Fun in the Sun....

So to get back to our summer update (which I hope to finish before fall...)here we are swimming with Grandma and Grandpa. My kids were in heaven and it was so much fun having them visit. There really is nothing like having a pool in your backyard--I know that it surprises my own family to hear that coming from me--of all my siblings, I am the one that probably hates water the most...but I have to say that moving here has converted me! I love it--especially when it hits 115 degrees here and the kids are bored--which has happened this past week--yuck! Anyways--we enjoyed swimming everyday that my parents were here and even Tessa can join in the fun now--she has been doing infant swimming lessons and loves to float on her back now--she just floats and spits--it's pretty amazing to watch--and a little depressing for me since she now swims better than I do. Oh well--maybe I'll take lessons next year :)

An FYI on FHE...

Hey all--just thought I would share the wealth! I have found the cutest blog for quick family home evening ideas that are really good for any age--and easy to adjust to the younger kids! I use this blog nearly every week and my kids have been LOVING it (which doesn't happen very often)--anyways it is www.fheinasnap.blogspot.com. You should check it out!!

My baby's growing up...

These pictures make me sad...I'm not ready to have a toddler yet! She is getting so big and has done so awesome in her swimming lessons. I got in the pool with her today and it was so hard to just let her go and watch her work to get her floating right. I know it's the hormones--but I thought about how like life that is--we hold our kids close and want to protect them from anything that could hurt them or be hard--but to survive, they have to be able to work it out on their own....well, in spite of all this heavy thinking...I think I'll still hold her too close for a little while longer....

A visit from Grandpa and Grandma....

My kids were so excited when they found out that Grandma and Grandpa "Idaho" were coming to visit--and that they would come and swim--which is the big and exciting thing to do at our house when it is 115 degrees outside! We had such a great visit--it's so fun to watch my kids with my parents!

We played and went swimming and I'm sure they would all agree that the main highlights of the visit were the Father's Day Steak Dinner--steaks grilled by Kelly, of course--and our dinner at Oregano's. It was so fun to have them come for a visit--and they were really brave because they even agreed to ride back to Utah with me and my kids in our van--my kids in a small, enclosed area for any length of time--not good...but my parents have earned their place in heaven--and after only two minor setbacks--a dead battery in Flagstaff and the DVD players not working for the kids, we made it to Amy's all in one piece.

Time away...

So last year my friend Natalie's husband inadvertently started a tradition...he gave her the best birthday gift ever. He sent all of us to a nice resort for a weekend...so this year, we decided to treat ourselves. We went to an amazing resort in Scottsdale--

We lounged at the pool, ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, lounged at the pool, played games, lounged at the pool, ate lots of food--and talked and talked and talked. I went with my friends Valerie, Cami, Natalie, and Samantha. It was great and Kelly was such a great sport about taking the kids for the weekend--we came home Saturday afternoon. I felt so spoiled and was ready to jump back into things when I got back. I just feel really blessed to have such great friends--they are always there for me and we have so much fun together. I think the thing I love most about them is that I come away from our times together feeling good about stuff--good about life, myself, my kids--they are just positive, good people--real and accepting--and it's refreshing to find those qualities in a friend. Thanks ladies--looking forward to more memories to come!

Apples and good intentions...

Here are the boys "helping" pick apples for our applesauce...good times~

So we started off our summer picking apples at the Clarks--and decided to spend an entire day canning applesauce...I ask you, what makes 3 grown women combine 7 children, hot weather, and major applesauce canning all into one big day? It was an experience...and I bet we do it again next year :)

Those crazy summer days...

WOW--it's been a long time...and there is much to write about! We just got back from a super fun trip to visit both sides of the family and let's just say adjustment back to the real world has been tough....but the trip was worth it!

I just have to say that I love this picture!! This was taken on the day we got the kids back from Knapp Kousins Kamp. Christopher stayed pretty close to Kelly and kept grinning at him--I'm pretty sure he missed his daddy...and I just couldn't get enough of it. As much as kids can be a challenge, it's the moments like this that make it all worth it....anyways....I'll post more pics and details--I just had to get this in there!