Fun With Friends

Friends Forever: Jalinda, Melissa & Lindsay

Are we really that old? I grew up with Melissa and Lindsay, worked with them at Taco Amigo through our high school and college+ years and have many memories with them of late nights at Carousel, at Taco Parties, and driving in the Prelude with the music blaring--Girl Bonding. Logan took this picture of us. (He did a pretty good job by the third try : ) Now all busy moms, it's so great to get together when I'm in Utah.

I am so grateful for all the friends in my life. I have been so blessed with all the friends I have made in Texas and for my friends far away. I look forward to trips to Utah so I can visit friends I don't see often enough, and when we get together it feels like we just saw each other. I was so happy to spend an afternoon with my good friend, Mary. We got to know each other really well the last five years working together in our Primary Presidency, at playgroup, book club and always needed Ladies Nights. I wish we weren't so far away, so we could see each other more often.

Mary and I

My kids playing with their cute friend Maddie, Mary's daughter.
We also had a blast meeting up with the Rhett and Lisa and Mike and Susie for a night of banana splits and firework fun! Mike and I miss all of our good Texas friends that have moved away. Weekends just aren't the same without you, and Logan sure misses Spencer and Colby.
Spencer, Colby, Logan, Cameron, Savannah and Makayla watching the fireworks. (Next time we visit, we need a picture of us and not just our kids.) We love and miss y'all!

Backyard Schlitterban at Dad's

The Boys: Dad, Mike and James

One of the best parts of spending our summer in Utah, is all the time that we get to spend with our family. We had such a nice afternoon over at Dad and Sharon's house for a big family party to say goodbye to my step-sister, Jennifer, and her family. They are in the military and are moving to Japan for 3 years. We will miss them.

Dad and Sharon holding Ryder

James, my family, and Jennifer and her kids

The kids had a blast on the monster water slide!

Cousin Summer Fun!

Good Times at Taco Amigo!
This summer, we spent lots of time with Jeanette's girls while she was taking care of Ryder and running back and forth to the hospital for his first 2 weeks of life. Makayla, Logan and Savannah love spending time with Brynn and Brooks, so they were in heaven! They also love their new baby cousin and were so happy when Ryder got to come home from the hospital.
The kids were also excited to spend the weekend with Aunt Andrea, Uncle Chase and Emmy. They came down from Logan to see the baby and we had fun weekend with them. Emmy fits right in with the clan--too cute: pink and brown kids! Rockin' at our Hannah Montana 3D concert party.

We spent a fun evening up Provo Canyon with Mom, Jeanette and Brandon, and their kids in between feedings at the hospital with baby Ryder. We biked, did a little rock climbing, and finished the night off cooking smores. Yum!


We also spent many afternoons swimming at the Scera Pool, swimming in the backyard, and playing at the park. Sonic slushes were included, of couse.


Brynn, Kayla, and Logan

Brooklyn, Savannah and Emmy

Baby Ryder

We had a fun-filled day at the zoo with Mike's mom, his sister, Rina, and cousins: Brynnley, Brooklyn and Sadie.

We also had a blast on $2 Tuesday at the Dinosaur Museum. We love the Dinosaur Museum . . .

. . . but not so much the shark in it! (I Hate Sharks!--just a little tidbit of info. I'm sure you want to know.)

Happy Birthday #30 Susie!

Kristin, Jill, Kate, Lisa, Susie and Me

This is a shout out to my good friend Susie. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! The BIG 30 huh? You can now officially join the rest of us in being middle aged. That sounds older than I thought. You are old! : ) I want you to know how grateful I am for our friendship and that you are a big reason I am happy we moved to Texas! Have a fabulous day!
P.S. Your friends love you! You can thank your husband for all the birthday shout outs today. He is quite the guy, organizing this surprise for you.

Hiking to Timp Cave--We made it!

We had so much fun hiking to Timp Cave with Mike's sister, Jenny, her kids and Eileen. It took us most of the afternoon, but what an experience! The kids had a blast hiking with their cousins, and I enjoyed the gorgeous view looking over the valley. I also felt empowered making the climb packing Savannah on my back most of the way up. : )

On the way up the mountain.
Cousins: Makayla, Anne Marie, John, Darrin, Logan, & Dan
Cute hikers: Logan and Anne Marie
Logan and Makayla had so much fun hiking the mountain with their cousins! They were little troopers and had more energy than the three grown ups following behind them.
The last part of the climb was very steep with sheer drop offs. It was beautiful, but freaked me out some that one of our kids would fall off the mountain. I was grateful John packed Savannah the last quarter of the way. It was quite the workout to pack her on my back.

We made it! At the cave entrance. Elevation 6730 Feet.
Inside Timp Cave.
The Heart of the Cave. I love this story about the Indian Princess and how her heart still beats in the cave after sacrificing herself for her lost love.

Almost back down the mountain. John's face exemplifies how we all felt after our long day's journey--exhausted! But the view from the top and seeing the cave was well worth the climb. We had a great day with Grandma Eileen, Jenny and her kids!

24th of July Weekend Welcomes Baby Ryder

Best Buds: Logan, Brynnley, Makayla, Savannah & Brooklyn

The kids had a blast playing with their cousins while we were in Utah! It was the highlight of the trip to spend so much time with Brynn and Brooks. We love you girls and miss you already! We had a fun-filled 24th. The boys grilled for us and then we commenced in an awesome firework event in Mom's driveway. There was even a grand finale. You can thank Mike for that one.

Savannah loves her cousin Brooklyn! Cute girls!

Brynnley and Logan keeping it cool with their Creamies. Notice pyro Mike's firework show.

Is it inherent for boys to love fire? None of the girls were interested in lighting the fireworks, and Logan was all over it. Good to see his dad is teaching him the essentials of proper firework procedures.
The little girls were more about the pre-show.

Me, Jeanette and Mom. Doesn't Jeanette look great for the night before having a baby?!!
Brandon. Brynnley, and Makayla watching the coolest firework display ever.
After our extreme home firework show, we headed around the block to watch real fireworks.

The next day, Andrea, Chase and Emmy came down to visit. The little girls love their cute cousin!
Mom, Andrea, Emmy and myself enjoying family fun in the yard.
Extreme Makayla riding Brynn's 4-wheeler. The kids had a blast riding all over the yard thanks to their cool Uncle Brandon.

Brynnley and Logan at different levels in their Kung Fu training
Family Croquet Tournament. We're not competitive or anything!

Friday night, Aug. 25 my sister, Jeanette, had baby Ryder 5 weeks early. He's her little miracle baby coming into the world a little unexpectedly. He was truly blessed by our Heavenly Father, and only had to stay in the hospital 11 days. They were 11 very long and stressful days , but Jeanette did so well bouncing back after having Ryder and running back and forth to the hospital. She has been so brave through all this and is such a strength and example to me. I love her and her sweet baby so much. I miss them everyday!
Coming to visit Jeanette and Ryder in the hospital. The kids were a little sad they could only peek through the window to see their baby cousin.
Ryder 10 days old.

Jeanette rocking Ryder in the NICU. He looks so much better with just 1 cord attached to him.