4th of July

What a great weekend! The Fourth of July is always so much fun for our family, but this year was one of the best! The festivities began with Rod marking our spot on the parade route around 2pm on July 3rd. Connor and Braden went down to spend the night, which is one of their favorite things about the 4th. Thanks to Brian Carter for keeping an eye on the boys so Rod could come home and get some sleep for the Freedom Festival 10K.

Rod and Paul have run the 10K almost every year for several years now! One day when the kids are older Shauna and I hope to join them. Way to go Rod! He ran the race at a 7:58 per mile pace!

Next came the parade. The kids seem to love this so much. They love catching candy and getting every flier passed out! The balloons are another favorite.

Parker was particulary fond of Shauna! I was feeling a little jealous!Okay so maybe he still loves me a little! Thanks Shauna for taking the only two 4th of July pictures of me! Now my posterity will know I did participate in the festivities!

Halle was not feeling so great. I told her to stay away from the other kids so as not to get them sick. She was a real trooper and had a good time anyway.

Braden was a little tired from his night sleeping out. He was more into the food and drinks than into the parade.

Chandler and Connor seem to be having a great time!

Connor and Chandler saluting the motorcycle brigade. If you have seen the movie "Hot Rod" you'll understand what they are doing?!?!

We love the USA!!!

After our lunch tradition at Wingers, we headed home for some nice long naps before our upcoming evening at The Stadium of Fire.
We headed out early to find parking and have a picnic before the show.

Halle still wasn't feeling well, but how could she miss Miley Cyrus!?! I know she probably should have stayed home, but we left it up to her. She actually felt good for the whole concert and didn't start to feel bad again until 3 the next morning.

Rod just taking a minute to relax before the real fun begins.

All the girls, in their new Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana shirts, are ready to party!

The kids were excited for the party to begin.

The Stadium of Fire started off with some skydivers landing in the stadium. This happened to be one of my favorite parts.

Then we helped lower a tarp down the stadium right over our heads.

When we could see the stadium again the flag was out on the field. It was very cool.

After having some fun with the Blue Man Group, the moment we had all been waiting for...

Miley Cyrus!!

In my opinion Miley Cyrus wasn't that great of an entertainer. She turned her back to us a lot and most of the songs she sang were unfamiliar. When she did sing songs that we knew it was a lot more fun. I know she is trying to make the switch to a more mature performer, but I personally would have enjoyed Hannah Montana more.

Braden wasn't thrilled with Miley, but he sure liked the souvenir cup and 3D glasses.

Connor seemed to enjoy the show!

Considering the late hour, Parker was great and loved almost every minute of it, even the fireworks.

We always love fireworks and it was nice to have such a great view.

We had a great time at the Stadium of Fire although we missed Wesley, who was away at EFY in Nauvoo. Rod said we won't go back until the little ones can sit in their own seats. I tended to agree with him because 3 hours is a long time to sit in the bleachers holding a child on your lap! I do love the Stadium of Fire and the tradition surrounding it. It's a great way to celebrate being a part of this wonderful country. We truly are blessed to live in the good ole U S of A!!!

Happy Birthday Wesley!!

Last week Wesley celebrated his 15th birthday! Of course, I was a selfish mother and spent the weekend in Park City instead of being here to celebrate. He was pretty cool with it all and ended up having small celebrations all weekend long. I just wanted to take a moment and express why Wesley is so special to me. Here are some of my reasons.

* He is my first born. (There is no describing to anyone other than a mother what it feels like to hold your very first child in your arms and realize that you are completely responsible for this precious little life.)

* He puts up with all my parenting mistakes. (Although he does frequently point them out!)

* He still kisses me good-bye everyday. (Even in front of his friends!)



* He keeps his room spotless! (Just kidding! A mom can dream though, Right?!?)



* He has a testimony of the gospel. (He stands up for what he believes.)

* He is great with little children. (He is constantly worry about their safety and knows how to make them feel special.)

* He plays the piano really well.

* He is an awesome swimmer!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WESLEY!!

I love you Wesley! I am so glad you have been a part of my life for 15 years!!!

Wasatch Back

This weekend Rod and I joined 10 of our friends and ran the Wasatch Back Relay. This is a 180 Mile relay race from Logan to Park City. The plan is that you have a team of 12 runners who divide the race up into 36 legs. Each person runs three legs each. I ran about 15 or so miles and Rod ran 21 all within 24 hours. We basically run on little food, and even less sleep. Why we think it is fun I may never know, but we've had a great time each of the three years that we have done it.

This is the first car of our team. We ran the first six legs. Rod and I had such a great time getting to know everyone better. We were so lucky to be with some of the best people running this race! (From left: Mike Kezerian, Rob and Tracy Jeffs, Me and Rod, and Jim Mosher)Rod waiting to start the race!

My first leg. It was over 80 degrees and very hot!

Tracy and Jim waiting for our runner. We did a lot of waiting!

Because Tracy hurt her ankle Rod and Mike had to pick up a few extra miles. Rod decided to take this opportunity to get a tan! Looking hot! (Literally and figuratively!)Sandy Jensen is waiting for Mike to pass her the baton so she can run her final leg. What's with the lips Sandy?!?Our car was finished running, time to pass off to our second car for the last time. We were excited to get cleaned up and rest a little. We finished the race in 29 hours. We were tired and glad to be done, but had a great time! Thanks to the members of my team for being so great and putting up with my whining! (Top row: BJ and Joni Stanely, Rod and I, Paul and Shauna Carter, Jim Mosher. Bottom row: Rob and Tracy Jeffs and Nate and Sandy Jensen. Mike had already gone home.) Rod and I all cleaned up with our medals around our necks!

Thanks goes to my sister Misty who was nice enough to babysit so we could stay Saturday night in Park City to catch up on our sleep and just relax. We stayed in a charming Bed and Breakfast called The Washington School Inn. The Jeffs and Moshers stayed too and we enjoyed a great dinner and good company.

As strange as it sounds, we had so much fun doing this race. We are already looking forward to next year!

Outside Fun

As the days get warmer the kids are having more and more fun playing outside. It is so fun to watch them play and play. My two little ones play so hard they are exhausted by the end of the day. I know some of my neighbors must think that I am a careless Mom to let my two-year-old follow his five-year-old sister around the neighborhood, but I just cannot keep him inside! I am just grateful that Halle puts up with him like she does.

Zoey and Halle did each others' make-up. Don't they look beautiful!?!

FIELD DAY

Field Day at the elementary school is one of my favorite days of the year. I love to watch a playground full of kids playing. My favorite is when the whole playground stops whatever they are doing and does the Macarena. It is just so fun to watch kids being kids! Field Day always makes me so glad I am a Mom.

Parker is stylin'!

Halle and Sydney ate lots of candy.

Braden and his friends just goofing off!

Connor and his friends take a break from dancing.

Wesley and Parker just chillin'. Parker sure loves his big brother. (Even if he is always on his phone.)

Braden's relay team took 1st place. Way to go!

FOOD FIGHT
One of the funnest families in the neighborhood hold an annual food fight for kids 12 and under. This year we were lucky enough to be invited. Halle and Braden counted down the hours until it would begin. They went armed with Cool Whip, pudding, Jello, and canned soda pop. When the fight began with Mentos dropped in 3 pop bottles, Halle and Braden didn't quite know what to make of it all. They tried but weren't quick enough. I think next year they will be better prepared. My favorite was the mashed potatoes colored with blue food coloring. Thanks to the Yarro's for giving kids the opportunity to be kids!

Zoey, Halle, and Marlee before the fun begins. Game on!
As you can see Halle stayed pretty clean. I think she was pretty shocked to be allowed to throw food. Hopefully she and Braden will realize that they are only allowed to do this once a year!

Well it appears that summer has gotten off to a great start here in good ole Lindon. We are looking forward to a little more warm weather so we can hit Seven Peaks. Then the real fun will begin!!

Color Me Mine

Okay so I am a little late at this one, but what do they say? "Better late than Never!" We went to Color Me Mine over Spring Break. Yes, I took 8 kids to paint ceramics! It may sound crazy, but we had fun and the kids did a great job. Needless to say it was an expensive adventure, but worth it as we are reminded of our fun every time we use our dishes.

My nieces Lauren and Danielle came along. Of course, they were a big help with the little ones.

Suprisingly the boys enjoyed themselves!

Keaton had fun at first. She just kept adding paint until it was really thick.

Parker had fun. The paint on his plate was very thick too!

Connor, of course, used his signature colors. Black and red.

The girls finished products!

The boys did a great job!

Parker's finished plate after a little help from Mom.

Halle had a complete set until the cup broke. She went to Color Me Mine three times in the month of April. We are planning to go back to make a new cup.

Wesley begged me to let him do one of the most expensive things in the store. After much arguing, he won. He did a pretty good job considering the amount of detail.

Women of Steel Triathlon

Saturday morning Tanya Boyer and I got up bright and early to participate in a women's only triathlon in American Fork. I was dreading it. I have not been running much because of foot problems, I had hardly trained, and Rod was at a Father and Son's campout which meant I would have to get a babysitter for 7 am! I decided to do it anyway because my niece Danielle was willing to babysit and I had already paid for the race. We went and ended up having a great time. Tanya placed about 40th out of 533 women. She finished 1st in the swim! Wow! I ranked right about in the middle of the pack. Which is good enough for me. I have never been very athletic so finishing anywhere but last is always my goal! My run went better than expected. I was so glad I did the race in spite of all the obstacles. Thanks to Tanya for always encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone! What a great friend!

Tanya and I before the race begins!

We ran into Shauna and Kirsten after the race was over.

The last time we did this race our ages written on our calves were all three years apart. This year they rounded up and considered me to be 39 already. Kirsten was one year off, but everyone else was three years apart. Of course I am the oldest, but I love having such young friends. It helps to keep me young!

Thanks Ladies!!

Halle's Haircut

Several months ago Halle asked me if she could cut her hair short. As a stall tactic I told her that she should wait until it was long enough to give it to Locks of Love http://www.locksoflove.org/. She patiently waited. We researched Locks of Love and talked about why some children might need a wig. I have to say she really was looking forward to sharing her hair with these special kids. Well the night before her hair appointment we were discussing if we really could go through with it. She was worried and uncertain. She asked Rod what she should do and he told her "just do it". So she did! I know she was scared but she was very brave. I am so proud of her! Check out the length of her hair. I didn't realize how long it was! This moment was probably the scariest for Mom! Ouch!

Here is the ponytail that will be sent to Locks of Love.

Her hair looks adorable, although it will take some getting used to! We are very proud of her for making the sacrifice for others who aren't so lucky.