A new love

I signed Rylan up for swimming lessons on Monday. His first lesson was the same day. He's had a great time both days. The class is a two week class Monday-Thursday for 1/2 hour. He has really enjoyed it so far and has talked non stop about it. I am so proud of him and how fearless he is most of the time! Rylan, I hope you enjoy swimming lessons. Someday you will be a wonderful swimmer and you are already a little fish. For now, it is his new love.

p.s. Alana wanted to get in so much that I signed her up for the Mom and Tot swim class next week.

Welcome "Coco"

Today Tony's brother and his wife had a new baby and Ryaln and Alana got a new cousin. "Coco" as he has been called up until this point was born today. Congratulations Greg and Camille! We went to see the new arrival and the proud parents. Rylan and Alana could not get enough of baby Lincoln. It was really cute how interested they were. Rylan kept saying how cute and little he was and Alana just wanted to give hugs and kisses. Welcome to the family little guy, hope you like the nick name "Coco" because Rylan and Alana still call you that! Congratulations again to Greg, Camille and big brother Jaxson!

Happy 4th of July!

Today my dad, Tony the kids and I all went to breakfast at Golden Corral. We started the tradition of going to breakfast the morning of the 4th last year. After eating together we watched some of the West Jordan parade, went home and relaxed and then got our things together and headed to Sugar House Park to picnic and watch fireworks (like we do every year). This is another great tradition that we have. The kids had a great time eating, running around and playing with their cousins. Tony's brother Greg and his wife Camille came, and Tony's sister Kathy and her husband Shawn also came. It was a lot of fun and by the time the fireworks were over the kids fell asleep. I don't think that Alana even made it across the street before she zonked out! What a wonderful day to celebrate our freedom in such a great country as well as spend time as a family making memories.

Happy Fourth of July!

The Buzz

Today Alana met a Bee (actually it was a wasp--I think). I guess she got too close, because she had three stings on the top of her hand. She cried, but I think that she was crying because she was more mad than she was hurt. She is fine now, but it is the first time that one of my kids has had a sting. That's the buzz!

Ahhhhh!

Ahhhh! Finally our cooler is fixed. We have been extremely hot for the past week and a half. I am so thankful that we have cool air. I bet I will sleep good tonight! :)

Tribute to an Amazing Woman

Today I would like to pay tribute to an Amazing woman--My Mom! Today is my mother's birthday, and since she isn't here to celebrate with us, I just wanted to reflect on the wonderful person she was.
My mom was remarkable, because she would always think of others before herself. She was always serving someone. She often times went with out so others had something extra. She loved to see the joy it brought to other peoples lives. One example of this was when she was really sick in December and was struggling with pain. I had a hair appointment and I told her where I was going. When she found out I had an appointment, she offered to watch the kids for me (even though I had already found a sitter.)

She was a hard worker. My mom worked extremely hard. She made sure the job got done and she gave a 110%. She could work harder and faster than most people 20 years younger than her.

She was smart, and knew what was important in life. Her love was for the gospel and her family. She epically loved playing with the grand kids! She was the most incredible grandma out there. She was always doing fun projects and outings with the kids. She would find out about neat places to take them or special events happening in town. (I didn't have to ask her to watch them, she would just volunteer) she would come home with special surprises, toys and clothes for them.

She was the best mom to me, she taught me what was right and let us kids do most things. Most of all she was the best friend a daughter could have.

She was a phenomenal cook and baker. She made the most delicious things to eat! She loved trying new recipes and many of them would be "keepers". Some of my best recipes came from my mom.

Mom always liked to find a deal, and she would happen upon some real steals. She found the coolest things and loved turning trash into treasure. She would find neat things everywhere and people would always ask her where she found different things.

Words cannot describe the many ways she was truly incredible. I can't wait to see her again! Since our family tradition has always been going out to dinner for family birthdays, with the birthday person picking the restaurant, we decided to celebrate for mom's birthday upholding the family tradition. We picked Chuck-a-Rama (since my mom liked going there) and we all had a nice dinner as a family. I think she would be pleased that we were all together.

I miss her a lot. She was fantastic and I want to aspire to have all of her great qualities. I am thankful to have had such a wonderful mother and friend!

Clippin' Coupons?

I love a good deal, but sometimes it seems like a lot of work. I just read about this website on my friends blog (thanks Jen). I am definately going to try this. With the cost of living going up and higher gas prices, I am ready for a deal (and who dosen't like free stuff?) I will let you know how it turns out. Meanwhile check out this website:http://slavetosave.synthasite.com/. Hey you know the old saying..."A penny saved is a penny earned."

First Talk

Today Rylan gave his first talk in Primary. He did such a great job! He was really excited to give it. (I think he mostly wanted to talk into the microphone.) He talked about Temples. Our family night for this week we went to Temple Square and talked about Temples as a family. The kids played and enjoyed being outside and having some space to run around. We all had a nice time doing that and we were so proud of Rylan doing such a great job talking in Primary!

Sheesh!

Sheesh! Ok, so I said a few days ago that the cooler was broken....well it has yet to be fixed. The cooler guys said "Call and Electrician" and the Electrician said "You need the cooler guy" and then again to the cooler guy "You need an Electrician".
SHEESH!
Take some responsibility-that's why we pay you! We are smokin' hot in here!\
Don't worry, I will post when it is cool once again. Until then, I am sorry if I am cranky and sweaty! (Oh and if I have ugly hair--since it is strait and flat).
Just makes you appreciate what you have (all those modern conveniences)! Hope you all are enjoying your nice air-conditioned houses! :)