Take me out to the REAL game!

What a beautiful September sky and the perfect night for some REAL fun! This was what we arrived to on the night of our first Real soccer game. After a yummy dinner at Joe's Crab Shack where we met Kevin and Laura, we began the fun with a literal jaunt over to the stadium, (where they have NO parking) following Kevin's leaps and bounds in his "moon shoes." I wish I had a picture of them! They were awesome! - So tall and bright and that's how I could follow him in the crowd! (Well, that and the extreme darting and weaving in and out of the crowd:) (Oh, and be sure to scroll down to the music player at the bottom of my blog to hear the music of One Republic! They were in concert after the game was over!!!)

Well isn't this a good looking bunch to be sitting with? ...I'm a lucky girl;)

The Real games certainly have a FUN atmosphere! It's loud, people are dancing, clapping, and cheering all of the time - and it almost felt like I was at Hogwarts or something because everyone around me was wearing a red and gold scarf - they all looked like a bunch of Harry Potters! Then this giant REAL flag started working it's way around the stands! It was kind of like doing the wave except you get buried in a sea of RED!!!

Here is a look at the field...this is the Rio Tinto Stadium sponsored by the Kennecot Copper Mine here in Utah. (This is also right before the Real scored the winning goal of the game!) (Actually it was the ONLY goal of the game;)

...and here we are passing the flag! Swimming in a sea of RED!!!

...and here we are celebrating the winning and ONLY goal of the game! It was crazy loud and these people really get into it! (I guess when you wait that long for someone to score, you really have to hype it up!!!) There were people stomping, a band playing, music blasting, flags waving, confetti flying, and we were laughing!!! Havin' a good old time!!! (Haha Kevin!)

Leo the mascot made the rounds for pictures after the goal, but this was as close as he got to us...

...then we actually got to rush the field (even though they said NOT to run) we were kind of carried in another sea of people as we went down onto the field to hear One Republic in concert after the game. We were almost in the very front! I tried jumping up in the air where I stood to see how far back I could see people, and they were all the way to the back of the field! Oh, and the guy sitting in the middle of the stage was my favorite. He was playing the cello and I think he did an amazing job! (And oh how I wish I had a picture of the short little Japanese lady that was standing right next to us! She was so cute and giggly when Kevin would pretend to use her head as an arm rest!!! Except for the time when he ACTUALLY DID rest his arm on her head! It was hilarious!)

And here is one last shot of the 4 of us all together after the fun was coming to an end. We had a great time! ...and it's so nice to actually love the family that you are stuck with for the rest of eternity!!! We love you guys and thanks for the fun and the memories!!!

Happy Birthday Gavin-ater!

September 15th, 2011 - 6:30 a.m. Little Mister Gavin-ater could not wait for the day to officially begin!!! Every morning for the last three weeks leading up to the big day, we would all hear the numerical countdown of just how many more days till Gavin's birthday! (And it finally came!) Gavin wanted a "Finn McMissle" birthday cake from Cars 2 and so I cheated and bought him the remote control car to go on the top! It was much easier and much more spiffy looking than anything I could have ever done, plus, he ended up with one more awesome present in the end! Happy 6th Birthday Gavin-ater!!!

(Thanks for the yummy butter cream frosting recipe Cherie!~ It was delicious!)

I just loved this moment...Dallin knew how excited Gavin was for his "Cars 2" birthday party, so he went down stairs and found one of his very own miniature sized Cars 2 cars and wrapped it up all by himself and presented it to Gavin with a big huge smile! When Gavin unwrapped it and saw what it was, he gave him such a big hug that they both ended up rolling all over the kitchen floor! It was so cute and I love to actually see my children do something nice for each other - just because they want too!!

After kindergarten was over, Gavin had a couple of friends over to play, and pretend, and growl, and laugh with!

This next series (literally a series, sorry!) of pictures was just too much fun!!! We went to the Herriman Recreation Center where they just opened up their new swimming pool, and the kids had a blast with their own version of the T.V. show "Wipeout!" They were trying to run all the way across these slippery rubber lilly pads and logs without falling off! It was HILARIOUS!!!

Graceful Kierra, gracefully flopping into the water!

The birthday boy securing himself onto launch pad #2!

This one had to be my favorite of all the wipe outs! (Yes, that is Dallin in the "secret agent scissor kick with a twisting windmill ninja move!;)

...and here we have Carew trying to beat the odds and maneuver the ropes above, but to no avail...he landed in the watery pit below!!!

Kierra trying once again to gracefully slip slide her way across... but only to land with a graceful dunk!

Mr. Gavin always seemed to find the second log the most slippery! Oops!!!

And even the most competitive big boy out of the bunch never did seem to make it past those tricky lilly pads... (Silly Dad :)

And lo and behold! The Dallin-ater won first prize with the quickest, most graceful, light footed, and ONLY successful trip across the water!!! Out of all the attempts from everyone at the pool, this was the only time someone DIDN'T WIPEOUT!!!

Oh we had a fun time celebrating Gavin's happy day! After we were done at the swimming pool we went to Gavin's favorite restaurant where you can "eat all the bone chicken and ice cream you want!" (says Gavin:) Mr. Gavin-ater, we love you soooooo much! I'm still the luckiest mom in the whole galaxy;) Happy Birthday! We love you!!!!

A flood of emotion, a flood of gratitude...

I feel like anymore that each little plot of time that we are given with our loved ones, are times that are forever treasured. Specifically this last couple of weeks, my parents were able to come back up and see us for a bit. My uncle passed away and though it is always sad to say goodbye to our loved ones, I always enjoy any opportunity to be with my parents again. I love to see my children smile and run to hug them when they arrive. I love how my boys move very quickly whenever it is a request for help given by grandma or grandpa. I love how they are so comfortable in just "hanging out" around the house. -And I love how much our love still grows for each other with each passing day. That's why I feel so strongly that we really need to be grateful for the little things in life...
I love how my kids come up with big smiles on their faces and say, "I bet you can't get me!" (When in reality they are just dying to have grandma or grandpa snuggle into their neck and get their sugars!)












I love the memories that come flooding when things tickle my senses, like the smells and sounds of things I loved as a little girl. -Like always getting a soda and a candy bar whenever we would go on a road trip, or hiking up at Hatcher's Pass...and here is my dad with one of my favorites! Making huckleberry pancakes! When I was little we would always go out and pick blueberries or huckleberries and make yummy pancakes with them.












This particular morning my dad was up making these pancakes at 6:00 in the morning because him and my brother were headed out to go fishing. It was such a treat to have them for breakfast once again!












When we went up to Idaho to my Uncle's funeral, I really felt a sense of belonging as I was gathered around all of my family. I also felt a need to remember those important things and important people in my life. There was a special spirit there as I walked around and remembered my grandparents Harris and Norma...

...and my great-grandparents Michael and Sarah.












I also loved hearing the story my mom told me of this little river where her and her cousin used to go and play and use an old milk wagon and pretend like they were pioneers. They would pick mint leaves to eat and try to cross the river in their long skirts. This is also the place where my mom got cut really bad on a barbed wire fence. She still has the scar...times sure are different now days...

This old building on the left used to be a large chicken house where my dad worked when he was a teenager...

...and here is the house that he stayed in while he was working there. I guess it was close enough for him to get to date my mom :)...and take care of the chickens. (I wonder which one was the major motivating factor ;) Hmmmm...

...and though it is kind of hard to tell from this picture, this is where my mom used to go sledding as a little girl! I can just imagine it, squealing and laughing the whole way!

I am thankful for good parents that have always taught me about what is most important in life, and that I have been blessed to realize just how important family is so that I can pass that on to my own children. My memories both of my life now and as a little girl will always be one of those things that tug on my heartstrings.

Lehman Cave

On Labor Day this year, we decided to take a road trip for the day, and spend some time doing what we love, instead of "laboring" in the yard or around the house like we sometimes do. As Clint and I talked about how much we wanted to go and see Lehman Cave, we knew that it would be a long drive, but I absolutely loved Clint's optimistic attitude of, "What is a bit of time in the car with the people that you love?"

That was it! With that thought we had everyone in the car by 7 a.m. and made the 3 and a half hour drive to the cave and made it there just in time to purchase the last set of tour tickets that was available for the time we wanted! It worked out perfectly.

We wandered around the visitor's center for a bit while waiting for our tour to begin - snapped a couple of photos, caught a praying mantis, and "tried" to help Kambriella go on the big girl potty;)

The inside of this cave was AMAZING! If you have ever been to Timpanogos, this one is WAY better! Our camera didn't do very good in the dark, so this is the only picture that you can really see any of the detail. Trust me when I say that one fine day, you should take the time to drive out there! You won't regret it!

After our tour was done, we drove down the hill to a quaint little picnic area where we ate our lunch that we packed, the kids were able to go exploring, and Kambriella found herself a little rock for a chair! To me, it looked soooo uncomfortable, but to her, it was the perfect spot to enjoy her sandwich! (She even tried to get Kierra to come and share the spot! Kierra was a good sport and tried, but just couldn't fit!)

On the way home, we stopped and got ice-cream and enjoyed the rest of a relaxing day that consisted of absolutely NO work on Labor Day! I love you all, thanks for the fun!

There's a snake in my boot!

Ok, not literally IN my boot, but pretty darn close! I have lived in Utah for about 19 years now and had never seen a snake around our home...EVER! But the other day when I was out mowing the lawn, this little critter came right out from under a tree and I almost stepped on him! It was a good thing that the lawn mower is loud cause I think I screamed like a little girl!!!;) Well, he scurried off in a hurry and I didn't see him again until that evening. It was about 7:00 at night when we were all back home together for the night when I remembered to tell Clint and the kids what I had found earlier that day. I told them I tried to catch it for them for a pet and they thought I was so cool...for a moment;) Then , they all wanted to see just where it was in the yard where I had spotted him, so we all went out and there he was!!! Sun bathing in our driveway!!! My thoughts suddenly turned to, "Oh no, I am going to have to have a snake for a pet..."

Dallin loved him and immediately decided to name him "Po" after the Kung Fu Panda. "It's the perfect name for him mom. He looks just like him with his black and white colors - AND he loves to jump!"













I think they all felt safe enough to get a closer look at him while he was in the bowl. Before that, the little ones wouldn't go near it!

Dallin loved to hold "Po" but would almost jump out of his skin every time he would make any sudden movements...

Then there was Carew being fearless and brave and not even thinking twice as "Po" started to coil his body around his fingers!

Then there was cute Gavin:) I thought this picture was cute because it literally shows just how close he would get to Po! (NOT!) You can't even see him in the picture because just as he would get brave enough to reach out and touch him, Po would be on his way out of there and all Gavin would get was the very tip of his tail!

Alas, here are the true colors of my thoughts on having a pet snake! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad that my children could finally see my side of things...I REALLY didn't want a snake for a pet!!! But, I must admit, it made for an entertaining evening with the kids;) - No really, they decided themselves that they didn't want Po to die so we had better send him back out on his own to go find his family AND some food!!! YAY!!!:)

Back to School!

As Gavin and Dallin were getting ready for the first day of school, we had a fun time over breakfast discussing just "how big" they were both getting! It was so sweet how Dallin instinctively took on the role of "protective big brother" when we started discussing how Gavin felt about finding his way around his new school and playground.
"I will be just like Kierra, " he told me, "...and I will take good care of Gavin! I will walk him to his class, and show him where to line up, and I will help him find his friends!"
I thought it was so cute how he cared so much about "taking care of Gavin." (I didn't have the heart to tell him that I would be there too - so I just let him think that we REALLY needed his help! After all, I need to embrace the times when brothers really want to look out for each other especially when their natural instincts are to wrestle, tease, or hear each other scream!;)














Gavin's teacher had an "I Spy" game for the children to do with their parents when we got there. I thought it was a fun way for them to get acquainted with their classroom and to feel comfortable about all of the new places they would be spending time. They had to "spy" their name throughout the classroom, the coat rack, the restrooms and water fountain, their teacher, and a new friend. They also had to decorate a "shoe box library" and find a treat! (Doughnuts and milk! Mmmm!!)

We also had to take a picture on the second day of school because it was the first day that I wouldn't get to take them to class!;( I ended up laughing most of the way home after I dropped them off because little Miss Kambriella cried out loud the whole way home, "OH NO!!! I miss my Gabin and Dowin!!! OH NO! OH NO!!!! I think she has become a little attached to the company of her brothers! Now I just need to let her see how much fun it will be to have mommy all to herself! ;)

Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

For our little family getaway this summer we went and stayed in our time share in Las Vegas. Part of the fun of going is just to "get away" and be lazy, do zero amounts of laundry, and spend lots of time doing "whatever - whenever." We did a lot of swimming in the pools and in the "lazy river" (hence we are fulfilling part of our laziness;) and of course loving the hikes like we do, we went to the Red Rock Canyon for some beautiful sights and some kid friendly hiking. It's great to see all of the magnificent creations of the world... and then to push pause just for a moment...

Little Miss Kambriella a.k.a. "Princess of the Rock." We had the kids wear their swimming suits just in case we got lucky and found any streams or waterfalls on our hike...

Unfortunately, we didn't find any streams or waterfalls...BUT we found a trickle where during certain seasons there is a waterfall. And because there was no waterfall, we were lucky enough to see what was behind where the waterfall should be!!! This awesome little cove!!!

It was the perfect little shaded spot for some exploring, some play time, and of course - a little snack;)

Want some crackers and cheese Mom? How 'bout some fruit leather?

And here we have the "Princess of the Rock" showing her daddy her beautiful toe nail polish job done by her mommy during one of our most favorite "lazy time" activities ;) Too cute!!! Love it!!!