Summer Company Party

The company Jim works for just merged with another company which held its annual summer party this weekend. The party was at a park in North Salt Lake. As soon as we got up there they gave each of us a stack of paper money. They had a candy 'store' and toy 'store' set up where we could buy anything we wanted or save our money for the auction held later. Andrew and Ally were so excited, all the toys and candy and Mom and Dad couldn't (all right, didn't) tell them how to spend their money. Ally was thrilled to get a new Barbie, hula hoop, silly bands, silly string, glow in the dark necklaces and a bag full of candy. Andrew got a new Nerf gun, silly string and a bag full of candy. Vanessa loves her little Barbie and hula hoop. Dad enjoyed her candy ;) ;).

After the fun with money it was time for yummy lunch of sandwiches, chips, vegetables, fruit, and cookies. Vanessa's favorite was the watermelon.

Ally enjoyed the watermelon also.

After lunch was the auction and then they had some pig chasing by the kids and had a dunking booth. A fun time was had by all! The proof is in the picture

If you're that exhausted you have to have had fun, right? Notice the Barbie in her hand? Told you she loved it!

Cookies with Dad

Vanessa is a night owl. Andrew and Ally go to bed at 8 but Vanessa stays up later, sometimes much, MUCH later! There have been more than one occasion that she has been up after 10 sometimes almost 11. This is not something that I particularly like. I've always enjoyed my 'my time' and time with Jim once the kids go to bed but that hasn't happened very often after Vanessa joined our family. Some nights, I do have to admit, I enjoy spending time just her, me and Jim. She likes the special attention she gets from us and really hams it up some nights. Jim sat down at the table for cookies one night after Andrew and Ally had gone to bed and Vanessa climbed up in the chair by him and looked at him expectantly. But, just the cookie wouldn't cut it, she had to have her own glass of milk too.

This was one of the times I didn't mind her staying up late.

Hoola Hoops

At cousin Ellee's birthday party the kids got to do hoola hoops which they love!

Andrew was amazing at the hoola hoop. I swear there isn't anything that kid tries that he's not good at, he is definitely his father's son.

He's Now a Bear

Andrew earned his Scout wolf badge. I'm so proud of him and all his hard work to accomplish this achievement. He is really loving scouts and is very enthusiastic about every part of the journey.

The pack night was held outside and it was an extremely windy night as you can tell by this picture when Andrew was trying to pin on my mother's pin

And here's the proud family

Pack night was box car races with cars the boys made themselves. Once again I felt for my poor son when we got there. He has such a non-creative mom. The only good thing is that he took pride in building his car by himself.

All the boys and their cars

And they were off to the races

And Vanessa's favorite part, the donuts.

I'm so proud of Andrew and his accomplishments this first year of scouts. I'm looking forward to the many more ahead of us.

My Birthday

(photo courtesy of Ally)

This birthday was a milestone birthday, the big 35 for me. For some reason I really struggled with this. I don't know what it was but 35 seemed really old and hard for me to face. I struggled for months leading up to my birthday. I have come to realize that I struggled because I am not who I want to be. The past month has been spent evaluating myself and changing many things on my path to be a better person. The day of my birthday came and I have to say all the dread was for nothing. I had such a fabulous day filled with sweet messages, phone calls and visits by the best friends and family anyone could ask for. Jim and I had a delicious lunch at Shogas and then went to Home Depot to pick up my present...

yes I finally got my grill. Jim gave me two options, a shopping trip at the mall or a grill. I of course chose both but since I really could only have one, I went for the grill. For those of you who don't know, I am the griller in our family. I LOVE to grill!! It's one of my favorite things to do. Our old grill was about 12 years old and was struggling. It had been a fabulous grill but had so many hot and cold spots some of the meat would be burnt and some would be raw. It was very frustrating. I am so happy with my new present and can't wait to use it!!

Birthday Lunch at Red Robin

Since the evening of my birthday was filled with things that our family had to be at (baseball and Scouts pack night) Jim and I decided to go to lunch on my birthday so my parents, Kelly and the kids and I went to lunch the day before, which just happens to be miss Ellee's birthday.

We went to Red Robin and were able to sit out on the patio which was the best place for four adults and five children. Vanessa loved being able to roam a little and loved looking at the fountain in the mall entry.

The kids really enjoyed the food. Vanessa loved the mac and cheese.

While the other kids loved the chocolate cake brought to Ellee for her birthday.

And what's a trip to the mall without throwing a few (all right, a ton) of pennies into the wishing pond.

Running Rock Star

Oh how I wish I was talking about me, but no, I am talking about Andrew. A few weeks ago a few of our friends hosted a Japan fundraiser 5K which Jim decided to run. Andrew really wanted to run it too. He has never showed an interest in running except for what he does in soccer, football, baseball, etc., etc. Jim took him to the race and Andrew ran the entire 5K. For me, a wanna be but really not a runner this was amazing! I couldn't go out and run over three miles without training! I was so proud of him and he loved it too. He was especially proud 'cause he beat his dad. Last weekend Jim went to do another fundraiser race for a friend with cancer and Andrew once again wanted to go. This time was harder for him and he had to walk some. He told me this race felt longer than the other one but he still beat his dad ;). Jim got an e-mail with the finishing times and Andrew finished in 32 minutes. That's a 10 minute mile even with having to walk some. Yep, once again I am a proud mom!

True Happiness

True happiness is two little girls letting me do their hair without any yelling, complaints or tears (doesn't EVER happen at our house)...

True happiness is being ready and at church in time to sit on the soft, comfy seats...

True happiness is living in such an amazing ward and area with people who have such wonderful, strong testimonies of the Savior and His gospel so being able to listen to them strengthens your own testimony...

True happiness is making dinner with my favorite six year old...

True happiness is eating said dinner with my family without any 'I don't like this,' 'this doesn't taste good,' why do we have to eat this?'. Well, except for from Jim who doesn't like the garlic cheese potatoes I made but since he NEVER complains, I'll give him this one...

True happiness is enjoying the beautiful summer weather (finally) out back with our family...

Even though they think what is happening in the neighbor's yard is more fun and entertaining than being in our own yard...

True happiness is having an updated blog, until tomorrow (wink, wink).

Andrew's 9th Birthday

I sit here again wondering where the time has gone. I can't believe how quickly the past nine years have flown. Yep, my buddy Andrew is officially nine! He will be starting fourth grade this year. He truly is an amazing boy! He is a great big brother and is willing to do anything for his sister Vanessa, he and Ally struggle a little more but he still takes care of her when push comes to shove. He is so helpful to me and his dad. He loves to read, learn new things, play ANY and ALL sports, and has really enjoyed his first year of cub scouts. He is such a blessing to our family and not a day goes by that I am not grateful I have been entrusted as a mother with this sweet spirit. I only pray I can help him achieve all he has been sent here to do.

We woke up and gave him his presents from the family. Jim and I got him a trip, with his dad to Boston.

Jim has a good friend he served his mission with that lives there so they are going to stay with him and his family. They are going to do the Freedom Trail and go to a Red Sox game. Andrew is very excited! He also got a Lego set (of course) from Ally

and a water gun from Vanessa.

He loved his gifts and they were excited to give them to him.

Can I just say I LOVE seeing my kids like this together?? I feel blessed they love each other so much, all right, so it's when one of them is getting a present but at least they show that kind of love every now and then.

For his party this year he had a BUNCH (and when I say a bunch I mean 14) boys over to play games, games, and more games. They started out by playing kickball then went on to soccer, then football and then baseball. For his 'cake' he wanted root beer floats and donuts. Going along with the game theme I decided to make them work for their donuts by hanging them from a string and they had to eat them using only their mouths. It was so fun to watch and what was even more fun was seeing how much each of the boys enjoyed it. I had a couple boys do it twice.

He has fabulous friends who spoiled him rotten with presents.

One of his presents was a package of water balloons so we spent the rest of the party filling up balloons and they all soaked each other, and me.

That night we had Grandpa and Grandma Davis over for dinner and cake and ice cream.

I am so happy he had such a fun day. He really deserves only the best 'cause he really is the best kid a mom could ask for!