Missing 'Em Like CrAzY

These two took a trip to Ya Ya and Pop Pop's house for one last rendezvous before school starts. They are having a fabulous time. Their mama, on the other hand, is missing them badly. Can't wait to see you two tomorrow. XOXO

Girls Camp - 2009

I'm the first to admit that I love camping...but I don't think I've ever been camping with so many teenagers in my life! The expression in this picture must have been the point that I realized I was way outnumbered by teenage girlies! It was a camping trip I'll never forget.

This is Emily: our fearless Camp Director who worked her little buns off. She was absolutely amazing and I loved the chance to get to know her better. When I grow up, I want to be just like her :).

We had four fun-filled days at Camp Woodland in Morgan. While we were there...

we participated in a challenge course,

learned team-building skills,

had awesome devotionals (this one was courtesy of Jericho Road),

floated the river,

got high-centered in the river (for those of us not smart enough to use a tube!),

sang camp songs (or, rather, learned the words to camp songs!),

hiked,

prayed,

made oh-so-cute magnet boards (thanks for the power tools, Tanner!),

relived the '80's (thanks to Kelsi!),
created wild and crazy hair-do's,

certified our camp skills,
and, overall, had a good ol' time!

We all left Camp Woodland with greater friendships and stronger testimonies of the Gospel. Mission accomplished!

Princess Pai Pai Turns 5

All Pai wanted for her 5th birthday was a swimming party at Great Grandma Ollie's house.

No fuss and no special requests (other than a princess cake AND a flip-flop cake - who asks for two cakes, anyway?!).

She invited her neighborhood girl friends. They are such a sweet group of girlies. We did a neighborhood joy school with most of these girls two years ago and it's so hard to believe that they'll all be starting kindergarten within the next few weeks.

Pai loves her friends...and isn't afraid to express and show her affection. She hugged each one of her friends after she opened their present. So sweet!

Here's the princess cake made by Ya Ya (my mom). It's pretty much a tradition: Ya Ya makes the birthday cakes (whether she likes it or not!). She always does an AmAzInG job.

Since it was a two-cake request birthday party, I decided to do the flip flop cake (after all, I couldn't ask Ya Ya to do TWO cakes). It was my first attempt at a non-rectangle and out-of-the-pan cake. Making the cake was a complete nightmare. I had envisioned a couple of effortless hours in the kitchen. After the first cake stuck to the pan, I should have said that one cake was enough. But I didn't. There were so few requests from Pai and my motherly-instinct told me I could do it. So, at 11:00 the night before, I starting baking cake no. 2. All in all, it turned out ok. It's a good thing I love Pai to pieces. Note to self: never use Skittles as cake decorations in the heat - they run, melt and make a mess.

Raegan loves Danzer and is always chasing him down for another kiss.

Dad, Mom, Kelly and Danzer came to Pai's birthday party. Mind you, it's a three hour drive each way and they literally came for a few hours and then had to turn-around and go home (for my dad's work). My family supports my kids 110% in everything my girls do - whether it's dance, school, birthdays or other special events. I can't tell you how much it means to me. I love you guys! Thanks for being a HUGE part of my girlies' world.

We swam, we made paper lei necklaces, we wore cute new flip flops and sunglasses, we ate birthday cake and opened presents and, overall, we had a fabulous day. It was just what Pai had dreamed of. And she LOVES telling everyone that she's 5...almost 6! Happy 5th birthday, Princess Pai Pai!

Happy Independence Day!

Tanner is working this weekend...it's a shocker, I know. No, really, he works most holidays, so there's no goin' out-of-town for us (unless us girls ditch him - which we do on occasion). Since we don't have family nearby, we feel very blessed to have amazing friends that we can spend the holidays with.

Today has been full of fun: a yummy BBQ, wet-n-wild water games, great conversation and, the best part, there's still much more to come tonight. To our friends: we love you! Thanks for being our family-away-from-home.

Happy 4th of July to all!

Lauren's tOoThLeSs Wonder

I can't look at this picture without smiling. There is something so quirky about loosing those top-and-center teeth. Lauren is so proud of her milestone. After all, it means she's getting big (an idea which she adores...and, well, I wish I could just pause and enjoy for a while longer!).

All For the Low Price of...

$15.00 (well, actually, it was a little less than $15.00 out-of-pocket).

It's an addiction. It's a serious addiction. I found myself asking the kids AFTER we got home whether or not they like Raisin Bran. That's a problem. Although, the food bank always likes Raisin Bran, right? I'm rationalizing again. But, it was such a great deal. As my dad would say, "They nearly PAID ME to haul it out of the store!"