Camping

We headed up to my Grandpa's property in Kamas this weekend for a fun little outing. Our friends, Monica and Justin, brought their family up with us. Then Chad and Des came up later Friday night with their darling boys. I thought Des was a trooper, she is almost 8 months preggo.

We had a lot of fun, we shot guns, the kids played on the teeter-totter and swings, and in the creek. A few shoes and sand toys were lost in the currents, but all the kids are safe. Thank you guys all for coming up. We had a really great time. I know the kids loved being together in the mountains.

Here is our little Hannah sitting in her chair as we set up camp. Hannah dragged that poor blanket around for 2 days, it is so dirty! She wouldn't go down for naps because of all the action going on outside the tent, so she would suck her binks and dragged her blanky.
Richard and the other kids loved the swings and teeter-totter. It tickled Richard's tummy so he squeezed his knees up and ducked his head.

Pretty girl. Sydney got these new shoes to go into the creek. Too cute!
Richard didn't want to get out of the water, but I did. It was really cold for July. I don't remember the water being that cold as a kid.

The view from behind us while shooting the guns. Chris brought a BB gun and his .22 revolver and Justin brought his .22 rifle. All the kids had fun shooting at targets. It was a lot of fun.
Sydney walking Harley.
Can you see Richard's eye closed. He concentrates so hard!
Sydney
Tyler
Chris & Richard
Blake & Chris My beautiful girl on the walkie-talkie in Daddy's truck.

Richard and Sydney on the teeter-totter. I love this photo. Aren't they the cutest?

Kaden and Richard on the teeter-totter. Camo-girl Hannah
Kaden and Richard
Hannah, Trace, Sydney
Trace, Sydney, Richard

Sydney, Richard, Porter Justin's amazing fire!
Hannah trying to keep warm this brisk morning. None of our 4 slept very well, or much, last night. Chris and I had to take turns driving home for the 1 hour drive. But it was a lot of fun! Chris mad us a wonderful dinner last night and yummy breakfast this morning. Thanks, babe for always doing great camping meals. We eat like kings when Chris is around. And thanks to the Bettridges for bringing eggs and sausage for the breakfast, and to the Hansen's for the yummy treats. I think Richard polished off the star cookies by himself.

We really enjoyed every one's company. The kids were good and the adults got a little relaxation time and were able to just chat and catch up on each other's lives.

And thank you, Grandpa, for letting use this beautiful property. You are so gracious!

Hannah fell asleep quite quickly. I love the hand on the face! I think this describes all the rest of us. Chris and I took turns napping when we got home. Somehow, 1-2 hours of shivering sleep doesn't cut it. The kids slept almost all the way home and then in their beds for about 3 hours. Hannah got up and ate, then went back to sleep. So we were all pretty wiped out.

Chelsie and Mark - Broadway

I like this and the Bollywood dance last night. Chelsie and great attitude in this. She is so cute!

Another climber...

I let Hannah sit at the table with Richard today for lunch. I went in the other room for a moment and came back to find the little stinker had climbed on the table. Richard is always climbing something, now Hannah is doing it. They are a lot of fun and always keep me on my toes!

Hannah sliding down to the pond...

Farmington Canyon picnic...

Tonight we decided to have a weenie roast in the canyon. I called up our friends, Monica and Justin, and asked if they wanted to come, too. We had a really good time. The kids got along very well and Richard sure didn't want to leave.

Monica, Justin, Sydney, Richard, Blake, and Hannah.

Tyler was so inventive using a couple of rocks to cut his branch. Very smart idea!
My beautiful babies!
I just thought this was a beautiful scene. Sun rays coming through the trees like this always remind me of the First Vision. I love that! (Bryce, this should look familiar to you. Do you remember the outhouse after taking our engagement photos? Yep, next to that same outhouse!) My beautiful girl, Hannah, with her crooked glasses. She got so filthy after this shot! What did I tell you? Look at that filthy bottom! She had so much fun with the dirt and rocks.

Our tough men getting hot dog roasting sticks for us. Thanks guys!
Mr. clean hands. All the kids kept wanting to run across the road to wash up, but they just got filthy within a few second. They were too funny!
The kids hid from vehicles that were coming by. They had put rocks in the road and didn't want the people to know it was them that did it. Funny kids!

Then Blake and Ty decided they needed camo faces in order to fully hide.
Richard decided to join in. What began as this...
...ended up as this. If you know Richard, he hates to have his hands dirty. But today got them dirty in order to camouflage his face like the big boys. And Kaden helped out by throwing cool ash and dirt at him. What a kid!

We had a really great time together! However, there was this ornery lady that came by demanding money for staying at the camp site. We informed her we weren't staying and she got all up in arms and said we still had to pay and we had 30 from time we got there. We had only been there 10 minutes and Chris asked if she was a ranger. She informed us she worked there and they drove off.

Well, Justin went and paid in the box they have at the entrance and we went on with our meal. As we were driving out of the camp ground some sheriffs almost ran us off the road. They jumped out of their SUV telling Chris to turn off his car, hand over the keys and get out of the truck. He asked what it was about and one answered, "Oh you know what this is about." We were clueless!

Turns out the lady called the police on us and told them that we were being belligerent and verbally abusive. One officer interviewed Chris and myself while the other talked to Justin and Monica. We told them each that she is the one that was getting in our faces and Chris just pushed back, following her lead. That we informed her we were only picnicking and that we would pay.

Anyway, once we explained everything to the policemen, they were very friendly and let us head out. They were surprised that we had paid and were already leaving. I guess the lady called it "stealing of services." Next time we will not go to a paid campground, even for a picnic!!! :)

Independence Day...

This morning we headed to the local parade. Fighter jets flew over us as the parade began. It was really cool. And they were so low! Richard loved that. And tonight we went to fireworks at Davis High. We had a really good time.

Looking so cool waiting for the parade to begin.

So happy to be getting all the candy!
Richard got this flag during the parade and let Hannah hold it while he got more candy.
Hannah watched me paint my toe nails and she tried to do her own. After this photo I did hers in a pail pink. She is so funny!

Richard being bored waiting for the fireworks. Eating a blade of grass.
Hannah loved the KFC we got. This is one of our traditions. The kids had a lot of fun. They really liked the fireworks. I thought that Hannah would be scared of the sound, but she did great. Richard kept clapping, then he would chant, "We want more! We want more!" He is so much fun!

SYTYCD 4 Top 14 - Kherington and Twitch - Contemporary

I loved this dance this week. Wednesday night not too many dances impressed me; however, Thursday night for the recap I enjoyed them more.

But I love how Mia Michaels uses the lyrics from the song to choreograph and use props. Brilliant!

Too bad all of our Utah boys were in the bottom. I was least sad to see Matt go so I'm glad Thayne and Gev got to stay!

2 year molars!!!

Hannah isn't even 14 months yet and she is getting 2 top molars! She hasn't slept well for a few nights the last couple of weeks and now I know why. I knew she had new teeth coming in, but 2 year molars? I'm shocked! This makes 10 teeth for the little tike.

Hannah is such a beautiful, good girl. Richard loves to play with her and he makes her laugh like crazy! They are fun together! :)

Hannah is also walking around like crazy. I'll have to video her sometime and post it. I love to watch my kids learn, grow, and develop.

Freezing lawn seed???

Oddly enough, this works! We have had a few trouble spots in out lawn and have reseeded 3 times now. Chris was told to freeze the seed before planting, if you are doing it in the spring or summer. This freezing speeds up the germination process, makes the seed think it is winter. I just went out to grab a sprinkler off a spot I was watering this morning and what do you know, new lawn coming up! I just wanted to share this tip with everyone. If you or someone you know needs to reseed, you can do it now instead of waiting for fall. Please share! :)

4 years of wedded bliss...

Today is our 4th anniversary. I love this man so much! We have certainly had our share of ups and downs, but we always come out on top. Chris is my best friend, my soul mate. I knew within a week that we were going to be together forever. I'm glad he came to the same conclusion. Ha, ha!

But we have so much fun together. I would rather spend my time with Chris and the kids than anyone else. He was gone last week for a business trip and we missed each other so dearly. I get so stir crazy and bored when Chris is not around to tease and kiss and hug! I am so grateful and blessed for this wonderful man in my life, and for eternity!

Chris emailed this wonderful message to me this morning from work. I'll tell you what, to me, this is better than ANYTHING from a store! Besides, we have been on a few get-aways recently so I don't expect anything more. I didn't edit because I adore his misspellings. That is part of who Chris is, unapologetic and real.

Jaime, sorry I did not have time to get you a card or money for a big fancy dinner or even flowers but I have hoped my thoughts on our marriage might bring a smile to your hart.

This morring as I drive to work I like to drive with the windows down and the music off so I can hear my own thoughts. As the thoughts of where we started out 4 years ago on this very day it brings me joy to know in all that has happened you have always been a guiding light in the storm of life(will we catch fish wont we catch fish?). It seems a life time ago we where married in that small church in Kaysville with really only are parents there to witness are union before God, And a year to the date from are civil marriage we where sealed for all time and eternity to each other and are sweet baby boy. Jaime What a great roller coaster of happy memories I have with you I look forward to making more with your for the rest of eternity.

with all my love and respect Christopher Jay

P.S. Happy Anniversary

It has begun. Richard has his own chore charts. Some things he already does every day: brushing teeth, saying prayers, exercise, getting dressed. But now he is helping me with laundry, vacuuming, making his bed and putting away dishes. He gets a sticker every time he does something and at the end of the week will get $$ to go in his piggy bank.

He also has a bonus chore. This week the bonus chore is helping keep garbage off the floor and couches. If he helps with that all week he will get an ice cream cone. He is pretty excited about that one! But he has been a great help around the house the last couple of days.

When Chris got home from work yesterday, Richard showed him the charts with great pride. Chris told me that he asked if Mommy had made one for Daddy. Maybe I'll surprise him with one today! :)