Have you ever been this tired?

My Girl

Today is my Ella's birthday. She is 4. She is such a beautiful girl and so much fun. I am so grateful for her. I think Heavenly Father knew that I needed a girl. Ella is so spunky. She has a sparkle in her eye. She loves to tease, especially her Uncles Adney and Jared. She loves princesses and barbies, makeup and twirly dresses. She is a girlie girl, but also loves to play with her brothers and she isn't afraid to get dirty. She loves to be on the go. I'm so glad that she still likes for me to hold her. She loves her dad so much and has a special place in his heart. He is so protective of her and worries about her more than the boys. It is so sweet. She loves vegetables and will eat almost anything. She also has a sweet tooth and is always asking for candy especially chocolate. She's mischievous and clever. She keeps me on my toes. She's my girl!

Butterfly Nets

I saw these butterfly nets at the grocery store the other day and I couldn't resist. So that is what we have been doing today. Hunting for butterflies. We haven't caught any yet. But I am sure we will. So far we have just been finding all kinds of caterpillars everywhere.

My favorite place

These are pictures from one of my most favorite places in the world. They are pictures from the hike I go on several times a week (I wish I could say everyday). I love it so much. I love being in the mountains by myself. I love how beautiful and peaceful it is. If I have had a rough day and the kids have been driving me crazy this is where I want to go. The hike is good exercise, but it also really helps me clear my head. It restores my spirit. When I come back I feel like I CAN handle all of the messes, and nagging and chaos. There is something so soothing about nature.

"Then whisper, blossom, in thy sleep
How I may upward climb
The Alpine path, so hard, so steep,
That leads to heights sublime;
How I may reach that far-off goal
Of true and honoured fame,
And write upon its shining scroll
A woman's humble name."

- The Alpine Path

My Sister

What makes her Lisa

the color purple & old movies
a writer & journal keeper
determined & loyal
a voracious reader & the family librarian
tea parties & book stores
spiritual & valiant
colorful pens & old vintage hats
quiet & sensitive
fantasy & mystery
red hair & beautiful big eyes
sweet, loving & kind
musicals & peanut butter M&M's
tall & graceful
anything L.M. Montgomery or Jane Austen
independent & strong
late nights & long talks
romantic & nostalgic
purses & shoes
adoring aunt & daughter
sister, confidant & friend

I love you Lisa!

Happy Birthday

Keeping the kids busy this summer

Here are a few blogs I thought I would share. They have some great ideas for activities to do with children.

Crafty Crow

The Write Start

Lemonade Stands

Don't you just love lemonade stands? I do. They are so summery and reminiscent of childhood. Today, Gordon was going to go play at a friend's house so we all loaded up on the 4-wheeler to take him to her house. Once we dropped him off we continued down the canyon to pick up our mail. That is when we saw the sign for the lemonade stand so of course we had to check that out too. Our cute little neighbor was selling lemonade so we bought some.

The whole thing, riding the 4-wheeler up and down the canyon and visiting the lemonade stand was like a trip down memory lane for me. So many childhood summers were spent doing those same things.

Here's to icy cold lemonade on a hot summer day.