Summer Camps....

Summer wouldn't be summer without all sorts of Camps.  We have girls camp, scout camp, cub day camp, golf camp, etc.  Here are a few pics of the many camps the kids have enjoyed this summer.

Can you tell which camp I attended?  J.D. was just too cute to not take pictures of everything he did!

Birthday Fun For Me.....

As much as I hate getting older, I've decided birthdays are still just plain fun.  I had a friend stop me at church and say "I know birthdays aren't a big deal to us but don't you still just feel special anyway on that day?"  And isn't that the truth?  I don't know what it is but there's just something about knowing it's your day and when you have wonderful friends and family making sure it's such a great day, you can't help but feel special.

I actually had a few days of birthday partying.  Josh and Russel were at Scout camp for a few days and Abi was at girls camp so I took the three youngest and headed to SLC.  My mom and sis took me for a perfect lunch at Zupas and we did a little shopping too of course.  And then we spent the rest of the weekend watching kids swim and have a great time.

Russel made it back in time to take me to dinner Saturday night.  We went to Elements and sat outside in the perfect setting. And for dessert, we had the best creme brulee.  I actually HATE creme brulee.  I've tried it often and never ever wanted another bite.  But we noticed on the menu they had a macadamia nut creme brulee with pineapple salsa and raspberry sauce.  It sounded tempting enough and since it was gluten free, we went for it.  WOW!!!  It was super yummy!!  I know once I go back for it, they will declare it has been removed from the menu.  Isn't that always how it works?

Sunday morning, I was awakened with breakfast in bed.....yummiest gluten free french toast EVER!!!  It was exactly what I had been wanting.  And pretty much the rest of the day I was spoiled.  I think Meili told me Happy Birthday at least 100 times.

I could seriously comment on each of our faces but I will refrain....

And today, my friends kidnapped me and took me to lunch!  They were hoping I was still in my PJs, I was dang grateful I was not!

Like I've said before, I seriously have the best friends and family in the world!!  Thanks for making my day so perfect and for making me feel extra special.

Mother's/Father's Day....

We are so blessed to have such good mothers and fathers in our lives.  I look around me and see so many wonderful examples of mothers and fathers doing amazing things and trying to live as Christ would have us do.   I am so grateful for these people and the blessing they are in my children's lives as well as mine.

For Mother's Day, we headed to Bear Lake and were able to have Grandma and Grandpa and Matt and Gina's family come for the weekend.  We felt bad Jared and Tammie couldn't come and missed them tons!  It was a fun weekend and we had a great spread put on by the husbands....with maybe a tiny bit of help from the wives.  I'm so glad I have my mom,  sister, and sister-in-law as best friends.  They are great examples of wonderful mothers and they make me want to be and do better.  They are so generous, loving, and kind.  Thank you for being who you are. And Mom thanks for everything.  I will be forever grateful for you and what you have taught me.  And I want you to know that I love how close we are.  I would be lost without you. XOXO!

And can I just say what a joy it is to be a mother to my 5 wonderful children.  It's the most wonderful gift to be a mother and I'm so grateful the Lord has trusted me with these sweet children.  As you can tell, my girls are okay with taking my pictures.....the boys? they were gone as soon as we walked in the door from church.

Father's Day was spent in Centerville and of course the spread put on by the wives was FANTASTIC!  We know how to treat our men that's for sure.  And I guess I really feel the same about these wonderful husbands and fathers as I do about the mothers.  They are truly amazing and take such good care of their families.  Thanks for all that you do!  And thank you Russel for being a wonderful father and husband to our little family.  We love you and are so grateful for you.  Thank you for loving us so much.

And yes I do have the best dad in the world!  I have the best memories of my sweet dad.  I always knew he loved me.  Even when he had to discipline me (which of course was hardly ever), he always showed so much love too.  And to this day, he still makes sure all his kids are taken care of. He told me the other day I was still his baby......what a great thing to be.