Father's Day and such

Father's Day came and went. I had the best intentions to do a long post about my good husband Matt. Of course I'm a little behind. I have felt all day though that I need to do this. He gets the shaft from me so often (meaning I am horrible at surprising him with gifts, cards, etc. to express my appreciation for him). So I'm sorry for the cheese fest you're about to read, but it's long over due. Matt is such a good person. I love how passionate he is about enjoying life to the fullest. I remember when we were dating, we were at the point where marriage was most likely in the future. I remember praying about if this is really what I was supposed to do in my life at this point in time. I'll never forget the feelings I had of joy and excitement picturing my life with him. Now we have had our rough patches in the past, but I can say with out a doubt I am so happy, and am so lucky to be married to such a good man. We have so much fun together. The best part of our day (the kids included) is when he gets home. He has such a love for life, and such a good sense of adventure. We're gone all summer on adventures, mostly camping and fishing, but we take drives, go up the canyon, go watch Matt participate in all his bike races. It's non stop, and yes it gets exhausting at times, but I honestly love it. I wouldn't want it any other way. Matt is an amazing father as well. I tell him often I can't imagine my life with out him, and would be psycho if I were on my own. He is a total hands on dad. He is a better parent than I am. There are several times I've thought he'd be a much better stay at home dad than I am mom. Our kids are so lucky to have him as their father.

Someone I took down the river once told me he regrets the father he's been. He spent so much of his free time away from his kids-golfing, managing his business, designing and maintaining his website, and just surfing the web. He doesn't feel like he has a real relationship with his children. I felt sick for him, and his kids. This man is wealthy, and has all the toys-boat, jet skis, a second home, nice cars, etc. but I'm feeling sorry for him! I will never forget that conversation. We have total opposite lives, and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. I'd so much rather have my situation. Matt comes home and doesn't stop playing with the kids until he puts them to bed. I'd be willing to bet Matt has changed as many diapers as me! We enjoy the simple things, and don't need a second home, a boat, etc. to really enjoy life. I am so blessed to have Matt as my husband. I'm grateful for the trials we've had, because it truly has made us so much more committed to each other. Thank you Matt for being such a wonderful husband and father! We all love you so much!!! Happy belated Father's Day!

So here is the "and such" section...just some quick pics of our weekend:
We had a little ward BBQ Saturday night, and Matt promised the kids we could through rocks in the river after words, so here were are.

The kids like to find the biggest rocks they can, that way they can see the biggest splash

We had also been to a birthday party earlier that evening for our little 3 year old friend Allee! Parker loved the little Mickey Mouse hat and wore them all night!

Happy Anniversary

Matt and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago. It seems so strange because I feel so young still. Nine years is a long time, so it tells me we're getting old! I look at these photos and think "we were babies!" We had a great anniversary. Matt's parents took the kids (including Aubrey) for the weekend, so we were able to hang out, get stuff done around the yard and house, shop, plant our garden, go to dinner, go to a movie (that didn't get out until after midnight!) and sleep in! It was fabulous! We're so grateful for Matt's parents. What a huge sacrifice for them. Matt and I said at least three times, we HAVE to remember this gesture and do the same for our children. It was so nice to just be "a couple" for two days. We could be selfish and just take care of our needs. It's amazing how much of the day is spent worrying about others when you're a parent. It's not until they're gone you realize how often you're filling up a sippy cup, changing diapers, getting snacks, washing dishes, cleaning up messes, breaking up fights, playing games, etc.etc.etc. The list goes on and on. It was really a nice weekend, and made this anniversary an extra special one.

Oh Parker

Really Parker? Princess shoes (or we like to call them Fancy Nancy's)? Come on now. Matt said he wouldn't go to bed without them (Parker actually called them his "glass slippers"). He is so darn cute though. I love this kid. He makes me laugh constantly. This is why he needs a brother one day, so he won't be a sissy forever.

We Love Summer!

Summer is here!!! This means time for camping, fishing, tons of time spent with family, swimming, and last but not least, throwing rocks in the river (a personal favorite of Amber and Parker's!)

We took a drive Memorial Day to Provo River Falls in the Uintah's

We took a drive on Sunday to Antelope Island (after making a stop at the hospital to see Eric and Katie's little baby girl Lindie who was born Friday).

Summer means time to potty train! What better way than outside where I could care less if he wets his pants? So far, we're a little slow going. Parker isn't too interested. I'm not going to really push it until the end of the summer. He'll have to be ready by then! He'll almost be three! He already seems too old to be wearing a diaper to me.

He sure loves his Lightening McQueen underwear!

Summer means more picnics, and playing in the sprinklers with fun friends!


These are just a few cute pictures I took of Aubrey the other day. She is getting so big!

Wouldn't you just LOVE those lips? She has the best lips ever! I think she is so beautiful, but of course I would, what parent doesn't think they have the cutest kids ever?

Pre school Program

Amber is done with Pre school for the summer. She finished up with Mandy's about 2 months ago (Mandy had her baby about then, so they finished up early) and she finished up with Miss Dana's about two weeks ago. She loved pre school. This was a fun program too. They sang a few songs, and each took a turn telling what they loved about school (Amber loved painting). I know she also loved snack time. She looked forward to that each time!

I got there a little late and didn't have the best seat. However, my seat was perfect to stare at one of the guest's there...Mitt Romney! He came to the program to see his little grandson. I didn't dare take a picture. I regret it now! I would love to have a picture with him!

She was so excited to see me in the audience. It was fun to see her. I was such a proud parent! I couldn't stop smiling! I thought everything she did and said was adorable! She is pretty shy though. She didn't really sing a lot of the songs. She'd do the actions, but her lips wouldn't move. She gets that from me I guess. I hate more than ANYTHING to be in front of a group performing, or being in the spotlight what so ever. I honestly hate it more than anything.

Happy Birthday Amber!!!

Happy Birthday Amber! Amber is now officially 4. We have been saying she is 4 since Aubrey is born because we don't get as many strange looks when we say we have a 3 year old, 2 year old and a new born. That seems to get quite the reaction. Anyway, so now we can honestly say she's four! Amber has always acted older than she really is. I hear that from her 2 preschool teachers and her dance teachers. I feel like I take her for grated some days. She really is such a good kid. We are so lucky to have her in our family. We had a fun day on her birthday, although Matt had to work all day, so the celebrating was left to me, Parker, Aubrey and Amber. I gave her a long list of all the things she could choose from to do. A few were: go to a movie, go swimming, go to the zoo, go to Discovery Gateway, or go to the Dinosaur Museum. She chose the Dinosaur Museum. I was surprised...she is such a movie junkie, I thought for sure she'd want to go to a movie! I also told her I'd make anything in the world she wanted for dinner. What did she choose? TACOS!!! What the? Who knew she loved Taco's that much.


Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for the new pink soccer ball! It's a hitI made cupcakes instead of a birthday cake for Amber this year. I am the TOTAL opposite of crafty/creative, so this was quite the ambitious task for me to take. I had so much fun, but honestly what hard work. It took forever!!!! Luckily I had three sleeping kids at once, otherwise who knows how I would have accomplished such a task.

Parker would have eaten all the cupcakes if we would have let him, he is such a candy junkie.

Here is Amber blowing out her candles.

Parker wasn't too sure about this shark. He said "Scary Mom."

The kids could spend hours digging for bones. I love this part of the museum.

Here are some of my favorite things about Amber:

She is compassionate, and is concerned about others feelings

She is such a good friend to others, including her brother Parker

She is so happy

She loves swimming and jumping on the tramp

She is such a good listener, and follows directions so well

She is a smarty and constantly surprises me with what she knows

She loves to read, and loves to learn

She has such a goofy side to her, and loves to make us laugh

She loves animals, loves to color and paint, loves to sing and dance, and LOVES to spend time with her family.

She loves her dad more than anything! She asks for him when she wakes up and wants him to tuck her in at night. They have a special bond that started from birth.

I told Amber on her birthday my experience of when I went to in labor with her. It was so fun to tell her little bits and pieces and see that she truly understood what I was saying. She loved hearing the story, so it was fun to reminisce with her. We had a fun birthday that day. I've always said 4 is my favorite age. I think at this age kids say the cutest things ever! I find myself laughing each day at the things she says. It's so fun to be at this stage. I wish it would last forever!!!

Now just a quick update on Aubrey...

Aubrey rolled over for the first time. This is a picture of us right after she rolled over.

This is her right after her first official roll over! Way to go!

More Spandex

We had a short but fun weekend in Bear Lake this weekend. Matt had a bike race called "The Bear Lake Classic" that rides around Bear Lake. It's 51 miles. He finished strong! He was super sick, and has been since Thursday, so we were proud that he even wanted to go. He did awesome.






Aubrey is 4 months old today!

Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma cheering Matt on at these races is a TON easier! Amber and Parker love the quality time with their Grandparents as well. On the way home Amber was crying saying "I just want Grandpa and Grandma!"

FINISH!!! Just over two hours, way to go Matt!