Summer Lovin'

Does my lack of posting tell the story of all the fun we had this summer?  Because it was a GREAT ONE!!!  We were so lucky to be able to enjoy all that the summer had to offer.

The kids and I took a trip to Holiday World with Ashley and her kiddos.  We had so much fun!!  Lily wanted her picture taken with the Holidog so badly.  I even had to show her each picture to make sure it was ok with her.  Too sweet!

Had to stop for an ice cream break, because it. was. HOT! 

What sweet lil' boys 

4th of July

Ryan and the kids blasted off the 4th up at his parents!  The kids loved the fireworks and Gavin especially loved those little pop things.  I so wish I had a video of that to post. 

Lexi was in love with the sparklers, of course!

We also got to celebrate Ryan's 30th birthday!!!  I can't believe we are at that point in our lives.  I still feel like I am 18.  CRAZY!

And then of course, you remember the heat wave in July?  You know, the one where even with the a/c on 68, it was still 85 in our homes??  Yeah, it was that kind of summer.  I hope I never forget that and every summer appreciate that 70-80 degree weather.

Gavin and I figured out it was better to just sit outside with the breeze (and the fan!). 

Then over Labor Day the kids and I and my family packed up the cars and headed to Myrtle Beach!  Can I just say that was so much fun!?!  It was so nice to be with my sisters, parents, and Granny.  We had so much fun trying to absorb all there is to do in Myrtle Beach. 

We were able to go to the Ripley's Aquarium which was a cute little place.  After which, we went to eat at Johnny Rocket's.  I think the boys had more fun here with their hats.  And aren't they darling??  :)

At the aquarium

Some beach fun!

Lexi's number one to do was to be buried in the sand!  So of course, Gavin helped!

He and Sam and Jason loved digging!  I think they could have sat in the sand all day long just digging...and throwing sand and shells back into the ocean. 

Lexi was getting so adventurous.  At one point, we were headed out pretty far.  She and Ash were jumping waves and then all of a sudden...

she was screaming bloody murder.  Totally think she was stung by a little jellyfish!  How cool is that!  She didn't find it too cool then, but what a story to go back and tell!!

Then last week we celebrated her 9th birthday!  I can't believe this sweet girl is 9 years old already.  It really never does slow down, does it?

Isn't she so beautiful??  Love you Lexi!

So much fun this summer.  But now, we are ready for fall!!!!!  Our favorite time of year as a family. In fact, we are starting today!  Off to get fall decor to start the season right!  Happy fall everyone!

Why yes, that is my daughter in the freaky commercial on Channel 4...

With Ryan working for a television channel we have been able to participate in some pretty fun events!  In the past Lexi was honored to be placed on a news graphic.  Her picture was placed in a driver's license on a story about identity theft.  What proud momma I was!  ;)  This past month she was lucky enough to be in an actual commercial!  She is the daughter being scared in a commerical advertising the come back of Sammy Terry to Channel 4.  To all who know Lexi, drama comes so naturally.  So this was the opportunity of a lifetime!  Hope you all enjoy as much as she did!  We are super proud of her for taking this chance to have fun!

Take a visit to THIS LINK to view the video (because my husband think vimeo is better than youtube and so now I can't upload it here). 

Cutie Pie

Isn't she gorgeous?!? I love this sweet girl. I can't believe how grown up she is getting!! Can we rewind time about 5 years? :)




Love you Lexi
-From the iPhone stylings of Emily

Yay for parenting!!

Last night Ryan and I were sitting in our family room talking about life and I do what I always do when he is talking to me and listen while looking all around the room fixing in my head all the things that need fixed.  Then at one point as he is talking about me going back to school I blurt out "We should name him no name!"  And Ryan is like "Who" and I am all "The little molly we never named.  We should name him no name.  That would really make Lexi mad."  Because Lexi would name him princess buttercup or rainbows or something like that.  So, we named him no name to spite the 8 year old.  Yay for parenting!!

Welcome to our home, no name.

Scrapbook Update

Just finished another scrapbook page at Emmy Scrap.  Let me know what you think! 

Thanks!

I just cried myself into hiccups from laughing so hard!!!!!

Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party


10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There is always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in the corner.

8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you set down, someone is going to start banging on the door.

6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.

5. You've got someone in your face at 3 am looking for a drink.

4. There's definitely going to be a fight.

3. You're not sure anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.

2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.

1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in your bed got there.

Salt Lake City, Baby!

Ryan and I were able to take a trip to Salt Lake City with Ryan's parents this past month. Did you get that? 'Ryan and I'. No kids. Just two kinda grown up people. Having way too much fun!

Picture yourself starting on top of the 3.5 mile high mountain (because I played with these pictures for 30 minutes and couldn't get them in the order I wanted).  That was an easy hike, right? Well, not for us.  Took about two hours and 10 minutes to get up.  But once we got up...Wow!  Look at that view.  I was speechless.  These are some of the ski slopes in Park City, but off in the distance you can see..SNOW!  It is the end of June and there is snow on the mountains!  This is my kind of place!!

On the way down our mountain Ryan caught this amazing shot.  The way the trees curve out away from the mountain...pretty awesome! 

This is the view of Park City from about half way up the mountain. 

Next in our kid-free adventure...we were able to visit Antelope Island for another fun-filled day of climbing mountains and following Ryan to way off the path places.  However, we found some of the most amazing views I have ever seen.

I still can't get over the skies in Utah!  I don't think I have seen a sky like this anywhere else!  So different than good ole' Indiana!  (Although, my distaste for Indiana becomes greater with each new place I visit).

This buffalo...where do I begin?  Should I start with, 'Ryan, let me take a pic from this window' or 'Ryan, I don't think you should get any closer' or 'Ryan!  Get back in the car...he's gonna charge!'?  Take your pick.  Whatever your choice, I was right.  I guess he did get this pretty fun picture.  But, just for the record, I was still right.  ;)

Donna and I on the off beaten path.  Pretty neat view!

This was Ryan's first trip to Salt Lake City and I think he was impressed.  We stayed about 4 blocks from temple square in this adorable Bed and Breakfast that my in-laws visit frequently. I just realized that I have no pics of this place and it really was cute!  Like staying in your very own antique museum.  Ok, back to the point...we stayed so close to temple square that we were able to walk down there...a few times.  We visited a lot of the sites including:  the Convention Center, the Tabernacle, the Family History Library (WOW), the Church History Museum, and of course the temple grounds.  And might I say, we were not let down.  There is so much history there one cannot fully absorb all there is to see.  Ryan and I both agree that while it is all amazing, the most moving to us was the temple.  Even if it served as no religious importance to us, there is something moving about seeing the detail and intricate work that went into this and knowing that every stone was hand carved.  Each stone was brought down from the mountains on carts.  There were no cranes, no mechanical equipment of any kind that did the work for them.  What an amazing thought! 

We were able to have dinner one evening at The Roof in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building overlooking the temple.  Such a fun place and what a fantasic view! 

I could have sat there for hours looking out the window.  What beauty!  This was actually taken from our table, so the view truly was spectaular.

Thank you so much Donna and David, for having us on this amazing trip!  We had such a fabulous time and can't wait to do it again!

(Isn't he SO handsome??)

Adventures in Wonderland

Once again, Lexi was able to perform as Alice at the Wicket World of Croquet.  With her Grandmother Donna at her side as the Queen of Hearts they journeyed through their own magical game.  Along with the croquet tournament, there was a tea party with the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat.

 Luckily, no one lost their heads this time.

 And despite their differences, the Queen of Hearts and Alice turned out to be best buddies.  :)

 I am so in love with this beautiful girl!!  She has so much love for life and is always looking for ways to discover new and exciting things.  I am so happy that she has such a kind disposition!  She illuminates it in every smile, hug, breath...  I am so excited to see her discovering who she is.  Someday, the puzzle pieces will come together and display a gorgeous picture of what she has become.  But until then, as Alice says:

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!"

Even when the puzzle is unclear and hard to see, know Lexi, that you are a daughter of God and that through faith, prayers, and a little discovery you will feel the power of what you are capable of.

I love you, Lexi!!

Happy 2nd Gavin!!

I'm only a couple of weeks late but my sweet Gavy turned 2 on  June10th!  We had such a fun time.  Gavin totally loved all the Thomas decorations. 

This AWESOME cake was made by my AWESOME sister, Ashley.  She did such a great job!

 The cake had blue icing, the wheels were oreos, the cars had twizzlers and crushed oreos and sprinkles for cargo...cotton candy smoke and vanilla wafer tracks.  What a cake!!

 Still a little leary of the cake but at least he isn't screaming.  Last year we couldn't even put the cake in front of him.  What progress!!

 But yes, he will eat it.

 Isn't he so handsome??

 Sam and Gavin had such a fun time playing.  Right before the party, we caught them in the back yard with the hose...making mud puddles to run through.  What boys!!!

I love you my sweet, Gavy!!  We are so happy to have you in our family.  You bring such charisma and life into our home.  Thanks for being you!!

EmmyScrap Happenings

Here is my newest Mother's Day Page.  This is totally motivating me to want to learn photoshop.  I am no where near where I want to be!  Enjoy!

New Blog Endeavor

In an effort to try and be more creative, I am going to begin blogging my scrapbook pages.  I am just starting in digital scrapbooking and am completely overwhelmed so I need a way to 'keep track' of what I am getting done and see how much I am learning.  Please come by EmmyScrap and take a look!!  I am always open to constructive criticism!  :)

The Joys of Motherhood

I dreamed of being a mom for as long as I can remember.  The idea that I could be the one in charge was probably too much to pass up for a control freak like me!  :)  However, since being a mother I have realized a few things.  1)  Motherhood and being in charge is a LOT harder than I ever dreamed it would be.  2)  Yes, my mother did know more than I thought she did.  And on most occasions she was right.  3)  I never realized that one tiny little being could completely envelop me the way my children have.  I never understood when my mother said I love you differently.  (speaking of my sisters and I)  I know that now. 

I love my sweet Lexi more than words can express.  I love her caring heart and her determination.  I love her desire to learn about the world around her.  She is very curious and is constantly asking questions.  Because of this she has a knowledge of things that many children her age probably don't.  Many recent issues within our country have intrigued her.  They leave her asking questions such as, "what will happen to him now that he has died"  and "where will the people go if there is a meltdown".  At the age of 2 she was so concerned about the hurricane in the gulf.  She was constantly asking about the people there and their safety.  This makes me proud to be a mother. 

I love my little Gavy in a totally different way.  He is the spunkiest, most destructive little animal I have ever seen!!  He has a way with both Ryan and I.  How can it be that this little guy can go from pulling EVERY toy out of the boxes that I just put up, to climbing on top of the couch and jumping off, to climbing up on my lap and giving me kisses?  His sweet smile melts my heart in a way I have never felt.  There is no challenge that Gavin can not handle. He WILL figure it out...or he will run to Mommy and she will figure it out.  ;)  He loves everyone around him.  His separation anxiety phase was short lived as he discovered how fun other people could be and that Mommy and Daddy always came home.  I see his sweetness when at the Children's Museum he is the only little boy his age sharing the toys with other kids...without being asked.  He wants to be good and make others happy even at such a young age.  This makes me proud to be a mother. 

I see the example that my mother set for me.  She was such an amazing mother.  Even with having to go to school 2 hours away, working crazy hours, and having to manage our own personal teenage crazies she was still there for us.  She always tried to make it to our events.  She was there for us when we were sick.  She was there when we were heartbroken.  She was there when I was a mommy and needed my mommy more than anything.  I have had so many ups and downs in my life and she was always right there with me.  I hope she knows just how much I love her and what an inspiration she is to me.  I hope one day I can look back on my life as a mom and be as proud of myself as I am with her. 

I love you Mom!!

Stormy Night Snuggles

With all the crazy weather we got the other night, Ryan and I decided it was best to pull the kids out into the front room with us because of the big tree near their room.  Gavin snuggled right up next to Lexi and fell right asleep.  Lexi loved it and snuggled right into him too!  She is such a great big sister.  She loves him so much and even with an almost 7 year age gap they get along so well.  Gavin waits all day for Lexi to come home from school.  "Lexi?" is a common phrase throughout the day.  When Lexi arrives home from school, Gavin is usually naping and the typical question from her is "When will Gavin be up?".  I hope that they are able to hold on to the relationship that they are building.  I know as they age they will fight and bother each other.  But for now, this Mommy is going to imagine her sweet two babies sunggled up together on a stormy night. 

What a month!!!

Holy cow this has been a busy month!! So many great things have happened since the last post. We really have been blessed!

Lexi was able to have her dental work done!  Now, if this poor kid has any more dental issues, she may have to go get herself a job to cover the costs.  :) 

But, this is pre-anesthesia.  Cute little kiddo!

 Not so happy now.  Poor little girl had a rough time after the procedure.  She perked up pretty quickly though and is doing just fine!

 Gavin is wreaking havoc as always!  He is the sweetest, sneakiest, little booger!  But we love him bunches!!

 This month, my sister Amanda came and visited us from Denver!  She brought her 2 sweet kiddos with her.  While she was here, we were able to go to the Children's Museum.  We had such a great time! 

 The boys LOVED the Dora exhibit!

 So did sweet little Bailey!

 Lexi and Lily put on a fashion show in the Barbie exhibit.

Then the boys decided they weren't too macho to have fun and joined in!

 But don't worry dad's.  They got their feel of testosterone too. ;)

 Back at Nana and Pappy's the boys had fun doing what boys do best!  Anything dirty!! 

 So then they need a bath.  Once we get all the boys in the bath, my 5 year old neice walks in the bathroom and says, "It's like wee-wee heaven in here"!  Oh my gosh!  Too funny!!!  :)

 The traditional shot for Nana.

In a trans watching a show.  Much needed quiet time for the Mommies. 

 We also had some fun at the park.  Boys are a lot to keep up with!!

 Even Nana joined in on the fun!

 LOVE this one!!  :)

 Lily posed the entire way down the slide for this shot.  Such a sweetie!

 What a cute group of kiddos!!  Lexi was only able to join us for the weekend due to school but we had such a great time with her there.  They all played so well together allowing us 'sisters' to get some much needed catch-up time! 

 Silly kiddos!!

Can't wait to do it all again...very soon hopefully!!