What better place to start off the summer

Our kids only had 4 weeks of summer until they started school. Bummer for them. So we decided we needed a vacation. There is no better place to us then the beach. We took off last minute and had a great time. We spent every day all day at the beach. Our kids loved it. The water was a little chilly for my liking so I just basked in the joy of watching my kids explore the waves and built sand castles with them. Steven of course had to try out the waves too. We had fun eating sandwiches on the beach, going to In and Out Burger for dinner, swimming at the hotel, laughing hysterically at our kids trying to imitate the Chinese radio stations, Steven and I getting the worst sun burns of our lives (so that really wasn't fun but it was memorable) just being together as a family and making memories was the most fun.

Holding back the Tears...

Last get together with some PT friends before we moved

This is Kamala. I started babysitting her right when we moved to Flagstaff. She was 8 weeks old when I started and turned 2 right before we left. I was sad to leave her. She felt like one of my own. I watched her grow and saw all the fun mile stones that took place. We sure miss having her around!

This is Sis. Rowley. She lived around the corner from us and was our kids adopted grandma. It was a blessing to know her. She was my Flagstaff mom.

Something I am going to miss terribly are my kids friends. The fact that they could just walk or ride their bike down the street to play with friends was so great. They made many great friends that will be missed.
Katons best friends were Aaron Payne and Rhett Scott
Mikelles best friends were Olivia Larson and Sara Goodman
Kaylas best friend was Claire Larson

Moving Day arrived and despite my efforts to be prepared it was still stressful. We couldn't of done it without my mom and brother JDs help.

We moved on June 28, 2008. I can't tell you how much I will miss Flagstaff. These past two years have been some of the greatest.
Things I will miss...
Friends
Our ward
The WEATHER
Movies at the square
PT parties
Picnics at the park in JULY
Waking up to it snowing
Cuddling on the couch with a blanket and drinking hot chocolate
Opening my door during the summer time breathing in the fresh air
Snow days
All the small town festivities
Leaving my doors unlocked and not freaking out about it
Having family and friends come visit
My kids school
Our regular Sunday walks
BBQ's
Okay seriously I could go on forever. The point is I really enjoyed our time spent in Flagstaff and I will miss it terribly but the fact that we are moving on and Steven is in his last year makes it worth it.

Mikelles Birthday

Mikelle had a great Birthday!!! At least I hope she did. She got to choose the activities for the day. She picked out breakfast which consisted of waffles and bacon, then we went to the park for a picnic. Steven was able to meet us at the park for a little while and that was a fun surprise. She wanted to go to Peter Piper Pizza for dinner and the birthday girl got her wish. I have to add in here that Mikelle is the luckiest girl in the world. I am so serious. Anytime she enters a contest or presses her luck she wins. It is amazing. When we were at Peter Piper Pizza the kids obviously wanted tokens to do some games. Mikelle wanted to do the games all by herself and Steven tried to talk her out of it thinking that it would be a waste of money because she wouldn't win many tickets. I told him that I have watched her do the games by herself and trust me she will win tickets. So we went around with the kids to watch them and sure enough Mikelle played one of those impossible games and won the bonus. She got 200 tickets. SO naturally Katon and Kayla wanted to play thinking they would get that many tickets too. Not the case. They each got a couple. Mikelle wanted to try the game again and Steven kept trying to tell her not to because she wouldn't win the bonus again. We forget how lucky this girl is and would you believe it on her first try she got the bonus and won 200 tickets again. That is just one story of how lucky she is. She is definitely someone I would take to Vegas. Mikelle came home with a few fun toys from Peter Pipers and then we went home to open presents and have cake. She loved all her presents. She got a lot of art stuff. This girl will sit for hours and color or paint or do anything artsy. Her patience amazes me. She is just an amazing little girl who is growing up way to fast!! We love you Mikelle! Happy Birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKELLE!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR LITTLE PRINCESS!!! Well she is not so little anymore! Although her birthday is technically not until next Friday the 27th, we are celebrating it early due to the fact that we are moving next weekend. What would we do without our Mikelley. She brings so much laughter in our home. She is one of those people that are naturally funny. She is a huge help and often does little surprises for me. She is a people person and makes friends in 2 seconds every where she goes. She is a girly girl and it cracks me up. Every morning when she wakes up she immediately goes into the bathroom and brushes her hair to make sure it is not sticking up. The other day Steven took the kids for a ride in the back of his truck and when they came home I caught Mikelle looking through the back windows fixing her hair. She keeps herself looking cute. Mikelle is a beautiful daughter. Our family would not be complete with out her!! We love you Mikelle! HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY!!!

Mikelles Favorites
Color- Pink and Purple
Food- Lunchable
Movie- The Little Mermaid
Toy- Barbie Computer
Song- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Best Friend- Olivia Larson
Place to go- Peter Piper Pizza
Activity with the Family- Play Games

Happy Fathers Day!!!

I know Fathers Day has come and gone but I couldn't go with out saying anything about the amazing dads in my life! First and most importantly is my my own hubby. If there is anything he is nearly perfect at it is being a father. He is so great with kids! How did I get so lucky. HE LOVES his kids more than anything and they LOVE HIM just the same!

Nobody could replace my own dad! He is such a great example to me. He is fun and goofy at times and I love that about him. He has always been a strength in my life and I am so glad he is my dad!!

I don't particularly consider Stevens dad my father-in-law because he is just like another dad to me! He treats me like his daughter and I couldn't be more grateful to have another dad like him.

I am so blessed with such great dads in my life!!!

Like Father Like Son

HOW FUN IS THAT!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

It was my moms birthday on Saturday. We were down visiting again because we got family pictures with everyone on my side of the family. It was fun to be there and celebrate my moms birthday! My mom is the greatest. I hope she knows how much I love and appreciate her. She always goes out of her way to do anything for me and my family. Thanks for being my mom and loving me through thick and thin! Hope you had a great Birthday and that you have a great 50th year! HA HA

Mikelle Kindergarten Graduation

Her wonderful teacher Mrs. Skeen

The teachers Aide Mrs. Lovich

Mikelle and her best friend Olivia

Mikelle will miss all her friends

A proud little sister

Well another school year has gone by way to fast. I can't believe my little Mikelley is going to be in 1st grade. She might be ready but I am definitely not. She has grown so much this last year. One of my favorite things about being a mom is watching my kids develop and grow into their own person. Mikelle is one of a kind and I am so proud of her!