Last Beach Trip of the year

The weather held out (sort of) for one last beach trip this year.  When I say "sort of" I mean that I spent my time under blankets...whilst the little ones pretended it was warm and played in the sand.  Once they got wet...it was over.  

We are a beach family...each one of us loves the beach.  Something about laying on the warm sand, sun beating down on you, waves crashing...it is so peaceful and relaxing.  And then your kid throws sand in your face. :-)

A Political Humor Post

I have refrained from being political on facebook for several reasons, mostly because I don't want to start any debates.  This is MY space though, so I thought I would post a few of my favorite funnies.  

 This Dwight Shrute/Newt comparison is definately one of my favorites...

Hands down my FAVORITE one...

Video Games

Phoenix broke our game drive to our Wii last year (I guess stuffing as many DVD's into it at once will do that), so we haven't played a lot of games.  Two weeks ago Audrey started playing Super Mario 3 (which we had downloaded already) and both me and her are totally addicted!  When I played it growing up we did not have the internet like it is today, so I googled all of the "secrets" and I have watched youtube videos on how to get certain things.  It is SO fun!  Audrey wants to play Mario everyday (and I usually get sucked in which means her and Phoenix get to stay up late!).  And might I add that it is awesome NOT having to blow on the game cartridge, and try desperately to get the nintendo to read it before you can actually play the game!  3 of my sisters are visiting in a few weeks, and I am thinking we will have to get our Mario on (we usually play Disney Sing It and Band Hero).

Big steps

You may or may not know that Phoenix is an extremely picky eater.  Picky as in I have had to force feed him before.  On a daily basis.  It was horrible.  I could always get Phoenix to eat candy or Doritos, but I am pretty sure that a diet of just those two things is not considered healthy.  Phoenix has gradually added more food to his menu:  Mac n Cheese (only when it is made with at least 2% milk, the thick and creamy variety), Pizza (but usually only Little Caesars lol), and once in a while, Spaghetti.  In the last few weeks he has tried soup for the first time, and he liked it, and he also tried Cinnamon toast (he usually spits anything in the bread variety out immediately).  This may seem like no big deal to most of  you, but these two things are actually HUGE steps for Phoenix.  I think he will warm up to trying new things slowly and over time, but there is hope!!

School Pictures

Audrey has kinda lost her perfect smile in pictures over the last two years.  I thought that she was incapable of doing a "normal smile", either she would be doing a overly excited expression, or a fake (and lame) smile with squinty eyes.  Needless to say I had very low expectations for her school pictures.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope the picture envelope and saw this!!

Isn't she adorable??  I was shocked, and so proud!  

First Soccer Game

Last Saturday Audrey had her first soccer game, that morning she was moping around saying that her team would be the losers, and that she would never score a goal.  It turned out to be a tie, and Audrey was so excited to be on the "winning" team.  Her attitude this week was much better.

 Audrey surprised me and actually went after the ball most of the time.  There were definitely some times when she would keep running way past the ball, but she is getting better all the time.

 The coaches were awesome about letting every player get a chance to do everything.  It was fun for all of the kids, and it was surprisingly fun to watch.

 Audrey's favorite part was the tunnel...she has asked to look at this picture at least 4 times.

This week the team that they play had a few very good players on it, they totally beat us (I would guess that the final score was 25-3), but Audrey had no clue, she just kept talking about how her team was the best, and the fastest, and the strongest.  I was glad that she was blissfully unaware ;-) .

Phoenix's 1st Day of School

When me and Phoenix toured this preschool in the summer he was more than a little devastated that he could not play on the playground that day, so you can imagine his joy when we came back for his first day of school and he knew that he could stay and play.  

He was so excited that I could not get him to look at the camera!

His teacher is like a local grandma, she is so wonderful and loving!  Phoenix is always excited to go to school to see his "frens".  I love sending him to a place that I know he is loved and taken care of.  Yay for school!!

Arizona Trip: Part 5

The wedding.  

Heather looked...breathtaking.  Her dress is what every bride wished theirs looked like (myself included), her hair was soft and romantic, her make-up enhanced her natural beauty.  Travis keeps talking about how good John's suit looked, so together Heather and John made a stunning couple.

Here are some pictures from the reception:

 Out-of-town Aunties.  These fabulous women (plus Uncle Kent) came down from Idaho and Utah to celebrate with Heather.  It was fun to have a few people that I knew there!

 Audrey and the candy table...

 Trav with his favorite (and only) brother, and Janae.

 Janae did all of the floral arrangements for the wedding (including bridal bouquet, corsages, and boutiniers (my spelling is WAY off, but the spell check suggestion to correct it was butterfingers...so..yeah) , Travis and Jared hung the lights...

 John did the writing, amazing write (haha)?

 The cake cutting.  I was the self appointed photographer for the reception (much to John's annoyance haha),  although my photographer skills are extremely limited to...none...I did manage to grab a few shots that made me proud, the cake cutting series being my favorite.  

 Here is the back of Heather's dress if you are like me and were interested...

 Janae said after this picture was taken "Oh, I look tired, but I guess that is appropriate!".  Janae worked SO HARD on this, she spent months gathering ideas, vintage pink glass (which included a nail biting bidding war on ebay with none other than her own sister!), etc.  She did Heather's wedding hair, she made her wedding jewelry (which looked awesome by the way).  The weeks before the wedding were intense and long for her, but she did a great job! Everyone at the venue (that worked there) kept coming up and complimenting all of the different elements.  Everything turned out awesome!!

 I am pretty sure that John's brother did this, but whoever it was...such a cute idea!!!

 A random picture from the temple with Heather and John's sisters.  Gorgeous, right??

 I was so privileged to be involved with some of the elements of this day.  It was so special to see Heather and John in the temple being sealed for time and all eternity.  It was exciting helping her get into her wedding dress and primp her hair, touch up make up etc.  My favorite part of the day was when John saw Heather for the first time in her wedding gown, I may or may not have shed a tear (or more).  Pure and perfect love.  John is an awesome addition to our family, and I could not be happier for both John and Heather.  Love you guys!!  

Arizona Trip: Part 4

There was a bridal shower, but I took pictures with Heather's camera so I have no photo documentation of that event.  We had the family dinner on Thursday night at John's parents house.  His Mom and sisters made some delicious mexican food...I think Mexican food might be the best party food.  The dessert...let me say this: 1)mint chocolate chip ice cream, 2) oreo cookie crust, 3) Hot fudge drizzles....yeah, it was tasty!

The happy couple...

 I snapped some pictures of the kids, they spent most of the time in the basement playing.  Never underestimate the value of having a separate floor for the little ones to play, our basement has changed our lives.

 John's talented Mom, sisters, and sisters-in-law sang "Going to the Chapel Temple", something about being related makes harmonizing so much better.  It was beautiful.  Next time Heather will be up there with them ;-)

It was fun to get together with both sides of the families, we are all so happy for Heather and John!!