Mesa Falls

On the way home we stopped at the Mesa Falls. They were really pretty this time of year. As you were coming down the trail to the falls it looked fake. It was just like a painting. I doubt that these pictures will do it justice. But they were really pretty. It's a little scary though looking over the edge. It made me kind of dizzy! I would grab the rail when I looked over- just to be safe! I'm such a wuss.

On the way to Mesa Falls Drew took his shoes off, then his socks off, put his socks on his hands and then put his shoes back on his feet! He is the funniest baby. He is always doing the craziest things.

It was a little windy at this spot!

Island Park

We went to Island Park this last weekend with my family, not the whole family- that would be quite the gathering! It was our family, my parents, my sister Lori and her family, my sister Whitney and her family, and my nephew Skylar. My parents got a cabin up there last year that we stayed in.We had so much fun! It was great to go and spend time together as a family.

Tanner and Ben had a blast going for rides on the Ranger, 4-wheelers, and the boat. They got to sleep on bunk beds which was so exciting for them and luckily no one rolled off the top! They loved making smores on the fire too. Instead of graham crackers and a chocolate bar my family uses E.L. Fudge Stripe Cookies, it's so much easier and still delicious! They went to Big Springs with Abby and Kadee to see the trout spawning. It's suppose to be really neat- I've actually never been. ?

The Babies. (We need to stop calling them that, but we don't know what to call them. ?) Anyhow, the Babies loved playing with my dad's new dog Annie. They drove that poor dog nuts. There was a small patch of snow from a storm earlier that week that they loved to play in, unfortunately it melted quick.They were very helpful loading the campfire wood in the wheelbarrow. Nevermind that my dad just got done unloading, they did a great job loading it up! We took them for a Ranger ride also, they all didn't love that. Luke cried when we started it, Adam cried when it moved, and Drew and Ella fell asleep in the back. I think they just loved getting dirty. Really dirty!

Helping hands, and hands, and hands, and hands!

The babies love to help me rotate the laundry! It's hilarious. It can get pretty crowded in the laundry room with them all trying to help, it's so fun to watch them though. They take the laundry from the washer and put it in the dryer and load the dirty laundry in the washer.

Ella, Luke, and Drew loading the dryer.

Drew and Luke. Drew almost falling in the dryer.

Luke getting frustrated. Like I said, it gets really crowded in there!

More help. Notice the large pile of laundry on the table that needs to be folded. Yeah, I really hate laundry. It's okay though, I got lots of help and as you can see- I am starting them out young!

Toothless Tanner

I took Tanner and Ben to the dentist at the first of May. Tanner had a loose tooth at the time and the new tooth had already come in behind it, so I thought the dentist would just pull it for us. But he said no, it would come out any day now. Well, almost a month later it was still hanging in there. He was so afraid of having it pulled that he wouldn't move it and he would bite his food with the side of his mouth so he could eat. It was getting pretty ridiculous so I decided it was time to just pull it out. Marty and I literaly pinned him down. Well I did, while Marty tried to pull the tooth. Tanner fought and cried the whole time. Marty finally said just let me wiggle it and see how loose it is. As he was wiggling it Tanner pulled away from him and the tooth fell out in his mouth. Tanner didn't even know it had come out! A lot of fuss for a little tooth. He made us leave a note for the tooth fairy that said, "Leave the money and my tooth." He didn't want her to have his tooth!

Tanner holding his tooth, he's not real happy about the situation. Me and Ben are glad it's over!

The Graduate's

Graduates? I wish I could fast forward to that time. No joking! But we did have some graduations this last week. Tanner graduated from Kindergarten. Yeah, on to first grade. He thinks it's cool because that means he is really big now and I think it is cool because he will go to school all day! So we both win! Now only if they would do all day kindergarten I would have it made. Benny graduated from preschool, although he has another year. Next year he will go to a different preschool. They both had programs for their graduations. Ben's was first. Ben is my "not shy" child. He sang all the songs, did all the actions, he is very outgoing. Tanner on the other hand is very reserved and shy. He wouldn't even look at me so I could take his picture as you will see below. He surprisingly sang all the songs and did the actions, something he never did in preschool. So maybe he's coming out of it. Tanner's graduation was Hawaiian themed. His teacher does Polynesian Dance and loves Hawaii. The program was really cute, they sang these funny little Hawaiian songs! It was fun.

Ben on the far left. Next to him is his cousing Ethan.

Ben getting his "diploma" from Mrs. Julie.

Ben with his "diploma."

Tanner's program. Can you see him trying to ignore me?

His got a little smirk on his face!

Tanner with his friends- Gage and Issac.

Tanner with his best friend Cayden. (Angie's little boy.)

Tanner with another best buddy of his Eddie. Isn't this a funny picture!

Tanner with his teacher. She is so tiny, perfect for a kindergarten teacher!

Papa's Pool

Marty's dad opened the pool for the season a few weeks ago. The kids had a blast! I wasn't sure about having all the kids around the pool. I thought for sure I would have to be going in after someone, and I'm not so good at diving in a pool. (I have this thing with having to plug my nose to go under water-drives Marty nuts!) But lucky everyone was safe. I need to brush up on my lifegurad skills though.

Ella, Luke, Adam, and Drew all suited up and ready to go to the pool.

Tanner jumping off the diving board. Yes, those are floaties-

we need to put the poor boy in swimming lessons!

Marty in the pool with Drew and Ella and Ben is on the side.

Luke swimming with his Uncle Steve.

"Poor Pitiful." Luke lost his ball and just can't get it back.

"I get it, I get it!" (One of Adam's favorite things to say.)

We had a great time! It's fun to have something that we can go do together with our family and extended family to keep us close and make great memories.

Ogden Half-Marathon

Today was the Ogden Half-Marathon (13.1 Miles!), that I have been training for the past few months. It was awesome! It really was a great experience. It was a good run, I felt great until about mile 11.5 and then I was really feeling it. I initially hoped to finish the race in under 2 hours, but two weeks before the race I got the flu and terrible shin splints in my left leg. I know, boo hoo! So I had to change my game plan to 2 hours and 10 minutes. It doesn't seem like much but I was devastated. Marty thought that I was being a little dramatic about the whole thing. I was really devastated though! But I got over the flu and got an awesome physical therapist who helped me get ready for the race.

The course was really great. It has a lot of down hill, which helped with my time- but is currently killing my knees! Marty, Tanner, Ben, and my mother-in-law Marie came down to the finish line to cheer me on. They gave me my last boost of energy to cross the finish line in 1 hour and 54 minutes. I was stoked! I had made my original goal. I was so happy. I also had to pee really bad, I refused to stop and go during the race for fear of not making my time, so when I crossed the line it was all I could do to make it to the potty. I don't regret it though. I made it!

I couldn't have done it without Marty though. He was so supportive and complimentary of my running. He was so encouraging. It really made me feel more positive and capable of doing the race. He is awesome!

Me with the Tanner and Ben just after

finishing the race.

Me and my sister-in-laws

Janna and Mandy who also

ran the race.

Jen, my incredible running partner, and I.

P.S. This blog posting began at 9:30 p.m. and it is now 11:55 p.m., apparently I have some things to work out with the whole blogging thing. I'm not so good at it!