Monday, June 13, 2011



Fireworks video!


Jaxon cried when everyone let the balloons go, but he loved how cool it was in the air.


The New American Flag going up at the Orem Macey's!


Merry-Go-Round at Summerfest!
Saturday Morning Flag Celebration

At 8am Saturday morning Macey's in Orem replaced their flag with a new one in celebration of flag day. They had disabled VETS come and take part in the program. Free breakfast for everyone, and after the flag was raised to the top poppers and balloons went off into the air. A great way to teach our children to celebrate the American Flag and be grateful for all those who fight for our country.






Summerfest Fireworks


















Celebration group from Summerfest.


This is the younger kids of the group Celebration. Dancing to the song, "Ugly Bug Ball."


The group Center Stage. They were awesome and Abby said she wants to start her dance classes now.
Happy 6th Anniversary and Orem Summerfest

We celebrated our 6th Anniversary on Saturday June 11. Every year our family tradition is to celebrate by going and enjoying the fun of summerfest. From rides, to musical and dance groups, to good food, and a finale of fireworks. Isn't it nice that every year for our anniversary we get fireworks provided by the city of Orem. AWESOME!!!! This was Jaxon's first year on the rides, and they rode the roller coaster even. Abby was a pro and walked him through all the rides, and told him what to do. Isn't it great having a BOSSY BIG sister? We had a lot of fun and are grateful we could spend the time together as a family!









Thursday, June 09, 2011

On Monday May 30, 2011 we celebrated Memorial Day by taking the kids to the Orem Cemetery to honor those who have given their lives fighting for our country. My kids don't have any immediate family serving in the military. I have cousins and extended family who have served and died in honor. I have many friends who are currently serving in the military and many who have served and survived. It is an amazing gift that those who serve in the military give to all of us. We have been volunteering with a non-profit charity group named Letters to Soldiers that sends packages for all those who are serving from UT. It has been a great experience for my children to learn that there are people out in the world whose lives are in danger, making our country the place where we can live free. Sometimes in the eyes of a child they take things for advantage. All the space they have to run and play, the toys they have, the fun places they get to go, and all the other blessed things that we enjoy in our FREE country. So it is time to start a tradition and teach my children to honor and respect those who give their lives for each of us. The weather wasn't great. It snowed the night before, it rained and hailed during the ceremony, and was about 32 degrees. The 21 Gun salute scared the kids, and they couldn't believe how loud it really was. There are about 2800 veterans now in the cemetery and it was inspiring to see their names on the flags placed in remembrance. The featured speaker was MAJ USAF (RET) Wilbur A. Drake. He was a pilot and told stories of what he went through. Also I was able to chat with a survivor of Iwo Jima, and 3 who survived Pearl Harbor from the Arizona. Abby was captivated by the stories they told of the fighting, and the fight to survive. We watched as the flags were all replaced and learned what area of the military each flag represented. We wish to thank all of you that have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. We love and respect you for giving us freedom, and the ability to worship who we want and enjoy the freedoms that we have. There is nothing more important in life than GOD, Family, and country. The third verse of the song America the Beautiful says: "Oh, beautiful for HEROES proved in liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And ev'ry gain divine." Thank-you from all of us, and may your families always know that we honor them too.








Monday, May 09, 2011

MOTHER'S DAY MAY 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers, mothers-to be, and all those who will be Mother's in this life or the next. It isn't giving birth that makes a mother a mother. It is kindness, love, ability to be calm, sensitive, caring, picking you up when you fall. Loving you always, supporting you, feeding you, guiding you in the light of the gospel. For those of you who may never give birth to a child, believe that in the next life you will be greatly blessed. Just stay strong in your beliefs and continue to learn all that is required of you now, so when the day comes you will be very successful. For those who adopt: thank-you so much for believing in a child who isn't yours. For healing them, and allowing them to know what a loving family is like and how much each of us carry within ourselves. For those who are Mother's: remember the hard days will pass. The sleepless nights, the horrible teenagers, the messy house, it too will pass and in the end you will see the reward. For those Mother's who have had a child pass: The day will come and you will see them again. It may hurt now, but remember all those mother's from the past are comforting your child. Letting them be loved, and telling them stories about you. Believe in yourself, and know that the Lord is proud and just try your best. Don't compare yourself to all the other Mother's. You are special, you are amazing, and you have the life you meant to have. So maybe all of us don't have all the money in the world, maybe we don't have the perfect kids, but we have the perfect ability to love and teach our offspring that our family is forever, and that love makes it all better. Remember all those that have passed on, remember to love all those who are living now, and all who stand to be mother's in the future. Be the Best you, and believe that as long as you love and teach your children the best is yet to come. Celebrate this day, by understanding that you are the best Mother you can be. Listen to your heart, and pray for strength if you need it. Happy Mother's Day to all the friends, family, mother's, mother's to be whatever. Let us celebrate this day and maybe the name should be changed to Women's instead of Mother's Day. We send love and gratitude to all of you.

"Let every mother realize that she has no greater blessing than the children which have come to her as a gift from the Almighty; that she has no greater mission than to rear them in light and truth, and understanding and love; that she will have no greater happiness than to see them grow into young men and women who respect principles of virtue, who walk free from the stain of immorality and from the shame of delinquency. . . . I remind mothers everywhere of the sanctity of your calling. No other can adequately take your place. No responsibility is greater, no obligation more binding than that you rear in love and peace and integrity those whom you have brought into the world.

–Gordon B. Hinckley General Conference, October 1993"
May 6, 2011

Went to Provo for a Doctor's apt and took the camera to stop and take family pictures, so that we could get pictures for the grandma's for Mother's Day. It was a lot of fun, and a very warm sunny day. This was the first time I was out of the house in a long time, and boy did I love it. It was fun to see all the beauty of spring and to feel the warmth of the sun. The baby ducks were back on the BYU campus, and Jax and Abby loved running around and soaking their feet in the cool water. Although we now know that Jax does not at all like cold water. Bradly has spoiled in with warm water, and we will have to change that. We cannot wait till summer when we can go to the pools, and the lakes and the mountain falls. Life is great when you look in the eyes of a child. Enjoy the new pictures of our cute little family we were glad that many of them worked and we could share them with all of you!!