Welcome Home Uncle Matt...

Rob's little brother Matt is home from serving a 2-yr mission to Veracruz, Mexico.  I cannot believe how fast that time went by.  AMAZING!!  He had a very successful mission serving the Lord and preaching His Gospel to His children in Veracruz.  We are so excited to see what his future awaits with his plans and adventures in life. 
Uncle Matt, thanks for being such a great example, to all of us, of love, dedication, sacrifice, devotion, perseverance, hard work, obedience, and the list goes on...
We love you and can't wait to see you soon.  Maybe this Summer before you head off to BYU. 

WELCOME HOME!

FHE....

We did something different this Monday for Family Home Evening.  I signed us up to help out with our Stake Garden in town.  Our Ward Garden Coordinator (I will call  her that) set up a wonderful night with BBQ'ing and gardening for those that signed up in our Ward.  We had a nice turn out and I really had to control myself with taking pictures.  I was really impressed withthe little ones that helped with weeding. 
We have tried in the past to grwo our own garden.  We had things growing but couldn't keep the wild things away (rabbits, deer, bugs, etc).  So, we figured that some day we would try again when we have more time and we are not "growing kids".  With the Stake Garden we now have the opportunity to learn how to tend a garden and watch what is planted grow.  Then we can enjoy the blessings of our labor.  I can't wait to see how the Garden grows...

What To Do When There Is Sun...

PLAY AT THE LAKE!!!!!!!!!

What to Do When There Is no Sun...?

These poor kiddos have been deprived of Summer weather.  We had been looking forward to swimming at the Lake for months and the weather has been crummy.  The other day I told the kids that they needed to go outside so that we wouldn't drive each other crazy.  Juliette had also been sick and I figured a little outside air wouldn't hurt.  Well, they brought out some blankets and books, and laid them out on the grass.  James actually listened to his i-Pod while his sisters read each other books.  Then I found them wrestling each other on the grass, they looked like they were having a good time.  I hope our Summer weather soon arrives so that we can do more fun things outside without wearing jackets.

Injinji...

My friend Melody, along with our running group friends, secretly bought me a pair of Injinji Socks.  This was their way of thanking me for leading our group all these years.  I really am the one who needs to thank all of them for all these years of support, input, motivation, inspiration, determination, commitment, fun, friendship, and the list goes on...

Thank you girls for your love as well.  You are all a group of outstanding women.  It is an honor to run with you.

Thank you Melody for being the instigator.  You are so very thoughtful and sweet.  Although these socks are the weirdest thing I have ever ran in, I like them.  They are fun!  Thank you! 

When I first got them yesterday, Sophia was the first one to take it out of its package and try them on.  She thinks they are supper cool!  She asks if she could wear them to bed.  Very cute!  I ran today with them on and they felt funny at first, and then they were fine after.  I still have to get used to them.  Perhaps wearing them this Saturday for my marathon might be too early.  But I'll bring them along anyways. 
P.S  Since we have this TWINNER thing going (we have worn the same color clothes; tops and bottoms for running, several times without planning to do so, and now we have matching socks to go with our unplanned outfits).  We should just have a Running group t-shirt that we could all wear once a week.  Give ourselves a name or something...That would be fun! 

Baby Portraits...

My friend Jessica helped me edit and photoshop my pictures from last weekend's Baby photoshoot.  I just had to share a few more of these handsome baby Boys with you.  These are my favorites, the ones I will add to my portfolio:

P.S  Thanks April for letting me takee pictures of your gorgeous boys!

Dallyn Vail Bayles...An Lds Vocalist...

Camille Fronk Olson | Spiritual Strength in Challenging Times | April 30, 2009 | BYU Broadcasting

Camille Fronk Olson Spiritual Strength in Challenging Times April 30, 2009 BYU Broadcasting

Happy Father's Day...

I believe I have the BEST Father our kids could ever have!  He is just perfect for them.  He is so creative and so very fun!  But he also cares enough to discipline them with much love.  We are all blessed to know him, to love him, to have him in our lives.  We don't know what we would do without our ROB!

Glimpse of today's celebration:

Woke up to find Eliza had made him breakfast-  she is such a sweetheart!

Opened presents- got new clothes for church, some running necessities, used ear plugs (Eliza found Rob's collection of used ear plugs from Pilot training) YUCK!  Those were from over 10 years ago!

Headed to Stake Conference, which I will have to post about another night.  It was wonderful!

Had Father's Day Lunch with friends and Rob had to go to Work after just one hour of lunch.

Best part was Juliette's sweet letter, here it is just as she wrote it:

Dad, why do you have to go to work?

I really miss you.

Why can't you stay home, and watch movies with us?

Why?

I miss you almost every day.

Why can't you quite the job?

Why can't you?

Tell me why dad?

Dad you are also very nice.

Thank you dad.

Love, your dautter Juliette.

I love you dad.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY ROB!!!  WE LOVE YOU!!!

Our First Summer Adventure...

So for our first Summer Family activity we headed to Canada.  We visited the Lynn Canyon Park near Vancouver area.  The park had some wonderful trails, water falls and a suspension bridge, which we all thought it was cool.  We brought friends along as well.  There was so much beauty all around, I couldn't get enough of it all with my camera. 
We were a bit concerned for Sophia at the beginning of our walk, so we put her in the hiking baby pack (which she has outgrown, but we didn't know how else to carry her).  She was not thrilled about this. But after her cast coming off on Tuesday we didn't want her to put too much strain on her ankle and foot.  Well, she begged to walk alongside us and so we let her.  She walked over 3 miles!!  She never complaint or asked for help.  She is not sore today either or hurting in any way!  She is just amazing!  She really had a fun time being independent and showing us all that she could be very careful and communicate her needs, if needed, without any hesitation!  She just never ceases to amaze us!
Well, after our fun activity we headed to Olive Garden to have their delicious all you can eat Salad and Bread sticks...