I missed him today

The 1st day of 1st grade.


I missed snuggling in the morning in my bed while watching cartoons.
I missed being asked who my favorite Pokeman is?
I missed having someone to help Ella put her seatbelt on.
I missed those big bright eyes.
I missed hearing him say "OOOKAY!" like Theodore from Alvin & the Chipmunks.
I missed his laugh.
I missed him reminding us to say prayer for lunch.
I missed my gofer.
I missed my friend.
I missed my boy.

1st grade as he used to say, "takes for a long day!"

Wild Child

Last night I gave Jace a bath and then got him into his pajamas. Ella was in the shower and I went to get her towel. When I got back,guess who had decided to join her fully clothed and all! He was soaked from head to toe and loving it! I didn't get a picture of him soaked. The picture above is from another day. He's a wild one!

Picking Raspberries

There are several wild raspberry bushes up on the trail I love to hike on. Last week when I was up there I noticed that some of the raspberries were ripe. I tried them and they were delish! I told Gordon about them and ever since he has wanted to go up and pick raspberries. So, on Monday we went up there with my mom, Jared, Ella and Gordon. Ella was in charge of the basket and even though she dropped it twice spilling raspberries all over the place she REFUSED to let anyone else carry the basket. In the end, we didn't come home with all that many (there weren't tons in the 1st place) and after dropping them twice we were lucky to make it back with any! But, the kids loved it and that's what it is all about.


Uncle Jared is busy picking berries while Gordon and Ella pose for a picture with Grandma.



Me and my cute kids in the beautiful mountains. Those huge bushes behind us are the raspberry bushes.



Love these wild flowers too. They are so pretty this year.


P.S. Why does the word raspberry have a p in it? I just don't see the point.

My baby!

Jace & Uncle Jason at the hospital visiting Brock




So the other day when we went to see baby Brock at the hospital, Jace barely even noticed him. He was having too much fun playing with his Uncles' Jared and Jason, who came with us, to pay any attention to his new little cousin.

Yesterday Kate (big sister to baby Brock) came and spent the day with us until mom and dad and baby got out of the hospital. When they came to pick Kate up, Jace finally noticed baby Brock. He looked at him and pointed and said, "My baby!"

When they were walking to the car to leave a few minutes later, Jace started crying and he kept saying, "my baby, my baby!" It was so cute.

I can't believe that MY BABY can say "my baby".

Meet Brock

Today I got to go and meet Brock, my newest nephew. Isn't he beautiful? I am so glad Mike got his boy. Every dad needs a boy!

The Zoo

Earlier this week we took the kids to the zoo. They had a fabulous time. Luisa and her kids came with us too which of course was so fun. When we first got there it was raining, but soon let up. It was nice when it was overcast and just drizzling, but soon the sun came out again and then it was very hot and very humid.




Jace loved the little animals. The small monkeys, the little rodent looking things, anything that was small and moved fast. Whenever he saw one he would scream with excitement and delight. It was so cute. He was the most fun to watch of all. His very favorite were the meerkats. They were very active when we saw them and he loved it. I could just tell that if he could, he would have been chasing them all around trying to catch one. I think the little animals reminded him of his Aunty Tupu's little dog which he loves to chase around.



When I asked Ella what her favorite was she listed off almost all the animals we saw.
This is my super cute, super fun, sis-in-law Luisa
All the kiddies.

I thought this white alligator was cool.

The carousel was a hit. Notice Gordon is riding a rhino. He told me the next day that he would like to have a rhino as a pet. I told him rhinos DO NOT make good pets.

Gordon liked the rhinos best.


It is always delightful to me to see the world through the eyes of a child. Things that we take of granted or fail to appreciate because they have lost their novelty become magical once again when seen as children see them.

Lamb Days

Saturday we went down to Fountain Green for the Lamb Day Parade. My sister-in-law Rachel grew up there and we went down to spend the day with her and Gordon and their kids. Adney, Tina and Tau were there too and although it was HOT, we had a great time. The kids loved the parade. They got so much candy. After awhile Gordon would just look at it and only pick it up if it was something he really wanted. Our favorite thing that they threw out was Otter pops! They hit the spot.

Afterwards we went to Rachel's parents house and hung out under the big beautiful trees in the shade. There was also a car show across the street that the guys went and checked out. It was a fun day. I enjoyed seeing Fountain Green and Rachel's house. It is always nice to see a person's roots and where they came from. I think that it helps you understand and know them better.


When we got home we all took naps or at least tried to. Ella isn't much of a napper as I think I have mentioned before. Then we went into Provo to visit with Keni's family and to pick up Gordon. He stayed in Fountain Green a little longer playing with his cousin Tayson. There is nothing my kids love more than being with their cousins so being able to spend the whole day with them is Heaven.