Da Beach

Do I even need to write about how much I love it???

I can't even handle those chubbs

Independence Day

We had a really great 4th this year. We spent the morning at the bike parade and pancake breakfast at the church which was a lot of fun. Then we went poolside and the kids really had a great time. In the evening we had a barbecue with friends and an amazing display of $10 worth of fireworks. It was AWESOME let me tell ya!!! I love the 4th because it really is so great to live in this country and be able to celebrate the amazing freedoms that we have... and I like the food.

Makenna's bike was professionally decorated for the bike parade

The story of Jace's life

Makenna was so proud of her medal!

buddies!

BROTHER!

Well I didn't want brother feeling left out :), so here is my awesome brother, David, and his amazing wife, Rolene. David is a really cool dude. He always makes everyone laugh, and he loves to tease! I thought the teasing would go away when he grew up, but no... I have loved seeing him become a dad in the last year. I think he was made to be one. He is an awesome Dad and husband. I'm glad he's my bro!

Rolene is such an awesome sister-in-law. She likes a lot of things I do which is really fun. It's nice to have another person my age to talk about stuff we really shouldn't be watching or doing because we are too old! I will spare you details. She is always so kind and puts up with all David's teasing really well! I'm so glad she's my new sister! Plus, it was her birthday yesterday, so...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROLENE!

SISTERS!!

This is my little sister Jaclyn. You can see more of her here. These are her Senior pictures. I can't believe she is that old! (But then again I am married with 2 kids...) Jaclyn is so cool and fun. I want to steal all her clothes, and her good looks, and her impeccable taste. I'm so sad I have missed out a lot on seeing my younger sisters grow up. I can't believe how cool they turned out without me around! :) I guess while I'm at it I'll show you a pic of my other sister that is still at home, Kara (on the left).

She is starting high school this year! She is super sweet. Whenever we visit, she is so good with my kids- I love it. Makenna is to Kara what Kara was to me, as far as age goes. I bet they will always feel a closeness. I love Kara's laid-back attitude, and I think out of everyone in the world she probably gets me the most (cause I am strange! She's a little strange too... it works.)

Well I can't write about my sisters and not include sister #3 Stacy, who is next in line after me. Stacy is super fun and funny. I love hanging out with her- we always have a good time. I have always admired her generosity and her kind heart.

Jeez I have some cool sisters. I wish we lived closer! Olive juice guys!

a week of visitors!

We have had visitors all week long, which makes for a really fun week! Scott's sister Christa came down from Idaho with her family and we had so much fun with them just hanging out and catching up. Makenna had a lot of fun with her older cousins Raegan and Emily, and was in heaven when they put on a dance show for us! It was so much fun to see them and we miss them a lot since we lived by them for a couple years. I stunk at taking pictures while they were here, but here is their ADORABLE baby Jacob!

Then Scott's best friend from High School, Justin, and his other friend, Kim, came to visit on Friday! They are married now but were both part of Scott's crew in High school which consisted of Extreme White Boys (XWB) and Dorky White Chicks (DWC). Love my husband. We had so much fun with them playing games and catching up.

Then yesterday the Bentleys + Tommy came to visit from Farmington (Tommy was down from Idaho). We went to Tingley beach for fishing and then to the Aquarium and Botanical Gardens. It was so much fun! I love watching Makenna play with her cousins... so fun! These kids loved taking pictures, and most of these poses they came up with themselves! "Take a picture Aunt Kristie!" I'm like "okay!!!" I'm not used to that kind of cooperation...

While we were at the Botanical Gardens I took the opportunity to take some pictures of the kids...

I was surprised to get this one where they were both looking and smiling- Hooray!

Almost 17 months!

Doesn't everyone do an "almost 17 months" post? haha, ok maybe I just needed an excuse to write a long overdue post on the Jace happenings. Jace definitely has me wrapped around his little finger. There is something about him that is so sweet and irresistible. I find myself kissin on him all day! If I need a little Jace lovin, I bend down and hold my arms out, and he'll stop whatever he's doing and run to me with his arms out and a big smile on his face. He's my little snuggle bug. I don't know his stats or anything, but all I can say is I have never met a boy his age that is bigger so I guess that is saying something.

Words:
Ball (his first word that actually meant something)
Da (dad)
Mom
Do (as in dog without the "g")
Bear (bird)
"b" (book)
bebe (baby)
Duh (done)
ba (sippy)
Hi
Bye
Yeah, not a lot. This kid is super talkative though. He is always having convos with himself, telling us stories, and talking to anyone who will listen! It kills me.

Favorite things:
1. Books. He is obsessed with his animal book and he constantly wants me to read it to him!

2. Babies. He gravitates to babies. He loves to watch them and love them and hug them, which is sometimes scary because of his size!

3. Balls. I don't think a minute goes by when he isn't talking about a ball, throwing a ball, carrying around a ball, or kicking a ball. He loves em!

4. Dogs. He seriously begs us every day to lift him up so he can see the dogs on the other side of the fence. He cannot get enough and makes the cutest little dog sounds.

5. Food. The kid could eat all day long. He eats more than Makenna at meal times, and is constantly trying to find food around the house and backyard. (and yes I feed him plenty so he's not starving or anything!) Every day he goes out to our gardens to see if anything is ready to pick. He is always the first to pick our strawberries, and has also tried a summer squash right off the plant- yummm. We also find him sneaking in the pantry whenever he can. I have it locked most of the time, but if I forget to shut it, you better believe that kid is getting into it and dumping out cereal boxes and crackers. I have never seen a little kid with quite the appetite!

and here are Jace's favorite songs right now!

Playing in the rain

We had an amazing rain storm last week. We decided to take the kids outside on our porch and just watched the rain POUR from the sky. It was really fun to share a moment like that with our kids! Then when the rain stopped we let them play in the puddles and there was an amazing rainbow. It was just a really great day!

LOVIN the puddles

The rainbow is above their heads in these pictures

You would not BELIeve how fast the rain dries up here. Within a half hour the roads and sidewalks are completely dry. It doesn't even look like it rained much in this picture!

I really like these plants for about a week every year... I think they may just be worth it!

Pure Joy...

Scott is such a good dad! I'm so grateful to be married to a man that loves being a dad to his kids. Happy Father's Day babe!

I love Dads! Get the tissues...

FamiLEE

We went down to the temple and took these pictures last week. Not professional, but turned out alright! It is SO hard to get a picture with everyone smiling and looking at the camera! In fact, I don't think we got any! haha