Kiss Kiss

The Bass Pro Shop is the coolest store i have ever been in! Who would have thought that you could see live animals, amazing displays and buy BIG red wax lips.

my little girls

tori loves following her aunties around all day. today auntie rachel taught her how to wrap her hair in a towel. she thought it was the neatest thing ever. alex is fascinated with bras. i always find her trying mine on. she thinks they are beautiful. i don't know why these are sideways!

sunshine

I have finally arrived in Arizona. I love this sunshine state. We wake up and roll into the pool...my kind of life. I am so happy that all of my sisters are here too. My kids don't even know who their aunties from Utah are so this will be good for them to spend time with each other. I love my sisters!!!

Stuck in the river

I dedicate this song to Garrett and his red truck. Garrett has driven his red truck for MANY years. In fact, I think he has more attachment to his truck than he does to ME! Well, not that much but you get the point. Anyway, he thinks his truck can make it through ANYTHING without getting stuck so we pushed the Old Red to its limits and...you guessed it...STUCK!!! It was so hard for him to admit but I thought it was hilarious. It happened to be in the middle of a beautiful river that was running water like crazy. I threw on all of our swimsuits and we played in waterfalls and soaked in some sun for a few hours while Garrett tried to fix the problemo. Good thing I keep a matching shade of nail polish in the glove box for problems such as these. And I have had to use it in the past. Shhhhh!

Benton's First Oreo

Benton 6 months

So You Think You Can Dance!

I have been enjoying my favorite show of the summer, SYTYCD. I love watching how the body can move and how beautiful it can be. I am so thankful that my mom put me in dance at the young age of 4. I have been dancing ever since and LOVE it. I loved it so much I majored in Dance. Movement is one way to show expression and most times I am at a loss for words. So if I ever have a hard time expressing my feelings...just come over and I'll dance it out for you. I have loved opening up my own dance studio and teaching. Dance brings out true joy and I get to watch that happen most days. I am so thankful for my technical background so my kids will grow-up dancing (correctly) also.

DANCE...no one is watching.

Sparks

Last night for FHE we joined up with Cade and Jeni for tennis. We were enjoying our family fun on the courts when...out of no where....lightening struck and thunder boomed right over our heads. The lightening was so close that it was blinding! We all ran for cover and thankfully no one was struck. It was too close for comfort and sent several of the kids into tears.

Dear Journal...

As you know I am almost done with the BODY FOR LIFE CHALLENGE. I have lost several inches and am down 2 dress sizes. I feel fit and full of energy. My diet has changed drastically....for me. No more dessert 5 times a day. I love that Rachel is doing the program with me. She has lost 6 pounds within the last month. She looks great and is wanting to get into shape for her missionary's return/future wedding. It has been so much fun to share the journey with my sister. It somehow bridges the gap between my distance from my family. Living in another country can be trying at times...thank heaven for VONAGE!

My MEN

Garrett was fixing the truck before our trip to Pacheco... and this is what I found...

my little man is ready to start following his daddy!

Tori's Party

Tori is 5!!
Kason, Ryan, Marisa, Tori and Kegan

Slip N Slide

Fun In the Sun

Princess for the day.

Cave Valley

The girls LOVED ridding the "moto" every chance they got.
Grandma and her grandaughters


Who knew we had such "treasures" here... and so close!

Indian ruins inside the Cave.

Love this view...

I am representing the Indian method of carrying infants.

Lovely hike...even the non-hikers would appreciate this little hike.

The 4th of July

Love my HotSling ... thanks Jen.

Tori Lynn and Alexa

Alexandria and her COOLWHIP

Kids say the darndest things...

Today we were swimming and a butterfly flew past Alex. She said," look Mom it's Barbie Mariposa." I had to chuckle.

Later that afternoon she announced she had to use the bathroom. Once she had gone #2 she said, "we don't eat poopoos, we eat cereal!" Where did that come from ?!

Tori was talking on the phone with cousin Alexa when she politely asked,"can you hold on while I go potty?"