A chance for photos

We had to take this opportunity to get a few pics. It's very rare for the girls to agree to dress alike AND do hair the same. Ally can't stand to have Kaitlyn copy her. Another abnormalty these days are braids and piggy tails. Kaitlyn can't stand being called cute....everytime she has piggy tails and braids, this comment is made. Therefore she doesn't usually go for them....thank goodness the word cute was no where to be found today :) Enjoy!!!...these next two are BEAUTIFUL...

Jason and Leslie's Wedding

We had fun attending a wedding reception today. Jeremy's friend Jason, from college, married Leslie, whom he met at the apartment complex he manages. We are happy he has found someone who seems really sweet....it'll be nice to get to know her. Congratulations you two and best wishes for all the happiest moments together.

Dance Festival

First two pics, compliments of Kolleens blog....thank you!


WOW! What a neat opportunity to attend conference! I can't even describe the feeling of 2000 youth running out onto the field. The spirit was so strong. Tears were running down my cheeks, goose bumps covered my body! It was SO amazing! My girls enjoyed themselves and were so sad daddy didn't join us....much to do at home and miss out on so much! Sorry babe! Kaitlyn's comments throughout the whole conference: "Boy....daddy's missing out!...this is so cool!"


The above flags in the picture represent the 133 temples that dot the earth today. They were brought out with "I Love to See the Temple" playing in the background.


The youth and missionaries in our district closed by singing "How Firm a Foundation" Thank you to everyone involved...this is an experience me and my children will never forget!

Festival of Balloons

This has been on a to do list for over 10 years....I'm so glad it's finally accomplished. It was worth getting up at 4:15 in the morning. We packed up our picnic breakfast and arrived just in time to see the first balloon lift off the ground. It was a relaxing morning watching all these balloons take flight. It was just as fasinating to view the process of set-up. One of the funniest moments was the girls and their excitement over the 'pop bottle'. I had to let out a large chuckle, that of course they didn't understand. We finished by 7:15 and headed to see great-grandma after her walk at the mall....we taught her how to play 'rock, scissors, paper'....must have looked funny in the publics eyes. It was a pleasant morning.

Meeting Baby Reese

We met our neice Reese for the first time....boy are her and her siblings so darn cute! I was happy to get a little baby fix and was thrilled for the opportunity to have a few moments with the other kiddos. I loved the fact that Tori warmed up to me as she did the last time she was here. She remembered playing "little piggies" on her toes....the cookies seemed to help as well....we had a lot of fun together. Many of the grandkids reunited for a pic....we have 3 neices and nephews yet to meet, so 4 kids are missing from the picture. Jeremy's folks now have a total of 15 grandkids...crazy, but fun!

Fathers Day

I loved the opportunity to designate some extra time for the sweet father of my children. It's been a while since I put alot of time and thought into a gift...it made me so happy to do something extra special....an extra bonus is the time the girls and I had while doing it :-)


The girls did the planning and I helped with the tweeking and pulling it all together. We had the morning together...treasure hunt, breakfast and time for Jeremy to catch up on rest....had church and left early for a BBQ (ribs, yum) at Jeremy's uncles....where we also got to see his Grandpa. I think he enjoyed his day and hope he knows how much he is appreciated and adored! Love you Sweet Daddy!


Extra bonuses: Kaitlyn's connection with Kaylee (her second cousin, once removed I think), seeing Great Aunt Carrie (from Seattle area), Aunt Lairen making the trip with us to Randy's, and getting to bring Ruby (our dog) in the car for the ride home....can you tell Jeremy's in love with her???!!! It was a good day for us all.

Okay so this picture may seem pretty pathetic to you (un-centered from setting it to a timer on our restaurant table top), but it’s the only one we’ve of got of us on our 12th year wedding anniversary. Well, I take that back….officially our anniversary is on the 20th, since that’s Father’s Day…we celebrated two days early.

I have to say our smiles are genuine and I love it. It’s us thoroughly enjoying ourselves over the most relaxing and enjoyable dinner we’ve ever had together. We’ve been to some pretty amazing restaurants and almost always try something new on our special day. This year our endeavor: The Melting Pot, which has been at the top of my list for the past several years. It is now a favorite and was worth every penny. The most enjoyable part, for both of us, was that we were forced to slow down and take pleasure in each bite and minute together (It helped having a secluded table, free from chaos too).

The food was fabulous. Our menu items: Cheese fondue with apples, veggies, chips and bread, a garlic and herb brine that we cooked more veggies (potatoes, broccoli) and all our meats (steak, chicken, pork, tuna and shrimp), then a Chocolate fondue with bites of all our favorite sweets (cheese cake, pound cake, brownie, marshmallow, banana and strawberries).

Thanks for the much needed date babe. I enjoyed every minute. These past 12 years have been wonderful and they definitely keep on getting better. You are such a sweet husband and father….I’m glad we were able to keep two special occasions separate.

I LOVE YOU!

Precious Sisterly Moments

Playing games together on the computer....Jeremy captured those. I love the girls expressions.

Kaitlyn showing compassion for her sister...who was ill on the second to last day of school....

Rockstar Ally

Over the past several weeks, eye shadow has been used a lot. Ally is very camera shy when it comes to her and what she's passionate about. This was one of those moments when she let her guard down and allowed me the snapshot of her while she sang. I'm so lucky to be the mother and catch these glimpses that others do not get to see. Isn't Jeremy's cougar rug a nice accent...not!

Savor the Moments

I am not a writer (obvious if you've read previous posts). I did however, feel impressed to write about a few things I don't cherish enough. I'm pretty pleased with how easily this came together....it came out of nowhere....Kaitlyn and Ally were playing outside while I was getting a few things done in the house. Kaitlyn knocked on the window and gave me a sweet wave and smile. I immediately sat down and started writing...here it goes:

A wave through the window
A jump on my lap
Many days my shadow
A companion while I nap

Simple joys await
At the wake of each new day
There's no better feeling
Than the things they do and say

Tight squeezes with "I love you"
Stains on every blouse
Pictures and sweet messages
All around the house

So often I take for granted
the giggles and the smiles
The wake with a kiss
And piggy back for miles

The constant jibber jabbber
The stomps of little feet
Wiggles never ending
When sitting in their seat

My name is aways called
Their question is always "why?"
I must savor these moments
Before they pass me by

Preschool days are over....

Preschool days are over. It makes me so sad to think that my baby is a kindergarder. I'm excited however for her ventures ahead and how far she has come over the past two years, she is definately "ready". Way to go sweetheart!


Many, many thanks to all the wonderful tutors and teachers! From the top right and clockwise: Ms K, Ms Deb, Ms Kara, tutor Eva, Ms Cocoa, and the ultimate connection with Ms Amy. THANK YOU!!! You all are amazing!!!