B'day BBQ Fun!

Saturday night, we went to a BBQ at Candis's house. The kids had fun playing on a giant blow-up slide. The adults mingled and ate. Afterwards, Candis pulled out her "yard-sale find": a little contraption with four wheels and pedals:

All of the adults had to "try" this out....and then we decided to compete by timing each other. Here is Ella showing us how it is done!
Of course Jeff couldn't pass up the opportunity!
Candis found that she was more efficient with some "arm motion" going on. After the contraption races ( which I sucked at, by the way), Candis decided it was time to try out an obstacle course. Bags on her feet on the slip-n-slide:
We were all scared of breaking bones:)!!
Kaleb showed us all how it's really done!

Then, it was decided that the girls needed to go down the mostly dry slide....Candis did a front dive down drenching her front....Christina did a fabulous "inch worm" impression completely soaking her bum....Dumb little me did this number:

Thankfully, I stuck my hand out just in time to catch myself from falling into a BIG mud puddle.

The slide was mostly dry for me! Thanks, Gals!!

Here is Candis's beautiful yummy cake! It was seriously one of the yummiest chocolate cakes I've ever had!!

Candis blowing out the candles!!

Happy "official" Birthday tomorrow, Candis!! I hope you have the perfect end to your "Birthday Week!"

My Big "Yard-Sale-ing" Adventure:

This Saturday, I got up at 7:00am and went "yard-sale-ing" with my running buddies and "peeps": Candis, Ella, Christina and Bobby. First, we went up to Draper and checked out some of the "mother-load of yard sales" listed on KSL. At the very first stop, I scored BIG (in my opinion)!! I found brand new Cookie Lee jewelry with price tags on them on sale for a dollar a piece. I pushed my way up...there were two women hogging the finds...and managed to find myself three pieces.We had a great time and are planning on going again every Saturday!! The back of our car was packed with all of the "finds" ranging from children's books and toys to lawn chairs to a wooden bench. I think overall we were all happy with our morning.
Till next Saturday, Gals!! I will still be searching for a rocking chair for Maddie's room!!

"Seven Peaks"

Last Saturday, we were lucky enough to get "taken" to Seven Peaks by Jeff's parents. We had a blast!!

Maddie and I waiting in a line with a tube....it was a little tricky sometimes to keep her entertained while we waited in lines.
Miss Maddie under the umbrella.
Garet riding the waves!
Kaleb and I coming down from the "Toilet Bowl" slide....we turned sideways and got stuck when we were getting flushed...it happens:)!
Garet and Kaleb at the end of a slide...check out Garet's position in the tube...he kept them going slow the WHOLE way!

This is one of my favorites!! Kaleb was so brave to do it with me!! Thanks for taking us Grandpa and Grandma!!

So, Yesterday I Turned 31....

I decided it was a good time to re-evaluate my life and decide on some new goals for my "new year":

1. Be on time for Church from now on.... I really don't understand what my problem is. I can usually be on time for most things but I slack when it comes to Church. I expect everyone to harass me and make me accountable for this....

2. Go to bed early...rise early...do NOT return to bed.

3. Drink more water, less soda. I think I am averaging a 2 liter of Diet Caffeine-free Coke a day...need to do better. Water is a lot cheaper!

4. Have Family Home Evening every week. I have been pretty good about doing "something" every Monday night with the kids, but we don't start formally: song, prayer, lesson, etc.

5. Start organizing mountains of old pictures and stuff for scrap booking. I want to catch up on scrap booking to where I started blogging. I figure the blog is a good family record for us...but, I know my kids are missing out because they only have Kaleb's baby books finished to look at...not to mention that I have forgotten a lot of the cute, funny things that they did at different ages.

6. Continue to practice healthy behaviors: exercising, cooking balanced meals, shopping with "health" in mind...

7. Now that a new school year is right around the corner and I have two children going this year, I want to be able to focus an hour with my children after school to talk about school, upcoming school activities, problems at school, homework, etc. I usually do good for the first couple of weeks and then I slack off. I am going to start planning on preparing dinner during this hour, so we will all be in the kitchen at the same time....

8. Be positive and supportive. Negativity never helps a situation....

9. Run a marathon....okay, so maybe it will only be a 5K with my great friends. But, maybe we will all get ambitious....or not.

10. Continue going to the temple often. Okay, confession time: I have gone to the temple more this calendar year than I have probably gone in the last 3 years combined. I am learning more and I feel a special connection to "those that have gone before." Besides, I know that I need all of the help that I can get sometimes!!

Wish me luck! Thanks for all of you great friends and family out there that help me achieve these and other goals!! I couldn't do it without you!

Garet Does T-Ball

This year, Garet played T-ball with Lehi City.

He always sported his hat HIGH on his head....I think he was hoping it would make him look as tall as the other kids a year younger than him. Poor guy!! It's tough being a shorty!!
Waiting in line to bat.
Hitting the ball on the tee.
Coming in to home plate.
At the last game, they practiced hitting "coach-pitch" style to get ready for next year. Jeff is always happy to help the boys hit "correctly."

Garet and Jace with their medals. Garet has been sporting this thing around every day since!!