Michael's Birthday

Happy Birthday Michael!!!!

Steve came home from the hospital to help us celebrate Michael's birthday. It was fun to have a little party for him. The kids were so excited especially Summer. We couldn't find her so started singing Happy Birthday and she can shrieking up the stairs saying that she wanted to sing Happy Birthday. So we started over and she was happy as could be. She stuck to Michael during the celebration.

Michael is a cute birthday boy. Look at that gleamer smile! I'm pretty sure he was laughing b/c Summer was telling us to wait. I love Ethan's expression also! Michael is so easy going and good natured!The big blow...taking after our Dad! Again, look at Ethan's expression. He looks wowed by the big blow. Time to open presentsSteve and Gracie eating rainbow birthday cake.
I love you Michael, I hope this is a good year for you!

Family Fun

After visiting Anna in the hospital Alli and I took Gracie, Ethan, Elsa, Ben and Summer to hang out at Steve and Jaime's house. That way the cousins could play together and Steve could spend time with Jaime and Anna at the hospital. Ashli and Michael also spent the day with us.How cute are Elsa, Gracie, and Summer having a summertime treat?

Ben loved playing with Ethan's toys....especially the storm trooper outfit. He loved it when Uncle Michael would chase him. Summer does love a good donut and yes it is a Krispy Kreme! She looks so sweet!
I had so much fun with Ethan. We played catch several times throughout the day. I love his determination. That is Ben in the background. He is getting ready to ride Gracie's old bike.

Baby Anna

I am so excited about my new niece Anna. She is so adorable. Anna reminds me so much of Gracie and Ethan when they were born. Alli and I couldn't wait to go to the hospital to meet her.

Alli and Ben in front of the hospital

What a cute family...Anna is a perfect addition!I love this picture. Gracie and Ethan gave Anna lots of loves.

Jaime and Anna

Jaime looks so fabulous!

Alli, Steve, and Anna

It cracked me up to watch the boys check out Anna.

Welcome Anna!

Alli, Ben, and Summer!

I haven't seen Alli for over a year. That is the longest we've gone without seeing each other in years. I am so glad that she gets to stay 10 days in Utah! I have missed our sister time. When I picked them up at the airport Ben and Summer were waiting on the curb and gave me big hugs. Let the fun begin! (By the way, I'm not sure what is going on with my camera and/or my editing. My pictures have not been vibrant lately, hmmmm). We went straight from the airport to Cafe Rio! After lunch back to my house for frog cookies and swimming.

Ben and Summer had no fear in the pool. They would jump into the pool over and over to Alli and I. Ben was so cute, he could jump in and then swim to us and then swim to the edge of the pool. He is so little but swims like a fish.After swimming, we spent several hours at Target. Summer loved these kitty slippers. They didn't have her size but she could work them over. We all snuggled on the couch and watched Horton Hears a Who.

Steve's Birthday

Jaime made a yummy dinner and also a lemon cake to celebrate Steve's birthday. Steve has such a great personality. He is hilarious....especially playing the Wii (I almost wet my pants watching him play the canoe/rowing game)! Thanks for being such a good brother, Steve!

Make a wish!

There was a lot of birthday love....everyone loves Steve!

What a sweet picture of Gracie and Elsa!Ethan following in his Dad's footsteps....check out his Dodger's hat and soccer shirt!Carol and ElsaAsh (aka Gamer) and ElsaMichael chilling out getting all rested to play the Wii! Seriously we laughed so hard and just had fun hanging out. I am so glad I live near family. Jaime, thanks for a great dinner. Steve I hope this is a great year for you!

Lake Tahoe

I love spending time with Emily and her family. It was soooo nice to get away on a vacation. Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places, I think it is so beautiful. Emily and I had so much fun trying new recipes and cooking healthy. We made salads, lettuce wraps, stir fry, etc. Emily was supportive of my diet and had already figured out recipes that I could have before I got there. Thanks Em!!! The first day I got there we went shopping and to lunch....two things I love :)

Parker and I!Emily and Hannah at lunch! It was so funny, Hannah loved the spinach from my salad.
We went to a brand new outdoor mall. Toward the end, it started to poor down rain. Parker was a good sport, the rain didn't bother him at all. This is the only time it rained during the trip. It was a hot summer rain storm.

Sand Harbor Beach!We spent the entire afternoon at Sand Harbor. Parker loved the water. I was impressed that he would wade out all the way to his neck. Hannah was mellow and hung out in both the water and also played in the sand. Em and I had a great time with the kids. It was a relaxing day at the beach.

I buried Parker in the sand...this is right after he busted out!Hannah play in the water.

Parker and I had so much fun playing with this fish....striper. Parker would throw it and then we would see who could get to it first!Cute little Parker! Seriously look how clear the water is...amazing. Hannah totally cracked me up. She kept doing model like poses. She loved watching Parker play in the water and if we would call her name, she would whip her head around.

It was a fun day at the beach!

On Saturday we drove around Lake Tahoe. It took us 5 hours with all the stops. The lake is so pretty. Here is Russ, Em, and family at the Emerald Bay overlook.

We stopped at the Old Tahoe Cafe for lunch. After lunch we stopped in Tahoe City (north part of the lake). Our last stop was an overlook with a hiking trail that took you down closer to the lake. It was a fun day!

After church Parker and Hannah were out sitting on the porch reading books. How cute is that? I had so much fun with them. I love it that Hannah likes to be rocked and they both liked to be snuggled. They both have such cute personalities!

I love Hannah's cute little laugh!

Ahhhhhh!

I love this picture of Em and Hannah!Sweet Girl!

After lunch, Emily and I went to Sand Harbor Beach to relax. We had so much fun out on the lake on rafts and just chatting. We also read magazines and just had sister time. Thanks Russ for watching the kids while we relaxed! As always I was super sad to leave.

Happy Birthday America!

I had a good 4th of July weekend. I saw the movies "My Sister's Keeper" which was a tear jerker and "The Proposal" which was funny! I spend Friday with Andrea (we went to the movies, dinner, and shopping). I am getting a bigger office at ISAT and needed to be moved by Monday at 8:00am so the new therapist can have my office. It took me way longer than I thought so I spend a lot of the weekend moving and decorating my office. My favorite part of the weekend was spending the 4th of July with Steve and Jaime's family!

I love Gracie, Ethan, and Elsa!!!

Gracie, Jaime, Steve and Ethan being festive with sparklers. Steve lit some flowers and a few fancy fountains for us before the big firework show. We had fun with sparklers and pop its also!

"Firecracker Sparkler Girl"

Ethan and I waiting for the fireworks! It was awesome because from Jaime and Steve's backyard we could see the Thanksgiving Pointe Fireworks.

The gang (Matt, Elisa, Dave, Lynda, Jaime, Steve, Elsa, Ethan, and Gracie all cuddle up in a blanket) all cozied up ready for the fireworks! Thanks Jaime and Steve for a fun 4th of July!!!

I appreciate being raised in a patriotic family. I have many fond memories of 4th of July activities (flag raising, patriot songs, swimming, BBQ, 4th of July Program, and fireworks). I feel blessed to live in our great country.