July in a Blur.

July was filled with outings--Library activities, Park excursions, Dick's program for kids, etc.  Most pictures were taken with my sisters' cameras (I need a camera I can stick in my purse--hint hint, Spencer) so I only got a couple from my phone camera (not a great camera).

Here are the kids watermelon-bowling.

Perhaps one of the most disturbing events of July was Ellsworth.

That's right.  Zander's cousin bribed him with candy so she could dress him up like this.

And then came August...

I Love Birthdays!

My sweet baby turned 2 on the 13th of this month!  I can't believe he's growing so quickly.  I was just talking to him today as if he could understand everything I was saying, and then he responded--that's right, he CAN understand everything (or almost) that I'm saying!

Anyway, for his birthday he enjoyed his favorite meal--spaghetti.






Then for his cake he got gingerbread--since that's the first thing he helped to cook (at 1 week old).

And for his birthday my little chef got some
pots/pans with a little food mixed in from his best friend Payton.

He got blocks on wheels from the Pedersens, Bubbles from The Grandparents (along with money for savings), a baby pterodactyl and smurf DVD from his parents, but the best present of all came a couple days later...

...the chef's new kitchen!

What an awesome birthday!  Happy Birthday my Sy.

An AMAZING Family

Last Saturday my family (parents, siblings, etc.) pulled out all the stops to raise money for an amazing family in need.  I felt so blessed to be a part of this adventure.  I was also sincerely humbled by those neighbors in my own ward, and a long all-but-lost friend, that came to help me help others.  This was perhaps the first of many opportunities for the People Helping the People to bring about a magnificent feat.  We had a goal we thought would be tough to reach and ended up doubling it!  I especially enjoyed my children learning how blessings can come to those who are willing to help others.

Thanks to everyone who supported us in this.

To the family we helped, WE LOVE YOU!

Spring Break Broke the Bank!

We had a FUN-tastic Spring Break this year!  It started off with a relaxing Easter, in which I had to let Syler color my egg because 2 wasn't enough.  He would have preferred all 12!

Then we headed off to Vegas for a short family vacation!  We hiked a trail in Red Rock Canyon, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Lied (pronounced Leed) Childrens' Discovery Museum, and had a blast at the pool!  We also took a day trip to St. George to watch the beautiful Cadence perform at her dance competition!  Even Zander agreed the vacation was a hit--and that's tough to come by.

Here are (quite) a few pictures of our trip!

I Love My Girls!

How exciting!!  A couple weeks ago got a surprise phone call from one of my dearest friends.  That's right, our other dearest friend was in town (for about a minute) and we got to have lunch with her and her girls!  I can't tell you how much I love these ladies and their children.  I don't know how I would have made it through my teenage years without them.  They'll never know the depth of the love I feel for them.  I love you Annalyn and Andrea!!!