Rachel!

So glad we got to squeeze in a little Rachel time this trip! I was so excited that Erica, my sister from Georgia was able to come to dinner with us and meet her. Could not have foreseen though that Erica would open up a discussion on how she has a single friend who looks just like Jer and Rachel should meet him because well, just look at Jer, isn't he so cute Rachel? Isn't he? We made Ere pay for dinner after that and banned her from being in the pics. (kidding she pulled a fast one when the bill came and then insisted on being taker of all pics - that Ere!).
Thanks for putting up with our crazy family Rachel! Breanna LOVES her new locket and can't get enough of seeing you!!! We love you!!!
Oh and about the kid in the crack above. We had some leftover pizza that got boxed up and so we were pulling out of the parking garage there was a homeless man standing at the stop sign. Erica said to Jer, "Hey, see if that guy wants our pizza". So Jer rolls down the window and says to the guy, "Hey, do you want some food?" And Luke in a panic starts chirping, "I want food, I want food!" And as Jer handed the box to the guy, Luke said, "AWWWWWWW!". VERY disappointed. Why did dad have to do that?

9 Years Ago Today...

I was sitting at Grandma and Grandpa J's house with Jer waiting for the phone to ring. Boy I don't know if time has ever passed so slowly. Lots of family and good friends were there to wait it out with us thankfully. And FINALLY the phone did ring with life changing news. Bree was born! 3 days later (did I mention time passing slow?), she came home and became ours forever! (If my scanner was in working order I'd give you a little peek at what that amazing day was like....maybe next year:) So, today we celebrated! Jake bought her 2 shirts that she's been eyeing for weeks now.

And of course, Grandma and Grandpa came through big time.

And this year's birthday card only skimmed the surface of how we feel about this little chicky.

Then she wanted to go soak up some sun, but the sun wasn't out today (unusual indeed). It was chilly (ok, by my standards) and rainy.

The Woods, Sheppards and Mumfords were all there too, so it was especially sad to get rained out.

Jake took about 50 pics of Carson. Such a cutie pie.

So we grabbed Erika, and Jer took the kids to do a little rock climbing while Luke napped and I cleaned.

Then we came home and the kids played, and we ate pizza and wings Palauan style, and Breezy blew out the candle on her ice cream cone.

Breanna, I can't tell you enough how much happiness you bring to me personally and to our family. You have no idea how many times you have made me stop and just think 'wow' at the way you have handled tough situations with just an easy going, happy go lucky attitude. You are outgoing, helpful, happy, confident, positve, smart, talented in so many ways and determined like no other. I love watching you grow up and I can't even say how much I love being your mom!

We love you Breezy Girl!!!

Happy Birthday!

A Nice Breezy Evening

Jake had some scout stuff to work on, so we headed over to BC to getter done.
Did a few laps, a few cartwheels and of course found the sandbox.
Looks like track and field might be our kind of fun:)

Hit it again

Went with the Fisheys this time.

Even got to ride of few with Jer thanks to CD.

Taught them some of my sneaky tricks and we all had a ball.

Supposed to Hit 115 Today

So of course we came here.
And it was hot indeed.
Jamie's maybe wishing there was something else in that water bottle.

Luke & Grady lovin the black crackers Jamie brought in...not bad for a rookie.

Dax you're the man!

Jake sharing (let's be honest, reluctantly sharing) the treasure he reaped from the bottom of the Cactus Cooler. Seems Captain Jack Sparrow left some cash down at the bottom of the river and Jake found it. (Love how everything's just a little more magical when Jamie's around.) Then Jake lucked out again when he came up short to buy this treat and the lady at the store made up the difference. Now if only he could find some lunch at the bottom of the lazy river....

Wish I had some pics of Bree, but once the Watsons showed up, she became MIA. According to Jake, she was off on a date with Dylan and therefore unavailable for pics. Aiyaiyai!

14 of em together!

Celebrated 14 years of bliss today! We actually went on a little get-away last month for our anniversary, so we went low key tonight and hit Mimi's Cafe for dinner. It was an interesting dining experience. They were out of everything (including the ice cream in front of us - we're still trying to figure that one out), so we had to pick through the menu, getting turned down at way too many requests (truck delivers on Tues ya know?). Finally our food arrived only to have this very LOUD man stand up and demand everyone's attention. He was from some dog group/ kennel club or what not and they were holding a meeting in the middle of the restaurant. Everyone was told to stand and introduce themselves ("I'm Suzi, proud owner of 2 Boxers, etc.) I think there were 35 people there. It made for an extremely romantic anniversary dinner seeing how much Jer and I love dogs. But we did get invited back for free appetizers and dessert to compensate for our trouble and you know how we feel about free stuff so yipee yahooey!
After the dog fest (shoulda seen the cars and license plates in the parking lot as we left oh my!) we found D&B's. Jer smoked me on every game.

We came up short on tickets for the prize I wanted most - you guessed it - a D&B deck of cards. So Jer worked his anniversary magic with the prize lady and voila! This deck of cards is officially mine (I mean ours). We took many pics with these cards but I am unable to post one in particular because this church boy of mine was not being very churchy in it.

Jer, thanks for the best 14 years! We've climbed mountains and lived to tell about it and I know I would not be around if it weren't for you. You are patient, calm, loyal (had to throw that one in for our dog night but it's really true), a studly athlete, game for just about anything, easy going, smart, and an amazing dad and hubby. Nothing ruffles your feathers. Your ability to clarify my special order at any restaurant is unmatched. You tolerate my grumpiness like no other. You are perfect for me in every way. I have no idea how I got so lucky.

I LOVE YOU!

Happy Anniversary!

Celebrating a Few Birthdays

We celebrated Bree's birthday early. She invited a few friends to the movie "Despicable Me". Georgia Whitney Bella Bree Sydney
Then McDonalds for lunch! She got the best presents ever!

These girls were so sweet and good. Can we freeze them at age 9?

Bree, I will post again on your real bday, so for now, I'll just say that I am so lucky to be your mom! You are a dream girl! I love you!!!

Then we celebrated Chad DeMar's bday. Talk about an amazing neighbor and friend! Jer and I had never been to PF Chang's so he introduced us to the place. Then Amber and I introduced him to a place he'd never been before: Ulta. Such a good sport. Never seen two guys more out of place.

Topped it off with Dairy Queen and an indepth discussion on the virtues of Sonic vs DQ. Deep stuff. Games back at my house were won by the bday boy and his wife. Love these guys and so glad they are our neighbors for at least a few more weeks anyway!

Oh and one more pic from the 4th! Aren't they the cutest?

The 3rd of July!

Luke watching the roof open up for fireworks.

No, we were not gifted enough to get on the jumbo tron but Jer wanted me to post a pic of the final score.

Dub fam.

So glad we got to hang out with these guys for our pseudo 4th, they are serious fans who pack in the fun including the nacho cheese offer that Jake couldn't refuse, the Hale wave that went over my head, Jer's outta control behavior every time his team scored, Patrick's uncompromising modesty, sweaty bums, itchy bums, a/c just 3 sections over, Patrick's 4 minute on the money call, Luke's poo, Dyl's boog, and the highest scoring game I've ever been to. But the BEST part of the night by far was clubbing on the plaza after. Check out these moves:

Bear Lake Family Reunion

On our way to the family reunion, we stopped at the Clarks who are dear friends of my in-laws.
They used to live in Alaska and had 2 real bears on thier floors that they had shot. Kids loved it.

Big Family Reunion on Jeromy's mom's side. This is about 1/3 of the people who were there who ventured off on Uncle John's hike. It was gorgeous and Uncle Mike's noises were the bomb!


Found Breezy getting free rides from the older cousins all weekend. Funny how there were at least a dozen girl cousins she could have played with but she preferred Clint Dallin and Chris. I think Clint carried her 90% of the hike.


Bringin up the rear. Luke and Makayla were so good and walked most of the way.

Back at the condos....a little volleyball.

Jake flying the kite.

Luke on the lake.

More water for the moat!

Jake wanting his license.

Luke's first time!

Every chance she got, Breezy would grab a cousin and hit the lake. She LOVED it!

Cute Ashley and Emily

Luke Jake Dallin Bree

Lovin that kayak!

And of course the pool.

Bree finding Clint's shoulder's again.

And Chris'.

Megan and Conner and the infamous rubber balls that Luke was obsessed with all weekend long.

Kaylee and Addie

Mike, Kaylee, Luke and Conner

Camryn and Breezy singing in the Angel's Landing.

Breakfast Yummers!

Kaylee Emily Megan Lexy Luke Tyler

Breezy would go out on a wave runner and return on the boat. She worked her magic with everyone I tell you!

Dallin's turn.

Luke took one look at Grandma, then turned to me and said, "She's mine!"

Bree Jer and Jake

Tyler Jer and LUKE! Tyler and Luke kept saying "FASTER!"

Good thing Uncle Dave knew better than to even try that with me on board.

Uncle Ryan on board to show these boys some madness.

Ryan Bree and Jer getting crazy.

The kids had a great time with so many fun things to do and all the people they love around them. Unfortunately I had a headache (which I never get) that hung around til the last day, so I was not completely myself and that was a bummer (but I did get some good reading and nearly finished Catching Fire, thanks Chanel!). It was sad to go. Bree cried because she didn't get to say good-bye to her boyz (luckily we found them:) Jake cried until we ran into Uncle Mike who told him not to eat the peas in rows 1 and 4 in Grandpa's garden because they were his. Jake could have rows 2 & 3 only. I think we found 2 peas in a pod with these 2 cause Jake couldn't stop laughing after that.

Our Top Picks for Bear Lake: Jer - Wave Runners, Cam -The Hike, Jake - Being with everyone, Bree - Wave Runners and Boy Cousins, Luke - Bouncy Balls and Grandma (of course!)

Thanks Gina and Grandma and all the others who put it all together. And Happy 60th Grandma and Grandpa!