Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July! We decided we should start the day's celebrations with a family bike ride. HOT - but worth it!

Eric had found some jumps in the desert out by our house that he wanted to take the boys to. After riding a few miles, taking a few breaks, and chugging lots of water, we found some jumps. Not the ones we were looking for, but fun all the same.

Eric showing the boys how it's done.

They were pretty excited to get some air with their front tires.

I was pretty excited to not fall off my bike! I don't have the bravest of hearts when it comes to these things.

Ian was loaded in the trailer most of the time, but managed to "smile and point" a ride out of his dad.

Ashlyn started out on her bike, but after only half a block, we decided to park it and throw her in the trailer, too. She didn't mind so long as she got out every now and again to play.

It was pretty exhausting! And did I mention HOT? Luckily we had popsicles waiting at home for us!

That evening we invited a few families over for hamburgers and fireworks. There were ten adults and twenty kids. A little chaotic, but a lot of fun!

Ashlyn was terrified of the fireworks last year, so it was a big deal for her to light one this year. She agreed only if Eric would swoop her away as soon as it was lit.

I was too busy enjoying the party to take very many pictures.

Here are all the kids, minus two.

We are so thankful for the country that we live in, for the freedoms we enjoy, and especially for the men and women who sacrifice their lives to secure these things for us. Happy Independence Day!

Salt Lake City

Finally! My in-laws were coming and I was leaving - for a whole week! Just me and Eric, all by ourselves, with no whining, crying, demanding, wiping, you know, the usual. A trip to SLC was just what I needed and I was ready to go. As anxious as I was to go and see Eric and have a little freedom, I was surprised by the sudden attack of separation anxiety I was having. You'd think since it had just been me and the kids all day every day for the last two months that I'd be jumping on my airplane without a glance back, but I have to admit that it was a little lonely eating my sandwich and reading my book all by myself in the airport. My eyes got watery several times and I hoped I would be able to make it through the week. After all, between all the whining, etc., there was a lot of hugging, playing, laughing, tickling, whomping, and plain ol' good conversation (well at least as good as it gets at this age), too. I kept waiting for the couple next to me on the plane to ask me all about my family, because I was ready to fill our trip with the exciting details of my four children, but I couldn't draw them out. I tried and failed. But don't worry, I managed to shove my phone in their face as we were getting off the airplane to show them a picture of our recent egg coloring. They didn't ask to see it, but I could tell it's what they wanted more than anything. :) I think they were just shy...:)


However, most of my anxiety left me when I got to baggage claim and there was Eric with my suitcase and a beautiful bouquet of tulips. It was soooo good to see him in real life! Skype is wonderful, but nothing is as good as the real thing.

He started my vacation out with dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The view was so fabulous! We had to keep switching seats so we could each have turns with the best shot of the temple. SOOOO pretty! He then took me to a concert at the tabernacle by the Temple Square Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. Eric leaned over to me and asked if the choir was like the farm team for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Right after that the announcer said that this was the practice choir - those trying out and the first years - of Motab. Kind of funny!

The next morning was Easter morning and we went to "Music and the Spoken Word" with the real Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was pretty amazing. The prophet was even there. He was way up front and I was way in the back, but when he waved, I'm sure he was looking right at me. :) Another resident working in Salt Lake for a few months invited us for Easter dinner, and with a nap in between, it was a great day!

The rest of the week was just nice. Eric still had to work during the day, but I would wander around and sightsee or hunker down and read (it snowed!) and then we would play when he got home at night. One of the best parts was going and doing as we pleased and staying out as late as we wanted. "Want dessert before we head home?" "Sure! We're not paying a babysitter!" Wednesday evening Eric drove me to Provo to meet up with my sisters for Women's Conference. It was WONDERFUL! It's nice to check out from real life every now and again and receive the motivation to check back in!

We drove home Friday night, but even that wasn't too bad. Kimberly didn't trust me to drive and Cari shoved me in the back because I was younger, so I stretched out and slept the whole way. Travel is much better with them than my kids!

I had such a great week and was so excited to see my kids when I got home. They thrived, my in-laws survived and I came home rested, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world. Thanks again, Bill and Debbie!

Sorry no pictures - they're stuck on my phone and I left my camera at home...

While I was away...

I saw my in-laws for a whole 10 minutes on my way out of town. I picked them up at the airport and then they kicked me to the curb. I'd written an extensive list of activities, lessons, food preferences, entertainment options, etc., etc., and hoped that it would be enough, because I was out of there! Ashlyn had thrown up a couple of times that morning, but was acting totally fine the rest of the time, so I thought it was nothing (she semi-often does weird things like that) - kissed them all good bye and wished Bill and Debbie 'good luck.' Unfortunately, it wasn't "nothing" and my list was flushed down the toilet, along with everyone else's lunch. Ashlyn did fairly well the rest of that day, but it hit everyone but my father-in-law, one by one (and at one point 3 - Isaac, Carter, and Debbie). I've been told that my father-in-law deserves a medal of honor for courageously holding down the fort. I still haven't gotten many details about their week, but I was left some pictures to enjoy.

The sick room

After recovery, I think these next two pictures were taken to prove that the kids actually did some of their duties (or in Carter's case - doodies!:)) Gotta love the pooper scooper!

Whatever went on, I'm pretty sure Ian was the main entertainment. I was so proud when I saw the picture in the dryer. Although annoying now, he'd been working up the courage for some time to go in, but could never quite talk himself into it. Nana turned her back and when she turned back around, there he was!

Shoes are his thing these days.

Nana and Ashlyn had a girl's day out on the town. They went shopping and out to lunch. Ashlyn came back as a beautiful bride.

Instead of waking up early to make it to the airport (they flew in and out of Phoenix) when it was time to go, they took the kids to a hotel to have some fun. They loved the swimming and who can resist watching TV in a hotel room? Wait...someone's missing. Where's Ian?

Oh, there he is!

The kids loved having Nana and Papa there. There's no one they'd rather have clean up their puke than their grandparents! :) It wasn't exactly the visit that my in-laws had imagined it would be, but they were troopers and are VERY much appreciated!

Bring it on!

I just had the most amazing week. My in-laws (best ever!) came to watch my kids so that I could spend a blissful week in Utah with Eric and then my sisters - all by myself! By the end of the week I felt rested, rejuvenated, inspired, uplifted, and ready to be a happy, wonderful mom again. Kimberly, Cari, and I drove through the night last night to get home for my kids so that my in-laws could catch their plane. Reality always hits - especially when you're tired. Since we left Phoenix, Ian screamed an hour of our hour and a half drive home, Isaac spilt a chocolate milkshake all over the van's carpet, Ashlyn peed on the floor, Ian learned (by example) to throw die cast cars, etc., etc. But you know what? I'm still happy, I'm loving being home with my kids, and I'm ready for whatever tomorrow brings, because there is nowhere I'd rather be than where I am right now. I love my life and am so lucky that it's mine.

More to come on my fabulous week later....

Fashionista!

Ashlyn's friend, Alexa, wanted to have a fashion show for playgroup on Tuesday. Ashlyn had no idea what one was (am I failing as a mother?), but was very excited to pick out and wear her prettiest things. She decided to go with a ballerina theme. From our front door to theirs I heard, "I am SOOO beautiful" at least twenty times. She really is a vision, isn't she? :)

Like a really good dream...

You know when you have a really good dream and you don't even remember everything that happened - just that it was good? That was our week with Eric home. It was heaven! No work, no stress. Just Dad. Icecream, basketball games, remote control cars, swimming. The works! I even got to enjoy him by myself a bit. Our good friends watched the kids while we went hiking and out to dinner. We finished the week off with a trip to the zoo. It's the only thing I got pictures of!

This is what makes life sweet!

Family Picture Time!

The first major item on my list for Eric's week home (aside from cleaning out the garage) was family pictures. The last ones we took, Ashlyn was 18m old. I bought a Groupon for a photo shoot with Michael Chansley, so Monday evening we were off to Reid Park for a serious good time. (Surely you caught the sarcasm - family pictures with little kids - okay, you've got it now.) Ian had been running a fever all day and was less than chipper, the wind was whipping mine and Ashlyn's hair all around, and it was a new park with lots of interesting things to see and do - much more interesting than holding still and focusing on having your picture taken time and time again. Nonetheless, I think we got some really great shots of the kids and a good one of Eric and I. The actual family pictures I think are only okay at best. I haven't picked one for the wall yet, but by golly I shelled out the cash, I'm going to do it - even if it's painful. Here's the best of the best!