Gorgeous Bride

My little sister is getting married tomorrow. I can hardly believe it. I looked at 84 of her 900 bridal pictures last night and they are all gorgeous. What a beautiful bride she will be. I just wanted to show a few of her bridals off.

We Love the FAIR!

Oh how I love the fair! I look forward to it every year. Each year watching my child's excitement has been better than the last. We took that exciting trip this summer and this is how it went.

The first thing I wanted to do was get some fair food! We got some of those hot chicken and cheese flat bread sandwiches, Tortado's (they take a whole potato and swirl it with what looks like a drill bit, then they fry it and you can top it with
salt, and spices) It is like a cross b/t fried chips and french fires. Should have taken a picture. We also had State Fair Strawberry Lemonade to top it off.

After dinner we headed over to the country concert. Here are me and our baby at the concert. Ya I got all cowgirled up. I love this hat my college summer roomies got it for me for my 18th birthday. I wore it to the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert the next summer. Look at that boy sucking down the lemonade.

Here is my husband and our boy watching the African Acrobat show. These guys put on a pretty good show.


The 4 x 4 show. Jeeps climbing the rocks. The boys were really excited to watch this one.

We love the Ag tent. They always have lots of fun, free, and educational activities geared toward the kids. Here is the picture board and the bean pool with the tractors.




My husband took our boy over to a big cow and pointed to the udders and told him that is were milk comes from. Look at that face! I am not sure if he is grossed out or just really surprised.


This boy sure loved the petting zoo. We would tell him lets go see more animals and he would quickly hop on the stroller which is rare form for this boy. He loved the fair. When it was time to go he cried all the way to the car. "I want to stay at the fair." I could have stayed later too I love it so much but it was late and daddy was the voice of reason.



Before we could leave I HAD to have dessert. It was a tough decision with funnel cakes, Carmel apples, cotton candy and churros to choose from but I went for a fair favorite the elephant ear. YUMMY!

100 Things About Me

So Debbie posted this a while back and I really wanted to do the same but I have not gotten to it. Then Amber and Ranell posted as well. So I don't want to look like a copy cat but oh well here goes.

1. Right now I love the color chocolate brown especially with pink or blue.
2. Lately I have been loving chocolate and peanut butter milk shakes.
3. I am the oldest of 5 children, Me, Jeremy-24, Angela-almost 20, Jordan-18 and Tanner-13
4. I am a dental hygienist.
5. I got my first dirt bike back in 2002.
6. I have always had a thing for teeth, I kept all of my baby teeth in a jar after I lost them, and used spend time looking at them.
7. I love to white water raft.
8. If you read my blog you know how I feel about camping.
9. I don't like to wear clothes that display a brand name, I am not a free advertisement.
10. I took 4 years of french in high school.
11. I took a European tour in 2004 and visited; England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France.
12. I would love to go back to Europe.
13. I have never been to Hawaii but would like to go.
14. I love playing Volleyball!
15. I recently decided if I could have any job it would be a professional volleyball player. Really though that would only be if I didn't have my boys b/c being mommy to my two little boys is the best (most of the time).
16. I didn't even know I loved volleyball until 2004.
17. I like a wide variety of music.
18. When I was 12 or 13 I flew by myself on a plane to visit my cousins in Michigan. That was one of my favorite trip. They were all so fun and good to me.
19. I like to travel, and wish I did a whole lot more.
20. One of my favorite college class was a composition class. Our first assignment was a 20 page autobiography. Through out the class we had to read the Agony and the Ecstasy a biographical novel about Michelangelo. This novel inspired me to want to go to Italy to see his works for myself. We also had to write 20 pages about our college experiences. It was kind of like a blog and it was a cool experience.
21. I can read music and kind of play the piano.
22. I like to play other competitive sports like softball, basketball, tennis, ultimate Frisbee but I rarely get the chance these days.
23. I love to play board games, and I really miss my friend Jessica who used to have me over to play them often.
24. One of my favorite board games is Settlers of Catan.
25. In college I almost changed my major to Culinary Art because I like cooking/eating good food and my science classes were REALLY hard.
26. I have always been better at language and music but in order to be a hygienist I had to struggle through lots of tough science classes. (It was worth it)
27. I know how to sew, but haven't really ever gotten into it.
28. I have never been really into reading since about 6th grade but have been trying to get into it for the last couple of years.
29. I like to listen to books on tape in my car.
30. I like to watch movies.
31. I love the fair; food, rides, atmosphere, vendors.
32. I learned how to surf when I live in Cali.
33. I am usually willing to try new things.
34. I really like snowmobiling.
35. As a child my favorite vacations were to Canada's Edmonton Mall and Victoria Island, Seattle, and the Red Wood Forest in CA.
36. When I turned 16 I was so eager to drive that I missed the first day of girls camp to go and take my drivers test on my 16th birthday. I could not possibly wait another week to be licenced.
37. I love digital scrap booking, but I wish it was not so time consuming.
38. I can't stand clutter.
39. I love the smell of coconut, vanilla, cinnamon and lime.
40. I loved taking swim lessons when I was a kid.
41. I love warm bread.
42. I worked at a Great Harvest Bread Store in high school.
43. My favorite breads were; Apple Crumble, Cheddar Garlic and Spinach Feta.
44. I am a Walmart hater.
45. I love to buy stuff at IKEA.
46. I really like Italian food.
47. I can wink with my left eye and my right.
48. I can raise both of my eyebrows, but only the left one my itself.
49. Amber, Debbie and Ranell I really don't know how you got to 100 this is hard.
50. At the high school I went to my freshmen year you could see the ocean from some of the second floor classrooms.
51. I love brownies, especially when you add, marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers, cream cheese, oreo's or Reese's cups!
52. I rarely drink pop/soda.
53. I love making fruit smoothies in my Vita-Mix.
54. I never had a nick name growing up.
55. I used to know the name and location of every bone, muscle, vein and nerve in the body, but I can't remember very many now.
56. I can't sleep with out some kind of blanket even if it's just a sheet, even if it is really hot.
57. I like 5 hurl amusement park rides. ( roller coasters, high drops that get your stomach going)
58. I had a season pass to Disneyland when I was in high school.
59. If I want to lay out or cool off I would rather go to the pool than the beach. (All that sand is stays with you all day and weeks if you get it in the car), who am I kidding months if it is my car.
60. My car desperately needs to be vacuumed.
61. My first car that I drove around in high school (certainly not mine, it was my parents and they always reminded me of this) was a 1998 Nissan Frontier pick up truck.
62. The first car that I owned was a Saturn SL 1992.
63. I got my Young Womanhood recognition award when I was in Young Womens. My mom didn't even have to force me.
64. I have been pulled over twice and I have had 2 speeding tickets. Dang motorcycle cops, they would ticket their own mom.
65. Root beer is my favorite Popsicle flavor.
66. My husband could pretty much care less about our family blog, but I love it! I think I will get away with that comment b/c he rarely reads it unless I make him. We will see.
67. I love to multi-task, right now I am writing this and watching Olympic volleyball.
68. This is really hard for me to make this all about me and not talk about my children, husband, or other family.
69. I wish I could block a volleyball like Kerri Walsh.
70. I love a clean house.
71. I wish I had a maid.
72. I want to serve an LDS mission with my husband someday.
73. I like to wear jewelry but I don't wear it very often.
74. I love, love, love hot chocolate, in the winter I buy it in bulk and drink it all the time, I love to add syrups, mints, cream and marshmallows to it. My brother gave me this hot chocolate maker from the Williams and Sonoma for Christmas it is sooo coool.
75. I love all four seasons and enjoy each one but I think summer is my favorite.
76. I am really excited for my little sisters wedding in a few weeks.
77. I loved going to EFY when I was teen.
78. I like to entertain but I do not do it that much.
79. I am usually very quiet in groups.
80. I used to consider myself a good listener, but I seem to be more and more easily distracted in my old age. hehe
81. One of my favorite movies is, "While You Were Sleeping".
82. I have never really been into nick names but I have given both of my children one. I really didn't plan on it they just kind of evolved and stuck.
83. I got a second piercing when I was 18 and a month later President Hinckley gave a talk about only having one eat piercing. I was bummed to take out my second but I did.
84. My second piercing is still a better hole.
85. I am not a perfectionist when it comes to most things.
86. I hate snakes.
87. I love to make fudge, carmel, cookies, toffee and such at Christmas time.
88. I canned peaches once, and it ruined one of the burners on my stove. It was a lot of work. I am not sure if I will ever do it again.
89. I love to treasure hunt at garage sales.
90. I love to go to the Carlsbad Outlet mall.
91. I like golfing but rarely ever go, it's so spendy!
92. I managed apartments when I was going to hygiene school.
93. I love food.
94. I am allergic to most animals.
95. I love cruising, great way to vacation.
96. I have been in two productions, The King and I and The Wizard of Oz, both minor roles.
97. I love flowers especially in the color purple.
98. I love where I live.
99. I love my family.
100. I am glad I am finally finished with this.

If anyone of you want to try this you can consider yourself a TAGGED!

Breaking Dawn

I am one of many women and even men too ( I am not a man, men read the book) that are into reading the Twilight series. The fourth and final book just came out on Saturday. I am making my way through it right now.
I didn't use to read novels very much because I always had school books to read. It is fun to finally get to read for fun.
Which is your favorite book? Favorite Character? My favorite book is probably Twilight, I like the chase part of a romance, the beginning when everything it new and exciting. When the characters are still trying to figure each other out. My favorite character is Edward, he is so stinkin perfect in every way.
I just want to know who out there reads these books and what they think. So leave a comment, even you looky lou's.

SYTYCD Top 4?

Okay so I too am into So You Think You Can Dance. Near the end of the first season I was on a ballroom dance team with my friend Jessica and she got me into it. I caught the end of the first season and I have been hooked ever since.
I was a big fan of Kearington and Will but they got x'ed prematurely. I have always liked Chelsie and Twitch but Joshua is really been impressing me the last two weeks. Katee bugs me, I can't really explain it but it has some to do with when she got picked for Hollywood and they almost let her go she was ready to give up. I think her friend was a lot nicer girl, but Katee is a good dancer. Mark is fun to watch but I don't think he is as good of a dancer as the other guys and his solo really pales in comparison to Twitch and Joshua. So my top 4 are Chelsie, Twitch, Joshua, and Courtney. Who are your top 4?

This is my favorite dance from the season.

Testimony

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Gods true church on the earth today. I know that God restored his church through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph prayed to the Lord to know which church to join. I know that the Lord appeared to Joseph and helped him establish his church on the earth. I know that Jesus Christ lived and still lives. I know that Christ died on the cross so that we could have the gift of the atonement in our lives and be able to repent when we make mistakes. I know that God hears and answers our prayers. I know that we are all children of a heavenly father. I know that we have a prophet on the earth today President Thomas S. Monson. I know that the Lord sends us instruction through his prophet and apostles. I know that we can all live with him again if we follow the Lord. I know that God loves each of his children. I know that families can be together forever through the sealing power of the priesthood. I know that the priesthood has the power to bind families, heal the sick and bring peace to the troubled heart. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know the the Lord sent his holy spirit the holy ghost to give us peace and guidance. I know these things are true for his spirit has confirmed it in my heart. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Like / Hate

I have decided that camping is for kids. I told my husband that I have a like/hate relationship with camping. I like it because my son loves it and my husband likes it, and I like to do things they like.


I like roasted marshmallow's and dutch oven cooking. I like the scenery, pine trees, starry nights, rushing rivers, wildlife and such. I like dirt biking, hot springs, rafting, lake play, and board games. I like the way I feel after taking a shower after a camping trip.


I hate packing everything up and worrying that something is forgotten. I hate driving in the car on long ride or on a bumpy dirt road. I hate cleaning a dutch oven. I hate having an uncomfortable night of sleep. I hate mosquito's biting me or my boys. I hate worrying that my child is going to be the headline on the news of the lost child in the woods. I hate campfire smoke in my eyes. I hate unpacking and washing everything after camping.


I am learning to deal with my kids being dirty but I don't like it. I realize that my boys like this activity and so I go with them and I do very little complaining. Maybe a can learn to love it again like I did when I was a kid. Unfortunately that would require someone to pack, cook, clean and entertain me and I don't think that is going to happen.

This weekend we went on such an adventure and it was really pretty nice. Our friends the Hill's and Patterson's did all the shopping for food and brought up all of the cooking supplies. We all helped with cooking and cleaning. It was soooo much better than doing it all on our own.

They even had everything arranged for a rafting trip. They do this every year with family and friends and we are happy that they had us along.


I love rafting. My first trip was with my high school friends Meagan. We went to a girls camp. That was the beginning of an awesome friendship. In college Mark and I took a White Water Aquatics class at Ricks and learned kayaking and rafting.

A Special Visit

This last Tuesday we got a visit from my cousin Julie and her husband Domonique. It was really fun to catch up with her and meet her husband. We hung out with the boys. I gave them a little city driving tour and we went to one of my favorite Italian restaurants for dinner. Thanks for the visit guys! Hope we see you again soon.

Inspiring Me

I have really enjoyed reading blogs lately. It is fun to catch up on the lives of friends and family old and new. I have found many creative ideas. I have laughed, lingered and left comments.

In my reading I am often times inspired. My friend Cathy (thanks Cathy) often posts great things she has learned while blogging. Today I read her blog and learned of a mother blogging out there who has recently lost her 15 month old little girl. I wanted to share it with those who read my blog because this mother Stephanie writes of her journey as she has coped with this loss and it is truly inspiring. The Lord has been right there helping her all along the way.

Reading this renews my gratefulness for my wonderful children and for the healing we all can receive through Christ our Savior.

This link Camille will take you to the first post when they first had her in the hospital.

Milestones

Merritt is growing and now eating baby cereal. Here are a few pictures of him eating it tonight.

A Grandparent Weekend

This weekend we enjoyed a visit from Mark's parents. On Saturday morning Cynthia joined me for one of my favorite summer activities, garage sale hunting. When Matthew comes with me I tell him we are hunting for treasure. It wasn't as fruitful as I had hoped but it was fun.

Garage Sale item of the week, 6-9 month The Children's Place sweater 15 cents.
I have uploaded this 3 times and it keeps coming up sideways. Anyone know what to do?

Next we went downtown to the farmers market and enjoyed roasted cinnamon nuts, kettle corn, dried fruit, salsas, BBQ sauce, bread spice dips, cherries and much more. It was crowded but a fun atmosphere. I had Matthews portrait drawn by a guy that draws portraits at the market every weekend. It was not as realistic as I had hoped but I liked it okay.


After lunch we split up and the guys went to get a chain and the girls went to run some errands. We went to Deseret Book so Cynthia could get a new set of scriptures for her grandson Garrett who is getting baptized next month. We went to a new home decor store and checked it out.
Cynthia really wanted to get a pedicure so we went and got that done. She treated me for my birthday. My baby came with us and he was very good. I thought of posting a picture of my pretty toes but I did not think my toes would look as good on my blog as my aunt Glenda's did on hers lol.
We went to Costco to get a few things and over $100.00 later I came out with a few groceries and a new shirt, which Matthew took a picture of me in.

Photography by Matthew

After we came home and had dinner Matthew got his birthday quilt. He was very excited about the motorcycles on it. He did not want anyone else to lay on it, so of course his grandpa teased him with this.
Today they went with us to church and we had a fish fry. It was a nice weekend.




Quilt made by Matthew's grandma, Cynthia Knight

Baby Wise?

At six weeks old my baby was pretty much sleeping through the night. I have to give some credit to the book, “Baby Wise” by Gary Ezzo for this. Any of you who have tried it I would love to hear your comments, good or bad. I have used it with both of my boys so I don't really know any different. I do know that it took longer for my 1st to sleep through the night (3 months), but it also took me longer to figure out and get comfortable with the methods the book teaches.

The book basically teaches how to put your baby on a flexible schedule, not being too rigid or too lax. There are also tips like not nursing a baby to sleep so they do not associate eating with sleeping. You follow a sleep, feed, awake pattern.
So I would love to get a discussion going on this one! When I get the, “so are you getting any sleep question” I reply, yes. Then I hear, “oh you are so lucky.” I like to think that I am on to something and being a good parent and that it is not just all luck.
Ok so I just googled the words Baby Wise and found that this is a pretty controversial book. Ohhhh I had no idea. Sites calling the author a cult like guy? I don't know where they get that. There is criticism for letting a baby cry and not giving in to demand feeding. It is hard to follow those but I certainly don't think either of my boys are hurt from a little crying now and then. They are both really happy little children.
What do you think?

Angel Baby

The newest addition to our family has been such a joy and a blessing. He is such a happy little guy. It is so easy to get a smile out of him, and he seems to be content most of the time. I thank the Lord for sending such a sweet spirit to our home. He brings so many moments of pure joy. His smile often reminds me why I love being a mother.

One Week Old


One Month


Two Months (His Blessing Day)


3 Months


4 Months


5 Months

Cool Shirt

Having only boys I used to think that I would not have to deal with my children being picky about what they wore. Even if I did I thought it would not be until they were teenagers. Boy was I wrong!




My little 2 year old (almost three) has this idea that he has to wear a COOL SHIRT every day. How does a 2 year old define a cool shirt you may ask? Well it has to be blue and orange (Bronco colors) or have something to do with football, have a motorcycle or say GAP or Quicksilver in big letters.



I tried to convince him that these other GAP shirts were cool but he said that the words were too small.

So it is a battle if I try to convince him to wear something else. He has just grown out of most of these shirts so I am either going to have to do more laundry or debate the coolness of his shirt each day. It is just amazing to me that he would be so opinionated on this subject.

Volleyball Injury

Once a week we have a date night where we go and play volleyball. It has been a fun way for us to get out. We have a fun group of friends to play with and it is usually pretty competitive. This past week when we were out playing Mark jumped up to block and came down on the hitters foot and subsequently rolled his ankle.
(The last time he injured his ankle was 11 years ago playing basketball in the MTC. He went around on crutches most of the time he was there.)
I saw him fall and the look in his eyes told me this was gonna be a bad one. I thought what should I do, I am not the type to freak out, and I hate when everyone crowds around the injured giving them no room to breath. So I walked over and gave him a moment to decide what he wanted to do.
It was a bad one, not the kind where you slide of the court and say give me a minute but the kind where two guys carry you to the car and you go home to ice it.
It was funny because he said to me, "I guess you can get a ride home." I am really into volleyball but not so much that I couldn't take my husband home to ice his ankle.
So he is pretty sore but still going to work, crazy guy. Of course he does not want to go to the doctor because he already know what they will say. He is just going to have to take it easy and our volleyball date nights are out for a while. Boo Hoo.

Good Ankle



Bad Ankle 2 hours after injury



Bad Ankle the next day



Bad Ankle 2 days later