Hot Air Balloon Festival...and more of life.

Daddy Daughter date. Jared has been doing awesome at spending one on one time with Alayna. She has really needed some extra attention. He took her to the Hale Theater to Sound of Music. She LOVED it! For days she was singing and dancing everything from it. My sister was over and helped us get her all cute and curly for her big date. I was explaining to Alayna how on dates you have to ask questions and hold hands. As she's getting her hair curled she said, "Ah! I know what question I'm going to ask Daddy!" We tried to get her to tell us but she wouldn't. She said, "I don't think you even know the answer to this question!" Through the entire play Jared would text me really cute things Alayna was asking, responding and how she was enjoying the show. He then said, to make sure I don't forget to tell me about her big question. He ended up telling me it was, "How did you know that Mommy was the girl you should marry?" (I'm laughing!) Come on girl, your SEVEN!!! He said it was really cute though because he was able to talk to her all about loving some one. Either way, I love watching these two spend time together! She just lights up when she gets him all to herself. Man, it's a good thing I learned how to share!!!

So here's to her new school outfit and her flip flops that she picked out when she was on her last daddy daughter date...Jared took her shoe shopping! Seriously, I thought it was such a darling idea. When I asked him later he said, "I knew she would love it and have fun!" Which she totally did. If you know Alayna, she LOVES everything about shoes. 

We hosted a fun baby shower for my cousin Kylie who had her first baby. 

The hot air balloon festival. Bright and early but so awesome as always!

 

Kiddos at 6am.

 

I am LOVING my new camera! Seriously, what an awesome picture. 

This is how the kids spent the majority of the morning. 

 

 

 

 

Pretty day!

 

After we walked around forever and saw all the balloons we wanted we finally met up with some family that was there too! This is where we sat and watched the hot air balloons play a few tossing games. 

One happy family bright and early in the morning.

After the balloons we went to the Bridal Veils park. We walked up the path and the kids played in the water and enjoyed themselves there. 

 

Just a few cute kiddos.

Festivities and more...

My mom brought home this cute little maze and Jake took it seriously. He put his hat on and left the home to find his way to the Temple. It was really cute because he came back in side the house saying to all the kids..."Come with me I need to take you somewhere really special!" They all left then returned elated exclaiming, "Mom, we went to the Temple, we found our way there!" Honestly, they are just adorable. 

Mr. Chubbo is going to be loosing his baby weight here shortly. He's beginning the adventures of crawling. 

Seriously, great form! If I could master this move I think I'd lean up right along with him!

Cute chubby leg and bum shot. 

So this is the kids summer routine. I return home from running. Then I read...alone. They snuggle and watch a cartoon. Seriously, this has been an awesome summer! (I mean all three weeks and all!) Not to mention they have been sleeping in till 8am. Hip Hip Hooray!

A little family reunion and farewell party. This is Jared's grandmother who has been really sick for several months. But honestly, she's back home and looking and doing beautifully! It was such a special treat to have her there with us. I loved being with her again.

The entire gang. We had quite the mixed party. We had cousins from both sides of the family. It was wonderful to be reunited with everyone again. It's been too long!

Jared and Grandma Denny

Too bad there was a sun spot in this picture, but these are Jared's WONDERFUL grandparents. I can't praise them enough. We just adore them. Also in the picture is Jared's cousin and wife. They currently live in Peru. It's been about three years since we saw each other last and it was so enjoyable to be with then and visit again. 

Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mary with Ben

The kids taking Grandpa for a ride!

The Barainca great grand kids (minus baby Mikey)

Oh, the cute square baby face little guy

This is classic Ben face. He is so darling. Really, how am I going to leave him for four days...ahhh, I'm starting to miss him already. 

Classic sweet Jake. Really, we are SO blessed to have him in our family. 

This is one tired kid. I'll post the other pictures here soon about the Balloon festival. We woke up at 5:30am to see the balloons. We returned home at 12:30. The kids napped. Then Caleb woke up at 4pm from his nap. Then he fell back asleep from just walking down the stairs from his nap. He then slept till about 5:30pm. I think he was tired? 

A little 4th of July action at Riverton park

Ahhh...cute couple.

Ahhh...cute daddy and daughter.

Ahhh...cute 4th of July family picture!

Rose Canyon Fire

Another Herriman fire...Unbelievable. Well, first of all I can't believe I didn't post these pictures sooner...Have I been busy? Well, it's girls camp time of year again, so yes I've been doing everything young women for the past few weeks. Which is going to be FABULOUS! I'm really excited. Sad to leave my marshmallow chubby baby, but excited nonetheless. 

 

So here are a few pictures from the most recent fire a few weeks ago. We had family up there and it was pretty intense. Seriously, when they evacuated and came to my home their stories of where the fire was, was very bleak. Well, these pictures show more the MIRACLE then anything else. Honestly, so many blessings and prayers were literally answered. As soon as I heard of the fires location and saw with my eyes the fire and smoke. I immediately called my children who were in the room in prayer. We knelt together pleading, asking the Lord if He could protect those homes of our family members then please do. Hours passed on until we were able to see photos and hear the official relief that their properties were saved. Coincidence, I think not. The Lord answers prayers. Both of our families were one lot away from each other. So their backyards were lined with the same vinyl fence, which burned down. But as you can see their homes were protected. Amazing.

 

My Aunt's house is behind this fire that's burning. They look into this property from their backyard that is burning. 

Here is a daytime shot of their home and the structure that was burning above.

Fillmore, Utah - What??

Seriously, Fillmore? Why oh why do they have to move so far away! I guess a 2 hour drive is better than an airplane ride any day! Krista and Riley and kiddos we are going to miss you until you move closer to us! I doubt we can ever live with out you!!!

Smiling to prove we made Ange join in on the moving fun. 

Home Sweet Home

Jake loving this country living thing.

The cutest spot in the house. Krista was gifted this darling piece of furniture from Riley's grandma and it is ADORABLE. You can't tell but we antiqued it and really made it look super cute. I love the color and it just blends so well together in this country/farm kitchen. She also painted the matching dining room table and chairs a light grey...oh, I'm seriously needing to paint something again! I am hooked!!! I did paint a table for our back patio green. Pictures to come.

Some fabulous storage shelves in the extra toy room. 

The girls having a great time setting up Kenna's bedroom.

Jake posing in all my outside pictures.

Fillmore you are the luckiest city in the world. Seriously, this family is hands down amazing and not to mention the happiest people I know. I LOVE you all and my heart is broken you have left us, but I guess it's time for us all to start spreading our wings a little! We miss you already!!! But it really does help to know how charming your new place is and where you will be living. Until we see you again in Fillmore!