Pioneer Day

In Utah, we celebrate the 24th of July as Pioneer Day, the day the mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley to stay. I took the kids to preview the holiday parade floats upclose and personal. It was so much fun walking around these huge floats, all colorful and different but all had the same theme "Then and Now". Stephen loved the floats with temples on them, Emma loved the fairy float and I just loved watching my kids smile at everything. To finish off our Family Home Evening, we headed for icecream and playtime at a fast-food joint. Good times...then and now.

Incredible!

So I took the kids to this new place in Draper, UT aptly named Incredible Pizza Company. Talk about incredible...prices but the smiles on their faces made it worth the money. Actually, the place is pretty great with tons of arcade games, go karts, mini golf, and even a toddler area (Emma loved it!) and the food is pretty decent. As destination places go, this was, well, incredible. Stephen loved anything he could drive and Emma loved the tiny carousel.

Happy 4th of July!

This Fourth of July means more to me than most years for obvious reasons. Decked out in our Old Navy flag shirts, the kids and I attended our ward's annual 4th of July flag ceremony and breakfast. Seeing the flag being raised brought a special warmth to my heart with a true knowledge that we are blessed to live in a beautiful country created from a loving Heavenly Father. Later in the day I took the kids to see a movie and then shopping for some bigger clothes for my ever-growing kids! We ended the day with a picnic and a park and lighting fireworks in the street in front of our house. The best way to end the day was a phone call from my honey. God Bless America!

Our Daddy, Our Hero

I think the pictures speak for themselves. We are very proud of our daddy and his service to our country.

Our Cute Kids

Just indulge me for a moment while I post cute pictures of Stephen and Emma. They are getting so grown up. Emma is talking a mile a minute, loving her "Ste Ste" (Stephen), mimcing his every move, while Stephen is trying to figure out how to be a big boy in a big body. I love my kids!

Best Birthday Ever!

Stephen turned 9 years old on May 24. That in itself is a big day, starting off with birthday cake for breakfast! (Yes, for breakfast but only on your birthday!) Not only did Stephen celebrate his birthday but he won the 3rd grade Spelling Bee! and played the piano for the 3rd grade talent show all on his birthday! WOW! Parent's weren't allowed for the spelling bee and even though I work at the school, I stayed away. As I was walking in the halls, his teacher's aide grabbed me and told me to hurry to the gym because Stephen had just won the Bee! I began to get choked up as I watched him stand with his "trophy" and receive congratulations from his classmates. Later he played the piano, Cat Walk, for his talent and did an amazing job. I couldn't believe what an awesome and eventful day he had. Happy 9th buddy!

Mini-Me

Watching Emma grow up is so fun to see myself reflected in her expressions and actions. I know that my mom had a hand in her creation. I can almost hear my mom say "you have a daughter just like you". It's true. I used to get into my mom's make-up and shoes and bags and jewlery and now Emma is paying me back. She is so cute, how could I stay mad for long? Emma may look like her dad or brother, but she is all me! Sundays are her "get into mommy's things" as we get all dressed up for church. Don't you just love the shoes and mascara?