Ethan's Birthday!

Ethan had a really fun birthday this year! He had a Toy Story theme party and we got together with family this year. We went to the Veteran's Water Park in Provo and then had a BBQ at the park next to it. The water felt sooooo good because it was soooooo hot (96 degrees). We were sad my sister, Jamie, and her kids couldn't be there; they already had a camping trip planned. Ethan and Jamie's daughter, Layla, have so much fun playing together. But we were so happy that Bryan's brother, Brent, his wife, Jill, and their three adorable girls (Kate, Maggie, & Amanda), could be there. It's been about three years since we've seen them, since Brent is in the Navy. We were so glad they were able to come to Ethan's party! Thanks for coming! :)

I couldn't resist putting this picture on my blog. Tara always pulls a face, and Bailey's face is hilarious since she's tilting her head back. Gavin's like, "see what I have to put up with." ;)

Tara is getting married in two weeks at Newport Beach, which means it's almost time for a vacation! Yipee!

Ethan is going to miss his cousin and buddy, Gavin, who is moving to California in two weeks. I know! We just moved back from California 5 months ago! (Has it already been that long!?)

Happy Birthday Ethan! We love you!

Children's Discovery Garden

It's catch-up time for me on my blog! In the beginning/middle of July, four girls from my ward and our kids went to Children's Discovery Garden. We each have two boys and they seemed to have a fun time together. It was a lot of fun! I didn't even know this place was there. I am excited that they are having $2 Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point in August for any of their venues.

Noah's arc is the first thing you come to when you enter the Garden. It has holes all around the bottom of it that squirts water out. I didn't get pictures of everything, but after the arc they have a splash pad and a garden maze.

The next time we go I think it would be better to go to the stuff at the end first. By the time we got to this caterpillar it was too hot for them to climb on it.

Kids can climb up a ladder inside this lighthouse up to a little loft.

There was a fun little stream going over rocks to this little pool, and the kids could put boats at the top and watch them come down.

The boys had a lot of fun and we hope to go back once more before school starts!

Funny faces

This is Austin's face right before he falls asleep from a hard days' play, and if you can see the head on the right side hanging over, that's Ethan already asleep from a hard days' play!

It's been really HOT here this last week, and we attempted to go the park at 12:00 only because this park has a lot of trees. It was still hot, but they had a good time.

The next couple of pictures are of the many faces of Bryan. We were attempting to have Family Home Evening, and of course, Bryan was getting a little silly.

Here's Austin trying to be like Daddy.

Ha! Ha!

And here's one where you can check out the haircut he gave himself. I think he did a great job. What a hotty! :)

4th of July festivities

These pictures are all out of order, but are from our 4th of July activities. It's been three years since we celebrated 4th of July in Utah, and the first time where it was just our little family. We went to the balloon fest twice (Saturday and Monday), because the first time it was too windy for the balloons to go up. Monday was perfect weather for the balloons and we were glad we got up early to go back. After the balloons we went to the parade and sat with Kami and Jared Pollock, which you can check out their blog if you want to see more pictures of the parade. It was fun to live so close that we could walk to everything and didn't have to worry about any traffic!

I put this picture on Facebook of Ethan and Austin playing together, but I wanted to squeeze it in somewhere on my blog too. I love it when they play nice and are buddies!

Everybody cheered loudly for the missionaries in the parade!

The boys waiting for their McDonald's breakfast

We found a spot on some grass across from the hospital to watch the fireworks.

Here's one last picture to document that I was there, since I'm usually taking the pictures and not in them.

It was a FUN 4th of July!

Provo Trail Fun

This weekend has been a rainy one, but we were able to get out before the rain came back Saturday afternoon and get some exercise on the Provo trail. Bryan and I were on rollerblades, Ethan was on his bike, and Austin was in his stroller, with ME pushing of course. I really don't think I could go roller bladding without the stroller....it's my support ;) We had tons of fun and were very tired afterwards! We used to roller blade the trail when we lived here before, but I probably hadn't been in over two years!

This picture is scary of me, but it's the only one I am in!

Ethan was worn out too!

My Crazy Boys

My boys thought of a clever way to use the boxes that are all over our house right now with the move. So excuse the boxes in the video, we aren't all the way moved in yet. Things to watch for: Ethan wearing goggles on his head and Austin falling over in the box at the end of the video, (don't worry, he wasn't hurt). :)

Summer + Pool = fun!

We decided to buy a cheap $10 pool for the boys to play in for the summer. Hopefully it will last all summer! They were having a blast jumping into it over and over. Here's a short clip of them jumping in.

New Place!

Well, we are officially in our new place! When we moved back to Utah from California in March, we stayed in my grandparent's basement and did some "house sitting" while they were traveling, and then we ended up staying a few months longer because we were trying to buy a house. (Thank you Grandpa and Grandma, we love you!) Buying a house didn't work out for us, though. :( The lenders are really strict now with all the economy has gone through and being self-employed doesn't help! We are going to try again next year. We found a great townhome to rent, though, and we are excited about it. The boys have a decent-sized backyard and we have two levels. It's nice being close to lots of things: the library, parks, a water park, the Provo River trail, lots of places to eat, the mall, etc.

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, before getting together with family for dinner, my Grandparents took us to a couple of cemeteries to see the graves of their parents. My Grandma brought some pictures of them so they could see what they looked like. They were quick visits since our boys are still pretty young and haven't totally learned being respectful to those that have passed on. They thought jumping from headstone to headstone was great fun! We will definitely continue this tradition and hopefully it will start to be more meaningful in the future!

Sugar-free Diet Starts Today!

Back in 2001, before I was married and before I had kids, I was successfully sugar-free. By my definition that didn't mean completely no sugar, as even bread has a little sugar, but for the most part I didn't eat sugar for well over a year. I had small-portion meals several times throughout the day with high protein to help the hypoglycemia, and the only cereal I could find back then that didn't have sugar was Shredded Wheat cereal or Shredded Wheat N' Bran. I would eat that or homemade oatmeal with fruit on top, and yes I did have milk. This diet didn't come because of wanting to lose weight or that I thought sugar was bad, but because I found out I had hypoglycemia in 2000, and my doctor scared me into thinking if I didn't shapen up my diet I would soon have diabetes. The first few weeks were tough, as I was in college and living with roomates who loved to cook desserts. After a few weeks, though, I found I didn't even crave sugar, and after a few months, the thought of dessert made me sick. I felt in control.

Now, nine years later with a husband who loves "cupcakes and candy", as his mom teases him, and two boys that love treats, I have struggled with being sugar-free. Nine years ago it was a lot easier, I just didn't buy things that tempted me. The hard thing now is I feel like I am cheating my boys of a good childhood if I don't make the occasional chocolate chip cookie. Growing up, my mom or one of my sisters would make them every Sunday.

So, the reason for this post is this: I am publically stating my goal of being sugar-free, knowing this will help me fulfil it. Starting today, June 1st, I am cutting sugar out of my life for three months (June-August). I may even go longer, but if I give myself an end date instead of saying I will cut it out forever, I think I can manage better.

Wish me luck! I will keep you posted!

School's Out For Summer!

Ethan finished his first year of school on Friday the 28th. We went over to my parents where Ethan and Austin had fun in the sun with their cousins. I just noticed Layla in the background above the slide pouting :( Also baby Rocco is on the bottom right wondering why all these big kids are in HIS pool!

We are excited for a fun (and warm) summer!

April showers brings May.......snow?

The transition to spring has been an interesting one in Utah this year. It seemed like winter was over several times and then all of the sudden there would be another snow storm. This last one was most surprising because it was May 24th, near the end of May. We woke up to snow and it didn't stop for several hours! The boys talked me into getting out their winter coats that were already packed away to build one last snowman. They had a blast, and it wasn't too bad of a storm because the very next day was in the 70's I think.....weird huh? I think that's how all winters should be, a day of snow followed by a day of sun!

My Baby's Three!

Well he turned 3 on May 14th, so as always I'm a little behind. It's weird for me to think that when Ethan turned 3, Austin was just a couple months old. We are so grateful to have Austin in our family. He is very sweet and kind. He is quick to give hugs. I love how he likes to wear just one sock around the house, and has since he was one. We all get a kick out of him calling eyebrows, "eye browns." Austin is very creative and clever. In fact, Ethan has been surprised with some of the things he's come up with and always wants to copy him.

We love you Austin!

729 days and counting...

Bryan and I celebrated our 8th anniversary yesterday, May 1st -- well we didn't really celebrate it, as he is in Jerusalem, Israel right now and I am in Utah. ;) --but we were able to iChat and see each other on our laptops. He showed me and the boys where he was staying, and he even took us out on the roof and showed us his view. I was just thinking back on how we went to New York City for our 5th anniversary and how fun it was! I was also thinking how in just two years it will be our 10th anniversary and how we better start saving our pennies so we can go somewhere fun for our 10th! Happy anniversary, Bryan! I love you! :)

Our wedding day was seriously the most perfect wedding day ever!

Freezing cold in New York City, but loving every minute of it in 2007.

Hmmm.....what can we do to top New York City for our 10th? Any suggestions?

Bryan in Jerusalem

Bryan is currently in Jerusalem working on probably what will be his greatest piece of art. The topic is Christ's mortal ministry. While he is there he hopes to update his blog frequently with pictures he takes. You can go to Bryan's blog to see what he's added so far.