart the entire time I was there. With these issues put aside, I was able to give, love and serve these amazing girls and leaders for four days. It truly was an absolute delight and an experience I am looking forward to again for next year! Thank you to ALL who helped this week come about! That goes for all my family who watched my kids, my neighbors who helped with so many little things for camp, friends who gave me great insight into amazing camp ideas.
The testimony night is always "the night" that as leaders you look forward too. It's a quiet personal time that the girls are able to share their feelings and insights into the gospel. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for the thoughts of these girls. Sharing our testimonies can be difficult and uncomfortable. But these amazing girls gave my heart a reason to grow with love and compassion. This night it was reiterated to me once again how the Lord truly guided me with inspiration on our theme. All 7 of these girls come from different backgrounds and family situations. Our theme this year was, "Once Upon A Time" from Elder Uchtdorf's Talk a few years back, titled "Happily Ever After." Each day we focused on writing our own life stories, and filling our pages with the good adventures the Lord wants us to do. The first day was focusing on our premortal life, then current life, then our future life. Each day was filled with spiritual activities that gave great insight into how they can deeper apply the Lords counsel and guidance in their personal choices and lives. Many wonderful devotionals were given bearing testimony to the truths of the gospel and how the Lord truly loves us all. I couldn't be more pleased with the direction and guidance I received as I submitted myself to the Lords quiet promptings. Everything truly was so wonderful. We had many laughs, tears and great memories. I hope that this week was as rewarding to these young girls as it was to me. Until next year, I'm just totally happy being back home with my three wild monkeys, my oh so comfy bed and a bathroom in my room! :)
I am glad to be back in my own bed sleeping and having a bathroom with in walking distance at night time!

Boys Boys Boys

Seriously, does it get any cuter than this? All of these boys were totally facinated with our neighbors tractor. Just again this morning I found Jake out watching the tractor move all the dirt. The funny thing is, that there are still two boy cousins missing from this picture. We LOVE boys around here! Yeah, my kid is the one with out pants on!
(Jake, Logan, Isaac, Sawyer, Everett and Caleb)