4th of July

 We had a great 4th.  We didn't have anything planned and just kind of went with the flow.  That is hard for me to do most of the time but I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it.

 Celia and Kim with their families came over for awhile and we also had some of the kids friends from school come play for a few hours. 

 Michael surprised the kids with renting one of these for the day and man oh man...those kids had fun.  I hardly saw them all day. 

 Tatum was a little off yesterday but for him that means he just squeaks a little here and there.  He is so happy and I love that he is an angel.

 Morgan and Hayden had fun running up and down on the slip and slide for awhile..

 We all went to the rodeo later that day and when we got home we did some sparklers.  I think the kids were pretty great all day yesterday. I was really surprised that the rodeo kept their attention. 

Cole was being scary and we were being scared...I guess in this picture.

 The sparklers are so magical...I love looking at them but even more than that, I love watching the kids look at them and marvel...so fun!

 Mike was able to get some great shots of the boys coming down the slide a million miles an hour.

Priceless the little faces they make right before their bodies hit that cold water at the bottom.

Baptism

 Here are the pre- pictures of the big day. 

 Michael took these shots and I am very impressed! 

 It scares me to look at this one of Cole...he looks so big!

 Here is the set up that day.  Simple....

 This is the sweetest picture..I am so happy that Michael can baptize our son! 

 The program went well.  He only had to be dunked twice! His little foot popped up the first time.

 These two little boys melt my heart.  So sweet. 

 Uncle TJ came with his cute family.  Cole wanted him to give the talk on Baptism and I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Aunt Jaime and Kylie led the music, Aunt Denise played the piano and we had friends give the prayers.

 It was super sweet of Aunt Denise and her kids to come and support Cole with his big day! 

I am so proud of Cole and his decision to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Mike's Parents Visit

It was exciting having Mike's parents visit again this year.  Tommy was feeling well enough that he could come too.  They stayed one week with TJ and one with us. 

 Nursing moms...this was us over at TJ's house picking up his parents and hanging out for awhile.

 Morgan and Kaden are total buds...they are sooo cute to watch play together.  And I can't believe what a little man Kaden is....super cute!

 Here is London and Tatum together.  They are two months apart and we are looking forward to watching these guys grow up together.

 Here is the girl version of Harry Potter.

 Now the first part of Elaine and Tommy's stay at our house was great...and then that fateful Thursday hit.  Mike took the boys and Tommy for a drive in the mountains and Elaine and I stayed behind and chatted.  When they got home Tommy was acting really strange so Mike had to call for an ambulance!  On top of it when they got home Mike told me Carson had thrown up in the car.  So I made a sick bed for him  and I'm glad I did because he kept throwing up for the next two days.

 So we find out that Tommy had an pneumonia and had to stay there to get a blood transfusion too!  He was in bad shape.  Back at home that night Cole started throwing up also.  Now my kids usually throw up once and then they are playing again.  This sickness had them throwing up for 3- 4 days and then fevering for two....it was not good. 



 Then Morgan got it.  I really don't want to go through the day by day play but let me just say HORRIBLE.  It took me a few weeks to get over all that we went through.  Once the sickness finally did leave. 

The picture below is of Carson in the emergency room.  That was another "fun" little trip in the middle of the whole ordeal.  Needless to say he was fine..thank heavens...always look for those silver linings in any situation, right?

So Tommy was able to get out of the hospital on Sunday and they flew home the next day.  It was not the best trip for all of us but we are all glad we were able to see each other and have a good time when we were all feeling well. 

Mass Catch Up

Basement Update

 These pictures are not great (phone pictures...boo) but you can see what we did with our basement space. This is the kids workstation.  This is a place where they can play on the computer (when its hooked up), a place to do homework, a place to do crafts...I love it and hope it gets utilized.

 My new favorite place to go is Ikea...wow so much fun stuff there. These adorable little hanging cups are from there.    I love all the neat ways you can organize these days.

This is the beginning of my little work station set up.  I am copying a lady over at Iheartorganizing blog.  She has created in me a desire to really make my house pretty and way more organized.  I have all the pieces and parts for this baby to finish but its talking my hubby into helping me that's holding up the project now. 

Tatum is 4 months in three days!  He is chunking up great and is still an angel baby.  He is now sleeping through the night and I love it! Lots to write up on him later...I am in mass catch up mood.

4-H Update



We did a hike awhile back that was so nice.  I love being only minutes away from the mountains.  Here are most of the kids in our group and they are all great. 

Tatum was so good as usual.  It even started raining on us and he was a trooper still.

Those who did not have hoods got drenched!  As you can see Morgan didn't mind much.

Memorial Day

We took the kids to the cemetery and showed them grave sites of fallen soldiers.  It is really amazing how many people serve our country and sacrifice so much for us.  I am always so impressed and touched by that fact. 

We then went out for a great lunch of burger and fries at a cute place in Tooele. 

Morgan is so fun.  The things she says and does keeps me laughing.  Where do kids come up with there stuff?

The boys.  Cole is into these weird hand signs now when we take pictures. 

Summer Day Camp

This horrible picture is at our library for movie and popcorn day.  We were the first there so the kids all got to sit on bean bags up front.  They were pretty happy.

So this summer day camp idea comes from the Powerofmoms.com.  This is an amazing site full of ideas for moms that uplift and help us in our rolls.  (Again I have so much to say on that site and will have to do it later!)  The idea is this...every day of the week has themes.... Monday is make it day, Tuesday is take a trip day, Wednesday is wet day, Thursday is thinking day, and Friday is friends day.  If the kids complete there chores, school work, and other goals things they are rewarded by doing the fun thing for the day. 

We have not been consistent with it but it is in place and ready to go when I need it and we have been using it. 

Here is Tatum on one of our "Wet Wednesday" trips to the swimming pool.  He likes the water and has been great on all our excursions so far!

We have a good friend who took Morgan to a Princess day in town here awhile back.  When Morgan came back she was on cloud nine!  She is so girly and into all that stuff and it makes me so happy.  

Thoughts on my 8 year old

So Cole Michael turned 8 on June 8th.  (I need to post pictures on that!) I can’t believe my oldest is 8!  To me that is getting into big kid territory.  I always thought this day would be so far away and here it is.  I think the reason it seems like he is entering a different, bigger, phase is because now he gets baptized and he becomes a cub scout! 

I look at him and see his long legs and bigger teeth coming in and I’m amazed that he is transforming right in front of my eyes.  He is such a witty, funny, smart, spit fire of a little boy. 

We have been trying to get him baptized for a few weeks now and due to illness it didn’t happen when we had hoped.   (Again, another topic to blog about later when I have the energy to reminisce on that horrible week and a half.)  But the big day is finally tomorrow! 

I am so excited and hope it all goes well. 

Supreme Disappointment

I have stepped out a bit of watching, listening, talking, and thinking (obsessing) about our political environment and today’s ruling just reminded me why!!!!  The highest court in our nation with a “conservative” judge at the helm voted in favor of ObamaCare!  I am speechless…I know we are suppose to be filled with hope and optimism but watching this country be destroyed by both parties is just heart breaking. 

I don’t want this ruling to make me become apathetic. …it’s hard not to feel like we can’t do anything so I minds well check out.  I guess it just comes down, as usual, to worrying about what I can control and I can’t control this train wreck we call our “leaders” right now.  And I can’t let this huge blow to our FREEDOMS get me all stressed out! 

I need to still go out and vote. I need to still have hope in our future.  I need to still teach my kids this form of government in its original intent is the most beautiful and wonderful on this earth!  I need to still and ALWAYS have faith in God and know that he is in control even if it feels like there are bullies at the wheel. 

Most of us don’t sit on the benches and make decisions for our nation, or have positions that sway those with power to do what we want, but we do have FREEDOM of CHIOCE..we can choose to stay at home in November or we can choose to vote.  What do we choose to do with our personal freedoms we so enjoy right now?  Squander that small step and stay home in November, or have a clear consciences and go vote. 

Life....

Sometimes I like life and sometimes I don't.  Over the past few months it has been really great and really bad all mixed into one.  Isn't it crazy how one day or week you can have everything together...the cooking, the teaching the kids, the shopping, the cleaning, the staying on top of the house, feeling good about yourself and then the next you don't have anything together and you are left wondering why you are even trying because there is too much!!

I have to say that I am sure my good days have out numbered my bad days but man, those bad days have been bad!  Thank goodness things always change! Thank goodness for friends, family and the good things in life to pull you out. 

Its fascinating to me when I am sucked into a bad mood, that if I really put effort into looking at what I have to be thankful for instead of rehashing in my mind whats bothering me, my attitude can rise a little bit.  There really is magic in finding gratitude for the small things in life. 

With all that said, I wish (childishly) I could avoid pain, trouble, drama, conflict,hurt and all that negative stuff that comes with this life and just be constantly and consistently happy... not gonna happen in this life but its still fun to think about.