So Much For Catching Up

Well, my attempt to update my blog clearly failed. 

Let's see, after returning from Seattle we packed up again two days later to head out on the pioneer trek with the youth of our stake.  My mom came and watched our little ones while we pushed a handcart for three days. 

 After my trek experience I am humbled and eternally grateful for the sacrifice the pioneers made.  Just those 3 days I spent in the wilderness exhausted me mentally, physically and emotionally.  Not to mention the inch thick layer of dirt I had stuck to my skin and hair.  Needless to say, I would like to cordially invite myself to never go on another trek again. 

Clint and I were Ma's and Pa's and these were our kids.  We actually trekked up into the hills behind our house.  We walked 17 grueling miles, mostly all uphill of course.  This photo was taken on our last stretch of the trail when we were the most ornery, tired and dirty we possibly could have been. 

After returning from trek, Clint left the next day for a two week stint in Alabama for work.  When he returned we celebrated Easton's 4th Birthday.

Little mate received a bike for his big day.  We celebrated with a beach party.

I made the birthday cake by cutting up pieces of cake and layering pudding, cool whip, then cake.  I then crushed vanilla wafers and graham crackers to make the sand.  The seashells are just chocolates I made with candy molds. 

For being the beginning of July it was a bit chilly- so much so that we started a fire in the fire pit.  However, it didn't stop Easton and his cousin Jane from swimming in the pool.    

Back by popular demand

Not really- unless you count my brother saying "update your blog!" on my facebook account.

So, where to start.  This summer was the busiest summer EVER. As I mentioned in June we traveled to Seattle for my bro's wedding.  The following are a few more pictures from our fun trip.

         Here we are out and about sightseeing.  Seattle is pretty but it was June and kind of chilly.  I am not a fan of chilly weather. 

On the way home from Seattle we drove to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to see our friends Katie and Helo.

                    They took us fishing and camping. Finally, some relaxation on our vacation.

                               

       We were also able to visit our good friends the Walker's and the Nelson's on the way up to Seattle but I failed to take photos of our fun times.

And now, more photos of Sean and Nicole's wedding reception.

The wedding was beautiful and Sean and Nicole were SO happy!

Well, that's a start for now.  More to come-  {hopefully.}

Happy 4th

I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July.  I loved the fact it fell on a Sunday because the whole weekend was filled with celebration.

Clint has been out of town for two weeks due to work obligations so we celebrated Easton's birthday on Saturday.  {Pictures forthcoming}

Sunday we enjoyed dinner and fireworks at Grandpa Mark's and Grandma Debra's house.  Followed by a sausage and marshmallow roast at our home while watching more fireworks.

Monday we relaxed and enjoyed hanging out and having our Dad home with us.

I love this country!

Little Mate is 4

Little Mate is now 4 years old today. 

 This is the kid that started our crazy parenting adventure.   

He makes me smile, laugh, pull my hair out at times, and cry.  Most of all he makes me happy.

This boy loves dance parties and glow sticks.  We make a weekly trip to the dollar store to get a glow stick, sometimes a turkey baster or a ball but mostly just glow sticks.  Anything that is not a toy is what he likes.  He's not into swords or action figures but a nice stick or sanding sponge is preferred.

His favorite song to dance to at his dance parties is 'Carol of the Bells' (aka Grandpa Bob song) -even after 2 years it never gets old.

Easton loves his little sister and enjoys teasing her and mauling her at times.  He is a good big brother and likes to help out.

{Easton age 3}

Messes are his thing and he is not afraid to make a good mess.  He is getting better though at picking up his things and cleaning his room, which I sure appreciate.

{Easton age 2}

The boy adores his grandparents, cousins and friends.  

He told me when he is bigger he wants to drive a fire truck (like his uncle Reed), drive a race car and build things.

For his birthday I asked him what he wanted and this is the list he had me write:

 Robots  (the movie)

Scary Ball

Duckie

Flashlight Glow Stick

Shrinking Star

Ghost Light Show

Root Beer

Popsicles

We love our little mate and are grateful for the humor and craziness he brings to our home.

I just wanted to share this little story about Easton that means so much to me.   While saying prayers last week he said, "Bless Grandpa Bob that he can get his house solded."  Well, my parents have been trying to sell their home in Grand Junction for the past year so my mom can move to Price where my dad has been working for a year and a half.  The next day after Easton's sweet prayer my parents had a showing of their home and received a great offer.  They close in just a few weeks on the sale of their home.  Such a blessing and an answer to a little boy's prayer.

                          We love our East!   Happy Birthday!

Where Have We Been?

Well, June flew by like a rocket.  Here is a little recap of what we've been up to.

My brother was married on June 11th in Seattle. We rented an RV and made the trek northward.  Easton loved the RV and the RV loved gas. I don't know that I loved spending so much money on gas. However, we had a fabulous trip and enjoyed stopping to see several friends on the way up and back from Seattle.

                                                                     The very happy couple.

Are you wondering why my dress is different from my sisters? ( Maybe you're not but I will tell you anyway.)  My sister forgot my dress as well as Marielle's at the hotel.   She felt really bad though so I won't name which sister it was.  

My beautiful little sisters.

I have lots of pictures of our trip, 404 to be exact.  I will post more later.  Hopefully.

Memorial Day

 My heart is filled with gratitude for the many men and women who sacrifice so much in order to preserve liberty.  We enjoy so many freedoms in this great land because of those heroic, brave people.

My own life has been personally touched by many heroic people.  Two of those hero's are Clint's grandfather, grandpa Ralph and my own grandfather, Don.  In April we had the opportunity to travel down to Manti to watch as Ralph received his Purple Heart award.  While stationed in Iwo Jima during WWII  Ralph was shot in the shoulder.  He quickly returned home after being shot and therefore did not receive his much deserved medal.  Clint's Aunt Kathy completed the necessary paperwork and after over 60 years Grandpa Ralph finally received his Purple Heart.

(Grandpa Ralph with his wife and children)

While in Manti we also had a chance to visit my grandfather Don.  He fought in the Pacific during WWII as well.  Little did I know that my visit with my grandfather in April would be the last time I would see him.  He passed away May 6th.  He was 90 years old. 

I am grateful for these men and so many others who have sacrificed so much in order that we can enjoy the many beautiful freedoms we have here in America.  I love this country and feel so blessed to be an American.

Shower

The day after Marielle's birthday party my mom, sisters and I threw a bridal shower for my brother's fiancee Nicole.  They are planning a June wedding with grey and yellow as the wedding colors so we decided to have a yellow themed shower.

These are the party favors each guest filled with candy from the candy buffet to take home with them.

Now if I would have not had such sweatie armpits from running around and visiting with everyone I may have taken a few photos of the guests.  But apparently I did not have the wherewithal to accomplish such a task and so I am left without pictures of my fabulous family members.  Next time I'll have to hire a photographer.

Sweetie Pie Party

The following are pictures from Marielle's birthday party.  {It's a bit of picture overload-sorry}

I wanted to create a little party for her that was pretty and sweet like she is. 

I love making crafts and so for the past few weeks Easton, Marielle and I sat up in my craft loft or the croft as Easton calls it and created.  Easton loves to help me create as well.  He enjoys gluing, cutting, stamping and punching out paper.  Marielle just likes to dig through all of my supplies and eat the paper.

Most of the frames are from the thrift store, spray painted to match her room.

The banner is made from doilies purchased at the dollar store.

A little scrapbook to honor the birthday girl.