What happened to the lazy days of summer?

I feel like this summer has flown by!! We have been so busy and so much has happened! And now I can't figure out why my pictures won't download! I'm so bad on the computer!

We spent 3 weeks in Utah... Mase did the BYU football camp and all the kids took swim lessons from their awesome Aunt Heidi and her family. We stayed in Provo with Troy and Lisa and their adorable kids. We got to watch Tae dance... ShE iS aMaZiNg!! And we got to see Zak play baseball. It was really fun!! I always enjoy spending time with Troy's family. The kids get along so great and I love Lisa and Troy!!

After that week, Scott had to come back home to work but the kids and I went up to my mom and dad's. We spent Father's Day with them and spent lots of time with my parents and Scott's parents. It was really relaxing and lots of fun. My parents took Brae and her two cousins Savanna and Emily to the Manti pageant. I tagged along since I was husbandless! It was the first time I had ever been and I loved it! It was so amazing and me so very grateful for the early Saints!

The next week we got to attend the wedding reception of our niece Kira and her husband Nick. It was really nice. Kaylen was a flower girl and got to wear a pink and green tutu. She loved it!! Scott flew back into town the next day and we took the kiddos to Lagoon twice in the next 3 days. It was such a blast! Braedy and Masen love all the rides! Kaylen still isn't too sure about them but she still had a ton of fun. Jay doesn't care for rides so he stayed home with his fav cousin Thomas. They live in Canada so we don't get to see them very often.

It was such a fun trip and the kiddos had a great time with their grandparents and cousins but I'll tell you what- I was so ready to come home! I am a tiny bit of a control freak and I hate living out of a suitcase!! So it felt really good to get home but then we decided to move!! So we went from living out of suitcases to living out of boxes!! I finally got most everything put away yesterday. It feels like home!! We love it! We went from 1400 square feet to almost 2700!! It is so much better and the kids all have their own rooms which is so nice! The kids have been having a blast and I am enjoying the space.

Now, Scott has planned a trip to Hawaii for just the two of us! Can I tell you that this will be first trip for just Scott and I since we've had kids? I'm a little nervous and a lot excited! I've never been away from my kids for more than a night or two but it will be good for them and me! When we get back from that, it will about be time for the kids to go back to school! It's crazy that my last post was about school ending and now they are going back! I'm not quite ready for it and neither are they but I guess that's how it goes, right?

It's been a fun, crazy summer! It's gone by way too fast! And I really hope that time slows down soon because life is passing me by and I don't like it much! Here's to the rest of the summer!!

Schools out for Summer!!!

Well, technically not until tomorrow but I thought I better post before life gets cRazY!! Brae graduates from 5th grade tomorrow! When did graduating from elementary school become such a big to-do? It wasn't a big deal when I moved from 6th grade to junior high but both Jay and Brae have had big programs! It's a lot of fun but seriously, it's elementary!!!

The kids are stoked (is that word even cool anymore?) about summer! I'm sure they have visions of zoning out and playing on electronic devices all day long everyday, not even using their brains. At all. I sure hope they aren't completely devastated when I inform them of my visions. Chores, math facts, reading, writing, OUTDOOR activities.

Here's a question... When did being a kid change so drastically? I remember leaving my house each morning of my summer vacation and only coming home to feed my face. Now, I watch my kids spend their summers on the couch in front of the TV or computer screen. I feel like my kids are missing out on life! That's why this summer is going to be different! Even if I have to force them to enjoy sunshine and nature!!

I'm ready for the lazy days of summer... sleeping in, nowhere to go, vacations, popsicles, swimming, sunshine, camping. But the best part is just a change in the scenery of Life!

(And come August, I'll be ready for the scenery to change back!)

Introducing..... Elizabeth Arden!

OK, it's really Braedy dressed up as Elizabeth Arden! Brae had a 5th grade biography showcase today. She got assigned Elizabeth Arden which she was super excited about.... she's all about make-up!! She has been working on it for the past 6 weeks or so. She did all the work by herself. She had to research, write a report, decorate the board, write a speech, make a prop, and dress like Elizabeth. Then she spent the whole day today (except for a short lunch break) presenting it to all the parents and other classes. She did a great job and I'm kind of proud! I think Braedy is just glad it's over! Maybe. She did get to wear make-up (mascara and lip stick) so she might have been OK if it lasted the rest of forever.

Family Dinner

by: Jayden Stoddard

It's Sunday; It's time for
Family Dinner again.
We start to pour
The punch and laughter begins.

The little cousins run around
To stall time until dinner is done.
How funny it is to watch the young jump around.
Night is coming and the moon replaces the sun.

The smell of roasted chicken fills my nose
And everyone gathers and sits down.
We pray and bless the food
And dig in until no one can take another bite.

The young get sleepy;
The family starts to leave
Until the house is empty.
Oh, how I love family dinner!



(I have to admit, I cried a little bit!)

What life is all about....

It's moments like this that make everything I do worth while!

Self Portraits

Playing catch up!!

We took a trip last month to Moab over Spring Break. We went to Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point. It was so fun! We hiked all day and swam in the evening. The kids had a blast and we were all exhausted by the end of it! Here are a million pics... I couldn't narrow it down any more.


A big, beautiful arch!


Jayden, Kaylen, and Braedy


There are so many cool things to see!!


Another amazing arch!


This is a little embarrassing but I thought this was a miniature rock formation....until I saw another one and another one and then Jayden told me that they are markers to keep people on the trail!! It's a good thing I have a boy in scouts to help me!!


WOW!!


Mase pretending to be a lizard in a little cave.


Jay standing at the bottom of a rock wall we had to climb down. It was a little scary but we made it without any injuries!!


Braedy holding a big rock.


Another awesome for at Arches!!


Mase lost a tooth!! And thanks to my sister-in-law, Lisa, my kids all think that the tooth fairy brings $5 if you lose a tooth on vacation!! The tooth fairy came through!! Thanks, Lis!!


Watch out for cows!! We had to slow down and wait for these guys to get out of the road!!!


Hiking, hiking, and more hiking!!


Stunning view at Dead Horse Point


Brae, Mase, and Jay


Kay Rae and 'Nangla' the owl in the back pack. She thought it was the coolest thing!! 'Nangla' is the souvenir Kaylen picked out. She named her all by herself!


Mase and Brae


The kids thought this crow was so cool and had to have a picture of it!!


The kiddos and me. We didn't want it to end!!