More Midway Pics

I can't figure out how to get a lot of pictures in a post so I guess I am doing 2 posts.

MIDWAY!!

We have been up in Midway Utah for about 2 1/2 weeks now and we are having a great time. Derek has been traveling back and forth to AZ so he gets to be in the blazing heat for a little while. We have had so much fun here. The kids just run around and play outside all day. We have been fishing and hiking and we rode the lift at Sundance and hiked around. The first week we were here was a little strange, on Monday we went swimming and Tuesday morning we woke up to snow! After that the weather straightened out, but we had a scare. Cali went to bed on Thursday night completely fine. Friday morning she wakes up and cannot walk...I whisk her to Primary children's hospital and after 9 hours and an MRI the doctors said that since she had strep 10 days ago, that she caught what they called a secondary virus that went into her brain and swelled it a little causing the vertigo. To a mom this sounds terrifying, but the doctors said it was sort of common...go figure. Saturday morning she was a little unstable, but by evening she was back to 100%. You have to love all the excitement that children cause. Thank you so much Paula and Steve for letting us stay at the "Chalet". We absolutely love it up here!

THE HAIRCUT

Soren has had his hair long for awhile now and has always been really happy with it. Derek and I told him that whenever he wanted to cut it to let us know. So, on Sunday, Soren said that he wanted hair that he could spike up. So here are some before and after pictures. Derek did a lot and my SIL Liz did the last shaping part. Let me know what you think

Can you Dance?

In just one day one of the most fun reality shows starts. So You Think You Can Dance?!?!
Derek and I love this show. I don't love all the made up drama of most reality shows but this one is just talent. I love to watch the dancers perform their routines. On Thursday they start the audition stage and that is kind of like American Idol, there is a lot of talent but also just some horrible cringe-worthy dancers.
So check it out on Fox!

Summer Reading

I love books....seriously. As summer is beginning to start I thought That I would put out a list of my favorite summer reads. My criteria for a summer book is that it be easy enough to read while you are watching your kids at the pool or beach or park. I am in no way an expert but here are my recommends, in no particular order. The Stephine Plum Series hilarious, laugh out loud. Stephanie is an accidental bounty hunter, it is set in New Jersey so there is some language. James Patterson's Maximum Ride Series, these were written for teenagers and they are a fast read with no bad language at all. Dean Koontz Odd Thomas Series, these are a little dark and sort of creepy. I get really involved in books so I like to read scary ones during the day while it is sunny outside. Stephie Meyers vampire series is good as well, although I suspect everyone has already read them, I believe a new one is coming out in August. Thomas Perry Vanishing Act & Shadow Woman, Heroine is Jane whitfield a lady who helps people in danger disappear. Bill Bryson, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, a memoir of growing up in the 50's, another laugh out loud book.

I am sure that there are many more that I have not named. When I think of them I will add them to the list. If you have a suggestion please let me know. I am always on the lookout for great books.

Celebrity look- alikes??

A rose by any other name

Cali had her 4th birthday party yesterday. She wanted a flower party. The day of the party I had the girls decorate flower pots with stickers and glitter glue and gems. They played games and had a pinata and cupcakes. I completely stole the flower cupcake idea from my sis-in-law Julie....but otherwise the ideas were mine. I think they had fun...Cali was definitely exhausted by the end of the day.

Happy Birthday Cali!!!

Today Cali turned 4!! She has been such a wonderful joy. She has such excitement for life, she always wakes up with a smile and hits the ground running. Her tremendous energy and creativity are so fun to watch (and exhausting to participate in).
Thank you for all your hugs and for always saying that we will be friends forever. I love you !!!

ALOHA!!!

Well, We are back from Hawaii and trying to get back into the swing of normal life, We had no problem living the "aloha life".
We packed up the kids and got on the airplane for the wonderful 6 hour flight over. We landed and were met by Lala and Papa, the kids (big and small) were so excited to see them. After that it was just a week of fun crazy chaos in the sun. We swam and snorkeled from 8 in the morning until 6 at night and the after the kids were asleep, Derek and I would force everyone to play cards until 11:00 (2:00 AZ time).
It was so much fun to visit with Paula and Steve and to see how much they are enjoying their mission, Derek got to go out with Steve to go check on mission housing and he came back very grateful for our living conditions.
I would have posted some wonderfully moving, funny, adorable pictures of our trip at this point but some jackhole stole my camera....so whatcha gonna do?
Aloha and Mahalo!

Tag You're it!

For Soren's birthday all he wanted was to play Laser Tag. So we booked a party at Stratum Laser tag and Soren and 10 buddies went to town. At first they were all a little skeptical of the loud music, dark room and crazy paintings on the wall. They were so funny, they all just ran around me shooting each other and never venturing past 6 feet away from me.

After awhile they gathered their collective courage and started exploring. Everyone had a great time and it was very entertaining to watch.

I am so glad that I followed through with this party. Soren had a great time and I think his friends did as well.

Happy 35th Birthday!!!!

Today is Derek's birthday. We had a very relaxing Sunday, listening to conference and then going for a picnic in the park.

I want Derek to know that I am so happy to be married to him. I could not ask for a more loving or thoughtful husband. Derek is such a wonderful father to our three children, He always makes time to play with them and is very supportive in the things they like to do.

Thank you honey for being my rock and for loving me.

I LOVE YOU.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOREN!!!!!

Today is Soren's 6th birthday! He has been such a joy. Derek and I are thrilled everyday that we get to have such a sweet spirit in our house.
Soren is a wonderful helper and a loving big brother. Cali and Sawyer look up to him and he has never let them down. Derek is happy that he has someone to play video games and go camping with.
I am so proud of Soren. He is a tough boy, but he still needs my hugs and kisses, and that just melts my heart.
I hope that your birthday is wonderful.
WE LOVE YOU!!!