Madison's Friends

There are two little girls that are Madison's age live within four houses of us.  They have all become the cutest little friends.

  

Brooklyn, Jillian, and Madison

 

Madison and Brooklyn have really started liking each other and often talk about the other one.

  

Brooklyn had a birthday a few weeks ago and her mom had them over for a little "party".  She told us not to send a present - but Madison actually understood that this was a party and she really wanted to bring a present - she was genuinely so excited and felt so big about the whole things I had to take a picture of her with her present.  It melted my heart to see her acting so big.

A picture of the three at the party. (This picture of Madison looks a lot like me as a two year old)

  

I am super sad that we are moving because these three would have been so fun to watch them grow  up together.

Change

We are moving to Denver.  Jason got a great job opportunity with his company, Fidelity.  We have sold our house and as soon as we find a place to live there - we are on our way, hopefully before the end of August.  We are hoping to be in the Parker area (south east).  I will provide more details and emotions and feelings later.  It has been very fast, and very exciting, and very emotional.  But mostly I am SO PROUD of Jason; he worked very hard for this and totally deserves it.  I am lucky to have him.

Lake Powell

My parents got a timeshare on a house boat in Lake Powell.  They wanted our first trip to be an adult only trip.  It was just a few weeks after women's conference and assumed I had used up all my "free time" coupons.  I knew Jason wouldn't be able to take time off work and it just all around seemed selfish to go.  But Jason really encouraged me to make it work and when I mentioned it to my mother in law a few months ago she seemed more than willing to take the kids. 

I kept telling Jason "I am waiting for someone to tell me that I am being selfish and I shouldn't go, but no one is and it is making me uncomfortable".

Anyways, I went and it was wonderful!!!  I didn't think to take my camera because I wasn't going with my kids or husband - so what would I take pictures of??  I am SO grateful to my Mother in law for taking my kids for 4 days, Jason for supporting me and for cleaning the house all day Saturday while I was gone, and for my sister Katie for stepping in last minute and taking my kids all day Tuesday, oh and of course my parents for paying for the boat, oh and the Thomas' for brining their boat.  Basically it took a lot of people to pull this trip off.

I love boating, camping, and water skiing.  They are probably my most favorite past time.  Sad I have done them about 3 times in the last 10 years - hopefully that will all change soon.

Swimming

We have been swimming a lot this summer.  We have a pass to our local pool - which is great because we just go for an hour or so at a time and it has worked out wonderful.  The boys are old enough to kind of do their own thing in the same area I am in and I play with the girls.

 

Noah loves to lay on the hot cement.  He does this about as much as he is actually swimming.

 

Once they all see what Noah is doing they jump out and join him.

Fourth of July

A BBQ at my mom's house with cousins.  Nice and simple.

 

Another failed attempt at a cute family picture.

 

Swimming in the hot tub

My dad working the grill

 

Sprinkler under the tramp

Then we did fire works at our friends, the Thomas'.

 

Funny story:

Noah really really wanted to buy and set off his own ariel fire work.  In fact for his journal that morning he insisted on writing that for the fourth of July he "wanted to have a launching firework that everyone can see".  That is a BIG sentence for him to write and Jason and I both tried to talk him into just writing "I want to see fireworks"  But he HAD to write the long one and he spent a good 45 minutes writing the whole sentence by himself.  So I took him to buy one (because it melted my heart) and discovered that those things are not cheap!  So I bought the cheapest one at $9.00.  Then it was time to set it off.  He wanted me to light it.  So there we are... with about 50 other people... mostly kids and babies... and I light the firework.  Three shots shoot up into the air like it is supposed to, then... nothing.  I knew there were supposed to be 6 shots... I start getting a little nervous... then it haywires and starts blowing the fire works into the crowd and exploding!  Everyone is screaming, yelling, and running.  Everyone but.. Noah that is.  He is standing there - in the front row - the whole time just smiling.  When it is all over everyone is terrified and checking their children for burns... and Noah turns around and yells, "That is exactly what I wanted!" 

 

Oh my goodness, I could have died.

ceremonies

I am the cub scout master in my ward.  In June I had 3 boys who were getting their Arrow of Lights and moving onto "real scouts", I wanted to do something super cool for their ceremonies - I was thinking Native American and some sort of Rain Dance - but they are super expensive.  Then I found this AMAZING organization where people dress up as Super Hero's - the theme for the month was courage - so it fit perfect.  I was expecting super hero costumes that you would see at a Halloween party.  Not the case!  This was full on Hollywood.  100% this was Batman and Darth Vador - voices and all.  It was actually really scary.

 

I of course brought my boys.

And I had to get a picture too - I am WAY to cheesy.

 

The next day Brock got an award at school - I wasn't expecting a real medal.  Pretty cool!

 

 

By the way he is done with Kindergarten.  Who knew kids grew up?  Since we are on year round he starts first grade in just two weeks.  I am actually in denial about the whole thing.  Eating lunch at school, missing him all day, having to entertain Noah all day.  He still naps once or twice a week - guess I should start stopping that.