You Know You Had Fun When....

you start thinking about these boys and get a lump in your throat because they had to go home- far, far away. Memories made: Popsicles in the backyard, feeding the ducks, fat-free fried ice cream:), reading books in the tent, playing killer bunnies, Tanner's birthday party, caprese salad, Alvin and the Chipmunks at Bowles Crossing, finding amazing deals at JC Pennies, Gymboree , Gap, and Children's Place, Apples to Apples, Surprises from GG, splashing in the pool, Nathan "hugs"- sorry guys:), photo shoots, wadding in the creek,watering the garden, making butter for pioneer day, dinosaur capsules, visiting the fire station, Cindi sandwiches, riding the carousel,Apron history, picking peas and zucchini from the garden, Kendall crawling, the spray grounds, playing on the giant octopus with mammy,picnics at the park, playing bunny town aka: Smart A., purple play dough, marshmallow-less Lucky Charms ,running through papa's old fashioned sprinkler, reading books, Jakey's sprint accompanied by his dimples, treats and chats, the dollar store, free chicken strips at Chick-fil-a, and my very favorite:LAUGHING!

FHE with the Fire Fighters!

A HUGE shout out to the fire fighters over on Ken Caryl Ranch! The boys made chocolate chip zucchini muffins to deliver to them for family home evening. These men were AWESOME!!! Right in the middle of their dinner they said they would love to make time for their biggest fans.


I think they made a dream for Nathan and Tanner come true. Not only did they show them the fire truck and all sorts of compartments, hats and uniforms, the ladder and hose, but they let them sit in the fire truck and steer the wheel!
They were so mesmerized by the whole experience that they both had to color their stuff they got before they could go to bed. I've never seen such high quality work before. When you get stuff from the fire fighters, it's very serious business! A great BIG thanks to these guys for keeping us safe!

The Boys are Back in Town!

I think I have a crush! Sorry Justin, but this little guy is pure yumminess!
Okay, Is this Doug or am I seeing things? HOLY COW!!!
Nice, this is what I get when I tell Nathan, "Your best smile, please." He will not be featured for awhile:).
I think this is one of my absolute favorites of Tanner. He is PURE SUNSHINE with a killer personality- shown above. I love these boys! The only thing I would change about these boys is the fact that they don't live close enough!!!

Best Buds!

I think one of my favorite things about cousins is the fact that you have a "built in best friend!" I have always loved hangin' out with all of my cousins and hope that this new generation will love it as much as I did. It' s been so fun to have all these boys around the same age. Nathan is 6 months older than Tanner and Jake is 6 months older than Kendall. You would have think we planned it this way... wink, wink.

The Spray Grounds!

Forget the stream that flows around the park, or the massive jungle gym, or the wadding pools with fountains cascading from the middle, or the giant fountains plunging up from the ground. It's serious business when there is a little lady bug to be observed!
I think this is one of my most favorite parks to play at here. The best part is all the water is pre-treated so you don't have to worry about anything too gross getting on your little ones.
I love this picture of Mammy. She is always this much fun!
Kendall LOVES water. He would strap on scuba gear and float through the coral reefs if I would let him!

BAM! Seven Years!

Here we are seven years ago at 7:00 am on our way to the St George Temple. We had to be there so early because we had our pictures taken before we actually got married. Poor Justin, I think he got barbecued anyways.

Sara is here with the boyz and she and Mammy offered to watch the kids so that we could go and do something fun for the evening. Justin took me to this new restaurant here called the Grand Lux Cafe. He was going for some type of theme because it is based off the Venetian hotel in Vegas and that is where we spent part of our honeymoon. After, we went for a drive to one of our most favorite makeout spots- I mean views in Colorado and spent most of the evening talking about how we will be spending the next seven years. Yes, we are cheesy and just may give you dork feelings, sorry about that:).

When we arrived home, Mammy and Sara had a candle lite dessert all set up in the back yard. Not to mention all the boys were bathed, smelling so good, and in their jammies. AHHH. This is nice:).

I Think I May Have a Problem!

I'm trying really hard to exercise and eat better. I've been doing that interval training but I've noticed that it doesn't do much if you can't control the sleeve of English Tea Cookies plunging to their death in the bottom of my stomach. I am in denial NO LONGER!

Plus, when in the heck do people have time to exercise hard with kids? I'm not talking a leisurely walk here and there I'm talking some major sweat bead, on the forehead, smell so bad you need a shower workout. I would love to get up at 6:00 am but when I'm up tons all night, it's the last thing I want to do. Oh, this might be therapeutic. I just realized this instant while writing this my problem: Too many excuses!

A girl gave me a few good tips on eating better. She said that immediately when you get home from the grocery store, start soaking your fruits and veggies in the sink. Then cut up carrots, celery, bell peppers, or whatever and put them in clear containers in your fridge so that when you open it you will see these delicious colorful snacks. I think I just might try it!

A Teeny Tiny Town Nestled in the Mountians!

We loaded the kids in the car and went up some windy roads through the mountains and entered Tiny Land.

A man created buildings one-sixth-sized for his daughter in 1915. She had cancer and could never leave home so her dad brought the city to her. There are over 100 tiny buildings and it looks like a quaint "little" town.

The kids had fun peeking into the little windows and seeing how the rooms were decorated. They made a few a "little" bigger so that the kids could play inside.

Nathan has been having tons of fun with these cute cousins!
All Aboard! There is a train that circles the area with a caboose that kids pack in- because of course, the stinky caboose is the most fun place to ride. A yummy swirled ice cream cone after the ride and that about does it:

An afternoon in Tiny Town with a stretch and a yawn everyone falls fast asleep in the car.

The Butterfly Pavilion!

We had some visitors that came to Littleton this week: Claire and Hannah! It's so fun to see these girls. They are growing up so fast. I know you always hear people say this but it's true. I still remember the first time I saw little Claire as baby!

Grandma and Grandpa took us to the butterfly pavilion. This was the first time we've been and I have to say, the butterflies were breathtaking. They were all different sizes and colors. Here are a few I found. You'll just have to excuse to rotten banana they are devouring:).


Kendall has been a little treat to have around. He just hangs out and does whatever, whenever. EASY child- as of now. In a few months I just might be posting a little picture of me bald because I've pulled my hair out. Hopefully not but we'll see:).
Meet Rosie, she is the little arachnid in my hand. She was the most lovely tarantula I have ever held. NOT! I was shakin in my boots but trying to be brave so that Nathan would want to hold her. Not a chance. He opted to pet the starfish and crabs.

Oh Happy Day!

As in Happy Birthday! I found these three pictures that pretty much sums up Justin's dimensional personality:

SWEET!!!

FUN!!!

EXCITING / ADVENTUROUS!!!

Movies Under the Moon!

Every Wednesday night during the summer, there is an outdoor movie in the Aspen Grove parking lot. We got the kids in their jammies, loaded the car with blankets, snacks, and drinks. When we arrived, the air was full of smells that made you grateful for summer nights! Kettle corn and homemade root beer. There was a massive blow up slide for the kids to play on while waiting for dusk to turn into night. Everything seemed perfect. The movie that was featured was Surf's Up. One we had not previously seen.

The movie started and ended. By all means, I'm no movie critic but I was really disappointed. I felt uncomfortable as my three year old was watching crude scenes and thankfully not getting the "adult jokes". Some parts of the movie I actually got a little mad and my feathers were ruffled. Yes, I realize that there is far worse out there but I will not be purchasing this movie and bringing it into my home. Most of the movie was really funny and that is why I don't understand why they have to ruin it with tasteless scenes?

I've noticed something that came along once I became a mother. It's called "holy huge sensitivity to crap"! You feel a natural urge to protect your kids from all the junk that is out there in the world. Granted they will have to be faced with it some time and all you can do is try to teach and prepare them the best you can, but the age of three is not the age I prefer them to be exposed. Thanks...I'm done now:).



And while I'm giving my opinion so freely... Have you ever had these?! I just discovered these and my poor bottom is so sorry! Just read the name:

Ginger Lemon Cremes
English Tea Cookies

7 words:
New Years Eve Party in my mouth!!!

Twitterpated!

30 years of paradise!

This smokin hot couple celebrates their anniversary with a tasty breakfast on the deck served by "waiter Nathan". He has a little ways to go as he threw the plate on the table and said, "here ya go!"

Then when least expected, prince charming surprises his princess with a bar-b-que smoker. Yum, what could be more romantic? That's right, some finger lickin, lip smakin...ribs!

Splash Champion!

Justin is our family's practical joker. If there is any joke or trick to be played on someone, he is ALL over it. This just so happens to be his favorite thing: to throw people into the pool or get them wet somehow.

Mammy- 3times
Cody- 1 time
Jan- 1 time
Nathan- drenched with the hose
Cindi- water ballooned
Alisa- water ballooned
Brandon- water ballooned

Major props to Cody and Mammy for being able to get him back!!!

Nathan just so happens to take after his dad. He thinks it's SO fun to chuck waterballoons at any moving target!

Good Times!

Our ward really gets us in the spirit to celebrate our country's independence right off the bat! We ate a yummy pancake (Village Inn Pancakes:)) breakfast and then had a bubble gum blowing contest, a noodle relay, and the anticipated bicycle parade led by Danny, our tall Uncle Sam!

There's nothin quite like a backyard bar-b-que! Especially Mammy and Papa's backyard! Luke sang the Star Spangled Banner and it was beautiful!