July 4th

I was feeling especially patriotic this year. I had a chance early in the week to reflect on the beginnings of this country and try to more fully appreciate the importance of it all.

For many years we have been in Colorado for the 4th. We would sometimes go to the parade and always go to the fireworks at Lake Loveland after a great family bbq. We have loved that tradition.
But, this year did not disappoint. A humongous thanks to my bro Jonny and his friends for camping out on the parade route so our family could have a prime spot - it was perfect! The Freedom Festival parade in Provo is great - constantly entertaining for the kids, and just the right length.
Afterwards, we went home and had a long rest.
Then off to our neighborhood bbq and Cul-de-sac of fire. The name says it all. At least three displays of crazy people (my bro being one of them) lighting fireworks. Plus, some great overhead ones (shhhh!). I tried to get a good picture so you could get the feel of the night, but it was hard.

Poor Clay spent the first half of the parade and the whole night of fireworks plugging his ears...

Me and my seester - we are kind of scary. It's a parade, give us a break!

My mom - one super cute grandma!
Clay and papa (Clay can see himself in the glasses)...The tired ones who stayed the night on the street...

High fives to Provo missionaries...

...and to Cosmo...

Begging to be sprayed by every water gun that passed by...

Cool Pirates that stole our treasure (chocolate) from our cooler...

John and Brandon...

The Cul-de-sac of fire...

Do I know you?

Since I was a teenager, I have had random strangers approach me and try to figure out how they know me. I would play the game with them and try to make a connection somewhere as they asked the questions.
Did you play soccer?
Are you related to any so-and-sos?
Do you have relatives in such-and-such?
Where did you grow up?
And so on.
Then one day someone said, "You must just have a familiar face." So, now I chalk it up to that. Like, when I was in the temple the other week and a nice lady kept smiling at me, then finally had a chance to play the game. I didn't recognize her and she didn't recognize my name (or maiden name) so I ended the game and went on with my day.
What is it? Is there such a thing as a "familiar face"? And do I want one of those? I don't know, but apparently I don't have a choice!

Our week of nothing-to-do

Last Sunday my sister asked me what I had going on this week. I thought for a second and said, "Nothing." She understood and told me that I would still be busy. My week of nothing was sure a great week. I didn't blog because it was so great. So, here is what "nothing" looks like for my family (at least the half of it that I took pictures of)...

Clay got a new automatic bubble blower that we enjoyed...

Everyone practiced roller blading...

A hi-lite - Our favorite friends, the Gollhofers, were in town and came to visit us...
Just half of the kiddos...

Summer and me (I miss her)...Slip-n-Slide, gotta love it...

Well, all loved it except Hudson. He wasn't so sure. Actually, he was very sure that he didn't love it...

The Orem Owls opening game with fireworks afterwards...Camping for Brandon, Koby and Spencer. The rest of us crashed the night for the smores...
Todd and Alexis...

Brandon roasting his marshmallows and melting his chocolate (I think he's cute!)...

Tim's double smore...

Hudson cheesing it for the camera...

We've been enjoying other thing this summer too. Like visiting Papa at his work, reuniting with other long lost friends, movies, swimming, more playing and fishing up the canyon, sleepovers with cousins, jumping, riding bikes, sprinklers, and playing so hard we crash every night...

Summer is good!

Allow me to brag

This will be long, and I don't care. When you have the best, it's hard to not rub it in. And, this has nothing to do with me - other than me being lucky.
Let me start with my dad...I can't explain the amount or kind of love that I feel for my dad. When I had my very first thoughts of moving to Utah I was in my dad's office watching him record a message for my mom. I felt a strong love and a desire to be closer. My dad has tolerance and patience. He is sensitive and thoughtful. He has unconditional love for all around him Everyday I see him showing love and concern for neighbors and friends. He honors his priesthood and uses it for good, also for all around him. I have benefited MANY times from my dad's priesthood blessings and prayers on my behalf. (But, that's another story!) As a bonus, he is fun! He loves to be active and go on bike rides, hikes and especially to the beach. I love that he is healthy and strong and takes care of his body so he can have this much fun with his children and grandchildren.
Can't you just see the love in his face?

Sorry, mom. I have no pictures of just dad...It is hard to stop, but I must so I can move on...

To the father of my children. Somehow Brandon seems to know what he's doing as a dad (I still don't know what I'm doing!) Especially as the boys get older, he seems to really have a grasp on this fatherhood thing. I know he has learned a lot from his dad and I am grateful for that - thank you, Gary!

I will start with Brandon the way I ended with my dad. He is fun! You can ALWAYS find Brandon outside playing a fun game with the kids, building things with them, running around, playing catch, dodgeball, you name it. I love that he loves to play with the kids.
But, it's not enough to just have fun with your kids. And Brandon knows that. One of my favorite primary songs right now says, "A father's place is to preside, provide, to love and teach the gospel to his children. A father leads in family prayer to share their love for Father in Heaven." Brandon understands his purpose and takes it seriously. He is helping turn my sweet little boys into strong, valiant young men by his example of a great husband who honors his priesthood and loves his family and the Lord.I am truly grateful for the fathers in my life. They make me want to be better. So, let all of us honor the fathers in our lives by letting them know we love them and being the best in all we do! Happy Father's Day!

Pet Peeve

I have many pet peeves (unfortunately), but I'm sure most of you do. I will only share one of them with you today. It has to do with this spoiled generation. In fact, there was a hilarious clip about this on Conan that's been floating around for a while - if you didn't see it, or want to see it again, go here.
Anyway, I can't stand that people cannot just be in the moment they are in. They can't sit and enjoy. They HAVE to be texting, playing games, listening to music, tweeting, even surfing the web to facebook, watch videos, check the score of the game, and who knows what else? I have had to ask Brandon before if he was on a date with me or his ipod. (He isn't normally bad, there must have been a game on) Yes, these things are amazing and very convenient. I don't mind them all the time. Hey, if you are in the waiting room at the dentist's office, go right ahead. I get it. But, when you are with friends or family enjoying each other, having face to face conversations, put your phone away! If you are wasting your time when you have better things to do, put your phone away! I don't think it is torture for my children to sit in a car and look out the window for 20 minutes. We don't need the tv on or the phones out. We can play games and point out interesting things we see.
I have realized the last week or so that I need to start training my children better. We recently had a drive that lasted under 30 minutes and all three of my children (yes, even my 2 year old) insisted that they needed to play games on the phones. This caused problems since we only have two phones for them (mine having only one lame game, and by the way, Brandon's is only cool because it was given to him to use from his work). When we got home, Clay was given one of the phones and this is how I found him...The kid doesn't even know what he's doing! With my oldest child not quite seven, I am already having to deal with these issues in a way! Is there any hope in teaching my children the opposite of what the world is doing? Oooh, that thought is scarier in areas other than electronics.

Eleven!

Eleven years ago on June 11th (if I remember correctly, at 11am), Brandon and I were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Mount Timpanogos temple. I asked Brandon today if he was sick of me yet. He was smart and gave the right answer, "Of course not!" We may not be in the "ideal" situation all the time, but we are so happy together. We have always been able to find happiness with each other and our own little family. We are alike in important ways, but I love our differences-they are what makes our marriage work. Thanks, Brandon, for loving me and giving me so many reasons to love you!
Look what eleven years has done to us...it's okay, I like who we are now and all we have learned and experienced together!
Happy Anniversary Brandon!

I must also say Happy Anniversary to my mom and dad (also the 11th), my bro Tim and his wife Shelbie (the 10th), and my sister Kim and her husband John (the 12th)!

Kids these days

My youngest bro Jonny and his friend Chaz have been growing their hair out for a special summer do. Jonny is a total goof-ball and keep us laughing - lots of times with his clothes. Of course, to him, we are totally "out of it" and don't understand the fashion today. I admit that I am guilty of not getting the high school boys' fashion, and that's okay with me. So, they wanted to do something funny and old school. Jonny's "before" hair was a longer version of what you saw a few months back - here, when he could pass as my grandma from the back.
Here is the end result...(neither of the pictures do them justice)
We decided that Jonny looked like a white trash child molester. We had a lot more fun with it once the picture was taken, but you get the basic idea.

Chaz is bringing the bowl back. Now, I may be an "oldie", but not old enough to have been doing hair when this style had it's hayday. I was critized for doing it too perfect and really had to constrain myself to not blend.

I love the way these boys have fun. Chaz's mom wasn't too crazy about his free haircut, but she should count herself lucky that this is the kind of trouble he gets himself into!