Being Outside

Last Monday we went up the canyon for tin foil dinners and smores with our friends, the Hollands. The kids had the time of their lives running around the woods with their friends, playing in the fire, eating almost nothing and throwing rocks in the river of death.

Every summer I say I will do better at taking advantage of this beautiful area that I am so lucky to live in and every summer we seem to get too busy. This year my kids are old enough to really enjoy it and I am recommitting myself to this goal!

Catching Up

The past few weeks have been so busy. From sun up to sun down my kidlets want to be outside - they can't stand the idea of missing even a moment of sunlight. It always seems that way in the summer - the days melt away faster than I can ever believe! It's been so nice to be able to get outside and enjoy running wild, burning energy and completely wearing ourselves out. Here are a few things we've been doing.





Jacks finished up his soccer season. He had such a fun time and really improved over the season. I sat there watching my son playing the sport that I love so much and couldn't believe it. How in the world do I have a son old enough to play soccer? I don't know where the time has gone.





Memorial Day with granny and grandpa. It was nice to spend time with family even if the weather was far, far less than perfect! Jacks concentrated very hard as he attempted to climb his first tree.







We are oh-so-lucky to have the very best neighbors. My boys don't know how blessed they are to have so many little friends so close. We decided to buy one of those huge waterslides together and everyone has been having so much fun on it.





I so love this time of year. . . there's nothing quite like the lazy days of summer!

Pirate Ships

I walked into my boys room to this sight:



They told me that they were building a pirate ship.

Apparently they found it necessary to empty ALL dresser drawers in doing so. They also felt the need to remove all bedding from their beds and relocate the mattress. REALLY?



At least they're creative with their mess making skills.

Preschool Graduation

It's really hard for me to believe my Jackson just finished his 3rd and final year of preschool. I so vividly remember that day, well over 3 years ago, that I first dropped my then barely 3 year old off for his first day of joyschool. That morning he cried and cried when it was time for me to leave. I thought we had such a long road ahead of us, with kindergarten so far off. Time has flown and now he is a big, independent, capable, almost 6 year old, ready for bigger and better. He has had the most fabulous year at his preschool where he has had swimming lessons, tennis lessons and tumbling along with mastering all he needs to know to start school.

And, me. . . I think I just might be able to let him go this coming fall knowing that he is ready for all that awaits him.


(Lola loved the bright yellow frosting on the cupcakes at graduation and thought she should wear it on her face!)

Being The Dad

I constantly talk about my kids on my blog but rarely give any blog attention to my awesome husband. On Tuesday night I had Young Women's at my house and Nate was so great to get the kids out of the way for the evening. I thought he'd do something like take them to Borders to read books or maybe to the pet store - you know, something I would do. But when the garage opened later that night, Jacks, Miles and Lola all came running in so excited about the hike dad took them on. A HIKE, I said??? This is something I would never fathom doing alone with my 3 kids and would only ponder momentarily if Nate was volunteering to go with us. Afterwards, he took them to the gas station and let them each pick out a treat and a drink. Dads can get away with things like taking kids to the gas station for treats. If I was to do it, they would try to make it a daily habit.

I'm so grateful that Nate is such an amazing dad. He balances my order/routine-crazy-self out and gives the kids things that I can't give them (even if it does sometimes makes me feel like the totally un-cool parent). He's always so very willing to give me the breaks that I need so that I can be a better mom. And for all of that, I am thankful.

Dinosaur Days

One of my kids favorite places to go is the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden. Today was Spring Break so we ditched Logan and met my mom there. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and it was so nice to get outside and do something different.


Jackson doing his best impression of a dinosaur.


My cute boys


Lola loved running around - and I mean RUNNING. We were lucky to get her to stop for more than a second for a picture.


Lola and my cute mom. She is the best granny and always up for going on adventures with us. I love her and my kids ADORE her!

My Baby with her Babies

Lola spent about an hour and a half tonight, plopped in the middle of my bed surrounded by ALL her babies. She read books to them, cuddled them, gave them drinks from her sippy, etc. I know you moms with girls think nothing of this sort of thing, but it's all new to me and I love it!