Me Time

So tonight I was pampered. Paul Mitchell the school (that's what its called!) is offering services for military personnel and/or spouses. I took advantage of their generosity and got my haircut and nails done...all by myself! Usually I run to the local mega haircut place with kids in tow, get a quick cut and return home to style it myself. Not the case tonight. I felt like the princess I am as the students pampered me. It was really nice to be reminded of the goodness of people. Thank you!

School's In!

We arrived home just days before school started back up again. Not much time to recover but we made it through. Stephen began his 4th grade year all excited to be among the upperclassmen. This year he will get to experience being a lunchworker, attending assemblies with the older kids and learning about Utah history. Let the good times begin!

Even Emma wanted to go to school! Notice the red book in her hands. She was very disappointed she couldn't go too.

European Vacation

No, not like the Griswold's vacation although we did have some mishaps, but what's a family vacation without some trials? This August Stephen, Emma & I went to visit Uncle Dave and Aunt Kris and kids with Grandma & Grandpa Cassat. Greg was "vacationing" in Washington and couldn't make it. For 3 fun-filled weeks we traveled around Northern England and spent some days in France. Through all the planes, trains and automobiles, the kids were troopers. I couldn't have asked for better traveling companions. We did experience some minor injuries, fevers and exhaustion but endured to the end. Our beautiful hosts did a fantastic job playing travel guides, hotel and drivers as we explored some of the most beautiful countryside in England. My favorite was a small town known for the birthplace of the Magna Carta, Bury St. Edmunds. It's beautiful combining old world (roman ruins) and the modern - shopping malls and eateries.

I snuck away with my in-laws to visit London for a few days. We saw "Wicked", took bus and river tours of the city and enjoyed sitting in Westmister Abbey for Evensong. Thanks Don & Jeanne for letting me tag along!

We spent 6 amazing days in France visiting Mickey Mouse and gang at EuroDisney. Did you know that Mickey speaks French? How about Buzz Lightyear? Oui! Moving 11 people around was a challenge all in itself so one day in Paris was plenty. We saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, fed birds at Notre Dame, walked and walked & then finally found a bus to the Eiffel Tower. The view from the top was worth the walking and then we enjoyed icecream afterwards. We ate at a sidewalk cafe and enjoyed crepes for dessert. Very french!

At the end of it all, Stephen and Emma's favorite memories will be playing with their cousins. At any given time I would see one or both out playing on the trampoline or slaying imaginary dragons with their swords.

Thanks and love to the Dave Cassat family for being wonderful hosts! We love you!

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.