Summer Time Fun

For the past week we've been in Utah hanging out with our family.

 

We started the weekend off at the Steele Days parade.

 

                Later that night was the annual dinner and fireworks show at Grandma Glenda's house.

Adriana loved Esme's face painted like a cat and would growl at her every time she looked at her.

                                      Clint with his grandmother and his cousins.

Clint had to travel to Reno for work so I took the kids down to my parents house in Price to stay for the week.

            It was Price City days and we were able to go swimming for free at the wave pool.  We love the wave pool and had lots of fun getting knocked around by the waves.

     We enjoyed another parade and fireworks show.   There was also an outdoor movie and lots of fun at the park.

                        Shaved ice is a staple of our summer time diet.

        I love summer and it always goes by too quickly.  I enjoy spending time with my kids and not having to worry about homework and all the stresses the school year brings.  The countdown to the start of school has begun so I better squeeze as much fun as possible into the last bit of summer we have.

My Girls

I just finished reading a book titled Deliberate Motherhood.  I highly recommend it.  It made me think about what kind of a mom I am and how I can improve to be a better mom.

 

I love being a mom.  It's by far the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done.  I feel a great sense of peace and contentment, one that I have never felt before until I became a mother. 

 

Here in Vegas I am often looked at as though I am a sideshow in the circus, perhaps we are a bit circus like, but I'm proud of my circus and the opportunity I have to shape these children into wonderful human beings.

 

Here are my little mothers in the making.  They make me smile with their fun personalities that I feel so privileged to be able to watch develop. 

 

 

It's easier to just dump out the fun dip and then lick it up.  Saves a lot time instead of having to use the little candy stick.

    Mascara always looks better applied around the eyes.  And a little dab on the chin for good measure.

Super hero girl is always ready for whatever may come her way.  Whether it be playing with friends or being ready at a moments notice to go swimming, she is prepared.

 

Purple eyeshadow is always better when your sister wears it too.

Such excitement on Easter morn for picture taking.  The one person who hates pictures the most is smiling the biggest.

Such good help when taking pictures and trying to get everyone to look at the camera.

For once Adriana is sitting on Esme and not the other way around.  It must be the life jacket that is so intimidating.

Trying on the new goggles to make sure they are a good fit.

Eight is Great

This boy made me a mom eight years ago.

 

I can't believe it.  I know it's so cliché but seriously where did the time go?

 

Easton is a very sweet, kind, mild-mannered boy.

He is a really good helper around the house and is always willing to help his sisters or myself out.

 

He still loves collecting "treasures."

                          He loves to swim and could spend everyday, all day long in the pool.

 

 

He does not, I repeat, does not enjoy getting his pictures taken.  Much of our photo shoot went as follows:

 

 

Over the Fourth of July weekend Easton was baptized.  We had all of my family and all of Clint's family come and stay.  It was fun, amazing and tiring.

 

Adriana and cousin Sawyer enjoyed playing the piano together.

                                    There was always something going on throughout the house.

We ate and ate, swam and ate some more.  Or maybe it felt like we were constantly eating because cooking for 25 people, 3 meals a day is a lot of work.  I had a lot of help though and everyone pitched in to make some delicious meals.  These festive sugar cookie bars were made by my sister Danielle.

                                                Easton proudly displaying his patriotic shirt he made.

 

                                      The little's enjoying some delicious oreo pops.

                                                      Lots of fun with Legos. 

We watched some great fireworks.  People by our house really know how to spend a lot of money on fireworks. 

The big day arrived.  Easton was excited and nervous.  For the last couple of months during family night we talked about baptism and the covenants you make.  We also had the missionaries come and talk to Easton.  There was also some "dunking" in our pool to practice for the big event.

By the time we got home from the baptism Easton had had enough of the paparazzi.  As is evidenced by the look on his face in this photo. 

                                                                     My siblings!

Marielle riding the wave rider received as a gift from Sean and Nicole.  It really works and has a little propeller on it.

                                                                Hot tub time!

                                                                          Lots of swimming. 

We had so much fun and are so grateful everyone was able to make the trip down to celebrate Easton's big day.  It meant a lot to him and to us to have our families support.  We miss everyone already.