July Has Come and Gone

Where does the time go? We have been busy having fun. I LOVE summer and we have been enjoying being together and doing fun things. Mid-month mimi and papa came to visit and we headed to Palmyra to see the Hill Comorah Pageant. This is the first time I have seen it even though we have lived this way for 5 years now. We ran into our friends, the Huntsmans. Travis was a companion of Matt's in Argentina. They have the cutest family and two of there kids are named Cole and Lily! Here is a picture of their family and then all our kids together.Then Matt and I headed to Portland on our first house hunting trip to our new...and permanent home. Yes, we have settled on Portland, and I am sooooooooo excited about it. This place is so awesome and beautiful. It has pine trees and mountains everywhere. Matt and I fell in love with it during our trip. Here is a couple of pictures of the neighborhood we hope to buy in or around. It is a growing area with two new elementary schools opening within a year. Fortunately for us, the housing market has crashed so bad, that we hope and think we will get into a home that is more than we ever could have imagined. We'll be heading back again in Oct./Nov. to look again and hopefully find "home sweet home", and then move in Dec./Jan.Jack got a new do. What do you think? We were in the process of giving the boys their new summer do's when Matt decided to stop at this point as a joke with Jack. Well, a week later, Jack still has his mohalk, but I am sure we will cut it soon. We don't want the neighbors and ward members to think we are too rockerish.We also went to this place in Erie called Waldameer Park. It is much like Lagoon, but on a smaller scale. The kids enjoyed blue slushies (as you can tell), riding rides(even Cole was brave this time and went on the log ride!), and eating too much junk food.So that is what has been going on the last two weeks. We hope all our friends and family are enjoying summer and family vacations. We are heading to New Port Beach Cali. next.

My Bliss

Matt is out of town, my kids think they have run of the house, trying to keep up with work, training for a marathon, dirty clothes..... but at the end of the day all I can think about is how blessed I am. Tonight I was able to take the monkeys to the beach to watch one of Erie's amazing sunsets. It was so nice to just sit and watch my kids find joy out of putting their feet in the water, throwing rocks in the lake, and chase birds in the sand. Not quite sure what I did to deserve them. Sometimes I feel like the wicked witch because I yell at them all day long. I am sure Jack thinks his name is "No" or "Stop it". They truly are my bliss and I love them more than I can express in words. Here are a few pictures of my blessings enjoying life.

She Did It!!

The other day we were driving down the street, and out of the blue Lily said, "I want to get my ears pierced". Matt and I have always said she can get her ears pierced when she asked. I figured most little girls start asking to get their ears pierced around 3-4. Not Lily. If we ever mentioned it to Lily, she always said, "No way! It'll hurt". I thought she'd be one of those clip on earing old ladies.
And so without much delay, we drove to the mall and had it done. Lily picked out little pink diamonds. She did AWESOME. Just a small tear and that was it. To ease any lasting pain, we headed straight to the ice cream store for double scoops. Lily thought the pain was definitely worth it for 2 huge chocolate scoops of ice cream that she in no way would ever be able to eat by herself. Way to go Lily. You put your mind to something and you did it! We love you.

4th of July 2008

Just a few highlights and pictures of our 2008, 4th of July.

The night before July 4th (fourth of July eve) we went to a minor league baseball game. It was Jack and Cole's first baseball game. They loved it. Jack even got to shake his botty with the Sea Wolf mascot during the 7th inning stretch.Next was the ward 4th of July pancake breakfast. The kids had fun just playing in the church parking lot and grass area.
Then came a bbq at the beach.And finally, FIREWORKS! We had a few families over for some good old fashion front yard fireworks. The best part was there were 17 kids at our house all under the age of 5. Lily, who is not even 5 1/2was the oldest!

Fun in the Sun

Can it be? Is it finally...summer! Today was one of the first days of the summer that were actually warm enough to go to the beach. A bunch of the girls and our kids headed out to Presque Isle to enjoy the water, sand, and sun. Here are a few pictures of Jack, Cole, and miss Lily with their arm floaties. Doesn't get much better than this!