Happy 1st Birthday Colton!

Yesterday was Colton's 1st birthday! The year has gone so fast (except for the first nine months when he wouldn't sleep thru the night...but we won't go there)! Colton is a very cute and determined little boy. He is walking all over the place and is as pleased as punch with himself. His only words, so far, are mama and dada, however, if you sing the song "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" to him he will yell "dah!" really loud everytime the "beam" part comes up. He also loves to push trucks around and make engine noises and bounce balls. Colton has quite the healthy appetite..in fact a normal breakfast usually consists of a whole banana, grapes, cereal and four silver dollar pancakes! It is no wonder that he is in the 90th percentile for height and weight! He is quite a tease...sister, cat, everyone...but, for the most part, he is a happy little guy and we are sooo happy to have him in our family!

First Day of School!!!

Ahhhhh...the happy termination of summer break. No more fighting kids! (at least during school hours!) Today was the Parker's first day of second grade. Last year it was like pulling teeth to get him out of bed, but today he was dressed and ready to go by 7:30 am! I hate to admit it, but I was still in bed! (No more staying up late to read Twilight!) Anyway, Parker started at a new school, Bruner Elementary (go Bluebirds!), this year and he said he was really excited to make some new friends. We were able to tour his classroom and meet his teacher last week so he wasn't so nervous. Parker's teacher, Miss Law, is LDS and seems very nice. I can't believe how fast my little boy is growing up! Megan is starting preschool at Kiddie College next week. She is VERY excited to be a big girl and go to school. On a side note...I did NOT pick out the kids outfits for today BUT we have to choose our battles

n'est-ce pas?

12 Years and Still Going Strong!

Today is our 12th Anniversary! Although some things may have changed...like my hair getting smaller and our family getting bigger...our love for each other has remained a constant. I always knew I picked a winner, but over the years it has become abundantly clear that I chose the best of the best! Brian is the greatest husband and father I know. Not only is he a wonderful provider, but he does everything from vacuuming the carpets, reading books to the kids, changing diapers (yes that's right!), coaching soccer, etc, etc. I also appreciate how he honors his priesthood, puts full effort into his church callings and righteously guides our family. Thank you Brian you are my best friend! I love you!! Eat your heart out girls!!

Our Little Redhead's First Dance Recital

Today was Megan's first dance recital. She has been taking ballet and tap for about a year now and it was so fun to finally see her perform. Her class did a tap routine to "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast and she looked so cute in her pink outfit! I thought she was the best one...but then again, I might be a little biased.

Guess who makes a cameo in Megan's dancing debut?

Swimming Lessons at Silver Mesa

The kids are all taking swim lessons this summer at Silver Mesa. Parker says he doesn't need lessons since he already knows how to swim. Megan is taking the preschool class and has fun diving for plastic rings and eggs. Colton and Katie are doing the parent/tot class. Colton is a little ambivalent to the whole thing. He fell asleep during the last class!

Pictures at Red Rock

This Picture was taken at Red Rock Canyon just outside of Vegas. There are a lot of trails and some great rock climbing out there.

This picture was taken at the end of one of the trails. You can't see it from here but there is a cool little waterfall in the background.

Home... the final frontier

At the Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone National Park






Brian and kids, my brothers Jon and Andy, sister-in-law Traci and neice Kennedy where the Snake River begins



Megan and Parker riding Tiger

There is something to be said about vacations... don't take them. I have discovered that the best place to relax and enjoy yourself is at home. (although, that usually only happens after the kids are in bed or they are playing at a friends) but I digress...

Why do we take vacations? to get away from it all? to see something cool that we haven't seen before? To spend an exorbitant amount of money on gas, food, and souvenirs that break the next day? ... or simply to have a nice vacation and then stretch it out by having the car break down on the way home. (By the was that last sentence should be read with drenching sarcasm)

In all seriousness we just took two amazing vacations. We went to the barely thriving metropolis of New Plymouth Idaho to visit my family. Parker, Megan, and Colton see their cousins about once a year but you would never know it. They jumped right in and started playing as soon as we got there. Normally we go camping but the timing was bad this year so we didn't make it out this year. The great thing is Katie and Jody,and who knows who else planned some activities to help keep the kids entertained. Katie brought our GPS and we did some geocaching. The kids loved it. I think the adults loved it too. Then on the 4th of July Jody did some games with the kids. Jody also did tie dye-shirts. when you see the pictures you will see the shirts. they turned out really good. Parker made his obligatory trip over to Campbell Tractor to look buy a toy. We had to drag uncle Dave along. It was tough getting him to set foot in a place like that. It would be easier to get my dad in Victoria Secrets than get Dave in a tractor store. Just kidding. I think Campbell Tractor is Dave's second home.

We went to Utah to the Police concert then up to Yellowstone with Katie's family and had a really great time. I will post the pictures in a little while.

coming up next post... the saga of the van. Honestly you can't make this stuff up. This is why I titled this the final frontier because I thought I was never going to make it home.