Candy Factory

Kandice told me about a blog that shows new ways to do hair. I was excited, I get sick of princess crowns, bumps, ponytails, and french braids. The girls loved it and Aspen asks everyday, "Can I have my hair in X's?"

Sage loves being the camera man. He is getting really good at taking pictures. He loves to zoom.




I love summer. I love that we have no bedtime, no homework, no alarms, no carpool, just pure freedom. We are having a blast this summer. Our kids are at great ages to do such fun things. I have a huge list I hope we can complete.
My friends and I have set Mondays aside as field trip days. Our first was to go to the candy factory. It was a forty minute tour and the kids loved it. They saw the workers make salt water taffy, chocolate covered cinnamon bears and jelly beans. They got a prize at the end and it was a hit. Aspen was so amazed, I think she thanked me a dozen times for taking her.

I know this is such a great look for all of us. Everyone who went on the tour had to wear hair nets.

When Nate gets home from work...

This is what happens when Nate gets home from work...

The kids get thrown into the pool.
Mckenna was a bit nervous her precious dance out fit would be ruined. Once she realized it was fine, she was so happy. It turned into one of our favorite nights. Nate changed into his suit, and for hours the kids and him swam. We cooked on the grill and it was Taylorsville days so we watched the fireworks in our backyard on blankets and ate Popsicles. It was amazing.

Nate threw the dogs in to see if they would swim. Bodie was not in love with the idea
Zo secretly liked it.

Snowbird

Aspen, Rachael, McKenna, Sage

Its time for our annual Snowbird trip. The kids had a sleep over with thier cousins Zach and Sammy. It was so much fun for all of them. We went up to the condo and they swam, played in the indian hunt, went to the game game room, and played in the elevators (yes Im sure everyone loved that). When we got home they swam for 5 more hours in the backyard. I knew my kids liked to swim, but eight hours in one day was a bit surprising.

McKenna, Sammy, Aspen, Sage, Zack

Aspen and Emmy

Me and the kids went up to the condo a few times. It was so fun for them to see there other cousins as well.

My grandma is my hero. She bought the condo 33 years ago. Every year in June she takes up all of her grandkids and gives the moms a break. I went every year starting at age 1. We got to stay for a whole week and play with our cousins. I wish I had her patience. I know this is a huge reason why my whole extended family is so close, because of this tradition. This place holds most of my favorite childhood memories. Im so happy my kids look forward to it and can enjoy this tradition as well. I have no idea how my grandma at over eighty years can cook and take care of all those kids. She is amazing.

Colorado

I went to Colorado for a week to help my sister Laurie with her new baby Elsie. She is so darling. It was a fantastic trip. Sage came with me. It was so fun to spend alone time with him. We missed the girls and Nate tremendously. But we had a great time. It was so fun to visit with Brent and Laurie, we had so much fun watching movies and visiting.
New little baby Elsie
I love being an aunt

Sisters
Ember, Katie, Laurie

Me and my dad Terry
Ember and my step mom Jean Cousins

Sienna, Sage, Ayla, Hunter
We went to Denver and met up with Grandma and Grandpa Terry. He took us swimming and to eat at the best place ever, Burger-Burger.
I took the kids to Mr Biggs for the day to let Laurie have some alone time with the baby.

Nates first bike ride..

I have to document this because it is SO funny. After our company left, we went for a family bike ride. The kids and I were extremely excited that Nate is part of our bike club now. It was his first time trying out his new bike. Sage kept saying "mom can we do this all the time, I love spending time with the family riding bikes." I told him we should go on a bike ride every night. Then Nate had to be Nate and start showing off for the kids. He started doing all kinds of tricks. Being the bossy me, I kept telling him to stop before he gets hurt. That of course egged him on more. As we passed our neighbors house, he popped a willy and flipped backwards and landed on his butt. I loved being right. He stood up and was busting up laughing. We all sat there and laughed and laughed and laughed. It was seriously the funniest thing ever. It opened up a night of jokes for the kids and I. We have been on a ton of bike rides and the kids don't fall off, but daddy did on his first try. We have never laughed so hard. Good times, funny stuff, awesome memories to cherish.

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all the men in my life that are wonderful, fantastic Fathers! This has always been a challenging holiday for me. I was not prepared for the emotions I felt as I sat down to write the cards I had to give out. I always cry every year. I don't know if I have ever seen my own dad on Fathers Day. I have very mixed emotions about this day. Good and not so good. It is hard celebrating a day about dads, it makes me reflect on all the times I couldn't see my dad.

However, it was a great day. We invited Nates mom and dad, grandpa, and Uncle Jeff, Aunt Leslie, and cousins Gillian and Caitlin. We had a wonderful dinner and the kids swam. we visited for hours and really enjoyed the company. I was so touched to be able to spend the day with such amazing men. Nate's dad has always treated my like a daughter. I am so undeserving of the love he always shows me. Nate's Grandpa and I have grown very close over this last year. He is a such a pillar of strenght to me. We were so lucky to live by Uncle Jeff for 5 years. He has always been such a great example to me in my life. He is so gentle, kind, and sweet. We only live a few streets away from him. But we never see his family like we used to. We miss them and it was so wonderful to see them.

I was so happy to try to make the day special for Nate. I am so grateful to him for being the dad he is. I always get a bit choked up seeing him play with the kids. He has made our backyard a haven for them. He tries so hard to make them happy and safe. He is a wonderful dad, and I am so grateful.

I always think about my uncles and grandpa on fathers day. One of the biggest blessing I had in my life was having them. They always supported me and took care of me. I don't know how I would have made it without them.

I am so happy my dad will be moving here soon. I can't wait to make up for all the lost time. We share the same passion of horses. I can not wait to spend time with him and ride horses together.

Our family

Sage and Mckenna swimming. Best thing we ever bought. Last summer McKenna spent five to six hours a day swimming. They loved swimming while the "grown ups" visited. They are such happy kids.

Dance Recital

McKenna and Aspen eating a third lunch before their big performance. After having pizza and sandwiches, I broke down to feeding them good old cereal. They were so excited all morning. Aspen loves makeup and was in heaven when I put it on her. McKenna should be in singing, she sung the songs she is dancing to all morning. They take from United Dance Artist. We are very lucky to have our girls take from Nate's sister Brooke. They have learned so much and it is a very professional studio. We are very grateful they have the opportunity to take so many wonderful classes.

McKenna at the dress rehearsal performing her ballet number to the "Secret Garden".

Aspen at dress rehearsal dancing tap to "The Red Robin".

The final day has come. Aspen was not excited that I was leaving her for a few hours back stage. She woke up sick, and it was not that pleasant of a morning with her.

Aspen and her cousin Raegan

Aspen and McKenna holding the flowers their daddy bought them. They both did such a wonderful job. McKenna is wearing her Jazz costume. She danced to the Jackson Five song "ABC". We were all so impressed with the recital. Sage has taken dance for 3 years and this was his first year out. After seeing the recital he has decided to start back up next year. He wants to take Hip Hop and Break dancing. The girls will be back into combo ballet-tap, and Jazz-tumbling classes. But I am so happy summer is here. We need a long break.

Me and my girls

Nates Birthday

Happy Birthday Nate! Nate turns 30 year old today. I can't believe how fast time flies. I met him when he was 19 years old. Crazy. When he got home from work, the kids and I were in the car waiting. We told him to get in. He figured out we were taking him to dinner. But he thought it was just the kids and I. When we showed up to Famous Daves, he walked in and walked right past our friends. He did a double take and started laughing. He was so surprised! It was tons of fun. Our kids were so well behaved, I couldn't believe it. Nate planned a boating trip for all of us next week. He said that is what he wants for his birthday. I can't wait. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends.

Nate opened his present from us. The kids and I bought him a new bike. Now he is part of the family bike club. All I want to do is spend the summer biking, boating, and doing Zumba.

It was so much fun spending the past two days devoted to Nate. I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. He is so patient, fun, gentle, compassionate, and loving. He is the best friend I could ever have. Happy Birthday Nate, I love you!

See all of our yummy food.

Sage, McKenna, Heidi, Jason, Ken, Katie, Katie (me), Nate, Aspen

Nates family birthday party

We went to the park with Nate's parents and sister to celebrate his Birthday. It was a beautiful day. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins.

Nate and I

McKenna, Aspen, Raegan, Sage, Tate

They loved the slide. It kept them busy for a long time

Olympus Reunion

Tonight Nate and I went to my ten year High School reunion. We had a great dinner at Little America. I kept telling Nate that it was really funny. It was fun seeing how people have changed and where life has taken them. Nate and I had a good time visiting with everyone. But as soon as we let loose and danced, that's when had the most fun. We were one of the few people to dance, but it was so much fun. Nate was proud that we were the last ones on the dance floor. We aren't in High School anymore, so we didn't care what any one though of us. Nate and I won the prize for being the longest couple married. It was funny.

These were some of my very best friends in High School. Em, Erica, Em, Me, Kathrine, Mel

Piano Recital

Today was Sage and McKennas very first piano recital. It was so exciting. They both spent the morning practicing their pieces. McKenna was a bit nervous. They did such a great job. It was so fun for them to show everyone how hard they have worked.

Sage played Fur Elise. He started piano last September.

He worked so hard to memorise his piece. Mckenna started only a few months ago. She played Skip to My Loo. She loves playing and singing her song. We are thinking she might be a little singer as well.

Sue is their teacher. They LOVE her. Sage asks everyday "how many more day until my lesson?" Sue has told me a few times that Sage definitely has a natural talent at the piano. She said he has moved faster that most kids his age. Ahhh proud moment.

After the recital we went to Letherbys to eat ice cream. Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, Aunt Tasha, Tate and Addie all came with us. It was so fun to have the family support Sage and McKenna.

Fishing..

Nate took Sage for some one on one time. They went to a near by fishing pond. Sage caught a huge catfish. He was so proud! I am so happy he has a dad that spends time with him, and teaches him so many great things.

GNO