Catching Up On the Fun!

This life is FULL and CRAZY and FUN!!!

Sometimes I wish I could just push "pause" on life though

 and live in some of the precious moments forever!

But, 

since I can't do that, I am grateful for the opportunities to record these sweet moments

 that are fleeting ever so quickly and right before my eyes! I am grateful I can keep this blog full of all of the tender things that "tug on my heartstrings!" This is kind of like my picture journal...and every time I go back and see the sweet pictures of my family, I feel like I am being given one more opportunity to 

"live in the moment" again. So...Here we go! Let's catch up on all the fun!!! :)

Here we have Dallin posing as "Geronimo" in his 4th grade Wax Museum...

And here is cute little Gavin at his 1st grade Program...:)

And Gavin FINALLY lost his first tooth! :) (I think it was loose for about 3 months!)

Then we have little Miss Kambriella...helping me bake Carew's birthday cake in the kitchen!

She reminds me EVERYDAY when we cook that we NEED our aprons! I love it!!! (And she always picks the cutest ones to wear;)

...Carew is officially 14 and wanted to plan his OWN party! :) ~Hang out with friends, eat lots of yummy food,  play lots of fun games, and watch "Wreck it Ralph!"

(Here they all are getting ready to play "Cops and Robbers." Can you tell who gets to be the Cop? ;)

Making a wish...for an X Box? Nope! He got an Electric Scooter!!! :)

Here Kierra and Kambriella are celebrating Kierra's Eagle of the Quarter Award!
(The proud mama can brag now because both Kierra and Carew have earned the Award...which is pretty rare to receive in the Middle Schools ;)...Good kids...:)

Congratulations Kierra! :)

...And then passing your Driver's test in the same day?? AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Watch out world! :)

And the memories of "fun" would not be complete without the Little Bear! Going to the Jazz games are always so much fun...even when the Bear sprays you with Silly String! ;)

Go Jazz GO!!!

LOVE them treats at the game!!! ;) Popcorn AND Dippin Dots! SWEET!!!

Then there was Dallin's 10th birthday! We had a Car's Party with Bouncy Houses and 16 friends!!!

We also enjoyed our traditional week long Easter celebration! I didn't get too many pictures from the week, but we DID enjoy remembering the Savior every single day. These pictures are from the top of Ensign Peak...a beautiful spot that overlooks the Salt Lake Valley...

We even got to enjoy the company of cousins this time because Dallin celebrated his birthday with them at his birthday party just the night before! What a treat! :)

These fun pictures are just to celebrate spring!
 Kambriella and I were driving through the temple parking lot one day to go to the distribution center to get some things for primary when we both saw these beautiful purple trees...we just HAD to take a picture!!! :)

Soooooooo SWEET!!!!!! :)

And here we have 2 handsome young men getting ready to perform at their annual piano recital...Dallin played the Star Wars Theme and Carew played the Darth Vader Theme...
They did Awesome... Great job boys!

Yippee for Mother's Day!!! :)
My sister Tiffany and I spent the day with my mom the day before Mother's Day.
We pampered my mom by doing her hair, make-up, and nails...going out to Zupa's for lunch, and going shopping, shopping, shopping!!! :) Boutique's, clothes, shoes, and SUNGLASSES!!! ;)

I just LOVE my MOM!!!! :)

I invited my parents to come and stay with me and they were here for 10 days! It was so nice to have them here, whether we were out having fun or washing dinner dishes together or watching the playoff games...I soooo enjoyed their company! One day, we went to the Gardens at Thanksgiving Point and rented a golf cart and drove around the gardens together. It was a perfect day. Literally. :)

We stopped to "smell the roses"... (or in this case, the Lilac. :)

...took some pictures...

...made wishes in the wishing pond...

Kambriella wished for 5 things:

1. "I wish I could be a princess forever!"

2. "I wish I could have a pet unicorn!"

3. "I wish I could be with my mommy forever!" (Awe....;)

4. "I wish I could have a pet kitty!"

and 5. "I wish I could smell pretty flowers everyday!"

Oh to have the wishes of our hearts!!! I wish my babies wouldn't grow up!!! :)

There is now a place in the Gardens where an artist has different sculptures displayed depicting different scenes from the life of the Savior. Words do not do it justice.
It. was. amazing.
You could feel the spirit there...I imagined I was in the Garden of Eden...

I loved it when my mom said, "I think today is the best day I've ever had...:)
I couldn't agree more:)

The waterfalls were beautiful...
and so were my parents smiles...:)

...love this little girl :)

We also enjoyed watching Kierra and Kambriella perform in their end of the year dance concert for CVAC.
I am so proud of these sweet girls, sweet sisters, and beautiful dancers...but more importantly...
beautiful on the inside as well as the outside! ;)

I love you Kambriella!

...MELT MY HEART!!!!!

Kambriella ALWAYS gives Kierra the tightest hugs!!! :)

I hope she will always look up to her...

Spanish Dance...in character

She is Rain. ~ And fluid...just like rain. :)

...And the latest fun thing we have done...

Volleyball!!!

Dallin, you really were the best one on the team! ;) 

Way to go buddy!!!

I just can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude when I look at these pictures and how completely blessed I am to be a part of a family. 

Malachi 3:10 says that the Lord will pour you out a blessing,

 that there shall not be room enough to receive it...

The blessings just keep coming and coming...

Card #9...The Living Christ

At the Tulip Festival...

Kambriella and I enjoyed a fun day at the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival 

with our dear friends Lisa and Jessica Penrod.

We packed up our wagon and a picnic lunch and sat on the grassy hill at the Waterfall Amphitheater where lunch was the LAST thing on those 2 little girls minds! :)

Rolling down the long hill and playing hide and go seek with all of the other

 little girls on the hill was MUCH more fun! ;)

The sun was out and it was an officially beautiful spring day...we walked and talked and looked at so many wonderful things...my favorite was a new section of the garden where there are actual life-size sculptures of Jesus Christ depicted in many different times of his ministry.  The sculptures were so amazing and it felt like we were really in His presence. It was amazing.

After our walk around the gardens we stopped at the playground until it was time to leave.

 Kambriella and Jessica had a wonderful time together, and my favorite part was knowing that little Jessica now calls Kambriella "sister." :) I just love how little children have hearts of gold. 

They so easily love and give love.

I can't wait for the next sunny afternoon that we can go and be with our "sisters!" :)

We love you guys! Thanks for all of the good times! :)