Wrapping Up Our Summer

We've had a fun summer indeed. This summer I taught summer school for preschool, Susie started walking, Olivia came for a great visit, Paul completed two rotations (one at a compounding pharmacy and one at a rehab hospital), we visited Rexburg (one of our favorite places ever!), went camping with my family at Fish Lake, visited the Phoenix waterpark, Wet N Wild, lots and lots, had our 4th anniversary, went camping with our ward, 

and I just got back from yet another fun trip to Cedar. This time it was just Susie and I (Paul had school). We filled the week with lots of fun. We wanted to end our amazing summer with a bang! I got to see Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas with my sister, which was AWESOME! It was in the Venetian on the strip. The theatre was gorgeous, the music was breathtaking, and the special effects were super cool. 

I also hiked the Narrows in Zions National Park with Logan and Olivia. It was so fun. 17 miles wading threw the Virgin River, sometimes up to my neck. The scenery was so beautiful. Especially on the last 5 miles or so (even though that's when I started to feel like my feet were going to fall off). I did have some scrapes and bruises but it was a great adventure. 

 See this waterfall? I jumped off of it! Yep! 

Our new preschool year has started. I'm really excited to have 5 kids this year. So far we've had a great time! I'm so glad I can make a little income for our family. I teach this class 3 days a week, watch Sam 4 days a week, and watch Emma (on the end) 3 half days. We are grateful for the little income while we're going to school. Paul doesn't get many hours in at work because of his school schedule, but 2 more years and then no more worries (right!?!).

Here's a few of the Suser. She loves to say cheese whenever she sees the camera out. She goes into nursery next week! And we are all ready (my Gospel Doctrine class included). Susanna makes Paul and I laugh everyday. She is so funny! Every morning when Paul leaves for school she gives him a hug and stands by the door waving and saying "bye!" until she can't see him anymore. Then she closes the door and toddles on to her next activity.
When she sees us get the peanut butter or yogurt out she gets so excited and runs everywhere pointing to me and saying mmmm mmmm mmmm! And when there's cake. Oh boy. It's hysterics.

Our Fun Week

We had a fun week together!

 We have summer school for one more week until break. School starts again August 13th (if I can find enough to enroll...)

 We made a tent and had snacks and read stories. I loved making tents when I was a kid! Sam really liked hanging out in the tent with his flashlight. 

 Sam told me he wanted to make heart shaped cookies, so we did! 

 For one meal this week I used onions, shallots, AND garlic. Needless to say it was delicious. 

 Home made bread. Mm

 Susie is really good about folding her arms when we pray. She is even getting better about bowing her head and closing her eyes (sort of). It doesn't last very long but it is sure cute! Here she is trying to fold her arms and continue eating grapes at the same time. 

 We went on a ward campout up past Prescott Valley in the mountains. It was nice to get away from the heat for a little. Susie is such a cute camper. The campout was just an overnight trip and that night there was an awful storm! We stayed dry in our tent but it was hard to sleep with all the wind and rain. Kind of cool though! 

 Family picture! 

 I love Susie's smile. She is so adorable. 

So life is good. It's not always as easy as it looks but it is still very good. There are ups and downs and opportunities for learning and growth. I'm grateful to have so many blessings. Being a mother just seems to get better and better. I love my family! 

Family Vacation

  Yesterday we got back from a fun family vacation. First we drove up to Rexburg to spend a week with Paul's family. A long drive but every bit worth the wait (especially since Paul's mom bought a 5 gallon tub of Baskin Robbins world class ice cream). We enjoyed spending time with them and with Paul's brother Benjamin and his family. Ben and Lisel have the cutest 3 kids. They were so fun to hang out with. I hope we live closer someday so we can see more of them. They came up for the week, too. We went to Porter park and had fun at the parade on the 4th.

Traveling back down to Cedar :)

We drove back down to Cedar just in time for Ty's baptism. The following Monday we went fishing at Fish Lake! It was a blast! I love to fish and spending time in that beautiful place was very filling. We made some fun memories. It was Susie's first time camping and she did a pretty good job. She got VERY dirty and only wanted to be on the boat for a few hours before she'd had enough, but all in all, she was a trooper. We all caught lots of fish and had a great time together. We missed having Mackenzie there. I hope he will come next year. Can't wait- camping's great!

Picture Update!

I haven't been keeping up on my blog very well lately which makes me sad because we'd like to print it out to have as a journal/family record. Eh! I'll have to start doing better. Summer gets a little crazy. Here is a picture update of the latest:

 Mother's Day chocolate roll... amazing! Way to go Paul!

 Paul finished his first year of Pharmacy school! Woo!

 Susie smiling.

 And Susie scowling!

 Paul started his first 4 week rotation at a compounding pharmacy in Peoria. I think he's probably the only guy I've ever seen that looks good in scrubs. So proud!

 Susie keeps getting cuter and growing, growing, growing!

 My little sister Olivia came and visited. We make lots of treats while she was here... Here she is mixing up muddy buddies. 

 Welcome Livy!

 We went to the Children's Museum in Phoenix.

 This is a picture at Girls Camp. Livy watched Susie while I went and had some fun with the young women. We are playing kickball here in the heat!

 Happy Father's Day Paul! Love you so much! (Yes, you've seen this crown before)

 Father's Day cheesecake. Olivia was disappointed it she couldn't eat the whole thing. 

Susie loved playing the piano with Aunt Livy. 

Susie learned so much with Livy here. She has started talking a lot more! She can say hot, hi, fish, dog, mama, dada, uh-oh, ball, please, amen, Jesus, and more. Another big mile stone while Livy was here... Susanna finally started..... WALKING!!! At last! At almost 16 months she has finally summoned the courage to take those steps all on her own. She has been ready for months but is a hesitant little girl. We love to see her toddle around. Olivia actually got some of her first steps on video so I'll have to get that from her so I can share. Paul and I have the cutest little girl! 

Sealing and Sock Hop

     My Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jason were sealed in the Logan temple last weekend and I got to go! My  dad sent me a buddy pass ticket and I was able to fly down for the weekend. I missed Susie and Paul but it was so nice to be in the temple with so many that I love. 

 Pajama party with cousin Morgan and sister Livy!

 The Logan temple 

 Mom and Me 

 My Aunt Mandy- love her!

This guy didn't get to come but I wanted to throw a picture of him in anyway. It's a great picture! He looks so handsome! Logan is graduating from high school this month, currently working at Subway, enrolled in for classes this fall at Southern Utah University, and working hard to get into the Naval Academy next fall. 

      We had a Mother- Daughter 50's Sock Hop in our ward. It was fun to go with Susie. We had dinner, danced to a few fifties tunes, took a picture with a motorcycle, and hung out with friends. 

 This is my friend Michelle. She is Sam's mom! (Sam, is the boy Susie and I hang out with).