Water Birthday Party

We threw Calvin and Lily a combined water birthday party last weekend. We had a slip n slide, sprinklers under the trampoline, water balls, and squirt guns. We started this for Calvin's birthday last year and it will now be a combined birthday tradition. It was a BBQ birthday bash, hot dogs, hamburgers, cake, Popsicles and other yummy treats. We had a really good time. Happy birthday my two little munchkins!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July. We have a big family reunion on my dad's side every year. When I was young my mom always hosted this party. We would have over 100 people at the BBQ every year, we would setup volleyball, basketball (and play the traditional game of lightning), food, water games and blankets on the grass. As the years passed other family members have hosted the party. The last several years we would have fun relaxing in Aunt Bambie's beautiful backyard. And this year Jana and Cory invited everyone over. It was a scorching hot day but we still had wonderful food, like Aunt Angie's famous potato salad, and a wonderful time. We played guitar hero, Jennylynn set up a big water slide, we played tennis and listened to some good music (mostly country).

After my family party we came home and woke Jon from his graveyard slumber and went to his family reunion over at BYU. His Mom's side always meets on the grass over by the stadium to share yummy treats like Nancy's 7 layer bean dip and watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks. This year we weren't able to stay to long because Jon had to be back to work for another graveyard shift. So instead of watching the fireworks on the grass we went up to his work and watched the whole valley do fireworks. Jon's work is on the top of 1600 north in Orem and it has a huge balcony that was perfect seating to see all of the fireworks without all of the noise to scare Lily. Joe, Jaime and the girls met us up there to watch the show and Jon's dad and Wendy also showed up. And the best part was, NO TRAFFIC getting home from Provo.

I also love the 4th of July because of what we celebrate. We live in a wonderful country and I am proud to be an American. Thank you to all of the soldiers who fight for our freedom, Like my Uncle Lincoln! I hope you all had a wonderful 4th as well.

Blog Book volume 1

Front and back cover.

Our blog book is here. I finally finished it and I am very happy with how it turned out. I am not a graphic designer or even very creative for that matter, so the cover turned out like a yearbook cover. But I did it, so I am proud of myself. I received the book in the mail last week and the pictures were really spotty, as if the ink didn't catch. I emailed blurb and and they printed and overnighted me a brand new one which looks fabulous. I now have an extra for my mom's Christmas present. This is the reason I started a blog, to make a family Journal, history, scrapbook, whatever you want to call it. My friend Jeri inspired me with her blog book a couple of years ago and it has actually been something I have stuck with and really enjoyed. If you would like to make a blog book go to www.blurb.com and download the program. They are surprisingly inexpensive and it is an easy program to work with.

The many faces of Lily

I took these pictures of Lily in our backyard before the big birthday party on Saturday. She is such a little doll face.

"Why am I all dressed up when Calvin is playing with his friends?"

"Please let me out of here."

This face says "I am so done with this."

"Hooray! Dad saves me!"

Family Pictures

We had my friend Jeri take our family pictures the other night. We went to a really fun location in Lehi that had some cool old buildings. Even though we had some technical problems and Jon had to run to Walmart (that is why he is not in some of these), we still ended up with some great Pictures.

Summer Fun

We love summer time because the carnival comes to town. We love going to all of the city celebrations, the parades, fairs and carnivals. We love fireworks and the fourth of July. We love our garden and we love spending time together outside. We love having water fights and staying up late. We love BBQ chicken, steak and the kids love hot dogs. Summer is the best!!!

Here are some pictures of us at the Orem carnival. We took my friend Britni and her daughter Blithe with us and we had such a fun time. Britni was my second counselor in Primary but unfortunately she just moved. We had a blast and we hope to still get together sometimes even though they are far away.

And here is our garden. It is coming along great!
And some blonde highlights in my hair.