We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...

We took a trip to the zoo to see the dinosaurs. I think it was the highlight of Will's summer.

A Sad Farewell

We had to say goodbye to some of our closest friends & neighbors. The Mansells moved to Dallas, Texas in June. We were so sad to see them go. Especially Will...he played with Mason for hours everyday. While we will miss them everyday, we are excited for them to start this new adventure. Thanks for all of the great memories, Kev & Sarah. You will be truly missed!

Swing batta, batta, batta

Will played his first season of baseball. It was entertaining to watch. He sometimes got a little distracted by "shiny objects" as he ran the bases & may have picked up the bases to see what was underneath them a few times. But overall, he did seem to really like it. "Much better than soccer", he said!

Preschool Graduation

Will was so excited for his preschool graduation. He is READY for Kindergarten. Mostly because he wants to go to school where his best buddy, Daniel, goes. This was a sad day for mom though. Because Will has a late birthday, I got to have him at home with me for an extra year. He is my little buddy & I know I will be sad to have him go to school everyday. However, his graduation ceremony did not disappoint. Super Start School truly is amazing. The program is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Will was too "embarrassed" to sing & dance so he mostly just stood there with a smile on his face. But I know he loved every minute of it!

A Star is Born

Liv performed with her singing group, Clayton Productions, at several different venues all spring. They sang songs from "The Music Man", most of which I had never heard before! She did an amazing job & really enjoyed every minute of it.

Utah Dance Center put on a production of "Mary Poppins". As usual, it was an amazing recital. Liv's class danced the role of the hunters. She was very pleased & relieved that her costume wasn't "itchy" this year.

Still Alive

I have decided it's time to quit neglecting my blog, considering it's been months since I posted anything. It seems like the only time I ever post is after I've had pictures taken. Well, we wouldn't want to break tradition.

We had Olivia's baptism pictures (Yes, I said baptism...I cannot believe she is turning 8!) shot a couple weekends ago. It was pretty impossible trying to get these done. I had my heart set on doing them outside in an orchard. Every time we scheduled a time, it ended up raining. What a wet May we've had. Even on this day, a storm started rolling in & it got really windy. But it was so worth it & we got some great shots of Liv. Thanks to Katie & Dan for their patience in getting these taken & for their AMAZING work. They truly captured Liv's personality.

Here are some of my favorites (ok, maybe a lot of them):

Friends or Sisters?

It's 4:30...I should be getting dinner ready (does anyone else dread this time of day?), but instead I find myself sitting in front of my computer. Productive, right? I am beginning to realize that putting my Mac on the desk in my kitchen wasn't the best of ideas. I swear it calls my name!

Ok...on with the point of this post! I enjoyed lunch today with 3 of my dearest friends. As I drove home, I was thinking about how much we have shared together. Our friendships started during the days of big bangs, Wet & Wild lipgloss, Esprit bags, & pegged Girbaud jeans. Now here we are 20+ years later, girls no more. Where has the time gone? I have shared so much with these remarkable women. Our friendships have been full of both laughter & tears. We have seen one another through some of the hardest times in our lives.

I am so GRATEFUL for their constant friendship. I am GRATEFUL for their unconditional love, support, & acceptance. I am GRATEFUL that no matter how much time passes, we can always pick up right where we left off. I am GRATEFUL that I can truly be myself with them. They know me as well (maybe even better) than I know myself. I am GRATEFUL for their examples...they each teach me in ways that they don't even realize. Jaime teaches me of genuine kindness & compassion toward others. She finds the good in everyone & everything. Tiffany shows me how to face my trials with grace & courage. Melissa teaches me to be strong during times of adversity & to be loyal to those I cherish. I am so truly blessed to have their friendship(s) in my life. They are my sisters & I love them dearly.

January Blues

January... Need I say more? Everyone I talk to says how down they are feeling right now. Why does January do this to us? I find myself feeling very restless which usually results in me ending up at Target... NEVER a good plan! So I have decided to take on a few projects around the house in an effort to avoid the "Target trap." How are you fighting the January blues?

Grateful

A friend of mine designs fabulous gratitude journals. The purpose of these journals is to write down something that you are grateful for each & every day. Being grateful changes your attitude & outlook. It helps you to see the good in every situation. So I have taken this challenge... At first I was a little leery, but I can already see the benefits of doing it.

I hate mornings. I am NOT good at them...my college roommates can attest to this! Anyhow, my morning today began as usual: fighting with the alarm clock by pushing snooze several times; finally getting out of bed only to realize that I have once again gotten up too late; muttering a choice word under my breath. Not a pretty picture, right? As I lifted Lyla Jane out of her crib, she greeted me with a huge smile, wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, & said, "Ma-ma, I wuv 00!" Instant attitude change. This is one of those parenting moments that make it all worth it. So today I am GRATEFUL for these 3 beautiful children whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to me. I am GRATEFUL for their sweet spirits & unconditional love. I am GRATEFUL for the quiet moments like the one I had with Lyla this morning that buoy me up & remind me what is truly important in life. Today I am GRATEFUL!

GQ

I had to share this picture of William. He just started to pose like this without any instruction. We were all dying... He thought he was pretty hot stuff!