It's Summer!

 Monday was a catch up on everything day, but mostly catch up on the laundry that I have been neglecting for forever!!! The kids played with their cousin Xaxton and TRIED to clean their rooms...:)

 ...I told them they could swim AFTER their rooms were clean. :)

It may have taken them all day to find the motivation, but they finally did it and made it out to the pool at about 8:30. Just in time for Family Night. :)

We also opened up the Giant Duck that the kids wanted to give their dad for Father's Day...

and they all loved it! 

And Clint and I loved watching them. :)

It's summer time and I love the warm, late evenings...bring on the fun!!

Good Morning Sunshine!

 I pulled into the church parking lot this morning at 5:30 for our aerobics class and was greeted by this glorious sunrise and beautiful sky. It literally drew me in and I drove to the edge of the parking lot, got out of my car, and took it all in...and of course took a picture. :)

This was just a little gift to me from Heavenly Father and one of the many ways that I feel His love, and that I feel like He's literally saying, "Here my sweet daughter...this is for you! I love you!"

I love it. :)

 And here's a little gem from yesterday...Father's Day.

Kesslyn saw the kids all giving their homemade cards to their dad and she of course wanted to make one too. :)

She laid on the floor drawing and smiling with the biggest smile. :) She makes everyone happy.

Especially her dad. :) ...and her mom too of course.

Happy Monday!

Father's Day

 Happy Father's Day to all the amazing men in my life...My sweet angel dad, my brother's, my father in law, but especially to this amazing guy right here...the father of my children. I love him so very much and all that he does for me and all that he teaches my children. 

They officially think they have a superhero for a mom because of all of the many ways that he builds me up...by the things he says about me in front of them, in front of others, and too them...they really believe him and look up to him as well.

My boys will all know how to treat their wives one day and their children because of the example that he has set...my girls know and will know what to look for in a spouse because of how they have seen him treat their mother. I love it! And I love him...so very much.

This weekend we went to a wedding reception for a family in our ward and I witnessed the sweetest thing ever. As Clint stood there watching the bride and her father dance together, I saw tears well up in Clint's eyes and become emotional. I asked him if he was OK and his response was, 

"That will be us in just 2 weeks! I'm gonna lose my daughter!!!"

I told him, "We are not losing our daughter, we are gaining a son." His response was,

"Yes, we are not losing her, she is ours forever." I smiled at him and said he was absolutely right. :)

 Thank goodness that families are forever because with today being Father's Day, my dear friend Sheri and her boys are still mourning the loss of Dave and their hearts are so tender...

I made up a little basket to leave on their front porch just to let them know that they are loved and that we are thinking of them today...and everyday really.

 I found a cute little block that said what I felt Dave would have said...

and then I put a picture of their family on top of it...

 Whether our Father's are here or in heaven, we feel of their love and influence all around us...especially our loving Heavenly Father who has made these families possible. I am grateful and LOVE our Father...

Happy Father's Day!

Youth Conference

 Dallin is off to his first ever youth conference and I am so excited for him! I LOVE the programs of the church, and especially the programs for the youth that give them an opportunity to go and have spiritual testimony building experiences in a fun and safe environment...It just seemed REALLY weird NOT to be going with him...I've gone the last several years but now that I am serving in the relief society, I don't get to go with the youth...;(   BUT, I DO love my calling, AND no fear!!! Carew is here!!!:)

 Yes, Carew decided to join his brother on one last youth conference adventure, and I'm excited for the special bonding time they will have together. It makes me happy to think about...

(and this is what I get when I tell the boys to smile but don't blink...they purposely close their eyes...;)

 After we got the boys off we did some chores around the house and then I let Gavin and Kambriella have friends over to swim and play. THIS is summer...being lazy by the pool and eating Creamies! :)

(I thought this was so cute to see Kambriella fold her hair up in her towel and then sit next to Tucker...they are good friends. :)

 Kesslyn doesn't seem to like the water very much at all, but she does like hanging around and being with everyone..AND she loves the Creamies too!

 Kambriella taught Tucker how to fold his towel up on his head. :)

Now THAT is a true friend!!! ;) ;) ;) 

Happy Friday!!!

Fun at Costco

Did you ever have any idea just how much fun going to COSTCO with mom could be?? :)

I took all the kids with me to do my shopping since they are home for the summer and need some yummy snacks to go to...

Plus, Dallin and Carew are headed off to Youth Conference for the rest of the week and we definitely needed to stock up on camping treats and lunch stuff...

In the meantime, they found these Tommy Bahama beach chairs that they all insisted that they HAD to have because they reminded them of the beach. :)

I didn't give in though...It's definietly not a need right now... :)

I finished up gathering items for the centerpieces for the wedding and also met with the lady at the castle to finalize the reception details...we are 2 weeks away from the wedding!!!

It's getting real people!!! :) Have a happy day!;)

My Hair :)

 Look at what I did yesterday!!! I went and got my hair done at Salon Lydia!!!

 I NEVER get my hair done!!! But I figured that a wedding was a good enough reason to go and get a good trimming and add a slight little bit of color just for fun. :)  I told Meloney I didn't want to be a blonde, but I wanted it to have highlights, and I think she did a good job at not making it too drastic for me, but yet noticeable. I like it. :) It feels so nice. :)

 Then, the rest of the day consisted of driving in the car...literally! I took my kids out to lunch, Dallin to his acting lessons, Kambriella to her dance camp, and then hunted ALL of the TJ MAXX stores in Utah to round up these little gems!!!

 Gorgeous "castle like" mirrors and clocks that will serve as the base for some of our centerpieces for the wedding! They were on clearance for $24.99!!! So, I had to snatch them up...I think they will look amazing!

 We literally walked out of TJ MAXX as they were closing and realized it was now 9:00 and had not even fed the little girls that we were dragging around with us everywhere... SOOO....we made yet another stop at Chik~fil~A and the girls were sooo happy!

 I LOVE these little monkeys of mine!!!

ANNDD... They help me hold on to so much joy that comes from little children, especially at a time when I will be losing not one, but TWO of my children!

They make us smile and laugh and remember to enjoy the little moments...because after all, it really is those "little moments" that make up all our BIG memories.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! :)

Bridal Pictures and the "First Look"

 Kierra and I had such a fun time together getting ready for her bridal pictures! I keep trying to capture all of the little details of this whole process called "life" because I just don't want to forget any of this awesomeness... :)

 I curled and did her hair while she did her make~up...

And Carew showed up with her bouquet for us so we could have it in time for the pictures. Isn't it beautiful??

 We drove to Mountain Green where we met up with Riley, Cherie, and Emily. 

Cheire once again is responsible for the fabulous photography, and Emily is our videographer that was there to capture the moment of the "First Look." That's the moment where Riley and Kierra saw each other in their wedding attire for the very first time. 

I was so giddy and this was seriously one of the funnest things that I have ever done!! :)

 The sun and the sky and the light and the mountains and the couple and EVERYTHING was soooo gorgeous...it was almost unreal...but really I just know that it was yet another loving gift from a loving Heavenly Father. :)

 Beautiful bride...

 Handsome groom...

 Rings and flowers...

 Best friends...

 ...and one crazy mama!!! :)  :)  :)