Hot Dog Roast

Since Camille's girls stayed over at Grandma's with us last night, we decided to meet up after church in the canyon to take pictures in the poppy fields and she could pick up her girls from me.  Camille called and said she had lots of hot dogs and suggested that it would be a fun idea to start a fire at the campground near the poppies and roast hot dogs and s'mores. It's amazing how something as small as a mosquito can put a kink in the works?  Camille to the rescue- everyone sprayed and on with the fun!  The boys found a snake and butterfly. The girls found a rope swing.

 Unfortunately the poppies weren't in full bloom yet but I made Jess stand by this tree while I snapped a few shots of her.  The mosquitoes were terrible so we only had a few minutes before we were ran out of the trees.  Luckily Jessica is gorgeous and it doesn't take long to get some great shots of her.  I can't believe how quickly she is growing! She starts her Sophomore year this year and already has her learner's driving permit!!

Jessica went back with her mom because she had a church meeting to get to, but we were lucky enough to keep Morgan and Afton for another night.  Back at Grandpa and Grandma's house we were having delicious brownies and ice cream.  Russ came with the kids (Mer has a sore throat, so she stayed home with Sawyer),  Jeff and Cristal, James, Hannah, Brandon, Caitlin and Shawn were there and Spencer and Jenny came with their kids as well.  It was fun to catch up with everyone and share some good laughs.  We are getting ready for our family reunion in Vernal this weekend and we talked about different things we remembered growing up.  It's been over 10 years since I've been to Vernal and I'm excited to show my kids where I was born.

We are in Utah- so it's time to party!!

The first thing Ella said when arriving in Utah was, "I need to have a birthday party at Grandma's house like I did last year."  Nostalgia beat out logic as I remembered all the fond memories I have of celebrating my June birthday at my grandma's house in California every summer.  We have so many activities planned that are going to be crammed into the next ten days that I figured tonight was the only logical option.  Two hours of party planning was all it took. Ella requested a theme of unicorns and rainbows.  I loaded Ella and her cousins up in the car and we headed to the dollar store and walmart to let them pick the party decorations out.  We made a stop at Hobby Lobby and we were set.  If you know me, you know that I'm not big on plastic tablecloths and mismatched serving bowls, but tonight was about Ella and her cousins creating the party and just having a good time! We ended up going back to grandma's to find additional party guests ready to have some fun!  After pizza and ice cream, we made unicorn horns and the kids played unicorns in the backyard until dark.  Then we pulled out the glow in the dark rainbow colored necklaces and bracelets and the kids went back outside for some more fun.  When it was time for bed, we put on Barbie and the Magic Pegasus video to help them unwind.  What a great birthday at Grandma's house!  Thank you everyone for being so awesome!

Brandon and Caitlin added Skittles candy to the cake so we could all "Taste the Rainbow!"

Morgan got some clay at Hobby Lobby to make this unicorn for the cake topper.  She has never made a unicorn before and this one only took her about 10 minutes.  She is so talented!!!

James and Hannah strategically hung the garland.

The little girls worked together to set the table for pizza and make-your-own-rainbow fruit kabobs.

Logan

My parents basement, with the blackout curtains, cool temperature and sound insulated from the rest of the house, it is a recipe for sleeping in.  Today was filled with a relaxing morning, followed by lunch at Herm’s- an old gas station that has been restored as an amazingly cool restaurant. There were so many elements that I would love to add in our new home (yes, I am still hopeful that we will one day be building a home).  Not only did this place have the style to impress but the food was divine!  Cannon started crying as soon as we got there and couldn't stop.  I thought maybe he had been stung by a bee so I checked him, and his car seat, but found no evidence.  It was so sad to hear him cry for so long.  Once he finished, he was exhausted and grandma snuggled him while I ate my lunch.  Ella, Afton and Avery had a good time and for dessert? Chocolate mustaches!!

  

Ethan stayed the night last night at his cousin Brady’s house. When they returned to Grandma’s house this afternoon to go swimming, Ethan was super excited to tell me all about the adventures they had.  They went biking down an “80 degree sloped mountain” where Ethan had to “hold on to the brakes almost the whole way so I wouldn’t go too fast and crash.”  At the bottom of the mountain was a sno cone stand. They cooled off from the 100 degree weather with a sno cone and headed back up the “80 degree sloped mountain” where Ethan had to “pedal as hard as I could so he “wouldn’t fall backwards down the steep mountain.” Even though I don’t love the fact that we live so far from family, I do love that when we get together with them, the cousins pick right up where they left off and don’t miss a beat.  

The last three days have been filled with lots of activities; sleep overs, swimming, campground picnics, birthday parties, and the whole family meeting up for brownies and ice cream. 

Our neighbor found out a couple months ago that he has a degenerative eye disease and the only cure is surgery.  The only surgeon that performs this particular surgery is located in Beverly Hills.  Tonight I am trusting my children to grandpa and grandma while I meet Kent in Los Angeles for a little getaway because our neighbors invited us to go along.  In turn we are going to do some fun tourist things and make a tough situation a little bit better.   Their flight was delayed and so I have a little time to myself.  It’s amazing how being away from your children for an evening to go on a date is not a big deal, but only being away from my children tonight for a few hours so far, I really am feeling sentimental.  Maybe it’s because I am so far from them or that I know I won’t be kissing their cheeks when they go to sleep tonight.  Kent and I try to keep a healthy balance of time with the kids and time for just each other.  I know my children are safe and happy and that helps me to be able to enjoy the next 36 of “Kent time”. 

Our Funny Ella

I had to write these funny stories down because they were too good to forget:

Funny #1:

Today we went to my parents ward- I must tell you that my parents live in retirement community- and before church started, all of my mom's friends wanted to see Cannon so they all came around our bench to say 'hello'.  When church started, everyone settled down in their seats and Ella sat next to my mom and said, "Grandma? ...  There are a lot of old people in Utah."

Funny #2:
Ella was overheard having a conversation with her cousins where she was bragging about her little brother by saying, "Cannon is a lot smarter than me.  He can do things I can't do."
Grandma interjected and said, "Oh,?  What can he do that you can't do?"
Ella quickly responded, "He can put his eyes clear up in his head and I can't do that."

Prosser Grand Opening

tThe Grand Opening Event for the Prosser office was a great success.  We aimed for a certain number of people to be there and blew past it within the first hour.  We are so thankful to have the support of the community to welcome us to the neighborhood.  The local High School Cheerleading team came to help run the games, the fire dept brought their firetruck and even gave out fireman hats to all the kids.  The staff was wonderful to keep organization and the flow going smoothly.  I had major help from my friends, painting the paper lanterns to look like hot air balloons, making game posters and getting the game supplies purchased and put together.  Luckily my parents came up to help and brought my niece Jessica with them (surprise!) because she was a BIG help.  We had a great time setting up paper lanterns - hot air balloons- in honor of the Hot Air Balloon Rally that happens every fall in Prosser.  Our friend was kind enough to DJ so we had great music to keep us in the party mood.  The whole event was complete with food, games, raffles and two bounce houses for the kids.  The two top prizes were an iPad and Free Braces!!  We are excited to become a part of the community and couldn't have been happier with our warm welcome.

Prosser Ribbon Cutting

In the last five years that we have been out of school, Kent has been able to be in an expanding practice that has now added two more locations.  This is the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Prosser clinic.  Next to Kent is the new orthodontist that will be working in the office with him, the staff is wearing blue polos, the Miss Prosser court and chamber of commerce were there to be a part of the ceremony as well. The newspaper was there and wrote up a great article on the Kent and the new practice. 

Ella's Spring Concert

 Ella missed her Christmas concert at school because we were in Utah for Christmas vacation.  So naturally she had been talking about her Spring concert since January- making sure we would be in town for this one.  After the concert, the teacher announced that we could take our child home with us at that moment.  If we decided not to, we could come back and pick them up in an hour, when school was actually over.  This is the face Ella gave me, begging me to check her out.  Do you think I did?

After the concert, the teacher announced that we could take our child home with us at that moment.  If we decided not to, we could come back and pick them up in an hour, when school was actually over.  This is the face Ella gave me, begging me to check her out.  Do you think I did?

 Brittany watched Cannon for me so I could give Ella my full attention. I traded Cannon for Jane for the afternoon and Jane watched Ella's concert with me. Of course I checked Ella out, so us three girls hit the town for a little girl time and some gelato!!

Horse Show

This picture is priceless!!!  I love both Reno's expression as much as I love Ella's. 

Ella and Rachel are ready for their first class- lead line.

Leading the horse around the arena in front of the judges.  

Are we not loving this little old cowboy judge?  

 Ella now mounts up to do the walk and trotting class!

 In the first walk & trot class, Reno would not trot. Ella's little legs were moving and her heels were kicking as hard as she could be Reno was just too content with walking.  For the second walk & trot class, Ella brought her whip and that made Reno start to run (canter).  Ella was holding the whip in one hand and the reins in the other so when Reno started to move so fast, Ella began slipping out of the saddle.  My heart sank and I inhaled deeply as my little five-year-old stayed level headed and regained control of herself and the horse.  She finished out the class, following the judge's instructions which included: walking, trotting, reversing course and then backing up your horse.  My pride swelled as I saw all the hard work Ella has been putting in to achieve her goals.  Way to go little cowgirl!!

Look at Ella competing with children twice her age and even an adult!  Way to go Ella!

One of the classes only had one student- Ella!  So Ella won first place! Reno is checking out the grand prize to see if there are any carrots in that saddle bag!

 Our little Wrangler wearin' cowgirl!!!!

Grandpa's John's Birthday

Since we had my parents visiting us a few days before his birthday we wanted to do something fun with him.  We decided a pizza party and mini putt-putt would be the way.  We are so blessed that my parents come visit and help us out so much.  These are cherished memories that we will hold on to forever. 

Mother's Day

I am the luckiest girl to be able to have my mother visiting me from Utah on Mother's Day.  I debated back and forth whether we should do an "All Out Fancy" meal or kick back and let the men take over.  As you can tell, I picked the second choice.  These two wonderful men made the entire meal from start to finish, including dessert. Ella helped set the table and I even got a nap in!  Talk about heaven!