My Little Preschooler

Watson started preschool this year. He is going to Geri King's preschool. She is a local celebrity around our neighborhood. All of the kids adore her. She teaches the kids in a dedicated room in her home. She has been doing it for 27 years and still loves it! Watson is in a class with 11 other kids and is loving all of it. He is learning his ABC's and lots of other stuff. Insects are the focus this month. He started school on his birthday and got to bring a treat and be a special helper. He is so ready for this. We are so proud of our cute boy!

Grandma Nettie's Labor Day Campout

Every Labor Day weekend Grandma Nettie hosts a little family campout. The cousins love, love, love to spend time together so anytime there is a sleepover, they are in heaven. This year we ate dinner, played several rounds of a semi-competitive game of Musical Chairs and watched a movie outside, The Shaggy Dog. We love those old Disney classics.The weather was just right (until it started to sprinkle when the movie started) and everyone had a great time. Grandma Nettie's is a magical place every time of the year.

Final Summer Moments

We managed to squeeze in a little more fun in August before getting serious about summer ending. Watson and I visited the zoo with Challey, Stratton, Paris and London. I took Watson on a little one on one date to see "Planes." And, Scott and I had a little date at the Sundance Outdoor Theater to see "Annie, Get Your Gun." It was nice to wind things down slowly. I feel so grateful we had so much time together doing fun things. We are so blessed, in so many ways. I'm thankful for Scott's hard work and ability to provide for more than just our basic needs. I'm grateful to live close to family and that my Watson thinks his cousin is the best friend a boy could have. I'm grateful for my marriage and my husband that wants us to just get better together with time, no matter the challenges. I look forward to what is ahead for myself and my little family.

One Last F Cubed

Somehow the summer flew by. It seems we were busy with something every weekend. Scott has had the chance to mountain bike at The Canyons pretty much each week, Chandler got lots and lots of time with friends, and Watson and I had our own little adventures. Even though school was scheduled to start on August 19th, Chandler was scheduled to go back to Florida on August 12th. He enjoyed his summer so much, despite having so much online school to complete, he considered returning for school here. But, we weren't sure how things would work out once he left us here. So, we wanted some good memories to close out our summer together. We headed up to Snowbird and enjoyed all the activities we possibly could. Watson loved the Alpine slide, but didn't want to do the zipline. We all tried tricks on the trampolines and just spent good time together. The weather was perfect and the scenery was incredible. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
We have loved having Chandler home for such an uninterrupted stretch. Our family needed this kind of time. Chandler needed to have time with friends and having freedoms that aren't the same in Florida. Watson needed time to be with his brother and show him how grown up he is becoming. It was sad and difficult to have it end. But, this is what happens, right? Kids grow up, things change, they move on or away. I believe they will always come back though. If they know how much you love them. That is the most important thing of all. How much you love them.

Reinstated Summer Tradition

We have skipped our little Bear Lake trip a couple of summers for one reason or another. But this year, our family decided it really need to be a priority. So, we booked the cabin we like to stay in and made plans for a little 4 day, 3 night trip with the Hoopes Clan. The water was beautiful and the beach was fantastic, one of the two days we were there. Unfortunately our boat rental day got rained out. But, we did have a great time together and the cousins loved having each other around 24/7. There was lots of air hockey playing, Oreo eating, movie watching, and cabin exploring by everyone.

Addie and Paris

Beautiful Brooklyn 

Best Cousins

Look at those lashes! 

Happy girls!

All the cousins!

Happy!

Celebrating the 4th

This year's Fourth of July was packed with family, family and more family. Of course we started the morning bright and early with our annual breakfast at Grandma Nettie's. Of course her gardens were beautiful, the food was d-licious, and lots of great friends came. The kids, and a few of the guys, ended the festivities with a major water fight. It is always worth the effort. I love kicking off this holiday this way every year.

After cleaning up and heading home for a little nap, Scott, Watson and I headed to Little Cottonwood Canyon for a mini hike. Chandler opted to hang out with friends...teenagers. We had a great time playing in the water. Watson could spend absolute hours throwing rocks, anywhere. We got to see some of his sweet Ninja moves and just enjoy being together.

After our afternoon activities we got together for a little fireworks show in our circle with the family. Chandler attempted Evel Knevel moves with jumping fire on his bike. I wish I could have captured that.... The kids had fun with plenty of pyrotechnics to light. We wandered down to Jordan High School to watch Sandy City Fireworks and then called it a night. It was a great way to celebrate the amazing freedoms in this amazing country. I am so grateful.

The Big Kahuna--a.k.a. My 40th

This is a big one. 40. That is such a weird number. But, here I am, at it. It has been an interesting journey from 30 to 40. I've done a lot. Changed careers a couple of times, bought a house by myself, jumped out of an airplane, traveled to Costa Rica, got married, had an instant family, had a baby, had a miscarriage, got a dog, and probably lots of other stuff in between I don't remember. I'm grateful to be here. I feel good. I feel blessed every day. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. He knows me. He wants me to succeed and be happy. I want to live my life doing things he wants me to do. Luckily, I have lots of time to improve on that plan.

My birthday started out pretty quiet. Just a normal day around the house. I really didn't want a lot of fanfare and announcement I'd finally turned the big 4-0. My mom did treat me to lunch at Archibalds. It was good but the best part was taking home their carrot cake for breakfast the next day. Chandler was super sweet to offer to watch Watson while I went out. He assured me I could take as much time as I wanted...so cute. Scott was sweet with his birthday wishings and he brought me a beautiful bouquet.

Really yummy breakfast. Carrots are in it, so it's healthy?

Birthday flowers, I loved them.

Scott definitely kept things low key for me, or so I thought. Apparently he had been working for weeks to organize a Luau with my family and friends. Many years ago I had said I wanted to be in Hawaii to run a marathon to celebrate my 40th birthday. Since that probably isn't happening this year (fingers crossed we are pregnant in December) he brought Hawaii to me. It was incredibly sweet and an absolute surprise to me. My whole family was there, minus Tori, and some great friends. Scott put so much effort into making the day special and memorable for me. It meant a lot to me. Birthdays are a big deal. I want my loved ones to know how much I love and appreciate them and birthdays are a great opportunity to show that. I felt that from Scott and my family. It really was a sweet surprise.

My Favorite, Shave Ice!