Summer Lovin'

#1 Jeff working in the yard AND playing with the kids
#2 Corn on the Cob
#3 Chocolaty crumbs outside - not on my clean kitchen floor
#4 This face
#5 And this face

#6 number 4 & number 5 getting along

Feliz Cumpleanos

Emily turned 5 on the 25th. She was SO excited for her birthday. We began the day by giving her one of her presents - a barbie house. She was very surprised and immediately wanted to play with it and move the furniture around. We gave her a little bit to enjoy the gift before Jeff whisked her off to IHOP for some chocolate chip pancakes and blueberry syrup.
We spent the afternoon in Kaysville at a half birthday party for her cousin Sara. An unusual way to spend your own birthday I know. But when given the choice of going to Sara's party or staying at home and playing quietly while her brother napped, Emily chose the party.

Later that afternoon and evening were filled with more presents, dinner to Emily's favorite - Red Robin, and skyping with Gma & Gpa in Russia.

Sunday we celebrated again with my parents and brothers. They came over for dinner, cake & ice cream and even more presents. My parents gave Emily a new dress (that she's in love with) and we gave her some gum. Several years ago Emily asked if she could have some gum. I thought she was too young to handle gum without swallowing it or playing with it so I told her no. She then asked when she could have some. On the spot I just threw out a number - 5. Emily latched onto it and for the next 2 1/2 years couldn't wait till she was 5 and could have some gum. She was SO good about it and would even turn it down if others offered her some. So of course her 5th birthday wouldn't be complete without getting some bubble gum.

Then on Monday the 27th we had a little birthday party. We had a few girls from the ward and from preschool come over for some water games and to play on the water slide & slip 'n slide.

Even Jacob joined in on the fun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOAD! WE LOVE YOU!!

How To Be A Princess

On the 23rd we went to a Princess Festival down at the Children's Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. It was a great event where all the proceeds go to help purify water in Africa. Emily got to meet lots of princesses, find Alice through the hedge maze, watch some shows, make some butterfly hair clips to donate to a shelter, hang out with just mom and dad, and be a princess all day. It was a fun event and we hope to be able to do it again next year - maybe with some cousins.

Queen of Hearts, Alice & Mad Hatter, Beauty & Beast

Princess & the Pea, Sleeping Beauty

Rapunzel, 12 Dancing Princesses, Princess & the Frog

Princesses Ilissa & Mila, & Cinderella
Ariel and splashing around in Noah's Ark

Bombora

Tuesday the 21st was Jeff's work Lagoon day. We look forward to this every year. We got up there about 1pm and immediately took Emily & Jacob on rides. Emily was so excited and couldn't wait. It took Jacob several rides before he realized what was going on. He's never been old enough to ride by himself or get anything out of it. Once he figured things out though he had a blast.

After stopping for lunch we met up with my sister Jenn and her kids, my mom, and Mike & Niki. While those who were tall enough went on some rides, Jenn & I took the little kids over to do some more stuff in kiddieland. We met up again for a soaking on Rattle Snake Rapids before heading for dinner.

The kids were exhausted and Sara fell asleep during dinner. Jacob took about a 15 minute nap and then wouldn't fall back asleep. Jeff and I went on one 'adult' ride - Wicked - at the end while my mom watched the kids drive the cars over and over and over again. We ended up staying till the park closed making for an extremely exhausted 1 year old. It was a fun year and we're already looking forward to next year!

Dads

Father's Day was nice and relaxing - just the way Jeff wanted. We did have 9am church - where Emily sang beautifully with all the primary kids in Sacrament Meeting and we actually got to see her face this time! (For Mother's Day she moved over to the opposite side of the stand that we were facing and was behind some taller kids). After church Jeff got to nap and then we gave him his presents - some of which were Dad's rootbeer and pictures the kids had drawn.

That night we went to my parents house for a yummy BBQ. The kids played with cousins and of course gave Gpa lots of hugs.
We love all the dads in our lives and hope they all had a great Father's Day. They are all wonderful examples and we're so grateful to have so many good ones!

Jackson

The 18th we went to a birthday party for Jackson. Stacy had snowcones, a bounce house, and a pinata for all the cousins. Emily had a blast running around with all of them - as usual. Unfortunately Jacob was home with an ear infection and napping. He would have l.o.v.e.d jumping around and seeing his cousins.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY JACKSON!

Green Thumb

This is the first summer in our married life that we have had a yard. This has brought lots of fun and joy as the kids have been able to jump on the tramp, swing & slide, run through sprinklers, play soccer and bocce and numerous other things. It has also brought back responsibilities that Jeff happily handed off to his brothers and dad 20 years ago, such as mowing the lawn. Jeff has had to trim hedges, rose bushes, and practice his edging skills. Knowing he had all of this responsibility he was supportive, but somewhat hesitant when I started pursuing the vegetable garden idea. It was me who had to encourage the seed buying and me who had to push to get the soil ready. Yet Jeff was supportive and helped me in the end. The kids were extremely excited to dig in the dirt and were very helpful.

Well, to an extent. After about 10 minutes or so they went back to playing with their bikes.

After prepping the soil and getting everything we needed, we were able to plant everything on May 7th. Having had no experience with gardening before we decide to try the seed thing but also get some starts. Emily was loved dropping the seeds in the holes and was very good with helping.

We took a break after a little bit to get out of the sun. After snapping a few pictures Emily insisted on taking one of mommy & daddy. We were hesitant at first to hand over the camera. A small digital not that big a deal. But a nice SLR that is still counting for my Mother's Day & Christmas presents was a different story. But she was able to handle it ok and the picture didn't turn out too bad. She really liked the zooming, can you tell?

So here is our garden after planting it and then some close ups at 5 weeks.

So along with the vegetable garden I wanted to try my hand at the flower beds. Dave & Arline fortunately gave their blessing and I went to work. I pulled out the horribly snail infested perennials that were there. Then the following Saturday Jeff helped me widen the flower bed by pulling up some of the grass. Seeing that we were going to be working in the yard the kids quickly grapped their work gloves and came to join. And of course when they saw a shovel was involved they had to step right in and help. I have since planted some new pernnials but failed to get a picture while they were all still blooming. I'm hoping that next year will find them spread out and even bigger. And maybe I can add a few more as well. But unfortunately I couldn't justify any more money on flowers this year.

Sleepover

Being that my sister Jenn just had a baby and it was her anniversary my Mom took 3 of her girls overnight Friday. Then she dropped them off at my house on Saturday for another sleepover. Emily was SO excited to have Ally & Sara sleepover and Jacob was thrilled that he could see and play with Grace. We didn't get them till after dinner on Saturday so I sent them outside with Popsicles and then they laughed and giggled while jumping on the tramp.
Then Jeff and I attempted to put 5 kids (4 of which were 4 and under) to bed. We first got them all ready and then said family prayers. Grace and Jacob were adorable! I tried to recreate it after, but Jacob didn't hold still quite long enough for me to catch it. Then we snapped a few pictures of the kids all in bed together, then said goodnight to the girls and took Grace & Jacob upstairs. Fortunately they both went to bed fairly easy and Jeff and I were able to get everything ready for 9am church the next day and still spend a little bit of time together before going to bed ourselves.
Ally, Emily & Sara got to sleep in the 'guest' room's king sized bed and loved it. Jacob and Grace shared a room also and were very excited about it. We were a bit wary, but they did great. They are so cute together. Whenever they see each other the run up and hug. They'll walk around holding hands and just light up whenever you just mention the others name.
Surprisingly it wasn't too crazy of a weekend and everything went well. The kids all loved it and Jeff and I realized how grateful we are that we only have 2 kids right now and no twins.

33

June is always a very busy month for us. Between my family and Jeff's we have 9 birthdays. And that's not even getting into the anniversaries. So on June 5th we had Mike & Niki over for Sunday dinner. I made a cake to celebrate Jeff and Niki's birthdays coming up that week (June 10th & June 11th). Then we made a birthday call to Melanie to wish her a great 30th.
Then on the 10th we went packed a picnic and went to visit Jeff at work. We surprised him with a sandwich from Groves Market, cheetos, and eclairs.

After we ate the kids ran around the park throwing and breaking sticks, while Jeff and I relaxed and cuddled on the blanket. We always love visiting Jeff at work but it's even more fun when we can go next door, throw a blanket down, and enjoy the nice weather. We all love it when we can see daddy during the day instead of just after work.

Our attempt at getting a family shot

After Jeff came home from work we headed to the zoo. One of the first things we saw was the T-Rex. Jacob fell in love. He smiled, stared, pointed, laughed, growled, and threw a fit when we walked away. Emily was a lot more shy and scared of the 15 foot animated dinosaur and refused to leave the stroller or get near it.

After the zoo we went to Red Robin for dinner and came home and Jeff opened his presents. It was a fun day and we were glad we were able to spend so much time with Jeff. He is such a wonderful husband and father.

Happy Birthday Hon! Hope it was a good one! We love you!