Service, Family, Friends and Fun!

 Who's that way up in the tree???

It's Dallin the lumberjack, can't you see?? ;)

 When a neighbor has a need and they send a phone call, 

we show up for some help in directing a "tree fall!"

 Our elderly neighbors, the Siler's had a tree that they needed to take down, so Dallin climbed up and fastened a rope that they tied on to the back of a truck, used a chain saw to cut, and then they directed the tree to fall. Then Clint and Dallin helped with clearing the branches that their grandsons were going to take care of the next day.

It was quite exciting if I do say so myself!

Kesslyn helped the other neighbor (which is her nursery leader, Paula Everill) water her plants while all of the excitement was going on...much more her speed than all of those noisy chainsaws!!! 

 After the service project we headed to Leatherby's for dinner, but honestly I did NOT like my dinner. Thank goodness the dessert made up for it!

 Kesslyn liked the ice~cream, but still preferred the lemons to anything else! She is the funniest little thing! I just don't know how she can handle those lemons!!!

 Dinner time with the kids always consists of some sort of entertainment too...this particular night it was the lemon eating AND the spoon balancing on Kambriella's nose! ;)

Sunday we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Trickett's house to celebrate Uncle Curt's birthday! Kesslyn and her little cousin Eila loved playing together in their "castle!"

 Cousin time is always such FUN time!!!

 We had a fun night with everyone and even played a competitive game of HORSE that I lost too very badly...;)

But it was also a fun weekend of updates from Kierra and Riley while on their trip to California to celebrate their 1st anniversary! I was mostly surprised when I received these 2 pictures from my good friend April who "happened" to run into Kierra at Disneyland!!!

 Kierra and Riley know all too well what I mean when I say, 

"It's a small world after all...it's a small, small world!"

Needless to say it made my mama heart so very happy to see that there was yet another person there to love on my girl...

 I love that they are having such a wonderful time together on their trip, but more importantly, in their LIFE!!!

They were made for each other and are doing so well and are just so so happy together. Once again it just makes my mama heart soooo happy!!!! I'm pretty sure that where ever they are together, it really is the HAPPIEST place on earth! (At least for them.;)

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Happy Monday!

Pickle Ball at the Park

 Last night the Elders Quorum hosted a Pickle Ball night at a park in Herriman that was A-Maze-ing!!!

We all had fun playing against each other in the cooler summer evening air...but as soon as it was over the kids ran off to explore the most A-Mazing playground ever!!!

WARNING:

THESE PICTURES ARE HIGH ACTION SHOTS AND EXTREMELY BLURRY...

MAY CAUSE NAUSEA (I mean kind of like if you were really on that amazing merry-go-round!!!;)

Dallin pushed Kesslyn on these swings that made you feel like you were on a ride at Lagoon...:)

 ...and then all of the kids RACED up these slides and then RACED back down! They were loving them and had the time of their lives! Kesslyn even got in my face and screamed at me,

 "I'M HAVING SOOO MUCH FUN!!!" :)

As soon as I would see them coming out of the slide I would hurry and take a picture, but they were so fast that they were already heading back up again by the time it actually took!!! They LOVED these slides!!!

They also loved climbing this bungee tower that was on top of this merry-go-round...Yaaaa.....I got on with Kambriella for just a half a second before I was pretty sure I was gonna throw up!

How do these kids do it??

 Kesslyn racing back up the tower..:)

 ...and she's back down...

...and she's off again!!!

It was such a fun night and we stayed there and played until it was dark and we couldn't see anymore! They even had zip lines that the kids were riding in the dark that started making me kind of nervous just because you couldn't really see the other people in the dark and we didn't want anyone to get hurt, so we called it a night. A very good night.

I love family time and summer nights...2 things that just go together!!!

Happy weekend!

Love Is In the Air!

 Yesterday I had this candle made for a Bridal Shower gift! My theme was "Love is in the air," and with this beautiful fragrant candle it literally is! What a fun and personal gift for so many occasions! I was sooo pleased! (Especially because it was something that I just happened upon...)

I took a screen shot of this facebook photo...

...emailed it to the store, I chose what I wanted the label to say, then they printed and applied the label, and Voila! A beautiful, MEANINGFUL, personalized gift for the happy couple!

 Coupled with a King size fuzzy blanket and 2 goose down feather pillows, there's gonna be nothing but snuggling, cuddling, and LOVE in the air!

(P.S. Bryce was my "son" on Trek about 8 years ago and so I have a special place in my heart for him and couldn't be happier for him and Allie!)

An Unexpected Adventure

 Last night was an adventure that we didn't plan on having, but one that I enjoyed nonetheless!

 (Is that bad to say out loud?!) 

Although our car completely shut down and stopped working altogether, I still enjoyed so many tender mercies and little silver linings that happened...

We were headed to the district to buy a dining table set that I had found at Downeast for the cabin, and to get a bite of dinner... JUST as we were pulling in to the District the car started wigging out!!! Every electrical system started failing and before you know it the power steering was gone and Clint thankfully was able to round the corner and pull into a parking spot in the Target parking lot. We called for assistance, and then while we waited for the tow truck to come, we went and purchased our dining set, and walked over to Pizzeria Limone for a bite of dinner, and yes it was almost 10:00 at night!

We ate dinner from the back of our suburban and then moved to the curb when the tow truck arrived. Kesslyn was so happy and having a ball on our adventure, and I too was enjoying the fact that we were together, the evening was beautiful, and we were blessed to be in a place where we could still receive all the help that we needed. I told Clint how grateful I was that this happened while we were where we were, and that we were together! If that would have happened to me on the freeway without him I might have panicked!!! But thankfully, we were together, we were safe, and we were able to get our car picked up, and a ride back home, where I still have an extra vehicle that I can drive. 

Heavenly Father was mindful of us and watching over us, and I am truly grateful!

Also, look at my cute Gavin who is such a sweet friend!!! He is away on scout camp this week and having the time of his life I am sure!!! Can't wait to see you Friday Gavin!

This is NOT Normal :)

 Yesterday, a few friends and I went to lunch at the Trellis Cafe at Thanksgiving Point and had a mini baby shower for a friend of ours, Kisty Butcher. Kisty moved into our neighborhood a couple of years ago and I met her while trick or treating with my kids. ;) That was the best Halloween EVER! ;)

Since then, I have slowly gotten to know Kisty and you can just feel her energy, her loving personality, and just how easily she makes you feel like an old friend. She is so easy to love! And the best part about it...she loves you right back! 

But that is exactly how this "neighborhood" ~ our own little piece of heaven ALWAYS feels.

In Kisty's words..."It's just not normal!"

I agree. :)

When I think about the Savior and His mission and all of the people that He loved and served and spent time with, I am always so grateful that He showed us the perfect example by loving EVERYONE. Regardless of social, economic, or religious status, He ministered to ALL...and because we have been blessed to live in a place with so many Christ like people, we will most certainly find that we are surrounded by those who are simply trying to be like Him and LOVE EVERYONE.

Kisty, you are my sister and friend regardless of where life may have taken us, what likes and dislikes we may have, or things we may not have  in common. Loving each other for who we are will bring us closer than we ever thought, and it will show us just how much we really DO have in common. Like just how much we love our families, and just how hard we are trying to raise happy and healthy children. We are all trying our best each day to do good in the world, to be good people, to love and serve those around us, and to be a light to those who need it.
Kisty, you may not realize it, but you shine a light that I need too, and I want to thank you for putting yourself out there and for accepting me and for being my friend. All of you, every single one...Michelle, Kisty, April and Lauren (Nora too;), Katie, Emily, Michelle, Bobbi, Joanne, and so many more...you are my examples, my sisters, my friends. You pick me up when I'm down, you bring the light when it seems dark, and you love me regardless of my weaknesses, unconditionally and always.

I am a better person today because I know you.

President Russell M. Nelson said, "Stand out. Be different. Be a light."

We were born to stand out and be different from the world in "distinct and happy ways."

That is what you are.

That is why I love you.

And yes, Kisty, this is NOT normal. :)

XOXOXO

It's All about People

 The Sabbath day is always one of my favorite days of the week. :)

Yesterday was no exception!

I had the privilege of speaking in sacrament meeting with Hannah for her mission farewell! 

The meeting was full of the spirit and I loved being able to share my testimony. Although it's always a little scary to put yourself and your feelings out there, there is always someone who usually needs to hear just what you have to say. Hopefully that one person was touched. :) I know I was.

Kate was also at our sacrament meeting to hear Hannah speak, and it was such a nice surprise to see her there! I am definitely learning a lot about "people" as I serve in this calling...it is such a blessing to be able to serve and have first hand experiences that teach you and convert you deep down to your core...

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the testimony that I have of my Savior and His love for me! I know that the work that we are here to do really is "all about people!"

Temples, Family, and a Happy Birthday for Tiffany

They did it!!!

3 temples in one day...baptisms at all of them, and lunch in between. :)

Thanks to an amazing Sunday school teacher who put these kids FIRST.

Thank you Brother Stone!

 Brigham City Temple and then lunch at Sonic...

 Ogden...(Dallin and Gavin's favorite one out of the 3 ;)

 ...and beautiful Bountiful!

And while the boys were away, us girls spent the day with Grandma Panter!

We had lunch at The Village Baker, and went window shopping around Gardener Village and the Quilted Bear...

 Where Kesslyn's favorite thing, over the pizza, and sandwiches, and drinks, and cookies...were the lemons!!!

 She ate them and ate them!!!

 ...and tried to convince Kambriella to eat them...

 But Kambriella didn't love them like Kesslyn did. Nope! Not so much! But I don't blame her because I couldn't eat them either!

 They were super sour for us, but Kesslyn ended up eating 3 of them, and even took one for the road! She sucked on it and ate it until there was nothing but the peel left. WOW. That's all I can say about that!

 Yesterday was also my little sister Tiffany's 40th birthday!

Some of the family met up for dinner at The Porcupine restaurant up at the U.

Tiffany's kids, us, my little brother Shane and his girlfriend Joette...

 ...and lucky for them, the boys got back JUST in time to join us for the dinner celebration!

What a fun day they had!!!

 The pictures are blurry, but the manager of the restaurant use a small blow torch to light the birthday candles on Tiff's cake...it was awesome!

 She must have really known what she was wishing for because she made that wish and blew those candles out quicker than I could say, "smile!" 

 Colby gave her this sign that he had me pick up for her that said, "You have my whole heart for my whole life" and I think it pretty much melted her heart... :)

 Ya, it did. :) 

Baby steps Colby...next will be a ring, right?? :)

 Kesslyn was even feelin' the love...and Tiffany had a great birthday!

It's hard to believe that my baby sister is 40! We may be getting older but we still feel young at heart! :)

 By the time we all said our goodbyes and got  back home, these girls looked how I felt...exhausted! What a long, fun, special, happy day...just what those summer days are made of! :)

Sweet dreams little beauties!