Second Grader

I keep thinking that it has to get easier sending your kids off to school, but for some reason it gets harder for me. I just want summer to never end. I love having my kids home!! Ali was really excited for school though and so I had to let her go!! Ali is my super independant child, who loves doing things on her own-this includes, play by herself, figure things out by herself, and is okay being by herself at recess. The thought of her by herself at the "peanut free" table everyday ,and then playing by herself everday is just to much for me to think about- but she doesn't care one bit!! I am proud of her for not caring- but amazed at how different we are!!

She loves having structure in her days and school really is a highlight for her. I asked her what she is most excited about and she is excited for everything!! She loves learning and i am so thankful for that. She got a really great teacher this year Miss Baker and I know she is going to love second grade.

Ali was so embarrassed that I brought my camera to school. She wouldn't let me get any pictures of her at school. She didn't want to be "that kid" on the first day!! I don't blame her, I just love having pictures to remember these milestones!! So cam let me get one of him in front of her school!! He is going to miss his buddy!!


After getting Ali from her first day I have to record for Ali to always remember-- She was so exhausted from a full day at school, and loosing her brand new lunch box, that she got in the car, covered her ears and said, "I don't want to talk about it, so don't ask." It wasn't until about 7:00 that night that i finally got to hear about her day.
I think that her summer naps were a hinderance on her first day- she was exhausted!!

One last thing........

With summer break officially coming to an end, we asked Ali what one last thing she would want to do before going back to school. I thought of all the many possiblilites of things she could choose, and suprisingly she wanted to go ice skating!! We have taken her a few times and she has loved it more and more each time. She skated so good this time that we didn't help her at all and she was turning and didn't complain or get tired once. She was awesome!!

This was the first time we dared to take Cam on the ice and he loved it just as much as she did. The only problem with Cam was he wanted me to push him the ENTIRE time. My back was beat by the end of the night!!! It was great we had the ice at Cottonwood Heights all to ourselves. It was wonderful. We played and skated, and played and loved our last night of "summer" on the ice!!

Our Family Garage sale of LOVE

My family decided that we needed to have a garage sale to get rid of all of our extra stuff lying around. We wanted to do it as a benefit for my parents!! We would love to see them on a mission and wanted to earn some extra money for them to head in that direction!! So everyone sorted through their stuff and between all six kids we had more than enough for one garage sale!!


We told the kids that all the money earned would go to pappa and sunny and they could help out in any way they could. They sorted through their own clothes and toys and were willing to get rid of a lot more things knowing it was going to help their grandparents. Ali decided that everyone needed to wear name tags that said...
"THE CREW-- and the persons name on it" She customized a sticker for everyone to wear and they were adorable. She was so excited for 2 weeks that daily she asked when the garage sale was. They planned to sale water and donuts and they were such troopers starting at 6:30 in the morning!!

My sisters and I decided that we were not in charge of the money due to our overwhelming math skills, so we put Jon in charge of all finances- Here is some of our first profits!!

Our Money counting Crew- it took a few of us to count up all the money we made!!

MY FAVORITE PART OF THE WHOLE DAY..........
It was amazing working along side my siblings doing this for my parents. It was amazing how things just work out so well when it is in the form of service.

That morning as we were leaving our house at 6:15-(I had to wake ali and Cam up)
We talked about how much fun it would be but that we should say a prayer that a lot of people would come, so we could make a lot of money for sunny and pappy. As we talked about it Ali offered the sweetest prayer that people would come so that we could give sunny and Pappa money to pay for things. She had the sweetest, sincerest, prayer. As the day began with people stopping by at 6:30-we were not even set up, I continually heard from people that they weren't even planning on going to any garage sales, but they saw the signs and decided to come over. As so many people continually steamed in, I heard that saying at least 15 times. "I had no intention of going garage saleing but for some reason I am here buying a lot of stuff!!" I kept thinking back to cute Alis' prayer and thought of her sincere heart and the help the Saviour gave us on something as little as trying to raise money for our parents. It was so neat!!

going into the day I was hoping to reach a goal of at least $500.00 thinking that would be pretty great at a garage sale, but when we totalled the money and hit $1200.00 I was amazed. It felt so great to be able to give that and know it was done as a family with love!!!

what is not to LOVE

One fact I love about my kids is they are little buddies!! I love that!! Another fact... whenever they get out of the tub or shower they lay on the ground to warm up. Cam is the one who started this trend and now Ali has joined him. He used to lay down and wait while I helped Ali, but now they both just climb out of the tub, and lay in the door way of Cams room!! It is so cute to me!! Don't worry though- Ali has declared she is to old to bath with Cam (usually) so they just shower seperate and meet at the doorway! I love the little funny things they do!
And I love thier little bums!!

Our New Addition

THe Newest Derrick ADDITION..............
and No I am not Pregnant!!!


Last week On August 5th, we were so excited for one of Fros brothers to get married. He married Brittany Jackson who is so cute and we couldn't be happier for both of them!!
The day ended up being VERY long, and was much anticipated, but everything went smoothly and was great to be with family that came to support them.
We ended up waiting after the ceremony for them for an hour and a half-UGH!! but that was the worst part of the whole day.


The whole reason we got Ali to cooperate with us most of the day was the big promise that she could help "decorate" Mikes car. Ali and Jackson her cousin really helped make it a huge MESS!!
We had all colors of decorating sprinkles in the car, with bags of rice in the car and pasta noodles- not wet!! and a hidden suprise of CAMs (a stinky diaper!!)
On the outside we had whipping cream, mustard, marshmellows that were pulled in half so they were extra sticky, cookies, more sprinkles, and a big mess!!

They had such a blast making a mess of someone elses car!! Mike voluntarily gave us the keys, just for the record!!

It is payback, and we had a great time doing it!! It was Fro, Ali, Jackson, Nick, Al, Ben, and Mikes buddy Brock. Until the next wedding..........

My big BIRTHDAY!!

For my birthday this year I had only 1 thing I really wanted to do which was go camping. So all day saturday I spent getting food ready, getting all of our camping stuff up to the car and getting the kids ready to go. It was beautiful all day and i was so excited to go build a fire, and camp out with my family. I haven't taken Ali camping since she was 2 so I told her all about it and between the two of us there was so much anticipation and excitment. Fro had to work until 6 and we were counting down the hours. As soon as 6:00 came about so did the thunder, lightning and RAIN, LOTS OF RAIN! Our excitment was quickly replaced with complete depression. I was so bummed and so was Ali. Fro said we could still go, but what fun is mud camping- it just ends up a huge mess. The whole night I was just bummed and super sad about the whole thing. Luckily my sister Britto came and played the marble game with us and we beat the boys, so that made me a little happpier!!

So the next day being my big birthday I wanted to be in the mountains. I had a sub for my class at church and knew I couldn't just show up after working so hard to get a sub, so I decided we were going on a family hike to the PG waterfall.

for some reason Cam wanted to wear his beanie so bad! So in 95 degree weather he wore it almost the entire time up the hike!

It was fun with the kids, but quickly got a little to hot!! The waterfall and the hike were beautiful and the kids loved being in nature!

I am so lucky to have kids that Love each other so much!! they are the best buddies!!

After our hike we had planned to have my whole family head up A.F canyon for dessert and hanging out. We planned to meet at the canyon at 6:30. Well what do you know but a ton of RAIN hits our house at 6:15- I text the whole family that we are still a go up the canyon. My sister was a little concerned about the rain and I told her "I am very optimistic, we are still going!!" Fro just started laughing at this point, and I was hoping with all my might that it would stop raining, just for a little bit!!

It not only stopped raining, the canyon was beautiful. I forgot the candles for our angel food cake and we made a imaginary light with our lantern. the kids loved it!!


some of My neices and nephews. They are the greatest!! I love all of them!!


My sisters Brittany, and Brooke


All the "sisters" in our family! Gabby, Me, heather, Brittany, Brooke and Camille

Hanging out by the campfire. I was so happy that we found a spot in the canyon and were able to have a fire. There is nothing like the canyon with a camp fire.

My neice and i took the little boys on a little walk through the canyon and they loved exploring all the trails and finding all kinds of fun stuff!

One of the most amazing parts of my whole birthday was the cloud formations that appeared out of no where. They formed the most amazing "balloons" as we started calling them. They were my birthday balloons since I didn't have any. They were awesome. I have never seen anything like them before. It was so GREAT!!

There is nothing better than celebrating with family and I am so lucky these two people brought me into the world. They are inspiration to me, and I have been so blessed to have them as my parents!! I love you both and thanks for being the best!!

Girls Get-a-Way

 

A fun tradtition that we have done for the last two years is a girls retreat to my friend Alieshas cabin up just past park city. We head up Thursday and come home Saturday. This year I wasn't able to stay the whole time, but what i did stay for was lots of fun and relaxation.
This year I was on "the LIST" to be invited again, and that says something, not anyone gets invited, so I was pretty excited to make the cut 2 years in a row!!This is a joke- anyone is invited and this year was such short notice that everyone was scrambling to make it work!!
This year we had Aliesha, Meagan, Arah, Dawn, Marcy, Me,and Jill.
We got up Thursday night and hung out and talked on the patio of the cabin and Loved how great it was up there. Then we headed down to wait for Dawn and enjoy the local cuisines of Park City (Taco Bell!!). We waited for awhile because Dawn got a little lost from a work party so in the meantime we talked and enjoyed each others company!! then we stayed up talking about strippers until 3 in the morning!! I learned a lot about everyone and also that my dream of being a surf bum is not the coolest dream out there- who knew!!!
Than Friday we slept in (8:20) a little longer than usuall and just enjoyed taking the morning at our own pace. there is something great about not being rushed out of bed to breakfast on onto the day- it was GREAT!!!
We had a wonderful Crepe breakfast, and than headed to the outlets in Park City!! We had fun shopping and I realized that people have their "Loves" and I don't just have one thing that I love. Marcy seriously was able to be in one Watch shop for 2 hours. It was extended over a period of breaking it into a few different shop and then back again, but she was determinded to get her watch (which she didn't even get!!). We shopped and shopped and the greatest part was that Old Navy had 40% off everything so of course I was racking my brain of what else could I possibly need to buy!!- I hate sales they make you crazy@!! and I love them too!!
Then we went to the Loco Lizard Mexican restraunt for lunch and had a lot of fun. We headed back to the cabin after we had to stop One more time for Marcy to buy her must have ultra soft, ultra cozy purple pillow!! I have to tell you that Marcy is not Undecicive, she just wants to make sure she makes the right decision, which is why we couldn not leave the shopping vicinity without that pillow!!
We hung out and talked and talked and talked. We learned a lot about each other, our embarrassing moments, our likes, and dislikes, our very personal and not mentionable moments, and had a great time.
I had to leave that night because I didn't have a babysitter for saturday and I was planning on a little birthday tennis with my dad the next day, so after staying until 10 I headed home.
I got attacked by fluttering moths in my truck, got lost on the freeway, ended up in salt lake, but made it home by midnight!! I think a little get alway is a must for every mother because even a day away makes you love and appreciate your job as a mom!!
some of my favorite highlights:

-- Telling Arah that "I really Like Anita"- not making her feel like I was happy she was there- which I was glad she was there!!
-- Dawns "bishop" story
-- Listening to Marcy laugh, and laugh- I love her laugh
-- Learning that If I were to be anything my dream of surfing is "dumb" especially in comparison to Jill being a surgeon!
-- Stippers- strippers-- strippers- the whole conversation Dawn brought up
-- Meagan needs to consult a REAL physician!!
-- BUNK BEDS- Marcy is a saint for being on bottom! I thought i would die on bottom
-- Trying to get on the top bunk
-- The fact most people sleep in thier garments- what is that about!
-- REalizing peoples insecurities, and loves- everyone is so different!!
-- Aliesha is a amazing at arm exercises and is HILARIOUS- your a trooper.
-- Marcy Loves food as much as Aliesha- they have a great appreciation for goodness!!
-- I realized I don't try new foods as much as i need too!
-- Jill was run over by her mom in a car- that explains a few things!!j/k
-- and a whole lot of things I can't mention- but loved!!

Oh CANADA- just for DAVE!!

My husband has come up with his favorite tradition ever which is "Boys trip to CANADA!" He has made this trip for the last three years now and it has been by far one of his favorite things each year. Each year has been a completely different trip with different terrain,weather and people. The only constant has been his buddy Kade who has gone with him every year. This year was Fro,Kade, and Ray- and Dave you were completely missed and better plan it in next year or else...........
I have officially decided there is nothing sexier than the view of the back of this truck. You can't see it but there are 6 bikes hanging off the back of this truck and it was such a beautiful sight!!! the guys are to of course, but the bikes were just a beauty in itself!!

after their 17 hour drive up to Whistler Canada the guys had a blast!!
The only downside to this vacation is the unexpected breakage of bikes. It is a good thing they all brought 2 bikes because they needed them. The first day Fro broke pretty much every possible major bike part he could break. His brake line (makes riding whistler a little tricky with no brakes!!! yikes!) he broke his derailer, a line to his derailer and a whole bunch of other expensive parts i can't remember!!
Kade experienced 4 flats which is completely crazy- just shows how hard they were riding.

This year they decided to try a different hotel for their stay and decided it wasn't as nice since Ray ended up sleeping in a pull out bed under the kitchen table- who does that- it isn't a camping trailer, it is a suite in a nice hotel- only in Canada I guess!!

One of the days the boys decided to break up the all day riding at the indoor foam pit and bike park. They were glad they have spent some time at the BMX park because it paid off. They had a great time, and the foam pit is one of their favorite spots!



Fro looking serious before his take off!


Kade workin' it- he is awesome!!

Now what whistler is all about- their mountain trails are crazy!! I tried to get thier helmet cam and handlebar cam footage, but it wouldn't download for some reason so sorry Dave!!- I will try later-- but they each had some crazy crashes and all came home with some pretty good battle wounds!


Until next year CANADA or unless Fro gets his way and we end up moving there any time soon!! Anyone else want to move to CANADA??? Same time same place next year!!