Surf N Slide

Our family spent the day at a fun little water park about an hour away from home. We had such a great time!

Last week was Craig's White Coat Ceremony. Kent's little brother, Craig is attending dental school at the University of Florida. We were lucky enough to be in Gainesville for one year with them before Kent graduated last year. Craig is now officially half way done! According to Kent, Craig has the worst behind him. We wish we could have been there to see it, Craig. Congratulations. That is a big deal.

Dr. Brent Martin

After waiting for weeks on end for his doctor license to post- today was Brent's first day of work. Erin and I went down to go to lunch with Kent and Brent. It was so fun to see our husbands working together. We peeked in a window to one of the the operatories and saw Brent working hard on a patient. I had to laugh because we could only see the back on his head and Erin said, "I can tell he looks nervous." She is such a doting wife. I'm so happy for them. This is a picture of Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Martin and Dr. Copeland. The future can officially begin.

Welcome Brent, Erin and Tanner

Brent and Erin and Tanner Martin have lived in Sunnyside for over a month now. Since they are the reason that Kent and I ever found Sunnyside, we are so happy to finally have them here. Last night we had our first dinner at their house and it was so much fun. Brent and Kent were in Dental school together in Florida and when Brent married Erin we couldn't have been more happy for both of them. They are such great friends, and now wonderful parents to their little 5 month old son. Gary and Katie, Brent's parents, were at dinner too. Thank you Martin's for having us over. We are so happy you are here!

A great Sunday

Today was such a wonderful day, as most Sundays are. Sacrament meeting at church was just beautiful. I don't know why but I was a little extra emotional. I am just so thankful for Spirit in my life. I'm thankful for the peace and hapiness I feel at church. Sister Scott talked about pioneers. Since her parents were the first members of the church in her family, it was nice to hear her point-of-view on pioneers. She made some key points that stuck out to me. She talked about being pioneers now for those to come after us. It put things into perspective for me about how I am raising my children and the example I can set. Then Brooke's husband, Troy sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." He has such an amazing voice- the song hit me to the core. Then Troy spoke about our Divine Heritage. It was an icredible talk. I wish I would have recorded it. He talked about how we are literal children of our Father in Heaven. What a wonderful truth we know. Since Troy and Brooke are moving there family to California in less than two weeks, I was deeply touched. I reflected on how blessed I have been throughout my life to have fantastic friends. Not only have my friends been great, but their spouses too. I am thankful for the relationship Kent and I have been able to have with many couples throughout our marriage. I am grateful that we have been touched changed for the better for having known these people. I am always sad to say goodbye. Troy wrote a beautiful poem that I will post soon that describes exactly how it is to say hello and goodbye to friends that mean so much.

Ward Pioneer Day

Since Pioneer Day is next weekend, our ward celebrated tonight with a pot-luck dinner and a small program from the Primary.
Kent had some fun taking pictures.


After dinner, the public pool was rented out just for our ward. It was lots of fun. Ella even got to go down the waterslide a few times.

Happy Birthday, Jenna!

Today is my niece's 8th birthday. Jenna is such a loving girl. We had a great time going with her family to Hawaii last Christmas. We are so proud of Jenna for making the decision to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. You are a beautiful Daughter of our Heavenly Father.

Here's to one good day!

As you might have noticed from a few of my posts- Ella has hit the "Terrible Twos" with a force.
She is scratching, pinching, hitting, etc. If you have met her in person you know that she also LOVES to spit at people (spitting= blowing raspberries). I am at my wits end. I have had loving people give me advice and try their best to be constructive without hurting my feelings. As all of you parents know, anything to do with telling someone else how to parent their child can be very touchy (Camille and Wally, again I apologize for the article I told you about. What on earth?!). Moving on...I have decided to give Ella more attention. I know- sounds like she is winning the tantrum battle, right? Well, I mean positive, scheduled attention. So yesterday I let everything else go (dishes, showers, etc.) and got down on the floor with her ALL DAY! We did puzzles, painted, watched movies, read books, ate breakfast, and drew on the sidewalk with chalk. I can't remember a better day with Ella. She laughed and kissed me all day.

I am so thankful for loving family and friends that help me as I go through times like this. Ethan was this same way when he was little and now I couldn't ask for a better five-year-old. I am praying that will happen with Ella. Until then, I will work on my patients with her. Thank you everyone for still loving her after she beat your kids up. I appreciate all the advice I so desperately needed.

Muddy Buddies

A couple of days ago we had Ethan's new friend, Daniel, come over to go down the waterslide with he and Cameron. They had such a great time.

Then they decided to make a mud lake! Ethan wouldn't let me take a picture of him. Possibly because I have brainwashed him to NOT EVER GET MUDDY. I am working on letting him know it's okay to get dirty (with the patient example of my friend, Brooke). I did snap these cute ones of Cameron and Daniel. I just noticed that it looks like Cameron is missing an arm. Sorry!

Hello, my friend, hello.

I just got off the phone with one of my dearest friends, Heidi. Thank you for the call, it was wonderful to catch up. I miss you so much. You are such a big part of my life. I love you and miss you incredibly.

More fun in the sun

We are so happy that Brent, Erin and Tanner are official residents of Sunnyside. Erin and Tanner came over to play in the water with us.

After swimming, we caught some adorable expressions from Tanner.

T-Ball Game

T-ball season started while we were vacationing in Utah. Ethan caught right up with the team and had a great time.


This is Daniel. He was on Ethan's soccer team last season. They have lots of fun together. Daniel's mom works with Kent at the dental office.


Erin designed this logo for the Dental Clinic. She did such a great job. The recreation center used the logo on the t-shirts for three different teams. Aren't they awesome? Way to go, Erin!

Home Sweet Home

It's so nice to be home to let the kids play in the backyard while I get unpacked and work on laundry.

Homecoming

For my parents homecoming, it was nice to have almost the whole family together. We were only missing my nephew, Brandon. He has an honorable excuse as he is currently serving a full time mission in Atlanta, Georgia. My dad and mom gave wonderful testimonies at church about their experiences in Fiji and the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. I am so thankful for their teachings as a young girl and now as a mother and wife. I am so blessed to have a beautiful family that I can be with for eternity.

Happy Birthday, Amy

Yesterday was my sister-in-law, Amy's, birthday. I didn't forget, I just didn't have a computer to post it until today.

Amy was my roommate that introduced me to her little brother, Kent. I am so thankful to Amy for so many things. She has been an amazing friend to me. We have definitely had our ups and downs but I have learned so much from Amy. We have had the opportunity to have our two children close together to share our pregnancy and motherhood joys and problems. I just found out Amy is pregnant again. This time she goes alone. I am so happy for you, Amy. You are an incredible mother, a loving wife, and a true friend. I am thankful to have you in my life. I hope your birthday was a good one.

Happy Birthday, Jax

Today is my nephew's birthday. He is the cutest kid. At age five, he is already a great little athlete. He is so handsome too. Happy Birthday buddy! Since this is the latest picture we have of you, we hope to see you soon!

"Happy Valley"

A "Utah" trip just is NOT complete without spending a day on BYU campus. The kids had a great time (whenever I say "kids"- that is excluding Ella. She never had a great time). Here's Ethan in front of Cosmo's van!

Sorry this picture isn't the best.

We ate lunch at Brick Oven. All the kids got one of Brick Oven's famous suckers.

We had lots of fun swimming and roasting marshmellows. Actually this is one thing Ella did enjoy!


I was able to meet up with some good friends. On the left is my friend Holly from Jr. High and High school. I had so much fun catching up with her and hearing all of the great things she's been doing. On the right is my bestest friend, Nicole. I just love her so much. I always want more "Nicole time."

I had so much fun spending time with Rhonda and laughing so hard! She is such a good friend and I'm thankful we keep in touch. Rhonda, Nicole and I went to see "Get Smart." It was so fun to have a girl's night out. Miss you!

Utah County... Here we come!

The weekend at Bear Lake was great- minus the fact that Ella beat up every one of her cousins that was 3 and under. HELP ME! Now the kids and I are heading from Logan to Alpine to visit friends and family that have yet to be terrorized by my lovely daughter. All in all, we had a great time! Here are SOME of the MANY pictures I took... enjoy!

Happy 4th of July

I am thankful to live in this country and my heart goes out to all of those in the armed forces. Thank you! May God be with you and your families.


I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. We spent the weekend at my family's cabin at Bear Lake. Most of the time we were down at the beach trying to cool off.


Uncle Greg (my brother) gave all the kids glow-in-the-dark necklaces to wear to the firework show. Sorry the pictures are blurry.

Happy Birthday, Mavrick

Today we went to my nephew, Mavrick's, birthday party.
Myrick worked very hard and the kids had a ball! Happy Birthday Mavrick. You are such a happy and fun boy. I can't believe you are already seven!!!